Abstract: A sous vide reheating device preferably includes at least two water heating chambers with each chamber having a heating device and a thermostat for controlling the temperature of the water in the chamber. An agitation mechanism is provided to circulate the water in each chamber. Each chamber is preferably divided into a plurality of sub-chambers with each sub-chamber having an associated timer to measure the amount of time elapsed for that sub-chamber. The device may include a plate storage and warming mechanism and has a work space for preparing the sous vide foods for service to a consumer.

Abstract: A water bath shaker having a water bath, a vessel-mounting shelf and a triple-eccentric drive, whereby the shelf is subjected to orbital gyratory motion via a drive shaft consisting of a single post that extends into the center of the bath via a standpipe. The drive shaft also acts as a mount that can removably receive and support any one of a variety of dedicated and universal shelves. A microprocessor control performs self-correcting feedback control of temperature and shaker speed. A push-button means is used to input set points.

Abstract: A granulating and coating apparatus in which a rotary drum containing powdery or granular material is rotated about the substantially horizontal axis for granulating and/or coating the powdery or granular material. The apparatus is provided with a disk valve mechanism for switching a gas supply or exhaust path to the rotary drum on the operating side of the rotary drum. The rotary drum is provided inside of itself with a baffle means for stirring powdery or granular material and a baffle displacing means for displacing the baffle means. Inside of the rotary drum is provided a temperature sensor for directly measuring a temperature of powdery or granular material. The rotary drum is composed of porous polygonal. Each side of the polygonal drum includes an outer enclosure mounted thereon and individual detachable.

Abstract: A flowable medium, such as a liquid, a semi-liquid, or a liquid containing particulate matter, can be automatically dispensed in a premeasured amount or in a continuous stream. When the flowable medium is being dispensed in a premeasured amount, such amount is isolated from the remainder of the flowable medium during the dispensing operation so that it can be dispensed independently of any head pressure created by the remainder of the flowable medium. By using a temperature sensor in combination with a microcomputer system for the purpose of detecting large fluctuations in the temperature of the flowable medium, it is also possible to determine when the remainder of the flowable medium reaches a low level condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adjustably controlling the rate of circulation and temperature gradient in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: A melting tank for melting a gelled substance charged therein. The walls of the tank are heating. A first agitating blade agitates the bulk of the gelled substance to promote heat exchange with the walls. A second agitating blade is located closely adjacent a screen separating the gelled substance from a port at the bottom of the tank that is left open during agitation. Thereby, the melt flows down the walls of the tank and flows through the screen to the port.

Abstract: An automatic bread making apparatus comprises a housing, a baking container disposed in the housing and being provided with an opening and a source of heat, a kneading container which is detachably mounted in the baking container, a lid assembly for covering the kneading container, a kneading blade which is movably disposed in the kneading container, a motor for operating the blade to form the dough, means for detecting temperature in the kneading container, a yeast charger and a control unit for operating the apparatus. This apparatus provides for the automatic addition of yeast to the kneaded dough without manual intervention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agitator apparatus for mixing tanked fluids while simultaneously wiping any adherent fluids from the tank wall. The device comprises a fluid agitating means rotationally mounted within the tank for mixing the fluid held therein. At least one tank wall wiper blade is attached to the fluid agitating means to skim or wipe fluid from the tank wall as rotational movement of the agitation means occurs. The agitation means may, in itself, comprise one or more perforated mixing panels attached to a rotating shaft member so as to effectively mix the fluid as the shaft member is rotated.

Abstract: A gas-liquid mass transfer apparatus and method, such as for the rapid heating of a liquid stream by a heated gas stream, such as steam, or the rapid dissolving of a gas stream into a liquid stream, which apparatus comprises: a housing having an axial flow path; static or motionless mixing elements disposed in the axial flow path; and passages in the housing to provide for the direct introduction of the gas stream into and about the liquid stream in the axial flow path and substantially along the length of the static mixing elements to provide a mixed product stream.

Abstract: Method for improved melt quality of thermoplastics processed in reciprocating-screw molding, especially optical injection molding processes. In a reciprocating-screw injection-drive unit (4) is a barrel (53) and screw (15). Screw (15) is double flighted throughout its melting or transition zone (2), to form melt channel (48) and solids channel (50) separated by melt-filtering flight element (47), and kept in fluid communication by melt-transfer apertures (47 or 55 or 56) or substantially nonvertical ramped barrier flight geometry (not shown). The largest energy input for melting is directly provided by thermal conductivity, via electrical resistance heating elements.

Abstract: A bread baking apparatus includes a case having an upper open end closed and opened by a lid, a heater for heating the atmosphere in the case, a dough container disposed in the case so that a space is circumferentially defined between the case and the dough container, an electric motor for driving a kneading blade disposed in the dough container, an electric fan disposed outside the case and energized for a predetermined period during the first half of a baking step, and a microcomputer for controlling the motor, the fan and the heater.

Abstract: A heatable mixer apparatus comprising an open-top tank having a liquid therein and a wheel rotatably mounted essentially perpendicularly above the tank with a portion thereof disposed within the tank. On the lateral sides of the wheel are a plurality of retainers which releasably retain closable vessels containing materials to be mixed. A heater is provided within the tank to heat the liquid to a desired temperature. In operation, the liquid is heated, vessels containing materials to be mixed are placed in respective retainers, and the wheel is rotated to thereby permit mixing of the materials and simultaneous heating as the vessels travel through the heated liquid in the tank.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the process temperature in an industrial process involving an extruding operation includes a summing element which sums the difference between the process temperature and a setpoint temperature with the rate of change of the process temperature and conveys this sum to a proportional and integral controller so that the output thereof acts in an inverse manner with the process temperature. This output of the controller is summed with the change of temperature rate which has been fed forward, to generate a demand signal. The demand signal is shaped and compared to a ramp waveform to generate a variable frequencey pulse for controlling a heating and/or cooling device associated with the extruding device. A change of speed rate can also be summed to form the demand signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for continuous manufacture of an emulsion.A first liquid is brought to emulsion temperature and the components in suspension in the first liquid are brought to the state of second liquids able to be introduced into the first liquid. The components are brought in proportion in liquid form by means of a melting pot-dosimeter and maintained at the temperature of emulsion. The emulsion is carried out in an emulsion vat.Application to the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries.

Abstract: In a method of operating a screw extruder having a drive motor in which the speed of rotation of the drive motor is controlled, in order to achieve as constant a quality of product as possible, the speed of rotation is controlled depending on the specific energy input in such a manner that the specific energy input is maintained substantially constant. A control depending on the product temperature may advantageously be superimposed on the control keeping the specific energy constant in the form of a cascade control. A screw extruder for carrying out the method has a housing in which a screw is mounted, a drive motor having a variable speed for continuously driving the screw, feed devices for supplying basic products, additives and the like, and a control device for controlling the speed of rotation of the screw.

Abstract: The appliance comprises a housing seat for a milk container removable from said seat, a system of electrical heating resistances associated with said seat near the container, an agitator inserted in a removable manner from the container and an electric motor for driving the agitator. Thermostat means with two temperatures associated with an electrical control circuit act on the system of resistances and on the electric motor to consent automatic performance of an appropriate operation sequence for production of cheese and by-products thereof.

Abstract: An improved microprocessor controller program, for soft ice cream manufacturing machines and the like, for maintaining the quality of the frozen product during times of low usage, when such products have a tendency to "age" in both consistency and flavor. The controller keeps track of the quantity of product served during a given base period, and reduces the serving temperature of the product a preselected amount each time a given quantity has not been served therein. The serving temperature is reset to the desired serving temperature whenever said given quantity has been served, thereby avoiding the quality problem which could arise if said given quantity were served at the beginning of one base period but not until the very end of the following base period, thus allowing nearly two base period to elapse without a desired reduction in temperature.

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 closed-loop, temperature-controlled cooling system includes a Stirling cycle refrigerator driven by a dc motor, wherein the motor excitation derives from pulse width modulation. Temperature control of the cooling system is provided by a temperature-sensitive bridge circuit which responds to variations in temperature by generating an error voltage which effects a change in the modulator duty cycle. The amount of cooling is directly related to the average voltage applied to the motor, which is a function of the modulator duty cycle and the amplitude of the supply voltage. A compensation circuit is disclosed which responds to variations in the voltage amplitude of an unregulated supply by coupling an error signal to the bridge circuit to thereby affect the modulator duty cycle.

Abstract: An oven for testing fluid samples to determine the effects of temperature and various chemical additives on the rheological, filtration and chemical properties of the sample under simulated circulating conditions comprises an environmental chamber having therein a plurality of motorized roller members which rotatably support a cylindrical enclosure containing a fluid sample. A heating element disposed beneath the rollers heats the chamber to a predetermined temperature which is maintained by a thermostat. An instrumentation and control panel disposed atop the chamber contains a digital thermometer display which eliminates the need to open the oven to check the temperature. A timer contained within the instrumentation and control panel may be preset to start and end the test automatically without having an operator in constant attendance.

Abstract: A system for adding heat to dry material as it is conditioned in preparation for pelleting in a pellet mill includes a plurality of groups of microwave magnetrons and a control system to control the energization of those magnetrons in response to the throughput of the dry material and the temperature or temperature change of the material.

Abstract: A device is described which eliminates the pre-drying of particulate plastic prior to processing by an extrusion or injection molding machine. A tubular guide member directs particulate plastic under gravity into the feed inlet of the machine. During delivery, the temperature of the particulate plastic is raised with heated air flows to between about 150.degree.-200.degree. F. Suction is applied to the feed inlet of the machine to remove volatiles (primarily water) released when the temperature of the particulate plastic is increased by contact with the heated barrel and screwdriver of a machine. Temperature and suction controls permit selection of operating temperature and suction levels that ensure removal of volatiles prior to any extensive plasticization and transfer along the barrel which would otherwise preclude proper removal of volatiles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing aqueous and oily, sulfur containing products.The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing aqueous and oily, sulfur containing products, which comprises a feeder, mixing unit and a unit for separating the liquid and solid phases. In the process a dispersion is prepared from lime sulfur solution, a surface active material and oil.In the apparatus the feeder includes a wet mill, the charging pump delivering the suspension thus obtained, the mixing unit is provided with a heating jacket, agitator, a cooler and a unit for separating the liquid and solid phases. The apparatus comprises a further mixing unit with a storage tank equipped with a charging pump and dispergator. The feeder, the mixing unit and the further mixing unit are interconnected by pipes.

Abstract: A soft ice cream machine which has a controller in contact with a freezing chamber. The controller is provided with temperature information from a temperature sensor, which senses when the temperature of the ice cream is approaching a temperature which could bring about freeze-up and disables the compressor until the mixture warms up a selectable amount. The controller automatically switches the refrigeration compressor and the mixer and auger to a standby condition when the controller senses that the dispensing spigot has not been actuated. The controller further senses when the temperature of the ice cream in the freezing chamber is approaching a temperature which would give an inadequately frozen product unacceptable to consumers.

Abstract: An ice-cream making machine has a container (3) for the ice cream and a motor-driven stirrer (4) located within the container (3), which is cooled by Peltier effect thermo-elements (8) each having a flat side in contact with a wall of the container (3) and an opposite flat side in contact with a heat dissipation member (9). The Peltier effect thermo-elements (8) are located between the bottom wall of the container (3) and the heat dissipation member and the lower surface of the container bottom wall has raised flat surface portions (11) in correspondence with the thermo-elements (89; the heat dissipation member has flat surface zones (9b) in contact with the thermo elements (8), and the surface area of each of the raised flat surface portions (11) and each of the said flat contact zones (9b) are at least equal to the surface area of each side of each Peltier effect thermo element (8).

Abstract: An automatic animal feeder has a motor driven auger for supplying milk powder from a storage hopper to a mixing vessel. The mixing vessel has outlets for the continuous supply of liquid feed mixture to animal feeding locations. An electrical pump supplies water from a storage tank in the feeder to the mixing vessel. The auger and the pump are connected to an electrical control unit for delivering powder and water to the mixing vesel simultaneously in batches, the batches being automatically timed to provide a required powder to liquid ratio according to the setting of concentration selector switches on the front panel of the feeder. The batches of powder and water are supplied to the mixing vessel together in pairs when the liquid feed mixture is below a level determined by a sensor in the mixing vesel. Calibration of the powder supply is carried out by weighing a sample batch dispensed during a fixed calibration period and setting the measured weight on a calibration dial on the front panel.

Abstract: A gear pump assisted screw conveyor extrusion system utilizing a cartridge heating device disposed axially within the screw and having the drives for the gear pump and the screw correlated in speed to create relatively little pressure in the thermoplastic material being extruded such that relatively little mechanical working thereof occurs. The thermoplastic material is melted in the screw conveyor primarily by heat transfer from the cartridge heater and the gear pump is utilized for conveying the melted material under pressure to a subsequent work station. A relatively deep material-conveying spiral channel is provided in the screw for maximized extrusion output per revolution of the screw and minimized mechanical energy generation by the screw. A motionless mixer may be employed intermediate the screw and the work station to homogenize the melted material for reducing temperature gradients therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for automatically and rapidly making a paint having the color values of a standard paint; a computer is used which is connected to and controls a multiplicity of metering pumps that are each individually connected to a supply of components used to make the paint such as binder solution, solvent and colorants; the components are accurately metered into a mixing vessel and mixed, paint is circulated through a recycle loop attached to the vessel, the loop contains a cell having a viewing window through which the paint is pumped, a colorimeter views the cell and determines the color values of the wet paint and feeds these values back to the computer which compares the values to values of the standard paint and calculates the amount of colorant to be added and signals the metering pumps to add colorant, the process is repeated until the paint is brought within the tolerance values of the standard paint.

Abstract: A continuous mixing device is disclosed, as well as a process for mixing. At least two different materials can be mixed together with substantially uniform product mixing and heat distribution by introducing the materials into the top of a substantially cylindrical, vertical mixing device. A shaft which enters the vessel through the base extends coaxially therein, and carries a number of mixing blades thereon. The upper end of the shaft is surrounded by the lower end of the product feed line. Product introduced into the device is passed downward in the vessel, with product mixing near the center of the vessel, and then moves in an upward direction near the vessel periphery. Upon reaching the top of the vessel, the mixed product encounters a deflector, which splits the mixed product into two portions, one of which is discharged as finished mixed product, and the other portion of which is fed back to a funnel which surrounds the lower end of the product feed line.

Abstract: In a method and installation for providing a stable mixture of heavy oil and water to an oil burner, heavy oil is supplied from a storage tank to an oil tank where it is maintained at a selected pressure and a temperature of 35.degree.-45.degree. C. Water is supplied from a water source to a water tank where it is maintained at a selected pressure and a temperature of 30.degree.-40.degree. C. Oil from the oil tank and water from the water tank are pumped into and through an agitator at a pressure of 3.5-5.5 kg/cm.sup.2 while maintaining the temperature of the oil and water above 30.degree. C. The agitator comprises a cylindrical casing containing a first set of static disc-like elements having inclined holes to produce a swirling motion of the oil-water and a second set of static disc-like elements each having a central protruding dome portion surrounded by a rim portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of recycling asphaltic waste shingles. The apparatus includes an elongated conversion tank into which an asphaltic oil, preferably preheated, and shingle tabs are admitted. The shingle tabs are dissociated into substantially liquified and solid shingle materials. The dissociated shingles are agitated with the asphaltic oil to form a slurry which can be drawn off and discharged to a work station. During the agitation, the substantially solid shingle materials are shredded to reduce their size. Preferably, the asphaltic oil is of a higher penetration grade than the asphaltic content of the shingles when in a substantially liquified form.

Abstract: Apparatus and method in which the temperature of the barrel inner surface and the temperature of the screw conveyor outer surface of a plasticating extruder are varied, alternately, in repeated steps, independent of one another along at least a portion of the solids conveying zone of the extruder, while a production effectiveness parameter simultaneously is monitored, until the monitored production effectiveness parameter is optimized and the production effectiveness of the extruder is at a desired maximum.

Abstract: The invention concerns an extruder head for regulating the temperature of a flow of molten plastic containing a foaming agent. In the flow passage of the extruder head is arranged a mixer which is inductively heated and transfers heat to the plastic flow thereby regulating the temperature thereof during the passage through the extruder head.

Abstract: A system and method of temperature control for a plastics extruder uses a deep well sensor and a shallow well sensor in each temperature control zone along an extruder barrel. The temperature indications of these sensors are not combined. The shallow sensor detects temperature near the barrel surface. An associated controller compares the sensor temperature with a manually preset temperature set point. The differences between the detected and set temperature are used by the controller to effect heating or cooling of its associated temperature control zone. Each deep sensor is located proximate the bore in which the plastic is moved. The deep sensor temperature indication is compared with the set point of a second controller. Variations of the deep temperature from the set point generate an error signal that is applied to the first, shallow well temperature controller to vary its set point.

Abstract: A plastic extruder system having a barrel and a shell with heat exchange elements surrounding the barrel is disclosed. Two thermocouples are provided, one for sensing the temperature of the inner surface of the barrel and the other for sensing the temperature of the shell. A system controller, into which a desired barrel setpoint temperature can be set and stored, receives and stores the independent temperature signals from the thermocouples and controls the heat exchange elements to automatically maintain the temperature of the extruder barrel close to the desired barrel setpoint temperature.

Abstract: A method and device for filling containers with evaporated radioactive waste concentrates that are mixed with bitumen and from which the water has been expelled by creation of temperatures above the boiling point of water, in which the temperature of the waste mixture is substantially reduced below the water expelling temperature immediately before loading the mixture into the containers.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process is disclosed for controlled mixing of a mixable material in a high intensity mixer. The system enables instantaneous, precise and continual monitoring of a batch in a high intensity mixer which heretofore could not be achieved. The process comprises the steps of feeding a batch of material into a high intensity mixer, agitating the batch in the mixer, monitoring batch temperature separately from mixer temperature and discharging the batch from the mixer when the batch temperature reaches a final predetermined level. The apparatus includes means for monitoring batch temperature in a high intensity mixer separately from mixer temperature, and means responsive to the batch temperature to discharge the batch when the batch temperature reaches a final predetermined level.

Abstract: A control system for a plastic extruder which automatically controls both the melt pressure and the melt temperature of the plastic material at the outlet of the extruder barrel. The extruder barrel is divided into a plurality of heating zones and a zone temperature control means individually controls the temperature of each zone in accordance with predetermined zone temperature set points. A melt temperature control means automatically adjusts certain zone temperature set points such that the actual melt temperature is maintained at its desired value. The speed of a rotatable extruder screw is controlled by a melt pressure control means such that the actual melt pressure is maintained at its desired value. In accordance with the present invention, a separate feedforward controller and separate feedback controller are provided in the melt temperature control loop and in each zone temperature control loop such that independent specification of set point and disturbance responses can be achieved.

Abstract: Liquid-containing radioactive wastes are bound into thermoplastic material by introducing particles of thermoplastic material at a non-sticking temperature into a kneading machine, heating the thermoplastic material in the absence of radioactive wastes to at least 100.degree. C., adding the liquid-containing wastes to the heated thermoplastic material, mixing and concurrently increasing the temperature of the mixture to a temperature of about 200.degree. C. or more to vaporize liquid in the mixture, maintaining the mixture at a vaporization temperature to dry to the mixture, releasing evolved vapors and discharging the dried mixture from the kneading machine. Difficulties due to clogging of the kneading machine and fluctuations in the consistency of the dried end product are minimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for preparing and testing material samples, comprising a back plate and a center section having two mixing chambers formed by two adjacent circular apertures in the center section, each of the mixing chambers having an interior surface with a first angulation sloping down toward the back plate, the center section also including a port in fluid communication with the mixing chambers and the outside of the center section for disposing a material sample within the mixing chambers, the center section being releasably secured to the back plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for use in the production of mouldings of a plastics material which initially consist of at least two liquid components which have to be intimately mixed before introduction into a mould. Such an apparatus comprises a mixing head, and for each component to be mixed, a reservoir tank, a pump for supplying the component from the reservoir tank to the mixing head, and a valve at the mixing head operable to direct the component either into the mixing head or back to the tank. To keep the lengths of connecting pipes short, the reservoir tanks, the pumps, and the valves are arranged as a compact unit in close proximity to the mixing head, and in a preferred arrangement, the mixing head, the pumps, the valves and the tanks are mounted in or on a metal block which is formed with ducts through which the components flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating paving material wherein the asphalt material is tumbled within an inclined drum so that it initially passes through the center portion of a stream of hot gases and is conveyed rearwardly and then is subsequently dropped through a more peripheral portion of the hot gas stream and conveyed rearwardly at a faster rate than it was initially. The apparatus comprises a wheeled frame, an elongated drum having a cylindrical inner surface and which is supported on the frame for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, a feed chute communicating with the inlet end of the drum, and LP gas burners mounted at the opposite end of the drum so as to direct a flame and stream of hot gas centrally through a drum toward the inlet. A plurality of flights are secured to the drum inner surface which extend radially inward toward the drum longitudinal axis and extend rearwardly in a direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: An emulsifying system for mixing accurate ratios of two or more liquids to form an emulsion. The liquids are preferably, but not exclusively, water and oil. A supply circuit delivers accurate mixtures of the two or more liquids. An emulsifier emulsifies the mixture to form an emulsion. A container stores a quantity of the emulsion that may vary between predetermined limits and an output circuit is provided to draw the emulsion from the storage container. The emulsion storage container permits the supply of the mixture and the emulsion to the storage container at a rate independent of the rate at which the emulsion is drawn from the output circuit.

Abstract: The input section of apparatus for use in the continuous production of dough of either one of two types has a blender into which the dry material for either type of dough is metered. First and second oil containers, a water container and a container for a yeast solution each have an outlet conduit in communication with the blender and provided with a precision pump and the water and the yeast solution are refrigerated. The outlet conduits of the containers have precision pumps and are arranged so that with either dry material, the appropriate liquids are delivered to the blender in the same relationship to the dry materials.

Abstract: A plastic extruder system having a barrel and a shell with heat exchange elements surrounding the barrel is disclosed. Two thermocouples are provided, one for sensing the temperature of the inner surface of the barrel and the other for sensing the temperature of the shell. A system controller, into which a desired barrel setpoint temperature can be set and stored, receives and stores the independent temperature signals from the thermocouples and controls the heat exchange elements to automatically maintain the temperature of the extruder barrel close to the desired barrel setpoint temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process is disclosed for controlled mixing of a mixable material in a high intensity mixer. The system enables instantaneous, precise and continual monitoring of a batch in a high intensity mixer which heretofore could not be achieved. The process comprises the steps of feeding a batch of material into a high intensity mixer, agitating the batch in the mixer, monitoring batch temperature separately from mixer temperature and discharging the batch from the mixer when the batch temperature reaches a final predetermined level. The apparatus includes means for monitoring batch temperature in a high intensity mixer separately from mixer temperature, and means responsive to the batch temperature to discharge the batch when the batch temperature reaches a final predetermined level.