US2689674A - Machine for filling fabric casings with filling materials by means of a helical conveyer and an air blower and a plenum type chamber - Google Patents

Description

Sept; 21,1954

MATERIALS BY MEANS 0 AIR BLOWER AND Filed May 15, 1953 R. J. GOLDBERG MACHINE FOR FILLI NG FABRIC CASINGS WITH FILLING F' A HELICAL CONVEYER AND AN A PLENUM TYPE CHAMBER 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN Sept. 21, 1954 FIGZ R. J. GOLDBERG MACHINE FOR FILLING FABRIC CASINGS WITH FILLING MATERIALS BY MEANS OF AIR BLOWER AND A Filed May 15, 1953 A HELICAL CONVEYER AND AN PLENUM TYPE CHAMBER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ROBERT J. GOLDBERG INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1954 J GOLDBERG 2,689,674

MACHINE FoR FILLING FABRIC CASINGS WITH FILLING MATERIALS BY MEANS OF A HELICAL CONVEYER AND AN AIR BLOWER AND A PLENUM TYPE CHAMBER Filed llay 15, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 r A Q 7\ 4 3 Vfl//////fl E 8 A fi 2 E N E s E s A 5 ROBERTJ. GOLDBERG INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1954 RVJ, GOLDBERG 2,689,674

MACHINE FOR FILLING FABRIC CASINGS WITH FILLING MATERIALS BY MEANS OF A HELICAL CONVEYER AND AN AIR BLOWER AND A PLENUM TYPE CHAMBER Flled May 15, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ROBERT J. GOLDBERG INVENTOR BMW ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1954 R LbBERG 2,689,674

. J. GO MACHINE FOR FILLING FABRIC CASINGS WITH FILLING MATERIALS BY MEANS OF A HELICAL CONVEYER AND AN AIR BLOWER'AND A PLENUM TYPE CHAMBER Filed llay 15, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ROBERT J. GOLDBERG INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Sept. 21, 1954 GQLDBERG 2,689,674

MACHINE FOR FILLING FABRIC CASINGS WITH FILLING MATERIALS BY MEANS OF A HELICAL CONVEYER AND AN AIR BLOWER AND A PLENUM TYPE CHAMBER Filed May 15, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 107 Ill 1/3 112 115 I 10a 140 I I O A: 0 136 Jr; J o 137- 159 l39' -1 3 ll 0 o a0 W o A 127 133 13s M2 1 g I T:::: o

L 144- L I I j //o A 1421 121 .o/ F|G.9 I

FIGJQ ROBERT J. GOLDBERG INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 21, 1954 MACHINE FOR FILLING FABRIC CASINGS WITH FILLING MATERIALS BY MEANS OF A HELICAL CONVEYER AND ANAIR BLOWER AND A PLENUM TYPE CHAMBER Robert J. Goldberg, New York, N. Y. Application May 15, 1953, Serial No. 355,341

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a combined apparatus for picking and stufiing or filling fibrous material or stock, such as cotton, kapok, hair, fiberglas, or divided material such as rubber particles into porous or non-porous casings by means of a force feeding helical conveyor.

An object of this invention is to provide a combined picking and stuffing machine comprising a chamber for receiving materials to be processed, the receiving chamber having an opening in its floor, the opening being defined by a substantially semi-circular screen positioned below the floor of the receiving chamber, and to mount a helical conveyor preferably below the floor of the receiving chamber, the screen being substantially concentric with the conveyor, the receiving chamber having a shaft carrying a plurality of agitator arms above the floor level and designed to scan a large number of coacting stationary picker teeth which keep the material in a loosely divided state, one agitator being pref erably positioned in superposed relation with the helical conveyor. Also, to provide a plenum chamber around the conveyor screen, from which air is exhausted to positively initiate the feeding of the materials to the helical conveyor.

Another object of this invention is to provide air blowing means for placing the fibers in the receiving chamber in air-borne suspension in such a manner that the fibers are pneumatically conveyed toward the supply portion of the helical conveyor.

According to a preferred embodiment of my invention, the filling material is conveyed from a hopper to a force feed helical conveyor. The receiving chamber is provided with mechanical and pneumatic agitation means which operate to place the filling material in directed air-borne suspension.

The air suspended fibers within the receiving chamber are drawn into a pocket or opening formed by a curved screen which partially surrounds the supply end portion of the force feed helical conveyor where the processed material is fed into a nozzle in which an extension of the helical conveyor is rotatably mounted.

Pneumatic suction means is connected to the plenum chamber around the helical conveyor to remove the air from around the helical conveyor to positively initiate the feeding of the processed material through the extension portion or nozzle portion of the conveyor.

Another object of this invention is to provide actuating mechanism whereby the helical conveyor is reciprocated while rotated and so that the combined rotary and reciprocating motions act jointly on the filling material and function to provide non-compacted filling material portions in between the conveyor-fed portions of the filling material. Also to provide means causing the conveyor to rotate and reciprocate when moving in direction out of the nozzle, and only reciprocate when moving in direction into the nozzle, and in timed sequence.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described, and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims which form part of this specification.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the feeding and stufling apparatus embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the machine shown in Figure 1, with the cover removed.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Figure 2, theconveyor not being crosssectioned.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a central cross-sectional view taken through the nozzle and showing a two-step arrangement of the helical force feeding spiral conveyor.

Figure 6 is a top plan view showing a modified arrangement of mechanism for driving the helical conveyor in a manner such that reciprocations or linear feeding motions are imparted to the conveyor simultaneously with the rotary motions.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the modified rotary and linear drive mechanism shown in plan view in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a top plan view showing another modified arrangement of mechanism for transmitting rotary and reciprocating motions to the conveyor when moving in one direction and only reciprocating motion in the other direction and in timed sequence.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 9.

Figure 10 is a front View of a modified nozzle and helical conveyor having keys longitudinally positioned inside the nozzle.

In the illustrated'embodiment of the invention, the numeral It indicates an apparatus for feeding and stufiing fibrous or other materials into casings such as that used for cushions, stuffedtoys, dolls, etc., of which the casings may be porous or non-porous.

The apparatus It comprises a closed top rectangular chamber II for receiving the filling materials. The chamber II has two end walls I2, I2. The end wall I2 has a feed hopper I3 extending therefrom. The receiving chamber I I has two side walls I4, I4. In the receiving chamber H are stationary toothed bars I5 extending substantially the entire length of the chamber. Each bar I5 has .a plurality of horizontally facing sharp pointed angular teeth It, in spaced-apart relation. A further stationary toothed bar I9 is placed at the floor portion of the chamber II and has triangular upwardly facing picker teeth.

Mounted on a horizontally rotatable agitator shaft 29 in the receiving chamber I I is a plurality of agitators 2I. In practice, the rotatable agitators 2i coact with the stationary picker teeth It to set up a picking action on the filling material deposited in the chamber II through a door 22 secured by a hinge 23 to the chamber cover 24. Sizeable lumps of fibrous or other materials are thrown into the feed hopper I3 where the rotating agitator arms coacting with the teeth break and tear the stock into divided form which are passed against the stationary picker teeth. The materials are fed in divided pieces into an opening 25 which is positioned at the opposite or discharge end of the receiving chamber I I.

It is to be noted that the filling materials may, if desired, be deposited into the receiving chamber II in comparatively large lumps which are unsuitable for insertion into the casings, etc. This requires that the coacting rotary agitators and stationary triangular toothed elements should be suitably spaced-apart from each other so as to break up the large lumps.

A pulley 26 is mounted on the agitator shaft 20 and is driven by a belt 21 mounted on a motor pulley 28. A pulley 29 is mounted on a conveyor shaft 99 rotatably mounted in bearings 3I and 32 below the receiving chamber II. The pulley 29 is of large diameter and is connected by a belt 39 to a motor pulley 34. The motor 38 is thus adapted to drive the shaft at reduced speed.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the opening 25 is of rectangular form and is preferably cut in the lower Wall 49 of the receiving chamber II; Secured to the lower wall of the chamber II (Figure 3), is a plenum type chamber M of substantially rectangular form and having a flange 42 serving for securing the plenum chamber M to the wall 49 of the receiving chamber I I by bolts 43.

The plenum chamber 4I has an opening 45 in alignment with the opening 25 in the receiving chamber II. At the lower wall 45 of the plenum chamber M is a clean-out opening 49 which is suitably closed air tight by a cover 41.

A helical conveyor 49 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 39 by means of a hub 50 which fits on the shaft 99. The conveyor 49 is positioned horizontally and centrally of a screen 56. The conveyor 49 has a helical or screw type blade 5| of the same length as the opening 25. The conveyor 49 is formed at one end into a key 52 to which is attached a step-down conveyor extension 54 rotatably mounted in a nozzle 55.

The screen 56 has perforations 51 and of semicircular form circumscribes substantially onehalf the circumference of the conveyor 49 and is suitably attached by flange 58 and bolts 59 to the plenum chamber 4 I The plenum chamber M has 4 an outlet 60 to which is attached a suction conduit GI. The other end of the suction conduit 6I is attached to the suction inlet 62 of a blower 63.

The blower 63 comprises a casing 64 inwhich an impeller 55 is rotatably mounted and driven by a motor shaft 65. In the lower part of the side wall 61 is an outlet opening 68. Secured to the upper portion of the outlet opening 68 is a screen 69 which circumscribes the impeller 55 in concentric relation for about ninety degrees. Beyond the ninety degree portion, the screen 69 is in volute or spiral relation with the impeller. The screen 69 has perforations ID for substantially one hundred and eighty degrees and without perforations for the remainder volute portion.

At the upper portion of the other upright side wall I2 is an outlet tube I3 to which is attached an air bleeding relief bag I4 of the vacuum cleaner type. The bag I4 serves to receive the exhaust air from the blower and entrap such particles as may have passed through the screen 69.

Attached to the outlet opening 58 is a delivery conduit 75 which extends upwardly and communicates with the receiving chamber I I through an opening 16.

The conduit I5 serves for delivering the discharge from the blower into the receiving chamber to keep the materials in suspension in the receiving chamber.

It is preferable that the blower 53 be constantly operating so that there will always be available an air suction in the plenum chamber 4|. It is to be noted that the receiving chamber may be covered and operate above atmospheric pressure or may be operated under atmospheric conditions.

In the lower portion of the suction conduit 6| is an apertured extension .99 providing an atmospheric air inlet. A valve BI suitably mounted in the extension is used to maintain pre-determined constant suction inside the plenum chamber 4| The valve 89 is held down by a tensioned coil spring 82. The upper end of the spring is secured in an aperture in the valve stem 83 and the lower end is secured in an aperture in a threaded member 84 in the lower face of the ex tension.

For manual pre-setting of a controlled flow or suction, I use a hand set butterfly valve 95 which rotates on a pivot 85 in the suction conduit EI. A blast gatemay be used forthis purpose.

It is found desirable to provide mechanism 69 coacting in the operation of the helical conveyor whereby the filling material fed thereby is less compacted. For this purpose, the drive shaft 39 (Figures 6 and '7) is divided into two sections 39' and 39 The section 99' is rotatable but not slidable and terminates at one. end in a rectangular key 99.

The section 30 is rotatable and slidable and terminates at the end adjacent the key 99 in a keyway 9i which is engageable with the key and slidable relative to the key.

The helical conveyor 49 is mounted in an elongated opening 92 which is longer than the conveyor, the conveyor being mounted in offset relation in the opening so as to leave a vacant space 93 through which the shaft section 99 passes and in which non-compacted filling material is deposited by the feeding action of the air blower 63.

The shaft section 39 is turned down at 94 to provide two collars 95, 95 which are spaced apart from each other to provide bearing surfaces for an eccentric 95 mounted on a shaft 91 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 98.

A pulley 99 mounted on the shaft 91 is driven Rotation of the shaft 91 by the motor causes,

the eccentric 96 to impart reciprocato-ry motions to the shaft section 30 while the shaft section 30 is rotated by the shaft section 30. This arrangement of the shaft sections and eccentric causes the conveyor 49 to be reciprocated simultaneously with its rotary motions, partially intoand out of the nozzle.

It is to be noted that when the rate of motion of the reciprocations or linear feeding is equal to the thread lead of the helical conveyor, that this will cause non-compacted soft wads of filling material to be delivered between the compacted material normally fed by the conveyor through the nozzle 55.

Figures 8 and 9 show another modified arrangement of mechanism I designed for transmitting rotary and reciprocating motions to the conveyor when moving in direction, out of nozzle, and only reciprocating motion in direction into the nozzle, and in timed sequence.

The mechanism I05 comprises a drive shaft section I06 and a driven shaft section I06 The shaft section I06 is rotatable but not slidable and terminates at one end in a conical female clutch member I01 which is secured to the shaft section I06 by a pin I08. The shaft section I06 is rotatably mounted in a bearing I09 which is supported on a plate H0.

The shaft section I06 has a key I II on which a conical male clutch member II 2 is slidably mounted. The clutch member II2 has a keyway H3 in engagement with the key III. The shaft section I06 is rotatably mounted in a bearing I I4.

A coil spring H5 is mounted in compression on the shaft section I06 and is interposed between the bearing I I4 and the clutch member I I2. The coil spring II5 urges the clutch member II2 into engagement with the clutch member I01.

The shaft section I06 is turned down at II1 to provide two collars H8, H8 which are spaced apart from each other to provide bearing surfaces for an eccentric I fixed on a shaft I 2! and. which is rotatably mounted in a bearing I22.

A pulley I is suitably secured to the shaft l2! and may be driven by a motor (not shown) otherend portion of the shaft I2I is rotatably mounted in a bearing I23.

An open face type disk cam I21 is suitably secured to the shaft IZI. A follower I28 is slidably mounted in a bearing I29 and has a forked end I30 which carries a pin I3I on which is mounted a roller I32 which is in contact with the cam I21.

The other end of the follower I28 carries a pin I33. A lever I34 is fulcrumed on a pin I35 and has a forked end I36 which engages the pin I33. The other end I31 of the lever I34 terminates in a circular end portion I38 which contacts two bearing surfaces I39, I39 in a cutout portion I40 of the member H2.

It is to be noted that the cam I21 has a concentric portion I42 along which the follower I28 has a dwell or period of rest.

Rotation of the shaft I2I causes the eccentric I20 to impart reciprocatory motions to the shaft section I06 while the said shaft section is rotated by the shaft section I06. This arrangement of the shaft sections and eccentric causes the conveyor 49 to be reciprocated simultaneously with its rotary motions.

The

The cam I 21 is rotated simultaneously with the rotation of the eccentric I20 and this causes the follower I 28 to swing the lever I34 and to move the male clutch member II2 away from the female clutch member I01.

The cam I 21 has another concentric portion Movement of the cam I21in direction of the arrow (Figure 9) will cause the follower I28 to suddenly move towards the lever I34 and to disengage the clutch members I01 and H2 and the concentric section I42 causes the said parts to be held apart for a predetermined period during which time the eccentric I 20 causes reciprocation of the COIIVEYOI492 toward the discharge end of the nozzle while the conveyor does not rotate. This movement causes discharge of the filling material.

Further rotation of the shaft I2I causes the eccentric I20 to move the shaft section I06 and the conveyor 49 to reciprocate in a reverse direction. Simultaneously, the follower I28 suddenly moves toward the cam into a curved portion I44 and this permits the loaded coil spring I I5 to actuate the male clutch member I I2 into engaging position, with the result that the drive shaft section I06 causes rotation of the driven shaft section I 06 and of the conveyor 49 while the follower is in contact with the cam surface I43. This simultaneous rotation and reciprocation of the conveyor 49 takes place during the movement of the eccentric I20 in a direction causing the conveyor to move away backwardly from the discharge end of the nozzle.

Figure 10 shows a modified nozzle I50 having internal splines or keys I5I' positioned longitudinally of the nozzle and serving to enhance the rate of travel of the filling material through the nozzle.

It is to be noted that the mechanisms shown in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive are for purpose of illustration and that equivalent mechanisms may be employed to carry out the functions or actions of this invention.

It is also to be noted that, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the conveyor is in stepped form and used when the filling materials allow themselves to be compressed in order to accelerate the discharge through the nozzle. The conveyor shown in Figure 6 does not have any step or change in volume per unit length and is used where the filling material does not permit itself to be compressed, as it may be damaged by compression.

Operation of invention In practice, it is found that the axis of the helical conveyor 49 should be placed in line with the horizontal upper portion 58 of the screen 51 while the screen remains concentric with the conveyor. (Figure 3.)

As best shown in Figure 3, one of the agitators 2| is in close proximity to the helical conveyor as and sweeps the collected materials that tend to bridge above the conveyor at the opening 25, away from the said opening.

Air rushing through the filling material and through the perforations 51 makes the filling material air-buoyant by positive pressure or by suction. The velocity of the air buoys the filling material and carries it in the air stream to the screen 56. The perforations in the screen prevent pa a f the s materia but p m t th air to pass through to the blower 63 or outside the machine 0,

In accordance with "the patent statutes I have described and illustrated the preferred embodi ments of my invention, but it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a processing and force feeding machine for filling casings, a closed receiving chamber having-an opening in its lower wall, a helical force feedconveyorrotatably mounted below said opening, a perforated screen positioned at the lower portion of said conveyor and of a size to circumscribe substantially one-half the circumference of said conveyor, a plenum chamber around said perforated screen, an air blower, a conduit connecting said plenum chamber with the suction end of said air blower, and, means for directing the discharge from said blower into said receiving chamber.

2. In a processing and forced feeding machine for filling casings of the character described, a receiving chamber having an opening in one of its walls, a helical force feed conveyor rotatably mounted in said opening, a perforated screen of a size to circumscribe the circumference of said conveyor, a plenum chamber around said perforated screen, an air blower, a conduit connecting said plenum chamber with the suction end of said air blower, and means for directing the discharge from said blower into said receiving chamber.

3. In a processing and force feeding machine for filling casings, a closed receiving chamber having an opening in one of its walls, toothed bars fixedly positioned lengthwise of said chamber with said teeth positioned diametrically, a rotary agitating means coacting with said teeth to break up said filling materials, a helical force feed conveyor rotatably mounted in said opening, a nozzle, a conveyor extension mounted in said nozzle, a perforated screen of a size to circumscribe substantially one-half the circumference of said conveyor, a plenum chamber aroundsaid perforated screen, an air blower, and a conduit connecting said plenum chamber with the suction end of said air blower.

4. In a processing and force feeding machine for filling casings, -a closed receiving chamber having an'opening in one of its walls, toothed bars fixedly positioned lengthwise of said chamber and with said teeth positioned on opposite sides thereof, a rotary agitating means coacting with said teeth to break up said filling materials, a helical force feed conveyor rotatably mounted in communication with said opening, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a conveyor extension mounted said nozzle, a perforated screen of a size to circumscribc substantially one-half the circumference of said conveyor, a plenum chamber partially around said perforated screen, an air blower, a conduit connecting said plenum chamber with the suction end of said air blower, and means for directing the discharge from said air blower into said receiving chamber to maintain said materials under pressure in said receiving chamber while being processed and fed.

5, In a processing and forced feeding machine for filling fabric casings, a-closed receiving chamber having an opening in one of its walls, a hopper having a hinged cover, toothed bars fixedly mounted lengthwise of said chamber with said teeth positioned to face each other from opposite sides of said chamber, a rotary agitator co.- acting with said teeth to break up said filling materials, a helical force feed conveyor rotatably mounted in communication with said opening, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a step-down conveyor extension mounted in said nozzle, a perforated screen of a size to circumscribe substantially onehalf the circumference of said helical conveyor, a plenum chamber partially around said perforated screen, an air blower, a suction conduit connecting said plenum chamber with the suction end of said air blower, and a delivery conduit for directing the discharge from said air blower into said receiving chamber to maintain said materials under pressure in said receiving chamber while being processed and fed.

6. In a processing and forced feeding machine for filling fabric casings, a closed receiving chamber having an opening in one of its Walls, a hopper having a hinged cover, toothed picking bars fixedly mounted lengthwise of said chamber with said teeth positioned to face each other from opposite sides of said chamber, rotary agitators coacting with said teeth to break up said filling materials, a helical force feed conveyor rotatably mounted outside said chamber and in communication with said opening in said chamber, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a step-down conveyor extension mounted in said nozzle, a perforated screen of a size to circumscribe substantially one-half the V circumference of said helical conveyor, a plenum chamber around said perforated screen, an air blower, and a delivery conduit for directing the discharge from said air blower into said receiving chamberto maintain said materials under pressure in said receiving chamber while being processed and fed through said nozzle.

'7. In a processing and force feeding machine for filling fabric casings a receiving chamber having an opening in one of its sides, a hopper having a cover, toothed picking bars fixedly mounted lengthwise of said chamber, rotary agitators coacting with said teeth to break up'said filling, materials, a helical force feed conveyor rotatably mounted in communication with said chamber, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a stepdown conveyor extension mounted in said nozzle, a perforated screen of a' size to circumscribe substantially one-half the circumference of said helical conveyor, a plenum chamber of a size to pass around said perforated screen, the align:- ment of said receiving chamber opening with said plenum chamber causing the material being processed to enter said helical conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof, an air blower, a suction conduit connecting said plenum chamber with the suction end of said air blower, and a delivery conduit for directing the discharge from said air blower into said receiving chamber while said materials are processed and fed through said nozzle.

8. In a processing and force feeding machine for filling fabric casings, a receiving chamber having an opening in one of its sides, a hopp r having a cover, toothed picking bars fixedly mounted lengthwise of said chamber, rotary agitators coacting with said teeth to break up said chamber, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a stepdown conveyor extension mounted in said nozzle, a perforated screen of a size to circumscribe substantially one-half the circumference of said helical conveyor, a plenum type chamber of a size to pass around said perforated screen, the alignment of said receiving chamber opening with said plenum type chamber causing the material being processed to enter said helical conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof, an air blower, a suction conduit connecting said plenum type chamber with the suction end of said air blower, a delivery conduit for directing the discharge from said air blower into said receiving chamber while said materials are processed and fed through said nozzle, and means causing said conveyor to reciprocate simultaneously with its rotary motions.

9. In a processing and force feeding machine for filling casings, a closed receiving chamber having an opening in one of its sides, a hopper having a cover, toothed picking bars fixedly mounted lengthwise of said chamber, rotary agitators coacting with said teeth to break up said filling materials, a helical force feed conveyor rotatably mounted in communication with said chamber, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a perforated screen of a size to partially circumscribe the circumference of said helical conveyor, a plenum type chamber of a size to pass around said perforated screen, the alignment of said receiving chamber opening with said plenum type chamber causing the material being processed to enter said helical conveyor in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof, an air blower, a suction conduit connecting said plenum type chamber with the suction end of said air blower, a delivery conduit for directing the discharge from said air blower into said receiving chamber while said materials are fed through said nozzle, and means causing said conveyor to reciprocate simultaneously with its rotary motions.

10. In a processing and force feeding machine for filling fabric casings, a closed receiving chamber having an opening in one of its sides, a hopper having a cover, toothed picking bars fixedly mounted in said chamber, rotary agitators coacting with said teeth to break up said filling materials, a helical conveyor rotatably mounted in communication with said chamber, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a perforated screen of a size to partially circumscribe said helical conveyor, a plenum type chamber of a size to pass around said perforated screen, the alignment of said receiving chamber opening with said plenum type chamber causing the material being processed to enter said helical conveyor in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof, an air blower, a suction conduit connecting said plenum type chamber with the suction end of said air blower, a delivery conduit for directing the discharge from said air blower into said receiving chamber, and means causing said conveyor to rotate and reciprocate when moving in direction out of said nozzle, and only reciprocating motion in direction into said nozzle, and in timed sequence.

11. In a processing and feeding machine for filling casings, a receiving chamber having an opening in one of its sides, a hopper, toothed picking bars fixedly mounted in said chamber, rotary agitators coacting with said teeth to break up said filling materials, a helical conveyor rotatably mounted in communication with said chamber, a nozzle outside said chamber and in alignment with said helical conveyor, a perforated screen of a size to partially circumscribe said helical conveyor, a plenum type chamber of a size to pass around said perforated screen, the alignment of said receiving chamber opening with said plenum chamber causing the material being processed to enter said helical conveyor in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof, an air blower, a suction conduit connecting said plenum chamber with the suction end of said blower, and a conduit for the dis charge from said air blower.

No references cited.

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