Measuring and testing – Sampler – sample handling – etc. – Capture device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-07
2001-11-20
Raevis, Robert (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Sampler, sample handling, etc.
Capture device
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318193
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the sampling of aggregate materials, especially to the sampling of such materials from a truck, railcar, barge or other conveyance. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for the sampling of bituminous paving materials.
BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Sampling of various aggregate materials is commonly required in the construction and mining industries to insure that the materials meet the required specifications for quality, composition and/or gradation. Samples of the aggregate product may be taken at various stages in the process from production or manufacture to delivery to the customer. Samples may be taken from stockpiles, silos or other storage facilities, or they may be taken from trucks, barges, railcars, conveyors or other transport vehicles or devices.
It is common for producers of aggregate materials to sample their product at several stages, including the shipping stage. In addition, the purchaser will almost always sample at least a portion of the incoming shipments before unloading them to insure that they are acceptable. Aggregate materials that are hauled by truck are usually sampled by hand shoveling a sample portion from various locations in the aggregate load in the truck bed, in order to obtain a representative sample. Because the aggregate may segregate by size as it is being loaded and hauled, however, hand sampling in this way makes it difficult to obtain a representative sample. It is generally necessary to remove a portion of the surface material from several locations in the truck bed in order to obtain a sample portion from therebeneath. However, when the aggregate material is bituminous paving material such as asphalt concrete, its surface temperature may be as high as 250-300° F., which makes hand sampling at least uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Furthermore, a worker who is charged with the responsibility of obtaining a hand sample from an asphalt concrete truck will not likely be willing and may not be able to spend the time to take sample portions from various locations on the load in the truck bed to insure that he gets a representative sample. Nevertheless, the standard practice for sampling bituminous paving mixtures from truck transports is to take several portions of a sample from each truck using a flat-bottom scoop or a square-nose shovel.
ASTM Designation D 979-96 specifies that at least three approximately equal increments should be taken from each truck load of bituminous paving materials sampled. Various state highway departments impose additional requirements on the sampler of asphalt concrete, in an effort to insure that representative samples are obtained. For example, the Georgia Department of Transportation Sampling Procedure GSP-15 specifies that hand samples may be taken only after the “cone” of material in the bed of the truck is first shoveled off to a depth such that the resulting flat area is at least 60% as wide as the truck and at least six inches deep. Wyoming Department of Transportation Sampling Procedure 830.0 requires that for smaller trucks, a sample area must be prepared by removing the top 2-4 inches from each quarter of the load, while for larger trucks, at least two transverse trenches must be excavated across the load in the truck bed. The sample is then removed by pushing the shovel into each cleared area or trench at a 45° angle. Illinois Department of Transportation Sampling Procedure 4.7.1 requires that an equal amount of material is to be taken from locations approximately one foot below the top of each pile in the truck bed, at quarter points around the pile's circumference. Mississippi Department of Transportation Field Testing Procedure TMD-11-77-00-000 requires that at least three samples be taken from specified locations in the truck after first removing the top 2-3 inches of material at each sample point. All of these procedures require that the sampler work for a significant period of time in the bed of the truck atop the load of hot asphalt concrete. Complying with such procedures is uncomfortable and may be dangerous, which makes proper sampling problematic.
It would be desirable therefore if an apparatus could be developed that would permit the taking of samples from a truck or other conveyance quickly and safely. It would also be desirable if such apparatus would eliminate the need for the worker charged with obtaining the sample to climb into the truck bed and onto the load therein.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
Among the advantages of the invention claimed herein is that the sample collector for aggregate material may be operated to obtain a representative sample of such material without requiring removal of the surface layer of material being sampled. Another advantage is that the sample collector may be operated remotely so that a worker that is charged with obtaining a sample from a truck or other means of conveyance is not required to climb onto the load of material to obtain the sample.
Additional advantages of this invention will become apparent from an examination of the drawings and the ensuing description.
EXPLANATION OF TECHNICAL TERMS
As used herein, aggregate materials refers to particulate materials that may be transported in bulk, including bituminous paving mixtures such as hot-mix asphalt and cold mix, crushed limestone and other types of stone, gravel, sand, lime, coal, coke, fertilizer, grain, pellets and similar materials.
As used herein, bituminous paving mixtures refers to mixtures of various aggregates, including crushed stone, sand, lime and the like, with asphalt cement or asphalt binder, which mixtures are prepared for paving purposes.
As used herein, asphalt cement or asphalt binder refers to a black or brown tar-like substance, a type of bitumen that occurs naturally or is obtained from the distillation of coal tar, wood tar or petroleum.
As used herein, asphalt concrete refers to a bituminous paving mixture that is prepared, using hot asphalt cement or asphalt binder, in a hot-mix asphalt plant. A synonymous term is hot-mix asphalt.
As used herein, cold mix refers to a bituminous paving mixture that is prepared without the use of hot asphalt cement or asphalt binder.
As used herein, sampler refers to a person who is charged with the responsibility for taking or collecting samples of aggregate material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises a sample collector for aggregate material, and includes a support frame having a first end and a second end. A pair of guide plates are attached to the first end of the support frame. These guide plates are spaced apart so as to define a collection space therebetween. At least one of the guide plates is provided with a track that extends generally along the periphery of the collection space. A flexible closing plate is disposed between the guide plates and is adapted for sliding engagement with the track, so that the closing plate may be moved between an open position which exposes the collection space and a closed position which encloses the collection space. Means are also provided for sliding the closing plate between the open position and the closed position.
In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, and a detailed description thereof follows. It is not intended, however, that the invention be limited to the particular embodiments described or to use in connection with the apparatus illustrated herein. Various modifications and alternative embodiments such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are also contemplated and included within the scope of the invention described and claimed herein.
REFERENCES:
patent: 703233 (1902-06-01), Brown
patent: 3459048 (1969-08-01), Bicknell
patent: 3954013 (1976-05-01), West
patent: 4037476 (1977-07-01), McCrabb
patent: 4072059 (1978-02-01), Hamilton
patent: 4179929 (1979-12-01), Redding
patent: 4346612 (1982-08-01), Rand
patent: 4616515 (
Barrett Michael E.
Brock J. Donald
Collins R. Ronald
Chambliss Bahner & Stophel P.C.
Pavement Technology, Inc.
Raevis Robert
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