Patent ID: 10059561

Abstract:
A feed assist unit (1) includes a base portion (2) having a plurality of ribs (16a-d) on a lower surface (18) thereof. A dome portion (4) is connected to the base portion (2), and a rotating conduit portion (6) has a curved shape and is coupled to the dome portion (4). Each of the ribs (16a-d) has a first end (20) adjacent to the dome portion (4) and a second end (22) adjacent an associated side (14) of the base portion (2). The feed assist unit (1) has first and second central axes (A-A, B-B) oriented perpendicular to each other. First and third of the ribs (16a, 16c) are oriented parallel to the second central axis (B-B) and the second and fourth of the ribs (16b, 16d) can be oriented parallel to the first central axis (A-A). The first and third ribs (16a, 16c) are offset from the second central axis (B-B) by an offset length (OL) and the second and fourth ribs (16b, 16d) are offset from the first central axis (A-A) the offset length (OL).