Abstract: A container for use in a scale or combination scale, for example, which is used as formatting container includes two or more side walls, whose position with respect to each other is variable. The outlet of the container is closed by two or more opening flaps that are pivotable or swingable and, therefore, can release the outlet of the container. A common drive moves the side walls and the opening flaps. Therefore, a container can be entirely emptied, as blocked or accumulated product parts can drop downwards via enlargement of the cross section of the container by a movement of the side walls.

Abstract: A variable diameter discharge system for controlling the flow and distribution of a material being fed into a bin. The variable diameter discharge system generally includes a storage bin including a bin opening for receiving a material to be stored in the storage bin. A hopper is suspended beneath the bin opening such that materials fed into the bin opening pass through the hopper. A ring member is connected to the hopper which includes a plurality of guide members adjustable between a first position and a second position. An opening is defined between the guide members; with the opening enlarging as the guide members are adjusted toward the second position. Springs connected between the guide members and the ring member bias the guide members toward the first position. The guide members move from the first position to the second position when a material is flowing through the opening.

Abstract: A system for pneumatically conveying flexible fabric items such as uniforms and table linens has a pair of side outlets at each discharge location to enhance the discharge capacity. Each side outlet is provided with a gate to open and close the outlet. A hopper having a chute receives the items discharged through the corresponding outlet. A sling cart or other bin underlies each chute. When a cart is full, hopper doors can be closed to allow the hopper to serve as a temporary holding bin while the conveying system continues to operate without interruption as the full cart is moved and replaced by an empty cart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for simultaneously conveying and regulating the temperature of shaped parts, comprising a conveying device, which is suited for advancing objects, and at least one blower by means of which the objects can be subjected to the action of an air flow while being advanced. The conveying device is characterized in that it is formed by a closed channel whose clearance height approximately corresponds to the height of an individual shaped part, whose clearance width at least along a portion of its length is greater by a multiple than the width of an individual shaped part, in whose base plate a multitude of air inlet openings are arranged with a blowing direction oriented in the longitudinal direction of the channel and diagonal to the surface, and in whose cover plate, which is situated opposite the base plate, a multitude of air inlet openings are placed. The air flow produced by the blower can be introduced into the channel via the air inlet openings.

Abstract: A web trim collection system having an air pressure system to move web trim. A divert bin operable in a first position to allow the web trim to be deposited in a collection bin. The divert bin is also operable in a second position to intercept the web trim, so as to allow the collection bin to be removed from the collection system while the collection system continues to collect trim.

Abstract: A device and process for separating impurities from textile fibers during horizontal pneumatic transport is provided. The device includes a hollow parallelepiped separator of rectangular cross-section for the passage of transport fluids, such as air, therethrough. The passage section is subdivided into an upper part, for the cleaned fluid, and a lower part, for the separation of the impurities (i.e., foreign materials) in a hopper intercepted by an extractor having a seal. This subdivision is regulated by a deflector knife which induces an S-shaped motion of the transport fluid 4 and separates the impurities (i.e., foreign materials) by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A maintenance-free valve for impeding the flow of fibers in a high velocity air-fiber stream. The valve has a rake-like construction to impede fiber flow when in the closed position. The valve has a plurality of closely-spaced, parallel tines attached to a rotatable shaft that is perpendicular to the tines. When closed, fibers collect on the tines of the rake valve, blinding the valve to further fiber flow. When opened, the fibers are dislodged from the tines such that they re-enter the air-fiber stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating foreign bodies from a stream of fiber material includes a vertical chute having an upper inlet and a lower outlet; a mechanism for introducing the fiber material into the chute inlet; and a detector positioned in the chute for emitting a sensor signal upon passage of a foreign body. The fiber material is propelled from the detector towards the chute outlet substantially solely by gravity. The apparatus further has a waste discharge opening provided in the chute between the detector and the chute outlet; a deflecting mechanism arranged in the chute and having first and second positions. In the first position the deflecting mechanism causes the stream of fiber material to proceed in the chute to and through the chute outlet and in the second position the deflecting mechanism causes the stream of fiber material to proceed through the waste discharge opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying solid materials such as soil, stones and the like. A hollow bored tube having an inlet end, a discharge end and an intermediate injector section is provided with at least one nozzle of the converging/diverging type within the injector section. A compressor supplies air at a pressure of about 90 psig to the nozzle to create an air stream within the tube directed toward the discharge end thereof, at a velocity in the supersonic regime. A strong vacuum is thus created in the region of the inlet end to provide rapid evacuation of the solids into the tube for conveyance therethrough and ejection at the discharge end thereof.

Abstract: Batt forming apparatus (12) is disclosed having a reserve chute (36) and batt formation chute (76). A fiber entrance duct (40) includes a bottom floor (44) with a stationary floor (48) and a movable floor ramp (50). Ramp (50) may be adjustably inclined to incoming airflow to project fibers in trajectories further across reserve chute (36). This control of fiber distribution may be used to assist in the production of a fiber batt (78) having a homogeneous density structure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a uniform fiber column in a chute feed (A) which includes an entrance opening (34) in a reserve section (30) of the chute at which an inclined air deflection vane (42) is pivoted for deflecting the incoming fiber-laden airflow downwardly in nonturbulent, uniform flow paths. A fiber column (F) with a level top surface (43) is provided along the entire length (L) of the reserve chute (40). An adjustable width throat (B) in the reserve chute compacts and shapes the fibers into a fiber column having a desired form avoiding fiber drag down the chute walls. The adjustable throat includes a pair of longitudinal movable wall elements (66, 68). The wall elements may be adjusted and fixed in position to provide a throat cross-section having a desired width (W) or shape depending on the type fiber being fed.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for forming webs from textile fibers entrained in an air stream in a conduit with a perforated plate dividing the interior of a housing into first and second chambers so that the entrained fibers fall to the bottom of the first chamber and the air passes through the plate while a portion of the plate is oscillated. The passage between the conduit and first chamber increases in cross-section from conduit to first chamber to reduce the velocity of the air and entrained particles.