Abstract: A spreader comprises a hopper having two delivery parts. At the bottom of each delivery part there is a delivery member having an outwardly and upwardly inclined wall in which are which outlet ports. The bottom of the delivery member is closed by a distribution member. The inclined position of the wall of the delivery member in which the outlet ports are provided enables high rates of flow of material from the hopper to be achieved.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed detachably secured to the front or rear of a vehicle to enable spreading of road salt or other granular material.In a first embodiment the dispenser is detachably mounted to the upper edge of a snow plow blade. A slidable damper plate regulates the flow of material from a hopper onto a multi-speed spreader rotor, which causes an even dispersion of the material by directing it outwardly and against the forward surface of the snow plow blade.The damper plate is positioned by a cable system causing sliding of the plate by tilting of the snow plow blade, with a visual indicator enabling viewing of the plate position within the vehicle cab.In a second embodiment, the dispenser is detachably mounted to the rear bumper of a motor vehicle and the damper plate is actuated by means of an electro-mechanical actuator. A deflector shield is positioned across the rear of the vehicle to deflect the dispensed material directed thereagainst by the spreader rotor.

Abstract: A broadcasting apparatus for pulverant or granular material including a frame supported by wheels, an axle extending between the wheels and connected in driving relationship with at least one of the wheels, a material hopper mounted on the frame and having an opening in its bottom wall, a valve adjustable across the hopper opening to control the flow of material therefrom, a guide for the valve to retain the valve in selected position adjacent the hopper opening, a dial having a cam surface, a member connected to the valve and bearing on the dial cam surface, a mount for the dial connected to the bottom wall of the hopper and guiding the connecting member, a broadcasting plate disposed beneath the valve and connected to the axle to rotate upon movement of the wheels, and an agitator within the hopper connected to rotate with the shaft and broadcasting plate.

Abstract: Rotary chute for a spreader where the chute is rotationally adjustable about a spinner axis of a spreader where at any rotational position selected for the chute, the overall geometric relationship of the spinner and chute are geometrically symmetrical. The rotary chute spreads dry material such as fertilizer, lime, salt or the like onto a spinner of the spreader, the spinner including a conical spinner cone mounted on a spinner disc, and a plurality of spinner vanes, the spinner vanes being channeled members. The first rotary chute is for a pull-mounted configuration including a configured baffle and vane configuration internal to an inner ring which rotates within an outer ring. A handle is provided for rotating the inner ring within the outer ring including a direction pointer and directional plate indicating the angular degree of the path of spread material.

Abstract: An aerial dispensing apparatus is detachably mounted under each wing of an aircraft for adhesively coating and dispensing flakes containing an insect control substance. The apparatus includes an aerodynamically styled liquid adhesive supply chamber secured to the forward end of a detachable support frame and a flake storage container movably supported on the rear portion of the frame for movement rearwardly of the trailing edge of the wing to facilitate filling of the container. The container is provided with a bottom opening which communicates with an electrically driven auger for metering a supply of flakes to a mixing chamber. An electrically driven pump supplies a metered amount of liquid adhesive to the mixing chamber. A propeller driven mixing blade is rotatably mounted in the mixing chamber to facilitate the coating of the individual flakes with adhesive and for impelling the flakes rearwardly through the open end of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides a distribution system suitable for coating articles placed in a given area with particulate material in a substantially uniform manner. The system comprises a plurality of arms which are provided with an inlet opening and a discharge opening. The arms are mounted for rotation about a central axis in conjunction with means for dividing and feeding a supply of particulate material from a source thereof into said inlet openings of the arms. The discharge opening is located on each of the arms in such manner so as to permit discharge of the particulate material from each arm over the given area, whereby when the arms rotate in conjunction with the dividing and feeding means, a supply of particulate material is divided and fed into the inlet openings of the arms and is discharged through the discharge opening. In this manner, a substantially uniform shower of the particulate material is provided over the given area.

Abstract: A lawn spreader for particulate material such as grass seed or fertilizer has a slidable control knob immediately adjacent the handle gripping portion for movement by one or more fingers to control the rate of feed of particulate material from the spreader without removal of either hand from gripping position. An adjustable stop for the control knob is also provided adjacent the handle gripping portion for ready adjustment without stopping the spreader and without requiring the operator to bend or stoop to reach to or adjacent to the rate gate.

Abstract: An agricultural device for spreading granular or powdery material or both, particularly fertilizer, which has at least one distribution member that rotates about a vertical axis. A hopper has a dosing member which is disposed over the distribution member at its axis for feeding material to be spread around such axis whereby it is thrown from the distribution member by centrifugal force. At least one screen plate for deflecting the material so thrown is spaced outwardly from the circumference of the distribution member and is entirely located on one side of a plane which passes through the axis of the distribution member and is disposed at a right angle to the intended direction of operative travel of the device. The screening plate deflects the material impinging thereon vertically downwardly whereby the desired uniform characteristics are achieved in the distribution pattern of the material being spread.

Abstract: A spreader suitable for spreading granular and/or powdery materials, such as seeds or fertilizer, comprises a distributor which has an upturned rim. The distributor can be driven in rotation or reciprocated about an axis which is inclined rearwardly from top to bottom at different speeds by means of a change-speed means. Frame members are orientated to prevent the least obstruction to material ejected past them by the distributor. A downwardly inclined deflector prevents material from impinging against a vehicle to which the spreader is hitched. The constructional features of the spreader contribute to an even distribution of material about the axis, regardless of the type of material being spread.

Abstract: Apparatus for distribution of particulate matter in a tank or similar enclosure, comprising a feed hopper, a discharge conduit integral with the hopper, a motor-driven rotating shaft disposed axially of the outlet opening of the conduit, and downstream of said outlet opening is at least one fairly soft deflecting means carried on the shaft and articulated thereto so as to diverge angularly by the effect of the centrifugal force when driven in rotation. The apparatus is for use particularly in charging a chemical reactor with catalyst particles and in the storage of grains in silos.

Abstract: An apparatus for the uniform, controlled distribution of free flowing material comprising a rotatable, vertically-oriented, hollow delivery tube mounted for rotation about a vertical axis within a fixed housing and driven by means of a motor external of said tube. At its upper end, the tube has an inlet port for receiving material and carrying it for distribution from its lower end by an integral system which includes apertures located in the tube walls, and a deflection member at the base of said tube for impelling the material out of the tube through the said apertures. The lower end of said tube protrudes from and is restrained by said housing.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a spreader adapted for support in an upper entrance or inlet of a storage facility or bin for spreading and depositing the product in a circular area to a substantially uniform depth and comprises a hopper or funnel for initially receiving the product and an impeller which is propelled or operated by the downward force of the product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evenly dispersing trace quantities of biologically active chemicals encapsulated in a microdispenser which utilizes a rotating applicator device. The apparatus includes a hopper for the dispenser and means for moving the dispensers to the applicator device. A "sticker" substance is mixed with the dispensers. In one embodiment the applicator device consists of a rotating cone and the dispensers are deposited on a surface of the cone for dispersion. In another embodiment, the applicator consists of a rotating drum or wheel for contact application of the dispensers to living organisms.

Abstract: An impeller blade spreader for dry fertilizer to be distributed uniformly over a lawn area has a standard fiber glass hopper that is mounted upon a base frame structure in combination with four wheels and a fuel powered motor therewith. Only the two front wheels are used for driving purposes. A timing and revolution interconnection to the impeller blade is combined with the motor used simultaneously for front wheel drive connection on the dry fertilizer spreader. A rod and lever engagement is provided for positive control of engagement of the transmission for transfer of driving power to the motorized front wheel drive and control of the opening and closing of the holes in the bottom of the hopper above the impeller blade of the dry fertilizer spreader to let dry fertilizer fall onto the spinning stainless steel impeller blade.

Abstract: The spreader assembly is located below the central fill opening in the roof of a circular grain or storage bin for evenly distributing the grain over the floor area of the bin. Grain is directed downwardly into a rotatable funnel shaped hopper, the bottom end of which is rigidly secured to the upper end of a downwardly inclined longitudinally adjustable distributor member provided on the top surface thereof with side by side longitudinally extended trough means of progressively decreasing length and width from one side of the distributor member to the opposite side thereof. On reaching the lower ends of the trough means the downwardly moving grain is deflected toward the opposite side of the distributor member for discharge into the bin. The grain deflecting action rotates the funnel member and distributor member as a unit at a speed of rotation which is in direct response to the volume rate of material being supplied to the hopper member.

Abstract: A spreader for broadcasting fertilizer, seed or the like which is mounted on the rear of a tractor and has a hydraulic control for covering and uncovering a plurality of ports by closure members for feeding material from a hopper which includes such ports to an underlying rotatable spreading member. The actuating mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder and plunger and a parallel tension spring whereby the cylinder, when supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure, causes the plunger to extend outwardly to close the ports in a lower portion of the hopper which is cylindrical through a mechanical linkage coupling therewith. The spring tends to force the closure members to open the ports. The linkage coupling to the closure members includes a coupling arm which also functions to indicate relative to an arcuate leg of a supporting member with numbers thereon the amount that the ports are opened by the closure members.

Abstract: A seed sower includes a storage container which includes a discharge panel having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall. An inner aperture is defined in the inner wall and an outer aperture, defined in the outer wall, communicates with the inner aperture by means of a passageway. Bracket means are rigidly attached to the container and battery powered motor means is rigidly attached to the bracket means. A distribution plate means is rotated by the motor means and disposed opposite and spaced from the outer aperture.

Abstract: A distributor for a particulate material is mountable on a portable container having a rear discharge chute, and includes a hopper for receiving material from the discharge chute, and spreader means mounted below the hopper for spreading the material. The distributor further includes means for pivotally securing the hopper to the discharge chute, so that the hopper and spreader are movable as a unit between an operating position, in which the hopper and spreader depend from the discharge chute, and an elevated storage position, in which the hopper and spreader are located above the base of the container. A winch and cable assembly moves the hopper and spreader between the operating position and the storage position.

Abstract: In a spreader of the type used for spreading particulate material onto a roadway and comprising an upper hopper having a lower material discharge chamber terminating in a lower discharge opening, a rotatable spreader element below the discharge opening and a valve mechanism between the discharge chamber and the spreader element for controlling flow of material from the chamber to the spreader, there is provided an arrangement for shifting the valve mechanism between an opened and closed position in response to the direction of rotation of the spreader element. When the spreader element is rotating in one direction, the valve mechanism is automatically opened. When the spreader is rotated in the opposite direction the valve mechanism is automatically closed. This valve operating feature is accomplished by transmitting force through the particulate material within the discharge chamber of the spreader device so that no physical connection is provided between the motor and the valve shifting arrangement.

Abstract: A spreading implement has laterally extending conveyors of different lengths that form a boom to each side of a hopper. At the outer ends of the conveyors, rotatable spreading discs are mounted spaced apart from one another and each conveyor is an endless belt in a channel shaped guide. A slideable flow control is positioned beneath a port in the bottom at each side of the hopper to regulate the amount of material fed to the conveyors. Driving means, including a power take-off connection and a belt and pulley transmission move the conveyors and rotate the discs. At the end of each conveyor, a downwardly extending guide allows material to flow to a lower disc. Each boom is pivoted to the implement frame with a latch and pivot connection to be displaceable about a vertical axis to a rearwardly extending transport position. Also, each boom is comprised of spaced apart beams that are comprised by two portions that are interconnected with a further pivot and a latch connection.

Abstract: Our invention relates to a wheeled fertilizer spreader which is pushed over the area which is to be fertilized or chemically treated and in which the fertilizer, chemical or other granular material is broadcast by being dropped onto a horizontal impeller which rotates on a vertical axis and throws the material outward horizontally in a frontal direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for spreading fertilizer, plant killer, or similar agents from an aircraft which includes a container in which the agents are disposed, which container contains at its lower end rotating dispersion means for spreading agents to the surrounding area. The container further includes stabilizing means secured thereto for keeping the container in a predetermined attitude relative to the aircraft while maintaining the central axis of the container in substantially vertical position. The position of the container will be maintained independent of the amount of agent in the container and the flying speed of the aircraft.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a protective and levelling device for use in a distributor which is primarily intended for commercial fertilizer, the distributor having a spreader device which rotates in a horizontal plane and ejects the material to be distributed radially or tangentially in this plane. The protective and levelling device comprises a deflector plate which is located in the path of the flow of material originating from the spreader device, between the spreader device and the distributor machine proper. Moreover, in its capacity as impingement surface for the flow of material, the deflector plate has a convex curved surface, whereby that portion of the flow of material which impinges on the convex surface will rebound from the surface and be distributed.

Abstract: A spreader for particulate material, particularly for wet lime. The mechanism compresses a cover which is placed on the vertical shaft of a conventional spin spreader. The particulate material is placed on the cover and is vibrated into a hopper, then dispersed within the hopper and spread by blades mounted on the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for building up and repairing a refractory lining of an industrial oven or like hot-running vessel comprises a disc rotatable in a horizontal plane for centrifugally depositing a granular refractory material on a portion of the lining to be built up or repaired. A conduit feeds the material to the disc and a stationary cover is mounted over the outlet opening of the conduit and has outlet ports distributed about its circumference. The ports may be selectively closed.

Abstract: A material spreader for the uniform distribution to the soil or to vegetation of particulate material such as fertilizers, pesticides or seeds. The material spreader comprises a hopper for particulate material adapted to be advanced along a given direction, the hopper including an outlet for discharging the particulate material downwardly, an impeller in association with the outlet for broadcasting the discharged material in a generally radial path surrounding the axis of discharge, and a shroud surrounding the impeller aligned to intersect the path of the broadcast material and to deflect the material downwardly to a region of controlled configuration. The shroud is curved, preferably elliptically in horizontal cross-section and has a width along the direction of advance of the spreader which is less than the width along a direction transverse to the direction of advance.

Abstract: A spreader for fertilizer or similar material has a metering mechanism for said material to vary the rate of spreading. The metering mechanism has two metering members in face-to-face contact defining a metering opening. A hydraulic ram moves the metering members so as to open and close the opening. An adjustable stop within the ram allows the ram's stroke to be changed. This changes the extent to which the ram can open the opening so that the ram can be supplied with fluid under sufficient pressure to overcome possible corrosion between the metering members.

Abstract: A unitary assembly has a housing for enclosing a drive, the housing including a handle, a cylindrical distribution chamber with a vertical axis and a slot directed away from the handle. A motor is mounted below the distribution chamber to rotate a rotor within the chamber, the rotor having vanes spaced from the center of the rotor. A hopper is removably mounted to the top of the distribution chamber. A control means is provided on the handle adjacent the side toward the distribution chamber for controlling the motor, and for controlling the flow of particulate material from the hopper into the distribution chamber.

Abstract: A scatterer comprising a hopper for receiving particulate materials, a driven shaft extending downwardly and generally axially aligned with the outlet opening of the hopper, and a scattering plate disposed below the hopper to receive such material therefrom, the plate being connected to the shaft for rotation therewith. The plate is tilted on the shaft to have an upper end, a generally diametrically opposed lower discharge end, and opposite side flanges extending between the ends and generally equally spaced from the shaft. The improvement comprises an intermediate chute mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith between the hopper outlet opening and the scattering plate. This chute is tilted on the shaft opposite to the direction of tilting of the scattering plate to have a chute upper end generally above the discharge end of the plate and a diametrically opposed lower discharge end generally above the upper end of the plate.

Abstract: Bundles of chaff fibers are fed into a rotating preacceleration chamber having a diverging outlet. The chaff fibers are rotated with the preacceleration chamber and are forced radially outward by centrifugal force. A feed mechanism forces the rotating chaff fibers toward the diverging outlet from which they are propelled outwardly at a high velocity and at an angle almost orthogonal to the rotational axis of the chaff dispenser.

Abstract: A portable hand held device for distributing granular material including a hopper for holding the material, a support base for the hopper, a distributor wheel having circumferentially spaced outwardly opening compartments suspended beneath the base under the discharge of the hopper, a hand crank operated drive assembly mounted on the base coupled with the distributor wheel turning the wheel, an arcuate shield or side wall suspended from the base around the portion of the distributor wheel in the vicinity of the discharge of the hopper into the wheel, and a shutter slide mounted between the distributor wheel and the hopper discharge for adjusting the rate of flow from the hopper into each compartment of the distributor wheel.

Abstract: A device for loading catalyst particles into a reaction zone which distributes said particles, at substantially the same rate, uniformly across the catalyst bed area of said zone. The catalyst particle loading device is employed in combination with a catalytic reaction zone. The catalyst particle loading device comprises a hopper having a conical bottom portion provided with an opening at its lower end. The opening is in communication with a catalytic reaction zone. A vertically movable hollow sleeve is coaxially disposed within the hopper. The sleeve has a lower conical end portion which forms with the conical bottom portion of the hopper a throttle valve for the opening. A rotary shaft is coaxially disposed within the sleeve and extends through the opening at the lower end of the hopper and into the upper portion of the reaction zone. A particle-dispersion wheel is attached to the lower end of the shaft below the opening.

Abstract: A grain spreader is provided with a plurality of rigid mounting arms each of which is supported in a pivotal manner at the periphery of a bin top opening and at the spreader body, with each arm extending to the main spreader body along a chord of the opening, for ready adjustability to openings of different effective diameters. The thrower plate is pivotally supported on a link which is joined to a hollow rotatable vertical shaft and on a coaxial vertical rod which extends upward through the shaft. The rod is adjusted axially of the shaft for changing the angle of the thrower plate relative to the horizontal, and the shaft, rod, link and thrower are rotatable as a unit in any position of relative adjustment. A distributor plate mounted on the upper end of the rod and shaft is provided with radial vanes for distributing the grain within the receiving guide to maintain even flow.