Patent US4254565A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4254565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for the segmented mining and drying of bentonite
Assignee: Amcol International Corp
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Filing: 1979-11-08
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for drying, curing and mining bentonite clay in a clay pit wherein that overburden of non-clay material which may exist is removed and the surface of the bentonite ore body is tilled to loosen or break up a tier of the bentonite to expose it to the natural drying and curing effects of the atmosphere, the dried and cured tier of bentonite is removed thus exposing another tier of uncured bentonite, which is again tilled for drying and curing, and the process is repeated until the bentonite ore body is exhausted.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerold D. Jenkins
- 👤 Robert A. Falconer
- 👤 Donald A. Hentz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:12
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F1/00; E21; E21C; E21C47/00; E21C47/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An improved method for mining of bentonite clay having a moisture content of 25-32%, the steps comprising tilling an exposed bentonite clay deposit to a uniform depth of not more than about eight inches, drying and curing the tilled bentonite in situ by exposure to sun and air until said tilled bentonite reaches a uniform moisture level of not more than about 18%, removing only the dried and cured tilled bentonite, thereby exposing the bentonite therebelow, tilling the exposed layer of bentonite to a uniform depth of not more than about eight inches to promote drying and curing and thereafter repeating the removal, tilling, in situ drying and curing steps to obtain a bentonite clay having a uniform particle size and uniform moisture level not more than about 18%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An improved method for mining of bentonite clay having a moisture content of 25-32%, the steps comprising tilling an exposed bentonite clay deposit to a uniform depth of not more than about eight inches, drying and curing the tilled bentonite in situ by exposure to sun and air until said tilled bentonite reaches a uniform moisture level of not more than about 18%, removing only the dried and cured tilled bentonite, thereby exposing the bentonite therebelow, tilling the exposed layer of bentonite to a uniform depth of not more than about eight inches to promote drying and curing and thereafter repeating the removal, tilling, in situ drying and curing steps to obtain a bentonite clay having a uniform particle size and uniform moisture level not more than about 18%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
An improved method for recovering uniform quality bentonite clay from a field deposit of bentonite containing about 25-32% moisture having an exposed surface layer of bentonite clay, the steps comprising mechanically working the exposed surface layer of the field deposit in situ to thereby reduce said exposed surface layer to a finely divided particulate material having a uniform depth in the range of two to eight inches, allowing said particulate material to air dry in situ to a uniform moisture content of less than 18% by exposure to sun and air, thereafter carefully removing only said air dried particulate material from said field deposit in the air dried condition, whereby a field dried bentonite clay having a uniform particle size, and having a uniform moisture content of less than 18% is obtained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
An improved method for recovering uniform quality bentonite clay from a field deposit of bentonite containing about 25-32% moisture having an exposed surface layer of bentonite clay, the steps comprising mechanically working the exposed surface layer of the field deposit in situ to thereby reduce said exposed surface layer to a finely divided particulate material having a uniform depth in the range of two to eight inches, allowing said particulate material to air dry in situ to a uniform moisture content of less than 18% by exposure to sun and air, thereafter carefully removing only said air dried particulate material from said field deposit in the air dried condition, whereby a field dried bentonite clay having a uniform particle size, and having a uniform moisture content of less than 18% is obtained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the particulate material is removed from the field deposit when the moisture content thereof is in the range of ten to eighteen percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the exposed surface layer of bentonite clay is mechanically worked to a depth of from four to six inches to form a thin surface layer of finely divided particulate material whereby adequate air drying and curing thereof is insured before removal from said field deposit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |