Abstract: A surface equalization apparatus designed to be compatible with a wide variety of part technologies, composite materials and part geometries. The apparatus works with software, chemistry, abrasives and media and includes an oblong, elongated input tank for holding media and a part. The input tank is connected to a motor mount, which is connected to an eccentric motor. When the motor is activated, the input tank begins to move in a vibrational, sinusoidal manner. The motion of the tank on attached springs generates a rotational flow of media in the tank. This creates a low amplitude/high frequency movement of the part through the tank. Surface structures divert media to prevent the part from contacting the side of the tank. Spray nozzles are positioned above the input tank. Acoustic damping foam is positioned around the central components. A cooling fan allows airflow through the apparatus.

Abstract: A split stabilizer bearing for a mast of a rotary distributor includes a split cylindrical housing, a split filament wound bushing, a plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene-coated carbon fiber ring seals, an annular split seal retainer, and multiple fasteners. The filament wound bushing is disposed inside the housing, along an inner surface thereof. The bushing has a backing layer of high-strength glass fiber and an inner sliding layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polymer fiber, the two layers both embedded in a epoxy resin matrix. The carbon fiber ring seals are disposed on axially or longitudinally opposed sides of the bushing and along an inner side or surface of the cylindrical housing, preferably in respective annular recesses or offsets along the inner side or surface of the housing. The fasteners, nylon-patch locking screws or bolts, couple the bushing and the split seal retainer to the housing.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a machine for liquid or semi-liquid food products having a container forming a processing chamber, a mixer inside the processing chamber, and a thermal treatment mechanism to exchange heat with the processing chamber. The method includes a) pasteurizing a basic mixture or finished product in the container at a first time interval; b) performing the following operations at a second time interval: emptying the basic mixture from the container, washing the container using a washing fluid, filling the container with a cleaning fluid and subjecting the cleaning fluid in the container to a heating thermal treatment; c) disassembling and cleaning at a third time interval components of the machine which make contact, in use, with the basic mixture or product, where the first time interval is less than the second time interval and the second time interval is less than the third time interval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for moving and/or transferring discrete articles are described. In particular, the methods and apparatuses relate to flexible arrangements to move and/or transfer discrete articles that vary in size and/or shape with minimal to no change in equipment.

Abstract: A motorized drum (03000) has a drum shell (03700) with a motor (04200) there within and an end lid (03570) of a determined diameter with an end lid recess (46920). An end lid remover tool (46940) has an outer circumferential geometry with a larger diameter and a tool recess (46930). The tool recess complements the end lid recess. A joining cord (46910) has a cross-sectional geometry that corresponds to the combination of the end lid recess and the tool recess. An inlet enables access to the channel, and a flexible member (46910) is installed therethrough to occupy the channel. A slide hammer (46950) applies an axially outward force whereby the end lid is urged axially outward in response to outward force conveyed to the end lid arrangement via the flexible member. The remover tool can have alternatively a circumferential spiral geometry that is configured to engage an outer circumferential spiral geometry of the end lid.

Abstract: A portable feed apparatus comprising a feed container, a mixing assembly that receives a feed from said feed container, at least one feed additive assembly in flowable connection with said mixing assembly, and a controller in communication with said mixing assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning system for coffee machines, comprising a cleaning device for periodically cleaning the coffee- and/or milk-carrying components using a cleaning liquid, which contains cleaning agent in the form of balls or tablets dissolved therein, wherein the cleaning device is provided with a time- and/or product-cycle-dependent controller and a metering apparatus (1) for the cleaning agent (10) that interacts with the controller. Thus, it is possible to program the cleaning process in a customized manner according to the mode of operation and to carry out the cleaning process fully automatically according to the program. The metering of the cleaning agent (10) according to the program ensures an always optimal cleaning effect together with sparing use of cleaning agents. Simple and safe handling is achieved by using ball- or tablet-shaped cleaning agents.

Abstract: One of reverse passing parts provided in a substrate passing part comprises a first holding mechanism and a second holding mechanism. The first holding mechanism and the second holding mechanism are arranged in vertically symmetry with respect to a rotary central axis and rotate 180 degrees about the rotary central axis, to replace each other in position. A transport robot on the loading side passes a substrate to a third holding mechanism or a fourth holding mechanism at a first vertical position. The substrate reversed in the reverse passing part is passed to a transport robot on the unloading side from the third holding mechanism or the fourth holding mechanism at a second vertical position. Before a reverse process on the preceding substrate is finished, the transport robot on the loading side can start the transfer of the following substrate.

Abstract: The cleansing apparatus is equipped with: an upright outer cylinder and a screw conveyor is rotatably provided within the outer cylinder. The screw conveyor conveys filtration media introduced through an inlet at the lower end of the outer cylinder upward to an outlet at the upper end of the outer cylinder. A drive section rotationally drives the screw conveyor. A control section controls the rotation of the drive section. A regulating blade regulates the upward movement of the filtration media is above the outlet and is coaxially with the screw conveyor. A cleansing liquid is introduced through an aperture above the regulating blade within the outer cylinder.

Abstract: System and method for treating particulate solids comprises a processor for providing contaminated particulate solids at a predetermined apparent density and a screw feeder for transporting a water-based slurry of the contaminated particulate solids through an ultrasound signal of sufficient size, strength and duration to cause the contaminants to separate from the particulate solids. One or more stacks of ultrasonic transducers arranged around the screw feeder may be employed in which the diameter of each transducer preferably is substantially the same as the pitch of the screw feeder.

Abstract: A washing device that may include a conveyor frame having a carousel shape with a plurality of carrier sections along an outside section of the conveyor frame. The conveyor frame may rotate to transport at least one object through at least one processing station along a circular path. A first processing station may be positioned along the circular path. In certain embodiments, a second processing station may be positioned further along the circular path. The processing stations may include a washing station and a drying station. The object may be a tote container.

Abstract: An external device for cleaning a filtration material and adapted for application to a filtration device, in which the filtration material can be automatically cleaned easily and at low cost without requiring replacement of an existing filtration device with a newly purchased device. An external device for cleaning a filtration material is applied to a filtration device for filtering a supplied unfiltered liquid by layers of a filtration material to remove muddiness in the liquid and discharging the cleaned liquid to the outside.

Abstract: A bottle cleaning machine and to a method for cleaning bottles with a bottle transporting device for transporting the bottles to be cleaned and with spraying nozzles. The bottle transporting device is configured such that the bottles are transported past the spraying nozzles along a substantially spiral transportation path, and preferably about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A device for removing dust from pharmaceutical tablets or capsules, comprising a dust removal column with a first ramp for controlled conveying in a helical shape; the first ramp is composed of a conveying conduit which has walls leak-light wiih respect to the tablets or capsules and which comprises an inlet in the lower part of the column and an outlet in the upper part of the column, this column comprising a chamber which aspirates dust from tablets or capsules and which has walls that are leak-tight with respect to the conveyed tablets or capsules, a passage for aspiration of dust from tablets or capsules is provided, and the whole assembly formed by the conveying conduit and the aspiration chamber is configured such that the column is leak-tight with respect to the dust from the tablets or capsules.

Abstract: A method for cleaning dinnerware includes the steps of aligning and/or registering items to be cleaned from a standby zone, moving the items continuously from the standby zone one by one into a wash zone in a way that the items each have a cleaning posture relative to a path along which the items march, washing the items processionally by using cleaning fluid, and sorting or collecting the items in order for reuse by diners directly. The dishwasher employing the aforesaid method has functions of auto-collecting and washing the to-be-cleaned dinnerware and sorting or collecting thus obtained dinnerware, and is compact in size such that the dishwasher can be directly installed at a location in proximity to a dining area for enabling the diners to conveniently take out the newly cleaned dinnerware at any time. The dishwasher has a good cleaning efficiency and a low operating cost.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for cleaning bulk material, comprising a container for receiving the bulk material, a filling opening which is arranged in an upper region of the container, at least one stirring device which is arranged in the interior of the container and such that it can rotate with respect to the container, and at least one discharge device via which the bulk material can be removed from the container, wherein the discharge device is arranged below the filling opening. According to the embodiments of the invention, at least one feed is provided, via which a cleaning liquid can be introduced into the container, wherein the feed is arranged above the discharge device.

Abstract: Air rinse and transport apparatus (10) comprises a bottle air-rinsing device (12) for air rinsing a turned bottle (16) with ionized air, and an air conveyor (14) for moving a bottle (16) to and/or from the air-rinsing device (12). The air conveyor (14) includes a bottle guide (24) along which a bottle (16) is moved by air pressure. The guide (24) is at least in part helical so as to turn a longitudinal extent of the said bottle (16). Preferably, the turning causes the said bottle to be inverted.

Abstract: The cleansing apparatus is equipped with: an upright outer cylinder and a screw conveyor is rotatably provided within the outer cylinder. The screw conveyor conveys filtration media introduced through an inlet at the lower end of the outer cylinder upward to an outlet at the upper end of the outer cylinder. A drive section rotationally drives the screw conveyor. A control section controls the rotation of the drive section. A regulating blade regulates the upward movement of the filtration media is above the outlet and is coaxially with the screw conveyor. A cleansing liquid is introduced through an aperture above the regulating blade within the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A method of removing a surface material from a resin product including: coarsely crushing the resin product having a resin substrate and the surface material formed thereon by coating or adhesive bonding, introducing the coarsely crushed product into a cylinder, and transporting the coarsely crushed product in the cylinder while bringing the product into contact with heated steam and stirring the product by a rotor having a protruding bar, to peel the surface material from the product. The heat of the heated steam and the rubbing heat by the stirring reduce the bonding strength between the surface material and the resin substrate to easily peel the surface material from the product by rubbing the product with each other. Thus, the removal of the surface material formed on a surface of a resin substrate by coating or adhesive bonding can be achieved with enhanced efficiency, environment safety and processing capacity.

Abstract: A sand washing apparatus may be used for separating organic material from a mixture comprising sand and organic material. The apparatus may comprise: a wash chamber for accepting a mixture comprising sand and organic material, the chamber including a lower portion; and an agitator comprising a screw having two or more flights extending into the lower portion. A method for recovering sand from a mixture comprising sand and organic material may comprise the steps of: introducing a mixture comprising sand and organic material into a water-filled chamber having a net flow of water in an upwardly direction; allowing organic material from the mixture to ascend in a net upwardly direction and allowing sand from the mixture to descend in a net downwardly direction; subjecting at least a portion of the descending sand to a turbulence; and recovering sand that has descended past the turbulence.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus includes a tank defining an inner compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and positioned relative to the tank in a first position, and a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen for advancing food product within the tank from the inlet end of the tank toward the outlet end.

Abstract: An automatic car wash system is provided for processing multiple vehicles simultaneously. The system according to one embodiment includes an elongate path, a plurality of stations for processing the vehicle, at least two detectors for indicating the presence of the vehicles. The system provides instructions to the drivers of the vehicles so that the vehicles travel through the system under their own power, and thus conveyor systems can be avoided, yet throughput remains high. In one embodiment, the system includes a radio transmitter that is operable to direct specific information to each of the vehicles via radio signals.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from a material (39), such as resin particles, includes the steps of providing a vessel (50), directing a cleaning fluid (41) into the vessel (50), transferring the material into the vessel (50), moving the material within the vessel (50), and removing contaminants from the material as cleaning fluid (41) flows in the vessel (50). The vessel (50) has a vessel inlet (52) and a spaced apart vessel outlet (54). The cleaning fluid (41) is directed into the vessel (50) so that the cleaning fluid (41) flows in the vessel (50). The material (39) is transferred into the vessel (50) through the vessel inlet (52), and the material (39) is then moved within the vessel (50) from the vessel inlet (52) towards the vessel outlet (54). The cleaning fluid (41) flowing in the vessel (50) contacts the material (39) while the material is moving from the vessel inlet (52) toward the vessel outlet (54) and removes contaminants (39) from material (39).

Abstract: A food processing apparatus includes a tank having an inlet end and a discharge end and at least one baffle divides the tank into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein a temperature of the first compartment is greater than a temperature of the second compartment. A first drum is rotatably mounted within the first compartment of the tank such that a heat transfer medium contained in the first compartment of the tank will enter the first drum and a second drum is rotatably mounted within the second compartment of the tank such that a cool transfer medium contained in the second compartment of the tank will enter the second drum. A food product transfer device transfers food product from the first drum to the second drum.

Abstract: A screenings washer having a hopper, a grinder downstream of the hopper, and a washer downstream of the grinder. The washer includes an auger rotor that receives the screenings ground by the grinder, a spray wash system that sprays a wash fluid directly onto a portion of said auger rotor and the ground screenings, a perforated trough, and tubular casing directly coupled to the discharge end of said auger rotor and having a severe bend proximate to the discharge end of said auger rotor. The severe bend partially obstructing transportation of the ground screenings transported by said auger rotor so as form a compaction zone that compacts and de-waters the ground screenings.

Abstract: An automatic car wash system is provided for processing multiple vehicles simultaneously. The system according to one embodiment includes an elongate path, a plurality of stations for processing the vehicle, at least two detectors for indicating the presence of the vehicles. The system provides instructions to the drivers of the vehicles so that the vehicles travel through the system under their own power, and thus conveyor systems can be avoided, yet throughput remains high. In one embodiment, the system includes a radio transmitter that is operable to direct specific information to each of the vehicles via radio signals.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus capable of sufficiently removing foreign matters such as coating or labels from surfaces of crushed pieces of the collected polymeric mold product is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning bath provided with a rotary shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and having a water supply port, a drainage port as well as an introduction port and a discharging port for polymeric pieces, screw sections having a screw provided on the rotary shaft and flow-path restricting sections having stationary plates standing upright from the inner surface of the cleaning bath to restricting the advancement of water caused by the screw, wherein at least part of a surface of the stationary plate is roughened.

Abstract: A screenings washer having a hopper, a grinder downstream of the hopper, and a washer downstream of the grinder. The washer includes an auger rotor that receives the screenings ground by the grinder, a spray wash system that sprays a wash fluid directly onto a portion of said auger rotor and the ground screenings, a perforated trough, and tubular casing directly coupled to the discharge end of said auger rotor and having a severe bend proximate to the discharge end of said auger rotor. The severe bend partially obstructing transportation of the ground screenings transported by said auger rotor so as form a compaction zone that compacts and de-waters the ground screenings.

Abstract: A screenings washer having a hopper, a grinder downstream of the hopper, and a washer downstream of the grinder. The washer includes an auger rotor that receives the screenings ground by the grinder, a spray wash system that sprays a wash fluid directly onto a portion of said auger rotor and the ground screenings, a perforated trough, and tubular casing directly coupled to the discharge end of said auger rotor and having a severe bend proximate to the discharge end of said auger rotor. The severe bend partially obstructing transportation of the ground screenings transported by said auger rotor so as form a compaction zone that compacts and de-waters the ground screenings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transfer between a solid matter and a liquid, comprising an outer drum and a perforated inner drum, means for commonly rotating the drums, and means situated inside the inner drum for moving the solid matter. In between the two drums, a number of troughs are formed which, during the rotation of the drums, bring up liquid and pour it out higher up through the inner drum. Along the front rim of each trough, the drum is provided with a drain opening, opposite to which means are provided for preventing, when the drain opening, during the rotation of the drums, is at the bottom, the penetration of solid matter through said opening.

Abstract: A machine for treating bulk material of industrial volume parts, having a treatment drum which is arranged with a horizontal axis and can be driven in both directions of rotation around the axis, the treatment drum comprises a permanently open co-axial inlet aperture and a permanently open co-axial discharge aperture, the treatment drum comprises a set of worm-like inner blades which extend at least as far as the discharge aperture and which, in the first direction of rotation of the treatment drum, reposition the bulk material in the drum and, in the second direction of rotation of the treatment drum, convey the bulk material through the discharge aperture.

Abstract: A grit removal device, as may be used in a water or wastewater treatment plant, has a vortex grit collector and a mechanical conveyor for removing the grit from the collector. The grit collector includes a tank having an influent channel and an effluent channel, and a stirrer or other mechanism for inducing vortex flow within the tank. The tank has a sump located beneath it, wherein grit settles. A mechanical conveyor, such as a rotating screw, removes and dewaters grit from the sump to an exterior location. The conveyor is preferably offset from the horizontal. The invention also includes a method of grit removal employing the device.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transporting open containers is provided with at least two conveying elements located opposite to each other that are adapted frictionally or positively engage the containers. Each conveying element comprises a plurality of gripping elements by means of guiding rails. The gripping elements each comprise at least two lip members located distantly to each other as seen in conveying direction and elastically resilient at least in a direction crosswise to the conveying direction, in order to grasp the containers laterally. The gripping elements are adapted to grasp and guide the containers, such that additional guiding elements can be avoided.

Abstract: A heated wheel/tire cleaner applicator system is used in car washes to clean wheels and tires on vehicles. The system is comprised of a cleaning solution supply system and circulating hot water system. The cleaning solution supply system pumps cleaning solution from a tank, through a pipe having an inline, flow-regulating valve, to spray nozzles on the distal flow end of the pipe. An applicator box houses the distal flow end of the pipe and a small hot water tank. The circulating hot water system maintains a constant heated water temperature in the tank. The hot water in the tank heats cleaning solution flowing in the distal flow end of the pipe by convection. A trigger device in the car wash opens and closes the valve to regulate the flow of cleaning solution through the distal flow end of the pipe and spray nozzles.

Abstract: A system for releasing and separating labels from containers has a releaser for mixing the containers with introduced fluids and for providing the containers with a sufficient retention time and agitation to clean the containers and release the labels therefrom. The system further includes a separator for receiving the containers and labels from said releaser. The separator has an inclined base with a plurality of counter-rotating rollers adapted to urge the labels and introduced fluid away from said containers. The rollers are spaced to encourage some of the containers to become wedged therebetween to enhance performance of the separator.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel dissolution apparatus which comprises a perforated sloping ramp contained within a process chamber for containing solvent for the fuel, a pulsation member which in use creates pulses in solvent in the process chamber, the perforations being designed to direct pulses of solvent along and up the ramp, and a discharge point for fuel hulls disposed at an upper region of the ramp is characterised in that the ramp is made out of flat blades and the perforations of the ramp comprise inclined slits formed between the blades.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a particulate material conveyor comprises a sprocket (22) having one or more radial through-channels (25a, 25b, 25c). This or these channels connect with an inlet for a cleaning fluid supply and each has one or more fluid outlets exiting from the surface of the sprocket, whereby when the sprocket rotates, fluid provided through the inlet is distributed through the radial channel and out of the fluid outlets. The fluid is dispersed in a turbulent manner about the cavity (29) surrounding the sprocket.

Abstract: A grit washer is disclosed having a bearing assembly which supports a conveyor and which is removably mounted to the exterior of the grit washer tank. With the bearing assembly being mounted to the exterior of the tank, the bearing assembly is easily accessible without the need to drain the tank or lift the screw conveyor out of the tank. The bearing assembly can therefore be easily inspected, repaired and/or replaced as necessary. The external placement of the bearing assembly also isolates the bearing assembly from the abrasive grit in the tank thereby minimizing the damage to the bearing assembly caused by the grit.

Abstract: A bore cleaner including a first flexible cord having a weighted member attached to a first end, a cleaning tool which is removably attachable to a second end of the first flexible cord in a first bore cleaner assembly, and a second, thicker flexible cord which is removably attachable to the second end of the first flexible cord in a second bore cleaner assembly and removably attachable to the cleaning tool in a third bore cleaner assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus capable of sufficiently removing foreign matters such as coating or labels from surfaces of crushed pieces of the collected polymeric mold product is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning bath provided with a rotary shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and having a water supply port, a drainage port as well as an introduction port and a discharging port for polymeric pieces, screw sections having a screw provided on the rotary shaft and flow-path restricting sections having stationary plates standing upright from the inner surface of the cleaning bath to restricting the advancement of water caused by the screw, wherein at least part of a surface of the stationary plate is roughened.

Abstract: A machine for treating bulk material of industrial volume parts, having a treatment drum which is arranged with a horizontal axis and can be driven in both directions of rotation around said axis, the treatment drum comprises a permanently open co-axial inlet aperture and a permanently open co-axial discharge aperture, the treatment drum comprises a set of worm-like inner blades which extend at least as far as the discharge aperture and which, in the first direction of rotation of the treatment drum, reposition the bulk material in the drum and, in the second direction of rotation of the treatment drum, convey the bulk material through the discharge aperture.

Abstract: A grit washer is disclosed having a bearing assembly which supports a conveyor and which is removably mounted to the exterior of the grit washer tank. With the bearing assembly being mounted to the exterior of the tank, the bearing assembly is easily accessible without the need to drain the tank or lift the screw conveyor out of the tank. The bearing assembly can therefore be easily inspected, repaired and/or replaced as necessary. The external placement of the bearing assembly also isolates the bearing assembly from the abrasive grit in the tank thereby minimizing the damage to the bearing assembly caused by the grit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous ultrasonic washing method and apparatus for small parts in manufacture. It more particularly relates to washing small manufacture parts in an apparatus requiring small volumes of water, no cleaning detergents, and an efficient ultrasonic transducer system where the ratio of ultrasonic power per volume of water is at a level well above that for other ultrasonic washers in use today.

Abstract: A large tumbling device into which broken pieces of labeled glass such as beverage bottles, or cullet, are fed. After entering the interior chamber of the tumbler, the cullet is carried by a plurality of interior fins along the inside circumference of the tumbler to a point where the glass falls back to the low point of the tumbler. During this fall, the cullet passes through a flame generated in the interior cavity of said tumbler. The glass is heated to a temperature well below 600 degrees Fahrenheit (the temperature at which the molecular structure of glass begins to change) therefore ensuring that the processed glass retains its original properties. This process is repeated numerous times, ensuring that all of the foreign material is removed, before the cullet passes through the entirety of the chamber and is cooled to be processed into the desired grades.

Abstract: In a method of washing contaminated particulate matter, a screw conveyor is disposed in a cleaning tank for rotation around a substantially vertical axis so that the lower part of the screw conveyor is positioned under the surface of the cleaning water and the upper part of the screw conveyor is positioned above the surface of the cleaning water. Under the surface of the water, the grains of the particulate matter are contacted with each other with sludge being interposed therebetween to remove at least a part of contamination substances from the surface of the grains of the particulate matter and to wash off the substances into the water.

Abstract: In a method of washing contaminated particulate matter, a screw conveyor is disposed in a cleaning tank for rotation around a substantially vertical axis so that the lower part of the screw conveyor is positioned under the surface of the cleaning water and the upper part of the screw conveyor is positioned above the surface of the cleaning water. Under the surface of the water, the grains of the particulate matter are contacted with each other with sludge being interposed therebetween to remove at least a part of contamination substances from the surface of the grains of the particulate matter and to wash off the substances into the water.

Abstract: A rotary blancher having a food product receiving chamber sealed substantially everywhere except at its food product inlet and food product outlet to permit operation using solely a non-liquid heat transfer medium that is a gas or vapor that preferably is steam. To minimize loss of heat transfer medium out the inlet and outlet, some atmosphere preferably is vented. Preferably, the blancher can also use a liquid heat transfer medium or liquid and non-liquid heat transfer combined media. During operation, food product is introduced into the chamber and a rotary food transport mechanism urges the food product toward the outlet. The heat transfer medium is introduced into the chamber where it comes into contact with the food product. After heating the food product to the desired temperature, the food product is removed from the blancher. Preferably, food product is blanched in this manner in a continuous flow process.

Abstract: A rotary blancher that is substantially sealed during operation to increase food product heating speed and efficiency. The blancher has a sealed housing, a novel substantially sealed food product inlet, and a novel substantially sealed food product outlet. A heat transfer medium, such as water or only steam, is introduced into the blancher to heat the food product inside the blancher. During operation, food products are substantially continuously introduced into the blancher through the food product inlet, processed by the blancher, and thereafter discharged from the blancher through the food product outlet. As a result, a greater amount of food products can be more quickly heated to a desired temperature using a blancher of this invention as compared to a blancher that is not sealed.

Abstract: A rice washing apparatus which can wash rice in a short time with a high degree of efficiency, and which can prevent occurrence of fragmentation of the rice, is composed of a rice washing tank formed of a cylindrical body, having a lower part in an inverted conical shape, and formed in its lower end with a rice discharge port, a water discharge pipe connected to a side of the lower part of the rice washing tank, a hollow valve rod adapted to be moved up and down in the rice washing tank, and provided in the lower part thereof with a rice discharge valve for opening and closing the rice discharge port, a hollow rotary shaft through which the valve rod is extended, and an agitating member 10 mounted to the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A separator for separating curable material including liquid, especially residual concrete, residual mortar and the like, having a conveying screw which is disposed in a receiving trough. The rotary axle of the conveying screw extends transversely to the horizontal. The conveying screw increases in diameter, starting from its lower upstream end, and the section of the floor of the receiving trough, which is assigned to the enlarged region of the conveying screw, extends essentially horizontally. The screw has a second following section of decreasing diameter. The floor section at that the second screw section is inclined transversely to the horizontal. An additional screw conveyor may be attached beyond the second section. In an alternate embodiment, the screw has two cylindrical sections of different diameter. A transfer bucket wheel moves material between come of the screw sections.