Patent ID: 7966954

Claim:
A flow control apparatus for use with a product metering system of an agricultural implement, comprising: an inlet including an outer perimeter and having an inner perimeter formed by an opening extending therethrough, the inlet configured to receive and pneumatically move an air/product mixture therethrough along a first velocity vector; a primary outlet coupled to the inlet, the primary outlet formed to receive and hold a product pneumatically moved as air/product mixture through the inlet along the first velocity vector and into the primary outlet; and a secondary outlet including an outer perimeter and having an inner perimeter formed by an opening extending therethrough, the secondary outlet coupled to a portion of the inlet at a junction thereof and extending in a non-vertical orientation therefrom, the opening configured to be in pneumatic communication with the opening formed through the inlet, the junction of the inlet and secondary outlet configured such that a first portion of the outer perimeter of the secondary outlet forms an acute angle relative to its junction with the outer perimeter of the inlet, and a second portion of the outer perimeter of the secondary outlet opposite the first portion forms an obtuse angle relative to its junction with the outer perimeter of the inlet, the secondary outlet configured to receive and substantially pneumatically move an air/product mixture therethrough along a second velocity vector when product fills the primary outlet and inlet up to the junction of the inlet and the secondary outlet such that the air/product mixture is moved upward through the secondary outlet along the second velocity vector.