Patent ID: 6056025
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for moving a supply of particulate material from a hopper to a container, comprising:a conduit operably connected to the hopper and extending downwardly therefrom, the conduit adapted to permit a flow of particulate material therewithin, the particulate material in the hopper having a hopper bulk density;a nozzle assembly operably connected to the conduit and extending downwardly therefrom, the nozzle assembly having a nozzle assembly inlet and a nozzle assembly outlet,a porous nozzle within the nozzle assembly, the porous nozzle defining an inlet thereof for receiving particulate material from the conduit and defining an outlet thereof for dispensing particulate material from the porous nozzle to the container having a container opening, the inlet defining an inlet cross sectional area and the outlet defining an outlet cross sectional, the inlet cross sectional area being larger than the outlet cross sectional area, and defining an inner periphery thereof;means for providing a layer of air between the inner periphery and the flow of particulate material wherein the layer of air reduces the friction between the particulate material and inner periphery, the particulate material having an exit bulk density as it leaves the nozzle assembly outlet; anda conveyor located at least partially within the conduit, the conveyor assisting to provide the flow of particulate material from the hopper to the container, wherein the dimensions of the porous nozzle are selected so as to provide a ratio of the inlet cross sectional area to the outlet cross sectional area and the layer of air is controlled such that the flow of particulate material does not seize as it progresses through the nozzle assembly during filling operations and the hopper bulk density and exit bulk density are substantially the same.