Tower configuration gravimetric blender and receiver for use therewith

Abstract

A gravimetric blender includes a plurality of receivers, each receiver having a single tube therewithin extending from a resin material/vacuum drawn stream inlet to a receiver outlet.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A gravimetric blender comprising:
 a) an upstanding conduit;   b) a vacuum pump having a suction inlet communicating with the interior of the conduit;   c) at least one receiver connected to the conduit and supported thereby, for vacuum draw through the receiver connection and the receiver via the conduit by the pump.   
     
     
         2 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 1  wherein the receiver further comprises:
 a) a hollow body having a granular resin material/vacuum stream inlet, a vacuum outlet and a granular resin material outlet; 
 b) a tubular member connecting and extending between the inlet and the vacuum outlet; and 
 c) an actuator housed within the tubular member and connected thereto 
 d) a closure member connected to the actuator and moving upon energization of the actuator to close the vacuum outlet. 
 
     
     
         3 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 2  further comprising a plug within the tubular member, connected to the actuator and facing the inlet, for deflecting granular resin material entering the body via the inlet as carried by the vacuum stream. 
     
     
         4 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 2  wherein the closure member is a plate. 
     
     
         5 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 2  further comprising a valve at the granular resin material outlet, the valve closing upon draw of vacuum within the receiver and opening in response to weight of granular resin material within the receiver upon halting of vacuum draw within the receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 5  wherein the valve is a flap valve. 
     
     
         7 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 2  wherein the actuator is an air cylinder. 
     
     
         8 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 1  wherein the conduit is vertical. 
     
     
         9 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 8  wherein the receiver is vertically supported by the conduit. 
     
     
         10 . A receiver for delivery therefrom of granular resin material carried thereinto by a pressurized air or vacuum powered stream, consisting of:
 a) a hollow body having a granular resin material/vacuum stream inlet, a vacuum outlet and a granular resin material outlet;   b) a tubular member connecting and extending between the inlet and the vacuum outlet; and   c) an actuator housed within the tubular member and connected thereto   d) a closure member connected to the actuator and moving upon energization of the actuator to close the vacuum outlet.   
     
     
         11 . A receiver for delivery therefrom of granular resin material carried thereinto by a pressurized air or vacuum powered stream, comprising:
 a) a hollow body having a granular resin material/vacuum stream inlet, a vacuum outlet and a granular resin material outlet;   b) a tubular member connecting and extending between the inlet and the vacuum outlet; and   c) an actuator housed within the tubular member and connected thereto   d) a closure member connected to the actuator and moving upon energization of the actuator to close the vacuum outlet.   
     
     
         12 . The receiver of  claim 11  further comprising a plug within the tubular member, connected to the actuator and facing the inlet, for deflecting granular resin material entering the body via the inlet as carried by the vacuum stream. 
     
     
         13 . The receiver of  claim 11  wherein the closure member is a plate. 
     
     
         14 . The receiver of  claim 11  further comprising a valve at the granular resin material outlet, the valve closing upon draw of vacuum within the receiver and opening in response to weight of granular resin material within the receiver upon halting of vacuum draw within the receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The receiver of  claim 14  wherein the valve is a flap valve. 
     
     
         16 . The receiver of  claim 11  wherein the actuator is an air cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . In a receiver for delivery therefrom of granular resin material carried thereinto by a pressurized air or vacuum powered stream, having a hollow body with a granular resin material/vacuum stream inlet, a vacuum outlet and a granular resin material outlet, the improvement comprising:
 a) a tubular member connecting and extending between the inlet and the vacuum outlet;   b) an actuator housed within the tubular member and connected thereto; and   c) a closure member connected to the actuator and moving upon energization of the actuator to close the vacuum outlet.   
     
     
         18 . In a receiver for delivery therefrom of granular resin material carried thereinto by a pressurized air or vacuum powered stream, having a hollow body with a granular resin material/vacuum stream inlet, a vacuum outlet and a granular resin material outlet, the improvement comprising a single tubular member connecting and extending between the inlet and the vacuum outlet. 
     
     
         19 . In a receiver for delivery therefrom of granular resin material carried thereinto by a pressurized air or vacuum powered stream, having a hollow body with a granular resin material/vacuum stream inlet, a vacuum outlet and a granular resin material outlet, the improvement consisting of a single tubular member connecting and extending between the inlet and the vacuum outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum pump is at an upper end of the conduit. 
     
     
         21 . The gravimetric blender of  claim 2  wherein the conduit is vertical, the vacuum pump connects to the conduit at the top of the conduit, and the receiver is vertically supported by the conduit.