Abstract: In a device for feeding flocculent fiber material to processing machines, comprising an upper filling chute (1) arranged in a housing, at the lower end of which a feeding roller (8) is arranged cooperating with a beater or opening roller (9) from which a feeding chute (6) branches tangentially, the filling chute (1) and the feeding chute (6) having at least one at least partially air-permeable chute wall (2, 11), an additional pneumatic compacting being performed in the feeding chute by injecting a compacting air flow (C), and the flow of transport air (A) being discharged at the air-permeable chute wall (2) of the filling chute (1), it is provided that the flow of transport air (A) is discharged within the housing (7) into an exhaust air chute (3, 4) that is substantially parallel to the filling and feeding chute (1, 6) to an exhaust air connecting member (5) arranged downstream of the air-permeable chute wall (11), and that a partial air flow (B) of the flow of transport air (A) is supplied into the feeding

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending a material feed and/or separating debris from a material feed is disclosed in which a feed separator is used with a blender and/or debris separator. The feed separator separates a feed from the conveying air flow which conveys the feed and the conveying air flow, devoid of feed, is then used to blend the conveyed feed and/or separate debris therefrom.

Abstract: A cyclone separator (20) for a pneumatic grain conveyor (10) includes a filter assembly (60) mounted in the upper end thereof. The filter assembly (60) includes a cylindrical casing (62) extending into the separator (20) with a screen (70) therein and an adjustable accelerator plate (84) which cleans an adjacent portion of the screen and distributes the collected dust and foreign particles on the remainder of the screen. A second filter assembly (90) is preferably connected between the air outlet of the separator (20) and air inlet of the blower (52) for further dust and foreign particle removal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous disposal of waste materials generated by one or more textile machines is provided which functions without interrupting the working of the textile machines. The apparatus includes a main container of large capacity with an aspirator positioned downstream of the main container. The main container includes a door which is openable downwardly for emptying the main container. An auxiliary container is provided disposed connected to a conduit for incoming waste materials. The auxiliary container is positioned upstream of the main container. A gate valve is provided connected to an enclosure around the auxiliary container and an enclosure around the main container. The valve interrupts the suction through the main container and simultaneously activates suction through the auxiliary container. An arrangement is provided for operating the adjusting valve.

Abstract: An Excavation System is disclosed in which fragmented excavated material is entrained in a gas and pneumatically conveyed to a desirably remote site for separation of such material from such gas. Energy is supplied to a motor to operate a gas pump to induce high velocity gas flow through a long vacuum conduit. At a vacuum intake end such flow entrains such material and conveys such material into and through such conduit to one or more separators communicating serially with the flow path for separating and collecting the excavant, then such gas is discharged into the atmosphere. At least one separator includes a high-efficiency cyclone chamber for maintaining a gas vortex for high-efficiency centrifugal separation with minimal flow-resistance.

Abstract: A device achieves the entrainment of ultralight loose fill packing materials in an air stream to transport the packing materials into a depository for reuse or disposal. The device has an elongated air flow duct, with relatively low air flow induced by a rotating fan blade that extends partially into the interior of the duct. The construction provides for the air flow into the duct to be equal to the air flow out of the duct. A screen surrounds the fan blade to prevent contact with the packing materials as they flow through the duct. The collected packing materials are deposited into a flexible plastic bag, for example, that can be releasably secured to a perforated shroud on the outlet end portion of the transport duct. This device readily removes the loose fill packing materials from shipping cartons or, in the alternative, can recover widely scattered pieces of the material.

Abstract: A vacuum system is provided for selectively removing lightweight low density objects such as loose polystyrene packing material referred to as "peanuts" or "popcorn" from shipping cartons using a very low pressure vacuum which withdraws only the packing material and leaves the packed items in the carton. A low pressure vacuum is created in an elongated cylindrical conduit by directing air pressure from an annular plenum chamber into streams of air flowing through a series of spaced apart holes in a wall of the conduit toward the downstream end of the condudit. The conduit has an intake hose connected to its upstream end and a collection container at its downstream end. The packing material is drawn into the intake hose and through the conduit to the collection container.

Abstract: A system for separating particulate matter from an airstream during pneumatic loading of a tank is disclosed. The system includes a compact filter unit that can be housed within the periphery of a standard manhole in the tank of a pneumatic truck trailer. The system further includes a canister to protect the filter, and a means of storing extra filter units within the interior of the tank.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for use in filtering dust and the like from a pressurized air stream flowing through a manhole of a hopper trailer in a particulate transfer system includes a filter sheet having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the manhole and a plurality of filters mounted thereon. A retainer flange is installed in the manhole for supporting the filter sheet and a filter hold down is provided for holding the filter assembly in the manhole and for pressing the filter sheet into contact with the retainer flange. The filter hold down clamp contacts the filter sheet along the central longitudinal axis of the passage in order to provide one-point hold down of the sheet.

Abstract: A tight insulator (10) is equipped with a ventilation circuit having an intake pipe (14) and an exhaust pipe (16), in such a way that the internal insulator volume (12 ) is under an overpressure with respect to the outside. In order to rapidly discharge objects from volume (12), a discharge tube (28) is provided, which is closed by a door (34) and to which is connected the exhaust pipe (16).

Abstract: A scrap collection system for collecting scraps produced when materials such as metals and plastics are processed by a processing machine such as a pressing machine and a lathe. A scrap receiver receives scraps from the processing machine and has at least one hopper positioned beneath the processing machine. A scrap collector box vertically below the hopper has at least one opening into which a conduit is directed for delivering scraps into the scrap collector box, and at least one opening having a filter for discharging air from the scrap collector box.

Abstract: A sifter-screening machine for loose material, especially flour, including an inlet for the material, downstream thereof a screen through which the material can be conveyed via an air stream, and downstream thereof an outlet for screened material. Disposed in the conveying route of the material, downstream of the screen, is a zone of reduced static pressure followed in the conveying direction by a conveying zone having an increasing cross-sectional configuration. The weight of the material just upstream of the outlet is at least nearly equal to the oppositely directed pressure of compressed air below an air-permeable element for supplying the material to the outlet.

Abstract: Highly dispersed, powdery material is fluidized in a supply container 1, falls to the diaphragm pumps 2 and/or 3 and from there is pumped via the filling tube 4 and/or 5 into the horizontal or, in a given case tilted, storage container 6. Simultaneously the fluidizing air escapes through the values 7, 8, and 9 connected to the closed dome covers and/or through the filter tubes 10 arranged on the bottom of the storage vehicle container. The filter cloths 11, 12, and 13 arranged below the dome cover hold back the highly dispersed material. The pressure in the travelling storage container is controlled during the filling via the manometer 14.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying fiber in a chute feed (10) are disclosed including a pivotal air control deflection vane (B) pivoted at an entrance (46) of a reserve section (12). The inclination of the vane (B) may be adjusted, depending on airflow conditions and fiber type, to redirect the incoming horizontal flow (58) of fiber-laden air and deposit the fibers (F) in a column having a level surface (80). The transport air (72) exits the chute (32) of the reserve section through a grille (70). The level column of fibers provides feeding of a uniform weight of fibers across the entire width (W) of the chute for uniform feeding and opening the feed roll (34) and opening roll (39).

Abstract: A loose material recovery apparatus such as for recovering foam plastic packaging elements has an overhead bin for containing the material. The bin has a storage chamber for storing the material and an outlet from which the material in the bin is dispensed. A vacuum assembly above the storage chamber includes a container having a bottom door, an actuating member, and a motor. A storage compartment is defined within the container between the motor and the bottom door. The bottom door is mounted for movement between a closed position for retaining the material in the storage compartment and an open position allowing the material to fall from the compartment into the bin storage chamber. When the motor is energized movement is imparted to the actuating member to close the bottom door and create a vacuum in the storage compartment for drawing material to be recovered into the compartment through a suction hose.

Abstract: A silencer (70) which is particularly adapted for use with a pneumatic grain conveyor (10) includes a housing (72) with an arrangement of internal baffles (78, 80 and 82) defining a serpentine flow path of increasing cross-sectional area between an inlet (74) and an outlet (76) which is self-cleaning and effects noise reduction without absorptive material that would otherwise quickly clog the silencer.

Abstract: A vacuum loading apparatus is adapted to be mounted on the bed of a conventional pick-up truck and includes a primary particulate settling chamber and an integrally attached filter chamber having open communication with the settling chamber through a common separating wall. A pair of cylindrical filter units are mounted in the filter chamber, each filter unit has a pleated filter media disposed with its outer surface exposed to the particulate-carrying air. The open interior of the filter unit, comprising a clean air chamber, is divided into two sub-chambers by an impervious axially disposed separator and a compressed air nozzle is disposed adjacent the opening to each sub-chamber to direct a backflush jet of compressed air through the filter media to clean the entrained particulates therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling communited materials including a material hopper defining a zone into which the material may be deposited, a filter device having an inlet communicating with the material depositing zone, a pump defining a chamber for receiving material from the hopper, a valve for controlling the supply of material from the hopper to the pump chamber, a device for injecting fluid under pressure into the pump chamber to flush material disposed therein through a pump outlet, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid into the pump chamber, a venting conduit intercommunicating the pump chamber and the inlet of the filter device, and a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the venting conduit.

Abstract: A cyclone separator (20) for a pneumatic grain conveyor (10) includes a filter assembly (60) mounted in the upper end thereof. The filter assembly (60) includes a cylindrical casing (62) extending into the separator (20) with a screen (70) therein and an adjustable accelerator plate (84) which cleans an adjacent portion of the screen and distributes the collected dust and foreign particles on the remainder of the screen for reduced clogging and fewer operational interruptions to clear the screen.

Abstract: An intake hose on one sidewall of the machine communicates with a source of negative pressure to create a powerful suction air stream that draws particulate materials through the hose and propels them into a chamber where they separate from the air stream and charge by their own momentum directly into a discharge auger assembly on the opposite sidewall of the machine. The auger assembly joins with the sidewall of the machine at an upwardly and outwardly inclined attitude for elevating the materials into a suitable receiving truck or trailer alongside of the machine, and a lower longitudinal portion of the assembly which adjoins the sidewall is open along its length to facilitate the unimpeded reception and entry of particulate materials from the hose directly into the auger.

Abstract: A feed chute arrangement for textile machines, such as carding machines includes a feed chute having a plurality of walls one of which is gas-permeable to let gaseous medium to escape from the interior of the feed chute into a neighboring gas output chamber that is bounded by a plurality of additional walls different from the gas permeable wall. One of these additional walls is provided with an opening at which there is pivotally mounted a plate-shaped blocking flap selectively movable between its closed position and a plurality of open positions in which it offers various amounts of resistance to the flow of the gaseous medium from the gas output chamber through the opening into a connecting conduit and eventually into a discharge passage.

Abstract: The air seeder has a series of rotors which deliver a plurality of metered seed streams from a hopper and into a corresponding plurality of transfer condutis. The downstream ends of the transfer conduits are grouped together by a plate for quick and easy movement as a unit. The plate may be either coupled with a panel for delivery of the seed streams to delivery conduits for distribution of the seeds to the ground behind furrow openers or coupled with a sample collector inlet for collection of the seed streams therein. During normal planting operation the rotors are ground driven so as to meter an amount of seeds corresponding to the acreage traversed by the implement. During sampling, the rotors are manually operated so as to deliver a sample corresponding to a certain sample acreage. The sample is collected in the sample collector and the metered seed rate is determined by dividing the sample weight by the sample acreage.

Abstract: A fiber processing line is formed of a plurality of fiber processing machines connected by a conveyor duct. A blower-conveyor is arranged for driving fiber tufts in an air stream through the conveyor duct. The blower-conveyor includes a discharge housing, a rotary impeller supported in the discharge housing; an inlet opening in the discharge housing for drawing the fiber material into the blower axially with respect to the impeller. The discharge housing includes a housing wall generally circumferentially surrounding the impeller and bounding a blower outlet which, similarly to the inlet, is connected to the duct. A waste separator is integrated in the blower-conveyor. The waste separator includes throughgoing openings in the housing wall for providing passages for waste from the fiber tufts upstream of the outlet opening as viewed in a direction of advance of the fiber tufts.

Abstract: A granular product to be dosed is introduced at the same time as a transfer liquid into a dosing chamber below a retaining grid, provided in the upper part thereof. The measurement of the pressure upstream of the dosing chamber makes it possible to detect the arrival of the product level with the grid and to stop the introduction thereof. An inverted U-shaped pipe forming a syphon then ensures the transfer of the dosed product into a tank, when the compressed air is injected into the dosing chamber above the grid.

Abstract: A tobacco discharge unit for the hopper of a continuous-rod cigarette making machine which is arranged to prevent excessive packing of the tobacco at the end opposite the inlet of the unit. This is achieved by means of movable shutters on the filter screen separating the upper and lower compartments of the unit so as to modify the air flow pattern in the unit, or by means of a specially shaped "stepped" screen or by means of deflector baffles in the lower compartment.

Abstract: A system for transferring dry flowable material includes a substantially closed transfer vessel adapted to have particulate material drawn therein by a suction line during a fill cycle and discharge the material upon selective pressurizing of the vessel. A filter containment housing is integral with the pressure vessel and houses a filter element arrangement internally of the vessel to filter particulate material from air drawn to the suction line while optimizing the material capacity of the transfer vessel. Pneumatic pressure is introduced to the upper and lower ends of the transfer vessel to establish a predetermined pressure differential across a lower fluid pressure inlet, and provision is made to effect a dual action cleaning of the filter elements so as to maintain optimum efficiency. A bypass system is operative to maintain a predetermined design pressure within the vessel.

Abstract: A closed loop method and apparatus for unloading particulate materials from a transport container into a supply bin is disclosed. Material is conveyed from the discharge manifold of the transport container via vacuum into a transfer unit. The transfer unit has a vacuum zone and a pressure zone. The material is transferred from the vacuum to the pressure zone within the transfer unit and is conveyed via pressure to a cyclone separator mounted upon the supply bin. The particulate materials are separated in the cyclone separator and dropped into the supply bin. The overhead stream from the cyclone separator on top of the supply bin is returned to the discharge manifold on the transport container. Excess pressure developed in the supply bin is relieved into the transport container. Excess pressure in the transport container is filtered before being vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A particulate vacuum collector device comprises a generally closed housing 74 including a bottom portion 140 particulate material and air inlet 90 and an air outlet 84, the inlet and outlet being above the bottom portion and the air outlet being adapted to be connected with an air suction generator 40. A perforated drum 160 within the housing screens air flow between the inlet and the air outlet while particulate material gravity falls to the bottom portion. A particulate material outlet 220 is separate from the inlet and is associated with the bottom portion of the collector.

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 method for transporting particulates wherein the particulates are entrained in a transport air stream. An energizing air stream is introduced into the pipeline to form an air encasement stream between the inner wall of the pipeline and the transport air stream. The air encasement stream is introduced into the pipeline opposite directions to form a forward leaning movement of encasement air at a higher velocity than the transport air.

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 procedure and apparatus for charging and emptying the drying trays in a drying box containing pumpable, solvent-moist starting materials and end products which can be conveyed pneumatically, in which procedure, for filling, the drying trays are closed by means of cover plates and the solvent-moist starting materials are pumped into the filling spaces which are thus formed, these spaces being opened on commencing the drying process, and being closed again following completion of this process, after which the end products are conveyed away from the filling spaces by pneumatic means.This procedure enables drying boxes to be employed for drying even pumpable, solvent-moist products, the recommendations relating, respectively, to explosion protection and to maximum permissible concentrations of toxic materials at workplaces, being complied with, while the operations of charging and emptying the drying boxes are, at the same time, carried out by mechanical means, and hence at lower cost.

Abstract: A chute feed having an opening roller and a vertical chute therebeneath for receiving and collecting fibers, the chute having one generally vertical side wall formed with an area of perforations extending above and below the normal level of fibers collected in the chute, and a blower for generating an air current around the upper portion of the opening roller and toward the perforations to entrain fibers leaving the roller and to assist in equalizing the level of fibers collected in the chute. A fiber level sensing device is provided adjacent the area of wall perforations to control the flow of fibers from the opening roller to the chute.

Abstract: The connecting duct which directs the flock-laden air stream into the chute is provided with a restriction as well as with a ring duct for directing air impulses into the duct via openings on opposite sides of the duct. The restriction causes the air stream to accelerate and, since the air flow is closer to one opening, rather than the other, a reduced pressure is created on that side. This, in turn, causes a pulse of air to travel from one end of the ring duct to the other. The air pulse continues into the connecting duct to deflect the flock-laden air stream towards the other opening. This sequence then continues in rapid fashion to allow an even deposit of the flock in the chute.

Abstract: A vertical feed chute includes a feed roll for feeding fibers from a surge section in its upper end to a formation section in its lower end. A stationary, perforated condenser plate is secured to the lower, discharge end of the chute, and has thereon a concave surface which extends beneath the chute discharge opening, and beneath a metering roll that is mounted to rotate in the discharge opening in confronting relation to the condenser plate. A mat of fibers is drawn from the discharge opening into a nip between the condenser plate and metering roll where the mat is compressed and then fed to the input of a carding machine, or the like. The metering roll is mounted for limited reciprocable movement normal to its axis, and toward and away from the concave condenser surface. In one embodiment the roll is positively driven by pneumatic means toward or away from the concave surface depending upon the density of the mat entering the nip.

Abstract: A chute feed having a chute formed in part by an upper perforated wall portion and a lower oscillating wall portion. Two compartments are formed adjacent the chute and are separated therefrom by the upper and lower wall portions, and a divider wall is disposed to extend from the front of the chute feed to a location between the upper and lower edges of the upper perforated wall portion, such divider wall separating the two compartments and permitting the compartments to be exposed to upper and lower parts of the perforated wall portion, respectively.

Abstract: A portable, compact, unitized device for transferring articles by pneumatic means from a processing machine to a collection receptacle includes a chamber divided into two compartments by a perforated plate, and having a releasable closure cap at one end and a trap door at the opposite end. A port in one compartment is coupled to a vacuum source, and a work inlet port in the other compartment communicates with a work processing means. An actuator, completely encompassed within one compartment and mounted upon the releasable closure, includes a shutter moveable axially of the vaccum source port for controlling air flow through the compartments.

Abstract: A duct and flop-gate construction for handling particulate material and a method of handling dust or other particulate material. The collected material drops down a duct which contains a flop-gate for directing the material to either of two bins. A mild current of air is drawn upwardly through the duct and flop-gate counter to the movement of the material to subject the bins to negative pressure and prevent outward leakage. The same duct serves both to carry material downwardly to the bins and as a means for applying negative pressure to the bins.

Abstract: A uniform web of fiber tufts is delivered to a textile fiber processing machine such as a carding machine by a feed chimney provided with a perforated wall. The fiber tufts are impelled into the upper portion of the chimney by means of a fan, a uniform web of fibers being discharged between rollers at the lower end of the chimney. The level of tufts within the chimney is maintained constant and under constant pressure by a regulating valve and a two-position reversing valve. The reversing valve serves to put the suction side of the fan into communication either with a tuft storage area or with the atmosphere.

Abstract: The discharge end of a supply conduit for a mixture of tobacco particles and air communicates with the top portion of a hollow cylindrical housing for a driven cell wheel whose cells are subdivided into inner and outer chambers by impermeable partitions. The outer chamber of each preceding cell communicates with the inner chamber of the respective next-following cell by way of a sieve which forms part of the corresponding vane of the cell wheel. The outlet for tobacco particles is disposed at the lowermost point of the housing and communicates with successive outer chambers, the same as the discharge end of the supply conduit. A suction pipe for evacuation of gaseous carrier medium has an intake end which is coaxial with the wheel and communicates with successive inner chambers at a level above the axis of the wheel so that the inner chambers of cells whose outer chambers discharge tobacco particles into the outlet are sealed from the suction pipe.

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: An apparatus for separating opened fibre flocks from a transporting air stream composed of one chute or of a plurality of consecutive chutes connected to a transporting duct. At least one air permeable separating wall guides transporting air into an exhaust duct located behind the separating wall. A driven take-off device which forms a fibre layer is arranged at the lower chute end. The take-off device comprises a take-off roll which is arranged facing the air permeable separating wall and leaving free a small cross-section, as the deposited fibres pass through. The exhaust duct extends at least into the zone of the smallest clearance between the take-off roll and the wall, and, the take-off roll is sealed with respect to the other wall.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding a carding group with a pneumatic conveying system in which the feeding supplies a plurality of feed chutes. A flake flow is broken up, and is distributed with uniform circular motion, and is then converted into a flake accumulation of rectangular cross-section. The flake flow is distributed by centrifugal force effects, and the flake accumulation may be vertically compressed. A pneumatic conveying duct is followed by at least one feed chute with rectangular exit cross-section, in which an opening and distribution element with circular delivery is located between the conveying duct and the feed chute. The opening and the distribution elements, moreover, operate pneumatically, and may have a cone-shaped outer surface. The rotary speed of the opening and distribution elements may be made continuously variable, and the feed chute may have a circular entry cross-section.

Abstract: An overhead silo filling device for uniformly distributing ensilage and particulate materials in substantially symmetrical concentric fashion around a central axis of silos and the like comprises a hollow chamber with a discharge outlet at the lower end and adapted to be centered above the surface of the material in the silo. The chamber is supported in an opening in the silo roof structure and includes an upper section, an inwardly and downwardly sloping frusto-conical intermediate section and a lower discharge section which forms the discharge outlet for dispensing silage at the lower end. A material inlet conduit is secured to the upper section of the chamber for directing an inflow of material against an inside wall surface, and the inlet conduit slopes upwardly away from the upper section so that the material is directed downwardly into the chamber to form a downwardly spiralling path inside the chamber wall moving toward the discharge outlet.