A syringe for multi-component materials includes a mixer housing, a mixing element, a multi-component cartridge and a mixing head, the mixing head being arranged at least partly within the mixer housing and adjacent to the multi-component cartridge. The mixing head is arranged moveable in an axial direction of the syringe between at least two positions, the at least two positions including a sealed position and a dispensing position. The axial movement of the mixing head is brought about by rotation of at least a part of the mixer housing relative to the multi-component cartridge. The mixing head is axially displaced in a direction opposite to a dispensing direction on a displacement of the mixing head from the sealed position into the dispensing position.

A screed box includes a screed bucket, a screed plate mount attached to the screed bucket, a screed plate slidably connected to the screed plate mount and a screed bar attached to a bottom of the screed bucket. The screed plate mount includes a sealing edge. The screed plate includes at least one screed flange. The screed bar includes a body and a sealing lip including at least one projection. The screed bar is slidable between an open position where the sealing lip engages the sealing edge and a closed position where the sealing lip is disengaged from the sealing edge, and the at least one projection engages the sealing edge when the screed bar is in the open position and when the screed bar is in a closed position.

An applicator (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (101) is disclosed. The applicator (102) comprises a body (110) and a plunger (186). The plunger (186) comprises a gate (118), movable within an outlet portion (182) of a first channel (115) of the body (110) between, inclusively, an open position, allowing the glutinous substance (168) to flow from an inlet (116) of the first channel (115) to an outlet (117) of the first channel (115) and a closed position, preventing the glutinous substance (168) from flowing from the inlet (116) of the first channel (115) to the outlet (117) of the first channel (115). The applicator (102) further comprises an actuator (131), selectively operable to move the plunger (186) such that the gate (118) moves between, inclusively, the open position and the closed position.

A modular particle valve comprises a plurality of aligned and abutted valve modules that dispense particle curtain segments. The curtain segments merge to form a particle curtain having a width that is limited only by the number of included valve modules. Each valve module comprises a particle hopper and a movable element abutting the hopper from below. An actuator causes the moveable element to block or partially open a hopper outlet to provide a curtain segment of variable thickness. The resulting particle curtain can have a thickness that is uniform or shaped and adjusted according to environmental changes. The moveable elements have edges that abut without intervening structures, and in embodiments interlock while permitting separate movements thereof. Individual valve modules can be removed and reinstalled without significantly disturbing the remaining valve modules. Embodiments are incorporated into systems that dry seeds or collect solar energy by heating particles.

A coupler for a reciprocating pump includes comprising two collar elements. Each collar element includes a semi annular body, an exterior channel extending on the exterior surface of the semi-annular body, and an interior channel extending along the interior surface of the semi-annular body, the interior channel having a depth and width to accommodate both an end of a liquid pump rod and an end of a reciprocating drive.