AU2014100718A4 - Flexible liner flaps for hoppers or chutes - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE: FLEXIBLE LINER FLAPS FOR HOPPERS OR CHUTES A flexible liner for a hopper or chute (40) has a plurality of overlapping flexible liner panels or tiles (520) secured to the walls (41, 42) of the hopper 5 or chute (40) by fixing strips (30). Each flexible liner panel or tile (520) has an elongate body (521) and a flexible fin or flap (522) formed integrally of elastomeric material, where the flexible fin or flap (522) extends at an acute included angle (a) (in the direction of flow of material through the hopper or chute (40)) to the side walls (41,42). In use, the flexible fin or flap (522) of 10 one liner panel or tile (520) overlies an elongate body (521) of an adjacent liner panel or tile (520), in the downstream direction, intermediate or adjacent the centre line of the flexible fin or flap (522) At rest, the flexible fin or flap (522) of the one liner panel or tile (520) is spaced above the elongate body (521) of the adjacent liner panel or tile (520): and, in use, the elongate body 15 (521) of the adjacent liner panel or tile (520) forms a line of deflection for the flexible fin or flap (522) of the one liner panel or tile(522), the line of deflection forming a fulcrum within the flexible fin or flap (522) such that material flowing through the hopper or chute (40) causes a portion of the flexible fin or flap (522) downstream of the line of deflection to flex; wherein: 20 at least one face (527) of at least the portion of the flexible fin or flap (522), exposed to the flow of material, is provided with at least one wear-resistant insert or tile (550,551). 1993694v1 4'A -LK P

Description

1 TITLE: FLEXIBLE LINER FLAPS FOR HOPPERS OR CHUTES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 .Field of the Invention [0001] THIS INVENTION relates to flexible liner fins or flaps for hoppers or 5 chutes and like bulk materials handling equipment. [0002] Throughout the specification, the term "liner flaps" shall also include "liner fins" for liner panels, liner tiles, or the like. 2. Prior Art [0003] NB: The following discussion is by way of background information 10 only, and is not to be considered a statement of the common general knowledge (CGK) in the area of technology. [0004] Hoppers and chutes are commonly used in the handling or transport of the bulk materials to storage containers, the inlets for conveyors for elevators, transport vehicles, or the like. 15 [0005] Some bulk materials, including ores which contain moisture, have a tendency to stick in the hoppers or chutes and eventually block the flow. [0006] The flow of the bulk materials through the hoppers or chutes causes wear to the panels of the hoppers or chutes, requiring periodic repair or replacement of the panels, which can result in considerable down-time and 20 expense. [0007} US 3,099,454 (HEINZE) disclosed a feeding device for "caking" solids, where the sidewalls of a hopper, or converging container, were lined with a plurality of thin, flexible sheets, fixed at their upper edges to the 1993694v1 2 sidewalls, the remaining edges being unfixed to move in a manner that the portions of the sheets below the fixed edge extended away from the sidewalls, and overlapped the sheets immediately downstream of the solids flow. A fluid - preferably, pressurized air - was applied to the faces of the 5 sheets, directed towards the sidewalls, at a point 1/4 to 1/2 of the length of the sheets, to cause the sheets to vibrate I flex and prevent the buildup of the solids on the sheets.. [0008] The HEINZE system required expensive plumbing and a source of pressurized fluid e.g. a large air compressor to cause the sheets to vibrate I 10 flex. This resulted in large capital and ongoing operating costs for the system. [0009] AU 2007202103 (TRELLEBORG ENGINEERED SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD) and US 7,938,244 (NEVILLE ET AL) disclose a flexible liner for hoppers or chutes, which overcomes the need for the 15 pressurized fluid, while providing flexible liner panels or tiles while prevented the buildup of solids thereon to restrict the solids flow. The disclosures of these documents are incorporated by way of reference thereto. [0010] The AU and US documents referred in paragraph {0009] both contain the following ABSTRACT: A flexible liner (10) for a hopper or chute (40) has 20 a plurality of overlapping flexible liner panels or tiles (20) secured to the walls (41,42) of the hopper or chute (40) by fixing strips (30). Each flexible liner panel or tile (20) has an elongate body (21) and a flexible fin or flap (22) formed integrally of elastomeric material, where the flexible fin or flap (22) 1993694v1 3 extends at an acute included angle (a) (in the direction of flow of material through the hopper or chute (140)) to the side walls (41,42) and the Shore A hardness of the elongate body 21) is equal to, or greater than, the Shore A hardness of the flexible fin or flap (22). 5 [0011] The flexible liner panels (20) of the TRELLEBORG liner (10), disclosed in the AU and US documents, as designed to overlap so that the elongate body (21) of a flexible liner panel (20) is substantially aligned with the mid-point of the overlapping flexible liner panel (20) immediately above it, so that the elongate body (21) provides a "line of deflection" for the flexible 10 fin or flap (22) of the overlapping flexible liner panel (20). [0012] The TRELLEBORG liner system disclosed in the AU and US documents provides an improved lining system over the HEINZE system, at much reduced capital and ongoing operating costs. [0013] While the TRELLEBORG liner system provides relatively easy 15 replacement of the flexible liner panels (20) when the flexible fins or flaps (22) thereof become worn, the operational "down-time" and the cost of replacing the flexible liner panels can still be of concern to operators of the TRELLEBORG lining system. OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION: 20 [0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible liner flap which overcomes, or at least ameliorates the problems with the existing flexible liner panels. [0015] Other preferred objects will become apparent from the following 1993694v1 4 description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: [0016] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a flexible fin or flap for a flexible liner panel or tile for a hopper or chute or other bulk materials 5 handling equipment, the flexible liner panel or tile of the type having an elongate body which has mounting means engageable with fixing means on at least one wall of the hopper or chute; the flexible fin or flap extending from the elongate body and operable, in use, to extend at an acute inclined angle to the wall of the hopper or chute in 10 a downstream direction of flow of material through the hopper or chute, the flexible fin or flap of one liner panel or tile operable to overlie an elongate body of an adjacent liner panel or tile, in the downstream direction, intermediate or adjacent the centre line of the flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile, and wherein at rest, the flexible fin or flap of the one liner 15 panel or tile is spaced above the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or tile and, in use, the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or tile forms a line of deflection for the flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile, the line of deflection forming a fulcrum for the flexible fin or flap such that material flowing through the hopper or chute causes a portion of the flexible 20 fin or flap downstream of the line of deflection to flex; wherein: at least one face of at least the portion of the flexible fin or flap, exposed to the flow of material, is provided with at least one wear-resistant component. [0017] Preferably, the at least one face is directed inwardly to the interior of the hopper or chute; and 25 the at least one face extends from a position at, or upstream of, the line of deflection for the flexible fin or flap to a distal end of the flexible fin or flap spaced from the elongate body of the liner panel or tile. [0018] Preferably, the at least one component includes a plurality of wear 1993694v1 5 resistant inserts or tiles are provided in, or on, the at least one face and allow the flexible fin or flap to flex under the flow of the material over the at least one face. [0019] Preferably, the flexible fin or flap can at least flex about axis lines 5 transverse to the flow of the material; and the wear-resistant inserts or tiles may include strips, discs, squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagon, octagons or other suitable shapes. [0020] In a second aspect, the present invention resides in a flexible liner panel or tile for a hopper or chute or other bulk materials handling 10 equipment, including: an elongate body having mounting means releasably engageable with fixing means on a wall of the hopper or chute; and at least one flexible fin or flap extending from the elongate body and operable, in use, to extend at an acute inclined angle to the wall of the 15 hopper or chute in a downstream direction of flow of material through the hopper or chute, the elongate body means being releasably securable to a wall of the hopper or chute, so that the at least one flexible fin or flap of one liner panel or tile overlies an elongate body of an adjacent liner panel or tile, in the downstream direction, intermediate or adjacent the centre line of the or 20 each flexible fin or flap, and wherein at rest, the or each flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile is spaced above the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or tile and, in use, the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or tile forms a line of deflection for the or each flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile, the line of deflection forming a fulcrum within the or each 25 flexible fin or flap such that material flowing through the hopper or chute causes a portion of the flexible fin or flap downstream of the line of deflection to flex; wherein: at least one face of at least the portion of the, or each, flexible fin or flap, 1993694v1 6 exposed to the flow of material, is provided with at least one wear-resistant component. [0021] In a third aspect, the present invention resides in a flexible liner for a hopper or chute or other bulk materials handling equipment, including: 5 a plurality of fixing means provided at parallel, regularly spaced, locations on a wall, or walls, of the hopper or chute; and a plurality of flexible liner panels or tiles, each liner panel or tile having an elongate body with mounting means releasably engaged with a respective one of the fixing means, and at least one flexible fin or flap extending from 10 the elongate body at an acute angle to an adjacent one of the wall, or walls, of the hopper or chute in a downstream direction of flow of the material through the hopper or chute, the fixing means being secured to the wall (or walls) of the hopper or chute, so that the or each flexible fin or flap of one liner panel or tile overlies the elongate body of an adjacent liner panel or tile, 15 in the downstream direction, intermediate or adjacent the centre line of the or each flexible fin or flap, and wherein at rest, the or each flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile is spaced above the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or tile and, in use, the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or tile forms a line of deflection for the or each flexible fin or flap of the one liner 20 panel or tile, the line of deflection forming a fulcrum within the or each flexible fin or flap such that material flowing through the hopper or chute causes a portion of the flexible fin or flap downstream of the line of deflection to flex; wherein: at least one face of at least the portion of the, or each, flexible fin or flap, 25 exposed to the flow of material, is provided with at least one wear-resistant component. [0022] Preferably, the elongate body and the or each flexible fin or flap of each liner panel or tile are manufactured from elastomeric material, such as 1993694v1 7 natural rubber, synthetic rubber, plastics material, or a combination of two or more of those materials, which may be reinforced with reinforcing fibres and/or reinforcing strips. [0023] Preferably, the elongate body of each liner panel or tile has a 5 hardness which is equal to, or greater than, the hardness of the or each flexible fin or flap. [0024] Preferably, the elongate body has a Shore Durometer A hardness in the range of 40-90; while the or each flexible fin or flap may have a Shore Durometer A hardness in the range of 40-65. 10 [0025] The respective hardness's for the elongate body and the flexible fin or flap will be dependent on the intended application for the liner panel or tile. [0026] The mounting means of the elongate body of a liner panel or tile may include a plurality of (preferably equally spaced) headed extensions engageable in complementary slots or holes in the fixing means; an elongate 15 slot to receive a side wall of a channel-shaped fixing means; a channel shaped member (eg., of metal or stiff plastics material) enclosed within the elongate body to engage a substantially T-shaped fixing rail; or other suitable mounting means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 20 [0027] To enable the invention to be fully understood, and to enable the skilled addressee to put the invention into practice, a number of preferred embodiments will now be described, with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which: 1993694v1 8 FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevational view of a square or rectangular hopper or chute provided with liner panels or tiles of a first embodiment of the PRIOR ART TRELLEBORG lining system, the liner panels or tiles of the rearmost wall being omitted for clarity; 5 FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevational view of a liner panel or tile in accordance with a second embodiment of the PRIOR ART TRELLEBORG lining system; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the liner panel or tile (taken in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 2); 10 FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the fixing means of the PRIOR ART TRELLEBORG lining system; FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevational view thereof; FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of one of the slots in the fixing means of FIG. 4, on a larger scale; 15 FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the fixing means of the PRIOR ART TRELLEBORG lining system; FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of one of the slots of the second embodiment of the fixing means of FIG. 7, on a larger scale; FIG. 9 is a sectional side elevational view showing the method of engaging 20 the liner panel or tile of the second embodiment with the fixing means of the first or second embodiments; FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a flexible fin or flap in accordance with the present invention; 1993694v1 9 FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view thereof; FIG. 12 is as sectional side view thereof taken on line A-A on FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a sectional side view thereof taken on line B-B on FIG. 10; FIG. 14 is a detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of DETAIL 1 on FIG. 10; 5 and FIG. 15 is a detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of DETAIL 2 on FIG. 10.; [0028] NB: Any annotations on the FIGS. of the drawings are by way of example only, and are not limiting to the scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 [0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the liner system 10 of the PRIOR ART TRELLEBORG lining system comprises a plurality of "overlapping" liner panels or tiles 20, secured via fixing means 30 to the side walls 41, 42 of a square or rectangular hopper or chute 40. (Liner panels or tiles 20 are provided on the front wall (not shown) and the rear wall 43, where the liner 15 panels or tiles 40 on the rear wall 43 have been omitted for clarity.) Liner panel or tile 20 of a first embodiment has an elongate body 21 and a flexible fin or flap 22 will be hereinafter described in more detail. It will be noted that the flow of bulk material through the chute or hopper 40 will be in the direction of arrow F; where the flexible fin or flap 22 of one liner panel or tile 20 20 overlies the elongate body 21 of the adjacent liner panel or tile 20 in the downstream direction. [0030] As shown, the flexible fin or flap 22 will overlie the elongate body 21 intermediate the flexible fin or flap 22, preferably in the range of 50-90% of 1993694v1 10 the height of the flexible fin or flap 22. The elongate body 21 of the adjacent liner panel or tile 20 provides a "line of deflection" for the flexible fin or flap 22 of the liner panel or tile 20 immediately upstream thereof. [0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the elongate body 21 of each liner panel or tile 20 5 is shown with a substantially planar material contact face 23, but this face 23 may preferably be convexly curved, as will be hereinafter described. [0032] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the liner panel or tile 120 of the second embodiment of the PRIOR ART TRELLEBORG lining system, has a convex material contact face 123 and a flexible fin or flap 122 integrally moulded or 10 extruded from natural or synthetic rubber with a Shore Durometer A hardness range of 40-65. [0033] Mounting means in the form of a plurality of equally spaced, substantially T-section lugs extend from a rear face 125 (of the elongate body 121) to provide the mounting means for engagement with the first or 15 second embodiments of the fixing means 130, 230 to be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and 7 and 8. [0034] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the first embodiment of the fixing means 130 has a channel section metal body 131 where flanges 132, 133 are welded (or otherwise fixed) to the walls (41, 42, 43) of the hopper or chute 20 40. [0035] Slots 134 are provided in the metal body 131 and top flange 132 at the same spacing as the mounting means 124 on the liner panel or tile 120 to enable the T-shaped mounting means 124 to be engaged (in overlapping 1993694v1 11 configuration shown in FIG. 1) on the walls (41, 42, 43) of the hopper or chute 40. [0036] In the second embodiment of the fixing means 230, the side walls 235, 236 of the slots 234 are provided with teeth arranged to prevent the 5 release from the slots 234. [0037] As shown in FIG. 9, downward movement of the liner panel or tile 120 to insert the T-shaped mounting means 124 into the slots 134, 234 of the fixing means 130, 230 enables elongate body 121 to be secured to the fixing means 130, 230. 10 [0038] NB: The liner panel or tile 120 can be released, e.g., for replacement, from the fixing means 30, 230 by movement of the elongate body 121 in a direction lateral to the fixing means 130, 230. [0039] The liner panel or tile 120 can be manufactured e.g. by extrusion, from natural or synthetic rubber (and/or plastics material) of Shore 15 Durometer A hardness, eg., in the range of 65-90, where reinforcing fibres may be provided in the elongate body 221 and mounting means 224. The flexible fin or flap 222 may be manufactured from natural or synthetic rubber of Shore Durometer A hardness in the range 40-65, depending on the intended application. 20 [0040] The flexing/deflection of the flexible fins or flaps 22, 122 uses the energy of the material flowing through the hopper or chute 40, in the direction of arrow F, to activate movement of the flexible fins or flaps to lessen, and prevent, "sticking" of the materials to the walls 41, 42, 43 of the hopper or 1993694v1 12 chute 40 and hence facilitate product flow. [0041] In addition, the panels or tiles 20, 120 act as a replaceable wear liner for the hopper or chute 40 and are easily replaced as necessary to thereby greatly extend the life of the hopper or chute 40. 5 [0042] Preferably, the liner panels or tiles are manufactured to a length of 600mm-1 250mm to enable them to be easily handled by one man; but they can be made to any length. [0043] The flexible fin or flap 22, 122 extends approximately 150-425mm from the elongate body and the included angle a is 100. However, the 10 dimensions and angle can be readily varied to suit the particular intended installation, e.g., a = 5-150. [0044] Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 15, the liner panels 520, in accordance with the present invention, are generally arranged as hereinbefore described. However, at least one wear-resistant component 550, typically in the form of 15 an insert or tile, to be hereinafter described, is provided on, or in, the flexible fin or flap 522 adjacent the distal edge 526, spaced from the elongate body 521. In the embodiment to be hereinafter described, the wear-resistant component 550 is received in the flexible fin or flap 522 to lie substantially co-planar with the upper face 527 (in use) of the flexible fin or flap 522; but 20 the skilled addressee will appreciate the wear-resistant component 550 may be provided on, or extend above, the upper face 527 (i.e. partially-embedded in the flexible fin or flap 522). [0045] The skilled addressee will note that the wear-resistant components 1993694v1 13 550 extend from the distal edge 526 of each flexible fin or flap 522 to a location which is overlain by the flexible fin or flap 522 of the liner panel(s) or tile(s) 520 upstream of the liner panel or tile 520 i.e. to a position above the line of deflection of the flexible fin or flap 522. Typically, this means that the 5 wear-resistant components are provided over at least 50%, more preferably 60%+ of the area of the upper face 527 of the flexible fin or flap 522. [0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 13, the wear-resistant components 550 are provided as relatively thin hexagonal tiles 551, which are located in overlapping rows and columns, as best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.As 10 illustrated in FIG. 13, each wear-resistant tile 551 has a body 552 with a planar inner face 553 adhered by suitable adhesive(s), chemically-bonded e.g. to the rubber during the vulcanizing process, or otherwise fixed, to a reset face 528 in the flexible fin or flap 522; and an outer (material engagement) face 554 substantially co-planar with the upper face 527 of the 15 flexible fin or flap 522. Typically, the wear-resistant components will be between 3mm - 10mm thick; although thinner or thicker components may be used in particular applications. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the wear-resistant tiles 551 are provided in a Hex Mat 550 e.g. with panels of 150mm x 150mm x 6mm - the tiles 551 are 6mm thick and overlie the distal 20 portion of the flexible fin or flap 522 which has a thickness of 14mm (and a length of 1250mm). Preferably, the wear-resistant components 550 form an integral part of the flexible fin or flap 522. [0047] The wear-resistant tiles 551 are arranged to allow at least limited 1993694v1 14 flexure of the flexible fin or flap 522 in the protected area. [0048] Dependent on the material(s) flowing through the hopper or chute 40, the tiles 551 may be manufactured from ceramics; silicon carbide, Ni hard; or other wear-resistant materials; mixtures thereof; or layers thereof.. Examples 5 of suitable wear-resistant materials include: ceramics, such as Alumina ceramic; silicon carbide; silicon nitride; zirconia; hardened and/ortoughened cast- or rolled steel; UHMW-PE, Teflon@, or other plastic surfaces (which may be carbon-fibre impregnated). [0049] The wear-resistant components 550, e.g. tiles 551, will minimize the 10 abrasion of the flexible fins or flaps 522 due to the flow of the material there over. [0050] This means that the life of the liner panels 520 are likely to have an operating life increased by e.g. 200+% over the prior liner panels 20, 120. In addition, the little, if any, increased weight will not impede the operator from 15 changing the liner panels 520. [0051] As best illustrated inn FIGS. 14 and 15, the liner panels 520 are suspended from the standard fixing means 30, 130 via the T-shaped mounting means 524 extending from the elongate body 521. [0052] the construction of the liner panels 520, and the complementary fixing 20 means 30, 130, makes it possible for a single man to fit and replace a liner panel 520 (e.g. 1250mm long) at any location in the chute or hopper 40. Furthermore, the light weight of the liner panels 520 in the liner system makes it possible for the liner system to be serviced by one man. 1993694v1 15 [0053] The performance of the liner system can be varied for different materials by, inter alia: a) Changing the vertical spacing and /or tilt angler of the liner panels 520; b) Varying the type / hardness of the flexible (e.g. elastomeric / rubber 5 matrix) materials in the liner panels 520; and c) Varying the material(s) / hardness / size / shape of the wear-resistant component(s) 550 in, or on, the flexible fin or flap 522 in the liner panels 520. [0054] The tiles 551 may be substituted by e.g. wear-resistant strips parallel to the edge 526; circular- or elliptical- discs; square tiles; rectangular tiles; 10 octagonal tiles; or other suitable wear-resistant components. The choice of material(s) for manufacture of the wear-resistant components, as described above, will be influenced by, e.g. the material(s) flowing through the chute or hopper and the flow rates thereof; the relative costs of the wear-resistant material(s) and the components produced therefrom; and the expected 15 operating life of the flexible fins or flaps 522. The skilled addressee will appreciate this require some skill / experience, and possibly practical experimentation, by the manufacturer to meet a customer's requirements. In addition, in certain applications, the wear-resistant components 550 may be manufactured in two or more layers e.g. with an inner layer for improved 20 chemical bonding e.g. during the vulcanizing process to the rubber matrix of the face 528 of the flexible fin orflap 552. The rubber of the flexible fin orflap 522 may be forced between the adjacent tiles 551, during this process, to provide flexibility and strength. Also, the flexible (e.g. rubber / elastomeric) 1993694v1 16 material between the adjacent tiles 551 may have a Shore A hardness intermediate the respective hardness's of the tiles 551 and of the flexible fin or flap 522, to enable that portion of the fin or flap 522 to be able to flex; while reducing the wear-rate of that material to that closer to the wear-rate of 5 the tiles 551. The tiles 551 will tend to "shield" this material from some of the wear due to the material flowing through the chute or hopper 40. [0055] In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the rubber tile Hex Mats 550 can be bonded to a rubber matrix; and this prepared panel can then be bonded to the flexible fin or flap 522. In this embodiment, the rubber matrix 10 provides an intermediate layer between the wear-resistant components 550 9i.e. the tiles 5510 and the flexible fin or flap 522. [0056] The liner system incorporating the liner panels 520 of the present invention can easily be retro-fitted into any existing hoppers or chutes e.g. fitted with the PRIOR ART TRELLEBORG system, with access only required 15 to the inside of the hopper or chute 40; or may be provided on an original equipment manufacture (OEM) basis for new hoppers or chutes 40. [0057] The embodiments of the present invention, described and illustrated by FIGS. 10 to 15, are by way of illustrative examples only and modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the present 20 invention. 1993694v1

Claims (5)

1. A flexible fin or flap for a flexible liner panel or tile for a hopper or chute or other bulk materials handling equipment, the flexible liner panel or tile of the 5 type having an elongate body which has mounting means engageable with fixing means on at least one wall of the hopper or chute; the flexible fin or flap extending from the elongate body and operable, in use, to extend at an acute inclined angle to the wall of the hopper or chute in a downstream direction of flow of material through the hopper or chute, the 10 flexible fin or flap of one liner panel or tile operable to overlie an elongate body of an adjacent liner panel or tile, in the downstream direction, intermediate or adjacent the centre line of the flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile, and wherein at rest, the flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile is spaced above the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or 15 tile and, in use, the elongate body of the adjacent liner panel or tile forms a line of deflection for the flexible fin or flap of the one liner panel or tile, the line of deflection forming a fulcrum for the flexible fin or flap such that material flowing through the hopper or chute causes a portion of the flexible fin or flap downstream of the line of deflection to flex; wherein: 20 at least one face of at least the portion of the flexible fin or flap, exposed to the flow of material, is provided with at least one wear-resistant component.

2. The flexible fin or flap of claim 1, wherein: the at least one face is directed inwardly to the interior of the hopper or 25 chute; and the at least one face extends from a position at, or upstream of, the line of deflection for the flexible fin or flap to a distal end of the flexible fin or flap 1993694v1 18 spaced from the elongate body of the liner panel or tile.

3. The flexible fin or flap of claim 1, wherein: the at least one wear-resistant component includes a plurality of wear 5 resistant inserts ortiles provided in, or on, the at least one face and allow the flexible fin or flap to flex under the flow of the material over the at least one face; and the flexible fin or flap can at least flex about axis lines transverse to the flow of the material; 10

4. The flexible fin or flap of claim 3, wherein: the wear-resistant inserts or tiles include strips, discs, squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagon, octagons or other suitable shapes; and. the wear-resistant inserts or tiles have one or more layers, with an optional 15 thickness range of 3mm - 10mm.

5. The flexible fin or flap of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the at least one wear-resistant component is manufactured from wear resistant materials, including: ceramics, such as Alumina ceramic; silicon 20 carbide; silicon nitride; zirconia; hardened and/or toughened cast- or rolled steel; UHMW-PE, Teflon@, or other plastic surfaces (which are optionally carbon-fibre impregnated). 1993694v1