A material distribution system includes: a chassis; a material tank carried by the chassis and configured to hold a material; and a header configured to receive and distribute material from the material tank entrained in an air flow. The header includes: a header body having a pair of sidewalls, an inlet configured to receive entrained material from the material tank and a plurality of outlets, the sidewalls defining a width therebetween that increases from the inlet toward the plurality of outlets; a valve associated with an outlet that is configured to switch between a distributing position and a purging position, the valve blocking its outlet in the purging position; and a plenum having a volume of air that is selectively in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets to provide a purging air flow to the outlet with the associated valve when the valve is in the purging position.

A material distribution system includes: a chassis; a material tank carried by the chassis and configured to hold a material; and a header configured to receive and distribute material from the material tank entrained in an air flow. The header includes: a header body having a pair of sidewalls, an inlet configured to receive entrained material from the material tank and a plurality of outlets, the sidewalls defining a width therebetween that increases from the inlet toward the plurality of outlets; a valve associated with an outlet that is configured to switch between a distributing position and a purging position, the valve blocking its outlet in the purging position; and a plenum having a volume of air that is selectively in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets to provide a purging air flow to the outlet with the associated valve when the valve is in the purging position.

A pneumatic conveyor is operable to convey fine material and includes a pressure vessel and a pneumatic injection port. The pressure vessel presents a chamber operable to receive fine material and to be selectively pressurized with air to pressurize and convey the fine material. The pressure vessel includes an inclined wall that extends upwardly relative to an outlet, with fine material in the chamber being collected by the inclined wall and urged toward the outlet. The injection port fluidly communicates with the chamber, with the injection port located adjacent the outlet to inject compressed air into the flow of pressurized fine material.

A pneumatic conveyor is operable to convey fine material and includes a pressure vessel and a pneumatic injection port. The pressure vessel presents a chamber operable to receive fine material and to be selectively pressurized with air to pressurize and convey the fine material. The pressure vessel includes an inclined wall that extends upwardly relative to an outlet, with fine material in the chamber being collected by the inclined wall and urged toward the outlet. The injection port fluidly communicates with the chamber, with the injection port located adjacent the outlet to inject compressed air into the flow of pressurized fine material.

Disclosed herein is a solids flow control valve comprising a standpipe; a shoe; and a transport pipe; wherein the standpipe is in operative communication with the shoe and lies upstream of the shoe; the standpipe comprising a first end and a second end, where the first end is in contact with a source that contains disposable solids and the second end is in fluid contact with the shoe; the shoe being operative to restrict the flow of the disposable solids; the transport pipe being disposed downstream of the shoe to receive and transport the solids from the shoe.

Disclosed herein is a solids flow control valve comprising a standpipe; a shoe; and a transport pipe; wherein the standpipe is in operative communication with the shoe and lies upstream of the shoe; the standpipe comprising a first end and a second end, where the first end is in contact with a source that contains disposable solids and the second end is in fluid contact with the shoe; the shoe being operative to restrict the flow of the disposable solids; the transport pipe being disposed downstream of the shoe to receive and transport the solids from the shoe.

A transfer pump for moving pellets of adhesive includes a pump housing with an adhesive inlet coupled to a supply hopper, an adhesive outlet coupled to an outlet hose, and an adhesive passage extending between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet. A first air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage adjacent the adhesive inlet and expels a first air jet that pushes pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage. A second air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet and expels a plurality of second air jets that draw pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage by a vacuum force. The first and second air nozzles prevent clogging of pellets in the adhesive passage and enable movement of larger pellets than either air nozzle individually.

A transfer pump for moving pellets of adhesive includes a pump housing with an adhesive inlet coupled to a supply hopper, an adhesive outlet coupled to an outlet hose, and an adhesive passage extending between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet. A first air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage adjacent the adhesive inlet and expels a first air jet that pushes pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage. A second air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet and expels a plurality of second air jets that draw pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage by a vacuum force. The first and second air nozzles prevent clogging of pellets in the adhesive passage and enable movement of larger pellets than either air nozzle individually.

Seed on-demand system for granular material comprising at least one storage container for granular material, at least one fan to provide a conveyor air flow, and a distributing device with a distributor housing which is designed to receive material from the storage container by means of a material inlet opening and has a conveyor air opening to direct the conveyor air flow in the direction of the material received to generate a mixed flow of conveyor air and material, and at least one distributing segment which forms at least one first conduit with a first receiving opening and a first outlet opening, wherein the conduit is arranged to receive at least a part of the mixed flow by means of the receiving opening and to discharge it from the outlet opening. To avoid disturbances in the distribution of the material and simultaneously generate the mixed flow in an energy-efficient manner, it is provided that at least one stirring element is arranged between the material inlet opening and the first receiving opening to loosen the material in the area where the conveyor air flow is directed onto the material.

Seed on-demand system for granular material comprising at least one storage container for granular material, at least one fan to provide a conveyor air flow, and a distributing device with a distributor housing which is designed to receive material from the storage container by means of a material inlet opening and has a conveyor air opening to direct the conveyor air flow in the direction of the material received to generate a mixed flow of conveyor air and material, and at least one distributing segment which forms at least one first conduit with a first receiving opening and a first outlet opening, wherein the conduit is arranged to receive at least a part of the mixed flow by means of the receiving opening and to discharge it from the outlet opening. To avoid disturbances in the distribution of the material and simultaneously generate the mixed flow in an energy-efficient manner, it is provided that at least one stirring element is arranged between the material inlet opening and the first receiving opening to loosen the material in the area where the conveyor air flow is directed onto the material.