Abstract: An apparatus and method for making bread according to a predetermined ingredient recipe having a grain supply bin, a grinder for the grain, a dry ingredient supply, and a liquid ingredient supply. A processing unit selectively introduces predetermined amounts of the grain and the liquid/dry ingredients into a mixing chamber. The dough mixture produced is conveyed through proofing and baking steps.

Abstract: A powder coating booth and a recirculating air system is provided for electrostatic coating of articles. The booth includes an operator compartment and a spray chamber. A recirculating fan supplies air to the operator compartment which passes through a window into the spray chamber. The fan also provides air flow through orifice plates at the top of the spray chamber to surround the articles in a controlled manner. The fan additionally supplies air against the back wall of the spray chamber. All of the air in the spray chamber is passed through a reclamation filter and back to the fan. The entire system can be provided on a mobile base.

Abstract: A granular, biodegradable carrier made from a naturally occurring cellulose material such as corncobs, wood shavings or saw dust, rice hulls, peanut shells and pecan shells. A maximum density cellulose carrier product is produced in a wide variety of granule size ranges by the process of reducing the cellulose material to produce an intermediate pulverulent product, compressing the intermediate pulverulent product to produce pellets, shearing the pellets to produce the granular product, and classifying the granules to the desired size range. Critical control of a moisture addition to the intermediate pulverulent product before it is compressed or pelletized along with selective tempering of the pulverulent product before compression yields a maximum density pellet and a maximum density granular product.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulose product and method of making the product. Preferably chaff and pith corncob components form the cellulose starting material which is reduced, pelletized, crumbled and classified to produce a granular product of compact bodies having irregular surfaces.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulose product and method of making the product. Preferably chaff and pith corncob components form the cellulose starting material which is reduced, moisture added, compressed or pelletized, sheared by passage through a roller mill and classified to produce a granular product of compact bodies having a given screen size range. This range is preferably between a number 10 and a number 60 screen size. The product has good oil absorbtion properties and the size range allows the oil saturated bodies to be used in a nozzle firing system, for example to heat a cement kiln.

Abstract: An improved aeration system for use with a storage structure for storing particulate material such as grain. The storage structure includes a large flexible cover which is vertically movable relative to a center vertical support. The aeration system includes a vessel adjacent the lower end of the support. Air inlet pipes extend radially outwardly from the vessel. One or more fans are in communication with the air inlet pipes to hold the cover down and to aerate the material. The cover hold down and the aeration begin during initial filling of the storage structure and continues after filling is completed. In another embodiment a second plurality of air inlet pipes extend inwardly from the cover periphery toward the support. Fans are in communication with the second plurality of air inlet pipes to aid in providing the hold down forces and in the aeration of the particulate material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a particulate material in a storage assembly. The storage assembly includes a wall for retaining the particulate material and a cover. A cap is positioned above the cover and mounts a vertically movable ring assembly. During filling, the ring assembly is adjusted to tension the cover. A flow of fluid is provided through said stored particulate material for maintaining the temperature within the stored particulate material within a predetermined upper and lower limit and also urges the cover into contact with the particulate material.

Abstract: A controlled release agglomerated carrier for pesticides and the like comprised of preselected portions of the pith, fine and coarse chaff and woody ring portions of a corncob which, when combined in varying ratios, define an overall release rate for the carrier and/or act as a bait for the targeted species.

Abstract: A method of reducing the liberation of dust particles from a dry particulate matter is disclosed. The particulate matter is transferred to a location where it falls through the air, a small amount of water is introduced onto the particles of material in the material stream, the water being added in the amount of at least 1.01 % and no more than 1% of the weight of the dry particulate matter. The wetted particles contact each other and are distributed generally uniformally throughout the remainder of the material. The delivery of the wetted particles is delayed by a period of at least one second. A smooth path is provided for the material stream after the uniform distribution and prior to discharge at the discharge location.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying particulate material wherein the particulate material is passed through an enclosed chamber. A heated fluid is introduced into a portion of the enclosed chamber to heat and absorb the moisture from the particulate material. A cooling fluid is introduced into a portion of the enclosed chamber to cool and absorb moisture from the heated particulate material. The particulate material is recirculated through the enclosed chamber until the desired degree of drying is achieved.

Abstract: By separating the woody ring portion of corncobs from the pith and chaff portions a lost circulation additive for drilling muds is produced which does not appreciably increase the yield point of the drilling mud. Improved particle size distributions for lost circulation additives is also given and claimed which permits low concentrations of the additive to produce seals withstanding 1000 psig.

Abstract: A recovered soybean protein extract is disclosed containing at least 55 percent of soybean protein, on a dry solids basis, and from 2 to 32 percent of natural soybean oil, based on the weight of the protein. The remainder of the extract includes water, carbohydrates, minerals and proteinate salts. A method for recovering the soybean protein extract, whereby the oil and the protein are jointly separated from the soybean, is also disclosed. The method involves grinding cleaned and dehulled soybeans, slurrying the ground product in peroxide and water, and recovering a protein extract from the slurry by centrifugal processing. An isolate, protein content at least 85 percent, is obtained by adjusting the slurry pH to at least about 8 to solubilize the protein, removing the insolubles and free oil, and then precipitating the protein solids by lowering the pH to about 4.5; the precipitated protein is then recovered from the slurry.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for processing shelled corn cobs. The cobs are graded, aspirated, and crushed for reducing the length of the cobs to between 1/2 inch and 3 inches. A second aspirator removes any remaining husks and hammer mills reduce the corn cobs into 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch pieces. The pieces are graded and oversized pieces are returned to a hammer mill while the remaining pieces are dried in a drier to reduce their moisture content. After grading, a portion of the pieces are sent through an attrition mill to further reduce the size of the pieces. After aspirating, the pieces are processed through roller mills to further reduce the size of the pieces and then passed through an attrition mill and graded into final product sizes.