Abstract: A screening system with knocking devices includes a screen panel support, connector bars, knocking devices, and screen panels. The knocking devices are generally spherical-shaped balls held by elastic arms connected to the connector bars. When the screening system is activated by moving material onto the screen panels and vibrating the screen panel support, the knocking devices bounce around the undersurface of the screen panels and prevent the build-up or jamming of material blocking the openings in the screen panels. The knocking device and screen panels are separate so that when one of those elements becomes defective, the screening system can be fixed without replacing both elements.

Abstract: A self-clearing rotary screening system (300, 300?, 300?, 300??) includes a frame (110) having a longitudinally extending axis (112). The frame (110) includes a plurality of longitudinally extending frame members (114) disposed in angularly spaced relationship, one with respect to another, about the axis (112). The system (300, 300?, 300?, 300??) includes a plurality of screening members (116) fixed between respective pairs of the plurality of frame members (114) to define a longitudinally extending cavity (118). A drive system (120) is coupled to the frame (110) for rotating the frame (110) about the axis (112). The system (300, 300?, 300?, 300??) includes a plurality of displaceable members (210, 210?, 310, 410) pivotally coupled to respective portions of the frame (110). The displaceable members (210, 210?, 310, 410) are displaced responsive to rotation of the frame (110) about the axis (112).

Abstract: An industrial sieving or screening machine has a resonator rod on the separator screen. The rod extends between two spaced ends and has a transducer located at one end to excite the rod over its length to assist with deblinding the screen. The rod may be spiral in shape or shaped with other smoothly blended complex curves such as an S-shape. A spiral rod resonator fixed to the top of the sieve screen may be used as a guide for material to be screened.

Abstract: An industrial sieving or screening machine has a resonator rod on the separator screen. The rod extends between two spaced ends and has a transducer located at one end to excite the rod over its length to assist with deblinding the screen. The rod may be spiral in shape or shaped with other smoothly blended complex curves such as an S-shape. A spiral rod resonator fixed to the top of the sieve screen may be used as a guide for material to be screened.

Abstract: A the operation of pulp screening apparatus may be improved by employing a multi element foil having a leading foil section and a trailing foil section spaced from and trailing leading section so that adjacent surfaces of the sections one formed by a portion of a pressure side of the leading section and the other by the leading end of the trailing foil section define opposed walls of a passage for fluid directing fluid flow from the pressure side of the leading foil section to a cambered low pressure side of the trailing section. The angle of attack (&agr;) of the complete multi element foil is set to be significantly less than the angle of attack (&thgr;) of the trailing foil section to increase the negative pressure pulse generated by the trailing section and thereby improve operation of the screening device.

Abstract: A spreading roll for spreading out a chip fleece for producing wood chip material or similar panels, includes two disk-shaped end pieces (3, 7), plural thin spokes (6), rods, pipes or cords arranged extending between the end pieces, and pipe-shaped loose sheaths (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged on the spokes or the like for preventing the adhesion of fibrous materials or contaminants on the spokes or the like.

Abstract: A continuous cleaning system to prevent clogging of screens in screening machines used to sort materials such as aggregates, such system comprising positioning a cleaning device such as a chain in line with the length of and on top of, a screen to be cleaned, and then using a motor assembly to rotate said cleaning device thereby moving it back and forth across the top of said screen, so that substantially the entire area of the top of said screen comes in contact with said rotating cleaning device, which taps or otherwise contacts the surface of said screen as it moves back and forth across the top of a screen deck, thereby dislodging any dust or other material that might otherwise clog or block the openings in said screen. In a preferred embodiment, a motor rotates the cleaning device which has the effect of driving it back and forth along a tight cable on which said pulley travels. The speed, power, and direction of the motor is subject to controls which may be easily set by an operator.

Abstract: A sieve insert for a cylinder sieve machine, and especially for a tumbling sieve machine. A sieve insert is provided with the features of a level sieve onto which the material to be sieved is charged, a rebound bottom substantially parallel and arranged at an interval to the sieve and carries a plurality of rebound bodies, a sieve frame for carrying the sieve, and a carrier frame carrying the rebound bottom and the sieve frame. The sieve insert is subdivided into a series of sieve segments, in which sieve frame supports the sieve segments along their contours.

Abstract: A variable frequency screening device consisting of a pair of spaced elongated side members, a flexible screen surface supported between the side members, a frame member supported between the side members and beneath a flexible screen surface, at least one striking frame shaft rotatably mounted between the elongated side members and beneath the flexible screening material, a striking frame mounted to the striking frame shaft, a second striking frame mounted to the striking frame shaft, and a motor to rotate the striking frame shaft which, in turn, causes the first and second striking frames to alternately strike the underside of the flexible screen material. The apparatus is equipped to permit the striking frames located on additional striking frame shafts to strike the screening material at independently selected amplitudes and frequencies.

Abstract: A sieve box for a particulate sifter has a pan, a screen, and a number of screen and pan clearing devices. Each device has a first member with fingers engageable with the pan to remove particulates that accumulate on the pan and a second member with fingers adapted to engage the screen to clean the screen or particulates. The first and second members have cooperating structures that movably connect the structures to allow free combined lateral movement in the sieve box and independent relative rotational, vertical and wobble movements.

Abstract: A litter screening and separating machine including a storage compartment, a loader at one end of the storage compartment for picking up encrusted litter material from the floor of a chicken house, a conveyor including a pair of chains for moving the encrusted litter from the loader to the storage compartment. A baffle plate adjacent to and beneath the conveyor chain prevents contamination of the conveyor chain. Vibrator rollers adjacent the pair of chains for engagement with tabs on spaced links of each chain for vibrating the loading flights. Trap doors beneath the upper run of the conveyor may be opened to permit some of the material collected to fall back to the floor of the poultry house. One can regulate the amount of material thus recycled by independently opening and closing the trap doors.

Abstract: A device for screening cohesive material, and for eliminating screen blinding, is disclosed. The device includes a transducer for transmitting ultrasonic frequency throughout the screen surface, with the transducer supported independently of the screen in order to prolong screen life and to lower screen replacement costs. The transducers are provided with adjustable mounting means in order to adjust the transducer position with respect to the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depithing bagasse fibers wherein a horizontal perforate surface such as a screen is provided with means for delivering bagasse onto a delivery end and the screen is given sudden vertical accelerations to accelerate the bagasse upwardly separating the pith from the fibers and driving the pith down through the perforations with the accelerations repeated at sequential localized areas along the screen.

Abstract: Classifying apparatus and methods are disclosed for the classification of extremely small solid particles of 18 mesh or less in which low frequency, high amplitude vibrations are imparted to a screen simultaneously with high frequency, low amplitude vibrations. The screen may be inclined at an angle of about 20.degree. from the horizontal and the screen mesh may be about 18 mesh or smaller and have openings which are approximately square in shape.

Abstract: A screening system incorporated into the system of sawdust collection for paper producing pulp. An upper and lower range of the sawdust particles is designated as between smaller, strength-inhibiting size particles and larger strength-enhancing size particles. A screen is provided to screen out the smaller size particles. The screen is made out of stainless steel to avoid rusting and corroding and also to more readily pass the moistened smaller size particles. The screen is sloped and agitated to induce shuffling of the sawdust mixture, the process of which results in a separation of about 50% of the particles as rejected smaller size particles and 50% as acceptable larger size particles desirable for paper producing pulp.

Abstract: A vibrating filter has a housing, top and bottom plates spaced vertically in an upper portion of the housing and defining an outlet chamber therebetween, at least one filter element dependent from the bottom plate into a filter chamber defined in the housing below the outlet chamber and a process liquid inlet into the filter chamber and a filtered liquid outlet from the outlet chamber. A vibrator containing an eccentrically movable mass, abuts and is energizable directly through the top plate, without need for energizing hoses or conduits within the outlet chamber. The vibrator connects by a slim depending member to the bottom plate carrying the filter elements.

Abstract: A litter screening and separating apparatus including a storage compartment arranged for towed movement, a loader structure affixed at one end of the storage compartment for picking up encrusted litter material from floors of chicken houses, a conveyor including a pair of chains for moving the encrusted litter from the loading structure to the storage compartment, a baffle plate adjacent and beneath the conveyor chain for preventing contamination of the conveyor chain from the material stored in the storage compartment, a plurality of loading panels arranged between the pair of chains and being replaceably affixed thereto, and vibrator rollers adjacent the pair of chains for engagement with projections on spaced links of each chain for vibrating the loading panels. The loading panels may be of solid panel construction or of expanded metal, depending upon the type of litter being picked up and the method of use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pressurized tank filter for filtering oversized solids from a liquid wherein fluid passes through a filter media on which oversized solids are collected. A doctor blade assembly is provided for biasly engaging the filter and accumulating the solids collected thereon, where upon on each rotation of the doctor blade they engage a wiper means which causes a cleaning thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibratory screening machine comprising a frame, a pair of screens mounted in the frame one beneath the other, electromagnetic vibrating drives, and two sets of pushers. Located in the frame are stops rigidly secured in relation thereto. The pushers of the first set are connected to the vibrating drives and make contact with the screen closest to the drives. The pushers of the second set are positioned within the guides in alignment with the pushers of the first set and spring-loaded against the stops in the direction of said pushers of the first set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid filtering apparatus wherein solids suspended in the liquid are accummlated to form a cake on the filter media as the liquid passes through the media. Upon the buildup of such solids, pressurization upon the liquid forces remaining liquid through the media. Such pressurization is inactivated upon excessive cake buildup, and a conduit helically wound about the outside of the filter media is expanded by air pressure. The conduit is attached at various points about its length so that it forms chord lines between such connection points. Such expansion and chording of the conduit breaks the cake from the media.

Abstract: A grain cleaning attachment is disclosed for a grain auger. The attachment includes a cylindrical vibrating portion to surround the auger flighting after removal of a portion of the auger tube. The vibrating member is sized to provide a clearance between the walls of the member and the auger flighting to permit vibratory displacement of the member. Rubber sleeves connect the vibrating member ends to free ends of the auger tube. A vibration motor is carried by the vibrating member to affect vibration of the member. A tube support member is provided comprising a pair of rigid sleeves rigidly connected to the auger tube on both a downstream and upstream side of the vibrating member. Rigid braces connect the sleeves in axial alignment. A downstream sleeve has an opening to find therethrough in communication with an interior of the tube with a blower carried on the sleeve having an intake in communication with the opening.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for removing contaminants from a fluid comprises a cylindrical body and first and second caps coupled to first and second ends of the cylindrical body. Each of the caps has an aperture therein for the flow of fluid therethrough and first and second filters are positioned within said first and second caps respectively such that a filter medium is housed within said cylindrical body and restrained by said first and second filters. The first and second filters are continuously cleaned by impinging multifaceted beads. The filter apparatus is entirely symmetrical and either the first or second cap may serve as an inlet cap while the other cap serves as an outlet.

Abstract: In an apparatus for separating particulate material of a selected size from particulate material of a smaller size, there is provided a screen assembly having a screen element for separating the particulate material. A tray assembly loosely supports impact elements in close relationship to the screen to dislodge particulate material from the apertures of the screen upon impact during operation of the apparatus which agitates the screen and tray assembly. The screen element and the tray assembly form an enclosure for the impact elements. The screen assembly and tray assembly are intermeshed and independently supported from one another and are adapted to separate upon removal from the apparatus.

Abstract: An anti-blinding grain, seed and like particulate cleaning and grading machine includes a gyrating support frame assembly, and mechanism for vibrating the assembly. Horizontally inclined opposed guide members extend along the side members of the assembly on the interior face thereof at a horizontally inclined angle to project interiorly thereof. The separating screen for separating overs and unders has side rails which are supported by the flanges which project outwardly from the side rails of a clearer ball tray to overlie the guide members. Balls trapped in the ball tray are deflected upwardly with the gyrating motion to engage the separating screen and keep it from becoming blinded. Swingable clamp shoes clamp the screen side rails and the ball tray side rails against the guide members.