Abstract: An asphalt production plant includes an asphalt binder storage tank, a mixer for mixing asphalt binder and aggregate materials, an asphalt binder pumping system for conveying asphalt binder to the mixer and an asphalt binder metering system for controlling the rate of flow of asphalt binder to the mixer. The asphalt production plant also includes a cold feed proportioning system having a plurality of cold feed bins for holding aggregate materials, with each such bin having a discharge opening through which aggregate materials may be discharged, a cold feed conveyor system that extends from beneath the discharge openings for the plurality of bins for conveying aggregate materials to the mixer and an apparatus and system for adjusting the relative proportions of aggregate materials from each of the cold feed bins that are conveyed to the mixer.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a body assembly of a refuse vehicle includes forming a first, second and third components of the assembly. A first and second locating constructions are formed in the first component. The second component is formed so as to have a first mating structure which is adapted to mate with the first locating construction in the first component so as to uniquely locate the second component with respect to the first component. The third component is formed so as to have a second mating structure which is adapted to mate with the second locating construction in the first component so as to uniquely locate the third component with respect to the first component.

Abstract: A sign assembly having a support surface including a first side frame portion, a second side frame portion and a back plate. The first and second side frame portions each include a longitudinal recess having a top and a bottom. The sign assembly also includes a third side frame portion, a fourth side frame portion, a front panel and a locking pin. The front panel includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The locking pin is adapted to be inserted into the second recess.

Abstract: A tank assembly for classifying and blending sand products. The tank assembly includes a receptacle adapted to retain slurry at or below an upper level. The receptacle includes a feed end having a receptacle inlet, a discharge end having a receptacle overflow outlet, and a pair of side walls extending between the feed end and the discharge end. The discharge end of the receptacle is generally opposed to the feed end. The tank assembly also includes a plurality of upper cross tubes mounted to and extending between the pair of side walls of the receptacle. Each of the plurality of upper cross tubes is disposed above the upper level of the receptacle. The tank assembly further includes a plurality of settling stations mounted in the receptacle. Each of the settling stations includes an adjustable height sensing paddle adapted to control the amount of slurry that accumulates at the station, a discharge valve, and a slurry discharge pipe.

Abstract: A mud flap adapted to be attached behind or outside a wheel of a vehicle. The mud flap includes an integrally-formed, mesh panel. The integrally-formed, mesh panel has a front face, a top edge and a plurality of strands. The plurality of strands define a plurality of openings adapted to permit air to flow therethrough. The sum of the areas of the plurality of openings represents at least 75% of the surface area of the front face of the panel. Each individual opening in the integrally-formed, mesh panel is sized such that it deflects substantially all water and roadway debris it encounters. The mud flap also includes a means for attaching the panel to a vehicle.

Abstract: A system for modular construction comprising a plurality of structural members. Each of the plurality of structural members comprises a first lengthwise side and a second lengthwise side opposite the first lengthwise side. Each of the lengthwise sides are generally parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of structural members also comprises a first widthwise side and a second widthwise side opposite the first widthwise side. Each of the widthwise sides are generally parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of structural members also comprises at least two slots along one of said lengthwise sides. Each of the slots comprise a pair of generally parallel slot sides, an open end along one of the lengthwise sides, a slot axis parallel to and disposed equally between the slot sides.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus is adapted to grab and lift a refuse container, dump the contents thereof into a collection bin, and return the container to its original location. The apparatus includes a container grab assembly which includes a pair of opposed grabbing arms that are aligned in spaced relationship and operable by a fluid-operated actuating system to grab and release a container. The apparatus also includes an articulated, moveable arm assembly that is operable by a fluid-operated actuating system through an operating cycle that includes retracted, extended, lifting and dumping positions. The arm assembly of the apparatus is designed to balance the mass of the apparatus during the operating cycle while balancing actuation of the actuators employed therein to allow for effective cushioning at the ends of the stroke of each actuator.

Abstract: A vacuum system is mounted on a portable milling machine for extracting material cut by the milling drum of the machine from the surface of a roadway. The milling machine includes a frame, a propulsion system for advancing the machine across a surface to be milled, a milling drum mounted on the frame for rotation about its axis, and a conveyor for conveying material cut by the milling drum away from the drum. The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump having an air inlet and an air outlet and a nozzle mounted behind the milling drum having an opening for receiving material cut from the surface by the drum. The vacuum system also includes a material collector having an inlet, an air outlet and a material outlet. The collector is adapted for collecting material entrained in air by the pump through the collector inlet and for discharging such material through the material outlet onto the conveyor. The vacuum system also includes a first conduit and a second conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading particulate material from a container having a thermally-conductive shell includes an outlet for particulate material from the container, a material conveying conduit that is connected to the particulate material outlet, and an inlet and an outlet for pressurized gas. A conduit is also provided between the pressurized gas outlet and the material conveying conduit, along with a blower, compressor or other means for pressurizing gas and a conduit between the blower and the pressurized gas inlet. The outlet for pressurized gas is arranged with respect to the inlet for pressurized gas so that the pressurized gas is directed to flow from the inlet across at least a portion of the thermally-conductive shell to the outlet. The conduit between the pressurized gas outlet and the material conveying conduit is arranged so that pressurized gas entering the material conveying conduit may entrain material that is discharged from the particulate material outlet.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reacting a variety of protective entities to form covalent bonds with nylon, which entities can be applied directly in the dyebath with the dyes that are used to dye the nylon without blocking such dyes or interfering with their color yield. Such protective entities include stain-blockers, chlorine resist agents, fire retardants, UV absorbers, antimicrobial agents, fume fade protectors, soil-resist agents and anti-stats. According to this method, a protective entity is reacted with a moiety having the capability of forming a covalent bond with a nylon fiber to create a modified protective entity that is adapted to form a covalent bond with a nylon fiber. The modified protective entity is added to a dyebath containing one or more dyes selected from the group consisting of fiber reactive dyes, acid dyes, acid-premetalized dyes and disperse dyes. The dyebath is applied to nylon fiber at a pH within the range of about 0.5 to about 6.