Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding and conveying material in a sorted manner in a pneumatic material conveying system, in which at least two material fractions re fed from a feed aperture and conveyed in a channel space further to a delivery end of a material conveying channel by gravity and/or suction Material is fed from at least one feed aperture of at least one input point and a first material fraction is conducted to the channel space and stored temporarily in the channel space or conducted to the outside of the channel space, and material is fed into a feed-in container, in which a second material fraction fed therein is held in temporary storage by a stopper means.

Abstract: Method for compensating a change in volume caused by a pressure difference of the intermediate container of an input point of a pneumatic pipe collection system for material and/or for preventing undesired material displacement from the intermediate container. In the method a bypass channel is arranged in the channel section formed by the intermediate container of an input point for compensating a change in volume resulting from the pressure difference of the pressures of different magnitudes possibly acting on different sides of the material and/or for preventing undesired material displacement from the channel section into the material conveying pipe. The invention also relates to an apparatus and to a wastes conveying system.

Abstract: Aspects of automated fabric picking are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a textile cutter including a tabletop upon which textile panels can be cut out from a textile sheet, a textile panel picker, and a computing device. The textile panel picker includes a flexible transport tube, a transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the tabletop and the textile panels, a textile hopper to collect the textile panels, and a pneumatic pump assembly to evacuate air from the textile hopper and through the flexible transport tube. The computing device identifies and tracks the textile panels on the tabletop, directs the transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the textile panels, and directs the pneumatic pump assembly to generate suction to pull the textile panels through the flexible transport tube and into the textile hopper.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism for feeding mechanical fasteners, such as rivets, screws, bolts and similar fasteners, as well as to a robot end effector comprising such a mechanism and a robot being equipped with such an end effector. The feeder mechanism includes a transport means for transporting mechanical fasteners and a stopping and aligning unit with a stopping plate to decelerate transported fasteners.

Abstract: Remote submerged scraper conveyor (SSC) consists of a conventional SSC modified to include a slurry processing system, which allows it to be located remotely from associated boilers at or slightly above grade level rather than directly under a boiler like a conventional SSC. The slurry processing system includes a pair of overflow troughs 34 and associated weirs located exterior to and along the top edge of each side of the horizontal section of the SSC and an underflow baffle, which extends from a position above the water line down into the horizontal section of the SSC below the water line. The slurry processing system allows the Remote SSC to receive a high volume wet ash slurry discharge via a slurry discharge pipe conventionally sent to an ash pond or a tall dewatering bin system.

Abstract: An ash transport system and method is provided that includes a transport line, four hoppers, and an airlock or hopper valve attached to each hopper. The ash transport system transports an ash mass from the airlock or hopper valve to the transport line if pressure in the transport line falls below a predefined pressure threshold assigned to the respective airlock or hopper valve. After a predefined period of time elapses, the ash transport system transports the ash mass from the airlock or hopper valve to the transport line if the pressure in the transport line falls below different respective predefined pressure thresholds. The airlocks and hopper valves simultaneously transport the ash masses to the transport line if, prior to the predefined period of time elapsing, the pressure in the transport line falls below each of the respective predefined pressure thresholds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A lock hopper (11) provided with air-tight hoppers (A3, B3) arranged side by side with entrance valves (A1, B1) arranged above the air-tight hoppers (A3, B3) and exit valves (A4, B4) arranged below the air-tight hoppers (A3, B3). The lock hopper (11) performs control which alternately repeats the following states: a state in which granular substances in an upper system are placed in one of the hoppers and gas is supplied into the other hopper to discharge granular substances from the inside of the other hopper to a lower system and a state in which the granular substances in the upper system are placed in the other hopper and gas is supplied to said hopper to discharge granular substances from the inside of said hopper to the lower system.

Abstract: The present invention is an attic insulating material comprised of polystyrene separating components mixed with cellulose fibers, which has a stabilized R-factor compared to cellulose insulation. The addition of polystyrene to the cellulose prevents settling of the insulation and the resulting diminished R-factor.

Abstract: An equipment for conveying sheet-shaped members, including a plurality of blower ducts being arranged in parallel; a common duct connected to outlets of the blower ducts; an air stream unit for generating air streams in the blower ducts; a plurality of sheet feeding units respectively connected to the blower ducts, the sheet feeding units feeding sheet-shaped members into the blower ducts; a plurality of open/close valves respectively provided to the blower ducts, the open/close valves opening and closing the blower ducts; a drive section for respectively driving the open/close valves; a collecting unit provided to a terminal end of the common duct, the collecting unit collecting the sheet-shaped members conveyed; and a control section for controlling the drive section.

Abstract: A container for the transport or storage of a bulk granular product is of generally cylindrical shape. Within the container is located a substantially conical exit hopper (13, 15, 17) and means (21) to convey the granular product from the exit hopper to the exterior of the container.

Abstract: The inductor assembly of the present invention is configured with an agricultural implement to enhance conveyance of product from a storage hopper to a remote location. The inductor assembly includes an inductor chamber that defines an interior cavity configured to receive the supply of product from the storage hopper, an inlet tube configured to direct the stream of pressurized air so as to generate a combined stream of pressurized air and product, and an outlet tube configured to pass the combined stream of pressurized air and product from the inductor chamber to a distribution system application of the product in an agricultural environment. The improved inductor assembly can further include a selectively extendable outlet tube assembly, a trajectory control assembly coupled to the inlet tube, and an adjustable cover assembly configured to regulate agitation of the product and to purge deposits downstream of the inductor assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily, in which: bulk material is metered by means of one or more input device(s) (8) into a lateral conveyor (1); and the bulk material in the lateral conveyor is subsequently emptied via a transport line (19) wherein the metering of the bulk material into the lateral conveyor (1) is achieved by means of the input device(s) (8) and the emptying of the lateral conveyor (1) is effected with simultaneous action of a mechanical conveyor (9) in the lateral conveyor and inflowing compressed gas (17), with the mechanical conveyor (9) having a narrow clearance with respect to the lateral conveyor (1), so that the lateral conveyor is substantially emptied during the emptying process.

Abstract: Vacuum pneumatic conveying apparatus and method are described to provide for a simple, economical, convenient (and preferably automatic) system for conveying ice on an as-required basis from a source such as an ice maker to one or more receptors at locations remote from that source. The system can be configured such that dispensing locations can be added or eliminated from the system or temporarily taken “off line” from the system without the need to change the basic system configuration or the central ice providing apparatus. The apparatus in various embodiments includes an ice source, a conveying conduit from the source to the receptor, a vacuum pump for moving the ice through the conduit by vacuum, and the receptor to collect the conveyed ice. The receptor may be an ice/beverage dispenser, an accumulator for retention and discharge to further devices, an intermediate storage dispenser, or an air lock device from where the ice can be projected over significant distances.

Abstract: Bulk material discharge assemblies comprise a bulk material hopper, a conduit for delivering an air stream to entrain with bulk material from the bulk material hopper, and a feeding apparatus for introducing additive to the conduit. The feeding apparatus comprises an additive hopper and an airlock positioned adjacent the conduit. In addition, metering apparatus are provided that comprise an axle and first and second metering wheels. A noncircular perimeter of the axle and the shape of each hub opening of each of the metering wheels cooperate to nonrotatably mount each metering wheel to the axle. The first and second metering wheel are adapted to be selectively mounted in at least one of a first relative position and a second relative position.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing granular material, in particular sand, the apparatus comprising: a) a portable distribution head; b) a flexible hose for transferring the material to the portable head; c) a main feed duct for feeding material from a storage vessel; d) a main suction duct associated with the flexible hose for sucking dust from the portable head; e) a plurality of n transfer vessels suitable for being fed with material from the main feed duct and for delivering the material to the portable distribution head; f) sets of multiple connections enabling the distribution head to receive material from a selected vessel and at least one other vessel to be fed simultaneously with the material; and g) control means for obtaining substantially continuous operation of the distribution head by controlling changeovers between the vessels which are caused to operate in alternation.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particles includes a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank and an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism The air distribution system includes a bank of tubes for transporting particles in a flow of air having a flow rate, and a damper mechanism at the bank of tubes for selective control of the flow rate within the bank of tubes. The apparatus for dispensing particles also includes an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the bank of tubes, a sensor located at each tube for providing a sensor output signal indicative of a value of a flow characteristic, and a controller operably connected to the sensors and to the damper mechanism.

Abstract: A primary air distribution manifold for an air seeder's pneumatic distribution system, wherein the primary air distribution manifold is provided with a top rank of venturis and a bottom rank of venturis for receiving an air stream from a blower which is divided into a top rank air stream and a bottom rank air stream. A selector valve is located above the top rank of venturis immediately below a product meter. The selector valve selectively directs metered product to either the top rank of venturis or the bottom rank of venturis. In a first position the selector valve directs metered product to the top rank of venturis in its second position the selector valve directs metered product to the bottom rank of venturis. Each selector valve is also provided with first and second air valves. In the selector valve's first position, the first air valve is open and directs air tapped from the top rank air stream to the product tank feeding product to the top rank of venturis.

Abstract: A truck is equipped with a grass seed hopper from which seed is fed into a blower pressurized conduit air flow by an air lock feeder at a first station. A motor with speed control drives the feeder and determines the rate of seed discharge. A tank on the truck permits the pumped flow of tank contents, water and/or fertilizer, into the conduit carried pressurized air flow. Organic material carried by the truck is conveyed forward by a moving floor toward augers which feed the organic material to a powered mixer for breaking up of the material to ensure passage of loose material into a rotary feeder at a second station. The feeder discharges into a mixing chamber whereat grass seed, discharged from the pressurized conduit, mixes with the organic material for subsequent discharge onto a ground surface via a flexible hose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for delivering dry bulk material (21) to a drilling mud system (50) of an oil and gas well comprises a plurality of collapsible bags (30) for holding a quantity of dry bulk material (21), each bag (30) being supported on a bag storage rack (20) having a discharge outlet (22) connected to the bags (30), the discharge outlets (22) having bag discharge valves (24); a hopper (40) for receiving and collecting material from the bags (30) and for discharging material into the drilling mud system (50) by means of a hopper discharge valve (48); a length of material discharge hose (70) connected to the discharge outlets (22) and to the hopper (40); and a vacuum pump (60) having a vacuum hose (47) to the hopper (40) for producing a vacuum in the hopper (40) and the hose (70) and thereby drawing material (21) from the bags (30) into the hopper (40) for discharge into the mud system (50).

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing loose materials, such as insulation or fireproofing in worksite areas, may be used for depositing a single or premixed loose material. Alternatively, the apparatus may be used both for combining two constituent loose materials to form a composite loose material and for depositing the composite loose material in a worksite area. The apparatus includes a separate hopper or bin for each of the constituent loose materials. Each hopper is operatively connected to a single loose material combining channel for supplying their respective constituent loose material for forming the composite loose material immediately before it is deposited in the worksite area. A single motor is used for supplying both constituent loose materials to the combining channel. The ratio of constituent loose materials in the composite loose material may be changed by replacing an easily accessible gear used in driving an auger for extracting the constituent loose material from one of the hoppers.

Abstract: A pneumatic material handling system for conveying dry, solid particulate product from one of at least two separate upstanding dry, solid particulate product supply containers to at least one desired destination. At least two identically constructed valves are connected into the conduit system intermediate the supply containers and the desired destination. Each of the two valves includes a base plate having at least first and second separate through passageways extending therethrough and a movable plate slidably mounted on the base plate and movable between first and second positions relative to the base plate. The movable plate has a third through passageway extending therethrough and being axially aligned with the first through passageway in the first position of the movable plate and with the second through passageway in the second position of the movable plate. A drive mechanism is provided for moving the movable plate between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method of transferring material from the bottom of a body of water provides a first tank submerged at a predetermined depth above the bottom. A material source is provided at the bottom subject to ambient water pressure, and is fluidly connected with the first tank. Material is transferred from the material source to the first tank by reducing the pressure in the first tank below the ambient water pressure at the predetermined depth. The ambient water pressure at the bottom thus forces the material into the first tank. Material is transferred from the first tank to a second tank under the force of compressed air until the first tank is substantially empty of material and full of compressed air. The first tank is connected to a third tank and an air compressor, the material transfer from the first tank to the second tank taking place by the compressor transferring compressed air to the first tank from the third tank.

Abstract: A method of transferring water provides potential energy with the air pressure of compressed air and uses compressed air used for transfer repeatedly and continuously. The compressed air is retained at the place where the water is transferred from. The compressed air retained is drawn and compressed by a compressor for another transfer operation, and the water is transferred continuously by an alternate replacement between the compressed air and the water. The water can be brought into a place by water pressure where the compressed air acts on the water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for applying an insulating and/or fireproofing compound monolithically onto a surface, wherein in a feed channel (1) a pneumatic conveyor (2) generates a moving air volume, into which are introduced an insulating and/or fireproofing material and a hardening agent (4) which pass with the air volume into a spray pistol (5), which is connected to the feed channel (1) and in which, just upstream of the nozzle-like outlet (6), a gaseous pressure medium (7) and binding agent or adhesive (8) are introduced.

Abstract: A method of transferring objects provides potential energy with the air pressure of compressed air and uses compressed air for transfer repeatedly and continuously. The compressed air is retained at the place where the objects are transferred from. The compressed air retained is drawn and compressed by a compressor for another transfer operation, and the objects are transferred continuously by an alternate replacement between the compressed air and the objects. The objects can be brought into a place by water pressure where the compressed air acts on the objects.

Abstract: A suction conveyor or delivery arrangement for the gravimetric allocation of pourable material components to several demand stations has a storage container containing in each case one component connected by, in each case, one delivery line to a distributor and a separator at each demand station, which is connected via a delivery line to the distributor, a suction line with stop valve to a suction fan and can be emptied via a closable discharge opening at the demand station. A control for the demand-dependent dosing of the components has a demand indicator, which releases a control signal for setting the distributor to the desired component and for opening the stop valve, as well as a setting device which, on reaching a predetermined quantity, releases a control signal for opening a ventilating valve in the delivery line and for closing the stop valve.

Abstract: A method for gasifying coal is disclosed. Coal is fed to the gasifier using lockhoppers which are in fluid communication with each other. Energy is recovered during depressurization steps by passing gas through a pressure recovery device such as a turbo-expander.

Abstract: A vacuum-type sewage collecting apparatus collect sewage discharged from a plurality of houses or facilities in an accumulating tank through a vacuum sewage pipe network, the inner pressure of which is negative. The vacuum sewage pipe network includes a plurality of upper stream pipes and lower stream pipes fastened to each other in a branch-like fashion. Each lower stream pipe has a sawtooth-like shape formed by alternately disposed downwardly-sloping portions extending gently downwards toward said accumulating tank, and lift portions fastened to the lowermost portion of a respective downwardly-sloping portion and extending upwardly with a steep slope. The upper stream pipe is connected to the lower stream pipe in a range in which a horizontal plane, which extends through an upper end portion of the lower stream pipe at the position in which the downwardly-sloping portion adjoins the lift portion, is higher than the center of the lower stream pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separate insertion chute (103) of the type which at spaced intervals are connected to an underground suction conveying conduit (106) communicating with a refuse suction system, the upper end above ground of each chute being provided with a closable insertion opening and the lower end below ground of each chute being connected to the suction conveying conduit. According to the invention, the insertion chute (103) consists of an upper chute portion (103a) which at its lower end is provided with a connecting flange (108a), and a lower chute portion (103b) which at its upper end is provided with a connecting flange (108e), said lower chute portion (103b) being received in a branching (109) extended from the suction conveying conduit (106), said branching likewise being provided with a connecting flange (108g) at its upper end.

Abstract: Transport container for the transport of bulk material provided with a filling-hole in the upper part and an emptying device in the rear. For the loading and unloading of also parcelled goods the container is provided with a side section that can be opened, and that the emptying device comprises a pneumatic pressure discharger with a pressure vessel into which the bulk material can freely flow from the container through a check valve and in which, with the check valve closed, pressure can be produced for discharging the bulk material through a discharge pipe.

Abstract: A method of mixing pulverulent materials and a device for practicing the method. In this method, the pulverulent material constituting a main material is continuously fed to a conveyor duct connected to a molding machine in fixed quantities while air is being fed to under pressure or drawn from the duct and simultaneously the pulverulent material constituting compounding ingredient material is fed to the duct at a specified value so that a mixing ration is maintained at a specified value. And in the method, a mixing ratio is changeable by variably controlling the amount of supply of compounding ingredient to the main material while feeding air into the duct or drawing air from the duct. In addition, the device is constructed of a pneumatic closed loop duct type and comprises a closed looplike duct, a pulverized reclaimed material feed unit, a virgin material feed unit, and a control means for regulate a mixed ratio.

Abstract: A solids transfer apparatus has at least one closed tank provided with a suction opening and a discharge opening, a suction valve communicated with the suction opening, a discharge valve communicated with the discharge opening, a pressure reducer for introducing solids into the closed tank and a supply device for discharging solids in fluid out of the closed tank whereby solids can be transferred. A removing device constituted by a water supply and a solids removing valve may be provided so that solids in the suction valve are removed before the suction valve is closed.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises stations or silos for accumulating the material, which are connected to stations for the drawing thereof through a pneumatic line including a recycling section which conveys the "trailings" or residues of material towards the silos thus performing the recovery thereof. Devices mounted on the pneumatic line at the stations perform the drawing of the material during its conveyance in the pneumatic line and discharge it therefrom, while for performing the recycling they allow the free transfer of the residues towards the silos.

Abstract: A dual air system for separately conveying fertilizer and seed in an implement such as an air drill or air seeder which includes an adjustable divider arrangement for providing a small amount of starter fertilizer to be placed with the seed. The total fertilizer metered by a fluted feed wheel is divided into two streams by an adjustable knife plate. A pivoting baffle plate resting against the knife plate deflects one of the two fertilizer portions to the fertilizer air system. The other fertilizer stream is delivered to the seed air system. The overall rate of fertilizer application may be adjusted without affecting the total amount of fertilizer provided to the seed air system.

Abstract: A device for metering bulk materials with a vertical axis having a rotor featuring radially extending paddles about the vertical axis, and a cover plate, constructed to prevent especially coarse particle materials from being scraped or squashed between the rotor and the cover plate. For this purpose a ring segment type opening is provided in the cover plate, and a recess is provided in the under surface of the cover adjacent the opening to provide a space for producing material slopes underneath, whereby the limiting edge between the inlet opening of the cover plate and the rotor paddles forms an acute angle.

Abstract: The novel system discloses both a batch operation and a continuous operation for supplying pressured liquid and a pressured slurry to an abrasive-jet cutting nozzle. In the batch operation, a single vessel for receiving and pressuring slurry is provided and this vessel goes off line, to be recharged with slurry, when it has disgorged its contents to the nozzle. In the continuous operation, a pair of such vessels are provided, and one supplies the nozzle with slurry while the other, having been emptied, is recharged with slurry; valves switch therebetween, to put a re-charged vessel on line, and an emptied one re-charging, to maintain a continuous slurry input for the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding product to a pipeline via a venturi assembly has first and second tanks adapted to separately hold a quantity of product. The product is fed to the tanks from a supply hopper and enters each tank through an upper opening which accommodates a feed chute. The open end of each feed chute is closable by a flapper door which is swingable between open and closed positions. Pressurized air from a compressor is used to selectively close the flapper doors via a set of pressure valves which control the flow of air into the tanks. The product is fed from each tank to the pipeline through a Y-shaped housing and the venturi assembly. The housing has respective lower openings for each tank, also closable by swingable flapper doors. When the upper doors are closed by the air pressure, the product is forced out of the tank into the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of transporting large diameter solids, such as coal having a diameter of greater than 1 inch, preferably eight to twelve inches, predicated on pipe diameter, in the form of a slurry through a pipeline is disclosed. The method comprises the step of placing large diameter solids in a vehicle and pumping it through a pipeline. The specific gravity of the vehicle is substantially equal to the specific gravity of the solids so that the coal remains in suspension over a wide range of pipeline velocities. A lubricant is added to the vehicle to reduce friction and enhance energy efficiency of the process. The coal is pumped from a pumping tank into which the solids and vehicle are introduced, the pumping tank, after filling, is pressurized with a fluid such as air or inert gas to propel the mixture through the pipeline. This pump and its valving allows large diameter solids to be pumped through the pipeline.

Abstract: An introduction process and apparatus is described concerning the continuous elution of a value, i.e. a metal value such as gold, from a particulate carrier by a counterflow of stripping liquid through the pressurized vessel in which the loaded particulate carrier is introduced to the vessel as a low velocity plug in a liquid carrier. The extraction process is also used with the continuous elution process in which the particulate material is extracted from the bottom part of a pressure vessel through a discharge pipe extending therefrom and in which a discharge liquid is introduced into the discharge pipe upstream of the discharge end under such pressure as to maintain a head of the discharge liquid upstream of that location and a flow of the liquid downstream from the location to transport the particulate material through the discharge pipe.

Abstract: A garbage conveying system is provided. The system has upstream and downstream ends and includes a plurality of remote terminals adapted to receive garbage at a plurality of locations, a central terminal for receiving garbage from each of the remote terminals, and a plurality of remote terminal valves positioned between each of the remote terminals and the central terminal for selective isolation of one or more of the remote terminals.

Abstract: A silo system for flowing loose materials, particularly cement with at least two storage silos each with a conical cover raised over their base and on whose lower edge are provided discharge openings connected to a central storage tank, the storage silos being interconnected by a transverse conveying arrangement.

Abstract: An installation for transporting fine-grained material to a consumer using two alternately filled and emptied pneumatic pressure vessels (3, 4) together with an outlet valve (12, 12') and a control nozzle (15, 15') in the material discharge pipe of each of the two pressure vessels. The control nozzles (15, 15') are connected to an air distributor (18) through which the control nozzle receives a reduced amount of compressed air when the material discharge pipe is shut off.With an installation such as this, a continuous and exactly metered delivery of fine-grained material is obtained without any mechanically moved parts in the delivery path and with a low rate of flow in the delivery pipe.

Abstract: A system for moving large quantities of pulverulent material from receiving hoppers, such as those of a fly ash precipitator, into a pressurized air conveyor pipeline. Separate auger conveyors move material from a first line of receiving hoppers and from a second line of receiving hoppers into gravity material inlets at opposite ends of an effectively airtight casing of a pressure mechanical conveyor wherein auger conveyor screws of opposite hand move it toward a central outlet through which it drops into the pressurized air conveyor pipeline. The auger conveyors and the pressure conveyor augers operate continuously; and the system is cycled to alternately feed material into the pressure conveyor casing at receiving hopper pressure, which is about atmospheric pressure, and out of the pressure conveyor casing at pipeline pressure. The cycles of two or more pressure conveyors are out of phase with one another so they feed material into the pipeline consecutively to provide level pipeline flow.

Abstract: A dispensing and weighing system for multiple ingredients, including a plurality of individual ingredient batch weighers. Each batch weigher includes apparatus to store and dispense a particulate material to a scale from which the weighed portion of the material is intended to be delivered to a pneumatic ingredients delivery conduit. The pneumatic conduit discharges into a weighing hopper, where the weight of all of the batches delivered to the hopper is determined. A method for dispensing individual, weighed batches of particulate material, and for determining the total weight of the material actually delivered to a receiver.

Abstract: A vehicle for receiving, transporting, measuring and delivering weighed amounts of flowable pulverulent material, such as wheat flour, has a blower which draws the material from a storage container to a selected one of a plurality of measuring containers where it is weighed and the weighed contents are then emptied by the blower for delivery to the customer, such as a bakery. A plurality of measuring containers are provided so that one may be filling while another is discharging. The vehicle is automated with sensing switches and valves regulating the operation.

Abstract: A new apparatus for suspending and transporting particulate material is described. The apparatus is particularly useful for transporting and depositing thermal insulation into building spaces. The apparatus includes a conduit junction having a particle inlet conduit for the particulate material, an outlet conduit and an air inlet conduit to supply air under pressure for suspending the particulate material passing into the junction, e.g. from a closed receptacle such as a plastic bag in which the particulate material is stored. The air inlet conduit provides air at superatmospheric pressure to the closed receptacle, thereby placing the stored particulate material and the interior of the receptacle at or above the air pressure in the junction. The particulate material is then able to move into the junction without traversing an air current travelling in the opposite direction. The outlet conduit carries air and particulate material away from the junction to a delivery point.

Abstract: A mobile bulk material unloader for a bulk carrier or general cargo ship including a mechanical elevator associated with a pneumatic system which can be suspended from a derrick and lowered into the hold of a bulk carrier such that the inlet means is in connection with the material to be transported. The combining of a mechanical elevator and a pneumatic system have resulted in a compact, portable unloader which substantially reduces the quantity of dust produced during transportation and which avoids the necessity of providing special bases in the holds of bulk carriers or the provision of expensive and complex bulk unloading structures located on the quay.