ces Device to produce round cross-section articles with complicated profiled surfaces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Feb 2006 08:00:00 EST A lathe attachment device is disclosed for producing long articles with complicated profiles. The device contains a beveled multi-teeth cutter driven to rotate in a direction opposite the rotation of a billet to ensure a very short period of contact time between an individual cutting tooth and the article. The cutter is slightly tilted towards the billet in both horizontal and vertical plane. The teeth of the cutter are shaped to each have a pointed end facing the rough part of the billet. Provisions are made to draw the cutter along the billet. The device allows producing a smooth finished long article with complicated surface profile in a single pass with high productivity. Due to limited contact time, it offers extended life of the cutter. The device is used most advantageously to produce long wood articles. Full Article
ces Lathe accessory for band saw By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lathe accessory for a band saw including a foundation assembly adapted to attach to a table for the band saw. A translating layer assembly engages the foundation assembly and is permitted to move thereon. A carriage assembly is disposed on the translating layer, the carriage assembly further comprising a frame subassembly and a bulkhead subassembly, the frame subassembly further comprising an endwall adapted to support a left end of a workplace, and a front frame rail and back frame rail both connected to a frame leg to thereby slidably connect the frame subassembly to the translating layer. The bulkhead subassembly forms the other side of the carriage to secure the other end of the workpiece. Internal components within the bulkhead motorize the bulkhead, such that the workpiece can be turned and manipulated in two dimensions as the bandsaw blade cuts the rotating workpiece. Full Article
ces Interface and fabrication method for lighting and other electrical devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Interfaces for electrical (e.g., lighting) devices involve use of electrically conductive edge contacts arranged on or protruding from edges of printed circuit boards (PCBs) that provide or facilitate electrical connections to first and second externally accessible electrical contacts, such as may include threaded and foot contacts of a lighting device including a screw-shaped male base. First and/or second edge contacts of a PCB may protrude through first and second openings in a housing to form first and second externally accessible contact, or directly engage first and second externally accessible contact elements associated with (e.g., retained by) the housing. A contact element retained by a housing may define a slot in the interior of the housing to directly engage an edge contact of the PCB. Electric power is supplied to the PCB via edge contacts without need for intervening wires or soldered connections. Full Article
ces Magnetically adjusting color-converting materials within a matrix and associated devices, systems, and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Magnetically adjusting color-converting particles within a matrix and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A magnetic-adjustment process can include applying a magnetic field to a mixture including a non-solid matrix and a plurality of color-converting particles (e.g. magnetically anisotropic color-converting particles). The magnetic field can cause the plurality of color-converting particles to move into a generally non-random alignment (e.g., a generally non-random magnetic alignment and/or a generally non-random shape alignment) within the non-solid matrix. The non-solid matrix then can be solidified to form a solid matrix. A magnetic-adjustment process can be performed in conjunction with testing and/or product binning of solid-state radiation transducer devices. For example, a position, direction, strength, or duration of a magnetic field used to perform a magnetic-adjustment process can be controlled according to optical output collected from a solid-state radiation transducer device. Measuring the optical output and performing the magnetic-adjustment process can be at least partially concurrent. Full Article
ces Solid state light emitting devices including adjustable melatonin suppression effects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Solid state light emitting devices include multiple LED components providing adjustable melatonin suppression effects. Multiple LED components may be operated simultaneously according to different operating modes according to which their combined output provides the same or similar chromaticity, but provides melatonin suppressing effects that differ by at least a predetermined threshold amount between the different operating modes. Switching between operating modes may be triggered by user input elements, timers/clocks, or sensors (e.g., photosensors). Chromaticity of combined output of multiple LED components may also be adjusted, together with providing adjustable melatonin suppression effects at each selected combined output chromaticity. Full Article
ces Materials for organic electroluminescent devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention describes novel indenofluorene derivatives which can preferably be employed as matrix materials for phosphorescent dopants or as electron-transport materials, in particular for use in the emission and/or charge-transport layer of electroluminescent devices. The invention furthermore relates to polymers which comprise these compounds as structural units and to a process for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention and to electronic devices which comprise same. Full Article
ces Hybrid host materials for electrophosphorescent devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Compounds (including polymers) for use in hybrid host materials which can be used in electroluminescent devices. The compounds comprise at least one electron-transporting moiety and at least one hole-transporting moiety which are joined by a flexible linker. Hybrid host materials comprising the compounds exhibit stability against phase separation, elevated glass transition temperature, morphological stability against crystallization, and isolation of the electron transporting moiety and hole transporting moiety π-systems. Full Article
ces Tool to aid in the caulking process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A flexible and resilient tool for use with a conventional half barrel, parallel frame caulking gun or enclosed “sausage” style caulking gun, aiding the user in finishing and shaping after the caulking material has been applied. One function of the tool is to collect excess caulk from his finger(s) or from various shaping tools and spatulas. Also provided can be cap, rag and sponge holders. Additional embodiments include adaptations to existing prior art disposable caulking cartridges and caulking guns to include components of the disclosed tool. Full Article
ces Method and system for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in a charging process of a shaft furnace By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a charging process of a shaft furnace, in particular of a blast furnace, batches of charge material are typically discharged in cyclical sequence into the furnace from a top hopper using a flow control valve. A method and system is proposed for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in such a process. Pre-determined valve characteristics for certain types of material are provided, each indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting for one type of material. According to the invention, a specific valve characteristic is stored for each batch of charge material, each specific valve characteristic being bijectively associated to one batch and indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting of the flow control valve specifically for the associated batch. In relation to discharging a given batch of the sequence the invention proposes: using the stored specific valve characteristic associated to the given batch for determining a requested valve setting corresponding to a flow rate setpoint and using the requested valve setting to operate the flow control valve; determining an actual average flow rate for the discharge of the given batch; correcting the stored specific valve characteristic associated to the given batch in case of a stipulated deviation between the flow rate setpoint and the actual average flow rate. Full Article
ces Double-chamber vessel for flowable substances By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A double-chamber vessel for flowable substances having a lateral outer wall with a first chamber enclosed by a first, in particular transparent wall and a second chamber enclosed by a second transparent wall in which the first and second chambers each have an opening which openings end commonly in an opening section of the double-chamber vessel, otherwise they are completely separated from each other, wherein the first chamber is an inner chamber that is enclosed by the second chamber, which is an outer chamber, wherein in planar sections the first wall enclosing the first chamber lies directly against the second wall enclosing the second chamber, at the same time forming the lateral outer wall of the double-chamber vessel, or in the planar sections, the second wall forms the first wall and wherein both chambers have a continuous flow connection to the respective openings. Full Article
ces Devices, systems, and methods for adherence monitoring and devices, systems, and methods for monitoring use of consumable dispensers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual's adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual's adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual's historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser. Full Article
ces Fluid processing systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for delivering fluid-containing feed materials to process equipment are disclosed. A liner-based pressure dispensing vessel is subjected to filling by application of vacuum between the liner and overpack. Multiple feed material flow controllers of different calibrated flow ranges may be selectively operated in parallel for a single feed material. Feed material blending and testing for scale-up may be performed with feed materials supplied by multiple liner-based pressure dispensing containers. A gravimetric system may be used to determine concentration of at least one component of a multi-component solution or mixture. Full Article
ces Substrate processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A drive system for a transport apparatus includes a plurality of permanent magnets connected to the transport apparatus, a plurality of stationary windings exposed to a field of at least one of the plurality of permanent magnets, a control system for energizing the stationary windings to provide magnetic force on the transport apparatus, and an arrangement of ferromagnetic components proximate at least one side of the transport apparatus for providing passive stabilization of lift, pitch, and roll of the transport apparatus. Full Article
ces Method and system for processing viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) solvent deasphalting at least a portion of an asphaltene-containing liquid crude hydrocarbon feedstock to form an asphaltene fraction and a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction essentially free of asphaltenes; (b) adjusting the density of the asphaltene fraction to substantially the same density of a carrier for the asphaltene fraction; (c) forming coated asphaltene particles from the asphaltene fraction of step (b); (d) slurrying the coated asphaltene particles with the carrier; and (e) transporting the slurry to a treatment facility or a transportation carrier. Full Article
ces Banknote processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A banknote processing device includes a differentiating section that differentiates banknotes, a temporary holding section that temporarily stores the differentiated banknotes, banknote storage containers that store the banknotes, and a conveyance route that connects the differentiating section, the temporary holding section, and the banknote storage containers. The processing device is constructed so that when the banknotes stored in the temporary holding section are sent out and stored in the banknote storage containers based on differentiation results of the banknotes by the differentiating section, the banknotes are conveyed from the temporary holding section via the differentiating section, and are stored in any one of the banknote storage containers, or the banknotes are conveyed from the temporary holding section, via a route that does not go through the differentiating section, and are stored in a specific one of the banknote storage containers. Full Article
ces Object processing apparatus and financial apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Provided are an object processing apparatus and a financial apparatus. The object processing apparatus comprises a motor, a shutter configured to close and open an object-entrance space, and a power transmission. The power transmission is configured to open or close the shutter according to operation of the motor and allow the shutter to be opened or closed by an external force when the motor is not operated. The power transmission transmits a driving force of the motor to the shutter without any electronic control. Full Article
ces Sheets processing apparatus and sheets processing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A sheet processing apparatus including a table to be loaded a first and a second banknote group partitioned by a header card recording the bar code number in the piling direction of the banknotes, a take-in portion to take in the banknotes of the first and second banknote groups loaded on the table and the header card, a discrimination portion to count the banknotes taken in by the take-in portion and discriminate the kind thereof, a plurality of stackers to sort and stack the banknotes discriminated by the discrimination portion on the basis of the kink thereof, and a sensor to detect the header card taken in by the take-in portion. The sheet processing apparatus additionally includes a controller to control so as to stop the taking-in of the second banknote group on the basis of detection of the header card by the sensor and after a lapse of a predetermined time, to start the taking-in of the second banknote group. Full Article
ces Media processing device, check processing device, and method of controlling a media processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A compact media processing device enables recording on a process medium and then processing the process medium based on the result of recording. The media processing device conveys a process medium and processes the conveyed process medium by a first process unit disposed to the conveyance path, and an operation selection unit then determines the content of the next operation based on the result of the first process. After the next operation is determined, the conveyance control unit conveys the process medium upstream to or upstream of the process position of a second process unit. A process control unit then applies the selected operation to the process medium by the second process unit that is disposed downstream from the first process unit on the conveyance path of the process medium. Full Article
ces Media processing device for accepting insertable media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A media processing device enables reading second media that do not bend easily from the device front with the same ease of use as processing first media that bend easily. The media processing device has a media conveyance path that guides first media inserted from a media insertion opening toward the back and then again toward the front on the front-back axis to the media exit. A straight conveyance path that angles to the inside on the device width axis is formed at a part connected to the media exit, and a second media insertion path that extends straight to the front from the straight conveyance path is connected to the media exit. Full Article
ces Financial device, method of controlling the same, and medium processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is a financial device, which comprises a medium entrance, a medium processing apparatus, and a control unit. A medium is deposited or withdrawn through the medium entrance. The medium processing apparatus processes the medium. The control unit controls the medium processing apparatus. The medium processing apparatus comprises a front guider, a rear guider behind the front guider, a pushing member pushing a medium disposed in a medium processing space, and a supporting guider supporting the medium in the medium processing space. The control unit controls an operation of the medium processing apparatus such that states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to deposit the medium are the same as states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to withdraw or return the medium. Full Article
ces Device for processing banknote and method for detecting the conveyance of banknote By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The disclosure provides a method for detecting the conveyance status of a banknote, comprising; detecting whether the banknote reaches a first position in a banknote passage within a first predetermined time; detecting whether the banknote reaches a second position in the banknote passage within a second predetermined time when it is determined that the banknote has reached the first position (S14); determining whether the status of the banknote at the first position is changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected when it is determined that the banknote is withdrawn when it is determined that the status of the banknote at the first position has changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected (S18). This application can increase the possibility of the banknote processing device in detecting whether the banknote is withdrawn. Meanwhile, the disclosure provides a device for processing a banknote. Full Article
ces Apparatus, method, and system for loading currency bills into a currency processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for feeding a plurality of stacked currency bills into a currency handling device. The apparatus may comprise an input receptacle being configured to receive a plurality of stacked currency bills, the receptacle having a first side and a second opposing side, a front end, and an opposing back end. The apparatus further may comprise a first paddle rail disposed adjacent the first side and a first paddle assembly slidably coupled to the first paddle rail, the first paddle assembly having a portion configured to contact a stack of a plurality of bills residing in the input receptacle. The apparatus further may comprise a first resilient member coupled to the first paddle assembly, the first resilient member being configured to bias the first paddle assembly towards the front end of the receptacle, the first resilient member being configured to cause the first paddle assembly to move in a direction toward the front end of the input receptacle at a first average rate of speed when unrestrained and undamped. The apparatus further may comprise a first damping mechanism configured to slow the unrestrained, average rate of speed the first paddle assembly from the first average rate of speed to a second average rate of speed which is less the first average rate of speed. Full Article
ces Currency processing device, method and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is described. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills. Full Article
ces Currency bill processing device and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side. Full Article
ces Sensor device in a bank note processing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sensor device in a banknote processing machine comprising a transport device by means of which banknotes to be processed are transported past the sensor device, a cleaning device that cleans the sensor device or a transparent region of the sensor device, and a control device that controls the components of the banknote processing machine. The sensor device includes means for enlarging the spacing between the transport device and the sensor device. The control device controls the means and the cleaning device in such a way that the spacing between the transport device and the sensor device is enlarged by the means while the cleaning device cleans the sensor device. Full Article
ces Medium storage and feeding device and medium processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medium storage and feeding device and a medium processing device that may prevent occurrences of faults more reliably than the related art. A drum (21) is provided that winds up a banknote BL nipped by pairs of tapes (28L, 28R, 30L and 30R) together with the pairs of tapes. Torque limiters (25L, 25R, 27L and 27R) are separately provided at each of tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R). The torque limiters control torques between the tape reels and reel rotation axle shafts (22 and 23), such that tensions applied to the tapes between the tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R) and the drum (21) are constant. Thus, tensions on the tapes between the respective tape reels and the drum may be kept constant, banknote nipping stability may be improved, and occurrences of faults may be prevented more reliably than in the related art. Full Article
ces Banknote processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A currency note processing device has a deposit opening. A currency note recognition section recognizes unique information of a deposited currency. A currency note storage section accumulates the deposited currency notes. A transportation control section controls the transportation of the deposited currency note such that the currency note is transported directly to the currency note storage section, and when a return instruction for the deposited currency note is detected, controls the transportation of the deposited currency note from the currency note storage section to the currency note recognition section. A comparison section compares the unique information recognized at the time of the first transportation, from the deposit opening to the currency note recognition section, is compared to unique information recognized at the time of the second transportation, from the currency note storage section to the currency note recognition section. Full Article
ces Banknote processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A banknote processing device that stacks banknotes in a banknote storage section even when a jam occurs. The device has an insertion aperture, a verification section, the storage section and a controller. The aperture separates and feeds inserted banknotes. The verification section verifies the banknotes fed from the aperture. The banknotes are stacked in the storage section. The controller controls conveyance of the banknotes conveyed from the aperture to the verification section such that, depending on verification results, the banknotes are conveyed directly to the storage section. When a jam occurs during conveyance of the banknotes, the controller stops the separation and feeding of the banknotes from the aperture, and controls conveyance such that banknotes for which the storage section has been set as a conveyance destination by the verification section are conveyed directly to the storage section and banknotes for which no conveyance destination has been set are ejected. Full Article
ces Fluidic processor and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fluidic processor includes a first sealing member having a first sealing face, a first compressive face and at least one first sealing member fluid conduit; a second sealing member having a second sealing face, a second compressive face and at least one second sealing member fluid conduit; the second sealing face of the second sealing member being sealingly and slidingly engaged in a substantially fluid tight manner with the first sealing face of the first sealing member; and at least one actuator mechanically engaging at least one of the first sealing member and the second sealing member, or an XY stage, or mechanism that provides motion in two axes on one sealing member only. Full Article
ces Aircraft nacelle including an optimised acoustic processing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An aircraft nacelle including a pipe (32), a peripheral wall (34), a lip (36), and a front frame (38) connecting the peripheral wall (34) and the pipe (32) and forming with the lip (36) a space (50) in which the hot air that is provided for frost treatment can circulate, with the pipe (32) including a coating (44) for the composite material acoustic treatment, is characterized in that the nacelle includes at least one element (52) made of a heat-conducting material inserted between the lip (36) and the pipe (32) ensuring the continuity of the aerodynamic surfaces of the lip (36) and the pipe (32) and the propagation of heat from the space (50) toward the rear of the nacelle, whereby the at least one element (52) includes a coating (54) for acoustic treatment that is made of a heat-resistant material. Full Article
ces Coating and its manufacturing process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A coating composition has a natural fiber-bearing dry matter mixture, as well as cellular plastic grains, mixed into water. By spreading this composition onto any base, particularly by spraying, and by hardening it, particularly through drying, the coating is formed from the coating composition, which coating provides extremely good acoustic properties. If a special fiber base plate based on chemical pulp is used as the base of the coating, the plate-like acoustic element is obtained. Full Article
ces Collagen fiber reconstituted rawhide and process for making By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention describes a collagen fiber reconstituted rawhide useful in the production of pet chews, and a method for making the same. Beginning materials include animal skins with hair, depilated limed splits and leftovers from the manufacture of rawhide pet chews. The materials are pretreated, ground, subjected to acid treatment to swell and separate the collagen fibers that comprise the animal hide, further ground into pulp, vacuum filtered, mixed with a dehydration agent that chemically shrinks the expanded fibers, drained, formed and dried into sheet and finally exposed to a cross-linking agent to increase the adhesive strength of the end product. Edible materials, including meats, may be added to the solution prior to draining, to enhance the nutritional value and palatability of the final product, and the reconstituted rawhide sheets may be bleached for appearance. Full Article
ces Garment hanging accessory By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A garment-hanging accessory includes a strip of material having a first end and a second end; and a clip having an engaging end biased into a normally closed position and openable upon application of pressure upon opposing levers at an opposite end of the clip, the levers connected by a spring secured about a fulcrum point between the levers, each end of the strip of material secured to a respective opposite side of each of the opposing levers, opposite ends of each lever, not secured to either of the ends of the strip of material, co-acting to define a garment engaging end when the clip is in its normally closed position. The unsecured portion of the strip opposite the clip is suspended upon a primary garment hanger. Full Article
ces Friction reducing elements and assemblies for hanging devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A friction reducing element for a hanging device includes a roller configured for positioning on an upper portion of a hook and a tubular elastomeric sleeve stretch-fitted over an outer surface of the roller. The roller is provided with a contoured outer surface and the sleeve is made from a thermoset elastomer such that the friction reducing element facilitates positioning of the hanging device, along a clothing rod. Use of the thermoset elastomer also prevents premature development of areas of deformation on the friction reducing element over time. The friction reducing element may be assembled into an upper portion of a hook for a clothes hanger, or other similar hanging device. Full Article
ces Process for conversion of organic, waste, or low-value materials into useful products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus for processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency are disclosed. In particular, multi-stage processes are disclosed to convert various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, municipal sewage sludge, tires, and plastics, that otherwise have little commercial value, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. Disclosed processes subject the feedstock to heat and pressure, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. Various materials produced at different points in the process may be recycled and used to play other roles within the process. Also disclosed are apparatus for performing multi-stage processes of converting waste products into useful materials, and at least one oil product that arises from the process. Full Article
ces Process and apparatus for decomposition of polymer products including those containing sulphur such as vulcanised rubber tyres and recovery of resources therefrom By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for pyrolytic destruction of polymer products including whole vehicle vulcanised rubber tires is disclosed. The apparatus 111 has a reaction chamber 153 into which a tire can be placed, and immersed for pyrolytic decomposition in a molten alloy of zinc with a minor proportion of aluminium. The apparatus 111 has a heated reservoir 155 in which the alloy is maintained in a molten state, and from where it can be transferred to the reaction chamber 153 to immerse the tire. Fluid hydrocarbon byproducts are drawn off for condensation and recovery, and solid zinc sulphides are also recovered. Where steel belted tires are processed, carbon and steel residues are also recovered. Full Article
ces System and method for recovering turpentine during wood material processing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A system, method and configuration for recovering turpentine during the manufacturing of wood chips, wood pellets or other substances that may include turpentine. In general, a turpentine recovery system is used to capture turpentine from exhaust of a dryer as wood chips are being dried. Advantageously, application of the various techniques disclosed herein can result in the recovery of turpentine that can then be sold to generate revenue and, may contribute to a reduction in the capital and operation costs for emission controls for the dryer exhaust. Full Article
ces Bubbling bed catalytic hydropyrolysis process utilizing larger catalyst particles and smaller biomass particles featuring an anti-slugging reactor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to a process for thermochemically transforming biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks into high quality liquid hydrocarbon fuels. In particular, a catalytic hydropyrolysis reactor, containing a deep bed of fluidized catalyst particles is utilized to accept particles of biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks that are significantly smaller than the particles of catalyst in the fluidized bed. The reactor features an insert or other structure disposed within the reactor vessel that inhibits slugging of the bed and thereby minimizes attrition of the catalyst. Within the bed, the biomass feedstock is converted into a vapor-phase product, containing hydrocarbon molecules and other process vapors, and an entrained solid char product, which is separated from the vapor stream after the vapor stream has been exhausted from the top of the reactor. When the product vapor stream is cooled to ambient temperatures, a significant proportion of the hydrocarbons in the product vapor stream can be recovered as a liquid stream of hydrophobic hydrocarbons, with properties consistent with those of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel. Separate streams of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel may also be obtained, either via selective condensation of each type of fuel, or via later distillation of the combined hydrocarbon liquid. Full Article
ces Process for producing a renewable hydrocarbon fuel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A process for producing a renewable hydrocarbon fuel. The process can include providing a feed including a lignocellulosic material to a pyrolysis zone to produce a stream including a pyrolysis oil, providing the pyrolysis oil stream to a refining zone producing a refined stream, providing at least a portion of the refined stream to a reforming zone producing a stream including hydrogen, providing at least a portion of the hydrogen stream to the refining zone; and recovering the renewable hydrocarbon fuel from the refined stream. Full Article
ces Energy-efficient process and apparatus for drying feedstock By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT This invention presents a versatile and continuous drying technology that utilizes controlled heat combined with forced air supply for drying a feedstock. The dryer virtually divided top-down into different zones, each having definite heated air distribution rate to secure desired condition for drying of the feedstock. The heat source of the dryer is waste heat, either provided by the feedstock itself through exothermic heat generated by the feedstock or reclaimed waste heat or solar heat. The discharge system of the dryer is a fail-safe discharge system, which ensures equal residence time for the feedstock through all the zones. The synergic interaction of all these components along with recycling the heat through an efficient use of heat exchangers, optimized control of airflow rate and feedstock resident time, purifying the exhaust air and condensing the outlet vapor empowers the technology to function with minimum energy, minimum processing time, minimum environmental foot-print, minimum cost and with minimum operational cost. Full Article
ces Waste processing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus (100) for processing waste material is provided which comprises a heat proof chamber (102), a hot gas inlet (106, 112) for heating the interior of the heat proof chamber (102), and a rotatable drum (118) for containing waste to be processed. The drum (118) has gaps (120) therein, is located within the heat proof chamber (102), and separated therefrom around its edge by a gap. The apparatus (100) is also provided with a drive (126, 128) for rotating the drum (118) at a speed such that, in use, waste material that is heat softened is centrifugally separated from the remainder of the waste and passes through the gaps (120) in the drum (118). Full Article
ces Process control by blending biomass feedstocks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A process and system is disclosed for optimizing a key parameter of a biomass feedstock that enhances bio-oil production. The process and system involves optimizing the values of the key parameter in multiple biomass feedstocks by regulating their feed rates and blending those feedstocks to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock with an optimal value for the key parameter. The key parameter in the biomass feedstocks is measured and the feed rates of the multiple biomass feedstocks are adjusted in order to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock exhibiting optimal values for the desired key parameter. The key parameters can include compositional properties, such as lignin content or mineral content, and/or fluidization properties of the biomass materials, such as density, particle cohesion force, or particle size. Full Article
ces Pyrolysis fuels and methods for processing pyrolysis fuels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Pyrolysis fuels and methods for processing pyrolysis fuel are provided. In one embodiment, a method of processing pyrolysis fuel converts biomass to pyrolysis fuel including pyrolysis oil and char particles. Also, the method includes resizing a portion of the char particles so that substantially all resized char particles have a largest dimension no greater than about 5 microns. Full Article
ces Pyrolysis process and products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A pyrolysis device and process to convert a carbonaceous feedstock to a carbon solid and pyrolysis gas, and processes for refining the resulting carbon solid and pyrolysis gases. The pyrolysis process may include introducing a carbonaceous feedstock into a pyrolysis processor having a vertical rotary tray processor, heating the feedstock to a temperature above about 790° F., removing a carbon material from a bottom of the pyrolysis processor, and removing a pyrolysis gas from a top of the pyrolysis processor. Full Article
ces Processing organic materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method and an apparatus for pyrolysing a solid organic feed material are disclosed. Solid organic material is moved through a reaction chamber and exposed to a temperature profile within the chamber that dries and pyrolyses the organic material and releases water vapour and a volatile products gas phase. The water vapour phase and the volatile products gas phase are moved counter-current to the solid organic material so that the water vapour phase and condensable components of the volatile products gas phase condense in cooler upstream sections of the chamber and form a liquid water product and a separate liquid oil product. The liquid water product is discharged via an outlet along the length of the chamber and a dried and pyrolysed solid product is discharged from a downstream outlet in the chamber. The chamber includes a plurality of heat transfer members extending within the chamber and a supply of oxygen-containing gas for establishing and maintaining the temperature profile within the chamber. Full Article
ces Process and device for fluidized bed torrefaction and grinding of a biomass feed for subsequent gasification or combustion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A process and a unit for fluidized bed torrefaction and grinding of particles of a biomass with a largest dimension of 2 cm to 5 cm, and which unit contains an envelope having a general shape of a sector having a) two substantially vertical walls delimiting that sector; and b) at least one inclined wall defining three zones, from bottom to top: a lower zone provided with a fluidization means, and provided with a grinder placed at the bottom of that zone; an intermediate zone (2) provided with a fluidization means; and an upper zone (3) provided with a fluidization means; and a pipe (11) for introducing the particles reaching into the unit to the level of the intermediate zone. Full Article
ces Method for processing biomass By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A method for processing biomass to produce biofuel includes decomposing lignocellulosic material into byproduct polymers that include lignin, decomposing the lignin into targeted chemical fragments, and chemically converting the targeted chemical fragments into a biofuel. Full Article
ces Coal processing to upgrade low rank coal having low oil content By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A method of treating untreated low calorific coal containing moisture and organic volatiles includes feeding untreated coal to a dryer, and drying the coal. The dried coal is subjected to a pyrolyzing step where oxygen-deficient gases are brought into contact with the coal, thereby lowering the volatile content of the coal and producing a stream of pyrolysis effluent gases. The pyrolysis effluent gases are subjected to a separation process to separate lean fuel gases from liquids and tars, wherein the separation process removes less than about 20 percent of the pyrolysis effluent gases as the liquids and tars, with the remainder being the lean fuel gases. The lean fuel gases are returned to the dryer combustor, the pyrolyzer combustor, or the pyrolyzer. Full Article
ces Method and device for processing plastic waste, especially polyolefins By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for processing plastic waste, in particular polyolefins, and a device for processing plastic waste, in particular polyolefins, are used especially in the industrial utilization of plastic waste. The method consists in that a primarily refined charge after being fed into a reactor (6) is fluidized and cracked during forced progressive-rotational movement coinciding with heating. A gas-steam fraction obtained during a utilization process is continuously guided out to a cooling system whereas impurities are periodically guided out from the reactor (6) to a waste tank (22). Full Article
ces Process for heat treatment of biomass with a coolant solid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for heat treatment of a solid, with a coolant solid, in which a stage for mixing the solid with the pre-heated coolant solid is carried out, with the coolant solid being a solid hydrocarbon. The solid hydrocarbon is ground, before the mixing stage with the solid, to obtain a solid hydrocarbon powder with a grain size of between 20 μm and 300 μm. The solid is ground, before the mixing stage with the coolant solid, to obtain solid pellets with a thickness of between 1 mm and 30 mm, a width of between 1 mm and 40 mm, and a length of between 1 mm and 100 mm. The mixing is carried out at a temperature of between 80° C. and 700° C. Full Article