Abstract: The shear gap between a rotor and a stator in a colloid mill is adjusted by translating the stator with respect to the rotor, preferably by moving the stator along a helical path about the rotor, thereby moving the stator's surface closer to or further from the rotor's surface (and altering the shear gap therebetween). Helical slots are provided in the casing about the stator, with members extending from the stator through the slots, whereby the members can be grasped and rotated about the casing to move the stator. Channels allowing circulation of buffer fluid are provided about the stator and rotor to deter ingress of the fluid being processed into junctures between components of the colloid mill.

Abstract: A machine includes a motor; and a transmission to drive a knife plate. The knife plate includes a plurality of knife blades. The machine further includes a die plate. The knife plate and the die plate interface at a cutting edge of the knife plate. The machine cuts feed material from larger sized pieces to smaller pieces by forcing the material through the die plate and cutting it with the knife plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating plant material from a stem of a harvested plant includes a frame and a planar sheet attached to the frame having a thickness thereof and an aperture therethrough that has a length defining a longitudinal axis and a width equal to or greater than the thickness of the planar sheet, the width being operable to receive the stem when the stem is pushed through the aperture but to sever the plant material extending from the stem; and a motor-driven blade defining a cutting edge dimensioned for sweeping adjacent to one side of the planar sheet, the cutting edge being aligned with the longitudinal axis when adjacent to the aperture and operable to disintegrate a portion of the stem that protrudes through the aperture to the one side as the stem is pushed through the aperture.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to devices, systems and methods for producing a shaved ice product using shaved ice confection machines and processes. The disclosure also extends to a tension arm and a shaping device used in conjunction with shaved ice confection machines and processes to produce more consistent shaved ice output with a potential increase in machine life.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein relate to an easy assemble centrifugal juicer. The centrifugal juicer includes a top section having a juice spout and pulp spout, wherein the top section defines a cavity with a first mating surface and a second mating surface; a strainer section having a strainer, a drive member, and a projection, the projection structured to engage with the first mating surface to couple the strainer section to the top section; and a motor housing structured to house a motor, wherein the motor is operatively coupled to a motor adapter structured to engage with the drive member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a glass disposal system. A device (10) for breaking glass articles is provided, which comprises an inlet (12) and an outlet (26) in fhrkl communication with one another and having a rotating member (16) interposed therebetween. The rotating member (16) is attached to, and capable of being rotated by, a motor (24). The inlet (12) to the device (10) opens onto the rotatable member (16) and the outlet (26) is substantially tangential to the rotatable member (16). The rotatable member (16) comprises portions to create an overall flow of air from the inlet (12) towards the outlet (26), and subsequently expels the particles of the broken object away from the rotatable member (16) through the outlet (26). The invention extends to a conduit (60) for the system.

Abstract: Provided are a cutterhead component for shredding and/or slicing foods and a food processor having the cutterhead component herein. The cutterhead component includes: a cutterhead with a dropping gap, a cutter body and a turncap; the cutterhead is divided into a fixed cutterhead and a movable cutterhead by a dividing plane passing through the dropping gap and a rotation axis, the movable cutterhead is provided with a central axle along its rotation axis, and a driven part is disposed on an outer surface of the central axle; the turncap is rotatably sleeved on the central axle, a driving part is disposed on an inner wall of the turncap, the driving part engages with the driven part, forming a lead screw mechanism. With regard to the cutterhead component for shredding and/or slicing foods, the thickness of cut-out foods can be regulated according to requirements, thereby satisfying different demands of users.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and devices for producing a shaved ice or snow cone product. The system may comprise an ice shaving or snow cone machine, a shaping device, and a blade for producing a shaved ice or snow cone product.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a dental substance. The device includes a cartridge for containing the dental substance. The cartridge has a plunger, and a dispensing opening. Further the device is operable to urge the dental substance toward the dispensing opening. The device further includes a cutter for cutting off a portion of the dental substance which protrudes over the dispensing opening. The device may particularly facilitate precise dispensation of a high viscosity dental substance.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a food storage container includes a grating member removably attachable relative to the container. The grating member includes a grating surface having a plurality of cutting edges and a plurality of apertures configured to permit grated food product to pass therethrough. A drive member is rotatably coupled to the grating member. The drive element is drivingly coupled to an urging element that includes at least one inclined ramp surface. During rotation of the drive element relative to the container, the inclined ramp surfaces of the urging member urge the food product along the grating surface to grate and dispense the food product from the container.

Abstract: A roller for use in devices configured to comminute material has a wear surface. The wear surface comprises inserts that are spaced apart differently to provide a desired wear characteristic in the wear surface. In one embodiment, some inserts may also have diameters or widths that are smaller than other inserts. For example, columns of inserts adjacent an end of the roller may have diameters that are smaller or larger than inserts in columns located near the center of the roller or otherwise positioned between the two ends of the roller. As another example, a middle portion of the wear surface may have inserts that include inserts of a larger or smaller diameter than inserts adjacent the ends of the wear surface.

Abstract: A system and method of processing bone is disclosed. A tissue separator is utilized to separate tissue comprising at least one of muscle, periosteum and connective tissue from bone in a safe, sterile and efficient manner. In one aspect, the particle reducer can include an impeller positioned with respect to a cutting surface on a drum. At least one of the impeller and the drum is rotated by a power source such that harvested tissue frictionally engages the cutting surface. In another aspect, a source of pressurized fluid can be directed at tissue to separate bone from non-bone tissue.

Abstract: The machine disclosed herein is a vegetable cutting machine. It includes a base that houses a motor which activates the drive shaft of the cutting disks; a cover that closes off the base and that houses a cutting disk; a food feeder part joined to the cover in a way that allows dismounting; a food feeder mouth; and a curvilinear presser with a cylindrical tube projecting therefrom which is housed inside the feeder mouth. The presser is dismountable as a result of removable shaft. The presser has a turning handle at the end opposite the folding end thereof. The machine also includes a blocking device between the food feeder and the cover. The machine further incorporates a single support for the motor and all of the driving and motion transmission components. Lastly, the presser incorporates a safety lever which activates the power supply switch of the motor.

Abstract: A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting blade. A rotating disk is adjustable relative to the blade assembly to vary the thickness of the food items cut by the blade assembly. A mounting arm is positioned below the cutting blade and has a ramp defined therein. The food processor includes an adjustment assembly operable to move the rotating disk relative to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A spade-type drilling tool designed for drilling holes within an ice surface for the purposes of ice fishing, comprising a spade end which is welded onto the end of a shaft. The length of the shaft is sufficient to provide an ergonomically comfortable posture for a user while drilling the fishing hole. A first side of the lower end of the spade comprises a straight knife edge, while a second opposite side is provided with a plurality of sharp cutting teeth. A sharp pointed bit, protruding beyond the lower line of the knife edge and the teeth, is located on a vertical centerline along the faces of the spade. The sharp point of the bit is intended to provide a means for punching a starter hole within the ice, and subsequently, to function as a pilot during the progressing drilling operation. The tool is provided with a circular shield, designed to slip over and clamp onto the shaft, thereby preventing water and ice particles from splashing back up onto the user.

Abstract: A cone crusher comprising a conical body; a mantle removably positioned over the conical body; and an assembly for securing the mantle on the conical body. The assembly comprises a retainer for pressing the mantle onto the conical body, and an adapter located between the retainer and the conical body. The adapter is secured on the conical body and the retainer is movably mounted on the adapter.

Abstract: A machine for reducing material that includes a cylindrical cutting drum and a side discharge assembly. In one aspect there is disclosed a machine for reducing material that includes a cutting drum and a housing surrounding the cutting drum establishing a volume between itself and the cutting drum for reduced material to be carried where the volume increases along the length of the cutting drum until the volume opens into a side discharge assembly disposed at the end region of the cutting drum.

Abstract: A rotatable slicing disc 1 for use in a food processor has a flat disc body 2 having a radially extending gap 3 formed therein and extending generally from a central hub 4 to a circumferential edge 5. A cutting blade 6 having a cutting edge 7 is attached to a blade support arm 8 with a support hub 9. The support hub 9 is telescopically received inside of a hub collar 10 and an adjusting sleeve 13 is mounted to the hub 9 via internal threads so that they may be longitudinally adjusted relative to each other in order to selectively adjust slicing width.

Abstract: A circulating processor includes a base, a container, a cutlery and a pressurizing mechanism. An operating motor is disposed in the base and is disposed with a mandrel therein. The container is disposed above the base, where a space is formed on its bottom part, and a reflux opening is formed on its upper half part and in communication with the space. The cutlery is positioned on the container's bottom part and connected to the mandrel. Thereby, when the operating motor operates, the mandrel and the cutlery are enabled to rotate synchronously, to mash food, vegetables and fruits in the container. The pressurizing mechanism is in communication with the space of the container. Through the pressurizing effect of the pressurizing mechanism, the mashed food, vegetables and fruits can be transferred into the container via the reflux opening, so as to perform circulating mashing treatment.

Abstract: A media stirrer mill, including a dispersion container; a stirring member rotatable in the dispersion container; and a dispersion chamber formed in a gap between the stirring member and the dispersion container, including a dispersion media configured to disperse a material, wherein the dispersion container includes concavities having arc-like bottoms and convexities on its inner wall surface.

Abstract: A cooked meat shredding apparatus for use with a hand held power drill. The apparatus has cooked meat shredding pins attached to a rotating plate with an elongated shaft, adapted to engage a drill chuck.

Abstract: A grinding type juice extractor includes upper and lower grinding rings for providing both grinding and rolling effects during a process of extracting juice, and food materials are inputted for extracting juices, and the upper and lower grinding rings correspond to each other to define a clamping status, such that the inputted food material can be grinded, and a mechanism or method of applying two kinds of physical forces to the food material can be used for extracting the juice of the food material and maximizing the juice yield. In addition, a filter surface of a filter ring is provided for filtering the juice, and a juice outlet tube installed to a middle seat is provided for outputting the juice. Such juice extractor can improve the juice yield and reduce waste of resources.

Abstract: Silicon particles, including powder suitable for plasma spraying semiconductor devices, is formed by milling by a roller mill including silicon rollers and/or plates and having feed and collection systems comprising silicon and operated in a controlled ambient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated insert member (1) for a grinding roll for heavy wear operation. The insert member (1) comprises a core (2) of a first material having a first hardness, said core (2) having an extension in the longitudinal direction of said insert member (1), and a body (3) of a second material having a second hardness, said body (3) enclosing said core (2). The first hardness is greater than the second hardness. The invention also relates to a cassette and a segment for a grinding roll, a grinding roll and a roll machine.

Abstract: A system for destroying a memory device (e.g., a hard drive) having data stored thereon. The system has a grind chamber with a rotatable grind wheel positioned therein. A pressure arm presses the memory device against the grind wheel as the grind wheel rotates. The rotating grind wheel grinds the memory device into particles from which the data stored on the memory device cannot be recovered. The particles are collected in a receptacle adjacent the grind wheel. The system may include a plurality of guides configured to maintain the memory device in a substantially stationary position relative to the pressure arm as the grind wheel grinds the memory device into particles.

Abstract: A pick holder for a roll sizer, the roll sizer including at least one roll drum defining a drum axis, the roll drum rotating about the drum axis. The pick holder includes a base and a shoulder. The base includes at least one hole for receiving a fastener for removably coupling the pick holder to the roll drum. The shoulder is coupled to the base.

Abstract: Apparatus for comminuting pourable feedstock, comprising a housing surrounding a comminution space, in which housing a rotor rotating about an axis is disposed, the rotor being equipped around its circumference with rotor tools. A screen is disposed here along one portion of the rotor circumference. The apparatus is charged with feedstock through a product inlet, and the sufficiently comminuted product is drawn off through a product discharge. The product discharge includes a suction bin to collect the screen through fraction, which bin can be connected to a suction line to allow the collected product to be transported away. In order to improve the accessibility of the rotor for repair and maintenance work while simultaneously preserving a compact constructive design of the apparatus, the screen and the suction bin form one unit that can be swiveled as a whole about a horizontal swivel axis relative to the rotor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a material reducing machine convertible between a grinding configuration and a chipping configuration. The material reducing machine includes a rotary component that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the rotary component defining a grinding configuration boundary that extends at least partially around the axis of rotation. The material reducing machine also includes a plurality of hammers secured to the rotary component, the hammers including end portions that project outwardly beyond the grinding configuration boundary of the rotary component. Furthermore, the material reducing machine includes a boundary enlarging structure that mounts over the rotary component, the boundary enlarging structure defining a chipping configuration boundary that extends at least partially around the axis of rotation when the boundary enlarging structure is mounted over the rotary component, the chipping configuration boundary being positioned outside the grinding configuration boundary.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a shredder for super absorbent polymer that comprises: an inlet portion for feeding a plate-shaped super absorbent polymer; a pulverizing portion for pulverizing the super absorbent polymer fed through the inlet portion; and an outlet portion for discharging the pulverized super absorbent polymer from the pulverizing portion. The pulverizing portion comprises: a rotary drum to which a plurality of rotary blades are attached; at least fixed blade for pulverizing the super absorbent polymer in cooperation with the plural rotary blades; and a housing for holding the rotary drum and the at least one fixed blade. Each rotary blade has a shape of polygon with at least one vertex having an acute angle of at most 45°. The present invention is also to provide a preparation method for super absorbent polymer using the shredder for super absorbent polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of methods and apparatuses for grinding various materials into smaller particles; particularly, to those known in the art as pulverizing systems and devices. This invention provides methods and apparatuses for an improved disc mill assembly that utilizes a tapered flywheel and water jacket in conjunction with planar grinding disk cutting devices to create a tapered grinding channel.

Abstract: A crusher device for performing a crushing operation, comprising a hollow part of frusto-conical shape narrowing downwardly, a crusher spindle rotatably mounted coaxial with the hollow part, at least one crusher impeller rotatably mounted on the crusher spindle, and a crusher driving device for rotatably driving said at least one crusher impeller relative to said first hollow part; said at least one crusher impeller comprises a first crusher impeller containing a first crushing blade and a second crushing blade, each said first and second crushing blades extending radially from the crusher spindle and being fixedly connected to each other at their distal extremities by a blade member. The crusher device can be combined with a milling device providing an apparatus of compact size, adapted for reducing material from a size up to 36000 cm3 to particles having a size below 250 microns.

Abstract: Provided is a powder and granular material crushing and sizing apparatus in which stators are easy to disassemble and assemble, i.e. in which disc-like rotors and stators can be cleaned and replaced easily. A drive shaft, on which a plurality of disc-like rotors are disposed, is supported in a cantilever manner on a bearing housing. A plurality of stators are disposed on a holder to make up a stator assembly. The stator assembly is detachably disposed in the bearing housing. An opening is formed in a side wall of the casing. The disc-like rotors and the stator assembly are housed via the opening, and the casing is detachably disposed on the bearing housing. ion.

Abstract: A method of harvesting crop material comprising gathering the crop material and separating chaff material, and subjecting the chaff material to fragmentation in a cage mill to destroy unwanted seed material contained therein. An agricultural apparatus comprising a mobile apparatus (15) adapted to travel with a harvesting machine (13) during a harvesting operation to receive chaff material produced during the harvesting operation, the mobile apparatus (15) comprising at least one cage mill (21) having a plurality of rotors (51 and 52) for fragmentation of the chaff material to destroy unwanted seed material contained therein.

Abstract: A cutting wheel for a grinder pump includes in one embodiment a monolithic disc-shaped base portion having a bottom surface having a plurality of integrally formed spaced-apart, downwardly-depending cutting elements disposed adjacent the peripheral edge of the disc-shaped based portion. In another embodiment, a cutting wheel for a grinder pump includes a monolithic disc-shaped base portion having a bottom surface having a plurality of integrally formed spaced-apart, downwardly-depending cutting elements disposed adjacent the peripheral edge of the disc-shaped based portion, and a plurality of integrally formed downwardly-depending paddle elements spaced-apart from the cutting elements.

Abstract: There is described a rotary knife for use in a cutting apparatus. The rotary knife comprises a central hub, first and second sides of the knife, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of blades. The central hub defines an axis of rotation of the knife. The first and second sides of the knife are spaced apart in the axial direction. The plurality of arms extend outwardly from the hub. The plurality of blades are carried by the arms such that a number of blades disposed on the second side of the knife is greater than a number of blades disposed on the first side of the knife. There is also described a cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife as described above.

Abstract: A device for processing free-flowing input material is provided that includes a rotor rotating around a shaft within a housing, the rotor being fitted over its circumference with rotor tools. Stator tools, permanently fixed to the housing, are arranged, which are disposed opposite the rotor tools allowing a working gap and interact with the rotor tools to process the input material. The stator tools are held in a holder, forming a tool unit. The tool units are made self-supporting over the length of the rotor and end sections of the tool units are fixed removably in respective clamping devices.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for reclamation of molding sand by which the quality of the reclaimed molding sand is enhanced. The apparatus for reclamation of molding sand comprises a part for feeding the molding sand 1, which part has a sand falling port at its bottom, a rotary drum 2 disposed below the part for feeding the molding sand 1 and being rotatable horizontally, a motor driving means 4 for rotating the rotary drum 2 by an electric motor 3, a roller 5 disposed in the rotary drum 2 and spaced apart therefrom, and a cylinder 6 connected to the roller 5 that presses the roller 5 toward the rotary drum 2.

Abstract: A closed-circuit grinding plant for grinding coarse material into a fine material, in particular for generating cement raw meal and/or cement from cement clinker, the plant having at least two roller presses disposed about a central riser shaft which pneumatically transports the fine material or pulverizing the coarse material, at least two sifters for separating the fine material generated during the pulverization from still existing coarse material, and at least two fine material settling devices for settling the fine material from the sifting air of the sifters.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. The shredding chamber further includes a plurality of guide shells positioned partially around the plurality of shredders. The plurality of shredders seal against the plurality of guide shells and direct the blowing wool in a downstream direction as the plurality of shredders rotate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wood chipper that has a feed roller driven by a hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is provided to the motor through a two-stage pump, providing separate flows of fluid under pressure. The flows of the pump stages are combined for normal operation of the chipper. A bypass that will bypass the flow from one pump stage when the pressure of the fluid under pressure driving the motor exceeds a pre-selected level from increased load on the feed roller is provided. When the bypass is open the feed roller is slowed to reduce the feed rate of material into the chipper, and when the feed roller loads reduce, the flows will again be combined to speed up the feed roller.

Abstract: A drying and milling apparatus includes a housing and a rotatable section. The housing has an air or gas inlet and a product inlet at a first end and a product outlet at a second end. The rotatable section has a plurality of blades which extend radially from a hub portion of the rotatable section and are adapted to rotate within the housing and to break up and to mill any product that is introduced into the housing. The product inlet is configured to direct any incoming product directly onto the blades of the rotatable section. Also included is a sewerage processing plant incorporating at least one drying and milling apparatus substantially as specified herein, a method of drying and milling substantially dewatered sewage and a sewage treatment process incorporating a method of drying and milling substantially dewatered sewage substantially as herein described.

Abstract: A portable chipper apparatus having a chipping disc with front and rear faces and a series of slots extending through the disc. A knife is arranged on the front face of the disc in proximate relation relative to each slot. At least two shredder/detanglers are secured to the rear face of the disc. Each shredder/detangler includes a base and at least three generally planar and substantially identical paddles arranged in spaced and generally parallel relation relative to each other. The paddles extend from the base at an angle and projects away from the rear face of the chipping disc. The paddles on each shredder/detangler have a continuous elongated linear cutting edge for impacting with and further reducing and cutting the size of the chipped material engaged by the paddles. Each shredder/detangler further includes an impeller at a distal end of the base.

Abstract: A cross-key rotational alignment locking device for a VSI-type mineral breaker comprises a generally annular keyway 102 in the top edge portion of the main shaft 12 of the breaker, the annular keyway defining an upwardly extending pilot key 104, a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 126 in the upper portion of a cylindrical taper lock 108 disposed around the main shaft, the slots in communication with the annular keyway, and a cross-key 130 having a generally annular main body 132 disposed in the annular keyway 102, the pilot key 104 received in a central aperture 136 in the main body 132 of the cross-key 130, and the cross-key having a plurality of radially-extending arms 128 disposed in the plurality of slots 126, such that the taper lock 108 is locked in rotational alignment with the shaft 12. In the preferred embodiment a bronze sleeve 110 having a longitudinally extending split 120 is interposed between the taper lock 108 and the shaft 12.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pulverizing screw, a pulverizing casing and a pulverizer having the same. The pulverizing screw includes a rotating shaft and a drive blade which extends from the rotating shaft in a spiral shape. The drive blade rotates in the pulverizing casing in such a manner as to maintain a predetermined distance between the drive blade and the inner surface of the pulverizing casing to prevent the drive blade from being impeded by the inner surface of the pulverizing casing. The drive blade extends from a first end of the rotating shaft in a spiral shape surrounding the rotating shaft in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction and is connected to a second end of the rotating shaft. The pulverizing casing comprises a spherical body having a space therein. The pulverizing screw is installed in the spherical body so as to be rotatable.

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 food processor having a food processing path accessible through a slot in which is received at least one food processing tool removably received within the slot such that food passing along the food processing path is processed by the tool.

Abstract: Cellulosic biomass is reduced to a micropowder with particles having average diameters below 5-10 micrometers with a significant fraction of the particles have diameters below 1 micrometer. Biomass (e.g., wood, agricultural waste or other plant materials) is first processed into pieces having a maximum diameter of about 10 mm. This is then dried to reduce its water content to no more than about 15% by weight and introduced into a disruptor which reduces the particle size to about 1 mm. Next the biomass is processed with a disc mill where edges of rotating discs travel along a groove pressing and squeezing the biomass, thereby breaking the biomass pieces into smaller and smaller particles. The resulting micropowder is extremely susceptible to enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis into constituent sugars. In addition, the micropowder can be suspended in an air stream and burned directly to provide heat to boilers and similar devices.

Abstract: A seashell collecting and crushing apparatus includes a collection device having a hollow body and an inlet for introducing seashells into the hollow body. A fan assembly is operable to provide a suction airstream for drawing seashells into the hollow body. A crusher is positioned to receive seashells from an outlet of the collection device and pulverize the seashells received from the collection device into a fine particulate matter releasable through an outlet of the crusher. The fan assembly and the crusher are driven by a common driving arrangement. A method includes using the apparatus for removing seashells from the beach using the suction airstream to introduce seashells through the inlet into the hollow body, separating the seashells entering the hollow body from the suction airstream, pulverizing the seashells into a fine particulate matter using the crusher and exhausting the fine particulate matter through the outlet of the crusher.

Abstract: Provided is a toner production method that reuses a fine particle toner having a particle diameter failing to meet a predetermined standard diameter which is generated in pulverizing and classifying processes carried out for a toner material including at least a binder resin, release agent and pigment. The method includes granulating the fine particle toner by means of a granulating apparatus so as to increase a loose apparent density of the fine particle toner from the range of 0.05 g/cc to 0.25 g/cc to the range of 0.30 g/cc to 0.60 g/cc, in which wherein the granulating apparatus contains two left and right press rolls having the same diameters, the two press rolls having a rotational speed ratio of 0.40 to 0.

Abstract: A method for recovering and/or recycling starting silicon material by crushing the starting material. The recovered or recycled material is melted, and crystals, e.g. as a silicon block, tube, or strip, are grown from the obtained melt. To use starting materials that have a high aspect ratio to be able to convey the same without any problem, broken polycrystalline needle-shaped Si material (material I) containing particles having an aspect ratio AI, 5<A1?30, is used as a starting material. Material I is crushed so that the crushed particles (material II) have an aspect ratio AII<3. Alternatively, a broken Si wafer is used that is composed of laminar particles which are crushed so that the crushed particles (material III) have an aspect ratio AIII<3.