Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a rubber sheet containing short fibers. The method includes the steps of: mixing short fibers in a flowable rubber matrix; forming the flowable rubber matrix with the fibers therein into a cylindrical shape with a circumferential extent; separating a portion of the circumferential extent from the cylindrical shape, and forming the cylindrical shape with the portion separated into a sheet form.

Abstract: Used and manufacturing scrap asphalt shingle material is processed into a relatively coarse material comprising pieces or flakes of a maximum predetermined size. The flakes are finish processed into a composite board product in a method that includes (i) mixing the flakes with a relatively high percentage content of solvent suffused fiber, (ii) grinding and heating the flakes and fiber to form a homogenous semi-liquid mixture, (iii) extruding and conveying the homogenous mixture to a board forming station, and (iv) compressing the mixture into the composite board product.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying food dough forms blocks of food dough that are continuously supplied into a sheet or belt of food dough and then divides it into chunks of food dough that have preset weights.

Abstract: A decanting system and method of use for a product made of viscous material, particularly a chemicotechnical substance that is discharged from a portioning device (10,11) in the form of a product string (12) and cut into its final portions includes a device to cut through the product string (12). The cutting device comprises a laser whose beam (15) is directed transversely to the product discharge direction and passes through the product string (12) in order to cut it into its final portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressing tortilla dough into a tortilla product in a continuous operation including: an extruder for compressing tortilla dough through a nozzle; a knife for slicing the extruded dough into a series of dough pucks; a conveyor press assembly which sandwiches the dough puck between a pair of belts to carry the puck between a pairs of platens to gradually press the puck into its final tortilla form; and a conveyor oven which sandwiches the tortilla between a pair of belts to carry the tortilla between pairs of heated platens to cook the tortilla. The system is particularly well suited to automation and, in one embodiment, includes measuring equipment which provides feedback to produce tortillas of consistent size, shape, and quality.

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are horizontally disposed between the rifling and compressed in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally horizontally disposed, circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices waxed cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into waxed cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the waxed cardboard strips into waxed cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper segments and waxed cardboard segments mix.

Abstract: The inventions relates to an extrusion apparatus suited for water-containing products which heat-expand by internal boiling of water by pressure relief after passing through extrusion nozzles. The apparatus comprises a) an extruder, which at the outlet end thereof comprises a nozzle plate, b) a pressure-controlling chamber for controlling the pressure on the outlet side of the nozzle plate, said pressure-controlling chamber possibly containing a cutting-off unit, and c) a sluice unit downstream of the pressure controlling chamber. The apparatus furthermore comprises that the pressure-controlling chamber and sluice unit being releasably interconnected and at least the sluice unit being mounted movably in and out of the product stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product.

Abstract: A food product depositor system utilizes a food product depositor device. Preferably, the food product depositor device includes at least one food product depositor module. In an embodiment, the food product depositor module may include mating features and a plurality of food product depositor modules may be assembled by the mating features to form the food product device. Preferably, the food product depositor module includes a supply port, a rotor positioned within a cavity, at least one sliding vane, and a discharge port. In an embodiment, the food product depositor module includes a cutoff device. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of processing food products by way of such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for making strips of fiber-containing rubber is disclosed, wherein the short fibers in each of the strips are oriented in the widthwise direction of the strip. The apparatus comprises: a screw section for pushing out a fluid mixture of unvulcanized rubber and short fibers as fiber-containing rubber; an orienting section comprising a radially extending path provided with an inlet in the center thereof and a looped nozzle on the periphery thereof so that the fiber-containing rubber is expanded circumferentially while flowing radially from the center towards the periphery; and a dividing section comprising a plurality of cutters arranged around the looped nozzle so that the fiber-containing rubber extruded from the looped nozzle is circumferentially divide into a plurality of strips.

Abstract: A cutting blade includes a connection portion for connection to a cutting head for rotating the blade, preferably in association with other blades being rotated with the cutting head. The blade body also includes a blade body portion with a leading edge with a cutting blade portion and an upper leading surface and lower leading surface extending from the leading edge to an upper transition zone and lower transition zone respectively. A upper trailing surface extends from the upper transition zone to a trailing edge and a lower trailing surface extends from the lower transition zone to the trailing edge. The upper and lower trailing surfaces converge such that the blade body portion is hydrodynamically shaped. According to a further embodiment, the cutting blade has a sickle shape.

Abstract: A cooling die for extruding of high moisture extrudate food products having a cooling die body in which are defined and a plurality of extrudate flow channels extending between an inlet end of the cooling die that is attachable to an extruder and outlet end for delivery of cooled-down extrudate, and coolant cavities located in heat-exchanging communication with the extrudate flow channels and connectable to a source of coolant, characterized in that the cooling die body consist of a plurality of thick plates having first and second channels extending between and opening at the planar surfaces of the thick plates, and that the plurality of thick places are stacked and fastened together such that the opening of the first and second channels of adjoining plates are respectively aligned with one another, whereby the first channels form said plurality of extrudate flow channels and the second channels form a plurality of discrete coolant channels extending through the length of the cooling die body.

Abstract: A method of producing shredded cheese according to the present invention comprises producing cheese in a mixer; forming the cheese into cubes, the cubes being sized for shredding in a shredder; salting the cubes in a brine solution; and shredding the cubes in the shredder. The cheese may be cubed in a cubing device according to the present invention, which comprises an extrusion transfer tube connected to an infeed line. The extrusion transfer tube has an output end, where the cheese exits in the form of a log. A trim knife disposed at the output end of the extrusion transfer tube squares the log, and a cross-cut knife disposed adjacent to the trim knife cuts the log into cubes.

Abstract: A system for making aerated concrete blocks produces such blocks having at least one passageway therein. The system may comprise a molding station for receiving materials for making aerated concrete and for allowing the materials to rise and stiffen into a body, a dividing station downstream from the molding station for dividing the body into an array of blocks, and a curing station downstream from the dividing station for curing the array of blocks. Moreover, the manufacturing system also preferably includes a drilling station downstream from the curing station to drill the at least one passageway extending through each of the blocks. The passageways provide easier grasping by the mason, reduce the weight without significantly compromising strength, and may be aligned in a wall during construction at a building site to facilitate the placement of vertical reinforcing members in the wall. The drilling station may drill a plurality of spaced apart passageways through each block.

Abstract: A single pass, continuous, automated system for producing a pharmaceutical granulation includes multiple feeders to feed powders and liquids, a twin screw processor to granulate, a radio frequency or microwave based drying apparatus to dry the granulation, and at least one mill to process the dried granulation to desired particle sizes. The system incorporates means for monitoring key process parameters on-line, all of which are controlled by a controller provided with feedback at each component of the system. The granulation produced can be compressed into a tablet or incorporated into a capsule, both having a uniform distribution of the active ingredient. The system produces product having consistent properties even when production is scaled up for manufacture of the tablet in commercial volume.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the subdivision of a relatively elastic and gummy food product shaped as a continuous tape or string (14), which is extruded or laminated, and advancing at a predetermined speed on a conveyor (15), into a plurality of single portions (14′, 14″) which are separated from one another by a predetermined distance (X). The cutting operation of said tape or string (14) is carried out by at least one blade (31, 31′), which is suitable for penetrating into the mass of the tape or string (14) and for causing the detachment of a portion (14′, 14″) of the tape or string itself. The blade (31, 31′), follows a predetermined trajectory (50) comprising a first stretch (51) wherein said tape or string is cut, a second stretch (52) along the same advancement direction of the tape or string, a third stretch opposite to the advancement direction of the tape or string (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming thermoplastic adhesive cartridges. A molten thermoplastic adhesive supply provides a supply of molten adhesive to a pump downstream from the molten thermoplastic adhesive supply. The pump then provides a molten thermoplastic adhesive melt stream which passes through a screen filter downstream from the pump to prevent the discharge of impurities in the molten thermoplastic adhesive melt stream from the pump. A temperature-controlled conduit downstream from the pump then lowers the temperature of the molten plastic melt stream to closely above its softening point. A continuous molder located downstream from the melt pump for receives the molten plastic melt stream from the melt pump to form the thermoplastic adhesive cartridge continuously.

Abstract: The pillow cutter of a food product extrusion system is provided with motor driven roller means designed to pull filled, or unfilled, extrusions, including hollow tubes, or ropes, of extruded food material from the extrusion die head. The ropes are then cut in various shapes such as square, diamond or triangle pillows, sticks or bars. The roller means constitute rotatable base rollers sized to effect telescopic assembly with removable, interchangeable, tubular, cylindrical cutter sleeves engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeves with variable cutting patterns so the user of the system can optionally change the cutting patterns by selective choice of cutter sleeves.

Abstract: A cutter carriage for moving a rotary cutter between a front side of the back roller and a back side of the back roller. The preferred system has a pair of guide rods located on the left and right side plates of the sheeting head. The rotary cutter is held at either end by pivot arms. Each arm, in turn is attached to a carriage side piece that slidingly engages one of the guide rods. The two side pieces are joined into a single cutter carriage by an elongate member parallel to the rotary cutter. Each carriage is equipped with a cutter engagement system that moves the pivot arms and attached rotary cutter into an operational position in relation to the sheeting head. When the rotary cutter is serviced, the engagement system is released allowing the pivot arm to move the rotary cutter away from the sheeting head roller, and the cutter carriage is slid along the guide rods making the rotary cutter readily accessible from the rear side of the sheeting head.

Abstract: A plastic material extruder combines the features of a generally flat rotatable disc and a generally flat opposed stator. At least one of the two is heated by heating elements. The two define a processing gap into which a hopper for feeding a plastic material mixture is discharged. The rotor and the stator develop a high shear force which further heats up the processed mixture in addition to the heating delivered by the heating elements. At the center of the disc/stator assembly, an axial force developing device such as a ram or a feed screw or screws is adapted to further compress and extrude a mixture of the thermoplastic components and thermosetting components, the latter being comprised of crumbled pieces of used tires. The extruder is shown in two embodiments, one injecting the processed alloy into a mold, the other producing pellets of the processed alloy.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying food dough forms blocks of food dough that are continuously supplied into a sheet or belt of food dough and then divides it into chunks of food dough that have preset weights.

Abstract: A deflashing apparatus includes a positioning device which positions a blade at a predetermined position of a molded article, a moving unit mounted to the positioning device for moving the blade along a parting line of the molded article, a pressing device mounted to the moving unit for guiding the moving unit linearly toward and away from the molded article and biasing the moving unit toward the molded article to bring the blade into contact with the molded article at a predetermined force, and a supporting device which supports and moves the molded article with respect to the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spinning line for producing a plurality of endless synthetic filament yarns. The spinning line comprises a spinning apparatus for melt spinning the yarns and a takeup apparatus for winding the yarns. Between the spinning apparatus and the takeup apparatus, a yarn collection device is arranged which cuts and removes the yarns by suction upon occurrence of a disturbance in the yarn path of at least one yarn. To this end, the yarn collection device comprises a movable yarn guide with a yarn guide groove in the yarn advance plane, a cutting device, and a suction device. The cutting device and suction device are arranged in the yarn advance plane on one side of the yarn web. The yarn guide is arranged on the opposite side of the yarn web and moved in direction of the cutting device for cutting the yarns.

Abstract: A molding device for pastry products includes an upper rotary disc, a set of cutting tools and a central through hole formed at the front aspect of a cutting edge portions of a plurality of cutting tools; wherein the intermittently obverse and reverse rotations of the upper rotary disc on a bottom disc drives a front moving rod to displace in a long through hole and makes a rear moving rod rotate in obverse and reverse directions in a circular through hole so as to further work as a rotary shaft thereby enabling the cutting edge portions of pluralities of cutting tools synchronously to close or open the central through hole with more precise carry-over moment to achieve the effect of opening and closing the central through hole more precisely and steadily for ensuring a consistent shape of a cut noodle or a molded food product.

Abstract: An integrated unit for producing double-layered spherical products (23) in two rows on a belt conveyor (25) under it is disclosed. The length of the integrated unit is aligned with the traveling direction of the conveyor (25) in order to reduce the space needed on both sides of the conveyor (25). The integrated unit includes a filling feeder (15) and a casing feeder (17) for feeding a filling (5) and a casing (9) such that the feeders (15) and (17) are arranged opposite each other. A space between the feeders (15) and (17) of the integrated unit is provided with vane pumps (29A) and (29B) and a pair of double nozzles (13A) and (13B), which are positioned in the center of the integrated unit. The vane pumps (29A) and (29B) pump the corresponding materials (5) and (9) from the corresponding feeders (15) and (17) to the corresponding double nozzles (13A) and (13B). Each double nozzle extrudes the filling (5) and the casing (9) in a form of a double-layered elongated product.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding system includes a thermoplastic extrusion die for the extrusion of a thermoplastic slab. The extrusion die has adjustable die gate members for varying the thickness of the extruded material in different parts of the extruded slab. The thermoplastic extrusion die has a trimmer for cutting the extruded thermoplastic slab from the thermoplastic extrusion die. A plurality of thermoplastic molds, which may be either vacuum or compression molds, are each mounted on a movable platform, such as a rotating platform, for moving one mold at a time into a position to receive a thermoplastic slab being trimmed from the thermoplastic extrusion die. A molded part is formed with a variable thickness from a heated slab of thermoplastic material being fed still heated from the extrusion die. A plurality of molds are mounted to the platform to feed one mold into a loading position while a second mold is in a release position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibrated cutting device for slicing foodstuffs that are suitable for cutting, more particularly meat products. Said device has the following characteristics: a base frame (1) is provided; a shaping tube (55) is also provided, through which the food product that is to be sliced is moved forward in the direction of a calibrated cavity (49); the calibrated shaping cavity (49) is a separate constructive unit different from the shaping tube (49); a knife arrangement (65) moving lengthwise is provided between the feed hole (31) of the calibrated shaping cavity (49) and the adjacent delivery hole (63) of the shaping tube (55), which is arranged between the calibrated cavity (49) and the shaping tube (55); a clamping unit (13) is also provided. The shaping tube (55) and the calibrated shaping cavity (49) can be pressed together by means of the clamping device (13) in order to achieve a negative pressure on the shaping tube (55) through the calibrated shaping cavity (49).

Abstract: A sheet processing system for continuously producing plastic sheet which is continuously supplied to an intermittent take-up device, utilizing a sheet forming apparatus, a conveyor, an accumulator and take-up apparatus, the sheet being fed along the conveyor to an accumulator positioned integrally with the conveyor, the accumulator being controlled in a cyclic operation which provides for the accumulation of the continuously fed sheet material to permit intermittent operation of the take-up apparatus, and the edge trimming of the sheet subsequently to the action of the accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming a multi-layer pad of a non-woven fiber batt and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces and to a multi-layer pad incorporating a non-woven fiber batt and foam layer. The process of forming a non-woven batt layer and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces comprises transporting each layer along its longitudinal dimension while compressing each layer along its lateral dimension. Concomitantly with compression, each layer is cut transversely along its lateral dimension to separate each layer into an upper segment and a lower segment and to provide conforming convoluted surfaces on the segments of each layer, the convoluted surfaces comprised of upstanding projections and depressions.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing shaped polymeric articles by substantially continuous vacuum forming. The method includes providing a sheet of hot polymeric material which is disposed onto a rotating belt having a mold impression. Vacuum pressure is applied to the polymeric material through the belt so as to draw the hot polymeric material into intimate contact with the mold impression to form a patterned sheet portion and a remaining sheet portion. This method thereafter cools at least the patterned sheet portion below a heat deflection temperature of the polymeric material, forms the remaining sheet portion, and then cools the remaining sheet portion below the heat deflection temperature so that features other than the central pattern, such as nail and butt edges, can be mechanically worked into the polymeric sheet.

Abstract: Used and manufacturing scrap asphalt shingle material is processed into a fine material comprising smaller sized pieces of shingle material and a relatively high aggregate content. The fine material is finish processed into shaped products adapted to take advantage of the high aggregate content therein. Processing of the fine material includes (i) grinding and heating the aggregate and smaller sized pieces of shingle material into a homogenous mixture, (ii) forming the shaped products via molding with pressure, or extruding and cutting the extruded mixture, and embedding a surface treatment material into the shaped products.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for practicing the method for making ligneous material boards into an endless board strand with a continuously operating press. The press includes two flexible endless steel belts which take the press material between them and carry it through the press, are carried in rotation by drive drums and idler drums around a press table and a press ram, the steel belts thrust with friction-reducing elements against heated press plates of the press table and press ram and a cooling system that follows. The cooling system is configured as a double-belt holding apparatus with an applicable holding pressure up to a maximum of 0 to 0.05 N/mm2 and directly behind the continuously operating press and ahead of the cooling system a diagonal sawing apparatus is disposed for dividing the board strand into single boards, and on the backs of the holding belts making contact with the single boards several rows of coolant spray nozzles are disposed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure having slits, which permits accurate forming of fine slits to cut or grind a targeted cell array alone and moreover is suitable for application to mass production, is to be provided. It is a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure having slits and a plurality of arrays of numerous cells aligned in parallel; the slits communicating with external space and being formed along the arrays. Slits 5 are formed by protruding a slit forming member 4 toward a molded article 3 during the step of extruding the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A molding and tentatively retaining mold 10 of the invention has a plurality of molds which are relatively movable with respect to a fixed mold, and molds a housing 31 and rear holders 32 and 33, which are respectively independent, in a plurality of cavities formed in cooperation with the fixed mold. When rear holders 32 and 33 after molding are relatively moved with respect to a housing 31 by movable molds 12 and 15 and are tentatively retained, a runner 20 for a cavity for molding the housing 31 is kept connected to the housing 31 through a tunnel gate 20a. In addition, a portion 15a of the fourth movable mold 15 for forming the cavity in the housing 31 is kept fitted to the housing 31 as it was during molding.

Abstract: A sheet processing system for continuously producing plastic sheet which is continuously supplied to an intermittent take-up device, utilizing a sheet forming apparatus, a conveyor, an accumulator and take-up apparatus, the sheet being fed along the conveyor to an accumulator positioned compactly beneath the conveyor, the accumulator being controlled in a cyclic operation which provides for the accumulation of the continuously fed sheet material to permit intermittent operation of the take-up apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic rolled sushi producing apparatus consisting of a vinegared rice supply unit; a vinegared rice supply conveyer arranged below the vinegared rice supply unit; a carrying conveyer arranged at right angle to the vinegared rice supply conveyer; a vinegared rice extrusion mechanism arranged along an advancing direction of the carrying conveyer; a vinegared rice cutting mechanism; a tight rolling mechanism; a forming mechanism; a product extrusion mechanism; and a product take-out conveyer arranged at right angle to the carrying conveyer at a terminal end of the carrying conveyer, and wherein the vinegared rice supply conveyer, the carrying conveyer and the product take-out conveyer are arranged in the form of U as a whole.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a spherical body composed of an outer covering layer and an inner filling, comprising a holder frame, a rotary wheel rotated forwards and backwards alternatively in the holder frame, and triangular cutter members coupled to the rotary wheel and arranged in sliding contact with each other and moved with the rotary wheel between a first position to form a center opening for the passing of a continuously fed cylindrical body consisting of dough crust and a filling, and a second position to shape a spherical body consisting of dough crust and a filling from the continuously fed cylindrical body.

Abstract: A novel construction board composition is disclosed comprising a unique combination of synthetic binders selected for their ability to establish a strengthened permanent bond in the final dry state for use in a construction board composition comprising primarily gypsum, and in a construction board composition comprising an expanded mineral such as Perlite which largely reduces the amount of gypsum over current gypsum construction board formulations, thus reducing the weight while maintaining the strength of the construction board structure. In a preferred embodiment, the lightweight, strengthened gypsum construction board of the present invention also comprises an optional covering veneer that is applied to provide increased strength, moisture resistance, and fire retardency, and the back paper top ply is treated to provide increased flexural strength.

Abstract: A multiple-orifice extrusion manifold 10 is disclosed which includes a first housing 20 defining an outer chamber 170 and an extrusion wall 140. A plurality of orifices 80, adapted for extruding a first substance from the outer chamber 170, extend through the extrusion wall 140. An inlet pipe 40 is provided in the first housing 20 for flowing the first substance into the outer chamber 170. The inlet pipe 40 is located so as to permit flow of the first substance symmetrically within the outer chamber 170. A second housing 190 which defines an inner chamber 200 is provided within the first housing 20. The second housing 190 is located symmetrically within the outer chamber. A plurality of tubes 210 extend from the second housing 190. Each tube 210 has a first end 212 opening into the inner chamber 200 and a second open end 213 cooperatively aligned with an orifice 80 for extruding a second substance from the inner chamber 200 through the tube 210 and to within the first substance.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an extruder having mixing screws, a speed reduces, a plurality of barrels, an extrusion die, feed hoppers, a water supply hose, and a CO2 gas supply member, and a conveyer unit having a conveyer belt, a flour distributor, a plurality of heaters and a cutter for manufacturing Korean traditional oil pastries in mass production by means of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming popcorn bars utilizing methods according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is disclosed where popcorn popped in an air popper (12) and coated with a molten binder in the form of a caramel syrup in an auger mixer (20) is compressed into a sheet by a device (32). In the sheeting device (32), the coated popped popcorn is drawn into and passes between an input conveyor (30) and a compressing conveyor (34) arranged at a non-parallel angle thereto. An air manifold (37) directs cooled air to the upper surface of the compressing conveyor (34) to cool the belting (36) thereof, with the cooled air being deflected to cool a spreader box (28) which receives the coated popcorn from the auger mixer (20) and distributes it on the input conveyor (30).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing extruded elongate pasta of substantially even lengths. The apparatus includes: an extruder; a first cutter for cutting uneven tip portions of the bunches of elongate pasta; a second cutter for cutting the bunches of the elongate pasta, whose uneven tip portions have been cut, into an even length; and a sorting part for selectively sorting the bunches of elongate pasta having been cut into the even length with the second cutter from the uneven tip portions having been cut with the first cutter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which allows one skilled in the art to make either gradient or non-gradient slab gels continuously so that the produced gels are uniformly formed, polymerized and cut to a specific size as needed, in a mass-produced, assembly line manner.

Abstract: A set of shaping cutters for cutting food material into a shaped body composed of an outer covering layer and an inner filling ; and being characterized in each shaping cutter having substantially triangular front working face formed of two trapezoidal slopes and a cutting edge connected between the trapezoidal slopes, the trapezoidal slopes each having a plurality of protruding portions and a transversely extended recessed portion between each two adjacent protruding portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and shaping food products consisting of a filling and a crust from bar-shaped food material. The apparatus comprises shutter members, each having a convex cutting surface and a sliding surface, a holding member that bridges and holds two adjacent ones of the shutter members, shafts coupled to the shutter members, and a driver for synchronously rotating the shutter members in a horizontal plane by rotating the shafts.

Abstract: Apparatus for agglomerating and drying particulate material, including an agglomerator (4) for forming and discharging wet granules of a predetermined size or smaller, and a dryer (12). The agglomerator utilizes a rotary blade assembly (100) that repeatedly impacts and cuts the wet mixture of material to be agglomerated, which is forced radially outward through the blade assembly under centrifugal and air pressure force. Wet granules pass through an annular screen (104) where they reach a predetermined maximum size. The dryer has an inlet (50) for wet granules from the agglomerator, an outlet (78) for granules having passed through the dryer, and one or more baffles (64) within the dryer defining a spiral path through which the granules pass from the dryer inlet towards the dryer outlet. The baffles are configured such that their pitch increases with distance from the dryer inlet, whereby the cross-sectional area of the spiral path increases toward the dryer outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing confectioneries, specifically to a small-sized automatic apparatus for producing confectioneries such as cakes, biscuits or breads with jelly, cream placed inside thereof.

Abstract: Cutting operation is performed on a bar-shaped food (F) which is delivered to the shutter mechanism (1) with laid on a take-in conveyor (2), a required portion of said food being cut at the shutter with its lying position intact while supported by said take-in conveyor (2) and a take-out conveyor (3) disposed as opposed to the former.

Abstract: A rice tub-shaped sushi ball-forming apparatus comprises a rice tub-shaped container (1) and a sushi ball-forming mechanism A. The sushi ball-forming mechanism A includes a conveying mechanism (13) disposed in a hopper in the rice tub-shaped container (1), for conveying sushi rice (a) from an inside of the hopper, a compression-conveying mechanism (29) for pushing up and compression-conveying the sushi rice (a) supplied from the hopper, from a lower portion to an upper portion of the container, a compression-forming mechanism (33) for compression-forming the sushi rice (a) pushed up and compression-conveyed by the compression-conveying mechanism (29), into a predetermined shape through a forming hole (33b), and a cutting mechanism (35) for cutting an upper end (a.sub.2) of the sushi rice compression-formed through the forming hole (33b) in a predetermined amount (length) to produce a sushi ball (a.sub.3) having a predetermined shape, size, and hardness.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is described for granulating plastic strands (4) which emerge from nozzles (3) in molten form and are supplied to a following, downward inclined runoff channel (1) in which the plastic strands are transported by a liquid stream, in particular water stream. Further the apparatus has a dewatering zone (1b) for the plastic strands (4) and a granulator (6) disposed after this dewatering zone. Between the dewatering zone (1b) and the granulator (6) there is at least one tempering zone (9) comprising a rigid, unmoving channel (15) and integrated transport rolls (16) for the plastic strands (4) and having a length such that the temperature differences of the plastic strands (4) across their cross section are largely equalized during their holding time in the tempering zone (9).