High efficiency lime/fertilizer spinner spreader machine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A spinner spreader machine comprising:
- a vehicle;
at least one product storage bin associated with the vehicle;
at least one spreader mechanism associated with the vehicle; and
at least one conveyor belt assembly associated with the vehicle, the at least one conveyor belt assembly comprising;
a conveyor belt defining an inner surface, a substantially continuous outer surface, a first side, a second side, an upper portion adapted to transport a product from the at least one product storage bin, and a lower return portion, the conveyor belt having a first and second drive chain operatively coupled to the first and second sides of the conveyor belt, the first and second drive chains each adapted to mesh with a first and second chain sprocket; and
a conveyor tray adapted to support the upper portion of the conveyor belt;
wherein the upper portion of the conveyor belt is adapted to function in a substantially planar and continuous configuration as the conveyor belt transports product from at least one product storage bin to the at least one spreader mechanism.
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Abstract
A spinner spreader machine has a product conveyor assembly that efficiently and accurately spreads either lime or fertilizer products, or combinations thereof. The versatility of the machine is enhanced with a plurality of conveyor belt assemblies configured to overcome the self-cohesive characteristics of certain products such as lime. The versatility of the machine is further enhanced when the conveyor apparatus provides a substantially constant volumetric distribution of product to the spinner mechanism.
28 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A spinner spreader machine comprising:
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a vehicle; at least one product storage bin associated with the vehicle; at least one spreader mechanism associated with the vehicle; and at least one conveyor belt assembly associated with the vehicle, the at least one conveyor belt assembly comprising; a conveyor belt defining an inner surface, a substantially continuous outer surface, a first side, a second side, an upper portion adapted to transport a product from the at least one product storage bin, and a lower return portion, the conveyor belt having a first and second drive chain operatively coupled to the first and second sides of the conveyor belt, the first and second drive chains each adapted to mesh with a first and second chain sprocket; and a conveyor tray adapted to support the upper portion of the conveyor belt; wherein the upper portion of the conveyor belt is adapted to function in a substantially planar and continuous configuration as the conveyor belt transports product from at least one product storage bin to the at least one spreader mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A spinner spreader apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle having storage means for storing at least one product; at least one spinner apparatus attached to the vehicle; and at least one conveyor assembly associated with the vehicle, the at least one conveyor assembly comprising; a substantially continuous and planar conveyor belt having an outer surface and further having a plurality of protrusions associated with the outer surface; means for providing substantially slip-free motive force to the substantially continuous and planar conveyor belt such that product stored in the storage means is carried by the substantially continuous and planar conveyor belt to the at least one spinner apparatus; and supporting means for supporting selected portions of the substantially continuous and planar conveyor belt such that the product carried by the substantially continuous and planar conveyor belt has a substantially constant volumetric distribution over the outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A spinner spreader machine comprising:
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a vehicle; at least one product storage device attached to the vehicle; at least one spinner spreader apparatus attached to the vehicle; a conveyor assembly attached to the vehicle, the conveyor assembly comprising; a plurality of drive sprockets having a common predetermined pitch; a plurality of substantially continuous conveyor belts, each conveyor belt configured with a smooth outer surface and further configured to mesh with the plurality of drive sprockets such that continuous rotation of the plurality of drive sprockets causes continuous movement of the plurality of conveyor belts and is adapted to carry products from the at least one product storage device to the at least one spinner spreader apparatus; and at least one support member configured to support selected portions of the substantially continuous conveyor belts, the substantially continuous conveyor belts adapted to transport products and adapted to provide a substantially planar configuration and consistent distribution of products. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification