Abstract: A prescription item dispensing device for regulated dispensing of controlled items includes an authenticator and a cap, with the latter being selectively lockable to a top of a tube. A mounting plate, which has an orifice positioned therein, is engaged to, and positioned within, the tube defining upper and lower chambers. The tube has an aperture positioned therein, which opens into the lower chamber. First and second doors, which are linear actuator actuated, are engaged to the tube and the mounting plate, respectively, to close the aperture and the orifice, respectively. A sleeve having a prescription item positioned therein is positioned in the upper chamber with a lower end of the sleeve aligned with the orifice. The authenticator authenticates an identity of a user, positioning the first and second doors for actuated opening to dispense a unit of the prescription item into the lower chamber for retrieval by the user.

Abstract: A snow deflector for a snow blower is formed from a plate member. The plate member includes a first surface portion for being disposed covering a portion of a snow-receiving opening of a fan housing of the snow blower, and a second surface portion configured to cooperate with an adjacent rear interior surface of the snow blower to guide snow along a direction laterally toward a predetermined target region of the snow-receiving opening that is after a discharge chute opening in the fan housing along a direction of fan rotation. The snow is guided simultaneously vertically upward and longitudinally frontward. The first and second surface portions are disposed within respective first and second planes that intersect one another along a common edge shared between the first and second surface portions. The common edge being aligned generally toward the predetermined target region when the plate member is in the installed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling sandbags includes a hollow housing tube, an auger, and a motor. The hollow housing tube includes an intake end, a curved central portion, and a discharge end. The hollow housing tube includes a discharge chute at the discharge end. The auger includes a shaft and flightings. The auger is at least partially disposed within the hollow housing tube. The auger includes a first end connected to a motor at the discharge end of hollow housing tube and a second end connected to a sand screw auger bit at the intake end of the housing tube. The auger includes a plurality of connected auger sections. A portion of the plurality of connected auger sections is disposed in the curved central portion of the hollow housing tube and is flexibly connected. The motor is operable to transmit rotational torque through an entire length of the auger.

Abstract: An assembly for measuring wear of a barrel and feedscrew combination, wherein the barrel has a longitudinally extending feedscrew disposed therein and a radially extending measuring aperture formed in a wall thereof, includes a measuring probe having a proximity detecting sensor, a barrel plug for removable insertion into the measuring aperture, and a measuring fixture. The barrel plug is configured to undergo wear in an axial direction thereof while inserted into the measuring aperture. The measuring probe and the barrel plug are installed into the measuring fixture for determining wear of the barrel plug in the axial direction thereof. The measuring probe is further configured for removable insertion into the measuring aperture for measuring wear of a flight of the feedscrew. A spacer and rotational tool cooperate with the measuring probe when installing the measuring probe in the measuring aperture.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid mixer having a fluid inlet (5), a first passage (1) which connects to the fluid inlet, a helical flow passage (2) which connects to the first flow passage, branched flow passages (4) which are branched from the helical flow passage, a second flow passage (3) to which the branched flow passages individually connect, a connection flow passage (7) which connects the first flow passage and the second flow passage, and a fluid outlet (6) which connects to the second flow passage. The branched flow passages are individually branched from different positions in the direction of flow through the helical flow passages. The branched flow passages which are branched from the helical flow passage individually connect to the second flow passage at different positions in the direction of flow through the second flow passage.

Abstract: A drier apparatus includes a cylindrical chamber in which a pair of screw conveyers each including a tubular shaft in which heat medium is able to flow, and carrier blades arranged on an outer surface of the tubular shaft is housed, a motor for rotating the screw conveyers, an input path connected to the cylindrical chamber at a proximal end of each of the screw conveyers, and an output path connected to the cylindrical chamber at a distal end of each of the screw conveyers. The input path and the output path include a device for opening and closing a path. Each of the screw conveyers includes a pair of tubular shafts arranged substantially in parallel with each other, and a plurality of semicircular carrier blades such that the carrier blades form a part of an imaginary spiral plane about the tubular shaft on an outer surface of the tubular shaft, the carrier blade being partially made of a material having a resistance to abrasion.

Abstract: An ADA compliant vending machine ensures provides a user control for entering an ADA mode, and displays all user-actuated vend transaction controls below a first specified height when operating in the ADA mode. A delivery bucket surface on which vended products are supported moves between a lowered position below a second specified height and a raised position above the second specified height in coordinate operation with opening of the delivery bin door. Products are dropped below the second specified height during delivery but are raised above that height for customer retrieval. Mechanical force required to open the delivery bin door is less than five pounds, even with closing of anti-pilfer flaps also being coordinated with opening of the delivery bin door.

Abstract: A method and device for transporting overburden away during tunneling includes a seal that separates a first portion and a second portion of a transporting screw arrangement. As a result, in open tunneling or in earth-pressure-assisted tunneling, when the seal is closed, overburden can be transported out of a first opening, arranged ahead of the seal in the direction of removal and, in fluid-assisted tunneling, when the first opening is closed and the seal is open, the overburden can be transported into the second portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved screw conveyor that reduces maintenance. The screw conveyor comprises an elongate trough assembly comprising material input and output gates formed thereon and an elongate screw fighting rotably disposed within the trough assembly. The fighting comprises an elongate hollow shaft comprising a plurality of thorough fluid holes disposed thereon, a proximal end of the shaft adapted to receive a fluid therethrough whereby, the received fluid is discharged from the plurality of fluid holes, and a pair of parallel blades helically wound around the shaft, the blades arranged such that, the fluid holes are disposed between the blades. The fluid is discharged from between the blades forms a pressurized shield between the outer edges of blades and the inner surface of the trough assembly so as to prevent the material from entering the space between the edges of the blades and the inner surface of the trough assembly.

Abstract: A cantilevered screw assembly comprising an improved anchor system. In an exemplary embodiment, a support wall may be formed of a single casting with at least a portion of a bearing housing. An exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly may also comprise at least one solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw.

Abstract: A cleaning system for use in an agricultural harvester includes a sieve and an auger arrangement positioned below the sieve. The auger arrangement includes an auger, an end plate carrying the auger and having a curved slot positioned radially outside of the auger, a deformable seal associated with the curved slot, a trough having an inner side wall, and an elongate removable pull out which is slidable through the curved slot adjacent to the inner side wall. The removable pull out and the deformable seal together being configured to prevent exit and entry of loose particles through the curved slot.

Abstract: A process interface of a process gas analyzer operating by a transmitted light method includes a purging tube, which extends between an optoelectronic element and an interior of a plant part carrying a process gas, wherein the purging tube is closed off, at its end opposite from the optoelectronic element by a window, in the vicinity of which a purging gas feed enters the purging tube, where an annular part is arranged in the interior of the purging tube opposite the entrance of the purging gas feed and is coaxial in relation to the purging tube, and the part has a convex outer side, the vertex line of which divides the entrance of the purging gas feed into a smaller region, open toward the window, and a larger region, open toward the interior of the plant part.

Abstract: An internal screw unit includes a screw-included tube assembly and a power source that supplies power. The screw-included tube assembly includes a tubular body in which a screw is arranged. The screw has an outer circumferential edge that is fixedly connected to an inside surface of the tubular body in a seamless manner so that when the power source drives the tubular body or the screw to rotate, the tubular body and the screw are rotated in unison with each other. Through feeding realized with the rotation of the screw in the tubular body, applications in conveyance of fluids (such as water and oil), solids (such as corn kernels, grains, and plastic particles) can be available. Additional applications are also available for fields of screw stirring and fluid power generation. Numerous advantages can be achieved, including complete enclosure, improved structural strength, steady flow speed, and extended life span.

Abstract: An agricultural combine including an agricultural harvester, a crop tank for harvested material, an unloading auger for unloading and discharging crop material. The auger assembly has first and second auger tubes pivotally connected to one another. The auger tubes pivot between a first position in which the auger tubes are coaxial and a second position in which the auger tubes form one of at least two angles. A first link is pivotally connected to the first auger tube and a second link pivotally connected to the second auger tube. An actuator is connected to one of the auger tubes and to one of the links, with the first and second links being pivotally interconnected at one of two positions to maintain the auger tubes in both auger tube positions without loading the actuator.

Abstract: A screw element for a screw conveyor, said screw element comprising a hub portion having a generally circular bore axially therethrough, and a spiral flight portion extending around said hub in a generally helical path; characterised in that said element comprises engagement means at each axial end thereof for mating with an adjacent element whereby torque may be transmitted between two or more adjacent screw elements via said engagement means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. The apparatus, such as a holding tank, has a passage. At the outlet to the passage, a conveyance member is provided to convey the cellulosic feedstock laterally across the outlet. The conveyance member, e.g., at least one screw conveyor, may have a variable pitch along its length. The method comprises passing the cellulosic feedstock through an impregnation chamber to an outlet of the impregnation chamber; passing the cellulosic feedstock from the outlet of the impregnation chamber to an inlet of a holding tank; passing the cellulosic feedstock downwardly through the holding tank; maintaining a generally constant residence time in the holding tank; and subsequently subjecting the cellulosic feedstock to a hydrolysis process.

Abstract: A method of separating a high boiling component from a mixture containing organic and/or inorganic boiling components which method involves providing an induction heated screw conveyor having an auger and passing the mixture through the induction heated screw conveyor while inductively heating the auger so as to heat the mixture in the induction heated screw conveyor. The mixture is heated to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the boiling component(s) to separate from the mixture as a vapor and the boiling component is removed from the induction heated screw conveyor.

Abstract: A method of removing organic components from a mixture containing organic and inorganic components which method involves providing an induction heated screw conveyor having an auger and passing the mixture through the induction heated screw conveyor while inductively heating the auger so as to heat the mixture in the induction heated screw conveyor primarily from the center of the induction heated screw conveyor. The mixture is heated to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the organic components in the mixture to separate from the mixture as a vapor. The oxygen concentration in the induction heated screw conveyor is controlled so as to gasify the organic components. The gasified organic components are removed and the remaining inorganic components are collected.

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: A screw-type fine powder raw material feeding device includes a screen (5) wound on the outer periphery of a tubular receiving member (21) and a plurality of annular metal fixtures (23) for bringing the screen (5) into close contact with the tubular receiving member (21) side. A gap (D) between the screen (5) and an outer diameter of a screw (2) is set to 1 mm to 10 mm, only a gas separated from the fine powder raw material is discharged to the outside from the gas vent ports (20), and the fine powder raw material is fed into a cylinder (1a), with no fine powder raw material being leaked to the outside from the screen (5). The invention also relates to a method of using the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. Embodiments of the method comprise passing the cellulosic feedstock through an optional impregnation chamber to an outlet of the impregnation chamber, passing the cellulosic feedstock from the outlet of the impregnation chamber to a holding tank having an inlet and an outlet, and conveying the cellulosic feedstock downwardly and laterally as it travels through the holding tank. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise at least one sidewall defining a passage. The passage has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion has a greater cross-sectional area than the upper portion. At least one inlet is provided adjacent the upper portion, and at least one outlet is provided adjacent the lower portion, at an elevation below the inlet.

Abstract: Arrangement for moving a structural unit (115) belonging to a power electronics device or forming a power electronics device into or out of an electrical installation enclosure (111, 112) to be installed at floor level, which arrangement comprises an electrical installation enclosure (111, 112). The electrical installation enclosure (111, 112) comprises a support disposed above floor level and the arrangement further comprises a support ramp (126), which can be situated between the floor (125) and the support disposed above floor level, wherein the support ramp (126) disposed between the floor (125) and the support disposed above floor level forms a sloping ramp.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for transferring catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking apparatus. The process can include passing the catalyst through a conveyor wherein the conveyor contains a screw for transporting the catalyst.

Abstract: A method of pre-treating a cellulosic material before hydrolysis is provided. The method comprises the steps of: impregnating the cellulosic material with a reactive water-soluble gas, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2) or carbon dioxide (CO2), in an impregnation chamber to obtain impregnated material; and heating the impregnated material to obtain pre-treated material, wherein the cellulosic material is compressed right before or when it is transferred to the impregnation chamber. A corresponding system is also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement including two conveyor screws which are arranged rotatably moveably relative to each other for processing a pasty material like a foodstuff product or the like, having a first conveyor screw and a second conveyor screw which have interengaging helical flights and which in particular are drivable in opposite relationship. The conveyor screws are of different size diameters and/or the conveyor screws have a different number of flights. In addition, the surfaces of the interengaging flights are so shaped and matched to each other that they are in contact with each other along a substantially continuous contact line extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of both conveyor screws to hinder, preferably prevent a return flow of the pasty material.

Abstract: A weighing arrangement includes an infeed for product material to be weighed and at least one dosing mechanism for controlled conveying of product material portions from the infeed to a weighing system. The dosing mechanism includes a motor-driven transport screw positioned in an open trough for conveying the product material from the infeed to the weighing system, and a control unit for controlling the motor in order to deliver a desired portion of product material to the weighing system. This weighing arrangement provides a gentle, well-defined conveyance of product materials that are not suited for vibrational conveyance or conveyance by a screw conveyor in a tubular housing.

Abstract: A hopper of a commodity conveyor apparatus for use with an agricultural implement has a bin configured to hold a volume of a granular commodity. The bin is movable between a first position at which the bin can be loaded with the granular commodity and a second position at which residual granular commodity can be recovered from the bin. The hopper further has a fill opening formed in the bin and adapted for loading the granular commodity into the bin when the bin is in the first position. A discharge opening is configured to be flow-coupled to the commodity conveyor apparatus and a container is removably attached to the bin for recovering the residual granular commodity from the bin when the bin is in the second position.

Abstract: A restored metallic extrusion processing element comprises a tubular metal core around which is consolidated a powdered metal extrusion component that includes metallurgically bonded interior shell and exterior working portions. The interior shell portion covers the core and is characterized by a first multiple-crystalline microstructure, and the exterior working portion is characterized by a second multiple crystalline microstructure of densified powdered metal particles. The exterior working portion has an outside surface including outer working surface features that extend along the length of the extrusion processing element. A bond interface of metallurgical type defines a crystalline microstructure boundary between the first and second multiple-crystalline microstructures.

Abstract: A device for conveying packaged goods and/or bulk goods from and/or into a transport device includes a boom. The boom has a conveying unit, which is mounted to be vertically movable, for conveying the packaged goods and/or the bulk goods, and a force transmission unit. The conveying unit and the drive are arranged between fastening devices and/or between force deflection devices. The conveying unit can be moved substantially vertically by the drive.

Abstract: A polymer finishing process including: recovering polymer powder from a polymerization reactor; feeding the polymer powder to an inlet of a mass flow screw conveyor and one or more mass measuring devices for determining a mass of polymer powder within at least a portion of the mass flow screw conveyor; measuring at least one of a mass of the polymer powder in the screw conveyor and a combined mass of the screw conveyor and the polymer powder within the screw conveyor with the one or more mass measuring devices; and determining a mass flowrate of polymer powder through the mass flow screw conveyor based on the at least one of the measured mass of the polymer powder in the mass flow screw conveyor and the measured combined mass. A method of controlling a polymerization process using a mass flow screw conveyor is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a hopper and an auger conveyor for conveying solid items, wherein the auger conveyor comprises an auger and an outlet pipe enclosing the auger along at least a part of the length of the auger, the outlet pipe having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the outlet pipe is mounted at its inlet end to the hopper for receiving solid items from the hopper through an outlet opening near the bottom of the hopper, and the auger extends partly along at least a part of the bottom of the hopper, partly inside the outlet pipe along substantially the full length thereof, and wherein at least a part of the inner surface of the hopper above the outlet opening is inclined towards the direction of conveyance of the auger conveyor.

Abstract: A product delivering device in a vending machine includes a delivering member, a delivering member and driving member. The delivering member includes an engaging portion and a coil delivering portion. A locking groove is defined in the driving member extending along an axial direction. The engaging portion is engaged with the locking groove along the axial direction of the driving member, and the driving member is configured to rotate the coil delivering portion.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is directed to a cantilevered screw assembly comprising a solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw. Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includes an improved anchor system comprising multiple load-bearing walls. In particular, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a screw that is cantilevered to at least two walls. At least one reinforcement member may connect the walls for additional support.

Abstract: An auger assembly is disclosed that comprises an extendable auger section that includes an auger trough having first auger, an auger tube having a second auger and configured to couple to a grain-receiving hopper, and a drive mechanism configured to move the auger tube and the second auger substantially parallel to the auger trough.

Abstract: A conical-shaped plug member integrally comprising soft, porous foam material and having a helical profile for plugging the gap space in between the flights of an auger when an auger is not in use. Helical auger plug systems may comprise a removably attachable flag to indicate when the plug member is in use (inserted). The plug member of the present invention is designed to reduce the loss of heat (or cooling air) within/from a grain bin during the heating and drying process while preventing rodents and other animals from entering the grain storage bin through the auger flightings and infesting the grain.

Abstract: An auger apparatus for moving in a forward direction into a quantity of granular material includes an enclosed housing having a horizontal main floor and right and left inclined floors sloping downward and outward from corresponding ends of the main floor, and walls extending upward from lower ends of the inclined floors. Right and left feed auger tubes extend laterally from the walls, and feed augers are mounted in the tubes. Outer front portions of the feed auger tubes are open to expose outer portions of the feed augers. A main auger tube extends upward from a top of the housing, and a main auger extends from the main floor upward through the main auger. A middle material moving apparatus is mounted forward of the housing and moves grain laterally to the exposed outer portions of the feed augers as the housing moves forward.

Abstract: A hopper of a commodity conveyor apparatus for use with an agricultural implement has a bin configured to hold a volume of a granular commodity. The bin is movable between a first position at which the bin can be loaded with the granular commodity and a second position at which residual granular commodity can be recovered from the bin. The hopper further has a fill opening formed in the bin and adapted for loading the granular commodity into the bin when the bin is in the first position. A discharge opening is configured to be flow-coupled to the commodity conveyor apparatus and a container is removably attached to the bin for recovering the residual granular commodity from the bin when the bin is in the second position.

Abstract: A screw conveyor to move media includes a first feed screw having a first end portion, a second feed screw having a second end portion, and a support hanger assembly to support the first feed screw and the second feed screw. The support hanger assembly includes a hanger bracket having a vertical support member and an inner hub secured to and extending perpendicularly from the vertical support member, a shaft portion disposed within the inner hub, an inner sleeve configured to be disposed between the shaft portion and the inner hub, at least one outer hub coupled to the shaft portion, and an outer sleeve configured to be disposed between the inner hub and the at least one outer hub. The first feed screw and the second feed screw are coupled to the at least one outer hub. The inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve may be fabricated from low coefficient of friction material.

Abstract: A screw driven conveyance device has a conveyance carriage driven continuously and smoothly irrespective of the presence of an air space between adjacent screw shafts. Shorter auxiliary screw shafts have a pitch equal to a pitch of the screw shaft and are placed in juxtaposition with the screw shafts. The conveyance carriage has a follower roller engaged with the screw shaft and an auxiliary follower roller engaged with the auxiliary screw shaft by deviating a position in an axial direction of the screw shaft. While the follower roller moves through the air space, the auxiliary follower roller is engaged with the auxiliary screw shaft.

Abstract: An auger conveyor includes a housing, at least one first mounting bracket, at least one second mounting bracket, an auger screw and one or more auger support assemblies. The first mounting bracket has a first landing and the second mounting bracket has a second landing. The first and second mounting brackets are attached to the housing at diametrically opposite positions The one or more auger support assemblies each have a lateral member connected to a bushing assembly. The auger screw has a rotational axis and is rotatably mounted relative to the bushing assembly. First and second ends of the lateral member each have a geometry adapted to slidably engage with the first and second landings, respectively. The auger screw and the one or more auger support assemblies are adapted to be received within and removed from the housing as an assembled unit, through the first end of the housing.

Abstract: The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size. In one embodiment, drops of agricultural input materials are formed for spraying on agricultural fields. In another embodiment, nanofibers of materials such as chitosan or metals are formed. In another embodiment seeds are planted with gel. In another embodiment particles carrying desired agricultural inputs with modified release characteristics are delivered.

Abstract: The archimedes screw (1) for use in conveyors, compactors and the like, comprises a shaft (2) on which a helix (3) is coupled, which screw rotates internally of a containing structure, wherein the archimedes screw (1) comprises a plurality of sections (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d . . . 4n) which can be threaded coaxially and solidly in rotation on a central shaft which defines the shaft (2) of the archimedes screw, each of which plurality of sections exhibits different constructional and functional characteristics from other of the plurality of sections.

Abstract: A conveyor for drill cuttings includes a plurality of serially-aligned augers, wherein each auger has two opposed ends, a flex coupling secured between a first end of one auger and a second end of an adjacent subsequent auger, a trough at least partially surrounding each auger, a motor coupled to one end of the series of augers and providing rotation to the end of the series of augers, and at least one hangar bearing retaining each auger within the trough, wherein a first angle is present between two of the augers, said flex coupling transferring the rotation from the motor across the angle between the two augers.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge for separating a supplied material in a light phase and a heavy phase comprising an elongate bowl arranged for rotation about its longitudinal axis, the bowl having a separation chamber with a circumferential wall, a screw conveyor being provided in the separation chamber and being coaxial with the bowl, the screw conveyor comprising a conveyor hub. The conveyor hub comprises a longitudinal tubular steel body part and a helical steel conveyor flight attached to the tubular steel body part. The conveyor hub further comprises an inner longitudinal body extending coaxially relative the longitudinal tubular steel body part. The inner longitudinal body is extending through at least a part of the tubular steel body and is made of a first material, such as carbon fibre reinforced epoxy, whose specific modulus is larger than specific modulus of the steel material of the tubular steel body part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a blank for producing a screw-tube conveyor in the form of a cylindrical rotary tube (110) with an internal screw spiral (120) for conveying and mixing a bulk material. To simplify the method and to create even long screw-tube conveyors with small diameters in an relation to their length, it is proposed according to the invention first to produce a one-piece blank, which comprises a base portion in the basic form of a parallelogram and having laterally mounted fins. In a second method step, the fins are then bent, preferably by 90°, with respect to the base portion. In a third method step, the base portion (112) is then bent along bending lines (115i) in such a way that the base portion forms a helical casing portion (111) of the rotary tube (110) and the previously bent-round fins (122) form segments of the screw spiral (120) arranged inside the rotary tube (110). The invention also relates to a screw-tube conveyor produced in this way.

Abstract: A separation device for removing solids from an input stream is provided, comprising a vessel, such as a production vessel or storage tank, having an inlet for receiving an input stream containing fluids, such as oil and water, and solids, such as sand and silt. The vessel also includes a fluid outlet and a drain outlet. An optional fluid recirculation and injection device is mounted inside the vessel and delivers fluid to facilitate removal of the solids through the drain outlet. The vessel also includes an agitation or flighted device mounted adjacent to the drain outlet for contacting and dislodging solids which have settled within the vessel. The agitation device includes a rotatable shaft driven by a motor, and an agitation element, such as an auger, to break up the solids and move them toward the drain outlet. A method of removing solids is also provided using the auger device.

Abstract: An improved roll belt guide mechanism for directing movement of a plurality of side-by-side belts in a round baler wherein adjacent belts are staggered to create opening through which trash mass pass to prevent trash accumulation behind the belts. A pair of offsetting rolls is positioned between two guide rolls defining the normal belt path. The offsetting rolls are aligned on axes that are parallel to the normal guide roll axes and arranged so that one offsetting roll is positioned generally forward of the other. One or more belts are directed around the forward offset roll while the remainder of the belts is directed around the rearward offsetting roll. The alignment and separation of the offsetting rolls is configured to allow roll belts of equal lengths to be used regardless of routing around the offsetting rolls. Trash removal may be improved by the addition of an auger in the space between the offset belts to urge the trash laterally, generally along the length of the offsetting rolls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor system for the onward conveyance of bottles or similar containers (2) from a container treatment machine, comprising at least one container guide (9) and at least one conveyor element moving the containers (2) along the container guide in a conveying direction (A), characterized in that the container guide (9) is designed for hanging guidance or neck guidance of the containers (2), and that that conveyor element provided is at least one screw conveyor (10), which can be driven by rotation about a screw axis (AS) and which is designed to interact with the upper side of the containers (2) above the container guide (9).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method include a pipe comprising a first end, a second end and an interior wall. The pipe is configured for rotation about an axis with a rotational rate sufficient for a cohesive material to remain stationary in a layer on the interior wall. A plurality of blades is configured for deflecting the cohesive material. Each of the blades includes a blade edge having a curvature corresponding to a portion of the interior wall. A support structure supports the blade edges with each of the blade edges proximate the interior wall and having an angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis. An inlet apparatus feeds the cohesive material into the first end where a difference in rotational rate between the interior wall and the plurality of blades, and the angle determines a rate of conveyance of the cohesive material along the interior wall.