Fluidizer for a substance

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a fluidizer including at least one wall forming a conduit for a gas. The at least one wall may include a material having microscopic holes therein with a sufficient porosity to permit the escape of the gas through the microscopic holes to gas a substance. The present invention may also relate to a fluidizer including a non-cylindrical shape for fluidizing a particulate substance. The fluidizer can include a body at least partially positioned within a flow of the particulate substance wherein at least some of the particulate substance flows around the body.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluidizer comprising at least one wall forming a conduit for a gas, wherein the at least one wall comprises a material having microscopic holes therein with a sufficient porosity to permit the escape of the gas through the microscopic holes to gas a substance.  
     
     
         2 . A fluidizer comprising a non-cylindrical shape for fluidizing a particulate substance wherein the fluidizer comprises a body at least partially positioned within a flow of the particulate substance wherein at least some of the particulate substance flows around the body.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus comprising the fluidizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus forms a passageway for the particulate substance wherein the particulate substance flows through the passageway.  
     
     
         4 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a plastic.  
     
     
         5 . A fluidizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the body comprises a plastic.  
     
     
         6 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluidizer has a shape of a cross, a helix, a curvature, a circle, an offset zig-zag, or a spiral-funnel.  
     
     
         7 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluidizer has a symmetrical shape about an inlet connection.  
     
     
         8 . A fluidizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the non-cylindrical shape of the fluidizer is a cross, a helix, a curvature, a circle, an offset zig-zag, or a spiral-funnel.  
     
     
         9 . A fluidizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the non-cylindrical shape of the fluidizer is symmetrical about an inlet connection.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus is a fill shoe.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a delivery chute wherein the fluidizer is positioned within the delivery chute to fluidize the particulate substance therein.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the delivery tube forms a vent to permit the escape of gas originating from the fluidizer.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of fluidizers positioned in the delivery chute wherein each fluidizer has a single inlet connection.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a delivery tube, a delivery chute, and a bottom plate.  
     
     
         15 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         16 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         17 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a polyethylene.  
     
     
         18 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a polyethylene having a molecular weight over 1,000,000.  
     
     
         19 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a polyethylene having a molecular weight over 2,000,000.  
     
     
         20 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a polyethylene having a molecular weight of 3,000,000-6,000,000.  
     
     
         21 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.  
     
     
         22 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the material has a porosity of up to 50 microns.  
     
     
         23 . A fluidizer comprising a material having a molecular weight over 1,000,000 and a porosity sufficient to permit the escape of a gas to gas a substance.  
     
     
         24 . A fluidizer according to  claim 15 , wherein the thermoplastic is an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and has a porosity of 0.5-10 microns.  
     
     
         25 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluidizer has a single inlet connection to receive a gas to gas the substance.  
     
     
         26 . A fluidizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluidizer has a single inlet connection to receive a gas for fluidizing the particulate substance.  
     
     
         27 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , to gas a liquid or a particulate substance.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the fluidizer receives a gas at a pressure of no more than 5 psi.  
     
     
         29 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the fluidizer receives a gas at a pressure of 1-2 psi.  
     
     
         30 . A fluidizer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support positioned at least partially within at least one wall of the fluidizer and of sufficient rigidity to provide a shape to the fluidizer.  
     
     
         31 . A fluidizer according to  claim 30 , wherein the support comprises aluminum or iron and the at least one wall comprises a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         32 . A fluidizer according to  claim 30 , wherein the support comprises a metal.  
     
     
         33 . A fluidizer according to  claim 31 , wherein the thermoplastic is polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         34 . A fluidizer according to  claim 23 , wherein the porosity of the material is up to 50 microns.