Abstract: A storage apparatus for bulk material, in particular wood chips, is provided, the storage apparatus including a bunker for receiving the bulk material and a conveyor apparatus for transporting the bulk material. The conveyor apparatus is arranged within the bunker. The conveyor apparatus is a belt conveyor for transporting the bulk material. A method of controlling uniform filling of a bunker of a storage apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a grain harvesting articulated combine of a forward PPU, a rear grain cart, and an articulation joint that connects the forward PPU with the rear grain cart. The rear grain cart includes an ascending lift auger assembly that receives clean grain from the forward PPU and transports it upwardly for dumping into the rear grain cart. A generally horizontal drag auger assembly moves clean grain to a lower a lift auger assembly. A clean grain off-loading auger assembly is connected to the lower lift auger assembly by a slew bearing. The clean grain off-loading auger is retractable about its upper end and its upper end assembly is terminated with a spout adapted to direct clean grain generally downwardly. The clean grain off-loading auger assembly is rotatable from a grain off-loading position to a home position.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace, in particular for a blast furnace and a cooperating distribution chute are proposed, where the distribution chute has an elongated chute body providing a sliding channel for bulk material and two chute-mounting members attached laterally to either side of the chute body for mounting the distribution chute to the charging device, the charging device including a mechanism for rotating the distribution chute, the mechanism having a rotatable support rotor with two suspension flanges cooperating with the chute-mounting members of the distribution chute for mounting the distribution chute, where each chute-mounting member of the chute includes a hook-shaped portion that forms a suspension hook for mounting the distribution chute to the suspension flanges, each suspension flange in turn has a support configured for engagement with the hook-shaped portion of the chute along a hook engagement direction, and furthermore, each chute-mounting member includes an abutment portion tha

Abstract: A grain spreader with an active choking funnel is described. The grain spreader includes an upper funnel assembly to receive grain. A choking funnel assembly is in a spring loaded engagement with the upper funnel assembly. The upper funnel assembly directs the grain to the choking funnel assembly. A spreader pan or a grain distributor is positioned beneath the choking funnel assembly. The choking funnel assembly spreads the grain on the spreader pan or the grain distributor.

Abstract: A method of loading particulate matter into a transport container having at least one chamber with a peripheral region using an apparatus comprising a rotatable member configured to be positioned at least partially into an opening for the chamber. The method can include the acts of locating the apparatus adjacent the opening for the chamber by movement relative to the transport container, initiating a flow of particulate matter from the apparatus into the opening, rotating the rotatable member to facilitate the dispensing of particulate matter within the chamber, and engaging the rotatable member with particulate matter so that at least a portion of particulate matter that has been dispensed into the chamber is pushed into the peripheral region within the chamber.

Abstract: To distribute charging material evenly in an enclosure such as a furnace or reactor to ensure its best operation, a charging material distribution inside the enclosure 30 of the furnace is used. It has a movable charging device 4 in the form of a spout through which the charging material is fed into the enclosure. The distribution device is small in size and light in weight. It has a moveable charging device 4 in the form of a spout which is suspended on a gimbal suspension 2 on a fixed charging device, which is in the form of a chute 3 inside the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an accessor to physically transport tape cartridges in a tape library. A flexible cable assembly is connected to the accessor that enables the accessor to move relative to the tape library and enables one of power and communication signals to be transmitted to the accessor. The flexible cable assembly includes a flexible channel and multiple twisted wire pairs loosely routed through the flexible channel. The multiple twisted wire pairs independently and substantially freely move within the flexible channel. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A container packer system includes a transfer base, which receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally between retracted and extended positions with respect to the transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a motor or engine driving an hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and retracting the container packer. The container packer generally encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a push blade piston-and-cylinder unit.

Abstract: A system for transferring bulk solid biomass fuel includes a bin defining a cavity sized and shaped for receiving a quantity of biomass, a trolley configured to engage and travel along a track defining, the track configured to be horizontally mountable to a portion of the bin, a hose having a body coupled to the trolley, at least a portion of the hose configured to be in motion with the trolley, and a means of driving the trolley along the track. A method of transferring bulk solid biomass fuel from a bin, whereby a trolley coupled to a hose is driven along a track, the track being mounted within the bin, conveying the biomass material through the hose, and discharging the material out of the bin and into a receptacle.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding articles to a blister band, a box-like container, situated close to said band, is fed by a delivering device with a quantity of articles such as to allow accumulation of the articles on the surface of the band. A brush strikes and pushes the articles in a direction opposite to a forwarding direction of the band. A sensor, downstream of the brush, detects the thickness of the layer of articles on the band and interacts with the brush to maintain substantially constant the thickness of the layer of articles.

Abstract: A grain loading and spreading device has a tapered housing with a grain flow restrictor valve assembly that will cause a uniform discharge of grain around the perimeter of a lower discharge opening. The valve assembly has upper and lower cam elements on a downwardly extending motor drive shaft. The lower cam element is fixed to the shaft, and the upper cam element is not fixed to the shaft. The cam elements are releasably engaged with each other. A horizontal plate with vertical baffles on the upper surface is secured to the upper cam element. When grain flow restricts the rotation of the plate and baffles, the upper cam element will be moved upwardly with respect to the lower cam element, to enlarge the width of the grain passageway between the perimeters of the plate and the side wall of the tapered housing.

Abstract: An arcuate structure for bulk particulate solids which has inner and outer concentric containment walls. The space between the inner and outer walls is subdivided into a plurality of storage subspaces, and covered with a continuous roof. A radial stacker conveyor system receives particulate solids to be stored, and transfers these particulate solids into a selected storage space through access apertures disposed on a circular arc in the roof. To allow the radial stacker to access each roof aperture, it is rotatable about an axis concentric with the inner and outer walls, and the roof apertures are located on an arc concentric with the inner and outer walls. A separate radially located conveyor system is provided beneath the floor of each storage space, by means of which particulate solid stored in any chosen storage subspace can be retrieved through discharge gates located in the floor of each storage space above the conveyor, and transported to a delivery system adjacent to the radial stacker.

Abstract: A device (100) for feeding articles (2) to a blister band (3) moving below and having at least one row of blisters (3a) made therein for receiving corresponding articles (2). The row of blisters is parallel to the blister band forward direction (W). The device (100) has a grid (G) situated over the blister band (3), with at least one longitudinal channel (9), facing the longitudinal row of blisters (3a). A station (101) is provided for feeding the articles (2) to the grid (G), while oscillating means (10,20) generate a relative oscillating motion between the grid (G) and the corresponding blister band (3), to facilitate stabile introduction of the articles (2) into the corresponding blisters (3a) present along said longitudinal channel (9).

Abstract: An apparatus that is made integral with, attached to or attachable to machines for compacting and baling materials, particularly waste materials. The apparatus generally has a hopper compartment and a conveying assembly attached to a frame. The hopper compartment receives waste materials therein. The conveying assembly has a motor driven conveyor belt for conveying the waste materials from the hopper to the compactor/baler machine through an opening in the housing of the machine. Preferably, the first end of the frame attaches to the door that is used for removing compacted bales from the machine, thereby becoming integral with the machine, so as to allow the apparatus to pivot or swing to and from the machine with the opening and closing of the door. Wheels on the second end of the frame facilitate movement of the apparatus along the ground.

Abstract: A device (100) for feeding articles (2) to a blister band (3) moving below and having at least one row of blisters (3a) made therein for receiving corresponding articles (2). The row of blisters is parallel to the blister band forward direction (W). The device (100) has a grid (G) situated over the blister band (3), with at least one longitudinal channel (9), facing the longitudinal row of blisters (3a). A station (101) is provided for feeding the articles (2) to the grid (G), while oscillating means (10,20) generate a relative oscillating motion between the grid (G) and the corresponding blister band (3), to facilitate stabile introduction of the articles (2) into the corresponding blisters (3a) present along said longitudinal channel (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for feeding layers of tobacco to an intermediate reservoir, including feeding a continual falling, horizontal shifting stream of tobacco to the intermediate reservoir, the falling stream of tobacco being deflected by web-type separators, below, which predetermined break points form in the tobacco mass in the intermediate reservoir, resulting in vertical columns of tobacco separable from each other, the columns of tobacco separating individually from the tobacco mass and dropping onto a dispensing conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for feeding layers of tobacco to an intermediate reservoir, including feeding a continual falling, horizontal shifting stream of tobacco to the intermediate reservoir, the falling stream of tobacco being deflected by web-type separators below, which predetermined break points form in the tobacco mass in the intermediate reservoir resulting in vertical columns of tobacco separable from each other, the columns of tobacco separating individually from the tobacco mass and dropping onto a dispensing conveyor.

Abstract: A method of forming a grain pile by pushing grain into a buried insertion point. A screw conveyor grain at ground level from a receiving point to the buried insertion point. The screw conveyor creates a pile core at the insertion point and forcibly enlarges the pile core into a large pile against forces of natural resistance. Piles as large as 2,000,000 bushels can be formed by a conveyor having a drive motor of less than 50 horsepower. Grains of different properties may be formed into a pile and become blended as a consequence thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the uniform dense pack filling of particles of a solid catalyst (6) in a tubular reactor, of the type comprising a plurality of vertical tubes (2) opening at their upper end at the surface of a tube plate, which connects them together and is substantially parallel to them, and having above the tube plate, a system for the uniform distribution in a falling rain of the particles of catalyst, the improvement including:an initial cylindrical wall adapted to rest around and above the tube plate, andcylindrical walls of successively smaller diameters (formed from the initial wall or separately) being also adapted to rest in succession on the tube plate in order to separate the tubes then currently completely filled with catalyst from the tubes not completely filled.

Abstract: The present invention is a bulk storage facility having a reclaim system for providing a continuous controlled feed of difficult to handle cohesive materials characterized by their tendency to pack together to form relatively self-sustaining walls which are substantially resistant to avalanching. The system comprises a reclaimer that passes over the top surface of a mound of material collecting an infinitely variable depth of material and conveying the material outwardly to a collection conveyor located at the periphery of the mound's base.

Abstract: A single tube catalyst loading device is provided which consists of a transport belt system, electric motor, and catalyst loading hopper. Using this equipment, it is possible to control the drop rate of catalyst pellets without incurring mechanical damage or breakage of the catalyst. By raising or lowering the hopper section above the transport belt, it is possible to increase or decrease the drop rate of catalyst. Drop rate is the critical parameter in controlling catalyst density within the tubes of an ethylene oxide reactor.

Abstract: A center drive portable auger system for transporting particulate material. The auger includes an auger tube having a feed end and a discharge end, an auger drive shaft within the auger tube, and an auger flighting mounted to the auger drive shaft for transporting particulate material from the feed end to the discharge end of the auger tube. A gear box is positioned adjacent an external surface of the auger tube between the discharge end and the feed end for center driving the auger flighting. Since the central gear is external to the auger tube it does not restrict the flow of the particulate material within the auger tube, does not leak oil into the particulate material, and runs cooler than the internal gear boxes due to less friction during operation. A drive linkage operates between the gear box and the auger drive shaft for driving the auger flighting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spreader for a particulate material as it is being deposited in a storage bin. The spreader includes a rotatable body portion having downwardly diverging sidewalls terminating at a base. Elongated deflector blades extend out from the sidewalls and are angularly disposed with respect to the base. A deflector plate extends out from the base at the lower end of each deflector blade. The body portion is mounted within a storage bin so that its axis of rotation is disposed below the inlet port of the bin.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus for selectively bulk filling or blend filling and concurrently discharging particulate material, such as reticulated tobacco and the like, into an open topped silo, bin, or hopper. The material handling apparatus includes a first shuttle car located over the open top of the silo for movement back and forth over the silo, a first belt conveyor on the first shuttle car in alignment with the direction of movement of the first shuttle car, a second shuttle car located over the top of the silo and above the first shuttle car for movement back and forth over the silo along a path parallel to the movement of the first shuttle car, and a second belt conveyor on the second shuttle in alignment with the direction of movement of the second shuttle car.

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: A centrifugal thrower apparatus, which may be used on swivelloaders, swivelpilers, box car loaders, pilers, ship trimmers and the like, capable of maintaining a substantially constant belt tension over a wide range of angles of discharge. Preferably, a cam is provided to continually adjust the distance between the two sets of pulleys on which the belt is mounted, such that constant or substantially constant belt tension is maintained for different angles of discharge.

Abstract: A charging device suitable for use in processing scrap comprising a charge box open at the top, a pusher, and a moveable plate supported for sliding movement from a position with the charge box open to a position to close the charge box; the charge box having a top, bottom, front and rear, the charge box for receiving scrap through the top thereof and being in communication at the front thereof with an apparatus for handling scrap; the scrap being pushed by the pusher for pushing the contents of the charge box into the apparatus for handling scrap, the pusher being moveable from a position at the rear of the charge box remote the apparatus for handling scrap to a position at the front of the charge box proximate the apparatus for handling scrap; the pusher being supported by a support frame fully enclosing the pusher, when the pusher is remote the scrap receiving process; the moveable plate having a shearing edge at its leading edge and for co-operative movement with the pusher, the moveable plate being movea

Abstract: In a process for the production of a uniform flow of particles to be discharged over the width of a hopper, such as cellulose or mineral fibers or glue-coated chips or mixtures for the production of boards consisting of these materials, a feeding device is arranged above the hopper transversely to the longitudinal axis of the hopper for discharging particles into the hopper. A stationary feed arranged to the side of the hopper supplies particles to the feeding device. The feeding device includes a horizontal belt conveyor which carries the particles from the stationary feed to the hopper. The entire feeding device moves back and forth during this procedure whereby the particles are deposited into the hopper from one side thereof to the other. This prevents or substantially eliminates the particles from lumping or sticking together in the hopper which might otherwise occur if the particles were simply directly supplied to the hopper from a stationary source.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a uniform flow of particles to be discharged over the width of a hopper, such as cellulose or mineral fibers or glue-coated chips or mixtures for the production of boards consisting of these materials, a feeding device is arranged above the hopper transversely to the longitudinal axis of the hopper for discharging particles into the hopper. A stationary feed arranged to the side of the hopper supplies particles to the feeding device. The feeding device includes a horizontal belt conveyor which carries the particles from the stationary feed to the hopper. The entire feeding device moves back and forth during this procedure whereby the particles are deposited into the hopper from one side thereof to the other. This prevents or substantially eliminates the particles from lumping or sticking together in the hopper which might otherwise occur if the particles were simply directly supplied to the hopper from a stationary source.

Abstract: Chip gates are provided adjacent the lower end of an inlet chute to a presteaming vessel for a digester in a pulp production system. The chip gates are operated to maintain a level of chips within the inlet chute sufficient such that the chips preclude egress of noxious odorous gas from the presteaming vessel, while simulataneously the chips are discharged into the vessel.

Abstract: A vertical bale elevator to transfer bales of hay, straw or the like between the ground and a barn has an elongated frame with two opposing augers mounted on opposite sides of the frame. The frame contains a guide for the blades. The augers are mirror images of one another and rotate in opposite directions to force a bale upward and rearward within a frame. The guide is arranged to receive a bale in the bottom section and discharge the bale in the top section. The augers are powered by a single power source that can be reversed to move bales down the elevator rather than up. When operating in reverse, it is usually desirable to make changes to the guide. The middle sections are made in various lengths so that the total height of the elevator can be varied. With previous elevators, a chain rotates upward at a back and front of the elevator. These previous elevators are much more complex.

Abstract: An integrated control system, specifically transportable on water between offshore wells, includes mixing and blending subsystems, a pumping subsystem, a proppant subsystem and a control subsystem for controlling the other subsystems in a unified manner from a common control location.

Abstract: A storage bunker for substantially dry and loose material such as shredded paper waste has a receptacle (10) and a conveyor (16,18) feeding material over a fixed plate (14) broken at (21) to permit the material to fall into the receptacle. The return run of conveyor (16) compacts material towards the other end of the receptacle, and the whole mass of material once the receptacle is filled is driven by conveyor (25) towards an outlet, with material being stripped from the mass by an inclined toothed conveyor (26) for collection by a troughed conveyor (28).

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: Apparatus for distributing compost to the beds of a mushroom house includes a mobile, freestanding, selectively positionable distributor, which receives compost and using a conveyor mounted upon it, distributes the compost to the beds. The distributor is fed from above, by a movable guide supported above the distributor, the guide being so positioned and arranged as to direct material onto the conveyor of the distributor. The guide, in turn, is supplied by a system of conveyors, which transport material from a receiving point to the guide.

Abstract: A discharge device for granules from vertical reactors having a plane blower plate with scraper edges has at least one discharge slot with corresponding collecting device fixedly connected to the discharge slot so as to be rotatable with the latter. A static scraping device is arranged between the discharge slot and the collecting device.

Abstract: A feed system for feeding light-weight materials, such as tobacco, into large blending and/or bulking bins. The present invention resides primarily in a novel, light-weight feed system comprising a trolley and a shuttle conveyor adapted to reciprocatingly feed rapidly in either a longitudinal or lateral direction with a minimum amount of inertia during acceleration and deacceleration. A feed conveyor deposits said material onto the shuttle conveyor, said feed conveyor comprising drive elements adapted to synchronize movement of the feed conveyor with movement of the shuttle conveyor. The shuttle conveyor, at least in the X direction, is unencumbered mechanically by the feed conveyor.

Abstract: Generally horizontally disposed bracing trusses (44, 46) are interconnected between the bottoms of the longitudinal drive beams (70, 72, 74) and the bottoms of the associated transverse drive beams (100, 102, 104), within a reciprocating floor conveyor. This and other reinforcement particularly adapts the system for use in a stationary installation having a relatively wide floor. Trucks (RV) equipped with reciprocating floor conveyors are backed into a receiving house (H) and the conveyors are used for unloading bulk material (B) from the trucks (RV) into the receiving house (H). The bulk material (B) is conveyed from the receiving house (H) up to an elevated inlet (16) at one end of an elongated enclosure (E). The enclosure (E) includes a reciprocating floor conveyor (24) at its bottom and an elevated screw conveyor (36) at its top. The reciprocating conveyor (24) is operated to move bulk material out from the enclosure (E) at a controlled rate.

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 tobacco harvester discharge system is provided for uniformally distributing tobacco leaves into a tobacco bin. A set of rolls positioned over the discharge intercepts a substantial portion of the discharged tobacco leaves and directs them radially outward over the width of the bin. A fan located below the discharge blows air under the discharged tobacco leaves to extend the trajectory of the leaves over the length of the bin by a distance roughly proportional to the flow rate of air from the fan from time to time. The flow rate is controlled in a predetermined pattern to obtain uniform distribution of the discharged leaves over the bin.

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 method for controlling the lateral displacement of a trolley supporting goods to be unloaded at an unloading location, the goods being releasably attached to the trolley by an elongated flexible member. The method is characterized in that the trolley, which supports the goods, via the elongated flexible member during a first phase of the unloading operation, is decelerated from a certain lateral displacement speed at which it approaches the unloading station and, at least after part of the unloading operation of the goods, is accelerated in the opposite direction, whereby the retardation phase and the acceleration phase are invidually carried out within less than one period of the pendulum motion of the elongated flexible member. The method can be used in cases where the length of the flexible member varies during the approach of the goods to the unloading location.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for forming a loosely felted mat of elongated wood flakes, the wood flakes being supported on an elongated caul. The flakes are deposited between a plurality of closely spaced parallel baffles so as to be aligned in mutually parallel relation. The caul is supported adjacent the lower edges of the baffles and is support for vertical movement to facilitate buildup of the mat. Apparatus movable back and forth along the length of the caul is provided to deposit wood flakes in an evenly dispursed manner. At least one picker wheel also moves along the length of the baffles, the picker wheel including fingers extending downwardly between baffles and adapted to engage the flakes to cause them to fall between the baffles.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for depositing solid particulate material in a frustoconical pile within a space of predetermined dimensions comprising, in combination:(a) a screw conveyor for particulate material arranged substantially horizontally;(b) means for feeding particulate material to the screw conveyor;(c) the screw conveyor having a screw mounted at one end for driven rotation and operatively disposed in the screw conveyor for receiving and transporting particulate material therealong;(d) means for depositing particulate material conveyed by the screw conveyor as a pile below the conveyor up to a maximum height corresponding to the level of the screw;(e) the screw being arranged when maximum pile height is reached to carry particulate material at its level along the top of the pile to an outer edge thereof for deposit there, thereby leveling off the top of the pile and maintaining a frustoconical shape in the pile, while ensuring spreading of the pile of particulate material throughout and within a space of

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: An improved conveyor system with a leveling device for preventing the accumulation of material into distinct ridges at the top of the discharge pile and thus increasing the storage capacity of bins. A pivoting drag device is hung from the undercarriage of a shuttle conveyor so that, as the conveyor is moved across the material, the drag knocks the tops off the previously formed ridges and provides room for storage of material to a greater height.

Abstract: A roadable container or bin for storage of bituminous mix, at a road construction site and quickly erectable to an operative position, and which is characterized by a construction to avoid segregation of the particles in the bituminous mix, to avoid the need for a crane for its erection, and which includes a fuel compartment and a conveyor to dispense with the need for separate transportation of the same and producing a compact arrangement. The roadable storage container includes an elongated storage bin embodying a fuel tank, a bituminous mix compartment and a conveyor arranged to load the bituminous mix in that compartment, such as to avoid segregation of the constituents of the mix.

Abstract: Tobacco handling apparatus that receives tobacco from a source, such as a trailer, and elevates it by a conveyor to a discharge end from which it is discharged in a flow path having a substantial maximum horizontal extent disposed above a container that has an elongated horizontal extent aligned with and underneath the flow path for receipt of the tobacco leaves in condition for subsequent curing. An oscillatable or reciprocable baffle, or a variable speed conveyor or feed roll is included for varying the horizontal extent of the flow path within the maximum extent in a generally uniform manner to cause the leaves to be distributed substantially uniformly along the elongated extent of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for depositing material, such as mushroom casing, on a horizontally moving belt from which the material is discharged to a surface beneath said belt. The material may be deposited first in a conveyor box which contains an element capable of moving the material in the box from one end of it to its other end, the said conveyor box having an outlet through which the material is passed to a distributing container. If preferred, the material may be deposited directly in the distributing box. This container also has in it means for moving the material from one of its ends to the other, as desired, in order to achieve a substantially uniform distribution in it of the material. The container has in it an outlet which comprises a slot of uniform gap. This gap is located in a position to be in delivery relationship with said moving belt. The gap is formed through the use of a cut-off plate that may be constructed of adjustable sections.

Abstract: A large volume of recovered solid discrete waste material is adapted to be stored over a large storage area at the bottom of large volume bin space within a building having opposite sides and opposite ends and providing an enclosing housing having upstanding walls rising to a substantial height along the sides and ends of the storage area and a covering roof at the tops of the walls, a loading conveyor system being operative adjacently under the roof at the top of the bin space for filling the material into the bin space thoroughly over the storage area. In a semi-automated embodiment of the invention, the stored material is adapted to be discharged selectively from one end of the storage area onto a take-away conveyor, or at any of a plurality of selected places along one side of the storage area onto a take-away conveyor.