摘要 |
<p>A hopper that greatly reduces the tendency of the particulate material to form bridges within the hopper is shaped so that its walls slope downward more steeply at the bottom of the hopper and slope less steeply with increasing heights above the outlet. In one embodiment the slope decreases continuously with increasing height above the oulet. In another embodiment the hopper is formed of successive sections, each joined around its circumference to the next-lower section, the wall of each section being less steeply inclined than the wall of the adjoining next-lower section. Exact relationships are given, relating the slopes of successive sections, and if the hopper is built in conformity with theses relationships, arching of the particulate material is eliminated.</p> |