GB1345002A - Container discharge systems - Google Patents

Abstract

1345002 Discharging hoppers by vibrations BULK UNIT LOAD SYSTEMS Ltd and G W SNAPE 29 Dec 1971 [28 Dec 1970 23 Feb 1971 30 March 1971] 61380/70 5234/71 and 8181/71 Heading B8S Apparatus for discharging material from a hopper 14, Fig. 2, comprises a frame 12 which is vibrated strongly when the hopper is full and less strongly as the amount of material in the hopper decreases, the change to the weaker vibrations being made automatically. Motors 21, 22, with out of balance weights, provide the initial vibrations and motors 23, 24 provide weaker vibrations when some of the material has been discharged. If hopper 27 becomes full a switch 28, 29 stops the vibrators. Motors 21, 22 are stopped after a predetermined time if the automatic switch-over to motors 23, 24 fails to operate. Automatic control of the motors may be effected by a switch which responds to the compression of an elastomeric support between the frame 12 and a fixed frame 11. A hinged door in the base of the hopper is opened by rotating a handle 60, Fig. 4. The door is held closed by a screw operated latch. When a shaft 110, Fig. 8, rotates in the direction of arrow Q a peg 114 attached to a weight 111 fast on the shaft pushes a weight 115 round in the position shown in full lines. When the shaft rotates in direction P the peg 114 pushes weight 115 round in an overlapping position shown chain-dotted. Alternative positions 116, 117, 118 are provided for the peg 114.