Discharge Effected By Stirrer Patents (Class 366/196)
  • Patent number: 5603568
    Abstract: A system for transportation of sludge material comprising an elongated tank having an arcuate bottom portion extending longitudinally of the tank and having a withdrawal port located in the arcuate bottom portion of the tank. An elongated conveyor system is disposed in the tank and comprises inner and outer auger flights mounted in the tank an axle extending longitudinally of the tank. The auger flights transcend only a minor cross sectional area of the tank and are configured to have opposing pitch slopes. The outer auger flight provides a positive pitch angle in the direction of the withdrawal port to displace sludge material toward the withdrawal port. The compound conveyor system embodies inner and outer auger flights as described previously in which at least the outer auger flight is in the form of a ribbon which is spaced axially from the axle on which it is supported and is wrapped around the axle in a manner in which the inner diameter of the ribbon flight is spaced radially from the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Mobley, William O. Brown
  • Patent number: 5556765
    Abstract: A reactor includes a reaction vessel that defines a reaction chamber. Completely or partially within the reaction chamber is at least one spiroid. The spiroid is operably associated with the reaction vessel so that rotation of the reaction vessel causes the spiroid to rotate and liquid to be transferred through the spiroid. The spiroid can circulate gas and liquid within the reaction chamber, introduce fresh gas and liquid into the reaction chamber or discharge gas and liquid from the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Richard R. Dedolph
  • Patent number: 5514399
    Abstract: Substantially uniform distribution of a particulate composition such as a seasoning or spice, on both the top and bottom surfaces of baked good or snack pieces is achieved by applying the composition as a curtain or sheet from within a housing as the substrate pieces are transported and tumbled by counterrotating brushes. The curtain or sheet extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal cavity through which the substrate pieces are transported. The apparatus includes a housing having a raised portion for enclosing and permitting the curtain or sheet to disperse in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity as the composition descends towards the baked good or snack pieces. A lowered portion, downstream of the raised portion of the housing prevents escape of airborne particulate composition to the atmosphere through the baked good or snack piece outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Cordera, Henry M. Andreski
  • Patent number: 5505537
    Abstract: A conical-bottom silo, particularly suitable for small-sized pieces of plastic material with properties of high elasticity, includes a conical screw stirrer inserted axially in the conical bottom of the silo. The conical screw of the stirrer is discontinuous and divided into several sections. The silo has a structure for discharging the material arranged below an outlet port positioned laterally in relation to the stirrer and including two co-operating cylindrical screws. The stirrer can be provided with apertured grill outlets for heated, forced air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Sorema s.r.l.
    Inventor: Flavio Previero
  • Patent number: 5486047
    Abstract: A mixing auger apparatus for an on-site mobile concrete mixer is disclosed wherein the mixing auger apparatus is capable of effective operation while oriented at an angle of inclination greater than 22.degree. to the horizontal. The mixing auger apparatus is provided with a flexible housing that extends around the entire circumference of a half flight auger. The flexible housing is suspended from a frame such that the housing is flexible completely around the mixing auger. Adjustment devices allow the positional movement of the flexible housing relative to the mixing auger to modify the clearance between therebetween. The flexible housing is separable to permit movement thereof into an inoperable position to facilitate a cleanout of the mixing auger apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Harold M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5450786
    Abstract: A conching device comprising at least one rotor shaft (4) having conching tools (5) is subdivided by partition walls (10, 11, 12) into compartments (13-16), so that in these compartments (13-16) different formulations can be conched simultaneously. The through holes for the rotor shaft (17) across the partition walls (10, 11, 12) between the compartments (13-16) are sealed by means of Belleville spring washers (18) such that no transport of chocolate paste can take place from one compartment (13-16) to another. Since the conching device comprises only one driving mechanism 8 and only two bearing units (6, 7) for each rotor shaft (4), there results a cost- and space-saving device, which can be employed in a manifold way. Thus, different formulations can be conched in the different compartments, which formulations can be processed parallely or at different times, by way of example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Richard Frisse GmbH Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Kurt Muntener
  • Patent number: 5429436
    Abstract: A vertical forage mixer is of a unibody-type construction to provide an especially strong and durable unit. The major components of the vertical forage mixer are secured-together, typically by welding, so that the various components are combined and tied together into a structure in which there is no need to isolate one component from any of the other components. A detachable weigh bar and hub combination assembly can be provided. A discharge conveyor can be included which features an adjustable conveyor run for varying discharge locations. A comb assembly can be associated with the discharge conveyor in order to facilitate even outflow of mixed forage or removal of foreign materials. A scroll assembly is also provided which is of a cantilevered variety and which is especially durable and facilitates aggressive mixing, including cutting when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Art's-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Stone
  • Patent number: 5403087
    Abstract: Mixing method and apparatus using two shafts which rotate in a reverse direction with respect to each other, having mixing pins branched in a V shape or Y shape and a mixing bath arranged in such manner that fibrous and powder materials are input to one end, and mixed while being moved along the length of the shafts with the obtained mixture being discharged at the other end. A mixing appratus and mixing method allows for uniformly mixing fibrous material, particularly semi-wetted fibrous material with powder material with high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignees: Ask Corporation, Sanshin Thermal Insulation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Irie, Motonobu Abe, Norihito Akiyama
  • Patent number: 5385402
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding hazardous waste made up of solids and liquids in a flowable form includes a tank made of material selected to be impervious to and non-corrodible by the hazardous waste and having a non-critical portion, an agitator in the tank having fluid agitation portions oriented for rotational movement about a horizontal axis, a non-sparking motor located within the tank connected to the agitator for imparting rotation to the fluid agitation portions, and a power source for the motor outside the tank having means passing through the non-critical portion of the tank for communicating power from the power source to the motor. Thus, the power source may communicate power to the non-spark generating motor to impart rotation to the agitator to cause the fluid agitation portions to agitate hazardous waste made up solids and liquids held in the tank to maintain the hazardous waste in flowable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Sumter Transport, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Rumph
  • Patent number: 5363747
    Abstract: Apparatus for preparing a product by the controlled metering of additive constituents into a base constituent includes a processing vessel having mixing and heating and/or cooling capability to produce a base constituent for discharge into the metering stage of a metering/mixing auger assembly. The metering stage of the auger assembly includes a screw type auger surrounded by a heating or cooling jacket and is operative to convey product from the processing vessel at a uniform rate to an auger mixing stage wherein the auger has increased pitch and is exposed to an open trough through which one or more additive constituents can be metered into the base constituent for mixing therewith. The auger mixing stage accommodates expansion of the mixed constituents. The metering/mixing auger and trough assembly may be readily disassembled for cleaning without need for tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Clark, Rory R. Puzon, James T. Wlodarczyk
  • Patent number: 5351609
    Abstract: A continuously operating conching machine (1) according to the invention is divided into a plurality of compartments (10-12) divided by at least one partition wall (8), transfer of the material from one compartment (10-12) to the next being effected via at least one opening (e.g. 16) in the particular partition wall. However, with a conching machine continuously processing the chocolate paste, it is possible expediently to carry out a method according to the invention, in which additives are added only batchwise to the essentially continuously processed chocolate paste, in order to permit more accurate metering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Richard Frisse GmbH Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Kurt Muntener
  • Patent number: 5344232
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement and containing the mixed bone cement preparatory to dispensing. The mixing chamber has an outlet for the mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed bone cement therefrom. Structure is provided for moving cement from an upper region of the mixing chamber down into a lower region thereof to mix same and for moving such mixed cement off an inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Nelson, Michael W. Steffler, Douglas L. Tyler, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5340213
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding hazardous waste made up of solids and liquids in a flowable form includes a tank made of material selected to be impervious to and non-corrodible by the hazardous waste and having a non-critical portion, an agitator in the tank having fluid agitation portions oriented for rotational movement about a horizontal axis, a non-sparking motor located within the tank connected to the agitator for imparting rotation to the fluid agitation portions, and a power source for the motor outside the tank having means passing through the non-critical portion of the tank for communicating power from the power source to the motor. Thus, the power source may communicate power to the non-spark generating motor to impart rotation to the agitator to cause the fluid agitation portions to agitate hazardous waste made up of solids and liquids held in the tank to maintain the hazardous waste in flowable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Sumter Transport, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Rumph
  • Patent number: 5335990
    Abstract: A mobile concrete remix and transfer device includes an elongate open-topped surge bin, a remixing and transfer agitator rotatably mounted in the bin to move concrete toward one end, and an upwardly inclined discharge screw conveyor mounted in one end of the bin to transfer concrete therefrom to an upper discharge end near the upper edge of the surge bin. The device is particularly useful for direct or shuttle transfer hauling within the close confines of tunnel construction in a manner in which concrete can be loaded into and discharged from the bin at points directly adjacent the open upper edge thereof without the need for vertical lifting or tilting adjustment of the bin. The device may also be skid-mounted and positioned directly on the ground, loaded directly from a low discharge height truck mixer, and discharged directly into a concrete pump hopper, bucket, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Maxon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenway W. Maxon, III
  • Patent number: 5320427
    Abstract: In the continuous conching of chocolate mass in a conche (10) it is important to ensure essentially constant contents of the conche (10). For this purpose, the infeed of starting material and/or the discharge of the conched chocolate mass is monitored, namely measured, especially by means of weighing. In response to the measurement results, the infeed or the discharge is controlled, especially by means of altering the conveying capacity of a compulsory conveyor (screw conveyor 21) for discharging the conched mass. The conched chocolate mass is dry, i.e. it contains neither lecithin nor cocoa butter. Lecithin is added in the region of the screw conveyor (21) which is followed by a mixing device (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Callebaut N.V.
    Inventors: Frans Callebaut, Rudy Bruyland
  • Patent number: 5275487
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding hazardous waste made up of solids and liquids in a flowable form includes a tank made of material selected to be impervious to and non-corrodible by the hazardous waste and having a non-critical portion, an agitator in the tank having fluid agitation portions oriented for rotational movement about a horizontal axis, a non-sparking motor located within the tank connected to the agitator for imparting rotation to the fluid agitation portions, and a power source for the motor outside the tank having means passing through the non-critical portion of the tank for communicating power from the power source to the motor. Thus, the power source may communicate power to the non-spark generating motor to impart rotation to the agitator to cause the fluid agitation portions to agitate hazardous waste made up of solids and liquids held in the tank to maintain the hazardous waste in flowable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: The Maitland Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Rumph
  • Patent number: 5275484
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) with a central shaft (32) equipped with single or multiple-mixing elements (36) projecting perpendicularly from the shaft. Multiple processing zones (14-18) have adjustable openings (24) for introducing the product through adjacent processing zones for thermal treatment or conducting thermal reactions. A heating or cooling jackets (63 and 129) permits thermal control of the processing within the chamber. Additional thermal treatment can be achieved with micro-wave, infrared, hot gas or other available heating or cooling sources. The chamber is closed during vacuum or pressure processing by using rotary locks or double valving. A controlled dwell time in the chamber is accomplished with the adjustment of the opening of the weirs. The rotational velocity of the elements plays a major role in maintaining the material in the desired processing zone or causing advancement between adjacent zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Processall, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert J. Shohet
  • Patent number: 5268111
    Abstract: A separation and reclamation apparatus for separating a first discrete-phase solids material from a fluid mixture including, in addition, a second discrete-phase solids material and a continuous-phase carrier fluid, has a unitary vessel having a discharge tank connected to a receiving tank and in fluid communication therewith through an opening on the bottom side wall of the receiving tank. The receiving tank both mixes and transports the mixture. A controller actuates a door over the opening for transport of the first discrete-phase solids material out of the receiving tank into the discharge tank via a conveyor having an open discharge end higher than the top of the receiving tank. The apparatus includes a pump arranged to intake material from the discharge tank from contents remaining in the vessel after removal of the first discrete-phase solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Metz, Joel R. Metz, Lawrence J. Glendenning
  • Patent number: 5265956
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement and containing the mixed bone cement preparatory to dispensing. The mixing chamber has an outlet for the mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed bone cement therefrom. Structure is provided for moving cement from an upper region of the mixing chamber down into a lower region thereof to mix same and for moving such mixed cement off an inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Nelson, Michael W. Steffler, Douglas L. Tyler, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5261743
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing plastic materials having different densities to supply a substantially uniform quantity of the mixture of such materials to an extruder or other processing machine. The mixture of materials is fed forcibly from the mixer to the processing machine by a variable speed auger. The mixture exerts a reactive force on the auger commensurate with the bulk density of the mixture. A sensor detects variations in the reactive force and produces signals which adjust the rate of rotation of the auger in inverse relation to the variations in the bulk density of the mixture to maintain the quantity of the mixture discharged from the mixer per unit of time within a selected range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Hydreclaim Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. Moller
  • Patent number: 5246175
    Abstract: Apparatus for making frozen foods including a mastication chamber, a frozen food material feeder leading into the mastication chamber, a masticator disposed in the chamber and an aeration chamber for introducing air into masticated frozen food fed into the aeration chamber. The whipped frozen food is then disposed into either a storage bin or remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: David Feldpausch
  • Patent number: 5233916
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a cooking vessel, means for heating the contents of the cooking vessel, control means for controlling the temperature and viscosity of the contents of the cooking vessel, and an auger for stirring and dispensing the contents of the cooking vessel. The auger rotates in a first direction to mix the contents of the cooking vessel. When the food product is being dispensed, the auger reverses direction to push the food contents through the dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Robert L. Butler
    Inventors: Robert L. Butler, Samuel P. Kenworthy
  • Patent number: 5178459
    Abstract: A curdling tank includes two upright, mutually intersecting, circular tank sections, each of the circular tank sections having a concentrically operated stirring system. The bottom portions of each of the circular tank sections are shaped to include sloping sides to form respective concentric bottom grooves with a downwardly pointed cross section, the lowermost portions of the grooves meet or overlap each other midway between the two shafts. The grooves are arranged in the shape of a figure of eight and the grooves achieve an effective emptying through a single outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Gadan Maskinfabrik A/S
    Inventor: Jens E. Christensen
  • Patent number: 5154510
    Abstract: The discharge outlet is for use with fibrous product mixers of the type which comprise, in a lower region of a lateral wall of a mixing container, a wide opening or discharge outlet at which a movable closure panel is associated. The panel is shaped substantially complementarily to the opening. The discharge outlet has a metal plate flap welded longitudinally to the lower region defined by the base of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Tiziano Faccia
  • Patent number: 5153009
    Abstract: An extrusion device for processing thermoplastic plastics material and rubber has a housing and primary screw means rotatably mounted therein. The device includes a discharge zone in which a sleeve member provided with external flights is mounted on a bearing shaft so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which sleeve member is drivable by the primary screw means but in an opposite direction thereto so as to increase the discharge pressure acting on the material being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Hermann Berstorff Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Voigt
  • Patent number: 5090815
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing charges of flowable material has an open-top vessel movable up and down by fluid-operated motors along vertical guides, either with or relative to a cover which can seal the open top and is provided with an inlet for admission of fresh charges. The extent to which the cover is movable along the guides is limited by followers which are provided on the cover and extend into channels of the guides. The cover carries one or more rotary agitating devices with orbiting blades which mix the contents of the vessel while the open top is sealed by the cover. The central portion of the concavo-convex bottom wall of the vessel has an outlet normally sealed by a closure which is pivotable by a fluid-operated motor. The vessel is lowered away from the cover for the purposes of cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: L. B. Bohle Pharmatechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Lorenz B. Bohle
  • Patent number: 5085513
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing powder and liquid together continuously comprises a housing (1) which has a conical surface (16), and a rotor (7) which is journalled for rotation in the housing and which has a conical surface (9). The housing has provided therein a liquid inlet (20) through which liquid is delivered to a gap between the conical housing and rotor surfaces, and a powder inlet (12) through which powder is delivered to the upper surface (8a) of the rotor. As the rotor rotates, a liquid film is formed on the conical housing surface while, at the same time, powder is thrown onto the liquid film with the aid of rotor-carried guide vanes (10). The mixture is worked and pressed out through an outlet (30) by wing-like elements (11) carried by the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Nemo Ivarson
  • Patent number: 5071040
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispensing a surgical adhesive having at least two components has a barrel with a central longitudinal axis extending from a first to a second end thereof. The second end includes a nozzle with a discharge port. A rotatable screw conveyor shaft extends through the barrel position along the longitudinal axis. A dispensing element is mounted within the barrel and has a threaded bore for operative engagement with the screw shaft. The dispensing element has a keyway and may freely rotate at the first end of the barrel. A snap element is included to move the dispensing element into engagement with a key on the inner surface of the barrel which prevents the rotation of the dispensing element and causes the dispensing element to move from the first end of the barrel to the second end dispensing the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Laptewicz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5061081
    Abstract: Mixing apparatus, typically a tractor powered agricultural trailer for mixing and dispensing animal feedstuffs, has a main body in which a main mixing rotor rotates for agitating and stirring the material which it sweeps round lower part-cylindrical wall structure of the body and a lateral extension along an upper side of the main body having a feed out rotor therein for urging the material to and through a discharge door in said extension. The inboard side of the extension is open to the main part of the body and said wall structure includes a part bounding the bottom of the extension which can be moved angularly between a first position close to the envelope of revolution of the mixing rotor to deflect material from entering the extension during mixing and a second position at which it is remote from said envelope so that material is swept into the extension during discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Charles E. Walley
  • Patent number: 5054934
    Abstract: A dispenser for granulated or powdered materials which includes at least one container having an opening at the top thereof, a bottom to such container having a means for removing the contents of said container through said bottom, means for receiving said materials such as a receptacle which can be rotated to dump a predetermined amount of its contents to be mixed within said container, means for mixing said materials within said container, said mixing means further comprising an axle rotatably attached to said container having a plurality of vanes spaced apart from each other, extending radially outward from said axle and disposed such that the plane of each vane is not perpendicular to the axis of the axle, and a sieve in juxtaposition with said sleeve and a cover for said container whereby rotation of said vanes causes a mixing of the materials within the container and urges said mixtures through the sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Clyde L. Kintz
  • Patent number: 5000658
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating high-consistency fiber suspension is especially suitable for short distance conveyances of thick fiber suspensions (consistency more than 15%) in pulp and paper industry, for example for discharge of mass towers either with or without any actual pump. The treatment of fiber suspension with a consistency more than 15% is not possible with the known technique without a displacement type of pump, which is expensive and easy to break. Additionally, in discharging of the mass tower, drop leg, etc., fiber suspension causes trouble by arching in the container in such a way that it forms an open chamber around the pump located at the bottom of the container which chamber is slowly filled by fiber suspension. The problems are solved or minimized by arranging a feed apparatus in the pump chamber, which feed fiber suspension to a fluidizing rotor, for fluidizing the fiber suspension, whereafter the suspension flows onwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventor: Toivo Niskanen
  • Patent number: 4964731
    Abstract: Shotcrete gun consisting of a concrete container and a spraying device, such as a worm screw, and a nozzle for pressurized air. The whole shotcrete gun assembly is mounted on a traversing mechanism allowing the shotcrete gun to be shifted in the horizontal, vertical and depthwise directions beside the element to be shotcreted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Oy Lohja AB
    Inventor: Olli Virtanen
  • Patent number: 4955721
    Abstract: A portable apparatus adapted for use in filling chuck holes in paved surfaces with a sulphur-based material that has been heated to a plasticized condition. The apparatus includes an electrically heated furnace in which an auger is mounted for the purpose of moving a sulphur-based material through the furnace at a controlled rate (e.g., about 2 feet per minute), such that the material will be elevated to a temperature of above 305 degrees Farenheit (the melting point of sulphur) to produce a tenacious filler material. The furnace is heated by tubular resistance heaters that are bent in a spiral fashion around a mandrel, so that they may be placed in intimate contact with the exterior of a tube which constitutes the core of the furnace. The furnace is fed by a hopper that is mounted above the entry point for the auger, so that dry material may be fed--by gravity--into the furnace whenever a gate-valve mechanism is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventors: Lloyd T. Clark, James W. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4922463
    Abstract: A modularly constructed, trailerable, skid mounted, multi-compartmented concrete mixer and cement storage silo having a plurality of longitudinally aligned, bottom mounted, driven feed chains. In a combination construction, a single motor is cooperatively coupled to the feed chains of each mixer compartment and the feed chain of the cement silo to feed the cement/sand/aggregate in metered quantities to a turreted, separately powered auger where water is added and along the length of which the concrete is mixed. A silo vent column includes a plurality of fabric collection filters and means for vibrationally removing and reclaiming the cement. Air infiltration ports mounted along the bottom of the cement silo and one or more vibrators mounted to the mixer adjacent the sand and aggregate bins prevents crusting. Alternatively, the silo may be self-powered, and/or the mixer and silo may be transported independent of one another and/or without the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Del Zotto Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: William Del Zotto, Jerry Lewis
  • Patent number: 4916920
    Abstract: Rotor body assemblies for use in a cold temperature cylinder to produce frozen confectionary made from fruit juices or similar liquids. Each assembly comprises a shaft on which are mounted hard plastic blades. The blades may be force fitted within a slot in the shaft, the slot being diagonally oriented from top to bottom with respect to the vertical orientation of each shaft surface. The blades may be formed as one piece with the shaft. Also mounted on the shaft are a conically-shaped top liquid distributor, also of hard food-grade plastic and a bottom ejector of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Fruit-E-Frost Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Weis, Michael R. Weis
  • Patent number: 4911553
    Abstract: A method for feeding a solid-liquid mixture comprised of a liquid and a solid having a specific gravity greater than that of the liquid comprising depositing the solid component around a feed opening disposed at the bottom of a mixing container and feeding the solid-liquid mixture to a container for packing the same through the opening is provided and the method can effectively be carried out utilizing an apparatus comprising a mixing container, a feed opening disposed at the bottom of the mixing container, a feed controlling device disposed below or within the feed opening and characterized in that it comprises a collecting device for depositing the solid component of the mixture around the feed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: House Food Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sawada, Masayuki Nakatani, Hitoshi Iwata, Katsuaki Namba
  • Patent number: 4892410
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for forming an encapsulation or encasement about a structural member that is particularly well suited for use in a marine environment is disclosed. A two component polymer system for protective and repair encapsulation is pumpable in two separate streams to the location of the structural member to be encapsulated. The two reactive components are combined in a static mixer immediately prior to being injected within the surrounding translucent jacket. By combining the reactive components immediately prior to use, premature set up is avoided and the resulting grout may be directed to flow upwardly in the jacket for enhancing final properties. By suitable coloring of the components, visual monitoring of the final mixing and distribution in the translucent form or jacket of the encapsulation material may be monitored. A field test for determining bond strength of the encapsulation polymer to the structural member is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard K. Snow, Milton W. Ellisor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4883645
    Abstract: A device for preparing a chemically reacting mixture and for ejecting the mixture into a mold, the mixture comprising at least two components, in particular a mixture of isocyanate and a polyol that reacts completely to form polyurethane, the device having a mixing head with an outwardly opening bore, and a reciprocable ram coupled to the head. The ram has an ejector rod axially movable in the bore for therewith defining a mixing chamber and for ejecting the mixture from the chamber. The head has inlet passages for inletting the components into the chamber for preparing the mixture. The ram is coupled to a rotational drive for rotating the rod about its longitudinal axis continuously during the preparation of the mixture to avoid any adherence of the mixture to the rod and/or to the wall of the bore. Alternatively, the rod may be oscillated about its longitudinal axis, or along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Klockner Ferromatik Desma GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Pontius, Manfred Settinger
  • Patent number: 4878760
    Abstract: Mixing and dispensing apparatus for a frozen confection machine for mixing and dispensing a measured volume of frozen confection material and a flavoring material including edible solids. The apparatus comprises a mixing and measuring chamber including a mixing cylinder having a discharge head at one end, a rotary mixer in the cylinder and a dispensing piston slidable in the cylinder. The mixing and measuring chamber has a flavoring material inlet port, a flavoring material feed chamber communicating with the flavoring material inlet port, and a flavoring material feed piston for feeding flavoring material from the feed chamber to the mixing cylinder. The mixing and measuring chamber also has confection material inlet port adapted for connection to a frozen confection machine and a confection inlet valve for controlling flow of confection to the mixing cylinder. The discharge head has a discharge passage and a discharge valve for controlling flow through the discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Newton, Steven M. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 4850515
    Abstract: An elongate, horizontally upwardly opening particulate material storing receptacle with vertical front and end walls, upwardly projecting side walls, a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a material discharge opening at the front end of the receptacle, an elongate auger extending longitudinally within the receptacle from the rear wall to the discharge opening, a driven shaft on the auger and projecting rearwardly from the receptacle; and, a drive motor unit drivingly coupled with the driven shaft, the improvements comprise: mounting structure pivotally supporting the upper rear end of the receptacle about a horizontal transverse turning axis spaced vertically from the axis of the shaft, a cam plate with circumferentially spaced, rearwardly disposed lobes and recesses positioned rearward of the receptacle and carried by the shaft; and, a forwardly disposed reaction pose mounted rearward of the plate and in reacting driving engagement therewith to sequentially pivot the receptacle about the turning axis when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Robert K. Cleland
  • Patent number: 4844619
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Weiler & Co.
    Inventors: Nick J. Lesar, Richard Buschel, James H. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 4840047
    Abstract: A pressure diffuser for paper pulp includes a vertical pressurizable liquid-tight vessel having a pulp inlet at the bottom and a pulp outlet at the top. One or more ring shaped screen elements providing first and second concentric screen surfaces, are vertically mounted within the vessel. A number of radially extending header arms mount the screen elements for movement in the vessel and in fluid communication with it. A first linear actuator effects reciprocation of the arms. A cylinder, open at both ends, is affixed to the arms and extends both above and below them, and a piston is disposed within the cylinder, below the arms. A second linear actuator is operatively connected to the piston to effect reciprocation of the piston in the cylinder. A guiding conduit surrounds the open end of the cylinder above the arms and guides reciprocation of the cylinder and transports liquid from the arms to an effluent outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Kamyr AB
    Inventors: Johan C. F. C. Richter, Ole J. Richter
  • Patent number: 4834545
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing two or more liquids, e.g. as required in reactive injection molding, has a rotary member mounted for rotational and axial movement within a cylindrical bore of a mixing head, with a convex conical surface of the rotary member disposed opposite a concave conical surface formed at a lower end of the bore. Mixing is performed by axially displacing the rotary member to form a mixing gap between the conical surfaces, injecting two or more liquids into the gap from the periphery thereof, and rotating the rotary member at high speed to mix the liquids, the mixture being ejected from a central aperture formed in the concave conical surface. On completion of the mixing operation, residual mixture is ejected by moving the conical surfaces into close contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Inoue, Kenichiro Suetsugu
  • Patent number: 4808005
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process and apparatus for dispensing a uniform flow of carbon black from a tank. The process is carried out by stirring the carbon black in a surge tank, providing equal movement of the carbon black away from the center of the surge tank towards the outlet(s) of the surge tank and removing caked carbon black from the wall of the tank and/or minimizing caking of carbon black on the wall of the surge tank. The apparatus includes horizontal blades for stirring the carbon black, lifters for lifting carbon black from the bottom of the tank, impeller vanes shaped in the form of curves such that each segment of rotation of the vanes causes an equal movement of the carbon black away from the center of the surge tank towards the tank outlet(s), and side scrapers for removing caked carbon black from the wall of the tank and/or minimizing caking of carbon black on the wall of the surge tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Lewis, Robert E. Adcock
  • Patent number: 4808006
    Abstract: The device, placed inside of the cartridge, container, tube, etc., makes it possible to maintain two different substances in chambers (6, 7) separate until the moment of use and then makes possible their mixing, and distribution of the mixture from a closeable (3) output opening (2) of cartridge, tube or container (1). The device comprises a membrane (4) easy to perforate or break (10) fastened to a fluidtight peripheral ring (4'). A perforated (13) disk (14) is provided with points (8) or the like for perforating or breaking (10) of membrane (4) at the moment of use. The disk is driven like a piston, by sliding (arrow 12) and/or rotation (arrow 17) of a rod (5) coming in a tight manner from container (1) to allow, by alternating movements, the intimate mixing of the two substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Intecser S.A.
    Inventor: Max Kaufeler
  • Patent number: 4796440
    Abstract: An ice cream preparation apparatus having a cold storage container with a hole through its bottom in which a supporting member is disposed. A rotating screw in the hole through the supporting member moves material through that hole and out the bottom of the container. A covering plate is selectively openable and closable over the hole. A first rotatable blade is inclined downwardly along the inner surface of the cold storage container moves material off the wall. A second blade rotates around the bottom of the container. A second screw type rotary member extends along the radial direction parallel to the second blade and is rotated for moving material toward the supporting member. A third blade is upstanding in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Sanyei Corp.
    Inventors: Tadahiko Shiotani, Hideo Matsuura
  • Patent number: 4773765
    Abstract: A pump housing is substituted for the food container of a blender. The blender blades act as a pump impeller and cause liquid to flow from a housing inlet, through the housing, and through a housing outlet. The pump housing therefore modifies a blender into a portable, multipurpose pump apparatus that moves liquid from one to another location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Wood S. Erskine
  • Patent number: 4765746
    Abstract: A kneader which comprises a main body, which forms a support structure, part of the main body constituting a support for a bowl or receptacle; a rotatable helix mounted on the main body so as to extend into the bowl or receptacle, the helix being connected to appropriate drive means which effect rotation of the helix about its axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, the arrangement being such that when the helix is rotated in one direction material within the bowl is kneaded and when rotated in the opposite direction of rotation the kneaded material is lifted upwardly out of the bowl by the helix; the kneader being further provided with means for guiding the kneaded material over the edge of the bowl or receptacle so as to effect removal of the kneaded material from the kneader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Inventor: Enrique Suay Puig
  • Patent number: 4741625
    Abstract: An auger mixer includes paddles extending radially and laterally of the auger which have curved convex forward surfaces for engaging material in the mixer and moving it laterally of the auger and the chamber. The mixer includes a main chamber in which a rotor is located. The rotor includes at least one elongated wiper rigidly connected to a rotor bar for wiping contact with a curved wall portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Roto-Mix, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Neier
  • Patent number: 4738608
    Abstract: A unit for moulding concrete mix, asphalt or other flowable material is disclosed which has a plurality of paddles mounted on a rotatable paddle wheel. The paddles compact and extrude the material into and through a mould box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: John B. Heatlie