Fertilizer spreader

Apparatus for entraining particulate material within a discharge air stream of an air blower, comprising:

• an adapter nozzle for passage of the discharge air stream;
• a container for receiving a supply of the particulate material;
• and
• pneumatic mixing means for agitating and fluidizing a localized region of the particulate material within said container and for drawing the fluidized particulate material from said container into said adapter nozzle for entrainment with the discharge air stream, said pneumatic mixing means including a pressure tube extending into said container and having an open end within said container opening generally in an upward direction, means for supplying a source of pressurized air for passage through said pressure tube into said container for agitating and fluidizing the localized region of particulate material, a suction tube extending into said container and having an open end disposed generally adjacent said localized region and presented generally in a downward direction in vertical alignment with the open end of said pressure tube, and means for coupling a vacuum to said suction tube for drawing the particulate matter from said localized region out of said container.

Apparatus for entraining particulate material within a discharge air stream of an air blower, comprising:

• an adapter nozzle having a Venturi throat formed therein for passage of the discharge air stream;
• a container for receiving a supply of the particulate material;
• a pneumatic mixer assembly mounted generally within the bottom of said container and including a pressure tube having a diffuser at an open end thereof opening generally upwardly toward a localized region of the particulate material, said mixer assembly further including a suction tube having an open end positioned generally in spaced vertical alignment with said diffuser and opening generally downwardly toward said localized region;
• means for diverting a portion of the discharge air stream from said adapter nozzle for passage into said pressure tube for direction upwardly through said diffuser to agitate and fluidize the particulate material within said localized region;
• and
• means for coupling said suction tube to said Venturi throat of said adapter nozzle for applying a vacuum to said localized region to draw the fluidized particulate material into said adapter nozzle for entrainment with the discharge air stream.

An attachment assembly for entraining particulate fertilizer or the like within a discharge air stream of an air blower comprising:

• an adapter nozzle having a Venturi throat formed therein for passage of the discharge air stream;
• a container for receiving a supply of the fertilizer;
• a pneumatic mixer assembly mounted generally within the bottom of said container and including a pressure tube having a diffuser at an open end thereof opening generally upwardly toward a localized region of the fertilizer, said mixer assembly further including a suction tube having an open end positioned generally in spaced vertical alignment with said diffuser and opening generally downwardly toward said localized region;
• means for diverting a portion of the discharge air stream from said adapter nozzle for passage into said pressure tube for direction upwardly through said diffuser to agitate and fluidize the fertilizer within said localized region;
• means for coupling said suction tube to said Venturi throat of said adapter nozzle for applying a vacuum to said localized region to draw the fluidized particulate material into said adapter nozzle for entrainment with the discharge air stream;
• and
• means for adjustably controlling the flow of fertilizer drawn from said container, said controlling means including an adjustment collar carried about said suction tube at a position outside said container and movable for selectively closing a bleed hole formed in said suction tube to vary the area of said bleed hole exposed to ambient air.

An attachment assembly for use with a portable hand-held air blower having means for providing a discharge air stream through a discharge outlet formed in a blower housing, said attachment assembly comprising:

• an adapter nozzle for mounting on the blower housing for in-line passage of the discharge air stream, said adapter nozzle having a Venturi throat formed therein;
• a portable container for receiving a supply of particulate fertilizer or the like, said container including means adapted to permit carrying thereof without substantially interferring with operation and use of the blower;
• a pneumatic mixer assembly mounted generally within the bottom of said container and including a pressure tube having a diffuser at an open end thereof opening generally upwardly toward a localized region of the fertilizer, said mixer assembly further including a suction tube having an open end positioned generally in spaced vertical alignment with said diffuser and opening generally downwardly toward said localized region;
• means for diverting a portion of the discharge air stream from said adapter nozzle for passage into said pressure tube for direction upwardly through said diffuser to agitate and fluidize the fertilizer within said localized region;
• and
• means for adjustably controlling the flow of fertilizer drawn from said container, said controlling means including an adjustment collar carried about said suction tube at a position outside said container and movable for selectively closing a bleed hole formed in said suction tube to vary the area of said bleed hole exposed to ambient air.

A fertilizer spreader for entraining particulate material into a relatively high velocity air stream, comprising:

• a portable blower including a housing having a discharge outlet formed therein and means within said housing for providing a relatively high velocity discharge air stream for passage through said discharge outlet;
• an adapter nozzle for in-line passage of the discharge air stream, said nozzle having a pressure port for diverting a portion of the discharge air stream from said nozzle, a Venturi throat downstream of said pressure port, and a vacuum port opening into said Venturi throat;
• a portable container for receiving a supply of the particulate material;
• a pneumatic mixer assembly mounted generally within the bottom of said container and including a pressure tube having a diffuser at an open end thereof opening generally upwardly toward a localized region of the particulate material, said mixer assembly further including a suction tube having an open end positioned generally in spaced vertical alignment with said diffuser and opening generally downwardly toward said localized region;
• a first conduit for coupling said pressure port to said pressure tube for direction upwardly through said diffuser to agitate and fluidize the particulate material within said localized region;
• a second conduit for coupling said vacuum port to said suction tube for applying a vacuum to said localized region to draw the fluidized particulate material into said adapter nozzle for entrainment with the discharge air stream;
• and
• means for adjustably controlling the flow of particulate material drawn from said container, said controlling means including an adjustment collar carried about said suction tube at a position outside said container and movable for selectively closing a bleed hole formed in said suction tube to vary the area of said bleed hole exposed to ambient air.