Abstract: Various juicing devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The juicing device has a removable grinder assembly. The removable grinder assembly can be quickly and conveniently decoupled into individual components. The juicing device has a removable press chamber that can be quickly and conveniently removed from the juicing device.

Abstract: A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing large particles from a vessel The apparatus includes a vacuum storage container and a suction hose extending from the vacuum storage container. The vacuum storage container includes a material receiving section, a grinding pump and a disposal line. The material receiving section receives the large particles from the suction hose. The grinding pump is positioned in the material receiving section for pulverizing the large particles received in the material receiving section. The disposal line extends from the grinding pump through the vacuum storage container to remove the pulverized material from the grinding pump and the vacuum storage container.

Abstract: The system and method requiring a diverter plate for an in-line mill. The plate for use with the in-line mill includes an aperture for passage of particulate laden fluid therethrough and a plurality of tabs such that the fluid and the particulate entrained thereon is deflected at a variety of axial angles. The diverter plate thus provides a reliable method such that the milling process and component wear resistance is made more efficient thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding coffee beans having a hopper arranged to receive and dispense coffee beans. The coffee grinder also includes a conical burr arranged to grind the coffee beans dispensed by the hopper. The apparatus may be employed to grind roasted coffee beans for use in a coffee extraction (conventional coffee machines), for example in a cafe.

Abstract: A food processor having a removable feed tube is provided. The food processor includes a work bowl and a lid configured to be selectively removable from the work bowl and having a feed tube opening. A removable feed tube is selectively attached to the lid and extends upwards from the feed tube opening when attached to the lid. The food processor also includes a simple cover that can be utilized in place of the removable feed tube to close off the feed tube opening.

Abstract: The system and method requiring a diverter plate for an in-line mill. The plate for use with the in-line mill includes an aperture for passage of particulate laden fluid therethrough and a plurality of tabs such that the fluid and the particulate entrained thereon is deflected at a variety of axial angles. The diverter plate thus provides a reliable method such that the milling process and component wear resistance is made more efficient thereby.

Abstract: The system and method requiring a diverter plate for an in-line mill. The plate for use with the in-line mill includes an aperture for passage of particulate laden fluid therethrough and a plurality of tabs such that the fluid and the particulate entrained thereon is deflected at a variety of axial angles. The diverter plate thus provides a reliable method such that the milling process and component wear resistance is made more efficient thereby.

Abstract: The present invention can suppress variations in dispersion and grinding processing, apply stable shearing force to a material to be processed, and also enable efficient dispersion and grinding. The present invention has a supply portion (10A), a processing portion (10B), and a discharge portion (10C). The processing portion (10B) includes a stator (12b), and a rotor (11b). The material to be processed is processed in a gap (Gt) between an outer peripheral surface of the rotor (11b) and an inner peripheral surface of the stator (12b). The inner peripheral surface of the stator (12b) and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor (11b) are circular in a cross section orthogonally intersecting the axis of the rotor (11b) and linear in a cross section bearing the axis. The gap (Gt) is constant in the circumferential direction and the axial direction.

Abstract: A brush chipper assembly has a housing and a feeder subassembly connected to the housing. The feeder subassembly includes opposed, first and second feeder rollers. When the feeder subassembly is actuated, the first feeder roller is operable to rotate in a first direction and the second feeder roller is operable to rotate in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) so as to draw the brush into the housing. Also provided is, a chipping subassembly substantially contained within the housing behind the feeder subassembly. The chipping subassembly including first and second, opposed chipping heads, each of which carrying cutting teeth for chipping the brush. When the chipping subassembly is actuated, the first chipping head is operable to rotate in a third direction (opposite to the first direction) and the second chipping head is operable to rotate in a fourth direction (opposite to the second direction).

Abstract: A chopping-grinding mill for used objects and other waste materials includes a base, on which a disc-shaped vertical-axis rotor (2) is rotatably mounted, the rotor (2) having a plurality of cutting blades (5, 6) fixed to its upper surface. A disc-shaped coaxial stator (3) is associated with the rotor (2) and carries a plurality of cutting blades (II, 12) fixed to its lower surface. The stator (3) is fixed at an adjustable distance above the rotor (2), which together define a grinding chamber. Primary cutting blades (5, II) extend from the centre to the periphery of the rotor (2) and stator (3) and secondary cutting blades (6, 12) extend only in correspondence of a peripheral crown of the rotor (2) and of the stator (3), while a feeding window (10) of the material to be ground is provided in the stator (3), in the area inside to the peripheral crown.

Abstract: A refiner (10, 11) for refining fibrous material has a first refining surface (1?) and a second refining surface (2?) arranged opposite to one another and mobile in relation to one another. The refining surfaces have refining surface portions (15, 27) feeding material to be refined and/or discharging refined material as well as refining surface portions (16) grinding the material to be refined, on the upper surface of which there are blade bars (17) and between them blade grooves (18). In the refining surface (1?, 2?) of the refiner (10, 11) the cross-sectional area (A) of at least some blade grooves (18) is arranged to decrease from one blade groove (18) to the next from the direction of the feed edge (13) to the direction of the discharge edge (14) of the refining surface (1?, 2?).

Abstract: A refiner comprises at least one first refining surface (1?) and at least one second refining surface (2?), which refining surfaces (1?, 2?) are arranged opposite to one another and mobile in relation to one another. In the refiner (10, 11) either at least the first (1?) or the second (2?) refining surface comprises refining surface portions (15, 27) feeding material to be refined and/or refining surface portions (15, 27) discharging refined material as well as refining surface portions (16) grinding the material to be refined, on the upper surface of which there are blade bars (17) and between them blade grooves (18). Both in the first refining surface (1?) and in the second refining surface (2?) of the refiner (10, 11) the cross-sectional area (A) of at least some blade grooves (18) are arranged to change in the longitudinal direction of the blade grooves (18).

Abstract: A blade element (20) for a conical portion (4) of a stator (2) of a refiner (1). The blade element (20) has a feed end (24), a discharge end (25), and a refining surface (21) which has a feed zone (26) at the feed end (24) of the blade element (20). The feed zone (26) of the blade element (20) has at least one guide groove (29) extending from the feed end (24) toward the discharge end (25) for guiding a flow of material to be refined from the feed end (24) toward the discharge end (25). The depth of the guide groove (29) is arranged to change in a direction transverse in relation to the extending direction of the guide groove (29).

Abstract: A gyratory crusher is provided that has a crusher head, an eccentric assembly connected to the crusher head, a bushing positioned between the eccentric assembly and the crusher head, a retaining member, and a plurality of fasteners. The retaining member has an opening and a plurality of holes. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the eccentric assembly such that a portion of the eccentric assembly is within the opening. Each fastener extends through a respective hole to the crusher head. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the crusher head and the eccentric assembly such that the retaining member is decoupled from the bushing. The cone crusher is preferably configured to crush rock, stone, ore or minerals. A method of making or retrofitting a crushing device such as, for example, a cone crusher or other gyratory crusher, is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an auto-feed built-in a paper shredder, including a pair of bisecting lids that are each provided at an inside thereof with a paper press, a paper receiving compartment, an auto-feed, and a paper shredding device located exactly below the auto-feed, wherein the auto-feed includes a paper tray, a paper inlet and two roller assemblies; the paper inlet and the paper shredding device located therebelow are aligned along an identical central axis; the two roller assemblies are provided at opposing sides of the paper inlet in parallel and project into the paper tray, whereby after placing a pile of paper into the paper receiving compartment to be supported by the paper tray, and closing the bisecting lids, the paper presses provided at the insides of the lids would apply a force against the pile of paper, such that a bottommost paper of the pile of paper would be folded in half by the two rollers rotating towards each other and then fed into the paper inlet to be subsequently shredded by the paper shre

Abstract: A refining plate for refining lignocellulosic material including: a radially outer peripheral edge and a substrate surface; a refining zone having a plurality of substantially radially disposed bars and grooves between the bars, wherein the bars protrude upward from the substrate surface and the grooves each have a groove width, and a steam channel traversing the bars and grooves of the refining zone, wherein the steam channel has a radially outer end radially inward of the outer peripheral edge of the plate and the steam channel has a width substantially greater than the groove width.

Abstract: A refiner (1) comprising a stator (2) and a rotor (4). The stator (2) and the rotor (4) comprise a flat portion (7, 9) and a conical portion (8, 10). The conical portion has a first end (17) of smaller diameter (D1) and a second end (18) of greater diameter (D2) such that the first end is directed towards the flat portion and the second end is directed away from the flat portion. The refining surface (12) of the conical portion of the stator comprises at least an outer zone (23) arranged at the second end of the conical portion and an inner zone (22) arranged relative to the outer zone on the side of the first end of the conical portion. A portion of the length of the blade bars (20) in the outer zone are arranged relative to the rotation direction (RD) of the rotor such that they have a retentive effect on the material to be refined. Also a blade segment (19) for a conical portion of a stator of a refiner.

Abstract: A crushing machine including a crushing means, a feed conveyor for feeding material to the crushing means, a detector for detecting metal in the material on the feed conveyor, and a bypass chute for the crushing means, the feed conveyor being movable between a normal operating position in which the material is fed to the crushing means and a bypass position in which the material is fed to the bypass chute, the arrangement being such that on detection of metal in the material, the feed conveyor is stopped and moved from the normal operating position to the bypass position so that the material with the metal is discharged into the bypass chute.

Abstract: A disc housing intended for refiners with refining discs rotating in opposed directions relative to each other is disclosed for mechanically disintegrating and working fibrous material. The disc housing surrounds the refining discs in an air-tight manner, and is provided with an outlet for the worked fibrous material. The inside of the disc housing alond its periphery is formed with a channel, which, as seen in the circumferential direction, has a continously increasing radius, which increases all the way to the outlet, which is located tangentially as a direct continuation of the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a an apparatus for processing various materials, the apparatus including at least two annular feed gaps placed one within the other. The beginning of each feed gap is provided with a grinding section (5), which is followed in the apparatus by a mixing section (10). The materials are processed in the grinding section (5), whereafter they are mixed in the mixing section (10), and the mixture is extruded into a product.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating milling products comprises a housing (1), a rotor (2) rotatably arranged in said housing (1) and having at least one pocket (8) for receiving steam-containing milling products which is to the processed, an inlet (6) in the housing (1) for steam-containing milling products for passing on to the pocket (8) and an outlet (12) in the housing (1) for milling products to a steam proof discharge device, said pocket (8) being at least partly open radially outwards, and an outlet in the housing (1) for steam. The rotor pocket (8) is provided with a radially inwards facing opening for steam (14), which can be connected with a steam outlet (15, 16, 17, 18) of the housing (1) at least once per revolution during the rotation of the rotor (2). The invention also relates to a method for treating milling products.

Abstract: Process and device for dispersing a fibrous paper web which comprises a substantially consistent fibrous paper material. The device includes an inlet for fibrous paper material, a stationary stator, and at least one rotatable rotor. The stator and the at least one rotor form a pulverizing zone including a pulverizing element located near the inlet for the fibrous paper material, the pulverizing element including least one of scrapers and knives for pulverizing the fibrous material into a fine, friable material; a vapor chamber forming a ring about the pulverizing zone, the vapor chamber being for calefying the fine, friable material formed by the pulverizing element; and a dispersing zone including at least one row of teeth on the stator and at least one row of teeth on the at least one rotor which can be moved relative to the at least one row of teeth of the stator.

Abstract: A coffee grinder assembly with a housing containing a pair of hoppers for containing coffee beans with a pair of hopper outlet chutes, or grinding chamber inlet chutes for feeding beans into a grinding chamber where the beans are ground by powered grinding discs or blades and then passed to a removable brew basket via an outlet chute with an outlet end that is in communication with a negative ion generator that ionizes the air in the outlet chute through which the ground coffee and chaff pass on their way to the brew basket to electrically neutralize the chaff to reduce chaff dispersion due to electrostatic repulsion of positively charged chaff.

Abstract: A coffee grinder which may be used in the hotel industry is positioned at an oblique angle to the vertical and makes it possible for several coffee grinders for different types of coffee to be accommodated in a minimal space. Coffee beans are fed into a grinding mill having fixed and rotating grinding wheels. The distance between the grinding wheels is adjustable. An ejection opening for discharge of the ground coffee powder allows the powder to be ejected tangentially and under the influence of gravity from the grinding mill.

Abstract: A mill comprises a static frame and a movable frame interconnected by springs. The movable frame carries a milling ring and a motor. The motor is driving a roller for running along the inner side of the milling ring. Material is crushed between the ring and the roller. Mounting the motor to the movable frame simplifies the design of the mill and dampens the oscillating movements of the movable frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of ground material used to make a beverage includes an electrostatic precipitator to prevent the separation of chaff fines from a main stream of the ground material. The apparatus includes a grinder and a chute leading from an exit opening in the grinder to a receptacle for receiving the ground material. The electrostatic dissipator is positioned near the exit opening for minimizing the electrostatic charge on chaff fines created by the grinder, thereby preventing the separation of chaff fines from the main stream of ground material.

Abstract: A first rotor disk (21) and a second rotor disk (22) having a plurality of crushing pins (30) mounted so as to form rows along the circumference are opposed to each other and rotatably supported within casings (14, 15). The first and second rotor disks (21, 22) are rotated to crush materials to be crushed which are charged into the casings (14, 15). The crushing pins (30) are mounted on the first and second rotor disks (21, 22) in a cantilever manner. Escape spaces are provided on the first and second rotor disks (21, 22) so as to face to the extreme ends of the crushing pins (30).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a processing apparatus which can be used, for example, to disperse highly consistent fibrous paper substances. The apparatus consists of at least two intermeshed processing tools (1, 2), which are movable with respect to one another and which are provided with teeth (3, 3', 3", 4, 4"). The fibrous substance that is being processed passes along a gap between the processing tools and finally leaves the apparatus through an expulsion mechanism (8) that allows the adjustment of the size of the exit opening through which the substance exits. The control of the size of the exit opening allows control over the degree of compression acting on the substance and the fill level of the apparatus, both of which in effect control the process intensity.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a method and an apparatus capable of disintegrating used paper into long pulp fibers without tearing it mechanically. In the apparatus, a wall surface having an undulating section is formed on an inner side of a gas flow path, with a current of air having a velocity component parallel to the wall surface and a velocity component perpendicular to and striking against the wall surface is allowed to pass through the gas flow path. Finely cut used paper pieces are allowed to pass through the gas flow path while being carried by the air current. The parallel velocity component of the air current is set at 40 m or more. An impeller is mounted within a circular casing body having an inlet port and an outlet port, and undulating teeth are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the circular casing body. The used paper, which is sucked in from the above inlet port together with the air current, is cut beforehand into pieces.

Abstract: Grain is fed from a hopper to a horizontally oriented adjustable speed steam heated auger driven by a variable speed drive. The auger is long enough (approximately twenty inches) that temperature controlled steam fed to a plurality of inlets along the auger as related to the rate of grain movement through the auger heats the grain therein to approximately three hundred degrees fahrenheit. Then it is dropped through a grain outlet opening into a high velocity cold air stream temperature shocking the hot grain causing a sudden contraction of grain outer layers causing them to crack and loosen from the grain core. The grain is then fed through tubes to space between a rotatable internally rubber (or soft plastic) sheet layer sheathed inner surface outer mill member fitted to and rotatable about a truncated cone member having outer surface metal channel members angled approximately forty five degrees adjacent at the top and diverging at the bottom.

Abstract: In an apparatus (10,100,300,400) for refining a low consistency fibrous slurry, which includes a plurality of refining zones (38,40; 188,128; 324,334; 411,413) within a casing, the improvement comprises providing a unique discharge flow path from each refining zone to a respective unique discharge line (56,58; 130,142; 308,310; 411,413) out of the casing, and means (57,59; 141,143; 344,346; 432,434) for differentially adjusting the flow rate in each discharge line. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a divider (42,132,340) is provided between the casing and the rotor member, thus dividing the discharge between the two refining gaps, into two separate flow streams. The first and second gaps are monitored in any conventional manner. Under operating conditions, the flow control valves are adjusted for combined flow from the refiner casing as required by the production demands.

Abstract: A pulp fluidizer and pulp refiner apparatus. Paper pulp stock of either low (3-8%) or medium (8-15%) fiber consistency is fed from the fluidizer portion of the apparatus to the refiner. The construction is such that the outlet of the fluidizer is contiguous to the inlet of the refiner. This geometrical relation permits the deflocculated pulp from the fluidizer outlet to be fed substantially immediately to the refiner inlet, prior to its naturally occurring reversion to a flocculated state. By providing the input of the disc refiner with deflocculated paper pulp stock, higher pulp stock consistencies can be worked by the refiner, resulting in savings of energy, equipment and space.

Abstract: A brush/wood chipper having a small diameter pressing feed cylinder adjacent and parallel to an anvil which is generally perpendicular to the feed disc, the cylinder also being adjacent the chipping disc. This feed cylinder is in an infeed chute, and presses the branches, twigs or other wood against the anvil while the wood is fed to and chipped by knives on the disc. The radially oriented knives are each canted relative to the chordal anvil so that, preferably assisted by a canted feed cylinder, the wood is forced toward the center of the chipping disc. The infeed chute has a wall generally at the center of the disc. The chips are propelled to a flow arrester for discharge into bags or bypassed to a discharge chute extension, using a control valve at the flow arrester.

Abstract: In a refiner (40) with two opposed discs (47,48) rotatable relative to each other fibre pulp is manufactured from lignocellulose-containing material. The material is advanced in a channel comprising a plug pipe (20), through which the material is fed in compressed state, and a steam screen pipe (32) for discharging steam. The steam screen pipe (32) is located directly after the plug pipe (20) and has a cross-sectional area, which slightly exceeds that of the plug pipe in order to allow a limited expansion of the material plug. The steam is thereby allowed to flow through the material, at the same time as the material plug prevents clogging of the apertures (37,39) of the steam screen pipe.

Abstract: An impeller for use in a comminuter of the type having a cylindrical comminuting chamber formed by a circular arrangement of free rotating vertical cutting rolls includes a circular baseplate rotatably mounted at the lowermost end of the comminuting chamber for horizontal rotation. A first planar impeller blade is affixed at a first end to the plate. The blade extends upwardly at an acute angle from the plate and terminates at a second end closely adjacent the cutting rolls. The first blade is arranged to push the material in the bottom portion of the chamber in the direction of rotation of the baseplate and also to provide a component of force downward on the material. In one embodiment, a second impeller blade is affixed to the plate at a location diametrically opposed to the location of attachment of the first blade.

Abstract: An improved comminuting device for pulverizing solid material includes a comminuting chamber and a discharge chamber adjacent the comminuting chamber. A screening assembly is located at the interface between the comminuting chamber and the discharge chamber and regulates the size of particles permitted to pass from the comminuting chamber into the discharge chamber. The screening assembly is adjustable to selectively vary the maximum size particles permitted to pass into the discharge chamber. The comminuting chamber is defined by a series of rolls having abrading protrusions on their outer surfaces. In one embodiment of the invention, the screening assembly includes a plurality of planar flails swingably mounted at a first end on a first surface of a disk rotatably mounted in the housing for rotaton in a horizontal plane. The disk forms the interface between the comminuting chamber and the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A pulp fluidizer and pulp disc refiner apparatus and process. Paper pulp stock of either low (3-8%) or medium (8-15%) fiber consistency is fed from the fluidizer portion of the apparatus to the disc refiner. The construction is such that the outlet of the fluidizer is contiguous to the inlet of the refiner. This geometrical relation permits the de-flocculated pulp from the fluidizer outlet to be fed substantially immediately to the refiner inlet, prior to its naturally occurring reversion to a flocculated state. By providing the input of the disc refiner with de-flocculated paper pulp stock, higher pulp stock consistencies can be worked by the disc refiner, resulting in savings of emergy, equipment and space. Three embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A device for screening fluidizable suspensions, such as medium consistency (e.g. 6-15 percent solids) paper pulp includes a housing with a main suspension inlet and a main (rejects) outlet. A rotor having a plurality of ribs is mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis. A stationary screen is disposed in the housing between the main inlet and outlet. The stationary screen defines, with the housing, a chamber, and the rotor is positioned so that the ribs sweep past the screen, with only a small clearance between the screen and ribs. Between the screen and the outlet grinding elements are provided, comprising a stationary grinding ring connected to the housing, and a movable grinding ring connected to the rotor for rotation with the rotor. The grinding elements define a grinding slot between them. The grinding slot is adjustable either by replacing one or both of the grinding rings, or by forming the grinding elements so that they are conical and adjusting the axial position of the rotor in the housing.

Abstract: A solids comminuter having a circular series of upright abrasive rolls with upper end drive defines a central chamber to receive solids to be comminuted. A centrally apertured stationary bottom plate supporting the rolls defines an orifice partially covered by a free-turning screening plate to define an annular passage adjustable in width to form a size restriction gap. Driven by the swirling mass of solids pressing down against it, the screening plate drives a particle impeller housed in a receiving chamber underlying the screening orifice to pump the descending comminuted particles outwardly through a discharge passage in the wall of the receiving chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing thermo-mechanical pulp from wood chips and the like in which the chips are first heated in a steaming chamber or preheater to a fiber temperature below the softening point of the lignin of middle lamella section of the wood fibers. The thus heated chips are conveyed in a sealed system to the inlet of a defibrating zone enclosed within a housing in a gaseous atmosphere of superatmospheric pressure, where it is compressed by a screw conveyor into a plug which seals the defibrator housing against blow-back of the pressurized gaseous medium.

Abstract: A pellet feeder (A) feeds pellets of vulcanized rubber or other materials and water or another fluid at controlled rates into a mixing tank (30). An agitator (32) mixes the pellets and fluid into a slurry. The slurry is pumped from the mixing tank to a mill (C) by a pump (34). The mill has a receiving region (70) defined between a stator (48) and a rotor (68) for receiving the slurry. The stator and rotor define a peripheral grinding zone (72) around the slurry receiving region. An impeller (74) has vanes which extend from the upper surface of the rotor to an abrasive surface (82) of the stator such that the impeller vanes are ground at the same rate as the stator and rotor wear to maintain a fluid seal around the impeller blades. Fluid cylinders (50, 52) maintain a constant pressure between the stator and rotor. The stator has a plurality of recesses (86, 86') which preferably have downstream extending relief areas (214).

Abstract: Much better control of the grind of a rotary mill and much more uniformity of grind of the mill is achieved by better control of air flow through the mill, provided by making the milled product collecting pan of the mill air-tight and regulating the amount of in allowed to escape from the pan. The apparatus of the invention includes a housing in which are mounted two discs in spaced, confronting axial alignment, each disc having extending therefrom toward the other disc concentric rows of teeth. The rows of teeth overlap so that alternating rows of radially spaced, interposed teeth are formed. One of the discs is adapted to be rotated in relation to the other disc and grain to be milled, along with any air flow through the mill, is introduced through an inlet to the area between the discs inwardly of the innermost rows of teeth. An outlet into a substantially air tight collecting pan is provided for the milled material after it passes radially outwardly through the interposed row of teeth.

Abstract: Disk refiner for cellulose, paper or other equivalent pulp, with two mutually opposed blade disks, at least one of which is rotatable, carrying grinding surfaces facing each other and having within the circumference defined by the grinding surface of one blade disk, in the pulp inlet duct, a sieve plate concentric with the blade disks. Within the sieve plate there is a concentric guide plate so that between the sieve plate and the guide plate there is defined a gap through which the pulp to be refined goes to the grinding surfaces.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for comminuting solid material a plurality of comminuting rollers are journalled for rotational motion in a generally circular arrangement to form a tubular enclosure. Solid pieces of material introduced into the enclosure are driven orbitally at a speed sufficient to be forced centrifugally outwardly against the comminuting rollers. Puncturing elements on the rotating rollers operate to comminute the pieces of material by a rolling, puncturing action. In a preferred embodiment, the rollers are powered and are rotated conjointly to engage and drive the solid material orbitally. Additionally, an impeller may be employed to drive the material within the enclosure, and in yet another embodiment, the entire enclosure, including the rollers, is rotated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in or relating to grinding of vegetable material in a grinding apparatus equipped with discs mounted rotatably relatively one another in a casing, within which a superatmospheric pressure is maintained by steam. This steam is introduced into the casing together with the vegetable material to be ground through a central inlet into an interspace defined by the discs. The material and the steam pass radially outward through said interspace. Immediately on departure from the interspace the ground pulp is received by an atmosphere of a non-condensable gas, the action of which gives the final product desired properties.

Abstract: An infeed disc for a disc refiner has infeed passages which are circularly spaced by portions thereof which define spokes. The spokes and the passages have special characteristics. The center line of each passage is skewed with reference to the axial center line of the disc, in both an axial and a circular sense, and thereby curved, causing the passage to be essentially curved to provide a circular offset of the openings from the respective ends of each passage. The disc is further characterized by a non-radial skewed orientation of its spokes, the center line of each spoke being angularly inclined to a plane which is radial to and includes the central axis of the disc. The centers of the respective axially spaced infeed and operating surface portions of the spokes are offset one from the other, in a circular sense.

Abstract: The invention provides an infeed structure for a disc type refiner including a body having two passages which at their one ends commonly open from a portion of the body which is adapted to bridge an inlet opening to the interior of a disc type refiner. One of the passages is a material infeed passage and the other a steam vent passage. Incorporated in the portion of the body adapted to bridge the inlet opening to a disc refiner are means, preferably integrated, which in the application of the infeed structure serve to distinctly separate the discharge end of the material infeed passage from the inlet end of the steam vent passage.

Abstract: An improved pressurized disc refiner having a pair of oppositely facing non rotating refiner plates and a rotating disc having refiner plates on each face thereof juxtaposed the non rotating refiner plates. The rotating refiner plates and at least one of the non rotating refiner plates are axially adjustable to compensate for wear and to insure that an equal and opposite thrust force is produced on opposite sides of the rotating refiner plates. During the plate changing operation, both of the non rotating refiner plates are independently movable axially along the drive shaft away from the rotating disc for simultaneous access to both of the non rotating refiner plates and both of the rotating refiner plates to facilitate changing of the refiner plates. The refiner has a split mechanical stop to limit movement of the axially adjustable non rotating refiner plates axially away from the rotating refiner plate during the refining operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A double disc refiner for wood products solves the problems caused by steam generation in the refining space between the feed end disc and another disc. This problem is solved by the use of a separate steam removal channel connected to an inlet passage closely adjacent the feed end disc and at a location between the feed end disc and a means for feeding wood materials into the inlet passage at one end thereof. The means for feeding wood materials feeds the materials through the inlet passage and thereafter into the refining space through openings in the feed end disc.