Abstract: Methods and apparatus for roasting a product with a heated granular bed are disclosed. A granular bedding, heat transfer material such as salt or the like contained within a rotatable heating chamber is directly exposed to a heat source which directs heat into the interior of the heating chamber. Heated granular material is then conveyed to a separate product roasting chamber and mixed with incoming particles of a product to be roasted. Internally disposed auger and flighting means facilitate movement of the commingled granular material and product through the roasting bin in response to rotation thereof. Separation means at the output of the roasting bin separates the processed product from the granular heating medium, and continuously returns the granular material to the heating bin for repetition of the process cycle. In one form of the invention the heating chamber is coaxially disposed internally of the rotatable roasting chamber to maximize thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A support frame equipped with shoulder straps is provided for support from the back of a hunter and a combined motor and winch assembly including a rotary winding member driven from the motor is supported from the frame. The motor and winch assembly projects outwardly of the side of the frame opposite from the side thereof which opposes the back of the person over whose shoulders the shoulder straps pass and the combined motor and winch assembly is supported from a base plate removably supported from the frame. The base plate includes fair lead structure for guiding the free end of an elongated flexible tension member wound on the rotary winding member and the side of the plate remote from the fair lead structure includes anchor structure spaced therealong on a line generally normal to a line extending between the winding member and the fair lead structure. The anchor means is of a construction enabling the opposite ends of a ground anchored bridle to be anchored relative thereto.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for roasting a product with a heated granular bed are disclosed. A granular bedding, heat transfer material such as salt or the like contained within a rotatable heating chamber is directly exposed to a heat source which directs heat into the interior of the heating chamber. Heated granular material is then conveyed to a separate product roasting chamber and mixed with incoming particles of a product to be roasted. Internally disposed auger and flighting means facilitate movement of the commingled granular material and product through the roasting bin in response to rotation thereof. Separation means at the output of the roasting bin separates the processed product from the granular heating medium, and continuously returns the granular material to the heating bin for repetition of the process cycle. In one form of the invention the heating chamber is coaxially disposed internally of the rotatable roasting chamber to maximize thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering feed products from animal manure are disclosed wherein the manure is fractionated into a silage component, a high-protein feed supplement, and a third component consisting essentially of insoluble minerals and indigestible cellulosic particles. A slurry of the incoming manure is formed and allowed to ferment to encourage the bacterial conversion of nitrogenous compounds into true protein and to lower the pH of the slurry. Special separators are used to separate the fermented slurry into solid and liquid fractions. The solid fraction which consists of undigested fibers and grains is washed to provide the silage type component. Insoluble minerals and indigestible cellulosic particles of the manure which appear in the liquid fraction as fine solids are removed from the liquid fraction (by centrifuging) to provide the third component. The viscous liquid fraction may be used as a high-protein feed supplement or the water in it can be evaporated to provide a dry product.