US4492594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for liquefying material with retainer means
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1984-01-03
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Granted: 1985-01-08
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Expires: 2004-01-03
Abstract
Abstract In an arrangement for liquefying pulverulent materials such as glass batch, the material to be liquefied is deposited onto a sloped surface comprised of a compatible pulverulent material retained in place by a grid-like member.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Curley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:46
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B5/00; C03B5/14; C03B3/00; C03B3/02; C03B5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for liquefying pulverulent material comprising: a vessel having an interior side wall, means for heating the interior of the vessel to a liquefying temperature, outlet means at a bottom portion of the vessel for draining liquefied material from the vessel, inlet means at an upper portion of the vessel for feeding pulverulent material onto interior side wall portions of the vessel, and grid means within the vessel spaced from the interior side wall for retaining pulverulent material against the interior side wall portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for liquefying pulverulent material comprising: a vessel having an interior side wall, means for heating the interior of the vessel to a liquefying temperature, outlet means at a bottom portion of the vessel for draining liquefied material from the vessel, inlet means at an upper portion of the vessel for feeding pulverulent material onto interior side wall portions of the vessel, and grid means within the vessel spaced from the interior side wall for retaining pulverulent material against the interior side wall portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the side wall encircles a central cavity and the grid member is generally frusto-conical in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the vessel is mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the grid means comprises a plurality of elongated elements in fixed relationship to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the grid member is fabricated from refractory metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the grid is comprised of horizontally elongated elements mounted in the path of flow of the liquefied material so as to retard the flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the grid elements have spaces therebetween of about 1 to 100 square centimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the vessel comprises a metallic drum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grid means slopes at an angle greater than the natural angle of repose of the pulverulent material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for liquefying pulverulent material comprising: providing a lining of pulverulent material on interior side wall portions of a vessel so as to present a sloped melting surface, feeding additional pulverulent material onto the lining, heating the vessel interior so as to liquefy portions of the pulverulent material, draining the liquefied material from the vessel, and retaining the lining in place by means of a grid structure in contact therewith.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for liquefying pulverulent material comprising: providing a lining of pulverulent material on interior side wall portions of a vessel so as to present a sloped melting surface, feeding additional pulverulent material onto the lining, heating the vessel interior so as to liquefy portions of the pulverulent material, draining the liquefied material from the vessel, and retaining the lining in place by means of a grid structure in contact therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the lining is provided so as to encircle a central cavity within the vessel, and the heating is provided to the central cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the lining is rotated about the central cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the pulverulent material being liquefied is glass batch material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lining material is retained by the grid at a slope greater than the natural angle of response of the material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the grid is maintained covered by the liquefied material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2006947A
Cited
US2007755A
Cited
US2262069A
Cited
US2834157A
Cited
US4372771A
Cited
US4381934A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-08 | 1988-07-09 | 1989-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-08 | 1992-07-09 | 1993-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-08 | 1996-07-09 | 1997-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |