APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING A SUBSTRATE WITH SOLID PARTICLES

Abstract

An apparatus for use in tie treatment of substrates with a solid particulate material, said apparatus comprising a housing having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum having an inner surface and an end wall, and access means for introducing said substrates into said drum, wherein (a) said drum comprises storage means for storage of said sold particulate material; (b) said drum has at least one elongate protrusion located on said inner surface of said drum wherein the elongate protrusion extends in a direction away from said end wall, wherein said elongate protrusion has an end proximal to the end wall and an end distal to the end wall; (c) the or each elongate protrusion comprises a collecting aperture and a collecting flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of said drum to said storage means, wherein said collecting aperture defines the start of a collecting flow path, and wherein the same elongate protrusion further comprises a dispensing aperture and a dispensing flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from said storage means to the interior of said drum, wherein said dispensing aperture defines the end of a dispensing flow path; (d) wherein said collecting aperture is disposed in a first side of said elongate protrusion, wherein said first side of said elongate protrusion is the leading side of said elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction; and (e) wherein said flow of said solid particulate material from the storage means towards the interior of the drum is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in a dispensing direction and the flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of tie drum towards the storage means is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in said collecting direction, wherein rotation in said dispensing direction is in the opposite rotational direction to rotation in said collecting direction, characterised in that: (f) said elongate protrusion exhibits one or more harvesting apertures disposed in a second side of said elongate protrusion, wherein the second side is defined as the leading side of said elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in said dispensing direction, wherein said harvesting aperture(s) are in fluid communication with a harvesting flow path, wherein said harvesting aperture(s) facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from toe interior of said drum via said harvesting flow path to said storage means during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in the treatment of substrates with a solid particulate material, said apparatus comprising a housing having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum having an inner surface and an end wall, and access means for introducing said substrates into said drum, wherein (a) said drum comprises storage means for storage of said solid particulate material; (b) said drum has at least one elongate protrusion located on said inner surface of said drum wherein the elongate protrusion extends in a direction away from said end wall, wherein said elongate protrusion has an end proximal to the end wall and an end distal to the end wall; (c) the or each elongate protrusion comprises a collecting aperture and a collecting flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of said drum to said storage means, wherein said collecting aperture defines the start of a collecting flow path, and wherein the same elongate protrusion further comprises a dispensing aperture and a dispensing flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from said storage means to the interior of said drum, wherein said dispensing aperture defines the end of a dispensing flow path; (d) wherein said collecting aperture is disposed in a first side of said elongate protrusion, wherein said first side of said elongate protrusion is the leading side of said elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction; and (e) wherein said flow of said solid particulate material from the storage means towards the interior of the drum is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in a dispensing direction and the flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of the drum towards the storage means is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in said collecting direction, wherein rotation in said dispensing direction is in the opposite rotational direction to rotation in said collecting direction, characterised in that: (f) said elongate protrusion exhibits one or more harvesting apertures disposed in a second side of said elongate protrusion, wherein the second side is defined as the leading side of said elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in said dispensing direction, wherein said harvesting aperture(s) are in fluid communication with a harvesting flow path, wherein said harvesting aperture(s) facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of said drum via said harvesting flow path to said storage means during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongate protrusion comprises a plurality of said harvesting apertures.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said harvesting flow path is located in or on the base of the elongate protrusion, or wherein said harvesting flow path is located in or on the second side of the elongate protrusion.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said harvesting flow path is configured to bias solid particulate material towards the storage means during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction and preferably also in a collecting direction.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said harvesting flow path is located within an elongate cavity located in or on the base of said elongate protrusion, or in or on the second side of said elongate protrusion, wherein said elongate cavity has a flat, plate-like shape having a length, width and depth, wherein the length dimension of said cavity is disposed along at least a part of the elongate dimension of the elongate protrusion, wherein the width dimension of said cavity is disposed along at least a part of the width of the base of said elongate protrusion, or along at least a part of the width of the second side of said elongate protrusion, depending on the location of the harvesting flow path in or on the elongate protrusion, and wherein the depth dimension of said cavity is substantially normal to the base of said elongate protrusion, or the second side of said elongate protrusion, depending on the location of the harvesting flow path in or on the elongate protrusion, and wherein said cavity has a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first and second edges are on opposite edges of the width dimension of the cavity, wherein said harvesting aperture(s) are disposed in the first edge, such that wherein said harvesting flow path is located in or on the base of said elongate protrusion the first edge of the elongate cavity is located at the second side of the elongate protrusion, and wherein said harvesting flow path is located in or on the second side of said elongate protrusion, the first edge of the elongate cavity is located at the juncture of the second side of said elongate protrusion with the inner wall of the drum.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said harvesting flow path comprises a chain of open compartments in fluid communication with the storage means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, said chain of open compartments is formed by a first series of vanes and a second series of vanes, wherein said first and second series of vanes are disposed along at least part of the length of the elongate protrusion, wherein said first series of vanes are disposed in an opposing and staggered arrangement with said second series of vanes in a manner to provide a tortuous pathway from the harvesting apertures to the storage means which biases solid particulate material towards the storage means during rotation of the drum.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the vanes of the second series are substantially parallel to each other.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 wherein consecutive vanes of said second series are arranged in a U-shape, wherein each U-shape has a distal wall closer to the distal end of the elongate protrusion and a proximal wall closer to the proximal end of the elongate protrusion, such that said second series of vanes defines a series of adjoining U-shapes comprising a first U-shape and a second U-shape and optionally one or more subsequent U-shape(s), wherein said first U-shape is closer to the distal end of the elongate protrusion than said second adjoining U-shape, preferably wherein a proximal wall of said first U-shape is the same wall as the distal wall of said adjoining second U-shape.

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein said second series of vanes defines a series of inclined adjoining U-shapes wherein the incline of the distal and proximal walls of said U-shape is towards the distal end of the elongate protrusion.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the mouth of said U-shape faces inwardly towards the interior of the elongate protrusion, and preferably faces towards a harvesting aperture or faces towards the side of the harvesting flow path in which the harvesting apertures are located.

12. An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein said chain of open compartments is located in or on the base of the elongate protrusion and the second series of vanes is disposed adjacent the first side of the elongate protrusion or closer to said first side than said first series of vanes, preferably such that the base of said U-shape is or is juxtaposed with the interior surface of the first side of the elongate protrusion, such that the mouth of the U-shape faces inwardly towards the interior of the elongate protrusion and in the direction of rotation of the drum during rotation in a dispensing direction.

13. An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein said chain of open compartments is located in or on the second side of the elongate protrusion and the second series of vanes is disposed adjacent an apex of the elongate protrusion or closer to said apex than said first series of vanes, preferably such that the mouth of said U-shape faces inwardly towards the interior of the elongate protrusion and towards the inner surface of the drum.

14. An apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 13 wherein the vanes of the first series are arranged in a series of U-shapes wherein each U-shape has a distal wall closer to the distal end of the elongate protrusion and a proximal wall closer to the proximal end of the elongate protrusion.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said first series of vanes defines a series of U-shapes wherein at least one and preferably each pair of adjacent U-shapes do not adjoin each other, and wherein at least one and preferably each pair of adjacent U-shapes are interrupted by a harvesting aperture in the second side of the elongate protrusion.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14 or 15 wherein a plurality of harvesting apertures in the second side of the elongate protrusion provides multiple entry points into the chain of open compartments.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14, 15 or 16 wherein the mouth of said U-shape faces inwardly towards the interior of the elongate protrusion and away from a harvesting aperture.

18. An apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 17 wherein a U-shape defined by the vanes of the first series comprises a distal wall which is inclined towards the distal end of the elongate protrusion and a proximal wall which is inclined towards the proximal end of the elongate protrusion.

19. An apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 18 wherein said chain of open compartments is located in or on the base of the elongate protrusion and the first series of vanes is disposed adjacent the second side of the elongate protrusion or closer to said second side than said second series of vanes, preferably such that the base of said U-shape is or is juxtaposed with the interior surface of the second side of the elongate protrusion, such that the mouth of the U-shape faces inwardly towards the interior of the elongate protrusion and in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the drum during rotation in a dispensing direction.

20. An apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 18 wherein said chain of open compartments is located in or on the second side of the elongate protrusion and the first series of vanes is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the drum or closer to said inner surface than said second series of vanes, preferably such that the mouth of said U-shape faces inwardly towards the interior of the elongate protrusion and towards the apex of the elongate protrusion.

21. An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 20 wherein the series of U-shapes defined by the first series of vanes are disposed in an opposing and staggered arrangement with the series of U-shapes defined by the second series of vanes in a manner to provide a tortuous harvesting flow path from the harvesting aperture(s) to the storage means which biases solid particulate material towards the storage means during rotation of the drum.

22. An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 21 wherein said harvesting aperture(s) is/are in fluid communication with the storage means via said harvesting flow path comprising a chain of open compartments configured to bias solid particulate material towards the storage means during rotation of the drum in at least a dispensing direction, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that: (i) during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction solid particulate material enters a harvesting aperture and passes into one of the open compartments in said chain of open compartments, preferably into a U-shape formed by the second series of vanes, (ii) wherein upon further rotation of the drum in the dispensing direction said solid particulate material is transferred into an opposing and staggered U-shape formed by the first series of vanes wherein said opposing and staggered U-shape is closer to the proximal end of the elongate protrusion than said U-shape formed by the second series of vanes from which the solid particulate material was transferred, and (iii) wherein upon further rotation of the drum in the dispensing direction said solid particulate is transferred into a further U-shape formed by the second series of vanes wherein said further U-shape formed by the second series of vanes is closer to the proximal end of the elongate protrusion than said U-shape formed by the first series of vanes from which the solid particulate material was transferred, thereby biasing said solid particulate material towards the storage means.

23. An apparatus according to any preceding claim which is configured to: (i) dispense solid particulate material into the interior of the drum during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction at a dispensing rate defined by R.sub.D, and (ii) harvest solid particulate material from the interior of the drum via the harvesting aperture(s) into the elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction at a harvesting rate defined by R.sub.H, wherein the net rate of introduction (NR.sub.I) of solid particulate material into the drum during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction is given by NR.sub.I=R.sub.D−R.sub.H, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that NR.sub.I is positive, and preferably wherein R.sub.H is no more than about 50%, preferably no more than about 40%, preferably no more than about 30%, preferably no more than about 20%, of R.sub.D.

24. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the harvesting flow path comprises a valve, preferably a one-way flap valve, to prevent egress of solid particulate material from the storage means back into the harvesting flow path during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction.

25. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said dispensing aperture is located in said elongate protrusion at its distal end or closer to its distal end than its proximal end, or from at least about half way along said elongate protrusion from the proximal end to the distal end thereof, or wherein the or each elongate protrusion has a plurality of dispensing apertures spaced along the length of said elongate protrusion from its proximal end to its distal end.

26 An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the or each elongate protrusion is configured to bias solid particulate material present inside the storage means and/or dispensing flow path towards said dispensing aperture during rotation of the drum in the dispensing direction.

27. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the drum is configured to bias solid particulate material present inside the drum towards said collecting aperture(s) during rotation of the drum in the collecting direction, and the drum is configured to bias solid particulate material present inside the storage means and/or dispensing flow path towards said dispensing aperture(s) during rotation of the drum in the dispensing direction.

28. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the or each elongate protrusion is configured to, bias solid particulate material present inside said collecting flow path towards the storage means during rotation of the drum in the collecting direction.

29. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said collecting flow path and said dispensing flow path are partially but not completely coextensive.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the or each elongate protrusion comprises a plurality of collecting apertures disposed in said first side of said elongate protrusion at a plurality of positions from the proximal end to the distal end thereof.

31. An apparatus according to claim 29 or 30 wherein a portion of said collecting flow path and a portion of said dispensing flow path share a common internal flow path within the or each elongate protrusion.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said common internal flow path is configured to bias solid particulate material present inside said common internal flow path towards the storage means during rotation of the drum in the collecting direction and towards said dispensing aperture(s) during rotation of the drum in the dispensing direction.

33. An apparatus according to claim 31 or 32 wherein said common internal flow path is or comprises an Archimedean screw arrangement located in the or each elongate protrusion.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the surfaces of said Archimedean screw arrangement are rectilinear or curvilinear or a combination thereof.

35. An apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 34 wherein said collecting, flow path comprises a first portion which is in fluid communication with said collecting aperture and said common internal flow path.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said first portion of said collecting flow path is defined by said collecting aperture at one end of said portion and a transferring aperture at the other end of said portion wherein said transferring aperture facilitates the transfer of solid particulate material from said first portion to said common internal flow path during rotation of the drum in the collecting direction.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said transferring aperture is configured such that rotation of the drum in either the collecting or dispensing direction biases solid particulate material which is present in said common internal flow path away from said transferring aperture.

38. An apparatus according to claim 36 or 37 wherein said transferring aperture is located approximately centrally within the common internal flow path.

39. An apparatus according to any of claims 36 to 38 wherein said first portion of a collecting flow path is equipped with a plurality of vanes which permit flow of solid particulate material from the collecting aperture to the transferring aperture but discourage flow of solid particulate present in said first portion back out of the collecting aperture, preferably wherein said plurality of vanes comprises a first series of vanes and a second series of vanes wherein said first and second series of vanes are disposed along at least part of the length of said first portion of a collecting flow path, wherein said first series of vanes is disposed in an opposing and staggered arrangement with said second series of vanes, preferably wherein the vanes of each of the first and second series are angled away from an internal wall of said first portion in the direction of flow of solid particulate from the collecting aperture to the transferring aperture thereby permitting flow of solid particulate material from the collecting aperture to the transferring aperture but discouraging flow in the opposite direction.

40. An apparatus according to any of claims 35 to 39 wherein said first portion of said collecting flow path is located within a wall of the Archimedean screw arrangement as defined in claim 33 or 34.

41. An apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 40 wherein the or each elongate protrusion comprises a plurality of collecting apertures wherein each collecting aperture is in fluid communication with said common internal flow path via a plurality of collecting flow paths each of which has a first portion in fluid communication with said collecting aperture and said common internal flow path, such that each of said first portions facilitates the flow of solid particulate material into said common internal flow path during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction.

42. An apparatus according to any of claims 31 to 41 wherein the common internal flow path is constituted by the walls of a series of separate modular sections wherein each of said modular sections comprises a collecting aperture, a first portion of a collecting flow path and a transferring aperture as defined in any of claims 36 to 39, wherein said series of separate modular sections, when joined together, form at least some of the boundary walls of the common internal flow path.

43. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 28 wherein the elongate protrusion comprises a dispensing flow path and a collecting flow which are different flow paths.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said elongate protrusion(s) and/or said drum are configured to bias solid particulate material present inside the drum towards the end wall of the drum during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction.

45. An apparatus according to claim 43 or 44 wherein said collecting aperture is located in said elongate protrusion at its proximal end.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45 wherein the elongate protrusion comprises a collecting groove along at least part of said first side thereof, wherein the collecting groove is configured to collect solid particulate material during rotation in a collecting direction, whereupon the solid particulate material is biased towards the collecting aperture during further rotation in a collecting direction, preferably wherein said collecting groove is disposed in the elongate protrusion along at least part of the edge of the elongate protrusion where it meets the inner wall of the drum.

47. An apparatus according to any of claims 43 to 46 wherein an elongate protrusion is disposed on the inner surface of the drum such that one or more angled channels are present between the underside of the elongate protrusion and the inner surface of the drum, or are present through an elongate protrusion at one or more position(s) where the elongate protrusion meets the inner surface of the drum so that one boundary wall of the angled channel presents a surface which is continuous with the inner surface of the drum, wherein said angled channel(s) is/are configured to allow solid particulate material to flow underneath or through the elongate protrusion such that during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction the exit point of an angled channel is closer to the end-wall of the drum than the entry point of that angled channel, and wherein the entry point of an angled channel is located on said first side of an elongate protrusion and the exit point of an angled channel is located on the opposite, second side of an elongate protrusion.

48. An apparatus according to any of claims 43 to 47 wherein the inner surface of the drum is textured or contoured with one or more guiding elements affixed thereto or formed integrally therewith to bias solid particulate material towards the end-wall of the drum during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction.

49. An apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said guiding element comprises one or more ribs and/or one or more grooves which are disposed on or in the inner surface of the drum between adjacent elongate protrusions such that said rib(s) and/or groove(s) are angled in a manner which directs solid particulate material away from a first elongate protrusion and the front of the drum and towards the adjacent elongate protrusion and the end-wall of the drum during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction.

50. An apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the guiding element is a rib having a profile configured to retain solid particulate material during the biasing thereof towards the end-wall of the drum, preferably wherein the edge of the rib which is the leading edge during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction comprises a collecting groove which runs at least partially along the length of the rib.

51. An apparatus according to any of claims 48 to 50 wherein the guiding element is a perforated diverting rib disposed on the inner surface of the drum between adjacent elongate protrusions such that said perforated diverting rib extends in a direction away from the end-wall of the drum and towards the front of the drum, wherein the perforated diverting rib has a first edge which is the leading edge during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction and a second edge which is the trailing edge during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction, wherein each of the first and second edges has one or more apertures therein, and wherein the perforated diverting rib comprises a plurality of angled channels which connect the aperture(s) on the first edge with the aperture(s) on the second edge, and wherein the exit point from an angled channel at the second edge of the rib is closer to the end-wall of the drum than the entry point into that angled channel at the first edge of the rib, thereby allowing solid particulate material to flow through the perforated diverting rib so that during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction the solid particulate material is biased towards the end-wall of the drum.

52. An apparatus according to any of claims 43 to 51 wherein the inner surface of the rotatably mounted drum is configured to bias solid particle material towards the end wall of the drum wherein said inner surface defines a frusto-conical surface such that the inner surface of the drum is inclined in a downwards direction from the front of the drum to the end wall of the drum.

53. An apparatus according to claim 52 wherein the inner surface of the drum is configured to define at least one collecting channel in said inner surface at the juncture of the inner surface and the end-wall of the drum, wherein the collecting channel extends along the juncture of the inner surface and the end-wall of the drum to the collecting aperture, and is thus configured to bias solid particulate material towards the collecting aperture during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction.

54. An apparatus according to any of claims 43 to 53 wherein the dispensing flow path comprises a chain of open compartments or an Archimedean screw arrangement located in the elongate protrusion and configured to bias solid particulate material present inside the storage means and/or dispensing flow path towards said dispensing aperture during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction.

55. An apparatus according to any of claims 43 to 54 wherein said collecting flow path comprises a valve, preferably a one-way flap valve, to prevent egress of said solid particulate material from said storage means to the interior of said drum via said collecting flow path.

56. An apparatus according to any of claims 43 to 55 wherein the harvesting flow path is located in or on the second side of said elongate protrusion, and wherein the elongate protrusion comprises one or more additional collecting aperture(s) disposed in a first side thereof at one or more position(s) from the proximal end to the distal end thereof, wherein said additional collecting aperture(s) is/are in fluid communication with an additional collecting flow path which in turn is in fluid communication with the storage means, preferably wherein said additional collecting flow path is located in or on the base of said elongate protrusion and is configured to bias solid particulate material towards the storage means during rotation of the drum, particularly during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction.

57. An apparatus according to claim 56 wherein said additional collecting flow path is a chain of open compartments which is located in or on the base of said elongate protrusion, wherein said chain of open compartments is formed by a first series of vanes and a second series of vanes, wherein said first and second series of vanes are disposed along at least part of the length of the elongate protrusion, wherein said first series of vanes are disposed in an opposing and staggered arrangement with said second series of vanes in a manner to provide a tortuous additional collecting flow path from the additional collecting apertures to the storage means.

58. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein movement of said solid particulate material between the storage means and the interior of the drum is actuated entirely by rotation of the drum.

59. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the storage means is or comprises at least one cavity located in the end wall of the drum.

60. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the storage means comprises multiple compartments, for instance, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 compartments, particularly wherein said multiple compartments are arranged so as to retain balance of the drum during rotation.

61. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the storage means comprises multiple compartments located in the end wall of the drum, wherein each of the compartments is defined by a cavity bound by a first wall and a second wall which each extend outwards from the rotational axis of the drum towards and preferably to the inner wall of the drum, preferably wherein each compartment is associated with a single elongate protrusion comprising said collecting flow path and said dispensing flow path.

62. An apparatus according to claim 61 wherein each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment or compartments such that solid particulate material, as well as any liquid medium, is able to pass from one compartment directly into an adjacent compartment during rotation of the drum.

63. An apparatus according to claim 62 wherein fluid communication between adjacent compartments is effected by a communicating aperture in the wall between adjacent compartments, preferably wherein a communicating aperture exhibits a smallest dimension which is at least 4 times greater than the longest dimension of the solid particulate material, and preferably wherein the largest dimension of the communicating aperture is no greater than 50% of the longest dimension of a wall between adjacent compartments, and preferably wherein said communicating aperture is located in a wall between adjacent compartments at a point that is closer to the mid-point of said wall between adjacent compartments than to either the rotational axis of the drum or the inner wall of the drum.

64. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the storage means further comprises one or more perforations which have dimensions smaller than the shortest linear dimension of the solid particulate material so as to permit passage of fluids through said perforations into and out of the storage means, particularly out of or into the interior of said drum respectively, but to prevent egress of said solid particulate material through said perforations.

65. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing flow path is configured such that it dispenses solid particulate material from a dispensing aperture therein when the dispensing aperture is above the horizontal plane bisecting the axis of drum rotation.

66. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the dimensions of said dispensing flow path, said collecting flow path and said harvesting flow path are such that they have no internal dimension which is less than 2 times, more preferably less than 3 times, the longest dimension of the solid particulate material.

67. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the storage means and the or each elongate protrusion can be assembled inside the drum, and/or are able to be retrofitted to an existing drum, and/or are removable and replaceable such that the solid particulate material contained therein may be replaced with fresh solid particulate material.

68. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the inner surface of said drum comprises perforations which have dimensions smaller than the shortest linear dimension of the solid particulate material so as to permit passage of fluids into and out of said drum but to prevent egress of said solid particulate material.

69. An apparatus according to claim 68 wherein said housing is a tub which surrounds said drum, preferably wherein said tub and said drum are substantially concentric, preferably wherein the walls of said tub are unperforated but having disposed therein one or more inlets and/or one or more outlets suitable for passage of a liquid medium and/or one or more treatment agents into and out of the tub.

70. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a seal between the access means and the tub.

71. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said drum has an opening at the opposite end of the drum to the end wall through which said substrates are introduced into said drum.

72. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing flow path and/or the storage means are configured such that it takes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 rotations in the dispensing direction to begin to release the solid particulate material into the interior of said drum.

73. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus does not comprise a further storage means which is not attached to or integral with the drum, and/or wherein the apparatus does not comprise a pump for circulating said solid particulate material between the storage means and the interior of the drum.

74. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus does not comprise a pump for circulating said solid particulate material.

75. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the drum comprises two, three, four, five or six elongate protrusions

76. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said treatment of substrates with solid particulate material is in the presence of a liquid medium and/or one of more treatment formulation(s).

77. An apparatus according to any preceding claim which comprises aid solid particulate material.

78. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the particles of the solid particulate material have (i) an average mass of from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg; and/or (ii) an average volume in the range of from about 5 to about 500 mm.sup.3; and/or (iii) an average surface area of from 10 mm.sup.2 to 500 mm.sup.2 per particle; and/or (iv) an average particle size of from 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 2 to 20 mm, preferably from 5 mm to 10 mm; and/or (v) and average density of at least about 1 g/cm.sup.3 or at least about 1.4 g/cm.sup.3.

79. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the particles of the solid particulate comprise a polymer, preferably wherein the polymer is or comprises a polyalkylene, a polyamide, a polyester or a polyurethane, preferably a polyalkylene, polyester or polyamide, preferably a polyamide selected from nylon 6 or nylon 6,6 or a polyalkylene selected from polypropylene, and preferably a polyamide or a polyamide selected from nylon 6 or nylon 6,6.

80. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the particles of h solid particulate material are spheroidal or ellipsoidal or a mixture thereof,

81. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the rotatable drum is cylindrical.

82. A method of treating a substrate, the method cornprising agitating the substrate in an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 81 with solid particulate material.

83. A method according to claim 82 wherein the solid particulate material is re-used in further treatment procedures according to the method.

84. A method according to claim 82 or 83 wherein the method is a method for treating multiple batches, wherein a batch comprises at least one substrate, the method comprising agitating a first batch with solid particulate material, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: (a) collecting said solid particulate material in the storage means; (b) agitating a second batch comprising at least one substrate with solid particulate material collected from step (a); and (c) optionally repeating steps (a) and (b) for subsequent batch(es) comprising at least one substrate.

85. A method according to any of claims 82 to 84 wherein the method comprises agitating the substrate with solid particulate material and a liquid medium, preferably wherein the liquid medium is aqueous.

86. A method according to any of claims 82 to 85 wherein the method comprises agitating the substrate with said solid particulate material and a treatment formulation.

87. A method according to any of claims 82 to 86 wherein the substrate is or comprises a textile.

88. A method according to claim 87 wherein the treating of said substrate is cleaning, coloration, bleaching, abrading or ageing, or other textile or garment finishing process.

89. A method according to claim 88 for cleaning a substrate wherein the substrate is a soiled substrate.

90. A method according to any of claims 82 to 86 wherein the substrate is or comprises an animal skin substrate.

91. A method according to claim 90 wherein the treating of an animal skin substrate is a tannery process.

92. An elongate protrusion wherein said elongate protrusion is as defined in any of claim 1 to 26, 28 to 47, 54 to 57, 65 to 67 or 72.

93. A kit for converting an apparatus which is not suitable for use in the treatment of substrates using a solid particulate material into an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 81 which is suitable for use in the treatment of substrates using a solid particulate material, wherein the apparatus comprises a housing having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum having an inner surface and an end wall and which further comprises access means for introducing said substrates into said drum, and wherein said kit comprises: (a) solid particulate material; (b) storage means for storage of said solid particulate material; and (c) at least one elongate protrusion suitable for locating on said inner surface of said drum such that the or each elongate protrusion extends in a direction away from said end wall, wherein said elongate protrusion has an end proximal to the end wall and an end distal to the end wall, wherein said elongate protrusion comprises a collecting aperture and a collecting flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of said drum to said storage means, wherein said collecting aperture defines the start of a collecting flow path, and wherein the same elongate protrusion further comprises a dispensing aperture and a dispensing flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from said storage means to the interior of said drum, wherein said dispensing aperture defines the end of a dispensing flow path, wherein said collecting aperture is disposed in a first side of said elongate protrusion, wherein said first side of said elongate protrusion is the leading side of said elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction, and wherein said flow of said solid particulate material from the storage means towards the interior of the drum is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in a dispensing direction and the flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of the drum towards the storage means is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in said collecting direction, wherein rotation in said dispensing direction is in the opposite rotational direction to rotation in said collecting direction, wherein said kit is adapted to allow affixing of said storage means and said elongate protrusion(s) to one or more interior surface(s) of the drum, characterised in that said elongate protrusion exhibits one or more harvesting apertures disposed in a second side of said elongate protrusion, wherein the second side is defined as the leading side of said elongate, protrusion during rotation of the drum in said dispensing direction, wherein said harvesting aperture(s) facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of said drum to said storage means during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction.

94. A method of constructing an apparatus as defined in any of claims 1 to 81 which is suitable for use in the treatment of substrates using a solid particulate material, the method comprising retrofitting a starting apparatus which is not suitable for use in the treatment of substrates using a solid particulate material and which comprises a housing having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum having an inner surface and an end wall and which further comprises access means for introducing said substrates into said drum, wherein said retrofitting comprises the steps of: providing solid particulate material, providing one or more storage means for storage of solid particulate material, and providing at least one elongate protrusion(s); and affixing said storage means and said elongate protrusion(s) to one or more interior surface(s) of the drum, wherein said at least one elongate protrusion is suitable for locating on said inner surface of said drum such that the or each elongate protrusion extends in a direction away from said end wall, wherein said elongate protrusion has an end proximal to the end wall and an end distal to the end wall, wherein said elongate protrusion comprises a collecting aperture and a collecting flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of said drum to said storage means, wherein said collecting aperture defines the start of a collecting flow path, and wherein the same elongate protrusion further comprises a dispensing aperture and a dispensing flow path to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from said storage means to the interior of said drum, wherein said dispensing aperture defines the end of a dispensing flow path, wherein said collecting aperture is disposed in a first side of said elongate protrusion, wherein said first side of said elongate protrusion is the leading side of said elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction, and wherein said flow of said solid particulate material from the storage means towards the interior of the drum is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in a dispensing direction and the flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of the drum towards the storage means is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in said collecting direction, wherein rotation in said dispensing direction is in the opposite rotational direction to rotation in said collecting direction, characterised in that said elongate protrusion exhibits one or more harvesting apertures disposed in a second side of said elongate protrusion, wherein the second side is defined as the leading side of said elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in said dispensing direction, wherein said harvesting aperture(s) facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from the interior of said drum to said storage means during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction.

Description

FIGURES

[0289] The invention is further illustrated with reference to the following figures.

[0290] FIGS. 1 to 10 and 35 to 37 illustrate the elongate protrusion of Embodiment A.

[0291] FIG. 11 illustrates a harvesting (herringbone) flow path located in the base of an elongate protrusion, which is applicable to both Embodiments A and B.

[0292] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate harvesting apertures and associated flow path located on the second side of an elongate protrusion, and the configuration of the harvesting apertures and flow path in these figures is applicable to both Embodiments A and B.

[0293] FIGS. 13 to 29 illustrate the elongate protrusion of Embodiment B, as well as various elements of the apparatus (including aspects of the storage means, drum, access means, drive shaft etc) which are generally applicable to both Embodiments A and B.

[0294] FIG. 1a illustrates the internal structure of an elongate protrusion (1), the internal structure having an Archimedean screw arrangement. The elongate protrusion has a distal end (2) and a proximal end (not shown). During rotation of the drum (not shown) in a collecting direction, solid particulate material enters collecting apertures (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e etc), and passes through a first portion of a collecting flow path (not shown) located in a wall of the Archimedean screw arrangement (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e etc), towards and through transferring apertures (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e etc) into a common internal flow path. The common internal flow path extends between the dispensing apertures (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f in the distal end (2) of the elongate protrusion (1) and the storage means (not shown) which is located in the end wall (not shown) of the drum at the proximal end of the elongate protrusion.

[0295] FIG. 1b illustrates the flow of solid particulate material during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction in the context of the elongate protrusion of FIG. 1a. Solid particulate material enters the collecting apertures in the direction of the arrows (A), passes through each of the first portions of said collecting flow path and then through the transferring apertures in the direction of the small curved arrows (B) into the common internal flow path. During rotation of the drum in a collecting direction, the flow of solid particulate material in the common internal flow path is shown by the large curved arrows (C). A plurality of rotations of the drum in a collecting direction causes the solid particulate material to flow along the elongate protrusion in the direction of arrow (D), towards the proximal end of the elongate protrusion and the storage means in the end wall of the drum.

[0296] FIG. 1c illustrates the flow of solid particulate material during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction in the context of the elongate protrusion of FIG. 1a. Solid particulate material exits the storage means (not shown) which is located at the proximal end (not shown) of the elongate protrusion and enters the common internal flow path. During rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction, the flow of solid particulate material in the common internal flow path is shown by the large curved arrows (E). A plurality of rotations of the drum in a dispensing direction causes the solid particulate material to flow along the elongate protrusion in the direction of arrow (F), towards the distal end of the elongate protrusion, whereupon it exits via dispensing apertures into the interior of the drum.

[0297] FIG. 2 illustrates the elongate protrusion of FIGS. 1a to 1c viewed in perspective from beneath. The elongate protrusion (1) has a distal end (2) and a proximal end (7). The elongate protrusion (1) is illustrated with a cover (8) which encases the internal structure of the elongate protrusion. The elongate protrusion has a second, trailing side (9) during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. The elongate protrusion has an upper surface (10) which is disposed towards the interior of the drum. In the typical and preferred embodiment of a cylindrical drum, the structural internal elements of the elongate protrusion are curved at the base thereof where the elongate protrusion meets the inner surfaces of the drum, as illustrated in respect of distal end element (11) which forms an end wall of the dispensing flow path. The elongate protrusion has seven collecting apertures (of which only collecting aperture (3a) is indicated in the Figure), and these are located in the first, leading side of the elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. Each collecting aperture is in fluid communication with a first portion of said collecting flow path, of which only first portion (13a) is indicated in the Figure. The elongate protrusion has six dispensing apertures (of which only dispensing aperture (6c) is indicated in the Figure), which are in fluid communication with said dispensing flow path, and specifically in fluid communication with said second portion of said dispensing flow path (12). The common internal flow path (14) forms part of both the collecting and dispensing flow paths and extends along the length of the elongate protrusion. At the proximal end (7) of the elongate protrusion (1) the common internal flow path (14) is in fluid communication with the storage means (not shown) via aperture (15).

[0298] FIG. 3 illustrates the internal structure of elongate protrusion (1) having a distal end (2) and a proximal end (7), from the perspective of its first, leading side during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. The elongate protrusion has a plurality of collecting apertures (of which only collecting aperture (3a) is indicated in the Figure), each of which has a funnel shape in order to increase the catchment area for solid particulate material.

[0299] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the internal structure of an elongate protrusion according to a central entry embodiment, which portion comprises a collecting aperture (3), a first portion of said collecting flow path which is located in a wall (4) of an Archimedean screw arrangement, and a transferring aperture (5). The portion in FIG. 4 is particularly representative of a modular section of internal structure of an elongate protrusion comprising a series of modular sections which constitute the common internal flow path.

[0300] FIG. 4 also illustrates a deflector rib (16) around the periphery of the transferring aperture, which biases solid particulate present in the common internal flow path away from the transferring aperture during rotation of the drum in either the collecting or dispensing directions.

[0301] FIG. 4 also illustrates a substantially perpendicular arrangement of the transferring and collecting apertures, and in the embodiment exemplified in this figure, the transferring and collecting apertures are disposed at 90° to each other.

[0302] FIG. 4 also illustrates the first section (18) and second section (19) of said first portion of said collecting flow path, wherein the second section (19) is disposed at an angle β of about 135° to the first section (18) such that said section is angled towards the proximal end of the elongate protrusion.

[0303] FIG. 4 also illustrates a first portion of a collecting flow path which is configured to bias solid particulate material towards the transferring aperture during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction, the biasing means in this Figure taking the form of an inclined surface (17) which is present in said section (19).

[0304] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of an elongate protrusion (1) of the kind described in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cross-section being taken perpendicular to the length of the elongate protrusion. The elongate protrusion (1) has cover (8) which encases the internal structure of the elongate protrusion, and an upper surface (10) which is disposed towards the interior of the drum (not shown). The Figure shows the curved base (20) of the elongate protrusion in the typical and preferred embodiment of a cylindrical drum. The elongate protrusion has a first, leading side (21) and a second, trailing side (9) during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. Arrows (a) to (h) illustrate the sequential flow path of solid particulate material during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction through collecting aperture (3), first portion (13) of a collecting flow path, transferring aperture (5) and into the common internal flow path (14), in which it is transferred towards the proximal end of the elongate protrusion within the Archimedean screw arrangement in a substantially helical flow path.

[0305] FIG. 6 illustrates an elongate protrusion (1) of the kind described in FIGS. 1 to 5, which is disposed within a cylindrical rotatable drum having an end wall (22) and an inner surface (23). The storage means (not shown) is located within the end wall (22).

[0306] FIG. 6 also illustrates the location of tie bar (24) in the embodiment wherein the common internal flow path is constituted by the walls of a series of separate modular sections, wherein the modular sections are joined together linearly by means of a tie-bar which extends from the first to the last modular section.

[0307] It will be appreciated that FIGS. 1 to 6 are particularly representative of the central entry embodiment referred to herein.

[0308] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of an elongate protrusion according to a peripheral entry embodiment, as described herein, and in particular according to the first configuration of the peripheral entry embodiment. The cross-section is taken perpendicular to the length of the elongate protrusion having a plurality of collecting apertures in the same way as FIG. 5. The arrows show the sequential flow path of solid particulate material during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction through collecting aperture (3), first portion (13) of a collecting flow path, and through transferring aperture (5) which is located at the periphery of the common internal flow path (14), and into the common internal flow path (14). Again, solid particulate material is transferred towards the proximal end of the elongate protrusion in a substantially helical flow path within the Archimedean screw arrangement during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. A deflector rib comprises a first deflector rib portion (16a) and a second deflector rib portion (16b) which bias solid particulate material away the transferring aperture.

[0309] FIG. 8 is a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 7 and illustrates a transferring aperture (5) having vanes or louvres (25a, 25b) which extend across the cross-sectional area of the aperture, so that the transferring aperture becomes a plurality of slits.

[0310] FIG. 9 illustrates the second configuration of the peripheral entry embodiment as described herein. The transferring aperture (5) is located in the periphery of the common internal flow path (14) at a position which is closer to the first side (21) of the elongate protrusion than to the second side (9) of the elongate protrusion, wherein the second side (9) is the trailing side of the elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. The first portion (13) of a collecting flow path is S-shaped and disposed along the first side (21).

[0311] FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c illustrates the “double helix embodiment”, in which the common internal flow path (14) and said first portions (13, 13a, 13b) of a collecting flow path are arranged as a double helical Archimedean screw, in which the common internal flow path is in helical juxtaposition with the first portions of said collecting paths along the elongate protrusion. In this embodiment, solid particulate material flows from a collecting aperture into the common internal flow path such that said material arrives at a location which is approximately central within the common internal flow path. FIG. 10b shows the cross-section of the elongate protrusion in the section through a first portion (13) of a collecting flow path. FIG. 10c shows the cross-section of the elongate protrusion in the section through the common internal flow path (14).

[0312] FIG. 11 illustrates a harvesting (or herringbone) flow path located in the base of an elongate protrusion (1). A plurality of harvesting apertures (26a, 26b, 26c) is disposed on the second side (9) of the elongate protrusion (wherein the second side (9) is the trailing side of the elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction, and the leading side of the elongate protrusion during rotation of the drum in a dispensing direction). A first series of vanes (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e) is arranged to form a first series of U-shapes (28a, 28b), and a second series of vanes (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e) is arranged to form a second series of U-shapes (30a, 30b, 30c), wherein said first and second series of vanes and U-shapes are disposed in an opposing, interlocking (but non-contacting) and staggered arrangement, to form a chain of open compartments which provides a tortuous pathway from the harvesting apertures to the storage means (not shown).

[0313] FIG. 12a illustrates harvesting apertures disposed on the second side (9) of elongate protrusion (1a). During rotation of the drum (not shown) in a dispensing direction, solid particulate material present in the interior of the drum enters harvesting apertures (26a to 26f) and passes through the harvesting flow path (not shown) to the storage means (not shown) in the end wall (22) of the drum. Also partially shown in FIG. 12a is a further elongate protrusion (1b)

[0314] FIG. 12b illustrates the chain of open compartments which constitutes the harvesting flow path of the elongate protrusion of FIG. 12a, and also illustrates a further example of the arrangement of vanes in the harvesting flow path. During rotation of the drum (not shown) in a dispensing direction, solid particulate material present in the interior of the drum enters harvesting apertures (26a to 26f located in the second side (9) of elongate protrusion (1a). The harvesting flow path comprises a first series of vanes which describes a first series of U-shapes (28a to 28g), wherein each pair of adjacent U-shapes are interrupted by a harvesting aperture. The first series of vanes and associated U-shapes are disposed adjacent the inner surface of the drum and closer to said inner surface than said second series of vanes. The harvesting flow path further comprises a second series of seven vanes (31a, 31c, 31e, 31g, 31i, 31k, 31m) which define a series of six U-shapes, wherein said second series of vanes are disposed in an opposing, interlocking and staggered arrangement with the first series of vanes, thereby defining a tortuous flow path from the harvesting apertures to the storage means in a manner which provides a tortuous flow path from the harvesting aperture(s) to the storage means. In the arrangement of FIG. 12b, it will be noted that at the start of the harvesting flow path, i.e. the end of the harvesting flow path which is closer to the distal end of the elongate protrusion, the first vane of the first series contacts the first vane of the second series in order to provide an end to the harvesting flow path. A plurality of rotations of the drum in the dispensing direction causes solid particulate material to flow along the harvesting flow path in the direction of arrow (G) towards the proximal end of the elongate protrusion and into the storage means.

[0315] FIG. 13 illustrates a section of the apparatus showing the end wall (41) of the drum having disposed therein storage means (42). A first elongate protrusion (43a) comprises a dispensing aperture (44) at its distal end and a dispensing flow path (45) which is configured as an Archimedean screw.

[0316] FIG. 14 illustrates a larger section of the drum showing the first elongate protrusion and a second elongate protrusion 43b.

[0317] FIG. 15 shows the region of the apparatus where elongate protrusion (43a) meets the end wall (41) of the drum in which is disposed the storage means. Solid particulate material enters the storage means via the collecting flow path (46) and collecting aperture (47). A portion of deflector wall (48) separates the collecting flow path (46) from the dispensing flow path (45).

[0318] FIG. 16 shows in more detail the arrangement of the dispensing flow path (45), collecting flow path (46) and deflector wall (48) from the opposite side, relative to FIG. 15. A portion of elongate protrusion (43a) is also shown. One-way flap-valve (49) prevents egress of solid particulate material from the storage means into the interior of the drum via the collecting pathway.

[0319] FIG. 17 shows collecting aperture (47) in the proximal end of elongate protrusion (43a) at the end wall (41) of the drum.

[0320] FIG. 18 shows a larger perspective view of the end wall (41) of a drum comprising storage means in three sections (41a, 41b, and 41c) allowing it to be retrofitted to existing drums. The figure also shows elongate protrusions (43a, 43b and 43c).

[0321] FIG. 19 shows the end wall (41) of a drum comprising storage means therein, and elongate protrusions (43a, 43b and 43c) disposed on the cylindrical inner surface (50) of the drum.

[0322] FIG. 20 shows certain elements of a rotatable drum (52) having an end wall (41) and a cylindrical inner surface (50), and located in a housing (51), wherein the interior of the drum is accessed by access means (53) and wherein the drum is connected to drive shaft (54) from a drive means (not shown) to effect rotation of the drum.

[0323] FIG. 21 shows the arrangement of FIG. 20 wherein a storage means (42) is disposed in, or retrofitted onto, the existing end wall (41) of the drum.

[0324] FIGS. 22 and 23 show an arrangement with a plurality of storage means (42a, 42b) and a plurality of elongate protrusions (43a, 43b).

[0325] FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 show an elongate protrusion (43d), having the paternoster configuration described herein, wherein the dispensing flow path comprises a chain of open compartments (55a, b) formed by a first series of inclined, substantially parallel vanes (56a, b) and a second series of inclined, substantially parallel vanes (57a, b). FIG. 26 shows the elongate protrusion and dispensing flow path in dissembled form.

[0326] FIG. 27 shows a multi-compartment storage means located in the end-wall of the drum as hereinbefore described, comprising compartments 58a, 58b and 58c. Each compartment is in fluid communication with an adjacent compartment via communicating apertures 59a, 59b and 59c. Each compartment is associated with a single lifter 60a and 60c (lifter 60b not shown), and each compartment is associated with a single dispensing flow path (45a) and a single collecting flow path (46a) (shown only for compartment 58a).

[0327] FIG. 28 shows a cross-section of a drum having a generally frusto-conical surface (61), inclined downwardly from the front of the drum (62) to the end wall of the drum (63), i.e. such that the internal diameter of the drum increases towards the end wall of the drum.

[0328] FIG. 29 shows a section (64) of a frusto-conical surface suitable for retro-fitting to a conventional apparatus for converting a drum having a cylindrical inner surface to a drum having a frusto-conical inner surface. Such a frusto-conical surface section is suitable as an insert for disposing between elongate protrusions (not shown) disposed on the inner surface of the drum (not shown).

[0329] FIGS. 30 to 34 illustrate the Double Herringbone arrangement in respect of an elongate protrusion according to Embodiment B disclosed herein.

[0330] FIG. 30 shows additional collecting apertures (32a to 32g) in the first side (21) of an elongate lifter (1a) where it meets the inner wall of the drum (not shown). The lifter further comprises collecting aperture (47) and dispensing aperture (6). FIG. 30 further shows a portion of the end wall of the drum (41).

[0331] FIG. 31 shows harvesting apertures (26a to 26i) in the second side (9) of elongate lifter (1a) where it meets the inner wall of the drum (not shown).

[0332] FIG. 32 corresponds to FIG. 30 but wherein the top cover and the first side of the elongate protrusion (1a) have been removed to illustrate the internal structure of the elongate protrusion, i.e. the chain of open compartments which constitute the dispensing flow path (45).

[0333] FIG. 33 corresponds to FIG. 31 but wherein the top cover and the second side (9) of the elongate protrusion (1a) have been removed to illustrate the internal structure, namely the series of open compartments which constitute the harvesting flow path (33). FIG. 33 further shows the portion of the dispensing flow path (45) which connects the storage means (not shown) with the chain of open compartments of the dispensing flow path shown in FIG. 32. The portion of the harvesting flow path marked as (33a) in FIG. 33 is in fluid communication with the storage means, i.e. it is the portion of the harvesting flow path where solid particulate material passes from the harvesting flow path to the storage means during rotation of the drum.

[0334] FIG. 34 shows the end wall of the drum (41) and a portion of elongate lifter (1a) having harvesting apertures (26g, 26h, 26i) in the second side (9) thereof. FIG. 34 further shows an arrangement of the dispensing flow path (45), the portion of the harvesting flow path (33a) which is in fluid communication with the storage means, and the one-way flap valve (49) through which solid particulate material passes from the collecting flow path (not shown) to the storage means.

[0335] FIG. 35 illustrates the third configuration of the peripheral entry embodiment as described herein. The transferring aperture (5) (which in this figure is defined by a slot) is located in the periphery of the common internal flow path at a position which is distal to the inner wall of the drum and proximal to the rotational axis of the drum, and nearest the apex of the elongate protrusion (1). A first deflector rib portion (16a) and a second deflector rib portion (16b) are associated with the transferring aperture (5) and extend between opposing surfaces of an Archimedean screw arrangement. A collecting aperture (3) is disposed in the first side (21) of the elongate protrusion (1), which is the leading side during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. The core (70) of the Archimedean screw is disposed eccentrically.

[0336] FIG. 36 shows an arrangement wherein a first portion (80) of a collecting flow path is equipped with a first series of vanes (81a, 81b, 81c) and a second series of vanes (82a, 82b) disposed in an opposing and staggered arrangement, and in an interlocking but non-contacting arrangement. The first series of vanes is disposed on a first internal wall (83) of said first portion (80) and said second series of vanes is disposed on second internal wall (84) of said first portion, wherein said first and second internal walls face each other. The vanes of each series are angled away from an internal wall of said first portion in the direction of flow of solid particulate from the collecting aperture (3) to the transferring aperture (not shown). The first and second series of vanes thereby permit flow of solid particulate material from the collecting aperture to the transferring aperture but discourage flow in the opposite direction, and provide a tortuous pathway from the collecting aperture to the transferring aperture which biases solid particulate material towards the common internal flow path during rotation of the drum.

[0337] FIG. 37 illustrates an elongate protrusion (1) wherein the collecting aperture is a slot (90) which extends along the base of the first side (21) of said elongate protrusion (1), which is the leading side during rotation of the drum in a collecting direction. The collecting aperture (90) is in fluid communication with a plurality of collecting flow paths (not shown), each of which has a first flow portion (not shown) which is in fluid communication with the common internal flow path (14) via a transferring aperture (5). A series of vertical guide ribs (91) is disposed in front of the slot (90) to define a series of collecting channels which are in fluid communication with the interior of the drum (not shown) and said slot (90).