Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to activate, modify, and sanitize the surfaces of granular, powdered, or seed material placed in a continuous flow of a low-temperature, reduced-pressure gas plasma. Said plasma may be created with radio-frequency power, using capacitive-inductive, or a combination of both types of discharge. The plasma is generated at pressures in the 0.01 to 10 Torr range. RF frequency ranges from 0.2 to 220 MHz, and correspond to a plasma density between about ne×108-ne×1012 or 0.001 to 0.4 W/cm3. Inserts and electrodes may be temperature controlled to control process conditions. RF discharge may be pulsed or modulated by different frequency in order to stimulate energy exchange between gas plasma and process material. The apparatuses may be grounded, biased and mechanically activated (e.g., vibration, rotation, etc.).

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing frozen desserts has a mixing chamber, and a spindle with driving portion for rotating the spindle. The mixing chamber has two main parts having a funnel and a top chamber forming a closed mixing chamber when brought together. The spindle is accommodated through the top chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for preparing rubber compositions where those rubber compositions comprise at least one telechelic polymer and at least one filler. The methods make use of a mixer that includes a mixing chamber and at least one rotor with wings of specified configuration. Use of the disclosed methods yields a rubber composition with improved properties including an improved dispersion index after master batch mixing as compared to the same rubber composition mixed using standard 4 wing mixers.

Abstract: What is described is a twin screw extruder having two extruder screws (10, 34), each extruder screw (10) having a cylindrical core (12) and at least one web (14) running helically over the periphery of the outer cylinder face of the core (12), the surface of the web (14) comprising a peripheral side (18) and two flanks (22, 24), and a channel (30) being formed between adjacent web windings. The flanks (22, 24) of the web (14) have a waved progression in the peripheral direction.

Abstract: A liquid phase reactor comprising a screw within a barrel, the screw and barrel being relatively rotatable and defining a mixing zone therebetween, the barrel having at least two inlets for introduction of components for mixing into the barrel and an outlet for discharge of a product of mixing from the barrel, the screw comprising a spiral groove whereby relative rotation of the screw and barrel is adapted to axially transport the components between the screw and barrel while mixing the components and to extrude the product through the outlet, wherein the reactor is adapted to achieve a substantially constant flow ratio of components into the barrel during operation of the reactor.

Abstract: A gearbox is provided having an integrated breather system. The output shaft of the gearbox has integrated therein a breather bore with a top port in the top end of the output shaft and a bottom end in the side of the output shaft. The top end is in communication with the atmosphere while the bottom end is in communication with the inner oil reservoir of the gearbox. By incorporating the breather directly into the output shaft, air locking is reduced or even prevented. Further, the distance between the maximum and minimum oil fill levels is increased thereby allowing for a reduction in accidental over or under filling of the gearbox. In addition, accidental spillage of oil into the environment is reduced as the top breather port exists on top of the gearbox and may optionally include a breather line extending further upward. The reduction in air locking allows for increased accuracy in oil filling as well as reduced maintenance on the gearbox.

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.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for introducing a powdery medium into a fluid includes a mixing vessel that can be filled with a fluid and a metering unit for the powdery medium. The metering unit has an inlet for the powdery medium, an inlet for a compressed gas and an outlet extending towards the mixing vessel, through which the powdery medium and the compressed gas can be discharged into the mixing vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device and method by means of which two solutions that are insoluble or poorly soluble in each other are mixed together into a dispersion. The device consists of at least three helical bars rotating upwards around a shaft and supported on it, so that the support structures between the shaft and the helical rods are set essentially in a horizontal position. The device and method are particularly suitable for mixing solvent extraction solutions used in the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals to form a dispersion.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a powdery medium with a fluid includes a mixing vessel which can be filled with the fluid and which has a feed for the fluid, an inlet for the powdery medium and an outlet for the fluid mixed with the powdery medium, and at least one mixing screen which divides the mixing vessel into a first section which includes the feed and a second section which includes the inlet.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus comprises a device for dispensing discrete morsels of food product, such as confection, the device comprising: a hopper for receiving the morsels, the hopper having a discharge chute for discharging the morsels by means of gravity; and an auger having a drive end for rotatably driving the auger and a discharge end for dispensing the morsels, the helical fighting of the auger communicating with the chute of the hopper. The device is arranged such that the auger is inclined at non-vertical angle, such as an angle of 30 to 60 degrees to the vertical, such that the discharge end of the auger is higher than the drive end of the auger. Also provided is a food processing method comprising dispensing discrete morsels of food product using the food processing apparatus.

Abstract: Improved single screw extruders systems (40) are provided including a single screw extruder (42, 92) as well as an upstream preconditioner (44). The extruders (42, 92) include a single, internal, elongated, helically flighted, axially rotatable screw assembly (52) having one or more improved screw sections (74, 74a, 76). The screw sections (74, 74a, 76) include specially configured flighting (86) wherein adjacent flighting portions (86a, 86b) have smoothly arcuate surfaces (88) extending between the respective flighting portion peripheries (90a, 90b). This flighting design provides smooth, substantially surge-free operation while increasing SME and cook values. The preferred preconditioner (44) has independently controlled mixing shafts (106, 108) allowing the shafts (106, 108) to be rotated at different rotational speeds and/or directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat exchange with radial mixing comprises a trough with two rotatably arranged shafts extending alongside each other, which shafts are each provided with paddles spaced apart in an axial direction with an intermediate distance. The paddles extend substantially in a radial plane with respect to the shafts, and extend in a circumferential direction over at least a part of the circumference. In the circumferential direction, the paddles are at least partly wedge-shaped. Upon opposite rotation of the shafts, successive paddles mesh alternately, thereby forming a gap narrowing again and again. Per shaft, successive paddles in an axial direction are staggered relative to each other in circumferential direction through an angle.

Abstract: A device for extracting and fragmenting substances, especially infectious or malodorous substances, in a laboratory test vessel (3) is provided. The device includes a processing tool (11) and a stirrer element (33). An interior of the laboratory test vessel (3) is subdivided by a sieve (59) into a collection chamber and a processing chamber. The sieve (59) prevents parts of the substances having a defined rain size from reaching the collection chamber (73). A sample can be taken from the collection chamber using a pipette (45) which is passed through the stirrer element (33) and the sieve (59).

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

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

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a powdery medium with a fluid includes a mixing vessel which can be filled with the fluid and which has a feed for the fluid, an inlet for the powdery medium and an outlet for the fluid mixed with the powdery medium, and at least one mixing screw arranged inside the mixing vessel and driven by a rotary drive.

Abstract: A device for extracting and fragmenting substances, especially infectious or malodorous substances, in a laboratory test vessel (3) is provided. The device includes a processing tool (11) and a stirrer element (33). An interior of the laboratory test vessel (3) is subdivided by a sieve (59) into a collection chamber and a processing chamber. The sieve (59) prevents parts of the substances having a defined rain size from reaching the collection chamber (73). A sample can be taken from the collection chamber using a pipette (45) which is passed through the stirrer element (33) and the sieve (59).

Abstract: An apparatus for wet granulating a powder material comprises: —a barrel having a granulation chamber and being provided with a first inlet (1) for receiving said powder material and for supplying it to said granulation chamber and with a second inlet (2) for receiving a granulating liquid and for supplying it to said granulation chamber, said granulation having an aperture (9) for discharge of granules from said barrel, and —a transporting means (S) for advancing said powder material toward the end of said granulation chamber while granulating it with the aid of said granulating liquid, said transporting means (S) comprising a first transport zone (4) at its rear end, an agglomeration zone (5) downstream from the first transport zone (4) and a second transport zone (8) at its front end, said first inlet (1) and said second inlet (2) being positioned above the first transport zone (4), wherein said aperture (9) has a shape tightly fitting the terminal portion of the transporting means (S) for directly discharg

Abstract: An apparatus for frothing a liquid food product is disclosed. It comprises a drive unit (1) and a frothing unit (3). The frothing unit (3) comprises a guide rod (30), which is configured along at least one section as a threaded rod (31). A frothing element (40) is in threaded engagement with the guide rod (30) and can thus be moved along a helical path on the guide rod (30). At least one dog (36, 36?) is driven by the drive unit (1) in a circular motion about the longitudinal axis of the guide rod (30) and in the process entrains the frothing element (40) such that said element is driven to perform a helical motion on the guide rod (30). In this way, the frothing element can perform an up and down motion superimposed on the rotational motion thereof along the longitudinal direction.

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

Abstract: A liquid phase continuous reactor which includes a screw rotatably disposed within a barrel and defining a mixing zone therebetween whereby the relative rotation of the screw with respect to the barrel is adapted to axially transport materials disposed between the screw and the barrel while mixing the components wherein the land surface area between the spiral groove forms at least 50% of the surface area of the screw in a mixing zone.

Abstract: A segmented auger mechanism is mounted in the hopper of a concrete dispensing apparatus used to distribute a hydrated concrete mixture into a horizontally disposed form to manufacture pre-cast concrete structures, such as concrete wall panels used to form a foundation for a residential or commercial building. The auger mechanism is formed of connected segments that can be individually and independently removed from the concrete structure for service and repair. The auger is rotatably supported by a pair of end bearings supported on the opposing end walls of the hopper of the dispensing apparatus, and by at least one interior bearing rotatably supporting a jack shaft having opposing half-round connecting portions for attachment to a corresponding connecting portion on the auger shaft. Removal of a segment of the auger mechanism facilitates the removal of the entire auger mechanism to minimize the down time of the concrete dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A method of extending the life of an extruder screw by affixing tiles of wear-resistant material along the crest of the extruder screw flighting threads, and optionally grinding the hardened material to remove any sharp edges. In another configuration of the present invention, plates of wear-resistant material are secured to the leading edges of the extruder screw threads to further prolong the life of the extruder screw.

Abstract: A device is described for the production of an aerated and mixed product such as a frozen fruit treat. The device includes an auger that has two threaded sections and two separate shaped sections. In addition, the frozen material is fed to the auger in a right angle direction to the axis of the auger. The device results in a product with improved aeration properties and is fully mixed.

Abstract: A vertical mixer assembly for mixing a bulk material having improved wear-resistant is disclosed. The vertical mixer comprises a floor having an upper surface; at least one wall extending from the floor and having an interior surface and an upper edge; wherein the floor and the at least one wall define an open topped mixing chamber having a general tub-shape suitable for receiving the bulk material. The mixing chamber comprising an outlet for egress of mixed bulk material. The vertical mixer further comprises at least one vertical auger positioned in the mixing chamber for mixing the bulk material, the auger having an exterior surface suitable for mixing the bulk material upon operation of the auger; and a non-metallic wear-resistant material coating or covering at least a portion of the mixing chamber. Also disclosed herein are methods of increasing the wear-resistance of a vertical mixer.

Abstract: A process for mixing one or more liquid compositions comprising the steps of: a. providing one or more containers for said liquid composition, wherein said container has a volume capacity of from about 10 ml to about 200 ml; b. filling said one or more container with said one or more liquid composition; and c. stirring said composition with a helical type mixer at a speed of from about 10 rpm to about 750 rpm; wherein at least one of said liquid compositions has a viscosity of from about 0.5 Pa-s to about 20,000 Pa-s.

Abstract: A dynamic helical mixer and a mixing head apparatus using that mixer are disclosed. Highly efficient mixing of two or more component reactive systems that have drastically different viscosities and ratios can be achieved because the mixer provides high shear in a mixing apparatus with a very small hold-up volume in the mixing head. The mixing head utilizes a hydraulic motor to transfer power to the dynamic helical mixer.

Abstract: An embodiment of a screw conveyor includes a rotating shaft and a conveying blade helically formed around and loosely coupled with the rotating shaft. One or both of two edges of the conveying blade is/are only fixed to the rotating shaft, and a gap is provided between the rotating shaft and the conveying blade. Thereby, the conveying blade can be vibrated in a center axis direction of the rotating shaft by rotation of the rotating shaft and conveyed waste developer.

Abstract: An auger mixer for mixing a concrete mix includes an elongated mixer housing having a mixing chamber for mixing the concrete mix therein. A mixing auger is rotatably mounted within the mixing chamber. A bearing assembly mounts one end of the auger shaft to the mixer housing. A seal assembly comprising a stationary seal remains stationary relative to the mixer housing and a rotating seal rotates with the auger. The stationary seal and the rotating seal contact one another to create a seal preventing the concrete mix from exiting the mixing chamber and moving toward the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An auger for vertical mixers includes a forward angled leading edge. The leading edge includes an inner portion, which may or may not be aligned with a radial line extending from the axis of rotation of the auger. The leading edge also includes an outer portion adjacent to the inner portion, which is angled forward of the radial line and extends forward of the inner portion.

Abstract: A blending station apparatus and method includes a foodstuffs storage location where a plurality of individual foodstuffs storage containers are held, a control panel for inputting information into the blending station so that the beverage size and one or more of the various types of foodstuffs, as well as other ingredients such as ice, water, supplements, etc., can be selected to make a drink, a blending container to hold the various ingredients, a mixing location for blending the ingredients to achieve a uniform drink consistency, and a cleaning location to clean the blending container after the blended contents have been dispensed into a container for consumption.

Abstract: An auger device of a vertical mixer is disclosed for mixing animal feed. The auger device includes a core having a first and a second end and flighting which is secured to the core so that in operation of the mixer, when the auger device rotates, the animal feed is mixed. The flighting includes a first portion which is disposed helically around the core such that the feed is urged by the first portion in a direction from the first towards the second end of the core. Additionally, a second portion is disposed helically around the core such that the feed is urged by the second portion in the direction from the first towards the second end of the core. Also, the second portion is interposed between the first portion.

Abstract: A powered in-line blender for mixing additives to sludges or other flowable liquid/solid mixtures. The blender is particularly useful in a method of blending polymer to municipal sewage sludges to improve the dewatering characteristics, and thus improving total costs for dewatering, handling, and disposal.

Abstract: A vertical mixer has a mixing chamber with a vertical auger rotatably mounted therein. The mixing chamber has a side wall and a floor. The side wall has an opening therein that includes part of the floor and is closable by a door. The door includes a segment that is part of the floor when the door is in a closed position. The auger is sized and shaped to partially extend through the opening when the door is open during part of each rotation.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container has a housing and a wall extending away from the housing, the wall defining an opening disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation extending through the housing. Additionally, a substantially horizontally disposed drive pinion is provided which intermeshes with a final driven wheel which is driven by the drive pinion and disposed substantially horizontally within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for processing food waste capable of enhancing the processing performance for food waste relative to a conventional food waste processing apparatus by highly increasing contact area of between food waste and microorganisms due to complete pulverization of food waste. In the apparatus for processing food waste, a chamber is fixed on an upper surface of a table in a main body, a gear part is mounted to a lower surface of the table and a driving motor disposed below the gear part and mechanically connected with the gear part. The conical-shaped screw is disposed in the main body and includes a loading plate, a supporting axle upwardly protruding from an upper portion of the loading plate, a screw thread protruding from an outer surface of the loading plate and a cutter vertically formed at one side of a lower portion of the loading plate. A hollow truncated cone-shaped housing for enclosing the conical-shaped screw is mounted onto the conical-shaped screw within the main body.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and apparatus are provided for accomplishing mixing of chemistries, such as those used in polishing materials used in semiconductor manufacturing. A manifold is provided that combines chemistries with a mixing element, for example, so that the stability of the chemical solution can be maintained so as to facilitate polishing. The mixing element can be oriented in a stationary position, or alternatively, it can be agitated.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitating ice cream in an ice cream vending machine including a screw member rotatably disposed on an inner lower side of a canister, a worm wheel disposed in contact with an upper end of the screw member, rotatably driven by a rotational movement of the screw member, and an agitating member, a lower end of which contacts the worm wheel, and an upper end positioned at an inner upper side of the canister. The agitating member agitates ice cream particles filled in the upper and lower portions of the canister evenly by being resiliently vibrated upward and downward by rotational movement of the worm wheel. Accordingly, by evenly agitating ice cream particles at upper and lower portions of the canister, the bead-shaped ice cream particles are prevented from attaching to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously mixing food products or for continuous high temperature frying on a heat exchange surface. The rotation of an agitator (12) pushes the food product toward the discharge outlet (26) of the apparatus when the agitator is rotated in one direction, and toward the inlet (24) when rotated in the opposite direction. By rotating the agitator slightly longer in the discharge direction than in the inlet direction the product is conveyed gradually and continuously toward the outlet. During the rotation of the agitator in each direction the product is tossed and mixed to promote even frying.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of paper products, such as “cat litter” or paper fuel, comprising reducing paper to a particulate form by shredding and grinding, conveying the particles of paper from a hopper as a layer on a first conveyor firstly beneath a leveling and compacting roller and thereafter beneath a set of water sprayers, before discharging from the conveyor onto a second conveyor with the assistance of a rearwardly baffle plate to invert the layer during transfer. The inverted layer on the second conveyor passes to a third conveyor belt which moves through a ring with has the effect of wrapping the belt over itself and around the mix to form a tunnel enveloping and compacting the mix to form an extrusion. The paper product as extruded is cut into pellets before subjecting the pellets to dehydration. In the case of paper product to be used as paper fuel, the paper is mixed with coal dust.

Abstract: Wear resistant extruder screws and methods for their manufacture are provided. The extruder screws include a base alloy screw body having a plurality of flights, a major outer diameter and a minor inner diameter. Each of the flights includes a pair of flight sides disposed between the major outer diameter and the minor inner diameter. The flight sides and minor inner diameter define a root area proximate to their juncture. The preferred extruder screws of this invention include a bond coating layer having a thickness of about 1-10 mils disposed over a major portion of the extruder screw which includes the root area, and a wear resistant coating layer having a thickness of about 10-100 mils disposed over said bond coating layer. The wear resistant coating layer preferably has an ASTM G65 dry abrasion wear rating of less than 10 mm3/kilometer, or, in further embodiments, the bond coating layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is in between that of the wear resistant coating layer and the base alloy.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.

Abstract: A dynamic mixer is described comprising at least one housing with two or more inlets for the mixing components and an outlet as well as a shaft with a screw thread and a drive means for the rotation of the shaft, as well as a process for the mixing of highly reactive educts. The mixer has a mixing zone in which oppositely directly threaded grooves are present on the shaft and on the internal wall of the housing, and at least one inlet is arranged in the mixing zone with oppositely directed threaded grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel for mixing a cell lysate. The invention also relates to a method of using the vessel to mix a cell lysate in order to obtain high-purity products such as nucleic acids or proteins for use in a variety of applications. The invention also relates to a method for monitoring the degree of cell lysis in a cell suspension by measuring the viscosity of the cell suspension.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring and heat-treating divided solids comprises at least one transfer member (2) having a longitudinal axis (3) and a helical portion (4) mounted to rotate about its own longitudinal axis in a tubular case (1) and connected to the outlet shaft of a rotary drive motor (12). At least the helical portion (4) of the transfer member (2) is made in its bulk of an electrically conductive material, and the transfer member (2) has means (11) for connecting it to an electricity power supply so as to constitute heater means.

Abstract: A food mixer which includes a container having an impeller adapted to be driven by drive means adjacent the lower surface of the container and which impeller is adapted both to cooperate with various mixing devices and to rotate in either the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

Abstract: A mixing and reducing machine with an upward-conveying mixing spiral that rotates around a vertical rotational axle. In order to achieve a more intensive mixing of the mixed good, it is proposed to connect a second mixing spiral in the axial direction after a first mixing spiral, with a transition zone arranged in between. In this way, zones of different axial conveying capacity are connected after each other in the axial direction. In a preferred embodiment form, the mixing spirals are formed of several mixing blades arranged after each other in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: Solids fermentation reactor (SFR), comprising a lockable vertical conical mixer 1, preferably having a spherical lid 9 and at the lower side preferably a spherical valve 3.

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