US4597609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of melting sulphur
Assignee: BURZA RESOURCES Ltd
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Filing: 1984-12-11
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of melting sulphur, in block form, uses a heating device having lower heating surfaces and means for withdrawing sulphur. The device is positioned on a block of sulphur so that the heating surface(s) are inclined downardly to a collection location spaced inwardly from sides of the sulphur block. The heat is supplied to the heating surfaces to melt sulphur, and molten sulphur is withdrawn by the means for withdrawing it. As sulphur is melted, the heating device is progressively lowered through the block of sulphur. A corresponding apparatus having inclined heating surfaces is provided. As the sulphur is melted so that molten sulphur runs down towards the collection location, the device can be used right up against the edge of a block of sulphur.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew W. Deszynski
- 👤 Andre Tucque
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/26; C; C01; C01B; C01B17/00; C01B17/02; C01B17/0221; E21C37/00; E21C37/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for melting a block of sulphur, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a heating device having a plurality of top edges and a plurality of lower heating surfaces at a predetermined location on a block of sulphur, so that siad heating surfaces of the heating device are inclined downwardly from said top edges of the heating device and form a collection location in the block of sulphur beneath said heating surfaces when heat is supplied to the heating device, the heating device further having a means for withdrawing molten sulphur from the collection location, the collection location being adjacent to the means for withdrawing molten sulphur from the collection location; (b) supplying heat to the heating device adjacent to said heating surfaces thereof to melt sulphur, so that the molten sulphur flows downwardly through spaces formed beneath said surfaces to the collection location; (c) withdrawing molten sulphur by said means for withdrawing molten sulphur from the collection location; and (d) progressively lowering th heating device downwardly through the block of sulphur as molten sulphur is withdrawn, whereby the block of sulphur is melted without the necessity of leaving walls of unmelted sulphur and the heater is carefully lowered progressivley vertically downwardly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for melting a block of sulphur, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a heating device having a plurality of top edges and a plurality of lower heating surfaces at a predetermined location on a block of sulphur, so that siad heating surfaces of the heating device are inclined downwardly from said top edges of the heating device and form a collection location in the block of sulphur beneath said heating surfaces when heat is supplied to the heating device, the heating device further having a means for withdrawing molten sulphur from the collection location, the collection location being adjacent to the means for withdrawing molten sulphur from the collection location; (b) supplying heat to the heating device adjacent to said heating surfaces thereof to melt sulphur, so that the molten sulphur flows downwardly through spaces formed beneath said surfaces to the collection location; (c) withdrawing molten sulphur by said means for withdrawing molten sulphur from the collection location; and (d) progressively lowering th heating device downwardly through the block of sulphur as molten sulphur is withdrawn, whereby the block of sulphur is melted without the necessity of leaving walls of unmelted sulphur and the heater is carefully lowered progressivley vertically downwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning a heating device on a block of sulphur includes suspending the heating device from a mobile vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vehicle has a boom attached thereto, and the heating device is suspended from said boom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vehicle is positioned on the ground adjacent to the sulphur block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vehicle is positioned on top of the sulphur block.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein downward movement of the heating device is controlled by guide means of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the downward movement of the heating device is controlled by said guide means comprising a plurality of slides mounted for sliding movement on vertical members mounted on means attached to the vehicle, with the slides additionally being attached to the heating device.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
60 words
a method as claimed in any one of claims 4, 5 and 7, wherein the heating device comprises two of said heating surfaces which have elongated shapes with horizontally spaced distal ends and are connected to each other along a ridge and wherein said means for withdrawing molten sulphur from the collection location is located at one of said surfaces.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in any one of claims 4, 5, and 7, wherein the collectin location is positioned centrally of the heating device, and wherein said surfaces comprise four triangular heating surfaces which have apexes located at the collection location.
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) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |