Particulate matter dispensing device

An economical device for dispensing particulate matter uniformly across a surface which includes a rotating cylinder which has wrapped around the surface thereof in abutting fashion, a conventional small sprocket chain thus providing a series of small receptacles of uniform size which when filled with particulate material passes underneath a restrainer so that each container has a uniform quantity of particulate material therein and then as the cylinder rotates the particulate material is dispensed by gravity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In dispensing particulate matter uniformly, distribution of the particulate 
matter sometimes is difficult to achieve without expensive equipment. 
There are many industrial applications that require the application of 
particulate matter to a moving surface such as in the manufacture of 
abrasive coatings as well as in the baking industry and various other 
industrial applications. 
The invention is also applicable to the portable application of particulate 
matter. An example of such an application is the dispensing of sand in 
conjunction with liquid asphalt sealing material in an asphalt sealing 
machine. While the invention may be used for this purpose, such as is 
disclosed in applicant's co-pending patent application, Ser. No. 080,825, 
"Asphalt Sealing Machine", and filed on Oct. 1, 1979, it is not so 
limited. While this invention is particularly well suited for dispensing 
fine particulate matter, it is not so limited. Medium and coarse 
particulate matter may also be distributed by use of this invention. 
It is, therefore, an object of applicant's invention to provide a device 
for the uniform, even distribution of particulate matter. 
Another object of this invention is to provide for the uniform distribution 
of particulate matter in an inexpensive, efficient fashion. 
These, together with other objects and advantages, will become apparent in 
the details of construction and operation as more fully described 
hereinafter and claimed, references being had to the accompanying drawings 
forming a part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout 
.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to FIG. 1, applicant's 
invention comprises a container 10 terminating in the lower portion with a 
shaft 11 extending the full length of the container 10. A hinged top 12 is 
also provided for loading the particulate matter into the container 10. 
The particulate dispensing device is rotatably driven by a sprocket 13 
connected to a drive chain 14 from an appropriate power source (not 
shown). 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the 
particulate matter dispensing device comprises a cylinder 15 which rotates 
on a shaft 16 which is connected to drive sprocket 13. The surface of 
cylinder 15 comprises a continuous plurality of particulate receiving 
containers 17. A restrainer 18 extends the entire length of the cylinder 
15 and is immediately adjacent thereto. 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3, the container 10 is shown filled 
with particulate material 19. The cylinder 15 is shown mounted on shaft 
16. Extending around the entire surface in a continuous winding in 
abutting relationship is sprocket chain 20 fastened securely to the 
cylinder 15 at each end. Restrainer 18 is connected to container 10 by 
hinge 21. A lower restrainer 22 is also provided to prevent any 
particulate matter from entering shaft 11 under cylinder 15. 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 4, the cylinder 15 is shown 
provided with shaft 16. Wrapped continuously around cylinder 15 is 
sprocket chain 20 which is affixed at one end 23 to the cylinder 15 by 
appropriate means. The other end is also affixed to the opposite end of 
the cylinder. For purposes of illustration, the chain 20 is shown only 
partially wrapped around the cylinder 15. However, in use it would cover 
the entire surface of the cylinder. The chain 20 is wrapped so that there 
is an edge abutting relationship continuously throughout its length and 
thus there are formed a plurality of particulate receiving containers 17, 
which have as a bottom the surface of the cylinder 15, sides comprising 
the chain links 24 and ends formed by the connecting pins 25 of the 
sprocket chain 20. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the cylinder 
is designed to be rotated in a clockwise direction. 
In operation, the container 10 is filled with particulate matter 19 which 
is prevented from going down the shaft 11 by the restrainers 18 and 22. 
The weight of the particulate matter causes it continuously to press 
against the surface of the wrapped sprocket chain 20. As the cylinder 15 
is rotated in a clockwise direction by the rotation of the shaft 16, the 
particulate matter falls into the particulate receiving containers 17, 
formed by the portions of the chain 24, 25 and the surface of the cylinder 
15. The amount of particulate matter in the containers 17 is controlled by 
the movement of the rotating cylinder 15 against the restrainer 18, which 
performs the dual function of preventing the particulate matter from 
dropping down the shaft 11 by gravity and also skims off any excess 
particulate matter that would otherwise be carried in the individual 
containers 17. The result is that a uniform quantity of particulate matter 
is continuously dispensed through the shaft 11 the entire length of the 
device. This is accomplished at a minimum expense. 
While this invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is 
appreciated that variations thereon may be made without departing from the 
proper scope and spirit of the invention.