Abstract: The invention relates to developing a novel water and capsule formulation using fenofibrate which is difficult to dissolve and control its release rate in vitro. For example, the invention relates to the creation of capsules and wafers comprising: fenofibrate, a surfactant, a carrier wax, a film former, a plasticizer, and optionally a super disintegrant or other ingredients. The invention further relates to the process of forming such capsules and wafers.

Abstract: A mill for the comminution of particulate material by impact means including a shell rotating at super critical velocity and a gyrating mandrel. Material introduced to the mill forms a bed on the inner surface of the shell and is then crushed by the impact of the gyrating mandrel. The axis of rotation of the shell is in angularly displaced from the axis of gyration of the mandrel to transport material through the mill.

Abstract: A composition and its method of production are provided. The composition includes at least one zero-valent metal atom in complex with at least one hydride molecule. The method of production includes ball-milling an elemental metal in a high-surface area form, with a hydride. The composition can be useful as a reagent for the synthesis of zero-valent metallic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A roller mill for crushing brittle material has two grinding rollers forming a grinding gap, and provides a delivery chute for feeding the material to the grinding gap. In the delivery chute at least one distributor device is arranged above a middle region of the grinding gap and extends above the grinding gap transversely to the longitudinal extent of the grinding gap and covers from 5 to 70% of the cross-section of the delivery chute. The material is delivered to the delivery chute and is crushed in the grinding gap, wherein the material is introduced into the delivery chute or is deflected in the delivery chute in such a manner that, based on the longitudinal extent of the grinding gap, coarser material accumulates in a middle region of the grinding gap than in the edge regions.

Abstract: A process for treating fly ash to activate the fly ash so that it may be used as a substitute for Portland cement, with the process including the use of a specialized rotary mill having variably sized and shaped media to increase the surface area of one fly ash component by grinding, avoiding milling a second fly ash component, while roughing up the surface of the second component to increase its surface area.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed to manufacture a plurality of edible pieces in a continuous process where each piece is generally different in thickness, shape, size and/or texture from another piece, so as to create, in the aggregate product distribution, pieces of randomly varying thickness, size, shape and/or texture.

Abstract: Useful byproducts are recovered through the pyrolytic processing of biomass material such as vegetation, paper, or worn tires. The process is conducted in a sealed enclosure under vacuum or other controlled atmosphere. The biomass material is ablated and burned by crunching between counter-rotating rollers rotated at different speeds whose inner walls have been exposed to a highly heated fluid. The biomass material is preheated by injecting into the feeding duct super-heated dry steam. A condenser within the enclosure reduces resulting vapors into oils that can be drained from the enclosure pan. Solid combustion residue is abstracted from the enclosure by an Archimedes screw.

Abstract: A pill crusher includes a base and a handle. The base has a bottom resting surface that includes an at least partially molded friction-enhancing portion. The handle includes an upper region, a gripping region, and a column. The gripping region includes an at least partially molded friction-enhancing portion. A method of crushing a pill includes placing a pill within a pill chamber, inserting a column into the pill chamber, and then crushing the pill by exerting force on the pill by the column. The handle and the base include at least partially molded friction-enhancing portions.

Abstract: A vertical shaft impact crusher for crushing material including a rotor for accelerating a first flow of material to be crushed, a first feed device for feeding the first flow of material to the rotor, a housing that includes a circumferential impact wall section against which the accelerated first flow of material may be crushed, and a second feed device for feeding a second flow of material to be crushed into the path of the accelerated first flow of material. The second feed device includes an inner hopper and an outer hopper. The inner hopper includes at least one outlet for allowing the second flow of material to enter a space formed between the inner and outer hoppers. A slide plate inclined substantially tangential in relation to the rotor is located adjacent the at least one outlet in the space between the inner and outer hoppers.

Abstract: A particle reduction system and method is disclosed having an air stream accelerator, a feeder assembly, a variable speed wheel lock operably associated with the feeder assembly for releasing raw material into a conveying air stream created by the positive displacement pump, and a particle conditioning assembly. The raw material is carried by the conveying air stream through the particle conditioning assembly, where particle of the material are collided with each other for the purpose of reducing the size of the particles. In some embodiments, a non-thermal drying system can be used to extract moisture from the raw material. The moisture/solids separation occurs, in large part, due to a head-on collision of two conveying air streams. The collision creates a large squeezing force, much higher than a centrifuge or filter. This impact squeezing acts to squeeze the moisture out of the raw material.

Abstract: A method of making frac sand having a selected grade from a naturally occurring, mined sand having a SiO2 content of at least about 80 percent and having a particle size range where the maximum particle size is less than about 8.

Abstract: A planetary mill is disclosed. The planetary mill comprises a self-balancing milling assembly comprising a pair of elongate floating milling chambers arranged in parallel to and on opposite sides of a main axis wherein the milling chambers are free to move outwards in a direction radial to the main axis, a drive assembly for rotating the milling assembly in a first direction of rotation about the main axis, and at least one of belt surrounding the pair of floating milling chambers such that when the milling assembly rotates about the main axis, the at least one belt limits a radial travel outwards of each of the milling chambers.

Abstract: A pill crusher pouch having ribs and intersecting straight bottom seal portions. The pill crusher pouch is used for holding a pill or tablet to be crushed by a pill crusher device so as to form a powder that can easily be dispensed and provided to a patient. The ribs increase the strength of the walls of the pouch, preventing rupture. A curved flap is folded over into an open end and resiliently pressing against the inside surface of an opposing sidewall sealing the pouch.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for treating municipal solid waste, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for treating and recycling municipal solid waste not separately collected, and also for minimizing the amount of final waste to be buried.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller mill for coffee, a method for grinding coffee, and an application of grinding rollers for grinding coffee. In order to grind coffee, conventionally metal rollers are used which are subject to heavy wear and adversely affect the taste of the coffee. The object of the invention is to provide a roller mill for coffee, a method for grinding coffee and a corresponding application thereof that avoids these disadvantages. This is achieved by means of a roller mill for coffee with grinding rollers in opposite directions and having granite surfaces at a peripheral velocity ratio of the rollers of 1:1.5 to 1:4, and by means of a corresponding application and corresponding method.

Abstract: A method of grinding a particulate material, comprising grinding said material in a stirred mill in the presence of a grinding media comprising rod-shaped particles, wherein said rod-shaped particles have an aspect ratio of equal to or greater than about 2:1.

Abstract: A process is described for the activation (increase in solubility and bioavailability) of drugs. The process, carried out in a vibrational mill, is characterised by the use of given proportions between the physical mixture made up of drug and pharmaceutical carrier and the empty volume among the grinding means contained inside the mill. The process leads to obtaining powders for pharmaceutical use in which the drug has a high and constant degree of activation; this result is obtainable irrespective of the nature of the drug and carrier used, and of their weight ratio.

Abstract: Composition and use of milling medium to prepare a polishing medium to be used in chemical and mechanical polishing applications.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for activating drugs by means of high-energy co-grinding of the drug with a pharmaceutical carrier, characterized by the use of a vibrational mill equipped with means that regulate the vibration frequency. The process, performed by modifying the frequency of vibration and keeping its amplitude constant, produces drug/carrier composites with a constant particle size in which the degree of drug activation increases in proportion to the frequency applied. The invention also includes a vibrational mill suitably modified to perform the process described.

Abstract: A shredder is disclosed having a dual stage cutting mechanism. The dual stage cutting mechanism generally includes two pairs of cutters for performing two distinct cutting operations. The pair of first cutters is configured to pierce rows of staggered cross-cuts into material to create a waffle-like pattern. Disposed below the pair of first cutters, the pair of second cutters is configured to strip cut the pierced material.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher includes a crushing head on which a first crushing shell is mounted, and a frame on which a second crushing shell is mounted. The second crushing shell defines, together with the first crushing shell, a crushing gap. The gyratory crusher includes a space adapted to hold a liquid. The space is defined by a piston and a cylinder, any one of the piston and the cylinder being formed at least partly of a substantially vertical shaft around which the crushing head is arranged. The space is adapted to form, together with the liquid, a cushion, thereby enabling the cushion to serve as a thrust bearing and transmit vertical forces from the crushing head to the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to processing apparatus and methods and in particular, but not exclusively, to an apparatus that may be used to process a wide variety of feed materials by one or more of milling or grinding, mixing, blending, separation, drying and sterilisation. In a preferred embodiment there is provided a feed material processing apparatus (1) comprising: a chamber (2); at least one inlet (4) in flow communication to an upper region of the chamber (2); a rotor (3) located within the chamber (2) that is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis by a rotation drive (11), wherein the rotor (3) promotes a circulatory flow of feed material and/or gas within the chamber (2); at least one outlet (5) in flow communication from a lower region of the chamber (2). Preferably the apparatus (1) comprises at least one feature located laterally on the rotor (3) to promote the circulatory flow.

Abstract: In the production of a mineral product that consists of aluminum layer silicate and corresponding fines with an at least 70% proportion of the mineral illite of the selected type, the starting material in its natural composition is pre-broken, the agglomerated layer silicate particles are subjected to a deagglomeration at a high acceleration rate and swirled using strong air masses, the agglomerates are broken up into primary crystallites by being slammed against one another and against impact surfaces, the deagglomerated layer silicate particles are drawn off by fine sifting and the deagglomerated particles are returned to the cycle, and the deagglomerated primary crystals are drawn off.

Abstract: A shredder head adapted to shred data bearing documents and bottles.

Abstract: A process to transform solid waste into fuel by adding water and heat to provide no more than 350 BTUs/lb of the weight of the solid waste for no more than 85 minutes. Such a process transforms the solid waste into fuel in a process time of not greater than 85 minutes. The system uses a pressure vessel; a condenser tank to permit selective addition of water to and evacuation of steam from the vessel; a heater to increase the temperature of the vessel; a vacuum pump to selectively reduce pressure within the vessel and to help evacuate steam from the vessel to the condenser tank; and a water pump to selectively add water from the condenser tank to the interior volume of the vessel. A method for converting solid waste into fuel includes loading the solid waste into a rotating pressure vessel and transforming the solid waste into fuel by adding water; reducing pressure; adding heat; and then evacuating steam. The contents are evacuated from the pressure vessel. At least some of the contents are fuel.

Abstract: Efficient process control of a rotary breaker is dependent upon the rate at which aggregate material is delivered to the rotary breaker. An improved pre-screening apparatus provides enhanced control of the amount of undersized material allowed to bypass the rotary breaker, thus allows some control of feed rate other than the upstream mining conditions. Further, a variable speed drive mechanism allows for enhanced control of the breaking process occurring within the rotary breaker. These improvements allow for the increase in maximum feed rate to an existing rotary breaker or allows for the installation of smaller and more economical original equipment. In addition, an improved discharge mechanism is provided to increase the discharge rates of a breaker without varying size or speed of rotation. These improvements allow for advanced automated process control.

Abstract: Grinding members on a grinding drum are arranged to move the material to be reduced laterally across the drum. The drum may be used in a tub grinder where the tub is configured to rotate about a vertical axis. In a tub grinder environment, the drum extends through the grinding floor, is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis, and includes cutters arranged in a right-handed helical pattern on the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing the particle size of glass-like polysaccharides. The process efficiently reduces the particle size of glass-like polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of glass-like polysaccharides having a moisture content from 0% to about 13% and glassy state glass-like polysaccharides. The process comprises the use of a roller mill having at least three pairs of successive rollers.

Abstract: A woodwaste processing trommel apparatus has a rotating trommel for receiving and separating woodwaste by size. An elongated electrode is mounted within the trommel and has a polarized electric charge thereon for attracting plastic pieces having a static electric charge thereon. An elongated vacuum pipe is mounted in the trommel adjacent the electrode for removing plastic pieces clinging to the elongated electrode. An electrode and vacuum nozzle is also placed adjacent the end of the discharge conveyor to further remove plastic particles. A method of removing plastic intermixed with woodwaste in the trommel in accordance with the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A shredder apparatus has a moveable, shaftless ring component and a secondary comb member component. The ring component and the secondary component cooperate to shred material. The shredder mechanism may be positioned so as to be substantially in-line with the material entering the shredder. The shredder apparatus may be used in a method for shredding materials.

Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a pulverizer including a pulverizing chamber formed between a table, a cover, and side walls. The side walls are coupled between the table and the cover. At least three rotary plates are disposed in the table. Each of the rotary plates include a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface being proximate the pulverizing chamber. At least one hammer is coupled to each rotary plate on the top surface of the rotary plate. A flow slot is formed between each rotary plate and the table, wherein the flow slot is configured to fluidly couple pulverized material through each flow slot to a discharge. A material feeder is coupled to the cover. The material feeder is configured to feed material to be pulverized into the pulverizing chamber through the cover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing platelets, wherein a material to be processed into platelets is applied in a flowable or gaseous state to a substrate, consolidated, removed from the substrate, and subjected to a crushing or grinding process, wherein the material is applied to the substrate in succeeding layers such that after application, a lamina pack is present which, in cross section perpendicular to its surface, has individual laminae of a thickness of between 0.2-1000 &mgr;m, and said lamina pack, having been stripped from the substrate, is treated in such a way that the material disintegrates into individual laminae and the individual laminae are reduced in size to a particle size of 0.5-10000 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A separation device includes a casing and a first and a second rotation blade. A pulverization chamber is defined between the casing, the first, and the second rotation blade. Operating an urging device and at least one of the first and the second rotation blades, creates channeling vortices within the pulverization chamber. Fly ash containing unburned carbon is feed into the pulverization chamber, and through at least repeated self-collision, unburned carbon is segregated and reduced in size while remaining particular matter is similarly segregated and reduced in size. A method implements the separation device and provides simple results.

Abstract: A method comprising grinding a contaminated material in a pulverizing mill to inactivate parasite or microorganisms is claimed. The contaminated material is exposed to an alternating mechanical energy field. Oscillating stress and pressure amplitudes is created in a macrosonic field of mechanical energy.

Abstract: A coffee grinder assembly with a housing containing a pair of hoppers for containing coffee beans with a pair of hopper outlet chutes, or grinding chamber inlet chutes for feeding beans into a grinding chamber where the beans are ground by powered grinding discs or blades and then passed to a removable brew basket via an outlet chute with an outlet end that is in communication with a negative ion generator that ionizes the air in the outlet chute through which the ground coffee and chaff pass on their way to the brew basket to electrically neutralize the chaff to reduce chaff dispersion due to electrostatic repulsion of positively charged chaff.

Abstract: Malleable material, such as manure, and municipal sludge, food waste, and the like, is dried and the average particle size of the material is reduced in a simple and effective manner without the use of an external heat source. The material with a first moisture content and average particle size is fed into an air stream, and the speed of the air flow with entrained particles is increased so that it is super-colonic, typically have a bullet profile with a substantially zero velocity at the periphery of the air flow and a velocity of about 400-500 mph at the center of the air flow. The material is then caused to be reduced in particle size by material to material collisions in one or more cyclone-shaped vessels with retention air-affecting inlets at bottom portions thereof, and the speed of the air flow with entrained material is ultimately reduced so that substantially the entire flow is below super-colonic speed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a flowable granulate by means of spray granulation, which comprises using as starting material a formulation in liquid form comprising (a) a substance or a mixture of substances that is in the form of a waxy or cohesive solid at room temperature, and (b) up to 20% by weight, based on the amount of component (a), of a substance having a specific surface >3 m2/g that is insoluble in component (a), yields granulates that have a narrow particle size distribution and a low dust content and that are stable to storage.

Abstract: A process for milling a solid substrate in the milling chamber of a dispersion or media mill in the presence of a two or more compositions of milling media bodies is disclosed wherein all milling media bodies contribute to the grinding of the solid substrate and wherein at least one composition of media bodies provides fragments of milling media bodies that are retained with the milled solid substrate particles in the form of a synergetic commixture produced in the milling process.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining fine powders having narrow particle size range from non-conducting solids comprising the steps of: 1) creating an electrostatic charge on particles of a solid mixture formed by mechanical means, 2) grinding the mixture and neutralizing the electrostatic charge during grinding with a potential sufficient to create a corona discharge, 3) separating the powder according to particle size, and 4) collecting the finely ground finished powder product. The method is applicable to the manufacture of high quality cement powders.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aqueous clay slurry having superior gellation properties. The process involves the bead milling of the clay in an aqueous medium for a period of about 0.5 to 20 minutes at an energy input level of about 44 to 146 kilowatt-hours per metric ton of dry clay. The milling may carried out using any suitable horizontal or vertical sand mill or ball mill such as the "Morehouse Cowles Sandmill" or the "Polymill" containing a grinding medium such as zirconium silicate or zirconium oxide. The clay is preferably a smectite clay such as montmorillonite and is present in the slurry in the range of about 3 to 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the slurry. The aqueous clay slurry is useful as a rheological additive in water-based coating formulations.

Abstract: In a process for rapidly producing colloidal particles a feedstock of particles less than a micron in size is provided to a stirred media mill, along with ceramic beads less than 100 microns in size. The mill is filled to a volume in excess of 90%, and operated at tip speeds in excess of 20 meters/second with a residence time less than about two minutes; thereby producing particles having an average particle size less than about 0.1 micron from the feedstock.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using an apparatus is provided for the accelerated bioremediation of treated contaminated material. The material is treated with chemical and/or biological amendments for facilitating accelerated bioremediation thereof. The apparatus comprises a system for for generating a treated contaminated material entraining air stream at a predetermined velocity for entraining the treated contaminate material therein for microenfractionating the treated contaminated material. In this way, accelerated bioremediation is facilitated. In another form of the invention, a method of accelerated bioremediation of treated contaminated material is provided.

Abstract: A compounding process for preparing a composite that includes introducing one or more fillers and a matrix material into a stirred ball mill and subjecting the fillers and the matrix material to a combination of shear and impact forces under reaction conditions including reaction time sufficient to reduce the size of agglomerates formed by the fillers to a value below a pre-determined value to disperse the fillers throughout the matrix material.

Abstract: A method for producing a milled powder including imparting an electrostatic charge to the starting powder and milling the electrostatically charged starting powder is provided.

Abstract: A compounding process for preparing a composite that includes introducing one or more fillers and a matrix material into a stirred ball mill and subjecting the fillers and the matrix material to a combination of shear and impact forces under reaction conditions including reaction time sufficient to reduce the size of agglomerates formed by the fillers to a value below a pre-determined value to disperse the fillers throughout the matrix material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing a filler composition suitable for incorporation in a polyester film-forming material, which process comprises the following steps:(a) calcining a crude kaolin clay under conditions such that the calcined product comprises particles consisting of aggregates of fine kaolin platelets;(b) suspending the calcined clay product from step (a) in water containing a dispersing agent for the calcined clay, so as to form a suspension containing from 40% to 70% by weight of dry calcined clay;(c) subjecting the suspension formed in step (b) to comminution by attrition grinding with a particulate grinding medium for a time sufficient to reduce the average diameter of the aggregate particles to within the range from 0.3 .mu.m to 0.9 .mu.m, and to ensure that the calcined clay is substantially free of particles having an equivalent spherical diameter larger than 5 .mu.

Abstract: A process for the purification of soil contaminated with organic material is provided. The preferred process generally involves superposed attrition and classification processes, which lead to removal and concentration of highly contaminated fractions. The process may also include a step of flotation whereby hydrophobic materials in the soil are released to an interface with air bubbles, and are floated to the top of a flotation cell. In preferred processes according to the present invention, soil to be treated is extracted from a contaminated site, and is broken into relatively small particles. These particles are preferably treated in attrition and classification steps, to remove fine, slow settling contaminated materials such as wood and fine soil materials. The resulting isolated coarser materials are then treated by flotation for a final polishing step.

Abstract: A milling method for pulverizing agricultural products, minerals, etc. comprises the steps of whirling a grain material within a pulverizing chamber; and pulverizing the material by utilizing the friction due to a difference in moving speed between material particles which is generated as the material is whirled. A milling device comprises: a body frame; first and second rotary blades arranged opposite to each other within the body frame and defining, together with the inner walls of the body frame, a pulverizing chamber; a material feeding inlet formed on the body frame on the side of the first rotary blade and communicating with the pulverizing chamber; and a collection outlet provided axially in alignment with the second rotary blade and communicating with the pulverizing chamber. The collection outlet communicates with an associated suction device.

Abstract: An apparatus and novel method for processing medical waste materials comprising an elongate pressure vessel of generally cylindrical configuration having an inlet end, and a closely fitting closure member for the inlet. An elongate drum of generally cylindrical configuration is mounted in the vessel for rotation about its longitudinal axis, which drum can be selectively driven in either rotative direction. The longitudinal axis of the drum is disposed at a slight angle of incline to the horizontal, placing the inlet end at a slightly higher elevation than the opposite end. A helically configured member is disposed along the interior perimeter of said drum, such that during rotation of the drum in a first rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material in a direction away from the inlet end of the drum, whereas during rotation of the drum in the second rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material toward the inlet.

Abstract: A displaceable drive ball safety element type torque limiter is installed in a variable speed AC motor drive crusher mill drive which can include a selective operable locking brake to hold the crusher components stationary during maintenance operations.