AU2015309661B2

AU2015309661B2 - Multi-commodity semi-trailer and auger

Info

Publication number: AU2015309661B2
Application number: AU2015309661A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anthony Harrison Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-26
Filing date: 2015-08-20
Publication date: 2019-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-20
Also published as: WO2016029240A1; CA2996447A1; AU2015309661A1; AU2015309661A8; CA2996447C

Abstract

A multi commodity semi-trailer for carting multiple materials separated from one another, comprising a plurality of bins for containing desired materials, and a plurality of lifting means for tilting each bin, wherein each lifting means tilts a respective bin for separate unloading of the material in each bin. The semi-trailer further comprises a stowable conveyer for use in loading or unloading the bins. The conveyer may be provided an auger.

Description

“MULTI-COMMODITY SEMI-TRAILER AND AUGER”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001 ] The present invention relates to a multi-commodity semi-trailer and auger.

BACKGROUND [0002] Semi-trailers are known and are widely used, in conjunction with a truck or tractor, for transport, hauling and cartage of various materials. Often a semi-trailer carries a bin which has doors in its underside. These doors are able to be opened to allow the bulk dumping of the bin’s contents, usually over a grate above some type of storage container for the material being dumped.

[0003] Another type of semi-trailer is a tip-trailer. The bin of a tip-trailer is able to be lifted at its front end so that the contents may be emptied through an open gate at the back end, through gravitational force.

[0004] Sometimes the bin of a semi-trailer may be provided with a plurality of compartments which are separate from one another with internal walls. Due to laws regarding the weight distribution of fdled trailers, these types of semi-trailers usually cannot hold the proportion of material , relative to their size, that non-compartmentalised trailers are able to. In addition, these semi-trailers are difficult to fill whilst ensuring different materials are kept separate from one another. They can also be difficult to unload in any method other than dumping from the underside of the trailer.

[0005] Controlled release of the contents of these trailers is not easily performed and different material must be stored in individual trailers if continued separation of materials is required, as is often the case with agricultural commodities. Multiple trailers hitched to a single vehicle result in very long vehicles, which are extremely difficult to manoeuvre, especially in reverse.

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PCT/AU2015/000494 [0006] Release of material from known trailers is frequently performed by bulk dumping. Accordingly, material is generally dumped lower than the trailer, for example at ground level or in storage containers beneath ground level. Moving material from a trailer to a location above ground level usually requires at least double handling, being firstly dumping from the trailer then using alternate means for subsequent carrying to another container.

[0007] The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous semi-trailers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-commodity semi-trailer for carting multiple materials separated from one another, comprising a plurality of bins for containing desired materials, and a plurality of lifting means for tilting each bin, wherein each lifting means tilts a respective bin for separate unloading of the material in each bin.

[0009] The semi-trailer may further comprise a side discharge chute for use in catching and directing material unloaded from a bin. The side discharge chute may be interchangeable and operable on both sides of the semi-trailer.

[0010] Each bin may comprise a door through which contents of the bin are unloadable. The contents of the bin may be unloadable through the door and into the side discharge chute.

[0011] Each bin may comprise a collapsible sock disposed at an exterior of the bin for providing an enclosure to material exiting the door. The collapsible sock may provide an enclosure for enclosing and directing material exiting the door and entering the chute.

[0012] Each bin may comprise an openable tail gate through which contents of the bin are unloadable.

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PCT/AU2015/000494 [0013] Each bin may comprise at least one deflector disposed across a lower interior comer of a bin for at least temporarily assisting in preventing material from collecting in that comer. The deflector may be pivotally rotatable to an opened orientation for providing access to the comer.

[0014] The semi-trailer may further comprise a stowable conveyer for use in loading or unloading the bins. The conveyer may be provided as an auger.

[0015] The conveyer may be mounted on a pivotable arm for moving the conveyer to and from stowage and use positions. The pivotable arm may comprise at least two lengths connected through a hinged point.

[0016] The conveyer may be movable by a control mechanism. The control mechanism may comprise two hydraulic cylinders.

[0017] The conveyer may comprise a hatch proximal to a lower end thereof, for draining residual material from the conveyer. The hatch may be operable from an upper end of the conveyer with a lever which extends substantially the entire length of the conveyer.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for loading, carting and unloading a plurality of materials separated from one another, comprising the use of a multi-commodity semi-trailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0019] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a semi-trailer in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a right side view of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1, with the auger 20 in a loading position;

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Figure 3 is a right side view of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1, with the auger 20 in an unloading position and rear bin 14 in a raised orientation;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 3;

Figure 4A is a detail view of area 4A of Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the interior of front bin 12 of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1, with the deflector 13 in a closed orientation;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 5, with the deflector 13 in an opened orientation;

Figure 7 is an end view of the bin 12, 14 of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detail view of the sock 36 and chute 22 detail of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a detail side view of the ends 24 of the bins 12, 14 of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a rear view of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1, with the auger 20 in a loading position;

Figure 11 is a rear view of the semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1, with the auger 20 in an unloading position and rear bin 14 in a raised orientation; and

Figure 12 is an end view of the bin 12, 14 of Figure 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0020] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a multi-commodity semi-trailer 10 in accordance with the present invention. The semi-trailer 10 comprises a plurality of bins, shown here as a front bin 12 and a rear bin 14, for containing desired materials, for example, grain and fertiliser respectively, separated from one another. The semi-trailer 10 further comprises a bed 16 and at least one pair of wheels 18 to hold and transport the bins 12, 14 through the use of a vehicle (not shown) to which the semi-trailer 10 may be hitched.

[0021] A side discharge chute 22 is also provided on the semi-trailer 10. The chute 22 provides a passageway for materials inside the bins 12, 14 to be controllably released. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, while the chute 22

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PCT/AU2015/000494 is shown here on the right side of the semi-trailer 10, it may be relocated to the left side, according to the preference and need of the operator and used in the same manner.

[0022] The semi-trailer 10 further comprises an auger 20, shown in Figure 1 in its preferred stowed position, for when the semi-trailer 10 is in transport, or simply when the auger 20 is not in use, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. The auger 20, when in use in a loading or unloading position, may be used to convey materials into or from a bin 12, 14 of the semi-trailer 10.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2, the multi-commodity semi-trailer 10 of Figure 1 is again shown. Now, however, the auger 20 is moved from its stowed position to a loading position. In its loading position, an upper end 19 of the auger 20 is located above the bin 14 for conveying material from a lower end 21 of the auger 20 into the bin 14. An optional hopper 50 may be provided at the lower end 21 of the auger 20. The hopper 50, in use, acts as a funnel and assists in directing material from its source into the auger 20.

[0024] Referring to Figure 3 the semi-trailer 10 is shown with its front bin 12 in a lowered (or transport) orientation and rear bin 14 in a raised (or unloading) orientation. The semi-trailer 10 comprises a lifting means 40, preferably a hydraulic ram. The operation of the lifting means 40 resembles that of a known tip-trailer and would be understood by a skilled person.

[0025] The auger 20 may also comprise a hatch 48, operable with a lever 49, provided as a rod extending substantially the full length of the auger 20 from the hatch 48 proximal to the lower end 21 to proximal to the upper end 19. The hatch 48 provides an opening near the lower end 21 of the auger 20 in order to discharge any residual material which may be present within the auger 20 after its use. The lever 49 provides a mechanism for opening the hatch 48 from near the upper end 19 of the auger 20. Accordingly, when an operator may be working at a height near the upper end 19 of the auger 20, that operator may open the hatch 48 from the end of the lever 49 proximal to the upper end 19 of the auger 20.

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PCT/AU2015/000494 [0026] With reference to Figure 4 and Figure 4A, the end 24 of the rear bin 14 can be seen. For the ease of describing the invention, the front end 24 of the rear bin 14 will be described. For the most part, the rear end 24 of the front bin 12 appears and operates substantially identically. The lower portion of the end 24 comprises a tail gate 26. The tail gate 26 is in pivotable connection with the upper portion 28 of the end 24, preferably through the use of at least one hinge 30 such that the tail gate 26 of the bin 12 is pivotable about the hinge 30 with respect to the upper portion 28 and bin 14.

[0027] With particular reference to Figure 12, the tail gate 26 further comprises a door 32 and an opening mechanism 34 for operating said door 32. The opening mechanism 34 is preferably provided as a hydraulic ram, operating so as to pull the door 32 upwards to provide an opening in the bin 14. The door 32, when operated by the opening mechanism 34 to open, allows the controlled release of material from the bin 14, under gravity, through the door 32, into the chute 22. The auger 20 is shown in an unloading position in Figure 4. The lower end 21 of the auger 20 is prepared to receive material from the chute 22 (through the hopper 50), for the auger 20 to convey said material to its upper end 19.

[0028] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, for substantially surrounding the opening created when the door 32 is in an open position, a collapsible sock 36 is provided. The sock 36 is preferably constructed of a deformably resilient material and provides an enclosure for material exiting the door 32 and entering the chute 22. Thus the door 32, when operated by the opening mechanism 34 to open, allows the controlled release of material from the bin 14, under gravity, through the door 32, enclosed by the sock 36, into, through and from the chute 22 as shown by the arrows.

[0029] As previously stated, the side discharge chute 22 may be utilised on either the right or the left side of the semi-trailer 10 according to the requirements of the operator or particular situation. A rear section view of chassis rails 42 is present in Figure 7 showing an area for the use of the chute 22 on the opposite side of the semi-trailer 10 (see Figure 12) to where it is shown in this Figure.

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PCT/AU2015/000494 [0030] With reference to Figure 8, the sock 36 of each bin 12, 14 is shown. The sock 36 of rear bin 14 is at least partially collapsed, whilst the front bin 12 is in its raised orientation. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socks 36 are constructed from flexible canvas. When it is desired to utilise the side discharge chute 22 for the controlled release of material from the front bin 12 into the auger 20, for example, the action of raising front bin 12 moves its sock 36 closer to that of rear bin 14. With material flowing through the sock 36 of the front bin 12 and not through that of the rear bin 14, the sock 36 of the rear bin 14 will collapse and therefore make space for the material moving through the sock 36 of the raised front bin 12. As would be apparent to the skilled person, the material from front bin 12 would exit through the chute 22 to enter the auger 20, or other catching device or area as desired.

[0031] When the rear bin 14 (or optionally front bin 12, as the operator requires) is in the raised orientation, as shown in Figure 9, the tail gate 26 may be pivoted on the hinge 30 such that the tail gate 26 is in an opened orientation. The collapsible socks 36 provided on the relevant end 24 of each bin 12, 14 may both be collapsed such that the tail gate 26 is provided space between the bins 12, 14 to open.

[0032] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, the interior of the front bin 12 is shown, specifically the interior side of the rear end 24 of bin front 12. For the most part, the front end 24 of the rear bin 14 appears and operates substantially identically. An optional deflector 13 may be provided proximal to the tail gate 26 at the interior of the bin 12. The deflector 13 comprises a substantially triangular-shaped resilient sheet disposed at a corner formed between the floor, side wall, and tail gate 26 of the bin 12. The hypotenuse of the deflector 13 reaches from the upper edge of the tail gate 26 at the side wall of the bin 12 to the lower proximal edge of the door 32 when the deflector 13 is in a closed orientation.

[0033] The side edge of the deflector 13 is in pivotable connection with the side wall of the bin 12, preferably through the use of a deflector hinge 15. Accordingly, the deflector 13 is pivotable about its side edge from a closed orientation as shown in

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Figure 5, such that the respective interior comer of the bin 12 is inaccessible, to an opened orientation as shown in Figure 6, where the deflector 13 is parallel with and adjacent the side wall of the bin 12, and the respective interior comer of the bin 12 is again accessible. Preferably, a pair of deflectors 13 are disposed in each opposing lower comer of the rear end 24 of the bin 12 and corresponding front wall 24 of the rear bin 14.

[0034] With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the auger 20 may be removed from its stowed position (as shown in Figure 1) to its loading or unloading position as shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The trailer 10 further comprises an auger arm 37 supporting the auger 20 out of its stowed position, by providing a point of connection between the auger 20 and trailer 10. The auger arm 37 comprises a hinged point 38 about which two lengths of the arm 37 may pivot, such that the auger 20 may be moved to its unloading position for conveying material from the bin 14 (Figure 11) or to its loading position for conveying material to the bin 14 (Figure 10). When the auger 20 is in its stowed position, the arm 37 is conveniently stored alongside the auger 20 as is best seen in Figure 1.

[0035] The auger arm 37 comprises at least one movement control mechanism 39, preferably provided as a hydraulic cylinder, and more preferably, two hydraulic cylinders are provided as the control mechanism 39 (see Figure 3). The control mechanisms 39 are disposed spanning between the trailer 10 and the arm 37, one being substantially responsible for control of movement of the auger ann 37 to desired positions; the other is substantially responsible for assisting in holding the auger 20 on the auger ann 37 within the desired position once that is reached, by reducing unwanted movement of the auger 20 when it is desired to be stationary.

[0036] In its loading position as shown in Figure 10, the control mechanism 39 is utilised on the arm 37 to move the auger 20 such that its upper end 19 is disposed above a bin 12, 14, in this case, rear bin 14. So positioned, the auger 20 can convey material into the bin from a grain store, for example, by grain being loaded into the auger at its

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PCT/AU2015/000494 lower end 21, being conveyed up the auger 20 in the known manner, to the upper end 19, to then fall, under the effects of gravity, in to the bin 14.

[0037] In its unloading position as shown in Figure 11, the lower end 21 of the auger is proximal to the chute 22, at an end of the chute 22 distal to the rear bin 14, said bin 14 shown here in a raised orientation. Accordingly, the auger 20 facilitates unloading of material from the bin 14 to another location, for example, unloading of fertiliser to fertilising machinery for the spreading of the fertiliser in a desired location. As would be understood, this process involves the conveying of the material from the lower end of the auger 20 to the upper end 19 of the auger 20 in the usual manner of an auger 20 as would be understood by a skilled person. Once conveyed to the upper end 19, the material is able to drop from the auger 20, under the effects of gravity, to other equipment as needed, for example.

[0038] Once loading or unloading is complete or at the operators choosing, the auger 20 may be replaced in its stowed position. Accordingly, the control mechanism 39 is utilised to direct the arm 37 and accordingly the auger 20 to pivot into the stowed position as shown in Figure 1 or other position as desired.

[0039] In use, the multi-commodity semi-trailer 10 may be hitched to a towing vehicle by relevant means known in the art, such that the semi-trailer may be utilised for carting a plurality of materials in its bins 12, 14, while said materials remain separated, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each bin 12, 14 may be fdled, in turn, preferably from the top of the bin 12, 14. In accordance with a preferred method, the auger 20 may be moved from its stowed position (as shown in Figure 1) to its loading position by pivoting said auger 20 on its arm 37, about its hinged point 38 through utilisation of the control mechanism 39. In such a position, the auger 20 is so disposed to be able to convey materials to the top of and into the bins 12, 14 from another location as has been described. Once the required amount of material has been filled, the auger 20 may be returned to its stowed position for transport. Alternatively, the bin 12, 14 may be filled via any suitable means, for example, using separate loading machinery.

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PCT/AU2015/000494 [0040] The optional one or more deflectors 13 may be pivoted about the deflector hinge 15 to the closed orientation as shown in Figure 5, in preparation for filling the bin 12, 14. Pivoted to its closed position, the deflector 13 acts to prevent material, with which the bin 12, 14 is filled, from accumulating in comer of the bin 12, 14 across which it is disposed. Accordingly, there is less likelihood of a manual cleaning of the comer of the bin 12, 14 to be required, resulting in time and safety benefits, among others, to a user of the present invention. In addition, the deflector 13 may act as a guide for directing material through the door 32 when the bin 12, 14 is unloaded via that means. Once the bin 12, 14 is empty, or otherwise as desired by a user, the deflector 13 may be pivoted about the deflector hinge 15 to its opened orientation so access to the comer is possible. In such a way, the comer of the bin 12, 14 may be freed from residual material or the bin 12, 14 may be thoroughly washed without impediment, for example.

[0041] In a manner that would be apparent to a skilled person, the filled semi-trailer 10, which is hitched to a vehicle, may be transported to any location as desired by the operator. The semi-trailer 10 is transported upon its wheels 18, as would be easily understood. Once in the desired location, the trailer 10 may remain hitched to the towing vehicle or be unhitched and otherwise supported, for example on legs 44 provided extending downwards from the bed 16 of the trailer 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, as desired.

[0042] According to the requirements of the operator, the bins 12, 14 of the semitrailer 10 may be emptied in a number of ways. Each bin 12, 14 may be raised separately from the other, as shown of the rear bin 14 in Figure 3. The bin 12, 14 is raised by lifting it from the bed 16 of the semi-trailer 10 with a lifting means 40, such as a hydraulic ram. The lifting means 40 may optionally be provided on the semi-trailer 10 or on the vehicle to which the trailer 10 may be hitched. Only the end of the bin, distal to the end 24 disposed near the centre of the semi-trailer abutting the other bin 12, 14, may be lifted. As would be understood, this results in a tilted lift of the bin 12, 14.

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PCT/AU2015/000494 [0043] Once the bin 14, for example, is tilted, the end 24 is the lower end of the bin

14. If it is desired to unload most of the material in a quick manner, the tail gate 26 is pivoted on the hinge 30 away from the upper portion 28 and away from the bin 14 as best seen in Figure 9. The collapsible socks 36 of each bin 12, 14 are collapsed to allow for the pivoting of the tail gate 26. An opening is then formed in the lower end 24 of the bin 14 and, under gravity, the contents of the bin 14 can be unloaded relatively quickly. The falling of the material is represented by the arrow in Figure 9. As would be understood, the bed 16 is so disposed or oriented so as to not prove an obstruction, such that the material can fall away from the semi-trailer 10 altogether and usually through a grate at ground level into a storage container below. Further, the chute 22 also provides no obstruction to the falling material exiting through the tail gate 26.

[0044] Alternatively, if a smaller amount, or a more controlled unloading, of material is desired, then once the bin 14 is tilted, the door 32 may be utilised rather than the tail gate 26 as best seen in Figure 7. The opening mechanism 34, is engaged and operates to lift the door 32 upwards to its open position. The sock 36 is filled with material from the bin 14 while the collapsible sock 36 of rear bin 12 is collapsed. The material travels, under gravity, from the bin 14, through the door 32 and the sock 36 into the side discharge chute 22. From the chute 22, the material exits the semi-trailer 10 to be handled according to the need of the operator.

[0045] The methods of handling material delivered from the bins 12, 14 may comprise, but not be limited to, the use of the auger 20 as seen in Figure 3. If desired, for example when material is to be moved to another transport means, the auger 20 may be utilised at the chute 22 to further unload the material. The auger 20 may be moved from its stowed position to its unloading position, through utilisation of the control mechanism 39 to pivot the auger 20 on its arm 37. The lower end 21 of the auger 20 abuts the chute 22, at the side of the semi-trailer 10. Optionally, the hopper 50 may be provided for ease of filling the auger 20, between the chute 22 and auger 20. The material from the bin 14 through the chute 22 falls through the hopper 50 and to the auger 20 and in a known manner as would be understood by a skilled person, the auger 20 conveys the material to the upper end 19 of the auger 20. From that upper end 19 of

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PCT/AU2015/000494 the auger 20, the material can again be handled according to the need of the operator, for example, dropped into a separate transport means or storage container.

[0046] Other embodiment multi-commodity semi-trailers 10 are also contemplated in accordance with the present invention. For instance, the aforementioned socks 36 may, instead of being constructed from a flexible canvas, be constructed from plastic or rubber, for example. In fact, any material suited to the relevant function of providing an enclosure for material exiting the door 32 and entering the chute 22, while being collapsible, for when the tail gate 26 is in an opened position, for example, may be used. Likewise, the auger 20 may be provided as any suitable device, such as for example, a pipe or a hose able to provide the desired action of moving material into or from the semi-trailer 10 as required.

[0047] In addition, the trailer 10 may be provided with covers, for example, provided as tarpaulins, for enclosing the open roof portion of each bin 12, 14. Accordingly, the contents of the bins 12, 14 are somewhat protected from the external environment, as well as the contents being further secured from unwanted emptying such as being blown while the trailer 10 is in motion. Further, the bins 12, 14 may be installed with a method for cleaning, including but not limited to a sprinkler system 46 as shown on Figure 1. The sprinklers 46 may be mounted to a frame at the open top of the bins 12, 14 for releasing a cleaning agent, for example, water, to clean the interior of the bins 12, 14. The trailer 10 may also be provided with a substantially downward-facing triangular shaped tail gate 26 such as that shown in Figure 12. The deflector 13, provided at the interior of the bin 12 14 with this triangular tail gate 26, is shaped and disposed such that it complements the lower edges of the tail gate 26. Accordingly, the deflector 13 is fixed in position, so as to permanently restrict access to the inner comer of the bin 12, 14 to reduce the amount of material in the bin 12, 14 from collecting and remaining in the comer, even when the bin 12, 14 is desired to be empty.

[0048] Further modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-commodity semi-trailer for carting multiple materials, comprising a plurality of bins on the one trailer for containing desired materials separated from one another, and a plurality of lifting means for tilting each bin, wherein each lifting means tilts a respective bin for separate unloading, directly from the trailer, of the material in each bin independently of one another, wherein a pivot point about which each bin tilts is in a fixed position on the trailer, wherein the axis of rotation at the pivot point is coplanar with the bed of the trailer, wherein the plurality of bins share an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the semi-trailer and wherein the semi-trailer further comprises a side discharge chute for use in catching and directing material unloaded from a bin.

2. The semi-trailer according to claim 1, characterised in that the side discharge chute is interchangeable and operable on both sides of the semi-trailer.

3. The semi-trailer according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that each bin comprises a door through which contents of the bin are unloadable.

4. The semi-trailer according to claim 3, characterised in that the contents of the bin are unloadable through the door and into the side discharge chute.

5. The semi-trailer according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that each bin comprises a collapsible sock at an exterior of the bin for providing an enclosure to material exiting the door.

6. The semi-trailer according to claim 5, characterised in that the collapsible sock provide an enclosure for enclosing and directing material exiting the door and entering the chute.

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7. The semi-trailer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each bin comprises an openable tail gate through which contents of the bin are unloadable.

8. The semi-trailer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that each bin comprises at least one deflector disposed across a lower interior corner of a bin for at least temporarily assisting in preventing material from collecting in that comer.

9. The semi-trailer according to claim 8, characterised in that the deflector is pivotally rotatable to an opened orientation for providing access to the comer.

10. The semi-trailer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it further comprises a stowable conveyer for use in loading and unloading the bins.

11. The semi-trailer according to claim 10, characterised in that the conveyer is provided as an auger.

12. The semi-trailer according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the conveyer is mounted on a pivotable arm for moving the conveyer to and from stowage and use positions.

13. The semi-trailer according to claim 12, characterised in that the pivotable arm comprises at least two lengths connected through a hinged point.

14. The semi-trailer according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the conveyer is movable by a control mechanism.

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15. The semi-trailer according to claim 14, characterised in that the control mechanism comprises two hydraulic cylinders.

16. The semi-trailer according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that the conveyer comprises a hatch proximal to a lower end thereof, for draining residual material from the conveyer.

17. The semi-trailer according to claim 16, characterised in that the hatch is operable from an upper end of the conveyer with a lever which extends substantially the entire length of the conveyer.

18. A method for loading, carting and unloading a plurality of materials separated from one another, comprising the use of a multi-commodity semitrailer according to any one of claims 1 to 17.