Abstract: An apparatus for metering dusting powder comprises a powder supply container, a stirring mechanism arranged in the supply container, a powder outlet opening at the bottom of the supply container, and an oscillating plate for metered delivery of the powder, which is provided at the outlet opening and to which an oscillatory motion is imparted by means of a shaking device. The stirring mechanism comprises a stirring blade rotating immediately above the bottom and the outlet opening of the supply container, and the oscillating plate of the shaking device executes an inharmonic oscillation consisting of a slow motion to and a quick motion fro.

Abstract: An irradiator for irradiating lumps of ore, to activate a selected substance in the ore by neutron activation, consists of a cylindrical chamber 10, a vibrated conical base 20 to control passage of the lumps through the chamber 10, and at least one coaxial annular neutron source 30 at one end of the chamber 10. The neutron source 30 is arranged so that all the lumps of ore are activated uniformly.

Abstract: Material discharge apparatus including in one embodiment, a material receiving hopper which can be attached to the outlet of a silo and carrying a conical closure member which is mounted on an actuating cylinder to be raised and lowered with respect to the wall of the receiving hopper thus to determine and control the flow of material from the silo into and through the receiving hopper. A vibrating motor is also provided, being adapted to impose a vertical oscillatory motion on the closure member thus to promote the free flow of material through the annular opening created when the closure member is in its raised position, the height of the member in this position being determined, for example, by a control device whereby the rate of flow of material can be varied.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging powder and/or pellets from a hopper defining an outlet adjacent the base thereof. The apparatus includes a control member associated with the outlet to control the rate of flow of the powder and/or pellets and a chute located under the control member to receive the powder and/or pellets, there being an outlet from the chute through which the powder and/or pellets may be discharged.

Abstract: A single-pass blending apparatus for blending particulate solids including a blending bin having a bin wall, an upper bin end, a lower bin end, a first bin opening passing through the bin wall, and a second bin opening passing through the bin wall and spaced vertically and horizontally from the first bin opening. The bin wall defines a bin chamber. A plurality of flow openings pass through the lower bin end. A blending chamber is positioned beneath the bin chamber and communicates with the bin chamber through the flow openings. A first external blending tube is positioned outside of the blending bin and has an upper tube end communicating with the first bin opening and a lower tube end external of the bin chamber and communicating with the blending chamber. A second external blending tube is positioned outside of the blending bin and has an upper tube end communicating with the second bin opening and a lower tube end external of the bin chamber and communicating with the blending chamber.

Abstract: Wind-powered apparatus for applying a powdered substance over a given area including a housing designed to receive a quantity of the powdered substance, a sieve located within the housing and a wind motor assembly. The powdered substance is contained within the housing above the sieve. The wind motor assembly is rotatably received by the housing and extends through the housing. The wind motor assembly includes a center pole, a hub located on top of the center pole, a plurality of blades attached to the hub by spokes, a flexible plate which is attached to the bottom end of the pole beneath the sieve, a counterweight assembly and a scraper bar. The counterweight assembly and scraper bar are attached to the plate. As the wind acts on the blades and rotates the wind motor assembly, the scraper contacts and vibrates the sieve. This releases the powdered substance for distribution over the given area by the wind.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling particulate material such as is stored in a hopper having an elongated throat opening closed by one or more gates. The gates are mounted at one end thereof from axially aligned rails which are preferably mounted outside the hopper on each lateral side of the throat opening. The other end of the gate is arcuately formed in axial cross section, and is supported on structure, preferably including rollers, bridging the throat opening transversely. As the gate is moved along the track, the other end moves upwardly and forwardly in the hopper, and will dig into and break up arches and rat holes and other formations within the hopper to promote flow through the gate.

Abstract: A dispersing feeder for dispersively feeding articles, supplied by a supply device, to a plurality of weighing machines where the articles are weighed. The feeder includes a turntable or conical projection for receiving and temporarily retaining the articles supplied by the supply device, a dispersing bowl disposed concentrically with respect to the turntable or conical projection and having a number of exits on its outer circumferential portion, and an electromagnetic vibrator for subjecting the dispersing bowl to torsional reciprocative oscillation. The surface of the turntable and/or dispersing bowl is provided with a multiplicity of raised and recessed portions to minimize the contact area between the surface and the articles so that the articles may be transferred without adhering to the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding animals comprising a feed storage hopper with a base plate which is adjusted so as to open a space between the base plate and the walls of the hopper. Feed is dispensed through this space in response to the operation of a motor which is attached to the base plate and which is provided with eccentric weights so as to cause vibrations which are transmitted to the base plate and into the walls of the hopper. The motor can be operated by a timer so as to enable the apparatus to deliver precisely measured quantities of feed at a given rate for a selected period of time at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A scrap metal press is disclosed which includes an inclined feeder box, downstream whereof there are provided at least one compacting unit and a guillotine shears unit for the production of compacted scrap blocks. To ensure that a smooth downward movement of the scrap metal can occur even with the feeder box only slightly inclined on a horizontal plane, a plate is provided at the box bottom which is at least temporarily reciprocated with a component in the same direction as the box longitudinal direction. The plate motion, which brings about a condition of dynamic friction between the scrap metal and plate, is preferably accomplished by the use of a slow-motion hydraulic motor having an off-centered pivot pin passed through an opening in the box bottom and engaging pivotally with a body attached to the plate and being loosely movable within the opening.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided for depiling or unpiling a mass of particulate material. The apparatus is positioned in a recess or opening in a base, such as the ground, and particulate material piled thereover. Upon being vibrated, the apparatus delivers the material from a pile at a regulated rate onto a conveyor system for transport to a place of use. Gate means that are translationally and rotationally adjustable are provided in the discharge opening to arrest the flow of particulate material when the vibratory apparatus is not operating.

Abstract: A bin activator apparatus is provided for depiling or unpiling a mass of material from a bin or hopper. The activator apparatus is mounted below the bin or hopper on resilient supports and is adapted to arrest material flow when the apparatus is at rest. A unique structure is provided for producing a circular orbital vibratory motion substantially in the plane of the outlet opening of the activator apparatus which motion produces a steady flow of material from the bin or hopper through the apparatus and onto a conveyor or the like.

Abstract: A torsional vibrating device is disclosed for operation as a two mass vibrating system consisting of a first mass having a generally circular work member and a spring mechanism connecting the first mass to the second mass excited by a motor driven eccentric weight or weights so that the second mass vibrates in a circular path having a circular component and a vertical component which will cause material on said work member to be conveyed in a circular direction. The spring member is unique in this combination. The entire system is isolated from the supporting means. This system has application for controlling the flow of bulk material from a hopper, screen or feeder or for elevating or lowering a material in a helical trough or for orientation of discrete particles or other applications depending on a properly designed work member.

Abstract: A wall-mounted agitator for particulate material having an agitator panel within a gravity conveying wall for the material and a frame with a vibrator external to the wall and attached to the panel by means of resilient mounts. The mounts each include annular flange means for attachment to an aperture in the wall and an elastic annulus of sleeve-like form. The annulus extends from the flange means to the panel and frame, respectively, in opposite directions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible sleeve to fit over the lower flange of a storage bin and the upper flange of a vibratory bin activator to span the gap between these two flanges and prevent leakage of material from the bin through this gap. The sleeve has upper and lower pairs of spaced circumferential ribs to receive strap-like clamping members and to hold the clamping members in place during assembly and after assembly and during use of the bin activator.

Abstract: An apparatus for a controlled supply of a powder to a mold for continuous casting has a vibrating conveyor with a delivery edge and a retaining wall carried by the vibrating conveyor. The retaining wall extends along the delivery edge and defines a flow control gap therewith, the retaining wall causing the powder to pile up thereat and to exert a conveying pressure on the powder flowing through the gap. The flow control gap has a height varying in inverse relation to the conveying pressure.

Abstract: A reservoir and chute cooperate to deliver mollusks such as clams, oysters, scallops and the like, oriented in a row to a conveyor forming a part of an apparatus for removing their shells. The reservoir in which an appropriate supply of mollusks is stored and from which they are delivered to the chute is provided with an elevator mechanism for maintaining the top of the supply above the upper end of the chute so that mollusks are supplied from the top of the supply to the chute in which they are advanced toward the lower discharge end by a combination of gravity and controlled vibration.

Abstract: A bottom unit for a material transportation car hopper includes a planar membrane which is oriented at an angle with respect to horizontal and slopes toward a hopper discharge pipe. The bottom unit is separate from the discharge pipe. The bottom unit includes a vibrator for vibrating the membrane, and projections on the membrane for agitating the material adjacent the membrane.

Abstract: A vibrator feeder for causing piled up granular material to move down its own slope and off the edge of a shelf-like structure for unloading. The vibration is limited to material resting on a small edge, or lip, of the material support structure. This lip is formed as an extension of the floor of the bin. A series of rods supported from a vibration generator extend into the material resting on the lip. The vibrations disturb the angle of the repose of the material which feeds off the lip.

Abstract: In a material discharge apparatus, a uniform depth of material is conveyed from the discharge opening of a stationary hopper. The hopper has a rectangularly shaped discharge opening disposed generally in a horizontal plane. A conveyor is disposed below the discharge opening and has a material receiving and conveying trough which is tilted at an acute angle to the horizontal plane. The angular disposition of the trough receives the material from the opening at a substantially uniform depth along the length of the conveyor and conveys the material with the substantially uniform depth to a downstream location. A grate is carried by the conveyor below the discharge opening for supporting the material and for controlling flow of the material from the opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a universal blending system and method for blending the material contents of a silo having a predetermined interior cross-sectional area by layer blending or across vertical columns, column blending, or a combination of layer and column blending.The presently preferred method of the present invention employs either vertical displacement of a partial vertical column of the silo content to provide a representative mixture in every horizontal cross-section in order to reduce the number of necessary recycles to a minimum or substantially simultaneous multilevel displacement, with subsequent uniform discharge over the whole horizontal cross-section of the silo to remix material that may have been segregated during the filling or recycling.

Abstract: Apparatus for spreading particulate material comprises a frame; a hopper supported by the frame, the hopper having a lower gravity-fed outlet aperture; a feed platform at said aperture; means for reciprocating the feed platform at said aperture relatively slowly in one direction and relatively quickly in the opposite direction; and an adjustable gate forming part of the hopper wall; all whereby the particulate material is dispensed from said hopper, beneath said gate when appropriately adjusted, by the feed platform as it reciprocates. Such apparatus may include a driven rotary feed brush for sweeping the fed particulate material in a downward direction, and constitutes a simple and inexpensive means for spreading top dressing and the like in an efficient manner.

Abstract: In a system for dispensing weighed or counted articles, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. In a weigher embodiment, articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. The feeder hopper discharge openings are arranged near each other at locations where the door-controlled opening will provide a rapid, bulk feed of articles, while the other opening will provide a single-file trickle feed.

Abstract: Apparatus for volumetrically feeding dry flowable bulk material. The apparatus comprises a hopper that receives dry flowable bulk material from a storage tank of dry flowable bulk material through a rotary valve located at the top of the hopper. At the bottom of the hopper is a sliding discharge gate for the discharge of dry flowable bulk material from the hopper. Mounted on the hopper in vertically spaced relation is a high level sensor and a lower level sensor. When the height of the dry flowable bulk material in the hopper is above a predetermined height, the high level sensor is activated for the closing of the rotary valve and the opening of the discharge gate. When the height of the dry flowable bulk material in the hopper is below a predetermined height, the low level sensor closes the discharge gate and opens the rotary valve. Thus, the bulk material level in the hopper is maintained within prescribed limits to control the pressure head of the bulk material for improved feed accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dosing of finely powdered material employs a volumetric chamber adapted to receive an amount predetermined by volume of the powdered material, and presenting a filtering screen through which pneumatic suction is applied for the taking up and compacting of the powdered material, and pneumatic pressure is applied for the discharge of the said powdered material.The said filtering screen is made of a fabric of mono-filament synthetic material, and preferably of mono-filaments of a polytetrafluoroethylene resin, said mono-filaments constituting both the warp and the weft of the fabric.

Abstract: A powder dispensing assembly including support structure defined by spaced end plates interconnected by a top plate with a purality of openings therein for passing particles therethrough. A Y-shaped chute has its upper extremities connected to the edges of the top plate and parallel lower extremities defining an outlet opening. A tubular receptacle is supported at each end on stud shafts extending from the end plates. The receptacle has a rear wall and a bottom wall extending from the rear wall to a lip over which the particles of powder move to define a falling curtain of powder particles. A bar extends between the end walls of the receptacle above the bottom wall to establish a gap between the bottom wall and the bar, the outlet of the chute being between the bar and the rear wall of the receptacle. A rod extends through one stud shaft at one end of the assembly and threadedly engages the receptacle for vibrating the receptacle rectilinearly in a direction parallel to the lip.

Abstract: The present invention is a universal blending method for blending the material contents of a silo having a predetermined interior cross-sectional area by layer blending or across vertical columns, column blending, or a combination of layer and column blending.The presently preferred method of the present invention employs either vertical displacement of a partial vertical column of the silo content to provide a representative mixture in every horizontal cross-section in order to reduce the number of necessary recycles to a minimum or substantially simultaneous multilevel displacement, with subsequent uniform discharge over the whole horizontal cross-section of the silo to remix material that may have been segregated during the filling or recycling.

Abstract: A hand-held aerosol dispenser, especially for medicament in the treatment of disorders requiring inhalation such as asthma, comprises a housing formed with a receptacle for the medicament and an electrically powered ultrasonic nebulizer for atomizing the liquid medicament. The housing receives a replaceable cassette or cartridge-type battery for energizing the control circuit. The housing has a compartment for enabling easy replacement of the battery and a simply opening and closing valve, from which the mist is discharged, is provided.

Abstract: A powder dispensing assembly including an elongated chute having opposite ends pivotally supported for rotation about a pivot axis within an elongated housing and having a funnel-shaped cross section with a wide upper portion and a narrow lower portion. A dispensing platform is integral with the rear wall of the chute and extends forwardly beneath the front wall and slopes upwardly to a lip over which particles of powder move to define a falling curtain of powder particles. A supply platform is supported just above the pivot axis and receives powder from an elongated slot and supplies powder to the dispensing platform as the powder falls downwardly through the chute. The supply platform is wider than the angle of repose of the powder supplied thereto so that when the supply platform is not moving powder is not being supplied to the lower dispensing platform. An electromagnet cooperates with a spring plate which is, in turn, connected by a rod through the housing to the rear wall of the chute.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination feeder and sifter for particulate material. The apparatus includes a vertically elongated hopper for holding a bulk supply of the particulate material. A vibratory unit is positioned below the hopper and is movable independently thereof. An upper panel of the vibratory unit constitutes a bottom-forming panel of the hopper and is in direct contact with the bulk supply of particulate material. The bottom-forming panel has an adjustable feed rate device thereon which, when the vibratory mechanism is in operation, provides for a controlled rate of flow of particulate material from the hopper on to a vibrating sifting screen supported directly underneath the panel. The configuration and arrangement of the supply hopper and the bottom-forming panel are such that the mass of particulate material affecting the operation of the vibratory panel approximates that of an imaginary conical pile of the material.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a bulk container having a discharge opening in its base, and vibratory tray feeder for conveying material from the discharge opening of the container to a second discharge opening. The tray feeder has an inlet connected to the discharge opening of the container by a flexible portion. To assist the passage of the material from the container to the tray feeder, the tray feeder is vibrated in a manner which transmits vibrations through the flexible portion of the connecting means to the container. The container may be a fixed container or part of a mobile unit in which the container and the tray feeder are supported on the same frame.

Abstract: Continuous automatic feeding apparatus for bulk material is provided. The device has a vibratory feeder for moving the material to be fed, the feeder having a centrally disposed narrow spoon extending therefrom which provides a relatively small rate of material feed. A pair of hoppers are located under the composite feeder, and the material supplied to each controlled by a pair of displaceable deflectors. Each deflector has three positions: a first position in which the deflector prevents any flow into its associated hopper and deflects the flow into the other hopper; a second position in which the flow from the feeder is deflected to the other hopper but the flow from the spoon is permitted to enter its associated hopper; and a third position in which the flow from both the vibratory feeder and the spoon enters the associated hopper. Each hopper has a weigh cell and control apparatus associated therewith to operate the deflectors and empty the hoppers when a predetermined weight has been attained.

Abstract: A system for filling generally cylindrical barbell weight shells with a relatively viscous slurry of cementitious material comprises a roller conveyor which transports a plurality of carriers each supporting a plurality of barbell weight shells thereon through a plurality of stations. At a lubricating station, the exterior of the shells is coated with a light film of oil to facilitate subsequent cleaning thereof. At a filling station, a dispensing hopper having a plurality of downwardly projecting nozzles dispenses the cementitious slurry into the shells. Each of the carriers is positioned beneath the hopper, the shells thereon are aligned with the nozzles, and a lift table lifts the shells off of the roller conveyor into engagement with the nozzles. Vibratory and agitator devices induce the flow of the slurry from the hopper into the shells under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: The discharge opening from a silo is formed by two generally upwardly extending bottom plates placed in a V-shaped configuration. The bottom plates are reciprocatingly movable with the aid of hydraulic cylinders. At their lower ends the bottom plates form an aperture for the discharge of goods from the silo. The bottom plates are pivotally suspended at their top margins. Their lower margins are pivotally interconnected by means of connecting pieces. The hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to the connecting pieces and to the bottom plates and the pivotal connections of the connecting pieces to the bottom plates and hydraulic cylinders from a linkage quadrangle. The hydraulic cylinders are arranged to move the linkage quadrangle thus produced, in such a manner that the bottom plates will swing reciprocatingly about their top edges or margins.

Abstract: An automatic seed planter which includes an elongate, upwardly-opening V-shaped trough with front and rear ends defining a longitudinally extending, upwardly opening seed-conducting channel, a seed receiving chamber at the front end of the trough, elongate guide means in the chamber overlying the channel to pass seed from the chamber downwardly and longitudinally rearwardly into the rear end portion of the channel, means to vibrate the trough and cause seed in the chamber to migrate past the guide and into the channel at a predetermined rate, and a seed discharge opening at the rear end of the channel.

Abstract: A chips bin that allows thorough steaming of the chips in the bin without blockage of the chip flow. A chips bin with a vibrating discharge includes an activator cone and a number of support arms extending from the activator cone to the bottom portion of the bin. A number of steam ports are formed in each of the supporting arms and steam is introduced into the supporting arms and underneath the activator cone. The steam ports are formed in sidewalls of the supporting arms, and steam is introduced both underneath the bottom portion of the cone and underneath a top portion of the cone.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding powdered coal from a helical ramp into a high pressure, heated, reactor tube containing hydrogen for hydrogenating the coal and/or for producing useful products from coal. To this end, the helical ramp is vibrated to feed the coal cleanly at an accurately controlled rate in a simple reliable and trouble-free manner that eliminates complicated and expensive screw feeders, and/or complicated and expensive seals, bearings and fully rotating parts.

Abstract: Powdered material such as insecticide or the like is moved from a hopper by the combined effect of gravity, vibration and induction of a rotary blower for distribution as a gas-powder suspension. The element for vibrating the powder is driven by the blower to induce vibrations in the material along a plurality of different directions. Alternate versions include a canister of material removably located in the hopper, and a container that replaces the hopper and is removably secured to the apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing container for containing and dispensing granular material is disclosed which may be constructed from a single piece of sheet material to form a container having an internal ramp partition. The ramp serves to direct the material by force of gravity toward and through a dispensing orifice having a configuration which impedes the free flow of material. The rate at which the material is dispensed is controlled by a structure integral with the ramp which, when moved, serves to assist the flow of material through the orifice.

Abstract: A device for discharging powdery or granular material comprises a plurality of inclined parallel plates reciprocably mounted relative to a base member and is adapted to release the powdery or granular material when the parallel plates are moved relative to the base member.

Abstract: A transportable container for handling powdered, granulated or other particulated solid materials, having a tapering lower wall portion of hopper form and a discharge opening at its base, the opening being normally closed by a valve member which is movable upwardly into the interior of the container to define an annular opening between its periphery and the internal surface of the container wall, retaining springs being provided within the container and arranged to hold the valve member in its closed position until lifted by, for example, a probe fixed relative to a material receiving member onto which the transportable container may be lowered. This inventionTHIS INVENTION concerns the handling of powdered, granulated or other particulate solid materials. Such materials will hereinafter be termed materials of the kind referred to.Materials of the kind referred to are widely used by the process industries and are normally dispensed for use from bins or hoppers.

Abstract: A casing, in which a powdered substance to be sieved is fed, is provided with a handle portion containing a battery therein. A supporting arm extends from the inner wall of the casing and is connected with a vibratable motor cover at the center portion of the casing. A motor is mounted within the motor cover, and a weighted member is eccentrically connected to the output shaft thereof. The meshed member of the sieve is connected to the motor cover.

Abstract: An animal food dispensing apparatus comprising a container with a bottom opening and an insert suspended in the opening. The insert is in the form of a sleeve open at its upper and lower ends. A vibrator is mounted within the sleeve and has a vibrating portion extending through the lower sleeve opening. The vibrating portion is attached to a food dispensing plate which extends across the lower sleeve opening and is spaced below it. When the vibrator is energized, food will fall from the edge of the plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying granular material by gravity assist from an upper zone and a lower zone by means of a horizontal annular plate which is disposed between the two zones, the plate being orbited in a horizontal plane below a fixed shroud so that the material flows downwardly through the aperture in the plate along a path which moves in a horizontal plane around the periphery of the aperture.