Abstract: A gravity assisted feeder is disclosed for feeding flowable solids by means of a rotating blade disposed below a stationary cone. Rotation of the blade causes the solids to move inwardly along the blade to a discharge port adjacent the axis of rotation of the blade. An annular disc is removably supported between the stationary cone and a housing of the feeder. Communication into the feeder is thereby blocked to allow the feeder to be repaired.

Abstract: A rotary tabletting press, including a die table rotatable about an axis, has improved apparatus for feeding powder to the table. The improved feed apparatus includes a rotatably sliding valve at a discharge orifice at the bottom of a powder storage hopper, a conduit conveying powder from the hopper to the die table and apparatus which adjustably maintains the discharge end of the conduit a preselected distance above the die table.

Abstract: Paper, cardboard, thin wood chips, and other feltable, non-flowable and generally laminar materials are stored in a silo and supported by generally parallel beams at a level above a base platform. The material mats together and is self-supporting in a general arch shape between the beams and is removed from the silo by lowering the beams one at a time to lower a portion of the material while the rest of the material is self-supporting in a general arch shape upheld by beams other than the lowered beam. Lowered material is moved off the base platform and out from under the self-supporting material above, the lowered beam is raised to its original level, then another beam is lowered to repeat the process indefinitely.