Abstract: An apparatus for producing pozzolanic material from consumer waste includes a glass separator unit to remove glass material from the waste and a size reduction unit downstream the glass separator unit. The glass separator unit includes a tubular outer member and an inner helical member extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular outer member and defining an open central bore. The tubular outer member and the open central bore define respective coaxial longitudinal axes that are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal reference plane, with the inlet higher than the outlet. Non-glass/non-ceramic material is output through the open outlet end of tubular outer member utilizing a flow of water. The glass/ceramic material is output to the size reduction unit through the open inlet end of the tubular outer member utilizing the rotating inner helical member of the glass separator unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling and conveying a material, for example a waste material, in a pneumatic pipe transport system which includes the steps and apparatus for introducing the material to a rotary press device, the rotary press device containing rotating and stationary apertures which are eccentrically arranged with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotating apertures, compacting and compressing the material within the rotary press device and transferring the compacted and compressed material downstream to an output transport system, wherein the material is conducted and transported into the rotary press device and through the rotary pressure device to the output transport system, at least partially, by suction and/or pressure difference in the pneumatic pipe transport system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved feed mechanism of a smoke generating device, and in particular to a feed mechanism having an adjustable auger that allows smoke generating materials of selected sizes to fall from a deposit tube in an improved manner. According to one advantage of the present invention, the feed mechanism has a bin with opposed sides, the first of which having a smokehouse mount with an air hole therein and the second side having a motor mount thereon. A tube extends from the smokehouse mount. An auger is adjustably received within the tube to advance material from the bin to a hole in the tube at the opposite end of the auger. Bearings are provided for allowing the height of the auger within the tube to be adjusted to accommodate smoking materials of a selected size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw conveyor for introducing organic matter into a biogas digester that is under internal gas pressure. The invention further relates to a biogas plant provided with such a screw conveyor, and to a method for feeding organic solids to such a biogas plant. According to the invention, the plug section has an expansion region in which the passage cross-section between the conveying screw and the screw pipe widens in the conveying direction and a constriction region located downstream from the expansion region, in which the passage cross-section between the conveying screw and the screw pipe is reduced in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A belt conveyor, a collecting hopper and a screw conveyor are sequentially disposed below a chute for feeding hydrogenated petroleum resin pellets from a pelletizing portion. Even when the hydrogenated petroleum resin pellets fed onto the belt conveyor are dropped off or scattered, the hydrogenated petroleum resin pellets can be collected by the collecting hopper that is located below and can be securely transferred to an outside by the screw conveyor.

Abstract: A pressure relief tube or enclosure such as for an auger screw. In one embodiment, a pressure relief tube may comprise at least one hatch that is adapted to expand in response to force applied from within the tube. An example of the pressure relief tube may automatically adapt or adjust to potential problem material in the tube to allow for conveyance or clearance of the problem material. Another example of the pressure relief tube may be manually adapted or adjusted to facilitate conveyance or clearance of the problem material. Related systems and methods comprising a pressure relief tube are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metering device for supplying devices such as, for example, extruders, injection molding machines or the like with bulk materials such as pellets, chips, granules, powders, flakes, grains, flour or the like, having a housing. It is demonstrated how an optimally smooth passage of such bulk materials through such a metering device is possible without there being any possibility of nests forming and throughflow being hindered in the feed channel.

Abstract: An adjustable loading/unloading mouth, including: a first tubular element (2), provided with a longitudinal axis (x); a second tubular element (3), provided with a longitudinal axis (y); connecting elements (4, 5, 6) between the first and the second tubular element (2, 3) which connecting elements (4, 5, 6) define a spherical surface (S), provided with a center (O), and which enable the first and the second tubular element (2, 3) to rotate with respect to one another about the center (O); wherein the connecting elements (4, 5, 6) include at least a first connecting element (4) and at least a second connecting element (5) which are reciprocally connectable at a joining plane (P) passing through the center (O) of the spherical surface (S) on which the first connecting element (4) and the second connecting element (5) can rotate with respect to one another about the center (O).

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking sticks of split-firewood has a drum with interior flights as well as a ramp and chute which do not rotate with the drum. The flights partition the inside wall of the drum into a procession of shelves and pockets. Each shelf extends radially between the drum sidewall and an inner edge. The ramp is mounted inside the drum and has an axially extending upper edge disposed to be spaced by a small gap from the shelf edges at about 9 o'clock relative clockwise rotation of the drum. The chute is also mounted partly inside the drum slopes from a top to a discharge end. The chute is mounted relative to the ramp to form a catch zone for sticks sliding off the ramp inside the drum. The chute furthermore extends outside the drum to discharge sticks of split firewood in neat stacks there.

Abstract: One aspect provides a distribution auger. The distribution auger comprises a fill hopper, a flighting, and an outer covering surrounding the flighting. The fill hopper is located at a first end of the distribution auger and the outer covering includes a plurality of openings located on a bottom side such that, when the distribution auger is horizontally configured, solid matter introduced to the fill hopper located at the first end of the distribution auger falls through the plurality of holes when propelled by the flighting.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elevating conveyor includes a vertical elevating member having a helical flight and a tubular barrel surrounding the elevating member. The tubular barrel is rotatable relative to the elevating member and is directed toward a centered position with respect to the elevating member by a centering assembly. In one embodiment, the centering assembly includes a plurality of rollers spaced circumferentially around the barrel and being movable in directions toward or away from the barrel. In another aspect, the conveyor has a modular construction that facilitates storage, transportation, and assembly of the conveyor in various heights. The elevating conveyor may further include a dust tube surrounding the barrel and defining a chamber therebetween. An end cap extends over and is spaced from the second end of the dust tube to define a gap through which dust generated by operation of the conveyor is drawn into the chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a posimetric pump guide configured to mount in a port of a posimetric pump. The posimetric pump guide includes a first flow splitter defining first and second distribution channels into first and second passages in the posimetric pump. The first flow splitter includes a first pair of shroud walls spaced apart about a first disc opening. The posimetric pump guide also includes an abutment extending crosswise to the first flow splitter.

Abstract: A system for substantially continuously providing a solid material, for example pulverized coal, to a pressurized container. The system provides the solid material to a first container of a first pressure elevated above an initial pressure of the solid material. Generally, a screw conveyor augmented with a jet port is used to move the material where the jet port provides a gas to provide a make-up volume of the solid material. The system also provides the material to a second high pressure container after the material has been formed into a slurry. Therefore, the solid material may be substantially continuously provided in a system to a high pressure container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging material at spaced intervals each provide a conveying tube and a conveying mechanism for moving material from a first end of the tube toward a second opposite end. Discharge openings are provided spaced along the tube at different heights thereon. Openings near the first end are at a higher elevation on the tube than those near the second end, corresponding to downward slope of material upon initial entry and conveyance within the tube. The decreasing elevation of discharge openings and corresponding slope of material act to delay discharge near the first end, by requiring a build up of material height to reach the opening, and hasten discharge near the second end, by eliminating the need to fill drop tubes or metering devices before conveying material further along the tube. This reduces lag time between progressive discharge openings thereby providing more even material distribution therefrom.

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 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 away 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 screw feeder can be used to transport a high temperature particulate material. A housing contains the material within the screw feeder which includes an inlet and an outlet port. A screw is rotatably positioned within the housing to advance the material from the inlet port to the outlet port, which rotates axially. A labyrinth seal can be formed around and in communication with the screw to eliminate reverse movement of the material. A cooling medium can be directed into contact with at least the housing. A fluid can be injected through the screw to prevent blockage of the particulate material. A pressure differential is created from the inlet to the outlet port of at least 0.069 MPad.

Abstract: An elevating conveyor for flowable material comprises an inlet (14) and an outlet (20) at opposite ends of a tubular barrel (1) surrounding a helical elevating member (2). Elevating member (2) is restrained against rotation about a longitudinal axis and tubular barrel (1) is co-axially rotated about elevating member (2) by a drive mechanism (16).

Abstract: An article stacking apparatus is provided having a barrel, a frame, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The frame is configured to support the barrel for rotation in a recumbent position. The drive mechanism couples together the frame and the motor to rotate the barrel to agitate cups within the barrel for stacking into accumulated configurations. A method is also provided.

Abstract: The particulate material handling system comprises a tube, an endless belt that passes through the tube and returns outside of the tube, and a flighting that is suspended a predetermined distance from the belt through the entire length of the tube. The distance may be varied for the various materials being handled. An intake hopper is mounted at one end of the tube for receiving the material to be moved and a discharge spout is mounted at the other end of the tube for discharging the material from the tube. The endless belt and flighting are driven such that their speed may be varied and such that their relative speeds are synchronized to drive the material at substantially the same speed whether it is being carried by the belt or the flighting. The combination of the belt and the flighting drives the material through the tube, minimizing damage to the material, which may be granular fertilizer, pulse crops, grains or other particulate material.

Abstract: A feeder tube for bulk product, including a tube in which there are inlet openings distributed along the length of the tube. A screw conveyer is disposed axially within the tube. The tube rotates about its axis, the screw conveyer rotates relative to the tube and the feeder tube moves in the lateral direction. Activators form projections on the outer side of the tube and are disposed on the tube near the inlet openings. In each cross-section along at least 40% of the length of the tube, there are at least two inlet openings. At least two activators are also positioned in each cross-section. For a feeder tube having a desired average volumetric capacity (V′) the slot width (d) of the majority of the openings is V′˜dn, wherein n is between 2-3. The total sum of the width (&Sgr;d) of all openings in each-section is between 150-700 mm.

Abstract: A transport conveyor particularly for grain in piles on the ground has a trailer mounted on ground wheels for towing by a tractor in a direction of travel. The trailer can be driven forward while the tractor remains stationary either by a hydraulic cylinder on an extendible hitch or by a drive at the ground wheels which moves the trailer while the hitch and the tractor remain stationary. An auger tube is carried on the trailer by a support post which allows the auger tube to swivel about a vertical axis from a longitudinally extending transport position to an operating position in which the tube extends generally transversely of the direction of travel with a feed end of the tube projecting outwardly beyond one side of the trailer, with a discharge end projecting outwardly beyond the opposite side of the vehicle and with the discharge end raised for discharge into a transport truck on that side. The tube can also pivot about a horizontal axis at the post allowing the feed end to float up and down.

Abstract: This invention relates to a feeder tube for bulk product which comprises a cylindrical drum or tube (2) in which there are accommodated a large number of inlet openings (8) distributed along the length of the tube, a screw conveyer (3) disposed coaxially within the tube (2), a first arrangement for rotating the tube about its axis, a second arrangement for rotating the screw conveyer (3) relative to the tube (2), a third arrangement for moving the feeder tube (1) in the lateral direction, and activators (9A, 9B) for the bulk product, which activators form projections on the outer side of the tube (2) and are disposed on the tube in association with said inlet openings (8), wherein each cross section along at least 40% of the length of the tube (2), preferably at least 70%, more preferred at least 90%, there are disposed at least two inlet openings (8) wherein that at least two actively positioned activators (9A, 9B) are also positioned in each cross section and that for a feeder tube (1) having a desired aver

Abstract: A concentric auger feeder with the larger diameter outer auger having a flighting direction opposite that of the small or inner auger installed in the core of the outer auger. The two screw conveyors are connected to a reversible motor drive by a reversing clutch with the inner auger driven by the motor. To convey large amounts of ingredients, the clutch is engaged by a reversal of the driven input and the large screw conveyor conveys the ingredient at a large flow rate. As the desired amount of ingredient is approached, the motor is reversed, the clutch then disengages, and the inner screw conveyor will then convey the final amount of ingredient with a much more accurate cut off weight. This amount of ingredient is accessible to the inner auger because the slots in the tube core of the outer auger allow material to flow into the inner screw conveyor. Both inner and outer screw conveyors convey material to the same outlet point of the hopper.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for bulk-feeding electronic components which utilizes magnetic force and a rotating feeder tube to properly orient the components for presentment to an automated pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeder tube intended for bulk product, which comprises a cylindrical tube (2) in which there are inlet openings (8, 18) distributed along the length of the tube, a screw conveyor (3) disposed coaxially within the tube, rotating the tube about its axis, rotating the screw conveyor relative to the tube, moving the feeder tube in the lateral direction, and activators (9A, 9B, 19) for the bulk product, which activators are disposed on the tube in association with the inlet openings and form projections on the outer side of the tube. Each inlet opening has at least one first portion (10A, 10B, 20A, 20B) which is limited in the direction of rotation by a hole edge (11A, 11B, 21A, 21B) without an activator, and one second portion at the rear end of the first portion is limited by an activator (9A, 9B, 19).

Abstract: A flexible gate usable with grain transporting devices such as conveyor troughs or tubes. The gate is formed of a flexible material to be able to flex around the trough and is slid circumferentially around the bottom of the trough by an outside motor. The gate material has skived edges so that when pulled snug around the trough the unskived section slides within the gate opening to provide a relatively smooth lower surface to the trough. The motor is arranged to open and close the gate while the gate material is loose on the trough and to pull that gate material into the gate opening when the gate is closed. The device may also be operated by a manually controlled lever or crank.

Abstract: A cleaning device, in particular for residual concrete reprocessing installations has a trough having a trough wall, a rotor provided for cleaning the trough and having at least one end provided with a ring, guiding elements rotatably supporting the ring in its upper region on the wall of the trough, and an eccentric drive driving the ring in rotation.

Abstract: A vertical screen device for a separator is disclosed. The screening device comprises a vertical cylindrical screen with a feed screw housed within the screen and cooperating with the screen. The feed screw is caused to rotate while the screen is held stationary. The improvements of the invention are provided by having the feed screw make an angle with the surface of the screen over at least a portion of its length. Further, the feed screw is made up partially of a radially inwardly non-yielding portion, and a radially outwardly aligned elastic portion.

Abstract: A paper metering device is disclosed which is adapted for handling a flow of bulky and unmanageable paper such as newspapers or computer printouts and metering the paper into a manageable flow for delivery to further processing. The flow of paper is carried upward on a feed conveyor. A converging conveyor is disposed along a substantial portion of the feed conveyor at the discharge end. The upper layers of the paper contact the underside of the converging conveyor which advances the paper out the discharge end. The converging conveyor is disclosed as a plurality of disks on rotating shafts or as an endless belt. Means for sensing the height of the flow of paper under the converging conveyor is provided, such that the feed conveyor is stopped until the height of the flow is reduced. Also provided is means for jogging the feed conveyor if the feed conveyor is not restarted after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus for surface treatment of workpieces has a rotary horizontal cage with inclined end walls and a set of elongated rod-shaped or bar-shaped components between the end walls. The end walls are rotatable in inclined carriers which cause them to act not unlike swash plates and to cause the components to reciprocate in response to rotation of the cage about its axis. The end portions of the components are tensionsed by springs which react against the end walls and bear against axially adjustable nuts at the free ends of the components at the outer sides of the end walls. The end walls have relatively large holes to ensure that the components are not flexed during reciprocation in response to rotation of the cage. Workpieces to be treated, e.g., by sprays of solid particles, are introduced through one of the end walls and advance toward the other end wall at a speed which is determined by the extent of reciprocatory movement of the components and the rotational speed of the cage.

Abstract: Screw conveyor apparatus fabricated from integrally molded plastic modules is disclosed. The apparatus includes a multiplicity of modules axially aligned and joined or bonded so as to provide a unitary plastic screw conveyor of a desired length. A plastic axial member extending the length of the screw conveyor and which defines an elongated aperture of a non-circular cross-section is formed by joining or bonding the individual modules. In addition, each of the modules include a flight member which individually helically encircle not more than 360.degree., but when bonded together result in an overall flight member encircling more than 360.degree. and which extends the length of the joined or bonded modules. The plastic screw conveyor is driven by a drive shaft which has a non-circular cross-section and which is inserted through and cooperates with the non-circular aperture extending the length of the joined axial members. A drive or power source is connected to the drive shaft for rotating the apparatus.

Abstract: A material blender includes an inclined, axially rotatable drum which is capable of executing multiple functions related to blending of materials including weighing and conveying the materials. The materials, such as agricultural fertilizers are loaded at a lower end into the drum and are at the same time weighted by weigh cells supporting the apparatus. The materials are then conveyed in an annular space of the drum to an upper end of the drum. An end cover disposed at the upper end of the drum is selectively movable between an open and a closed position. When the end cover is in the closed position the materials are transferred at the upper end from the annular space to a central return tube from where they are distributed and blended with parcels of material moving in turn toward the upper end to also be so distributed.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing foodstuffs or other consumer products and the like comprises a base, a drive assembly having a drive handle, a container defining a chamber at least partially filled with foodstuffs or other products and a feed cone having an auger blade disposed therein and extending into the container when the feed cone and the container are operably linked. A measuring chamber and a dispenser chute are moveably mounted to the feed cone. The dispensing chute is retained in a normally closed position by a spring secured to the dispenser chute. When the drive handle is manually turned a measured quantity of food stuff or other consumer product is conveyed into the measuring chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for surface treatment of workpieces has a rotary horizontal cage with inclined end walls and a set of elongated rod-shaped or bar-shaped components between the end walls. The end walls are rotatable in inclined carriers which cause them to act not unlike swash plates and to cause the components to reciprocate in response to rotation of the cage about its axis. The end portions of the components are tensioned by springs which react against the end walls and bear against axially adjustable nuts at the free ends of the components at the outer sides of the end walls. The end walls have relatively large holes to ensure that the components are not flexed during reciprocation in response to rotation of the cage. Workpieces to be treated, e.g., by sprays of solid particles, are introduced through one of the end walls and advance toward the other end wall at a speed which is determined by the extent of reciprocatory movement of the components and the rotational speed of the cage.

Abstract: A device for the separation and alignment of objects of the packages, parcels or similar kind, including a conveyor for the parcels brought in bulk to the inlet and for discharging the same parcels separated and aligned at the outlet, which includes at least one truncated cone opened at its ends, driven continuously in rotation about its axis which is inclined with respect to the horizontal and which includes in its inner surface a set of helical wings, axially offset with respect to one another and extending when taken together over at least one complete turn of the truncated cone, the parcels introduced at the upper end of smaller diameter at the inlet of the truncated cone being discharged at its lower end of larger diameter at its outlet.

Abstract: A screw conveyor composed of a plurality of modules mated end to end and of identical integrally molded construction. Each module is molded of a suitable plastic material and has integrally formed therewith a cylindrical body, a coaxially disposed tube within the body, and a web helically disposed between the coaxial tube and the cylindircal body. The module includes ends mateable with corresponding ends of like modules to provide a screw conveyor of intended length and which is rotatable as a single unitary structure. Each module may have a sheave integrally molded thereon for mating with a V-belt drive. Alternatively, the modules can be of open form each having a helical web molded on a central tube preferably having a non-circular and adapted for end to end mating with like modules to provide a screw conveyor of desired length. This open type of screw conveyor can be readily retrofitted to systems having conventional metal conveyor screws.

Abstract: An installation for the surface treatment of workpieces has a housing with a treatment chamber. The workpieces are conveyed through the chamber by an apparatus which continuously advances the workpieces while simultaneously tumbling the same. The apparatus includes an elongated, generally horizontal cage-like receptacle which extends through the chamber and a motor for rotating the receptacle on its longitudinal axis to thereby tumble the workpieces. The receptacle has an end wall to either side of the chamber and the end walls are joined to one another by a tubular shell made up of a series of elongated components such as rods or wires. The elongated components, which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle, are circumferentially spaced so that a medium for the surface treatment of workpieces being tumbled in the shell can penetrate the latter.

Abstract: A bulk material unloading apparatus comprises a vertical conveyor (10) and a horizontal conveyor connected thereto. A rotable feeder (13) is mounted at the feeding end of the vertical conveyor for feeding material thereinto. According to the invention, the apparatus also has a separately operable material supply device (23, 32) for the controlled supply of material to the feeder. The material supply device has a gimbal-mounted material draw-in device (32) which is universally tiltable relative to the axis of rotation of the feeder (13) and which preferably also is telescopically mounted in relation to the feeder.

Abstract: Screws are delivered into the entrance end of a rotating horizontal drum and are advanced axially through the drum by an annular helical conveyor flight extending around and along the inner wall of the drum. During the advance, the screws are sprayed with a hot cleaning solution to remove oil from the screws, the screws being dried by heating coils prior to being discharged from the drum. A shield at the entrance end of the drum prevents screws from becoming trapped between the end of the drum and the initial turn of the conveyor flight as the screws are delivered into the drum. The cleaning solution sprayed into the drum is returned to a reservoir where oil is seperated from the solution by means of a rotating disc which attracts and picks up the oil and by means of squeegee blades which scrape oil from opposite sides of the disc for discharge to a drain.

Abstract: A screw conveyor has a feeder device for promoting the supply of material to the screw, said feeder device and said screw being rotatable in opposite directions. The feeder device has blades (14, 15) which are curved in the manner of a trawl to draw in the material both from above and from below and to guide it inwardly towards the interior of said feeder device.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing between two relatively rotating cylindrical surfaces in a conveyor has its one cylindrical surface formed as a stationary wall portion in a transition housing and its other cylindrical surface formed as a cylindrical wall portion of a rotating bottom in said transition housing, one of said cylindrical surfaces being provided with at least one scraper and/or impeller blade acting against the other of said cylindrical surfaces in order to feed material, during operation, in a direction into the interior of the conveyor, thereby to reduce the tendency of the bulk goods to penetrate between and cause wear of said two cylindrical surfaces.

Abstract: Use is made of a screw conveyor to supply and guide bulk material to a belt conveyor of the type having two or more belts which travel in face-to-face relationship and between which the bulk material is enclosed during conveyance. The screw of the screw conveyor is rotatably mounted for rotation about its axis and has its upper end in immediate proximity to the entrance end of the belt conveyor. The tubular outer housing of the screw conveyor is rigidly connected to the frame of the belt conveyor. A material supply device is provided at the entrance opening of the screw conveyor.

Abstract: Use is made of a screw conveyor to supply and guide bulk material to a belt conveyor of the type having two belts which travel in face-to-face relationship and between which the bulk material is enclosed during conveyance. The screw of the screw conveyor may be rigidly connected to the frame of the belt conveyor and may have its upper end in immediate proximity to the entrance end of the belt conveyor. The tubular outer housing of the screw conveyor is preferably rotatably mounted for rotation about the screw. A material supplying device is provided at the entrance opening of the screw conveyor.

Abstract: A centrifugal ball elevator for use in a microballistic impact printer or the like in which a hollow rotary member arranged on a generally vertical axis and having an inlet at the lower end and an outlet at the upper end is formed with an internal surface extending between the inlet and the outlet with a radius that increases from the inlet to the outlet. Balls to be elevated for recycling through the printer are supplied to the lower end of the surface through the inlet, while the member is rotated at such a speed as to impel the balls toward the outlet under the action of centrifugal force. In certain disclosed embodiments the internal surface is so formed as to entrap or filter out contaminants which have accumulated on the balls, while in another disclosed embodiment the internal surface is provided with a self-lubricating coating which lubricates the balls to reduce the abrasive effect of the balls on constricted portions of the printer through which they pass.

Abstract: A drum for a continuously operating laundry processing machine is constructed from a number of individual elements. Each element consists of an upper and a lower portion having a surface of helical shape which defines part of the drum shell, and a surface of right helicoidal shape which defines part of a right helicoidal conveying screw which divides the drum into individual chambers. The parts forming the drum are connected by externally welded seams.

Abstract: A device for discharging bulk material so as to effect uniform descent of the bulk material. A rotary screw conveyor is surrounded by an elongated drum, the drum and the screw conveyor being rotated independently of each other and mounted for movement together in a straight line path perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the screw conveyor and drum. The drum is prevented from detrimental deflection during long periods of non-use, and is easy to start up after such long periods of non-use.

Abstract: Apparatus for pumping or conveying fluent material such as grain, sand, concrete, etc. is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a tube having an inlet at one end and an outlet spaced from the inlet and a pair of helical blades of opposite pitch mounted inside the tube for rotation relative to one another. One blade is mounted to a shaft extending axially inside the tube, and the other blade is mounted to the inside of the tube. The blades are interrupted at diametrical locations to enable the blades to move relative to one another as the shaft rotates relative to the tube for conveying fluent material. Preferably, the assembly is mounted with its inlet in a hopper and its tube disposed upright to afford vertical conveyance of the fluent material through substantial distances.

Abstract: A transport container of conventional parallelepiped form is disclosed, wherein the container includes a perforated drum and a worm conveyor inside of the drum for loading and discharging bulk material into and out of the container. The drum and the worm conveyor are rotated in opposite directions, and are positioned in one of the corners of the container extending from one gable of the container to the other. The drum and worm conveyor permit the container to be completely and evenly filled with a bulk material, or completely emptied, without substantial dust formation. During loading operation the corner in which the drum and worm conveyor are located is turned upwards, and during discharge operation the same corner is turned downward.

Abstract: Accurate metering and dispensing of small quantities of abrasive material comprised of particles or powder, or both is accomplished by feed apparatus comprising a rotatable tubular member having a threaded interior surface for transporting the abrasive material through the tubular member in response to rotation of the member about the axis thereof. The discharge portion of the tube is particularly adapted to dispense frequent, small quantities of the material rather than less frequent larger quantities.

Abstract: A screw conveyor for feeding solid granular material including a rotary shaft with a screw blade, a drum surrounding the screw blade and concentric with it, and a bearing supporting the shaft for rotation with respect to the drum at an intermediate axial position of the shaft. The screw blade is discontinued at the bearing, having two end portions spaced apart a distance greater than the axial length of the bearing along the shaft. Arms connect the bearing to the drum for applying an axial force to the material being fed past the discontinuity in the screw blade upon relative rotation between the screw blade and the drum. The drum and shaft are normally rotated in different directions. The arm makes a positive angle of about 15.degree. to 50.degree.