Abstract: An apparatus for counting deposit beverage containers that includes a loading basin for holding a plurality of deposit beverage containers, a feed chute for receiving the containers from the loading basin having an inlet end narrowing into at least one outlet end, and at least one feed channel extending from each outlet end. The feed channel includes a choke opening that orders the containers into a single file row, an upward bend following the choke opening that decreases the downward slope of the feed channel to moderate the flow of the containers, and a downward curve following the upward bend that accelerates each container to create separation between containers.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to valve devices, systems, and methods for controlling the distribution of materials to multiple locations. The improved valve devices, materials distribution systems, and materials distribution methods disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use in applications where the materials being distributed are, for example but not limited to, non-gaseous fluid materials (e.g., raw liquids, solutions, slurries, colloids, suspensions, and the like) and solid materials having some level of tackiness, moisture content, or like property. The valves, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be operated without having to stop the flow of materials therethrough in order to change the position of the valve from one outlet to another. Further, the valves and systems disclosed herein have few directional changes, therefore there are few, if any, points within the system where the material can get stuck and/or lodged.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for transporting produce. The device comprises a chute, and a flexible panel that is positioned within tracks of the chute and defines a movable “front” wall of the chute. The flexible panel has a lower section that terminates in a platform section. The flexible panel is operatively connected to a motor or other actuator which allows the flexible panel to be raised and lowered within the tracks of the chute. The platform section of the chute is connected to an actuator which can move the platform from a closed position to an open position. When the platform is in the closed position, the platform defines the bottom of the chute and collects and holds the produce delivered into the chute. When the platform is moved into the open position, the produce is allowed to flow out of the bottom of the chute into the container the chute is positioned in. The device can also comprise a fill sensor indicating when the chute is full.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus structured and arranged to transport rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry in a mass flow between an outlet of a first machine and inlets of a plurality of second machines. The apparatus includes guide rails having an inlet side in fixed relation to the outlet of the first machine and a moveable outlet side.

Abstract: This invention structurally includes an adjustable guide rail system for laterally adjustably guiding and axially rotatably manipulating containers, such as cans, passed axially between the guide rail systems and with structure to simply and easily facilitate adjustment of the system to adjust to various series of different size cans to guide multiple series of different size cans there through by rotating a cylinder through which the cans passed to present a different passage for each respective series of different size cans.

Abstract: A system and method for changing a flow rate and direction of dry bulk material supplied from an elevated source via an angled spout to an adjustable spout end having an oversized input sleeve with internal baffles therein.

Abstract: The present invention features a grain distribution apparatus having a top loading intake hopper adapted for direct attachment to the discharge end of a grain auger or similar conveyor. A pair of hingedly connected, movable discharge spouts each receive a portion of the incoming grain stream. Some of the incoming grain is directly discharged from the bottom of the intake hopper. Intermediate discharge ports located along each of the discharge spouts also allow controlled amounts of grain to be discharged. All remaining grain is discharged from the terminal (i.e., distal) ends of the discharge spouts. By controlling the angle of the discharge spouts with respect to a horizontal plane, the pattern of grain discharge by the apparatus may be controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which the apparatus has a hopper and a tube secured to the hopper, the tube having an opening between distal and proximal end portions thereof. The apparatus may have a second tube secured to the first tube at the opening, and the second tube may extend substantially vertically downward. The lower end of the second tube may be aligned to terminate at a vertical level that is substantially equal to a vertical level of an opening in the distal end portion of the first tube. A Y-shaped tube may be secured to the distal end of the first tube to further distribute the grain. In use, grain is introduced into the hopper, and a first portion is passed to a first tube. The first portion of grain is divided into second and third portions, the second portion is passed through a second tube, and the third portion is passed to a distal end of the first tube.

Abstract: A method for distributing a flow of bulk material amongst several sub-flows. The method is characterized in that the flow of bulk material accumulates in an essentially vertically oriented pipe. The sub-flows branch off from the accumulated flow of bulk material are led over a horizontal or slightly inclined section so that a bank forms inside and blocks the sub-flow. The bulk material is then removed from the sub-flow by vibration, the bank block being constantly replaced by the particles which slide down correspondingly. A device for distributing a flow of bulk material amongst several sub-flows utilizes a supply container located upstream connected to at least one substantially vertical distribution pipe connected downstream. The distribution pipe has at least one part that branches off with a branch pipe connected thereto and with the branch pipe having a section which is positioned at a slightly smaller downstream angle than the bank of bulk material.

Abstract: A flowable particulate distributor is provided having at least one wall and a multiplicity of posts. Each of the posts have a first end and a second end. The posts are attached at the first ends to the at least one wall forming a geometric array such that the second ends of the posts extend away from the at least one wall. An inlet port is also provided. The inlet port is connected to the at least one wall and is positioned above the geometric array. The flowable particulate distributor can be attached to a vibratory feeder assembly. The vibratory feeder assembly includes an elongated feed tray and a vibrator. The feed tray contains the flowable solids and has an open end thereon. The vibrator is mounted on the feed tray opposite the open end and the open end is aligned with the inlet port. This invention can also be described as a method for dispensing flowable solids. This method includes the step of introducing a high density of flowable solids into a flowable particulate distributor.

Abstract: A recyclable material separating device which is placed into a window opening or a cut-out in a wall. When the selection handle is moved to a desired position and the inner access door is opened, recyclable material can be placed into an outside chute which carries material through an elbow chute to a specific collection receptacle below where it is stored for later retrieval.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor in which partitions disposed within a vessel form first and second furnace sections, first and second troughs and a heat exchange section such that the first trough is disposed between the first furnace section and the heat recovery section and the second trough is disposed between the second furnace section and the heat recovery section. A fluidized bed is formed in each of the furnace sections for the combustion of fuel to generate heat and to generate a mixture of combustion gases and entrained particulate solids. The mixtures from the furnace sections are received in first and second horizontal cyclone separators, both formed within the vessel for separating the entrained particulate solids from the combustion gases. Outlet means extend from the horizontal cyclones to discharge the separated solids to the first and second troughs respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the velocity of a stream of particulate matter so as to prevent damage to the particulate matter. The present invention includes a chamber having an inlet port adapted for accepting particulate matter from a conduit, and an outlet port adapted for discharging particulate matter. The chamber consists of a curvilinear support surface with opposing ends connected to the inlet and outlet ports. The curvilinear support surface includes an ascending arcuate portion between the inlet and outlet ports. The velocity of a stream of particulate matter is reduced as it traverses the ascending arcuate portion of the curvilinear support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering concrete to two spaced deposition points having a funnel-shaped hopper with a pair of outlets in the bottom which deposit concrete on conveyors. An inclined chute feeds concrete to the inner conical wall of the hopper as the chute rotates to minimize segregation of the concrete. Each outlet has a gate to control flow of the concrete to the conveyor beneath.To divert concrete from the hopper a side discharge chute is pivotally mounted in the conical wall of the hopper and can be tilted to receive concrete discharged from the inclined chute.

Abstract: A modular coin bank permits construction of a variety of different geometric patterns of coin guideways for feeding coins from a receiving member to a coin storage base. The base has at least two coin receiving slots in it, and different geometric shapes of hollow guideway members are releasably interconnected together to form intricate pathways from a single coin receiving slot to the coin entry slots in the base. A coin dropped in the coin receiving slot takes one or another of the various pathways to the base. The various members are made of transparent material to permit observation of the path taken by a coin in its fall from the opening in the coin receiving member to the coin storage base of the bank.

Abstract: A gate for adjustably splitting a flow of granular material comprises an inlet pipe (1) which discharges onto a pivotal baffle plate (5) in an intermediate piece (2) overlying a circular plate which is formed with openings leading through respective hoppers (3) to respective ones of two or more outlet pipes (4). The baffle plate spreads the flow of material and pivoting of the baffle on a vertical shaft (6) adjusts the discharge of material through the various openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging free-flowing and viscous materials from a belt conveyor comprises a discharge end of a conveyor having a discharge roll. a frame means is provided at the discharge end of the conveyor and supports a guide means provided downstream the discharge roll. A feed funnel-like means is provided on the frame means under the guide means. A tubular guide member made of a flexible material in the form of a hollow cylinder has one end thereof secured to the funnel-like means and is made with a longitudinal cut extending along the whole length thereof. The tubular guide member has means for interconnecting the extremities of the cut extending along the whole length thereof on either side of the cut, said means being disengageable when the load thereon becomes greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a grain elevator, grain mixed with dust is delivered near the top of a grain silo to the receiving orifice of a grain chute. The chute includes an enclosed conduit which extends from the top of the grain silo to its floor and deposits the grain in the silo without freely falling in the interior of the silo. The conduit has a tandem column series of vertically extending doors which are counter-balanced to be normally closed and which are opened by the weight of the grain in the conduit. The fall of the grain within the conduit separates the grain from the dust and the dust is removed by an exhaust fan connected to the conduit, the air flow being through the open bottom doors of the conduit, through the conduit, and out of the silo to a tube connected to a dust separator. In addition, the grain falls within the conduit and flows out of the doors which the grain column opens and which are immediately above the level of the grain already delivered into the silo, the other doors remaining closed.

Abstract: A large volume silo has in the center of the base a conical dome which, together with the cylindrical outer silo wall, defines an annular base. Open air conveyor chutes pass from the base area through discharge openings to flow regulators in the inner area beneath the conical dome. Closed air conveyor chutes follow on from the flow regulators and lead to a common storage tank in the inner area beneath the conical dome. The open air conveyor chutes can be separated from the bulk material in the silo area by cover slides moveable from the inner area of the conical dome over the open air conveyor chute. This repairs to the conveyor chutes without interrupting silo operation. The cover slides are operated from the interior of the conical dome.

Abstract: Device for dividing a stream of loose material, on which one layer of material, fed in a given direction on the conveying surface of a conveyor device, is divided into at least two strips parallel to each other and to the direction of feed. At least one pair of nozzles is provided for supplying fluid pressure to each pair of adjacent strips.

Abstract: Rotary chute for a spreader where the chute is rotationally adjustable about a spinner axis of a spreader where at any rotational position selected for the chute, the overall geometric relationship of the spinner and chute are geometrically symmetrical. The rotary chute spreads dry material such as fertilizer, lime, salt or the like onto a spinner of the spreader, the spinner including a conical spinner cone mounted on a spinner disc, and a plurality of spinner vanes, the spinner vanes being channeled members. The first rotary chute is for a pull-mounted configuration including a configured baffle and vane configuration internal to an inner ring which rotates within an outer ring. A handle is provided for rotating the inner ring within the outer ring including a direction pointer and directional plate indicating the angular degree of the path of spread material.

Abstract: A flanged trough is provided having flanges along each side of the trough with a smooth continuous curve between the flanges and the body of the trough and a bar of metal welded along the underside of each longitudinal edge of the metal sheet before the flanges are formed. The junction between the metal bars and the flanges and the welds can be covered with a sealant to form a sanitary seal. A lid and gasket can be placed over the trough to seal the contact area of material in the trough from the junction between the metal bars and the flanges of the trough to form a weather tight, dust tight and gas tight conduit.

Abstract: A mechanism for the granulometric distribution of solid particles being loaded into a vessel of relatively large dimensions, such as a process reactor, blast furnace, silo, incinerator, dryer, etc., from equipment of small dimensions in relation to the vessel, includes a feed hopper which has an outlet opening that can be variably positioned within the mechanism to introduce the solid particles into a chamber located above the uppermost ends of a plurality of concentric, inclined, preferably conical or pyramidal surfaces. The latter define respective generally downwardly directed free flow paths for the particles to conduct them to a lower location where they enter the upper ends of a corresponding plurality of concentric sets of descending tubes. The discharge ends of the tubes where they feed into the vessel being charged are disposed in a symmetric array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding pulverant raw material to an arc furnace having a plurality of arcing locations defined by vertical electrodes. A vertical feed tube gravitationally conveys the raw material to a central location inside the furnace which is above the arcing locations. A rotatable deflector is located at the bottom of the feed tube and is rotated in step-wise fashion to direct raw material from the feed tube to each of the arcing locations. A fixed deflector is located at each arcing location to confine the raw material fed into the furnace predominantly to the arcing locations. By locating most of the raw material at the arcing locations, the feeding mechanism of the present invention improves the stability of the arc and the melting efficiency of the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and a device for the distribution of a conveyed flow, such as particles for the preparation of chipboard, fiberboard, or the like, by means of a separation of the conveyed flow into two partial flows. The distribution is continuous and uniform and provided, for example, by a distributing device which may have a variable insertion into the flow stream. The distributing device may have a separating plate with an active edge having regularly-spaced tongues and slots. A dividing plate having chutes of variable width extending through it can be used to vary the ratio of particles separated in the two directions. Baffled rollers may be used to ultimately guide the separated streams. The separation may also be accomplished by chambered rollers rotating in opposite directions.

Abstract: Silo discharge chute forming means, or a silo including such means fixed astride an upright slot opening in its wall. The discharge chute is comprised of a vertically disposed series of doors, each larger than the silo opening but vertically segmented so that each segment can be individually removed through the opening to erect or disassemble the discharge chute. The means for attaching the doors to the silo and supporting the same are suitably attached to the silo wall and can include ladder means to provide access to the top and interior portions of the silo through the usual exterior chute thereof.

Abstract: An improved stacking tower is equipped with a dust pollution control system which maintains a negative pressure within the tower and comprises an exhaust means, dust collection and removal means and movable closure means for closing the discharge openings of the tower. A modulating air damper is also provided to adjust the volume of air passing through the tower.

Abstract: Disclosed are receptacles, such as shaft furnaces illustrated by a blast furnace and an upright oil shale retort, embodying rotatable charge distributor means for distributing particulate charge material in the furnace, which charge distributor means can provide a high uniformity of distribution of various sizes of particles and also can provide and maintain a stock line of desired contour and heighth in the receptacle. The distributor means includes a hopper having rigidly fixed to it a plurality of downwardly extending chutes with lower discharge portions that discharge in concentric circular zones at the stock line. The distributor means includes a segmented portion at the juncture of the hopper and the chutes that divides the charge material discharged into the hopper in proportion to the area of the circular zone at the stock line that is fed by the chute.

Abstract: An inverted discharge chute, positioned in the interior of a silo opposite the unloading openings thereof, comprises an upright series of oppositely-disposed side wall panels each hinged to a side of the unloading opening of the silo and normally projecting inwardly thereof. An upright series of retainer panels removably connects the opposed side wall panels to form the inner end of the inverted chute, the side wall panels being swingable outwardly to cover the adjacent opening portion when the retainer panel is removed.

Abstract: This noise reducing device is arranged in the discharge chute of a material granulating apparatus in which a rapidly rotating knife cuts strips or strands of material into granules. In one embodiment of the device a wing wheel or impeller type of wheel is supported off-center for rotation in a portion of substantially cylindrical cross section of the chute. In another embodiment, angularly arranged plates are positioned substantially oppositely each other in the discharge chute to deflect the granular material so as to follow a zig-zag path.

Abstract: A material diverter for a tower silo for carrying material to the base of the silo independent of the silo chute. The diverter has an upright downspout attached to the outside of the chute and a housing located within the chute for receiving material moving through the silo doorway and directing the material into the downspout. The housing is pivotally connected to a carriage operable to move on upright tracks secured to the chute. The housing can be aligned with one of a plurality of structures used to connect the downspout to the chute so that the material at various elevations can be discharged through the housing into the downspout.