A pneumatic distribution system for distributing a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a valve, and a controller. The first pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to a storage tank that stores the granular product and outputs a first signal indicative of a first static pressure in the storage tank. The second pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to a meter housing and outputs a second signal indicative of a second static pressure in the meter housing. The valve is fluidly coupled between the storage tank and the primary line and selectively enables the air stream to flow from the primary line to the storage tank. The controller is communicatively coupled to the first pressure sensor, to the second pressure sensor, and to the valve. The controller instructs the valve to enable the air stream to flow from the primary line into the storage tank until the first static pressure is greater than the second static pressure by a threshold amount.

A pneumatic distribution system to distribute a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a valve assembly fluidly coupled between a storage tank and a primary line. The storage tank is configured to store the granular product. The primary line is configured to pneumatically deliver the granular product to the agricultural implement by guiding an air stream from a first section of the primary line with a larger cross sectional area to a second section of the primary line with a smaller cross sectional area. The valve assembly selectively enables the air stream to flow from the primary line into the storage tank until a first static pressure in the storage tank is greater than a second static pressure in the second section of the primary line by a threshold amount.

A pneumatic distribution system to distribute a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a valve assembly fluidly coupled between a storage tank and a primary line. The storage tank is configured to store the granular product. The primary line is configured to pneumatically deliver the granular product to the agricultural implement by guiding an air stream from a first section of the primary line with a larger cross sectional area to a second section of the primary line with a smaller cross sectional area. The valve assembly selectively enables the air stream to flow from the primary line into the storage tank until a first static pressure in the storage tank is greater than a second static pressure in the second section of the primary line by a threshold amount.

A pressurized tank is provided in which no air flows back from a piping for conveying powder to the pressurized tank. A pressurized tank (A) is used for a device (B) for intermittently feeding a predetermined amount of powder to a piping (7) for conveying the powder when the powder is conveyed in a plug flow through the piping (7) by means of compressed air. The tank (A) has a first pressurized room (6) that is a pressure vessel and that has a funnel-shaped upper partition (3) that has an opening and a funnel-shaped lower partition (4) that also has an opening, a first check valve (9) that is provided beneath the opening of the upper partition (3) of the first pressurized room (6) and is vertically moved so as to be upwardly moved by means of compressed air to close the opening of the upper partition (3), a second check valve (10) that is provided beneath the opening of the lower partition (4) of the first pressurized room (6) and is vertically moved so as to be upwardly moved by means of compressed air to close the opening of the lower partition (4), and an elastic body (24) to upwardly bias the second check valve (10).

A pressurized tank is provided in which no air flows back from a piping for conveying powder to the pressurized tank. A pressurized tank (A) is used for a device (B) for intermittently feeding a predetermined amount of powder to a piping (7) for conveying the powder when the powder is conveyed in a plug flow through the piping (7) by means of compressed air. The tank (A) has a first pressurized room (6) that is a pressure vessel and that has a funnel-shaped upper partition (3) that has an opening and a funnel-shaped lower partition (4) that also has an opening, a first check valve (9) that is provided beneath the opening of the upper partition (3) of the first pressurized room (6) and is vertically moved so as to be upwardly moved by means of compressed air to close the opening of the upper partition (3), a second check valve (10) that is provided beneath the opening of the lower partition (4) of the first pressurized room (6) and is vertically moved so as to be upwardly moved by means of compressed air to close the opening of the lower partition (4), and an elastic body (24) to upwardly bias the second check valve (10).

An apparatus for metering granular material, comprising: a container for holding the granular material, the container including a granular material outlet; a mass change measuring device, operatively connected to the container, for measuring a decrease in the mass of the granular material in the container; a granular material forcing apparatus, operatively connected to the container, for selectively forcing granular material out of the container through the granular material outlet; a granular material fluidizer, operatively connected to the container, for fluidizing the granular material within the container during operation of the fluidizer; an electronic controller, operatively connected to the granular material forcing apparatus, for selectively activating and deactivating the granular material forcing apparatus, the controller being operatively connected to the mass change measuring device such that the granular material forcing apparatus is deactivated in response to a predetermined decrease in the mass of the granular material in the container.

An apparatus for metering granular material, comprising: a container for holding the granular material, the container including a granular material outlet; a mass change measuring device, operatively connected to the container, for measuring a decrease in the mass of the granular material in the container; a granular material forcing apparatus, operatively connected to the container, for selectively forcing granular material out of the container through the granular material outlet; a granular material fluidizer, operatively connected to the container, for fluidizing the granular material within the container during operation of the fluidizer; an electronic controller, operatively connected to the granular material forcing apparatus, for selectively activating and deactivating the granular material forcing apparatus, the controller being operatively connected to the mass change measuring device such that the granular material forcing apparatus is deactivated in response to a predetermined decrease in the mass of the granular material in the container.

A pneumatic distribution system to distribute a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a valve, and a controller. The first pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to a granular product storage tank and outputs a first signal indicative of a first static pressure in the storage tank. The second pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to a primary line that pneumatically delivers the granular product to the agricultural implement by guiding an air stream from a first section with a larger cross-sectional area to a second section with a smaller cross-sectional area. The second pressure sensor outputs a signal indicative of the static pressure in the second section of the primary line. The valve is fluidly coupled between the storage tank and the primary line and selectively enables the air stream to flow from the primary line to the storage tank. The controller, which is communicatively coupled to both pressure sensors and the valve, instructs the valve to enable the air stream to flow from the primary line to the storage tank until the first static pressure is greater than the second static pressure by a threshold amount.

A pneumatic distribution system to distribute a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a valve, and a controller. The first pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to a granular product storage tank and outputs a first signal indicative of a first static pressure in the storage tank. The second pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to a primary line that pneumatically delivers the granular product to the agricultural implement by guiding an air stream from a first section with a larger cross-sectional area to a second section with a smaller cross-sectional area. The second pressure sensor outputs a signal indicative of the static pressure in the second section of the primary line. The valve is fluidly coupled between the storage tank and the primary line and selectively enables the air stream to flow from the primary line to the storage tank. The controller, which is communicatively coupled to both pressure sensors and the valve, instructs the valve to enable the air stream to flow from the primary line to the storage tank until the first static pressure is greater than the second static pressure by a threshold amount.

An adhesive bin (10) for storing and moving adhesive particulate (14) to an adhesive melter (12) includes a supply hopper (16), a transfer pump (62) operable to generate a vacuum, and a shroud (94). The supply hopper (16) has a sidewall (20, 22, 24, 26) and defines an interior space (36). The transfer pump (62) extends through the sidewall (22) and into the interior space (36). In addition, the shroud (94) is connected to the sidewall (22) and extends into the interior space (36) and at least partially surrounds an inlet (82) of the transfer pump (62).