Abstract: A feeder for highly abrasive materials includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes inner an outer concentric, spaced apart, vertically oriented wall portions which are each closed at their lower ends by a common bottom plate and at their upper ends, respectively, by vertically spaced apart top plates. The impeller is disposed in the gaps between the wall portions and the top plates and consists of a pair of, spaced-apart, vertically oriented cylindrical members which are joined in a concentric relation by a plurality of radially extending, equi-spaced apart fins. The fins extend upwardly from the lower edges of the cylindrical members and terminate below their upper ends to define a plurality of compartments having equal volumes. The impeller is secured at its upper end to a shaft extending downwardly through the upper-most top plate and along the impeller axis so that the impeller may be rotated to sequentially position each compartment above an opening in the bottom plate.

Abstract: A rotor (1) of a machine for spraying concrete, mortar or a refractory lining material comprises conveying chambers (11') arranged concentrically around its axis, and delimited by cylindrical walls (11) of a porous, air-permeable material, the inside of the walls (11) being machined smooth. Each cylindrical wall (11) is surrounded by an air chamber (10), each of which is acted upon, between a charging point (26) and a discharge point (27), by the pressure of a compressed air source (32) so as to produce air flows which pass through the porous walls (11) into the conveying chambers (11'). The material to be conveyed by the conveying chambers (11') between the charging point (26) and the discharge point (27) is at least in the regions close to the wall acted upon by these air flows so as to prevent the material from adhering to the chamber walls (11'). The discharge through the discharge opening (27) into a conveying line (30) takes place essentially by gravity and by the action of an injector nozzle (31).

Abstract: A dry chemical pellet dispensing apparatus particularly adaptable for treatment of well water with chlorine pellets or like water purification tablets. A downwardly open pellet container is secured to a pellet flow regulator housing, which discharges pellets onto the surface of a metering plate. The discharge housing has baffles to regulate pellet flow. The metering plate has arrays of compartments for holding individual pellets. Select compartments are open and select compartments are closed. Open compartments can each receive a pellet. The pellet is moved in the open compartment upon rotation of the metering wheel to a location over a drop opening leading to a discharge tube which drops the pellet into the well. The speed of rotation of the metering wheel and the density of open compartments determines the dosage rate of pellets administered to the well.

Abstract: A device for use in dispensing flowable materials comprising a container therefor having a dispensing opening on the bottom thereof which is adapted to be in selective alignment with a plurality of measuring tubes in a rotatable member which is rotatably positioned beneath said container, each of said measuring tubes being partitioned at a predetermined point by a removable tab to enable emission of a measured amount of material from such tube by removal of said tab.

Abstract: A dispensing device for a bactericidal pellet such as chlorine tablets which is readily adapted to being placed on a hopper container for the pellets and which can dispense the pellets such as in conjunction with a well or a water recirculation system while employing a minimum number of parts. The pellet dispenser employs a unique rotor member with pellet carrying passages designed to dispense the pellets from the hopper and out of the pellet dispenser in an individual manner and without jamming. In the instance where pellets may become improperly placed in the pellet carrying passages so that the rotor does not properly move inside the rotor housing, a bi-directional self-reversing motor is utilized so that the tablet dispensing sequence will continue in an accurate manner. This is effected in part by a bidirectional rotor member which is able to dispense tablets in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a rotor mounted in and sealed in a housing for rotation about a vertical axis and including a plurality of pockets. Between the peripheral outer side wall of the rotor and the cylindrical inner surface of the housing there is an interspace which is supplied with a pressurized gaseous medium and an exit port for discharging pourable material entering the interspace.

Abstract: A rotary drum metering feeder device which includes an outer casing defining a generally cylindrical chamber with opposed top and bottom end plates, a rotary drum means including a generally vertically disposed central shaft journably retained within the end plates and having a plurality of generally radially disposed blades secured at their inner ends to the central shaft and at their outer ends to an outer sleeve, and defining a plurality of metering chambers therebetween. An inlet port is formed within the top end plate, and an outlet port within the bottom end plate, and with each of the ports having edge surfaces, and with the edge surfaces of the inlet port being spaced from each of the edge surfaces of the outlet plate so as to provide for closed arcuate web zones in the end plates between the ports.

Abstract: A device is provided for supplying material with unit doses of particulate parasiticidal composition, comprising, in combination:(1) a supply of particulate parasiticidal composition;(2) a feeder for feeding unit doses in regular sequence from the supply to the material;(3) a capacitive approach switch for sensing each unit dose as fed to the material;(4) a timer for timing the interval between unit doses; and(5) a signalling device for giving a signal when the interval between doses exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: In charging electrothermic smelting furnaces the charge is fed batchwise to the furnace pot through annular charging units arranged more or less concentrically around each electrode. The charge is supplied to each annular charging unit which surrounds each electrode and consists of a rotatable chamber which comprises at least one bottom member and two substantially vertical side walls. The bottom member and the walls are rotated together for supply of charge to the chamber, then the bottom of the chamber is rotated separately from the walls whereby the charge contained between the walls of the chamber is allowed to fall into the furnace pot through at least one closable opening in said bottom member.

Abstract: A device for continuous, gravimetric metering and pneumatic conveying of pourable material provides that a material stream is conveyed over a measuring path while charging a load measuring device and the product of moment load and conveying speed is formed. The conveyor is in the form of a rotor having an essentially vertical axis and conveyor pockets in the form of chambers or cells which are moved with the rotor in a circular orbit over the measuring path. A housing surrounds the rotor in a pressure tight manner and includes a charging aperture and an emptying aperture which are rotationally displaced from one another. A load measuring device is connected to the housing and a tachometer is provided for measuring the angular velocity of the rotor. A pneumatic conveying system is provided which has feed lines respectively communicating with an air feed aperture in the housing and the emptying aperture.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the controlled simultaneous dispensing of several fine powders into microcontainers which containers are used subsequently for clinical determinations. The method includes sifting the fine powders individually to render the individual particles of each powder to be the same size, and then combining them for the subsequent dispensing procedures. The method contemplates, in addition, the reduction of the individual particles of some powders to provide the equal size requirements, before combining with one or more other powders for the subsequent controlled dispensing procedures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing, simultaneously and automatically, a plurality of small quantities of powder under improved conditions of control. The arrangement is such that precise amounts of micro quantities of hard-to-handle powder may be dispensed into containers such as blood collection tubes. Included herein is a brush mechanism that reciprocates over a plate in a controlled manner, for sweeping a slug of powder deposited automatically on the plate in a controlled manner through a number of openings in the plate, and into an equal number of containers. The openings are dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the sweeping action of the brush, so that a desired precise quantity of powder is deposited through each opening into the waiting containers.

Abstract: A liquid chemical treatment measuring device as for metering treated chemicals for agricultural seeds. A housing containing a disc-like rotor sandwiched between stationary discs or headers, there being flat faces between the rotary disc and the stationary headers or discs. A rotary disc has a multiplicity of measuring chambers extending endways through its thickness. The stationary discs have supply and recirculation manifold grooves opposite each other and confronting the measuring chambers of the revolving disc, and also an inlet port and an overflow port producing continuous flushing of the measuring chambers and supply and recirculation grooves. The stationary discs or headers also have discharge and relief manifold grooves opposite each other and draining the liquid chemical treatment from the measuring chambers of the revolving rotor and supplying air into the chambers to allow rapid draining.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the heating value of gaseous fuels is disclosed which include the novel means for establishing a mixture of air and the gaseous fuel of interest in known volumetric proportions. An electrochemical sensor is provided to sense the products of combustion of the precise volumetric mixture and the output of the sensor is indicative of the relation of the mixture to a stoichiometric mixture of fuel and air. This system is provided for adjusting the proportions of fuel and air in the mixture of interest in response to the output of the electrochemical sensor until the sensor indicates that the mixture of known proportions is substantially stoichiometric. The system is provided for determining the heating value of the fuel from a known relationship between the heating value of the constituents of the fuel and the amount of oxygen required for stoichiometric combustion.

Abstract: The metering device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical housing having a circular top wall and a circular bottom wall. The top wall has an inlet opening therein and the bottom wall has an outlet opening therein. The outlet opening and the inlet opening each comprise only a portion of the area of the top and bottom walls, respectively.A metering wheel is rotatably mounted within the housing and includes a plurality of pockets circumferentially spaced around its rotational axis. The pockets include open upper and lower ends. A horizontal cover plate is attached to the housing above the metering wheel so as to close off the portion of the inlet opening which is located directly above the outlet opening. The material to be metered drops through the inlet opening and is carried by the rotating pockets of the metering wheel toward the outlet opening. When the material reaches the outlet opening it drops by gravity out of the metering device.

Abstract: A metering and/or feeding device for materials is disclosed. A plurality of vertically oriented, elastic-walled tubes are arranged at equal distances from the axis of a rotatable helical rod which, as it rotates, sequentially engages and constricts each of the elastic-walled tubes, beginning at their upper portions and progressively moving down the length of the tubes. The material being metered and/or fed is introduced into the elastic-walled tubes at their upper ends. A cover member is provided to cover the infeed ends of the tubes at selected intervals to prevent entry of the material being fed and/or metered into the tube at the time that the helical member engages the upper portion of the tube to constrict the tube so that it is substantially free of material. A plenum, through which a stream of pressurized gas is discharged, communicates with the discharge ends of each of the tubes, the gas conveying the material entering the plenum from the tubes to a work location.

Abstract: In an apparatus for delivering selectable amounts of dust-laden gas, the base structure thereof includes support means having a substantially horizontal and circular recess in which is rotatably supported a circular disk having a plurality of transverse openings defining a circle coaxial with the disk. A cover partially covers the disk and has a dust container mounted thereon for selective communication with the transverse openings in the disk. The dust container and the circular recess define a substantially airtight chamber. A pair of coaxial openings are provided through the cover and support means for successive alignment with the transverse openings as the disk rotates and are in communication with a source of pressurized gas, whereby pressurized gas can be directed through a dust-laden transverse opening which is aligned with the coaxial openings.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the transfer of fiber material from one circuit of circulating liquid to another, where the fiber material is transported by circuits positioned at right angles to the axis of rotation of a rotary transfer or feed valve and the circulating, transporting liquids are screened off through self-cleaning screens. The transfer valve contains a pocket and three working positions, a filling circuit, an emptying circuit, and an intermediate position for preheating the fiber material or providing a temperature lock depending upon the rotation of the pocket.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided which is adapted to be used in connection with a hopper for distribution of a granular and/or powdered product, said dispenser having a rotary star-shaped distributor on which is mounted a plurality of crenellated radial blades which upon rotation move between two parallel walls at right angles to the axis of rotation, one wall being an upstream wall and the other a downstream wall, each having at least one cut-out nonaligned with the cut-out in the other, one cut-out being an inlet on the upstream wall and another one an outlet on the downstream wall, the upstream wall having on its inner face at least one stud which is disposed in line with the outlet and the edge of each crenellated radial blade being so crenellated that the recessed surface of the crenellation matches the projecting stud or studs of the upstream wall whereby a constant measured quantity of granular and/or powdered product is dispensed.

Abstract: This invention consists of a tractor drawn planter which automatically deposits equally spaced sprout bearing plugs of specially prepared nutrient soil, into the ground. It is made of a rectangular framework having two rear wheels upon which it rides and a flexible hitch for attachment to the tractor. A tank equipped with an agitator, a plug size measuring device, and a discharge tube, contains the plug mixture. The discharge tube is provided inside with doors which allow the passage of the plugs at predetermined equal intervals. These doors are controlled by a spring-loaded solenoid which is, in turn, controlled by electrical make-and-break contact points powered by the tractor battery. A floating shoe digs a furrow into which the plugs are dropped, and two spring-loaded converging wheels in the rear of the frame cover and tamp down the seeded furrow.

Abstract: A chemical pellet dispensing device for wells includes a housing defining a pellet chamber and having an inclined bottom wall. A pellet dispensing tube which opens through the bottom wall communicates with the well. A false bottom wall maintains the level of pellets within the chamber below the open end of the pellet dispensing tube. A pellet conveying member is movable along the bottom wall between a position below the level of pellets in the chamber for receiving a pellet to a position in registration with the pellet dispensing tube for depositing a pellet therein. The pellet conveying member is driven by a power source actuated in response to fluid flow from the well. A pellet dislodging slip clutch is interposed between the power source and pellet conveying member. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the rate at which pellets are dispensed into the well.

Abstract: A soup dispenser is provided which will dispense liquid, semi-liquid and/or chunky soups, stews, chilis, etc., with equal facility. A motor-driven dial configuration of a plurality of measuring chambers or traps is provided at the bottom of a heated reservoir in which an impeller is constantly driven to preclude settling and scorching. The same motor drive is selectively interconnected to rotate the dial and successively register a measuring chamber with a discharge port beneath which a food container can be placed to receive the discharged product. The measuring chambers are vented to atmosphere as registry with the discharge opening is respectively effected to assure full discharge of the food product therein. A dial configuration further includes a plurality of selectively insertable strainer structures which are removably mounted flush with the upper surface of the dial over one or more of the measuring chambers to control the ratio of garnish to broth in each dispensed container of soup and the like.

Abstract: A soup dispenser is provided which will dispense liquid, semi-liquid and/or chunky soups, stews, chiles, etc., with equal facility. A motor driven dial configuration of a plurality of measuring chambers or traps is provided at the bottom of a heated reservoir in which an impeller is constantly driven to preclude settling and scorching. The same motor drive is selectively interconnected to rotate the dial and successively register a measuring chamber with a discharge port beneath which a food container can be placed to receive the discharged product. The measuring chambers are vented to atmosphere as registry with the discharge opening is respectively effected to assure full discharge of the food product therein.

Abstract: A fertilizer distributor adapted to be combined with a tree seedling planter which gives the operator complete control of spacings by a foot pedal mechanism that allows him to dump the desired amount of fertilizer along the bases of seedlings being planted.

Abstract: A feeder-dispenser for conveying measured amounts of bulk materials, in particular for mortar and concrete, in which a rotor is mounted on a driving shaft, and placed between a pair of stationary cover discs. The rotor is formed of a plurality of chambers regularly distributed about its periphery and open at each end. The chambers are covered on their internal surfaces with an elastic material lining. The top disc has a feed orifice and an air supply opening angularly offset from it. The bottom disc is provided opposite the air supply opening with a discharge orifice. Air under compression ejects the material from the chamber and cooperates with the elastic lining to prevent retention and deposition of material in the chamber.

Abstract: A device for the metering of plastic raw materials of granulate, or pulverulent, or highly viscous consistency in connection with plastic materials processing machines, where a rotating metering disc at the bottom of a drum-shaped receptacle discharges fixed amounts of material at a predetermined frequency, and where the semi-circular metering pockets on the periphery of the metering disc are wiped clean by a vertically extending radially and circumferentially flexible wiper finger which dislodges any material that might otherwise adhere to the pocket flanks at the point of gravity discharge of the plastic material from the metering pockets.

Abstract: A device for precisely metering out quantities of fluids is disclosed. The device comprises a tapered rotor having a plurality of chambers, each of the chambers having first and second openings. The rotor is received within a housing and together with the housing cooperates to perform the metering function as the rotor is rotated with respect to the housing. The housing has a plurality of input and overflow ports corresponding to the chambers in the rotor. These ports are positioned with respect to the rotor in such a manner that when a corresponding input port is in communication with one of said openings, its corresponding overflow port is in communication with the other of said openings. The housing also comprises a plurality of pressure ports and output ports which correspond to the plurality of chambers.

Abstract: In a feeding device of the rotary valve type with pneumatic discharge of the pockets of a rotor in the direction parallel to a portion of the rotor hub of the rotor the shaft has a conical shape such that a conveying duct for the gas/solid mixture is formed by one pocket of the rotor, the wall of the rotor casing and the rotor hub, which duct diminishes in diameter from the gas inlet opening to the outlet opening for the gas/solid mixture, the said opening extending over two pockets of the rotor.

Abstract: A powder dispensing device which includes an indexing motor for incrementally rotating a flexible rotor wheel fitted with a plurality of spaced apart, open ended metering chambers. The device is designed to allow the metering chamber to fill with powder while rotating within a powder reservoir and to selectively register with a peripherally sealable tubular outlet through which the powder collected therein can be pneumatically ejected. The indexing motor includes a sectored drive gear loosely held about an elongated shaft fixed at its lower end to a pin wheel having a number of spaced apart bored openings. The bored openings hold a plurality of vertically slidable pins which selectively engage the sectored drive gear. A pneumatic piston cooperatively connected to a tooth-rack gear is provided for moving the sectored drive gear incrementally.

Abstract: A valve means having clustered sealable receiving chambers which after being filled material rotate to expose the chambers to an exit opening for emptying.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pill dispensing cap assembly device adapted for mounting on the neck of a pill container. The cap assembly device is designed to provide for the effective and efficient dispensing of pills which are randomly stored in a container, upon rotation of one element of the cap assembly, through a rather limited arc. The cap assembly includes a cap member secured to the neck of the container and having a discharge passage in communication with the interior of the container; fixed with respect to the cap member is a cover element having one or more dispensing openings therein, which are offset relative to the cap member discharge opening. Mounted between the cap member and the cover element is a rotor member adapted for rotation relative to the cap member and cover element and having a pill receiving aperture therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for metering and dispensing seasonings such as salt, pepper, sugar and the like. In one embodiment a salt shaker is provided with a calibrated top so as to dispense a desired amount of salt as needed.

Abstract: For use with a tunnelling shield in which an excavating tool operates within a substantially sealed-off and pressurized region, a spoil-removal device for extracting spoil from the pressurized region comprises a cylindrical chamber which has an inlet port open to the pressurized region and a discharge port which is open to a position outside said region and a multi-compartment rotary member adapted to rotate in said chamber in sealed co-operation therewith, each compartment of the rotary member being arranged to pass said inlet port and said discharge port in turn and being arranged not to be open to both ports at the same time, each compartment being arranged to receive a charge of solid spoil when the compartment reaches the inlet port, the amount of the charge being governed by the angle of slide of the spoil, and to deliver the charge to said position outside the excavating region when the compartment reaches the discharge port, substantially each part of the compartment surface which supports the charge

Abstract: A device adapted for operational mounting upon a ground-level superior, moving, and dirigible platform, which device distributes individualized members of a particulate solid according to a ground pattern selectively controllable with respect to distribution frequency and locational placement of the individualized members.Claimed also is a sequence of operations method for distributing members of a particulate solid according to a ground pattern which ground pattern is selectively controllable with respect to member distribution frequency and locational placement.