The present invention is a spreader device used to fill a container or silo with grain that comprises a shaped body including a primary opening with a removable cover and several angled, peripheral openings located a distance from the primary opening. The spreader functions by allowing grain to pass through its primary opening to form a single flow column and grain pile and then having the primary opening closed via the cover to direct grain to the one or more peripheral openings, thereby creating multiple flow columns and grain piles that are located radially away from the primary flow column and grain pile.

A storage module is provided for an organic material handling system. The storage module has a levelling component for levelling out the organic material stored therein, and a removal component for discharging the organic material. A modular system and method is described for improving the receiving, processing, storing, and transloading of bulk materials such as organic waste. A system includes at least a receiving module to receive material, a storage module, a discharge module, and a control system. Systems can be adapted with additional modules, such as processing modules and transfer modules, depending on the site and materials to be handled. A control system interfaces with the modular components and local operators, and provides remote reporting and monitoring.

A method and apparatus to facilitate the loading of a grain bin such that the level in the grain bin increases generally uniformly and the distribution of grain size in the grain bin is generally uniform as well. The method includes redirecting the flow of the grain from the conveyer as it flows into the grain bin. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable leveling band for redirecting the grain uniformly to a plurality of radially extending chutes. In one embodiment, the angle of the chutes can also be easily adjusted.

A self-contained multiple-trailer drive-over sand-truck unloader system and method with safety features, each trailer configured to interconnect mechanically and/or electrically and/or hydraulically to another adjacent trailer for electrical power, hydraulic power and data communications and capable of being set up into an operational configuration and reconfigured into a compact highway-travel configuration, without the need for safety harnesses. A first trailer provides the center section having an input funnel hopper for receiving bottom-dumped sand, a first conveyor for material transport to either the left or right side of the interconnected system. The system also integrates hydraulic leveling actuators on each large-area ground-contact foot with height-maintenance locks. Some embodiments include electrical and/or hydraulic mechanisms to ensure operational stability and worker safety. With pre-assembled components, OSHA-compliant safety features, and a generator-powered control system, this invention offers quick deployment and take-down, improved safety, and efficient frac-sand handling, without additional gravel deposition or clean-up.

The present invention is a spreader device used to fill a container or silo with grain that comprises a shaped body including a primary opening with a removable cover and several angled, peripheral openings located a distance from the primary opening. The spreader functions by allowing grain to pass through its primary opening to form a single flow column and grain pile and then having the primary opening closed via the cover to direct grain to the one or more peripheral openings, thereby creating multiple flow columns and grain piles that are located radially away from the primary flow column and grain pile.

Systems and methods are disclosed for sensing and analyzing filling of a grain cart while receiving grain from a combine. Time-of-flight sensors may be mounted on a grain spout (or nozzle) extending from the combine over the grain cart during operation. The sensors provide signals indicative of distances of surfaces of accumulating grain from the sensors, and these distances may be determined by onboard processing circuitry. A third sensor may detect a spout-to-ground distance to help compute the grain level information. Other parameters such as cross-sectional areas, volumes, and locations in the cart may be determined based on the sensed signals. Open or closed loop control of cart and/or combine positioning may be provided based on the signals.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously packing unfolded laundry articles into a container are described. The system includes a container configured to receive the laundry articles, a movable surface for receiving the container, and at least one drive motor for imparting motion to the laundry articles in the container, including at least one of a shaking, twisting, vibrating, oscillating, shushling, and tilting. At least one sensor is configured to detect two or more container fill heights. A controller in communication with the at least one drive motor and the at least one sensor is configured to instruct the at least one drive motor to rotate at least one of a driven conveyor, driven pusher, and driven rollers and the container disposed thereon rapidly back and forth repeatedly until a maximum height variation in the two or more container fill heights falls within a threshold range.

An automated grain unloading system includes at least one sensor and a processor. The at least one sensor is configured to detect an interface between an upper surface of a grain mound in the receiving container and an interior surface of a wall of the receiving container, at least a portion of an upper edge of the wall, and an orientation of the grain transfer element. The processor is configured to compare the detected interface and the detected portion of the upper edge to the detected orientation of the grain transfer element, and to control the operation of the grain transfer element to direct a transfer of grain from the supplying container to the receiving container based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the detected interface and the detected portion of the upper edge to the detected orientation of the grain transfer element.

An automated grain unloading system includes at least one sensor and a processor. The at least one sensor is configured to detect an interface between an upper surface of a grain mound in the receiving container and an interior surface of a wall of the receiving container, at least a portion of an upper edge of the wall, and an orientation of the grain transfer element. The processor is configured to compare the detected interface and the detected portion of the upper edge to the detected orientation of the grain transfer element, and to control the operation of the grain transfer element to direct a transfer of grain from the supplying container to the receiving container based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the detected interface and the detected portion of the upper edge to the detected orientation of the grain transfer element.

A filling device (1) for filling a container with a particulate material (28) comprises a supply container (2) that can be filled with the particulate material (28), wherein the supply container (2) has a lower opening (2.2). Moreover, the filling device (1) comprises a radial distribution unit (3), which can be supplied with the particulate material via the lower opening (2.2) of the supply container (2) and which is connected to the supply container (2) in such a way that it can rotate about a rotational axis (A), in order to distribute in the container the particulate material (28) supplied from the supply container (2) to the distribution unit (3). The filling device is characterized in that the distribution unit (3) can be driven by a drive unit (4) that is arranged outside the supply container (2).