A method includes the step of receiving a first weight value from a sensor associated with a feed mixer. A first rotation speed associated with the first weight value is monitored. A second weight value is received from the sensor associated with the feed mixer and a second rotation speed associated with the second weight value is monitored. A mixing profile is generated based on the first weight value, the second weight value, the first rotation speed, and the second rotation speed. In one embodiment, a first feed ingredient is associated with the first weight value and a second feed ingredient is associated with the second weight value.

A seed treater having upper and lower ends includes a mixing bowl. The mixing bowl includes a stator having an annular upper inner surface defining an upper portion of the open interior of the mixing bowl, and a rotor defining a lower portion of the open interior of the mixing bowl. An air duct is fluidly connected to the mixing bowl and is configured to be fluidly connected to an air mover. The air duct includes a duct outlet configured to direct forced air from the air mover into the upper portion of the open interior defined by the upper stator to direct the seeds flowing in the upper portion of the interior of the mixing bowl inward toward a generally vertical axis of the mixing bowl as the lower rotor rotates relative to the upper stator.

High Specific Mechanical Energy extruder screw assemblies (14, 88, 98) and complete extruders (10, 86, 96) are provided, which include wide-flight intermediate screw sections (104) having axial flight widths greater than the flight widths of the inlet and outlet screw sections (102, 106) on opposite sides of the intermediate sections (104). The intermediate sections (104) provide increased friction and shear serving to enhance the SMEs imparted to comestible food materials during processing thereof.

A delay system for a stirring machine includes a plurality of vertical stirring augers, supported to a cross tube, with each auger having a tilt switch. A gear motor is connected to the cross tube and moves the cross tube forwardly around a bin. A delay assembly is connected to the tilt switches and the gear motor. The delay assembly shuts off the gear motor when the stirring augers are vertically displaced and starts the gear motor after a time delay once the stirring augers return to a vertical position.

A gravity-fed treatment apparatus for the dispersion of an additive into a flow of granulated matter includes a vertical treatment chamber comprising a top inlet, a bottom outlet, and at least one wall disposed between the top and bottom defining an interior therebetween. The chamber further includes a feed port through the at least one wall and a plurality of vortex baffles, each extending angularly away from the wall into the interior at a respective angle. Each vortex baffle includes a flat portion and a flaring portion where the flaring portion curves away from a plane encompassing a surface of the flat portion. A portion of the flow of granulated matter spirals around an axis passing through the top and bottom of the chamber due to gravity and the shape of the vortex baffles.

A roasting system is provided in a form factor of a countertop roasting device including a blower and a roasting assembly in fluid communication with the blower. The roasting assembly receives air from the blower with a heating element of the roasting assembly producing a heated air stream fed through the roasting assembly. An agitator in the roasting assembly agitates the food product. A food product is received in a container of the roasting assembly, with the heated air stream roasting the food product. The system includes a plurality of sensors and a controller that adjusts operating characteristics of the system based on whether a shell of the food product has cracked during roasting, as determined with the microphone. A waste product from the food product is separated during roasting and collected in a waste collection assembly with a spray bar assisting with smoke suppression.

A stream of seed may be maintained at a metered flow rate through multiple stages of a treatment process. These multiple stages include dispensing, first application of fluid, second application of fluid, and seed transport. Seed transport may be accomplished through a conveyor configured to maintain the metered flow rate while providing static mixing, drying, and conditioning of the treated seed. The metered stream of seed may be treated within a first treatment applicator where a first wet treatment is applied, transferred through the incline conveyor, and treated again within a second treatment applicator where a second wet treatment is applied. Overtreating in multiple stages may layer consecutive seed treatments around the treated seed. A predetermined amount of seed treatment may be applied to the coated seed based on the metered flow rate established. Maintaining the metered flow rate through multiple stages eliminates the need for multiple metering steps.

An agricultural incline conveyor having belt guards extending longitudinally through a curvilinear portion from a tail inlet to a head outlet. The belt guards protect linear edges of a belt within the curvilinear portion during mixing operations. A plurality of mixing baffles positioned within the curvilinear portion induce turbulent backflow of a metered stream of seed being transported through the curvilinear portion. The longitudinal guards prevent the loss of transported seed from entering between the belt and a trough of the curvilinear portion.

An apparatus for the treatment of powder, grain, paste products or the like has a treatment chamber provided with a loading mouth for at least one powder, grain or similar product and with a discharge mouth for the product; a closing cap for the discharge mouth; and at least one annular manifold, which is obtained in the discharge mouth or in the closing cap and communicates with the outside through an annular outlet channel configured to feed a compressed air flow along an inner surface of the discharge mouth and/or along an outer surface of the closing cap.

A roasting system is provided in a form factor of a countertop roasting device including a blower and a roasting assembly in fluid communication with the blower. The roasting assembly receives air from the blower with a heating element of the roasting assembly producing a heated air stream fed through the roasting assembly. An agitator in the roasting assembly agitates the food product. A food product is received in a container of the roasting assembly, with the heated air stream roasting the food product. The system includes a plurality of sensors and a controller that adjusts operating characteristics of the system based on whether a shell of the food product has cracked during roasting, as determined with the microphone. A waste product from the food product is separated during roasting and collected in a waste collection assembly with a spray bar assisting with smoke suppression.