Abstract: An air-boom spreader has a hopper for containing particulate material, a metering device having a plurality of sluices, a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart on a boom in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the spreader, and a plurality of air lines connecting the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets for conveying the particulate material in an air stream from the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets. The spreader has more than twice as many outlets as sluices, and the plurality of outlets has an innermost outlet, an outermost outlet and at least three other outlets between the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet whereby each of the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet are supplied with half as much of the particulate material as each of the at least three other outlets.

Abstract: A method for handling material and conveying air in a pneumatic conveying system for material, which conveying system comprises at least one input point (1) for material, a material conveying pipe (100), which is connectable to an input point (1), and at least two separating devices (10A, 10B), in which the material being conveyed is separated from the conveying air, and also means for bringing about a pressure difference and/or a transporting air flow in the conveying pipe (100) at least during the conveyance of material, which means comprise at least one partial-vacuum source (21). In the method, material is conveyed in a transporting air flow in a material conveying pipe from an input point in a selected manner into one of at least two separating devices (10A, 10B), and that at least one of the aforementioned separating devices (10A, 10B) is configured to function as the standby separating device of a second separating device.

Abstract: A material layered conveying device based on a disassembly line, including a front section conveyor belt, a rear section conveyor belt, and a lower conveyor belt. An interval between the front and rear section conveyor belts is provided with two sets of movable conveyor belts arranged in side by side parallel, a lifting conveyor belt is provided below the interval and adjacent to and horizontal with the lower conveyor belt, and a lifting conveyor belt elevator is provided under the lifting conveyor belt. The lifting conveyor belt is driven vertically up, and the lifting conveyor belt is horizontal with the front and rear section conveyor belts when the lifting conveyor belt is moved to a maximum distance. The device adopts the movable dual conveyor belts of the respective levels of the upper and lower conveyor belts, and can achieve synchronous high-low transferring of the material when the material is conveyed.

Abstract: A material flow assist mechanism for a feed hopper using a vertically aligned rotating auger includes a frame, the frame having a pair of spaced apart first and second telescoping arms attached to frame, and a connector to link a shaft of a motor to the auger for auger and material flow assist mechanism rotation. Each of first and second telescoping arms have an elongated member mounted to a plate-containing end portion of each respective first and second telescoping arms. Rotation of the material flow assist mechanism by the motor rotates the first and second elongated members for material dispensing out a hopper. Dispensing of the material from the hopper results in extension of portions of the first and second telescoping arms such that the elongated members and plate travel with a top portion of the material as the top portion of the material in the hopper descends during dispensing.

Abstract: A method for producing a tube segment and a tube for an evacuated tube transport system and a method for producing the tube segment.

Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system having a series of supply lines with at least portions of the lines being wear resistant to extend the useful lifespan of an agricultural product delivery applicator. The wear resistant supply line(s) may be made from a hard material and have a curve(s) defined by angled or mitered segments that are welded or otherwise joined to collectively provide the curve(s) The wear resistant supply lines may be at least partially reinforced by way of, for example, welded or other build up wear resistant material(s) at high wear zones of the supply lines.

Abstract: In a flange-nut posture control device includes a first opening, a direction controlling portion is constituted by two vertical wall portions extending in a vertical direction such that the vertical wall portions are distanced from each other to face each other via a space with a distance smaller than the diameter of a flange portion of the flange nut. A lower guide portion is provided such that a V-shaped groove having a bottom portion between the vertical wall portions extends to be inclined from a horizontal plane. A second opening is surrounded by at least the vertical wall portions and the lower guide portion and formed such that the flange nut is passed through the second opening. An outlet groove portion is connected to the lower guide portion at an end surface of the second opening and extends with the same inclination as the lower guide portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a goods to operator workstation for presenting a container of articles to an operator for picking. The goods to operator workstation includes a container presenting mechanism having laterally movable arms positioned at a first predetermined distance from each other to create a first space to receive and present the container to the operator for picking. A lifting unit moves vertically upwards into the first space to receive the picked container, the laterally movable arms move outwardly away from each other to be positioned at a second predetermined distance from each other, and the lifting unit moves vertically downwards through the at least two laterally movable arms to transfer the picked container onto the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A powder/granular material spreader that allows easy cleaning of a passage for powder/granular material includes a housing that houses motors, a passage that extends through the housing and provides a passage for the powder/granular material, a roller provided in the passage to feed the powder/granular material and that is driven by one of the motors, and a spinner driven by the motor to spread the powder/granular material. The passage includes an integral first wall that shields the motor from the passage, an integral second wall that shields the motor from the passage, and an opening located at an inlet of the passage. The opening is integral with the first wall and the second wall. The housing includes an integral cover that covers tops and sides of the motors, and fits over an outer surface of the opening. A seal is provided at a location where the opening and the cover are connected with each other.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an opposite belt-type precise seeding device. The opposite belt-type precise seeding device comprises a seed metering tube consisting of a U-shaped shell and a cover plate, two conveying devices provided inside the seed metering tube in parallel, and a conveying plate provided at the lower end of the seed metering tube. The opposite belt-type precise seeding device belongs to the field of agricultural machinery. In a seeder, a tubular seed conveying tube is usually used for guiding movement of seeds, but the movement of the seeds in the seed conveying tube has certain randomness, so that the seed distance consistency of the seeds in a seed bed is reduced. Through control of the seeds by the conveying devices, the stable movement of the seeds is achieved and the seed distance consistency of the seeds in the seed bed is guaranteed.

Abstract: A bearing end cap for a modular meter assembly for distributing particulate material from an applicator can include recesses that accommodate locking tabs or fingers of modular meter unit housings and protrusions that lock a meter tube against rotation. In one aspect, a bearing end cap can be provided with a particular construction that cooperates with modular meter unit housings. The bearing end cap can have vertical and horizontal symmetry and cutouts near its corners. These cutouts can provide clearances to accommodate the locking tabs or fingers of modular meter unit housing end walls. Back walls of the bearing end caps can have protrusions that extend into end cutouts of a tube which defines an interior perimeter of the meter assembly.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical transport system may include a pneumatic tube network and a pharmaceutical transport cleaner. The pharmaceutical transport cleaner may include a cylindrical body, and a rotatable cleaning band extending around the cylindrical body to contact and clean adjacent portions of the pneumatic tube network as the cylindrical body moves through the pneumatic tube network.

Abstract: A circular distribution apparatus for distributing loose products has a top portion (17) with an inlet (19) positioned centrally relative to a vertical central axis, a base portion (7) comprising an annular horizontal floor (11); a plurality of openable and closable outlets (23) provided in the annular floor (11); a side wall (9) surrounding entirely the annular floor (11); a central elevation (13) disposed between the annular floor (11) and the inlet (19); and a vibrator (51) configured to vibrate the base portion (7) so that products received on the base portion (7) circulate around the elevation (13) on the annular floor (11). The top portion (17); the elevation (13); the annular floor (11); and the side wall (9) provide a housing (3) comprising a distribution chamber (5), where at least the elevation (13), the annular floor (11) and the side wall (9) are provided integrally.

Abstract: A tubular sleeve for a modular meter system for distributing particulate material from an applicator can be inserted through a meter assembly that is built from modular meter unit housings to define the boundary wall of a meter cavity and provide internal structural support for the meter assembly. The tube can be provided with inlet and outlet openings that can be inserted through modular meter housings to form an overall meter assembly of a particular length and therefore volume/flow rate. In one aspect, a tube or tubular sleeve can be inserted into a stack of connected meter units while assembling a modular meter assembly. A circumferential sidewall of the tube can have pairs of oppositely positioned openings that provide inlets and outlets for a meter assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for trans-loading solid particulates from a hopper to a storage container, by clamping a trough (110) to a discharge gate of the hopper, the trough having an open top, sides, and a bottom, a vacuum pipe (140) extending into the trough, and at least one aerator (150) located on the trough, to which is provided an aerating gas. The method further comprises at least partially evacuating the storage container to cause at least a partial vacuum therein and drawing a vacuum through a conveyor hose connected to the trough.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus can comprise one or more support members defining an interior passage and a first plurality of apertures. A first cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a first end portion of a support area can be greater than a second cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a second end portion of the support area. A tube can extend within the interior passage and comprises a second plurality of apertures. Methods are also provided for conveying a ribbon with one or more support members.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are reclaimer systems, troughs, and methods for selectively positioning at least a portion of an upper portion of a trough relative to a vertical axis to adjust an operative height of the trough and thereby set an overflow threshold height for the reclaimed material, wherein reclaimed material below the overflow threshold height contributes to a target reclaim rate for the reclaimer system, and wherein the trough is configured to permit overflow of reclaimed material above the overflow threshold height.

Abstract: A flotation conveyance apparatus according to an embodiment is for conveying a substrate while floating the substrate by ejecting a gas to a lower surface of the substrate. The flotation conveyance apparatus includes a plurality of ejecting ports configured to eject the gas to the substrate, a downstream flow-path configured to supply the gas to the plurality of ejecting ports, a upstream flow-path configured to supply the gas to the downstream flow-path, and a gas supply port configured to supply the gas to the downstream flow-path. A cross-sectional area of the upstream flow-path is configured to be larger than a cross-sectional area of the downstream flow-path.

Abstract: A work-piece feeding assembly includes a first vibratory parts-transferring assembly, and a second vibratory parts-transferring assembly. The first vibratory parts-transferring assembly is for transferring a work piece along a first travel direction via a common parts-feeding path. The second vibratory parts-transferring assembly is for transferring the work piece along a second travel direction via the common parts-feeding path.

Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.