Hopper for storing free flowing solid material

A hopper apparatus for the storage and controlled discharge of free-flowing solid material, said apparatus comprising:

• a peripheral side wall having an inverted frustoconical configuration with upper and lower open ends;
• a conical body positioned within said peripheral side wall and defining therewith an annular space for storage of free-flowing solid material, said conical body having a lower end;
• one of said lower ends of said peripheral side wall and said conical body extending downwardly below the other of said lower ends and defining an inclined downward extension;
• said lower ends of said peripheral side wall and said conical body defining therebetween an annular discharge port for discharging solid material from said annular space toward said extension, such that the discharged solid material flows in an inclined path along said extension;
• means for controlling the amount of said solid material to be discharged through said discharge port, said controlling means including an annular gate member mounted annularly adjacent said discharge port for vertical movement upwardly and downwardly to relatively open and close said discharge port, respectively;
• and
• means for conveying solid material discharged from said discharge port, said conveying means including an annular table mounted for rotation below said discharge port.