With Scraper Or Wiper For Or Carried By Discharge Assistant Patents (Class 222/342)
  • Patent number: 10575458
    Abstract: A spreader assembly to distribute materials on a ground surface, including a container to hold the materials, a frame affixed to the container, a beater assembly supported by the frame that receives the materials from the container and processes the materials to obtain processed materials, and a spinner assembly that receives the processed materials and expulses the processed materials from the frame onto the ground surface. The beater assembly includes a pair of rotating elements that blends the materials to produce the processed materials, and a deflector located between the pair of rotating elements configured to prevent the formation of agglomerates in the processed materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: KUHN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kody Habeck, Casey Fennell, John Williams
  • Patent number: 10299425
    Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Tim Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10165892
    Abstract: A portable storage and dispensing device for powder to be mixed with liquid is provided. The device, when actuated, dispenses measured powder portions from a reservoir of soluble powder and communicates those measured portions to a drinking vessel or container. The device includes a cannister having an interior cavity for positioning a powder reservoir which is adapted for dispensing with only one hand while gripping a central portion of the cannister. A dispensing end of the cannister is adapted to deposit the powder in small-mouthed containers and concurrently avoid spillage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Mark LaFosse
  • Patent number: 9566779
    Abstract: A paste supply apparatus includes a pot holding part that holds a paste pot that includes a tubular container which receives paste and is provided with a through hole in a bottom part of the tubular container and an inner lid movable inside the tubular container, in a posture in which the paste can be extruded downwardly from the through hole, an extrusion member configured to hold the inner lid of the paste pot held in the pot holding part, an inner lid holding part with which the inner lid is held in the extrusion member, an extrusion member elevation part that upwardly and downwardly moves the extrusion member, and a stopper with which the container upwardly moved together with the inner lid collides when the extrusion member holding the inner lid is pulled up by the extrusion member elevation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Uchida, Masaaki Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 9504343
    Abstract: A method for operating a feeding device, the feeding device including a feed arm operative to transfer food from a food compartment to a feed position, typically adjacent an individual. The method includes operating the feeding device in a predetermined pattern or sequence to retrieve food from the food compartment. The method uses multiple utensil pathways whereby the feeding device includes an initial utensil pattern or sequence and a subsequent pattern or sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: DESIN LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan P. Dekar
  • Patent number: 9393775
    Abstract: A screen printing machine includes a paste supply apparatus which supplies paste on a mask by using a paste pot including an inner lid movable in a container. The paste supply apparatus includes: a pot holder which holds the paste pot such that a through hole of the container faces downward; an ejecting member which abuts on the inner lid of the paste pot; an ejecting member lifting unit which presses down the ejecting member to eject the paste from the through hole; and a detector which detects a state in which the ejecting member reaches a predetermined press-down limit position in the container. After the detector detects the state in which the ejecting member reaches the press-down limit position in the container, the ejecting member lifting unit continues to press down the ejecting member to further eject the paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Uchida, Masaaki Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 9375914
    Abstract: A paste supply apparatus includes a plurality of paste pots each including a bottomed tubular container storing paste and a movable inner lid provided in the tubular container and having a through hole formed in a center portion thereof, and a pot holder which holds the paste pots so as to be horizontally arranged along an arrangement direction such that the through hole of each of the paste pots is directed downward and downward movement of the inner lid thereof is regulated. The paste supply apparatus further includes a pot holder moving device which moves the pot holder along the arrangement direction and selectively positions one of the plurality of paste pots at an ejection position, and a paste ejecting device which presses the tubular container of the paste pot positioned at the ejection position and which ejects the paste in the tubular container from the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kobayashi, Masayuki Mantani, Hideki Uchida, Minoru Murakami
  • Patent number: 9352547
    Abstract: A paste supply apparatus includes a plurality of paste pots each including a tubular container which stores paste and which includes a bottom portion provided with a through hole and a movable inner lid provided in the tubular container, and a pot holder which holds the paste pots so as to be horizontally arranged along an arrangement direction such that the through hole of each of the paste pots is directed downward and downward movement of the tubular container thereof is regulated. The paste supply apparatus further includes a pot holder moving device which moves the pot holder along the arrangement direction and selectively positions one of the plurality of paste pots at an ejection position, and a paste ejecting device which presses the inner lid of the paste pot positioned at the ejection position and which ejects the paste in the tubular container from the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kobayashi, Masayuki Mantani, Hideki Uchida, Minoru Murakami
  • Patent number: 8881955
    Abstract: An extrusion device for compound-containing containers, including a receiving chamber for the container, a piston rod which is displaceable relative to the receiving chamber and further including an extrusion mechanism having an advancing mechanism for advancing the piston rod. A wiper element is provided which has a wiper edge facing the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Strobel-Schmidt, Christian Hefele, Peter Ostermeier, Hans Peter Lederle
  • Publication number: 20140326758
    Abstract: A system and method of flavoring food, for example, snack food, is provided. The system may include a metering tray coupled to a frame. The metering tray may be configured to hold a food flavoring. A metering roller also may be coupled to the frame. An exterior axial surface of the metering roller may define a plurality of indentations, which may be configured to capture the food flavoring as the metering roller rotates. The system may also include a metering blade configured to level the food flavoring as the food flavoring is dispensed by the plurality of indentations of the metering roller as the metering roller rotates. The system also may include a displacement blade having a plurality of teeth that are configured to correspond to the plurality of indentations. The teeth may be configured to positively displace the food flavoring as the metering roller rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Jose A. Villarreal
  • Patent number: 8833610
    Abstract: A device is provided for successively melting a solid working material, such as a hot melt adhesive, packed in a packaging bag, and for pressing the molten working material out of the packaging bag. The device includes a cylindrical receiving chamber provided with at least one outlet opening at the end for receiving the packaging bag filled with the working material and having a front end and a back end. At least one heating element (30) is positioned in the region of the at least one outlet opening for melting the working material at the front-end of the packaging bag, which has a discharge opening for the molten working material. A pressing device with a pressing plunger can be displaced within the receiving chamber and acts on the back end of the packaging bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Rothen
  • Patent number: 8800825
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide a specific volumetric output (e.g., product feed and discharge) of a material. In some implementations, these systems and methods are particularly suited for use with strand-type materials, namely, materials having difficult handling characteristics. For some implementations, a specific pile depth and width of a material is created on a moving belt to provide a specific volumetric output based on the speed of the belt. One or more leveling drums can be used to make the pile depth consistent. Moreover, a weighing system can be provided that is used in combination with the metering mechanism and other components (e.g., a control system) to create a “weight-loss” type weigh feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Acrison, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J Ricciardi, Sr., Paul Matarazzo, Marc S. Landry
  • Publication number: 20130291738
    Abstract: The invention concerns a container (1) for storing and dispensing a flowable product comprising a tank (2) and a dispensing closure for dispensing the product from the tank comprising disc member (3, 4) with apertures (31, 41) therein, one of the disc (4) being rotatable and susceptible to cooperate with a rotatable shaft. The invention also concerns a machine susceptible to be fed with a flowable product stored in such a container, said machine comprising disc members (8, 9) with apertures (81, 91) therein, one of the disc (9) being rotatable and cooperating with a rotatable shaft (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Karine Laithier, Alain Contal, Thierry Jean Robert Fabozzi, Zenon Ioannis Mandralis, Lucio Scorrano
  • Patent number: 8499973
    Abstract: This invention provides a deformable dispensing tube (1) with an internal device (8). The device is contained within the deformable dispensing tube but is a separate physical entity to the deformable dispensing tube and has the ability to move within the deformable dispensing tube. The object of the device is to aid the dispensing of part or all of the contents (16) of the deformable dispensing tube by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: William A. Bell, Jonathan Francis Jones
  • Patent number: 8496140
    Abstract: A piston wiper plate for a pressing unit for melting systems for bags includes a single-piece wiper plate having an axial upper side and an axial bottom side made of elastically resilient material, and a radially outer wiper edge that surrounds the periphery in the relaxed state. The sealing and sliding properties thereof remain within a predetermined range even when the temperatures fluctuate more drastically in that in the wiper plate includes at least one recess that is inserted in the axial upper side and/or in the axial bottom side and/or between the axial upper and bottom sides thereof and that allows for at least a radial compression of the wiper plate. At least one expandable restoring element can be inserted into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Rothen
  • Patent number: 8439236
    Abstract: A bridge breaker includes a casing and an inner ring. Balls are provided between the casing and the inner ring for rotatably supporting the inner ring, without independent ball bearings, so as to make for easy and cost-effective machining. Seal rings having a square shape section are laid on same horizontal level surfaces of the casing and the inner ring, and are depressed by air pressure for preventing powder from entering into the device and to avoid frequent exchange of packing. A blade having a shaft is fixed to the inner ring through a hole of the inner ring, to prevent problems caused by looseness or releasing of connecting bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Shuichi Okabe
  • Patent number: 8403188
    Abstract: A dosing device for powder has an inlet and an outlet for powder. A dosing disc rotatable from inlet to outlet has a dosing area of sintered material, which is provided with cavities for the volumetric dosing of the powder. A dosing body having open dosing cavities is provided which is movable from the inlet and outlet. By changing the speed of rotation of the dosing disc the quantity of powder to be discharged can be set in a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Platsch GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans G. Platsch
  • Patent number: 8387627
    Abstract: A compact powder case includes a top case, a bottom case coupled to the top case to open and close the compact powder case, a mid case housed in the bottom case, a lifter disk coupled to the bottom case by a spring supporting the lifter disk elastically, a container to contain a content, the container detachably attached to the lifter disk, and a grinding member rotatably positioned on the top of the mid case, the grinding member including a grinding cap and a grinding insert coupled to the grinding cap, the grinding insert having an aperture to discharge ground content upwardly and a blade disposed at a lower portion of the aperture to grind the content when the grinding insert rotates, wherein the grinding insert rotates along with the grinding cap and against the container when a user rotates the grinding cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Elcos America, Inc.
    Inventor: O Sin Yeom
  • Patent number: 8245883
    Abstract: A dispensing head for a powder or paste dosage material has a housing with an outlet opening, a bearing- and passage area, and at least one socket connected to a source container. A feeder chute is formed inside the housing. A closure shaft is in the bearing- and passage area, free to rotate about and to slide along its central longitudinal axis. The closure shaft is connected to a closure element arranged near the outlet opening. Moving the closure shaft in the axial direction controls the volume flow of the dosage material through the outlet opening. A limit stop restricts the displacement of the closure shaft along its central longitudinal axis. In the feeder chute, an opposing stop defines the closed position where the limit stop rests in direct contact against the opposing stop and the outlet opening is closed off by the closure portion of the closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar, Marc Zehnder
  • Patent number: 8235257
    Abstract: A food storage container with emptying mechanism is described. The emptying mechanism includes a platform that may be raised within the container to advance food product toward the container opening. The platform is raised by actuation of a turn wheel at the bottom outer surface of the container. Existing containers may be retrofitted to incorporate the emptying mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Deevin Stanley Avairis
  • Patent number: 8066154
    Abstract: A device that provides better movement of semi solid materials such as but not limited to food products for metered dispensing. The device is able to take bulk semi solid material, entrain or draw the material into the device and add pressure to the semi solid material so that the semi solid material may be passed thru a nozzle or controlled discharge metering device or orifice. The rollers have circumferential grooved profiles and scrapers that are able to actively remove the semi-solid materials from the grooved profiles. The emitted semi solid material can then be more accurately applied or portioned in a metered fashion. Typical applications include but are certainly not limited to the production of cookies from bulk dough, the application of icing to a cake base/body/top or perimeter, metering of dough for bread or rolls so as to allow for a cutting device to cut off into uniform pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Norman Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7886938
    Abstract: A powder and granular material feeder constantly feeding powder and granular material with poor fluidity that is discharged to an annular passage between inner and outer tubes through a clearance between a lower end of the inner tube and a bottom plate from a fall opening, outside of the feeder, by scraping plates immediately below the fall opening. The fall opening has an arcuate configuration starting on an outer side of the outer tube to the inner tube or to an inner side of the inner tube. The scraping plates are located on a small cylinder around the center of curvature. The scraping plates and spokes rotate in opposite directions from each other at a portion of the fall opening, and the powder and granular material transferred by the spokes and inward claws into the fall opening is discharged in a direction opposite to the feeding direction and leveled by an lower edge of the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Yoshikawa Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7882987
    Abstract: A kitchen dispenser for storing and dispensing dry goods is provided. The dispenser includes a canister having a front portion, a back portion and a lid repeatably and releasably coupled together. An open space is defined between the front portion, rear portion and lid. The dispenser includes an aperture in a bottom side of the front portion and a movable dispensing mechanism coupled to the bottom portion of the canister. The dispensing mechanism includes a variable measurement device corresponding to the aperture in the bottom side of the front portion, the dispensing mechanism moveable between a dispensing position and a filling position. The kitchen dispenser further includes a scraper plate coupled to the bottom side of the front portion, the scraper plate in contact with a top side of the dispensing mechanism during movement between filling and dispensing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Steven Sholem
  • Publication number: 20100308080
    Abstract: A piston wiper plate for a pressing unit for melting systems for bags includes a single-piece wiper plate having an axial upper side and an axial bottom side made of elastically resilient material, and a radially outer wiper edge that surrounds the periphery in the relaxed state. The sealing and sliding properties thereof remain within a predetermined range even when the temperatures fluctuate more drastically in that in the wiper plate includes at least one recess that is inserted in the axial upper side and/or in the axial bottom side and/or between the axial upper and bottom sides thereof and that allows for at least a radial compression of the wiper plate. At least one expandable restoring element can be inserted into the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: INATEC GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Rothen
  • Patent number: 7775407
    Abstract: The contents extractor for jars is a device that is inserted into a food jar or household container. The extractor has a handle with an actuator that the operator squeezes; an elongated mechanized shaft that transmits movement from the actuator; and, a flexible material that retracts and transforms into a 360° disk shape to the inner surfaces of container. When the extractor is inserted into the jar and retracted, the operator pulls the entire device upward out of the container, thus removing the residue remaining. The extractor allows the consumer to use more of the product than would otherwise be possible, thereby saving money for the consumer and reducing resources used to make the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph L. Dyer
  • Patent number: 7703639
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a granular product. The system includes a refillable, sealable receptacle, having a neck at its lower end, a rotatable and flexible impeller within the neck, with the shape and size of the impeller conforming generally to the shape and size of the neck, providing sealing for maintaining the freshness of the granular product. Preferably the impeller comprises a hollow central core, and a shaft extends through the hollow core into at least one through-hole formed in the neck. A handle is present for turning the shaft to rotate the impeller. A base is provided with a retaining arm for removably receiving the receptacle. The system is capable of easy disassembly for cleaning, by removal of the receptacle and impeller from within the receptacle. Also provided is a multi-system for dispensing a plurality of products; having several receptacles and associated dispensing mechanisms mounted on a single support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Ofer Landau, Gil Gold, Tamir Levy
  • Publication number: 20090224003
    Abstract: A kitchen dispenser for storing and dispensing dry goods is provided. The dispenser includes a canister having a front portion, a back portion and a lid repeatably and releasably coupled together. An open space is defined between the front portion, rear portion and lid. The dispenser includes an aperture in a bottom side of the front portion and a movable dispensing mechanism coupled to the bottom portion of the canister. The dispensing mechanism includes a variable measurement device corresponding to the aperture in the bottom side of the front portion, the dispensing mechanism moveable between a dispensing position and a filling position. The kitchen dispenser further includes a scraper plate coupled to the bottom side of the front portion, the scraper plate in contact with a top side of the dispensing mechanism during movement between filling and dispensing positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Steven Sholem
  • Publication number: 20080223209
    Abstract: A syringe for syringe pumps or like instruments is disclosed, having a modified plunger disposed with a barrel wiper for enhancing seal life of the syringe. The syringe comprises a cylindrical barrel that is slideably engaged to a plunger via a seal. The syringe barrel wiper provides for enhanced seal life by extended controlled lubrication to inhibit debris adherence and reduced seal friction by wiping the inside of the barrel to remove debris buildup and egress of debris. The wiper comprises a lubricant-permeated porous polymer material shaped as a cylindrical tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: TRICONTINENT SCIENTIFIC
    Inventor: Harry F. Slater
  • Publication number: 20080135582
    Abstract: A device that provides better movement of semi solid materials such as but not limited to food products for metered dispensing. The device is able to take bulk semi solid material, entrain or draw the material into the device and add pressure to the semi solid material so that the semi solid material may be passed thru a nozzle or controlled discharge metering device or orifice. The rollers have circumferential grooved profiles and scrapers that are able to actively remove the semi-solid materials from the grooved profiles. The emitted semi solid material can then be more accurately applied or portioned in a metered fashion. Typical applications include but are certainly not limited to the production of cookies from bulk dough, the application of icing to a cake base/body/top or perimeter, metering of dough for bread or rolls so as to allow for a cutting device to cut off into uniform pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Norman G. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20040195270
    Abstract: A horizontal bulk material container has a cylindrical shell having a horizontal axis. Disposed within the shell intermediate the end walls thereof is a bulkhead follower. In one embodiment, a manhole is located at each end of the shell to provide access to the shell. The bulkhead follower has a cylindrical cross-sectional area slightly less in diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical cross-sectional area of the shell. The forward end surface of the bulkhead follower has a convex configuration conforming to the concave contour of the forward end wall of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Clarence B. Coleman
  • Patent number: 6578743
    Abstract: A dosing device including a hopper (1) having an outlet opening which is closed by two spherical cap halves (3, 4), which can be pivoted in opposite directions. The pivoting movement is effected by two arms (5, 6) pivoted about a common pivot pin (8). The spherical cap halves (3, 4) can be pivoted by a rod assembly (18, 19, 22, 23) including a vertically mobile plunger (14). To prevent the bulk goods bridging, a rotating loosening and scraping device (30) is provided, the base (31) of which reaches close to the outlet opening. With the dosing device, both large and small quantities of bulk goods can be discharged in accurate doses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Legno AG
    Inventor: Theodor Kokeisl
  • Patent number: 6523726
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a particulate material. There is a drum having a peripheral surface and a central axis which is rotatable about its central axis. There is a first particulate material retaining wall which has an inner and outer edge. This wall is positioned such that said outer edge is remote from the peripheral surface of the drum and the inner edge is adjacent the peripheral surface of the drum. The inner edge is moveable from said peripheral surface of said drum. A second particulate material retaining wall having an inner and outer end and positioned such that said outer end is remote from the peripheral surface of the drum and the outer end is remote from the peripheral surface with the drum. The first particulate retaining wall is preferably spaced from the peripheral surface of the drum by a distance which corresponds to the angle of repose of the particulate material being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Imperial Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Tschantz
  • Patent number: 6439436
    Abstract: A grain storage bin has a circular bin floor structure and a cylindrical bin wall upstanding from the floor. A bin aeration system includes a perforated air discharge tube mounted diametrically across the bin supported on a frame above the floor from one side with an air supply duct for supplying air from a fan through the wall. The floor structure is divided diametrically into two separate half sections. A rectangular discharge duct extends from a feed opening at a center of the bin horizontally under the horizontal support surface to a discharge outside the wall of the bin with a belt having parallel runs along the duct, a first opening at the center of the bin and a second opening adjacent the wall so that the material within the bin can fall onto the upper run of the belt to be carried to the side for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventors: Richard J. Epp, Dwayne S. Epp
  • Patent number: 6416261
    Abstract: A rotary plate feeder valve for use in pressurized pneumatic conveying systems. The valve comprises a rotary plate that is fed from a central inlet and has one or more discharge outlets. Material transfer is controlled by rotary plate speed, depth of deposit of material from the inlet onto the rotary plate, and by plows that move in or out along the rotary plate thus plowing material from the plate into an associated discharge port. Due to high clearances within the valve, the valve may be used with abrasive materials, delicate materials and foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Albert Ray Martin
  • Patent number: 6349852
    Abstract: A cold beverage dispensing system for chilling a beverage such that at least a portion of the beverage includes a frozen component. The system includes a beverage hopper or tank for retaining a quantity of beverage and a chilling assembly communicating with the beverage hopper for chilling the beverage. The system also includes a beverage detector having a conductive probe carried on and extending into the beverage hopper for detecting the condition of either the presence or absence of a beverage at a predetermined level in the beverage hopper and generating a refill control signal corresponding to the condition detected. A refill assembly communicates with the beverage hopper for controllably providing refill beverage to the beverage hopper. A controller is coupled to the refill assembly and the beverage detector for operating the refill assembly in response to the refill control signal to maintain the beverage in the beverage hopper at the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F Ford
  • Patent number: 6293438
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing materials, and in particular, granular chemical agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. The device has a metering system for dispensing the material including a rotatable apertured disk for metering material from a product container and dispensing the material in controlled metered quantities. The metering disk is removable from its operating position within the dispensing device for inspection, repair or replacement purposes, without disassembling the overall apparatus, and a guide is provided for returning the metering disk to its operating position within the dispensing device. The apertures in the metering disk are oriented so that each aperture partially overlaps each adjacent aperture to result in continuous flow of the metered material through the metering disk as it rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventor: Keith F. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6158625
    Abstract: An anti-clog pump sprayer has a cover mounted for independent reciprocation on a plunger head, the cover having a cupped spring biased portion covering the discharge orifice on the head to avoid clogging on product drying, and being lifted off the orifice during the relative shift for uncovering the orifice in readiness for spraying. The sprayer may also have a product retraction device on the plunger head in communication with the discharge orifice, a projection on the underside of the cover top wall for actuating the device at the commencement of the plunger return stroke for creating a slight sub-atmospheric pressure for suctioning any residual product inwardly of the orifice to thereby avoid clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Calmar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Siegel, Tanny Li
  • Patent number: 6152334
    Abstract: An arrangement for emptying a bag like envelope containing a pasty liquid consists substantially of a rigid housing for the envelope and an axially movable piston for compressing the envelope and for discharging the liquid through a discharge opening in the housing. The piston comprises on its outer edge at least one scraping element which is movable between an insertion position, and a scraping position. In the insertion position, the scraping edge of the scraping element is spaced from the inner surface of the housing. In the scraping position, the scraping edge is pressed against the inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Sicpa Holdings S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Liardon, Jean-Pierre Sanga
  • Patent number: 6006954
    Abstract: A metering valve for use with a pressurized dispensing container includes a valve stem (1) co-axially slidable within a valve member (2) defining an annular metering chamber (13). The valve stem (1) is provided with a wiper (30) extending radially therefrom to contact an inner surface of the valve member (2) such that, in use, as the valve stem (1) slides axially within the valve member (2), the wiper (30) scrapes the inner surface to remove solid matter disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bespak plc
    Inventor: Richard John Warby
  • Patent number: 5958136
    Abstract: A device for powdering a product arranged on a transport, in particular for powdering new strip-shaped or plate-shaped glass by means of at least one application beam overhanging the transport, the application beam having a storage space supplied with a discharge slot on its bottom along the entire length of the beam and a feed device assigned to it, containing at least one driven roller. Loss of powder can be avoided and a clean operation can be achieved; by supplying several cover hoods near at least one lateral end of the roller, arranged next to each other, each being assigned to a narrow zone of the roller which cover hoods can alternatively be brought in cover position in which the circumference of the roller assigned to the discharge slot is covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Grafotec Kotterer Dry Spray GmbH
    Inventors: Werner J. Kotterer, Reinhold Senft
  • Patent number: 5957338
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refillable container that implements the first-in/first-out principle for highly viscous media, with an interior chamber delimited by a bottom and side walls and with a removal channel formed in the bottom of the container and with a follower plate placed loosely in the interior of the container, said plate sealing off the interior chamber and being sealed off from the side walls of the container, said plate further being movable upward or downward under the influence of pressure in the interior of the container, with a filling chamber for the medium being capable of being isolated from the interior chamber between the follower plate and the bottom of the container, and with a filling channel for loading the medium into the filling chamber and with a vent channel for venting the filling chamber running through the follower plate, and with the filling channel and air supply channel each being connectable with a line brought out of the container and being sealable as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Intec Bielenberg GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Manfred Lehmann
  • Patent number: 5927558
    Abstract: A granular material dispensing apparatus including an upper hopper to hold a quantity of granular material; the upper hopper having an upper face forming a upper funnel and having an upper hopper outlet to allow granular material to pass therethrough; a lower hopper having an upper face forming a lower funnel and having a lower hopper outlet to allow granular material to pass therethrough; a wiper plate positioned between the upper hopper and the lower hopper; the wiper plate having a wiper plate outlet to allow granular material to pass therethrough from the upper hopper outlet, and having a lower face surface with a planar portion surrounding the wiper plate outlet; and an impeller mounted beneath the wiper plate outlet and rotatably movable between a first position and a second position; the impeller including at least a spaced pair of fins forming a pocket therebetween to receive a quantity of granular material from the wiper plate outlet when the impeller is in the first position and to transfer the quan
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Floyd Bruce
  • Patent number: 5705776
    Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a softened solid rapidly and precisely, wherein no excessive force is exerted on, and no shock is given to, the load cell. The apparatus has a simplified structure including 1/4 cylindrical weighing containers so that the apparatus is easy to disassemble and clean.The inventive apparatus comprises a load cell for transmitting signals; a pair of weighing containers each having a cross-section of approximately 1/4 of a cylinder, arranged closely, and installed on the load cell rotatably around center axis of rotation; a scraping member installed closely to the inner surface of the weighing containers; and a driving unit, which is not connected to said load cell, for opening and closing the weighing containers by reversely rotating them around their axes. This apparatus for weighing a softened solid discharges the weighed substance as it is scraped from the sides of the containers by the scraping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignees: House Foods Corporation, Yamato Scale Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizobuchi, Hitoshi Iwata, Yoshitaka Mikata, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5542582
    Abstract: A dispensing system for particulate matter is disclosed comprising a primary receptacle, a guide member, a sliding tube, and a valve member. The primary receptacle receives particulate material and has an open end, an opposed bottom, and a surrounding wall. The guide member is fixed to the bottom of the primary receptacle and defines a supporting aperture and an associated axis approximately normal to the bottom. The sliding tube is slidably disposed within the supporting aperture of the guide member. The sliding tube is characterized by a longitudinal feed passage therethrough substantially parallel to the axis. The sliding tube has a travel limit restricting its axial translation relative to the guide member between a first position and a second position. The valve member is mounted inside the primary receptacle over the guide member. The valve member has bristles disposed over and operably blocking the supporting aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Robert M. Ligon, Thomas B. Carter
  • Patent number: 5516011
    Abstract: A roller dispenser includes a pair of counter-rotating cylindrical grid die rolls disposed adjacent a bottom opening in a hopper containing material to be dispensed. The grid die rolls have openings therein which assist in separating the material within the hopper prior to depositing the material on receiving articles or products passing therebeneath. Within the grid die rolls are shields or deflector plates which prevent the material entering the grid die rolls through openings in the upper surface of the grid die rolls from completely filling up the interior of the grid die rolls. Pin rolls within the grid die rolls push the material beneath the shields or deflector plates out through openings in the lower surface of the grid die rolls, making the grid die rolls self cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Christy Machine Company
    Inventor: Randy L. Fielding
  • Patent number: 5454524
    Abstract: A disc feeder for delivering material in controlled amounts to utilization equipment. The disc which carries material to a material discharge opening is disposed at an angle to the horizontal and the shearing baffle which controls the amount of material carried to the material discharge opening is movable from its position during normal operation to a position remote from the disc, whereby during unloading of the storage hopper the material discharges freely and quickly to a storage container. A control valve selectively directs material to one delivery conduit which leads to the utilization equipment and a second delivery conduit which leads to the storage container. The apparatus has an interlock mechanism which prevents moving the shearing baffle while material is being conducted to the utilization equipment and prevents moving the control valve to direct material to the utilization equipment while the shearing baffle is at its remote position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bullivant, Ingo G. Holzmann, Roland Koetter
  • Patent number: 5450986
    Abstract: A powder dye extraction apparatus has an extraction screw with a hollow shaft which receives a push rod. A dye discharge door in the form of a perforated plate is mounted on the end of the screw and delivers powdered dye as the screw is rotated. A scraper is mounted externally of the aperture plate and rotates with the screw to pulverize the powdered dye as it is discharged. An end of the push rod extends out of the screw and carries a lid which is retractable over the aperture plate and scraper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Color Service SRL
    Inventors: Fabrizio Toschi, Massimo Meneghini
  • Patent number: 5394747
    Abstract: As a particularly simple and compact metering apparatus for the continuous gravimetric metering of pourable material it is suggested to form a rotor (5) driven about a vertical rotational axis (4) and supported about a horizontal pivot axis (7) as a disk-type smooth-plane measuring disk and to arrange in the discharge region (6) a stripping-off element (10) extending over the radius of the measuring disk (9). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the pivot axis (7) extends - seen in plan view - centrally through the charge tunnel (3) and the stripping-off element (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Pfister GmbH
    Inventor: Hans W. Hafner
  • Patent number: 5386943
    Abstract: An agricultural implement especially designed to distribute liquid, semi-liquid and solid forms of manure to a field. The manure spreader includes a V-shaped tank and two troughs below the tank. Each trough has an auger disposed in it. Wiper bars are provided to prevent build up of manure on the auger blades. An internal beater breaks up any manure that has bridged over the augers. An external beater, spaced apart from the rear of the tank is adapted to distribute the various forms of manure. A receiver conveys the manure from the troughs to the external beater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: H & S Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Peeters
  • Patent number: 5314090
    Abstract: An improved powder feeder having a hopper with an opening in its bottom. A resiliently deformable element is positioned in the opening of the hopper. The element has a flexible exterior dimension and is suitably positioned in relation to the opening to prevent the free flow of material through the opening. The element is mounted on an axle having an axis of rotation. The element is capable of carrying a metered volume of material through the opening as it is rotated. The axle is connected to a variable speed motor. As the element turns, the material flows into the element and moves through the hopper opening in precisely metered amounts relative to the volume and the speed of rotation of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Terronics Development Corporation
    Inventor: George R. Alexander