Having Filter Patents (Class 406/171)
  • Patent number: 11932494
    Abstract: Raw material devices, systems that incorporate raw material delivery devices, and methods of supplying raw material using the raw material devices. A raw material delivery device includes a hollow body comprising a first end and a second end, the second end disposed above the first end in a system vertical direction, an inlet disposed at the first end of the hollow body, an outlet disposed at the second end of the hollow body, and a stepped passageway disposed within the hollow body between the inlet and the outlet. The stepped passageway is configured to deliver raw material via one or more steps from the inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Arcam AB
    Inventors: Karl Hansson, Peter Karlsson
  • Patent number: 11560689
    Abstract: Hydro excavation vacuum apparatus that process spoil material onboard the apparatus by separating water from the cut earthen material are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andy Strobel, Corey Lanoue, Daniel Hofland, Adam Bates, David Gift, Tayte Askelsen, James W. Skinner, Nathan J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10913620
    Abstract: A method for temporary storage of granular material in a receiver having a horizontally elongated chamber within a housing, the chamber having a convex triangular cross-section and a dump flap defining a bottom vertex of the triangular cross-section, with a horizontal air/vacuum resin material inlet connecting to the chamber, and a horizontal air/vacuum outlet leading from and connected to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 10513355
    Abstract: A minimal-amount powder metering device (1) for pharmaceutical or chemical applications, for metering powder volumes of less than 1 cm3, comprising a metering chamber (3) which is delimited by a surrounding wall (9) and which can be connected to a vacuum source (28) for suctioning powder in order to fill the metering chamber (3) with powder to be metered, filter means for retaining powder in the metering chamber (3) during a suctioning process being associated with the metering chamber (3), including the filter means are formed by the surrounding wall (9) and including at least one suction opening (12, 13) which serves to retain the powder in the metering chamber (3) and through which a vacuum can be applied to the metering chamber (3) is formed in the surrounding wall (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Fydec Holding AG
    Inventor: Frédéric Dietrich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8839712
    Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Stousland, David R Zittel, Daniel D. Maupin, Steve J. Schultz, Scott K. Weisman
  • Patent number: 8753432
    Abstract: A vacuum loader for providing granular resin material to resin material processing equipment has a loader housing, a vacuum motor, a dust filter, an air blast generator, a dump flap, and a pivoting manually releasable latch for retaining the lateral web and the loader from tilting rotation of the loader about the shaft and supporting the loader when placed in a tilted orientation; the latch being weighted to pivotally return to a web-retaining position when released by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 8684636
    Abstract: An air seeder venting system comprising a filter screen mounted in a distribution head of an air seeder for separating seeds from air fed from a supply conduit, the distribution head having an inlet in communication with the supply conduit, a plurality of seed outlets in communication with seeding lines, and an air exhaust, wherein the filter screen is located so as to have at an upstream side the inlet and the plurality of seed outlets, and at a downstream side the air exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: James Dunstan
  • Patent number: 8430230
    Abstract: A hopper loader is provided for supplying particulate material to a processing machine. The hopper loader includes a receiver with latching members configured for coupling to a hopper assembly. The hopper assembly includes a hopper which preferably has translucent side walls to permit visual inspection of the contents of the chamber within the hopper, and a filter element positioned atop the receiver which is configured so that particulate material trapped by the filter element will periodically fall back into the chamber for processing without operator intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Norlan L. Ferguson, William Ray Turner, Robert Lloyd Babcock
  • Patent number: 8383991
    Abstract: An adhesive melter includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and an interior configured to heat and hold adhesive pellets. The melter includes a lid for providing access to the interior and the outlet port communicates with the interior. An intake conduit is coupled to the inlet port and is configured to deliver forced air and adhesive pellets to the interior. An exhaust conduit is coupled to the outlet port and is configured to remove the forced air from the interior and to receive a filter for trapping particles of the adhesive pellets borne by the forced air. The outlet port and the inlet port are non-concentric but closely spaced and centrally located on the lid and the outlet port is spaced from the inlet port so as to cause the forced air to travel in a generally U-shaped path within the interior of the melter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Charles P. Ganzer, David R. Jeter, Brett A. Pearson, Charles M. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20120301230
    Abstract: A loading apparatus of a silo includes a pneumatic filling circuit connecting the silo to a tanker for transporting a granular or powdery material and a filtering device suitable to filter the compressed transport gas coming out of the silo. A recovery device of at least part of the energy contained in the compressed transport gas of the granular or powdery material is arranged between the tanker and the silo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: WAM INDUSTRIALES S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vainer Marchesini, Luca Golinelli
  • Publication number: 20120230779
    Abstract: An air seeder venting system comprising a filter screen mounted in a distribution head of an air seeder for separating seeds from air fed from a supply conduit, the distribution head having an inlet in communication with the supply conduit, a plurality of seed outlets in communication with seeding lines, and an air exhaust, wherein the filter screen is located so as to have at an upstream side the inlet and the plurality of seed outlets, and at a downstream side the air exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: James Dunstan
  • Patent number: 8157484
    Abstract: An apparatus for pumping free-flowing materials, having a receptacle coupled to a vacuum pipe and a pumping gas pipe, at least one filter, at least one supply pipe, and at least one drainage pipe for a material being associated with the receptacle. The apparatus includes a vertically extending cylindrical pump chamber configured to pneumatically pump liquids, powder, suspensions and pastes. Further, a device is mounted in an upper region of the pump chamber configured to separate liquid and powder. The device further includes a filter element and a float member. The float member is configured as a sealing element above, and a lower region of the pump chamber is coupled to the at least one supply pipe and the at least one drainage pipe for at least one of a liquid, a powder, a suspension, and a paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fydec Holding SA
    Inventor: Frederic Jun. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8157483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for rendering vacuum conveyors inert, the vacuum conveyors including at least one intake device (30), a discharge device (40), a separating vessel (100), a vacuum pump device (20), and a system for feeding inert fluid into the separating vessel (100). An inert fluid is fed into the at least one separating vessel (100) below the free surface of a separated material (102) during inertization. A corresponding vacuum conveyor (10) which can be rendered inert includes a system for feeding inert fluid below the free surface (103) of a separated material on and/or in the at least one separating vessel (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Volkmann GmbH
    Inventor: Thilo Volkmann
  • Patent number: 8006613
    Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Stousland, David R. Zittel, Daniel D. Maupin, Steve J. Schultz, Scott K. Weisman
  • Publication number: 20100183380
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey Dietterich
  • Publication number: 20090162150
    Abstract: An apparatus for pumping free-flowing materials, having a receptacle coupled to a vacuum pipe and a pumping gas pipe, at least one filter, at least one supply pipe, and at least one drainage pipe for a material being associated with the receptacle. The apparatus includes a vertically extending cylindrical pump chamber configured to pneumatically pump liquids, powder, suspensions and pastes. Further, a device is mounted in an upper region of the pump chamber configured to separate liquid and powder. The device further includes a filter element and a float member. The float member is configured as a sealing element above, and a lower region of the pump chamber is coupled to the at least one supply pipe and the at least one drainage pipe for at least one of a liquid, a powder, a suspension, and a paste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Fydec Holding SA
    Inventor: Frederic Jun. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 7476265
    Abstract: A bulk bag unloading system generally consisting of a support means; a hopper mounted on the support means; filtering means mounted on the support means at a level above the hopper; means intercommunicating the interior of the hopper and an inlet of the filtering means; a means for suspending the bulk bag on the support means wherein a spout of the bulk bag communicates with an inlet of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Barton Firman
  • Patent number: 7407346
    Abstract: A collector assembly is configured to vent dust-laden air through at least one filter in one direction using pressure in an air conveyor, whereby dust collects on one side of the filter or filters. The collector assembly is further configured to pulse compressed air through the filter or filters in an opposite direction to dislodge the collected dust into the air conveyor without the dislodged dust entering the atmosphere around the air conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Larry D. McConnell
  • Publication number: 20080038071
    Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor apparatus includes a separation chamber with an input port in a wall thereof. A vacuum duct has an output end connected to the input port. An auger discharge conveyor has a lower auger intake opening in a bottom portion of the separation chamber. A suction device creates an air stream flowing from the intake end of the vacuum duct through the input port into the separation chamber, and out through an upper portion of the separation chamber. A housing connects the input port to a first portion of the auger intake opening, and a screen covers a second portion of the auger intake opening such that the air stream flows from the input port into the first portion of the auger intake opening and flows out of the second portion of the auger intake opening through the screen into the separation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Cameron Dwight Bodie, Jonathan Cartei
  • Patent number: 7264422
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and forming loose fill fiber material from an air stream includes introducing a combined fiber and air stream onto a surface of a rotatable drum. The rotatable drum allows the air to flow through the surface of the drum while collecting the fiber material on the surface of the drum. The collected fiber material is then removed from the drum surface by a blow off header that is internal to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology Inc.
    Inventors: John Hasselbach, Michael E. Evans
  • Patent number: 7104743
    Abstract: A vacuum receiver for a pneumatic conveyor for conveying, e.g., plastic pellets, having a receiving vessel with a material inlet, a material outlet and a conveying gas outlet. A first valve member is provided for opening and closing the conveying gas outlet, and a second valve member is provided for opening and closing the material outlet. Both valve members are connected to a common valve shaft and actuated by a single actuator mounted on a vessel lid. The vacuum receiver of the invention has the advantage of affording positive control and sealing of the material discharge valve while at the same time being economical to manufacture and easily cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Rainville, Robert R. Crawford, Leonard Paquette, William Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 6994497
    Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying particulate material containing reaction products of a high pressure reactor from a supply vessel at a pressure of at least two bar to a receiving vessel at a considerably lower pressure. The apparatus includes a conveyor line attached to the supply vessel, a collecting vessel between the conveyor line and the receiving vessel, the collecting vessel including (i) a discharge conduit for the carrier gas, (ii) a device for controlling the discharge velocity of the carrier gas from the collecting vessel, and (iii) a device for controlling the pressure of the material collected in the collecting vessel, and a device for conveying the material directly from the collecting vessel to the receiving vessel essentially at the same pressure as is prevailing in the receiving vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia Oy
    Inventors: Timo Eriksson, Juhani Isaksson, Reijo Kuivalainen, Pekka Lehtonen, Juha Palonen
  • Patent number: 6890129
    Abstract: A system for discharging dried product, particularly for drying filters, drying units and the like, comprising, on a container for treating and containing a dried product, a discharge hole that is controlled by a discharge valve, interposed on a pneumatic circuit suitable to produce a circulation of fluid in output from the discharge hole. An agitator is also provided which acts on the dried product to facilitate its outward conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: 3V Cogeim S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Fabbri
  • Patent number: 6868876
    Abstract: A device for the sacking of bulk material having a product container for receiving bulk material, a filling funnel, and a dust filter. A separator, which is connected to the filling funnel via a connection line, is arranged upstream to the dust filter. Furthermore, the separator for the extracted bulk material is connected to the product container for returning extracted bulk material thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventor: Ludger Nobbe
  • Patent number: 6502689
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying bulk material generally consisting of a support, a guide member defining a passageway providing a circuitous path, having a base section supported on the support and a section cantilevered relative to the support; at least two sprockets disposed in such passageway and rotatably supported on the guide member, one of such sprockets being disposed in the cantilevered section of the guide member and having a substantially vertically disposed axis of rotation; a rope assembly including an endless rope disposed in the passageway along the circuitous path and reeved around the sprockets, and a plurality of discs spaced along such rope, and a motor for driving one of the sprockets, wherein the guide member includes a inlet communicating with the passageway for feeding material therein and a discharge outlet communicating with the passageway about a portion of the periphery of the one socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Mitchell, Richard W. Ambs, Todd E. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6364579
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating fibrous material such as wool, wood, paper, cellulose, rockwool, fiberglass, etc., which is conveyed by and suspended in air. The separator can be used with pneumatic vacuum systems and pneumatic pressure conveying systems for separating fibrous material used for insulation. The apparatus includes a housing having an inlet, an air outlet and a fibers outlet. An air lock is provided at the fibers outlet for allowing fibrous material to exit but generally restricting the air from exiting therethrough. A screen supported on a support fixture located at the air outlet allows air to pass but generally restricts fibrous material from exiting. The fibrous material is allowed to accumulate on the screen thereby forming a fibrous filter mat for filtering smaller fibrous particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Milton L. Gerber
  • Patent number: 6325572
    Abstract: A device for the pneumatic conveyance of particulate substance having a specific gravity of 0.1 to 15.0 g/cm2 and a particle size of between 0.1 to 300 &mgr;m includes a flat plate like filter element between a pump chamber and sources of positive and negative pressure. The flat plate filter element provides a desired pressure drop and is cleaned of particulate material during operation of the device upon application of positive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Frederic Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20010041102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic conveying system, comprising an apparatus for gravimetric solids metering, wherein a readily fluidizable material to be conveyed is fed to a conveying line, culminating with a mixer into which the fluidizable material is conveyed from the conveying line. A degassing screw located between the gravimetric solids metering system and the mixer allow for transfer of conveyed solids into the mixer without pressure buildup and without altering the weight ratio of the filler to product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Wacker-Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Huber, Helmut Wohrl, Johann Schuster
  • Patent number: 6197080
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating fiber tufts from a fiber tuft-laden conveying air stream includes a generally vertically oriented feed chute having an upper portion and a lower portion; an air-pervious screen disposed in the upper chute portion; an inlet channel having an outlet opening in the upper portion for introducing the fiber tuft-laden conveying air stream into the upper portion and for directing the fiber tuft-laden conveying air stream toward the inner face of the screen for effecting an impingement of the fiber tufts on the screen and a passage of the air stream, stripped of the fiber tufts, through the screen; and a mechanism disposed in the upper chute portion adjacent the inner screen face for effecting a sweeping motion of the fiber tuft-laden conveying air stream back and forth over the inner screen face for removing a pressing force of the air stream on the fiber tufts against the inner face of the screen, whereby the fiber tufts fall off the inner screen face by gravity toward the lower chute po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Rübenach
  • Patent number: 6045298
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are disclosed for blowing or spraying loose-fill insulation (e.g. fiberglass) into wall cavities and the like the system including a fiber recovery or recycling subsystem that vacuums up overspray or waste fibers and forwards them back toward the hopper. A fiber collector device having a fiber inlet and outlet is mounted above the hopper, and receives the recovered waste fibers and redistributes them back into the hopper so that they mix with virgin fibers therein. The mix of recovered and virgin fibers is then blown through the blow hose toward a wall cavity or the like to be insulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventor: C. E. Butch Lytle
  • Patent number: 6039513
    Abstract: A separator for removing pellets from an air flow has a screen inclined to the path of the pellets and which deflects the pellets toward a pellet discharge member for subsequent delivery to a hot melt glue tank. The screen is detachably carried by an air outlet of the separator which, in turn, is detachably mounted on the separator. In a modified air outlet, stacked screens of decreasing aperture cross section are removably secured in place by a bayonet lock on the screens and air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: R. Thomas Law
  • Patent number: 6017446
    Abstract: A flume system for use with a floor mounted filtration apparatus and a floor mounted in-line machine section is provided. The machine section receives a flow of clean coolant from the filtration apparatus and has a series of machine outlets for outputting dirty coolant carrying particulate generated by the machine section. The system includes an elongated floor mounted flume disposed adjacent the series of machine outlets to receive the machine outputted dirty coolant. The flume has a slope of less than 2% and is coupled at an outlet end to the filtration apparatus. A discharge pipe is mounted adjacent a distal end of the flume for introducing a stream of coolant into the flume in a direction generally toward the outlet end. The stream of coolant introduced into the flume causes the flume to have an efficient hydraulic radius such that a minimal amount of coolant flows within the flume at a sufficient velocity to wash away the particulate from the flume into the filtration apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Henry Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene H. Harms, Stephen N. McEwen, Michael C. Harms, John L. Creps
  • Patent number: 5984590
    Abstract: A system for recovering waste fiber and reusing it with a loose-fill blown-in-place insulation system includes a fiber collector device mounted above the feed hopper, which collector receives the waste (i.e. recovered) insulation for recycling into the blowing operation. The collector includes a unique set of angled baffles which serve to thoroughly redistribute the recovered waste fibers back into the feed hopper for more even and uniform mixing with the new, virgin fibers being added. To accomplish this distribution the baffles are located so as to increase in surface area as a function of increased distance from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Church, II, C. E. Butch Lytle
  • Patent number: 5947646
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method blow or spray loose-fill insulation (e.g., fiberglass) into wall cavities and the like. The system includes a fiber recovery or recycling subsystem that vacuums up overspray or waste fibers and forwards them back toward the hopper. A fiber collector device having a fiber inlet and outlet is mounted above the hopper, and receives the recovered waste fibers and redistributes them back into the hopper so that they mix with virgin fibers therein. The mix of recovered and virgin fibers is then blown through the blow hose toward a wall cavity or the like to be insulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventor: C. E. Butch Lytle
  • Patent number: 5913642
    Abstract: A flap is disposed across the opening between an expansion chamber and an exhaust air duct to control the delivery of fiber tuft-laden air into a feed chute or chamber. The flap has two wings which pivot about a common pivot axis whereby as one wing increases the flow cross section from the expansion chamber, the other wing reduces the flow cross section. A pressure difference produces forces on both wings simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Rolf Boehler, Lucas Hiltbrunner
  • Patent number: 5833287
    Abstract: A vacuum assembly for recovering and dispensing flowable packaging material is comprised of a chamber, an air pump, a screen, and a handle. The air pump, which may be an electric motor and squirrel cage blower, is stationed to pump air into the mouth, through the chamber, through the screen, and out an exhaust where the air may be useful for blowing flowable packaging material. The screen may be contoured or flat, and is configured to allow the passage of air but not the passage of flowable packaging material. The mouth opens to the exterior of the vacuum assembly, and is configured such that flowable packaging material that is contained within the chamber can fall out of the mouth, under the influence of gravity, when the mouth is oriented downward and the air pump is not pumping air. The chamber may increase in cross-sectional area from the mouth to the screen. A door, flap or other shutting mechanism may be used to shut the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Charles L. Shade
  • Patent number: 5785464
    Abstract: A loading device primarily for injecting granular plastic material into molding or extrusion machines includes a tee chamber connected to a source of the material. A filter and screen are supported on a top plate interposed between the filter and the tee chamber. A baffle is located in the tee chamber to deflect the solid material to a sight glass assembly, while air and fines flow toward the screen and filter. A second or middle plate is inserted between the tee chamber and the sight glass assembly. A bottom plate supports the sight glass and is part of an end bell which includes a quick connect and disconnect sleeve for attachment to the associated machine. A plurality of support rods and threaded members secure the top plate to the middle or second plate, and the middle or second plate to the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventors: Peter May, III, Daniel T. Harnish
  • Patent number: 5769286
    Abstract: A hosiery item spreading unit with pneumatic feed, usable with pneumatic hosiery item conveyance systems equipped with a centralized suction, comprising: a structure which forms an elongated spreading chamber arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal and provided, at its longitudinal ends, respectively with a first opening, connected to a duct for feeding the hosiery item to be spread, and with a second opening, connected to a suction duct which can be connected to suction means; the spreading chamber being closed, in a downward region, by a door which can be opened on command to remove the spread hosiery item and containing also elements for gripping a longitudinal end of the hosiery item which are spaced from the first opening towards the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Essedue S.r.l.
    Inventor: Stefano Conti
  • Patent number: 5769572
    Abstract: A bag dumping station for receiving particulate materials from rupturable bags or other portable containers is provided with a vacuum facility with a direct inlet to the hopper of the station and includes an ejector for providing motive gas for vacuum conveying particulate solids from a drum or spilled materials from broken bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5769573
    Abstract: A throttle valve is provided within a discharge air duct located adjacent a fiber duct receiving a fiber laden air stream. The throttle valve cooperates with a stop in a lowered position to form a gap to allow a minimal air flow therethrough. In addition, a weight is provided on an arm attached to the throttle valve for pivoting therewith. The weight is disposed to counterbalance a substantial portion of the weight of the flap valve in the raised position of the valve so that the air flow maintains the valve in the open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Rieter Machine Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jurg Faas, Peter Brutsch
  • Patent number: 5758992
    Abstract: A golf ball elevator includes a tube connected to a suction manifold and elevates golf balls to any desired height. The tube has at least one suction opening in the wall of the tube. The suction manifold covers the suction opening in the tube and draws a partial vacuum in the tube allowing golf balls to travel upwards inside the tube from a lower level to any desired height. At the desired height, the golf balls are released into a container or into another independent location. The golf ball elevator can swivel about its axis to allow the golf balls to be dispensed to surrounding locations. The golf ball elevator can also be connected to a conventional golf ball washer and dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Otto A. Sawallisch
  • Patent number: 5741093
    Abstract: Air packaging peanut recovery system for recovering packing peanuts includes an operator held wand connected to a flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a discharge end extending into a collection hopper having a mesh top. The wand is provided with an air valve having an actuating handle and a discharge jet. The air valve is connected to a connected source of air under pressure. The orifice of the discharge jet faces downstream and produces a vacuum at the inlet end of the wand when air under pressure flows through the discharge jet orifice. A turbulator pin is mounted on the wand and is adjustable to project into the path of the air stream discharged from the orifice of the discharge jet. By manipulation of the handle or adjustment of the turbulator pin, the vacuum may be readily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: David J. Schonberg, Neal E. Fosdick
  • Patent number: 5630680
    Abstract: Separation of a high temperature (e.g., 300.degree.-1200.degree. C.) and high pressure (e.g., 2-20 bar) solids-gas stream from a pressurized fluidized bed reactor into solids and gas while reducing the pressure of both the gas and solids takes place in a vertical de-entrainment vessel having a packed bed of solids within it. The possibility of fluidization of the solids is minimized by causing the velocity of the gas component of the solids-gas stream to be reduced during, or just prior to, introduction of the gas into the packed bed of solids, e.g., by providing an expanding conical end to the inlet for the solids-gas stream into the vessel. A gas permeable solids impermeable element may also or alternatively be connected to the inlet and extend toward (optionally all the way to) the side wall of the vessel, to substantially prevent fluidization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia OY
    Inventors: Arun K. Basak, Karukkampalayam M. Sellakumar
  • Patent number: 5567090
    Abstract: Separation of a high temperature (e.g., 300.degree.-1200.degree. C.) and high pressure (e.g., 2-20 bar) solids-gas stream from a pressurized fluidized bed reactor into solids and gas while reducing the pressure of both the gas and solids takes place in a vertical de-entrainment vessel having a packed bed of solids within it. The possibility of fluidization of the solids is minimized by causing the velocity of the gas component of the solids-gas stream to be reduced during, or just prior to, introduction of the gas into the packed bed of solids, e.g., by providing an expanding conical end to the inlet for the solids-gas stream into the vessel. A gas permeable solids impermeable element may also or alternatively be connected to the inlet and extend toward (optionally all the way to) the side wall of the vessel, to substantially prevent fluidization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia Oy
    Inventors: Arun K. Basak, Karukkampalayam M. Sellakumar
  • Patent number: 5487229
    Abstract: An excavation head, mounted on one end of a telescoping hollow boom, has nozzles for directing jets of high speed air at an excavation face to loosen soil. A vacuum transport pipe extends from the excavation head through the hollow of the boom to a spherical joint. The spherical joint movably joins the other end of the boom to a primary separator. The primary separator is a chamber for disentraining loosened soil from air flowing through the primary separator. A primary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the primary separator for expelling soil from the primary separator. A secondary separator is joined to the primary separator by way of a separator connector pipe. A secondary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the secondary separator for expelling soil from the secondary separator. A positive displacement vacuum pump has its vacuum side pneumatically connected to the secondary separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Nathenson, Jerome Apt, Jr., Martin J. Uram, Paul M. Brumbaugh, Gary H. Brawley, Donald J. Hackman, Brian Christenson
  • Patent number: 5478172
    Abstract: Ultrafine powder is stored in a pneumatic transportation tank (20), and is discharged to a transporting conduit (23) while being fluidized by the pressurized air fed through a fluidizing air port (24). The ultrafine powder is fed to a weigher (30) provided at the other end of the transporting conduit (23), at which the weight of the transported ultrafine powder is weighed by a load cell (31). After the weighed value reaches 90% of a predetermined value, the fed amount of the pneumatic transportation air is reduced, and a bypass regulating valve (38) is adjusted to thus decelerate the transportation. When the weighed value reaches 100% of the predetermined value, the discharge of the ultrafine powder to the transporting conduit (23) is stopped. This method and the apparatus enable the storage, quantitative batch transportation, and automatic weighing of the ultrafine powder such as silica fume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignees: Keihin Ryoko Concrete Ind. Corp., Mitsubishi Materials Corp., Takenaka Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Oura, Mitsuo Sato, Yasuyuki Saito, Ken-ichi Mase, Kenzo Kitazawa, Hayao Aoyagi, Toru Okuno, Toshio Yonezawa, Kenro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 5427491
    Abstract: A hatch cover is a tent-like fabric structure having a skirt with dimensions which fit around and is attachable to a periphery of a hatch to keep foreign substances from falling into the hatch. Examples of such substances are rain, snow, dust, and any other contaminants. The fabric structure has a sloping roof rising from the skirt to a top where the fabric is sealed to a spout for delivering particulate matter into a space (such as the hold of a ship) under the fabric. A plurality of ropes extends around the periphery of the hatch to the top of the fabric, whereby the spout may be positioned and repositioned by changing the length of the tie-down ropes. The fabric structure may also be supported by creating a positive air pressure under the structure relative to ambient atmosphere pressure. Preferably the fabric structure is a generally conical structure with eaves at the base of the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Company
    Inventors: Warren J. Duffy, Paul L. Woijeck, James F. Voigt
  • Patent number: 5328301
    Abstract: An air return is useable in a venturi system having an upstream air induction member feeding a product flow line downstream of the air induction member. The air return itself comprises a housing having a product flow region to be fitted in line with the product flow line, an air draw region separated from the product flow region by a perforate divider with a baffle internally of the divider and an air flow line from the housing to be fitted back to the air induction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Frank V. Oirschot
  • Patent number: 5323819
    Abstract: An overhead vacuum assembly for recovering, storing and dispensing flowable packaging material including a flexible storage bag having an open upper end for receiving flowable packaging material, a dispensing valve mounted at the lower end of the bag, a liner or frame for maintaining the perimeter shape of the flexible bag, a cover mounted at the open upper end of the flexible bag, a fan motor assembly, including a filter, mounted to the cover for creating a vacuum in the bag and a hose mounted to the cover. The filter acts as a deflector to evenly distribute the loose fill throughout the bag during the recovery process. The cover may have a pyramidal shape and tear-away panels for ease of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Charles L. Shade
  • Patent number: 5273562
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for separating particulate solids from a transport gas, the apparatus comprising outlet and inlet ducting extending respectively away from one towards a storage housing within which separation of solids from the transport gas occurs. The storage housing is provided with an openable outlet for the particulate material, the outlet being positioned above the level of an open topped receptacle for receiving the particulate material when the storage housing is suitably mounted on its mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Technivac Limited
    Inventor: Patrick G. Sneehan