A system for mixing a fine bulk material including means defining a looped passageway including a vertically disposed, laterally enlarged section having a frusto-conically configured, lower outlet portion; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into an upper segment of such frusto-conically configured lower outlet portion to fluidize material therein; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into a lower segment of such frusto-conically configured lower portion to fluidize material therein; and means for injecting a fluid under pressure in said passageway downstream of said lower outlet portion sufficient to induce the flow of fluidized material through said passageway to an upper end of such enlarged section.

A device for dispersing a water-soluble polymer in powder form having a standard particle size of less than 1 mm, includes: a wetting chamber, a chamber for grinding and discharging the dispersed polymer with a horizontal axis of revolution, and a mechanism for connecting the wetting chamber to the grinding chamber in the form of an L-shaped tube. The upper and lower parts of the wetting chamber and the L-shaped tube have an internal surface with an identical surface tension (TS1). The cover of the wetting chamber has an internal surface with a surface tension (TS2) higher than the surface tension (TS1) of the internal surface of the upper and lower parts of the wetting chamber and the L-shaped tube.

A device for dispersing a water-soluble polymer in powder form having a standard particle size of less than 1 mm, includes: a wetting chamber, a chamber for grinding and discharging the dispersed polymer with a horizontal axis of revolution, and a mechanism for connecting the wetting chamber to the grinding chamber in the form of an L-shaped tube. The upper and lower parts of the wetting chamber and the L-shaped tube have an internal surface with an identical surface tension (TS1). The cover of the wetting chamber has an internal surface with a surface tension (TS2) higher than the surface tension (TS1) of the internal surface of the upper and lower parts of the wetting chamber and the L-shaped tube.

A solid material mixer for mixing two or more solid materials does not require the use of external power sources and moving parts. The mixer includes at least a first chamber or tank, at least one second chamber or tank, one or more main valves and one or more mixing and homogenizing zones. The device is used in a mixing method.

A powder reclamation system for reclaiming a metal powder from a metal powder processing device is provided. The powder reclamation system includes a filter housing defining an inlet and an outlet; a filtered reclaimed powder hopper in communication with the outlet of the filter housing for receiving a filtered reclaimed powder; a powder recirculation passageway configured for providing a flow of powder to a metal powder processing device, the powder recirculation passageway in flow communication with the filtered reclaimed powder hopper; a virgin powder hopper containing a virgin powder also in communication with the powder recirculation passageway; and a controller operable with the powder reclamation system for providing a mixture of the filtered reclaimed powder and the virgin powder through the powder recirculation passageway.

A powder reclamation system for reclaiming a metal powder from a metal powder processing device is provided. The powder reclamation system includes a filter housing defining an inlet and an outlet; a filtered reclaimed powder hopper in communication with the outlet of the filter housing for receiving a filtered reclaimed powder; a powder recirculation passageway configured for providing a flow of powder to a metal powder processing device, the powder recirculation passageway in flow communication with the filtered reclaimed powder hopper; a virgin powder hopper containing a virgin powder also in communication with the powder recirculation passageway; and a controller operable with the powder reclamation system for providing a mixture of the filtered reclaimed powder and the virgin powder through the powder recirculation passageway.

Layering of initially mixed granular dissimilar material components deposited by surface flow is realized by varying the relative angle of the flowing layer periodically with respect to the bulk of the pile formed. Layer thickness and extent can be controlled by varying the timing and extent of the surface variations. Variation in surface flow rates may be realized by varying the feed rate from an inlet to a collection base at a fixed feed location, varying the feed location relative to the collection base, tilting the collection base that is supporting the material, and reducing the pile repose angle using vibration or fluid flow through the base.

Powder module (1, 15, 24) for an apparatus for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising a powder chamber (2) defining a powder room (3), which is fillable with building material (4) in powder form and a cover (5) defining the powder room (3) at its top, whereby the powder module (1, 15, 24) comprises at least one equalization unit (7), configured for spreading the building material (4) inside the powder room (3).

A powder reclamation system for reclaiming a metal powder from a metal powder processing device is provided. The powder reclamation system includes a filter housing defining an inlet and an outlet; a filtered reclaimed powder hopper in communication with the outlet of the filter housing for receiving a filtered reclaimed powder; a powder recirculation passageway configured for providing a flow of powder to a metal powder processing device, the powder recirculation passageway in flow communication with the filtered reclaimed powder hopper; a virgin powder hopper containing a virgin powder also in communication with the powder recirculation passageway; and a controller operable with the powder reclamation system for providing a mixture of the filtered reclaimed powder and the virgin powder through the powder recirculation passageway.

Layering of initially mixed granular dissimilar material components deposited by surface flow is realized by varying the relative angle of the flowing layer periodically with respect to the bulk of the pile formed. Layer thickness and extent can be controlled by varying the timing and extent of the surface variations. Variation in surface flow rates may be realized by varying the feed rate from an inlet to a collection base at a fixed feed location, varying the feed location relative to the collection base, tilting the collection base that is supporting the material, and reducing the pile repose angle using vibration or fluid flow through the base.