Pellet hopper liner
AssigneeTraeger Pellet Grills, LLC
InventorsMichael V. Colston, Daniel W. Sluder, Phuong K. Hoang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pellet hopper for use in a pellet grill includes a first bottom panel, a second bottom panel, and a third bottom panel. Each bottom panel has an inner edge that partially defines a pellet evacuation opening. The first, second, and third bottom panels form respective first, second, and third nonzero angles relative to a horizontal plane. In this way, each bottom panel tilts downward toward the pellet evacuation opening.
Claims20
A pellet evacuation insert for placement within a pellet evacuation opening of a pellet hopper, the pellet evacuation insert comprising:
- first, second, third, and fourth trapezoidal surfaces connected together so that an inner edge of each trapezoidal surface at least partially defines a rectangular pellet evacuation insert opening;
- and
- first, second, third, and fourth surfaces extending vertically downward from the inner edges of the first, second, third, and fourth trapezoidal surfaces, respectively,
- wherein each trapezoidal surface is disposed at a nonzero angle relative to a horizontal plane so that each trapezoidal surface tilts downward toward the pellet evacuation insert opening.
A pellet hopper assembly comprising a pellet evacuation insert, the pellet evacuation insert comprising:
- a first insert panel connected to a second insert panel at a first interface;
- and
- a third insert panel connected to the second insert panel at a second interface;
- wherein:
- the first, second, and third insert panels have first, second, and third inner edges that at least partially define a pellet evacuation insert opening;
- the first, second, and third insert panels are angled at respective first, second, and third nonzero angles with respect to a horizontal plane such that the first, second, and third insert panels of the pellet evacuation insert tilt downward toward the pellet evacuation insert opening;
- and
- each of the first, second, and third insert panels include an outer edge that contacts a top surface of each of the first, second, and third insert panels of the pellet hopper assembly bottom, respectively.
A method of forming a pellet evacuation insert for placement within a pellet hopper:
- forming a first bottom insert panel having a first inner edge;
- forming a second bottom insert panel having a second inner edge and connected to the first bottom insert panel at a first interface;
- forming a third bottom insert panel having a third inner edge and connected to the second bottom insert panel at a second interface;
- and
- forming a wall insert panel extending between the first bottom insert panel and the third bottom insert panel and connected to the first bottom insert panel at a third interface and the third bottom insert panel at a fourth interface, the wall insert panel comprising:
- a main portion extending vertically upward from the third and fourth interfaces;
- and
- a bottom angled surface connected to and extending from a bottom edge of the main portion, the bottom angled surface having a fourth inner edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.