Patent ID: 6470921
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A rotary flow control device for a container filling system comprising:a stationary plate having a plurality of flow openings formed therethrough, the stationary plate being coupled to a discharge end of a fill tube of the container filling system so as to create a flow obstruction of sufficient magnitude to compact a particulate material flowing through the fill tube; and, a rotary plate coupled to and rotates with the shaft of an auger disposed within the fill tube of the container filling system, the rotary plate being disposed adjacent the stationary plate and having of flow openings formed therethrough, the rotary plate being constructed and arranged to rotate with respect to the stationary plate in such a manner that the flow openings formed through the rotary plate periodically come into alignment with the flow openings of the stationary plate thereby allowing the compacted particulate material to flow through the respective flow openings, the rotation of the rotary plate acting to shear off portions of the particulate material that has flowed through the respective flow openings of the stationary and rotary plates.