GB2523313A

GB2523313A - Hopper

Info

Publication number: GB2523313A
Application number: GB1402910.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Doak
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-19
Filing date: 2014-02-19
Publication date: 2015-08-26
Also published as: IE20150032A1; GB201402910D0

Abstract

A slide valve having a leading edge 22 movable across an opening 12d with a space 28 adjacent the leading edge which can receive material being pushed by the leading edge to prevent granular material inhibiting closure of the valve. The valve can be releasably fixed to the outlet of a metering hopper. The valve is a tube connecting the interior and exterior of the hopper and the sliding portion 20 of the valve can block the tube. Ideally the space is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper via a channel. The valve could be hydraulically or manually actuated. The sliding may be linear or pivoting. There may be a content level sensor in the hopper which produces a signal to actuate the valve. The hopper can have a lid with a hole for passage of air to equalise pressure. A pump could be used to reduce pressure in the hopper to create a partial vacuum.

Description

Hop per

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hoppers, in particular, hoppers for use in metering particulate material, such as, but not limited to, plastic beads.

Background of the Invention

A hopper is a type of storage container used for the controlled dispensing or metering of particulate material. Particulate material may be added to and dispensed from the hopper via one or more openings in the hopper. It is known to provide hoppers into which particulate material, such as plastic beads, is conveyed through an inlet (entry opening) in the side of the hopper using suction applied to the hopper via a duct communicating with the top of the hopper. A level sensor may be provided for determining the level of beads in the hopper such that, when the beads reach the level sensor, the vacuum duct is closed, causing a flap valve on the inlet to close, and an outlet (exit opening) flap valve in the base of the hopper to be opened to deliver a metered dose of beads into, for example, an extruder. A problem with these known hoppers is that the flap valves tend to be unreliable.

Slide, or gate, valves may be used in place of the problematic flap valves. However, a problem with slide valves for controlling the passage of particulate material out of and/or into a hopper is that the particulate material can prevent the valve from closing by lodging between the leading edge of the slide valve and the wall or abutment against which the slide valve is normally pressed to close the inlet/outlet.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a hopper that mitigates the problems outlined above and which advantageously facilitates the passage of particulate material out of and/or into the hopper.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the invention provides, in a first aspect, a hopper for metering particulate material into a processing machine, the hopper defining an opening for allowing passage of the particulate material out of and/or into the hopper, the hopper comprising a slide valve for controlling the passage of the particulate material through the opening, the slide valve having a leading edge and being movable across the opening between an open state and a closed state, wherein, in the closed state, a space is provided adjacent the leading edge of the slide valve which is suitable to receive particulate material.

Preferably the hopper comprises a wall in which said opening is defined. Said wall may be a sidewall of the hopper and/or may be a base of the hopper.

Optionally, in the closed state, the space is a partially enclosed space. Optionally, the space is defined, in the closed state, by the leading edge of the slide valve and the wall of the hopper.

Optionally, the space is suitably sized to receive particulate material urged into said space by the slide valve when said slide valve is moved across the opening from the open state to the closed state. Optionally, the space is suitably sized to receive particulate material urged into said space by the leading edge of the slide valve when said slide valve is moved across the opening from the open state to the closed state.

Optionally, the space is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper. Optionally, the space is in communication with a channel, wherein said channel is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper. Optionally, the channel is suitably sized to allow passage of the particulate material through the channel. Optionally, the channel comprises at least a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the channel is in communication with the space and the second end of the channel is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper.

Optionally, the opening is a tube having at least a first end and a second end wherein the first end is in communication with the interior of the hopper and the second end is in communication with the exterior of the hopper. Optionally, the slide valve is movable across the tube between the open state and the closed state. Optionally, the tube has a longitudinal axis and the slide valve is movable across the longitudinal axis of the tube between the open state and the closed state.

Optionally, the slide valve is provided in a slide valve assembly. Optionally, the slide valve assembly defines an opening for allowing passage of the particulate material through the slide valve assembly.

Optionally, the slide valve is movable across the opening of the slide valve assembly between the open state and the closed state. Optionally, the slide valve assembly is releasably affixed to the hopper wherein the opening of the slide valve assembly is aligned with the opening defined by the hopper for allowing, in the open state, passage of the particulate material out of and/or into the hopper through the slide valve assembly. Optionally, in the closed state, the space adjacent the leading edge of the slide valve is provided in said slide valve assembly. Optionally, in the closed state, the space is defined in said slide valve assembly by the leading edge of the slide valve and walls of the slide valve assembly.

Optionally, the hopper defines at least two openings each having a slide valve or slide valve assembly for controlling the passage of the particulate material through the respective openings.

Optionally, the hopper defines an entry opening configured for allowing the particulate material to be received into the hopper and an exit opening configured for allowing the particulate material to be discharped from the hopper.

Optionally, the hopper comprises a sidewall and a base. Optionally, each of the sidewall and the base comprise an opening for allowing passage of particulate material out of and/or into the hopper.

Optionally, the sidewall has the entry opening for allowing the particulate material to be received into the hopper and the base has the exit opening for allowing the particulate material to be discharged fromthe hopper.

Optionally, the or each slide valve is substantially planar. Optionally, the or each slide valve is a plate. Alternatively, the slide valve is a wedge. Optionally, the or each slide valve is movable between the open state and the closed state by a moving means. Optionally, the moving means is a pneumatic moving means. Alternatively, the moving means is a hydraulic moving means. Further alternatively, the or each slide valve is moved manually between the open state and the closed state.

Optionally, the or each slide valve is slidably movable between the open state and the closed state.

Further optionally, the or each slide valve is pivotally movable between the open state and the closed state.

Optionally, in the closed state, the or each slide valve substantially occludes, optionally fully occludes, the or each respective opening to impede passage of particulate material through the respective opening.

Optionally, the hopper comprises a level sensor for detecting the level of particulate material in the hopper. Optionally, the level sensor produces a signal that indicates the level of particulate material in the hopper. Optionally, the or each slide valve is operable to move between the open and the closed state in response to the signal produced by the level sensor.

Optionally, the hopper further comprises a lid. Optionally, the lid comprises the opening for allowing passage of particulate material into and/or out of the hopper. Alternatively, the lid comprises the opening for allowing passage of air into and/or out of the hopper. Optionally, the opening in the lid is in communication with a pump operable to create a vacuum, optionally a partial vacuum, in the hopper.

The invention also provides, in a second aspect, a slide valve assembly for use in a hopper having an opening. The slide valve assembly comprises a slide valve defining an opening aligned, when affixed to the hopper, with the opening defined by the hopper; the slide valve having a leading edge and being movable across the opening between an open state and a closed state, wherein, in the closed state, a space is provided adjacent the leading edge of the slide valve which is suitable to receive particulate material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG 1 is a side view of a hopper according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG 2A is a perspective view of the base of the hopper of FIG 1; FIG 2B is a sectional view through section A-A of the base of FIG 2A; FIG 3A is a perspective view of a slide valve assembly according to first and second embodiments of the present invention; FIG 3B is a sectional view through section B-B of the slide valve assembly of FIG 3A; FIG 4A is a perspective view of a slide valve assembly of the hopper of FIG 1; FIG 4B is a sectional view through section c-c of the slide valve assembly of FIG 4A in which the slide valve is in the open state; FIG 4C is a sectional view through section c-c of the slide valve assembly of FIG 4A in which the slide valve is in the closed state; FIG 5A is a perspective view of the lid of the hopper of FIG 1; and FIG SB is a sectional view through section D-D of the lid of FIG 5A.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a hopper 10 of the invention, the hopper 10 being suitable for metering particulate material into a processing machine such as an extruder or moulding machine.

The particulate material may be any material to be dispensed or metered such as grain, aggregate, plastic beads, and the like. The hopper 10 of the invention may define one or more openings 12 which permit passage of the particulate material out of and/or into the hopper 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the hopper 10 defines an entry opening 12a in the sidewall 14 of the hopper 10 and which is configured for allowing the particulate material to be received into the hopper 10 and an exit opening 12b (see Figures 2A and 2B) in the base 16 of the hopper 10 which is configured for allowing the particulate material to be discharged from the hopper 10. The hopper 10 also comprises a lid 18 in which a lid opening 12c is defined (see Figures SA and SB). The lid opening 12c may be in communication with a pump (not shown) which is operable to create a vacuum, optionally a partial vacuum, in the hopper 10 to draw particulate material into the hopper 10 through the entry opening 12a by a suction force. It will be understood that the entry opening 1 2a may be in communication with a source of particulate material, such as a storage or holding device.

In this description of the invention, the numeral 12 is used to referto one or all of openings 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, unless otherwise specified.

The hopper 10 of the invention comprises a slide valve 20 for controlling the passage of the particulate material through the opening 12. The slide valve 20 is movable across the opening 12 between an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the slide valve 20 is in a fully or partially retracted position, and passage of the particulate material through the opening 12 is permitted. In the closed state, the slide valve 20 is in an extended position and passage of the particulate material through the opening 12 is fully or substantially impeded. The slide valve 20 has a leading edge 22. In the closed state, a space 24 is provided adjacent the leading edge 22 and said space 24 is suitable to receive particulate material. As will be described in more detail below, when the slide valve 20 is moved from the open state to the closed state (in other words, from a retracted position to an extended position), particulate material may be urged by the slide valve 20 into the space 24 adjacent the leading edge 24 of the slide valve 20, said space being defined when the slide valve 20 is in the closed state. In particular, the particulate material may be urged by the leading edge 22 of the slide valve 20 into the space 24 adjacent the leading edge 24. Advantageously, the provision of the space 24 at the leading edge 24 of the slide valve 20, in the closed state, allows the slide valve 20 to be fully closed since particulate material which might otherwise become lodged between the leading edge 22 of the slide valve 20 and the wall or abutment against which the slide valve 20 is pressed to close the opening 12, may escape to and is received by the space 24.

The space 24 may be suitably sized to receive the particulate material. The dimensions of the space 24 may be determined by and be dependent upon the type of particulate material to be metered by the hopper 10. It will be understood that the space 24 is defined when the slide valve 20 is in the closed state. The space 24 may be a partially enclosed space and may be defined by the leading edge 24 of the slide valve 20 and the wall, for example, the sidewall 14, base 16 or lid 18, of the hopper 10.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the space 24 is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. In this configuration, the particulate material, urged into the space 24 by the moving of the slide valve 20 to the closed state, may pass from the space 24 to the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. The space 24 may be in communication with a channel 26 which may in turn be in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. The channel 26 may be suitably sized to allow passage of the particulate material through the channel 26, and therefore particulate material in the space 24 may pass from the space 24 through the channel 26 to the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. The channel 26 may comprises at least a first end 28 and a second end 30, wherein the first end 28 of the channel 26 is in communication with the space 24 and the second end 30 of the channel 26 is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper 10 (see Figures 3A-3B and Figures 4A-4C).

In embodiments of the invention, the opening 12 may be a tube having at least a first end and a second end wherein the first end is in communication with the interior of the hopper 10 and the second end is in communication with the exterior of the hopper 10. In other words, the tube may extend through the wall of the hopper 10, the first end of the tube being in communication with the interior of the hopper 10 and the second end being in communication with the exterior of the hopper 10, and wherein passage of particulate material is permitted through the tube and is controlled by the slide valve 20. The slide valve 20 may be movable across the tube, preferably across the longitudinal axis of the tube, between the open state and the closed state to control passage of the particulate material through the tube.

The slide valve 20 may be provided in a slide valve assembly 32 (Figure 3A-3b and Figures 4A-4C).

The slide valve assembly 32 may be affixed, optionally reversibly affixed, to the hopper 10 to control passage of particulate material out of and/or into the hopper 10. The slide valve assembly 32 may define an opening 12d for allowing passage of the particulate material through the slide valve assembly 32, and the slide valve 20 may be movable across the opening 12d of the slide valve assembly 32 between the open state and the closed state. When the slide valve assembly 32 is affixed to the hopper 10, the opening 12d of the slide valve assembly 32 may be aligned with opening 12a defined by the hopper 10 (see Figure 1). In this configuration, passage of particulate material through opening 12a and opening 12d is controlled by the slide valve 20 in the slide valve assembly 32. In the open state, particulate material may pass out of and/or into the hopper 10 through the slide valve assembly 32. In the closed state, passage of particulate material into the hopper 10 through the slide valve assembly 32 may be fully or substantially impeded. Furthermore, in the closed state, the space 24 adjacent the leading edge 22 of the slide valve 20 may be provided in said slide valve assembly 32. In this configuration, the space 24 may be defined in said slide valve assembly 32 by the leading edge 22 of the slide valve 20 and walls, such as internal walls, of the slide valve assembly 32 (Figure 4C). The space 24 in the slide valve assembly 32 may be in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. Particulate material urged into the space 24 by the moving of the slide valve 20 to the closed state, may pass from the space 24 to the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. The space 24 may be in communication with a channel 26 which may be in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. The channel 26 may be suitably sized to allow passage of the particulate material through the channel 26, and therefore particulate material in the space 24 may pass from the space 24 through the channel 26 to the interior or exterior of the hopper 10. The channel 26 may comprises at least a first end 28 and a second end 30 (Figure 3B and Figures 4B-4C), wherein the first end 28 of the channel 26 is in communication with the space 24 and the second end 30 of the channel 26 is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper 10.

In preferred embodiments, the hopper 10 defines at least two openings 12 each having a slide valve or slide valve assembly 32 for controlling the passage of the particulate material through the respective openings 12. In such embodiments, the hopper 10 defines an entry opening 12a configured for allowing the particulate material to be received into the hopper 10 and an exit opening 12b configured for allowing the particulate material to be discharged, or metered, from the hopper 10. The entry opening 12a may be located in an upper portion of the hopper 10 and the exit opening 12b in a lower portion of the hopper 10. It is also contemplated that the entry opening 12a may be located in the lower portion of the hopper 10 and the exit opening 12b in the upper portion of the hopper 10. However, it will be understood that the location of the entry opening 1 2a and the exit opening 12b is not limited to these configurations. The particulate material may, for example, enter the hopper 10 through the entry opening 12a underthe influence of gravity and/or undersuction created by a vacuum or partial vacuum in the hopper 10. Similarly the particulate material may exit the hopper 10 through the exit opening 12b underthe influence of gravity and/or undersuction created by a vacuum or partial vacuum outside the hopper 10. It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments particulate material may enterthe hopper 10 through an open end of the hopper 10, for example an open top end, and the particulate material may be metered from the hopper 10 through an opening 12 having a slide valve 20 or slide valve assembly 32 for controlled dispensing (metering) of the particulate material through the opening 12.

As described herein, the slide valve 20" may refer to one, some, or all of the slide valves comprised in the hopper 10 of the invention. The slide valve 20 may be of any suitable form and may be substantially planar. The slide valve 20 may, for example, take the form of a plate or, alternatively, a wedge. Furthermore, the slide valve 20 may be movable between the open state and the closed state by a moving means 34. The moving means 34 may be a pneumatic moving means, which may include a pump, valves and air feed lines operable to move the slide valve 20 between the open state and the closed state. Alternatively, the moving means 34 may be a hydraulic moving means which may include a pump, valves and hydraulic feed lines operable to move the slide valve 20 between the open state and the closed state. In some embodiments, the slide valve 20 may be moved manually between the open state and the closed state. The slide valve 20 may be slidably movable between the open state and the closed state. The slide valve 20 may, for example, be slid along a track or groove formed in the hopper 10 and/or slide valve assembly 32 between the open state and the closed state. Alternatively, the slide valve 20 may be pivotally movable between the open state and the closed state. That is, the slide valve 20 may be pivoted about an axis point or fulcrum on the hopper 10 and/or slide valve assembly 32, between the open state and the closed state. In the closed state, the slide valve 20 may substantially occlude, optionally fully occlude, the opening 12 defined by the hopper 10 and/or slide valve assembly 32 to impede passage of particulate material through the opening 12.

The hopper 10 of the invention may also comprise a level sensor (not shown) for detecting the level of particulate material in the hopper 10. In typical embodiments, the level sensor produces a signal that indicates the level of particulate material in the hopper 10. Depending on the presence, absence, or type of signal produced by the level sensor, the slide valve 20 may be moved between the open and the closed state to allow passage of material out of and/or into the hopper 10 based on said signal.

In embodiments of the invention, the hopper 10 may further comprise a lid 18 (Figure 5A and SB).

The lid 18 may or may not be integrally formed with the sidewall 14 of the hopper 10. The lid 18 may comprise an opening 12c for allowing passage of particulate material out of and/or into the hopper 10, or the opening 12c may allow passage of air out of and/or into the hopper 10. In the latter configuration, the opening 12c in the lid may be in communication with a pump operable to create a vacuum, optionally a partial vacuum, in the hopper 10 to draw particulate material into the hopper 10 through the entry opening 12a by a suction force. Altematively, the pump may be used to create a positive pressure in the hopper 10 to discharge particulate material from the hopper 10 through the exit opening 12b by an expulsion force and/or to clean an air filter associated with the opening 12c.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A hopper for metering particulate material into a processing machine, the hopper defining an opening for allowing passage of the particulate material out of and/or into the hopper, the hopper comprising a slide valve for controlling the passage of the particulate material through the opening, the slide valve having a leading edge and being movable across the opening between an open state and a closed state, wherein, in the closed state, a space is provided adjacent the leading edge of the slide valve which is suitable to receive particulate material.
2. A hopper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the space is defined, in the closed state, by the leading edge of the slide valve and a wall of the hopper.
3. A hopper as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the space is suitably sized to receive particulate material urged into said space by the slide valve when said slide valve is moved across the opening from the open state to the closed state.
4. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the space is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper.
5. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the space is in communication with a channel and wherein said channel is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper.
6. A hopper as claimed in claimS, wherein the channel is suitably sized to allow passage of the particulate material through the channel.
7. A hopper as claimed in claim S or 6, wherein the channel comprises at least a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the channel is in communication with the space and the second end of the channel is in communication with the interior or exterior of the hopper.
8. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening is a tube having at least a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is in communication with the interior of the hopper and the second end is in communication with the exterior of the hopper.
9. A hopper as claimed in claim 8, wherein the slide valve is movable across the tube between the open state and the closed state.
10. A hopper as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the tube has a longitudinal axis and the slide valve is movable across the longitudinal axis of the tube between the open state and the closed state.
11. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slide valve is provided in a slide valve assembly.
12. A hopper as claimed in claim 11, wherein the slide valve assembly defines an opening for allowing passage of the particulate material through the slide valve assembly.
13. A hopper as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the slide valve is movable across the opening of the slide valve assembly between the open state and the closed state.
14. A hopper as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the slide valve assembly is releasably affixed to the hopper, and wherein the opening of the slide valve assembly is aligned with the opening defined by the hopper for allowing, in the open state, passage of the particulate material out of and/or into the hopper through the slide valve assembly.
15. A hopper as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, in the closed state, the space adjacent the leading edge of the slide valve is provided in said slide valve assembly.
16. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper defines at least two openings each having a slide valve or slide valve assembly for controlling the passage of the particulate material through the respective openings.
17. A hopper as claimed in claim 16, wherein the hopper defines an entry opening conFgured for allowing the particulate material to be received into the hopper and an exit opening configured for allowing the particulate material to be discharged from the hopper.
18. A hopper as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein hopper comprises a sidewall and a base, and wherein each of the sidewall and the base comprise an opening for allowing passage of particulate material out of and/or into the hopper.
19. A hopper as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sidewall has the entry opening for allowing the particulate material to be received into the hopper and the base has the exit opening for allowing the particulate material to be discharged from the hopper.
20. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each slide valve is movable between the open state and the closed state by a moving means.
21. A hopper as claimed in claim 20, wherein the moving means is a pneumatic moving means or a hydraulic moving means.
22. A hopper as claimed in any one claims 1 to 19, wherein the or each slide valve is moved manually between the open state and the closed state.
23. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each slide valve is slidably movable between the open state and the closed state.
24. A hopper as claimed in any one of claims ito 22, wherein the or each slide valve is pivotally movable between the open state and the closed state.
25. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the closed state, the or each slide valve substantially occludes, optionally fully occludes, the or each respective opening to impede passage of particulate material through the respective opening.
26. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper comprises a level sensor for detecting the level of particulate material in the hopper.
27. A hopper as claimed in claim 26, wherein the level sensor produces a signal that indicates the level of particulate material in the hopper.
28. A hopper as claimed in claim 27, wherein the or each slide valve is operable to move between the open and the closed state in response to the signal produced by the level sensor.
29. A hopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper further comprises a lid and wherein the lid comprises the opening for allowing passage of air into and/or out of the hopper.
30. A hopper as claimed in claim 27, wherein the opening in the lid is in communication with a pump operable to create a vacuum, optionally a partial vacuum, in the hopper.
31. A slide valve assembly for releasably affixing to a hopper having an opening, the slide valve assembly comprising a slide valve defining an opening aligned, when affixed to the hopper, with the opening defined by the hopper; the slide valve having a leading edge and being movable across the opening between an open state and a closed state, wherein, in the closed state, a space is provided adjacent the leading edge of the slide valve which is suitable to receive particulate material.