The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 29, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 26, 2000
Applicant:
Inventor:
John C. Homer, III, Geauga, OH (US);
Assignee:
General Signal Corporation, Muskegon, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 3/700 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 3/700 ;
Abstract
A bulk material feeder for improving material flow as the material makes the generally ninety degree (90°) transition from the downcomer to the generally horizontal conveyor. The downcomer presents an innermost divergent surface that extends upwardly from the discharge opening of the downcomer. The divergent surface may be defined by an inlet wall that is fit within the outer casing wall of the downcomer, or by the outer casing wall itself. The present invention also concerns the method of retrofitting an existing feeder with a divergent inlet.