USRE29625E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for separating sand from botanical materials
Assignee: Brown and Williamson Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1976-08-23
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Granted: 1978-05-09
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Expires: 1996-08-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is provided for the separation of sand and botanical materials, particularly tobacco, the apparatus including a fluidized bed and a porous support for the mixture of sand and botanical materials. The method incorporates the apparatus and aids in the separation, the method potentially including a pulsed fluid flow superimposed on a steady fluid flow in the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W. Summers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:21
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07B; B07B4/00; B07B4/08; B03; B03B; B03B4/00; B03B4/005; B03B4/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for the dry separation of sand particles from botanical fines in which substantially all of the sand particles and fines have a size which .[.is less than.]. .Iadd.will be retained on .Iaddend.about .Iadd.a .Iaddend. 100 mesh .Iadd.screen .Iaddend.comprising a. a substantially enclosed chamber; b. supports means positioned at the bottom of said chamber for permitting the discharge of sand from said chamber, said support means including a plurality of substantially spherical bodies having a diameter of 2 to 5 mm and a tolerance of ±20 percent and constrained into substantially 3-center close packing; c. first means for supplying a mixture of sand and botanical fines having a size .[.less than.]. .Iadd.which will be retained on .Iaddend.about .Iadd.a .Iaddend.100 mesh .Iadd.screen .Iaddend.into said chamber above said support means; d. second means for moving an upwardly flow of gas through said support means into said chamber at a steady velocity sufficient to fluidize the mixture of sand and botanical fines above the support means; and e. vibrating means for vibrating said support means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for the dry separation of sand particles from botanical fines in which substantially all of the sand particles and fines have a size which .[.is less than.]. .Iadd.will be retained on .Iaddend.about .Iadd.a .Iaddend. 100 mesh .Iadd.screen .Iaddend.comprising a. a substantially enclosed chamber; b. supports means positioned at the bottom of said chamber for permitting the discharge of sand from said chamber, said support means including a plurality of substantially spherical bodies having a diameter of 2 to 5 mm and a tolerance of ±20 percent and constrained into substantially 3-center close packing; c. first means for supplying a mixture of sand and botanical fines having a size .[.less than.]. .Iadd.which will be retained on .Iaddend.about .Iadd.a .Iaddend.100 mesh .Iadd.screen .Iaddend.into said chamber above said support means; d. second means for moving an upwardly flow of gas through said support means into said chamber at a steady velocity sufficient to fluidize the mixture of sand and botanical fines above the support means; and e. vibrating means for vibrating said support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which a third means superimposes a pulse flow on a steady flow of gas having a velocity of 1.2 to 41 feet per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said third means superimposes the pulse flow at a velocity of 15 to 88 feet per minute for a pulse duration of 0.5 to 10 seconds and at a pulse frequency of one-half to sixty per minute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having a baffle means positioned within the chamber and adjacent the center of said support means for directing the air flow away from the center of said column.
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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) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |