ANTI-STRIPING MATERIAL SPREADING DEVICE

Abstract

A spreading device has an elongated housing with an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end in the direction of elongation of the housing. Multiple plates are enclosed within the housing, each plate obstructing travel through the elongated housing in the direction of the elongation. Each plate is provided with multiple perforations, and the perforations are sized to be larger than a grain size of a substance to be spread by the spreading device. During use, each plate moves within the elongated housing, such that the movement of the corresponding plate generates movement of any substance to be spread located upon the corresponding plate. Such movement of the plates causes grains of the substance to pass through the corresponding perforations, such that the grains of the substance pass through the plates consecutively along a path from the inlet to the outlet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application takes priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 63/641,619, filed May 2, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a material spreading device for spreading particles of a material. In particular, the invention relates to a spreading device for spreading a road treatment material, such as road salt.

BACKGROUND

Striping is a common issue in the salt spreading industry, characterized by the inconsistent application of salt.

Striping occurs throughout the entire salt spreading industry, presenting a persistent challenge that hasn't been solved. Striping can be described as uneven salt spread. However, various forms of striping may occur in the salt spreading process. Striping can take form as the physical formation of striped salt patterns, salt clumping, excessive salt accumulation in specific locations, and other variations. To account for this issue, extra salt must be used to account for the areas of salt spread that get poor dispersions of salt. Consequently, the environment is harmed by excessive amounts of salt.

There is a need for a material spreading device that can reduce striping, thereby enhancing the efficiency of salt spread to cut operational and environmental costs.

In existing products, such as spreading devices for use with V-box spreaders, salt, or other road treatment materials, is transported from a reservoir to a chute. The chute then directs the road treatment material to a spinner, which then spins to distribute the material across the road, typically by rotating, and thereby distributing the road treatment materials horizontally radially by way of inertia. However, striping results from salt arriving at the spinner disk at inconsistent rates or in clumps.

In some existing products, this is addressed by changing a method of transporting the treatment material from the reservoir to the spreading device. While transportation to the spreading device is typically by way of a cross bars or a belt over chains, some devices utilize an auger. While an auger may provide additional control, it presents its own problems, not the least of which is the excessive cost of implementing such an approach.

Further, many approaches to addressing this problem result in more even applications, but drastically reduce a speed at which road treatment materials can be applied to the road.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device for a material spreading device that can facilitate the even spreading of particles of a material, broken up so as to be distributed granularly, while maintaining a high flowthrough rate.

SUMMARY

One objective of this disclosure is to resolve the striping phenomenon that occurs during salt spreading operations, with the emphasis on the delivery of salt to the disc responsible for spreading. A sifting device is therefore provided. The sifting device's purpose is to ensure an even distribution of salt is delivered onto the surface of the spreader disc, thereby optimizing the salt spreading process.

A spreading device is provided having an elongated housing with an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end in the direction of elongation of the housing. A plurality of plates are enclosed within the housing, each plate obstructing travel through the elongated housing in the direction of the elongation.

Each plate of the plurality of plates is provided with a plurality of perforations, the perforations being larger than a grain size of a substance to be spread by the spreading device. During use, each plate moves within the elongated housing, such that the movement of the corresponding plate generates movement of any substance to be spread located upon the corresponding plate. Such movement of the plates causes grains of the substance to pass through the corresponding perforations, such that the grains of the substance pass through the plurality of the plates consecutively along a path from the inlet to the outlet.

In some embodiments, the housing is elongated substantially vertically, such that the first end is at a top of the housing and the second end is at a bottom of the housing. In some such embodiments, each plate of the plurality of plates extends substantially horizontally across a cross-section of the elongated housing when in a first position, thereby obstructing passage of the substance from the first end to the second end.

In some such embodiments, the movement of each plate is a rotation of the corresponding plate relative to the corresponding cross-section of the elongated housing, such that in a second position, the plate is angled relative to the horizontally extending first position.

In some such embodiments, consecutive plates of the plurality of plates rotate in opposite directions, such that in the second position, consecutive plates are angled relative to the horizontally extending first position in opposite directions from each other and are not parallel to each other.

In some such embodiments, each of the plates have a first end and a second end, and the first end of each plate is fixed at a cross-sectional plane within the elongated housing, and the second end of each plate is moved out of the corresponding cross-sectional plane.

In some such embodiments, the first end of each plate is fixed such that it can rotate and translate horizontally within the corresponding cross-sectional plane, such that the corresponding plate rotates about the first end as a pivot point.

In some embodiments in which each plate has a fixed first end, a single motor generates movement at the second end of each of the plurality of plates, such that the movement of the plates is simultaneous.

In some such embodiments, movement from the single motor is transmitted by way of gearing so as to generate rotational movement adjacent the second end of each of the plurality of plates, and wherein a gearing arrangement transforms the rotational movement to vertical movement.

In some embodiments in which plates extend horizontally across an elongated housing, the movement of each plate is a horizontal translation at the corresponding cross-section, and the horizontal translation causes horizontal sliding of the grains of the substance along a top surface of the corresponding plate.

In some embodiments, the spreading device includes a spinning plate assembly, wherein following the passage of grains of the substance through the perforations of a final plate of the plurality of plates, the grains of the substance pass through the outlet to the spinning plate assembly. In some such embodiments, the spinning plate assembly distributes the grains of the substance across a road surface.

In some embodiments, the substance passes through the plurality of plates consecutively, such that clumps of the substance may break up upon impacting any plate of the plurality of the plates.

In some embodiments, the perforations of the plurality of plates are sized progressively smaller, such that the perforations of a plate closer to the inlet may allow passage of larger clumps of the substance than the perforations of a plate closer to the outlet.

In some embodiments, the spreading device further includes a conveyor for depositing the substance from a reservoir into the inlet of the elongated housing.

In some embodiments, the reservoir is a V-box, and wherein the conveyor is cross bars or a belt over a chain.

In some embodiments, the substance is road salt

In some embodiments, the housing has a substantially consistent cross-section in the direction of the elongation.

In some embodiments, the movement of the plates is generated by a drive unit located outside the elongated housing.

In some such embodiments, power is transmitted from the drive unit to the plates by way of an opening in the elongated housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a spreading device in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a spreading device in accordance with this disclosure with a housing removed.

FIG. 3 is a portion of the spreading device of FIG. 2 with a portion of

the housing removed.

FIG. 4 is the portion of the spreading device of FIG. 3 with a remainder of the housing removed.

FIGS. 5A-5C show a side view of the portion of the spreading device of FIG. 4 with plates in three different positions.

FIGS. 6A-6B show a perspective view of the portion of the spreading device of FIG. 4 with plates in two different positions.

FIGS. 7A-7B show a front view of the portion of the spreading device of FIG. 4 with plates in two different positions similar to the two positions of FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively.

FIGS. 8A-8D show the spreading device of FIG. 4 with a motor and drive chains in place.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a spreading device in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows the spreading device of FIG. 9 with a portion of the housing removed.

FIG. 11 shows a section view of the spreading device of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 12A-12B show the spreading device of FIG. 9 with portions of the housing removed and with drive chains in place.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a spreading device in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 with a housing removed.

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the spreading device of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a spreading device 100 in accordance with this disclosure. FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a spreading device 100 in accordance with this disclosure with a housing 110 removed. FIG. 3 is a portion of the spreading device 100 of FIG. 2 with a portion of the housing 110 removed. FIG. 4 is the portion of the spreading device 100 of FIG. 3 with a remainder of the housing 110 removed. It is noted that the spreading device 100 will be referred to herein using the same reference numeral regardless of whether additional components, such as a spinning plate assembly 120 or a reservoir 130 are shown.

As shown, the spreading device 100 comprises an elongated housing 110 with an inlet 140 at a first end and an outlet 150 at a second end in a direction 160 of elongation.

A plurality of plates 170a-c are provided and are enclosed within the housing 110. Each plate 170a, b, c obstructs travel through the elongated housing 110 in the direction 160 of the elongation. In the embodiment of the spreading device 100 shown, the plurality of plates 170a-c is three plates, but other embodiments may have two plates or more than three plates.

Each plate of the plurality of plates 170a-c is provided with a plurality of perforations 180. The perforations 180 are sized to allow a substance to pass through the corresponding plate 170a, but only if the substance has been broken up to avoid clumps. Accordingly, the perforations 180 are sized larger than the grain size of a material to be used for spreading (i.e., the substance), but smaller than a multiple of the grain size.

The substance may be road salt or various substitutes for road salt. For example, the substance may be American road salt, European road salt, sand, gravel or rocks sized for such purpose (typically very small or fine rocks or gravel), as well as calcium chloride. Additional materials may be utilized as well-some materials not commonly used are utilized by specific municipalities in road treatment operations, such as coffee grounds or ground up peppers. Such substances, and others, may be utilized locally firm e.g., environmental purposes, and may be compatible with the described spreading device 100. However, the device may require some local modification, such as custom sized perforations, depending on the specific parameters of such a treatment. This type of modification does not change the function and structure of the embodiments described herein.

It will be further understood that while perforated plates 170a-c are discussed, screens may be utilized as well, so long as such screens are sufficiently strong and rigid to resist the forces of normal usage, with some safety factor allowing for occasional overload. The selection of a perforated plate or screen may impact the size of perforations used or the spacing of openings in the context of such a screen, as well as the form of material, such as a heavy wire, used to define the screen.

Although the embodiments shown provide consistent perforation 180 sizes across the plates 170a-c, it will be understood that this is not necessary. For example, in some embodiments, the spreading device 100 is designed such that when the substance passes through the plates consecutively, clumps of the substance are broken up upon impacting any plate of the plurality of plates. As such, it may be expected that clumps of the substance are more likely to be broken up following the second plate 170b than the first plate 170a.

Accordingly, the perforations 180 in the first plate 170a may be larger than the perforations 180 in the second plate 170b so as to allow clumps of the substance to pass through the first plate 170a even if they should not pass through the second plate 170b. Similarly, the perforations 180 of the third plate may be smaller than the perforations of the second plate, so as to allow only individual grains of the substance to proceed to the spinner plate. In this way, perforations 180 of the plurality of plates 170a-c may be sized progressively smaller, such that perforations of the plate 170a closer to the inlet 140 may allow passage of larger clumps of the substance than the perforations 180 of the plate 170c closer to the outlet 150.

Additionally, hole positioning and configuration may vary between plates 170a-c in order to optimize the functionality of the spreading device.

The perforation size 180 may be selected based on the grain size of the substance to be spread. Accordingly, a different perforation size may be selected depending on the specific substance to be utilized. Similarly, different plate sets may be provided, such as in a spreading device kit, to allow a user to switch between materials to be spread. Such plate sets may changed by users in some embodiments, or they may be semi-permanently or permanently fixed in place, such that a factory modification is required to switch plate sets for optimizations related to different materials.

During use, each plate 170a-c moves within the elongated housing 110. Movement of the corresponding plate 170a-c then generates movement of any substance to be spread that is located upon the corresponding plate. The movement of the plate 170a-c then causes grains of the substance to pass through the plurality of the plates consecutively along a path from the inlet 140 to the outlet 150.

As shown, the elongation 160 of the housing 110 is typically in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the first end, or the inlet 140, is at a top of the housing and the second end, or the outlet 150, is at a bottom of the housing. In the embodiment shown, each plate 170a-c then extends substantially horizontally across a cross-section of the elongated housing 110 when in a first position, such as that shown in FIGS. 2-4, thereby obstructing passage of the substance from the first end 140 to the second end 150. As shown, the cross-section of the housing 110 may be substantially consistent in the direction 160 of the elongation. Typically, the first end, or inlet 140, receives the substance from the reservoir 130 and the second end, or outlet 150, deposits the substance onto the spinning plate assembly 120.

FIGS. 5A-5C show a side view of the portion of the spreading device 100 of FIG. 4 with plates 170a-c in three different positions. FIGS. 6A-6B show a perspective view of the portion of the spreading device 100 of FIG. 4 with plates 170a-c in two different positions. FIGS. 7A-7B show a front view of the portion of the spreading device 100 of FIG. 4 with plates 170a-c in two different positions similar to the two positions of FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively. Similarly, the two positions shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are similar to the two positions shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

As shown, in a first position such as that shown in FIGS. 5A, 6A, and 7A, each plate 170a-c of the plurality of plates extends horizontally across a cross-section of the elongated housing 110 (with the housing not shown). With the housing in place, the plates then obstruct passage of a substance from the first end 140 to the second end 150 of the housing. A cross-sectional plane 190a-c is shown for each plate 170a-c in FIG. 5B solely for reference.

The movement of each plate 170a-c to a second position, such as that shown in FIGS. 5B, 6B, and 7B, may then be a rotation of the corresponding plate relative to the corresponding cross-section of the elongated housing 110. In the second position, the plate is then angled 200a-c relative to the horizontally extending first position, as well as relative to the corresponding cross-sectional plane 190a-c.

In the embodiment shown, consecutive plates 170a, b rotate in opposite directions between the first and second positions, such that in the second position, consecutive plates are angled 200a, b relative to the horizontally extending first position and the corresponding cross-sectional plane 190a, b in opposite directions from each other. Accordingly, in the second position, the plates 170a, b are not parallel to each other, although non-consecutive plates 170a, c may be.

The rotation of the plates 170a-c relative to the cross-sectional plane 190a-c may use a variety of mechanisms. In the embodiment shown, each of the plates 170a-c have a first end 210 and a second end 220. The first end 210 of each plate 170a-c is then fixed at a cross-sectional plane 190a-c, such that the corresponding plate rotates about the first end 210 as a pivot point. In the embodiment shown, the first end 210 of each plate comprises a pin 230 which mates with a slot 240 in either the housing 210 or a structural member of the spreading device 100.

The second end 220 of each plate 170a-c is then moved out of the cross-sectional plane 190a-c. The second end 220 of each plate 170a-c can then be moved vertically out of the corresponding plane 190a-c, and the first end 210 of each plate 170a-c can rotate and translate simultaneously.

FIGS. 8A-8D show the spreading device 100 of FIG. 4 with a motor 250 and drive chains 260 in place. As shown, a single motor 250 may be provided to generate movement at the second end 220 of each of the plurality of plates 170a-c. Power from the motor 250 may be transmitted to gearing associated with each plate 170a-c by way of a drive chain 260. In this manner, the movement of the plates 170a-c may be simultaneous and easily coordinated. Movement from the single motor 250 may be transmitted by way of gearing so as to generate rotational movement adjacent the second end 220 of each of the plurality of plates 170a-c. The gearing arrangement may then transform the rotational movement to vertical movement.

While FIGS. 8A-8D do not include the elongated housing 110, the single motor 250 may be located outside of the elongated housing when present. Accordingly, the motor 250, or drive unit, may be fixed to an outer surface of the housing 250 or may be separately supported. In such embodiments, the movement of the plates 170a-c is then generated by a drive unit, or motor 250, located outside the elongated housing 110. The power may then be transmitted from the drive unit, or motor 250, to the plates 170a-c by way of an opening in the elongated housing. A drive chain 260 may then pass through the opening.

Such an arrangement is shown, e.g., in FIGS. 8A-8D, where the gearing and the chain is arranged so as to generate rotation in opposite directions for alternating plates 170a-c.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a spreading device 900 in accordance with this disclosure. FIG. 10 shows the spreading device 900 of FIG. 9 with a portion of the housing 110 removed. FIG. 11 shows a section view of the spreading device 900 of FIG. 9. FIGS. 12A-12B show the spreading device 900 of FIG. 9 with portions of the housing removed and with drive chains in place.

As shown, and similar to the embodiment discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, the spreading device 100 comprises an elongated housing 110 with an inlet 140 at a first end and an outlet 150 at a second end in a direction 160 of elongation. The device provides a plurality of plates 910a-c enclosed within the housing 110, and each plate obstructs travel of the substance through the elongated housing.

In the first embodiment, the plates 170a-c each rotate relative to a corresponding horizontal cross-sectional plane 190a-c by fixing a first end 210 in the corresponding plane and moving a second end 220 out of the plane. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the spreading device 900 is provided with three plates 910a-c that rotate out of the corresponding cross-sectional planes 190a-c in a different direction, as shown.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, the drive chains 920 are arranged differently in the embodiment of the spreading device 900 of FIG. 9. Accordingly, the chains can be utilized to generate different modes of movement. For example, the motion of each plate 910a-c may be way of a slider-crank linkage.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a spreading device 1300 in accordance with this disclosure. FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 with a housing removed. FIG. 15 shows a front view of the spreading device 1300 of FIG. 13.

Similar to the embodiment discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, the spreading device 100 comprises an elongated housing 110 with an inlet 140 at a first end and an outlet 150 at a second end in a direction 160 of elongation. The device provides a plurality of plates 1310a-b enclosed within the housing 110, and each plate obstructs travel of the substance through the elongated housing. In the embodiment shown, only two plates are provided, but as noted above, a larger number of plates is contemplated as well.

In contrast with the first embodiment of a spreading device 100 discussed above, the movement of each plate 1310a-b may be a horizontal translation at the corresponding cross-section. The horizontal translation may then cause horizontal sliding of the grains of the substance to be distributed along a top surface of the corresponding plate 1310a-b.

As shown in each embodiment, the spreading device 100, 900, 1300 may further comprise a spinning plate assembly 120. The spinning plate assembly 120 may include a rotating plate and following the passage of the grains of the substance through the perforations 180 of a final plate 170c, 910c, 1310b, the grains of the substance pass through the outlet 150 to the spinning plate assembly 120. The spinning plate assembly 120 may then function to distribute the grains of the substance across the road surface.

The functioning of the spinning plate assembly 120 may be improved by configuring the rest of the spreading device 100, 900, 1300 to consistently break up clumps of the substance and deliver a continuous supply of the substance at a substantially continuous flow rate.

It is further noted that while the plates obstruct movement of the substance through the housing, in some embodiments, such an obstruction may not be absolute. For example, in some embodiments, the substance may pass through or around edges of the plates as the plates move. Accordingly, in an overflow situation, or where the perforations 180 are obstructed, the substance may pass around the edges of the plates so as to maintain a high flow rate rather than lose functionality, even if such functionality compromises efficiency. In other embodiments, the plates may be configured to maintain some level of seal with the edges of the housing in order to prevent passage of the substance around the edges of the material.

As noted above, the spreading device may include a conveyor 1400 for depositing the substance from a reservoir 130 into the inlet 140 of the elongated housing 110. The conveyor 1400 may be cross bars or a belt over a chain. In some embodiments, the conveyor may be an auger device. The reservoir may be a V-box.

As shown in the embodiments provided herein, the plurality of plates 170a-c, 910a-c, 1310a-b may move in various ways. In some embodiments, such as in the first embodiment of the spreading device 100 described herein, the plates 170a-c may rotate relative to a cross-sectional plane 190a-c of the housing 110. In other embodiments, such as that in the third embodiment of the spreading device 1300 described herein, the plates 1310a-b may translate horizontally. In other embodiments, not shown, other movements are contemplated as well, such as vibration or combinations of motions. Further, such movement may be smooth, or it may be stilted in order to force additional movement of the substance within the spreading device 100, 900, 1300.

For example, the plates in various embodiments may rotate about different axes, or the movement of individual plates may be eccentric or otherwise change between different axes to generate less regular motion. For example, while the embodiments shown are chain driven, in some embodiments, plates may be rotated consistently, such that motion need not be reciprocal, and plates can be operated by directly driving the plates with one or more motor.

Further, in some embodiments, one or more plate may be held stationary in order to simplify or better control the spreading device as a whole. In some embodiments, relative motion of the individual plates is more important than individual movement, such that holding one plate stationary while moving a second plate may result in more easily controlled or more impactful relative motion. Similarly, plates may be held stationary while the device, taken as a whole, moves in order to allow for the substance to be moved within the context of the spreading device. Movement of the plates may be modified based on the number of plates utilized as well, such that movement of plates in an embodiment using three plates may differ from movement of plates in an embodiment using two or four plates.

While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A spreading device comprising:

an elongated housing with an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end in the direction of the elongation;

a plurality of plates enclosed within the housing, each plate obstructing travel through the elongated housing in the direction of the elongation;

wherein each plate of the plurality of plates is provided with a plurality of perforations, the perforations being larger than a grain size of a substance to be spread by the spreading device;

wherein, during use, each plate moves within the elongated housing, such that the movement of the corresponding plate generates movement of any substance to be spread located upon the corresponding plate, and

wherein such movement of the plates causes grains of the substance to pass through the corresponding perforations, such that the grains of the substance pass through the plurality of the plates consecutively along a path from the inlet to the outlet.

2. The spreading device of claim 1, wherein the housing is elongated substantially vertically, such that the first end is at a top of the housing and the second end is at a bottom of the housing.

3. The spreading device of claim 2, wherein each plate of the plurality of plates extends substantially horizontally across a cross-section of the elongated housing when in a first position, thereby obstructing passage of the substance from the first end to the second end.

4. The spreading device of claim 3, wherein the movement of each plate is a rotation of the corresponding plate relative to the corresponding cross-section of the elongated housing, such that in a second position, the plate is angled relative to the horizontally extending first position.

5. The spreading device of claim 4, wherein consecutive plates of the plurality of plates rotate in opposite directions, such that in the second position, consecutive plates are angled relative to the horizontally extending first position in opposite directions from each other and are not parallel to each other.

6. The spreading device of claim 5, wherein each of the plates have a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of each plate is fixed at a cross-sectional plane within the elongated housing, and wherein the second end of each plate is moved out of the corresponding cross-sectional plane.

7. The spreading device of claim 6, wherein the first end of each plate is fixed such that it can rotate and translate horizontally within the corresponding cross-sectional plane, such that the corresponding plate rotates about the first end as a pivot point.

8. The spreading device of claim 6, wherein a single motor generates movement at the second end of each of the plurality of plates, such that the movement of the plates is simultaneous.

9. The spreading device of claim 8, wherein movement from the single motor is transmitted by way of gearing so as to generate rotational movement adjacent the second end of each of the plurality of plates, and wherein a gearing arrangement transforms the rotational movement to vertical movement.

10. The spreading device of claim 3, wherein the movement of each plate is a horizontal translation at the corresponding cross-section, and wherein the horizontal translation causes horizontal sliding of the grains of the substance along a top surface of the corresponding plate.

11. The spreading device of claim 1 further comprising a spinning plate assembly, wherein following the passage of grains of the substance through the perforations of a final plate of the plurality of plates, the grains of the substance pass through the outlet to the spinning plate assembly.

12. The spreading device of claim 11, wherein the spinning plate assembly distributes the grains of the substance across a road surface.

13. The spreading device of claim 1, wherein the substance passes through the plurality of plates consecutively, such that clumps of the substance may break up upon impacting any plate of the plurality of the plates.

14. The spreading device of claim 13, wherein the perforations of the plurality of plates are sized progressively smaller, such that the perforations of a plate closer to the inlet may allow passage of larger clumps of the substance than the perforations of a plate closer to the outlet.

15. The spreading device of claim 1 further comprising a conveyor for depositing the substance from a reservoir into the inlet of the elongated housing.

16. The spreading device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a V-box, and wherein the conveyor is cross bars or a belt over a chain.

17. The spreading device of claim 1, wherein the substance is road salt.

18. The spreading device of claim 1, wherein the housing has a substantially consistent cross-section in the direction of the elongation.

19. The spreading device of claim 1, wherein the movement of the plates is generated by a drive unit located outside the elongated housing.

20. The spreading device of claim 19, wherein power is transmitted from the drive unit to the plates by way of an opening in the elongated housing.