Dustless spout assembly
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of regulating the flow of particulate material which is falling in a chute section, the method comprising:
- interposing first and second plates each having a lower end in the path of the stream in the chute section, the first and second plates slowing the movement of the particulate material and deflecting the particulate material toward a longitudinal axis of the chute section;
providing a central opening adjacent the lower end of each of the first and second plates;
yieldably biasing the first and second plates inwardly in a direction tending to reduce the size of the opening with a biasing force delivered by a counterbalance mechanism, the first and second plates restricting the fall of the material and slowing movement through the central opening;
adjusting the biasing force delivered to the first plate using at least a first separately adjustable counterbalance;
adjusting the biasing force delivered to the second plate using at least a second separately adjustable counterbalance; and
continuously discharging the particulate material through the central opening while varying the size of the opening adjacent the plates as the weight of the mass of particulate material above the central opening changes with flow rate variations of the material, the size of the central opening increasing as the weight of the mass increases in response to an increase in the flow rate of the material,wherein the biasing force delivered to the first plate is adjusted without adjusting the biasing force delivered to the second plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spout assembly and related method of regulating the flow of particulate material. The spout assembly includes a chute, at least first and second plates, and a counterbalance mechanism. The first and second plates are positioned downstream from the chute, the lower ends of the first and second plates defining an opening with an area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the chute so that the material may accumulate prior to passing through the opening. The counterbalance mechanism produces a biasing force on the first and second plates toward the centerline to adjust the area of the opening, and permits the first and second plates to move outwardly away from the centerline in response to the weight of the accumulated material. The counterbalance mechanism includes at least a first separately adjustable counterbalance coupled to the first plate and a second separately adjustable counterbalance coupled to a second plate.
38 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of regulating the flow of particulate material which is falling in a chute section, the method comprising:
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interposing first and second plates each having a lower end in the path of the stream in the chute section, the first and second plates slowing the movement of the particulate material and deflecting the particulate material toward a longitudinal axis of the chute section; providing a central opening adjacent the lower end of each of the first and second plates; yieldably biasing the first and second plates inwardly in a direction tending to reduce the size of the opening with a biasing force delivered by a counterbalance mechanism, the first and second plates restricting the fall of the material and slowing movement through the central opening; adjusting the biasing force delivered to the first plate using at least a first separately adjustable counterbalance; adjusting the biasing force delivered to the second plate using at least a second separately adjustable counterbalance; and continuously discharging the particulate material through the central opening while varying the size of the opening adjacent the plates as the weight of the mass of particulate material above the central opening changes with flow rate variations of the material, the size of the central opening increasing as the weight of the mass increases in response to an increase in the flow rate of the material, wherein the biasing force delivered to the first plate is adjusted without adjusting the biasing force delivered to the second plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of regulating the flow of particulate material which is falling in a chute section, the method comprising:
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interposing at least first and second plates each having a lower end in the path of the stream in the chute section, the first and second plates slowing the movement of the particulate material and deflecting the particulate material toward a longitudinal axis of the chute section; providing a central opening adjacent the lower end of each of the first and second plates; yieldably biasing the first and second plates inwardly in a direction tending to reduce the size of the opening with a biasing force delivered by a counterbalance mechanism, the first and second plates restricting the fall of the material and slowing movement through the central opening; adjusting the biasing force delivered to the first plate using at least a first and a third separately adjustable counterbalances affecting the biasing force delivered to the first plate; and adjusting the biasing force delivered to the second plate using at least a first and a fourth separately adjustable counterbalances affecting the biasing force delivered to the second plate; and continuously discharging the particulate material through the central opening while varying the size of the opening adjacent the plates as the weight of the mass of particulate material above the central opening changes with flow rate variations of the material, the size of the central opening increasing as the weight of the mass increases in response to an increase in the flow rate of the material. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for regulating the flow of particulate material comprising:
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a chute section adapted to receive the flow of particulate material; at least first and second plates positioned downstream from the chute section, each of the first and second plates having a lower end and being coupled to the chute section, each of the first and second plates projecting toward a centerline axis of the chute section, the lower ends of the first and second plates defining an opening with an area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the chute section so that the material may accumulate prior to passing through the opening; and a counterbalance mechanism that produces a biasing force on the first and second plates toward the centerline to adjust the area of the opening, the counterbalance mechanism permitting the first and second plates to move outwardly away from the centerline in response to the weight of the accumulated material, wherein the counterbalance mechanism further comprises; a first and a third separately adjustable counterbalances coupled to the first plate; and a second and a fourth separately adjustable counterbalances coupled to the second plate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification