WO2025215585A1 - Material elevator, container for material elevator, and related systems and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A material elevator includes a continuous belt and a plurality of buckets secured to the continuous belt. Each bucket of the plurality of buckets includes a container portion defining a trough, a first side panel attached to and bounding a first lateral side of the container portion, and a second side panel attached to and bounding a second lateral side of the container portion. When the bucket is oriented on a portion of the continuous belt configured to travel upward within the material elevator, bottom edges of the first side panel and the second side panel are vertically lower than a lowermost portion of the container portion.

Description

MATERIAL ELEVATOR, CONTAINER FOR MATERIAL ELEVATOR, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of United Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. GB2405121.1, filed April 10, 2024, titled “Material Elevator, Container for Material Elevator, and Related Systems and Methods” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Bucket elevators (a.k.a. bucket conveyors) are commonly utilized to elevate particulate materials (e.g., grain) from one elevation to a second higher elevation for dispensing. Conventional bucket elevators comprise a plurality of buckets attached to an elongated flexible structure (e.g., a belt or chain). The flexible structure passes in a continuous loop over and between an upper pulley and a lower pulley such that the attached buckets move in an upward extending run on one side of the loop and in a downward extending run on the opposite side of the loop. At a lower portion of the loop on the downward extending run, empty buckets collect particulate material present in a boot portion of the bucket elevator and then pass around the lower pulley of the bucket elevator. The buckets with particulate material then continue to move upwardly along the upward run of the loop. A motor drives at least one of the pulleys, generally the lower pulley, and therefore drives the elongated flexible structure with the buckets continuously around the loop. At the upper pulley of the bucket elevator, the buckets dispense the particulate material which then exits the bucket elevator through a discharge chute. Vertically orientated bucket elevators often generate a centrifugal force that directs the particulate material out of the buckets and into the discharge chute and are thus often referred to as “centrifugal discharge elevators.”

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] Some embodiments include a material elevator. The material elevator may include a continuous belt and a plurality of buckets secured to the continuous belt. Each bucket of the plurality of buckets may include a container portion defining a trough, a first side panel attached to and bounding a first lateral side of the container portion, and a second side panel attached to and bounding a second lateral side of the container portion, wherein, when the bucket is oriented on a portion of the continuous belt configured to travel upward within the material elevator, bottom edges of the first side panel and the second side panel are vertically lower than a lowermost portion of the container portion. [0004] The material elevator may further include a head section located at a top of the material elevator and comprising a first pivot point and a discharge, a boot section located at a bottom of the material elevator and comprising a second pivot point and an intake, and two legs extending vertically between the head section and the boot section and defining guides for the continuous belt and plurality of buckets.

[0005] The container portion of each bucket may include a first panel portion extending from uppermost edges of the first side panel and the second side panel at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and to vertical, middle regions of the first side panel and the second side panel, a second panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the first panel portion and extending in an at least substantially vertical direction, a third panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the second panel portion and extending away from the second panel portion in a declining direction, and a fourth panel portion connected to and extending from a bottom edge of the third panel portion in an inclining direction.

[0006] Uppermost edges of the first panel portion and the fourth panel portion may define sides of an opening of the container portion.

[0007] The first panel portion may overhang the third panel portion and a portion of the fourth panel portion.

[0008] An intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion may define a lowermost region of the container portion.

[0009] Bottom edges of the first side panel and the second side panel of each bucket may be vertically lower than the intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion.

[0010] On a region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, an upper portion of each bucket of the plurality of buckets may be nested within a lower portion of a bucket of the plurality of buckets immediately above each bucket.

[0011] On the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, major surfaces of each of the first side panel and the second side panel may be oriented at an acute angle relative to a vertical plane.

[0012] The acute angle may be within a range of about 1° and about 10°.

[0013] An inner surface of the first side panel may be oblique to an inner surface of the second side panel.

[0014] One or more embodiments include a material elevator. The material elevator may include a continuous belt and a plurality of buckets secured to the continuous belt. Each bucket of the plurality of buckets may include a container portion defining a trough, a first side panel attached to and bounding a first lateral side of the container portion, and a second side panel attached to and bounding a second lateral side of the container portion, wherein, on a region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, an upper portion of each bucket of the plurality of buckets is nested within a lower portion of a bucket of the plurality of buckets immediately above each bucket.

[0015] The material elevator may further include a head section located at a top of the material elevator and comprising a first pivot point and a discharge, a boot section located at a bottom of the material elevator and comprising a second pivot point and an intake, and two legs extending vertically between the head section and the boot section and defining guides for the continuous belt and plurality of buckets.

[0016] The container portion of each bucket may include a first panel portion extending from uppermost edges of the first side panel and the second side panel at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and to vertical, middle regions of the first side panel and the second side panel, a second panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the first panel portion and extending in an at least substantially vertical direction, a third panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the second panel portion and extending away from the second panel portion in a declining direction, and a fourth panel portion connected to and extending from a bottom edge of the third panel portion in an inclining direction.

[0017] Uppermost edges of the first panel portion and the fourth panel portion may define sides of an opening of the container portion.

[0018] On the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, the first panel portion may overhang the third panel portion and a portion of the fourth panel portion.

[0019] On the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, an intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion may define a lowermost region of the container portion.

[0020] On the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, bottom edges of the first side panel and the second side panel of each bucket may be vertically lower than the intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion.

[0021] An inner surface of the first side panel may be oblique to an inner surface of the second side panel. [0022] Some embodiments include a bucket configured to be attached to a belt of a material elevator. The bucket may include a container portion defining a trough, a first side panel attached to and bounding a first lateral side of the container portion, and a second side panel attached to and bounding a second lateral side of the container portion. The container portion may include a first panel portion extending from uppermost edges of the first side panel and the second side panel at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and to vertical, middle regions of the first side panel and the second side panel, a second panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the first panel portion and extending in an at least substantially vertical direction, a third panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the second panel portion and extending away from the second panel portion in a declining direction, and a fourth panel portion connected to and extending from a bottom edge of the third panel portion in an inclining direction.

[0023] Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

[0024] Within the scope of this application, it should be understood that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out herein, and individual features thereof may be taken independently or in any possible and compatible combination. Where features are described with reference to a single aspect or embodiment, it should be understood that such features are applicable to all aspects and embodiments unless otherwise stated or where such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a material elevator according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. is a perspective view of a bucket of the material elevator of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

[0030] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

[0031] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the bucket of FIG. 2; [0032] FIG. 7 is a front schematic view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of two buckets of the material elevator of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a material elevator according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another portion of the material elevator of FIG. 9;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of two buckets of the material elevator of FIG. 1; and

[0037] FIG. 12 is a side schematic view of two buckets of the material elevator of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular material elevator, bucket, component, or system, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe embodiments of the disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation for convenience and clarity.

[0039] The following description provides specific details of embodiments. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing many such specific details. Indeed, the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all the elements that form a complete structure or assembly. Only those process acts and structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below. Additional conventional acts and structures may be used. The drawings accompanying the application are for illustrative purposes only, and are thus not drawn to scale.

[0040] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also include the more restrictive terms “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ and grammatical equivalents thereof.

[0041] As used herein, the singular forms following “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0042] As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

[0043] As used herein, the term “configured” refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a predetermined way.

[0044] As used herein, any relational term, such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “beneath,” “side,” “outer,” “inner,” etc., is used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings, and does not connote or depend on any specific preference or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, these terms may refer to an orientation of elements of a material elevator and/or bucket as illustrated in the drawings. Additionally, these terms may refer to an orientation of elements of a material elevator and/or bucket when utilized in a conventional manners.

[0045] As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.

[0046] As used herein, the term “about” used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter, as well as variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances, etc.).

[0047] As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0048] As used herein, the term “bulk material” may refer to one or more of particles, grains, kernels, and/or seeds of material.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a material elevator 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The material elevator 100 may include a conveying system for vertically transporting bulk materials such as grain, pellets, and powder from one elevation to another elevation. For example, the material elevator 100 may be utilized in conjunction with grain storage facilities, mills, and/or processing plants to move bulk material vertically.

[0050] The material elevator 100 may include a head section 102, a boot section 104, and two legs 106. The head section 102 may be located at a top of the material elevator 100 and may house a drive system 108 (e.g., a motor and gearbox). The boot section 104 may be located at a bottom of the material elevator 100 and may house a conventional boot pulley and tensioning system. The legs 106 may extend vertically between the head section 102 and the boot section 104 and may provide guides for a continuous belt 110 having a plurality of buckets 112 secured thereto. The continuous belt 110 may include any conventional belt utilized with material elevators.

[0051] The continuous belt 110 may pivot about a first pivot point in the head section 102 and a second pivot point within the boot section 104 such that, when driven by the drive system 108, the belt 110 and plurality of buckets 112 travel up a first leg 106 of the two legs 106, through the head section 102 and about the first pivot point, down a second leg 106 of the two legs 106, through the boot section 104 and about the second pivot point, and back up the first leg 106.

[0052] The boot section 104 may include an intake 114 where material is feed into the material elevator 100 and into the plurality of buckets 112, and the head section 102 may include a discharge 116 that leads to a desired output (e.g., silo, conveyor, or processing equipment). Accordingly, in operation, the drive system 108 may drive the belt 110 carrying the plurality of buckets 112 in the manner described above, and material may be fed into the buckets 112 at the boot section 104, the belt 110 may move upward carrying loaded buckets 112, the buckets 112 may be tipped over within the head section 102, discharging the material through the discharge 116, and the empty buckets 112 may return to the boot section 104 for a next cycle.

[0053] The buckets 112 depicted within FIG. 1 are implied with one or more portions removed to better show the continuous belt, material within the buckets 112, and interior of the material elevator 100. The structure of the buckets 112 is described in great detail below in regard to FIG. 2 through FIG. 6.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bucket 112 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure and that can be utilized with the material elevator 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the bucket 112 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a simplified, side cross-sectional view of the bucket 112 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is bottom, perspective view of the bucket 112 of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the bucket 112 of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a front view of the bucket 112 of FIG. 2.

[0055] As used herein, any relational term utilized to describe the elements and portions of the bucket 112, such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “beneath,” “side,” “outer,” “inner,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” etc., is used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings, and does not connote or depend on any specific preference or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, these terms may refer to an orientation of elements of the bucket 112 as illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6. Additionally, these terms may refer to an orientation of elements of the bucket 112 traveling upward within the first leg 106 of the material elevator 100 (e.g., in an upright orientation).

[0056] Referring to FIG. 2 through FIG. 6 together, the bucket 112 may include a container portion 202 with a first side panel 204 and a second side panel 206 connected to and bounding lateral sides of the container portion 202. The container portion 202 may include a first panel portion 208, a second panel portion 210, a third panel portion 212, and a fourth panel portion 214 defining a general trough shape.

[0057] The first panel portion 208 (e.g., major surfaces of the first panel portion 208) may extend at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the first panel portion 208 may extend from uppermost edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 to vertical, middle regions of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206. The second panel portion 210 may be connected to the first panel portion 208 (e.g., an edge of the first panel portion 208) at an edge of the first panel portion 208 (e.g., a bottom edge of the first panel portion 208) proximate the middle regions of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206. Additionally, the second panel portion 210 (e.g., major surfaces of the second panel portion 210) may extend in an at least substantially vertical direction. For instance, the major surfaces of the second panel portion 210 may be at least substantially normal to a horizontal plane. In view of the foregoing, the first panel portion 208 may extend from an upper edge of the second side panel 206 to the uppermost edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206, and the first panel portion 208 may extend away from the second panel portion 210 in an inclining direction.

[0058] The third panel portion 212 may be connected to a bottom edge of the second panel portion 210 and may extend away from the second panel portion 210 at an acute angle relative to a horizontal horizonal plane 216. In some embodiments, the third panel portion 212 may extend away from the second panel portion 210 in a declining direction. The third panel portion 212 may extend from the bottom edge of the second panel portion 210 to lower regions of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206.

[0059] The fourth panel portion 214 may extend from a bottom edge of the third panel portion 212 in an inclining direction at an acute angle relative to the horizonal plane 216. Additionally, the fourth panel portion 214 may extend from the third panel portion 212 to front side edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206. In some embodiments, upper major surfaces of the third panel portion 212 and the fourth panel portion 214 may form a general V-shape. Furthermore, an intersection of the fourth panel portion 214 and the third panel portion 212 may define a lowermost portion of the container portion 202 (e.g., a lowermost portion of the trough defined by the container portion 202). Moreover, upper edges of the first panel portion 208 and the fourth panel portion 214 may define an opening 402 of the container portion 202.

[0060] Referring still to FIG. 2 through FIG. 6, the first panel portion 208 may overhang the third panel portion 212 and at least a portion of the fourth panel portion 214.

[0061] Additionally, in some embodiments, the first side panel 204 and the second panel portion 210 may extend vertically past (e.g., below) a lower boundary of the container portion 202 of the bucket 112. In other words, bottom edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 may be vertically lower than the intersection of the fourth panel portion 214 and the third panel portion 212 (e.g., the lowermost portion of the container portion 202).

[0062] Referring specifically to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, each the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 of the bucket 112 may be oriented at an acute angle 702 relative to a vertical plane 704. Furthermore, the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 may be angled relative to the vertical planes 704 such that the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 converge toward each from the bottom edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 to the uppermost edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206. In other words, inner surfaces of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 may be oblique to each other. For instance, a distance between the uppermost edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 is smaller than a distance between the bottom edges of the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206.

[0063] In some embodiments, the acute angle 702 may be within a range of about 1° and about 10°. For instance, the acute angle 702 may be a about 2.5°. As is discussed in greater detail below, because the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 are both angled toward one another at upper ends of the bucket 112, adjacent buckets 112 on the belt 110 may at least partially fit within each other. For instance, when mounted to the belt 110 and when on a region of the belt 110 positioned to travel upward, an upper portion of a given bucket 112 may nest within a lower portion of a bucket 112 that is immediately above the given bucket 112.

[0064] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of two buckets 112 oriented adjacent to one another with an upper portion of a first of the two buckets 112 nested within (e.g., placed within) a lower portion of a second of the two buckets 112. FIG. 9 is a view of a plurality of buckets 112 secured to a belt 110 and within a material elevator 100 on a section of the belt 110 positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator 100. FIG. 10 is a view of the plurality of buckets 112 secured to the belt 110 and within the material elevator 100 on a section of the belt 110 positioned to travel downward during operation of the material elevator 100. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the plurality of buckets 112 secured to the belt 110 and within the material elevator 100 on a section of the belt 110 positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator 100.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 8 through FIG. 10 together, as noted above, because the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 are both angled toward each other at upper ends of the bucket 112, adjacent buckets 112 on the belt 110 may at least partially fit within each other. For instance, when mounted to the belt 110 and when on a region of the belt 110 positioned to travel upward, an upper portion of a given bucket 112 may nest within a lower portion of a bucket 112 that is immediately above the given bucket 112. Furthermore, because of this overlap between buckets 112, the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 may prevent spillage of the bulk material out of the sides of the buckets 112 during operation of the material elevator 100. As a result, the buckets 112 and the material elevator 100 of the present disclosure may improve efficiency of transporting bulk material in comparison to conventional buckets 112 and material elevators 100. Moreover, by preventing spillage, the buckets 112 and the material elevator 100 of the present disclosure may reduce an amount of cleanup (e.g., cleanup of the boot section 104) after usage. Additionally, by preventing spillage of bulk material into the boot section 104, the buckets 112 and the material elevator 100 of the present disclosure may reduce buildup of bulk material within the boot section 104 and spoilage of the bulk material that can occur within the boot section 104. Likewise, by preventing spillage, the buckets 112 and the material elevator 100 of the present disclosure may reduce a number of particles (e.g., corn kernels) of the bulk material that are broken during transport of the bulk material. For instance, preventing spillage, prevents bulk material from falling out of the sides of the buckets 112 and falling down the legs 106 of the material elevator 100. [0066] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a plurality of buckets 112 secured to the belt 110 and within the material elevator 100 on a section of the belt 110 positioned to travel downward during operation of the material elevator 100. As is shown in FIG. 12, when on a section of the belt 110 positioned to travel downward, the plurality of buckets 112 are tipped upside down and may be configured to dump the bulk material 1202 that is within the container portions 202 of the plurality of buckets 112 into a discharge 116 of the material elevator 100. Moreover, as is shown in FIG. 12, for a given bucket 112, a fourth panel portion 214 of a container portion 202 of a bucket 112 immediately below the given bucket 112 may define a slide surface 1204 of bulk material 1202 exiting the given bucket 112. Furthermore, because the given bucket 112 is partially nested between the first side panel 204 and the second side panel 206 of the bucket 112 immediately below the given bucket 112, bulk material 1202 is guided by the first side panels 204 and the second side panels 206 along the first panel portions 208 and the slide surfaces of the fourth panel portions 214 and out of the buckets 112.

[0067] All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between definitions herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control.

[0068] The embodiments of the disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings do not limit the scope of the disclosure, which is encompassed by the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Any equivalent embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, various modifications of the disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternate useful combinations of the elements described, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Such modifications and embodiments also fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A material elevator comprising: a continuous belt; and a plurality of buckets secured to the continuous belt, each bucket of the plurality of buckets comprising: a container portion defining a trough; a first side panel attached to and bounding a first lateral side of the container portion; and a second side panel attached to and bounding a second lateral side of the container portion, wherein, when the bucket is oriented on a portion of the continuous belt configured to travel upward within the material elevator, bottom edges of the first side panel and the second side panel are vertically lower than a lowermost portion of the container portion.

2. The material elevator of claim 1, further comprising: a head section located at a top of the material elevator and comprising a first pivot point and a discharge; a boot section located at a bottom of the material elevator and comprising a second pivot point and an intake; and two legs extending vertically between the head section and the boot section and defining guides for the continuous belt and plurality of buckets.

3. The material elevator of claim 1, wherein the container portion of each bucket comprises: a first panel portion extending from uppermost edges of the first side panel and the second side panel at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and to vertical, middle regions of the first side panel and the second side panel; a second panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the first panel portion and extending in an at least substantially vertical direction; a third panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the second panel portion and extending away from the second panel portion in a declining direction; and a fourth panel portion connected to and extending from a bottom edge of the third panel portion in an inclining direction.

4. The material elevator of claim 3, wherein uppermost edges of the first panel portion and the fourth panel portion define sides of an opening of the container portion.

5. The material elevator of claim 3 or 4, wherein the first panel portion overhangs the third panel portion and a portion of the fourth panel portion.

6. The material elevator of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein an intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion defines a lowermost region of the container portion.

7. The material elevator of claim 6, wherein bottom edges of the first side panel and the second side panel of each bucket are vertically lower than the intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion.

8. The material elevator of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, on a region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, an upper portion of each bucket of the plurality of buckets is nested within a lower portion of a bucket of the plurality of buckets immediately above each bucket.

9. The material elevator of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, on the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, major surfaces of each of the first side panel and the second side panel are oriented at an acute angle relative to a vertical plane.

10. The material elevator of claim 8, wherein the acute angle is within a range of about 1° and about 10°.

11. The material elevator of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an inner surface of the first side panel is oblique to an inner surface of the second side panel.

12. A material elevator comprising: a continuous belt; and a plurality of buckets secured to the continuous belt, each bucket of the plurality of buckets comprising: a container portion defining a trough; a first side panel attached to and bounding a first lateral side of the container portion; and a second side panel attached to and bounding a second lateral side of the container portion, wherein, on a region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, an upper portion of each bucket of the plurality of buckets is nested within a lower portion of a bucket of the plurality of buckets immediately above each bucket.

13. The material elevator of claim 12, further comprising: a head section located at a top of the material elevator and comprising a first pivot point and a discharge; a boot section located at a bottom of the material elevator and comprising a second pivot point and an intake; and two legs extending vertically between the head section and the boot section and defining guides for the continuous belt and plurality of buckets.

14. The material elevator of claim 12 or 13, wherein the container portion of each bucket comprises: a first panel portion extending from uppermost edges of the first side panel and the second side panel at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and to vertical, middle regions of the first side panel and the second side panel; a second panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the first panel portion and extending in an at least substantially vertical direction; a third panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the second panel portion and extending away from the second panel portion in a declining direction; and a fourth panel portion connected to and extending from a bottom edge of the third panel portion in an inclining direction.

15. The material elevator of claim 14, wherein uppermost edges of the first panel portion and the fourth panel portion define sides of an opening of the container portion.

16. The material elevator of claim 14 or 15, wherein, on the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, the first panel portion overhangs the third panel portion and a portion of the fourth panel portion.

17. The material elevator of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein, on the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, an intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion defines a lowermost region of the container portion.

18. The material elevator of claim 17, wherein, on the region of the continuous belt positioned to travel upward during operation of the material elevator, bottom edges of the first side panel and the second side panel of each bucket are vertically lower than the intersection of the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion.

19. The material elevator of any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein an inner surface of the first side panel is oblique to an inner surface of the second side panel.

20. A bucket configured to be attached to a belt of a material elevator, the bucket comprising: a container portion defining a trough; a first side panel attached to and bounding a first lateral side of the container portion; and a second side panel attached to and bounding a second lateral side of the container portion, wherein the container portion comprises: a first panel portion extending from uppermost edges of the first side panel and the second side panel at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and to vertical, middle regions of the first side panel and the second side panel; a second panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the first panel portion and extending in an at least substantially vertical direction; a third panel portion connected to a bottom edge of the second panel portion and extending away from the second panel portion in a declining direction; and a fourth panel portion connected to and extending from a bottom edge of the third panel portion in an inclining direction.