US 2004/0000465 A1 · Particulate material handling systems

Abstract

The particulate material handling system comprises a tube, an endless belt that passes through the tube and returns outside of the tube, and a flighting that is suspended a predetermined distance from the belt through the entire length of the tube. The distance may be varied for the various materials being handled. An intake hopper is mounted at one end of the tube for receiving the material to be moved and a discharge spout is mounted at the other end of the tube for discharging the material from the tube. The endless belt and flighting are driven such that their speed may be varied and such that their relative speeds are synchronized to drive the material at substantially the same speed whether it is being carried by the belt or the flighting. The combination of the belt and the flighting drives the material through the tube, minimizing damage to the material, which may be granular fertilizer, pulse crops, grains or other particulate material.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A material handling system comprising:

a tube having a first end and a second end;
an endless belt running through the tube from the first end to the second end, conforming substantially to the inner surface of the tube, and back outside the tube from the second end to the first end;
and
a flighting positioned within the tube a predetermined distance from the endless belt;
whereby the belt is adapted to be driven through the tube from the first end to the second end and the flighting is adapted to be rotated for moving particulate material through the tube from the first end and out of the second end.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Particulate material handling systems

Life of this patent

Particulate material handling systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37