| 摘要 |
<p>A bulk-solid metering system (10) has a support structure (11). A feed hopper (31) is mounted with respect to the structure (11) and has an upper edge (34). In the improvement, the structure (11) includes an upper member (27) and the upper edge (34) is below such upper member (27). The structure (11) defines a lateral opening (69) sized and shaped to permit the feed hopper (31) to be withdrawn laterally through the opening (69). The feed hopper (31) includes a spout (43) extending therefrom. In a highly preferred embodiment, the lateral opening (69) is positioned to permit withdrawal of the feed hopper (31) in a direction away from the spout (43). The feed hopper (31) is configured to promote very good mass flow as well as to permit agitation in that, in one embodiment, it has a body (37) made of flexible material. There is a hopper upper flange (35) and the spout (43) is spaced below such flange. The body (37) has a first cross-sectional shape, e.g., circular, adjacent to the upper flange (35) and has a second cross-sectional shape, e.g., ellipse-like, intermediate the upper flange (35) and the spout (43).</p> |
