Abstract: Components with improved erosion resistance are disclosed. A surface of the component or a substrate of the component is modified by coating the substrate with an elastomer layer. The elastomer layer is then modified by embedding hard particles onto an outer side of the elastomer layer. The hard particles exhibit higher fractured toughness providing enhanced erosion protection. The elastic properties of the elastomer experience little reduction because the surface embedded particles are located only at the outer side or outer surface of the elastomer layer. Therefore, the bond between the inner side of the elastomer layer and the substrate or component surface is not interfered with and the potential for electro-chemical corrosion and poor adhesion are not increased by the presence of the hard particles as the hard particles are located away from the inner face between the elastomer layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A screening system (10) comprising at least one first substantially annular screen support (11) and a second substantially annular screen support (12); at least one pressure rod (14), which braces the screen supports (11, 12) with each other in such a manner that a compressive stress is produced between the screen supports (11, 12); at least one substantially cylindrical outer screen surface (13), which is clamped between the screen supports (11, 12); and at least one resonator (15) for the introduction of ultrasonic vibrations directly into the screen surface (13). The resonator (15) may be fastened to the screen surface (13) and essentially runs from the first screen support (11) to the second screen support (12). An eddy-current screening machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sieve cleaners (1) for cleaning a sieve surface (2) of a sieve box (3), which sieve box contains a sieve surface (2) and bottom (4). The sieve cleaners (1) contain a wobble foot (5), which extends along a main axis (A) of the sieve cleaner (1) and is designed such that the wobble foot can be placed onto the sieve bottom (4) and the sieve cleaner (1) can be tipped about the wobble foot (5). At least one cleaning element (6) has a cleaning region (7), and each cleaning region (7) has a plurality of cleaning surfaces (8) for cleaning the sieve surface (2). The cleaning surfaces (8) are each designed for at least linear contact with the sieve surface (2) and are separated from one another by slots (9) formed in the cleaning region (7). Sieve units and methods for upgrading or converting a sieve box are also disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting powder comprises a hopper. The hopper is arranged on a stand and it has an inlet for receiving powder as well as an outlet for dispensing powder. A vibrator is attached to the hopper and the hopper is suspended to the stand via spring means.

Abstract: An oscillation sieve, including a screen; an oscillator oscillating the screen to sieve a material; a feeder feeding the material onto the screen; a collector collecting the material having passed the screen; a remover removing the material not having passed the screen therefrom; a guide member fixed on the screen, guiding the material fed from the feeder and not having passed the screen to the remover, wherein the guide member is spiral member formed of an elastic material capable of following the oscillating screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasound screening with a screen frame a screen fabric arranged in the screen frame with at least one ultrasound converter for producing ultrasonic vibrations. Ultrasonic vibrations may be introduced into the screen fabric via sound-conducting connection with the ultrasound converter, and the location of the screen fabric at which the introduction of the ultrasonic vibrations into the screen fabric may be varied.

Abstract: A collapsible sifter having a substantially rigid annular top rim, a substantially rigid annular bottom ring, a flexible annular middle portion having two or more living hinges to collapse the sifter from an open configuration to a collapsed configuration and a removably attachable bottom implement. First and second cooperating elements, associated with the annular bottom ring and the bottom implement, are used to removably attach the bottom implement to the bottom annular ring.

Abstract: A sifter attachment for a stand mixer that sifts directly into a mixer bowl. Sifting can be done simultaneously while mixing wet mix. The sifting attaches to and is driven by an auxiliary hub of the mixer. The hopper body is in close physical proximity with the mixer's mixing chamber, and as circumscribes at least a portion of the outer sidewall of the mixer's body and narrows to a discharge in fluid communication with the mixing chamber's upper opening.

Abstract: A conveyor device has a sequence of two vibrating screens vertically separated (d) from each other and supplying an alignment bowl, to eliminate chips and residue from nuclear fuel pellets stored in bulk in a boat and to align them in order to fill fuel rods. Due to these two screens, pellets are set aside and turned over, and chips are efficiently separated in a pot, without any congestion of the system.

Abstract: An extra-large vibrating screen with duplex statically indeterminate mesh beam excitation body and plate type combined bearing beam comprises plate type flat and rigid statically indeterminate combined bearing beam (12) arranged in a screen box (1), a plurality of Y-shaped statically indeterminate combined reinforcing beams (5) arranged on the side plates (3) of the screen box alternately, duplex statically indeterminate supporting plates (22) linking a plurality of mesh beams (21) to the statically indeterminate connecting plate (4) and the side plate (3) so as to form a container made of a beam system, the vibration exciters (10) in the statically indeterminate mesh beam unit comprising eight sets of vibration exciters, which are aligned in pair horizontally and linked together through universal couplings (9), and connected to the duplex statically indeterminate mesh beam excitation body (11) to form a highly rigid integral vibrating assembly.

Abstract: A device and method for transporting and handling catalyst for a chemical reactor.

Abstract: In a food processing line, the equipment which is likely to fragment on breakage contains magnetically susceptible particles which are separated from the food by a magnetic separation stage. When the equipment is a starch carrying tray, the molding mix contains 5-50% of magnetic filler, such as magnetite. Reinforcement with glass fiber and jute fiber modifies the compositions for moulding the trays. Molding mixes based on polypropylene and thermosetting resins are described. A processing line using starch trays has a conveyor for food items and a conveyor for the starch in which the food items are molded. Both have magnetic separators.

Abstract: A sieve includes a rectangular reservoir that has a screen bottom. The sieve also includes a first side flange that is positioned on one side of the reservoir and a second side flange that is positioned on the opposite side of the reservoir. The reservoir is adapted to fit within a container where the two side flanges extend over and rest on opposite sides of the container. The reservoir is movable within the container, whereby, when the powdered substance is inserted into the sieve, the sieve sifts the reusable powdered substance from the non-reusable powdered substance.

Abstract: A portable processing plant apparatus is transported to a location convenient to a freight supplier or like destination and then set up to receive gross agricultural commodities and discharge clean agricultural commodities into a clean commodity receptacle, such as a rail car. A batch of commodity from a farm location is received into a storage bin. The batch is conveyed in a stream through a gross scale, cleaning module, and net scale and into a receptacle, such as a rail car. A gap is created between the stream of one batch and the stream of the next, and a computer is operative to control flow of the commodity streams. The computer can store batch identity information, and record the source farm location of the commodity in each receptacle.

Abstract: Blending methods for adding and uniformly mixing a small fraction of relatively small particles (additives) to a bulk particulate powder of larger size than the additives. In particular, the present invention provides blending methods for adding and uniformly mixing a small percentage of flow/fluidization additives into fine powders, especially fine paint powders. The fine powder and additives are first pre-mixed for macro-scale homogeneity and then further mixed at a micro-scale (such as with a screen mixing process) for micro-scale homogeneity. With these methods, optimum dispersions and maximum functionalities of additives can be obtained and the disadvantages caused by severe agglomerates of additives can be avoided.

Abstract: At the end of an array of rollers of a spreading head for wood particles for the production of mats to form particleboard, rollers of the array are driven at a higher speed than the rollers of the fine-particle spreading portion and baffles are provided below the higher speed rollers to scatter the particles backwardly into the fine-particle region and form an intimate mixture of the coarse and fine particles.

Abstract: A dischargeable storage device instantaneously moveable between a store position and a discharge position. The dischargeable storage device includes a deck having a pair of pivotable trap doors. Each door has a guide post. The dischargeable storage device has a plunger having two guide channels. The plunger is moveable within the aperture. Each guide channel is adapted to cooperate with one of the guide posts such that when the plunger is depressed, the guide posts travel along the guide channels allowing the trap doors to open. An apparatus for for evenly distributing portions of food having a dischargeable storage device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flour sifter includes a sifter unit detachably supported on a stand that houses an electric motor and speed reducer. The speed reducer output shaft has a disconnectable connection with an agitator shaft that extends transversely within the sifter tube, such that when the motor is energized the agitator is rotated to pulverize flour particles located on a sifter screen in the sifter tube. Flour particles gravitate through screen openings into a collection receptacle placed below the sifter tube. The sifter unit can be removed from the stand for cleaning or storage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for concentrating fine or broken particles to separate a particle stream into at least one stream which is concentrated in fine or broken particles and at least one stream with a reduced concentration of fine or broken particles. In addition to introduction and extraction structure, the apparatus includes at least two separator stages each comprising at least one funnel with an inclined or substantially vertical axis which opens upwardly, located beneath an inlet to collect the particles. The funnel is connected to at least one deflector which is directed downwardly to allow particles to flow under gravity and to form a bank of particles at the level of the funnel.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleaning, distributing and aereating grain is mounted in a storage structure and includes a frustro-conical screen device secured symetrically to an imperforate funnel-shaped member. A fan assembly is secured to the funnel-shaped body and is provided with a conduit which extends to the exterior. An adjustable control spout permits uniform distribution of grain upon the screen device where the fine material passes through the apertures in the screen while the grain is discharged into the storage structure. After the cleaning and distribution of steps are completed, the apparatus will then be inverted to position the screen device in the concave crater of the grain pile while positioning the funnel shaped body and fan assembly uppermost. The fan assembly will be energized to aereate the grain and present damage due to mold or fungus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibratory sieve for separation of fibrous materials from materials containing them, the vibratory sieve comprising a sieve body and a mechanism for imparting vibration to the sieve, the sieve body including a screen to be vibrated by the mechanism, the sieve being adapted to convey a mixture of water and the materials containing the fibrous materials onto the screen through meshes of which finer particles and water are passed by the vibration of the screen, leaving the fibrous materials on the screen, the sieve being characterized in that the sieve is provided with an annular member which is movable on the screen surface by the vibration of the screen and whose movement is confined by an inlet member in such a way that the mixture of water and the materials containing the fibrous materials is placed inside the annular member.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleaning, distributing and aereating grain is mounted in a storage structure and includes a frustro-conical screen device secured symetrically to an imperforate funnel-shaped member. A fan assembly is secured to the funnel-shaped body and is provided with a conduit which extends to the exterior. An adjustable control spout permits uniform distribution of grain upon the screen device where the fine material passes through the apertures in the screen while the grain is discharged into the storage structure. After the cleaning and distribution of steps are completed, the apparatus will then be inverted to position the screen device in the concave crater of the grain pile while positioning the funnel shaped body and fan assembly uppermost. The fan assembly will be energized to aereate the grain and present damage due to mold or fungus.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for evenly distributing food particles over a base food, and in particular is directed to apparatus for evenly distributing a predetermined quantity of cheese particles upon a pizza. The apparatus includes a conical screen supported above the pizza upon which cheese is to be distributed and comminuted cheese particles located within a hopper above the screen are dropped in a mass upon the screen and distributed by gravitational force in an even pattern over the pizza.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible grain cleaner and spreader apparatus is used to evenly spread and clean grain or similar crops as the grain is introduced into a storage structure. The grain cleaner and spreader apparatus comprises a vertically disposed grain receiver which distributes grain to be dried over a frusto-conically shaped perforated screen device. A funnel-shaped body engages the perforated screen device and has a fan assembly connected thereto. Grain is evenly distributed over the screen device into the storage structure. Debris, chaff, bees wings, dirt, and weevils pass through the screen device, funnel-shaped member, and fan assembly and are discharged exteriorly of the storage structure through a conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading open top grain hopper rail cars and trucks which eliminates the buildup of a core of small material and grains directly beneath the load out spout. Also, the grain will not build up heat as easily with the core eliminated and a more representative sample, for grading purposes, can be obtained from the hopper car or truck. The spout line buster is a small, stove-shaped chamber which attaches to the end of a grain load out spout and is lowered about six inches into the hopper rail car or truck being loaded. The grain passes through the down spout and enters the spout line buster where the flow of the grain is directed and slowed by a series of baffles or flow guides. In the model designed for loading hopper rail cars, the grain strikes a screen assembly consisting of a cone screen and two diagonal screens.

Abstract: A device for loading granular material containing some foreign matter into a container, such as a railroad car, has upper and lower chutes arranged in parallel. The upper chute has a bottom screen for allowing the foreign matter to fall through to the lower chute. The grain flow remaining on the upper chute is discharged down the center of the car and fills toward the sides, while the foreign matter falling to the lower chute is distributed evenly by sidewardly extending wings out toward the sides and in towards the center of the car. By the operation of the device, the foreign matter carried in the grain is evenly distributed and mixed throughout the car, and the tendency of the foreign matter to concentrate along the center under the hatchway of the car is prevented. A sample of the grain taken from the hatchway of the car thereby contains a truer percentage of foreign matter to grain than would occur by conventional loading devices.

Abstract: A sifter has a casing that is detachably coupled with a screen unit that also has a casing. A sifter handle is configured for detachable coupling to a conventional electric knife drive.

Abstract: A vibrating conveyor for delivering a stream of green pellets having a predetermined average diameter to a conveying surface of a wide belt conveyor. The vibrating conveyor has a vibrating deck having a discharge edge and conveys the green pellets along a conveyance path to the discharge edge. The discharge edge extends at an acute angle to the conveyance path. A series of elongated distributing bars or rows of bosses protrude upwardly from an upper surface of the deck along the entire conveyance path and extend along lines transverse to, and spaced along, the conveyance path, the elongated distributing bars or bosses having a height of 7.5 to 30 mm.

Abstract: A control system of particulate material treatment plant comprising screening means which produces undersize and oversize fractions and which is controllable to vary one size fraction relatively to the other size fraction, preparation or dense medium washer means producing a relatively low ash oversize fraction and a relatively high ash oversize fraction and two storage bunkers for the undersize fraction and for the relatively low ash oversize fraction, respectively, the control system comprising sensor means for sensing the amounts of particulate material in each of the two storage bunkers and for deriving signals indicative of the sensed amounts, control means receive the derived signals and control the operation of the screening means in accordance with the received signals.

Abstract: An arrangement for piling a bulky material of different grain sizes has one central and two lateral passages, a guiding element located upstream of the passages and arranged to guide a flow of a bulky material toward the lateral passages, and grate elements located between the guiding element and a respective one of the passages and arranged so that the fine portion of the material passes through each of the grate elements into a respective one of the lateral passages, whereas the coarse grain portion of the material is guided over the grate elements so as to pass into the central passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating clumps of adherent dried fruits or the like, the apparatus having a pair of planar friction members mounted in downwardly convergent, facing relation for independent elevational movements to receive clumps of fruit therebetween and having a driving mechanism for oscillating the members alternately and oppositely to separate the fruits by rubbing action of the members in engagement with clumps of the fruits received between the members.

Abstract: A flour sifter has an upright cylinder within the interior of which a screen is disposed generally transversely to cooperate with an agitator movable over the screen to effect the sifting of flour therethrough. Affixed across the lower end of the cylinder is a first plate which includes a circumferentially-spaced first series of openings successively separated by respectively interposed first panels. A second plate, juxtaposed with the first plate, is movable about an axis extending centrally of the cylinder and includes a circumferentially-spaced second series of openings again successively separated by respectively interposed second panels. Those second openings are alignable with the first openings upon movement of the second plate to one position and are alignable with the first panels upon movement of the second plate to another position.

Abstract: A device which can efficiently broadcast oil sorbent materials at a contred rate, uniformly over an oil slick for the purpose of removing the oil from the water's surface. The device comprises a rotating cylinder of wire mesh having a moving endless belt disposed therein. The endless belt uniformly distributes the sorbent material within the wire mesh cylinder. The sorbent material is dropped onto the oil slick at a controlled rate by the rotating wire mesh cylinder.