Abstract: Method of emptying a powder or like material out of a container.The powder (9) is conveyed out of the container (1) from its free upper surface by means of a stream of carrier air in a carrier-air pipe (6; 10; 12) provided with openings for the powder. The emptying is facilitated by means of a stream of secondary air from a secondary-air pipe (7; 11; 13). The container is rotated so that the fixed carrier-air pipe may come into the vicinity of the surface of the powder.

Abstract: A row seed planter for planting seeds in a prepared furrow in home gardens having a ground-engaging wheel-like seed reservoir and dispenser rotatable subassembly rotatably journaled on the lower end of an elongated handle member adapted to be hand-grasped near an upper end thereof and extend upwardly and rearwardly from the rotatable subassembly. The rotatable subassembly includes a rigid flat annular ground-engaging disc member having a large diameter center hole therethrough, a seed housing shell structure defining a seed chamber of predetermined capacity communicating with the center hole, a seed elevating disc fixed to the opposite side of the ground-engaging disc member from the seed chamber forming an opposite side closure wall for the center hole, and a single apertured seed discharge disc plate mounted closely adjacent the seed elevating disc and restrained against rotation relative to the handle member.

Abstract: A mounting structure for the granulate hopper of the injection unit of an injection molding machine which is convertible for use with a selectively horizontally or vertically oriented injection unit, the structure comprising two joined, rotatable tubular connectors each with an oblique end face, the lower connector being seated on an inclined face of the mounting hub which holds the plastification cylinder, and the upper connector carrying the hopper. The latter consists of a conical lower hopper portion and a cylindrical upper hopper portion which is inclined against the former so as to have one common straight side line which is vertical in both configurations. Conversion adjustment is accomplished through rotation of the lower connector and of the hopper by 180.degree..

Abstract: A material discharge regulating gate, for a rotating material processing drum, having a vertical circular member having a diameter larger than the discharge end of the drum, the circular member having a continuous surface with a material discharge opening therein, and means for rotatably mounting the circular member adjoining the discharge end of the rotatable drum.Apparatus comprising a rotatable material processing cylindrical drum having a substantially horizontal axis and a circular discharge open end, a material discharge regulating gate adjoining the discharge end of the drum, said gate comprising a vertical circular member having a diameter larger than the discharge end of the rotatable drum, the circular member having a continuous surface with a material discharge opening therein, and means for rotatably mounting the circular member adjoining the discharge end of the rotatable drum to rotate independent of the drum.

Abstract: A feeder for particulate solid material uses a metering rotor for continuously metering the feed rate. A continuous groove around the rotor is formed between axially spaced lands, and the rotor is oriented for rotating around a horizontal axis. The material is continuously dropped onto an upper region of the rotor at a rate substantially greater than the metering rate of the feeder for continuously overfilling the groove with material. A scraper extends over the groove between the lands in the upper region for scraping away excess material to give the material remaining in the groove a predetermined and continuous shape as the rotor turns. An output conveyor continuously receives material falling from the groove as the material turns with the rotor past the upper region.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic material dispenser of the type wherein material is dropped from the periphery of a rotating element into adjacent axially spaced material collecting passages of a collector and an air supply propels the material through discharge tubes attached to the collector to remote locations, the improvement being a plenum chamber which receives the air supply and feeds it to the collecting passages through air passages at a point remote from the material entry thereinto.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fibers for use in the making of fibrous concrete is disclosed in which the fibers are dispensed from an elongated web which has been coiled with the fibers placed within the layers of the coils. The individual concrete reinforcing fibers are deposited in a uniform layer on an elongated web, which is then coiled to form a package. The dispensing device supports a spindle on which the coiled package is placed. The end of the coil of the package is wound around a second spindle which is driven by a rotary motor, and as the web is progressively uncoiled and wound around this second spindle, the fibers are discharged from between the convolutions of the coil.

Abstract: A portable ice dispenser for dispensing cubed or crushed ice from a receptacle into a container, such as a glass or the like, automatically when the glass is placed under a discharge chute on the front of the ice dispenser. The ice dispenser includes a thermally insulated cylindrical ice receptacle which includes a discharge opening in a front wall. The cylindrical receptacle is rotatably mounted about a generally horizontal concentric axis by a frame and includes a drive train for rotating the receptacle about the horizontal axis. An on-off switch is provided below the discharge opening in the receptacle for engagement by a glass placed under the opening which contacts and closes the switch to start the receptacle rotating. A plurality of internal, inwardly radially directed, fins are provided within the receptacle to agitate and carry the ice particles therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particulate material or a viscous liquid which consists of a cylindrical material container section, a frustoconical chamber and an end plate mounted so as to separate the container and chamber. The container and chamber are rotated about an inclined longitudinal axis by an electric motor and gear drive; while the end plate is stationary. The end plate defines a circumferential inlet for passing material from the container to chamber outlet and agitates the material to prevent lumping. An agitating probe mounted in the circumferential inlet and a fixed scouring brush are also employed to ensure proper flow.

Abstract: Reserve fuel tank for motor vehicles and the like includes an air-tight reservoir having inlet and outlet tubes so that it can be connected between the main fuel tank and the engine or other fuel consumer. In a main feed position the outlet opens from an upper region and the reservoir is automatically filled with fuel by the flow from the inlet, and preferably said flow impinges on the outlet so that some fuel passes straight through. In a reserve feed position structure of the device is rearranged so that the outlet opens from a lower region to draw fuel from the reservoir, for example by inverting the reservoir, or inverting or lowering an outlet tube or a combined outlet and inlet tube. A simple and cheap construction is provided, avoiding the need for valves or cocks.