An apparatus can include an outer housing, a first processing shaft and a second processing shaft. The outer housing can include first, second, and third inlet regions and an outlet. Both processing shafts can be proximate and parallel to each other extending through the outer housing and can be configured to rotate within the outer housing to mix and convey foodstuff materials from the first, second, and third inlet regions to the outlet. The first processing shaft can have a first fluted infeed portion proximate the first inlet region and a first mixing portion extending from the third inlet region to the outlet. The second processing shaft can have a second fluted infeed portion proximate the second inlet region and a second mixing portion extending from the third inlet region to the outlet. At least a portion of the first and second processing shafts can be asymmetric.

Continuous mixing in a static mixer possible can be used to add one kind of particles (such as an enzyme granular product) in a small amount to a larger amount of a different kind of particles (such as a powder stream of detergent powder), even if the powder characteristics are substantially different, with substantially no damage to the enzyme particles and with a high degree of homogeneity.

A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.

Apparatus and process for the conditioning of granules, powders and/or liquids, including: a hopper for containing the granules, powders and/or liquids equipped, on an external surface thereof, with at least one manifold defining a respective duct in fluid communication with the inside of said hopper; at least one blower member associated with said duct for delivering a flow of mixing gas or other gaseous mixing means of the granules, powders and/or liquids inside the hopper; and a first member for conditioning the flow of mixing gas arranged upstream of said blower member to adjust at least the pressure and/or humidity and/or temperature values and/or to supply the flow with an additive in a liquid or gaseous or vaporous form.

Apparatus and process for the conditioning of granules, powders and/or liquids, including: a hopper for containing the granules, powders and/or liquids equipped, on an external surface thereof, with at least one manifold defining a respective duct in fluid communication with the inside of said hopper; at least one blower member associated with said duct for delivering a flow of mixing gas or other gaseous mixing means of the granules, powders and/or liquids inside the hopper; and a first member for conditioning the flow of mixing gas arranged upstream of said blower member to adjust at least the pressure and/or humidity and/or temperature values and/or to supply the flow with an additive in a liquid or gaseous or vaporous form.

A tool for dry mixing and coating of powder mixtures comprising includes a fixing shaft and an approximately disc-shaped element fixed thereto and of a diameter d, having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces. The disc-shaped element has a plurality of grooves extending parallel to the shaft axis. Each groove has two groove walls extending from the peripheral surface to a groove bottom. A tooth is formed between two grooves. In order to provide a tool which is suitable for particularly low contamination dry mixing, dry dispersing and coating of powder mixtures, the disc-shaped element has a base portion and at least one wear element fixed to the base portion, wherein at least one portion of each groove wall, that adjoins the peripheral surface, is formed by the wear element.

A tool for dry mixing and coating of powder mixtures comprising includes a fixing shaft and an approximately disc-shaped element fixed thereto and of a diameter d, having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces. The disc-shaped element has a plurality of grooves extending parallel to the shaft axis. Each groove has two groove walls extending from the peripheral surface to a groove bottom. A tooth is formed between two grooves. In order to provide a tool which is suitable for particularly low contamination dry mixing, dry dispersing and coating of powder mixtures, the disc-shaped element has a base portion and at least one wear element fixed to the base portion, wherein at least one portion of each groove wall, that adjoins the peripheral surface, is formed by the wear element.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently handling dry additives to be mixed with bulk material in a blender are provided. The systems may include a support structure used to direct bulk material from one or more portable containers on the support structure to a first outlet location, and a combined metering/transferring system for directing dry additives from another portable container to a second outlet location. Specifically, the metering/transferring system may output a metered flow of dry additives to the blender mixer to be combined with bulk material that is released from the portable containers. The metering/transferring system may utilize a gravity feed outlet coupled to a metered screw or other conveying device to move the dry additive from the portable container to the second outlet location.

A powder mixing system and method improves productivity of a final product by reducing time required for completion of mixing. The powder mixing system includes a mixing vessel provided with a rotating shaft for mixing multiple kinds of powder, a rotating machine for rotating the mixing vessel by means of the rotating shaft, an image photographing device for acquiring an image of the powder in a mixing process, and a computer. The mixing vessel includes a window through which the image of the powder is photographed. The computer has a function of detecting that the mixing vessel is located at a predetermined position. The image photographing device acquires the image of the powder through the window of the mixing vessel located at the predetermined position. The computer estimates a mixing state of the powder based on the acquired image of the powder.

A powder mixing system and method improves productivity of a final product by reducing time required for completion of mixing. The powder mixing system includes a mixing vessel provided with a rotating shaft for mixing multiple kinds of powder, a rotating machine for rotating the mixing vessel by means of the rotating shaft, an image photographing device for acquiring an image of the powder in a mixing process, and a computer. The mixing vessel includes a window through which the image of the powder is photographed. The computer has a function of detecting that the mixing vessel is located at a predetermined position. The image photographing device acquires the image of the powder through the window of the mixing vessel located at the predetermined position. The computer estimates a mixing state of the powder based on the acquired image of the powder.