Abstract:
A dispersion of a hydrophobic silicic acid in water is delivered by means of the dispersion being conveyed onwards by means of a squeezing motion.
Abstract:
A ship or other large and heavy load may be supported on a fluid cushion comprising a two dimensional array of airbags constrained within elastic mesh compartments (81) and inflated by individual valve assemblies (188, 189, 231...) which are connected by a grid of airlines and distributed over a flexible web (60) separating respective horizontal layers of the assembly. The ship rests on an upper layer while the compartments of a lower layer are inflated and deflated in sequence to generate a travelling contraction which moves through the fluid cushion to translate its base surface over the ground in any desired direction of travel, with the load gradually moving by fluid pressure in the same direction. The deflated cushion assembly can be stored and deployed on a spool (see fig 1-3) rotated by a hydraulic motor. Independent claims are included to the cushion assembly including an elastic or other tension force generating means, the compartmentalised structure, the layered structure, the deployment spool, the distributed valve assemblies, and corresponding methods of operation.
Abstract:
Method for conveying a product (20) between a first and a second point of a puree or juice making plant, having a duct within which the product (20) flows comprising a flexible portion (1) that can be pressed to adjust the flow of said product (20) in said duct along a predetermined direction. In particular, successive sections of the flexible portion (1) can be pressed by pressing means (2 and 3) movable in a product conveying direction (20). The pressing means can comprise at least a first roller (2) and a second roller (3) mounted at the end of an arm (15) wheeled at the central portion about an axis (4) substantially orthogonal to the product conveying direction (20). In particular, the rollers (2 and 3) cause the motion of the product (20) by pressing the flexible portion (1) of the duct against a support (5) located opposite with respect to the duct during their rotation about the axis (4).
Abstract:
A peristaltic transport device comprising a tube member having an inner space to receive material, the member includes a series of repeating sections wherein each of the sections includes a plurality of bladders to selectively occlude portions of the inner space according to a defined peristaltic sequence to transport the material through the inner space. An actuator assembly is coupled to the tube member to control the selective occlusion of the inner space by selectively expanding and contracting ones of the plurality of bladders according to the defined peristaltic sequence. The actuator assembly simultaneously controls corresponding ones of the plurality of bladders across the series of repeating sections.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.