AU2005200595A1 - Method and System of Discharging a Product - Google Patents
Method and System of Discharging a Product Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2005200595A1 AU2005200595A1 AU2005200595A AU2005200595A AU2005200595A1 AU 2005200595 A1 AU2005200595 A1 AU 2005200595A1 AU 2005200595 A AU2005200595 A AU 2005200595A AU 2005200595 A AU2005200595 A AU 2005200595A AU 2005200595 A1 AU2005200595 A1 AU 2005200595A1
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- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- container
- trailer
- unloading
- contents
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Description
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990 CRT GROUP PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title.
Method and System of Discharging a Product The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:m:\specifications\500000\503000\5O3200cmpreo.doc Method and System of Discharging a Product Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and system of discharging a product, and more particularly to a method and system of discharging particulate matter from a container which is generally transported on a trailer or vehicle bed.
Background to the Invention Many bulk products are carried in hi-cube 20 foot dry box containers and foot ISO bulk containers on standard sized trailers that can accommodate both sizes of containers. Road rules that govern the allowable axle loads on such trailers dictate the position on the trailer in which the twenty foot or thirty foot container must be located in order to legally carry the container on the road. As some hi-cube 20 foot containers carry nearly as much load as 30 foot ISO containers, in the road travelling position, these must be located in a forward position on the trailer.
However in order to achieve a safe and efficient discharge of the bulk product from either container this must be done at the rear of a trailer with the container in an inclined position. This is to enable the bulk product to be discharged through the rear of the container such as through doors or hatches. By using a common trailer for both sizes of containers it presents a problem for discharging products from the twenty foot hi-cube container using such a standard size trailer when the container is positioned forwardly of the centre of the trailer. Discharge of products from the thirty foot container can be met as the end of the thirty foot container is near the end of the trailer so that an operator is able to initiate the unloading process.
Thus there is the problem of devising a method and system in which the contents of twenty foot containers can be safely and efficiently discharged, from an initial legal road running position on a trailer, and in line with thirty foot ISO containers using the same trailer.
It is possible to discharge the contents of a twenty foot container from a forward position on a trailer that meets the legal road travelling position by elevating the trailer hoist to a suitable height to assist material flow. This, however, lifts the rear doors of the trailer well above a suitable and safe working height for an operator. In this position it is difficult for the operator to reach and open the rear doors of the container and it is dangerously high for the operator to correct any minor problems or make necessary adjustments associated with the discharge of the product. A further disadvantage is that such a method requires the trailer to carry two sets of discharge hoses which is used to convey the product pneumatically to another process such as a storage silo. The fact that two hoses are needed is a requirement due to the additional distance between the end of the container in the road travelling position and the end of the trailer. While this may not be insurmountable it adds to the overall equipment and costs and therefore requires storage space on the trailer to be available to store the additional hose. It also may contribute to contamination of various freight and also additional cleaning.
In US Patent No 4,943,118 there is disclosed a moveable bin for tipping a bulk load of construction waste material onto a rough surface normally encountered in fill pits. This is to ensure safety from the vehicle and trailer tipping because of uneven or soft soil or in high wind conditions. It further ensures the safety when the hoisting angle becomes very steep due to the nature of the material being unloaded and the tendency of that sort of material to resist being emptied or "hanging up". This is in contrast to the present invention which is a container carrying frame adapted to carry two or more containers of different lengths, and allows an operator to work at the rear of the trailer in order to initiate discharge of the contents of the container at a height which does not place the operator in an unsafe position.
The present invention seeks to provide a method and system for unloading a product contained in a container of varying sizes on the one trailer platform, such that unloading of the product from the rear of the container is able to be initiated safely by an operator at the rear of the container when the container is at an inclined position.
Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of unloading the contents of a container, the container carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and of a length less than the length of the trailer, the method comprising the steps of: moving the container using a frame assembly attached to the trailer towards a rear end of the trailer until the container reaches a position at or near the rear end of the trailer; inclining the trailer and container to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
The initiation of unloading the container contents may include any one of: the operator unlatching a hatch or door at the rear (lowermost) end of the container; connecting valve equipment and/or tubes for use in pneumatically conveying the contents to a further process such as a storage facility.
The step of inclining the container and trailer preferably comprises using a hoist assembly having a series of telescoping rods. One end of the series of rods is connected to an arm, the arm being pivotable about a location on the trailer. The other end of the series of rods is connected to the fore end of the trailer so that when the series of rods is extended, force is applied against the arm and the fore end of the trailer in order to incline the trailer and container.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for unloading the contents of a container, the container carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and of a length less than the length of the trailer, the apparatus comprising: a frame assembly attachable to the container for moving the container from the road travelling position to a position at or near a rear end of the trailer ready for unloading; a hoist assembly for raising the container and trailer to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a frame assembly for assisting in the unloading of contents of a container where the container is carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and has a length less than the length of the trailer, the frame assembly attachable to the trailer and comprising; means for securing the container to be unloaded; means for moving the container from the road travelling position to a position at or near a rear end of the trailer ready for unloading; wherein the trailer has connected thereto a hoist assembly for raising the container and trailer to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of unloading the contents of one or more containers each of differing lengths, wherein any one of the containers is carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and is of a length less than the length of the trailer, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the container at or near a rear of the trailer; inclining the trailer and container to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
The positioning step may further comprise moving the container from the road travelling position to a position at or near the rear end of the trailer using a frame assembly.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for unloading the contents of one or more containers each of differing lengths, wherein any one of the containers is carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and is of a length less than the length of the trailer, the apparatus comprising: a frame assembly attachable to the container for positioning the container at or near a rear end of the trailer ready for unloading; a hoist assembly for raising the container and trailer to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of a road trailer supporting a twenty foot loaded container in a road travelling position; Figure 2 is a side view of a road trailer supporting a thirty foot loaded container in a road travelling position; Figure 3 is a side view showing the twenty foot container in Figure 1 in an inclined or discharge position; and Figure 4 is a side view showing the thirty foot container of Figure 2 in a discharge or inclined position.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a trailer 2 on which is loaded a foot container 4 in a road travelling position. The container 4 contains a bulk product such as a particulate material which may be plastic beads or the like. The container 4 is mounted on the trailer 2 using standard techniques and is affixed to the trailer 2 through standard connection points 6 that form part of a moveable frame 7. In order to unload the bulk product from the container 4 it is elevated on a trailer hoist assembly 9 to a suitable position in order to assist the flow of the bulk product by gravity to the rear of the container 4 and to the rear of the trailer 2. The discharge of the bulk product may further be assisted by flowing through a discharge valve which essentially comprises rotating panels that are mechanically driven and operate by dragging the material from the rear hatches or the linear discharge outlets. The bulk product may then be picked up with pneumatic discharge flows that convey the material into a tubular discharge pipe and ultimately into a further process such as a storage silo. The problem with the positioning in Figure 1 of the container 4 in a road carrying position is that by attempting to discharge the contents of the container 4 from an elevated position, it results in the end 8 of the container 4 being too high above ground level from which an operator may adjust a hatch or a door on the rear of the container 4 to initiate the unloading process. This is as a result of the operator not being clear of the rear hatch or door, and on ground level at the time of opening the hatch or door leading to potential injury to the operator.
Thus in order to make it easier for an operator to adjust or unlock a hatch or door at the rear of the container 4, when it is in an elevated position, the trailer 2 has built therein a frame assembly 7 having means to move the container 4 to the rear of the trailer 2 such that it abuts stop 10. There are a number of existing mechanisms that are able to provide this function, such as using a roller mechanism or a hydraulically pneumatically activated system. Some or all of these systems are designed by Barker Trailers Australia Pty Ltd. Other systems use motorised chain and cog arrangements in order to move the container between a first position in which it travels on the trailer in a road carrying position and a second position at the rear of the trailer 2.
Shown in Figure 2 is an identical figure to Figure 1 apart from the fact that a thirty foot container 12 is shown in the road carrying position and the unloading position where it abuts against stop 10. Thus there is no requirement to move the container 12 in order to unload it safely when operated by an operator at the rear of the trailer 2.
With reference to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown respectively the twenty foot container 4 and thirty foot container 12 in an inclined position ready to unload the contents of bulk product in the container 4. An arm 14 connected at one end 19 to the trailer 2 at point 18 and the other end 21 to a prime mover. The arm 14 is also connected at connection point 22 to a series of telescoping rods 16. The rods 16 are activated by a motor 23 to incline the trailer 2 and therefore the container 4 and 12.
The series of rods 16 and motor 23 form part of hoist assembly 9. The motor 23 initiates the extension of the rods 16 which forces the arm 14 out of the plane of trailer 2 and raises the fore section of the trailer 2, using the connection point of end 21 to the prime mover. Thus the arm 14 pivots about connection point 18 and moves downwardly under the action of motor 23 out of the longitudinal plane of trailer 2. At the same time motor 23 enables telescoping rods 16 to extend in an upward direction to transmit the necessary force to block 20 which is attached to the fore end of the trailer 2 so that the trailer 2 is tipped upwardly.
The trailer 2 and container 4, 12 are extended to a position where it is possible for an operator to unlock or otherwise disengage a hatch or door at the rear of the container 4, 12 operating in a safe position, where generally the operator would be on the ground so that a rotary valve and pneumatic equipment may be used if necessary to pneumatically discharge the bulk product from the container to a storage facility.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Claims (23)
1. A method of unloading the contents of a container, the container carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and of a length less than the length of the trailer, the method comprising the steps of: moving the container using a frame assembly attached to the trailer towards a rear end of the trailer until the container reaches a position at or near the end of the trailer; inclining the trailer and container to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of inclining the trailer and container comprises using a hoist assembly having a series of telescoping rods.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein under the action of a motor, the series of telescoping rods extend to move an arm connected to the trailer and to incline a fore section of the trailer until the container and trailer are sufficiently raised to a desired position of unloading the contents.
4. Apparatus for unloading the contents of a container, the container carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and of a length less than the length of the trailer, the apparatus comprising: a frame assembly attachable to the container for moving the container from the road travelling position to a position at or near a rear end of the trailer ready for unloading; a hoist assembly for raising the container and trailer to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the hoist assembly includes a series of telescoping rods that extend in order to raise the container and trailer.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the series of telescoping rods is connected to an arm adjacent a first end of the arm, a second end of the arm being connected to trailer.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein, upon activation by a motor, the series of telescoping rods commence extending to move the arm outwardly of the trailer and force a fore section of the trailer to incline to a desired position for unloading the container.
8. A frame assembly for assisting in the unloading of contents of a container where the container is carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and has a length less than the length of the trailer, the frame assembly attachable to the trailer and comprising; means for securing the container to the frame assembly; means for moving the container from the road travelling position to a position at or near a rear end of the trailer ready for unloading; wherein the trailer has connected thereto a hoist assembly for raising the container and trailer to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
9. A frame assembly according to claim 8 wherein the hoist assembly includes a series of telescoping rods that extend in order to raise the container and trailer.
A frame assembly according to claim 9 wherein the series of telescoping rods is connected to an arm adjacent a first end of the arm, a second end of the arm being connected to trailer.
11. A frame assembly according to claim 10 wherein, upon activation by a motor, the series of telescoping rods commence extending to move the arm outwardly of the trailer and force a fore section of the trailer to incline to a desired position for unloading the container.
12. A method of unloading the contents of one or more containers each of differing lengths, wherein any one of the containers is carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and is of a length less than the length of the trailer, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the container at or near a rear end of the trailer; inclining the trailer and container to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of inclining the trailer and container comprises using a hoist assembly having a series of telescoping rods.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein under the action of a motor, the series of telescoping rods extend to move an arm connected to the trailer and to incline a fore section of the trailer until the container and trailer are sufficiently raised.
15. Apparatus for unloading the contents of one or more containers each of differing lengths, wherein any one of the containers is carried by a trailer in a road travelling position and is of a length less than the length of the trailer, the apparatus comprising: a frame assembly attachable to the trailer and to the container for positioning the container at or near the end of the trailer ready for unloading; a hoist assembly for raising the container and trailer to enable the contents of the container to move towards a lowermost end of the container under gravity; whereupon an operator initiates the unloading of the contents of the container in a ground standing position thereby substantially preventing possibility of injury to the operator whilst initiating the unloading.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the hoist assembly includes a series of telescoping rods that extend in order to raise the container and trailer.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the series of telescoping rods is connected to an arm adjacent a first end of the arm, a second end of the arm being connected to trailer.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein, upon activation by a motor, the series of telescoping rods commence extending to move the arm outwardly of the trailer and force a fore section of the trailer to incline to a desired position for unloading the container.
19. A method of unloading the contents of a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any method steps or the accompanying drawings.
20. Apparatus for unloading the contents of a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A frame assembly for assisting in the unloading of contents of a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. A method of unloading the contents of one or more containers each of differing lengths substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any method steps or the accompanying drawings.
23. Apparatus for unloading the contents of one or more containers each of differing lengths substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this tenth day of February 2005 CRT Group Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2005200595A AU2005200595A1 (en) | 2004-02-12 | 2005-02-10 | Method and System of Discharging a Product |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2004900670A AU2004900670A0 (en) | 2004-02-12 | Method and System of Discharging a Product | |
| AU2004900670 | 2004-02-12 | ||
| AU2005200595A AU2005200595A1 (en) | 2004-02-12 | 2005-02-10 | Method and System of Discharging a Product |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2005200595A1 true AU2005200595A1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
Family
ID=35006404
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2005200595A Abandoned AU2005200595A1 (en) | 2004-02-12 | 2005-02-10 | Method and System of Discharging a Product |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2005200595A1 (en) |
-
2005
- 2005-02-10 AU AU2005200595A patent/AU2005200595A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK5 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(e) - patent request and compl. specification not accepted |