Apparatus for filling containers with difficultly-flowable material

Apparatus for emptying and filling fire-extinguishers with difficultly-flowable fire-extinguishing powder, comprising separator means including a filter, a transparent funnel-shaped outlet means below said filter, and a dust-proof butterfly valve for controlling flow of powder through said outlet means;

• means for conveying said powder from a container containing the same to said separator means, including suction means for drawing air from the atmosphere and for conveying by suction an admixture of powder and air from said supply to said separator means below said filter, said suction means including conduit means connected to the separator means above said filter for causing by suction a flow of air upwardly through said filter and thence out of said separator means to the atmosphere;
• a universal flange on said outlet means for connecting said outlet means to the fire-extinguisher to be filled;
• clamping means for securely holding the container during removal of powder therefrom;
• an elevator table, support means on said table for holding a fire-extinguisher thereon during filling of said fire-extinguisher, said support means having a fork-shaped receiving fixture, movable bolts on said fixture, magnetic heads on said bolts for holding a fire extinguisher in place, and set-screw means for securing said bolts, and a crank drive for lifting the table until the fire-extinguisher thereon is sealed by said universal flange;
• said separator means being operable to filter powder from the admixture of powder and air flowing upwardly through the filter in the separator means and to allow the separated powder to fall into said funnel-shaped outlet means;
• and means for cleaning said filter and separator means, including means for flowing air downwardly through said filter and means for vibrating said filter and separator means.