# US 2014/0190987 A1 · Expandable gravity-feed bin

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- Number: US 2014/0190987 A1
- Document ID: US20140190987A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/148,396
- Filed: 2014-01-06
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-05
- Assignees: Trade Fixtures, LLC
- Applicants: Trade Fixtures, LLC
- Inventors: Ronald Brundick; Scott Johnson; John Clayton Odom
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190987A1

## CPC

- A47F 1/08: dispensing from bottom
- A47F 1/02: for granulated or powdered materials {, i.e. bulk materials}
- A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS

## Abstract

A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin that has a storage reservoir and an open end. A first generally hollow extension section is selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin. The first extension section is in communication with the reservoir, and the storage capacity of the reservoir is increased by the first extension section. In some embodiments a seal element is intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section. A plurality of extension sections and seal elements may be selectably coupled together in a stacked arrangement upon the main bin to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A gravity-feed bin, comprising:
a generally hollow main bin including:
a storage reservoir, and
an open end; and
a first, generally hollow, extension section selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin,
the first extension section being in communication with the reservoir, and
the storage capacity of the reservoir being increased by the first extension section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further including a seal element intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 2 wherein the seal element includes:
a first receptacle; and
a second, opposing receptacle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further including at least one additional extension section,
the at least one additional extension section being configured to be selectably coupled to the first extension section, and
the first extension section and the at least one additional extension section forming a stacked arrangement.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 4, further including a seal element intermediate the first extension section and the at least one additional extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the first extension section and the at least one additional extension section.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 4 wherein the at least one additional extension section comprises a plurality of extension sections,
each of the plurality of additional extension sections being configured to be selectably coupled to an immediately adjacent extension section,
a select one of the plurality of extension sections being configured to be selectably coupled to the first extension section, and
the first extension section and the plurality of extension sections forming a stacked arrangement.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 6, further including:
a plurality of seal elements,
a seal element being intermediate each of the immediately adjacent extension sections; and
a select seal element being intermediate the first extension section and the select one of the plurality of extension sections immediately adjacent to the first extension section,
the plurality of seal elements providing a substantially air-tight seal between the immediately adjacent extension sections.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further comprising:
a slot formed in the main bin proximate the open end of the main bin; and
a tab extending away from the first extension section, the tab being configured to selectably engage the slot of the main bin to selectably couple the first extension section to the main bin.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further comprising:
a first protrusion formed in the main bin;
a second protrusion formed in the first extension section; and
a fastener,
the fastener being configured to selectably engage the first and second protrusions, thereby selectably coupling the first extension section to the main bin.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further including a sealing lid selectably coupled to the first extension section.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further including:
a generally hollow spout in communication with the reservoir; and
a bag-grip element coupled to the spout.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 11, further including a gate, the gate being configured to selectably close off the spout.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 12, further comprising a handle coupled to the gate.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 12, further including a biasing element coupled to the gate, the biasing element being configured to urge the gate to a position closing off the spout.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further comprising a base, the main bin being coupled to the base.

### Claim 16

A gravity-feed bin, comprising:
a generally hollow main bin including:
a storage reservoir, and
an open end;
a plurality of generally hollow extension sections,
each of the plurality of extension sections being configured to be selectably coupled to an immediately adjacent extension section,
a select one of the plurality of extension sections being configured to be selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin,
the plurality of extension sections being in communication with the reservoir, and
the plurality of extension sections forming a stacked arrangement; and
a plurality of seal elements,
a seal element being intermediate each of the immediately adjacent extension sections, and
a select seal element being intermediate the main bin and the select one of the plurality of extension sections immediately adjacent to the main bin,
the storage capacity of the reservoir being increased by the plurality of extension sections, and
the plurality of seal elements providing a substantially air-tight seal between the immediately adjacent extension sections.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The gravity-feed bin of claim 16, further comprising:
a first protrusion formed in the main bin and in each of the plurality of extension sections;
a second protrusion formed in each of the plurality of extension sections; and
a fastener,
the fastener being configured to selectably engage the first and second protrusions, thereby selectably coupling the plurality of extension sections to one another and to the main bin.

### Claim 18

A method for selectably dispensing bulk materials, comprising the steps of:
obtaining a generally hollow main bin, the main bin including:
a storage reservoir, and
an open end; and
selectably coupling a first, generally hollow, extension section to the open end of the main bin,
the first extension section being in communication with the reservoir, and
the storage capacity of the reservoir being increased by the first extension section, the bulk materials being selectably dispensed from the reservoir.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, further including the step of placing a seal element intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:
forming a first protrusion in the main bin;
forming a second protrusion in the extension section; and
coupling a fastener to the first and second protrusions,
the fastener being configured to selectably engage the first and second protrusions, thereby selectably coupling the extension section to the main bin.