Abstract: A mixing device employs a rotating hollow column or pipe that is motor-driven for rotation, is open at both ends to, at its upper or outer end, receive an inflow of a mixing fluid, such a gas or liquid, and its opposite or lower end, to simultaneously receive a co-axial inflow of a fluid-like or flowable charge material that is to be thoroughly and substantially uniformly mixed with the counter in-flowing mixing fluid.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for pulverulent materials includes guide rods carrying a pair of opposed pressure plates having centers aligned along a common axis of rotation. A tubular frame encloses a three-dimensional volume disposed about said guide rods and pressure plates to shield the guide rods and pressure plates from inadvertent contact, and to mount an electric motor. The pressure plates are locked in position by a transmission shaft which is geared to a lead screw which engages the pressure plates.

Abstract: An outdoor cooker comprises a housing having walls defining a cavity, a lower portion of the housing for receiving fuel, an upper portion retaining a grill for supporting food and a deflector in the cavity interposed between the fuel and grill. Corresponding walls of the housing and outer surfaces of the deflector are arcuate, spaced apart and in conformance with each other to maintain laminar flow of heat between the fuel and grill.

Abstract: A railroad car trash compactor includes an elongated box defining an elongated trash compartment therein. A compactor blade is movably mounted within the box and is movable from a fill position adjacent the forward end of the box to a discharge position adjacent the rear end of the box. Discharge doors are openable at the rear end of the box to permit the expelling of trash from the box by means of the trash compactor. Steam jets are provided within the compartment for cleaning the compartment.

Abstract: This invention describes a heating system for use with a mortar mixing unit. The heating system is comprised of a series of heat exchanging portions used to inhibit freezing of the materials used to prepare mortar in extremely cold weather conditions. The first heat exchanging portion is used to heat the water used to mix mortar. The second heat exchanging portion is used to warm the mixing unit, which contains the water, aggregate, and sand. The third heat exchanging portion is used to warm the aggregate, which is contained in a silo.

Abstract: A fork scrubber is provided with zigzag bristles for effectively cleaning a utensil such as a fork or the like. The zigzag bristles are mounted within an oval tube into which a fork is inserted. The bristles are oriented perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the fork. As the fork is inserted, the zigzag bristles are pulled within slots between tines of the fork. Where the bristles provide sharp vertex points for scraping the inner edges of the tines. The bristles each have an oblong or rectangular cross-section having wide side surfaces. The wide side surfaces are oriented parallel to the direction of insertion of the fork to provide optimum resiliency. The fork scrubber thus provides a simple, inexpensive, and convenient tool for cleaning forks or other utensils having hard-to-reach places.

Abstract: In the cuvette rotor (20) having circularly arranged and radially extending individual cuvettes (10) which are closed on all sides, each of the cuvettes (10) has two chambers (1, 2) which are separated from one another by a barrier (11). Each chamber (1, 2) is provided with an orifice (3, 4) for filling. Vessels (9) which are closed on all sides are arranged between the individual cuvettes (10), the bottom part (15) of each vessel having a barrier (13) which divides the vessel into two chambers (5, 6), and the upper part (14) being provided with an orifice (22) in the area of the chamber (5) arranged close to the axis of rotation and with a guard (12), which protrudes into the peripherally arranged chamber (6), in the area of the peripherally arranged chamber (6).

Abstract: The present invention aims to evenly and surely knead a concrete material comprising less water amount. Concrete material layer entered into a kneading tank is cut in an up-and-down direction and divided into a plurality of layer sections arrayed side by side along a right-and-left direction, and one of the divided layer sections is piled up another one of the divided layer sections in the up-and-down direction, then piled up concrete layer sections are compacted, in other words are pressed in the up-and-down direction and extended in a horizontal direction, and further these steps are repeated.

Abstract: For use with large size containers having narrow entrance openings, the stirrer blade is mounted on a support rod for pivotal movement from an angled position which permits insertion into the narrow entrance opening to a perpendicular position suitable for stirring. The blade is carried on a slotted tube which has a recess into which a plunger connected to the end of the rod is movably received. The plunger contacts the upper edge of the blade. Once the blade is situated in the container, the rod is moved relative to the tube, causing the plunger to pivot the blade to the stirring position.

Abstract: The starter roll of a baler for rolling crop products into a large cylindrical bale has, in accordance with a first embodiment, a pair of ribs coated with or made of rubber or another friction enhancing material that are releasably attached to the roll for increasing its aggressiveness. In another embodiment, the roll has a pair of cylindrical shells releasably secured thereabout, the shells being coated with rubber or another friction enhancing material for increasing its aggressiveness.

Abstract: An automatic compactor-crusher for processing spent aerosol spray cans safely depressurizes, evacuates, and crushes cans for subsequent environmentally sound disposal and/or recycling. Fluid residue is safely captured within a reservoir. A vertically upright, supporting frame secured to a floor in the work area supports a telescoping can receiver assembly. The receiver assembly matingly receives cans for processing. A hydraulic crusher assembly located on top of the frame compresses cans against the receiver assembly with an extensible ram. The receiver assembly comprises a tubular sleeve which coaxially receives a displaceable cylinder. A rigid union at the bottom of the sleeve limits travel of the cylinder, and establishes a fluid flow path into a holding tank. A rigid valve guide projecting from the union mounts a fluid control valve for selectively blocking fluid escape from the receiver, and a rigid, canpiercing lance which punctures cans after sufficient ram displacement.

Abstract: A residential trash compactor with two compartments suitable for separating recyclable from non-recyclable trash.

Abstract: A cup member is arranged for scraping accumulated ice from a vehicular windshield, including a cylindrical body formed with a conical lower skirt projecting exteriorly of the cylindrical body and formed with a planar top wall, including securement apparatus mounted thereto. The securement apparatus may include an apertured flanged securement plate or alternatively, a handle member mounted thereto. The handle member may be further configured to include illumination means to provide illumination during conditions of limited available light for use by individuals in predawn hours.

Abstract: A continuous, low shear solids dissolution system involving a water supply system (100), polymer metering system (120), mixture feed tank (152), mixture pump (154), mixture transport conduit (172), undissolved polymer dispersal element (188), solution sieve assembly (210), and holding tank (250). The polymer-water mixture (156) is pumped through mixture transport conduit (172). Undissolved particles of polymer encounter dispersal elements (188) and the particles are more uniformly dispersed. Any particles which are carried undissolved out of the mixture transport conduit (172) are forced through sieve (214) to further disperse the polymer in the water. The undissolved polymer is completely dissolved by low shear agitation in a holding tank (250).

Abstract: A mixer (1) is provided with a cover (6) on its upside for diminishing the risk for air intake when the mixer operates near a liquid surface (10).

Abstract: A barbecue device is disclosed, which includes a cooking support member in the form of a slightly concave plate or grid. A support is pivotally connected to the rim of the cooking support member with the support being rotatable from a stowed position, at which the support overlies the upper surface of the cooking support member, to an operating position, at which the support extends downwardly from the cooking support member. A handle is pivotally connected to the rim of the cooking support member with the handle being able to be rotated from a stowed position, at which the handle overlies the upper surface of the cooking support member to retain the support thereon, to an operating position at which the handle extends outwardly from the cooking support member. The handle includes an extension adapted to extend beneath the cooking support member in the operating position, which also acts as a stop against further pivotal movement of the handle.

Abstract: The invention relates to motionless mixer elements having a plurality of connected baffles each with a pair of substantially symmetrical opposing major surfaces generally helically twisted along a central longitudinal axis of the baffle and an interconnection arrangement for serially releasably resiliently connecting such elements together on a common axis in desired orientations about that axis relative to one another.

Abstract: Driving member of the mixing centers are driven permanently by a transmission element for driving a coupling member with which a complementary coupling member of a stirring pot is brought in engagement. Each driving member comprises a pulley connected to the driving shaft of a coupling member by a resilient means associated with protrusions interposed between the shaft and the pulley, said protrusions disconnecting the shaft from the pulley when there is a unacceptable excess of a retaining torque applied to the coupling member.

Abstract: A rack for cooking barbecued ribs includes a plurality of curved legs which generally conform to the shape of the ribs. The legs are welded perpendicularly to a single longitudinal member. A handle attached to the longitudinal member makes it possible to manipulate the rack. The length of the curved legs decreases as the distance from the handle increases, thereby giving the rack a tapered form. Ribs barbecued on the rack cook quickly and evenly due to the improved distribution and concentration of heat.

Abstract: In a machine such as a press having at least one heating platen and one cooling platen, it is proposed to place between the said platens a variable heat conduction device (22a), when the operation of the machine requires a phase of heating the part without the application of pressure, followed by a phase of cooling the part under pressure. This device (22a) has two thermally conductive plates (32a, 34a), normally separated by a space under vacuum (52a) under the action of at least one deformable member (36a), which can be elastic or plastic. The application of the pressure passes the device (22a) from a thermally insulating state to a thermally conductive state.