Abstract: A device for delivering flowable bulk material having a retractable loading chute (1) consisting of guide cones (2) for flowable material placed coaxially one above the other. In a retracted position of the loading chute (1) the guide cones nest in each other and in an extended position they define together with an outer mantle (7), a drop shaft. A wire or rope arrangement (11, 12) is adapted to retract and extend the loading chute (1) relative to an abutment or outlet cone (5). The loading chute (1) is of modular construction, each module comprising a guide cone (2), an outer tubewall module (7) and a rapid-securing device for securing the edges of the outer tube-wall module (7) to an upper and a lower guide cone (2). A closure cone (3), adapted to close an outlet opening (4) of the outlet cone (5), is connected to the lowermost guide cone (2), the closure cone (3) being adapted to be lowered relative to the outlet cone (5) for opening the outlet opening (4) of the loading chute (1).

Abstract: A uniformly packed bed of adsorbent particles is formed using a particle loader adapted to provide a uniform flow of adsorbent particles across the cross sectional area of an adsorption vessel.

Abstract: Rows of rectangular bins for crop storage have open tops along which an overhead shuttle carriage moves for filling the bins one at a time. An auger on the carriage removes the contents from the incoming conveyor belt for deposit in an assigned bin. An array of declined baffles positioned in the path of the falling product buffers the fall. A product support over the discharge auger minimizes the product bridging effect between the vertical walls of the bin.

Abstract: An asphalt production plant which is adapted to process mixtures of recycled paving and aggregate, and which comprises a rotary drum dryer for heating and drying stone aggregate, and an elevator for conveying the heated and dried aggregate to an elevated discharge location. A batch tower is positioned adjacent the elevator, and the batch tower comprises an aggregate sizing screen which receives and segregates the aggregate by size, and several underlying aggregate storage bins, with each aggregate bin receiving aggregate of predetermined average size from the sizing screen. Also, a recycle bin is positioned between and in alignment with the aggregate bins. A weigh hopper is provided for receiving the aggregate and/or recycle material from the bins, and a pugmill is positioned below the weigh hopper for mixing the material with hot liquid asphalt and then delivering the resulting mix into an underlying truck.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleaning, distributing and aereating grain is mounted in a storage structure and includes a frustro-conical screen device secured symetrically to an imperforate funnel-shaped member. A fan assembly is secured to the funnel-shaped body and is provided with a conduit which extends to the exterior. An adjustable control spout permits uniform distribution of grain upon the screen device where the fine material passes through the apertures in the screen while the grain is discharged into the storage structure. After the cleaning and distribution of steps are completed, the apparatus will then be inverted to position the screen device in the concave crater of the grain pile while positioning the funnel shaped body and fan assembly uppermost. The fan assembly will be energized to aereate the grain and present damage due to mold or fungus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for volumetric flow control of particulate and fiber-like materials, specifically tobacco. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus having a contractible chute or a tilting conveyor. The discharge end of the chute or conveyor travels across the top of a container space, building an even pile of tobacco. When the level of tobacco in the container space reaches a certain height, a device signals the chute or tilting conveyor and the discharge end of the chute or conveyor moves rearward. When the moving conveyor floor of the container space moves the pile of tobacco forward, one or two devices signal the chute or tilting convey or, and the discharge end of the chute or tilting conveyor moves forward. The effect of this rearward and forward movement of the chute or tilting conveyor is to maintain volumetric control over the tobacco contained within the container space.

Abstract: Tablets, pills or like discrete products are fed into the upper section of an upright conduit to descend into a vessel under the action of gravity. Excessive acceleration of descending products is opposed by an air stream which is induced by a pump and flows in the conduit counter to the direction of advancement of the products. The vessel contains one or more partitions which have outwardly and downwardly sloping upper sides and central openings for the conduit. The outlet of the conduit discharges products first onto the bottom wall of the vessel and thereupon at a level above the lowermost partition which latter causes the products to slide outwardly toward the sidewall of the vessel. When the space between the bottom wall and the lowermost partition is filled, the lowermost partition prevents crushing of products below it under the weight of products which gather above the lowermost partition.

Abstract: A french fry cooking apparatus for deep-frying french fries includes a cooking unit having a plurality of frying baskets. Mounted above the cooking unit is a refrigeration unit which includes a first conveyor upon which a supply of frozen french fries is stored. The first conveyor discharges the fries onto a second conveyor which dispenses a metered quantity of fries to a delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism includes a shaft and a rotatable directional chute for directing the frozen fries from the second conveyor into any one of the plurality of frying baskets. The frying baskets are pivotally attached to the cooking unit and are each movable by way of a drive unit between a loading/draining position for receiving fries from the chute and for draining oil from deep fried fries, a cooking position for deep frying the fries, and a dump position for discharging the deep fried fries from the frying basket. Deep fried fries are discharged onto a further conveyor which takes the fries to a holding bin.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleaning, distributing and aereating grain is mounted in a storage structure and includes a frustro-conical screen device secured symetrically to an imperforate funnel-shaped member. A fan assembly is secured to the funnel-shaped body and is provided with a conduit which extends to the exterior. An adjustable control spout permits uniform distribution of grain upon the screen device where the fine material passes through the apertures in the screen while the grain is discharged into the storage structure. After the cleaning and distribution of steps are completed, the apparatus will then be inverted to position the screen device in the concave crater of the grain pile while positioning the funnel shaped body and fan assembly uppermost. The fan assembly will be energized to aereate the grain and present damage due to mold or fungus.

Abstract: A crystal growing apparatus includes a crucible, a feed pipe and a pulling mechanism. The crucible serves to melt a crystalline material. The feed pipe serves to cause the crystalline material to fall into the crucible to charge the crucible with the crystalline material. The pulling mechanism serves to pull a single-crystal from the molten material in the crucible. The feed pipe has a lower end positioned slightly above the surface of the molten material in the crucible and including a plurality of baffle plates mounted on an inner peripheral wall thereof in longitudinally spaced relation to one another. The baffle plates are arranged so that a pitch defined between adjacent two baffle plates decreases toward the lower end of the feed pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging a shaft furnace. The apparatus includes a rotary and pivoting distributor chute suspended on the head of the furnace, a device for driving this chute, which consists of a first and second running ring designed respectively for rotating the chute about the vertical axis of the furnace and for changing its inclination relative to this axis as a result of a pivoting about its horizontal suspension axis, and a device for actuating the two running rings independently of one another, a central charging lock equipped with upper and lower sealing flaps and with a metering and closing valve for adjusting the flow of material from the lock on to the distributor chute, and a device for filling the lock.

Abstract: An ice making machine comprises an ice storage section and an ice making machinery section disposed on the ice storage section through a bottom plate having an opening therein. The machinery section includes an ice discharge chute that extends downwardly through the opening and opens into the interior of the ice storage section. The bottom plate is provided with an upwardly concaved recess in which the opening is formed. The ice discharge chute projects through the opening to a depth smaller than that of the recess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the velocity of a stream of particulate matter so as to prevent damage to the particulate matter. The present invention includes a chamber having an inlet port adapted for accepting particulate matter from a conduit, and an outlet port adapted for discharging particulate matter. The chamber consists of a curvilinear support surface with opposing ends connected to the inlet and outlet ports. The curvilinear support surface includes an ascending arcuate portion between the inlet and outlet ports. The velocity of a stream of particulate matter is reduced as it traverses the ascending arcuate portion of the curvilinear support surface.

Abstract: A mobile grain silo for the transportation and storage of grain, granulated food and other such materials, wherein the mobile grain silo includes individual storage cells of a generally parallelogram shape constructed around a frame structure and having means for lifting on and off a mobile transport and for interconnecting the cells in stacked relation to one another. The individual storage cells having a loading door for filling and an exit door for discharging the contents therein and further having a viewing port to inspect the interior of the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handling device for a distribution chute of a shaft furnace, the said distribution chute being suspended pivotably on a rotary cage mounted by means of bearings in a housing installed in the head of the furnace and containing drive means for rotating the said cage about the vertical axis of the furnace and drive means for pivoting the chute about its horizontal suspension axis. The invention also relates to a mechanism for driving the chute which is suitable for this device.

Abstract: An unloading flap of a stationary or mobile silo for pourable particulate material having at least one outlet opening comprises an upper part that is secured to a first silo wall and a lower part that hinges on the upper part and can be tilted into the open and closed positions by means of an actuating rod that can be power driven.The lower edge of the straight or angled lower part with respect to the upper part is in the form of a projecting support. In the closed position this support rests along a line or area on a longitudinal groove in the region of the lower edge of a second silo wall. A device attached to one of the two parts of the flap exercises a moment of rotation on the other part of the flap such that the angle (.alpha.) between the upper and lower parts is reduced to an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading open top grain hopper rail cars and trucks which eliminates the buildup of a core of small material and grains directly beneath the load out spout. Also, the grain will not build up heat as easily with the core eliminated and a more representative sample, for grading purposes, can be obtained from the hopper car or truck. The spout line buster is a small, stove-shaped chamber which attaches to the end of a grain load out spout and is lowered about six inches into the hopper rail car or truck being loaded. The grain passes through the down spout and enters the spout line buster where the flow of the grain is directed and slowed by a series of baffles or flow guides. In the model designed for loading hopper rail cars, the grain strikes a screen assembly consisting of a cone screen and two diagonal screens.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing flowable bulk material from the underside of a bulk-material column includes a container for bulk material conducting gaseous or vaporous media to be scrubbed upward through the column opposite the bulk-material flow for eliminating used filter material; a stationary grating below and spaced from the underside of the column including spaced-apart grid chambers; a first control grate above the grating, spaced from the underside of the column, covering the surface area of the grating, including alternating passage openings and blocking sections corresponding to the spacing of the grid chambers and being displaceable in a first horizontal stroke direction; and a second control grate below the grating, including passage openings and blocking sections and being displaceable axially parallel to the first stroke direction; the passage openings and blocking sections of the first and second control grates being mutually horizontally adjustable for alternately filling a first group of the grid

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a silo with bulk material and for discharging the bulk material from the silo, using a clearing unit which can be raised and lowered in the silo, and which at the same time is mounted pivotably about the silo axis. In the silo a draw-off shaft is in the form of a telescopic gravity-descent tube, via which the bulk material removed by the clearing unit is conveyed out of the silo.In this invention the clearing unit is connected via a bearing to a bridge girder which extends transversely across through the silo and which at its ends is guided in vertical guides on the silo wall. The operating forces are transmitted to the silo wall via the bridge girder.

Abstract: A gravity-feed grain spreader for being positioned within a grain bin beneath the inlet opening thereof. The grain spreader includes a first hopper for initially receiving grain being introduced into the grain bin through the inlet opening therein, a second hopper for receiving grain from the first hopper, and a plurality of chutes extending outwardly and downwardly from the second hopper in a spider-like manner for directing grain from the second hopper substantially evenly about the interior of the grain bin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the movement of an oscillating spout is presented wherein uneven distribution of spout discharge material is eliminated or at least substantially reduced by a compensating action of varying the angular speed of rotation of the spout in accordance with the angular position of the spout. The present invention is particularly suited for use in conjunction with a charging installation of a shaft furnace, particularly those charging devices having a spout with a cardan suspension system.

Abstract: A force method of and assembly for trickling rock material from a silo. The bottom part of a silo is provided with a vaulting element and a pressure force is generated in a vaulting chamber or closed space below the vaulting element. For optimum trickling action, the forces facilitating trickling are concentrated on a vertical that extends through a trickling or draining outlet by mounting an upright friction plate for eliminating a frictional force and by directing a pressure force and a thermal force or power, which adds to the pressure force, on the same vertical through the trickling outlet along which the linear motion of a point of material occurs.

Abstract: A bulk material conveyor comprises an elongated flexible conveying duct and apparatus for viewing the materials being transferred within the duct. The apparatus maintains a fluid stream proximate to the apparatus for viewing. The apparatus for maintaining a fluid stream in one form includes first, second and third truncated conical members which are disposed in generally coaxial relationship. At least part of each truncated conical member overlaps at least one other truncated conical member.

Abstract: The position of the discharge end of a tubular member, supported from its first end so as to be rotatable about a first axis and pivotal about a second axis which intersects and is transverse to the first axis, is controlled from a remote location. The controllable tubular member may be the distribution spout of a shaft furnace charging installation which is mounted between the branches of a suspension fork which is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis. A motion transmission mechanism extends through the suspension fork and, in cooperation with the movements of the fork itself, transmits the movements imparted to a control device, which is caused to undergo precisely the same movements as it is desired to have the spout perform, to the spout.

Abstract: The position of the discharge end of a tubular member, supported from its first end so as to be rotatable about a first axis and pivotal about a second axis which intersects and is transverse to the first axis, is controlled from a remote location. The controllable tubular member may be the distribution spout of a shaft furnace charging installation which is mounted between the branches of a suspension fork which is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis. A motion transmission mechanism extends through the suspension fork and, in cooperation with the movements of the fork itself, transmits the movements imparted to a control device, which is caused to undergo precisely the same movements as it is desired to have the spout perform, to the spout.

Abstract: A bulk material conveyor comprises an elongated flexible conveying duct and apparatus for viewing the materials being transferred within the duct. The apparatus maintains a fluid stream proximate to the apparatus for viewing. The apparatus for maintaining a fluid stream in one form includes first, second and third truncated conical members which are disposed in generally coaxial relationship. At least part of each truncated conical member overlaps at least one other truncated conical member.

Abstract: Problems of spontaneous combustion and acid corrosion in coal carrying open hopper steel barges are significantly reduced by loading a mixture of coal of various particle sizes in the hopper without segregating and isolating groups of particles of different sizes. This reduces the air circulation paths through the loaded coal and prevents the supply of oxygen necessary for feeding both spontaneous combustion and acid corrosion. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises spreader-deflector means between a chute and the barge hopper floor that distributes the coal particle mixture in a substantially flat loading pattern that eliminates prior art conical patterns tending to create an air flow chimney effect encouraging spontaneous combustion and acid corrosion.

Abstract: A tarpaulin anchoring system for retaining a tarpaulin on a pile of stored grain or other granular material comprises a plurality of anchors embedded in the pile. Each anchor has an attachment element protruding upwardly from the pile, with the attachment element being connected to a fastener affixed to the underside of the tarpaulin. The anchors are placed in the grain pile, throughout the area covered by the tarpaulin, as required to retain it in place. The anchors themselves may be of a screw or auger type which can be driven into an existing grain pile and attached to a tarpaulin as it is spread over the pile. In the case where a tarp is suspended above a grain storage area prior to formation of the grain pile, the anchors may be discs or plates attached to the underside of the tarpaulin by ropes; the anchors are buried in the pile when formed.

Abstract: To convey particulate materials such as grain to a top central cavity of a large container such as an on-farm silo or bin, there are provided a first auger-containing flexible roof-mounted conveyer section having on its receiving end a guide, a cooperating ground-adjacent auger-containing conveying section, keys and dogs on the augers cause the auger in the second section to drive the auger in the first section, and hooks and pins for securing the two sections together. Preferably, the apparatus further includes carriage for the ground-adjacent conveyor section. By making the roof-mounted section of suitable length to accommodate the geometry of the silo or bin, any of a great variety of bin geometries may be accommodated with the use of a single standard length of ground-adjacent conveyor section, which affords considerable economies to the manufacturers, distributors, and users of such equipment.

Abstract: A feeder comprising in combination a vessel (10) of substantially circular cross section that contains an en-masse conveyor (11) that is constrained to pass through a trough (16.sub.1, 16.sub.2) spaced from the internal wall of said vessel so that material being conveyed from an inlet (10.sub.1) in said vessel (10) to an outlet (14.sub.2) in said vessel (10) by said conveyor does not come into rubbing contact with said wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming alternating layers of coarse feed elements and fine feed elements when loading a livestock feed storage structure. The apparatus includes a center fill tube and a movable distributor supported from the center fill tube. The distributor includes a pan and a drive to rotate the pan about a central axis. When positioned in alignment with the center fill tube, feed is distributor filled into the storage structure. When positioned out of alignment with the center fill tube, feed is center filled into the storage structure. Alternating between distributor fill and center fill creates the layering of coarse and fine elements.

Abstract: A pressure relief device for use in a storage elevator for reducing the dynamic pressure imposed on the walls of a storage elevator during a discharging operation which includes a screw which extends longitudinally along the interior of the storage elevator and in spaced relationship to the vertically extending side walls of the elevator. The screw may be fixed or rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A grain spreader having a plurality of channels pivotally mounted at their upper ends to said cone. The spreader has adjustment means to simultaneously pivot said channels inwardly about their pivotal mounting to a size where they may be received through a center opening. The device also has means to mount said device in said bin. The adjustment means can then be operated to pivot said channels outwardly to place the outer ends of the channels near the outer edge of the bin. The center cone deflects some grain emptied onto the cone onto the channels where it will be carried by the channels to the outer edge of the bin to deposit grain near the outer edge of the bin.

Abstract: A concrete mixing apparatus with a stationary mixing container and an upper circular cover plate arranged to rotate in relation to said container. The apparatus is provided with a machinery for rotating said cover plate and with a discharge channel for one or several materials. The discharge channel is arranged above the cover plate in substantially coaxial relation thereto. The apparatus further comprises a filling channel, the lower end of which is fastened onto said cover plate and the upper end of which is arranged in substantially coaxial relation to said discharge channel.

Abstract: A collar for fitting over the upper end of the cake discharge chute of a rotatable disc filter, or the like. The collar has a plurality of downwardly and inwardly sloping walls which substantially reduce any tendency for cake to stick to the sides of the chute. For use with heavy cake, reinforcing members may be provided for the collar. The collar is configured for use with discharge chutes of diverse design.

Abstract: A barge loading device comprising a vertically disposed support tower positioned between a pair of barges or the like. A boom is rotatably mounted on the support tower and extends outwardly therefrom. A vertically disposed telescopic spout extends downwardly from the outer end of the boom. A conveyor is provided on the support tower and the boom for supplying grain or the like to the upper end of the spout for delivery to one of the barges. The boom may be rotatably moved relative to the support tower to facilitate the loading of the barges on either side of the tower. The spout may be tilted to either side of its normally disposed vertical position and may be rotated about its longitudinal axis. The combination of the rotatable boom, tilting and rotating spout permits greater areas to be filled in the barges.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid state polymerization apparatus comprising a vertically oriented tube through which particulate resin flows downwardly in a plug flow fashion to the cone-shaped bottom portion of the reactor. The apparatus contains as an improvement a resin distribution means in the top portion thereof to distribute added resin in an orderly fashion to maintain a uniform level of polymer and also a double cone perforated gas distribution means in the bottom thereof to prevent backmixing and assure that a uniform plug flow condition is maintained as the polymer descends down the apparatus to a discharge valve at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for uniformly spreading a flowing stream of dry solids, which may include solid particles and lumps of varying sizes, with minimal segregation, which utilizes an adjustable dam having a curved crest for forming in the flowing stream a mass of solids in the shape of a segment of a cone, over the surface of which the stream is spread from a relatively narrow stream at the apex of the cone to a relatively wide stream at the base of the cone, and including a mechanism for adjusting the dam to vary the degree of transverse arc curvature of the spreading surface. As an alternative, the spreading surface may be formed by a series of elongated, adjustable bars.

Abstract: In storage apparatus wherein asphalt hot mix is moved by gravity along a chute from the top of a bucket elevator to the inlet of a batching hopper at the top of a storage bin, a baffle in the chute, over the inlet, prevents segregation of mix entering the hopper. The baffle is spaced forwardly of the front end of the chute bottom wall, is oriented generally vertically and transversely to the length of the chute, and is flatwise swingable backward and forward. By means of a set screw through a front wall of the chute the position of swinging motion of the baffle is so adjusted that coarse mix components, carried against the baffle by momentum, are deflected by it towards the center of the hopper. Adjustable remixing baffles in the chute, adjacent its side walls and behind the front end of its bottom wall, deflect material away from the chute side walls to effect remixing of aggregate that became segregated during its charging into the bucket elevator.

Abstract: An automatic clean-out for the charging bin of an asphalt mix bucket elevator provides for removal of material from the bottom of the charging bin so that hardened asphalt mix will not interfere with operation of moving elevator parts upon subsequent restarting. The clean-out device comprises a pusher having an upright front surface and a flat top surface, with a length and width to overlie substantially the whole bottom area of the charging bin. The pusher is actuated forwardly and rearwardly by a double-acting pressure fluid cylinder jack mounted behind it. In moving forward, the pusher expels mix from the bottom of the charging bin through a front opening therein. It is rearwardly withdrawn through a closely fitting opening so that asphalt mix resting on its top is scraped off to remain in the charging bin.

Abstract: Grain to be conveyed is supplied to an elongated chamber having a ram movable longitudinally through the chamber. A discharge opening at the end of the chamber communicates with a grain delivery tube which extends into a grain storage bin. As the ram is moved through the chamber, grain is forced outwardly through the discharge opening, through the grain delivery tube and into the bin. A discharge end portion of the tube within the bin is provided with vertically spaced openings for discharging grain at a vertical position close to the level of grain within the bin. Radially and downwardly directed spouts over the vertically spaced openings prevent the backflow of grain through the delivery tube.

Abstract: A dustproof chute for a particulate material loader including an airtight elastic tubular member located below a particulate material feeding device and defining by its wall a space below the particulate material feeding device, a discharge end tubular member of small length connected to a lower end of the airtight elastic tubular member, a particulate material stream diameter controlling tubular member located in a space within an upper end portion of the airtight elastic tubular member and permitting a particulate material fed by the particulate material feeding device to flow downwardly therethrough in a stream, and a ventilating space surrounding the particulate material stream diameter controlling tubular member and communicating with the particulate material feeding device.

Abstract: A bulk-storage bin made of imbricated panels has a cylindrical wall with a helical chute having an inlet portion at its upper end whereby the bulk material is introduced into the bin and descends along the helical chute to be spread uniformly in the interior of the bin. The helical chute is provided as an inwardly open channnel whose floor is a ramp which is inclined radially. According to the invention, in the transition region between the inlet and the remainder of the helical chute, the tangential inclination forms a continuous transition to the tangential inclination of the helical chute while the radial inclination in the transition region is always sufficient to permit the bulk material to slide along the ramp by gravitational force. This inclination thus is such that the total slope of the ramp is greater than the critical sliding angle (frictional retardation) of the piled material.