Patent ID: 6012875
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A dispensing apparatus for dispensing precisely known quantities of pellets from a hopper to a vessel comprising:a hopper for holding pellets, said hopper having a bottom opening that is in constant communication with a conveyor tube leading to said vessel;said conveyor tube extending horizontally below said hopper with said hopper bottom opening communicating with said conveyor tube, a first end of said conveyor tube extending to said vessel;at least one venturi positioned in said conveyor tube between said bottom opening of said hopper and said vessel, said venturi having an annular chamber into which compressed air is forced, said compressed air entering said conveyor tube so that a vacuum is created in said venturi said venturi having a first passageway directed into said conveyor tube in a direction towards said vessel, said first passageway creating the vacuum in said venturi and a second passageway directed into said conveyor tube in a direction towards said hopper opening, said second passageway aerating the pellets to be drawn into said venturi;said pellets being moved by said vacuum through said venturi and into said conveyor tube by said vacuum; anda pressure regulator to control the pressure of said compressed air entering said venturi so that the amount of said pellets moved from said hopper to said vessel can be precisely regulated.