Abstract: An apparatus for counting deposit beverage containers that includes a loading basin for holding a plurality of deposit beverage containers, a feed chute for receiving the containers from the loading basin having an inlet end narrowing into at least one outlet end, and at least one feed channel extending from each outlet end. The feed channel includes a choke opening that orders the containers into a single file row, an upward bend following the choke opening that decreases the downward slope of the feed channel to moderate the flow of the containers, and a downward curve following the upward bend that accelerates each container to create separation between containers.

Abstract: Fixed amount discharging equipment for simultaneously discharging a particulate body from a plurality of containers containing the particulate body, comprising a casing to the interior of which is provided a belt conveyor and having a particulate body discharge hole below the carrying direction end of the belt conveyor, and a plurality of supply arranged in the carrying direction of the belt conveyor and passing through the casing, lower ends thereof penetrating into the casing and being arranged above the belt of the belt conveyor, the lower ends of the supply pipes being such that the downstream sides thereof in the belt carrying direction have notches of a predetermined length from the end faces upward.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering concrete to two spaced deposition points having a funnel-shaped hopper with a pair of outlets in the bottom which deposit concrete on conveyors. An inclined chute feeds concrete to the inner conical wall of the hopper as the chute rotates to minimize segregation of the concrete. Each outlet has a gate to control flow of the concrete to the conveyor beneath.To divert concrete from the hopper a side discharge chute is pivotally mounted in the conical wall of the hopper and can be tilted to receive concrete discharged from the inclined chute.

Abstract: A magazine is disclosed for dispensing generally cylindrical and elongated articles in a pre-determined order. The magazine comprises a series of shelves with a reciprocating ratcheting plate arranged perpendicular to the shelves. The ratching plate has surface configurations which allow the articles to be advanced in one direction of movement, and remain stationary relative to the shelves in a second opposite direction. The magazine is removable and may be pre-loaded to dispense in a pre-determined order. The magazine finds particular application in the dispensing of samples to an automated analyzer.

Abstract: A device, so-called dispersion feeder, for feeding product to be weighed from a single source to a plurality of weighing units of a combination weighing machine which are arranged in a circular array. The device, which is generally of a circular shape, is disposed in the center of the circular array of weighing units and distributes the product fed from the source to its central portion, to the respective weighing units towards the radial direction. The improvement in this device is that entangled aggregates of the product can be automatically dispersed before leaving outlet ports provided on the periphery for the respective weighing units.

Abstract: A feeder of bulk materials (fuel) comprises according to the invention, a conveyor and a batcher, the case whereof is separated into at least three sections, wherein the case of the batcher incorporates drives having output shafts, each section uses a band for transferring bulk material, with bands in one section moving in opposite direction to bands in other sections, and the sections using the bands of one direction of movement are arranged alternately with the sections using the bands of opposite direction, with the drive of the sections using the bands of the same direction made common to them and furnished with output shafts coupled with shafts of the sections through clutches serving for coupling and uncoupling the drives and shafts, with the batcher case incorporating a receiver tube in the top part thereof for receiving free-flowing material, and an outlet tube in the bottom part thereof serving for delivery of bulk material from the batcher to the conveyor.

Abstract: A process for the continuous leaching of ores and an apparatus for practising this continuous leaching process are disclosed. According to this process, a plurality of unit layers composed of a pulverized uranium ore or other ore are continuously laminated while a minimum necessary amount of an acid, alkali or organic solvent (hereinafter referred to as "solvent") is uniformly sprinkled on the flat surfaces of these unit layers. In the state where the concentration of the solvent mixed into the ore is maintained at a high level, the heat generated by exothermic reaction caused by contact among the solvent, ore and water is effectively stored and used for thermally curing the ore. According to this process, the speed of extraction of the intended metal component can be increased, the leaching time shortened and the filtration characteristics improved, whereby a highly concentrated pregnant liquor can be recovered at a high efficiency.

Abstract: The device for automatically replacing defective cigarette packets discarded from a feeding line on which the packets advance in a single row comprises a pair of gravity-feed reserve hoppers, containing each a stack of reserve packets, and a transferring drum, operatively interposed between the said reserve hoppers and the feeding line. The drum is driven in step-by-step rotation in relation to the absence, signalled by suitable sensing and controlling devices, of a discarded defective packet. Upon each step rotation of the transferring drum, a cigarette packet is taken by the drum alternately from one of the said reserve hoppers, and it is progressively transferred onto the feeding line, to take the place of the previously discarded packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling articles, such as pieces of timber, of different types. The articles are conveyed by a suitable conveyer to a location situated at the discharge end of the conveyor. Over the conveyer there is a series of compartments distributed longitudinally along the conveyer and arranged in different groups with the compartments of each group arranged with one of the compartments thereof nearer to the discharge end of the conveyer than the next compartment of each group. Articles of different types are respectively situated in the different groups of compartments.