Method and apparatus for distributing particles such as grain
US6471029B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 5, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G69/0441
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed in which the apparatus has a hopper and a tube secured to the hopper, the tube having an opening between distal and proximal end portions thereof. The apparatus may have a second tube secured to the first tube at the opening, and the second tube may extend substantially vertically downward. The lower end of the second tube may be aligned to terminate at a vertical level that is substantially equal to a vertical level of an opening in the distal end portion of the first tube. A Y-shaped tube may be secured to the distal end of the first tube to further distribute the grain. In use, grain is introduced into the hopper, and a first portion is passed to a first tube. The first portion of grain is divided into second and third portions, the second portion is passed through a second tube, and the third portion is passed to a distal end of the first tube. The third portion may be further divided into fourth and fifth portions within a third tube, and the grain may be discharged from each such tube at substantially the same height. Grain may be introduced to form piles until the peak of each such pile reaches a desired, substantially equal height, at wh…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.