Abstract: Various examples are related to making flatbreads such as, e.g., a compact machine for making flatbread in a residential kitchen-type environment or other countertop, tabletop, or space limited applications. In one example, a machine includes a hopper including a mixing chamber configured for bulk addition of raw materials for preparation of flatbread pieces; a mixing assembly configured to blend the raw materials into a flatbread dough mixture; a dough piecing assembly configured to generate a dough piece from an extruded portion of the flatbread dough mixture; a lower platen configured to transfer the pressed flatbread dough piece to a cooking zone on the dough contacting surface for cooking; and a flatbread ejection station configured to remove a cooked flatbread piece from the machine. A second cooking zone can be included to further cook the pressed flatbread dough piece prior to ejection from the machine.

Abstract: Linear conveyor for transferring workpieces between two consecutive positions in a throughput direction, including at least one axis extending in and linearly displaceable to the throughput direction, and a slide, disposed on and displaceable along each axis, and to which a carrier element for accommodating the workpiece is attached, each axis being telescopic and including a first axis element displaceable relative to the base, and a second axis element displaceable relative to the first axis element, on which slide is displaceably disposed, and a coupling for coupling of displacement movements of the first axis element, second axis element and slide with each other, such that when the first axis element is displaced relative to the base the second axis element is displaced relative to the first axis element and the slide relative to the second axis element in the same direction of displacement.

Abstract: A rotor for bagging silage is disclosed. The rotor has at least four sets of tines forming double helixes with angular spacing between each set of tines. In some embodiments, the tines are spaced further apart and the rotor is rotated at a higher rotational speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to pre-consolidate and de-bulk a thermoplastic composite ply stack prior to full consolidation and forming to the final part shape. Pre-consolidation and de-bulking is achieved by heating the ply stack to a temperature below the melting point of the thermoplastic in order to soften the plies, and then compress the ply stack.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a base (2) and a door (20), said device having a closed door position in which a circuit (8) of the device comprises a bag comprising two flexible films and connectors of the conveying network, and a press (9) comprising a first shell (16) disposed on a front face (5) of said base (2) and a second shell (17) disposed in said door (20); and a hinge system hinging said door (20) relative to said base (2), and disposed only on one side of said door (20) so as to form lateral clearances between said door (20) and said base (2) over the rest of a perimeter of said door (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for supplying municipal solid waste (MSW), and/or other types of solid waste comprising both organic waste material and inorganic waste material, into a plasma gasifier reactor (PGR) in which the solid waste is to be processed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include improved systems and methods for sorting and metering materials to be recycled at a material recovery facility. Systems and methods for the accurate and automated sorting and metering of recoverable materials may include a bunker with an integral conveyor adapted to meter presorted materials such that predetermined amounts of the materials may be delivered to a baler for baling and sale. Exemplary systems may include an auger screw type conveyor sized and shaped to deliver the materials to, for example, a baling system. The systems may also include a crusher for reducing the volume of the materials prior to metering from the bunker; by reducing the volume of the materials in the bunker, a baler may operate more efficiently, increasing output from the facility.

Abstract: A device for compacting a contoured elongate composite layup includes flexible first and second fiber reinforced resin flexible sections flexible along their lengths. The first section is flexible within a first plane and the second section is flexible within the first plane as well as within a second plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a linear motor 1 that can prevent a magnet member 2 from falling down when a power supply is turned off. A linear motor 1 includes a magnet member 2 composed of permanent magnets having alternately arranged respective N poles and S poles and a coil member 3 which surrounds a periphery of the magnet member 2 and trough which the magnet member 2 is movable in an axial direction relative to the coil member 3. A magnetic substance 3 is provided in the vicinity of one end of the coil member 3 to allow the magnet member 2 to exert a magnetic attractive force.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine rotor which includes a plurality of rotor teeth mounted thereon with each of the rotor teeth having a tooth face provided thereon. Each of the tooth faces has a progressively increasing thickness from the inner end thereof to the outer end thereof. The outer face of each of the tooth faces has a channel formed therein with the depth of the channel progressively decreasing from the outer end of the tooth face towards the inner end thereof.

Abstract: In a press having a plunger supported so as to be movable linearly back and forth by drive means which include at least one servomotor in combination with a rotatably supported inertia structure connected for rotation with the servomotor, the inertia structure has an inertia moment which is small enough to permit reversal of the servomotor within a stroke length of the plunger so that the stroke of the plunger is adjustable under the control of a control device connected to the servomotor for controlling its operation.

Abstract: A rotor for a bagging machine used to force feed material, e.g., silage, for compaction in a tunnel of the machine prior to insertion of the material into a large storage bag. The rotor includes teeth sets closely spaced along the length of the rotor and each teeth set including at least three circumferentially spaced teeth. Preferably the teeth of each teeth set are intregal with a support or base ring that slidably fits en elongate pipe or tube and position axially in circumferentially as desired and then weld tacked to the pipe.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine rotor which includes a plurality of rotor teeth mounted thereon with each of the rotor teeth having a tooth face provided thereon. Each of the tooth faces has a progressively increasing thickness from the inner end thereof to the outer end thereof. The outer face of each of the tooth faces has a channel formed therein with the depth of the channel progressively decreasing from the outer end of the tooth face towards the inner end thereof.

Abstract: A compactor device for the automatic compacting of empty containers (5), e.g. disposable bottles/cans of metal, plastic, glass or other suitable material, wherein the container (5) is essentially being pressed flat and possibly punctured, possibly crushed, and wherein the compacting area is formed by a cuneiform area between a conveyor belt (20) and a first jaw set (36a) and a second jaw set (36b), and wherein a plurality of jaws (32), which are provided with teeth on their active side, are arranged in such a way that each alternate jaw (32), as seen transversally to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt (20), is connected to the jaw sets (36a) and (36b) respectively, the jaw sets (36a) and (36b) being rotatably connected to two common eccentric shafts (38, 38′), and the eccentric shafts (38, 38′) being formed in such a way that the eccentric motion of the jaw sets (36a, 36b) is out of phase, typically by 180 degrees.

Abstract: In the method, a release layer is formed on base paper to manufacture release paper. The base paper is calendered before forming the release layer in-line on the same production line. A further object of the invention is equipment for manufacturing release paper, which equipment can be used to form a release layer on top of a base paper. The equipment comprises a calender (4) located before the release layer forming unit (5) in-line on the same production line.

Abstract: An apparatus for calendering a sheet material web being carried on or between one or more carrier fabrics. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a calender section having first and second calender rolls forming a nip therebetween. At least one carrier fabric is disposed between the first and second calender rolls. The first and second calender rolls apply a load to the carrier fabric and sheet material web as they pass through the nip between the calender rolls so as to reduce the caliper, or thickness, of the sheet material web. A method for calendering the sheet material web includes carrying the sheet material web on one or more carrier fabrics through the calender nip formed by the first and second calender rolls and applying a load to the carrier fabric, and sheet material carried thereby, so as to reduce the thickness of the sheet material web.

Abstract: A press feed mounting system for mounting a press feed having a feed direction to a press includes a base member rigidly connected to the press for supporting the press feed, a shock isolation mounting located between the press feed and the base member, and a press feed link connected between the press feed and the press parallel to the feed direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calender intended to calender a paper or board web (4), which calander comprising a calendering section, in which there are at least two members, such as rolls (1, 2, 3), in nip contact, between which the web (4) being calendered is arranged to run. For reducing the moisture and heat leaving the web (4) while it is being calendered a wall (16, 17), covering at least part of the calendering section, is formed from the web (4) being calendered by changing its direction of travel.

Abstract: A rotor for a bagging machine comprising an elongated, cylindrical body having a horizontally disposed rotational axis. A plurality of sockets are provided on the cylindrical body in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. A rotor tooth is selectively removably received by each of the sockets.

Abstract: A density control cable is provided on an agricultural bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as the material is forced past the density control means into the bag being filled with agricultural material. A beveled press plate is provided on the bagging machine frame rearwardly of the rotor on the bagging machine for forcing the agricultural material upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly as the material passes thereby. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the density control cable to enable the width of the loop of the cable to be selectively varied.

Abstract: A density control cable is provided on an agricultural bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as the material is forced past the density control means into the bag being filled with agricultural material. A beveled press plate is provided on the bagging machine frame rearwardly of the rotor on the bagging machine for forcing the agricultural material upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly as the material passes thereby. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the density control cable to enable the width of the loop of the cable to be selectively varied.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.

Abstract: A replaceable cap for a rotor tine of a material bagging machine. The tines extend from the rotor and propel and compress the material to be bagged. The cap fits over the leading edge of the tine to provide a replaceable wear surface. The cap has an end that engages a notch provided in the tine and is secured to the tine by a single fastener. The single fastener facilitates rapid replacement of the cap when required.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.

Abstract: An adjustable, manually operated, table support system which allows the user to achieve various heights and angles of an attached surface ,while remaining seated where the surface load to the floor is distributed on four independent continuous posts. Each post is telescoping having a friction locking device attached to each. The locking devices are paired off and linked together on a actuation lever on each by a common connecting pin. This pin is in turn connected by a connecting rod to a rocker lifter situated above the two locks. Rockers of each leg unit are linked by a common actuating lever so that when force is applied to the lever both rockers rotate, lifting both connecting pins, and thus all four locks are actuated at the same time. A surface connecting system is incorporated whereby an attached surface will be allowed to rotate and slide on the telescoping posts to provide for changes of surface tilt angles.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine comprising a pair of criss-crossed cables positioned in the tunnel of the machine. One of the cables is stationary while the other of the cables is adjustable so that the width of the adjustable cable may be varied to increase or decease the resistance of the cable to the feedstuffs passing through the tunnel.

Abstract: A tree compressing and binding apparatus has particular usefulness in handling of Christmas trees, employs a hydraulic power system which utilizes the even stroke of one or a plurality of hydraulic cylinders to drive a tree through a loader funnel. The apparatus is capable of being used in harsh weather environments and provides a low cost mechanism for packaging trees either for point of sales use or for large scale harvesting and shipping jobs.

Abstract: A table unit having a tabletop which is subject, upon being manually released from a locked condition, to being raised relative to a base portion of the unit to a selectable level under pressure of weights constantly urging it upwards, and is subject to being manually relocked against pressure of the weights upon reaching a selected level; and the tabletop is subject to being lowered from an elevated level upon manually releasing its locked condition and exerting a downward pressure upon it overbalancing the upward pressure of the weights.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging agricultural material into agricultural bags including a rearwardly extending tunnel having a rearward edge. A grader edge is mounted on the rearward end of the tunnel and protrudes into the tunnel for engagement with the material sliding along the inside surfaces of the tunnel so that the filled agricultural bag will have a substantially smooth outer surface.

Abstract: A method and press for pressing material by way of feeding the material into a gap formed between two pressing surfaces, in which gap the cross section of the material flow is tapered in the forward transfer direction of the material. The material is pressed between pressing surfaces formed by parallel, beam-shaped transfer elements which are reciprocatingly moved in the direction of material flow in two alternating groups so that the mutually opposed transfer elements of both pressing surfaces are moved in a mutually synchronized manner in the same direction. During the forward transfer motion the pressing force exerted by the transfer elements on the material is greater than the pressing force exerted during the return motion of the transfer elements.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving system has a plurality of generally cylindrical posts each having a plurality of vertically-spaced annular grooves therein and a plurality of tapered sleeves fitted on the posts. The tapered sleeves include an annular rib engageable with the annular grooves on the posts and an exterior mating surface. At least one plastic shelf has a plurality of tapered step holes for receiving one of the tapered sleeves fitted onto the post. The step holes are defined by an interior mating surface, and one of the exterior and interior mating surfaces is formed with a series of spaced cylindrical ledges to increase the friction between the sleeves and the step holes.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of horizontally disposed and vertically spaced cables positioned at the rearward end of the tunnel of the machine. The cables are dragged through the silage being bagged as the bagging machine moves away from the closed end of the bag so that the proper amount of density is created in the material being bagged. Each of the cables defines a cable loop which extends rearwardly from the output end of the tunnel into the open end of the bag. The lengths of the cables may be adjusted to permit the density to be controlled. The number of cables may also be varied to control the density in various types of silage materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated wooden structure and a roller press for producing the structure. The wooden structure consists of four pieces (31) joined together and extending from end to end of the structure, said pieces having uniform dimensions in both the transverse and longitudinal directions and an essentially rectangular cross section, the joint surfaces of said pieces being provided with jointing grooves (32) and corresponding tongues (33). The roller press comprises at least one four-roller unit in which the axes of rotation (5,6,7,8) of all four rollers (1,2,3,4) are located in one plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the object to be pressed.

Abstract: A forage compaction apparatus including a three point based chassis to contact the floor, that supports a hopper in its front end. The apparatus forming a tunnel in the rear end while housing a compacting rotor and retainer bars in the chamber between the front and rear ends. The forage is admitted into the hopper and packed into the tunnel by the effect of the rotor and associated retainer comb. These are designed specifically to create forces directed upwards and backwards in order to compact evenly the forage into an agricultural bag that closes the exit of the tunnel in the rearmost end of the apparatus. The apparatus has a power transmission system and controls forward movement by braking the machine while compacting so that as the machine packs forage, pressure is built in a special way into the tunnel and agricultural bag so that the bag is unfolded in the field as the machine moves forward.

Abstract: A rotor arrangement for a bagging machine includes a tooth configuration providing both uniform power requirements and well directed compaction forces for uniform distribution of compacted crop material within a storage bag. The rotor arrangement includes right lead and left lead tooth groups wherein members of each right lead and left lead tooth groups sequentially enter a slot of a stripping comb beginning with the right and left, respectively, member of the group. The right lead groups occupy the same length portion of the rotor arrangement as corresponding left lead groups, but are angularly offset whereby rightward compaction forces of one group are followed by leftward compaction forces of the other group. The right and left tooth groups may be organized according to double-helix mounting patterns upon a mounting member. The net compaction force is substantially straight away from the rotor arrangement and has substantially uniform power requirements for uniform compaction within the storage bag.

Abstract: A dovetail jointing press for the manufacture of dovetail joints of boards, having respective dovetailings at their faces that are pasted with glue, is provided. The press comprises two tables that are disposed on common tracks and receive continuously fed boards. The tables are slidable on the tracks towards one another and away from one another via respective working cylinders. The respective presses that are disposed above each one of the tables are closed by working cylinders and released when the tables are moved away from one another. All the moving functions of the dovetail jointing press may be performed by working cylinders or by threaded spindles driven by electric motors. Computer programming may be used to coordinate the individual movements, so that the press may be operated automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing liquid from particles of compressible material includes feeding particles to two opposing press surfaces that are separated by a distance that decreases along a feeding direction wherein at least one of the press surfaces is formed of a number of parallel transfer elements and wherein each transfer element is connected to a corresponding pressing actuator. The sum of a surface area of each transfer element forms a total press surface area for one of the press surfaces. The transfer elements are reciprocated in a forward and backward motion along the conveying direction such that a total press surface area includes at any particular time a forward moving surface area that is larger than any backward moving surface area.

Abstract: A large cylindrical enclosure shaped to look like a huge beverage can has a recessed area in its outer wall containing an operator's panel and an opening into the interior for inserting empty recyclable beverage cans. Inside the enclosure is a conveyor for receiving the inserted cans, means for distinguishing between ferrous and non-ferrous recyclable cans, means for counting the number of ferrous and non-ferrous cans and pneumatic transporting means for carrying the cans to a mechanical crusher which compacts the cans individually and discharges them into a temporary storage area from which they are removed from time to time for recycling. The operator's panel includes manually operable buttons for initiating operation of the mechanisms in the interior of the strucutres and may also include various visual readouts as well as a dispenser for feeding out coins, printed credit slips and receipts.

Abstract: In a compression device 100 (FIG. 1), two shafts 4,6 carry double lobed packers 5,101 which force crop through a throat formed by static elements 7,8 into a chamber 9. The packers are intermeshed and angularly displaced around their shafts to reduce the driving torque of the device.

Abstract: A removable tooth cap for use on the rotor of an agricultural feed bagger comprising a pusher plate selectively movably secured to each of the teeth on the rotor. The inner end of each of the pusher plates are removably received in an elongated opening formed in the leading edge of the associated rotor tooth. The outer end of each of the pusher plates embrace a portion of the outer end of the associated rotor tooth.

Abstract: An apparatus is for crushing at least one of a plurality of metal cans having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined length less than about twice the predetermined diameter. The apparatus includes a pair of cylindrical rollers mounted for rotation in opposite directions about parallel horizontal axes with a predetermined distance therebetween. Each of the rollers has a predetermined roller diameter greater than four times the predetermined diameter of the can. An array of extensions on the cylindrical surface of each of the rollers extends a predetermined height from the cylindrical surface and is separated from adjacent extensions on the cylindrical surface to cause the extensions of the array to cover less than ten percent of the cylindrical surface to allow general alignment of and positioning of the metal cans therebetween.

Abstract: A refuse compaction unit comprises a refuse inlet, a compactor located below the refuse inlet and communicating therewith and an outlet communicating with the compactor on the opposite side thereof from the refuse inlet, the compactor being constituted of at least one comb-like rotor consited of a plurality of outwardly projecting blades and at least one comb-like stator acting as a partition between the refuse inlet and refuse outlet and having a plurality of teeth with which the blades of the comb-like rotor interdigitate.

Abstract: Improvements in apparatus for loading feed stock into agricultural bags. One aspect of the invention is the provision of a pusher plate between adjacent teeth on a rotor that propels the feed stock to enlarge the effective surface area for moving the feed stock. Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a brake disk on a shaft associated with spaced cable feeding drums that are yieldably braked to control the expansion of the bag. The disk is located between the drums and is associated with a coupling that interconnects the shaft when it is formed in other than one piece. A further aspect of the invention is the provision of a master cylinder to control the yieldable braking force on the cable carrying drums. A further aspect of the invention is the provision of a frame structure having associated hooks to guide winding of a line to form a backstop wall.

Abstract: A synchronized press and method for forming bakery products. A press plate presses a portion of bakery product ingredients against a rotatable disc in a continuous motion. A conveyor belt deposits portions of the bakery product ingredients on the disc at timed intervals. A gearing mechanism synchronizes the movement of the press plate and disc so that the horizontal speed of the press plate is substantially equivalent to the angular speed of the disc. The gearing mechanism also synchronizes the deposit of bakery product ingredients on the disc.

Abstract: A refuse compaction unit comprises a refuse inlet, a compactor located below the refuse inlet and communicating therewith and an outlet communicating with the compactor on the opposite side thereof from the refuse inlet, the compactor being constituted of at least one comb-like rotor consisted of a plurality of outwardly projecting blades and at least one comb-like stator acting as a partition between the refuse inlet and refuse outlet and having a plurality of teeth with which the blades of the comb-like rotor interdigitate.

Abstract: Apparatus for expelling air from pockets between superimposed sheets of successive stacks has a brush or roller which can be lowered onto the topmost sheet of a stack while the leader of the stack is pulled along a stationary support by a tongs. The brush or roller urges successive increments of the lowermost sheet of the moving stack against a stationary or rotary anvil whereby the pockets of air are eliminated in automatic response to forward movement of the stack with the tongs. Expulsion of air from the stacks enhances their shape-retaining ability during transport toward the next processing station or stations as well as at such stations. The brush or roller is mounted on pivotable arms which can be rocked back and forth by one or more levers which are pivotable by a cam and follower assembly receiving motion from the main prime mover of the machine or production line wherein the stacks are formed and/or processed.

Abstract: Rigid plastic foam is flexibilized in an apparatus utilizing four sets of foam gripping belts. A first and second set of opposed belts traveling at a given speed forward the foam into the apparatus to a second and third set of opposed belts traveling at a slower speed than the first and second set of belts. The first and third and the second and fourth sets of belts are interdigitated in a region of foam crush.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for quickly, efficiently and with minimum human contact removing the contents of flexible or collapsible containers, for example, frozen blood from the plastic pouches in which it is collected from human donors. The container is positioned and retained between a pair of plates which are relatively movable to compress the container to discharge the contents. The plates are preferably mounted on a continuous conveyor for automatically moving the container from a loading station where the container is inserted between the plates, to an opening area where a portion of the container is removed to provide access to the contents, and from there to a compression position where the plates are forced together to discharge the contents from the container through the access opening. For frozen contents, the plates and container may also pass through a thawing area where the container is heated sufficiently to free it from the frozen contents.

Abstract: A plastics foam-forming mixture (31), e.g. a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam mix, deposited from one or more static dispensers (19) is metered through two spaced opposed members (14 and 18) forming between them a metering gap. At least one of the members having a plurality of faces of different profile and being rotatable to present to the other member a selected face appropriate to the thickness of foam board to be produced. Reduces "crowning" of foam boards while permitting foam boards of different thicknesses to be made without having to replace metering bars.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a bale forming apparatus for making rectangular bales in any size, but especially suitable to make large size bales. The unique mechanism consists of; a bale forming channel, and a feeder-compactor assembly. The feeder-compactor assembly is power driven to perform a reversing motion relative to the bale forming channel, depositing, and compressing the successive layers of the bale in continuous folded-like arrangement. The apparatus requires substantially less energy than the conventional balers of the same size.