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US 6,551,401 B1Granted
Machine for coloring landscaping material
AssigneeBecker Underwood, Inc.
InventorsJohn R. Winistorfer, Douglas E. Grunder, Brent Lester
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine for coloring landscaping material is defined as having first and second mixing chamber segments in which liquid colorant is introduced into the first segment in the form of a liquid spray and into the second segment in the form of an aerosol. Paddles supported by arms secured to a rotating shaft are provided through the first and second segments to mix and convey the landscaping material during coloring. Increased tip speed of the paddles is provided by relatively longer arms in the second segment to enhance interaction between the landscaping material and the aerosol colorant.
Claims20
An apparatus for coloring granular or particulate landscaping material comprising:
- a mixing chamber including first and second elongated segments each defining an internal cavity having a transverse width, the internal cavity of said second segment communicating with the internal cavity of said first segment for passage of said landscaping material from said first segment to said second segment;
- a colorant distribution system for delivery of a liquid colorant, said distribution system having first and second portions, said first portion including at least one member located within the internal cavity of said first segment and delivering the liquid colorant in the form of a liquid spray into the first segment, said second portion having an atomizer system for delivering the liquid colorant in the form of an aerosol spray that is more finely dispersed than the liquid spray of the first segment;
- and
- a material handling system extending through the internal cavities of said first and second segments for mixing of said colorant and said landscaping material within said mixing chamber and for conveying of said landscaping material through said mixing chamber.
1 more element
An apparatus for coloring granular or particulate landscaping material comprising:
- a mixing chamber including first and second elongated segments each defining an internal cavity, the internal cavity of said second segment communicating with the internal cavity of said first segment for passage of said landscaping material from said first segment to said second segment;
- a colorant distribution system for delivery of a liquid colorant, said distribution system having first and second portions, said first portion extending into the internal cavity of said first segment and delivering the liquid colorant in the form of a liquid spray, said second portion extending into the internal cavity of said second segment and having an atomizer system for delivery of the liquid colorant in the form of an aerosol;
- and
- a material handling system extending through the internal cavities of said first and second segments for mixing of said colorant and said landscaping material within said mixing chamber and for conveying of said landscaping material through said mixing chamber, said material handling system including at least one paddle in each of the first and second segments of said mixing chamber, each of said paddles operably supported by said material handling system for rotation about an axis, the at least one paddle of said second segment having a tip speed which is larger than a tip speed of the at least one paddle of said first segment.
1 more element
An apparatus for coloring granular or particulate landscaping material comprising:
- a mixing chamber including first and second elongated segments each defining an internal cavity, the internal cavity of said second segment communicating with the internal cavity of said first segment for passage of said landscaping material from said first segment to said second segment;
- a colorant distribution system for delivery of a liquid colorant, said distribution system having first and second portions, said first portion extending into the internal cavity of said first segment and delivering the liquid colorant in the form of a liquid spray, said second portion extending into the internal cavity of said second segment and having an atomizer system for delivery of the liquid colorant in the form of an aerosol;
- and
- a material handling system extending through the internal cavities of said first and second segments for mixing of said colorant and said landscaping material within said mixing chamber and for conveying of said landscaping material through said mixing chamber, said material handling system including at least one paddle in each of the first and second segments of said mixing chamber, each of said paddles operably supported by said material handling system for rotation about an axis, said paddles including forward and reverse paddles to facilitate mixing, said forward paddles having a face surface angled with respect to said shaft to impart an axial component of movement to said landscaping material in a downstream direction with respect to said mixing chamber and said reverse paddles having a face surface angled with respect to said shaft to impart an axial component of movement to said landscaping material in an upstream direction with respect to said mixing chamber.
1 more element
An apparatus for coloring granular or particulate material comprising:
- a mixing chamber having first and second segments each defining an internal cavity;
- a colorant distribution system adapted to deliver a liquid colorant into the internal cavity of at least one of the first and second segments of the mixing chamber;
- and
- a material handling system extending through the internal cavities of the first and second segments of the mixing chamber for mixing liquid colorant with granular or particulate material and for conveying the material through the mixing chamber, the material handling system including a plurality of paddles located in the internal cavities of each of the first and second segments of the mixing chamber, the paddles supported for rotation about a common axis, at least one of the paddles of the second segment having a tip speed that is larger than a tip speed of each of the paddles of the first segment.
1 more element
An apparatus for coloring granular or particulate material comprising:
- a mixing chamber having first and second segments each defining an elongated internal cavity, the internal cavity of the first segment communicating with a feed system for receipt of granular or particulate material by the first segment, the internal cavity of the second segment communicating with an outlet adjacent an end of the second segment opposite the first segment for discharge of material from the mixing chamber,
- a colorant distribution system adapted to deliver a liquid colorant into the internal cavity of at least one of the first and second segments of the mixing chamber;
- and
- a material handling system extending through the internal cavities of the first and second segments of the mixing chamber, the material handling system including at least one rotating member in the internal cavity of each of the first and second segments having a surface that is oriented to move material toward the outlet, the material handling system further including at least one rotating member in at least one of the first and second segments having a surface oriented to move material away from the outlet to increase dwell time of material in the segment thereby facilitating mixing of the material.
1 more element
An apparatus for coloring granular or particulate landscaping material comprising:
- a mixing chamber including first and second elongated segments each defining an internal cavity having a transverse width, the internal cavity of said second segment communicating with the internal cavity of said first segment in substantial alignment therewith for passage of landscaping material from the first segment to the second segment, the transverse width of the second segment being greater than the transverse width of the first segment;
- a colorant distribution system for delivery of liquid colorant, said distribution system having first and second portions, the first portion including at least one member located within the internal cavity of the first segment and delivering liquid colorant in the form of a liquid spray along substantially the entire length of the first segment, the second portion having an atomizer system delivering liquid colorant in the form of an aerosol spray that is more finely dispersed than the liquid spray of the first segment;
- and
- a material handling system extending through the internal cavities of the first and second segments for mixing of colorant and landscaping material within said mixing chamber and for conveying of landscaping material through the mixing chamber.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.