Abstract: A weigh-pan metering and blending apparatus having a holding chamber for receiving fiber from a fiber distributer and providing temporary storage of the fiber. The metering chamber meters the fiber received from the holding chamber, wherein the metering chamber includes at least one discharge device for advancing the fiber to diverter doors pivotally mounted at one end of the metering chamber for oscillating movement between first and second downstream delivery openings. First and second weigh-pans communicating with respective ones of the first and second downstream delivery openings receive the fiber from the metering chamber. First and second discharge chambers receive the fiber from respective ones of the first and second weigh-pans, wherein the first and second discharge chambers include a discharge device for advancing the fiber to adjacent transfer ducts for discharge.

Abstract: An improved weighing hopper for use with a transition chute in a weighing scale of a packaging machine system is disclosed which provides for better control of the flowable materials in the weighing hopper and the transition chute and comprises forming the bottom surface of at least one weigh hopper and the transition chute into which the weigh hopper dumps its material with a slope that is equal to or greater than an angle of repose of the materials being handled in the weighing hopper. The use of the angle of repose or greater in combination with a controlled opening of the weigh hopper doors aids in controlling the flow of material and minimizes dust generation.

Abstract: An improved transition section for a bag filling device is disclosed for use with a bag filling machine. The device comprises a new and novel transition structure that may be utilized to effectively absorb the energy of the material passing through the filling machine and to effectively control the flow of the material in the transition section so that at least two flow paths are formed within the transition chute throat section with one flow path being utilized for downwardly flow of the material being filled in the bag filling machine and the other flow path being utilized for upwardly flow of dust and air resulting from the filling process. The dual flow paths are formed by a rigid divider member fixedly attached to the control device suspended in the transition chute with the divider member moving in a generally horizontal direction in an arcuate path.