Apparatus for conveying flexible fabrics using dual side outlets

Abstract

A system for pneumatically conveying flexible fabric items such as uniforms and table linens has a pair of side outlets at each discharge location to enhance the discharge capacity. Each side outlet is provided with a gate to open and close the outlet. A hopper having a chute receives the items discharged through the corresponding outlet. A sling cart or other bin underlies each chute. When a cart is full, hopper doors can be closed to allow the hopper to serve as a temporary holding bin while the conveying system continues to operate without interruption as the full cart is moved and replaced by an empty cart.

1 . In a pneumatic conveying system having a conduit for conveying lightweight flexible items and a venturi for drawing the items through the conduit to a discharge end portion of the conduit the improvement comprising: 
 a plurality of outlets in said discharge end portion of the conduit arranged in aligned pairs of outlets located on opposite sides of said discharge end portion;    a plurality of gates on said conduit adjacent to the respective outlets, each gate being pivotal between a closed position covering the corresponding outlet and an open position exposing the corresponding outlet and directing items in the conduit through the exposed outlet; and    a plurality of receptacles underlying the respective outlets to receive the items therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacles are arranged in a pair of substantially straight rows extending generally along the opposite sides of said discharge end portion of the conduit.  
   
   
       3 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacles comprise hoppers located adjacent to said outlets and having lower ends comprising chutes.  
   
   
       4 . The improvement of  claim 3 , including doors on said chutes of the respective hoppers for opening and closing said chutes.  
   
   
       5 . The improvement of  claim 4 , including a plurality of bins underlying the respective hoppers to receive items discharged from said chutes when said doors are open.  
   
   
       6 . The improvement of  claim 3 , including a plurality of bins underlying the respective hoppers for receiving the items therefrom.