Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable developer carrying member carrying a liquid developer on a carrying surface for developing an electrostatic latent image borne on an image bearing member, and an end portion restricting member, provided in contact with the developer carrying member at an end portion of the developer carrying member with respect its rotational axis direction, for restricting movement of the liquid developer in the rotational axis direction of the developer carrying member. A contact angle of the liquid developer to a side surface of the end portion restricting member on a side where the developer carrying member carries the liquid developer is larger than a contact angle of the liquid developer to the carrying surface of the developer carrying member, and the contact angle of the liquid developer to the side surface of the end portion restricting member is 45° or more.

Abstract: A powered hand-held spreader device is disclosed that has a handle that allows a user to grip and hold the device with one hand. The spreader includes an adjustable shutter, controlled by a rotary dial, to allow for distribution of a range of different granular products that require different flow rates for distribution. The granular product is contained in a hopper. The product can be distributed over various types of terrain, including, but not limited to, lawns, gardens, and paths. The spreader is driven by an electric motor actuated by a trigger. A spinning rotor plate distributes the granular product fed from the hopper. A trigger lock is optionally available to lock the trigger in the “on” position during use and to prevent actuation when the trigger is in the “off” position. An adjustable side deflector optionally can be used to control the distribution pattern of the granular product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser for bulk products, such as powdered products, for dispensing said product in a controlled and hygienic form. According to an embodiment of the invention, the dispenser assembly comprises a container (110) for storing the bulk product and is endowed with an opening (111) for filling the bulk product and an opening (112) for dispensing said bulk product; a means (200) for dispensing the bulk product in a controlled manner provided beneath said second opening; and a means (300) for receiving said dispensed bulk product.

Abstract: A frozen beverage freezer machine is provided with two side-by-side freezer cylinders containing different flowable frozen beverage products. Draw valves are provided to draw the beverages separately for dispensing separately from the two beverage freezer cylinders. An additional draw valve, generally centered relative to the freezer cylinders, is provided to draw beverages from the two cylinders simultaneously for dispensing a mix of the two beverages. Clog breaker blades are coupled to the center draw valve assembly to inhibit clogging of passageways from the frozen beverage cylinders to the center valve, to facilitate reliable flow and mixing of the two beverages when the center valve is opened to dispense the mix into a user's receiver cup.

Abstract: A food topping device for dispensing a food toppings. The food topping device includes a hopper that receives a food topping. The hopper directs the supply of the food topping onto the base plate of a discharge pan. The angle of the discharge pan relative to horizontal can be selectively adjusted. A vibration device is coupled to the discharge pan. When the vibration device is activated, the vibration of the discharge pan helps the food topping to overcome the angle of repose and flow down the base plate toward a discharge end. A screen positioned at the discharge end of the discharge pan further controls the flow of food topping from the device. The angle of the screen can be adjusted to control the discharge rate. A flow plate is positioned between the hopper and the discharge end to further control the amount of topping reaching the discharge end.

Abstract: A powder dispensing device is disclosed according to various embodiments. The powder dispenser includes a gravity bin configured to contain powder with a top opening and a smaller bottom opening. A housing coupled with and located beneath the gravity bin includes a top portion with a dosage portal. The dosage portal of the housing and the bottom opening of the gravity bin are substantially vertically misaligned. A slider that includes a dosage chamber with an opening in both the top surface and the bottom surface is included. The slider is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position the dosage chamber is substantially aligned with the dosage portal of the housing and in the second position the dosage chamber is substantially aligned with the bottom opening of the gravity bin. An actuator moves the slider between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A self-cleaning hairbrush system has a housing with a wall formed with apertures and with a hollow interior with an open end and a closed end. A core has an interior end positionable adjacent to the closed end and an exterior exposed end extending through the open end of the housing. A plurality of resilient bristles have fixed ends extending radially outward from the core and free ends extending through the apertures of the housing. A handle is operatively coupled to the closed end of the housing.

Abstract: A granular material spreader is adapted for towing behind a yard tractor. A frame upports an inverted cone which is sized to contain a supply of granular material for distribution. The bin sweep rod is carried adjacent to the inside surface of the cone, and turns a drive spring. The drive spring drives a helix, which rotates about the bin sweep rod, driving the granular material toward the narrow base of the cone. Should the helix become jammed, the drive spring snaps past the helix, rather than risk damage by forcing its movement. A bin sweep drive wheel is also driven by the revolution of the bin sweep. Movement of the wheel against the an upper portion of the outside surface of the cone moves the bin sweep rod and helix in a circular path about the inside surface of the cone. A valve at the base of the cone allows granular material to drop into a housing which defines slots about portions of its perimeter.

Abstract: A snowfall simulator which houses and dispenses artificial snow from a box-like housing 20 using agitation. The housing or dispenser has openings 32 uniformly placed on the bottom horizontal plane. Thin shredded white plastic flakes, used for snow, are placed inside and the machine which is mounted directly over the desired area. A small motor 14 is attached to the housing. A light-weight reticulated agitation plate 24, fastened to a support rod 25, resting on the inside bottom horizontal plane of housing, is pivotally connected by gear 16 and shaft 18 to motor. A series of rods 29 and paddles 31 are pivotally attached to rod 25. A series of slats are fastened to the sides of housing, just above, and perpendicular to, the agitation plate 24 and rod 25. The linear motion of the grid 24, rod 25, and push rods 29 and paddles 31, works to slowly agitate the snow flake material out of the housing through the exit holes and onto the window display, theatrical stage, display case, or event.

Abstract: A sweep arm assembly and cleanout port are provided for a dry bulk materials feeding system. A supply hopper having an outlet is disposed above a chamber such that material may flow from the hopper to the chamber. The chamber has a flat bottom surface. A feed trough is disposed below a slot in the bottom surface of the chamber such that material may flow from the chamber to the feed trough. A sweep arm is disposed in the chamber and located adjacent to the bottom surface. The sweep arm is rotated to "sweep" the material in the chamber to the slot in the bottom surface. Further, a method is provided for feeding dry bulk materials. Material to be fed is loaded into a supply hopper. Material is permitted to flow from the supply hopper into a chamber, which chamber has a flat bottom surface. Material in the chamber is swept into the feed trough. The material is swept into the feed trough by a sweep arm that is rotated in the chamber adjacent to the bottom surface of the chamber.

Abstract: A device for promoting gravity flow of zirconium tetrachloride and other non-free-flowing solids has a rotatable shaft. At least two flexible lengths have first ends attached to and axially spaced on the shaft and also distal second ends. A collar is slidably mounted on the shaft between the spaced first ends of the flexible lengths for slidable axial and circumferential movement on the shaft. At least one sweep arm has a first end pivotally attached to the collar and a second distal end attached to the second distal ends of the flexible lengths. The collar slides relative to the shaft as the sweep arm encounters resistance from bridged solids. The relative movement of the collar and shaft causes the flexible lengths to wrap around the shaft and the arms to collapse toward the shaft. A device with collapsible arms will have a minimal torque requirement. When the solids dislodge from the collapsed sweep arms, the arms extend to sweep outwardly to a maximum extent.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in collecting and distributing the balls of pitching machines includes a collection box having a plurality of outlet openings, and an agitator supported for rotation within the box. The agitator includes a radially extending, generally horizontally disposed flap positioned above the floor by a distance less than about the diameter of the balls, and the agitator is rotated to move the flap along a circular path extending directly over the openings. The flap is flexible vertically relative to the balls so that the balls roll beneath the flap as it moves over them.

Abstract: A broaching device for a silo is comprised of a rotor and at least one broaching arm connected to the rotor. The broaching arm comprises leaf springs that are stacked on top one another to form a leaf spring packet. The broaching arm further comprises brackets for holding the leaf springs together. The broaching arm extends to the wall of the silo and is curved opposite to a direction of rotation of the rotor. A holder is connected to one of the leaf springs arranged in a center position of the leaf spring packet at a free end thereof. Outwardly positioned leaf springs of the leaf spring packet are slidably supported at the holder. A broaching tool is attached to the holder of the broaching arm.

Abstract: A dispenser of foodstuff is particularly well adapted to deliver cheese for pizza making. A refrigerator contains a bin which may be completely removed from said refrigerator for cleaning, as in a dishwasher, for example. The bin features inwardly sloping walls so that the cheese does not normally stick to the wall. An auger delivers the cheese to a spout where a star wheel meters flow and breaks up any clumps in the cheese. A spring biased trap door closes the spout, especially when the bin is removed from the refrigerator. The refrigerator contains parts which control the opening and closing of the trap door and the turning of the auger. The entire system operates under the control of a programmable microprocessor which includes means for detecting when the bin is empty or is failing to delivery the cheese.

Abstract: Automatic dispensing apparatus for accurately dispensing preselected amounts of material. The apparatus includes a paddle wheel assembly having multiple compartments for holding selected amounts of material to be dispensed. The apparatus further includes an agitator assembly to break down the material, and a flexible skimmer element for removing excess material from the compartments before dispensing to ensure precise measurements. The paddle wheel assembly and the agitator assembly are driven by a linear actuator. A shutter shields the dispensing mechanism and the material from external elements. The shutter is automatically activated to open and tightly close in sequence with the dispensing cycle. The apparatus further includes a programmable microprocessor for controlling and monitoring the dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A flail chain unloader for discharging particulate material from a lower output of an upright storage vessel includes a rotating shaft extending upwardly of the central portion of the vessel above the outlet and flail chains secured to the shaft at different levels thereon to rotate with the shaft and loosen the particulate materials in the vessel to flow downwardly for discharge through the lower outlet. One or more upper flail chains are secured adjacent an upper level portion of the shaft and have outer ends movable in a generally circular path closely adjacent the inside wall surface of the vessel for loosening the material adjacent the vessel wall. At least one set of intermediate flail chains of a relatively short length is provided at spaced apart lower levels below the upper flail chains in order to dig out the material in the central portion of the vessel around the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid objects such as, for example, pills or tablets, from a bulk supply into a receptacle containing individual doses of such medication. More particularly, the apparatus includes a series of plates, one of which is movable with respect to the other two, causing solid objects of predetermined shape and configuration to be efficiently and automatically transferred from a bulk supply source to individually accessible unit dose packages.

Abstract: A vertical rotary post in a silo is formed with a transverse passage across and into which a stop sleeve is fixed. A chain, for loosening compacted material in the silo, extends freely through the passage. The chain has a ring, at one end, which extends into the passage but is stopped by the stop sleeve.

Abstract: A flexible whip or a system of whips with novel attachments is suspended in a hopper and is caused to impact against fibrous and irregularly shaped particulates in the hopper to fluidize the particulates and facilitate the flow of the particulates through the hopper. The invention provides for the flow of particulates at a substantially constant mass flow rate and uses a minimum of energy.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for feeding solid fuel from a storage silo or equivalent to a solid fuel-using heating boiler. The feeding apparatus comprises a piston, which has been disposed to carry out a reciprocating motion within a tube which through an aperture communicates with the solid fuel storage silo or equivalent, and which communicates by its other end with the heating boiler. With a view to accomplishing the feeding of the solid fuel with reliable certainty, before the piston, in the feeding apparatus of the invention there has been provided in the lower part of the storage silo or equivalent, a rotatably disposed vane.

Abstract: A flail auger assembly is disclosed which is useful for unloading semi-liquid material from a holding tank mounted on a tractor drawn trailer. A rotatably mounted shaft extends lengthwise through the lower portion of the tank. One end of the shaft penetrates the front wall of the tank enabling connection with the power takeoff of the tractor. The second end penetrates the rear wall of the tank where it connects with the impeller of the discharge pump. A plurality of flails extend radially outward at regular intervals along the shaft. The flails are pivotally attached via pins which secure them to brackets welded to the rotatably mounted shaft. The pivotal axis of each flail allows it to aggressively attack the material in the tank while at the same time limiting the power drain on the tractor since the radius of effectiveness decreases as a function of increasing load.

Abstract: Apparatus for breaking up solidified particulate material in a storage container has a housing lowerable into the container on the lower end of a suspension element. A flailing element holder is rotatably mounted on the housing for rotary movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical axis when the housing is suspended in the container. An elongated flexible flailing element projects from the holder, and the holder is rotated relative to the housing to cause the flailing element to engage and break up solidified particulate material when the housing is suspended in the container.

Abstract: A vertical discharge duct provided on a storage vessel wall terminates either in a separate duct outlet or in the vessel outlet at the lower end of the discharge hopper. A duct-clearing carriage is displaceable vertically along the entire length of the duct and the lower end of the duct has an extension which serves as a housing for the carriage when it is not in use. The carriage is equipped with a rotary device for disaggregating the stored material in order to clear the duct in the event of clogging. Disaggregating devices can also be installed within the vessel and within the discharge hopper.

Abstract: Toner dispensing apparatus comprising a toner hopper the walls of which form an elongated opening from which toner is capable of being dispensed and a dispensing roll to dispense toner from the hopper through the elongated opening into the developer chamber. The dispensing roll is a cylindrical resiliently deformable foam roll having a plurality of depressions of predetermined size, shape and volume uniformly disposed on the roll and being capable of holding finely divided toner. The deformable foam roll including the depressions has a thin toner impermeable surface. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions are a plurality of longitudinal surface grooves parallel to the axis of the roll and uniformly spaced around the circumference of the roll. The roll is positioned relative to top and bottom lobe members in the toner hopper such that it provides a seal between the toner hopper and the developer chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus in which particles are dispensed from the open end of a chamber. A member is positioned interiorly of the chamber and periodically agitated in response to particles being dispensed therefrom. Agitation of the member prevents bridging and caking of the particles in the chamber and facilitates the flow of the particles therefrom.

Abstract: A coffee making machine comprising a thin-walled molded plastic shell-like housing with a two-piece molded core of heat insulating foam plastic slidably engaged in the housing; said machine includes a water supply unit including a tank with an electric heater means related to it, a hot water dispensing means communicating with the tank, a dehydrated granular coffee concentrate metering and dispensing unit and a coffee concentrate and hot water receiving and mixing unit with a coffee dispensing duct; said core has openings to cooperatively receive said water supply unit, water dispensing means and said concentrate metering and dispensing unit; said housing has openings to facilitate engagement of the core and means within the core therein and to provide access thereto; said housing has means to releasably receive and hold said mixing unit to receive water and concentrate from the water dispensing means and the dispensing unit and to deliver coffee into a drinking receptacle related to the machine.

Abstract: An ice dispensing machine including an ice storage bin having a rotatable ice agitating mechanism disposed internally thereof and adapted to move ice within the bin toward a discharge opening located in the bottom wall of the bin; an ice discharge chute is disposed below the opening and includes a wall portion inclined upwardly in the direction of rotation of the ice within the bin to prevent ice jamming between the agitating mechanism and the periphery of the discharge opening; a sink assembly is arranged below the ice dispensing area of the machine and includes a sink that is removably mounted so that it may be conveniently detached for inspection, cleaning and the like without requiring disconnection from associated drain conduits and the like.

Abstract: A device for unloading silos of divided material such as flour includes a rotary shaft on which axially spaced, radial members are carried. The members support flexible elongate elements which have a length no greater than the distance between the outer edges of the radial members and the walls of the silo.Rotation of the shaft causes the material to be fluidized and to pass down and out the silo without preventing simultaneous filling of the silo. The outlet from the silo is at its bottom end and discharge is achieved by helical elements which may be driven by the same motor as the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A toner dispenser including a substantially enclosed dispensing hopper arranged to support a quantity of finely divided particulate material. The hopper is provided with an opening therein through which the material is dispensed by gravity to a developer sump. A cylindrical dispensing roll is rotatably supported in the hopper in or adjacent the opening with the roll surface in biasing contact with the interior wall surface of the container to form a movable seal for retaining particulate material within the hopper. The roll is formed of a resilient foamed elastomeric material having a textured outer surface with a plurality of open-cell cavities adapted to receive and support toner particles. The dispensing roll is rotated sequentially through the material in the hopper to load the open-celled cavities and then past at least one of the biasing surfaces wherein the surface of the roll is deformed sufficiently to cause toner thereon to be dispensed from the roll surface into the developer chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for ensuring a metered flow of dry materials such as flour and flour mixes has a chamber provided with a side opening and an upwardly opening port to receive the flow from a container for the material. A turntable within the chamber has a segment extending through the opening and shielded from the port and probes extending upwardly through the port for entry into the container to break up any bridging material therein. Material is discharged under a gate to the protruding segment of the turntable by propellers at a selected rate and volume.

Abstract: A silo unloader for a bottom unloading type silo having a discharge opening in the bottom wall thereof comprises a housing adapted to be mounted in said opening and including an upper wall having a shaft opening. The shaft is supported on bearings in the housing below the upper wall and the shaft extends upwardly through the shaft opening into the silo for supporting a plurality of flexible silage dislodging members which rotate with the shaft. A rotary seal between the shaft and the shaft opening in the upper housing wall comprises an inside annular collar around the shaft extending upwardly of the upper wall of the housing and an outside annular collar around the inside collar and supported by the shaft to project downwardly below the upper end of the inside collar forming an overlapping seal between the relatively rotating collars.

Abstract: Apparatus for discharging granular material from a bulk container tapering at its bottom, including a conveyor and a discharge chamber at the bottom of the bulk container. The discharge chamber includes an impeller rotated by a vertical shaft extending through the bottom of the chamber, and a traveler shaft connected at one end to the vertical shaft, by a coil spring knuckle-joint, and carrying at its other end a contactor which rides on the inner surface of the tapering bottom, the shaft being provided with projecting cross pins to move in the material and break up agglomerations and bridges. Power means are provided for driving the vertical shaft and the conveyor, either separately or serially, and the opening between the chamber and the conveyor is adjustable to vary the flow of material. The conveyor comprises a plurality of flights secured to an endless cable, which moves for at least a part of its travel through a tube leading from the discharge chamber to an area of discharge for the material.

Abstract: A spreader for particulate material, particularly for wet lime. The mechanism compresses a cover which is placed on the vertical shaft of a conventional spin spreader. The particulate material is placed on the cover and is vibrated into a hopper, then dispersed within the hopper and spread by blades mounted on the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for positively encouraging a flow of feed from a bulk storage bin to a receiver or conveyor and for supporting the weight of feed in the bin is disclosed. A rotating disk mounted in the plane of the bin exhaust forms apertures with the bin sides and an exhaust collar. These apertures encourage flow of feed from the bin and uniform delivery to the receiver or conveyor. A wand, carried by the rotating plate, extends into the bin to dislodge feed packed or bridged across the bin exhaust opening.

Abstract: An ice storage and dispensing device for flaked or other particulate ice which maintains the ice in an agitated dispensable condition or state. The device includes a hopper equipped with an agitator having a rotatable shaft and axially and angularly spaced rigid agitator spokes extending generally radially from the shaft. The ends of flexible polyvinylchloride tube members are received over and secured to certain of the axially and radially spaced spokes to provide generally helically extending lengths of the tubes between the spokes. The flexible tubes wipe against the inside wall of the hopper with a squeegee effect to prevent ice buildup. The tubes also lessen the tendency of the spokes to create tunnels in the particulate ice, especially at the ice setting temperature.