Combination loading and vacuum hopper for piston pump

Abstract

An improved piston-type pump ( 10 ) is provided which includes an upstanding, dual-hopper product feeding assembly ( 22 ) which increases pump efficiency and lessens required pump floor space. The assembly ( 22 ) includes a lower vacuum hopper ( 42 ) including a fixed section ( 46 ) and a shiftable upper section ( 48 ) having a top ( 52 ); an upper atmospheric pressure hopper ( 44 ) is permanently secured to top ( 52 ) and is shiftable with section ( 48 ). A passageway ( 54 ) is provided between the hoppers ( 44 ) and ( 42 ). A flow-control valve unit ( 45 ) is located adjacent the passageway ( 54 ).

1 . Pumping apparatus comprising: 
 a chamber including an inlet and a pair of outlets, said chamber adapted to receive a product to be pumped;    a pair of reciprocal piston assemblies disposed within said chamber and operable to successively deliver product to said chamber outlets; and    a dual hopper assembly disposed above said chamber for delivery of product thereto, said dual hopper assembly comprising—
 a lower vacuum hopper having an upstanding hopper body and a closure section with a passageway therethrough;  
 an upper atmospheric pressure hopper disposed over and operably coupled with said lower vacuum hopper section with communication between the upper and lower hoppers through said passageway; and  
 a selectively operable valve unit disposed adjacent said passageway and operable in alternate positions thereof to open and close said passageway.  
   
   
   
       2 . The pumping apparatus of  claim 1 , said section being hingedly mounted relative to said hopper body for opening and closing of the section, said upper hopper movable with said hopper section.  
   
   
       3 . The pumping apparatus of  claim 1 , said upper and lower hoppers being substantially concentrically arranged.  
   
   
       4 . The pumping apparatus of  claim 1 , said valve unit comprising a valve plate located adjacent said passageway, an elongated rod extending from said plate, and a drive coupled with said rod.  
   
   
       5 . The pumping apparatus of  claim 1 , each of said pistons slidable within a shiftable sleeve.  
   
   
       6 . The pumping apparatus of  claim 1 , each of said upper and lower hoppers being generally frustoconical in configuration.  
   
   
       7 . The pumping apparatus of  claim 1 , said section comprising a frustoconical wall extending upwardly from said hopper body, with an arcuate top above said frustoconical wall, said upper hopper permanently secured to said arcuate top.  
   
   
       8 . A product feeding assembly adapted for use with a piston-type pump for delivery of product thereto, said assembly comprising—
 a lower vacuum hopper section having an upstanding hopper wall and a top with a passageway through the top;    an upper atmospheric pressure hopper disposed over and operably coupled with said lower vacuum hopper section with communication between said upper hopper and said lower section through said passageway; and    a selectively operable valve unit disposed adjacent said passageway and operable in alternate positions thereof to open and close said passageway.    
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , said section being adapted for hinged mounting to said piston-type pump.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , said section wall and upper hopper being substantially concentrically arranged.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , said valve unit comprising a valve plate located adjacent said passageway, an elongated rod extending from said plate, and a drive coupled with said rod.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , said lower section wall and said upper hopper being generally frustoconical in configuration.  
   
   
       13 . Pumping apparatus comprising: 
 a pump including an inlet and an outlet;    a dual hopper assembly operably coupled with said pump inlet and including a lower, generally frustoconical vacuum hopper presenting an openable lid, and an upper. generally frustoconical atmospheric pressure operably coupled with said lower hopper lid, there being a passageway between said hoppers establishing communication therebetween, said upper and lower hoppers being substantially coaxially aligned; and    a selectively operable valve unit disposed adjacent said passageway and operable in alternate positions thereof to open and close said passageway.    
   
   
       14 . The pump of  claim 13 , said pump comprising a piston-type pump.  
   
   
       15 . The pump of  claim 13 , said passageway extending through said hopper lid.  
   
   
       16 . The pump of  claim 13 , said upper hopper being fixedly secure to said hopper lid.