Abstract: Vibratory screening machines that include stacked screening deck assemblies are provided. In some embodiments, at least one of the vibratory screening machines can include an outer frame, an inner frame connected to the outer frame, and a vibratory motor assembly secured to the inner frame for vibrating the inner frame. A plurality of screen deck assemblies can be attached to the inner frame in a stacked arrangement, each configured to receive replaceable screen assemblies. The screen assemblies can be secured to respective ones of the plurality of the screen deck assemblies by tensioning the screen assemblies in a direction that a material to be screened flows across the screen assemblies. An undersized material discharge assembly can be configured to receive materials that pass through the screen assemblies, and an oversized material discharge assembly can be configured to receive materials that pass over the screen assemblies.

Abstract: An adjustable including a base structure designed for being mounted to an intake of a conveying mechanism for conveying particulates. A bottom portion of a flexible hopper structure is mounted to the base structure. A top structure is mounted to a top portion of the flexible hopper structure. An adjusting mechanism is connected to the base structure and the top structure. The adjusting mechanism enables moving the top structure from a transport position, with the top structure being disposed in proximity to the base structure, to a loading position, with at least a substantial portion of the top structure being disposed at a predetermined distance to the base structure.

Abstract: An adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator provided and includes a plurality of flexible tines, a cassette, wherein the plurality of flexible tines are each coupled on an end to the cassette, and a first set of spacers removably coupled within the cassette between the plurality of tines, wherein the first set of spacers separate the plurality of flexible tines a first predetermined distance to set the size of material that is to be separated from an amount of aggregate flowing over the tines. The material separator may also include a second set of spacers; the first set of spacers is replaceable with the second set of spacers, wherein the second set of spacers separates the plurality of flexible tines a second predetermined distance, the second predetermined distance being different from the first predetermined distance.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying mineral material vertically includes a conveyor frame; at least two conveyor main rolls or pairs of conveyor main pulleys, a plurality of conveyor guide rolls or conveyor guide pulleys and a first and a second endless conveyor belt. The main rolls or pulleys are arranged on top of each other and the guide rolls or pulleys are arranged outside each conveyor main roll or pulley at a circumference of a circle. The endless conveyor belts alternate between being moved on either a main roll or a pair of main pulleys or on a group of guide rolls or guide pulleys. The endless conveyor belts are arranged to be moved at a speed that any material being conveyed stays in contact with the surface of either the first or the second endless conveyor belts when being moved on a the conveyor guide rolls or pulleys.

Abstract: A mobile screening apparatus includes a support chassis. The support chassis is configured for carrying at least one screening assembly having a top screen deck and at least one further screen deck below the top screen deck. At least at least one primary feed mechanism is configured for arrangement in communication with any one or more of the top and further screen decks to feed material to be screened onto said any one or more of the top and further screen decks.

Abstract: A cooler for particulate product includes a substantially enclosed housing. A first cooling screen is disposed in the housing and is configured to receive the product. The first cooling screen is configured to move the product along a surface by gravity when the first cooling screen vibrated. A duct is coupled to the first cooling screen to move cooling fluid through the first cooling screen. A second cooling screen is disposed in the housing below the first screen and is configured to receive the product after discharge from the first screen. The second screen is configured to move the particulate product along a surface when vibrated. A second duct is coupled to the second screen to move cooling fluid through the screen. A collector receives the particulate product after moving along a surface of the second screen. A vibrator is coupled to the housing and vibrates the housing.

Abstract: A method for separating a granular synthetic material from a loose mass of various synthetic materials includes: conveying the granular mass along a trajectory having a rubbing surface subjecting the mass falling from the rubbing surface to an electrical field; and collecting at least one of the masses separated by the electrical field. The mass advances in a single layer on the rubbing surface, while maintaining the single layer contact with the rubbing surface, the rubbing surface being subjected to repeated acceleration in opposite directions in the plane of the rubbing surface, or tangential thereto to move the mass on the surface in order to improve the electrostatic charge. The rubbing surface is made of or clad with a material having intermediate triboelectric properties with respect to those of the granular mass, and is clad with a same material as that which it is intended to separate from the mass.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus comprising: a base; a first material processing unit, for example a crusher; a feed conveyor; and a second material processing unit, for example a screening unit. The feed conveyor and the second material processing unit are both movable with respect to the first material processing unit and with respect to each other so that material can be fed into the first material processing unit directly from the feed conveyor, or indirectly from the feed conveyor via the second material processing unit. The second material processing unit can be stored beneath the feed conveyor when not in use.

Abstract: A rake conveyor comprises a horizontal movable part and a rotating-swinging part and/or an inclined part. A screen is located above part of the rake conveyor. The rotating-swinging part and/or the inclined part of the rake conveyor is followed by a first bucket conveyor or the a part of the dual bucket conveyor, which lifts the used loose material into equipment for sorting of loose material. At least one of the outputs of equipment for sorting of loose materials is followed by a second bucket conveyor or by a second part of the dual bucket conveyor. The outlet of the second bucket conveyor or the second outlet of the dual bucket conveyor leads to a silo, which is additionally equipped with an outlet mouth, leading into a container. Once used abrasive material has accumulated, the excess abrasive material is taken out of the container above the rack conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and sizing particulate matter, comprising a main frame, infeed conveyor, collection conveyor and a screening assembly including a frame, screen, and an underscreen conveyor mounted underneath the screen. In exemplary embodiments at least one crusher is included. The apparatus converts configuration from a transport mode to an operating mode. Material deposited onto the infeed conveyor is moved forward into the screening assembly. Material falling through the screen is deflected by a deflector onto a collection conveyor. Material passing over the screen drops into the crusher and crushed material drops onto the collection conveyor. Material on the collection conveyor is conveyed to a discharge location. The apparatus components are arranged such that material moves in a uni-directional flow through the apparatus without reversing direction. The apparatus may be mounted on a mobilizing assembly, such as one including endless tracks or wheels, for portability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying filtered slush molding powder or other granular material using a material feeder and angled sieve. The feeder includes a feeding member for moving the granular material, a feeder loading region, and a feeder unloading region. The sieve is positioned relative to the feeder unloading region so that it receives the granular material exiting the feeder. The sieve is positioned at an angle of inclination greater than zero degrees. An agitator that causes vibration of the sieve can be included to help sift the granular material through the angled sieve.

Abstract: A stationary screen (14) of cylindrical or frusto-conical form is mounted inside the downstream end sifting section (10B) of a machine housing (10) which also has an upstream end feed section (10A). An auger screw (24) is provided in the upstream end section (10A) on a shaft (20) which is rotatable so as to feed material to be sifted into an end of the screen (14). The shaft (20) is mounted in cantilever manner from the upstream end of the housing (10) and drive means are mounted at or near the upstream end of the housing to rotate the shaft (20). A paddle assembly (26) is provided in the downstream end section (10B), inside the screen (14), and is mounted to the same shaft (20) as the auger screw (24). This shaft (20) is a hollow shaft. A second rotatable shaft (30) extends, preferably co-axially, through the first hollow shaft (20) and projects beyond the first hollow shaft into the screen (14).

Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for cleaning, grooming, and otherwise maintaining sand and sandy surfaces. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for cleaning a sandy surface, where the sandy surface includes unsifted sand, and where the unsifted sand includes sand and unwanted material.

Abstract: A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying filtered slush molding powder or other granular material using a material feeder and angled sieve. The feeder includes a feeding member for moving the granular material, a feeder loading region, and a feeder unloading region. The sieve is positioned relative to the feeder unloading region so that it receives the granular material exiting the feeder. The sieve is positioned at an angle of inclination greater than zero degrees. An agitator that causes vibration of the sieve can be included to help sift the granular material through the angled sieve.

Abstract: A mobile variable angle vibrating screen with the ability to process aggregate material in a horizontal orientation and at incrementally higher angles of inclination where changes in angles of inclination can be affected without the need to dismantle the vibrating screen and without the use of hand tools. The variable angle screen being configured: to blend output at all of the various operating angles of inclination, be transportable with a detachable bolt on feeder module; have an overhead feed conveyor which operates at a substantially horizontal configuration and at various operating angles of inclination.

Abstract: A compact mobile variable angle vibrating screen with an overhead feed conveyor drive system configured to accommodate nesting into the feedbox of the vibrating screen by use of a 90-degree input shaft speed reducer; a V-belt drive and a drive shaft coupling the two and a motor mounted in front of and perpendicular to the head pulley of the feed conveyor, all arranged in a configuration to nest within a feed box of the vibrating screen and to minimize the need for offset feeding with the conveyor.

Abstract: A compact mobile variable angle vibrating screen with an overhead conveyor with an inclined bottom feed support section, an independently positionable intermediate support section, and an overhead head support section where the independently positionable intermediate support section can be relocated to a new position in response to a translation of the bottom feed support structure while maintaining an angular orientation which is half of the angle of inclination of the bottom feed structure.

Abstract: A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.

Abstract: The invention provides a secondary battery having positive electrode plates 14 and negative electrode plates, with insulating tapes 22A, 22B affixed to the cut end portions 14d, including an active material layer 14b portion thereof, of either the positive electrode plates 14 or the negative electrode plates, or both. These electrode plates are stacked or rolled alternately, with separators 23 interposed, into an electrode group that is sealed, together with electrolyte, inside a battery case. The insulating tapes 22A, 22B have an adhesive application area L2 and a nonadhesive application area L1, and are affixed in such a manner that the nonadhesive application area L1 is positioned centrally on the active material layer 14b of the electrode plate 14, and moreover so that part of the adhesive application area L2 is positioned on the active material layer 14b at the cut end portion 14d.

Abstract: A screening machine including at least one screen surface, feeding means that feed material to be screened towards the screen surface and onto the screen surface where the material is separated into a first fraction remaining on the screen surface and into a second fraction passed through the screen surface while the material is moving along the screen surface. In a method for controlling the screening machine, the amount of material on the screen surface is determined by automatic measurement, and the speed of the feeding means is controlled on the basis of the measurement by automatic control.

Abstract: In a system to separate shredded vegetable pieces, a slicer cuts a vegetable having leaves and a core into pieces to form a mixture of leaf and core pieces. The mixture then passes through a sorting mechanism that separates the core pieces from the mixture.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for screening drilling fluids to remove entrained debris, the fluid is urged upwardly from the lower side to the upper side of an inclined or horizontal mesh screen, so that debris falls from the face of the screen under gravity to be collected and removed, and the clean fluid emerges above the screen. The debris may be removed by a conveyor or by a vibrating mesh surface. The operating life of the screen is thereby extended.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing debris from a fluidized sand bed. One or more troughs extend radially from a vertical shaft. Associated with each trough is a perforated chute. The apparatus is placed into the fluidized bed of sand, and rotated. As the apparatus rotates, the perforated chute sifts, or separates, debris from the fluidized sand. That is, the fluidized sand flows through the perforations, but the debris does not. When the apparatus is removed from the fluidized bed, the debris tumbles down the chute, into the troughs, if it has not already done so, and is captured.

Abstract: A mobile screening machine with a frame on tracks, having a hopper and a main conveyor mounted to a frame. The main conveyor conveys particulate matter from the hopper to a screening device positioned beneath the upper end of the main conveyor. The particulate is screened into three grades of coarseness, with the coarsest falling into a chute, the middle coarseness falling onto one lateral conveyor and the finest falling onto an underscreen conveyor, which preferably is driven downhill onto another lateral conveyor. The tracks permit the machine to be driven around the work site and onto and off of a trailer, and the entire machine can be remotely controlled. The downhill conveyor permits loading of the hopper from both sides of the frame.

Abstract: A transportable trommel assembly is provided with a frame, a cylindrical trommel screen, having an infeed end and a discharge end rotatably mounted to the frame, and conveyors for carrying away sized material from the trommel screen. An infeed conveyor is movably connected to the frame and positionable to an operating position for infeeding material into the infeed end of the trommel screen and to a transport position where it is held within the infeed end of the trommel screen.

Abstract: A coupling for directing a stream of particles falling from a feed spout through an opening on the top cover of the screen box of a screening machine. An upper diaphragm seals the feed spout within the mouth of a funnel. A lower diaphragm seals the funnel discharge opening within the top cover opening. Both diaphragms are flexible and permit the funnel to tilt axially and accommodate movement of the top cover opening with respect to the feed spout. Optionally, a gimble may support the funnel and diaphragms and thereby relieve the diaphragms from the weight of the coupling.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for reprocessing residual concrete with a trough (3), conveying equipment (33) with an adjoining bucket wheel (37) and discharging equipment (11). The inventive apparatus is distinguished owing to the fact that the washing-out trough (3) is divided into two mutually separated regions (15, 17), the first region taking up and buffering the residual concrete brought in and the second region functioning as a washing-out trough, and owing to the fact that a further conveying mechanism (31, 35) is provided, which transports material from the first region (15) into the second region (17). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for reprocessing residual concrete.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided for liquid media, such as cooling-lubricating liquids containing production residues, such as machinery chips. The conveyance takes place along a gutter via a driven scraper conveyor extending into it and extending along its linear direction and under the effects of a downslope of the bottom of the gutter. A separation of large-grained production residue from the liquid media containing fine-grained production residue is achieved already in the course of their conveyance in the gutter. This separation is made possible in that the gutter is divided into an upper and lower area via a perforated divider bottom extending along the length thereof and spaced apart from the gutter bottom. The lower area is a flushing channel to receive liquid media containing fine-grained production residue.

Abstract: A mobile screening apparatus includes a horizontal rotary drum preferably fed by underflow from a prescreening device that is reversible endless belt of screening grizzly bars. The belt reverses for expelling oversize material caught between bars. Force needed to turn the drum is monitored, as a way of controlling drum feeding by the prescreening device, for preventing protracted over-filling of the drum. The screening drum includes an outer peripheral cage of longitudinal bars, at least some of which preferably are movably mounted. A set of wires is circumferentially wrapped about the bar cage, with sufficient flexibility to permit the wires to locally elastically flex away from the bars sufficient to pass slightly oversize material and facilitate cleaning of debris lodged in spaces among the bars and wires. Brushes help dislodge lodged debris.

Abstract: A vertical screen device for a separator is disclosed. The screening device comprises a vertical cylindrical screen with a feed screw housed within the screen and cooperating with the screen. The feed screw is caused to rotate while the screen is held stationary. The improvements of the invention are provided by having the feed screw make an angle with the surface of the screen over at least a portion of its length. Further, the feed screw is made up partially of a radially inwardly non-yielding portion, and a radially outwardly aligned elastic portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a screening apparatus for screening particulate material and which comprises a base frame, an elevating conveyor adjustably mounted on the base frame and arranged to convey material from a loading station at or near a lower end of the conveyor to a discharge station at an upper end of the conveyor, a sub-frame adjustably mounted on the base frame and carrying a vibratory screen for receiving material falling from the conveyor, a drive mechanism for adjusting the position of the conveyor along a guided path of movement, and a coupling arrangement which couples the conveyor and the sub-frame together in such a way that adjustment of the position of the conveyor relative to the base frame is accompanied by corresponding adjustment of the position of the sub-frame relative to the base frame so that the vibratory screen can take up any required attitude to suit particular requirements and in which it is still able readily to receive material falling from the upper end of the conveyor.

Abstract: Screening apparatus comprises a feeder conveyor, an elevator, a screen box, an end boom elevator and two lateral boom elevators all carried on a wheeled trailer. The elevator has an elongated support with an endless belt arranged around two rollers longitudinally spaced apart on the support. A superstructure framework on the trailer carries the support in a plurality of inclined positions, and the screen box is pivotally linked to the end of the support corresponding to the discharge end of the belt and hinged to the structure at the opposite end. The support extends and retracts along its lengths by means of hydraulic rams and thereby pivots the screen. The screen box also has hydraulic rams and cylinders to adjust the angle of inclination of the screen relative to the support and thereby also adjust the inclination of the support.

Abstract: The sieve device comprises a filling funnel for feeding the material. A conveyor belt runs on the bottom of the filling funnel. The conveyor belt projects into a sieve drum, which is driven by a hydraulic motor. The material is transported through the sieve drum by a helical conveying ledge. Fine-grained elements of the material fall onto a conveyor belt extending below the sieve drum and are carried out to the side through conveyor belts extending at an angle. Coarse parts of the material are carried out at the rear end of the sieve drum through a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A grain cleaner and method for cleaning grain is the subject of the present invention. A single rotatable drum presents a substantially continuous screen surface of increasing mesh size from one end to another with the drum having an inlet end and an outlet end. A plurality of baffles are disposed in spaced apart relationship along the periphery of and along the length of the screen surface of the drum for retarding the flow of material therethrough. Retaining means is provided in the vicinity of the outlet end of the drum for retarding the flow of foreign material fromthe drum while accommodating the eventual passage of foreign material out of the drum. The drum is rotated by any conventional power source.

Abstract: A pipeline padding vehicle for supplying earth of a fine consistency to cover and pad a pipeline disposed in a trench has a longitudinal conveyor, a vibrating screen to receive earth from the conveyor, and a padding material discharge conveyor beneath the screen to receive material therefrom mounted to pivot about a vertical axis from a position in which it is longitudinally aligned with the vehicle frame to a position transverse of the frame. A sub-frame mounts the vibrating screen and discharge conveyor on the vehicle for fore and aft swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal extent of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A screening apparatus of the multi-deck type. The feed inlet space of the screening machine comprises one or more distributing and segregating devices, integrated with the movement of the screening apparatus.

Abstract: In sieving apparatus, an undercarriage carries a belt conveyor, which has a frame that is adapted to be folded in length about a hinge. The belt conveyor carries at its discharge end a sieving machine, which is adapted to be driven and which has an adjustable inclination relative to the belt conveyor. Hydraulic cylinder-piston units are provided for adjusting the inclination of the sieve and for pivotally adjusting the pivotally movable section of the conveyor belt frame. The sieving machine is adapted to be swung against that side of the adjacent section of the conveyor belt frame which faces downwardly when the apparatus is in operating position. As a result, when the apparatus is entirely collapsed the upper section of the conveyor belt frame extends above and along the lower section of said frame and the sieving machine is disposed above the upper section of said frame.

Abstract: A vibrating conveyor for delivering a stream of green pellets having a predetermined average diameter to a conveying surface of a wide belt conveyor. The vibrating conveyor has a vibrating deck having a discharge edge and conveys the green pellets along a conveyance path to the discharge edge. The discharge edge extends at an acute angle to the conveyance path. A series of elongated distributing bars or rows of bosses protrude upwardly from an upper surface of the deck along the entire conveyance path and extend along lines transverse to, and spaced along, the conveyance path, the elongated distributing bars or bosses having a height of 7.5 to 30 mm.

Abstract: An arrangement for piling a bulky material of different grain sizes has one central and two lateral passages, a guiding element located upstream of the passages and arranged to guide a flow of a bulky material toward the lateral passages, and grate elements located between the guiding element and a respective one of the passages and arranged so that the fine portion of the material passes through each of the grate elements into a respective one of the lateral passages, whereas the coarse grain portion of the material is guided over the grate elements so as to pass into the central passage.

Abstract: In digging and hauling soil, rocks, minerals and the like by the use of a dragline the invention provides a novel combination of said dragline, a conveyor means for hauling the materials dug, and a hopper means disposed over and movable along said conveyor means whereby material may be efficiently excavated and transported out of the working area.

Abstract: A screening apparatus includes a conveyor (14) pivotally mounted on a wheeled chassis (2) for movement between an extended operational position and a folded transporting position. The conveyor (14) includes an endless belt (16) and a boom frame (20) supporting the belt (16). The boom frame (20) consists of a rear section (24) pivotally mounted on the chassis (2), and a forward section (26) pivotally mounted to the rear section (24). A screen device (54) is pivotally coupled to the conveyor forward section (26), and a hopper (12) is mounted at the rear of the chassis (2).To erect the apparatus, the conveyor section (26) is swung down to straighten the conveyor (14), and hydraulic rams (30) are operated to raise the conveyor (14) sufficiently to move the screen device (54) by means of a hydraulic ram (66).

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for severing severable wrappers or packages containing granular or powder-like matter and for separating the matter from the severable packages. The apparatus comprises a helical screw, made of band-shaped foil wound helicoidally around a shaft, which rotates within a channel equipped with an open top load end where the packages to be torn are placed. The helical screw conveys both severed packages as well as the matter to a separating apparatus comprised of a rotatable housing made of screening and placed adjacent thereto to effect complete separation.

Abstract: A series of semi-circular cut-out portions are provided on the underside of an auger tube which are covered with blanks when the cleaning device is not in use, but which are covered with semi-circular sieves when it is desired to clean grain or the like being augered. The mesh of the screens is selected to suit the cleaning desired. A shroud encloses the sieves and an auxiliary auger is situated at the base of the shroud and is driven by the main auger drive. This auxiliary or return auger moves wheat seeds and the like which have passed through the sieve, to a discharge at the lower end of the shroud regardless of the angle of inclination of the main auger assembly. Reinforcing means are provided on the upper side of the main auger tube (tension) and upon the lower side thereof (compression) in order that distortion and/or damage will occur to the main auger tube particularly during transportation of the auger assembly from one place to another.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing foreign matter from cotton includes an elongated frame having a plurality of rollers rotatably supported in closely spaced side-by-side relation therealong for conveying cotton over the rollers from one end of the frame to the other in response to rotation of the rollers in unison. The rollers have a plurality of protrusions so that the cotton is vertically shaken as it is conveyed over the rollers with the result that foreign matter falls between the rollers away from the cotton. The protrusions may be the transversely extended corners of polygonal shaped rollers, the corners being adapted to strike the cotton in response to rotation of the rollers for a more vigorous shaking action. A plate may be supported in vertically spaced relation above the rollers for rebounding cotton which is thrown up by the rollers back toward the rollers. A conveyor belt below the rollers collects the foreign matter which drops therethrough.

Abstract: In a multiple deck screening machine, the feed material is divided into separate equal fractions as it falls into parallel vertical channels. Each channel serves a particular screen deck via a chute which diverts the respective fraction from the channel onto the screen. The lower chutes include widened portions that extend laterally from their respective channels into areas which are masked or closed above by overlying upper chutes, in order to provide flow areas onto the respective screens which are wider than the channels that feed them, and thereby provide better flow distribution onto the screens.

Abstract: An improved raisin harvester including a front fork for sliding under a raisin laden tray, a draper web situated above the fork for engaging the trays and sliding them along the fork to a conveyor mechanism having a tray receiving end located at the upper end of the fork, running shoes extending downward from the conveyor mechanism, a wheeled chassis having a frame to which an assembly including all of the foregoing is pivotally attached, a shaker mechanism attached to the frame so as to be situated under the discharge end of the conveyor mechanism, a hydraulic jack for adjusting the tilt of the fork, conveyor and draper web assembly, a hydraulic power system for driving the conveyor, draper web, shaker tray and hydraulic jack, a tow bar for attaching the harvester to a tractor or other motive implement which pulls the harvester, and a trailer hitch to which a carriage for raisin receiving receptacles may be attached.

Abstract: A grain scalping and cleaning apparatus for removing impurities in grain according to size is disclosed. The apparatus includes multiple grain movement paddles moving relative to appropriate screens. An endless chain drives the grain movement paddles. Both large and small impurities are separated from the grain through the use of the screens and paddles with the aid of gravity. A method for removing impurities in grain is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for washing, sizing and cutting the stems of mushrooms, comprises a tub full of water into which the fresh mushrooms to be treated are poured in bulk and conveyed in water into a second tub from which they are raised by suitable means to be carried on a selector device from which they fall in different positions according to their dimensions. Then they are conveyed on guides where they are arranged with their stems downwards and subsequently they are carried to the cutting device constituted by endless rotating toothed belts which provide for cutting. The first dirty end of the stem is thrown away and then a section of stem intended to be used as food is cut off so as to reduce the length of the stem to predetermined sizes. In this manner, the washed mushrooms are classified on the basis of their size and with the stem reduced to predetermined dimensions.

Abstract: An unloading ramp assembly for a vibratory finishing machine of the type having a toroidal bowl or hopper includes an input platform extending to a media separation assembly which in turn extends to an output platform leading out of the vibratory finishing machine. A rod extends across and above the hopper adjacent to the input platform, and a ramp is pivotally engagable with the rod and is adapted to extend downwardly therefrom into engagement with the bottom of the hopper. The insertion sequence for the ramp is initiated by engaging the upper end of the ramp with the rod across the entire width thereof and then engaging the lower end of the ramp with the moving media and piece parts in the hopper, whereby the lower end of the ramp is pivoted downwardly into engagement with the bottom of the hopper. The withdrawal sequence for the ramp is initiated by pivoting one side of the ramp out of engagement with the rod, whereby the moving media in the hopper pivots the ramp out of the hopper.