Abstract: A mixer in particular for viscous elastic materials has a processing channel having an outlet opening at one end which can be closed. The materials can be transported and simultaneously mixed along the processing channel using a a transport device. A feedback channel branches off from the processing channel near the outlet end and feeds back into the processing channel at an upstream location so that the material mixture can be circulated though the processing channel and the feedback channel when the outlet opening is closed. In order to be able to measure rheological quantities of the mixture during the mixing procedure, the feedback channel is configured as a measurement path. Towards this end a pressure sensor device can be provided for in the feedback channel to measure the transport pressure in the transported material mixture at at least two mutually separated cross sectional locations of the feedback channel.

Abstract: A chemical blending system having more than one chemical blending vessel (12, 12') with inlets at the top. A pair of automatic inlet valves are connected to the top of each chemical blending vessel, one with a large inlet orifice and one with a relatively much smaller inlet orifice. At least two chemical batch tanks are connected to the pair of automatic inlet valves and chemicals to be mixed are delivered there at high speed by pumps. Weight cell devices (30) are attached to the bottom of each blending vessel. A controller/computer is connected for the automatic control of pumps (28, 36) and valves (20, 50, 58). A discharge line is connected to the bottom of blending vessels and to a receiving station, and includes pulsation dampeners (38), filters (40) and static mixers (42). A sampling device (46) is connected a recirculation line for the sampling of the blended chemical during recirculation and prior to delivery.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the extraction of a representative sample of a processed medium, flowing in a process stream under a first pressure force, and the delivery of the extracted representative sample to a mixing chamber along with a diluent medium. The system includes a source of a second pressure force connected to the mixing chamber, the second pressure force having a value less than the first pressure force of the process stream. An extraction flow control device connects the mixing chamber to the process stream and is operable into a first or alternatively a second position. When operated in the first position the second pressure force of the mixing chamber is connected to the first pressure force of the process stream and, responsive to the pressure force difference, a portion of the processed medium is drawn from the process stream through the extraction flow control device. A source of diluent medium under a third pressure force is further included connected to the extraction flow control device.

Abstract: A kneader for viscoelastic materials has a kneading chamber constructed in a casing and which contains at least two rotated rotors with which the materials can be kneaded to a viscoelastic mass. In order to be able to determine in a sufficiently precise manner the elastic and viscous parameters of the mass to be kneaded during the kneading process and follow it over time, a test chamber is provided, to which can be supplied from the kneading chamber a test fraction of the mass and use is made of a preferably dynamically measuring rheometer for determining the elastic or viscous parameters of the test fraction of the mass in the test chamber. The inner wall of the kneading chamber is formed sectionwise by an adjustable wall part and the test chamber can be formed by retracting said wall part.

Abstract: A chemical blending system for blending two or more constituent chemicals to a desired concentration. One embodiment of the system includes a mix tank, a recirculation line having an inlet and an outlet in the tank, and a pump in the recirculation line for recirculating and mixing the blended chemical. A source of diluent is fluidly coupled to the mix tank through a diluent inlet and supply line. A source of concentrated chemical is fluidly coupled to the recirculation line through a concentrated chemical inlet, supply line, and an adding valve located in the recirculation line between the inlet and pump. A conductivity-type sensor in the recirculation line provides continuous measurements of the blended chemical concentration. A titration analyzer is coupled to the recirculation line to provide periodic blended chemical concentration measurements. A programmable logic control system including a processor and associated memory is coupled to the adding valve, conductivity-type sensor and titration analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of mixing inhomogeneous flowable food material, fodder material, or pharmaceutical material in a tank provided with mixing devices. The method comprises measuring and registering the content of one or a number of components in samples taken from the material in the tank.

Abstract: A method for processing water-bound wastes and for adjusting quantities and for combining ingredients to achieve a desired mechanical property of the mixture. The process includes the establishment of at least one input parameter for the ingredients. The ingredients include heated granular solids and contaminated water-bound wastes. The mixing process causes the water-bound waste to be heated to a temperature which assures neutralization or purification of any waste borne contamination and which simultaneously cools the granular solid. The method includes testing the mixture for satisfaction of at least one of the established mixture physical property limits and, if necessary, adjusting at least one input parameter to achieve the desired physical property value.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting racks of sealed sample tubes, mixing a sample material contained within the tubes, and aspirating samples from the tubes. The apparatus includes a car which runs along a rail. The car drives racks containing the sample tubes into a mixer channel disposed above and running parallel to the rail. The mixer channel is mounted to rotate about an axis parallel to the rail to mix samples and position the tubes to be aspirated. A push pin mounted adjacent to the mixer channel extends into the mixer channel and urges individual tubes against an aspirator assembly mounted on the opposite side of the mixer channel. An input queue is disposed proximate the input side of the rail and an output queue disposed proximate the output side of rail. The input queue supports the racks and feeds them into position to be driven by the car mechanism into the mixer channel.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a dissolution vessel removably seated within an aluminum platen. The apparatus also includes an assembly for automatically measuring a desired volume of media, heating and degassing the volume of media and then dispensing the volume of media into the dissolution vessel. In addition, the apparatus includes a carousel having a plurality of compartments, the carousel being rotatably mounted on a stage, the stage being alignable with the vessel. According to one mode of operation, an open-top, cage-type basket is placed in one or more compartments of the carousel, each basket containing a tablet intended for dissolution. The apparatus additionally includes a shaft aligned with the vessel, the bottom end of the shaft being adapted to frictionally fit together with a basket.

Abstract: A dissolution tester has a plurality of test vessels for receiving dissolution samples and a plurality of stirring elements for stirring the dissolution samples, the stirring elements being disposed in a vertically adjustable housing. A discharging device is provided having discharging tubes for discharging predetermined volume fractions of the dissolution samples to the test vessels. The discharging tubes are disposed at a predetermined working position in the test vessels in accordance with the filling level of the dissolution sample and the stirring element used. The discharging tubes are disposed on a frame and the frame is disposed on the housing in vertically adjustable manner. A stepping motor moves the frame and thus the discharging tubes to the particular working position in program-controlled fashion in accordance with the input data on the filling level and the stirring element. A computing device stores the measurement data and predetermined parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus blending a diluent liquid, i.e., DI water, with a chemical concentrate, a flow duct and mixing tank forming a closed loop for mixing; a pair of flow duct portions each having a conductivity sensor inductively sensing chemical concentration in the blended liquid; a comparator for comparing the outputs of said parallel sensors; a single pump circulating blended liquid around the closed loop and drawing chemical concentrate from a source through an adding valve which cycles open and closed under control of the concentration sensors; the pump also propelling the blended liquid from the closed loop to the point of use, and conductivity sensors existing in individual housings through which the blended liquid flows upwardly to minimize any collection of bubbles adjacent the sensors.

Abstract: In the pipetting device for mixing liquids, a pipetting tube (7) is located in a receiving arrangement (6), and the receiving arrangement (6) is rotatably (10) mounted in a mounting device (5) and connected via a coupling (12, 13) to an eccentric drive (26).

Abstract: A drum mixer is useful in the continuous production of asphalt paving composition, and has provision for the accurate control of the final temperature of the composition being produced. The drum mixer comprises a fixedly mounted cylindrical sleeve disposed in a generally horizontal orientation, and rotating blades for conveying the heated aggregate longitudinally through the interior of the sleeve. An opening is provided in the side wall portion of the sleeve, and a box-like enclosure covers the opening and mounts a plurality of sensor mounting tubes, so as to permit one or more sensors to be positioned at a location within the enclosure. The enclosure is located where the blades or mixing action in the sleeve will supply a regular flow of the aggregate into the enclosure, and so that the aggregate then slides over the sensors.

Abstract: An automatic medical sampling device comprises a vacuum breaking needle for connecting the inside of a vacuum blood gathering tube with the air. An inserting needle has a length sufficient to be located at a position slightly below the lower end of the vacuum breaking needle at the highest position of the vacuum breaking needle. A container holder or maintainer has a bottom slope or projections for supporting a container, and a stirring device stops reciprocation of the stirring bar by detecting the position of the bar.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automated system for testing the sterility of products intended for human health administration or for human consumption. The system permits a plurality of samples of a product to be concurrently tested and is arranged so that multiple samples of a product to be tested can be mixed and then conveyed to test canisters along with appropriate growth media prior to determining that the product is sterile or is free from microbial contamination.

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: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing concrete mortar. In order to regulate the moisture content of the concrete mortar a sand sample is taken of the sand used. This sand sample is dried. The amount of water added to a concrete charge is regulated subject to the weight difference of the sand sample prior to and after drying.

Abstract: An automatic sample feeder system for handling suspended samples is disclosed, and is particularly useful in connection with a sedimentation particle size analyzer. The system is capable of dispersing a particulate sample into suspension without preliminary sample preparation, maintaining a sample in suspension at the time of delivery of the sample to an analyzer, consistently delivering an acceptable concentration of a suspended sample, and cleaning and flushing its components between samples to avoid contamination. In the disclosed embodiment, sample beakers are arrayed on a rotatable tray, and a sample preparation and delivery assembly consisting of an ultrasonic probe, a stirrer blade, and a dip tube are indexed into position over the beakers in a preprogrammed sequence, and lowered into the beaker for preparation and withdrawal of the sample. The components are rinsed by directing clear liquid back through the dip tube onto the rotating stirrer blade, scattering the liquid.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing materials, such as coarsely chopped meat, during a mixing operation prior to a grinding operation, is provided with a tub (12), mixing means such as one or more paddle assemblies, and an auger (34) in the bottom of said tub. Both the auger and the paddle assemblies may be operated in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. An auger housing (38) extends from the tub and houses a portion of the auger (34) which extends from an end of the tub. An opening is provided in the auger housing (38), which is surrounded by a hopper (40). Loading of the mixer is accomplished by feeding the meat into the hopper (40). The meat passes through the opening in the auger housing (38) and is introduced into the auger (34) so as to be conveyed into the tub (12) by the auger (34) during the loading operation. The direction of rotation of the auger (34) may be reversed in order to unload the mixed meat from the mixer. A discharge means (56) cooperates with the auger (34) for unloading the mixer.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for agitating and heating a sub-surface volume of soil to liberate volatile compositions therefrom which are transmitted through a special flow passage created through the soil to the soil surface where they are analysed to determine the presence or absence of selected contaminants. A low pressure sink is provided to ensure proper flow of volatiles rapidly to the surface and to prevent contamination of adjacent soil blocks or cylinders during treatment.

Abstract: In order to produce pellets (22) in a pellet press following a recipe which is constantly being adjusted in order that the physical properties of the pellets are optimized in relation to the total production costs, a method is used where control is effected on the basis of a current sampling of the composition of the raw materials (28, 29) and of the pellets (37, 39), and on the basis of a current recording of the raw materials (30, 4, 5) and of the conditioning means (34, 38).In order to ensure this control a coordinating computer unit (23) is used with subordinate computer units for raw material control (24, 25), economy control (42), pellet manufacturing (26) and stock control (27), which produce signals to the coordinating computer unit (23) in order that same may be adjusted (45, 48) on a constant basis, whereafter the pellets are manufactured.

Abstract: A crude oil sampling system that obtains and stores a representative sample of crude oil as the oil flows from a stock tank into a sales line. As crude oil flows from the storage tank during a finite period of time, a much smaller flow is diverted to a closed sample vessel. Accordingly, small sequential samples of the crude flowing from the stock tank is removed so that a true sample is protected within the closed vessel. Hence, the crude contained downstream of the stock tank changes in composition over a period of time while the crude contained within the sample vessel remains unchanged. When it is desired to evaluate the quality of the sample contained within the closed vessel, a circulation pump is energized and the contents of the sample vessel is thoroughly mixed. A hydrometer, including a thermometer associated therewith, is placed within a special gravity sample chamber which heretofore has been isolated from the sample vessel.

Abstract: The sampling device for chemical, in particular biochemical process technics, consists of a sterilizable container in which a magnetic stirring system is accommodated whose agitator beam may be adjusted in height also in operation. Fluid flows through a tangential inlet near the bottom to be discharged through an outlet provided in the upper end wall. Beneath the filter membrane there is an extremely small dead space through which the filtrate gets to the filtrate outlet. The lower end of the agitator arm is designed as a pointed flow break-away edge which, in case of rotation, generates an alternating pressure field migrating over the membrane. The device is particularly characterized by short response times and by a long service life due to the fact that without a substantial shearing, the filter membrane is kept free from deposits.

Abstract: A mechanism for agricultural chemical formulation including a mixing tank and a dispersion tank. A rotatable shar blade is mounted within the dispersion tank which has a bottom wall and a side wall. The formulation is transferred from the mixing tank into the dispersion tank through an opening in the bottom wall with the shar blade being in close adjacency to the opening in order to permit the shar blade to strike the formulation as soon as it enters the dispersion tank. The formulation is re-circulated back into the mixing tank and the re-circulation between the two tanks is continued until it reaches the correct consistency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of measuring water percentages of a fine aggregate comprising the steps of prewetting the fine aggregate, containing the prewetted fine aggregate in an air-tightly closed container, applying a centrifugal force to said container over a predetermined period to remove a portion of a quantity of water deposited on the fine aggregate, and measuring the water content remaining in or on the fine aggregate after being subjected to the centrifugal force, and thus determining a percentage of water adhered to the fine aggregate and a percentage of water of the fine aggregate in which interstice thereof is saturated with water while a surface thereof is dry.

Abstract: The small volume recirculator includes a mixing chamber for receiving recirculated slurry from an inlet arranged to carry the slurry on its return path from the analyzer. An impeller is provided in a housing which is connected to the mixing chamber by way of an opening such that the housing receives the slurry from the reservoir through the opening and provides passage by way of an output tube to the analyzer. The connection between the housing and the chamber is sufficiently direct so that a vortex is set up in the mixing chamber. This provides the mixing. The impeller is rotatably mounted by shaft means which extends above the level of the slurry to a power drive train in avoidance of any shaft seals in the slurry path.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for continuously sampling, for example, crude oil, to determine the amount of water and bottom sediments in the crude oil, wherein the crude oil is passed through a mixing zone in a pipeline to homogenize the crude oil, a fluid stream is continuously withdrawn from the homogenized crude oil and introduced into a collecting vessel. The collected fluid is mixed for homogenization, whereafter a sample is taken from the fluid for analysis.

Abstract: An automatic milk bulk tank lockout system (10) for use with a milk agitator (12) in a stationary bulk tank (14) and a pump (18) in a milk tank truck (16) for pumping milk out of the bulk tank (14) includes an electrical receptacle (22) adapted to supply power to the pump (18). A second timer switch (42) driven by a timing motor (28) is adapted to activate an agitator relay (46) to direct electrical current to the milk agitator (12) for a selected period of time. A third timer switch (44) also driven by the timing motor (28) selectively activates the receptacle (22) in automatic coordination with the operation of the milk agitator (12). The receptacle (22) is deactivated throughout the agitating period. Thereafter it is activated, whereby the pump (18) is not powered and milk cannot be pumped out of the bulk tank (14) before expiration of the selected agitating period.

Abstract: Particulate materials are blended in a vessel provided with a plurality of vertically extending conduits therein. The vessel comprises a downwardly converging frustoconically shaped bottom wall which defines the lower region of the vessel. The lower ends of the conduits extend through corresponding openings in the bottom wall and are connected by suitable conduit means with a solids outlet at the open bottom of the bottom wall, an outlet conduit extending downwardly therefrom with a solids flow control valve interposed therein. A recycle conduit extends from the interior of the outlet conduit at a position above the solids flow control valve therein upwardly to a solids hopper positioned above the vessel. A blower is connected to the upper portion of the vessel and applies vacuum thereto and to the recycle conduit for withdrawing particulate materials or solids through the recycle conduit into the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for withdrawing fluid such as oil from an oil pipeline comprising 2 collection apparatus, an alternate one of which is at all times connected to the pipeline connecting oil, whereby while one is collecting oil, the oil in the other collection apparatus is being mixed and then is emptied ready to receive oil.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described for homogenizing and subsampling process streams such as those present in the hot water extraction process for recovery of bitumen from tar sand. Such streams contain widely variable proportions of heavy oil, water, and solids. To obtain a representative analysis-size subsample from such a stream, a bulk sample is taken into a cylindrical open-topped vessel containing a coaxial cylindrical draft tube spaced from the internal wall of the vessel. A head element closes and seals the top of the vessel. An impellor extending into the draft tube through the head element is actuated to circulate the bulk sample along an elliptical flow path within the vessel. The vessel contents are maintained in a pressurized condition by the introduction of inert gas.

Abstract: Electro-mechanical, milk transfer systems which interlock the dairy farmer's milk holding tank agitator and the pump for drawing milk from the tank into a milk transport vehicle to preclude energization of the pump until the agitator has operated for a minimum, predetermined time; tamper proof circumvention-preventing devices to preclude by-pass of the interlock systems during milk transfer to the transport vehicle; and milk sample-taking units for automatically taking one or more samples of the milk being pumped into the transport vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described for homogenizing and subsampling process streams such as those present in the hot water extraction process for recovery of bitumen from tar sand. Such streams contain widely variable proportions of heavy oil, water, and solids. To obtain a representative analysis-size subsample from such a stream, a bulk sample is taken into a cylindrical open-topped vessel containing a coaxial cylindrical draft tube spaced from the internal wall of the vessel. A head element closes and seals the top of the vessel. An impellor extending into the draft tube through the head element is actuated to circulate the bulk sample along an elliptical flow path within the vessel. The vessel contents are maintained in a pressurized condition by the introduction of intert gas.

Abstract: A device for dispersing fluid polymeric material in a liquid diluent without degradation of polymer chain length includes a body having a generally T-shaped interior cavity with a pair of opposed inlets and a side outlet. One inlet holds a diluent injection assembly while the other holds a polymer injection assembly. The juxtaposition of the front ends of the injection assemblies within the interior cavity creates a zone where concurrent streams are pre-mixed and an orifice where the pre-mix is immediately subjected to high shear forces; adjusting the relative positions of the injection assemblies changes the size of the orifice. The continuous on-line supply of a polymer dispersion to a point of use incorporates such a dispersing device, a metering pump for supplying polymer and a small detention tank, which ages the dispersion for about a minute before it is delivered to a conduit leading to the point of use.

Abstract: An in-line blender is provided for mixing a single fluid or blending it with at least one other substance. The blender includes a conduit having a hollow interior disposed about a central axis and a shaft extending longitudinally through the conduit along the central axis. The blender also includes a plurality of stationary mixing stages extending in series along the central axis with each of the mixing stages defining a plurality of spiral channels within the hollow interior of the conduit. Each of the mixing stages includes a plurality of distinct segments extending in series along the central axis. The blender further includes means for adjusting both the angular and the axial position of each of the segments with respect to adjacent segments along the shaft.