US3578216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prevention of arching compaction of discrete material in gravity feed hoppers
Assignee: WILLIAM S PEARSON
•
Filing: 1968-12-03
•
Granted: 1971-05-11
•
Expires: 1988-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Arching compaction of discrete material in gravity feed hoppers is prevented by directing a stream of fluid upwardly from adjacent to the discharge outlet of the hopper.
Inventors
- 👤 William S Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:53
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/54; B65D88/64; B65D88/70; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/285; B29C48/288; B29C48/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of preventing arching compaction of discrete material in a gravity feed hopper having a lower discharge outlet and a normal arching compaction zone of the material in an area above the outlet, comprising: directing a stream of fluid from a nozzle upwardly from adjacent to said discharge outlet but below the compaction zone and into the material countercurrent to flow of the material in the hopper; and with said stream agitating the material and inhibiting the arching compaction propensity of the material whereby to assure free feeding flow of the material to said outlet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of preventing arching compaction of discrete material in a gravity feed hopper having a lower discharge outlet and a normal arching compaction zone of the material in an area above the outlet, comprising: directing a stream of fluid from a nozzle upwardly from adjacent to said discharge outlet but below the compaction zone and into the material countercurrent to flow of the material in the hopper; and with said stream agitating the material and inhibiting the arching compaction propensity of the material whereby to assure free feeding flow of the material to said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising directing said stream as an air blast acting on substantially the entire compaction area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising directing a plurality of fluid streams upwardly in the manner of said first mentioned stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, including receiving the material from said outlet and conveying the material away therefrom by operating a rotary drive shaft, and effecting intermittent delivery of fluid to said nozzle responsive to rotations of said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 3, including receiving and conveying the material away from said outlet by means having a rotary drive shaft, and effecting timed directing of said plurality of fluid streams responsive to rotations of said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
Means for preventing arching compaction of discrete material in a gravity feed hopper having a lower discharge outlet and a normal arching compaction zone of the material in an area above said outlet, comprising: a nozzle for directing a stream of fluid upwardly from adjacent to said discharge outlet but below said compaction zone and into the material countercurrent to flow of the material in the hopper; said stream being operative to agitate the material to inhibit the arching compaction prepensity of the material whereby to assure gravity feed material flow to said outlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
Means for preventing arching compaction of discrete material in a gravity feed hopper having a lower discharge outlet and a normal arching compaction zone of the material in an area above said outlet, comprising: a nozzle for directing a stream of fluid upwardly from adjacent to said discharge outlet but below said compaction zone and into the material countercurrent to flow of the material in the hopper; said stream being operative to agitate the material to inhibit the arching compaction prepensity of the material whereby to assure gravity feed material flow to said outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Means according to claim 6, including means for supplying air to said nozzle as the fluid, said nozzle being operative to direct the air as a blast acting on substantially the entire compaction area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Means according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of stream-directing nozzles located in complementary relation to one another and relative to said outlet and operative to direct respective streams upwardly into the compaction zone in the material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
Means according to claim 8, including means receiving material flowing from said hOpper through said outlet and conveying the material away therefrom and having a rotary drive shaft, means for supplying fluid to said nozzles including respective control valves, and means on said shaft operative in the rotation of the shaft to control said valves to effect timed delivery of fluid to said nozzles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus incorporating the means according to claim 6, and comprising, means receiving material flowing from said hopper through said outlet and conveying the material away therefrom including a rotary drive shaft, means for supplying fluid to said nozzle including a control valve, and means on said shaft operative to control said valve to effect intermittent delivery of fluid to said nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |