Method and apparatus for manufacturing microfibrillated cellulose fiber

Abstract

The invention provides a regulating apparatus ( 10 ) for regulating the movement of spherical elements from one location, typically from a container ( 14 ), to another. The apparatus ( 10 ) includes a cylindrical tubular member ( 18 ) and a feed head ( 20 ) mounted in the spherical tubular member ( 18 ) so that it is rotatable relative thereto about an axis of rotation ( 22 ). A feed passage ( 32 ) opens upwardly out of a radially outer edge portion of the feed head ( 20 ). As the feed head ( 20 ) rotates, spherical elements enter the feed passage ( 32 ) and are discharged therefrom.

1 . A method of controlling the movement of spherical elements which includes the steps of 
 feeding the spherical elements into a downwardly directed feed path;    rotating a feed head in the feed path to regulate the movement of the spherical elements through a feed passage which leads from the feed path; and    regulating the rate at which the spherical elements enter the feed passage.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes feeding the spherical elements from a container in which the elements are contained into the feed path.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , in which regulating the rate at which spherical elements enter the feed passage includes permitting the spherical elements to enter the feed passage only at one or more predetermined positions of the feed head.  
   
   
       4 . Regulating apparatus for regulating the movement of spherical elements from one location to another, which apparatus includes 
 a feed path defining means defining a downwardly extending feed path within which spherical elements are receivable;    at least one feed passage leading from the feed path;    a feed bead mounted for rotation in the feed path to regulate the flaw of spherical elements from the feed path into the feed passage; and    regulating means for regulating the rate at which spherical elements pass through the feed passage.    
   
   
       5 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the feed path extends downwardly from an outlet of a container containing the spherical elements.  
   
   
       6 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  or  claim 5 , in which the feed passage is dimensioned to permit the passage of spherical elements in single file therethrough.  
   
   
       7 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 4  to  6 , inclusive, in which the feed passage has an upper end which opens upwardly out of the feed head.  
   
   
       8 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the feed head has an upper surface which Is inclined so as to feed the spherical elements in the feed path towards the upper end of the feed passage.  
   
   
       9 . Regulating apparatus as claimed In  claim 8 , in which the upper surface of the feed head tapers upwardly inwardly from a radially outer edge thereof, the upper end of the fed passage opening out of the feed head at a radially outer edge region thereof.  
   
   
       10 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the regulating means includes a discontinuous barrier which covers the upper end of the feed passage and inhibits the entry of spherical elements into the feed passage for part of the rotation of the feed head.  
   
   
       11 . Regulating apparatus as claimed In  claim 10 , in which the barrier is formed by a circumferential shoulder which is positioned adjacent the upper surface of the radially outer edge region of the feed head, the shoulder having at least one radially inwardly and downwardly open recess in which recess a spherical element Is receivable.  
   
   
       12 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , in which a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses is provided in the shoulder.  
   
   
       13 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 4  to  6 , inclusive, in which the feed passage has an upper end which opens upwardly into the fee path, a lower end which is angularly offset from the upper end and an intermediate portion extending between the upper and lower ends.  
   
   
       14 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , in which the lower end is angularly offset from the upper end in the direction of rotation of the feed head.  
   
   
       15 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the intermediate portion extends circumferentially adjacent to a radially outer surface of the feed head for at least part of its length.  
   
   
       16 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 13  to  15 , inclusive, in which a plurality of circumferentially spas feed passages is provided.  
   
   
       17 . A nuclear power plant which includes a spherical element handling system including at least one regulating apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 4  to  16 , inclusive.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , substantially as described and illustrated herein.  
   
   
       19 . Regulating apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  substantially as described herein.  
   
   
       20 . A new method, apparatus or power plant substantially as described and illustrated herein.