TEXTURE HOPPER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of US Application serial number 61/051 ,507, filed May 8, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

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.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a shaded isometric view of the hopper of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a wire frame isometric view of the hopper of the instant invention.

Figure 3 is a shaded top isometric view of the hopper of the instant invention.

Figure 4 is a shaded rear view of the hopper of the instant invention.

Figure 5 is a shaded side view of the hopper of the instant invention.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a sprayer with the hopper of the instant invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A polymeric container 10 is used to supply texture materials to the inlet of a pump 12 as shown in the sprayer 14 in Figure 6. Linear low density polyethylene is used to mold a container 10 with geometry such that the material will flow down to the inlet of a texture (or other) pump 12. The geometry is optimized such that thorough mixing of material can be achieved. A hole 16 in the bottom 18 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 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.