Patent ID: 6485284
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: B22F,B30B,B65D,B65G

Abstract:
A gas-assisted device for transporting particulate material comprising:a gas chamber; a source of low-pressure gas; and, a conduit for communicating said low pressure gas to said gas chamber; a fluidizing chamber having an inlet and an outlet and adapted to contain said particulate material; a porous distributor plate between said gas chamber and said fluidizing chamber and operative for communicating said low-pressure gas to said fluidizing chamber; and, a vent screen in communication with said fluidizing chamber for venting said gas out of said fluidizing chamber so that particulate material is permitted to flow out of said outlet essentially free of said gas; the pressure of said gas delivered to said fluidizing chamber being sufficient to provide a gas bearing to said particulate material adjacent said distributor plate but not high enough to cause turbulence in said fluidizing chamber.