Patent Abstract:
A conical-shaped plug member integrally comprising soft, porous foam material and having a helical profile for plugging the gap space in between the flights of an auger when an auger is not in use. Helical auger plug systems may comprise a removably attachable flag to indicate when the plug member is in use (inserted). The plug member of the present invention is designed to reduce the loss of heat (or cooling air) within/from a grain bin during the heating and drying process while preventing rodents and other animals from entering the grain storage bin through the auger flightings and infesting the grain.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/331,972, filed May 6, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of plugs and more specifically relates to a helically molded auger plug to prevent rodents from entering the auger and to minimize the loss of heat from within a granary during drying operations. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Plugging devices (plugs) are instruments which may be used to seal openings. The primary functions of an effective plug are generally to provide a temporary and convenient sealing means to help contain contents within an enclosure having an opening. Plugs have a wide range of use and form as theoretically there are virtually an unlimited number of objects that might need a plug. Plugs often vary in shape, size, and color. Some plugs provide insulation while others simply prevent leakage. 
     A grain auger is used in agriculture to move grain from trucks and grain carts into grain storage bin and/or from grain storage bins back into trucks and/or grain carts for transport to a grain handling facility. The grain storage bin is a sizable structure used to store various types of grains. Grain augers may be powered by an electric motor; a tractor, via the power take-off; or sometimes an internal combustion engine mounted on the auger. The helical flighting rotates inside a long tube, moving the grain upwards. Some grain augers are integral within the grain storage bins. These in-bin augers move the grain to a hopper which may then be augered from a portable auger into the truck or grain cart. The grain may then be hauled to a destination for selling or feeding the grain. If the grain is not dry when placed in storage drying may be employed to decrease the moisture content so the grain is safe to store thereby avoiding spoilage and loss of income to the farmer. 
     With the ever-rising cost of energy, individuals and companies working in the agriculture industry are always looking for ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their production and storage methods. Any loss of heat from the drying process slows the drying process and decreases the cost-effectiveness of such activities. Currently, the auger tube remains open in between uses allowing warm air to escape also disrupting the uniform airflow throughout the bin. Further, this open condition makes the grain bin vulnerable to a rodent infestation, which may infest and deplete the harvested grains. A plug device is needed that remedies these problems. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. and Pub. Nos. 5,208,108; 4,415,303; 5,651,193; 5,845,762; 2006/0157323; and 4,540,086. This prior art is representative of plugging means. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, an auger plug should be user-friendly, safe in-use, and, yet operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable auger plug to fit securely around an auger flighting thereby occupying the open space of the auger tube to prevent heat loss and avoid access by rodents as well as to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known plugging means art, the present invention provides a novel helical auger plug system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a heat retaining and rodent deterring means. 
     The present invention as disclosed herein, the helical auger plug system comprises a plug, the plug preferably comprising a soft, spongy material generally in the shape of a cone with a rounded top and having a helical profile such that it may be inserted into an auger opening into contact with the flighting. The plug is designed for use in isolating the contents of the grain storage bin (granary) from outside elements. 
     As described in detailed herein, a novel plug for use with an auger is disclosed. The auger plug of the present invention may generally comprise a conical-shaped plug member comprising a soft, porous foam material having a helical profile. One object of the auger plug is to fill the gap space in between the flights of an auger drill when the auger is not in use. The auger plug of helical auger plug systems may further comprise a removably attachable flag to indicate when the auger plug is in use so that a farmer doesn&#39;t start the auger and destroy the device. The plug member of the present invention is also intended to reduce the loss of heat out of a grain bin during the heating and drying process(es). Further, the auger plug may serve as a barrier preventing rodents and other animals from entering the grain bin through the auger flightings and possibly causing degradation of the grain quality and quantity. 
     The auger plug may further comprise a tip manufactured of a rigid material such as plastic, other embodiments may comprise rubber. The rigid tip may be used to grip for initiating the insertion process into the auger tube. To insert the auger plug into the auger tube, the user simply inserts the tip (distal end) of the auger plug into contact with the flighting of the auger. Since the auger plug comprises helical flightings throughout the entire member, the auger plug may be rotatably screwed around the auger drill when the auger is turned off until a closed-inserted position is obtained. Once the auger plug is tightly screwed in, the gap space between the flights of the auger is filled by the foam material (in adjacent-touch-contact), thereby blocking access to rodents while also retaining heat within the grain bin. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the auger plug may comprise the shape and color of an ear of corn. Further, the removably attachable flag may comprise a bright color. In such a manner, both the auger plug and flag will be easy to spot by the user even from a distance. When the user observes the flag attached to the member, it indicates that the plug member is in use and the auger should not be operated while the plug member is inserted. 
     In an alternative embodiment, an inflatable version of the auger plug may be provided. The inflatable version may be inserted in a similar manner as the non-inflatable version. Once the auger plug is initially inserted into the flight of the auger, the user may inflate the plug via pneumatic means to a user-preferred size. The inflatable version may comprise a sturdy and tear-proof outer bladder to minimize damage to the auger plug by the auger flighting blades. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a helical auger plug system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, helical auger plug systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating helical auger plug systems comprising helical flighting conforming means (cuts) and a removably attachable flag at the base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating helical auger plug systems in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating helical auger plug systems removed from blocking auger tube thereby allowing grain to freely pass into a truck for transport according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side perspective views illustrating helical auger plug systems which may be positioned directly in the auger tube in touch contact with the helical flightings according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating helical auger plug systems as used to prevent rodents from entering a grain bin while retaining heat therein according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for helical auger plug systems according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a helical auger plug system and more particularly to a soft, spongy plugging device to fit securely around an auger flighting within the tube to occupy the open space, thus denying rodents and other harmful animals from crawling into a grain bin while optimizing heat retention therein during grain drying operations. 
     In the agricultural industry, workers in the grain and agriculture field(s) often rely on augers to transfer and their grain into and from grain bins. For example, augers are commonly used to transfer grain from a grain bin to the farmer&#39;s truck, as previously mentioned. This is a regular process in the farming business in transporting grain from the farm to the distributor for sale of such grains. Ideally the grain is stored in a clean and dry state; however, much hard work and labor is regularly and systematically undone by pesky rodents and other critters that crawl into the grain bin and infest the grain. Rodents are able to gain access to the inside of a grain bin through the flightings of an auger drill even if the bin access door is shut. Further, much heat is typically lost through the auger opening during drying operations which slow down the grain moisture removing process. The steady and constant loss of heat may require the farmer to install a larger heating fan or to blow warm air (for aeration drying) for a longer period, which inevitably leads to higher electric bills. Further, a dryer may be in communication with the grain bin (not shown) to remove excess moisture from grain. An effective auger plug  110  is disclosed herein to provide an insulating and isolating means for auger  210  used in conjunction with grain bin  225 . 
     In referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of helical auger plug systems  100  is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, helical auger plug systems  100  may comprise auger plug  110  having a conical-type shape and preferably comprising a soft, spongy foam material. Auger plug  110  may comprise tip  140  wherein tip  140  preferably comprises a hard plastic material. Auger plug  110  further comprises helical flightings  150  (contour-matching slits to flightings) wherein helical flightings comprise insertable slits having a helical profile. The helical profile of helical flightings  150  is designed such that auger plug  110  may be rotatably insertable around auger drill  210 . 
     In further reference to  FIG. 1 , auger plug  110  may comprise a flag  125  that is removably attachable to auger plug  110  via flag fastener  130 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , flag  125  and flag fastener  130  may be located on the base of auger plug  110 . In a preferred embodiment of helical auger plug systems  100 , flag  125  comprises a strand of brightly colored material. It should be appreciated that flag  125  may be made available in different colors and designs to appeal to the consumer market. Furthermore, flag fastener  130  may comprise hook and loop fasteners or Velcro® attached to auger plug  110  thereby providing a removably detachable means for flag  125 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view illustrating helical auger plug systems  100  in an in-use condition  250  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, auger plug  110  may be positioned to fill the open space of auger  210 . Once user  240  finishes drying grain  200  and is ready to finish work for the day, helical auger plug systems  100  may be used to plug the auger opening of grain bin  225 . Flag  125  may be clearly visible via the brightly colored material and may indicate to user  240  that auger plug  110  is in an in-use condition  250  (inserted within auger tube) and therefore auger  210  should not be powered or used until auger plug  110  is removed. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating auger plug  110  being rotatably inserted into auger  210 . Heating fan  310  is shown on side of grain bin  225  and used to dry grain  200 . Auger plug  110  is optimally used during periods of non-use of auger  210  and may serve to help retain heat within grain bin  225  during grain drying episodes. To apply auger plug  110  to auger  210 , tip  140  comprising plastic material may be used to initially insert auger plug  110  around helical flightings  150  of auger  210 . In such a manner, auger plug  110  may be “screwed” onto auger  210 . Once firmly in place, auger plug  110  comprising foam material will occupy the open space between helical flightings  150  and thereby restrict the loss of hot air generated by heating fan  310 . Auger plug  110  is preferably manufactured of durable yet pliable foam material so that it may be used with different sized augers  210 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show side perspective views of helical auger plug systems  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As best seen in  FIG. 4A , auger plug  110  may be rotably inserted about helical flightings  150  beginning with tip  140 . By continuing to screw auger plug  110  around helical flightings  150  of auger  210 , auger plug may be firmly positioned to occupy vacant space within tubular encasement  220 . In such a manner, there will be no ‘open space’ between helical flightings  150  of auger  210  and therefore heat loss will be minimized while outside creatures will be prevented from entering grain bin  225 . 
     In now referring to  FIG. 5 , illustrating helical auger plug systems  100  in an in-use condition  250  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, auger plug  110  may prevent rodents  502  from entering grain bin  225 . Without auger plug  110 , rodents  502  may easily crawl through helical flightings  150  of auger  210  and infest grain  200 . This may cost time and money and turn into a larger problems such as grain quality degradation and contamination. Therefore, auger plug  110  may be used to prevent rodents  502  from passing through helical flightings  150  of auger  210  while minimizing the loss of hot air generated from heating fan  310 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, auger plug  110  may comprise the shape and the appearance of an ear of corn. Auger plug  110  may therefore be yellow and may bear a cob-like appearance. The bright color of auger plug  110  may be easier for user  240  to spot from a distance. This particular embodiment having the cob of corn-shape appearance may further provide a more aesthetically pleasing auger plug  110 , thereby attracting attention/appeal leading to increased commercialism. It should further be appreciated that helical auger plug systems  100  may be manufactured in an assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes as per buyer-preference. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), helical auger plug systems  100  may comprise auger plug  110  that may be inflatable. In the inflatable embodiment of the present invention, auger plug  110  may initially be inserted around helical flightings  150  of auger  210 . For use, a minimal amount of air should be allowed into the unit enabling it to take shape. Auger plug  110  may then be inserted. Once auger plug  110  is in place, it may then be completely inflated until a tight seal is achieved. User  240  may inflate auger plug  110  to fill open space in between helical flightings  150 . In the inflatable embodiment, helical auger plug systems  100  may be used to fit a variety of sized augers  210  as user  240  may inflate auger plug  210  to a user-preferred size. 
     Helical auger plug systems  100  may further comprise kit  699  wherein kit  699  includes: at least one auger plug  110 , at least one removably attachable flag  125 , and at least one set of user instructions. Kit  699  may be sold in either an inflatable or non-inflatable version. Auger plug  110  may be made available in an assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes. Flag  125  may also be available in different colors and designs, as previously mentioned. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use  600  of helical auger plug systems  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . Method of use  600  may comprise the steps of: step one  601  inserting tip  140  of auger plug  110  into tubular encasement  220  of auger  210 , step two  602  rotating auger plug  110  around auger  210  via helical flightings  150 , and step three  603  attaching flag  125  to auger plug  110  thereby indicating in-use condition  250 . 
     In the inflatable, alternative embodiment of the present invention, it should be noted that step two  602  comprises the additional step of inflating auger plug  110  once auger plug  110  is positioned around auger drill  210 . Auger plug  110  may be inflated manually or via an air pump. 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1