Abstract: Regeneration of clay-bonded used foundry sand for reuse instead of new sand. A dry mass of used sand is rubbed for such a length of time, is accelerated suddenly and delayed, and is freed continuously of fine components, until the fine matter, active bonding clay and oolitization degree fall below certain threshold values such that the regenerated product substantially gains the characteristics of new sand. An apparatus for regeneration treatment contains a horizontal revolving sand drum (10), an impact rotor (30) disposed inside said drum in the area of the fall stream (46) of the used sand and a pneumatic dust removal device (36) disposed in the inside of the drum. A chemical secondary treatment of the regenerated product can be carried out advantageously in the same installation in order to bind remaining fine matter to the surface of the grains of sand and simultaneously to seal the pores of the grains.

Abstract: A thermally-insulating, non-flammable, air-permeable insulation for installation in the field, for example, in closed cavities between the walls of a house. A multitude of individually preformed, foamed plastic particles are initially entrained in a carrier stream, and thereupon drenched with a settable film-forming, non-flammable, liquid substance, such as a sodium silicate solution. The liquid substance sets to form a film which covers and adheres the particles to one another to form a thermally-insulating dense structural aggregate mass having structural integrity, resistance to fire, and venting capability. A method of making and installing the insulation, and a preferred apparatus therefor, are disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing metered quantities of a particulated material such as, for example, seasoning materials including salt, pepper or the like, in which the particulated material is discharged in the form of a substantially uniform curtainous stream and the articles or foodstuffs are transferred through the curtainous stream, a plurality of times to assure substantially uniform coating of the surfaces thereof. The apparatus includes slinger means for dispersing and propelling the articles through an upper section of the curtainous stream from the upstream to downstream side thereof and deflector means for intercepting and redirecting the articles back through the curtainous stream through an intermediate section thereof to the upstream side thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of molding compositions for fiber-reinforced resin composites in which chopped fiber tow is fluidized, expanded and admixed with dry powdered resin is disclosed. Fluidized fibers are conveyed through a flow accelerating device and discharged into an enlarged mixing chamber wherein turbulent admixing with powdered resin injected therein occurs.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the mixing of relatively small amounts of liquid or liquefied additive with relatively large amounts of solid granular material comprising: forming, in a conduit, a continuous pneumatic- or gravity-borne stream of solid granular material; passing an inert gas stream through a constricting orifice to maintain sonic velocity flow conditions therein; concurrently introducing a stream of said liquid or liquefied additive into said inert gas stream in said constricting orifice under conditions such that combined stream sonic velocity flow conditions are maintained; and introducing the resulting combined liquid or liquefied additive and inert gas streams into said conduit to effect addition of said liquid or liquefied additive to said solid granular material.

Abstract: A method for making a slurry containing particulate matter and fibers for a preformed insulation product comprises mixing dry particulate matter with a binder which is a liquid containing dispersed fibers. An apparatus suitable for practicing the method comprises a means for disposing the particulate matter in the form of a falling curtain and a means for spraying the binder on the particulate matter.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating pellets, such as prills, granules and the like, with a liquid coating agent, which comprises a cylindrical, obliquely disposed drum arranged for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said drum comprising means at or adjacent its higher end for the supply and input of pellets to be coated and for supplying and spraying or atomizing said liquid coating agent over the pellets introduced, and means at or adjacent its lower end for the output and discharge of coated product pellets, and further is provided with partitions arranged transversely to the axis of rotation and dividing the drum into compartments, each of said partitions having a passage opening located eccentrically relative to the axis of rotation and so that the passage openings in each pair of partitions defining a compartment are peripherally offset relatively to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the selective conditioning, wetting and coating of particles with a selective wetting agent. The apparatus includes a horizontally extending surface capable of vibration which vibration induces uniform translatory movement along the surface to particles upon the surface. A vertically extending barrier is on the surface and extends across the surface and at right angle to the direction of movement of particles upon the surface. A means for spraying the selective wetting agent onto the particles as they move along the surface and before they reach the barrier is provided. Means for removing excess wetting agent are provided on the surface along the direction of movement of the particles after the barrier. A pool of the selective wetting agent forms behind the barrier upon the surface.

Abstract: Multi-cell fluidization and atomization apparatus for the continuous production and/or coating of granules, for example in pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical industries, comprises a series of upright cylindrical cells through which the particulate material moves sequentially having inlet and outlet openings at various heights and rotary agitators therein. The material is fluidized in the cells and may also be contacted by an atomized liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus useful for spray coating discrete particles, such as pharmaceutical tablets, with liquid coating compositions which are essentially free of organic solvents, the apparatus having at least three spaced spray nozzles mounted on a spray manifold having a conical surface design which is located within a vertically disposed two-zone coating chamber, having a gas inlet at the chamber base adapted to project the particles to be coated through a coating zone for recirculation through a drying zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the two stage grinding of paper material with the controlled addition of dry and wet fire retardant chemicals to produce a desirable cellulose insulation material. The paper is first ground into coarse granules which are placed in a storage hopper and systematically fed by an auger into a fine grinder. At the same time that the cellulose material is introduced into the fine grinder, a controlled flow of dry fire retardant chemicals is continuously added and ground with the material. The resultant granular material is then transported by air in an upward direction where a solution of liquid fire retardant chemicals is sprayed in a concurrent direction with the flow so as to wet and saturate the cellulose material producing a fire retardant product. The wetted material, because of its adhering qualities, is directed through a corrugated flexible pipe section to storage.

Abstract: Automatic coating and drying apparatus wherein a stream of parts or elements is directed from above into an upright perforated basket spinning at low speed, and are simultaneously sprayed with a coating solution. When the basket is full, the loading and spraying cycles are terminated, and the basket is spun at high speed to throw excess solution off of the parts. The basket may be rotated to a position opening downwardly such that the parts spill therefrom into a suitable bin, after which the basket may be returned to the upright position so that the entire cycle may be repeated.

Abstract: A method for making a slurry containing particulate matter and fibers for a preformed insulation product comprises mixing dry particulate matter with a binder which is a liquid containing dispersed fibers. An apparatus suitable for practicing the method comprises a means for disposing the particulate matter in the form of a falling curtain and a means for spraying the binder on the particulate matter.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for metering liquid chemicals and applying such chemicals into grains such as seed being conveyed through a screw conveyor, the pump including a reciprocating rod operated by an eccentric cam on the screw conveyor shaft, the pump rod having a shoulder and a stop carried by the housing to limit the length of movement of the rod, the stop being a rotary cam having flat surfaces, of varied distances from the cam axis and controlled by a hand operated knob.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of powdery and granular substances, which provides for cooling or heating and/or spraying the substances with liquid or molten addition or treatment elements in a vessel rotationally symmetrical to its vertical axis. The substances to be treated are introduced into a vortex flow at the head of the vessel and then carried along by a substantially axially parallel, downward-moving gas stream and are conducted through a spraying zone in which the liquid or molten elements are sprayed thereon. This flow, after a movement undisturbed over a certain interval, strikes upon a counterflow rising from underneath, the velocity adjustment of which is determined by the sifting effect and/or the staying time. The gases, preferably air, enter the vessel in a tempered state in correspondence to the desired result of the process.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and process for automatically coating solid pharmaceutical dosage forms, e.g., tablets. The apparatus comprises a coating pan, having a rotating means, e.g., motor and a weighing means, e.g., scales in combination with the pan and motor. A process controller is in electronic communication with both the pan motor and scales, for controlling the pan rotation and monitoring the weight of the coating pan contents. There is also provided a plurality of material containing reservoirs having conduit means communicating with the interior of the pan. The material containing reservoirs may also have weighing means, e.g, scales in combination with the reservoirs, which are also in electronic communication with the process controller. These reservoirs may contain a water supply, a coating syrup supply, color suspension supply, and polishing ingredients for use in coating the tablets.

Abstract: Pellets may be provided with a water insoluble coating in a rotating pan by heating the pellets to a temperature of about two to three degrees centigrade below the melting point of the coating composition and subsequent thereto flowing molten coating composition onto the pellets. The method is particularly suitable for providing medicinal pellets with an enteric coating, specifically those enteric coatings having sustained release characteristics.

Abstract: Fuel, fertile material or absorber material containing particles for high temperature fuel elements are coated in a fluidized bed by heating the particles and fluidizing through carrier gas preheated to the desired temperature. The coating gas, having a higher velocity than the carrier gas causing fluidizing, is blown into the fluidized particle bed from one or more nozzles from above counter to the flow of the carrier gas. The nozzles end above the fluidized layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for spray coating discrete particles while the particles are suspended in a gas flow, the apparatus including a vertically disposed coating chamber; a gas receiving, compressing and accelerating enclosure open at the top and bottom, such as a truncated hollow cone, within the chamber and including therewithin coating and drying zones and forming on the outside thereof therebetween it and the inside wall surface of the coating chamber an annular storage zone for a load of the discrete particles; one or more gas shaping or aerodynamic structures centrally disposed in spaced relation below the truncated hollow cone defining therebetween with the apparatus inside wall surface an annular nozzle for a Coanda flow of upwardly moving gases substantially into the truncated hollow cone; a particle supporting screen between the truncated hollow cone and the aerodynamic structure(s); at least one spray nozzle extending above the central aerodynamic structure and projecting through the particle supporting screen

Abstract: In the manufacture of chip board panels, the chip parts are sprayed with a bonding agent, and in the subject process, a curtain of chip particles of rotational symmetry relative to a vertical axis is first coated with the sprayable binder, after which the particles fall onto a generally horizontal rotating plate, whereby the particles are deflected and slung outwardly where the particles are again exposed to the effect of the spray jet. Thereafter, the particles are deflected downward for further treatment or collected and removed. The apparatus includes a circular particle delivery part for the formation of the rotationally symmetrical curtain, a spray device arranged within the curtain and concentric to it, and a rotating plate supported concentrically to the axis of the curtain particles and spaced away from the feed point of the particles.

Abstract: Drum-type continuous washer for small parts in manufacture, e.g., fasteners. The parts, requiring oil and other soil removal, are tumble-washed therein, in steps in order: at an immersion station for tumbling the soaking parts in hot washing liquid; at a liquid-impingement station for loosening and spraying off the wetted soils by the force and cleaning action of impinged, hot sprays of continuously recycled washing liquid; at a drip-dry station for tumbling off excess liquid from within and without the individual tumbling parts, leaving them wet and hot; at a blow-dry station for rendering the hot parts damp by means of compressing and blowing-on hot, recycling-steamy atmosphere drawn from the process and preferably containing rust-inhibitor coating material; and at an evaporative dry (final dry) station for discharging the cleaned, hot, rust-proofed parts essentially moisture-free by flash drying.

Abstract: A device for coating granular solids has a rotary drum and a casing or housing air-tightly housing the rotary drum. The space between the rotary drum and the casing is divided by sealing means into a gas supply passage and a gas exhaust passage which in turn are communicated with a gas supply duct and a gas exhaust duct, respectively. The rotary drum is of a double-cone structure consisting of a cylindrical section and frustoconical side walls, and the cylindrical section consists of a plurality of circumferentially arcuated louvers overlapped one upon another and radially spaced apart from each other at a suitable distance to define gas passages between the interior and exterior of the rotary drum.

Abstract: A machine for sugar coating articles of confectionery, or pharmaceutical or like products, comprises an annular receptacle having an upwardly open channel section which is resiliently mounted on a support structure so that it can be vibrated with respect to the support structure by means of a vibration generator. The articles to be sugar coated are loaded into the receptacle and vibrated together to spread the sugary substance subsequently sprayed over them. In one embodiment the annular receptacle has a mesh structure so that drying air can be blown upwardly through the articles being coated to accelerate the drying process. In another embodiment the annular receptacle is imperforate and has an arcuate auxiliary container attached thereto, which auxiliary container extends to either side of a discharge aperture of said annular receptacle and is provided with a mesh floor and its own discharge apertures.

Abstract: In the fluid granulating/coating apparatus to be worked by utilizing suction air current, a granulating/coating apparatus wherein a receptacle for accommodating bag filters as disposed in the upper part of the apparatus is in the shape of a cylinder with smooth interior, the suction air current is supposed to be discharged by way of one side wall of said cylindrical receptacle, a fan for generating the suction air current and a damper for stopping air suction are installed on the outside of said cylindrical receptacle, and a large-sized safety lid is installed on the upper part of the cylindrical receptacle.

Abstract: Seed treating and conveying apparatus including a screw conveyor with an auger and an auger shaft operating within the auger tube and driven by a motor, an eccentric or cam rotated in direct relation to the rate of rotation of the auger shaft and operating a reciprocating positive displacement metering pump, the displacement of the impeller rod of the pump being adjustable to vary the quantity of liquid treating material applied to the seed in the auger tube during each revolution of the auger.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying glue to chips, fibers and the like of wood, bagasse and other cellulose containing substances, which comprises a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber in which a shaft rotates equipped with radially extending mixing and/or glue applying tools. These tools immerse with their head region partly into a ring of chip material rotating at a relatively high speed. The glue applying tools comprises a glue conveying passage which in the lower region of the glue applying tools communicates with a glue feeding conduit associated with the driving shaft and in its upper region has a glue exit opening. The upper section of the glue applying tool has a glue discharge passage extending in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the glue applying tool. The end region of the glue discharge passage has at least one glue discharge opening.

Abstract: A device for applying glue to chips, fibers or the like particles of cellulose containing substances, such as wood, bagasse, or the like, with an at least approximately cylindrical chamber in which the material to which the glue is to be applied passes through an inlet chute, an inlet zone, a gluing zone following the latter, a post-mixing zone, and an outlet in the form of a ring of material rotating along the cylindrical wall of the chamber, and in which on a shaft extending through the chamber, in the inlet zone there are arranged conveying tools which are provided with a vane or paddle-shaped working surface. Tools are arranged in the gluing zone and post-mixing zone for applying glue to and mixing the material.

Abstract: A device for continuous coating of fibers has a horizontally mounted cylindrical mixing container with an inlet for fibers at one end and an outlet for coated fibers at the other end. The container has a mixing shaft mounted coaxially therewithin, which shaft is driveable at a considerably supercritical speed. The shaft is at least partially hollow and is provided with a glue feed through its interior. In a glue feed zone of the container the shaft is provided with glue agitating elements projecting therefrom and dispensing glue to the ring of fibers formed in the vicinity of the wall of the container. The shaft also has ventilator ridges mounted thereon extending radially outwardly for most of the length of the shaft, which ventilator ridges support mixing tools which extend into the ring of fibers.

Abstract: A portable pressure spray liquid chemical seed treatment consisting of three basic sections: a hopper feeding seed to be treated through a gate assembly which is adjustable to define a variable width curtain of seed into a lower chamber. Seed which is controlled by the gate assembly to fall by gravity in a curtain of variable width is sprayed from horizontally disposed nozzles and thereby coated with chemical spray. The seed so coated is then immediately available for planting.

Abstract: A process for applying a pesticidal composition to granular vegetative products such as grains and seeds, which comprises:1. loading and compacting a granular material into a first chamber by conveying it upwardly against the force of gravity;2. conveying and tumbling the compacted granular material from the first chamber into a second chamber of greater capacity than the first chamber to permit mixing and tumbling of the granular material;3. spraying the tumbling granular material with a pesticidal composition in the second chamber; and4. discharging the sprayed granular material from the second chamber.Apparatus suitable for carrying out the process of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Method and related means for enveloping pellets of foamed polystyrene suitable for producing lightened manufactured articles of cement, wherein the pellets are introduced into a mixing unit at a first station thereof and then passed to a station for water and synthetic resin introduction, and next to a third station in said mixing unit where an inert filler is introduced, then reaching a heating zone for drying and polymerizing the enveloped pellets, said processing steps being carried out in a continuous succession.

Abstract: Absorption of treatment composition into a surface layer of particulate material in a moving bed is substantially increased by spraying a major portion of the composition through a first group of nozzles and a minor portion of the composition through a second group of nozzles, the nozzles being attached to the top of a common transverse spray header which is oscillated across the moving bed. The first group of nozzles directs a plurality of substantially parallel vertical jets onto the surface of the moving bed to form therein, on combined motion of the bed and spray header, a zigzag pattern of trenches. The treatment composition is retained in these trenches as it is absorbed by adjoining particulate material. Loss of treatment composition due to run-off over a sloping or insufficiently wetted surface is avoided.

Abstract: A method of coating electrostatographic carrier particles comprising introducing an upwardly flowing low pressure gas and a centrally located upwardly flowing high pressure gas at about one-third their full flow rate into a combined fluidized bed and spouted bed coating apparatus, loading carrier particles into the coating apparatus, increasing the flow rate of the low pressure gas to its full flow rate of about 305 cubic feet per minute with heating to heat the carrier particles, increasing the flow rate of the high pressure gas to its full flow rate of about 16 cubic feet per minute at about 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is given for uniformly coating particulate fertilizer material with small amounts of finely divided micro and/or secondary nutrients by forming the particulate base fertilizer material in a falling curtain, spraying the base material with a binder solution, finally mixing in an agitated bed the base material with the finely divided nutrients, thus giving a product of micro and/or secondary nutrients uniformly distributed over the surfaces of the particulate base fertilizer.

Abstract: An apparatus for enrobing discrete objects. The device includes a perforated drum adapted to receive and tumble a charge of discrete objects to be coated and which is rotatable about its horizontal axis. The tumbling charge is periodically wetted with coating material and is dried by a stream of selectively conditioned air passed through the charge. During the initial phase of each drying operation a high velocity conditioned air stream employing a high percentage of reconditioned air is employed that effects rapid drying without deleteriously affecting the surface of the coated objects. During the final phase of each drying operation velocities are reduced and higher percentages of unrecirculated conditioned air is employed to assure continuity of drying with a concomitant production of an optimum surface of coating material thereon.