Abstract: An actuation ball valve has an elongated knob which replaces prior art quarter turn valves. The knob comprises a thread that runs along a cylindrical portion of the knob, wherein the nut has a corresponding cut-out for the thread. This helps the knob move/slide in and out of the nut. The knob and nut are designed so that a specific distance can be covered in a quarter turn, as the valve moves from its horizontal (OFF) position to its vertical (ON) position. The knob and nut can be modified to travel various distances at different degrees of turn to actuate the system being controlled. The knob has a cut-out at the bottom which is used to insert one or more washers and a self-threading screw to stop the rotation of the knob with respect to the nut at it moves out in the OFF position.

Abstract: A pump device is for sucking and transferring objects. The pump device includes a pump housing, at least one impeller, an air withdrawal opening, at least one inlet opening defined in the pump housing, at least one outlet opening defined in the pump housing, and at least one chive device connected to the pump device. The pump housing includes a first short side defined as a semicircle or a partial circle and a second short side defined as a flat or plane surface, two long sides having a tapered shape extending from the first short side to the second short side, and two planar sides so as to define a closed pump housing. The at least one impeller is in the pump housing.

Abstract: A mixture of gas and solid particles are conveyed through a piping circuit connected between initial and terminal points. The gas is introduced at the initial point and the particles are introduced between the initial and terminal points. A diameter of the piping circuit increases downstream of where the particles are introduced, and a velocity of the gas is at least as great as a pick-up velocity of the particles at the point where the particles are introduced into the piping circuit. In addition to the above constraints, the piping circuit is sized so that total pressure losses due to flow in the piping circuit between the initial and terminal points are within a designated amount.

Abstract: A portable environmental testing system for environmental testing with particulate matter, such as sand and dust, is disclosed. The components of the system are largely contained within a modular container, such as an intermodal shipping container. The testing system uses a feeder to feed precise amounts of particulate matter into an injector, which injects the particulate matter into an airflow that leads to a nozzle assembly. The airflow itself is generated by a compressed air system. The material input station, for inputting particulate matter, includes operator protection features, like a negative draw fan. The system may be provided with wheels and a tow bar.

Abstract: A conveying system for injecting material at a convey line pressure is disclosed. Material is injected into the convey line through a feed device from a pressurized vessel pressurized at the convey line pressure. In illustrated embodiments, the vessel is pressurized at the convey line pressure through connection to the convey line. As described, the vessel is connected to the convey line through a pressurization line to pressurize the vessel at the convey line pressure. In illustrated embodiments described the pressurization line is opened and closed via a valve to control pressurization of the vessel at the convey line pressure. In illustrated embodiments, convey line pressure is applied to multiple vessels of a conveying system through one or more pressurization lines to inject material into the convey line.

Abstract: A refuse disposing system includes a housing having a perimeter wall bounding an interior space. An inner conduit is positioned within the housing. The perimeter wall has an access opening therein in communication with the inner conduit and the inner conduit has an exit aperture extending through the perimeter wall. A blower is in fluid communication with the inner conduit and ejects air into the inner conduit and outwardly of the exit aperture when the blower is actuated to an on position. A tube has a first end and a second end where the first end is fluidly coupled to the exit aperture. A refuse container is positioned under the second end of the tube. Articles positioned in the inner conduit and moved through the inner conduit and into the tube by the blower are ejected into the refuse container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Powder supply system for supplying powder to a powder spray device comprising a powder supply hopper; a powder fluidizing device for fluidizing powder positioned in the powder supply hopper; a powder pump for conveying powder from the powder supply hopper to the spray device. According to the invention the powder supply hopper is pivotally mounted to a support structure. The invention further relates to a method for color change in a powder supply system.

Abstract: A micro particle flow facilitator, includes: (a) a bourdon tube having a flexible duct capable of expanding and contracting in response to pulsations of a pressurized fluid, the duct being hollow, closed-ended and having an inlet port; and (b) a fluid pulsator for providing the pulsations of a pressurized fluid to the inlet port of the bourdon tube, the pulsator being in fluid-tight communication with the inlet port of the bourdon tube and having a fluid inlet port for connection to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A portable air abrasion device has a dispensing chamber and a flow valve for controlling the flow rate from the dispensing chamber. The flow valve includes a fluid flow chamber for receiving granular materials exiting the dispensing chamber. The fluid flow chamber has a granular materials inlet port, a fluid flow inlet port for receiving the flow of a fluid to the fluid flow chamber and a fluidized granular material exit port for dispensing a fluidized mixture of the granular material away from the fluid flow chamber. The fluid flow chamber also has a flow regulator employing a lead screw to control the flow of fluidized granular material through the fluidized granular material exit port.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a container liner with an aerate system which reduces the specific bulk density of the powder material inside the liner and thereby improves the flowability of the product. This significantly reduces the unloading time and increases the safety in relation to the discharge process due to a lower response angle and thereby that the required tilting angle of the cargo container is reduced.

Abstract: A device for discharging a fine-grained solid from a container wherein the container has a discharge cone in the lower area, which opens into a discharge opening and discharge device, a mechanism for fluidizing or loosening the solid are provided the discharge cone has at least one offset in the form of a gap the offset having openings a gas can be fed through each of the openings of the gap-shaped offsets, each of the gap-shaped offsets is covered toward the center axis of the discharge cone, the gap-shaped offsets are not directed toward the center axis of the discharge cone, and wherein the gaps of the gap-shaped offsets are closed by cover pates which have round or slit-shaped openings, and the gaps extend in the downward direction.

Abstract: Staged crushing combined with water addition and mixing is practiced at the mine site to prepare an oil sand slurry ready for hydrotransport. More particularly, as-mined oil sand is crushed to conveyable size (e.g. ?24?) using a mobile crusher. The pre-crushed ore product is conveyed to a dry ore surge bin. Ore is withdrawn from the bin and elevated to the upper end of a slurry preparation tower having downwardly aligned process components to enable gravity feed. The ore is further crushed in stages to pumpable size (e.g. ?4?) by a stack of crushers and water is added during comminution. The ore and water are mixed in a mixing box and delivered to a pump box. The surge bin and tower are relocatable. Screening and oversize reject treatment have been eliminated to achieve compactness and enable relocatability.

Abstract: A dynamic blower system to apply shredded aluminum foil on top of existing building insulation, including: a tank into which the foil is loaded; an air input port connected with the tank to generate an air vortex in the tank; an output hose connected with an outlet port of the tank; and an internal output louver connected with the tank and positioned relative to the vortex to direct the spinning foil into and through the outlet port and output hose.

Abstract: A continuous semi-dense phase conveying system comprising a vessel having a gas inlet, a particulate material inlet, and a gas and particulate material outlet, which has an operating pressure of about 15 psig or less. The system includes a rotary airlock valve for feeding particulate material into the vessel and a pressurizing gas supply which branches into a feed gas line and a bypass line. A pneumatic conveying line coupled to the gas and particulate material outlet of said the and coupled to the bypass line. The pressure of the vessel is controlled using a bypass valve on said bypass line and optimize the flow of gas and particulate matter through the pneumatic conveying line.

Abstract: An activation and fluidification system (100) for granular material silos (101) or containers, comprising a plurality of fine adjustment firing valves (102) comprising discharge limiters to limit the discharge of a pressurized aeriform from an initial pressure to a predetermined final pressure lower than the initial pressure, and connected to the silo (101), the system comprising a tubular network (103) for storing pressurized aeriform at the initial pressure, and to which the plurality of valves (102) are connected.

Abstract: Described is a process for conveying a powdered material from a storage bin to a delivery destination. The process utilizes an air permeation system within a hopper to facilitate the flow of material. Intermittent blasts of high pressure air are used to clean the air permeation nozzles. After the material flows from the hopper, a screw feeder with a variable speed motor is utilized for processing the material. The powdered material is then guided to a flow measurement instrument which measures the flow of the material through the process. The variable speed motor is responsive to the measurements made by the flow measurement instrument. The material is then transferred into a powdered material feeder where it is pulled through the feeder with gravity and negative pressure. The powdered material feeder then moves the material into a rotary airlock where it is deposited into a pneumatic convey airline.

Abstract: A fluidizing apparatus comprises a vessel having an inlet, a plurality of outlets and a nozzle, through which a pressurized fluid can be fed into the vessel. The outlets are spaced at different heights from a base of the vessel and are controlled by valves enabling fluidized solids to be removed in layers from the vessel. In a further embodiment, a single outlet is raised or lowered to a desired position in the vessel.

Abstract: A device for conveying coating powder has an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a powder conveying chamber made from a flexible conveying chamber hose. The powder conveying chamber is arranged between the inlet valve and the outlet valve and has a conveying air inlet. In addition, the volume of the powder conveying chamber can be modified by a deformation of the conveying chamber hose.

Abstract: A fluidification device for granular material comprising a loading hopper (10) for granular material (30) provided with a lower discharged mouth (40) and an opening-closing device (50) for the discharge mouth (40), in which the walls of the loading hopper (10) presents holes for a respective jet means (70a-70f) designed to direct into the loading hopper (10) a jet (g) of pressurized fluid delivered by intermittent pressurized-fluid supplying means in fluid communication with each jet means (70a-70f).

Abstract: Staged crushing combined with water addition and mixing is practiced at the mine site to prepare an oil sand slurry ready for hydrotransport. More particularly, as-mined oil sand is crushed to conveyable size (e.g. —24?) using a mobile crusher. The pre-crushed ore product is conveyed to a dry ore surge bin. Ore is withdrawn from the bin and elevated to the upper end of a slurry preparation tower having downwardly aligned process components to enable gravity feed. The ore is further crushed in stages to pumpable size (e.g. —4?) by a stack of crushers and water is added during comminution. The ore and water are mixed in a mixing box and delivered to a pump box. The surge bin and tower are relocatable. Screening and oversize reject treatment have been eliminated to achieve compactness and enable relocatability.

Abstract: A fluidizing apparatus comprises a vessel having an inlet, a plurality of outlets and a nozzle, through which a pressurized fluid can be fed into the vessel. The outlets are spaced at different heights from a base of the vessel and are controlled by valves enabling fluidized solids to be removed in layers from the vessel. In a further embodiment, a single outlet is raised or lowered to a desired position in the vessel.

Abstract: A method of inducing the movement of a flowable material in a system wherein the flowable material is guided by a surface assembly between first and second locations. The method includes the steps of: providing a first flexible tube; placing the tube at a first operating location with respect to the system; and directing a pressurized fluid through the tube in a manner whereby the first flexible tube is moved in a whipping action to at least one of: a) impact the surface assembly; b) direct the pressurized fluid at least one of: i) into the flowable material moving between the first and second locations; and ii) against the surface assembly; and c) move within the flowable material moving between the first and second locations, thereby to at least one of: i) break loose flowable material adhering to the surface assembly; and ii) agitate flowable material moving between the first and second locations.

Abstract: A fluidizing apparatus includes a supply duct (1) for supplying liquid under pressure to a lower portion of a vessel (11) containing a fluidizable material. The supply duct (1) extends into the vessel. The outlet end of the apparatus includes one or more jets (212) for directing the flow of liquid into the vessel (11) substantially transversely to the major axis of the supply duct (1). An outlet duct (12) for removing the fluidized material from the vessel (11) is also included.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplying a component to a pick-up position located near a stop by means of a component supplying device. The component supplying device includes a guide provided with the stop, at least one air inlet connected to the guide, and at least one air outlet also connected to the guide. Components are carried through the guide in a transport direction towards the stop by means of air supplied through the air inlet. Once a number of components have been transported in the transport direction, the air outlet is substantially closed by at least one component present in the row. Subsequently, at least one component following the row is transported in a non-transport direction.

Abstract: An improved brine maker includes a hopper having open upper and lower ends, a solids screen, and a receiving tank having an open upper end and closed lower end. The solids screen and receiving tank are pivotally secured to the hopper adjacent its lower end. The receiving tank and solids screen pivot freely and independently of the hopper to provide quick and easy access for cleaning and maintenance. Rotatable spray bars are positioned within the hopper to direct the dissolving fluid at the soluble material within the hopper. Spray holes having varying diameters and spaced relation to one another customize the fluid spray pattern for greater efficiency. A hydraulic assembly assists the operator throughout the cleaning and maintenance operations of the brine maker to reduce the time and manpower required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metering installation for powder pigments, having an arrangement for supplying the powder pigments into a weighing container of a weighing arrangement. The weighing container may be emptied into a pneumatic conveying conduit which leads into a consuming unit, if appropriate, via an intermediate store. The conveying arrangement has a hopper-like pressure container which can be subjected to the action of compressed air. The pressure container has a closure at the base and a laterally curved outlet connector. An injector tube, which can be subjected to the action of compressed air and has lateral exit openings for the compressed air, extends axially into the outlet connector.

Abstract: As-mined oil sand is crushed to −5 inch by a sequentially arranged pair of double roll crushers. The crushed oil sand is fed into a hopper feeding a jet pump. Water or recycled slurry is fed under pressure as motive fluid to the jet pump. The motive fluid jet(s) produced internally by the jet pump are operative to fluidize the oil sand and the components of the slurry mix turbulently in the jet pump's tubular mixer. It is found that the slurry issuing from the jet pump is aerated and largely free of lumps.

Abstract: As-mined oil sand is crushed to −5 inch by a sequentially arranged pair of double roll crushers. The crushed oil sand is fed into a hopper feeding a jet pump. Water or recycled slurry is fed under pressure as motive fluid to the jet pump. The motive fluid jet(s) produced internally by the jet pump are operative to fluidize the oil sand and the components of the slurry mix turbulently in the jet pump's tubular mixer. It is found that the slurry issuing from the jet pump is aerated and largely free of lumps.

Abstract: A pneumatic storage tank for storing, transporting, and discharging pulverulent or powdered material or the like including a tank having a cylindrical side wall and upper and lower concave heads enclosing and sealing opposite ends of the cylindrical side wall, the tank adapted to be supported in a vertical position, a plurality of slope sheets within the tank, the slope sheets being sealed to the cylindrical side wall around the full circumference of the cylindrical side wall, the slope sheets being inclined downwardly from the cylindrical side wall to the central region of the tank adjacent the lower concave head of the tank, a plurality of air slides within the tank, the air slides disposed along the slope sheets between the slope sheets and extending from the cylindrical side wall of the tank downwardly toward the central region of the tank adjacent the lower concave head of the tank, wherein the slope sheets and the air slides separate the tank into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, an inlet p

Abstract: A dispensing system that includes an apparatus comprised of a container with a support surface, an opening in the upper portion for receiving items, a passageway in the lower portion for dispensing items, a guide surface to direct items into the passageway, a means for generating pulses of vacuum that draw pulses of air (or other fluid) into the container through the open passageway, and sufficient volume of available air (or other fluid) outside the passageway and outside the container to fill the vacuum generated inside the container. A preferred method of generating the vacuum pulses is injecting pulses of high-pressure fluid in thin sheets into the container through the open passageway with laminar flow against the support or guide surfaces. Items are lifted and separated by the influx of fluid.

Abstract: A bulk particulate handling apparatus and method for transferring material between a first and second site which utilizes a stream of gas to remove material from the flow path. Contamination of the flow-path is thereby reduced by providing the stream of gas for the removal of material before and after flow of material. A method embodied by the invention is directed toward the use of a bulk particulate handling apparatus.

Abstract: The invention includes a transportable tank having an upper region and a lower region and a fluid conduit flow communicating the upper region to the lower region. The fluid conduit has at least one inlet opening in the upper region and at least one outlet opening in the lower region. A fluid conveyor associated with the fluid conduit repeatedly causes fluid to be circulated from the upper region, into the inlet, through the conduit, out of the outlet and back to the upper region.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for transporting a colloidal like mixture of mineral material and water from a mining site to a processing facility comprising at least one automated water gun discharging continuous high velocity stream of water into a mineral stockpile and slurry pit in a predetermined undulating pattern to facilitate the mixing and movement of the mineral material and water into a hydraulic pump inlet disposed behind a crushing grid within the slurry pit wherein the automated water gun is moveably mounted on a portable sled and in operative communication with a water supply conduit having a barrel selectively moveable through a predetermined range of vertical and horizontal motion by a vertical positioning device and a horizontal positioning device respectively.

Abstract: A spherical object supplying apparatus is to positively and smoothly supply, when spherical objects such as spherical single crystal silicons are supplied from a storing container such as a hopper to the following processing or manufacturing station (or apparatus), the spherical objects one at a time. The apparatus comprises: a supplying pipe path coupled to a spherical object storing container; a branch pipe which branches from the supplying pipe path; and a fluid supplying apparatus adapted to introduce pressurized fluid into the branch pipe path. The spherical objects are accelerated by the pressurized fluid which is jetted through the branch pipe path into the supplying pipe path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the aerosolization of powders is disclosed. The invention includes a chamber in which a cloud of aerosolized powder is formed, the cloud having a relatively even distribution of powder particles. A Bernoulli tube may be used to extract powder from the powder cloud when the powder cloud reaches its equilibrium height. Adjustment of the air flow rate into the Bernoulli tube may be used to control the flow rate of powder out of the disclosed device.

Abstract: A preassembled fluidizing device that incorporates an expansive air passage that stimulates the enhanced flow of granular materials to the discharge port of a tank trailer, vessel, bin, or other container, during usage. The fluidizing device includes an aerator housing having affixed thereto a wear plate, the upper end of the housing having a mount to which a resilient gasket may be applied, and prestressed against the wear plate, once assembled. A fastening rod extends from the aerator housing and mounting boss, and a positioning or clip secured thereto provides an initial fastening of the preassembled device in place, once installed. A nut or other fastener connects with the opposite end of the fastening rod in order to tightly secure and seal an air distributor in place, for final assembly of the fluidizing device of this invention.

Abstract: A material delivery system conveys material from a supply location at or above an area surface to a working location below the area surface. The delivery system includes a supply hopper located at the supply location and having an inlet for receiving material to be conveyed and an outlet for discharging material. An injection hopper is adapted for mounting on a movable working arm of a self-propelled vehicle, and has an inlet for receiving material and an outlet for discharging material. The arm of the vehicle carries the injection hopper below the area surface to the working location. A supply line is connected to the outlet of the supply hopper and to the inlet of the injection hopper for conveying material from the supply location to the working location.

Abstract: A feeder system (1) for supplying electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine (14). The feeder system has a two storage hoppers (2a,2b) respective storage outlets (6a,6b), There is a pick up location (3) and a passage (4) provides communication between the storage outlets (6a,6b) and the pick up location (3). A first fluid jet outlet 31 associated with storage outlets (6a,6b) provides fluid blasts to agitate components (20) the hoppers (2a,2b). A second fluid jet outlet (32) associated provides fluid blasts to propel the components (20) towards the pick up location (3).

Abstract: A feeder (1) has a hopper (2) for storing components (20) and a pick up location (3) for supplying the components to a pick-and-place machine (not shown). A channel (4) provides communication between the hopper (2) and pick up location (3). The channel (4) has an upwardly inclined portion (5) which is upwardly inclined towards the pick up location (3) and there are controlled air jet nozzles (14,6) for providing pulsed air jets to push the components (20) up the inclined portion (5) and towards the pick up location (3). The pick up location (3) has a movable stopper (30) that moves to a feed position when one of the components (20) is fed to the pick up location 3, and that moves to a pick position, prior to the pick and place machine picking up the component (20) at the pick location (3).

Abstract: An apparatus capable of conditioning and dispensing high volumes of loose fill insulation material includes a hopper for receiving unconditioned insulation material and for conditioning the insulation material, and an air lock for receiving the conditioned insulation material from the hopper and for discharging the insulation material. The hopper has an upper conditioning compartment and a lower conditioning compartment which are in open communication with each other. At least one upper shaft, which has a plurality of spikes extending radially therefrom in a helical pattern, is supported in the upper conditioning compartment of the hopper. A set of lower shafts including at least three shafts, each with a plurality of spikes extending radially therefrom, are supported in the lower conditioning compartment of the hopper. A drive assembly is operatively connected to the upper and lower a shafts to provide rotational movement to each of the upper and lower shafts.

Abstract: A component feeder being capable of supplying flat and minute components stably and rapidly. The component feeder comprises an agitation room 111 in which the components 102 are stirred by air, and a component conveying path 113 connected to the front of the agitation room 111 into which the components 102 of certain posture are blown, where they are aligned and transferred by air toward a given component feeding position.

Abstract: A feeder system (1) and method supplies electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine (14). The feeder system (1) has a hopper (2) coupled by a passage (4) to a pickup location (3). The electrical components (20) are provided by air blasts to a first air outlet (6a) associated with the hopper (2) to agitate the components (20). Air blasts are concurrently supplied to a second and third air outlets (6b, 6c) located in the passage (6b) to thereby retain at least some of the components (20) therebetween. The third air outlet (6c) is disposed between the pickup location (3) and the second air outlet (6b) and in use an air blast from said third air outlet (6c) is effected immediately before an air blast from said second outlet (6b) is effected.

Abstract: A preassembled fluidizing device that incorporates an expansive air passage that stimulates the enhanced flow of granular materials to the discharge port of a tank trailer, vessel, bin, or other container, during usage. The fluidizing device includes an aerator housing having affixed thereto a wear plate, the upper end of the housing having a mount to which a resilient gasket may be applied, and prestressed against the wear plate, once assembled. A fastening rod extends from the aerator housing and mounting boss, and a positioning or clip secured thereto provides an initial fastening of the preassembled device in place, once installed. A nut or other fastener connects with the opposite end of the fastening rod in order to tightly secure and seal an air distributor in place, for final assembly of the fluidizing device of this invention.

Abstract: When feeding parts (102) to a mounting machine (A) by using a parts feed cassette (B), prior to parts feed, air is preliminarily supplied to the parts feed cassette (B) to put the parts (102) in neat order, and the parts (102) are preliminarily sent up to a final position in a parts feed route (113). Accordingly, if the parts (102) cannot be securely sent up to the parts feed position (114) in the parts feed route (113) by supplying air (1b) only for a specific limited time for feeding parts (102), the parts (102) can be preliminarily sent forward in neat order, and by the supply of air (1b) for parts feed, the parts (102) can be fed quickly, securely, and stably.

Abstract: A material re-aerating and flow control device for use in a material pneumatic processing system includes a housing defining a re-aerating chamber and having an intake end. The housing includes a material intake opening through the intake end of the housing for receiving material into the chamber. The material re-aerating and flow control device also includes a short hollow conduit member for discharging material from the chamber. The hollow conduit member includes a first end located outside the housing, and a second end, having a discharge port formed therethrough, mounted through the housing into the chamber. The material re-aerating and flow control device further includes a pneumatic conduit for introducing pressurized air into the chamber. The pneumatic conduit includes a first end located outside the housing, and a second end, having a pressurized air release aperture formed therein, mounted through the housing into the chamber.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic lime dispensing and conveying system of the type comprising a lime storage container having a dust collector communicating with the storage container for removing dust from the air inside the container and venting the filtered air from the storage container, and a pneumatic conveying system having an air inlet for pneumatically conveying lime dispensed from the storage container through a conveying line. The outlet vent of the dust collector is connected to the air inlet of the pneumatic conveying system to reduce CO.sub.2 content of the air, and thereby inhibit scale formation in conveying line. The method of this invention comprises the step of pretreating the air used in the conveying system by exposing it to lime dust to reduce the CO.sub.2 content of the air. This is conveniently carried out by drawing the air through a dust filter connected to the lime storage container.

Abstract: A pneumatic material transporter includes a material hopper (2), a screw conveyor (3) to transport the material (supplied from the hopper) from the rear portion to a front portion of the screw conveyor, a pressure chamber portion (5) to receive the materials from the screw conveyor and to press the materials down while adding a limited amount of water, a horizontal mixer (6) adapted to mix the material supplied from the pressure chamber portion with pressurized air, and then push the mixture to a material transporting conduit portion (8) connected to the mixer through a check valve portion, so that the material transporting conduit portion transports the materials to a yard.

Abstract: An automatic electronic parts mounting device wherein a feed table having a plurality of parts feed units, which guide chip parts stored in a storeroom for parts to a shoot connected with said storeroom and separate the parts from an exit of the shoot by a separating device to feed them to a parts feeding position, moves to a direction arranged of said unit and a suction nozzle picks up the chip parts from desired said unit suspended at a parts picking-up position to mount it to a printed substrate, wherein there are provided an air jet passage arranged in each parts feed unit for jetting air so as to stir and guide chip parts stored in the storeroom for parts or to transfer chip parts aligned in the shoot to the exit side of the shoot, an air feed device for feeding air to said air jet passage, and an attaching/detaching device arranged outside said feed table for attaching/detaching the air feed device to said air jet passage, is disclosed.

Abstract: A component supply apparatus includes a component feeding device for feeding components to a component feeding path, with the components arranged in a row while the components are being agitated by air, and a path forming member having a curved path extending from the component feeding path to a component supply position, for guiding the components fed from the component feeding path to the component supply position by changing a direction of each of the components by a predetermined angle. A plurality of air supply holes are provided at plural portions of the curved path for feeding the components fed to the curved path to the component supply position.

Abstract: A method and device for removing solid residues from a gas purification installation are presented. After discharge of a batch of solid residues into a first closed vessel, the vessel is isolated with respect to the gas purification installation. At least one pressurized purge gas is then passed through this batch of solid residues, so as to create a static or fluidized bed of the solid residues. The purge gases are then removed in a controlled manner from the first closed vessel. The solid residues are removed into a transport pipe and are transported through the pipe in suspension in a pressurized gas.