Patents Examined by Robert Halper
  • Patent number: 4361239
    Abstract: A size grader for pod vegetables includes a horizontally oriented rotatable drum which contains banks of fixed grading members and movable panels oriented over each bank. The banks and panels are wanted on the drum so as to be parallel to its longitudinal axis. The final grading members and the movable panels have grading vanes which are disposed circumferentially to the drum and transversely to its longitudinal axis. The apertures between the fixed grading vanes and the movable vanes defines grading surfaces. A control rod mounted to the drum longitudinally across each row of panels and operatively engaged with a rowring enables movable panel to move selectively with respect to its corresponding fixed panel as the drum rotates so that the movable panel moves toward the fixed panel in grading position when the panel is in a lower level in the drum and moves away from the fixed bank in a clearing position when the panel is located above the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Inventor: Krishna R. Kumandan
  • Patent number: 4351483
    Abstract: A procedure for the separation of arsenic from fluorite by means of magnetization and flotation of the pyrites present in the fluorite ore, and in which arsenic is associated, irrespectively of the chemical form in which said arsenic is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Cia Minera Rio Colorado, S.A.
    Inventor: Ricardo Castillo-Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 4344844
    Abstract: An inclined static deoiler and conditioner for treating ore such as coal, phosphate, and the like which combines with liquid to form a slurry prior to froth floation which includes in combination a trough having plural baffles therein which are oriented to cause turbulence in the slurry. End walls on the trough are provided having an inlet and outlet adapted to fasten to piping in which the maximum flow rate is determined by the piping diameter such that liquid entering in the trough is assured of staying substantially at or below the vertical height of the baffles. The through flow within the device is controlled by angulation of the trough which is variable, and baffle configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Inventor: J. O. Townley
  • Patent number: 4341352
    Abstract: A method of coal washing at low speed pumping using a centrifugal cyclone of circular cross section having a bowl of diameter B and fitted with a vortex finder, a vortex finder sleeve, a dish, an orifice at the bottom and an inlet near the top in which a critical geometry is provided for the dish as part of a one-piece orifice dish unit so that the recovery of coal can be adjusted at low pumping speed of the water entering the inlet. The pumping speed may vary from 6 to 16 feet of water per second under a pressure of 8 to 15 psig. The orifice dish unit is made of a specified abrasion resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventor: Delbert I. Liller
  • Patent number: 4341626
    Abstract: Alkylaryl hydrocarbons having at least eleven carbon atoms, when used either alone or in combination with known sulfide collectors, result in enhanced recovery and selectivity when used as collectors for sulfide minerals. These alkylaryl hydrocarbons are generally derived from the alkylation of aromatic compounds with the appropriate olefin in synthetic processes. Isopropyl naphthalene appears foremost among these compound as an effective sulfide collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: David L. Dauplaise, D. R. Nagaraj
  • Patent number: 4340142
    Abstract: A method for separating tobacco and sand in stemmery discards is disclosed. The sand tobacco mixture is passed through dryer (14), to reduce the moisture content, agitated by conveyor (16), passed through sieve (18), to obtain the correct particle size and to mechanically agitate the mixture, and is then passed through electrostatic separators (24) and (25) to separate the sand from the tobacco. Portions of the electrostatically separated sand tobacco mixture may be passed through another electrostatic separator (26) to achieve a further separation of sand and tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger Z. de la Burde, Russell B. Mait, Francis V. Utsch
  • Patent number: 4340469
    Abstract: A vibratory screen apparatus is described for classifying loose solid material through horizontal screens 22-24 that are vibrated in elliptical paths by two independent eccentric weight means 28 and 30. The eccentric weight means 28 and 30 are mounted on the screen frame 15 elevationally below the center of gravity of the apparatus and upstream of the center of gravity toward the feed end. Each of the eccentric weight means include adjustable weights for adjusting the "throw" of the classifier that are outboard of bearings that support shafts that extend between the sides of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Spokane Crusher Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Fred C. Archer
  • Patent number: 4340467
    Abstract: Employment of a latex emulsion prepared from a hydrocarbon, animal or vegetable based oil with a hydrophobic water-in-oil emulsifier and a hydrophilic surfactant in the froth flotation of coal improves coal recovery without increasing the ash content. The emulsifier employed should have an HLB value of 5.0 or less while the surfactant should have an HLB value of 9.0 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Samuel S. Wang, Michael J. Scanlon
  • Patent number: 4340143
    Abstract: A hydraulic bean cleaner for removing rocks from beans has a hopper for gravity-feeding uncleaned beans down an inner cylindrical tube into a cylindrical separator tank. The inner tube has a bean discharge opening centered just above the bottom of the tank. An outer cylindrical tube concentrically surrounds the inner tube, providing an annular passageway therebetween and a water discharge opening surrounding the bean discharge opening. A first vibrator vibrates the tubes as a unit to help feed the beans down the inner tube. A second vibrator vibrates the hopper independently of the tubes to aid in feeding the beans to the inner tube. The beans drop into the bottom of the tank and water is expelled downwardly into the tank around them. The water entrains and fluidizes the beans, carrying them laterally away from the bean discharge opening and buoying them upwardly. The turbulent flow of water agitates the beans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Russell E. Waddle
    Inventors: Jerome F. Moshofsky, Jerry Trout
  • Patent number: 4339331
    Abstract: Conventional starches are chemically crosslinked for use as selective depressants in the flotation of non-sulfide mineral ores. The process employing these crosslinked starches requires lower reagent dosages, exhibits improved selectivity and recovery and exerts a lower load on existing waste treatment facilities. The crosslinking agents employed are bifunctional and are used in sufficient quantities to result in 500 to 10,000 anhydroglucose units per crosslink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Sim K. Lim, Richard M. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4339043
    Abstract: A self-contained revolving trommel classifying and sluice type recovery plant is described. The trommel screen is perforated and provided with helical corrugations to subject received placer material to several forces which, combined with sufficient water added through provided nozzles, break up the placer material and expose values to the trommel perforations. The perforations are arranged in a continuous pattern within the length of the trommel. Classified material drops through the perforations into an elongated sluice, along with all the accumulated water used in the classifying-washing process. Values are separated from tailings by corrugations along the sluice length. A suction pump operates with a suction hose and settling tank to recover values from the sluice during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Inventors: Richard P. Tice, Isabelle L. Tice
  • Patent number: 4338188
    Abstract: A size fraction of coal is physically cleaned by separating the coal into a low density fraction containing relatively small amounts of inorganic constituents and a high density fraction containing relatively large amounts of inorganic constituents, crushing the low density fraction to produce smaller particles, separating the smaller particles into a low density fraction and a high density fraction and recovering the low density fraction as clean coal product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Robert P. Guerre
  • Patent number: 4337149
    Abstract: An improved froth flotation process wherein preselected particles are selectively separated under froth flotation conditions as a froth phase from remaining feed particles as an aqueous phase in the presence of an anionic collector. Such improvement is characterized by the addition of an effective proportion of a promoter. The promoter is characterized as an amine oxide promoter. Preferred feed particles are phosphate ore particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignee: Sherex Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Saul J. Escalera
  • Patent number: 4336131
    Abstract: A continuous gasification furnace and method of operation. The charge is fed into the furnace chamber between two rolls at least one of which is driven. The furnace chamber can be sealed from the ambient atmosphere. The bed of the furnace contains three zones from top to bottom, these zones are; a volatilization zone, a char reaction zone and an ash zone. Additionally, there can be a drying zone above the volatilization zone. Fuel, air, and steam enter the lower portion of the furnace through strategically located inlet ports. Fuel is used to start up the burning bed while carefully controlled steam to air ratio is used during continuous operation of the furnace. Simultaneously controlled steam cooling effects and exothermic reactions occur in the char reaction zone whereby all or controlled amounts of the oxygen is consumed so that pyrolysis can occur in the volatilization zone without the danger of combustion in that zone or combustion of the fumes leaving the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: Midland-Ross Corporation
    Inventors: H. Dean Schmidt, Peter M. Eckstrom
  • Patent number: 4334985
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for beneficiating a kaolin clay pigment to improve the rheological properties of a high solids suspension subsequently formed therefrom. According to the method, a 10 to 20% solids aqueous suspension of a kaolin clay is subjected to a selective rheological separation, by mixing the suspension with from about 0.001% to 0.1% by weight of dry clay, of a high molecular weight anionic polymer, and allowing the thereby treated suspension to separate into a sedimented phase, and a supernatant phase which is substantially free of aggregates; and separating the supernatant phase containing the beneficiated kaolin pigment in suspension. The suspended product of the process can then be conventionally processed, as by reductive bleaching, floccing, filtering, washing, dispersing, and drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Anglo-American Clays Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph E. Turner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4330398
    Abstract: An anionic flotation agent comprising naturally derived fatty acids and, as a promoter, a sulfonated ethoxylated alcohol provides improved beneficiation and improved grade of phosphate ores by froth flotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Alford
  • Patent number: 4330400
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating dust, dirt and the like from particulate material utilizes a flow of carrier fluid which passes through the particulate material on a grid or screen. The heavier particulate material falls through the grid while the lighter material as well as the dust, dirt and the like are entrained in the fluid and carried upwardly. A portion of the entrained material precipitates out of the carrier fluid into a vertical collecting bin whereupon it is discharged into another flow of carrier fluid. A sensor within the collecting bin senses the level of the collected precipitated material and reduces the velocity of the carrier fluid when the material in the collecting bin exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Inventor: Willibald Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4329223
    Abstract: Molybdenite is recovered by froth flotation of ore or concentrate by use of thio carboxylic acid compound and activated carbon to depress copper and other metal sulfides. The reagents are preferably utilized in a weight ratio of about 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: United States Borax & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Gopalan Ramadorai, Douglas R. Shaw
  • Patent number: 4328094
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for the beneficiation, or for the continuous hydraulic elutriation of particulate solids. The apparatus is characterized generally as an elongate vessel, with a width of V-shaped cross-section. The upper side of the vessel is provided with launders, or overflow weirs, suitably arranged in series along the two side walls of the vessel. An elongate upwardly faced compartment is provided at the bottom of the vessel by the converging side walls, and preferably it is compartmented. The vessel is provided at one end with a particulate solids inlet, and the opposite end with a particulate solids outlet; and means are provided at the bottom of the vessel for the introduction of liquid. Pumps are employed to withdraw overflow liquid from the launders, and inject same into the vessel bottom compartment, or compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Inventor: Albert C. Peck
  • Patent number: 4328096
    Abstract: A pressurized screening device has an inlet arrangement by which a feed slurry is directed to a central portion of a screening chamber, a plurality of chevron-shaped rotor foils are mounted for rotation near the inner surface of a cylindrical screenplate to split the flow of the feed slurry into separate flow portions directed toward opposite ends of the screening chamber, and separate reject chambers are provided adjacent its opposite ends of its screening chamber. The chevron-shaped foil structure enables the screening device to operate as if it were two smaller screening devices and to remove efficiently both light and heavy impurities from the feed stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: The Black Clawson Company
    Inventors: David E. Chupka, Peter Seifert