With Additional Agitator Elements On Screw Patents (Class 366/319)
  • Patent number: 11472089
    Abstract: A mixing element for an extruder screw having a width extending in an x-direction of an x-y-z coordinate system, a length extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction. The mixing element includes a base defining a passage extending along an axis in the y-direction for receiving the extruder screw. Projections extend radially outward from the base and define channels therebetween. The width and the depth of each channel vary along the length of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Vivek Pandey, Sidney Carson, Joao Maia
  • Patent number: 10500805
    Abstract: A substantially dry product is produced by a process comprising the steps of: removing moisture from a raw material having a first moisture content to produce the substantially dry final product having a final moisture content; (b) advancing the raw material longitudinally along and between at least a first screw and a second screw comprising at least a compression zone and a dehydrating zone which are arranged successively within the first and second screws; and (c) entrapping and removing a predetermined percentage of moisture as the raw material moves through the compression zone and dehydrating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Nationwide 5, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Ray Thomas
  • Patent number: 10350809
    Abstract: An improved screw has a shaft having a surface and a central axis and at least one flight extending helically along the surface of the shaft in successive turns. A continuous groove is formed in the surface of the shaft and extends between successive, pushing and trailing, turns of the flight at a selected angle greater than zero. The groove defines at least one generally triangular land having a base aligned with a pushing turn of the flight and an apex between successive turns of the flight. The groove also defines another generally triangular land having a base aligned with a trailing turn of the flight. Barriers or dams may be provided on the lands and in the grooves. A second continuous groove may also be formed in the surface of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Robert F. Dray, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9894916
    Abstract: A pressure device has a rifled barrel, a rifled end cap, a section clamped to the barrel, a circular flange welded to a threaded male pipe connection, a plate with holes or a cone, a female cap receiving the plate and aligning the holes to the rifling in the barrel, and the flange threadily engaging the cap, securing the plate. The rifled barrel provides shearing, increased pressure, and higher temperatures upon the passing crop residue. The increased surface area of the rifling grooves increases temperature and pressure between the crop residue and the barrel wall. The rifling, when misaligned, creates a pressure chamber that further breaks down the molecules in the crop residue. The crop residue then enters a popper device. The pressure in the popper device forces the crop residue through the holes of plate or around an encased cone, relieving excess pressure and producing a nutritional animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventors: Ashot Tumagyan, Hakob Sargsyan, Roza Madoyan
  • Patent number: 9798270
    Abstract: A toner conveying device includes a housing, a screw, a discharging part and a removing member. The housing houses toner. The screw is formed by fixing a vane of a spiral shape to a circumferential face of a rotation axis rotatably supported in the housing. The discharging part is formed to be able to discharge the toner conveyed by the screw, to an outside of the housing. The removing member is elongated from the rotation axis to an outside in a radial direction, rotates with the screw and removes the toner remaining at the discharging part. The removing member is formed in a comb shape formed by continuously forming a recess and a protrusion at a free end part of the removing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 9696654
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming device, a toner concentration detector, a toner supply device, an image density detector, and a controller including a memory device. At a predetermined timing before image formation is started, the controller adjusts a developing potential to adjust an image density of a detection toner image on the image bearer and drives the toner supply device or the developing device to adjust a toner concentration in the developing device. After the image formation is started, the controller drives the toner supply device to adjust the toner concentration, and, in a predetermined sheet interval, adjusts the target concentration based on the image density of the detection toner image formed in a non-image area of the image bearer. When the toner concentration is higher than the target concentration plus a threshold, the controller suspends image formation and readjusts the developing potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakayama, Takuma Higa, Hiroyuki Kunii, Masaki Sukesako, Kazuaki Kamihara, Yuichi Aizawa, Masahiro Katoh, Kohei Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9348263
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer container, a developer bearing member, and a plurality of stirring conveyance members. The developer container includes a plurality of developer conveyance paths and communication sections. At least one of the stirring conveyance members includes a conveyance fin configured to convey the developer toward one of the communication portions. The conveyance fin protrudes from a portion of the stirring conveyance member, the portion being located at a downstream end of the developer conveyance path in terms of a developer conveyance direction in the developer conveyance path. The conveyance fin is inclined at a specified angle to a direction of a rotational shaft of the at least one of the stirring conveyance members so that the developer being conveyed is turned by the conveyance fin in a direction at an acute angle to the developer conveyance direction in the developer conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Iketani, Hideki Takeda
  • Patent number: 9000070
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence E. Hogan, Christopher Robertson, Maria Uhall
  • Patent number: 8960991
    Abstract: A device is provided with which it is possible to produce poly(methyl methacrylate) bone-cement paste, which is degassed to the greatest extent possible, while avoiding large-volume mixing containers and large cement volumes contained therein. The device includes a tubular hollow body (10) having a first opening (30) on the input side and a second opening (20) on the output side, at least one rotatably-mounted shaft (40) arranged in the axial direction in the tubular hollow body (10), thread turns (50) arranged axially along the outer side of the shaft (40), wherein the shaft (40) has at least one section with thread turns (50) whose pitch decreases in the direction of the second opening (20), at least one stirring blade (60) arranged on the shaft (40), and rigid mixing elements (70) arranged on the inner side of the tubular hollow body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Heraeus Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Vogt, Hubert Büchner
  • Publication number: 20150043305
    Abstract: System for the processing of organic waste and products, which is equipped with, at least, one cylindrical cavity (1) of treatment which is arranged with a loading area (12) and a unloading area (13) of waste and an entrance (14) and exit (15) of vapour. Inside the cylindrical cavity (1), a dragging spindle (2) with direction of advance from the loading area to the unloading area is installed. The axis of the dragging spindle is equipped with mixing blades (11) which conform a mixing spindle with a direction of advance opposite to that one of the dragging spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Javier DE LA FUENTE MUNOZ
  • Publication number: 20140306370
    Abstract: A mixing segment for an extrusion apparatus comprises a shaft and a plurality of plow elements aligned along a helical path extending about a rotation axis of the shaft. Each plow element includes an outer peripheral arcuate ramp extending radially outwardly along the helical path from a root to an outer tip of the plow element. Methods of manufacturing a mixing segment and methods of manufacturing a honeycomb structure with an extrusion apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Dispenza, Christopher John Malarkey, Kenneth Charles Sariego, Chauncey James Watches
  • Patent number: 8695613
    Abstract: An external device for cleaning a filtration material and adapted for application to a filtration device, in which the filtration material can be automatically cleaned easily and at low cost without requiring replacement of an existing filtration device with a newly purchased device. An external device for cleaning a filtration material is applied to a filtration device for filtering a supplied unfiltered liquid by layers of a filtration material to remove muddiness in the liquid and discharging the cleaned liquid to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Genryo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Saito
  • Publication number: 20140010039
    Abstract: A system for processing material has a power supply and a machine having a hopper for receiving and passing material to an auger. The auger has a shaft with an axis about which it rotates, a helical flighting mounted to the shaft, pins mounted to the helical flighting, and paddles mounted to the shaft. The radial outer edge of the helical flighting is crenelated with periodic notches that form rectangular blades on the helical flighting. The pins are rotationally and angularly aligned with leading edges of the rectangular blades. The system may include a vehicle, such as a trailer, having first and second compartments separated by a partition. The power supply is located in the first compartment and has a power supply member extending though the partition. The machine is located in the second compartment and coupled to the power supply member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Tony S. Piotrowski, Jack D. Coulter, Bruce A. Hartzell
  • Patent number: 8608367
    Abstract: A screw extruder is presented including a feed hopper for receiving materials and a body member having at least one supply port and at least one outlet port. The screw extruder also includes a screw positioned within the body member and movable along a channel defining a longitudinal axis. The screw extruder further includes a drive shaft for rotatably driving the screw along the channel. The screw extruder may be configured to mix the materials received via the feed hopper with a series of one or more forward, neutral, and reverse kneading elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joo T. Chung, Fumii Higuchi, Santiago Faucher, Joseph L. Leonardo, Brian Andaya
  • Patent number: 8414181
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing material, such as a biomass or fodder for cattle, comprises a container having a bottom and an upright wall, and at least one mixing element comprising an upright column and a mixing blade attached to the column. A front edge of the mixing element at least is proximate to the bottom of the container. The mixing element with its column is rotatably mounted in the container and can be coupled to a drive unit. The mixing blade comprises an element which is rotatably supported on a carrier that is fixed to the column. A part of the circumferential edge of the rotatable element may form the front edge and the part of the outer edge of the mixing blade that joins said front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Trioliet Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Hendricus Liet
  • Patent number: 8408485
    Abstract: A mixer attachment for use with a skid steer. In one embodiment, the mixer attachment includes a mixing tub with a circumferential wall extending between a floor and a rim to define an interior compartment for holding a quantity of material. An auger may be provided that mixes the materials and is driven by a hydraulic drive unit. In some embodiments, one or more material retarders extend into the interior compartment to impede movement of the material within the interior compartment. A discharge chute allows discharge of material from the interior compartment. The mixing tub is movable between a scooping position and a mixing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Milam, Max D. Meyer, Austin M. Carrothers, Robert L. Haecker
  • Publication number: 20120320707
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Janet T. Planet, Darryl Richard Barwick
  • Patent number: 8290407
    Abstract: A toner supply apparatus is installed detachably in an image forming apparatus. The toner supply apparatus includes a container body which accommodates toner, and an agitating member which is disposed inside the container body and is driven to rotate so as to agitate toner. The agitating member includes a drive member which is driven to rotate and a film member which is fixed on the drive member, and the film member covers the periphery of the drive member in a tubular fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Masanobu Maeshima
  • Patent number: 8208837
    Abstract: A developing device includes a conveyance path, a conveyance member, a return path, and a pre-agitation region. The conveyance path conveys a toner while agitating the toner. The conveyance member has a rotational shaft, which is rotatably disposed along an upstream end to a downstream end of the conveyance path, and conveys the toner toward the downstream end due to rotation of the rotational shaft. The return path communicates with the downstream end and an intermediate portion of the conveyance path, thereby forming a circulation path, and returns the toner from the downstream end to the intermediate portion. The pre-agitation region is formed at the upstream end side, extending from the intermediate portion and outside the circulation path, and pre-agitates the toner to be conveyed to the circulation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Iwamura
  • Patent number: 8152358
    Abstract: A system for delivering microingredient feed additives into a feed ration includes a storage hopper with a mixer element attached to an agitator shaft that is configured to agitate a high-moisture feed ingredient in the hopper when the agitator shaft is rotated. A micromachine includes storage containers for storing low-inclusion ingredients, and meters and dispenses precise amounts of selected low-inclusion ingredients without using a fluid carrier. A mixing conveyor receives and mixes the high-moisture feed ingredient and the selected low-inclusion ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Chad Allen Conard, Shalis Winder
  • Patent number: 7967502
    Abstract: A vertical mixer assembly for mixing a bulk material is disclosed. The vertical mixer assembly comprises a floor having an upper surface; at least one wall extending from the floor and having an interior surface and an upper edge; the floor and the at least one wall defining an open topped mixing chamber having a general tub-shape suitable for receiving the bulk material; at least one vertical auger positioned in the mixing chamber for mixing the bulk material, the auger having a flight suitable for mixing the bulk material upon operation of the auger; an opening in the mixing chamber for allowing egress of the bulk material, the opening having a wall portion and a floor portion; and a door assembly. The door assembly allows for more consistent unloading of the mixed bulk material and for quicker unloading of the mixed bulk material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Jay-Lor International Inc.
    Inventor: Jakob R. Tamminga
  • Publication number: 20110121114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer that includes at least one multi-flighted auger for mixing together materials, especially livestock feed. The multi-flighted auger rotates about a generally vertical axis. The flights include a kicker knife at the bottom and chopper knives around their periphery. The upper surface of the flights may be perpendicular to a shaft about which the auger rotates, or may be concave or slanted generally upwardly to encourage the material being mixed to remain in contact with the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ROTO-MIX, LLC
    Inventors: RODNEY R. NEIER, ALLIN L. BUTCHER, ROSS M. GROENING, MARK T. COOKSEY, CONWAY B. PRICE, JAMES E. SHAFER
  • Patent number: 7938575
    Abstract: A food mixer (1) with a container (3) with side walls (3a) and a bottom (3) is described. The food mixer (1) contains a mixing screw (5) rotating about an axis (5?) extending essentially perpendicularly to the bottom (3b). A support surface (7d) is assigned to the mixing screw and strokes over the bottom (3b) with a leading edge (7a), a flow guiding body (8, 108, 208, 308, 408) projecting upwards from the support surface (7d). To improve and facilitate in a constructionally simple manner a measuring out process, it is suggested to provide the flow guiding body (8, 108, 208, 308, 408) with a guiding surface (10, 210, 310) essentially facing radially outwards which is provided with a point (9) directed to the leading edge (7a) and resting on the support surface (7d) and extends with an increasing height (h) above the support surface (7d) backwards in the sense of rotation (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Trioliet Mullos B.V.8
    Inventor: Cornelis Hendricus Liet
  • Patent number: 7885581
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing the number of toner concentration detection errors caused by variation in the volume of a toner includes a reverse vane for transferring developer in an opposite direction and protruding from the rotary shaft member in a region where a lower side faces a bottom wall of a first transfer chamber and two lateral sides that are orthogonal to the rotary axis direction face respective side walls of the first transfer chamber, and a toner concentration detection sensor is disposed to detect the toner concentration of the developer as the developer is transferred between the reverse transfer vane and a location of the screw vane adjacent to the reverse transfer vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wakako Oshige, Shinji Kato
  • Patent number: 7842221
    Abstract: To produce filled thermoplastic polymers starting from a waste thermoplastic base material, the base thermoplastic material is fed into a container (1) provided with a device for mixing and stirring (2,3) in which the base thermoplastic material is softened, the required filler is fed into said device and stirring is continued to thoroughly blend filler and softened material, subsequently collecting the softened and filled material from said container and subjecting it to an extrusion or other densification step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Magma Trade Di Mauro Magni & C. SAS
    Inventors: Mauro Magni, Giuseppe Delzotto
  • Patent number: 7745208
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and a process for treating biomass bearing material including municipal solid waste (MSW). The apparatus includes a reaction vessel held at an angle and configured for rotation and steam injection, with helically arranged internal flights, a self-aligning door closure, and a swing-away door assembly. It also includes a novel structure for shredding biomass bearing material attached to the edges of the flights. This structure is a number of projecting tooth like points and paddles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony P. Noll
  • Patent number: 7507016
    Abstract: An auger for a vertical livestock feed mixer having an open-top mixing tub is provided. The auger includes two flights to draw in feed components from the bottom of the mixer tub and move them to the top. The trailing edge of the upper auger flight includes an upraised portion to deflect feed components towards the sidewalls of the feed mixer. The leading edge of the lower auger flight includes a kicker plate on the topside of the flight to deflect feed components towards the centre of the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Supreme International Limited
    Inventors: Joel Joseph Huberdeau, Jack Hendriks
  • Patent number: 7449330
    Abstract: A bioreactor apparatus for processing waste, comprising a cylindrical pressure vessel having an inlet end and an exit end, an internally rotating main shaft having spaced apart ends, and a plurality of paddles and agitator bars attached to and extending radially from the shaft. At least some of the plurality of paddles and/or agitator bars extend radially outward from the shaft and form a helical spiral pattern when viewed from either of the spaced apart ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Bouldin Corporation
    Inventor: Floyd E. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 7347616
    Abstract: A vertical feed mixer apparatus has a container for the reception of feed. The container includes a floor, a wall extending away from the floor such that the wall is disposed above the floor. The wall has a top opening disposed remotely from the floor to define an enclosure for feed received through the top opening. The container has a discharge opening in the wall adjacent to the floor. There is at least one auger disposed within the enclosure. The auger includes an auger core with an axis of rotation extending substantially vertically through the floor. The auger has a helical flighting secured to and disposed around the auger core. The auger has at least one swept kicker secured to the auger core or flighting, disposed adjacent to the floor, and configured to discharge the feed through the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kuhn North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Albright
  • Patent number: 7347615
    Abstract: A mixer (1) is described, in particular a feed mixer, has a mixing chamber (3), which is provided with a discharge opening (6) for the mix. A mixing screw (7), driven about a vertical rotating axis (7a), is accommodated in the mixing chamber (3). Furthermore, a rotary driven device (10) is provided for the smoothing of the discharge of the mix at the lower section of the mixing screw (7), and that moves across the discharge opening (6). To further smooth the discharge of the mix, a device (10) has a guide plate (11) with a surface (11a) on which the mix deposits to increase the action of the centrifugal force on the mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Trioliet Mullos B.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas van der Plas
  • Publication number: 20070297284
    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: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: ROTO-MIX, LLC
    Inventors: BENJAMIN R. NEIER, RODNEY R. NEIER, GREGORY R. REIMER
  • Patent number: 7270469
    Abstract: A pigmentation dispenser utilizes a hopper having two rotors therein, a first rotor above a second rotor. The second rotor moves the pigmentation material through an outlet opening and deposits it on a conveyor containing a concrete mix. The concrete mix and pigmentation material are then moved to a mixer which mixes them together. A cleanout is also in communication with the hopper and the second rotor can be reversed to move the pigmentation toward the cleanout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Cemen-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland Goode, Brian D. Lowe, Steven R. Merrill, John C. Eiland
  • Patent number: 7137730
    Abstract: According to the various aspects of the invention, a method and apparatus for mixing electrographic developer is provided. An elongate shaft having two ends and an intermediate location between the two ends is rotated. Developer is moved away from the intermediate location toward one of the ends with an inner helical ribbon mounted concentrically to the elongate shaft for rotation therewith. Developer is moved away from the one of the ends toward the intermediate location with an outer helical ribbon mounted concentrically to the elongate shaft for rotation therewith, the inner helical ribbon is disposed within the outer helical ribbon. Developer is moved away from the intermediate location toward another of the ends with another inner helical ribbon mounted to the elongate shaft for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward Michael Eck, Wendy Sue Buhay-Kettelkamp
  • Patent number: 7083050
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of clarifying and/or thickening a solution containing solids i.e. a slurry, and the apparatus for accomplishing this. Using the method and apparatus of the present invention, the flocculant to be fed into the clarification and thickening equipment is mixed evenly and with a small shear force into the slurry in the feedwell of the apparatus. The feedwell is equipped with a mixing device. The slurry is taken onwards from the feedwell evenly into the clarification tank inside the underflow layer, which enables the separation of a clear overflow solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventors: Bror Nyman, Matti Nuorala
  • Patent number: 7028933
    Abstract: A mixing machine consists of a hopper having a main chamber within its housing with a rotary member, a secondary chamber having a bottom worm conveying the material from one end of the mixing machine to the other end thereof, until collapsing with a loop found on its front portion and generating a material bubble; an upper worm to remove the material bubble and carrying it up to the middle part of the machine. At the middle part of the machine, the material is forced by a loop system having an upper worm to move towards the rotor area, such that the material is actually moving towards the back portion of the machine, completing a mixing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Tormex Industrias, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventor: Javier Villarreal Maiz
  • Patent number: 7004617
    Abstract: A vertical mixer is disclosed for mixing feed materials and the like. The apparatus includes at least two augers which rotate around two respective vertical axes. The augers are dissimilar relative to each other, providing an improved mixing performance. The dissimilarity can include, but is not limited to, direction of rotation and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kuhn Knight Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Albright, Tim Osterhaus
  • Patent number: 6905238
    Abstract: A vertical mixer is disclosed for mixing feed materials and the like. The apparatus includes at least two augers which rotate around two respective vertical axes. The augers are dissimilar relative to each other, providing an improved mixing performance. The dissimilarity can include, but is not limited to, direction of rotation and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Kuhn Knight Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Albright, Tim Osterhaus
  • Patent number: 6848356
    Abstract: An improved ice cream blending apparatus has a hopper support system that incorporates a hopper guidance mechanical linkage that supports the linear motion of the hopper and translates non-linear circular motion of the operating handle into the linear motion of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040252583
    Abstract: A mixer (1) is described, in particular a feed mixer, which comprises a mixing chamber (3), which is provided with a discharge opening (6) for the mix. A mixing screw (7), driven about a vertical rotating axis (7a), is accommodated in the mixing chamber (3). Furthermore, a rotary driven device (10) is provided for the smoothing of the discharge of the mix, the said device being provided at the lower section of the mixing screw (7), assigned to the discharge opening (6). To further smooth the discharge of the mix, it is suggested that the device (10) contains a guide plate (11) with a deposition surface (11a) for the mix to increase the action of the centrifugal force on the mix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Trioliet Mullos B.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas Van Der Plas
  • Publication number: 20040234641
    Abstract: A screw with a heat exchange function is rotatably fit in a barrel, and includes a heat exchange medium chamber located at a center section in the radial direction, running along the lengthwise direction. The chamber stores a heat exchange medium supply pipe supplying a heat exchange medium. The heat exchange medium supply pipe is constituted by split pipes split into two or more sections in the lengthwise direction. Pipe connection joints connect the split pipes with each other while securing such degrees of freedom so that these split pipes can move by predetermined quantity in the lengthwise direction and the radial direction. The screw enables to stably supply a heat exchange medium for a long period without fatigue fracture of a heat exchange medium supply pipe even if the screw is bent during mixing and extrusion of a raw material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kazuyoshi Imuta, Masahiko Kashiwa, Shoji Yasuda, Shin Hotani
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040126453
    Abstract: A screw rotates in a containment barrel, and comprises a shaft having an upstream end and a downstream end At least one flight is secured to the surface of the shaft and extends helically in successive turns around the circumference of the shaft. An upstream barrier member extends radially from the surface of the shaft and generally transversely between successive turns of the flight. The upstream barrier is disposed proximal the upstream end of the shaft. A downstream barrier member extends radially from the surface of the shaft and generally transversely between successive turns of the flight. The downstream barrier is disposed proximal the downstream end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Robert F. Dray,
  • Publication number: 20040008575
    Abstract: A vertical mixer is disclosed for mixing feed materials and the like. The apparatus includes at least two augers which rotate around two respective vertical axes. The augers are dissimilar relative to each other, providing an improved mixing performance. The dissimilarity can include, but is not limited to, direction of rotation and size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: KUHN KNIGHT INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Albright, Tim Osterhaus
  • Patent number: 6658996
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sunbow Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gwang Su Eom
  • Patent number: 6648501
    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: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Huber, Gerald E. Schmelzle, Timothy R. Hartter, Adrian L. Strahm, Michael J. Strahm
  • Publication number: 20030185092
    Abstract: A kneading device kneads a main raw material of high viscosity and a secondary raw material of liquid or powder and continuously delivers a kneaded raw material obtained, and a ropesizer includes a sheet forming unit, and a delivering unit applies a second raw material onto a first raw material, which is elongated into a sheet shape and is conveyed by the sheet forming unit, so as to be in a strand form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Morinaga & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuguo Kimura, Sumio Masukawa, Yoshihiro Ohno, Akishige Kanai
  • Patent number: 6550959
    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: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Huber, Gerald E. Schmelzle, Timothy R. Hartter, Adrian L. Strahm, Michael J. Strahm
  • Patent number: 6536939
    Abstract: A mixing system with a vessel for supplying a liquid and a device for supplying solid pieces to mix with the liquid. The system has an elongate enclosure with a first end opposing a second end. The enclosure defines a chamber in fluid communication with the vessel to receive the liquid. The chamber also has a inlet and an outlet with the inlet being closer to the first end than the outlet. The chamber receives the pieces from the device through the inlet and issues the pieces through the outlet. A motor driven mixing auger positioned in the chamber between the first and second ends rotates a selected direction about a rotational axis to intermix the liquid and pieces. The auger includes a first helical flight between the inlet and the outlet to convey the pieces from the inlet to the outlet when the shaft is rotated the selected direction. The auger also includes a second helical flight between the first flight and the second end to urge the solid pieces in a direction opposite the first flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Becker Underwood, Inc.
    Inventor: David Blue
  • Patent number: 6523994
    Abstract: A screw-threaded impeller 50 having a mixing device 55 thereon is provided in a container 10 of a food processor. A drive unit adjacent the bottom of the container is adapted to move the impeller in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. During rotation, food placed within the container is lifted away from the mixing device when the impeller is rotated in one direction and is directed toward the mixing device when the impeller is rotated in the other direction. The mixing device includes a horizontal cutting blade 52 extending perpendicular to the impeller and a scooping blade 51 extending downwardly at an angle from the impeller. In order to lift over obstacles, the mixing device is spring mounted or can move along the helical protrusion toward the upper end of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Charles Lawson
  • Patent number: 6517232
    Abstract: A system includes a first pump to meter colorant and a second pump to pressurize a mixture of water and the colorant. Also included is a mixer body defining a chamber with an inlet and an outlet and one or more liquid input ports in fluid communication with the second pump to receive the mixture. The chamber receives solid pieces through the inlet and discharges the pieces through the outlet. One or more rotary conveying members are included that are positioned in the chamber to intermix the mixture and the solid pieces and convey the solid pieces from the inlet to the outlet. These members can be rotated by one or more drivers. A process and system for treating cinders are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Becker-Underwood, Inc.
    Inventor: David Blue