CA1205106A - Bulk puller for unloading containers - Google Patents
Bulk puller for unloading containersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1205106A CA1205106A CA000428807A CA428807A CA1205106A CA 1205106 A CA1205106 A CA 1205106A CA 000428807 A CA000428807 A CA 000428807A CA 428807 A CA428807 A CA 428807A CA 1205106 A CA1205106 A CA 1205106A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- commodity
- pleats
- liner
- bottom wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
Abstract
IMPROVEMENTS IN BULK PULLER
FOR UNLOADING CONTAINERS
Abstract of the Disclosure A system and a method for unloading bulk commodity from a container having a flat bottom wall.
A rectangular sheet is disposed over at least a bottom wall of the container with a load of bulk commodity disposed thereover. The sheet has a plurality of pleats formed therein in side-by-side relationship and width-wise in at least a portion of the length of the sheet which is disposed over the bottom wall. The pleats are folded over a top face of the sheet. At least one re-inforcing strap-like member is secured to the liner length-wise thereof. A pulling mechanism is provided to pull the sheet from the rear end thereof over the bottom wall to displace and discharge the load of commodity from adjacent the rear end as the pleats are unfolded sequen-tially and the sheet is drawn from its rear end.
FOR UNLOADING CONTAINERS
Abstract of the Disclosure A system and a method for unloading bulk commodity from a container having a flat bottom wall.
A rectangular sheet is disposed over at least a bottom wall of the container with a load of bulk commodity disposed thereover. The sheet has a plurality of pleats formed therein in side-by-side relationship and width-wise in at least a portion of the length of the sheet which is disposed over the bottom wall. The pleats are folded over a top face of the sheet. At least one re-inforcing strap-like member is secured to the liner length-wise thereof. A pulling mechanism is provided to pull the sheet from the rear end thereof over the bottom wall to displace and discharge the load of commodity from adjacent the rear end as the pleats are unfolded sequen-tially and the sheet is drawn from its rear end.
Description
:12~S~(~6 BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
~a~ Field of the Invention The present invention rela-tes to a system and method for unloading bulk cornmodity from a con-tainer wherein the bulk commodity is unloaded by pulling a pleated liner from an end thexeof so that as the pleats of the liner unfold sequenticllly, the com-modity is discharged.
(b) Description of Prior Art Many systems are known for discharging bulk commodity from shipping containers such as tractor ~ trailers, railway cars, or the like, but require costly equipment to effect the unloading or else the loading is very time-consuming. For example, referring to U.S. Patent No. 3,696,952 issued on October 10, 1972 and relating to a bulk cargo handling system and method, it can be seen that in order to unload bulk cargo from the container, it is required to provide a costly tilt mechanism which tilts the container towards its rear open end whereby the material will be discharged by gravity or by pressure. Such tilting mechanism is quite expensive~ bulky~ and can only be adapt~d to specific types of containers and could not be used, for example, with freight railway cars. However, attempts have been made to discharge cargo without having to tilt the vehicle. Such are disclos~d in British Patent No. 527,916 published on October 18, 1940 and in U.S, Patent No. 3,443,703 issued May 13, 1969 where there is disclosed the use of a retractable floor liner on which commodity is disposed and unloaded by retractiny the liner from an open end. Recently, another such ~2~
floor liner was disclosed in European Patent Applica-tion 0 067 483 published December 22, 1982.
In the later referenced prior art, it is necessary to calculate the size of folcls depending on the nature of the commodity and to use special liner material for proper unfolding and strength.
There exists the need to provide a discharge mechanism which is easy and safe to use, economical, and which does not require special liner material.
There also exists the need to provide an unloading ].iner which can be re-used, and which effects the dis-charge quickly and which substantially unloads all bulk commodity from the container be it a trailer or freight car.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a system and method for unloading bulk commo-dity which overcomesall of the disadvantages of the prior art mentloned and which mee~q all of the above-mentioned needs.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a system and method for unloading bulk com-modity from a multitude of types of containers and which is easy to install an~ which is re-usable.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a bulk commodity unloading liner which is easy to install over the bottom wall~of the container or inside an inflatable liner,~w~ich is strong without the rec~irement of special liner fabrics.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect ~the;present invention provides a system ~2~
for unloading bulk commodity from a container having a flat bottom wall. The system comprises a rectanyular sheet disposed over the bottom wall wi-th a load of -the bulk commodity disposed over the sheet. The sheet has a plurality of pleats pre-formed therein side by side and widthwise in at least a portion of the length of the sheet which is disposed over the bottom wall. The pleats are folded over a top face oE the sheet and have a predetermined width calculated in dependency of the weight of the load to be disposed thereon. The pleats are maintained folded by a heat seal spot formed between the pleats. At least one reinforcing strap-like member is secured to the liner lengthwise thereof. The sheet has an end flap at a rear end thereof and an attachment flap at a forward end thereof. Pulling means is provided for pull-ing the sheet from a rear end thereof over the bottom wall to displace and discharge the load of commodity from adjacent the rear end as the pleats are unfolded sequen-tially and the sheet is drawn from its rear end.
According to another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a bulk commodity unloading liner comprising a rectangular sheet having a pl~rality of pre-formed pleats formed side by side widthwise throughout a predetermined length thereof. The pleats are folded over a top face of the sheet and have a predeter-mined width calculated in dependency of the weight of a load to be disposed thereon. The pleats are maintained folded by a heat seal spot formed between the pleats. At least one reinforcing strap-like member is secured to the liner lengthwise thereof. The sheet has an end flap at a _ ~ _ i `: `
rear end thereof and an attachment flap at a forward end thereo~. The sheet is constructed of a material of sufficient strength and proper texture to permit a load thereon to be shifted by pulling the sheet lying on a supporting surface with the pleats unfolding sequentially.
- ~a -SlC~
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present inven-tion will now be described with reference to the examples thereof illustrated in the accompanying draw-ings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container showing the bulk commodity unloading liner at its rear open end thereof, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a container showing the bulk commodity unloading liner properly positioned over the bottom wall of the container;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a container showing the unloading liner positioned over the bottom wall of an inflated liner in which bulk commodity is blown;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a container showing the unloading of the bulk commodity therein, FIGURE 5A is a fragmented perspective view showing the pleated unloading liner, FIGURE 5B is a perspective view showing the liner with reinforcing strapping and formed of stiff material:
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a container showing the position of the liner after it has been - fully unpleated after the load of commodity has been unloaded, FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a railway freight car showing the unloadin~ liner of the present invention adapted to an unloading device;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of -the railway freight car showing the unloading device located under , . . .. ... ... .
~2~ 6 the floor of the car and further illustrating the position of the unloading liner after the bulk commodity has been unloaded:
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the discharge device as used with the railway freight cars, FIGURE 10 is a top view of Figure 9:
FIGURE 11 is a transverse section view of Figure 9, and FIGURE 12 is a schematic illustration of the drive and clutch mechanism for the discharge device.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and more particu-larly to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown genarally at 10 the bulk commodity unloading liner of the present inven-tion and its use. T~le liner 10 consists of a rectangular sheet formed o-f suitable strong material having surface properties which will permit unpleating of the sheet with a load positioned thereover and which will resist tearing as the sheet is pulled from a rear end thereof with a load commodity thereover. Preferably, but not e~clusively, the sheet is constructed of corrugated board, reinforced paper or plastic sheet material. For added rigidity, one or more, herein three, reinforcing strap-like members 9 are secured lonyitudinally of the sheet. The members 9 may be formed by plastic, woven, longitudinal fibers or steel straps. As better illustrated in Figure 2, a plurality of folds or pleats~ll are formed side by-side widthwise of the shePt throughout a predetermined length thereof which is~to be positioned over the bottom wall 12 of con-tainer 13. The pleat= 11 are fGlded over a top face of the sheet.
At the Iear end of the sheet, there is provided an end flap~14. At the opposite end of the sheet, s~
there is provided an attachment flap 15. The attach-ment flap is of suf~icient length to lie over a front wall 16 of the container 13 and is provided with attach-ment means in the form of eyelets or loops 17 to be secured adjacent the top end 16' of the i~ront wall 16.
The end flap 14 has two purposes as will be.
described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, the open end 18 of the container is pro-vided with a retaining wall or bulkhead 19 having a discharge slot opening 20 at the bottom end thereof adjacent the bottom wall 12. This slot is 2 :to 8 inches in width and permits the emptying of the commodity 21 being placed into the container 13 over the pleats 11 of the sheet 10. As shown in Figure 3, the commodity 21 is blown into the container by a convection tube 22 and the container is fitted with an inflated liner 13 to protect the cor~modity from the interior wall of the container. The front flap 15 may be taped, wi~h pres-sure release tape, to the liner 13' front wall and will detach automaticaIly by pulling after the commodity is unloaded.
Befoxe the commodity 21 is placed into the container, the end flap 14 is secured upwardly, as shown by arrow 23, and reta1ned over the rear wall 19 by fastening means, such as staples, whereby the end flap 14 substantially obstructs the discharge slot opening 20 to prevent commodity~from falling out during the loading of the corNmodity. After the container is-loaded, the rear doors 24 o~ the oontainer are closed over the rear opening 18.
As shown in Figure 4, in order to unloacl the : . _ 7 -- ~2n'5~
commodity from the container, a discharge device 25 is usedO The device 25 constitutes a pulling means for the sheet and comprises a sheet wind~r constitutec by a spool 26 to which the end flap 14 is secured and which is axially rotatable to pull the sheet from the rear end thereof over the bottom wall 12 whereby to discharge the commodity through the discharge slo-t opening 20 as the pleats unfold sequentially from the rear end thereof and the sheet is drawn outwardly of -the container through the discharge slot opening.
The discharge device shown in Figure 4 con-sists of a frame 27 which is herein shown secured to a stationary surface. In use, the container 13 is placed adjacent the discharge device whereby the rear flap can be secured to the winding spool 26 which is adjustably securable in height by adjustment means 27' whereby to adapt to containers having their bot om wall at different heights from the ground surface. A hopper bin 28 is positioned under the spool 26 and rearwardly thereof whereby the commodity being conveyed outwardly of the container by the winding of the sheek 10 will fall into the bin 28. A conveying means, in the form of a spiral screw 29, is positioned in the bin 28 and directs the commodity into a conveying tube 30 where the commodity is fed to a remote storage means ~not shown).
As shown in Figure 6, after the sheet has been completely unpleated, most of the commodity has been discharged from the container. However, when the sheet is completely unpleated, the winder roll will pull it taut whereby the sheet extends diagonally across the container from the top end of the *ront wall 16 to the ~2nsl~
bottom discharge slot opening 20 of the rear end. This arrangement of the sheet provides a slide to cause the residual commodity to slide down the sheet towards the opening. When the sheet reaches this position, the winder roll is stopped and it may be rec:iprocably rotated whereby to impart a vibration to the sheet to cause any further commodity to slip down the sheet and out through the discharge slot. As also shown in Figure 6, the discharge device ~5 is herein shown as securable adjacent the rear bottom edge of the container. It also consists of a screw conveyor 29 ~isplaced in a bin 28 supported adjacent the spool 26 to convey ma-terial through a flexible tube 30' securable to a sleeve 31 provided at one end of the housing 28 in reyistry with the spiral screw conveyor 29O
As shown in Figure 5A, in order to maintain the pleats 11 in position, a small heat weld 32 may be formed at the position shown. This heat weld will have very little resistance and would become undone as soon as a pulling force is app~ied to the top layer portion 11' of the pleat. Alternatively, a single stitch 33 may be provided for the same purpose and becomes easily undone as soon as a pulling force is applied to the pleat.
Referring now to Figure 5B, there is better shown the construction of the unloading liner 10. As herein shown, the reinforcing strapping or tapes 9 is secured spaced apart longitudinally of the liner. The straps 9 may be made of reinforcing tape, plastiç strap-ping, or steel strapping. Such strapping provides the necessary longitudinal strength to pull the liner out of the container when it is fully loaded. Also, with _ g _ ~2~ns~
this strapping, it is not necessary to use special fold patterns or to have special slip surface fabrics to eEfect the unfolding. Thus, the strapping is c~ite advantageous.
As above stated, with the strapping 9, many types of plastic or woven fabrics can be used to form the liner. It is also possible to use corrugated board as the liner. If corrugated board or a stiff plastic is used, the pleats 11 can remain in a vertical position and closely spaced to one another in accordion fashion. As the liner is pulled out, -the pleats 11 would flatten out to draw out the commodity. This type of liner would be particularly useful with granular commodity such as flour, grain, etc~, where the pleats would not be damaged in their uprig'ht position when commodity is dropped thereon.
Referring now to Figures 7 to 12, there is described another embodiment of the present invention whereby the system is adapted to a railway freight car container 35. Such containers are usually provided with a side door opening 36 providecl in a side wall 37 of the freicJht car. As herein shown, the discharge device 25' is slightly altered ancl is secured over the bottom wall 38 of the railway car and extends trans-versely over the bottom wall adjacent the side door opening 36. The discharge device is providecl with two spaced apart rotatable spools 39 and 40 which are sup-ported în the discharge device across the o,pposed side walls 41 thereof. The device 25' is secured to the bottom wall 38 by attachment flanges 4~. Suitable fas-teners are driven through the flanges and into the bottom ~s~
wall making it easy to install and remove from -the bottom wall.
The spools 39 and 40 are each located inside the housing under an angulated side wall 43 which is hinged at a lower end 44 thereof to permit access to the spools. The side wall or side door 43 is held in a position shown in Figure 11 by abutment flanges 45 and terminates short of a top edge 46 of a discharge bin 47. Thus, a slot 48 is formed between the top edg~ of the discharge bin 47 and the top edge of the side wall 43 whereby to permit the sheet 10 to be drawn therethrough. The top edge of the side wall 43 may have a roller 49 secured thereto or else be rounded whereby to provide for said sheet 10 to be easily drawn by the rotation of the spool 40.
A spiral screw conveyor 50 is disposed bet-ween the end walls 41 and extends substantially parallel to the spools 40 and is positioned adjacent the bottom wall 51 of the discharge binO A coupling flange 52 is remova~ly secured to the end wall 41 whereby to attach .
a conveyor line (not shown) thereto when discharging the commodity from the freight car.
Figure 12 illustrates a conventional motor drive which may be conveniently secured to the discharge device 25' and it consists essentially of a motor 52 having a drive shaft 53 and a drive gear 54. A clutch arrangement displaces the drive gear whereby to engage with a drive gear of the spiral screw conveyor 50 or a drive gear 55 or 56 of the first and second spools 39 and 40. The clutch mechanism 60 can therefore engage the spiral screw conveyor 50 without engaging any of the ... . . . , , . . ~
5~6 spools or else could engage either one of the spools or both spools simultaneously with the spiral screw conveyor. It is pointed out that instead of having a motor drive, the discharge device 2S' may be provided with the necessary gearing inside an end wall 41 and have a drive pinion (not shown) extending through the wall 41 and engag d by an industrial portable rotary motor. A clutch lever (not shown~ would prov1de for the selection o~ the drives.
When discharging the commo'dity from the freight car, it is firstly necessary to rotate the spiral conveyor screw whereby the load above the dis-charge bin 47 will be discharged without the need to activate either of the spools 39 or 40. After that portion of the load is discharged, the first or second spool or both spools are operated whereby the remainder of the commod~ty from each side of the discharge device 25' will be conveyed to the discharge bin. The con-veying of the load on each side of the container is done the same way as described previously with the ;~
discharge of the container 13 by withdrawing the pleated liner from its rear end direction. After both spools have been wound, the liner on both sides will lie dia-gonally, as shown in Figure 8, whereby most of the com-modity will be removed from the freight car.
Although in Figure 7~the discharge device 25'~
is shown as secured on top of the bottom wall 38, it may be secured under the bottom wall 38 below the~floor as shown in Figure 8. Many freight cars,have sllding doors in their' bottom wall for bot~tom discharge and the device may be suitably adapted thereto.
12 ~
~Z~S~(~6 ~he gearing ratio of the drive shown in Figure 12 may vary to provide various ratios between the speed of the spiral screw and the speed of the spools. For example, the screw conveyor 50 can rotate at a speed much higher than that of the spools to assure that all of the commodity conveyed to the discharge bin is removed quickly to prevent build-up. Also, the gear coupling between the spools and the drive from the motor should be such as to prevent overloading the drive shaft of ~-he motor.
It is within the ambit of the present inven-tion to cover any obvious modifications of the examples of the preferred embodiment described herein provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.
:
:
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- i3 - ~
~a~ Field of the Invention The present invention rela-tes to a system and method for unloading bulk cornmodity from a con-tainer wherein the bulk commodity is unloaded by pulling a pleated liner from an end thexeof so that as the pleats of the liner unfold sequenticllly, the com-modity is discharged.
(b) Description of Prior Art Many systems are known for discharging bulk commodity from shipping containers such as tractor ~ trailers, railway cars, or the like, but require costly equipment to effect the unloading or else the loading is very time-consuming. For example, referring to U.S. Patent No. 3,696,952 issued on October 10, 1972 and relating to a bulk cargo handling system and method, it can be seen that in order to unload bulk cargo from the container, it is required to provide a costly tilt mechanism which tilts the container towards its rear open end whereby the material will be discharged by gravity or by pressure. Such tilting mechanism is quite expensive~ bulky~ and can only be adapt~d to specific types of containers and could not be used, for example, with freight railway cars. However, attempts have been made to discharge cargo without having to tilt the vehicle. Such are disclos~d in British Patent No. 527,916 published on October 18, 1940 and in U.S, Patent No. 3,443,703 issued May 13, 1969 where there is disclosed the use of a retractable floor liner on which commodity is disposed and unloaded by retractiny the liner from an open end. Recently, another such ~2~
floor liner was disclosed in European Patent Applica-tion 0 067 483 published December 22, 1982.
In the later referenced prior art, it is necessary to calculate the size of folcls depending on the nature of the commodity and to use special liner material for proper unfolding and strength.
There exists the need to provide a discharge mechanism which is easy and safe to use, economical, and which does not require special liner material.
There also exists the need to provide an unloading ].iner which can be re-used, and which effects the dis-charge quickly and which substantially unloads all bulk commodity from the container be it a trailer or freight car.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a system and method for unloading bulk commo-dity which overcomesall of the disadvantages of the prior art mentloned and which mee~q all of the above-mentioned needs.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a system and method for unloading bulk com-modity from a multitude of types of containers and which is easy to install an~ which is re-usable.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a bulk commodity unloading liner which is easy to install over the bottom wall~of the container or inside an inflatable liner,~w~ich is strong without the rec~irement of special liner fabrics.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect ~the;present invention provides a system ~2~
for unloading bulk commodity from a container having a flat bottom wall. The system comprises a rectanyular sheet disposed over the bottom wall wi-th a load of -the bulk commodity disposed over the sheet. The sheet has a plurality of pleats pre-formed therein side by side and widthwise in at least a portion of the length of the sheet which is disposed over the bottom wall. The pleats are folded over a top face oE the sheet and have a predetermined width calculated in dependency of the weight of the load to be disposed thereon. The pleats are maintained folded by a heat seal spot formed between the pleats. At least one reinforcing strap-like member is secured to the liner lengthwise thereof. The sheet has an end flap at a rear end thereof and an attachment flap at a forward end thereof. Pulling means is provided for pull-ing the sheet from a rear end thereof over the bottom wall to displace and discharge the load of commodity from adjacent the rear end as the pleats are unfolded sequen-tially and the sheet is drawn from its rear end.
According to another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a bulk commodity unloading liner comprising a rectangular sheet having a pl~rality of pre-formed pleats formed side by side widthwise throughout a predetermined length thereof. The pleats are folded over a top face of the sheet and have a predeter-mined width calculated in dependency of the weight of a load to be disposed thereon. The pleats are maintained folded by a heat seal spot formed between the pleats. At least one reinforcing strap-like member is secured to the liner lengthwise thereof. The sheet has an end flap at a _ ~ _ i `: `
rear end thereof and an attachment flap at a forward end thereo~. The sheet is constructed of a material of sufficient strength and proper texture to permit a load thereon to be shifted by pulling the sheet lying on a supporting surface with the pleats unfolding sequentially.
- ~a -SlC~
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present inven-tion will now be described with reference to the examples thereof illustrated in the accompanying draw-ings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container showing the bulk commodity unloading liner at its rear open end thereof, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a container showing the bulk commodity unloading liner properly positioned over the bottom wall of the container;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a container showing the unloading liner positioned over the bottom wall of an inflated liner in which bulk commodity is blown;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a container showing the unloading of the bulk commodity therein, FIGURE 5A is a fragmented perspective view showing the pleated unloading liner, FIGURE 5B is a perspective view showing the liner with reinforcing strapping and formed of stiff material:
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a container showing the position of the liner after it has been - fully unpleated after the load of commodity has been unloaded, FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a railway freight car showing the unloadin~ liner of the present invention adapted to an unloading device;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of -the railway freight car showing the unloading device located under , . . .. ... ... .
~2~ 6 the floor of the car and further illustrating the position of the unloading liner after the bulk commodity has been unloaded:
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the discharge device as used with the railway freight cars, FIGURE 10 is a top view of Figure 9:
FIGURE 11 is a transverse section view of Figure 9, and FIGURE 12 is a schematic illustration of the drive and clutch mechanism for the discharge device.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and more particu-larly to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown genarally at 10 the bulk commodity unloading liner of the present inven-tion and its use. T~le liner 10 consists of a rectangular sheet formed o-f suitable strong material having surface properties which will permit unpleating of the sheet with a load positioned thereover and which will resist tearing as the sheet is pulled from a rear end thereof with a load commodity thereover. Preferably, but not e~clusively, the sheet is constructed of corrugated board, reinforced paper or plastic sheet material. For added rigidity, one or more, herein three, reinforcing strap-like members 9 are secured lonyitudinally of the sheet. The members 9 may be formed by plastic, woven, longitudinal fibers or steel straps. As better illustrated in Figure 2, a plurality of folds or pleats~ll are formed side by-side widthwise of the shePt throughout a predetermined length thereof which is~to be positioned over the bottom wall 12 of con-tainer 13. The pleat= 11 are fGlded over a top face of the sheet.
At the Iear end of the sheet, there is provided an end flap~14. At the opposite end of the sheet, s~
there is provided an attachment flap 15. The attach-ment flap is of suf~icient length to lie over a front wall 16 of the container 13 and is provided with attach-ment means in the form of eyelets or loops 17 to be secured adjacent the top end 16' of the i~ront wall 16.
The end flap 14 has two purposes as will be.
described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, the open end 18 of the container is pro-vided with a retaining wall or bulkhead 19 having a discharge slot opening 20 at the bottom end thereof adjacent the bottom wall 12. This slot is 2 :to 8 inches in width and permits the emptying of the commodity 21 being placed into the container 13 over the pleats 11 of the sheet 10. As shown in Figure 3, the commodity 21 is blown into the container by a convection tube 22 and the container is fitted with an inflated liner 13 to protect the cor~modity from the interior wall of the container. The front flap 15 may be taped, wi~h pres-sure release tape, to the liner 13' front wall and will detach automaticaIly by pulling after the commodity is unloaded.
Befoxe the commodity 21 is placed into the container, the end flap 14 is secured upwardly, as shown by arrow 23, and reta1ned over the rear wall 19 by fastening means, such as staples, whereby the end flap 14 substantially obstructs the discharge slot opening 20 to prevent commodity~from falling out during the loading of the corNmodity. After the container is-loaded, the rear doors 24 o~ the oontainer are closed over the rear opening 18.
As shown in Figure 4, in order to unloacl the : . _ 7 -- ~2n'5~
commodity from the container, a discharge device 25 is usedO The device 25 constitutes a pulling means for the sheet and comprises a sheet wind~r constitutec by a spool 26 to which the end flap 14 is secured and which is axially rotatable to pull the sheet from the rear end thereof over the bottom wall 12 whereby to discharge the commodity through the discharge slo-t opening 20 as the pleats unfold sequentially from the rear end thereof and the sheet is drawn outwardly of -the container through the discharge slot opening.
The discharge device shown in Figure 4 con-sists of a frame 27 which is herein shown secured to a stationary surface. In use, the container 13 is placed adjacent the discharge device whereby the rear flap can be secured to the winding spool 26 which is adjustably securable in height by adjustment means 27' whereby to adapt to containers having their bot om wall at different heights from the ground surface. A hopper bin 28 is positioned under the spool 26 and rearwardly thereof whereby the commodity being conveyed outwardly of the container by the winding of the sheek 10 will fall into the bin 28. A conveying means, in the form of a spiral screw 29, is positioned in the bin 28 and directs the commodity into a conveying tube 30 where the commodity is fed to a remote storage means ~not shown).
As shown in Figure 6, after the sheet has been completely unpleated, most of the commodity has been discharged from the container. However, when the sheet is completely unpleated, the winder roll will pull it taut whereby the sheet extends diagonally across the container from the top end of the *ront wall 16 to the ~2nsl~
bottom discharge slot opening 20 of the rear end. This arrangement of the sheet provides a slide to cause the residual commodity to slide down the sheet towards the opening. When the sheet reaches this position, the winder roll is stopped and it may be rec:iprocably rotated whereby to impart a vibration to the sheet to cause any further commodity to slip down the sheet and out through the discharge slot. As also shown in Figure 6, the discharge device ~5 is herein shown as securable adjacent the rear bottom edge of the container. It also consists of a screw conveyor 29 ~isplaced in a bin 28 supported adjacent the spool 26 to convey ma-terial through a flexible tube 30' securable to a sleeve 31 provided at one end of the housing 28 in reyistry with the spiral screw conveyor 29O
As shown in Figure 5A, in order to maintain the pleats 11 in position, a small heat weld 32 may be formed at the position shown. This heat weld will have very little resistance and would become undone as soon as a pulling force is app~ied to the top layer portion 11' of the pleat. Alternatively, a single stitch 33 may be provided for the same purpose and becomes easily undone as soon as a pulling force is applied to the pleat.
Referring now to Figure 5B, there is better shown the construction of the unloading liner 10. As herein shown, the reinforcing strapping or tapes 9 is secured spaced apart longitudinally of the liner. The straps 9 may be made of reinforcing tape, plastiç strap-ping, or steel strapping. Such strapping provides the necessary longitudinal strength to pull the liner out of the container when it is fully loaded. Also, with _ g _ ~2~ns~
this strapping, it is not necessary to use special fold patterns or to have special slip surface fabrics to eEfect the unfolding. Thus, the strapping is c~ite advantageous.
As above stated, with the strapping 9, many types of plastic or woven fabrics can be used to form the liner. It is also possible to use corrugated board as the liner. If corrugated board or a stiff plastic is used, the pleats 11 can remain in a vertical position and closely spaced to one another in accordion fashion. As the liner is pulled out, -the pleats 11 would flatten out to draw out the commodity. This type of liner would be particularly useful with granular commodity such as flour, grain, etc~, where the pleats would not be damaged in their uprig'ht position when commodity is dropped thereon.
Referring now to Figures 7 to 12, there is described another embodiment of the present invention whereby the system is adapted to a railway freight car container 35. Such containers are usually provided with a side door opening 36 providecl in a side wall 37 of the freicJht car. As herein shown, the discharge device 25' is slightly altered ancl is secured over the bottom wall 38 of the railway car and extends trans-versely over the bottom wall adjacent the side door opening 36. The discharge device is providecl with two spaced apart rotatable spools 39 and 40 which are sup-ported în the discharge device across the o,pposed side walls 41 thereof. The device 25' is secured to the bottom wall 38 by attachment flanges 4~. Suitable fas-teners are driven through the flanges and into the bottom ~s~
wall making it easy to install and remove from -the bottom wall.
The spools 39 and 40 are each located inside the housing under an angulated side wall 43 which is hinged at a lower end 44 thereof to permit access to the spools. The side wall or side door 43 is held in a position shown in Figure 11 by abutment flanges 45 and terminates short of a top edge 46 of a discharge bin 47. Thus, a slot 48 is formed between the top edg~ of the discharge bin 47 and the top edge of the side wall 43 whereby to permit the sheet 10 to be drawn therethrough. The top edge of the side wall 43 may have a roller 49 secured thereto or else be rounded whereby to provide for said sheet 10 to be easily drawn by the rotation of the spool 40.
A spiral screw conveyor 50 is disposed bet-ween the end walls 41 and extends substantially parallel to the spools 40 and is positioned adjacent the bottom wall 51 of the discharge binO A coupling flange 52 is remova~ly secured to the end wall 41 whereby to attach .
a conveyor line (not shown) thereto when discharging the commodity from the freight car.
Figure 12 illustrates a conventional motor drive which may be conveniently secured to the discharge device 25' and it consists essentially of a motor 52 having a drive shaft 53 and a drive gear 54. A clutch arrangement displaces the drive gear whereby to engage with a drive gear of the spiral screw conveyor 50 or a drive gear 55 or 56 of the first and second spools 39 and 40. The clutch mechanism 60 can therefore engage the spiral screw conveyor 50 without engaging any of the ... . . . , , . . ~
5~6 spools or else could engage either one of the spools or both spools simultaneously with the spiral screw conveyor. It is pointed out that instead of having a motor drive, the discharge device 2S' may be provided with the necessary gearing inside an end wall 41 and have a drive pinion (not shown) extending through the wall 41 and engag d by an industrial portable rotary motor. A clutch lever (not shown~ would prov1de for the selection o~ the drives.
When discharging the commo'dity from the freight car, it is firstly necessary to rotate the spiral conveyor screw whereby the load above the dis-charge bin 47 will be discharged without the need to activate either of the spools 39 or 40. After that portion of the load is discharged, the first or second spool or both spools are operated whereby the remainder of the commod~ty from each side of the discharge device 25' will be conveyed to the discharge bin. The con-veying of the load on each side of the container is done the same way as described previously with the ;~
discharge of the container 13 by withdrawing the pleated liner from its rear end direction. After both spools have been wound, the liner on both sides will lie dia-gonally, as shown in Figure 8, whereby most of the com-modity will be removed from the freight car.
Although in Figure 7~the discharge device 25'~
is shown as secured on top of the bottom wall 38, it may be secured under the bottom wall 38 below the~floor as shown in Figure 8. Many freight cars,have sllding doors in their' bottom wall for bot~tom discharge and the device may be suitably adapted thereto.
12 ~
~Z~S~(~6 ~he gearing ratio of the drive shown in Figure 12 may vary to provide various ratios between the speed of the spiral screw and the speed of the spools. For example, the screw conveyor 50 can rotate at a speed much higher than that of the spools to assure that all of the commodity conveyed to the discharge bin is removed quickly to prevent build-up. Also, the gear coupling between the spools and the drive from the motor should be such as to prevent overloading the drive shaft of ~-he motor.
It is within the ambit of the present inven-tion to cover any obvious modifications of the examples of the preferred embodiment described herein provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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Claims (14)
1. A system for unloading bulk commodity from a container having a flat bottom wall, said system comprising a rectangular sheet disposed over said bottom wall with a load of said bulk commodity disposed over said sheet, said sheet having a plurality of pleats pre-formed therein side by side and widthwise in at least a portion of the length of said sheet which is disposed over said bottom wall, said pleats being folded over a top face of said sheet and having a predetermined width calculated in dependency of the weight of said load to be disposed thereon, said pleats being maintained folded by a heat seal spot formed between said pleats, at least one rein-forcing strap-like member secured to said liner lengthwise thereof, said sheet having an end flap at a rear end thereof and an attachment flap at a forward end thereof, and pulling means for pulling said sheet from a rear end thereof over said bottom wall to displace and discharge said load of commodity from adjacent said rear end as said pleats are unfolded sequentially and said sheet is drawn from its rear end.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end flap is securable to pulling means.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said attachment flap is located at a forward end of said sheet to lie over a front wall of said container and for secure-ment at a top end of said front wall.
4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said reinforcing strap-like member extends throughout the length of said liner to strengthen said liner to effect said unpleating without the use of special liner fabrics.
5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein there are two or more strap-like members, said members being strapping or tapes.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pulling means is a sheet winder having an axially rotatable body, means to secure said rear end flap to said rotatable body, said winder being retained in a stationary position adjacent said open end to pull said sheet through said open end to effect said discharge of said load.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sheet extends diagonally across said container from said top end of said front wall to said open end when said sheet is entirely unpleated and pulled tight by said rotatable body, and means to vibrate said sheet to cause residual commodity thereon to slide down to said open end.
8. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said rotatable body is a spool supported adjacent its ends on a frame, conveying means secured adjacent said spool to receive said commodity as it is discharged by winding said sheet on said spool.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said conveying means is a spiral screw conveyor device disposed adjacent said spool to receive said commodity, and a convection line secured to said conveyor device to convey said commodity.
10. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container has a side door opening disposed substantially central in a side wall thereof, said pulling means being a sheet winder having an axially rotatable spool supported in a discharge device, a discharge area defined adjacent said spool, and conveying means to displace commodity from said discharge area to a post in said side door opening.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein there are two spaced apart rotatable spools supported parallel to one another in said discharge housing, said discharge area being disposed between said spools, said discharge housing being secured on said bottom wall across the width thereof adjacent said side door opening with said spools extending substantially parallel to a respective one of opposed end walls of said container, there being one of said sheets disposed over said bottom wall between each of said spools and its associated end wall, said end flap of each sheet being secured to its associated spool and said front flap secured over its respective end wall.
12. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein a spiral screw conveyor is retained in said discharge area to convey commodity therein to a convection line connected to said discharge area, and drive means to rotate said spools and said screw conveyor.
13. A bulk commodity unloading liner comprising a rectangular sheet having a plurality of pre-formed pleats formed side by side widthwise throughout a predetermined length thereof, said pleats being folded over a top face of said sheet and having a predetermined width calculated in dependency of the weight of a load to be disposed thereon, said pleats being maintained folded by a heat seal spot formed between said pleats, at least one reinforcing strap-like member secured to said liner lengthwise thereof, said sheet having an end flap at a rear end thereof, and an attachment flap at a forward end thereof, said sheet being constructed of a material of sufficient strength and proper texture to permit a load thereon to be shifted by pulling said sheet lying on a supporting surface with said pleats unfolding sequentially.
14. A liner as claimed in claim 13 wherein said sheet is constructed of woven plastics material to provide a slip top face to facilitate said unpleating.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US48921083A | 1983-04-27 | 1983-04-27 | |
| US489,210 | 1983-04-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1205106A true CA1205106A (en) | 1986-05-27 |
Family
ID=23942862
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000428807A Expired CA1205106A (en) | 1983-04-27 | 1983-05-25 | Bulk puller for unloading containers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1205106A (en) |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4799607A (en) * | 1986-10-16 | 1989-01-24 | Podd Victor T | Bulkhead and lining systems for cargo containers |
| US5040693A (en) * | 1990-02-15 | 1991-08-20 | Podd Sr Victor T | Liner for a cargo container and a method of installing a liner inside a cargo container |
| US5181625A (en) * | 1990-02-15 | 1993-01-26 | Podd Sr Victor T | Liner for a cargo container |
| US5183086A (en) * | 1990-08-27 | 1993-02-02 | Allwaste Services, Inc. | Encapsulation method for the containment of waste and salvageable products |
| WO1994006648A1 (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1994-03-31 | Podd Stephen D | Container aeration/vaccum liner pads and liner systems |
| US5454685A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1995-10-03 | Podd, Jr.; Victor I. | Conveyor sheet cargo container |
| US5482425A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1996-01-09 | Podd, Jr.; Victor I. | Conveyor sheet cargo container and method |
| US5489037A (en) * | 1991-07-30 | 1996-02-06 | Insta-Bulk, Inc. | Container liner system for bulk transfer |
| FR2976532A1 (en) * | 2011-06-16 | 2012-12-21 | Benalu | TILT BUCKET COMPRISING A DISCHARGE BAND |
-
1983
- 1983-05-25 CA CA000428807A patent/CA1205106A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4799607A (en) * | 1986-10-16 | 1989-01-24 | Podd Victor T | Bulkhead and lining systems for cargo containers |
| US4884722A (en) * | 1986-10-16 | 1989-12-05 | Podd Victor T | Bulkhead and lining systems for cargo containers |
| US5040693A (en) * | 1990-02-15 | 1991-08-20 | Podd Sr Victor T | Liner for a cargo container and a method of installing a liner inside a cargo container |
| US5181625A (en) * | 1990-02-15 | 1993-01-26 | Podd Sr Victor T | Liner for a cargo container |
| US5183086A (en) * | 1990-08-27 | 1993-02-02 | Allwaste Services, Inc. | Encapsulation method for the containment of waste and salvageable products |
| US5454685A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1995-10-03 | Podd, Jr.; Victor I. | Conveyor sheet cargo container |
| US5482425A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1996-01-09 | Podd, Jr.; Victor I. | Conveyor sheet cargo container and method |
| US5520496A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1996-05-28 | Podd, Jr.; Victor I. | Conveyor sheet cargo container and method |
| US5564891A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1996-10-15 | Podd, Jr.; Victor I. | Conveyor sheet cargo container method |
| EP0593678B1 (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1997-06-04 | PODD, Stephen D. | Cargo container and method of unloading the same |
| US5489037A (en) * | 1991-07-30 | 1996-02-06 | Insta-Bulk, Inc. | Container liner system for bulk transfer |
| WO1994006648A1 (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1994-03-31 | Podd Stephen D | Container aeration/vaccum liner pads and liner systems |
| US5547331A (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1996-08-20 | Podd; Stephen D. | Method for loading bulk material into a cargo container with an aeration/vacuum liner pad system |
| FR2976532A1 (en) * | 2011-06-16 | 2012-12-21 | Benalu | TILT BUCKET COMPRISING A DISCHARGE BAND |
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