Patent ID: 7380733
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: A01C

Abstract:
1. A plural bin metering system for broadcasting material ingredients contained therein over a ground surface comprising at least two material ingredient hoppers, each of the hoppers having a material ingredient discharge port; at least one of the material ingredient hoppers having a variably controllable metering unit associated therewith for variably controlling the discharge of material ingredients therefrom independently from the rate of discharge of material ingredients from the other material ingredient hopper; a conveyor disposed below the hoppers for receiving material ingredients discharged from the hoppers; and a material ingredient broadcasting device disposed off of one end of the conveyor for receiving material ingredients conveyed thereon, received from the hoppers, and broadcasting the material ingredients over a ground surface; wherein the metering unit includes a roller disposed transversely to the conveyor, the roller having a plurality of spaced apart recesses in the surface of the roller for receiving the material ingredients to be discharged from its associated material ingredient hopper, the recesses being sized and spaced apart about the surface of the roller so as to provide uniform and constant discharge of the material ingredients from the recesses onto the conveyor.