US4287236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of improving the freeze resistance of particulate material at low temperatures
Assignee: Ecolab Inc
•
Filing: 1979-08-10
•
Granted: 1981-09-01
•
Expires: 1999-08-10
Abstract
Abstract The resistance of particulate material to clumping or solidification at below-freezing temperatures is improved by applying to the particles a coating of a polymer emulsion in water which drys to a water-insoluble film. A freeze-point-depressing substance is preferably combined with the emulsion in order to prevent the emulsion itself from freezing at the temperatures to which the particulate material is subjected. It is believed that said coating minimizes the strength of adhesion between the particles and any ice which may form between them and also minimizes the strength of such ice.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark O. Kestner
- 👤 Stephen H. Stoldt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:23
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/18; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0006; B01J19/002; B01J2/00; B01J2/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of improving the flow of particulate material at low temperatures by inhibiting clumping or solidification of large masses of said particles which comprises applying to the particles a coating of a polymer emulsion in water which has the characteristic of drying to form a water-insoluble film, exposing the particles en masse to external watering conditions and to temperatures below the freezing point of water, and then subjecting the particles at low temperatures to an operation in which they are caused to flow from one point to another under conditions such that clumping or solidification of large masses of said particles are deleterious, said coating being applied at the rate of between 2.0-5.0 pints of treatment material per ton of particulate material, the treatment material comprising polymer solids in an amount between 3.5-25% by weight of said treatment material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of improving the flow of particulate material at low temperatures by inhibiting clumping or solidification of large masses of said particles which comprises applying to the particles a coating of a polymer emulsion in water which has the characteristic of drying to form a water-insoluble film, exposing the particles en masse to external watering conditions and to temperatures below the freezing point of water, and then subjecting the particles at low temperatures to an operation in which they are caused to flow from one point to another under conditions such that clumping or solidification of large masses of said particles are deleterious, said coating being applied at the rate of between 2.0-5.0 pints of treatment material per ton of particulate material, the treatment material comprising polymer solids in an amount between 3.5-25% by weight of said treatment material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 in which said polymer is selected from the group consisting of vinyl-acrylic, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, styrene-butadiene, styrene-vinyl-acrylic, acrylic, styrene-acrylic, vinyl acetate-dibutylmaleate, and vinyl acetate polymers and co-polymers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, in which said emulsion has a low viscosity and is applied to said particulate material in the form of a spray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, in which there is mixed with the emulsion an operative amount of a water-soluble, non-volatile, freeze-point-depressing substance compatible with said polymer emulsion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4, in which said emulsion has a low viscosity and is applied to said particulate material in the form of a spray.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, in which said freeze-point-depressing substance comprises a mixture of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10, in which said emulsion has a low viscosity and is applied to said particulate material in the form of a spray.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4, in which said coating is applied at the rate of about 2.5 pints or more per ton of particles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14, in which said emulsion has a low viscosity and is applied to said particulate material in the form of a spray.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, in which said freeze-point-depressing substance comprises a mixture of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 20, in which said emulsion has a low viscosity and is applied to said particulate material in the form of a spray.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 4 in which said polymer is selected from the group consisting of vinyl-acrylic, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, styrene-butadiene, styrene-vinyl-acrylic, acrylic, styrene-acrylic, vinyl acetate-dibutylmaleate, and vinyl acetate polymers and co-polymers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26, in which said emulsion has a low viscosity and is applied to said particulate material in the form of a spray.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-25% freeze-point-depressant--30-95% water--remainder.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27, in which said mixture of emulsion and freeze-point-depressing substance comprises: polymer solids--3.5-10% freeze-point-depressant--60-70% water--remainder.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28, in which said freeze-point-depressing substance comprises a mixture of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |