Abstract: A filter-collector apparatus comprising a closed vessel having in inlet for introducing pneumatically conveyed material thereinto and an outlet for discharging material therefrom, a detachable tube sheet disposed in the vessel and cooperating with the vessel to provide a material collector chamber and a plenum chamber, wedging means for detachably securing the tube sheet to the vessel, at least one filter tube extending through an opening in the tube sheet and into the collector chamber, having the interior thereof communicating with the plenum chamber, wedging means for detachably securing the filter tube to the tube sheet, means disposed in the plenum chamber for selectively injecting a stream of fluid under pressure into the filter tube for dislodging filtered material deposited on the filter tube, means for detachably securing the fluid injecting means to the tube sheet and the vessel having outlet means communicating with the plenum chamber.

Abstract: A method of making a rotor for a rotary valve including cutting a round slug of a plastic material to a desired length, turning the round slug on a lathe to provide a desired outside diameter, milling the slug on a vertical milling machine to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets, each of the pockets having rounded wall junctures and corners on a vertical milling machine, and milling an axial hole in the slug for receiving an end portion of a drive shaft.

Abstract: A self-aligned flanged coupling for a pair of product transport pipes comprising a male member, a female member disposable in coupling relation to the male member, a clamping assembly mating with the male and female members for releasably securing the members, and an O-ring for disposed between the male and female members, wherein the male member comprises a first pipe, an annular flange for receiving the O-ring extending outwardly and circumferentially about the outer diameter of the first pipe and secured to the pipe having a recess disposed therein to receive the O-ring, wherein the pipe extends beyond the annular flange, wherein the female member comprises a second pipe, a support extending outwardly and circumferentially about the outer diameter of the second pipe, wherein the support extends beyond the second pipe, and a flanged portion extending outwardly from the second pipe and secured to the support having an orifice therein also adapted to receive the O-ring, wherein the O-ring is disposed within t

Abstract: In a rotary valve having a housing, a drive shaft journaled in the housing and having an end portion thereof projecting into a rotor chamber in the housing, a rotor mounted on a drive shaft and axially displaceable thereon and means for accessing the rotor to permit axial removal of the rotor from the rotor chamber, a rotor handling system comprising, a support means mounted on the housing, an assembly including a mandrel supported in the support means operable to axially register the mandrel with the drive shaft to permit the axial displacement of the rotor onto the mandrel, a carrier means mounted on the mandrel and axially displaceable thereon, a locking means mounted on the carrier member and selectively engageable with the rotor when the mandrel is disposed in axial alignment with the drive shaft for selectively locking the rotor to the carrier member and means operable for axially displacing the carrier means whereby upon the mandrel being axially registered with the drive shaft, the carrier member bein

Abstract: A diverter valve adapted for use in a pneumatic conveying system for transporting bulk materials comprising a housing having a chamber provided with a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall having an inlet port communicating with an inlet passageway in the housing and first and second outlet ports communicating with first and second passageways in the housings, respectively, a rotor disposed in the chamber and having a cylindrical wall disposed in opposed relation to the chamber cylindrical wall, the rotor cylindrical wall having first and second ports and an intercommunicating passageway, the rotor ports being spaced apart a sufficient distance whereby upon the rotor being rotated into a first position relative to the housing, the first rotor port will register with the housing inlet port and the second rotor port will register with the first housing outlet port to intercommunicate the housing inlet passageway with the first housing outlet passageway, and upon the rotor being rotated into a second position r

Abstract: An apparatus for handling communited materials including a material hopper defining a zone into which the material may be deposited, a filter device having an inlet communicating with the material depositing zone, a pump defining a chamber for receiving material from the hopper, a valve for controlling the supply of material from the hopper to the pump chamber, a device for injecting fluid under pressure into the pump chamber to flush material disposed therein through a pump outlet, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid into the pump chamber, a venting conduit intercommunicating the pump chamber and the inlet of the filter device, and a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the venting conduit.

Abstract: A product pump assembly including a product pump having a product receiving inlet, a product discharge outlet, a product chamber, and an air port. A cone-shaped feed valve in the product chamber is forced upwards against the inlet thereby sealing it when pressurized air is forced through the port into the chamber, during the evacuation cycle of the pump assembly. The pressurized air is deflected against the valve sweeping the product out of the chamber through the outlet and via a delivery line to the product collector. An ejector is energized during the fill cycle to withdraw the air from the chamber through the air port, thereby opening the valve and pulling the product into the chamber.

Abstract: A single-pass blending apparatus for blending particulate solids including a blending bin having a bin wall, an upper bin end, a lower bin end, a first bin opening passing through the bin wall, and a second bin opening passing through the bin wall and spaced vertically and horizontally from the first bin opening. The bin wall defines a bin chamber. A plurality of flow openings pass through the lower bin end. A blending chamber is positioned beneath the bin chamber and communicates with the bin chamber through the flow openings. A first external blending tube is positioned outside of the blending bin and has an upper tube end communicating with the first bin opening and a lower tube end external of the bin chamber and communicating with the blending chamber. A second external blending tube is positioned outside of the blending bin and has an upper tube end communicating with the second bin opening and a lower tube end external of the bin chamber and communicating with the blending chamber.

Abstract: A sifting and screening mechanism dynamically balanced in all three planes including a base, a screen assembly with an inclined screened frame having a screening surface with an inlet end and an outlet end, a linear bearing, a resilient mount assembly supporting the outlet end of the screened frame on the linear bearing to permit a generally reciprocating motion of the outlet end of the screen frame, a rotating eccentric drive attached to the screen assembly beneath the center of gravity of the assembly to impart a circular motion in a generally horizontal plane to the screen assembly at the center of gravity which, in combination with the linear motion of the outlet end of the screen, creates generally elliptical motion of the screen, a balancing shaft rotatably mounted on the base and spaced apart from the eccentric drive, a belt drive between the eccentric drive and the balancing shaft for maintaining the rate of rotation of the balancing shaft at the same speed as the eccentric drive, and two balance weig

Abstract: A rotary valve which is particularly useful in handling foodstuff or materials which will not tolerate cross-batch contamination, said valve including a housing having an inlet and an outlet which may be connected to a pneumatic conveying duct or the like, and having an access open end, a detachable closure mounted on said housing for closing said opening and, a drive shaft journalled in said housing having a free end disposed between said inlet and outlet, adjacent said closure, a rotor mounted on the free end of said shaft having an annular surface engageable with said housing, said annular surface having at least one recess communicable with said inlet and outlet by rotating the drive shaft for conveying material from said inlet to said outlet, a first axial seal disposed between said housing and said rotor, and a second axial seal disposed between said rotor and said closure, in substantial longitudinal alignment with said first axial seal.