Abstract: A system for forming particulate material in a bulk form comprises a compression tower having a top and sides depending therefrom. A compression chamber having side walls and an open bottom is reciprocatively mounted to said tower for deposit of loose particulate material therein. The system further includes a first conveyor assembly displaced from said tower. In its extended position, the chamber contacts the first conveyor assembly and the bottom of the chamber is closed thereby. A vacuum blower draws loose particulate material into the chamber through an inlet and compresses it against the first conveyor assembly. A ram assembly within the chamber further compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. When the chamber and ram assembly are returned to their retracted positions, the material bulk is transferred downstream by the first conveyor assembly to a space between vertically spaced second and third conveyor assemblies.

Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particulate material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to a horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a packaging station having upper and lower conveyor assemblies. The material bulk is then recompressed and conveyed to a space formed between upper and lower assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans portions of upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby for transfer to downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies to maintain compression thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for supplying a predefined quantity of bulk material to a packaging system. An amount of bulk material which closely approximates the desired package weight is discharged from a surge bin into a loss-in-weight feeder. Accurate single package weight loading of the loss-in-weight feeder yields a lower percentage of weight variance during feeder discharge than more heavily loaded feeders. In addition, the apparatus includes weight bearing springs mounted within the weighing mechanisms of the loss-in-weight feeder such that the weighing mechanisms are not damaged by overloading. The method of accurate filling of the loss-in-weight feeder prior to discharge and the spring protected loss-in-weight feeder cause package portions having optimal weight variance to be supplied for packaging.

Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particular material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to an horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a space formed between downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans the upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby. The system diminishes the dislodgement of the particulate material from the bulk subsequent to its formation and transports and avoids the expenses of utilizing separately formed packaging bags.

Abstract: The waveguide window assembly disclosed herein is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a waveguide housing of a high expansion material such as aluminum. The window is formed of a glassy material having a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion and is provided with a frame of a material having a matching coefficient. The housing is provided with an opening for receiving the frame with substantial clearance. A wall member is interposed between the frame and the edges of the opening with solder filling the space between the wall member and the frame and also the space between the wall member and the edges of the opening, the wall member being constructed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is intermediate those of the housing material and the frame material.

Abstract: In the sealed feedthrough construction disclosed herein, a maximally compliant solder joint is provided between the low expansion ferrule of a glass insulted feedthrough connector and a bore in an enclosure bulkhead of a high expansion metal. The desired uniform radial thickness is established by providing a step on either the outer diameter of the ferrule or the inner diameter of the bore.