Abstract: A paving mixture for application to a surface and a method for the same. The mixture comprises a binding material layer applied to the surface to form a base layer on the surface, and an aggregate material layer applied on top of the binding material layer, wherein the binding material layer comprises at least 15% of the bitumen in the paving mixture by weight, the aggregate material layer contains an asphalt mixture that provides a road surface. The aggregate material layer and the binding material layer are combined on the surface within 30 seconds of application of the binding material layer.

Abstract: An improved feed mechanism for a processor of solid objects includes a plunging paddle connected via connectors and eccentrics to a rotating shaft driven by a motor. The rotating shaft has an axis offset from the centers of the eccentrics. The plunging paddle plunges product on a conveyor belt from a feed tank to create a single layer for conveying the product to a processor.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide a specific volumetric output (e.g., product feed and discharge) of a material. In some implementations, these systems and methods are particularly suited for use with strand-type materials, namely, materials having difficult handling characteristics. For some implementations, a specific pile depth and width of a material is created on a moving belt to provide a specific volumetric output based on the speed of the belt. One or more leveling drums can be used to make the pile depth consistent. Moreover, a weighing system can be provided that is used in combination with the metering mechanism and other components (e.g., a control system) to create a “weight-loss” type weigh feeder.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process respectively an apparatus for filling a container with articles such as food, in particular meat, and a process respectively an apparatus for cooling articles and is characterised by repeating the following steps: (A) a first portion of the articles is conveyed with a conveying means, in particular a conveyor belt, having a conveyor outlet and is discharged into a container at a lower conveying speed such that a first portion accumulates in the container at the first location closer to the conveyor outlet; and (B) thereafter, a second portion of the articles is conveyed by the conveying means and is discharged into a container at a higher conveying speed, such that the second portion accumulates in the container at the second location further away from the conveyor outlet; as well as a process respectively an apparatus for cooling articles using said process and said apparatus for filling; as well as the articles processed by said processes respectively said apparatus.

Abstract: In a plant for producing thin articles in the form of a slab, manufactured with a mix (M) based on agglomerate stone or ceramic material, the mix is distributed in a thin layer on a support (90) using a distributor (100) comprising a hopper (120) and an underlying extractor belt (150). Means (132, 151) are provided for preventing interruption of the article production cycle, required to eliminate the incrustations resulting from contact of at least part of the hopper (120) and/or the extractor belt (150) with the mix.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide a specific volumetric output (e.g., product feed and discharge) of a material. In some implementations, these systems and methods are particularly suited for use with strand-type materials, namely, materials having difficult handling characteristics. For some implementations, a specific pile depth and width of a material is created on a moving belt to provide a specific volumetric output based on the speed of the belt. One or more leveling drums can be used to make the pile depth consistent. Moreover, a weighing system can be provided that is used in combination with the metering mechanism and other components (e.g., a control system) to create a “weight-loss” type weigh feeder.

Abstract: A dosing hopper for producing wood material panels has a feed device (2) that distributes the supplied material flow of glued wood particles continuously over the width of the hopper (1). The dosing hopper supplies elongated flat wood strands for producing oriented structural chip boards or panels (OSB, LSL). The feed device (2) includes a weighing device (23), with which the wood strands are distributable over the entire hopper width in a weight-dosed and oriented manner.

Abstract: A system and method are used to meter fibrous material into a concrete mixture. The system includes an endless conveyor belt rotatably supported on first and second rollers. Pick up members on the belt project into the direction of travel for collecting fibrous material as the belt is rotated through a container having fibrous material therein. The fibrous material is released as the belt is rotated over the second roller where the pick up members are moved away from the belt at the free end thereof due to curvature of the belt. A sweeper mechanism may be provided at the second roller to assist in releasing the fibrous material from the pickup members. The configuration of the container permits any brand or type of fibres to be readily used while still maintaining a consistent delivery or discharge of fibres which is proportional to the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: A system and method are used to meter fibrous material into a concrete mixture. The system includes an endless conveyor belt rotatably supported on first and second rollers. Pick up members on the belt project into the direction of travel for collecting fibrous material as the belt is rotated through a container having fibrous material therein. The fibrous material is released as the belt is rotated over the second roller where the pick up members are moved away from the belt at the free end thereof due to curvature of the belt. A sweeper mechanism may be provided at the second roller to assist in releasing the fibrous material from the pickup members. The configuration of the container permits any brand or type of fibres to be readily used while still maintaining a consistent delivery or discharge of fibres which is proportional to the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for displaying bulk items and selectively dispensing a designated quantity of the bulk items from a multiplicity of the bulk items upon demand includes containing a multiplicity of bulk items in a volume of the bulk items within a bin and simultaneously conveying bulk items in a horizontal direction toward one end of the bin, adjacent the bottom of the bin, and in a vertically upward direction, adjacent the one end of the bin, to move bulk items from the volume of bulk items to an elevated dispensing outlet, in response to a demand, while at the same time tumbling the bulk items within the volume to separate the bulk items from one another for delivery of the designated quantity of individual, discrete selected bulk items to the dispensing outlet.

Abstract: A sandbagging manufacturing apparatus designed to be used with standard sanding trucks normally used with a broadcast spreader. The truck includes a large hopper with a hydraulically controlled conveyor belt located longitudinally inside the large hopper that delivers sand to a rear opening. Located below the rear opening is rigid framework used to hold the broadcast spreader. The apparatus includes a small hopper selectively attached to the framework below the hopper's rear opening. The small hopper is designed to slide into brackets formed on the framework so that the small hopper and broadcast spreader may be easily exchanged. A vertically aligned chute is attached to the small hopper through which sand falls to fill sandbags. The apparatus also includes a control box designed to control the operation of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A metering unit for dough and related foodstuffs having a dough feeder unit, support structure, dough hopper, effluent housing, drive motor and centerless helix, with the effluent housing including an inlet, center and outlet section. The centerless helix is disposed within the effluent housing, and is rotatably coupled to the drive motor. Dough is fed into an aperture in the input section of the effluent housing, and upon rotation of the centerless helix, is discharged from the outlet section of the effluent housing. The internal flowpath of the effluent housing can include a separate discharge liner to prevent the centerless helix from contacting the flowpath wall. Additional control mechanisms can be included to limit motor power output and protect the system in event of an overpressure condition. The system is portable, and can be coupled to a conventional conveyor system to create an integrated approach to dough metering and transport.

Abstract: A granular material supply system has a granular material supply unit and a granular material feed unit. The granular material supply unit delivers a granular material through an inlet formed in a pressure case included in the granular material feed unit onto a conveying device disposed in the pressure case. The conveying device conveys the granular material to an outlet formed in the pressure case to feed the granular material through the outlet into a granular material using apparatus. The granular material supply unit, and the pressure case of the granular material feed unit can be immovably installed. Therefore the granular material supply system can be formed in a closed system without placing any special joints, such as expansion joints, in a line connecting the granular material supply unit and the pressure case and in a line connecting the pressure case and the granular material using apparatus. Only the conveying device needs to be disposed in the pressure case.

Abstract: A grain storage bin has a circular bin floor structure and a cylindrical bin wall upstanding from the floor. A bin aeration system includes a perforated air discharge tube mounted diametrically across the bin supported on a frame above the floor from one side with an air supply duct for supplying air from a fan through the wall. The floor structure is divided diametrically into two separate half sections. A rectangular discharge duct extends from a feed opening at a center of the bin horizontally under the horizontal support surface to a discharge outside the wall of the bin with a belt having parallel runs along the duct, a first opening at the center of the bin and a second opening adjacent the wall so that the material within the bin can fall onto the upper run of the belt to be carried to the side for discharge.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes a tailgate having an opening through which material in the receptacle can be dispensed by an endless conveyor in the dump body, and a feedgate for adjusting the rate of discharge is removably mounted on one of the tailgate and the bottom of the dump body and has a passageway through which the conveyor belt extends and a door displaceable toward and away from the conveyor to adjust the size of the passageway and thus the rate of material discharge when the conveyor is in operation.

Abstract: A bulk material feeder for improving material flow as the material makes the generally ninety degree (90°) transition from the downcomer to the generally horizontal conveyor. The downcomer presents an innermost divergent surface that extends upwardly from the discharge opening of the downcomer. The divergent surface may be defined by an inlet wall that is fit within the outer casing wall of the downcomer, or by the outer casing wall itself. The present invention also concerns the method of retrofitting an existing feeder with a divergent inlet.

Abstract: A sandbagging manufacturing apparatus designed to be used with standard sanding trucks normally used with a broadcast spreader. The truck includes a large hopper with a hydraulically controlled conveyor belt located longitudinally inside the large hopper that delivers sand to a rear opening. Located below the rear opening is rigid framework used to hold the broadcast spreader. The apparatus includes a small hopper selectively attached to the framework below the hopper's rear opening. The small hopper is designed to slide into brackets formed on the framework so that the small hopper and broadcast spreader may be easily exchanged. A vertically aligned chute is attached to the small hopper through which sand falls to fill sandbags. The apparatus also includes a control box designed to control the operation of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A bulk material feeder is disclosed for improving material flow as the material makes the generally ninety degree (90°) transition from the downcomer to the generally horizontal conveyor. The downcomer presents an innermost divergent surface that extends upwardly from the discharge opening of the downcomer. The divergent surface may be defined by an inlet wall that is fit within the outer casing wall of the downcomer, or by the outer casing wall itself. The present invention also concerns the method of retrofitting an existing feeder with a divergent inlet.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes a tailgate having an opening through which material in the receptacle can be dispensed by an endless conveyor in the dump body, and a feedgate for adjusting the rate of discharge is removably mounted on one of the tailgate and the bottom of the dump body and has a passageway through which the conveyor belt extends and a door displaceable toward and away from the conveyor to adjust the size of the passageway and thus the rate of material discharge when the conveyor is in operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing materials onto a substrate in a vacuum. In one embodiment, a dispensing system includes a dispensing vacuum chamber having an inlet to receive substrates for dispensing and an outlet to provide substrates having material dispensed thereon, a dispensing pump, disposed within the dispensing vacuum chamber, that dispenses the material onto substrates, a substrate support system, disposed within the dispensing vacuum chamber, that supports substrates at a dispensing position beneath the dispensing pump, an inlet vacuum chamber coupled to the inlet of the dispensing vacuum chamber, and an outlet vacuum chamber coupled to the outlet of the dispensing vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A multi-outlet depositor receives fluid material and displaces first and second portions of the material using first and second mechanisms, respectively, that are coupled together in a manner that causes volume of the first portion to vary according to volume of the second portion. The first portion may equal the second portion. The first and second mechanisms may be coupled using a bolt. The multi-outlet depositor may also include an output for providing the first and second portions. The first and second mechanisms may include positive displacement vane pumps. Each of the vane pumps may include a hub/chamber assembly having a hub and a plurality of vanes disposed within a cylinder. The hub/chamber assembly may have two vanes that interlock and are displaceable along their longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a motor for providing drive power to the vehicle, a hydraulic system powered by the motor, a container for containing a bulk quantity of fluent matter, and matter-dispensing apparatus comprising the hopper for receiving fluent matter from the container, a selectively operable transfer mechanism for transferring fluent matter from the container to the hopper, and an actuator disposed proximately to the hopper, the actuator being operatively associated with the transfer mechanism by the hydraulic system such that the transference of fluent matter from the container to the hopper is controlled by the actuator.

Abstract: A candy holding and retrieving device which moves a powdered candy or any suitable candy from a reservoir onto a plastic or rubber belt which delivers the candy to a user. The device includes a main housing which contains a motor, a power supply, a gearing system designed for the proper torque and speed, and a plastic or rubber belt. The belt can be made with the surface bumpy or have a scoop made into or attached to the belt for collecting hard candy or gum and depositing it out at an opening in the main housing. The upper end of the main housing has a wheel which turns on an axle and which engages the gearing system. The lower end of the main housing has another wheel that turns on an axle. The plastic or rubber belt encircles both wheels on the outside of the main housing. A spaced plastic covering on the outside of the main housing encloses the plastic or rubber belt, and is provided with a contact switch for operating the motor.

Abstract: A dump truck having a dump body which includes an adjustable feedgate for adjusting the size of a passageway through a rear opening at the rear of the dump body. The feedgate is rotatably mounted within the rear opening to provide for improved control of the flow of materials within the dump body which pass through the rear opening when the feedgate is positioned into an open position. A side guide is incorporated into the feedgate to provide additional control of the flow rate of materials through the rear opening especially at low feed rates.

Abstract: A mechanism for making granulated material from a viscous substance includes a vessel charged with the substance and having a discharge arrangement such as a slit through which the substance can flow onto a cooling surface. A belt disposed above the cooling surface is passed across the slit of the vessel. The belt has openings arranged to periodically come into alignment with the slit to allow the substance to flow therethrough. The belt is a thin metal belt strengthened by sleeves projecting from respective ones of the openings in a direction away from the vessel.

Abstract: A rotoformer includes a rotary drum for dispensing drops or strips of a free-flowing compound onto a cooling belt. A heating hood overlies the drum and is swingable to an inoperative position to afford access to the drum. The hood is mounted for swinging movement on a vertical axis which is offset from a horizontal axis of rotation of the drum so that when in its inoperative position, no part of the hood overlies the cooling belt. A part of the hood is relocatable, e.g., by being swingable upwardly, or by being detached, to permit the hood to be swung to its inoperative position.

Abstract: A top dresser (10) is disclosed in a first preferred form including a discharge gate (56) of a pusher (44) movably mounted in a hopper (30) for forcing material forward towards a rotating, cylindrical, dispensing drum (66) as the top dresser (10) is being pulled forward. The pusher (44) is slideably mounted by slides (50) secured to ears (48) extending between the sides (36) and the bottom (34) of the hopper (30) and slideable on tubular rails (52) positioned on the outside of the hopper (30). The pusher (44) is moved by expandable and contractable actuators (58, 60) pivotally mounted by their opposite ends to the frame (12) and the pusher (44) in a non-parallel, crossing manner. The drum (66) includes corrugated sheeting (70) around its periphery for gripping the material in the hopper (30) and drawing it under a metering gate (72) and a rotating brush (74) which propels the material onto the ground.

Abstract: A container housing is arranged with a front wall slot directed through the front wall of the container, with a deflector plate extending rearwardly and canted downwardly relative to an upper edge of the front wall slot. Access to the floor of the associated container is directed through the slot, with a ramp structure to include a ramp plate, or alternatively a conveyor belt directed downwardly from the rear wall towards the floor. The ramp structure may include a conveyor assembly, with the conveyor assembly including a non-freezable gel therewithin, whereupon on cleaning of the container, heating of the non-freezable gel enhances ease of maintenance of the organization in use.

Abstract: Trigger-operated hot-melt dispenser with positive-feed mechanism wherein at least one continuous feed-belt in axial contact with a rod of thermoplastic material and operated to urge said rod into the melt chamber of said hot-melt dispenser is characterized in that release of the trigger first reverses the feed-belt to withdraw the rod a pre-set amount away from the melt-chamber and after a pre-set interval moves the feed-belt transversely out of contact with the rod. This facilitates removal and replacement of a part-spent rod. Preferably the rate of the transverse movement is greater than the tracking speed of the belt. A preferred embodiment includes twin, parallel feed belts which together grip an intervening rod.

Abstract: A modularly constructed, trailerable, skid mounted, multi-compartmented concrete mixer and cement storage silo having a plurality of longitudinally aligned, bottom mounted, driven feed chains. In a combination construction, a single motor is cooperatively coupled to the feed chains of each mixer compartment and the feed chain of the cement silo to feed the cement/sand/aggregate in metered quantities to a turreted, separately powered auger where water is added and along the length of which the concrete is mixed. A silo vent column includes a plurality of fabric collection filters and means for vibrationally removing and reclaiming the cement. Air infiltration ports mounted along the bottom of the cement silo and one or more vibrators mounted to the mixer adjacent the sand and aggregate bins prevents crusting. Alternatively, the silo may be self-powered, and/or the mixer and silo may be transported independent of one another and/or without the trailer.

Abstract: In an automation system for a mixing and dispensing apparatus, different colors of granite granules are placed into different silos. Dampers and proportion gates on the bottom of the silos permit specific proportions of different granite colors to fall and mix on a conveyor. The granite color combination is transported through a bucket elevator to a lazy susan and from the lazy susan into a selected bin. A second combination of granite colors is then mixed by adjusting selected proportion gates and opening and closing selected dampers. The second color combination is transferred through the lazy susan to a second selected bin. Any number of color combinations can be made and transferred to selected bins. The granite color combinations from the several bins are then applied to an asphalt-coated fiberglass mat through a dispensing apparatus on the bottom of the selected bins. The entire process is automated and controlled through logic circuitry.

Abstract: A vibrating discharge apparatus for discharging particulate stored material from a surge or blending bin or the like, having a discharge end, a discharge apron defining an support surface near the bottom of the bin extending in a substantially horizontal plane along a conveyance path to the discharge end. The apron is directed along a downwardly curving convex apron path sloping downwardly from the horizontal plane at the discharge end and comprises a plurality of rigid elongated parallel transversely extending slat members each having a main slat body portion and a thin plate-like lip projecting therefrom to overlie the adjacent slat member.

Abstract: A grit spreader for motor vehicles consists of a container (1) for the gritting material, a dispersion channel leading to a vehicle wheel and an endless conveyor (5). The conveyor (5) is disposed in a first horizontal section (2) of the dispersion channel and is divided into individual chambers (9) by transverse webs (8). The discharge end of the conveyor (5) lies above a second section (3) of the dispersion channel comprising the outlet (4) and which leads to the vehicle wheel and is closable by means of a flap (16). The drive unit (10) of the conveyor (5) is provided with a follow-up control which only stops the drive unit (10) following actuation of a cutout switch when a transverse web (8) of the conveyor (5) enters the upper return section (A) of the conveyor pulley (7) disposed at the discharge end.

Abstract: A material handling hopper has an open top box with a chamber for holding bulk material. A bottom conveyor operates to remove material from the chamber. A divider located in the chamber reduces the bridging and packing of material in the chamber. The divider is an inverted V-shaped member secured to end walls of the box. The width of the inverted V-shaped member increases in the direction of movement of the conveyor. The divider is covered with low friction material to facilitate the flow of material around the divider.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus in which a perforated belt travels across to a moving sheet upon which granules are deposited through holes in the belt.

Abstract: A breading machine for selectively dispensing flour breading or free flowing breading and wherein the machine has a frame and conveyor means supported in the frame defining a conveyance path having a product inlet end and a product outlet end, and a hopper pivotally attached to the frame at the inlet end and movable between a breading dispensing position and a hopper cleaning position, frame support means pivotally attached to the frame at the outlet end and selectively adjustable to provide for flour breading of a food product wherein the said product is flipped over at the outlet end of the conveyor means or for free flowing breading to be applied to the food product wherein the said product exits from the conveyor means in the same manner in which it is initially introduced to the conveyor means, and wherein the frame support means is also adjustable between a conveyor means supporting position and a cleaning position above said conveyor means, and breading pumping slot means pivotally attached to the fram

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for transferring measured portions of loose material into packaging containers. The individual product portions, after being measured out, are to be filled rapidly and without interruption into packaging containers in such a manner that the product is not damaged thereby. To this end, the apparatus has a conveyor belt disposed beneath a container which prepares the product portions. The conveyor belt stretches out the poured product portions into a rapidly moving stream and directs this stream into a filling pipe leading to the packaging container. Limiting walls and a movable, endless belt form a conduit which guides the stream.

Abstract: A continuous flow, non-flooding gravimetric belt feeder is disclosed which may be used to convey fluid-like particulate material. The feeder includes an endless belt having spaced, transversely mounted cleats. A lateral wall is provided adjacent each of the opposed sides of the cleats and extending between adjacent cleats, thereby preventing the fluid-like particulate material from flowing along the belt, and thereby enabling the feeder to discharge the material at a steady, pre-set rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for unloading material from a silo comprises a chain drive wheel located near a discharge opening on one side of the silo, a chain idler wheel, a pair of angularly spaced apart rotatable chain guide wheels mounted on a ring which is drivable in a circular path around the silo floor, and an endless flexible cutting chain reeved around the aforesaid wheels. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the ring in the circular path and to rotate the chain drive wheel to drive the chain as the chain guide wheels move, whereby reaches of the chain sweep across the silo floor to unload the material through the discharge opening. The chain drive wheel and drive mechanism therefor are located outside the opening in the silo. The chain idler wheel is located inside the silo and within the ring. Protective devices are provided on the silo floor to prevent that reach of chain extending between the chain drive wheel and the chain idler wheel from being subjected to pressure from material thereabove in the silo.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading a silo having side walls and a floor which includes a central chute that supplies material to a conveyor box which is covered except for the chute. A conveyor in the conveyor box conveys material from the central chute out through a material outlet in the silo. The central positioning of the chute causes a top surface of the remaining material in the silo to form itself into a conical shape having an apex moving toward the central chute. As the material is depleted to such an extent that the apex of the material surface meets the central chute, the remainder of the material is blown to a lower run of the conveyor and discharged from the floor of the silo.

Abstract: A metering device for particulate material in which backups and caking of material is inhibited by the provision of a "live" metering gate consisting of an upper blocking section and a lower material contacting surface. The lower surface is continually moved in the direction of material flow at a speed approximately equal to or slightly greater than the material flow speed. An elongate rotatable rod carried at the lower end of a blocking plate preferably provides the material contacting surface.The gate is vertically adjustable so that the volumetric flow rate of material can be controlled. In a preferred embodiment the gate is located above the end of the material bearing surface and is adjustable along an axis which diverges from vertical by an appreciable angle, preferably about 45.degree..The transverse dimension of metered material is also controlled by means of two blocking members which extend inwardly toward each other from behind the gate.

Abstract: Support means support an upright hopper means and mixing hopper means. Continuous conveyor means extend from adjacent the lower end of the upright hopper means to adjacent the upper end of the mixing hopper means. Motor means move the conveyor means to carry dry bulk material from the upright hopper means to the mixing hopper means, and control means control the amount of material on the conveyor means as it leaves the upright hopper means.Discharge valve means adjacent the lower end of the valve hopper means communicate with liquid conducting means which is provided with an orifice therein which assists in discharging material from the mixing hopper means into the liquid conducting conduit means.

Abstract: An apparatus for the precise dispensing of particulate matter either at a uniform flow rate or in repetitious accurately measured discrete batches. The apparatus includes a housing having a hopper with a hopper outlet orientated over an endless conveyor belt. A metering tube is connected to the hopper outlet and is movable toward and away from the upper surface of the forward run of the conveyor belt. The distance of the lower end of the metering tube from the conveyor belt provides one measure of regulation of flow rate of the particulate matter from the hopper to the conveyor belt. The speed of the conveyor belt provides a second measure of regulation of the rate of flow from the hopper to the conveyor belt and eventually to a dispensing station.

Abstract: A sack-filling machine having a filling tube through which material to be discharged into a sack is to be passed, the filling tube defined by at least one wall and including at least one conveyor belt having a material-feeding run which extends along the inner surface of said wall from a position therein upstream of the downstream end of said filling tube to the vicinity of the downstream end of the filling tube, where the conveyor belt is deflected to form a return run. Conveniently, the conveyor belt is deflected at the downstream end of the filling tube around a curved downstream end of a guide plate mounted inside the filling tube adjacent said wall thereof.

Abstract: A firebox, steam boiler and steam condenser are mounted in a road vehicle such as a passenger automobile. A steam powered drive member, such as a steam turbine, is operated by the steam pressure from the boiler and has drive connection with the drive axle of the vehicle. The vehicle carries a fuel bin for holding a supply of powdered fuel which is fed to the firebox. An electrical system is also associated with the vehicle to produce an auxiliary heating function for the boiler, and such electrical system includes a time control arranged to energize the heating element at a preset time. A temperature control is also provided. A water supply system for the boiler includes an auxiliary condenser to assist the main condenser in the system. Main and auxiliary reservoirs are provided to facilitate adequate storage of water in a compact arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying loose material for making tile-like elements comprising, a conveyor for receiving a continuous layer of the loose material, a loose material supply apparatus for supplying the continuous layer of loose material to the conveyor and a driving unit connected to the conveyor for intermittently driving the conveyor to intermittently move the continuous layer. A material drawing bell is movable mounted with respect to the conveyor and includes a porous diaphragm and peripheral edge extending outwardly therefrom for receiving a tile-size dosage of the material in the continuous layer. A second drive unit is connected to the material drawing bell for moving the bell toward the conveyor to receive the tile-size dosage of material. A suction apparatus is connected to the bell for establishing an underpressure therein so that the tile-size dosage of material is retained against the porous diaphragm.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of dispensing a powderlike material by gravity with substantial uniformity and a minimum contamination of the immediate environment is provided wherein the apparatus comprises a substantially horizontally disposed tubular body having opening means through a bottom portion thereof and conveying means moveable within the body for moving the powder-like material over the opening means enabling gravity flow therethrough and wherein the conveying means comprises a flexible conveying device which is moveable through the tubular body and a plurality of flights fastened in spaced relation on the device for engaging and moving the powder-like material along the tubular body and over the opening means.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus for continuously weighing a throughpassing layer of fiber material in a metering device of a spinning preparatory machine with two pairs of rolls arranged at a distance from one another for supplying the layer of fiber material to and for taking-off the layer of fiber material from a measuring zone between the pairs of rolls. There are provided two weighing plates, each of which is pivotable about an axle and connected with a measuring signal transmitter, the signal of which depends on the pivoting angle of the plate. An endless belt which contactingly glides across the weighing plates and which is driven at the speed of movement of the layer of fiber material is provided for transporting the layer of fiber material.

Abstract: This invention provides vending and dispensing apparatus comprising a housing having a bin section and a dispensing section separated by a belt type conveyor. The conveyor embodies means which in the movement thereof serve not only to influence elements of a conglomerate mass of material stored in the bin section to separate one from the other but to carry elements of the separated material to the dispensing section for their discharge in a relatively individualized form.The invention also features a mobile dispensing unit which may be be backed up to receive the discharge from the dispensing section of the above described housing and moved to deliver measured amounts of the material to a plurality of remote stations. The mobile unit embodies a storage type receiving chamber having a movable bottom wall structure including a pocket which accommodates a measured amount of the material delivered to the storage chamber.

Abstract: An improved sand bag filling apparatus comprising a hopper having rotatable longitudinal members with radially extending arm members that fluff the sand in the hopper as the longitudinal members are rotated. A powered conveyor belt receives sand from the hopper and moves the sand to a conveyor discharge end whereat is disposed a bag chute. The bag chute has a pivotable nozzle that cooperates with a switch to actuate the conveyor belt when the dispensing nozzle is pivoted in a sand delivery direction.