GB726892A - Improvements relating to the feeding of powdered or granular materials - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0726892/IV (a)/1> <PICT:0726892/IV (a)/2> Powdered or granular fusible filament-forming material is fed into a receiving space by causing it to flow by gravity down a passage into the space, subjecting the upper surface of the material in the space to the intermittent feeling action of an oscillating member and, when the level of the surface is low, using the increased range of oscillation of the member consequent upon such lowness to effect a movement of the boundaries of the passage so as to encourage the flow of material down the passage. As shown, the material flows through the ducts 22 (Fig. 2) into the passage 12 of rectangular cross-section and is there compacted by the longitudinally vibrating tamping rod 18, in the manner described in Specification 679,177, into a coherent rod which is carried away by the downwardly travelling endless flexible conveyer bands 10 (Fig. 1). In the event of jamming of the material in either of the ducts 22 and consequent falling of the level of the material in the passage 12, the range of oscillation of the tamping rod 18 increases and the shoulders 34 (Fig. 2) of the rod engage the tube 32 of the yoke 25 and thus lift the yoke (to which are attached the gates 24 in the ducts 22) against the pressure of the spring 29. The jam of material in the ducts 22 is thus broken and the rate of feed of material into the passage 12 temporarily increases to make up the deficiency. Thereafter the range of vibration of the tamping rod 18 is again restricted and the gates 24 across the ducts 22 occupy their normal position. The rod 18 is actuated by a pneumatic vibrator unit 19. The normal position of the gates 24 in the ducts 22 can be adjusted by adjusting the connection of the upper portion of the gates 24 to the yoke at the screws 30.