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US 4,284,372 AGranted
Efficient handling and charging system for expanded, low-density, loose-fill packaging material(s)
AssigneeThe Dow Chemical Company
InventorLayle V. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuous handling and dispensing system for pneumatically conveyable, particulate packaging materials, such as foamed plastic dunnage, involves continuous, air-entrained circulation of the material in an essentially closed loop header installation. The header is most advantageously connected to a plurality of dispensing hoppers. Baffles are employed to deflect gas and material into the hoppers and prevent plugging of the header.
Claims20
In a handling and dispensing system for filling containers and the like with expanded, low-density, loose-fill packaging material which is comprised of and wherein there are included:
- (a) a main supply storage hopper for said loose-fill material;
- which is integrally in the circuit of
- (b) a circulating system having at least a main header run for air-entrained conveyance of said loose-fill material out of and back into said main hopper (a);
- and
- (c) air blowing means for entraining and carrying said loose-fill material through said circulating system (b);
- with
- (d) a main header run in said circulating system (b) from which said loose-fill material is supplied and diverted;
- to
- (e) at least a single packaging station in said system whereat said loose-fill material is dispensed for package filling and/or cushioning purposes;
- with
- (f) each packaging station (e) having a separate holding and dispersing hopper for individual station supply of said loose-fill material;
- and
- (g) each packaging station (e) having a distributing tube from its said holding hopper (f) to let out and dispense said loose-fill material for said packaging and cushioning purposes from each of said station holding hoppers (f);
- and also
- (h) control valve means in each of said distributing tubes (g) for regulating the package filling flow of said loose-fill material from out of said distributing tube;
- with
- (i) at least one diversion fitting(s) in said main header run (d) with (j) outlet(s) therein for feeding said loose-fill material to each separate holding hopper (f) at each single packaging station (e);
- the improvement comprising:
- (k) baffle means in each diversion fitting (i) which are within the confines of the said main header run (d) and situate over and above the entry of each outlet (j) into said main header run (d) within each of said fittings (i) with the further limitation that the baffle means extends upstream and downstream beyond lateral edges of the discharge outlet, whereby and whereupon
- air-entrained loose-fill material is so deflected and diverted into each of said holding hoppers (f) as to at least substantially avoid if not entirely prevent plugging of said loose-fill material in said main header run (d).
17 more elements
In a handling and dispensing system for filling containers and the like with expanded, low-density, loose-fill packaging material which is comprised of and wherein there are included:
- (a) a main supply storage hopper for said loose-fill material;
- which is integrally in the circuit of
- (b) a circulating system having at least a main header run for air-entrained conveyance of said loose-fill material out of and back into said main hopper (a);
- and
- (c) air blowing means for entraining and carrying said loose-fill material through said circulating system (b);
- with
- (d) a main header run in said circulating system (b) from which said loose-fill material is supplied and diverted;
- to
- (e) at least a single packaging station in said system whereat said loose-fill material is dispensed for package filling and/or cushioning purposes;
- with
- (f) each packaging station (e) having a separate holding and dispersing hopper for individual station supply of said loose-fill material;
- and
- (g) each packaging station (e) having a distributing tube from its said holding hopper (f) to let out and dispense said loose-fill material for said packaging and cushioning purposes from each of said station holding hoppers (f);
- and also
- (h) control valve means in each of said distributing tubes (g) for regulating the package filling flow of said loose-fill material from out of said distributing tube;
- with
- (i) at least one diversion fitting (s) in said main header run (d) with (j) outlet(s) therein for feeding said loose-fill material to each separate holding hopper (f) at each single packaging station (e);
- the improvement comprising:
- (k) baffle means in each diversion fitting (i) which are within the confines of the said main header run (d) and situate over and above the entry of each outlet (j) into said main header run (d) within each of said fittings (i)
- said baffle means (k) extends beyond the respective lateral edges of the discharge outlet (j) in said fitting (i) so as to have:
- a downward or downstream extension overlap length that is between about 35% and about 50% of the general diameter of said main header run (d) and said fitting (i);
- and
- an inlet or upstream extension overlap length that is between about 15% and about 30% of the general diameter of said main header run (d) and said fitting (i).
20 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.