Abstract:
A seed filtering system for funneling and filtering material. The seed filtering system generally includes an opening for receiving material entering into the funneling device. A primary side wall, wherein all of the material entering the funneling device is funneled onto the primary side wall. A filter disposed on the primary side wall for filtering the material that is funneled onto the primary side wall. A discharge hole for discharging the material that is filtered through the funneling device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a funneling and filtering device and more specifically it relates to a seed filtering system for funneling and filtering seed passing through the device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     Material may spill when transferred from a first container to a second container. The spilled material may be wasted which results in additional costs. 
     Additionally, the material may include unwanted debris. It may be undesirable store the material with the unwanted debris. 
     Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved seed filtering system for funneling and filtering seed passing through the device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to a funneling/filtering device which includes an opening for receiving material entering into the funneling device. The device also includes a primary side wall, wherein all of the material entering the funneling device is funneled onto the primary side wall; a filter disposed on the primary side wall for filtering the material that is funneled onto the primary side wall; and a discharge hole for discharging the material that is filtered through the funneling device. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a lower perspective exploded view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a lower perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section of a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section of a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section of a side view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 11  illustrate a seed filtering system  10  (also referred herein as funneling device or device), which comprises, among other things, opening  11 , discharge hole  12 , side walls  13  and  14 , primary wall  15 , end wall  16 , pocket  17 , and filter  18 . 
     As will be described in further detail herein, device  10  act as a funnel for material  21  that enters into opening  11  and exits via discharge hole  12 . Additionally, the material flowing through device  10  is filtered of unwanted debris. 
     B. Opening and Discharge Hole 
     Device  10  includes opening  11  and discharge hole  12 , such that material  21  funnels through device  10  from opening  11  to discharge hole  12 . 
     C. Walls 
     Device  10  includes a plurality of walls to form a funnel-type structure, such as side wall  13 , side wall  14 , primary wall  15  and end wall  16 . 
     Referring to at least FIGS.  1  and  5 - 8 , side wall  13  and side wall  14  each extend from opening  11  to discharge hole  12 . Moreover, side walls  13  and  14  are opposing walls that are parallel with one another. 
     Referring to at least  FIGS. 9 and 10 , primary wall  15  is a sloped end wall that extends from opening  11  to discharge hole  12  along a first end of device  10 . Additionally, end wall  16  extends from opening to discharge hole along a second end of device  10 . It is noted that primary wall  15  and end wall  16  are opposing end walls that are joined with side walls  13  and  14 . 
     As material  21  enters into opening  11 , the material is funneled towards discharge hole  12  along primary wall  15 . For example, the material either directly falls onto primary wall  15  and flows down to discharge hole  12  along primary wall  15  or the material deflects off of end wall  16  and subsequently falls onto primary wall  15 . As a result, all of the material is funneled from opening  11  to discharge hole  12  along primary wall  15 . 
     Walls of device  10 , in one embodiment, are formed of plastic. In another embodiment, a side perspective of device  10  is substantially triangular in shape, for example as depicted in at least  FIG. 4 . 
     D. Filter 
     Device  10  includes filter  18 . Filter  18  is for filtering out unwanted debris that is mixed in with material  21 . 
     Filter  18  is attached to primary wall  15 . In one embodiment, filter  18  is co-planar with primary wall  15 . For example, the top surface of filter  18  is substantially co-planar with the inner surface of primary wall  15 . 
     As material  21  flows along primary wall  15  towards discharge hole  12 , the material passes over filter  18 . Unwanted debris  22  of material  21  is then filtered out of the material before it exits device  10  at discharge hole  12 . 
     In one embodiment, filter  18  is a screen material. More specifically, filter  18  includes a plurality of holes of one or more sizes. As material  21  flows over filter  18 , any material having a size that is larger than the holes passes over filter  18  and any debris that is smaller than the plurality of holes of filter  18  falls through filter  18  into debris pocket  17 . As a result, material  21  is filtered of unwanted debris as material  21  flows across filter  18 . 
     E. Debris Pocket 
     Debris pocket  17  is disposed proximate filter  18 . As described above, as material  21  flows over filter  18 , debris  22  is filtered out of material  21  and collects in debris pocket  17 . 
     Debris pocket  17 , in one embodiment, is integral with primary wall  15 . In particular, debris pocket is a feature of primary wall  15  and is not separable from primary wall  15 . 
     Debris pocket  17 , in another embodiment, is formed by filter  18  positioned over an indented feature of primary wall  15 . As such, debris pocket  17  is a false floor with respect to primary wall  15 . 
     Debris pocket  17  includes opening  27 . Opening  27  enables debris  22  to be discharged from debris pocket  17 . Debris  22  is able to exit debris pocket  17  by rotating device  10  such that debris is able to flow out of opening  27 , as depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
     Filter  18 , in one embodiment, is attached inside of device  10  via retainers  19 . For instance, retainers  19  attach filter  18  to debris pocket  17 . Retainers  19  can be, but are not limited to, screws, nets, washers, etc. 
     F. Material 
     In one embodiment, material  21  that is funneled and filtered through device  10  is seed (e.g., corn seed). Material  21  can be any material that is able to funneled and filtered via device  10 . Debris  22  that is filtered out of material  21  via filter  18 , can be but is not limited to, chipped seed, excess talc and graphite, fines, etc. 
     G. Containers 
     Device  10  funnels material  21  that is transferred from a first container  25  to a second container  28  and also prevents spilling of material  21  as it is transferred. Additionally, material  21  may obtain debris  22  while it is stored in first container  25 . As such, the debris may be filtered out of material  21  as it is transferred from first container  25  to second container  28 . 
     In one embodiment, device  10  is positioned below first container  25  via attachment features  24  (e.g., straps). Attachment features  24  are attached to device  10  at slots  23  which are proximate opening  11 . Attachment features  24 , in one embodiment, each include a hook that are utilized to couple device  10  below first container  25 , as depicted in at least  FIG. 3 . 
     First container  25  is any container that is able to hold or contain material  21 . In one embodiment, first container  25  is a hopper, such as center fill hopper for use in planting seeds. 
     Second container  28  is any container that is able to hold or contain material  21  after it is transferred from first container  25 . For example, second container  28  is a storage container for proper storage of seeds. 
     Material  21  may be discharged from first container  25  via ports  26 . The material may be discharged from ports  26  individually or concurrently. As ports  26  are opened, material  21  is discharged into opening  11  of device  10 . Material  21  is the funneled and filtered through device  10 , as described herein. 
     The filtered material then exits device  10  at discharge hole  12  into second container  28 . In one embodiment, tube  20  is attached to discharge hole  12  to facilitate in directing the material into container  28 . 
     H. Operation of Preferred Embodiment 
     In use, device  10  funnels and filters material  21  as the material passes through device  10 . Additionally, device  10  helps prevent spillage of material  21  as material  21  is transferred from first container  25  to second container  28 . 
     Material  21  enters device  10  at opening  11 . For example, the material pours out of first container into opening  11 . 
     Material  21  then travels along primary wall  15  towards discharge hole  12 . As material  21  is funneled through device  10 , material flows across filter  18 . Debris  22  in material  21  is filtered out of material  21  and the debris falls into debris pocket  17 . As a result, material  21  is filtered of unwanted debris as it is funneled through device  10 . Moreover, spillage or waste of the material is reduced or eliminated during the transfer of the material from first container  25  to second container  28 . Additionally, debris  22  may be subsequently removed from debris pocket  17  via opening  27 . In particular, device  10  is rotated such that debris  22  falls out of debris pocket  17  (see at least  FIG. 11 ). 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.