Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An elongated rotatable drum having a first port at a first end thereof for introducing particulate composition and hot gases for heating said composition, a second port at a second end of said drum for recovering heated composition, first lifters extending along a first section of the interior of said drum adjacent said first port for substantially preventing a curtain of said particulate composition during rotation of said drum, second lifters extending along a second section of the interior of said drum adjacent said second port for creating a substantial curtain of said particulate composition during rotation of said drum having a first particulate density, and third lifters extending along a third section of the interior of said drum, intermediate said first and second sections for creating a curtain of said particulate composition during rotation of said drum having a second particulate density, said second density being less dense than said first particulate density.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An elongated rotatable drum having a first port at a first end thereof for introducing particulate composition and hot gases for heating said composition, a second port at a second end of said drum for recovering heated composition, first lifters extending along a first section of the interior of said drum adjacent said first port for substantially preventing a curtain of said particulate composition during rotation of said drum, second lifters extending along a second section of the interior of said drum adjacent said second port for creating a substantial curtain of said particulate composition during rotation of said drum having a first particulate density, and third lifters extending along a third section of the interior of said drum, intermediate said first and second sections for creating a curtain of said particulate composition during rotation of said drum having a second particulate density, said second density being less dense than said first particulate density.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The drum of claim 1 wherein said first lifters comprise a plurality of inverted L or V-shaped ribs extending substantially parallel to the axis of drum rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The drum of claim 2 wherein said second lifters comprise a plurality of lifting trays having a plate extending radially inwardly at an angle of between about 70° and about 110° from the interior drum surface, and a shelf extending at an angle of between about 80° and about 100° from the end of said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The drum of claim 3 wherein a portion of said second lifters include a lip extending at an angle of between about 25° and about 65° from the end of said shelf.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The drum of claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein said third lifters comprise a plate extending radially inwardly at an angle of between about 80° and 100° from the interior drum surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a rotatable drum for treating particulate asphalt-aggregate compostion into which hot gases of combustion are introduced at a first end thereof for heating said composition therein and means for recovering heated composition at a second end thereof, the improvement comprising a plurality of first, second and third lifters secured along the drum interior surface and extending generally parallel with the axis of drum rotation, said first lifters extending along a first section of the drum interior adjacent said first drum end for substantially preventing a curtain of said particulate composition as said drum is rotated, said second lifters extending along a second section of the drum interior adjacent said second drum end for creating substantial curtain of said particulate composition as said drum is rotated, said curtain having a first particulte density, and said third lifters extending along a third section of the drum interior intermediate said first and second sections for creating a curtain of said particulate composition as said drum is rotated, said curtain having a second particulate density, less dense than said first particulate density.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a rotatable drum for treating particulate asphalt-aggregate compostion into which hot gases of combustion are introduced at a first end thereof for heating said composition therein and means for recovering heated composition at a second end thereof, the improvement comprising a plurality of first, second and third lifters secured along the drum interior surface and extending generally parallel with the axis of drum rotation, said first lifters extending along a first section of the drum interior adjacent said first drum end for substantially preventing a curtain of said particulate composition as said drum is rotated, said second lifters extending along a second section of the drum interior adjacent said second drum end for creating substantial curtain of said particulate composition as said drum is rotated, said curtain having a first particulte density, and said third lifters extending along a third section of the drum interior intermediate said first and second sections for creating a curtain of said particulate composition as said drum is rotated, said curtain having a second particulate density, less dense than said first particulate density.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The drum of claim 6 wherein said first lifters comprise a plurality of inverted L or V-shaped ribs extending substantially parallel to the axis of drum rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The drum of claim 7 wherein said second lifters comprise a plurality of lifting trays having a plate extending radially inwardly at an angle of between about 70° and about 110° from the interior drum surface, and a shelf extending at an angle of between about 80° and about 100° from the end of said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The drum of claim 8 wherein a portion of said second lifters include a lip extending at an angle of between about 25° and about 65° from the end of said shelf.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The drum of claims 7, 8 or 9 wherein said third lifters comprise a plate extending radially inwardly at an angle of between about 80° and 100° from the interior drum surface.