Abstract: Thermal energy is extracted from geological formations using a heat harvester. In some embodiments, the heat harvester is a once-through, closed loop, underground heat harvester created by directionally drilling through hot rock. The extracted thermal energy can be converted or transformed to other forms of energy.

Abstract: A fluid transfer pump comprises: a housing, a pump unit, an electric motor assembly, a power supply mounting base, and a speed change mechanism, wherein the pump unit comprises an impeller; the electric motor assembly is used to drive the impeller to rotate around an axis of the impeller; the power supply mounting base is used to receive a power supply for supplying electricity to the pump unit; and the speed change mechanism is arranged between the pump unit and the electric motor assembly. The power supply mounting base is arranged in a power supply compartment; and the pump unit, the speed change mechanism, the electric motor assembly, and the power supply compartment are successively arrayed in an extension direction of the axis of the impeller.

Abstract: A nonreturn valve includes two half-shells, arranged in a portion of the screw with a reduced screw diameter. One or more channels for the melt to flow through from the screw into the space in front of the screw is/are provided in each of the half-shells, the channels lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nonreturn valve or of the screw. In each of the channels are a ball and, following the ball in the direction of flow of the melt, a pin arranged substantially transversely to the direction of flow of the melt. In the direction of flow of the melt, the channels have a first channel portion, with a channel diameter less than the diameter of the ball, and a second channel portion, with a channel diameter greater than the diameter of the ball, the ball and the pin are arranged in the second channel portion.

Abstract: A double tentacle pump system for a liquid sprayer includes first and second tentacle pumps positioned serially within a flow path that extends between a liquid container and the outlet of the sprayer. A motor is configured to actuate the first and second tentacle motors in response to a user directed trigger, thereby causing fluid to be moved from the container and expelled from the sprayer.

Abstract: A bin sweep system for moving particulate matter across a floor surface of a bin may include a sweep assembly positionable on the floor surface of the bin and movable across the floor surface. The sweep assembly has an inboard end for locating toward to a central area of the bin and an outboard end for locating toward a peripheral area of the bin, and a forward side oriented toward a direction of movement for orienting toward particulate matter to be moved. The system may also include a particle agglomeration breakup assembly configured to expel a fluid adjacent to the sweep assembly to impact particulate matter located adjacent to the forward side of the sweep assembly and facilitate breakup of any particle agglomerations positioned forwardly of the sweep assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of making a golf ball with a reduced gate defect. The method may include using a mold that has a mold cavity with a mold chamber with a surface and a parting edge disposed along the perimeter of mold chamber. At least one gate may be disposed on the parting edge to provide a path for a cover material to be injected into the mold chamber. The gate may include a flat middle surface connected by a first side surface and a second side surface disposed opposite the first side surface. A round having a radius of curvature ranging from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm may be disposed along a middle gate edge of middle surface and/or a side gate edge of one of the first side surface and the second side surface.

Abstract: A dispensing pump, and more particularly, a valve impact type dispensing pump that may be used in a process of manufacturing an electronic product and may dispense an accurate amount of a liquid, such as a liquid synthetic resin, at high speed. The present invention provides a valve impact type dispensing pump that can descend a valve rod at high speed and thus can dispense a liquid with high viscosity at high speed. The valve impact type dispensing pump can dispense an accurate amount of a liquid at high speed. Also, the valve impact type dispensing pump can dispense a liquid having high viscosity at high speed due to a fast descending speed of a valve rod.

Abstract: A dispensing pump, and more particularly, a valve accelerating type dispensing pump that may be used in a process of manufacturing an electronic product and may dispense an accurate amount of a liquid, such as a liquid synthetic resin, at high speed. The present invention provides a valve accelerating type dispensing pump that can descend a valve rod at high speed and thus can dispense a liquid with high viscosity at high speed. The valve accelerating type dispensing pump can dispense an accurate amount of a liquid at high speed. Also, the valve accelerating type dispensing pump can dispense a liquid having high viscosity at high speed due to a fast descending speed of a valve rod.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a base station for a liquid dispensing apparatus. The base station includes a driver and a container support having a dispensing device, which includes a liquid duct leading from the container to an outlet. The device further includes a connector connected to the driver and detachably connectable to the dispensing device. In an embodiment, the container support is a holder, and the connector is movable towards the holder to connect to the dispensing device and away from the holder after disconnecting from the dispensing device.

Abstract: An aerosol spray actuator for a pressurized aerosol canister and in particular trigger or button actuated spray actuators having three main parts to simplify the mechanical moving parts of a spray actuator. An actuator button, an actuator base and finally a nozzle piece being inserted at the very end of a product dispensing passage embodied either in the body or the trigger part. A mechanism for permitting and blocking the actuation of the spray actuator is also provided so that inadvertent operation of the actuator can be prevented.

Abstract: A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine includes a supply container for the treating agent, a delivery device configured to deliver the treating agent to the washing machine through a connecting hose, and a dosing device for dispensing the treating agent from the supply container to the delivery device. The supply container has an agitator with a first vertical rotatable shaft and rotatable blades. The dosing device includes a cylindrical chamber, with a compartmented wheel having spokes disposed therein. The compartmented wheel is disposed below a bottom of the supply container and is coupled to a second vertical rotatable shaft. The cylindrical chamber has an inlet opening disposed in the bottom of the supply container and an underside of the cylindrical chamber has an outlet opening to the delivery device. The compartmented wheel is also coupled to the vertical shaft of the agitator.

Abstract: An aerosol spray actuator for a pressurized aerosol canister and in particular trigger or button actuated spray actuators having three main parts to simplify the mechanical moving parts of a spray actuator. An actuator button, an actuator base and finally a nozzle piece being inserted at the very end of a product dispensing passage embodied either in the body or the trigger part. A mechanism for permitting and blocking the actuation of the spray actuator is also provided so that inadvertent operation of the actuator can be prevented.

Abstract: Output device for a container (6) which includes a bottom and a surrounding wall, having a hub (1) and at least two arms (3) fixed to the hub (1). The invention is characterized in that each arm (3) is designed with at least one outer section designed and arranged to at use being capable of essentially preventing material from being brought towards the wall of the container, and at least one inner section connected to the outer section, designed and arranged to at use being capable of bringing the material essentially in the direction of feed for the device, at which the at least two arms (3) present essentially concave surfaces facing the direction of feed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing powdered material provides for processing a volume of powdered material to be dispensed so that density of the processed material is modified to substantially uniform density, and further for distributing multiple dosages of the powdered material in a time-efficient, precise manner.

Abstract: The present invention is a container lid assembly that includes an integral pump. A main feature of the present invention is a pump configuration that activates the reciprocating linear motion of the piston portion of the pump by the rotational movement of a pump actuating element that is interconnected to the piston portion. The pump configuration of the present invention may be configured so as to create at least a partial vacuum within the container. Alternatively, the pump configuration may be configured so as to pressurize the interior volume of the container. The lid consists of two major pieces, a seat portion that includes the pump cylinder, and a rotatable piston portion that includes the pump piston and the interconnected piston actuating element section. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pump piston and the piston actuating element section are integrally formed.

Abstract: A multi-positionable storage arrangement with removable front and top panels that can be configured in a number of ways between two side panels to form a variety of both secured and open storage spaces. In the preferred configurations, the front, top, and side panels of the arrangement combine with the rear deck and tailgate of the vehicle to enclose a securable storage space. In use, the front panel can be slid substantially vertically into one of three sets of grooves in the side panels. One or more of the top panels can thereafter be slid horizontally in grooves in the side panels until the forward most top panel abuts and overlaps the front panel. The closed tailgate then abuts the rearward most top panel securing the top and front panels in place. Additional grooves are provided in the side panels immediately adjacent the front panel and when not in use, the three top panels can be conveniently and compactly stored immediately adjacent the front panel and each other.

Abstract: The present application relates to a device (1) for packaging and dispensing a pressurized product, comprising: a) a container (2, 70) containing the product: b) a dispensing element (5, 75) fitted to the container and provided with an activating member (6, 74) that can be moved along a longitudinal axis X of the dispensing element; and c) a dispensing head (10) mounted on the container by means of a collar (20). The dispensing head comprises an actuating member (40) that can be moved relative to the collar, and the coupling between the collar (20) and the actuating member (40) being such that rotating the latter (40) relative to the collar (20) causes a displacement of the activating member (6, 74) along the axis X and dispenses the product through at least one outlet orifice (46) of the dispensing head. Figure of the drawing to be published with the abstract: FIG.

Abstract: A novel container called a tire tube is made from whole, used tires. They are first turned inside out or inverted. Several tire tubes may be connected together side by side with holes aligned sing fasteners such as screws. With the ends sealed the tire tube may be used as a container for toxic substance storage, or sand to act as a highway bumper. With the ends left open the tire tube may be used as a conduit, or a culvert. Supported to allow rotation at a slight angle to the horizontal and with the higher end being fed material, the rotating tire tube tumbles the material to the exit end. With rock added, the result of tumbling is a pulverizing action. By adding organic material and keeping it moist the rotating tire tube becomes a continuous-action composter.

Abstract: A fluid feed apparatus includes a suction hole and a discharge hole for a fluid, a fluid transfer part provided between a rotor and a stationary member containing the rotor, a shaft coupled with the rotor, a rotation actuator for rendering a relative rotating motion between the shaft and the stationary member in a surface perpendicular to an axis of the shaft, a driving power supply for the rotation actuator, a rotating motion control unit for the rotation actuator, a swing actuator for rendering a relative swinging motion between the shaft and the stationary member, a driving power supply for the swing actuator, and a swinging motion control unit for the swing actuator. Synchronous control is performed by the rotating motion control unit and the swinging motion control unit so that the rotating motion and the swinging motion are synthesized to implement a revolving motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging fine material from a silo with a cylindrical wall 2 and a bottom 3 provided with a central hole 11 and a discharge aperture 4, comprises: a cylindrical skirt 5 suspended from the wall above the bottom and having a crenellated edge formed of projections 6 alternating with spaces 7; a mobile discharge arm 8, having a central connection and two ends trapped in a peripheral zone between the skirt and the periphery of the bottom, for transferring fine material to the discharge aperture; rollers 9, 10 disposed on the ends of the arm for directing the displacement of the arm in cooperation with the skirt; a central revolving shaft 13 passing through the central hole to engage the central connection for rotating the arm; and first and second actuating cylinders 17, 18 acting on the central shaft in substantially perpendicular directions for alternately moving the shaft along the periphery of the central hole such that when a first roller advances on a route outside a projection a correspo

Abstract: A process and device for atomizing spray dispensing of a liquid product from a container includes a manually actuated push button pump which moves a movable member including a spray orifice along an axis while simultaneously rotating the spray orifice about the axis.

Abstract: A device for dispensing predetermined quantities of, for example, spaghetti, includes a hopper containing a supply of the pasta. An outlet in the hopper deposits the spaghetti at the upper end of a vibrating slide. The vibration causes the spaghetti to move toward a chute at the slide's lower end. An arm hinged to the upper end of the plate carries an axially moveable blade and an end plate. Rocking the arm positions the blade intermittently to interrupt the movement of the spaghetti to the chute and alternately positions the end plate to allow the batch of spaghetti accumulated in the chute to drop into a batch container positioned below it. The position of the blade on the arm determines the quantity of pasta in each batch. An articulated carrier moves the loaded batch container to a dispensing location and discharges its contents.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering fluid has a casing (1) accommodating a rotor (2) having a closed interior space. The interior space of the rotor (2) is divided by partitions (3) into measuring chambers (4) each accommodating a free piston (5) dividing the measuring chamber into a metering space (6) and a control space (7) located on either side of the piston (5). There is provided a batch controller having a variable capacity chamber (18) communicating with all control spaces which are connected in parallel with one another. Each chamber (4) has a port (10) regularly communicating through a port (8) with a metered fluid supply line and with a port (9) for discharging metered fluid.

Abstract: A manual seed metering apparatus (10) for dispensing discrete amounts of seed (100) from a seed reservoir (18) defined by a housing member (14) by virtue of the spring loaded rotary and reciprocatory movement of a seed paddle unit (12) disposed within the housing member (14) and controlled by a crank handle member (50).

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

Abstract: A silo which is impeded by a mass of cohering particles is cleaned by the disclosed apparatus by extending at least one flexible tube connected to a mace into the silo to near the coherent mass and flowing gas through the tube and mace at a rate and pressure causing swinging and writhing movements by the mace and tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sealed barrier container adapted to contain a supply of bulk food product for metered dispensing therefrom, of the type having a chamber to contain food product in a hopper, and a dispensing portion being in operative relation with the hopper. The front portion of the container is provided with a flexible boot mounted in the container which encloses the opening to the container therein. The boot has an inner end for mounting to the container in an overlying relationship with respect to the opening and a scoop carried by the boot. The scoop includes an elongate handle having an outer end extending through the outer end of the boot, and the inner end is adapted to retrieve product from the product ramp contained within the container. The boot permits the scoop to operate in a reciprocal as well as orbital and lateral fashion in order to simplify the process of food retrieval.

Abstract: A screw conveyor having a propelling device to push a plastic material onto a screw is provided. The propelling device comprises a roller, a rectangular vane, and a guide member, which are disposed above the screw and adjacent a wall of the housing of the screw conveyor. The roller is adapted to rotate about its out axis while its circumferential surface is in contact with the arcuate face of the guide member, so that one end of the vane received slidably in a rectangular slot protrudes from the roller pheriphery to push a plastic material onto the screw, thereby promoting an effective feeding of the plastic material.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing discrete measured amounts of fluent material. A dispenser body includes a horizontal tubular chamber having an upper inlet port and a lower outlet port in communication with the tubular chamber. A reservoir communicates with the inlet port. A piston having a plurality of vertical and horizontal measuring holes is disposed within the horizontal tubular chamber and configured for rotational and reciprocal linear sliding engagement with the tubular chamber and each of the measuring holes can alternatively communicate with the inlet port and the outlet port when so aligned. The amount of fluent material dispensed is determined by the volume of the measuring hole. Another embodiment involves measuring holes open at one end only, with the piston rotatable to alternatively communicate the measuring hole with the inlet port and the outlet port.

Abstract: Proportioning dispenser for powdered products consisting of a main body delimitating a first, filling chamber and a second, discharge chamber. The body supports a feed hopper, a proportioner operable to move between the two chambers, and a dispenser located beneath the discharge chamber. The dispenser comprises a cup movable from a loading position under the discharge chamber to a position of automatic discharge. A preferred embodiment involving the filling of explosive cartridges is described.

Abstract: A patty making machine is provided having a feed mechanism using an auger which is reciprocally driven to push the product into the molding chamber, and is rotated during the retraction stroke to unscrew the auger back through the product. The auger is disposed along one side of a conical hopper and the hopper is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: A novel cleaning assembly for a dryer feed chute comprises a shaft, a housing in which said shaft is rotatably mounted, a carriage for carrying the housing and the shaft member, drive mechanism for rotating the shaft, and an oscillating chain for moving the housing and hence the shaft in the longitudinal direction. The oscillating mechanism includes control structure for providing longitudinal movement of the housing and the shaft from a first position to a second position and thereafter back to the first position to complete a cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for unloading material from a silo comprises a chain drive wheel located near a discharge opening on one side of the silo, a chain idler wheel, a pair of angularly spaced apart rotatable chain guide wheels mounted on a ring which is drivable in a circular path around the silo floor, and an endless flexible cutting chain reeved around the aforesaid wheels. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the ring in the circular path and to rotate the chain drive wheel to drive the chain as the chain guide wheels move, whereby reaches of the chain sweep across the silo floor to unload the material through the discharge opening. The chain drive wheel and drive mechanism therefor are located outside the opening in the silo. The chain idler wheel is located inside the silo and within the ring. Protective devices are provided on the silo floor to prevent that reach of chain extending between the chain drive wheel and the chain idler wheel from being subjected to pressure from material thereabove in the silo.

Abstract: A material feeding device for storing and feeding material and especially granulated material such as sawdust, wood chips, nut shells, or corn cobs at a controlled rate. The device includes a hopper which is preferably tapered toward its outlet end and a drive assembly which revolves a radial rotor arm carrying a rotating agitator toward the material at a controlled rate for loosening of the material. The rotatable agitator has outward projections and extends through the hopper. Such revolution and rotation of the agitator prepares the material by release by loosening and moving the material in the hopper upwardly allowing it to fall freely downwardly under gravity through the hopper outlet. If desired, the direction of rotation of the agitator may be reversed to force the material downwardly. Revolution and rotation of the agitator may also be controlled with an adjustable brake assembly. The agitator may be heated to loosen it if the material to be fed is frozen.

Abstract: An apparatus in which particles are advanced from a storage container through a tube having a plurality of apertures therein. The particles are moved along the tube by paddles secured to a shaft so as to be discharged through the apertures in the tube. The shaft is mounted reciprocably and rotatably within the tube. In this manner, the paddles engage the particles during its forward movement while being spaced therefrom during the return to its initial position.

Abstract: A pressure feeder for feeding solid or semi-solid material plastic in nature from a container into or through a relatively narrow outlet, comprising a container for the material with an outlet at the bottom thereof, a hollow cylindrical pusher member oval-shaped in cross-section and having a gear along the inner periphery thereof, a driven pinion gear mounted on the container and inserted in the pusher member, and a holder fixedly mounted on the container so as to hold the pusher member between it and the pinion gear. The pusher member carries out repeatedly a linear movement followed by a turn about the pinion gear.

Abstract: Apparatus for reliably causing flow of material from a bin, of circular transverse section about a vertical axis, having a conical bottom converging downwardly to a central discharge chamber, including: a central shaft rotatable in the discharge chamber about the vertical axis; a first arm on the central shaft for preventing material from said bin from packing around the central shaft; a second arm on the central shaft for preventing material from said bin from bridging at the entrance to the discharge chamber; a universal joint at the top of the central shaft; a traveller shaft connected at one end to the universal joint for rotation, with rotation of the central shaft, about its own axis and about the vertical axis; a single chain extending spirally around the traveller shaft for a major portion of its length and secured at both ends to the traveller shaft, for loosening material in the conical bottom of the bin by contact lateral of the traveller shaft therewith; a plurality of flat pieces of resilient mat

Abstract: Arrangement for withdrawing material from the bottom portion of a silo having an inclined silo bottom and a discharge funnel at the lowest point of the silo bottom, comprising a conveying screw which is disposed above the inclined silo bottom and which on the one hand is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and on the other hand moves along the silo bottom and which conveys the material in the direction towards a discharge funnel at the lowest point of the silo bottom, and wherein the drive of the screw is disposed outside the silo wall and the bearing of the screw is disposed at the opposite end outside the discharge funnel and on the latter, both the drive and the discharge funnel being rotatably mounted to permit a sweeping movement of the screw over the silo bottom.

Abstract: In a feeder for granular material the material passes in a controlled manner from a mass thereof downwardly through a central feed aperture in a horizontal feed plate which is driven in a horizontal orbital path above a bottom wall having a discharge aperture therein. An annular plate overlies the periphery of the feed plate for the purpose of reducing the tendency of the feed plate to become jammed by the granular material. To further reduce this tendency the feed plate has studs projecting from its lower surface into sliding contact with the bottom wall, and inner and outer rings are provided between the inner and outer edges, respectively, of the feed plate and the bottom wall so as to orbit with the feed plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the controlled feeding of finely divided powdered material from a bin or the like by gravity assist through a mechanical feeding device are characterized by fluidizing or at least aerating the powder above the feed device in a manner to promote flow and prevent packing of the bed of material above the feed device while maintaining a stable unfluidized mass of powder at the feed device.The system is particularly useful in the controlled feeding of finely divided powdered material from a closed bin or the like into a pneumatic conveying conduit by gravity assist through a mechanical feeding device and characterized by constantly equalizing the pressure in the bin to pneumatic conveying line pressure for the purpose of equalizing the pressure in the pore and void space in the bed of material while maintaining a stable unfluidized mass of powder at the feed device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for effecting gravity-assisted flow of granular material from a chamber through an aperture in the bottom wall thereof include an annular horizontal plate orbiting in its plane at a location above the bottom wall in a manner to cause flow of the material toward and through the aperture. The direction of orbital movement reverses periodically to prevent accumulation of the granular material between the plate and the wall. Partitions above the plate divide the granular material into portions each of which is engaged by a part of the plate during each orbit whereby the extent of engagement between the plate and each portion determines the relative amount of that portion being fed.

Abstract: A dry developing apparatus equipped with a developer amount detector, includes a container in which the developer is contained, a rotational member for agitating or carrying the developer, a support for supporting the rotational member in such a way that the rotational member, when rotated, is displaceable axially under the force of the load resistance produced by the presence of the developer, a holder for holding the rotational member so as to cause the member to return in the direction opposite to the direction of the displacement when the lead resistance is lessened with decrease of the developer, and a detector for detecting the difference in the amount of the axial displacement of the rotational member.

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

Abstract: In apparatus for measuring out pulverulent materials, including a screw rotatably mounted in a barrel having an outlet at one end, the ability of the apparatus to impart a uniform flow rate to materials having poor flow properties is improved by interrupting the thread of the screw between any two circumferentially spaced generatrices of the cylindrical surface thereof and by disposing scraping elements to cooperate with the screw thread.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying granular material by gravity assist from an upper zone and a lower zone by means of a horizontal annular plate which is disposed between the two zones, the plate being orbited in a horizontal plane below a fixed shroud so that the material flows downwardly through the aperture in the plate along a path which moves in a horizontal plane around the periphery of the aperture.

Abstract: Granular material is fed downwardly in a stream of controlled rate from a bin or the like by means of a horizontal apertured plate moving in a horizontal orbital path beneath a fixed shroud which is disposed within the mass of material in the bin.