Roller Or Suspended Support For Mixing Chamber Patents (Class 366/233)
  • Patent number: 11732233
    Abstract: A tissue processing system for dissociation of and release of cellular components from adipose tissue to prepare stromal vascular fraction includes a portable tissue processing unit for containing biological material including adipose tissue during enzymatic digestion processing and a digestion drive unit configured to receive the tissue processing unit for rotational processing of the tissue processing unit about an axis of rotation. The unit has an upright orientation and a reclined orientation in which the axis of rotation is at a reclined angle to horizontal relative to the upright orientation. The digestion drive unit is configured to receive and drive rotation of the tissue processing unit in the reclined orientation. Methods for processing biological material including adipose tissue include enzymatically digesting adipose tissue with rotation of a tissue processing unit around an axis of rotation in a reclined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GID BIO, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Cimino, Thomas Michael Johannsen, David Joe Wesley, Dale William Tomrdle
  • Patent number: 11584572
    Abstract: A pickling device may include a housing having a first open end and a second closed end opposite the first open end. The housing may define a pickling cavity extending between the first open end and the second closed end, and the pickling cavity may be to receive food to be pickled. The pickling device may have a disc-shaped insert to be positioned in the pickling cavity and over the food to be pickled, a lid to be coupled to the first open end of the housing, and a positive pressure source to be removably coupled to the lid and configured to pressurize the pickling cavity during a pickling process without application of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Deeb
  • Patent number: 11577207
    Abstract: Described herein is a mixing apparatus for mixing a non-homogenized food product contained within a container. The apparatus includes a housing including a first end wall, a second end wall, and a top wall that at least partially define a cavity of the housing. The apparatus also includes a pair of rollers extending from the first end wall to the second end wall and coupled to the housing such that each roller is rotatable relative to the housing. The apparatus also includes a motor positioned in the cavity and enclosed within the housing, the motor operatively coupled to a first roller of the pair of rollers and configured to drive the first roller to rotate for rotating the container, and a battery positioned in the cavity and enclosed within the housing, the battery operatively coupled to the motor to provide power thereto to drive the first roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Edward Wayman Ferguson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10801061
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming emulsions from an aqueous fluid and oil. The aqueous fluid-in-oil emulsions are useful for numerous molecular biology techniques. The system is configured to cyclically translate a chamber containing the emulsion components, along a cycle path, while maintaining the axial orientation of the chamber with respect to a horizontal plane, and without rotating the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren R. Link, Patrick Odoy, Akim Lennhoff, John Luckey, Xinyu Li
  • Patent number: 10189025
    Abstract: A cam assembly having a solid cylindrical with a near end and a distal end and an opening extending from the near end through the distal end, wherein the opening is circular in configuration and has an inset, the near end is configured at a slight angle of less than about 15° from the vertical, and the opening extending from the near end through the distal end is angled through the cam assembly, the opening beginning at the near end and near a bottom edge of the solid cylinder and terminating through the distal end near a top edge of the solid cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: XG SCIENCES, INC.
    Inventors: Scott L. Murray, Jim L. Peyton, Korey Morris
  • Patent number: 9527163
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first axle extending from a left side support to a right side support, the first axle configured to axially rotate; a second axle extending from the left side support to the right side support and being substantially parallel to the first axle, the second axle configured to axially rotate, the second axle and the first axle being spaced apart. Each of the first axle and second axle include two or more lower support wheel assemblies and two or more higher support wheel assemblies alternatingly positioned along each axle. The higher support wheel assemblies have a larger diameter than the lower support wheel assemblies, and each of the lower support wheel assemblies and the higher support wheel assemblies are configured to axially rotate with a corresponding axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PROVIDE COMMERCE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Berglund, Jeff Kowalski
  • Patent number: 8945917
    Abstract: A novel enhanced surface area conico-cylindrical flask (ES-CCF) providing increased surface area by virtue of its' inner arrangement and useful in routine small-scale studies of bioactives production by any biofilm-forming marine as well as terrestrial microorganisms. Compared to corresponding Erlenmeyer flask of similar volume the ES-CCF provides more than 80% additional surface for biofilm attachment and growth. The ES-CCF does not require steam sterilization and is durable as the device is constructed of polymethyl methacrylate or any other such hydrophobic material and offers possibility of altering the nature of the growth surface (hydrophilic and hydrophobic). The ES-CCF also provides external aeration like a bioreactor, thus increasing the versatility of applications. Further, the device can be operated as a cylindrical flask, that is without the inner arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Counci of Scientific & Industrial Research and School of Environmental Studies
    Inventors: Sreyashi Sarkar, Debashis Roy, Joydeep Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8864366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drum mixer wherein a drum containing a mixable product and rotatably mounted on a frame and a drive for rotating the drum about the axis of rotation thereof, wherein the mixer is provided with an extraction line which receives the mixable product from the drum by the extracting opening thereof through the front filling opening of the drum. The aim of the invention is to provide an advantageous structural design. For this purpose, the invention provides for a support connected to the frame to which the extraction line, which is projected in the mixable product of the drum is fixed, preferably rigidly, in such a way that forces are removed at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Kurt Himmelfreundpointner
  • Patent number: 8360628
    Abstract: A marinating device includes a supporting base having a blocking sidewall, a food marinating container having a guiding rib and a container sidewall physically contacted with the blocking sidewall to block a sideward movement of said food marinating container at a first sideward direction, and an electric driving arrangement. The electric driving arrangement includes a driving unit and a plurality of driving rotors adapted to be driven by the driving unit to rotate. At least two corresponding driving rotors are frictionally and alignedly engaged with the guiding rib to block the sideward movement of the food marinating container at an opposed second sideward direction such that when the food marinating container is driven to rotate via the driving rotors, the food marinating container is securely retained on the supporting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: George Cheung
  • Patent number: 8197119
    Abstract: There are provided method and apparatus for manufacturing a polarizable electrode for electric double layer capacitor is provided which is capable of preventing porosities, cracks, or breakage of a sheet as much as possible when molding materials are formed into a sheet form and improving the yield of the molding materials. The manufacturing apparatus is used before granulated molding materials that are finely divided and crushed are moved to a calendar molding machine 3. The apparatus includes a mixing machine 1, a vibrating sieve 2, and a vibrating feeder 4. In the mixing machine 1, when the granulated molding materials are mixed with IPA as a binding assistant in a hermetically sealed mixing container 9, they are agitated by agitating blades 11. With this, even when during the mixing, the granulated molding materials adhere with each other to form lumps, the lumps are crushed by the agitation of the agitating blades 11 so that the molding materials are disintegrated into smaller particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouki Ozaki, Tatsuhiro Tomioka
  • Patent number: 7670042
    Abstract: A marinating device includes a supporting base having a blocking sidewall, a food marinating container having a guiding rib and a container sidewall physically contacted with the blocking sidewall to block a sideward movement of said food marinating container at a first sideward direction, and an electric driving arrangement. The electric driving arrangement includes a driving unit and a plurality of driving rotors adapted to be driven by the driving unit to rotate. At least two corresponding driving rotors are frictionally and alignedly engaged with the guiding rib to block the sideward movement of the food marinating container at an opposed second sideward direction such that when the food marinating container is driven to rotate via the driving rotors, the food marinating container is securely retained on the supporting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: George Cheung
  • Patent number: 7414923
    Abstract: A novel graphical organizational timing device is disclosed. The device indicates tasks or events to be completed within a pre-determined routine using customizable and/or changeable discs attached to a mechanical countdown timer. The device is primarily designed for use with children and adolescents but can be used within any setting in which tasks have to be performed in sequence in a pre-set time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Moschel Kadokura
  • Patent number: 7244061
    Abstract: A marinating machine rotates a drum containing the food to be marinated. The drum is positioned on a pair of rotatable shafts only one of which is drivingly engaged to a motor rotating the drum. The pair of shafts is spaced far enough apart from each other such that the vector of force applied by the wall of the drum against the drive wheel is sufficient to ensure that the drum will rotate with the drive wheel. Within the drum is a pair of spaced apart paddles to agitate the food product being marinated. The two paddles are joined to each other by a compressible member, and the compressible member is compressed to allow insertion of the paddles into the drum. The compressible member applies sufficient force against the inner surface of the drum to cause the paddle assembly to rotate with the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: David C. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7229204
    Abstract: A portable mixing apparatus that employs disposable 5-gallon plastic buckets as containers for mixing mortar, grout, plaster and other materials. First and second motor-driven rollers support the buckets at a downwardly sloped angle. A separate mixing basket is placed within the buckets, and includes a plurality of blades that pass through the material as the bucket is rotated by the rollers. The leading roller is positioned lower than the trailing roller so as to engage the flexible wall of the bucket in an area where it is subject to outward pressure from the material during rotation. The rollers are provided with ribbed, non-slip covers having channels that accommodate water and debris on the exteriors of the buckets. The mixing basket is formed of a plurality of coaxial, longitudinally-spaced rings joined at their edges by longitudinal rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: George L. Haskell
  • Patent number: 7070319
    Abstract: A device for holding and rotating cylindrical sample containers for use in analytical instrumentation. The device maintains the surface of material in the container at a constant location during rotation by using a series of fixed contact points. The drive wheel is tension to secure the sample container to the fixed supports and to automatically accommodate different size containers without adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: John William Peterman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7047874
    Abstract: A food marinating apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical canister and a base unit including a motor, a plurality of rollers, a vacuum pump, and a control panel. The base unit is operable to rotate the canister thereon. The vacuum pump is provided for reducing the ambient pressure inside of the vessel, to improve marinade absorption by the food. Food such as meat or fish will receive marinade more quickly under low pressure than under atmospheric pressure, and additionally, by rotating the containment vessel, the food is agitated in the presence of the marinade, for a higher degree of marinade absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Holding Company
    Inventor: Robert Eastman, III
  • Patent number: 7047875
    Abstract: A food marinating apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical canister and a base unit including a motor, a plurality of rollers, a vacuum pump, and a control panel. The base unit is operable to rotate the canister thereon. The vacuum pump is provided for reducing the ambient pressure inside of the vessel, to improve marinade absorption by the food. Food such as meat or fish will receive marinade more quickly under low pressure than under atmospheric pressure, and additionally, by rotating the containment vessel, the food is agitated in the presence of the marinade, for a higher degree of marinade absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Holding Company
    Inventor: Robert Eastman, III
  • Patent number: 6367963
    Abstract: A food mixing apparatus includes a main housing, a mixing container for receiving food, and having a central axis: Y, a rotor ring surrounding the mixing container, the rotor ring being fixed to the mixing container and having a central axis: X extending at an angle to the central axis: Y of the mixing container, and a support roller mechanism attached to the main housing, the support roller mechanism supporting the rotor ring at two points only from below to rotate the rotor ring about the axis: X. An aerating tube communicating with an opening formed in a bottom surface of the mixing container extends coaxially with the axis: X of the rotor ring. The aerating tube communicates with a blast duct mounted in the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Sanpei, Yoshio Matsumoto, Sadao Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6145432
    Abstract: A cooking pot for the preparation and dispensing of food. The pot can be operated at atmospheric pressure, at higher pressures as a pressure-cooker, or under vacuum as a vacuum tumbler. The pot is rotatable about both its longitudinal axis and its lateral axis. A dispenser connected to one end of the pot enables the food preparer to dispense a definite and desired amount of the prepared food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Wirt E. Bellue, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5927186
    Abstract: A food breading apparatus for breading food components with a breading mixture includes a breading drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis wherein the longitudinal axis is inclined from horizontal. The drum includes an inlet opening located in an upper end, an outlet opening located in a lower end, and a plurality of openings located proximal to the lower end of a sidewall. The openings are sized to allow surplus breading mixture and lumps of breading mixture to pass therethrough but retain the breaded food product in the rotating breading drum. An inlet conveyor provides food components to be breaded to the inlet opening of the breading drum. A recirculating breading mixture conveyor provides the breading mixture to the inlet opening. A takeout conveyor moves the breaded food components from the outlet opening of the breading drum. A lump removal conveyor is positioned below the plurality of openings in the sidewall of the breading drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Dallas A.C. Horn & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Herrick, IV
  • Patent number: 5884999
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved particulate mixing in which rotational motion of a mixing vessel is periodically disrupted by rocking motion. A vessel rotates around a central axis for producing the rotational motion. The vessel is rocked in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis for producing rocking motion. Mixing is enhanced when the rocking frequency is different than the rotational frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Rutgers University
    Inventors: Fernando J. Muzzio, Richard E. Riman, Carolyn Wightman, Paul R. Mort
  • Patent number: 5857774
    Abstract: The invention comprises a churning system for a vehicle that substantially freeze an edible mixture. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a churning system (20) may comprise a rotating assembly (26) and a bracket (24). The rotating assembly (26) may include an outer container (88) and an inner container (90) with a cooling cavity (92) disposed between the inner container (90) and the outer container (88). The outer container (88) may include an outer receptacle (94) having an opening (98) and an outer receptacle lid (96) sized to fit the opening (98). The inner container (90) may include an inner receptacle (100) having an opening (104) and an inner receptacle lid (102) sized to fit the opening (104). The cooling cavity (92) operates to contain a cooling media (110) for cooling an edible mixture (108) contained inside of the inner container (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventors: Lorean L. Wilson, Larry B. Wilson, Delinda K. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5855165
    Abstract: A food breading apparatus for breading food components with a breading mixture includes a breading drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis wherein the longitudinal axis is inclined from horizontal. The drum includes an inlet opening located in an upper end, an outlet opening located in a lower end, and a plurality of perforations located proximal to the lower end and through a sidewall of the drum. The perforations are sized to allow surplus breading mixture and lumps of breading mixture to pass therethrough but to retain the breaded food product in the rotating breading drum. An inlet conveyor provides food products to be breaded to the inlet opening of the breading drum. A recirculating breading mixture conveyor provides the breading mixture to the inlet opening. A takeout conveyor moves the breaded food products from the outlet opening of the breading drum. A lump removal conveyor is positioned below the plurality of perforations in the sidewall of the breading drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Dallas A.C. Horn & Co.
    Inventor: Harold Herrick, IV
  • Patent number: 5683177
    Abstract: A transporter-mixer for bulk-material/liquid mixtures has a cylindrical transport container mounted on a support frame with its longitudinal axis approximately horizontal and a controllable container-drive unit whose direction is reversible as a function of the angle of rotation. Fitted on the transport container periphery is a closable loading hatch which opens into the transport container. Mounted on the transport container's inside wall is a mixing screw and at a rear end of the container is an annular discharge channel with an inwards-facing discharge port. The mean height of the mixing screw is, at the most, 15% of the container diameter and a curved, enclosed guide channel of essentially constant cross-section connects the annular discharge channel and a central discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Imk Ingenieurkontor fuer Maschinenkonstruktion GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Hoferichter, Frank Herrmann, Holger Dietrich
  • Patent number: 5664489
    Abstract: A food breading apparatus for breading food components with a breading mixture includes a breading drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis wherein the longitudinal axis is inclined from horizontal. The drum includes an inlet opening located in an upper end, an outlet opening located in a lower end, and a plurality of openings located proximal to the lower end of a sidewall. The openings are sized to allow surplus breading mixture and lumps of breading mixture to pass therethrough but retain the breaded food product in the rotating breading drum. An inlet conveyor provides food components to be breaded to the inlet opening of the breading drum. A recirculating breading mixture conveyor provides the breading mixture to the inlet opening. A takeout conveyor moves the breaded food components from the outlet opening of the breading drum. A lump removal conveyor is positioned below the plurality of openings in the sidewall of the breading drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Dallas A.C. Horn & Co.
    Inventor: Harold Herrick, IV
  • Patent number: 5603567
    Abstract: A vacuum tumble mixer is provided with a hollow drive shaft at one end thereof. The hollow drive shaft provides access by means of a probe to the cylindrical center section of the vacuum tumble mixer in order to inject the ingredients to be mixed, to introduce cooling material such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide, and finally to permit cleaning fluids to be circulated about the interior of the tumbler while the tumbler is rotating. The use of the hollow shaft greatly improves the efficiency and operation of the tumbler for vacuum massaging and tumble chilling of meat, poultry, seafood and other products that are mixed at the commercial level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Peacock
  • Patent number: 5567616
    Abstract: An irradiator includes a support structure for supporting and rotating a cylinder of the type used for treating fluids. The cylinder is hollow and is mounted for rotation about an inclined axis for permitting fluids such as blood constituents to flow by gravity downward along the internal peripheral wall of the cylinder. The angle of inclination, the drive speed and the thickness of the fluid film on the wall of the cylinder are controlled and variable in order to achieve consistent and predictable results during various treatment processes, and for critical in controlling the precise exposure of the fluid to the lamp. A unique collection cup is provided at the discharge end of the cylinder for receiving the discharged, treated fluid and the collection cup is designed to receive and seat one end of the lamp assembly. The cylinder is mounted on roller bearings having a resilient bearing surface for isolating potential external vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Dill Instruments
    Inventor: John J. Dill, II
  • Patent number: 5520457
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the continuous treatment of reduced thickness article surfaces, for example, for the surface treatment of fragile products of small dimensions. The product to be treated is continuously poured, along with a treatment product, if necessary, into a rotary cylinder arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally, and rotated at low speed. A helical brush is also rotated at a reduced speed in an opposite direction to the cylinder, with the brush being arranged parallel to the cylinder and in contact on at least one of its generating lines with at least one internal generating line of the lower portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventors: Roger Gontero, Claude Serra
  • Patent number: 5492407
    Abstract: An improved heating chamber for wastes, of the type utilized to subject the wastes within the chamber to steam, the chamber comprising a substantially cylindrical body portion, having a continuous sidewall, and first and second end portions, and defining a waste receiving space therewithin. The chamber is provided with a steam inlet line for allowing steam to be injected into the chamber, and a water outlet line for removing water from the chamber through vacuum or the like; there is further provided a base for allowing the chamber to rotate during the cleaning process. The chamber provides a hinged lid along the wall, for allowing wastes to be placed within the chamber and removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Paul Gement
  • Patent number: 5492406
    Abstract: A tumbler body with an oloid hollow body (7) is positioned on two free-moving, endless conveyor belts (8). A strip (10) runs around and is attached to the hollow body (7) limited by two profiles (9). The strip (10) maintains a positive connection to a driving element in form of an endless belt. The profiles (9) sink into the area of the guiding and driving system (11) in between the conveyor belts (8). The system contains and combines a guide for guiding the profiles (9) and a drive for driving the driving elements. The conveyor belts (8) glide on the low-friction tables (12) supported by a frame (14) which is also the attachment point for the guiding and driving system. The frame (14) is supported by a base (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Bioengineering AG
    Inventor: Pio Meyer
  • Patent number: 5492405
    Abstract: An oloid-shaped body is placed on either a roller carpet or a free moving conveyor belt. The embodiments of the oloid-shaped body are a hollow body with a closeable opening and a skeleton body for attachment of vessels. A shaft is attached to the oloid-shaped body and has the position and direction of the longitudinal axis of the oloid-shaped body. A hollow shaft allows access to the oloid-shaped body during movement. A frame is positioned on either side of the conveyor belt, with a plurality of spring attachments connecting an oval guiding rail to each of the frames. A carriage runs around each of the guiding rails and guides an end of the shaft in an oval path. Drive units have drive chains which run around a path in each of the guiding rails and attaches to each of the carriages. In this manner, the drive units cause the carriages to move the shaft, thereby causing the oloid-shaped body to tumble in a stationary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Pio Meyer
  • Patent number: 5427947
    Abstract: A rotatable environmental chamber for reducing solid waste includes a cylindrical container having front and rear end caps, seal bearings and support plates for journaling the container each having a central opening. The seal bearings are pinned to the end caps and fit into counterbores in the support plates. Pipes in communication with the inside of the container are connected to holes in the front end cap and seal bearing. Holes in the front support plate are aligned with recessed areas in the seal bearing. Liquids and/or a gas can be introduced through the front support plate and seal bearing to the container through the pipes as the container rotates. Variable pitch vanes inside the container are used to mix and direct the flow of waste. Isolation valves are used to seal the container. The environmental chamber may be used in a process for anaerobic and aerobic decomposition of organic materials and for reducing plastic and metals to other compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: David E. Dalos
  • Patent number: 5380085
    Abstract: A horizontal drum concrete batch mixer comprising a cylindrical mixer drum which may be rotated in a mixing direction or a discharge direction. The interior of the drum has mixing blades provided thereon for mixing the concrete when the drum is rotated in its mixing direction. The interior of the drum is also provided with transfer blades which transfer the mixed concrete from the inlet end of the drum to the discharge end of the drum when the drum is rotated in its discharge direction. A discharge chute is movably positioned in the discharge opening formed in the discharge of the drum and is movable from a discharge position to a mixing position. A plurality of spaced-apart discharge blades are secured to the interior of the drum adjacent the discharge end thereof for delivering the mixed material into the discharge chute when the discharge chute is in its discharge position and the drum is rotated in its discharge direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Robert C. Milek
  • Patent number: 5346305
    Abstract: A rotary drum-type composting apparatus is disclosed, in which the drum is of circular cross section and is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis by means of external support wheels. An access opening is provided in the sidewall of the drum for loading of compostable material, and a removable flexible, waterproof cover is applied over perforated sidewalls of the drum, enabling the interior of the drum to be closed off so that the composting processes can occur. The drum is mounted as close to the ground or supporting surface as practicable, to facilitate manual loading of compostable materials. A clearing bar is installed on the outer surface of the drum, preferably on a removable door panel provided for closing the access opening. The clearing bar operates between the outer surface of the drum and the support wheels and their mounting shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Francis B. Chester
  • Patent number: 5323694
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a raw meat massaging apparatus including a container adapted to be charged with raw meat having a pickle solution injected thereinto, the container having the shape of rotary body. A frame extends longitudinally of the container, the container being supported by the frame for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the container. The frame includes container drive means for rotating the container about the longitudinal axis thereof for massaging, mixing and salting the raw meat. The frame is the type of a seesaw supported on a support means for rockingly movement thereabout, the support means extending substantially horizontally and widthwise of the frame and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Higashimoto Kikai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Higashimoto
  • Patent number: 5307737
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a machine for treating raw meat, which comprises an injecting apparatus and a plurality of massaging apparatuses. The injecting apparatus includes injecting needle means adapted to be thrust into raw meat for injecting a pickle solution, and an outlet end from which the raw meat is discharged after injecting the pickle solution thereinto. The massaging apparatuses each includes a container adapted to be charged with the raw meat having the pickle solution injected thereinto for massaging, mixing and salting the same, and an inlet end adapted to receive the raw meat and direct the same into the container. The massaging apparatuses extend longitudinally of the injecting apparatus at a position downstream of the injecting apparatus, the massaging apparatuses being arranged side by side widthwise thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Higashimoto Kikai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Higashimoto
  • Patent number: 5299864
    Abstract: A laboratory container rolling device is provided which has a relatively low profile for use in confined spaces such as in refrigerators, ovens or other small compartments. Removable rollers allow the device to accommodate various diameter containers and the variable speed feature accommodates precise speed setting. Safeguards are provided to prevent container damage during extended usage to maintain the container properly upon the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Stovall Life Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Cedric S. Reynolds, Donald A. Boschker
  • Patent number: 5104232
    Abstract: An improved vacuum tumble mixer (10) is provided, the mixer having a horizontal drum (11) with a cylindrical mid-section (12), frusto-conical or dished entry and discharge ends (13, 14), and entry and discharge openings (16, 17) axially into the ends, the drum (11) being rotatable in one direction to tumble products therein and rotatable in the other direction to discharge the contents from the dischage opening. A plurality of primary vanes (26) are secured helically to the interior of the mid-section (12) of the drum, the primary vanes having radial tumbling surfaces (27) to tumble the product and to move the product gently towards the entry end of the drum, the vanes (26) having opposed channel-shaped discharge surfaces (28) which progressively increase in height to convey the products in the drum to discharge chutes (31) that extend helically along the discharge end (14) of the drum to the discharge opening (17). A chilling system (50) can be provided with one or more CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Lennox, III
  • Patent number: 5087128
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and simultaneously weighing and integrating various nutritional supplements for subsequent blending with livestock feed grain. The apparatus includes a housing formed with a plurality of upper inlet openings and a lower outlet opening. A plurality of augers convey nutritional supplements from a storage area into the inlet openings. A plurality of weigh hoppers are pivotally mounted below the inlet openings on load cells. Weight indicators are electrically connected to the load cells and augers, and are interfaced with a computer, for controlling and coordinating the deposit of supplements from the augers, load cell weighing, and the pivotal dumping movement of the weigh hoppers. A funnel containing a plurality of deflectors is mounted within the housing below the weigh hoppers, and communicates at its lower end with a motor-driven flighted drum rotatably mounted within the housing, which in turn communicates with the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Robert J. Matthews Co.
    Inventors: James S. Matthews, Robert K. Matthews, Myron M. Martin
  • Patent number: 4912058
    Abstract: A roller bottle is provided with provision for increased internal surface area for cell growth by the use of a foamed, textured or woven liner or sleeve inserted into the bottle prior to use. The sleeve may be used in a single use roller bottle or a multiple use roller bottle. With the latter, the sleeve is discarded, the bottle sterilized, and a new sleeve or liner is inserted. The interstices of the foamed, textured or woven surface has the effect of increasing the actual surface area available for culturing cells in each single roller bottle, thus making the roller bottle of the invention cost effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Edward F. Mussi, Harry E. Gray
  • Patent number: 4911554
    Abstract: A rotatable drum having a casing to one end of which is joined one end of an axially extending, coaxial bearing ring having its other end joined to a driving ring gear. The bearing ring is rotatably supported on bearing surfaces which are adjustable relative to the axis of rotation of the drum so as to effect adjustments of the casing. The ring gear and its driving pinion are enclosed within a fixed housing supplied with lubricating oil. The housing has adjoining sections that are slideably connected to enable the housing to compensate for adjustments of the drum casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventors: Heinrich Henne, Hubert Grothaus
  • Patent number: 4867572
    Abstract: An asphalt plant apparatus includes an inclined rotary drum dryer, the lower end of which is received within a concentric fixed sleeve. Aggregate is introduced into the upper end of the rotary drum dryer for heating and drying and is discharged from the lower end of the drum into an annular space between the drum and the concentric fixed sleeve. Recycleable asphalt pavement (RAP) and fines may be introduced into the annular space along with the heated and dried aggregate. Flights on the exterior of the rotating drum mix the aggregate and RAP and move the mixture toward the opposite end of the concentric fixed sleeve, heat from the heated aggregate, from the flights, and from the hot shell of the drum melting the asphaltic content of the RAP. Liquid asphalt is introduced into the sleeve for mixing along with the aggregate and RAP, and the resulting mixture is discharged from the sleeve for use as an asphalt paving composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Don Brock, James G. May
  • Patent number: 4836099
    Abstract: A device for pickling meat by mixing under vacuum comprises a tank (1) suitable for being rotated on its longitudinal axis by drive means (7,8), the tank being provided at one of its ends with an opening (4) for filling/emptying suitable for being closed by a cover by which the vacuum is generated and, if necessary, brine is injected, the tank being mounted on a support frame (11).The device comprises, near the rear edge of frame (11) for support of the tank, at least one elastic element (16) inserted between frame (11) and the support surface of the device (12) and made in such a way as to be gradually compressed from a rest position corresponding to the empty state of the tank to a filled position, the elastic element(s) gradually returning to their rest position when the tank is emptied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Pierre Thirode
  • Patent number: 4829004
    Abstract: An insert for a roller bottle of the type used in cell culture for vaccine manufacture is formed of a polymeric resilient material whereby it can be bent or rolled so that it can pass through the opening of the roller bottle. Once the insert is inside the bottle, it is released so that its resilient characteristic causes it to unbend or unroll. The insert is wider than the diameter of the roller bottle, and therefore it is urged against the interior wall of the roller bottle. Apertures and/or notches are provided in the insert to increase the turbulence of a fluid and to decrease the fluidic shear forces in the roller bottle as it is rotated in conventional operation. A significant increase in productivity is achieved because particles, which may be microcarrier beads, are maintained in suspension, and prevented from sinking to the bottom of the fluid medium where cells cannot grow. The roller bottle system is thereby transformed into a microcarrier suspension culture system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignees: The University of Michigan, Solohill Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: James Varani, David E. Solomon, William J. Hillegas, David L. Melmoth
  • Patent number: 4785727
    Abstract: A rotary pickles making device comprises a base body including spaced drive and guide rollers rotatably mounted in the body, and a pickling casing for containing pickling rice-bran paste with foodstuffs. The casing is placed on the drive and guide rollers to be rotated thereby. The drive roller is rotated by a driving source disposed in the interior of the drive roller. The guide roller contacts the casing at a higher elevation than does the drive roller to transfer extra loading to the drive roller in order to enhance the frictional drive forces between the drive roller and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyata, Yoshihiko Shigeno, Yoshiyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 4785728
    Abstract: A rotary pickles making device comprises a base body including spaced drive and guide rollers rotatably mounted in the body, and a drum-shaped pickling casing for containing therein pickling stuffs. The casing is placed on the drive and guide rollers to be rotated thereby. The pickling casing is provided with an opening closed by a detachable cap for introducing and ejecting the pickling stuffs. A chamber is defined between the cap and an apertured sheet extending across the opening for adjusting the gas and liquid content of the pickling stuffs during a pickling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyata, Yoshiyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 4756623
    Abstract: A collapsible mixing drum is provided in which two similarly contoured, frustoconical members, one of which is open and the other closed at the small end, and both of which are provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced and inwardly offset stiffening and mixing ribs, terminating in radial wall portions at the large ends of the frustoconical members, the radial wall portions having aligned apertures to receive axially oriented fasteners, are detachably joined together through clamping engagement with an annular ring member having on opposed radial surfaces thereof aligned grooves for sealably receiving circumferential edges of the large ends of the frustoconical members, and the outer surface of the ring member being contoured to provide a circumferential groove, gear teeth, or a combination thereof to facilitate rotational support and/or rotational driving of the assembled drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: Robert J. Bishop
  • Patent number: 4722198
    Abstract: A machine suitable for placement in a freezer for making slush or ice cream in a cylindrical container. The machine comprises a platform which is lengthwise adjustable, at least four rollers which have an adjustable distance support container, a driving means to drive the rollers and rotate the container, a scraping means disposed on the shaft of the container to scrape freezing slush or ice cream and to be used as a second safety means, and a first safety means which comprises a base plate, a control plate and a flexible element engaged together. When the slush or ice cream is hard enough, the control plate and the flexible element will rotate respective to the base plate so that the shaft will rotate together with the container. Further, even if the first safety means is out of order, the scraping means will free from the shaft of the container, then the scraping means will rotate together with the container in order to be used as a second safety means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Inventor: Cheng F. Huang
  • Patent number: 4669274
    Abstract: A machine suitable for placement in a freezer for making slush or ice cream in a cylindrical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Inventor: Cheng F. Huang
  • Patent number: 4664527
    Abstract: The feed mixing device of the present invention includes a sub-frame, a frame suspended on the sub-frame, and a polygonally-shaped drum rotatably mounted on the frame. A drive system is provided for rotating the drum and an auger assembly axially mounted within the drum. A hopper introduces feed into the drum while an adjustable discharge opening adjacent the end of the auger permits selective removal of feed from the drum. A plurality of rows of elongated mixing paddles are secured to the interior of the side wall of the drum such that the longitudinal axis of the paddles are angularly disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum. The paddles within each row are staggered with respect to the paddles in adjacent rows. Convex, channel-shaped scoop blades are mounted to the rear wall of the drum and carry mixed feed to the auger as the drum rotates. A strain gauge is operatively connected to the suspended frame for sensing the displacement of the frame in response to loading of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Schuler Mfg. & Equip. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Dorland Schuler