Patents Assigned to Buehler AG
  • Patent number: 7228728
    Abstract: The inventive method uses the ultrasound Doppler method (UVP) in order to determine a local velocity profile perpendicular to a line for a fluid which flows through said line, carrying suspended or emulsified particles. The wall shear stress of said fluid is measured locally within the range of said local velocity profile. Specific rheological parameters of the flowing fluid thus examined, e.g. viscosity function (shear viscosity), flow limit etc., can be determined from the local velocity profile and the local wall shear stress associated therewith. A suitable model is adapted by iteratively adapting a model-based theoretic velocity profile to a measured velocity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Boris Ouriev, Erich Josef Windhab
  • 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: 7210574
    Abstract: A pasta dryer comprising a conveyer belt for conveying and delivering dried pasta, the conveyor belt being configured as a continuous conveyor. To operate more efficiently, the conveyor belt has a delivery table in the vicinity of an idler, the table comprising an attached fixed or sliding product collection tray. The reinforcement elements of the conveyor belt are preferably S-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Heinz Resch, Hermann Zwyssig
  • Publication number: 20060286905
    Abstract: A grinding and/or polishing machine for grain crops such as rice, wheat or other types of grain crops, comprising a grinding rotor surrounding a sifting basket. The grinding rotor is embodied as a hollow shaft and has openings enabling air to enter the working area. The air enters the hollow shaft via an upper and a lower air inlet. The working area is defined by a vertically displaceable catchment plate on the side of the product outlet. The displaceability of said catchment plate is adjusted by a membrane drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: BUEHLER AG
    Inventors: Markus Brockfeld, Christoph Kaufmann, Frank-Otto Goerlitz
  • Publication number: 20060177529
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aleurone product comprising particles originating from the aleurone cells (of cereal, in particular the aleurone cells of wheat. The invention is characterised in that the particles originating from the cereal aleurone cells are finely ground with a diameter of up to 500 ?m as the longest dimension. The inventive aleurone product is produced as follows: preparation of bran, in particular wheat bran, which consists of aleurone constituents and non-aleurone constituents: separation of the aleurone constituents from the non-aleurone constituents to obtain a blend of alcurone constituents and non-aleurone constituents: adjustment of the humidity of the blend to achieve a value of 10-20 wt % water; and fine grinding (micro-grinding) of the blend by means of a friction roller mill comprising at least one roller pair, whose rollers are operated with different surface speeds and are pressed against one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: BUEHLER AG
    Inventors: Josef Laux, Walter Von Reding, Gaspard Widmer
  • Patent number: 7044435
    Abstract: A system for influencing the rheological properties of a transportable material, especially a free-flowing, pasty or bulk product is associated, or can be associated, with a machine for processing or treating the transportable material in which the transportable material is transported in a transport direction. The system includes at least one controllable operative system for producing mechanical oscillations and applying the same to the material in at least one processing section of the machine, and at least one detection system for detecting the rheological properties of the material. The detected rheological properties are used as a basis for controlling the operative system for producing the mechanical oscillations and applying the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventor: Boris Ouriev
  • Patent number: 6838496
    Abstract: Method and device for reprocessing a thermoplastic polycondensate, in particular for the recycling of thermoplastic polycondensates, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyester or polyamide is provided. The polycondensate is introduced into an extruder in a solid state. The polycondensate is then heated to a temperature below melting temperature and degassed or dried at below atmospheric pressure or with an inert gas added. Preferably, to prevent the polycondensate flakes from escaping through a degassing opening, a conveying device is used to convey the escaping flakes back into the extruder. The dried flakes are then melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Frank Goedicke, Federico Innerebner
  • Patent number: 6730774
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for decontaminating polycondensates, such as RPET or similar polymeric materials, in particular comminuted PET bottles. The object is to simplify existing recycling processes. This is achieved by comminuting used PET products to give flakes, and cleaning these flakes. The flakes are further decontaminated immediately and continuously in a hot gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Christel, Camille Borer, Thomas Hersperger
  • Patent number: 6716959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating plastic material, especially polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the relatively low temperature material is initially crystallized by heating before subjecting said material to heating or condensation in the solid phase. The material is then exposed to a hot treatment gas for at least 10 minutes in at least two chambers (2) of an apparatus and crystallized at a temperature above 135° C., e.g. 140-180° C. The is subsequently heated in a preheating chamber (3) having at least one to eight stages at a temperature of at least 185° C., preferably at least 200° C. and more preferably around 220° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Camille Borer, Martin Mueller, Filippo Terrasi, Hans Geissbuehler
  • Patent number: 6585178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical rotor mill, especially to an impact pulverizer or to a hammer mill for grinding granular material using impact tools (8). Said tools are fixed to a rotating, vertically arranged rotor (7) which is enclosed by a screen (9). The grinding chamber (19) is in turn enclosed by a conic housing (6). The aim of the invention is to simplify access to the screen (9) and to the impact tools (8), and to improve the operating characteristics. To this end, the cone (6) can be lowered together with the screen (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Guido Kraemer, Laszlo Jud
  • Patent number: 6554011
    Abstract: Method and device for cleaning germination trays. The device includes a moveable carriage comprising at least one telescoping carrier, the at least one telescoping carrier being coupled to at least one supply line, and a cleaning unit coupled to the at least one telescoping carrier. The method includes extending the at least one telescoping carrier from the moveable carriage, moving the moveable carriage, and directing a cleaning fluid onto a portion of the germinating tray using the at least one cleaning unit, wherein the cleaning fluid cleans the portion of the germination tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Wolf-Eckart Bischoff, Walter Faist
  • Publication number: 20020104232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating plastic material, especially polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the relatively low temperature material is initially crystallized by heating before subjecting said material to heating or condensation in the solid phase. The material is then exposed to a hot treatment gas for at least 10 minutes in at least two chambers (2) of an apparatus and crystallized at a temperature above 135° C., e.g. 140-180° C. The is subsequently heated in a preheating chamber (3) having at least one to eight stages at a temperature of at least 185° C., preferably at least 200° C. and more preferably around 220° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: BUEHLER AG
    Inventors: Camille Borer, Martin Mueller, Filippo Terrasi, Hans Geissbuehler
  • Patent number: 6010667
    Abstract: A shaft reactor for treating bulk material, including granular bulk material, in particular for the continuous post-condensation of PET, PEN or PA in the solid phase. A uniform product flow without significant decrease of the usable contents of the reactor and a decrease of the bulk pressure in the reactor is achieved by use of internals which are uncomplicated to fabricate. Internals are arranged in the reactor which comprise at least one ring and a plurality or ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Markus Meyer, Camille Borer, Bernd Kuehnemund, Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 5993187
    Abstract: The protein framework is developed in a continuously working 2-shaft kneading device for the production of paste product dough without--as was previously required--a dwelling time of 10-15 minutes in a mixing trough. In so doing, a so-called dry and crumbly dough is formed. This is transferred to a directly adjoining single-shaft screw press without the application of pressure if possible. The apparatus accordingly includes three characteristic process stages: a first whirling mixer for the intimate mixing of the dry components with water, a 2-shaft kneading device, and a single-shaft press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Josef Manser, Friedrich Egger, Werner Seiler
  • Patent number: 5797989
    Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous crystallization of polyester material is described, which apparatus can likewise be used for the drying of granules. The apparatus operates to improve the residence behavior of the material and the process. This is achieved by a circular apparatus having a gas inlet and gas outlet and product entry and product outlet, The product entry and product outlet are arranged concentrically and parallel to the axis of the apparatus. A product outlet device is arranged so that it is axially displaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Hans Geissbuehler, Heinz Gasser
  • Patent number: 5582848
    Abstract: A process and a device for the automated ejection of screws from screw extruders, in particular, screw extruders for the production of dough and pasta products are described. The screw is ejected from the screw extruder in one stroke by hydraulic operation so as to provide good sliding capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventor: Josef Manser
  • Patent number: 5579954
    Abstract: The new invention is directed to a metering device (1) which can be constructed as a differential weigher. The product is stored in a weighing-container (2) which is possibly cylindrical and comprises a flat base (15, 18). A uniform product feed is ensured by means of a cleaning device (13, 19) acting in two horizontal planes, wherein a relief base (15) with fall-through opening (16) is preferably arranged between the two planes in such a way that a pre-metering space (17) is formed in the lower part of the weighing container. The product is conveyed out of the pre-metering space (17) through the lower cleaning device (19) to the metering screw (4) and discharged in a metered manner by the latter by means of controllable speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Bruno Gmuer, Peter Naef
  • Patent number: 5544823
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a new method for producing milled grain products such as flour, semolina, middlings, etc., wherein the material is repeatedly ground by means of rolls and sifted with the system of advanced milling. It is suggested that the material be guided again at least twice via double-roll grinding stages with sifting between the double grindings, wherein the material is sifted in each instance following the double grinding. In an especially preferred manner, a corresponding new mill with at least two double-grinding passes is preferably constructed as an 8-roll mechanism (70). In an especially preferred manner. the new mill comprises a combination of eight- (70) and four-roll mechanisms (142, 151). A screening surface which is at least 20 to 50% larger is used for the double grinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Werner Baltensperger, Christian Lippuner
  • Patent number: 5538139
    Abstract: A large or square plansifter has a large number of sieve stacks with e.g. more than 20 sieve boxes. Such boxes are constructed without a supporting grating and design so as to be exchangeable in the covered state and so that they can be placed on or in the sieve frames. A free product fall-through space or discharge space is accordingly formed between the sieve screen and a flat base plate. The sieve cleaners are placed on or in the flat base plate. In a particularly preferred manner, the sieve frames are constructed as metal frames. The sieve cleaners clean the sieve screen and clear the product from the base plate. The sieve cleaners preferably have 2, 3 or 4 arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventor: Alois Keller
  • Patent number: 5538747
    Abstract: The invention proposes the damping of grain, for example, by creating a rotating layer (20) in a damping chamber (2) with the help of acceleration rotors (3). For this, the cross-section of the rotation chamber is designed to form an outer boundary around two or, preferably, three acceleration rotors (3, 3', 3"). In this way, the rotating layer is forced into an eccentric and spiralling motion within the damping chamber (2). Damping is carried out in a very gentle manner, so that there occurs hardly any abrasion and no grain damage. Additional advantages include a longer and controllable reaction period during damping, optimized preparation for milling and a shorter, controllable tempering period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventor: Roman Mueller