Abstract: A mass-flow hopper that stores solid particulates and provides gas assistance to readily discharge the particulate matter. The mass flow hopper has an upper conical section connected via an intermediate section to a lower conical section having a lower discharge orifice. The lower conical section has a frustoconical configured gas impermeable wall lined with a gas permeable fluidizing plate spaced therefrom to define a lower space. The upper conical section slope is steeper than the lower frusto-conically configured gas permeable wall slope. Gas injected into the lower space passes from the lower space through the gas permeable fluidizing plate into the hopper to form a fluidized layer of gas between the solid particulates in the hopper and the gas permeable fluidizing plate. The fluidized layer of gas reduces wall friction within the lower conical section to facilitate discharging the particulates from the hopper.

Abstract: A system for transporting measured amounts of bulk material from a first site to a remote site generally comprising means for holding a mass of material to be transported to the receptacle; means for transporting the material from the holding means to the receptacle; means for injecting a gas under pressure into the transporting means for pneumatically conveying material received from the holding means to the receptacle, operable in continuous and intermittent modes; means for sensing the weight of the receptacle; and a programmable logic controller operatively connected to the sensing means and the injecting means, operable responsive to a weight of the receptacle up to a first weight for operating the injection means in the continuous mode, a weight of the receptacle between the first weight and up to a second weight greater than the first weight for operating the injection means in the intermittent mode and to the second weight for discontinuing the injection means.

Abstract: A system for pneumatically conveying metered amounts of a bulk particulate material comprising a first conduit formed of a gas permeable material having a material inlet and outlet, a second conduit formed of a gas impermeable material encompassing and spaced from said first conduit, and means for intermittently supplying a fluidizing gas under pressure to the plenum between the first and second conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding bulk material transported by a pneumatic conveying line or by gravity into a container having an access spout generally consisting of means for supporting the container; a housing mountable on the supporting means including a cylindrical side wall having a lower open end insertable into the spout of the container, a closed upper wall having an opening disposed axially relative to the side wall through which a discharge end portion of the pneumatic conveying line may be inserted, a partition formed of a filter medium disposable between the side wall of the housing and the discharge end portion when such portion is inserted through the upper wall opening of the housing, providing a closed chamber and an open chamber communicating with the lower open end of the housing, and an outlet communicating with the closed chamber; and means mounted on a lower end of the housing side wall selectively operable to engage the spout when the lower end of the cylindrical side wall is inserted into the