Abstract: A tool for feeding material into a mill having a roller and forming a nip gap. The tool broadly comprises a baseplate, a guide plate, and a ram. The baseplate is configured to be positioned on the mill over the roller and forms a slot. The guide plate is configured to be positioned in the slot of the baseplate near the nip gap. The guide plate forms a chute for feeding the material into the nip gap. The ram is configured to be inserted into the chute to urge the material into the nip gap while preventing a user's fingers and other foreign objects from nearing the nip gap through the chute.

Abstract: Apparatus for the proportioned feed of coffee beans includes a separator proportioner unit configured to measure out the coffee beans in individual measures; an incremental weighing unit configured to weigh a quantity of coffee beans proportioned by the separator proportioner unit; and a control card configured to receive a weight signal from the incremental weighing unit and calculate the weight of the proportioned coffee beans.

Abstract: A roller mill (10) for grinding material, an aspirating assembly (23; 23?) and a method of retrofitting an existing roller mill. The roller mill (10) contains a grinding space (11, 11?) for grinding material, a separating wall (17) separates the grinding space from an aspiration space (21, 21?). At least one aspiration opening (13), is formed in the separating wall (17) through which aspiration air can flow due to a pressure difference between the aspiration space and the grinding space. The roller mill (10) has a closing element (14) for opening and closing the aspiration opening (13). The closing element (14) is in or moves into an opening position (O), which opens the aspiration opening (13), when the pressure difference exceeds a threshold value, and is in or moves into a closing position (S), which closes the aspiration opening (13), when the pressure difference falls bellow the threshold value.

Abstract: A coffee grinder, in particular for the installation in a fully-automatic coffee machine, including an electric drive motor (1) for driving a grinding unit, wherein a reduction gear (4) formed as a planetary gear is arranged between drive motor (1) and grinding unit, with the sun gear (3) of this planetary gear being drivable by the drive motor (1). The planetary gear includes multiple planetary rods (8) arranged in the circumferential direction around the sun gear (3), these rods including a first axial portion (7) meshing with the sun gear (3) as well as an axially neighboring, second axial portion (9) with a second diameter different from, preferably smaller than, a first diameter of the first axial portion (7), with this second axial portion meshing with a stationary ring gear (11). The toothed racks are arranged to drive an output element (15) with their first axial portions (7).

Abstract: A material placer includes conveyors on a frame for receiving material from a side dump trailer and conveying the material to a placing location. The conveyors can include a receiving conveyor for receiving material from the side dump trailer through an opening in a side of the placer, a funneling auger for funneling the material so it flows along a narrow flow path, a transfer conveyor for lifting the material after it is dumped from the side dump trailer, and/or a placing conveyor for placing the material at the placing location. The placing conveyor can be movable between a stowed position and a conveying position. A drive system for the conveyor may be located within a conveyor pulley to reduce the envelope of the material placer.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle includes a frame and an operator's platform that is mounted on the frame. A conveyor is mounted on the frame, adjacent to and below the operator's platform. The conveyor is adapted to be moved between a working position and a travel position. An access stairway to the operator's station includes a side stair portion and a conveyor step that is mounted on the upper side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A mineral material processing plant includes a mineral material processing apparatus and a first conveyor which is arranged to feed the processing apparatus during operation of that processing apparatus. The first conveyor includes a first material transport part, a second material transport part and a pivot by which the second material transport part is fixed in relation to the first material transport part. The first conveyor is pivotable to an operation position in which the transported material is arranged to be fed via a discharge end of the second material transport part to the processing apparatus and to a service position which is in a first pivoting direction in relation to the operation position. In the service position, the projection of the discharge end of the second material transport part is arranged to leave free the lifting center of the processing apparatus when viewed from above. A method for operating a processing plant is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for receiving and destructuring collectable items, the apparatus having at least one item destructurer (112,113) at an exit of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an item receiving floor (114); an item pusher (115) reciprocally slidable along the floor, means for causing an item when placed on the floor to be engaged by one or the other side of the pusher and pushed towards and into engagement with said destructurer, and pusher drive means (117) configured to provide gradually increasing pushing force on the item towards the destructurer. Means may be provided for selectively causing an item when placed on the floor either to exit through the floor via a trap door device or to be engaged by one or the other side of the pusher and pushed towards and into engagement with said destructurer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in-line system for milling sorbent material to be used in a pneumatic conveying system. The system provides for optimal particle size in a duct injection system, regardless of the original sorbent particle size, and is designed to prevent clogging of the milled material through the system. Methods of operation for milling, as well as cleaning the mills while providing various sorbent material by-pass configurations to minimize system down-time while enhancing material throughput and that support the unique aspects of the system, are also described in detail below.

Abstract: A recirculating grinding mill, including at least two rolling presses for comminuting the material to be ground, at least two first classifiers for classifying a coarse-grain fraction, at least one second classifier for classifying a fine-grain fraction and a medium-grain fraction from the fractions classified in the at least two first classifiers. The feedstock is fed into the recirculating grinding mill passing the at least two rolling presses and the at least two first classifiers and then the at least one second classifier and the medium-grain fraction and the coarse fraction of the at least two first classifiers being fed once again to the rolling presses, and the at least two first classifiers being arranged underneath the at least two rolling presses. The rolling presses are placed between at least two risers for transporting the circulating material being ground.

Abstract: A tandem roller press has two roll pairs which are arranged next to one another in an axially parallel manner in order to provide a roller press system, in particular for the material bed comminution of granular material, which can considerably exceed previous limits with regard to throughput performance but also with regard to the specific energy requirement. Preferably, common feeding of the granular material and common discharge of the material which has been subjected to the material bed comminution are arranged. A tandem separator device may be arranged below the two roll pairs in order to form two parallel compact milling circuits with a high throughput performance overall.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for combining and dispensing different livestock feeds including roughage, particulate matter and liquids. A control system provides and weighs selected ratios of combined feed sources to establish a desired ration.

Abstract: The machine comprises a front door, a roll cover having a main roll cover and a feed roll cover, a first fulcrum axis between the main and feed roll covers, and a second fulcrum axis between the feed roll cover and a frame. The front door has a hinge at the upper portion so that it is kept at a self-supporting state when opened. The main roll cover is foldable on the feed roll cover about the first fulcrum axis. The feed roll cover is swung upwardly about the second fulcrum axis and is finally kept at the self-supporting state with the main roll cover folded on the feed roll cover. Where the front door and the roll cover are kept in their self-supporting states, since a pair of rolls and a stock feeder are fully exposed, the remaining stock accumulated in the machine can be removed easily.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the pulping characteristics of wood chips. Several chip compressors are used to treat the wood chips in the desired manner.

Abstract: Feeder module for use in a roller mill. The roller mill has a housing having an inlet adapted to receive a product to be milled and an outlet adapted to output the milled product. The roller mill further has at least one pair of milling rollers disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the rollers being adapted to mill the product. The feeder module has a frame and a distribution and feed device. The distribution and feed device is adapted to accommodate the product from the inlet, and is further adapted to distribute the product over the length of the milling rollers, and is still further adapted to feed the distributed product onto the milling roller. The feeder module is adapted to be pivoted in the housing between a working position and an open position, and when in the working position, the distribution and feed device is positioned between the inlet and the milling rollers, and when in the open position, access to at least the distribution and feed device is provided.

Abstract: A hand held rotary pepper mill possessing several grinding rotors gravity fed from a single supply hopper enables an increased grinding rate. A rotor shaft couples each grinding rotor to one of several spur gears all driven by a single drive gear which is driven by an electric motor through reduction gears, planetary or otherwise. A rechargeable battery and a docking station possessing a transformer, A.C. plug, and electrical contacts is suggested. A power switch possessing a spring biased default `off` position, manually depressed `on` position, and `continuous on` positions is recommended. The supply hopper has a radially displaceable cover which may be spring loaded closed with a spring biased dog holding the cover open. Adjustment of grind may be facilitated by vertically displaceable spring biased grinding stators opposed to the grinding rotors. Opposed circumferentially inclined surfaces may be used for continuous grind selection locked with a toggle clamp tightened cincture.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing solid particles including an impact-type pulverizing device, a mechanical-type pulverizing device and a piping system connected to the pulverizing devices such that the solid particles may be selectively pulverized in the impact-type pulverizing device and in the mechanical-type pulverizing device successively in this or reverse order.

Abstract: This waste recycling processing mechanism combines in a self powered unit in a preferred embodiment on a vehicle apparatus that sorts and processes recyclable materials. In another embodiment, this processing mechanism is constructed as a transportable unit that is self contained for road, rail or marine delivery to government, military, industrial, commercial and public sites. This unit may be set up for stationary operation with cruise ships, cargo vessels, and military ships as well as passenger trains and aircraft. This processing mechanism reduces the volume of recyclable waste by factors as high as 20 or more into the most compact forms in separated bins, and is capable of yielding uncontaminated, market-ready recyclable products by operator or by automatic means. Operator safety and comfort with resultant increased efficiency are paramount considerations provided in all units.

Abstract: A chip destructuring system combines two chip destructuring devices which are positioned back to back and fed from a single flow of chips. The chips flow into a splitter which directs the chips into a right handed and left handed auger mounted on a common shaft. The right handed auger meters wood chips into the nip of a first destructuring device, while the left handed auger meters chips into the nip of a second destructuring device. A pair of baffles hinged at an apex form the splitter. Each baffle makes up one side of the splitter and controls the flow of chips to either the right or the left augers. The baffles may also be adjusted to hang vertically and allow the flow of chips to bypass the augers and the chip destructuring devices.

Abstract: A coffee grinding apparatus which includes a coffee bean grinding mechanism and a weighing device associated with the grinding mechanism to weigh ground coffee. A receptacle is associated with the weighing device and positioned below the grinding mechanism for receiving ground coffee from the grinding mechanism. The weighing device generates an actual weight signal corresponding to the weight of the ground coffee dispensed into the receptacle. A selecting device is provided to allow a user to select a weight of ground coffee to be produced by the apparatus. A dispensing assembly may be associated with a whole bean hopper, the selecting device and weighing device are coupled to a control circuit which controls the grinding apparatus. The control circuit operates the dispensing assembly and/or the grinding mechanism as a function of a comparison of the actual weight signal and the selected weight signal.

Abstract: A coffee grinding apparatus which includes a coffee bean grinding mechanism and a weighing device associated with the grinding mechanism to weigh ground coffee. A receptacle is associated with the weighing device and positioned below the grinding mechanism for receiving ground coffee from the grinding mechanism. The weighing device generates an actual weight signal corresponding to the weight of the ground coffee dispensed into the receptacle. A selecting device is provided to allow a user to select a weight of ground coffee to be produced by the apparatus. A dispensing assembly may be associated with a whole bean hopper, the selecting device and weighing device are coupled to a control circuit which controls the grinding apparatus. The control circuit operates the dispensing assembly and/or the grinding mechanism as a function of a comparison of the actual weight signal and the selected weight signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispersion of solids in liquids including two relatively movable elements arranged so as to define a dispersing volume therebetween, a multiplicity of separate generally cylindrical dispersing elements disposed within the dispersing volume, and apparatus for supplying a solid suspended in a liquid to the dispersing volume for dispersing and for removing a solid dispersed in a liquid from the dispersed volume after dispersing, wherein the relatively movable elements are separated at the dispersing volume by a separation distance which is slightly greater than the minimum dimension of the dispersing elements.

Abstract: The machine has an inlet, multiple processing mechanisms for performing multiple feed material processing operations and a discharge mechanism disposed in flow communication with discharge sides of the respective processing mechanisms. The processing mechanisms include a hammermill, a sheller, and a roller mill. The machine also includes apparatus for selecting between which of the mechanisms is to be used. The apparatus comprises first and second diverter structures. The first diverter structure at its infeed side is disposed in communication with the machine inlet and at its discharge side is disposed in communication with an infeed side of the hammermill. The second diverter structure at its infeed side is disposed in communication with the discharge side of the first diverter structure and at its discharge side is disposed in communication with respective infeed sides of the sheller and roller mill.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operation of a grinding system having a plurality of mills running in a parallel fashion, in which the operating condition of each mill is controlled such that a predetermined physical quantity, which changes dependent on the running condition, is equal to set values for the mills, and the set value for each mill is variably controlled so as to maximize the amount of pulverized material. The apparatus includes means for comparing a pulverizing amount F.sub.A per unit time of the mill under control with that F.sub.B of another mill, and controlling the set value for the mill under control so that a difference between the pulverizing amounts (F.sub.A -F.sub.B) is maximized while the set value for the other mill is fixed, whereby the set value of the mill under control is automatically optimized.

Abstract: In order to avoid producing any secondary waste in the production of a fibrous and a granular material from household, agricultural, forestry waste, organic waste of the manufacturing and/or service industries, the primary waste first undergoes an opening treatment in an opening unit and then, after removal of any metallic components by magnetic separation units, is divided into three fractions. Such division is effected by a fractioning unit into (a) a fine fraction not exceeding the required final product particle size, (b) a coarse fraction easy to process mechanically, and (c) a coarse fraction difficult to process mechanically. The two coarse fractions are then separately reduced to the required final product particle size in reducing unit optimally suited to the particular coarse fraction.

Abstract: A mill for grinding farinaceous seeds into flour comprises a pair of counterrotating cylinders to which seeds to be ground are fed from a hopper with the aid of a transport roller. A float inside the hopper detects the level of a supply of seeds present therein and, via a pneumatic controller, varies the position of a curved cover plate confronting the transport roller in order to change the width of the intervening gap in conformity with the seed level. When the float descends to a minimum level, the gap is closed completely and the cylinders, arrested together with the transport roller, are separated from each other.

Abstract: A grain scratcher-moisturizer apparatus has an outlet connected by a screw conveyor to the infeed of a steam flaker assembly to provide substantial savings in the cost of treating feed grain. The scratcher-moisturizer has two driven parallel horizontal cylindrical rolls having closely spaced spiral grooves in their surfaces for receiving the base of a saw blade so that the teeth of the blade extend outwardly and are canted in the direction of rotation of the roll. Individual pivotal metal deflectors are mounted adjacent a respective cylindrical roll and grain is fed onto the driven rolls which hurl it against the deflector which deflect the grain back toward the roll.

Abstract: A materials handling or processing system which includes at least two processing devices such as shredders, for example, which are subject to unexpected and relatively sudden discontinuance of operation as by clogging or other breakdown condition, and transporting apparatus for conveying materials being processed to the processing devices, the invention comprising means for detecting such breakdown in one of the devices and for consequently directing to the second device the flow of materials normally directed to the broken down device, thereby maintaining continued processing of materials without interrupting their flow through the system.

Abstract: A grinding system and method for grinding mineral ore which is adapted for use where ore is required to be fed for grinding from a supply source at a substantially constant rate of feed, and in which the grinding characteristics of the ore and the power required to grind a predetermined weight of the ore vary unpredictably during the grinding operation, comprising a primary semi-autogenous grinding mill and a primary fully autogenous grinding mill connected in parallel relation with each other to the ore supply source, first drive means for driving the semi-autogenous grinding mill, power sensing means for measuring the input power required to drive the semi-autogenous grinding mill, and means for varying the ore feed rate to the semi-autogenous grinding mill whereby to maintain the input power to the semi-autogenous grinding mill at a substantially constant value or set point.

Abstract: A method of producing a thick slurry of powdered coal and water. It includes feeding less coal than is required for the thick slurry into a ball mill, and introducing all of the water required so that a thin slurry is produced. The remaining coal required is pulverized in a dry grinder, and the thin slurry and dry powdered coal are mixed to produce the desired thick slurry.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing samples from a stream of materials and for producing analytical samples therefrom comprising conveying a stream of granular material on a conveyor and discharging the material from the end of the conveyor through a hopper located in the path of the stream. The hopper occupies only a small portion of the width of the stream and the hopper is fixed to a plate which undergoes horizontal reciprocating motion transversely across the stream to vary the location at which the material enters the hopper. The height of the inlet of the hopper is at least as great as the thickness of the stream. The material separated by the hopper is conveyed through a chute to a crushing stage wherefrom an analytical sample of the desired size is obtained.

Abstract: A waste materials handling system which includes materials transporting apparatus for conveying materials being processed to a processing device such as a shredder which is subject to unexpected and relatively sudden discontinuance of operation as by clogging or other breakdown condition, the invention comprising means for detecting such breakdown and for consequently diverting flow of materials away from the apparatus without interrupting the flow of materials through the system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conveying and disintegrating refuse and the like comprising a plurality of mutually cooperating, rotatable feed screws arranged in a common feeding-in chamber. The direction of rotation of at least one of said screws is intermittently reversed relative to at least one other of said screws according to a predetermined program for temporarily feeding part of said refuse backwards.

Abstract: A cheese cubing apparatus divides blocks of cheese into relatively small cubes which are then shredded for depositing on pizza crusts. A pair of parallel inclined conveyors having similarly opposed cutters secured to the upper end. Each conveyor is driven by a hydraulic motor in a timed manner to locate the cheese block and to then hesitate. A laterally extending hydraulic piston unit forces the cheese block outwardly through a stationary cutting element defined by spaced wires in the discharge path to form cubes which drop into the cheese shredders mounted therebetween. Each conveyor has a belt formed of stainless steel slats interconnected by suitable pin means and spaced plates to carry the cheese blocks. Conveyor sidewalls are releasably secured to a box-like frame and to each other to permit ready exposure of the operating components for cleaning. Each of the shredders includes a rotating support disc with an apertured basket releasably secured thereto.