Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a conveyance member, and a sheet member. The housing forms a conveyance path along which toner is conveyed. The conveyance member is supported by the housing. The conveyance member rotates about a rotation axis thereof to convey the toner. The sheet member is disposed on a contact region of the housing where the conveyance member comes in contact with the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material includes an outlet opening with a perforated cover. A rotatable applicator dispenses material through the perforated cover and may include brushes that sweep across and penetrate the openings of the perforated cover. The housing may also contain a feed roller for regulating the flow of the material and one or more commutators for fractionating the material.

Abstract: A feeder with variable rhomboidal walls includes a base housing, a soft hopper, a plurality of extrusion mechanisms, a pusher screw pole, a motor, and a decelerator. The extrusion mechanisms are respectively provided at four appropriate positions of the soft hopper, and are activated by protruding wheels with the aid of the motor in conjunction with the decelerator, so that the four extrusion mechanisms operate in pairs to squeeze the soft hopper while rendering a rhomboidal space change. Accordingly, a bridge effect associated with the prior art is eliminated to allow a raw material to fall and then to be dispensed by the pusher screw rod for further processing.

Abstract: The invention proposes a dosing device (1) for the preparation of a food composition comprising supply means (2) for providing a soluble powder, a dosing member (3) which is rotatably mounted and which comprises at least one recessed portion (4) for receiving powder supplied by the supply means (2) in a first rotational position and discharging powder in a second rotational position, and tapping means (5) driven by the rotation of the dosing member (3) and designed to induce a reciprocating force on the supply means (2).

Abstract: A dosing device for bulk goods comprises a mounting frame (2) in which a trough (4) with a dosing screw (28) is arranged, a drive motor (30) and at least one first vibrating paddle (48). The trough (4) comprises two opposing sidewalls (14, 16), of which at least one flexible sidewall (14) is flexible and the vibrating paddle (48) is arranged on said flexible sidewall (14). The upper edges of said sidewalls (14, 16) are not parallel to each other. A significant improvement in mass flow may be achieved, with a particularly effective prevention of cavity formation, whereby any bulk goods bridges which are formed are rapidly and effectively broken. Even bulk goods which have a clearly poor flow characteristic and tend to clump or stick to the trough sidewalls can be dosed without problems.

Abstract: A particle flow enhancer for a bulk bin flex or rigid auger system having a boot and an unloader with a rotating shaft extending through the unloader. The particle flow enhancer including a frame, a drive axle and a striker arm. The frame is attached to the boot of the bulk bin auger system, preferably using some of the same holes used to attach the unloader to the boot. The drive axle is supported by the frame and is driven by the rotating shaft of the bulk bin auger system; the bulk bin auger system providing the power for the particle flow enhancer. The drive axle periodically actuates the striker arm which causes the striker arm to tap the boot of the bulk bin auger system and enhance the flow of particles.

Abstract: Material dispensing apparatus includes an elongate hopper having a flexible apertured bottom, and an agitator bar mounted for rotation within the hopper having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending rods supported on a rotating stabilizer shaft for material dispensing contact with the apertured bottom. The contact between the longitudinally extending rods and the flexible apertured bottom moves the bottom of the hopper in both an up-and-down and side-to-side direction such that the holes in the bottom change shape and material contained within the hopper is both vibrated and pushed through the apertures in the bottom of the hopper onto a product underlying the hopper. The apparatus is designed to dispense moist pre-sized powder-like materials that tend to agglomerate and adhere together.

Abstract: An elongate, horizontally upwardly opening particulate material storing receptacle with vertical front and end walls, upwardly projecting side walls, a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a material discharge opening at the front end of the receptacle, an elongate auger extending longitudinally within the receptacle from the rear wall to the discharge opening, a driven shaft on the auger and projecting rearwardly from the receptacle; and, a drive motor unit drivingly coupled with the driven shaft, the improvements comprise: mounting structure pivotally supporting the upper rear end of the receptacle about a horizontal transverse turning axis spaced vertically from the axis of the shaft, a cam plate with circumferentially spaced, rearwardly disposed lobes and recesses positioned rearward of the receptacle and carried by the shaft; and, a forwardly disposed reaction pose mounted rearward of the plate and in reacting driving engagement therewith to sequentially pivot the receptacle about the turning axis when

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle dispensing apparatus comprising, an elongate transport guide apertured along its length; a transport device within the guide for transporting particles introduced through an entrance port into the guide and along the guide until they fall through the apertures to the outside of the guide; an elastic plate is secured to the guide, has a shaped edge portion partially covered with the opening area of the aperture in the guide and the guide is supported so as to be free to move in response to vibratory forces.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing solid snack foods and the like comprises a closed container defining a chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with a snack food. A measuring cup is mounted on the container for receiving a measured quantity of the snack food. A combined dispensing tray and chute is pivotally mounted on the measuring cup to normally close an open bottom thereof and is moveable to an open position for discharging the measured quantity of foodstuff. An elongated screw conveyor, having flexible blades, is mounted in the container, between the chamber and measuring cup, and is adapted to be manually turned to convey the measured quantity of foodstuff into the measuring cup. A baffle is movably mounted in the chamber and responsive to rotation of the screw conveyor to shake the foodstuff onto the screw conveyor and to prevent clogging and breakage.

Abstract: The metering device for powdered material comprises a storage container (10) for the powdered material and a discharge opening in the bottom of the storage container which is opened and closed, respectively, by a closing mechanism (12). The powdered material flows through the discharge opening into a drawing cup (13). In order to obtain a defined bulk density of the powdered material in the drawing cup (13), a vibration mechanism (14) imparts vibrations to the metering device when the discharge opening (11) is open. The closing mechanism (12) can be designed in the manner of a blade diaphragm, and in that case the closing mechanism (12) can be actuated by a grooved disk (17) which at the same time is a part of the vibration mechanism (14).

Abstract: An ingredient feeder for adding a first ingredient to a second ingredient including a hopper for receiving and discharging the first ingredient and a rotating auger located within the hopper. A portion of the auger extends out of the hopper and is surrounded by an auger housing. The auger housing has a discharge opening formed therein. A hollow chamber funnel is pivotally mounted to the auger housing and surrounds the discharge opening. A metering wheel housing, having a metering wheel therein, is positioned beneath the auger housing and the funnel directs a first ingredient into an inlet of the metering wheel housing. A passage extends below an outlet of the metering wheel housing and is in fluid communication therewith. The first ingredient is discharged from the metering wheel housing outlet into a second ingredient flowing through the passage. The funnel is oscillated relative to the auger housing.

Abstract: The invention provides an agitator for releasing powder toner through a bottom opening of a hopper. The agitator has a screen for placing over the opening and an element which, when positioned in the hopper, is in contact with the upper surface of the screen. Toner normally bridges the openings in the screen so that there is normally no flow through the screen and the element is operable to brush over the upper surface of the screen to break down the bridging locally, thereby effectively sifting powder toner through the screen. On stopping the element, the toner again bridges the openings and flow of toner stops. The invention also provides a feeder which magnetically transports toner received from the hopper, and an applicator which takes the toner magnetically from the feeder and transports the toner to the point of use.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing dry powdered material including a hopper having a trough shaped bottom and a dispensing outlet at one end of the bottom wall, a feed auger for feeding material along the bottom and an agitator wheel mounted for rotation in an upright plane through the auger and meshing with the auger for rotation thereby. Reciprocating agitators are mounted in the hopper at opposite sides of the agitator wheel for movement along paths generally paralleling the auger and actuator members are provided on the wheel arranged to engage abutments on the agitator members to move the agitator members in one direction. Springs are provided on the agitator members to return the agitator members in the opposite direction until stops on the agitator members engage brackets on the hopper with an impact to jar and loosen material that may cling to the walls of the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously metering soil into moving containers is provided. Two synchronated rotating bladed wheels dispense soil from a hopper into flats of pots moving on a conveyor in a coordinated manner beneath the wheels. The hopper is vibrated by impingement of the wheel blades against the lower portion of the hopper and the containers are agitated by movement of a frame against the conveyor underside.

Abstract: A water limer includes a hopper which is periodically impacted to vibrate and loosen the lime and dispense it from an adjustable opening into water flowing beneath the hopper. Periodic impacting is effected by the pretreated water driving a water wheel which periodically rocks a pivot bar. The pivot bar impacts against a dispenser plate which imparts vibrations to the side of the hopper to thereby vibrate and dispense the lime.

Abstract: A grinder apparatus for destroying disposable hypodermic syringes, needles, and the like having a feeder valve for delivering varying sized objects to a grinder which has a plurality of flexibly connected grinding means attached to a rotating shaft and an arcuate screen cooperating with the grinding means to facilitate comminuting of articles supplied by the feeder means.

Abstract: A hand tool for dispensing particulate matter includes a scoop and a handle. Structure for vibrating the scoop are provided on the scoop itself or in the handle. Vibration of the scoop causes movement of particulate material in the scoop progressively to the open end of the scoop so that the particulate material can be dispensed from the scoop in a controlled manner.