Particulate additive dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A flow control insert for controlling a flow of particulate matter to a chain belt dispenser comprises first and second side walls, located parallel to one another either side of a central longitudinal plane, each side wall having provided with a planar base and an inner surface comprising a major surface inclined to the central longitudinal plane and a minor vertical surface; a plurality of connecting members extending between the first and second side walls; and one or more openings defined at least in part by the side walls and the connecting members.

Description

TITLEParticulate Additive Dispensing ApparatusCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a flow control insert for use with a particulate additive dispensing apparatus and in particular for use with a particulate additive dispensing apparatus incorporating a particulate additive dispenser for introducing dry particulate additives to crop being processed or treated by an agricultural machine.BACKGROUND

[0003] Harvested crop material has a moisture content. Use of hay, straw or other cut crop material is moisture dependent. Below a moisture level of approximately 15% cut crop material is considered to be "dry". Generally, such cut crop material may be baled and stored without a preservative. "Semi-wet" crop material, with a moisture content between approximately 15% and 30%, typically requires the addition of a preservative during a baling process, or should be wrapped in an air-tight fashion shortly after the bale is formed. The addition of the preservative and / or wrapping of the bale reduces and / or eliminates spoilage of the crop material caused by mould and / or fungi. "Wet" cut crop material with a moisture content of greater than 30% is generally chopped and processed into silage, and is not generally formed into a bale for storage.

[0004] It will be understood that controlling the moisture level of cut crop, both within the baling process and the cutting process (for example by a swather or windrower), has a direct effect on the suitability of the cut crop material for an intended purpose.

[0005] During the hay making process, sometimes the hay needs to be baled before it is completely dry. If the hay is baled with too much moisture it will become mouldy and hot due to oxygen around it and bacteria decomposing the wet hay. Animals resist eating this type of poor quality hay and all is wasted. There are additives that can be put onto wet hay that will preserve the hay and prevent it from spoiling, though there are limited devices to apply the products accurately.

[0006] A number of particulate additive dispensing apparatus for adding suitable particles to crop being processed or treated by an agricultural machine have been proposed in which a chain drive removes particulate additives from a hopper by way of cavities provided in the chain and introduces the particulate additives to the crop. Nevertheless, problems persist. Among these problems is that the weight of the particulate additive, in particular when the hopper is full, hinders movement of the chain and prevents ready flow of the particulate additive into cavities in the chain. Additionally, the belt drives are set to run at a set speed which limits control when dispensing material in different applications, for example the chain drive may run faster than desired when fitted to a small square baler when a lower rate of additive supply is desired. Further, different brands of particulate additive have different flow characteristics, such that some particulate additives flow less well through the dispense apparatus than others. It is an advantage of the present invention that it addresses these problems.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a flow control insert for controlling a flow of particulate matter to a chain belt dispenser comprisesfirst and second side walls, located parallel to one another either side of a central longitudinal plane, each side wall having provided with a planar base and an inner surface comprising a major surface inclined to the central longitudinal plane and a minor vertical surface; a plurality of connecting members extending between the first and second side walls; and one or more openings defined at least in part by the side walls and the connecting members.

[0008] Preferably, each of the first and second side walls is provided with a planar base.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of connecting members are each of triangular section.

[0010] More preferably, a lower surface of each of the plurality of connecting members is inclined to the planar base.

[0011] Alternatively, first and second of the plurality of connecting members connecting members connect first and second ends of the first and second side walls to form first and second end walls.

[0012] Preferably, the flow control insert is of variable section between an upper edge of the side walls and a lower edge of the side walls.

[0013] Preferably each of the openings decreases in section from an upper region to a lower region.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention a particulate additive dispense apparatus comprises an endless conveyor provided with a plurality of cavities, drive means to enable movement of the endless conveyor, an entry to the particulate additive dispense apparatus located above the endless conveyor and an exit from the particulate additive dispenseapparatus located beneath the endless conveyor including a funnel for transport of particulate additive from the particulate additive dispense apparatus wherein the particulate additive dispense apparatus further comprises a flow control insert according to the first aspect of the present invention located within the entry to the particulate additive dispense apparatus above the endless conveyor.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG 1 shows a particulate additive dispensing apparatus for installation on an agricultural apparatus;

[0017] FIG 2 shows a side view of elements of the particulate additive dispensing apparatus of FIG 1 with several panels removed;

[0018] FIG 3 shows a sectional view of a particulate additive chain belt dispenser used in the particulate additive dispensing apparatus of FIG 2;

[0019] FIG 4 shows an isometric view from above of a first example flow control element for use with a chain belt dispenser;

[0020] FIG 5 shows a sectional view of the flow control element shown in FIG 4;

[0021] FIG 6 shows an isometric view from beneath of the flow control element shown in FIG 4;

[0022] FIG 7 shows an isometric end view of the flow control element shown in FIG 4;

[0023] FIG 8A shows a plan view of a second example flow control element;

[0024] FIG 8B shows an isometric view from above of the flow control element of FIG 8A;

[0025] FIG 9A shows a plan view of a third example flow control element; and

[0026] FIG 9B shows an isometric view from above of the flow control element of FIG 9A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The invention will now be described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein preferred embodiments are described in detail to enable practice of the invention. Although the invention is described with reference to these specific preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments. But to the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description.

[0028] The terms vertical and horizontal will be made with reference to the apparatus being disposed on level ground or mounted to an agricultural apparatus itself on level ground. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are made with reference to the general direction of particulate flow along the material conveyance systems described.

[0029] Referring first to FIG 1, an example particulate additive dispensing apparatus 2 is shown that may be installed in an agricultural apparatus. The particulate additive dispensing apparatus 2 comprises a generally box like structure comprises left and right hand side walls 10,12 connected by front and rear walls 14,16. The particulate additive dispensing apparatus 2 is conveniently provided with structures allowing the particulate additive dispensing apparatus 2 to be secured to an agricultural apparatus, for example a bracket connected to a lower part of a side wall or fastenings extending through a lower flange of a side wall. As can be seen from FIG 1 the rear wall may be releasably secured to the side walls 10,12.

[0030] A hopper or chute 18 is located at an upper end of the box like structure, the hopper or chute 18 being secured in any suitable manner to the boxlike structure, for example by fastenings 20 provided at an upper region of the side walls 10,12. The hopper or chute 18 comprises front, rear and left and right hand generally vertical upper side walls connected to corresponding front, rear and left and right generally vertical lower side walls by inclined front, rear and left and right wall portions.

[0031] The hopper or chute 18 has a lid 22 hinged ly attached to an upper edge the rear upper side wall. Conveniently, a gas strut 24 is provided to one side of the hopper or chute 18 to assist in keeping the lid 10 in either an opened or closed position.

[0032] The front and rear generally vertical lower side walls of the hopper or chute 18 support a particulate additive dispenser 30 housed within the box like structure of the additive dispensing apparatus 2. As best seen in FIGs 3 and 4, the lower ends of the hopper or chute 18 are arranged to fit within an entry formed at an upper part of the particulate additive dispenser 30.

[0033] The particulate additive dispenser 30 comprises first and second side walls 32,34. The first and second side walls 32,34 are held at a fixed distance by a plurality of suitably located pins 36 or other suitable fasteners.

[0034] Conveniently, the front and rear generally vertical lower side walls of the hopper or chute 18 are secured to a respective first or second side walls 32,34 of the particulate additive dispenser 30 by suitable fasteners.

[0035] Between the first and second side walls 32,34 there are provided first and second guide plates 40,42 arranged at an upper region of the particulate additive dispenser 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide plates 40,42 are arranged parallel to one another to create a vertical opening. Alternatively, the guide plates 40,42 may be inclined with respect to the vertical and with respect to one another. The guide plates 40,42 together with the first and second side walls 32,34 define the entry to the particulate additive dispenser 30.

[0036] First and second support plates 44,46 are provided extending horizontally between the first and second side walls 32,34. The first support plate 44 extends beneath the first and second guide plates 40,42, first and second free ends of the first support plate 44extending to either side of the lower ends of the first and second guide plates 40,42. The second support plate 46 is located at a level beneath the first support plate 44 and horizontally offset from the first support plate 44. In the illustrated embodiment, each end of each of the first and second support plates 40,42 is provided with a downwardly inclined flange or lip.

[0037] Each of the guide plates 40,42 and the support plates 44,46 are conveniently supported from one of the first and second side walls 32,34 by way of connecting brackets. Alternatively, as illustrated, each of the guide plates 40,42 and the support plates 44,46 may be provided with lands and valleys, such that the lands form teeth to be fitted within corresponding openings in the side walls 32,34.

[0038] Additional spacer elements 50 may be provided between the first and second side walls 32,34 of the particulate additive dispenser 30. The spacer elements may conveniently also be provided with teeth to be fitted within corresponding openings in the side walls 32,34.

[0039] To each end of the applicator are provided first and second rollers 56,58 supported on axes extending between the first and second side walls 32,34 of the particulate additive dispenser 30. The first and second rollers 56,58 are of corresponding diameters. The first roller is additionally provided with a drive mechanism 60 mounted to the first side wall 32 externally of the particulate additive dispenser 30.

[0040] Conveniently, first and second further rollers 66,68 may be mounted for free rotation on axes extending between the first and second side walls 32,34 of the particulate additive dispenser 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second further rollers 66,68 are mounted in a central region of the particulate additive dispenser 30 between the first and second rollers 56,58 above a lower part of an endless conveyor 80.

[0041] Third and fourth guide plates 72,74 are provided extending between the first and second side walls 32,34. Each of the third and fourth guide plates 72,74 has an upper endand a lower end, the upper ends of the third and fourth guide plates being separated from one another a greater distance than the lower ends of the third and fourth guide plates, such that the third and fourth guide plates 72,74 slope toward one another. Together, the third and fourth guide plates 72,74 and the first and second side walls 32,34 define an exit for the particulate additive from the particulate additive dispenser 30.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper ends of the third and fourth guide plates can be seen to extend beyond first and second ends of the endless conveyor 80.

[0043] A Venturi funnel 70 is secured to the exit from the particulate additive dispenser 30. A lower portion of the funnel 70 is connected to a tubular fitting forming part of a pneumatic system for the transport of the particulate additives.

[0044] The further rollers 66,68 are located above the Venturi funnel 70.

[0045] The endless conveyor 80 extends around the first and second rollers 56,58, such that the first and second rollers 56,58 define first and second ends of the endless conveyor 80. The endless conveyor 80 comprises a plurality of links 82 (FIGs 8 and 9). In use, open ended cavities are defined between adjacent links in which the particulate additive may be located when transported.

[0046] The first and second rollers 56,58 may be provided with shaped circumferential surfaces for better engagement with the open ended cavities defined between the links of the endless conveyor 80.

[0047] As may best be seen from FIG 2, an upper portion of the endless conveyor 80 rides over the first support plate 44 and beneath lower ends of the first and second guide plates 40,42. A lower portion of the endless conveyor 80 rides over the second support plate 46.

[0048] In use, a particulate additive is loaded into the hopper or chute 18 of the additive dispensing apparatus 2. The particulate additive will flow down the hopper or chute 18 into the entry of the particulate additive dispenser 30 bounded front and rear by the first and second side walls 32,34, at its sides between the first and second guide plates 40,42 and at its base by the endless conveyor 80 and the first support plate 44 between the lower ends of the first and second guide plates 40,42 where the cavities 94 of the endless conveyor 80 are filled with the particulate additive.

[0049] When it is desired to measure a desired quantity of the particulate additive from the reservoir to a crop, the drive mechanism 60 for the roller 56 is actuated to draw the upper portion of the endless conveyor 80 past the first guide plate 40. Movement of the endless conveyor 80 along the first support plate 44 agitates the particulate additive and assists in filling of the cavities 94 above the first support plate 44. As the endless conveyor 80 passes beneath a lower end of the guide plate 40, the lower end of the guide plate 40 levels off the particulate additive located above the upper surface of the links 82.

[0050] Particulate additive within each cavity 94 will be drawn by the endless conveyor 80 along the first support plate 44 until the particulate additive is free to drop down onto the lower portion of the endless conveyor 80 above the second support plate 46.

[0051] Particulate additive located on and in the links 82 passing over the second support plate is then drawn by the endless conveyor 80 along the second support plate 46 toward the first and second further rollers 66,68. As the endless conveyor moves over a second end of the second support plate, the particulate additive is free to drop down from the cavities 94 into the Venturi funnel 70.

[0052] The first and second further rollers 66,68 located above the mouth of the Venturi funnel 70 will displace the links 82 of the endless conveyor 80 around a lower region of the first and second further rollers 66,68 causing any particulate additive resting on an uppersurface of a link 82 to be displaced through the cavities 94 and downward into the mouth of the Venturi funnel 70.

[0053] The pressure differential caused by the air flow at the base of the Venturi funnel 70 will cause an air flow at the mouth of the Venturi funnel 70 also assisting in drawing the particulate additive into the Venturi funnel 70 from where the particulate additive will be delivered for crop treatment.

[0054] It will also be understood that as the size of the cavities 94 in the endless conveyor 80 is known and the speed of the endless conveyor 80 can be controlled by the drive mechanism 60 of the drive roller 56 that the amount of additive delivered can be controlled.

[0055] While dispensing a desired quantity of the particulate additive from the reservoir to a crop it will be understood that movement of the agricultural apparatus or vehicle to which the particulate dispensing apparatus (and so the particulate additive dispenser) is mounted as it traverses a field will naturally cause the particulate additive to be jogged along the conveyor and so through the particulate additive dispenser such that the first and second further rollers 66,68 may be considered optional.

[0056] Nevertheless, by delivering too much particulate to the conveyor 80 in the region of the entry of the particulate additive dispenser 30 problems arise. Among the issues encountered, is that the weight of the particulate additive, in particular when the hopper is full, hinders movement of the chain and prevents ready flow of the particulate additive into cavities in the chain. Additionally, the belt drives are set to run at a set speed which limits control when dispensing material in different applications, for example the chain drive may run faster than desired when fitted to a small square baler when a lower rate of additive supply is desired. Further, different brands of particulate additive have different flow characteristics, such that some particulate additives flow less well through the dispense apparatus than others. A flow control insert has been proposed to address these problems.

[0057] A first example flow control insert 100 is illustrated in FIGs 4 to 7. The illustrated flow control insert 100 comprises first and second side walls 102,104. The first and second side walls 102,104 are arranged parallel to one another about a central longitudinal plane. It can be seen that in this example the first and second side walls 102,104 mirror one another about this central plane. Each of the first and second side walls 102,104 has a planar base 106,108, in use adapted to be seated upon and ride on side edges of the conveyor 80. The bases 106,108 of the first and second side walls 102,104 each extend along a basal plane.

[0058] An outer surface 112,114 of each of the first and second side walls 102,104 is substantially vertical. An inner portion of each of the first and second side walls 102,104 comprises a minor vertical surface 122,124 and a major inclined surface 126,128. The major inclined surface 126,128 in each case extends from an upper edge of the respective side wall 102,104 to an upper part of the minor vertical surface 122,124. It can be seen that each of the side walls are of variable section between an upper edge of the side walls and a lower edge of the side walls.

[0059] Each end of the first and second side walls 102,104 terminates in a substantially vertical surface 132,134. The spacing of the vertical surfaces 112,114,132,134 of each side wall 102,104 allows the flow control insert 100, prior to the addition of particulate to the hopper, to be placed in the vertical opening forming the entry of the particulate additive dispenser 30.

[0060] A plurality of connecting members 140 extend between the first and second side walls 102,104. In the first illustrated example four such connecting members 140 are shown. In this example, each connecting member 140 is triangular in section, having a lower base surface 142 and upper side surfaces 144,146. As best seen in FIG 6 these connecting members 140 are arranged at an angle to the basal plane, such that the lower base surface 142 of each connecting member 140 extends at each end from a first edge level with the basal plane defined by the lower edge of the minor vertical portion 122,124 of the side wall 102,104 to asecond edge level with the upper edge of the minor vertical portion 122,124 of the side wall 102,104.

[0061] When placed in the vertical opening forming the entry of the particulate additive dispenser 30, the side walls 102,104, the connecting members 140 and the ends of the vertical opening (in the example dispenser, the guide plates 40,42) define a plurality of openings 150 through which particulate additive may flow from the hopper and into the cavities 94 formed in the conveyor 80. It can be seen that each of the openings 150 that are formed are of varying section between their upper and lower regions. In use, the inclined lower base surface 142 of this flow control insert 100 also serves to direct particulate material to fill the cavities 94 in the endless conveyor 80.

[0062] A second example flow control insert 200 is illustrated in FIGS 8A and 8B. Like reference numerals increased by 100 from those used to refer to the first example flow control insert 100 will be used to illustrate the similarities of like parts.

[0063] The illustrated flow control insert 200 comprises first and second side walls 202,204 located parallel to one on either side of a central longitudinal plane, though in this example the first and second side walls do not mirror one another about the central longitudinal plane. In this example the connecting members 240 between the first and second side walls form first and second end walls providing vertical surfaces 232,234 at each end of the flow control insert 200.

[0064] An outer surface 212,214 of each of the first and second side walls 202,204 is substantially vertical. An inner portion of each of the first and second side walls 202,204 comprises a vertical surface 222,224 and an inclined surface 226,228. In this example, each inclined surface 226,228 is triangular and along a first side extends from an upper edge of the vertical surface adjacent an end wall to a lower edge of the vertical surface spaced from the opposite end wall. A second edge of each inclined surface 226,228 extends from an upper edgeof the adjacent end wall to a lower edge of the adjacent end wall spaced from the opposing side wall 202,204. A third edge of each inclined surface extends along a basal plane of the flow control insert 200 connecting the first and second edges. An opening 250 is as a result defined between the opposing third edges of inclined surfaces 226,228, the lower edges of the vertical surfaces 224,226 not covered by the inclined surfaces 226,228 and the lower edges of the connecting members 240 not covered by the inclined surfaces 226,228.

[0065] It can be seen that each of the side walls are of variable section between an upper edge of the side walls and a lower edge of the side walls. Also, the opening 250 is of variable section between an upper region and a lower region, presenting a lowest cross sectional area at the base of the flow control insert in the form of a diagonal slot extending across the flow control insert 200.

[0066] A third example flow control insert 300 is illustrated in FIGS 9A and 9B. Like reference numerals increased by 200 from those used to refer to the first example flow control insert 100 will be used to illustrate the similarities of like parts.

[0067] The illustrated flow control insert 300 comprises first and second side walls 302,304 located parallel to one on either side of a central longitudinal plane. In this example the first and second side walls again mirror one another about a central longitudinal plane. In this example the connecting members 340 between the first and second side walls take the form of both first and second end walls providing vertical surfaces 332,334 at each end of the flow control insert 300 and triangular elements connecting the side walls between the ends of the side walls 302,304. In this example the connecting members 340 forming the first and second end walls extend from an upper edge of the respective side walls 302,304 but are spaced from a lower edge of the respective side walls. As best seen in FIG 9B the lower edges of each side wall 302,304 are shaped to form longitudinally extending portions or skids 360 to support, in use, the flow control insert 300 on the edges of the conveyor 80.

[0068] An outer surface 312,314 of each of the first and second side walls 302,304 is substantially vertical. An inner portion of each of the first and second side walls 302,304 comprises a vertical surface 322,324 and an inclined surface 326,328. In this example, each vertical surface 322,324 is triangular and along a first side extends along an upper edge of the side wall 302,304. A second edge of each vertical surface 322,324 extends from an upper edge at a first end of the flow control insert 300, part way down toward the basal plane of flow control insert 300. A third edge of each vertical surface 322,324 connects the first and second edges. Each inclined surface 326,328 extends from the third edge of the vertical surface 322,324 inward toward the central longitudinal plane. At a second end of the flow control insert each inclined surface 326,328 contacts the other at a lower edge. As each lower edge of each inclined surface 326,328 extends toward the first end of the flow control insert 300 it moves further away from the other.

[0069] An opening 350 is as a result defined between the opposing third edges of inclined surfaces 326,328, the lower edges of the vertical surfaces 324,326 not covered by the inclined surfaces 326,328 and the lower edges of the connecting members 340 not covered by the inclined surfaces 326,328.

[0070] In this example, the triangular elements connecting the inclined surfaces 326,328 of the side walls 302,304 are two in number: a first being located around half way between the ends of the flow control insert 300 and a second located around half way between the first and the second end of the flow control insert 300.

[0071] It can be seen that each of the side walls are of variable section between an upper edge of the side walls and a lower edge of the side walls. Also, the opening 350 is of variable section between an upper region and a lower region, presenting a lowest cross-sectional area at the base of the flow control insert.

[0072] All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between definitions herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control.

[0073] From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the field of apparatus for the processing of cut crop and component parts therefore and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 A flow control insert for controlling a flow of particulate matter to a chain belt dispenser comprises first and second side walls, located parallel to one another either side of a central longitudinal plane, each side wall having provided with a planar base and an inner surface comprising a major surface inclined to the central longitudinal plane and a minor vertical surface; a plurality of connecting members extending between the first and second side walls; and one or more openings defined at least in part by the side walls and the connecting members.2 A flow control insert according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second side walls is provided with a planar base.3 A flow control insert according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of connecting members are each of triangular section.4 A flow control insert according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein a lower surface of each of the plurality of connecting members is inclined to the planar base.5 A flow control insert according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein first and second of the plurality of connecting members connecting members connect first and second ends of the first and second side walls to form first and second end walls.6 A flow control insert according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the flow control insert is of variable section between an upper edge of the side walls and a lower edge of the side walls.7 A flow control insert according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein each of the openings decreases in section from an upper region to a lower region.8 A particulate additive dispense apparatus comprises an endless conveyor provided with a plurality of cavities, drive means to enable movement of the endless conveyor, an entry to the particulate additive dispense apparatus located above the endless conveyor and an exit from the particulate additive dispense apparatus located beneath the endless conveyor including a funnel for transport of particulate additive from the particulate additive dispense apparatus wherein the particulate additive dispense apparatus further comprises a flow control insert according to any of claim 1 to claim 7 located within the entry to the particulate additive dispense apparatus above the endless conveyor.

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