An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients are disclosed. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (e.g., mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The preparation sub-system may comprise a slurry recirculation flow loop configured with devices to stir, measure, and adjust a water to solids ratio of the slurry. The object of the claimed invention is a slurry stirring device (8030) comprising an elongated housing (8094) defining a vertical centerline and a stirring chamber, a slurry inlet (8032) configured to receive the slurry, a slurry recirculation inlet (8033a) configured for fluid coupling to a closed slurry recirculation flow loop, and a slurry recirculation outlet (8033b) configured for fluid coupling to the slurry recirculation flow loop; and a rotatable blade mechanism configured to maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition in the stirring chamber.

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients are disclosed. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (e.g., mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The preparation sub-system may comprise a slurry recirculation flow loop configured with devices to stir, measure, and adjust a water to solids ratio of the slurry. The object of the claimed invention is a slurry stirring device (8030) comprising an elongated housing (8094) defining a vertical centerline and a stirring chamber, a slurry inlet (8032) configured to receive the slurry, a slurry recirculation inlet (8033a) configured for fluid coupling to a closed slurry recirculation flow loop, and a slurry recirculation outlet (8033b) configured for fluid coupling to the slurry recirculation flow loop; and a rotatable blade mechanism configured to maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition in the stirring chamber.

A process for manufacturing pellets includes providing a first supply of a first material and a second supply of a binder including a second material in respective storage units. The first supply of the first material is mixed in a counter-current mixer with the second supply of the binder and water to produce a plurality of pellets. The mixing occurs simultaneously with pelletizing in the mixer. The plurality of pellets are discharged from the mixer.

The invention relates to a stirring element of a stirrer for mixing and/or homogenizing or suspending flowable media, which is substantially spherical in shape. The invention further relates to a stirrer having at least two stirring elements according to the invention.

The invention provides a device (1) for processing and treating chocolate, with a container (2) and stirring means (3) arranged therein, wherein the container (2) has a processing interior (2a) with a cylindrical wall (4) and an outwardly curved bottom (5) and is set up obliquely, i.e., the center axis (ZA) of the cylindrical wall (4) is inclined with respect to the vertical, and wherein the stirring means (3) comprises at least one stirring arm (7), which is rotatable about this center axis (ZA), while projecting from the center axis (ZA) of the cylindrical container (4) at least also in the radial direction, and a conching tool (6), which is rotatably arranged at or near the bottom (5) or the lowest vertical point of the container (2) about a an axis of rotation (DA), and wherein the conching tool (6) rotates faster than the stirring arm (7) during operation. In a method according to the invention for processing and treating chocolate, it is provided that a starting mass or an intermediate product of chocolate is filled in an inclined cylindrical container (2) and rotating therein along with at least one stirring arm (7), which rotates about this center axis (ZA), while projecting from the center axis (ZA) of the cylindrical container (2) at least also in the radial direction, as well as processed simultaneously by means of a rotatable conching tool (6), which rotates faster than the at least one stirring arm (7) about an axis of rotation (DA), which is inclined relative to the center axis (ZA) of the cylindrical container (2). Furthermore, the invention provides for the use of a universal machine for processing and treating nutritional and food products, processing and treating chocolate, wherein the universal machine comprises a container (2) and stirring means (3) arranged therein, and wherein the container (2) has a processing interior (2a) with a cylindrical wall (4) and an outwardly curved bottom (5), and arranged obliquely, i.e. the center axis (ZA) of the cylindrical wall (4) is inclined with respect to the vertical, and wherein the stirring means (3) comprise at least one stirring arm (7), which is rotatable about the center axis (ZA) of the cylindrical wall (4), while projecting from the center axis (ZA) of the cylindrical container (2) at least also in the radial direction, and wherein it is further provided that the stirring means (3) comprise a conching tool (6) rotatably arranged at or

Provided is a mixing device that is configured to install therein a multi-well plate including a plurality of wells capable of containing matter to be mixed and includes mixing mechanisms each of which mixes the matter to be mixed with a motor and is provided for each of the wells. The mixing mechanisms each includes a first rotator that is connected to the motor and rotates due to activation of the motor, a mixing rod that mixes the matter to be mixed, a second rotator that supports the mixing rod, a magnetic coupling mechanism that magnetically couples the first rotator to the second rotator, and a seal ring that surrounds an opening of the well and is capable of closing the well together with the second rotator.

A bioreactor system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a compartment. A rack is secured to the support housing in alignment with the opening. An elongated first shaft has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first shaft being secured to the rack. A structure is secured to the first shaft at or towards the second end of the first shaft, the structure outwardly projecting away from the first shaft. A collapsible bag bounds a chamber and is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the support housing. A member projects from the collapsible bag and passes through the opening on the support housing, the structure supporting or restraining movement of the member.

A device for making of a multi-components product material. The device includes a processing and homogenizing chamber for primary particle components. The chamber includes at least two sets of rotary shovels, which rotate in parallel in a mutually counter-rotating, homogenizing mode, inlet(s) into the chamber for at least one secondary component in a fluid state and/or fine particulate material state, which interacts with the primary components while they are moved around in the chamber by sets of the shovels, and an outlet in the chamber to allow the primary and secondary components to leave the chamber as the multi-component product material.

A method and a device are for making of a multi-components product material. The device includes a processing and homogenizing chamber for primary particle components. The chamber includes at least two sets of rotary shovels, which rotate in parallel in a mutually counter-rotating, homogenizing mode, inlet(s) into the chamber for at least one secondary component in a fluid state and/or fine particulate material state, which interacts with the primary components while they are moved around in the chamber by sets of the shovels, and an outlet in the chamber to allow the primary and secondary components to leave the chamber as the multi-component product material.

An elevating feed mixing system and method are provided. The system includes a support frame and a raisable platform raisable relative to the support frame. A mixing tub disposed on the raisable platform is configured to receive constituent ingredients of a feed and further configured to raise to release the feed after it is mixed.