GB2275466A

GB2275466A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2275466A
Application number: GB9302651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Hey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-10
Filing date: 1993-02-10
Publication date: 1994-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-10
Also published as: GB9302651D0; GB2275466B

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for transiently storing fluid materials. The container comprises a chamber with a plurality of sides having at least one upper access port 6 and at least one lower emptying means, provided with at least one releasable lower closure means 9, whereby opening of the lower closure means enables the contents to flow out of the container under the action of gravity. Preferably the inner walls e.g. 7a, 8a, slope inwardly to facilitate flow. Preferably a plastic liner is provided. The closure is preferably a hinged gate covering the whole bottom of the container. A lid can be provided for the opening 6. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO CONTAINERS The invention relates to a container for use, particularly, but not exclusively, in the transient storage of slurries, viscous materials and indeed any other fluid compositions such as cementitious powders or granules.

It is known to store fluid materials such as slurries, viscous materials and powders or granules as aforedescribed in containers having at least one opening and a tilting means for tilting the containers so as to enable the contents of same to be emptied under the force of gravity.

It will be understood that the manufacturer of a container as aforedescribed includes a number of inter-relating and relatively expensive parts. However, If the container is to function, that is to transiently store its contents and subsequently empty same from therein, it has, hitherto, been necessary to provide such an elaborate container.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a container which is able to perform the above function but which is relatively easy to manufacture, in that it dispenses with the need for any tilting device and which has relatively few sophisticated parts and which is further inexpensive to buy.

According to the invention there is therefore provided a container for transiently storing fluid materials including a chamber having a plurality of sides; and at least one upper access port, and at least one lower emptying port provided with at least one releasable closure means whereby opening of the lower closure means enables the slurry or the like to flow out of the container under the action of gravity.

Preferably the closure means is hingedly connected to the container and ideally forms the entire floor of the container such that release of the closure means results in the removal of the floor of the container and so allows the contents to be emptied under gravity.

Preferably the closure means is held In a closed condition by means of at least one automatic release lock.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention, the Inner most walls of the chamber slope inwardly so as to provide a negative angle down which the contents of the container can flow.

Preferably also there is provided a plastic insert adapted to fit within the container so as to provide a relatively friction free surface over which the contents of the container can flow.

Preferably also, there is provided attachment means for securing the plastic insert to the upper most sides of the container.

Preferably said attachment means are releasable.

Preferably further still, there is provided a lid for positioning over the access port so as to seal the container.

Preferably further still, the container is provided with a means whereby the container can be moved around.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 represents a plan view of a container in accordance with the Invention; Figure 2 represents a side elevation, in part sectional view, of a container In accordance with the invention; Figure 3 represents a bottom view of a container in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 represents a perspective view of a container in accordance with the invention; and Figure 5 represents a end view of a container in accordance with the Invention.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figure 1, there is illustrated a generally rectangular container 1 having four interconnecting and upwardly sloping roof members comprising: opposed, elongate roof members 2 and 3 and opposed, squat roof members 4 and 5. The upper most edges of roof members 2, 3, 4 and 5 converge to define an access port 6, which port 6 may or may not be provided with a lid means for the purpose of sealing the container.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a side sectional view of the container and it can be seen that the outer most faces of end walls 7 and 8 are horizontal, whereas the inner most surfaces of end walls 7 and 8, walls 7a and 8a respectively, slope Inwards with respect to the container so as to define a negative angle along which container contents flow.

It can be seen from Figure 3 that the bottom of container 1 is provided with a bottom door 9 which is hingedly connected to the base of the container 10 by means of hinge 11. Opposite hinge 11 the further most edge 9a of door 9 is provided with automatic release locks 12. It will be understood that although two release locks are shown in the embodiment herein described, the number1 nature and position of release locks is immaterial to the working of the invention, rather it is sufficient that at least one lock Is provided so as to selectively determine the relatively open or closed position of the bottom door 9.

Referring now to Figure 5, it can be seen that the container is provided with side walls 13 and 14 whose outer most surfaces are vertical and whose inner most surfaces 1 3a and 1 4a respectively slope inwardly with respect to the container so as to provide a negative angle along which the contents of the container flow.

Further, although not shown in the accompanying drawings1 the invention includes the provision of a plastics insert which can be releasably attached to the container so as to provide a relatively friction free surface along which the contents of the container can flow when the bottom drawer 9 is released.

It will therefore be understood from the foregoing that the container provides an elegant way of ensuring that a fluid material can be transiently stored, and indeed, when the container is provided with wheels, rollers of the like, moved around before being emptied from the container by simply releasing the lower, hinged bottom door. At this point, the contents will flow from the container under the influence of gravity, aided by the inwardly sloping inner most walls of the container and the provision of at least one relatively friction free plastic insert, or alternatively a number of interconnecting plastic Inserts.

Claims

1. A container for transiently storing fluid materials comprising; a chamber having a plurality of sides; at least one upper access port; and at least one lower emptying port provided with at least one releasable lower closure means whereby opening of said lower closure means enables the contents of said chamber to flow out of the container under the action of gravity.

2. A container according to Claim 1 wherein said closure means is hingedly connected to the container.

3. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein said closure means comprises the entire floor of the container, whereby release of said closure means results in the removal of the floor of the container and so allows the contents to be emptied under gravity.

4. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein said closure means is held in a closed condition by means of at least one automatic lock.

5. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein the innermost walls of said chamber slope so as to provide an angle down which the contents of the container can flow.

6. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein there is also provided a plastic insert, which plastic insert is adapted to fit within the container -so as to provide a relatively friction free surface over which the contents of the container can flow.

7. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein said plastic insert provides the innermost walls of said chamber, which innermost walls slope so as to provide an angle down which the contents of the container can flow.

8. A container according to Claim 6 or 7 wherein attachment means are provided for securing said plastic insert to the uppermost sides of the container.

9. A container according to Claim 8 wherein said attachment means are releasable.

10. A container according to any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the innermost walls of the chamber are adapted to provide a relatively friction free surface over which the contents of the container may flow.

11. A container according to any of Claims 1 to 5 or 10 wherein the innermost walls of the chamber are coated with a plastic material.

12. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein a lid for positioning over said upper access port so as to seal the container is provided.

13. A container according to Claim 12 wherein evacuation means is provided for creating a vacuum.

14. A container according to any preceding Claim wherein said container is provided with a means whereby the container can be supported and/or moved around.

15. A container for transiently storing fluid materials substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.