Abstract: The present invention concerns a valve (1), a valve closing body (14) and use of a valve (1) and a valve closing body (14) of the type used for injecting dry powder which is mixed with liquid, and where the dry powder is supplied under the liquid surface in a mixing vessel (11) in which a vacuum is typically maintained. The novel feature of a powder valve (1) according to the invention is that a closing body (14) of the valve in the closed position extends through the valve seat (13) of the valve and into the wet environment. It is hereby achieved that when the valve (1) is opened, powder or dust from powder is not deposited on the valve closing body (14). This is in spite of the valve closing body (14) being wet, due to contact with the liquid to which the powder is added. Due to its elongated shape, the valve closing body (14), which in the withdrawn position opens for inflow of powder, has the property that the inflowing powder dries the valve closing body (14) at first and keeps it dry subsequently.

Abstract: A conveyor device is used for the pneumatic conveying of bulk material. The conveyor device has a main conveyor pipe and a plurality of bypass conveyor pipe sections which are separate from one another and arranged one behind the other within the latter. The main extent direction of the bypass conveyor pipe sections runs along the main conveyor pipe. The bypass conveyor pipe sections in each case have an inlet opening and an outlet opening for conveyor gas. The inlet opening, when the main conveyor pipe is horizontally installed, is arranged in a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, which is located above a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, in which the outlet opening is arranged. The result is a conveyor device, of which the efficiency, in other words the ratio of the conveying power and the conveyor gas quantity used, is improved.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.

Abstract: A plant for transport of granular material comprising container for granular material to be transported, receiver-meter group designed to receive granular material from container, conveyance duct of granular material from container to receiver-meter group, depressurization-pressurization means arranged to suction/inject a gaseous medium from/into container, and vacuum duct between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, thereby creating a flow of granular material and gaseous medium in at least one conveyance duct or line directed to receiver-meter group and a flow of gaseous medium between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, the plant comprising detection means of parameters of flow located in vacuum duct or line, adjusting means of the power of depressurization/pressurization means and electronic control means designed to receive in input control signals from speed detection means and to emit control signals in output for driving adjusting means.

Abstract: An air guide includes a slide member and a guide track. The guide track defines a guide hole slidably receiving the slide member. The guide track defines an air intake in an outer surface, a plurality of air outlets in an inner surface opposite to the sliding member, and a plurality of guide holes therein. The guide holes communicates the air intake with the air outlets. The guide track further defines a plurality of guide grooves in the inner surface, communicating with the air outlets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for transporting fruits, comprising: a frame; a channel for fluid arranged on the frame for the purpose of transporting the fruits between an entry side and an exit side of the channel; a system for causing circulation of the fluid; and transport influencing means for influencing transport of the fruits and/or the fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a conveying device used under a condition having a large pressure difference which is observed during a process such as a depressurizing process in an operation of manufacturing gas hydrate pellets and a method of controlling the same, the conveying device requiring less ancillary facilities, being small in size, and achieving high-speed processing while achieving secure blockage of pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of displacing a plurality of parts to be stocked and distributed, each part defining a first end and a second end. The system comprises a conduit, the conduit defining an interior to house an actuation fluid, an axis of displacement in the interior, and an interior surface; and a plurality of devices. Each device includes a periphery configured to contact the interior surface of the conduit and to move along the interior surface, a device first surface approximately perpendicular to the axis of displacement, the device first surface being subject to a pressure of the actuation fluid thereby subjecting the device to displacement in the conduit, a first device-end shaped to receive the first end of a corresponding first part in the plurality of parts, and a second device-end shaped to receive the second end of a corresponding second part in the plurality of parts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent particle flows.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.

Abstract: Containers, particularly to containers for storing dry granules and powders, for examples silos. A container can include an air filter for cleaning the air that pneumatically conveys bulk product into the container. A valve can be used to restrict the air flow through the air filter, thereby elevating the pressure within the container to above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: A new valve is designed for the transport of solids using a motive fluid. The valve includes an inlet conduit for carrying solids, where the solids are fed through gravity. The solids are carried by fluid transport out an outlet where the outlet conduit has a smaller diameter than the inlet conduit carrying the solids. The conduit should be sufficiently smaller to prevent instability in the flow. A second inlet provides the source of motive fluid to drive the transport of solids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for transporting fruits, comprising: a frame; a channel for fluid arranged on the frame for the purpose of transporting the fruits between an entry side and an exit side of the channel; a system for causing circulation of the fluid; and transport influencing means for influencing transport of the fruits and/or the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of solid particulate matter from a low pressure system to a high pressure system is presented. The apparatus simplifies the particle transfer process, and is useful for systems where solid catalyst particles are cycled through a reactor and a regenerator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: A method for transporting a substrate is provided. In this method, a non-Newtonian fluid is provided and the substrate is suspended in the non-Newtonian fluid. The non-Newtonian fluid is capable of supporting the substrate. Thereafter, a supply force is applied on the non-Newtonian fluid to cause the non-Newtonian fluid to flow, whereby the flow is capable of moving the substrate along a direction of the flow. Apparatuses and systems for transporting the substrate using the non-Newtonian fluid also are described.

Abstract: In the field of flow distributors there is a need for a flow distributor which produces a uniform distribution of particulate material within a carrier fluid without causing a substantial pressure drop in the carrier fluid. A flow distributor (10), for insertion in a pipeline conveying a particulate material carried by a carrier fluid, comprises a pipe (12) including at least one deflector section (14) which has an inlet end (16) and an outlet end (18). The deflector section (14) is shaped so as to define a first continuous hollow conduit (24) which has a substantially constant cross-sectional area along the length thereof. The first hollow conduit (24) has an active inner surface (20) angled relative to the pipeline so as to urge particles of the particulate material towards a central region of the flow distributor (10). The active inner surface (20) has a constant gradient in a longitudinal direction of the flow distributor (10).

Abstract: To supply a powder lacquer sprayer, the coating powder is pressed by a pig through the supply line and, in the process, it is fluidized from the side of the pig which is turned toward the powder. The fluidization air can be led to the powder, for example, by a central passage opening of the pig or through an air permeable wall of the connection line. For the dosage of the coating powder, one uses the push medium which drives the pig.

Abstract: An air powered storage device is provided that is operative to temporarily store pneumatic carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. A gate member is selectively positionable into and out of an internal bore of the pneumatic tube to impede movement of pneumatic carriers there through. The device further includes a blower having a first fluid inlet disposed on a first side of the gate member and a fluid outlet disposed on a second side of the gate member. The fluid inlet and outlet are fluidly interconnected to the internal bore of the pneumatic tube such that the blower is selectively operable to generate a fluid flow through the internal bore between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet. Such fluid flow may be utilized to reinitiate movement of a stopped carrier.

Abstract: Embedded in a transport assembly are arrays of microelectromechanical sensors and actuators for detecting and propelling an object. A controller having defined therein local computational agents and a global controller controls the array of sensors and actuators. The global controller provides global operating constraints to the local computational agents. The global operating constraints are developed using an approximate specification of system behavior based on simplified assumptions of an idealized system as well as limited sensor information aggregated from the array of sensors. The local computational agents compute a desired local actuator response using sensor information from a localized grouping of sensor units. To improve the accuracy of the global operating constraints, the local computational agents reduce differences between a global actuator response, computed using the global operating constraints, and the desired local actuator response.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the flow of a process material from a higher pressure environment to a lower pressure environment is provided. Each of a first and second chamber is divided into a product region and a control region by a flexible boundary. Inlet and outlet flow control devices provide fluid communication between each product region and a material input line and a material output line, respectively. A chamber control device is arranged to provide fluid communication between the control region of each chamber, which is filled with a non-compressible fluid. As product fills the product region of one chamber, fluid is displaced from the corresponding control region and into the control region of the other chamber. As the control region of the other chamber expands, product is forced out of the corresponding product region and into the material output line. The product region of each chamber is alternately filled and emptied to produce a continuous transport of material.

Abstract: A device for pneumatically conveying bulk material has at least one flow limiter arranged in a conveying airstream. The flow limiter has a housing and at least one control member arranged in the housing. The control member controls a flow velocity of the conveying airstream as a function of a dynamic pressure differential. The position of the at least one control member in the housing is determined by an equilibrium between a restoring force acting on the at least one control member and an opposed force oriented in a direction opposite to the restoring force. The opposed force is caused by the dynamic pressure differential and acts on the at least one control member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the flow of a process material from a higher pressure environment to a lower pressure environment is provided. Each of a first and second chamber is divided into a product region and a control region by a flexible boundary. Inlet and outlet flow control devices provide fluid communication between each product region and a material input line and a material output line, respectively. A chamber control device is arranged to provide fluid communication between the control region of each chamber, which is filled with a non-compressible fluid. As product fills the product region of one chamber, fluid is displaced from the corresponding control region and into the control region of the other chamber. As the control region of the other chamber expands, product is forced out of the corresponding product region and into the material output line. The product region of each chamber is alternately filled and emptied to produce a continuous transport of material.

Abstract: A pneumatic transfer system having a modular pneumatic shifting device. A teller conduit has a teller station and a customer conduit has a customer station. A housing having apertures connected to the teller conduit and the customer conduit has a teller gate and a customer gate intermittently obstructing the apertures. A differential pressure generating mechanism is connected to the housing. A plurality of sensors send signals to a programmable means when a carrier pass through the system actuating movement of the gates and operation of the differential pressure generating mechanism.

Abstract: The air conveyor comprises a guide rail (3) on which the articles (1) are to be suspended, and along which the articles are to be transported in a given direction of transport. The conveyor system provides a pneumatic means to move the articles in the direction of transport and further includes additional pneumatic means (10) that are designed to generate, when operated, a plurality of reverse air jets orientated onto the articles in a direction opposite that of their direction of transport. The user of the reverse jets makes it possible, in particular, to free without manual intervention articles accidentally immobilised in the course of transport, or, to slow down, immobilise or impart a rhythm to the articles as they are transported.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus for connection to and covering an airlock material outlet. The discharge apparatus includes an air inlet for at least substantially directing an airstream through an airlock material outlet and toward an interior area defined by an airlock. The discharge apparatus further includes a material directing trough for receiving an airstream and bulk material entrained therein from the airlock. The discharge apparatus also includes an extension member adapted to at least partially define a path of an airstream.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods useful, for example, for introducing a desired spacing between or classifying and sorting objects, e.g. plant embryos. Objects carried serially in a fluid stream enter the apparatus via an upstream conduit. A sensor associated with the conduit provides information regarding an object at a particular location in the upstream conduit and produces a signal. A switch coupled to the upstream conduit directs the fluid stream to an appropriate downstream conduit by applying a force to a conduit, e.g., by aligning the upstream conduit with a downstream conduit to create a fluid-tight path. Apparatus according to the present invention are particularly useful for manipulating fragile multicellular biological objects such as plant embryos.

Abstract: A buffer box for use in a vacuum drainage system. The buffer box defines a reservoir of known effective size which provides substantially consistently sized slugs of liquid which may be efficiently pulled up a vertical lift. The buffer box includes an outlet and an air intake orifice which may be sized relative to one another so that only liquid from the reservoir is evacuated. The outlet has an upper edge which may be spaced from a base portion of the buffer box at a height which optimizes liquid velocity out of the box and defines a level above which only water is evacuated from the reservoir.

Abstract: A substrate body transfer apparatus which is capable of isolating the atmospheres of an external processing apparatus and an air conveyance apparatus and preventing the mutual contamination thereof, and which is capable of conducting the transfer of substrate bodies at a low level of particulate matter and contamination which satisfies the ultra-clean level. The substrate body transfer apparatus is provided with a vacuum container having an entrance and exit which communicate with the interior space of an air conveyance apparatus and the interior space of an external processing apparatus; a horizontal disc-shaped upper part valve and lower part valve are housed within the vacuum container and after the substrate body has been placed in a space surrounded by the upper and lower valves and this space has been sealed, the space is evacuated or the gas therein is replaced.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods useful, for example, for introducing a desired spacing between or classifying and sorting objects, e.g. plant embryos. Objects carried serially in a fluid stream enter the apparatus via an upstream conduit. A sensor associated with the conduit provides information regarding an object at a particular location in the upstream conduit and produces a signal. A switch coupled to the upstream conduit directs the fluid stream to an appropriate downstream conduit by applying a force to a conduit, e.g., by aligning the upstream conduit with a downstream conduit to create a fluid-tight path. Apparatus according to the present invention are particularly useful for manipulating fragile multicellular biological objects such as plant embryos.

Abstract: A buffer box for use in a vacuum drainage system. The buffer box defines a reservoir of known effective size which provides substantially consistently sized slugs of liquid which may be efficiently pulled up a vertical lift. The buffer box includes an outlet and an air intake orifice which may be sized relative to one another so that only liquid from the reservoir is evacuated. The outlet has an upper edge which may be spaced from a base portion of the buffer box at a height which optimizes liquid velocity out of the box and defines a level above which only water is evacuated from the reservoir.

Abstract: In a pneumatic conveyor for coins comprising a plurality of conduits leading from a plurality of payment points, a common conduit into which said plurality of conduits feed, a separator receiving coins from said common conduit and separating said coins from air, suction means for creating a suction in said common conduit and said plurality of conduits to convey coins to said separator, and a storage receptacle for receiving coins from said separator; the improvement comprising a sealing means for opening and closing concealing means disposed in each of said plurality of conduits for opening each of said plurality of conduits only when a coin enters one of said plurality of conduits and for closing the associated said one of said plurality of conduits after said coin has passed said sealing means, thereby to preserve said vacuum both in said plurality of conduits downstream of said sealing means and in said common conduits.

Abstract: In a connector supply apparatus, a plurality of connectors are successively shifted along a shifting passage of a rail member, and a desired number of preceding connectors are separated from the succeeding connectors by the rise/fall of a pair of stoppers spaced from each other by a prescribed distance L above the shifting passage and the air blow-off from a separator located above the shifting passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for spacing consecutive capsules of solid material traveling as a capsule train in a pipeline in which the capsules are carried by a fluid flowing through the pipeline includes a separation system interposed between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline for receiving the train of capsules. The separation system passes consecutively separated capsules within the capsule train to the downstream portion. The separation system is constructed for increasing the spacing between consecutive capsules within the capsule train in the downstream portion of the pipeline after passing through the separation system. The volume of fluid flowing from an outlet location of the separation system is substantially the same as the volume of fluid flowing into an inlet location of the separation system.

Abstract: A feeder system (1) and method supplies electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine (14). The feeder system (1) has a hopper (2) coupled by a passage (4) to a pickup location (3). The electrical components (20) are provided by air blasts to a first air outlet (6a) associated with the hopper (2) to agitate the components (20). Air blasts are concurrently supplied to a second and third air outlets (6b, 6c) located in the passage (6b) to thereby retain at least some of the components (20) therebetween. The third air outlet (6c) is disposed between the pickup location (3) and the second air outlet (6b) and in use an air blast from said third air outlet (6c) is effected immediately before an air blast from said second outlet (6b) is effected.

Abstract: A decoupling mechanism is provided for passively or actively decoupling an exhaust from a modular air transport system by diverting an amount of air exiting a channel in a first module in a direction other than the process direction through use of the Coanda effect. This decouples the amount of air from a downstream module. This is achieved by providing edge surfaces of the channel outlet, formed on top and bottom plates of the first air module, so that one of the two edge surfaces has a larger radius of curvature than the other. An air vent formed by a gap between the other of the edges and the second module is also provided to assist in the Coanda effect.

Abstract: A vacuum valve controller for a vacuum sewer system having a suction pipe which is communicated with a vacuum system by opening a vacuum valve, and which is cut off from the vacuum system by closing the vacuum valve, so that soil water in a soil water basin is sucked through the suction pipe and sent to a predetermined place by opening said vacuum valve is disclosed.

Abstract: Particulate material is conveyed in a dense phase in either a batch mode of conveyance or a continuous mode. In either mode, during the conveyance cycle, the flow rate of compressed gas to the transporter vessel is adjusted to control material conveyance. During start-up the flow rate is decreased to allow material to build in the vessel, then the rate is increased to a normal conveyance value. At the end of the cycle, the flow rate is again decreased to avoid surges and high velocity flow. During the normal conveyance cycle, the flow rate is decreased if the material level in the vessel falls below a minimum value and increased if it rises above a maximum value. The flow rate is adjusted by opening and closing the throat in a venturi tube in an adjustable valve in the gas flow line connected to the vessel.

Abstract: A vacuum control valve controls the removal of sewage or other liquid removed from a tank by a vacuum discharge pipe. The control valve uses the amount of liquid in the tank, the atmospheric pressure, and the vacuum pressure of the vacuum discharge pipe to open or close a pipe communicating section which attaches the vacuum discharge pipe to a suction pipe disposed within the tank. When the pipe communicating section is opened, the liquid is removed from the tank via the suction pipe and the vacuum discharge pipe. When the tank is emptied, a damping diaphragm allows for decompression of pressure around its peripheral portion to prevent excessive suction. An opening time adjusting valve automatically self-adjusts to control the time period for a single suction activity based on the vacuum pressure inside the vacuum discharge pipe.

Abstract: In a conveyor conduit comprising at least one valve having a movable closure body, for loose material which is to be pneumatically conveyed, the closure body of the valve is permeable to the conveying air in the closure position of the valve in which it blocks the conduit cross-section for the material being conveyed, in particular for granulate material such as sand.

Abstract: A dense phase conveying system for particulate material utilizes air at high pressure and low volume to transport particulate material between a source and a receiver through a conveying line that can range in length to several hundred feet. A series of air assists are provided to reduce the tendency of the material to build up in locations and form large slugs that cause high energy impacts on the interior of the conveying tube at corners or at the bin receiver. The air assists are positioned to provide a flow of air under regulated pressure and which use plant line pressure for a source. The air assists are intentionally zoned to provide for reducing air assist pressure in two or more zones from the source to the receiver. A plurality of air assists are provided in each zone.

Abstract: A suction transporting device for transporting a material has a suction unit, a transporting line connected with the suction unit and having an inlet for receiving a material to be transported and an outlet for discharging the material to be transported and a unit for modulating a suction force of a suction produced in the transporting line by the suction unit, the modulating unit including a passage adapted to communicate the interior of the transporting line with atmosphere, an adjusting element operative for adjusting an initial area and shape of a minimal cross-section of the passage, and a valve mechanism including a drive, a speed controller for controlling a speed of the drive, and a valve body connected with the drive and cooperating with the passage so that when the valve body is displaced by the drive, an initial area and shape of the minimal cross-section of the passage is periodically changed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically packaging small cloth articles, such as nylon stockings, in bags. The packaging machine comprises two or more loading conduits each having a loading end and a discharge end. A vacuum system is associated with the conduits for conveying the cloth articles therein. A retention housing is provided at the discharge end of each of the loading conduits to retain the cloth article introduced at the loading end. A piston head is displaced in the conduit at the discharge end to transfer the cloth articles in the retention housings of all of the conduits simultaneously and into an associated discharge container. The containers are mounted on a turret and are displaced, serially, to a discharge position where a predetermined number of articles contained within the containers are transferred into a bag.

Abstract: A manifold is disclosed which is adapted to be used with a system such as a truck mounted vacuum system and includes a nozzle which re-routes a portion of the exhaust air from the blower associated with the vacuum system back through the nozzle into the intake vacuum hose, thus creating a boost heretofore unavailable. A second embodiment teaches an insert to be used at a junction in the line to further increase the efficiency of the loading system.

Abstract: An improved bulk cement metering apparatus includes a valve housing having a cylindrical inner housing bore. The housing has an inlet opening through a side wall thereof. A housing outlet is defined at an open lower end of the cylindrical valve housing. A cylindrical valve element is concentrically and rotatably received within the housing bore. The valve element is rotatable relative to the valve housing between a first fully closed position and a second fully open position. In the closed position the valve element completely blocks the inlet opening. In the open position the inlet opening is completely open. As the valve element rotates from its closed position to its open position a circumferentially extending cutout means thereof progressively uncovers an increasing upper portion of the inlet opening. This design results in decreased plugging of the metering device at low flow rates.