Abstract: A method of dislodging entrapped particulate material from an assembly of a bin and a hopper for dispensing the particulate material is disclosed. The method includes lifting at least one of a plurality of support legs off of the foundation by a predetermined amount by using at least one lifting mechanism that is resting on the foundation and operatively attached to one of the plurality of support legs; and dropping the at least one support leg into a free fall down on to the foundation using the lifting mechanism, whereby an impact shock thus produced is transmitted to the assembly of the bin and the hopper through the support leg and promote dislodging of any of the particulate material that may be in a non-flowable state to enhance dispensing of the particulate material from the assembly of the bin and the hopper.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for operably attaching to one of the plurality of support legs on a bin is provided where the lifting mechanism is configured to sequentially lift and drop the support leg by a predetermined amount, whereby an impact shock generated by the drop is transmitted to the bin through the support leg and promote dislodging of any of the particulate material that may be in a non-flowable state to enhance dispensing of the particulate material from the bin. A bin assembly incorporating such lifting mechanism on at least one of its plurality of support legs is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an improved animal feed distribution system and components, specifically tube belt conveyor system, that provides more efficient manner of delivering feed to the animals, such as poultry by using tube conveyor belt to distribute feed in a re-circulating loop.

Abstract: Provided is an improved animal feed distribution system and components, specifically tube belt conveyor system, that provides more efficient manner of delivering feed to the animals, such as poultry by using tube conveyor belt to distribute feed in a re-circulating loop.

Abstract: A corner unit for a feed conveying system includes a housing and a wheel. The housing defines a cavity and a track. The track is configured to receive a material conveying string. The wheel is disposed at least partially within the cavity of the housing and is configured to rotate within the cavity. The housing includes a plurality of ridges protruding into the cavity. The wheel includes a central hub, an outer rim, and one or more spokes extending from a first end coupled to the central hub to a second end coupled to the outer rim. At least one of the one or more spokes is swept such that, when the wheel is rotated in a first direction, the second end trails the first end such that rotation of the wheel in the first direction sweeps material that enters the cavity from the cavity and into the track.

Abstract: A corner unit for a feed conveying system includes a housing and a wheel. The housing defines a cavity and a track. The track is configured to receive a material conveying string. The wheel is disposed at least partially within the cavity of the housing and is configured to rotate within the cavity. The housing includes a plurality of ridges protruding into the cavity. The wheel includes a central hub, an outer rim, and one or more spokes extending from a first end coupled to the central hub to a second end coupled to the outer rim. At least one of the one or more spokes is swept such that, when the wheel is rotated in a first direction, the second end trails the first end such that rotation of the wheel in the first direction sweeps material that enters the cavity from the cavity and into the track.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for operably attaching to one of the plurality of support legs on a bin is provided where the lifting mechanism is configured to sequentially lift and drop the support leg by a predetermined amount, whereby an impact shock generated by the drop is transmitted to the bin through the support leg and promote dislodging of any of the particulate material that may be in a non-flowable state to enhance dispensing of the particulate material from the bin. A bin assembly incorporating such lifting mechanism on at least one of its plurality of support legs is also disclosed.