Particulate loading device having s-shaped rotational member

Abstract

A loading apparatus for distributing particulate matter during loading of the particulate matter into a transport container, the apparatus including a housing including an inlet and an outlet, each configured on a side of the housing so that particulate matter can pass through the housing from the inlet to the outlet and from the outlet along a flow path of the particulate matter into a transport container; a rotary drive operatively supported with respect to the housing; and a rotatable member operatively connected with the rotary drive and supported with respect to the housing so as to be rotatable within the flow path for spreading particulate matter within the transport container in a radial direction away from the flow path of the particulate matter from the housing outlet, the rotatable member comprising a central axis and at least two curved arms extending radially from the central axis.

1 . A loading apparatus for distributing particulate matter during loading of the particulate matter into a transport container, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing including an inlet and an outlet each configured on a side of the housing so that particulate matter can pass through the housing from the inlet to the outlet and from the outlet along a flow path of the particulate matter into a transport container, the inlet of the housing being configured for connection to a loading spout of a particulate matter conveying system;   a rotary drive operatively supported with respect to the housing; and   a rotatable member operatively connected with the rotary drive and supported with respect to the housing so as to be rotatable within the flow path of the particulate matter for spreading particulate matter within the transport container in a radial direction away from the flow path of the particulate matter from the housing outlet, the rotatable member comprising a central axis of rotation and at least two curved arms extending radially from the central axis of rotation.   
     
     
         2 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member further comprises a base portion through which the central axis extends and from which the at least two curved arms radially extend. 
     
     
         3 . The loading apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the base portion is generally linear and comprises a first end from which a first curved arm radially extends and a second end from which a second curved arm radially extends. 
     
     
         4 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the curved arms comprises an inner surface spaced from an outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The loading apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the inner surface of each of the curved arms is concave and the outer surface of each of the curved arms is convex. 
     
     
         6 . The loading apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the convex outer surface of each of the curved arms comprises a particulate contact surface. 
     
     
         7 . The loading apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the rotatable member is rotatable about the central axis of rotation in a rotation direction that causes the particulate contact surfaces of the curved arms to spread particulate matter radially within the transport container and away from the flow path of the particulate matter from the housing outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the curved arms comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein each of the curved arms tapers down from a first width at its proximal end to a second width at its distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member comprises a generally S-shaped member. 
     
     
         10 . A loading apparatus for distributing particulate matter during loading of the particulate matter into a transport container, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing including an inlet and an outlet each configured on a side of the housing so that particulate matter can pass through the housing from the inlet to the outlet and from the outlet along a flow path of the particulate matter into a transport container, the inlet of the housing being configured for connection to a loading spout of a particulate matter conveying system;   a rotary drive operatively supported with respect to the housing; and   a rotatable member operatively connected with the rotary drive and supported with respect to the housing so as to be rotatable within the flow path of the particulate matter for spreading particulate matter within the transport container in a radial direction away from the flow path of the particulate matter from the housing outlet, the rotatable member comprising a central disk and at least two arms extending from an outer edge of the disk.   
     
     
         11 . The loading apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the arms extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an axis that extends across a width of the central disk and through a center point of the central disk. 
     
     
         12 . The loading apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the arms extends in a direction that is angled relative to an axis that extends across a width of the central disk and through a center point of the central disk. 
     
     
         13 . The loading apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the arms is curved. 
     
     
         14 . The loading apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the rotatable member comprises four arms extending from the outer edge of the disk. 
     
     
         15 . The loading apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the central disk is a conical member. 
     
     
         16 . A loading apparatus for distributing particulate matter during loading of the particulate matter into a transport container, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising an inlet configured to receive the particulate matter and an outlet configured to dispense the particulate matter; and   a rotatable member operatively supported with respect to the housing, wherein the housing is movable relative to the transport container and the rotatable member is configured to move at least a portion of the particulate matter that has been dispensed into the transport container, and wherein the rotatable member comprises a central axis and at least two curved arms extending radially from the central axis.   
     
     
         17 . The loading apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the rotatable member is an integrally formed member. 
     
     
         18 . The loading apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of the curved arms comprises an inner surface spaced from an outer surface, and wherein the inner surface of each of the curved arms is concave and the outer surface of each of the curved arms is convex. 
     
     
         19 . The loading apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the convex outer surface of each of the curved arms comprises a particulate contact surface. 
     
     
         20 . The loading apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the rotatable member comprises a generally S-shaped member.