Concentric auger feeder

Abstract

A concentric auger feeder with the larger diameter outer auger having a flighting direction opposite that of the small or inner auger installed in the core of the outer auger. The two screw conveyors are connected to a reversible motor drive by a reversing clutch with the inner auger driven by the motor. To convey large amounts of ingredients, the clutch is engaged by a reversal of the driven input and the large screw conveyor conveys the ingredient at a large flow rate. As the desired amount of ingredient is approached, the motor is reversed, the clutch then disengages, and the inner screw conveyor will then convey the final amount of ingredient with a much more accurate cut off weight. This amount of ingredient is accessible to the inner auger because the slots in the tube core of the outer auger allow material to flow into the inner screw conveyor. Both inner and outer screw conveyors convey material to the same outlet point of the hopper.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.