Abstract: A solid-liquid slurry, particularly sugar juice, is flocculated and clarified in an arrangement including a clarifier tank containing therein a mud bed of concentrated removed solids. A preflocculating vessel extends into the top of the clarifier tank and includes upper and lower chambers. The slurry is introduced into the upper chamber to flow turbulently therein, thereby deaerating the slurry. The slurry is transferred from the upper chamber to the lower chamber while the turbulent flow of the slurry is changed to a laminar flow. A flocculating agent, for example a suitable polymer, is introduced into the slurry, such that solids of the slurry coagulate as flocs in the lower chamber. The thus preflocculated slurry is introduced directly into the clarifier tank at a level beneath the surface of the mud bed therein. The liquid of the slurry percolates upwardly through the mud bed and is filtered, thus forming clarified liquid, and the flocs of solids settle downwardly into and form the mud bed.

Abstract: An articulated knife rotor assembly in a machine for reducing materials includes a shaft rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof. A plurality of blade holders are rigidly fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith. Each blade holder extends from the shaft generally radially with respect to the axis of the shaft. Each blade holder has mounted therein for relative rotation with respect thereto about an axis of rotation at least one block member. Each block member has fixed thereto at least one knife blade. Rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the blade holders, the block members and the knife blades. However, each knife blade is pivotable with respect to the respective blade holder about the axis of rotation of the respective block member.

Abstract: A device for both lifting and dumping of core material from long hollow core concrete panels. The device utilizes a pair of retractable clamp members to engage the longitudinal groove in the side of the panel.

Abstract: A mill roll includes a roll body, a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves formed in the periphery of the roll body, a plurality of channels extending axially through the roll body at positions inwardly of the grooves, a plurality of inserts fitted within the roll body at the radial bottoms of the grooves, and each insert having extending substantially radially therethrough an opening connecting the respective groove with a respective channel. Each opening has an elongated, substantially rectangular circumferential cross-section with a longer dimension extending substantially circumferentially of the roll body and a narrower dimension extending axially of the roll body.

Abstract: A machine for removing uncured concrete from the top surface of a cast concrete slab to expose the aggregate therein to provide a decorative surface finish. The machine utilizes a pair of counter-rotating brushes to remove concrete which has been prevented from setting by use of a surface retarder, thereby exposing the aggregate to leave an attractive exposed aggregate finish. The counter-rotating brushes deposit the uncured concrete brushed from the surface of the slab onto a conveyor which carries the concrete waste to the edge of the slab for disposal.

Abstract: Apparatus for clarifying the liquid portion of a slurry such as preflocculated sugar juice is disclosed. A tank is provided, and a downwardly opening conical tray is located within the tank to divide the tank into upper and lower portions. The outer periphery of the tray is spaced from the interior of the tank to provide an annular passageway therebetween. A vertical pipe is centrally located within the upper portion of the tank, and has an open bottom above the tray. Slurry to be clarified is supplied inside the vertical pipe. The slurry flows out through the open bottom of the vertical pipe to the upper portion of the tank outside the vertical pipe. At least some of the liquid portion of the slurry rises through the sedimented mud of the slurry and collects in the upper portion of the tank outside the vertical pipe above the level of the tank outside the vertical pipe above the level of the mud.