Incinerator feeding system

Claim 1

A feeding system for an incinerator having a housing enclosing a combustion chamber comprising: means defining a generally horizontal platform within the housing, in communication with heat genErated in the combustion chamber; inclined trough means leading from the platform to the combustion chamber, the inclined trough means also being in communication with heat generated in the combustion chamber; upstanding wall means about the platform to confine material transport to proceeding from the platform onto the inclined trough means; conduit means extending through the housing over the platform, whereby material such as sludge forwarded into the housing through the conduit will fall onto the platform; a multiple, radiating bladed agitator disposed upon the generally horizontal platform, these blades including ones having leading cutting edges for stirring and communicating said material falling onto said platform; driving means under the pressure, operatively connected to the agitator, for rotating the agitator with the leading cutting edges presented angularly forwardly, whereby material such as sludge, landing on the platform, is comminuted to expose more surface area thereof to heating and drying, and that as more material continues to land on the platform, the agitator propels the material it has comminuted into the inclined trough wherein the combined effect of gravity and of more comminuted material being propelled into the trough by the agitator, causes the comminuted material to slide down the inclined trough and into the combustion chamber.