Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting and drying material utilizing a closed-loop cyclonic system including a cyclonic comminution chamber, and further incorporating heated or dried air for desiccation of the material, as well as reducing the air pressure of the system to provide enhanced drying of the material. The present invention further contemplates to a cyclonic mill system configured to fiberize and dewater cellulose and other materials in a highly efficient and cost effective manner. The present system employs indirect heat drying and fiberizing for the continuous drying and processing of moist cellulose (i.e., bagasse, paper, etc) material by cyclonically agitating same in a hot air flow via a specially designed cyclonic mill, which is configured to effectively dewater and decimate wet cellulose material from a variety of sources for form fiberized cellulose material suitable for thermal insulation or other products.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, aligned ties, a loader for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning a tie at each station during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.