Patent ID: 7712632
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: B65D,B65G

Abstract:
1. A material discharge apparatus for controlling the discharge of flowable material being conveyed through a conical shaped hopper until in feeding of material is stopped or ends, the hopper being configured and arranged, in use, to be operable at a height above a discharge pile, the apparatus including the hopper having an inlet opening at the top of the hopper and an open discharge outlet at the base of the hopper, the hopper being adapted to be suspended below a fixed support frame by hopper support members, the area directly below and about the open discharge outlet being open to the surrounding environment, the discharge outlet being exposed to the surrounding environment such that, in use, flowable material is discharged through the open discharge outlet, and a valve means being configured and arranged in the hopper, the valve means including a bulb having a lower end portion positionable adjacent the discharge outlet forming a gap between the inner wall of the hopper and the bulb for material, in use, to flow by being gravity fed therebetween and out through the open discharge outlet, the bulb being adapted to be suspended below the fixed support frame, the hopper being adapted to move relative to the valve means, in use, for allowing a continual discharge of material through the gap and out through the open discharge outlet to form a column of flowing discharge material to reduce the amount of dust being dispersed into the surrounding environment.