Abstract: A chip washer comprising a tank holding washing fluid, a conveyor for supplying chips into the tank, a vane for setting the fluid and therewith the chips into motion in the tank, a conduit provided with valve for removal from the tank of the foreign substances separated from the chips and a washed chips removing conveyor, this latter consisting of a screw conveyor ascending obliquely upwardly from the tank with its lower end extending into the washing fluid and the mantle of which is constituted by a strainer tube. The strainer tube of the screw conveyor is encircled by a collecting tube or trough, which returns the washing fluid running off the chips, back to the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for continuously preparing a mixture of two or more constituents with the apparatus including a first container having an input for the reception of a first one of the constituents, an output, and advancing means for advancing the first constituent through the output. The apparatus further includes a second container having an input for the reception of a second one of the constituents, an output, and advancing means for advancing the second one of the constituents through the output of the second container. The apparatus includes a third container having an input opening for receiving the first and second constituents from the respective outputs of the first and second containers, and the third container further includes an output and mixing means for blending the first and second ones of the constituents into a blended air-free mixture and for advancing the blended mixture through the output of the third container.

Abstract: Sludge deposit is stored in a sludge deposit receiving hopper, and the stored sludge deposit is fed onto a belt conveyor and transferred to a mixer. A hardener is fed to this mixer from a hardener hopper. A conveyor belt is disposed on the belt conveyor to measure the quantity of the sludge deposit transferred by the belt conveyor. According to this measured value of the transferred sludge deposit, the quantity of the sludge deposit fed from the sludge deposit receiving hopper and the quantity of the hardener fed from the hardener hopper are controlled. The sludge deposit is mixed and kneaded with the hardener, and the sludge deposit is solidified.

Abstract: An in-line mixer for animal feed is provided. The mixer receives feeds from a plurality of sources, mixes the feeds in a short distance, and deposits the mixed feed on a conveyor which carries it to animal feeding stations. The mixer includes a housing forming an upright passage containing baffles and rapidly rotating agitator blades which maintain the feeds in a fluidized condition and accomplish the mixing operation in a short time. Consequently, the mixer itself is short and requires relatively little space.

Abstract: This invention relates to a silo having a tapered bottom end, which silo is particularly adapted for small-sized plastics materials having a high degree of stickiness, humidity and electrostaticity. The silo according to the invention comprises a conical-screw stirring member axially inserted in the conical bottom of the silo, said stirring member being so constructed and rotated about its own axis as to originate an upward motion of the material. An outlet part is arranged laterally at the lower end of the silo bottom in order to eject and deliver the material.

Abstract: An improved debridger is provided in one or more storage bins in a cellulose insulation manufacturing plant which minimizes the bridging of the cellulose insulation across the storage bins between an inlet at the top thereof and an auger-fed outlet at the lower end thereof. The debridger comprises a vertical rotatable shaft having a plurality of horizontally extending arms for agitating the insulation and minimizing bridging. The arms or vanes on the auger vary in length and are removable from the vertical shaft for installation of the shaft in the bins. The shaft is rotatably driven by power means located outside of the storage bin.

Abstract: A method for making a slurry containing particulate matter and fibers for a preformed insulation product comprises mixing dry particulate matter with a binder which is a liquid containing dispersed fibers. An apparatus suitable for practicing the method comprises a means for disposing the particulate matter in the form of a falling curtain and a means for spraying the binder on the particulate matter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing particulate materials, such as sand, gravel, and cement to form a concrete mix, and for mixing water with the concrete mix to form concrete, and for applying the concrete to a structure such as a pipe, wherein a controlled amount of aggregate is placed on a moving belt and leveled to further control its amount, and then a controlled amount of cement is placed upon the leveled aggregate and leveled to further control its amount, and then the materials on the belt are mixed by spiked rollers dipping into the mixture, water being added to form the concrete, and the concrete being impelled against the object by being passed between high speed rollers.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete elements from a container defining a storage space containing the elements into a transport apparatus for transporting the elements to a discharge location. The dispensing apparatus defines a recess opening generally horizontally to the storage space at a lower portion thereof. The elements are guided into the recess which preferably has a height substantially equal to the greatest transverse dimension of the elements. A transferring structure is provided to be disposable selectively subjacent the recess for receiving the elements from the recess and transferring the received elements to a discharge position. In one embodiment, the apparatus dispenses ice bodies into an air-operated transport system. An agitator for agitating the elements in the storage space may be utilized to effect the desired guiding of the elements into the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding scrap thermoplastic material to a screw compactor for further processing the scrap material. Means are located in the material flow stream above the compactor for mixing the scrap material and discharging it from a storage zone to the compactor at substantially zero pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying granular and pulverous thermoplastic materials, duroplastic materials, rubber, or similar materials to processing machines, such as extruders. The apparatus includes a charging hopper with conduit-like devices for withdrawing gases which are released from the material. A plurality of vacuum connections arranged one above another respectively degas pertaining layers of the material which is in the hopper.

Abstract: A tumbler assembly for mixing, storing and feeding particulate materials and for transferring heat between different materials which includes a tumbler having a lower portion in the form of a hollow inverted lower cone enclosed by a circular cover. The cover has an axial inlet and the cone has an axial outlet. The tumbler is rotatably supported with its axis inclined at an angle of 30.degree. to 75.degree. with respect to the horizontal, the tumbler having driving means for rotating the same at a speed within the range of a fraction of a revolution per minute up to several revolutions per minute. The cone has an included angle within the range of 80.degree. to 135.degree..

Abstract: A mixing and discharge apparatus is used to mix various feed constituents and to discharge the feed mixture while the vehicle travels. A low energy demand for mixing purposes is provided by eliminating the usual rotary screws or agitators and using solely conveyor plates fixed to the inner wall of the drum for turning with the drum to mix the feed and for conveying the mixture toward the discharge end of the drum. The discharge of the agglutinated feed mixture is facilitated by the use of a cover means which may be shifted to form an annular gap with the drum to provide an accurate metering of the discharge feed mixture. A crossfeed conveyor receives the discharge mixture. Overlapping apertures on the cover of the drum may be used to discharge liquid constituents in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A mixer with a substantially conical mixing chamber supported vertically with its apex lowermost. A tapered auger is situated in the mixing chamber and mixer drive is provided at the base of the mixing chamber. The narrowmost end of the tapered auger is connected to the drive such that the auger rotates around its own axis and its upper end rolls around the upper periphery of the mixing chamber.The upper end of the auger has a wheel to allow the auger to freely roll around the upper periphery of the mixing chamber and to insure that the auger does not contact the walls of the mixing chamber. The wheel is held in contact with the upper periphery of the mixing chamber under the action of the weight of the auger.