Abstract: A screw extruder for mixing, homogenizing, and degassing highly viscous rubber mixtures and similarly acting thermoplastics. The extruder has mixing pins associated with the housing in the mixing and homogenizing zone, and degassing pins associated with the housing in the degassing zone. The degassing pins have passages or channels through which gases and vapors are withdrawn. The retaining or damming structure at the entrance to the degassing zone can also be formed of pins associated with the housing. The conveyed material is mechanically and thermally satisfactorily made uniform by the inventive pin arrangement without material shearing forces, and can also be effectively and favorably degassed. High flow-through rates of the material can be achieved with high product quality.

Abstract: In a concrete production system, an improved aggregates conveying apparatus includes an aggregates drag conveyor having a lower, conveying run which drags aggregates along a centrally-located, common trough shared by separate fine and coarse aggregates hoppers to a discharge end and an upper, return run which moves through a hollow channel formed in a common wall separating the hoppers above the common trough. An improved cement metering apparatus in the system includes a cement conveyor mounted along a trough below the cement hopper so as to make an endless path around a floor of the trough. Baffle gates at each end of the floor coact with the conveyor to prevent inadvertent flow of cement past the ends of the floor and to only permit metered flow of the cement from the discharge end of the trough. The fine and coarse aggregates, and the cement discharge into a mixing auger where, after water is added, they are mixed into concrete before discharge from the auger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying out the Korsakovian dilution of a master tincture contained in a bottle. The bottle is drained through a vacuum pump acting by way of a control water trap. Then the feed station sends a dose of distilled water into the bottle while the agitator processes the mixture. With each new cycle a programmed display is provided.

Abstract: A hand tool comprising, a base panel, defining upper and lower surfaces, forward and rearward edges and two ends, a ridge formation extending generally upwardly from the forward edge of the base panel, the ridge formation including a front panel having a lower edge, first trough-defining member extending forwardly from the front panel, the first trough-defining member defining an upwardly directed trough and including an upwardly and forwardly directed first lip, a generally upwardly and rearwardly directed wall member extending from the rearward edge of the base panel, second trough-defining member extending generally rearwardly from the upper edge of the wall member, the second trough-defining member defining a downwardly directed trough and including a downwardly and rearwardly directed second lip, and, first stop members extending downwardly from the end of the base panel.

Abstract: A dispersion of polymeric particles in a non-aqueous liquid is mixed with water with sufficient agitation to initiate substantial dissolution of the particles into water and is substantially homogeneously dispersed into the water substantially immediately, for instance in less than 50 milliseconds from the initiation of substantial dissolution. Preferred apparatus is an orifice mixer having a mixing chamber 41 leading to an orifice 51 and supplied by an inlet 46 for dispersion, the inlet terminating in a valve 47 and an orifice 44, and an inlet 45 for water. The effective outlet area of the orifice 51 is adjusted by an eccentrically mounted aperture plate 52 and there is a shear helix 57.

Abstract: A high-speed fluid blender for liquid fertilizer employs a slurry-type of pump for both mixing and recirculation. The pump has a plurality of parallel spaced-apart blades, each of which comprises a disc having a central circular opening formed therein. One of the discs, such as the top disc, is driven by a shaft powered by a motor. The remaining discs are carried by the driven disc for rotation in unison. The discs are substantially alined coaxially of one another, and the disc assembly is housed within an annular pump housing. The circumferential edges of the discs have a substantial radial clearance with respect to the annular wall of the pump housing. This radial clearance increases in the direction of rotation of the blade assembly towards the discharge opening in the pump housing. A funnel-shaped hollow neck housing is secured to the bottom wall of the pump housing, in communication with the inlet opening therein, and diverges outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A foot scrubber comprising a housing, brushes attached to the inner surfaces of the housing, at least one suction cup for attaching the housing to a surface, a compressible dispenser for dispensing liquid soap when pressure is applied, an arm for applying pressure on the compressible means, and a handle rigidly connected to the arm by a substantially vertical shaft. The arm can be vertically displaced in a downward direction, thereby compressing the compressible dispenser, only when the handle is in a predetermined angular position. The suction cups attach the housing to a surface by a partial vacuum formed by pressing on the handle when it is not in the predetermined angular position. The suction cups comprise a valve which is in a closed condition when the partial vacuum is present. To dissipate the partial vacuum and thereby release the suction cups, the valve is placed in an opened condition. This is achieved by means of a release cable connected to a release lever rotatably arranged on the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for proportioning and mixing liquid components of a solvent has a chamber (12) with a rotatable piston (24) mounted in the chamber. The chamber has a plurality of liquid component inlets (18, 20 and 22). Rotatable piston (24) has a notched portion (30). Relative lengths of time the notched portion (30) is opposite the inlets (18, 20 and 22) determine the proportion of liquid components supplied at each inlet port (18, 20 and 22) in the solvent mixture. Rotation of the piston (24) in the chamber (12) mixes the liquid components introduced through the inlet ports (18, 20 and 22). Stepper motor (32) is controlled by microprocessor (52) driven control system (50) to position the notched portion (30) at the inlet ports (18, 20 and 22) for variable lengths of time.

Abstract: A small, light-weight stirring apparatus for stirring liquid solutions and suspension comprises a power source, a rotable or vibratory motor and an inexpensive, disposable hollow stirring shaft made of a polymeric material. The inexpensive hollow stirrer is disposed after each stirring operation, thus obviating cleaning of the stirrer.

Abstract: Novel rotary processors and devolatilizing methods which provide extremely efficient devolatilization of materials, including viscous and visco-elastic materials and which involve a devolatilizing stage including a rotatable element carrying a plurality of annular channels and a stationary element providing a coaxial closure surface operationally arranged with the channels to provide enclosed processing passages. Each passage of the devolatilizing stage includes inlet means, outlet means and a channel blocking member all associated with the stationary element and arranged and adapted so that material fed to the inlet can be carried forward by the rotatable channel walls to the blocking member for discharge from the passage. The passages are interconnected by material to transfer grooves formed in the closure surface and operationally communicate with a vacuum source to provide a highly efficient devolatilizing stage.

Abstract: Novel rotary processors including sealing means to control leakage of pressure and/or material between processing passages which are maintained at significantly different pressure levels. The processors comprise a rotatable element carrying a plurality of annular channels and a stationary element providing a coaxial closure surface operationally arranged with the channels to provide enclosed processing passages. Each passage includes inlet means, outlet means and a channel blocking member all associated with the stationary element and arranged and adapted so that viscous material fed to the inlet can be carried forward by the rotatable channel walls to the blocking member for discharge from the passage. The passages are interconnected by material transfer grooves formed in the closure surface.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating two liquid components from each other normally has continuously open outlets for both liquid components, an interface layer formed in the separating chamber between the separated liquid components being maintained at a predetermined radial level. The present invention concerns a special arrangement for continuous discharge of the light liquid component but intermittent discharge of the heavy liquid component. For this purpose, a first outlet channel (20) in the centrifuge rotor for the heavy liquid component communicates through a calibrated opening (24) with a stationary second channel (23) outside the rotor, said second channel comprising a shut off valve (31). An equipment (28) is arranged to indicate when an interface layer formed in the separating chamber (8) of the rotor between the separated liquid components has moved radially inwards to a certain level (29).

Abstract: A wire wheel cover brush, for cleaning automobile wire and style type wheel covers having a brush handle portion, tapering head portion and bristle portion. The brush bristle portion has a plurality of individual U-shaped or hairpin bent brush bristles gathered together in a plurality of tufts. The tufts are embedded in holes drilled or otherwise formed in the brush head portion and secured by fastening means. The tufts are arranged in three distinct groupings each in a circular pattern. The groupings are positioned in a triangular arrangement separated by a predetermined space to allow passage of the wire wheel cover spokes between the groupings, allowing the groupings to make maximum and direct contact with the back-up plate, simultaneously cleaning the back-up plate and wire spokes. An alternative embodiment is disclosed in which the brush bristles are of two different lengths.

Abstract: Accurate, contact-free measurement, outside the processing area, of the quantity of solid material in a centrifuge cylinder used in reprocessing nuclear fuel solutions. A mechanical vibration system consisting of the centrifuge cylinder and of a supplemental mass attached to the cylinder produces torsional vibrations by, for example, increasing or decreasing the speed of the cylinder drive shaft. The frequency of the vibrations reflect the quantity of solid material in the cylinder. A sensor senses the frequency of the vibrations and sends signals to a means for computing the quantity of the load from the frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a concrete mixer, particularly to a truck-mounted concrete mixer, comprising a drum and an actuatable additional mixer tool projecting into the drum from the bottom thereof substantially in the direction of the drum axis. A rotatably driven mixer tool of this type requires the employ of additional gearing, and a sealing assembly for the passage of its shaft through the drum bottom is very complicated and subjected to wear. In accordance with the invention, these disadvantages are avoided by the provision that the mixer tool is adapted to be moved in the axial direction. This permits a cylinder-piston unit to be employed as the drive source for the mixer tool. No gearing is required, and sealing as well as maintenance are simplified.

Abstract: In an arrangement for mixing a first gas into a main flow of a second gas, comprising a main conduit for said main flow and a plurality of supply conduits for the first gas which open into said main conduit, the supply conduits are arranged as at least one set of three outlet openings. This set consists of a first opening which opens into the main flow perpendicularly to the main conduit wall and two second openings which are arranged so as each to provide a lesser flow rate of the first gas than the first opening and are offset with respect to the first opening. The three openings of the set thus direct the first gas into two contra-rotating circulatory movements, as viewed in the direction of the axis of the main conduit. This mixing arrangement is applicable for example to mixing a hot gas into the gas obtained from an ore pellet drying bed and to mixing a hot gas into a water-laden gas from a desulphurization plant.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitating a fluid that contains a sludge-like material which is stored in an enclosure, such as a pit, storage tank or pond, includes an elongated frame with a motor and a propeller pivotally mounted within a guard at a lower end of the frame, a linkage assembly attached at one end to the motor and the propeller, and a handle pivotally mounted at an upper end of the frame and connected to the other end of the linkage assembly. The motor and propeller are pivotally mounted so that the propeller is pivotable in a generally vertical direction between a first position, generally along the axis of the frame, and a second upward position, angularly displaced from the first position, for directing the agitation caused by the propeller. In addition, the motor and propeller are mounted within the guard so that the propeller is prevented from hitting the floor of the enclosure when the apparatus is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for use in extruders of the screw type having an elongated passageway defined by a rigid barrel, the surface of which is susceptible to wear from abrasive, corrosive, adhesive or other severe wearing conditions. The improvement comprises a relinable barrel assembly having a housing, a removable sleeve liner and means for securing said liner in said housing. The housing has an elongated tapered bore therethrough, tapering from the feed end to the discharge end of the barrel (i.e. the largest cross-sectional diameter of the bore is at the feed end of the barrel). The sleeve liner has an elongated tapered exterior surface, shaped to mate tightly within the tapered bore of the housing, and an interior surface of wear resistant material, wherein the interior surface defines the passageway within which the screw of the extruder rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing articles, such as aluminum beverage cans. The crushing apparatus includes a primary crusher followed by a secondary crusher. The primary crusher is composed of a rotatable, polygonal-shaped drum having a blade mounted on each flat surface which projects outwardly beyond the surface. The articles or cans to be crushed are introduced into the area between the drum and a spring loaded pressure plate, and on rotation of the drum, the blades engage the articles and move them into the nip between the drum and the pressure plate to provide a primary stage of flattening of the cans. The cans are then delivered to the secondary crusher which comprises a pair of cooperating rolls, which more fully crush or flatten the cans and deliver them to a pneumatic discharge conveyor. The apparatus also includes a feed conveyor having a provision for rejecting steel cans, as well as heavy objects, such as cans filled with liquid or foreign materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of sterile suspensions and solutions is disclosed which includes a container wherein a starting mixture is subjected to high intensity mixing by means of a high speed, high shear external mixer disposed in an external recirculation loop. The mixer used in the present invention is a revolving hollow cylinder open at the bottom thereof and having grooves in the sides thereof, such that the mixture is drawn through the bottom of the mixer head and forced radially outwardly through the grooves. The mixer head is preferably disposed in the upper leg of a T-shaped fitting of the recirculation loop, and a special shaft seal is used to prevent leakage of the materials being treated along the drive shaft used to rotate the mixer head.