Abstract: A storage bin sweep system may include a sweep apparatus with a particulate material moving assembly configured to move particulate material toward an inboard end of the sweep apparatus and a drive unit carrying a portion of the particulate material moving assembly. The drive unit may include a surface engaging element configured to engage a surface below the sweep assembly to move the sweep apparatus with respect to the surface and a drive train configured to transmit power to the surface engaging element. The drive train may include a clutch assembly configured to transfer rotation utilizing a viscous fluid to permit a limited degree of slippage between elements of the drive train.

Abstract: The present invention is a new method to efficiently reclaim cement from a horizontal warehouse. This new reclaiming method combines a mechanical cement reclaiming machine, together with a reduced amount of open air slides. Material is fluidized through a porous media with low pressure air. Material flow is achieved by sloping the Air slide conveyor to match the fluidized angle of repose of the powdered material. Further, the present invention introduces a conveying system, comprising a cascade of open and enclosed air slides and elevator machines, to convey the cement from the reclaiming area to a dispatch hopper. The introduction of these components, together with cement stacking and dispatch systems, is a Fully Automated Cement Horizontal Storage system and method.

Abstract: A cutting unit includes a center section arranged on a base frame and at least two side portions adjoining the center section, a knife bar extending basically over the entire width of the cutting unit, and at least one conveyor arranged behind the knife bar, which conveyor transports crops cut by the knife bar laterally in the direction of the center section, which has at least one conveying system conveying transverse to the transport direction of the conveyor, wherein the conveying system includes at least two rotating conveyor belts, which are arranged at an inclination at an angle (?) to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the center section.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader is configured for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, the robotic carton unloader may include a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector, a conveyor system having a front portion, and a lift attached to the mobile body and the front portion of the conveyor system to move the front portion. In some embodiments, the conveyor system may comprise a front-end shelf conveyor configured to be moved (e.g., raised, lowered, laterally moved, tilted, etc.) relative to the body of the unloader. The front-end shelf conveyor may be moved separately for positioning below the robotic arm in order to receive cartons from a small distance. The front-end shelf conveyor may be moved via various mechanisms (e.g., scissor lifts, pedestal lifts, etc.).

Abstract: A draper head for a combine includes a center section adapted for attachment to the combine. The center section is provided with a center feed assembly that includes first and second belt frames. Each of the first and second belt frames supports a drive roller, an idler roller, and a belt extending between the drive roller and the idler roller. The draper head also includes first and second wings extending in opposite lateral directions from the center section. Each of the first and second wings includes a draper belt operable to feed crop material toward the center section. The second belt frame is movable relative to the first belt frame.

Abstract: In a draper harvesting head having a frame, a left side conveyor supported on the frame, a right side conveyor supported on the frame, a central conveyor supported on the frame and disposed between the left side conveyor and the right side conveyor, and a reciprocating knife fixed to the front of the frame and extending laterally across the frame, a method of controlling slippage between an endless conveyor belt of one of the left side conveyor and the right side conveyor and a crop mat carried on the endless conveyor belt is provided, including determining a speed of the endless conveyor belt and a speed of the crop mat; comparing a difference in the speed of the endless conveyor belt and the speed of the crop mat with a first threshold speed difference; and changing the speed of the endless conveyor belt based upon the step of comparing.

Abstract: A system and method of clearing a lump of cut crop material from an internal conveyor of the feeder house of an agricultural combine and an auger conveyor of a belt pickup mounted on the feeder house by ejecting the lump of cut crop material to a position forward of the auger conveyor, then shredding the lump of cut crop material by the auger conveyor and feeding the shredded portions of the lump of cut crop material into the internal conveyor, and then accelerating a belt conveyor on the belt pickup located immediately in front of the auger conveyor to its full harvesting speed.

Abstract: A drum conveyor has a laterally extending drum (120), first and second stub axles (204, 206) extending into the ends of the drum; two link members (208, 210) that are fixed to the stub axles inside the drum and that support a third axle (212) inside the drum for free rotation with respect to the two link members.

Abstract: Devices and methods for processing animal or human tissue are provided. The devices may include a vacuum surface to secure the tissue in place and an apparatus for removing fat or other material from the tissue. The apparatus can include one or more blades and/or a fluid jet system.

Abstract: A snow removal system is provided that includes a compression module having a tubular casing with an inlet, and an outlet having a converging cross-sectional surface area shape and air-hole perforations, a conveyor screw concentric to the casing spanning from the inlet to the outlet is powered to move and compact the snow at the outlet, a conveyor belt moves the output snow away from the compression module at a velocity v1, a moveable truss houses the conveyor belt and supports the compression module, the device contacts a snow-covered surface and the truss moves at a velocity v2 perpendicular to the snowplow, where v1 is great enough to move the snow from the compression module when the truss moves at a velocity v2, the conveyor screw turns at a rate that to incorporate V1 and v2 to ensure the conveyor belt capacity is not exceeded.

Abstract: A system for conveying biomass is disclosed. The system is configured to convey biomass for collection, transport, or processing. The system comprises a housing comprising an opening configured for the entry of biomass, at least one shoe skid configured to offset the housing in a vertical orientation, an apparatus at least partially within the housing comprising at least one rotating blade assembly, and a conduit configured to discharge biomass from the housing so that biomass entering into the housing can be projected by the apparatus through the conduit for collection or transport. The system may comprise conduit that is extendable and has articulation segments for vertical movement. The system may comprise a housing that comprises a member to dislodge the biomass from a pile to flow into the opening. The system may comprise at least one shoe skid that comprises a large surface area and projects forward of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pushing glass objects from a resting depositing plate to a conveyor belt moving at a uniform speed, characterized by a first electric motor (1) arranged in a stationary manner within a housing (49). The electric motor has a driving connection to a cantilever (4) that is rotatably supported about a vertical axis (8). An accommodating element (9) is located on the cantilever. The accommodating element carries a second electric motor (12), the output shaft of which extends vertically and is connected at the free end thereof to a crank arm (17) in a rotationally fixed manner.

Abstract: An extracting machine has a transverse roll that rolls a silage bag up as grains stored therein are extracted, to be discharged to a hopper truck. An extracting head placed in the interior of the bag has a lifting auger centrally arranged at the bottom thereof, and transverse augers extending to both sides move the grains to the lifting auger, which elevates and discharges them. A central transmission box supported at the bottom of the bag has plural output shafts extending in different directions, lying in a single vertical plane, and coupling to, respectively, the transverse augers and the lifting auger. A pusher shovel extending transversely the width of the bag has a hydraulically-adjustable transverse plate.

Abstract: An auger apparatus for moving in a forward direction into a quantity of granular material includes an enclosed housing having a horizontal main floor and right and left inclined floors sloping downward and outward from corresponding ends of the main floor, and walls extending upward from lower ends of the inclined floors. Right and left feed auger tubes extend laterally from the walls, and feed augers are mounted in the tubes. Outer front portions of the feed auger tubes are open to expose outer portions of the feed augers. A main auger tube extends upward from a top of the housing, and a main auger extends from the main floor upward through the main auger. A middle material moving apparatus is mounted forward of the housing and moves grain laterally to the exposed outer portions of the feed augers as the housing moves forward.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus (10) for collecting and handling particulate material such as particulate coal, the apparatus (10) comprising an elongated hollow conveyor housing (19) along which an endless chain (43) extends, the chain (43) carrying a plurality of transverse flights (44), the housing (19) being supported adjustably on a mobile chassis (11), and a materials collection head (31) at one end of the housing (19) which includes augers (38) for directing particulate material towards a central portion of the head (31) for engagement by the flights (44) which convey the collected materials along the housing (10) to an outlet (21).

Abstract: A finger for a crop gathering auger of a grain header for an agricultural combine, a forage harvester, or the like, the finger including a resilient elastomeric retainer retractor which spans a failure region of the finger and will retain a free end of the finger in connection with a mounting end thereof when the failure region is broken, and which is configured and operable for automatically retracting the broken off free end into an auger drum and retaining it therein during subsequent rotation of the drum for limiting potential damage from the broken end and preventing entry of the broken end into crop handling equipment of the combine or other machine.

Abstract: A wiper apparatus for sweeping or clearing debris from a surface, such as cuttings generated in a machining operation that have collected on a collecting surface, comprises rotatable wiper arms and dependent wiper blades. The wiper apparatus can be self-powered or it can be driven by a screw mechanism that engages the wiper arms, causing the wiper arms to rotate. The wipers are capable of relative movement in relation to the wiper arms, and the wipers may be rigid or flexible. Springs can be used to mount the wipers to the wiper arms. According to one embodiment, the wiper apparatus comprises a central portion including a hub to which the wiper arms are secured and a base adapted to be secured to the collecting surface. The hub is rotatably mounted to the base.

Abstract: A carrier wheel assembly for supporting a sweep auger at intermediate positions having a first wheel that is rotatably mounted to the shaft of the auger and extends rearwardly through a slot and secured to the backboard of the auger, and having a rearward wheel rotatably mounted to the assembly and positioned rearwardly of the auger.

Abstract: A silage cutter and loader assembly including a beater assembly for removing silage from a bunker and transferring the silage via a cross auger to a conveyor for transport to an independent container. The assembly further includes independently arranged wheels, at least two of the wheels being rotatable about a respective vertical axis.

Abstract: A feeding system for difficult web and sheet materials, such as bubble wrap. A drive roller having a high friction surface is spaced over a flexible platen having a low friction transport surface. The gap between the platen and the drive roller is adjustable, and the drive roller is driven to advance web and sheet materials between the drive roller and the transport surface. The transport surface has a very low coefficient of static friction, and the surface of the drive roller has a very high coefficient of static friction, with the coefficients of friction differing by at least 0.5.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently removing grain from a grain storage device, which uses a plurality of augers. An unloading auger is used to begin removal of grain from a grain storage device. As the amount of grain decreases, a proximity sensor sends an activation signal to a cross auger that rests horizontally on the bottom of the grain storage device. The cross auger will pull the remaining grain to the entry point of an unloading auger. The unloading auger then removes the grain from the grain storage device.

Abstract: A screw conveyor for loose material comprises a tubular casing having a first part which is axially rotatable on command with respect to a second part. The first part is provided with openings through which the material can be introduced into the casing. A screw, internal of and coaxial to the casing, can rotate on command about its own axis and thus convey the material. A helical conveyor device which is solid in rotation with said first part of the casing, conveys the material towards the openings in first part of the casing. There is a hollow jacket between the conveyor device and the second part of the casing, through which the material passes. The invention provides greater efficiency in collecting and removing loose material from a pile.

Abstract: An enclosed granular or powdered material storage reclaimer, having a floor, a vertical column at the center of the floor, conveyor means disposed below the floor, elongate transfer device hingedly attached to the column, an anchor pedestal for anchoring the bottom end of the column to a footing structure below, and a downwardly directed annular opening formed in the center of the floor, said opening having an inside wall and an outside wall, said annular opening being concentric with the vertical axis of the column and designed to receive granular or powdered material transported there by the elongate transfer device, such that the column may be directly supported by the anchor pedestal and the footing structure, and the conveyor means need not be located directly beneath the center of the column. Such an enclosed granular or powdered material storage reclaimer wherein the conveyor means comprises an air slide conveyor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filling arrangement (12) for a bulk unloader having a conveyor belt travelling in an endless path and provided with material receiving pockets (9).

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for sorting capsules of hard or soft gelatin, starch or another material, for faultless and faulty capsules. In the apparatus, capsules are first fed from a supply container holders in a control station, then conveyed in the capsule holders through individual control positions in the control station where they are observed using cameras. The images acquired by the cameras are evaluated to determine production faults in the capsules. The faulty capsules are finally ejected from the control station separately from faultless capsules.

Abstract: In a belt unloader provided with a vertical carrier (53) for carrying bulk cargo vertically, a screw feeder system is supported by a supporting frame (14) connected to a body frame (18) such that the supporting frame is allowed to be tilted. The screw feeder system is provided with a screw propeller (2) rotated about the center of a shaft extending in the vertical direction for taking bulk cargo in, a loading orifice (23) opposite to the upper part of the screw propeller, and a releasing plate (13) disposed at the upper end of the screw propeller for releasing bulk cargo from the screw propeller toward the loading orifice. The bulk cargo taken in through the loading orifice is carried vertically with the bulk held between a descending belt (20) and an ascending belt (21).

Abstract: A barrel reclaimer has a drum member with axially extending series of openings provided with buckets for taking material from a stockpile. At least some of the series of openings terminate spaced from the end of the drum member and auxiliary tapered openings are arranged in line with each such series, between the end of the associated series and the drum end. The provision of auxiliary openings of the forms discussed is found to increase the fatigue resistance of the drum member. It is also helpful if the individual openings of each axial series are uniformly spaced from each other.

Abstract: A cargo pick-up member for transferring bulk material into an elevator of an unloading trunk of a ship unloader includes a screw pipe, a cutter head connected to the screw pipe, and a coupling sleeve attached to the screw pipe. The coupling sleeve includes a pivoting drive for pivoting the coupling sleeve with respect to the screw pipe. A baffle plate is detachably connected to the rotatable coupling sleeve via a height adjustable mount. The baffle plate includes a semi-circular portion surrounding a part of the cutter head and two outer legs extending from the semi-circular portion opening in the shape of a V from ends of the semi-circular portion for accommodating bulk material.

Abstract: An extraction device comprises an inclinable scraper shaft driven in rotation along a first vertical axis of rotation, thereby extracting bulk products stored over a storage area having at least one evacuation opening. The extraction device comprises a support piece whose foundation is mounted to rotate above the evacuation opening along the first axis of rotation, defining a supporting base for the scraper shaft. The base is inclined by an angle .beta. with respect to the horizontal. The first driving member is provided to rotate the support piece and the scraper shaft about the first axis. The foundation of the scraper shaft is inclined with respect to the axis of the scraper shaft by an angle .alpha. complementary of the angle .beta. and is mounted to rotate on the base along a second axis of rotation perpendicular to said base.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for picking up and removing gravel. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted to the removal of gravel from the surface of a roof when an old roof is being removed or repaired.

Abstract: A device to remotely extract particulate material comprises a number of archimedes screw sections joined end-to-end by universal joints and surrounded by a housing which articulates at the universal joints. The screw sections terminate in a material extraction head at the ingress end of the housing. A housing support runs the length of the housing and includes push arms which extend to the housing proximate the ingress end of the housing. The push arms may be remotely extended in order to translate the material extraction head. Furthermore, the housing support may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to move the material extraction head. In this way material over an area may be extracted.

Abstract: In a loading device with a loading platform for receiving mined material, wherein the loading platform is swept over by loading arms and the material is conveyed onto a conveying device connected to the loading platform, the loading arms are designed as arms of a rotatably mounted loading star-wheel, and a plurality of loading star-wheels are arranged over the width of the loading platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing bulk materials from a laterally enclosed storage area wherein the apparatus may be substantially buried within the bulk material (11). The apparatus includes a support column (16) mounted at a base into a support floor (25). An auger (17) is attached by an axial mount at the base of the support column for enabling rotational inclination of the auger from (i) a vertical orientation vertical orientation wherein the auger is nearly parallel with the vertical axis of the support column, (ii) through intermediate angles of inclination (54), to (iii) a substantially horizontal orientation (55) wherein the auger is adjacent to the support floor. The suspension cable (61) is coupled between the support column and auger to enable selective adjustment of auger inclination. A rotational displacement drive (35) is coupled to the support column to rotate the column about its vertical axis, along with the attached auger. A rotational drive motor (51) is mounted at a distal end of the auger.

Abstract: A silo unloader having a framework and concentric oppositely driven rings with oppositely acting plows to shift particulate material in a silo to a central discharge defined by vertically spaced plates. The rings are driven by compressible rollers such as pneumatic tires, compressed between rings and powered by electric motors. Additional compressible friction rollers engage the wall of the silo in a vertical rolling action to guide vertical movement of the unloader and resist rotational movement of the framework which is suspended on cables.

Abstract: A clean-out auger for a grain bin has a main auger, a telescoping sweep and a rotary joint connecting the two. The sweep may be adjusted in length to accomodate bins of different sizes. The use of a flexible screw section through the rotary joint allows the sweep to rotate through 360.degree. during operation. A sweep transporting mechanism is fixed to the outer end of the sweep for producing the rotation about the rotary joint.

Abstract: A portable sweep auger apparatus and method for controllably transferring predetermined continuous amounts of granular and powdered gypsum from a pile of gypsum to an irrigation ditch. The apparatus includes a base member, a driver member and an auger assembly member mechanically coupled to the driver member. The driver member and the auger assembly member are pivotally coupled to the base member to effect forward travel that depletes the gypsum pile. A first level of control is effected by a fixed auger design that coact with the driver member for regulating and delivering predetermined amounts of the gypsum material. A second level of control is effected by a slip clutch wheel coacting with the rotating auger shaft for controlling forward movement of the entire auger assembly towards and against the pile of gypsum material until the material has been depleted. A track that compensates for unleveled terrain is provided for guiding the slip clutch wheel.

Abstract: An improved combine feeder assembly including a conveyor and a feeder housing which envelopes the conveyor. The conveyor is comprised of a plurality of endless driving chains and a plurality of feeder slats driven by the chains. Each feeder slat is secured at opposite ends to the chains by connectors allowing for endwise movement of the feeder slats in response to impact loading thereagainst. Moreover, each feeder slat has an outer profile providing an extended reach at the center of the slat as compared to the reach provided toward opposite ends. The feeder housing preferably includes a bottom wall configured to compliment the outer profile of the feeder slats and enhance combine operation.

Abstract: A drawing and conveying arm includes a box-like duct which is internally provided with a conveyor belt and has, at one end, a wide drawing inlet in which a mill for drawing and cutting material is located. The opposite end of the arm is articulated to a container for the drawn material and/or to a supporting framework. The improved drawing and conveying arm also includes a second counter-rotating mill which is provided in the drawing inlet in a position which is parallel and proximate to the first mill. Both mills can conveniently be removed to load for example farinaceous products.

Abstract: A highway marker cone dispenser and collector is provided. A rotatable cone conveyor moves the cones between upper and lower locations, the lower location being near the ground, and has a cone stripper for removing cones from the conveyor at either the upper or lower location. The device may be vehicle mounted for simultaneous rotational and translational movement.

Abstract: A paddle wheel, bulk-goods pick-up and moving device is disclosed, which picks up bulk goods from a storage container and deposits the same into the paddle wheel's interior. The device is provided with a motor-driven driving gear provided with a coaxially extending drive shaft immediately adjacent the driving gear. The shaft is provided with external serrations, and the interior central bore of the paddle wheel is provided with complementary internal serrations which matingly engage with the serrations of the drive shaft. The drive shaft, which causes the paddle wheel to rotate, is provided on the end opposite to the driving gear, with a connecting shaft portion which passes through the central bore of the paddle wheel. At the free end of the connecting shaft, a fastening mechanism is provided to secure the paddle wheel in close-coupled relation to the driving mechanism. A torque support connects the driving gear to the main structure.

Abstract: A cargo reclaiming apparatus that may be fitted to a ship for emptying bulk solid material from the holds or to a warehouse for emptying such material from storage bins. The apparatus has a gantry movable across the top of the storage containers, a rotatable structure mounted to the gantry, and a boom supported by and extending from the rotatable structure at a selectable angle. The boom has a digging wheel at its outer end for feeding material to the inner surface of a belt encircling the boom. The material passes through the rotatable structure and gantry and is fed to a collection location. The belt on the boom may carry material from the container even when the outer end of the boom is positioned above the end of the boom connected to the rotatable structure.

Abstract: Removable paddles are disclosed for use on a grain auger to assist material flow when changing direction of flow from parallel to the auger's longitudinal axis to a flow path at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the auger. The device provides a mounting attachment at the base of the paddle unit using bolts through the auger tubing. The base of the paddle unit extends nearly perpendicular to the paddle-shaped member oriented lengthwise with the auger's longitudinal axis. Auger rotation thereby positively ejects transported material on contact with each revolution of the auger. Each paddle exhibits an "L" shaped cross section and the area, shape and angular orientation of the paddle blade is determined by the material requirements upon the auger tubing. Methods of paddle unit manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pick-up trailer comprising a feeding mechanism composed of a pick-up (7) and a rotor (4) linking up therewith in downstream direction, and partly surrounded by a guide plate (9), thereby producing a guide channel (10) between the rotor and the guide plate. The guide channel (10), at the end opposite pick-up (7) is bounded in the downward direction by a rotary roller (12) and terminates at the top in a bottom opening of the trailer. The roller (12) as well as shaft (3) are mounted for rotation between side plates (5) attached to the bottom (1) of the trailer. The arrangement is characterized in that the rotary roller (12) is attached to separate, adjustable suspension arms (13) mounted for rotation to the shaft (3) of the rotor.

Abstract: A leaf collector and removal apparatus that may be movably mounted to a refuse compacting vehicle. The apparatus comprises a chute having an inlet end facing forwardly in a position to gather leaves which are fed to a conveyor inside the chute for engaging the leaves received from the inlet end to transporting the leaves to an auger which is in communication with the refuse compactor in the refuse compacting vehicle so that the leaves are transported into the refuse compacting vehicle is filled at which time the apparatus may be moved to the next truck.

Abstract: A bulk material unloading apparatus comprises a vertical conveyor (10) and a horizontal conveyor connected thereto. A rotable feeder (13) is mounted at the feeding end of the vertical conveyor for feeding material thereinto. According to the invention, the apparatus also has a separately operable material supply device (23, 32) for the controlled supply of material to the feeder. The material supply device has a gimbal-mounted material draw-in device (32) which is universally tiltable relative to the axis of rotation of the feeder (13) and which preferably also is telescopically mounted in relation to the feeder.

Abstract: A barge which is capable of offloading bulk cargoes to dockside without requiring assistance from onshore equipment or other floating equipment. The barge has a movable auger support housing and a to move the housing. An auger container is pivotably mounted to the housing with a rotating screwshaped auger mounted within the container. A first conveyor is located within the support housing to transport bulk cargo from the auger which lifts the cargo, from a lower level to a higher level, to a second conveyor located along the edge of the cargo hold. A moveable third conveyor is positioned to receive cargo from the second conveyor and to transport the material off the barge.

Abstract: A cargo reclaiming apparatus that may be fitted to a ship for emptying bulk solid material from the holds or to a warehouse for emptying such material from storage bins. The apparatus has a gantry movable across the top of the storage containers, a rotatable structure mounted to the gantry, and a boom supported by and extending from the rotatable structure at a selectable angle. The boom has a digging wheel at its outer end for feeding material to the inner surface of a belt encircling the boom. The material passes through the rotatable structure and gantry and is fed to a collection location. The belt on the boom may carry material from the container even when the outer end of the boom is positioned above the end of the boom connected to the rotatable structure.

Abstract: A mobile bucket mechanism for collection and conveyance of a bulk material which includes buckets carried by chains over generally vertically arranged sheaves, a support structure for the sheaves which drives the chains to move the buckets in a path to collect bulk material located at a lower end of the path. A feeding device is driven by the support structure to cut into the bulk material and feed the bulk material to the buckets. The feeding device includes a stationary, jacket-like cylindrical body surrounding the path of the buckets and the lower portion of the supporting structure. The cylindrical body has an opening adjacent a portion of the path along which the buckets are carried upward by the chains. A cutting head surrounds the cylindrical body and has essentially radially oriented blades rotatable with respect to the cylindrical body so as to supply the bulk material to the opening.

Abstract: A ship unloading mechanism has an endless, vertically operating compartmented belt conveyor by which material to be lifted is transported from a ship's hold at the lower end of the conveyor onto a horizontal conveyor at the top end of the conveyor, when the material is further transported e.g. onto a quayside conveyor, etc. At the lower end of the compartmented belt conveyor there is provided a material supplying device which has a vaned wheel, the vanes of which fling the material at high velocity from the hold into upwardly facing compartments of the compartmented belt conveyor.

Abstract: A screw conveyor has a feeder device for promoting the supply of material to the screw, said feeder device and said screw being rotatable in opposite directions. The feeder device has blades (14, 15) which are curved in the manner of a trawl to draw in the material both from above and from below and to guide it inwardly towards the interior of said feeder device.