US4532155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and process for coating, granulating and/or drying particles
Assignee: GD Searle LLC
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Filing: 1984-12-10
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Granted: 1985-07-30
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Expires: 2004-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A fluidized bed apparatus and method are disclosed for coating, granulating and/or drying particles. The particles are circulated within a chamber by means of circumferential air flow. A first gas stream moves upwardly through the chamber. A second gas stream enters the chamber through openings in the side wall of the chamber. The openings extend generally horizontally and tangential to the side wall so that the second gas is directed circumferentially in the chamber for three-dimensional rotation and circulation of the particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor Golant
- 👤 David Hsia
- 👤 William Taylor, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:00
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B3/00; F26B3/02; F26B3/06; F26B3/08; F26B3/092; F26B3/0926; B; B01; B01J; B01J2/00; B01J2/006; B01J2/16; B01J8/00; B01J8/18; B01J8/24; B01J8/38; B01J8/384; B01J8/386; F26B17/00; F26B17/10; F26B17/107; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus for coating particles comprising a vertically extending round tower having a side wall extending between a top end and a bottom end, means for moving a flow of a first gas into the bottom end of said tower and generally vertically and upwardly through the tower, means for releasing particles to be coated into said moving flow of said first gas for suspending the particles in said flow, means for feeding into said tower a coating material containing a liquid for coating the particles, said side wall defining a plurality of openings that extend generally horizontally and generally tangential to said side wall, said side wall having at least some of said openings spaced from said bottom end, moving means for moving said particles circumferentially in said tower for three-dimensional rotation and circulation of substantially all of said particles and for evaporating same of said liquid from the coating material on substantially all of said particles, for maintaining substantially all of said particles suspended in said tower above said bottom end, and for dispersing said coating material, said moving means comprising means for introducing a second gas into said tower through said openings in said side wall generally horizontally and generally tangentially to said side wall.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus for coating particles comprising a vertically extending round tower having a side wall extending between a top end and a bottom end, means for moving a flow of a first gas into the bottom end of said tower and generally vertically and upwardly through the tower, means for releasing particles to be coated into said moving flow of said first gas for suspending the particles in said flow, means for feeding into said tower a coating material containing a liquid for coating the particles, said side wall defining a plurality of openings that extend generally horizontally and generally tangential to said side wall, said side wall having at least some of said openings spaced from said bottom end, moving means for moving said particles circumferentially in said tower for three-dimensional rotation and circulation of substantially all of said particles and for evaporating same of said liquid from the coating material on substantially all of said particles, for maintaining substantially all of said particles suspended in said tower above said bottom end, and for dispersing said coating material, said moving means comprising means for introducing a second gas into said tower through said openings in said side wall generally horizontally and generally tangentially to said side wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said side wall defines openings that are disposed at an angle of no more than 30 degrees relative to the tangent of said wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said particles are initially supported by the bottom end of said tower.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of openings extends vertically along a major portion of the height of said side wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein at least two sets of vertical openings are defined by said side wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said coating material includes a powder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein means is provided for feeding a powdered coating material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
183 words
A process for coating particles, comprising the steps of providing a stationary vertically extending round tower having a side wall extending between a top end and a bottom end, introducing a first gas into the bottom end of the tower, flowing said first gas generally vertically and upwardly through said tower, introducing particles into said tower for coating, said particles being suspended in the flow of said first gas, feeding a coating material containing a liquid into said tower for coating the particles, introducing a second gas into said tower through said side wall from a plurality of locations with at least some of said locations spaced above said bottom end, directing said second gas into said tower generally horizontally and circumferentially, dispersing said coating material by means of said second gas, rotating substantially all of said particles three-dimensionally and circulating substantially all of said particles by means of said second gas to evenly coat said particles with said coating material, and evaporating some of the liquid from the coating material on substantially all of said particles by means of said second gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
183 words
A process for coating particles, comprising the steps of providing a stationary vertically extending round tower having a side wall extending between a top end and a bottom end, introducing a first gas into the bottom end of the tower, flowing said first gas generally vertically and upwardly through said tower, introducing particles into said tower for coating, said particles being suspended in the flow of said first gas, feeding a coating material containing a liquid into said tower for coating the particles, introducing a second gas into said tower through said side wall from a plurality of locations with at least some of said locations spaced above said bottom end, directing said second gas into said tower generally horizontally and circumferentially, dispersing said coating material by means of said second gas, rotating substantially all of said particles three-dimensionally and circulating substantially all of said particles by means of said second gas to evenly coat said particles with said coating material, and evaporating some of the liquid from the coating material on substantially all of said particles by means of said second gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as defined in claim 8 including the step of feeding a powdered coating material into said tower.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process as defined in claim 8 including the steps of terminating the feeding of coating material after said particles have grown to a predetermined size, continuing the flow of said first and second gas for drying said coated particles, terminating said flow of said first and second gas after said particles have dried, and removing said dry coated particles from said tower.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said openings are positioned along a major portion of the height of said side wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process as defined in claim 8 including the step of introducing a second gas into said tower through said side wall from a plurality of locations along a major portion of the height of said side wall.
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) | 1988-07-29 | 1989-01-28 | 1989-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-29 | 1993-01-28 | 1993-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-01-28 | 1997-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |