Particulate handling
OwnerPatrick Gerrard Sheehaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for filling at least a pair of drums substantially simultaneously whilst minimising the manual handling of the drums. The apparatus includes an inlet port, at least two outlet ports and division means for substantially dividing a stream of pellets entering the hopper via the inlet port and direct a stream of pellets towards each outlet port.
Claims26
A loading hopper which includes an inlet port, at least two outlet ports, and division means arranged to substantially divide a stream of pellets entering the hopper via the inlet port and direct a stream of pellets towards each outlet port.
A hopper according to any preceding claim, wherein each outlet port is shaped and configured such that bisection of the stream of pellets is by way of the stream of pellets impacting an edge defined by the intersection of a pair of side walls of the hopper.
A hopper according to any preceding claim, wherein the division means includes one or more baffles or dividing plates located within the hopper.
A hopper according to any preceding claim wherein the pellets are transported to the hopper in a conveying gas, the conveying gas is preferably drawn out of the hopper via a conveying gas outlet port.
A hopper according to any preceding claim which includes at least one aperture adjacent to each outlet port.
A hopper according to any preceding claim which further includes a hopper support frame typically having at least one support post which may be permanently or releasably fixed to the hopper.
A hopper according to any preceding claim, wherein each outlet port has a reversible port closure means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.