Plural air flow limiter delivery apparatus and method

Abstract

A vacuum pump with a first flow limiter connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump for conveying granular resin material from a supply to receivers retaining and dispensing the resin when needed by a process machine and a second flow limiter controlling and limiting to a maximum value vacuum flow through a conduit carrying auxiliary additives to the receivers.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . Apparatus having a vacuum pump for conveying granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers that retain and dispense the resin when needed by a process machine, comprising:
 a) a first air flow limiter connected to a suction head of the vacuum pump;   b) a primary conduit connecting the receivers to the air flow limiter;   c) at least one auxiliary supply component connected to an associated receiver for furnishing an auxiliary material thereto;   d) a second air flow limiter located in a secondary conduit connecting the auxiliary component to the vacuum pump via the primary conduit.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus having a vacuum pump for conveying granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers that retain and dispense the resin when needed by a process machine, comprising:
 a) a primary conduit of a first diameter connecting the receivers to the vacuum pump;   b) a plurality of first air flow limiters associated with respective ones of the receivers, each first air flow limiter being positioned in the primary conduit connecting the associated receiver to the vacuum pump;   c) at least one auxiliary supply component connected to an associated receiver for furnishing auxiliary supply material thereto;   d) a second air flow limiter located in a secondary conduit connecting the auxiliary supply component to the vacuum pump via the primary conduit at a position upstream of the first air flow limiters.   
     
     
         3 . Apparatus for conveying granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers that retain and dispense the resin when needed by a process machine, comprising:
 a) a first air flow limiter connected to the suction head of a vacuum pump;   b) a primary conduit connecting the receivers to the first air flow limiter;   c) at least one auxiliary supply component connected to an associated receiver for furnishing auxiliary supply material thereto;   d) a second air flow limiter located in a secondary conduit connecting the auxiliary supply component to the primary conduit at a position downstream of the first air flow limiter.   
     
     
         4 . Apparatus for conveying granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers that retain and dispense the resin when needed by a process machine, comprising:
 a) a vacuum pump;   b) a primary conduit connecting the receivers to the vacuum pump;   c) a plurality of first air flow limiters, one associated with each receiver, each first air flow limiter being positioned in the primary conduit connecting the associated receiver to the vacuum pump;   d) at least one auxiliary supply component connected to an associated receiver for supplying auxiliary supply material thereto;   e) a second air flow limiter located in a secondary conduit connecting the auxiliary supply component to the primary conduit between the affiliated associated receiver and the first air flow limiter.   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the primary conduit is of a first diameter; the secondary conduit is of a second diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the primary conduit is of a first diameter; the secondary conduit is of a second diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the primary conduit is of a first diameter; the secondary conduit is of a second diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the primary conduit is of a first diameter; the secondary conduit is of a second diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the first diameter is 2 inches and the second diameter is 1½ inches. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the primary conduit is of a first diameter; the secondary conduit is of a second diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the primary conduit is of a first diameter; the secondary conduit is of a second diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the primary conduit is of a first diameter; the secondary conduit is of a second diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the air flow limiters comprise:
 a) a vertically oriented tube; 
 b) a pair of open-ended telescoping tubular internal segments within the tube, an outer tubular segment being fixed and the other being slide ably movable along the fixed segment in the axial direction; 
 c) a plate extending partially across the interior of the vertically oriented tube, positioned for contacting the movable one of the telescoping tubular segments and limiting travel of the moveable telescoping tubular segment, the plate covering an open upper end of the movable telescoping tubular segment upon contact therewith; 
 d) a sail positioned in the vertically oriented tube below the telescoping segments; 
 e) a strut connecting the sail and the moveable telescoping tubular segment; 
 f) the baffle positioned to direct upward air flow within the tube into the telescoping tubular segments; 
 the movable telescoping tubular segment moving vertically within the tube unitarily with the sail responsive to air flow upwardly through the tube against the sail. 
 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus of  claim 4  wherein at least some of the air flow limiters comprise:
 a) a tube; 
 b) a tubular segment within the tube being movable in the axial direction; 
 c) a plate extending at least partially across the interior of the tube, for contacting the movable tubular segment and defining a limit of travel of the movable tubular segment; 
 d) a sail connected to the moveable tubular segment and being movable therewith within the tube; 
 e) a baffle, connected to and within the tube, defining a second limit of travel of the movable tubular segment, the moveable tubular segment being in sliding telescoping engagement with a tubular portion of the baffle, the baffle directing air flow within the tube into the tubular segment; 
 the movable tubular segment being movable unitarily with the sail in response to upward air flow through the tube contacting the sail. 
 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the air flow limiters are tubular. 
     
     
         16 . A method for conveying granular plastic resin material from a supply thereof to at least one receiver, for temporary storage of the granular plastic resin material in the receiver until the material is needed by a process machine associated with the receiver, comprising:
 a) positioning a conduit with an open end in the supply;   b) drawing vacuum through the conduit at a second end of the conduit, thereby conveying granular plastic resin material out of the supply and along the conduit;   c) providing a receiver connected to the conduit for receipt of granular resin material from the conduit;   d) positioning an air flow limiter in the conduit to limit air flow within the conduit to a preselected value;   e) collecting in the receiver resin entrained in the drawn vacuum.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a) supplying the conduit in two segments, one having the open end and connecting the receiver with the supply and the second connecting the receiver with a source drawing the vacuum; and 
 b) Positioning the air flow limiter in the second conduit segment. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the air flow limiter is tubular and further comprising positioning the air flow limiter with its axis vertically oriented.