Abstract: A bin sweep auger unplugging system for unplugging a central unloading sump in a storage bin. The bin sweep auger unplugging system generally includes an auger having a driven shaft with auger flighting, a drive unit having a drive shaft, and a clutch connected between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The clutch selectively transfers the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft of the auger. The drive shaft includes a clump breakup component that breaks up the clump of granular material above the unloading sump when the drive shaft is rotated. The clutch is disengaged when breaking up a clump of granular material to prevent the rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A bottom unloader for conveying feed material from a silo is disclosed. The unloader may have a housing with a drive unit and discharge, a conveyor positioned in the trough of a silo and a rotating cutter arm. The bottom unloader may be equipped with heavy-duty hooks having a wide uniform forward profile to prevent breaking and clogging of the conveyor. The hooks may be arranged in a repeating sequence to optimize unloading. The silo trough may have a wide chamfered section to prevent bridging. A discharge cover may extend from the conveyor to cover the top of the trough within the silo. The discharge cover remains fixed to conveyor backbone and is removed from the silo with conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for wine pomace extraction from wine processing tanks in a manner so as to minimize maceration of the wine pomace so as not to taint wine entrained within the pomace. In the present invention, wine pomace is mechanically transported out the processing tank by a conveyor means. Wine pomace is guided into the collecting path of the conveyor means by a mechanical sweeper attached to the conveyor means. In a preferred embodiment, a conveyor with sweeper wing attachments is mounted on a portable cart. The invention is positioned into the processing tank through an entry portal and secured to a tank containing pomace. The conveyor transports pomace to a receiver bin until the majority of pomace is extracted. Sweeper wings are deployed to guide remaining pomace into the collecting path of the conveyor.

Abstract: A tool (7) for sampling or extracting the contents of a pit (4) is suspended from a cable (8) passing through a narrow opening (3) in a slab (2) covering the pit. A crosspiece (13) hooked to guide cables (11) which converge on it makes it possible to displace the lifting cable (8) under the slab (2) according to different movements imposed by winches (10). Thus it is possible to move the tool (7) to the desired point with great precision and without having to descend into the pit (4).

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in the treatment of waste and/or organic materials which includes a main body having a treatment chamber therein having a base which when the apparatus is in a harvesting mode is arranged with a space there below. The base includes a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart support elements, the support elements being spaced apart at a distance sufficient to support the material within the chamber during the treatment process and enable extraction of the treated material through the spaces between the support elements during a harvesting process. There is also disclosed a harvesting device comprising a plurality of extraction elements which are adapted to project through the spaces between the support elements to dislodge and extract the treated material through the base. The apparatus and harvesting device is particularly useful for removing worm casting in vermiculture.

Abstract: An unloading system for a grain bin. The unloading system includes a sweep conveyor for sweeping grain from the interior of the grain bin to a well in the floor of the grain bin. The sweep conveyor includes an elongated frame, a first sprocket at one end of the frame, a second sprocket at the other end of the frame, an endless chain extending between the first and second sprockets, a plurality of spaced apart paddles attached to the chain, and a motor for causing the chain to rotate whereby the paddles will drag or sweep grain to the well in the floor of the grain bin.

Abstract: A continuous web of wrapping material for catamenial tampons or other commodities is advanced lengthwise first through a station where it is acted upon by a perforating knife to weaken longitudinally spaced-apart portions of the web transversely of the direction of advancement. The web is thereupon converted into a continuous tubular body and the leader of the tubular body is engaged by a pair of rolls which pull the leader in the direction of lengthwise advancement of the web in order to break the material of the web along successive weakened portions. The thus obtained discrete tubular envelopes are moved sideways, one end portion of each envelope is closed, a commodity is introduced through the other end portion, and the other end portion is closed to confine the commodity at both ends. Such mode of making tubular envelopes ensures that the material of the web is not wasted at all and that the envelopes need not be stored prior to reception of commodities.

Abstract: A hay bale cutting chain with each pair of side links including a cutting link. The chain is without any protrusions other than the cutter portions, e.g. depth gauges and bumper portions are eliminated. The cutting edge, from a side view, is substantially vertical, and the side plate configuration is otherwise without a hook angle. The top plate is terminated short of the chain's mid-point to allow long strands that can get trapped under the top plates of the cutting links to escape. The chain is a small pitch chain, e.g. three-eights inch pitch, and drive at a rapid speed so that small bits are removed that more closely simulate sawdust than wood chips as in typical wood cutting.

Abstract: This invention relates to a discharge apparatus for storage bins and tanks having a central bottom outlet opening to allow a discharge conveyor to remove bulk material and a sweep conveyor within the storage bin, the improvement is that the outlet opening is adapted so that the sweep conveyor can be driven by its own motor or through gearing means driven by the discharge conveyor motor. A bearing support is provided for mounting the sweep conveyor with its own motor, and a structure is provided to mount a gear box connectably drivable by the discharge conveyor. The gear box arrangement comprises an upper and lower conventional gear box, together with a clutch to engage or disengage the sweep conveyor as required. Another improvement resides in having the sweep auger of the single drive system detachable. A further improvement lies in supplying a broom auger, in parallel with the sweep auger.

Abstract: A pre-assembled turntable mounting unit for a storage structure. The storage structure is mounted on a foundation having a radial trough extending from the center of the structure to the exterior. A pre-assembled turntable mounting unit is disposed in the inner end of the trough at the center of the storage structure. The turntable mounting unit includes a fixed mounting ring which rests on the upper surface of the foundation bordering the trough and a plurality of angle-shaped roller support brackets are supported on the ring. A turntable, which supports the inner end of a rotatable sweep arm, is mounted for rotation on rollers carried by the roller brackets. By removing the anchor bolts the entire turntable mounting unit can be readily removed from the storage structure. The drive transmission that acts to rotate the sweep arm about its axis is mounted in a pre-established position on a platform suspended in the trough from the turntable mounting ring.

Abstract: The combination of a storage silo and bottom unloader therefor wherein the base of the silo is formed as a hopper having a substantially central discharge outlet, the unloader being arranged to project into the silo through the discharge outlet and comprising a sweep arm pivoted for rotation in the hopper about a vertical axis disposed centrally of the discharge outlet and for vertical movement away from the surface of the hopper and means for varying the effective length of the arm comprising a mounting supporting the arm for pivotal movement about the centrally disposed vertical axis, the mounting arrangement being such that the length of the arm projecting into the silo can be altered.

Abstract: An apparatus for the self-unloading of dry, particulate bulk material from multiple storage chambers comprising a plurality of aligned holds or the like (12, 14, 16, 18), having aligned discharged gates (46) formed in the bases thereof for discharge onto a longitudinal, tunnel conveyor (50). A pair of scraper conveyors (52) pivotally mounted (54) to a vertical frame (56) are movable into and out of each such hold with the aid of hoists (58) and vertical elevating mechanisms (62). A longitudinally movable support (64) is further provided for transferring the assembly lengthwise of and above the respective holds as well as for traversing the support (64) within each hold to facilitate unloading operations in connection with each such hold.The scraper conveyors may thus be deployed within or removed from the relatively narrow hatchways (22) of the several cargo holds for sequential operation within each.

Abstract: A portable dig out tool for removing clogged silage from the lower part of a silo after the normal unloading equipment has failed. The tool is adapted to be manually inserted and withdrawn through an access opening in the lower portion of the outer wall of the silo. An arrangement is provided for swinging rotating cutter drums to attack and remove the packed silage.