Abstract: A method of handling bulk cargo, including suspending, with a spreader of a container crane, a cargo handling system above a dock where a ship loaded with bulk cargo lands, the cargo handling system including a frame having an engaging portion engageable with the spreader of the container crane, a blower attached to the frame and configured to suck air, and a separator attached to the frame and configured to separate bulk cargo sucked along with the air from the air sucked by the blower. While the cargo handling system is suspended above the dock, using the cargo handling system to suck up the bulk cargo from the ship with the blower of the cargo handling system together with the air; separate the bulk cargo from the air with the separator of the cargo handling system; and discharge the separated bulk cargo from the cargo handling system.

Abstract: A method for conveying goods to be conveyed with a cellular wheel sluice, wherein in a housing, the goods to be conveyed are conveyed with rotor blades of the rotating cellular wheel, and sealing lips of the rotor blades abut against at least one sealing surface of the housing. During the transport of certain goods to be conveyed, such a sealing surface and/or sealing lips can be used which are formed from an abrasive material that is contained in the goods to be conveyed.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor for transporting bulk materials, in particular tablets, has a compressor for conveyor gas and has a bulk material feed and a conveyor line, in particular hose, arranged therebetween, and a bulk material discharge. To prevent contamination of the environment during operation, a shut-off device is provided between a collection volume and the conveyor line. A method for operating a pneumatic conveyor conveys sample volumes intermittently.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling the velocity of a particulate material conveyed by a gas flow under negative pressure in a duct said device comprising means for separating the flow into first and second streams. The first stream has a relatively high particulate material content and the second stream has a relatively low particulate material content. The flow of the second stream is restricted for example by a flow restricting or constricting orifice or valve. The duct diameter may increase incrementally along its length.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a pneumatic conveyance system including waste airflow electrical power generation. The system is to move material from a first location to a second location and includes routing conduit to provide a pathway through which the material is moved, an airflow source to provide an airflow to facilitate the transportation of the material through the routing conduit, a separator to filter the material from the airflow, and an electrical power generating system to generate power from the airflow prior to discharge. The electrical power generating system includes one or more turbines that rotate based on the airflow passing thereby and one or more associated generators that generate electricity based on rotation of the turbines. The power generating system is located within the routing conduit at any point where the airflow is free of particles that would interfere with the turbines.

Abstract: A plant for transport of granular material comprising container for granular material to be transported, receiver-meter group designed to receive granular material from container, conveyance duct of granular material from container to receiver-meter group, depressurization-pressurization means arranged to suction/inject a gaseous medium from/into container, and vacuum duct between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, thereby creating a flow of granular material and gaseous medium in at least one conveyance duct or line directed to receiver-meter group and a flow of gaseous medium between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, the plant comprising detection means of parameters of flow located in vacuum duct or line, adjusting means of the power of depressurization/pressurization means and electronic control means designed to receive in input control signals from speed detection means and to emit control signals in output for driving adjusting means.

Abstract: A vacuum transfer apparatus and process with weighing controls. An exemplary vacuum transfer apparatus includes a hopper that retains food product and includes a discharge port. A vacuum chamber has an inlet coupled to the discharge port of the hopper, and a member that is time-controlled to dispense product from the vacuum chamber. A portioning hopper receives product from the vacuum chamber and dispenses a predetermined weight of product.

Abstract: An improved system for the moving material into and out of a trailer attached to a truck that is equipped with first and second high pressure hydraulic circuits, an airlock circuit, and a low pressure return line. The improvement to the system generally includes a selector valve that is operable between load and unload positions, and a blower and motor that are mounted to the trailer's chassis and are fluidly driven by the high pressure circuits via the selector valve being in its load position. When in the unload position, the blower and motor are bypassed and the hydraulic circuits operate in their traditional manner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for transporting and dispensing fibers into an aggregate mix, and more specifically, to a method and system for transporting and dispensing unitized fibrous constructs into a mix without affecting the structural integrity of the unitized construct. The dispensing system will transport and dispense unitized fibrous constructs intact into a cementitious mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling bulk particulate material (M) includes a reservoir hopper (16) having a gas-permeable liner (42) and a gas inlet (44) connecting the reservoir hopper (16) to a pressurized flow of gas sufficient to fluidize the material (M). A transition and pipe assembly (18) receives a flow of material (M) from the reservoir hopper (16). The transition and pipe assembly (18) has an outer conduit (54), an inner conduit (52), and at least one gas inlet (64). The outer conduit (54) is substantially impervious to gas whereas the inner conduit (52) is permeable to gas. The inner conduit (52) is disposed within and surrounded by the outer conduit (54). The gas inlet (64) connects the outer conduit (54) to a pressurized flow of gas to fluidize the material (M) within the inner conduit (52). A variable orifice non-contact valve (24) controls the flow of material (M) from the transition and pipe assembly (18).

Abstract: A wine must pump (10) for pumping a wine product (23) such as must or pomace, has an intake port (14) for receiving the wine product (23), a discharge port (16) for discharging the wine product (23) under pressure, vacuum chamber (20), connected to the inlet port (14), for receiving and separating wine product (23) from air, a pressure valve (26) for allowing the wine product (23) to be removed from the vacuum chamber (20) and an air pump (18) for providing the vacuum and forced air. A thermal transfer unit (28) removes heat from air exiting the air pump (18) such that the wine product (23) is not harmed thereby. A demister (39) removes moisture from recycled air entering the air pump (18). Silencers (74), (76) and (86), and an air pump sound box (110), provide for the quiet operation of the wine must pump (10). Optionally, process air can be injected between the vacuum chamber (20) and the pressure valve (26) to prevent clogging at the bottom of the vacuum chamber (20).

Abstract: A process, a means of transferring mineable material from any number of sources to a number of devices capable of separating out values from that mineable material. See (FIG. 1) the mineable material enters the hose (1), the hose (1) being under vacuum, and is transferred in a flow of air to the upper portion of a hopper (2). The hopper (2) is also under vacuum. The flow of air leaves the upper portion of the hopper (2) through hose (4), which is connected, to a vacuum blower (5). The mineable material, being heavier than air is deposited in the hopper (2). The mineable material is removed from the bottom of the hopper (2) by means of a variable speed drive screw conveyor (3) and is transferred to a separation device (8). The level of heavy mineable material (6) contained in the hopper (2), along with the mineable material contained in the screw conveyor (3) causes a seal against the force of vacuum and allows the mineable material to enter and be removed from hopper (2) simultaneously if desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying granular plastic materials, for example silicone granulate, including a storage tank, a device for loosening granular plastic material positioned within the storage tank, as well as a discharge device for indirectly or directly transporting granular material to an extruder antechamber. Even granular plastic materials that are difficult to pour can be conveyed in a reliable and economical way due to the process of loosening the granular plastic materials by means of a suitable device.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for transporting irregular objects such as bags filled with recycled cans through a duct in which the object is first accelerated by pneumatic pressure and subsequently decelerated after a sensor triggers the closure of the air outlets as the object approaches the output point of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for conveying spherical articles at high speed between sequential processes having different protective atmospheres, where the leakage of the atmospheres, which must be converted between the sequential processes, is prevented. The device includes a structure incorporating a rotary relay having a plurality of spherical-article accommodating chambers formed at predetermined intervals, a support container closely mounted on the rotary relay, and having a spherical-article receiving passage and a discharge passage. An atmosphere discharge pipe communicates with the spherical-article accommodating chambers of the rotary relay, and an atmosphere supply pipe is disposed adjacent to the spherical-article discharge portion of the rotary relay and communicates with the accommodating chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting stockings, socks or other sensitively responsive goods by means of air having a principal conduit member and a plurality of selectively closable auxiliary conduit members. The auxiliary conduit members are connected to the output of one or more productions means such as knitting machines. A slidable tubular insert is carried within the principal conduit member and moves from an opened and closed position to open or close an opening in the principal conduit member and permit a formed article to move within. Both the article collecting device and secondary conduit member communicate with the principal conduit member to collect a quantity of articles therein. A work station directing device is formed within the elongated conduit member to collect articles individually and discharge them in groups thereafter. An additional tubular insert member is held within the principal conduit member to open and close the secondary conduit connected directly to a work station.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification transducer or probe utilizing ultrasonic frequencies to treat cataracts, including a rotatable handle to facilitate repositioning of the needle in the eye during surgery while maintaining a comfortable and secure grip on the instrument. The rotatable handle is comprised of a sleeve portion, irrigation tube and connector member. The sleeve portion is secured to the front of the main body of the probe and the connector member is attached to the distal end thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously feeding particulate solid material into a pressurized system without pressure loss. The invention includes a rotary feeder for transferring particulate material to a high pressure system. In the feeder, chambers are filled with particulate material, and a rotor turns to empty the particulate material into the high pressure system. A compression cylinder is provided which has an inlet in communication with a high pressure chamber substantially empty of particulate material. The gas emptied from this chamber is forced by a piston in the compression cylinder into another chamber which is intially filled with particulate material at substantially atmospheric pressure. As the chamber which has been emptied of gas is brought into communication with the inlet of the feeder, any gas loss is substantially negligible because the gas is at approximately the same pressure as the inlet.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for operation periodically to move particulate material from a first level to a higher second level using air entrained to move in a loop. The apparatus includes a pick-up coupled in the loop and positioned in the material at the first level so that the material is entrained in the air loop, and a separator above the second level which is also coupled in the air loop and which is operable to strip the material from the air. The separator has an exit above which the material is collected and an actuator is operable periodically to collect batches of the material in the separator at the exit. A closure is coupled to the exit and operable to release a batch at the second level after each period of operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A material transfer system is provided having particular utility in cooperation with a liquid jet abrasive cutting system in which a continuous supply of abrasive, particulate material is required for abrasive cutting operations. Primary and secondary hoppers are provided for containing the abrasive particulate material, and the secondary hopper is suitably located at a position adjacent to the work station and remote from the primary hopper. The secondary hopper is provided with a first chamber and a second, lower chamber positioned beneath the first chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for operation periodically to move particulate material from a first level to a higher second level using air entrained to move in a loop. The apparatus includes a pick-up coupled in the loop and positioned in the material at the first level so that the material is entrained in the air loop, and a separator above the second level which is also coupled in the air loop and which is operable to strip the material from the air. The separator has an exit above which the material is collected and an actuator is operable periodically to collect batches of the material in the separator at the exit. A closure is coupled to the exit and operable to release a batch at the second level after each period of operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A dust suppressor apparatus for use in discharging particulate or granular material, such as grain, which includes a housing defining an internal chamber and having an inlet opening in the upper region of the chamber and a discharge opening in the lower region of the chamber. A suppressor control gate is hingedly mounted on the housing and is biased to a position preventing discharge of material through the discharge opening until a predetermined quantity of particulate material acts on the control gate to overcome the biasing and open the control gate. The control gate and is operative to exert pressure on the particulate material discharging through the discharge opening so as to enable bulk discharge while preventing egress of dust ladened air through the discharge opening. Baffle plates are provided in the chamber to reduce grain velocity within the device. The baffle plates may be independently adjustable or may be automatically adjusted upon tilting of the apparatus.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a unit for discharging material, such as lengths of paper strip from an air stream. As shown in FIG. 1, a flow of air with suspended waste material enters, as illustrated by the arrow 1, along a duct 2. The flow is into an entry section 4 of a perforated duct 5 located within an outer casing 6 which forms an air duct. At the downstream end, the duct 5 leads into a bend section 7 which is perforated on the outside of the bend and at the sides. The flow of air or gas continues out of the open end 8 of the casing 6 as indicated by the arrow 9, while the suspended solid material is deflected by the bend section into a discharge duct 11, down which the solid material falls by gravity. The duct 11 is shown as including two pairs of optional isolating flap valves 12 so as to provide an air lock arrangement so that the air flow in the duct 11 is substantially zero.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system including an air separator chamber having an exhaust fan connected thereto to produce a partial vacuum in such chamber is described. An inlet duct is connected to the chamber through which material is conveyed by air flow into the chamber. The chamber includes an exit section within which material separated by gravity/momentum forces collect, such exit section having an air lock valve therein as described below. This valve is arranged such that in the closed position of the valve, the pyramid-like configuration is inverted with the apex of the pyramid being directed downwardly. The air lock valve includes a plurality of flexible panels and a support structure operatively connected thereto. Such panel are movable between an open position for passage of material through the valve and a closed position. The panels together define an open-sleeve-like structure in the open condition of the valve.

Abstract: In an extraction method and apparatus for extracting low biomass solid materials from a pneumatic transport line, the stream of gas having the solids entrained therein is caused to flow over a toothed extractor wheel. The toothed wheel picks out of the stream the solid materials which are then doffed from the tooth extractor wheel by the vanes of a rotating valve which seals the pressure of the pneumatic transport line from the ambient. The material doffed from the extractor wheel falls into the region between the vanes of the rotary valve and is then removed from the system as the vanes of the valve rotate. The air stream which is inducted into the extractor is first caused to pass through a diffuser which slows the velocity of the air stream and then the air stream is cause to flow along a curved duct section toward the extractor wheel causing the solid materials to flow to the outside of the curved duct section and into the extractor wheel to facilitate extraction.

Abstract: An unloading system for transferring dry, bulk, particulate material from a ship, barge or the like to a conveyor system and ultimately to a storage silo. The particulate material is continuously transferred from the ship into a first pressure vessel or container which pressure vessel is operated under a constant vacuum or negative pressure. During the filling of the pressure vessel, particulate material is removed from the pressure vessel and sequentially transferred first to a temporary discharge container and then to a conveyor system. The alternating filling and emptying of discharge container continues while the pressure vessel is continuously filled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the flow of a powder from a source, such as a large hopper, to the intake of a conventional machine wherein such powder is compressed into tablets. Devices are arranged along the route of powder flow so as to restrict, decelerate and depressurize such powder flow and thereby prevent its surging, compaction and/or bridging. These devices are also arranged to maintain the powder in a loose condition of uniform density.In the preferred embodiments, said devices include most or all of a return duct to the powder source, an upper filter to atmosphere, an upper baffle against which the powder is directed, a restriction, an elongated powder tube through which the powder flows, a lower baffle and a final pressure relief filter to atmosphere. Mechanism in the tableting machine receives the thusly prepared powder and forms it into tablets much faster than previously possible.

Abstract: This invention is a conveying system for the transport of live fowl including a receiver assembly having an inlet thereto and outlet therefrom for live fowl and having an airlock assembly therebetween the inlet and outlet; a fowl conduit having an inlet thereto and outlet therefrom connected to the receiver assembly inlet; a suction apparatus mounted on the frame structure and connected to the receiver operable to provide a pressure drop between the fowl conduit inlet and the receiver assembly. More particularly, this invention is a system adapted to move live fowl through a fowl conduit, into a receiver assembly, through an airlock assembly and out of the receiver assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus including an enclosed pressurized conveying and storage system that will allow potentially explosive flyash or other fine material to be handled with the minimum possibility of damage to the equipment in the event of an explosion. The steel storage vessel is maintained under slight pressure with inert gases by means of a pressure relief valve and an inert gas supply, and is kept at a high enough temperature to prevent condensation of the gas (so that corrosive acids are not formed) by electric inductance heaters and insulation. Airlock valves are used to allow the ash into and out of the transport and containment system.