Apparatus for feeding poorly flowable dry particulate materials

Abstract

Apparatus for feeding poorly flowable dry particulate materials includes a rotary supply hopper having an interior chamber for receiving and containing a quantity of material and an annular sidewall open at a lower edge, a stationary platform having a circular groove formed in a top surface of the platform encircling an upright central axis and an opening extending through the platform adjacent to the circular groove, spaced from the central axis and defined between the circular groove and central axis, a support structure supporting the hopper above the platform to undergo rotation relative to the platform about the upright central axis with the lower edge of the supply hopper being spaced from and extending downward into the circular groove of the platform such that the platform serves as a stationary bottom for the rotary supply hopper, and an annular discharge spout attached at an open upper end to the platform below and encircling the opening through the platform and having a transfer passage extending from the open upper end to an open lower end so that material can undergo gravity-assisted flow downward through the platform opening and discharge spout passage for discharge at the open lower end of the discharge spout. The apparatus also includes a stripper blade rotatably mounted to the discharge spout and extending radially inward across the open lower end thereof for engaging discharging material to assist its movement away from the open lower end of the discharge spout.