US4407436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering and/or feeding device for materials
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-02-25
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Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2002-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A metering and/or feeding device for materials is disclosed. A plurality of vertically oriented, elastic-walled tubes are arranged at equal distances from the axis of a rotatable helical rod which, as it rotates, sequentially engages and constricts each of the elastic-walled tubes, beginning at their upper portions and progressively moving down the length of the tubes. The material being metered and/or fed is introduced into the elastic-walled tubes at their upper ends. A cover member is provided to cover the infeed ends of the tubes at selected intervals to prevent entry of the material being fed and/or metered into the tube at the time that the helical member engages the upper portion of the tube to constrict the tube so that it is substantially free of material. A plenum, through which a stream of pressurized gas is discharged, communicates with the discharge ends of each of the tubes, the gas conveying the material entering the plenum from the tubes to a work location.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Broadfoot
- 👤 John T. Broadfoot, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:40
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A feeding device for feeding material, comprising: at least one vertical, open-ended, elastic-walled tube for the material to be fed having an open feed end and an open discharge end; a rotatable helical member peripherally engaging the tube along its length to constrict the tube against itself as the helical member rotates about its axis; and means to cover and uncover the feed end of the tube at selected intervals to prevent entry of the material to be conveyed into the tube so that when the helical member engages the upper portion of the tube to constrict the tube, that portion of the tube is substantially free of material to be conveyed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A feeding device for feeding material, comprising: at least one vertical, open-ended, elastic-walled tube for the material to be fed having an open feed end and an open discharge end; a rotatable helical member peripherally engaging the tube along its length to constrict the tube against itself as the helical member rotates about its axis; and means to cover and uncover the feed end of the tube at selected intervals to prevent entry of the material to be conveyed into the tube so that when the helical member engages the upper portion of the tube to constrict the tube, that portion of the tube is substantially free of material to be conveyed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1, including a plenum communicating with the discharge end of the tube and a source of pressurized gas flowing through the plenum to convey the material discharged into the plenum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1, including means for engaging and supporting the tube as the helical member progressively constricts the tube along its length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, including means preventing lateral movement of the tube when the helical member initially engages the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 including a plurality of said elastic-walled tubes arranged equidistantly about the axis of the helical member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 5, including means to allow the interior of the tubes to be vented periodically to the atmosphere to ensure their reinflation after constriction by the helical member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the tubes are housed within a container and the container is filled with a coolant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
A metering and feeding device for particulate material, comprising: a helical rod adapted to be rotated about its axis; a plurality of vertical, open-ended, elastic-walled tubes having upper infeed ends and lower discharge ends arranged about the helical rod so that the helical rod periodically and sequentially engages and constricts each of the tubes, beginning at their upper infeed ends and progressively moving toward their lower discharge ends; means supporting each of the elastic-walled tubes in a fixed location; means for feeding a particulate material into each of the elastic-walled tubes; and means to cover and uncover the upper ends of each of the tubes at selected intervals to prevent entry of the particulate material to be conveyed into the tube so that when the helical member engages the upper end of the tube to constrict the tube, that portion of the tube is substantially free of particulate material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
A metering and feeding device for particulate material, comprising: a helical rod adapted to be rotated about its axis; a plurality of vertical, open-ended, elastic-walled tubes having upper infeed ends and lower discharge ends arranged about the helical rod so that the helical rod periodically and sequentially engages and constricts each of the tubes, beginning at their upper infeed ends and progressively moving toward their lower discharge ends; means supporting each of the elastic-walled tubes in a fixed location; means for feeding a particulate material into each of the elastic-walled tubes; and means to cover and uncover the upper ends of each of the tubes at selected intervals to prevent entry of the particulate material to be conveyed into the tube so that when the helical member engages the upper end of the tube to constrict the tube, that portion of the tube is substantially free of particulate material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The metering and feeding device of claim 8, including a plenum communicating with the discharge ends of the tubes and a source of pressurized gas flowing through the plenum to convey the material discharged into the plenum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The metering and feeding device of claim 8, including a housing and wherein the plurality of tubes are each mounted on modular units, removable from the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The metering and feeding device of claim 10 wherein the housing for the device has a top wall and bottom wall, each of which is provided with annular openings coinciding with the infeed and discharge ends of the elastic-walled tubes mounted within the housing, and means supplying a liquid coolant to fill the housing and surround each of the elastic-walled tubes during operation of the device.
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) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |