Particulate handling

Abstract

Apparatus and method for filling at least a pair of drums substantially simultaneously whilst minimising the manual handling of the drums. The apparatus includes an inlet port, at least two outlet ports and division means for substantially dividing a stream of pellets entering the hopper via the inlet port and direct a stream of pellets towards each outlet port.

1 . A loading hopper which includes an inlet port, at least two outlet ports, and division means arranged to substantially divide a stream of pellets entering the hopper via the inlet port and direct a stream of pellets towards each outlet port.  
     
     
         2 . A loading hopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the division means includes the walls of the hopper being shaped and configured so as to substantially divide a stream of pellets.  
     
     
         3 . A hopper according to  claim 1  or  2  which includes two, three or four outlet ports.  
     
     
         4 . A hopper according to any preceding claim, wherein each outlet port is shaped and configured such that bisection of the stream of pellets is by way of the stream of pellets impacting an edge defined by the intersection of a pair of side walls of the hopper.  
     
     
         5 . A hopper according to  claim 4 , wherein the side walls intersect at an acute angle so presenting a bisecting edge (which may be a substantially sharp edge) to a stream of pellets entering the hopper via the inlet port.  
     
     
         6 . A hopper according to  claim 5 , wherein the side walls which define the bisecting edge also form a part of a substantially conical or pyramidal construction which narrows toward its vertically lower end to an outlet port.  
     
     
         7 . A hopper according to any preceding claim, wherein the division means includes one or more baffles or dividing plates located within the hopper.  
     
     
         8 . A hopper according to  claim 7 , wherein the baffles or dividing plates are supported in position by anchoring or fixing means to one or more side walls of the hopper.  
     
     
         9 . A hopper according to any preceding claim wherein the pellets are transported to the hopper in a conveying gas, the conveying gas is preferably drawn out of the hopper via a conveying gas outlet port.  
     
     
         10 . A hopper according to  claim 9 , wherein the conveying gas outlet port is attached to means for inducing negative pressure relative to the pressure within the hopper so causing conveying gas to exhaust from the hopper via the conveying gas outlet port.  
     
     
         11 . A hopper according to any preceding claim which includes at least one aperture adjacent to each outlet port.  
     
     
         12 . A hopper according to  claim 11 , wherein the aperture is sealed with a transparent sheet of material so as to form a viewing window.  
     
     
         13 . A hopper according to any preceding claim which further includes a hopper support frame typically having at least one support post which may be permanently or releasably fixed to the hopper.  
     
     
         14 . A hopper according to  claim 13 , wherein the support post is a telescopic post.  
     
     
         15 . A hopper according to  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the support post is permanently or releasably fixed to the hopper.  
     
     
         16 . A hopper according to any of  claims 13  to  15 , wherein the hopper support frame includes ground engaging means.  
     
     
         17 . A hopper according to  claim 16 , wherein the ground engaging means includes rollers, wheels, endless belt tracks or the like.  
     
     
         18 . A hopper according to any preceding claim, wherein each outlet port has a reversible port closure means.  
     
     
         19 . A hopper according to  claim 18 , wherein the port closure means is attached to at least one drum filling lid.  
     
     
         20 . A hopper according to  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the port closure means is attached to the drum filling lid by means of a flexible hose.  
     
     
         21 . A hopper according to any of  claims 18  to  20 , wherein the drum filling lid is provided with means to create a negative pressure in the drum being filled when the drum filler lid is sealingly engaged with the drum mouth.  
     
     
         22 . A hopper according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus for inducing a negative pressure in the drum includes a dust line, or small bore pipe or duct, which provides communication for gas and dust between the inside of the drum, and either the inside of the hopper in the region of the conveying gas outlet port or ports, or directly into the duct or pipe connected with a conveying gas outlet port.  
     
     
         23 . A Hopper according to any of  claims 18  to  22 , wherein the drum filling lid is mounted on the hopper support frame and is so constructed and configured that movement of each drum filling lid is permitted (either together or separately) between a first retracted position and a second extended position.  
     
     
         24 . A hopper according to any of  claims 16  to  23 , wherein each drum filling lid which is adapted to be engaged with the outlet ports are either fixed to the hopper support frame, or are fixed to a separate lid support frame.  
     
     
         25 . A method of transferring pellets from a hopper, which method includes: 
 positioning a hopper according to any of  claim 1  to  24  having pellets therein above at least two drums; and    permitting the pellets to exit the outlet ports and to enter the drums.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein, the pellets exit the outlet ports under the force of gravity.