USRE31905E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for recycling asphalt-aggregate compositions
Assignee: Robert L. Mendenhall
•
Filing: 1982-01-18
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Granted: 1985-06-04
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Expires: 2002-01-18
Abstract
Abstract In a process for producing asphalt-aggregate composition in which used asphaltic concrete is recycled by being heated and mixed in a rotatable drum into which flame and hot gases of combustion are directed, the improvement comprises introducing virgin aggregate in a hot zone of the drum and directly exposing the aggregate to the flame and/or hot gases of combustion, and introducing particles of asphalt-aggregate composition downstream from the hot drum input end, away from direct exposure to the flame and extremely hot gases, in a cooler temperature zone. An improved apparatus includes means for introducing the aggregate at the input drum end for direct exposure to the flame or hot-test gases, and means for introducing the used and recycled asphalt-aggregate composition in a cooler drum zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Mendenhall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:37
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/02; E01C19/10; E01C19/1059; E01C19/1068; E01C19/1072; C; C08; C08L; C08L95/00; E01C19/1013; E01C19/1027; E01C19/1036; C08L2207/00; C08L2207/20; C08L2207/22; E01C2019/1081; E01C2019/1095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A process for .[.producing asphalt-aggregate composition.]. .Iadd.continuously recycling used asphaltic concrete .Iaddend.comprising .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only .Iaddend.non-asphalt containing aggregate particles in a hot zone of a rotatable drum and gradually heating and advancing said aggregate toward an output drum end, .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only a mixture of coarse and fine .Iaddend.solid particles of used asphaltic concrete comprising a mixture of asphalt and aggregate radially into said drum downstream from said hot zone .Iadd.at a single location .Iaddend.in a cooler temperature zone, gradually mixing and heating said aggregate with said asphaltic concrete particles, and adding and mixing liquid asphalt with .[.said.]. .Iadd.the mixture of aggregate and asphaltic concrete .Iaddend.particles downstream from said hot zone to produce .[.said asphalt-aggregate.]. .Iadd.an asphaltic concrete paving .Iaddend.composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A process for .[.producing asphalt-aggregate composition.]. .Iadd.continuously recycling used asphaltic concrete .Iaddend.comprising .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only .Iaddend.non-asphalt containing aggregate particles in a hot zone of a rotatable drum and gradually heating and advancing said aggregate toward an output drum end, .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only a mixture of coarse and fine .Iaddend.solid particles of used asphaltic concrete comprising a mixture of asphalt and aggregate radially into said drum downstream from said hot zone .Iadd.at a single location .Iaddend.in a cooler temperature zone, gradually mixing and heating said aggregate with said asphaltic concrete particles, and adding and mixing liquid asphalt with .[.said.]. .Iadd.the mixture of aggregate and asphaltic concrete .Iaddend.particles downstream from said hot zone to produce .[.said asphalt-aggregate.]. .Iadd.an asphaltic concrete paving .Iaddend.composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a process for producing .Iadd.an .Iaddend.asphalt-aggregate .Iadd.paving .Iaddend.composition by heating and mixing non-asphalt containing aggregate particles in a rotating drum into which hot gases of combustion are directed for said heating while gradually drawing said particles from an input drum end to an output end, and mixing liquid asphalt with said particles to produce said composition, the improvement comprising introducing .Iadd.only .Iaddend.said non-asphalt containing aggregate particles at said drum input end, said particles being exposed to said gases in a hot temperature zone, and introducing .Iadd.only a mixture of coarse and fine .Iaddend.solid particles of used asphaltic concrete comprising a mixture of asphalt and aggregate in said drum .Iadd.at a single location .Iaddend.in .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.cooler temperature .[.zones.]. .Iadd.prior to mixing said liquid asphalt.Iaddend..
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a process for producing .Iadd.an .Iaddend.asphalt-aggregate .Iadd.paving .Iaddend.composition by heating and mixing non-asphalt containing aggregate particles in a rotating drum into which hot gases of combustion are directed for said heating while gradually drawing said particles from an input drum end to an output end, and mixing liquid asphalt with said particles to produce said composition, the improvement comprising introducing .Iadd.only .Iaddend.said non-asphalt containing aggregate particles at said drum input end, said particles being exposed to said gases in a hot temperature zone, and introducing .Iadd.only a mixture of coarse and fine .Iaddend.solid particles of used asphaltic concrete comprising a mixture of asphalt and aggregate in said drum .Iadd.at a single location .Iaddend.in .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.cooler temperature .[.zones.]. .Iadd.prior to mixing said liquid asphalt.Iaddend..
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the temperature in said hot zone is at least about 1000° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the temperature in said cooler .[.zones.]. .Iadd.zone .Iaddend.is below about 800° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature in said cooler zone is below about 800° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said liquid asphalt is added immediately adjacent said cooler temperature zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for .[.producing asphalt-aggregate composition.]. .Iadd.continuously recycling used asphaltic concrete .Iaddend.comprising .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only .Iaddend.non-asphalt containing virgin aggregate particles in a hot temperature zone of a rotatable drum, gradually heating said particles and rotating said drum to advance said particles toward an output drum end, .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only a mixture of coarse and fine .Iaddend.solid particles of used asphaltic concrete comprising a mixture of asphalt and aggregate in said drum .Iadd.at a single location .Iaddend.in a cooler temperature zone, and gradually mixing and heating said aggregate particles with said asphaltic concrete.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for .[.producing asphalt-aggregate composition.]. .Iadd.continuously recycling used asphaltic concrete .Iaddend.comprising .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only .Iaddend.non-asphalt containing virgin aggregate particles in a hot temperature zone of a rotatable drum, gradually heating said particles and rotating said drum to advance said particles toward an output drum end, .Iadd.continuously .Iaddend.introducing .Iadd.only a mixture of coarse and fine .Iaddend.solid particles of used asphaltic concrete comprising a mixture of asphalt and aggregate in said drum .Iadd.at a single location .Iaddend.in a cooler temperature zone, and gradually mixing and heating said aggregate particles with said asphaltic concrete.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 7 including providing hot gases of combustion in said drum whereby said aggregate particles are directly exposed thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said hot gases of combustion are provided by placing a burner in said drum at said input end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 8 including adding and mixing liquid asphalt .[.with said mixing particles.]. .Iadd.the mixture of aggregate and asphaltic concrete.Iaddend..
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solid particles of asphaltic concrete are introduced through a port extending radially into said drum, and whereby said non-asphalt containing aggregate particles in said hot zone form a shield for the asphaltic concrete particles in said cooler temperature zone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
The process of claim 1 including introducing said used asphaltic concrete particles into a port extending radially into said drum, directing a flame and hot gases of combustion into said hot zone of said drum, and rotating said drum whereby said non-asphalt containing aggregate particles cascade in said hot zone to form a shield from said flame for said used asphaltic concrete particles in said cooler zone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said asphalt-aggregate composition produced has a temperature of at least about 200° F.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said temperature is above 225° F.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said asphalt-aggregate composition produced has a temperature of at least about 200° F.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 15 wherein said temperature is above 225° F.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said asphalt-aggregate composition produced has a temperature of at least about 200° F.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said temperature is above 225° F.
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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) | 1988-06-03 | 1988-12-03 | 1989-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-03 | 1992-12-03 | 1993-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-03 | 1996-12-03 | 1997-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |