Patent ID: 7540700
Filing Date: 2009-06-02
Classification: A01D,B60P

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for bulk filling an elongated container with a material, the container having a first end with an opening, the apparatus comprising: a cart having a cart frame supported on wheel structure and a forward hitch for movement over a ground surface in a forward towing direction, the wheel structure maintaining the cart frame at a generally constant height relative to the surface both in a towing mode and an unloading mode, and a receptacle with upright walls fixed to the frame, the receptacle extending above the frame between an uppermost portion and a lowermost portion and receiving the material; a lift assembly connected to the cart frame adjacent the lowermost portion of the receptacle; a filling conveyor supported on the lift assembly and receiving material from the receptacle, the conveyor having a proximal end and a distal end, the filling conveyor angled upwardly from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal end extending away from the receptacle; wherein the conveyor extends in a conveying direction transversely to the forward towing direction; wherein the filling conveyor is operable at a speed to throw the material upwardly and outwardly along an arcuate path through the opening and into the container along the arcuate path whereby the container is generally fillable from the receptacle with the distal end of the filling conveyor located outside of the container at one side of the container; and wherein the lift assembly is movable relative to the frame to raise and lower the conveyor vertically relative to the receptacle at a generally constant angle between the uppermost and lowermost portions of the receptacle to accommodate the opening at various heights, wherein in an upper position the conveyor is located adjacent the uppermost portion of the receptacle and wherein the conveyor is movable downwardly with the lift assembly at the generally constant angle from the upper position to the lowermost portion of the receptacle.