Patents by Inventor Walter E. Burcham, Jr.

Walter E. Burcham, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4887619
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for treating particulate material with two or more liquid additives in a rotatable cylinder involves the use of a pressurized fluid such as steam directed obliquely against the inner wall of the cylinder to effect a cleaning action on the inner wall as the cylinder is rotated and to augment agitation action produced by the rotational movement of the cylinder and gravitational forces acting on the particulate material. Strategically located spray nozzles apply controlled amounts of the liquid additives to the particulate material as it is undergoing agitation by the combined effects of the applied forces. The method and apparatus disclosed are particularly suited to the treatment of tobacco with casing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Walter E. Burcham, Jr., Wilbur J. French, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4730627
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for treating particulate material with a liquid additive in a rotatable cylinder involves the use of a pressurized fluid such as steam directed obliquely against the inner wall of the cylinder to effect a cleaning action on the inner wall as the cylinder is rotated and to augment agitation action produced by the rotational movement of the cylinder and gravitational forces acting on the particulate material. Strategically located spray nozzles apply controlled amounts of liquid additive to the particulate material as it is undergoing agitation by the combined effects of the applied forces. The method and apparatus disclosed are particularly suited to the treatment of tobacco with casing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Walter E. Burcham, Jr., Wilbur J. French, Jr.