Loader with improved funnel

Abstract

A horn for an automated loader is described. The horn has an interior surface, at least a portion of which comprises a reduced-friction surface. In one aspect of the invention, the reduced-friction surface comprises textures or dimples, as from textured metal, preferably textured steel. In another aspect of the invention, the reduced-friction surface comprises a coating of a slippery substance such as a thermoplastic polymer, for example polytetrafluoroethylene. In yet another aspect of the invention, the reduced-friction surface is textured metal, preferably textured steel, coated with a slippery substance such as a thermoplastic polymer, for example polytetrafluoroethylene.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An automated loader comprising a frame, a cylinder system, a bag carriage assembly, and a horn, the horn comprising:
 a hollow tube having an interior surface, a first inlet. opening, and a second discharge opening, the inlet opening being of greater inside diameter or inside width or inside height than the second discharge opening, the tube being made of stainless steel, and at least a portion of the interior surface comprising a friction-reducing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein the friction-reducing surface comprises textures. 
     
     
         3 . The automated loader of  claim 2 , wherein the textures are diamond-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The automated loader of  claim 2 , further comprising a roller tray inside the horn, 
     
     
         5 . The automated loader of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the interior surface is coated with a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         6 . The automated loader of  claim 5 , wherein the substance comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The automated loader of  claim 6 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The automated loader of  claim 5 , further comprising a roller tray inside the horn. 
     
     
         9 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein the friction-reducing surface comprises a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         10 . The automated loader of  claim 9 , wherein the substance comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The automated loader of  claim 10 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The automated loader of  claim 5 , further comprising a roller tray inside the horn. 
     
     
         13 . A horn for an automated loader, the horn comprising:
 a hollow tube having an. interior surface, a first inlet opening, and a second discharge opening, the inlet opening being of greater diameter or width than second discharge opening, the tube being made of stainless steel, at least a portion of the interior surface comprising a friction-reducing surface.   
     
     
         14 . The horn of  claim 13 , wherein the friction-reducing surface comprises textures. 
     
     
         15 . The horn of  claim 14 , Wherein the textures are diamond-shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The horn of  claim 13 , further comprising a roller tray inside the horn. 
     
     
         17 . The horn of claim.  14 , wherein the friction-reducing surface comprises a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         18 . The horn of  claim 17 , wherein the substance comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The horn of  claim 18 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         20 . The horn of  claim 17 , further comprising a roller tray inside the horn. 
     
     
         21 . The horn of  claim 13 , wherein the friction-reducing surface comprises a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         22 . The horn of  claim 21 , wherein the substance comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         23 . The horn of  claim 22 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         24 . The horn of  claim 21 , further comprising a roller tray inside the horn.