Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PARTICULATE MATERIAL SAMPLE DIVIDER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION .
The present invention relates to a divider for dividing a sample of
particulate material into two substantially identical portions.
BACKGROUND
In the field of agriculture, it is common to take samples of various grains
to measure various conditions indicative of the quality of the grain. To
perform
different tests, it is often desirable to separate a given sample of grain
into two equal
parts with an even distribution of grain among each of the two parts. A known
device
for separating a sample into two equal parts is a Boerner-type divider. The
divider is
gravity operated so that a sample placed in an upper hopper is released by a
valve to
be evenly disbursed over a cone with evenly spaced separations. A complex
manifold structure redirects the separated streams of grain into an inner
funnel and an
outer funnel respectively which empty into two separate collecting pans which
at the
bottom. While very effective, the configuration of the Boerner-type divider
involves a
very complex arrangement of parts to form the manifold structure which is
accordingly
very costly to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a sample
divider for dividing particulate material into two portions, the divider
comprising:
a separation cone extending downwardly and radially outwardly from a
central apex to an annular bottom edge;
a hopper supported above the separation cone so as to taper
downwardly and inwardly towards a discharge opening at a bottom end of the
hopper
which is centrally located above the central apex of the separation cone;
,
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a gate member supported at the bottom end of the hopper so as to be
operable relative to the discharge opening between an open position and a
closed
position;
a plurality of separator baffles supported on an outer surface of the
separation cone at circumferentially spaced apart positions so as to define a
plurality
of first channels and a plurality of second channels in which each of the
first and
second channels extends downwardly and radially outwardly between an adjacent
pair of the separator baffles;
an annular divider wall extending downwardly from the bottom edge of
the separation cone so as to define a first collection area adjacent an inner
side of the
divider wall and a second collection area adjacent an outer side of the
divider wall;
each second channel extending to the bottom edge of the separation
cone such that each second channel only communicates with the second
collection
area; and
an aperture in the separation cone in alignment with each first channel
such that each first channel is in communication only with the first
collection area
through the respective aperture in the separation cone.
By providing a cone with separator baffles which further comprises
apertures aligned with only the first channels, a very simple structure
permits re-
directing material to interior and exterior sides of the separating cone,
while
maintaining all of the effectiveness of prior art devices. The simplified
structure is
thus easier to manufacture and is considerably less costly for the user.
Preferably an end wall spans generally circumferentially between the
adjacent pair of separator baffles of each first channel adjacent to the
respective
aperture in the separation cone. Each end wall may be integral with the
respective
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adjacent pair of separator baffles as a seamless, unitary body.
Preferably a cover cone is mounted above the separator cone to extend
downwardly and radially outwardly from a central top opening aligned with the
central
apex of the separator cone. In this instance the separator baffles fully span
a gap
between the outer surface of the separator cone and a corresponding inner
surface of
the cover cone.
Preferably a bottom wall spans a bottom end of the annular divider wall
to enclose a bottom end of the first collection area. When an outer wall is
provided
which is annular about the divider wall to define the second collection area
in the
annular space therebetween, preferably a bottom wall also spans a bottom end
of the
annular space to enclose a bottom end of the second collection area.
Preferably at least one of the separator baffles which is between one of
the first channels and one of the second channels is adjustable at a top end
in the
circumferential direction so as to be arranged vary a ratio of particularly
material
diverted to the first and second collection areas respectively. Preferably a
threaded
member is in threaded connected between said at least one of the separator
baffles
and an adjacent baffle so as to be arranged to vary the spacing between said
at least
one of the separator baffles and the adjacent baffle as the threaded member is
rotated.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Boerner-type divider;
Figure 2 is a partly sectional elevational view of the sample divider
according to the present invention;
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Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the separation cone with the cover
cone shown thereabove in a disassembled configuration;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hopper assembly;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the baffle modules.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying Figures 2 through 5 there is illustrated a
sample divider generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The divider 10 is
suited
for use in dividing a grain sample into two equal samples with a substantially
uniform
distribution of grain in each sample.
The divider 10 includes an outer pail 12 comprising an upright cylindrical
wall 14 enclosed at a bottom end by a bottom wall 16 to receive one of the
separated
samples therein. An inner pail 18 is nested within the outer pail and
similarly includes
a cylindrical wall 20 enclosed at the bottom end by a bottom wall 22. The
inner pail is
smaller in diameter than the outer pail such that the wall of the inner pail
defines an
annular divider wall which provides separation between a first collection area
within
the interior of the inner pail 18 and a second collection area defined as the
annular
space between the cylindrical walls of the inner and outer pails.
A separator cone 24 is mounted on the top edge of the cylindrical wall of
the inner pail. The cone 24 has a generally inverted conical shape so as to
taper
downwardly and radially outwardly from a central apex 26 at the top end to a
circular
bottom edge lying in a horizontal plane at the bottom end 28. The bottom edge
is
similar in diameter as the annular divider wall so as to be supported thereon
in use.
An upper portion of the cone 24 which tapers to a central point at the apex is
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supported on the remaining lower portion so as to evenly distribute grain
discharged
thereon about the full circumference of the cone. The remainder of the cone
below
the upper portion forming the apex is moulded of plastic material. The upper
portion
24 may be formed of a different material or include a coating of a different
material
5 thereon to improve the wear characteristics. In the preferred embodiment,
the upper
portion 24 is molded of plastic and coating with chrome for example.
A plurality of divider modules 30 are mounted on the outer surface of the
lower portion of the separator cone to separate the grain sample into the
first and
second portions respectively. Each module 30 comprises two separator baffles
32
which are integrally joined together at their bottom ends by an end wall 34
such that
the divider module is generally U-shaped and is moulded as a seamless, unitary
one-
piece moulded article. The divider modules are mounted at circumferentially
spaced
positions relative to one another such that all of the separator baffles 32
are generally
evenly spaced apart in the circumferential direction to extend generally
radially
downwardly and outwardly towards the bottom edge at respective positions about
the
circumference. Furthermore, each baffle projects generally perpendicularly
outward
from the corresponding portion of the conical outer surface of the separator
cone at
the respective mounting location thereof.
The separator baffles 32 are arranged such that each adjacent pair of
the baffles about the full circumference defines a respective channel
therebetween
which extends generally downwardly and radially outwardly. The channels
include
first channels 36 and second channels 38 which alternate with one another in
the
circumferential direction. Each first channel is defined between the adjacent
pair of
separator baffles 32 of a common divider module 30. Alternatively, each second
channel 38 is defined between two adjacent separator baffles 32 which are part
of two
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adjacent but separate ones of the divider modules 30. The second channels
remain
uninterrupted from the top end to the bottom edge of the separator cone 24 so
as to
communicate only with the second collection area at the outer side of the
annular
divider wall 20.
Each first channel is associated with a respective aperture 40 formed in
the wall of the separator cone to communicate from the outer surface to the
inner
surface thereof. Each aperture 40 is aligned with the respective first channel
to span
the full width thereof in the circumferential direction as well as to span
substantially a
full length of the channel between the top end of the respective separator
baffles 32
and the end wall 34 located at the bottom edge of the aperture 40. The end
wall is
oriented to be sloped downwardly and inwardly towards the aperture such that
no
shelf-like surface is defined in the first channel by the respective divider
module 30.
Accordingly, each first channel only communicates with the first collection
area
through the respective aperture in the cone.
The divider further comprises a cover cone 42 in an inverted cone shape
which has the same slope as the separator cone so as to mount over top of the
separator cone, but at a location spaced thereabove so as to define a gap
between
the outer surface of the separator cone and the inner surface of the cover
cone. The
separator baffles 32 and the end walls of the modules are all arranged to span
the full
dimension of the gap extending perpendicularly outward from the outer surface
of the
separator cone towards the inner surface of the cover cone.
The cover cone includes a central opening 44 at the apex of the cover
cone so as to be aligned with the apex of the separator cone. The top ends of
the
baffles are spaced downwardly and radially outward in relation to the top edge
of the
cover cone defining the perimeter of the central opening 44. Accordingly
material
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discharged overtop of the apex of the separator cone is directed initially
into an upper
portion of the gap between the cover cone and the separator cone prior to
reaching
the baffles which subsequently evenly separates the material into the first
collection
area and second collection area respectively.
The divider modules 30 are mounted such that the circumferential
distance between the top ends of two baffles of a common divider module are
substantially equal to the circumferential space between two baffles of two
adjacent
divider modules. The mouth of the first channels collectively is thus
approximately
equal to the mouth of the second channels collectively as measured in the
circumferential direction.
To provide some calibration or adjustment to ensure that the material is
evenly divided into the first and second collection areas, a calibration
mechanism can
be provided. In this instance, the two baffles 32 of one of the divider
modules remain
flexible so that they are movable at the top ends relative to the cover cone
and
separator cone in the circumferential direction. A screw 46 is threadably
connected
between the two adjacent baffles in such a manner that turning the screw in
one
direction urges the two baffles towards one another, while rotating the screw
in the
opposing direction flexes the two baffles away from one another. When the two
baffles of a common divider module are flexed together, the cross-sectional
area of
the respective first channel is reduced and the corresponding adjacent second
channels are increased in dimension. The reverse occurs as the two baffles are
pulled apart. In this instance, the ratio of material directed to the first
channels
collectively and the second channels collectively can be adjusted to perform a
one-
time calibration of the device at the time of manufacturing to ensure equal
separation
of the sample into two equal portions in the first and second collection areas
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respectively.
A hopper assembly 48 is mounted above the separator cone in which
the hopper comprises a funnel or cone-shaped surface extending downwardly and
radially inwardly to a central discharge opening 50 at the bottom end thereof.
Three
legs 52 are provided at circumferentially spaced positions to span generally
vertically
between the hopper thereabove and the cover cone therebelow. The discharge
opening is positioned to be in close proximity to the central opening at the
top of the
cover cone with a similar diameter thereto. The discharge opening of the
hopper is
also arranged to be substantially concentric or coaxial with the apex of the
separator
cone.
A support plate 54 spans horizontally between the legs at a location
between the hopper thereabove and the cover cone therebelow in direct abutment
with the top end of the cover cone. A central opening 56 in the support plate
aligns
with the central opening 44 of the cover cone therebelow and the discharge
opening
50 of the hopper thereabove.
A gate member 58 is supported on the support plate in the form of a flat
panel which is slidable across the upper surface of the support plate between
an open
position in which the discharge opening of the hopper is unobstructed by the
gate
panel and a closed position in which the gate panel fully spans across and
encloses
the hopper discharge opening. The gate member 58 fits snuggly between the
support
plate 54 and the discharge opening of the hopper thereabove such that the
support
plate is sufficient to hold the gate member in engagement with the perimeter
of the
hopper about the discharge opening so as to retain particulate material to be
sampled
in the hopper until desired to be released.
In use, a person initially places particulate material to be divided in the
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hopper with the gate member in the closed position. Quickly pulling the gate
member
open permits all of the material in the hopper to be evenly discharged over
the apex of
the separator cone therebelow whereby the material flowing down the outer
surface of
the separator cone is contained by the cover cone and is subsequently evenly
split
between first and second channels respectively. Material in the first channels
falls
through the apertures in the cone to be collected within the first collection
area to the
interior of the divider wall while material in the second channels is directed
to the
bottom of the separator cone where it is directed to the second collection
area at the
exterior of the divider wall.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same
made,
it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification
shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
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