Patent Application
20130126523
This invention is directed toward a grain storage assembly and more specifically to a storage assembly for small farmers to maintain a supply of grain for food.
Small farmers in foreign countries store grain as food to last throughout the year. With present storage systems, approximately 20-25% of the grain is lost to spoilage. One of the primary causes of the spoilage is from weevils and other rodents who nest within the storage containers and eat the grain. One way to cure this problem is to seal the storage containers as weevils cannot survive without oxygen. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that addresses these needs.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly that reduces spoilage.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly that has an air tight seal.
A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly that is easy to load and unload.
These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following disclosure.
A rotatable grain storage assembly having adjustable support members slidably connected to front and rear legs. Primary support members, having rollers rotatably attached thereto, are connected to and are positioned transverse to the adjustable support member. A barrel having at least one opening and an air tight lid is positioned on the rollers.
Referring to the Figure, the grain storage assembly 10 has a frame 12 preferably made of hollow pipe. The frame 12 includes a base 14, front and rear legs 16, 18 connected to the base 14 and a pair of support members 20 connected to the legs 16, 18. The rear legs 18 are shorter than the front legs 16 such that the support members 20 angle downwardly from the front toward the rear. Rotatably mounted to each support member is at least one, and preferably two rollers 22.
Placed upon the support members 20 is a barrel 24. The barrel 24 is of any size or shape and preferably is a 55 gallon paint barrel. Preferably the barrel 24 has a handle 25 such as a ring that goes around the barrel 24. For larger barrels 24 a crank is attached to the roller. On at least one end of the barrel 24 is an air tight lid 26. The lid 26 has an opening 28 that receives a cap 30. The opening preferably has a diameter of 6 inches. The cap 30 is removably connected to the opening 28 preferably by threads or the like to create an air tight seal. In one embodiment, the opposite end of the barrel 24 has an opening 32 in an air tight lid 34 that receives a cap 36. In an alternative embodiment, a jack 38 is positioned to raise and lower the rear end of the frame 12.
To transport or ship the storage assembly 10, the frame 12 is disassembled and along with the jack 38 placed inside the barrel 24 which is then resealed. To operate, the frame 12 is assembled and the barrel 24 placed upon the rollers 22. The barrel 24 is then filled with grain and lid 26 is placed on the front end to create an air tight seal. The angle of the barrel 24 allows for easy loading of the grain.
When one wishes to remove grain, cap 30 is removed to allow an individual to reach through opening 28 and remove the grain. Once the grain is removed, the opening 28 is resealed with cap 30. As the level of grain goes down within the barrel 24, the barrel 24 is rotated so that opening 28 moves closer to a 6 o'clock position and closer to the reduced grain level within the barrel 24. When the barrel is close to empty, the jack 38 is used to raise the rear legs 18 so that the barrel 24 is angled downwardly from the rear end toward the front end which allows grain to flow toward the front end.
Alternatively, grain is removed through opening 32 in a similar fashion by rotating the barrel 24 on the rollers 22 as needed when the grain level is reduced. Accordingly, a grain storage assembly has been described that at the very least meets all the stated objectives.
In an alternative embodiment, the front legs 16 are formed by a continuous U-shaped hollow pipe such that a base portion 40 extends between the legs 16 and contacts the ground. Also included in the frame is a first adjustable support member 42 having hollow cylinders 44 on each end that slidably fit over legs 16. The cylinders 44 have an opening 46 that aligns with openings 48 in legs 16 to receive a pin 50 for selectively adjusting the height of the support member 42 in relation to the legs 16.
A second adjustable support member 52 has hollow cylinders 54 on each end that slidably fit over rear legs 18. Cylinders 54 also have an opening 56 that aligns with openings 56 in legs 18 to receive a pin 58 for selective adjustment.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/560,912 filed Nov. 17, 2011.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61560912 | Nov 2011 | US |
