Abstract: A sight window assembly and a method of making same, the assembly being comprised of a windowpane panel mounted directly and under radial compression within an annular window-opening of a vessel wall panel and having cooperative annular peripheral portions which are complementary in shape to the window-opening defining portions of the wall panel, said panels having cooperative, mechanical, annular, positive interlocking elements.

Abstract: Single drive conveyor apparatus including an elongated material-conveying conveyor having a vibration generator connected to one end thereof and vibrating the same substantially only in a direction parallel with the longitudinal centroidal axis thereof and including two pairs of parallel vibration-generating shafts, each pair having axial displacement relative to the other and each shaft of each pair carrying eccentrically mounted weights generating equal forces and rotating in opposite directions, each pair of shafts rotating at different speeds and each pair carrying a pair of equal force-generating and eccentric weights different from that of the other, a continuous flexible drive element having opposed continuums extending around and in driving relation to each of the pairs of shafts, and controllably shiftable phase-adjustment/motion-altering mechanism engaging each of the continuums and shortening one of the continuums while lengthening the other as the mechanism shifts to thereby controllably alter the

Abstract: A conveyor system with a support apparatus for maintaining non-pendular substantially straight-line motion of the material-conveying member thereof, wherein the support apparatus includes straight-line linkage which is mounted between a rigid supporting surface and the material-conveying member so as to restrict movement of the material-conveying member to a substantially straight-line non-pendular path parallel with the path of conveyance. Each straight-line linkage assembly which supports the material-conveying member includes a set of three linkage arms which are pivotally interconnected with resilient bushings that continually urge the linkage to a central neutral or resting position during movement thereof. Two of the linkage arms are pivotally connected in spaced relation at one end to a rigid support, and are each pivotally connected at their opposite end to a third intermediate linkage arm which is disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A dual drive conveyor system which has a vibration control mechanism for adjusting the application of vibratory force to the material-conveying member without changing the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force generated thereby, wherein the vibration generator connected to the material-conveying member includes a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted master shafts driven by a first drive motor, and a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted slave shafts driven by a second drive motor, the master and slave shafts rotating in such manner that the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force is substantially only parallel with the longitudinal centroidal axis of the material-conveying member.

Abstract: A moving gate discharge system designed to prevent product-breakage while discharging particulate products, particularly non-free flowing and inter-engaging particulate products, in a more uniform flow from a receptacle having a moving bottom, is disclosed. The system includes an endless circulating feeder mounted across the discharge of the receptacle with its lower end portion oscillating upwardly and downwardly and traveling at a horizontal speed more rapid than that of the product on the moving bottom of the receptacle. Product-progressing finger assemblies are mounted in transverse rows on the feeder, spaced distances equal to the longitudinal distance the feeder moves during one period of vertical movement of the lower end portion thereof, and located such that each will be disposed directly below the lower end portion of the feeder when the latter reaches the lower portion of its downward movement.

Abstract: A flesh and skin separating device for fruit and vegetable products utilizing a rotating pneumatic tire bearing against the circumference of a perforated drum and driving the flesh of such products, previously doctored upon the drum surface, through the perforations of the drum while the skins thereof remain upon the exterior surface of the drum. Means is provided for adjusting the distance between the parallel axes of the drum and tire. Means is also provided for adjusting the pneumatic pressure of the tire while it is rotating.