Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A drum mixer for producing an asphaltic composition from asphalt and aggregates, said mixer comprising: a rotatable cylinder having first and second open ends with an internal passageway communicating therebetween and having first and second zones, said cylinder disposed substantially horizontal with said first end inclined slightly above said second end; drive means to rotate said cylinder about the central longitudinal axis thereof; aggregate feed means having a discharge portion extending within said first open end of said cylinder to deliver aggregate material to said first zone of said cylinder; burner means adjacent said first end of said cylinder to generate a hot gas stream within said first zone of said cylinder in order to heat and dry the aggregate material delivered thereto; an exhaust tube penetrating the second end of said cylinder and disposed within said internal passageway of said cylinder, said exhaust tube communicating with said first zone to remove said hot gas stream generated by said burner means and thereby prevent said hot gas stream from reaching said second zone; liquid asphalt feed means disposed within said second zone of said cylinder for delivering liquid asphalt thereto to form an asphaltic composition; and discharge means for directing said asphaltic composition from said second zone of said cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A drum mixer for producing an asphaltic composition from asphalt and aggregates, said mixer comprising: a rotatable cylinder having first and second open ends with an internal passageway communicating therebetween and having first and second zones, said cylinder disposed substantially horizontal with said first end inclined slightly above said second end; drive means to rotate said cylinder about the central longitudinal axis thereof; aggregate feed means having a discharge portion extending within said first open end of said cylinder to deliver aggregate material to said first zone of said cylinder; burner means adjacent said first end of said cylinder to generate a hot gas stream within said first zone of said cylinder in order to heat and dry the aggregate material delivered thereto; an exhaust tube penetrating the second end of said cylinder and disposed within said internal passageway of said cylinder, said exhaust tube communicating with said first zone to remove said hot gas stream generated by said burner means and thereby prevent said hot gas stream from reaching said second zone; liquid asphalt feed means disposed within said second zone of said cylinder for delivering liquid asphalt thereto to form an asphaltic composition; and discharge means for directing said asphaltic composition from said second zone of said cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The drum mixer as set forth in claim 1, including recycle feed means to deliver recycle asphalt material directly to said second zone of said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The drum mixer as set forth in claim 1, including recycle feed means to deliver recycle asphalt material directly to said first zone of said cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The drum mixer as set forth in claim 1, including first recycle feed means to deliver recycle asphalt material directly to said first zone of said cylinder; and second recycle feed means to deliver recycle asphalt material directly to said second zone of said cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The drum mixer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cylinder has a plurality of lifting flights mounted on the interior surface thereof in at least a portion of said first zone for forming a curtain of falling aggregates in the passageway when the cylinder rotates, wherein said hot gas stream flows through the curtain of falling aggregates to heat and dry the aggregates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The drum mixer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cylinder has a plurality of rigid mixing paddles mounted on the interior surface thereof in at least a portion of said second zone to mix and blend the liquid asphalt with the aggregate to form the asphaltic composition within said second zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The drum mixer as set forth in claim 1, including a perforated partition within the passageway between said first and second zones, wherein said exhaust tube extends centrally through the partition into said first zone and aggregate material flows through perforations in the partition into said second zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The drum mixer as set forth in claim 1, including auger feed means for introducing fine binder material into said second zone for mixing with the liquid asphalt and aggregate materials.