Openwork Helical Ribbon Patents (Class 366/320)
  • Patent number: 5411710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing materials, a process for mixing, finishing and de-volatizing polyamide to make 66 nylon and the 66 nylon made by this process. The apparatus comprises an agitator section having an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof; a transfer screw disposed adjacent the outlet of the agitator section; a spiral ribbon extending upwardly from the transfer screw; a ring disposed vertically above the spiral ribbon, at least one baffle disposed vertically above the spiral ribbon and connected to the ring and a wall-wiping spur connected to the ring. Preferably, the apparatus has two baffles--an upper one for pumping the material downwardly and a lower one for pumping the material upwardly. The diameter of each baffle is preferably about 80% of the diameter of the agitator section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: John M. Iwasyk
  • Patent number: 5401402
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: RDP Company
    Inventors: Paul G. Christy, Richard W. Christy
  • Patent number: 5385403
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Knight Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: William S. Knight, Stanley W. Knight, William M. Saunders, Ric S. Joranlien
  • Patent number: 5382092
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a bottom ribbon blade adapted for viscous fluid contents. The mixing apparatus includes a vertically positioned mixing vessel including a cylindrical wall and a bottom wall disposed on a lower portion of the cylindrical wall wherein the bottom wall is of a semi-ellipsoid shape, dished shape, or circular cone shape with an obtuse apex angle and each of the convex surfaces of which is oriented downwardly. An impeller shaft is vertically and coaxially aligned within the mixing vessel and a helical ribbon blade is disposed within the mixing vessel in such a manner as to be rotated by a driving mechanism via the impeller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Shinko Pantec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukimichi Okamoto, Masahiko Kikuchi, Kazutaka Takata, Hisayoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 5358331
    Abstract: A device for continuously blending particulate materials has a central shaft, a plurality of metering elements which are each separately metering a respective particulate material, blending element for receiving and blending the metered quantities of particulate material and including a conveyor formed as an elongate member having a rotating axis coinciding with the axis of the shaft and disposed helically in turns about and concentric to the rotating axis, a drive for rotating the elongate member to trace out an envelope shape of the helically formed elongate member, and a casing accommodating the conveyor and having a discharge and a lower portion conforming to the envelope shape of the elongate member. The conveyor rotates in the casing to generate a conveying direction, and stirring members are provided on the conveyor and extend between some of its turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignees: John William Cruse, Pharmakopius Limited
    Inventor: John William Cruse
  • Patent number: 5354127
    Abstract: An auger conveyor assembly including a helical auger infeed section having interrupted auger flights which communicate with an offset, commonly driven outfeed section including a helical ribbon auger and whereat both augers simultaneously blend the mixture at a controlled speed differential. A surrounding housing includes a formed length of rubberized channelway and means are provided for varying the tilt angle of the housing, whereby the blending rate and contained volume of mixture are controlled relative to an outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventors: William Del Zotto, William Ackerson
  • Patent number: 5312184
    Abstract: Stirring device for machines for the manufacture of ice-cream, of the type with a whipping cylinder (1) with a horizontal axis, provided with a device for extraction of the ice-cream at one head side. The stirrer consists of two stirring blades (7) of helical shape which are arranged diametrically opposite one another and extend over the entire length of the whipping cylinder at a slight distance from the internal wall of same. The stirring blades (7) are supported on a hub (8) which is integral with the operating shaft (9), while there is provided between the two stirring blades (7) a plurality of scraping vanes (11) which are capable of interacting with the internal wall of the whipping cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Carpigiani S.r.l.
    Inventor: Gino Cocchi
  • Patent number: 5299865
    Abstract: The mixer includes a chamber having first and second, side-by-side tub like cavities with first and second rotatable shafts located in the first and second cavities respectively. Each shaft has two ribbon members coupled to the shaft and which extend helically around the shaft along a substantial length of the shaft with the two ribbon members located about 180 degrees apart. The ribbon members of the two shafts do not intermesh but are located close to each other. A drive mechanism is provided for rotating the two shafts in opposite directions to cause the ribbon members of the two shafts to move toward each other below the plane of the two shafts, upward, and away from each other above the plane of the two shafts for mixing the particulate material. The ribbon members of the two shafts cause the particulate material in the two cavities to move in opposite directions along their lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Hayes & Stolz Industrial Manufacturing Company Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Presnell
  • Patent number: 5244584
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of a slurry into a light fraction and a heavier fraction with a rotatable drum separator having a rotatable worm therein driven independently of the drum with an inlet for the slurry into the drum, an outlet for a liquid fraction, and outlet openings adjacent one end of the drum such as in the conical portion for the removal of the heavier abrasive sludge fraction with the openings extending at an angle opposite the direction of rotation of the drum and having wear-resistant inserts in the opening attached to webs beside the openings and removable by being pivoted out through the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Kloeckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventor: Bernd Schlieperskoetter
  • Patent number: 5228775
    Abstract: Improved methods of operating batch or continuous blenders 10 having tub (11) and two agitators (17 and 18) extending parallel to each other, each agitator having horizontal shaft (19) and agitator ribbon (21) wound helically around the shaft. For batch-blending, the two agitator ribbons are wound in the same direction around the shafts, and the shafts are rotated in opposite directions for folding the product into the middle of the tub for mixing. The agitators are periodically reversed in direction of operation to prevent the build-up of product at end corners (36 and 37) of the tub and the consequent mechanical breakdown of ingredients which has occurred with previous blenders. For continuous blending to be carried out in a tub with twin agitators, the agitator ribbons are wound in opposite directions on their shafts. The agitators are rotated in opposite directions to fold the product into the center of the tub for mixing, with both agitators moving the product in the same direction lengthwise in the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell C. Horn, John M. Lennox, III
  • Patent number: 5188808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for maintaining a continuous mixing extending throughout the transversal section of the reactor space in a liquid containing solids and gas, and for simultaneously separating gas or gas and solids from the liquid. The invention also relates to an apparatus whereby the mixing is maintained, and simultaneously at least one phase is removed from the liquid under agitation. In a particularly advantageous fashion the method and apparatus of the present invention are suited for the stirring of bioreactors, as well as to removing gas and solids from the said reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Launo L. Lilja, Valto J. Makitalo, Stig-Erik Hultholm, Bror G. Nyman
  • Patent number: 5187524
    Abstract: A helical spring is disclosed for transporting developer material in an electrostatographic printer. The helical spring rotates within a conduit for transporting developer from a toner dispenser cartridge to the developer toner roll, or from a cleaning station adjacent the photoreceptor to a waste bottle. The spring can be made of twisted or braided wires coated with a protective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Abraham Cherian
  • Patent number: 5186840
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: RDP Company
    Inventors: Paul G. Christy, Richard W. Christy
  • Patent number: 5185081
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing two different phases in a liquid-liquid extraction process and for separating the phases employs a spiral stirrer having two tubular coils for creating homogeneous circulation throughout a mixer. The stirrer rotates at a relatively slow speed to create an upward flow from bottom to top of the mixer near the mixer periphery and a downward flow in the middle of the mixer. The mixer has a flow reversing profile ring and is designed to prevent aeration and formation of an emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Bror G. Nyman, Stig-Erik Hultholm, Launo L. Lilja, Valto J. Makitalo
  • Patent number: 5182087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for maintaining a continuous mixing in a liquid throughout the transversal reactor space, and for simultaneously separating from the liquid either another liquid, a solid material or possibly gas. The invention also relates to an apparatus whereby the mixing is maintained and simultaneously another phase is separated from the liquid under agitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Launo L. Lilja, Valto J. Makitalo, Stig-Erik Hultholm, Bror G. Nyman
  • Patent number: 5178457
    Abstract: A mixer fin such as those fixedly mounted within rotatable drum mixers. More specifically, a mixer fin comprising of a substantially non-metallic, e.g., polymeric, mixer fin such as those used within rotatable drum mixers, for example to mix concrete. The mixer fin having a non-stretchable cord disposed within the fin so as to minimize fin deformation during the mixing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Tandem Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Nashat N. Helmy
  • Patent number: 5152971
    Abstract: High molecular weight, essentially uncrosslinked polychlorophosphazenes are prepared by bulk polycondensing a monomer of the formula P.sub.2 NXCl.sub.2, in which X is an oxygen or sulfur atom, e.g., N-dichlorophosphoryl- or N-dichlorothiophosphoryl-P-trichlorophosphazene, and wherein at least that final stage of polycondensation following cessation of evolution of PXCl.sub.3 is carried out in a stirred reaction zone, such stirred reaction zone including means to prevent the accumulation of polycondensate on the stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Atochem
    Inventors: Joel Bertrand, Philippe Potin
  • Patent number: 5146277
    Abstract: A developer material mixing blender includes a shaft and self-locking segments. Each segment has a hollow hub, an inner ribbon for moving material towards one end, an outer ribbon for moving material in a second stream towards another and opposite end, and an interstream cross-mixing rib for moving material laterally from one to the other of the first and second streams in order to insure good mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Fox, Frederick J. Case
  • Patent number: 5144892
    Abstract: A printing fluid circulating device for use in a printing press having a printing fluid container (32) for containing printing fluid and having a rotatable pickup roller (34) partially submerged in the printing fluid in the container (32). The pickup roller (34) has a surface for picking up printing fluid. The printing fluid circulating device has at least one outer ribbon (10, 12) having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined surface area and at least one inner ribbon (14, 16) also having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined surface area. The diameter of the inner ribbon (14, 16) is less than the diameter of the outer ribbon (10, 12) and the surface area of the outer ribbon (10, 12) is less than the surface area of the inner ribbon (14, 16). Each of the outer and inner ribbons (10, 12, 14, 16) has a substantially helix configuration, the helix configuration of the inner ribbon (14, 16) being opposite the helix configuration of the outer ribbon (10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Garry F. Tupek, John W. Manser, James M. Komaniecki
  • Patent number: 5139176
    Abstract: An apparatus for metered filling of toner from a reservoir into the developing station of an electrophotographic printer device comprises a metering drum in the exit region of the reservoir. A hollow conveyor helix is situated in a conveyor tube above the metering drum. The conveyor helix extends parallel along the metering drum into the toner reservoir. The conveyor helix and the metering drum are coupled in terms of drive corresponding to the metering power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Reindl, Albert Eben
  • Patent number: 5104232
    Abstract: An improved vacuum tumble mixer (10) is provided, the mixer having a horizontal drum (11) with a cylindrical mid-section (12), frusto-conical or dished entry and discharge ends (13, 14), and entry and discharge openings (16, 17) axially into the ends, the drum (11) being rotatable in one direction to tumble products therein and rotatable in the other direction to discharge the contents from the dischage opening. A plurality of primary vanes (26) are secured helically to the interior of the mid-section (12) of the drum, the primary vanes having radial tumbling surfaces (27) to tumble the product and to move the product gently towards the entry end of the drum, the vanes (26) having opposed channel-shaped discharge surfaces (28) which progressively increase in height to convey the products in the drum to discharge chutes (31) that extend helically along the discharge end (14) of the drum to the discharge opening (17). A chilling system (50) can be provided with one or more CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Lennox, III
  • Patent number: 5094543
    Abstract: A paint mixing container comprising a main body (2) of circular cross section with a base (4), side walls and an open top (6). There is a stirring arm (40) comprising a rotatable central shaft (42) with a helical blade (43, 100) rigidly mounted about the central shaft. As well, there is a removable cover (20) with locking means (12, 52, 70, 72, 73) to allow the cover to be attached to the main body. The removable cover has a sealable opening (22, 69) and means (24) to rotatably support the stirring arm in the interior of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Laszlo Mursa
  • Patent number: 5073082
    Abstract: In a hydraulic screw pump, a sealing element for the peripheral edge of the rotary screw. The sealing element is formed with a channel along its length to fit over this edge of the rotary screw. The channel may be varied in depth to adjust the gap between the rotary screw and a water-carrying trough for the pump. The width of the channel may also be adjusted to accommodate rotary screws of varying thicknesses. The sealing element, thus, retains the desired width of the gap even though the edges of the rotary screw are chipped or worn away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventor: Karl-August Radlik
  • Patent number: 5000658
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating high-consistency fiber suspension is especially suitable for short distance conveyances of thick fiber suspensions (consistency more than 15%) in pulp and paper industry, for example for discharge of mass towers either with or without any actual pump. The treatment of fiber suspension with a consistency more than 15% is not possible with the known technique without a displacement type of pump, which is expensive and easy to break. Additionally, in discharging of the mass tower, drop leg, etc., fiber suspension causes trouble by arching in the container in such a way that it forms an open chamber around the pump located at the bottom of the container which chamber is slowly filled by fiber suspension. The problems are solved or minimized by arranging a feed apparatus in the pump chamber, which feed fiber suspension to a fluidizing rotor, for fluidizing the fiber suspension, whereafter the suspension flows onwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventor: Toivo Niskanen
  • Patent number: 4956675
    Abstract: Magnetic brush development apparatus wherein flow of developer material, distributed in balance across the length of the apparatus, is assured. The apparatus includes a sump containing a supply of developer material. A magnetic brush is spaced from the sump. A feed mechanism, located within the housing between the sump portion and the magnetic brush transports developer material from the sump to the magnetic brush. A ribbon blender, located in the sump, agitates and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. The pitch of the blender blades self adjust as a function of developer imbalance. As material builds up, the blades's pitch angles decrease, reducing the rate of material transport toward areas of maximum build up. Thus, for a blender where the desired flow pattern is end-to-end, the end of the other ribbon near the end of the station toward which material is transported by the outer ribbin is self adjusting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 4941132
    Abstract: Improved methods of operating batch or continuous blenders (10) having a tub (11) and twin agitators (17,18) extending parallel to each other, each agitator having a horizontal shaft (19) and an agitator ribbon (12) wound helically around the shaft. For batch blending, the two agitator ribbons are wound in the same direction around the shafts, and the shafts are rotated in opposite directions for folding the product into the middle of the tube for mixing. The agitators are periodically reversed in direction of operation to prevent the build-up of product at the end corners (36,37) of the tub and the consequent mechanical breakdown of ingredients which has occurred with previous blenders. For continuous blending to be carried out in a tub with twin agitators, the agitator ribbons are wound in opposite directions on their shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell C. Horn, John M. Lennox, III
  • Patent number: 4930897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer in which at least one end wall and at least one part of the peripheral wall can be moved relative to one another in such a way that the interior of the mixing vessel is freely accessible from the periphery. Such a mixer is distinguished by a very good cleaning facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventors: Friedrich W. Herfeld, deceased, Ute Herfeld, heir
  • Patent number: 4926390
    Abstract: A paint mixing container comprising a main body (2) of circular cross section with a base (4), side walls and an open top (6). There is a stirring arm (40) comprising a rotatable central shaft (42) with a helical blade (43) rigidly mounted about the central shaft. As well, there is a removable cover (20) with locking means (12,52) to allow the cover to be attached to the main body. The removable cover has a sealable opening (22) and means (24) to rotatably support the stirring arm in the interior of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Laszlo Murzsa
  • Patent number: 4910973
    Abstract: A machine for making ice cream and the like, having a receptacle for receiving liquid ingredients to be used for making the ice cream. A mixing chamber is provided which has an egress from which the ice cream exits. A cooling chamber surrounds the mixing chamber. A rotor centrally mounted in the mixing chamber atomizes and mixes the liquid ingredients and moves it through the mixing chamber to its egress. The rotor has a central post and outwardly projecting blades. A conduit feeds the liquid ingredients from the receptacle to the central post of the rotor. An outlet port on the central post is provided, through which the liquid ingredients are ejected outwardly from the central post for action by the blade means. A pull down screw arrangement helps pull down the liquid ingredients from the receptacle to the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Harold Osrow, Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 4911553
    Abstract: A method for feeding a solid-liquid mixture comprised of a liquid and a solid having a specific gravity greater than that of the liquid comprising depositing the solid component around a feed opening disposed at the bottom of a mixing container and feeding the solid-liquid mixture to a container for packing the same through the opening is provided and the method can effectively be carried out utilizing an apparatus comprising a mixing container, a feed opening disposed at the bottom of the mixing container, a feed controlling device disposed below or within the feed opening and characterized in that it comprises a collecting device for depositing the solid component of the mixture around the feed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: House Food Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sawada, Masayuki Nakatani, Hitoshi Iwata, Katsuaki Namba
  • Patent number: 4911558
    Abstract: The screw conveyor has at least one feed and mixing screw having a plurality of vanes extending radially from a shaft arranged in at least one series like a coil or spiral. In particular, the screw conveyor can have at least two substantially equal motorized feed and mixing screws rotating in opposite rotational directions and positioned substantially parallel with each other in a common trough. The screws are located beside each other spaced so that the vanes of one screw engage in the gaps between the vanes of the neighboring screw. To maintain at least as thorough a mixing of bulk materials as was the case heretofore while achieving a reduction in the structural length of the screw conveyor the screws are each provided with more than one helical flight of vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 4900158
    Abstract: A machine for the production of granita and in particular of the type called Sicilian granita comprising a container with a predominately horizontal development in which rotate motorized means for stirring the mixture contained therein in contact with a wall chilled by a refrigerating circuit and means of delivery of said mixture from said container. Said chilled wall is cylindrical in form and said means of stirring the mixture comprise a first rotating cylindrical screw propeller placed inside and axially with said cylinder and a second rotating cylindrical screw propeller placed axially with and wound externally around said cylinder, said screw propellers being rotated by a motor to impart opposed thrusts to the mixture so as to bring about circulation of the liquid in one direction inside the cylinder and the opposite direction outside thereof.The mixture container is accomplished in a single piece preferably of transparent material and completely removable from the machine to facilitate cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Ugolini S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Ugolini
  • Patent number: 4892410
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for forming an encapsulation or encasement about a structural member that is particularly well suited for use in a marine environment is disclosed. A two component polymer system for protective and repair encapsulation is pumpable in two separate streams to the location of the structural member to be encapsulated. The two reactive components are combined in a static mixer immediately prior to being injected within the surrounding translucent jacket. By combining the reactive components immediately prior to use, premature set up is avoided and the resulting grout may be directed to flow upwardly in the jacket for enhancing final properties. By suitable coloring of the components, visual monitoring of the final mixing and distribution in the translucent form or jacket of the encapsulation material may be monitored. A field test for determining bond strength of the encapsulation polymer to the structural member is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard K. Snow, Milton W. Ellisor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4854716
    Abstract: The device for processing bone cement includes a mixing station with a stirrer for mixing the components of the bone cement under vacuum. The device also includes a resting station in which the mixed ingredients may be stationed for a resting period, processing period and curing period. The temperature-dependent reaction time on the polarmarization reaction can be taken into account in determining the discrete time intervals by means of a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature. Acoustic and visual signal generating devices are also provided to indicate the end of each time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignees: Sulzer Brothers Ltd., Allo Pro AG
    Inventors: Edeltraud Ziemann, Andreas Ziemann
  • Patent number: 4846053
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for making hard, dense, vitreous molasses-based animal feed supplement masses, the method comprising heating a molasses composition to a temperature within the range of about 240.degree. F. to about 285.degree. F. to remove all of the water content of the molasses that is necessary to form the desired vitreous masses. A portion of the heating process may be accompanied by an injection of ambient air into the molasses composition being heated. Immediately after heating, the molasses composition is cooled, agitated and de-aerated by directing the molasses composition through a cooler and de-aerator including a conduit in which is positioned an offset beater shaft assembly adapted to separate portions of the composition from the remainder thereof while directing cooling air through the conduit about said portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: R & J Orwig, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry G. Lane, Raymond L. Orwig
  • Patent number: 4827455
    Abstract: A mixer comprises a housing having charging and discharge pipes, and arcuate working members fashioned as rods coiled to form cylindrical springs and attached by ends thereof to drive shafts. The working members are disposed inside the housing one above the other, the upper working member having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the lower working member, the working members being coiled in the opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Mogilevsky Mashinostroitelny Institut
    Inventors: Leonid A. Sivachenko, Vladilen I. Balovnev, Jury V. Surovegin, Alexei N. Maximenko, Vladimir V. Moiseenko, Nikolai N. Gobralev
  • Patent number: 4811867
    Abstract: An apparatus in which particles are dispensed from an open ended chamber of a container into a transport adapted to move the particles therefrom. The apparatus prevents the bridging and caking of particles in the chamber. A member, positioned in the chamber of the container in the region of the open end thereof, is in engagement with the transport. The member is resiliently coupled to the container and agitated as the transport moves the particles. This causes the springs resiliently coupling the member to the container to vibrate. As the springs vibrate, bridging and caking of the particles is prevented and the particles are dispensed from the open end of the chamber in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Deyle, Jr., John M. Wysocky
  • Patent number: 4804439
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing stringy contaminants from a pulp in a wastepaper recovery system having a pulping vat with an elongate helically shaped rod in the vat with means for causing a relative rotation between the stock and the helical rod so that long slender contaminants will be captured and climb the rod. In one form, multiple helices are employed and the rods may be driven in rotation, or the stock caused to rotate about the helix by other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Beloit Corporation
    Inventor: Borje Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 4778277
    Abstract: Mixing device for embedding biologically harmful wastes in a solidifying binder, includes a tubular housing, an assembly of a pre-mixer, a pass-through mixer and a discharge pump having rotatingly movable parts disposed along a common rotational axis and in substantially vertical direction within the tubular housing, and a drive motor mounted at the upper end of the assembly for rotating the movable parts in common, the movable part of the pre-mixer being centrically disposed in the housing, and the movable part of the discharge pump being eccentrically disposed with play in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Kratz, Helmut Walter, Eckhard Fischer
  • Patent number: 4776951
    Abstract: An improved screening apparatus for fiber suspensions is provided comprisingat least one stationary, generally cylindrical screen drum into which the fiber suspension is fed having a central axis and a plurality of apertures through which rejectable material from the suspension cannot pass and is retained on a reject side of the drum and through which accepted fibers from the suspension can pass to an opposite side of the drum;a generally cylindrical rotor, co-axial with the axis of the cylindrical screen drum;the rotor supporting a series of blades arranged circumferentially about the rotor and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rotor, with the lateral extent of each blade being adjacent the surface of the cylindrical screen drum; andeach blade in the series of blades having opposing ends and being inclined in the opposite direction to any adjacent blade relative to a line in the circumferential path of the blades which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor and the cylindrica
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Hymac Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Rowland
  • Patent number: 4767214
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Baker Perkins North America Inc.
    Inventors: Harry A. Fischer, William G. Grutter
  • Patent number: 4761897
    Abstract: A screw conveyor type drying apparatus has a plurality of hollow drive shafts each having a plurality of hollow feed vanes located on the respective drive shaft along an imaginary helix positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft. The drive shafts are driven so that adjacent drive shafts are rotated in mutually opposite directions, whereby a material to be dried is conveyed. A heating fluid supply device feeds heating fluid into the hollow internal of the feed vanes through the hollow drive shafts, whereby the material coming in contact with the feed vanes during conveyance is heated and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Tazaki, Kenji Ohata
  • Patent number: 4733607
    Abstract: A mixer for food products and the like in commercial quantities comprises a horizontally elongated body with a trough bottom in which rotates one or more horizontal drive shafts carrying an agitator in the form of a helical ribbon or worm of a radius matching that of the trough bottom. The ribbon supports a number of scraper units on it, each scraper unit including a scraper body having a broad face facing toward the trough bottom, the broad face terminating in two opposed relatively sharp edges. The scraper bodies are mounted for rocking movement so that the leading edge will be forced into scraping engagement with the trough bottom and will remain in engagement with the trough bottom even though the trough is wavy or uneven. Either of the edges of the scraper body can be the leading edge, depending on the direction of rotation of the agitator drive shaft. The vessel preferably is formed with a pair of arcuate troughs which have a circumferential arc of 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventors: Leonard J. Star, Jesse J. Tapscott
  • Patent number: 4707107
    Abstract: An electrographic development apparatus has a sump for receiving developer material including carrier particles and toner particles. A ribbon blender in the sump mixes the toner particles and carrier particles, circulates them within the sump and assists in transporting of the materials to a magnetic brush where the toner particles can be transferred to an electrostatic image on a photoconductor. The improved ribbon blender has an elongate helical ribbon positioned within the sump and extends along the sump with adjacent convolutions of the ribbon being spaced from each other. A plurality of buckets are secured to the ribbon between adjacent convolutions of the ribbon. The buckets on one convolution of the ribbon are spaced from the buckets on adjacent convolutions of the ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 4694661
    Abstract: Effective active storage volume of an ice dispenser is increased by an upward and forward sloping bottom wall with a compound curve. A stainless steel helically bent auger rod has a conical shape and closely fits within a trough having a relatively large radius at a rear and a relatively small radius at a front. Larger radius curved lateral areas complete the bottom wall. Ice moves upward toward the front of the bin and then upward at an obtuse angle toward the top of the bin and then tumbles rearward and downward. The rotating auger prevents bridging and continually pushes more ice forward than is dispensed. A helical auger with solid flytes radially extends from a forward portion of the shaft to move ice cubes through the dispensing opening in the front wall at the front end of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Servend International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Landers
  • Patent number: 4637731
    Abstract: Device for making of porous concrete intended for casting of e.g. elements of buildings, by which mainly cement, water and a frothing agent are mixed at the same time causing air pores in the mixture to be clasted, consisting of a cylindrical mixing-tank (1) in which an impeller (3) is arranged with a rotation axis which coincides with the center axis of the mixing-tank (1) and by which the impeller (3) includes blades (31) that extend helicoidally along the mixing tank (1) by which the helicoidally of each blade is less than 90.degree. over the length of the impeller (3) and by which the blades (31) extend a bit against the center axis of the impeller (3). Each blade (31) consists of two, in direction to the center axis of the impeller (3), reciprocally flat strips (32), which incline against the envelope to the mixing tank (1) so that the front edge in the moving direction of the outer strip (32) is located next to the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Cellexfabrikerna AB
    Inventor: Per O. Dahlin
  • Patent number: 4634286
    Abstract: An electrographic copier/duplicator has a development station with a sump for holding a supply of two-component developer material. A magnetic brush applies the developer material to a photoconductor moved past the magnetic brush. The developer material may comprise carriers of hard, magnetic material. A ribbon blender mixes the developer material in the sump. The blender includes first and second ribbons with each ribbon having a first, relatively large diameter helical end portion and a second relatively small diameter helical end portion. The second end portion of each ribbon is located substantially within the first end portion of the other ribbon. Because the two end portions of the ribbon are connected, there is good axial mixing of developer material in the area between the two portions of each ribbon, and the level of the developer material tends to remain level throughout the length of the ribbon blender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Susan C. Pike
  • Patent number: 4627735
    Abstract: The double reverse helix agitator with an internal conveying screw is used in a gas phase olefin polymerization reactor having at least one polymerization section and has helical flights defined by helical blades which are mounted to a shaft, which extend in opposite axial directions and which have approximately the same radius from the axis of rotation of the agitator. The shaft has a spiral screw thread thereon for conveying polymer particles axially by the agitator through a reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
    Inventors: Philip M. Rose, Yoon S. Song
  • Patent number: 4610068
    Abstract: A ribbon blender for a development station of an electrographic copier/duplicator is formed using a plurality of flat blanks stamped from a strip of sheet material. Each blank has three substantially concentric rings joined by two spaced strips. The outer ring and the middle ring are cut to form ribbon segments and then the segments are bent out of the plane of the blank. A plurality of the resulting bent blanks are assembled on a shaft alternately with spacers to form a ribbon blender. The free ends of the ribbon segments of adjacent blanks are in substantially end-to-end alignment to joints form ribbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Peter G. Schultz
  • Patent number: 4482253
    Abstract: Rotary processors for fluid material conveyance and heat transfer including a plurality of commonly configured coils mounted between rotatable manifolds affixed to a central shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Golobic, Lawrence J. Prosper