Rotary processing apparatus

Abstract

This apparatus comprises a supporting frame for two upstanding chutes though which flowable, particulate materials may be applied. These materials flow down the chutes though an opening in the top skirt plate supported by the frame and into a processing area such as the rotor of a centrifugal impact milling machine. A motor is mounted for horizontal pivotal movement relative to the chutes and drives a vertical spindle located between the chutes that is connected to the rotary processing member below the skirt such as the rotor of a centrifugal impact machine. A hopper is provided to swing pivotally downward below the rotor in a damped fashion, the pivoting mechanism being fixed to the top skirt and enabling one man removability of the hopper to allow access to the rotor or the inside of the hopper for cleaning, maintenance, etc. A single man, by pulling up on the hopper and abetted by the upward-biasing effect of a gas spring component of the pivoting mechanism, can remount the hopper in its normal fixed position. Provision is made for easy withdrawal of the shaft or spindle assembly from the top after the rotor has been detached therefrom. The shaft or spindle assembly also includes at its lower end an easily removable seal cartridge that can be extracted from below by appropriate extraction tools engaging passageways in the cartridge after a transverse retaining pin, accessible from the outside of the spindle housing, is pulled out from engagement with a corresponding retaining channel in the seal cartridge itself.