Abstract: Device for eliminating oversize pellets from balling disks, includes a plow-like tool defined by a series of cylindrical rods that are coplanar and parallel to each other and incorporated into a horizontal plate, whose medial portion incorporates a vertical tubular arm that protrudes vertically and upwards to pass axially through and be selectively and adjustably attached to a vertical sleeve that is incorporated in a distal portion of an extensible arm, which composes a trussed structure that is adjacently attached to a balling disk and protrudes over its area of operation.

Abstract: A method of detecting breaks in a porous element in a material separator is disclosed. A shielding is created in the material separator to form a barrier to RF energy. The shielding is formed with a path through the barrier capable of allowing RF energy and material to flow therethrough. The electrically conductive porous element is positioned fully across the path. An RF signal is transmitted on one side of the porous element, and signal levels of the RF signal are detected on the other side of the porous element, such that the detected RF signal crosses the porous element. A baseline signal strength indicator is established from the detected signal levels using an unbroken porous element. An operative signal strength indicator is generated from the detected signal levels. Breaks in the porous element are detected by comparing the operative signal strength indicator against the baseline signal strength indicator.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural product treatment system for cleaning and sorting generally granular agricultural products such as raisins, seeds, nuts, grapes and the like. In an embodiment, a conveyor belt transports agricultural product into an inlet hopper for treatment by the pneumatic cleaning unit. The treated agricultural product is discharged from the pneumatic cleaning unit onto a vibratory sorting unit. The vibratory sorting unit includes several screens arranged in increasing mesh size to sort from smaller to larger agricultural products. The sorted agricultural product is collected by downwardly sloping conduits. In an embodiment, the conduits include a screw conveyor. The conduits feed into a series of vertical screw conveyors which lifts the product up to a high point into a downwardly sloping horizontal conduit. In an embodiment, the discharge from the horizontal conduit is routed through a flexible duct to allow for positioning of collection bins.

Abstract: A vibratory separator with a base, vibrating apparatus, a screen container on the base, the screen container having a plurality of spaced-apart drain holes, a plurality of spaced-apart screens in the screen-container, said screens oriented vertically within the screen container, and the screens positioned so that screened fluid passes through the screens and flows from the container through the plurality of spaced-apart drain holes.

Abstract: A plansifter for separating the products of cereal milling, which includes a plurality of compartments arranged vertically, a plurality of sieves stacked in each compartment, a rotating mass assembly to keep under vibration the plurality of compartments and therefore the plurality of sieves, and flexible suspension assemblies to allow vibration. The plurality of compartments has a binary configuration, forming pairs of compartments that are symmetrical and aligned with respect to the rotating mass assembly that is arranged centrally. The plansifter allows a reduced footprint for an equal performance, allows to provide a modular construction that can be extended according to future requirements, to simplify mechanical construction and maintenance, and to distribute the flexible suspension assemblies according to requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the classification of solid particles, in particular powdery catalytic components for the polymerization of olefins, which comprises sending solid particles suspended in a transporting gas flow through a screening device. Immediately upstream to the screening device there is an auxiliary fluidized bed classifier, in which the top of the bed is at the level of the lower part of the screening device.

Abstract: A high density pulp slurry screening apparatus is disclosed which has a cylindrical casing including a first chamber in the center with an intake port for introducing unrefined pulp slurry and a discharge port for discharging foreign matters which have been separated from the pulp slurry and a pair of second chambers disposed on the sides of the first chamber for accepting the pulp slurry. The first chamber and each second chamber are divided by a screen plate with a plurality of screening apertures on the entire surface thereof for passing the refined pulp slurry from the first chamber into the second chamber. In the first chamber are provided a pair of stirring impellers rotating in the opposite directions for stirring and agitating the incoming pulp slurry and causing substantial turbulence to effect a uniform positive pressure distribution along the entire surface area of the screen plate and a smooth and efficient passage of the pulp slurry.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for metering, sifting and feeding powder comprises a vertical duct with a single, screen-covered outlet at the bottom and a rotary agitator having solid fingers separated by radiused notches on a vertical shaft above the screen. The fingers, which do not contact the screen, are one-twentieth to one-tenth inch thick with square edges. The agitator is driven by a sealed motor mounted at the top of the duct in line with the shaft. Powder is fed to the screen through a downwardly sloping branch duct.

Abstract: A classifier for separating into particulate matter relatively coarse and fine particles. The classifier includes a casing, at least one cylindrical screen assembly mounted in the casing and extending substantially in the direction in which the particulate matter flows in the casing for forcing the fine particles to traverse the cylindrical screen assembly, and at least one air purge pipe disposed in the casing for blowing air against the screen assembly to remove particles off the screen assembly, the cylindrical screen assembly and the air purge pipe being relatively movable by a drive mechanism. The cylindrical screen assembly has an increased degree of mechanical strength and rigidity, and provides a wide effective area available for screening.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing dust and trash from tufts of opened cotton fiber stock includes entrance and exit ducts for airborne transport of the tufts to and from a housing having passages for the tufts therethrough, a screen disposed therein, a pair of counterrotating rollers with projecting pins for regulating passage of the tufts to the screen, a suction trough for causing high velocity impingements of the tufts against the screen for shaking cotton dust from the tufts and through the screen thereby forming a mat of tufts on the screen and passing air at a high velocity through the screen for removing cotton dust from the mat, and a moving paddle wheel for removal of the tufts from the screen disruptively of the mat and propelling the tufts in a tumbling floccular state farther through the passages toward the exit duct. The housing contains a plenum with a porous impact and filtration panel for receiving tufts from the entrance duct against the panel and directing the tufts toward the screen.

Abstract: The classification of small particles is performed by utilizing the oscillation of particles as they pass through electric fields. The apparatus utilizes vertically spaced sieve electrodes which are at the same or at a different potential as a particle charging device. The particle charging device transfers particles to an attracting electrode at a point located directly opposite the particle transfer zone. In this manner, oscillating particles are dropped between two vertical sieves and classification is accomplished as the particles move to the screen by virtue of their oscillation.

Abstract: An improved system for the production of digested pulp from wood chips and knots which includes a separating apparatus, connected to the digester output, capable of separating knots from partially cooked wood chips and fibers at the digester pressure and consistency. The separated fibers and fiber bundles pass to a refiner where the fiber bundles are mechanically reduced to fibers in a liquid environment at a high consistency and at the digester pressure. The knots are then re-cycled to the digester or other processes.The separating apparatus above uses a plurality of rotating members such as intermeshing screws or grooved rolls, arranged in a vertical screen to separate an inlet chamber from an outlet chamber. Knots cannot pass through the rotating members and thus are driven out of an outlet which communicates with the inlet chamber. The fibers, however, do pass through the rotating members to the outlet chamber and exit therefrom by a second outlet.