Apparatus for removing frangible objects from a container
OwnerJack Harrisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Frangible objects that become packed in large containers are removed by crushing the objects while they are still in the containers. A motor-driven crushing assembly is lowered into the container, where rotating strikers come into contact with the frangible objects and break the objects into smaller fragments. The broken fragments are guided into a guiding chute, from which they may be removed by conventional industrial vacuum equipment. The invention may be used for unloading ceramic packing from acid towers.
Claims10
An apparatus for unloading frangible packing members from an acid processing tank, comprising:
- a crushing assembly adapted for positioning inside the tank, said crushing assembly comprising a motor-driven means for breaking the packing members into fragments;
- and
- a guiding chute mounted in secure attachment with said crushing assembly for guiding the fragments toward a removal conduit, said crushing assembly comprising a plurality of rotatable strikers for imparting a breaking force on said packing members during rotation of said strikers.
A method of unloading ceramic packing from a processing tank, the method comprising the following steps:
- providing a crushing assembly comprising a plurality of rotatable crushing strikers and a guiding chute;
- lowering the crushing assembly into the processing tank and positioning said crushing strikers in contact with said ceramic packing;
- providing a motor-driven unit for moving said crushing strikers;
- causing rotation of said crushing strikers and imparting a crushing force on said ceramic packing, thereby breaking said ceramic packing into fragments;
- and
- guiding said fragments into the guiding chute for removal from said processing tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.