GB2085414A - Bulk Containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A bulk container for flowable material has a pivotably mounted closure device comprising, e.g. two doors which close the exit, when supported from below by separate support means 16, and can pivot away from the exit under gravity when the support means is removed. The support means may be the forks 16 of a fork lift truck. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to containers, particularly intermediate bulk containers (IBC) which are used for handling material such as grass seed or compost which does not readily flow.

BACKGROUND ART Material which does not readily flow has to be stored, transported, distributed or in general handled and it is often stored in a bottom or side opening container or bin. Such a bin has a slidable gate like a sluicegate or a throat leading to the opening closed off by a pivotable or slidable member. However, the material in the bin or hopper often clogs the opening, and cannot easily be removed therefrom.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an objection of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage of the prior art.

According to the invention there is provided a bin comprising an entry for flowable material, and exit for flowable material, and pivotably mounted closure device of the bin which is adapted to close the exit, when supported from below the bin by separate support means, to pivot away from the exit under gravity when the support means is removed, and to close the exit when urged towards the bin by a separate support means.

Using the invention it is possible to provide a bin in which material contained therein, including material which is not readily flowable, can be removed from the bin from the exit.

The closure device may comprise two doors each pivotably mounted at opposite sides of the bin whereby they both pivot away from the bin in opposite senses when a support means is removed. Using such a construction it is possible to provide a bin having a large discharge area, in other words as large an exit as possible.

One door may overlap the other when the exit is closed, each door having part of a guide means, both parts co-operating to guide the overlapped door to close the exit before the overlapping door. This construction provides a controlled opening and closing of the doors without jamming thereof.

The overlapping door may have a cam comprising its respective guide means part and the opposed door may have a follower comprising its respective guide means part, the arrangement being such that as the cam pivots with its respective door, the follower is urged to move and to pivot its respective door.

A bin embodying the invention is hereinafter described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a side elevational view, with part broken away, of the bin; Figure 2 shows the bin of Fig. 1 in end elevation; Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the bin, the doors being partly open as in Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 4 shows a scrap end of the bin of Figs. 1 to 3 when standing on a support surface.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a bin 1 of the kind generally known as Intermediate Bulk Containers for holding material which is not readily flowable, for example grass seed or compost.

The bin 1 is made of metal and is of generally rectangular shape. It has an open top 2 for entry of the material and an exit which is closed by a pivotably mounted closure device 4 in the form of two doors 5 and 6. The door 5 is pivoted by a hinge 7 to the bin 1 at one side of the exit 3 and the door 6 is pivoted by a hinge 8 to the bin 1 at the side of the exit 3 opposite the hinge 7, so that the doors 5 and 6 pivot in opposite senses.

Thus the door 5 pivots in a clockwise sense (as viewed in Fig. 1) on opening and the door 6 pivots in an anti-clockwise sense on opening.

The door 5 overlaps the door 6 in the closed position, at the free edges opposite the hinges 7 and 8.

The door 5 has part of a guide means in the form of a cam 9 which is mounted on the upper (as viewed) side of the door by a rigid frame comprising two legs 1 0. The door 6 has part of a guide means in the form of a follower 11 arranged like a yoke and supported rigidly on the upper side, as viewed, by a frame 12.

Each door 5 and 6 has on its underside feet or supports in the form of Z-Section beams 1 3 in the embodiment shown.

In use, the bin 1 is placed on a floor (or on cross rails 14 (Fig. 3) of a lower bin on which it is stacked) so that the doors 5 and 6 are horizontal and close the exit 3. Material is or can be held in the bin 1. When it is desired to discharge the material into say a hopper or pit 1 5 (Fig. 2) the bin 1 can be moved to a position over the hopper 1 5 by a fork-lift truck, the forks 1 6 of which (Fig. 1) go under the bin 1 and when raised keep the doors 5 and 6 closed. When the bin 1 is placed on a suitable stand or frame 1 7 over the hopper 1 5 the weight of the bin 1 is supported by the frame 17. The fork-lift truck forks 16 can then be lowered and withdrawn.As this happens the doors 5 and 6 hinge downwardly of their own accord, the follower 11 riding over the cam 9. (An intermediate position during opening (or closing) is shown in Figs. 1 and 2).

The contents of the bin flow out into the hopper 1 5. Because of the large surface area of the exit 3, nearly the same as that of the bin, even materials with a tendancy to flow out.

When emptying, the rate of opening of the doors 5 and 6 and therefore the rate of outflow of the material, can be controlled by the rate of lowering and withdrawal of the forks 16.

In order to close the exit 3, the forks 1 6 are placed under the doors 5 and 6 and raised.

This urges the doors upwardly about their respective hinges 7 and 8. The arrangement of the cam 9 and follower 11 is such that owing to the effective "rising" of the cam 9, the follower 11 moves over the cam 9 and this movement in turn pivots the door 6 so that it rises first and its free edge approaches the end first so that it is overlapped by the door 5. The door 5 thus acts as a master and the door 6 as a slave.

it will be understood that the bin 1 above described and shown in the drawings can be modified. For example the guide means 9, 11 may be situated exteriorly of the bin rather than interiorly of it. Also a different form of guide means may be used, for example a toggle, providing the door 5 rises first and falls last. Also, the unloading stand can be provided with a hinged tongue or lever (not shown) to support the doors when the forces are withdrawn.

The tongue or lever can then be controlled by hydraulic or other means so that the doors can open when required and at a suitable rate.

It will also be understood that although the invention has been described as for use with materials which do not readily flow, containers embodying the invention can be used for handling any suitable material.

Claims (5)

1. A bin comprising an entry for flowable material, and exit for flowable material, and a pivotably mounted closure device of the bin which is adapted to close the exit, when supported from below the bin by separate support means, to pivot away from the exit under gravity when the support means is removed, and to close the exit when urged towards the bin by a separate support means.

2. A bin according to Claim 1, the closure device comprising two doors each pivotably mounted at opposite sides of the bin whereby they both pivot away from the exit in opposite senses when a support means is removed.

3. A ban according to Claim 2, in which one door overlaps the other when the exit is closed, each door having part of a guide means, both parts co-operating to guide the overlapped door to close the exit before the overlapping door.

4. A bin according to Claim 3, the overlapping door having a cam comprising its respective guide means part and the overlapped door having a follower, comprising its respective guide means part, the arrangement being such that as the cam pivots with its respective door, the follower is urged to move and to pivot its respective door.

5. A bin, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.