Patent ID: 7311486
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: C21B

Abstract:
1. A charging device for bulk material comprising: a support structure; a rotor supported by said support structure so as to have a substantially vertical axis of rotation; a first drive for rotating said rotor about its substantially vertical axis of rotation; and a chute supported by said rotor so as to be rotated with the latter and to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis between a first angular end position and a second angular end position, said chute having a top end and a bottom end and defining for said bulk material a channel with a concavely curved substantially cylindrical sliding surface sloping downwards from said top end to said bottom end of said chute; wherein said sliding surface has a front end edge delimiting said sliding surface at said bottom end of said chute and a first lateral edge delimiting said sliding surface along one side from said bottom end to said top end of said chute; and said first lateral edge is designed so that: if said chute is in said first angular end position, then bulk material sliding down said chute channel leaves the latter over said front end edge; and if said chute is in said second angular end position, then bulk material sliding down said chute channel leaves the latter over said first lateral edge, near said top end of said chute.