For removing particles from a tube by means of a missile

摘要

A method of emptying tubes containing particles includes the steps of propelling missiles up the tube, striking and dislodging the particles, causing the particles and missiles to fall out of the bottom of the tube into a receptacle from which they are removed by vacuum. A gas controlled, gas activated missile loading and firing apparatus for firing burst of missiles into one or more tubes is used to dislodge and empty the particles contained therein.