Abstract: A device for conditioning particulate matter such as particalized soybean meats and hulls. The device includes a chamber. The chamber includes a lower increased velocity stage in which gas movement is accelerated because of constriction resulting from the interposition of a plurality of staves. The lower increased velocity stage is disposed beneath a normal velocity stage which is coextensive with a discontinuity in a side wall of the chamber through which particulate matter is introduced. Gas flow is introduced into the chamber proximate the bottom end thereof and is directed upwardly in a direction opposite that in which particulate matter passes downwardly under the influence of gravity. The velocity of the gas through the normal velocity stage is regulated so that heavier particulate materials will pass downwardly and lighter materials will pass upwardly.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for separating intermixed particulate materials. The apparatus (10) includes a housing (12) having a coaxial core (14) disposed therewithin to define an annular space (24) between the core (14) and the wall of the housing (12). A recirculator (46) is provided to provide gas to the housing (12) for cyclonic flow within the annular space (24). The intermixed particulate materials are introduced into the housing (12) and permitted to fall, under the influence of gravity, into the annular space (24) where separation is effected by interaction of the upwardly spiralling gas with the downwardly-passing, intermixed particulate materials.

Abstract: A device for removing coatings from granular materials such as hull-encased meats of grains. The device includes a housing within which is journaled a rotatably disposed drum. A wall is also mounted within the housing, the wall angling downwardly and being spaced at a distance from an outer surface of the drum to define a processing space therebetween. Typically, the processing space narrows downwardly within the housing. The drum is disposed for rotation so that any material fed into the housing through a hopper mounted on the top thereof will be drawn along the drum surface into the processing space. The processing space narrows sufficiently so that an abrasion is effected upon the material as it is deposited within the processing space because of the relative movement of the outer surface of the drum and the downwardly extending wall.

Abstract: A method of conditioning an oil seed for removal of the hull therefrom for subsequent processing of the meat portion of the oil seed. The method includes a step of passing the oil seed, under the influence of gravity, downwardly through a plenum (26) of an oil seed conditioner (18). A gas is introduced into the conditioner (18), proximate a lower end thereof, through an inlet (32). The gas passes upwardly in a counter-current relationship to the downwardly passing oil seed. A plurality of staves (24) are disposed within the plenum (26) and extend thereacross. Consequently, as the oil seed passes downwardly through the plenum (26) it engages and bounces off the staves (24). Downward movement of the oil seed is retarded by the upward flow of the gas and the staves (24). The impacting of the oil seed against the staves (24) effects loosening of the hulls, and the extended period of time the oil seed is maintained within the plenum (26) facilitates crisping of those hulls.