Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive compressed loosefill insulation material. A lower unit has a shredding chamber configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material from the outlet end of the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material. The shredders include a shredder shaft and a plurality of vane assemblies. The vane assemblies are oriented such that adjacent vane assemblies are offset from each other by an angle in a range of from about 45° to about 75°. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive conditioned loosefill insulation material exiting the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston liquid pump and piston driver mechanism includes a reciprocating piston liquid pump having a piston chamber and a piston reciprocating in the piston chamber from an unactuated position to an actuated position, with movement of the piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position causing the advancement of product. The piston driver mechanism includes a first driver member having an axis and a sloped circumferential surface extending along its axis, and a second driver member having an axis and a sloped circumferential surface extending along its axis. The first and second driver members are aligned along their axes and mate at an unactuated position along at least a portion of their sloped circumferential surfaces. Rotation of one of the driver members about its axis relative to the other of the driver members causes the second driver member to advance away from the first driver member toward an actuated position.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of applying a liquid to a surface from a wheeled receptacle that is disposed on the surface. The wheeled receptacle, itself, includes a circumferential sidewall, a bottom wall connected to the circumferential sidewall, at least two wheels, a steering handle for guiding the wheeled receptacle on the surface, and a spigot; and the wheeled receptacle contains a liquid. The method includes the steps of: opening the spigot, thereby dispensing a liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle and onto the surface; and guiding the wheeled receptacle across the surface via the steering handle, thereby dispensing the liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle onto a selected area of the surface.

Abstract: An additive-storing tank assembly includes: a tank body having an additive-storing space defined in the tank body, in which an additive is stored; a plunger-holding tube provided at one side of the tank body in order to connect the additive-storing space with a water supply pipe for supplying water to a dispenser of a refrigerator; and an opening/closing means for selectively connecting the additive-storing space with the water supply pipe so that the additive stored in the additive-storing space is dissolved in the water flowing through the water supply pipe.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of applying a liquid to a surface from a wheeled receptacle that is disposed on the surface. The wheeled receptacle, itself, includes a circumferential sidewall, a bottom wall connected to the circumferential sidewall, at least two wheels, a steering handle for guiding the wheeled receptacle on the surface, and a spigot; and the wheeled receptacle contains a liquid. The method includes the steps of: opening the spigot, thereby dispensing a liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle and onto the surface; and guiding the wheeled receptacle across the surface via the steering handle, thereby dispensing the liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle onto a selected area of the surface.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of applying a liquid to a surface from a wheeled receptacle which is disposed on the surface. The wheeled receptacle, itself, includes a circumferential sidewall, a bottom wall connected to the circumferential sidewall, at least two wheels, a steering handle for guiding the wheeled receptacle on the surface, and a spigot; and the wheeled receptacle contains a liquid. The method includes the steps of: opening the spigot, thereby dispensing a liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle and onto the surface; and guiding the wheeled receptacle across the surface via the steering handle, thereby dispensing the liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle onto a selected area of the surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of distributing a liquid composition over the ground from travelling equipment, the composition comprising an active ingredient, in which method the concentration of the active ingredient in the liquid composition is varied in dependence on the speed of the travelling equipment over the ground, the liquid composition also comprising a viscosity modifying agent, the method comprising varying the relative proportion of the viscosity modifying agent in the liquid composition in dependence on the speed of the travelling equipment, thereby to control the viscosity of the liquid composition. Also disclosed is equipment for use in the aforesaid method.

Abstract: Apparatus for preserving porous structures, including masonry structures with embedded structural steel or reinforcing steel elements, applies a liquid preservative material to an exposed surface of the structure using the force of a compressed air blast at high velocity to meet, atomize, and inject the liquid preservative deeply into the porous structure. Separate manifolds each having multiple spaced nozzles are provided for the liquid preservative and for the air blasts, both manifolds being covered by a shroud. The manifolds and their nozzles are positioned and arranged so that, as the liquid is deposited on the surface of the structure, the high-velocity blast of air, arriving at the same area at the same time, atomizes, injects and forces the liquid into the interior of the structure, so as to coat the intersticies of the inner porous structure, including any reinforcing steel therein, the high-velocity air blast acting as a fluid hammer.

Abstract: A machine for blowing loose thermal insulation into cavities in the walls, ceilings, and floors of buildings is contained within a smooth box-like housing that is easily moved about within a house on its own wheels and is easily transported to and from a job site. The housing encloses an equipment cavity and has a hopper located above the equipment cavity, but the hopper, into which the loose insulation is placed, is octagonal so that corner channels exist within the housing between the sides of the hopper and the corners of the housing. The equipment cavity at the bottom of the housing contains a motor which rotates an agitating wheel in the hopper, and that wheel has flexible tips that sweep the loose insulation over the floor of the hopper and into a feed hole in that floor. A grate extends through the hopper above the wheel to prevent access to the wheel in the bottom of the hopper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a substance to a work area in which the method includes the steps of determining the quantity of the substance to be dispensed substantially evenly to the work area, calculating the rate of dispensing the substance to the work area for the quantity determined in the determining step to achieve substantially even dispensing, dispensing the substance to the work area at the calculated rate during movement over the work area, and adjusting the rate of dispensing at intervals during such movement to minimize error in such dispensing.

Abstract: The specification discloses an applicator (10) for precisely dispensing granular materials, such as herbicides, pesticides and the like, with improved control while compensating for the speed and travel direction of the implement carrying the applicator. The applicator (10) comprises a hopper (14) with an arcuate hopper bottom extension (40) and an internal feed rotor (42). The arcuate hopper bottom extension (40) is preferably inclined, and the openings (44) in the end preferably include straight lowermost sides oriented parallel to the rotational axis of the feed rotor (42) to obtain better flow control in conjunction with a revolving transfer means (54) located beneath and closely adjacent to the bottom end of the hopper. The revolving transfer assembly (54) preferably includes a plurality of rollers (56) for individually receiving material from the openings (44) in the hopper and distributing it for application.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a vehicular liquid sprayer includes a control circuit for receiving a liquid pressure signal and a vehicle ground speed signal and operator accessible controls for delivering to the control circuit signals corresponding to a desired application rate, to the number of nozzles associated with the vehicular liquid sprayer and to the nozzle spacing. The operator may vary the input signal corresponding to desired application rate plus or minus a given percentage to compensate for tolerances in the liquid sprayer system. The control circuit calculates the liquid pressure necessary to achieve the desire application rate and the difference between this desire liquid pressure and the measured liquid pressure and produces control signals corresponding to this difference. A duty cycle control circuit converts these control signals to a cyclical control signal for driving a motor-driven flow control valve.

Abstract: This device comprises a tank for the product to be spread, a pump inserted in a conduit connecting the tank to a spreader system, a regulating valve actuated by a driver. An electronic system controls the driver as a function, on one hand of the speed of the vehicle and, on the other hand, of reference data. The regulating valve is inserted in a regulating conduit which is connected in parallel with the pump. The electronic system comprises a regulator including a microprocessor which is, on one hand, connected to data encoders for encoding data relating to the amount of product to be spread per unit area and to a parameter relating to the type of spray nozzles to be chosen for said spreader system and, on the other hand, connected to at least one interface circuit connecting the microprocessor to a speed detector and a pressure detector and to an interface circuit connected with said valve.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for unloading melamine powder from a bulk shipping or transporting containers. The apparatus is comprised of a uniquely designed portable hopper or discharge chute provided at its discharge end with a rotary pump that is removably attachable to a tiltable bulk container. The process of unloading the bulk container involves the creating of a particular shaped flow from the bulk container so that bridging and other flow problems associated with flowing melamine powder does not occur.

Abstract: The foam dispensing apparatus is mountable on a self-propelled or manually propelled vehicle such as a planting, fertilizing and spraying machine or like surface working vehicles. A peristaltic or squeeze type pump has an inlet section for receiving air and a foam agent solution which are mixed and successively moved through the pump for discharge in a foam form from the pump outlet section. A discharge nozzle connected to the outlet section is arranged to apply the foam material on the ground surface at a position adjacent to one side of the vehicle. The pump is driven at a rate in response to the ground speed of the vehicle over the ground surface and the air and foam agent solution mixture may be proportionally varied to maintain visual observance of the foam on the ground surface for varying time periods.

Abstract: A herbicide spray system comprising a rotary lawn spreader in combination with a spray system comprising a fluid reservoir, pumping means and means for coupling said pumping means to said rotary spreader. The fluid reservoir is removable from the spreader load carrier and requires no substantial modification thereof to adapt the pumping means to be driven by the spreader.