Patent ID: 7980484
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: A01C,E01C

Abstract:
1. A method of improving flow rate uniformity of material flowing to a spinner spreader with controlled capacity for impeding flow and a concomitant increased ease of passing debris which might otherwise interfere with uniformity of flow of the material, comprising the steps of: providing a conveyor for transporting material outwardly from a storage container which is carried upon a wheeled vehicle; conveying material by the conveyor; providing a spinner, below the conveyor, configured for distributing the material after the material falls off an end of the conveyor; allowing the material to drop from the conveyor onto the spinner where it is distributed; providing a pivoting vibrator assembly, disposed at least in part above portions of the conveyor and in contact with the material, while the material is being conveyed by the conveyor; causing the pivoting vibrator assembly to vibrate, and thereby increase a flow consistency of the material on to the spinner; configuring the pivoting vibrator assembly for and allowing the pivoting vibrator assembly to automatically pivot upwardly, as a result of a change in matter coming in contact with the pivoting vibrator assembly, and thereby increasing a gap through which the matter can drop below the conveyor; and wherein said pivoting vibrator assembly further comprises: a spaced apart array of a plurality of longitudinally rigid cutting inner blades, each inner blade comprising: a proximal end and an opposing distal end, where the proximal end is nearer an axis or rotation about which the pivoting vibrator assembly pivots and the distal end has a free end; a cutting edge, disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, for cutting into the material as it flows toward an end of the conveyor; a means for preventing the plurality of inner cutting blades from contacting a moving surface of the conveyor; and a vibrator coupled to and configured for vibrating the cutting inner blades at a predetermined vibrating frequency.