Patent ID: 8177095

Claim:
A seed handling assembly operable to deliver quantities of seed to a single downstream seed treater device having an open-top seed inlet, said handling assembly comprising: a plurality of individual, juxtaposed seed bins each having an upper bin inlet, a lower bin outlet, and oblique sidewall structure between said bin inlet and said bin outlet and oriented to deliver said seed to said bin outlet; an adjustable outlet device proximal to each lower bin outlet and operable to regulate the flow of seed from the corresponding lower bin outlet to said inlet of said single seed treater device, each of said outlet devices comprising a slide gate having a plate adjacent the corresponding lower bin outlet, and structure for selective shifting of the plate between a closed position blocking flow of seed, and a plurality of open positions permitting flow of seed from the corresponding lower bin outlet at different rates, said bin outlets and outlet devices operable to deliver seed from each of said bins into the inlet of said single seed treater device; weight-monitoring and support structure operably coupled with said bins in order to monitor the weight of seed within each bin, and to support said plurality of bins with each of said lower bin outlets in communication with said receiver or treater device; a rotary turret assembly having a turret inlet and a turret outlet and located above said plurality of bins, said turret assembly being selectively rotatable so as to cause said turret outlet to successively come into communication with said individual bin inlets for delivery of seed to said receiver or treater device from each of said plurality of bins; and a frame assembly supporting said plurality of seed bins in an elevated position with said seed bin outlets located above said seed treater inlet and operable to deliver quantities of seed into said inlet.