Patent ID: 8544498
Filing Date: 2013-10-01
Classification: A01C,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A distribution manifold assembly for air-entrained material comprising: one piece manifold having a center inlet opening defining a manifold axis, a plurality of outlet ports extending radially outward relative to the axis and an access opening opposite the inlet opening wherein the access opening is defined by an axially extending cylindrical wall having a diameter greater that a diameter of the inlet opening with the outlet ports comprising cylindrical bodies extending radially outward from the cylindrical wall and an upwardly facing surface extending from the center inlet opening to the axially extending cylindrical wall, the upwardly facing surface forming a plurality of troughs separated by raised ribs extending outward from the inlet opening to the cylindrical wall with one trough for each outlet port, the ribs dividing the air entrained material as it flows from the inlet opening to the outlet ports; and a lid closing the access opening, the lid having an inner surface shaped as a cone projecting toward the inlet opening, the cone having a lower wall that is closely spaced from the raised ribs leaving a gap between an upper surface of the ribs and the cone lower wall from a radially inner end of the raised ribs to the cylindrical wall.