Abstract: Apparatus and method for segregating elongate cylindrical rods of undesirable alloy composition from rods having a desired alloy composition is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rod segregation table having an upper rod transport side for individually moving rods transversely in substantially parallel spaced relation across the table. A thermoelectric tester is positioned at an intermediate rod test position under the upper rod transport side of the table and includes two spaced electrodes maintained at different temperatures and being adapted and arranged to engage a rod as it is moved into the rod test position. A signal representative of the thermoelectrically induced voltage in the rod between the electrodes is generated and compared to a predetermined value. An offset drive signal is generated when the signal representative of the induced thermoelectric voltage is different from the predetermined value.

Abstract: A puncturing device for relieving the pressure in pressurized containers and allowing the collection of the released gases and residual contents by providing a generally bottle-shaped housing member for receiving a pressurized container in an inverted position, the housing being adapted at its lower end for attachment to a collection container and having an aperture to permit entrance of a puncturing device. A second flat member is provided for slidably engaging the upward facing end of the pressurized container to force the pressurized container downward within the housing member against a resilient beveled shoulder secured therein to create a seal, an angular third member with a puncturing device at the lower end thereof and attachment to a pivot point for moving the third member relative to the housing member for puncturing the pressurized container therein by forcing the puncturing device through the aperture in the housing member and into the pressurized container.

Abstract: A double-barreled gun adapted to inject a two component epoxy into a hole to anchor a hardware element therein. The base resin and hardener components of the epoxy are stored in separate foil packs received in parallel barrels of the gun. The gun includes a removable mixing manifold having a pair of end caps which fit into the leading ends of the barrels and are joined to a manifold pipe to whose outlet is attachable a mixing nozzle. Mounted within the rear of each cap across a port therein is a cutting element. Slidable in each barrel behind the pack is a piston whose rod extends from the trailing end of the barrel. An operating mechanism effects concurrent advance of the pistons to an extent limited by a retractable stop member.

Abstract: A sorter is described that optically differentiates acceptable objects from unacceptable objects. The sorter illuminates the objects as they move in a stream through a viewing zone with both visible and infrared light. The detecting system and circuit provides electric signals proportional to the light transmitted or reflected by the objects to a microcomputer system which in turn activates a rejection mechanism if unacceptable objects are viewed. The microcomputer system determines what objects are unacceptable by comparing signals for objects being viewed with stored signals for acceptable objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sorting and bundling flowers, comprising hanging the flowers separately in individual flower supporting members circulating in a first closed path; as they are traversing the path, designating the flowers as to at least one characteristic, such as stem length; depending on the designated characteristic, transferring the flowers to second flower supporting members circulating in a second path; grouping the flowers into groups of a limited number of flowers; and collecting and bundling a series of groups into a bunch. The individual flower supporting members are moved adjacent a transfer point from a transport position into a transfer position in a tract substantially perpendicular to the first path, while during transfer the second flower supporting members are held stationary and oriented in the direction of movement of the individual flower supporting members. The invention further relates to apparatus for applying this method.

Abstract: A buffer system for the temporary separate storage of flat articles such as letters for sorting, video coding or other postal processing, uses a buffer which acts as a mechanical RAM and contains a number of storage pockets for separate storage of articles. A conveyance system is provided by elastic clamping on an endless conveyor. The conveyance system is separately controllable in the storage pockets as a letter catchment, retainment and ejection device. Buffers are situated along a branching feed section. Letter logging signals are transmitted for every letter conveyed along the feed section and run in parallel with the branched feed section. These signals in all cases include a letter identification code assigned when the letter is fed into the system. At that stage an application control continuously makes a selection of letters which are eligible for discharge from the system. The system can readily be equipped either as a sorting system or as a video coding system.

Abstract: A product discrimination system using an off-loading conveyor with rotatably mounted bow tie rollers to convey product units past a sensing station. The sensing station includes four receptors arranged along the conveying path for sensing the physical attributes of products. Between the receptors are friction surfaces which contact the rollers to rotate same and, in turn, rotate the product units on the conveyor. During sensing, the product units are stationary. Ahead of the sensing station, an elongate friction surface is positioned to rotate the rollers. The four views of each product unit may be independently analyzed or may be compared. A ratio of the greatest and the least of the readings may be used to grade product units. The greatest or least may be used independently to grade or may both be discarded and an average taken of the remaining readings to determine an average of an attribute.

Abstract: Appliance to decant and recover powdery products in pneumatic conveyors, where air is tangentially driven into an annular passage inside a body, where it is subject to an expansion of the product and which it leaves through a conduit and an outlet pipe. The separated product is collected in a conical bottom part of the body for its recovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating debris from a material product by recirculating the product in a product chamber with a fluid flow and using the fluid flow to entrain and remove debris.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to ascertaining the condition (i.e. texture, maturity and extent of damage (if any)) of an agricultural commodity by: (a) inputting band-limited vibrations (i.e. limited to a specific frequency band); (b) sensing vibrational characteristics (e.g. energy, resonance, absorption frequency characteristics) resulting from the input vibrations, and; (c) analyzing the vibrational characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting or otherwise treating objects, wherein the apparatus includes an endless belt which is in contact with a guide by means of which the endless belt is given a curved portion. At least one path between the guide and the curved portion of the belt is provided for the passage of objects therethrough. The path has an inlet portion arranged to receive objects which have traveled thereto along a trajectory which has a substantial horizontal component at the inlet portion, and the path has a vertically disposed outlet portion. A feeder is provided for feeding the objects to the inlet portion of the path. The belt is driven so that objects passing into the path through the inlet portion thereof are centrifugally forced against the belt and carried thereby to the respective outlet portions. The objects are sorted or otherwise treated as they fall under gravity from the outlet portion.

Abstract: The use of electrostatic demulsification methods to separate fine particulates of differing surface characteristics is disclosed. In one example, particles of hydrophobic coal and hydrophilic kaolin clay, each of nominal 3.5 micron mass mean particle diameter, were separated from a variety of stable water-in-oil emulsions. 50/50 blends of coal of 4% ash and kaolin clay of 86.5% ash were used in the experiments. A variety of oils, water concentrations, solids concentrations, and emulsifiers have been used in this work. Externally applied electrostatic fields up to 1.2 kV/cm were used. Greater than 90% rejection of kaolin particles into the separated water phase was achieved with virtually complete recovery of the coal particles uniformly suspended in the oil phase.

Abstract: A multi-pass sorting machine includes a housing or supporting structure which has the configuration of an A-Frame. The A-Frame structure has a slanting front side supporting several individually functional devices and a slanting back side supporting other individually functional devices. The devices of the front side include an input feeder first transporting mechanisms, a singulating device, an accelerating mechanism, second transporting mechanisms, a bar code reader and associated electronic and computer equipment, a plurality of first sorting devices in the form of diverting vanes, an equal number of first pass stacker buffers, and a reversing member for transporting letters from the front side to the back side while at the same time retaining the same orientation of the letters to the planar surface as the letters go around the corner.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting and rejecting defective containers comprising a plurality of reflective infrared sensors, an electronic logic control and a container removal device. The system assesses the quality of the flange of the container and senses the height of the container by sensors irradiating the flange portion of the container with narrow beams of infrared light at varying heights and receiving radiation reflected from the flange portion. The acceptability of the container is determined by the quantum of reflected radiation received by the sensors. Unacceptable containers are removed by a high-speed pneumatic cylinder coupled to independently controlled, solenoid-operated air valves which govern the movement of the cylinder piston of the pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A centrifugal cleaner has a cleaning quotient greater than 0.5 and a rejects by weight performance value typically of less than 5% (e.g. less than 2%) for conventional paper pulp furnish. The tangential inlet nozzle to the side wall near the top of the cleaner body has a non-circular--preferably D-shaped--inlet opening so as to provide enhanced throughput. The cleaner body side wall includes an upper portion that is conical and extends past the top nozzle, a generally cylindrical center portion which significantly increases retention time within the cleaner, and a conical bottom portion in which a bottom nozzle is operatively disposed. The bottom nozzle has a rejects opening therein with a diameter that is about 25-45% (preferbly roughly 1/3) of the internal diameter of the side wall at the opening, and is about 25-45% (preferably roughly 1/3) of the internal diameter of the top nozzle.

Abstract: An improved screen plate for a pressure screening apparatus and a method for making the basket are disclosed wherein prestressed areas are provided at each end of each slot formed in the screen plate for minimizing crack propagation.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a rectangular principal frame (12) of moulded plastics material and subdivided by crosspieces (14, 16) to form sub-areas (18). Each sub-area receives as a releasable snap-fit a plastics moulded insert (20) in the form of a sub-frame carrying one or more tensioned screen meshes (FIG. 1). A peripheral sealing gasket may seal the joint between each sub-area (18) and the insert (20).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing impurities from plant fibrous material which constitutes residual products in the refining of tuber or root vegetables, fruits etc. The plant fibrous material is, for forming a first substance, adjusted to a TS content of at least approx. 25% whereafter the first substance is fractionated in a first screening device to form a first fraction. The TS content of the first fraction is reduced, for the formation of a first mass, whereafter the mass is dried, for the formation of a second substance. This is fractionated in a second screening device to form a second fraction which substantially exclusively consists of plant fibres.

Abstract: A high-intensity magnetic separator operating in a wet environment for separating magnetic particles from a fluid material comprises a separating unit which comprises a vertically extending housing having side walls defining a separating chamber, valved ducts for alternately circulating the fluid material and a washing liquid vertically downwardly through the separating chamber, and permanent magnets arranged adjacent the side walls of the housing for generating therebetween a magnetic field extending perpendicularly to the direction of circulation of the fluid material in the separating chamber.

Abstract: A manually operated appliance, particularly adapted for a two-component substance double dispensing cartridge, features two rams between which a thrust member is disposed in cylindrical sliding guides. Pivotably attached to the thrust member are ratchets, the pawls of which engage with an indentation extending on either side of each ram in order to move the rams, including the thrust pieces, in the direction of the cartridges. A thus guided thrust member, which is essentially movable only in parallel to the rams, provides for perfect force transmission and exact proportioning even when relatively great pressures occur and different diameters of the individual component cartridges are used.