Auger hopper seal

Abstract

An auger hopper seal for a pivotable auger is provided according to the invention. The auger hopper seal includes a hopper for a pivotable auger at an intake end of the auger, the hopper having a rear wall located underneath a storage tank, side walls extending from underneath the storage tank, and a front wall positioned away from the storage tank, the hopper being located below a discharge opening on the storage tank and having a hinged connection to the storage tank, wherein the hopper may be pivoted vertically with respect to the storage tank, a flexible seal attached to the rear wall and the side walls of the hopper and positioned between the hopper and a bottom surface of the storage tank, the flexible seal being capable of being displaced by the bottom surface, and a biasing device mounted on the hopper and contacting the flexible seal and urging the flexible seal into a configuration co-planar with the rear wall of the hopper, wherein the flexible seal is capable of retaining a material contained in the hopper when the auger is elevated to a maximum vertical position.