U.S. patent application number 10/640722 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for plastic load container.
Invention is credited to Garcia, Marcelo E..
Application Number | 20040031793 10/640722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31720720 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040031793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garcia, Marcelo E. |
February 19, 2004 |
Plastic load container
Abstract
A load container is formed of one or more plastic or plastic
composite panels so that it is lighter than typical metal load
containers and can be easily shipped and repaired. The load
container can be part of a vehicle having a vehicle frame and at
least one wheel supporting the vehicle frame by engaging the ground
or a rail, for example. A load container frame is supported by the
vehicle frame, and a plurality of the panels are secured to the
load container frame with an edge of each panel adjacent an edge of
another panel, possible with sealant or coupling media
therebetween. Methods of making such wall panels and vehicles
having load containers so formed as well as methods of repairing
and assembling such load containers are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Garcia, Marcelo E.; (Fort
Wayne, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUARLES & BRADY LLP
411 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
SUITE 2040
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-4497
US
|
Family ID: |
31720720 |
Appl. No.: |
10/640722 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60404065 |
Aug 16, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 90/022 20130101;
B60P 3/2225 20130101; F17C 2270/0171 20130101; B60P 3/221 20130101;
B65D 90/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/1.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 088/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wall panel of a load container having a volume defined by one
or more of the wall panels, comprising: a first plastic layer
forming one surface of said wall panel; a second plastic layer
forming an opposite surface of said wall panel; and a reinforcement
layer at least in part disposed between said first and second
plastic layers; wherein said first and second plastic layers and
said reinforcement layer form a uniform homogenous composite wall
panel.
2. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein said load container is
defined by a plurality of said wall panels arranged in an edge to
edge fashion.
3. The wall panel of claim 2, wherein said one surface of said wall
panel formed by said first plastic layer is an exterior surface of
said load container and wherein said opposite surface of said wall
panel formed by said second plastic layer is an interior surface of
said load container.
4. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein said load container is
selected from the group of containers including hoppers, storage
bins and silos.
5. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein the load container is
selected from a group of transportable containers including a truck
mounted load container and a railcar mounted load container.
6. The wall panel of claim 5, wherein said load container is a
truck mounted load container and further including a vehicle frame
mounting a load container frame mounting said load container.
7. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first
and second plastic layers is polyethylene.
8. The wall panel of claim 7, wherein said polyethylene is an ultra
high molecular weight polyethylene.
9. The wall panel of claim 8, wherein said ultra high molecular
weight polyethylene is TIVAR.
10. The wall panel of claim 9, wherein the first and second plastic
layers are TIVAR.
11. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein said reinforcement layer is
metal.
12. The wall panel of claim 11, wherein said reinforcement layer is
an expanded metal.
13. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein said first plastic layer is
made from a pre-pressed plastic sheet.
14. The wall panel of claim 13, wherein said pre-pressed plastic
sheet is adhered to said reinforcement layer.
15. The wall panel of claim 14, wherein an ultra high molecular
weight plastic tape adhesive is disposed between said pre-pressed
plastic sheet and said reinforcement layer.
16. The wall panel of claim 15, wherein said first and second
plastic layers are ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
17. The wall panel of claim 16, wherein said first and second
plastic layers are TIVAR.
18. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein said second plastic layer
defines a surface of said wall panel defining an interior surface
of said load container and has a coefficient of friction of no more
than about 0.2.
19. A method of making a composite wall panel for a load container,
wherein said load container is formed from a plurality of panels
defining a load container volume, said method comprising: inserting
a pre-pressed plastic sheet into a mold; setting a reinforcement
layer against said pre-pressed plastic sheet; inserting plastic
resin into said mold at least onto said reinforcement layer; and
closing said mold with said plastic sheet, said reinforcement layer
and said plastic resin inside; heating and pressurizing said mold
to form a composite wall panel having said reinforcement layer
disposed between a plastic layer formed of said pre-pressed plastic
sheet and another plastic layer formed of said plastic resin.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said reinforcement sheet is
metal.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said plastic resin is an ultra
high molecular weight polyethylene.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said pre-pressed plastic sheet
is an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
23. The method of claim 22, further including adhering the
reinforcement layer to said pre-pressed plastic sheet.
24. A method of repairing a load container, wherein said load
container is formed from a plurality of plastic panels defining a
load container volume, said panels being secured to a load
container frame, and at least one of said panels is damaged, said
method comprising: detaching the at least one damaged panel from
the load container frame; and replacing said at least one damaged
panel with at least one undamaged panel; and securing said at least
one undamaged panel to the load container frame.
25. A method of making a vehicle having a vehicle frame supporting
a load container frame in turn supporting a load container,
comprising the steps of: rotatably mounting at least one wheel to
said vehicle frame; mounting said load container frame to said
vehicle frame; and attaching a plurality of plastic panels in an
edge to edge fashion to said load container frame and forming said
load container having a volume for containing a load.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said plurality of plastic
panels are a composite material including a reinforcement layer
disposed between two plastic layers.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said reinforcement layer is
metal.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein said plastic layers are made of
an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the ultra high molecular weight
polyethylene is TIVAR.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of said plastic
layers is formed from a pre-pressed plastic sheet.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of said panels is
fixed to said load container frame by at least one bolt received in
a countersunk hole formed in a surface of one of said plastic
layers at an interior of said load container.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein said at least one bolt is
capped by a non-metallic cap which is substantially flush with said
surface.
33. A load container for mounting to a vehicle, said load container
comprising: a load container frame formed from spaced apart
structural members supported by said vehicle frame; and a plurality
of plastic panels arranged in an edge to edge fashion secured to
said load container frame, and forming a load container having a
volume for containing a load.
34. The load container of claim 33, wherein a sealing material is
interposed between at least one pair of adjacent panels.
35. The load container of claim 34, wherein said sealing material
is a gasket.
36. The load container of claim 33, wherein at least one edge of at
least one panel includes a tongue received in a groove formed in an
edge of an adjacent panel.
37. The load container of claim 33, wherein at least one of said
panels of said plurality is made of polyethylene.
38. The load container of claim 33, wherein at least one of said
panels is made of a reinforced polyethylene composite having a
reinforcement layer disposed between two plastic layers.
39. The load container of claim 33, in which at least one of said
panels is non-planar.
40 The load container of claim 33, wherein at least one joint
between at least one pair of adjacent panels is welded
together.
41. The load container of claim 33, wherein at least one of said
panels is fixed to said load container frame by at least one bolt
received in a countersunk hole formed in a surface of said load
container.
42. The load container of claim 41, wherein said at least one bolt
is capped by a non-metallic cap which is substantially flush with
said surface.
43. The load container of claim 33, wherein said load container
frame includes cross members joined to said structural members to
space said structural members apart.
44. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; a load container frame
supported by said vehicle frame; and a plurality of plastic panels
arranged in an edge to edge fashion secured to said load container
frame, and forming a load container having a volume for containing
a load.
45. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein sealing material is interposed
between at least one pair of adjacent panels.
46. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein at least one edge of at least
one panel includes a tongue received in a groove formed in an edge
of an adjacent panel.
47. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein at least one of said panels is
formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
48. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein at least one of said plurality
of plastic panels are a plastic composite material including a
reinforcement layer disposed between two plastic layers.
49. The vehicle of claim 48, wherein at least one of said plastic
layers is an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and said
reinforcement layer is metal.
50. The vehicle of claim 49, wherein one of said plastic layers is
formed from a pre-pressed sheet.
51. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein at least one hopper forms a
part of said load container.
52. The vehicle of claim 51, wherein said at least one hopper is
formed from at least one non-metallic panel supported by at least
one of said vehicle frame and said load container frame.
53. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein at least one of said panels is
non-planar.
54. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein at least one joint between at
least one pair of adjacent panels is welded together.
55. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein at least one of said panels is
fixed to said load container frame by at least one bolt received in
a countersunk hole formed in a surface of said load container.
56. The vehicle of claim 55, wherein said at least one bolt is
capped by a non-metallic cap which is substantially flush with said
surface.
57. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein said load container frame is
formed from spaced apart structural members supported by said
vehicle frame.
58. The vehicle of claim 57, wherein said load container frame
includes cross members joined to said structural members to space
said structural members apart.
59. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein said vehicle frame is a truck
frame rotatably mounting a plurality of ground engaging wheels for
contacting a ground surface.
60. The vehicle of claim 59, further including a tractor is joined
to said vehicle frame.
61. The vehicle of claim 44, wherein said vehicle frame is a
railcar frame rotatably mounting a plurality of rail engaging
wheels for riding on one or more rails.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit to U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/404,065 filed on Aug. 16, 2002.
STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Technical Field
[0004] The present invention relates to load containers, and more
particularly to load containers made of one or more generally
plastic panels, and even more particularly to such load containers
forming a part of transport vehicles.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Containment devices, such as bins, hoppers and large silos,
and large containers on transport vehicles, such as trucks and
railcars, are often used to contain and transport bulk materials,
such as powdered cement. Container trucks, for example, typically
include a tractor which pulls a trailer having a load container
fixed thereto. The load container is typically formed from a metal
skin which defines a load container volume. The load, such as the
powdered cement, is contained within the volume while being
transported by the truck.
[0007] The heavy metal load container increases the overall weight
of the vehicle, and thus decreases the load capacity of the truck.
Moreover, the increased weight reduces the fuel mileage of the
vehicle, thus increasing operating costs for transporting the load.
Non fluid loads being transported in the container can stick to the
metal which complicates unloading the container. In addition, if a
portion of the load container is damaged, the load container must
be replaced or repaired.
[0008] Replacing the damaged metal load container is very
expensive. If the damage is minor, the damaged area can be cut out
using a torch and a patch can be welded onto the exterior of the
load container. If the load container had been transporting a
powder or other explosive material, however, using a torch or
welding equipment is extremely dangerous. Moreover, even with a
patch, the repaired area is unsightly, and is a constant reminder
of the prior damage.
[0009] One known solution for reducing the weight of the load
container is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,693 which discloses a
molded, one piece, completely integral load container for
transporting bulk materials. A large, molded, one piece, load
container is extremely bulky and expensive to ship from the molder
to a vehicle manufacturer for assembling with the vehicle.
Moreover, if the load container is damaged, as in metal load
containers, the entire container must be replaced or subject to
unsightly repairs. Therefore, a need exists for a lightweight load
container that can be easily shipped for assembling into a vehicle,
and that can be easily repaired without leaving unsightly evidence
of the repair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a vehicle having a load
container which is lighter than typical metal load containers and
which can be easily shipped and repaired. One or more plastic or
plastic composite panels form a load container having a volume for
containing a load, wherein each panel has at least one edge
adjacent an edge of an adjacent panel.
[0011] A general objective of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle having a load container which is lighter than a metal load
container having a similar volume and load capacity. This objective
is accomplished by providing a vehicle having a vehicle frame
supporting a load container frame onto which a plurality of plastic
panels are secured to form a load container.
[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
load container vehicle suitable for use on existing roadways and
railways. This is accomplished by the vehicle frame being a truck
frame rotatably mounting a plurality of ground engaging wheels for
contacting a ground surface, or a railcar frame rotatably mounting
a plurality of rail engaging wheels riding one or more rails.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method of making a vehicle having a load container. This is
accomplished by attaching at least one rotatable wheel and a load
container frame to a vehicle frame, and then attaching a plurality
of plastic panels in an edge to edge fashion to the load container
frame to form the load container. Preferably, at least one of the
panels is fixed to the load container frame by at least one bolt
received in a countersunk hole formed in a surface of the plastic
layer at the interior surface of the load container. The
countersunk hole can be formed in the plastic layer so that the
bolt(s) are capped by a non-metallic cap that is substantially
flush with the interior surface of the load container.
[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
method for repairing a load container. This objective is
accomplished by forming the load container using replaceable
panels.
[0015] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a composite wall panel, and method of making same, for use in
making a load container. This is accomplished by pressing a
reinforcement layer between two layers of plastic. In one preferred
method this includes adhering a pre-pressed sheet to a
reinforcement sheet and then pressing a plastic resin together with
the adhered pre-pressed and reinforcement sheets so as to form a
uniform homogenous composite. Preferably, the reinforcement sheet
is metal and the sheet and resin are an ultra high molecular weight
polyethylene, such as TIVAR.RTM., preferably having a low
coefficient of friction and other flow promoting properties. The
plastic layers form the exterior and interior surfaces of the wall
panel and thereby the load container. The reinforcement layer is
preferably disposed entirely between the plastic layers so as not
be exposed and thereby avoid corrosion.
[0016] These and still other advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description and drawings. What follows
are preferred embodiments of the present invention. To assess the
full scope of the invention the claims should be looked to as the
preferred embodiments are not intended as the only embodiments
within the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle incorporating the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a joint between
the panels of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an alternative
joint between panels of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of another
alternative joint between panels of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a connection
between the panels and load container frame of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an alternative
joint between panels of FIG. 1; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a joint similar
to that shown in FIG. 5 albeit for panels made of a reinforced
plastic composite material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention provides an improved plastic load
container made of one or more plastic panels joined in an edge to
edge fashion. The panels can be entirely plastic, or more
preferably, can be a plastic composite having an internal
reinforcement layer. The load containers can be used in stationary
and transportable applications. For example, the load containers
can be storage bins, hoppers, large silos or liners for silos. The
load containers can also be part of a vehicle, including any
transport machinery suitable for carrying loads, including but not
limited to trucks and trailers having wheels engaging the ground or
roadway and railcars in which the wheels engage one or more rails
or tracks. The figures and the following description disclose a
preferred load container vehicle.
[0026] A vehicle 10, described herein and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as
a truck, includes a vehicle frame 12 supported by wheels 14 at one
end and a tractor 16 at the other end. The vehicle frame 12
supports a load container 18 for containing a load, such as a
powder, or other solid, a liquid, a gas, and the like. The load
container 18 is formed from a plurality of generally non-metallic
wall panels 20 supported by a load container frame 22 fixed to the
vehicle frame 12. Advantageously, the panels 20 can be formed from
a plastic or reinforced plastic composite (as shown in FIG. 8)
material having desirable weight and strength characteristics to
reduce operating costs of the vehicle and having flow promoting
properties to enhance unloading operations of the container. The
term "plastic panel" is defined herein to mean a planar or
non-planar wall having opposite face surfaces that are at least in
part made of plastic, specifically including, but not limited to,
entirely plastic and fibrous or metal reinforced plastic structures
and composites.
[0027] The vehicle frame 12 is preferably formed from steel
members, as is known in the art, and can be detachable from the
tractor 16. If the vehicle frame 12 is detachable from the tractor
16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, landing gear 30 or additional ground
engaging wheels can be provided to support the other end of the
vehicle frame 12. Of course, the vehicle frame 12 can be fixed to a
tractor to form an integral unit, such as a straight truck, without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0028] The ground engaging wheels 14 are joined to the vehicle
frame 12 using methods well known in the art. In the embodiment
disclosed herein, a pair of ground engaging wheels 14 are rotatably
mounted on each end of a pair of axles 24 fixed to the vehicle
frame 12. Of course, the number of wheels depends upon the desired
load capacity of the vehicle body, and the frame can be supported
by one or more wheels without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0029] The load container 18 is supported by the vehicle frame 12,
and includes the plurality of panels 20 secured to the load
container frame 22. Preferably, the load container frame 22 is
formed from spaced steel structural members 26 joined by cross
members 28 which maintain the spacing between the structural
members 26. The cross members 28 and structural members 26 form a
framework for attaching the panels 20 thereto. The members 26, 28
can be joined to the vehicle frame 12 and each other using methods
known in the art, such as bolting, welding, and the like.
[0030] The panels 20 are secured to the load container frame
members 26, 28, and in one preferred embodiment, are formed from a
solid plastic material. Forming the panels from a High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE) or more preferably from an Ultra High Molecular
Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE), such as TIVAR.RTM. 88 and TIVAR 88-2
available from Poly Hi Solidur Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind., is
preferred for its high strength, light weight, and flow promoting
characteristics. The TIVAR preferably has a low coefficient of
friction, in the range of about 0.1 to 0.2, with a preferred
dynamic coefficient of friction between about 0.1 and 0.15.
Strengthening members (not shown), such as metal, glass fibers, and
the like can be embedded in the panels 20 to provide additional
strength, if required for a particular application. In addition,
panel thickness can vary depending upon the particular
application.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 8, the panels 20 can be formed of as a
uniform homogenous composite including a plastic layer 70, a layer
72 of reinforcement material and another plastic layer 74. The
composite material is formed by pressing the reinforcement layer
between two layers of plastic. The reinforcement layer 72 is
disposed between the plastic layers 70 and 74, and thus is not
visible. The plastic layer 70 of the composite panel 20 forms an
exterior surface 80 of the panel 20 and thereby of the load
container 18 and the plastic layer 74 forms an interior surface 48
of the panel 20 and load container 18.
[0032] Preferably, the reinforcement layer 72 is expanded or
perforated metal, however, fiberglass or other non-metal
rigidifying materials could be used. In the case of a metal
reinforcement layer, the plastic layers 70 and 74 preferably
entirely encapsulate the reinforcement layer 72 to prevent
corrosion from moisture within the load container or to its
exterior. The plastic layers 70 and 74 are preferably an ultra high
molecular weight polyethylene, such as TIVAR described above.
[0033] In one preferred form, the plastic layer 70 is a pre-pressed
plastic, preferably TIVAR, sheet. The pre-pressed plastic aids in
forming the composite and helps provide a constant thickness of
plastic on each side of the reinforcement layer, particular at the
side that faces the bottom of the mold. Thus, in one preferred
method, the pre-pressed sheet is inserted into the bottom of the
mold. The sheet preferably has an adhesive backing, which could be
an ultra high molecular weight adhesive tape, that allows the
reinforcement to be adhered to the pre-pressed sheet either before
or after it is placed into the mold. Plastic resin powder is than
poured onto the reinforcement and pre-pressed sheet as needed to
achieve the desired wall thickness of the composite panel. A top
part of the mold is closed against the bottom part to enclose these
materials. These materials are then heated and pressurized using a
known pressing operation to form a uniform homogenous reinforced
plastic composite. It should be noted that plastic layer 70 could
be formed with powdered resin, rather than a pre-pressed sheet,
provided suitable techniques were employed to ensure that the
reinforcement layer was disposed between two plastic layers.
Inserting spacers or risers between the bottom of the mold and the
reinforcement layer would be one such technique.
[0034] The composite panel construction of FIG. 8 offers several
advantages over conventional steel skin and even some advantages
over the plastic only panels described herein. The composite
material, like the all plastic panels, does not corrode and is
smoother at the interior of the load container 18 than conventional
steel skins so as to reduce the occurrence of the load sticking to
the panels, and thereby promote dispensing of the load in the load
container. It is also stronger than steel skins and is stronger and
has improved anti-sagging characteristics than plastic only panels.
The composite panel can be configured for various strengths not
only by changing the thickness of the plastic but also by changing
the thickness, type or configuration of the reinforcement. The
pressing operation forms a consistently thick, homogeneous
monolithic panel, flat or of any mold formed non-planar
configuration, such that there are no problems with expansion and
contraction of different materials as would be the case if a
separate metal reinforcement was simply mechanically mounted to the
plastic.
[0035] The following description is applicable for panels 20 having
the plastic only or the reinforced plastic composite construction.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 8, the panels 20 are arranged in an edge
32 to edge 32 relation forming a joint 36 between the panels 20,
and defining a volume for containing the load. Each panel 20 is
formed using methods known in the art, such as molding, shaping,
and the like, to provide a portion of an interior surface 48 of the
load container 18 defining the load volume. The panels 20 can be
planar or non-planar depending upon the desired load container
shape and volume. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an end panel 34
can be cup shaped to form an end of a closed container.
[0036] Preferably, the panels 20 are formed such that the joints 36
between adjacent panels 20 are aligned with, or adjacent to, a load
container frame member 26, 28 for attachment of the adjacent panels
thereto. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the panels 20, 34
define an enclosed volume for carrying a powder, liquid, and or
gas. Of course, the defined volume can have an open top or ends to
accommodate bulky, solid materials without departing from the scope
of the invention.
[0037] Advantageously, if the load container panels 20, 34 are
damaged, individual damaged panels 20, 34 can be removed and
replaced to provide a repaired load container without obvious
evidence of the repair. Moreover, each individual panel 20, 34 can
be formed more easily than a larger, single piece, molded load
container. In addition, shipping panels 20, 34 which form part of
the load container 18 to a vehicle assembler or repair site is
easier and less expensive than shipping an entire replacement load
container molded as a single piece.
[0038] If a fluid-tight load container is not required, such as
when transporting a powder, adjacent edges 32 of adjacent panels 20
can abut one another to form the load container joint 36, such as
shown in FIG. 3. Of course, if a tighter joint 36 is requires, a
tongue 38 in groove 40 construction, such as shown in FIG. 4, can
be used. Advantageously, if a tongue and groove construction is
used with at least some of the panels, not all of the panels need
be secured to the load container frame 22. To provide an even more
impervious joint 36 for transporting fluids, such as a gas or
liquid, a gasket 42, or other sealant, such as a pourable caulk,
can be provided between adjacent panels 20, such as shown in FIG.
5. Of course, the panels 20 can be welded together to close the
joint 36.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 8, the panels 20 are secured to
the load container frame 22 using countersunk bolts 44 which do not
protrude into the volume defined by the panels 20. Preferably, each
bolt 44 includes a cap 46 which is substantially flush with the
load container interior surface 48 to minimize obstructions on the
load container interior surface 48. Most preferably, the cap 46 is
formed from a flow promoting material, such as HDPE or UHMW-PE. Of
course, protrusions into the volume may be desired when
transporting fluid loads, for example ridges can be provided in
load containers transporting slurries to minimize surging.
Accordingly, bolts, and other structure can extend into the load
container volume without departing from the scope of the invention.
A nut 60 and washers 62, preferably the washer adjacent to the nut
60 is steel and the other is plastic (such as TIVAR), are provided
to secure the bolt 44 in place.
[0040] In the embodiment disclosed herein, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, funnels 50 or hoppers formed in the bottom 52 of the load
container 18 provide discharge ports for unloading the load
container 18. Each funnel 50 is formed from a flow promoting
material, such as HDPE or UHMW-PE, and is joined to, and forms part
of, the load container 18. Preferably, support structure fixed to
the truck and/or load container frame 12, 22 supports each funnel
50. Most preferably, each funnel 50 is formed from panels 20, such
as used to form the load container 18. Valves (not shown) fixed to
each funnel bottom are provided to control the flow of material
through each funnel 50, as is known in the art. Although a
plurality of funnels are disclosed, any number of funnels an be
provided, as required for the particular application, without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, flanges 56
formed proximal the panel edges 32 can be provided for attachment
to the structural members 26, 28. Advantageously, bolts 58
extending through a pair of adjacent flanges 56 can be provided to
draw the panel edges 36 together to form a tight joint 36 between
the adjacent panels 20.
[0042] In another embodiment, at least a portion of the load
container frame is disposed inside the container volume to provide
a relatively smooth exterior load container surface. In this
embodiment the countersunk bolts do not protrude outwardly from the
panels. Preferably, caps are fixed to the countersunk bolt to
provide the relatively smooth exterior load container surface.
[0043] It should be appreciated that merely preferred embodiments
of the invention have been described above. However, many
modifications and variations to the preferred embodiments will be
apparent to those skilled in the art, which will be within the
spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention should
not be limited to the described embodiments. To ascertain the full
scope of the invention, the following claims should be
referenced.
* * * * *