Apparatus for controlling the deposition of feed material on a deposition build-up surface

1. In a feeder arrangement having an endless conveyor for conveying feed material to a distribution rotor having rotating blades for further conveyance of the feed material wherein the endless conveyor moves in a loop having a respective clockwise-denominated handedness with some portion of the endless conveyor always traveling along an upper run while another portion of the endless conveyor travels along a lower run below the upper run and the endless conveyor, as the endless conveyor travels along the upper run of the endless conveyor, conveying said feed material to a drop-off location at which said feed material drops off the endless conveyor for receipt thereof by the rotating blades of the distribution rotor, the improvement comprising:

a deposition build-up surface disposed immediately below the beginning of the lower run of the endless conveyor and so as to extend in parallel relation to the path of movement of the lower run of the endless conveyor;

the distribution rotor being rotatable in an opposite clockwise-denominated handedness relative to the endless conveyor so as to thereby cause a portion of the feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor to move towards the deposition build-up surface; and

an apparatus for controlling the deposition of feed material on the deposition build-up surface that is subjected to deposition loading of conveyed feed material that has exited the endless conveyer but yet has not been conveyed beyond the distribution rotor, the apparatus for controlling the deposition of feed material on the deposition build-up surface comprising means for influencing the movement of feed material relative to the deposition build-up surface such that the deposition on the deposition build-up surface of feed material conveyed by the endless conveyer is impeded thereby whereby control is thus effected over the deposition on the deposition build-up surface of feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor.

2. In a feeder arrangement having an endless conveyor for conveying feed material to a distribution rotor having rotating blades for further conveyance of the feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor, the improvement in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for influencing the movement of the feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor relative to the deposition build-up surface includes means for directing a fluid relative to the feed material conveyed on the endless conveyor that has been deposited on the deposition build-up surface.

3. In a feeder arrangement having an endless conveyor for conveying feed material to a distribution rotor having rotating blades for further conveyance of the feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor, the improvement in accordance with claim 2 wherein the means for directing a fluid relative to the feed material conveyed on the endless conveyor that has been deposited on the deposition build-up surface includes a pressurized air device that is operable to inject a stream of air at a predetermined orientation relative to the deposition build-up surface so as to oppose the deposition on the deposition build-up surface of feed material conveyed on the endless conveyor.

4. In a feeder arrangement having an endless conveyor for conveying feed material to a distribution rotor having rotating blades for further conveyance of the feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor, the improvement in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for influencing the movement of the feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor relative to the deposition build-up surface includes a mechanical device for displacing the feed material conveyed by the endless conveyor that has been deposited on the deposition build-up surface.