Screw-type Stirrer Patents (Class 366/318)
  • Publication number: 20020021618
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing, the wall defining an opening disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The auger includes a core and flighting connected to the core so that when the auger rotates, feed disposed within the enclosure is mixed. The flighting includes a first portion and a second portion staggered relative to the first portion such that movement of the feed between the first and second portions is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Ric Joranlien, Claude McFarlane
  • Publication number: 20010038573
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The mixer apparatus further includes a further auger which is disposed within the enclosure, the further auger having a rotational axis disposed approximately parallel and spaced from the axis of rotation of the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: William S. Knight
  • Patent number: 6260995
    Abstract: A description is given of a mixing apparatus for the treatment of viscous substances which comprises a heatable housing 1 with a product inlet 6 on one side of the vessel and a product outlet 8 on the other side of the housing 1 and, if appropriate, an exhaust vapor nozzle 7, which comprises two or more mutually parallel counter-rotating shafts 2, 2′. Located thereupon there are paddles 3, 3′ extending in the circumferential direction and blades 4, 4′, 5, 5′ extending along the axial direction. The apparatus permits the active axial conveyance of the mixed substance, the moving internals fully cleaning themselves kinematically during operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinrich Schuchardt
  • Patent number: 6146613
    Abstract: A method is provided for zeolite synthesis from a synthesis medium containing in particular a trivalent aluminum source, a tetravalent silicon source, at least an alkaline or alkaline-earth cation in hydroxide form and water in a reactor containing a solid helical moving body in a guiding tube defining an internal space and a space external to the tube. The invention is characterized in that the synthesis medium is circulated in the reactor in a continuous flow passing through the internal space then the space external to the tube and returning to the internal space, only driven by the roation of the solid helical moving body, at a speed of less than 500 rpm, in the tube which is kept fixed, the synthesis medium being kept at a temperature suitable for at least one of the ripening operations or the crystal growth of the synthesized zeolite. The invention also is directed to a device for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Elf Aquitaine
    Inventors: Didier Anglerot, Jacques Bousquet, Francesco Di Renzo, Jean-Paul Klein, Philippe Schulz, Christine Bebon, Didier Colson
  • Patent number: 6136246
    Abstract: A screw extruder (10) having a barrel (18) which has a bore (26) defining an inner surface (44) and one or more extruder screws (28), positioned within the bore (26). The extruder screw or screws (28) include a central shaft (34) and one or more screw flights (30). The extruder screw or screws (28) farther including one or more dispersive mixing elements (204), (234), (308), (406), (508), (558), which interact with the inner surface of the barrel (44) to form one or more progressively narrowing passages (46) through which material is forced into multiple regions of high elongational and shear stress (480, (120), (214), (310), (410), (510), (564).A second preferred embodiment is a screw extruder (10) having a barrel (18) having a bore (26) defining an inner surface (44) and one or more extruder screws (600), (701), positioned within the bore (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering
    Inventors: Chris J. Rauwendaal, Paul J. Gramann, Bruce A. Davis, Tim A. Osswald
  • Patent number: 6106756
    Abstract: A method for producing a high solids aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) in which substantially dry poly(vinyl alcohol) is first fed into a specially designed single screw extruder. Heated water is introduced through a separate entry port downstream of the feed end of the extruder. A temperature of 38 to 121.degree. C. and a back pressure of at least 20,786 kPa are applied to the extruder. The mixture of poly(vinyl alcohol) and water is conveyed through transition and metering sections of the single screw extruder to dispersive and distributive mixing sections to produce a high solids poly(vinyl alcohol) solution which is substantially free of gels. The high solids poly(vinyl alcohol) solution can be used directly in the production of products such as fibers and sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Dennis Janny, Brian Thomas Carvill, Timothy Wayne Womer
  • Patent number: 6095035
    Abstract: A food processing apparatus is disclosed that has a tank with an inlet end and an outlet end. The apparatus has at least two rotary drums received within an interior chamber of the tank, each communicating with the inlet end for urging a food product from the inlet end simultaneously through the drums to the outlet end. A liquid is held at a desired level within the interior chamber. Each of the rotary drums is submerged in the liquid to a predetermined depth. The food processor of the present invention is particularly well suited for increasing the food product volume capacity for particular foods which can only be passed through the drums at a relatively low product level within each drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Zittel, Steven W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6080346
    Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol is processed into fiber or pellets for further processing, or directly into water-soluble film, in a screw-and-barrel extruder, which has a slow temperature rise and a mild kneading action achieved by a non-stick coating applied to the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: British Technology Group Inter-Corporation LIC LIM
    Inventor: Raymond Leslie Jack
  • Patent number: 6058828
    Abstract: A continuous cooking system for solid daily dishes comprising a cooker wherein the solid dishes are advanced spirally in a first-in-first-out manner, and during the process the dishes are heated by an external heating medium; a driving mechanism for generating actuating force for actuating the spiral advance in the cooker; and a sensing control mechanism for sensing the temperature in the cooker and for controlling the volume of the external heating medium to be dispensed and the actuating force of the driving mechanism according to said temperature. By means of this, the solid dishes can be fed continuously into the cooker and cooked dishes can be delivered continuously out the cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Food Industry Research and Development Institute
    Inventors: Shyan-Chiin Wei, Jong-Jyh Chen, Li-Hwang Chen, Fuh-Juin Kao, Kai-Heng Yu
  • Patent number: 5953984
    Abstract: A meat diminution and emulsifying apparatus comprising a housing having a plurality of interconnected chambers for rotatably receiving feed screws and rotary cutter assemblies therein, said feed screws and cutter assemblies being sequentially arranged and being provided intermediated two sets of rotary cutter assemblies with a chamber within which meat may be mixed and kneaded and provided with spices and other additives. The sequentially arranged cutter assemblies provide for progressively finer chopping of meat. A filler is provided at an output of the final cutter assembly for feeding chopped product into casings, and a conduit is provided between the output of the final cutter assembly and a feed screw ahead of it for recirculating meat for repeated chopping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Inoflex Fleisch-Lebensmittel-technik und -technologie
    Inventors: Michael Moessmer, Eberhard Haack
  • Patent number: 5932159
    Abstract: A screw extruder (10), including a barrel (18) having a bore (26) which defines an inner surface (24). At least one extruder screw (28) is positioned within the bore (26), each screw (28) further including a central shaft (34) and at least one screw flight (30). Each screw flight (30) further includes a front pushing face (36) and a rear face (38). The profile (40) of each front pushing face (36) acts with the inner surface (24) of the barrel (18) to form a progressively narrowing passage (46) through which material is forced into multiple regions of high elongational and shear stress (48) which act to break down agglomerates of material and thus dispersively mix the material.Also presented is a screw extruder (100) having a single screw (28) which includes dispersion disks (102) which are rotationally offset from one another and whose design is not constrained by interaction with a second disk, which provides improved distributive and dispersive mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris J. Rauwendaal
  • Patent number: 5876115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fully self-cleaning reactor/mixer having a large freely usable volume, that cleans itself kinematically, consisting of two or more parallel shafts (2, 2') rotating in opposite directions, on which are located spirally arranged, axially offset paddles (3, 3') with scrapers (4, 4', 5, 5') on the front and rear of the paddles, and a surrounding housing (1). Since all the scrapers (4, 4') on the upstream side of the paddles (3, 3') convey the material concerned outwards and all the scrapers (5, 5') on the downstream side of the paddles convey the material inwards, axial conveyance is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Schebesta, Heinrich Schuchardt, Martin Ullrich
  • Patent number: 5868065
    Abstract: An aerated mixture of unflavored ice cream, yogurt or other food base mix is applied to one end of the interior of an elongated freezing chamber and is advanced along the chamber by a rotating screw or auger. As the mix is advanced within the chamber, it is cooled and worked to form a semi-solid product. Prior to discharge from the remote end of the chamber, flavor is injected and mixed into the product. The free volume in the system from chamber inlet to the discharge point is carefully limited to a minimum amount so that most of the product is cleared from the system during each individual serving. The result is the availability of individual servings of a fresh, high-quality frozen food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kateman Family Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Matthew K. Haggerty, Paul R. Kateman, Clifford S. Lansil, Kevin Otto, Christopher T. Zirps
  • Patent number: 5842090
    Abstract: A developer mixing and transporting member is provided which has at least two independent spiral-shaped channels extending around the circumference of the member. At least one of the channels is partly blocked by an element which restricts developer transport through the channel so that developer being mixed and transported within each of the channels is transported at different speeds and is thus rapidly mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Mikawa
  • Patent number: 5823667
    Abstract: A mixer is disclosed which allows more effectively mixing and easy maintenance. The mixer can positively and effectively mix different kinds of concrete. an inside mixing blade 18 includes first and second mixing blade elements 19, 19each provided with a supporting member 18d for supporting mixing blades 18a. The two mixing blades 18a are each formed in helical configuration and has greater width. the first and second mixing blade elements 19, 19 are inserted to a shaft body 17a as well as a spacer 17a and prevented from coming off the shaft body 17a by a end plate 17b. The inside mixing blade 18 is formed in helical shape of substantially 360 .degree.. When any one of the mixing blades 18a is damaged, only the mixing blade element 19 having the damaged mixing blade 18a should be replaced with new one so that the replacement can be simply performed and the maintenance of the mixer 1 is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Pacific Machinery & Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukushima, Hisashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5823668
    Abstract: An extruder for plasticating and extruding an extrudate, and an extrusion screw used with the extruder form the subject of this invention. The extruder screw includes an elongated root body and a thread portion helically wound about the root body and extending along the length. The screw having a low compression ratio, flight with a reduced helical angle, and a conical, tapered front end section where at least one-half flight of the thread has a pitch associated therewith which is different from the pitch of the remainder of the thread and where the diameter is less than the diameter of the remainder of the root body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Spirex Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Womer, Vue X. Yang
  • Patent number: 5806413
    Abstract: A juicer including a safety switch operatively coupled to an outlet screen holder on a power juicer. The magnet cooperates with a reed switch and a triac to interrupt power unless the screen holder is in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Harry R. Trovinger
  • Patent number: 5788370
    Abstract: A machine for making crushed-ice drinks comprising: a crushed-ice drink containment tank, which is provided at the front with a pouring tap adapted to control an outlet for the crushed-ice drink which is located proximate to the bottom of the tank; a hollow cylinder, which lies inside the tank and is cooled by a refrigeration unit; and a screw feeder, which is arranged concentrically outside the hollow cylinder and is connected to motor elements in order to activate, by rotating, the heat exchange between the crushed-ice drink and the outer surface of the cylinder, a mixing element being rotatably supported above the hollow cylinder, inside the tank, and being adapted to be rotated in order to maintain a uniform density of the crushed-ice drink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: S.P.M. Catering S.r.l.
    Inventor: William Pedrazzi
  • Patent number: 5715502
    Abstract: A toner conveyer applied to a housing having a pair of side walls and a through hole formed in at least one of the pair of side walls. The toner conveyer includes a shaft which is inserted at its one end portion in said through hole formed in one of said pair of side walls and is mounted between said pair of side walls to rotate. A main spiral vane is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a main portion of the shaft. An inside limiting piece is formed at the one end portion of the shaft. The inside limiting piece has protruded portions that extend in the radial direction beyond the inner diameter of the through hole and non-protruded portions located on the inside of the inner diameter of the through hole in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Taniguchi, Hiroki Morishita, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 5669288
    Abstract: A blancher or cooler has a drum made up of a plurality of stainless steel perforated panels. The drum is rotatably mounted within a water tank, and has an auger for progressing food products from an inlet to an outlet. The panels are bolted between C-channels which are welded to end plates to define the drum, and steel angle brackets clamp the panels in place. The angle brackets have slots with enlarged openings at one end. For periodic cleaning the nuts which clamp the brackets to the C-channels are loosened part way, the brackets are removed by passing the bolt heads through the enlarged openings, and the unclamped panels are allowed to hang freely on the C-channels. In this condition all regions of the panels are accessible to cleaning spray as the drum is rotated. The brackets are rapidly replaced and the nuts fully tightened to return the apparatus to service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Zittel, Steven B. Malchow
  • Patent number: 5655835
    Abstract: An extruder screw having a plurality of plasticating sections sufficient for plasticating polymeric materials of different bulk density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Hoang T. Pham, Chad A. Strait, Richard O. Kirk
  • Patent number: 5630944
    Abstract: Sewage sludge is mixed with organic material such as woodchips in a three screw mixer so that moving masses are created in the mixing compartment, there being a shearing action at the interfaces between the masses. The mixer includes the mixing compartment and a holding compartment into which dewatered sludge is continuously charged. There is a gate between the compartments which is opened when it is desired to convey sludge from the holding compartment to the mixing compartment. The shearing action results in the organic material being coated with a thin layer of sludge without the formation of dewatered sludge lumps which would rot instead of composting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Johannes S. Terblanche
  • Patent number: 5592869
    Abstract: A blancher having a tank and an elongate generally cylindrical and hollow perforate drum rotatably received in the tank with the drum including an inlet end plate with a food product inlet opening adjacent an end of a support core that is spaced from the inlet opening by at least two braces of non-straight construction to allow food product to enter the drum without being obstructed adjacent the inlet opening. The braces increase the structural rigidity of the drum enabling blanchers to be constructed having axial lengths greater than 24 feet and drum diameters greater than 72 inches while also being of open throat construction and having an inlet opening diameter greater than the outer diameter of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Zittel
  • Patent number: 5572297
    Abstract: A developer dispersing device which can be utilized for moving dry two-component toner is applicable to electro-photographic apparatuses such as copiers, printers or facsimile machines. The developer dispersing device includes a rotatable shaft on which pumping plate members and blades are positioned so as to both laterally and radially move toner. The pumping plate member and blades are positioned on the shaft to permit an efficient lateral and radial displacement of the toner in combination with positively mixing newly supplied toner with stock toner so as to provide for an even image density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 5520457
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the continuous treatment of reduced thickness article surfaces, for example, for the surface treatment of fragile products of small dimensions. The product to be treated is continuously poured, along with a treatment product, if necessary, into a rotary cylinder arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally, and rotated at low speed. A helical brush is also rotated at a reduced speed in an opposite direction to the cylinder, with the brush being arranged parallel to the cylinder and in contact on at least one of its generating lines with at least one internal generating line of the lower portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventors: Roger Gontero, Claude Serra
  • Patent number: 5494351
    Abstract: A method and mixer for mixing peat and sludge into a homogenous mass, in which method the peat and sludge is mixed by pressurizing the pre-mixed mass for some time, when the sludge is absorbed by and bound in the peat. The mixer in accordance with the invention includes a silo (1) and a screw conveyor (4) located beneath it, from which the mass is squeezed out through a nozzle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Vapo Oy
    Inventor: Harri Hakasalo
  • Patent number: 5433844
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for pathogen reduction in waste where dewatered sludge having a solids content in the range of 10-60% is mixed with a selected alkaline additive selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide or calcium carbonate group. Hydration to calcium hydroxide occurs with an attendant release of heat. The pH of the sludge is then elevated and the heat of the hydration reaction is retained. Supplemental heat is added to the sludge, either to preheat the sludge prior to mixing it, or while mixing it, or both, such that effective neutralization of pathogens results. The supplemental heat is added by indirectly heating the sludge by heat generated by electric elements carried either in the mixing member, or by the chamber, or both, with electric power being supplied from outside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: RDP Company
    Inventor: Paul G. Christy
  • Patent number: 5427015
    Abstract: A cylindrical drum is rotatably mounted within a covered blancher or cooler water tank. The loads of the drum are supported entirely on an exterior frame formed of an inlet end plate and a discharge end plate and a plurality of linear support members which extend between and are welded to the two end plates. A helical auger is welded to and supported by the support members and defines an axially aligned central cavity which is substantially unobstructed between the inlet opening and the discharge opening. A perforated cylinder of screen material surrounds the dram and retains food product therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Zittel
  • Patent number: 5314246
    Abstract: An extrusion apparatus 10 for extruding thermoplastic materials comprises a hollow cylindrical barrel 12 having a preferably smooth inner cylindrical wall 14. An extrusion screw 16 is mounted for rotation about an axis 18 within hollow barrel 12. The extrusion screw 16 has a major diameter, a minor diameter defining a minor circumferential surface (MCS) of the screw 16, and material pushing threads that are spaced axially and have a normal height `h` extending outwardly from the MCS of the screw into rotatable contact with the inner cylindrical wall 14 of the barrel 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Stephen J. Derezinski
  • Patent number: 5249019
    Abstract: In a feed roller for mixing a developer and feeding it to a developing roller, a first mixing wing parallel to a rotating shaft is provided, a second spiral-shape mixing wing is diagonally provided in a manner to cross the first wing, and a spiral-shape groove for feeding a powder is formed on the one side located on the forward section with respect to rotating direction and being the powder scraping-up side of the both sides of said second mixing wing, along said second mixing wing, so as to enhance the feed performance, lateral-mixing performance and lateral-feed performance of the feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Ishida, Hiroshi Kusumoto, Naruyuki Miyamoto, Yoshifumi Ishii, Shoichi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 5146841
    Abstract: A stainless steel tank has a hinged cover which closes over a cylindrical drum which is rotatably mounted within the tank. The drum has a stiff support structure with an inlet end plate and a discharge end plate and a plurality of linear support members extending between and rigidly fastened to the two end plates. A helical auger is welded to and supported by the support members and is positioned within the drum by a central core tube. The auger and core tube are not connected to the inlet end plate leaving an unobstructed open-throat which allows the free flow of food product into the drum. A perforated cylinder of screen material surrounds the drum and retains food product therein. An infeed flight attachment extends from the auger to the inlet end plate and has a curved portion which extends beneath the water level to avoid contact with the food product above the water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: David R. Zittel
  • Patent number: 5147133
    Abstract: A tank truck is provided for transporting a variety of fluids such as water, petroleum products or drilling mud and includes an agitator comprising a pair of horizontally disposed longitudinally aligned agitator elements each including a longitudinally extending helical flight. The agitators are supported at their adjacent ends by means of a releasable and removable bearing and by outboard bearings at the ends of the tank which allow limited articulation of the augers to facilitate their removal with portions of the auger shafts extending outwardly beyond the outboard bearings to reversible drive motors which turn the augers during operation in the same or opposite directions so that different modes of operation can be used for transporting the fluid by both augers in the same or opposite directions. The invention also includes pivotable spray heads mounted in the tank for washing the tank with heat exchangers provided for transferring engine heat to the tank contents and to the washing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Justin T. White
  • Patent number: 5124073
    Abstract: Aqueous non-self-emulsifying polymer dispersions having small particles and a long shelf life and based on highly viscous reaction resins are prepared without the addition of solvents, by means of an intensively dispersing screw apparatus, by a continuous process in which the preparation of the polymer dispersion is carried out in an intensive shear zone of the screw apparatus, the water/reaction resin ratio in this intensive shear zone corresponding to the phase inversion point or being close to it, and the specific energy supply is 0.01-0.15 kWh/kg, the residence time is 0.1-60 sec and the shear gradient is 2,000-20,000 sec.sup.-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Friedrich Goffing, Joerg Kroker, Rainer Nachtrab, Heino Thiele
  • Patent number: 5119721
    Abstract: A washed rice producing apparatus includes a frame; a first tubular member, arranged within the frame, for defining a rice-washing chamber therein for washing polished rice introduced therein from one end thereof, the rice-washing chamber having a discharge end portion; an agitating member, arranged in the first tubular member, for agitating the polished rice in the rice-washing chamber; a spiral member supported on the frame to be rotatable about an axis thereof for transporting washed, polished rice discharged from the discharge end portion of the rice-washing chamber while dewatering the washed polished rice; and a second tubular member provided in the frame to be rotatable about the axis and to externally surround the spiral member for defining a dewatering chamber in cooperation with the spiral member, the second tubular member including a circumferential wall having many penetrating holes formed therethrough for draining off water separated from the washed polished rice transported by the spiral member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Satake Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Satake, Satoru Satake, Katsuyuki Kumamoto, Shigeru Ariji
  • Patent number: 5110521
    Abstract: A blender for plastic materials weighs a charge of virgin plastic pellets as they are added to a hopper, similarly weighs plastics regrind material as it is added to the hopper, calculates the weight of color material (or other additive) on the basis of the actual virgin material weight and the desired color percentage, calculates from the weight of color material and a calibration of a volumetric feeder the volumetric amount of color material needed and then dispenses the calculated volume of color material. The apparatus is hybrid, using weight ratio measuring devices for the primary components and a volumetric feeder for dispensing the additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Hydreclaim Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. Moller
  • Patent number: 5011396
    Abstract: An injection molding machine comprising a drive unit and a plasticizing unit and includes a quick disconnect coupling mechanism for connecting the feed screw of the plasticizing unit to and disconnecting it from the quill of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Cosman, Victor Silaghi
  • Patent number: 4974965
    Abstract: Improvements are provided in machines for processing frozen comestibles of the type in which a frozen comestible is placed in a mixing cup and the mixing cup is moved toward an auger which mixes the frozen comestible into a smooth, soft material. The improvements comprise a chain driven drive for moving the mixing cup toward the auger. Further improvement include spring biased mounting means for mounting the auger of the machine to the drive shaft of the machine. An additional improvement comprises means for circulating cooled air from a freezer located adjacent to the mixing machine through the housing of the mixing machine to cool the mixing cup and the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Heinhold, Duane H. Heinhold
  • Patent number: 4955721
    Abstract: A portable apparatus adapted for use in filling chuck holes in paved surfaces with a sulphur-based material that has been heated to a plasticized condition. The apparatus includes an electrically heated furnace in which an auger is mounted for the purpose of moving a sulphur-based material through the furnace at a controlled rate (e.g., about 2 feet per minute), such that the material will be elevated to a temperature of above 305 degrees Farenheit (the melting point of sulphur) to produce a tenacious filler material. The furnace is heated by tubular resistance heaters that are bent in a spiral fashion around a mandrel, so that they may be placed in intimate contact with the exterior of a tube which constitutes the core of the furnace. The furnace is fed by a hopper that is mounted above the entry point for the auger, so that dry material may be fed--by gravity--into the furnace whenever a gate-valve mechanism is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventors: Lloyd T. Clark, James W. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4951884
    Abstract: A bearing shield for a power auger machine having a bearing shield which includes an annular outer shield element attached to a rotating auger and having an annular channel formed in a rearward face thereof, an annular inner shield element attached to a wall which supports the auger and positioned within the annular channel such that a labyrinth seal is formed by the outer shield element, the inner shield element and the support wall, and a lubricant supply pump for forcing lubricant through the labyrinth seal and outwardly from between the outer shield element and the wall. In a preferred embodiment, a grease purge seal extends between the rear wall and bearing support structure for the auger to form a lubricant manifold communicating with the inner shield element and the labyrinth seal, for supplying lubricant to the labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 4915506
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying material which is mixed with a solvent. Material and solvent are mixed in a mixer (1) and simultaneously vibration energy is radiated by one or more high frequency vibration generators (9) towards the free surface (10) of the mixture mass in the container with a frequency of 2450 MHz.Thereby the solvent, which is a polar material, is heated and vaporized so that a quick drying of the product is obtained without damage thereto.The structure of the apparatus is such that also when no product is present leakage radiation remains within the safety limits and a minimal reflection of the radiated energy within the apparatus takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Hosokawa Micron Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Isao Sato, Antonius M. Van Aken
  • Patent number: 4911553
    Abstract: A method for feeding a solid-liquid mixture comprised of a liquid and a solid having a specific gravity greater than that of the liquid comprising depositing the solid component around a feed opening disposed at the bottom of a mixing container and feeding the solid-liquid mixture to a container for packing the same through the opening is provided and the method can effectively be carried out utilizing an apparatus comprising a mixing container, a feed opening disposed at the bottom of the mixing container, a feed controlling device disposed below or within the feed opening and characterized in that it comprises a collecting device for depositing the solid component of the mixture around the feed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: House Food Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sawada, Masayuki Nakatani, Hitoshi Iwata, Katsuaki Namba
  • Patent number: 4877390
    Abstract: A degassification device for a screw extruder which processes plastic material in which the extruder has a hollow housing and an extruder screw rotatable in the housing, the degassification device having a pair of degassification screws disposed adjacent to the extruder screw for rotation about axes parallel to the axes of rotation of the extruder screw. A housing headpiece accommodates the degassification screws and is in communication with the extruder housing such that gas and vapor produced in the extruder housing can flow radially therefrom into the housing headpiece for discharge therefrom. The degassification screws have threads which interengage one another and they are driven in the same direction of rotation. The housing headpiece has adjacent longitudinal bores which overlap one another and respectively receive the degassification screws therein with their threads interengaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Werner & Pfleiderer GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Ocker, Gerhard Weihrich
  • Patent number: 4872761
    Abstract: The apparatus is for the mixing and refining of rubber-like materials, either hot or cold feed, and some thermoplastic materials. It comprises an elongated cylindrical barrel member and an elongated rotor member, disposed coaxially in the interior of said barrel member. The rotor member is provided with a concentric bore, at its downstream end in which a stationary screw-like member is coaxially disposed. Means are provided for relative rotational movement of the rotor member, to the barrel member and to the stationary screw-like member in the treating and axial advancement of the process material. With such a construction, the barrel, rotor and screw-like members have a feed end, a forcing zone, a mixing and refining zone, a stationary screw-like member and discharge end, interposed between the ends of the apparatus. The rotor member of the forcing zone is provided with extrusion grooves or groove, capable of warming, pressurizing and transporting the process material to the mixing and refining zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Paul Geyer
  • Patent number: 4838700
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a worm shaft assembly used to move corrosive and/or abrasive material such is part of an extrusion device or a press. More particularly, it relates to the construction of flights, feed quills and intermediate rings or collars for mechanical presses and extrusion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Kirk E. Williamson
  • Patent number: 4832498
    Abstract: A mobile concrete mixer comprising an elongated wheeled frame adapted to be connected at its forward end to a prime mover such as a truck or the like to enable the mixer to be moved from one location to another. An elongated conveyor support is pivotally mounted on the wheeled frame and has a hydraulic cylinder operatively secured thereto to enable the rearward end thereof to be raised to the desired dicharge height. A conveyor belt is movably mounted on a conveyor suport and has an elongated concrete mixer hopper positioned thereover. The lower end of the concrete mixer hopper is open to provide communication between the interior of the hopper and the upper portion of the conveyor belt. A plurality of vertically disposed shafts are rotatably positioned within the mixing hopper and have helical conveyor-like portions mounted on the lower ends thereof and laterally extending mixing paddles positioned thereabove. The rotation of the mixing devices elevates and mixes the aggregate materials in the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Robert C. Milek
  • Patent number: 4767216
    Abstract: A continuous mixer with twin parallel rotors, a feed end and a discharge end is disclosed which is characterized by mismatched rotors. The apexes, or points at which the rotor tips change direction, are substantially misaligned as between the individual rotors of the pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: J. S. Gwinn, Michael J. Miller
  • Patent number: 4746220
    Abstract: The outer periphery of a screw and the inside of a barrel of a screw type extruding or kneading machine are made of ceramics, to improve the abrasion and heat resistances thereof, so that the screw and the barrel will operate for a longer life time even if a hard material or a material containing a hard material is worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignees: Noritake Co., Limited, Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Sukai, Keizo Ichii, Shigeru Takane, Takayuki Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Inada, Takao Yamada
  • Patent number: 4741264
    Abstract: A rice bran extruder apparatus maintains a continuous flow of bran with appropriate heating to stabilize the bran to prevent information of free fat acid and rancid oil. A supply hopper includes a rotating paddle to stir the bulk bran for continuous gravity feed of the bran into a feed conveyor mounted immediately beneath the hopper. The feed conveyor is aligned with the bran extruder to supply bran to the inlet opening. The extruder includes a flighted rotor and terminates in a conical discharge nozzle. Extrusion of the bran results in heating of the bran to stabilize the lipase, destroy bacteria and produce a stable bran providing oil and an edible end product. The flighted rotor has closely spaced flighting and at least 12 agitator elements secured between the flights for at least the last four flights to establish a continuous movement of the powdery rice bran through the extruder and positively prevents blow back of the bran.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Brady International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. McPeak
  • Patent number: 4740088
    Abstract: A frozen confections blending machine, especially for blending basic frozen comestibles with flavors of users' choices, whereby each end product may vary, in quick succession, from a previous one. To perform the therefor required change-over procedure, the subject improvements were introduced, including facilities for rapid, frequent and sanitary cleaning operations between product changes, such as a permanently built-in sink having drainage, protective shieldings against random soilage of the internal machine components and provisions for improved safety of machine operations of those parts which were not rendered safe by the sanitary improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: James J. Kelly, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE34172
    Abstract: A continuous mixer with twin parallel rotors, a feed end and a discharge end is disclosed which is characterized by mismatched rotors. The apexes, or points at which the rotor tips change direction, are substantially misaligned as between the individual rotors of the pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: J. S. Gwinn, Michael J. Miller