Abstract: An improved seed metering wheel assembly is provided to deliver a substantially constant flow of seed to a downstream treating device or the like, without any substantial surging of seeds. The seed metering wheel assembly includes an axially rotatable metering wheel having a plurality of strategically sized and arranged seed metering openings therethrough, arranged in circular arrays of differently sized metering openings. In another embodiment, the seed metering wheel includes a central hub section and an outermost rib, with a series of ribs between the hub section and rim, which lie along respective non-diameter chords. Incoming seed is delivered from a seed hopper outlet by gravitation to the metering wheel, which preferably provides a substantially constant open area while preventing wholly unobstructed flow of seeds.

Abstract: An improved seed metering wheel assembly is provided to deliver a substantially constant flow of seed to a downstream treating device or the like, without any substantial surging of seeds. The seed metering wheel assembly includes an axially rotatable metering wheel having a plurality of strategically sized and arranged seed metering openings therethrough, preferably arranged in circular arrays of differently sized metering openings. Incoming seed is delivered from a seed hopper outlet by gravitation to the metering wheel, which preferably provides a substantially constant open area while preventing wholly unobstructed flow of seeds.

Abstract: A grain storage bin has a circular bin floor structure and a cylindrical bin wall upstanding from the floor. A bin aeration system includes a perforated air discharge tube mounted diametrically across the bin supported on a frame above the floor from one side with an air supply duct for supplying air from a fan through the wall. The floor structure is divided diametrically into two separate half sections. A rectangular discharge duct extends from a feed opening at a center of the bin horizontally under the horizontal support surface to a discharge outside the wall of the bin with a belt having parallel runs along the duct, a first opening at the center of the bin and a second opening adjacent the wall so that the material within the bin can fall onto the upper run of the belt to be carried to the side for discharge.

Abstract: A bulk vending apparatus for dispensing a user-determined amount of product includes a rack unit having a plurality of support structures capable of extending out from the rack unit, a plurality of dispensing units each containing a product for dispensing and arranged on the support structures and including restraining means to restrain all but a first support structure of the plurality of support structures when a first support structure is extended from the rack unit.

Abstract: A singulating brush for a finger pickup seed meter comprising a flat carrier on which two sets of bristles are mounted. The flat carrier defines two mounting positions for the singulating brush. In its first mounting position the first set of bristles of the singulating brush contact the seed engaging spoons of the radially extending fingers for dislodging extraneous seed. In is second mounting position the second set of bristles of the singulating brush contact the seed engaging spoons of the radially extending fingers for dislodging extraneous seed. The first set of bristles is stiffer than the second set of bristles.

Abstract: A bulk vending apparatus for dispensing a user-determined amount of product stored in bulk includes a storage portion for storing loose product and a removable dispensing barrel located within the bottom of the storage portion. The dispensing barrel includes an inlet positioned adjacent a first end of the barrel and an outlet positioned adjacent a second end of the barrel opposite the first end. The first end of the barrel is removably fastened to the storage portion. The apparatus also includes an auger located within the dispensing barrel having a major diameter and a first end removably fastened to the first end of the dispensing barrel, and a brush member positioned adjacent the auger for brushing excess product away from the major diameter.

Abstract: Automatic dispensing apparatus for accurately dispensing preselected amounts of material. The apparatus includes a paddle wheel assembly having multiple compartments for holding selected amounts of material to be dispensed. The apparatus further includes an agitator assembly to break down the material, and a flexible skimmer element for removing excess material from the compartments before dispensing to ensure precise measurements. The paddle wheel assembly and the agitator assembly are driven by a linear actuator. A shutter shields the dispensing mechanism and the material from external elements. The shutter is automatically activated to open and tightly close in sequence with the dispensing cycle. The apparatus further includes a programmable microprocessor for controlling and monitoring the dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A coin-operated vending machine and method for dispensing a product which includes a novel dispensing wheel design which prevents bridging of the product. A funnel is used to direct product from the product reservoir into the dispensing cup which has a large cross-sectional area. Front and back antibleed flaps prevent product from bleeding through to the coin drawer and to the dispensing chute. All the seams of the vending machine incorporate a unique overlap design to prevent nondestructive entry into the machine. The coin drawer includes sections to distinguish the revenue generated by each product used in the machine. Additionally, the chute flap eliminates springs by utilizing an eccentric hinge. The present invention also enables the product to be quickly and easily removed from the machine when servicing the machine.

Abstract: Measured quantity dispenser for frangible granules, which includes a housing having a lower slide surface with a front discharge opening, and a rear loading aperture above the slide surface for intake of such granules from a hopper. A receptacle movable in the housing between a rearward loading position and a forward discharge position, and contains a forward measuring bin of preselected volume and a rearward upper platform, the bin having an upper entrance registering with the aperture when the receptacle is in rearward position, and a lower exit registering with the opening when the receptacle is in forward position.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus, especially intended for particulate pet food, comprising a hopper having a metering chamber thereunder. The metering chamber has a tumbler rotatable by a motor and controlled by a control means. The tumbler has a longitudinal cavity to receive and dispense pet food and is journalled to the metering chamber with a flap bearing resiliently on it. The tumbler has a plurality of spaced apart fins radiating from it to prevent accumulation of dust and to inhibit jamming of the mechanism. The tumbler is also easily removable for cleaning. Also disclosed are food and water containers.

Abstract: A coin-operated particulate product vending machine, such as for candy, nuts and the like, has a horizontally disposed elongate cylindrical product dispensing chamber having a cylindrical tumbler rotatably disposed therein with an aperture for receiving and dispensing particulate product. A plurality of flexible elongate members are disposed about the interior surface of the product dispensing chamber which brush the exterior surface of the tumbler as it rotates from the product receiving mode to the product dispensing mode. The flexible members meter the product flowing into the tumbler and prevent product from escaping around the sides of the tumbler. They also prevent the product from passing through the tumbler from the dispensing chamber to a discharge chute as the tumbler is rotated. The tumbler also has a slideably mounted plunger for varying the size of the tumbler product containing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid objects such as, for example, pills or tablets, from a bulk supply into a receptacle containing individual doses of such medication. More particularly, the apparatus includes a series of plates, one of which is movable with respect to the other two, causing solid objects of predetermined shape and configuration to be efficiently and automatically transferred from a bulk supply source to individually accessible unit dose packages.

Abstract: In a seed meter in which individual seeds from a seed mass within a first chamber on a first side of a seed disk rotatably mounted within a housing are transported by at least one circumferential row of apertures within the seed disk to a separate seed discharge area within the first chamber by the reduced pressure of a vacuum source coupled to a second chamber within the housing and on the opposite side of the seed disk from the first chamber, a brush and wiper arrangement mounted within a third chamber within and sealed from the second chamber and located opposite the seed discharge area bears against the second side of the seed disk to aid in dislodging and expelling debris from the apertures in the seed disk. The brush and wiper arrangement includes at least one circular brush rotatably mounted within the third chamber and a spring arrangement for biasing the circular brush and an adjacent circular band against the second surface of the seed disk at the at least one row of apertures.

Abstract: Material dispenser apparatus includes a dispenser roll and dispenser roll cleaning brush mounted within the bottom discharge opening of a material receiving hopper for direct contact by the material in the hopper. The brush, being directly disposed to the material in the hopper, aids in displacing the material in the hopper toward the dispenser roll and compacting the dispenser roll with such material. Also, the brush clears the material from the dispenser roll as the brush and dispenser roll come into contact with each other. The speeds of rotation of the brush and dispenser roll are desirably each controlled independently of the other to permit them to be simultaneously rotated in the same direction but at different rpm for controlling the rate and size of material being dispensed. A material agitator may be provided in the material receiving hopper for working the material down within the hopper into contact with the surfaces of the dispenser roll and brush which are exposed to the material in the hopper.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the controlled simultaneous dispensing of several fine powders into microcontainers which containers are used subsequently for clinical determinations. The method includes sifting the fine powders individually to render the individual particles of each powder to be the same size, and then combining them for the subsequent dispensing procedures. The method contemplates, in addition, the reduction of the individual particles of some powders to provide the equal size requirements, before combining with one or more other powders for the subsequent controlled dispensing procedures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing, simultaneously and automatically, a plurality of small quantities of powder under improved conditions of control. The arrangement is such that precise amounts of micro quantities of hard-to-handle powder may be dispensed into containers such as blood collection tubes. Included herein is a brush mechanism that reciprocates over a plate in a controlled manner, for sweeping a slug of powder deposited automatically on the plate in a controlled manner through a number of openings in the plate, and into an equal number of containers. The openings are dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the sweeping action of the brush, so that a desired precise quantity of powder is deposited through each opening into the waiting containers.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in seed metering apparatus for seed planters such as disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,888,387 and 3,999,690. The improvements relate to improved seed pick-up, retention, and release; to a non-wear pneumatic seal between rotating seed disc and housing; and a seed gate.

Abstract: A device for receiving and dispensing metered quantities of loose material. The dispenser includes an upright open hopper having a rotatable metering shaft journaled below downwardly converging hopper walls. A helical feed groove or a series of indentations aligned in a helical path along the metering shaft receive material from the hopper upon rotation of the shaft and discharge it in the metered quantities below. Wipers are provided on opposite sides of the metering shaft and extend from the hopper walls to rub against the shaft periphery in order to control the amount of material received and delivered through the helical groove or indentations.

Abstract: An inner auxiliary mixing bowl having an upwardly extending tubular post is removably nested within the outer mixing bowl of a food processor. The tubular post of the inner bowl is tapered with the upper, smaller end thereof being positioned closely about the uppermost end of the shaft and adjacent to the underside of the cutting tool that is driven by the motor of the food processor. Thus, the likelihood of the processed food passing between the inner surface of the tubular post and the outer surface of the driven shaft is minimized. This thereby reduces the likelihood of contamination of the interior of the motor by the processed food. The inner mixing bowl is made of a plastic material that permits it to be heated and frozen thereby vastly increasing its utility. In addition, a removable cover is provided for the inner mixing bowl so that the content thereof may be readily transported.

Abstract: A dry dusting applicator for laying down a powder profile of starch, wax, or the like onto a substrate which comprises a receptacle for holding the powder to be dispensed which has an open bottom, a dispensing roll set in the open bottom and capable of picking up powder as it rotates in the receptacle and a brush means functioning to meter powder from the dispensing roll as well as otherwise preventing powder egress from the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, at least one high voltage discharge wire charged to provide the desired electrostatic field is included and is positioned relative to the brush so that powder does not build up within.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling the cells of an expanded cellular core member with granular insulation. The core member may be secured to a base sheet thereby capping lower ends of the cells and may have a film of adhesive material on upper ends of the cells. The apparatus includes hopper means having a lower discharge opening therein, and conveyor means arranged to transport the core member along a rectilinear path of travel, past the discharge opening. Adjustable barrier means is provided for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the discharge opening. Valve means controls the flow of granular insulation through the discharge opening into the core cells. Brush means positioned downstream of the discharge opening removes excess granular insulation from the cells and renders the film of adhesive material substantially entirely free of the granular insulation. Pan means is positioned to receive excess granular insulation from the core member.

Abstract: A planter for planting disk-shaped environmental seed cells which are formed of low-density readily-crumbled, compressed pulverulent material. The planter apparatus comprises a planter chassis supported from a tool bar of a tractor and pivotally supported thereon and resiliently urged at each end into contact with the ground. The planter comprises means for separating seed disks in the hopper and transferring seed cells therefrom in a file along a pair of inclined rollers driven in the same direction to dispense the seed disks individually through a chute into a furrow formed by a furrow shoe. The row of seeds is then compacted by a packing wheel which is also resiliently urged into ground-engaging contact from the support bar and serves to drive the separating and conveying rollers on the planter.