The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 08, 1994
Filed:
Oct. 07, 1991
John Milstead, Chattanooga, TN (US);
Astec Industries, Inc., Chattanooga, TN (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for feeding preheated aggregate material, such as for the production of asphalt. A feed hopper includes a heater within its interior and positioned adjacent a slotted discharge opening at the lower end of the hopper. A tent-like cover is positioned above the heater to deflect aggregate material from contacting the upper portion of the heater and to transfer heat to the aggregate material in a uniform and efficient manner. The heater may preferably be a gas-fired radiant heater extending lengthwise parallel to and for the full length of the slotted discharge opening. A series of hoppers may be arranged in side-by-side relation and a common conveyor positioned beneath the individual feed conveyors of each hopper to direct the preheated aggregate material to a subsequent processing apparatus, such as a drum mixer or other dryer, used for the production of asphalt.