Abstract: Aspects to facilitate dust collection are disclosed. In one aspect, a chute provides a dust seal between a bulk bag of material and a silo loading hatch. Here, the dust seal comprises a first seal between a first end of the chute and the bulk bag, and a second seal between a second end of the chute and the silo loading hatch. In another aspect, a collapsible chute is extended between a silo loading hatch and a discharge chute of a bulk bag such that the collapsible chute forms a dust seal between the silo loading hatch and the bulk bag. Contents of the bulk bag are released via the discharge chute so that the contents of the bulk bag flow into the silo loading hatch. For this embodiment, the dust seal prevents airborne dust associated with the flow from escaping into an exterior portion of the collapsible chute.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and method of operation are provided. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an ice maker, a door, and a dispenser conduit. The cabinet may define a storage compartment. The ice maker may be disposed within the storage compartment. The door may be attached to the cabinet and define a dispenser recess in selective communication with the ice maker. The dispenser conduit may be disposed on the door within the dispenser recess. The dispenser conduit may include a stationary inner funnel and a slidable outer funnel extending along a passage axis. The slidable outer funnel may be disposed over an external surface of the stationary inner funnel to selectively define an extended portion of an ice passage.

Abstract: A fluid conveyance system connector includes a body and a tube positioned within the body through which a conveyed fluid flows. A moveable adapter is received in a first space between the body and the tube. The moveable adapter sealingly cooperates with the body and tube to define outer and inner variable volume chambers. The inner chamber communicates with one of an external environment or the conveyed fluid through a first port and the outer chamber communicates with the other of the conveyed fluid or the external environment through a second port such that the pressure in the inner chamber is the pressure exhibited by the external environment or the conveyed fluid and the pressure in the outer chamber is the pressure of the other of the conveyed fluid or the external environment. A differential pressure comprising a difference between the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the pressure exhibited by the external environment applies an inwardly or outwardly directed force to the moveable adapter.

Abstract: A chute apparatus for conveying objects by gravity from at least one higher floor to at least one lower floor of internally a building includes one or more sets of discrete sections having passages which form an elongated conduit which may pass through one or more floors inside the building. The passage of one section of each set section decreases in transverse cross section in a given longitudinal direction and a passage of one of the other sections increases in transverse cross-section by a substantially corresponding amount. Two sections of each set couple telescopingly to permit their longitudinal span to be selected and/or adjusted in the field.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processing apparatus that processes raw material in an airtight state, an accommodation section that accommodates the raw material, a first feeding path that is provided outside the processing apparatus and receives the raw material from the accommodation section, and a second feeding path having upstream and downstream ends that are outside and inside the processing apparatus, respectively. The second feeding path receives the raw material from the first feeding path. The apparatus also includes a joint section that separates and joins the first path and the second path, and a closing section that is positioned in the second path closer to the processing apparatus than the joint section and maintains the processing apparatus, and the second path in an airtight state when the joint section separates the first path and the second path.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for loading raw material into a processing apparatus includes an accommodation section accommodating the raw material, upstream and downstream paths through which the raw material is fed in an airtight state into the processing apparatus, a feeding mechanism that feeds in an airtight state the raw material from the accommodation section to the upstream path, a joint section that separates and joins the upstream and downstream paths, and a closing section, positioned in the second path, that can be opened and closed to maintain the processing apparatus and a portion of the downstream path located downstream of the closing section in an airtight state when the joint section separates the upstream and downstream paths. The downstream path is extendable and contractible to move its downstream end with respect to the joint section while the upstream and downstream paths remain joined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging telescope for charging coke ovens, having a vertically oriented inlet funnel and a telescope lower part which is suspended with hanging elements on a vertically adjustable lifting device. A tubular intermediate part is arranged between the inlet funnel and the telescope lower part, which intermediate part is suspended in a movable manner on hanging elements and surrounds the outlet cross section of the inlet funnel with enough free space to allow lateral compensating movements. The intermediate part has an annular flange which is sealed on an annular face of the inlet funnel. The telescope lower part also encloses the jacket of the tubular intermediate part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying a cigarette stream in a controlled manner into an initially empty conveying section of a machine for producing and/or packaging cigarettes, the conveying section being delimited laterally by walls and the cigarette stream being supported during conveying by a movable supporting element which is moved together with the cigarette stream along the conveying section. The walls which delimit the conveying section laterally can be moved at least partially in order to change the cross section of the conveying section.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for loading raw material into a processing apparatus includes an accommodation section accommodating the raw material, upstream and downstream paths through which the raw material is fed in an airtight state into the processing apparatus, a feeding mechanism that feeds in an airtight state the raw material from the accommodation section to the upstream path, a joint section that separates and joins the upstream and downstream paths, and a closing section, positioned in the second path, that can be opened and closed to maintain the processing apparatus and a portion of the downstream path located downstream of the closing section in an airtight state when the joint section separates the upstream and downstream paths. The downstream path is extendable and contractible to move its downstream end with respect to the joint section while the upstream and downstream paths remain joined.

Abstract: A chute for inspection and sorting apparatus has first and second flat sections, with the lower end of the first section being disposed over the second section to form a step from which product falls onto the second section. Additional sections may be included. In one variant a third channeled section is included, with the lower end of the second section being disposed over the third section forming a second step from which product falls onto the third section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging telescope for charging coke ovens, having a vertically oriented inlet funnel and a telescope lower part which is suspended with hanging elements on a vertically adjustable lifting device. A tubular intermediate part is arranged between the inlet funnel and the telescope lower part, which intermediate part is suspended in a movable manner on hanging elements and surrounds the outlet cross section of the inlet funnel with enough free space to allow lateral compensating movements. The intermediate part has an annular flange which is sealed on an annular face of the inlet funnel. The telescope lower part also encloses the jacket of the tubular intermediate part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device having a filling device (7) for vertical flow of material, without demixing, of powdered media having different particle sizes and particle densities, having the following features: a supply container (8) having a lower opening (9) to which the filling device (7) can be coupled; an inlet hopper (1) having an upper inlet opening (10) and a lower outlet opening (11) of a guide tube (12), the inlet opening (10) being couplable to the lower opening (9) of the supply container (8); telescopic elements (13), which are arranged on the guide tube (12), and an outlet hopper (3) having an outlet flap (4).

Abstract: A transition frame and a chute system incorporating the same. The frame includes two first chain connectors and three second chain connectors which are positioned in different configurations on the frame. The frame defines a central opening through which at least a portion of a chute section is receivable. The first and second chain connectors allow chains to be attached to the transition frame to connect the chute to a support system or to connect different types of chute sections together. If the chute is formed from a plurality of molded sections and rolled sections, the frame can be oriented in such a manner so as to allow at least two chains to extend between the frame and the molded sections and at least three chains to extend between the frame and the rolled sections. The frame can be inverted as required to allow the molded sections to be positioned above or below the rolled sections.

Abstract: A retractable and extendable material loader that directs material onto a conveying surface of a belt conveyor has a retractable and extendable tubular length where the length of the loader is extended to direct material through the loader onto the conveyor, and a length of the loader is retracted when the loader is not directing material onto the conveyor to provide adequate clearance for material loaded onto the conveyor by another loader located upstream of the retractable and extendable loader. The apparatus provides improved environmental conditions over the current art, improved health and safety conditions of personnel over the current art, and improved operational safety conditions in respect to explosion risk over the current art.

Abstract: The device used to protect/repair a debris chute is a sheet of material adapted to fit over and between the conical funnel sections of construction debris chute. Two chain segments are attached to the sheet to allow a user to connect the sheet to the two chute support chains, which support the conical funnel sections of a construction debris chute. Each of the chain segments are connected to a clevis, shackle, or bolt for connecting the chain segments to the support chains. The sheet of material is of a suitable material and of suitable size and thickness to properly withstand the impact of falling material that would typically be dropped down a construction debris chute.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a conveying assembly and a vertical funnel assembly mounted at a discharge end of the conveying assembly for guiding the discharge of bulk material. The funnel assembly includes a vertical row of frames slidably disposed on a pair of vertical wires. Adjacent frames are connected by flexible connecting elements. Each frame releasably carries a funnel element for conducting the bulk material so that a funnel element can be replaced without having to dismantle all of the funnel elements. Each funnel element includes a safety release connection enabling the funnel assembly to collapse under excessive loads, thereby protecting the conveyor from damage.

Abstract: A Dustless Stacker hood for suppressing dust generated during the stockpiling of materials such as coal. The Dustless Stacker hood receives coal from overhead chute; the received coal falls through Dustless Stacker hood to the top of a stockpile, and the Dustless Stacker hood confines dust inside Dustless Stacker hood. The dust-laden air swirls within the Dustless Stacker hood through a recirculation pipe and back to the overhead chute to enhance an agglomeration process which causes the dust particles stick together and fall to the top of stockpile.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a first fixed conveyor section fixedly positioned with respect to a supporting surface and a second fixed conveyor section positioned with respect to the first fixed conveyor section, and fixedly positioned with respect to the supporting surface. An adjustable conveyor section is initially positioned with respect to the first fixed conveyor section, and slidably movable with respect to the first fixed conveyor section to an operating position between a minimum position and a maximum position, and connectable to each fixed conveyor section.

Abstract: A loading spout hoist mechanism comprises a multiple monospiral winch drum. The drum is located under the top of the loading spout, and the loading spout passes through it. The multiple monospiral winch drum is supported on two rings, the first of which is located inside the second. The first ring is fixed to the loading spout support frame, and the second ring is journalled to first one. The second ring also carries a ring gear, which may comprise gear teeth machined into the ring, or a separate ring gear attached to the second ring. The loading spout support frame carries a pinion drive mechanism which engages the ring gear, and can rotate the second ring in either direction, to raise and to lower the loading spout by winding in or out the loading spout support cables carried in each monospiral of the winch drum. In a modification, the loading spout is attached to the support frame by motorised pin mechanisms.

Abstract: The problem of jammed slot machine tokens at the entry to the slot machine collection box is alleviated by providing an outer tube which can telescope about a concentrically disposed fixed, inner tube in response to the release of a device locking the two tubes together to provide sufficient clearance between the termini of the tubes and the collection box to allow the tokens to be freed from their jammed condition and permit ready removal of the filled collection box and insertion of an empty collection box.

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 telescopic discharge chute for bulk materials is described including telescoping first and second elongated tubular members. The first tubular member includes a first internal bore leading from a bulk material infeed at a first top end, to first bottom end. The second elongated tubular member includes a second top end and a bulk material discharge at a second bottom end. The second tubular member slides axially over the first tubular member between an extended position wherein the second tubular member projects axially downwardly from the first tubular member. At least one vent is formed by the second tubular member adjacent the second top end, opening outwardly and in open communication with the second internal bore. The vent is situated above the first bottom end of the first tubular member. The vent is included in a ventilation air passageway defined between the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: The inlet of a coke chute is pushed upwards by a plurality of actuators until it encompasses the bottom outlet of a coking vessel. The inlet is preferably surrounded by a skirt which tapers inwardly from top to bottom, and the entire chute is preferably retractable below the level of the floor underneath the coking vessel. A plurality of locks can be used to secure the skirt to the lower portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A device for delivering flowable bulk material having a retractable loading chute (1) consisting of guide cones (2) for flowable material placed coaxially one above the other. In a retracted position of the loading chute (1) the guide cones nest in each other and in an extended position they define together with an outer mantle (7), a drop shaft. A wire or rope arrangement (11, 12) is adapted to retract and extend the loading chute (1) relative to an abutment or outlet cone (5). The loading chute (1) is of modular construction, each module comprising a guide cone (2), an outer tubewall module (7) and a rapid-securing device for securing the edges of the outer tube-wall module (7) to an upper and a lower guide cone (2). A closure cone (3), adapted to close an outlet opening (4) of the outlet cone (5), is connected to the lowermost guide cone (2), the closure cone (3) being adapted to be lowered relative to the outlet cone (5) for opening the outlet opening (4) of the loading chute (1).

Abstract: An improved chute for conveying bulk materials from a higher location to a lower location includes a number of frustoconical hoppers, which are held in vertically-spaced relationship with the conical axes of adjacent hoppers inclined in different directions relative to the longitudinal axis (35) of the chute. The chute is much less liable than prior chutes to cause segregation or degradation of the bulk material being conveyed.

Abstract: The system has a closure element at the lower end of a set-down cone to close the lower end of a gravity chute and a device with at least a first traction element at various distances from the lower edge of the gravity chute. The system possesses a high loading capacity and high abrasion resistance, because at least the lowest hopper has an approximately rectangular cross-section in the plane normal to the longitudinal direction of the gravity chute. The first traction element is located along a straight line in the delivery channel and is attached to the closure element in such a way that it can be guided in the open space delimited by the set-down cone and the lowest hopper.

Abstract: An extensible and retractable telescopic chute for delivery of bulk materials includes a plurality of nestable chute segments, namely, an uppermost segment adapted to be attached to the discharge end of a bulk material handling machine, a lowermost chute segment and a plurality of intermediate chute segments therebetween. A yoke member surrounds the lowermost chute segment and is attached thereto. A pair of sheave support posts upwardly extend on opposed sides of the yoke member. Each of the posts carry a rotatable sheave wheel which are respectively adapted to operably engage a wire rope of the hoist mechanism of the material handling machine. The yoke member bears the loading weight of the nested chute segments as the telescopic chute is retracted so as to avoid sidewall deformation of the lowermost segment. The vertically extending sheave support posts locate the sheave wheels well above a center of gravity of the nested chute segments to stabilize the chute assembly above a vertical axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for loading particulate materials, in particular calcined coke, into a transport vehicle are disclosed, wherein the loading operation under steady state conditions is carried out in a "plugged chute" mode, so that a major portion of the loading chute is maintained in a filled condition with the particulate material being loaded. In this manner, the product drop height is maintained at an acceptably low level so as to reduce the velocity of the particulate material throughout the loading process below a damaging rate and thereby prevent significant degradation of the material. In a preferred embodiment, the major portion of the loading chute comprises a telescoping chute arrangement and level control means located above the major portion of the loading chute is employed to maintain the chute in the plugged or full condition by regulation of the discharge valve when the telescoping chute arrangement is fully extended.

Abstract: In the mixing of two or more particulate solid feeds in proportional ratios in which the unmixed solids are fed from separate bin receivers into a common mixture bin receiver having a generally vertical section, the present invention comprises an improved feeder in which a feeder means extends below the level of the solids in the common mixture bin. The improved feeder means of this invention comprises at least two nested conduits of differing horizontal cross-sectional areas. One or more of these nested conduits may be raised (or lowered) by an adjusting means to engage a conduit having a greater (or lesser) horizontal cross-sectional area enabling the proportions of particulate solids being fed to be changed as desired.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly is presented for use in conjunction with a rotary drum filtration apparatus, the conveyor belt passing longitudinally through the drum. The conveyor belt assembly comprises two movable frame sections and an associated conveyor belt. A first movable frame section is slidably mounted, preferably by rollers on rails, on the supporting framework whereby the conveyor belt may be moved between an operative position inside the drum and a retracted position outside the drum. The second movable frame section is pivotably mounted and is capable of pivoting upwardly into a raised position thereby providing a space for the first frame section to be slidably positioned thereunder. Preferably, a ramp means attached to the slidable frame section urges the second pivotable frame section upwardly to the raised position.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling powder substance, comprising a central feed pipe, an outer pipe, a bell-like member of large section which is disposed around the outer pipe and which communicates therewith by way of filter openings, a corolla-like member which is suspended from the bell-like member and into which open the lower ends of the two pipes, a vacuum in the outer pipe, the bell-like member and the corolla-like member, said corolla member floating on the pile of powder substance by virtue of the support effect of the vacuum in the bell-like member.

Abstract: Leadless electronic parts or the like are transferred from hoppers under the influence of gravity or by forced air through tubes of polygonal cross-section to a prepositioning template. The polygonal cross sections of the transferring tubes tend to damp out oscillatory motion of the parts and to speed their travel through the tubes. Each polygonal, preferably triangular, tube is preferably obtained by deforming a tube of circular cross-section in a forming machine including a plurality of discs arranged so that their peripheries define a polygonal space therebetween through which the tube of circular cross section is driven.

Abstract: A coal-charging apparatus includes a charging car with charging bins to discharge coal through filling tubes into charging holes in the roof of an oven chamber. A feed-screw conveys coal from the bottom of a charging bin to a trough communicating with a fixed filling tube. A peripheral trough on the bottom of this tube is filled with sand or liquid and receives a peripheral seal lip on the inside of a movable sealing tube. Hooks on the outside and at the top of the movable sealing tube engage a ring that is suspended by bearings at both ends of a stirrup. The filling tube is raised and lowered by a linkage system that includes a lever supported by a platform and operated by a piston and cylinder assembly. A closure plate is operated by a linkage including a lever supported by a platform and engaged with a piston and cylinder assembly. The closure plate is a leading edge that engages below a wall just above the fixed charging tube.

Abstract: A barge loading device comprising a vertically disposed support tower positioned between a pair of barges or the like. A boom is rotatably mounted on the support tower and extends outwardly therefrom. A vertically disposed telescopic spout extends downwardly from the outer end of the boom. A conveyor is provided on the support tower and the boom for supplying grain or the like to the upper end of the spout for delivery to one of the barges. The boom may be rotatably moved relative to the support tower to facilitate the loading of the barges on either side of the tower. The spout may be tilted to either side of its normally disposed vertical position and may be rotated about its longitudinal axis. The combination of the rotatable boom, tilting and rotating spout permits greater areas to be filled in the barges.

Abstract: A dustproof chute for a particulate material loader including an airtight elastic tubular member located below a particulate material feeding device and defining by its wall a space below the particulate material feeding device, a discharge end tubular member of small length connected to a lower end of the airtight elastic tubular member, a particulate material stream diameter controlling tubular member located in a space within an upper end portion of the airtight elastic tubular member and permitting a particulate material fed by the particulate material feeding device to flow downwardly therethrough in a stream, and a ventilating space surrounding the particulate material stream diameter controlling tubular member and communicating with the particulate material feeding device.

Abstract: Coke oven charging apparatus includes an improved jumper pipe and charging hole sealing mechanism for conveying charging gases from an oven being charged to an adjacent oven. A substantially gas-tight coupling is formed between the larry car charging pipes and the oven charging holes, and between the jumper pipe and a charging hole in the adjacent oven, to prevent the escape of charging gases into the atmosphere and to prevent air from being drawn into the flow of charging gases. Exclusion of air reduces the temperature in the jumper pipe by preventing combustion of the charging gases, and minimizes adverse effects on the coking process in the adjacent oven.

Abstract: An array of an assembly of spouts for translating comminuted dry material from a bin having a number of output openings to various railway cars, respective ones of which have hatch openings of different relative dispositions and of different heights while inhibiting pollution of the ambient atmosphere by the material, in which each assembly comprises an upper section pivotally connected to the bin outlet for movement around a vertical axis, a lower section comprising vertically telescoping members, one of which carries a shroud adapted to make a seal with the car hatch, and an intermediate section pivoted to each of the upper and lower sections, together with means for driving the upper section to pivot the entire assembly over a limited arc around a vertical axis, means for swinging the intermediate section around a horizontal axis, while positively maintaining the lower sections substantially vertical, and means for moving the lower telescopic sections relative to each other, all of these movements being de

Abstract: A filling system operating with an apparatus for loading coal into the charging hole of a coke oven has an upper feed tube, an intermediate feed tube, and a lower tube. The upper tube is connected to the apparatus and is adapted to receive coal from it. The intermediate upright tube is vertically telescopable on the upper tube and has a lower end, with a bellows-type cuff interconnecting the upper and intermediate tubes to prevent leakage from therebetween. The lower tube is pivoted and suspended on the intermediate tube and is alignable with this intermediate tube so that its lower end can sealingly engage over a charging hole in a coking oven and its upper end can sealingly engage with the lower end of the intermediate tube. The intermediate tube can be limitedly vertically displaced and the lower tube can be pivoted out from beneath the intermediate tube so that the filling system has clearance and can pass over the structure on top of the coking oven.

Abstract: A device for unloading grain from a grain storage complex to railroad cars positioned on a railroad siding extending thereby. An overhead track structure is positioned above the railroad car and has a crane longitudinally and laterally movably mounted thereon. A vertically movable loading spout is secured to the crane and extends downwardly therefrom for delivering grain to the hatch openings of the railroad cars. The upper end of the vertically movable tube is universally connected to the lower end of a telescopic delivery tube which has its upper end universally connected to a spout extending from the grain storage facility. The operator may move the crane longitudinally and laterally with respect to the railroad car so that the grain may be loaded into various parts of the car without moving the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading particulate materials includes a flexible discharge chute having an accordion outer pipe 7 surrounding an inner pipe 3 comprising a plurality of telescopingly nested skirt sections 4 connected by chains 5. A flared hood 8 having a flexible lower skirt 10 is connected to a support ring 13 at the lower end of the chute, and the hood has a plurality of air intake ports 11 and adjacent material detecting contact switches 12. A winding apparatus 14 for raising and lowering the hood, and simultaneously contracting or expanding the chute, is controlled by the switches 12. Dust particles swirling up under the hood and skirt are drawn up through the annular space between the inner and outer pipes to a collector and precipitator 15, which separates out the dust particles and returns them to the discharge chute.

Abstract: A bulk material handling conveyor comprising an overhead conveyor which supports containers in the form of magazines for the material. Each magazine has a filling opening surrounded by a gasket, and a movable closure for the filling opening which in closed position covers the filling opening and coacts with the gasket to tightly seal the magazine against leakage from within and without. A filling spout is located adjacent the path of travel of the magazines and comprises a fixed section and a movable section. The fixed section is suitably supported and the movable section has means for moving it from a position where it is out of the way of the movable closure to a position where it tightly contacts said gasket and covers said filling opening to completely prevent any escape of material and dust during the filling operation. A vent is associated with the filling spout to allow air to escape from the magazine during filling.

Abstract: Arrangement for charging the coal bins of hopper cars for coke oven batteries employing a telescoping sealing device with a lead aperture for the coal, for a dust-free connection between the charging hoppers in the filling position and the weighing bunkers, thus enabling the use of pre-heated or wet coal, maintaining short charging cycles, and permitting an exact determination of the charging volume needed, based on the weight of the coal.

Abstract: A charging machine of the kind comprising a structure adapted to extend transversely of a coke oven battery on the roof thereof for movement longitudinally of the battery to overlie any selected oven chamber and supporting a number of hoppers adapted to be filled with coking coal, each such hopper having means for connecting the base thereof with an aperture in the roof of an oven chamber for transfer of coking coal from the hopper to the oven chamber, wherein said means for connecting the base of each hopper with an aperture in the roof of an oven chamber comprises a downwardly directed telescopically extendible sleeve, characterized by the provision of an annular seal outwardly spaced from and surrounding the lower end of said sleeve and adapted to engage with the oven roof surrounding an aperture in an oven chamber on lowering of said sleeve, there being gas tight resilient means connecting said seal with said sleeve, and arranged to urge the seal downwardly into engagement with the roof of the oven chambe