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 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 the 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 panels of the hopper bottom, respectively.
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 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.