Abstract: A system and method for coffee bean processing that includes a bean refinement chute with a bean grind inlet and a refined grind outlet; a filter system integrated into at least one surface within the chute; a vibration system operable in an active state that agitates bean grinds during progression from the bean grind inlet to the refined grind outlet; a refined grind chamber positioned adjacent to the refined grind outlet and thereby collects refined grinds; and a filtered grind chamber positioned beneath the filter system and thereby collects filtered grinds.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly bearing is described. A bearing set for an ESP assembly includes a rotatable sleeve, and a bushing outward of the rotatable sleeve, the bushing including a tubular portion, and a radial flange extending around a downstream side of the tubular portion. An ESP assembly includes a rotatable shaft, at least one stage stacked in series on the rotatable shaft, each stage including a diffuser, a stationary bearing member including a tubular portion secured within a working fluid exit of the diffuser, a stationary member flange extending radially outward from a top of the tubular portion, and a rotatable sleeve inward of the stationary bearing member and secured to the rotatable shaft. A bearing set for an ESP assembly includes a bushing including a tubular portion, and an annular retaining ring groove extending around an outer surface of the tubular portion.

Abstract: A material reducing machine includes a frame and a drum rotor which is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The drum rotor includes a generally cylindrical peripheral wall with a tool mounted thereon. The tool has a leading edge that defines an arc as the drum rotor is rotated, which arc is spaced outwardly from the peripheral wall and is parallel thereto. The machine includes a material input device for conveying material to be reduced towards the drum rotor, and an outlet for reduced material. A breaker bar assembly is located adjacent to the drum rotor. The breaker bar assembly includes a back plate with a plurality of breaker bars mounted thereon. The breaker bar assembly is located so that material which is carried by the tool of the drum rotor is directed against the breaker bar assembly.

Abstract: A device for extracting zest from a fruit includes a body, a carrier coupled to the body, and a blade coupled to the body. The carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade and holds the fruit as the blade separates a portion of the flavedo from the pith of the fruit's peel to extract zest from the fruit. The device also includes an arm that urges the blade against the fruit's peel to generate contact pressure as the carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade, and that allows the blade to move toward and away from the carrier to accommodate the contour of the fruit's peel, which is often curved. The blade includes a plurality of teeth, each configured to cut a portion of the fruit's flavedo from the fruit's pith without separating the pith from the berry.

Abstract: A method for recovering and/or recycling starting silicon material by crushing the starting material. The recovered or recycled material is melted, and crystals, e.g. as a silicon block, tube, or strip, are grown from the obtained melt. To use starting materials that have a high aspect ratio to be able to convey the same without any problem, broken polycrystalline needle-shaped Si material (material I) containing particles having an aspect ratio AI, 5<AI?30, is used as a starting material. Material I is crushed so that the crushed particles (material II) have an aspect ratio AII<3. Alternatively, a broken Si wafer is used that is composed of laminar particles which are crushed so that the crushed particles (material III) have an aspect ratio AIII<3.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking garbage bags comprises a bag breaking and a liquid waste processor. The breaker mechanism breaks the input garbage bags containing waste materials. The liquid waste processor includes a removable liquid waste absorbent sheet. This liquid waste absorbent sheet is arranged to absorb liquid waste coming out of the broken garbage bags. The liquid waste absorbent sheet containing the liquid waste is removed for appropriate treatment.

Abstract: When compacting particulate material, such as granular or powdery material, the same is fed to a first section which determines the compaction degree. In a second section, the weight/volume ratio is further increased so that it determines further the ultimate compaction degree. Optionally the compaction degree is controlled a third time within a third section which is normally the final section. In order to influence and to control the compaction degree at least in the first and second sections, energy can be absorbed by means of separate drives within these sections.

Abstract: A meat grinder wherein the meat discharging end of the barrel for the rotary feed screw is separably connected with a tubular member having an extension which is remote from the barrel and is provided with a lateral meat evacuating opening. A star-shaped meat tearing or ripping member is installed in the tubular member upstream of the evacuating opening and has a bearing for the rear end portion of a shaft the front end portion of which is connected to a transverse front end wall of the extension. The latter is surrounded by a tubular element which has a lateraly opening and is rotatable relative to the extension to move its opening to a position of greater lesser register or overlap with the opening of the extension and to thus vary the rate of discharge of meat from the tubular member. A disc-shaped baffle is mounted on the shaft adjacent the opening of the extension and is movable to any one of several different positions axially of the shaft.

Abstract: A separator for separating plant stalks into components includes a feeder in the form of opposite endless conveyors which propel stalks against a splitter. The splitter comprises two oppositely traveling, notched bands which are in contact to define a cutting edge. Stalk sections have at least their pith removed by a milling roll disposed opposite a slower traveling hold-back belt, the latter controlling the speed of the stalk sections. The milling roll includes removable blades which are held in place by wedges and pairs of blades are adjusted by tiltable members at each blade end. The tiltable members move the blades into contact with reference surfaces on the milling roll to define a proper blade location. Stalks are fed to the separator by being dropped onto a chute which guides the stalks into separate feed passages, the latter being maintained throughout stalk travel through the separator.