Abstract: An eductor-mixer has a first inlet which receives dry particulate sugar from a sugar feed system and has a second inlet which receives a pressurized working liquid adapted to mix with the dry particulate sugar to form a liquified sugar solution. The eductor-mixer also has a discharge adapted for discharging the liquified sugar solution. A tank system receives the solution discharged from the eductor-mixer. A working fluid circuit conducts pressurized working fluid to the second inlet of the eductor-mixer and includes a solution recycle line for conducting solution from the tank system to the second inlet of the eductor-mixer, and a water supply line for adding water to the solution conducted to the second inlet of the eductor-mixer. A heater adds heat to the system to increase the temperature of the solution to a temperature at or above a specified temperature. A measuring device measures the sugar content of liquified sugar solution.

Abstract: A container for holding fluent material comprises a bag of flexible material defining a volume for containing a load of material, a rigid base for supporting the bag, and tension members within the bag for constraining the bag to assume a shape in which the bag is generally rectangular in horizontal cross section when a load is contained within the volume. The bag has four side walls, a top opening in communication with the volume for loading of fluent material into the container, and a bottom. The tension members include a first elongate flexible tension member extending across the interior of the bag between a first side wall and a second side wall of the bag, and a second elongate flexible tension member extending across the interior of the bag between a third side wall and a fourth side wall of the bag.

Abstract: A portable mixing module for preparing solutions and slurries from particulate solid material. The module comprises a portable frame, and an eductor-mixer mounted on and movable with the frame. The eductor-mixer has a first inlet for connection to a source of fluent particulate material, a second inlet for connection to a source of pressurized working fluid, and a discharge for discharging a mixture of the fluent particulate material and the working fluid at a first rate. A surge tank is mounted on and movable with the frame for receiving the mixture discharge from the eductor-mixer. A pump is mounted on and movable with the frame. It has an intake connected to the outlet of the surge tank and a discharge for connection to an outfeed line for delivery of mixture from the surge tank to a remote location. The pump is operable to pump mixture from the surge tank at a second flow rate not substantially less than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A container for holding fluent material comprises a bag of flexible sheet material defining a volume for containing a load of the material. The bag has a side wall with an inside face and an outside face, and a bottom margin defining an open lower end of the bag. The container further comprises a substantially rigid, non-circular base for supporting the bag. Channels are formed in the base and extend at least partially around the base. The bag is fitted on the base with the bottom margin of the bag extending down on the outside of the base and with a portion of the bottom margin received in the channels of the base. Locking strips are positioned in the channels to overlie the portion of the bottom margin of the bag received therein. The container further comprises a clamping mechanism securable to the base for applying pressure to the locking strips to press the portion of the bottom margin of the bag against one or more surfaces of the channels thereby to sealingly secure the bag to the base.

Abstract: A material handling system for effecting the transfer of powdered fluent material with respect to a container while preventing the escape of such material to a surrounding work environment. The system comprises a container having an opening in its top, a lower closure device secured to the container at its top movable between a closed position closing the container opening and an open position for permitting access to the interior of the container opening. An upper closure device is releasably attachable to the container above the lower closure device. At least part of the upper closure device is removed from the container to permit access to the container opening when the lower closure device is open. The system also includes a tubular head comprising an outer sleeve, and an inner tube mechanism inside the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A system for unloading powdered or granular materials from a container made of flexible material, the system including a line supplying compressed gas to the interior of the container to fluidize the material in the container, and a delivery conduit which may be attached to the container for delivering fluidized material from the container. A pair of arms are movable between a first position in which they are spaced from the container and a second position in which they engage and squeeze the container. Vibrators are provided for vibrating the container. The action of the arms and the vibrators facilitates unloading by breaking up clumps of the material in the container and preventing the formation of air pockets and material bridging.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for subjecting particles dispersed in a fluid to a shearing action thereby to reduce the size of the particles. The apparatus comprises a body having a flow passage therethrough, and first and second nozzle members defining an annular orifice generally adjacent one end of the passage and generally coaxial therewith, the orifice having an axial dimension constituting its length (L) and a radial dimension constituting its width (W). The nozzle surfaces defining the orifice are generally parallel to one another and generally parallel to the axis of the one of the passage, which allows the length of the orifice to be adjusted, without changing the width of the orifice, by effecting axial movement of the second nozzle member relative to the first nozzle member. The width of the orifice may be adjusted by replacing either nozzle member with nozzle members of different configurations.

Abstract: A hopper system comprising a hopper having a side wall sloping downwardly and radially inwardly from the inlet at the top of the hopper to the outlet at the bottom of the hopper. Secured to the inside of the hopper is a membrane having a shape generally conforming to the inside of the hopper and closely overlying the conical side wall of the hopper. The membrane is permeable to air but generally impermeable to fluent material in the hopper and has a plurality of pockets for receiving stay bars. The upper and lower cylindric ends of the membrane are clamped to clamping assemblies mounted on the inside of the hopper adjacent its upper and lower ends, respectively, without the use of fasteners extending through holes in the ends of the membrane or other means of attachment to the hopper. The clamping assemblies are removable from the hopper without first unclamping the membrane whereby the clamping assemblies and membrane may be readily installed in and removed from the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for pumping fluent solid material comprising first and second expansible chamber pumps and means interconnecting the pumps. The first expansible chamber pump has an inlet with a check valve for intake of material from a supply thereof on an intake stroke of the first pump and an outlet with a check valve for discharge of the material on a discharge stroke of the first pump. The apparatus also has a line for delivery of material from the outlet of the first pump. The second expansible chamber pump has an inlet with a check valve for intake of gas on an intake stroke of the second pump and an outlet with a check valve for discharge of gas on a discharge stroke of the second pump. Means interconnect the pumps for operation of the second pump through a discharge stroke on an intake stroke of the first pump and through an intake stroke on a discharge stroke of the first pump.

Abstract: A closed system for filling a container with a load of powdered, granular, or other dry fluent material and for unloading the load substantially without the emission of dust to the atmosphere. The container has an opening in its top which may be sealingly secured to a filling head during during filling and closed by a removable cover. The filling head is connected to a dust receiver for removing dust laden air displaced from within the container as the load is delivered to the container. The container used with this system may be adapted for fluidized unloading of the powder substantially without the release of dust.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling an open-mouth container with fluent material, such as powdered, granular or liquid material, and for removing dust or vapor from within the container during filling, the apparatus comprising a delivery head adapted to be substantially centered with respect to the container above the container for delivery of the fluent material and for removal of dust and vapor from within the container during filling, a closure carried by the delivery head expandable from a collapsed position in which it is drawn up around the delivery head and an expanded position in which it sealingly engages the inside of the container adjacent the mouth of the container to close off the mouth of the container thereby to prevent escape of dust or vapor during filling, and an actuator carried by the delivery means for expanding and collapsing said closure.Also disclosed is a method of de-aerating powdered material filling a container.