GB2202515A - A container for the transport of granular and non-granular goods - Google Patents

Description

1 1 2202515 A CONTAINER OF IMPROVED TYPE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF GRANULAR AIM

MON-GRANULAR GOODS The present invention relates to an improved container for the transpcrt of goods, of the type able to contain both granular materials- in bull., possibly housed in a containment sack made of synthetic material, and 1 r, 2^. 0 it is lino,.-n that containers cf the type cL rect-angular in the rcof, a of vertica'11 -rair- dc;c:i--- iticn -for clc.--ure of- a f.2irst end of the izcr.tal diEch.arce aper-,ur.-as:

box forwe--' at a secc.nd enC of the bz:--.. c.ppz--t:- the doors and provided a hcrizont-al ccn,ta-ners are emplc.-,.ed i-ith the c-bic;c-t c-p L c r m, a n S,, 1-1ch ccntnuc-us uset in fact i- and a c -- S:

1 1, the case of granu'-i-n--- CCO'd1E they cai, be loaded from above through the hatch.ways in the roof and discharged through the hc.rizor4ta2- ---4scharce apert-ure without bein.- removed fi--nn, the carrier vE:!.,ic'-,e..

,7hilst for ncr-,-areLnular can he and discharged in a traditional manner through doors. In this way, after a journey has been arid the goods discharged, the container can L,c immediately loaded with any other type of good's. Such t I-nown containers have, a sericus d.J--aA-varta-:-e due to the fact that a.-'zer having carried czranlj'Lai- zcc-d- it is necessary, in order to load non-granular or vice versa, to remove the container from the carrier vehicle to turn it tlirc--ic:-. 180 0 since, depending on the type of coods carried, container must be oriente-ted with either the end prc7-Jded with the main doors: or the e-.-.,d rro-,7ided with the discharge apE=---41-urr= toy;-=rds the rear. This -disadvantage has, been o,.,erccr.e utilising containers ir. -.,-ich the discharge ist;c ITte--1- doors, is lower part define-- by E and s-up-crt.,r,a tincorpei-ated in cne of t-ei-c-fcre L-s:nF-,--e, wit'-- --'1-cdelimiting the discharce aperture dc-or the---ec:-f 1 c T h -1. S h E n d the tlyPe of gcods disadvantage It-hat required for transport Sea, limit-ed, and it is i cecc.nd ---,.,-pe of kriz:-,.n c=tainer, = the cn= it having --2: -,he container tc dc.es have the it dc=z not ccr.forn, to the- so that its use is very n that i.i.en the riain, doors, are open, the one whic.- the discharge aperture constitutes a prc)ject-4r.g elertint the dimensione cf which are substantially equal to the whole of --'-e width of the container.

p The object of the present invention is. that of pi-ov-id-nQ a container of improved type adapted to transpcrt granular or non-granular goods- e,, ithout requiring the container to be removed front the carrier vehicle which transports it, and which at the same time will conform to the standard requIred for transport by sea so that with the main doors open, it has a lateral projection less than the width of the container itself.

1 0 The said object is acl-1.'eved by the inveritic.n which relates to a container fci- the trans-,:'rt of gocds, cf the type able tc. cc-,ntain either granular bulk mat-erials, possibly housed in a containment sack made of synthetic or cor-,;pri--i.-.g a ant i a 11 y r ec t angu, 1 a--!p,-ct, i de t h a f 1 ocr, a r c.,c. 'I a rid re spEc t i ve op,---os -- t e s --, d a i-.- P- 11 s pa c f 4 vertically hinged main doci-s for cicsure cf one e-nd of h-. s-a i d bc.,.,, e n d a hcr F ', d i s c h Fi-, e a pe r u r f oi LI granular material having a s-Zidth substaritially equal t= the width of the said box, characterised by the fact that the said herizontal aperture is: fornted by the --.Ldc--by---ide coupling of two separate apertures e-ch of which is formed in a corresponding said main docr and has a w-dth substantially equal to or slightly less than the width of the corresponding door; the said separate apertures formed on the said main docrs being each A provL -d with its ow- clc)zat,'chL)rizonl-a" door carried horizontally hin=e:i to a lower edge of the corresponding main door.

For a better understanding of zhe invention a non-limitative descripticn of -=n is new civen with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a frontal of a fcrr-ed according to the Ficure 2 iS a p17-,n an enlarged scale, cf a dc-z-ii c--- zhe eGntainc-i- cir g U - - E 1; a ri'd 3 te 6 sche7,=--"- i!-!,,:-ztrate the c,.-era±lcn of the container tc the in\,c-r-.ticr;.

reference to Fiaures 1 of ec)od--, cf- the materials --In II-Julk, in E, containment sack cr:f and' not i 1 lust- rated for of s,,,nzhet-ic rta or non E-r r,.a ter ial s, i al' I -,,- i ridi cat ed' the reference numeral 1, con,-zr:.EJng a i-e-j4L-E-noular box generally ir,--"-zated 2 with a floor 3, (usually 3 or 4 : C 2 5 1 f--i- th.e tel-1&1 ' w i t h substantially which is- provided a roof 4 pro-;i--.'=-d wit.1h an, adequate number of loading '---A-icheE fcr granular material, of known type and therefore not illuEtrated fr-----simplicity, and respective opposite side walls 5, a pair of vertically hinged main doors 6 and 7 for closure of a front end 8 of the box 1, and a horizontal discharge aperture 9 for granular mate,ials, having a width substantially equal to the width of the box 1; the sack or liner, which includes loading and discharging spouts, is mounted, when it is present, in such a way as to sealingly hook the said spouts to the said loading hatches disposed in the roof 4 and tc the discharge aperture 9 in such a w-sy that in the,-,rc--senccor pulveruient goods it is possible to load the container 1 from above via hoppers and to discharge it by gl-avity thrcugh the aperture 9 simply by parTially tipping this is b.-,r an amount. such as to disros:e it Pitl. the end 8 facing dc:;ni,,ardly, all. beirg i.,ithclu-- ever removing the container 1 fron. the carrier vehicle oi.

which it is transported. According to the the horizorital discharge apert-ure 9 is formed by the no J1 continuous side-by-side coupling of two separate hcrizontal apertures 10 ard 11, each of s,;hich is incorporated in a corresponding main door 6 and 7 respectively, and has a width substantially equal to or slightly less than the width of the corresponding door 6 or 7; the apertures 10 arid 11 have a rectangular shapeand are symmetrical with one another, as also are the 1 6 doors 6 and 7 overall; each aperture 10 and 11 is moreover provided with its own independent horizontal closure door 12 and 13 respectively, carried horizontally hinged from a lower edge of the corresponding rain door 6 or 7.

In particular, both the doors 6 and "I and the corresponding horizontal apertures C and 11 P.hich are formed in the respective lower edges cf these latter, are shaped in --,uch a way ass to form the continuous discharge aperture 9 on the end E when the dc:::---s C and - are in the closure position, disposed adjacent cng-z- an-tha-r and conlanar in such a way as to form a.,all a,-'e 4 hich would be c,-::er, tc-, c close the end 8 wI is access to the interior of the container 1 fcr loadinc; -=rid unloadincr of r.ciri-crranu---=- goods, for r,.air...'--enance operations, such as for example the lccA-ti:zn or remova c,'j the said s,=-cl-. o. 1 in-=:-.For th--- each main door 6 and 7 includes a la-teral ve:-z--.cal stile 14 having a height substantially to th&-, of the side walls 5 and which is vertical-. hinged '.-c '-he adjacent side wall 5 by means of a plurality c--F coaxially aligned adjacent cylindrical hinges 'S, and a rectancrular panel 16 delimited below by a corresponding c,.-wss piece 18 below which the corresponding lazeral stile 14 of the door projects; in this way the horizzntal ar-ertures 10 7 arid 11 are each peripherally delimited only by the corresponding stile 14 and by the respective lower cross piece 18 of the corresponding panels 16 sc that both the apertures 10 and 11 are open laterally towards the Corresponding other aperture incorporated in the other main door.

For the purpose of obtaining a substantially fluid tight scaled closure of the container 1, one of the main de.ci-s in particular the door 7, is provided with respective peri-,,.,e4-ral seals of substantially known type r,--t illustrated for simplicity, as well as a special lateral sei-s1.20 (Figure 2) able to seal the junction of the shutters; this seal 20 is fitted, accordirg tz t11-2 invention, to a lateral edge 211 of the door '12 faces the other door 12, is U-shape and cc-priEes:

a first lip 22 operable, when the doors 6 aria' 7 are -'ispcsed adjacent and cc,Pi-anar, to engage against, a front face "3 of L the other horizontal door 10, and a second lip.

)o 2.4 which cooperates in a- fluid tight manner with an edge face of a corresponding lateral edge 25 of the door 12 opposite and adjacent the edge 211.

The doors 12 and 13 are horizontally hinged, according to the invention, directly and separately on the cross pieces 18 by means of respective cylindrical hinges 26 in 1 1 C 1 e such a way as to be fixed each to the i-es:p=--.',ive doors 6 or 7 in which the aperture 10 or 11 close-2 '--v it is formed and are separately provided, on the 1-orizontal edge opposite that hinged to the correspcn-- "-ing cross piece 18, with respective rotatable locking bolts 28 of separately 2 fixed to the floor 3, by engaging in respective ke=.7= 29 fixed to the element 30 so that when the aperture S.' is closed both doors 1' and 13 the correspcnding dc=rS 6 and -7 are a--tcljc,red t-hrough these t-c the flc.cr 3 by boltE other bolts 31 similar to the bolts 28 an---: also of --n2Y;-.,n type but disposed vertically and carried 1.. the F-anels- 16 are able to secure the dcor2 'C and 7 to the 4 by encaging with Ikeepers 32!-.-arri&. IDY a transverse element. 33 Similar tc the. 30 to the rc.or The docrE: 6 and are fu at the connection PoInt cf the =rs by weans of a hook element 35 of Ir.nown t--==- and, according to the invention, by means of a particular releasable interconnection bolt 36 illusti-ated in ', operable to maintain the main doors 6 and 7 locked against one another in a coplanar positicn when the horizontal doors 12 and 13 are open; the '--=It 36 )s comprises a bar 37 angularly fixedly and radially projecting from a bolt 31a disposed adjaceant the edge cf known type operable to secure them below -=nd to a common transverse element 30 of the b= 9 the door 7 opposite the respective stile 14, a tube 38 freely and coaxially mounted on the bar 37, having a radially projecting and angularly fixed handle 39, and a normal rotatable bolt 40 able to cooperate with akeeper fixed securely to the cross piece 18 of the door 6 and angularly fixed to the tube 38, on the free end of this oppnsite that engaged on the bar 37; in combination with this arrangement the bolt 31a is further provided with a lower securing projection 43 freely inserted into a b,rac'.--et 42 fixed securely to the cross piece 18 cf the d-)cr 7.

is in use t1he open end 8 of the container 1 is. clcsed by the docrs E. -::rid --cp'lanar and adjacent one E-:-Cthel-1 and Ly the respective doors 1,2 and 13 which close the and 11 formed by 4Che- doors- thems& Ives. and defining, according to the inven.ticn, the diScharce -0 knos.n pEr Ec -, tc. effect di-scharge cf goodS Icaded through the 'f.nos.,n and not illustrated 3 Icading hatches carried by the roof 4 it is. necessary to release the doors '12 arid 131 by acting separately and. in a way on the known bolts: 28 (rigure 3) making. thes.e rotate, by means of the associated handles, in the direction of the broher, line arrows in such a;-zs tC release them from the keepers 29. by inclining the container 1 with the end 8 facing downwardly the;,;e-Ja-ht 41.

4 of the goods contained in it causes the doors -1 and 12 llrection of the solid arrows thus te Any ia 141 b causing complete opening of the aperture 9; this aperture is continuous and has no element hindering discharge thanks to the particular described conformation cf the apertures 10 and 11 from the cembination of whiC it i formed; therefore the discharge of granular gocis from the container 1 can take place in a known manner without any other preliminary preparation thereof; durinj this discharge operation the docrs 6 and 7 are maintained adjacent one another by the action of the bolt C chich absorbs the loads acting on the doors 6 and 7 Mause of the pressure exerted on them by the weight of lienular material being discharged thrcugh the aperture C At the end of the discharge operation the end 8 can be c=pletely opened withGut necessity of removinj rotating the container 1, with a single operat= by unhoohing the bolts 31 and cperating the bolt 2i Pith the succession of phases illustrated by the arrows in Figures 4, 5 and 6; first, by acting on the handle 39, the tube 38 is made to rotate on the bar 37 which remains closed, in such a way as to unhook the bolt 40 (Figure i,; then the bar 37 is made to rotate in the direction zf the arrow, turning this through 180 0 (Figures 5 ani i) in such a way as to cause rotation of the bolt 31a. in the bracket 42 and its consequent release from thekeeper 32.

z r 1 1 S 11;t this point the doors 5 and 6 previously released frorr, the other bolts 31 are freed and can be made to turn on their respective hinges 15 to open the end 8 thus allowing access to be gained to the interior of the box -,or any reason (removal of the sack or liner, loading of non-granular goods etc) without having to turn the container 1; as opposed to known containers provided with the aperture 9 formed on the same end as the main door, however, the container according to the invention has, at his point, the same dimensions as a traditional z::,n.tainer with the discharge aperture disposed on the zp,----site end from the main discharge door, without on the ot-her han-d having the defects of these latter. In fact, zhe separation of the doors 6 and 7 from one anct-her produced by their opening causes the separation of the apertures 11 and 12 and, therefore, the rrio,-,tentar,,, ppearance of the aperture 9 so that the container 1 returns to being a traditiona.1 container the doors of x:hich, with the other movable members and apertures incorporated in them, do not exceed a width equal to =bout half that of the overall container.

From what has been described the advantages connected.ith the container according to the invention are evident; it presents all the advantages of 1--n--wn containers provided with a discharge opening for granular 1 12 goods incorporated in one of the main doors but, on other hand, does not have the defects in that the docrs. once open, have the same dimensions as traditional dcz:rs free from horizontal discharge apertures incorporated therein; moreover the container described is easily able to support the weight of material during the discharge phase through the horizontal aperture even if, once t-e doors 12 and 13 are open, there is no connection betpQ,-=-=-n the doors and the floor of the container, a connecticn which would obstruct the free outflow of granular material through the aperture 9. The container to the invention is, finally, easy to construct and maintain, can be opened without difficulty and simple operations, has considerable robustness and conf-crms to all the iT,ar-Ltii-.te regulations so tja-t, as cp.posed to known containers with disc.-arge cpenings incorporated in one of the doors, they can. be used for transport by sea i-.-ilh the advantages to be to be connected with this.

2 ES j 13

Claims (7)

CLAIMS 1. A container for the transport of goods, of the type able to contain both bulk granular material, possibly housed in a containment sack made of synthetic material, and nz--granular materials, comprising a substantially rectan=ular box provided with a floor, a roof and respective opposite side walls, a pair of vertically hinge_ main doors for clcs,,::7-? of a front end cf the said box, a horizontal discharge aperture for granular mate---.-z! having a width substantially equal to the width of said box, charact-erised by the fact that the said horizzntal aperture is formed by the side-by-side conn.-=t--Jcn ofr two separate aperture-- each of' which incc--i-:i-ated in a corresponding said main door and equal to or slightly less than z:-f the corresponding door; the said separate formed c)rj the said n.ain doors, being each. with its own independent horizontal closure door hori-cntally hinged to a lower edge cf the corresponding m a i n. --- or.

1 C.

-)5 is has a the

2. container according to Claim 1, characterised by the that the said separate apertures defining the said "-----rizontal discharge aperture are shaped in such a way -zs to be coupled side-by-side with no discontinuity 14 when the said main doors are coplanar and adjacent one another.

3. A container according to Claim 2, characterised by the fact that each said main door includes a lateral vertical stile having a height substantially equal to that of the said side wall and pivoted to one of these by means of a plurality of coaxial adjacent cylindrical hinges, and a rectangular panel delimited at the button, io by a cross piece belcw which the said lateral stile projects, extending below the said panel; the corresponding said aperture incorpcrated in the main dczr Leing delimited only by the said lateral stile and by the said lower cross piece of the panel, in such a way as to be laterally open towards the corresponding aperture incorporated in the other said main door.

4 1 4. A container according to Cleim 3, characterised by the fact that one of the said horizontal closure doors 2C for the said apertures is provided on its lateral edge facing the other said door with a sealing member of U-shape comprising a first lip which, when the said main doors are disposed adjacent one another and coplanar, engages against a frontal surface of the other said horizontal door, and a second lip which cooperates in a fluid tight manner with an edge face of the corresponding F fx Z opposite lateral edge of the other said horizontal door.

5. A container according to any preceding Claim, characterised by the fact that substantially in correspondence with the said horizontal discharge aperture the said main doors are provided with releasable mechanical interconnection means operable to maintain the said main. d=rs- locked against one another in a ccplanar position w-en the said horizontal doors are open.

6. A c=tainer according to Claim 5, characterised by the fact th.at the said doors are separately horizontally hinged eac--- --o a respective said main door in ccrrespond=-n.:e with the said lower cross piece thereof, 1E and are seiz---.ately provided with respective locking bolts operable tz secure each said door at the bottom to a cross piece e-lentent fixed to the said floor.

4

7. A container for the transport of goods constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1988 at The Patent office, State I-louse, 66171 High Holborn, London WC1R 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3ED. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent. Com 1187.