Rotary Conveyer-type Trap Chamber Patents (Class 222/367)
  • Patent number: 11015966
    Abstract: A dosing device for the continuous, gravimetric dosing of pourable material particularly rough fuels, wherein a flow of material Is conveyed from a charging opening to an emptying opening in a housing with a rotor which is driven about a vertical rotation axis, while determining the instantaneous load over a measuring section, and with a force measuring device which detects the instantaneous toad of the flow of material guided via the rotor comprising a plurality of ribs and a peripheral ring said ribs being attached to the peripheral ring, and said ribs defining a number of chambers inside the peripheral ring for carrying material during operation wherein an elastic peripheral sealing lip is arranged on the peripheral ring and engaging an upper housing wall such that an outer peripheral volume of the inside of the housing is sealed from a central volume of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventors: Armin Hauser, Daniel Kasperek
  • Patent number: 9902561
    Abstract: A system for discharging dry solids into high pressure environments is disclosed. The system includes a hopper, a feeder device coupled to the hopper, and a discharge device disposed downstream relative to the feeder device. The feeder device includes a rotatable casing including a plurality of pockets, a stationary core disposed within the rotatable casing, and a plurality of valves. Each pocket includes an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of first through-holes. The stationary core includes a plurality of channels, where each channel includes a plurality of second through-holes. Each valve is disposed at the outlet of a corresponding pocket from the plurality of pockets. The discharge device includes a valve actuator configured to actuate each valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventors: Yashwanth Tummala, Tiffany Elizabeth Pinard Westendorf
  • Patent number: 9027798
    Abstract: A pouring adaptor assembly compatible with multiple bucket lid types includes a pouring tube and a threaded adaptor. The pouring tube includes an opening and an angled proximate end for steadily pouring a liquid. The threaded adaptor includes an inner thread and an outer thread, the two threads for connecting to bucket lid openings of varying widths. The pouring tube includes a tapered lower ridge for snap connecting to a bucket lid having a non-threaded opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Allway Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Gringer, Yuan Fang Cheng
  • Patent number: 8985931
    Abstract: A rotating drum with elevated discharge chute to lower the height requirement of a stacked seed treatment system. The height requirement of stacked seed treatment systems can be lowered by elevated the discharge point of the treated seed without requiring additional expense transfer components. The elevated discharge drum incorporates a series of lifting flights at the discharge end of the drum. These flights elevate the seed onto a discharge chute, which facilitates transfer to the discharge conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: KSi Conveyors, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry N Kaeb, Todd William Kaeb, Paul Arthur Kaeb
  • Patent number: 8915406
    Abstract: The invention concerns a dosing unit for a powder dispenser comprising two dosing chambers (2,3) each chamber comprising: one upstream inlet (21, 31) and one downstream outlet (22, 32), an upstream means (23, 33) for opening and closing the inlet, a downstream means (24, 34) for opening and closing the outlet, the upstream means (23, 33) closing the inlet (21, 31) when the downstream means (24, 34) opens the outlet (22, 32) and reciprocally, wherein the upstream means (23) of the first chamber closes the first chamber (2) when the upstream means (33) of the second chamber opens the second chamber (3) and reciprocally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Rong Chen, Smith Yang
  • Patent number: 8906438
    Abstract: Holder (1) for beverage, comprising a container (2) manufactured substantially from plastic, provided with a neck (6) having an opening, wherein the container (2) is filled with beverage (3) and on or in the neck (6) a closure (15) is provided, through which closure extends a dispensing means (4), wherein the closure is fixed to the neck with the aid of at least welding technique and wherein a pressure device (9) is provided for pressurizing the beverage (3) in the container (2) for dispensing the beverage (3) under pressure via the dispensing means (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman
  • Publication number: 20140263466
    Abstract: A pouring adaptor assembly compatible with multiple bucket lid types includes a pouring tube and a threaded adaptor. The pouring tube includes an opening and an angled proximate end for steadily pouring a liquid. The threaded adaptor includes an inner thread and an outer thread, the two threads for connecting to bucket lid openings of varying widths. The pouring tube includes a tapered lower ridge for snap connecting to a bucket lid having a non-threaded opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALLWAY TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Gringer, Yuan Fang Cheng
  • Patent number: 8783524
    Abstract: A valve device for a pasty food product volumetric metering apparatus, and to a volumetric metering apparatus. Both apparatuses have a valve body (1) with a cavity (2) having a first radial opening (3) connected to an inlet conduit (6), a second axial opening (4) connected to a metering chamber (7), and a third radial opening (5) connected to an outlet conduit (8), a plug (9) rotatably arranged inside said cavity (2), and a driver (10, 11) for moving the plug (9) between first and second positions. The plug (9) has an outer surface (12) and an oblique surface (13). In the first position, the oblique surface (13) faces the first and second openings (3, 4) and the outer surface (12) shuts the third opening (5), and in the second position, the oblique surface (13) faces the second and third openings (4, 5) and the outer surface (12) shuts the first opening (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Metalquimia, S.A.
    Inventor: Narcis Lagares Corominas
  • Patent number: 8714413
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid dispenser having a body capable of attaching to an upright support surface. The body having a top wall, sidewalls, and a bottom wall, and a first orifice present in the bottom wall. The first orifice leads into an intermediary chamber said intermediary chamber having a second orifice. The second orifice may be located substantially opposite said first orifice. The intermediary chamber having an open end for admitting a control mechanism, with the control mechanism axially or reciprocally disposed within the intermediary chamber. Also present is a refill opening that is disposed along the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Mary Elizabeth Coleman Fuqua
  • Patent number: 8584901
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, a dispenser, and a tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable carriage contacting a support element with an opening. The carriage includes a plurality of compartments horizontally disposed above an optional funnel and rotatable about a central axis. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper through the opening into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: Product Spring, LLC, Taylored Concepts, LLC, Hartdesign! Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Dooley, Loren Taylor, Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 8535125
    Abstract: A feed unit for filling a coin module with coins improved in such a way that a plurality of coin modules can be filled or loaded with just one feed unit. The coin feed unit is a coin drum which is rotatable inside a shell. A coin stock compartment is provided into which coins can be filled via a charge aperture. A dispensing compartment is provided inside the coin drum from which coins can be taken out via the discharge aperture. A passage is arranged in such a way that coins get from the stock compartment into the dispensing compartment as the coin drum rotates around a pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Starke, Thorsten Neumann, Axel Grimm, Stig Goepel, Wilfried Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130221026
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid dispenser having a body capable of attaching to an upright support surface. The body having a top wall, sidewalls, and a bottom wall, and a first orifice present in the bottom wall. The first orifice leads into an intermediary chamber said intermediary chamber having a second orifice. The second orifice may be located substantially opposite said first orifice. The intermediary chamber having an open end for admitting a control mechanism, with the control mechanism axially or reciprocally disposed within the intermediary chamber. Also present is a refill opening that is disposed along the sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Mary Elizabeth Coleman Fuqua
  • Patent number: 8479476
    Abstract: The unit for supplying and inserting products (2) to and into container elements (3, 3A) advancing along a line of a packing machine (M) comprises a flat element (8) provided with a through-slit (10), and a disc (4) affording through-holes (6). The unit (1) is positionable with respect to the line of the packing machine (M) such that the slit (10) is arranged above the container elements (3, 3a). Products (2) are supplied onto the disc (4) which products (2) are to be inserted in the container elements (3, 3a), each through-hole (6) being of such a size as to be able to receive and house internally thereof a product (2). The disc (4) is mounted above the flat element (8) such that the products (2) housed in the through-holes (6) rest on the flat element (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: IMA SAFE S.r.l.
    Inventor: Ivano Baroncini
  • Patent number: 8435367
    Abstract: An insulated glass secondary edge sealing device that dispenses sealant to insulated glass units including at least two panes of glass separated by a spacer, including a fixed sealant dispensing head, a table that supports the insulated glass units, a fence, a depth sensor, a linear motion encoder, a metering device. The sealant dispensing head has a dispensing nozzle and a corner dam. The dispensing nozzle includes a floating insulated glass unit contact surface and the corner dam is shiftable between a retracted position and an extended position. A control unit receives signals from the depth sensor and the linear motion encoder and controls the metering device to dispense a measured flow of sealant based on the depth of the inset of the spacer and the movement of the insulated glass unit parallel to the fence and relative to the encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Erdman Automation Corporation
    Inventor: Morgan Donohue
  • Patent number: 8359888
    Abstract: A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine includes a supply container for the treating agent, a delivery device configured to deliver the treating agent to the washing machine through a connecting hose, and a dosing device for dispensing the treating agent from the supply container to the delivery device. The supply container has an agitator with a first vertical rotatable shaft and rotatable blades. The dosing device includes a cylindrical chamber, with a compartmented wheel having spokes disposed therein. The compartmented wheel is disposed below a bottom of the supply container and is coupled to a second vertical rotatable shaft. The cylindrical chamber has an inlet opening disposed in the bottom of the supply container and an underside of the cylindrical chamber has an outlet opening to the delivery device. The compartmented wheel is also coupled to the vertical shaft of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Deppermann, Michael Finke, Olaf Witte
  • Patent number: 8074837
    Abstract: An ice portion control module includes an ice bin for storing ice. A base in the ice bin has one or more portion control compartments. The one or more portion control compartments has an interior volume to hold a predetermined portion of the ice. An actuator moves the one or more portion control compartments between a fill position wherein the one or more portion control compartments holds the ice, and a dispense position wherein the predetermined portion of the ice is dispensed out of the one or more portion control compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, William E. Smith, Jan Claesson
  • Publication number: 20110220683
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid dispenser having a body capable of attaching to an upright support surface. The body having a top wall, sidewalls, and a bottom wall, and a first orifice present in the bottom wall. The first orifice leads into an intermediary chamber said intermediary chamber having a second orifice. The second orifice may be located substantially opposite said first orifice. The intermediary chamber having an open end for admitting a control mechanism, with the control mechanism axially or reciprocally disposed within the intermediary chamber. Also present is a refill opening that is disposed along the sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Mary Elizabeth Coleman Fuqua
  • Patent number: 7878431
    Abstract: A rotary feeder for feeding a particulate material including: a cylindrical housing comprising a feeder inlet, a first feeder outlet, and a second feeder outlet; a rotor mounted in the cylindrical housing including a plurality of substantially impeller blades defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets alignable with the feeder inlet, first feeder outlet, and second feeder outlet, and adapted to sweep a wall of the cylindrical housing as the rotor rotates in the cylindrical housing; a device for rotating the rotor; and a separating screen in the first feeder outlet to substantially prevent oversize material from exiting through the first feeder outlet, wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets will align with the feeder inlet to receive therein a particulate material and an oversize material through the feeder inlet, rotate in the cylindrical housing to align with the first feeder outlet and discharge the particulate material therefrom, and rotate in the cylindrical housin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Blickley, Randall L. Force, David M. Gaines
  • Patent number: 7690538
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for moving and placing in hard to reach locations granular and other particulate material such as sand, gravel, earth and similar materials. The system includes an improved auger for moving the material and an improved rotary airlock mechanism designed to withstand the abrasive action of the particulate material and at the same time move the material several hundred feet through a flexible conduit for placement in a pre-designated location. A system and apparatus is also disclosed for transporting on one vehicle all of the devices needed at a remote site for operation the particulate placement system, including a front loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Dunlop, Robert Griffin, Steven C. Stokes, Denis A. Stokes, Gary Bonney
  • Publication number: 20090302068
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing, dispensing, and measuring dry granular and powdered materials with an adjustable measuring cup device to which the apparatus may be removably attached for separate use, the measuring cup device capable of accurately measuring a desired volume of the materials dispensed from the apparatus, a main housing having a container reservoir for storing the materials to be dispensed, a housing compartment for housing the measuring cup device therein; a dispensing hole in between the container reservoir and the housing compartment, and a dispensing disc with an outwardly extending lever for opening and closing the dispensing hole for filling the measuring cup device. A preferred embodiment includes the filling hole of the top wall includes a removably attached air-tight lid for covering the container reservoir and to help preserve the freshness of the materials stored in the container cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Cheryl Fortes Schneider
  • Patent number: 7621427
    Abstract: A device in an automatic machine feeds metered quantities of a paste substance to be introduced into containers by a filling nozzle. In the device, a central body has a bore defining a cylinder closed at top by a cap, and a parallel inlet channel leading to the bore through an inlet aperture. An inlet conduit block is fastened to the central body and connects the inlet channel with a hopper. An exhaust conduit is fastened to the central body and connects an outlet aperture, made in the cylinder, with a conveying device associated to a filling nozzle. A piston having a longitudinal groove is slidingly inserted in the cylinder. A power apparatus moves and rotates the piston along the cylinder, so as to bring the groove to face respectively the inlet opening, during a suction step with a downward motion of the piston, and the outlet aperture, during a delivery step with an upward movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 7581659
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a dosing device for improved measuring accuracy during the continuous gravimetric dosing of bulk material, in particular combustibles in pulverulent form. To achieve this, two dosing rotors (3, 33) are arranged on the same axis, one above the other, with intermediate or discharge openings (7, 37) being arranged in an offset manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Pfister GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Wilhelm Häfner
  • Publication number: 20090197511
    Abstract: The invention provides a dosing device for a particulate material blasting apparatus comprising a dosing chamber having a base, a rotor carrying a plurality of circumferentially formed pockets ratably mountable with the chamber, a particulate product feed conduit adapted to feed particulate product onto a base of the dosing chamber adjacent a receiving side of the dosing chamber and a particulate product delivery conduit formed in the base of the dosing chamber adjacent a delivery side of the dosing chamber. The base of the dosing chamber is disposed with respect to the particulate product feed conduit such that particulate material will not spill over the base into the delivery conduit. The rotor is disposed with respect to the feed conduit such that particulate product fed onto the base of the dosing chamber will be picked up by the pockets formed in the rotor and lifted up and around the chamber from a receiving side of the dosing chamber to a delivery side of the dosing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: SWISS INDUSTRIAL CONSULTING AND TECHNOLOGY SA
    Inventor: Nicolas Ganshof
  • Publication number: 20090145931
    Abstract: A dispenser for measuring and dispensing powder materials includes a slide housing, a slide, and an elastic element. The slide housing is provided with a powder inlet slot. The slide is provided with a measure slot. And the slide is pressed against the slide housing by the elastic element to make the slide move relative to the slide housing. The slide can move between the first position and the second position. On the first position, the measure slot of the slide is in alignment with the powder inlet slot of the slide housing and the powder is filled into the measure slot; on the second position, the measure slot moves away from the powder inlet slot of the slide housing and the powder is discharged from the measure slot. By use of the elastic element, it makes the slide press against the slide housing during moving to reduce the clearance between the slide and the slide housing, makes the slide move smoothly, and reduces the precision demand of manufacture and assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Shi Peng
  • Publication number: 20080264517
    Abstract: A device for distributing granular materials in a recipient, particularly of complex shape intended to be arranged between a feed hopper and the recipient to be filled. The device includes a deflector, mobile in rotation around an axis, lining a passage linking the hopper to the recipient. The deflector is formed by at least one surface that may be inclined in relation to the axis of rotation approaching the axis in the direction of flow of the granules, or perpendicular to the axis. According to the speed of rotation, a certain quantity of granules is ejected by the deflector and another part passes directly in the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Pascal Revirand, Luc Federzoni
  • Patent number: 7421834
    Abstract: An ice measuring and dispensing apparatus includes a rotating drum rotatable about a horizontal axis. The rotating drum has a plurality of chambers, and an ice supply hopper has a delivery opening for delivering ice into the plurality of chambers. A discharge tube to dispense ice from the plurality of chambers is also provided. The delivery opening of the supply hopper is larger than an opening of each of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Desmond John Doolan
  • Patent number: 7040562
    Abstract: A rotating feed distributor for use in connection with rock crushers and other devices is disclosed. The feed distributor has a platform for receiving rocks and a chute having an inlet and outlet wherein the rocks pass through. The feed distributor is designed to reduce wear and evenly distribute rocks into the crusher by providing a sheaveless drive system that efficiently rotates the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Innotech Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Ulhas S. Sawant, James A. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 7017784
    Abstract: A dispensing system for a tank for mixing and freezing ice cream includes a valve selectively pivotable between a first position, a second position and a third position. Pivoting the valve between the first position, the second position and the third position valve meters the flow of the ice cream from the tank. A method of dispensing ice cream includes pivoting a handle to an off position, thereby obstructing with a valve an aperture between the tank and the container. The method also includes pivoting the handle to an on position, thereby aligning the aperture with an aperture of the valve. The method also includes pivoting the handle to an intermediate position between the off position and the on position. Pivoting between the on position and the off position pivots the valve to regulate the flow of the ice cream from the tank to the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ross's Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Harold F. Ross
  • Patent number: 6964355
    Abstract: A hermetically sealable dispenser for measuring and dispensing predetermined amounts of a granular product without breakage of the product. The dispenser comprises a container which can be filled with the product, and a flexible, rotatable, paddle wheel fixed within the container. The spacing between paddles of the paddle wheel form measuring compartments. The dimensions of the paddle wheel are such that the wheel forms a hermetic seal near one end of the container. A lid is provided to seal the upper end of the container such that the product is stored in an air-tight compartment prior to dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Ofer Landau
  • Patent number: 6817487
    Abstract: A dual rotor, ram fed metering pump is especially suited for pumping high viscosity fluids, such as methacrylate resins, used in heavy duty adhesives In addition to pumping viscous materials, this metering pump also pumps a less viscous reactive fluid in proper proportion to a mixing zone or mixing gun where the two material are mixed. A rotary lobe pump is used to pump the viscous material and a rotary pump driven by the same gearbox delivers the secondary fluid. This fluid delivery apparatus also includes an intake that can be mounted on a standard pressure primmer ram to pump viscous material from a storage drum or container A single compact all-in-one metering pump package can be mounted directly to the ram eliminating the need for a separate ram mounted pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Rimcraft Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy P. Ross
  • Patent number: 6755750
    Abstract: A talc dispenser for cue sticks in which a housing having a talc storage cavity is formed with a through tubular passageway configured to allow insertion of a cue stick shaft. A metering element is movable to cause talc to pass out of said storage cavity and into the enclosed space to thereafter be deposited on an inserted cue stick by rubbing contact with a tube of bristle material rolled up within the through passage and on which the talc is distributed. A chalk block holder is received in a housing recess and a housing holder has a belt clip for convenient storage of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Michael K. Schulte, William A. Dailey, James C. Binelli
  • Patent number: 6733256
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing consumables, especially filled chocolates that consist of a coated filling. The aim of the invention is to provide a device for feeding substances of the consumables to nozzles in a controlled manner. To this end, the device is provided with pumps that comprise pump pistons in a pump chamber and at least two pump chambers are located in a pump housing one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: KMB Produktions AG
    Inventor: Josef Guido Knobel
  • Publication number: 20030057234
    Abstract: The equipment comprises: a plurality of containers in the form of bins (19A, 19B, . . . ), at the base of each of which a remotely controlled dispenser (21A; 21B; . . . ) can supply approximate quantities of the product by allowing it to fall from the corresponding container; channels (33A) capable of collecting the products supplied and of discharging them via a deflector (39) toward one or other of two housings (15A; 15B) for a packaging wrapper (5A, 5B) designed to package product received from the hopper, a grinder (15) being positioned above one (15B) of the housings. A computerized apparatus (50) is used for indicating and entering the individual selections and operations to be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Maria Pilar Perez Vales
  • Patent number: 6523726
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a particulate material. There is a drum having a peripheral surface and a central axis which is rotatable about its central axis. There is a first particulate material retaining wall which has an inner and outer edge. This wall is positioned such that said outer edge is remote from the peripheral surface of the drum and the inner edge is adjacent the peripheral surface of the drum. The inner edge is moveable from said peripheral surface of said drum. A second particulate material retaining wall having an inner and outer end and positioned such that said outer end is remote from the peripheral surface of the drum and the outer end is remote from the peripheral surface with the drum. The first particulate retaining wall is preferably spaced from the peripheral surface of the drum by a distance which corresponds to the angle of repose of the particulate material being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Imperial Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Tschantz
  • Patent number: 6460530
    Abstract: A ball feeding device for a for connection to a separate and independent ball propelling machine, such as those used to propel softballs, tennis balls, and baseballs. The preferred embodiment includes a lower chute connected to the feed port of a ball machine. Balls are delivered to the lower chute from a hopper through a feed port comprising of a tumbler casing of a hollow tube formation having an entry hole on its open upper end and a feed hole on its open lower end. The casing has a tumbler hole on its wall leading to the feed port. A tumbler sleeve is positioned in the tumbler hole and axial extends perpendicular to the path of the feed port. The tumbler sleeve has a ring gear around its circumference. The tumbler sleeve also has a semicircular sleeve extension, having an inner and outer wall which extends a predetermined distance into the feed port and obstructs the passage of balls though the port. The upper end of the casing is placed within the exit hole of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Dean A. Backeris, James Kappernaros, Frank J. Costa
  • Patent number: 6431407
    Abstract: An automatic container filler (20) having a frame (22) that supports a hopper (24). A dispensing unit (26) is located at the bottom of the hopper (24) that selectively feeds a fluent material, such as sand, into a plurality of discharge chutes (28). The automatic container filler (20) is designed such that fluent material, such as sand, is fed into the hopper (24). The dispensing unit (26) moves the fluent material from the hopper (24) through the discharge chutes (28) into containers such as sandbags. The dispensing unit (26) deposits a predetermined amount of the fluent material through each of the discharge chutes (28) and into containers in sequential order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Hogan Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff W. Hogan, Donald R. Oehrlein
  • Patent number: 6196154
    Abstract: In an air lock for continuous introduction into and/or removal of workpieces from spaces (1,4) separated atmospherically, the individual substrates (3,13) are transported through a transfer channel (24). At least one lock chamber (7a-7m) serving to accommodate the substrates (3,13) is arranged movably in the transfer channel (24). During the substrate transport in the transfer channel (24), the lock chamber (7a-7m) is atmospherically separated both from the exterior (1) having normal pressure and from the coating chamber (4). The air lock (2) includes a carrousel lock which has a carrousel housing (24) and a lock chamber wheel (10). On the periphery in the lock chamber wheel (10) individual lock chambers (7a-7m) are provided, in which the workpieces (3,13) to be brought into the chamber to be loaded (4) are inserted freely accessible on the normal pressure side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Leybold Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tomas Baumecker, Helmut Grimm, Jürgen Henrich, Klaus Michael, Gert Rödling, Jürgen Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6145709
    Abstract: An automatic container filler (20) having a frame (22) that supports a hopper (24). A dispensing unit (26) is located at the bottom of the hopper (24) that selectively feeds a fluent material, such as sand, into a plurality of discharge chutes (28). The automatic container filler (20) is designed such that fluent material, such as sand, is fed into the hopper (24). The dispensing unit (26) moves the fluent material from the hopper (24) through the discharge chutes (28) into containers such as sandbags. The dispensing unit (26) deposits a predetermined amount of the fluent material through each of the discharge chutes (28) and into containers in sequential order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hogan Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff W. Hogan, Donald R. Oehrlein
  • Patent number: 6102578
    Abstract: A cellular wheel sluice, comprising a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, side covers, a cellular wheel with a shaft, and the bearing of the shaft with fixed and loose bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Motan-Fuller verFahrenstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Heep, Michael Heep
  • Patent number: 5997220
    Abstract: An enclosed-rotor vertical-shaft rotary valve is used as an airlock to inject abrasive, fine, or sticky solids into pressurized air. The invention eliminates the effect of thermal expansion on the gap between the rotor and casing, thereby making it possible to obtain much smaller gaps than before. The smallness of the gaps makes it feasible to pump clean air into the gaps without interfering with the performance of the airlock. The clean air keeps dust-laden air from entering the gaps, which eliminates the erosion that has limited the usefulness of conventional rotary valves when handling abrasive powders. By the use of two vents and a dual-pressure purge-air system, the invention also greatly reduces the blowby of air into the entrance of the airlock, which has limited the usefulness of conventional rotary valves when handling very-small-particle powders. These benefits also accrue to the injection of sticky solids into pressurized fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Wormser Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Patent number: 5915887
    Abstract: Dust emission is controlled by a preferably short fill at the expulsion end of each chamber, and selective venting of residual pressure through the air-inlet end. This selective venting is accomplished through use of a novel seal or "pad" that has an extension for tightly covering and sealing the material-exhaust end of each chamber while the chamber is in a dust-control plenum. The pad extension is notched so that it leaves the air-inlet end uncovered, permitting pressure venting through the notch and the air-inlet end. To provide truly effective sealing of the pad extension against the wear plate above the chamber that is in the plenum, the extension is reinforced by a strong metal plate which is embedded in the pad. Careful contouring of the main material-conveying ports in the pad optimizes the performance. A new all-pneumatic pad-clamping pressure-control system has been found to provide excellent control of pressure and uniformity of wear, with a minimum of working parts and adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Reed Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Sulman, David J. Stoner
  • Patent number: 5893487
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system comprising a tank for the fluid, and means for extracting a quantity of fluid from the tank and for directing the extracted fluid to one or more selected receptacles. The means comprises a fluid collecting device including a vessel having a restricted entry aperture, the vessel being for rotary passage through the tank. An outlet pipe is positioned exteriorly of the tank whereby, in use with fluid in the tank, during a rotary cycle of the vessel air exhausts from the vessel through the outlet pipe as fluid ingresses into the vessel through the aperture during a filling operation, and air flows into the vessel through the aperture as fluid is dispensed through the outlet pipe in a dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Munster Simms Engineering Limited
    Inventor: David John Little
  • Patent number: 5765728
    Abstract: An improved system (10) conveys comminuted material from a source (12) to a vessel (14), especially for continuously conveying chopped poly(ethyleneterephthalate), or PET, into a methanolysis recovery reactor without entrainment of air into the reactor and without frequent jamming of the apparatus. A single rotary vane valve (36) is provided in the conveyance path at an inlet (38) to the vessel. The valve has clearances between the vanes (44) and the housing (48) larger than the smallest dimension of the comminuted material to prevent jamming of the rotor by PET flakes. The internal spaces (52, 47) in the valve are continuously purged with nitrogen at sufficient volume and pressure such that gases and fumes in the vessel are substantially prevented from passing upward through the valve. Nitrogen also flows from the valve countercurrently through the supply ducts (26, 30) to strip entrained air from the incoming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian Leigh Simpson, Gerald Douglas Knight, Richard Arthur Tietz, Mark Louis Quadrini
  • Patent number: 5655853
    Abstract: A rotary valve including a rotor assembly rotatable by a driver to cause material to be transferred from an inlet side to an outlet side of the rotary valve. The rotor assembly includes a rotor coupled to a shaft which rotates about an axis when driven by the driver. The rotor includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and a plurality of radial blades. The rotary valve includes a casing assembly for supporting the rotor assembly that includes an inlet for allowing the material to enter pockets of the rotor assembly and an outlet for allowing the material to exit the rotor assembly. The casing assembly includes an upper cap disposed at a top of the casing assembly that contains an opening for allowing the material to enter the pockets of the rotor assembly, a shaft opening, and a wiper assembly that removes material from the tops of the blades as the blades pass by the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Wormser Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Patent number: 5573149
    Abstract: A storetank for a powder supply is disclosed which is capable of discharging the powder particles stored therein in a constant amount without the caking and blocking of the powder particles by a method different from the conventional method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Ransburg Industrial Finishing K.K.
    Inventor: Eiji Saito
  • Patent number: 5455662
    Abstract: A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device with a developer, and a developer container for use therewith. The developer container, or toner bottle, has a mouth portion at one end thereof which is smaller in diameter than a hollow cylindrical main body. At the end of the bottle provided with the mouth, a shoulder has the inner periphery thereof partly raised to the edge of the mouth portion to form a raised portion for scooping up a toner. In addition, a part of the inner periphery of the circumferential wall of the bottle which is contiguous with the raised portion is also raised toward the axis of the bottle about which the bottle is rotatable, thereby forming another raised portion. When the bottle is mounted to a bottle holder, which is included in the replenishing device, substantially horizontally with the mouth portion oriented sideways, the bottle is rotated to raise the toner from the bottom of the main body to the mouth portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ichikawa, Takeshi Saito, Sunao Ikeda, Nobuhiro Makita, Seiji Ozawa, Shigeru Yoshiki, Takaaki Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 5413259
    Abstract: A water-conducting cleaning machine, in particular a household dishwasher or a household washing machine, has a processing vessel. A device for repeated, automatic metering of doses of a powdered detergent includes a detergent holder having an interior and an outlet opening. A metering and dispensing device is associated with a duct, is disposed below the outlet opening and has at least one indentation with an interior for receiving individual doses of a powdered detergent from the outlet opening and for feeding the individual doses to the processing vessel in a dispensing position. A compressed air generator generates a flow of compressed air continuously acting upon the interior of the detergent holder and upon the duct, and acting upon the interior of the indentation in the dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Bosch-Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Daniele Cerruti, Egon Galler-Benker
  • Patent number: 5396936
    Abstract: An improved filling machine is used for filling like containers with a like measured amount of divided material. The filling machine includes a housing and a drive connected to the housing. A filling turret is mounted in the housing. The filling turret includes a filling tank with a rotatable floor connected to the drive. A plurality of measuring flasks is arranged in a circle in the rotatable floor. Each measuring flask includes an open ended measuring tube and a sleeve telescopically mounted on the tube. The measuring flasks receive divided material from the filling tank. A container support maintains the containers in a horizontal plane. A control selectively lowers and raises the sleeve relative to the respective tube as the containers move with the flasks to measure the amount of divided material to be delivered to the respective container and then deliver the measured divided material into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: John R. Nalbach Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Nalbach, Graeme W. Warner
  • Patent number: 5359948
    Abstract: A seed planting device has a planting wheel rotatable about an axis 74 to roll over a land 38. Hollow tines 50 mounted at angular spacings on the wheel 22 extend outwardly. A seed cell 66 in each tine has an inlet 118 for receiving a seed and an outlet 69 towards an outer end. A seed dispensing mechanism 56 dispenses seeds individually to the seed cells via ducts 60. A release member 70 in each seed cell is movable between a retain condition for retaining a seed and a release condition for releasing the seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Andrew E. Makkink
  • Patent number: 5353739
    Abstract: An automatic animal food feeding apparatus includes a base member having a top recess, a rotary table revolvably supported within the top recess of the base member by steel balls and having a conical center shaft with axial blades, a food container covered with a top cover and a bottom cap and supported on the base member above the rotary table, whereby the rotary table is turned as the animal passes its tongue over it, causing the blades to propel a grained food out of the food container through a food outlet on the bottom cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: King Ming Chu