Abstract: Disclosed is a freeze-drying apparatus for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc., wherein liquid material is directly and distributively poured into upright cylindrical tubes, then, in its isolated state from external atmosphere for perfect sterilization, the liquid material is frozen with uniform thickness onto inner wall surface of the tubes, with further possibility of uniform heating of the freeze-dried layer. The main body of this apparatus is constructed with upright cylindrical tubes for freezing liquid material onto inner surface of tubes and jackets to surround the outer periphery of each of the tubes in a substantially concentric cylindrical shape, within which to circulate heat medium; then, a duct communicating to the vacuum exhaust system is connected to the upper end side of these tubes, while, a recovery chamber provided with valve is connected to the lower end side of tubes; and an inlet port is defined for feeding liquid material into inner cavity of tubes.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a distributive ejection apparatus for liquid material in a freeze-drying apparatus for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc., wherein the liquid material adjusted from the starting material for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc. is caused to freeze onto the inner wall surface of the upright cylindrical tube, and the distributive ejection of the liquid material onto the tube at the time of its freeze-drying by sublimation of the moisture content in the material under the vacuum condition may be done in the state of supplying the liquid material over the entire surface of the inner wall surface of the tube with a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A process is provided for freeze-drying medicaments and foodstuffs comprising dissolving the foodstuffs or medicaments in a solvent, introducing the solution formed into a shell comprising a desiccating chamber of a shell-tube freeze-drying device to cause the solution to freeze in a tubular layer, and crushing and comminuting the freeze-dried liquid with a comminuting device to obtain a powder product.

Abstract: A remote control includes a cover plate formed of a single piece of rigid material. The cover plate is removably attached to the remote control and is adapted for preventing depression of a first set of buttons while permitting depression of a second set of buttons when attached to the remote. Fasteners such as Velcro are used to removably attach the cover plate to the remote control. Preferably, the cover plate is flat and comprised of metal or plastic so that it can be cost-effectively made and easily adapted for use with a variety of types of remotes.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for heating fluid particulate material comprising a heating chamber (11), heating means associated with the heating chamber (11), a receptacle (14) mounted above the heating chamber (11), a delivery chamber (17) located below the heating chamber (11), a set of flow passageways (16) extending through the heating chamber (11) between the receptacle (14) and the delivery chamber (17), the delivery chamber (17) having an outlet (18) at its lower portion wherein the delivery chamber (17) is provided with at least one restricted passageway (24) opening into the heating chamber (11) for the relief of gaseous pressure developed in the delivery chamber (17).

Abstract: A heat exchanger for heating fluid particulate material comprising a heating chamber, heating means associated with the heating chamber, a hopper mounted above the heating chamber, a delivery chamber located below the heating chamber, a set of flow passageways extending through the heating chamber between the hopper and delivery chamber, said delivery chamber having an outlet at its lower portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting prestreaming and deaeration of wood chips, or like comminuted cellulosic fibrous material. Presteaming takes place in a vertical presteaming vessel, utilizing a plurality of uniformly radially spaced nozzles adjacent the bottom of the vessel, a plurality of generally uniformly radially spaced steam introduction pipes in a central portion of the vessel, and a pair of synchronized rotating valves for feeding steam to the introduction nozzles and pipes in a coordinated manner. After presteaming, the chips pass through a chips meter to a vertical chute in which they are entrained in liquid, and then pass to a horizontal deaerating vessel. In the deaerating vessel, deaerated liquid is passed in a path generally perpendicular to the path of the material flowing through the deaeration vessel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger consisting of a housing (1) with integrated caloric surfaces (3) for cooling bulk materials (8)--in particular hot foundry molding sands--comprises a retarder system in the form of a sand cascade which consists of an upper perforated plate (9) with many small individual holes (11), of a lower perforated plate (12) with few individual holes (12), said perforated plates being spaced apart by perforated plates (4,15), the sand flow through the slide system (5,6,14) being controllable and sealable.The passage holes may assume the shapes of triangular, longitudinal or T slots in order to operate such a retarder cooler over a large range of regulation.The perforated spacer plates (4) moreover form a support plate with high static load capacities to absorb the substantial weights of the bulk materials.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning granules of plastic resin comprises a barrel having a hopper feed at its upper portion and a resin discharge at its lower portion to provide for gravitational flow of the granular resin through the barrel. The barrel periphery is perforated to permit passage of heated gases into the barrel and over the granular resin. A channel is defined centrally of the barrel and extends therealong to collect gases flowing over the resins and discharge such gases externally of the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying seeds and other granular products includes a drying vessel that is connected to a vacuum pump which evacuates air from its interiors. The drying vessel has an enclosing side wall and a tubular portion which is surrounded by the side wall, all such that an annular drying cavity is formed within the vessel. The tubular portion is made from a material that is transparent to microwave energy and houses waveguide-radiators, each of which is connected to a different microwave launcher that is located at the lower end of the transparent tubular portion. The launchers produce microwave energy that is directed into their respective waveguide-radiators which in turn allow the energy to escape through apertures in their side walls. This energy passes through the transparent tubular portion of the drying vessel and into the drying cavity of the vessel. Within the annular drying cavity, the vessel contains drying columns into which the granular product is directed.

Abstract: Apparatus for preheating solid particulate material which material is to be subjected to thermal processing in a furnace. The preheater includes a vessel having an inlet for solid particulate material to be heated, an outlet for preheated material, an inlet for hot exhaust gas from the furnace and an outlet for spent preheating gas. The various inlets and outlets are positioned with respect to each other to achieve countercurrent contact between gas and solids. A gas-solids contact zone is defined within the vessel. A plurality of superimposed conduits connect the solid material inlet with the gas-solids contact zone. A valve is positioned in each of these conduits to control the flow of material to the gas-solids contact zone and thereby control the depth of material within that zone. The greater the depth of material within the gas solids contact zone, the greater amount of preheating that will be accomplished due to a greater length of time that the solid particulate material is exposed to the hot gas.