Trailer with multiple-bin material mixer and spreader

Abstract

A mobile trailer for spreading a granular material mixture is disclosed. This trailer comprises at least two containers or bin compartments for containing a respective granular material, a movement-imparting assembly for moving the granular materials and a material mixer and spreader assembly for mixing and spreading the granular materials. Each bin compartment comprises a respective material-exit opening and the material mixer and spreader assembly is positioned near these openings. The movement-imparting assembly comprises a respective movement-imparting device mounted to each bin compartment for moving a respective granular material though a respective opening towards the material mixer and spreader assembly. A controller is linked to the movement-imparting assembly so as to selectively and independently modulate the speed of each movement-imparting device thereby modulating the ratio of each granular material received, mixed and spread by the material mixer and spreader assembly.

1 . A mobile trailer for spreading a granular material mixture, said trailer comprising:
 at least two containers for containing a respective granular material, each said container comprising a respective material-exit opening,   a movement-imparting assembly comprising a respective movement-imparting device mounted to each said container so as to move the respective granular material contained therein through said respective material exit-opening; and   a material mixer and spreader assembly positioned near each said material-exit opening for receiving, mixing and spreading the granular materials;   wherein said movement-imparting assembly selectively and independently modulates the speed of each said movement-imparting device thereby modulating the ratio of each granular material received, mixed and spread by said material mixer and spreader assembly.   
   
   
       2 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller linked to said movement-imparting assembly for so controlling said movement-imparting assembly as to selectively and independently modulate the speed of each said movement-imparting device. 
   
   
       3 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 2 , wherein said trailer is mounted to a vehicle for being hauled thereby, said controller being linked to said vehicle for receiving vehicle speed data therefrom. 
   
   
       4 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 3 , wherein said controller so controls the speed of said movement-imparting assembly with respect to the speed of said vehicle so as to maintain a constant material application rate. 
   
   
       5 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein each said container comprises a bin. 
   
   
       6 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said containers is defined by a respective compartment within a bin. 
   
   
       7 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein said trailer further comprises a frame comprising wheels mounted thereunder and a bin mounted thereon, said bin comprising compartments, each said compartment defining said container. 
   
   
       8 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein said trailer is mountable to a vehicle for being hauled thereby. 
   
   
       9 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said compartments comprises a rear end and an opposite front end, said opening being defined at said front end. 
   
   
       10 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein each said compartments comprise a rear end and an opposite front end, said opening being defined at said rear end. 
   
   
       11 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mobile door about said material-exit opening for opening and closing thereof. 
   
   
       12 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein each said compartment leads to a mixer. 
   
   
       13 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 11 , wherein said mixer leads to a material spreader. 
   
   
       14 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 1 , wherein said movement-imparting device comprises a conveyor. 
   
   
       15 . A mobile trailer according to  claim 14 , wherein said conveyor comprises a conveyor belt mounted to actuating rollers. 
   
   
       16 . A mobile trailer for spreading a salt and sand mixture, said trailer comprising:
 two containers, one said container for containing salt, the other said container for containing sand, each said container comprising a respective material-exit opening;   a movement-imparting assembly comprising a respective movement-imparting device mounted to each said container so as to move the salt and sand respectively contained therein through said respective material exit-opening; and   a material mixer and spreader assembly positioned near each said material-exit opening for receiving, mixing and spreading the salt and sand;   wherein said movement-imparting assembly selectively and independently modulates the speed of each said movement-imparting device thereby modulating the ratio of the salt and sand received, mixed and spread by said material mixer and spreader assembly.   
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for spreading a granular material mixture, said vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle; and   a trailer coupled to said vehicle, said trailer comprising:   at least two containers for containing a respective granular material, each said container comprising a respective material-exit opening;   a movement-imparting assembly comprising a respective movement-imparting device mounted to each said container so as to move the respective granular material contained therein through said respective material exit-opening; and   a material mixer and spreader assembly positioned near each said material-exit opening for receiving, mixing and spreading the granular materials;
 wherein said movement-imparting assembly selectively and independently modulates the speed of each said movement-imparting device thereby modulating the ratio of each granular material received, mixed and spread by said material mixer and spreader assembly.