Abstract: A flexible intra-oral bandage and kit thereof including an hydrolyzable powder/water-wettable fiber mixture enclosed in a flexible, water-permeable, non-stick envelope. The envelope is immersed in water or medication so that the liquid is absorbed through the envelope to wet the hydrolyzable powder/water-wettable fiber mixture and form a moldable tacky gel. The envelope is then removed from the gel and the gel is manually molded and placed in a desired location in a patient's oral cavity. The kit can also be used as a drug delivery system to deliver medication to a patient through the oral cavity.

Abstract: A disposable container for preparing bone cement, comprising a flexible bag member, the bag member being substantially sealed; a port member for transferring a substantially liquid composition into the flexible bag member; and wherein the bag member includes a resilient membrane covering the port member.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing chocolate includes premixing a charge of cocoa paste, sugar, and optionally powdered milk under application of heat, subsequently conveying the charge to a first grinder, and thereafter treating the resulting paste by tumbling in at least one stirring device under temperature control. In this process, removal of the volatile components as well as the reactions of the charge are conducted in a first operation, the paste is then pulverized, and after that the addition of fat and emulsifiers, and the dispersion and the liquefaction of the paste are implemented in a further operation.

Abstract: An asphalt plant is provided with a system for containing noxious and nuisance gases and fumes generated therein. The system includes a substantially air tight casing encircling an slat conveyor of the plant, a substantially air tight elevator chute having a substantially air tight connection to each of a drum dryer/mixer and the casing, a batcher chute having a substantially air tight connection to each of the casing and a batcher of the plant, a substantially air tight seal between the batcher and a silo of the plant, and a bypass duct bypassing the seal between the batcher and the silo such that a negative pressure created in the drum dryer/mixer by a power exhaust of the plant is distributed substantially throughout various components of the plant as the batcher and the silo contain sufficient asphalt material being processed by the plant such that air and other gases and fumes contained within the plant are prevented from escaping directly into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A mobile cement mixer is provided with a programmed controller that automatically causes the mixing of concrete to follow a predefined mixing regime that is interruptable by an operator but will resume the mixing regime at the appropriate stage.

Abstract: Single bag quantities of blended cement and aggregate are mixed with water to form concrete using a flexible mat that is arranged with a shallow central basin bounded by a flat skirt. A plurality of handles, suitably four, are provided in the skirt near the mat edge. A sufficient amount of water to mix with a single bag or batch of pre-blended cement and aggregate is placed in the basin, and the batch amount of cement and aggregate is then poured onto the mat atop the water. Two persons grasp the mat by way of adjacent handles and mix the water with the cement and aggregate by alternately raising and lowering diagonally opposite mat handles.

Abstract: A device for and a method of mixing and dispensing alginate is disclosed. The invention entails a pouch having a sealable aperture through which alginate and water may be added. The pouch also has an sealable spout. The function of these two openings may be performed by a single opening. When the alginate and water are in the pouch, a dentist will mix the two together by manipulating the pouch with his hands. When the contents of the pouch are thoroughly mixed, the spout may be opened and the pouch evacuated. When the pouch is empty, it may be discarded.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing a metered volume of air into a continuously generated and flowing slurry composed of metered dry cementitious material, metered water and metered air entraining (or foaming) agent and for homogenizing this air into bubbles or cells of relatively small size to produce a uniform cellular product. The apparatus comprises a positive displacement progressive cavity slurry pump driven by a variable speed motor. By driving the pump at a speed in excess of the speed required to accommodate the volume of slurry being generated, the pump will draw air proportionately to this excess of speed. Further elements of the apparatus comprise a closed conduit system for the slurry discharging from the pump, this system communicating with a cylindrical homogenizing apparatus wherein rotating elements homogenize the metered air and slurry with the cooperation of the air entraining agent into a foamed material having relatively small air cells of uniform size.

Abstract: A concrete mixing system includes reservoirs of liquid additives, where the additives are combined with concrete mix to add desired properties thereto. These reservoirs of liquid additive are connected to a storage chamber and a controller which controls and sequences various pumps, valves and sensors to attain the desired quantity of liquid additive for introduction to the concrete mix. The sensors measure pressure in the storage chamber, which the controller correlates to the volume therein for later mixing with the concrete mix. In situations where a back pressure in the chamber is a concern, a sensing tube is employed within the chamber. A differential pressure transducer, which has one sensor within the sensing tube and one sensor within the chamber, accurately determines the pressure and thus the volume received within the storage chamber. A modified sensing tube can also be employed to increase the sensitivity and the accuracy of the pressure measurement within the sensing tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating solid, liquid and/or gaseous materials with an activator with at least three coaxially arranged paddle rows (3, 4, 5) which are drivable in a contrarotating manner with beater paddles (6) having set angles of incidence (6), with the circumferential speed of the outer paddle rows (3, 4, 5) being between 70 m per sec. and 160 m per sec. In order to increase the extent of the achievable activation of the particles of the material and thus the performance of the apparatus and the quality of the manufactured products it is provided that the width (b.sub.1, b.sub.2, b.sub.3) of the paddle rows (3, 4, 5) decreases outwardly by at least 2%, preferably by at least 5% and maximally by not more than 10%.

Abstract: A mixing chamber (3) and a gas inlet chamber (5) are concentrically arranged in a closed housing (1) and divided from one another by a tubular partition wall (7) provided with micropores. A flow of a liquid, foamable medium is introduced by a pump (21) axially into the mixing chamber (3). At the same time, air produced by a compressor (23) is introduced via a housing inlet (17) into the gas inlet chamber (5) under such a pressure that the air can penetrate through the micropores in the tubular partition wall (7) into the mixing chamber (3). The partition wall (7) surrounding the mixing chamber and the peripheral wall (9) are replaceably mounted between two flanges (11 and 12). The cross-sectional profile of the axial inlet and outlet (15 and 16) is matched to the cylindrical cross-section of the mixing chamber (3) so that in operation a laminar flow of the foam mixture substantially parallel to the axis occurs through the mixing chamber (3).

Abstract: A method and device for the application of mortar or concrete by spraying, wherein a quick-acting binding agent mixed with an admixture is transferred to a spraying-nozzle by a pneumatic conveyor where water is added, wherein the binding agent is added mixed with the admixture during the pneumatic transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the continuous generation and placement of a foamed cement grout. The assembly is mounted on a fixed or mobile frame. There is a continuous foam generator, and this supplies finished foam to an intake port of a screw-type, positive-displacement pump. Cement slurry is also supplied to the intake portion of the pump, and this is mixed with the foam in the body of the pump and discharged from this through a conduit to the injection site on a continuous basis. The ratios of foam and slurry can be adjusted on a continuous basis to compensate for variations in grout quality which are observed at the injection site. The assembly is also provided with an onboard power generator and a water pump for flushing the grout out of the injection lines.

Abstract: A method of mixing drilling fluids at a drill site includes the transportation of sealed silo assemblies that can contain dry products in bulk to the well drilling site. The dry products are maintained within the silo assemblies in a dry and pressurized condition. The dry product is discharged from the sealed silo assemblies and into a mixer at the well drilling site wherein the mixer is maintained in a sealed environment until mixing is completed. The mixer combines the dry product with a liquid at the well site. The dry product is maintained within the silo assemblies in a pressurized condition to discourage the entry of moisture or gasses having high moisture content.

Abstract: A method of applying a quick setting spray material is disclosed, wherein a cement-containing principal composition is supplied into a feed pipe and sprayed through a nozzle and an aqueous solution of a (meth)acrylate as a set accelerating agent is supplied into the principal composition at a linear speed of 0.5 to 50 m/sec through at least two supply pipes that are connected to the feed pipe in a position within one meter behind the tip of the nozzle in such a manner that extended axes of the supply pipes cross each other within the feed pipe and wherein the at least two supply pipes form a supply angle of 30 to 90 degrees with respect to the direction at which the principal composition flows, whereafter the principal composition and the set accelerating agent are jetted from the nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to the conveyance of cement under water to form concrete. The method claimed utilizes, inter alia, a positive displacement pump and feed pipe to convey unreacted cement, suspended in an environmentally safe and non-reactive liquid vehicle or carrier (polyethyleneglycol, for example), to an underwater site comprised of a hydrated aggregate mass (usually sand), permitting said carrier to diffuse from said suspension into surrounding water and further permitting said cement to react with water in the aggregate thereby causing the cement, water and aggregate mixture to form concrete.

Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: Environmentally-acceptable intimate mixtures of active ingredients and excipients which meet economic performance levels are prepared without use of harmful solvents by solubilizing and mixing the components in liquid carbon dioxide maintained under pressure and then slowly reducing the pressure to convert the carbon dioxide to the gaseous phase and venting the gaseous carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the production of foamed material in which the material and foam are delivered to a mixer (12) in predetermined relative proportions. The apparatus comprises a mixer (23) for mixing a foam solution and air together, and a foam generator (26) for conditioning the air and foam solution mixture and delivering the resultant foam to the mixer. The foam generator (26) comprises a plurality of foam generating chambers connected in parallel, valves (28) being provided to control the flow of air and foam solution mixture through each of the generator chambers. The volume flow rate at which foam is delivered to the mixer (12) is monitored, and the valves are controlled to direct the air and foam solution mixture through one or more of the generator chambers in dependence upon the volume flow rate such that the flow velocity of the air and foam solution mixture within the chamber or chambers is within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A cellular concrete paste mixer unit is provided consisting of a first mixer and an increased number of second mixers. The mixer unit is able to simultaneously produce cement paste and cellular concrete paste. A method of making cellular concrete paste using the claimed mixer unit is also provided.

Abstract: A method for adding silica fume to a dry shotcrete mixture wherein the silica fume is added together with the water supplied to the dry mixture in the spray nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for blending solid particulate material. The invention employs equipment for enabling simultaneous drain and recycle, for selective top filling or bottom filling of the vessel, and for providing a bypass line for removing plugs which may form in the lift pipe. The apparatus includes a continuous blending unit which includes a sensor to measure the amount of material in the vessel by measuring its height or weight, and a controller, responsive to the sensor, for controlling the fresh particulate material feed rate and/or the material withdrawal rate so that the fresh material supply rate and the blended material withdrawal rate are proportioned to control the material level within the vessel to a desired level.

Abstract: An improved mixing device is disclosed for mixing an abrasive such as sand with a flowing fluid such as compressed air. The improved mixing device comprises a body member having a major internal channel being defined along a major axis. The major internal channel extends between a major input and a major output of the major internal channel. The body member includes a minor internal channel defined along a minor axis and extending from a minor input to an intersection with a portion of the major internal channel located between the major input and the major output of the major internal channel. The flowing fluid is directed into the major input whereas the abrasive is directed into the minor input for enabling the abrasive to mix with the flowing fluid within the major internal channel and to discharge from the major output.

Abstract: The apparatus for applying a sprayed concrete layer to a surface comprises a concrete feed pipe for a pumpable and sprayable concrete mixture made with water, a sprayer and a compressed air feed device for compressed air under a pressure of several bar from a compressed air source. The concrete feed pipe opens into the sprayer which has a compressed air connector device. The concrete mixture is sprayable with the compressed air. The compressed air feed device comprises a register including several compressed air chambers which connect to and open into the compressed air connector device. The individual compressed air chambers are connected with the help of control valves in alternating sequence to a power silo for loading a powdery concrete additive, particularly silica powder, or for blowing through a compressed air partial flow.

Abstract: Method for the continuous dosing of powdery substances, preferably synthetic silica, by means of high-pressure gas, especially by mean of compressed air, in which in a multiple, at least double line the supply of high-pressure gas is alternatingly interrupted in a branch line, the powdery substance is filled into the branch line and the powdery substance is subsequently transported further by the high-pressure gas. Device for the continuous dosing of powdery substances by means of compressed gas, which is arranged so that a multiple, at least double line which comes together again after branching is provided with a throttle valve and a nonreturn valve in the branch lines in the direction of flow of the high-pressure gas, whereby the branch lines are connected via a throttle valve to a storage silo for the powdery substance and also to an aeration tube.

Abstract: A continuous mixer is provided for combining bulk materials metered at a relatively slow rate into a liquid stream and is particularly useful for preparing an innoculant solution for treating feed pellets, seed or the like. The mixer has a vertical separation tube extending between a screw feeder and a mixing zone in a liquid conduit therebelow, and the tube is independently pressurized with air to substantially preclude ascent of liquids within the tube to ensure that all of the mixing occurs within the liquid line and to prevent the liquid from rising to a level sufficient for wetting the innoculants stored within a hopper adjacent the screw feeder. Air pressure within the tube is selectively adjustable in order to vary the spray produced by a nozzle at the end of the fluid conduit from a liquid stream essentially free of air to a finely dispersed fog which includes substantial quantities of air.

Abstract: A process for the preparation and immediate use in situ of ready to use blends of structural material, such as plaster, mortar, stucco, tile adhesive or similar blends, which, in contrast to the usual methods does not use as a raw material a dry mixture of the three main components binder, filler and additives. Instead a dry mix of binder and filler is prepared at the building site, and an aqueous solution of the additives is added in a separate mixing operation, immediately followed by the application in situ of the finished blend. This method avoids the difficulties associated with the use of dry mixtures containing all three components. The invention includes an apparatus for mixing and immediate application of the blends as defined by the process claims.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispersing powdered or granular materials into a liquid solvent with a pneumatic transport means including a supply hooper, a pressure vessel which receives granular materials from the hopper for pressurization, a granular material transport pipe attached at one end to the discharge portion of the pressure vessel, a pneumatic force source for feeding the granular materials under pressure through the granular material transport pipe to a mixing tank accommodating the liquid solvent therein. The granular material transport pipe is connected to the mixing tank in an upward or lateral direction at the level below the surface of the liquid solvent contained in the mixing tank. With this structure the granular material is kept from scattering towards the upper portion of the mixing tank, making the operation more sanitary.

Abstract: This invention relates to a batching plant for particulate materials including batching of finely divided material such as cementitious (e.g. cement and flyash) and denser material such as aggregate which may include sand, screenings and gravel. The batching plant includes batching means for batching of the denser material such as one or more weighing hoppers. There also is included conveying means such as a belt conveyor for transfer of batched dense material from the batching means to a discharge location or housing. Storage means for the finely divided material is also provided such as a storage bin having a discharge outlet. There also is included a pressurized batching vessel for finely divided material discharged from the storage means which suitably is provided with means for creating a fluidized bed in the pressurized vessel.

Abstract: A method and device for preparing a wet concrete mix. An elongated tubular swirl chamber has a generally cylindrical shaped interior. A shaft extends axially in the chamber and is adapted for rotation at about 100 r.p.m. or higher. The chamber contains an inlet end for the introduction of dry particles pneumatically carried by a pressurized gas and an outlet end. Blades are arranged in several rows circumscribing the shaft so that the blades overlap to form a helical spiral to aid in moving the particles through the chamber. The blades in the helical spiral form a turbulent swirling distribution of particles traveling through the chamber when the shaft is rotated at 100 r.p.m. or higher and simultaneously the particles are forced by the pressurized gas through the chamber. A liquid is injected into the turbulent swirling distribution so as to wet the particles.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing glass fibres into a relatively dilute aqueous cement slurry, e.g. for use in forming glass fibre reinforced cement products on an asbestos-cement making machine of the Hatschek or Bell type, comprises an annular chamber with a tangential slurry inlet, a helical rising floor, a coaxial conical outlet disposed to receive slurry flowing over the inner wall, which is lower than the outer wall, and a fibre inlet above the conical outlet so that the fibres are mixed with the slurry as it passes down the wall of the conical outlet in a vortex motion.

Abstract: The present invention is a process that provides a means for mixing a small batch of cement within a plastic bag and storing it over an extended period of time by creating an environment within the bag comprising a series of steps that coact in their manner of mixing, venting and sealing of the plastic bag that cause the cure of the cement mixture to be retarded.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an apparatus for concentrating a proppant fluid slurry. The concentration is carried out in a casing containing an axial elongated screen. Stationary angled vanes direct the slurry in a helical path in the space between the casing and the elongated tubular screen to avoid the problems of rotating members. The concentrating zone thus provided communicates with a mixing zone where baffles provide restricted flow between the edges of the baffles and the interior of the casing to give a mixing action, disperse slugs of slurry, and to avoid back flow of gas. The baffles are advantageously of resilient material. The mixing zone then leads to a foaming zone, followed by the outlet. It is advantageous to have inlet, concentrating zone, mixing zone, foaming zone and outlet for the foamed slurry in axial alignment and without interruptions so as to give a straight through flow.

Abstract: A new method and an apparatus concern improvements of blowing mortar or concrete on the feeding compression air, in which dry-mixed materials are quantitatively jetted from a nozzle at a blowing machine, and liquid is supplied by determined amount bearing on the compression air current through the nozzle, so that grains of the materials are mixed with the liquid while feeding the materials, and the property of such material is changed from dry condition to wet condition of determined water-cement ratio, and the thus changed material is jetted from a nozzle at the end of a hose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the mixing of fly ash and a wetting agent to obtain a slurry for the ultimate disposal of fly ash. The apparatus is a slurry gun having an introduction chamber, the wetting agent being introduced horizontally into the chamber under a controlled pressure while the fly ash is aerated and introduced into the top of the chamber at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal so that the fly ash is introduced downwardly and outwardly in the direction of the flow of the wetting agent and being also under a controlled pressure, the combination of aerated fly ash and wetting agent being passed through a contorted descending path to create turbulence for mixing. A second embodiment includes a vibrator operably connected to the introduction chamber for dislodging any accumulated build up of fly ash.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the production of a foamable mixture from at least two fluid, foam forming reactants and aggregates, in which the aggregate is added to one of the reactants and the resulting preliminary mixture is then mixed with the other reactant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the mixing of fly ash and a wetting agent to obtain a slurry for the ultimate disposal of the fly ash. The apparatus is a slurry gun having an introduction chamber, the fly ash is aerated and introduced vertically into the chamber under pressure. The wetting agent is introduced horizontally into the chamber under a pressure greater than the aerated fly ash and the combination is moved through a twisted path to create turbulence for mixing.

Abstract: According to the present invention a static mixer comprises a passage for the flow therethrough of a liquid or a suspension of particulate solid in a liquid, said passage having in the direction of flow a lengthwise divergent portion followed by a lengthwise convergent portion. An inlet for fluent material to be mixed with the suspension may converge with and project into the divergent portion. Cement and coal slurry may be mixed in this apparatus.

Abstract: The invention refers to fibre reinforced shotcrete and it more particularly resides in an improved method for manufacturing structures of such concrete by means of shotcrete. According to the new method a dry mixture of a binding agent and ballast is supplied with chopped fibrous reinforcing material through a feed opening located in the spraying nozzle of the spraying apparatus upstream from the position in which water is added to the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of blood in the construction and building industry, whereby blood and extracts of blood containing haemoglobin are used as air entraining colloids. The recommended process for preparing a lightened material consists in associating a construction element chosen from the cements, mortars and concretes, with at least one air entraining colloid chosen from whole blood, globules, red blood corpuscles and haemoglobin. The invention also relates to the lightened material obtained according to this process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing liquid or drilling mud with solids is disclosed. The apparatus provides first and second concentric housings which are utilized as mixing chambers. An inlet passageway is tangentially connected to the inner housing for feeding a slurry material to be mixed with solids axially fed into the same housing. A discharge port is further provided and connected to an outer housing for tangentially discharging the homogeneous mixture of slurry and solid materials from the outer mixing chamber at high velocities to an elevation above the inlet. The method for mixing includes tangentially feeding the slurry into the mixing chamber, mixing the slurry with solid materials through the use of centrifugal force, shear forces and spill-over from the inner chamber to the outer chamber, and finally tangentially discharging the mixture from the outer chamber.

Abstract: After evacuating gas in advance from a bin, gas is injected from the bottom of the bin and stirs up particulate material to mix or homogenize the particulate material.

Abstract: The invention employs high volume air to form a cloud of coating material or material to be uniformly dispersed and conveys it to a plenum or common area of the receiving material which is coated. A mixer creates turbulence in the receiving material to turn up new receiving material to be coated. The invention has application to cement mixing, pigment and starch mixing, or even the mixing of atomized or vaporized fluid with on or more receiving materials to establish optimum surface connection for producing stronger cement or utilizing less materials for the same strength or optimizing the dispersion of the cloud introduced material with the receiving material.

Abstract: Concrete is manufactured by mixing cement with substantially the exact precise quantities of water needed to produce a setting of the cement, agitating the mixture until its viscosity is substantially reduced, adding dry sand or other agrigate, mixing with a slurry, patting the mixture through a nozzle where air is introduced under a pressure and air is emitted in the form of jets into the tapering part of the nozzle, and the mixture is vibrated to achieve maximized distribution of its components while being blended and recombined during the process of gunning and feeding to the location of distribution. The concrete mix may be applied appropriately to a gun assembly or a gun type device designed dispense entrained granular materials in a compressed stream onto a work area.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing precut steel fibers initially packed in bundles or occurring as closely packed lumps for mixing with concrete as a sprayed mass, the method comprising the steps of tumbling the bundles or lumps of fibers, dropping quantities of the fibers onto an inclined plane, subjecting the fibers to an air stream to cause said fibers to become parallel to each other, and mixing the fibers with a mass of concrete in the air stream.

Abstract: Lightweight gypsum wallboard produced by continuously combining a small amount of surface active agent with a liquid stream which stream is made up of substantially all of the liquids to be used in the manufacture of a continuous web of gypsum wallboard, subjecting this mixture to an intense agitation with vaned saw tooth-like rotary blades in a foam generator while adding a controlled quantity of air thereto, forming a uniformly dispersed foam of very small bubbles from the liquid by completely generating all of the surface active agent therein to form this foam, and mixing this foamed liquid with finely ground dry calcined gypsum in a suitable mixing device to form a foamed settable gypsum slurry, disposing the slurry between paper cover sheets, and forming a continuous web of gypsum wallboard.