Oct 6, 2026

US12753003 - Apparatus and method for stemming blast holes

A funnel bucket apparatus is configured to be mountable to typical loader machinery for depositing flowable material at a deposit site. The apparatus includes a bucket and a funnel cover connected by hinges, a discharge chute attachment, a bucket vibrator, and a hydraulic actuator system. An operator controls the actuator system to move the bucket and funnel cover between open and closed positions such that the bucket retains typical loading functions while the apparatus is in the open position. When the bucket is loaded with material, the operator controls the actuator system to move the apparatus into the closed position and positions the apparatus over the deposit site. Material flows through a discharge opening in the funnel cover, through the discharge chute attachment, and down to the deposit site. Efficient and controllable flow rate of material may be facilitated by the bucket vibrator.

Inventors: James W. Millsaps
Filing date: 2023-11-13

The patent describes a funnel bucket apparatus designed for loader machinery, which allows for efficient and controlled deposition of flowable materials at a site. It features a hydraulic actuator system for opening and closing the funnel cover, a bucket vibrator for material flow control, and a removable discharge chute attachment.

Claim 1

1 . A funnel bucket apparatus comprising: a bucket having an attachment mechanism that attaches the bucket to a transport machine; a funnel cover comprising a cover portion, a funnel portion, and a discharge opening in the funnel portion; a hinge mechanism that pivotally connects the funnel cover to the bucket; an actuator system configured to move the funnel cover between open and closed positions with respect to the bucket, the actuator system comprising a hydraulic cylinder having a first clevis end attached to the funnel cover and a second clevis end attached to the bucket; a bucket vibrator attached to the bucket or the funnel cover; one or more discharge chute attachments configured for removable attachment to the funnel portion adjacent the discharge opening; and a gate movably attached to the funnel portion, the gate operable to move to multiple positions in which the gate at least partially covers the discharge opening by different amounts. a bucket having an attachment mechanism that attaches the bucket to a transport machine; a funnel cover comprising a cover portion, a funnel portion, and a discharge opening in the funnel portion; a hinge mechanism that pivotally connects the funnel cover to the bucket; an actuator system configured to move the funnel cover between open and closed positions with respect to the bucket, the actuator system comprising a hydraulic cylinder having a first clevis end attached to the funnel cover and a second clevis end attached to the bucket; a bucket vibrator attached to the bucket or the funnel cover; one or more discharge chute attachments configured for removable attachment to the funnel portion adjacent the discharge opening; and a gate movably attached to the funnel portion, the gate operable to move to multiple positions in which the gate at least partially covers the discharge opening by different amounts.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12753003

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12753003