Abstract: A chemical solution preparation apparatus for preparing a chemical solution from chemical gas of an industrial chemical grade. A dissolution unit dissolves the chemical gas in pure water, which is contained in a tank. A gas discharge control unit controls the amount of chemical gas discharged from the dissolution unit. A liquid discharge discharges a predetermined amount of the chemical solution from the tank. At least one of the gas discharge control unit and the liquid discharge control unit are operated at substantially the same time as the dissolution unit.

Abstract: A process system adapted for processing of or with a material therein. The process system includes: a sampling region for the material; an infrared photometric monitor constructed and arranged to transmit infrared radiation through the sampling region and to responsively generate an output signal correlative of the material in the sampling region, based on its interaction with the infrared radiation; and process control means arranged to receive the output of the infrared photometric monitor and to responsively control one or more process conditions in and/or affecting the process system.

Abstract: A device for mixing fluids is provided. The device is comprised of a substrate containing a first mixing feature that terminates at a first opening located on a surface of the substrate and a cover plate containing a second mixing feature that terminates at a second opening located on a surface of the cover plate. Also provided is a means for producing relative sliding motion between the cover plate and substrate surfaces. The substrate and cover plate surfaces are maintained in fluid-tight contact with each other such that relative sliding motion between the first and second mixing features induces fluid mixing through the first and second openings when fluid is present in the mixing features. Also provided is a method for mixing fluids. The device and method are particularly suited for microfluidic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing device particularly adapted for mixing and delivering a mixture of food product containing large particulates from dehydrated material and a diluent. This device includes a mixing chamber including a propeller, at least one inlet for the dehydrated and diluent to enter the mixing chamber, and an outlet for the mixture to exit the mixing chamber. The propeller is arranged about a rotation axis to provide centrifugal forces upon rotating to create a pumping action in the mixing chamber. Also, the propeller describes a limit plane of rotation demarcating a centrifugal part and a suction part. The outlet has a cross section with an axial dimension of at least 12.5 mm and is positioned in the mixing chamber relative to the propeller so that at least 50% of the outlet surface area is located in the centrifugal part of the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and mixing especially pasty materials, preferably dental materials, such as filler materials. The invention comprises at least one compartment (7) that receives the substance, said at least one compartment (7) being formed by sealing (3) a base film (1) and a cover film (2), which can be detached from each other by peeling.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing viscous liquids with a reactant, catalyst or coagulant and then finishing such mixture is described which involves forming a viscous first fluid into a thin film by passage through an annulus, then injecting a second fluid into the flowing liquid to form a mixture which is thereafter finished downstream of injection of the second fluid. The mixture from the mixer is finished using a finisher associated with and downstream of the mixer. Injection may be through either annulus-forming surface or both in various patterns. The particular mixer and finisher described are adapted for use in the uniform mixing of rennet and precheese. The mixer and finisher are adapted for modification and facile disassembly for cleaning to maintain sanitary standards.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluid apparatus in which two or more kinds of chemical liquids can be rapidly stirred and mixed in a pump to a uniform concentration. A barrier membrane such as a bellows or a diaphragm that is reciprocally moved in the axial direction is disposed in a pump body so as to form a liquid chamber between the barrier membrane and an inner wall of the pump body. A suction port and a discharge port are disposed in the inner wall of the pump body. Supply pipes for the two or more kinds of chemical liquids are pipe-connected to an inlet portion of the suction port so as to join together. An outlet portion of the suction port is disposed in a side face of a protruding forward end of a suction check valve which is fixed to protrude from the inner wall of the pump body into the liquid chamber, whereby the outlet portion is opened so as to eject the two or more kinds of chemical liquids toward a circumferential wall in the liquid chamber.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises several microchannel structures in which there are an inlet port, an outlet port and there between a structural unit comprising a fluidic function. The structural unit can be selected amongst units enabling a) retaining of nl-aliquots comprising constituents which has been defined by mixing of aliquots within the microfluidic device (unit A), b) mixing of aliquots of liquids (unit B), c) partition of larger aliquots of liquids into smaller aliquots of liquids and distributing the latter individually and in parallel to different microchannel structure of the same microfluidic device (unit C), d) quick penetration into a microchannel structure of an aliquot of a liquid dispensed to an inlet port of a microchannel structure (unit D), and e) volume definition integrated within a microchannel structure (unit E).

Abstract: An apparatus for the transport of thyroid hormone drug formulations from a blender to a tablet press using mass flow of the formulation in order to maintain consistent tablet compositions during manufacture of the tablets.

Abstract: A material blending tank 1 is formed in a pressure-resistant, and tightly closable vessel, in its inner cavity, into which predetermined quantities of starting materials are charged, followed by hermetically sealing the tank; a material adjusting tank 2 is formed in a large size, into which a predetermined quantity of solvent is filled so as to be able to pump out from its bottom part by means of a pump P; the pump P functioning to pressure-feeding the solvent pumped out of the material adjusting tank 2 into the inner cavity of the material blending tank 1 through its bottom side. In the course of the pressure-feeding of the solvent, when the air within the material blending tank 1 is compressed to a high pressure level, the operation of the pump P is stopped and the solvent which has been pressure-fed into the material blending tank 1 is subjected to reverse flow through the inner cavity of the pump P into the material adjusting tank 2 by the pressure of the air compressed in the material blending tank 1.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 for mixing a solute with a solvent is described. The apparatus 20 includes a mixing chamber 12 for a solute and solvent and in which the solute and solvent are moved via a pump 18 and tubes (68a, 68b, 68c and 70). The chamber 12 also contains a divider 80 which, when occupying a first position (“U”), substantially divides the chamber 12 into at least two portions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a starting material adjusting apparatus for preparing the starting materials in the form of slurry, wherein no use is made of an agitator which is expensive in its installation cost and troublesome in its cleaning, thereby making it possible to perfectly dissolve the starting materials into solvent, and to obtain homogeneous slurry as a whole, in a short period of time.

Abstract: A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved apparatus and process for the dilution and delivery of both high-purity chemicals as well as slurry chemicals from one or more bulk sources to an end-user. The present system utilizes two or more metered vessels which are connected to bulk chemical sources via intake lines. Each metered vessel contains an adjustable, swingable angle pipe, which drains any excess chemical by gravity flow from the metered vessel so as to adjust the chemical amount to a predetermined desired level. As the chemicals exit the angle pipes, sensors located at the end of the angle pipes sense the chemical being discharged and trigger the feed pump and valve to shut off, whereby the excess chemicals will continue to drain out until the chemical levels reach the same level as the vent port of the pipe attached to the metered vessels. The chemicals are drawn into the metered vessels from the bulk sources via a feed pump or pressure mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for applying accurately metered, minute quantities of concentrated additives from bulk sources of supply to successive masses of material presented for treatment. The methods of the invention comprise mixing an additive with a small amount of a liquid carrier to form a suspension, causing the suspension to foam, and applying the resulting foamed suspension to a material such as animal feed. The apparatuses of the invention provide for a pass-through chamber within which separate streams of a liquid carrier, an additive substance, and preferably a foaming agent are merged together. Each of the streams are directed into the chamber in a metered flow to incrementally combine the streams. A suction pump at the downstream end of the chamber draws the prepared product out of the chamber and advances it toward an ultimate delivery site.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and process for blending high purity chemicals to produce a high purity chemical mixture with circulation, purification and sensing of said chemical mixture between blending of said high purity chemicals and storage of said high purity chemicals for use, ultimately to produce a high purity chemical mixture for on-site use in treating semiconductor materials, such as at a semiconductor fabrication facility that processes silicon wafers.

Abstract: An eductor-mixer has a first inlet which receives dry particulate sugar from a sugar feed system and has a second inlet which receives a pressurized working liquid adapted to mix with the dry particulate sugar to form a liquified sugar solution. The eductor-mixer also has a discharge adapted for discharging the liquified sugar solution. A tank system receives the solution discharged from the eductor-mixer. A working fluid circuit conducts pressurized working fluid to the second inlet of the eductor-mixer and includes a solution recycle line for conducting solution from the tank system to the second inlet of the eductor-mixer, and a water supply line for adding water to the solution conducted to the second inlet of the eductor-mixer. A heater adds heat to the system to increase the temperature of the solution to a temperature at or above a specified temperature. A measuring device measures the sugar content of liquified sugar solution.

Abstract: The vacuum tumbler has an evacuatable drum (3) which is mounted for rotation around its longitudinal axis (11) and is provided on one end side with a loading opening and on the other end side with a removal opening (12). In order to obtain continuous operation, a vacuum sluice (19, 19') is arranged both at the loading opening (12) and at the removal opening (12') and that in each case a vacuum packing (17), which is effective when the drum (3) is rotating, is present between the two openings (12, 12') and the corresponding vacuum sluice (19, 19').

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for homogenizing bulk material, wherein the bulk material is supplied from above into a container which is restricted sidewards and downwards and is fed out by means of a feeding out conveyor located in the lower portion of the container. The characteristic features of the invention are that the bulk material is fed in from above in one end of the container (20), wherein the bulk material is caused to slide down towards the opposite end of the container such that a bed of bulk material is formed having a sloping profile in the container, and wherein, due to the sliding, heavier and/or coarser fractions of the bulk material slides more than lighter fractions, and that during each time unit a volume of bulk material is fed out from the bottom portion of the container from each section (.DELTA.

Abstract: A system for applying accurately metered, minute quantities of concentrated additives from bulk sources of supply to successive masses of material presented for treatment includes a pass-through chamber within which separate streams of a liquid carrier and the additive substance are merged together. As the liquid carrier passes through the chamber, the additive, in either dry or liquid form, is likewise directed into the chamber in a metered flow to incrementally combine with the liquid stream and form the combined product. A suction pump at the downstream end of the chamber draws the prepared product out of the chamber and advances it toward an ultimate delivery site. The carrier liquid is prevented from accumulating into a pool within the chamber by the suction pump that cooperates with the upright orientation of the chamber to cause the carrier liquid to swirl smoothly through the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently circulating and moving a fluid across a workpiece. The apparatus can provide for the automated handling of the fluids used, and is well suited for use in the staining and fixing of biological assays such as electrophoresis gels. The tray of the invention includes first and second side walls, first and second end walls, a first curved wall portion connecting the first side wall and the first end wall, and a second curved wall portion connecting the second side wall and the second end wall. The inclusion of the curved surface in the combination causes mixing to occur efficiently when the tray is "rocked" from side to side as in the conventional apparatus. Thus, the apparatus of the invention may also include a motor for alternately raising and lowering each end wall of the tray in a rocking motion, thereby causing the fluid to alternately flow towards and away from each end wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using an apparatus is provided for the accelerated bioremediation of treated contaminated material. The material is treated with chemical and/or biological amendments for facilitating accelerated bioremediation thereof. The apparatus comprises a system for for generating a treated contaminated material entraining air stream at a predetermined velocity for entraining the treated contaminate material therein for microenfractionating the treated contaminated material. In this way, accelerated bioremediation is facilitated. In another form of the invention, a method of accelerated bioremediation of treated contaminated material is provided.

Abstract: An extruder in which the joint between the downstream, forward end portion of a cylinder and a gear pump is always kept tight, so that molten resin material is prevented from leaking out. As the main discharge port of a diverter valve is prevented from shifting from the inhalation port of the gear pump at the joint therebetween, the flow passage at the joint is always smooth without a spot where the molten resin material collects. The quality of resin products thus becomes stable.

Abstract: The apparatus for homogeneous mixing of fluid components includes a feed tank (B1) for a liquid component having an overflow weir dividing the feed tank (B1) into a first chamber and a second chamber; another feed tank (B2) for another fluid component; a mixing pipe (MR) for mixing the fluid components; a pump (P3) having a regulated drive motor connected to the second chamber of the feed tank (B1) to feed the liquid component to the mixing pipe (MR); another pump (P1) connected to the other feed tank (B2) to feed the other fluid component to the mixing pipe (MR); a collecting tank (B3) having an overflow weir to maintain a uniform counter-pressure at the mixing pipe (MR) and being connected to the mixing pipe (MR) to receive the mixed product formed from the liquid component and the other fluid component; and additional pump (P2) for circulating the liquid component from the second chamber of the feed tank (B1) to the first chamber of the feed tank (B1) to maintain a level of the liquid component in the firs

Abstract: A dosage form for micro bubble echo contrast media which comprises a syringe (6) and a mixing chamber (1) which is connected thereto and contains a predetermined amount of gas, plus a second syringe is described. The novel dosage form allows easy, standardised preparation of echo contrast media and gives high contrast (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A system is provided for mixing of concentrated liquid gelling agent and water to form a fracturing fluid for fracturing of a subterranean formation. High shear rotary mixers are utilized in a blender tub to provide efficient hydration of the concentrated liquid gelling agent and water mixture.

Abstract: In a mixing head for mixing plural kinds of liquid materials, a first forward movement passage for opening a discharge control valve which control supplying the liquid materials into a mixing chamber, is ramified from a second forward movement passage for closing a circulation control valve which controls the circulation of the liquid materials, and extends across a spool of the circulation control valve. The spool is provided with a groove for opening the first forward movement passage when the circulation control valve is in a closed state. Further, a restriction passage having a check valve for keeping a working fluid from flowing into a first cylinder including a first piston of the discharge control valve, is formed to be communicated with the first cylinder at a side of the first forward movement passage and is ramified from the second forward movement passage.

Abstract: In a developing station functioning on the principle of cross-blending in an electrophotographic printing device, two mixing screws running in opposite directions are arranged at a distance from one another. The first mixing screw is situated in a mixing trough provided with a plurality of oblique slots and comprises two mixing strips in the delivery region of the developer mix which are offset by 180.degree. and which neighbor one another. A scraper strip having an actual scraping region and scraping teeth is situated above the two mixing screws. A metering baffle is arranged at an angle relative to this scraper strip, this metering baffle extending through the teeth of the scraper strip and including baffles at its lower end for controlling the flow of the developer mix.

Abstract: A high pressure mix-head for use in reaction injection molding systems includes a full cross section plunger and a piston valve assembly selectively positioned in response to recirculation and pour cycles to control flow through recirculation passages formed on the O.D. surface of a mix-head sleeve.

Abstract: By providing two, interconnected fluid storing containers, each of which comprise piston members sealingly engaged therewith and manually movable along the inside surface thereof, a unique, linear gradient former is achieved which is capable of controllably providing precisely mixed linear gradients. In addition, the linear gradient former of the present invention is usable to quickly, easily, and precisely fill the fluid holding chambers, by manually moving the pistons in an opposite direction. One of the fluid storing containers incorporates outlet means for delivering the linear gradient to the desired chamber for use and, in the preferred embodiment, also incorporates fluid mixing means to assure uniform distribution of the fluids in the container prior to being dispensed.

Abstract: A milling apparatus comprises a container with a plate extending across the container and movable relative thereto by an oscillator which communicates oscillatory movement to the plate at right angles to its plane. The oscillation can be tuned so that the natural frequency of oscillation of the plate and communication means is the same as or a whole number multiple of the oscillation frequency of the oscillator. The oscillator comprises a rotatable eccentric member driven to provide mechanical oscillations. The plate within the container acts to agitate grinding elements provided within the container. The container can either be used in a batch mode by moving the plate from an inlet to an outlet or in a continuous flow mode in which the comminuted material passes the plate from an inlet to an outlet.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of mixing, for example, cytostatica stored in an ampule (1) provided with a rubber closure (8) or corresponding closure, with, for example, sterile water stored in a second ampule (2) provided with a rubber closure (12) or corresponding closure. The invention is characterized in that a first tube (7) of hypodermic needle shape, which is connected by a hose connection (6) to a first port (5) of a multi-way valve (4), is pierced through the rubber closure (8) of one ampule (1), that a second tube (11) of hypodermic needle shape, which is connected by a hose connection (10) to a second port (9) of the multi-way valve (4), is pierced through the rubber closure (12) of said second ampule (2). The interior of the ampules is interconnected by a hose connection (13), the two respective ends of which have the shape of hypodermic needles (14,15) and are pierced each through one rubber closure (8,12).

Abstract: In the manufacture of an alkaline earth halophosphate phosphor, a tray is filled from an automatic loader with a predetermined weight of powder comprising a blend of raw ingredients for forming said phosphor. The filled tray is then vibrated with a pattern inserted therein to settle the powder into a powder mass having a shape that promotes uniformity of reaction when the powder is fired at a temperature that causes the raw ingredients to react and form said phosphor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for thoroughly mixing the liquid contents of first and second containers without exposing either the liquid contents or the resultant mixture to outside contamination. The device features a movable pumping diaphragm which traverses a pumping chamber so that the pumping chamber is divided into an upper and lower chamber. In a first position, the diaphragm causes the upper chamber to have a reduced volume while the lower chamber has an increase volume. In a second position, the pumping diaphragm causes the lower chamber to have a decreased volume while the upper chamber has an increased volume. Valving assemblies are utilized in conjunction with both the upper and lower chamber to selectively allow for the ingress and egress of fluids from these chambers dependent upon the position of the pumping diaphragm.

Abstract: A control system of particulate material treatment plant comprising screening means which produces undersize and oversize fractions and which is controllable to vary one size fraction relatively to the other size fraction, preparation or dense medium washer means producing a relatively low ash oversize fraction and a relatively high ash oversize fraction and two storage bunkers for the undersize fraction and for the relatively low ash oversize fraction, respectively, the control system comprising sensor means for sensing the amounts of particulate material in each of the two storage bunkers and for deriving signals indicative of the sensed amounts, control means receive the derived signals and control the operation of the screening means in accordance with the received signals.

Abstract: The invention deals with continuous process mixing of pulverized solids and liquids. It offers a mixing process comprising:continuously introducing a liquid into a mixing container;continuously introducing a solid powder into said container at such a rate that specified proportions of solid and liquid in the mixture are maintained;rotating the products in the container in such a way as to establish a vortex;regulating the solid and liquid supply rate in such a way that a given level of filling of container is constantly maintained;continuously emptying the products mixture so that level of filling is maintained.It offers as well a mechanism to implement the process including a mixing container having an intermediate bottom and a runoff opening, a turbine mounted above the intermediate bottom, and mechanism for supplying a liquid and a solid.

Abstract: A fluid mixing device comprises a body part having an inlet for water under pressure, a main flow passage leading from the inlet to an outlet, the main flow passage being shaped to create a low pressure zone therein, and an auxiliary passage leading to the low pressure zone from a source of liquid detergent. The main flow passage is divided into two subsidiary passages downstream of the low pressure zone, and is formed in a valve member which is rotatable to prevent flow of fluid through at least one of said subsidiary passages, when required, thereby reducing the effective cross-sectional area of the main flow passage and creating back pressure which fills the low pressure zone and renders it ineffective in drawing the detergent into the main flow passage.

Abstract: In a mixing machine having a cylindrical mixing chamber in which a centrifuging agitator coaxially rotates on a horizontal axis, an inlet duct for dry mix material and liquid curves downwardly and towards one end wall of the chamber and an outlet duct for mixture curves downward and away from said end wall. Material to be mixed thus enters the chamber in substantially horizontal flow through an inlet port in said end wall, all portions of said port being spaced radially inwardly from the cylindrical chamber wall and below the level of the chamber axis. Mixture leaves the chamber in substantially horizontal flow through an outlet port wholly spaced below the inlet port and extending down to the level of the bottom of the chamber. Centrifuging action maintains a pressure difference between the ports that assures fast movement of materials through the mixing chamber to prevent plugging of the machine when mashed potato mix is used.

Abstract: A liquid sample collector is disclosed. It incorporates a cylinder having a piston therein to define a storage chamber. There is an inlet to the storage chamber. In the storage chamber, a stirring plate mounted on a rod agitates the sample to prevent stratification of the sample. It is mounted on a stirring rod which extends all the way through the chamber, the rod passing through a cylinder head at one end of the cylinder and through the piston. It is stirred by reciprocating the stirring rod. The piston is mounted on a piston rod and moves as controlled by a hydraulic system wherein it maintains a desired back pressure on the sample to avoid vaporization. An alternate embodiment is disclosed where both ends of the stirring rod are exposed to pressures which are reduced and equalized to prevent placing a force differential on the piston rod in the stirring device.

Abstract: A photosensitive silver halide emulsion is prepared by circulating separate streams of circulating peptizer solution with at least one power operated pump through separate mixing zones in which one stream is mixed with a solution of a silver salt and the other is mixed with a solution a halide salt, and these streams are then combined and mixed in a reaction zone so that silver halide crystals are formed by reaction between silver salt and halide salt and the circulating peptizer solution contains increasing amounts of silver halide crystals in course of time, such circulation being continued until a silver halide emulsion of a predetermined concentration has been formed.

Abstract: A cone-and-screw mixer for mixing powders, granulates or polydisperse granular materials having a conical vessel accommodating a screw simultaneously rotating about its own axis and around the axis of the vessel. The mixer is provided with an inlet opening located in a cover, a pipe fitting located in the bottom and an overflow opening located between the inlet opening and the upper flight end of the screw. The area of the overflow opening is preferably equal to that of the inlet opening, whereas the angle included between the vertical planes passing through the mixer axis and through the points being least distant from each other and located at the edges of the overflow and the inlet openings is not less than 0.35 rad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the homogenization of a multicomponent stream including a liquid and a substantially insoluble component, which may be either a liquid or a finely divided solid. The homogenization process is effected by passing the multicomponent, fluid stream through a turbulent shear layer having a substantial velocity gradient there-across and designed such that turbulent vortical eddies generate a cavitating flow regime. The cavitating flow regime allows the generation of vapor bubbles which move downstream into a region of pressure and violently collapse. The violent bubble collapse creates intense pressure pulses which cause the intimate intermixing of the liquid and the substantially insoluble component such that the effluent, a resulting emulsion, has an exceptionally long separation half-life with a very high emulsification coefficient.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing multi-component plastic materials wherein at least one of the components is compounded with admixed solid materials or is highly viscous, the various components are continuously recycled and are metered separately by associated continuously operating feed pumps, and a mixing operation is effected in a mixing chamber served by a control piston. In the circuit for the compounded or viscous component a transmitter device is connected in a position downstream of the respective continuously operating feed pump and upstream of the associated mixing chamber inlet port. This transmitter device operates in a manner similar to a piston pump and increases the delivery pressure of the compounded or viscous component upon discharge into the mixing chamber whereby the operation of the transmitter is operatively coupled to the operation of the control piston at the mixing chamber. The component circuit may furthermore include a filling pump and a check valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of mortar has a wheel-mounted frame for an elongated vessel which receives metered quantities of solid and liquid constituents from discrete feeding units. The vessel has an outlet and contains a rotary homogenizing and evacuating device which mixes the solid and liquid constituents to form mortar and advances the mortar toward and through the outlet. Mortar issuing from the outlet of the vessel can be discharged into a separate container which is mounted in or on the frame and is connected with one or more evacuating pumps, into wheelbarrows or into the container of a conventional mortar mixing machine. The feeding unit for solid constituent may receive material by gravity flow or under the action of a rotary screw in a receptacle which is mounted in the frame at a level above the vessel and receives solid constituent from a pneumatic conveyor.

Abstract: A tumbler assembly for mixing, storing and feeding particulate materials and for transferring heat between different materials which includes a tumbler having a lower portion in the form of a hollow inverted lower cone enclosed by a circular cover. The cover has an axial inlet and the cone has an axial outlet. The tumbler is rotatably supported with its axis inclined at an angle of 30.degree. to 75.degree. with respect to the horizontal, the tumbler having driving means for rotating the same at a speed within the range of a fraction of a revolution per minute up to several revolutions per minute. The cone has an included angle within the range of 80.degree. to 135.degree..

Abstract: In accordance with the process, a continuously fed viscoplastic material is subjected to a vacuum treatment in a thin layer with subsequent formation of a higher pressure zone from the material. Then the material is again subjected to the vacuum treatment in a thin layer, and a second higher pressure zone is formed from the material prior to feeding it to a next production stage. In an apparatus for carrying out the process for vacuum treatment, there is provided a container accommodating an auger having main and auxiliary turns running in opposite directions for feeding the material in a thin layer and for forming higher pressure zones from the material. There are provided a pipe in the container which is connected to a vacuum system for forming a vacuum zone in the container and means returning the material from one of the higher pressure zones back to the vacuum zone. The production process of vacuum treatment is thereby considerably accelerated and the material of better quality is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous distribution of at least one additive, such as a pigment or the like material, in a particulate master or base material, such as a granular plastics or the like material, comprising a stationary chamber that has a relatively small volume and includes a rotary distributor having one or more arms with cranked end portions for movement along a circular path in a substantially vertical plane that is normal to the axis of rotation of the distributor; a first inlet for feeding the particulate master into the chamber is arranged below the upper horizontal tangent line of the circular path while at least one second inlet for feeding additive into the chamber is provided above the said tangent line.