Patents Assigned to Environmental Reprocessing, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6511704
    Abstract: The method of depositing granules in a frame pattern includes moving an asphalt-coated web and depositing successive granule blend drops on the web. The first blend drop has a first color and forms a first blend drop pattern defining an inner region. The second blend drop has a second color and forms a second blend drop pattern sized to fit within the inner region of the first blend drop such that the first blend drop frames the second blend drop. A third blend drop having a different third color or the same as the first color is deposited such that the third blend drop adheres to an intermediate region between the first and second blend drops. The system includes a mechanism for moving the web and an asphalt coater for coating the web with asphalt. First and second media applicators are used to deposit the first and second blend drops in the respective first and second blend drop patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Environmental Reprocessing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Zickell
  • Patent number: 6290152
    Abstract: An asphalt based material recycling system and method is used to recycle asphalt materials, such as asphalt shingles and tar paper that include granules, fibers or other particles. The asphalt material is simultaneously heated and milled in a heated milling apparatus, such as a heated ball mill, to reduce the asphalt material including granules to a fine mesh in suspension in liquid asphalt. Excess moisture is removed from the asphalt material being recycled by continuously venting the heated milling apparatus. The heated milling apparatus preferably includes a rotatable milling vessel rotated at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane and having an opening that provides continuous venting. The shape of the milling vessel allows the liquid level inside the milling vessel to have a liquid head above the outlet region of the milling vessel, for facilitating milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Environmental Reprocessing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Zickell
  • Patent number: 6228503
    Abstract: A recycled asphalt roofing material for use on sloped roofs, which provides the required elevated melt point without using prior art methods of oxidizing the asphalt prior to incorporation into the roofing material is provided. The recycled asphalt roofing material is made up of approximately 30% flux asphalt and approximately 70% reclaimed asphalt roofing material. The fibrous backing in the reclaimed material modifies the asphalt in such a way as to provide the required elevated melt point. The manufacturing process for recycled fiberglass mat-based roll and shingle roofing, in its preferred embodiment, consists of impregnating a roofing material backbone, such as a fiberglass or polyester mat with recycled asphalt material to form inner and outer layers of recycled material and then applying optional second inner and outer layers of standard asphalt coating to the inner and outer layers of the recycled material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Environmental Reprocessing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Zickell
  • Patent number: 5997644
    Abstract: A system and method for depositing a pattern of media on a moving surface includes a media depositing apparatus that deposits media in a predefined pattern on the moving surface. A media applicator roll having a media receiving region, such as engraved or raised portions, receives the media from a media feeder as the media applicator roll rotates. A media retaining member maintains the media in contact with the media receiving region until the media reach a bottom region of the media applicator roll and are released from the media applicator roll in the predefined pattern onto the moving surface. The media depositing system also includes a multiple compartment media feeder that selects and selectively feeds one or more of multiple types of media or granules to the receiving region of the media applicator roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Environmental Reprocessing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Zickell
  • Patent number: 5848755
    Abstract: An asphalt roofing material recycling system and method is used to recycle asphalt materials, such as asphalt shingles and tar paper that include granules, fibers or other particles. The asphalt material is simultaneously heated and milled in a heated milling apparatus, such as a heated ball mill, to reduce the asphalt material granules to a fine mesh in suspension in liquid asphalt. Excess moisture is removed from the asphalt material being recycled, either during heating and milling by continuously venting the heated milling apparatus, or before the heating and milling in a drying apparatus. The heated milling apparatus preferably includes a rotatable milling vessel rotated at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane and having an opening that provides continuous venting. The rotatable milling vessel includes a plurality of mixing members, such as rods or paddles, extending from an interior surface and preferably arranged in a helical pattern to force the asphalt material away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Environmental Reprocessing Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Zickell, Mat Bockh, Charles Diman
  • Patent number: 5814369
    Abstract: A system and method for depositing a pattern of media on a moving surface includes a media depositing apparatus that deposits media in a predefined pattern on the moving surface. A media applicator roll having a media receiving region, such as engraved or raised portions, receives the media from a media feeder as the media applicator roll rotates. A media retaining member maintains the media in contact with the media receiving region until the media reach a bottom region of the media applicator roll and are released from the media applicator roll in the predefined pattern onto the moving surface. The method for depositing a pattern of media includes synchronizing the speed of rotation of the media applicator roll with the speed of the moving sheet of material so that the media are precisely deposited as they are released from the media receiving region. The method also includes minimizing the distance that the media must drop from the applicator roll receiving region to the moving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Environmental Reprocessing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mat Bockh, Thomas J. Zickell, Charles Diman, Stephen Mahoney