A litter processing system is provided implementing one or more robotic vehicles to process livestock litter, detect conditions of the litter with a plurality of sensors, and treat the litter based upon data collected by the sensors. The vehicles may include processors and software that control vehicle tasks. The vehicle's onboard software may be controlled by a server having an instance of the software thereby controlling operation of the vehicles and collecting sensor data from the vehicles via a wireless network.

Apparatus and methods for food production including a food preconditioner (228) operable to heat and partially pre-cook food ingredients, and a twin screw extruder (20) operable to further cook the preconditioned ingredients to create final food products. The extruder (20) includes a pair of hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) having elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) is also of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). The flighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes forward, reverse pitch sections (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the extruders (20), without adding additional moisture.

The invention relates to a mixing device for a twin-screw extruder, in particular a twin-screw extruder rotating in the opposite direction, comprising a first screw and a second screw, for mixing a melt flow in a screw antechamber, wherein the first screw has an extension in the form of a mixing screw tip connected to the first screw in a fixed manner, and a first melt channel, into which the first screw feeds, is arranged in a flow-connected manner via an elongated slot with a second melt channel, into which the second screw feeds.

The invention relates to a mixing device for a twin-screw extruder, in particular a twin-screw extruder rotating in the opposite direction, comprising a first screw and a second screw, for mixing a melt flow in a screw antechamber, wherein the first screw has an extension in the form of a mixing screw tip connected to the first screw in a fixed manner, and a first melt channel, into which the first screw feeds, is arranged in a flow-connected manner via an elongated slot with a second melt channel, into which the second screw feeds.

A frozen product machine that solves problems associated with conventional home ice cream and frozen product machines by prevents loss of product in the chamber and decreases freezing time for a liquid product. A cooling chamber is cooled by a cooling element that provides variable cooling temperatures throughout the cooling chamber. A temperature gradient, progressing from lower temperatures at the bottom of the chamber, or the outlet, to higher at the top of the chamber, or inlet, create a more efficient means of cooling a frozen product. An auger, that may be shaped to match the shape of the cooling chamber may include slots that allow for controlled flow of frozen product through the chamber to promote efficient cooling. Hinged fins may rotate from open to closed within the slot to further enhance flow of frozen product through the frozen product machine.

A bone filler mixing and delivery device includes a mixing section adapted to mix components to form bone filler. A syringe barrel is coupled to the mixing section and has an opening through which the bone filler can be dispensed. A controllable portal can be manipulated to open a flow path between the mixing section and the syringe barrel. A plunger assembly is adapted to extend telescopically in an axial direction through the syringe barrel to dispense the bone filler through the opening.

A kneading apparatus for a thermoplastic resin, includes: a plasticizing cylinder which has a high pressure kneading zone and a pressure reduction zone; a screw in the plasticizing cylinder; a downstream side seal mechanism which shuts off communication between the high pressure kneading zone and the pressure reduction zone; and a pressure reduction zone pressure adjusting mechanism which is connected to the pressure reduction zone and which controls a pressure of the pressure reduction zone so that the pressure is not less than an atmospheric pressure and the pressure is not more than a maximum pressure of the high pressure kneading zone that is achieved when kneading a molten resin with a pressurized fluid, when the downstream side seal mechanism shuts off the communication between the high pressure kneading zone and the pressure reduction zone.

An extruder screw for plasticizing at least one plastic or plastic mixture, including a melting zone, a shaft zone and a mixing zone arranged between the melting zone and the shaft zone, wherein a conveying flight is formed in the melting zone and in the shaft zone, which extends helically along a longitudinal axis of the screw, wherein a conveying flight of the melting zone ends at an end of the melting zone towards the mixing zone and a conveying flight of the shaft zone begins at an end towards the mixing zone. A flight depth of the melting zone continuously decreases along the longitudinal axis of the screw to the mixing zone. Further, an extrusion device having the extruder screw and to a method for plasticizing at least one plastic or plastic mixture.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Apparatus that mixes non-homogenous fluid. A threaded shaft within a housing circulates fluid within a container to effect mixing. In one embodiment, when placed in a container of fluid, the housing the fluid is recirculated through opposing ends of the housing. In an embodiment of a related method for mixing, a pump housing containing a screw journaled for rotation receives fluid within a container and conveys the fluid therethrough to circulate a fluid portion in the container along an exterior surface of the housing for mixing with another fluid portion to improve fluid homogeneity. After mixing, the portion of the fluid which first circulates through the housing may recirculate through the housing with said another portion of the fluid. The fluid may be continuously mixed and recirculated through the housing.