Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of mixing particulate materials, the method comprising the steps of: placing the particulate materials within a longitudinal container, mechanically moving said particulate material within said longitudinal container by rotating a plurality of impeller blades having a twisted configuration so as to cause flow of said material in one direction for a given radial distance of said blades, and in a second direction beyond said radial distance, fluidizing the said particulate material in said longitudinal container having a first section with a substantially constant cross-sectional area with respect to distance along a longitudinal axis of said longitudinal container and a second section having a decreasing cross-sectional area with respect to distance along said longitudinal axis; establishing a second flow of said fluidized particulate materials longitudinally along said first section of said longitudinal container in a direction away from said second section thereof, said second flow having a predetermined second flow cross-sectional area; and combining said first and second flows in said second section of said longitudinal container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of mixing particulate materials, the method comprising the steps of: placing the particulate materials within a longitudinal container, mechanically moving said particulate material within said longitudinal container by rotating a plurality of impeller blades having a twisted configuration so as to cause flow of said material in one direction for a given radial distance of said blades, and in a second direction beyond said radial distance, fluidizing the said particulate material in said longitudinal container having a first section with a substantially constant cross-sectional area with respect to distance along a longitudinal axis of said longitudinal container and a second section having a decreasing cross-sectional area with respect to distance along said longitudinal axis; establishing a second flow of said fluidized particulate materials longitudinally along said first section of said longitudinal container in a direction away from said second section thereof, said second flow having a predetermined second flow cross-sectional area; and combining said first and second flows in said second section of said longitudinal container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there is provided the further step of agitating said combined first and second flows in said second section of said longitudinal container whereby said first flow is returned as said second flow after said agitation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there is provided the further step of continuing said first and second flows in said second section of said longitudinal container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps of establishing said first and second flows comprise the further step of rotating a rotor having at least one impeller blade in said first section of said longitudinal container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said impeller blade is formed of first and second blade sections for said first and second flows, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first flow of said fluidized particulate material has a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially cylindrical with respect to said direction of flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said second flow of said fluidized particulate material has a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially annular with respect to said direction of flow, said first flow being surrounded cross-sectionally by said second flow in said first section of said longitudinal container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there is provided the further step of removing a predetermined component of said fluidized particulate material from said established flows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of removing a predetermined component comprises the drying of the particulate material during mixing.