Resin delivery system with air flow regulator

摘要

Apparatus and methods for conveying granular plastic resin from a supply to receivers that retain and dispense the resin when needed by process machine include a vacuum pump, an air flow limiter connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump, a first conduit connecting the receivers to the air flow limiter, and a second conduit connecting the resin supply to the receivers.

主权项

1. Apparatus for conveying granular plastic resin from a supply to receivers that retain and dispense the resin when needed by a process machine, comprising:
a. vacuum pump; b. an air flow limiter connected to a suction head of the vacuum pump, comprising:
i. a vertically oriented tube;ii. pair of open-ended telescoping tubular internal segments within the tube, an outer tubular segment being fixed and the other being slide ably movable along the fixed segment in the axial direction;iii. a plate extending partially across the interior of the vertically oriented tube, positioned for contacting the movable one of the telescoping tubular segments and limiting travel of the moveable telescoping tubular segment, the plate covering an open upper end of the movable telescoping tubular segment upon contact therewith;iv. a sail positioned in the vertically oriented tube below the telescoping segments;v. a strut connecting the sail and the moveable telescoping tubular segment;vi. the baffle positioned to direct upward air flow within the tube into the telescoping tubular segments;the movable telescoping tubular segment moving vertically within the tube unitarily with the sail responsive to air flow upwardly through the tube against the sail; c. a first conduit connecting the receivers to the air flow limiter; and d. a second conduit connecting the supply to the receivers; whereby suction created by operation of the vacuum pump draws granular plastic resin from the supply into the receivers through the second conduit and draws air from the second conduit through the receivers, the first conduit. and the air flow limiter.