Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a grain drill or similar seeding implement includes a plurality of transversely spaced seed meters having fluted feed wheels fixed to and transversely movable with a drive shaft which is controlled by an actuator to vary seeding rate in response to an indication provided by a sensor or sensors associated with one or more of the meters. An electronic controller includes a desired seeding rate input and provides an indication of the actual seeding rate. In one embodiment of the invention, an error signal indicative of the difference between the actual and desired seeding rates is utilized in a closed-loop system to move the shaft to automatically maintain the desired seeding rate. In a wider implement with more than one shaft, a switching circuit is utilized to permit a single control circuit to provide individual section seeding rates and to automatically operate the actuator associated with the given drive shaft in accordance with the error signal.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a particulate chemical meter for use in a planter includes an axially and rotationally moveable shaft having a coupler on a first end and a knob on a second end thereof. The clutch shaft is inserted through and coupled to a chain-driven sprocket and sprocket sleeve combination. A coiled spring disposed about the shaft urges the shaft toward and in engagement with a dispensing rotor of the chemical meter for dispensing an insecticide or herbicide. Rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a roll pin inserted through the shaft of the clutch to ride up a cam surface disposed on an end of the sprocket sleeve for axially displacing the clutch shaft and disconnecting it from the rotor. Further rotational displacement of the knob positions the shaft roll pin in a notch also disposed on the end of the sprocket sleeve for maintaining the clutch disengaged.

Abstract: A two-cylinder discharge for a storage silo for farinaceous bulk goods. The discharge includes a discharge hopper and at least two discharge cylinders which are supported so as to be rotatable in the discharge hopper. The two discharge cylinders include a plurality of discharge chambers arranged in a circumferential direction of the cylinders. A gap exists between the discharge chambers and guide walls of the silo.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding bulk material includes a rotor with a plurality of radially extending vanes which are supported on a hollow shaft and are provided with sealing strips at their end faces. Shiftable within the shaft is an adjusting bar with at least two axially spaced conical surfaces which cooperate with push rods having one end bearing against the conical surfaces and another end in force-locking connection with the sealing strips. The adjusting bar is acted upon by a force-applying unit which subjects the adjusting bar to a constant axial holding force which is independent of the axial displacement of the adjusting bar so that a sufficient contact pressure is continuously maintained by which the sealing strips are urged against the housing.

Abstract: An apportioning unit for the filling of food cans with a viscous, pasty or lumpy material, having at least one cylinder unit which is moved past a sealing plate, a lower part which is developed with a first passage hole for the filling material and is provided with an annular key arranged concentrically to the first passage hole, and an upper part which bears the sealing plate and is developed with a second passage hole for the filling material. The upper part has an annular groove which receives the annular key and is arranged concentrically to the second passage hole. The depth of the annular groove is greater than the height of the annular key and the annular groove receives an elastic annular tube.

Abstract: A system for handling particulate material includes a rotary valve for feeding material from a holding device to a receiving device. The rotary valve includes a slide valve that is electrically controlled in response to sensed conditions in the handling system.

Abstract: A rotary valve and associated method of cleaning, including a generally cylindrical housing (104) defining a central axis, and a rotatable shaft (106) mounted in a first end plate (130) of the housing for rotation by a drive system (108) operating adjacent the first end plate. A vane rotor (102) is connectable to the shaft in an operating position entirely within the housing for transmitting the rotation of the shaft about the axis to the vanes (140) of the rotor. The rotor is selectively axially displaceable relative to the shaft, into a cleaning position entirely outside the housing. This is facilitated by the mounting of the rotor to the other, second end plate (110), such that the disassembly of the second end plate from the housing and the axial displacement thereof away from the first end plate, also displaces the rotor.

Abstract: A metering dispensing cap is used in conjunction with an open-mouth container of granular food product, such as coffee, sugar or the like, and includes a hollow tubular body mounted in the cap to have its longitudinal axis located above and essentially parallel to a plane containing the open mouth of the container. An operating handle is mounted on the hollow body, and the body includes a transfer opening leading into the interior of the body, with the transfer opening being moved from a position to receive product from the container to a position to dispense that product via a product dispensing opening defined in the cap when the body is rotated about its longitudinal axis. A second embodiment of the device includes a locking feature which requires several different movements to operate the device whereby a child-proof feature is added.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying and dosing a loose filling material comprises a dosing wheel rotatable in a predetermined direction and having a plurality of dosing chambers movable along a movement path, forming a filling chamber arranged above the movement path of the dosing chamber and limited from below by the dosing wheel and in the direction of rotation by an end wall having a lower edge, a stripper arranged in the region of the lower edge and abutting against the dosing wheel. Means is provided for substantially maintaining a constant filling pressure over a whole opening cross-section of the filling chamber, the maintaining means including a plurality of members having a stepped configuration and disposed on the end wall of the filling chamber, the members being varied in height in response to variations of filling pressure of the filling chamber, so that the filling pressure substantially remains constant by varying the volume of the filling chamber.

Abstract: A metering device for measuring bulk particulate material, such as feed, includes a hollow casing having a paddle gate positioned therein. Rotation of the paddle gate dispenses a predetermined weight of particulate material into the outlet port of the device. A monitoring mechanism monitors the back up of dispensed material in the outlet port stopping the flow of material into the metering device should the backed up material reach a predetermined level, thus avoiding jamming of the paddle gate.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus, especially intended for particulate pet food, comprising a hopper having a metering chamber thereunder. The metering chamber has a tumbler rotatable by a motor and controlled by a control means. The tumbler has a longitudinal cavity to receive and dispense pet food and is journalled to the metering chamber with a flap bearing resiliently on it. The tumbler has a plurality of spaced apart fins radiating from it to prevent accumulation of dust and to inhibit jamming of the mechanism. The tumbler is also easily removable for cleaning. Also disclosed are food and water containers.

Abstract: A metering and dispensing cap for use with material containers such as spice jars is disclosed. The cap has a housing that extends horizontally across the mouth of the jar and provides a rectangular outer aperture spaced apart from an aperture that communicates with the interior of the jar. A metering rotor having a plurality of compartments of equal volume spaced around its circumference is provided in the housing between the two apertures. Upon turning the rotor, the compartments are sequentially filled by exposure to the contents of an inverted jar and emptied when aligned with the external aperture. The compartments are defined by axially extending, spaced-apart blades on the rotor. Wiping action to obtain precise metering is obtained by movement of the blades past a curved surface of the housing in slight spaced-apart relation. Amounts of dispensed material are obtainable in multiples of the amount contained in one comparment. A detent mechanism enables control and sensing of the amount dispensed.

Abstract: A rotary feeder includes a housing in which a rotary member is supported between two lateral bearing caps, with one journal fixedly supported in one bearing cap and the other journal loosely supported in the other bearing cap. For facilitating maintenance and cleaning of the rotary feeder, a carriage is securely mounted to the one bearing cap accommodating the fixed bearing. The carriage is movable and suitably guided in axial direction of the rotary member by at least the axial length of the rotary member so as to allow removal and return of the rotary member from and back into the housing in an accurate and safe manner.

Abstract: A rotary feeder includes a housing which accommodates a rotor extending between two lateral disk members. Bearing against the peripheral area of each disk member is a slide ring which is acted upon by a pressure fluid with a constant holding force by which the slide ring is pressed against the associated disk member. Thus, the axial sealing of the rotor within the housing is independent of the wear of the slide ring. In addition to the holding pressure, the slide rings may also be subjected to a momentary displacement force which exceeds the holding force and ensures that the slide rings overcome frictional forces in the area of their guides.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering product into a feed tube including a tip over drum which has a tray supported between two side walls. The tray has a convex hump near the axis of rotation for dividing product fed by a gravitational feed into two portions.

Abstract: A metering device for seed having a housing (7), a rotary metering member (27) that is rotatably mounted on a shaft 32 in open slots (25, 26) in a pair of side walls (8, 9) of the housing with the axis of rotation of the shaft extending transversely to the side walls. The rotary metering member and shaft are removable from the housing through the slots in a direction extending laterally of the axis of rotation and a closure member (36) is provided which is pivotally connected to the housing so as to extend across and close the ends of the slots (25, 26), thus retaining the rotary metering member (27) in position. Removal of the rotary metering member is therefore simply achieved by releasing the closure member pivotting it away from the housing and withdrawing the metering member and shaft laterally through the now open ends of the slots.

Abstract: Dry toner removable developing cartridge of the disposable type, for electrophotographic printers, comprising a photoconductive drum, a donor sleeve contacting the photoconductive drum and partially housed in a developing tank having a stirrer for the developing material contained therein, the donor sleeve conveying to the photoconductive drum a predetermined amount of developing material, and a cylindrical reservoir, in communication with the development tank through a peripheral arc and containing radial diaphragms supported by a rotatable control shaft, which diaphragms define in the cylindrical reservoir a plurality of compartments in form of cylindrical sectors, filled with developing material, the sectors being sequentially brought into communication with the developing tank by rotation of the shaft and sequentially feeding the developing tank with developing material dropped from the compartments.

Abstract: A rotary feeder includes a housing which accommodates a rotor including a plurality of vanes supported on a shaft. The rotary feeder is sealed in axial direction by slide rings which are acted upon by a pressure fluid and in radial direction by displaceable sealing strips which are contained in the peripheral end face of the vanes. The required contact pressure in axial direction as well as in radial direction is provided by a pressure fluid source which acts upon the annular piston-type slide rings. Each slide ring is pressed against a slide disk which is part of a lateral disk member of the rotor and is rotatable in circumferential direction to the slide disk. Each slide disk is provided in circumferential direction with slant grooves which are engaged by retaining bolts of a sealing strip unit contained in the peripheral end face of each vane and providing the radial sealing of the rotor vanes.

Abstract: Injection mechanism for powder and the like comprising a movable disc (II) with a number of throughholes (6) and two stationary members (I, III), each having a number of openings (1,2 and 3, 4, 5) communicating with a powder supply, a propellant gas source and a powder receiving unit, respectively, wherein the two faces of the disc each faces a closely mating face of each of the members and wherein in defined relative positions holes (6) at the disc (II) are in alignment with openings (1-5) in the members (I, III). The surfaces of the stationary members (I, III) presented spaced apart depressions (7) communicating with an adjustable pressure oil source and an adjustable spring action device acts against the members with opposite direction.

Abstract: A rotary feeder having a cylindrical casing having an upper inlet port and a lower outlet port in the vertical direction and a rotor disposed within said cylindrical casing and having a center axis being made eccentric with respect to a horizontal rotor driving shaft supported pivotally on the cylindrical casing, the rotor having further a plurality of blades provided in such that each tip of said blades is able to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical casing in the vicinity of said upper inlet port or lower outlet port by pressure differential between an upstream passage and a downstream passage.

Abstract: A vending machine comprises a substantially enclosed housing which has an upper, a lower, and a front portion and an internal heating apparatus. The machine has an upper reservoir within the upper portion of the housing which contains a large quantity of peanuts. An actuator has a coin responsive proximal portion which extends outside of the front of the housing and has a distal portion within the housing, which segregates a desired relatively small quantity of peanuts from the upper reservoir. A lower reservoir is enclosed within the housing which receives the small quantity of segregated peanuts from the actuator. A heating source is positioned above the lower reservoir which heats the segregated peanuts located within the lower reservoir. The lower reservoir is then pivoted which dispenses the heated peanuts from the lower reservoir to an exterior outlet from the front of the housing.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a canister type of measuring and dispensing device featuring interchangeable canister sections and drawers and including a mixing lever in rotational engagement with a drawer holder wherein the drawers are removable from the drawer holder through an opening in the dispenser housing to provide an overall device which may be adapted to store nearly any quantity of granular material and to dispense the granular material from removable drawers having different dispensing dimensions.

Abstract: A machine for transferring metered quantities of flowable materials, such as yoghurt, between a source and successive receptacles on a conveyor has a housing with an inlet in register with the source and an outlet in register with successive empty receptacles on the conveyor, and a metering device which is rotatably mounted in the housing and has an internal chamber as well as an opening which communicates with the chamber and registers with the inlet in a first angular position of the metering device and with the outlet in a second angular position of the metering device. The opening is provided in or close to one end portion of the metering device and the other end portion of the metering device extends from the housing and can be indexed between the first and second positions by a mechanism including a driving unit and a torque transmitting sleeve between the driving unit and the other end portion of the metering device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding particulate material from a hopper into a process stream at a controlled flow rate. A rotating wheel with spaced apart pockets is vibrated to densify the particulate material in the pockets. A stator contacts and covers a portion of the upper surface of the wheel and has a transfer station connected to discharge particular into the process stream. The wheel is driven in rotation at a controlled rate to control the particulate flow rate into the process stream. A conveying gas supply projects a jet of gas into the pockets for removing the particulate material and conveying it into the process stream. An aerating gas supply directs an upward flow of gas from the periphery of the wheel, through the particulate material being supplied to the wheel to fluidize the particulate material supplied to the wheel.

Abstract: In a rotary valve assembly including a housing having a valve chamber and a removable cover member defining an end wall of the chamber, a drive shaft journaled in the housing and having an end portion projecting into the valve chamber and a rotary valve disposed in the valve chamber and slidably mounted on the drive shaft end portion whereby the rotary valve may be removed from the housing by removing the cover member and sliding the rotary valve off of the drive shaft end portion and passing it through the opening provided by the removal of the cover member, means for detachably securing the rotary valve on the drive shaft end portion generally consisting of the drive shaft having an opening therein, the rotary valve having an opening therein registrable with the drive shaft opening, a pin inserted in the rotary valve and drive shaft openings when the openings are in registry, and cooperative means disposed on the pin and one of the drive shaft and the rotary valve for yieldably retaining the pin in the open

Abstract: An article dispenser of the type having a sphere enclosed vessel, the sphere having at least one cavity for transferring an article, such as a pill, from inside the vessel to outside the vessel, employs a novel improvement in the manner of suspending the sphere on the vessel. Specifically, a cradle bridging the opening of the vessel provides a track of arcuate shape and the sphere has an annular groove of appropriate depth to form a central shaft for rotatably engaging the track. The sphere is readily removable for refilling the vessel and for assembly. A plurality of diagonally oriented guards assure free rotation of the sphere with articles being transferred in the cavity.

Abstract: A cylindrical housing having diametrically opposed inlet and discharge openings contains a bucket wheel coaxially rotatable therein. The inlet opening is provided with an insert having an inclined upper surface and an edge for prestripping the grain material. The insert is further provided with a stripping edge forming an angle with the cylindrical generatrix formed by the surface edge of the blades of the rotating bucket wheel which angle is at least equal to the angle of friction between the bulk material and the material out of which the gate is formed. In addition, a canopy displacing wall is arranged in the inlet opening at the level of the end of the stripping edge to displace the material moving through the feed inlet. The wall has a width of such a dimension that the cavity formed beneath it is equal to at least the volume of the granulate material stripped from the stripping edge.

Abstract: A dosage device for dosing with high accuracy a particulate material containing a pharmacologically active substance, including a storage chamber, a rotatable dosing unit adjacent the storage chamber, and an operating unit to cause relative rotation between the dosing unit and the storage chamber. The dosing unit is provided with a plurality of upwardly opening recesses opening into said storage chamber to receive particulate material therefrom through an outlet opening from the storage chamber. Scrapers are positioned in the outlet opening immediately above these recesses to pack and level the particulate material into the recesses and level the material off with the upper surface of the dosing unit as the dosing unit rotates relative to the storage chamber.

Abstract: An improved metering mechanism for metering highly aerated or fluidized solid materials in a controlled manner is disclosed. The mechanism consists of a bin discharger attached above a rotary feeder assembly. The bin discharger has two augers which rotate in opposite directions relative to one another. The augers rotate such that material flow is directed toward the center of the discharger, and down into the inlet of the rotary feeder assembly. The rotary feeder assembly contains 6-12 rotary vanes. Two vanes form a pocket into which material falls as each pocket comes into mating relation with the rotary feeder assembly inlet. A tight clearance between the outer radial edge of the rotary vanes and the inner surface of the housing of the rotary feeder assembly prevents the material from flushing through the rotary feeder assembly in an uncontrolled fashion. The material exits the rotary feeder assembly as each filled pocket comes into mating relation with the outlet of the rotary feeder assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding bulk material includes a housing which accommodates a rotor arranged between an inlet port and an outlet port of the housing and having a plurality of radially extending vanes. The vanes are fixed on a shaft and provided with sealing strips for sealing the vanes against the housing. For compensating occurring wear and maintaining the sealing action, the sealing strips are corrected by an adjusting bar with two spaced conical sufaces which cooperate with push rods having one end lying against the conical surfaces and another end in force-locking connection with the sealing strips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the dividing of a paste composition from the dispensing cavities in a carrier in which floatable pistons in the cavities regulate the amount of paste composition which is discharged from the respective dispensing cavities. The stroke of each piston in its respective cavity is controlled in an operative state to regulate the amount of paste composition discharged from each cavity and each piston is selectively locked in its respective cavity in an inoperative state to prevent discharge of paste composition from the respective cavity.

Abstract: A granular food dispensing machine having a housing with a dispensing chamber, a metering dispensing unit and a discharge chute, a food supply reservoir designed to supply the dispensing chamber by gravity feed, and a dispenser chamber insert located in the dispensing chamber to facilitate and direct the flow of granular food from the reservoir through the metering dispensing unit and out the discharge chute by preventing the food from becoming trapped in the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: A sluice device for insertion between zones having different environmental conditions, for instance pressure and/or temperature. A drum is rotatably arranged in an opening in a housing and has radially displaceable flaps uniformly distributed along the periphery of the drum. Each flap has a first portion for sealing against the housing, and a second portion of the flap, adjacent to the drum, cooperates with a sealing device. The sluice device is formed as a longitudinal groove which is open against the drum, whereby a longitudinal sealing member is arranged in the groove. The pressure difference between spaces at the two sides of the flap brings the longitudinal sealing member in such a sealing position that the flap, by the pressure difference, is placed in sealing abutment against the inside of the housing regardless of the positive or negative pressure difference.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently dispensing either fragile particulate material, such as sesame seeds, or flaky material, such as bran, through openings in a tube to spread material over an array of spaced rows and columns of a food product in a pan. The dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper from which fragile particulate material is dispensed through a dispensing tube in which a mandrel driven by a reversible variable speed motor is rotatably disposed. The mandrel has spaced spline teeth formed on its outer surface in dispensing sections separated by blocking collars spaced longitudinally of the mandrel such that rotation of the mandrel causes particulate material to be dispensed in parallel columns and such that intermittent rotation of the mandrel causes the columns to be divided to form rows.

Abstract: The present application discloses an improved filter assembly used in a dry powder filling machine in which the bottom of the cylindrical measuring cavity for the powder being measured is formed by the improved filter assembly having a cup shaped recess wherein the floor of the recess contains evenly spaced and relatively small apertures. The aperture-containing floor is backed by a screen which allows vacuum to be applied to draw powder into the cavity but which prevents passage of the powder through the screen while the cavity is being filled. Application of gas pressure to the underside of the floor of the cavity expels the measured powder into a container as a discrete slug with relatively little separation.

Abstract: A rotary volumetric piston dispenser is provided which receives material from a manifold assembly, portions that material while it traverses a path to a dispensing location, and dispenses the portioned material at the dispensing location. The rotary volumetric piston dispenser is suitable for timed communication with a movable belt or the like in order to deposit the portioned material according to a predetermined sequence. A camming assembly is also provided which is suitable for use within the rotary volumetric piston dispenser, the camming assembly including a cam track assembly having an adjustable camming pathway in order to vary the radial position of a radially movable element such as a piston while the element moves in a pattern that generally corresponds to the cam track assembly. The rotary volumetric piston dispenser is especially suitable for use in dispensing condiments, whether they be wet or dry, onto a moving surface, such as a plurality of proteinaceous patties spaced along a conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for apportioning powdered material into each of a series of containers is disclosed which includes a powdered material hopper having a dispensing opening and a rotatable filling head contiguous to the dispensing opening. The rotatable filling head includes a plurality of radially situated chambers each having an open outer end for displacement between the material hopper and the series of containers. A conventional pneumatic source is provided for assisting the filling and emptying of the chambers during the apportioning process. Within each chamber, the volume of powdered material received is defined by a piston having a porous surface. The piston engages a threaded stem longitudinally fixed in position yet rotatable about its longitudinal axis to effect displacement of the piston head and support longitudinally within the chamber. A seal is provided at the radially inner end of the threaded stem to ensure positive pneumatic action through the porous piston surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particulate material in a predetermined pattern over a subjacent surface. The apparatus includes an elongated hopper having a downwardly facing discharge mouth. A rotary dispensing shaft extends the length of the mouth. The shaft has a plurality of material receiving grooves formed to extend longitudinally thereof and sized to receive predetermined amounts of particulate material. Positioned about the shaft member and extending the length thereof is an elongated cylindrical sleeve which is mounted for selective rotation relative to the shaft with its exterior surface in sealing engagement with the mouth of the hopper. First and second circumferentially spaced, generally longitudinally extending openings are formed through the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for dispensing materials into containers in precise amounts, which includes an adjustment mechanism for precisely controlling the volume of material dispensed. The dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing wheel having a plurality of dispensing chambers arranged in a radial manner on the wheel. Each chamber includes a mechanism for varying its volume and hence the quantity of the substance received and discharged. The adjustment mechanism includes an externally accessible toothed wheel which is rotatable in one direction to increase the volume of the chamber and is rotatable in the opposite direction to decrease the chamber volume. First and second actuators are disposed relative to the dispensing wheel and are selectively operated to engage the toothed wheel on opposite sides of its rotational axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for volumetric metering of large variable batches of pourable material is disclosed comprising a single chamber of gas-permeable material having a charging port. The chamber is provided in a pivotable gas-tight container, and is connected to a pneumatic system. The container has a position enabling the filing of the metering chamber through the charge port. Positioning of the chamber opening opposite an opening in the housing provides access for insertion and removal of space filling bodies to vary the volume of batches being metered.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently dispensing fragile particulate material, such as sesame seeds through openings in a tube to spread material over an array of horizontally and vertically spaced rows and columns such as upper surfaces of buns in a pan. The dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper from which fragile particulate material is dispensed through a dispensing tube in which a mandrel driven by a variable speed motor is rotatably disposed. The mandrel has spaced spline teeth formed on its outer surface in dispensing sections separated by blocking collars spaced longitudinally of the mandrel such that rotation of the mandrel causes particulate material to be dispensed in parallel columns and such that intermittent rotation of the mandrel causes the columns to be divided to form rows.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary feeder system having a rotor housing with an intake opening and means for discharging material spaced apart side walls. A rotor is positioned with its radially extending blades disposed within the rotor housing and its two ends of its shaft each extending through an aperture in one of the side walls. The shaft bearing and interconnection to the rotating means are each disposed outwards of the rotor housing and the apertures are sealed about the rotor shaft by a sealing assembly comprising a washer, a seal having a first and second ring wherein the second ring extends inward beyond the inner circumference of the first, said ring merging into a flange pressing upon said washer, and a retaining plate which bears against the second ring, tightening it against the washer. The washer and second ring of the seal are preferably formed of tetrafluoro-ethylene resin, and all joints between components within the rotor housing are welded to fill any crevices.

Abstract: A rotary valve having a housing enclosing a drive shaft and a rotor assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, an access end, and a detachable closure plate for closing the access end. The drive shaft, which is journalled in the housing, has a shaft end disposed generally between the inlet and the outlet and the rotor assembly is removably mounted on this shaft end. The rotor assembly has a surface including at least one recess, which is communicable with the inlet and with the outlet by rotating the drive shaft, for conveying material from the inlet to the outlet. The housing has an inwardly-disposed cylindrical surface generally concentric about the drive shaft. A teflon seal is positioned between the drive shaft and the cylindrical surface and has a seal outer surface engaging the cylindrical surface. The seal is formed of a plurality of adjacent rings configured so that they expand radially when axial pressure is applied.

Abstract: Automatic food dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper (4), a rotatable cylinder (12) having a recess for receiving and dispensing a predetermined amount of food to a food container (40) in the form of a perforated metal rectangular container, the container being movable between a rest position, a first portion in which the container is disposed in a food cooker (26) for cooking the food dispensed in the container, and a second position in which the container (4) is held above a food dispenser (76) so that the food in the container is dispensed to a cup (76). The container (40) has a pivotable base (44) and spring clips (50) along one side which hold the base (44) in place. In the first position in the cooker (26), a spring metal strip holds the base in place and defines the lower limit of movement of the base. In the second position in the cooker, the clips (5) engage a metal bar (92) for releasing the clips and the base (44).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a predetermined amount of material into a predetermined position on each of a series of moving trays while avoiding spillage of the product onto other portions of the trays. A conveyor lifts the material from a supply bin and deposits the material onto a shaker pan. The shaker pan delivers the material in an even flow on to a rotating turntable having a plurality of radially extending gutters thereon. The turntable directs the material to flow along the gutters and into a plurality of hoppers disposed at the periphery of the turntable. The hoppers are rocked to distribute the product evenly within each hopper. Once a hopper is full, any excess material falls onto a drip tray which returns the material back to the supply bin. The filled hoppers are rotated above the trays, which are moving on a conveyor, and release the material onto a predetermined area of the trays by means of funnels mounted adjacent to each hopper.

Abstract: A rotary vane valve having a cylindrical housing with a pair of opposed end bells and an interior axial shaft. Opposed inlet and outlet openings on the side of the cylindrical housing allow transverse fluid flow through the housing and radial vanes project from the axial shaft to facilitate the transfer of fluid from the inlet at one pressure to the outlet at a different pressure. A pair of spaced shroud structures are fixed to the shaft at the ends of the vanes to generally separate the interior of the cylindrical housing from the end bells.

Abstract: A hopper cylindrical about a vertical axis has an agitator with blades rotating near the bottom of the hopper, not only to agitate insulation but also to move it through a hopper outlet opening into an airlock having a horizontal shaft and radially spaced blades. The vertical shaft for the hopper agitator and the horizontal airlock shaft are aligned so that one may be driven from the other, as by miter gears. A motor and reduction gearing may drive the airlock shaft, through a chain and sprocket connection, or the motor and reduction gearing may drive the hopper agitator shaft through a coupling. The blades of the airlock rotor may be individually removable through the airlock inlet, as in order to replace flexible wipers. Each airlock blade may have a flange at an obtuse angle such as 150.degree. which is bolted to one side of the multisided shaft by a series of cap bolts.

Abstract: An airborne apparatus for dispensing particulate agricultural materials in precise dosages includes a rotor to uniformly deliver the particulate material from a container carried by the aircraft to a dispensing opening. A blade is provided adjacent the periphery of the rotor. The blade and the periphery of the rotor cooperate to reduce the interference of particulate material with operation of the rotor. A multi-part rotor housing provides adjustability for a variety of particulate materials. Such housing includes an arcuate housing portion and a gate-forming housing portion. The gate-forming housing portion and arcuate housing portion may be hinged to the remainder of the housing and form a dispensing opening. The arcuate housing portion can be adjusted with respect to the periphery of the rotor and can provide a reservoir of adjustable capacity between the dispensing opening and the rotor periphery.

Abstract: A particulate material dispenser comprising an elongate, vertically extending body defining an upwardly opening material holding compartment, an elongate, laterally extending semi-cylindrical chamber at the bottom of the body and opening upwardly into the compartment and an elongate, laterally extending vertical discharge opening with front, rear and end edges at the bottom of said chamber, an elongate rotor with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, radially outwardly projecting webs with outside edges and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly opening material receiving and transporting pockets of predetermined volume, is positioned in and extends longitudinally of the chamber with the outside edges of two adjacent webs at the lower half of the rotor in sliding sealing engagement with the inside surface of the chamber adjacent the front and rear edges of the opening and with the pocket therebetween communicating with the opening, a spring is position

Abstract: A valve structure including a valve body defining a valve chamber with a tapered bearing surface and a tapered valve member journaled in the tapered bearing surface. A spring-biased plunger mechanism constantly urges the valve member into slidable sealing engagement with the tapered bearing surface. A passage communicates between the valve chamber and the exterior of the valve body via the spring-biased plunger mechanism and is connected in fluid flow communication with a source of suitable fluid, whereby such fluid passes from the source into the valve chamber via the spring-biased plunger mechanism.