Patents Assigned to Future Tek, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6039914
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of converting asphalt composition roofing shingles into dimensional construction products. Asphalt composition roofing shingles are de-consolidated, such as by grinding, into a crumble. The asphalt shingle crumble is processed in a manner to increase the fusibility activity of the asphalt without decomposing a substantial fractional amount of the asphalt to an ash-like brittleness. The foregoing can be achieved by heat exchange using infrared heaters as the heat source. One disclosed example trial of the process warmed the crumble to a bulk temperature of between about 130.degree. F. and 150.degree. F. Following that, the asphalt shingle crumble is compacted into the shape of a given dimensional construction product such as blocks, curbs, tiles, beams, posts, and so on. The best quality products are achieved by a two-step compaction process in which there occurs a certain time elapse between the two compaction steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Future Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M Gehrke, Russel J. Gehrke, Michael S. Gehrke, Gabriel P. Gehrke