Apparatus for filling a container with bulk material

An apparatus for filling a first container with sand, the first container being for use in sanding systems that support braking and drive technology of rail vehicles, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage container for the sand having a closable lid and an outlet;
• a metering device arranged below the storage container;
• a pneumatic conveying device for conveying the sand with compressed air into the first container via a conveying hose having a blow-out lance at a free end of the conveying hose;
• a control device configured to control a filling process of the first container;
• a suction-removal nozzle arranged on the blow-out lance, the suction-removal nozzle being connected via a suction hose to a suction and dedusting device having a filter and a dust collecting container;
• and
• an electro-optical distance measuring device connected to the control device and arranged with a light guide for measuring a filling level of the sand in the first container during the filling process, the control device being connected to a second measuring device configured to detect the filling level of the sand in the first container and to a sensor in the storage container for detecting a filling level of the sand in the storage container, the second measuring device and the sensor being connected to a superordinate control exchange center, the suction-removal nozzle being coaxially arranged around the blow-out lance, a free end of the light guide of the electro-optical distance measuring device being arranged at a region of the blow-out lance on the suction-removal nozzle.