Patent ID: 9475528
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: B01J,B60P,B62D,B65G

Claim Text:
1. A method for remotely filling a salt bin with salt, the method comprising: filling a hopper apparatus with salt, wherein the hopper apparatus is positioned on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a salt delivery hose and a recovery tank and the hopper apparatus includes a gate valve and a pressure sensor; transporting the hopper apparatus to a first location, the first location being proximate to the salt bin, wherein a funnel cone is positioned above the salt bin; connecting a first end of the salt delivery hose to an outlet of the hopper apparatus; connecting a second end of the salt delivery hose to a connector; opening the gate valve at the hopper apparatus to allow salt to move from the hopper apparatus to the salt delivery hose; delivering air pressure from the hopper apparatus through the salt delivery hose to the salt bin, wherein the air pressure causes the delivery of salt from the hopper apparatus to the salt bin, wherein a funnel cone is positioned above the salt bin, and wherein a dust bag fits over a top opening of the salt bin and surrounds the funnel cone; reversing a direction of the air pressure to reclaim salt in the salt delivery hose to the recovery tank; and determining a weight of the salt after delivery using a computerized scale system.