Abstract: A device for processing foodstuffs or feedstuffs exhibits a conditioning device (2, 3) encompassing a mixing chamber (3) over a retention chamber (2), which are interconnected. Each chamber has a rotor shaft (4, 6) that extends lengthwise into the chamber, and each rotor (4, 6-8) is equipped with the corresponding tools (7, 8) all around the shaft (4, 6). The retention chamber (2) exhibits a second shaft (5), whose tools (7) intermesh for purposes of joint conveyance.

Abstract: A livestock mixer and feeder apparatus operates efficiently to minimize the time and facilities necessary to service a modest feedlot. The large mixing chamber utilizes a vertical auger operating at high speed to quickly perform the mixing procedure and is run by a high power hydraulic motor. A moveable base, such as a pickup, supplies the need power-take-off capability and produces efficient feedlot operation, since the apparatus can be quickly loaded and unloaded. Prudent sized inlet and outlet augers complete the apparatus and are also powered by hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A combined chassis and mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed. The apparatus includes a chassis having a front and a rearward end. The chassis includes an operator station, a motor and a gearbox driven by the motor. The chassis also includes at least one pair of drive wheels for moving the chassis. The drive wheels are connected to the gearbox for selectively moving the chassis in a first direction from the rearward end towards the front end and in a second direction from the front end towards the rearward end of the chassis. An extension framework has a first and a second end, the first end of the extension extending from the chassis in the second direction. A mixer container is supported by the extension such that the container is disposed between the chassis and the second end of the extension.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus for mixing materials such as feed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the materials. The container has a base and a wall extending away from the base, the wall defining an opening disposed remote from the base for the reception therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that the base and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the materials received through the opening. An auger is rotatably disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation extending through the base. A driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger, the driven wheel being disposed on an opposite side of the base relative to the auger. A drive connected to a main source of power, the drive being drivingly connected to the driven wheel so that when the drive rotates, the auger is rotated within the enclosure for mixing the materials.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus of the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/562,167 filed May 2, 2000. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container has a base and a wall extending away from the base. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the base for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the base and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is rotatably disposed within the enclosure for mixing the feed. Also, the wall further defines an outlet which is disposed between the base and the opening, the outlet permitting discharge therethrough of the feed. A door is disposed adjacent to the outlet, the door being movable from a closed disposition thereof for obturating a discharge of the feed through the outlet when the feed is being mixed to an open disposition thereof for permitting a discharge of the feed when mixed through the outlet.

Abstract: An adjustable baffle device secured to a wall of a container of a vertical mixer for processing and mixing materials such as animal feed and the like is disclosed. The device includes an elongated plate having a first and a second end, the plate being secured to the wall of the container about a pivot disposed between the first and second ends of the plate. The plate has a first portion disposed between the pivot and the first end of the plate and a second portion disposed between the pivot and the second end of the plate.

Abstract: An electronic device that is attached to a mixing machine for calculating the weight of the material being mixed and the number of auger revolutions that has occurred during the mixing process, and a method therefor. The electronic device can display the weight and auger revolutions, and store such information in the device memory or an external memory. The data relating to mixing a particular batch of ingredients can be stored in the memory and used to determine operator productivity and mixer maintenance schedules. An alarm alerts the mixer operator when a predetermined number of revolutions has occurred.

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. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.

Abstract: A vertical mixing device for fodder includes a mixing chamber comprising at least two adjacent vertical augers provided in longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber one behind the other at the bottom and between essentially upright walls. Both vertical augers can be driven with the same sense of rotation in order to convey the fodder upwardly. In the wedge areas between the rotational courses of both vertical augers distributor cones are situated at the walls. The surface of each distributor cone comprises guiding surfaces extending with differing steepness from a bottom sided base situated within one wedge area to a tip positioned at least close to the wall. Each distributor cone is inclined obliquely towards one of the vertical augers the sense of rotation of which is directed towards this distributor cone.

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. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.

Abstract: A vertical mixing device for fodder includes a mixing chamber comprising at least two adjacent vertical augers provided in longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber one behind the other at the bottom and between essentially upright walls. Both vertical augers can be driven with the same sense of rotation in order to convey the fodder upwardly. In the wedge areas between the rotational courses of both vertical augers distributor cones are situated at the walls. The surface of each distributor cone comprises guiding surfaces extending with differing steepness from a bottom sided base situated within one wedge area to a tip positioned at least close to the wall. Each distributor cone is inclined obliquely towards one of the vertical augers the sense of rotation of which is directed towards this distributor cone.

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.

Abstract: A method and device for producing feed stuff or organic fertilizer from edible waste material, such as domestic and commercial food waste products in addition to marine, livestock and agriculture by-products resulting from the commercial production of food items, through a low temperature, natural fermentation and drying process is disclosed. In an embodiment, two mixing/crushing screw feeder units are inclinedly arranged within a chamber with the inclining directions of the two units being opposite to each other. Two mixing screw feeder units individually and downwardly extend from the overlapping inclined end of one of the two mixing/crushing units to the underlapping declined end of the other mixing/crushing unit. In another embodiment, two oppositely rotatable screw feeders, individually consisting of a drive shaft with two helical screws rotating upon the shaft in opposite directions, are horizontally arranged in the chamber.

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.

Abstract: A method and device for producing feed stuff or organic fertilizer from edible waste material, such as domestic and commercial food waste products in addition to marine, livestock and agriculture by-products resulting from the commercial production of food items, through a low temperature, natural fermentation and drying process is disclosed. In an embodiment, two mixing/crushing screw feeder units are inclinedly arranged within a chamber with the inclining directions of the two units being opposite to each other. Two mixing screw feeder units individually and downwardly extend from the overlapping inclined end of one of the two mixing/crushing units to the underlapping declined end of the other mixing/crushing unit. In another embodiment, two oppositely rotatable screw feeders, individually consisting of a drive shaft with two helical screws rotating upon the shaft in opposite directions, are horizontally arranged in the chamber.

Abstract: A feed mixer comprising a plurality of mixing members wherein each mixing member is longitudinally mounted for rotation about an axis and the mixing members further comprises a chopper auger and a shredding auger, each having a flighting. In addition, the mixing members may also comprise a third mixing auger having a flighting. The auger flightings may further provide chopping knives, or sickle knives, on the outer peripheral edge of the flightings.

Abstract: A mixer for particulate materials, such as soil, dirt, sand, concrete, lime, fertilizers, aggregate, and water, hitched to a skid steer motor vehicle has a bucket for accommodating the particulate materials. A pair of augers having opposite spiral flights located within the bucket are driven by a hydraulic fluid operated motor to mix the particulate materials. The operator of the vehicle controls the hydraulic motor to reverse the rotational direction of the augers to control the mixing of the particulate materials. A door mounted on the side wall of the bucket is movable with a hydraulic cylinder to an open position to allow the particulate materials to be discharged from the bucket.

Abstract: Mixer vehicle is typically a tractor drawn and powered trailer for mixing and distribution of bulk materials such as farm animals feedstuffs. It includes a semi-cylindrical body (10) having a side discharge opening (22) with a single logitudinal agitation rotor (36) centered therein, the rotor having helical sweep bars (40) rotating close to the body wall in at least the body part not occupied by the opening acting as a skeleton auger driving material along the body into its discharge zone, and a lesser diameter return auger (50) in the latter zone acting to return material from that zone so that the material is circulated for mixing. When a door (28) is opened the action of the rotor discharges the material through the opening where it may be further acted on by a faster feed-out rotor (34).

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing livestock feed including a feed mixer having a filling opening and a discharge opening, a feed mixing mechanism located within the feed mixer, and a plurality of feed ingredient supply mechanisms for supplying feed ingredients. The plurality of feed ingredient supply mechanism coupled to the feed mixer via a conveyor mechanism. Each feed ingredient supply mechanism having an output and a control mechanism, each control mechanism being attached to each feed ingredient supply mechanism at the output. An electronic scale having an electronic output, the scale attached to the feed mixer. A mixed feed discharge mechanism for discharging mixed feed, the discharge mechanism attached to the feed mixer discharge opening. A programmable logic control mechanism having an information input and a plurality of command outputs, the programmable logic control mechanism programmed to independently open each control mechanism and close each control mechanism.

Abstract: An improved vertical feed mixer has a mixing chamber defined by a floor, a side wall, and an open upper end through which feed material, such as hay bales, is loaded into the chamber. A vertically disposed auger with tapered flighting is rotatably mounted within the chamber for cutting, mixing, and discharging the feed material through a discharge opening near the bottom of the chamber. A plurality of hay claws prevent hay from spilling over the top edge of the mixing chamber. The hay claws also catch the hay bales, or portions thereof, to inhibit rotation of the hay with the rotating auger, thereby allowing the knife blades on the auger to cut the hay. One or more plows are attached to the auger and extend between the flighting and the floor to direct material away from the auger shaft and thereby prevent feed material from becoming plugged.

Abstract: A mixer feeder wagon (1) comprises a mixing compartment (4) and a dispensing compartment (5). A mixing rotor (7) rotatable in the mixing compartment (4) mixes animal feed therein and urges the mixed animal feed into the dispensing compartment (5) through a communicating opening (6). A dispensing auger (8) in the dispensing compartment (5) dispenses the mixed animal feed through a dispensing outlet (11). The mixing rotor (7) comprises a rotor shaft (55) and a plurality of mixing paddles (56) carried by radial carrier members (57). Each mixing paddle (56) comprises a radial leading surface (69) and a bevelled trailing surface (71) which define an included acute angle .alpha. of approximately 45.degree. for preventing a build up of dry fibrous ingredients on the paddles (56).

Abstract: A feed mixer apparatus includes a tongue attached to a frame mounted upon a wheeled axle, a forward and rearward mixing chambers separated by a trough, a pair of reels driven by sprockets and gears and drive shafts which are actuated by a power take off on preferably a prime, a plurality of elongate mixing members extending between the side walls of the mixing chambers and deflectably attached to the ends of a plurality of radially-extending arms, an auger being rotatably disposed in the trough and having fins attached thereon for flipping clumps or chunks of feed material back into the chambers, an opening through a side wall in alignment with the trough and through which fine particles of feed material is dispensed to the outside, and a conveyor chute pivotally attached to the side wall in alignment with the opening to facilitate the dispensing of fine particles of feed material to the outside.

Abstract: An improved vertical feed mixer has a mixing chamber defined by a bottom wall, a side wall, and an open upper end through which feed material, such as hay bales, is loaded into the chamber. A vertically disposed auger with tapered flighting is rotatably mounted within the chamber for cutting, mixing, and discharging the feed material through a discharge opening near the bottom of the chamber. A plurality of hay claws prevent hay from spilling over the top edge of the mixing chamber. The hay claws also catch the hay bales, or portions thereof, to inhibit rotation of the hay with the rotating auger, thereby allowing the knife blades on the auger to cut the hay. A plurality of grader blades extend outwardly from the auger shaft in close proximity to the bottom wall of the mixing chamber, thereby pushing mixed feed outwardly through the discharge opening a plurality of times during each revolution of the auger, thereby providing increased uniformity of the discharge flow of material into a feed bunk or trough.

Abstract: A truck for shredding and mixing products for zootechnical use, including: a self-propelled or towed wheeled chassis; a container supported on the chassis and substantially shaped like an inverted frustum, with an open top; a rotating scroll in the container that has a vertical axis and an external profile that lies on an ideal substantially conical surface; shredding cutters fitted at the profile of the scroll; and vertically arranged countercutters, shaped substantially like a circular sector, and having respective vertices pivoted to the wall of the container in substantially radial positions and extractably inserted through appropriate slots of the container. The countercutters are arranged so that the pivoted vertex of each one is in a substantially median region of the wall of the container and so that each countercutter extends downward from its pivoted vertex so as to effect the lower part of the wall of the container.

Abstract: A truck for shredding and mixing products for zootechnical use, comprising, on a self-propelled or towed wheeled chassis, a frustum-shaped container that tapers downwardly, is open at the top, and contains a scroll that rotates with a vertical axis and has an external profile that lies on a substantially conical ideal surface, shredding cutters being fitted at the profile. Countercutters, shaped substantially like a circular sector, are pivoted in a vertical arrangement, by means of their respective vertices, to the wall of the container in substantially radial positions and can be inserted and extracted through specifically provided slots. The truck furthermore comprises an automatic actuation and control device for the positioning of the countercutters according to work variables. The actuation and control device is constituted by an electronic control unit that controls a hydraulic section for the movement of the countercutters.

Abstract: A machine for adding moisture to particulate material for use in a bin which has an upper portion with an elongated supporting rail thereon includes an elongated substantially horizontal support member. A rail adapter element is on the outer end of the elongated member to engage the supporting rail on the bin. A swivel support element is secured to the other end of the elongated member and is adapted to be connected to the center of the bin structure for holding the other end of the elongated member at a level position with respect to the outer end. A motor is connected to the elongated member for rotating the same about a horizontal axis. A pair of support brackets are longitudinally movably mounted on the elongated member. Mixing augers are mounted on the brackets and extend downwardly therefrom. A second power element on the support brackets serve to rotate the mixing augers about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A livestock feed mixer includes a power source having a rotational power take-off. A mixer housing forms a mixing chamber for holding the feed ingredients and a rotatable mixing member is mounted within the mixing chamber. A variable speed power transfer mechanism is connected between the power take-off and the rotating mixing member for transferring power from the power source to the mixing member and for rotating the mixing member.

Abstract: A spreader apparatus is disclosed for spreading manure. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the manure. The container also defines an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the manure. A rotatable feed auger is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the manure through the container. The feed auger has an axis of rotation which extends through the container. A rotatable discharge auger is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed auger for moving the manure towards the outlet. The discharge auger has a further axis of rotation which is disposed spaced and parallel to and laterally below the axis of rotation of the feed auger.

Abstract: A vertical forage mixer is of a unibody-type construction to provide an especially strong and durable unit. The major components of the vertical forage mixer are secured-together, typically by welding, so that the various components are combined and tied together into a structure in which there is no need to isolate one component from any of the other components. A detachable weigh bar and hub combination assembly can be provided. A discharge conveyor can be included which features an adjustable conveyor run for varying discharge locations. A comb assembly can be associated with the discharge conveyor in order to facilitate even outflow of mixed forage or removal of foreign materials. A scroll assembly is also provided which is of a cantilevered variety and which is especially durable and facilitates aggressive mixing, including cutting when desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cutting and mixing of fibrous products for the preparation of animal feed which includes a hopper where equipments for the cutting and mixing of fibrous product are installed. Based on this invention, such mixing and cutting equipment is constituted by one auger that is separated into two equal (welded) sections by a partition that is attached to the shaft of the auger itself. The auger is equipped with a first section of auger blades that turn clockwise and a second section of auger blades that turn counterclockwise. The hopper has a bottom that is partially cylindrical where the auger is installed and one wall extends vertical and the opposite one extends oblique from the bottom.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing materials. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the materials. The container also defines an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the materials. A rotatable feed auger is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the materials through the container. The feed auger has an axis of rotation which extends through the container. A rotatable mixing auger is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed auger for mixing the materials within the container. The mixing auger has a further axis of rotation which extends through the container. The further axis of rotation is disposed spaced and parallel relative to the axis of rotation of the feed auger. The container also includes a base which has a first portion which co-operates with the feed auger and a second portion which co-operates with the mixing auger.

Abstract: A spreader apparatus is disclosed for spreading manure. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the manure. The container has a first and a second end zone with the first end zone defining an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the manure. A rotatable feed device is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the manure through the container. The feed device has an axis of rotation which extends through the end zones of the container. A rotatable discharge device is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed device for moving the manure towards the outlet. The discharge device has a further axis of rotation which is disposed spaced and parallel to and laterally below the axis of rotation of the feed device. The arrangement is such that when the feed and discharge devices are rotating, all of the manure within the container is fed at a substantially constant rate towards the outlet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wagon for cutting, mixing and dispensing fodder. At least two rotating endless screws are housed within a curved-profile compartment. The screws have spirals wound in opposite directions to one another, so that the processed material is led to the center of the compartment. Each of the endless screws has at least one baffle plate extending radially of the endless screw; and the spirals have protruding blades.

Abstract: A food mixer includes a dual mount sensor arrangement which prevents operation of the mixer unless a protective safety guard is secured to the mounts. Each mount is physically spaced from each other so that a user must take extraordinary, and deliberate measures to circumvent the safety feature. The dual mount arrangement may be used in conjunction with a bowl lowering shut-off feature for disabling the mixer when the mixing bowl is lowered to a position where the user's safety is at risk.

Abstract: A spreader apparatus is disclosed for spreading manure. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the manure. The container has a first and a second end zone with the first end zone defining an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the manure. A rotatable feed device is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the manure through the container. The feed device has an axis of rotation which extends through the end zones of the container. A rotatable discharge device is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed device for moving the manure towards the outlet. The discharge device has a further axis of rotation which is disposed spaced and parallel to and laterally below the axis of rotation of the feed device. The arrangement is such that when the feed and discharge devices are rotating, all of the manure within the container is fed at a substantially constant rate towards the outlet.

Abstract: An animal feed mixer includes an auger of unique design. Inserts having cutting edges are positioned at spaced locations in notches provided therefor in the peripheral edge of the auger flight. The inserts co-act with the sides of the mixer to cut and chop fibrous material so that is can be better intermixed with other feed components.

Abstract: A computerized monitoring system for animal feed ration processing mills equipped with proportioners including a console having a keypad and liquid crystal display screen, a processor board and a circuit board for monitoring proportioner flow rates. The system assists an operator in preparing precisely tailored animal feed rations by computing proportioner dial settings for a given ration, computing the analysis of a ration for % protein, % calcium, % phosphorous and % moisture, and tracking usage inventories of ration ingredients. Ration formulas may be interactively fine tuned by adjusting proportioner throughputs during ration preparation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and simultaneously weighing and integrating various nutritional supplements for subsequent blending with livestock feed grain. The apparatus includes a housing formed with a plurality of upper inlet openings and a lower outlet opening. A plurality of augers convey nutritional supplements from a storage area into the inlet openings. A plurality of weigh hoppers are pivotally mounted below the inlet openings on load cells. Weight indicators are electrically connected to the load cells and augers, and are interfaced with a computer, for controlling and coordinating the deposit of supplements from the augers, load cell weighing, and the pivotal dumping movement of the weigh hoppers. A funnel containing a plurality of deflectors is mounted within the housing below the weigh hoppers, and communicates at its lower end with a motor-driven flighted drum rotatably mounted within the housing, which in turn communicates with the outlet opening.

Abstract: Mixing apparatus, typically a tractor powered agricultural trailer for mixing and dispensing animal feedstuffs, has a main body in which a main mixing rotor rotates for agitating and stirring the material which it sweeps round lower part-cylindrical wall structure of the body and a lateral extension along an upper side of the main body having a feed out rotor therein for urging the material to and through a discharge door in said extension. The inboard side of the extension is open to the main part of the body and said wall structure includes a part bounding the bottom of the extension which can be moved angularly between a first position close to the envelope of revolution of the mixing rotor to deflect material from entering the extension during mixing and a second position at which it is remote from said envelope so that material is swept into the extension during discharge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved mixer trailer for fibrous products which can be particularly but not exclusively used in the zootechnical field. The trailer is of the type which comprises a wheeled chassis on which a mixing container is mounted; the container is substantially in the shape of an inverted conical frustum and is internally provided with one or more vertical scrolls welded to a rotating shaft which is rigidly associated with the container. The improvements consist of the fact that the wheels are arranged in close pairs which are coupled to a same axis of rotation and are articulated to the chassis on an axis which is orthogonal to the axis of rotation. A loading device with grippers is associated with the container, and a system for drying the product contained therein is associable therewith. At the end of operation, auxiliary actuation means adapted to impart to each of the one or more scrolls a high-speed rotary motion can be connected to each of these one or more scrolls.

Abstract: A feed mixer is provided and includes a mixing chamber with forward and rearward end walls, a bottom wall, and opposite side walls. First and second mixing reels are rotatably mounted in end-to-end relationship within the chamber, with each reel including an axle and a plurality of elongated mixing bars operatively connected to the axle. The reels are rotated in opposite directions, whereby each reel offsets the side loading of the feed by the other reel and thereby maintain the center of gravity of the feed along the longitudinal center line of the chamber. First and second oppositely inclined augers extend along the respective side walls of the chamber and are rotated in opposite directions. The first auger moves feed away from the first reel and discharges feed into the second reel, while the second auger moves feed away from the second reel and discharges feed into the first reel. The augers float so as to prevent binding and have recessed knives for cutting the grain.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for making hard, dense, vitreous molasses-based animal feed supplement masses, the method comprising heating a molasses composition to a temperature within the range of about 240.degree. F. to about 285.degree. F. to remove all of the water content of the molasses that is necessary to form the desired vitreous masses. A portion of the heating process may be accompanied by an injection of ambient air into the molasses composition being heated. Immediately after heating, the molasses composition is cooled, agitated and de-aerated by directing the molasses composition through a cooler and de-aerator including a conduit in which is positioned an offset beater shaft assembly adapted to separate portions of the composition from the remainder thereof while directing cooling air through the conduit about said portions.

Abstract: For making food pellets, the raw material is first subjected to a first pelleting treatment under pressure, after which the obtained pelleted product is treated at least in part on a pressure pelleter at least for a second time. A feeding arrangement for feeding the material once pelleted to a pelleting die is respectively arranged either within a single pressure pelleter or between two pressure pelleters connected in series for carrying out such process.

Abstract: A feed mixer is provided and includes a mixing chamber with forward and rearward end walls, a bottom wall, and opposite side walls. A first and second mixing reel is rotatably mounted in end-to-end relationship within the chamber, with each reel including an axle and a plurality of elongated mixing paddles operatively connected to the axle. The reels are rotated in opposite directions, whereby each reel offsets the side loading of the feed by the other reel and thereby maintain the center of gravity of the feed along the longitudinal center line of the chamber. First and second augers extend along the respective side walls of the chamber and are rotated in opposite directions. The first auger moves feed away from the first reel and discharges feed into the second reel, while the second auger moves feed away from the second reel and discharges feed into the first reel. Thus, the feed is thoroughly mixed by the dual reels and dual augers.

Abstract: A feed mixing apparatus includes a tank, and bottom and upright augers. The tank has a top wall, front and rear end walls, side walls and a bottom wall. The bottom auger is rotatably mounted and overlies the bottom wall. Tubular housing portions are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the bottom auger at an intermediate location therealong, and are connected to and protrude from the exteriors of the side and bottom walls. One housing portion has a horizontal bottom end wall connected to and extending generally tangentially from the tank bottom wall. The upright augers are disposed at the intermediate location adjacent to opposite sides of the bottom auger and extend within and upwardly from the tubular housing portions. One upright auger is rotatably mounted to the top wall and the housing portion bottom end wall. Hydraulic motors are provided for driving the bottom and upright augers. One hydraulic motor is disposed on the exterior of housing portion bottom end wall and coupled to the one upright auger.

Abstract: A feed mixer includes a main chamber in which a rotor is located. The rotor includes at least one elongated wiper rigidly connected to a rotor bar for wiping contact with a curved wall portion of the chamber. The rotor bar is prevented from incurring any substantial pivotal movement and thereby maintains a substantially consistent and uniform angle between the wiper and the curved wall portion and wiping contact therewith. The rotor also includes a square in cross section axial center tube to which the rotor arms are connected and a circular in cross section axial drive shaft is positioned in the tube and extends the substantial length thereof. Right angle elements are positioned around the periphery of the shaft matingly engaging the inside right angle corners of the tube to lock the shaft to the tube for rotational movement therewith.

Abstract: An auger mixer includes paddles extending radially and laterally of the auger which have curved convex forward surfaces for engaging material in the mixer and moving it laterally of the auger and the chamber. The mixer includes a main chamber in which a rotor is located. The rotor includes at least one elongated wiper rigidly connected to a rotor bar for wiping contact with a curved wall portion of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing animal feeds and the like comprises a rotor having two opposing end assemblies connected by a center shaft for rotation within a mixer box. A flighted outer auger is mounted in the terminal portion of each set of corresponding radial arms of each end assembly, parallel to the center shaft. Each outer auger is rotated by drive means within the first hollow rotor end assembly, powered by a high speed drive shaft, and the entire apparatus is rotated by a low speed drive shaft. The drive shafts extend from opposing end assemblies and are coaxial to the center shaft. An optional center auger or optional intermediately spaced augers, parallel to the center shaft, are rotated by drive means within the second end assembly, driven by one or more outer augers.

Abstract: A feed mixer for cattle and other livestock. The mixer includes a mixing tank with two main chambers on either side of an auxiliary chamber. Rotors in the general shape of paddle wheels are mounted in each main chamber. The mixing paddles of each rotor are elongated and extend between corresponding sections of the rotor with the axis of each paddle offset from the rotational axis of the rotor by about 15 degrees. In this manner, the mixing paddles give a slight axial component of movement to the feed as it is being mixed. The paddles of each rotor are preferably operated out of phase with those of the other rotor wherein portions of the feed are alternately transferred across from one main chamber to the other. This transferring effect combined with the axial component of movement imparted in each main chamber by the mixing paddles results in a unique mixing pattern wherein feed is moved between and along the main chambers substantially in a spiral 8 path.

Abstract: A storage bin for handling and discharging plug flow material uses shrouds to prevent wedging of plug flow material such as refuse derived fuel between vertical screws and the end walls of the bin. The bin is divided into two separate sections by the vertical screws. Wedging of plug flow material in both bin sections and material discharge is then stopped. The shrouds force the plug flow material into the active surface area of vertical screws and continuous discharge through an elongated discharge aperture is assured. Two horizontal screws are used to further augment material discharge beneath the elongated discharge aperture. The two horizontal screws are parallel and the bottom of vertical screws are between the two horizontal screws.