Abstract: A system for handling erose materials including a tank for holding a liquid, and a tumbler mounted in the tank with at least an upper portion extending above the liquid level. The tumbler has a perforated or screen wall to allow materials of a selected size to pass through and fall toward the bottom of the tank. As the remaining materials pass along the tumbler, some will be broken down to the desired screen size by the tumbling action, and these too will pass through the tumbler wall and fall toward the tank bottom. The unselected materials will continue to be treated by tumbling until they pass out of the tumbler. A first conveyor mounted in the tank collects and conveys screened materials out of the tank. A second conveyor mounted in the tank collects and conveys unscreened materials that pass through the output end of the tumbler out of the tank.

Abstract: A device for conditioning particulate matter such as particalized soybean meats and hulls. The device includes a chamber. The chamber includes a lower increased velocity stage in which gas movement is accelerated because of constriction resulting from the interposition of a plurality of staves. The lower increased velocity stage is disposed beneath a normal velocity stage which is coextensive with a discontinuity in a side wall of the chamber through which particulate matter is introduced. Gas flow is introduced into the chamber proximate the bottom end thereof and is directed upwardly in a direction opposite that in which particulate matter passes downwardly under the influence of gravity. The velocity of the gas through the normal velocity stage is regulated so that heavier particulate materials will pass downwardly and lighter materials will pass upwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a solvent from solid or granular particles. The apparatus includes a fully enclosed vessel having multiple stages for effecting the solvent removal therein. Each stage includes an upper deck and a lower deck extending across the width of the vessel generally parallel to one another over a substantial portion of the length of the vessel. A first gear and a second gear are operatively located beyond the ends of the upper and lower decks. A means for conveying solid particles forms a continuous loop extending from the first gear over the lower deck, around the second gear and over the upper deck and back to the first gear. Drive means are provided for rotating the means for conveying solids. The lower deck is heated to a sufficient temperature to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the solvent contaminating the solid particles as the particles are conveyed over the heated deck.

Abstract: A method of conditioning an oil seed for removal of the hull therefrom for subsequent processing of the meat portion of the oil seed. The method includes a step of passing the oil seed, under the influence of gravity, downwardly through a plenum (26) of an oil seed conditioner (18). A gas is introduced into the conditioner (18), proximate a lower end thereof, through an inlet (32). The gas passes upwardly in a counter-current relationship to the downwardly passing oil seed. A plurality of staves (24) are disposed within the plenum (26) and extend thereacross. Consequently, as the oil seed passes downwardly through the plenum (26) it engages and bounces off the staves (24). Downward movement of the oil seed is retarded by the upward flow of the gas and the staves (24). The impacting of the oil seed against the staves (24) effects loosening of the hulls, and the extended period of time the oil seed is maintained within the plenum (26) facilitates crisping of those hulls.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved extractor (10) for removing a liquid from a solid carrier medium in which the liquid is entrained. The extraction process is accomplished by utilizing both percolation and immersion removal methods. The extractor (10) includes a plurality of pools (12, 12') through which the solid entraining the liquid therein is moved in a direction counter-flow to that in which a solvent passes through the extractor (10). Percolation removal is effected at the overflow (48, 48') of each pool (12, 12') as solvent washes through the solids being processed. Immersion is effected at the lower end of a sloped floor (22, 22') of each pool (12, 12') where the solids are soaked in the solvent. A final percolation bath (14) can be provided as a last stage of the extractor (10).