Abstract:
A powdered seed treatment applicator for evenly applying a powdered seed treatment to seeds to be dispensed and planted by a planting machine includes a container, a shaft, and a motor for rotating said shaft in the container. A dispensing element having a plurality of openings is positioned at a bottom of the container. Dispensing bristles are coupled to the shaft and contact the openings as the shaft rotates to urge powdered seed treatment out of the container through the openings while preventing clogging of the openings. Augers and paddles are utilized to provide agitation of the seed treatment, prevent clumping, and facilitate efficient dispensing of the powdered seed treatment within the container. An adjustable dispensing portion is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to seed treatment applicators and more particularly pertains to a new powdered seed treatment applicator for evenly applying a powdered seed treatment to seeds to be dispensed and planted by a planting machine. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of seed treatment applicators is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,803 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,106, both issued to Barnes, disclose the process in which the present invention would be used. Seeds are transported to a planting machine using an auger. A seed treatment applicator dispenses seed treatment to the seeds as they are moved to the planting machine by the auger. U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,957 issued to Nuttall discloses a seed inoculant applicator that utilizes an auger positioned within a dispensing cylinder. The applicators shown by Barnes is subject to clogging and provide more limited adjustability to control the metered dispensation of a powdered seed treatment. The Nuttall device provides limited adjustability for dispensing the powdered seed treatment to a desired location. Other seed treatment applicators are known but apply a liquid form of treatment to the seeds. In contrast, the present invention provides metered dispensation of powdered seed treatment with greater adjustability and improved structure to prevent clogging. 
   In these respects, the powdered seed treatment applicator according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of evenly applying a powdered seed treatment to seeds to be dispensed and planted by a planting machine. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of seed treatment applicators now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new powdered seed treatment applicator construction wherein the same can be utilized for evenly applying a powdered seed treatment to seeds to be dispensed and planted by a planting machine. 
   To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a container, a shaft, and a motor for rotating said shaft in the container. A dispensing element having a plurality of openings is positioned at a bottom of the container. Dispensing bristles are coupled to the shaft and contact the openings as the shaft rotates to urge powdered seed treatment out of the container through the openings while preventing clogging of the openings. Augers and paddles are utilized to provide agitation of the seed treatment, prevent clumping, and facilitate efficient dispensing of the powdered seed treatment within the container. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows 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 which 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 and 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 description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Significant advantages of the present invention include the metered dispensation of seed treatment without clogging and with adjustability to control the rate of flow of the seed treatment. Further, the motive action of the beater portion, paddles, and augers aerates the powdered seed treatment to counteract settling, increase volume, and reduce the amount of powdered seed treatment needed to sufficiently treat a given amount of seeds. 
   Further advantages of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects of the invention will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a new powdered seed treatment applicator according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the interior of the container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the lower section of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-section of the lower section of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the bracing element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of the delivery system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a partial cut-away top view of an embodiment of the delivery system of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 8  thereof, a new powdered seed treatment applicator embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the powdered seed treatment applicator  10  generally comprises a container  20  for holding the powdered seed treatment  2 . The container  20  may be cone-shaped. A shaft  30  is coupled to the container  20 . This may be achieved using a frame assembly  32  that spans an upper opening  22  of the container  20 . A motor  40  may be mounted on the frame assembly  32  and is operationally coupled to the shaft  30  for rotating the shaft  30  in the container  20 . A dispensing element  50 , which may be disc-shaped, includes a plurality of openings  52 . The dispensing element  50  is positioned at a bottom  24  of the container  20  for permitting the powdered seed treatment  2  to pass from the container  20  through the dispensing element  50 . A plurality of dispensing bristles  60  are coupled to the shaft  30 . The plurality of dispensing bristles  60  are positioned adjacent to the dispensing element  50  such that the plurality of dispensing bristles  60  contact the openings  52  as the shaft  30  is rotated. Typically, the powdered seed treatment  2  has sufficient cohesion to prevent the powdered seed treatment  2  from passing through the openings  52  until the dispensing bristles  60  pass over the openings  52 . Thus, the powdered seed treatment  2  passes through the openings  52  as each of the openings  52  is contacted by the dispensing bristles  60 . 
   The motor  40  may be self-contained using a battery or powered by an outside source through use of a power outlet such as a power take-off or connection to a 12-volt outlet commonly found in vehicles. 
   In a more particular embodiment, a lower auger  34  is coupled to the shaft  30 . The lower auger  34  may be positioned proximate the plurality of dispensing bristles  60 . The lower auger  34  is designed and oriented for urging the powdered seed treatment  2  towards the dispensing element  50  as the shaft  30  is rotated by the motor  40 . 
   An upper auger  36  may be coupled to an upper section  38  of the shaft  30 . The upper auger  36  is designed and oriented such that the powdered seed treatment  2  engaged by the upper auger  36  is urged away from the dispensing element  50  as the shaft  30  is rotated by the motor  40  to provide agitation to the powdered seed treatment  2 . 
   The shaft  30  may include a beater portion  42  and a central portion  44 . The beater portion  42  extends outwardly from the central portion  44  to position outer sections  46  of the beater portion  42  proximate to a wall  26  of the container  20 . A paddle  48  may be coupled to the beater portion  42  for agitating the powdered seed treatment  2  as the shaft  30  is rotated by the motor  40 . The paddle  48  may be coupled to the beater portion  42  adjacent the wall  26  of the container  20  and angled with respect to the wall  26  of the container  20  for directing the powdered seed treatment  2  towards the central portion  44  of the shaft  30  as the shaft  30  is rotated by the motor  40 . 
   Outer bristles may be coupled to the beater portion  42 . The outer bristles are positioned to contact an inner surface  28  of the wall  26  of the container  20 . 
   Over time it is anticipated that the dispensing bristles  60  can wear and effectively shorten resulting in a loss of contact with the dispensing element  50 . A set screw assembly  70  or similar conventionally known structure may be employed for adjusting a position of the dispensing element  50  relative to the plurality of dispensing bristles  60  to maintain the desired contact between the element  50  and the bristles  60  during use. 
   In an embodiment of the present invention, an elongated second paddle  54  may be coupled to the beater portion  42  of the shaft  30  such that the elongated second paddle  54  trails behind an outer section  46  of the beater portion  42 . The second paddle  54  may be angled to urge the powdered seed treatment  2  away from the dispensing element  50  as the shaft  30  is rotated by the motor  40 . Thus, the second paddle  54  provides further agitation of the seed treatment  2 . 
   In an embodiment, a bracing element  102  may be provided having a central aperture  104  for receiving a distal end of the shaft to hold the shaft in place during use. The bracing element  102  includes a plurality of circular openings  106  positioned to prevent alignment of solid portions of the bracing element  102  from aligning with the dispensing bristles  60  resulting in uneven distribution of the powdered seed treatment  2 . 
   A compression collar  100  of the type commonly used in vehicle exhaust couplings may be used to provide easy removal and replacement of the dispensing element  50  such that various screen sizes may be installed to control the rate of powdered seed treatment output independent of adjusting the speed of the shaft  30 . 
   Humidity will affect the cohesive properties of the powdered seed treatment  2  and the rate at which the seed treatment will flow through openings  52  of the dispensing element  50 . Desired flow of the seed treatment through the openings  52  can be adjusted by the use of the following features of the present invention, either individually or in combination. 
   In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , dispensing element  50 ′ is integrally formed to container  20 . A plurality of variously sized blocking elements  56  may be provided. Each of the blocking elements  56  is selectively couplable to the dispensing element  50 ′ to block a portion of the openings  52 ′. Thus, depending on the number of openings  52 ′ blocked or unblocked, an amount of the powdered seed treatment  2  passing through the dispensing element  50 ′ is adjustable. 
   Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 5 , it is contemplated that a plurality of interchangeable dispensing elements  50  could be provided, each having distinct numbers or sizes of openings. Flow can also be altered by adjusting the size of the openings  52  either through multiple interchangeable dispensing elements or by a conventionally known means for adjusting the size of the openings of a single dispensing element. Interchangeable dispensing elements  50  may be formed of screen or mesh. 
   In an embodiment, a motor speed switch  58  may be operationally coupled to the motor  40  for controlling rotational speed of the shaft  30 . Thus, a rate of flow of the powdered seed treatment  2  is adjustable by adjusting the speed the shaft  30  rotates. The switch  58  may provide distinct motor speed settings such as high, medium, and low. A rheostat-type switch or dial may be employed to provide a continuum of shaft speeds and greater control of the flow rate of the seed treatment  2  through the dispensing element  50 . 
   A dispensing portion  62  may be adjustably coupled to the container  20  and positioned to receive the powdered seed treatment  2  passing through the dispensing element  50  and dispense the powdered seed treatment  2  to a desired location. The dispensing portion  62  may be attached to the container using a ball joint assembly  108  that is held in a desired position by compression. The dispensing portion may also be cone-shaped and include a cylindrical lower portion  64  to increase control of the dispensing of the seed treatment  2  to a desired location. 
   A cap  66  may be provided to selectively couple to the container  20  to cover the dispensing element  50  to prevent the powdered seed treatment  2  from passing out of the container  20  when dispensing is not desired. 
   The present invention may incorporate a mounting bracket  68  designed to be coupled a vehicle or other structure. The container  20  may be coupled to the mounting bracket  68  by the insertion of extensions  72  into slots  74  in the mounting bracket  68 . Adjustment means  76  may be provided for adjusting an angle of the container  20  relative to the mounting bracket  68 . This may be achieved using a tightened screw in an arcuate slot or urging oppositional teeth into engagement, a cotter pin through a selected one of a plurality of radially aligned apertures, or other conventionally known method. The mounting bracket  68  may also include a base portion  77  and an extension portion  78 . Rotational adjustment means  79  of conventionally known structure may be operationally coupled to the base portion  77  and the extension portion  78  for rotationally adjusting the extension portion  78  relative to the base portion  77 . Thus, the position at which the container  20  dispenses the seed treatment  2  is adjustable in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the extension portion  78 . 
   In an embodiment, a seed treatment delivery system  120  may be coupled to either the container  20  or the dispensing portion  62  to receive the powdered seed treatment  2 . The delivery system  120  includes a housing  126  or frame, a first end  128 , a second end  130 , and a transport assembly  122  extending from the first end  128  to the second end  130 . The powdered seed treatment  2  is distributed from the container  20 , with or without use of the above described dispensing bristles  60 , to the first end  128  and transported to the second end  130  by the transport assembly  122  for distribution of the powdered seed treatment  2  at a desired location in spaced relationship to the container  20 . The transport assembly  122  may utilize either a conveyor  136  or auger assembly  138  attached to a transport motor  124 . Further, housing  126  may be open or fully enclose the transport system. The first end  128  is coupled to the container  20  by conventionally known attachment methods such that the housing  126  is adjustable in both a vertical and horizontal plane relative to the container  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the delivery system  120  may be integrally incorporated into a dispensing portion  62 ′ attachable to the container  20 . Alternately, the delivery system  120  may be coupled to the container  20  using other conventional means such that the delivery system functions as a separate optional attachment positioned below the dispensing portion  62 . 
   In use, powdered seed treatment is placed into the container. Depending on ambient conditions such as humidity, the device can be adjusted for opening size or number of openings used. The container is mounted on the mounting bracket and tilted to the desired position over an auger transporting seeds. The applicator is turned on to dispense the seed treatment into the auger transporting the seeds, which are then coated with the seed treatment as they are transported by the auger. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.