Patent ID: 6877933
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
1. A feeding system for delivering a molding compound in pelletized form which generates dust during transportation from outside a clean environment to an automatic molding machine located inside the clean environment, the feeding system comprising: a supply bowl located outside the clean environment configured to store the molding compound; a buffer hopper located within the clean environment which is constructed and positioned for communication with a feeder bowl of the automatic molding machine; a tube having an upstream end connected to the supply bowl and a downstream end connected to the buffer hopper which transports the molding compound from the supply bowl to the buffer hopper with substantially no contamination of the clean environment due to release of dust; and a suction device connected to the tube through a coupler located in proximity to the buffer hopper, wherein: the downstream end of the tube is connected to a closure mechanism which permits the suction device to establish vacuum conditions within the tube for transporting the molding compound from the supply bowl to the buffer hopper, and the closure mechanism is operable to accumulate a quantity of molding compound transported from the supply bowl in the buffer hopper for release into the feeder.