Pumping apparatus comprises a granular material pump assembly and a distributor having a distribution end for distributing granular material. The granular material pump assembly is configured to pump granular material through the distributor towards the distribution end. The distributor is configured to permit granular material to exit the distributor at the distribution end when an amount of granular material pumped towards the distribution end exceeds a threshold, for example wherein the distributor comprises a valve assembly configured to permit granular material to exit the distributor at the distribution end when the amount of granular material pumped towards the distribution end exceeds the threshold, optionally wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve configured to open to permit granular material to exit the distributor at the distribution end when the amount of granular material pumped towards the distribution end exceeds the threshold.

Pumping apparatus comprises a granular material pump assembly and a distributor having a distribution end for distributing granular material. The granular material pump assembly is configured to pump granular material through the distributor towards the distribution end. The distributor is configured to permit granular material to exit the distributor at the distribution end when an amount of granular material pumped towards the distribution end exceeds a threshold, for example wherein the distributor comprises a valve assembly configured to permit granular material to exit the distributor at the distribution end when the amount of granular material pumped towards the distribution end exceeds the threshold, optionally wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve configured to open to permit granular material to exit the distributor at the distribution end when the amount of granular material pumped towards the distribution end exceeds the threshold.

A suction nozzle, which is configured to aspirate a residual film of a film processed by a packaging machine. The suction nozzle comprises a tube assembly comprising a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube and the second tube are arranged coaxially with respect to one another and form a suction channel. An annular gap is provided between the first tube and the second tube, through which a gas, preferably air, can be blown into the suction channel.

A vacuum conveyor for conveying granular material and an intake nozzle for the vacuum conveyor is provided. The vacuum conveyor can have a vacuum section operative to create a vacuum in the housing, an intake to allow granular material to the housing, a variable length hose section and an intake nozzle. The intake nozzle can include an intake end, an output end and a body extending between the ends with a plurality of apertures passing through the body. A sleeve for the intake nozzle can be sized to fit around the body positionable in different positions relative to the body to cover and uncover the various apertures.

A vacuum conveyor for conveying granular material and an intake nozzle for the vacuum conveyor is provided. The vacuum conveyor can have a vacuum section operative to create a vacuum in the housing, an intake to allow granular material to the housing, a variable length hose section and an intake nozzle. The intake nozzle can include an intake end, an output end and a body extending between the ends with a plurality of apertures passing through the body. A sleeve for the intake nozzle can be sized to fit around the body positionable in different positions relative to the body to cover and uncover the various apertures.

An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, in particular sand, comprises a storage container for the bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet, a metering device arranged beneath the storage container and a pneumatic feeding device arranged under the metering device for feeding the bulk material into the container to be filled with the aid of compressed air via a feed hose. The feeding device has an injector with a plurality of, preferably at least five, holes for the compressed air.

An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, in particular sand, comprises a storage container for the bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet, a metering device arranged beneath the storage container and a pneumatic feeding device arranged under the metering device for feeding the bulk material into the container to be filled with the aid of compressed air via a feed hose. The feeding device has an injector with a plurality of, preferably at least five, holes for the compressed air.

A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

A vacuum nozzle includes a main body and at least one auxiliary body. The main body has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end is coupleable to a vacuum hose and the second open end is configured for receiving materials to be transferred. The auxiliary body has a first auxiliary opening and a second auxiliary opening. The first auxiliary opening is positioned closer to the first open end of the main body than the second open end of the main body. The second auxiliary opening covers a portion of the second open end of the main body. The auxiliary body provides a dedicated auxiliary passageway for providing a consistent flow of air to the second open end of the main body when the vacuum nozzle is in use.