# US 4,396,045 A · Feed chute for particulate materials > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,396,045 A - Document ID: US4396045A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/251,677 - Filed: 1981-04-06 - Granted: 1983-08-02 - Earliest claimed: 1981-04-06 - Assignees: Hercules Incorporated - Inventors: Gilbert E. Cain - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396045A ## CPC - B65B 39/04: having air-escape, or air-withdrawal, passages - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract Apparatus to be used when pouring particulate matter into a container, for substantially eliminating the dust cloud and loss of material associated with particulate matter flow, by allowing for the escape of air while retaining the particulate material in a vessel and dissipating any buildup of electrostatic energy associated with the flow of particulate matter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for filling an open container with particulate material while reducing formation and release of dust, said apparatus comprising a cover for closure of said open container; an aperture in said cover to receive an incoming downstream flow of solid particulate material and partially vent gas displaced upstream by said incoming flow; a plurality of openings in said cover arranged peripherally with respect to said aperture to accelerate venting of gas displaced upstream from the container by said incoming flow of solid particulate material; a hollow dust tube comprising gas permeable filter material having upper and lower open ends, the upper open end being feedably arranged downstream from said aperture, fitted through said aperture and secured in filter tight relationship with respect to the plurality of openings in said cover, the lower open end being tapered through at least a portion of its length to substantially conform to the approximate cross-sectional diameter of the downstream-directed particulate flow stream, to moderately impede the flow of particulate material through said lower open end and block the free upstream passage of displaced gas and dust through said lower open end, whereby substantially all upstream displaced gas from the container passes through dust filter material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dust tube includes means for dissipating static electricity associated with said particulate matter flow. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) The apparatus of claims 1 or 2 including means for demountably securing said dust tube to said cover. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2) The apparatus of claims 1 or 2 wherein said cover comprises a first covering member and a second covering member, said first covering member being a flat sheet, having attached thereto a cylindrical first sleeve having an internal diameter at least as large as the diameter of said aperture, wherein one of the open ends of said first sleeve is adjacent to and in registration with said aperture, and the other group end of said first sleeve is in communication with and provides support for said dust tube in the area of contact between said dust tube and said first covering member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said dust tube has an adjustable opening at said lower open end to substantially conform to the approximate cross-sectional area of the particulate matter stream flowing through said lower open end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first sleeve is attached to said first member on its surface toward the exterior of the container to be filled, said dust tube is secured about the periphery of the aperture in said cover by said first sleeve of said first covering member and by said second covering member which includes a flat ring having a second central circular aperture, and a second sleeve, said second sleeve having a cross-sectional area slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of said second aperture said second sleeve being attached to said second covering member such that said second sleeve is in registration with said second aperture, the external diameter of said second sleeve being less than the internal diameter of said first sleeve such that a portion near the first open end of said dust tube can be demountably engaged in the annular region between the interior of said first sleeve and the exterior of said second sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second covering member has a plurality of openings therethrough, said openings located between the periphery of said second aperture and the outer edge of said flat ring, said openings in communication with the interior of said container to be filled through the annular region between the interior of said second sleeve and the external surface of said dust tube to accelerate escape of displaced air or vapors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said dust tube is a conductive woven fabric in conductive contact with said first covering member which is in conductive contact with earth ground to dissipate static electricity associated with said particulate matter flow.