Abstract: A feeding device having a hopper for storing and feeding a material having a low flowability such as powder, fibers or a mixture thereof. Comb-shaped obstruction plates are provided at the outlet side of the hopper so as to be slidable toward and away from each other to close and open the outlet opening. The slidable obstruction plates may be replaced with a single non-slidable plate having a plurality of openings. When in a stationary state, the material is prevented from dropping due to friction between it and the obstruction plate. The hopper may have its outlet opening elongated in one direction, with the area of the outlet opening being larger than half the area of the inlet opening.

Abstract: In production of a decorative board with overlaid wood pieces used for surface covering of various furniture, building materials and car interior decoration, wood pieces supplied from an overhead hopper by gravity are dispersed on a flat feeder by application of vibration and are transferred in a dispersed state onto base boards successively supplied by a transfer conveyor in a horizontal direction. Almost no need for manual operation raises production efficiency and dispersion by mechanical vibration assures high degree of uniformity of patterns on the products. Fully automatic processing enables reproduction of patterns with commerically acceptable fidelity.

Abstract: In an apparatus for discharging a silo (1), at the bottom (3) of the silo, a discharge mechanism (9) with at least two arms is mounted in bearings on an eccentric trunnion (7) of a vertical drive shaft (5) centrally disposed in the silo. The movement of the discharge mechanism is guided by rollers (12) disposed at the ends of the discharge arms and by pins (11) disposed at the bottom of the silo, by way of which the rollers move along a substantially epicycloidal path around the pins (11) while the shaft rotates.

Abstract: Bulk material that is difficult to feed, such as glass fibers, is fed from a storage bin into a feeding chute driven by a vibratory drive which vibrates the chute in a longitudinal direction of the chute, that is, in the feed advance direction of the chute. The chute may be a so-called loss-in-weight feeding chute. In order to assure a uniform, constant material flow without any bunching and without any gaps in the flow for an accurate feeding, the material flow is exposed or influenced by a further vibration effective in a direction substantially across the feed advance direction. For the purpose a vibrator with vibrating elements extending in the feed advance direction vibrates in the cross-direction. These vibrating elements are so located that they can make the material flow through the chute more uniform.

Abstract: A particulate solid is dispensed on to articles by depositing the particulate solid on a vibrating dispensing member having a slot cut therethrough, this slot making an acute angle within the direction in which the particulate solid moves along the dispensing member, and moving the articles beneath the slot as the particulate solid is falling therethrough.

Abstract: With the use of a distributor unit, which is reciprocable over and along an oblong prepressing vat for cheese production, it has already been proposed that a uniform distribution of the whey/coagulum mixture can be achieved by a horizontal wing rotors in a transverse distributor container, such rotor or rotors being rotated to lift the mixture up to an overflowing edge of the container while isolating the mixture from the turbulent mixture receiving area of the container. However, it is experienced that coagulum lumps may build up on the overflowing edge and thus disturb an even overflow. To avoid this problem two interengaging wing rotors are mounted at the bottom of the container so as to sluice down the mixture along opposite, correspondingly arched bottom/side portions to a central lowermost outlet slot, whereby the risk of lump formations is practically eliminted without compromising the desired uniform distribution of the coagulum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately dispensing measured amounts of powdered material from a vibratory feeder with a shaker rod extending through an orifice at the discharge end of the feeder and which rod undergoes reciprocal movement in response to vibration of the feeder to regulate the advancement of the powdered material. Alternate forms of control algorithms are employed in association with a computer to determine the optimum rate of feed and drive level for a given powder and feeder arrangement to result in a specific final weight within an acceptable tolerance for each fill cycle.

Abstract: A device for mixing at least two materials as they are discharged to pass through a flexible mixing tube to a nozzle characterized by an arrangement to move or shake the tube to change the configuration of the tube as the material passes therethrough. Preferably, the tube includes a mixing element which is loosely received therein and moved independently within the tube to cause a stirring of the material as it is moving along the tube.

Abstract: A parts dispenser apparatus for fungible parts such as seeds, powder, manufactured parts and the like. A feed hopper is positioned to feed parts to the area of a downwardly inclined trough which is pivoted at a fixed end and driven at the discharge end with a horizontal reciprocating motion. The combined effect of gravity and horizontal reciprocating motion causes the parts to align in the bottom of the trough and discharge one-by-one at the discharge end of the trough. An adjustable eccentric permits control of the reciprocation.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the transportation and production of cementitious mixes including a silo and a truck for transporting the silo. The silo is sub-divided internally into two compartments, one for cement and one for sand. At the lower end of the said compartment there is a vibratory grid and other structure for causing the sand to flow evenly from the open lower end of the silo into a mixer without bridging. A feed screw feeds cement from the cement compartment to the mixer. The truck has a lifting mechanism for lifting the vertical silo and tilting the silo through ninety degrees to a horizontal position for transportation purposes.

Abstract: A device for preparation of a chemically reacting mixture, and for ejecting the mixture into a mold includes a pair of slides having transverse through openings capable of being mismatched upon relative reciprocation, oscillation and/or vibration of the slides for dynamically setting the mixing pressure.

Abstract: A dual shaft pan mixer comprises a mixing vessel (1) having a first and a second pan section (3 and 4), a pair of paddle assemblies (10) having drive shafts (13) which are disposed horizontally and in paralllel relationship with each other within the mixing vessel (1) and adapted to rotate in mutually opposite directions, and a drive source (20) for synchronously driving the pair of paddle assemblies (10). The mixing vessel (1) includes a substantially triangular space (22) below an area intermediate the first and the second pan section and displaced out of the loci of rotation of the paddle assemblies (10), and also includes a discharge port (5) which is disposed adjacent to the space (22). The mixer also comprises a rod-shaped vibration generator (30) disposed within the space (22) and extending in a direction parallel to the drive shafts (13).

Abstract: A vibrating discharge apparatus for discharging particulate stored material from a surge or blending bin or the like, having a discharge end, a discharge apron defining an support surface near the bottom of the bin extending in a substantially horizontal plane along a conveyance path to the discharge end. The apron is directed along a downwardly curving convex apron path sloping downwardly from the horizontal plane at the discharge end and comprises a plurality of rigid elongated parallel transversely extending slat members each having a main slat body portion and a thin plate-like lip projecting therefrom to overlie the adjacent slat member.

Abstract: A particulate solid is dispensed on to articles by depositing the particulate solid on a vibrating dispensing member having a slot cut therethrough, this slot making an acute angle within the direction in which the particulate solid moves along the dispensing member, and moving the articles beneath the slot as the particulate solid is falling therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging powder and/or pellets from a hopper defining an outlet adjacent the base thereof. The apparatus includes a baffle associated with the outlet to control the rate of flow of said powder and/or pellets and a chute located under the baffle to receive the powder and/or pellets. The powder and/or pellets is discharged through an outlet from the chute. The baffle is vibrated substantially horizontally due to the dampening forces of the powder and/or pellets supported by the baffle.

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 device for supplying a mixture of pieces of material or fragments of different materials and sizes to one or more receiving units wherein the mixture is supplied to the device within a relatively limited area from where it is distributed to the receiving units so that each of them receives a substantially uniform layer of the mixture at the same time as it is spread out over a wide area. The device comprises one or more vibrating troughs each with a supporting surface at the receiving end and a protuberance centrally mounted in the trough from which the material is spread over the supporting surface (15) during the formation of a uniformly thick layer of material which is carried along the supporting surface to the discharge end of each vibrating trough where it is discharged.

Abstract: There is disclosed a transport system for material in powdered, particulate, granular or the like form. A generally horizontal flow channel extends from an inlet (20) to an outlet (11) for the material. An ultrasonic standing wave is set up in the body (10) surrounding the flow channel by means of a piezo-ceramic transducer (12). The standing wave is arranged to have an antinode at or near the inlet and a node at or near the outlet whereby the material flows along the channel.

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: An ingredient feeder for adding a first ingredient to a second ingredient including a hopper for receiving and discharging the first ingredient and a rotating auger located within the hopper. A portion of the auger extends out of the hopper and is surrounded by an auger housing. The auger housing has a discharge opening formed therein. A hollow chamber funnel is pivotally mounted to the auger housing and surrounds the discharge opening. A metering wheel housing, having a metering wheel therein, is positioned beneath the auger housing and the funnel directs a first ingredient into an inlet of the metering wheel housing. A passage extends below an outlet of the metering wheel housing and is in fluid communication therewith. The first ingredient is discharged from the metering wheel housing outlet into a second ingredient flowing through the passage. The funnel is oscillated relative to the auger housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed to facilitate the dispensing of powders, particularly toner in a photocopy machine, which must be vibrated to prevent clumping. A powder container is shown with a unique neck baffle, and sloping sides so that the flow of powder is substantially regular when the vibration is turned on and the flow will stop when the vibration is turned off. A method and apparatus for adjusting the natural frequency of the container system is shown so that the amplitude of vibration does not significantly increase as the dispenser is emptied and the flow of powder is thereby maintained at a relatively constant rate.

Abstract: A device for filling and filtering toner from a supply container which is placed by an operator in communication with a feed container in a photocopier has a cylindrical filling opening for the feed container with a cross section such that the supply container can be inverted therein, and has a filter basket disposed in the region of the filling opening which is closed from the feed container by a filter mesh, and an electric vibrator connected thereto by a linkage which can be automatically triggered at the beginning of a filling operation.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a hopper (20) that stores a quantity of pelletized material and is partially closed at the bottom by a restricting plate (40) that has an orifice (38) extending therethrough and offset from the center of the hopper (20). The orifice (38) extends downwardly and rearwardly into an agitation chamber (32). A rotor (34) having paddles (41), (42) and (43) disposed radially outward thereof, is disposed in the bottom of the agitation chamber (32) for rotation about the central axis thereof. An outlet port (46) allows exit of agitated pelletized material from the agitation chamber for dispensing into an eating bowl (16). The paddles (41)-(43) are shaped such that particles of pelletized matter that may be trapped between the lateral edge of the outlet port (46) and the edge of one of the paddles (41)-(43) are forced upwardly and outwardly from the paddle. This results in the pelletized matter either exiting the outlet port (46) or falling back into the agitation chamber (32).

Abstract: A machine for dispensing dry and moist materials including those which are self-adhering and/or compactible or which tend to agglomerate comprising a material dispensing chute formed at its sides by horizontally reciprocating, expanded metal grid plates which engage and separate material from adjacent material pressing thereagainst for passage through the grids of the plates and metered depositation onto articles or products passing therebeneath. The grid plates have horizontally spaced, downwardly converging upper portions forming a V where the majority of material is separated and horizontally spaced, parallel lower portions forming a narrow transverse width channel which prevents material from loading up between the grid plates in the V, such giving the chute a generally Y-shape in transverse cross-section.

Abstract: An improved distribution feeder of circular disc type, for receiving articles at the central portion and exhausting them from a plurality of outlets at the periphery, having the upper surface provided with a slope highest at the center and slanting down toward the periphery and a vibrator for imparting vertical and rotational vibration to the distribution feeder, thereby facilitating free movement of the articles to eliminate undesirable accumulation of the articles at the closed outlets.

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: The present invention is directed to a vibrating screen agitator in a coal storage hopper for assuring the uniform feed of coal having sufficient moisture content to effect agglomeration and bridging thereof in the coal hopper from the latter onto a conveyor mechanism. The vibrating screen agitator is provided by a plurality of transversely oriented and vertically spaced apart screens in the storage hopper with a plurality of vertically oriented rods attached to the screens. The rods are vibrated to effect the vibration of the screens and the breaking up of agglomerates in the coal which might impede the uniform flow of the coal from the hopper onto a conveyer.

Abstract: An unloader for discharging material stored in a silo or similar through an outlet opening in the bottom of the silo has a frame which pivots around a vertical axis and on which is supported a horizontal transport screw rotating around its longitudinal axis. The pivot frame is provided with an upper protecting hood which, in order to prevent arching of material located on top of it, is mounted on the pivot frame so that it does not rotate, as the pivot frame rotates, but continuously is inclined back and forth.

Abstract: A powder dispensing assembly (10) comprising; support structure (20), a dispensing platform (26) supported by the support structure (20) for receiving powder and having a distal lip (28) over which particles of powder move to define a falling curtain of powder particles. A supply platform (30) is supported by the support structure (20) for receiving powder and supplying the powder to the dispensing platform (26). A flow control device (34) establishes a flow path of the powder from the supply platform (30) to the dispensing platform (26). A drive device (36) vibrates the dispensing platform (26) to move particles thereover and over the lip (28) and to move the supply platform (30) in unison with the dispensing platform (26) to move powder from the supply platform (30) and through the flow control device (34) to the dispensing platform (26). A shelf (54) is disposed below the lip (28) for receiving the powder from the lip (28 ).

Abstract: A pneumatic hopper discharge outlet is fastened to the bottom of railway hopper cars for controlling the discharge of lading. The outlet includes a pair of side walls, a pair of sloping side walls, and a valve shaft which is rotatably mounted in the end walls and extends longitudinally between the side walls. An eccentric valveshaft mounting is disposed on each end wall for rotation about a valve shaft mounting axis and includes a valve shaft receiving bore disposed eccentric to the valve shaft mounting axis. By rotating the eccentric valve shaft mounting, the lateral position of the valve shaft relative to the side walls is adjusted. Lading which has passed the valve shaft is received in a trough and is conveyed through a transition tube to conventional pneumatic off-loading equipment. In transit, the transition tube is closed by a closure cap assembly.

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 is provided for depositing material, such as mushroom casing, on a horizontally moving belt from which the material is discharged to a surface beneath said belt. The material may be deposited first in a conveyor box which contains an element capable of moving the material in the box from one end of it to its other end, the said conveyor box having an outlet through which the material is passed to a distributing container. If preferred, the material may be deposited directly in the distributing box. This container also has in it means for moving the material from one of its ends to the other, as desired, in order to achieve a substantially uniform distribution in it of the material. The container has in it an outlet which comprises a slot of uniform gap. This gap is located in a position to be in delivery relationship with said moving belt. The gap is formed through the use of a cut-off plate that may be constructed of adjustable sections.

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: A device for preventing bridging of bulk material in the form of powder or granules during discharge from a storage container or during handling, comprising apparatus for applying a shearing force to the bulk material along an axis orthogonal to the flowpath direction axis and without appreciably compacting the bulk material.

Abstract: An unloader for portable containers including tension hanger arms suspending a vibratory support from a fixed support and pivotally connected to each support to limit the vibratory motion to horizontal, reciprocal, rectilinear motion. For side outlet portable containers, the vibratory support includes a first frame portion inclined relative to the horizontal and a second frame portion, with a discharge orifice, extending perpendicular from the lower horizontal edge of the first frame portion.

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: A bin-activator of the kind which is supported beneath the outlet opening of a bin or hopper and which is vibrated to facilitate discharge of material from the bin or hopper, the bin-activator being suspended by a plurality of hangers (17) each of which extends between a fixed part on the bin or hopper, and the bin-activator itself, and each hanger comprising a vertically disposed rod (19) mounted in resilient bushes (22, 23) adjacent its upper and lower ends, the bushes surrounding a portion of the length of the rod, and themselves surrounded by a pair of rigid sleeves (24, 25) and the whole assembly being held together by means of nuts (26, 27) screwed onto the ends of the rod, such that pivoting movement of the rod with respect to the bin or hopper and the bin-activator, to effect horizontal movement of the bin-activator, is restricted by the resilient bushes.

Abstract: A vibrating feeder for receiving bulk material and discharging it in even distribution has a housing, a base supported in the housing at a sloping orientation and a vibrator oscillating the base. The base has a downwardly narrowing width defined by an oblique discharge edge. Resilient components connect the base to the housing to provide for a free oscillation of the base with respect to the housing. The vibrator is operatively connected solely with the base.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for feeding an inoculating or nucleating agent or particle to a trough of a pipe casting apparatus or beneath the surface of molten metal within a ladle. In particular, the agents are introduced by a hopper into a sealed chamber by selectively actuatable valves. A gas compatible with the agent to be used in the casting process, is introduced into the sealed chamber, whereby a relatively low pressure is established therein. An agent feeder, such as a vibratory feeder, is provided for directing a measured charge of the agent into a funnel leading to an outlet conduit. The pressure established within the chamber forces the agent through the conduit which is in turn connected to a delivery tube by which the agent is used to coat the mold surface directly or is fed into a stream of metal in a centrifugal tube casting apparatus. An outlet valve in the outlet tube is provided for selectively permitting the passage of the agent and gas mixture to the casting apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for applying particulate material to an image-wise tacky surface. The particulate material or toner is dispensed from a hopper having a side wall vibrating laterally of the direction of movement of the surface. The tacky surface is then moved under an applicator which has a brush pad oscillating laterally of the direction of movement of the surface to embed the particulate material in the surface. Finally, the tacky surface is passed under a cleaner which has an agitating surface oscillating laterally of the direction of movement of the surface. A perforated plate is placed under both the cleaner and the applicator to aid in removing excess toner therefrom following use.

Abstract: A mortar applying machine including a base supported on rollers adapted to roll along the top of a brick or block wall with one of the rollers being driven to move the machine horizontally along the wall. Guide rollers extend downwardly from the base to engage the sides of the wall to maintain the machine in proper alignment. A hopper is mounted on the base and is angularly adjustable to assist in controlling the flow of mortar therefrom. A vibrator is attached to the hopper to assist in moving the mortar from the hopper. A pair of oppositely extending nozzles project from the hopper to feed the mortar to the side edges of the wall. The hopper and vibrator can be removed as a unit from the machine to apply mortar in positions where the machine cannot be used due to space restrictions. When using the hopper removed from the machine one of the nozzles is blocked so that only one stream of mortar issues from the hopper.

Abstract: A feed dispensing hopper of the type adapted to travel along the length of a battery cage arrangement to dispense feed into feed troughs extending along the battery cage arrangement which includes at least a pair of inclined wall portions converging to a channel portion to which feed is funneled by gravity. An auger device is provided in the bottom of the channel and is adapted to convey feed out through feed discharge outlets into the troughs. An agitating mechanism is provided to break up the feed that is funneled into the channel and a canopy or hood is disposed above the agitator to divert feed to opposite sides of the agitator and thus prevent packing of feed all around the agitator.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic dispenser wherein a bulk of finely divided dry substance, such as powdered or granulated industrial and agricultural chemicals, is deposited in a funnel-shaped hopper from which it flows downwardly to a suitable distribution outlet under concurrently acting forces of gravity, suction and agitation.

Abstract: An improved web former for feeding a fiber web of dense material or the like to subsequent textile processing machinery. The web former disclosed incorporates an offset cam means comprising an eccentric sleeve concentrically rotatably journalled in a bearing assembly. The offset cam means oscillates a shaker plate between horizontal positions so that a web of uniform density and thickness may be compressed and moved downwardly through a chute defined by the shaker plate and a vertically extending wall to a plurality of fluted aluminum delivery rolls. The delivery rolls further assist in forming a web and transporting a web of fiber material to other textile equipment.

Abstract: A toner dispenser having a rotatably driven dispensing roll including a cam and cam follower for imparting an axial, vibratory component of motion to the roll. The vibratory motion inhibits agglomerated masses of toner from collecting in the vicinity of the dispensing roll. In those instances wherein the dispensing roll is grooved and the toner dispenser additionally includes a brush-like wiper for dislodging toner particles from the dispensing roll, the vibratory motion also assists in preventing toner from accumulating in the grooved areas of the roll. That tendency is, however, even more effectively counteracted by additionally including a pawl and ratchet indexing arrangement for occassionally changing the alignment between the wiper and the dispensing roll.

Abstract: Apparatus including vibrating plates which are vibrated and oscillated to cause a powdered material placed thereon to flow down at a constant rate from the peripheral edges of the plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a vibrating element (herein disclosed in the form of a ring) inside storage tanks or bins for aiding flow of powdered bulk material therefrom. The vibrating element is isolated from the walls of the storage tank or bin and vibrations are transmitted directly and principally to the material rather than indirectly through the walls.