Abstract: This is a new hydrofoil structure. The hydrofoil has a radial outer surface having a circumferentially curved portion conforming to and closely spaced from the inside surface of the screen plate. The hydrofoil's radial outer surface also has a flat surface radially inward from the curved portion.The radial outer surface of the hydrofoil is constructed to convey along the flat surface any particles or knots which get in the space between the flat surface and the inner surface of the screen plate.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone having a primary vessel with multiple inputs, a removable wide mouth top provided with a splash shield and adjustable atmospheric pipe, and quick open-close clamps for making the top quickly removable from and reattachable to the hydrocyclone vessel. A removable apex cone together with changeable wear plate is provided for the outlet and operating opening of the hydrocyclone. A removable vortex finder is also provided together with adjustable holddown rods provided on the top cover plate for maintaining the vortex finder in proper position within the vessel.

Abstract: A self-sterilizing humidifier for air to be breathed, of the type having endless porous media driven to be progressively immersed in a receptacle. Means are shown for periodically providing throughout the effective volume of water in the receptacle heated water at a temperature above about 180.degree. F while the media drive is actuated, the heated water being sufficient to progressively expose the media to bacteria-killing conditions. In one embodiment a heater chamber automatically discharges a charge of water heated above about 180.degree. F into the receptacle. In one such case a thermal actuator has sensitive parts exposed to water in both the heater chamber and the receptacle, the actuator releasing the charge when water in the receptacle lies below its sensitive part, and water in the heater chamber has reached or exceeds the selected high temperature.

Abstract: An improved tomato harvester separator of the type having lengthwise extending bars with lengthwise extending gaps between them, has series of slender resilient fingers extending in both directions from alternate ones of the bars. This placement of the fingers, with alternating fingerless bars adjacent to the rows of fingers, avoids the progression of the tomato plants and their tomatoes to one side of the separator during shaking and separation, and therefore is particularly useful in harvesters wherein the stream of separated tomatoes is divided to two sides of the machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating pecan nut meat from pecan weevil larvae which involves utilizing a liquid having a specific gravity less than 1.0, allowing the pecan nut meat to sink and the pecan weevil larvae to float, and the separation and recovery of the pecan meat in the substantial absence of the larvae.

Abstract: A blended coffee product comprising subsequently roasted ground green coffee beans (ground-roasted) and conventional whole bean roasted ground coffee (roasted-ground), and a method of its preparation including the steps of comminuting green coffee beans, roasting the comminuted green beans and mixing these roasted comminuted beans with conventional roast and ground coffee.

Abstract: Constituents of coffee extract which are normally insoluble are solubilized by a process involving removing the constituents from the coffee extract and adding an alkaline material to a dispersion of the constituents in an amount sufficient to raise the pH of the dispersion to at least about 7.0.

Abstract: The pressurized screening apparatus for screening fibrous material in liquid suspensions includes a fixed cylindrical screen mounted within a housing to form an inner chamber. An axially extending annular channel receives the suspension. A dilution liquid is passed tangentially into the channel. The dilution liquid helps in the separation of the acceptable fibers from the undesired constituent so that a large proportion of the acceptable fibers is fed through the cylindrical screen and a minimal amount of undesired material flows to the bottom of the annular channel as part of the rejects.

Abstract: In a fluid media gravity separator a concentrator bowl having a side wall and a bottom wall that slopes downwardly and inwardly, said bottom wall being formed with a central concentrate discharge port, a media feed injector having a passage with a discharge opening to direct fluid passed therethrough at a high velocity in a spiral path of decreasing radius over the bottom of said bowl that terminates at said discharge port, a splitter in said bowl at said discharge port with a splitting edge in spaced relation to the edge of said discharge port to divide material flowing over said bottom of said concentrating bowl in a spiral path as aforesaid into a portion that flows through said discharge port of said concentrating bowl and a portion that flows upwardly of the central portion of said concentrating bowl, a vortex tube in said concentrating bowl overlying said splitter with its input end overlying said splitter to receive the portion of material split by said splitter that is directed upwardly in said bowl,