Expandable gravity-feed bin

Abstract

A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. One or more fins contact interior and/or exterior surfaces of the gate to provide cleaning functionality of the gate and/or sealing functionality between the gate and the dispensing chute.

1 . A gravity-feed bin for storage and dispensing of a bulk material, comprising:
 a generally hollow main bin having a storage reservoir configured to store the bulk material and an open end configured to receive the bulk material;   a spout in communication with the main bin; and   a gate disposed between the spout and the main bin, the gate movable between a closed position wherein the gate retains the bulk material in the storage reservoir and an open position wherein gate permits the bulk material to move through the spout at least partially by gravity-feed   
     
     
         2 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a generally hollow extension section; and   a seal element that secures the extension section to the main bin at the open end of the main bin.   
     
     
         3 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 2  wherein the seal element provides a substantially air-tight seal between the extension section and the main bin. 
     
     
         4 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 3 , wherein an internal surface of the seal element is angled. 
     
     
         5 . The gravity-feed bin of claim of  claim 2 , further comprising a sealing lid configured to selectively engage main bin at the open end of the main bin or the extension section at an open end of the extension section, the open end of the extension section opposite the seal element. 
     
     
         6 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bag-grip element constructed of a (flexible, pliable, pliant?) material, the bag-grip element surrounding an outlet of the spout.   
     
     
         7 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 6 , further comprising a generally C-shaped bag retainer configured to secure a bag about the outlet of the spout between the bag retainer and the bag-grip element. 
     
     
         8 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 7 , further comprising a strap of flexible material that secures the bag retainer to the bag-grip element. 
     
     
         9 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a handle operatively connected to the gate, such that movement of the handle moves the gate between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
         10 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 9 , wherein the handle and the gate rotate about the same rotational axis. 
     
     
         11 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 10 , further comprising a pocket defined between the main bin and the spout, wherein the open position of the gate locates the gate at least partially within the pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 10 , wherein the gate and the handle rotate in the same direction. 
     
     
         13 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an agitator disposed within the main bin, the agitator operably connected to the handle such that movement of the handle moves the agitator within the main bin.   
     
     
         14 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 13 , wherein rotation of the handle towards the spout moves the gate to the open position and moves the agitator towards the spout. 
     
     
         15 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 1 , further comprising a gate seal configured to engage the gate when the gate is in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 15 , wherein the spout comprises the gate seal. 
     
     
         17 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 15 , wherein the main bin comprises the gate seal. 
     
     
         18 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 17 , further comprising a metering flange positioned interior the main bin from the gate seal, the metering flange angling downward. 
     
     
         19 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 15  wherein the gate seal comprises at least one flexible fin that engages the gate at least when the gate is in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . The gravity-feed bin of  claim 1 , wherein the main bin comprises at least one baffle that extends inwards towards a centerline of the main bin.