Glass batch inlet and cleaning device

A glass batch inlet and cleaning device, comprising:

• an outer tubular housing extending from an upper end to a lower end and including a side inlet, the lower end of the housing defining an outlet;
• an inner tubular chopper including a side inlet relief in registration with the side inlet of the outer tubular housing;
• a cover coupled to the upper end of the outer tubular housing opposite of the outlet;
• and
• an actuator carried by the cover and coupled to the inner tubular chopper to move the chopper with respect to the outer tubular housing.

A method of using a glass batch inlet and cleaning device, the method comprising:

• providing a glass batch inlet and cleaning device that includes an outer tubular housing that defines an interior and an outlet from the device and that further includes a side inlet, the glass batch inlet and cleaning device also including an inner tubular chopper slidable within the outer tubular housing and a cover on the outer tubular housing;
• passing glass batch through the glass batch inlet and cleaning device and into a glass melter, the glass batch being introduced into the interior of the outer tubular housing through the side inlet and then passing through the interior and out of the outlet of the housing and into the glass melter through an inlet of the glass melter;
• and
• activating an actuator carried by the cover and coupled to the inner tubular chopper to centrally actuate the chopper with respect to the outer tubular housing from a raised position, in which a chopping end of the chopper is within the outer tubular housing, to a lowered position, in which the chopping end extends out of the outer tubular housing and beyond the outlet.