Abstract: A dryer hopper assembly that promotes even drying of particulate matter across the horizontal cross-section of the hopper. In an aspect, the hopper promotes airflow up and alongside the interior wall of the hopper in counter-current flow to particulate material passing through the hopper. In one or more aspects, heating and thus drying of the material is promoted from the interior periphery of the horizontal cross-section of the hopper assembly towards the central axis of the hopper.

Abstract: A dryer hopper assembly that promotes even drying of particulate matter across the horizontal cross-section of the hopper. In an aspect, the hopper promotes airflow up and alongside the interior wall of the hopper in counter-current flow to particulate material passing through the hopper. In one or more aspects, heating and thus drying of the material is promoted from the interior periphery of the horizontal cross-section of the hopper assembly towards the central axis of the hopper.

Abstract: The spindle assembly is self-centered on the end of the cylindrically shaped cartridge filter by a three-point grip on the perimeter. A similar spindle assembly is attached to the other end of the cartridge filter such that its axis of rotation is the same as the axis of rotation for the first spindle assembly. The tip of one spindle assembly is rested on the ground while the tip of the other spindle assembly is held by a user's hand. A pressurized stream of air or water is directed at the cartridge filter with the user's other hand such that the stream causes the whole to rotate. The speed of rotation is brought high enough to fling debris from the filter and thus clean it.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a closed-end cartridge filter begins by mounting a spindle assembly to one end of a cartridge filter. The spindle assembly is self-centered on the end of the cylindrically shaped cartridge filter by a three-point grip on the perimeter. A similar spindle assembly is attached to the other end of the cartridge filter such that its axis of rotation is the same as the axis of rotation for the first spindle assembly. The tip of one spindle assembly is rested on the ground while the tip of the other spindle assembly is held by a user's hand. A pressurized stream of air or water is directed at the cartridge filter with the user's other hand such that the stream causes the whole to rotate. The speed of rotation is brought high enough to fling debris from the filter and thus clean it.

Abstract: A water filter includes a cartridge filter element mounted on a coaxial bearing so it can be spun. During normal operation, a pressure tank enclosure allows the outside of the cartridge filter element to be submerged. Filtered water is then collected by a filtered-water return inside the cartridge filter element. An air vent disposed in the pressure tank housing allows water to drain away before starting a cleaning cycle, and to bleed off trapped air before returning to normal operation. During cleaning, a flow of clean water is applied to the filtered-water drain. A wash drain in the bottom of the pressure tank enclosure allows used cleaning water to flow out. The reverse water flow through the filtered-water drain forces closed a flapper valve. This, in turn, causes a water spray jet manifold to fill under pressure and cleaning water sprays out from slightly offset nozzles directed at the cartridge filter element.

Abstract: A cartridge-filter cleaning spinner comprises a handheld spindle rod that can accommodate a variety of filter sizes. The spindle rod has two inward pointing slip-ring hand-tightened hubs. A cartridge filter is loaded on the spindle rod by removing one of the slip-ring hand-tightened hubs, slipping the cartridge filter onto the spindle snug against the other slip-ring hand-tightened hub, and then reinstalling the first slip-ring hand-tightened hub on the spindle rod. The cartridge filter is then free to spin around while the spindle rod handles themselves remain stationary. A water jet from a garden hose is then directed at one end of the cartridge filter to one side so the cartridge filter begins spinning. The water jet is then worked down slowly to the opposite end while keeping the spinning action going. The process is then repeated, but with the water jet directed to the other side so the cartridge filter spins in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Particulate plastic materials are moved from a supply hopper through a former and formed into a product, the product is cut, and the scrap from the cut product is moved from the cutting area back to the supply hopper by an open conduit pneumatic induction system. The induction system includes a blower and an approximately L-shaped induction conduit with its first leg receiving the exhaust of the blower and its second leg including a Venturi throat. An induction opening is formed in the induction conduit and a scrap feed nozzle is telescopically mounted in the induction opening and has its discharge movably supported in the Venturi throat. The scrap feed nozzle is adjustable with respect to the Venturi throat so as to adjust the system to the most energy efficient position for required operating conditions.

Abstract: A fueling unit apparatus (10) for use between a fuel receiver (14), an inlet line (50), and a vent assembly (44) comprising:(a) a double-walled tubular member (18, 20) insertable into the top of a fuel receiver (14);(b) means (22) for retaining a portion of the double-walled tubular member externally as to the receiver (14);(c) means (46) for connecting an inlet line (50) to that portion of the double-walled tubular member's outer wall member which is external to the receiver (14);(d) a passage (28) defined by the inner wall members (20) of the double-walled tubular member which communicates between the vent assembly (44) and the receiver (14);(e) a passage (26) defined by the inner (20) and outer wall (18) members of the double-walled tubular member which communicates between the inlet line (50) and the receiver (14);(f) means (40) for connecting a vent assembly (44) to that portion of the double-walled tubular member's inner wall (20) member which is external to the receiver (14); and(g) at least one port (

Abstract: A system for drying particulate materials such as amorphous polyethylene teraphthalate or other materials that tend to fuse or agglomerate while being heated includes the steps of directing into the lower portion of a dispensing hopper filled with particles of the material a stream of hot dry air at a temperature above the temperature range in which the particles are unstable and tend to cling to one another and allowing the stream of air to pass upwardly through the particles in the hopper and to transfer its heat to the particles and form a temperature gradient in the body of particles in the hopper which is higher than the critical temperature range of the material at the lower portion of the hopper and which causes the particles to pass through the critical temperature range as the particles are dispensed downwardly from the hopper. The particles are agitated in the critical temperature range to prevent the particles from clinging to one another.

Abstract: A scrap recovery and feed system wherein scrap plastic is recovered from a plastic manufacturing process, such as in the manufacture of sheet, film, formed or molded objects, and the scrap plastic is chopped up and fed back to the processing machine along with the base material, such as a virgin plastic material and various additives. The scrap is fed with an auger from an upper hopper toward the outlet opening of a lower hopper containing the base material. The materials are mixed just prior to entry in the extruder or other processing machine.