# US 2014/0190980 A1 · Molded ribs for an agricultural implement tank

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- Number: US 2014/0190980 A1
- Document ID: US20140190980A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/737,884
- Filed: 2013-01-09
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09
- Assignees: CNH Canada, Ltd.
- Applicants: Cnh Canada, Ltd
- Inventors: Scott A. Long; Martin J. Roberge
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190980A1

## CPC

- A01C 15/006: {Hoppers}
- A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00)

## Abstract

A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly. The seed tank assembly further including at least one angled rib molded into the seed tank assembly, in which the at least one angled rib is configured to provide structural rigidity to the seed tank assembly and to direct the seeds toward the exhaust.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement comprising:
an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly; and
at least one angled rib molded into the seed tank assembly, wherein the at least one angled rib is configured to provide structural rigidity to the seed tank assembly and to direct the seeds toward the exhaust.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The seed tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one angled rib is oriented at about 30 degrees from an axis substantially perpendicular to the exhaust opening.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The seed tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one angled rib comprises a first angled rib and a second angled rib, and the first and second angled ribs are angled toward one another.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The seed tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the exhaust opening is substantially rectangular.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The seed tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one angled rib has a rounded end.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The seed tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one angled rib includes a sensor configured to monitor a seed level in the seed tank assembly.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The seed tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the seed tank assembly is formed from a material including polyethylene.

### Claim 8

A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement comprising:
an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, wherein the exhaust opening includes a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end; and
at least one rib molded into the seed tank assembly, wherein the at least one rib is configured to provide structural rigidity to the seed tank assembly and to direct the seeds toward the exhaust opening,
wherein the at least one rib is configured to enhance uniformity of seed distribution along the exhaust opening from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The seed tank assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one rib is oriented at about 30 degrees from an axis substantially perpendicular to the exhaust opening.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The seed tank assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one rib comprises a first angled rib and a second angled rib, and the first and second angled ribs are angled toward one another.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The seed tank assembly of claim 8, wherein the exhaust opening is substantially rectangular.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The seed tank assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one rib has a rounded end.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The seed tank assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one rib includes a sensor configured to monitor a seed level in the seed tank assembly.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The seed tank assembly of claim 8, wherein the seed tank assembly is formed from a material including polyethylene.

### Claim 15

A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement comprising:
an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, wherein at least one web extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures; and
at least one rib molded into the seed tank assembly, wherein the at least one rib is configured to provide structural rigidity to the seed tank assembly and to direct the seeds toward aperture,
wherein the at least one rib is configured to enhance uniformity of seed distribution to the plurality of apertures.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The seed tank assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one rib is oriented at about 30 degrees from an axis substantially perpendicular to the exhaust opening.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The seed tank assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one rib comprises a first angled rib and a second angled rib, and the first and second angled ribs are angled toward one another.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The seed tank assembly of claim 15, wherein the exhaust opening is substantially rectangular.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The seed tank assembly of claim 18, wherein each aperture is substantially rectangular.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The seed tank assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one rib includes a sensor configured to monitor a seed level in the seed tank assembly.