Abstract: The present invention teaches that air may be injected into the sloping bottom of a bulk dry particulate cargo container (micron-sized through quarry-sized dry particulate) accompanied by traditional conveyance-variety pneumatic air, causing the bulk dry particulate cargo to enter a bi-phase state having an air matrix with particulate inclusions. The result of this air lubrication is a dramatically reduced coefficient of friction. This bi-phase material may be extremely fluid, easily exiting a discharge port without regard to normal bulk dry particulate friction or angle of repose. The present invention also teaches a cargo container having a plurality of air injectors on the sloping bottom of a particulate plenum and having air supply apparatus feeding the air injectors.

Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning a surface comprises a floor-engaging portion for moving along the surface. A source supplies a liquid to a distributor, which distributes the liquid from the source on the surface wherein an activating device is operatively connected to the source to activate the source to supply liquid to the distributor to distribute liquid on the surface in response to a force moving the floor engaging portion in a first direction.

Abstract: A method for loading and unloading of dry bulk freight containers vertically, and a device in the form of an improved intermodal dry bulk freight container for vertical loading and unloading. Standardized corner locks may be used and dimensions may be selected so as to provide a standardized cargo container. The present invention teaches that an intermodal dry bulk freight container may be loaded in either the customary horizontal orientation of such devices, or in a vertical orientation in which one end is opened and elevated. In particular, however, such a container may advantageously be emptied by elevating it into the vertical orientation. The method of the invention is thus to provide only a single hopper and yet allow one hopper to empty the entire container, as well as providing a more efficient gravity feed of bulk cargo as it is off loaded. The present invention furthermore teaches an intermodal dry bulk freight container suitable for this method of operation.

Abstract: A mobile spreader is shown for distributing composted materials over a ground surface. The spreader has a hopper for receiving material to be transported and distributed and a ground engaging wheel assembly for supporting the hopper for transport across the ground. A combination mixing and distribution element is rotatably mounted in the interior of the hopper for conveying material received in the hopper interior to an elongated outlet located in a discharge area of the hopper. The combination mixing and distribution element comprises a shaft having a longitudinal axis with a number of discs located at spaced axial distances thereon. The discs are uniformly inclined at an angle in the range of 15-20° relative to line drawn perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The discs are separated by one or more tines located on the shaft and also inclined at an angle in the range of 15-20° relative to a line drawn perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A seed planter performance monitor is disclosed herein. The monitor is used with a planting system including a planter coupled to the tractor. The target rate at which the planter deposits seeds into the soil being planted is controlled with a control signal, and the actual rate at which seeds are planted is monitored with an infrared seed sensor supported by the planter at the location where seeds exit the planter. The planter and tractor both include data busses, and the signal from the seed sensor is transmitted to a controller on the tractor via the busses. The controller applies an appropriate signal to an electronic display in the cab of the tractor to produce an image thereon which an operator can view to determine the actual rate at which seeds are planted.

Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a grain drill or similar seeding implement includes a plurality of transversely spaced seed meters having fluted feed wheels fixed to and transversely movable with a drive shaft which is controlled by an actuator to vary seeding rate in response to an indication provided by a sensor or sensors associated with one or more of the meters. An electronic controller includes a desired seeding rate input and provides an indication of the actual seeding rate. In one embodiment of the invention, an error signal indicative of the difference between the actual and desired seeding rates is utilized in a closed-loop system to move the shaft to automatically maintain the desired seeding rate. In a wider implement with more than one shaft, a switching circuit is utilized to permit a single control circuit to provide individual section seeding rates and to automatically operate the actuator associated with the given drive shaft in accordance with the error signal.

Abstract: An applicator for particulate carpet-cleaning compositions having a cylindrical body formed of relatively rotatable inner and outer concentric cylindrical members in 360.degree. frictional nested engagement, separately attached non-rotatably to opposite wheel members of greater diameter than the body, and having dispensing apertures in cylinder which may be closed by the other depending on relative rotational positions. The cylindrical members are relatively rotatable very easily be opposed manual rotation of the wheels to dispensing positions, a closed position, and a filling position in which major filling openings in the cylindrical members are aligned. The cylindrical members are indexed to exact relative positions for accurate dispensing, spill-free filling and air-tight closure.

Abstract: An asphalt sealing machine for applying a sealant coating to asphalt pavement either alone, or in combination with fine particulate matter, such as sand. The machine includes a body supported on three wheels with the front wheel being a steerable driven wheel. The body includes a storage tank for the liquid coating material. Support beams are pivotally connected to the rear of the body and extend rearwardly to support squeegees, a paddle wheel, and sand dispensing device. The sand dispensing device is driven by one of the rear wheels and is provided with a clutch so that the liquid asphalt coating material may be dispensed alone or in combination with the sand.

Abstract: The foam dispensing apparatus is mountable on a self-propelled or manually propelled vehicle such as a planting, fertilizing and spraying machine or like surface working vehicles. A peristaltic or squeeze type pump has an inlet section for receiving air and a foam agent solution which are mixed and successively moved through the pump for discharge in a foam form from the pump outlet section. A discharge nozzle connected to the outlet section is arranged to apply the foam material on the ground surface at a position adjacent to one side of the vehicle. The pump is driven at a rate in response to the ground speed of the vehicle over the ground surface and the air and foam agent solution mixture may be proportionally varied to maintain visual observance of the foam on the ground surface for varying time periods.

Abstract: A hopper gravity feeds powder into a closeable chute. The outlet of the chute is in wiping contact with the surface of a journaled and partially enclosed roller. One or more grooves are disposed in the roller for receiving gravity discharged powder from the chute. As the exposed part of the roller is rolled across a surface, the powder is transported by the grooves from the chute to the surface and deposited thereon in a configuration commensurate with that of the depositing groove.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted spreading apparatus includes a container for the material to be spread, at least one spreading disc rotatable about a vertical axis and a dosing device for conveying material from the container to the spreading disc as the vehicle moves along the ground. The disc and the dosing device are powered from a driving wheel which can be lowered into driving contact with the ground. The driving wheel conveys power to a mechanical power transfer assembly which drives the dosing device and which drives an adjustable speed motor system for the spreading disc.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a main reservoir for water and at least one secondary reservoir for an additive material. Both reservoirs are connected to a mixing chamber which is connected to independent segments of a spray distribution bank via separate pipes. A pump pumps the additive material to the mixing chamber. A driving mechanism responsive to the speed of the vehicle drives the pump as a function of the speed of the vehicle and thereby effects a first regulation of the flow of additive material to the mixing chamber. A valve is interposed between the secondary reservoir and the mixing chamber for effecting a second regulation of the flow of additive material to the mixing chamber as a function of the number of segments of the spray distribution bank in use.

Abstract: A machine (FIG. 1) for dispensing seed and fertilizers, which is equipped with two hoppers one for the seed, and the other for the fertilizer. The materials flowing from outlet apertures of the hoppers while the machine is in operation are introduced into the soil in controlled amounts through proportioning means, chutes and tubes which discharge into hoes. The proportioning means have a plurality of feed wheels disposed on shafts and are driven by a ground-dependent power source.

Abstract: A relatively compact and lightweight planting and fertilizing apparatus is attached to a small garden tractor by a universal hitch which restricts lateral movement between the two. The apparatus is spring biased downwardly to assure firm contact with the ground, and can be raised above the ground by a single lever. The lever carries the biasing spring, and cams lifting bearings on the lever against a lifting plate on the apparatus. The fertilizer is fed by an axially adjustable feed gear rotated by a ground engaging wheel on the apparatus. The feed gear is biased by an adjusting spring against a threaded adjusting knob which sets the axial position of the feed gear.