Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in filling a container from a hopper containing a supply of powder is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit flexibly connected to the hopper and extending downwardly therefrom. The conduit is adapted to permit a flow of powder therewithin. The conduit defines a longitudinal axis thereof and the hopper defines a longitudinal axis thereof. The conduit is flexibly connected to the hopper so that the hopper and the conduit may be arranged in a first position with the longitudinal axis of the hopper and the longitudinal axis of said conduit being coincident and may be arranged in a second position with the longitudinal axis of the hopper and the longitudinal axis of the conduit being skewed with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in filling a container from a hopper containing a supply of powder is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit operably connected to the hopper and extending downwardly therefrom. The conduit is adapted to permit a flow of powder therewithin. The apparatus also includes a nozzle operably connected to the conduit and extending downwardly therefrom. The nozzle defines an inlet thereof for receiving powder from the conduit and defines an outlet thereof for dispensing powder from the nozzle to the container. The inlet defines an inlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the powder and an outlet defining an outlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the powder. The inlet cross sectional area is larger than the outlet cross sectional area. The apparatus further includes an conveyor located at least partially within the conduit. The conveyor assists in providing the flow of powder from the container.

Abstract: A mobile dispensing apparatus capable of onsite bagging of fluent solid materials such as sand. The apparatus includes a hopper supported on wheels and having a trailer hitch. Three augers convey fluent material to three chutes. Each chute has a clamp for supporting a bag being filled. The apparatus has an on-board engine and a transmission selectively driving each auger. A pedal at each chute operates its respective clamp and connects its respective auger to the transmission by an electric clutch. The hopper has side doors and rear doors. A ramp can be removably attached at the rear door of the hopper. An open grate forms a floor within the hopper. Shelves are disposed within the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a powdered or granular material comprises a cylindrical chute, which is mounted in a manner to be movable in a vertical direction and through which passes the loading material, a screw type extruder for extruding the loading material from inside the chute, the extruder being mounted to a lower open end portion of the chute and capable of closing the lower open end of the chute, driving means for driving the extruder, a wire having one end fixed to the tip of the chute and having the other end fixed to a wind-up device through pulleys, and a load cell for detecting an amount of change in the thrust received by the extruder from the powdery or granular loading material. The wind-up device is operated on the basis of the value detected by the load cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing material from a drum or barrel includes a conveyor for transporting drums one at a time through an emptying station at which a housing having an open end is arranged for sealing engagement with an annular rim of a drum bounding an opening through which material is to be withdrawn. The emptying station additionally includes a mechanism adapted to lift drums from the conveyor and place same in sealing engagement with the housing, a scraper supported to movably project from within the housing through its open end and into the opening of a sealingly engaged drum for scraping material from the walls thereof and conveying such material outwardly of the drum into the housing for subsequent discharge therefrom through a discharge opening. The discharge opening communicates with an inlet opening of an axially elongated material conveyor serving to transport material from its inlet opening to a discharge opening removably communicating with a material receiver.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus comprising a filling chute in the form of an extendable and retractable telescopic tube for extending downwardly into a container. The tube has a closure device for closing the otherwise open lower end of the tube and a cable device to lower the tube as it extends downwardly into the container. A filling device is provided to supply material into the upper end of the tube as it is lowered, as well as device for sensing contact with the floor of the container. There is an operating device to open the closure device in response to a signal from the device for sensing the floor of the container. There is also a probe mounted at the bottom of the tube to sense the proximity of the bottom of a container and/or the level of material in the container. A second probe is mounted at the top of the tube to sense when the tube has been filled to the level of the probe and to temporarily interrupt the feed of material to the tube.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a first vertical tube with a plug operably mounted in the lower end to selectively prevent the flow of the material from a dispensing opening in the lower end of the tube. A horizontal feed tube has an auger therein which selectively moves material into the upper end of the vertical tube for dispensing through the dispensing opening of the vertical tube. An actuator mounted on the vertical tube selectively moves the plug between the open and closed positions to dispense material within the tube. A second vertical tube adjacent the first tube also includes a plug operably mounted in a dispensing opening in the lower end thereof, for dispensing fluid from the second vertical tube. The first vertical tube is mounted with its lower end vertically spaced above the lower end of the second vertical tube such that liquid from the second vertical tube will not spray on the first vertical tube.

Abstract: A lift auger and hopper extension assembly for use with a no-till or like seeder drill having an elongated seed hopper mounted laterally across the seeder drill. The assembly comprises a lift auger unit mounted on the seeder drill for movement about horizontal and vertical axes and movable on a slide mechanism from a storage position parallel alongside the seed hopper to a fill position with a fill hopper adjacent the ground and a spout unit poised above the center of the seed hopper, and the associated hopper extension mounted on top of the seed hopper for receiving and distributing an even flow of grain from the spout unit toward both ends of the seed hopper.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials for storage in a receiving container comprising a hollow tubular container having a generally horizontal axis for receiving and holding flowable material. A vacuum pump or venturi and suitable valving are used to first create a vacuum within the chamber and then to return the chamber to atmospheric pressure instantaneously, thereby compacting the flowable material. An auger extends from the inlet end of the tubular container to the outlet end of the tubular container for moving flowable material into and compacted material out of the tubular container into a receiving container.

Abstract: A device is provided for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine. The device comprises an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end thereof. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device further comprises a puncturable seal attached to the open end of the container for sealing the chamber. The container is installable into the developer unit without removal of the seal.

Abstract: A fluent material dispensing apparatus for filling containers with fluent material comprising a hopper for receiving and holding fluent material, the hopper's top being open and the hopper converging downwardly towards the hopper's bottom, wherein multiple discharge openings are located at the hopper's bottom, the top end of the discharge chutes being formed around each of the discharge openings, a support frame for supporting the hopper, the support frame comprising base members and a plurality of vertical legs extending between the hopper and the base members, a swing gate pivotally mounted to each discharge chute, the swing gates being movable from an open to a closed position over the bottom of the discharge chutes to control the discharge of fluent material from the hopper, a swing gate actuating mechanism for selectively moving the swing gate between an open and a closed position, a rotatable auger mounted transversely in the hopper for moving fluent material over the discharge openings, and a power sys

Abstract: A device for filling bags with a flowable material has a hopper with a bottom portion for receiving the flowable material. A filling socket is connected to the bottom portion of the hopper and has a vertically downwardly extending receiving section for receiving a bag to be filled. A worm conveyor is horizontally mounted within the bottom portion of the hopper and connected to the filling socket for conveying the flowable material from the hopper to the filling socket. An electric motor is drivingly connected to the worm conveyor. A switch positioned in the vicinity of the receiving section is activated upon slipping a bag to be filled over the receiving section to start the electric motor for the worm conveyor and the switch is deactivated upon removal of the bag after filling to stop the electric motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for storing selected quantities of granular materials, for programmable extraction in selected proportions and at selected rates, for delivery to a changeable location through a flexible auger-driven common delivery conduit. Individual containers containing specific granular products are mounted so that they are continually weighed by load cells communicating with a central control system including a microprocessor. Each of the containers is provided with an individual valve which is controllable by the microprocessor pursuant to a user-provided program, so that precisely determined and timed gravity-assisted extraction of the granular materials is effected. Auger mounted immediately below each container to positively transfer the extracted granular material along the delivery conduit. By the addition of a liquid carrier, either from one of the cooperating containers or after delivery of the granular material to the selected location, slurries, e.g.

Abstract: An improved material filling apparatus that can be installed in a front end multipurpose or fixed loader bucket. A hydraulic or electric motor is provided to rotate an auger, which discharges material out of a discharge opening at the one side of the device to fill sand bags or containers that are placed under this opening. In addition the front end loader will still be able to function in its normal manner when not required to fill sand bags or containers.

Abstract: An arrangement for transferring bulk goods from ships into silos by means of suction and pressure conveyance. The arrangement includes a suction conveying line with suction nozzle to be placed in the ship and leading to a lock-type receiving container. A pressure-conveying line leads from the container to the silo. A screw-type pump is provided at the bottom of the container for continuously feeding the material to the pressure conveying line. The material travels through the container by gravity. The receiving container includes container segments which are arranged so as to be telescopically extendable. All components of the arrangement are mounted on a road-travelling vehicle. During operation, the segments of the container are extended. During travel, the container segments are slid into each other.

Abstract: A method for filling particulate material into a vertical tube includes conveying the particles downwardly into the tube along a line with a damper in the form of a series of damper brushes each arranged substantially transversely to the line and having a radial extension less than the inner diameter of the tube. The line is pulled up gradually as the tube is filled with particles. The damper can be in the form of brushes that are flexible so that they give or yield gradually when the particles fall down thereon. A wire can be used as the line, to which is fastened a series of substantially equidistant transversely extending brushes, preferably in the form of springs.

Abstract: A dispenser of foodstuff is particularly well adapted to deliver cheese for pizza making. A refrigerator contains a bin which may be completely removed from said refrigerator for cleaning, as in a dishwasher, for example. The bin features inwardly sloping walls so that the cheese does not normally stick to the wall. An auger delivers the cheese to a spout where a star wheel meters flow and breaks up any clumps in the cheese. A spring biased trap door closes the spout, especially when the bin is removed from the refrigerator. The refrigerator contains parts which control the opening and closing of the trap door and the turning of the auger. The entire system operates under the control of a programmable microprocessor which includes means for detecting when the bin is empty or is failing to delivery the cheese.

Abstract: A vertical bottom-fill auger assembly including a bottom-fill auger bowl containing an internal rotating agitator or wiper element, and a vertical moving carriage or bag handling mechanism including a traveling bag settler. The vertical movement of the carriage or bag handling mechanism may be adjusted in response to the vertical auger revolution rate, the product density or weight as measured by a bulk or net weigh scale attached to the bag support assembly, or to comport to a premeasured charge that is bulk loaded into the auger bowl. The agitator or wiper may be of a configuration having a blade mounted on a rotating shaft vertically disposed in the center of the auger bowl, or may be carried on a rotating ring horizontally disposed at or near the top of the auger bowl. The traveling bag settler includes an arm which may be oscillated in a vertical plane to strike the bottom of a bag being filled, and which travels with the bag as it descends during filling and when lowered to a conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for the packaging and pressing in bale form of loose fiber material comprising short-length fibers or fibers of high slipperiness, using a fill shaft (2) in which a distributing means (6) ensures that the fiber is transferred uniformly to a clearer means (7) which already has the width (4) of the press container opening (5), the clearer means (7) transports the fiber together with a longitudinal homogenizer means (9) in such a way as to ensure uniform filling of the press container (11), and the fiber so introduced can then be pre-pressed, end-pressed, packed in bale form and reinforced in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A vertical bottom-fill auger assembly including a bottom-fill auger bowl containing an internal rotating agitator or wiper element, and a vertical moving carriage or bag handling mechanism including a traveling bag settler. The vertical movement of the carriage or bag handling mechanism may be adjusted in response to the vertical auger revolution rate, the product density or weight as measured by a bulk or net weigh scale attached to the bag support assembly, or to comport to a premeasured charge that is bulk loaded into the auger bowl. The agitator or wiper may be of a configuration having a blade mounted on a rotating shaft vertically disposed in the center of the auger bowl, or may be carried on a rotating ring horizontally disposed at or near the top of the auger bowl. The traveling bag settler includes an arm which may be oscillated in a vertical plane to strike the bottom of a bag being filled, and which travels with the bag as it descends during filling and when lowered to a conveyor.

Abstract: The method serves to gently pack a product the consistency of which can be affected by external influences. The product consists of a number of separable components which adhere to one another to at least some extent and are readily deformed under the influence of mechanical forces. The product is piled in a position of potential energy from which it is directed into a measuring vessel by gravity. After it is filled, the measuring vessel is tilted and, in its tilted position, is emptied by gravity into a waiting packing unit below it.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a toner storage area, from where the toner is supplied to a developing section, includes a holder for releasably holding a cartridge containing therein a quantity of toner, which may be located at a cartridge mounting and dismounting position and at a replenishing position, in which the cartridge is held substantially horizontally and driven to rotate thereby discharging the toner to a toner transporting path leading to the toner storage area. The cartridge is provided with a first mating member and the holder is provided with a second mating member corresponding in position and receiving the first mating member.

Abstract: A hopper-feeder system for feeding stored powders at a uniform, controllable and predetermined rate. A spiral convoluted stirring agitator in close proximity and conforming to the hopper wall is rotated in a direction tending to lift and dilate the powder, counteracting its tendency to bridge and to undergo intermittent or non-uniform changes in density and rate of discharge. The head load upon the feeder as well as the material damping effect on the feeder are controlled by a column cutter on the agitator that undercuts the column of powder extending through the hopper opening.

Abstract: A portable feed material transferring and bagging apparatus includes a transfer conveyor and a bagging unit both mounted on a mobile frame. The transfer conveyor is mounted such that the positions of its opposite inlet and discharge ends can be vertically adjusted to elevations at which the bagging unit would not fit below its inlet end but will fit below its discharge end. The transfer conveyor is operable in a feed material transferring mode of operation to transfer feed material from its inlet to discharge end where it is received in the bagging unit. The bagging unit is mounted such that its position can be vertically adjusted to various elevations to accommodate filling bags of different sizes. The bagging unit is operable in a bag filling mode of operation to fill bags with feed material up to preset weights.

Abstract: An auger for bulk material compressors of the type having a feed chamber and a packing chamber to which is attached a tubular silo bag. The auger includes an inlet portion, located within the feed chamber, and an outlet portion, located within the packing chamber. The inlet portion includes a shaft and flights, each preferably of constant diameter. The outlet portion also has flights preferably of uniform diameter and a shaft which is cone-shaped, increasing in diameter from its connection with the shaft of the inlet portion, adjacent the beginning of the packing chamber, to the end of the auger flights, within the packing chamber, for gradual compression of bulk material within the packing chamber. The terminal most end of the auger, within the packing chamber, is provided with an end member to provide a large surface area as a support bearing for the auger in its engagement with the compressed material without substantial lengthening of the shaft.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a toner storage area, from where the toner is supplied to a developing section, includes a holder for releasably holding a cartridge containing therein a quantity of toner, which may be located at a cartridge mounting and dismounting position and at a replenishing position, in which the cartridge is held substantially horizontally and driven to rotate thereby discharging the toner to a toner transporting path leading to the toner storage area. The cartridge is provided with a first mating member and the holder is provided with a second mating member corresponding in position to the first mating member. Thus, only the cartridge having the first mating member may be properly held by the holder for carrying out a toner replenishing operation.

Abstract: A self-cleaning feeder for particulate material, such as dry lime powder, utilizes a spaced coil helical spring rotating in an upright annular passage between a pair of pipes to convey the material from a stock pile source, such as a drum container supporting the feeder in upright position, to an outlet in controlled amounts. The coil spring projects into the stock pile and has a laterally extended tail or finger stirring or agitating the material to maintain it in contact with the spring. The inner pipe is bottomed on a plate resting on the bottom of the supply container and the outer pipe is carried above the plate by a spider stand on the plate. An inclined chute or tray supported from the outer pipe receives the material to slide it into a tank or apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for delivering pasty substances in portions of predetermined weight and/or volume. The problem is to provide an ergonomically optimized apparatus of the continuously functioning type, which is solved essentially in that the storage hopper and the conveyor are laterally associated with one another, the outlet port of the latter being higher than its inlet port and the hopper being mounted on a pivoting device, part of which forms a closure for a conveyor housing.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for handling cheese, including a base and a turntable mounted on the base. The turntable has cutout recesses in the periphery thereof for moving molds in a circular locus. A platform is provided on the base for supporting the molds as they are being moved in a circular locus. The base includes stations. A filling and weighing station is provided on the base whereby curd is filled into the molds and weighed to a predetermined level. A compacting station is also provided on the base whereby the curd in the molds will be pressed to remove the air therefrom and packs the cheese within the molds. The recesses and the turntable are in registry with the stations on the base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling bulk bags employ a filling tube assembly comprising an inner tubular wall having an auger disposed therein for forcing powdered material into a bulk bag and packing it densely therein, and an air-permeable outer tubular wall disposed coaxially about the inner tubular wall to define an exhaust chamber so that air in the material may be drawn inwardly through the outer tubular wall when the filling tube assembly is immersed in the material.

Abstract: Dough pieces are produced in high volume by a plurality of dual extruders spaced across a conveyor and each having a pair of extrusion nozzles aligned in the direction of conveyor travel. A cut-off mechanism severs the dough extrusions to deposit dough pieces on the conveyor. The speed of the conveyor is related to the speed of the cut-off mechanism so that the dough pieces produced by each extruder form a single uniformly spaced line. The extruders are fed from a common supply through individual inlets and means are provided to balance the flow through the nozzles.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling ink cartridges which are used in printer units of cigarette making machines has a frame which can removably support an empty cartridge in register with a stationary housing having a reciprocable plunger with axial and radial bores for evacuation of ink from a chamber in the interior of the housing. The chamber receives ink from a tank by way of a feed screw which is driven by a motor. The plunger reduces the volume of the chamber when it is lifted by the nipple of an empty cartridge, and the plunger then permits ink to flow from the chamber into the cartridge. When the cartridge is filled, a piston in its interior indirectly opens a switch in the circuit of the motor so that the feed screw is arrested.

Abstract: A waste toner collecting apparatus includes a first cylindrical member for receiving a waste toner scraped off from a photosensitive member, and a screw conveyor housed by the first cylindrical member for conveying the waste toner. A first opening is formed at a downstream side of the screw conveyor of the first cylindrical member. A second cylindrical member is fitted onto an outer circumference of the first cylindrical member, and a second opening is formed thereon at a part corresponding to the first opening and an engaging portrusion is formed outside thereof. A waste toner container is mounted in a free engagement in such in way that a cylindrical portion thereof surrounds the second cylindrical member and a rib engageable with the engaging protrusion of the second cylindrical member is formed thereon.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a toner storage area, from where the toner is supplied to a developing section, includes a holder for releasably holding a cartridge containing therein a quantity of toner, which may be located at a cartridge mounting and dismounting position and at a replenishing position, in which the cartridge is held substantially horizontally and driven to rotate thereby discharging the toner to a toner transporting path leading to the toner storage area. The cartridge is provided with a first mating member and the holder is provided with a second mating member corresponding in position to the first mating member. Thus, only the cartridge having the first mating member may be properly held by the holder for carrying out a toner replenishing operation.

Abstract: A rehydrator which dispenses precise amounts of liquid to each row of wells in a titration tray where the dispensing of the liquid is performed through valving means in timed relation to indexing of the platform to present a row of wells beneath the dispensing orifices. The indexing of the tray and the valving means are accomplished by the same drive means to obtain the timed relation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a pulverulent material from a storage area to a destination site comprises a screw conveyor for transporting the material. The screw conveyor has an inlet and an outlet for the material. A filter surrounds the conveyor at least at the outlet of the conveyor and allows the passage essentially only of air therethrough. A damper at the outlet of the conveyor controls the flow of material from the outlet, and a damper is operative to be opened by the material transported by the screw conveyor. The filter comprises a filter sheet in the form of a circular drum having an inner side and a multiplicity of frusto-conical rings. The rings are disposed on the inner side of the drum and directed with their ends of smaller diameter in a direction towards the damper. The apparatus is useful for filling packages with finely pulverized materials, such as kaolin clay, lime and starch.

Abstract: A filling machine for capsules, in which a pharmaceutical paste contained in a hopper is fed under pressure to a dosing chamber, the inlet and the outlet of which are controlled by a dosing member adapted to receive some paste and movable within the dosing chamber between a paste receiving position, in which the dosing member communicates with the dosing chamber inlet, but not with the outlet thereof, and a paste releasing position, in which the dosing member closes the inlet of the dosing chamber and communicates with the outlet thereof to deliver to an external capsule a metered quantity of paste pushed through the chamber outlet by a piston engaging the dosing member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the sootblowing requirements for boiler heat exchanger tubes which also reduces boiler downtime and production losses as well as energy requirements. The method involves the steps of programming the feeding of chemicals to the boiler in timed relation to a sootblowing cycle to establish a cleavage plane on the tube surfaces. The apparatus includes the feeding of a measured amount of powdered chemicals to the boiler following each sootblowing operation, which includes a storage vessel charged with a measured amount of chemical that is emptied during a chemical application cycle.

Abstract: Pusher arrangement simultaneously push the open end of an empty container against the inclined side of a downwardly opening delivery cone and simultaneously push a preceeding filled container from below the cone. A spring supported platform below the cone supports the container being filled and lowers it as it is filled. A continuously operating source of material delivers continually to the cone. A first control actuated by the filled container reverses the pusher arrangement. The spring device supporting the container being filled are adjusted to trip the control before the container is fully filled. A second control actuated at the fully advanced position of the pusher arrangement again reverses the pushed arrangement. A first spring connected to the platform has its opposite end connected to a selectively adjustable fixed anchor.

Abstract: A device for filling a bag with material is disclosed. The device includes a shroud ring adapted to hold a pleated bag and an auger device for forcing material from a hopper through a tube to a funnel and into the bag. The entire device is mobile so that the bag can be placed on a surface and the auger, hopper and funnel assembly can be moved away from the closed end of the bag as it is filled.

Abstract: A device for filling a bag suitable for curing silage including a shroud ring adapted to hold a pleated bag, an auger device for forcing material from the hopper in which the auger lies into the bag. The entire device is mobile so that the bag can be placed on a surface and the auger, hopper and shroud ring assembly be moved away from the closed end of the bag as it is filled.

Abstract: A machine and method of packaging loose fill material such as fiber insulation into a rectilinear bag is described consisting of a storage tank above a trough enclosing twin counter rotating augers which forcibly drive the loose fill material into a passageway over which the bag is stretched, forcing the bag off the stretcher as it is filled. A hinged can assembly contains the bag and is guided along a track as the bag is filled and forcibly moved off the stretcher, presenting the filled bag to an operator who removes it and seals the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for cyclically dosing bulk goods for filling sequentially advanced receptacles has a dosing auger; an electric disc rotor motor connected to the auger to rotate the same and arranged to be electrically braked; a blocking device having an actuated state in which it prevents rotation of the auger and an idle state in which it permits rotation thereof; and a control device for setting the blocking device in the actuated state for blocking rotation of the auger after being brought at least approximately to a standstill by electric braking and thereafter maintaining the blocking device in the actuated state until the beginning of a successive dosing cycle.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for the filtering of fibers and equivalent material from flowing air, and in particular for use in textile operations, has been invented in which the fiber material is firmly compacted so that as much fiber material as possible may be accommodated in a given volume of a collecting container attached to the filtering apparatus. For this purpose the filtering apparatus has a hollow fiber filtering assembly into which the flowing air is guided, a conveyor screw and a motor to drive the conveyor screw toward an outlet of the filtering assembly. The filtering assembly also includes at least one filter, with the outlet located downstream in the direction of movement of the fiber material, and at least one braking component located near the outlet which serves to brake the motion of the fiber material induced by the conveyor screw and to compact the fiber material firmly.

Abstract: A system is described for loading grain from an elevator into the multiple compartments of a railway grain tank car. It includes a substantially horizontally extending cylindrical auger tube with power driven auger positioned above the compartments of the car. The tube has a grain receiving opening at one end and grain discharge openings in a lower side above each compartment. A down spout extends downwardly from each discharge opening with the lower end of each spout extending a short distance into the associated compartment. With this arrangement, when the level of the grain in each compartment reaches the lower end of the spout, the spout is left in position so that it fills with grain up to the auger tube thereby automatically stopping any further flow of grain down the spout.