Gauging Passage Between Rotatable Elements Patents (Class 209/667)
  • Patent number: 11375738
    Abstract: A dirt removal and piling machine is ideally suited for use in cleaning and piling individualized and non-uniformly shaped workpieces, preferably sugar beets but also potatoes, other tuber crops, and even with aggregate rocks for a tilting receiving station. A further aspect of the present machine includes a workpiece unloading or receiving station which can tip sideways after a dump truck unloads the workpieces and longitudinally drives therethrough. In another aspect, the machine also includes a cleaning station having rotatable rollers, an underlying dirt conveyor and a moveable dirt dumping conveyor, hopper or bucket adjacent an end of the dirt conveyor and external to the rollers. Furthermore, another aspect of the machine includes an automatic and/or robotic sampling arm which is operable to remove a tuber crop workpiece sample and automatically package the sample after the sample has moved through a cleaning station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Jonathon J. Zuzga
  • Patent number: 10960437
    Abstract: Disc screen for the separation of solid residues, provided with a plurality of parallel rotating shafts each carrying a plurality of discs and defining a screening plane for treating residues between an input section and an output section. A movable hopper is provided for, slidable along an advancement direction of the residues, above the screening plane, provided with an outlet door which can supply the screening plane in different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ECOSTAR S.R.L.
    Inventor: Domenico Cappozzo
  • Patent number: 10213809
    Abstract: A sorting screen for sorting material comprises a row of rotatable, driven shafts mutually spaced in a conveying direction. Each shaft extends transversally to said conveying direction and carries carrying a row of radially extending rotor bodies for intermittently urging material on the sorting screen upward and in conveying direction. The rotor bodies of each of said rows are mutually spaced in longitudinal direction of the respective shaft by spacers. Each spacer is a tubular spacer and each rotor body is provided with at least a recess or a number of projections retaining a respective end face of a respective tubular spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BOLLEGRAAF PATENTS AND BRANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Benjamins
  • Patent number: 9975300
    Abstract: A method is provided for making an annular reinforcement structure having inner and outer reinforcement bands maintained in concentric alignment by a resilient spacing element positioned between the bands. The method includes the steps of placing the spacing element against the inside face of the outer reinforcement band and compressing the spacing element with a jig, adjacent the top edge of the outer reinforcement band. The spacing element is sufficiently compressed to allow the inner reinforcement band to slide into concentric alignment with the outer reinforcement band, with a minimum of deflection and/or distortion of the inner reinforcement band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Patrick A. Petri, Kirkland W. Vogt, Michael Edward Dotson, Rush W. Marler
  • Patent number: 9930896
    Abstract: Methods and systems using a vision system to process shrimp. The vision system captures images of samples of shrimps. The processor produces a digital image of the shrimps in the samples. Shrimps exiting a peeler are imaged to determine the number of tail segments in each. The shrimps are classified by the number of intact segments, and quality, yield, and throughput computed from the classification results. The processor can control operational settings of the peeler based on the classification results. In a larger system including other shrimp-processing equipment besides the peeler, other points along the processing path can be imaged by camera or sensed by other sensors to determine processing quality and to make automatic operational adjustments to the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles J. Ledet, Robert S. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 9636711
    Abstract: A shaft for a rotary star screen apparatus has a shaft body having a series of axially spaced star connectors and a series of stars, mounted to the star connectors. Each one of these stars has a plurality of circumferentially distributed star members each elongate in a direction having a component radially away from the shaft body. The star connectors each have a plurality of circumferentially distributed star member connectors. Each of these star members is a separate part, individually and detachably mounted to one of the star member connectors. An apparatus equipped with such shafts is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BOLLEGRAAF PATENTS AND BRANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Benjamins
  • Patent number: 9358582
    Abstract: A sorting screen for sorting material comprises a row of rotatable, driven shafts mutually spaced in a conveying direction. Each shaft extends transversally to said conveying direction and carries carrying a row of radially extending rotor bodies for intermittently urging material on the sorting screen upward and in conveying direction. The rotor bodies of each of said rows are mutually spaced in longitudinal direction of the respective shaft by spacers. Each spacer is a tubular spacer and each rotor body is provided with at least a recess or a number of projections retaining a respective end face of a respective tubular spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BOLLEGRAAF PATENTS AND BRANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Benjamins
  • Patent number: 8991616
    Abstract: A disc screen includes a shaft, a first disc mounted on the shaft, and a second disc mounted on the shaft. An interfacial opening (IFO) extends between the first disc and the second disc. A width of the IFO as measured between the first disc and the second disc varies according to a rotational position of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Emerging Acquisitions, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Parr, Maxim Hoffman, Dane Campbell
  • Patent number: 8874257
    Abstract: An automatic sorting system identifying and sorting non-homogenous material includes a conveyor belt and an identification unit above the conveying surface for identifying material. The identification unit includes a projector projecting light downwardly onto material to be identified, which reflects light towards the identification unit. The identification unit includes a lens receiving the reflected light from the material, and a first processing unit linked to the lens for spectral analysis of reflected light captured by the lens to determine the nature of the material, and a second processing unit linked to the first processing unit for comparing spectral analysis results with data associated with different materials stored in a second processing unit database. A sorting unit links to the second processing unit and cooperates with the second end of the conveyor to sort material released from the second end depending on signals from the second processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: 6511660 Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Sinram, Ian Levasseur, Nathanael Lortie
  • Patent number: 8733554
    Abstract: An abrasive grains classifying apparatus is used to classify abrasive grains based on their sizes that can be determined by distances between mutually opposed surfaces of the respective abrasive grains. The abrasive grains classifying apparatus is provided with: a first gap portion 35 which includes two rollers 24 and 32 disposed at a predetermined distance L2 from each other and also which classifies the abrasive grains 60 into first abrasive grains 60b and 60c capable of passing through between the rollers 24 and 32 and second abrasive grains 60a incapable of passing through between the two rollers 24 and 32; and a second gap portion 54 which includes two rollers 54 and 69 disposed at a distance L3 smaller than the distance L2 in the first gap portion 35 from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Sato, Takashi Yoshida, Toshiya Hirata, Koji Saito
  • Patent number: 8720698
    Abstract: A seafood grading apparatus that includes a first roller supported from the frame; a drive motor for rotating the first roller about a longitudinal axis thereof; a second roller also supported from said frame and constructed and arranged in juxtaposition to the first roller. The first roller has a helical outer surface, and the second roller is for driving about a longitudinal axis thereof and in unison with the first roller. An inlet port receives pieces of seafood for the purpose of the grading thereof and arranged relative to the rollers to dispose the seafood between the rollers. At least two receiving trays are disposed downstream of the inlet port for receiving different respective size seafood pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Roger J. Petitpas
  • Patent number: 8646615
    Abstract: A screening disk for use on a roller of a roller screen for screening an ore feed is disclosed, which includes first and second opposing side working surfaces, and provisions for mounting the screening disk on a shaft of the roller. At least one of the first and second side working surfaces has a plurality of protrusions operable to extend outwardly into an interstice between the applicable side working surface and a side working surface of an adjacent mounted screening disk. A spacer may be disposed in the one interstice for confining an extent of the one interstice to a region disposed generally between the third working surface and the shaft. A screening disk may have a keyway configured to receive a key for coupling the body of the screening disk to the shaft for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Alan Bruggencate, Paul Frederick MacDougall
  • Patent number: 8627962
    Abstract: The invention is a screen (1) for separating solid residues, comprising: a plurality of parallel rotary shafts (2) spaced from each other and associated with a supporting structure (3); drive means (4, 4a) of the shafts (2) suited to set them rotating around their longitudinal axis (Y); a plurality of screening discs (8) arranged spaced from each other along the rotary shafts (2) to which they are fixed through connection means (9); a plurality of anti-clogging sleeves (10; 20) coupled externally to the rotary shafts (2) and each included between two corresponding screening discs (8). A stabilizing body (11, 21) is arranged peripherally inside each one of the anti-clogging sleeves (10, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ecostar s.r.l.
    Inventor: Domenico Cappozzo
  • Patent number: 8522983
    Abstract: A disc for releasable attachment to a shaft of a disc screen apparatus includes a hub having a bore and a single split defining a pair of opposing ends. The hub also has at least one flexible portion intermediate the opposing ends that permits the opposing ends of the hub to be separated a predetermined distance sufficient to allow the shaft of the disc screen apparatus to pass between the opposing ends into the bore. The hub has plurality of outer impacting portions configured for engaging materials to be classified and propelling the materials in a conveying direction when the hub is rotated. A mechanism is provided to secure the hub to the shaft so that the shaft extends through the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: CP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Davis
  • Patent number: 8499938
    Abstract: An entire harvested ground fruit load is subjected to a first cleaning process on a cleaning table, which separates the smaller ground fruits, soil, stones, clods, vine stems, grasses and other debris from the larger ground fruits. The fall-through burden from the cleaning table is subsequently subjected to a second separation step using a pintle belt conveyor equipped with at least one spinning shear roller. Soil particles, stones, clods, vine stems, grasses and other debris fall between the pintles of the pintle belt conveyor and are discarded, while small ground fruits are moved by the spinning shear roller(s) and either recombined with the main ground fruit load or diverted to a separate path for storage. Operational speed of the pintle belt conveyor and rotational speed of the shear rollers can be adjusted to maximize the breakup of clods which impact the shear roller(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce David Nyborg, William C. Geyer
  • Patent number: 8424684
    Abstract: A material separation screen includes multiple shafts mounted on a frame. Multi-diameter disc assemblies are mounted on the shafts and are configured to rotate and separate out different types of materials from a material stream. The multi-diameter disc assemblies include spacer discs that separately interlock together around the shafts. Compound discs are separately attached to the shafts next to the spacer discs. The spacer discs are made from a harder material than the compound discs to reduce spacer disc wear and to reduce the amount of material needed for fabricating the multi-diameter disc assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Emerging Acquisitions, LLC.
    Inventors: Dane Campbell, Chris Parr, Steve Miller
  • Patent number: 8356715
    Abstract: An apparatus for sorting material, includes a frame, at least one first shaft rotatably mounted onto the frame, and at least one second shaft rotatably mounted onto the frame in a substantially adjacent and parallel relationship with respect to the at least one first shaft. The first and second shafts define a conveying surface along which material to be sorted is intended to travel via a rotation of the shafts. At least one single disc is mounted in a substantially transverse relationship with respect to the at least one first shaft. At least one compound disc is mounted in a substantially transverse relationship with respect to the at least one second shaft, each compound disc having a main disc and an associated secondary disc, each main disc having an outside perimeter greater than that of the associated secondary disc, each secondary disc being in alignment with the at least one single disc of an adjacent first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: 6358357 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Brasseur
  • Patent number: 8336714
    Abstract: A separation screen has multiple discs configured to receive a material stream at an in-feed end and move a first group of materials from the material stream up an inclined angle and over a top out-feed end of the separation screen while a second group of materials from the material steam either fall through openings between the discs while being carried up the separation screen or roll off the in-feed end of the separation screen. A heating system heats an outside surface of the discs so that the discs can separate the first group of materials from the material stream during cold environmental temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Emerging Acquistions, LLC
    Inventors: Dane Campbell, Steve Miller
  • Patent number: 8267256
    Abstract: A device (1) for sorting a harvested stream of fruit in bunches is mounted in a harvesting machine. The sorting device includes at least two transverse sorter bars (3) driven with a cyclic relative movement, the cyclic relative movement enabling longitudinal displacement of the stream over the bars, while opening passages (4) between them. The passages allow detached berries to drop under the sorting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Berthet, Christophe R. Defurne, Christine Nakas
  • Patent number: 8191714
    Abstract: A conveying and separating device for root crop has a separating stretch with at least two rotatingly driven separating rollers, wherein the separating stretch receives a harvested material of root crop and admixed parts and wherein the at least two separating rollers transport on a topside of the separating stretch primarily the root crop while the admixed parts are removed in a screening phase through a screening gap between the at least two separating rollers. By a direct forced cleaning action, the at least two separating rollers are kept free at least of admixed parts that can adhere to the at least two separating rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klemens Kalverkamp
  • Patent number: 8136672
    Abstract: A mined ore processing apparatus to process mined ores, such as oil sands ore, into granular material is disclosed. An ore processor bed receives the ore to be processed. The ore processor bed has a frame supporting several rotating elements each separately driven to provide independent rotation rate and direction from the other. The ore processing bed is operable as a sizing device to decimate mined ore supply into granular material and separating it from rocks and other large lump mineral materials found in situ. The ore processing bed may be oriented to provide an upward inclination, which, when combined with alternating rotating element rotation directions, provides a crushing action to the ore material to crush larger rock. Alternately, a rock crusher is also provided to disintegrate oversized materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Suncor Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Bjornson, Doug Cox, Paul MacDougall, Garth Booker
  • Patent number: 7882958
    Abstract: A trommel screen machine including at least one revolving screening drum, at least one drive for the screening drum, a feeding hopper as well as at least one collecting device, such as a transport device, for collecting and transporting the screened good. In front of and/or on the trommel screen machine at least one disc screen is arranged which screens a defined grain, in particular oversized particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Johann L. Doppstadt, Horst L. Berger
  • Publication number: 20100096301
    Abstract: An entire harvested ground fruit load is subjected to a first cleaning process on a cleaning table, which separates the smaller ground fruits, soil, stones, clods, vine stems, grasses and other debris from the larger ground fruits. The fall-through burden from the cleaning table is subsequently subjected to a second separation step using a pintle belt conveyor equipped with at least one spinning shear roller. Soil particles, stones, clods, vine stems, grasses and other debris fall between the pintles of the pintle belt conveyor and are discarded, while small ground fruits are moved by the spinning shear roller(s) and either recombined with the main ground fruit load or diverted to a separate path for storage. Operational speed of the pintle belt conveyor and rotational speed of the shear rollers can be adjusted to maximize the breakup of clods which impact the shear roller(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce David Nyborg, William C. Geyer
  • Patent number: 7677397
    Abstract: Discloses a mined ore processing apparatus to process mined ores, such as oil sands ore, into granular material. An ore processor bed receives the ore to be processed. The ore processor bed has a frame supporting several rotating elements each separately driven to provide independent rotation rate and direction from the other. The ore processing bed is operable as a sizing device to decimate mined ore supply into granular material and separating it from rocks and other large lump mineral materials found in situ. The ore processing bed may be oriented to provide an upward inclination, which, when combined with alternating rotating element rotation directions, provides a crushing action to the ore material to crush larger rock. Alternately, a rock crusher is also provided to disintegrate oversized materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Bjornson, Doug Cox, Paul MacDougall, Garth Booker
  • Patent number: 7578396
    Abstract: A disc for releasable attachment with a shaft of a disc screen apparatus. The disc separates into two opposed halves at a parting line having offset portions. The disc includes a hub with a bore for receiving a rotating shaft. The hub is radially offset about a center axis of the disc to generally correspond with the offset portions of the parting line. The offset hub distributes rotational forces on the disc to prevent separation of the discs during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Hustler Conveyor Company
    Inventor: Jaime A. Garzon
  • Patent number: 7434695
    Abstract: Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Emerging Acquisitions, Inc.
    Inventors: Engel Visscher, Sean Austin
  • Publication number: 20080073254
    Abstract: A liftings trough for mounting in an interior space of a rotatable member of a length grading machine is defined by walls that are contoured to provide a maximum clearance between the mounted trough and an inlet opening through which grain flows into the interior space of the rotatable member, while maintaining a maximum capacity of the trough to receive granules in a particular size range, which are lifted by pockets located along an interior surface of the rotatable member, when the grain flows into the interior space of the member and the member rotates about the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: CARTER DAY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 7318304
    Abstract: Pairs of first and second rolls are supported for rotation in a roll frame located below a pan for receiving pharmaceutical products loaded as bulk material, each first roll having a plurality of axially successive non-cylindrical sections separated from respective non-cylindrical sections of a respective second roll by a gap, the first and second rolls of each pair being rotated in opposite directions so that surfaces of the rolls facing the gap move upwards. An isolating block having a matrix array of isolating channels is positioned below the rolls for receiving pharmaceutical products from respective gaps and for distributing these products to respective individual wells of a blister pack in a single machine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: HMH Maschinenhandel
    Inventors: Daniel Hiddink, Andreas Gabriel, Urs Barmettler
  • Patent number: 7261209
    Abstract: A modular multi-disc assembly for use in material separation screens and a method of application to those screens are provided. The modular multi-disc assembly includes an inner securing hub that clamps onto the drive shaft of a material separation screen. The modular multi-disc assembly further includes an outer multi-disc module split into halves with each half mounting separately onto the inner securing hub. Multiple discs can be replaced at one time as opposed to replacing each individual disc in a typical screen. The inner securing hub spaces the outer multi-disc module away from the drive shaft so that the primary wear concern reduces to the resilient discs on the outer multi-disc module, allowing for multiple outer multi-disc module replacements before needing to replace the inner securing hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Bulk Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Duncan, Roger D. Korstad
  • Patent number: 7117996
    Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for sizing objects, mainly delicate foods, by the rotation of a set of at least 7 rollers, each roller having one less tooth so that the rollers move at progressively higher revolutions per minute, from the in-feed shear roller of 144 revolutions per minute to the discharge roller of 210 revolutions per minute. The rollers are shaped and finished by 7 to 12 flats, alternated with a crown in between each flat, cut the horizontal length of the roller. The rollers are then sandblasted over the entire circumference of the surface to a depth range of 280 to 300 micro-inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Key Technology Inc.
    Inventors: John Mobley, David K. Johnsen, Scott Benjamin
  • Patent number: 7028846
    Abstract: A fish grading device is provided including a framework of substantially rigid elongate members pivotably interconnected to form a plurality of loops, wherein each the loop is formed from a plurality of the substantially rigid elongate members and defines an aperture not exceeding predetermined dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Grading Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Ivor Gilbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 7004332
    Abstract: A disc screen apparatus for classifying a stream of mixed recyclable materials of various sizes and shapes, including newspaper, clean mixed paper, magazines, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, cans, and the like. The apparatus has an inclined fixed first disc screen section and an inclined articulating second disc screen section whose angle of inclination can be independently adjusted via a hydraulic cylinder or other angular adjustment mechanism in order to improve the separation of newspaper and/or clean mixed paper without impairing the ability of the fixed disc screen section to separate mixed containers. The first and second disc screen sections are supported by first and second frames that carry the parallel driven shafts and discs that form the disc screen sections. The frames have complementary mating surfaces that limit the range of articulation of the second disc screen section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: CP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Davis
  • Patent number: 6889851
    Abstract: A bar screen is primarily intended for use in draining liquid from wood chips and pulp without blocking the bar screen. The area of use is especially a process area, in which cooking and circulation liquid is removed from a pressure vessel when making chemical pulp and paper pulp by continuous method. This type of bar screen is characterized in that behind the filtering gap of the screen bars, there is a flow space in which the liquid flows towards a discharge outlet. By adjusting the flow space, a flow rate of liquid which stops blocking due to accumulation is maintained in the background. The sturdiness of the screen structure is improved by adjustable support taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Antti Isola
  • Publication number: 20040261635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roller-sheller, in particular to a rubber roller-sheller (1) for shelling rice or other cereals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: BUHLER AG
    Inventors: Frank-Otto Gorlitz, Edmund Chylinski
  • Publication number: 20040188329
    Abstract: Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Engel Visscher, Sean Austin
  • Publication number: 20040099582
    Abstract: A shale shaker having a basket for holding screen assembly apparatus, screen assembly apparatus for treating fluid introduced to the shale shaker, a roller bed assembly secured above and/or to the basket above the screen assembly apparatus, the roller bed assembly having a plurality of spaced-apart rotatable rollers, the fluid initially introduced to the shale shaker onto the roller bed assembly. The shale shaker wherein the fluid is drilling fluid with large undesirable solids therein, said large undesirable solids separable from the drilling fluid by the roller bed assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: David W. Largent, Guy L. McClung
  • Publication number: 20040079684
    Abstract: A disc screen apparatus has a generally V-shaped configuration with a lowermost region that provides a trough and a pair of vertically inclined regions. Mixed recyclable materials deposited onto the trough are agitated and classified with different types of material falling through the discs of the trough, falling off one end of the trough, and falling off upper terminal ends of the inclined regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Robert M. Davis, James D. Weller
  • Publication number: 20040069693
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) and method to separate a loose mass formed by elements or materials (11) of different sizes, such as woody strands or wafers, comprising a separation chamber (13) into which the mass is inserted, a plurality of riddling rolls (16), mounted inside the chamber (13) rotating on axes of rotation parallel to each other and lying sybstantially on a same plane (X). Each of the riddling rolls (16) comprises a plurality of riddling elements (20), each of which is substantially square in shape, so as to form four cusps (22) in correspondence with the four tips of the square. The riddling elements (20) are adjacent to each other so that the cusps (22) form a plurality of grooves (24), and the riddling rolls (16) are axially staggered therebetween so that the cusps (22) of each roll (16) are constantly inserted, more or less deeply into the corresponding grooves (24) of the adjacent riddling roll (16), so as to define discharge apertures (25) with an alternated profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Romeo Paladin
  • Patent number: 6621014
    Abstract: A system for sensing loads and varying the dynamics of mechanical devices to accommodate various load weights is disclosed. The system comprises a load receiving device, a load translocator, a load sensing device, and a control unit for processing information sent to it by the load sensing device. The control unit receives and calculates information corresponding to a load weight and varies the speed of a motor and/or hydraulic drive coupled to the mechanical devices translocating the load. This allows for more efficient and consistent load transfers. The system, as described herein, may be applied to several mechanical devices or systems. Specifically as described herein, the system is applied to a conveyor and sorting apparatus which comprises a hopper having a first and a second end, and further comprising a conveyor for transporting the produce from the first end to the second end, a roller bed, coupled to the second end of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: E. M. Tanner & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Max W. Tanner, Lynn M. Turner
  • Patent number: 6612446
    Abstract: A spreading roll for spreading out a chip fleece for producing wood chip material or similar panels, includes two disk-shaped end pieces (3, 7), plural thin spokes (6), rods, pipes or cords arranged extending between the end pieces, and pipe-shaped loose sheaths (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged on the spokes or the like for preventing the adhesion of fibrous materials or contaminants on the spokes or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dieffenbacher Schenck Panel GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Scriba, Walter Henschel
  • Patent number: 6454101
    Abstract: An endless conveyor for conveying substantially rotationally-symmetrical products, comprising at least one endless conveying element and a number of transverse elements extending substantially perpendicularly to a conveying direction. At least one hourglass-shaped roller is mounted on each transverse element. The mutual distance between the successive transverse elements in a first path part is smaller than in a second path part. A first control device is provided for effecting an increase of distance between the transverse elements at a first transition from the first to the second path part. A second control device is provided for effecting a decrease of distance between the transverse elements at a second transition from the second to the first path part. A rotationally-symmetrical support element is movable, in a portion of the second path, between each pair of successive hourglass-shaped rollers for supporting the products to be conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: FPS Food Processing Systems, B.V.
    Inventors: Martin Doornekamp, Brand van den Hazel
  • Patent number: 6382426
    Abstract: A machine for removing roots and tops from crops including a pair of counter-rotating rollers spaced apart so as to define a nip therebetween, and means for rotating the rollers characterized in that at least one roller is in the form of a polygonal twisted prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Nicholson Machinery Limited
    Inventor: David Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6371305
    Abstract: A compound disc is used to eliminate a secondary slot normally formed between the outside perimeter of discs on adjacent shafts of a material separation screen. The compound disc includes a primary disc joined to an associated secondary disc. The primary disc and the secondary disc each have the same shape but the secondary disc has a smaller outside perimeter and is wider. The primary disc and associated secondary disc are formed from a unitary piece of rubber. The compound discs are interleaved with oppositely aligned compound discs on adjacent shafts. In other words, the large disc is positioned laterally on a shaft to longitudinally align with a smaller disc on an adjacent shaft. The oppositely aligned and alternating arrangement between the large discs and small discs eliminate the secondary slot that normally exists in disc screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Bulk Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred M. Austin, Roy R. Miller, Brian K. Clark
  • Patent number: 6318560
    Abstract: A disc screen apparatus is disclosed for separating mixed recyclable materials of varying sizes and shapes. The disc screen apparatus has an enclosure or frame with an input, a container discharge location and a paper discharge location. A first plurality of shafts and second plurality of shafts are rotatably supported by the frame. The first plurality of shafts form a first disc screen disposed in a first plane and the second plurality of shafts form a second disc screen at least a portion of which is disposed in a second plane. The second plane is disposed beneath and angled with respect to the first plane such that the planes at least partially overlap. One or more motors rotate the first and second plurality of shafts. Each shaft has a plurality of discs positioned along it. The discs are offset between adjacent shafts such that discs on each shaft interleave with discs on an adjacent shaft but do not touch the adjacent shaft. The discs are substantially square in shape with radiused corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: C P Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Davis
  • Patent number: 6305553
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller screen gapping system for a roller screen including a series of spaced parallel rolls mounted on pillow blocks at each end thereof, the pillow blocks slidable along respective bed plates transversely of the roll axes to adjust the gap between adjacent rolls. The gapping system comprises spring biased bolts to clamp the pillow blocks on the bed plates, unclamping cylinders carried by each pillow block and exerting an unclamping action on the bed plate to unclamp the pillow blocks for lateral sliding, gapping cylinders carried by each pillow block adapted to contact an adjacent pillow block to adjust the gap between adjacent rolls and a common push cylinder mounted on each of the bed plates and adapted to push all the pillow blocks against a fixed pillow block. A hydraulic control circuit including various solenoid valves controls the operation of the different hydraulic cylinders. The invention also provides for the method of operating the gapping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Ehrenfried A. Tirschler
  • Patent number: 6296124
    Abstract: A screening device for separating fractions of bulk materials, and has at least one screening floor, with a plurality of shafts aligned parallel to each other, which rotate at the same speed, in the same direction of rotation. Screening stars are mounted on these shafts, with teeth projecting radially in relation to the shaft. The screening stars are positioned interleaved with one another. The diameter d of each screening star is approximately determined according to the formula d = 2 ⁢ t 2 whereby t is the spacing between the longitudinal axes of shafts disposed adjacent to each other. Viewed in the direction of rotation, the leading flank of each tooth of the screening stars extends along an approximately straight line near the tip of the tooth and defines a curve from the tooth trough to the flank area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Albert Zubrägel Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Albert Zubrägel
  • Patent number: 6264043
    Abstract: A sizing table for a product such as potatoes which sorts product according to its size includes a frame which supports a plurality of horizontally extending parallel rotary spindles. A first group of the spindles supports tapered rollers while a second group of spindles interposed in alternating fashion with the first group includes variable pitch augurs. A motor imparts rotary motion to both groups of spindles and drives the product down the table. When the pitch of the augur combined with the distance from the augur to the spindles increases sufficiently, product is allowed to drop through into selected bins or conveyors placed below the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Mobley
  • Patent number: 6260713
    Abstract: A cherry sizing process and apparatus in which cherries are sized in stages, with each stage including substantially parallel rollers and with each stage having a gap different than the other stages. Preferably, the larger size cherries are removed before the final sizing stage. In addition, the larger cherries are preferably removed as an overs product, i.e., as the cherries which do not pass through the gap between rollers at the stage at which the larger cherries are removed. The different gap settings can be set based upon recommended ranges which have been determined based upon the recognition that a particular gap will have a predictable removal efficiency for each of various cherry sizes. In addition, the gap can be selected utilizing a simulator which determines the result of each sizing stage based upon statistical information concerning the size distribution of cherries to be sized and the removal efficiencies of each stage for each cherry size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Stemilt Growers, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Brown
  • Patent number: 6257414
    Abstract: A roller sifting or dispersing machine for the classification or dispersing of wood chips, fibers, or similar materials and to the utilization of an above-described roller sifting or dispersing machine. The roller sifting machine includes annular grooves and annular crosspieces. An outer sheathing surface of each annular crosspiece is provided with adjoining teeth in the circumference direction. The front tooth-side in the direction of rotation is steeper than the adjoining tooth back-side. The crosspiece and teeth of a roller also form a gradient that is opposed to the adjacent roller but has the same gradient height. The leading tooth sides of the circulating teeth create a pitching effect on the particles of the material to be sifted so that clogging of the roller set are avoided and an accelerated movement towards the exit end is achieved. By the continuous opposing movement of the teeth, clogging of these openings for the passage of chips is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: G. Siempelkamp GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Gerhardt, Werner Gawlitta
  • Patent number: 6250478
    Abstract: A disc screen apparatus is disclosed for separating mixed recyclable materials of varying sizes and shapes. The disc screen apparatus has an enclosure or frame with an input, a container discharge location and a paper discharge location. A first plurality of shafts and second plurality of shafts are rotatably supported by the frame. The first plurality of shafts form a first disc screen disposed in a first plane and the second plurality of shafts form a second disc screen at least a portion of which is disposed in a second plane. The second plane is disposed beneath and angled with respect to the first plane such that the planes at least partially overlap. One or more motors rotate the first and second plurality of shafts. Each shaft has a plurality of discs positioned along it. The discs are offset between adjacent shafts such that discs on each shaft interleave with discs on an adjacent shaft but do not touch the adjacent shaft. The discs are substantially square in shape with radiused corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: C P Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Davis