Abstract: A disposable unit dose dispenser is provided for fluidizing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of powdered product, such as an antihistamine or a decongestant. The dispenser includes a first layer and a second layer connected together to form a gas chamber and a product reservoir adjacent one another. The product reservoir includes a delivery tube adapted to dispense the powdered product. The dispenser also includes a seal which separates the gas chamber from the product reservoir such that when pressure is applied to the gas chamber by squeezing the dispenser the seal ruptures causing a jet of gas to discharge from the gas chamber into the adjacent product reservoir fluidizing and dispensing substantially all of the powdered product from the product reservoir through the delivery tube.

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: An apparatus and process for solid dredge material disposal is disclosed for changing the solid materials into a dense slurry for more advantageous dispersal at an aquatic disposal site. The apparatus includes a hopper discharging to a large high volume, low head marine pump supplied with water and power by umbilical attachment to an excavating dredge. The hopper is preferably placed aboard a bottom dump barge for receiving and loading the processed dredge materials from a clam shell dredge. In operation, the dredge excavates solid dredge materials and discharges the materials onto the hopper placed on the barge. The hopper has a grate through which the dredged material falls to affect initial screening of dredged debris as well as breakup of the solids. A matrix of water jets impacts the debris falling from the grate where after the dredged material is passed through a pump in intermittent batches creating a slurry.

Abstract: A portable texturing system is disclosed which includes a small spray unit and a source of portable compressed air which may simply be a small tank which the workman may wear on a belt or shoulder harness. The spray unit includes a reservoir for holding a charge of texturizing mixture and a cap assembly incorporating a mixer/spray mechanism. In use, the cap is positioned below the reservoir such that the texturizing mixture can flow by gravity and suction to the spray mechanism. The cap assembly includes a quick connect coupling and a valve for receiving and controlling air from the supply. A discharge nozzle is provided for directing the compressed air/texturizer mixture toward a wall area to be texturized. A mixing region within the cap assembly permits the texturizing mixture to be entrained with a stream of compressed air and discharged from the nozzle whenever the valve is actuated.

Abstract: A hand held pneumatic gun having an airway that is coupled to a source of compressed air, the airway communicating with an air chamber via a trigger valve. The gun includes a detachable breech that is supported in sealed engagement against the air chamber by a support ring pivotally secured to the body of the gun. The breech incorporates a nozzle that is secured to one end of a piece of hose or tube and a polymer projectile is placed into the breech to be forced by the air pressure through the hose or tube to clean the interior of the hose or tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading materials from a hopper into a storage container includes a holding chamber formed in part by a movable first panel which forms the floor of the holding chamber. Communication between the holding chamber and the hopper is opened by withdrawing the first panel, thereby allowing materials in the holding chamber to empty into the hopper. As the first panel is subsequently moved to again close communication between the holding chamber and the hopper, materials in the hopper are expelled by a wall which advances in the hopper as the first panel moves. Preferably, the first panel is repeatedly oscillated or cycled opened and closed within a predetermined time period to efficiently move large volumes of materials from the holding chamber, into the hopper, and out into the associated storage container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus (10) for dispensing powdered pesticide (13). A housing (11) is separated into an upper chamber (12) and lower chamber (51) by a porous media layer (19). The powdered pesticide (13) is contained within the upper chamber (13) and is fluidized when compressed air enters the dispenser from air inlet line (18). The fluidized pesticide is dispensed through adjustable dip tube (26), outlet line (34) and nozzle (36) when a control valve (50) is activated. Only particles having a size smaller than a predetermined size are dispensed; the remaining, relatively large pesticide particles remain in the upper chamber until physically removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying liquidous mixtures via compressed air is described. The design allows extensive use of plastic in its construction, employs a minimum of parts and allows complete assembly and reassembly with only a minimum of hand tools. The device incorporates an automatic air shut off valve that stops the flow of air upon release of the trigger, an adjustable trigger stop that ensures a uniform flow rate and a special orifice plate design that enables its quick replacement.

Abstract: There is provided a tool for stone-blowing comprising upper and lower mating parts (13, 14), the upper part being tubular and the lower part being mainly of channel section and having its lower end closed off by a transverse wall. The wall is shaped internally (19) to direct stones laterally and is shaped externally (22) to facilitate driving the tool into the ground adjacent a sleeper (33) so that the open front of the channel communicates with a void (34) beneath the sleeper. On the upper part is a hopper (11) for stones and below the hopper opening into the upper part is a compressed air inlet (26) and a port (24). In use, compressed air is directed at the rear wall and entrains air through the port (24) and the hopper (11) thereby propelling the stones down the tool and through the open front of the channel and into the void (34).

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 chemicals spreader to be carried on the back of an operator has a pack board which has a plurality of grooves provided on the front side thereof for exhausting air. The air is supplied by a fan which is to make a mixture of air and chemicals. The chemicals spreader also has a horizontal frame having a plurality of holes for exhausting air toward the back of the operator.

Abstract: A fertilizer spreader includes an attachment assembly for use with a portable hand-held air blower for entraining granular fertilizer or the like into the discharge air stream of the blower, whereby the fertilizer is broadcast by the air stream over a lawn or garden area. The attachment assembly comprises an adapter nozzle connected in-line with the discharge air stream of the blower and including a pressure port through which a portion of the discharge air stream is directed for passage through a pressure tube to a diffuser mounted within a portable vented fertilizer-receiving container near the bottom thereof. The diffuser turns the air stream upwardly within the container and divides the stream into a plurality of turbulent air flows for agitating and suspending particles in a localized region above the diffuser, with a substantial portion of the air stream escaping from the container through a vent at a position remote from the localized region.

Abstract: A fertilizer spreader includes an attachment assembly for use with a portable hand-held air blower for entraining granular fertilizer or the like into the discharge air stream of the blower, whereby the fertilizer is broadcast by the air stream over a lawn or garden area. The attachment assembly comprises an adapter nozzle connected in-line with the discharge air stream of the blower and including a pressure port through which a portion of the discharge air stream is directed for passage through a pressure tube to a diffuser mounted within a portable fertilizer-receiving container near the bottom thereof. The diffuser turns the air stream upwardly within the container and divides the stream into a plurality of turbulent air flows for agitating and suspending particles in a localized region above the diffuser.

Abstract: A hopper comprises a suction conduit and a pressure conduit each connected to a pump for discharge of the hopper contents, the suction conduit being horizontal and communicating at its free end via a control valve with water outside the hopper, a plurality of vertically extending suction pipes extending downwardly from the suction conduit and spaced above the hopper bottom, each suction pipe having a valve, and cone-shaped bottom valves below the suction pipe open ends for conducting water from outside the hopper to the suction pipes.

Abstract: In a method of loading a suction dredger in which a suspension of sand and ater is pumped into the hold an effluent device is intermittently passed to lower and lower levels in dependence upon the weight of the load in the hold to an extent such that the suction dredger remains loaded substantially up to its maximum permissible carrying capacity.

Abstract: A mobile bulk material unloader for a bulk carrier or general cargo ship including a mechanical elevator associated with a pneumatic system which can be suspended from a derrick and lowered into the hold of a bulk carrier such that the inlet means is in connection with the material to be transported. The combining of a mechanical elevator and a pneumatic system have resulted in a compact, portable unloader which substantially reduces the quantity of dust produced during transportation and which avoids the necessity of providing special bases in the holds of bulk carriers or the provision of expensive and complex bulk unloading structures located on the quay.