Abstract: Apparatus that mixes non-homogenous fluid. A threaded shaft within a housing circulates fluid within a container to effect mixing. In one embodiment, when placed in a container of fluid, the housing the fluid is recirculated through opposing ends of the housing. In an embodiment of a related method for mixing, a pump housing containing a screw journaled for rotation receives fluid within a container and conveys the fluid therethrough to circulate a fluid portion in the container along an exterior surface of the housing for mixing with another fluid portion to improve fluid homogeneity. After mixing, the portion of the fluid which first circulates through the housing may recirculate through the housing with said another portion of the fluid. The fluid may be continuously mixed and recirculated through the housing.

Abstract: The method for producing carbon nanotube pellets according to the present invention can reduce the particle size of the carbon nanotubes contained in the pellet by a repetitive extrusion process to produce pellets having improved dispersion characteristics in a solvent. The present invention can improve the problems of the change of the content generated by scattering of powders and safety issues by using carbon nanotubes in the form of pellet. And since the density of the pellet form is higher than that of the powder form, transport, transfer and improvement become easier. Therefore, it can be more effectively applied to the manufacturing of composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for storing gas hydrate pellets that includes: a storage tank having an inlet formed at a top portion thereof for having gas hydrate pellets injected therein; a transfer part formed at a lower portion of the storage tank so as to transfer the injected gas hydrate pellets to an outside of the storage tank; a rotating shaft vertically formed in the storage tank; a plurality of division plates coupled to the rotating shaft to partition an internal space of the storage tank, each having a bottom portion thereof formed above a top portion of the transfer part; an extension plate coupled to a lower portion of each of the division plates in such a way that the extension plate is movable up and down; and a guide formed at an upper portion of the transfer part and configured to guide the extension plate so as to allow the extension plate to be revolved by rotation of the rotating shaft without an interruption with the transfer part.

Abstract: An auger for a vertical feed mixer with a lifting surface that is upwardly angle from an inner edge toward an outer edge. A fliting portion to form a part of an auger for a vertical feed mixer, the fliting portion including an outer edge that is positioned higher than a radially positioned inner edge. An auger for a vertical feed mixer that in rotation defines an hourglass shape.

Abstract: A dispersing device (1) has a dispersing tool (3), which has a shaft tube (2), and a drive (4). A dispersing rotor is provided at the free shaft tube (2) end (5) remote from the drive (4), the dispersing rotor being connected to the drive (4) via a shaft which can be coupled to the drive (4) and which is arranged within the shaft tube (2). In order to monitor the temperature of the medium to be dispersed, a temperature sensor (7) with a corresponding electric input and output line (8) is provided on the shaft tube (2), which is stationary relative to the dispersing rotor and the rotatable shaft, the input and output lines (8) connecting the temperature sensor (7) to the drive (4) and/or analyzing electronics and/or a control or regulating device.

Abstract: A device and method prevents freeze over of a fishing hole cut through a layer of ice overlying a body of water. The device has a housing; a motor; at least one water inlet in the housing; at least one water outlet in the housing; and at least one water-moving element driven by the motor and moving water out of the at least one water outlet. The device may spin within the hole and stir water to prevent too rapid ice buildup.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing viscous material includes a chamber having a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom and receiving viscous material to be mixed; a cylindrical draft tube fixed at an inside center of the chamber to be spaced from the bottom and the sidewall and forming a space between the draft tube and the sidewall to allow passage of the viscous material, and including a heat medium passage therein; a carrying impeller installed in the draft tube and driven by a motor to transfer the viscous material above or below the draft tube and suck the viscous material in the space into the draft tube; and a sweeping impeller installed in the space and rotated in a circumferential direction by a motor to apply a pressure to the viscous material so that the viscous material in the space is not adhered to the draft tube and the sidewall.

Abstract: An agricultural mixer includes a hydraulic drive system. The mixer includes an automatic jam-resolving feature, whereby if an auger becomes jammed, the drive system will cause the auger to rotate in a reverse direction for a period of time to resolve the jam. The hydraulic drive system will maintain a speed of rotation of the auger at a relatively constant rate during mixing while choosing an efficient displacement setting for the hydraulic motor. The auger is maintained at a constant speed during a discharge mode by maintaining the motor in a maximum displacement setting. A clean-out mode is provided wherein the auger is rotated at a maximum speed to aid in cleaning out the last remaining feed mixture in the mixer.

Abstract: A juice extractor capable of extracting juice from vegetables, fruits or soymilk from beans is disclosed. The extractor includes a housing having a draff outlet port and a juice outlet port, a screw having an upper rotary shaft inserted in a rotary shaft hole of the housing and a lower rotary shaft with a plurality of screw spirals formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a mesh drum for extracting the juice toward the juice outlet port, and a rotary brush mounted between the housing and the mesh drum and having a brush holder. Various nutrients and intrinsic flavor contained in the vegetables or fruits are maintained to the fullest extent by employing a very low speed screw of a squeezing mode. Also, since the housing accommodating the screw is vertically fixed to an upper portion of a drive unit, the material is automatically moved downward without pressing the material down, and the draff is discharged while squeezing and grinding the materials put in an inlet port.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a rotatable mixing device, a dynamic mixing apparatus, and a high throughput workflow system and dynamic mixing method employing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a vessel having a conduit extending therefrom, and a stirrer, a section of which is adapted to be located within the conduit and a section of which is adapted to be located within the vessel, said stirrer being adapted such that, in use, material within the conduit is conveyed in a direction towards the vessel and/or in a direction away from the vessel.

Abstract: Sludge can be treated by placing it in a carrier sized for bulk shipment of sludge by road or by rail. An antipathogenic substance such as lime is mixed into the sludge located in the carrier in order to treat pathogens in the sludge. At least one mixer adapted for mixing sludge throughout the carrier is employed. A dispenser such as a conduit or a loader bucket can dispense the antipathogenic substance so that the mixer can mix the substance with the sludge. The sludge is transported in the carrier either before or after the mixing with the antipathogenic substance. The mixture of sludge and antipathogenic substance is allowed to remain in the carrier long enough to treat pathogens with the substance before unloading the sludge from the carrier at a destination established for utilization, storage, transfer or disposal of the sludge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous mixing of at least one polyol component and at least one isocyanate component and optionally additives to form a polyurethane reaction mixture in a stirrer mixer with an axially conveying stirrer.

Abstract: In a homogenizer for the processing of products to be homogenized, in particular foodstuffs incorporating dairy products, where the homogenizer is of the mixer type with a blade wheel(8) in a mixer tank (1) and a tubular perforated skirt (3) located radially closely outside the blades (10) of the blade wheel (8), that the skirt stationary relative to the rotor on the hub (6) is arranged axially displaceable also during the rotation of the blades (10) for displacement from a position in which a perforated skirt section (3.2) having a set of flow perforations or orifices (4) is located radially opposite the blades (10) of the rotor, to at least one other position in which another perforated skirt section (3.1 or 3.

Abstract: A propeller for stirring solid-in-liquid suspensions inside a treatment tank is disclosed, comprising a generally axial element consisting of at least a blade with helical development and a generally radial element consisting of a plurality of vanes with generally radial development. Said elements belong to a single central shaft defining a longitudinal rotation axis along which said elements are coaxially arranged one after the other.

Abstract: The disclosed device is directed towards a mixer apparatus comprising a barrel defining an interior and an exterior. The barrel has a first end and a second end opposite thereof. The barrel defines at least one inlet proximate to the first end and an outlet proximate to the second end. A motor unit is in operative communication with the barrel. A moving element is disposed in the interior of the barrel. The moving element is configured to move material through the barrel to the outlet of the barrel. At least one first mixing element is fluidly coupled to the outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid mixer that mixes liquids while simultaneously promoting rapid mixing entrainment of vapor in the liquid. The device includes a vertical rotor mounted centrally on a base assembly. The rotor comprises a tube which is hollow from an open top end to a bottom closed end, having an external screw thread in a right-side configuration relative from top to bottom and one or more holes located in the sidewall of the tube at the bottom of the hollow portion of the tube, preferably located centrally between two flanking surfaces of the screw thread. The base assembly comprises a stirbar and a supporting disk which contains a ceramic magnet. The base rests on the floor of a containment vessel. A magnetic stirring motor is centrally located sufficiently close to and beneath the containment vessel as to achieve magnetic flux coupling with the base magnet. Operation of the mixer develops a liquid vortex in the liquid phase material.

Abstract: A livestock mixer and feeder apparatus operates efficiently to minimize the time and facilities necessary to service a modest feedlot. The large mixing chamber utilizes a vertical auger operating at high speed to quickly perform the mixing procedure and is run by a high power hydraulic motor. A moveable base, such as a pickup, supplies the need power-take-off capability and produces efficient feedlot operation, since the apparatus can be quickly loaded and unloaded. Prudent sized inlet and outlet augers complete the apparatus and are also powered by hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A disposable disruptor device including a stator and a rotor. The rotor is disposed for rotation in the stator and has blades at one end thereof. A reverse-threaded helical ridge between the stator and the rotor pumps fluid down the stator and prevents fluid from being drawn up inside the stator tube.

Abstract: A wet batch material charging apparatus having a charger screw housing having a batch material inlet and a batch material outlet, a dry batch material supply device adapted to deliver a dry batch material through the batch material inlet, a rotatable charger screw shaft having at least one screw flight disposed within the charger screw housing and adapted to convey the batch material from the batch material inlet to the batch material outlet, and a liquid supply apparatus for introducing at least one liquid into the charger screw housing. The liquid supply apparatus independently controls the liquid flow rate and the liquid flow duration based upon the batch material charging speed and rotation of the rotatable charger screw shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid mixer that mixes liquids while simultaneously promoting rapid mixing entrainment of vapor in the liquid. The device includes a vertical rotor mounted centrally on a base assembly. The rotor comprises a tube which is hollow from an open top end to a bottom closed end, having an external screw thread in a right-side configuration relative from top to bottom and one or more holes located in the sidewall of the tube at the bottom of the hollow portion of the tube, preferably located centrally between two flanking surfaces of the screw thread. The base assembly comprises a stirbar and a supporting disk which contains a ceramic magnet. The base rests on the floor of a containment vessel. A magnetic stirring motor is centrally located sufficiently close to and beneath the containment vessel as to achieve magnetic flux coupling with the base magnet. Operation of the mixer develops a liquid vortex in the liquid phase material.

Abstract: A method is provided for zeolite synthesis from a synthesis medium containing in particular a trivalent aluminum source, a tetravalent silicon source, at least an alkaline or alkaline-earth cation in hydroxide form and water in a reactor containing a solid helical moving body in a guiding tube defining an internal space and a space external to the tube. The invention is characterized in that the synthesis medium is circulated in the reactor in a continuous flow passing through the internal space then the space external to the tube and returning to the internal space, only driven by the roation of the solid helical moving body, at a speed of less than 500 rpm, in the tube which is kept fixed, the synthesis medium being kept at a temperature suitable for at least one of the ripening operations or the crystal growth of the synthesized zeolite. The invention also is directed to a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus comprising a power source driving a shaft supporting a helicoidal, spiral-shaped screw having an upper end part and a lower end part and fitted round at least part of the shaft, such that water is sucked up or impelled downwards, the screw comprising at least one continuous screw blade, and at least one discontinuous screw blade near at least one of its end parts.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus suitable for mixing and conveying solid, particulate, polymeric materials, comprising a barrel that can be heated and cooled, at least two co-rotatable, self-wiping extruder screws located within the bore of the barrel, the screws being connected through a laterally flexible coupling to a drive means which can reverse the direction of rotation of the screws upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. The apparatus also comprises a closeable feed port and a closeable discharge port, both of which can be made gas-tight, the shafts of the screws being provided with seals capable of withstanding elevated gas pressures inside the barrel.

Abstract: A reactor for corrosive and abrasive reaction mixtures having an upper setion and a conically tapered lower reaction section, with a screw mixer consisting of a jacketed band surrounding a conveyor screw, suspended fron the top of the reactor, and an inlet for solid reactants which leads directly into the vertical conveying device.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a substance, the apparatus including a container, a tubular conduit axially disposed in a cavity of the container defining an inner tubular channel and an outer annular channel within the container, a conduit for admitting a substance into the cavity, a rotary device for circulating the substance in the cavity, an extraction conduit, a carrier shaft of the rotary device being guided in rotation by a bearing or other rotary guiding device proximate an end of the container at which the substance to be mixed is passed from the tubular channels into the annular channel.

Abstract: A mixer having a container (14), an opened topped hollow sleeve (20) adjacent the lower surface of the container, at least one opening (22) into the sleeve adjacent the lower edge thereof, a screw impeller (25) located in the sleeve and a driving device for the impeller (11) so that material to be mixed can enter the sleeve through the opening adjacent the lower end thereof, be mixed by the impeller and delivered through the open top of the sleeve. An impeller (60) can be formed with cutting blades to act to cut material passing through the sleeve as well as to mix this material.

Abstract: The apparatus provides a unique and novel vessel and process that concentrate solids, produces paste and stores paste from mixtures of solids and liquids. The vessel or tank includes a vertical shaft mounted within the tank and a variable speed drive for rotating the shaft for circulating paste. The shaft includes a helical pump for lifting the paste and a rake arm extending outwardly from a lower portion of the shaft for moving the paste radially inward. A vertical flow director within the tank is connected to the shaft for maintaining paste flow and facilitating paste circulation at outer portions of the tank. A paste exit port through a lower portion of the tank is used for removing paste. The method forms a paste by first introducing a mixture of solids and liquids into a tank. A portion of the solids and liquids are lifted vertically to establish a circulation pattern within the tank.

Abstract: By rotating mixing blade units having blades inclined in opposite directions, pulverulent materials such as cement can be effectively mixed with a liquid under the most suitable condition to produce a desirable mixture. The blades of the mixing blade units are in spaced opposed relation to each other and formed so as to have their front edges spaced at a larger distance than their rear edges relative to the direction of rotation, thereby to cause the parts of the mixture around the respective mixing blade units to come into collision with each other between the mixing blade units. A mixture of high quality in which the pulverulent materials are uniformly dispersed without being left in the form of immiscible lumps with the liquid can be obtained.

Abstract: An auger-tube pump mixing device for mixing materials with large density differences while maintaining low stirring RPM and low power consumption. The mixing device minimizes the formation of vortexes and minimizes the incorporation of small bubbles in the liquid during mixing. By avoiding the creation of a vortex the device provides efficient stirring of full containers without spillage over the edge. Also, the device solves the problem of effective mixing in vessels where the liquid height is large compared to the diameter. Because of the gentle stirring or mixing by the device, it has application for biomedical uses where cell damage is to be avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous polymerization of vinyl chloride or a vinyl chloride-based monomeric mixture, comprising a pre-mixer 1 for preparing an aqueous suspension of the vinyl chloride or vinyl chloride-based monomeric mixture, and a polymer slurry tank 5 connected to the pre-mixer 1 through a polymerization passage comprising a piping 3, wherein a pump comprising a conical hub and an impeller mounted thereon comprised of a single spiral blade is used for drawing out the aqueous suspension from the pre-mixer into the polymerization passage and for discharging a polymer slurry formed in the passage into the slurry tank, and the polymerization passage has a length sufficient for permitting the vinyl chloride or vinyl chloride-based monomeric mixture contained in the aqueous suspension flowing through the passage to be polymerized to a predetermined extent while passing through the passage.

Abstract: Aqueous non-self-emulsifying polymer dispersions having small particles and a long shelf life and based on highly viscous reaction resins are prepared without the addition of solvents, by means of an intensively dispersing screw apparatus, by a continuous process in which the preparation of the polymer dispersion is carried out in an intensive shear zone of the screw apparatus, the water/reaction resin ratio in this intensive shear zone corresponding to the phase inversion point or being close to it, and the specific energy supply is 0.01-0.15 kWh/kg, the residence time is 0.1-60 sec and the shear gradient is 2,000-20,000 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: An agitator and pump assembly adapted to be trailed behind a vehicle and to be moved into a manure pond, wherein the apparatus includes a pump housing at the end of an elongated frame supported on a wheeled sub-frame. The wheeled sub-frame is pivotally connected near one end to a midpoint of the elongated frame. The pump housing includes a rotating bladed impeller having an axis of rotation which is at an acute angle to the elongated frame, and a screw pump extends above the housing for thrusting the material downwardly through the housing upon rotation thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a polycarbonate molded article having a low dust level from a polycarbonate resin in the form of a powder or pellets by injection molding using an injection molding machine. The injection molding machine includes a cylinder whose inner circumferential wall is made of a corrosion- and abrasion-resistant alloy from alloy components (1), (2), or (3) given below and a screw part made of a steel having a metal coating formed of hard chromium plating or hard nickel plating or formed of titanium carbide or tungsten carbide, or is made of SUS420, SUS440, Hastelloy C, or a steel of alloy component (4) given below:Alloy components (1):C: 0.5-1.5 wt%Si: 1.0-2.0 wt%B: 0.5-2.5 wt%Ni: 10.0-20.0 wt%Cr: 20.0-30.0 wt%W: 10.0-20.0 wt%Cu: 0.5-2.0 wt%Remainder: Co and unavoidable impurities,Alloy components (2):Ni: 0.0-2.0 wt%Cr: 5.0-15.0 wt%Fe: 0.0-1.0 wt%Mn: 0.1-2.0 wt%Si: 0.2-4.0 wt%B: 2.0-4.0 wt%Remainder: Co and unavoidable impurities,Alloy components (3):Cr: 5.0-10.0 wt%Co: 5.0-40.0 wt%Fe: 0.0-10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved mixer trailer for fibrous products which can be particularly but not exclusively used in the zootechnical field. The trailer is of the type which comprises a wheeled chassis on which a mixing container is mounted; the container is substantially in the shape of an inverted conical frustum and is internally provided with one or more vertical scrolls welded to a rotating shaft which is rigidly associated with the container. The improvements consist of the fact that the wheels are arranged in close pairs which are coupled to a same axis of rotation and are articulated to the chassis on an axis which is orthogonal to the axis of rotation. A loading device with grippers is associated with the container, and a system for drying the product contained therein is associable therewith. At the end of operation, auxiliary actuation means adapted to impart to each of the one or more scrolls a high-speed rotary motion can be connected to each of these one or more scrolls.

Abstract: An injection molding machine comprising a drive unit and a plasticizing unit and includes a quick disconnect coupling mechanism for connecting the feed screw of the plasticizing unit to and disconnecting it from the quill of the driving unit.

Abstract: A machine for the production of granita and in particular of the type called Sicilian granita comprising a container with a predominately horizontal development in which rotate motorized means for stirring the mixture contained therein in contact with a wall chilled by a refrigerating circuit and means of delivery of said mixture from said container. Said chilled wall is cylindrical in form and said means of stirring the mixture comprise a first rotating cylindrical screw propeller placed inside and axially with said cylinder and a second rotating cylindrical screw propeller placed axially with and wound externally around said cylinder, said screw propellers being rotated by a motor to impart opposed thrusts to the mixture so as to bring about circulation of the liquid in one direction inside the cylinder and the opposite direction outside thereof.The mixture container is accomplished in a single piece preferably of transparent material and completely removable from the machine to facilitate cleaning.

Abstract: For bonding particularly radioactive wastes into a binder, a transporting and mixing device is used which transports the mixture to a storage tank prior to the hardening. The wastes are transported into the mixing zone by gravity and aided by the conveyor helix which also imparts additional wall cleaning action through the dry conveyor zone. A single or multi-component binder is concurrently transported in a direction lateral to the mixing tool to the mixing zone. The mixture is conducted in a straight-line extension of the transport and mixing direction to an outlet to which the storage tank is connected.

Abstract: A device for pumping highly-viscous material, particularly thick oil, the device being adapted to immersion in the material and comprising a helical screw (8) and surrounding the screw a shell (9). In order to ensure the feed of the material the screw and the shell are arranged to rotate in opposite directions and to the shell are fixed outwardly-directed feeding vanes (15) and at the root of the feeding vanes on the material collection side are apertures for the delivery of the material to screw (8) rotating within the shell. The speeds of rotation of the screw and the shell can be separately adjustable.

Abstract: A plastification cylinder of an injection molding machine includes an outside cylinder and an inside cylinder, the inside cylinder including heating elements and temperature sensors therearound and defining a screw antechamber at one end thereof, the outside cylinder being shaped so that the end thereof which surrounds the end of the inside cylinder that defines the screw antechamber is in a pressure fit contact with the inside cylinder while the other end of the outside cylinder is spaced away from the corresponding end of the inside cylinder, thereby providing an annular chamber therebetween. Connecting elements extending through the outside cylinder can be used to cause a fluid heating or cooling medium to flow through the annular chamber.

Abstract: A structure of an extruding apparatus for extruding a synthetic resin, including a first extruder and a second extruder having a vent hole, is disclosed. The extruding apparatus includes: a first extruder; and a second extruder having a cylinder with a vent hole, a supply port provided at the proximal end of the cylinder, and connected to a discharge port of the first extruder, a distribution/supply means provided inside the cylinder, having a plurality of passages for fluidically connecting the supply port and a space inside the cylinder, and distributing and supplying a molding material supplied to the supply port into the cylinder, a discharge port provided at the distal end of the cylinder, a screw shaft arranged inside the cylinder, and a motor for driving the screw shaft. An airtight vacuum chamber connected to the vacuum pump is mounted on an outer portion of the vent hole.

Abstract: A device for homogenizing a liquid containing a mixture of single cells and cell clusters is provided. The device includes a shroud for channeling the liquid and suspended particles. The shroud defines an inner bore that is formed to include an axial inlet opening and at least one spaced apart outlet opening. A homogenizing bit is provided that is disposed within the inner bore for dispersing the suspended particles in the liquid to form a homogenized substance. The bit includes a shear blade fixed to the bit at a location near the axial inlet opening, with the shear blade configured to cooperate with adjacent shear ports to shear a portion of the suspended particles. The bit also includes a spiral portion that is configured to draw the liquid and suspended particles axially into and through the inner bore from the inlet opening.

Abstract: A draft tube mixer is disclosed particularly adapted for use with digestion processes and apparatus wherein a vertical shaft (13) is driven by motor (15) through a suitable drive (14) to rotate a ragless propeller (12). The propeller (12) has a series of three lobes or blades (40-42) which are concentrically arranged at 120.degree. apart positions so that the minimum diameter of the blades are at the ends of a hub (43) from which the blades integrally extend. The blades extend over the length of the hub over about a 360.degree. of rotary motion helix. The blades (40-42) are symmetrical from their ends to the mid points on the vanes from either direction top or bottom so that the propeller is reversible without loss of efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and pumping manure from a reservoir including an elongated frame adapted to be pivoted from a vehicle bed from a lying position to an upright position within a reservoir to be pumped. Pump means are provided at the base of said elongated frame communicating with a conduit extending the length of the frame, a first slurry mixing impeller adjacent the pump at the base of the frame and driven by a common shaft with the pump, a second mixing means in the form of a screw having an axis of rotation parallel to the elongated frame and having a common drive shaft with the impeller and the pump and a third mixing device in the form of a jet nozzle communicating with the pump at the base thereof and being spaced from the second mixing means. The first and third mixing means have jet nozzles directed at right angles to the axis of the elongated frame.

Abstract: A draft tube mixer is disclosed particularly adapted for use with digestion processes and apparatus wherein a vertical shaft (13) is driven by motor (15) through a suitable drive (14) to rotate a ragless propeller (12). The propeller (12) has a series of three lobes or blades (40-42) which are concentrically arranged at 120.degree. apart positions so that the minimum diameter of the blades are at the ends of a hub (43) from which the blades integrally extend. The blades extend over the length of the hub over about a 360.degree. of rotary motion. The blades (40-42) are symmetrical from their ends to the mid points on the vanes from either direction top or bottom so that the propeller is reversible without loss of efficiency.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for agitation of animal waste materials collected in a livestock confinement pit which can be inserted into tubes passing through the sidewall of the pit is disclosed. An elongated housing in which is mounted a high speed propulsion screw and a hydraulic drive mechanism is shown. Openings are provided in said housing to allow intake into the enclosure above said propulsion member and an exhaust opening is located in said housing at the lower end of the housing adjacent said propulsion member. A method for intermixing of solid and liquid animal wastes contained within a confinement facility collection pit is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and degassing components of synthetic resins includes an evacuatable, cylindrical, downwardly tapering container, a worm conveyor centrally, rotatably supported in the container and a drive mechanism therefor, a cylindrical guide tube closely surrounding the worm conveyor, agitating arms secured to the lower end of the worm conveyor and extending outwardly and upwardly adjacent the walls of the container, and collecting arms secured to the lower end of the guide tube and extending outwardly and upwardly adjacent the agitating arms, each collecting arm having a collecting opening therein which faces opposite the direction of rotation of the agitating arms and is in communication with the interior of the guide tube. Each collecting arm preferably has a plurality of upright baffle members mounted thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hopper, a substantially vertical auger within the hopper, and a housing enclosing the auger to define a mixing chamber. A baffle, attached to the housing, and the sidewall of the hopper are oriented so as to cooperatively provide a blending flow pattern within the hopper, thereby further mixing the materials.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is presented particularly suitable for blending and homogenizing a low viscosity molten additive into a relatively high viscosity host glass composition as it flows through a supply forehearth. The blending and homogenizing is performed by a rotating spiral stirrer operating within a mixing well simultaneously mixing and pumping the molten mixture therethrough. The spiral stirrer may be used separately or in concert with one or more spiral stirrers.

Abstract: A supply chamber has an outlet for gravity feed of materials to be mixed to a mixing chamber in which a rotary mixing device is mounted. A conveying system continuously returns mixed materials from the mixing chamber to the supply chamber for recirculation and further blending. The conveying system may be in the form of a screw conveyor or an air stream that aspirates material from the mixing chamber.