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:
Dec. 15, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 08, 1997
Rheox, Inc., Hightstown, NJ (US);
Abstract
The invention hereof is a new highway deicing additive and a method for deicing asphalt highways. It has been discovered that a small amount of starch added to the salt/water sprayed on highways provides the unexpected property of retaining salt particles in the top portion of the 'voids' in the asphalt roads for a period of 2 to 4 hours. The starch can be incorporated into water by mixing; biocides can be added if the starch/water mixture is to be stored more than 2 days. Salt is added to the water/starch mixture prior to deposition on the road. The new treatment works by increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid sprayed on the highway to form a water gel structure on the road providing a 'platform' for the salt particles in the top portion of the asphalt. The new additive also reduces the need and cost of 'follow-up' salt treatments. The additive and method are particularly useful for the new type of asphalt being used on highways in Europe which has a super-porous structure when laid as a road-bed.