The present invention relates to a device for coating and mixing granular products, in particular food products, more in particular peanuts, the device comprising a compartment defined by a rotary bottom part and a stationary circumferential side wall, the device further comprising: a product supply for supplying the products into the compartment, a substance supply for supplying a substance into the compartment, a drive for rotating the rotary bottom part about its substantially vertical axis, wherein the rotary bottom part and the stationary circumferential side wall comprise non-stick parts which define a substantial part of an inner surface of the compartment and which are manufactured from a non-stick material, wherein said non-stick parts are mechanically connected to the device via detachable connectors, allowing fast replacement of worn-out non-stick parts by new, same non-stick parts.

A method of forming a composite material includes mixing granules of thermoplastic(s) and granules of reinforcing material(s) using a mixer with an interior friction coating. The friction generated by interaction between the granules and friction coating causes granules of at least one of the thermoplastic(s) to be heated to a liquid or semi-liquid state. The liquid/semi-liquid thermoplastic(s) act a binder for the mixed material. A system for forming such a composite material includes such a mixer with an interior friction coating. The system may also include a mould and/or a press for forming material produced by the mixer into a finished shape. The method and system may use post-consumer and post-industrial material as an input allowing such material to be recycled. In some cases, cross-contaminated or mixed post-consumer/post-industrial material may be recycled, potentially reducing environmental impacts.

A method of forming a composite material includes mixing granules of thermoplastic(s) and granules of reinforcing material(s) using a mixer with an interior friction coating. The friction generated by interaction between the granules and friction coating causes granules of at least one of the thermoplastic(s) to be heated to a liquid or semi-liquid state. The liquid/semi-liquid thermoplastic(s) act a binder for the mixed material. A system for forming such a composite material includes such a mixer with an interior friction coating. The system may also include a mould and/or a press for forming material produced by the mixer into a finished shape. The method and system may use post-consumer and post-industrial material as an input allowing such material to be recycled. In some cases, cross-contaminated or mixed post-consumer/post-industrial material may be recycled, potentially reducing environmental impacts.

Provided are systems, methods, and apparatuses directed to a container for storing a liquid, the container including a textured surface configured to increase the liquid's dissolved oxygen content, the textured surface having fluid-obstructions configured to disrupt a flow of the liquid in at least one direction, said disruptions being effective to decrease a surface tension associated with the liquid and increasing a surface area associated with the liquid.

Provided are systems, methods, and apparatuses directed to a container for storing a liquid, the container including a textured surface configured to increase the liquid's dissolved oxygen content, the textured surface having fluid-obstructions configured to disrupt a flow of the liquid in at least one direction, said disruptions being effective to decrease a surface tension associated with the liquid and increasing a surface area associated with the liquid.

A system for evolving and dissolving a gas with a liquid can include a vessel having at least one wall forming a cavity, where the at least one wall includes at least one first surface feature disposed on an inner surface of the at least one wall. The liquid and the gas can be disposed within the cavity. The at least one first surface feature can alter the rate at which the gas evolves from or dissolves into the liquid.

The present disclosure includes methods of making a brine solution that include recirculating brine solution to a salt and water hopper from a holding tank. The present disclosure also includes an apparatus for making a solution that includes at least one nozzle assembly positioned inside the lower half of a hopper. The at least one nozzle assembly includes a manifold having at least two nozzles spaced apart. Each nozzle has one or more nozzle outlets that are directed away from the bottom of the hopper (e.g., toward the top of the hopper).

A blending machine, for homogenizing materials deposited within an intermediate bulk container (IBC), includes: a frame; a drive motor; a clamp disk rotatably supported by the frame and coupled to the drive motor to drive disk rotation; first and second jaw clamps movably mounted to the frame; and a drive mechanism to drive the jaw clamps to translate toward each other and rotatably secure the IBC's boom to the rotatable clamp disk. A clutch, a torque limiter, and a limit switch limit the pressure applied by the clamps, and the extent of their travel to optimize clamping and rotatability. The blending machine is moveably mounted to a pedestal, and elevated by an actuator. A blending bar within the IBC is coupled through the boom to the clamp disk, and driven to rotate to blend the materials, in addition to mixing by rotation of the ICB.

A chopping system generally includes a container having a bottom wall and a sidewall together defining a cavity. The sidewall has a rim, and the bottom wall has an upper surface with a central area having an entirely smooth contour. The system also includes a drive assembly configured for mounting on the rim to cover the cavity, and the system further includes a working assembly comprising at least one working member configured for operative attachment to the drive assembly such that, when the drive assembly is mounted on the rim, the working member is disposed within the cavity. The system further includes a base attached to the working assembly such that the working member is rotatable relative to the base. The base has a bottom surface that substantially mirrors the contour of the upper surface within the central area so as to be seated substantially flush thereagainst.

Provided are systems, methods, and apparatuses directed to a container for storing a liquid, the container including a textured surface configured to increase the liquid's dissolved oxygen content, the textured surface having fluid-obstructions configured to disrupt a flow of the liquid in at least one direction, said disruptions being effective to decrease a surface tension associated with the liquid and increasing a surface area associated with the liquid.