US5400972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Agglomeration nozzle
Assignee: Nestec SA
•
Filing: 1993-08-06
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2013-08-06
Abstract
Abstract An agglomeration nozzle is formed of a cylindrical tube and a sintered plate which surrounds and extends transversely from the tube with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube at a position adjacent to an end of the tube and which is separated from the tube by a gap.
Inventors
- 👤 Hanspeter Maier
- 👤 Klaus Zimmermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:36
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J2/00; B01J2/16; A; A23; A23F; A23F5/00; A23F5/24; A23F5/36; A23F5/38; A23P; A23P10/00; A23P10/20; A23P10/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An agglomeration nozzle comprising a feed tube and a wetting member configured and positioned for, respectively, separately feeding a flow of a powderform material and a flow of a gas for contacting the powderform material with the gas wherein the feed tube has inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which extend to a feed tube end which surrounds a feed tube outlet and is suitable for feeding a flow of a powderform material through the feed tube and out of the feed tube outlet and wherein the wetting member comprises a sintered plate which extends from a plate edge which extends coaxially about the feed tube outer surface at a position which is adjacent the feed tube outlet end and which is displaced a distance from the feed tube outer surface so that the plate extends transversely from the feed tube with respect to a longitudinal axis of the feed tube for passing a gas through the plate and between the feed tube outer surface and the plate edge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An agglomeration nozzle comprising a feed tube and a wetting member configured and positioned for, respectively, separately feeding a flow of a powderform material and a flow of a gas for contacting the powderform material with the gas wherein the feed tube has inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which extend to a feed tube end which surrounds a feed tube outlet and is suitable for feeding a flow of a powderform material through the feed tube and out of the feed tube outlet and wherein the wetting member comprises a sintered plate which extends from a plate edge which extends coaxially about the feed tube outer surface at a position which is adjacent the feed tube outlet end and which is displaced a distance from the feed tube outer surface so that the plate extends transversely from the feed tube with respect to a longitudinal axis of the feed tube for passing a gas through the plate and between the feed tube outer surface and the plate edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A nozzle according to claim 1 further comprising a first wall portion which extends transversely from the plate at a position displaced away from the plate edge and a second wall portion which extends transversely from the first portion to the feed tube to surround the feed tube to form a compartment for assisting supply and control of a gas to the plate and between the feed tube outer surface and plate edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A nozzle according to claim 2 wherein the compartment is divided into two portions so that one portion is configured for assisting supply and control of a gas to pass between the feed tube outer surface and the plate edge and so that a second portion is configured for assisting supply and control of a gas to the plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A nozzle according to claim 1 further comprising a ring positioned between the plate edge and the feed tube outer surface and having a plurality of bore holes positioned therethrough for passing a gas through the ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A nozzle according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 further comprising an additional tube having inner and outer circumferential surfaces which extend to an outlet end and which is configured and positioned within the feed tube so that the additional tube outlet end is positioned adjacent the feed tube outlet end and for feeding a powderform material about the additional tube outer surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A nozzle according to claim 5 wherein the additional tube outlet end is beveled for directing a gas flow in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the feed tube and further comprising an edge member which is positioned adjacent the plate edge and which is beveled for directing a flow of gas in a direction towards the longitudinal axis of the feed tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A nozzle according to claim 1 further comprising a second tube which extends from a position integral with the plate edge coaxially about the feed tube outer surface and which has an inner circumferential cylindrical surface displaced a distance from the feed tube outer surface for forming a slot between the feed tube outer surface and second tube inner surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A nozzle according to claim 3 further comprising a plate positioned in the compartment transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the feed tube to divide the compartment into the two portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
A nozzle according to claim 2 further comprising a second tube which extends from a position integral with the plate edge coaxially about the feed tube outer surface and which has an inner circumferential cylindrical surface displaced a distance from the feed tube outer surface for forming a slot between the feed tube outer surface and the second tube inner surface and which extends a distance from the plate to a second tube edge which is displaced a distance from the compartment second wall portion and further comprising a divider plate which is positioned in the compartment and extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the feed tube and which is connected to the second tube to divide the compartment into portions for separating gas flow between the slot and the plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A nozzle according to claim 9 further comprising an additional tube having inner and outer circumferential surfaces which extend to an outlet end and which is configured and positioned within the feed tube so that the additional tube outlet end is positioned adjacent the feed tube outlet end and for feeding a powderform material about the additional tube outer surface and further comprising a ring positioned between the plate edge and the feed tube outer surface and having a plurality of bore holes positioned therethrough for passing a gas from the slot through the ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A nozzle according to claim 9 wherein the second tube extends so that it abuts the plate edge and wherein the outlet ends of the feed tube and second tube are beveled for directing a flow of gas passing between the second tube inner surface and feed tube outer surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A nozzle according to claim 10 wherein the additional tube outlet end is beveled for directing a gas flow in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the feed tube and further comprising an edge member which is positioned adjacent the plate edge and which is beveled for directing a flow of gas in a direction towards the longitudinal axis of the feed tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An agglomeration nozzle according to claim 1 wherein the sintered plate has pores which have an average diameter of from 10 μm to 200 μm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A nozzle according to claim 1 wherein the plate is a metal plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |