Apparatus for aerating a particulate material
US6893864B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/40
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for forcing airflow through (i.e., aerating) a particulate material consists of a planar bearing surface and a ventilation conduit underlying the planar bearing surface. A plurality of delivery conduits extend between the ventilation conduit and the planar bearing surface with a mouth of the delivery conduits being near the planar bearing surface. A grate, defining a plurality of openings, covers the mouth of each delivery conduit. Each grate has a top surface substantially parallel to the planar bearing surface and positioned at or no more than a select distance below the planar bearing surface. This select distance is close enough to the planar bearing surface to prevent the accumulation of particulate material over the grate as the particulate material is scraped from the planar bearing surface with an implement having a linear edge abutting the planar bearing surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.