Abstract: A disc-type rotor assembly for a threshing machine in which threshing teeth are maintained in their preferred generally radial direction by spacers which are inserted between the rotor discs and extend the full circumferential length between threshing teeth mounting locations on the rotor discs.

Abstract: Separation apparatus and methods separate ferrous, glass, plastic and aluminum articles in kind from each other when all articles are presented in a commingled stream. Ferrous articles are first removed by magnetic apparatus. The remaining commingled stream of glass, plastic and aluminum articles are conveyed over a vibratory screen for removal or residue materials not first removed prior to ferrous article separation. Plastic and aluminum articles are lifted away from glass articles in a vertically moving air column of a closed loop air flow system. The glass is conveyed past the column for further separation and collection while the plastic and aluminum articles are discharged together from a centrifugal classifier portion of the closed air loop. Large plastic articles are first removed from the combined plastic and aluminum, then aluminum articles are separated from the remaining smaller plastic articles.

Abstract: An improved slat conveyor includes an improved slat having leading and trailing edge configurations inhibiting conveyed product leakage through the slat-formed apron. A leading edge of one slat overlaps and engages the depressed rearward edge of a preceding adjacent slat providing a substantially co-planar product apron. Movement of the slats about a headstock at a conveyor discharge end disengages the leading from the rearward edge, opening a slight gap between the slats so any captured product can fall out, as well as providing a scraping action of the trailing edge of a preceding slat with respect to the underside of the leading edge of a following slat to dislodge entrapped or impacted product. At the same time the leading edge overhangs the preceding slat so discharging product slides off the slats into the discharge location and not between the slats.

Abstract: A horizontal storage silo or bin for particulate matter such as, for example, peanuts and cereal, includes a moving apron or floor and a dam for gently receiving product, controlling product deposit into the silo and supporting the rear face of the product pile during discharge to insure a uniform discharge rate throughout the discharge cycle. Full bin storage capacity is utilized. First-in, first-out processing is attained. Various alternative apparatus and methods are disclosed and various product infeed points and bin orientation are accommodated.

Abstract: A horizontal storage silo or bin for particulate matter such as, for example, peanuts and cereal, includes a moving apron or floor and a dam for gently receiving product, controlling product deposit into the silo and supporting the rear face of the product pile during discharge to insure a uniform discharge rate throughout the discharge cycle. Full bin storage capacity is utilized. First-in, first-out processing is attained. Various alternative apparatus and methods are disclosed and various product infeed points and bin orientation are accommodated.

Abstract: A variable slope, cleated channel belt conveyor includes a bed, a bottom pan, and an improved elongated cleated belt. The belt extends around a drive and an idler or take-up pulley and includes a plurality of separate cleats to sweep particulate material along the bottom pan and upwardly onto the belt's top surface by means of a hood extending around the pulley of that end of the conveyor. This prevents build-up of particulate material in the bottom pan. The hood can be pivoted away from the belt to permit reverse operation of the conveyor, and hoods can be mounted at both ends to further accommodate a reversing operation. A universal, adjustable mounting permits the motor and gear box to pivot and thus remain level despite conveyor inclination.

Abstract: Playing cards are marked with binary codes adjacent both side edges of the face of each card in a standard deck. The code includes a precode which signals a card reader to read the code in proper bit sequence depending on the direction of card movement past the reader. The binary code includes six bits to represent face value and suit of the card, and a four-bit error detection code which can detect errors of two bits in the code.A deck of coded cards is dealt either manually or automatically according to at least one predetermined program. The coded cards are passed over photocells which read the binary codes on the face of the card. The photocell outputs are sent to a microprocessor, which compares the code to the predetermined program and directs the card to the appropriate player location.

Abstract: An improved tobacco dumper is provided with a brake means for safely holding the dumper in a raised position blocking the hood opening of a tobacco feeder. Control apparatus prevents brake engagement until the dumper is in an upper dump position, and prevents dumper return until a specific control input is received and the brake is positively disengaged. Apertured drive sprockets and aligned brake pins are utilized.

Abstract: An improved tobacco dumper is provided with a brake means for safely holding the dumper in a raised position blocking the hood opening of a tobacco feeder. Control apparatus prevents brake engagement until the dumper is in an upper dump position, and prevents dumper return until a specific control input is received and the brake is positively disengaged. Apertured drive sprockets and aligned brake pins are utilized.

Abstract: A channel belt conveyor includes a bed, an elongated belt, and belt supporting flanges adjustably mounted on the bed and having lower edges spaced from the bed to form an exit passage therebetween. The belt supporting flanges are raised above the bed to support the belt edges so the belt assumes a channel-like configuration in its load bearing run. Displaced particles of conveyed material, which find their way between the belt and the flanges or bed, can work their way free through the passage without being captured or impacted, thereby reducing accumulation of impacted material and consequent belt loading. Conveyed tobacco is contained by the belt so that it does not slide along stationary portions of the conveyor, thereby forming deleterious "shorts" and dust, nor is there any area in which the tobacco can "lump". The bed of the conveyor is extended outwardly of the flanges and is turned downwardly to form the conveyor sides and vertical bed support.