A grain facility has a grain receiving station and a grain transport line with a grain elevator, a distributor with at least one input spout, and at least one grain bin. The grain transport line moves grain from the grain receiving station to one of the at least one grain bins and the distributor directs the grain to a selected bin of the at least one grain bin. The grain facility further includes an optical sensing system having at least one optical sensor positioned in the grain transport line at or before the distributor, wherein the optical sensing system senses the type of grain in the grain transport line. A control system determines if the grain passing through the grain transport line is suitable for the selected grain bin and produces an alarm if the grain in the grain transport line is not suitable for the selected grain bin.

A grain facility has a grain receiving station and a grain transport line with a grain elevator, a distributor with at least one input spout, and at least one grain bin. The grain transport line moves grain from the grain receiving station to one of the at least one grain bins and the distributor directs the grain to a selected bin of the at least one grain bin. The grain facility further includes an optical sensing system having at least one optical sensor positioned in the grain transport line at or before the distributor, wherein the optical sensing system senses the type of grain in the grain transport line. A control system determines if the grain passing through the grain transport line is suitable for the selected grain bin and produces an alarm if the grain in the grain transport line is not suitable for the selected grain bin.

An apparatus (10) for delivering particulate material (50) to a flowing stream of frozen confectionery material (40) to provide a single serving to a consumer, the apparatus comprising: a dispenser for the particulate material; and a dispenser for providing the flowing stream of confectionery material flowing vertically downwards from an outlet (22), the flowing stream having an outer surface; wherein the dispenser for the particulate material comprises a particulate material deposition device (12) for depositing the particulate material at a common particulate deposition location (30), and a plurality of chutes (26), each chute arranged to catch deposited particulate material and redirect it in a substantially horizontal direction to collide with the outer surface of the flowing stream of frozen confectionery, each chute (26) beginning at the common particulate deposition location (30) and spreading out from each other to each deposit the particulates at a different radial location around the flowing stream of frozen confectionery.

A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

The invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for packaging a material, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises a vertical and downwardly tapering hopper element (1) in which the material being dispensed is arranged, comprising more than two side walls with corners therebetween, at least two elongated plate-shaped parts (4) attached substantially horizontally in connection with at least two side walls of the hopper element so as to extend from one corner of the hopper element to another, and a dispensing element (2, 3) arranged at the tapering end of the hopper element, through which dispensing element the material is dispensed, and at least one vibrator arranged in connection with the hopper element (1) to provide vibration of the hopper element via the elongated plate-shaped part (4) to the side walls of the hopper element. Further, the invention relates to the use of the apparatus.

The invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for packaging a material, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises a vertical and downwardly tapering hopper element (1) in which the material being dispensed is arranged, comprising more than two side walls with corners therebetween, at least two elongated plate-shaped parts (4) attached substantially horizontally in connection with at least two side walls of the hopper element so as to extend from one corner of the hopper element to another, and a dispensing element (2, 3) arranged at the tapering end of the hopper element, through which dispensing element the material is dispensed, and at least one vibrator arranged in connection with the hopper element (1) to provide vibration of the hopper element via the elongated plate-shaped part (4) to the side walls of the hopper element. Further, the invention relates to the use of the apparatus.

A grain storehouse includes a granary, a grain loading system, and a grain unloading system. The granary includes multiple storages arranged in a network format. The bottom of each storage is a tapered structure with a tapered surface downward, and the bottom of the tapered structure provides a switchable blanking exit. The grain loading system includes a lattice girder structure, a plurality of conveyors and multiple hoppers. The grain unloading system includes at least one conveyor that is located under the blanking exit. The present invention improves the automaticity and efficiency of grain loading and unloading of the grain storehouse, so that the grain can be transferred quickly.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes an automated delivery system apparatus comprising a mechanical guide, a movable unit coupled to the guide on a first surface, and an engaging unit configured to couple to a second surface separated from the first surface by a thickness. The engaging unit is configured to engage an item on the second surface. A magnetic binding force between the movable unit and engaging unit moves the engaging unit along a path corresponding to a path of the movable unit. The engaging unit moves an item along a least a portion of the path.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a granule dispenser comprising a container for holding granulated components, a cap coupled to a bottom of said container, and a stopper. The stopper may be spring loaded against the ridge of said cap. An interface between the stopper and the cap comprises a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of sawtooth forms, wherein the protrusions mate to a base portion between the sawtooth forms in a first position to form a seal between the cap and the stopper, and wherein, when the stopper is rotated, the protrusions engage a sloped portion of the sawtooth forms to create a plurality of openings between the cap and the stopper.