Abstract: This invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing particulate matter. The dispenser includes a hopper, a coupling configured for attachment of the hopper, either directly or indirectly, to a receptacle; an aperture configured to be moved between an open and closed position to allow or prevent, respectively, flow of the particulate matter between the hopper and the receptacle. The dispenser further includes a stirrer housed in the hopper and configured to move in a substantially vertical and rotational manner within the hopper.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a medium includes at least a first container to hold the medium, a pressurizing device, such as a pump, in fluid connection with the container for pressurizing the medium, and an agitation mechanism or device to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state. The container and the pressurizing device can be separate units, as in the case of an bag or bottle in fluid connection with a peristaltic or other type of pump. The container and the pump can also be combined in a single unit, as in the case of a syringe, wherein the syringe barrel of the syringe acts to contain the medium and the syringe plunger pressurizes the medium within the syringe barrel. A method of injecting a multi-component medium includes the step of agitating the medium (for example, as described above) before or during an injection procedure to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state.

Abstract: A metering device includes an inlet and outlet for a material (liquids, gases or solid particles) to be metered, a rotatable ball driven by a shaft and interposed between the inlet and outlet seats. The rotatable ball has a transverse bore containing a sealess shuttling member which can reciprocate back and forth along the bore between two sealing seats so as to seal against one or the other. The sealess shuttling member is propelled by pressurized material which flows into the bore without surface-to-surface contact of the shuttling member with the bore wall until is engages one of the two sealing seats. Each time the rotatable ball rotates 180.degree., a metered shot is ejected resulting in a quasi continuous flow depending upon a rotatable ball revolution rate.

Abstract: A feeder of loose materials includes a hopper, a chamber with a control section fashioned as a latticed partition having placed thereon kinematically disconnected magnetic bodies, and a source of alternating magnetic field covering the chamber by magnetic lines of force it generates. The latticed partition has the form of a plurality of parallel vertically arranged plates secured in recesses of the chamber by horizontal pins for the plates to be capable of oscillating relative to these pins. The invention expands the field of application of the feeder, makes the feeder more reliable in operation, and improves the quality of the end product.

Abstract: A can vending apparatus with a hollow chute oriented at an angle with respect to the horizontal, an electrical control circuit, a first and a second mechanism, and an electrically operated horizontal sliding vending door. The two queuing mechanisms and the vending door are operated in sequence by the electrical control circuit. Products are permitted to slide down the hollow chute and are queued between the two queuing mechanisms. The products are permitted to enter the vending area, one at a time, on top of the sliding door under the control of the electrical circuit. At selected intervals of time the vending door is retracted by the electrical control circuit to dispense the product to be vended.

Abstract: A planter apparatus for attachment to a tractor or other draft vehicle and having a pair of vertically disposed interconnected pivoting frames. Front and rear ground engaging wheels are mounted along the longitudinal axis of the lower frame, and a pair of transversely disposed discs are mounted therebetween along the axis and for forming an incision in the ground. A chain and belt drive from the front wheel actuates a rotating seed discharge mechanism in a housing mounted over the rear portion of the discs whereby seed is discharged into the incision. The rear wheel compacts the soil over the incision with the seed therein.