U.S. patent number 3,578,213 [Application Number 04/794,591] was granted by the patent office on 1971-05-11 for container with dispensing means for transporting bulk materials.
Invention is credited to Edwin E. Clarke, Albert J. Florig.
United States Patent |
3,578,213 |
Clarke , et al. |
May 11, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
CONTAINER WITH DISPENSING MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING BULK MATERIALS
Abstract
A container for transporting bulk materials including a rigid
enclosure means, partition means disposed in the rigid enclosure
means, and being movable along a length of the rigid enclosure
means to provide a variable volume chamber, a flexible enclosure
means disposed in the variable volume chamber, the rigid enclosure
means having discharge means and the flexible enclosure means
having outlet means communicating with the discharge means of the
rigid enclosure means.
Inventors: |
Clarke; Edwin E. (Allentown,
PA), Florig; Albert J. (Norristown, PA) |
Family
ID: |
25163080 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/794,591 |
Filed: |
January 28, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/95;
222/183 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
90/047 (20130101); B65D 2590/046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
90/04 (20060101); B65d 035/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;214/82 ;105/(Inquired)
;298/1,7,8,17,23,30 ;198/(Inquired) ;193/6 ;302/52 ;220/63 ;150/.5
;222/319,96,94,92,95,181,105,461,529,530,183,533,536,327,386,387,440 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Assistant Examiner: Stack, Jr.; Norman L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising a rigid
enclosure means, rigid, closed partition means disposed in said
rigid enclosure means, said partition means being movable along a
length of said enclosure means to provide a closed variable volume
chamber, a flexible enclosure means disposed in said variable
volume chamber, said partition means having discharge means and
said flexible enclosure means having outlet means communicating
with the discharge means of said partition means.
2. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, wherein said rigid enclosure means is mobile.
3. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, wherein said enclosure means have access openings for charging
bulk material into said flexible enclosure means.
4. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, wherein a portion of said flexible enclosure means is secured to
said partition means for movement therewith.
5. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, including means for selectively securing said partition means to
said rigid enclosure means at a selected location along the length
of said rigid enclosure means.
6. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, wherein said partition means includes baffle means engageable by
said flexible enclosure means for directing bulk material in said
flexible enclosure means toward the outlet means thereof when said
rigid enclosure means is tilted toward said discharge means.
7. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, wherein said discharge means comprises a spout.
8. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
7, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in
said partition means.
9. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, wherein said flexible enclosure means includes means for
detachably securing said flexible enclosure means coextensively
with the inner wall surface of said rigid enclosure means.
10. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
1, wherein said rigid enclosure means is mobile, said enclosure
means have access openings for charging bulk material into said
flexible enclosure means; a portion of said flexible enclosure
means is secured to said partition means for movement therewith,
said discharge means comprises a spout pivotally retractable into a
recess in said partition means, and said partition means includes
baffle means engageable by said flexible enclosure means for
directing bulk material in said flexible enclosure means toward the
outlet means thereof and said spout when said rigid enclosure means
is tilted toward said spout.
11. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising an
elongated rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open
rear end, guide means disposed along the length of said housing
means a rigid, closed bulkhead unit movable along said guide means
within said housing means to provide a closed variable volume
chamber, said bulkhead unit having a spout mounted thereon for
discharging material through the open end of said housing unit, and
a flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber defined
by said housing means and said bulkhead unit, said flexible liner
having an outlet opening communicating with said spout.
12. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile.
13. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein said rigid housing means and said flexible liner have
access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible
liner.
14. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein a portion of said flexible liner is secured to said
bulkhead unit for movement therewith.
15. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, including means for selectively securing said bulkhead unit to
said rigid housing means at a selected location along the length of
said rigid housing means.
16. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein said bulkhead unit includes baffle means engageable by
said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible
liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing
means is tilted toward the spout.
17. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in
said bulkhead unit.
18. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein said flexible liner includes means for detachably
securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall
surface of said rigid housing means.
19. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile, said rigid housing
means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging
bulk material into said flexible liner, said flexible liner is
secured to said bulkhead unit for movement therewith, said bulkhead
unit includes baffle panels engageable by said flexible liner for
directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet
opening thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward said
spout, said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing
said flexible enclosure means coextensively with the inner wall
surface of said rigid housing means, said spout is pivotally
retractable into a recess in said bulkhead unit, and including
means for securing said bulkhead unit to said rigid housing means
at selected location along the length of said rigid enclosure
means.
20. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
11, wherein said guide means comprise a pair of transversely
spaced, longitudinally disposed guide tracks and said bulkhead unit
includes roller means supported on said guide tracks for movement
along the lengths thereof.
21. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising means at
the front end thereof and rigid housing means having a closed end
and a longitudinally spaced open rear end, rigid, closed partition
means disposable in said housing means and movable longitudinally
along the length thereof to provide a closed variable volume
chamber, said partition means having discharge means,
longitudinally disposed guide means mounted in said variable volume
chamber, a plurality of rigid support means operatively connected
to said guide means for movement along the length thereof, a
flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber, said
flexible liner being connected along the length thereof to said
rigid support means, said flexible liner having the front end
thereof secured to said housing means at the front end thereof and
the rear end thereof secured to said partition means whereby the
volume of said flexible liner may be varied by moving said
partition means longitudinally in said housing means, and said
flexible liner is provided with outlet means communicating with
said discharge means.
22. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
21, wherein said housing means is mobile.
23. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
21, wherein said housing means and said flexible liner have access
openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner.
24. A container for transporting BULK MATERIALS ACCORDING TO CLAIM
@-, INCLUDING MEANS for securing SAID PARTITION MEANS TO SAID RIGID
HOUSING MEANS AT A SELECTED LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID RIGID
HOUSING means.
25. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
21, wherein said partition means includes baffle means engageable
by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible
liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing
means is tilted toward said discharge means of said partition
means.
26. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
21, wherein said discharge means comprises a spout.
27. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
26, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in
said partition means.
28. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
21, wherein said flexible liner includes means for detachably
securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall
surfaces of said rigid housing means
29. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
21, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile, said housing means
and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk
material into said flexible liner, said discharge means comprises a
spout pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means,
said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said
flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall surface of said
rigid housing means, said partition means includes baffle means
engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in
said flexible liner toward the outlet means thereof when said rigid
housing means is tilted toward said spout, and including means for
securing said partition means to said rigid housing means at a
selected location along the length of said rigid housing means.
30. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
21, wherein said guide means comprises longitudinally disposed,
transversely spaced guide tracks, and said support means comprise
transversely disposed hanger members supported in said guide tracks
for movement along the lengths thereof.
31. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising an
elongated rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open
rear end, first guide means disposed along the length of said
housing means, a rigid, closed bulkhead unit movable along said
first guide means within said housing means to provide a variable
volume chamber, said bulkhead unit having a closed spout mounted
thereon for discharging material through the open end of said
housing means, second guide means mounted in said housing means, a
plurality of rigid support means operatively connected to said
second guide means for movement along the length thereof, a
flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber, said
flexible liner being connected along the length thereof to said
support means, said flexible liner being connected at the front end
thereof to the front end of said housing means and being connected
at the rear end thereof to said bulkhead unit whereby said bulkhead
unit may be moved longitudinally along said first guide means to
vary the volume of said variable volume chamber and said flexible
liner will be extended along the length of said variable volume
chamber, and said flexible liner having outlet means communicating
with said spout.
32. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim
31, wherein said first guide means comprises longitudinally
disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks on which said bulkhead
unit is supported, said second guide means comprises longitudinally
disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks and said support means
comprise transversely disposed hanger members supported on said
second set of guide tracks for movement along the lengths thereof.
Description
This invention relates to a container and more particularly to a
container for transporting bulk material.
In the transportation of bulk materials, it is desirable to provide
a container which may be readily loaded and unloaded, and which
provides maximum space utilization. It further has been found
desirable to provide a container for transporting bulk materials
which also may be utilized for transporting cargo other than bulk
materials.
Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to
provide a novel container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
container for transporting bulk materials.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel
container for transporting bulk materials which may be readily
loaded and unloaded.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel container for transporting bulk materials, which provides
maximum space utilization.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
container primarily adapted for transporting bulk materials, which
further is adapted to be utilized for transporting cargo other than
bulk materials.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel
container for transporting bulk materials, which provides a
variable volume chamber to accommodate bulk materials of different
amounts.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel container for transporting bulk materials, wherein the
container may be tilted to unload the bulk material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
container for transporting bulk materials, which is comparatively
simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and
economical to maintain.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to
which the present invention pertains, from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
invention, having portions thereof broken away;
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, illustrating the embodiment in the unloading
position
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the interior of the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5;
FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 1 through 6;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG.
7;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in
FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10
in FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11
in FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 7;
and
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer assembly
for the lower front end of the flexible liner utilized in the
aforementioned embodiment.
Briefly described, the present invention relates to a container for
transporting bulk materials, generally comprising an elongated
rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open rear end,
first guide means disposed along the length of the housing means, a
bulkhead unit movable along the first guide means within the
housing means to provide a variable volume chamber, the bulkhead
unit having a spout mounted thereon for discharging material
through the open end of the housing means, second guide means
mounted in the housing means, a plurality of rigid support means
operatively connected to the second guide means for movement along
the length thereof, and a flexible liner disposed in the variable
volume chamber and connected along the length thereof to the
support means. The flexible liner is connected at the front end
thereof to the front end of the housing means and is connected at
the rear end thereof to the bulkhead unit whereby the bulkhead unit
may be moved longitudinally along the first guide means to vary the
volume of the variable volume chamber, and the flexible liner will
be extended along the length of the variable volume chamber. The
flexible liner further is provided with outlet means communicating
with the spout.
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an embodiment of
the invention. Generally, the embodiment includes a chassis 10
which may be positioned on an unloading unit 11, a housing unit 12
mounted on the chassis 10, a bulkhead unit 13 mounted for
longitudinal movement along the length of the housing unit 12, and
a flexible liner 14 mounted within the housing unit. The container
is adapted to be towed by a conventional tractor unit for
transporting bulk material between specified terminals, and further
is adapted to be positioned on the unloading unit, as illustrated
in FIG. 2, to unload the bulk material from the container. The
chassis 10 consists of an elongated frame assembly 15 supported at
its rear end on a wheel unit 16 and, when not connected to a
tractor unit, is supported at its front end by a pair of
conventional support legs 17. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the
chassis is adapted to be positioned on a tiltable platform 18 which
is pivotally mounted on a horizontal base 19 and tilted by means of
a hydraulic cylinder assembly 20.
The housing unit 12 of the container is provided with a bottom wall
21 rigidly secured to the frame assembly 15 of the chassis,
sidewalls 22 and 24, a top wall 24, and a front end wall 25
providing an open rear end 26 which may be closed with a
conventional door unit 27, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. The top
wall 24 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced access
openings 28 which are provided with annular mountings 29 secured to
the top wall 24 and provided with access doors 30.
The interior of the housing unit 12 is provided with a first set of
guide tracks 31 and 32 on which the bulkhead unit 13 is mounted for
longitudinal movement along the length of the housing unit, and a
second set of guide tracks 33 and 34 on which the flexible liner 14
is supported also for longitudinal movement along the length of the
housing unit. As best illustrated in FIG. 4 the guide track 31 is
secured to the top wall 24 of the housing unit adjacent the
sidewall 22. The guide track 32 also is secured to the top wall 24
and is disposed adjacent the sidewall 24 of the housing unit, so
that the guide tracks 31 and 32 are longitudinally disposed and
transversely spaced along almost the entire length of the interior
of the housing unit. The guide track 33 is mounted on the inner
side and coextensively with the guide track 31. Similarly, the
guide track 34 is mounted on the inner side and coextensively with
the guide track 32 so that the guide tracks 33 and 34 for the
flexible liner 14 also are disposed longitudinally and spaced
transversely almost entirely the entire length of the interior of
the housing unit.
The inner surfaces of the sidewalls 22 and 23 are provided with an
upper pair of longitudinal recesses 35 and 36 and a lower pair of
longitudinal recesses 37 and 38. Mounted in the upper pair of
recesses 35 and 36 is a pair of channel strips 39 and 40 having
longitudinally spaced openings, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
9. Similarly mounted in longitudinal recesses 37 and 38 is a pair
of channel strips 41 and 42, also provided with longitudinally
spaced openings, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8.
Referring to FIG. 3, the bulkhead unit 13 in its assembled
operative condition includes an upper crossbeam member 43, a pair
of transversely spaced channel-shaped members 44 and 45 rigidly
secured to and depending from the crossbeam member 43, and a
connecting member 46 rigidly interconnecting the channel-shaped
members 44 and 45, and spaced below the crossbeam member 43. The
bulkhead unit further includes an upper panel 47 disposed between
the channel-shaped members 44 and 45, and crossbeam member 43 and
connecting member 46, a lower front panel 48 having a funnel-shaped
recess 49, a spout assembly 50 pivotally connected to the lower
ends of the channel-shaped members 44 and 45, which is adapted to
be pivoted to a retracted position within the funnel-shaped recess
49 and detachable side panels 51 and 52. The crossbeam member 43 is
provided with roller units 53 and 54 which are received in guide
tracks 31 and 32 to permit the bulkhead unit 13 to be moved along
the length of the interior of the housing unit 12, thus providing a
variable volume chamber 55 defined by bottom wall 21, top wall 24,
sidewalls 22 and 23, and the bulkhead unit 13.
The recess 49 in the lower front panel 48 is defined by an upper
horizontal wall section 55, a pair of transversely spaced, upper
vertical sidewall sections 56 and 57, a pair of downwardly
diverging wall sections 58 and 59, a pair of transversely spaced,
lower vertical sidewall sections 60 and 61, and a rear wall 62
which extends upwardly beyond the upper wall section 55 and is
secured to the upper front panel 47. The spout unit 50 is adapted
to be moved to an operative position, as best illustrated in FIGS.
3 and 8, and retracted into an inoperative position within the
recess 49, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The spout unit 50
consists of a conduit section 63, having a valve 64, a pair of
diverging sidewalls 65 and 66 secured at their forward ends to the
conduit 63 and pivotally secured at their rear ends to the lower
ends of the channel-shaped members 44 and 45, as at 66 and 67, a
top wall 68 and a bottom wall section 69. As best illustrated in
FIG. 5, the width of the spout unit 50 is no greater than the width
of the recess 49, to permit the spout unit to be pivotally
retracted into the recess 49, so that the wall section 69 of the
spout unit 50 is disposed substantially flush with the lower front
panel 48. The spout unit 50 is retained in the retracted position
within the recess 49 by means of a retainer panel 70 detachably
mounted on the upper front panel 47, which may be detachably
secured across the recess 49, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
5.
The side panels 51 and 52 are substantially similar in
construction. Referring to FIG. 3, when the bulkhead unit 13 is
assembled in its operative condition, the side panel 52 is adapted
to be disposed at an angle relative to the upper front panel 47 and
is disposed between the channel-shaped member 45 and sidewall 23.
The outer end of the side panel 52 is secured to the sidewall 23 by
means of a pair of abutment members 71 and 72 provided with hooks
for securing the abutment members on the channel strips 40 and 42,
and spring members 73 and 74 secured to the side panel 52 and
having hooks on the free ends thereof connectable to the channel
strips 40 and 42, as best illustrated in FIG. 9. It will be
appreciated, as shown in FIG. 9, when the abutment members 71 and
72 are secured to the channel strips 40 and 42 and the hook
elements of spring members 73 and 74 also are secured to the
channel strips, the outer portion of the side panel 52 will be
urged into firm engagement with the rear surfaces of the abutment
members. The inner portion of the side panel 52 is secured to the
channel-shaped member 45 by means of a pair of latches 75 and 76
having sliding bolts received in aligned openings in the
channel-shaped member 45, as best illustrated in FIG. 10. As
previously indicated, the construction and the mounting of the side
panel 51 is similar to the construction and mounting of the side
panel 51 is similar to the construction and mounting of the side
panel 52.
When the bulkhead unit 13 is in the inoperative condition as
illustrated in FIG. 4, the side panels 51 and 52 are adapted to be
reversed, positioned in transverse alignment, and secured to the
channel-shaped members 44 and 45 and the sidewalls 22 and 23 of the
housing unit. Referring to FIG. 4, the abutment members 71 and 72
are secured to brackets 77 and 78 provided on the inner side of the
channel-shaped member 45, and the side panel 52 is positioned with
the inner side overlying the front of the channel-shaped member 45.
The side panel 52 is secured in position by latches 75 and 76 and a
latch 79. The side panel 52 is provided with access openings 80 and
81 through which an operator may reach to move the slide bolts of
latches 75 and 76 into registerable openings in the channel strips
40 and 42. The side panel 52 further has an access opening 82,
providing access to an actuating linkage 83 which is adapted to be
operated to manipulate a spring-biased sliding bolt in latch 79
into a registered opening provided in the crossbeam member 43.
The abutment members 84 and 85 associated with the side panel 51
similarly are adapted to be mounted on brackets 86 and 87, as
illustrated in FIG. 4. The side panel 51 also is adapted to be
mounted flush with the side panel 52 and the cover panel 70, with
the inner portion thereof overlying the channel-shaped member 44.
The side panel 51 is secured in the position as illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5 by means of latches 88 and 89, having sliding bolts
received in the openings of channel strips 39 and 41, and latch 90
having a spring-biased sliding bolt received within a registered
opening in the crossbeam member 43. As best illustrated in FIG. 4,
the side panel 51 is provided with access openings 91 and 92 to
permit access to latches 88 and 89, and an access opening 93 which
permits access to the actuating linkage 94 for the latch 90.
Normally, the spout unit 50 is moved to the retracted position
within the recess 49, the cover panel 70 is secured across the
recess 49, and the side panels 51 and 52 are disposed in transverse
alignment with the cover panel 70, when the bulkhead unit is moved
to a storage position in the front end of the housing unit 12, as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
The flexible liner 14 is adapted to be expanded or contracted in
the variable volume chamber 55. The flexible liner in its expanded
condition, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, and 6 through 8, consists of
a bottom section 95 adapted to lie along bottom wall 21, a top
section 96 adapted to lie along the upper wall 24, side sections 97
and 98 lying along sidewalls 22 and 23, a front end section 100
adapted to lie along front end wall 25, and a rear end section 99
having an intermediate portion 101 and side angle portions 102 and
103 which are adapted to lie along the bulkhead unit 13. As best
illustrated in FIGS. 3, and 6 through 8, the front end of the top
liner section 96 is provided with a transversely disposed tunnel
loop 105, and the rear end of the top liner section is provided
with a tunnel loop 104. The tunnel loop 105 is adapted to receive
therethrough an elongated hanger rod 106 which is rigidly secured
to the crossbeam member 43 of the bulkhead unit, as illustrated in
FIG. 3. The tunnel loop 104 similarly receives therethrough a
hanger rod 107 which is mounted in a pair of brackets 108 and 109
rigidly secured to the upper front corners of the housing unit. The
top liner section 96 further is provided with a plurality of
longitudinally spaced, transversely disposed tunnel loops 110 which
receive therethrough a plurality of hanger rods 111. As best
illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, each of the hanger rods 111 are
provided with rollers 112 and 113 mounted on the ends thereof which
are adapted to ride along guide tracks 33 and 34.
The side liner sections 97 and 98 are provided along the upper ends
thereof with longitudinally spaced straps 114 and 115,
respectively, which are connected to the ends of the hanger rods
111. The rear liner section 99 is provided with a pair of straps
116 and 117 which are connected to the hanger rod 106, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, and the front ends of the side liner
sections 97 and 98 are provided with straps 118 and 119 which are
connected to a pair of depending hooks 120 and 121 which are
rigidly secured to the top wall 24 of the housing unit. FIG. 12
best illustrates the strap 119 connected to the depending hook 121.
It will be appreciated that the tunnel loops 104, 105 and 110
cooperate with the straps 114 through 119 to cause the upper
portion of the flexible liner to conform to the shape of the upper
portion of the chamber 55 when the flexible liner is in the full
expanded condition, and to carry the weight of the liner.
The bottom portion of the flexible liner is caused to conform to
the shape of the bottom portion of the chamber 55 by means of a
first set of straps 122 secured to the bottom liner section 95
adjacent the sidewall 23 of the housing unit, an a second set of
straps 123 secured to the bottom liner section 95 along the side
wall 22 of the housing unit. The loop straps 122 are longitudinally
spaced along the bottom liner section 95 and are connected to hook
elements 124 which are rigidly secured to the bottom wall 21 of the
housing unit adjacent the sidewall 23 of the housing unit, by means
of loop straps 125. Similarly, the straps 123 are longitudinally
spaced along the side edge of the bottom liner section 95 and are
connected to a plurality of hook elements 126 secured to the bottom
wall 21 of the housing unit adjacent the sidewall 22, by means of a
plurality of loop straps 127. It will be noted that the bottom
liner section 95 can easily be positioned to overlie the bottom
wall 21 of the housing unit, merely by pulling the connecting
straps 125 and 127 and securing them on the hook elements 124 and
126.
The lower front corners of the flexible liner are retained adjacent
the lower front corners of chamber 55 by means of a retaining
assembly 128, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 13. The retaining
assembly includes a pair of mounting fixtures 129 and 130, a
retainer rod 131, and a pair of L-shaped retaining pins 132 and
133. Mounting fixtures 129 and 130 are rigidly secured to bottom
wall 21 of the housing unit, and are substantially similar in
construction. Mounting fixture 129 is secured to bottom wall 21
adjacent front end wall 25 and sidewall 22. Mounting fixture 30 is
secured to bottom wall 21 adjacent front end wall 25 and the
sidewall 23. The mounting fixture 129 includes a mounting plate
section 134 secured to bottom wall 21 and a tubular section 135
rigidly secured to mounting plate section 134 with the outer end
thereof spaced from sidewall 22, and the front side thereof being
spaced parallel from front end wall 25. Similarly, mounting fixture
130 includes a mounting plate section 136 secured to bottom wall 21
and a tubular section 137 which also has the end portion thereof
spaced from sidewall 23 and the front side thereof spaced parallel
to front end wall 25. Tubular sections 135 and 137 are axially
aligned to receive connecting rod 123 therethrough. The connecting
rod extends through a tunnel loop 138 which is rigidly secured to
the forward edge of bottom liner section 95. Tunnel loop 138
functions to maintain the lower front edge of the flexible liner
adjacent the lower front corner of chamber 55.
The L-shaped retainer pin 132 is provided with a horizontal leg
portion 139 which extends through the tubular section 135 into the
connecting rod 131 and a vertical portion 140 which extends through
a slot 141 and is received through a strap 142 rigidly secured to
the lower front end of the side liner section 98. Retainer pin 133
similarly is connected to mounting fixture 130 and is received
through a strap 143 mounted on the lower front end of side liner
section 97. It will be appreciated that straps 142 and 143 retain
the side liner sections 98 and 97 adjacent the lower front corners
of chamber 55.
The L-shaped retainer pin 132 is provided with a horizontal leg
portion 139 which extends through the tubular section 135 into the
connecting rod 131 and a vertical portion 140 which extends through
a slot 141 and is received through a strap 142 rigidly secured to
the lower front end of the side liner section 98. Retainer pin 133
similarly is connected to mounting fixture 130 and is received
through a strap 143 mounted on the lower front end of side liner
section 97. It will be appreciated that straps 142 and 143 retain
the side liner sections 98 and 97 adjacent the lower front corners
of chamber 55.
Rear end liner section 100 is secured to the bulkhead unit by means
of tunnel loop 104 mounted on hanger rod 106 and a second tunnel
loop 144 which is connected to a transversely disposed hanger rod
145 mounted on rear wall 62 of the bulkhead unit. The lower rear
end of the flexible liner is provided with a flexible spout 146
which extends into and is secured to rigid spout unit 50. As best
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, flexible spout 146 includes a top
flexible section 147, a bottom flexible section 148, and converging
side sections 149 and 150. The front ends of the spout sections
include tunnel loops 151, 152, 153 and 154 which extend through
slots in spout unit 50, as best illustrated in FIG. 3. The flexible
spout 146 is retained within the rigid spout unit 50 by means of a
retainer band 155 which passes through tunnel loops 151 through
154.
Top flexible section 96 further is provided with a plurality of
longitudinally spaced flexible conduit sections 156 which are
registerable with and adapted to extend into annular mountings 29
when the flexible liner is in its expanded condition, as
illustrated in FIG. 8. Each of the conduits is provided with an
opening in the upper end thereof, which may be closed with the
interlocking fastener of zipper 157.
When the container is used to transport other than bulk materials,
bulkhead unit 13 is moved toward the front end of the housing unit
to collapse flexible liner 14 and retain it against front end wall
24, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In such inoperative condition, spout
unit 50 is positioned in recess 49, cover panel 70 is mounted
across the retracted spout unit, and side panels 51 and 52 are
mounted flush with cover panel 70, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The bulkhead unit is retained in such position by sliding bolt
latches 75, 76, 88, and 89, which engage channel strips 39, 40, 41,
and 42.
When it is desired to load the container with a bulk material,
latches 75, 76, 88 and 89 are disengaged from the channel strips
and the bulkhead unit is moved rearwardly to expand the flexible
liner to the operative condition, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 through
8. When the bulkhead unit is moved sufficiently rearwardly to
expand the flexible liner, it is secured in position by means of
slide bolts 158 and 159 mounted on the lower ends of channel-shaped
members 44 and 45 of the bulkhead unit, which are received in
retaining holes in bottom wall 21 of the housing unit, as best
illustrated in FIG. 3. The flexible liner is then fully expanded by
connecting each of connecting straps 125 to hook elements 124 and
connecting each of connecting straps 127 to hook elements 126.
Under such conditions, the flexible liner is fully expanded and
conforms to the configuration of chamber 55. It will be noted that
tunnel loops 110 maintain top liner section 96 adjacent top wall
24, straps 114 and 125 maintain side liner section 97 adjacent
sidewall 23, straps 115 and 127 maintain side liner section 98
adjacent sidewall 22, tunnel loops 107 and 138 maintain front liner
section 99 adjacent front wall 24, and tunnel loops 104 and 144
maintain rear liner section 100 adjacent bulkhead unit 13. The
straps 142, 143, 118 and 119 further assist in maintaining the
front corner portion of the flexible liner adjacent the front upper
and lower corners of chamber 55.
With the flexible liner fully expanded as described, side panels 51
and 52 are remounted on the bulkhead unit, as illustrated in FIG.
3. Side panel 52 is secured in the operative position by mounting
abutment members 71 and 72 in channel strips 40 and 42, positioning
side panel 52 at an angle relative to sidewall 23 so that the outer
end engages the rear ends of abutment members 71 and 72, fastening
the inner end of the panel to channel-shaped member 45 by sliding
the bolts of latches 75 and 76 into the registerable openings in
the channel-shaped member, and then pulling spring members 73 and
74 rearwardly and securing the hook ends thereof to channel strips
40 and 42 to urge the outer portion of side panel 52 into firm
engagement with abutment members 71 and 72. Side panel 51 is
secured in position in a similar manner. Cover panel 71 is then
removed from across recess 49 and mounted on the upper end of the
bulkhead unit. The rigid spout unit 50 then may be pivoted
downwardly out of recess 49 to its operative position, as
illustrated in FIG. 3.
The flexible inlet conduits 156 of the liner will register with
annular mountings 29 when the liner is in the expanded condition.
The liner then may be loaded with a bulk material merely by lifting
cover members 20 to an open position, pulling the flexible conduits
upwardly through the annular mountings, unzipping fasteners 157 and
inserting a charging conduit 158 through the flexible conduits to
charge bulk material into the interior of the flexible liner. When
the liner is fully loaded, the charging conduit is removed, the
flexible conduits are closed and folded into the annular mountings,
and the covers are closed. The container is then in condition for
transporting the bulk material to its ultimate destination.
Upon arrival at its destination, the container is positioned on
tiltable platform 18 of unloading unit 11. The chassis is then
rigidly secured to platform 18, and hydraulic cylinder assembly 20
is actuated to tilt platform 18 and the entire container. Conduit
section 63 of spout unit 50 may be connected to a suitable
pneumatic conveying system and the bulk material in the flexible
liner will be discharged by gravity flow through the spout unit
when the valve 64 is opened. As the container is tilted rearwardly
to discharge the bulk material, liner portions 102 and 103 engage
side panels 51 and 52 which act as baffles, directing the material
toward the flexible spout 146. During the unloading procedure, the
cover members 30 are secured in the closed position and air is
permitted to enter the interior of the flexible liner by means of
an air intake conduit 159 intercommunicating the interior of the
flexible liner with the exterior, and having a one-way valve
160.
As soon as the bulk material has been unloaded, conduit section 63
is disconnected from the pneumatic conveying system and the
hydraulic cylinder assembly is actuated to lower platform 18 to the
horizontal position. The spout unit 50 is then pivoted upwardly
into recess 49 and cover panel 70 is secured across recess 49 to
retain spout unit 50 in the retracted position. Side panels 51 and
52 are then removed from the bulkhead unit, and latches 158 and 159
are disconnected to free the bulkhead unit. The bulkhead unit is
then in a condition to be rolled forwardly to collapse the flexible
liner and secure it against front wall 25. Connecting straps 125
and 127 are then disconnected from hook elements 124 and 126 to
permit the flexible liner to collapse as the bulkhead unit is moved
forwardly.
The folding of the flexible liner is facilitated by a plurality of
liner draw line assemblies 163 mounted on the ends of hanger rods
111. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each draw liner assembly 163
includes a pulley unit 164 secured to the end of hanger rod 111,
and a draw line 165 having the lower end thereof secured to strap
122 and the upper end thereof reeved about the sheave in the pulley
unit 164. It will be appreciated that the free end of the line 165
may be drawn to lift strap 122 and the adjoining liner portion
adjacent pulley unit 164. The liner portion then may be retained in
the drawn position by securing connecting strap 125 to a hook
element 166 provided on pulley unit 164. With spaced lower portions
of the flexible liner drawn up by draw line assemblies 163, the
bulkhead unit may be moved forwardly toward front wall 25 to
collapse the liner and fold it against front wall 25. When the
liner is fully collapsed and folded and the bulkhead unit is
disposed in its foremost position in the housing unit, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, side panels 51 and 52 are remounted on the
bulkhead unit to secure the bulkhead unit to sidewalls 22 and 23 of
the housing unit by means of latch units 75, 76, 88 and 89. The
container then is in a condition to be loaded with other forms of
cargo.
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