Hopper system with lid

Details Hopper system with lid Hopper system with lid

2000-05-15

2001-06-05

Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)

Planting

Miscellaneous

C222S609000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240862

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to implement hoppers for storing and dispensing materials such as seed, fertilizers, insecticide and herbicide. In particular, the present invention relates to a lid for an implement hopper that is easily and securely mounted to the hopper while the hopper is being filled with material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various vehicles and implements, such as planters, include hoppers for storing and dispensing materials such as seed, fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides. Hoppers typically include a first opening through which the internal volume of the hopper is filled and a second opening through which the material stored within the hopper is dispensed or metered. Although hoppers may have various sizes and shapes, conventional hoppers are generally elongate in shape to increase the number of hoppers that may be carried by the vehicle or implement along its transverse width. Reducing the width of each hopper to increase the number of hoppers which may be supported along the width of the vehicle or implement is extremely important in many implements, such as planters, where the implement must carry multiple hoppers for planting or applying materials, such as seeds and the like, to multiple rows narrowly spaced from one another.
To prevent contamination of the materials stored within the hopper and to enable the hopper to be filled or emptied, hoppers typically include a lid configured to temporarily cover and seal the first opening. During filling of the hopper, the lid is typically supported by the hopper adjacent the hopper with the opening uncovered. To enable the lid to be supported adjacent to the hopper with the opening uncovered, the lids are typically hinged to the hopper or are temporarily hooked to the hopper. Hinged lids typically include one or more elongate hinges interconnecting the lid to one of the hopper side walls. Hooked lids typically include a single hook which extends from a lower surface of the lid and which forms a channel sized to receive the front wall of the hopper.
Both conventional arrangements for mounting the lid to the hopper during filling have several disadvantages. Current arrangements using hinges increase both the cost and manufacturing complexity of the hopper and lid. Moreover, arrangements using hinges generally require that the hopper and the lid be stronger and more rigid at locations where the hinge is fastened to the hopper and to the lid.
Current arrangements using a single hook extending from the bottom of the lid frequently allow the lid to be accidentally separated from the hopper during filling such as during periods of high wind. With both arrangements, the lid can only be secured to the hopper along one predetermined side. As a result, neither of the conventional arrangements enable the person filling the hopper to easily adjust the positioning of the lid to facilitate filling of the hopper.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a hopper and lid system that enables the lid and hopper to be formed from relatively thin and inexpensive materials, that enables the positioning of the lid to be easily modified to facilitate filling of the hopper and that securely retains the lid to the hopper during high winds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a lid for use with a hopper having a bottom and a plurality of walls forming an internal volume having a first opening through which the internal volume is filled and a second opening through which the internal volume is emptied. The lid includes a panel configured to cover the opening and first and second hooks. Each hook is configured to engage one of the side walls to support the panel relative to the hopper with the opening uncovered. The second hook extends obliquely to the first hook.
The present invention is also directed to a hopper and lid system for an implement that includes a hopper having a bottom and a plurality of walls forming an internal volume with a first opening through which the internal volume is filled and a second opening through which the internal volume is emptied, a lid configured to cover the opening, a first hook coupled to the lid and configured to engage one of the plurality of walls to support the lid relative to the hopper with the opening uncovered and a second hook coupled to the lid and configured to engage one of the plurality of walls to support the lid relative to the hopper with the opening uncovered. The second hook extends non parallel to the first hook. Preferably, the second hook extends perpendicular to the first hook to enable the lid to be coupled to perpendicular walls of the hopper. The hopper and lid system further includes a flexible tether having a first end coupled to the hopper and a second end coupled to the lid.
The present invention is also directed to a hopper and lid system for an implement, the hopper and lid system comprising a hopper having a bottom and a plurality of walls forming an internal volume with a first opening through which the internal volume is filled and a second opening through which the internal volume is emptied, a lid configured to cover the opening and a flexible tether having a first end coupled to the hopper and a second end coupled to the lid.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2097062 (1937-10-01), Harris
patent: 2870615 (1959-01-01), Walk
patent: 3362143 (1968-01-01), Gullickson
patent: 3982670 (1976-09-01), Brass
patent: 4359952 (1982-11-01), Gesior et al.
patent: 4485939 (1984-12-01), Gafford et al.
patent: 4541549 (1985-09-01), Hadley et al.
patent: 4547177 (1985-10-01), Ueno
patent: 4601372 (1986-07-01), Swales et al.
patent: 4715515 (1987-12-01), Steilen
patent: 5072676 (1991-12-01), Pingry et al.
patent: 5170909 (1992-12-01), Lundie et al.
patent: 5325800 (1994-07-01), Wisor et al.
patent: 5392722 (1995-02-01), Snipes et al.
patent: 5613321 (1997-03-01), Rizkovsky
patent: 5632885 (1997-05-01), Yamasaki et al.
patent: 5655468 (1997-08-01), Ledermann et al.
patent: 0 140 260 (1985-05-01), None
patent: 0 140 262 (1985-05-01), None
Nodet Gougis Planter II Semoirs Monograines Polyvalents; 10 pages; undated.
WIC Precision Vacuum Planter Operator's Manual and Parts Book; 55 pages; 1994.
Stanhay Singulaire 785—The Precision Vacuum Seeder From Stanhay; 4 pages; undated.
Accord Precision Seed DrillOptimaOperating Instructions—from serial No. 158; Art. No.: 758642/08.92; 55 pages.
MT 600; 34 pages; undated.
Monosem Pneumatic Planter Operator's Manual; NG Plus Mounted Planter; 60 pages; undated; presented by A.T.I., Inc. of Merriam, Kansas.
IS249 Kinze® Brush-type Seed Meter Installation, Operation and Maintenance; 4 pp.; Revised 8/92
Kinze®2000 Series Planters; 24 pages; Rev. 8-93.
White 6200/6300 Series Planters; Ultimate Flexibility; 4 pages; 1995 AGCO Corporation, Duluth, Georgia.
White 6000 Series Planters; Managing for Profit; 24 pages; Form No. LT93PL035 1993.
Dickey-john High Rate Seed Sensors; 1 page; undated.
Planter Attachments for MaxEmerge®Plus, MaxEmerge2®, and MaxEmerge® Planters; 24 pages; DKA139; undated.
Advantage 1780 New Planter . . . New Sales Advantages; 8 pages; DKB506; undated.
MaxEmerge®Plus Planters; 40 pages; undated.
Monosem, The Precision Vacuum Planter; NG Plus Series; Mounted & Pull-Type; The New Generation of Planters; 12 pages; undated; presented by A.T.I., Inc. of Merriam, Kansas.
White 6800 Series Central Fill; Narrow Row Planting System; 2 pages; 1995.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Hopper system with lid does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Hopper system with lid, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hopper system with lid will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2463723