Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating and recovering catalyst and oil from a catalyst/oil mix, using the steps of mixing the catalyst/oil mix with a solvent for the oil and dissolving the oil in the solvent, separating the catalyst from the solvent and dissolved oil and recovering the catalyst as a wet powder, and separating the dissolved oil from the solvent, whereby both the oil and the solvent are recovered in reusable form.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic breadmaker having a pan which is longer than it is wide. Such pan has a pair of pivot-mounted collapsible kneading members spaced horizontally along the bottom of the pan. Each kneading member is coupled to a separate drive shaft extending up through the pan bottom and both shafts are powered by a motor and drive linkage. For easy attachment to and removal from its drive shaft for washing, each kneading member has a hub which forms a grip member. The new breadmaker facilitates automatic preparation of a loaf of normal configuration, having a curved or "crown-like" risen topside extending along its length.

Abstract: A conching device comprising at least one rotor shaft (4) having conching tools (5) is subdivided by partition walls (10, 11, 12) into compartments (13-16), so that in these compartments (13-16) different formulations can be conched simultaneously. The through holes for the rotor shaft (17) across the partition walls (10, 11, 12) between the compartments (13-16) are sealed by means of Belleville spring washers (18) such that no transport of chocolate paste can take place from one compartment (13-16) to another. Since the conching device comprises only one driving mechanism 8 and only two bearing units (6, 7) for each rotor shaft (4), there results a cost- and space-saving device, which can be employed in a manifold way. Thus, different formulations can be conched in the different compartments, which formulations can be processed parallely or at different times, by way of example.

Abstract: A spreader apparatus is disclosed for spreading manure. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the manure. The container also defines an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the manure. A rotatable feed auger is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the manure through the container. The feed auger has an axis of rotation which extends through the container. A rotatable discharge auger is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed auger for moving the manure towards the outlet. The discharge auger has a further axis of rotation which is disposed spaced and parallel to and laterally below the axis of rotation of the feed auger.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing materials. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the materials. The container also defines an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the materials. A rotatable feed auger is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the materials through the container. The feed auger has an axis of rotation which extends through the container. A rotatable mixing auger is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed auger for mixing the materials within the container. The mixing auger has a further axis of rotation which extends through the container. The further axis of rotation is disposed spaced and parallel relative to the axis of rotation of the feed auger. The container also includes a base which has a first portion which co-operates with the feed auger and a second portion which co-operates with the mixing auger.

Abstract: A spreader apparatus is disclosed for spreading manure. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the manure. The container has a first and a second end zone with the first end zone defining an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the manure. A rotatable feed device is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the manure through the container. The feed device has an axis of rotation which extends through the end zones of the container. A rotatable discharge device is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed device for moving the manure towards the outlet. The discharge device has a further axis of rotation which is disposed spaced and parallel to and laterally below the axis of rotation of the feed device. The arrangement is such that when the feed and discharge devices are rotating, all of the manure within the container is fed at a substantially constant rate towards the outlet.

Abstract: In a conching device (1), a covering hood (7) is arranged above the opening (6) of the trough (2), which prevents the chocolate paste from being thrown out of the opening (6) during the conching process. The bottom side of the covering hood (7) is continuously cleaned by a wiper (15) by means of a periodic forward and backward movement. An electric motor (18) or a fluidic swivel drive (18) is used for driving the wiper.

Abstract: A continuously operating conching machine (1) according to the invention is divided into a plurality of compartments (10-12) divided by at least one partition wall (8), transfer of the material from one compartment (10-12) to the next being effected via at least one opening (e.g. 16) in the particular partition wall. However, with a conching machine continuously processing the chocolate paste, it is possible expediently to carry out a method according to the invention, in which additives are added only batchwise to the essentially continuously processed chocolate paste, in order to permit more accurate metering.

Abstract: Disc reactors with large free useful volume which clean themselves kinematically, consisting of two or more parallel shafts, rotating in the same or opposite directions, on which are located axially staggered, circular discs with scrapers distributed over their periphery, and an enclosing casing.

Abstract: A continuously-operating kneading machine for food products includes a channel-shaped element along which the mixture is advanced and a plurality of kneading tools disposed in the channel-shaped element so that the product advancing along the channel-shaped element encounters them in succession. The kneading tools are rotatable about axes substantially transverse the direction of advance of product along the channel-shaped element.

Abstract: A spreader apparatus is disclosed for spreading manure. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the reception therein of the manure. The container has a first and a second end zone with the first end zone defining an outlet for the discharge therethrough of the manure. A rotatable feed device is disposed within and co-operates with the container for feeding the manure through the container. The feed device has an axis of rotation which extends through the end zones of the container. A rotatable discharge device is disposed within the container and co-operates with the container and the feed device for moving the manure towards the outlet. The discharge device has a further axis of rotation which is disposed spaced and parallel to and laterally below the axis of rotation of the feed device. The arrangement is such that when the feed and discharge devices are rotating, all of the manure within the container is fed at a substantially constant rate towards the outlet.

Abstract: A horizontal-type biaxial kneader for rubber kneading and such operation. It comprises two mixing chambers provided in juxtaposed relation, which mixing chambers are connected through an interposed region below a ram and above a bridge, and rotary shafts each equipped with a rotor blade including at least two blade wings, which rotary shafts are provided in parallel to each other within the two mixing chambers, so that the content of the mixing chambers is interchanged between the mixing chambers by rotating the rotor blades in directions opposite to each other. The rotor blades have a cross-sectional configuration characterized in that a scrape angle on the rear side of the tip of each blade wing is made larger than a bite angle on the front side of the same.

Abstract: A dual auger development apparatus for use in an electrostatographic reproduction machine such as copier or printer, includes a pair of identical single piece auger devices and each having a shaft and a plurality of integrally formed partial blade members so as to require no assembly of the blades to the shaft. Each auger device includes a radially extending cross-mixing vane which is integrally formed on the shaft. The cross-mixing vane formed as such is spaced circumferentially from the edges of the partial blades and extends continuously the full length of the shaft within the development housing. The cross-mixing vane includes a first length portion and a second length portion, The first length portion has a radial extension that is coextensive with that of the blade members and which is greater than that of the second length portion.

Abstract: A method of treating sewage sludge is provided, in which the sludge is mixed with an alkaline material in such a way as to provide intimate surface contact that enables the alkaline material to permeate even small particles of the sludge, and to deliver the resultant product in a granular, scatterable form. The sludge and alkaline material are delivered to a mixing chamber and are confronted therein with a screw type mixer having generally helical flighting carried by a shaft, with the mixer being rotatably driven in generally horizontal arrangement to convey the mixture toward an outlet, with the mixture that is being mixed being maintained at a level in the mixer such that a spiral rolling action is imparted to the sludge and alkaline additive by the flighting engaging particles of sludge and rolling those particles up over the rotating shaft of the screw mixer.

Abstract: A food processing vat having an outer shell and an inner vessel to contain a food product with a chamber therebetween includes a contoured bottom having a high point and a low point wherein the food product naturally gravitates toward the low point which a drain may be connected for draining the food product from the vessel. Agitation means in the vessel include a lower blade assembly which is adapted to conform substantially to the contoured bottom of the vessel. Heating means disposed in the chamber between the vessel and the outer shell provide for uniform heating of the vessel and the food product contained therein.

Abstract: A curdling tank includes two upright, mutually intersecting, circular tank sections, each of the circular tank sections having a concentrically operated stirring system. The bottom portions of each of the circular tank sections are shaped to include sloping sides to form respective concentric bottom grooves with a downwardly pointed cross section, the lowermost portions of the grooves meet or overlap each other midway between the two shafts. The grooves are arranged in the shape of a figure of eight and the grooves achieve an effective emptying through a single outlet.

Abstract: A mechanism for drying and frying meat including a pot supported on a base for receiving the meat to be dried and fried, a tube rotatably disposed on the upper portion of the pot, a stirrer coupled to the tube by a pair of beams and rotatable along the curved inner surface of the pot, a rod rotatably supported between the beams, a number of extensions fixed on the rod and rotatable about the rod in order to stir the meat received in the pot.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing walls from earth and sand mortars includes making a mortar mixture containing a dry aggregate mass of between 15 and 50% by mass of earth and between 85% to 50% by mass of sand, bonding materials in a mass of at most 10% of the dry aggregate mass, and water in a mass of at most 22% of the total dry mass of earth, sand and bonding materials, stirring the mixture continuously and transferring while stirring the mixture by force into an inlet of a pump, and pumping the mixture from the pump and projecting the mixture within a framework against a vertical projection support and allowing the mixture to set.

Abstract: A starch based adhesive is made in an agitator tank which has a first rotatable propeller shaft with a plurality of propellers distributed along the length thereof. Each of at least some of the propellers is surrounded by an apertured shroud, which could be made of expanded metal or the like, for example. Above the propeller shaft is a second rotatable shaft having a plurality of high speed shearing blades affixed thereon. The two shafts are preferably driven by separate motors, the shearing blades being driven by a motor having approximately 4-5 times the power of the motor driving the propeller shaft in order to impart a comparably larger amount of energy to the slurry via the shearing blades as compared to the energy imparted by the propellers.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing materials of various consistencies includes a pair of mixer shafts having radially extending blades thereon for mixing the material as the shafts rotate. Each shaft is driven by a hydraulic motor and the hydraulic motors are located in separate hydraulic fluid circuits. The relative rotational orientation of the shafts to each other is controlled by appropriate control of the separate hydraulic fluid circuits. In addition, a mixer body incorporating the mixer shafts is suspended from a frame of the apparatus by means of cables such that the mixer body may be lifted and lowered relative to the frame. The mixer body is provided with an aperture through which material may be loaded into the body and through which material may be emptied out of the body by actuating the cables to rotate the body to an inverted position.

Abstract: A continuous mixer having a series of end-to-end mixing compartments each with two parallel shaft-driven agitator ribbons arranged for folding a product into the middle and for end-to-end mixing, as in a batch mixer. As the product is being mixed in each compartment it is gradually and continuously transferred at a controlled rate to the next compartment for further mixing. The completely mixed product in the last compartment is discharged continuously at a rate substantially equal to the rate of transfer between compartments. The mixer has steam jackets for heating each of the compartments so that the mixer may be used for cooking. By adjusting the steam pressure, the amount of heat going into each compartment can be controlled to suit the heating requirements of a variety of products. For example, the compartments may be heated to progressively higher temperatures to prevent burn on.

Abstract: Described herein is an internal mixer of the type including a mixing chamber rotatably accommodating mixing rotors therein, a hopper frame erected on the mixing chamber, a charge hopper provided on one lateral side of the hopper frame for charging a mixing material therethrough, and a floating weight provided in the hopper frame for upward and downward movements therein, the floating weight being held in an upper lifted position when charging a mixing material into the mixing chamber and then lowered into a pressing position in a mixing stage to apply pressure on the charged material in the mixing chamber, wherein the floating weight is dimensioned to have an axial length sufficient for closing an inlet opening formed in the side wall of the hopper frame in communication with the charge hopper, when in the lower pressing position, and lift means for lifting the floating weight up and down in the hopper frame is provided separately from a pressing means with a function of pressing the floating weight resilient

Abstract: A process produces a paste with improved workability. At least 30% by volume of the paste when cured under ASTM conditions crystallizes into monolithic crystals of calcium silicate hydrate exhibiting a unique crystalline structure and having improved compressive strength.

Abstract: Plug flow through a series of tanks in fluid communication is effected by the addition of radial flow impeller means to at least one of the tanks. Plug flow through the tanks allows for sufficient residence time in the series of tanks to effect complete hydration of a hydratable gel for using in well treatment operations such as fracturing, acidizing and gravel packing.

Abstract: A mixing machine operable to receive quantities of waste material and an inert material in separate hoppers for conveyance to a mixing chamber for uniform mixing thereof in prescribed ratios is disclosed wherein each hopper is provided with rearwardly directed augers to pull material away from the opening from the hopper to the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes a rotatable flail rotor operable to engage the supplies of materials being fed thereto and effect a mixing thereof prior to being discharged to a mixing auger for final mixing of the two materials before discharge from the machine. Each component of the machine is hydraulically driven to provide independent operation thereof relative to any other component of the machine. An additive hopper is also provided to discharge a selected amount of an additive into the mixing chamber for selective neutralization of the waste material.

Abstract: A food mixing appliance having two sets of rotatable spindles, each set detachably receiving a pair of mixing implements which are retained by a manually operable retainer slidably movable in two directions to permit sequential insertion and retention of both implements in either pair. The appliance further including a detachable connection between a mixing head and a support column including an axle having a cutaway portion separating two journal portions, which axle is engaged by parallel spaced walls and a retaining wall extending from one of such spaced walls a distance equal to said cutaway portion.

Abstract: A dual-spindle blender includes a container having two intersecting lobes forming a figure-eight cross section with a cutter blade assembly disposed centered in each lobe. The bottom of one of the lobes is lower than that of the other lobe so that, when small quantities of material are treated, it preferentially falls into the lower bottom to produce a deeper pool which can be operated on by the associated cutter blade assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the cutter blade assemblies are at the same height and are spaced with their planes of rotation non-intersecting. In another embodiment of the invention, the cutter blade assemblies are displaced in height, whereby the blades are offset from each other. In this embodiment the offset of the blade heights optionally permits their planes of rotation to intersect without suffering blade strikes.

Abstract: A dough developer is provided having an elongated chamber and a pair of dough conditioning rotors extending axially of the chamber. An inlet and an outlet are provided at respective opposite ends of the chamber to permit dough to be pumped through the chamber. A plurality of conditioning bars are mounted on a respective shaft of each rotor and extend radially outward therefrom with these bars axially disposed as between the two rotors so that bars revolve in overlapping planes. Each of the conditioning bars is of a U-shaped configuration formed from a cylindrical rod with the conditioning bars disposed in planes extending substantially axially relative to the rotors.

Abstract: Four-wing, non-intermeshing rotors are optimized for synchronous rotation to be driven by synchronous drive means at a constant 180.degree. phase angle, there being two long wings and two short wings on each rotor. A first long wing and first short wing originate at a first end of each rotor, and a second long wing and second short wing originate at the second end of each rotor, the helix angle "A" being the same for all wings on both rotors, and being in the range from about 10.degree. to about 50.degree.. The axial length l.sub.1 is the same for all long wings, the axial length l.sub.2 also being the same for all short wings. Each rotor has a transition zone opening between the termination of a short wing and the termination of the next succeeding long wing relative to the direction of rotation, the next succeeding long wing originating at the opposite end of the rotor from the short wing.

Abstract: A paint tinter system includes a plurality of canisters disposed in a circle about a rotatable plate. An orbiting plate, driven by a single motor, is connected to drive arms, each of which is connected to a crank arm of a stirrer in one of the canisters. The connection is made through a lost-motion device in a cap covering each canister. The cap captures the end of the drive arm, whereby the cap may be removed and hinged out of the way for providing access to the canister. An impeller is freely mounted for rotation in a socket in the bottom of the canister. The upper end of the impeller is driven by engagement between a pair of driver bosses rotated by the crank and edges of a top plate on the canister. Thus, when the cover is removed, the impeller may remain unmoved or be lifted from the socket for cleaning.

Abstract: A back-pressure bearing arrangement for a twin-screw extrusion device which prevents any back-pressure forces from affecting a gear arrangement used for driving the screws. By disposing the back-pressure bearings between the gear arrangement and the housing of the extrusion device and by providing a bearing plate, which is supported by adjustment bolts or tension rods, the bearings are frictionally disconnected from the gear arrangement housing and the back-pressure forces of the screw shafts are effectively prevented from adversely affecting the gear arrangement.

Abstract: A device with vertical buoyancy tanks fitted to its upper part is provided with rotors which generate horizontal and vertical propulsion, and which stirs the liquid uniformly as it moves freely through a liquid storage tank, thereby preventing the accumulation of sludge. The vertical buoyancy tanks stabilize the stirrer and provide a restoring force if the stirrer is upset. The stirrer is fitted with an ultrasonic wave emitter, and ultrasonic receptors are installed at several positions in the liquid tank. An ultrasonic pulse is emitted after a certain interval when the stirrer is at rest on the bottom of the tank. The position of the stirrer is computed for each pulse emission, and the average is taken to give the actual position of the stirrer.

Abstract: A slaker includes a substantially straight, circular sidewall, a substantially flat bottom, and a top. A solid and a liquid feed inlet are disposed at the top of the vessel and an outlet is disposed at the bottom of the vessel. Apparatus is provided for mixing the solid and the liquid within the vessel at high speed and separate apparatus is provided for sweeping the bottom and sidewall of the vessel at low speed. The mixing apparatus and the sweeping apparatus apply substantially only horizontal forces to the solid and the liquid being mixed within the vessel. The slaker further includes apparatus for recirculating at least a portion of the solid and the liquid being mixed within the vessel which flows through the outlet and apparatus for discharging the resultant mixed solid and liquid from the slaker.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a pair of agitator blades which have a plurality of annular members connected to each other and which are provided in parallel in a cylindrical vessel body, the agitator blades being held so that the edges of one of the agitator blades enter the rotational region of the other agitator blade and pass therethrough. Consequently, the invention prevents liquid to be treated from adhering to and rotating together with rotational shafts and the agitator blades and deterioration in product quality due to scaling so as to enable the continuous treatment of a highly viscous material.

Abstract: An improved agitator structure for use in mixers for baking dough and other such food products and the like providing for improved mixing performance and speed, and useable in single-agitator or multiple-agitator embodiments, comprises an open, "shaftless" structure which incorporates straight and flat (i.e. planar) mixing blades as opposed to twisted or other complexly-curved blades, and incorporates a pair of mutually-spaced hubs aligned with one another along an axis of rotation, a pair of mutually-spaced mixer blades located generally on opposite sides of the rotational axis and extending generally longitudinally thereof along a different portion of such axis, with each such mixer blade disposed at a longitudinal angle with respect to such axis and each being connected to at least one of the hubs for rotation therewith about said axis.

Abstract: In a feeder assembly for highly viscous particulate material, a hopper is provided with two pairs of counterrotating agitators, one pair being disposed above the other. Each agitator is provided with a plurality of blades or paddles located in planes extending radially and longitudinally relative to the respective axis of rotation. Each blade or paddle in turn comprises a plurality of transverse rods equispaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the respective agitator, as well as a longitudinally extending rod connected to the outer ends of the transverse rods. The agitators are driven so that the portions thereof at the nips of the respective agitator pairs move upwardly away from the outlet of the hopper.

Abstract: A mixer having an elongate barrel with an interior wall defining a mixing chamber, at least a pair of shafts extending axially within the barrel driven in the same direction of rotation and at the same speed of rotation, and mixing elements on each of the shafts. Radially opposite paddles are on each of the shafts, each comprising hub portions and wing portions radially spaced from the hub portions. The wing portions extend axially to overlie the hub portions and each wing portion has a radially inner surface generating the configuration of the radially inner surface of a wing portion on the radially adjacent paddle and further has a radially outer surface generating hub portions of the radially adjacent paddle, and the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal stirring apparatus for treating loose particles or workpieces, comprising a work vessel and a rotary stirring disc on the floor of the work vessel, is characterized in that at least two work vessels comprising stirring discs are arranged adjacent one another and connected with one another via a common overflow opening. The particles or workpieces to be treated may pass directly from one work vessel to the next through such overflow openings and finally exit from the last vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing animal feeds and the like comprises a rotor having two opposing end assemblies connected by a center shaft for rotation within a mixer box. A flighted outer auger is mounted in the terminal portion of each set of corresponding radial arms of each end assembly, parallel to the center shaft. Each outer auger is rotated by drive means within the first hollow rotor end assembly, powered by a high speed drive shaft, and the entire apparatus is rotated by a low speed drive shaft. The drive shafts extend from opposing end assemblies and are coaxial to the center shaft. An optional center auger or optional intermediately spaced augers, parallel to the center shaft, are rotated by drive means within the second end assembly, driven by one or more outer augers.

Abstract: An apparatus for generally cleaning large and substantially flat objects such as serigraphic printing frames is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially flat vat covered by a lid and adapted to receive a cleaning liquid up to a predetermined level, a number of motor driven paddles located in the vat and having horizontal paddle blades located approximately at the predetermined level and mounted on vertical shafts so as to be rotatable to splash liquid upwardly, and supporting means for the substantially flat objects which comprises an open carrier grate structure mounted horizontally at a level between the paddles and the lid. The paddle blades are specifically shaped to perform an improved splashing function.

Abstract: A centrifugal stirring apparatus for treating loose particles or workpieces, comprising a work vessel and a rotary stirring disc on the floor of the work vessel, is characterized in that at least two work vessels comprising stirring discs are arranged adjacent one another and connected with one another via a common overflow opening. The particles or workpieces to be treated may pass directly from one work vessel to the next through such overflow openings and finally exit from the last vessel.

Abstract: A cheese kettle (1) is used for the separation of whey from the cheese mix and the comminuting of the cheese mix into curd particles takes place. The cheese kettle (1) is composed of two side-by-side, substantially cylindrical parts (3), located so that they partly interpenetrate, and each provided with rotary tools (2) treating the cheese mix. It is essential that the cylindrical parts (3) of the kettle (1) are inclined towards each other so that their interpenetration increases in the upward direction. The kettle bottom (7), includes circular segments substantially at right angles to the axes (4) of the cylindrical parts (3), and slope towards the draining aperture (10) in the center of the bottom, whereby the kettle is emptied without any need to tilt it specifically, and the tools (2) in the kettle can be so shaped that their sides follow, during rotation, the bottom and sides of the kettle, whereby the cheese mix is given a complete mixing and comminuting treatment covering all parts of the kettle.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for treating materials which are capable of flow, comprising a container (1) which rotates about is central axis (5) which is inclined with respect to the vertical, with a wall and/or bottom scraper plate (2) which is arranged substantially stationarily with respect to the cylindrical inside wall of the container (1), a discharge opening (3) disposed in the bottom of the container (1) and a rotating tool (6) which engages into the material. To reduce the amount of power consumed, while giving good treatment effects, and to enhance the output of the machine, with respect to the available volume in the machine, it is proposed according to the invention, that the container (1) is driven at a sub-critical speed of rotation, the rotating tool (6) is arranged exclusively at the downstream side of the apex, that the space on the upstream side is free of fittings therein and that the scraper plate (2) is disposed in the vicinity of the apex of the container (1).

Abstract: At least two levels of mixing, one adjacent the top of the vessel and one adjacent the bottom of the vessel are provided and individually driven at appropriate speeds to produce a single flow pattern in the fluid in the vessel. The bottom mixing apparatus is preferably a single large diameter impeller whereas the top mixing apparatus includes a plurality of smaller diameter impellers positioned equally distant from and symmetrical about the lower impeller's vertical axis of rotation. Each of the impellers have a converging flow field exiting the impeller.

Abstract: An upright red wine fermentation tank has a substantially circular cross-section taken vertically to its cenhter plane (24). An agitator is arranged in the tank 10. The agitator can be rotated about at least one preferably horizontal shaft (20), and its agitator elements sweep at least through a substantially spherical volume.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling a slurry contained in a tank having a slurry inlet and a slurry outlet. The tank has an open top, and a framework on which a plurality of buckets are mounted is located in the tank for rotation about a central axis through a shaft mounted on the upper margins of the tank. The buckets move along a circular path and into the tank to scoop settled particles on the bottom of the tank and then to lift the particles out of the slurry. In one form of the apparatus, the particles are dropped back into the slurry in the tank to thereby eliminate the growth of settled particles on the bottom of the tank to achieve uniform particle concentrations in the slurry. In another embodiment, the apparatus operates as a thickener in which the particles are unloaded from the buckets exteriorly of one side of the tank and carried away by a launder while the liquid in the tank overflows the tank at the opposite side thereof.

Abstract: A quantity of water deposited on sand particles is adjusted to a predetermined value by utilizing a method and apparatus disclosed having a hopper through which the sand particles to be treated are supplied. A velocity energy is imparted to the particles to project them in a predetermined direction, thereby causing the particles to collide against rotating drums. As a result of the collision, a portion of a quantity of water initially deposited on the particles is removed therefrom and transferred to the drums, which is thereafter separated from the drums by a centrifugal force created by rotation of the drums. A plurality of notches or slits may be formed to axially extend along the periphery of the drums so that the deposited water moving along the periphery will tend into contact with be separated therefrom when it comes to one of the notches or slits. An air jet stream passing through the respective slits to the outside will function to facilitate the water removal from the periphery of the drums.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing or homogenizing viscous material is disclosed. Stirrers, comprising multiple vane mixing blades are mounted on a pair of parallel shafts in corresponding spaced apart parallel tiers. Each vane has a working surface inclined relative to the shaft and offset relative to the vanes of an immediately adjacent blade. One shaft is advanced relative to the other so that the vanes intermesh. The inclination of the vanes in one blade is mirrored in sense to the other blade on the adjacent shaft, and the shafts are rotated in opposite sense so that the stirrers in each tier pump the material in the same relative direction when the shafts are so rotated.

Abstract: An automatic dough-producing system including a controllable mixing stage into which are fed flour and a dough-forming solution to produce a paste which is then supplied to a development stage yielding dough. In the development stage, the incoming paste is fed through a lateral inlet to a screw rotating within an elongated tube at a variable speed, the inlet position being adjustable along the screw to vary the length of that portion of the screw which acts to knead and develop the paste to produce the dough, this adjustment being independent of the mixing stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the capacity of paddle screw mixer conveyors based on creating a dam of mixed particulate material and another substance at the outlet end of the mixer. A second embodiment uses two counter rotating shafts of paddles to increase mixing efficiency. Methods of grain treatment utilizing the mixer are illustrated.