Bubble top and extender for hopper

Abstract

A bubble top and height-extender element for use on a hopper such as a seed hopper in agricultural applications includes a bubble top or lid for mounting on the hopper or on an extender element positioned on the hopper, to facilitate additional seed or other material containment in the hopper. When used, the extender element is interposed between the bubble top or lid and the hopper itself, for increasing the carrying capacity of the hopper. In a preferred embodiment the bubble top or lid is utilized on a conventional hopper with or without the extender to increase the volume of seed, fungicide, pesticide or other material loaded in the hopper and thus reduce the labor costs and time required for distributing the material on a field to be seeded or treated.

1 . a bubble top and height extender for a hopper, comprising an extender element for seating on the hopper; a lid or top positioned on the extender element; and a bubble element provided in said lid or top for increasing the capacity of the hopper. 
   
   
       2 . The bubble top and height extender of  claim 1  wherein the hopper has a curved hopper rim and comprising a curved extender rim provided on said extender element for engaging the curved hopper rim and supporting said extender element on the hopper. 
   
   
       3 . The bubble top and height extender of  claim 1  comprising at least one latching element provided on said lid or top and wherein the hopper has at least one receiving element for receiving said latching element and removably securing said lid or top on said extender element. 
   
   
       4 . The bubble top and height extender of  claim 3  wherein the hopper has a curved hopper rim and comprising a curved extender rim provided on said extender element for engaging the curved hopper rim and supporting said extender element on the hopper. 
   
   
       5 . A bubble top for removably fitting on a hopper, comprising a lid or top configured to fit the hopper and a bubble element provided in said lid or top for increasing the capacity of the hopper. 
   
   
       6 . The bubble top of  claim 5  comprising at least one latching element provided on said lid or top and wherein the hopper has at least one receiving element for receiving said latching element and removably securing said lid or top on the hopper. 
   
   
       7 . The bubble top of  claim 5  wherein the hopper has a curved hopper rim and comprising a curved top rim provided on said lid or top for engaging the curved hopper rim and supporting said lid or top on the hopper. 
   
   
       8 . The bubble top of  claim 7  comprising at least one latching element provided on said lid or top and wherein the hopper has at least one receiving element for receiving said latching element and removably securing said lid or top on the hopper. 
   
   
       9 . The bubble top of  claim 5  comprising an extender element interposed between said bubble top and the hopper. 
   
   
       10 . The bubble top of  claim 9  wherein the hopper has a curved hopper rim and comprising a curved extender rim provided on said extender element for engaging the curved hopper rim and supporting said extender element on said hopper. 
   
   
       11 . The bubble top of  claim 10  comprising at least one latching element provided on said lid or top and wherein the hopper has at least one receiving element for receiving said latching element and removably securing said lid or top on the hopper. 
   
   
       12 . A bubble top and extender for a hopper having a top rim, comprising an extender element of selected size removably fitted on the top rim of the hopper and a bubble top or lid removably seated on said extender element for increasing the capacity of the hopper. 
   
   
       13 . The bubble top and extender of  claim 12  wherein the top rim of the hopper is a curved hopper rim and comprising a curved extender rim provided on said extender element for engaging the curved hopper rim and supporting said extender element on the hopper. 
   
   
       14 . The bubble top and extender of  claim 12  comprising at least one pair of latching elements provided on said bubble top or lid and wherein the hopper has at least one pair of receiving elements for receiving said latching elements and removably securing said bubble top or lid on said extender element and said extender element on the hopper. 
   
   
       15 . The bubble top and extender of  claim 14  wherein the top rim of the hopper is a curved hopper rim and comprising a curved extender rim provided on said extender for engaging the curved hopper rim and supporting said extender element on the hopper.