Abstract: A vibratory conveyor drive system that can be fitted onto most existing vibratory conveyors. It replaces the conventional vibrational drive and its connections to the trough or trough frame and dramatically increases the longevity of the vibratory conveyor. It is a simple inexpensive retrofit. It has a drive arm with a vibratory drive that is hung from one of its ends and is partially vertically supported underneath by a vertical spring means. The other end of the drive arm is connected to the trough or the trough frame. Between the vibratory drive the drive arm and the trough or frame, there is at least one flexion means to negate the vertical forces of the drive and utilize only the lineal drive forces. The drive arm is at an acute angle with respect to the linear axis of the trough so as to impart an oscillating translational movement to the trough.

Abstract: A device for producing three-dimensional components of a powdery powder material by layered application of the powder material and partial solidification of the powder material of a layer by selectively irradiating points of the layer corresponding to a cross section of the component to be produced by means of at least one energy beam. The device includes a construction container for accommodating the powder material, a coating device for the layered application of the powder material, an overflow container for accommodating an unused material residue of a production process, and an intermediate container for accommodating the unused material residue of an application process and furthermore for delivery to the overflow container.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, while cooling equipment and the biomass to prevent overheating and possible distortion and/or degradation. The biomass is conveyed by a conveyor, which conveys the biomass under an electron beam from an electron beam accelerator. The conveyor can be cooled with cooling fluid. The conveyor can also vibrate to facilitate exposure to the electron beam. The conveyor can be configured as a trough that can be optionally cooled.

Abstract: An open breakwater dike system comprising a dike body, anchor feet, wherein the anchor feet are connected to or integral with a bottom surface of the dike body; and a first pillar connected to or integral with an upper surface of the dike body is disclosed. In an embodiment, the open dike system further comprises a second pillar connected to or integral with the upper surface of the dike body offset from the first pillar; a first flap gate rotationally attached to the first pillar and disposed between the first and second pillars, wherein the first flap gate closes against a first extension in the second pillar; and a means for opening and closing one or more flap gates, wherein the means for opening one or more flap gates opens and closes the first flap gate. A method of using the open breakwater dike system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow control assembly for an agricultural metering system includes a first gate control shaft configured to drive a first gate of a seed meter to transition between an open position and a closed position. The flow control assembly also includes a handle configured to drive the first gate control shaft to rotate via rotation of the handle between a first position that corresponds to the open position of the first gate and a second position that corresponds to the closed position of the first gate. In addition, the flow control assembly includes a locking assembly configured to secure the handle to the first gate control shaft at least while the handle is in the first position, and to enable the handle to be released from the first gate control shaft at least while the handle is in the second position.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of simultaneously levitating a droplet above a nominally rigid surface and controlling its position and motion in a direction along the nominally rigid surface generally for use in microfluidics.

Abstract: A clamp is described and which includes a base portion, a handle which is affixed to the base portion, a moveable clamp portion which is individually pivotally attached to the base portion; a pair of force transmitting couplings pivotally attached to the handle, and the movable clamp portion; and an elongated resilient biasing member with a distal end, and which is mounted on the movable clamp portion, and which is further operable to engage an adjacent object of interest and hold it in a given orientation relative to a vibratory conveyor.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for feeding discrete articles. The vibratory apparatus has a tray for receiving the discrete articles and a vibratory drive for imparting a vibration movement to the tray. A retaining device releasably retains the tray to the vibratory drive. The retaining device includes a tray locking assembly selectively moveable between a locked position to lock the tray to the vibratory drive and an unlocked position to unlock the tray from the vibratory drive. In the unlocked position the tray can be removed from the vibratory drive. In the locked position the tray is locked to the vibratory drive in a vibration transmission relationship.

Abstract: Silicon granules are conveyed in an encapsulated conveying channel by swaying movement of the channel produced by a permanent magnet excited by an external alternating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: Not only the cracking of granular reduced iron materials is reduced, but also reduced iron materials are fed uniformly onto a furnace floor regardless of a width of the furnace floor. A feeding system for reduced iron material includes a plurality of material feeding equipments 4 provided in a furnace width direction of a mobile furnace floor type reduction melting furnace, wherein each of the material feeding equipments 4 is constructed by a hopper 10 configured to receive reduced iron materials and discharge the materials from a discharge port 10a, a trough 14 configured to connect the discharge port 10a and a material charging portion of the mobile furnace floor type reduction melting furnace configured to receive the reduced iron materials discharged from the discharge port 10a, an exit portion provided on an exit side of the trough 14, and a vibration applying unit configured to cause the trough to vibrate along a furnace floor moving direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaged hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive composition and a coextrusion coating consisting of neat low density polyethylene, neat polypropylene, or neat ethylene vinyl acetate. The present invention further relates to the use of the packaged adhesive formed as individual forms in an adhesive application process, and the use of the packaged adhesive in the production of laminated articles, including nonwoven hygiene articles, disposable medical drapes, and also laminate constructions such as tapes and labels.

Abstract: A system for reducing carbon content of hot ash includes a conveyor including a trough to receive a quantity of hot ash, the trough having a trough wall with a plurality of apertures through which air may pass, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough to move the quantity of hot ash along the trough. The system also includes a controlled air supply including an adjustable air supply, a temperature sensor operatively associated with the trough, and a controller operatively coupled to the adjustable air supply and the temperature sensor. The controller is programmed to adjust the air supply to maintain a constant temperature associated with controlled oxidation of unburned carbon in the hot ash within the trough in response to the signal received from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A vibration device includes a base, a movable bench elastically supported with respect to the base, a first horizontal excitation unit that vibrates the movable bench in a first horizontal direction, a second horizontal excitation unit that vibrates the movable bench in a second horizontal direction that crosses the first horizontal direction, a vertical excitation unit that vibrates the movable bench in a vertical direction, and first and second middle benches between the base and the movable bench, wherein first to third plate-like spring members elastically connect the base, the first and second middle benches, and the movable bench sequentially in the first horizontal direction, the second horizontal direction, and the vertical direction.

Abstract: A vibration feeding apparatus comprises a receptacle for holding and conveying components, and first and second linear motors coupled to the receptacle. The first and second linear motors are spaced from each other and have respective coils that are aligned parallel to each other. The first and second linear motors are operative to be driven at a first operation mode whereby to impart rotary vibration to the receptacle, and at a second operation mode whereby to impart linear vibration to the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus has a continuous loop conveyor belt mounted on a frame. The conveyor belt has a first edge, a second edge, and a belt surface between the first edge and the second edge. The first edge is positioned relatively higher than the second edge such that the belt surface is at an angle with respect to a horizontal ground reference plane, and such that the belt surface slopes downwardly from the first edge toward the second edge. In addition, a sidewall is connected to the frame. The sidewall is positioned adjacent the second edge, and the sidewall is perpendicular to the belt surface and runs parallel to the second edge. Therefore, the sidewall prevents items from falling off the belt surface at the second edge. Further, a plurality of rectangular fins are connected to the belt surface. The fins are perpendicular to the sidewall and perpendicular to the belt surface. A vibrator is connected to the frame and transmits vibrations to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt with integrated spatially-modulated magnetic arrays and a vibrating device, and a method for use thereof are described, for sorting and aligning parts. A part which is to be sorted and aligned is provided with a spatially-modulated magnetic array that is complementary to that which is integrated into the conveyor belt. The vibrating device assures that parts placed in arbitrary locations on the conveyor belt will be sufficiently moved to come into magnetic proximity with the magnetic arrays integrated into the conveyor belt. A system of multiple conveyor belts for sorting and/or aligning a number of different parts is disclosed.

Abstract: A system (1) for supplying components, particularly for transporting small components includes a vibrating device (2) provided with a plate (3) forming a surface for enabling the components to be grasped by a robot and a vibrating element (12) arranged to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in one of the three directions in space and to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in directions corresponding to any combination whatsoever of the three directions x, y and z. For this purpose, the vibrating element includes vibrating actuators (12) respectively including a vibrating element arranged to move with at least five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A spring for a vibratory conveyor is described and which includes an elongated substantially planar main body which is mounted on a vibratory conveyor for moving a source of product, and which has a longitudinal axis, and a predetermined spring constant, and wherein the elongated main body can repeatedly flex and twist about the longitudinal axis without substantially degrading the spring constant of the elongated main body.

Abstract: Not only the cracking of granular reduced iron materials is reduced, but also reduced iron materials are fed uniformly onto a furnace floor regardless of a width of the furnace floor. A feeding system for reduced iron material includes a plurality of material feeding equipments 4 provided in a furnace width direction of a mobile furnace floor type reduction melting furnace, wherein each of the material feeding equipments 4 is constructed by a hopper 10 configured to receive reduced iron materials and discharge the materials from a discharge port 10a, a trough 14 configured to connect the discharge port 10a and a material charging portion of the mobile furnace floor type reduction melting furnace configured to receive the reduced iron materials discharged from the discharge port 10a, an exit portion provided on an exit side of the trough 14, and a vibration applying unit configured to cause the trough to vibrate along a furnace floor moving direction.

Abstract: A vibration tray assembly for use in a container filling machine, the vibration tray assembly comprising a tray for transporting discrete articles from a receiving end of the tray towards a drop-off end of the tray, the tray providing a slope along which the discrete articles travel from the receiving end of the tray to the drop-off end of the tray, wherein the tray is adjustable for changing the slope along which the discrete articles travel. The vibration tray assembly further comprises a vibration imparting device for imparting vibrational motion to the tray.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

Abstract: A device (1) for feeding a product, in particular an infusion product, to a packaging machine is of the type comprising means (2, 6) for collecting and transporting the product and means (8) for conveying the product itself. The conveying means (8) are of the type with vibrating channeling means and are connected to the collection means (2, 6) to receive the product from the collection means (2, 6) and to feed the product to an operating station (10) of the packaging machine.

Abstract: Device for feeding metal into melting plant, in particular into melting furnace including hearth and lateral aperture. Device includes means to feed metal terminally associated with a connection conveyor including a loading plane and cooperating with translation and positioning means. Connection conveyor able to assume first position during continuous loading step, wherein its front terminal end is located substantially flush with the furnace internal wall through the aperture, to introduce metal inside the furnace; a second position distanced from the furnace wall during the step of tapping liquid metal from the furnace; and a third position while first loading the furnace, with the furnace switched off, wherein its loading plane front end is inside the furnace volume to be disposed in proximity to the distal internal wall opposite the furnace proximal internal wall, to unload and distribute a charge to cover at least part of the furnace bottom surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

Abstract: A container filling machine comprising a vibration tray that is suitable for moving discrete articles from a discrete article receiving end of the vibration tray towards a plurality of guiding paths that lead to a container. The container filling machine further comprises at least one spacing device located in proximity to the vibration tray. The at least one spacing device is operative for receiving the discrete articles from the vibration tray at a first speed, and causing the discrete articles to be deposited into the plurality of guiding paths at a second speed. The second speed is greater than the first speed.

Abstract: A non-contact conveyance system of the invention has a static pressure table for levitating a conveyance object upward, a pair of conveying units having vibrating plates and actuators and a moving unit for moving the conveying units in a conveying direction. Then, retaining forces are applied to front and rear edge portions of the conveyance object facing to the vibrating plates by exciting deflection standing waves in the vibrating plates by the actuators. Then, when the conveying units are moved while applying the retaining forces to the edge portions of the conveyance object, the conveyance object is conveyed following the move of the conveying units. Thereby, a number of parts may be cut and the system may be downsized.

Abstract: A rebar separator having a crossbar situated atop one or, preferably, two vibrational insulators which are preferably inflatable cushions. Preferably, there are two or more such crossbars on one or two inflatable cushions. At least one vibrational motor is in contact with at least one crossbar. And preferably each crossbar slopes from a first end to a second end. A source of fluid is in communication with each inflatable cushion. Preferably, the vibrational insulators are placed on top of first and second longitudinal channels of a horizontal rack.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for a linear vibratory drive. In one embodiment, the drive includes a mounting bar coupled to a first flat leaf spring, the first flat leaf spring mounted on a stationary member, where the mounting bar is suitable for mounting a conveyance device such as a linear track or tray. A counterweight is coupled to a second flat leaf spring, where the second flat leaf spring is mounted on the stationary member, and where the counterweight is positioned such that a gap separates the counterweight from the mounting bar. A motor provides a vibrational pulse to the stationary member, thereby vibrating the mounting bar and the counterweight.

Abstract: A system (1) for supplying components, particularly for transporting small components includes a vibrating device (2) provided with a plate (3) forming a surface for enabling the components to be grasped by a robot and a vibrating element (12) arranged to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in one of the three directions in space and to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in directions corresponding to any combination whatsoever of the three directions x, y and z. For this purpose, the vibrating element includes vibrating actuators (12) respectively including a vibrating element arranged to move with at least five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An in-ovo egg injection machine generates and transmits vibration to an incubating egg tray to align the egg axes prior to injection. The mechanism can be used independently of the in-ovo egg injection machine and is suitable for use with an egg candling machine. With the eggs positioned on the incubating tray and held by egg tray posts with their large ends facing upward for the purposes of incubation, vibration is applied to the tray. The vibration allows the eggs to ‘float’ in their restricted locations in the egg tray. Since the eggs are naturally bottom-heavy, the heaviest portion of each egg moves down as the tray is vibrated. The eggs therefore self-align their axes into an orientation corresponding with the established vertical axes of the injectors, respectively, with no contact with the eggs being required.

Abstract: A non-contact conveyance system of the invention has a static pressure table for levitating a conveyance object upward, a pair of conveying units having vibrating plates and actuators and a moving unit for moving the conveying units in a conveying direction. Then, retaining forces are applied to front and rear edge portions of the conveyance object facing to the vibrating plates by exciting deflection standing waves in the vibrating plates by the actuators. Then, when the conveying units are moved while applying the retaining forces to the edge portions of the conveyance object, the conveyance object is conveyed following the move of the conveying units. Thereby, a number of parts may be cut and the system may be downsized.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying hot ash may include a frame, a trough supported on the frame to receive a quantity of hot ash, the trough including a trough wall with a plurality of semi-circular steel plates that define a surface of the trough wall and a plenum disposed beneath the semi-circular steel plates, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough. The conveyor may also include a first plurality of apertures in the trough wall in fluid communication with the plenum, and a plurality of baffles spaced above the first plurality of apertures in the trough wall, the baffles defining a second plurality of apertures through which air exiting the first plurality of apertures may pass in a direction along the surface of the trough wall.

Abstract: In the spring feeder in which tangled small springs are separated into individual springs and separated small springs are arranged in a row in the compression-elongation direction thereof, jamming in the conveying path for feeding the springs, which is the final portion of the conveying path of the feeder, is released. A spring feeder includes: a container to which vibrations are appropriately provided; a separation unit for separating a plurality of tangled small springs; and a conveying path for feeding springs that is disposed outside the container and conveys the springs inside the container to the outside of the container. A conveying portion for connection that has a conveying groove for connection is provided in an end portion of the conveying path for feeding. An ejection portion for spring removal that has an ejection nozzle is attached in an appropriate position of the conveying groove for connection.

Abstract: Distribution unit (21, 23) for distributing material into a number of delimited openings (23) arranged next to each other in such a manner that a transition (27) is provided between the individual openings; and wherein, in connection with the individual transition, a pushing unit (25) is arranged, wherein said pushing unit is arranged such that it is able to actively push material in a direction away from the transition. The distribution unit may partake in a weighing apparatus. Material settling in the transition is pushed down into one of the openings by the pushing unit.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for coating, topping, and conveying foods. The apparatus includes a first frame, spring assemblies, a vibrating assembly including an upper pan, a middle pan, a lower pan, and a second frame mounted to the lower pan with the spring assemblies. The second frame is an excited frame and the upper pan, the middle pan, the lower pan are vibrationally connected. The apparatus also includes a vibratory drive unit mounted and adapted to impart energy to the second frame. In addition, the apparatus has a wire conveyor belt assembly including a wire conveyor belt, and a housing that receives the wire conveyor belt. The wire conveyor belt assembly is suspended inside of the vibratory assembly by the first frame such that the wire conveyor belt assembly is isolated from the vibratory assembly.

Abstract: A rebar separator having a crossbar situated atop one or, preferably, two vibrational insulators which are preferably inflatable cushions. Preferably, there are two or more such crossbars on one or two inflatable cushions. At least one vibrational motor is in contact with at least one crossbar. And preferably each crossbar slopes from a first end to a second end. A source of fluid is in communication with each inflatable cushion. Preferably, the vibrational insulators are placed on top of first and second longitudinal channels of a horizontal rack.

Abstract: A method for controlling the retention time of a casting retained in a mold comprises providing a vibratory shakeout conveyor having a conveying surface, placing the mold on the conveyor; and imparting a vibratory force to the conveyor at a predetermined angle to the conveying surface whereby the predetermined angle determines the retention time of said casting in said mold. A plurality of sensors for detecting mold position and media breakdown may also be employed to detect appropriate mold retention time.

Abstract: An automated system is configured to wash and dry mats. The system includes a number of modules, including a loading module, vibration module, washing module, vacuum module, and a discharge module. The disclosed system provides an opportunity for manual inspection of the mats, too. Because the mats that are fed into the system are jostled or shaken before they are washed, reduced amounts of chemicals, water, water pressure, drying energy, etc. are needed to clean the mats. The system may also optionally include a automatic rolling and sorting apparatus, which rolls a mat and sorts it according to weight, size, etc. after it is discharged from the discharge module. A method of cleaning mats is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying hot ash may include a frame, a trough supported on the frame to receive a quantity of hot ash, the trough including a trough wall with a plurality of semi-circular steel plates that define a surface of the trough wall and a plenum disposed beneath the semi-circular steel plates, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough. The conveyor may also include a first plurality of apertures in the trough wall in fluid communication with the plenum, and a plurality of baffles spaced above the first plurality of apertures in the trough wall, the baffles defining a second plurality of apertures through which air exiting the first plurality of apertures may pass in a direction along the surface of the trough wall.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder for delivery of material in different directions comprising a set of vibrators that are vibrationally isolated from each other to enable activation of one of the vibrators to vibrationally direct conveyable material in a first direction and activation of another vibrator to vibrationally direct conveyable material in a second direction while at the same time the vibrators are vibrationally isolated from each other through a set of isolators.

Abstract: A conveyor having a frame that includes a vibrating frame member connected to a pivot point at one end and a drive member at the opposite end. A conveyor belt is supported by the vibrating frame member and as the drive member vibrates the frame member, the belt is vibrated to cause alignment of food product against a reference edge.

Abstract: A conveyor may include a conveyor includes a frame, a trough supported on the frame, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough. The trough has a trough wall with a first plurality of apertures, and a plurality of baffles are spaced above the first plurality of apertures in the trough wall, the baffles defining a second plurality of apertures through which air exiting the first plurality of apertures may pass.

Abstract: Means for conveying hot granular material from a loading zone to an arc melting furnace (3), comprising a horizontal trough (1), trough vibration generators that cause the granular material to move along the trough, a sluice gate (4) to regulate the material flow in the discharge zone and a sluice gate to regulate the material flow in correspondence with the loading zone. Separating baffles (5) are arranged inside the conveyor trough defining cells in which the granular material accumulates and considerably improving the effectiveness of the action of the gases that are forced through the granular bed, for instance to prevent oxidation of the hot DRI or to perform an additional reduction process.

Abstract: The present invention is a vibratory distribution system which utilizes a metering gate assembly useful for selectively passing and diverting articles from a stream of articles to either or both a downstream conveyor or a cross conveyor. The metering gate assembly is capable of providing a proportional distribution in response to a user specified control point. The metering gate assembly includes an actuator that is borne by the conveyor bed, and a control valve that is operable to hold a slide gate in a desired position despite the violent vibratory motion imparted by the conveyor bed.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding small parts to be identified and picked up and a part handling apparatus and sorting apparatus including the feeding device. The feeding device includes a picking platform, a dispenser arranged to dispense the parts to the picking platform, and a return member. The feeding device also includes a decelerator connected to the dispenser to reduce the speed of the part to be fed to the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorting device and method for sorting granulated mass containing varied materials, such as granulated mass containing varied materials, such as granulated electronic scrap. According to the invention, the sorting device comprises a planar, elongated trough conveyor (1) having at least a first elongated and vertical edge (2, 3, 4); a feeding device (5) for feeding the mass into the first end (6) of the trough conveyor, a vibrator (9) provided with a motor (7) and an eccentric (8), whose rotation axis (10) is disposed in a plane deviating from the plane defined by the trough conveyor so that the mass proceeds obliquely forwards in the trough conveyor towards the first edge and second end (11); a first suction device (12) for removing the lightest surface portion of the mass near the edge, a guide (13) which is oblique with respect to the edge for bringing apart the mass flow from the edge; as well as a mechanical separator member (14) for dividing the mass flow into two parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the alignment and location of a sample (7), such as pills or tablets, for carrying out a further method step, such as a hardness test, with the aid of two opposing jaws (2, 3, 21), which may be moved relative to each other, the movable compression jaw (2) of which displaces the sample (7) along a guide track on to the fixed counter-jaw (3, 21), in order to begin the further method step with the sample (7). The forward movement of the movable compressing jaw (2), along with the sample (7) towards the fixed counter-jaw (3, 21) is continuously interrupted, the compressing jaw (2) being drawn backwards and driven forwards, such that the sample oscillates about the rest position thereof and then the compressing jaw (2) continues the movement towards the counter-jaw (3, 21) until the sample (7) reaches said counter-jaw (21).

Abstract: In a machine for filling capsules, a hopper containing the capsules is mounted to rotate about a respective first axis of rotation, so as to move about the first axis a number of feed channels, each of which receives the capsules successively from the hopper, and has a longitudinal second axis forming an angle of other than 90° with a reference plane perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to an in-feed control and dispersion apparatus, in the field of fresh food product industry. The apparatus receives a product from an in-feed device and delivers it to one or more receiver units. The apparatus includes a first product dispersion device, a weighing device and a second product dispersion device. Each first and second product dispersion device includes a base structure with a multiple through holes or slots, through which one or more associated moveable protruding structures move. During use of the apparatus, the top surface of the protruding structure is never moved lower than the bottom surface of the base structure.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a feeder bowl for receiving items to be dispensed, and a first vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl. the dispenser also includes a plurality of dispensing paths positioned around the feeder bowl, and a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths. Moreover, the dispensing paths include a second vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths proportionately to a physical characteristic of each of the items, such that the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.