Patent Publication Number: US-2022210967-A1

Title: Air distributor diverter valve

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/933,232, filed Jul. 20, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to agricultural equipment, and more particularly but not exclusively relates to the distribution of agricultural products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Air distributor systems are commonly mounted on agricultural equipment (e.g., tractors and/or trailers) to distribute agricultural products, such as seed, pesticides, and/or fertilizers. The agricultural product is typically stored in a reservoir and distributed to the distribution tower via a distribution line. One issue that can arise with such systems relates to the extraction of excess product from the reservoir. For these reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary diverter valve generally includes a shell, a pipe, and a handle. The shell includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction, a shell inlet port, a shell outlet port, and a positioning slot formed in the body. The pipe is seated in the body for sliding movement in the longitudinal direction, and includes a first passage and a second passage. The handle is connected to the pipe through the positioning slot, and is operable to move the pipe relative to the shell between a first position in which the shell inlet port is connected with the shell outlet port via the first passage, and a second position in which the second passage is connected with the shell inlet port and the shell outlet port is disconnected from the second passage. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates agricultural equipment including an air distribution system according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the air distribution system mounted to a trailer of the agricultural equipment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an air distribution system including a diverter valve according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly view of a diverter valve according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the diverter valve illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the diverter valve illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter valve in a first state. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter valve in a second state. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic flow diagram of a process according to certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in certain specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with other features. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrated therein is agricultural equipment  90  including an air distribution system  100  according to certain embodiments. The agricultural equipment  90  generally includes a tractor  92  and a trailer  94  coupled with the tractor  92  such that the tractor  92  is operable to tow the trailer  94  across and through a plot of land. In the illustrated form, the air distribution system  100  is mounted to the trailer  94 . It is also contemplated that at least a portion of the air distribution system  100  may be mounted to the tractor  92 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the air distribution system  100  generally includes a reservoir  110  operable to store an agricultural product  102 , a distribution tower  120  operable to distribute the agricultural product  102 , a distribution line  130  connecting the reservoir  110  with the distribution tower  120 , and a blower  140  that facilitates movement of the agricultural product  102  from the reservoir  110  to the distribution tower  120 , and may further include a meter  150  that regulates the discharge of the agricultural product  102  from the reservoir  110 . As described herein, the system  100  further includes a diverter valve  200  that aids in selectively diverting agricultural product  102  to a discharge line  190  to facilitate collection of excess agricultural product  102  from within the reservoir  110 . 
     The reservoir  110  is operable to store the agricultural product  102 , and to discharge the agricultural product  102  to the distribution line  130 , for example via the meter  150 . The agricultural product  102  may, for example, comprise one or more of seed, pesticide, fertilizer, or another granular or pelletized form of agricultural product. In certain embodiments, the agricultural product  102  may be discharged to the distribution line  130  entirely or primarily under the force of gravity. In certain embodiments, the reservoir  110  may be connected with the blower  140  via a pressure conduit  104  such that a portion of the air discharged by the blower  140  is diverted to the reservoir  110 , thereby facilitating the discharge of agricultural product  102  to the distribution line  130 . The pressure conduit  104  may include a valve  105  having an open state in which a portion of the air discharged from the blower  140  is directed into the reservoir  110 , and a closed state in which the blower  140  does not discharge air into the reservoir  110 . 
     The distribution tower  120  generally includes an inlet  122  operable to receive the agricultural product  102  via the distribution valve  200 , one or more outlets  124  operable to distribute the agricultural product  102 , and a header  126  configured to distribute agricultural product from the inlet  122  to the one or more outlets  124 . Such distribution towers are known in the art, and need not be described in further detail herein. 
     The distribution line  130  generally includes a manifold  132  connected with the reservoir  110  and the blower  140 , and a distribution conduit  139  leading from the manifold  132  to the diverter valve  200 . The manifold  132  includes a product inlet  133  that receives product  102  from the reservoir  110 , an air inlet  134  that receives air discharged by the blower  140 , and an outlet  135  connected with the distribution conduit  139 . The manifold  132  is configured to mix the received product  102  with the air discharged by the blower  140  such that the product  102  becomes at least partially entrained in the air and flows toward the diverter valve  200  along with the flowing air. In certain embodiments, the product inlet  133  may be selectively connected with the reservoir  110  via a bypass line  106  that bypasses the meter  150 . Such a bypass line  106  may include a valve  107  having an open state in which the product  102  is operable to bypass the meter  150  and a closed state in which the product  102  must pass through the meter  150  in order to enter the manifold  132 . 
     The blower  140  is configured to discharge air via a plenum  142  at a pressure and flow rate sufficient to move the product  102  along the distribution line  130  and toward the diverter valve  200 . The plenum  142  is connected with the air inlet  134  of the manifold  132  such that the blower  140  is operable to discharge air into the manifold  132 . The plenum  142  may further be at least selectively connected with the reservoir  110 , for example via a pressure line  104 , such that the blower  140  is at least selectively operable to discharge air into the reservoir  110  along the lines set forth above. 
     The meter  150  is connected between the reservoir  110  and the manifold  132 , and is configured to regulate the rate at which product  102  is discharged from the reservoir  110  to the manifold  132 . The meter  150  may, for example, comprise a rotatable drum  152  having pockets operable to receive relatively small quantities of the product  102  from the reservoir  110 . As the drum  152  rotates, the product  102  falls from the pockets into the product inlet  133  of the manifold  132 . The rotational speed of the drum  152  may be variable to control the rate at which product  102  is discharged from the reservoir  110  to the manifold  130 . The drum  152  may be removable such that when the drum  152  is removed, the product  102  is free to fall into the manifold  132  in an unmetered manner. In order to provide for unmetered flow, it may also be desirable to provide the meter  150  with a blank cartridge similar to the drum  152 , where the blank cartridge provides for unmetered flow of product  102 . 
     It should be appreciated that the rate of flow of product to the diverter valve  200  in the illustrated system  100  can be regulated in several manners. For metered flow, the rate at which the product  102  flows toward the valve  200  may be adjusted by regulating the operating speed of the meter  150 . For unmetered flow, the rate at which the product flows toward the valve  200  may be adjusted by adjusting the degree to which the bypass valve  107  is open, thereby providing a higher or lower flow rate through the valve  107 . Additionally or alternatively, the flow rate for the product  102  may be adjusted by adjusting the degree to which the pressure valve  105  is open, thereby adjusting the pressure within the reservoir  110 . 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the diverter valve  200  generally includes a shell  210 , a pipe  220  slidably mounted in the shell  210 , and a handle  230  that facilitates movement of the pipe  220  relative to the shell  210  to adjust the diverter valve  200  between a first state and a second state. As described herein, the diverter valve  200  is configured to discharge product  102  to the distribution tower  120  when in a normal operating state, and to discharge product  102  to the discharge line  190  when in a discharge state. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 6 , the shell  210  generally includes a hollow body  212  extending along a longitudinal axis  201  of the valve  200 , a shell intake port  214  formed on one side of the body  212 , a first shell outlet port  215  formed on an opposite side of the body  212 , and a second shell outlet port  216  offset from the inlet port  214  and the first outlet port  215 . The body  212  also defines a positioning slot  240 , which aids in transitioning the diverter valve  200  between its normal operating state and its discharge state as described in further detail below. The shell  210  may further include indicia  217  relating to the normal operating state and the discharge state. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pipe  220  is slidably mounted in the body  212  of the shell  210 , and generally includes a first pipe inlet  222 , a first pipe outlet  224  connected with the first pipe inlet  222  via a first passage  223 , a second pipe inlet  226 , and a second pipe outlet  228  connected with the second pipe inlet  226  via a second passage  227 . In certain forms, the first passage  223  may be considered to include the first inlet  222  and the first outlet  224 , and the second passage  227  may be considered to include the second inlet  226  and the second outlet  228 . The first passage  223  and the second passage  227  are isolated from one another such that product  102  entering the pipe  220  via the inlet  222 / 226  of one passage  223 / 227  exits the pipe  220  via the outlet  224 / 228  of the same passage  223 / 227 . Formed about the second outlet  228  is a set of threads  229  that may, for example, be used to facilitate connection of the pipe  220  with the discharge line  190 . As described herein, the pipe  220  is configured to selectively connect the shell inlet port  214  with each of the shell outlet ports  215 ,  216 . 
     The handle  230  generally includes a base portion  232  and a grip portion  234  extending from the base portion  232 . The base portion  232  is coupled with the pipe  220  such that a portion of the shell  210  is captured between the pipe  220  and the handle  230 . For example, a pair of posts  236  or fasteners may extend through the positioning slot  240  such that the handle  230  is coupled to the pipe  220  via the posts  236 . While the illustrated handle  230  includes a pair of posts  236 , it is also contemplated that more or fewer posts  236  may be utilized. 
     The positioning slot  240  is formed in the shell  210 , and generally includes a longitudinal portion  242 , a first pair of retention slots  244  extending laterally from the longitudinal portion  242 , and a second pair of retention slots  246  extending laterally from the longitudinal portion and offset from the first pair of retention slots  244 . The first retention slots  244  are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance by which the posts  236  are offset from one another such that the first retention slots  244  are operable to receive the posts  236 . Similarly, the second retention slots  246  are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance by which the posts  236  are offset from one another such that the second retention slots  246  are operable to receive the posts  236 . Additionally, the first retention slots  244  are offset from the second retention slots  246  by a distance corresponding to the distance between the centerlines of the first pipe inlet  222  and the second pipe inlet  226 . As described herein, the retention slots  244 ,  246  are configured to selectively retain the pipe  220  in each of a first position corresponding to the first state and a second position corresponding to the second state. 
     While the illustrated retention slots  244 ,  246  are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal portion  242 , it is also contemplated that one or more of the retention slots  244 ,  246  may be provided at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal portion  242 . Additionally, while the illustrated retention slots  244 ,  246  are generally straight, it is also contemplated that one or more of the retention slots  244 ,  246  may include a longitudinally-extending jog operable to receive the posts  236 . Furthermore, while the first retention slots  244  are formed on the same lateral side of the longitudinal portion  242  as the second retention slots  246 , it is also contemplated that the first retention slots  244  may be formed on the opposite lateral side of the longitudinal portion  242  as the second retention slots  246 . Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment includes two first retention slots  244  and two second retention slots  246 , it is also contemplated that each set of retention slots may include more or fewer than two slots, for example in embodiments in which the handle  230  includes more or fewer than two posts  236 . 
     When installed in the system  100 , the shell inlet port  214  is connected with the distribution line  139 , one of the first shell outlet port  215  or the second pipe outlet  228  is connected with the intake  122  of the distribution tower  120 , and the other of the first shell outlet port  215  or the second pipe outlet  228  may be connected with the discharge line  190 . In the illustrated form, the first shell outlet port  215  is connected with the distribution tower intake  122  (either directly or via a conduit), and the second pipe outlet  228  is connected with the discharge line  190 . It is also contemplated that these connections may be reversed such that the second pipe outlet  228  is connected with the distribution tower intake  122  and the first shell outlet port  215  is connected with the discharge line  190 . 
     As noted above, the shell  210  may comprise indicia  217  relating to the position of the pipe  220  and handle  230 , and thus to the state of the diverter valve  200 . In certain embodiments, the indicia  217  may include a first state indicium  218 , and the handle  230  may be nearer to the first state indicium  218  when the handle  230  is in the first position than when the handle  230  is in the second position. The first state indicium  218  may indicate that when the handle  230  is in the first position, the valve  200  is in the first state. For example, the first state indicium  218  may comprise an arrow pointing in the direction of the first shell outlet  215  to indicate that the agricultural product  102  will flow through the first shell outlet  215  when the handle  230  is in the first position. 
     In certain embodiments, the indicia  217  may include a second state indicium  219 , and the handle  230  may be nearer to the second state indicium  219  when the handle  230  is in the second position than when the handle  230  is in the first position. The second state indicium  218  may indicate that when the handle  230  is in the first position, the valve  200  is in the second state. For example, the second state indicium  218  may comprise an arrow pointing in the direction of the second pipe outlet  228  to indicate that the agricultural product  102  will flow through the second pipe outlet  228  when the handle  230  is in the second position. 
     The diverter valve  200  has a first state and a second state, each of which corresponds to a respective position of the pipe  220  relative to the shell  210 . More particularly, the diverter valve  200  has a first state ( FIG. 7 ) in which the pipe  220  is in a first position relative to the shell  210 , and a second state ( FIG. 8 ) in which the pipe  220  is in a second position relative to the shell  210 . In the illustrated form, the first state ( FIG. 7 ) is the normal operating state, in which product  102  flows to the distribution tower  120 , and the second state ( FIG. 8 ) is the discharge state, in which product  102  flows to a discharge port (e.g., via the discharge line  190 ). Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, however, that should the various connections be provided in another manner, the first and second states may be reversed. For example, in embodiments in which the second pipe outlet  228  is connected with the distribution tower intake  122  and the first shell outlet port  215  is connected with the discharge line  190 , the first state ( FIG. 7 ) would be the discharge state, and the second state ( FIG. 8 ) would be the normal operating state. Thus, while operation of the system  100  will be described with specific reference to the illustrated arrangement, it should be appreciated that other arrangements are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In the first state ( FIG. 7 ), the first pipe inlet  222  is aligned with the shell inlet port  214 , and the first pipe outlet  224  is aligned with the first shell outlet  215  such that the shell inlet port  214  and the first shell outlet  215  are connected via the first passage  223 . As a result, product  102  flowing into the valve  200  will be directed to the component connected with the first shell outlet  215 . In the illustrated form, the component connected with the first shell outlet  215  is the distribution tower  120  such that the first state is the normal operating state. In embodiments that include the first state indicium  218 , the first state indicium  218  may be adjacent to the handle  230  to thereby indicate to the user that the agricultural product  102  will flow through the first shell outlet  215  and onward to the component connected with the first shell outlet (e.g., the distribution tower  120 ). 
     In the second state ( FIG. 8 ), the second pipe inlet  226  is aligned with the shell inlet port  214 . As a result, product  102  flowing into the valve  200  will be directed to the component connected with the second pipe outlet  228 . In the illustrated form, the component connected with the second pipe outlet  228  is the discharge line  190  such that the second state is the discharge state. In embodiments that include the second state indicium  218 , the second state indicium  218  may be adjacent to the handle  230  to thereby indicate to the user that the agricultural product  102  will flow through the second pipe outlet  228 . 
     When the valve  200  is in its first state, the handle  230  is in its first position, in which the posts  236  are received in the first retention slots  244 . Conversely, when the valve  200  is in its second state, the handle  230  is in its second position, in which the posts  236  are received in the second retention slots  246 . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the valve  200  may be adjusted between the first state and the second state by manipulation of the handle  230 . For example, when the valve  200  is in its first state, a user may shift the handle  230  laterally such that the posts  236  enter the longitudinal portion  242  of the positioning slot  240 . The handle  230  may then be shifted longitudinally until the posts  236  align with the second retention slots  246 , and thereafter shifted laterally such that the posts  236  enter the second retention slots  246 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 9 , an exemplary process  300  that may be performed using the air distribution system  100  is illustrated. Blocks illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and blocks may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Additionally, while the blocks are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is to be understood that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently or in parallel with one another. Moreover, while the process  300  is described herein with specific reference to the air distribution system  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and the diverter valve  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 4-8 , it is to be appreciated that the process  300  may be performed with air distribution systems and/or diverter valves having additional or alternative features. 
     The process  300  may begin with block  310 , which generally involves placing agricultural product  102  in the reservoir  110 . As noted above, the agricultural product  102  may, for example, comprise one or more of seed, fertilizer, pesticide, and/or another form of granular or pelletized agricultural product. 
     The process  300  includes block  320 , which generally involves directing agricultural product  102  from the reservoir  110  to the distribution line  130 . As noted above, an intake side of the distribution line  130  is connected with the reservoir  110  and the blower  140 , and an outlet side of the distribution line  130  is connected with the distribution tower  120  via the diverter valve  200 . As described herein, block  320  may involve directing the product  102  from the reservoir  110  to the distribution line  130  in a metered manner (e.g., using the meter  150 ), or may involve directing the product  102  from the reservoir  110  to the distribution line in an unmetered manner (e.g., by removing the drum  152  and/or utilizing the bypass line  106 ). 
     The process  300  further includes block  330 , which generally involves operating the blower  140  to urge the agricultural product  102  in the distribution line  130  toward the diverter valve  200 . As noted above, the output of the blower  140  is sufficient to at least partially entrain the agricultural product  102  such that the agricultural product  102  flows with the air output by the blower  140  toward the diverter valve  200 . In certain embodiments, the blower  140  may further be connected with the reservoir  110  to pressurize the reservoir  110  and aid in urging the product  102  in the reservoir  110  toward the product intake  133  of the distribution line manifold  132 . It is also contemplated that the blower  140  may not necessarily be connected with the reservoir  110  via a pressure line  104 . 
     The process  300  further includes block  340 , which generally involves operating the system  100  in a normal operating mode. More particularly, block  340  involves operating the system  100  with the diverter valve  200  in its normal operating state. In the illustrated form, the first shell outlet port  215  is connected with the distribution tower  120  such that the first state ( FIG. 7 ) is the normal operating state. In other embodiments, the second pipe outlet  228  may be connected with the distribution tower  120  such that the second state ( FIG. 8 ) is the normal operating state. As should be appreciated, block  340  may further include additional operations, such as continuing to perform blocks  320  and  330 . For example, in the normal operating mode of block  340 , performance of block  320  may involve directing the product  102  from the reservoir  110  to the distribution line  130  in a metered manner (e.g., by operating the meter  150  to regulate the flowrate of product  102  into the manifold  132 ). Moreover, block  340  may involve operating the agricultural equipment  90  to which the system  100  is mounted in order to distribute the agricultural product  102  across a plot of land. 
     At some point, it may be the case that the normal distribution of the agricultural product  102  is no longer desired. As one example, it may be the case that a first portion of the plot of land has been provided with a first type of agricultural product  102  (e.g., a first type of seed), and a second portion of the plot of land is now to be provided with a second type of agricultural product  102  (e.g., a second type of seed). As another example, it may be the case that the plot of land has been seeded, and is now to be provided with fertilizer and/or pesticide. Regardless of the reasons, it may be desirable to empty the reservoir  110  of the remaining agricultural product  102  in a manner that facilitates collection of the product  102  for later use. In such a case, the process  300  may proceed to block  350 . 
     Block  350  generally involves transitioning from the operating mode to the discharge mode. More particularly, block  350  involves moving the diverter valve  200  from the normal operating state to the discharge state by manipulating the handle  230  in the manner described above. It may be the case that moving the diverter valve  200  between states is more easily accomplished when product  102  is not flowing through the valve  200 . In such cases, block  350  may include temporarily halting the flow of product  102  through the valve  200 , for example by pausing the blower  140  and/or the meter  150 . Block  350  may further involve connecting a discharge line  190  to the second pipe outlet  228  (e.g., by using the threading  229 ), thereby connecting the reservoir  110  with the discharge line  190  via the distribution line  130  and the diverter valve  200 . In certain embodiments, block  350  may further include removing the drum  152  from the meter  150  such that the meter  150  does not restrict the flow of the product  102  from the reservoir  110  into the manifold  132 . In certain forms, the drum  152  may be replaced with a blank cartridge that does not significantly inhibit flow of product  102  through the meter  150 . Additionally or alternatively, block  350  may include opening the bypass valve  107  such that the product  102  is able to bypass the meter  150  via the bypass line  106 . 
     After transitioning the system  100  from the operating mode to the discharge mode, the process  300  may continue to block  360 , which generally involves selectively operating the system  100  in the discharge mode. As will be appreciated, operating the system  100  in the discharge mode of block  360  may include the performance of blocks  320  and  330 . For example, performing block  320  in block  360  may involve directing the product  102  from the reservoir  110  to the distribution line  130  in an unmetered manner (e.g., by passing the product  102  through the meter  150  with the drum  152  removed and/or by passing the product  102  through the bypass line  106 ). It is also contemplated that performing block  320  in block  360  may involve directing the product  102  from the reservoir  110  to the distribution line  130  in a metered manner. 
     When operating in the discharge mode of block  360 , the agricultural product  102  is directed to a discharge port of the system  100 . In certain embodiments, the discharge port may simply be provided by the diverter valve  200  (e.g., as the first shell outlet port  215  or the second pipe outlet  228 ). In other embodiments, the discharge line  190  may be connected to the diverter valve  200  and define the discharge port. Regardless of what is considered to define the discharge port, a bin or other collection device may be placed in the vicinity of the discharge port to collect the discharged product  102  for later use. The process  300  may then begin anew by returning the system  100  to its normal operating mode and placing a new agricultural product  102  in the reservoir  110  at block  310 . 
     As noted above, blocks of the illustrated process  300  may be reordered in whole or in part. As one example, it may be the case that it is desirable to operate in the discharge mode of block  360  prior to operating in the operating mode of block  340 . For example, it may be desirable to divert the product  102  for easy collection while calibrating the meter  150  prior to distribution of the product  102 . In such a case, the process  300  may involve first operating the system  100  in the discharge mode of block  360  while calibrating the meter  150 , performing a transitioning similar to that of block  350  to transition the system  100  from the discharge mode to the operating mode, and subsequently operating the system  100  in the operating mode of block  340  to distribute the product  102 . 
     While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosures are desired to be protected. 
     It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.