Abstract: A hand-held spreader is provided having a base with a mechanism for spreading particulate material response to turning a hand crank. The base is universally attachable to hoppers of different types which provide particulate material to the base for spreading. Different types of hoppers when attached to the base can adapt the spreader to spread different particulate material, such as of seed or salt. Teeth may be provided along upper edge of the hopper for use in scooping up particulate material into the hopper. Another type of hopper which can be attached to the base has a closed top end to provide a sealed container of particulate material, and has a sealing member releasable from the hopper to allow flow of particulate material from the hopper to the attached base.

Abstract: A sprayer head may be removably mounted onto a concentrate tank of a hose end sprayer. The sprayer head may include a valve assembly having a valve body having a first axis of rotation selectively movable between a closed orientation, a wet mode orientation, and a dry mode orientation. A metering plate may include a first annular series of spaced-apart flow-metering holes with each successive respective flow-metering hole has an increasing hole diameter adapted to withdraw a selectively adjustable amount of a concentrate from the concentrate tank when the valve body is in either the wet mode orientation or the dry mode orientation. The metering plate has a second axis of rotation which is non-coaxial with the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hose end sprayer includes a concentrate tank and a sprayer head. The sprayer head has an inlet end, an outlet end and a flow tube, along with a suction tube and a valve. When the sprayer head is closed, neither the first nor the second flow orifice communicates with the flow opening and the concentrate opening is closed by the valve body. When the sprayer head is in wet mode, the vent opening communicates with the concentrate opening as concentrate is drawn into the flow tube. When the sprayer head is in dry mode, the concentrate orifice communicates with the concentrate opening to direct a portion of the fluid into the concentrate tank. A metering plate injects a selectively adjustable amount of concentrate into the fluid stream. The sprayer head may further include a concentrate basket to hold a dry product within the concentrate tank.

Abstract: A flow control assembly includes a manifold coupled to a positive displacement pump. A fluid input unit is coupled to the fluid inlet and includes a diluent input to receive a diluent and a concentrate input to receive a selectively adjustable flow of a liquid concentrate. A mixing chamber combines the diluent and the liquid concentrate to form a mixed solution to be delivered to the pump. A bypass unit has a bypass conduit to receive a high pressure mixed fluid from the pump. A bypass valve is positionable within the manifold between a closed position and an open position. The bypass valve is closed when the high pressure mixed fluid is below a threshold pressure and open when the high pressure mixed fluid is above the threshold pressure. A portion of the high pressure mixed fluid is reintroduced to the mixing chamber via the bypass inlet.

Abstract: A hose end sprayer includes a concentrate tank and a sprayer head. The sprayer head has an inlet end, an outlet end and a flow tube, along with a suction tube and a valve. When the sprayer head is closed, neither the first nor the second flow orifice communicates with the flow opening and the concentrate opening is closed by the valve body. When the sprayer head is in wet mode, the vent opening communicates with the concentrate opening as concentrate is drawn into the flow tube. When the sprayer head is in dry mode, the concentrate orifice communicates with the concentrate opening to direct a portion of the fluid into the concentrate tank. A metering plate injects a selectively adjustable amount of concentrate into the fluid stream. The sprayer head may further include a concentrate basket to hold a dry product within the concentrate tank.

Abstract: A flow control assembly includes a manifold coupled to a positive displacement pump. A fluid input unit is coupled to the fluid inlet and includes a diluent input to receive a diluent and a concentrate input to receive a selectively adjustable flow of a liquid concentrate. A mixing chamber combines the diluent and the liquid concentrate to form a mixed solution to be delivered to the pump. A bypass unit has a bypass conduit to receive a high pressure mixed fluid from the pump. A bypass valve is positionable within the manifold between a closed position and an open position. The bypass valve is closed when the high pressure mixed fluid is below a threshold pressure and open when the high pressure mixed fluid is above the threshold pressure. A portion of the high pressure mixed fluid is reintroduced to the mixing chamber via the bypass inlet.

Abstract: A Czochralski growth system is described comprising a growth chamber, a feed port, and a feed chamber comprising a container for feedstock and a feeder. The feed port is disposed in at least one side wall of the growth chamber, and the feed chamber is attached to the growth chamber at the feed port. The feeder is insertable into the growth chamber through the feed port and supplies the feedstock into the growth chamber. Preferably this system can be used for producing silicon ingots using a continuous Czochralski method.

Abstract: A hand-held spreader is provided having a base with a mechanism for spreading particulate material response to turning a hand crank. The base is universally attachable to hoppers of different types which provide particulate material to the base for spreading. Different types of hoppers when attached to the base can adapt the spreader to spread different particulate material, such as of seed or salt. Teeth may be provided along upper edge of the hopper for use in scooping up particulate material into the hopper. Another type of hopper which can be attached to the base has a closed top end to provide a sealed container of particulate material, and has a sealing member releasable from the hopper to allow flow of particulate material from the hopper to the attached base.

Abstract: According to the disclosed embodiments, an illustrative product cartridge comprises first and second opposing walls separated by a distance defined by a product to be transported by the cartridge, the first and second walls configured to define a product access aperture to allow ingress and egress of a plurality of instances of the product between the first and second walls. The product cartridge also comprises product engaging members disposed on the first and second walls, the product engaging members configured to slidingly engage and secure the plurality of instances of the product in parallel when inserted into the product access aperture and at a defined spacing between the plurality of instances of the product. A transfer access aperture opposite the product access aperture is configured to allow an external object to substantially simultaneously push each of the plurality of instances of the product out of the product access aperture.