Patent ID: 6358141
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: A01D,B07B

Abstract:
A combine system for use in harvesting corn, said combine system comprising a framework having secured therewithin:means for receiving: ears of corn which comprise corn kernels on whole cobs, and accompanying unavoidable chaff; means for separating corn kernels from whole cobs; first and second accumulation bins; means for providing corn kernels to said first accumulation bin; means for receiving and transporting whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed to said second accumulation bin, and means for ejecting substantially all accompanying unavoidable chaff from said combine system; the improvement being the presence of said second accumulation bin in combination with means for receiving and transporting whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed into said second accumulation bin; said means for receiving and transporting whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed into said second accumulation bin, being positioned in said combine system to, during use, receive unavoidable chaff and whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed, from said means for separating corn kernels from whole cobs; wherein said means for receiving and transporting whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed to said second accumulation bin comprises: means for accepting unavoidable chaff and whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed; means for creating a primary flow of air in combination with means for directing said primary flow of air into said second accumulation bin; and means for directing said whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed, from said means for accepting unavoidable chaff and whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed, into said primary flow of air which is provided by said means for creating a primary flow of air, which primary flow of air is directed into said second accumulation bin by said means for directing said primary flow of air into said second accumulation bin, such that, in use, unavoidable chaff and ears of corn which comprise corn kernels on whole cobs are entered into said combine system, said corn kernels are separated from said whole cobs therewithin by said means for separating corn kernels from whole cobs, and said unavoidable chaff and said whole cobs from which kernels have been removed are caused to be received by said means for receiving and transporting whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed, and said whole cobs from which most corn kernels have been removed are transported into said second accumulation bin by said primary flow of air.