A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, dispenser, and tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable or slidable carriage. The carriage includes at least one compartment horizontally disposed above an optional funnel. The carriage is rotatable about a central axis or translatable parallel to and below the hopper. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.

A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, dispenser, and tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable or slidable carriage. The carriage includes at least one compartment horizontally disposed above an optional funnel. The carriage is rotatable about a central axis or translatable parallel to and below the hopper. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.

A spreader, in particular for winter service vehicles, for spreading out solid spreading materials includes a spreading-material container for receiving the solid spreading materials to be spread out, and at least one liquid tank arranged within the spreading-material container and having an at least partly flexible sheath and variable volume for receiving liquid. The spreader furthermore comprises a conveying device in a floor surface of the spreading-material container for conveying the spreading materials out of the spreading-material container. The floor surface of the spreading-material container is horizontal or almost horizontal, with the at least one liquid tank being arranged on or above the floor surface such that, upon an at least partial filling of the liquid tank, there is formed a sliding surface for the solid spreading materials to be spread out that is inclined toward the conveying device relative to the floor surface.

A spreader, in particular for winter service vehicles, for spreading out solid spreading materials includes a spreading-material container for receiving the solid spreading materials to be spread out, and at least one liquid tank arranged within the spreading-material container and having an at least partly flexible sheath and variable volume for receiving liquid. The spreader furthermore comprises a conveying device in a floor surface of the spreading-material container for conveying the spreading materials out of the spreading-material container. The floor surface of the spreading-material container is horizontal or almost horizontal, with the at least one liquid tank being arranged on or above the floor surface such that, upon an at least partial filling of the liquid tank, there is formed a sliding surface for the solid spreading materials to be spread out that is inclined toward the conveying device relative to the floor surface.

A tank apparatus and a system for dispersing by circulating a mixture that prevents powdery additives from adhering to an inner face of a tank from scattering in the tank, from drifting on the surface of a liquid, and from agglutinating, are presented. The tank apparatus that stores a raw material that is slurry or liquid and supplies powdery additives to the raw material to mix them with the raw material comprises a tank for storing the raw material and a screw-type device for supplying powdery additives that is integral with the tank and supplies the powdery additives to the raw material in the tank, wherein a tip of a part for supplying powdery additives of the screw-type device for supplying powdery additives is inserted into the mixture in the tank.

A tank apparatus and a system for dispersing by circulating a mixture that prevents powdery additives from adhering to an inner face of a tank from scattering in the tank, from drifting on the surface of a liquid, and from agglutinating, are presented. The tank apparatus that stores a raw material that is slurry or liquid and supplies powdery additives to the raw material to mix them with the raw material comprises a tank for storing the raw material and a screw-type device for supplying powdery additives that is integral with the tank and supplies the powdery additives to the raw material in the tank, wherein a tip of a part for supplying powdery additives of the screw-type device for supplying powdery additives is inserted into the mixture in the tank.

A bin sweep auger unplugging system for unplugging a central unloading sump in a storage bin. The bin sweep auger unplugging system generally includes an auger having a driven shaft with auger fighting, a drive unit having a drive shaft, and a clutch connected between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The clutch selectively transfers the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft of the auger. The drive shaft includes a clump breakup component that breaks up the clump of granular material above the unloading sump when the drive shaft is rotated. The clutch is disengaged when breaking up a clump of granular material to prevent the rotation of the auger.

A granular material storage container and associated method. The storage container includes a foundation, a peripheral wall supported on the foundation, a plurality of vertical stiffeners attached to the peripheral wall, and a horizontal connector connecting the peripheral wall to the foundation. The horizontal connector extends between at least a pair of vertical stiffeners and operates for load transfer from the peripheral wall to the foundation during single pass sweeping.

A granular material storage container and associated method. The storage container includes a foundation, a peripheral wall supported on the foundation, a plurality of vertical stiffeners attached to the peripheral wall, and a horizontal connector connecting the peripheral wall to the foundation. The horizontal connector extends between at least a pair of vertical stiffeners and operates for load transfer from the peripheral wall to the foundation during single pass sweeping.

A bin sweep auger unplugging system for unplugging a central unloading sump in a storage bin. The bin sweep auger unplugging system generally includes an auger having a driven shaft with auger flighting, a drive unit having a drive shaft, and a clutch connected between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The clutch selectively transfers the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft of the auger. The drive shaft includes a clump breakup component that breaks up the clump of granular material above the unloading sump when the drive shaft is rotated. The clutch is disengaged when breaking up a clump of granular material to prevent the rotation of the auger.