Abstract: A system and apparatus for preparing bulk quantities of dry colorant or pigment for blending with mortar are described. The system mixes pigments of black, red, white and yellow to prepare a batch of the dry colorant having a particular color. The pigments or dry colorant are generally a powder of metal oxide crystals. The system includes pigment dispensers, wherein each pigment dispenser includes a tote that is in flowing communication with a valve. A receptacle receives pigments from the exit opening of the vibratory trays. A control unit serially operates the vibratory trays to dispense the pigment from each tote. A scale measures the weight of the pigments in the receptacle. The scale is in operational communication with the control unit.

Abstract: A shock absorber (2) includes a piston assembly (6) and a damping fluid cylinder (4) having a first end (22) and defining a damping fluid chamber (56). The piston assembly includes a piston (14) mounted to a shaft (8). The piston divides the damping fluid chamber into first and second variable-volume parts (58, 60). At least one restricted flow path is provided between the variable-volume parts of the cylinder, preferably one (18) for compression and one (19) for rebound or extension. A sealing ice scraper assembly (30) is mounted to the first end of the cylinder. The scraper assembly includes a sealing ice scraper sleeve (34) having a generally cylindrical scraper surface (36). A gap of a desired size, typically quite small, is provided between the scraper surface and the shaft. A recess (38) is formed into the scraper surface and houses an outer fluid seal (40) therein.