With Means For Securing Helical Surface Formation To Driving Member Patents (Class 198/677)
  • Patent number: 11873172
    Abstract: A multi-piece component for a conveyor comprises a first section and a second section that mates with the first section around a shaft using a hygienic fastener to form a complete module. The hygienic fastener seals an interface between the fastener and the first section and between the first section and the second section. Chamfers facilitate positioning of the multi-piece component on a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik DeGroot, Jake A. Mohan, Paul A. Marsman
  • Patent number: 11828444
    Abstract: A light pole assembly, and a method of assembling a light pole assembly that facilitates securement of multiple light pole segments. The light pole assembly includes a first pole shaft, a second pole shaft, and a mounting connector. Dimensions of the first pole shaft and the second pole shaft are substantially the same and dimensions of the mounting connector are smaller than the dimensions of the first pole shaft and of the second pole shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Energy Light, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Altman, Sami Ozgen
  • Patent number: 11820062
    Abstract: A screw includes a screw main body, a conveyance portion conveying a raw material, and a passage provided in the screw main body. The passage includes a first passage element, a second passage element, and a third passage element. The screw main body has a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged in an axial direction of the rotating shaft. At least a portion of the conveyance portion is formed on outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical bodies adjacent to each other, and the passage is formed in the cylindrical body so as to cross over between the adjacent cylindrical bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: Shibaura Machine Co., Ltd., HSP Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Kobayashi, Shigeyuki Fujii, Takafumi Sameshima, Hiroshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11813785
    Abstract: A conveyance portion, a barrier portion, and a path are provided at places of a portion of a screw main body in which a kneading portion is provided. In at least one of the places, an entrance is opened to cause raw materials, conveyance of which is limited by a barrier portion to increase pressure on the raw materials, to flow in. The raw materials flowing in from the entrance flow through the path in the opposite direction to a conveyance direction of the conveyance portion. An exit is opened in an outer circumferential surface of the screw main body at a position outside the conveyance portion in which the entrance is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shibaura Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Kobayashi, Shigeyuki Fujii, Takafumi Sameshima
  • Patent number: 11737394
    Abstract: Selectively removable nozzles for inclusion into a grain conveyor may include a ramp and a sidewall coupled to the ramp. The ramp may conform to an inner surface of a conveyor housing and produce a constriction within the housing. The sidewall may also conform to the inner surface of the conveyor housing. The ramp may also include a recess that extends along the sidewall. The recess may receive a shaft of the conveyor. One nozzle may be replaced with another in order to accommodate different harvesting conditions. The ramp compresses grain traveling through the conveyor to provide a continuous flow of grain. The continuous flow of grain provides for accurate measurements of grain characteristics by a sensor located adjacent to the flow of grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Candace Popp, Douglas G. Temple, Nithin Chaithanya Reddy Choudary, Wolfram Haiges
  • Patent number: 8926846
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 8889016
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 8763786
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Honda Sun Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Uchinashi
  • Patent number: 8594537
    Abstract: A powder carrier screw includes a rotation shaft which is provided along a path which carries powder such as toner and is rotatably supported by a container forming the path, the rotation shaft having one end from which a rotation driving force is applied, a coil which is provided in a spiral form along an outer circumference of the rotation axis, the coil having a shaft center of the rotation shaft as a shaft center and having both end portions joined to both end portions of the rotation shaft, and the coil rotating along the rotation of the rotation shaft, a thick portion which is provided in at least one end portion of the coil, the thick portion having a thickness larger than a thickness of a general portion of the coil, and a coil welded portion in which the thick portion and the rotation shaft are welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hirota
  • Patent number: 8470183
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: Dave DeWaard
  • Patent number: 8448779
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Richard E. Brock
  • Patent number: 8215477
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: WAM Industriale S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Basaglia, Marco Gaddi, Massimo Passerini
  • Patent number: 8042680
    Abstract: A releasable coupling, including a first and a second coupling part for transmitting torque, where the first coupling part has a projection which extends in the direction of the geometrical axis of rotation and in the circumferential surface of which a first peripheral groove is embedded, that the second coupling part has a recess which is matched in cross section to a receptacle on the projection and in the circumferential surface of which a second peripheral groove is embedded, that an annular securing element is provided, the securing element being elastically deformable with respect to the contour of its open or closed periphery and, in the separated state of the two coupling parts, being insertable into one or optionally into one of the peripheral grooves and the contour of which, in the separated state of the two coupling parts, projecting out of the peripheral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventor: Manfred Pottmann
  • Patent number: 7934593
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: WAM Industriale S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Passerini, Lamberto Vincenzi
  • Patent number: 7516838
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Auger Safe Holdings Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Reginald Vernon Dutschke
  • Patent number: 7419048
    Abstract: A transverse conveying screw for a harvesting front attachment. The tranverse conveying screw includes a body, screw elements disposed around the body adapted to convey material from the outer ends of the body toward the center of the body, and a ring-shaped terminal disc disposed between the screw elements. The terminal disc lies in a plane oriented at an angle, ?, with respect to a plane extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Kemper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Weiand
  • Patent number: 7137503
    Abstract: An auger assembly suitable for use with a food separator is provided with a removable brush. The auger assembly includes an auger defining a channel around the crest thereof. A brush is received in the channel and defining a flange at each end thereof. First and second retaining clips are removably attached to opposite ends of the auger, with each retaining clip defining an opening therethrough that receives a respective flange to secure the brush within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Greg Chesack, Robert Grabhorn
  • Patent number: 7124878
    Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine rotor which includes a plurality of rotor teeth mounted thereon with each of the rotor teeth having a tooth face provided thereon. Each of the tooth faces has a progressively increasing thickness from the inner end thereof to the outer end thereof. The outer face of each of the tooth faces has a channel formed therein with the depth of the channel progressively decreasing from the outer end of the tooth face towards the inner end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: SRC Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
  • Patent number: 7051865
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Kai Zhao, Jishan Jin
  • Patent number: 6820735
    Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine rotor which includes a plurality of rotor teeth mounted thereon with each of the rotor teeth having a tooth face provided thereon. Each of the tooth faces has a progressively increasing thickness from the inner end thereof to the outer end thereof. The outer face of each of the tooth faces has a channel formed therein with the depth of the channel progressively decreasing from the outer end of the tooth face towards the inner end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: SRC Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
  • Patent number: 6283275
    Abstract: The invention provides a combination shafted and shaftless screw, and an apparatus and method for conveying wet solids using the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: American Bulk Conveying Syst.
    Inventors: C. Edward Morris, Pieter Hoogendonk
  • Patent number: 6009692
    Abstract: A rotor for a bagging machine comprising an elongated, cylindrical body having a horizontally disposed rotational axis. A plurality of sockets are provided on the cylindrical body in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. A rotor tooth is selectively removably received by each of the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Versa Corp.
    Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
  • Patent number: 5875882
    Abstract: A drive (D) for an auger conveyor (FC) is disclosed where the auger conveyor comprises a conveyor conduit (11) and a centerless helical coil auger (15) disposed within the conduit. The auger has a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spaced, helical flights (17). The drive (D) is a drive screw (23) substantially coaxial with the auger and having a plurality of flights in face-to-face engagement with corresponding flights of the auger. A drive member (47) is in driving engagement with the drive screw with the drive screw and the drive member being mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis. A power drive (27) is rotatably drives the drive screw about its longitudinal axis so as to effect movement (either axial or rotational movement) of the auger relative to the conveyor conduit. A method of driving the auger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: The GSI Group
    Inventor: Eugene B. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5845764
    Abstract: A wear element comprising a wear plate of a hard, typically ceramic material, locked in a dovetail recess of a bracket made of steel. The bracket consists of two initially separate parts comprising a respective one of the two inclined dovetail wedge surfaces of the dovetail recess. The two parts are welded together when positioned with their respective wedge surfaces tightly engaging a respective one of two complementary inclined surfaces formed on the wear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Dag Ommundsen
  • Patent number: 5687832
    Abstract: An auger for moving granular material and slurries of granular materials comprising: a shaft; a rigid inner blade portion fastened to and spiraling around the shaft; and a flexible substantially larger outer blade portion carried by the inner blade portion. In the preferred embodiment the flexible blade portion comprises belting cut into the shape of a split doughnut shaped disc. The split doughnut shaped disc has a larger inside diameter than the diameter of the shaft so that when it is rolled around the shaft and fastened to the rigid inner blade portion it extends more than one revolution therearound. The problem faced in the movement of granular materials is that rocks, stones or other non-uniformly large pieces of material predictably are present in the material being handled. These larger pieces sink to the bottom of the auger and jam between it and the bottom of a trough therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Terry Thiessen
  • Patent number: 5673618
    Abstract: A screw flight element of a mechanical screw press for expressing liquids from fibrous material such as may be found in rendering operations and a method of remanufacture thereof and the product produced by the method. The helical flight section is one of several having different pitches used in such screw presses and is equipped with carbide elements spaced at strategic points along the periphery of the helical section and further surrounded with plasma arch welded cladding, thereby providing wear and shear points which are harder than the surrounding cladding which is in turn harder than the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Ramond P. Little
  • Patent number: 5573660
    Abstract: A screw conveyor including a feed screw formed, at least partially, as a shankless screw, a jacket surrounding the feed screw and a brush cooperating with the inner surface of the jacket for cleaning the same, with the feed screw including a plurality of substantially band-shaped screw threads extending along an imaginary helical line and arranged, when viewed in a transporting direction, one behind the other with an ever increasing distance from a screw axis so that each two adjacent screw threads form a step therebetween, and with the brush being arranged on the step formed by two outmost screw threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Noggerath Holding GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Peter Eicker, Kurt Ebeling
  • Patent number: 5433577
    Abstract: A bag opening machine includes a trough and a feed screw that is rotatably mounted in the trough to advance bags that at least partially fit between the flight of the feed screw along the length of the trough. There are a pair of restrictions that the bags encounter that cause the bags to be ripped open. The machine has a shear plate running the length of the trough which provides a surface against which bags between the flight rub to be opened. The flight of the conveyor is provided with pins which project generally in a down stream direction and assist in ripping open bags. Each of the restrictions is lined with another shear plate. An expansion chamber is located between the two restrictions. The restrictions completely surround the feed screw, which is mounted eccentrically in the opening defined by the feed screw. A hinged lid over the expansion chamber helps prevent the build-up of excess material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Magnificent Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Roycraft
  • Patent number: 5429581
    Abstract: A hard surfaced screw conveyor comprising a helical metal blade mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the helix and radially extending to an end surface, the blade defining at least one female formation therein having a substantially dovetail shape and a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the blade, and at least one wear-resistant member secured to the blade and having a portion radially extending beyond the end surface. The wear-resistant member defines a male formation that has a substantially dovetail shape and which is disposed within the female formation. The male and female formations may also be triangular, square, circular, or rectangular in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Dorr-Oliver Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard R. Michaud, Chie-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 5279407
    Abstract: A wear shoe for an auger having a pair of spaced apart tapered openings extending therethrough is secured to an auger flight using a tapered nut having an axial extent as the tapered opening and dimensioned to fit into and contact each tapered opening to provide a substantially planar upper surface and a headed threaded bolt. The wear shoe has an arcuate recess formed in the upper surface thereof and a hardened member has an arcuate body portion secured in the arcuate recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Wotco, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy G. Shobak
  • Patent number: 5253746
    Abstract: A bulk seed transport bin includes an enclosed storage container mounted on a frame. An auger extends upwardly out of a roof portion of the container and has an upper dispensing port. The auger includes a lower end extending through the interior of the container and downwardly through a funnel-shaped lower portion of the container. An auger shaft with flighting thereon is removably mounted within the auger tube, and may be removed through the upper end of the auger tube by removing an upper flange sealing the upper end of the tube. The lower end of the auger shaft is hollow and is journaled on the upper end of a connector shaft extending through the lower end of the auger tube. The upper end of the connector shaft has an arm mounted thereon which will engage a stop on the lower end of the auger shaft when the auger shaft is journaled on the connector shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventors: Garry D. Friesen, Raymond P. Waldner
  • Patent number: 5088397
    Abstract: A cast-formed bi-metallic worm assembly of a mechanical screw press for expressing liquids from fibrous materials and a method of manufacture therefor. The worm assembly is rotatably driven by the press drive shaft and includes an outer flight body having an integral outwardly extending helical flight formed of a relatively brittle, wear-resistant homogeneous cast material and an inner hub tightly fitted and substantially fully mated within, and coextensive with, the outer flight body. The inner hub, cast formed of a more ductile, tougher homogeneous material, includes a hollow cylindrical interior surface structured for slidable engagement around and in driving connection with the drive shaft. The inner hub and outer flight body are securely engaged one to another by a very thin layer of bonded brazing compound over substantially the entire mating surface therebetween. The method of manufacturing helps insure very close mating surface contact to enhance the strength of brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: The Dupps Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Mansfield, Frank N. Dupps
  • Patent number: 5044489
    Abstract: Feed screw for feeding a mix, said screw consisting of a core part (1), which becomes thicker towards its trailing end, and of a screw spiral (2) that revolves around said core part. The feed screw is provided with a detachable tip portion (3) at its thicker end. The detachable tip portion (3) is a sleeve-shaped piece, which is supported on an inner part (4) that constitutes a projection on the frame part of the feed screw. The frame part includes at least one front face (6) which, when the machine runs and when the screw revolves, pushes ahead of itself a counter-face (7) provided in the tip portion (3) and transmits the torque to the tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Oy Partek Ab
    Inventors: Jaakko Barsk, Pekka Havola, Olli Kekalainen, Rantanen
  • Patent number: 5033608
    Abstract: A screw conveyor mechanism mounted within the trough assembly. One end of said screw conveyor is removably mounted on the trough assembly. A drive shaft is provided for rotating the screw conveyor with the drive shaft being removably connected to the outer end of the screw conveyor. The drive shaft has a drive plate and the screw conveyor has a shaft plate, both of which are provided with an interengaging removable coupling. The removable coupling is a tongue-and-groove arrangement with the tongue on one plate and the groove on the other plate. A seal in the form of an O-ring is provided between the two plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Henningsen Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Lorimor, Thomas E. Wildy
  • Patent number: 5004096
    Abstract: Readily attachable and detachable coupling apparatus for coupling the drive shaft of a modular plastic screw conveyor with a power source is substantially concealed and protected by the modular plastic screw conveyor. Plastic screw conveyor modules define a non-circular axial aperture suitable for sliding over a matching or cooperating non-circular full length drive shaft. The drive shaft itself also includes an axial non-circular cross-section recess at one end for receiving a cooperating journal plug. The journal plug is secured in the drive shaft by a retainer which expands radially when compressed, and such that rotation of the journal plug causes rotation of the drive shaft which in turn causes rotation of the plastic screw conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lapeyre, Peter G. Weber, Christopher G. Greve
  • Patent number: 5004095
    Abstract: Conveying apparatus for use in an environment having significant variations in temperature, and having a molded plastic screw conveyor on a metal drive shaft is disclosed. The molded plastic screw conveyor includes a non-circular axial aperture which receives a cooperating drive shaft with a coefficient of expansion different than the plastic screw conveyor. The cross-sectional shapes of the drive shaft and the axial aperture extending through the plastic screw conveyor are such that rotation of the drive shaft results in rotation of the plastic screw conveyor. However, axial motion between the plastic screw conveyor and the drive shaft can occur to accommodate variations in length due to changes in temperature. A journal plug or end means is also included which may receive rotational forces from a motor or other source. The journal plug is joined to the drive shaft such that rotation of the journal plug results in rotation of the drive shaft and consequently in rotation of the plastic screw conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lapeyre, Peter G. Weber, Christopher G. Greve
  • Patent number: 4958720
    Abstract: Readily attachable and detachable apparatus for coupling the drive shaft of a modular plastic screw conveyor with a power source is substantially concealed and protected by the modular plastic screw conveyor. Plastic screw conveyor modules define a non-circular axial aperture suitable for sliding over a matching or cooperating non-circular full length drive shaft. The drive shaft itself also includes an axial non-circular cross-section recess at one end for receiving a cooperating journal plug. The journal plug is retained in the drive shaft by a resilient axial force such as provided by a spring under tension, and such that rotation of the journal plug causes rotation of the drive shaft which in turn causes rotation of the plastic screw conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lapeyre, Peter G. Weber, Christopher G. Greve
  • Patent number: 4913280
    Abstract: An auger assembly for transporting particulate material. The auger assembly comprises a housing, a frame to support the housing, and an auger rotatably mounted in said housing. The auger comprises a thermoplastic material helically wrapped around a metal shaft. The material has a planar portion in contact with said metal shaft and a radially extending flight portion. A motor is connected to the shaft to rotate the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Du Pont Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Whyman
  • Patent number: 4911558
    Abstract: The screw conveyor has at least one feed and mixing screw having a plurality of vanes extending radially from a shaft arranged in at least one series like a coil or spiral. In particular, the screw conveyor can have at least two substantially equal motorized feed and mixing screws rotating in opposite rotational directions and positioned substantially parallel with each other in a common trough. The screws are located beside each other spaced so that the vanes of one screw engage in the gaps between the vanes of the neighboring screw. To maintain at least as thorough a mixing of bulk materials as was the case heretofore while achieving a reduction in the structural length of the screw conveyor the screws are each provided with more than one helical flight of vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 4872546
    Abstract: A screw conveyor device for pourable material has a tubular or hose-like housing which near to one end is provided with an inlet opening and near to the other end with an outlet opening for the conveyed material, also a flexible core which extends through the housing and which is surrounded by at least one drivable feed coil consisting of wire or strip material, and a drive motor connected to one end of the housing. The core is rotatably mounted at both ends of the housing and driven by the drive motor in common with or relative to the feed coil or coils. It is possible for one or two feed coils to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Erich A. Hindermann
  • Patent number: 4852719
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 4842126
    Abstract: A flight section for mounting at the feed end of an auger comprises an intergral moulding from a resilient elastomeric material such as natural rubber which includes a central sleeve portion and an outer flight. The sleeve has an inner surface for engaging around a shaft with the surface defining a part cylindrical portion and a flat portion by which torque is communicate from the shaft to the sleeve portion while allowing slippage to occur by distortion of the resilient sleeve portion when the torque exceeds a predetermined maximum. The flight extends over 360.degree. and is shaped so that it increases in transverse width or thickness as it approaches the outer edge thereof thus defining a flat band around the outer edge. This acts to define a curved surface facing the material to be fed which cups the material and reduces slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Allan R. McConnell
  • Patent number: 4838700
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a worm shaft assembly used to move corrosive and/or abrasive material such is part of an extrusion device or a press. More particularly, it relates to the construction of flights, feed quills and intermediate rings or collars for mechanical presses and extrusion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Kirk E. Williamson
  • Patent number: 4746384
    Abstract: Apparatus for bonding or joining confronting edges of flights of adjacent integrally molded screw conveyor modules is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for supporting a plurality of the modules in axial alignment and with confronting edges of the module flight members in confronting relationship. Also included is a clamping means for enclosing and maintaining the confronting edges in a fixed position. The clamping means includes at least one passage extending from outside the clamp to a position inside the clamp between the confronting edges. A heated gas such as nitrogen is provided through the passage to the confronting edge to heat the edges substantially to the melting point of the plastic modules. Subsequent to heating the edges with the hot gas, a liquid plastic material under selected temperature and pressure is injected through the clamp passage and into the space between the confronting flight edges to fill the space between the edges and to bond the flights together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventor: Michael K. Tan
  • Patent number: 4691818
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling the drive shaft of an integrally molded modular screw conveyor is disclosed. A non-circular elongated drive shaft includes a non-circular axially extending aperture for receiving a first end of a coupling member having a corresponding size and shape such that rotation with respect to the shaft and coupling member is not possible. In addition, both the shaft and the coupling member define aligned recesses for receiving a locking pin so as to also prevent axially movement between the two. An integrally formed screw conveyor module includes an axially extending aperture with a size and cross-sectional shape for slideably receiving the drive shaft such that rotation is prevented between the drive shaft and the module. The locking pin is held in position by sliding the module over the locking pin when it is in place within the shaft and coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: The Laitram Corp.
    Inventor: Peter G. Weber
  • Patent number: 4666033
    Abstract: Auger apparatus includes a drive portion, a connector portion and a flight portion. The drive portion includes an elongated rigid shaft member including a longitudinal axis disposed along the path of material being advanced by the auger apparatus. The connector portion includes a continuous stub section affixed to and extending outwardly from the periphery of the shaft member, the stub section being spirally disposed around the shaft member along the length thereof. The stub section includes a surface extending outwardly from the shaft member and substantially perpendicular thereto. The flight portion includes a plurality of radially cut elongated disc members, each of the disc members having an internal opening substantially equal in diameter to the outside diameter of the shaft member. An internal section of each disc member surrounding the internal opening thereof is in full contact with and affixed to the perpendicular surface of the stub section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Rod B. Reid
  • Patent number: 4624577
    Abstract: A screw element for use in a material-processing machine comprising at least one screw formed by a central driving shaft (2) on which are mounted a plurality of hollow elements (12, 13 . . . ) provided on their inner wall with grooves (31) engaging with corresponding splines (21) of the central shaft (2). A cylindrical inner collar (3) made from a product resistant to the mechanical driving stresses and on the inner wall (32) of which are formed the grooves (31) corresponding to the splines (21) of the shaft, and an outer collar (4) made from a product resistant to the abrasion of the processed material and on which are formed, within the body of the outer collar, helical threads (42) or other peripheral material-processing means, the outer collar (4) being mounted without clearance on the inner collar (3) and being connected to the inner collar for rotation therewith. The invention is applicable in particular to the construction of extruding machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Clextral
    Inventors: Jean Vannier, Francis Mourrier
  • Patent number: 4527899
    Abstract: Processing shaft for machines for extruding or the like, comprising a core shaft having at its front end an axial stop member for slip-on processing members arranged non-rotationally on the core shaft, further comprising a spacer sleeve supporting the processing members rearwardly, and arranged non-rotationally at the rear end area of the core shaft a slip-on coupling sleeve on whose external thread a clamp nut is screwed, and also comprising a clamping force transmitting member tightenable rearwardly against a stop member of the core shaft by the clamp nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventors: Josef A. Blach, Kurt Stade
  • Patent number: 4519496
    Abstract: A conveyor screw includes a substantially continuous row of wear-resistant elements mounted on the wearing surface thereof. Opposed complementary semi-circular recesses are formed in adjacent wear-resistant elements providing a combined circular recess. A retaining member is received in each such recess and is secured to the conveyor screw with its axis positioned in the radial dividing line between adjacent wear-resistant elements. The gap between the retaining member and the wear-resistant elements is filled with a resilient padding material. In a modified form of the invention each wear-resistant element includes a backing plate of ductile material with each wear-resistant element being off-set relative to its corresponding backing plate. Adjacent faces of the backing plates, in lieu of being straight, are formed at an angle of approximately 175.degree. so as to provide a small gap permitting use of uniform components along a conveyor screw having a changing diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation A/S
    Inventor: Erik Ludvigsen
  • Patent number: 4466533
    Abstract: Wear clips for protecting the edges of auger-type blades and similarly curved blade edges, are formed of steel channels filled with a matrix of irregular shaped and sized, small, hard carbide particles and a soft, ductile, brazing material. The clips are arranged in an end-to-end row with a slight gap between each adjacent pair. The clips are welded to the blade and to each other. Breakage of the brittle carbide particles and of the matrix, due to impact forces, is avoided due to relative movement of the particles within the surrounding brazing material under impact loads. The clip channel may be made of a flattened tube which is filled with the matrix and then cut into short clip lengths. Thus, the exposed surface of the tube, which temporarily forms an integral cover for the channel, is rapidly worn away by abrasion during use of the blade, to expose the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Inventor: Warren M. Shwayder