Process and apparatus for cleaning the raw-material charging vessel of a processing machine

摘要

A process for cleaning the raw-material charging vessel of a processing machine, in particular a plastics processing machine (M) provides that, once the charging vessel (2) has been emptied, a substantial quantity of air is passed through the said vessel in a surge in order to take with it particles adhering to the wall of the vessel. Preferably, a suction force is applied to the charging vessel (2) in order to develop a certain subatmospheric pressure once the outlet opening (10) has been closed, so that the amount of air exerting the said effect flows in the manner of a cyclone through the charging vessel (2) when the outlet opening (10) is opened. The process permits automatic cleaning of the charging vessels (2) of a multiplicity of processing machines which are supplied with raw material from a storage silo via a pneumatic suction conveying system. <IMAGE>