Abstract: In one embodiment, an ice management system is provided for removing an amount of oil from a surface of a body of water. The ice management system includes an ice frame having an ice fence coupled with an ice cage, an oil skimmer device disposed within the ice frame, and an ice deflection assembly coupled with the ice frame. The ice deflection assembly includes an auger coupled with a motor. The auger includes a drum and a deflection mechanism, and the motor is configured to rotate the auger. The deflection mechanism includes a spiral flight or a series of tabs arranged in a corkscrew pattern about the drum. The ice fence includes a plurality of curved vanes. The curved vanes have a bent rectangular plate shape.

Abstract: An unload conveyor and a sweep conveyor can be positioned below and above a floor of the grain bin, respectively. A below floor gearbox and an above floor gearbox can be positioned below and above a sloped wall, respectively, of a sump. The sloped wall can be designed to shed grain toward a sump basin. A coupling shaft can extend through a non-circular sump shaft aperture in the sloped wall to couple the below floor gearbox to the above-floor gearbox. The coupling shaft can extend vertically. A pair of seal cover plates can form a horizontal wall extending perpendicular to the coupling shaft. The horizontal wall can have a circular sealing aperture therein and through which the coupling shaft extends. A washer can be provided adjacent the circular sealing aperture that can be free to move laterally with wobbling of the coupling shaft.

Abstract: Pivot structures for use on bin sweeps, for example at the inner end of a bin sweep or along the length of a bin sweep, include a ball and socket. The socket is preferably defined by a collar having opposing open ends through which a shaft extends, with the shaft also extending through the ball such that the ball can slide on the shaft. The collar/socket is then affixed to a section of a sweep, and the shaft is affixed to an adjacent section, or is alternatively defined by a central stanchion within the bin. The pivot allows the sweep section to move in up to four degrees of freedom with respect to the adjacent section, or with respect to the central stanchion.

Abstract: An auger system has oscillating auger supports. The auger moves through a pile of stored material to move material from one location to another. The auger support may be a hanger that shuttles along the central axis of the auger as the auger rotates. A bearing shaft has cam followers that contact an angled surface on the bearing to slide the bearing back and forth along said central axis when said auger rotates. An alternate support may be a support wheel that rotates about an angled shaft that causes the contact surface of the support wheel to move back and forth with respect to the central axis as the auger rotates. The angled shaft may adjust the amount of oscillation. The oscillating motion of the auger support in combination with synchronized cutters on the auger allows material to be removed from the path of the advancing auger support.

Abstract: A plug screw feeder (1) comprises a plug screw (10) with a thread (12) and a plug screw housing (20) surrounding the plug screw. The plug screw housing comprises an inlet opening (24) in a side of the plug screw and in a vicinity of a first axial end (18) of the plug screw. The plug screw is arranged for feeding lignocellulosic biomass material (99) from the inlet opening to a second axial end (19) of the plug screw when being rotated. The thread, in at least a part of an inlet section (15) of the plug screw, presents a jagged peripheral rim (14A) with an inwards directed leading edge. The inlet section is defined as the section of the plug screw passing the inlet opening during rotation. A feeding arrangement and system for treatment of lignocellulosic biomass material comprising such a plug screw feeder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor plates mounted to a shaft, and methods of construction for a rotor assembly are disclosed. Each rotor plate in the assembly may be provided with a central opening extending between the first and second sides through which the shaft extends. In one aspect, the rotor plates are provided with a plurality of lobes extending away from the central opening, wherein each of the lobes has a lobe opening extending through the thickness of the plates. In one embodiment, the rotor plates are rotationally stacked to form a helical rotor.

Abstract: A helicoid conveyor screw manufactured from alloy steel and tempered by electromagnetic induction or flame used to convey abrasive granular products in the process of screw rotation under high friction and wear. Its inventive principle is related to the method for obtaining it by alloying steel with the chemical element Boron (B) and heat treating it, which results in greater hardness and durability of the flight.

Abstract: A top motor broadcast spreader having a container for storing material and having an opening at its lower end for releasing material from the container. A closure spreader member below the container covers container opening and is movable downward away from the opening to release and spread material onto a surface. A motor is mounted inside the container and above the opening at the lower end of the container having a motor shaft extending downwardly from the motor through the opening at the lower end of the container and is connected to the closure spreader member to move the closure spreader member downward upon rotation of the motor shaft to release and spread material onto a surface. The closure spreader member comprises a flat horizontal and circular plate having flat rectangular spreader flaps extending vertically up and flat rectangular spreader flaps extending vertically down in an alternating pattern on the circular plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a cellulosic feedstock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an enclosed volume having a lower surface comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending portions. Each longitudinally extending portion has an inner surface that is arcuate in transverse section. A plurality of conveyance members are provided within the enclosed volume. Each conveyance member is associated with one of the inner surfaces and configured to sweep the one of the inner surfaces. Additionally, a method for treating a cellulosic feedstock is disclosed. The method comprises providing a cellulosic feedstock being less than 100% saturated moisture. The cellulosic feedstock is introduced into a longitudinally extending enclosed volume, and conveyed longitudinally through the enclosed volume while being mixed.

Abstract: A screw conveyor includes a plurality of shafts rotatable in a common imaginary plane, and a plurality of blades arranged on each of the shafts in an axial direction of the shafts such that the blades define a part of an imaginary spiral around the shafts, each of the blades being semicircular in shape when viewed in an axial direction of the shafts, a distance S being longer than a length D, but shorter than 2D, wherein “S” indicates a distance between outer surfaces of two shafts located adjacent to each other, and “D” indicates a length by which the blades extend from outer surfaces of the shafts.

Abstract: An agricultural auger for conveying grain material is provided. The agricultural auger includes a shaft that is adapted to rotate about a central axis. A flight extends and spirals about the shaft. The flight further includes a base material of a first hardness. A laser treated material is formed on or into the base material along a portion of the flight. The laser treated material comprises a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: A machine part for agricultural, turf, mining or construction equipment for processing material is provided. The machine part comprises a base material. A clad material is deposited on the base material to form at least one blunt edge along the body. The clad material comprises a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: A processing system for processing raw slurry material comprising a barrel member defining a feed portion, a processing chamber, and an outlet opening, at least one pre-processing member, and at least one pre-processing opening formed in the barrel member adjacent to a first portion of the pre-processing member. As the barrel member rotates, the at least one pre-processing member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material such that at least some of the heavy particulate material in the raw slurry material is transported to the outlet opening, at least some of the liquid material in the raw slurry material is allowed to flow back towards the feed portion, and at least some of the liquid material and at least some of the light particulate material is allowed to flow through the at least one pre-processing opening.

Abstract: A processing system for processing raw slurry material comprises a barrel member defining a processing chamber, at least one intermediate opening, and an outlet opening, a trough system arranged to contain the raw slurry material, at least one transport member, and a drive system. As the drive system rotates the barrel member, the at least one transport member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the trough system and through the processing chamber such that at least a first portion of the raw slurry material is transported to outlet opening, at least a second portion the raw slurry material exits the processing chamber through the intermediate opening, and at least at third portion of the raw slurry material is allowed to flow back towards the trough system.

Abstract: In a workpiece feeding apparatus having a rotating shaft adapted to rotate to separate and individually feed a plate-like workpiece suspended side by side in an axial direction along a helical region formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft and drop the plate-like workpiece from an edge thereof and a motor rotating the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft includes a first rod connected to the motor, and a second rod rotatably connected to the first rod and having a helical region formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second rod and a workpiece hanger at the edge to extend perpendicular to the axial direction and to be bent at a distal end, such that the second rod stops rotating when the workpiece is hung from the distal end of the workpiece hanger.

Abstract: In a workpiece feeding apparatus having a rotating shaft adapted to rotate to separate and individually feed a plate-like workpiece suspended side by side in an axial direction along a helical region formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft and drop the plate-like workpiece from an edge thereof and a motor rotating the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft includes a first rod connected to the motor, and a second rod rotatably connected to the first rod and having a helical region formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second rod and a workpiece hanger at the edge to extend perpendicular to the axial direction and to be bent at a distal end, such that the second rod stops rotating when the workpiece is hung from the distal end of the workpiece hanger.

Abstract: Device and method are disclosed for feeding drippers into a produced dripping line in speeds as high as 1800-2000 drippers a minute. The drippers are fed into the production line by a cylindrical feeder equipped with a helix worm made on its cylindrical face, which is adapted to engage the helix into a respective recession or protrusion made on a dripper, and to linearly forward it toward a dripping pipe production section while providing accurate control on the speed of movement of the dripper and the spacing between each two consecutive drippers in the produced pipe. The use of a helical worm to engage the drippers provides smooth and gradual mechanical engagement of the feeding device with each dripper, thus ensuring silent and non-vibrating assembly even when in very high production speeds.

Abstract: Conveyor apparatus and methods of conveying a foodstuff. A foodstuff conveyor apparatus may include a foodstuff inlet, a foodstuff outlet, and a conveyor chamber coupling the inlet to the outlet. A conveyor screw having an axis oriented longitudinally in the conveyor chamber may be configured to urge the foodstuff from the inlet towards the outlet. The conveyor screw may have a spindle at each end, with a spindle free portion between the spindles. The screw may be positioned in the conveyor chamber so that one spindle is near the outlet, and the other spindle is near the inlet. The spindles may be configured so that the pitch of the screw near the outlet is less than the pitch of the screw near the inlet to provide a mixing and compacting effect as the foodstuff is conveyed from the inlet to the outlet.

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: This conveyor device is for the conveyance of blanks (14). Preferably the device has a drivable conveyor spindle (11), which has a spiral-like conveyor groove (20) on its exterior, has a guide element (28), which is arranged separated from the longitudinal axis (12) of the conveyor or spindle (11) and extends along the conveyor spindle (11), wherein the inclination (?) of the conveyor groove (20) changes in the conveying direction (R) of the conveyor spindle (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to an endless screw of a centrifuge for discharging centrifuged material from a centrifuge, comprising a series of thin ceramic plates which are fixed next to one another at the outer edge of the screw, characterized in that at least two formed ceramic projections, particularly ceramic pins, protrude from the thin ceramic plates and are arranged in one or two lateral faces of the edge of the screw, i.e. in recesses which are profiled according to the protrusions or pins.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotor which is rotatable around an axis of rotation. The rotor includes a separation chamber with an inlet for a liquid mixture containing solid particles, at least one liquid outlet for a separated liquid from the liquid mixture, and a solids outlet for the separated solid particles. A screw conveyor is arranged to rotate inside the rotor around the axis of rotation, at a different speed than the rotor. The screw conveyor has at least one conveyor flight for transporting the separated solid particles in the separation chamber towards and out of the solids outlet. The conveyor flight is provided with wear resistant elements arranged along its edge and the wear resistant elements are spaced apart with an interspace between mutually adjacent wear resistant elements.

Abstract: A purpose of the invention is to provide a spiral piece of steel having high mechanical strength and being capable of easily making smaller the pitch intervals of twisted portions (spiral blade portions) even without changing the twist angle, and also to provide an application product thereof and a method for manufacturing the spiral piece of steel.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a processing system for processing raw slurry material. The processing system comprises a barrel member, at least one pre-processing member, and a plurality of separator members. The at least one pre-processing member and the plurality of separator members are supported by the barrel member, and the plurality of separator members define at least one separator gap. As the barrel member rotates about the processing axis A, the at least one pre-processing member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the feed portion to the separator portion through the pre-processing portion. The plurality of separator members transport at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the pre-processing portion to the outlet opening through the separator portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a collection receptacle and a method for reclaiming backflow from a wellbore. The collection receptacle, in one embodiment, includes an enclosure configured to collect solid and liquid matter, and an elevated auger extending into the enclosure and configured to remove the solid matter from the enclosure. In this embodiment, the auger includes a housing and a flighting, the housing and flighting configured in such a way as to promote separation of the solid matter from the liquid matter as the solid matter travels up the auger and out of the enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for improving the method of manufacturing Archimedes screws by assembling sectors on a shaft without forming gaps, cutting edges or weak regions between one another and ensuring the continuity of the turns of which the screw consists. It consists of a sector having a turn with a length equal to one screw thread and having a geometry that enables it to be interlocked with another, identical sector. The turn sits on a core, the geometry of which is obtained by following in each case a helical generatrix which is offset through at least one turn thickness. The terminal face of the turn is inclined at an angle with respect to the axis of the sector. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the production of systems for metering or pumping viscous, pulverulent or granular products, the systems including at least one Archimedes screw.

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: There are provided screw segments 100, 200 that are capable of shearing and kneading feedstock without causing plugs within a cylinder 1 of a screw extruder, and of extruding it from the cylinder 1. The screw segments 100, 200 each comprise a shaft part 111 to be affixed to a screw shaft 7, and a tooth part 112 that protrudes radially outward from the shaft part 111. The tooth part 112 comprises a tooth surface 116 that is formed on the front side relative to the rotation direction of the screw shaft 7, and that is so sloped as to transition gradually forward relative to the rotation direction as it transitions radially outward from the shaft part 111.

Abstract: In order to avoid using anti-stick paints, based on polytetrafluoroethylene or the like, on parts of cheesemaking machines which are to be in contact with hot curds (pastafilata), their surfaces are sandblasted with preferably virgin white corundum powder having a granulometry of about 180 mesh. Surprisingly, surfaces so treated are non-stick for the purposes mentioned above.

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: Flighting for screw conveyors of improved construction and resulting in better wear characteristics and carrying capacity is provided through the use of cold roll manufacturing and a roller which forms the flighting with a shape which moves some of the material being conveyed away from the outside peripheral edge of the flighting and thereby distributes wear over a larger portion of the surface of the flighting.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for feeding biomass into a pressured vessel, the system includes a screw-feeding housing, a drive motor, a rotary airlock, a first conveyor screw, a second conveyor screw, a barrel, a low friction liner attached to a substantial portion of the inside surface of the barrel, a pressure sensor positioned within the screw-feeding housing for monitoring backpressure, a compression disk, an actuator, a function controller which controls the pressure sensor, the drive motor and the actuator, and a control loop which comprises the function controller, the actuator, the drive motor, and the pressure sensor for monitoring backpressure within the screw-feeding housing and for controlling and adjusting the force applied by the actuator to the compression disk and the torque applied by the drive motor to the first conveyor screw, thereby effectuating an effectively sealed biomass plug.

Abstract: The transport device comprises a screw conveyor (5), in a casing (5a) of which a propeller (5b) rotates. The device also comprises an elastic cradle (7), interposed between the casing (5a) of the screw and the propeller (5b), internally of which the propeller (5b) of the screw rotates.

Abstract: The transport device comprises a screw conveyor (5), in a casing (5a) of which a propeller (5b) rotates. The device also comprises an elastic cradle (7), interposed between the casing (5a) of the screw and the propeller (5b), internally of which the propeller (5b) of the screw rotates.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus includes a dispersion unit, conveying units and weighing units. The dispersion unit is arranged to radially disperse product material. The conveying units are arranged around a periphery of the dispersion unit. The weighing units are arranged around a periphery of the conveying units. Each of the conveying units includes a trough. At least one of the troughs has a cross-sectional diameter that gradually increases generally from the inside end to the outside end so that the one of the troughs and an adjacent one of the troughs are kept in contact with each other from the inside ends to the outside ends. At least one of the conveying units has a spiral member disposed over a bottom surface of the trough. The spiral member is configured and arranged to convey the product material supplied from the dispersion unit toward the outside end of the trough.

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: A crop conveying apparatus for laterally urging crop from outboard ends of a cutting header on an agricultural harvester toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow or for feed to a subsequent crop processing apparatus. Helical flighting extending radially from a transversely disposed, rotatable central core defines a first profile for the auger apparatus adjacent each outboard end of the header and extending inwardly to a position near, but not co-extensive with the width of a crop discharge zone in the header. Auger flighting in the central portion of the header co-extensive with the width of the discharge zone opening features a variable profile that tapers from the first profile to a minimum profile centrally located between the side edges of the discharge zone opening to provide optimal movement of severed crop material into the discharge opening, resist entanglement and clogging of the crop material, and minimize the loss of seed from the crop stem.

Abstract: A means for improving an auger conveyor consisting of a support shaft with plural flight sections, coaxially layered upon the said shaft made to rotate said section or sections with independent or dependent revolutions or directions on command and incorporating radial slots in the standoffs so that a helical ribbon is allowed to thermally expand thus retaining its concentric tolerance range

Abstract: This invention provides an improved safety overload prevention device for a material conveying auger which includes an auger casing, a main drive shaft journalled therein and a main auger flight secured around the shaft, an intake flight section 11 secured to and extending along a tubular support sleeve 12 rotatably mounted on an intake drive shaft portion 14 which is adapted for connection to the main drive shaft of the auger so as to rotate therewith, and a clutch device 18 operatively interconnecting the tubular sleeve 12 and the drive shaft portion 14, the clutch device 18 including a radially displaceable spring loaded detent 19 movable between an engaged position wherein the tubular sleeve 12 is fast with the drive shaft portion 14 and rotates therewith, and a disengaged position wherein drive to the tubular sleeve 12 is disengaged in the event of an obstruction, such as a leg or arm being trapped in the flighting.

Abstract: A helical screw conveyor having a helical screw rotatably mounted within a casing and cooperating with a chain of platens to convey objects from one end of the casing to the other end or to selected locations therebetween. A thermodynamic combustion engine is provided having a helical screw rotatably mounted within a casing and cooperating with a platen chain to draw a combustible mixture into the casing, compress the mixture for ignition, and exhaust the burned mixture therefrom.

Abstract: A transport device for transporting a transportable product, especially a bulk-type product, includes an essentially cylindrical chamber containing at least one shaft which extends along the cylindrical chamber and comprises a plurality of first transport elements for transporting products in a product transport direction. The transport elements extending radially outwards from the shaft and are respectively connected to the shaft at connection points on the surface thereof. The individual connection points are located along a helical line on the surface of the shaft and the plurality of first transport elements form a first path which corresponds to the helical line and comprises a first discontinuous section extending in a helical manner around the surface of the shaft. Other elements are arranged at least in partial regions of the first path, such elements protruding into the first path.

Abstract: A pin conveyor for pasty materials such as animal waste including a housing with a cylindrical inner surface extending along and about an axis. Within the housing surface, a shaft is mounted for rotation about the axis and has a plurality of pins attached to it in a substantially helical pattern. The pins have sleeve members slidably mounted about them wherein in operation, the sleeve members are centrifugally impelled outwardly of the pins to contact and scrape clean the housing surface as the shaft is rotated about the axis. The cylindrical outer surfaces of the sleeve members preferably overlap or are at least tangent to one another when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis so as to effectively contact and scrape clean the entire housing surface surrounding them.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid coating to a deicer composition, methods of applying a liquid coating to a deicer composition, and solid deicer compositions that have been coated using the apparatus or method of the invention are disclosed. The apparatus includes a screw conveyor that has a housing, at least one screw with a plurality of flights, an inlet for uncoated deicer, an inlet for a liquid coating composition, and an outlet for deicer coated with the liquid coating composition. The screws contain protrusions or tabs that extend from the surrounding surface of the screw. These protrusions or tabs aid in the mixing of the solid deicer and the liquid coating composition in order to provide a well-mixed deicer that resists caking while avoiding losing the coating composition to leaching.

Abstract: An auger flight support includes a mounting portion having an arcuate concave surface adapted to be fixedly mounted around at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of an auger shaft adjacent to a flight extending along a helical path around the shaft, and a support portion in connection with the mounting portion, including an outwardly extending edge positioned and oriented for abutting and affixing to a radially outwardly extending edge of a flight of an auger when the mounting portion is mounted around at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the auger, for supporting the flight and forming an extension of the flight beyond the edge thereof, and so as to be capable of more effectively transferring and distributing loads from the flight for reducing occurrences of fatigue related failures.

Abstract: Device for producing bored piles having an auger, which along at least part of the auger length is surrounded by a rotating encasing tube and during boring the encasing tube is rotated in or counter to the rotation direction of the auger and in which the auger and the encasing tube are introduced essentially simultaneously into the ground during boring. To facilitate material discharge, the surface roughness of the auger helix surface pointing in the feed direction is increased compared with the roughness of the rolled surfaces in a complete or partial surface manner by additional machining. The increase in the surface roughness extends at least over the auger length necessary for feed purposes.

Abstract: A screw conveyor for the transport of, for example, pieces of clothing hanging on clothes hangers, comprises a screw shaft train (22) which may be rotated about the shaft axis (24) thereof, with a transport groove system (26), machined into the outer surface thereof along the shaft axis (24) in the form of a screw. The clothes hangers may be hung in the transport groove system (26), using the hanger hooks (20) thereof and axially transported by rotation of the screw shaft train (22). According to the invention, the transport groove system (26) comprises at least one primary transport groove (46, 48), from which a secondary transport groove (52, 54), preceding the primary transport groove (46, 48) in relation to the transport direction (16) of the goods for transport, branches at a branching position (62).

Abstract: An auger apparatus for conveying ice, together with the auger itself and an apparatus for storing ice in a storage bin which uses such an auger apparatus is provided. The auger is disposed in a tube, and does not require cylindrical bearings at its ends. The auger is rotationally molded, of one-piece hollow molded construction, preferably of a plastic such as polyethylene.

Abstract: A screw conveyor apparatus including a ribbon screw (4) provided in a cylindrical casing (1). The ribbon screw (4) has rotation rings (12) attached to an intermediate portion thereof. Outer peripheral supporting sections (11) are provided for rotatably supporting the corresponding rotation rings (12) on the casing (1). This configuration prevents the ribbon screw (4) from being bent or expanded under a load of conveyed materials, thereby enabling the materials to be conveyed along a steep slope up to a high portion.

Abstract: A method for automatically feeding the metal profiles in bar form entails gripping a set of the metal profiles from a magazine for collecting said profiles and transferring the set of metal profiles into a raised position and arranging the raised metal profiles on a movable transfer device provided with separators for separating the metal profiles, at which a preset number of metal profiles to be fed, at each work cycle to the machine arranged downstream, is conveyed transversely and counted; the metal profiles are transferred, in counted number, onto auxiliary supports arranged to the side of the transfer device and actuated gradually along the longitudinal axis of the metal profiles.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus permits to intermittent indexing with freely and independently setting stop position of work tables and stopping period adapting to each individual work station. The transporting apparatus sequentially transports a work table across a plurality of work stations. The transporting apparatus has a linear transporting path linearly connecting a plurality of work stations and guiding linear motion of the work table, a cylindrical cam engaging with a contactor provided on the work table for driving the work-table for linear motion, and the cylindrical cam having a stopping zone formed corresponding to each position of the work station and having no axial displacement relating to cam rotation angle and a transporting zone formed corresponding to a position between the work station and having an axial displacement relative to cam rotation angle.