Abstract: A method and system for trans-loading solid particulates from a hopper to a storage container, by clamping a trough (110) to a discharge gate of the hopper, the trough having an open top, sides, and a bottom, a vacuum pipe (140) extending into the trough, and at least one aerator (150) located on the trough, to which is provided an aerating gas. The method further comprises at least partially evacuating the storage container to cause at least a partial vacuum therein and drawing a vacuum through a conveyor hose connected to the trough.

Abstract: A method of charging a coke oven with coal includes the steps of charging coal in a coke oven chamber, whereby a heap of coal forms in the chamber; and leveling the heap of coal, where the leveling step includes: introducing a blasting end of a blasting pipe into the heap of coal, the blasting pipe being in communication with a pressurized gas storage vessel configured to release gas blasts; releasing at least one gas blast through the blasting end in the heap of coal in order to cause a leveling thereof; removing the blasting pipe from the chamber.

Abstract: A hot melt delivery system includes a frame and a suspension device attached to the frame. The suspension device is configured to hang a hot melt storage container. The hot melt delivery system includes a vibratory feeder spaced below and from the suspension device. The vibratory feeder includes an inlet that is configured to receive hot melt material from the hot melt storage container. The vibratory feeder includes an outlet that is configured to deliver hot melt material to a melter. The vibratory feeder includes a vibration device that is configured to vibrate at least a portion of the vibratory feeder. A flow of hot melt material between the inlet and the outlet of the vibratory feeder is controllable.

Abstract: A blast aerator (20) having a discharge end (23) connected internally to a rigid output tube (24) includes a retrofittable aerator control module (15) that internally, sealingly interacts with the output tube (24). A tank discharge pipe (28) directs air blasts into an external application. The aerator control module (15) comprises an external actuator (30) that controls a reciprocating plunger assembly (50) that interacts with an internal plunger seat (77) to block or unblock air discharge. The plunger seat adaptor assembly (70) fitted to the aerator output tube (24) comprises a resilient plunger seat (77), that is blocked or unblocked by a plunger element (52) controlled by a slidable piston (38) that is pneumatically displaceable between tank-filling and tank discharge positions within the actuator (30). The plunger seat adaptor assembly (70) mechanically compensates for output tube misalignment to insure proper sealing. Operational air pathways pneumatically control piston movements without springs.

Abstract: This gas distributor comprises at least one elongate crosspiece including two side walls, inclined on their upper parts, connected to one another in their respective upper parts and defining a gas circulation housing between them emerging downward. The gas distributor includes at least one reinforcing member arranged in the housing defined in the elongate crosspiece, the reinforcing member including a central vertical plate that extends longitudinally in said housing and at least one bracket fastened transversely between the central vertical plate and the side wall of the elongate crosspiece.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to a hopper trailer. The current disclosure is directed to a hopper trailer having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an offset rib, wherein the offset rib is fixedly attached on an upper surface of the upper portion of the hopper trailer. The lower portion comprises a plurality of hopper tanks, wherein an lower rib is placed between two adjacent hopper tanks. The offset rib on the upper portion of the hopper trailer is offset from the lower rib on the hopper tanks.

Abstract: A food product dispenser for dispensing a food product from a container includes a lid configured to couple to the container and a pump coupled to the lid and having a cylinder and a piston assembly with a piston rod and a piston that is reciprocated in the cylinder. A lever having a piston end B pivotably coupled to the piston rod. An opposite, pivot end of the lever slidably coupled to the lid such that the lever pivots about a pivot axis. The pivot end slides along the lid and the piston end acts on the piston assembly with a primarily vertical force that reciprocates the piston assembly and dispenses the food product.

Abstract: An automatic hair powder dispenser includes a housing, a cartridge that is installed in the housing and accommodates hair powder, a blower fan unit that is installed in the housing so as to be in communication with the cartridge, and a battery that is installed in the housing and supplies electric power to the blower fan unit. Two or more flow tubes through which air supplied from the blower fan unit flows in different directions are provided in the cartridge, thereby efficiently dispersing the hair powder in the cartridge and easily and uniformly discharging the hair powder.

Abstract: Devices and methods that measure one or more properties of a living cell culture that is contained in liquid media within a vessel, and typically analyzes plural cell cultures contained in plural vessels such as the wells of a multiwell microplate substantially in parallel. The devices incorporate a sensor that remains in equilibrium with, e.g., remains submerged within, the liquid cell media during the performance of a measurement and during addition of one or more cell affecting fluids such as solutions of potential drug compounds.

Abstract: A dry bulk tank and a method of carrying a load and discharging a load therefrom. The dry bulk tank includes a tank assembly having a first wall that bounds and defines a first compartment for carrying a load therein and a second wall spaced outwardly from at least a portion of the first wall; wherein a second compartment is defined between the first wall and the second wall. The tank assembly includes an air piping system that is selectively actuated to place the first compartment and the second compartment under substantially similar or substantially equal air pressure. In one example the air piping system pumps air into the first compartment and the second compartment. In another example the air piping system evacuates air from the first and second compartments.

Abstract: A feed center for powder coating material includes a hopper, an extraction duct, and a control valve. The hopper is connectable in fluid communication with a fluidizing pressure source. The extraction duct is connectable in fluid communication with at least one suction source. The control valve connects the extraction duct with an extraction port of the hopper. The control valve is operable between a first position for applying suction from the at least one suction source to the hopper, and a second position providing an exterior opening in at least one of the control valve and the first extraction duct for exhausting pressurized fluid from the hopper and/or collecting at least some of the air and powder that is exhausted from the powder.

Abstract: A system for mixing a fine bulk material including means defining a looped passageway including a vertically disposed, laterally enlarged section having a frusto-conically configured, lower outlet portion; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into an upper segment of such frusto-conically configured lower outlet portion to fluidize material therein; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into a lower segment of such frusto-conically configured lower portion to fluidize material therein; and means for injecting a fluid under pressure in said passageway downstream of said lower outlet portion sufficient to induce the flow of fluidized material through said passageway to an upper end of such enlarged section.

Abstract: A dry bulk commodities cargo fluidizing system which is substantially flat and foldable for use in shipping container liner-bags used for transporting bulk commodities and may be built into or secured to liner-bags. The system is composed of a first floor layer and a second floor layer which covers the first floor layer. The first and second floor layers are thermally joined together about woven plastic mesh to form connected chambers for receiving deliver of fluid evenly throughout the system with the second floor layer having multiple pinholes of various size and number density over its surface in relation to the fluid source to the system. The plastic mesh strips between the first and second floor layers create fluid flow bridges for fluid flow even when bulk commodities cargo is loaded onto the second floor layer and is pressing the second floor layer against the first floor layer.

Abstract: An adhesive bin (10) for storing and moving adhesive particulate (14) to an adhesive melter (12) includes a supply hopper (16), a transfer pump (62) operable to generate a vacuum, and a shroud (94). The supply hopper (16) has a sidewall (20, 22, 24, 26) and defines an interior space (36). The transfer pump (62) extends through the sidewall (22) and into the interior space (36). In addition, the shroud (94) is connected to the sidewall (22) and extends into the interior space (36) and at least partially surrounds an inlet (82) of the transfer pump (62).

Abstract: The present invention provides an aeration lateral system designated to be site specific for new septic disposal areas or retro fitting to existing septic disposal areas to break up the biological clogging slug mat at the interface of the wastewater and imported sand or native soil fill under or adjacent to disposal areas of a typical septic system. The lateral system provides uniform or other site specific distribution of fluids about the bio-mat of a wastewater disposal area, with lateral spacing and hole spacing varying based on the type of disposal area being utilized. The lateral system can also be utilized to provide continuous low volume air supply system to a wastewater disposal area or peat filter module. The air lateral installation includes methods to minimize airflow disturbance of the soil and methods to prevent air leakage.

Abstract: A bed height adjustment system for adjusting height of a bed of a vehicle including an air spring supporting the bed; a valve unit connected to an air tank and configured to adjust height of the air spring by supplying and discharging air; and a vehicle-control ECU provided with a dump-signal line and a return-signal line each connected to the valve unit. The valve unit adjusts the height of the air spring into a dump mode by inputting a signal of the dump-signal line, returns the height of the air spring into a normal mode by inputting a signal of the return-signal line, and maintains the dump mode or the normal mode when the signal is not input.

Abstract: A bed height adjustment system for adjusting height of a bed of a vehicle includes: an air spring supporting the bed; a valve unit connected to an air tank and configured to adjust height of the air spring by supplying and discharging air; a relay provided with a dump-signal line and a return-signal line each connected to the valve unit; a pressure switch configured to be switched between an ON state and an OFF state based on whether air is supplied from the valve unit; and an indicator that becomes illuminated state when powered when the pressure switch is in the ON state and becomes non-illuminated state when the pressure switch is in the OFF state.

Abstract: A droplet oscillation device includes upper and lower electrodes, a changing mechanism, a sensor and a controller. The lower electrode is configured to support a substrate thereon. The changing mechanism is configured to change a distance between the upper and lower electrodes. The sensor is configured to detect a droplet formed above a surface of the substrate opposite the upper electrode. The controller is configured to vary an applied voltage between the upper and lower electrodes to oscillate the droplet, and to determine whether the droplet is detected by the sensor. The controller is configured to respectively determine whether the droplet is detected under a plurality of conditions for which a frequency of the applied voltage or the distance are different, and to oscillate the droplet at the frequency and the distance of a condition for which the droplet is detected and for which the distance is greatest.

Abstract: A service body mountable on a truck chassis where compressed air tanks are mounted to the service body frame. The compressed air tanks being contained within a mounting envelope defined as the volume between the frame rails of the service body. The mounting envelope further defined as the volume between a first plane formed by the top surface of the service body frame rails and a second plane formed by the bottom surface of the service body frame rails.

Abstract: A dispenser for discharging an in particular granular or powdery substance by blow-out, has a blow-out duct, and a suction line opening into the blow-out duct for sucking the substance into the blow-out duct. A positive air pressure can be built up in a duct section arranged upstream of the blow-out duct and closed in the direction of the blow-out duct by a valve opening in a pressure-dependent manner, for pressure-controlled formation of a blow-out stream in the blow-out duct. A method for emptying a substance reservoir having a freeze-dried substance sucks the substance out of the substance reservoir, using a suction air stream opening into a blowing stream, and discharges the substance. A sucking/blowing dispenser is used for emptying a substance reservoir having a freeze-dried substance.

Abstract: The coating-powder-supply apparatus according to the invention comprises a powder-storage container, a powder conveyor, in order to convey powder out of the powder-storage container, and a set of scales, in order to weigh the powder located in the powder-storage container.

Abstract: An air cannon has a pressure vessel, a discharge valve, and a discharge tube assembly. The discharge tube assembly comprises a fluid passageway and a blast guard valve. The discharge valve is capable of opening and closing and allows pressurized gas to be discharged from the pressure vessel into the fluid passageway of the discharge tube assembly only when open. The blast guard valve is capable of opening and closing and obstructs the fluid passageway of the discharge tube assembly when closed. The blast guard valve allows gas to pass through the fluid passageway when open. The discharge valve and the blast guard valve are operatively connected to each other in a manner such that the discharge valve can open only when the blast guard valve is open.

Abstract: A micro particle flow facilitator, includes: (a) a bourdon tube having a flexible duct capable of expanding and contracting in response to pulsations of a pressurized fluid, the duct being hollow, closed-ended and having an inlet port; and (b) a fluid pulsator for providing the pulsations of a pressurized fluid to the inlet port of the bourdon tube, the pulsator being in fluid-tight communication with the inlet port of the bourdon tube and having a fluid inlet port for connection to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate the unloading of bulk materials from containment vessels and transport vehicles, including non-flowing DDGs in such vehicles, is disclosed. The system includes a compressed air system that further includes a motor, an air compressor, and an air reservoir; a hydraulic fluid system that further includes a motor, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a pump; a wireless control system; a slew drive; a hydraulically-powered, articulating boom arm that also includes hydraulic cylinders that remain in a plane parallel to the boom arm throughout operation of the system; and a blaster assembly with first and second ends that includes an air reservoir proximate the first end, a mount assembly, a discharge tube assembly, and a discharge tip assembly that includes a shooting valve proximate the second end.

Abstract: A rock dusting or aggregate distributing apparatus is provided having a cylindrical tank body connected to an air supply unit. A circular member is disposed within the cylindrical tank body between the top member and the bottom member to divide the cylindrical tank body into a top portion and bottom portion, the circular member is configured to inject air from the bottom portion into the top portion in a substantially circumferential direction with respect to an axis of the cylindrical tank body to disperse rock dust or aggregate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a container liner with an aerate system which reduces the specific bulk density of the powder material inside the liner and thereby improves the flowability of the product. This significantly reduces the unloading time and increases the safety in relation to the discharge process due to a lower response angle and thereby that the required tilting angle of the cargo container is reduced.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the metered removal of a fine to coarse-grained solid matter or a solid matter mixture from a storage container, comprising a device for forming a fluidized bed in the discharge region or in a metering chamber of the metering container, wherein fluidization that is as optimal as possible is to be created in the lower region of such a receiving or metering container while avoiding any additional systems, mechanical elements, or extensive installations. This is achieved according to the method in that a gas is additionally introduced in the region of the metering chamber bottom for forming a fluidized bed that loosens the solid matter, and a gas is introduced via swirl nozzles for bringing about the rotation of the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A hopper bottom for a cylindrical grain bin includes a floor structure, an outer cylindrical wall extending up from the floor and upon which the bin is supported, and an inner wall having an inverted cone shape which tapers downwardly and inwardly to join the floor structure about a central area. A pair of spaced apart upright auger chute walls extend radially outward from the central area to an access opening in the outer wall to receive an auger for unloading. Screens are flush mounted in the inner wall such that ventilation air directed into a manifold space between the inner and outer walls is forced up through the screens into the grain bin. The floor structure includes a floor sheet, a perimeter member about the outer wall, and radial supports extending between the central area and the perimeter members.

Abstract: A device for discharging a fine-grained solid from a container wherein the container has a discharge cone in the lower area, which opens into a discharge opening and discharge device, a mechanism for fluidizing or loosening the solid are provided the discharge cone has at least one offset in the form of a gap the offset having openings a gas can be fed through each of the openings of the gap-shaped offsets, each of the gap-shaped offsets is covered toward the center axis of the discharge cone, the gap-shaped offsets are not directed toward the center axis of the discharge cone, and wherein the gaps of the gap-shaped offsets are closed by cover pates which have round or slit-shaped openings, and the gaps extend in the downward direction.

Abstract: An aerator for assisting in the discharge or transport of dry bulk particulate materials in applications in which the aerator must be mounted to a surface of small diameter, such as a duct, hopper, or tank. The aerator unexpectedly performs more efficiently than would be expected from simply reducing the proportions of an otherwise similar aerator designed for larger diameter applications.

Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system including a container for storing adhesive pellets, a feed system for transporting adhesive pellets from the container, and a blower. The blower is positioned with respect to an inlet of the feed system for applying a flow of air for agitating the adhesive pellets and moving the adhesive pellets toward the inlet.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hoppers and the dispensing of bulk therefrom are provided. The hopper can include hopper walls that form a product storage receptacle. The hopper can also include a hopper door that includes a frame and a slide gate disposed within the frame. The slide gate is retractable between an open position and a closed position. A set of fingers projects from the slide gate to dislodge material proximate to the hopper door. Further, a port can be provided through at least one of the fingers of the set of fingers with the port configured to inject a fluid into the hopper.

Abstract: A dispenser including a housing with a backplate, an intermediary member pivotally connected to the backplate, and a cover pivotally connected to the intermediary member. The intermediary member is pivotally connected to the backplate adjacent to a first end of the housing, and the cover is pivotally connected to the intermediary member adjacent to a second end of the housing. The dispenser also includes a refill unit including a pump and a product reservoir. The product reservoir is flexible and resilient so that it can be compressed repeatedly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for mass flow are provided. The apparatus can include a housing, an inlet disposed at a first end of the housing, and an outlet disposed at a second end of the housing. The housing can include a first section and a second section. The second section can have at least one tapered sidewall that slopes away from an inner surface of the first section toward the outlet. The apparatus can also include a divider disposed at least partially within the first and second sections of the housing. The divider can have at least one tapered surface disposed proximate the at least one tapered sidewall of the second section. An edge of the divider can be located between the outlet and a point within the second section where the cross-sectional area of the second section is about three times or less a cross-sectional area of the outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an assembly for balk transport. An inflatable bladder is inserted into a container and disposed proximal and above a gravity-fed aperture. The container may be, for instance, a hopper rail car. A bulk material then is introduced into the container, the bulk material being, for instance, a grain-based material such as corn gluten feed. The bladder is positioned and preferably secured laterally with respect to the aperture to impede access to the aperture by the bulk material. When the container has reached the transport destination, the bladder is deflated. If the bulk material has set up during transport, access to the aperture nonetheless will have been maintained.

Abstract: A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system delivering the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber with a single impulse of force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The delivery system includes a plunger assembly having a pair of converging blades coming to a point for piercing a medication capsule held within a docking chamber adjacent to a nebulizing mixing chamber and a hollow needle connected to an air power source directing air through said needle, to force liquid medication from said pierced medication capsule into said nebulizing mixing chamber of said nebulizer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a foaming component for use in association with a foam dispenser. The foaming component includes an air sparging element, a mixing chamber, and an air chamber. The mixing chamber is on one side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the mixing chamber. The air chamber is on the other side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the air chamber. The air chamber has an air inlet. The mixing chamber has a liquid inlet and an outlet, and the outlet is down stream of the inlet. The foaming component also forms part of a new foam dispenser. The foaming component and the foam dispenser are for use in the production of foam with a plurality of particles suspended therein. Another aspect of the invention is a dispenser with a foaming component therein.

Abstract: An activation and fluidification system (100) for granular material silos (101) or containers, comprising a plurality of fine adjustment firing valves (102) comprising discharge limiters to limit the discharge of a pressurized aeriform from an initial pressure to a predetermined final pressure lower than the initial pressure, and connected to the silo (101), the system comprising a tubular network (103) for storing pressurized aeriform at the initial pressure, and to which the plurality of valves (102) are connected.

Abstract: A powder toner transferring method that fluidizes a powder toner with a gas supplied from an air supply, sucks the fluidized powder toner with a suction, and transfers the powder toner by discharging the powder toner in a toner storage container. The suction of the powder toner is performed with a reciprocating-motion pump. A powder toner filling method includes the powder toner transferring process.

Abstract: A pneumatic aerator aids in bulk material unloading, handling and transport using tank trailers, hopper cars, and other containers, as its aerator introduces a cyclonic air flow and vibration into the bulk material. This aerator has a housing, one or three guide tubes, an aerator extending through the housing, a gasket upon one end of the aerator generally within the container of the bulk material, and an optional wearplate beneath the gasket. The aerator has a stem with one vane, preferably three vanes, where the vanes and contiguous fins curve counterclockwise in a helical manner. The airflow past the fins and vanes acquires a counterclockwise rotation, rotating the air as it exits radially from the gasket increasing the bulk material unloaded per hour. This aerator also has various gasket thicknesses and edge conditions, guide tubes, and various shapes in the vanes and fins for alternate speeds and directions of airflow.

Abstract: A device for the topical dispensing of a powder, typically a powder medicament, comprises, or is adapted to be coupled to, a powder receptacle and a gasflow generator. The gasflow generator is adapted, in use, to cause gas to flow through the device, which further comprises an agitator by which the powder and/or the powder receptacle can be mechanically agitated. Actuation of the gasflow generator, which causes gas to flow through the device and to entrain powder from the powder receptacle, thereby to dispense powder from the device, is accompanied by actuation of the agitator, causing the powder receptacle to be mechanically agitated, thereby facilitating the release of powder from the powder receptacle.

Abstract: A gas channeling device for selectively channeling blasts of gas from an air cannon to various locations comprises a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion comprises a fluid inlet passageway and at least first and second fluid outlet passageways. The movable portion comprises a fluid channeling passageway, and is pivotally movable about a pivot axis relative to the stationary portion in a manner such that the movable portion can be selectively positioned in alternative first and second positions relative to the stationary portion. The fluid channeling passageway operatively connects the fluid inlet passageway to the first fluid outlet passageway when the movable portion is in the first position. The fluid channeling passageway operatively connects the fluid inlet passageway to the second fluid outlet passageway when the movable portion is in the second position.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a foaming component for use in association with a foam dispenser. The foaming component includes an air sparging element, a mixing chamber, and an air chamber. The mixing chamber is on one side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the mixing chamber. The air chamber is on the other side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the air chamber. The air chamber has an air inlet. The mixing chamber has a liquid inlet and an outlet, and the outlet is down stream of the inlet. The foaming component also forms part of a new foam dispenser. The foaming component and the foam dispenser are for use in the production of foam with a plurality of particles suspended therein. Another aspect of the invention is a dispenser with a foaming component therein.

Abstract: A particle supply apparatus for supplying particles to a supply destination is disclosed that includes a particle supply apparatus main frame, a particle accommodating unit that accommodates the particles, a gas spouting unit that is arranged at a bottom portion of the particle accommodating unit and is configured to spout gas toward the particles, and a conveying mechanism that applies suction to the particles accommodated in the particle accommodating unit and conveys the particles toward the supply destination. The particle accommodating unit is installed in the particle supply apparatus main frame and is arranged to rest on a face at the bottom portion side during operation, and the particle accommodating unit is detached from the particle supply apparatus main frame and is arranged to rest on a face other than the face at the bottom portion side during transportation.

Abstract: With a device for discharge, particularly of a very fine-grained solid material or solid material mixture, from a container having a discharge funnel in the direction of gravity, underneath the main container part, a solution is to be created, with which the disadvantages of double-wall cone designs, particularly also at high system pressures, are avoided, with a simple, versatile design. This is achieved in that a part (3) of the discharge funnel in the upper region that faces the container (2) is formed partly by the container wall itself, which makes a transition into a cylindrical lower container part (4), while the further part that carries the discharge adapter (14) is formed by a separate cylinder element (9) with funnel part (11), which element is installed in the cylindrical lower container part (4).

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an assembly for bulk transport. An inflatable bladder is inserted into a container and disposed proximal and above a gravity-fed aperture. The container may be, for instance, a hopper rail car. A bulk material then is introduced into the container, the bulk material being, for instance, a grain-based material such as corn gluten feed. The bladder is positioned and preferably secured laterally with respect to the aperture to impede access to the aperture by the bulk material. When the container has reached the transport destination, the bladder is deflated. If the bulk material has set up during transport, access to the aperture nonetheless will have been maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the metered removal of a fine to coarse-grained solid matter or a solid matter mixture from a storage container, comprising a device for forming a fluidized bed in the discharge region or in a metering chamber of the metering container, wherein fluidization that is as optimal as possible is to be created in the lower region of such a receiving or metering container while avoiding any additional systems, mechanical elements, or extensive installations. This is achieved according to the method in that a gas is additionally introduced in the region of the metering chamber bottom for forming a fluidized bed that loosens the solid matter, and a gas is introduced via swirl nozzles for bringing about the rotation of the fluidized bed.

Abstract: An air cannon or aerator comprises a tank, a valve, and a tube. The tank has opposite first and second openings and an interior chamber. The valve is rigidly attached to the first opening. The tube connects the valve to the second opening of the tank through the interior chamber of the tank. The tube is pivotally connected to each of the first and second openings and comprises a fluid passageway. The valve is configured and adapted to selectively allow gas to pass from the interior chamber of the tank into the fluid passageway of the tube and out of the tank through the second opening and to selectively prevent gas from passing from the interior of the tank into the fluid passageway of the tube.

Abstract: An air cannon or aerator has a first source of a pressurized gas, such as a tank, a discharge tube assembly, a valve assembly configured to regulate the flow of pressurized gas from the tank to the discharge tube assembly, and a receiving member or basket having a first end configured to receive and seat the valve assembly and a second end configured to releasably and securely mate with the discharge tube assembly. The discharge tube assembly, valve assembly, and basket are all concentrically aligned along a central, longitudinal axis extending substantially coaxial with the longitudinal center line of the tank.