Patent ID: 6050456
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B65B,B65G,G01F

Abstract:
A feed apparatus for supplying product to a bulk product proportioning machine having a fill inlet, said apparatus comprising:a feed hopper positioned above the machine, said hopper having an upper supply opening, a trough-shaped bottom, and a feed outlet extending from a hopper outlet opening at one end of the hopper bottom operatively positionable adjacent the machine inlet, said feed outlet including an outwardly extending feed screw extension and an outlet sleeve extending downwardly from the feed screw extension and defining a feed outlet opening; and,a pair of horizontally spaced feed screws mounted for counterrotation in the trough-shaped bottom and having downstream ends positioned in the feed screw extension to direct product into said feed outlet, said feed screw extension and outlet sleeve defining a closed path between the hopper outlet opening and the feed outlet opening.