Fill material dispensing method and apparatus

[0030]An apparatus 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus 10 comprises a container or hopper 12 for receiving and temporarily storing the fill material 38. The container 12 can be made of any suitable material, but steel is the preferred material. As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment, the container 12 is preferably designed to have a cylindrical upper half and inwardly angled lower walls to help direct the downward flow of fill material 38. Upon reaching the bottom of the container 12, the fill material 38 reaches the egress means 14, a hole in the bottom of the container 12. Rather than passing straight down from the egress means 14, however, the fill material 38 is instead directed into a 2-inch diameter channelling member 16, which comprises a 45 degree elbow 18. The channelling member 16 is connected at its downstream end to a reducer 20 and subsequently to a valve 22. The reducer 20 is a 2 inch to 1 inch reducer, and the valve