Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for containing and dispensing material includes a container enclosing a quantity of the material and a discharge unit operably associated with the container. The discharge unit comprises an entry port, a rotational assembly, an impeller, and an exit port. The rotational assembly includes a rotatable plate that retracts away from the entry port when the plate and the impeller are rotating. The plate remains in an abutting relationship with the entry port when not rotating.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention described relates generally to an apparatus for feed or other material, and more particularly to an apparatus for unattended and directionally dispensing and spreading said feed or other material. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There is a continuing need for improvements in apparatus that may be placed unattended at a location for an extended period of time and provide feed or other material for a given duration, including improvements in controlling the flow and quantity of material being dispensed while protecting the material from environmental elements. These and other improvements are met by the embodiments described herein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An apparatus for directionally discharging material is described. The apparatus comprises a housing having a chamber with at least one inlet into the chamber and a barrel defining at least one outlet. A rotational assembly is disposed within the chamber, wherein the rotational assembly includes a plate rotatable about a central axis. The plate is further operably associated with a support assembly for supporting the plate and positioning the plate to block the at least one inlet when in a first position. When the plate is rotating, the plate retracts away from blocking the at least one inlet. An impeller is spaced apart from the rotational assembly and rotatable about the central axis. Rotation of the plate and the impeller allows material to enter the chamber through the at least one inlet. 
         [0004]    According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a container for containing the material. The container is coupled to the housing. In certain embodiments, the rotational assembly further comprises a motor and drive shaft. The support assembly further comprises a support element comprising extending arms for supporting pivotable members and a central portion for supporting a spring about the central axis. The housing typically comprises two pieces cooperatively joined together. The impeller may include a plurality of blades each having respective hinged portions. 
         [0005]    Also described herein is a method for directionally discharging material in connection with an apparatus for containing and discharging material comprising rotating an assembly disposed in a chamber defined by a housing. The chamber includes at least one entry port into the chamber and a barrel defining at least one outlet. The assembly includes a plate and at least one support member both rotatable about a central longitudinal axis. An impeller also rotates to discharge the material from an extension of the housing. Rotating the plate and the impeller causes the plate to translate along the central longitudinal axis such that the plate, initially positioned to block the material from flowing through the at least one entry port, retracts away from the at least one entry port. The assembly further comprises a motor and drive shaft. The support member includes extending arms for supporting pivotable members and a central portion for supporting a spring about the central axis. Rotating creates a centrifugal force that causes the pivotable members to pivot. 
         [0006]    Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the advantages and superior features described upon reading the description which follows in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Additional features, as well as more details thereof, and the overall systems and devices described herein, will become readily apparent from a review of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a representative feed apparatus described herein; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts one representative embodiment of a discharge unit described herein; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view of a representative discharge unit described herein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  depicts a representative internal view of a discharge unit in a non-operating position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  depicts a representative internal view of the discharge unit in an operating position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a view in perspective of representative components of a control unit of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternative embodiment of an impeller described herein. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    With the detailed description, like elements are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain elements are shown in generalized or schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. It should be understood that the embodiments of the disclosure herein described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. 
         [0016]    Referring first to  FIG. 1  there is illustrated a representative embodiment of an apparatus  10  for directionally discharging material comprising a container  12 , a discharge unit  20 , control unit  50  and support structure  60 . As is understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, placement of each of the container, discharge unit, support structure and control unit is not limited to what is shown. Moreover, some embodiments contemplated may include more than one container, discharge unit, support structure and/or control unit in similar or alternative configurations than shown, provided material is discharged and/or spread from the discharge unit and the apparatus may be unattended while operating. 
         [0017]    Container  12 , which is shown to be generally cylindrical, may be any alternative shape provided it is capable of holding a quantity of material, preferably but not limited to particulate and/or granular material, such as but not limited to animal feed. Additionally or alternatively, said material may be vitamins, fertilizer, seed, and the like as suitable examples. 
         [0018]    Container  12  includes an uppermost portion bounded by cover  18 , a continuous side wall portion and a lowermost portion operably associated with discharge unit  20 . In  FIG. 1 , container  12  is illustrated with an entry portal  16  on cover  18  to allow access to the inside of container  12  without requiring the removal of cover  18 . In addition or as an alternative, an entry portal may be positioned on a portion of the continuous side wall. It is also contemplated that in some embodiments an entry portal will not be required. Entry portal, when used will generally include a cover for preventing unauthorized access into container  12  and optionally a means for joining the cover to container  12 , depicted in  FIG. 1  as hinge  17 , which may include or may further comprise a lock or other means for preventing unauthorized access into as well as unauthorized addition or removal of contents in container  12 . The container may also, when desired, include connectors  19 . Connectors  19  may be positioned on cover  18 , as illustrated, to assist in the removal of cover  18  from container  12 . In addition or as an alternative, connectors may be positioned elsewhere on the exterior of apparatus  10  or container  12 , such as the side wall of container  12 , which may provide a way to move apparatus  10  from one location to another. 
         [0019]    Container  12  is, in a first embodiment, positioned in order that the contents in container  12  descend into discharge unit  20 . The descent is typically by gravity; however, additional or alternative means for moving material from container  12  to discharge unit  20  are contemplated, as would be understood by one of skill in the relevant art, such as by applying a force or pressure. In alternative embodiments, material from container  12  may move to discharge unit  20  by other means, such as with fluid flow (e.g., via a means for directing fluid flow and/or by creating a pressurized system, such as a pump, air or gas circulator, or other pneumatic or hydraulic device). In some embodiments, container  12  is integral with or in direct association with discharge unit  20 . In other embodiments, there may be a conduit or passage between container  12  and discharge unit  20 . Thus, a lower most portion of container  12  may itself be shaped in order to allow descent of material into discharge unit  20 . The drawings show a lower channel  14  operably associated with both container  12  and discharge unit  20 . The channel  14  may be any suitable shape to direct the flow of feed from the container  12  into the discharge unit  20  and may be directly integral with container  12 , such that the container is so shaped to include channel  14 , or channel  14  may be joined with container  12  by any means for joining, including but not limited to welding, clamping, adhesion, hooking, screwing, binding, and the like. In one or more embodiments, as shown, channel  14  is conical in shape, such that an uppermost portion of channel  14  has a cross sectional diameter that is greater than the cross sectional diameter of its lowermost portion. When included, channel  14  facilitates entry of material from the container to the discharge unit. Additional shapes may also be used, not all of which require a conical shape. Like container  12 , channel  14  may further comprise longitudinal grooves or extensions on its interior surface that may facilitate movement of material from container  12  to discharge unit  20 . 
         [0020]    Typically, container  12  as well as its accompanying components, such as its cover, entry portal, entry portal cover, channel, and one or more connectors, are of a non-corrosive material, such as steel. Other non-corrosive materials (e.g., metal, metal alloys, plastics or composites), particular those that are weather resistant, are also contemplated and acceptable for use. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , representative embodiments of the discharge unit  20  are illustrated. The discharge unit shown includes exterior elements and interior elements. The exterior elements include cap  22 , casing  23  with extension or barrel  25  and exit port  26  as well as an optional flange portion  27  and optional conduit  21 . While only one barrel  25  and exit port  26  are depicted, it is understood that more than one as well as a plurality of extensions and exit ports may added to the apparatus in order to further discharge and spread the material. The barrel  25  serves to direct the feed in a desired direction, which may be an improvement over feeders that may spread feed more randomly around the feeder. In addition, the barrel  25  may extend six to twelve inches and may be scarfed at the exit port  26 . Extension of the barrel away from the casing may keep animals from reaching and damaging any of the components of the rotation assembly  30  as the animal attempts to get any residual feed in the casing. The barrel  25  and the exit port  26  may be sized and shaped to prevent animals from inserting their snouts in the barrel and possibly damaging the components of the rotation assembly  30 . 
         [0022]    According to alternate embodiments of the present disclosure, the dimensions of the barrel  25  and the exit port  26  each may also differ from what is shown. For example, to distribute the material over a larger area, said extension may be shorter and wider or even flange outwardly at the end of port  26 . A plurality of barrels at different lengths and positions may also facilitate distribution. 
         [0023]    It is also understood that either or both of flange portion  27  and conduit  21  may not be required when channel  14  is so shaped to operably associate directly with cap  22 . Flange portion  27  having bores  21   a  for joining with container  12 , as shown, is only one embodiment contemplated and may or may not be part of the lowermost portion of channel  14 . In some embodiments, flange portion  27  may be joined to channel  14 , which will be by any means known in the relevant art for joining said components. It is further understood that the flange portion may be absent and other methods of operably associating and/or joining channel  14  with conduit  21  or with cap  22  may be provided, as is understood by one of skill in the relevant art. Generally, the exterior elements of the discharge unit are joined in any suitable manner that minimizes exposure of the interior elements. The discharge unit  20  may be coupled to any suitable container  12  or hopper for storing feed. In this manner, a user may convert an existing hopper or unattended gravity flow feeder into a feeder with the directional discharge and spreading functionality described herein. 
         [0024]    As illustrated, a conduit  21  is used in one embodiment as a means for supplying material from container  12  to the discharge unit  20 . Again, it is possible that a lowermost portion of container  12  (by way of channel  14 ) is so shaped as to eliminate a need for conduit  21 . In addition, conduit  21  may be merely an extension of container  12  by way of channel  14 . In any design, the discharge unit will be below container  12  when the movement of material relies primarily on gravity. The discharge unit may also be on the same horizontal plane as a portion of channel  14  or when not relying only on gravity, the discharge unit may be above channel  14 . Thus, the placement of discharge unit  20  with respect to container  12  is not limited to what is shown in  FIG. 1 . Generally discharge unit  20  may be placed in any location with respect to container  12  as long as there is a means for supplying the material within container  20  to discharge unit  20 , which includes a force (i.e., gravitational force, a pulling force, a pushing force, and various combinations thereof). 
         [0025]    Material enclosed in container  12  enters the discharge unit through inlet  28 . Essentially, inlet  28  may be the interior of container  12 , the interior of channel  14 , the interior of conduit  21  or the interior of any additional coupling elements continuous with the entry portal into discharge unit  20 . Material from container  12  (often by way of channel  14 ) will move to discharge unit  20  via inlet  28 , which has a space therein that is continuous with an entry portal into the interior of the discharge unit  20 . As previously described, container  12  may or may not include additional conduits, such as conduit  21 , for entry of material to discharge unit  20 . 
         [0026]    Through the inlet cavity  28  material enters cap  22 , which is tightly fitted with casing  23 . The fitting may or may not be permanent.  FIG. 3  depicts an end region  22   c  of cap  22  and an end region  23   c  that so abut to fully enclose an interior rotation means and assembly. The cooperative ends regions of the cap and casing may but do not need to extend outwardly as depicted in the drawings. As such, alternative methods of shaping and fitting the cooperative ends of the casing and the cap are also contemplated, including but not limited to having no lip or extended region, press fitting, interlocking, and/or overlapping said cooperative ends. The cooperative fitting will typically include a joining that will minimize exposure of the interior elements, such as but not limited to adhesion, welding, riveting, fastening, clamping, hooking, screwing, binding and the like. In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a number of holes  22   a  and  23   a  are illustrated for joining the cap and casing, which are compatible with fasteners, such as depicted in  FIG. 2  as fasteners  22   b.  Casing  23  further comprises an extending portion  25  that has an internal space therein, such that the internal space of extending portion  25  is continuous with the internal space within cap  22  and casing  23  to allow the material that enters cap  22  to depart from exit port  26 . Thus, there is an interior space that is continuous from entry into cap  22  to casing  23  and extension portion  25 . It is understood that the extension  25  may be longer and/or wider to discharge more material or discharge further from the apparatus when desired. 
         [0027]    The interior elements of discharge unit  20  include a rotation assembly  30  and at least a portion of a motor assembly  40 . The rotation assembly includes an impeller  31  with at least two outwardly extending blades  32  for throwing the feed. In one embodiment, the blade  32  includes a hinged portion  33 . A hinge  37  allows the hinged portion  33  to rotate or pivot. When the impeller  31  is not spinning, the hinged portion  33  may pivot away from the interior wall  29  of the casing  23 . In this manner, the blade  32  may be prevented from being jammed by feed that may otherwise be disposed between the hinged portion  33  and the interior wall. Upon operation of the rotational assembly  30  to cause the impeller  31  to spin, a centrifugal force causes the hinged portion  33  to extend generally parallel to the blade  32  and be disposed closer to the interior wall  29 . With the hinged portions  33  in their extended positions, the impeller  31  can direct substantially all of the feed in the internal space of casing  23  to be discharged from the exit port  26 . Thus, the blades  32  may be of a sufficient length that they are able to clear material from the interior wall  29  of casing  23 . The clearing of material may include a surface to surface contact (e.g., rubbing or scraping) of an end portion along the interior wall  29  of casing  23 . The impeller  31  configurations disclosed herein may function to flow feed further than conventional feed spreader systems. 
         [0028]    An alternate embodiment of the impeller  31  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the impeller with two blades  32  extending from an internal portion. Other embodiments may include one or more than two blades  32 , for example 3 blades  32  may extend from the internal portion. The blades  32  extend outwardly with ends proximate to or spaced a short distance away from the interior wall  29  of casing  23 . In some embodiments, it is contemplated that ends of blades  32  may have some contact with interior wall  29  of casing  23 . As an alternative, though not shown, primary blades  32  may be angled. 
         [0029]    While the blades  32  are typically made from a durable material that is stiff and unlikely to bend significantly during rotation of the impeller  31 , the blades  32  may also be made of a more flexible material. The flexible material may function similar to the hinged portion  33  and may allow the blade  32  to be fabricated without a hinge  37 . In addition, the blades  32  may also comprise two materials, such that the blades  32  are less flexible when nearest a centermost portion (see  31   a  of the assembly in  FIG. 3 ) and more flexible when further away from the centermost portion. A metal or hard yet durable plastic are suitable exemplary materials for blades  32 . Suitable examples of more flexible materials include a flexible yet durable plastic, silicone, or rubber or variations thereof. 
         [0030]    Movement of impeller  31  and blades  32  (with or without blades  33 ) are directed by motor assembly  40 , which has a drive shaft  41 , rotatable in bearing  43 , and which extends from the motor unit  42  through a centermost portion  31  a of impeller  31 . The drive shaft is operably coupled to assembly elements  44 ,  45 ,  46 , which together facilitate the support of plate  34  and rotation of plate  34  when drive shaft  41  is rotated. Members  38 , having two ends, couple to plate  34  at or near one end and couple to assembly element  46  at or near its other end. With the described coupling, plate  34  and assembly element  46  rotate in unison. Members  38  are joined typically to an outer more portion of plate  34 . With at least two or more members  38 , the members are positioned equidistant apart. Members  38  are also joined to assembly element  46  at an outer portion of its radially extending arms. Plate  34 , compression spring  35 , and members  38  may be obtained as a pre-assembled scatter plate from West Texas Feeder Supply of Odessa, Tex. U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,579, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a feed spreader including an assembly with components similar in form and function to plate  34 , compression spring  35 , and members  38 . 
         [0031]    Generally, element  46  will have enough radially extending arms, placed equidistant from each other, to operably join with each member  38 . Members  38  are joined by any means for joining that also provides a moveable joint or hinge region between member  38  and plate  34  as well as between member  38  and element  46 . In addition, each member  38  operates, itself, as a moveable joint, hinge or pivot. In one embodiment, member  38  may be a single, flexible unit. In still another embodiment, members  38  may be of two or more flexible, moveable and/or pivoting units.  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A and  4 B depict members  38  as comprising a plurality of coupling units or linkages that allow movement and/or pivoting between each coupling unit or linkage. In the drawings, the representative coupling units are joined by joining elements or pins  39 . Further means for joining are represented in the drawings by connectors  36   a,    36   b.  Means for joining (e.g., for moveable joints and between units or linkages) may further comprise that which is known to one of skill in the art as described previously, and may also include any of shackles, links, anchors, hinges, swivels, hooks, eyebolts, turnbuckles, clips, eye nuts, and the like, and various combinations thereof. 
         [0032]    Rotation of drive shaft  41  rotates impeller  31  and assembly elements  44 ,  45 ,  46 . With rotation there is also a translation of plate  34  from a first position, as depicted in  FIG. 4A , to a second position, as represented in  FIG. 4B . Thus, when motor assembly is idle or not operating, plate  34  is in its first position, which is facilitated by an extended (generally unbent) position of members  38  and biased by a spring load from compression spring  35 . In the first position of plate  24 , a first surface  34   a  of plate  34  is closely associated with or in contact with inner wall surface  22   b  of cap  22 , at least around and near inlet  28  ( FIG. 4A ). At a minimum, plate  34  will have a length sufficient to cover inlet  28  when plate  34  is in its first position. Plate  34  may also extend outwardly in length so that it is near inner side wall  24  of cap  22 ; however, plate  34  may not contact inner side wall  24 . The first position of plate  34  prevents material in container  28  from entering the discharge unit  20 . While shown to have a circular shape, plate  34  may have any suitable shape capable of meeting the length requirements that encompass the cross sectional diameter of inlet  28 . 
         [0033]    Plate  34  translates and retracts from its first position to its second position with operation of the motor, which rotates drive shaft  41  as well as assembly elements  44 ,  45 ,  46 , in unison with plate  34 . Plate  34  may rotate in either one of two directions, one of which is depicted by arrow R. Translation of plate  34  away from inner wall surface  22   b  is provided by an outward force in the direction of opposing arrows X 1  and X 2 , extending away from the center of rotation depicted as line C ( FIG. 4B ). The rotation in combination with the outwardly extending force (centrifugal force) flexes members  38  about its one or more moveable joint portions, pivots or hinge areas. As represented in  FIG. 4B , member  38   a  flexes outwardly in the direction of arrow X 1  and member  38   b  flexes outwardly in the direction of arrow X 2 . The forced outward flexion or bending of member  38  translates (retracts) plate  34  to its second position, as represented in  FIG. 4B . In its second position, first surface  34   a  of plate  34  is no longer associated with and/or in contact with inner wall surface  22   b  of cap  22 . With retraction of plate  34 , spring element  35  is compressed. As such, spring element also translates from a first position, in the absence of rotation, to a second position, which is a more compressed (loaded) position when the rotational assembly is operating. 
         [0034]    With retraction of plate  34 , it is released from its first position and from its close association and/or contact with inner wall surface  22   b  of cap  22 . Furthermore, retraction permits opening of inlet  28  allowing material contained in inlet  28  to enter discharge unit  20  ( FIG. 4B ). The motor assembly also rotates impeller  31  with rotation drive shaft  41 , which facilitates the discharge of material from casing  23  by way of extension  25  via outlet  26 . Thus, embodiments disclosed herein allow simultaneous opening of the inlet  28  and throwing of the feed by the rotation of the impeller  31 . As such, the discharge unit  30  is fully operational with only a single power source (battery) and a single motor. In addition, as described in more detail below, the discharge unit is operational with only a single stage timer. The simultaneous rotation of the impeller and the retraction of plate  34  significantly simplifies the discharge unit  30  and allows operation of the discharge unit  30  with less components. 
         [0035]    The motor assembly  40  may be operated over a predetermined period of time followed by intervals when the motor is not operating, no feed is being spread, and the inlet  28  is closed. Upon initial activation of the motor assembly  40 , the discharge unit operates as described above—the plate retracts to allow feed into the casing  23  where it is thrown by the rotation of the impeller  31 . When power is cut to the motor assembly  40 , the motor assembly  40  will freewheel and rotational inertia will cause the impeller  31  (and the plate  34 ) to continue to rotate. The plate  34  will be in its closed position during this freewheel rotation, and thus the inlet  28  will be blocked. However, the continued rotation of the impeller  31  will continue to throw residual feed from the interior of casing  23 , and thus perform a self-cleaning functionality to rid the interior of the casing of feed that may otherwise clog the discharge assembly and hinder either feed flow through the inlet or rotation of the impeller  31 . 
         [0036]    Rotation is directed by control unit  50 , which is depicted in  FIG. 1  as separable from the discharge unit  20  and motor assembly  40 . In  FIG. 1 , motor assembly  40  is adjacent casing  23  while extending from motor assembly  40  is a conduit  15  that provides wiring to/from control unit  50  to motor assembly  40 . 
         [0037]    The motor assembly is powered by a power source, such as a battery or by an alternating current. When powered by a battery, it is generally located with the control unit along with a controller, which is engaged with the battery for activating and inactivating the battery, and optional features, such as a timer, alarm, keyboard or push button or other interface to input parameters and data, as well as possible microchips or indicators (e.g., LED indicator) that provide a digital or analog readout or display of certain desired features of the apparatus as well as an optional pump or circulator (when there is directed air or fluid flow to assist in movement of material from container to discharge unit). Also optional is a remote unit (wired or wireless) that is provided with the control unit for remote operation of the apparatus. 
         [0038]    In one or more embodiments, the power source is a solar battery, which, if combined with a higher voltage solar panel, may require a solar controller or regulator. The solar battery is typically coupled with a solar panel for charging. However, it is understood that some solar batteries are, themselves, capable of charging when exposed to sun. The power source and/or its controller or regulator are typically located with the control unit. An example of a solar powered control unit is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , in which a solar panel  52  is positioned outside the control unit while other features of the control unit, such as battery unit  58  and controller  56  are contained within a control unit housing  54 . Easy access to the interior of the control unit housing may be provided by moveable lid  55 . With use of solar power, the solar panel  52  will be positioned for optimal direct sunlight. As such, in some embodiments, the solar panel may be above the control box. 
         [0039]    The control unit housing  54  protects the interior features and is typically made of a durable and weather resistant material. An accompanying lid  55 , which provides access to the interior of the housing may include a window allowing sunlight in (e.g., when using a solar battery rechargeable by the sun). The control unit housing  54  is generally mounted to the apparatus. In  FIG. 1 , housing  54  is mounted to container  12 . As an alternative, the housing  54  may abut and be joined with a portion of the discharge unit  20 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, a majority of the motor assembly  40  is located within control unit housing  54 , as represented in  FIG. 5 , with the drive shaft extending from the motor assembly into the interior of casing  23  through aperture  39 , as represented in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    A representative orientation of discharge unit  20  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The representative orientation is only an exemplary embodiment, since discharge unit may be oriented in any direction. In some embodiments, the orientation will be such that gravity is relied on for material from container  12  to enter and exit the discharge unit  20 . In other embodiments, gravity in combination with an additional force (e.g., fluid or air pressure) is relied on for material from container  12  (typically via channel  14 ) to enter and exit the discharge unit  20 . Still other embodiments may rely only on the additional force without gravity to ensure material from container  12  enters and exits the discharge unit  20 . 
         [0041]    The apparatus described is supported by a suitably sufficient support structure that allows the apparatus to be unattended. The support structure may support the apparatus from below or may support from above, both of which permit the apparatus to be elevated and off the ground. A representative support structure is illustrated in  FIG. 1  showing apparatus  10  mounted on a plurality of tubular legs  62  supported by beams  66  and braced with cross brace members  64 . Beams  66  are shown with raised ends that facilitate further movement of the apparatus when positioning on the ground. Alternative shapes than what is shown for legs, beams and cross brace members are also contemplated. In addition, wheels or rollers may be provided with the support structure for ease in moving the apparatus during or between operations. Said features are included when appropriate or desired. 
         [0042]    The size of the apparatus  10  (excluding the support structure) is determined by its application. For long term use, in which the apparatus is to remain unattended for longer periods of time, the apparatus, particularly its container, will be suitably sized to contain a large quantity of material that may be discharged over a number of hours, days, weeks, months or more. For short term use, the apparatus may be stationary or may be mobile, either having its own powered mobility or by placing on a mobile carrier (e.g., cart, flatbed, truck, or the like). 
         [0043]    To operate at various predetermined time intervals, the motor assembly may be suitably programmed and controlled by the control unit, as needed. In addition, the programming may, in certain embodiments, be performed remotely. Operation of the discharge unit (via the motor assembly) may be manual or may be automatic, at any interval desired or appropriate, and may be regular or irregular, on an hourly basis, daily basis, weekly basis, etc. Moreover, the rate of rotation of the rotation assembly (e.g., via rotation rate of the drive shaft) may vary depending on the desired rate of discharge as well as the desired spread of material away from the discharge unit. It is further contemplated that the container and/or the inlet to the discharge unit may be fashioned to allow more or less material to enter the discharge unit. For example, flow controls (e.g., valves, baffles) may be included within the apparatus (e.g., container, container channel, conduit and/or casing extension) to regulate the amount of material that enters and/or exits the discharge unit during operation. 
         [0044]    The foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments and methods for operation. The invention is not limited to the described examples or embodiments. Various alterations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments and appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4