Apparatus for spreading material

Apparatus for spreading material, the apparatus (1) comprising:

• an elongated container (10) for the material extending from an upstream end (15) to a downstream end (12) and defining a longitudinally extending central axis (18), the container (10) being of substantially constant inner transverse cross-section, and comprising
• a base (14) of semi-circular transverse cross-section, the axis of generation of which co-incides with the central axis (18),
• a pair of spaced apart side walls (15,16) extending generally upwardly from the base (14) on opposite sides thereof and between the upstream and downstream ends (11,17), and
• a downstream end wall (17) extending upwardly from the base (14) between the side walls (15,16),
• a dispensing outlet (19) from one side of the container (10) being located adjacent the downstream end (12) thereof through which material from the container (10) is dispersed,
• a dispensing rotor (30) located in the container (10) at the downstream end (12) adjacent the downstream end wall (17), and being rotatable about a rotational axis (18) which extends parallel to and co-incides with the central axis (18) of the container (10) for dispensing material from the container (10) through the dispensing outlet (19),
• an urging means (45) located in the container (10) for urging material in the container (10) in a downstream direction towards the dispensing rotor (30),
• an isolating means (55) extending transversely of the central axis (18) and located in the container (10) adjacent the downstream end (12) and upstream of the dispensing rotor (30) for selectively isolating the dispensing rotor (30) from a portion (56) of the container which is upstream of the isolating means (55), the isolating means (55) being movable between a closed position for isolating the dispensing rotor (30) from the upstream portion (56) of the container (10) and an open position whereby the dispensing rotor (30) communicates with the upstream portion (56) of the container (10) for receiving material therefrom, and
• a rupturing means (170) mounted on the urging means for dislodging compacted fibrous material from the dispensing rotor (30).

Apparatus for spreading material, the apparatus (1) comprising an elongated container (10) for the material extending from an upstream end (11) to a downstream end (12) and defining a longitudinally extending central axis (18), the container (10) being of substantially constant inner transverse cross-section, and comprising

• a base (14) of semi-circular transverse cross-section, the axis of generation of which co-incides with the central axis (18),
• a pair of spaced apart side walls (15,16) extending generally upwardly from the base (14) on opposite sides thereof and between the upstream and downstream ends (11,12), and
• a downstream end wall (17) extending upwardly from the base (14) between the side walls (15,16),
• a dispensing outlet (19) from one side of the container (10) being located adjacent the downstream end (12) thereof through which material from the container (10) is dispersed,
• a dispensing rotor (30) located in the container (10) at the downstream end (12) adjacent the downstream end wall (17), and being rotatable about a rotational axis (18) which extends parallel to and co-incides with the central axis (18) of the container (10) for dispensing material from the container (10) through the dispensing outlet (19),
• an isolating means (55) extending transversely of the central axis (18) and located in the container (10) adjacent the downstream end (12) and upstream of the dispensing rotor (30) for selectively isolating the dispensing rotor (30) from a portion (56) of the container which is upstream of the isolating means (55), the isolating means (55) being movable between a closed position for isolating the dispensing rotor (30) from the upstream portion (56) of the container (10) and an open position whereby the dispensing rotor (30) communicates with the upstream portion (56) of the container (10) for receiving material therefrom,
• an urging means (45) being located in the container (10) for urging material in the container (10) in a downstream direction towards the dispensing rotor (3O), and extending transversely of the central axis (18),
• a drive means being provided for moving the urging means (45) in a longitudinal direction along the container (10), and
• a transmission linkage (50) being operably connected to the drive means (48) and the urging means (45), the transmission linkage (50) comprising
• a first elongated link arm (87) and
• a second elongated link arm (88) pivotally connected together adjacent respective ends thereof, a free end (91) of the first link arm (87) being pivotally connected to the container (10) adjacent the upstream end (11) thereof and adjacent the base (14), and a free end of the second link arm (88) being pivotally connected to the urging means (45).