Abstract: An insert for a liquid-holding container may include a body comprising a wall, an open top end and a bottom end, and a generally tubular lumen extending from the open top end to the open bottom end. The insert may include a plurality of first openings formed in the wall, the first openings being situated between the top and bottom ends, wherein each of the plurality of first openings defines an area, and wherein the plurality of first openings have substantially the same dimensions. The insert may include one or more second openings formed in the wall, the one or more second openings being situated between the top and bottom ends, wherein each of the one or more second openings defines an area that is greater than the area defined by any of the first openings, wherein the one or more second openings have substantially the same dimensions.

Abstract: A storage vessel assembly for storing chemical includes a storage vessel, a frame for housing the storage vessel, an agitation device disposed in the storage vessel, a temperature control system coupled to the storage vessel, and a controller configured to operate the agitation device and the temperature control system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a container assembly and a food processing system (20) comprising thereof. The container assembly includes a sealable body including a chamber (32), a chamber opening (56) formed in the sealable body, and a vacuum sealing assembly (52) mounted to the sealable body adjacent the chamber opening (56). The vacuum sealing assembly (52) includes a needle valve (60) having a needle valve opening formed therein. The needle valve (60) is movable relative to the chamber opening (56) such that the needle valve opening is movable into and out of the chamber (32). A biasing mechanism (74) is operably coupled to the needle valve (60) to move the needle valve opening out of the chamber (32).

Abstract: A static mixer for liquids or gases includes a housing having a continuous inner surface defining a fluid flow path for liquids or gases, an inlet to the fluid flow path, and an outlet from the fluid flow path, and an insert extending longitudinally through the fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The insert is elastically expansive to exert outwardly directed pressure against the continuous inner surface of the housing. In one embodiment, the insert is hollow and has deflectors dispersed therethroughout and each projecting inwardly into the fluid flow path. In another embodiment, the insert includes a helical deflector extending inwardly into the fluid flow path from the continuous inner surface, and helically about a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: An improved blending apparatus for manufactured wood products with a rotating blending drum or cylinder with a pattern of alternating flights of different configurations extending from the interior of the drum. The flights lift the strands as the drum rotates to different heights before the strands free-fall back to the bottom of the drum. One flight is shorter, and may be trapezoidal in cross-section. The second flight is taller, and may have a “bull-nose” configuration with substantially vertical sides. During operation, the design of the bull-nose flight tends to hold more strands and to carry them closer to the top of the drum before the strands drop and fall. In contrast, the shorter height and angled sides of the trapezoidal flight tends to hold fewer strands and to not carry them as high along the side before strands drop and fall.

Abstract: A container (32) includes a sealable body including a chamber (42), at least one opening formed in the sealable body, and a vacuum sealing assembly (52) mounted to the sealable body adjacent at least one opening. The vacuum sealing assembly (52) includes a valve (60) and a mechanism (70) moveable between a first position that maintains the valve (60) in a sealing engagement with at least one opening and a second position that removes the valve (60) from the sealing engagement or exposes the valve (60) for removal from the sealing engagement.

Abstract: A mixer having a discharge screw centrally located between first and second side walls and disposed in a cavity provided in the bottom. The discharge screw has (a) a shaft with a first end that extends through a first end wall and (b) a driven end opposite the first end of the shaft, with the driven end being connected to a motor shaft for rotating the discharge screw in at least one direction. The driven end has a recessed portion that extends into the second end wall of the vessel. The mixer may include a deflector that is fixed to the second end wall and extends toward the first end wall and is located between the mixing blades and the discharge screw.

Abstract: A mixing method using a mixing machine including a support having a receiving housing including first receiving location configured to receive a first deformable capsule and a second receiving location configured to receive a second deformable capsule. The first and second capsules are fluidly linked and respectively contain a first formulation and a second formulation, the mixing machine includes an actuation system having a first actuation member configured to transmit a pressure force on the first capsule and of a second actuation member configured to transmit a pressure force on the second capsule. The mixing method includes a preparation phase that includes, successively: setting in motion the second actuation member; setting in motion the first actuation member, along a stroke lower than its actuation stroke; and heating by the heater element.

Abstract: A liquid polymer or chemical activation system, having a chamber; a top cover plate, a middle cover plate and a bottom cover plate; wherein such configuration creates a hollow space inside the chamber that is flanked by the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate; a hybrid pump blending reactor having a progressive cavity pump and one or more inlets for receiving first and second substances; an upper multistage mixing cup configured to receive the first and second substances from the hybrid pump blending reactor; at least one high shear mixer for mixing the first and second substances; at least one submersible actuator for actuating the high shear mixer; an intermediate blending section for receiving the mix of first and second substances from the upper multistage mixing cup; a lower multistage aging cup for further mixing of the first and second substances; and at least one outlet on the bottom cover plate for releasing the mix of first and second substances.

Abstract: Guard for impellers, methods of using the guards, impeller assemblies including the guards mounted to impellers, impeller systems, and biocontainer systems including the impeller systems, are disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-purpose handheld kitchen appliance includes a controller configured to customize various aspects of the appliance based upon a type of attachment coupled to the appliance, e.g., to controllably vary a motor speed, to selectively disable an activation control, and/or to rotate a display based on a type of attachment and/or a gyroscope input.

Abstract: A micro puree machine has a drive motor positioned within a lower portion of a housing extending along a vertical axis. A mixing shaft positioned within an upper portion of the housing extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the vertical axis. The bowl of ingredients is installed to an angled surface of the upper portion of the housing along the mixing shaft axis, allowing for easier viewing of the bowl installation.

Abstract: A mixer and method for mixing are provided. The mixer includes a housing including a fluid inlet, an additive inlet, and an outlet. The housing defines a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, the additive inlet, and the outlet. The mixer also includes an impeller disposed in the mixing chamber. When rotated, the impeller pumps fluid through the fluid inlet. The mixer also includes a slinger disposed in the mixing chamber and configured to receive the fluid from the impeller and to receive an additive from the additive inlet. When rotated, the slinger slings the fluid and the additive radially outwards. The mixer further includes a flush line extending between the mixing chamber and the additive inlet. The flush line is receives, from the mixing chamber, a portion of the fluid pumped by the impeller and to deliver the portion of the fluid to the additive inlet.

Abstract: A magnetic mixing device designed to mix fluid in a reaction chamber and remove air bubbles if present. The device comprises a holder with embedded magnets, which causes movement of a stir bar within the reaction chamber. The holder may be moved by an electric linear actuator configured to generate linear motion or an electric motor configured to generate a circular motion. When orientated so the stir bar moves vertically within the reaction chamber, the stir bar disrupts any air bubbles trapped within or below the fluid.

Abstract: The contacting device for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades and a second pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip where the deflector blades cross each other or adjacent opposed ends of the deflector blades and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.

Abstract: Nozzle control assemblies for a micro-puree machine include a bowl having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first and send ends, the sidewall defining an interior volume of the bowl. The second end includes a nozzle in fluid communication with an interior of the bowl. A stopper is configured to be arranged in a first position, in which the stopper covers the nozzle, and a second position, in which the stopper does not cover the nozzle. A dial is assembleable to the second end of the bowl and configured to control extrusion of ingredients from the interior volume of the bowl through the nozzle.

Abstract: An ultrasonic generation device and a concrete forming system are provided. The ultrasonic generation device includes a housing, a rotary vibration member, and a shaft body. The housing is provided with an air inlet. The rotary vibration member is disposed in the housing. The shaft body is relatively fixed to the housing, the rotary vibration member is sleeved on the shaft body, and the rotary vibration member and the shaft body are rotatable relative to each other. The shaft body is provided with a main air passage and a jet hole, a first end of the main air passage is in communication with the air inlet and a second end of the main air passage is in communication with the jet hole, the jet hole is provided in the shaft body at a position corresponding to the rotary vibration member.

Abstract: A food processor system includes a user interface including a plurality of indicators, the user interface configured to receive a user input. A monitoring device is configured to detect at least one property associated with processing one or more food items and generating at least one detection signal. A controller is configured to control operations of a controllable component based on receiving the at least one detection signal, identifying one or more types of food items based on the received at least one detection signal, activating of a first indicator of the plurality of indicators on the user interface, and determining of one or more food processing actions based at least in part on the identified one or more types of food items.

Abstract: A machine for and method of making a paste of active material for application to a grid to make a plate for a lead acid battery. In the machine and method sulfuric acid, at least one dry additive and red lead or leady oxide are mixed together and the mixture is cooled by a plurality of cooling zones to maintain the mixture at a temperature not greater than a predetermined maximum temperature.

Abstract: Micro puree machines have a locking assembly for locking a container to a coupling on the machine, preventing the container from rotating out of the coupling during processing. The locking assembly includes at least one protrusion on the container configured to slidably engage a slot on an interior surface of the coupling when the container is rotated in a clockwise direction. The coupling has a clip that is moveable from a first position, in which the clip prevents rotation of the container in the counterclockwise direction, to a second position, in which the clip allows rotation of the container in the counterclockwise direction. The clip is spring biased toward the second position. Pressing a button on the coupling moves the clip from the first to the second position.