Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center position to a bottom-dead-center position for driving a fastener into a workpiece, a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade toward the top-dead-center position, and a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter having a body and a drive pin coupled to the body. A roller is positioned on the drive pin and engages with a tooth of the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. The roller includes a first engagement section that receives an end portion of the tooth and a second engagement section. An engagement member engages the second engagement section for aligning the first engagement section of the roller with the end portion of the tooth to facilitate meshing between the end portion of the tooth and the roller.

Abstract: A filter screen including a frame having an upstream surface, a downstream surface opposite the upstream surface, a perimeter grating element, and a plurality of inner grating elements extending within the perimeter grating element and forming at least one opening extending from the upstream surface to the downstream surface; a filter element disposed on the upstream surface; and a tension element disposed on the downstream surface. A method of manufacturing a filter screen, the method including forming a frame having an upstream surface, a downstream surface opposite the upstream surface, a perimeter grating element, and a plurality of inner grating elements extending within the perimeter grating element and forming at least one opening extending from the upstream surface to the downstream surface; attaching a filter element to the upstream surface; and attaching a tension element to the downstream surface.

Abstract: A conveyor device has a sequence of two vibrating screens vertically separated (d) from each other and supplying an alignment bowl, to eliminate chips and residue from nuclear fuel pellets stored in bulk in a boat and to align them in order to fill fuel rods. Due to these two screens, pellets are set aside and turned over, and chips are efficiently separated in a pot, without any congestion of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibratory screening apparatus which comprises a vibratable screen element (2) mounted in a basket (4), which basket (4) is mounted over a reservoir (6) which contains and holds a pool of liquid slurry (8). A first end (10) of the screen element (2) is disposed within the reservoir (6) such that it is submerged in the body of liquid slurry (8). The reservoir has a deep end (12) in which the first end (10) of the screening element (12) is disposed and a second shallow end (14) above which a median portion (16) of the screening apparatus is disposed. The second end (18) of the screen element (2) is disposed above a portion (20) of the reservoir which extends above the surface of the body of liquid slurry held within the reservoir (6).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating multiple food pieces and removing clumps from food pieces in order to process individual pieces for subsequent packaging includes a vibrating conveyor bed which receives a substantially continuous supply of a dried product, such as RTE cereal or another snack product, and delivers the dried product to a screen unit including a plurality of spaced slots through which only individual food pieces can pass for further processing. Prior to the screen unit, the bed can be provided with an upstanding deflector member which diverts the traveling food product away from a discharge chute and onto the screen unit. In any case, the screen unit includes an upwardly angling portion, extending away from the discharge chute, for retaining product which needs to be further processed, while the discharge chute also has an associated, raised lip for product retention purposes.

Abstract: A sifter comprising: a receiver having a supply chamber; a sieve assembly having a sieving chamber coupled to the supply chamber; a rotator having a rotating shaft laterally arranged to pass through the supply chamber and the sieving chamber; a drum having a circular cross-section and having a larger diameter than the diameter of the rotating shaft, the drum being extended in at least space of the sieving chamber and arranged coaxially with the sieve; a cylindrical sieve located inside the sieving chamber and arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft; a stirring rotor located in an inner area of the sieving chamber inside the sieve comprising a rotating blade attached to the rotating shaft; an extraction member; and an outlet for discharging powder passing through the sieve from the inner area to the outer area.

Abstract: A screening apparatus for separating particles is disclosed which consists of a plurality of rows of elongated members disposed in a staggered spacial relationship. The screening apparatus of the present invention is especially useful in preventing the spiking of particles during the screening process.

Abstract: A system for separating pieces of plastic bag from ground yard debris and the like, e.g., asphalt shingles. A conveyor conveys the debris material along a conveyor path and an agitator bounces the conveyor to cause the lighter plastic to reposition to the top of the material on the conveyor. A suction tube end is positioned over the debris material following agitation to draw the plastic off the top of the material. The tube end is selectively adjustable to enable discriminate suction effect to draw off a maximum amount of plastic and a minimal amount of nonplastic recyclable debris.

Abstract: An attrition mill for reclaiming foundry sand from deposited material having lumps of used foundry sand and included material includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving the lumps of used foundry sand and included material. A base is disposed within the housing and has an elevated end defining a reject outlet adjacent a reject end of the mill and a lower end, and a discharge wall is positioned adjacent the base lower end to define a sand outlet adjacent a sand end of the mill. A resilient support is attached to the housing, and a vibratory drive is attached to the housing and includes first and second eccentrically loaded motors.

Abstract: A sprouting beans refining apparatus wherein refuse matters of hulls, trash, small roots, etc. are removed from sprouting beans efficiently. Sprouting beans raked up by a raking-up conveyor are caused to fall down on an endless flat belt which is supported by a vibration frame inclined upwardly toward a moving direction. Sprouting beans on the endless flat belt are sent downwardly by vibration of the vibration frame to fall down onto a lower endless flat belt. Refuse matters of roots, trash, etc. contained in the sprouting beans attach to the surface of the endless flat belt and are transferred together with the endless flat belt to be removed by a scraper. Refined sprouting beans are discharged from a lower end of the endless flat belt of a lowermost stage.

Abstract: A litter screening and separating machine including a storage compartment, a loader at one end of the storage compartment for picking up encrusted litter material from the floor of a chicken house, a conveyor including a pair of chains for moving the encrusted litter from the loader to the storage compartment. A baffle plate adjacent to and beneath the conveyor chain prevents contamination of the conveyor chain. Vibrator rollers adjacent the pair of chains for engagement with tabs on spaced links of each chain for vibrating the loading flights. Trap doors beneath the upper run of the conveyor may be opened to permit some of the material collected to fall back to the floor of the poultry house. One can regulate the amount of material thus recycled by independently opening and closing the trap doors.

Abstract: A vibration-type screening machine capable of screening loose material with a significantly enhanced efficiency includes a stationary base frame, a pair of upstanding side plates supported on the stationary base frame through spring suspensions and disposed substantially in parallel with each other so as to extend longitudinally of the screening machine, a plurality of sieve mesh supporting rollers rotatably mounted between the upstanding side plates, an endless sieve mesh web disposed between the upstanding side plates with an upper span section thereof being supported on the plurality of sieve mesh supporting rollers so that the endless sieve mesh web can endlessly move in a direction longitudinally of the screening machine from a loading port toward a discharging port, a driving unit moving endlessly the endless sieve mesh web, and an eccentric rotating vibrating mechanism disposed at a position near to the loading port and operatively coupled to the pair of upstanding side plates so that the sieve mesh su

Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic sorting apparatus for sorting out pieces under process, such as fish and shellfish or industrial products, into different size groups. In the prior art automatic sorting apparatus, pieces under process are readily caught in sorting holes, making it difficult to obtain smooth sorting. The invention permits smooth sorting. An automatic sorting apparatus to this end includes an endless conveyor having sorting holes and capable of excursion, an inner receiver disposed inside the endless conveyor for receiving pieces under process falling from the sorting holes, and an outer receiver disposed outside and below a U-turn portion of the endless conveyor for receiving pieces under process falling off the U-turn portion. Another automatic sorting apparatus includes two or more endless conveyors having different excursion diameters and disposed one inside another at an interval. The sorting holes of each endless conveyor are smaller than those of the next outer endless conveyor.

Abstract: An endless conveyor grader (1) suitable for use in grading tubers (4) or the like. The endless conveyor comprises an endless grid screen (21) supported by an endless drive transmission (37) at opposite sides (23, 25) of the endless grid screen (21). An endless drive transmission guide (36, 39) is provided at opposite sides (23, 25) of the endless grid screen formed and arranged so as to define at least one cascade (40) or step (40) in the endless grid screen pathway. The cascade(s) or step(s) (40) allow for tumbling, in use of the grader of tuners (4) passing over the cascade(s) (40) or step(s) so as to provide the required movement of the tubers (4) on the grid screen (21) to facilitate the grading process. The grid screen comprises parallel support bars provided with a multiplicity of `I`-shaped link members (46) bridging between the support bars (47) so as to allow the grid screen to change direction in the endless grid screen pathway.

Abstract: A self-cleaning gravity screen for removing particulate material from a liquid stream. The screen slopes, and beneath it a rotary wand sweeps against its lower side to keep the screen perforations open and assist movement of retained solids along the screen. The wand is driven by a rotary water wheel.

Abstract: A method for cleaning sod being transported on a perforate conveyor belt which includes at least one vibratory position and a powered brush position for removing the earth from the sod. This method and apparatus may be attached to a farm vehicle at the sod harvesting site or free-standing at a remote location. This present invention removes the earth in a substantially dry condition so that the earth may be returned directly to the harvest site or conveyed to another location, A subsequent water bath stage is disclosed for the removal of unwanted dust on the sod.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating recyclable waste which has a conveyor belt transport track, collecting belt under a section of the transport track, and belt guides positioned along a section of the transport track. The conveyor belt is provided with openings and mutually contacting surfaces of the conveyor belt and the belt guides are profiled such that movement of the conveyor belt along the transport track causes a portion of the belt passing the guides to shake in a direction substantially transverse to the transport track.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which separates small solids from process waste water. A continuously rotating elongated drum screen having a large diameter interior flow channel removes the solids. The drum screen contains a continuous loop of closely spaced link members each having a foot at one end projecting towards the interior of the drum chambr. Pivot members are connected to the links and these pivot members are driven by lugs attached to an endless loop chain. The chain is driven by variable speed motors. A flushing system mounted on top of the drum screen washes solids into a hopper where liquid is returned to the drum inner chamber and solids are sent to solid waste disposal.

Abstract: A root crop harvester comprising a soil-separating primary web arranged to discharge material on to a crop-conveying second web which passes about two rollers adapted to define in the load-bearing run of the second web an overhanging step section.

Abstract: Fluffy grass seed with accompanying coarse trash and fine trash are placed upon the top of a vibrating screen. The fluffy grass seed are enmeshed in the meshes of the screen while the fine trash falls through the screen and the coarse trash is loose upon the top of the screen. The coarse trash is dumped from the screen by inverting the screen. Thereafter the fluffy seed are doffed from the screen by brushes.

Abstract: A litter screening and separating apparatus including a storage compartment arranged for towed movement, a loader structure affixed at one end of the storage compartment for picking up encrusted litter material from floors of chicken houses, a conveyor including a pair of chains for moving the encrusted litter from the loading structure to the storage compartment, a baffle plate adjacent and beneath the conveyor chain for preventing contamination of the conveyor chain from the material stored in the storage compartment, a plurality of loading panels arranged between the pair of chains and being replaceably affixed thereto, and vibrator rollers adjacent the pair of chains for engagement with projections on spaced links of each chain for vibrating the loading panels. The loading panels may be of solid panel construction or of expanded metal, depending upon the type of litter being picked up and the method of use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A shaker assembly for use on chain conveyors on harvesters is bolted to the side frame of the conveyors. The shaker assembly includes two spaced roller assemblies which carry rods of the chain conveyor. The distance between the roller assemblies may be varied such that the degree of shaking imparted to the rods as they pass over the shaker assembly may be adjusted.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting delicate produce comprising a chassis arranged to be hitched to a tractor and driven thereby, plant pick-up and conveyor apparatus, apparatus for separating agricultural produce from plants, conveyor apparatus for receiving produce from the separating apparatus and moving it to one side thereof, sorting conveyor apparatus and produce loading conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: A potato harvester comprises a double disc share feeding potatoes to a vibrating upwardly-moving conveyor sieve 1 (FIG. 1), the operational area of which is determined by the relative positions of rollers 2 and 4. This area can be changed to deal with different soil conditions, any slack or excess amount of conveyor 1 resulting from this change being accommodated by an appropriate repositioning of the pulleys 4, 5.

Abstract: The upper run of a tomato harvester shaker chain is oscillated by a plurality of rotating arms which contact the chain along each side. Each arm is driven by a separate hydraulic motor, alternate motors along each side, and the motors driving the arms directly opposite one another on the two sides, being of different size or capacity to provide varying oscillatory speeds both along and across the chain. The motors along the two sides of the chain are connected in separate hydraulic series circuits, the flow rate through each circuit, and hence the speed of the motors thereof, being selectively controlled by variable speed control valves. Also, a hydraulic flow divider is preferably provided in the line between the pump and hydraulic motors to supply different proportions of the total flow to the groups of motors in each series circuit.

Abstract: A dredging apparatus is afforded having the improvements of a wedge-shaped dredge foot housing both a fluid opening and a filter member, the intake opening being located on the underside of the dredge foot and the filter member being located above the fluid intake opening so as to be placed between the intake and the suction conduit, the taper of the wedge foot being toward its forward edge and its underside being substantially planar. Also afforded is providing the lower end of the dredge housing with a forwardly directed lever means comprising a lever member capable of being reciprocally moved in order to effect the levering of large objects, thus enabling the location of the intake opening below such objects.

Abstract: Defectively made absorbent articles (e.g., disposable diapers) are shredded for reclamation, and their fluff fillers, mixed with undesired scraps, are fed downwardly towards a forwardly moving horizontal stretch of a conveyor screen. Fluff fibres are forced into a collecting chamber under said screen stretch by maintaining a subatmospheric pressure therein to generate a downward air flow through the screen. Above the stretch are a succession of separating chambers. Under the screen stretch, near the front of each such chamber, is an air outlet from which air is blown upward to lift material off of the screen. Near the front of each chamber, above the screen, is a paddle wheel rotor that propels lifted material rearwardly in the chamber, thus maintaining agitated circulation of material in each separating chamber. When one separating chamber is overloaded, excess material is carried on the screen into the next forward one.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sprouting bean refinement apparatus including a vibration frame with its bottom plate composed of a perforated screen, a vibrator for providing vibration to the vibration frame, and a cleaning mechanism contacted with the perforated screen so that relative sliding motion is generated between the cleaning mechanism and the perforated screen to remove deposits on the top side of the perforated screen.

Abstract: A sifting machine includes a screen; a plurality of spaced leaf springs supported below the screen and extending transversely to the length dimension of the screen; and a drive connected to the leaf springs for causing each leaf spring to periodically bend away from the screen and subsequently move rapidly towards the screen to intermittently beat the latter. The active beating length of each leaf spring is somewhat less than the useful width of the screen. There are further provided a downwardly resiliently yielding support for opposite ends of the active beating length of each leaf spring and a cable or the like attached to the mid portion of each leaf spring. The cable forms part of the drive for agitating each leaf spring.

Abstract: An improved oscillatory separator for a tomato harvester includes an agitator assembly for decompacting the vines carried by a plurality of parallel conveyor chains of the separator to thereby permit loose tomatoes to penetrate the vines and fall between the chains and also for transmitting additional shaking forces to the vines to thereby shake more tomatoes loose from the vines than are shaken loose by the receiprocating conveyor chains alone. The agitator assembly includes a tubular member which is adjustably mounted between the reciprocatable side frame members of the separator to extend transversely below the upper reaches of the conveyor chains. A number of agitator bars are fixed in parallel relationship to the tubular member to extend upwardly at spacings thereon such that the bars are positioned between every other chain.

Abstract: A segmented endless belt vibrating screen for removing solid particles from a stream of drilling fluid circulated therethrough. The endless belt is mounted on a resiliently mounted vibratory carriage. Rollers driven by a motor carry the belt. The screen is connected to the belt by a plurality of spaced hooks along the screen. A wiper and a washpipe are supplied for removing particulate from the screen.

Abstract: In a substantially conventional system for receiving and conveying a fluid suspension of material there is an endless porous belt screen on which the material is spread and a tray beneath the belt to catch liquid which passes through the belt. A suction box beneath the belt near the area of deposition draws off some liquid. Superimposed on the conventional system is a resonant frequency energy source in the form of a roll assembly consisting in part of an outer shell in the form of an exterior cylindrical roll supported on shock mounts and in constant engagement with the underside of the belt. The exterior cylindrical roll is driven at a circumferential speed equal to the linear speed of travel of the belt.

Abstract: A vibrating, moving, endless screen for separating earthworms from worm castings and bedding. An endless belt fabricated from a screen is placed on an incline and moved upwardly in the direction of the incline. A portion of the moving surface is vibrated and a mixture of worm bedding, castings and earthworms is placed along the upper surface. The worms are conveyed over the upper end of the belt. The worm castings and bedding fines pass through the belt and the larger bedding material passes downwardly over the screen surface and passes over the lower end of the moving endless belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing excess coating material from chain link fabric during the manufacture of the fabric. A gang of sprocket members are arranged side-by-side on a shaft for rotation about the shaft axis. Each of the sprocket members includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth having notches formed along the length thereof. Chain link fabric is passed over the gang of sprockets such that the teeth engage through respective openings formed by the wire or other members of the fabric. When the fabric is removed from the sprockets, the notches in the teeth cause intermittent hitching and release of the fabric which vibrates the fabric to remove excess molten coated material from the fabric. The gang of sprockets is arranged intermediate a coating tank and a cooling tank for the chain link fabric such that the coating material is in the molten state when it passes over the sprockets.