Abstract: A grain auger having a discharge chute with a primary opening is also provided with at least one secondary opening and a door movable between opened and closed positions relative to the secondary opening. The door is normally closed by spring bias, but will open if the primary discharge opening becomes blocked, thereby releasing grain through the secondary opening, to prevent damage to the auger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material conveyor system (1) for a road paver and feeder. The material conveyor system (1) comprises a material hopper (2), which comprises a first and a second hopper half (3, 4), a main conveyor device (5), which defines a main conveyor flow and which runs between the first and the second hopper halves (3, 4), and conveying screws (6, 7), which define a transverse conveyor flow and which are arranged in the hopper halves (3, 4). The material conveyor system (1) is characterized in that the conveying screws (6, 7) can be operated independently of the main conveyor device. The independent operation of the conveying screws (6, 7) and the main conveyor device (5) makes it possible to achieve improved homogenization of the mixing temperature of the paving material.

Abstract: An adjustable hopper including a base structure is designed for being mounted to an intake of a conveying mechanism for conveying particulates. A bottom portion of a flexible hopper structure is mounted to the base structure. A top structure is mounted to a top portion of the flexible hopper structure. An adjusting mechanism is connected to the base structure and the top structure. The adjusting mechanism enables moving the top structure from a transport position, with the top structure being disposed in proximity to the base structure, to a loading position, with at least a substantial portion of the top structure being disposed at a predetermined distance to the base structure.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a chute, a moving member, and a control unit. The chute encloses a passage space, and has a slit formed in a first portion. Items to be packaged are supplied from an upper apparatus to the passage space. The first portion surrounds a first space. The first space is part of the passage space, where the items targeted to be packaged, readily become clogged. The moving member is configured to move into the first space and withdraw from the first space through the slit. The control unit causes the moving member to enter the first space after the items targeted to be packaged have passed through the first space.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly has a supply source from which a plurality of rolling objects is delivered to a conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor assembly is also configured such that the horizontal velocity of the rolling objects delivered to the conveyor belt is substantially the same as the horizontal velocity of the conveyor belt. Such configuration advantageously reduces, or even eliminates undesired movement of the objects on the conveyor belt and thus significantly improves quantification of the objects on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A bulk material leveling and volumetric measuring and feeding apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting bulk material from a hopper to a leveling assembly. The leveling assembly includes a pair of augers located perpendicular to the conveyor and with the auger terminal ends at a desired height from the conveyor. Side walls are provided parallel to the conveyor direction of travel and extend up to the auger terminal ends. Each auger is positioned within a semicircular longitudinal channel of a trough. Bulk material being transported and which is located above the augers terminal ends is lifted by the augers and thrown back towards the hopper. Thus, bulk material being transported under and beyond the leveling assembly is maintained at a desired depth. By monitoring and/or controlling the conveyor speed and the depth of the transported bulk material, the volumetric feed rate and total volume of transported material can be determined and/or controlled.

Abstract: An adjustable including a base structure designed for being mounted to an intake of a conveying mechanism for conveying particulates. A bottom portion of a flexible hopper structure is mounted to the base structure. A top structure is mounted to a top portion of the flexible hopper structure. An adjusting mechanism is connected to the base structure and the top structure. The adjusting mechanism enables moving the top structure from a transport position, with the top structure being disposed in proximity to the base structure, to a loading position, with at least a substantial portion of the top structure being disposed at a predetermined distance to the base structure.

Abstract: An adjustable hopper including a base structure is designed for being mounted to an intake of a conveying mechanism for conveying particulates. A bottom portion of a flexible hopper structure is mounted to the base structure. A top structure is mounted to a top portion of the flexible hopper structure. An adjusting mechanism is connected to the base structure and the top structure. The adjusting mechanism enables moving the top structure from a transport position, with the top structure being disposed in proximity to the base structure, to a loading position, with at least a substantial portion of the top structure being disposed at a predetermined distance to the base structure.

Abstract: A hopper loader is provided for supplying particulate material to a processing machine. The hopper loader includes a receiver with latching members configured for coupling to a hopper assembly. The hopper assembly includes a hopper which preferably has translucent side walls to permit visual inspection of the contents of the chamber within the hopper, and a filter element positioned atop the receiver which is configured so that particulate material trapped by the filter element will periodically fall back into the chamber for processing without operator intervention.

Abstract: A device is provided for holding dispensing and conveying substances such as dry foods such as, for example, flour, breakfast cereal or granola. The device may include a stand holding a possibly hermetically sealed container which may include a conveyor, having a flexible paddle belt mounted on at least two axles and possibly at least one connector. The conveyor is connected to a handle which when rotated may cause the conveyor to rotate and dispense the dry substances such as food from the container into, for example, an outside bowl.

Abstract: A measuring device is arranged to store a block or group of a plurality of objects in a state where the objects are congested in the block, to suppress the scattering magnification of the objects when the objects are dropped off to prevent failures such as seal bite in a filling device disposed below the measuring device, to shorten the dropping length of the objects, and to reduce the contact resistance of the objects to a receiving opening of the filling device during the objects are dropped off to attain the discharging speed of the objects. The shapes and opening degrees of a gate unit can be changed so that a lower opening of a hopper is disposed inside the receiving opening of the filling device in a top plan view.

Abstract: A device for eliminating fugitive material dust emanating from material being transferred from an upper conveyor, feeder or crusher to a lower position, or other location. The device allows adjustability of the chute's total flow capacity where increased capacity is required. The device has a sliding gate disposed in the hopper to control the rate of transfer of the material from the hopper. A chute is disposed below the hopper and is movable in both a lateral direction (transverse to the direction of belt travel), and movable in the axis of belt travel. A choke is slidably attached to the chute, and slidable therein. The gate is positioned to maintain a level of material in the hopper to prevent dust from emanating out of the hopper from the chute. The choke is positioned to reduce airflow through the material as it passes through the chute to a lower position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coordinating automated package and bulk dispensing at a remote site. A hopper apparatus includes a series of storage compartments and access doors. The compartments and doors are linked to a PLC that is further linked to an inventory provider. The inventory provider takes product orders from an end-user. The end-user is provided an end-user access code. The inventory provider communicates with the PLC and reserves for the ordered product(s) a vacant storage compartment(s). The inventory provider delivers the product(s) ordered by the end-user to the hopper apparatus. Upon delivery, the inventory provider enters the appropriate end-user access code(s), causing the PLC to open the storage compartment(s) previously reserved by the inventory provider for the products ordered by the end-user. The inventory provider loads the appropriate storage compartment(s) with the end-user product(s).

Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided to limit the vertical fall experienced by a product transported along the conveyor and falling into a collection bin. A sensor in a fixed position relative to the product conveying plane of the conveyor measures product collection height in a collection bin to produce an output signal. A controller dynamically varies the angle between the conveyance plane and the collection bin base plane and the vertical displacement therebetween within a preselected range in order to minimize product damage associated with different fall trajectories from the conveyor into the bin for product. Either the conveyor or the collection bin is pivoted under the command of the controller to accomplish the desired function.

Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting material in a controlled manner comprising a diverter plate attached to a mounting assembly. The diverter plate is shaped for receiving falling material and facilitating the flow of the material onto a conveyance means or into storage. The mounting assembly comprises a carrier spring assembly that permits the diverter plate to pivot about a shaft and thereby move from a default position to an unload position. The mounting assembly further comprises two adjustable locking mounts that hold the shaft in place and also allow the shaft to be adjustably rotated and thereafter fixed in place. A method for diverting material in a controlled manner comprises the steps of installing the apparatus at a transfer point and activating a first conveyance means that feeds material to the chute. A second conveyance means that receives the material after diversion by the apparatus can optionally be activated.

Abstract: A device for discharging rod-like products each having one end that is large sized. The device includes a hopper having an opening in its bottom surface, a drive mechanism for oscillating the hopper, and a bottom cover for closing the opening of the hopper. An upper surface of the bottom cover is shaped such that the cover closes the opening of the hopper so that the products do not drop from the opening. The bottom cover has a slit opened in the upper surface thereof, and the slit extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the oscillating motion. The slit has a width that allows all but a maximum size portion of the rod-like products to pass therethrough. The drive mechanism oscillates the hopper so that the rod-like products received in the hopper are guided to the slit of the bottom cover, arranged in the slit in order, and subsequently discharged from the slit.

Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system also comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: A system and method are used to meter fibrous material into a concrete mixture. The system includes an endless conveyor belt rotatably supported on first and second rollers. Pick up members on the belt project into the direction of travel for collecting fibrous material as the belt is rotated through a container having fibrous material therein. The fibrous material is released as the belt is rotated over the second roller where the pick up members are moved away from the belt at the free end thereof due to curvature of the belt. A sweeper mechanism may be provided at the second roller to assist in releasing the fibrous material from the pickup members. The configuration of the container permits any brand or type of fibres to be readily used while still maintaining a consistent delivery or discharge of fibres which is proportional to the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: An object sorting and orienting apparatus is for sorting, orienting and discharging a plurality of objects, such as, container closures dispensed from a hopper. An endless conveyor transports the closures from a loading area, through an intermediate area, to a discharge area. At least one regulator, including an adjustable spill-plate, regulates the effects of object fill-level within the hopper during a sorting run. Orienting means, including an extension of the adjustable spill-plate and a plurality of flights on the endless conveyor, arrange the closures in a correct orientation. Sorting means, including a belt path disruptor and a substantially vertical belt path, sort incorrectly oriented closures from correctly oriented closures. Discharge means, including a removal device and at least one discharge chute, discharge correctly oriented closures from the discharge area.

Abstract: An adjustable assembly for discharging grain from a grain handling implement having a control rod with a swivel link that is mounted to the body of the grain implement and is operatively connected to a discharge spout to rotate the spout in relation to a discharge end of the grain implement.

Abstract: A discharge chute for the unloading auger of a combine is provided with a discharge opening which provides maximum discharge flow rate and maximum clearance for moving and positioning of the auger. The discharge chute has an upper surface extending downwardly at a first angle relative to a horizontal plane, and a lower surface extending downwardly in a second angle relative to a horizontal plane. The first angle of the upper surface is greater than the second angle of the lower surface. The discharge chute also includes an internally mounted dribble door pivotal between raised and lowered positions. The door prevents grain dribble when in the upper position, and allows unobstructed grain discharge when in the lowered position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved conveyor. The invention provides an apparatus for conveying material having an elongated tube with an input end and a discharge end, an intake hopper having a front end secured to the input end of the tube and an endless belt for conveying material from the intake hopper to the discharge end of the tube. Mounted within the intake hopper is at least two augers positioned above the endless belt and external to the input end of the tube. The endless belt and the augers are driven with appropriate drive means. Rotation of the augers conveys granular material in the hopper toward the input end of the tube so as to flood feed the input end of the tube. The granular material is then carried to the discharge end of the tube by the belt. In addition, the invention provides for the mounting of the augers to permit adjustment of the location of the augers within the intake hopper as well as facilitating easy removal and replacement of the augers.

Abstract: A sideboard assembly for an infeed system of a waste processing machine includes a sideboard for attachment to a sidewall of the infeed system of the waste processing machine. The sideboard assembly also includes a plurality of fasteners for removably attaching the sideboard to the sidewall of the infeed system of the waste processing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus that is made integral with, attached to or attachable to machines for compacting and baling materials, particularly waste materials. The apparatus generally has a hopper compartment and a conveying assembly attached to a frame. The hopper compartment receives waste materials therein. The conveying assembly has a motor driven conveyor belt for conveying the waste materials from the hopper to the compactor/baler machine through an opening in the housing of the machine. Preferably, the first end of the frame attaches to the door that is used for removing compacted bales from the machine, thereby becoming integral with the machine, so as to allow the apparatus to pivot or swing to and from the machine with the opening and closing of the door. Wheels on the second end of the frame facilitate movement of the apparatus along the ground.

Abstract: A rotary plate feeder valve for use in pressurized pneumatic conveying systems. The valve comprises a rotary plate that is fed from a central inlet and has one or more discharge outlets. Material transfer is controlled by rotary plate speed, depth of deposit of material from the inlet onto the rotary plate, and by plows that move in or out along the rotary plate thus plowing material from the plate into an associated discharge port. Due to high clearances within the valve, the valve may be used with abrasive materials, delicate materials and foodstuffs.