Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying liquid coating to pellets in a flowing feed stream are provided. An incoming bulk material feed is conditioned to produce a ribbon-like agglomerated flow pattern, and the bulk material is passed through a first spray section which coats an exposed surface of the pellets flowing therethrough. The flow direction is reversed in a second spray station, which operates to expose an opposite surface of the pellets, such that the second spray section coats substantially the remainder of the outer surface of the pellets.

Abstract: An upper processing section 10 is provided by evenly spacing out functional stations 13 having respective functions of steps constituting a fluidized bed granulation coating process, on circumferential points. An intermediate storing section 20 is provided under the upper processing section 10 by evenly spacing out powder grain storing vessels 22 corresponding to the plurality of functional stations 13, on circumferential points. A lower gas supply section 30 is provided under the intermediate storing section 20 by evenly spacing out gas supply stations 31 corresponding to the plurality of powder grain storing vessels 22. The powder grain storing vessels 22 storing powder grains sequentially proceed to the respective functional stations 13 to execute respective processes to the powder grains, and thereby granulation coating of the powder grains is performed in a batch type and a continuous type.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A plurality of inwardly directed discharge jets are positioned along the periphery of the product container and generally adjacent to the orifice plate.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A plurality of inwardly directed discharge jets are positioned along the periphery of the product container and generally adjacent to the orifice plate.

Abstract: Under the granulating section 10a for performing fluidized-bed granulation coating of powder grains, a drying section 20a for drying powder grains granulated is provided. A drying section 30a for drying the powder grains that are not sufficiently dried is provided under the drying section 20a. A product discharging section 40a for discharging a dried product is provided under the drying section 30a. A fluidized-bed forming-gas is supplied downward to upward, and granulation and dryness are continuously performed by the fluidized-bed forming-gas, and the powder grains moved from the granulating section to the drying section located immediately thereunder are pneumatic classified.

Abstract: To provide superior anti-agglomeration, or tackiness-reducing, properties, one aspect of the invention is directed to coated polymeric particles, with each of the coated particles comprised of a polymeric substrate particle and a block-reducing coating on the surface of the substrate particle. The coating includes polymeric coating particles which advantageously may be in the form of a micro-fine powder. Also disclosed herein is a process for applying the polymeric coating particles onto the polymeric substrate particles, as well as equipment which is especially useful in producing the coated polymeric particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the coating of granulates and seeds, pellets and dragees with one or several coatings, whereby the seeds for coating are placed in a driven rotating drum, into which baffles fixed to the housing, in particular, spray and cleaning arms extend. Air supplies are connected to the drum, by means of which the interior of the drum is subjected to an air stream. The air distribution in the drum is achieved by means of an air splitter-plate fixed to the front side of the drum, arranged opposite a non-rotating air splitter plate fixed to the housing, which is formed such that it may move in an axial direction towards and away from the drum and which may be connected to the drum by means of air. An improved cleaning of the housing and drumward air feed is thus guaranteed.

Abstract: The continuous batch seed coating system of this invention includes a coating unit, liquid and dry treatment metering systems, a seed metering system, and a PLC controller. The coating unit includes a substantially unitary bowl, which is rotated to cyclically rotate seed being treated. The bowl is rotated within an enclosure, then evacuated after being treated. A peristaltic pump and a hopper-auger unit provide liquid and dry seed treatment formulations to the coating unit. The automated seed metering system pre-weighs seed to be conveyed into the coating unit. The PLC controller controls the retention time in the coating unit, the amounts and timing of seed treatment formulations, conveys seed to the coating unit, and optionally sounds alarms when one of the treatment formulations is not available or when seed is not present in the seed metering system.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A plurality of inwardly directed discharge jets are positioned along the periphery of the product container and generally adjacent to the orifice plate.

Abstract: A process for the production or coating of granules in a fluidized bed, which includes heating a fluidized-bed gas to produce the fluidized bed, and applying a liquid medium containing a granule-forming or coating-forming compound, or at least one reaction component therefore, by spraying particles located in the fluidized bed and at a same time vaporizing an organic solvent contained in the liquid medium, said particles having a smaller mean diameter than that of particles to be produced. The process also includes partial condensation of an organic solvent from at least a portion of a fluidized-bed waste gas leaving the fluidized bed, and re-heating the fluidized bed-gas leaving the condensation device and reintroducing the re-heated gas into the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A device moves and orients spraying nozzles (4) inside a coating pan (1). The spraying nozzles (4) are carried, arranged in a line, by a shaft (5), which rotates on a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the rotating drum (1). The shaft (5) is supported by a support frame (7), which is fastened to a bar (10), which is rotated to adjust the distance between the spraying nozzles (4) and the free surface (20) of said mass of articles (2) being treated. The shaft (5) is fastened to the lever mechanism (16,17) of a positioning member (15) for changing the inclination of the spraying nozzles (4), so as to maintain constant their orientation with respect to said free surface (20) of the mass of articles (2).

Abstract: A system utilizing a rotary atomizer for applying a liquid based substance to particles. In one example, a motor provides an in-line, direct drive force on a cage atomizer. With some systems, the cage atomizer has a vertical axis of rotation. With some systems, the motor is mounted external to the particle path and supported by a housing structure that provides an angled particle path. With some systems, other types of rotary atomizers may be used such as disk, bowl, or hollow disk rotary atomizers. With some examples of cage atomizers, a first portion of the cage atomizer may include a thread set that screws to a thread set of a second portion to hold a perforated structure in place. With some systems, the thread sets surround the axis of rotation.

Abstract: This invention provides a mixing chamber that utilizes several tined cylinders to convey materials through the mixing chamber for applying liquid additives to the materials. Each of the tined cylinders includes a number of spring biased tines extending from the surface of the cylinder. The tined cylinders are arranged within the mixing chamber such that, as the tined cylinders rotate about an axis, the spring biased tines engage the materials within the mixing chamber and “sweep” them along towards a discharge opening of the mixing chamber. As the materials are conveyed through the mixing chamber, an additive liquid, typically containing various chemicals, colorants, dies, and/or paints, is sprayed onto the materials. In this manner, liquid additives are applied to materials more evenly and more thoroughly, resulting in a more consistent finished product.

Abstract: A machine for coloring landscaping material is defined as having first and second mixing chamber segments in which liquid colorant is introduced into the first segment in the form of a liquid spray and into the second segment in the form of an aerosol. Paddles supported by arms secured to a rotating shaft are provided through the first and second segments to mix and convey the landscaping material during coloring. Increased tip speed of the paddles is provided by relatively longer arms in the second segment to enhance interaction between the landscaping material and the aerosol colorant.

Abstract: A system utilizing a rotary atomizer for applying a liquid based substance to particles. In one example, a motor provides an in-line, direct drive force on a cage atomizer. With some systems, the cage atomizer has a vertical axis of rotation. With some systems, the motor is mounted external to the particle path and supported by a housing structure that provides an angled particle path. With some systems, other types of rotary atomizers may be used such as disk, bowl, or hollow disk rotary atomizers. With some examples of cage atomizers, a first portion of the cage atomizer may include a thread set that screws to a thread set of a second portion to hold a perforated structure in place. With some systems, the thread sets surround the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depositing a surface coating on cores. The inventive device comprises a rotationally mounted drum for accommodating the cores, at least one spraying nozzle for depositing the surface material on the cores, a heating device for the inner space of the drum, an inlet and an outlet, and carriers which are provided for the cores and which are arranged inside said drum. The invention provides that the drum is designed as a longish cylinder and that second carriers are provided for the cores (11, 12). The second carriers transport the cores opposite the first carriers and are arranged such that they can be radially displaced in relation to the first carriers. The invention also provides that the drum is held in the device so that it can be quickly removed.

Abstract: The installation for sugarcoating or encasing of products by rotation of a cylindrical rotor includes a distribution and proportioning manifold mounted on support and guide rails external to the rotor permitting its total withdrawal from the rotor for the washing phase and its emplacement with no internal support within said rotor for the operating phase. The rails are formed by two horizontal beams, parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor which is also the longitudinal axis of the manifold, fixed at one of their ends to the chassis of the rotor and at their other end to a transverse horizontal bar supported by at least one foot. At the level of one of its ends, the manifold is secured to a parallelepipedal frame which also supports closure means for the rotor and which slides along horizontal rails. Washing nozzles are disposed above the manifold at the level of the guide rails.

Abstract: A machine for coating particulate material includes a rotatable drum with a solid or perforated sidewall. A boom extends into the drum to support one or more spray nozzles and one or more powder applicators. Particulate material is introduced into the drum and subjected to a solution coating from the nozzles and a powder coating from the powder applicators, while the drum rotates. Air may flow through the perforated drum to facilitate drying of the coating solution and powder. The powder applicators are individually regulated so as to provide even distribution of the powder throughout the length of the drum.

Abstract: An upper processing section 10 is provided by evenly spacing out functional stations 13 having respective functions of steps constituting a fluidized bed granulation coating process, on circumferential points. An intermediate storing section 20 is provided under the upper processing section 10 by evenly spacing out powder grain storing vessels 22 corresponding to the plurality of functional stations 13, on circumferential points. A lower gas supply section 30 is provided under the intermediate storing section 20 by evenly spacing out gas supply stations 31 corresponding to the plurality of powder grain storing vessels 22. The powder grain storing vessels 22 storing powder grains sequentially proceed to the respective functional stations 13 to execute respective processes to the powder grains, and thereby granulation coating of the powder grains is performed in a batch type and a continuous type.

Abstract: A system for applying liquid to solid particles is provided including a constant volume apparatus having a chamber and an aperture arranged to deliver the particles in a substantially constant volume stream to a moving surface such as a conveyor belt. A mass flow-measuring device having a receiving end positioned adjacent the moving surface whereby the constant volume stream flows through the mass flow-measuring device and engages a curved sliding surface of a discharge pan, the curvature discharging the particles from the mass flow-measuring device in the stream at an angle from vertical. A liquid application chamber is positioned below the pan and has an internal passageway with an inlet positioned to receive the stream of particles flowing from the mass flow-measuring device. The passageway is defined by at least one curved wall. The curved wall has an upper portion positioned at an angle approximately identical to the discharge angle of the pan to receive the stream of particles in sliding fashion.

Abstract: A method of depositing a solid film on a substrate in which a stream comprising particles suspended in a transport gas is moved through a heating zone. The particles are combined with the transport gas from a powder feeder operatively coupled to a gas flow tube. The particle stream is directed toward the heating zone by ejecting the powder stream from a nozzle connected to a distal end of the gas flow tube. A radiation source is directed at the suspended particles as they move through the heating zone so that the particles heated to a molten state. The droplets are undercooled in a cooling zone before impact with the substrate.

Abstract: Using a self-cleaning spray chamber for feed pellets including a dry mass flow meter operatively coupled to a hopper for feed pellet flow and a spray chamber. The spray chamber is configured so that the pellet flow leaving the dry mass flow meter strikes the side wall of the spray chamber that opposes the nozzles located within the spray chamber, thereby causing the pellets to frictionally clean the chamber side wall. This cleaning action substantially reduces the need for manually cleaning the spray chamber as the flow of pellets through the spray chamber removes the liquid additive and assists in the coating of the pellets within the spray chamber. The flow meter provides a wide, relatively thin ribbon of pellets to the wall of the spray chamber that opposes the nozzles. This provides a more even distribution of pellets for coating and better protects the sidewall from overspray coating.

Abstract: A tumble-coating system involving the coating of wood particles with binder resin featuring, within a tumble drum, baffle structure creating selective curtain flows of particles to promote better coating operation. The preferred embodiment baffle structure includes a long stationary baffle extending through all coating zones in the drum and two additional baffle structures associated with changing particle flow in the vicinity of the resin distribution apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for coating particulate material includes a rotatable drum with a solid or perforated sidewall. A boom extends into the drum to support one or more spray nozzles and one or more powder applicators. Particulate material is introduced into the drum and subjected to a solution coating from the nozzles and a powder coating from the powder applicators, while the drum rotates. Air may flow through the perforated drum to facilitate drying of the coating solution and powder. The powder applicators are individually regulated so as to provide even distribution of the powder throughout the length of the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and/or cooling a plurality of particles including a generally circular bed for holding the particles, the bed having a substantially centered annular inner bed wall, an outer bed wall and an irregular bottom. The apparatus also includes a drive mechanism rotatably affixed to said bed, where rotation of the drive mechanism at a predetermined rate produces a displacement of the bed horizontally and vertically resulting in a particle flow in the x, y and z directions. The particle flow in the x and y planes for a majority of said particles is in a dominant direction. The apparatus also includes an airplant which provides a heated and/or cooled airflow tangentially into the bed in a direction opposite to the dominant direction.

Abstract: The gluing apparatus (220) for plants for producing wood fibre panels by a dry method comprises a tubular body (250) and sprayer means (262) to inject a suitable liquid glue into the interior of the tubular body (250). The cross-section through the tubular body (250) encloses an area which increases in progressing from its open upstream end (253), into which the wood fibres are fed conveyed by an air stream, to its open downstream end 257). The tubular body (250) comprises a sealed outer wall (252) and an air-permeable inner wall (254) spaced from the former (242). In the outer wall (252) of the tubular body (250) there are provided a plurality of apertures distributed along this latter to enable additional air streams to be fed (through 258) into it.

Abstract: In practice it is desirable to enrich feedstuff pellets with various additives in quite small amounts, e.g. only 100 g per ton, preferably that they are sprayed in a dissolved or suspended state on a flat stream of the pellets in cold condition. It is known to arrange this by using a falling stream of the pellets along an inclined chute. However, it is difficult hereby to achieve any particularly good dosing precision of the sprayed materials, some of which can be quite expensive. Moreover, the associated plants are difficult to install in normal premises. With the invention, a flat stream is produced by using an ejector wheel, whereby the chute can be quite short for reducing the construction height and, at the same time that this in itself improves the dosing accuracy, use is made of a continuous mass flow measurement which is used for the regulation of the dosing or the ejector capacity in achieving extra good liquid-dosing precision.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and/or cooling a plurality of particles including a generally circular bed for holding the particles, the bed having a substantially centered annular inner bed wall, an outer bed wall and an irregular bottom. The apparatus also includes a drive mechanism rotatably affixed to said bed, where rotation of the drive mechanism at a predetermined rate produces a displacement of the bed horizontally and vertically resulting in a particle flow in the x, y and z directions. The particle flow in the x and y planes for a majority of said particles is in a dominant direction. The apparatus also includes an airplant which provides a heated and/or cooled airflow tangentially into the bed in a direction opposite to the dominant direction.

Abstract: A phosphor particle has thereon a moisture resistant treatment of a metallic nitride. By moisture resistant is meant a condition allowing the phosphor particle to function in a humid atmosphere for a significantly longer period of time than an untreated particle. The method of making such phosphors comprises the steps of introducing an inert gas into a reaction vessel; charging phosphor particles into the reaction vessel; heating the reaction vessel to a reaction temperature; introducing a nitride coating precursor into the reaction vessel in a manner to avoid restrictive reactions; introducing a co-reactant into the reaction vessel; and maintaining the inert gas flow, co-reactant flow and precursor supply for a time sufficient to moisture-proof the phosphor particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of preventing fine particles, especially liming material, from becoming air borne, and the addition of desirable chemical compounds to the particles. The method comprises feeding fine particles of solid to an enclosed inclined chute and locating at least a first inclined shelf and a subsequent inclined shelf within the chute, each shelf having an inclined top surface, a bottom surface and a leading edge. At least one liquid fog nozzle is located between the bottom surface of the first shelf and the chute, the fog nozzle creating a fog of liquid in the direction of the leading edge of the first shelf. Once the particles fall from the shelf, a fog is applied to the particles as the vertical free flow of particles falls from the leading edge of the first shelf. The inclined positioning of the chute allows gravity to pull the once coated particles to at least a second inclined shelf.

Abstract: To provide superior anti-agglomeration, or tackiness-reducing, properties, one aspect of the invention is directed to coated polymeric particles, with each of the coated particles comprised of a polymeric substrate particle and a block-reducing coating on the surface of the substrate particle. The coating includes polymeric coating particles which advantageously may be in the form of a micro-fine powder. Also disclosed herein is a process for applying the polymeric coating particles onto the polymeric substrate particles, as well as equipment which is especially useful in producing the coated polymeric particles.

Abstract: A granular feed distribution and ladder chute apparatus for use within a silo comprising a ladder chute portion with internal alternating and staggered flights. One or more nozzles are located near the upper end of the ladder chute portion. Each nozzle is directed such that a spray pattern may be formed for spraying a concentration of a conditioning agent on a falling granular feed. Predetermined selected flights include cut-out portions arranged in a predetermined alternating sequence on the flights so that a distributed portion of the granular feed can fall directly through the cut-out portion in one flight onto another flight located on a same side from which the granular feed fell. Holes are included in the ladder chute portion, which not only as access for cleaning and inspecting the flights, but also for facilitating the distribution of granular feed into an area outside the perimeter of the ladder chute portion and within the silo.

Abstract: A self-cleaning spray chamber for livestock and poultry feed pellets including a dry mass flow meter operatively coupled to a hopper for livestock and poultry feed pellet flow and a spray chamber mounted proximate to the outlet of the dry mass flow meter so the pellets strike the side wall of the spray chamber that oppose the nozzles of the spray chamber at a position where spray that misses the pellets in the pellet stream impinge on the spray chamber side wall. That is, the spray chamber is located so the pellet flow leaving the dry mass flow meter strikes the side wall of the spray chamber that opposes the nozzles located within the spray chamber so the pellets frictionally clean the chamber side wall of liquid additives emitted from the nozzles. In this manner, the cleaning action of the pellets substantially reduces the need for cleaning the spray chamber as the flow of pellets through the spray chamber removes the liquid additive and assists in the coating of the pellets within the spray chamber.

Abstract: To provide superior anti-agglomeration, or tackiness-reducing, properties, one aspect of the invention is directed to coated polymeric particles, with each of the coated particles comprised of a polymeric substrate particle and a block-reducing coating on the surface of the substrate particle. The coating includes polymeric coating particles which advantageously may be in the form of a micro-fine powder. Also disclosed herein is a process for applying the polymeric coating particles onto the polymeric substrate particles, as well as equipment which is especially useful in producing the coated polymeric particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of preventing fine particles, especially liming material, from becoming air borne, and the addition of desirable chemical compounds to the particles. The method comprises feeding fine particles of solid to an enclosed inclined chute and locating at least a first inclined shelf and a subsequent inclined shelf within the chute, each shelf having an inclined top surface, a bottom surface and a leading edge. An addition funnel fitted with air pads may be used at the top of the chute to facilitate the even and continuous addition of particulates to the chute. Once the particles are fed to the top of the chute, they fall on the top surface of the first inclined shelf and slide down the inclined top surface by force of gravity until falling from the leading edge, thus forming a vertical free flow of particles.

Abstract: A powder coating assembly comprising a compartment (1) in which workpieces (3) are coated with powder and which includes a discharge belt (15) for conveying excess powder to a recovery unit (5) or a filter unit (4) is characterized in that both a recovery unit (5) and a filter unit (4) are provided, each connected by a separate conduit (16; 18) to an exhaust opening (17; 19) of the compartment (1), and in that a shutoff member (42) is provided in the separate conduits (16; 18) for selectively blocking conveyance of powder to the filter unit (4) or the recovery unit (5).

Abstract: A process used to coat particles in an upward flowing fluidized bed dryer includes an insert disposal within the dryer. The insert includes a vertically adjustable cylindrical partition and a vertically adjustable spray nozzle wherein the cylindrical partition has a diameter-to-length ratio greater than 1. The particles are fluidized using a gas and are processed through a coating zone containing the cylindrical partition and become coated with the liquid spray. The particles exit the coating zone and enter the reconditioning zone wherein the liquid is allowed to dry onto the particles. The particles fall into the fluidized bed and are reprocessed through the coating zone by a draft effect created by the atomizing gas in the spray nozzle. The insert provides liquid coating flexibility allowing for the coating of liquid fat onto the particles. Additionally, since less fluidizing gas is required and not all of the particle bed needs to be fluidized, the coating process is more efficient and gentle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluidized bed reactor for the continuous production of fluidized bed granules. The reactor is characterized by a discharge device designed as a siphon pipe or siphon weir. The fluidized bed reactor permits a trouble-free continuous operation of the fluidized bed stage and of a connected, continuous subsequent stage. A preferred fluidized bed reactor comprises two chambers that are in communication via the discharge device according to the invention.

Abstract: In cooler used for coating a product such as food with a uniform layer of a liquid coating material, the mass of the product is measured either in the cooling chamber or just before it is introduced into the cooling chamber; the mass of a liquid cryogen which will suffice, when introduced into the cooling chamber and into contact with the product, to reduce the temperature of the mass of product to a first predetermined temperature below the melting point temperature of the coating material is calculated; the introduction of the calculated mass of liquid cryogen into the cooling chamber is controlled and the product is thereby cooled to the first predetermined temperature prior to application of a predetermined mass of coating material onto the cooled product to provide a coating thereon.

Abstract: A non-fluidized bed apparatus for coating tablets has a base plate of which a portion of the upper surface is inclined towards an upward directed two-fluid or three-fluid nozzle. Ducts through the base plate around the nozzle produce jets of process gas in a direction intersecting an imaginary centre line of the spray produced by the nozzle. Atomizing gas from the nozzle is muffled shortly after it has left the nozzle to decrease the upward scattering effect of said gas on the tablets being coated. No partition is used for separating upward and downward flow of tablets during the coating process. In the coating process the amount of atomizing gas supplied to the nozzle is limited to reduce the tablet scattering effect of said gas.

Abstract: Impregnating agents are concurrently processed with bulky materials such as recycled wastes within a turbulent fragmenting zone in order to fragment and uniformity impregnate the fragmented materials with impregnating agents. Uniform distribution of the impregnating agents throughout the processed materials may be accomplished by using multiple injection lines which port into the fragmenting zone at a position so as impregnate fluidized particles. Application of the impregnating agent is maintained at a substantially uniform pressure (e.g. porting from a manifold) so as to uniformity disperse and impregnate the impregnating agents throughout the processing material. The dispersal of the impregnating agent is effectuated by concurrently suspending fragmenting and impregnating the materials within the fragmenting zone 7. Recycled waste materials may be effectively impregnated with a host of impregnating agents such as application of pesticides, colorants, binding agents, insecticides, herbicides, etc.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for coating a food, confectionery or pharmaceutical product wherein the product is prepared in rotary pans and wherein separate adjustable double piston metering pumps are used to automatically supply a coating substance to each pan on a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved, energy-saving granulation method, wherein use is made of a granulator (1) having a bottom floor (9) of a granulation section whose bottom is a perforated plate, an upper air feed pipe (23) for feeding air for fluidization to the bottom floor of the granulation section, a lower air feed pipe (2), air feed pipes (3, 4, 5) branched from the lower air feed pipe for jetting air into the granulation section, and jetting nozzles (6, 7, 8) provided at the centers of the air outlets for jetting a molten raw material; which involves the steps of jetting a molten raw material from the jetting nozzles to approximately spherical nuclei in the granulation section, which have been fed after the particle diameter has been caused to be an average particle diameter of 0.4 to 3.0 mm, to form granules. There is also disclosed an improved granulator.

Abstract: A vessel for contacting a plurality of objects with a fluid and including at least one bottom wall inclined downwardly from at least one sidewall to an inlet for providing an upwardly directed stream of fluid, and a distribution shield arranged in spaced relation to the bottom wall. The fluid stream causes the objects to flow upward from a moving bed thereof to a disengaging position. The distribution shield has an upper surface inclined downwardly and extending away from the vicinity of the object disengaging position to a return position such that disengaged objects fall on the upper surface of the distribution shield and move downward thereon to the return position from which they fall onto an upper portion of the inclined bottom wall and move downward thereon to a feed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the uniform distribution of a small amount of liquid on bulk materials. The method is performed by spraying the liquid with at least one ultrasonic nozzle onto the bulk material, which is finely particulate. The spraying may occur before, during, or both before and during, mixing the particulate solid in a mixing apparatus. Dust may be significantly reduced by the apparatus of the instant invention, and the apparatus is useful for applying not only liquids, but emulsions, solutions, dispersions, or melts. The mixer may be mechanical or pneumatic.

Abstract: An in-line seed treating unit is provided for an air seeding implement to coat seeds carried by a flow of air through a product distribution line before being planted into the ground. The in-line seed treating unit includes a cylindrical housing having input and outlet ends located at opposing axial ends of the cylindrical housing to provide a generally linear overall flow path for the seed entrained air flow through the product distribution line. A baffle formed as a spiral flighting with an open center portion is disposed within the cylindrical housing to induce the air flow and entrained seeds in a spiral flow path along the housing axis and, thereby pushing the entrained seeds outwardly toward the inner wall of the housing. The seed treatment material is injected through an injection port located a distance less than one flighting pitch of the baffle from the beginning of the flighting so that the seed treatment material is dispersed within the air flow to coat the entrained seeds.

Abstract: A machine for coating particulate material is provided with a housing and a cylindrical drum rotatably mounted within the housing. The drum includes a frame having opposite end rings and rails extending longitudinal between the end rings. A plurality of screen panels are slidably mounted on the rails to form a perforated drum side wall for holding particulate material. One or more spray nozzles are positioned within the drum for spraying a liquid solution onto the particulate material. An air inlet and outlet is provided to supply heated air for drying the solution on the particulate material.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing aerosols highly charged with liquid phase and with small droplets by using ultrasonic transmitters in which an ultrasonic transmitter oscillates in a plane parallel to, or in an inclined plane of 1.degree. to 20.degree. relative to, the surface level of the liquid. When several transmitters are used in a compact unit, each transmitter is seated in a recess and each individual transmitter oscillates in a plane parallel to, or in a plane inclined at 1.degree. to 20.degree. relative to, the plane of the surface level of the liquid. The aerosols can be used as raw material for pyrolysis, coating, the doping of substances and in medicine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sprinkling food pieces with powder material. The apparatus includes a drum having a pair of opposing side openings, and engaging members mounted on a cylindrical inner surface thereof. Powder material is sifted by the engaging members as the drum is rotated. An inlet member extends through one of the openings and deposits food pieces into the drum such that one food piece is deposited onto the powder material located between each adjacent pair of engaging members at a bottom portion of the drum. Rotation of the drum causes the food piece to roll on the powder material, thereby completely coating the food piece, and causes the engaging members to lift the coated food pieces to an upper portion of the drum until the coated food pieces roll or slide off of the engaging members. An outlet member is positioned to receive the coated food pieces as they roll or slide from the engaging members.

Abstract: Liquid-enzyme-dosing device which consists in projecting the enzymatic liquid by injection onto the end product. Dosing is highly accurate, metered by an in-piping positive-displacement flow rate meter. Regulation of dosing is carried out using a motorized microregulation valve. Monitoring of dosing takes place in a microprocessor which combines all the functions of the apparatus.