Abstract: A blending apparatus, inexpensive in construction and requiring a minimum of recirculation, is today essential for economical and thorough blending of particulate material, for example, plastic pellets of virgin material and of pellets that have been reconstituted from recycled material. Construction of the blender is low in cost because the customary receiver, and its piping, conventionally installed below the blender are eliminated. The novel convex baffle serves:(1) as a termination surface for the conventional perforated blending conduits; and (2) retains a toroidal annular volume of particulate material in position between the upper outer surface of the baffle and the inside wall of the blender. The particulate material passes through the blending tubes, drops into the blending area below the convex baffle, whereupon the small amount of particulate material in the toroidal block or "keystone joist" is released to proportionally blend with it.

Abstract: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, and a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: A method of applying a quick setting spray material is disclosed, wherein a cement-containing principal composition is supplied into a feed pipe and sprayed through a nozzle and an aqueous solution of a (meth)acrylate as a set accelerating agent is supplied into the principal composition at a linear speed of 0.5 to 50 m/sec through at least two supply pipes that are connected to the feed pipe in a position within one meter behind the tip of the nozzle in such a manner that extended axes of the supply pipes cross each other within the feed pipe and wherein the at least two supply pipes form a supply angle of 30 to 90 degrees with respect to the direction at which the principal composition flows, whereafter the principal composition and the set accelerating agent are jetted from the nozzle.

Abstract: A system and method for continuous pneumatic gravimetric metering and/or mixing of pourable materials using at least one gravimetric metering apparatus incorporated in a closed loop air conveying path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the production of foamed material in which the material and foam are delivered to a mixer (12) in predetermined relative proportions. The apparatus comprises a mixer (23) for mixing a foam solution and air together, and a foam generator (26) for conditioning the air and foam solution mixture and delivering the resultant foam to the mixer. The foam generator (26) comprises a plurality of foam generating chambers connected in parallel, valves (28) being provided to control the flow of air and foam solution mixture through each of the generator chambers. The volume flow rate at which foam is delivered to the mixer (12) is monitored, and the valves are controlled to direct the air and foam solution mixture through one or more of the generator chambers in dependence upon the volume flow rate such that the flow velocity of the air and foam solution mixture within the chamber or chambers is within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A dry bulk cement storage and mixing system comprises one or more generally cylindrical storage tanks or bins having somewhat wedge shaped bottom discharge sections with tapered flight conveyor screws extending across the diameter of the bin at the convergence of opposed sloping sidewalls of the bottom section. The conveyor screw is connected to a pneumatic fluidizing plenum wherein compressed air is introduced into the plenum for conveying material to a mixer or recirculating the material back into a selected storage tank through a distributor device mounted on top of the tank which distributes the material to minimize segregation of smaller or less dense particles during discharge of the material into the storage tank. One embodiment of the storage tank is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and includes a transversely extending cement unloading and vent conduit extending within the tank chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing concrete which includes a tank having at least a portion thereof which permits the inside of the tank to be visually observed from the outside of the tank. An inlet is disposed in the top of the tank for inserting concrete ingredients. An outlet is disposed in the bottom of the tank for permitting the mixed concrete to be withdrawn from a chamber inside the tank. The tank includes seals for selectively sealing all openings into the chamber of the tank and an opening is provided for introducing air under pressure into a lower portion of the tank for the purpose of being able to mix the concrete using such air pressure.

Abstract: A dry bulk cement storage and mixing system comprises one or more generally cylindrical storage tanks or bins having somewhat wedge shaped bottom discharge sections with tapered flight conveyor screws extending across the diameter of the bin at the convergence of opposed sloping sidewalls of the bottom section. The conveyor screw is connected to a pneumatic fluidizing plenum wherein compressed air is introduced into the plenum for conveying material to a mixer or recirculating the material back into a selected storage tank through a distributor device mounted on top of the tank which distributes the material to minimize segregation of smaller or less dense particles during discharge of the material into the storage tank. One embodiment of the storage tank is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and includes a transversely extending cement unloading and vent conduit extending within the tank chamber.

Abstract: An improved mixing device is disclosed for mixing an abrasive such as sand with a flowing fluid such as compressed air. The improved mixing device comprises a body member having a major internal channel being defined along a major axis. The major internal channel extends between a major input and a major output of the major internal channel. The body member includes a minor internal channel defined along a minor axis and extending from a minor input to an intersection with a portion of the major internal channel located between the major input and the major output of the major internal channel. The flowing fluid is directed into the major input whereas the abrasive is directed into the minor input for enabling the abrasive to mix with the flowing fluid within the major internal channel and to discharge from the major output.

Abstract: An inorganic hydraulic material composition containing reinforcing short fibers is sprayed without breakage thereof, by fluidizing reinforcing short fibers in a blast of compressed air, by blending the flow of the reinforced short fibers fluidized in the blast of compressed air with a dry mixture of an inorganic hydraulic material such as cement with an aggregate such as sand in a dry blending region, by introducing the resultant dry blend into a water-mixing region, by mixing the dry blend with water, and by spraying the resultant wet composition through a spray nozzle.

Abstract: Method for the continuous dosing of powdery substances, preferably synthetic silica, by means of high-pressure gas, especially by mean of compressed air, in which in a multiple, at least double line the supply of high-pressure gas is alternatingly interrupted in a branch line, the powdery substance is filled into the branch line and the powdery substance is subsequently transported further by the high-pressure gas. Device for the continuous dosing of powdery substances by means of compressed gas, which is arranged so that a multiple, at least double line which comes together again after branching is provided with a throttle valve and a nonreturn valve in the branch lines in the direction of flow of the high-pressure gas, whereby the branch lines are connected via a throttle valve to a storage silo for the powdery substance and also to an aeration tube.

Abstract: A continuous mixer is provided for combining bulk materials metered at a relatively slow rate into a liquid stream and is particularly useful for preparing an innoculant solution for treating feed pellets, seed or the like. The mixer has a vertical separation tube extending between a screw feeder and a mixing zone in a liquid conduit therebelow, and the tube is independently pressurized with air to substantially preclude ascent of liquids within the tube to ensure that all of the mixing occurs within the liquid line and to prevent the liquid from rising to a level sufficient for wetting the innoculants stored within a hopper adjacent the screw feeder. Air pressure within the tube is selectively adjustable in order to vary the spray produced by a nozzle at the end of the fluid conduit from a liquid stream essentially free of air to a finely dispersed fog which includes substantial quantities of air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anchoring rock bolts and cables in drill holes is disclosed. The method of the invention comprises mixing a dry aggregate-cement mixture with a limited, predetermined amount of water in a water fitting and blowing the wetted cementitious mixture through a delivery tube into a drill hole, in which an anchor cable or rock bolt has been inserted, resulting in the cable or bolt becoming permanently anchored in the drill hole. The use of a wetted dry cementitious mixture eliminates leakage of mixture from the drill hole and obviates the use of a plug, cover or collar plate.The equipement includes a pressurized, dry mix delivery vessel, a source of pressurized air, a water fitting for wetting dry mix with water and a delivery tube for delivery of the wetted dry mix into the drill hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispersing powdered or granular materials into a liquid solvent with a pneumatic transport means including a supply hooper, a pressure vessel which receives granular materials from the hopper for pressurization, a granular material transport pipe attached at one end to the discharge portion of the pressure vessel, a pneumatic force source for feeding the granular materials under pressure through the granular material transport pipe to a mixing tank accommodating the liquid solvent therein. The granular material transport pipe is connected to the mixing tank in an upward or lateral direction at the level below the surface of the liquid solvent contained in the mixing tank. With this structure the granular material is kept from scattering towards the upper portion of the mixing tank, making the operation more sanitary.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing patching material for filling potholes and the like in paved surfaces which includes a hopper for receiving a quantity of pulverulent material, a tubular discharge mechanism in the bottom of the hopper which employs the Venturi effect created by air under pressure to draw the material into the tube and discharge it through an opening and means for controlling the flow of material into the discharge mechanism. A nozzle is connected to the discharge opening and has means adjacent the orifice thereof for introducing a quantity of asphalt emulsion into the stream of material for mixing therewith prior to discharge from the orifice into the pothole or the like to be filled.

Abstract: This invention relates to a batching plant for particulate materials including batching of finely divided material such as cementitious (e.g. cement and flyash) and denser material such as aggregate which may include sand, screenings and gravel. The batching plant includes batching means for batching of the denser material such as one or more weighing hoppers. There also is included conveying means such as a belt conveyor for transfer of batched dense material from the batching means to a discharge location or housing. Storage means for the finely divided material is also provided such as a storage bin having a discharge outlet. There also is included a pressurized batching vessel for finely divided material discharged from the storage means which suitably is provided with means for creating a fluidized bed in the pressurized vessel.

Abstract: An improved concrete apparatus is disclosed herein which is particularly well suited for a wide variety of applications wherein it is necessary to supply a granulated or powdered material in either wet or dry form to a remote worksite. The apparatus of the present invention employs a rotary valving arrangement whereby a plurality of charging bowls may be successively supplied with the desired material and thereafter evacuated under pressure into a central mixing chamber from where the material is conveyed to a suitable conduit which in turn conducts the material to the desired worksite again under pressure. The apparatus includes feeding arrangements whereby water, air, or other desired additives may be automatically fed into and mixed with the material in the mixing chamber before it reaches the remote application nozzle thus affording a greater time for proper absorption of water or the like by the material.

Abstract: A method and device for preparing a wet concrete mix. An elongated tubular swirl chamber has a generally cylindrical shaped interior. A shaft extends axially in the chamber and is adapted for rotation at about 100 r.p.m. or higher. The chamber contains an inlet end for the introduction of dry particles pneumatically carried by a pressurized gas and an outlet end. Blades are arranged in several rows circumscribing the shaft so that the blades overlap to form a helical spiral to aid in moving the particles through the chamber. The blades in the helical spiral form a turbulent swirling distribution of particles traveling through the chamber when the shaft is rotated at 100 r.p.m. or higher and simultaneously the particles are forced by the pressurized gas through the chamber. A liquid is injected into the turbulent swirling distribution so as to wet the particles.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing glass fibres into a relatively dilute aqueous cement slurry, e.g. for use in forming glass fibre reinforced cement products on an asbestos-cement making machine of the Hatschek or Bell type, comprises an annular chamber with a tangential slurry inlet, a helical rising floor, a coaxial conical outlet disposed to receive slurry flowing over the inner wall, which is lower than the outer wall, and a fibre inlet above the conical outlet so that the fibres are mixed with the slurry as it passes down the wall of the conical outlet in a vortex motion.

Abstract: A new method and an apparatus concern improvements of blowing mortar or concrete on the feeding compression air, in which dry-mixed materials are quantitatively jetted from a nozzle at a blowing machine, and liquid is supplied by determined amount bearing on the compression air current through the nozzle, so that grains of the materials are mixed with the liquid while feeding the materials, and the property of such material is changed from dry condition to wet condition of determined water-cement ratio, and the thus changed material is jetted from a nozzle at the end of a hose.

Abstract: Process and device for cooling a mixture of polymer and monomer from a reactor in which ethylene is polymerized or copolymerized at a pressure greater than 1,000 bars between a pressure-reduction valve located downstream of the reactor and a medium pressure separator. The cooling is achieved by injecting monomer at a pressure below that of the separator using a device with a nozzle distance S.sub.1 and corresponding cross-section A.sub.1 the mixture from the reactor passes, a convergent mixing zone in which the mixture is mixed with the monomer injected, which is supplied at a flow rate q, and a diffuser of throat distance S.sub.3 and corresponding cross-section A.sub.3, which makes it possible to bring the mixture to the pressure of the separator. The dimensions of the device are such that the ratio Q/A.sub.1 is between 0.20 and 1.35 t/hr.mm.sup.2 and the ratio ##EQU1## is between 0.1 and 0.3 t/hr.mm.sup.2.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for injecting fluids into flowing aggregates such as injecting water into a traveling dry cementitious mix in which a substantially annular fluid slot surrounds the flow path for the aggregate to establish an inwardly moving sheet of fluid to impinge on the aggregate.

Abstract: An improved process for cleaning asphaltic concrete recycle gases comprises introducing a flame into the exhaust gas stream at the opposite drum end that heating gases are introduced.

Abstract: A concrete mixing apparatus comprises a mixing vessel at the bottom of which a plurality of heated steam injectors are arranged, the opening and closing whereof are controlled by valves slaved to actuating means.

Abstract: A flowable material pump apparatus for coupling to a vehicle including an application assembly comprising a frame which is attached to and travels in a spacially consistent fashion with respect to the vehicle. A flowable material supply and a flowable material propellant supply are attached to the frame and are in communication with the application assembly. The supplies are powered by a power system attached to the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an insulating material, for example for a building, in which a premix of water and cement is provided, an air foam is formed by introducing air under pressure into a mixture and a foaming agent, and this air foam is introduced into the premix which is then stirred together with the foam, and the resulting mixture is pumped to the site to be insulated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing liquid or drilling mud with solids is disclosed. The apparatus provides first and second concentric housings which are utilized as mixing chambers. An inlet passageway is tangentially connected to the inner housing for feeding a slurry material to be mixed with solids axially fed into the same housing. A discharge port is further provided and connected to an outer housing for tangentially discharging the homogeneous mixture of slurry and solid materials from the outer mixing chamber at high velocities to an elevation above the inlet. The method for mixing includes tangentially feeding the slurry into the mixing chamber, mixing the slurry with solid materials through the use of centrifugal force, shear forces and spill-over from the inner chamber to the outer chamber, and finally tangentially discharging the mixture from the outer chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a continuous mixer adapted to receive dry and wet ingredients and a gas to provide a homogeneous output mix, a gamma ray density detector positioned to sense the density of the output mix from the mixer, valve means for controlling the flow of gas into the mixer, and servo means responsive to signals from the detector for automatically controlling the valve means to provide an output mix of substantially uniform density.

Abstract: Concrete is manufactured by mixing cement with substantially the exact precise quantities of water needed to produce a setting of the cement, agitating the mixture until its viscosity is substantially reduced, adding dry sand or other agrigate, mixing with a slurry, patting the mixture through a nozzle where air is introduced under a pressure and air is emitted in the form of jets into the tapering part of the nozzle, and the mixture is vibrated to achieve maximized distribution of its components while being blended and recombined during the process of gunning and feeding to the location of distribution. The concrete mix may be applied appropriately to a gun assembly or a gun type device designed dispense entrained granular materials in a compressed stream onto a work area.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for cooling and handling sand in which hot used sand is delivered to a mixer and mixed with cooler sand. The mixed sand is discharged from the mixer for circulation on conveyor means for further cooling and the cooled sand is separated into a first fraction for discharge to successive milling and moulding stages and a second fraction for return to the mixer to effect sand mixing with the hot used sand. Water may be added to the mixed sand in the mixer to adjust the moisture content and to increase cooling.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing precut steel fibers initially packed in bundles or occurring as closely packed lumps for mixing with concrete as a sprayed mass, the method comprising the steps of tumbling the bundles or lumps of fibers, dropping quantities of the fibers onto an inclined plane, subjecting the fibers to an air stream to cause said fibers to become parallel to each other, and mixing the fibers with a mass of concrete in the air stream.