AU2016216606A1

AU2016216606A1 - A container for transporting crop material

Info

Publication number: AU2016216606A1
Application number: AU2016216606A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gregory Thomas Doolan; Robert Richard Kulig; Bruce William Lamb
Original assignee: Mat Handling Systems Australia Pty Ltd; NEW SOUTH WALES SUGAR MILLING CO OPERATIVE Ltd; RETRACTABLE TARPS Pty Ltd; Materials Handling Systems Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: NEW SOUTH WALES SUGAR MILLING CO-OPERATIVE Ltd; RETRACTABLE TARPS Pty Ltd; Materials Handling Systems Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-15
Filing date: 2016-08-17
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: AU2014202756A1; AU2006202028B2; AU2006202028A1; AU2018274994A1

Abstract

This specification pertains to a container suitable for transporting crop materials by road. The container may be loaded and unloaded from a trailer of prime mover. The container includes a receptacle with an upwardly facing opening; and a retractable member that can moved between an open loading position in which crop materials can be loaded through the opening and a closed position in which crop materials are substantially prevented from being inadvertently discharged or released through the opening. The container may have a holding capacity of at least 70 cubic metres and preferably the retractable member is a flexible cover that is stored in a substantially rolled orientation at the front of the container when the container is opened and is unravelled to extend along the opening when the container is closed. 8051741_1 (GHMatters) P60757.AU.2 04/08/16 12 "13

Description

A CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING CROP MATERIAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container suitable for, but by no means limited to, transporting sugar cane crop material by road.

BACKGROUND

Sugar cane farmers have in the past burnt the cane on the farm prior to harvesting to remove leaf material. There is now an increasing trend not to burn cane on the farm but rather, to harvest and transport unburnt crop materials to a centralised processing plant where leaf material are burnt in a boiler. Heat generated by burning the leaf material is utilised for a number of different purposes including generating electrical power that is supplied to the distribution grid and in return farmers receive valuable financial rewards. Other advantages include conserving non-renewable fossil fuels and a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

It is our view that trucking crop materials is the most effective and often the only option for transporting crop materials to the centralised processing plants. However, the Road Traffic Authority (RTA) in states such as NSW and Queensland has regulated that the height of a vehicle on the road is not to exceed 4600mm and that the total gross weight of the 22 wheel prime mover is not to exceed 42.5 tons. These regulations therefore limit the payload that can be transported by a semi-trailer.

In addition to the RTA regulations, the presence of leaf material on crop materials increases the tendency for the crop materials to be blown out of containers during transportation which is seen as littering and a road safety concern. Tarpaulin systems are being used to avoid this problem and an example of a common system includes moveable steel hoops that straddle between opposite sides of the container and provide a support over which a tarp can be conveniently pulled. A problem with this system is that the hoops extend above the container or bin and thereby impinge on the maximum capacity of the bin.

Examples of other systems currently in use include tarpaulins supported by arms that hold the tarp in position on top of the container or bin. However, a difficulty with this system is that the arms restrict the ability to dump load crop materials into the container. Roll-over tarpaulin systems also have arms that cut diagonally across the rear of the container that must be removed to facilitate discharge of the crop material through a rear gate of the container. Manual tarpaulin systems held down using convention trucking ropes and knots may also be effective but are often time consuming to install and remove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a container suitable for transporting crop materials by road, the container including: i) a receptacle with an upwardly facing opening; and ii) a retractable member that can moved between an open loading position in which crop materials can be loaded through the opening and a closed position in which crop materials are substantially prevented from being inadvertently discharged or released through the opening, wherein the container has a holding capacity of at least 70 cubic metres.

It is preferred that the container has a holding capacity of at least 75 cubic metres.

It is preferred that the container has a holding capacity of at least 80 cubic metres.

It is more preferred that the container has a holding capacity at least 85 cubic metres.

It is even more preferred that the container has a holding capacity at least 90 cubic metres.

According to the present invention there is provided a container suitable for, but by no means limited to, transporting crop materials by road, the container including: i)a base; ii) side walls extending upwardly from the base that define an elongated opening at an upper face of the container, the opening being adapted for loading crop materials into the container; and iii) a retractable member that is moved in a longitudinal direction along the opening between an open loading position in which crop materials can be loaded through the opening and a closed position in which crop materials are substantially prevented from being inadvertently discharged or released during transportation.

Although it is possible that the retractable member may be a rigid or semi-rigid member, it is preferred that the member be able to be rolled on a cylindrical support.

According to the present invention there is provided a system suitable for transporting crop materials by road, the system including a container having: i) a receptacle with an upwardly facing opening; and ii) a flexible cover that can be stored in rolled position in which crop materials are able to be loaded into the receptacle through the opening and an operative closed position in which the cover is held over the opening so as to substantially prevent crop materials from being inadvertently discharged or released during transportation.

It is preferred that the container include an operating assembly that is able to move the cover between a rolled stored position in which the opening is opened and a substantially unrolled operative position in which the cover is held across the opening. An advantage provided by this preferred aspect of the invention is that the opening of the container and, therefore, the cover for the opening is likely to be located at a significant distance from the ground and the operating assembly enables the cover to be opened and closed without actually manually handling the cover.

It is preferred that the receptacle includes a base and side walls that extend upwardly from the base.

Although it is possible that the side walls may be made from any suitable material including plastic materials, steel or alloys, it is preferred that the side walls include a structural frame made from a material that is less dense than steel.

More particularly, it is preferred that the structural frame be made from aluminium material or an alloy containing aluminium.

It is even more preferred that the structural frame be in the form of aluminium or aluminium alloy tubular sections. The term “tubular sections” includes hollow sections.

An advantage provided by aluminium is that it provides a rigid yet light weight structure which in comparison to the heavier conventional steel containers may be taller so as to equal the maximum allowable height and, therefore, maximise amount of crop materials transported by the container. More specifically, by reducing the weight of the container, the maximum total weight of a 22 wheel prime mover prescribed by authorities, namely 42.5 ton is not a factor in limiting the weight of crop material that can be transported. Rather, we have found that the holding capacity and indeed, the maximum allowable height of the vehicle, namely 4600mm as being the limiting factor in the amount of the crop material that can be transported. Accordingly, the container in combination with the vehicle may have a combined height of 4600mm or less, for example, 4300mm. A combined height of 4300mm is allowable without permits from the relevant government road authority; however permits are typically required for heights above 4300mm.

In our experience, containers having a structural aluminium frame are able to be built up to 600mm taller in height than the conventional steel containers. The height of conventional steel containers is usually limited by the weight of the container rather than the height limits set by the authorities.

It is preferred that the structural frame of the side walls have a lining material fitted thereto.

The lining material may be any suitable rigid or flexible material including tarpaulin, thermoset or thermoplastic materials. In particular, it is preferred that the lining material be any one or a combination of corrugated iron, perspex, laser light material or similar translucent material, plastic sheeting or panels.

It is preferred that the opening be elongate and that the flexible cover be moved longitudinally along the opening between closed and open positions.

It is preferred that the operating assembly store the cover at a location at a forward end of the container and that the cover be extended rearward to close the opening and retracted forward to open the opening. Ideally, the assembly that is able to move the cover between a rolled stored position in which the opening is opened and a substantially unrolled operative position in which the opening is closed. The operating assembly may include a powered actuator that is able to move the cover member between the opened and closed positions.

Although it is possible that the operating assembly include any suitable mechanism for driving the cover backward and forward along the opening, it is preferred that the operating assembly include a revolving continuous loop that extends along the opening and that the cover is attached to the loop which causes the cover the move rearward and forward as the loop moves.

It is preferred that said continuous loop be in the form of a chain, cable, band or belt that runs between pulleys or gears located at opposite ends of the opening.

The container may include a lip formation that extends along the opening, and the continuous loop is located beneath the lip formation.

It is possible that the pulley or gear may be driven by any suitable actuator which may include any one or a combination of an electrical motor, a pneumatic drive, or a hydraulic drive. The actuator may be fitted to the container, but is suitably mounted on the road transport vehicle on which the container is mounted. It is preferred that the container include a rotatably mounted free wheel that is directly or indirectly driven by the actuator which in turn moves the continuous loop in a revolving manner and thereby opens and closes the cover.

It is preferred that the wheel be driven by an actuator means that is independent of the container. Specifically, it is preferred that the trailer on which the container is transported include a co-operating drive wheel that contacts and drives the wheel of the operating assembly.

The operating assembly may include a manual means for operating the operating assembly, the manual means may include crank handle for manually rotating the free wheel or the continuous loop. The shaft may be rotatably biased by a biasing spring that ensures the cover unwound from the shaft is maintained taut.

The drive wheel is preferably mounted to the front end of the trailer and contacts the free wheel of the operating assembly.

It is preferred that the drive wheel be rotated by the actuator mounted to the front end of the trailer or carriage.

It is even more preferred that the actuator for the drive wheel be an electric motor.

The trailer of the road transport vehicle may be articulated at a pivot between the point of connection to the prime mover and the rear wheels of a trailer that allows the front portion of the trailer to form an upward ramp and the rear of the trailer to form a downward ramp. In use, the trailer hoist and the hydraulic pump can pull the trailer under the container or bin until the trailer rests on rear rollers of the trailer and the rear portion of the trailer is articulated at an angle of approximately 17 degrees. The coupling and container are then hauled toward the front of the trailer in the usual manner until the drive and free wheels engage. An advantage with this structure is that each container need not have individual actuators.

The container may include a coupling arrangement that engages a hoist of the road transport vehicle for loading and unloading the container from the trailer. The coupling arrangement may include a hook formation at a front end of the container.

It is preferred that the either one or both of the drive and free wheels are adjustable or able to move in a direction lateral to their axis so that engagement between the wheels can be controlled without moving the container. The drive wheel and free wheel may also be adjustable in other directions to facilitate engagement between the wheels without requiring the container, which has been loaded onto the transport vehicle, to be manoeuvred.

It is preferred that the actuator for the drive wheel be able to be operated from a control panel.

It is even more preferred that the control panel including one or more switches that transmits a signal to the actuator for the operation thereof. In the situation where the container is intended to be transported by road, it is preferred that the control panel be located in the cabin of the prime mover. The control panel may also be a hand held remote control panel or some other remote control panel for operating the drive wheel.

It is preferred that the operating assembly also include a manual means for operating the operating assembly. For example, any one of the cogs, gears, pulleys of the operating system may have a crank handle attached thereto. This enables the cover to be opened and closed when the container is not loaded onto the road transport vehicle.

It is preferred that a rear side wall of the container be a hatch, flap or gate that can be opened to allow the crop materials to be discharged from the container.

It is even more preferred that the rear side wall of the container be in the form of a rear hatch that is pivotally mounted by upper hinges that allow the crop materials to be emptied from the bottom of the container. In use, the trailer hoist can articulate the trailer such that the container is positioned at an angle of 40 degrees to the plane on which the trailer is parked.

The present invention may relate to a drive assembly mounted to the front end of a trailer of a prime mover, the drive assembly including an actuator having a rotating member that is operable to drive the operating assembly of the container. The drive assembly may include a rotatable member that engages and drives the free wheel of the operating assembly. The actuator of the drive assembly may include a hydraulic drive. The actuator may be operated from a control panel including one or more switches located in the cabin of the prime mover.

The present invention also relates to a combination of the container described herein and a trailer including a drive assembly that is operable to drive the operating assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a drive assembly mounted to the front end of a trailer that is adapted for moving the cover of the container of the present invention including any one or more of the preferred features thereof between an open loading position and a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:

Figure 1 illustrates front and side views of a container adapted to transport crop materials by road;

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate side and end views of a forward portion of the container shown in Figure 1 from which external panelling has been removed such that the working mechanism for extending and retracting a tarpaulin has been illustrated;

Figure 5 illustrates a lower section of the front portion of the container shown in Figure 1 from which external panelling has been removed so as to enable details of the working mechanism to be observed;

Figure 6 illustrates front and side views of a forward portion of the container with the container being loaded onto the trailer of a semi-truck for transportation;

Figure 7 illustrates top and rear views of the container shown in Figure 1 with the tarpaulin in a closed operating position;

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a top view of the container shown in Figure 1 with the tarpaulin being moved between open and closed positions in the direction of arrow A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the container illustrated in the figures. The container is a free standing detachable container that is specifically adapted for carriage on the trailer of a prime mover having a total of 22 wheels. In other words, the container can be loaded and unloaded from the trailer. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of the present invention that the container of the present invention could also be adapted for use on other types of road transportation.

The container comprises an elongated base 10, two side walls 10 extending along the length of the base, a front side wall 12 facing the prime mover during transportation and a rear side wall 13 in the form of a tail gate or hatch.

The base and side walls 10 and 11 of the container define an upper opening 14 that runs substantially along the entire length of the container as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8. The opening 14 has a retractable tarpaulin cover 15 that can be moved between an open retracted position whereby crop materials can be dump loaded through the opening 14 and a closed extended position, as shown in Figure 7, in which crop materials are substantially prevented from being inadvertently blown out of the opening 14 during transportation.

As can be seen from the figures the container includes an external frame 16 which is preferably in the form of aluminium sections that are welded together to form the base 10, side walls 11 and front and rear walls 12 and 13 of the container. The aluminium sections are connected together in a manner that provides appropriate rigidity and strength to the container. Fitted to the inside surface of the aluminium frame 16 are corrugated iron sheets 17 that form an enclosure for receiving crop materials. The external dimensions of the container are as follows: 13,840 mm in length; 2,500 mm in width; and 3,300 mm in height. When the container is loaded onto a conventional multi-lift trailer used for road transportation of crop materials, the combined height of the trailer and the container is substantially equal to the maximum height allowed by road traffic authorities, namely 4,600 mm (with a permit issued by the relevant road authority). The structural frame 16 of the container is made of aluminium sections rather than the steel sections which has reduced the total weight of the container relative to conventional containers by approximately 1200 kg. By reducing the weight of the container, we have found that the maximum allowable carriage weight of a 22 wheel prime mover of 42.5 ton is not such a limiting factor in the amount of crop materials that can be transported. Rather, we have found that the holding capacity and indeed the maximum allowable height of the vehicle of 4600 mm is the limiting factor. In the case of the container of the preferred embodiment, the container has a capacity to hold a total of 92 cubic metres.

In our experience, the actual height of the container of the preferred embodiment is approximately 600 mm higher than existing containers made with a steel frame construction. The advantages provided by the preferred embodiment are therefore twofold. Firstly the container of the preferred embodiment maximises the total cubic metres of crop materials that can be transported by a single prime mover by minimising the weight of the container. Secondly the upper opening of the container which will now be described in further detail includes a retractable tarpaulin system that enables the container to be readily opened and closed so as to substantially prevent crop materials from being blown from the container during transportation and thereby effectively reduce littering of roadways.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate end and side views of a forward portion of the container that would face the prime mover when positioned on the trailer. The forward portion of the container defines a cavity extending across the front of the container between internal 17 and external 18 panelling. Located in the cavity is a tarpaulin 19 that is wound about a cylindrical rotatably mounted support 20. The cylindrical support 20 extends across the width of the container and is mounted at opposite ends thereof. Located at one end of the cylindrical support 20 is a pulley or gear 21 having a set of teeth over which the cogs of a chain fit. Located below the cylindrical support 20 is a drive system comprising two sets of chains 22 and 23 extending from the cylindrical support 20 to a free wheel 24 that is coaxially mounted to a lower most gear 25 on a drive shaft 26. Located intermediate between the lower most gear 25 and the gear 21 of the cylindrical support 20 is an intermediate gear 27 comprising two sets of teeth whereby a first chain 23 extends between the lower most gear 25 and the intermediate gear 27 and a second chain 22 extends between the intermediate gear 27 and gear 21 of the cylindrical support 20. Rotation of the free wheel 24 causes the rotation of the drive shaft 26, the lower most gear 25 and in turn the cylindrical support 20 which unravels and winds up the tarpaulin 19 from the cylindrical support 20 depending on the direction of rotation.

In addition, the container also includes an extension and retraction mechanism for extending and retracting the tarpaulin 19 across the opening 14 at the upper end of the container. Specifically, the extension and retraction mechanism comprises two sets of continuous cables or chains 28 that are located on opposite sides of the opening 14 of the container and extend substantially along the length of the opening 14. The continuous cables or chains 28 are supported by a pulley or gear at the front and rear ends of the opening 14 where the chain or cable reverses direction. The pulleys or gears 29 located at the front end of the opening 14 are interconnected by a drive shaft 30 such that the pulleys or gears 29 at the front rotate in registration with each other. The pulleys or gears 31 located at the rear of the opening may or may not be interconnected by a shaft.

The extension and retraction mechanism is interconnected to the drive system via a further chain or cable 32 that spans between the pulley or gear 21 connected to the cylindrical support 20 and one of the pulleys or gears 29 of the extension and retraction mechanism. Via this connection, operation of the drive mechanism therefore simultaneously operates the extension and retraction mechanism. A beam or rod 33 also connects to the cables or chains 28 that extend along the opening 14 and is fitted to the end of the tarpaulin 19. Rotation of the drive wheel 24 therefore through the system of drive shafts, pulleys, gears, cables or chains described above causes the tarpaulin 19 to be extended or retracted in the direction of arrow A shown in Figure 8. Although not shown in the figures, located about the rotatable shaft of the cylindrical support 20 is a high tensile biasing spring that biases the cylindrical support to ensure that the tarpaulin 19 unravelled from the cylindrical support 20 is maintained taut in the direction of arrow A. The biasing spring holding the tarpaulin 19 taut when closed and while moving between opened and closed positions. The biasing spring acting against frictional forces acting on the cables or chains 28.

As can be seen in Figure 8 the two sets of cables or chains 28 that extend along the length of the opening 14 of the container may be supported by one or more pulleys, gears, cogs or other guide mechanisms 34. In addition, the cables or chains 28 are located beneath a upper lip formation 35 which overlaps the side edges of the tarpaulin 19 such that during transportation of the container, crop materials are prevented from being blown out of the opening 14. The lip formation 25 also provides protection to the continuous cables or chains 28 while material is being loaded into the container. As can be seen, the lip formation 25 extends along both sides of the length of the opening 14. In an alternative embodiment, the lip formation 35 may extend along only one side of the opening 14. Although not shown in the Figures, a flexible curtain such as a brush or flap may extend from the opening, for example, from the lip formation 35, toward the tarpaulin 19. The flexible curtain may contact the cover. The curtain may further help prevent material from entering or exiting from the container when the cover is closed.

As can be seen in Figures 3 to 6, the free wheel 24 is in the form of a rubber wheel which contacts an external drive wheel mounted to the front end of the trailer of the truck or prime mover. The external drive wheel is preferably also made of a rubber material and driven by an electric motor. The electric motor is controlled by switches conveniently mounted in the cabin of the prime mover. The external drive wheel is mounted in a manner that enables it to be manoeuvred forward and backward in a direction lateral to the axis of rotation of the drive wheel and, thereby, ensure that a suitable working pressure between the wheels can be achieved without changing the position of the container on the trailer.

In use, the container is pulled or hauled onto the trailer into its final loaded position by the coupling arrangement. The coupling arrangement may include a hook 40 for handling the container onto the trailer or prime mover.

In the situation where the trailer has been fitted with an electrical motor and drive wheel as shown in Figure 6, the container can be loaded onto the trailer and the drive wheel manoeuvred into position such the free wheel 24 and the drive wheel engage in a manner so that a suitable working pressure is applied between the wheels. The drive shaft 26 of the drive wheel 24 can also be rotated by an auxiliary handle 36 extending outwardly from the side wall of the container. Preferably the handle 36 can be connected and disconnected as desired. The auxiliary handle 36 is capable of being used to completely extend or retract the tarpaulin 19 across the opening 14 of the container. In other words, once the crop materials have been loaded into the container the cover can be closed using the auxiliary handle prior to the arrival of the prime mover.

Although not shown in the drawings, it is preferred that the container also include means for indicating the position of the tarpaulin 19 that can be observed by a person from the ground. It is important that the position of the tarpaulin 19 be known to operators to ensure that crop materials are not inadvertently dump into the top of the container with the tarpaulin 19 in a closed position. By way of example, the means for indicating the position may be a series of flags extending from the edge of the tarpaulin 19 and over the top edge or lip formation 35 of the container which can be observed from the ground.

In addition, although not shown in the figures it is preferred that the underface of the container also include a set of steel plates or panels that align with rollers on the trailer that enables the container to be pulled up onto the trailer. Typically, the rollers mounted to the trailer are steel rollers and the steel plates on the underface of the container minimise wear and tear to the working bottom surface of the container.

Those skilled in the art of the present invention will appreciate that many modifications and variations may be made to the preferred embodiment described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, the actuator for opening and closing the tarpaulin may be mounted to the container itself rather than, as is the case of the preferred embodiment, relying on an external actuator such as the electric motor fitted to the front end of the trailer of a prime mover.

It is also within the scope of the present invention that the container, including the lining materials 11 may be made of polymeric materials such as rigid or semi rigid sheets and flexible sheets.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A container for transporting crop materials by road, the container including: i) a base; ii) side walls extending upwardly from the base that define an upwardly facing opening, the opening being adapted for loading crop materials into the container; and iii) a retractable member that is moved in an longitudinal direction along the opening between an open loading position in which crop materials can be loaded through the opening and a closed position in which crop materials are prevented from being inadvertently discharged or released.
2. The container according to 1, wherein the retractable member is a flexible cover that can be stored in a rolled orientation when in the open loading position.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the flexible cover that can be stored in rolled position in which crop materials are able to be loaded into the receptacle through the opening and an operative closed position in which the cover is held over the opening so as to substantially prevent crop materials from being inadvertently discharged or released.
4. The container according to any one of claim 1 to 3, including an operating assembly includes a powered actuator that is able to move the cover member between the opened and closed positions.
5. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including an operating assembly that is able to move the cover between a rolled stored position in which the opening is opened and a substantially unrolled operative position in which the opening is closed.
6. The container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the operating assembly stores the cover at a location at a forward end of the container and that the cover is extended rearwardly to close the opening and retracted forwardly to open the opening.
7. The container according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the operating assembly includes a revolving or reciprocating continuous loop that extends along the opening and that the cover is attached to the loop which causes the cover the move rearward and forward as the loop moves.
8. The container according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the operating assembly includes a revolving or reciprocating continuous loop to which the cover is attached, and the operating assembly is operable to cause the cover to move rearwardly and forwardly between the open and closed position by movement of the continuous loop.
9. The container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said continuous loop is in the form of a chain, cable, band or belt that runs between pulleys or gears located at opposite ends of the opening.
10. The container according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein a rotatably mounted free wheel is operably connected to the continuous loop and rotation of the free wheel driven by an external drive which in turn revolves or reciprocates the continuous loop and thereby opens and closes the cover.
11. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, including a lip formation that extends along the opening, and the continuous loop is located beneath the lip formation.
12. The container according to any one claims 4 to 11, wherein the operating assembly also includes a manual means for operating the operating assembly.
13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the manual means is in the form of a crank handle for manually rotating the free wheel or the continuous loop.
14. The container according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the cover is attached to rotatable shaft on which the cover is wound when in the rolled orientation, and the rotatable shaft is driven to unwind the cover by operation of the operating assembly.
15. The container according to claims 14, wherein the shaft is rotatably biased by a biasing spring that ensures the cover unwound from the shaft is maintained taut.
16. The container according to any one of claims 1 or 10, wherein the side walls include a structural frame made aluminium tubular material.
17. The container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the structural frame of the side walls have a lining material fitted thereto, and wherein the lining material is any one or a combination of corrugated iron, perspex, laser light material or similar translucent material, plastic sheeting or plastic panels.
18. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the container has a holding capacity of at least 70 cubic metres, suitably a holding capacity of at least 80 cubic metres, and more suitably a holding capacity of at least 90 cubic metres.
19. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 18, including a coupling arrangement that engages a hoist of the road transport vehicle for loading and unloading the container from the trailer.
20. The container according to anyone of claims 1 to 15, wherein the coupling arrangement of the container includes a hook formation at a front end of the container.
21. A drive assembly mounted to the front end of a trailer of a prime mover, the drive assembly including an actuator having a rotating member that is operable to drive the operating assembly of the container defined in any one of claims 4 to 9.
22. The drive assembly according to claim 21 when appended to claim 11, wherein the rotatable member that engages and drives the free wheel of the operating assembly.
23. The drive assembly according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the actuator includes a hydraulic drive.
24. The drive assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the actuator is operated from a control panel including one or more switches located in the cabin of a prime mover.
25. A combination including the container according to any one of claims 1 to 20, and a trailer for transporting the container, wherein the trailer includes the drive assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 24.