Impeller loading device

Claim 1

Bulk handling apparatus for conveying flaky, powered or fine particulate materials in highly compacted form, comprising: A. impeller means for imparting linear momentum to the particulate material without entraining air therein, said impeller means including: 1. a rotatable disc, 2. a plurality of impeller blades mounted on one side of said rotatable disc, each said impeller blade extending generally radially inwardly from the periphery of said rotatable disc, each said impeller blade having a decreasing height toward the periphery of said rotatable disc, B. casing means surrounding and encompassing said impeller means for receiving particulate material and retaining said particulate material in substantial contact with said impeller blades for a period of time sufficient to allow compacting of the particulate material and to allow imparting of significant linear momentum thereto and for discharging said compacted particulate material at high linear speed, said casing means including: 1. a first sidewall extending parallel to and closely adjacent said rotatable disc, 2. a second sidewall extending closely adjacent said impeller blades opposite said rotatable disc, said second wall defining a generally frusto-conical surface and containing a centrally located inlet opening for receiving the particulate materials, and 3. a circumferential wall connecting and extending axially between said first and second sidewalls, said circumferential wall including a. a first portion extending a substantial circumferential distance around said rotatable disc at an evenly spaced distance from and closely adjacent to the periphery of said rotatable disc and the radial extremities of said blades, and b. a second portion extending the remaining circumferential distance around said rotatable disc, said second portion being spaced a spirally, radially increasing distance from the circumference of said rotatable disc terminating in a discharge opening, whereby the particulate material is compacted when impelled by said blades from the central portion to the peripheral portion of said casing means and said first portion of said circumferential wall retains the particulate material in contact with said impeller blades while the spiral shape of said second portion permits the particulate material to separate from said blades without entraining substantial air or losing substantial linear speed.