Patent ID: 6224297
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B65G,F25C

Abstract:
Dispensing apparatus for dispensing particulate material from an upstream source to a discharge conduit, the apparatus comprisinga storage hopper having a dispensing outlet through which the particulate material is delivered to the discharge conduit,a conveying means communicable with the discharge conduit for conveying the particulate material through the discharge conduit,a dispensing pipe having a circular inner and outer transverse cross-sectional area extending from the storage hopper and communicating the discharge conduit with the storage hopper through the dispensing outlet, the dispensing pipe having a dispensing bore for accommodating the particulate material from the hopper to the discharge conduit,a delivery auger located in the storage hopper for delivering the particulate material to the dispensing outlet, andan auger extension contiguous with the delivery auger and extending co-axially therefrom, the auger extension extending through the dispensing outlet into the dispensing bore of the dispensing pipe and being co-axial therewith for delivering the particulate material through the dispensing pipe, the diameter of the auger extension being greater than the diameter of the delivery auger adjacent the dispensing outlet, and the auger extension and the delivery auger cooperating with the conveying means which forms discrete batches of particulate material in the discharge conduit for conveying therethrough by the conveying means.