Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the removal of oversized contaminants from particulate material the is particularly suitable for the removal of contaminants from low density, high surface area particulate materials. The removal of contaminants is accomplished during the transfer of the particulate material from its storage or transport container to a receiving container. The apparatus comprises an assembly having a weir, a trap disposed adjacent said weir, a screen o for separating particulate material from oversized contaminants, a baffle, and an opening through which particulate material will flow freely. The weir has a weir trap flange extending laterally from a weir wall. The trap is configured to capture contaminants if the container to which the assembly is secured is maneuvered to initiate the flow of the particulate material from the container to the receiving container. When so maneuvered, the lowermost portion of the trap in the proximity of the flow of the particulate materials subtends the weir.

Abstract: A sifter for removing dough balls from breading, the sifter comprising a basket having foranamous side and bottom walls, the bottom wall being of conical configuration tapering downwardly to a centrally disposed discharge opening surrounded by a pair of spaced apart concentric annular walls projecting upwardly from the bottom wall and closed by a cover, spaced apart openings extending upwardly from the bottom edges of the annular walls of a size to pass dough balls therethrough, the openings in one of the annular walls being offset circumferentially with respect to the openings in the other annular wall, the annular walls serving as barriers to the passage of breading toward the discharge opening but permitting dough balls to pass inwardly for discharge as the basket is oscillated.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispersing solid particles in a liquid vehicle utilizing a separator surrounding an agitating shaft and having a filter screen surrounding the separator and agitator structure disposed in close association with the separator said agitator structure comprising a pair of axially spaced radially extending slinger agitator members and further including agitator bars which extend between the slinger agitator members whereby to prevent dispersing media from clogging the filter screen which forms part of the rotor separator. The apparatus is also provided with a frusto conical construction on the inside of the mixing vessel which is adjacent the rotor separator so that dispersing media coming in contact therewith will be directed back toward the middle of the mixing vessel. In addition provision is made for adjusting the position of the rotor separator on the shaft to adjust the gap in the gap seal.

Abstract: A screen drum and a method for its manufacture is disclosed wherein the screen drum comprises at least two cylindrical screen members spaced apart, between which a stiffening ring is disposed. The stiffening ring has two cylindrical surfaces which guide the ends of the cylindrical screen members, and a projecting part between them. The cylindrical screen members and the stiffening ring are attached to each other by a weld joint connecting the projecting part of the stiffening ring and the ends of the cylindrical screen members and filling the gap between them.

Abstract: A breading apparatus including a table structure, an open top breading pan supported on the table structure, the pan having a central opening in the bottom with a removable closure so that flour or the like may be deposited in the pan and pieces of foods, such as chicken, may be placed in the flour and by manual manipulation the pieces of food are covered with flour, a removable catch pan supported by the table structure below the breading pan, and a sifter apparatus supported by the table structure between the breading pan and the catch pan, the sifter apparatus including an upright basket holder supported on the table structure and rotatable about a vertical axis, a motor supported by the table structure, a crank arm rotated by the motor, a connecting rod extending between the crank arm and the basket holder so that when the motor is energized the basket holder is reciprocated about its vertical axis, and an open top cylindrical sifter having foraminous cylindrical sidewalls and a removable foraminous botto