Abstract: A bulk-solid metering system has a support structure. A feed hopper is mounted with respect to the structure and has an upper edge. In the improvement, the structure includes an upper member and the upper edge is below such upper member. The structure defines a lateral opening sized and shaped to permit the feed hopper to be withdrawn laterally through the opening. The feed hopper includes a spout extending therefrom. In a highly preferred embodiment, the lateral opening is positioned to permit withdrawal of the feed hopper in a direction away from the spout. The feed hopper is configured to promote very good mass flow as well as to permit agitation in that, in one embodiment, it has a body made of flexible material. There is a hopper upper flange and the spout is spaced below such flange. The body has a first cross-sectional shape, e.g., circular, adjacent to the upper flange and has a second cross-sectional shape, e.g., ellipse-like, intermediate the upper flange and the spout.

Abstract: The pre-mix beverage dispensing apparatus (10) includes an ice bank assembly (12) connected to a remote system of potable water at line pressure for the chilling of the potable water. The chilled water is carried at a regulated line pressure from the ice bank assembly (12) to a mixing valve/dispensing assembly (18) where the chilled water is metered into a prescribed amount and mixed with a proportionate amount of syrup metered from a syrup holding tank (64). The syrup tank (64) is provided with an agitating element (66) that periodicially agitates the syrup to prevent syrup constituents from precipitating out of solution or stratification of the syrup into various concentration levels. In one embodiment, the apparatus is provided with a hopper assembly (14) that stores and meters a powder flavorant to the syrup tank and components that deliver chilled water to the tank proportional to the powder flavorant metered into the tank (64).

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 sprinkling apparatus for sprinkling powder material onto food products. The apparatus includes a hopper for holding the powder material that is mounted above a conveyor. A drum is rotatably mounted within the hopper and stirs the powder material. The drum has a rotation surface provided with recesses thereon for receiving the powder material. A narrow passageway is provided between the rotation surface of the drum and an inner wall of the hopper. The narrow passageway presses the powder material against the rotation surface of the drum. A wiper is attached to an exit opening of the hopper and wipes the compressed powder material from the rotation surface of the drum. The wiped powder material leaves the exit opening of the hopper and is sprinkled on the food products.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a below countertop dispenser that provides for reliable less destructive dispensing of ice, and that can fully remove the ice from the storage bin thereof. The invention herein utilizes a two part mechanism for lifting ice from the storage bin to a dispense chute positioned above the countertop. A disk type agitator/lift mechanism is first used to lift the ice to an ice channel communicating with the bottom of an auger housing. The bottom of the auger housing is positioned above the bottom most point of the ice storage bin. An auger is positioned vertically in the auger housing and provides for lifting ice from the bottom of the auger housing to the dispense chute.

Abstract: A dispersing system comprises a dispersing apparatus, a storage tank for storing a dispersing medium and a liquid containing a material to be treated, and conduits for connecting the dispersing apparatus in fluid communication with the storage tank. The dispersing apparatus comprises a dispersing chamber, at least one rotationally driven disc, a suction inlet through which the liquid containing the material to be treated and the dispersing medium are drawn from the storage tank into the dispersing chamber by the suction created by rotation of the disc, a discharge outlet, and a medium-separating device for separating the dispersing medium from the liquid containing the dispersed material and selectively discharging the liquid containing the dispersed material but not the dispersing medium from the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A continuously operating reciprocating hopper for continuously supplying feed to an automated feed distribution apparatus of the type having a continuous conveyor which movably traverses through a trough comprises a hopper bin for receiving a supply of feed for distribution wherein a bottom of the hopper bin defines a feed discharge opening. The hopper bin is shaped to direct the supplied feed to the feed discharge opening for delivery of the feed to the feed distribution system. An impeller is rotatably mounted within the hopper bin proximate to the discharge opening. The impeller includes a plurality of blades. A drive rotates the impeller about an axis of rotation in such a manner so that the impeller operates to displace feed away from the discharge area for the prevention of feed compacting in the trough housing.

Abstract: A powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus which combines a powdered beverage substance and water to produce a desired beverage, for example cappuccino, hot chocolate, as well as other beverages which may be provided in powdered form. The apparatus includes at least one hopper having a powdered beverage stirring and dispensing mechanism which stirs the powder to further prevent caking and to controllably dispense a desired quantity of powder from the hopper. A water dispensing system is coupled to the apparatus to controllably dispense a quantity of water for mixing with a quantity of powder dispensed from the hopper. A mixing assembly communicates with the hopper and with the water dispensing system to combine powder. A weir is positioned in a dispensing tube to minimize the face surface of the angle of repose of the powder in the tube.

Abstract: A powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus which combines a powdered beverage substance and water to produce a desired beverage, for example cappuccino, hot chocolate, as well as other beverages which may be provided in powdered form. The apparatus includes at least one hopper having a powdered beverage stirring and dispensing mechanism which stirs the powder to further prevent caking and to controllably dispense a desired quantity of powder from the hopper. A water dispensing system is provided with the apparatus to controllably dispense a quantity of water for mixing with a quantity of powder dispensed from the hopper. A mixing assembly communicates with the hopper and with the water dispensing system to combine powder and water. The mixing assembly includes a frothing mechanism extending into a whipping chamber which communicates with a mixing chamber to mechanically agitate the powder and water combined in the mixing chamber.

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 constant-rate feeding device can weigh out, with high accuracy and at a high rate, a powdery material containing fibrous substances and thus having a high entangling tendency, such as a material for a friction member. A powdery material A supplied from a belt feeder (17) is divided into a plurality of masses by a first vane wheel (3) and dropped onto a damper provided under the vane wheel. The powdery material deposited on the damper is divided into small masses and discharged by moving vanes (5a) of a second vane wheel (5) through openings (4a) of the damper. Thus, the material can be fed and weighed out with high accuracy. The damper (4) is moved out of the feed path of the material except during the final stage of weighing operation for increased weighing speed. The damper (4) may comprise a plurality of movable comb teeth. By moving or turning the comb teeth relative to one another, it is possible to adjust the area of the opening of the damper and thus the feed rate of the material with high accuracy.

Abstract: A chip bin construction, ideally suited for bins having a maximum diameter of twelve feet or more, uniformly discharges chips, after steaming, without the necessity of a vibratory discharge. A hollow transition portion is provided between a hollow substantially right circular cylindrical main body and a rectangular discharge. The hollow transition may have a substantially circular cross-section open top and a substantially rectangular cross-section open bottom and opposite non-vertical gradually tapering side walls. At least one feed screw may be mounted at the open bottom of the transition for cooperation with the discharge, and the feed screw(s)--or the equivalent--may provide for metering of the chips. Alternatively, the hollow transition portion may provide one dimensional convergence and side relief, and no screw feeders need be provided, in which case a conventional chip meter is used.

Abstract: A method of charging coal into a chamber furnace-type coke oven. The coal is fed from a table feeder from a coal hopper so as to be dropped and charged into a carbonization chamber of the coke oven, through a charging cylinder. The coal fed from the table feeder is accelerated by rotation vanes at the initial stage in which the coal starts to drop. The vanes have a rotation center which is located upward on the exterior of a locus of the stream of free fall gravitated by the coal. The rotation speed of the vanes is progressively increased in the latter half of charging of the coal. The coal is thus allowed to accumulate in the carbonization chamber so that the bulk density of the coal in the vertical direction can become uniform. Also disclosed is an apparatus for charging coal into a chamber furnace-type coke oven. The apparatus includes a coal hopper for storing the coal therein. A table feeder feeds the coal from the hopper.

Abstract: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for liquifying a substance embodied in a substantially amorphous mass in a substantially continuous operation, the apparatus having a housing for feeding the substance to a delivery position; a system for supplying liquid to a liquifying station; and an assembly operable to engage the substance in the delivery position and transport the substance toward the liquifying station for receipt in the liquid.

Abstract: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, and a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for extracting a substance stored in the divided state in a silo. The apparatus includes: a de-bridging system inside a converging bottom portion of the silo; a decompression enclosure at the bottom of the silo and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the end section of the converging portion of the silo; and a drive assembly for driving the substance along a horizontal duct in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the silo which duct is in communication with the bottom end of the decompression enclosure and includes a vertical outlet chute. A rotary loading arm is provided for keeping the drive assembly loaded with the divided substance so long as the divided substance flowing.

Abstract: A grout delivery system includes a grout storage hopper connected to a motor-operated pump to pump flowable grout or mortar through a flexible hose into a nozzle structure for application to a work surface. A nozzle handle contains a pushbutton actuator for a pump motor speed control circuit. An operator can observe grout flow from the nozzle while operating the pushbutton to adjust the grout flow rate. The pump motor speed control allows the operator to apply grout at a relatively high rate and with a high degree of accuracy, because the grout flow rate can be increased or decreased, as necessary to fill cracks or crevices of different size.

Abstract: The invention provides a drink machine for preparing and dispensing different hot and cold beverages. It comprises a plurality of beverage powder stock containers, each container being equipped with a feeding worm. Gearing units assigned to each stock container can be selectively coupled via a gearing unit to a common driving motor by actuating an electromagnet to operate the feeding worm of a selected beverage powder stock container. Thus, only one single driving motor is required to selectively operate all driving worms of the stock container. By this design, the feeding worms can easily be operated intermittently such that the overall quality of the prepared beverage is improved.

Abstract: A hopper assembly for storing and controllably dispensing ground material such as coffee meal. The hopper assembly includes a hollow body portion positioned above and in communication with a dispensing assembly. A storage chamber is formed between the hollow body portion and the dispensing assembly. A wall extends between a top end and a base end of the body portion. The body portion is frustoconical shaped such that the top end is smaller in diameter than the base end and the wall tapers inwardly from the base end toward the top end. The frustoconical shape of the body portion prevents bridging of the material retained in the storage chamber. An agitating device is also included in the dispensing assembly for creating a stirring action and moving material in the storage chamber to further prevent clogging and bridging of the material. At least a portion of the hopper assembly is formed of a transparent material to allow light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A hopper assembly for storing and controllably dispensing ground material such as coffee meal. The hopper assembly includes a hollow body portion positioned above and in communication with a dispensing assembly. A storage chamber is formed between the hollow body portion and the dispensing assembly. A wall extends between a top end and a base end of the body portion. The body portion is frustoconical shaped such that the top end is smaller in diameter than the base end and the wall tapers inwardly from the base end toward the top end. The frustoconical shape of the body portion prevents bridging of the material retained in the storage chamber. An agitating device is also included in the dispensing assembly for creating a stirring action and moving material in the storage chamber to further prevent clogging and bridging of the material. At least a portion of the hopper assembly is formed of a transparent material to allow light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A complete self-contained drink and ice dispensing system which is portable and fulfills all the drink dispensing needs of a drink server is provided. All the components necessary to dispense a drink including ice are housed in a single compact unit which is extremely space efficient. These components include an ice maker which resides above a storage bin and a cold plate resting in the bottom of the storage bin. The ice maker supplies both the ice dispensed with the drinks as well as the ice used to cool the cold plate. Situated between the product source and cold plate are pumps which pump product to dispensing valves for dispensing into cups. Additionally, a water pump and carbonator are positioned between a water source and the cold plate to provide the carbonated water dispensed with the product. The product source, water source, water pump, carbonator, product pumps, cold plate, and dispensing valves are all fluidly connected by product lines.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser for clothes washing machines includes a detergent container for containing a predetermined amount of powdered detergent, the detergent container having a lower discharge outlet from which the detergent contained therein is discharged and a detergent fall preventing member displaced between a first position where the detergent is prevented from falling out from the discharge outlet of the container and a second position where the detergent discharged from the discharge outlet of the detergent container is allowed to fall out therefrom.

Abstract: A powder feeding apparatus comprising a holding hopper for holding a powder, a metering hopper for metering the powder from the holding hopper, a mechanism for opening and closing a discharge opening in the metering hopper, a controller for controlling the hopper opening-closing mechanism, and a trough where the powder discharged in a heap from the metering hopper is smoothed into a layer.

Abstract: A dosing or metering feeding apparatus for precisely feeding a stream of powdered or fine grained loose bulk material includes a cylindrical container (1) for storing the loose material (3). A rotating turntable (4) essentially closing the bottom of the container (1). A discharge groove (6) is located in the turntable around the circumference of the turntable (4), whereby the discharge groove (6) opens radially outwardly. A stripper is arranged to reach into the discharge groove (6) for stripping the dosed material (3) from the discharge groove (6) and for discharging the dosed or metered material. This arrangement provides a clearly defined discharge rate of the loose material. The discharge rate may be simply adjusted to different desired feed rates by varying the rotational speed of the turntable (4). A high dosing or metering precision is achieved.

Abstract: The method serves to gently pack a product the consistency of which can be affected by external influences. The product consists of a number of separable components which adhere to one another to at least some extent and are readily deformed under the influence of mechanical forces. The product is piled in a position of potential energy from which it is directed into a measuring vessel by gravity. After it is filled, the measuring vessel is tilted and, in its tilted position, is emptied by gravity into a waiting packing unit below it.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser for a washing machine includes a detergent container for containing a certain amount of powdered detergent, a detergent discharger for discharging a necessary amount of powdered detergent from the container to a detergent receiver of the washing machine, a shaft rotated upon operation of the detergent discharger, a crank mechanism for changing the rotational movement of the shaft to the reciprocal movement, a reciprocating member reciprocally moved by the crank mechanism in the detergent container in the direction of one of end walls of the detergent container and in the direction opposite to the end wall so that the powdered detergent adherent to the inside surface of each end wall of the detergent container is removed.

Abstract: A cleanser feeding mechanism has a cleanser housing portion, a cleanser feeding member for feeding a cleanser housed in the cleanser housing portion, and a synchronous motor for applying a drive force to the cleanser feeding member, and feeds an amount of cleanser corresponding to the number of revolutions of the synchronous motor. A cleanser feeding amount-setting unit sets an amount of cleanser to be fed from the cleanser feeding mechanism. A driving unit applies an AC source voltage of an AC power source to the synchronous motor. A counter counts the number of cycles of the AC source voltage from a timing at which the AC source voltage is applied to the synchronous motor. A reference cycle number-setting unit sets a total cycle number of the AC source voltage which corresponds to a cleanser amount set by the cleanser feeding amount-setting unit.

Abstract: A detergent supply apparatus includes a detergent storage compartment for storing a powdery detergent, and a conveying device for conveying the powdery detergent from the detergent storage compartment. The conveying device includes a coiled member having a hollow body and an open end. When the conveying device is rotated, the detergent fed from the detergent storage compartment to the hollow body of coiled member is conveyed by coiled member, and then is discharged from the open end of the coiled member.

Abstract: A cleanser feeding mechanism has a cleanser housing portion, a cleanser feeding member for feeding a cleanser housed in the cleanser housing portion, and a synchronous motor for applying a drive force to the cleanser feeding member, and feeds and amount of cleanser corresponding to the number of revolutions of the synchronous motor. A cleanser feeding amount-setting unit sets an amount of cleanser to be fed from the cleanser feeding mechanism. A driving unit applies an AC source voltage of an AC power source to the synchronous motor. A counter counts the number of cycles of the AC source voltage from a timing at which the AC source voltage is applied to the synchronous motor. A reference cycle number-setting unit sets a total cycle number of the AC source voltage which corresponds to a cleanser amount set by the cleanser feeding amount-setting unit.

Abstract: An ice dispenser comprises an ice stroage chamber within which an agitator is rotatably mounted. In response to reception of an ice dispensation signal, a motor for driving the agitator is controlled in a predetermined timing sequence independent of a period during which ice pellets are dispensed from the ice storage chamber by means of an auger and a time interval intervening between the preceeding and succeeding ice dispensing operations. To this end, a first timer for driving first the agitator and a second timer for stopping the agitator for a predetermined period are provided in association with the agitator driving motor.

Abstract: In a feeder assembly for highly viscous particulate material, a hopper is provided with two pairs of counterrotating agitators, one pair being disposed above the other. Each agitator is provided with a plurality of blades or paddles located in planes extending radially and longitudinally relative to the respective axis of rotation. Each blade or paddle in turn comprises a plurality of transverse rods equispaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the respective agitator, as well as a longitudinally extending rod connected to the outer ends of the transverse rods. The agitators are driven so that the portions thereof at the nips of the respective agitator pairs move upwardly away from the outlet of the hopper.

Abstract: A combined drop and broadcast spreader for granular material is mountable on the implement of a front end loader. The spreader includes a hopper containing a plurality of discharge openings in the bottom. A rotatable impeller in the bottom forces the granular material from the openings during drop spreadings. A rotatable broadcast disc is coupled to the rear wall of the hopper for discharging granular material in an arc-like pattern. The hopper includes a hole with an auger supplying and metering granular material from the hopper to the broadcast disc. An auger-like agitator moves the granular material in the hopper to the hole.

Abstract: Described is a coffee percolator comprising a brewing section disposed within a housing and provided with coffee meal filling means. The housing includes a cover plate and at least two coffee meal supply containers projecting through the cover plate to the exterior of the housing and formed with discharge openings positioned above the filling means. Also described is a coffee percolator having at least two coffee meal supply containers projecting upwards through the cover plate, the supply containers each having identically configured sidewalls and a bottom connected to the sidewall by fastener means permitting the bottom to be secured at two different positions in mirror-reflection alignment.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for particulate ice and/or ice cooled beverage has an ice bin with upright walls about a substantially vertical axis, a bottom canted rearwardly, a transverse ice discharge chute coplanar with the bin bottom and having a width continually divergent from the bin, a metallic ice dispensing chute point is secured in a resin bin wall on a downstream side of a dispensing rotor sweep and a self-closing dispensing door on an outlet of the chute has a barrier and a limit stop for placing the barrier in the path of ice being dispensed when the door is fully opened, an elongate drainage slot for melt water is in the bin bottom and extends radially outward from an axis of dispensing rotor rotation, a drain port extends from within the drain slot and is at a level below a level of the chute outlet, an ice dispensing rotor is within the bin and is revolvable about an axis canted rearwardly from the axis of the bin; the rotor has a hub, a ring, a plurality of paddlewheels mounted to the ring, entry mean

Abstract: A miniaturized microwave transmission link comprises short links of dielectric coated fine wire overlying a ground plane between signal coupling/launching pins of MICs. A dielectric cap is provided at each wire-pin termination and a layer of conductive foil is pressed onto the overall structure to form a conformal tunnel/channel microwave transmission line configuration. The resulting tunneline, and/or channeline transmission line structure may connect MICs in a compact housing or provide access from external terminals to leads in a IC chip.

Abstract: A device for discharging pulverulent products contained in a cylindrical silo from an appropriate part of the lower periphery of the silo, in which a radial horizontal arm equipped with an Archimedia's screw is placed in the immediate vicinity of the lowest part of the silo and is mounted on a turret, in which there is placed a fixed vertical shaft co-axial with the silo, having a first pinion which cooperates with a second pinion secured to the shaft of the Archimedean screw, and wherein a chain given by a motor is provided to rotate the arm and the turret around the axis of the silo.

Abstract: A hopper cylindrical about a vertical axis has an agitator with blades rotating near the bottom of the hopper, not only to agitate insulation but also to move it through a hopper outlet opening into an airlock having a horizontal shaft and radially spaced blades. The vertical shaft for the hopper agitator and the horizontal airlock shaft are aligned so that one may be driven from the other, as by miter gears. A motor and reduction gearing may drive the airlock shaft, through a chain and sprocket connection, or the motor and reduction gearing may drive the hopper agitator shaft through a coupling. The blades of the airlock rotor may be individually removable through the airlock inlet, as in order to replace flexible wipers. Each airlock blade may have a flange at an obtuse angle such as 150.degree. which is bolted to one side of the multisided shaft by a series of cap bolts.

Abstract: Within a loose or bulk good container there is arranged a loosening wheel which is wider than a discharge spiral. The loosening wheel is secured by a wheel holder device at a removable wall portion of the container. The removable wall portion is arranged transversely with respect to the discharge spiral and is fixedly connected with an outlet or discharge connection of the container. During exchange of the discharge spiral and/or the loosening wheel there can be removed as a structural unit or assembly from the container wall the removable wall portion together with the outlet or discharge connection, the wheel holder device and the loosening wheel, and such structural unit can be replaced by a different structural unit containing the corresponding elements but of different dimensions.

Abstract: Mixtures of particulate material of widely different particulate sizes segregate on storage, smaller particles falling to the bottom. In the invention mixture is supplied to a bunker in a plurality of layers and subsequently withdrawn so that mixture is taken from each layer simultaneously. Apparatus used comprises a rotor dividing the bunker into several equal compartments. During introduction of a batch of mixture to the bunker the rotor is rotated through several revolutions so that the mixture forms layers in each compartment. The bottom of the bunker is flat. An outlet slot in the bottom extends along a chord. A crew conveyor below the slot carries mixture falling through the slot away from the bunker. The rotor rotates slowly during dispensing in synchronism with the conveyor, pushing mixture to the slot at such a rate that material from every layer in a compartment falls into the slot simultaneously, the compartments being progressively emptied.

Abstract: The hoppers (2) containing the powder products have a parallelepiped shape and are mounted side by side so that they can be moved by sliding on a slideway support (3). They are maintained in position by locking tabs (6). A plate forming a pan (38) is also mounted so as to be moved by sliding on horizontal slideways. The filling, and also the servicing and cleaning of the machine are thus made much easier.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting and dispensing very high viscosity material, such as butyl. A chamber with heated walls is provided with an internal conveyor and pump near the bottom wall of the chamber. The conveyor has sections which transfer rotational energy to material within the chamber, dragging high viscosity material to a pump inlet hole in the bottom wall of the chamber. Deflection plates mounted within the chamber push material down onto the conveyor, so that pump suction can be maintained. The plates also promote vertical as well as horizontal material mixing, thereby exposing new surfaces of the thermoplastic material to the heated walls of the chamber, increasing the rate of heat transfer from the walls to the material.

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: An additive material storage and metering system includes a transportable frame having a plurality of dry material storage bins mounted thereon. The plurality of dry material storage bins includes smaller material storage bins and larger dry material storage bins. The metering system for the larger dry material storage bins has a flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The metering system for the smaller dry material storage bins has a second flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The low end of the second range is lower than the low end of the first range, and the high end of the second range is between the low and high ends of the first range, so that any given dry material may be dispensed at any rate within an overall flow rate range from the low end of the second range to the high end of the first range by placing said material in the proper dry material storage bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling viscous substances into hard gelatin capsules, while heating and stirring the viscous substances to be filled. The apparatus is entirely simplified in construction, reliable in operation and inexpensive. The apparatus includes a hopper, a pumping mechanism and a capsule body loading board being operatively connected with respect to each other. A reciprocating feed mechanism transfers the capsule body loading board from a preliminary operating station to a filling station. An intermittent rotary mechanism sequentially aligns accommodating holes in the capsule body loading board with a filling nozzle for dispensing the viscous substance into the gelatin capsules.

Abstract: When poultry or other livestock feed is stored within a bin having a conical bottom, the feed can become packed and bridge across the bin bottom opening. Under such circumstances, delivery of feed to an underlying conveyor may be erratic under some conditions. To overcome this, the present invention provides a first rotatable shaft extending upwardly along the axis of the bin bottom cone. A second shaft is joined to the first shaft by a universal joint. Mounted on the second shaft are a number of poly-sided discs. Here, these discs are equilateral triangles, and the triangle corners or points are bent out of the plane of the mediate disc portions. Arrangements are provided for locking the discs to the second shaft. If desired, a feed support disc can be carried by the first shaft below the second shaft so as to at least temporarily support feed which has been dislodged by the rotating poly-sided discs above it.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an ice maker and dispenser for an area that is subject to microbiological contamination, such as a hospital, and including an ice manufacturing and an ice dumping unit having the improvement comprising a circular ice container and stirrer with an aperture through which ice shapes can be dropped, a cylindrical chute disclosed below the aperture for conveying the ice shapes outwardly through a door, a cantilever corkscrew impeller for moving the ice shapes along the chute and motors and drives for effecting rotation of the stirrer in the ice container and the impeller for moving the ice exteriorly of the door. The ice chute is cylindrical, smooth and easily cleaned and sterilized when the corkscrew impeller is removed. The corkscrew impeller is easily removed by way of a quick disconnect to facilitate its being cleaned and sterilized. A short cylindrical chute is provided upwardly into the ice container so as to be easily cleaned and sterilized.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus comprising an air classifier system which includes a material receiving chamber having at its lower end a discharge conveyor which removes material from the chamber to another area, and conveyor means within the lower end portion of the chamber for moving material which has been deposited in the chamber and discharging it onto the discharge conveyor without clogging, together with suitable air locks and controls for regulating material flow through the apparatus.

Abstract: The canister is provided with a screw for dispensing granular material from an outlet port in the canister. An agitator is rotatably supported for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the screw. The agitator has teeth on its outer periphery which mesh with the screw flights of the screw.

Abstract: An improved debridger is provided in one or more storage bins in a cellulose insulation manufacturing plant which minimizes the bridging of the cellulose insulation across the storage bins between an inlet at the top thereof and an auger-fed outlet at the lower end thereof. The debridger comprises a vertical rotatable shaft having a plurality of horizontally extending arms for agitating the insulation and minimizing bridging. The arms or vanes on the auger vary in length and are removable from the vertical shaft for installation of the shaft in the bins. The shaft is rotatably driven by power means located outside of the storage bin.