CA2779441C - Auger hopper with enhanced overflow trapping ability - Google Patents
Auger hopper with enhanced overflow trapping ability Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2779441C CA2779441C CA2779441A CA2779441A CA2779441C CA 2779441 C CA2779441 C CA 2779441C CA 2779441 A CA2779441 A CA 2779441A CA 2779441 A CA2779441 A CA 2779441A CA 2779441 C CA2779441 C CA 2779441C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hopper
- auger
- grain
- receiving
- engaging
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/26—Hoppers, i.e. containers having funnel-shaped discharge sections
- B65D88/28—Construction or shape of discharge section
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/54—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying
- B65D88/56—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying by tilting
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
Abstract
An auger hopper attachment that can be positioned immediately adjacent a grain hopper outlet to reduce grain loss during transfer. The hopper comprises an adjustable stand that can be used to adjust the vertical position of the hopper to raise it toward the grain hopper outlet.
Description
AUGER HOPPER WITH ENHANCED OVERFLOW TRAPPING ABILITY
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to grain handling equipment, and more particularly to hoppers or boots that are used in conjunction with augers to direct grain toward the auger intake.
Background of the Invention It is well known in the art of grain handling to employ powered augers to transport grain from one holding vessel to another for various purposes. For example, augers are regularly used to transfer grain in a truck to a holding bin for storage, or vice versa to enable transport of grain off-site.
ITowever, it also well known that the use of augers can result in an undesirable degree of grain loss or scatter. Screw-type augers have a relatively narrow, cylindrical intake end which requires immersion in a certain depth of grain to enable uptake of the grain into the auger, but commonly used grain bins are of the hopper style with a downwardly disposed outlet, with the result that grain is often scattered or lost when attempting to direct grain downwardly at the auger intake.
Also, wind can cause increased loss due to the distance the grain travels until it is taken up by the auger.
t, Several solutions have been proposed to address this problem, primarily in the development of hoppers or "boots" that are attached to an auger intake end or receive the auger intake end. For example, United States Patent No. 4.220,434 to Letzig discloses a hopper attachment for an auger that comprises a relatively wide area for receiving grain draining from a bin outlet, which is then funneled toward the auger intake, the concept being that the wide area will help prevent scatter/loss while the funneling effect will provide the grain directly to the auger intake.
Numerous prior art solutions are directed to modifying the means by which a hopper engages the ground surface, such as Canadian Patent No. 2,167,665 to Stark, Canadian Patent No. 2,550,414 to Spenceley et al. and United States Patent No. 4,036,411 to Westhoff.
However, the vertical distance between the bin outlet and the auger hopper can be significant and the proposed solutions may therefore have little or no substantial impact on the problem of grain loss.
What is needed, therefore, is a means to address the problem of grain loss during transport that reduces the impact of the vertical distance between the bin outlet and the auger hopper.
Summary of the Invention The present invention accordingly seeks to provide a walled hopper that comprises a ground-engaging adjustable support member that can close the gap between the bin outlet and the hopper and reduce grain loss during transfer.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a hopper for transferring grain from a storage vessel to an auger, the storage vessel comprising a downwardly disposed outlet and the auger comprising an intake end, the hopper comprising:
auger-engaging means for receiving the intake end of the auger:
grain-receiving means for receiving grain from the outlet; and a ground-engaging adjustable support member configured to allow vertical adjustment of the grain-receiving area to enable positioning of the grain-receiving area adjacent the outlet.
The storage vessel may be a grain bin, a grain truck or some other means of grain retention, and the auger is a screw-type auger. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the auger-engaging means comprise a channel for receiving the intake end of the auger, and the auger-engaging means preferably further comprise a sealing gasket material, such as foam, provided in the channel and a strap for securing the intake end of the auger in the channel. The grain-receiving means preferably comprise a receiving void defined by a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and the peripheral wall is most preferably configured and adapted to receive the outlet.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to grain handling equipment, and more particularly to hoppers or boots that are used in conjunction with augers to direct grain toward the auger intake.
Background of the Invention It is well known in the art of grain handling to employ powered augers to transport grain from one holding vessel to another for various purposes. For example, augers are regularly used to transfer grain in a truck to a holding bin for storage, or vice versa to enable transport of grain off-site.
ITowever, it also well known that the use of augers can result in an undesirable degree of grain loss or scatter. Screw-type augers have a relatively narrow, cylindrical intake end which requires immersion in a certain depth of grain to enable uptake of the grain into the auger, but commonly used grain bins are of the hopper style with a downwardly disposed outlet, with the result that grain is often scattered or lost when attempting to direct grain downwardly at the auger intake.
Also, wind can cause increased loss due to the distance the grain travels until it is taken up by the auger.
t, Several solutions have been proposed to address this problem, primarily in the development of hoppers or "boots" that are attached to an auger intake end or receive the auger intake end. For example, United States Patent No. 4.220,434 to Letzig discloses a hopper attachment for an auger that comprises a relatively wide area for receiving grain draining from a bin outlet, which is then funneled toward the auger intake, the concept being that the wide area will help prevent scatter/loss while the funneling effect will provide the grain directly to the auger intake.
Numerous prior art solutions are directed to modifying the means by which a hopper engages the ground surface, such as Canadian Patent No. 2,167,665 to Stark, Canadian Patent No. 2,550,414 to Spenceley et al. and United States Patent No. 4,036,411 to Westhoff.
However, the vertical distance between the bin outlet and the auger hopper can be significant and the proposed solutions may therefore have little or no substantial impact on the problem of grain loss.
What is needed, therefore, is a means to address the problem of grain loss during transport that reduces the impact of the vertical distance between the bin outlet and the auger hopper.
Summary of the Invention The present invention accordingly seeks to provide a walled hopper that comprises a ground-engaging adjustable support member that can close the gap between the bin outlet and the hopper and reduce grain loss during transfer.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a hopper for transferring grain from a storage vessel to an auger, the storage vessel comprising a downwardly disposed outlet and the auger comprising an intake end, the hopper comprising:
auger-engaging means for receiving the intake end of the auger:
grain-receiving means for receiving grain from the outlet; and a ground-engaging adjustable support member configured to allow vertical adjustment of the grain-receiving area to enable positioning of the grain-receiving area adjacent the outlet.
The storage vessel may be a grain bin, a grain truck or some other means of grain retention, and the auger is a screw-type auger. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the auger-engaging means comprise a channel for receiving the intake end of the auger, and the auger-engaging means preferably further comprise a sealing gasket material, such as foam, provided in the channel and a strap for securing the intake end of the auger in the channel. The grain-receiving means preferably comprise a receiving void defined by a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and the peripheral wall is most preferably configured and adapted to receive the outlet.
2 In further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the support member comprises a ground-engaging portion, a vertically-movable portion and securing means for securing the vertically-movable portion in a desired position in relation to the ground-engaging portion. The vertically-movable portion preferably comprises an inner passage extending therethrough, the passage is adapted to receive the ground-engaging portion therein, and the securing means comprise a pin for removably securing the vertically-movable portion in the desired position in relation to the ground-engaging portion. The vertically-movable portion is preferably removably mounted on the grain-receiving means by mounting means, and the mounting means are most preferably adaptable for connection to a standard truck hitch for auger transport when the
3.0 vertically-movable portion has been disengaged from the mounting means.
In yet further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the grain-receiving means comprise remainder discharge means for emptying grain remaining in the grain-receiving means after operation of the auger, and such remainder discharge means preferably comprise an openable portal in a bottom surface of the grain-receiving means. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further comprise a mesh guard for receiving the intake end of the auger, which provides a safety feature that is mandated by law in certain jurisdictions.
A detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood. however, that the invention is not to be construed as being limited to this embodiment.
Brief Description of the Drawin2s In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a hopper in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hopper of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the hopper of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a detail elevation view of an adjustable stand;
Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the hopper of Figure 1 mounted on an auger;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the hopper of Figure I mounted on an auger: and Figure 7 is a side elevation view showing the hopper supported adjacent the bin outlet.
3.0 A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Referring now to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of a hopper according to the present invention is illustrated.
Referring now in detail to Figures 1 to 3, a hopper according to the present invention is indicated by the numeral 10. The hopper 10 comprises a channel 24 for receiving the auger in operation, and the channel is provided with both a foam sealing gasket material 26 and an adjustable strap 28 for holding the auger securely in place when positioned in the channel 24.
As can be seen in Figure 2, a portion of the channel 24 is covered by a steel mesh guard 52, which is welded in place and will house the intake end of the auger during operation.
The hopper 10 also comprises a grain-receiving area 30 which is defined by a bottom surface 32 and a peripheral wall 34 extending upwardly from the bottom surface 32. As can best be seen in Figure 3, the peripheral wall can be manufactured as a separate piece and attached to the hopper base 54 by means of fastening means 56 such as bolts. While the hopper base 54 is preferably constructed using 16 gauge steel, the peripheral wall 34 can be composed of 2-ply belting.
In yet further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the grain-receiving means comprise remainder discharge means for emptying grain remaining in the grain-receiving means after operation of the auger, and such remainder discharge means preferably comprise an openable portal in a bottom surface of the grain-receiving means. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further comprise a mesh guard for receiving the intake end of the auger, which provides a safety feature that is mandated by law in certain jurisdictions.
A detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood. however, that the invention is not to be construed as being limited to this embodiment.
Brief Description of the Drawin2s In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a hopper in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hopper of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the hopper of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a detail elevation view of an adjustable stand;
Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the hopper of Figure 1 mounted on an auger;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the hopper of Figure I mounted on an auger: and Figure 7 is a side elevation view showing the hopper supported adjacent the bin outlet.
3.0 A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Referring now to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of a hopper according to the present invention is illustrated.
Referring now in detail to Figures 1 to 3, a hopper according to the present invention is indicated by the numeral 10. The hopper 10 comprises a channel 24 for receiving the auger in operation, and the channel is provided with both a foam sealing gasket material 26 and an adjustable strap 28 for holding the auger securely in place when positioned in the channel 24.
As can be seen in Figure 2, a portion of the channel 24 is covered by a steel mesh guard 52, which is welded in place and will house the intake end of the auger during operation.
The hopper 10 also comprises a grain-receiving area 30 which is defined by a bottom surface 32 and a peripheral wall 34 extending upwardly from the bottom surface 32. As can best be seen in Figure 3, the peripheral wall can be manufactured as a separate piece and attached to the hopper base 54 by means of fastening means 56 such as bolts. While the hopper base 54 is preferably constructed using 16 gauge steel, the peripheral wall 34 can be composed of 2-ply belting.
4 The grain-receiving area 30 also comprises a portal 50 in the bottom surface 32 (under the mesh guard 52 in Figure 2). a hinged door that can be opened to allow discharge of any residual amount of grain that cannot be taken up by the auger.
The hopper 10 also comprises a ground-engaging, adjustable support member 36, which is illustrated in detail in Figure 4. Although other variations will be obvious to one skilled in the art, the exemplary embodiment is preferred for both simplicity and strength.
In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 36 comprises a ground-engaging portion 38 having a base 40.
The ground-engaging portion 38 is provided with holes 58 for receiving a pin 44. The support member 36 further comprises a vertically-movable portion 42, which is a hollow square steel tube that is configured to receive the ground-engaging portion 38 therein. The vertically-movable portion 42 is moved into any desired position along the length of the ground-engaging portion 38 and secured in place by means of the pin 44 which passes through holes in both portions 38, 42.
=
The vertically-movable portion 42 is also provided with mounting means 46 for mounting the portion 42 on the hopper base 54. This is preferably a selective mounting, as is illustrated, where the mounting means 46 can be disengaged by removing the pin 48. When the vertically-movable portion 42 has thus been disengaged from the hopper base 54, the mounting means 46 can be used to connect to a truck hitch. allowing transport of the auger without removing the hopper 10.
Figures 5 to 7 illustrate the hopper 10 connected to an auger 18. As can he seen in Figure 6, the intake end 20 of the auger 18 is received in the hopper 10, such that the screw 22 is covered by the mesh guard 52 and the auger 18 is secured in place by means of the adjustable strap 28.
Figure 7 illustrates how the present invention can be used to hold the grain-receiving area 30 in position immediately beneath the outlet 14 of the bin 12. Although the hopper 10 is illustrated as being slightly below the outlet 14 to show the grain 16 falling into the grain-receiving area 30, in practice the hopper 10 may be positioned tightly against the outlet 14 to better avoid grain loss.
As can be readily seen, then, the hopper of the present invention presents significant advantages over the prior art. The hopper can be elevated into contact with the bin outlet to better avoid
The hopper 10 also comprises a ground-engaging, adjustable support member 36, which is illustrated in detail in Figure 4. Although other variations will be obvious to one skilled in the art, the exemplary embodiment is preferred for both simplicity and strength.
In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 36 comprises a ground-engaging portion 38 having a base 40.
The ground-engaging portion 38 is provided with holes 58 for receiving a pin 44. The support member 36 further comprises a vertically-movable portion 42, which is a hollow square steel tube that is configured to receive the ground-engaging portion 38 therein. The vertically-movable portion 42 is moved into any desired position along the length of the ground-engaging portion 38 and secured in place by means of the pin 44 which passes through holes in both portions 38, 42.
=
The vertically-movable portion 42 is also provided with mounting means 46 for mounting the portion 42 on the hopper base 54. This is preferably a selective mounting, as is illustrated, where the mounting means 46 can be disengaged by removing the pin 48. When the vertically-movable portion 42 has thus been disengaged from the hopper base 54, the mounting means 46 can be used to connect to a truck hitch. allowing transport of the auger without removing the hopper 10.
Figures 5 to 7 illustrate the hopper 10 connected to an auger 18. As can he seen in Figure 6, the intake end 20 of the auger 18 is received in the hopper 10, such that the screw 22 is covered by the mesh guard 52 and the auger 18 is secured in place by means of the adjustable strap 28.
Figure 7 illustrates how the present invention can be used to hold the grain-receiving area 30 in position immediately beneath the outlet 14 of the bin 12. Although the hopper 10 is illustrated as being slightly below the outlet 14 to show the grain 16 falling into the grain-receiving area 30, in practice the hopper 10 may be positioned tightly against the outlet 14 to better avoid grain loss.
As can be readily seen, then, the hopper of the present invention presents significant advantages over the prior art. The hopper can be elevated into contact with the bin outlet to better avoid
5 gain loss or scatter. Also, the support member can be removed to allow towing of the auger with the hopper still attached. Other advantages would be obvious to those skilled in the art.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Thus, while certain aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described, these have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Thus, while certain aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described, these have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
6
Claims (15)
1. A hopper for transferring grain frorn a storage vessel to an auger, the storage vessel comprising a downwardly disposed outlet and the auger comprising an intake end, the bopper comprising:
auger-engaging means for receiving the intake end of the auger;
grain-receiving means for receiving grain from the outlet; and a ground-engaging adjustable support member configured to allow vertical adjustrnent of the gain-receiving means to enable positioning of the grain-receiving means adjacent the outlet.
auger-engaging means for receiving the intake end of the auger;
grain-receiving means for receiving grain from the outlet; and a ground-engaging adjustable support member configured to allow vertical adjustrnent of the gain-receiving means to enable positioning of the grain-receiving means adjacent the outlet.
2. The hopper of Claim 1 wherein the storage vessel is a grain bin.
3. The hopper of Claim 1 wherein the storage vessel is a grain truck.
4. The hopper of Claim 1 wherein the auger is a screw-type auger.
5. The hopper of Clainl 1 wherein the auger-engaging means conlprise a channel for receiving the intake end of the auger.
6. The hopper of Claim 5 wherein the auger-engaging means further comprise a sealing gasket material provided in the channel and a strap for securing the intake end of the auger in the channel.
7. The hopper of Claim 1 wherein the grain-receiving means comprise a receiving void defined by a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface.
8. The hopper of Claim 7 wherein the peripheral wall is configured and adapted to receive the outlet.
9. The hopper of Claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a ground-engaging portion, a vertically-movable portion and securing means for securing the vertically-movable portion in a desired position in relation to the ground-engaging portion.
10. The hopper of Claim 9 wherein the vertically-movable portion comprises an inner passage extending therethrough, the passage is adapted to receive the ground-engaging portion therein, and the securing means comprise a pin for removably securing the vertically-movable portion in the desired position in relation to the ground-engaging portion.
1. The hopper of Claim 9 wherein the vertically-movable portion is removably mounted on the grain-receiving means by mounting means.
12. The hopper of Claim 1 wherein the grain-receiving means comprise remainder discharge means for emptying grain remaining in the grain-receiving means after operation of the auger.
13. The hopper of Claim 12 wherein the remainder discharge means comprise an openable portal in a bottom surface of the grain-receiving means.
14. The hopper of Claim 1 further comprising a mesh guard for receiving the intake end of the auger.
15. The hopper of Claim 11 wherein the mounting means are adaptable for connection to a standard truck hitch for auger transport when the vertically-movable portion has been disengaged from the mounting means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2779441A CA2779441C (en) | 2012-06-05 | 2012-06-05 | Auger hopper with enhanced overflow trapping ability |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2779441A CA2779441C (en) | 2012-06-05 | 2012-06-05 | Auger hopper with enhanced overflow trapping ability |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2779441A1 CA2779441A1 (en) | 2013-06-07 |
| CA2779441C true CA2779441C (en) | 2014-08-19 |
Family
ID=49378635
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2779441A Active CA2779441C (en) | 2012-06-05 | 2012-06-05 | Auger hopper with enhanced overflow trapping ability |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2779441C (en) |
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2012
- 2012-06-05 CA CA2779441A patent/CA2779441C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2779441A1 (en) | 2013-06-07 |
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