Patent ID: 6109488
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
An apparatus for conditioning and dispensing loose fill insulation material, comprising:a hopper having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the hopper defining an upper conditioning compartment and a lower conditioning compartment, the upper conditioning compartment having a length extending from the first end of the hopper to the second end of the hopper and the lower conditioning compartment having a length less than the length of the upper conditioning compartment, the lower conditioning compartment being in open communication with the upper compartment proximate one end of the hopper via an access opening;a first set of upper shafts including at least three shafts rotatably and longitudinally supported in the upper conditioning compartment of the hopper in a generally parallel, horizontal planar relationship so as to provide a center shaft and two outer shafts, each of the upper shafts having a plurality of spikes extending radially therefrom in a helical pattern, the helical pattern of the center shaft configured to cause movement of loose fill insulation material away from the access opening of the hopper upon rotation of the center shaft and the helical pattern of each of the outer shafts configured to cause movement of loose fill insulation material toward the access opening upon rotation of the outer shafts;a second set of upper shafts including a pair of shafts rotatably and longitudinally supported in the upper conditioning compartment of the hopper below the first set of upper shafts in a generally parallel, staggered relationship with respect to the shafts of the first set of upper shafts and with a portion of the shafts of the second set of upper shafts positioned above the lower conditioning compartment, each of the shafts of the second set of upper shafts having a plurality of spikes extending radially therefrom in a helical pattern which causes movement of loose fill insulation material toward the access opening upon rotation of the shafts of the second set of upper shafts;a set of lower shafts including at least three shafts rotatably and longitudinally supported in the lower conditioning compartment of the hopper in a generally parallel relationship to one another so as to provide a first shaft vertically spaced above and staggered between a second shaft and a third shaft, the first, second, and third shafts each having a plurality of spikes extending radially therefrom;drive means for rotating each of the upper and lower shafts;an air lock positioned below the lower conditioning compartment for receiving the conditioned loose fill insulation material from the lower conditioning compartment; andmeans for discharging the conditioned loose fill insulation material from the air lock.