Abstract: A baling machine including a gathering ram and a hopper with a charging chamber is disclosed. The hopper can include a pair of flat doors and an actuator that can move the flat doors to apply compression force to material placed in the hopper. The compression force applied by the flat doors can improve efficiency of the baling machine by increasing the amount of the material compacted by each stroke of the gathering ram.

Abstract: An airflow outlet assembly and a passenger compartment for a vehicle are disclosed. The airflow outlet assembly includes a support member and a first outlet component. The first outlet component includes a first plate and a first vane extending outwardly from the first plate. The first outlet component is supported by the support member. The airflow outlet assembly further includes a second outlet component. The second outlet component includes a second plate and a second vane extending outwardly from the second plate. The second outlet component is supported by the support member. The first and second outlet components are rotatably coupled to each other such that rotation of the first and second outlet components in opposite directions changes the position of the first and second plates and the first and second vanes relative to the support member.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes an overcap that has a locking element extending therefrom. A container has a product disposed therein. A bracket is attached to the container. The bracket includes at least one flange and at least one slot. The at least one flange extends toward the at least one slot. A resilient member is disposed within the locking element.

Abstract: A container has a body with a product disposed therein. A pedestal with a valving structure extends from the body. A bracket has a sidewall with at least one slot extending therein. The bracket includes a second pedestal provided interiorly of the sidewall, which is shaped to fittingly receive the pedestal of the body. The second pedestal includes at least one extending flange. Each of the at least one extending flanges extends toward the sidewall.

Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid substances, preferably creams, including a container with which a cap is associated formed from an inner body seal inserted into the mouth and an outer body superposed on the inner body. The outer body presenting elements for its coupling to the container which enable it to undergo axial translation relative to the inner body, from which an elongated appendix projects presenting apertures for dispensing the product. The cap is operable between a closed position and a dispensing position. The container is provided with at least one abutment adapted to oppose a counter-abutment provided on the inner body to prevent the inner body from rotating relative to the container to define the dispensing position.

Abstract: A tongue and groove arrangement guides an outer cap in an axial direction with respect to an inner cap. When a cap is fixed to a mouth of a container body, the outer cap is located in a direction of separating from the inner cap in the axial direction, and an inner face of a top wall of the outer cap is separated from a valve to urge the valve in a direction of projecting from a discharge hole of an inside plug, causing the discharge hole to close. When the cap is detached and removed from the mouth, the outer cap is moved in a direction of approaching the inner cap in the axial direction, and the inner face abuts the valve urged in a direction of separating from the discharge hole while resisting against an urging member, causing the discharge hole to open.

Abstract: A beverage release cap over a bottle cap of a plastic carbonated beverage bottle for dispensing a beverage, without losing gasses inside the bottle, when the bottle is inverted or partially inverted for pouring. The beverage release cap has three distinct functional and physical sections. A lower section engaging a bottle rim below the bottle cap and snapping over the bottle rim, thereby retaining the beverage release cap to the bottle while providing a seal and permitting a twisting rotation of the beverage release cap. A middle section gripping the bottle cap with vertical, equally spaced ribs, a space between the ribs allowing beverage to flow between the bottle cap and the beverage release cap. An upper section providing a path for the beverage to flow from the middle section. The beverage release cap may alternatively be a replacement to the standard bottle cap.

Abstract: A bin for storing and dispensing dry flowable material comprises a main body portion defining a chamber for receiving the flowable material, a top portion enclosing the top of the body portion and having an inlet through which the material can pass to fill the bin, a bottom portion enclosing the bottom of the body portion and having at least one outlet, the bottom portion being inclined to direct the material toward the at least one outlet, a wall extending upwardly from the at least one outlet to an elevation in the body portion for dividing at least a lower part of the chamber into adjacent sections and a valve mechanism for selectively controlling the dispensing of the material from each section.

Abstract: This invention is a material discharge apparatus for controlling the flow rate of flowable material being conveyed through a hopper, the apparatus includes a hopper with an inlet at the top to receive flowable material and a discharge outlet at the base of the hopper, a valve configured and arranged in the hopper, the valve has a lower end portion adjacent the discharge outlet forming a gap between the hopper and the valve for material discharge, with the valve fixedly connected to a fixed support beam, the hopper elastically connected to the same fixed support beam such that as the more material is received by the inlet, the more the hopper sags, the larger the gap formed between the valve and the hopper grows, thereby increasing the rate of flow of material discharge.

Abstract: A plastic closure for a container mouth is provided with a flow regulator for selectively controlling the flow of contents during dispensing. The flow regulator includes at least two parts which can be moved relative to each other. Each part has at least one dispensing orifice. The parts are constructed such that respective orifices can be aligned at least partially with respect to each other and with respect to the container mouth. The degree of overlap between the respective orifices defines a common dispensing area to control the flow rate during contents dispensing.

Abstract: An adjustable dispenser tip including a nozzle forming a passage along a length of the nozzle. A plurality of independently movable, flexible fingers define an orifice at a dispensing end portion of the nozzle. A coupler is positioned about at least a portion of the nozzle and movable with respect to the nozzle to contact and urge the fingers to adjust an area of the orifice. An elastomeric web is positioned with respect to the nozzle and connects adjacent fingers. The elastomeric web can be positioned on an outer surface of the nozzle, an inside surface of the nozzle, or between adjacent fingers, for example.

Abstract: A dosing device including a hopper (1) having an outlet opening which is closed by two spherical cap halves (3, 4), which can be pivoted in opposite directions. The pivoting movement is effected by two arms (5, 6) pivoted about a common pivot pin (8). The spherical cap halves (3, 4) can be pivoted by a rod assembly (18, 19, 22, 23) including a vertically mobile plunger (14). To prevent the bulk goods bridging, a rotating loosening and scraping device (30) is provided, the base (31) of which reaches close to the outlet opening. With the dosing device, both large and small quantities of bulk goods can be discharged in accurate doses.

Abstract: A filling nozzle with interception of supply liquids for filling machines, alignable with a container to be filled by liquid, comprising a shutter member (21) and an opening (18) in a hollow body (16), wherein the hollow body (16) is associated on the upper side with a supply system (12) for a liquid to be delivered into the container, the hollow body (16) being displaceable at least between an engaging position, wherein its opening (18) is closed by the shutter member (21), and a disengaging position, wherein the opening (21) is open and the liquid flows into the container, control members (33, 35, 36) being provided for the displacement of the hollow body (16).

Abstract: In a bottle of the type for inverted insertion and dispensing into a receiving tank or reservoir, the bottle having a bottle opening, a cap assembly attached to the neck of the bottle overlying and sealing the opening, the cap assembly comprising a first cap portion attached to the bottle opening, and a second cap portion having an exposed exterior top overlying the bottle opening and being telescopically mounted over the first cap portion, the second cap portion being moveable from a first position where it is fully extended away from the bottle to a second position where it is fully collapsed over the first cap portion, the first cap portion having openings therein to allow for flow, the second cap portion having openings therein, a flow passage being created when the second cap portion collapses over the first cap portion from contact resulting from inverted insertion into a dispenser or reservoir; whereby the openings in the first and second cap portions are aligned when the second cap portion moves to it

Abstract: A hopper for a weighing machine which has a tubular body and a closing valve which is comprised of several plates which are pivotably mounted around the bottom of the hopper for movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the hopper. The plates are simultaneously driven between open and closed positions by a common belt or chain so that the closing forces of the plates are balanced. The belt is coupled to a driving mechanism through a lever mounted on the hopper which disconnects from the driving mechanism when the plates are fully closed so that the hopper is freely suspended for weighing purposes. The plates scrape against the bottom of the hopper when opening so that material clinging to the plates is scraped off.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a material to a substrate. A material application station includes a shutter assembly having at least one horizontally extending blade which is rapidly displaceable from a closed configuration in which an outlet path of the shutter assembly is obstructed to an open configuration in which the outlet path is open. While the blade of the shutter assembly is in the closed configuration, a coating material is applied to a first predetermined area on an upper surface of the shutter assembly. A substrate is located beneath the shutter assembly in the outlet path. The blade of the shutter assembly is rapidly opened so that the coating material falls onto the substrate over a second predetermined area on an upper surface of the substrate. The second predetermined area is substantially equal to the first predetermined area. The resulting deposit is of a controlled diameter. A rapid opening of the blade allows the deposit to fall a short distance onto a substrate such as a pizza base.

Abstract: Many types of processors of particulate materials operate more efficiently when they receive the particulate material in a steady stream. Most feeders tend to discharge in pulses. A hopper is interposed between the feeder and the processor. Surges in the feed rate are accumulated in the hopper, and lapses in the feed rate are compensated by the propensity of the hopper to discharge at a constant rate. Initiation of hopper flow is accomplished by use of a trap door. Mismatch between average feeder output rate and hopper discharge rate is corrected by use of an adaptive hopper having an outlet the size of which is slowly altered to maintain a constant amount of material in the hopper. A bypass hopper is used to control extremely variable input flow rates.

Abstract: A dispensing machine has a passageway for product with an upper inlet for receiving product and a lower outlet for dispensing product, the outlet is provided with a closing means which serves to retain the product within the passageway. The closing means has three blades pivotally mounted for movement in a substantially horizontal plane between a closed position in which the blades engage one another generally centrally of the passageway and an open position in which the blades are separated to allow product to drop out of the outlet, movement of the blades being controlled by a common drive crank with links connecting the blades to the common drive crank.

Abstract: A machine dispenses chilled alcoholic beverage and has a housing forming an enclosure and outer surface. A refrigeration unit is contained within the housing and includes a compressor, condenser and evaporator coil. A beverage faucet is mounted on the outer surface of the housing and at least one inclined beverage container is mounted on the housing. A manifold is mounted in the housing for receiving beverage from the inclined beverage container. A beverage delivery tube is contained within the housing and operatively connects to the beverage faucet and manifold for delivering beverage from the manifold to the beverage faucet. A portion of the beverage delivery tube extends coaxially within the evaporator coil to form a chilled beverage line so that the beverage flowing through the beverage delivery tube is chilled.

Abstract: A dump gate assembly as for a feed mixer housing including first and second hinged gates swingable between upper closed condition and lower open condition, each gate having a cam track preferably in the form of a configurated gate stiffener cooperable with a cam follower on an actuator. The cam tracks have a portion causing greater force to be applied to the gates during the final movement of the gates to the closed condition. The actuators for the two respective gates are at opposite ends of the gates and are interconnected to cause timed gate closing. A special seal element causes a second seal between the closed gates.

Abstract: Installation for producing steel by melting scrap comprising an electric furnace (2') supplied with individual batches of scrap sequentially charged into the furnace after preheating in a preheating chamber (4) forming a batch container open at both ends and having a releasable bottom. The preheating chamber is mounted on a transporting device for movement between a first, preheating position, in which it is connected to a hot gas circulating circuit, and a second position in which it empties the batch of preheated scrap into the furnace. The lower portion of the side wall of the preheating chamber (4) forms a skirt (43) with a wide downwardly directed opening, and the chamber (4) is combined, in the preheating position, with a movable device (54) for sealably engaging the lower end (42) of the skirt (43) with a matching stationary base plate (3), whereby the skirt is sealed in the preheating position.

Abstract: A hopper for receiving and discharging product in a weighing machine has a construction comprised by a removable body shell and a supporting chassis. The shell has an opening at the top for receiving product to be weighed and an opening at the bottom for discharging the product after weighing. A discharge door cooperates with the opening at the bottom of the shell body to support the weight of product within the shell during weighing and to discharge the product after weighing. A quick-release coupling permits the hopper to be firmly installed on the weighing machine and to be quickly removed from the machine without tools. A toggle linkage is employed to operate the discharge door and locks the door in the closed position without further locking mechanisms. A bi-directional actuator moves the toggle linkage and door into and out of the closed position.

Abstract: A surge bin for continuously collecting material such as conditioned ash from a nearby, non-contiguous ash conditioning pug mill and loading a haulage vehicle. The conditioned ash surge bin comprises a collection bin having walls and a door assembly forming the floor for collecting the conditioned ash. A support frame supports the collection bin above the height of the haulage vehicle so that the door assembly can unload the material into the haulage vehicle. The door assembly has two plates slidably mounted on the collection bin for movement between open and closed positions In order to transport the ash conditioning surge bin between different locations, the support frame of the conditioning ash surge bin houses a plurality of hydraulic jacks which can raise and lower the conditioned ash surge bin so that the haulage vehicle, supporting a conditioned ash surge bin carrier frame, can transport the conditioned ash surge bin to a new loading site.

Abstract: A dumping system for a kiln floor having a pnematic cylinder to cause a plurality of rows of tray assemblies to move between a closed postion and an open position. A harmonizing bar assembly is connected to the rows of tray assemblies and acts to synchronize movement of the tray assemblies and locks the tray assemblies in a fully clsoed or open position. The linkage between the pneumatic cylinder and the rows of tray assemblies includes a device to adjust the connection with the shaft supporting the tray assemblies.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a hydraulic unit mounted directly on the wall of the bottom of a rotary hopper and supplying hydraulic fluid to each of the jacks mounted on the hopper wall. This hydraulic unit is connected to an energy source on a fixed bracket located in the region of the bottom of the hopper, but which is independent therefrom. As the rotary hopper rotates, the hydraulic unit retains its connection with the energy source. The energy source activates the hydraulic unit, which subsequently opens the hopper.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sealed barrier container adapted to contain a supply of bulk food product for metered dispensing therefrom, of the type having a chamber to contain food product in a hopper, and a dispensing portion being in operative relation with the hopper. The front portion of the container is provided with a flexible boot mounted in the container which encloses the opening to the container therein. The boot has an inner end for mounting to the container in an overlying relationship with respect to the opening and a scoop carried by the boot. The scoop includes an elongate handle having an outer end extending through the outer end of the boot, and the inner end is adapted to retrieve product from the product ramp contained within the container. The boot permits the scoop to operate in a reciprocal as well as orbital and lateral fashion in order to simplify the process of food retrieval.

Abstract: A valve actuating device for a hopper is comprised of two spherical shaped shutters or registers which pivot about common suspension axles. Each of the registers is carried by two pairs of arms located on either side of the bottom of the hopper and is capable of pivoting about two axles mounted respectively on brackets fastened to the bottom on either side of the hopper. The supporting arms of one of the registers are connected respectively to the piston rods of two hydraulic jacks mounted pivotally on the brackets; and the first pair of supporting arms experiencing the action of the hydraulic jacks are connected respectively to the second pair of supporting arms by use of a linkage articulated on the bracket.

Abstract: An arrangement havign a closing member for filling mouthpiece of a filling machine for filling material of a pasty up to a chunky or lumpy consistency, whereby during the filling packaging containers are stepwise moved underneath the filling mouthpiece. When the filling material is very tough and hardens rapidly, it is desirable that the heap-like remanent tip Z of the filling material, which remains after the filling operation,is disposed in the middle of each packaging container. This achieved by means of a closing member that includes two identical oppositely rotatably movable cylinders, each one of which is provided with a rectangular recess. These recesses extend to each one of the cylinders in such a way that a disc-shaped base portion and a shank remain, which shank has a circular segment-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: The metering device for powdered material comprises a storage container (10) for the powdered material and a discharge opening in the bottom of the storage container which is opened and closed, respectively, by a closing mechanism (12). The powdered material flows through the discharge opening into a drawing cup (13). In order to obtain a defined bulk density of the powdered material in the drawing cup (13), a vibration mechanism (14) imparts vibrations to the metering device when the discharge opening (11) is open. The closing mechanism (12) can be designed in the manner of a blade diaphragm, and in that case the closing mechanism (12) can be actuated by a grooved disk (17) which at the same time is a part of the vibration mechanism (14).

Abstract: The weighing pan comprises a pair of opposed sidewalls and at least one pivotable closure flap which is coupled to one sidewall in such a way that the pivoting movement of the closure flap between closed and open position is accompanied by a displacement of the associated sidewall relative to the opposite sidewall. Articles, which might have got jammed between the sidewalls, are likely to be released in response to the relative movement of the sidewalls and drop out through the open bottom of the pan. A combination weighing machine including a plurality of weighing pans and means for reopening a pan, if necessary in order to ensure complete emptying thereof, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging powder and/or pellets from a hopper defining an outlet adjacent the base thereof. The apparatus includes a control member associated with the outlet to control the rate of flow of the powder and/or pellets and a chute located under the control member to receive the powder and/or pellets, there being an outlet from the chute through which the powder and/or pellets may be discharged.

Abstract: A seed planter is provided with a stationary, funnel-shaped bin whose lower-end extension is constructed as a pair of electromagnetically, pneumatically, or mechanically pivoted brackets, defining a duct smaller than the grain when the brackets are closed. Other seeds are blown out of the funnel while one is retained until deposited upon briefly opening the brackets.

Abstract: A device for unloading a container used for bulk materials is such that a container floor is made up at least in part of flaps which can be tilted or swung out away from the interior. To this end at least two flaps are connected via a ridging beam or axle which runs through the interior of the container above a rotatable shaft. The rotational movement of the shaft is transmitted to the flaps to actuate same. The shaft features on opposite sides and transverse to its longitudinal axis first and second flange pairs, the former accommodating an elbow lever with the help of a push-fit bolt, and the latter a lever with the help of a bolt. The elbow lever and the lever are hinged to the flaps respectively. Further, connected to the flaps is a lock which joins up via bolts with the elbow lever or the lever, and in the closed position engages on a latching device.

Abstract: A kiln floor system having a plurality of sequentially operated, pivotally mounted trays capable of dumping a load of grain in a minimum of time. Typical field trays of the floor are coupled in pairs to a single air cylinder for economy of operation. The gear rack associated with the turning machine is independently adjustable to insure alignment of the gear rack. The floor includes stringer gage members to insure proper installation and alignment of the stringers. A wall panel is provided for updated restoration and automation of existing kiln floors.

Abstract: The delivery of charge material to the hearth of a pressurized blast furnace under the influence of gravity is accomplished without the necessity of changing the direction of material flow at a point exterior of the furnace. The rate of flow of the charge material, which moves in a vertical stream, is controlled by a metering device including a pair of overlapping register elements which define a variable size aperture which remains generally symmetrical with respect to the stream axis.

Abstract: A sample loading mechanism includes a hopper mounted to a base for positioning the hopper with respect to a furnace for releasably holding a relatively small sample in relation to a crucible used with the furnace. The hopper includes a floor with a movable element for alternately closing the floor for holding the sample and opening the floor permitting the sample to drop into the crucible. A plate is slideably mounted to the base above the hopper and includes an aperture which aligns with the hopper in a first position for admitting a sample to the hopper and is slideable to a second position for selectively sealing the upper end of the hopper. An actuator is provided for selectively controlling the movable element of the hopper for dropping the sample into a crucible aligned below the hopper.

Abstract: Synchronized hopper gate mechanisms (17) are provided for the hoppers (18) of a bulk cargo vessel (11). Each gate mechanism includes a pair of horizontal closure panels (31, 32) and control means for simultaneously displacing the panels in opposite directions. The control means includes a pair of endless chain means (79, 81), cooperating sprockets (82, 83, 84, 86) and a torque transmitting means in the form of a shaft (101) interconnecting sprockets (83, 86) which forces the corresponding runs of the chain means (79, 81) to move in the same direction at the same speed to effect synchronized translational movement of the closure panels (31, 32).

Abstract: A louvered clamshell door assembly for the bottom of a preheating charging bucket includes a pair of doors which open by swinging outwardly and upwardly to discharge scrap metal from the bucket and which cooperably adjoin upon closing to retain scrap metal in the bucket. The doors include multiple stepped louvers which form the bottom weight-bearing surface of the charging bucket. The louvers of each door are supported by underlying chair support plates and are pivotably attached thereto to prevent jamming of scrap metal pieces between the louvers and to also permit thermal contraction and expansion of the louvers over many preheating cycles. Free convection of air through the louvers and scrap metal is facilitated by air deflectors attached to the chair support plates. Lateral shock absorption slots in the chair support plates improve the shock absorption capacity of the clamshell door assembly during loading of the bucket with scrap metal.

Abstract: The slide-valve throttle of the invention is intended to continuously regulate the output of high-temperature molten products from metallurgical vessels, notably from the bottom of casting ladles of the type currently used in foundry, and also for occluding the tap-hole thereof. This throttle comprises essentially an assembly of two slide plates adapted to move towards and away from each other and towards and away from the tap-hole axis, and arranged for uncovering or occluding the tap-hole while preserving for the casting passage formed through the nozzle and the slide plates at least two orthogonal planes of symmetry.

Abstract: A bin for temporarily storing and subsequently dispensing particulate material has side and end walls with a discharge opening being defined between the lower edges of the walls. Material flow through the opening is controlled by a pair of gates normaly forming a bottom closure for the bin. The gates have spaced-apart inner side edges fitted with jaws in the form of longitudinally extending flanges. The flanges are spaced apart vertically and are staggered horizontally when the gates are closed and this arrangement serves to grip and hold a plug of material which seals the bottom opening to prevent loss of small amounts of the material.

Abstract: An improved metering gate for metering fluid materials discharged from a hopper of the type including a vertically oriented discharge opening. The metering gate is characterized by a pair of closure panels arranged in coplanar relation, a drive mechanism including a plurality of rams connected with said closure panels for displacing the closure panels in opposite directions along a pair of aligned linear paths traversing the opening, and a motion balancing mechanism interconnecting the panels for equalizing the distances through which the panels are displaced by said drive mechanism, and a lag-elimination mechanism for eliminating lag in the displacement imparted to the opposite ends of each panel of said pair, whereby each portion of each panel of said pair of closure panels is displaced through a distance equal to the distance through which any other portion of either panel of said pair of closure panels is displaced by said drive mechanism.

Abstract: A belt feeder gate for use in self-unloading ships of the type in which the hold of the ship is provided with a hoppered bottom including a plurality of hoppers overlying an unloading conveyor belt moving lengthwise of the ship. Each open hopper bottom is closed by a gate comprising two wheeled gate sections which are movable relative to each other along stationary tracks in a horizontal plane and in a direction laterally of the direction of travel of the underlying unloading conveyor belt. The respective longitudinally opposite wheeled ends of the respective gate sections project in underlying relation to longitudinally spaced "hog ridges" defined by the walls of adjacent hoppers, each "hog ridge" being an inverted V-shaped hollow space defined beneath two upwardly converging oppositely longitudinally inclined walls of two longitudinally adjacent discharge hoppers.