Abstract: A seed flow chamber for handling seed and grain commodity, especially for use with a seed treatment applicator. Seed flow is received through an upper inlet opening configured to receive a flow of seed and discharged through a lower discharge opening. A diverging guide member splits the seed flow. A converging guide member disposed below the diverging guide member reunites the seed flow prior to discharge. The converging member has a downward sloping surface and an air vent, such as a plurality of airflow apertures connected to a plenum. The air vent is configured to communicate with an air supply. A vacuum vent—disposed below the diverging guide member—is configured to communicate with a vacuum source. A fan system recirculates air between the air vent and the vacuum vent. Dehumidifier may condition the air supply to assist with drying.

Abstract: An inclined belt conveyor capable of mixing particulate material, such as agricultural seed or fertilizer. Inserting a plurality of mixing baffles into the stream of the particulate material induces a backflow of the particulate material. In the case of wet, freshly treated plant seed, this backflow causes a mixing, polishing, and drying of the plant seed. The mixing distributes the seed treatment into an even coat by rubbing the individual seeds of the seed flow stream together. The inclined belt conveyor may also be used to blend multiple varieties or types of particulate material. The mixing baffles are oriented to induce backflow and sideways lateral movement and may incorporate a passage to allow increase particulate material flow rate. The mixing baffles can selectively deploy between an angle of 20 degrees to 70 degrees to enable the mixing inclined belt conveyor to have a transfer-speed-maximizing mode and a mixing mode.

Abstract: A stream of seed may be maintained at a metered flow rate through multiple stages of a treatment process. These multiple stages include dispensing, first application of fluid, second application of fluid, and seed transport. Seed transport may be accomplished through a conveyor configured to maintain the metered flow rate while providing static mixing, drying, and conditioning of the treated seed. The metered stream of seed may be treated within a first treatment applicator where a first wet treatment is applied, transferred through the incline conveyor, and treated again within a second treatment applicator where a second wet treatment is applied. Overtreating in multiple stages may layer consecutive seed treatments around the treated seed. A predetermined amount of seed treatment may be applied to the coated seed based on the metered flow rate established. Maintaining the metered flow rate through multiple stages eliminates the need for multiple metering steps.

Abstract: An agricultural incline conveyor having belt guards extending longitudinally through a curvilinear portion from a tail inlet to a head outlet. The belt guards protect linear edges of a belt within the curvilinear portion during mixing operations. A plurality of mixing baffles positioned within the curvilinear portion induce turbulent backflow of a metered stream of seed being transported through the curvilinear portion. The longitudinal guards prevent the loss of transported seed from entering between the belt and a trough of the curvilinear portion.

Abstract: A treatment discharge catcher may be positioned at a terminal end of a treatment chamber. The treatment discharge catcher has a sloped member and a liquid collector. The sloped member extends downwardly and outwardly from a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispenser coats a particulate material with a treatment. Unapplied treatment may coat an interior of the treatment chamber. The sloped member directs unapplied treatment towards the liquid collector. The liquid collector has an interior wall that extends upwardly towards the sloped member to form a slotted gap. The particulate material may be prevented passage through the slotted gap. The unapplied treatment flows along an underside of the sloped member through the slotted gap. The unapplied treatment releases at a release portion of the sloped member. A port may discharge unapplied treatment collected inside the liquid collector.

Abstract: A liquid treating conveyor system that can apply a metered liquid treatment to a metered stream of seed within the conveyor, with either the rate of the seed or treatment fluid regulated. The conveyor has a curved structure. A belt conformed to the curved structure carries a bed of seed through the conveyor. A liquid dispenser distributes a treatment across the seed bed. The liquid may enter the liquid dispenser at low pressure for low shear applications. Liquid dispensers may be spaced apart along a portion of the conveyor. Gas outlet ports and mixing baffles may be disposed within the conveyor. A liquid channel may be disposed within a mixing baffle to direct flow of treatment from the liquid port to an outlet port in contact with the seed bed.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism having an engagement device, a valve assembly, and an actuator. The engagement device can receive a container on a stand. The actuator can be mounted to the stand to move the stand in an axis parallel to a height of the container. The engagement device moves the container between a load position and a sealed position. A rim of the container abuts a sealing member of the valve assembly in the sealed position. The dispensing mechanism is pivotally mounted to the hopper. The dispensing mechanism and container are movable together between two positions: the load position, where the valve assembly operates as a lid for the container; and a dispense position, where the valve assembly operates as a lid for the hopper. A valve of the valve assembly is opened to discharge a product from the container while in the dispense position.

Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyance structure, mixing components, belt, and gas manifold. The gas manifold disposed within or on an exterior portion of the structure. The gas manifold having one or more manifold outlet ports to dry, condition, or treat a metered stream of seed within the conveyor. The manifold may be operably connected to a recirculating air system providing the vacuum source and pressurized air source of atmospheric or conditioned air. A filter and vacuum port may extract debris or humidity from the metered stream of seed within the conveyor. A plurality of mixing baffles may be longitudinally spaced apart through the conveyor in a laterally alternating manner to mix the metered stream of seed. The conveyor may be used to transfer, mix, dry, condition and treat the metered stream of seed between multiple stages of treatment.

Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyance structure, mixing components, belt, and gas manifold. The gas manifold disposed within or on an exterior portion of the structure. The gas manifold having one or more manifold outlet ports to dry, condition, or treat a metered stream of seed within the conveyor. The manifold may be operably connected to a recirculating air system providing the vacuum source and pressurized air source of atmospheric or conditioned air. A filter and vacuum port may extract debris or humidity from the metered stream of seed within the conveyor. A plurality of mixing baffles may be longitudinally spaced apart through the conveyor in a laterally alternating manner to mix the metered stream of seed. The conveyor may be used to transfer, mix, dry, condition and treat the metered stream of seed between multiple stages of treatment.

Abstract: A traction sleeve roller featuring an inner roller and a secured outer traction sleeve that may be rotatably powered when operable to a motor. The outer traction sleeve may be radially offset from the inner roller by a plurality of supporting members positioned between the outer traction sleeve and the inner roller. The plurality of supporting members may secure a plurality of traction members about the inner roller. The plurality of traction members may have a plurality of traction points. A plurality of outer passages pass between the plurality of traction members. A plurality of inner passages pass between an interior surface of the outer traction sleeve and a surface of the inner roller. A foulant may be directed through the plurality of outer passages into the plurality of inner passages when the traction sleeve roller is engaged with a surface having fouling conditions.

Abstract: A seed treatment applicator for applying a liquid seed treatment to an agricultural seed within a treatment chamber. A multi-port valve allows a first liquid source and a second liquid source to be fluidly connected to the multi-port valve. Multiple liquid sources may contain the same liquid treatment, mixed differently to have different densities. A liquid pump, such as a static rate pump, is fluidly connected downstream of the multi-port valve or directly connected to a liquid source. A modular control stick comprises a frame mounted to the treatment chamber, a mass flow meter mounted to the frame and fluidly connected downstream of the liquid pump and configured to generate a measured mass flow signal relative to a real time mass flow rate of the liquid seed treatment; and a flow meter transmitter operably connected to the mass flow meter and configured to generate a switch signal when comparison of the measured mass flow signal deviates from a reference value corresponding to a desired flow rate.

Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyance structure, belt, and gas manifold. The gas manifold disposed within or on an exterior portion of the structure. The gas manifold having one or more manifold outlet ports to dry, condition, or treat a metered stream of seed within the conveyor. The manifold may be operably connected to a recirculating air system providing the vacuum source and pressurized air source of atmospheric or conditioned air. A filter and vacuum port may extract debris or humidity from the metered stream of seed within the conveyor. A plurality of mixing baffles may be longitudinally spaced apart through the conveyor in a laterally alternating manner to mix the metered stream of seed. The conveyor may be used to transfer, mix, dry, condition and treat the metered stream of seed between multiple stages of treatment.

Abstract: A mixing inclined belt conveyor capable of mixing particulate material, specifically wet, freshly treated plant seeds for agricultural purposes. Inserting a plurality of mixing baffles into the stream of the particulate material induces a backflow of the particulate material. In the case of wet, freshly treated plant seed, this backflow causes a mixing, polishing, and drying of the plant seed. The mixing distributes the seed treatment into an even coat by rubbing the individual seeds of the seed flow stream together. The mixing baffles are oriented to induce backflow and sideways lateral movement and may incorporate a passage to allow increase material flow rate.

Abstract: A seed flow chamber for handling seed and grain commodity, especially for use with a seed treatment applicator. Seed flow is received through an upper inlet opening configured to receive a flow of seed and discharged through a lower discharge opening. A diverging guide member splits the seed flow. A converging guide member disposed below the diverging guide member reunites the seed flow prior to discharge. The converging member has a downward sloping surface and an air vent, such as a plurality of airflow apertures connected to a plenum. The air vent is configured to communicate with an air supply. A vacuum vent—disposed below the diverging guide member—is configured to communicate with a vacuum source. A fan system recirculates air between the air vent and the vacuum vent. Dehumidifier may condition the air supply to assist with drying.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer is disclosed for the even distribution of a treatment fluid within a treatment chamber. The treatment fluid is delivered onto a rotating disk atomizer through multiple outlet ports. Fluid passages provide each outlet port with an even flow of treatment fluid at generally the same time and rate. This even and simultaneous flow of treatment fluid results in a more even distribution of treatment fluid on the seed that flows through the treatment chamber throughout the treatment cycle.

Abstract: A seed flow chamber for handling seed and grain commodity, especially for use with a seed treatment applicator. Seed flow is received through an upper inlet opening configured to receive a flow of seed and discharged through a lower discharge opening. A diverging guide member splits the seed flow. A converging guide member disposed below the diverging guide member reunites the seed flow prior to discharge. The converging member has a downward sloping surface and an air vent, such as a plurality of airflow apertures connected to a plenum. The air vent is configured to communicate with an air supply. A vacuum vent—disposed below the diverging guide member—is configured to communicate with a vacuum source. A fan system recirculates air between the air vent and the vacuum vent. Dehumidifier may condition the air supply to assist with drying.

Abstract: A belt conveyor with automatic in-line tensioning. A tensioner bar is slidably received into a tensioning slot and guided by a plurality of rails. At least one air spring is positioned between the tensioner frame and the tensioner bar. The first air spring pushes the tensioner bar such that movement of the tensioner bar moves the end roller to affect a tensioning force upon the endless belt. An air pressure gauge can display an air pressure value corresponding to a tension force of the endless belt. A tracking assembly allows tracking of the endless roller independent of the tensioning. A controller can controls the tensioning and release of tensioning based on operational or environmental factors.

Abstract: A seed treatment applicator for applying a liquid seed treatment to an agricultural seed within a treatment chamber. A multi-port valve allows a first liquid source and a second liquid source to be fluidly connected to the multi-port valve. Multiple liquid sources may contain the same liquid treatment, mixed differently to have different densities. A liquid pump, such as a static rate pump, is fluidly connected downstream of the multi-port valve or directly connected to a liquid source. A modular control stick comprises a frame mounted to the treatment chamber, a mass flow meter mounted to the frame and fluidly connected downstream of the liquid pump and configured to generate a measured mass flow signal relative to a real time mass flow rate of the liquid seed treatment; and a flow meter transmitter operably connected to the mass flow meter and configured to generate a switch signal when comparison of the measured mass flow signal deviates from a reference value corresponding to a desired flow rate.

Abstract: A horizontal rotating drum for mixing and drying treated seed with multiple functional zones separated by one or more dams that are attached to and rotate with the drum. The dam regulates the flow of seed through the drum's functional zones. The dam has one or more cleanout passages and an overflow passage centrally disposed within the dam to selectively regulate seed flow.

Abstract: A belt conveyor with automatic in-line tensioning. A tensioner bar is slidably received into a tensioning slot and guided by a plurality of rails. At least one air spring is positioned between the tensioner frame and the tensioner bar. The first air spring pushes the tensioner bar such that movement of the tensioner bar moves the end roller to affect a tensioning force upon the endless belt. An air pressure gauge can display an air pressure value corresponding to a tension force of the endless belt. A tracking assembly allows tracking of the endless roller independent of the tensioning. A controller can controls the tensioning and release of tensioning based on operational or environmental factors.