Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A process for producing asphalt-aggregate compositions comprising: (a) separating non-asphalt containing aggregate into coarse particles and fine particles; (b) introducing said coarse particles in a hot zone of a rotatable drum and gradually heating and advancing said particles toward an output drum end; (c) introducing said fine particles in said drum downstream from said hot zone in a cooler temperature zone; (d) gradually mixing and heating said coarse and fine particles; and (e) adding and mixing asphalt with said particles downstream from said hot zone to produce said asphalt-aggregate composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process for producing asphalt-aggregate compositions comprising: (a) separating non-asphalt containing aggregate into coarse particles and fine particles; (b) introducing said coarse particles in a hot zone of a rotatable drum and gradually heating and advancing said particles toward an output drum end; (c) introducing said fine particles in said drum downstream from said hot zone in a cooler temperature zone; (d) gradually mixing and heating said coarse and fine particles; and (e) adding and mixing asphalt with said particles downstream from said hot zone to produce said asphalt-aggregate composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a process for producing asphalt-aggregate composition by heating and mixing non-asphalt containing aggregate particles in a rotating drum into which hot gases of combustion are directed for said heating while gradually drawing said particles from an input drum end to an output end, and mixing asphalt with said particles to produce said composition, the improvement comprising separating said aggregate particles into a plurality of different particle sizes ranging from coarse to fine, introducing coarse particles at said drum input end, said coarse aggregate particles being exposed to said gases in a hot temperature zone, and introducing smaller sized aggregate particles in said drum in one or more cooler temperature zones.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a process for producing asphalt-aggregate composition by heating and mixing non-asphalt containing aggregate particles in a rotating drum into which hot gases of combustion are directed for said heating while gradually drawing said particles from an input drum end to an output end, and mixing asphalt with said particles to produce said composition, the improvement comprising separating said aggregate particles into a plurality of different particle sizes ranging from coarse to fine, introducing coarse particles at said drum input end, said coarse aggregate particles being exposed to said gases in a hot temperature zone, and introducing smaller sized aggregate particles in said drum in one or more cooler temperature zones.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the temperature in said hot zone is at least about 1000° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the temperature in said cooler zones is below about 800° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature in said cooler zone is below about 800° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said coarse particle size will be retained by a sieve having a mesh of between 4 and 10 U.S. series.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said coarse particle size will be retained by a No. 8 U.S. series mesh and larger, and said fine sizes are about No. 10 U.S. series mesh and smaller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The precess of claim 2 wherein said particles are separated into three size ranges comprising coarse particles retained by a No. 4 mesh sieve U.S. series, intermediate particles passing a No. 4 and retained by a No. 10 and fine particles passing greater than a No. 10.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said asphalt is added immediately adjacent said cooler temperature zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for drying and heating non-asphalt containing aggregate comprising: (a) separating said aggregate into coarse particles and fine particles; (b) introducing said coarse particles in a hot zone of a rotatable drum and gradually advancing said particles toward an output drum end; (c) introducing said fine particles in said drum downstream from said hot zone in a cooler temperature zone; and (d) gradually mixing and heating said coarse and fine particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for drying and heating non-asphalt containing aggregate comprising: (a) separating said aggregate into coarse particles and fine particles; (b) introducing said coarse particles in a hot zone of a rotatable drum and gradually advancing said particles toward an output drum end; (c) introducing said fine particles in said drum downstream from said hot zone in a cooler temperature zone; and (d) gradually mixing and heating said coarse and fine particles.