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. 29, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2010
Herman H. Hockmeyer, Saddle River, NJ (US);
Matthew S. O'kelley, Edenton, NC (US);
Herman H. Hockmeyer, Saddle River, NJ (US);
Matthew S. O'Kelley, Edenton, NC (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus and method for mixing feedstock within a vessel wherein the feedstock is moved along a heat transfer surface within the vessel. A mixing blade assembly includes a mixing blade and at least one mixing blade support member moved within the vessel to sweep forward along a path of travel extending adjacent the heat transfer surface. Feedstock is circulated within the vessel by the mixing blade, and the mixing blade support member includes a mixing surface confronting the heat transfer surface. The mixing surface is spaced from the heat transfer surface and is configured such that feedstock material is squeezed between the mixing surface and the heat transfer surface so as to be subjected to mixing shear and heat transfer between the squeezed feedstock material and the heat transfer surface. A scraper blade is located on the mixing blade support member in position to trail behind a trailing face of the mixing blade support member and is engaged with the heat transfer surface during movement of the mixing blade support member along the path of travel so as to scrape feedstock material from the heat transfer surface and direct the squeezed feedstock material to the mixing blade to be mixed with the feedstock circulated within the vessel by the mixing blade.