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: A feed mixer is provided and includes a mixing chamber with forward and rearward end walls, a bottom wall, and opposite side walls. First and second mixing reels are rotatably mounted in end-to-end relationship within the chamber, with each reel including an axle and a plurality of elongated mixing bars operatively connected to the axle. The reels are rotated in opposite directions, whereby each reel offsets the side loading of the feed by the other reel and thereby maintain the center of gravity of the feed along the longitudinal center line of the chamber. First and second oppositely inclined augers extend along the respective side walls of the chamber and are rotated in opposite directions. The first auger moves feed away from the first reel and discharges feed into the second reel, while the second auger moves feed away from the second reel and discharges feed into the first reel. The augers float so as to prevent binding and have recessed knives for cutting the grain.

Abstract: A rotary mill to colloidalize a premixed mortar in a high energy manner so as to increase the degree of hydration comprising a hollow collector casing having a feed inlet to receive the premixed mortar and a discharge outlet for the mixed product, a pair of counterrotating members cooperatively forming a shear zone therebetween wherein the shear zone comprises an inlet region to receive the premixed mortar from the feed inlet, a convergency region to impart a high energy shear to the premixed mortar and an expanding discharge region to feed the premixed mortar to the discharge outlet, and a drive and drive train coupled to the counterrotating members to impart rotational movement thereto.

Abstract: A device inter alia for uniformly distributing solid and/or liquid particles. It comprises, on the one hand, a hollow vertical primary shaft (1) driven in rotation, the bottom end of the shaft comprising a primary ring (4), the bottom surface of which bears vertical teeth (5) disposed in concentric circles, the device also comprising a hollow vertical secondary shaft (2) driven in rotation in the opposite direction to the primary shaft (1) and at its bottom end comprising a cylindrical cage (10) comprising a secondary ring (11) and a disc (12) connected to the bottom surface of the secondary ring (11) by at least three bars (13), the top surface of the disc (12) comprising vertical teeth (14) disposed concentrically and staggered with respect to the teeth (5) in the primary ring (4), and at its center the disc comprises a circular anvil (15) coaxial therewith and at least equal in diameter to the primary shaft (1).

Abstract: A mixer comprises a housing having charging and discharge pipes, and arcuate working members fashioned as rods coiled to form cylindrical springs and attached by ends thereof to drive shafts. The working members are disposed inside the housing one above the other, the upper working member having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the lower working member, the working members being coiled in the opposite directions.

Abstract: A blending apparatus has a rotor provided with louvers and mixing teeth. The louvers have openings which vary in size and act to convey materials being cut and blended through the disc. The mixing teeth extend from peripheral edges of the rotor. Adjacent teeth vary in angular extension from the edges and in direction of extension from the edges. One or more rotors may be mounted on one or more shafts to meet diverse mixing needs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing stringy contaminants from a pulp in a wastepaper recovery system having a pulping vat with an elongate helically shaped rod in the vat with means for causing a relative rotation between the stock and the helical rod so that long slender contaminants will be captured and climb the rod. In one form, multiple helices are employed and the rods may be driven in rotation, or the stock caused to rotate about the helix by other means.

Abstract: A feed mixer is provided and includes a mixing chamber with forward and rearward end walls, a bottom wall, and opposite side walls. A first and second mixing reel is rotatably mounted in end-to-end relationship within the chamber, with each reel including an axle and a plurality of elongated mixing paddles operatively connected to the axle. The reels are rotated in opposite directions, whereby each reel offsets the side loading of the feed by the other reel and thereby maintain the center of gravity of the feed along the longitudinal center line of the chamber. First and second augers extend along the respective side walls of the chamber and are rotated in opposite directions. The first auger moves feed away from the first reel and discharges feed into the second reel, while the second auger moves feed away from the second reel and discharges feed into the first reel. Thus, the feed is thoroughly mixed by the dual reels and dual augers.

Abstract: An agitating and cutting blade structure of soil apparatus substantially comprises a plurality of concentric rotary shafts which rotate in mutually opposite directions and a plurality of agitating blades which are fixedly mounted on the respective rotary shafts and rotate in opposite directions corresponding to the rotation of the rotary shafts as well as a cutting blade fixed to the free end of one of the rotary shafts. Due to such construction, the soil receives a complicated and strong shearing force, is vigorously agitated and mixed with hardening agent efficiently hardened.

Abstract: The mixing apparatus has a plurality of pump impellers having one common axis and extending parallel to each other. Immediately adjacent pump impellers have opposite directions of rotation. The blading of the pump impellers is such that the currents of the mediums exiting the pump impellers have an as large as possible peripheral component. The medium currents exiting the adjacent pump impellers and having opposite senses of rotation are guided together and generate at the mutual point of contact an extremely high turbulence because the peripheral components of the exiting rotating currents of the mediums are directed oppositely to each other and eliminate each other practically immediately.

Abstract: A coffee grinder-mixer assembly and method for alternatively producing high yield coffee and regular yield coffee comprising a grinding head, an elongated mixer box, a first elongated shaft mounting auger means and supported for rotation in the mixer box, second elongated shaft concentric with the first shaft for rotation relative to the first shaft, a plurality of paddles mounted on the second shaft, and means for alternatively co-rotating and counter-rotating the first shaft and the second shaft, relative to the other, thereby alternatively to produce high yield and regular yield coffees.

Abstract: A self-cooling container for the cooling of a beverage without the use of external refrigeration is provided utilizing an endothermic chemical reaction as the cooling mechanism. The cooling mechanism, located in an inner chamber within the container, is easily and safely actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing solids with one another and with liquids, particularly for producing moulding sand mixtures, comprises a circular, fixed trough and at least two groups of mixing tools engaging with different spacings from the trough axis and trough bottom, which revolve about the trough axis and set with opposite angles with respect to the tangent of the circular path thereof. In order to obtain both a horizontal and vertical movement of the material being mixed in the case of maximum throughput, the mixing tools are formed in paddle-like manner from part cylindrical circumferential segments with roughly horizontal axis of curvature, the mixing paddles of the outer group point inwards with their concave side, while those of the inner group point outwards. There are also separate, revolving wall strippers for the inner and outer trough walls.

Abstract: A granulating apparatus particularly adapted for advanced ceramic materials having a granulation vessel with a cylindrical main body in which are coaxially-mounted rotatably an annular cage-like stirring rotor having peripheral stirring blades and a central impulse rotor having impulse blades and pins. The stirring blades are mounted in diverging pairs relative to their rotational direction to channel charge material axially centrally within the container, while the impulse blades are V-shaped convergingly in their rotational direction to impel charge material both radially and axially outwardly within the vessel, for enhanced charge material circulation. Nozzles mounted on the end cover of the vessel inject agglomerating liquid axially into the open granulation area between the rotors for direct impingement of liquid essentially only onto the charge material.

Abstract: A fluid diffuser for dispersing a gas or liquid into a body of receiving liquid in which it is immersed. The diffuser includes a rotatable shaft, a thin disk-like member mounted for rotation on the shaft, and an annular ring positioned adjacent the outer perimeter of the disk-like member. At least one of the top and bottom walls of the annular ring is porous. These top and bottom walls define a fluid plenum, into which gas or liquid under pressure is introduced to be emitted from the plenum as small, nascent fluid spheroids on the surface of the annular ring. The boundary layer flow from rotation of the disk-like member within the body of receiving liquid shears fine gas bubbles or liquid particles from the foraminous surface or surfaces of the annular ring. The annular ring may be fixed, or rotatable in the opposite annular direction from the rotation of the disk. Impeller blades may be mounted on the top and/or bottom surfaces of the rotatable disk.

Abstract: An improved dual action mixer is provided of the type having simultaneously counterrotatable mixing elements mounted within a mixer drum, wherein the mixing elements are relatively easily removable for cleaning purposes. One mixing element comprises an array of paddles carried by a driven shaft having one end threaded to a motor drive shaft at one end wall of the drum and an opposite end rotatably support with axial clearance within a bearing block movably mounted on the opposite drum end wall. The other mixing element comprises a pair of support hubs carried rotatably about the driven shaft and secured to radiating scraper arms having their outer ends joined to mixer blades extending with arcuate contour generally between the drum end walls, wherein one support hub is held axially by a shoulder on the driven shaft in engagement with a drive collar disposed about the drive shaft for opposite rotation thereto.

Abstract: Flexible shafting has an outer flexible shaft with a hollow central bore for receiving an electrically insulating flexible tube which, in turn, receives an inner flexible shaft therein. The outer and inner flexible shafts are capable of rotating independently of each other while simultaneously transmitting an electric current.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed, for mechanically agitating, in a non-reciprocating manner, a permalloy composition used in an electroplating procedure, in such a way as to apply a film of improved uniformity of composition and thickness thus avoiding limitations of prior electroplating processes which, due to uneven boundary layer flow patterns caused by reciprocating agitation, result in non-uniformities in film composition and thickness.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for mixing both liquid and pastelike substances, especially foods in pots of large kitchens. An upward and downward circulatory motion of the substance is produced by two oppositely rotating mixers (10, 11), which while rotating are raised and lowered through the substance. Each mixer includes blade groups (24-27 and 28-31) with opposite inclinations as viewed in the rotation direction, such that while raising and lowering the mixers layer by layer a part of the substance is lifted mechanically while another part is pressed downward. The apparatus includes of a mobile unit (1) which can be fixed and centered in an exact position relative to the pot (2).

Abstract: In an insulated mixing and cooling chamber having a feed auger to deliver cooled particles to a grinder and an intromitter auger rotatable around the feed auger to mix the particles within the chamber, independent variable speed, reversible motors operate the intromitter and feed augers, whereby the relative rotation of the augers may be precisely adjusted even while the mixing apparatus and associated grinding apparatus are operating. Electronic and or pneumatic control of cryogenic liquid inflow, as well as electronic control of the auger drive motors, may be used to optimize cooling and mixing conditions.

Abstract: A double-worm press, especially an extrusion or plastifying press for thermoplastic materials and particularly high viscosity thermoplastics, has generally conical worms, at least the discharge zones of which are formed so that the material is treated generally adiabatically therein. For this purpose, the end of the discharge zone has a depth of the worm flight which is between 24 and 33% of the worm diameter, preferably between 26 and 30%, with the ratio of the depth of the flight (or height) to the diameter of the worm increasing progressively away from the discharge end, counter to the direction of feed of the material.

Abstract: An agitator for stirring a flowable material in a vessel, such as a pressure vessel, includes a first set of agitator blades laterally surrounded by a second set. Each set has its own agitator shaft, an inner shaft for the first set of blades and a tubular outer shaft for the second set. The shafts are coaxial and extend through a housing into the vessel. Each set of blades rotates in an opposite direction about a common axis. An axial seal ring unit forms a seal between the inner shaft and the outer shaft and between the outer shaft and the housing. The seal ring unit is formed of two coaxial plural component seal rings, one between the two shafts and the other between the outer shaft and the housing.

Abstract: A novel dual or more interconnected pumping mechanisms pump is provided herein. It comprises a first pumping mechanism within a casing. A first pumping mechanism is provided within the casing, the first pumping mechanism having an operating shaft within the casing, the operating shaft being operated by a motor. The first pumping mechanism has pumping structure so constructed and arranged as exclusively to provide a high pressure, low volume aqueous liquid flow, the first pumping mechanism having axial output. A second pumping mechanism is also provided within the casing, and is in direct liquid flow connection with the first pumping mechanism, the second pumping mechanism also having an operating shaft within the casing, the operating shaft being operated by the same motor. The second pumping mechanism has pumping structure so constructed and arranged as exclusively to provide a low pressure, high volume aqueous liquid flow.

Abstract: A multistage volumetric feeder has a storage hopper for storing a mass of semi-flowable material, such as strand fiberglass, asbestos, or titanium dioxide. The material is bottom unloaded and passed through several stages of pressure reduction, aeration, and conditioning to loosen the material and place it in a state of substantially constant density. The conditioned material is further prevented from bridging and compacting as it is volumetrically delivered to a metering stage through a segregation stage. Because the semi-flowable material is placed in an uncompacted state of substantially constant density, the feeder is capable of delivering a precise mass of material over a wide range of flow rates.

Abstract: A defoaming apparatus for breaking foams in a fermentation tank in which the direction of rotation of defoaming blades is opposite that of agitation blades and the speed of the defoaming blades is appreciably higher than that of the agitation blades. A sleeve is rotatably mounted around the drive shaft which operates the agitation blades with defoaming blades rigidly coupled to the sleeve. The sleeve is integrally provided with an external gear. Idler gears are disposed in meshing engagement between the internal gear and external gear.

Abstract: In the production of cottage and similar fresh cheese, of the kind in which a milk coagulate is cut to curd granules of suitable size, the granular structure of the curd is maintained by stirring the cheese curd-whey mixture, the curd granulate is scalded by heating, and the curd granulate thus treated, after extraction of the whey in the meantime, is washed and cooled in water and iced water, the improvement that the cheese-whey mixture is subjected to successive processing operations in a continuous flow.

Abstract: To continuously mix two flowable products such as a solid product in the divided state and a liquid product, two concentric ducts are provided each with associated entraining means. The entraining means of the outer duct serves to move a first one of the flowable products along the duct from an entry port towards an exit port for the mixed products and includes a helical element urging the first product into rotation in passage along the outer duct. The second duct opens into the outer duct between the entry and exit ports of that duct and the entraining means of the inner duct serves to move the second flowable product through the inner duct and into the outer duct in the center of the first product stream.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for continuously preparing a mixture of two or more constituents with the apparatus including a first container having an input for the reception of a first one of the constituents, an output, and advancing means for advancing the first constituent through the output. The apparatus further includes a second container having an input for the reception of a second one of the constituents, an output, and advancing means for advancing the second one of the constituents through the output of the second container. The apparatus includes a third container having an input opening for receiving the first and second constituents from the respective outputs of the first and second containers, and the third container further includes an output and mixing means for blending the first and second ones of the constituents into a blended air-free mixture and for advancing the blended mixture through the output of the third container.

Abstract: A processing vessel for mixing a liquid containing solid pieces comprises a container having a top opening and a hemispherical bottom portion, a horizontal or inclined agitator drive shaft extending into the container and a substantially circular agitator mounted on the drive shaft for rotation therewith. The agitator comprises a pair of substantially annular semicircular blades, each formed with an internal segment-shaped web and carrying at its outer periphery a plurality of scrapers which are shaped to conform to the shape of the hemispherical bottom portion of the container and are attached to the blade so as to be capable of limited pivotal movement. First and second coaxial agitator drive shafts may be provided, each shaft carrying a respective part of a two-part agitator.

Abstract: A slush dispenser having a container of flavored slush or the like is provided with first and second blades rotatable in opposite directions within the container by a single motor. The container and blades are removable without the need for tools to facilitate maintenance and cleaning.

Abstract: In a mixing machine which has three sets of mixing blades, disk means for driving the sets one above the other, and all said disk means adapted to rotate about a vertical shaft in horizontal planes and to be driven by a single motor and wherein the disk of the middle set of blades is constructed to rotate in the opposite direction to the other two, a drive comprising a gearing unit protected by cover means is provided which is adapted to drive all the sets of blades from said vertical shaft. Said drive means comprising, gearing, disk means, cover, etc., is combined into a single unit so that it can be replaced as a unit.