Processing apparatus

Claim 2

In an apparatus for mixing and forwarding a flowable material comprising: a carrier arranged to rotate about an axis, one end of which axis will hereinafter be designated the ''''reference'''' end; and a plurality of discs disposed along the axis of said carrier and secured to said carrier to rotate therewith, the center of each disc being substantially at said axis, each of said discs being inclined away from normality to said axis, so that one point, hereinafter designated the ''''trailing point'''' on the periphery of each disc is closer than any other point on that disc to the reference end of said axis; the trailing points of the successive discs being disposed along a helicoidal line substantially coaxial with said axis; said carrier comprising two stub-shafts, one at each end of said carrier and disposed coaxially of each other, and a cage structure embracing said discs, attached to said stub shafts and also attached to said discs near the peripheries thereof; the improvement wherein each one of said discs is of flat, annular configuration defining a continuous unobstructed central circular opening, said cage structure embracing said discs extends externally of said circular opening.

Claim 3

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement that said discs are perforate discs.

Claim 4

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement that said discs are lattice discs.

Claim 5

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement that said discs are provided with holes or interstices larger at one end of said axis than at the other.

Claim 6

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement that said discs are arranged with different axial separations from one another.

Claim 7

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 5, the further improvement that the discs at one end of the axis are arranged with smaller axial separations than at the other end of the axis.

Claim 8

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement that said discs are arranged with different inclinations from the normals to said axis.

Claim 9

In an apparatus as claImed in claim 7, the further improvement that said discs are inclined at larger angles at one end of said axis than at the other end.

Claim 10

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement comprising means for scooping flowable material during rotation of said discs about said axis and for thence emptying.

Claim 11

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement that said cage structure includes stringers attached to said discs near the peripheries thereof, said stringers being shaped as means for scooping flowable material during rotation of said discs and for thence emptying.

Claim 12

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement comprising leaves on the outer peripheries of said discs, said leaves are inclined to the plane of said discs.

Claim 13

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the further improvement that said cage structure includes stringers attached to said discs near the peripheries thereof, said stringers being in the form of sections of a cylinder.

Claim 14

In an apparatus for mixing and forwarding a flowable material comprising: a vessel having an inlet for receiving said material and an outlet, spaced from said inlet, for discharging said material; a carrier disposed in said vessel and arranged to rotate about an axis extending generally in a direction from said inlet to said outlet, one end of which axis will hereinafter be designated the ''''reference'''' end; and a plurality of discs disposed along the axis of said carrier and secured to said carrier to rotate therewith, the center of each disc being substantially at said axis, each of said discs being inclined away from normality to said axis, so that one point, hereinafter designated the ''''trailing point'''', on the periphery of each disc is closer than any other point on that disc to the reference end of said axis; the trailing points of the successive discs being disposed along a helicoidal line substantially coaxial with said axis; said carrier comprising two stub-shafts, one at each end of said carrier, and disposed coaxially of each other, and a cage structure embracing said discs, attached to said stub-shafts and also attached to said discs near the peripheries thereof; the improvement wherein each of said discs is of flat annular configuration defining a continuous unobstructed central circular opening, said cage structure embracing said discs extends externally of said circular opening.

Claim 15

In an apparatus for mixing and forwarding a flowable material comprising: a vessel having an inlet for receiving said material and an outlet, spaced from said inlet, for discharging said material; a carrier disposed in said vessel and arranged to rotate about an axis extending generally in a direction from said inlet to said outlet, one end of which axis will hereinafter be designated the ''''reference'''' end; and a plurality of discs disposed along the axis of said carrier and secured to said carrier to rotate therewith, the center of each disc being substantially at said axis, each of said discs being inclined away from normality to said axis, so that one point, hereinafter designated the ''''trailing point'''', on the periphery of each disc is closer than any other point on that disc to the reference end of said axis; the trailing points of the successive discs being disposed along a helicoidal line substantially coaxial with said axis; said carrier comprising two stub-shafts, one at each end of said carrier, and disposed coaxially of each other, and a cage structure embracing said discs, attached to said stub-shafts and also attached to said discs near the peripheries thereof; the improvement wherein each of said discs is of flat annular configuration defining a continuous unobstructed central circular opening, said cage structure embracing said discs extends externally of said circular opening.

Claim 16

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 13, the further improvement that the bottom of said vessel has the form of a cylinder substantially coaxial with said axis.

Claim 17

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 14, the further improvement that there is an eccentricity between said axis and the axis of said cylinder and a minimum gap between said discs and said vessel.

Claim 18

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 13, the further improvement comprising an opposing surface fixed to said vessel at said outlet and a screw-shaped stripper means fastened to said carrier for clearing flowable material from said opposing surface.

Claim 19

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 16, the further improvement comprising a disc fixed perpendicularly to said carrier at said outlet before said stripper means.