In At Least One Of Intercommunicating Adjacent Mixing Chambers Patents (Class 366/290)
  • Patent number: 10548812
    Abstract: A drug decocting container comprises a cover body (1), an inner-layer container, and an outer-layer container. The inner-layer container is em-bedded in the inner part of the outer-layer container, the strength of the outer-layer container is larger than that of the inner-layer container, and the outer-layer container supports the inner-layer container and controls deformation of the inner-layer container. The cover body (1) is connected with the inner-layer container in a sealing way to form a sealed cavity, and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are provided on the sealed cavity. An inner pipe (3) is supported by a high-strength outer pipe (2) in the drug decocting container, such that the wall thickness of the inner pipe (3) can be thin, thereby reducing costs of the inner pipe (3), providing a condition for disposable use of the inner pipe (3), and preventing drugs from influencing each other by residues in the inner pipe (3) so as to affect the quality of a beverage while decocting different drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventors: Aiying Wang, Shuqing Gao, Mei Leng
  • Patent number: 10507442
    Abstract: A flow-through cavitation device having an elongated housing with an inlet and an outlet. One or more variable multi-jet nozzles are disposed throughout the elongated housing with a working chamber following each variable multi-jet nozzle. Each variable multi-jet nozzle consists of a movable disk fixedly mounted on a central shaft and a stationary disk fixedly mounted on the housing and in contact with the rotating disk. The movable and stationary disks of each variable multi-jet nozzle have through channels. The flow cross-sectional area of the through channels is variable by rotating the movable disk relative to the stationary disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Cavitation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Gordon, Igor Gorodnitsky, Maxim A. Promtov, Naum Voloshin
  • Patent number: 10369535
    Abstract: A rapid stirring machine including a tank for stirring sludge and a flocculant; a drive shaft disposed in the tank; and an edged turbine blade attached to the drive shaft, the edged turbine blade including turbine blades that are disposed along a virtual circle centered around the axis of the drive shaft, on at least one of the front and back sides of the edged turbine blade in the axial direction of the drive shaft, the turbine blades being raised in the axial direction of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Takashi Tamura, Ryuji Higashi
  • Patent number: 8944672
    Abstract: Improved preconditioners (10) are provided for partial moisturization of human food or animal feed ingredients prior to downstream final processing thereof in an extruder (56) or pellet mill. The preconditioner (10) preferably includes an elongated housing (12) having a wall (14) with an inlet (20) and an opposed outlet (22). The housing (12) also has a larger diameter end wall (16) proximal to the inlet (20), a smaller diameter end wall (18) proximal to outlet (22), and a progressively converging housing wall (14) with a taper angle of from about 2-9°. A shaft (36) extends along the length of housing (14) and supports a plurality of outwardly extending mixing elements (46) positioned in axially and circumferentially spaced relationship along the length of the shaft (36). The outer margins (54) of the mixing elements (46) cooperatively define a taper along the length of the housing wall (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Wenger, LaVon Wenger
  • Publication number: 20140133266
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing and mixing a load of liquids and solids is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated tank, which includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The apparatus further includes an elongated rotatable shaft within the tank. At least one blade is connected to the shaft and is configured to mix the liquids and solids when the shaft is rotated. The apparatus also includes a shaft support configured for maintaining the shaft in a rotatable manner within the tank. The shaft support is selectively moveable in a manner permitting the shaft to move in an upward direction from the lower portion toward the upper portion, and in a downward direction from the upper portion toward the lower portion. An is contained with the tank for moving the shaft support in the upward direction and in the downward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Sumter Transport
    Inventor: Robert M. RUMPH
  • Patent number: 8678641
    Abstract: In a process for treating viscous products, especially for performing polymerization processes, especially for homo- or copolymerizing thermoplastics and elastomers, wherein monomer(s) and/or catalysts and/or initiators are added to a backmixed mixing kneader, especially with a length/diameter ratio of 0.5-3.5, heat is supplied to the product which is backmixed with already reacted product and the reacted product is removed from the mixing kneader, the product in the mixing kneader shall be heated up to its boiling temperature, portions of the product shall be evaporated and exothermicity of the product shall be absorbed by evaporative cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: List Holding AG
    Inventors: Pierre-Alain Fleury, Pierre Lichti
  • Patent number: 8641895
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil from oil-containing sorbents, such as drill cuttings obtained from drilling with an oil-based mud. The method includes peptizing the substrate with an acid reagent and direct thermal desorption with combustion effluent gases at high temperature under turbulent mixing conditions. Another method disclosed includes upgrading the oil in the substrate to improve one or more of the properties of the recovered oil relative to the oil in the substrate, such as, lower aromatics content, lower sulfur content, lower functional group content, higher saturates, higher viscosity, higher viscosity index, and any combination thereof. The apparatus provides for efficient recovery of oil from the substrate with a short residence time, high throughput, low residual oil content in the treated solids and/or high percentage of oil recovery. The apparatus may be transported to a remote location for on-site treatment of drill cuttings or other oil-containing solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Racional Energy & Environment Company
    Inventor: Ramon Perez-Cordova
  • Publication number: 20130329517
    Abstract: A dynamic mixer (1, 100) for a plurality of fluid components contains a housing (2, 102) and a rotor element (3, 103) which is rotatably arranged in the housing, with the housing having an inlet opening (12, 13, 112, 113) for at least one respective component and having at least one outlet opening (20, 120). A ring-shaped intermediate space (15, 115) is provided between the rotor element and the housing in which a mixing element (7, 107) connected to the rotor element (3, 103) is arranged. The housing includes a first antechamber (21, 121) and a main chamber (22, 122). A second antechamber (17, 117) is provided which is arranged downstream of the first antechamber (21, 121) so that the first antechamber (21, 121) can be flowed through by the components before the components enter into the second antechamber (17, 117).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Sulzer Mixpac AG
    Inventors: Volker Linne, Andreas Hiemer, Florian Husler
  • Patent number: 8497339
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of mixtures containing organosilicon compound (A) and solid (B) and optionally further components in a mixing unit comprising at least one rotating mixing shaft, wherein at least one mixing shaft makes an angle of inclination with the horizontal of more than 10 degrees and the inlet opening for the solid (B) is arranged higher than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Peter Schoeley, Uwe Scheim
  • Patent number: 8469585
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in-line mixer for mixing a plurality of fluids to produce a mixed product. The mixer includes one or more mixing chambers, an impeller in each of the mixing chambers, one or more inlets coupled to injection valves for conveying the fluids into the mixing chamber, and an outlet for conveying the mixed product out of the mixing chamber. The in-line mixer is well suited to components, such as those used in making automotive OEM and refinish paints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Antonio Retamal
  • Patent number: 8398863
    Abstract: Water-purifying apparatus which generates anions and processing method thereof, which activates water through generating anions to obtain good quality purified water corresponding to pure life-giving water. Raw water introduced into the water-purifying apparatus is introduced into an inflow pipe formed in a zigzag shape and rotating units are rotated by flow rate of the introduced raw water, to raise a vortex phenomenon to generate bubbles. Accordingly, anion content and dissolved oxygen amount increases. Moreover, filter members filter poisonous impurities in the raw water to provide good quality purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Chun Haeng Cho
  • Patent number: 8388216
    Abstract: A processing installation for devolatilization of polymer melts comprises a first extruder and a second extruder arranged downstream thereof in a direction of conveyance. The first extruder comprises several rotatably drivable first shafts which are provided with first treatment members and several devolatilization zones with associated devolatilization ports. Correspondingly, the second extruder comprises several rotatably drivable second shafts which are provided with second treatment members and several second devolatilization zones with associated devolatilization ports. The first treatment members have an external diameter which is smaller than or equal to that of the second treatment members. A devolatilization unit is arranged in a transfer zone which interconnects the extruders. The devolatilization unit comprises a perforated plate and a clearance arranged downstream in the direction of conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Coperion GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Lechner, Ulrich Conrad
  • Publication number: 20120327739
    Abstract: The instant invention is a device for producing dispersions. The device for producing dispersions includes a first stator, a second stator, a shell encasing the first stator and the second stator, a rotor being disposed therebetween the first stator and the second stator thereby forming a first chamber and a second chamber, at least one first inlet port into the first chamber, and at least one outlet port out of the second chamber. The device may optionally include at least one additional second inlet port into the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ken W. Skaggs, Bedri Erdem, Paul A. Gillis
  • Patent number: 8328410
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in-line mixer for mixing a plurality of fluids to produce a mixed product. The mixer includes one or more mixing chambers, an impeller in each of the mixing chambers, one or more inlets coupled to injection valves for conveying the fluids into the mixing chamber, and an outlet for conveying the mixed product out of the mixing chamber. The in-line mixer is well suited to components, such as those used in making automotive OEM and refinish paints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Antonio Retamal
  • Patent number: 8211371
    Abstract: A device for heat transfer, particularly in fluidized bed equipment. Several layers of heat exchanger tubes are provided, with radial arms mounted in between to mix and loosen the product. In addition, a process is disclosed for heat transfer in high-temperature processes for bulk material, particularly granulates or powders, in fluidized bed units, where the heat is transferred to and absorbed by the fluidized bed on several levels, and by the fluidized bulk material being agitated mechanically between these levels. This allows transfer of high energy densities without the risk of bridging or local overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Andritz Technology and Asset Management GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Stanke, Mathias von Lewinski, Paul Kröhl
  • Publication number: 20120014208
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a hopper, a reel, and at least one auger. The hopper defines first and second chambers. The first chamber is disposed adjacent to the second chamber. The reel is disposed within the first chamber. The reel includes first and second hubs configured to rotate and at least one connecting member connecting the first hub to the second hub. The at least one auger is disposed in the second chamber. The first and second hubs rotate about a common axis of rotation. No connecting member connects a center of the first hub to a center of the second hub along the axis of rotation. An attachment point between each connecting member and the first hub is circumferentially offset with respect to an attachment point between the same connecting member and the second hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Kuhn North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff MARGGI, Jacob VEEDER, Jeremiah KLEIBER, Claude MCFARLANE, Brian GREEN
  • Patent number: 7901571
    Abstract: A flow-through mixing apparatus for incorporating a dry treatment product into a waste stream. The apparatus comprises a pump for directing a liquid waste from a storage pit/tank, a mixer that receives the liquid waste from the pump, and a valve downstream of the mixer for either recirculating the liquid waste back to the storage pit/tank via a recirculation conduit, or directing the liquid waste to a discharge conduit. The mixer comprising a jet nozzle, a venturi tube and a high-shear assembly. The recirculation conduit establishes a calibration loop for determining the appropriate treatment regimen based on the characteristics of the waste liquid. The recirculation conduit also permits the homogenization of the pit/tank contents prior to addition of the dry treatment product. The dry treatment product introduced in the region of the mixer is subjected high shear forces, thereby incorporating the dry treatment product into the waste stream with increased dispersion and reduced agglomeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Roger H. Woods, Doug Pullman
  • Patent number: 7883263
    Abstract: Improved preconditioners (10) are provided for partial moisturization of human food or animal feed ingredients prior to downstream final processing thereof in an extruder (56) or pellet mill. The preconditioner (10) preferably includes an elongated housing (12) having a wall (14) with an inlet (20) and an opposed outlet (22). The housing (12) also has a larger diameter end wall (16) proximal to the inlet (20), a smaller diameter end wall (18) proximal to outlet (22), and a progressively converging housing wall (14) with a taper angle of from about 2-9°. A shaft (36) extends along the length of housing (14) and supports a plurality of outwardly extending mixing elements (46) positioned in axially and circumferentially spaced relationship along the length of the shaft (36). The outer margins (54) of the mixing elements (46) cooperatively define a taper along the length of the housing wall (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Wenger, LaVon Wenger
  • Patent number: 7815360
    Abstract: A material processing plant comprises two screw-type extruding machines (1, 2) which are interconnected by means of a link (29). The link (29) is movable from a position of connection into an open position of release of the casing bores (12). Provision is further made for a mover (38) which acts on the link (29) for implementation of the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Coperion GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Munz, Jürgen Strecker
  • Patent number: 7794134
    Abstract: Improved, low- or no-waste control methods for food processing systems including a preconditioner (14) and a downstream processing device such as an extruder (16) are provided. The control methods include both startup and shutdown sequences, and an optional flush sequence. During startup, a gate (64) of preconditioner (14) is initially closed and is thereafter sequentially opened to a full open, normal operating position after predetermined preconditioner temperature and/or weight set points are achieved. Shutdown involves terminating the flow of ingredients to the preconditioner (14) while the gate (64) remains open, with the preconditioner operated to deliver the preconditioned material within the preconditioner (14) to the extruder (16) for as long as possible in order to minimize any residual waste within the preconditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Henry
  • Patent number: 7775704
    Abstract: A device for continuously producing emulsions or dispersions while excluding air comprises a mixing vessel, which is closed on all sides and which has supply tubes and discharge tubes for introducing and discharging fluid substances or compositions, and also an impeller, which permits an agitating input into the emulsion or dispersion without generating cavitation forces and without high-pressure homogenization. For preparing the cosmetic emulsions of the invention, as well, emulsifiers are generally used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Gerd Dahms, Helmut Hegmann
  • Publication number: 20090268549
    Abstract: An animal feed mixer includes a housing forming first and second chambers. An upper auger and a lower auger are mounted in one of the chambers and a rotor is mounted in the other of the chambers. The rotor includes a plurality of arm assemblies that are staggered with respect to one another, that overlap one another in length, and that have paddles affixed to the outer ends of radially extending arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ROTO-MIX, LLC
    Inventors: BENJAMIN R. NEIER, RODNEY R. NEIER, GREGORY R. REIMER
  • Patent number: 7547132
    Abstract: A material processing plant consists of a first screw-type machine and a second screw-type machine: The screw-type machines are connected to each other by means of a pipe elbow. An elongation compensation device is disposed between the first screw-type machine and the pipe elbow. An expansion compensation device for thermal expansion of the second screw-type machine is disposed inside the last column of the first screw-type machine which is arranged upstream of the pipe elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Coperion GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Davids, Carsten Koberg, Raimund Schleicher, Ralf Riehle
  • Patent number: 7507343
    Abstract: The device of the invention includes the following 5 new elements in each mixer-settler: a) agitators with blunt edged turbines, b) decreasing degree of agitation throughout the series of mixing compartments, c) baffle with a central window in the settler interface, located after the flow buffers, and d) baffle without a window, centered in the settler interface, located after the baffle with a window. These elements allow for an operative method which inhibits secondary dispersion, reducing the formation of micro-droplets, without affecting the mass transfer between the phases. Consequently, this obtains a phase separation process with entrainments so small that it is possible to drastically increase the quality of the product, by obtaining an ultra-pure aqueous extract, simultaneously reducing the settling surface required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tecnicas Reunidas S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Martin San Lorenzo, Gustavo Diaz Nogueira, Maria Frades Tapia
  • Publication number: 20080305232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously mixing ingredients of a flour-and-water-based food dough comprising two mixing tools rotatably mounted one above the other about an axis of rotation, wherein the top tools is embodied in the form of a helix extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to said axis of rotation in such a way that the ingredient mixture is produced, the lower tool comprises at least one radial arm provided with a leading surface inclined with respect to the axis of rotation and an enclosure is provided with a mixed dough discharge opening which is arranged in the peripheral side part of a mixing space and in front of the lower tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Gerard Fisson, Laurent Jaunet, Richard Pascal
  • Patent number: 7419296
    Abstract: A gel mixing system that employs a dynamic diffuser for quickly removing the air from the fluid as the fluid exits a traditional gel mixer and employs progressive dilution of the gel in a series of hydration tanks to maximize hydration time without allowing the gel to become so viscous that it is not easily diluted or pumped. High shear agitation of the fluid between the hydration tanks helps to increase the hydration rate. Progressive dilution of the gel increases residence time of the gel in the tanks and results in longer hydration time in the limited tank space available, resulting in continuous production of gel that is almost fully hydrated when it is pumped to the fracturing blender and subsequently to the well bore without the need for an increase in the volume of the hydration tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Serva Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Allen
  • Patent number: 7160021
    Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of polymer solutions contains a stirring device, a cooling device connected to the stirring device and a warming device connected to the cooling device. Both the warming device and the cooling device are characterized by including a rotary screw. The stirring device functions to mix a polymer with a solvent to produce a swelled polymer in the solvent. The incorporation of a screw into the warming or cooling device allows the temperature of the solution to change while simultaneous mixing and shear is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Yamazaki, Tadahiro Tsujimoto, Yukihiro Katai
  • Patent number: 7135112
    Abstract: A flocculation apparatus and method for treating colloidal suspensions. The apparatus includes a suspension inlet, a suspension outlet and an inner cone mounted centrally in a conical outer housing. The inner cone and/or the outer housing is rotatable relative to one another and a gap for through-flow of suspensions is present between the inner cone and the outer housing. In the method, continuously measuring a flock size distribution of a suspension stream passed into the flocculation apparatus is provided. Additionally provided is axially displacing the inner cone and/or outer housing as a function of the flock size distribution and the suspension volume flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Clausthaler Umwelttechnikinstitut GmbH (CUTEC-Institute)
    Inventors: Christian Schroeder, Michael Sievers
  • Patent number: 7083319
    Abstract: A large-volume reactor (10) for treating a free-flowing material, having a housing (12) which surrounds an interior space (14), a material feed (11) at one end of the housing (12) and a material discharge (13) at the other end of the housing (12). A rotor shaft (22), which is driven in rotation about its axis and conveys the material in the direction from the material feed (11) to the material discharge (13), is arranged in the interior space (14). A partition wall (16) in the interior space (14) defines two separate process spaces (18?, 18?) from one another, and the partition wall (16) includes a build-up system (24) having a build-up system passage (26) which leads from an inlet opening (40) which opens out into the first process space (18?), to an outlet opening (42) which opens out into the second process space (18?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Buss SMS GmbH Verfahrenstechnic
    Inventors: Hans Peters, Rainer Näf
  • Publication number: 20040136261
    Abstract: A continuous mixer (32) is disclosed which can be used for mixing of incoming product streams (22, 24) of different characteristics respectively to yield a final product stream (26) of predetermined, consistent characteristics. The mixer (32) includes an elongated housing (42) having a pair of product input ports (50, 52) and an output (64), with a pair of elongated, axially rotatable, mixing screws (44, 46) located within the housing (42). The screws (44, 46) include a series of outwardly projecting mixing elements (114) preferably of pyramidal design and arrayed in a helical pattern along the length of the screws (44,46). The mixer (32) may be used in a processing system (20,200) having individual product lines (28,30,204,206) coupled to the mixer (32), and is especially useful for processing of incoming meat streams (22,24) of different fat/lean ratios, to give a final comminuted output stream (26) of an intermediate and essentially constant fat/lean ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gordon R. Huber, Gerald E. Schmelzle, Timothy R. Hartter, Adrian L. Strahm, Michael J. Strahm
  • Patent number: 6719448
    Abstract: Material processing apparatus (10) is provided for the simultaneous production of different characterized final products using a single, initially processed product stream. The apparatus (10) includes a barrel assembly (12) having an elongated, tubular barrel (16) with a flighted, axially rotatable screw (26) within the barrel, and an additive incorporation assembly (14) coupled with the barrel (16) and having a plurality of individual mixing chambers (34, 36) configured to receive and process individual, separate streams of product from the barrel assembly (12). Individual additive injectors (52, 54) are also provided for injection of additives such as colorants or the like into the respective product streams for mixing with the chambers (34, 36). Preferably, the assembly (14) includes a flow divider (32) having plural separate passageways (46, 48), which are in communication with the corresponding mixing chambers (34, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Tedman, Bobbie W. Hauck
  • Publication number: 20040062141
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing aqueous foam with a slurry of gypsum and water. A cylindrical housing includes, in its upper end, an inlet for a slurry and a helical diverter for directing the slurry in a downward spiral flow path. An inlet for aqueous foam in located in said diverter and directs the foam into the incoming slurry. An annular flow restrictor is located in the lower end of the housing. Turbulence resulting from diversion of the incoming slurry from linear flow to a downward spiral flow path and from changes in spin diameter and speed through the flow restrictor uniformly mix foam with the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Gaylon Bruce Shrader, James W. McNeer, Craig L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030231544
    Abstract: Material processing apparatus (10) is provided for the simultaneous production of different characterized final products using a single, initially processed product stream. The apparatus (10) includes a barrel assembly (12) having an elongated, tubular barrel (16) with a flighted, axially rotatable screw (26) within the barrel, and an additive incorporation assembly (14) coupled with the barrel (16) and having a plurality of individual mixing chambers (34, 36) configured to receive and process individual, separate streams of product from the barrel assembly (12). Individual additive injectors (52, 54) are also provided for injection of additives such as colorants or the like into the respective product streams for mixing with the chambers (34, 36). Preferably, the assembly (14) includes a flow divider (32) having plural separate passageways (46, 48), which are in communication with the corresponding mixing chambers (34, 36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: WENGER MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Tedman, Bobbie W. Hauck
  • Patent number: 6588928
    Abstract: A continuous mixer (32) is disclosed which can be used for mixing of incoming product streams (22, 24) of different characteristics respectively to yield a final product stream (26) of predetermined, consistent characteristics. The mixer (32) includes an elongated housing (42) having a pair of product input ports (50, 52) and an output (64), with a pair of elongated, axially rotatable, mixing screws (44, 46) located within the housing (42). The screws (44, 46) include a series of outwardly projecting mixing elements (114) preferably of pyramidal design and arrayed in a helical pattern along the length of the screws (44,46). The mixer (32) may be used in a processing system (20,200) having individual product lines (28, 30, 204, 206) coupled to the mixer (32), and is especially useful for processing of incoming meat streams (22,24) of different fat/lean ratios, to give a final comminuted output stream (26) of an intermediate and essentially constant fat/lean ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Huber, Gerald E. Schmelzle, Timothy R. Hartter, Adrian L. Strahm, Michael J. Strahm
  • Publication number: 20020176318
    Abstract: A continuous mixer (32) is disclosed which can be used for mixing of incoming product streams (22, 24) of different characteristics respectively to yield a final product stream (26) of predetermined, consistent characteristics. The mixer (32) includes an elongated housing (42) having a pair of product input ports (50, 52) and an output (64), with a pair of elongated, axially rotatable, mixing screws (44, 46) located within the housing (42). The screws (44, 46) include a series of outwardly projecting mixing elements (114) preferably of pyramidal design and arrayed in a helical pattern along the length of the screws (44,46). The mixer (32) may be used in a processing system (20,200) having individual product lines (28,30,204,206) coupled to the mixer (32), and is especially useful for processing of incoming meat streams (22,24) of different fat/lean ratios, to give a final comminuted output stream (26) of an intermediate and essentially constant fat/lean ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Gordon R. Huber, Gerald E. Schmelzle, Timothy R. Hartter, Adrian L. Strahm, Michael J. Strahm
  • Publication number: 20020136085
    Abstract: High levels of treated fumed silica, processing fluid and high molecular weight silicone polymer are continuously compounded into a homogeneous silica filled heat-vulcanizable silicone composition by forming a premix in a continuous annular layer mixer and continuously discharging the premix into a compounding apparatus for compounding to form the filled heat-vulcanizable silicone composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Jodi Boffard, Navjot Singh, Alan L. Tate, Robert Dean
  • Patent number: 6367960
    Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of polymer solutions contains a stirring device, a cooling device connected to the stirring device and a warming device connected to the cooling device. Both the warming device and the cooling device are characterized by including a rotary screw. The stirring device functions to mix a polymer with a solvent to produce a swelled polymer in the solvent. The incorporation of a screw into the warming or cooling device allows the temperature of the solution to change while simultaneous mixing and shear is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Yamazaki, Tadahiro Tsujimoto, Yukihiro Katai
  • Publication number: 20020006077
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polymer solution comprises the steps of: mixing a polymer with a solvent to swell the polymer in the solvent; cooling the swelled mixture to a temperature of −100 to −10° C.; and then warming the cooled mixture to a temperature of 0 to 120° C. to dissolve the polymer in the solvent. According to the present invention, the swelled mixture is cooled at a rate of faster than 1° C. per minute, or the cooled mixture is warmed at a rate of faster than 1° C. per minute. Apparatuses for the preparation of a polymer solution are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: HIDEKAZU YAMAZAKI, TADAHIRO TSUJIMOTO, YUKIHIRO KATAI
  • Patent number: 6176090
    Abstract: An apparatus for transforming a frozen confection having a coarse texture into a confection having a smooth texture and lighter appearance. The apparatus is comprised of a maceration assembly used in conduction with a frozen confection machine. The apparatus includes a motor, an electrical connection between the motor and a power supply and a mounting bracket for mounting the motor to the confection machine. Extending from the motor is at least one rotatable motor shaft. The shaft extends through a mount having an integral mount cylinder with a seal seat. A sealing device such as an o-ring, is positioned within the seal seat. A whipping device is attached to the rotatable shaft which extends into a maceration chamber. The maceration chamber has an inlet for receiving frozen confection and an outlet for discharging a semi-frozen confection slurry and is hollow and open at one end, the open end sliding over the whipping device and mount, while forming a seal with the sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Rich Coast Corporation
    Inventor: Lance W. Ufema
  • Patent number: 6024481
    Abstract: A mixer for liquid or suspensions comprises two mixing chambers each of which is provided with an outer inlet. The chambers are connected to each other in such a way that the first chamber leads to the second chamber. A number of mixing elements are arranged on a rotating axis which is common for the two chambers. The mixing elements have different shapes in the two chambers. In the first chamber the mixing elements are arranged to achieve mixing by means of large shear forces. In the second chamber the mixing elements are arranged to achieve mixing by stirring mainly without shear forces. A method for continuous mixing comprises mixing a little amount of a first liquid with a considerably larger amount of a second liquid in a first mixing chamber in which the mixing takes place by way of high shear forces. The obtained mixture is subjected to mixing by stirring mainly without shear forces in a second mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Anders Hillstrom, Peter Sjoberg
  • Patent number: 5879078
    Abstract: A device for producing a ceramic sintered body consisting essentially of a mixing trough for mixing ceramic powder with water to form a slurry, the mixing trough having stirring blades, a separate slurry circulation conduit and a slurry mixing deflocculating unit, said separate slurry circulation conduit connecting said mixing trough and said deflocculating unit, said slurry mixing unit deflocculating said powder which has been flocculated with no grinding of powder by means of causing a high-speed shear flow and a high-speed contraction flow in the slurry, said slurry being repeatedly circulated form said slurry mixing unit to said mixing trough through said separate slurry circulation conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Tsuzuki, Jin-Joo Matsui, Akira Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 5743639
    Abstract: An ingredient feeder meters a selected amount of ingredient into a flowable food product including an enrobing chamber subtended by a blending tube. The blending tube houses an agitator assembly that moves the continuous flow of ingredient in both axial and radial directions as it mixes the ingredient with the flowable food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: APV Crepaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gale Norman Puerner, Keith Douglas White, John E. Kress
  • Patent number: 5447371
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for producing paste like or fluid like food products. The machine has an upper container having heating or cooling means and a stirrer and a lower container having cooling means and a mixer. The stirrer and the mixer are operated by a drive unit which has two motors which are connected by shafts to the stirrer and the mixer through two separate reduction systems one of which has a free wheel which permits the operation of the stirrer and the mixer by one motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Transtyle Limited
    Inventor: Agis Agapiou
  • Patent number: 5350235
    Abstract: Materials of varying viscosity can be homogeneously mixed continuously by using an in-line dynamic mixer which rapidly moves the materials interchangeably from a dynamic inner rotating means to a stationary chamber wall with additional mixing provided by stationary posts and perforated bulkheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Sealex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hagen, Matthias Hagen
  • Patent number: 5322357
    Abstract: An apparatus has the capacity to satisfactorily blend a liquid with a powder and pump the resultant viscous slurry in a single stage operation. The apparatus has a vertically oriented drive shaft with a bladed impeller attached to the drive shaft. A housing surrounds a mixing chamber in which the impeller is located. The lower end of a powder inlet tube is disposed in very close proximity to the highest vertical extent of the impeller blades. A liquid enters the mixing chamber exterior of the powder inlet tube. The resultant slurry leaves the mixing chamber via a slurry discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Terrence B. Mazer
  • Patent number: 5003869
    Abstract: For the metered addition of copper ions in cheese production in a stainless steel kettle(a) CO.sub.2 is introduced into the added water,(b) copper ions are produced electrolytically in the added water by means of electrodes immersed in the added water,(c) the enzymes necessary for the cheese production are added to the added water containing CO.sub.2 and copper ions and(d) the added water containing CO.sub.2, copper ions and enzymes is added to the raw milk for the cheese production.An apparatus for carrying out this procedure is characterized by(a) an electrolyzing tank (10) having an anode (11), a cathode (12) and a vent (13),(b) means (1, 2, 3, 4, 6) for feeding added water into the electrolyzing tank (10),(c) means (5, 7, 8, 9) for the metered addition of CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Mator AG
    Inventor: Claus Fabricius
  • Patent number: 4953135
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for avoiding the clumping of dry fibers having diameters and lengths in certain ranges during blending of such fibers into a dry or wet particulate material. The process comprises distributing fibers in a vaporous medium, and transporting fluidized fibers to a mixing zone containing a dry or wet particulate material. Concurrently with stirring and blending of the particulate material with fluidized fibers, the fluidized fibers having been separated at least partially from a fluidized vapor are gradually introduced into the mixing zone. This process avoids the phenomena of "balling" that otherwise occurs with certain fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Ashland Oil, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Lee
  • Patent number: 4850704
    Abstract: A two stage blender is capable of handling high viscosity liquid-powder mixtures. The mixture discharged from the first stage is directed to the second stage, from which it is discharged at a relatively high discharge pressure. The second stage further enhances the natural vacuum created within the first stage, so that powder is fed at a constant ratio for a wide variety of liquid flows. Selected internal parts of the blender are designed to permit cleaning the blender in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Ladish Co.
    Inventors: Robert D. Zimmerly, Robert J. Riemer
  • Patent number: 4834913
    Abstract: A series of preferably superimposed low inclination troughs containing serial inclined blade rotating mixers and transporters is provided to react dry materials and liquids, and in particular borax with water and acid, in a manner which avoids the formation of refractory lumps and the like. Those are at least two series of rotating blades to both mix and lift the materials into a gas drying stream passing along the troughs. A shearing type grinder or hammer mill is positioned intermediate of the troughs to grind or break up the material part way through the apparatus. Material is discharged from the apparatus in a dry finely comminuted form which does not form lumps upon standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventors: Leroy G. Aseltine, Gary F. Longenbach
  • Patent number: 4786480
    Abstract: Present invention relates to two-part fluid contactors for application in fluid-fluid contacting processes such as liquid-liquid extraction processes used in nuclear fuel reprocessing. The contactor has a first part and a second part with a plurality of annular regions located between the first and second parts and a plurality of settling compartments disposed sequentially along the axis of rotation of the contactor. First and second fluids are introduced into the annular regions, and a mixture of the first and second fluids is transferred into the settling compartments. The first and second fluids substantially separate in the settling compartments and are then removed therefrom. The apparatus is arranged such that in operation the first and second parts may be moved relatively to one another so that conditions exist in the annular regions such that the first and second fluids disperse one within the other to form a mixture of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Peter D. Martin