초록 ▼

A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin that has a storage reservoir and an open end. A first generally hollow extension section is selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin. The first extension section is in communication with the reservoir, and the storage capacity of the

A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin that has a storage reservoir and an open end. A first generally hollow extension section is selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin. The first extension section is in communication with the reservoir, and the storage capacity of the reservoir is increased by the first extension section. In some embodiments a seal element is intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section. A plurality of extension sections and seal elements may be selectably coupled together in a stacked arrangement upon the main bin to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An expandable gravity-feed bin for storage and dispensing of bulk material, comprising: a generally hollow main bin section including: a storage reservoir having a first interior wall with first and second opposing bin interior sidewalls, an open end and a bottom;a resilient seal element; anda fi

1. An expandable gravity-feed bin for storage and dispensing of bulk material, comprising: a generally hollow main bin section including: a storage reservoir having a first interior wall with first and second opposing bin interior sidewalls, an open end and a bottom;a resilient seal element; anda first, generally hollow, extension section selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin by arrangement of the resilient seal element intermediate the main bin section and first extension section, the first extension section having a second interior wall with first and second opposing extension interior sidewalls and being in communication with the storage reservoir, the storage capacity of the storage reservoir being increased by the coupling of the first extension section,wherein the resilient seal element includes: a first inwardly-facing seal portion configured to be generally flush with the first interior side walls of the first and second interior walls when selectably coupled to the bin sections, anda second inwardly-facing seal portion having an angled, generally planar surface section, the second seal portion extending away from the second interior sidewalls of the first and second interior walls and protruding into the reservoir when selectably coupled to the bin sections,the resilient seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin section and the first extension section when selectably coupled thereto, andwherein the second, inwardly-facing and protruding seal portion is configured to interfere with the free gravitational flow of any stored bulk material along the second interior sidewall while the flush mounted first inwardly-facing seal portion is configured to allow free gravitational flow of any stored bulk material along the first interior sidewall, thus causing an asymmetrical gravitational flow of any stored bulk material toward the bottom of the storage reservoir for dispensing. 2. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 1 wherein the second inwardly-facing seal portion includes a ledge. 3. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 1 wherein the resilient seal element includes: a first receptacle; anda second, opposing receptacle. 4. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 1, further including at least one additional extension section, the at least one additional extension section being configured to be selectably coupled to the first extension section, andthe first extension section and the at least one additional extension section forming a stacked arrangement. 5. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 4, further including a resilient seal element intermediate the first extension section and the at least one additional extension section, the resilient seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the first extension section and the at least one additional extension section. 6. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 4 wherein the at least one additional extension section comprises a plurality of extension sections, each of the plurality of additional extension sections being configured to be selectably coupled to an immediately adjacent extension section,a select one of the plurality of extension sections being configured to be selectably coupled to the first extension section, andthe first extension section and the plurality of extension sections forming a stacked arrangement. 7. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 6, further including: a plurality of resilient seal elements,a resilient seal element being intermediate each of the immediately adjacent extension sections; anda select resilient seal element being intermediate the first extension section and the select one of the plurality of extension sections immediately adjacent to the first extension section,the plurality of resilient seal elements providing a substantially air-tight seal between the immediately adjacent extension sections. 8. An expandable gravity-feed bin for storage and dispensing of bulk material, comprising: a generally hollow main bin including: a storage reservoir configured to store product to be dispensed,an inner spout, andan open end; anda baffle having a first portion extending into the storage reservoir at a predetermined angle and coupled to the inner spout,the first portion of the baffle being configured to meter product stored in the storage reservoir, thereby deterring the product from flooding and blocking the inner spout. 9. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 8, further including: a first, generally hollow, extension section selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin, the first extension section being in communication with the reservoir, the storage capacity of the reservoir being increased by the first extension section. 10. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 9 wherein the baffle further includes a baffle extension, the baffle extension extending into the first extension section. 11. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 9, further comprising: a first interior wall formed in the main bin;a second interior wall formed in the first extension section; anda resilient seal element intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the resilient seal element including: a first inwardly-facing seal portion configured to be generally flush with the first and second interior walls, anda second inwardly-facing seal portion configured to extend away from the first and second interior walls,the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section. 12. An expandable gravity-feed bin for storage and dispensing of bulk material, comprising: a generally hollow main bin having a storage reservoir and an open end;a rotatable handle;a slidable agitator disposed within the storage reservoir; anda link extending between the handle and the agitator, the link having a wedge-shaped cross section including a first, relatively narrow first end and a second, opposing, generally planar end,wherein rotation of the handle causes corresponding slidable movement of the agitator and aids in the dispensing of stored bulk material. 13. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 12, further comprising: a first interior wall formed in the storage reservoir;a first, generally hollow, extension section selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin, the first extension section having a second interior wall and being in communication with the storage reservoir, the storage capacity of the storage reservoir being increased by the first extension section; anda resilient seal element intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the resilient seal element including: a first inwardly-facing seal portion configured to be generally flush with the first and second interior walls, anda second inwardly-facing seal portion extending away from the first and second interior walls,the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section. 14. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 12, further comprising: an inner spout disposed in the main bin; anda baffle having a first portion extending into the storage reservoir at a predetermined angle,the first portion of the baffle being configured to meter product stored in the storage reservoir, thereby deterring the bulk material from flooding and blocking the inner spout when dispensed. 15. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 12, further comprising a dispensing chute having a dispensing surface, the second end of the link being oriented generally parallel with the lower surface of the dispensing chute. 16. The expandable gravity-feed bin of claim 15, further comprising: a hollow spout in communication with the dispensing chute, the spout including an opening configured to dispense bulk material; anda rotatable gate, the gate configured to selectably rotate from a closed position closing off the opening to an open position moved away from the opening and positioned below the dispensing chute.