U.S. patent application number 11/682861 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for storage bin.
This patent application is currently assigned to Australian Keg Company Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Rodney N. Culleton.
Application Number | 20080029553 11/682861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36036023 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080029553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Culleton; Rodney N. |
February 7, 2008 |
Storage Bin
Abstract
A storage bin comprising a body formed of plastic material. The
body is formed in two sections, an upper section defining a storage
chamber and a lower section defining a base below the storage
chamber for resting on the ground. The storage chamber comprises a
side and a bottom sloping downwardly towards the outlet. The base
comprises a cradle section configured to receive and support the
sloping bottom of the storage chamber. The base an opening
extending between the cradle section and a recess in the base,
section whereby the lowermost end of the sloping bottom of the
storage chamber extends into the recess through the opening. The
recess opens onto the exterior of the base whereby the outlet can
be accessed through the recess.
Inventors: |
Culleton; Rodney N.;
(Williams, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEVIN J. MCNEELY, ESQ.
5335 WISCONSON AVENUE, NW
SUITE 440
WASHINGTON
DC
20015
US
|
Assignee: |
Australian Keg Company Pty
Ltd
Williams
AU
|
Family ID: |
36036023 |
Appl. No.: |
11/682861 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/AU05/01368 |
Sep 8, 2005 |
|
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11682861 |
Mar 6, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/460 ;
220/567; 220/737; 52/169.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 88/26 20130101;
B65D 88/30 20130101; B65D 90/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/460 ;
220/567; 220/737; 052/169.9 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/26 20060101
B65D088/26; B65D 6/34 20060101 B65D006/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2004 |
AU |
2004905114 |
Claims
1. A storage bin, comprising: a body formed of plastics material,
the body defining a storage chamber and a base below the storage
chamber for resting on a support surface such as the ground, the
storage chamber having a bottom sloping towards an outlet, the
outlet being accommodated within the confines of the base and being
accessible through a recess provided in the base, the recess
opening onto an exterior side of the base.
2. A storage bin according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises
two sections, being an upper section defining the storage chamber
and a lower section providing the base.
3. A storage bin according to claim 2 the two sections are formed
separately of each other and the upper section is adapted to rest
on the lower section.
4. A storage bin according to claim 1 wherein the storage bin
further comprises a control means for selectively opening and
closing the outlet, the outlet being accommodated within the
confines of the base and being accessible through a recess provided
in the base.
5. A storage bin according to claim 2 wherein the storage chamber
is adapted to rest on the base, the bottom being configured to be
received and supported in a cradle section of the base.
6. A storage bin according to claim 2 wherein the base comprises a
cradle section configured to receive and support the sloping bottom
of the storage chamber, the base having an opening extending
between the cradle section and the recess within the base whereby
the lowermost end of the sloping bottom of the storage chamber can
extend into the recess through the opening.
7. A storage bin according to claim 1 wherein the base incorporates
a plurality of pads on the underside thereof for contacting the
support surface.
8. A storage bin according to claim 7 wherein the pads are arranged
in an array defining spaces for receiving lifting elements.
9. A storage chamber adapted to rest on a base having a cradle
section, the storage chamber comprising a side and a bottom sloping
downwardly towards an outlet, the bottom being configured to be
received and supported in the cradle section of the base.
10. A base for supporting a storage chamber having a bottom sloping
downwardly towards an outlet, the base comprising a cradle section
configured to received and support the sloping bottom of the
storage chamber, the base having an opening extending between the
cradle section and a recess within the base whereby the lowermost
end of the sloping bottom of the storage chamber extends into the
recess through the opening, the recess opening onto the exterior of
the base whereby the outlet can be accessed through the recess.
11. A storage bin comprising a body formed of plastics material,
the body defining a storage chamber and a base below the storage
chamber for resting on a support surface such as the ground, the
storage chamber having a bottom sloping towards an outlet, the
outlet being accommodated within the confines of the base and being
accessible through a recess provided in the base, the recess
opening onto an exterior side of the base, the base incorporating a
plurality of pads on the underside thereof for contacting the
support surface.
12. A storage bin according to claim 11 wherein the pads are
arranged in an array defining spaces for receiving lifting
elements.
13. A storage bin according to claim 12 wherein the spaces comprise
a first pair of channels opening onto two opposed sides of the base
and a second pair of channels opening onto two further opposed
sides of the base.
14. A storage bin according to claim 13 wherein the base is
generally rectangular in plan and wherein the first and second
pairs of channels are arranged at right angles to each other.
15. A base for supporting a storage chamber having a bottom sloping
downwardly towards an outlet, the base comprising a cradle section
configured to received and support the sloping bottom of the
storage chamber, the base having an opening extending between the
cradle section and a recess within the base whereby the lowermost
end of the sloping bottom of the storage chamber extends into the
recess through the opening, the recess opening onto the exterior of
the base whereby the outlet can be accessed through the recess, the
base incorporating a plurality of pads on the underside thereof for
contacting a support surface.
16. A base according to claim 15 wherein the pads are arranged in
an array defining spaces for receiving lifting elements.
17. A base according to claim 16 wherein the spaces comprise a
first pair of channels opening onto two opposed sides of the base
and a second pair of channels opening onto two further opposed
sides of the base.
18. A base according to claim 17 wherein the base is generally
rectangular in plan and wherein the first and second pairs of
channels are arranged at right angles to each other.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This utility patent application claims priority to
Australian patent application 2004905114 filed on Sep. 8, 2004, and
to international patent application PCT/AU2005/001368 filed on Sep.
8, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a storage bin. The invention has
been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, as a
field bin for storage of grain, such as wheat.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Field bins are commonly used on farms for storage of wheat.
Known field bins typically comprise a metal frame structure and
sheet metal assembled on the frame structure to provide a storage
bin, with the frame structure supporting the storage bin in an
elevated condition above the ground so as to provide access to an
outlet on the underside of the bin through which stored grain can
be discharged.
[0004] Field bins of this type can be relatively heavy and are not
readily transportable from one location to another on a farm.
[0005] Further, the field bins can be laborious to construct as it
is necessary to construct the frame structure and thereafter
assemble the metal sheeting in order to provide the storage
bin.
[0006] Still further, the field bins are susceptible to
deterioration through rusting, owing to their metal
construction.
[0007] It is against this background that the present invention has
been developed.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a storage bin comprising a body formed of plastics
material, the body defining a storage chamber and a base below the
storage chamber for resting on a support surface such as the
ground, the storage chamber having a bottom sloping towards an
outlet, the outlet being accommodated within the confines of the
base and being accessible through a recess provided in the base,
the recess opening onto an exterior side of the base.
[0009] The storage chamber and also the base on which it is
supported may each be generally rectangular in plan.
[0010] Preferably, the storage chamber has a side and a top,
wherein the side, top and bottom of the storage chamber cooperate
to define a storage zone.
[0011] The plastics material may comprise as a linear low-density
polyethylene.
[0012] Preferably, the body comprises two sections, being an upper
section defining the storage chamber and a lower section providing
the base.
[0013] Preferably, the two sections are formed separately of each
other and the upper section is adapted to rest on the lower
section.
[0014] Preferably, the storage bin further comprises a control
means for selectively opening and closing the outlet, the outlet
being accommodated within the confines of the base and being
accessible through a recess provided in the base,
[0015] The outlet control means may comprise a gate slidable with
respect to the outlet between open and closed conditions.
[0016] Preferably, the storage chamber comprises a side and a
bottom sloping downwardly towards the outlet, and wherein the base
comprises a cradle section configured to receive and support the
sloping bottom of the storage chamber, the base having an opening
extending between the cradle section and the recess in the base,
whereby the lower most end of the sloping bottom of the storage
chamber can extend into the recess through the opening. The top of
the storage chamber may comprise an inlet for introduction of
material to be stored therein. The inlet may comprise an inlet
opening and a removable closure such as a cap for closing the
opening.
[0017] The side may comprise a sidewall configured for structural
rigidity. In this regard, the sidewall may incorporate ribbing,
typically ribbing extending vertically from the base to the
top.
[0018] Similarly, the top may comprise a top wall configured for
structural rigidity. This can, for example, be achieved by
incorporation of ribbing in the top wall.
[0019] The base may incorporate a plurality of pads on the
underside thereof for contacting the support surface.
[0020] The pads may be arranged in an array defining spaces for
receiving lifting elements such as lifting forks of a forklift, a
pallet carrier or an agricultural machine equipped with lifting
forks. This is particularly advantageous as it allows the storage
bin to be transported readily.
[0021] Preferably, the body incorporates at least one tie-down
point. Conveniently, the body has four tie-down points, one
incorporated in each of four strengthening ribs provided in the top
of the storage chamber.
[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a storage chamber adapted to rest on the base, the bottom
being configured to be received and supported in the cradle section
of the base.
[0023] According to the third aspect of the invention there is
provided a base for supporting a storage chamber having a bottom
sloping downwardly towards an outlet, the base comprising a cradle
section configured to receive and support the sloping bottom of the
storage chamber, the base having an opening extending between the
cradle section and a recess within the base whereby the lowermost
end of the sloping bottom of the storage chamber extends into the
recess through--A--the opening, the recess opening onto the
exterior of the base whereby the outlet can be accessed through the
recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The invention will be better understood by reference to the
following description of several specific embodiments thereof as
shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevational view of a storage
bin according to a first embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the storage
bin;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the storage bin;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a view of the underside of the storage bin;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevational view of an upper
section of the storage bin defining a storage chamber;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic front elevational view of a lower
section of the storage bin defining a face;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic front elevational view of a storage
bin according to a second embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of the storage
bin;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a planned view of the storage bin;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a view of the underside of the storage bin;
and
[0035] FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevational view of an upper
section of the storage bin defining a storage chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The embodiments shown in the drawings are each directed to a
storage bin in the form of a field bin typically for use on farms
for storage of grain such as wheat.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the field bin 10 according to the
first embodiment comprises a body 11 formed of plastics material
such as linear low-density polyethylene. The body 11 is formed in
two sections, being an upper section 12 and a lower section 14. The
upper section 12 defines a storage chamber 13, and the lower
section 14 defines a base 15 below the storage chamber for
supporting the storage chamber 13 in an elevated condition with
respect to the ground (or any other surface on which the storage
bin is located). The storage chamber 13 and the base 15 on which it
is supported are each rectangular in plan, as best seen in FIGS. 3
and 4.
[0038] The storage chamber 13 comprises a bottom 17 sloping
downwardly towards an outlet 19, a side 21 and a top 23 cooperating
to define a storage zone 24 within the storage chamber 13.
[0039] The bottom 17 comprises four bottom wall sections (only
three 18a, 18b and 18c of which are seen in the drawing) sloping
downwardly and inwardly towards the outlet 19.
[0040] The side 21 comprises a sidewall 25 to define the
rectangular periphery of the storage zone 24. Ribbing 27 is
provided in the sidewall 25 for structural rigidity.
[0041] The top 23 comprises a top wall 29 which slopes inwardly and
upwardly from the sidewall 25 towards a central inlet 31. The inlet
31 comprises an opening 33 in the top wall 29 and a removable cap
35 for closing the opening 33. Grain for storage in the storage
zone 24 is introduced into the storage chamber 13 through the inlet
31. The top wall 29 incorporates ribs 37 to provide structural
rigidity. The ribs 37 are arranged diagonally, extending from each
corner of the rectangular chamber 13 towards the central opening
31.
[0042] Each rib 37 incorporates a hole 41 adjacent the outer end
thereof to provide a tie-down point for receiving a rope, cable or
the like for tying-down the field bin.
[0043] The base 15 has a section 42 configured as a cradle to
receive and support the bottom 17 of the storage chamber 13. With
this arrangement, the bottom 17 of the storage chamber 13 nests in
the cradle section 42 of the base 15. The cradle section 42
comprises a top wall 45 sloping downwardly towards an opening 50.
The top wall 45 comprises four wall sections (only three 45a, 45b
and 45c of which are shown in the drawing), each corresponding to a
respective one of the bottom wall sections of the storage chamber
bottom 17.
[0044] The base 15 also has a side periphery 46 which conforms to
the rectangular periphery of the storage chamber 13, and a bottom
49. The side periphery 46 of the base 15 comprises a first pair of
opposed walls 47 and a second pair of opposed walls 48:
[0045] The base 15 incorporates a recess 61 which opens onto the
side periphery 46 thereof at sidewall 47a and which extends
inwardly to a location below the opening 50 at the bottom of the
cradle section 42 such that the opening 50 opens onto the recess
61.
[0046] When the storage chamber 15 is supported on the base, the
lowermost section 17a of the bottom 17 thereof extends through the
opening 50 into the recess 61. With this arrangement, the outlet 19
of the storage chamber 13 is accommodated within the recess 61.
This provides access to the outlet 19 from the exterior of the base
15 via the recess 61.
[0047] The bottom 49 of the base 15 comprises a plurality of
rectangular pads 51 arranged in an array of rows and columns, as
shown in FIG. 4. The array of pads 51 cooperate to define a first
pair of channels 53 and a second pair of channels 55 arranged at
right angles with respect to each other. The channels 57 in the
first pair 53 open onto opposed sidewalls 47 of the base 15, and
the channels 58 in the second pair 55 open onto opposed side walls
48 of the base.
[0048] The spacing between channels of each channel pair 53, 55 is
such that two forks of a load carrying unit (such as a forklift or
pallet carrier) can be received therein. With the arrangement, the
field bin 10 can be lifted from any one of the four sides
thereof.
[0049] A control means 63 is provided for selectively opening and
closing the outlet 19. The control means 63 comprises a gate
slidable with respect to the outlet 19 between open and closed
conditions, whereby in the closed condition the gate blocks the
outlet to prevent discharge of material from the storage chamber 13
and whereby in the open condition the gate is clear of the outlet
to permit discharge of material from the storage chamber under the
influence of gravity.
[0050] The gate 63 is movable manually between the open and closed
conditions, and can be accessed through the recess 61.
[0051] The field bin 10 according to the first embodiment operates
in a fashion similar to that of a conventional field bin, in the
sense that the outlet 19 is elevated above the ground and grain
stored therein can discharge under gravity through the outlet 19 as
necessary.
[0052] The field bin 10 according to the first embodiment has
advantages arising from its construction of plastics material.
First, the field bin 10 is durable and not prone to rusting, as is
the case with existing field bins of metallic construction.
Further, the field bin 10 is readily transportable, owing to its
comparatively lightweight construction. The feature of
transportability is also assisted by the construction which allows
it to be lifted by a load carrying unit of the type having lifting
forks, such as a conventional pallet carrier, a forklift or an
agricultural machine equipped with lifting forks. Referring now to
FIGS. 7 to 11, the field bin 70 according to the second embodiment
is similar in many respects to the field bin 10 according to the
first embodiment, and so corresponding reference numerals are used
to identify similar parts.
[0053] The field bin 70 according to the second embodiment is
somewhat larger than the field bin according to the first
embodiment and the configuration of the lower section of the base
15 is somewhat different, as will be explained below.
[0054] In the field bin 70, the base 15 comprises an array of pads
51 defining a first pair of channels 53 and a second pair of
channels 55 arranged at right angles with respect to each other, as
was the case with the first embodiment. Similarly, channels 57 in
the first channel pair 53 in this embodiment are also somewhat
similar to the channels 57 in the first embodiment. However, in the
field bin 70, the channels 58 in the second channel pair 55 are
deeper, in the sense that the spacing between the (upper) closed
face 71 and the (lower) open face 73 of each channel 58 is
larger.
[0055] In this embodiment, the channels 57 are intended primarily
to receive lifting forks of a light duty load carrying unit such as
a pallet walker. A light duty load carrying unit would ordinarily
be use for moving the field bin 70 over the ground, particularly
when it is empty or only lightly loaded.
[0056] The channels 58 in this embodiment are intended to
accommodate lifting forks of either a light duty load carrying unit
or a more heavy duty load carrying unit (such as a fork lift or an
agricultural machine equipped with lifting forks).
[0057] In this embodiment, each channel 58 is fitted with an upper
cross member 75 and a lower cross member 77 adjacent each end
thereof. The cross members 75, 77 straddle the channels 58, as best
seen in FIGS. 8 and 10. Each upper cross member 75 is spaced
downwardly from the (upper) closed face 71 of the channel 58 to
define a gap 79 for receiving a respective one of the lifting forks
of a heavy duty load carrying unit. With such an arrangement, the
load lifting fork locates against the channel face 71 during the
lifting operation, the channel face 71 being sufficiently robust to
accommodate the lifting forces. The cross member 75 located below
the underside of the lifting fork and serves to stabilise the bin
17 on the fork to prevent toppling.
[0058] Each lower cross member 77 presents a surface against which
the respective lifting fork of a light duty load carrying unit can
engage to perform a lifting operation should such a unit be used
for that purpose.
[0059] The cross members 75, 77 comprise straps which span the
channels 58 and also extend up the side periphery 46 of the base
15. The straps are accommodated in recesses provided in the bottom
49 and the side periphery 46, and a secured to the plastic body of
the base by suitable fixings (not shown) such as bolts.
[0060] While the embodiments have each been described in relation
to a storage bin in the form of a field bin, it should be
appreciated that the invention is not so limited. The storage bin
according to the invention may find application for various storage
purposes other than field bins, including storage of animal feed
and also liquids.
[0061] A particular feature of the storage bin is that it can be
delivered to site with material (such as grain or other animal
feed) contained within the storage chamber. Alternatively, it may
not be necessary to deliver the entire storage bin. The base may be
permanently located on site and replacement storage chamber (filled
with the desired material such as grain or other animal feed)
delivered and installed on the base as necessary. This may provide
a particularly convenient way of delivery of bulk quantities of
materials.
[0062] Modifications and improvements may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention.
[0063] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires
otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other
integer or group of integers.
* * * * *