Method and apparatus for filling containers with dry ice pellets
US5503198A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/20
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pneumatic pellet transportation apparatus loads a predetermined quantity of dry ice pellets into an empty container while simultaneously evacuating the containers of dead air. The apparatus includes an aerator for fluidizing the dry ice pellets into a moving stream of compressed air. A container interface unit directs the fluidized dry ice pellets into an opening provided in the container. A method of using the pneumatic pellet transportation apparatus includes deactivating an auger well before the aerator is deactivated in order to clear the vacuum insulated transport conduit for efficient utilization of dry ice pellet resources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.