Abstract: A bulk material conveying system includes a closed chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a conveyor communicating with the chamber outlet for receiving bulk material from the chamber. A pressurized gas is supplied to the upper portion of the chamber and to the conveyor to provide a pressure differential in the chamber which causes the bulk material in the chamber to flow through the outlet and conveyed through the conveyor. A pressure regulator is provided for automatically maintaining the pressure in the upper portion of the chamber at a predetermined value not to exceed a pressure sufficient to maintain the pressure differential during normal material flow rate conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating tramp particles from comparatively lighter particles of product being conveyed, both entrained in a fluid stream within a pipeline of a pneumatic conveying system, generally comprising a passageway through which the fluid stream with the entrained particles is conducted, the fluid passageway including a section having a progressively increasing cross-sectional area whereby the velocity of the fluid stream is caused to decrease as it traverses through the passageway, a baffle disposed in the path of the fluid stream traversing through the passageway for laterally deflecting the fluid stream flowing at a reduced velocity whereby the tramp particles are caused to gravity fall from the fluid stream while the product particles remain entrained therein, and a receptacle for receiving the tramp particles discharged from the fluid stream.

Abstract: A rotary valve which is particularly useful in handling foodstuff or materials which will not tolerate cross-batch contamination, the valve including a housing having an inlet and an outlet which may be connected to a pneumatic conveying duct or the like, and having an access open end, a detachable closure means mounted on the housing for closing the opening and, a drive shaft journalled in the housing having a free end disposed between said inlet and outlet, adjacent the closure, a rotor mounted on the free end of the shaft having an annular surface engageable with the housing, the annular surface having at least one recess communicable with the inlet and outlet by rotating the drive shaft for conveying material from the inlet to the outlet, a first axial seal disposed between the housing and the rotor, and a second axial seal disposed between the rotor and the closure in substantial longitudinal alignment with the first axial seal.

Abstract: A self-aligned flanged coupling for a pair of product transport pipes comprising a male member, a female member disposable in coupling relation to the male member, a clamping assembly mating with the male and female members for releasably securing the members, and an O-ring for disposed between the male and female members, wherein the male member comprises a first pipe, an annular flange for receiving the O-ring extending outwardly and circumferentially about the outer diameter of the first pipe and secured to the pipe having a recess disposed therein to receive the O-ring, wherein the pipe extends beyond the annular flange, wherein the female member comprises a second pipe, a support extending outwardly and circumferentially about the outer diameter of the second pipe, wherein the support extends beyond the second pipe, and a flanged portion extending outwardly from the second pipe and secured to the support having an orifice therein also adapted to receive the O-ring, wherein the O-ring is disposed within t

Abstract: An apparatus for handling communited materials including a material hopper defining a zone into which the material may be deposited, a filter device having an inlet communicating with the material depositing zone, a pump defining a chamber for receiving material from the hopper, a valve for controlling the supply of material from the hopper to the pump chamber, a device for injecting fluid under pressure into the pump chamber to flush material disposed therein through a pump outlet, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid into the pump chamber, a venting conduit intercommunicating the pump chamber and the inlet of the filter device, and a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the venting conduit.

Abstract: In a rotary valve assembly including a housing having a valve chamber and a removable cover member defining an end wall of the chamber, a drive shaft journaled in the housing and having an end portion projecting into the valve chamber and a rotary valve disposed in the valve chamber and slidably mounted on the drive shaft end portion whereby the rotary valve may be removed from the housing by removing the cover member and sliding the rotary valve off of the drive shaft end portion and passing it through the opening provided by the removal of the cover member, means for detachably securing the rotary valve on the drive shaft end portion generally consisting of the drive shaft having an opening therein, the rotary valve having an opening therein registrable with the drive shaft opening, a pin inserted in the rotary valve and drive shaft openings when the openings are in registry, and cooperative means disposed on the pin and one of the drive shaft and the rotary valve for yieldably retaining the pin in the open

Abstract: A product pump assembly including a product pump having a product receiving inlet, a product discharge outlet, a product chamber, and an air port. A cone-shaped feed valve in the product chamber is forced upwards against the inlet thereby sealing it when pressurized air is forced through the port into the chamber, during the evacuation cycle of the pump assembly. The pressurized air is deflected against the valve sweeping the product out of the chamber through the outlet and via a delivery line to the product collector. An ejector is energized during the fill cycle to withdraw the air from the chamber through the air port, thereby opening the valve and pulling the product into the chamber.

Abstract: A rotary valve having a housing enclosing a drive shaft and a rotor assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, an access end, and a detachable closure plate for closing the access end. The drive shaft, which is journalled in the housing, has a shaft end disposed generally between the inlet and the outlet and the rotor assembly is removably mounted on this shaft end. The rotor assembly has a surface including at least one recess, which is communicable with the inlet and with the outlet by rotating the drive shaft, for conveying material from the inlet to the outlet. The housing has an inwardly-disposed cylindrical surface generally concentric about the drive shaft. A teflon seal is positioned between the drive shaft and the cylindrical surface and has a seal outer surface engaging the cylindrical surface. The seal is formed of a plurality of adjacent rings configured so that they expand radially when axial pressure is applied.

Abstract: A rotary valve which is particularly useful in handling foodstuff or materials which will not tolerate cross-batch contamination, said valve including a housing having an inlet and an outlet which may be connected to a pneumatic conveying duct or the like, and having an access open end, a detachable closure mounted on said housing for closing said opening and, a drive shaft journalled in said housing having a free end disposed between said inlet and outlet, adjacent said closure, a rotor mounted on the free end of said shaft having an annular surface engageable with said housing, said annular surface having at least one recess communicable with said inlet and outlet by rotating the drive shaft for conveying material from said inlet to said outlet, a first axial seal disposed between said housing and said rotor, and a second axial seal disposed between said rotor and said closure, in substantial longitudinal alignment with said first axial seal.