Abstract: Weed seeds are destroyed in the chaff from a combine harvester by repeated high speed impacts caused by a rotor mounted in one of a pair of side by side housings which accelerate the discarded seeds in a direction centrifugally away from the rotor onto a stator including angularly adjustable stator surfaces around the axis. Thus the discarded seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts. The seeds are carried axially of the rotor by a controlled airstream so that they move to an axial discharge location where a discharge fan is mounted. The angle of the discharge around the rotor axis can be changed to direct the seeds to the side of the combine away from a straw chopper, towards the guide fins of the tailboard of the chopper, or into the housing of the straw chopper.

Abstract: Weed seeds are destroyed in the chaff from a combine harvester by repeated high speed impacts caused by a rotor mounted in one of a pair of side by side housings which accelerate the discarded seeds in a direction centrifugally away from the rotor onto a stator including angularly adjustable stator surfaces around the axis. Thus the discarded seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts. The seeds are carried axially of the rotor by a controlled airstream so that they move to an axial discharge location where a discharge fan is mounted. The angle of the discharge around the rotor axis can be changed to direct the seeds to the side of the combine away from a straw chopper, towards the guide fins of the tailboard of the chopper, or into the housing of the straw chopper.

Abstract: Weed seeds are destroyed in the chaff from a combine harvester by repeated high speed impacts caused by a rotor mounted in one of a pair of side by side housings which accelerate the discarded seeds in a direction centrifugally away from the rotor onto a stator including angularly adjustable stator surfaces around the axis. Thus the discarded seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts. The seeds are carried axially of the rotor by a controlled airstream so that they move to an axial discharge location where a discharge fan is mounted. The angle of the discharge around the rotor axis can be changed to direct the seeds to the side of the combine away from a straw chopper, towards the guide fins of the tailboard of the chopper, or into the housing of the straw chopper.

Abstract: A comminution device for laboratory operation is described. More specifically, a laboratory mill, particularly a centrifugal mill, is provided that includes a milling tool arranged in a milling chamber, a housing assembly, and a milling material channel running through the housing assembly. The milling material channel opens into the milling chamber and is configured to supply, for supplying milling material to the milling chamber or to discharge milled material from the milling chamber. The milling material channel may be open to the environment and/or can be opened for successively supplying milling material to the milling chamber during the milling operation. At least one system for passively reducing noise emissions is provided and situated in the region of the milling material channel.

Abstract: A material reducing machine includes a rotary reducing drum that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and defines a reducing boundary that extends at least partially around the axis of rotation. The material reducing machine includes an infeed conveyor for transporting material to a front portion of the rotary reducing drum and defines a conveyor plane. The material reducing machine includes a mill box at least partially surrounding the rotary reducing drum and including a mill box lid mounted generally above the rotary reducing drum. The mill box lid has an inlet edge positioned above a rear portion of the rotary reducing drum and an outlet edge positioned above the front portion of the rotary reducing drum. The mill box includes an infeed opening that is configured to receive material from a feed table and has an upper opening defined by the outlet edge of the mill box lid.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a threshing and separating system for separating grain from non-grain crop material, and a residue handling system for receiving at least a portion of the non-grain crop material. The residue handling system includes a chopper and a windrow arrangement, each having an inlet. A door is movable between a closed position which directs the non-grain crop material to the chopper and an open position which directs the non-grain crop material to the windrow arrangement. A feed roller is positioned adjacent to and between the inlet of the chopper and windrow arrangement. The feed roller is rotatable in a first direction which directs the non-grain crop material to the chopper when the door is in the closed position, and a second direction which directs the non-grain crop material to the windrow arrangement when the door is in the open position.

Abstract: The concave section includes a first concave body. The first concave body includes a first leading end, a first trailing end, a first upstream side and a first downstream side. A width between the first upstream side and the first downstream side is no greater than 10 inches. The first concave body includes a first crop engagement face that extends between the first ends and the first sides. The first crop engagement face includes at least one of a first thresher profile portion and a first separator profile portion.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a housing having a rear hood and defining an interior, a blower for generating an air stream in a substantially rearward direction, and a cleaning system separating residue from a crop material such that the residue is transported via the air stream rearwardly to be discharged from the housing. A chopper rotor assembly is disposed within the interior below the rear hood and includes a chopper rotor having a plurality of blades for chopping the residue as it is received via the air stream. A chopper housing is disposed within the interior and includes a roof structure located above the chopper rotor such that a minimal gap is defined therebetween. The air stream flows out of the interior via a flow path defined through the chopper rotor without being substantially redirected from flowing in the rearward direction by the plurality of blades of the chopper rotor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. A paper feed mechanism feeds paper that is separated from the stack by a stack separation mechanism to the cutter elements. The feed and separation mechanisms can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the stack separation mechanism moves in an alternating manner between retracted and extended positions to disengage and engage and insert the stack to separate (with its edge) paper therefrom to feed to the feed mechanism for shredding. The paper stack separation mechanism can move in an non-undulating manner relative to the stack. A device for stripping stapled pages, a pivotable support plate, and pressure plate can also be used, as well as a number of sensors.

Abstract: A tub grinder has a rotor with hammers that pass between adjacent slug bars. The slug bars have a riser bar portion disposed on the top of the slug bars, the riser bar portions extending vertically higher on one end of each respective slug bar than on the other end of each respective slug bar so that the hammers extend farther beyond the top of the riser bar and slug bar when they pass by first end than when they pass by the second end of the riser bar.

Abstract: A scissor type hammer mill, mainly includes an inlet (1), hammers (2), a rotor (3), a screen (9) and a screen carriage (13) thereof, an outlet (7), a hammermill body (8), and a motor (6), and further includes a stationary hammer frame (4) and stationary hammer blades (5) provided on the stationary hammer frame (4). The stationary hammer frame is fixed on the hammermill body, and the stationary hammer blades are fixed on the stationary hammer frame, the stationary hammer blades are mounted in parallel to a rotation plane of the hammers with a distance therebetween. When the material enters into the cavity of the hammer mill, the material form a rotating material ring after being hit by the hammers, and the material is milled once again after the material ring hits the stationary hammer blade.

Abstract: An ice supply device is capable of supplying cubed ice, sliced ice, and grinded ice. The ice supply device is configured to supply cubed ice, sliced ice, or grinded ice based on a speed and direction of rotation of a rotary blade included in the ice supply device.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing and separating an associated agricultural product into two or more sub-parts is provided. A first housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive the associated agricultural product to be reduced. A first reducing assembly is disposed between and in communication with the inlet and the outlet of the first housing and includes a first rotatable reducing member, a second rotatable reducing member, and a reaction member. The first reducing member, the second reducing member and the reaction member are disposed adjacent to the other and cooperate to receive and reduce the associated agricultural product to a plurality of first sub-parts. A second housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive select ones of the plurality of first sub-parts. A second reducing assembly is disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the second housing and includes a reducing rotor and a stationary reducing ring.

Abstract: An ice dispenser including a storage compartment for ice cubes having a dispensing opening through which ice cubes can exit; and a slider movable over the dispensing opening along a predefined path, the slider including a first set of fingers and a module having a second set of fingers, with the first set of fingers being formed with at least two axially interspaced fingers delimiting therebetween an intermediate space, and during movement of the slider on the predefined path, a finger of the second set of fingers passes through the intermediate space, the module of the slider being movable between a partial covering position in which the module partially covers the dispensing opening and a release position in which the module does not cover the dispensing opening to the same extent as it covers the dispensing opening in its partial covering position.

Abstract: A rotor assembly operable with anvil mechanism for comminuting waste wood and other fragmentable material has a rotating drive shaft with a series of rotors fixed in axially spaced relation thereon. A series of radially projecting hammers mechanisms are situated along the axis of the shaft and powered by the shaft. Fragmenting knives are removably secured to the leading outer portions of the hammer mechanisms. The hammer mechanisms include sidewisely reversible hammer legs having portions received by the rotors sidewisely contiguously.

Abstract: The disclosed trash comminution apparatus (TCA) is a device designed to work in conjunction with existing residential trash receptacles utilized by both municipal and private trash collection services. The TCA can pulverize, grind and shred most residential trash items into small pieces, while allowing non-shreddable material to be disposed of as well. In some embodiments, the TCA can be installed on the top of a commonly utilized trash receptacle. To install the TCA on a common receptacle, the hinged top of the receptacle can be removed. A rectangular opening can be cut near the top, on the back side of the receptacle. The TCA can then fit directly inside the top lip of the receptacle and can be bolted into the sides of the receptacle with a reinforcing metal band on both the interior and exterior of the lip of the receptacle. An electrical connection box with a three-prong electrical plug can be installed into the rectangular. The TCA can have a metal lid and a latch to latch the lid to the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for threshing tobacco includes a rotatable stripper and a feeder which includes a pair of cooperating counter-rotatable elements for delivering tobacco leaves to the stripper. The feeder and the stripper are arranged such that, in use, the tobacco leaves experience shearing forces as they pass from between the counter-rotating elements to the rotating stripper. These forces at least partially strip the lamina from the stems.

Abstract: A hammermill grinder that eliminates the frequent jamming caused when cutting heads catch on material that enters the lower segment of the rotary cutting arc and then feeds at a rapid rate equal to the rotation of the the hammermill into and under the hammermill, without first being reduced. The hammermill possesses two levels of cutting heads, preferably spinning on a horizontal axis of rotation, and employs shredder feet to limit the depth of cut, both preventing wide items from being drawn into compression between the backing grate and the hammermill, and influencing material more efficiently into the cutting area.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pulverizing apparatus having paired interconnecting cylindrical chambers wherein each chamber is provided with a rotatable shaft having a plurality of disc sets mounted thereon and wherein each disc set is provided with pivotally mounted thrust guides wherein thrust guide mounted on disc sets positioned in initial stages are provided with plate members to facilitate circulation of large particles. To facilitate stage-wise flow of solids/liquid, the chambers are provided with transversely-mounted weirs members.

Abstract: An improved chipper shredder is disclosed having inwardly extending teeth affixed to the housing displaced from the discharge opening so as to provide additional shredding action.

Abstract: A mill for reducing solid material into smaller pieces including a hammer member oriented for rotation and having a plurality of hammer pins coupled to the hammer member for fragmenting solid material. A cutting member is oriented for rotation and having a plurality of blades for cutting solid material. The hammer member is positioned proximate to the cutting member so that solid material processed through the mill is broken into smaller pieces. The hammer member has a plurality of blades that are positioned, one each between adjacent hammer pins. The hammer member has a longitudinal axis about which the hammer member rotates. The cutting member has a longitudinal axis about which the cutting member rotates. The hammer member and the cutting member each having substantially cylindrical peripheries; and each of the peripheries includes a plurality of circumferentially aligned ridges and recesses.

Abstract: A hammermill includes a pair of rotors to each of which are attached a plurality of relatively long and relatively short hammers. In one embodiment each long hammer on one rotor is arrayed opposite a short hammer on the other rotor such that, as the rotors rotate, a circular path described by an end of each long hammer is in close proximity to a circular path described by an end of a corresponding short hammer on the other rotor. The long hammers are interleaved and a plurality of impact plates are shaped and positioned in close proximity to the hammer circular tip paths so that materials being reduced by the hammermill impact the impact plates until the materials are reduced to a desired size. The inventive hammermill is particularly effective in reducing tough and pliable materials such as automobile tires as well as light materials such as paper and aluminum cans.

Abstract: A straw or chaff chopper attachment for a combine has at least one delivery funnel which can be fixed in place on the outlet hood of the combine, a cup-shaped rotor housing disposed under the delivery funnel, and an ejection chute connected with the rotor housing. The cup-shaped rotor housing is disposed underneath the delivery funnel and is capable of being pivoted back and forth around a vertical pivot axis (6) on a shaft (7). A chopping and ejection unit (8) disposed in the cup-shaped rotor housing (4), which rotates around the shaft (7), which extends coaxially with the vertical pivot axis (6) and chops the material and ejects it at the same time. A pair of the delivery funnels may be coupled for axial rotation about respective vertical pivot axes such that their respective ejection chutes move together.

Abstract: A defibrator which makes it possible to distribute defibrated cellulosic fibers directly onto a forming wire (5) includes ribs (33) extending inside a cylindrical housing (24). The ribs have outer curved surfaces which direct fibers into an area (35) in which beater plates (25). A grate (37) in front of an outlet (30) from the circular housing (24) is arranged at the periphery (35) for the rotation of the beater plates (25). The grate has an interspace between grate bars only allowing fibers to pass through. Accordingly, agglomerates are returned into the working area of the beater plates (25). As the beater plates (25) act several times on agglomerates, it is ensured that only individual fibers pass through the grate (37). Accordingly, fibers are discharged directly onto the forming wire (5) from a discharge opening (2) of the defibrator (1). Preferably, the discharge opening (2) has a width corresponding to the width of the product to be formed on the forming wire (5).

Abstract: The invention is a waste processor which incorporates the advantages of the chipper knife holder 100, swing hammers 50 and hog 120. A swing hammer 54 is used, providing for the use of all the kinetic energy stored in the swing hammers 54 together with good material contact. The swing hammer 54 profile is designed to spread the impact force over a large area, thus increasing the life of the swing hammer 54. If necessary, the swing hammers 50 can be locked to the rotating disc assembly 18, preventing their contacting any material. Hog hammers 120 are placed immediately behind the swing hammers 50. The position of the hog hammers 120 is such that they provide room for the swing hammers 50 to recoil, but are close enough to impact the material in approximately the same place as the swing hammers 50. The hog hammers 120 use the much larger amount of kinetic energy that is stored in the rotating disc assembly 18.

Abstract: A pulverizing system which reduces the size of solid particulate material such as drill cuttings from a wellbore is disclosed. The pulverizing system includes a pair of interconnected cylindrical chambers with each chamber having a rotatable shaft with a plurality of disc sets mounted thereon. The shafts are aligned in parallel relation and operate in a counter rotating manner. Each disc set includes at least one pivotally mounted thrust guide in the form of a bar shaped member. In one embodiment, the thrust guides of the two shafts are arranged in an alternating, interdigitating pattern. The chambers are divided by transverse baffle walls into compartments, with each baffle wall having an opening therein for passage of the particulate material.

Abstract: A method for recycling waste plastic material, from polymeric film or hydropulper waste, including plastic and cellulosic fiber or organic contaminants. The method includes the steps of introducing the waste plastic material into a size reduction unit, and reducing the size of the waste plastic material to particles having a maximum dimension ranging between about 1 inch and about 8 inches; mechanically hammering and rubbing the plastic material for separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic; separating another portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic by flotation with agitation; further reducing the particle size of the plastic to a maximum dimension of about 1/2inch; dewatering the plastic; drying the plastic to a moisture content of less than about 10 weight percent; and rolling the plastic into pellets.

Abstract: A fiber fluff generator includes a housing having three substantially cylindrical portions, each of which mounts and contains a rotor having a rotor shaft and a plurality of rotor pins extending radially therefrom. The rotor pins are arranged in rows spaced incrementally along the length of the shaft with gaps therebetween, each row including plural rotor pins arranged in spoke-like fashion. The rotor shafts preferably are mounted parallel to one another and lie in a common vertical plane. The rotor pins on one rotor shaft are axially offset from and overlap with the rotor pins on the adjacent rotor shaft(s) so that the rotor pins collectively are interleaved to provide a cross-combing effect. Stator pins fastened to the housing extend radially inwardly into the gaps between the rows of rotor pins to provide further cross-combing interaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing yard waste material such as branches, leaves, twigs or the like includes a hopper, a grinding mechanism disposed within a grinding chamber in communication with the hopper, and a fan mechanism disposed within a fan chamber in communication with the grinding chamber. The fan mechanism includes a plurality of fan blades which generate negative air pressure upon rotation of the fan mechanism, and the negative air pressure is communicated through the grinder housing to the hopper. Material is drawn from the hopper into the grinding chamber by the negative air pressure, where the material is ground and then drawn into the fan chamber. A discharge passage is formed in the fan chamber, to convey the ground material to a discharge outlet associate with the fan chamber. A hose assembly can be employed as an alternative to the hopper for supplying the material to the grinding chamber.

Abstract: A self-contained reciprocating action miller having a grinding mill housed within a mill housing and rotating about a grinding axis. A refuse hopper mounted above the mill housing has a convex floor with an opening therein to expose the grinding mill. Reciprocating feed apparatus mounted within the refuse hopper reciprocates two parallel, spaced-apart vertical walls along an axis parallel to the grinding axis to gradually feed the refuse into the grinding mill at a steady rate to prevent jamming of the mill when grinding tough refuse. Shear plates in the form of segments of a circle are positioned adjacent the rotor for comminuting shreddable or grindable material while guiding noncomminutable materials through the mill. A reversible rotor, stator, and discharge chute allow the comminuted material to be discharged from either side of the mill with no loss of grinding efficiency.

Abstract: A trash shredding device (10) includes an annular drum (41) which carries vertically spaced segmented blade members (47) in tracks (48) formed therein. A paddle (44) rotates within the drum (41) with its radially outer end (46) being adjacent to the blade members (47). Trash is introduced at one axial end of the paddle (44) and is forced against the blade members (47). The trash shredded by this action is discharged from the device (10) at the outer axial end of the paddle (44). The average overall sharpness of the blade members (47) is maintained by placing a new blade member (47) in the first of the tracks (48) while at the same time removing the oldest of the blade members (47) from the last of the tracks (48).

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet process recovery system for solid waste. The waste is fed into a hydrokinetic separation step wherein it is immersed in a body of water which is subjected to rising and lateral flows. These flows establish a synthetic gravitational environment to effect separation of solids above and below a predetermined density greater than the density of water. The solids having the higher densities are collected by gravity and transported from the water for recycling. A modified hammermill is connected to the body of water and the rising and lateral fluid flows cooperate to carry waste into a cutting and ejecting mechanism which both shears friable waste and dynamically ejects non-friable waste back into the liquid. The output of the hammermill is a slurry of comminuted waste in the liquid. This is pumped to a centrifuge separator where solid waste is separated from liquid and the liquid recirculated to the body of water to create the flows in that body.

Abstract: A multipurpose reducer vacuum for vacuuming leaf, garden and lawn debris which uses circular grate bars and free swinging hammers to comminute the debris. The reducer vacuum mounts to the rear bumper of a pickup truck. An adjustable discharge chute is used to direct the comminuted debris into the bed of the pickup truck. A wood chipper is provided on the back side of the apparatus for chipping small limb and branches. An alternate configuration adds an intake hopper which uses a baffle plate in cooperation with cutting bars to pull small limbs, branches and saplings into the reducer vacuum. Feed rates up to one foot per second can be achieved.

Abstract: A shredder for bulk waste paper comprising a rotatable hopper, a rotary hammer-mill (2) comprising a plurality of flails (24), a set of fingers (30) interdigitated with the flails in the floor of the hopper, a perforated screen (3) enclosing the lower portion of the hammer-mill, a reciprocating pusher (42) for compacting and discharging the shredded material and a drive mechanism (15, 48) for driving the rotatable hopper, the hammer-mill and the pusher.

Abstract: A reversible hammermill with breaker blocks or plates and one or more adjustable cages equipped with distinct shearing and screening sections, and having a shearing section of greater than normal length having a commencement point above the 3 o'clock position, useful for reducing coal and like materials including sub-bituminous coal to finer particle sizes with minimal horsepower and through-put penalities.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of medical industrial waste by crushing comprises an opening for use in putting the industrial waste therethrough, a door for use in opening and closing the opening, a waste conveyor unit, a crushing unit for crushing the medical industrial waste conveyed by the conveyor unit, a discharging unit for discharging the waste crushed by the crushing unit, a container for storing the crushed waste discharged from the conveyor unit, and a sterilizing unit. The crushing unit includes fixed blades and rotary blades and the crushed material discharged from the crushing unit is stored in the container as the rotary blades rotates.

Abstract: A machine for preparing soil mixes and the like utilizing a hopper and a conveyor forming a live bottom for the hopper to convey the materials into a shredding chamber. A hammer mill type apparatus is positioned in the shredding chamber to shred and mix the materials. The hammer mill apparatus works in cooperation with spring-loaded bars and with stationary bars which retard the bypassing of material around the hammer mill.

Abstract: A portable desk top "medical waste" fragmentation device and disposal system, complying with governmental requirements of maximum residual fragment size and sanitization. The fragmentation device includes a chamber having a rotating blade for fragmenting medical waste such as needles, syringes, vials and extracted teeth. For maximum effectiveness in reducing the medical waste into the requisite fragment size, the blade, with minimal clearance, passes between a U-shaped stationary member. During operation, the U-shaped member serves to momentarily hold the items to be fragmented in a stationary position as the blade fragments it in a shearing-type action. To ensure complete minimum size fragmentation, an agitating member continually throws the fragments into the path of the rotating blade. After the fragmentation is completed to the requisite size, the fragmentation chamber is opened into a disposal chute.

Abstract: A multipurpose reducer vacuum for vacuuming leaf, garden and lawn debris which uses circular grate bars and free swinging hammers to comminute the debris. The reducer vacuum mounts to the rear bumper of a pickup truck. An adjustable discharge chute is used to direct the comminuted debris into the bed of the pickup truck. A wood chipper is provided on the back side of the apparatus for chipping small limb and branches. An alternate configuration adds an intake hopper which uses a baffle plate in cooperation with cutting bars to pull small limbs, branches and saplings into the reducer vacuum. Feed rates up to one foot per second can be achieved.

Abstract: A beverage container crusher adapted to receive for crushing beverage containers holding liquids, the beverage container crusher having an upper feed hopper to receive a plurality of beverage containers, the beverage containers directed to a pair of synchronized, counter-rotating crushing drums. The crushing drums are designed such to initially pierce the beverage container to permit the ready escape of the contained liquids as the beverage container is being crushed between pyramidal shaped crushing teeth, the piercing being accomplished by pyramidal shaped piercing teeth situated on the primary crushing teeth, the primary crushing teeth attached to the crushing drums. A motor and speed reducer drives one of the crusher drums which in turn through a connecting gear, drives the other crushing drums through its connecting gear. The beverage containers are first pierced to relieve the contained liquid and then crushed between the crushing teeth to flatten the containers.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for solid waste including a rotor with a plurality of blades mounted thereon for shredding solid waste in corporation with a number of counterblades. A prescreening system is provided adjacent the inlet to the shredding elements so as to allow small abrasive items to be removed from the waste prior to shredding. A flexible cleaning system is provided for cleaning waste wrapped about the rotor between the blades. Further, a system is provided for preventing nonshreddable materials from jamming the rotor blade/counterblade system and for diverting such nonshreddable materials to a designated hopper.

Abstract: A crusher comprises first and second rotating crusher bodies installed on two rotatably supported shafts spaced apart from each other, and having crusher blades provided on their outer peripheries. A first compression board is positioned at one side of both of the crusher bodies, forming a crushing passage with one side of these rotating crusher bodies, and is capable of compressing an object passing through this crushing passage. A gate board is located below the first compression board and opens and closes the crushing passage.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rock, stone or other solid material crushing device. It consists of a crushing chamber, a rotator shaft running through the chamber, an outer cutting blade secured to the chamber, a set of outer cutting bars which are secured to a disk which is secured to and rotates with the rotator shaft and acts as a mechanism for breaking apart the solid material to be crushed. Within the rotational arc of the outer cutting bars is a pair of inner cutting blades. Inside of the inner cutting blades and attached to the rotator shaft disk is a second set of cutting bars, i.e. the inner cutting bars. The inner cutting blades are secured to the outside of the crushing chamber and intrude into the crushing chamber such that the outer cutting bars rotate outside of the pair of inner cutting blades and the inner cutting bars rotate inside the inner cutting blades.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for comminuting gypsum board and winding elongate bendable members. The apparatus includes a support structure and a comminuting mechanism, including a housing mounted to the support structure. The housing has an intake portion for receiving gypsum board to be comminuted, an outlet portion for discharging comminuted material, and one or more blades rotably mounted in the housing. There is a winding mechanism that includes a winding shaft axially rotatably mounted to the support structure. The winding shaft has a slot disposed therein for receiving an elongate bendable member to be wound. There is a holder device mounted to the support structure and spaced apart from the winding shaft for accommodating the member to be wound at a location spaced apart from the portion of the member received by the slot in the winding shaft.

Abstract: Whole ears of corn are converted to a desired particulate feed material in a machine which first preconditions the whole ear by breaking it into several smaller pieces before its cob and kernels are separated from one another and respectively ground and cracked in other operative units of the machine, and then recombined into the desired feed material composed of the parts of the whole ear.

Abstract: A device for comminuting small ice bodies includes a housing without top and bottom walls in which a horizontally extending shaft is rotatably mounted. Disks forming beater knives are mounted on the shaft and counterknives in the form of cross-shaped breaking members are attached to the housing. Groups of adjacent disks define chambers in such a way that each chamber receives exactly one ice body. The chambers are arranged distributed over the circumference of the disks and along the length of the shaft in such a way that only a single ice body is comminuted at a given time. This reduces the power required for driving the shaft to a minimum.

Abstract: Apparatus for disintegrating large food particles, particularly sticky food particles, in which a plurality of breaker blades spaced along a rotating shaft pass between a plurality of spaced breaker bars. Each of the breaker bars having an inwardly extending arm whereby large food particles which are not passed through the breaker bars are carried by the breaker blades into the inwardly extending arms to be reduced in size.

Abstract: A double-drum wood chipper for obtaining wood chips of uniform thickness from logs. Each one of a pair of oppositely rotating, hollow, open ended drums is provided with cutting knives. An aperture through the drum walls is located near each knife for reception of the wood chips. Two knife patterns on the drums are disclosed. The parallel-cutting edge of each knife makes an angle of about 150.degree. with the cutting edge of each of two laterally positioned, integral cross cutting knives.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for cutting solid refuse and for breaking open any bags in which the solid refuse is contained comprises a housing which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a rotary shaft mounted in the housing, the rotary shaft mounting a plurality of blade elements which include head portions with cutting edges that extend radially away from the rotary shaft, the head portions of the blade members forming spaces therebetween and being sequentially angularly oriented about the shaft; and a plurality of parallel slat blades stationarily mounted in the housing, each slat blade being aligned with a space between the head portions of the blade elements and shaped so that material fed into the inlet opening of the housing will be compacted and/or crushed and cut by the coaction of the blade element head portions and the slat blades, and then discharged from the housing outlet opening.

Abstract: A device for destroying hypodermic needles and syringes includes a housing in which a pair of fixed blades are secured at their bases and supported in parallel, spaced apart relationship. A rotating shaft extends through aligned holes in the apices of the blades, and a trio of cylindrical members, each having a cylindrical blade secured thereto, is assembled on the shaft with each cylindrical blade adjacent to a fixed triangular blade. The cylindrical members and cylindrical blades are each provided with a slot extending radially therein, all of the slots being generally aligned in the axial direction. A syringe is introduced through an opening in the housing to rest in the aligned slots of the blades and cylindrical members. The shaft is rotated to cause the slot edges of the cylindrical blades to rotate past the fixed triangular blades, thereby shearing the syringe and needle.