Material feed system for melter kettles

A method of charging material into a melter kettle which comprises:

• providing a melter kettle having a top;
• providing a feed system for the melter kettle which includes:
• a hopper for receiving material to be fed into the melter kettle;
• a material transport tube having one end coupled to the hopper and another end coupled to a material feed inlet in the top of the melter kettle;
• a rotatable auger in the material transport tube for moving material therethrough;
• a flame conductor assembly provided in the top of the melter kettle remote from the hopper for releasing any flames or gasses that build up in the melter kettle;
• and
• an air intake duct provided in the top of the melter kettle through which free air is allowed to enter into the melter kettle so as to equalize pressure with the atmosphere and/or burn off any superheated material;
• opening the air intake duct to allow air to enter the melter kettle;
• feeling material into the hopper;
• and
• activating the auger so as to transport material from the hopper and into the melter kettle.

A thermoplastic striping vehicle which comprises:

• a chassis;
• at least one melter kettle in combination with a material feed system which includes:
• a hopper for receiving material to be fed into the at least one melter kettle;
• a material transport tube having one end coupled to the hopper and another end coupled to a material feed inlet in the top of the at least one melter kettle;
• a rotatable auger in the material transport tube for moving material therethrough;
• and
• a flame conductor assembly provided in the top of the at least one melter kettle remote from the hopper for releasing any flames or gasses that build up in the at least one melter kettle.