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US 5,335,590 AGranted
Apparatus for treatment of solid material
AssigneePhilip Morris Incorporated
InventorsJohn C. Crump, III, Eugene B. Fischer, Robert C. Wilson, Warren D. Winterson, Leif E. B. Jaxmar, Gustav M. Norberg, Lennart F. Olsson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is provided that comprises a self-stacking spiral conveyor that traverses through a circulating atmosphere. The atmosphere is manipulated by one or more chambers having an open side adjacent to the perforated sides of the spiral conveyor. Additional control over the circulating atmosphere may be achieved by injection or ejection of gas into one or more chambers.
Claims18
An apparatus for treatment of solid material, comprising:
- (a) a conveyor belt at least a portion of which travels within a housing;
- (b) means for circulating gas through the housing;
- (c) wherein, inside the housing, the conveyor belt follows a spiral path for at least a portion of its length, the conveyor belt comprising a plurality of conveyor links and a plurality of bottom members, such that the conveyor belt forms a conveyor stack of conveyor belt tiers in the shape of a hollow cylinder having a perforated inner wall and a perforated outer wall;
- (d) an inner partition positioned in the center of the hollow cylinder, such that the inner partition is adapted to obstruct the flow of gas down the inside of the hollow cylinder;
- (e) an outer partition positioned between the perforated outer wall of the hollow cylinder and the housing, such that the outer partition is adapted to obstruct the flow of gas down the outside of the hollow cylinder, such that the housing, outer partition, inner partition, and hollow cylinder form an upper chamber and a lower chamber;
- and
- (f) a first partition positioned within the hollow cylinder and above the inner partition, whereby the inner partition, the outer partition, and the first partition direct the flow of gas through the conveyor stack of conveyor belt tiers as the circulating means circulates gas through the housing.
4 more elements
An apparatus for treatment of solid material, comprising:
- (a) a conveyor belt at least a portion of which travels within a housing;
- (b) means for circulating gas through the housing;
- (c) wherein, inside the housing, the conveyor belt follows a spiral path for at least a portion of its length, the conveyor belt comprising a plurality of conveyor links and a plurality of bottom members, such that the conveyor belt forms a conveyor stack of conveyor belt tiers in the shape of a hollow cylinder having a perforated inner wall and a perforated outer wall;
- (d) an inner partition positioned in the center of the hollow cylinder, such that the inner partition is adapted to obstruct the flow of gas down the inside of the hollow cylinder;
- (e) an outer partition positioned between the perforated outer wall of the hollow cylinder and the housing, such that the outer partition is adapted to obstruct the flow of gas down the outside of the hollow cylinder such that the housing, outer partition, inner partition, and hollow cylinder form an upper chamber and a lower chamber;
- and
- (f) at least one additional inner partition positioned within the hollow cylinder, such that each additional inner partition is adapted to obstruct the flow of gas down the inside of the hollow cylinder, such that an additional chamber is formed by the addition of each additional inner partition, whereby the inner partition, outer partition, and each additional inner partition direct the flow of gas through the conveyor stack of conveyor belt tiers as the circulating means circulates gas through the housing.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.