Aeration device for bulk material containers
US5017053A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1989 |
| Grant date | May 21, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G53/22
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aeration device to facilitate the flow and discharge of bulk material granules through a discharge opening in a bulk material container is disclosed. The aeration device includes at least one self-supporting molded plastic hollow body which is adapted to overlie an air inlet in the bulk material container at a predetermined distance above the discharge opening thereof. Each of the molded plastic hollow body aeration devices include an inner arched wall which is adapted to face the air inlet in the bulk material container and an outer arched wall facing away from the air inlet. The molded plastic hollow body is formed in a porous construction having a plurality of openings of predetermined porosity along the inner arched wall, a plurality of openings of predetermined smaller porosity along the outer arched wall, and inner tortuous pathways ending between the openings in the inner and outer arched walls. Air is evenly distributed throughout the molded plastic hollow body in order to provide faster and more complete bulk unloading, while minimizing or eliminating damaging back air pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.