Device for producing hot coated products having a branched outlet and external mixer and method for producing corresponding hot coated products

A device for manufacturing hot-mix coated materials, e.g. materials coated with bitumen, the device comprising:

• an oven (1) comprising an enclosure (2) that is substantially cylindrical and designed to be caused to rotate about its longitudinal axis (X-X′) by drive means, said enclosure (2) being provided in the vicinity of its two opposite ends, firstly with a main inlet (3) designed to receive non-coated virgin granular materials or recycled granular materials, or a mixture of both, of the type comprising chippings or granules, and secondly with a main outlet (30) for the bituminous coated materials that are manufactured inside the enclosure (2), said granular materials flowing from the main inlet (3) towards the outlet (30) along a direction F in order to be transformed into coated materials on reaching the main outlet (30), after passing through and being treated inside the enclosure (2);
• and
• heater means (10) defining a combustion section (5) inside the enclosure (2) and generating a drying flow that is suitable for drying the granular materials, said enclosure (2) starting with said combustion section (5) and continuing with a drying section (6), and then with a mixing section (7);
• the device being characterized in that it is provided with a bypass outlet (11) incorporated between the drying section (6) and the mixing section (7), and with an external mixer (12) including an inlet (13) and an outlet (14), said external mixer (12) being connected to said bypass outlet (11), which outlet is fitted with a blocking system (15) that is movable between an open position allowing granular materials to pass towards the inlet (13) of the external mixer (12) and a closed position allowing granular materials to pass towards the mixing section (7).