Abstract: The invention relates to a powder measure-dispensing cap (1) comprising: a body (3) having a first end face (4), which is designed to be brought into contact with a powder container (10), and a second end face (5) which, together with the first end face (4), defines at least one feed opening (6) which flares out towards the first end face (4), said feed opening (6) supplying at least one endless screw (7); and at least one opening (12). The inventive device is characterised in that the opening (12) is disposed in the second end face (5) in contact with the endless screw (7).

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to simulate the appearance of frozen beverages, such as fruit drink slushes or frozen coffees. The composition includes a carrier fluid which comprises water, a thickening agent, and a colorant; and simulated ice crystals stably and uniformly dispersed in the carrier fluid. The simulated ice crystals are comprised of particles, preferably polymeric particles having a size between about 200 and about 400 microns. The thickening agent preferably comprises a slurry of propylene glycol alginate dispersed in propylene glycol. The colorant is selected based on the “flavor” being simulated, for example, yellow for lemonade, caramel color for coffee or cola. The polymeric particles preferably comprise a polymer such as high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A metering device for metering dry bulk material contained in a storage container has at least one metering element and a rotary drive connected to the at least one metering element. At least one outlet is provided, and the metering element feeds the dry bulk material to the outlet. The metering element transports the dry bulk material in a direction different from a horizontal direction and comprises at least one helical stay. The outlet has an outlet pipe that extends into the lower area of the storage container. The helical stay interacts with the outlet pipe for effecting transport of the dry bulk material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particles is provided, comprising a housing including a wall dividing the interior of the housing into an upper portion and a lower portion. The dividing wall and upper portion of the housing define a cavity within the housing for holding the particles. The dividing wall has an opening for allowing the particles to pass from the cavity to the lower potion of the housing. A rotating discharge element is disposed in the housing below and adjacent to the opening in the dividing wall and is adapted to move particles through the opening and into the lower portion, of the housing upon rotary actuation thereof. A pendulum is rotatably mounted in the lower portion of the housing. A ratchet mechanism operably links the pendulum and the rotating discharge element for rotating the discharge element and dispensing particles from the housing in response to movement of the pendulum.

Abstract: This invention related to a bearing for the drive ring of a ring drive of a silo reclaimer wherein the bearing is mounted on the drive ring for bearing relation with bearing surface of the ring drive and is made of a plastics bearing material. The plastics bearing material has a coefficient of friction on its bearing surface so as to operate without lubrication in use.

Abstract: A bin or hopper, preferably with one-dimensional convergence, has a slot outlet at its bottom for discharging bulk solid particulate material (such as coal, wood chips, sugar, plastic pellets, etc.) to a screw in a trough. The screw has varying flight diameter, shaft diameter, and average pitch along its length to a discharge so as to provide substantially uniform material flow velocity distribution along the slot outlet. One or more flow rate adjusters may regulate flow of material being transported by the screw. Each flow adjuster may be a vertical plate with a substantially straight-across bottom curved about a substantially horizontal axis, or with a bottom two-dimensional curvature.

Abstract: An abrasive particle metering device has a supply of fluid abrasive material; a feed tube through which the abrasive material flows; a metering wheel located very near to the feed tube, onto which the feed tube dispenses the abrasive material, and off of which a metered amount of abrasive material is ejected; a funnel to redirect and transport the metered amount of abrasive material; and a motor to drive the metering wheel. The abrasive material is supplied from a storage hopper or some external source. The amount of abrasive material ejected from the metering wheel depends on the rotational rate of the metering wheel. The motor controls the rotational rate of the metering wheel. The flow tube can have a contoured tip to conform to the perimeter of the metering wheel, and the flow tube can be raised or lowered relative to the metering wheel to accommodate various abrasive materials.

Abstract: An automatic device for dispensing flowable products at half and low temperatures, the device comprising cylindrical tubes fixed obliquely and each tube including shaking helical screw for feeding the product under pressure towards a bottom end of the cylinder and dispensing the same through a dispensing valve actuated by a pneumatic actuator, an upper end of each cylinder including an air intake valve for feeding pressurized air into the cylinder.

Abstract: The powder paint feeder for powder coating directly is installed to a powder paint tank of a fluidized bed type. In the powder paint feeder, a cylindrical screw casing is inserted into the powder paint tank and fixed thereto and has an introducing port into which the powder paint fluidized in the powder paint tank is introduced and a discharging port through which the powder paint dispersed externally of the powder paint tank is discharged. A screw is accommodated in the screw casing and feeds the powder paint introduced from the introducing port to the discharging port while compacting it. A deaerating device is disposed to the screw casing and deaerates the fluidized powder paint to accelerate the compaction of the powder paint. A dispersing blade is mounted on the rotational shaft of the screw in the vicinity of the discharging port downstream of the screw for dispersing the compacted powder paint. A driving device rotates the rotational shaft of the screw.

Abstract: A fluent material containing and dispensing apparatus including a hopper having four sidewalls. A tube mounts to one of the sidewalls, and an auger extends from one end of the tube to the opposite end of the hopper, driving material in the hopper through the tube when the auger is rotated. A flexible hose is mounted to the underside of the tube and material in the tube pours into the hose, which can be kinked to slow or stop flow of material. A gap is formed between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall. A radially inwardly extending flange can be mounted to the tube wall to slow the flow of material through the gap. Alternatively, a compressible sleeve can be mounted in the gap between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall extending a substantial length of the tube.

Abstract: Materials conveying equipment 10 includes a support structure 12. A housing 20 is mounted on the support structure 12, the housing 20 having an inlet opening 26 and a remote discharge opening. A shaftless screw conveyor 18 is arranged rotatably in the housing 20 for conveying materials from the inlet opening 26 of the housing 20 to the discharge opening of the housing 20. A gravimetric unit 16 is mounted at the discharge opening for receiving the materials.

Abstract: An ice dispenser system incorporates a common ice delivery passage for both cubed and crushed ice. A first set of ice crushing blades are mounted upon a shaft that rotates concurrently with an ice delivery element such as an auger. When cubed ice is desired, an unobstructed ice delivery path is provided with the second set of ice crushing blades being pivoted out of the passage and the first set of ice crushing blades simply rotating within the passage to aid in delivering ice to an ice receiving area. Preferably, the second set of ice crushing blades are pivoted through the use of a crank arm that has a first bent end received in a slot formed in the second set of ice crushing blades and a second bent end that is acted upon by an output member of a solenoid attached to a rear portion of an ice collecting bin of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for accurate delivery of relatively small quantities of powdered solid materials. Preferred apparatus comprise: a primary chamber having a lateral surface extending between a first open end and a second open end; a rotating member that is positioned within the primary chamber and extends from a first position within the primary chamber to a second position within the primary chamber; a motor coupled with the rotating member and adapted to effect rotation thereof; a feed chamber having a lateral surface extending between a first open end and a second open end; and an air flow chamber coupled with the primary chamber and having a lateral surface extending between a first open end and a second open end.

Abstract: A device is used to separate foreign objects from a mass of coins between a coin intake and a coin lifting device in a coin sorting and/or counting machine. The device has a perforated drum (13; 33), which is rotatable around its longitudinal axis, is open at its respective ends and is connected at a first end to the coin intake and at a second end to the coin lifting device. The machine also has a driving device (15, 16, 35) for rotating drum.

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 method and system for maintaining a uniform volume of powder in a powder feeder provided. The system includes a supply hopper that is spared from a powder feeder. The powder includes a receiving opening and a discharge opening. A rotatable brush is in communication with the supply hopper for causing powder withdrawn from the supply hopper to be transported to the powder feeder and disposed uniformly across the receiving opening of the powder feeder. The brush is immersed within the powder and extends across the receiving opening of the powder feeder, and maintains a filled level powder feeder.

Abstract: A receival hopper for delicate and fragmentary particulate material such as fruit berries or bark pieces, in which the hopper (2) includes a support frame (5) with a receiving bin (3) pivotally secured to the frame (5) and an auger (4) which includes an auger screw (8), extending along a peripheral lip of the receiving bin at or adjacent the pivot, with a pair of adjacent but spaced hydraulic rams (6) secured between the bin and the support frame for moving the bin between lowered and raised positions relative to the support frame.

Abstract: A novel motor controlled microvalve dispenser includes a body section through which fluid, e.g., adhesives, epoxies, fluxes solder pastes, for example, is accurately dispensed as a dot or bead or other shape, all of a predetermined dimension. The housing includes a removable and replaceable insert which prevents any of the fluid from contacting any of the interior walls of the housing or of the infeed passage. The insert includes both an infeed passage which extends out of the housing and an outlet passage also extending out of the housing, the insert including a bore into which a feed screw or auger is sealingly positioned for rotation by the motor. Attached to outlet passage is an applicator or tip dispenser such as a removable and replaceable dispensing needle.

Abstract: A material conveying system for accurately conveying a specific predetermined amount of a material. The system includes a large primary auger that is rotated to convey the material until the amount of material closely approaches the predetermined amount. A smaller secondary auger, disposed coaxially with the primary auger, is then rotated to convey material until the amount of material conveyed reaches the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A device for delivering a finely divided coating product to a sprayer. The device includes a conveyer composed of a tube and a worm screw mounted in the tube for transporting the coating product, and a motor coupled to the worm screw for rotating the worm screw. The device is constructed for limiting the torque which must be transferred from the motor to the worm screw for rotating the worm screw.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a first vertical tube with a plug operably mounted in the lower end to selectively prevent the flow of the material from a dispensing opening in the lower end of the tube. A horizontal feed tube has an auger therein which selectively moves material into the upper end of the vertical tube for dispensing through the dispensing opening of the vertical tube. An actuator mounted on the vertical tube selectively moves the plug between the open and closed positions to dispense material within the tube. A second vertical tube adjacent the first tube also includes a plug operably mounted in a dispensing opening in the lower end thereof, for dispensing fluid from the second vertical tube. The first vertical tube is mounted with its lower end vertically spaced above the lower end of the second vertical tube such that liquid from the second vertical tube will not spray on the first vertical tube.

Abstract: A drive for a grain bin unloading sweep adapted to move the sweep around the bin in a series of steps. The operating mechanism includes a friction wheel adapted to ride on the floor of the bin to move the sweep flighting, and a pawl and ratchet to drive the wheel. The whole mechanism is located so as to make possible the rotation of the sweep around the full circumference of the bin.

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: An apparatus for producing expanded thermoplastic microspheres, including a belt conveyor (A) having an endless belt (1) for conveying microspheres. A device (B) for infrared (IR) heating, including a plurality of IR lamps (4) is located above the belt (1). A dosing device (C) for the dried unexpanded microspheres is located at one end of the belt conveyor and in conjunction with the belt (1). A collecting device (D) for expanded microspheres is located at the other end of the belt conveyor and in conjunction with the belt (1).

Abstract: A particulate image developer material mixing system for a reproduction apparatus, with a rotatably driven helical mixing coil in a developer material sump for mixing the developer material in the sump, and with a system for holding the rotatably driven helical mixing coil in the sump, and a system for anti-bridging of the developer material by agitating the developer material in the sump by agitating the mixing coil; including a smoothly rounded rod substantially extending inside of the helical mixing coil with a smoothly enlarged diameter end portion outwardly radiused to operatively intermediately engage the mixing coil so that as the helical mixing coil is rotatably driven at least one coil thereof is periodically partially detained and deformed on the smoothly enlarged diameter end portion and then periodically released automatically after a further rotation, so as to provide a periodic anti-bridging agitation of the developer materials, at a desired frequency, and the free end of the helical mixing coil

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for discharging granular or disintegrated material from silos in predetermined quantities per unit of time. The discharge arrangement includes a rotatable disc (15) which is intended to be placed at the bottom of the silo (1) and which is provided with at least one radially extending channel. A discharge device (21) is rotatably arranged in the channel or in each channel and is provided with recesses for accommodating material in the silo and for moving this material to a position in which it can be discharged from the silo. The discharge device or devices (21) suitably has/have the form of a cylinder provided with axially or helically cut grooves, these grooves forming the aforementioned recesses. A pillar (3) extends centrally through the silo (1), from the disc (15) to an inlet opening (4) in the top of the silo (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of filling a flowable product into a succession of receptacles as they pass continuously along a predetermined path is defined by an elongated hollow containment member mounted above the predetermined path which is formed with an axially extending slot therein. A metering screw having a helical thread is mounted for rotation within the containment member and is biased into sealing engagement with the containment member on each side of the slot. A distribution chamber is formed within the containment member substantially around the screw member except that the sealing engagement and the slot whereby flowable products supplied to the distribution chamber when the screw is rotated is distributed through the slot between adjacent screw portions of the screw member and leaves the containment member in a succession of spaced moving streams.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly distributing metered seasoning and/or granular/powdered material from an elongated opening in a seasoning snout includes a rotatable cylindrical spinner bar supported below the seasoning snout and driven at a surface speed greater than the falling speed of the seasoning from the metering openings so that seasoning falling from the metering openings hits the cylindrical bar and is sheared and directed generally tangentially to create a uniform curtain of seasoning materials while preventing the build up of seasoning material on the cylindrical spinner bar.

Abstract: According to the invention an apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food material for application to a solid food product is provided. A dry ingredient distributor is provided which includes an auger surrounded by a distribution tube having a plurality of openings. Mounted to the distribution tube and vertically spaced therefrom at a preselected distance, is an electrostatic field generation means for generation of a substantially uniform electrostatic field horizontally along substantially the entire length of the distribution tube to generate an electrostatic field in the path of the food material exiting the outlets of the distribution tube.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wagon for cutting, mixing and dispensing fodder. At least two rotating endless screws are housed within a curved-profile compartment. The screws have spirals wound in opposite directions to one another, so that the processed material is led to the center of the compartment. Each of the endless screws has at least one baffle plate extending radially of the endless screw; and the spirals have protruding blades.

Abstract: A movable bulk storage bin for ice or other friable materials including a head rack base, tail rack base, drive end base, and discharge end base which fasten into pre-punched attachment holes to form a foundation frame. Corner posts mounted on the foundation frame are notched to receive a plurality of wall panels for containment of the material which is deposited via conveying means into the top of the bulk storage bin. Located within the foundation frame and parallel to the rack bases is a discharge conveyor which receives material such as ice from a traversing auger. A rack and pinion gear at each end of the traversing auger, in cooperation with carriages and drive motors, causes the traversing auger to rotate and to travel the length of the bin. The traversing auger is provided with opposite hand helical flighting having cutting teeth disposed thereon.

Abstract: A heater for burning particulate combustible fuel material, and a stoker for transferring the fuel for use in connection with such a heater. The heater includes a burner with a step upward from the stoker onto the burner, for reducing the possibility of the fire burning back into the supply of fuel. The stoker includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor, spaced vertically apart and connected together by a drop box. A drive arrangement for driving the conveyors includes a prime mover connected to the first conveyor by means of a drive shaft and to the second conveyor by an intermittent drive. The intermittent drive includes a second shaft with a plurality of paddles extending radially outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment, one or more paddles are removably affixed to the first shaft and extend radially outward therefrom. Thus rotation of the first shaft causes rotation of the second shaft only when the paddles are in contact.

Abstract: A fluidized type paint powder tank has a fluidizing chamber for fluidizing paint powder and a storage chamber into which the paint powder in the fluidizing chamber is fed to keep it still. There is also provided a paint supply device for an electrostatic powder painting apparatus that includes a paint tank for containing paint powder and a painting gun coupled to the paint tank through an injector and a hose. The device includes a discharge member for discharging the paint powder from the paint tank and a hopper for receiving the paint powder discharged by the discharge member. A screw feeder is provided under the hopper. With this arrangement, the paint powder supplied at a uniform rate by the screw feeder is fed into the injector.

Abstract: An auger apparatus having an elongated housing for permitting granular, powdery or pelletized material to pass therethrough has an inlet is provided for introducing material to be conveyed into one end of the housing and an outlet for causing the material to drop therethrough to a desired destination, this outlet comprising a plurality of elongated openings disposed at least partially in a lower portion of the housing. An auger is disposed in the housing for moving the material therein in one direction through the housing. A motor is provided for rotating the auger about an axis in a direction to cause material disposed in the housing to move from the inlet to the outlet thereof. The lower portion of the housing is at least partially cylindrical in shape and the elongated openings have one end thereof closer to the inlet than to the outlet of the housing and these elongated openings also have one end thereof lower than the other end thereof.

Abstract: A developer material mixing blender includes a shaft and self-locking segments. Each segment has a hollow hub, an inner ribbon for moving material towards one end, an outer ribbon for moving material in a second stream towards another and opposite end, and an interstream cross-mixing rib for moving material laterally from one to the other of the first and second streams in order to insure good mixing.

Abstract: An apparatus for metered filling of toner from a reservoir into the developing station of an electrophotographic printer device comprises a metering drum in the exit region of the reservoir. A hollow conveyor helix is situated in a conveyor tube above the metering drum. The conveyor helix extends parallel along the metering drum into the toner reservoir. The conveyor helix and the metering drum are coupled in terms of drive corresponding to the metering power.

Abstract: A guiding opening is provided at the upper part of the side wall of a vertical conveying duct when the duct side wall extends horizontally. The upper end of the conveying auger 40 located in the vertical duct is bent sideward so as to be introduced into the guiding opening, and this introduced end portion is pivoted on the pivot portion. In such a manner, the end portion is rotatably pivoted and the other end is set free. Thus, developer introduced into the vertical conveying duct is carried thereinto in the axial direction of the conveying auger, and conveyed by rotation of the auger. Then, developer is exhausted in the axial direction.

Abstract: An ice dispenser for a refrigeration apparatus includes a container for storing ice bodies. The container has opposite front and rear walls and an access opening through the front wall. A housing is secured at the front wall adjacent the access opening and has a dispensing space for dispensing ice bodies. An ice conveyor transfers ice bodies stored in the container to the dispensing space. The ice conveyor includes a wire auger and a cylindrical sleeve surrounding the wire auger for rotation therewith. The cylinder has an outer wall including a helical rib extending outwardly therefrom. The sleeve rib moves ice bodies frontwardly at a slower rate than the wire auger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a wide variety of seasoning material utilizes a hopper for the seasoning material and a tube having one end in fluid communication with the hopper. The tube extends outwardly from the hopper and terminates at a distal end thereof, the tube having a feed section adjacent the hopper and a seasoning delivery section between the feed section and the distal end of the tube. The dispenser includes a motor-driven auger extending from the hopper through the feed section and the delivery section of the tube. Seasoning distribution aperture(s) start at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section on a side of the tube at least 10.degree. from the bottom of the tube so that seasoning exits the side of the tube at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section.

Abstract: An apparatus of this invention for dispensing particles into an annular pattern is preferably employed in relining a foundry furnace. The furnace relining operation comprises positioning an expendable steel form in the furnace spaced apart from an outer wall, filling the annular space with refractory particles, and sintering the particles into a continuous lining. The apparatus of this invention comprises a platform removably positioned atop the form and having a circular track. The apparatus further comprises a carriage rotatably mounted on the platform and riding on wheels that travel along the circular track. A supply of the refractory particles is loaded into a hopper carried by the carriage. A feeder conveys particles from the hopper for discharge into the space. During use, the carriage rotates while continuously dispensing particles to uniformly distribute the particles into the space.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing foodstuffs or other consumer products and the like comprises a base, a drive assembly having a drive handle, a container defining a chamber at least partially filled with foodstuffs or other products and a feed cone having an auger blade disposed therein and extending into the container when the feed cone and the container are operably linked. A measuring chamber and a dispenser chute are moveably mounted to the feed cone. The dispensing chute is retained in a normally closed position by a spring secured to the dispenser chute. When the drive handle is manually turned a measured quantity of food stuff or other consumer product is conveyed into the measuring chamber.

Abstract: A seed drill comprises first through fourth bins and a distributing mechanism. The bins have upper edges defining first and second openings. The upper edges and the openings are substantially coplanar. The distributing mechanism distributes material from a source to the receptacles, and includes an enclosed channel to the receptacles and a mechanism for driving material within the channel from the source to the receptacles. The channel has first through fourth discharge apertures positioned, respectively, above the first and second openings, which are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A product-discharging device of a powdery/granular material processing apparatus incorporating a rotary pan. The product discharging device extends along an end wall from the vicinity of the rotary pan to the vicinity of an aperture provided at the end wall of the rotary pan. The product-discharging device guides the finished product from the interior of the rotary pan to the aperture and then automatically discharges the finished product out of the apparatus.

Abstract: A frozen beverage dispenser for use with a liquid/ice slurry machine which freezes a liquid to form a slurry and continuously circulates the slurry through the machine for maintaining the slurry in the desired state. The dispenser includes a nozzle connected to the machine by a flexible line having concentric inner and outer tubes, with the slurry being continuously circulated through the line between the machine and the nozzle. The nozzle has a flow path therethrough with the line connected at one end of the flow path and with a valve for controlling flow out the other end, and a bypass passage between the inner and outer tubes for return flow of the slurry when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for use with a bucket conveyor in which spaced-apart buckets are supported between spaced-parallel conveyor chains. The mechanism has a cylindrical trough with a feed auger extending across the chains. The trough has a discharge slot in its bottom coextensive with the width of the bucket. Materials fed to one end of the auger are advanced along the length of the trough. The discharge slot is adjustable in width so that it may be reduced for the major part of its length but is fully open at its remote end. A hollow cylindrical drum surrounds the auger to be rotated in synchronism with the chains. The drum has openings around its circumference to register with the open tops of the buckets, and skirts are provided between the discharge openings and the drum openings to direct the material from the discharge openings through the drum openings.

Abstract: This screw auger chemical applicator is designed to evenly and non-cloggingly feed chemical or small seed onto a ground surface. Primarily, it consists of a pulley and belt train driven by a wheel in engagement with a trailing wheel of a pair of wheels mounted to a towed frame behind a farm tractor, and the pulley and belt train drives a left and right pitched auger beneath each hopper of the applicator, for even feed from a pair of discharge openings in the hopper. A by-pass tube is also provided beneath the auger portion, for preventing compacting of the chemical or seed that could cause malfunction.

Abstract: A degassification device for a screw extruder which processes plastic material in which the extruder has a hollow housing and an extruder screw rotatable in the housing, the degassification device having a pair of degassification screws disposed adjacent to the extruder screw for rotation about axes parallel to the axes of rotation of the extruder screw. A housing headpiece accommodates the degassification screws and is in communication with the extruder housing such that gas and vapor produced in the extruder housing can flow radially therefrom into the housing headpiece for discharge therefrom. The degassification screws have threads which interengage one another and they are driven in the same direction of rotation. The housing headpiece has adjacent longitudinal bores which overlap one another and respectively receive the degassification screws therein with their threads interengaged with one another.

Abstract: A powder constant-volume feeder includes a canister having on the inner surface thereof a fin for transferring powder upwards and is inclined to form a return portion for the powder which has been transferred by the fin. A bucket wheel has a plurality of buckets for continuously transferring the powder from the interior of the return portion to a powder hopper. The powder hopper receives the powder from the interior of the buckets of the bucket wheel. A constant volume of powder can thus be fed continously at a constant bulk density.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing an additive (70) into a stream (14) of well proppant includes a sealed housing (42), (44), (52) containing a first chamber (102), a second chamber (104), and an additive dispenser (64), (72) operably connected to a motor (92). The upper chamber (102) is adapted to contain the additive (70), and the lower chamber (104) communicated with the pressurized well proppant stream (14). The additive dispensing means (64), (72) is disposed between the upper chamber (102) and the lower chamber (104). Pressure equalizing tubes (98 and 99) within said housing (42), (44), (52) extend from the upper chamber (102) through the additive dispenser (64), (72) to the lower chamber (104) to equalize the fluid pressure existing in the lower chamber (104) with the fluid pressure existing in the upper chamber (102) during the dispensing of the additive ( 70) from the upper chamber (102) to the lower chamber (104).

Abstract: A fluent material containing and dispensing apparatus including a hopper having four sidewalls. A tube mounts to one of the sidewalls, and an auger extends from one end of the tube to the opposite end of the hopper, driving material in the hopper through the tube when the auger is rotated. A flexible hose is mounted to the underside of the tube and material in the tube pours into the hose, which can be kinked to slow or stop flow of material. A gap is formed between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall. A radially inwardly extending flange can be mounted to the tube wall to slow the flow of material through the gap. Alternatively, a compressible sleeve can be mounted in the gap between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall extending a substantial length of the tube.