Patents Assigned to Bühler AG
  • Patent number: 7241127
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pelleting press for the production of feed pellets for the like. The aim of the invention is to enable easy and economical separation of the mold in order to change said molds. This is achieved in that guided clamping elements (17) are arranged between the mold (8) and a pressure ring (13) of the mold carrier (11) in such a way that they can be displaced axially (11) so that the mold (8) can be released and clamped by axial displacement by means of a flat contact surface between the screws (18) of the clamping segments (17) and the pressure ring (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Philipp Hanimann, Adolph Zellweger, Andreas Staub
  • Patent number: 7216822
    Abstract: An agitator mill comprises an annular cylindrical exterior grinding chamber which is defined by an inner wall of a grinding receptacle and an outer wall of a rotor; and an interior grinding chamber which is defined by an inner wall of the rotor and an outer casing of an interior stator. The grinding chambers are interconnected by a deflection chamber. g<h applies to the radial gap width g of the exterior grinding chamber in relation to the radial gap width h of the interior grinding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Norbert Stehr, Philipp Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7208107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of spherical particles, whereby a molten prepolymer or precondensate is transformed into droplets by means of a drip nozzle, the droplets are subjected to a countercurrent with a gas in a precipitation column until at least partial crystallization is achieved and are then subjected to an additional post-crystallization phase. In order to economically produce higher quality particles at a high flow rate, the molten prepolymer is transformed into droplets by means of a vibrating nozzle plate and/or direct vibration of the molten prepolymer or polymer and resulting droplets are subjected to an air and gas countercurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Theodor Jurgens, Rudolf Geier
  • Patent number: 7193032
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein to reduce and/or eliminate agglomerations and deformations of pellets comprised of crystallizable thermoplastic polymer material during a crystallization or crystallization of the pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Brent-Allan Culbert, Andreas Christel
  • Patent number: 7162879
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an installation for cooling bulk products, especially pellets or feed cubes. In order to accelerate possible product replacement, the formed pellets are cooled in two steps, a precooler (3) directly following the forming device (2). A secondary cooling process is only carried out after sifting or breaking and sifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Philipp Hanimann, Klaus Sohmer, Dirk-Michael Fleck
  • Patent number: 7150892
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for thermally treating flour, especially middlings, for hygienic purposes. The device includes modules which are a first, heatable batch mixer (4) with a pre-mounted depot (1). The batch mixer is connected to a drier/cooler (8) via a look-like flap system (3). A second batch mixer (12) includes a device (14) for adding additives and a discharge device is mounted behind an additional flap system (11) that is mounted behind the drier/cooler (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Urs Wuest, Willi Wetzel
  • Patent number: 7147363
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for thermally treating flour, especially middlings, for hygienic purposes. The device includes modules which are a first, heatable batch mixer (4) with a pre-mounted depot (1). The batch mixer is connected to a drier/cooler (8) via a lock-like flap system (3). A second batch mixer (12) includes a device (14) for adding additives and a discharge device is mounted behind an additional flap system (11) that is mounted behind the drier/cooler (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Urs Wuest, Willi Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20060261200
    Abstract: An agitator mill comprises an annular cylindrical exterior grinding chamber which is defined by an inner wall of a grinding receptacle and an outer wall of a rotor; and an interior grinding chamber which is defined by an inner wall of the rotor and an outer casing of an interior stator. The grinding chambers are interconnected by a deflection chamber. g<h applies to the radial gap width g of the exterior grinding chamber in relation to the radial gap width h of the interior grinding chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Norbert Stehr, Philipp Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20060261199
    Abstract: An agitator mill comprises an annular cylindrical exterior grinding chamber which is defined by an inner wall of a grinding receptacle and an outer wall of a rotor; and an interior grinding chamber which is defined by an inner wall of the rotor and an outer casing of an interior stator. The grinding chambers are interconnected by a deflection chamber. A grinding-stock supply area, which is upstream of the exterior grinding chamber, and a separator device, which is disposed approximately on the same side of the grinding receptacle, serving for grinding-stock discharge, are interconnected by auxiliary-grinding-body return conduits. These conduits are arranged in an independent auxiliary-grinding-body return module and are open towards a front of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: Buhler Ag
    Inventors: Norbert Stehr, Philipp Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7080935
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-shaft extruder for the continuous treatment and/or processing of bulk material, especially a powdery, granular or flocculent product, comprising a plurality of shafts (3) which are arranged in a crown-like manner in a cavity (1) of an extruder housing (2), said shafts extending parallel to the axial direction (A) of the extruder and forming an inner processing chamber (1a) inside the crown, and an outer processing chamber (1b) outside the crown. Each shaft carries a number of axially successive processing elements (4), at least part of the same being elements (4a; 4c; 4e) having a transporting effect, and with which adjacent shafts engage in a sealed manner at least in partial regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Federico Innerebner, Andreas Christel, Achim-Philipp Sturm, Jürgen Schweikle
  • Patent number: 7069255
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for optimising process management and process control in an arrangement for producing, especially short and long, farinaceous products. The aim of the invention is to improve dryer regulation and reduce faulty production. To this end, a dryer climate regulator using online sensors (9) and intelligent software technologies is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Werner Seiler, Hans Tobler, Franz Guster, Marcel Bruhwiler, Mukul Agasrwal
  • Publication number: 20060124000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for dehulling by cylinders, in particular to a system for dehulling grain fruits. An exemplary system includes a pair of rubber cylinders arranged in a housing. The product supply is carried out with the aid of a chute in a pneumatic conveyor which operates in a pressure mode and can be embodied in the form of a conveyor tube provided with an elbow. The system can make it possible to obtain a better supply performance and reduced breaking propensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Buhler AG
    Inventor: Frank-Otto Gorlitz
  • Patent number: 7040798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-screw extruder for the continuous treatment and/or processing of a bulk material, especially a product in powder, granular or flake form, comprising several shafts (3) which are arranged in a ring shape in a cavity (1) of an extruder housing (2) and which extend parallel to the axial direction (A) of the extruder. The extruder housing (2) is provided with axially parallel, concave segments (5a, 6a) of a circle on the radially inner (5) and radially outer (6) surfaces of the cavity (1). These circle segments act as a guide for the axially parallel shafts (3) with their processing elements (4) on the inside (5) or on the outside (6) of the shaft ring (3, . . . ). The inventive improvement lies in the radial extension of the axial partial area of the cavity (1) containing the shafts (3), which is located in the area of the feed opening (9), this radial extension (10b) extending along part of the shaft ring (3, . . . ) in the peripheral direction (U) of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Federico Innerebner, Achim Philipp Sturm, Jürgen Schweikle
  • Publication number: 20060082007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of spherical particles, whereby a molten prepolymer or precondensate is transformed into droplets by means of a drip nozzle, the droplets are subjected to a countercurrent with a gas in a precipitation column until at least partial crystallization is achieved and are then subjected to an additional post-crystallization phase. In order to economically produce higher quality particles at a high flow rate, the molten prepolymer is transformed into droplets by means of a vibrating nozzle plate and/or direct vibration of the molten prepolymer or polymer and resulting droplets are subjected to an air and gas countercurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Theodor Jurgens, Rudolf Geier
  • Patent number: 7021572
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for warm dehulling soya and other bean fruits and for subsequently grinding them, as well as to corresponding installation. The invention can simplify the process and the design of the installation. To this end, the fruits and heated/conditioned, double-ground, individualized on a baffle plate and the hulls are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Christian Heeb, Urs V. Keller
  • Publication number: 20060014017
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pigment, the smallest size of which corresponds at least to a multiple of the greatest wavelength of ultraviolet light or the smallest wavelength of visible light. Said pigment comprises at least one defined diffractive structure, the spatial periodicity, of which has a spatial period corresponding at least to a multiple of the wavelength of ultraviolet light. In particular, the inventive pigment has a laminar shape. The method for producing such pigments comprises the following steps: a) a defined diffractive structure is created in and/or on a film-type support: b) the defined diffractive structure is coated with a sealant on said support: c) the film-type support processed in steps a) and b) is comminuted so as to form pigment particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Steffen Pilotek, Rene Zimmermann, Martin Mennig, Helmet Schmidt, Peter-William Olliveira
  • Patent number: 6895687
    Abstract: A drier for continuous flow drying of food products, especially pasta, inside the drier with adjustable and/or conditioning zones along the continuous flow path of the product. The inside of the drier can be accessed by a maintenance technician and the respective horizontal segments of the side walls are sub-divided perpendicular to the direction of the continuous flow from top to bottom into respectively at least two vertical segments which are respectively curved in an outer direction and which can also be moved away from the housing in an independent manner, enabling the maintenance technician to have access to the inside from the respective point of a vertical segment moved away from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Heinz Resch, Hermann Zwyssig
  • Publication number: 20050105382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple-screw extruder that comprises a first process chamber (1) and a second process chamber (2). In the degassing zones of said extruder, at least the first process chamber is provided with at least one degassing opening. The radius R of the conveyor element in the degassing zones, in at least one conveyor element (7; 9) of at least one screw (5, 7; 5, 9) configured as a passage screw, in a subsection configured as a passage subsection (71a, 71e; 91a, 91e), along the peripheral direction of the at least one conveyor element (7; 9) is by ?R smaller than the full radius Rv of the conveyor element (6; 8) required for the mutual stripping of adhering product in a closely intermeshing screw operation with die adjacent conveyor elements (6; 8) of adjacent conventional screws (5, 6; 5, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: BUHLER AG
    Inventors: Achim-Phillipp Sturm, Jurgen Schweikle, Andreas Christel, Federico Innerebner
  • Publication number: 20050083778
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for thermally treating flour, especially middlings, for hygienic purposes. The device consists of modules which are a first, heatable batch mixer (4) with a pre-mounted depot (1). Said batch mixer is connected to a drier/cooler (8) via a lock-like flap system (3). A second batch mixer (12) comprising a device (14) for adding additives and a discharge device is mounted behind an additional flap system (11) that is mounted behind the drier/cooler (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: BUHLER AG
    Inventors: Urs Wuest, Willis Wetzel
  • Patent number: 6852256
    Abstract: In a process for upgrading cleaned used plastic material to be reclaimed, all steps are performed in a continuous way so as to extrude continuously the plastic material to provide elongated strands thereof, cutting the strands continuously as they are supplied by extrusion to convert them into pellets. Then, the pellets are fed without any intermediate storage to a continuous crystallizer in a stream of hot gas to heat the pellets to crystallizing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Camille Borer, Brent Allen Culbert