Abstract: A heating or cooling vessel for heating or cooling a fluid as it flows through the vessel includes an outer tubular shell and an inner tubular member mounted to the outer tubular shell. The inner tubular member includes a central passage defining a first flow path, and a space between the inner tubular member and the outer shell defines a second flow path which communicates with the first flow path at one end of the inner tubular member. A seal member is provided toward the opposite end of the inner tubular member, for cutting off communication between the first flow path and the second flow path. An inlet provides cool fluid to the first flow path, and the fluid circulates through the first flow path and into the second flow path for discharge through an outlet in communication with the second flow path.

Abstract: A vessel-type fluid cooling system includes an upper mixing chamber and a lower holding chamber, the chambers being separated by a transverse separating wall. One or more cooling tubes extend between the mixing chamber and the holding chamber, and cooling elements, such as fluid-cooled tubes, are located within each cooling tube. A heated fluid inlet provides heated fluid to the mixing chamber, and a cooled fluid outlet discharges cooled fluid from the holding chamber. Each cooling tube includes one or more inlets toward its upper end, and fluid is supplied from the mixing through the inlets to passages defined by the cooling tubes for cooling the fluid as the fluid flows downwardly through the cooling tubes. The cooled fluid is discharged into the holding chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously applying tags to rings or the like includes at least one conveyor having a series of ring carrying posts movable into registry with a tag applicator which receives a tag from a supply source, is insertable into the ring and collapsible about the ring to position the tag about the ring and then movable out of the ring. The tag applicator includes a pair of applicator arms movable between an open, coextensive position to receive the tag and a closed, juxtaposed position to place the tag about the ring. Carousel supply means are disclosed which include ring carrying posts movable to a position wherein rings may be selectively deposited on the ring carrying posts. The method includes operating the conveyor continuously, supplying rings to the ring carrying posts, supplying tags to the applicator arms, inserting the applicator arms into the rings and affixing the tags to the rings and retracting the applicator arms.

Abstract: Unobstructed free discharge from the end of an auger into a granulator assembly is achieved by supporting the auger shaft cantilever fashion and effecting driving of the shaft at the end of the conveyer trough remote from the end of the trough which discharges into the granulator assembly. This eliminates wrapups or binding of thermoplastic material, especially long flexible pieces fed by the auger to the granulator assembly.