Abstract: A method for transporting a substrate is provided. In this method, a non-Newtonian fluid is provided and the substrate is suspended in the non-Newtonian fluid. The non-Newtonian fluid is capable of supporting the substrate. Thereafter, a supply force is applied on the non-Newtonian fluid to cause the non-Newtonian fluid to flow, whereby the flow is capable of moving the substrate along a direction of the flow. Apparatuses and systems for transporting the substrate using the non-Newtonian fluid also are described.

Abstract: A conveying chamber hose for a device for conveying fluid is embodied in an elastic manner, has an inlet and an outlet and has the smallest resistance in the area of the inlet.

Abstract: Palletized materials are delivered in controlled quantity into a pulse modulated air stream. A vortex of compressed air gates the pellets into flexible small diameter tubing for transit to a hot melt adhesive application apparatus. Pellets of different materials, sizes, and shapes can be combined in a defined ratio within several seconds of melting at the application point. Pellet delivery air can be utilized for spray application of the melted material.

Abstract: A dual cylinder positive displacement pump is used to move drill cuttings. The pump may include one or more of a self-sealing wear ring member/wear plate member interface, stainless steel pumping cylinders, and a hopper with an inclined surface.

Abstract: A conveyor device for containers having a receiving rail for receiving a neck area of the containers, the containers being held by the receiving rail and are movable within this receiving rail. Guide mechanisms are provided with guide elements that are arranged beneath the receiving rail and guide the movement of the containers. The guide elements are movable in the longitudinal direction of the containers and the movements in the longitudinal direction of the containers of a plurality of different guide elements are mechanically linked to one another.

Abstract: A method of transporting pulverulent filling material through at least one line. The method comprises opening a chamber-like line region located in the at least one line, introducing the pulverulent filling material into the chamber-like line region, closing the chamber-like line region, and pressing the pulverulent filling material out of the chamber-like line region and at least partially into the at least one line using at least one compressed air pulse.

Abstract: A system for controlling gas leakage in a solids delivery system is provided. The system includes a bulk solids pump comprising an inlet for a particulate material and an outlet for discharge of said particulate material. The system also includes a buffer gas channel configured to impede backflow of process gas into the bulk solids pump, such as from a downstream system or process. The system further includes a pressure differential system configured to control a flow rate of the buffer gas and maintain a positive differential in pressure between the buffer gas and the process gas.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A system for substantially continuously providing a solid material, for example pulverized coal, to a pressurized container. The system provides the solid material to a first container of a first pressure elevated above an initial pressure of the solid material. Generally, a screw conveyor augmented with a jet port is used to move the material where the jet port provides a gas to provide a make-up volume of the solid material. The system also provides the material to a second high pressure container after the material has been formed into a slurry. Therefore, the solid material may be substantially continuously provided in a system to a high pressure container.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing a plurality of polymeric pellets includes a step of introducing the pellets into a pneumatic conveying system with an initial average temperature. The plurality of polymeric pellets are pneumatically transferred from the inlet to an outlet with a conveying gas. While residing within the conveying system, the pellets have a sufficient temperature for crystallization to occur. A pneumatic conveying system implementing the methods of the invention is also provided.

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

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method and system for delivering lost circulation material, particularly cottonseed hulls, into oil and gas drilling pits. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method of delivering lost circulation material from a bulk source to a drilling well mud system for controlling lost circulation within a drilling well bore includes positioning a bulk container of lost circulation material at a location in the vicinity of but removed from drilling well mud system. Lost circulation material is introduced from the bulk container into a sorting mechanism. The method further includes conveying the lost circulation material with a moving device from the sorting mechanism to the drilling well mud system along a path separated from the moving device.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the disbursement of relatively heavy materials, such as aggregate or wet compost out of a moveable container are provided. Material is conveyed within the container to a feeder that meters the material into an air stream. The air stream is provided at a relatively high pressure and flowrate with respect to other mobile blowing systems. The air stream carries the material though a hose that is manned by an operator. The operator points the hose towards a desired location for application of the dispersed material.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of use of a conveying apparatus for the pneumatic conveyance of sized glass fibers, the sized glass fibers having a size extractability of at most 85%, preferably at most 50% and with particular preference at most 40%.

Abstract: Provided are a method for delivering a fine particle dispersion which makes it possible to flow the fine particle dispersion, as a stable flow, in a microflow-channel without sedimentation, being deposited on the bottom face of the inner surface of the channel or blocking up or clogging the channel, so as to give a high efficiency for recovering the fine particles; and a device for delivering a fine particle dispersion which can be used for a long period of time and which makes it possible to flow the fine particle dispersion as a stable flow in a microflow-channel without sedimentation, being deposited on the bottom face of the inner surfaces of the channel or blocking up or clogging the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of delivering a fine particle dispersion in the state of laminar flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of a microflow channel having the inlet port and the outlet port, the fine particle dispersion containing fine particles having a volume average particle size of from about 1.5 ?m to about 1000 ?m dispersed in its liquid medium, the specific gravity of the fine particles being from approximately 0.10 to 0.99 times that of the liquid medium, wherein the microflow channel is disposed such that the outlet port is disposed above the inlet port in the buoyant force direction, and the angle of the flow channel from the inlet port to the outlet port is set to from approximately 0 to 45° relative to the buoyant force direction, and wherein the fine particle dispersion is introduced into the inlet port and the introduced fine particle dispersion is delivered to the outlet port. Also disclosed is a device for delivering the fine particle dispersion.

Abstract: Elemental sulfur is combined with either liquid anhydrous ammonia, liquid sulfur dioxide, or both to form a solution or slurry which is transportable through pipelines or other transport vessels without a risk of clogging due to the environmental temperature drops that these vessels typically encounter. This unusual behavior and the advantages it offers arise from the discovery of unexpected solubility vs. temperature relationships of elemental sulfur in each of these two carriers. Among the advantages are significant improvements in the economics of many industrial chemical processes that involve the presence of sulfur either in elemental or chemically combined form, including natural gas or tar sands production and processing, hydrogen sulfide abatement, hydrogen production without carbon dioxide emissions, and sulfur extraction from ores, subterranean deposits, depositories, or fouled impaired industrial facilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting oil drill cuttings using a vessel having a lower conical portion where the cone has an angle which provides for mass flow of the drill cuttings when there is an application of compressed air on the surface of the drill cuttings in the vessel.

Abstract: A transportation subassembly is provided for transporting a material that is destabilized in the presence of a destabilizing contaminant. The subassembly has a structural body having a cavity constructed and arranged to receive the material to be stored, a breather assembly operatively connected to the structural body and including a container forming a chamber, the chamber being in fluidic communication with the cavity and being constructed and arranged to receive an contaminant-removing material selected to remove the destabilizing contaminant, and a venting assembly mounted with respect to the structural body. The venting assembly includes a rupture apparatus rupturable at a predetermined pressure formed within the cavity to form fluidic communication between the cavity and the atmosphere. A method for transporting a material in a transportation subassembly is also provided.

Abstract: A device for non-contact support of a continuous moving web of material employs an air clamp stabilizer that includes a Coanda slot and a backstep that is located downstream of the direction of the airflow extending from the Coanda slot. This configuration permits a Coanda jet to expand and to create an additional suction force. Vortex formation may also occur which further contributes to the strength of the suction force. As the web passes the stabilizer, an area of the web material rides on an air bearing that is maintained above the stabilizer surface and downstream of the backstep.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for feeding sliders (31) from a source of sliders to the slider insertion area (27) of at least two slider insertion devices (18, 19). A sensor (30, 52) on a sender track (20, 21) detects a lack of sliders (31) in the sender track. A signal is sent from the sensor (30, 52) to actuate a vibratory bowl (14) of sliders (31) and a plunger (35) to open a passage, thereby releasing the sliders (31) to a sender track (20, 21). When a sensor (46, 56) detects a lack of sliders (31) in a loading rack (25, 26) or a slider insertion area (27), the sensor (46, 56) signals a plunger (44, 58) and a pneumatic valve (48, 60) to open a passage to provide an air blast, thereby launching the sliders (31) onto the slider insertion area (27) of each slider insertion device (18, 19).

Abstract: A fluid barrier along the inside surface of ductwork between a reactor and subsequent product separation and recovery apparatus to reduce the buildup of solids on the ductwork from a gaseous product mixture conveyed through the ductwork. Barrier fluid is sprayed along the internal surface of the ductwork to form a fluid barrier and cool the gaseous mixture. The barrier fluid can be comprised of a component of the gaseous mixture. The barrier fluid can be a liquid at the second temperature and converted to a gaseous state in the ductwork, using the heat of vaporization of the barrier fluid to help cool the gaseous mixture.

Abstract: Elemental sulfur is combined with either liquid anhydrous ammonia, liquid sulfur dioxide, or both to form a solution or slurry which is transportable through pipelines or other transport vessels without a risk of clogging due to the environmental temperature drops that these vessels typically encounter. This unusual behavior and the advantages it offers arise from the discovery of unexpected solubility vs. temperature relationships of elemental sulfur in each of these two carriers. Among the advantages are significant improvements in the economics of many industrial chemical processes that involve the presence of sulfur either in elemental or chemically combined form, including natural gas or tar sands production and processing, hydrogen sulfide abatement, hydrogen production without carbon dioxide emissions, and sulfur extraction from ores, subterranean deposits, depositories, or fouled impaired industrial facilities.

Abstract: In a method of dynamic transporting of with a flow of object a carrying medium, action are applied to the carrying medium which are created in an action element during a process of conversion of an energy supplied to it, so that the flow of a carrying medium created thereby acts on the object for preforming a process of it transporting in a given direction, and a modulation of a value of the action is performed in the action element so that the flow of the carrying medium which is dynamically created moves with a given dynamic periodically changing sign-alternating acceleration during the process of transporting of the object.

Abstract: A pneumatic transfer system (10) includes a service provider station (12) and a customer station (14). A carrier is movable through a transfer conduit (26) between the stations responsive to differential pressure. The transfer conduit (26) comprises tubing (40, 42) fastened together by a clamp apparatus (70). The clamp apparatus includes a band portion (72), a retainer portion (74), and an adjusting device (76). The band portion is able to be tightened by use of the adjusting device. The retainer portion includes tapered walls (92). The clamp apparatus is able to be initially positioned so that portions of tube flanges (44, 46) are disposed within the retainer portion. A resilient seal (100) may also be used. Tightening of the clamp results in the tube flanges being guided toward both longitudinally abutting contact and circumferential alignment. The clamp permits the guiding, aligning, sealing, and retaining of pneumatic tube flanges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making quality, homogenous mixtures such as concrete without premixing the separate ingredients. In the example of concrete, the ingredients of cement, gravel, sand and water are metered and delivered to the use point separately using separate delivery means such as separate pneumatic hoses. The flow or delivery rate of each ingredient is measured and separately controlled, and the outputs of the individual delivery means meet at the common use point simultaneously where the concrete is to be laid down. The ratio of the ingredients may be adjusted to tailor the mix for particular applications. The ingredients meet and mix for the first time at the use point, and no premixing is performed.

Abstract: A venturi incorporated in a pneumatic tube conveying system for flexible textile fabrics such as uniforms and table linens handled in commercial laundries. The venturi includes an angled pipe which joins the main piping system at an acute angle and which receives air from a blower. An inside pipe is installed within the main piping to create a restriction at the connection of the venturi with the main piping. The restriction and angled connection of the venturi pipe creates a low pressure area which draws fabric articles through the piping and discharges them directly into receptacles such as sling carts. A screened vent in the piping downstream from the venturi allows the escape of air to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the pneumatic conveying system. The exposure of the vent can be adjusted by a sleeve that slides back and forth on the conveyor tube at the location of the vent.

Abstract: A method of disposing of hazardous materials wherein a dedicated pneumatic tube system is used. The pneumatic tube system has a plurality of loading stations all connected to a single destination station. The hazardous materials are placed in a disposable carrier which is transported to the destination station. Each disposable carrier has a marker which identifies the disposable carrier. A control unit cooperates with the markers and activates the pneumatic tube system. The disposable carrier is a cylinder with a sealable cover.

Abstract: A method of disposing of hazardous materials wherein a dedicated pneumatic tube system is used. The pneumatic tube system has a plurality of loading stations all connected to a single destination station. The hazardous materials are placed in a disposable carrier which is transported to the destination station. Each disposable carrier has a marker which identifies the disposable carrier. A control unit cooperates with the markers and activates the pneumatic tube system. The disposable carrier is a cylinder with a sealable cover.

Abstract: A method for transporting oil drill cuttings using a vessel having a lower conical portion where the cone has an angle which provides for mass flow of the drill cuttings when there is an application of compressed air on the surface of the drill cuttings in the vessel.

Abstract: A method for conveying a non-free flowing paste where the non-free flowing paste is loaded into a vessel or container having a conical lower portion designed to provide mass flow of the paste. A gas is applied to the vessel to cause the paste to flow out. The paste may be transported to another vessel having a mass flow conical lower portion where it may be stored. The paste may then be discharged using a gas to transport the paste to a third vessel having a mass flow conical lower portion where the loaded vessel itself may be transported, such as by boat, to another destination, such as the shore. The third vessel may be disposed vertically or horizontally on the boat. Thereafter, the paste may be transported to a fourth vessel for further transport or the third vessel may be moved from the boat to a truck for further transport. A frame, the size of a shipping container may enclose a vessel or the frame enclosed vessel may be coupled to other frame enclosed vessels.

Abstract: A method for conveying a non-free flowing paste where the non-free flowing paste is loaded into a vessel or container having a conical lower portion designed to provide mass flow of the paste. A gas is applied to the vessel to cause the paste to flow out. The paste may be transported to another vessel having a mass flow conical lower portion where it may be stored. The paste may then be discharged using a gas to transport the paste to a third vessel having a mass flow conical lower portion where the loaded vessel itself may be transported, such as by boat, to another destination, such as the shore. The third vessel may be disposed vertically or horizontally on the boat. Thereafter, the paste may be transported to a fourth vessel for further transport or the third vessel may be moved from the boat to a truck for further transport. A frame, the size of a shipping container may enclose a vessel or the frame enclosed vessel may be coupled to other frame enclosed vessels.

Abstract: A loading apparatus includes a loading tube with an input end and an output end, the input end positioned between three and six feet above a surface, the output end positioned between six and twenty feet above the surface. The surface is sufficiently strong to support a concrete mixer. The loading tube further comprises at least one nozzle positioned at the loading tube between the input end and the output end, the nozzle disposed so that air passing through the nozzle into the loading tube flows toward the output end. A valve is connected with the at least one nozzle, disposed to permit and deny air flow through the valve to the at least one nozzle. To use the apparatus, the loading tube and a concrete mixer are positioned so that the fill opening of the mixer is below the output end. Air is caused to flow through the at least one nozzle. A predetermined number of water-soluble bags of material are counted, and the bags are placed, one by one, into the input end of the tube.

Abstract: A method for conveying a non-free flowing paste where the non-free flowing paste is loaded into a vessel or container having a conical lower portion designed to provide mass flow of the paste. A gas is applied to the vessel to cause the paste to flow out. The paste may be transported to another vessel having a mass flow conical lower portion where it may be stored. The paste may then be discharged using a gas to transport the paste to a third vessel having a mass flow conical lower portion where the loaded vessel itself may be transported, such as by boat, to another destination, such as the shore. The third vessel may be disposed vertically or horizontally on the boat. Thereafter, the paste may be transported to a fourth vessel for further transport or the third vessel may be moved from the boat to a truck for further transport. A frame, the size of a shipping container may enclose a vessel or the frame enclosed vessel may be coupled to other frame enclosed vessels.

Abstract: A sputter pallet loading and unloading device includes in one embodiment a spindle that rotates the pallet while an arm is engaged with the spring in the pallet to open and close the spring. In another embodiment, the spindle is located adjacent an air track that moves the disk substrate over a cushion of air to the loading area of the pallet. The air pressure under the disk substrate is increased to raise the disk substrate into the loading area. Once raised into the loading area, the spring is closed, e.g., by rotating the pallet in the opposite direction. The pallet and air-track are at a small angle to allow the substrate to slide into the correct position. The simplicity of operation leads to a reduced cost and a higher throughput for this device compared to a robotic loader.

Abstract: A system (10) for carrying out transactions between a customer at a customer station (14) and a service provider at a service provider station (12), includes transferring a body (96, 140, 170) through a pneumatic transfer tube (26). The customer at the customer station provides inputs corresponding to a financial account through input devices on the body such as a card reader (72, 146, 172) and a keypad (74, 148, 172). Data input by the customer is stored in the memory (82, 158) on the body. After transfer to the service provider station, data in the memory is output to a charge device (56) which is operative to assess a charge to the customer's account responsive to data output from the memory.

Abstract: A process of continuously conveying granular solids from a first zone with a pressure of 4 to 16 bar through a descending line and via an ascending line to a second zone with a pressure which is lower than in the first zone by 3 to 15 bar, by means of a gaseous medium. To ensure that the pressure between two regions can be reduced at low cost and with little maintenance effort when continuously conveying granular solids, a gaseous medium is injected into a tube through an upwardly directed nozzle at the point where the granular solids are conveyed through a descending line into an ascending line.

Abstract: A transport system for a spherical object. The transport system has a supply of a first fluid and a passageway for communication of a spherical object in a path between an inlet and an outlet. At least part of the passageway is bounded by a first tube having a first annular wall with at least one opening through the first annular wall. The first tube guides flow of a spherical object in the first fluid from the inlet towards the outlet. The transport system further includes a source of vacuum in communication with the passageway through the at least one opening through the first annular wall. The source of vacuum produces a low pressure region which causes the first fluid in the passageway to be drawn from the passageway through the at least one opening through the first annular wall. The transport system further includes a supply of a second fluid which is in communication with a spherical object moving between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing crushing of grain when the grain having Vickers hardness Hv in a range of 11≦Hv≦14 is transported by means of gas. The present invention is a gas transportation method for grain having Vickers hardness Hv in a range of 11≦Hv≦14, and gas transportation is performed under the condition that a velocity V of transportation gas is set at a value in a range of 10 m/s≦V≦20 m/s. Alternatively or additionally, a blending ratio &mgr; expressed as a ratio of a flow amount of the grain (kg/H) to a flow amount of the transportation gas (kg/H) is set at a value in a range of (3 V−30)≦&mgr;≦(3 V−20).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method which is capable of reducing a crushing rate of grain when the grain such as rice is transported by means of gas through pipes. The temperature of the grain in a grain accommodation tank which is connected to a transportation pipe for grain is measured. A temperature signal indicating this temperature is sent to control means, which determines the temperature of transportation gas so that a difference between this temperature and the temperature of the grain is within a predetermined range. The determined temperature is transmitted to an intercooler so that the temperature of the transportation gas which is sent from a blower and flows through the transportation pipe is controlled to be at the determined specific temperature. Transportation of the grain by means of the transportation gas at this temperature prevents the grain from crushing.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus includes a transporting plane and a transporting platform which can be displaced in different directions in a largely friction-free manner on an air cushion above the transporting plane, the air cushion being generated by air nozzles which are distributed in the transporting plane and are adapted to be optionally opened and closed individually in each case by a valve. Compressed air flows out of the air nozzles in the upward direction from beneath through the transporting plane, and the valves of the air nozzles and the transporting platform are designed such that they interact with one another depending on the position of the transporting platform. The valves of the air nozzles are designed as solenoid valves equipped with a magnet coil, and the transporting platform has ferromagnetic regions that interact with the magnet coils of the solenoid valves in dependence on the position of the transporting platform.

Abstract: An axial conveyor is described, in particular for conveying gas/liquid dispersions, wherein the conveying elements comprise a wall-sweeping edge pointing in the direction of the pressure side of the conveying elements. The axial conveyor is particularly suitable as a circulating member in loop reactors. A process comprising conveying gas/liquid dispersions as well as a process for carrying out chemical reactions directly reacting gas with gases not completely dissolved in a liquid medium, or optionally in the presence of finely divided solids, through the use of an axial conveyor, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying powder substances in a pipe system, wherein a volume is sucked in with reduced pressure and discharged with increased pressure for being passed further along, characterized in that the apparatus has within the pipe system at least one metering chamber which can be alternately filled and emptied by way of control member for metering the powder substance.

Abstract: A method for mixing a pulverulent material in a main gas flow with a view to achieving uniform distribution of the pulverulent material. The turbulence in the main gas flow is increased in a vortex-generating zone. The pulverulent material is introduced into the main gas flow, in a mixing zone, with a carrier gas flow whose net motion during introduction is essentially opposite to the main gas flow. The mixing zone is positioned downstream of the vortex-generating zone and in the vicinity thereof. The carrier gas flow with the pulverulent material is in a rotational zone given a helical motion, whose axis of symmetry is essentially parallel with the direction of flow of the main gas flow, and is introduced into the mixing zone in the form of a divergent hollow cone. A device for carrying out the method comprises a gas duct (1) for the main gas flow with vortex-generating means (4) and an introducing means (11) for introduction of pulverulent material in dispersed state into a carrier gas flow.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method which is capable of reducing a crushing rate of grain when the grain such as rice is transported by means of gas through pipes. The temperature of the grain in a grain accommodation tank which is connected to a transportation pipe for grain is measured. A temperature signal indicating this temperature is sent to control means, which determines the temperature of transportation gas so that a difference between this temperature and the temperature of the grain is within a predetermined range. The determined temperature is transmitted to an intercooler so that the temperature of the transportation gas which is sent from a blower and flows through the transportation pipe is controlled to be at the determined specific temperature. Transportation of the grain by means of the transportation gas at this temperature prevents the grain from crushing.

Abstract: A chargeable resin powder is transported by means of an airstream which is a mixture of air and steam. This enables pneumatic transport of chargeable resin powder without building up electrostatic charges.

Abstract: A method for transferring an object levitated by sound waves from a transporting device to an unloading device. The transporting device includes a transporting vibrator, which levitates the object with sound waves. The unloading device includes an unloading vibrator mounted on a platform. The platform is arranged at a predetermined position below the object, at which the distance between the top surface of the unloading vibrator and the bottom surface of the object is less than one half the wavelength of a standing wave generated by the unloading vibrator. The platform is then moved upward toward the object from the predetermined position to levitate the object. The unloading vibrator generates sound waves to levitate the object. The object is then levitated by the platform to a position at which the levitating force of the transporting vibrator does not affect the object.