Abstract: A method and system for stacking containers each container of a type having a front face having a truncated trapezoidal shape, a rear face having a truncated trapezoidal shape, a top base, a bottom base, a first vertical side adjacent to the top base, a second vertical side adjacent to the top base, a first sloped side between the first vertical side and the bottom base, a second sloped side between the second vertical side and the bottom base. A discharge valve projects from the bottom base where the first vertical side defines a platform for supporting an RFID tag. The containers are configured to be stackable in a manner to provide simultaneous reading of the multiple RFID tags on the platforms.

Abstract: A container system for transporting and dispensing agricultural products. The container system includes a housing assembly and a set of agricultural product containers. The housing assembly has multiple slot assemblies for containers. The agricultural product containers are configured to be releasably contained within the slot assemblies. The set of agricultural product containers may include liquid agricultural product containers and dry agricultural product containers. The slot assemblies and agricultural product containers are cooperatively configured to provide the ability to utilize either of the agricultural product containers within the slot assemblies.

Abstract: A container system for transporting and dispensing agricultural products. The container system includes a housing assembly and a set of agricultural product containers. The housing assembly has multiple slot assemblies for containers. The agricultural product containers are configured to be releasably contained within the slot assemblies. The set of agricultural product containers may include liquid agricultural product containers and dry agricultural product containers. The slot assemblies and agricultural product containers are cooperatively configured to provide the ability to utilize either of the agricultural product containers within the slot assemblies.

Abstract: A flow splitter for distributing agricultural products may include a splitter body defining an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The flow splitter may also include at least two baffle plates positioned within the splitter body so as to divide an internal flow chamber of the splitter body into a plurality of downstream flow channels. Additionally, the flow splitter may include a divider plate positioned within the splitter body upstream of the baffle plates such that the divider plate is spaced apart from upstream edges of the baffle plates in a direction of the inlet port of the splitter body. The divider plate may be configured to initially divide an input flow of agricultural product received at the input port into two separate product flows for subsequently delivery into the plurality of downstream flow channels.

Abstract: An agricultural spreader has a hopper containing a granular material, a boom arm with a plurality of spreader nozzle assemblies configured to disperse the material and a pneumatic supply to propel the granular material from the hopper, and out the spreader nozzle assemblies. The spreader nozzle assemblies include a conduit defining a pathway through which the material is delivered and a spreader nozzle in fluid communication with the pathway. A piezoelectric material is located within the pathway. A light source is located proximate the spreader nozzle and in electrical communication with the piezoelectric material. The light source arranged to direct emitted light into a spread pattern produced by the spreader nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser (20) with a top assembly (26) having a pivotally mounted closure cover (50) with an inlet access opening (56) and a stopper (54) of contrasting color pivotally mounted to the underside of the closure cover (50) for movement between a closed position (FIGS. 2, 5) in which the stopper (54) extends through the inlet access opening (56) to block the access opening (56) and to prevent movement of the dispenser (20) beneath a brew basket (58) of an associated brewer (60) for receipt of beverage, and an open position (FIG. 2) in which the stopper (54) held against the underside of the cover closure (50) and spaced from the access opening (56). The closure cover is pivotally mounted to a cover base (62) and is limited in movement by a carry handle (52) when in a lowered position, and is removable for cleaning and removal of a funnel assembly (70) to enable access to the interior through a funnel mounting hole (66) for cleaning.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel granular material metering and dispensing system. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel adjustable-rate apparatus for metering and dispensing granular chemicals, seeds and fertilizers. A metering dispenser for granular materials comprising: (a) a metering assembly for affixing to a resevoir of granular materials; and (b) at least one roller comprised of two opposed, truncated cones rotationally mounted on a metering shaft in the metering assembly.

Abstract: A particulate material feeder includes a hopper sectioned into two receptacles for accommodating two different kinds of particulate materials. Each particulate material falling down through a bottom opening of the receptacle is introduced into a feed channel defined between a feed roller having a frictional periphery and a control gate having a semi-circular cross-section. Thus, a pair of feeding systems for two different kinds of the particulate materials are symmetrically provided within a single apparatus. An opening degree of the feed channel may be controlled separately and independently in each feeding system so that a definite mixing rate of the two kinds of particulate material can be obtained as desired. On the contrary, the feed rollers provided in the two feed systems are driven by a single driving source and are thus rotated at the same speed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and a rotor are provided for metering, conveying and dispensing granular materials and/or liquids. The systems, apparatus and rotor can be used for metering, conveying and dispensing granular materials onto a plurality of zones and/or liquids onto a plurality of regions.

Abstract: A metering device for seed having a housing (7), a rotary metering member (27) that is rotatably mounted on a shaft 32 in open slots (25, 26) in a pair of side walls (8, 9) of the housing with the axis of rotation of the shaft extending transversely to the side walls. The rotary metering member and shaft are removable from the housing through the slots in a direction extending laterally of the axis of rotation and a closure member (36) is provided which is pivotally connected to the housing so as to extend across and close the ends of the slots (25, 26), thus retaining the rotary metering member (27) in position. Removal of the rotary metering member is therefore simply achieved by releasing the closure member pivotting it away from the housing and withdrawing the metering member and shaft laterally through the now open ends of the slots.

Abstract: The invention relates to the mixing of particulate materials with a given mixing ratio and as part of a plant and process requiring the materials, comprising the steps of metering the materials separately in respective metering units running at least substantially continuously, permitting the materials to fall freely onto a horizontal conveyor belt with a planar surface with a distribution of the materials over the belt, and supplying the materials in a further free fall to a further processing zone as part of the process.

Abstract: An adjustable and flexible metering gate for a fluted feed cup assembly on a grain drill. The metering gate is fabricated from a flexible material, and the adjusting lever for the gate is located on the side of the cup opposite the portion of the fluted feed roll which is exposed to the grain so that the gate can flex and pass foreign objects without damage and then return to its original position. The feed cup is fabricated from plastic.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for supplying materials, useful for belt type continuous vacuum dryer, is provided which comprises an inner cylinder equipped with a material-supplying duct fixed onto one end thereof, a distributing chamber formed inside the cylinder and communicating with the duct and a plurality of distributing nozzles fixed thereto; an outer cylinder having the inner cylinder rotatably inserted thereinto and having a plurality of distributing nozzles provided at the opposed locations to the former distributing nozzles; a screw feeder provided in freely rotatable manner inside the distributing chamber; and a driving mechanism for rotating the outer cylinder.According to this apparatus, it is possible to supply materials on a moving belt, continuously and uniformly over the whole surface of the belt.

Abstract: A regulating dispenser comprises a hopper and a movable surface for withdrawing material from the bottom of the hopper to the outside thereof. The movable surface is constituted by at least one area arranged so that the regulating dispenser does not deliver over the whole of its width. A movable delivery regulating valve and a scraper independant of the valve and bearing on the movable withdrawing surface are provided. The scraper is fast to the fixed wall of the hopper and bears elastically on the movable surface so as to ensure sealing in said at least one area from which the dispenser does not deliver.