Abstract: In a method for regulating the foam density in products foamed from liquid and a gas additive the density of the foam and the excess pressure are simultaneously measured in the conveyor line of the foam, correlated in an evaluation circuit and the free foam density, that is, the density of the released foam under atmospheric pressure, is calculated therefrom. This calculated value is compared with a set value of the free foam density and in the case of deviations the ratio of the amounts of liquid and gas conveyed is varied.This method makes it possible for the relative fluctuation in density of the released foam to be reduced to values on the order of 1%.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing and dispensing thermoplastic resin has a conveyor or extruder with a chamber provided with heating elements, a conveyor or extruder screw mounted in the chamber and connected to a drive motor, a resin inlet and a resin outlet. To ensure the intended continuous dispensing of the resin even during intermittent operation, a control device is provided having inputs connected to a resin pressure sensor, a conveyor speed of rotation sensor and a resin temperature sensor. Intended values for the conveyor speed, resin pressure and resin temperature are supplied to the control device, which regulates the pressure during interruption of the dispensing of the resin and effects a speed regulation or a pressure regulation with a superimposed speed regulation during dispensing of the resin. For plasticizing of the resin, which is supplied in solid, preferably granular form, and since the conveyor geometry by the heating elements is required.

Abstract: A medium to high viscosity liquid flow detector and alarm sub-system for use with apparatus for automatic liquid dispensing machines for mastics, sealants, adhesives, and the like, comprising a liquid pressure sensing device disposed in the liquid flow path of the liquid dispensing gun of the machine. The liquid pressure sensing device derives an output electrical signal indicative of the instantaneous liquid pressure in the liquid flow path. A differentiating circuit differentiates the liquid pressure indicating signal to derive a rate of change in fluid pressure signal. The rate-of-change signal is supplied to an indicator for signalling the existence of an undesired rate-of-change in liquid pressure condition and is indicative of a bubble or void in the liquid mastic, sealant, or the like being dispensed.

Abstract: A pump apparatus for viscous material adapted to be portable and includes a pair of upright supports defining a rigid framework mounted on a pair of wheels for movement along a support surface, such as a building floor. A platform extends perpendicularly outwardly from the framework and is adapted to support a container of material. A carriage is slideably mounted on a pair of guide rails secured to the framework, and a winch and cable assembly allows an operator to raise and lower the carriage. The carriage mounts a linearly arranged motor, drive shaft and pump, with the pump having a downwardly extending, disk-like follower plate oriented parallel to the platform. When a container is placed on the platform, the carriage may be lowered to insert the follower plate so that it bears against the materials. The motor drives the pump, and, as the material is removed from the container and dispensed through a hose, the weight of the carriage, pump and motor drives the follower plate into the container.

Abstract: A regulator having turbulence generating device for controlling thrust. A differential piston (2) is biased by a spring (3) located in a discharge channel (8a) of a medium under pressure. The spring (3) is weighted in such a way that it is compressed at a given pressure within the container so that the differential piston (2) takes a first end position and decreases the opening of the discharge channel (8a) to a minimum. The spring (3) expands proportionally to the pressure drop due to the discharge of the medium (18) from the container and shifts the piston (2) so that the opening of the discharge channel (8a) increases gradually until the piston (2) has reached a second end position as soon as a given minimum pressure has been reached in the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining a predeterminable distribution of weight per unit area in the transverse direction of a mat formed on a movable support for the manufacture of chip board, fiber board and similar boards is described by means of which fluctuations of the raw material composition and fluctuations of the chip geometry can be compensated for, having regard to the retention of a desired distribution of weight per unit area, by varying the thickness of the pre-mat or mat, or, in the case of a mat which is built up of a plurality of layers, of at least one of the mat layers, at least region by region, by mechanical action over the width of the mat in dependence on a desired distribution of the weight per unit area over the width of the pre-mat, or of the mat or of the mat layer.

Abstract: A bin level sensor that includes a diaphragm operated switch arrangement for sensing the level of material in bins, and containers, comprising a housing of disc-like configuration that is recessed on one side of same to define a diaphragm chamber over which a flexible diaphragm is secured that has a diaphragm plate applied to the inside surfacing of same and centered thereon which seats against and is centered with respect to a thrust shaft shiftably mounted in the housing; the thrust shaft includes one end against which the diaphragm plate acts and an opposite end against which is applied a swing arm that is adjustably spring biased against the indicated opposite end of the shaft and is operably associated with an off-on operating switch. The sensing device is mounted on the wall of a bin or container to expose the device diaphragm to the bulk material contained therein.

Abstract: A peanut butter press feeding mechanism has a peanut supply hopper which is controlled by a release gate to supply a volumetric feeder. The volumetric feeder ensures that each of four intermediate holding hoppers at a peanut butter press are filled to capacity. A second release gate controls the outlet of the volumetric feeder, which releases the peanuts into a totalizing scale which weighs peanuts supplied to all four of the intermediate holding hoppers. The totalizing scale supplies peanuts to a conveying arrangement having diverting gates which supply the appropriate intermediate holding hopper with a full supply of peanuts. During operation of the peanut butter press, a predetermined amount of oil is removed from the peanuts based upon the total weight of the peanuts used. This is necessary since merely knowing the volume of the peanuts used is insufficient due to the fluctuations in density of each batch of peanuts.

Abstract: A combination measuring apparatus including a plurality of heads provided on a machine frame. The discharge plates of the pool hoppers provided in these heads are opened and closed to throw a predetermined material to be measured into the measuring hoppers provided on the lower side of the pool hoppers. The weight of the material in each measuring hopper is measured with a weight-measuring device, such as a load cell. A combination of measuring hoppers, the weight of the material in which is the closest to a target weight set by the combination computation of the detected weights in all of the heads, are determined. The discharge plates of the selected measuring hoppers are opened to discharge the material therefrom, and supply the material to a subsequent stage, for example, a stage provided with a packaging machine.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring system monitors the pressure of hot melt adhesive in a dispenser in an adhesive dispensing system. The dispenser includes a valve and the dispensing system further includes a controller for opening and closing the valve for dispensing pressurized hot melt adhesive from the dispenser. The pressure monitoring system includes a sensor circuit which develops an electrical pressure signal reflective of the pressure of adhesive in the dispenser and a pressure monitor circuit which monitors the electrical pressure signal when the dispenser valve is open. A pulse masking circuit is interposed between the pressure sensor circuit and the pressure monitor circuit to modify the signal produced by the pressure sensor circuit to mask out a transient leading edge, reduced pressure pulse appearing in the electrical pressure signal each time the valve is opened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separately weighing, by means of a common scale, contributions of material for multiple streams, such material typically being printed papers, such as from a printing press. Material that is to be weighed, which is typically waste material, is delivered by workers or operators along multiple respective routes to the common scale bin. Means are provided which are worker initiated, to provide enabling signals respectively associated with the multiple routes along with means responsive to these enabling signals while providing a plurality of separate counts corresponding to weight for each respective route. Delivery of material along each route may be detected by, for example, a floor mat switch, a actuated push button, or by photo detector means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method useful for continuously dispensing from a bulk storage bin or silo at a precise weight per unit time nonfree-flowing particulate material. A feeder capable of discharging from the back storage bin or silo a precise volume per unit time of the particulate material is positioned to deposit the material onto the conveyor of a continuous weigh scale which, like the feeder, is driven by variable speed drive motor under the control of a control circuit responsive to changes in bulk density of the particulate material sensed by the weigh scale. There is an adjustable speed ratio driving connection between the feeder and conveyor for causing the conveyor to be driven at a predetermined constant speed with respect to the speed of the feeder, and the control circuit is effective to cause shut off of the apparatus in the event that the bulk density of the particulate material exceeds predetermined minimum or maximum limits.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the amount of tobacco particles being conveyed in a stream thereof, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a freely rotatable roller with surface ribs extending across the conveyor. The roller is supported by a counter balance arm fastened upon a pivot and concentric with a transducer responsive to angular rocking motion of the pivot due to changes in the depth of the stream. Movement of the roller towards the conveyor is limited by an adjustable stop, engageable by the arm. A detector senses movement of the roller movement and generates a signal indicative of the amount of tobacco being conveyed. The feed rate of the tobacco may be adjusted in response to the signal from the detector.

Abstract: A system for mixing different kinds of grains comprises a plurality of tanks respectively containing different kinds of grains therein. Each of the tanks has a discharge port. A volumetric weight measuring device measures volumetric weights of the respective grains delivered to the tanks to input the volumetric weight signals to a computer. The computer supplies control signals based on the volumetric weight signals to drive devices for valve devices each of which controls a flow rate of the associated grain discharged from the discharge port of the associated tank. The drive devices are respectively operative in response to the control signals respectively supplied thereto from the computer to respectively drive the valve devices so as to allow the respective grains discharged by the valve devices to be controlled in terms of weight unit. The respective grains discharged by the valve devices are mixed at a mixing station.

Abstract: A gate-type feeder control system has level and weight sensors for monitoring the output of the system to a conveyor or other receiver, an electronic control circuit responsive to the sensors, and a hydraulic actuator circuit including a plurality of valves to provide the desired output of a feeder gate. In the electronic circuit, a master set point signal is entered and compared with the output signal from the sensors. The output flow to the receiver of the system is continuously adjusted by a deviation controller to reduce the deviation in these two signals. Erratic changes in system output are avoided by a deadband circuit introduced into the electronic circuitry to buffer excessive oscillation, overresponse and even instability caused by transient size change and lumping associated with bulk materials. The electronic circuit also includes an averaging module to average the level/weight of the material being discharged to obviate responding to peak levels.

Abstract: A loss-in-weight gravimetric feeding system is disclosed which includes a prefeeder for receiving and discharging material and at least first and second feeders for receiving material from the prefeeder and discharging the received material to a common collector. The system includes a device for alternately diverting material discharged from the prefeeder to the first and second feeders, circuits for generating a first and second weight signal representative of the weight of material in the first and second feeders respectively, and structure for generating a reference signal representative of a desired mass flow rate of material from a feeder. The system further includes a circuit for alternately comparing the reference signal to the first and second weight signals in synchronism with the diverting device for controlling each of the feeders based on the comparison between the reference signal and the weight signal associated with the feeder.

Abstract: Bulk materials are supplied on to a conveyor one after another with the supply port filled with the material. Since the pressure applied to the conveyor surface by the material is constant, what is called the fall error is eliminated. In one embodiment the conveyor is moved while in another embodiment the material is carried by scrapers secured to a chain conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a hot melt thermoplastic consists of a hopper containing granular thermoplastic, an extruder for melting the molten thermoplastic and delivering it to a manifold and then to an applicator for dispensing the molten thermoplastic. Optionally an accumulator can be attached to allow the molten thermoplastic to accumulate during off-periods of the applicator. Operation of the applicator controls operation of the extruder and the accumulator.

Abstract: A grain handling system comprises a valve device for controlling a flow rate discharged from a downstream end of at least one flow passage. A volumetric weight measuring device measures the weight per unit volume of the grain delivered toward the valve device to generate a volumetric weight signal. A computer generates a control signal on the basis of the volumetric weight signal. A drive device drivingly connected to the valve device is operative in response to the control signal to drive the valve device so as to allow the grain discharged from the valve device to be controlled in terms of weight unit.

Abstract: A gas dosing device for medical apparatus uses electrical control signals for connecting a gas supply under pressure through a pressure reducer to an outlet which is connected to the use load for the gas. The device includes a buffer connected between the gas source and the outlet and a reversing valve connected to the buffer and to the outlet. A pressure valve connected to the buffer and to the outlet. A pressure chamber is connected to the buffer and a measuring chamber is connected to the reversing valve. A differential pressure transducer has one connection to the pressure chamber and another to the measuring chamber and thus receives a differential of the pressure between these chambers.

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: An automatic valve shut-off system useful for gas cylinders and the like employing a pneumatically actuated rotatable shaft to engage the valve handle on the cylinder. A control box is located remotely and conduits carry pressurized gas to energize the pneumatic activator. Solenoid or manual type operated switches select the delivery of pressurized gas to the cylinder and a pneumatic feed back device is provided to indicate the position of the valve handle.

Abstract: When producing molded foam parts from liquid reaction components, the charge of gas in the initial components has a significant effect on the foam structure and quality of the molded part. This invention provides a process and apparatus for introducing a gas into at least one of the liquid reaction components prior to mixing said components for reaction. The component which is to be charged with gas is circulated from a feed tank through a recycle circuit to a compression zone which is maintained at a higher pressure than that of the feed tank. Said gas is admixed with said component at the point of initiation of the compression zone and the higher pressure is relieved through a throttle element prior to returning the gas-charged component to the feed tank. A finely divided stable gas dispersion which can be mixed with other components for reaction is obtained.

Abstract: A flowmeter has a tank disposed between a discharge circuit and a supply circuit from which the tank is refilled when the level of the liquid in the tank falls below a predetermined level. A plunger is suspended in the tank by a force sensor. The output of the force sensor is used to measure the rate of flow from the tank to the discharge circuit except when the tank is being refilled. Flow from the tank during a refilling cycle is approximately measured in response to flow parameters in the discharge circuit which are independent of the force sensor and liquid level in the tank. The flow parameters in the discharge circuit are monitored and calibrated during each tank discharge cycle, and the new calibration values are used during the next tank refilling cycle, to obtain reasonably accurate continued flow measurement during each tank refilling cycle.

Abstract: A weighing and packaging system operates by combining weight data from a plurality of weighing machines, obtaining a combination of weighing machines giving a total combined weight value equal to a target value or closest to the target value within preset allowable limits, discharging articles from those weighing machines belonging to the combination obtained, and packaging the discharged articles. In performing combinatorial weighing, the articles discharged from the combinatorial weighing machine are temporarily retained in a cylinder, and light-emitting and light-receiving elements are arranged to detect the level of the retained articles, thereby making it possible to detect the volume of the articles charged into a package.

Abstract: In a process for mixing and proportioning a plurality of mixing components, the latter are supplied in individually weighed manner to a continuous mixing process and the mixture is subsequently continuously removed in a proportioned manner. For this purpose, a mixer, metering feed means positioned upstream of the mixer and a continuously proportioning removal device positioned downstream of the mixer are provided. In order to ensure a troublefree addition and an accurately proportioned removal, the individual mixing components are in each case successively supplied in timed continuous manner to the mixing process, accompanied by the weighing of the total mixing material. During the feed pauses, the mixture is gravimetrically controlled and during addition is removed in volumetrically controlled manner.

Abstract: Ice cream making machine and method which automatically controls the weight of ice cream supplied to containers by increasing or decreasing the amount of overrun, depending upon whether or not the cartons in a production line are overweight or underweight with respect to a desired target weight. Correcting signals are derived at a weighing station which are proportional in time to the amount or underweight of an average group of weighed packages. Such signals are applied to structure which adjust to the amount of air being supplied to the ice cream mix.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus including a plurality of vessels which are disposed vertically under a hopper with the axes thereof being aligned with one another and a weighing device provided under the lowest vessel. At least one of the vessels is provided at the top and bottom portions thereof with rotary discs having an opening.

Abstract: By the displacement, depending on the pressure change in the container (22), of a piston (8) in order to open or obturate a bore (9) in the product conduit (7), the amount of product flowing per unit of time through the opened valve (1) is maintained constant even when the pressure in the container (22) diminishes. The piston (8) is so displaced by the pressure prevailing in the container (22) via a diaphragm (12) against a restoring force (21) that the bore (9) defines, at the time of the highest pressure prevailing in the container (22), a smallest predetermined opening for the product flow. By an adequate choice of the shape of the bore (9), the thrust of the product flowing through the opened valve (1) can thereby be maintained constant, which leads to a constant quality of atomization of the product (23) through a spray nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separately weighing, by means of a common scale, contributions of material for multiple streams, such material typically being printed papers, such as from a printing press. Material that is to be weighed, which is typically waste material, is delivered by workers or operators along multiple respective routes to the common scale bin. Means are provided which are worker initiated, to provide enabling signals respectively associated with the multiple routes along with means responsive to these enabling signals while providing a plurality of separate counts corresponding to weight for each respective route. Delivery of material along each route may be detected by, for example, a floor mat switch, a actuated push button, or by photo detector means.

Abstract: A continuous flow, non-flooding gravimetric belt feeder is disclosed which may be used to convey fluid-like particulate material. The feeder includes an endless belt having spaced, transversely mounted cleats. A lateral wall is provided adjacent each of the opposed sides of the cleats and extending between adjacent cleats, thereby preventing the fluid-like particulate material from flowing along the belt, and thereby enabling the feeder to discharge the material at a steady, pre-set rate.

Abstract: A fluid sensing apparatus to measure the flow rate of a non-Newtonian fluid by sensing the fluid pressure of the fluid to generate a signal to control a valve. The apparatus includes a fluid receiving chamber which has an outlet tube having a pre-determined flow rate independent of the viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: A self-pressurizing pinch valve is disclosed which is suitable for controlling the flow of liquid in a filling machine for dispensing predetermined quantities of liquid. The pinch valve comprises a flexible hose for conveying the liquid, a chamber defined about at least a portion of the flexible hose, the flexible hose being adapted to be pinched in the chamber for valving the flow of liquid therethrough, and a valve arrangement responsive to movement of the flexible hose for controlling the pressure in the chamber so that it substantially balances the internal pressure in the hose.

Abstract: In order to increase the dosing precision it is proposed to control the flow of the main component and thereby the measured flow of the main component is used as a variable desired value, and with the control of the flow of the secondary component the control value (the actual value) of the flow of the main component is used for determining or defining the desired value of the flow of the secondary component (which latter-mentioned value is proportional to this control value); as well as to use for this purpose a geared pump (P.sub.8) for the feeding of the main component to a servo controlled member or system (the geared pump being arranged between a pressure vessel (D.sub.S) and a measuring transducer (12)), an electrical machine M.sub.8, which is operable as a motor and drives the pump (P.sub.8) for the main component, which with the electrical machine M.sub.8 which is associated with it forms a regulating element, an electronic four-quadrant controller (16) for the machine (M.sub.

Abstract: An intravenous delivery system for automatically controlling rate of flow of fluid to a recipient. Desired rate of flow is compared with actual rate of flow to produce error signals which are utilized to cause actual rate of flow to equal the desired rate of flow. The present invention may be used with a conventional gravity drip type IV feed or with an ambulatory system which is independent of gravity. A new quantizer for providing fluid flow independent of gravity is also disclosed.

Abstract: Precision weighing and filling of comminuted materials is carried out at high speeds by advancing the material to be weighed into a rotatable pan, applying an unbalanced electromagnetic force to the pan so as to cause it to rotate through a predetermined angle to dump the contents into a tiltable discharge funnel and selectively locking the pan in a predetermined rotational position in preparation for refilling and the next dumping operation, all in rapid succession.

Abstract: In a self-unloading vessel having hoppers with discharge outlets for discharging either lump or pulverulent material onto an unloading conveyor, discharge apparatus includes a wheeled carriage supporting two separate gate assemblies thereon and movable to bring one or the other of the gate assemblies into discharge relationship with the hopper outlet. One gate assembly includes a horizontally sliding gate which is driven between open and closed positions by a drive cylinder. The other gate assembly includes fluidized bed airslide apparatus for directing pulverulent material to a discharge passage closed by a butterfly valve. Two embodiments are disclosed. In one a separate drive cylinder is provided for moving the carriage between its two positions along associated rails. In the other the one gate can be releaseably pinned to the other gate assembly. The relative positions of the two gate assemblies are reversed in the two embodiments.

Abstract: Ground control system for use with a spreader of dry bulk material at a predetermined rate and speed. The spreader mounts on a vehicle or like structure. The ground control system has input variables of travel rate of the vehicle and conveyor rate of the conveyor running through the spreader, and an output signal for controlling height of a feedgate movable at an exit port of the spreader. The travel rate input signal includes sensing the speed of the vehicle and accounts for calibration signals dependent on vehicle components such as tire sizes and other constants, and includes variable inputs such as the swath width and the application rate of spreading. The conveyor speed input signal includes the speed of the conveyor, predetermined constants such as conveyor width, gear ratio, etc., and input variables including the density of the material and the weight of the material. The input signals are differentiated for controlling the servo coupled to the feedgate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating a bulk material weighing and metering conveyor of the endless belt type providing a variable frequency signal indicative of feed rate. In such a conveyor system, a belt speed signal and a tare-adjusted weight signal are multiplied to provide a product signal that is converted into a periodic pulse signal whose frequency indicates the feed rate (net weight per unit of time) of the material being metered by the conveyor. In a first calibration step, the weight of the empty conveyor belt is measured over one belt revolution by counting the periods of the feed rate indicative pulse signal. This count is then used to establish a tare weight reference value. With the tare weight reference value established and the feed rate signal compensated therefor, a second calibration step is performed wherein the periods of the feed rate indicative pulse signal are again counted for a known increment of belt travel with a known net weight of material for such increment of belt.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a viscid medium from a supply medium flow to a number of receptacles, with the system including a filling station and a distributor having an inlet for a pressurized supply medium flow and a number of outlets individually connected to a series of dispenser openings located in the filling station. A support is provided for sequentially moving consecutive groups of receptacles through the filling station to align a single receptacle of each group with the respective dispenser openings. An outlet valve arrangement is located in a path of the medium flow upstream of the dispenser openings. A valve control is operable to repeatingly open and close the outlet valve arrangement to allow concurrent medium outlet from the dispenser openings during an opening time interval corresponding to a predetermined medium volume being dispensed for a required filling of the receptacles of the respective consecutive groups.

Abstract: A regulating apparatus for automatically controlling the production of a minuted mixture having prescribed composition out of big-sized starting materials, comprising starting material flow meters responsive to the rates of flow of the starting materials, a plurality of multiplying devices each having its one input connected to the output of a flow meter responsive to the rate of flow of the comminuted mixture and its other input connected to the corresponding output of a means for determining the concentrations of the controlled components in the comminuted mixture, and a plurality of subtraction devices each having its one input directly connected to the corresponding starting material flow meter and its other input connected to the same flow meter through a delay unit and an a periodic unit.

Abstract: A weighing device for fluent materials, for example grain, enables a flow of the material to be weighed.The device includes a sensor member with an inclined surface over which the flow passes. The member is supported in cantilever and the force on the member due to the flow of material is sensed by sensing means.The sensing means senses the bending forces, or other physical characteristic of the member at two positions along the member and the resulting signals are compared to give an output signal corresponding to the weight of material passing over the member.The sensing means may be strain gauges arranged in a Wheatstone bridge circuit the output from which is passed to integrating means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the density of dispensed hot melt thermoplastic adhesive foam in order to assure uniform foam characteristics. In order to create the hot melt adhesive foam, air or any relatively inert gas is mixed with the thermoplastic adhesive while the adhesive is in the molten state, and the mixture is then pressurized so as to force the gas into solution with the molten adhesive. As the molten adhesive/gas solution is dispensed at atmospheric pressure, the gas is released from solution and becomes entrapped in the adhesive so as to form a homogenous closed cellular adhesive foam. According to the practice of this invention, the supply of gas is periodically discontinued so as to prevent an excess volume of gas from being admixed with the molten adhesive whenever foamed adhesive is not being dispensed, thereby stabilizing the density of the adhesive foam.

Abstract: A vertical feed chute includes a feed roll for feeding fibers from a surge section in its upper end to a formation section in its lower end. A stationary, perforated condenser plate is secured to the lower, discharge end of the chute, and has thereon a concave surface which extends beneath the chute discharge opening, and beneath a metering roll that is mounted to rotate in the discharge opening in confronting relation to the condenser plate. A mat of fibers is drawn from the discharge opening into a nip between the condenser plate and metering roll where the mat is compressed and then fed to the input of a carding machine, or the like. The metering roll is mounted for limited reciprocable movement normal to its axis, and toward and away from the concave condenser surface. In one embodiment the roll is positively driven by pneumatic means toward or away from the concave surface depending upon the density of the mat entering the nip.

Abstract: Apparatus for the application of liquids to moving material, such as patterned application of dyes to moving textile material, including a liquid applicator positioned above the material path of travel for continuously discharging liquid in a row of plural streams downwardly onto the material, means for selectively deflecting selected of the continuously flowing streams in accordance with a pattern control device, and collection means for receiving the deflected liquid to prevent its contact with the moving material. The apparatus includes a novel flow controller to measure the flow rate of the plural streams from a dye manifold and in response thereto to adjust the flow of dye liquid from the manifold, by opening and closing a valve located in the return conduit from the dye manifold to the dye supply tank.

Abstract: A weight sensitive arrangement for controlling the material draw cycle of a vacuum sequencing system based on the weight of material delivered to a pellet receiver included in the system. The material is drawn by a vacuum into the receiver under the control of a dump valve. The receiver deflects downwardly when loaded and is equipped with a U-shaped deflection beam having an upper arm that deflects in proportion to the receiver deflection. A screw carried on the upper arm of the beam contacts a microswitch when the receiver is loaded to a preselected weight. The microswitch then activates the dump valve to interrupt the vacuum, thereby terminating the material draw cycle and effecting discharge of the batch of material in the pellet receiver.

Abstract: In reaction injection molding facilities of the recirculation type, a closed loop system controls the addition of a gas to a mixture of liquid and gas. The system takes a sample volume of the liquid and forces a plunger into the sample volume. The distance travelled by the plunger between two preset pressures of the sample is measured and compared to a reference distance to get a control signal that is used to operate a valve that controls gas admission to the mixture.

Abstract: A combined mixing and homogenizing silo whereby the layers of material stored in the mixing silo in the case of removing quantities of material into the homogenizing silo via corresponding dosing and blocking organs flow into one another and are mixed in consequence of the formation of cones whereby the quantity of material drawn from the mixing silo into the homogenizing silo which corresponds to a partial area of the series connected homogenizing silo is homogenized with the help of aerating elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of a powdered solid material such as flour, comprising a load cell supporting an inclined plate onto which the flour particles impinge after falling through an inclined gate valve. The output of the load cell is fed to a control circuit including a direct proportional control section and an integrated error section with a monitor circuit sensitive to excessive integrated errors. The control circuit acts on an electric motor controlling the opening of the gate valve to maintain a predetermined rate of flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the metering of additives which are to be blended with a primary substance includes an element which determines how much additive is being discharged from an additive storage container. This element includes a weight detecting device which detects a first portion of the additive contained in a metering container and includes another weight detecting device for detecting the weight of a second portion of the additive contained in an inventory container which feeds the additive into the metering container. This element also includes a volumetric flow rate monitoring device for monitoring the flow rate of a liquid additive. Each of these detecting and monitoring devices generates respective electrical signals proportional to the respective monitored conditions. The apparatus also includes an element for sensing how much of the primary substance is being discharged from a primary substance container.