Abstract: Chip- or plate-like pieces such as wood chips are tightly packed into a ship's hold or other cargo space by directing the material through a pipe to fall by gravity, the pipe guiding the material to rotating paddles. The paddles engage the pieces of material and propel the pieces away from the paddles along a horizontal path. The pieces are spread over a wider area, and are given time to fall flat, so the pieces land in the cargo space oriented for dense packing. The paddles are connected to a center shaft and angle outward to connect to a support ring. Material is dropped into the center of the support ring to be engaged by the paddles as the assembly rotates. Material can be limited to the upper, faster, areas of the paddles by a frustoconical diverter disposed centrally of the paddles. A choke can be used to provide a dense stream of pieces to the paddles; and, the choke may move the stream off center for uneven distribution.

Abstract: Chip- or plate-like pieces such as wood chips are tightly packed into a ship's hold or other cargo space by directing the material through a pipe to fall by gravity, the pipe guiding the material to rotating paddles. The paddles engage the pieces of material and propel the pieces away from the paddles along a horizontal path. The pieces are spread over a wider area, and are given time to fall flat, so the pieces land in the cargo space oriented for dense packing. The paddles are connected to a center shaft and angle outward to connect to a support ring. Material is dropped into the center of the support ring to be engaged by the paddles as the assembly rotates. Material can be limited to the upper, faster, areas of the paddles by a frustoconical diverter disposed centrally of the paddles. A choke can be used to provide a dense stream of pieces to the paddles; and, the choke may move the stream off center for uneven distribution.