Abstract: An ice bucket for a refrigerator appliance, includes a bucket body; an auger provided inside the bucket and including an auger shaft rotatable about a first shaft axis and a collet at a first end of the auger shaft and including an axially beveled surface formed circumferentially around the auger shaft; and an agitator provided in the bucket in mechanical communication with the auger, the agitator including an agitator shaft rotatable about a second shaft axis non-parallel to the first shaft axis, a plurality of first tines extending radially from the agitator shaft within the bucket body to engage ice therein, and a projection that extends perpendicularly from the agitator shaft opposite the plurality of tines. The projection engages with the axially beveled surface to oscillate the agitator.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus comprising an auger section having an auger and a drive unit containing a motor for driving the auger. A collector ring housing containing a collector ring is positioned between the auger section and the drive unit. In another aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus for attachment to a floor grate. The apparatus includes a pivot stand attached to a top surface of the floor grate, the pivot stand defining a vertical pivot axis. A collector ring has a first stationary portion and a second rotatable portion, with the stationary portion attached to the pivot stand. A housing surrounds the collector ring, and the housing and second rotatable portion of the collector ring rotate together about the pivot axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for breaking up clumps of grain encountered during the emptying of a grain bin includes a beater assembly having a shaft with a plurality of knives extending radially therefrom. The beater assembly is adapted to be attached to or unattached from an end of a sweep auger. The beater assembly is positioned to overlay a gated opening in the floor of the grain bin through which grain flows during unloading thereof. The same motor used to drive the bin's discharge auger located below the bins floor also is made to drive the beater assembly located above the floor by linking the shaft of the discharge auger through a pair of right angle gear boxes to the shaft of the beater assembly.

Abstract: An auger may have a spiral blade that extends radially outwardly from a shaft and that has resiliently-deformable material at the radial outer edge that physically contacts the inner surface of the tube in which the auger is positioned. When the auger is not rotated, the physical contact of the resiliently-deformable material on the inner surface of the tube may prevent granular material from flowing through the opening in the tube.

Abstract: A sump clearing device having a elongated tube attached to a backboard of a sweep auger. A second tube is attached to and extends through a sidewall of a grain bin. The second tube is aligned with the elongated tube. An elongated member having a clearing device is inserted through the second and elongated tube such that the clearing device is positioned above a center sump of the bin.

Abstract: The agitating device is a moveable safety grate designed mainly for use in grain and material handling bins. The grate creates a safe and easy way to break up any lumps created in the grain or material during storage which would impede the flow to the grain sump. The safety bars may comprise width adjustable safety bars which are mounted on rails to move and reciprocate freely at the central opening of the grain sump in the bin floor. The grate can be moved via a rod protruding to the exterior of the bin, or by an optional air cylinder with air lines running to controls on the exterior of the bin. To aid in breaking up of lumps, the grate may also be equipped with a collapsible metal slat which is attached to the sliding grate and can be collapsed when the bin sweep is in use.

Abstract: A method for clearing obstructions in a silo having a reciprocating frame uses an obstruction clearance mode. The method includes driving at least one frame in a reciprocal motion across a silo floor until sensing an indication that at least one frame has encountered an obstruction. Upon sensing the indication of obstruction, an obstruction clearance mode is initiated in an attempt to clear the obstruction.

Abstract: A sump clearing device having a elongated tube attached to a backboard of a sweep auger. A second tube is attached to and extends through a sidewall of a grain bin. The second tube is aligned with the elongated tube. An elongated member having a clearing device is inserted through the second and elongated tube such that the clearing device is positioned above a center sump of the bin.

Abstract: A cutter dome for use with a reclaimer includes a sidewall that at least partially encircles a central axis and that extends from a lower end to an upper end, the sidewall having a lower portion that bounds a first chamber and an upper portion that bounds a second chamber, a collection opening being formed on the lower portion of the sidewall so that a reclaimer, such as an auger, can pass through the collection opening and communicate with the first chamber. A roof is disposed on the upper end of the sidewall so as to cover second chamber, the roof having a first inlet formed thereon. A first passageway is disposed within the second chamber and extends from the first inlet to a first outlet, the first outlet communicating with the first chamber.

Abstract: A discharge system for a grain storage bin has a discharge auger extending from the center of the bin floor to an exterior location and a sweep auger pivotally supported at an inner end on a post at the center and extending across the floor to the periphery of the bin for sweeping movement over the floor. The sweep auger is carried on a pivot link arm which pivots at one end on the post and at the other end on the sweep auger to allow it to move from a first position along one side of the discharge auger to a second position along the other side. The sweep auger is driven by a wheel at the outer end carried on a plate attached to an end plate of the shroud of the sweep auger and extending parallel thereto to a location behind the shroud at which is located the hydraulic motor directly driving the wheel with the motor shaft parallel to the auger shaft and behind the shroud. An extra weight plate can be slid into a receptacle on the mounting plate.

Abstract: A silo for storing viscous material such as sludge, the silo comprising a floor and a perimeter wall connected to the floor, is disclosed. The silo further comprises a moveable frame adjacent to the floor wherein the frame defines an area less than the area of the floor, and an opening in the floor. A crosspiece having opposite ends mounted to generally opposing portions of the perimeter wall is provided within the silo adjacent to the moveable frame. The crosspiece contains a surface facing the floor and is positioned adjacent to the frame. The crosspiece further comprises one or more diverter portions connected to the crosspiece which extend from the floor facing surface of the crosspiece towards the floor.

Abstract: The agitating device is a moveable safety grate designed mainly for use in grain and material handling bins. The grate creates a safe and easy way to break up any lumps created in the grain or material during storage which would impede the flow to the grain sump. The safety bars may comprise width adjustable safety bars which are mounted on rails to move and reciprocate freely at the central opening of the grain sump in the bin floor. The grate can be moved via a rod protruding to the exterior of the bin, or by an optional air cylinder with air lines running to controls on the exterior of the bin. To aid in breaking up of lumps, the grate may also be equipped with a collapsible metal slat which is attached to the sliding grate and can be collapsed when the bin sweep is in use.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be rotatably mounted proximate a discharge opening of a grain bin can include a guard. The guard can have a plurality of knife units having a plurality of spaced apart blades having grain engaging cutting edges for cutting and breaking up compacted grain. A sweep portion can include an auger rotatably driven about an auger axis by a motor. The sweep portion can be arranged substantially parallel and proximate to a floor of the grain bin. Rotation of the auger can urge grain to move toward the discharge opening. A mounting assembly can be adapted to operably couple the guard and the sweep portion such that the guard and the sweep portion rotate concurrently about the floor of the grain bin.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in the treatment of waste and/or organic materials which includes a main body having a treatment chamber therein having a base which when the apparatus is in a harvesting mode is arranged with a space there below. The base includes a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart support elements, the support elements being spaced apart at a distance sufficient to support the material within the chamber during the treatment process and enable extraction of the treated material through the spaces between the support elements during a harvesting process. There is also disclosed a harvesting device comprising a plurality of extraction elements which are adapted to project through the spaces between the support elements to dislodge and extract the treated material through the base. The apparatus and harvesting device is particularly useful for removing worm casting in vermiculture.

Abstract: A sweep auger apparatus is radially disposed within a circular bin for moving a free-flowing granular material across the floor of the bin towards the center of the bin. A motor is connected to the radial inner end of the auger shaft to rotate the auger flighting about its horizontal axis. A drive wheel is connected to the radial outer end of the auger shaft for supporting the outer end of the auger shaft and for revolving the auger around the central vertical axis of the bin. The improved sweep auger includes panels or a tube connected to the backboard of the auger so as to reside beneath the auger flighting, and thereby minimize the amount of granular material left on the floor as the sweep auger revolves around the bin floor. The panels are adjustably mounted to accommodate variations in the level of the bin floor.

Abstract: A bin clean-out system for circular grain bins having flat floors includes an in-floor auger with a central inlet and an outlet outside of the bin. A bin sweep is connected to the in-floor auger by two right angled gear drives and a splined connection between the two. Driving the in-floor auger with an external motor and drives both the auger and the bin sweep. The bin sweep can be lifted from the in-floor auger and transported to another bin as desired.

Abstract: A circular storage container (1) for granular materials is provided with a central support column (4) for a top-loading filling device (9) and a lateral conveyor (20) for pivotal movement around the support column (4). The lateral conveyor (20) is connected to the filling device via a telescopic, vertically extendable feed pipe (12). The support column (4) is constructed either of ring plates (5) or a helically coiled band, both of which have a downward slanting, angular outer edge section (34). The granule material dropped in the vicinity of the support column (4) slides onto the ring plates (5) or along the helically coiled band according to the shape of its alluvial cone, but cannot drop into the discharge shaft. During the removal process the granular material is forced between the ring plates (5) or between the coils of the helically coiled band, from where it drops into the discharge shaft (7).

Abstract: Auger conveyor apparatus is described which is adapted to convey bulk material. The conveyor includes a plurality of axially aligned and connected segments which are coupled in such a manner that one segment drives an adjacent segment after limited rotation relative to the adjacent segment. The connected segments are self-supporting, and incoming bulk material has access to the apparatus essentially along its full length. The apparatus may be used in a variety of applications including, among others, bottom unloading devices for storage structures.

Abstract: A bottom unloader having a material conveyor for moving material from a hopper centrally located in a bin to a location outside of the bin. A drive apparatus mounted on the outer end of the conveyor operates the conveyor and adjusts the tension on the conveyor chain. The outer end of the conveyor has a door that is clamped to a closed position with eccentric clamping locks. An elongated auger collector is mounted on a rotatable turntable located in the central hopper. A cap having a side opening for the auger collector is mounted on the turntable. The auger collector is drivably connected with the conveyor so that, when the conveyor is operated, the auger collector is rotated. A separate drive operated with a hydraulic motor is used to move the auger collector in a circular path.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for bottom unloading of storage structures (e.g., farm silos and the like). The apparatus includes a pivotable sweep arm which may include either a rotatable auger or an endless chain. Unique ratchet advancement mechanism at the inner end of the sweep arm pivots the sweep arm. A planetary gear mechanism is adapted to transmit rotational energy provided by the power source to the sweep arm. An improved tooth is described for penetrating and dislodging bulk material in a storage structure.

Abstract: An unloader for discharging material stored in a silo or similar through an outlet opening in the bottom of the silo has a frame which pivots around a vertical axis and on which is supported a horizontal transport screw rotating around its longitudinal axis. The pivot frame is provided with an upper protecting hood which, in order to prevent arching of material located on top of it, is mounted on the pivot frame so that it does not rotate, as the pivot frame rotates, but continuously is inclined back and forth.

Abstract: A bunker discharge apparatus, especially for bulk material. The apparatus includes conveyor elements having a ladder form or shape and extending parallel to each other and movable back and forth, by way of a drive, in the conveying or feeding direction. The elements include rungs or crossbars arranged transverse to the conveying direction and wedge-shaped in cross section. The crossbars have a stroke or pusher surface at right angles in the conveyor direction to shear and push bulk material to discharge; counter to the conveying direction, the crossbars have a flat-inclined wedge surface which returns to starting location with minimum displacement of bulk material. A drop-out or discharge connection or connecting piece having a conveying element and arranged at right angles is provided below the ladder-formed conveying elements.

Abstract: An agitator assembly mountable to the forward side of a circular bin unloading device in relation to pivoting of the device about a vertical central axis of the bin. Agitator bars of the present agitator are powered to rotate to engage and break up clumps of particulate material prior to engagement of the material with auger assemblies of the unloading device. Adjusting brackets mount the agitator assembly to the auger assembly to facilitate elevational adjustment of the agitator relative to the bin floor.