The present invention relates generally to an auger and, more particularly, to augers of the type for transferring flowable material between different locations. There is also provided a method of transferring flowable material using the same.

Augers have been used for many years to convey material. Such conveyors generally include a helical shaped member which rotates within a housing or trough such that rotation of the screw thread along its longitudinal or central axis results in movement of the bulk material along the length of the device. In agriculture, augers are frequently used to move grain from a grain cart to a grain cart, silo, truck, or other storage facility. A typical grain auger includes an auger screw of constant diameter and pitch that is housed inside a tubular housing or shaft to form an auger assembly. An intake end of the auger assembly can draw from an attached hopper (usually by gravity) to receive grain or other material and the other end, that is the discharge end, has a chute or the like to guide the grain or other material to its destination.

An auger may also be used in agriculture or animal farming for digging post holes. Such an auger is called an earth auger or soil auger. This kind of auger can be a manually turned, handheld device, or powered by an electric motor or internal-combustion engine, possibly attached to a tractor. Other applications of augers include its use in construction drills, snow blowers, combine harvesters, ice resurfacers, rubbish compactors, oil fields (as a method of transporting rock cuttings away from the shakers to skips), and injection moulding machines.

These applications have in common that the auger generally has an intake end for receiving material, and an output end for discharging material. The material, therefore, travels from the intake end towards the output end, which output end may be connected to a chute or the like for directing the outputted material. Without use of the chute, a typical auger may expel material from the output end in an unpredictable manner, which can be undesirable. An auger of this type may also require additional means for storing the material so that it may be relocated to a different destination. Additional components such as chutes for directing material and containers for storing material can complicate the process of moving material.

From the discussion that is to follow, it will become apparent how the present invention addresses the aforementioned deficiencies, while presenting numerous additional advantages not hitherto contemplated or possible with known constructions.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auger for transferring flowable material, comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical flange co-axially associated with the shaft, and a sleeve which houses the shaft and helical flange, the sleeve having towards the proximal end of the shaft an opening for collecting and dispensing flowable material, the helical flange extending only part way along the shaft thereby defining a sleeve cavity towards the distal end of the shaft, wherein the auger is operable to collect flowable material in the sleeve cavity upon a forward relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve, and is operable to dispense flowable material upon a reverse relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve.

This auger has the advantage that the flowable material may be collected and dispensed via the same opening thereby simplifying the mechanism by which such material may be transferred. The auger functions by a forward relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve whereby to uptake or collect the flowable material into the sleeve via the opening. In contrast to known augers, the present invention includes a helical flange which extends only part way along the shaft thereby providing a sleeve cavity, which acts to retain and store, even temporarily, flowable material passing thereinto. Having repositioned the opening of the shaft or relocated the auger itself, a reverse relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve causes the contents of the sleeve to be deposited at the new location. Accordingly, such an auger can readily function without the necessity of additional components such as chutes or storage containers. The auger is more efficient than known constructions for performing its intended function and also saves considerable time in transporting materials, it is particularly advantageous in the handheld applications, where flowable materia!, such as soil for example, may be collected from one location and deposited in another in a short space of time. it may be that the helical flange extends along no more than two thirds of the length of the shaft, preferably no more than half of the length of the shaft, more preferably no more than a third of the length of the shaft. When the helical flange extends along no more than a third of the length of the shaft, this ratio may provides optimum performance of the auger in terms of the proportions of the shaft assigned to uptake and storage of the flowable material.

The sleeve cavity may be operable to store flowable material before dispensation, in this way, the flowable material may be moved to a desired location before being dispensed.

The forward relative rotation causes the flowable material to advance towards the sleeve cavity via the cavity and beyond the helical flanges. The forward relative rotation acts to urge the flowable material to remain in the sleeve cavity. Even without the sleeve cavity having a closed end towards the distal end of the shaft, the flowable material remains in the sleeve cavity due to the absence of helical flanges along the shaft in the sleeve cavity. Advantageously, absence of helical flanges along the shaft in the sleeve cavity adds to the volume of the sleeve cavity so that it may store more flowable material.

The helical flange may comprise a helically wound ribbon blade. This may allow the flowable material to be stirred to uniformity, or if different types of flowable material are collected these may be mixed prior to dispensation.

The helical flange may be operable to rotate in a clockwise direction during the forward relative rotation with the sleeve. The shaft and helical flange may be configured such that clockwise rotation of the helical flange is required in order to collect flowable material.

The sleeve may be in a fixed state and the helical flange may be rotatable to effect relative rotation therebetween.

The sleeve may be operable to rotate in a clockwise direction during the forward relative rotation with the helical flange. The shaft and helical flange may be configured such that clockwise rotation of the sleeve is required in order to collect flowable material.

The helical flange may be in a fixed state and the sleeve may be rotatable to effect relative rotation therebetween. The helical flange and the sleeve may rotate simultaneously in opposite directions.

The shaft and the helical flange may be integrally formed thereby increasing the structural integrity and robustness of the auger.

The sleeve may be closed towards the distal end of the shaft, thereby enhancing the ability of the sleeve to retain flowable material therein.

The sleeve may be tubular. It may, therefore, complement the shape of the shaft and helical blade so as to ensure smooth transit of the flowable material therethrough.

The auger may further comprise agitating means. The agitating means may include a sonicator for example. The agitating means may act to agitate the flowable material when in the vicinity of the sleeve so as to prevent the flowable material from hardening, agglomerating, aggregating, freezing and the like, which could cause undesirable functioning of the auger were it to become congested.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auger for transferring flowable material, comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a helical flange co-axially associated with the shaft, and a sleeve which houses the shaft and helical flange, the sleeve having towards the proximal end of the shaft an opening for collecting and dispensing flowable material, the auger being operable to collect flowable material in the sleeve upon a forward relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve, and being operable to dispense flowable material upon a reverse relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve, wherein the helical flange is in a fixed state and the sleeve is rotatable to effect relative rotation therebetween.

This auger has the advantage that the flowable material may be collected and dispensed via the same opening thereby simplifying the mechanism by which such material may be transferred. The auger functions by a forward relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve whereby to uptake or collect the flowable material into the sleeve via the opening. The sleeve acts to retain and store, even temporarily, flowable material passing thereinto. Having repositioned the opening of the shaft or relocated the auger itself, a reverse relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve causes the contents of the sleeve to be deposited at the new location. Accordingly, such an auger can readily function without the necessity of additional components such as chutes or storage containers. The auger is more efficient than known constructions for performing its intended function and also saves considerable time in transporting materials, it is particularly advantageous in the handheld applications, where flowable material, such as soil for example, may be collected from one location and deposited in another in a short space of time. The sleeve may be operable to store fiowable material before dispensation. In this way, the fiowable material may be moved to a desired location before being dispensed. The fiowable material may be stored in space between the helical flange and the sleeve; more particularly the internal wall of sleeve.

The forward relative rotation acts to urge the fiowable material to remain in the sleeve.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of transferring fiowable material, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an auger as described herein (according to any of Claims 1 to 16);

b) positioning the opening of the sleeve adjacent fiowable materia!;

c) actuating forward relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve to collect said fiowable material in the sleeve or sleeve cavity; d) repositioning the opening of the sleeve towards a desired location; and e) actuating reverse relative rotation between the helical flange and the sleeve to dispense said fiowable material.

The step of repositioning the opening of the shaft may include moving the auger itself. The flowable material may comprise granulate material, such as sand or soil for example.

The flowable material may comprise a liquid, such as rainwater for example.

The forward relative rotation speed may be sufficient to urge the flowable material to be collected in the sleeve or sleeve cavity. Such a speed may allow the auger to function more efficiently due to the creation of high momentum of the flowable material as it passes through the sleeve.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of the auger as described herein (according to any of Claims 1 to 16) for transferring flowable material between at least two locations.

In a particular application, the auger may be used for transferring a granulate material, such as sand, into a holding structure, such as a gabion structure. The auger may be particularly advantageous in military applications due to the requirement of rapid erection of gabion structures in hostile environments.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a helical screw for an auger, comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a helical flange co-axially extending along no more than a third of the length of the shaft from the proximal end towards the distal end. Various embodiments of the present invention wiil now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of an auger formed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the auger of Figure 1 collecting flowabie materia! from a first location;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the auger of Figure 1 and Figure 2 depositing the flowabie material at a second location;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of an auger formed according to a different embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of an auger formed according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of an auger formed according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the auger of Figure 6 collecting flowable material from a first location;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the auger of Figure 6 and Figure 7 depositing the flowable material at a second location;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of an auger formed according to a different embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a side elevation of an auger formed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to Figure 1 , there is illustrated an auger 1 constituted by a shaft 3 having a proximal end 5 and distal end 7, a helical flange 9 co-axial ly associated with the shaft 3, and a sleeve 11 which houses the shaft 3 and helical flange 9.

The sleeve 11 is tubular in shape, is formed from steel (although any suitable rigid material could be used) and has an opening 13 towards the proximal end 5 of the shaft 3. The sleeve 11 may be considered a cylindrical conduit. The sleeve 11 is slightly shorter in length than the shaft 3 so that the proximal end 5 of the shaft 3 protrudes through the opening 13. The sleeve 11 is of substantially circular cross section and complements the shape of the helical flange 9. The sleeve 11 has a closed end 27 towards the distal end 7 of the shaft 3. The shaft 3 is pole-like and is integrally formed with, at its proximal end 5, a helical flange 9. Of course, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the shaft and helical flange may not be integrally formed, but connected in an alternative manner. The shaft 3 and helical flange 9 may thus be considered a helical screw. The helical flange 9 extends along approximately a third of the length of the shaft 3; the remaining part of the shaft 3 is free of any protrusions and defines a sleeve cavity 17. In other embodiments, the helical flange part of the shaft and free part of the shaft may be formed according to different ratios. The proximal end 5 of the shaft 3 tapers to a point 15 to enable the shaft 3 to penetrate flowable material with ease during collection.

The shaft 3 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis by any suitable rotating means 19 (not specified in diagram). In this embodiment, the forward relative rotation between the shaft 3, and consequently the helical flange 9, and the sleeve 11 is actuated by rotation of the helical flange 9 in an anti-clockwise direction indicated by arrow 21, while the sleeve 11 remains in a fixed state. The forward direction is dictated by the configuration of the helical flange 9; that is the way in which it winds around the shaft 3. In other embodiments, the sleeve may also rotate to effect relative rotation. Figure 1 illustrates the auger 1 positioned over a square container 23 which holds flowable material, namely sand 25, such that the opening 13 of the sleeve 11 is adjacent the sand 25, while the point 15 of the shaft 3 penetrates the sand 25.

Use of the auger 1 is demonstrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 2 shows the auger 1 rotating the shaft 3, and consequently the helical flange 9, in an anti-clockwise direction. This causes the auger 1 to collect sand 25 through the opening 13 in the sleeve 11 by virtue of the helical flange 9. The sand 25 is advanced along the sleeve 11 towards the distal end 7 of the shaft 3 and into the sleeve cavity 17, where it may be retained or temporarily stored before being deposited. The closed end 27 of the sleeve 11 acts to retain the sand 25 in the sleeve 11 more effectively.

Figure 3 illustrates the auger 1 positioned in a different location, that is over a round bowl 29. In this embodiment, the auger 1 itself has been moved, whereas in other embodiments simply the sleeve opening may be repositioned. Figure 3 shows the rotating means 19 rotating the shaft 3, and consequently the helical flange 9, in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow 31 ; that is to actuate a reverse relative rotation between the helical flange 9 and the sleeve 11. This causes the helical flange 9 to withdraw and convey the sand 25 from the sleeve cavity 11 and dispense it into the round bowl 29 via the opening 13 of the sleeve 11. Referring now to Figure 4, there is depicted an auger 1a formed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The auger 1a is similar to that of Figure 1 and, therefore, like reference numerals represent like features. However, auger 1a differs to auger 1 in that, in this embodiment, in order to effect forward relative rotation the sleeve 33 is rotated by the rotating means 19a in an anti-clockwise direction indicated by arrow 33, while the shaft 3a and the flange 9a remain in a fixed state. This causes the sand 25 to be collected via the opening 13a of the sleeve 11a in a similar manner to that described in relation to Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 5, there is illustrated an auger 1 b formed according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The auger 1b is similar to that of Figure 1 and, therefore, like reference numerals represent like features. Auger 1b further comprises agitating means in the form of a sonicator 35 which lines the interior surface 37 of the sleeve 11b and acts to inhibit the sand 25b from agglomerating when in the sleeve 11 b, during storage for example. This aids smooth transit of the sand 25b into and out of the sleeve 11 b during use. in this embodiment, the helical flange 9a is constituted by a helically wound ribbon blade, which helps preserve or achieve a uniform consistency of the sand 25.

With Reference to Figure 6, there is illustrated an auger 101 constituted by a shaft 103 having a proximal end 105 and distal end 107, a helical flange 109 co- axia!ly associated with the shaft 103, and a sleeve 111 which houses the shaft 03 and helical flange 109.

The sleeve 111 is tubular in shape, is formed from steel (although any suitable rigid material could be used) and has an opening 113 towards the proximal end 105 of the shaft 103. The sleeve 111 may be considered a cylindrical conduit. The sleeve 111 is slightly shorter in length than the shaft 103 so that the proximal end 105 of the shaft 103 protrudes through the opening 113. The sleeve 111 is of substantially circular cross section and complements the shape of the helical flange 109. The sleeve 111 has a dosed end 127 towards the distal end 107 of the shaft 103.

The shaft 103 is pole-like and is integrally formed with a helical flange 109 running along its length. Of course, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the shaft and helical flange may not be integrally formed, but connected in an alternative manner. The shaft 103 and helical flange 109 may thus be considered a helical screw. The proximal end 105 of the shaft 103 tapers to a point 115 to enable the shaft 103 to penetrate flowable material with ease during collection.

The shaft 103 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis by any suitable rotating means 119 (not specified in diagram). In this embodiment, the forward relative rotation between the shaft 103, and consequently the helical flange 109, and the sleeve 111 is actuated by rotation of the helical flange 109 in an anti-clockwise direction indicated by arrow 121 , while the sleeve 111 remains in a fixed state. The forward direction is dictated by the configuration of the helical flange 109; that is the way in which it winds around the shaft 103. in other embodiments, the sleeve may also rotate to effect relative rotation.

Figure 6 illustrates the auger 101 positioned over a square container 123 which holds flowable material, namely sand 125, such that the opening 113 of the sleeve 111 is adjacent the sand 125, while the point 115 of the shaft 103 penetrates the sand 25.

Use of the auger 101 is demonstrated in Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7 shows the auger 101 rotating the shaft 103, and consequently the helical flange 109, in an anti-ciockwise direction. This causes the auger 101 to collect sand 125 through the opening 113 in the sleeve 111 by virtue of the helical flange109. The sand 125 is advanced along the sleeve 111 , where it may be retained or temporarily stored before being deposited. The dosed end 127 of the sleeve 111 acts to retain the sand 125 in the sleeve 111 more effectively. The sand 125 is distributed evenly in the space between the flange 109 and the sleeve 111. Figure 8 illustrates the auger 101 positioned in a different location, that is over a round bowl 129. In this embodiment, the auger 101 itself has been moved, whereas in other embodiments simply the sleeve opening 113 may be repositioned. Figure 8 shows the rotating means 119 rotating the shaft 8, and consequently the helical flange 109, in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow 131 ; that is to actuate a reverse relative rotation between the helical flange 109 and the sleeve 111. This causes the helical flange 109 to withdraw and convey the sand 125 from the sleeve 111 and dispense it into the round bowl 129 via the opening 113 of the sleeve 111.

Referring now to Figure 9, there is depicted an auger 101a formed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The auger 101a is similar to that of Figure 9 and, therefore, like reference numerals represent like features. However, auger 101a differs to auger 01 in that, in this embodiment, in order to effect forward relative rotation the sleeve 133 is rotated by the rotating means 119a in an anti-clockwise direction indicated by arrow 133, while the shaft 103a and the flange 109a remain in a fixed state. This causes the sand 25a to be collected via the opening 113a of the sleeve 111a in a similar manner to that described in relation to Figure 7.

With reference to Figure 10, there is illustrated an auger 101b formed according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The auger 101 b is similar to that of Figure 9 and, therefore, like reference numerals represent like features. Auger 101 b further comprises agitating means in the form of a sonicator 135 which lines the interior surface 137 of the sleeve 111b and acts to inhibit the sand 125b from agglomerating when in the sleeve 111b, during storage for example. This aids smooth transit of the sand 125b into and out of the sleeve 11 b during use. In this embodiment, the helical flange 109b is constituted by a helically wound ribbon blade, which helps preserve or achieve a uniform consistency of the sand 125b.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, embodiments in accordance with the invention are not limited to any of the particular materials or construction disclosed herein. Other materials and constructions suitable for performing the function described herein for a particular material may also be utilized in embodiments of the invention.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.