While hoppers for machines for applying texture material are well know, such hoppers have generally been constructed with edges and corners such that cleaning and emptying has been somewhat problematic. Corners in a hopper also mean that material in the hopper is harder to mix using conventional mixers which will not fit into the corners.
A polymeric container is used to supply texture materials to the inlet of a pump. Linear low density polyethylene is used to mold a container with geometry such that the material will flow down to the inlet of a texture pump. The geometry is optimized such that thorough mixing of material can be achieved. A hole in the bottom is provided to accept a drain plug.
The instant invention has lighter weight versus metal hoppers. The geometry has no corners that make it difficult to ensure proper mixing. Texture material easily flows down to bottom with out getting ‘stuck’ on the side walls. The design minimizes the volume that cannot be pumped out when the hopper is emptied. A drain hole or holes allows for easy clean up.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
A polymeric container 10 is used to supply texture materials to the inlet of a pump 12 as shown in the sprayer 14 in
The instant invention has lighter weight versus metal hoppers. The geometry has no corners that make it difficult to ensure proper mixing. Texture material easily flows down to bottom 18 with out getting ‘stuck’ on the side walls. The design minimizes the volume that cannot be pumped out when the hopper 10 is emptied. A drain hole or holes 16 allows for easy clean up.
It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the hopper without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/051,507, filed May 8, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US09/43076 | 5/7/2009 | WO | 00 | 12/7/2010 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61051507 | May 2008 | US |