Abstract: A peristaltic pump for supplying liquid color to a process machine, comprising a stepper motor including an output shaft, a drive roller mounted on the output shaft, and a collection of planetary rollers positioned about and frictionally contacting driven by the output shaft, for sequentially compressing a flexible tube carrying the liquid color thereby dispensing liquid color from the tube.

Abstract: A pneumatically powered pump for liquid color adapted to fit partially within a liquid color container having a body portion of the pump within the liquid color container adapted to be mounted on the underside of the container lid and being a single piece of molded plastic overlying an aperture in the container lid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular material from a supply thereof through a conduit to a plurality of receivers for temporary storage of the material prior to molding or extrusion thereof by drawing vacuum in the conduit using a vacuum pump and varying the vacuum pump speed in response to sensed vacuum level in the conduit proximate the pump.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying granular resin material by drawing vacuum over heating resin material in a vessel, while periodically purging the vessel with the material therein with dry air and bathing the vacuum dried material with dry air until furnished to a processing machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying granular resin material by drawing vacuum over heating resin material in a vessel, while periodically purging the vessel with the material therein with dry air and bathing the vacuum dried material with dry air until furnished to a processing machine.

Abstract: A gravimetric blender has a frame, at least one material storage hopper at the top of the frame including a hopper cover, a weigh bin located within the frame, below the hopper, for receipt of material from the hopper to be weighed and being adapted for downward discharge of the material in the bin after the material received from the hopper has been weighed, at least one load cell connecting the weigh bin to the frame for sensing the weight of contents of the weigh bin, a mixer within the frame below the hopper, for mixing material weighed in the weigh bin after that material falls downwardly from the weigh bin to the mixer, and a guide adapted for vertical movement of the hopper cover therealong between positions which the cover contacts and thereby closes the hopper and at which the cover is spaced vertically but maintained in a horizontal plane above the hopper so that the hopper is open at the top.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for air flow regulation comprise a vertically oriented tube and a sail assembly positioned in the tube and moveable therewithin responsively to air flow through the tube to regulate rate of air flow through the tube and stop air flow through the tube upon air flow rate through the tube exceeding a preselected value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for air flow limiting comprise a vertically oriented tube, a sail assembly positioned in the tube and moveable therewithin responsively to air flow through the tube to limit rate of air flow through the tube and halt air flow through the tube upon air flow rate through the tube exceeding a preselected value, and a moveable stop for adjustably changing the length of travel of the sail assembly thereby changing the maximum amount of air flow.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for furnishing process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof provides a loop conduit having respective ends receiving liquid color from the supply and discharging liquid color back into the supply, pumping liquid color through the loop conduit and discharging liquid color from the loop conduit at an intermediate position into a reservoir associated with a process machine upon liquid color level in the reservoir being at a low level limit.

Abstract: A moveable scale for weighing containers of liquid color, having a weighing tray that may be moved from a weighing position to a non-weighing position. When in the non-weighing position, the weighing tray is low to the ground, allowing for easy loading and unloading. When in the weighing position, force is sensed by one or more load cells located between the weighing tray and a scale assembly, which allows accurate measurement of the weight container and its contents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for air flow regulation comprise a vertically oriented tube, a sail assembly positioned in the tube and moveable therewithin responsively to air flow through the tube to regulate rate of air flow through the tube and to stop air flow through the tube upon air flow rate through the tube exceeding a preselected value with a detector for sensing when the sail assembly has stopped air flow thought the tube as a result of air flow rate exceeding said pre-selected value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for conveying granular plastic resin from a supply to receivers that retain and dispense the resin when needed by process machine include a vacuum pump, an air flow limiter connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump, a first conduit connecting the receivers to the air flow limiter, and a second conduit connecting the resin supply to the receivers.

Abstract: A portable scale for weighing containers, and includes a weighing tray that may be moved from a weighing position to a non-weighing position by a drive mechanism. When in the non-weighing position, the weighing tray is low to the ground, allowing for easy loading and unloading. When in the weighing position, force is transmitted to one or more load cells located between the weighing tray and a scale assembly, which allows for an accurate measurement of the container and/or its contents.

Abstract: A liquid color pump and method for operation thereof includes a diaphragm displaceable into a chamber to displace liquid color therefrom; a pair of solenoid valves, each having an inlet port, an exhaust port, and first and second output ports; a potentiometer sensing displacement position of the diaphragm and a processor actuating the solenoid valves responsively to a diaphragm position sensed by the potentiometer.

Abstract: A gravimetric blender has a frame, at least one material storage hopper at the top of the frame including a hopper cover, a weigh bin located within the frame, below the hopper, for receipt of material from the hopper to be weighed and being adapted for downward discharge of the material in the bio bin after the material received from the hopper has been weighed, at least one load cell connecting the weigh bin to the frame for sensing the weight of contents of the weigh bin, a mixer within the frame below the hopper, for mixing material weighed in the weigh bin after that material falls downwardly from the weigh bin to the mixer, and a guide adapted for vertical movement of the hopper cover therealong between positions which the cover contacts and thereby closes the hopper and at which the cover is spaced vertically above the hopper so that the hopper is open at the top.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting granular plastic resin into colored finished or semi-finished plastic parts include a process machine having a barrel with a vertically opening feed throat, a rotatable screw inside the barrel, and a color feed conduit assembly positioned at least partially within the process machine and extending into the barrel for passage of liquid color downwardly through the color feed conduit assembly into proximity with the screw.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing a quick connection and disconnection of pump components to a liquid color pump. Apparatus includes a male member received with a female member. The female member is formed from three plates layered on top of each other. Preferably, a quarter turn rotation of the male member in relation to the female member results in the securing of the pump component to the liquid color pump.

Abstract: A fitting allowing a quick connection and disconnection of liquid color conduits includes a quick disconnect plate assembly having three plates layered on top of each other, the top plate including guides sized to receive projections extending off structure to which the fitting is to be connected, with the middle plate including stops engaging with the same projections upon rotation of the structure.

Abstract: A gravimetric blender has a frame; a resin material storage hopper supported by the frame, including a hopper cover; a weigh bin located below the hopper for receiving resin material from the hopper downwardly discharging the bin contents after the contents have been weighed; a load cell, connecting the frame and the weigh bin, for sensing weight of the weigh bin; a mixer connected to the frame, below the hopper, for mixing received contents of the weigh bin; and a guide connected to the frame, for movement of the hopper cover therealong.

Abstract: A low pressure dryer for granular or powdery material includes a plurality of hoppers rotatable about a common vertical axis serially among material filling and heating, vacuum drying and material discharge positions; pneumatic piston-cylinder means for rotating the hoppers about said axis among said filling and heating, vacuum drying and discharge positions; means for heating contents of a hopper at said filling and heating positions; means for sealing a hopper at said vacuum and drying positions; means for drawing vacuum within a hopper at said vacuum drying position and means for selectably permitting downward flow of dried granular or powdery material out of a hopper at said discharge position where said hoppers move collectively and unitarily one with another.