Abstract: A new product is made by an improved pultrusion method including the use of repetitiously moved cooled consolidation plates by the action of which excess plastic resin is allowed to escape from the sides and wherein the flow of plastic carries and shapes transverse reinforcing fibers to curve along the edge of the product preventing delamination of the product. The repetitiously moved consolidation plates provide a more accurately dimensional product and require less pultrusion drawing force than the usual cup and plunger pultrusion die.

Abstract: The apparatus is a laminar shear resistant pre-impregnated resin tape for use in die forming pultrusuion processes, with the tape formed by integrating three distinguishable layers, each with integrated parallel reinforcing filaments. The layers are arranged within the tape so that the filaments of adjacent layers are oriented at angles to each other. The tape of the preferred embodiment of the invention is constructed with the filaments of the center layer at 90 degrees to the length of the tape and the filaments of the two outer layers aligned with the length of the tape. The center layer can be more heavily loaded with filaments than conventional tapes, and the outer two layers have less than the amount of filament load of the center layer.

Abstract: The apparatus is a laminar shear resistant pre-impregnated resin tape for use in die forming pultrusion processes, with the tape formed by integrating three distinguishable layers, each with integrated parallel reinforcing filaments. The layers are arranged within the tape so that the filaments of adjacent layers are oriented at angles to each other. The tape of the preferred embodiment of the invention is constructed with the filaments of the center layer at 90 degrees to the length of the tape and the filaments of the two outer layers aligned with the length of the tape. The center layer can be more heavily loaded with filaments than conventional tapes, and the outer two layers have less than the amount of filament load of the center layer.

Abstract: A new product is made by an improved pultrusion method including the use of repetitiously moved cooled consolidation plates by the action of which excess plastic resin is allowed to escape from the sides and wherein the flow of plastic carries and shapes transverse reinforcing fibers to curve along the edge of the product preventing delamination of the product. The repetitiously moved consolidation plates provide a more accurately dimensional product and require less pultrusion drawing force than the usual cup and plunger pultrusion die.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotary feeder device for transporting bulk shearable material. The rotary feeder comprises a main housing with a cylindrical passage therethrough, and an inlet port and a discharge outlet each communicating with the cylindrical passage of the main housing. There is a rotor disposed within the cylindrical passage that includes a plurality of pockets spaced peripherally thereabout which rotate successively past the inlet port and discharge outlet which are each defined by a pair of radially-extending rotor blades. The inlet port feeds material directly into the rotating pockets. At the very end of inlet port that is located directly above the rotating pocket area there is located anti-shearing edges that come in close communication with the outer free edges of the rotor blade as the latter rotate.

Abstract: An improved solid particulate matter blender which is essentially a cylindrical vessel with a hopper bottom and a central lift pipe through which pressurized gas is pumped in order to lift material from the bottom to the top for remixing. An internal cone structure mounted inside the conical bottom hopper improves the mixing action within the blender. A cylindrical extension is attached to the bottom of the internal cone structure and extends toward the bottom of the vessel. Material originating at various heights thus reaches the bottom and is lifted to the top together to accomplish the mixing action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending a material feed and/or separating debris from a material feed is disclosed in which a feed separator is used with a blender and/or debris separator. The feed separator separates a feed from the conveying air flow which conveys the feed and the conveying air flow, devoid of feed, is then used to blend the conveyed feed and/or separate debris therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating debris from a material product by recirculating the product in a product chamber with a fluid flow and using the fluid flow to entrain and remove debris.

Abstract: An integrated process blending apparatus which blends particulate material and also automatically controls the flow of material into the blender and out to the associated processing equipment. Load cells attached to the blender vessel are used to control the entry of material into the blender, while the pressure drop in the blender output pipe is used to control an output deflector to either remove or recycle material within the blender. The blender is also made more effective by dividing it into vertical compartments with separators which have angled portions preferably in their lower regions to cause different downward flow velocities in each compartment, and by creating a multistage blender by stacking sets of offset compartments one on top of another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for blending solid particulate material in a vessel which includes a center lift column and a first downcomer channel which includes n successive vertical sections and n flow ports respective located at a top portion of the n sections. The n sections include withdrawal structure for providing a volumetric outlet flow rate which includes a flow rate contribution from each of the n sections which is 1/n of the outlet flow rate. The apparatus can also include a second channel which includes a plurality of vertically spaced inlets for receiving particulate material from different vertical locations within a blending vessel of the apparatus and an outlet for returning particulate material to the lower part of the vessel, with each of the inlets of the second channel including a baffle extending into an internal flow area of the channel.

Abstract: An integrated process blending apparatus which blends particulate material and is also adaptable to store blender inventory to thereby integrate process feed with the blending function. The apparatus comprises a fluidized bed blending means to preblend that raw feed which is not send directly to the gravity blender. Overflow from the fluidized bed means is directed into a storage chamber means from which it can be withdrawn upon demand and sent into the blender. The blender is also made more effective by dividing it into vertical compartments with separators which have angled portions preferably in their lower regions to cause different downward flow velocities in each compartment, and by creating a multistage blender by stacking sets of offset compartments one on top of another.

Abstract: A loading system for light particulate materials. A storage hopper for granular material includes an airlock by which the material is fed into an air stream. The air and accompanying material are fed to a distribution pipe with multiple flexible downward projecting fill spouts which are spaced at regular intervals. Each spout has an associated control valve and air pressure sensor within the spout, so that as a container being loaded by the spout is filled, and the pressure in the spout increases beyond a preselected level, the spout is closed off and material automatically is transported to the next open spout. Air operated spreader heads may also be furnished at the lower ends of the spouts to assure that the container volumes are completely filled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending a material feed and/or separating debris from a material feed is disclosed in which a feed separator is used with a blender and/or debris separator. The feed separator separates a feed from the conveying air flow which conveys the feed and the conveying air flow, devoid of feed, is then used to blend the conveyed feed and/or separate debris therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending solid particulate material which includes a center lift or blending column with gaseous fluid under pressure supplied to the bottom of the column for entraining material in the vessel and lifting it up through the column to circulate material within the vessel. Recycle channels are provided on the periphery of the vessel for withdrawing material at various heights and supplying it to the bottom of the vessel for recirculation through the lift column. Each of the recycled channels includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart inlet openings each with a baffle positioned therein to permit material to simultaneously enter the recycle channel at more than one point along the height of the vessel. These baffles may be equipped with operators to selectively position the baffle to control the flow of material into the recycle channel. The apparatus also includes an arrangement defining a seal leg at the bottom of the vessel to ensure proper recycle of material through the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for blending solid particulate material. The invention employs equipment for enabling simultaneous drain and recycle, for selective top filling or bottom filling of the vessel, and for providing a bypass line for removing plugs which may form in the lift pipe. The apparatus includes a continuous blending unit which includes a sensor to measure the amount of material in the vessel by measuring its height or weight, and a controller, responsive to the sensor, for controlling the fresh particulate material feed rate and/or the material withdrawal rate so that the fresh material supply rate and the blended material withdrawal rate are proportioned to control the material level within the vessel to a desired level.

Abstract: A blender for solid particulate material such as plastic pellets which includes an apparatus for separating a fine fraction of material from the plastic pellets. This is accomplished by a separator shell which surrounds a vertical lift pipe in the blender. Gas under pressure is utilized to circulate material through the lift pipe from the bottom of the vessel to the top of the vessel to blend the material. As material is discharged from the vertical lift pipe, the air supplied through the lift pipe for lifting material flows through material dispersed within the separation zone to entrain the fine material and convey it through a vent to a high efficiency dust collector. A by-pass conduit and by-pass control valve are provided to control the velocity of gas through the separation zone to control the size particle of the fine fraction which is separated.

Abstract: A high capacity withdrawal system for a pellet blender which includes a venturi shaped gas supply nozzle mounted in the gas inlet, material outlet of the vessel. The venturi nozzle allows high velocity gas to be supplied to the bottom of the vessel for circulating material through a vertical lift column in the vessel. When it is desired to discharge material from the vessel, the flow control nozzle is moved away from the discharge opening to increase its effective size to allow rapid withdrawal from material from the vessel.

Abstract: A system for supplying a gas under pressure to a vessel such as a blender for particulate material which includes a central vertical lift column for recirculating material through the vessel to achieve blending. The system uses a first source of gas under pressure which may be a low pressure source suitable for a continuous operation of the blending apparatus. The system also is connected to a high pressure source of air such as plant air which is utilized as a supplemental source of air under pressure for initial start-up of the apparatus. A control system is provided which regulates the flow of the high pressure air to the gas supply conduit which acts as a reservoir for high pressure air. The control system allows the gas supply conduit to be pressurized.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pneumatically conveying solid particulate material which includes a vessel or blow tank which is supplied with particulate material to be conveyed from a suitable source. A riser pipe extends into the vessel and has a material inlet near the bottom of the tank with its other end flow connected to a transport line. A bottom discharge arrangement is also contemplated. Gaseous fluid under pressure is supplied into the vessel to pressurize the vessel and entrain and convey material through the riser pipe to the material transport line and to a remote use point. A by-pass line is provided for selectively connecting the pressurized inside of the vessel with the riser pipe/transport line at a point downstream of the inlet for material. This by-pass line serves to selectively vent gaseous fluid under pressure in the vessel to the material conveying line when system pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A system for transferring dry flowable material includes a substantially closed vessel having an inlet and a discharge end. A cycle valve and venturi are arranged between a source of fluid pressure and the vessel such that the cycle valve may be selectively actuated to pass pressurized fluid directly to the vessel or through the venturi. A suction line interconnects the vessel to the throat section of the venturi such that passage of fluid flow through the venturi establishes a suction within the vessel.