GB2278600A

GB2278600A - Storage and transport of damp-susceptible materials

Info

Publication number: GB2278600A
Application number: GB9409935A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Jessett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-19
Filing date: 1994-05-18
Publication date: 1994-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-18
Also published as: GB2278600B; GB9310270D0; GB9409935D0

Abstract

A portable storage unit for damp-susceptible material such as cement, comprising a container 18 loadable with material through a lid 20 which seals closed, a chute 22 at the bottom of the container and within the container an Archimedes-type screw (24, Figs 4 and 5), operable by means of a handle (30) accessible on the outside of the container to deliver material through the chute. The container is transportable on a base 16 either having road wheels 12 and/or feet 38 or tilted and slid onto a vehicle load bed 42 via lateral arms 40. The container can have a skid or roller 46 and a side hatch 48 for loading in the transport position. <IMAGE>

Description

Storage and Transport of Damp-Susceptible Materials This invention relates to the storage and transport of materials which are susceptible to water and damp, and will deteriorate to a non-usable condition if subject to excess dampness, especially building materials such as dry cement powder and plaster powder.

It is common knowledge that many builders have difficulties with the storage and transport of cement powder and the like.

Cement producers and large building merchants sometimes have large silos for cement storage, from which a required amount of powder can be drawn by vacuum suction equipment. Many builders, however, have the problem of transporting a limited quantity of cement to a site where the cement is to be used, and then storing the bags on site while work progresses.

The bags have to be protected from rain, during both transport and storage, and whatever system is adopted, it is liable to be both time-consuming and expensive.

According to the invention, there is provided a portable storage unit for damp-susceptible materials, comprising a container, lid means at the top openable to enable the container to be loaded with material, said lid means closing the container in a watertight manner, a chute at the bottom of the container for delivery of the material, accessible control means for opening and closing the chute and controlling the delivery of material by the chute, and supporting means for the container whereby it can be towed by a vehicle or loaded on to the goods-carrying bed of a vehicle.

Preferably the container and parts housed therein are made of plastics material such as polypropylene to reduce risk of condensation on interior surfaces in contact with material in the container.

A preferred control means for the chute is an Archimedestype screw within the container controllable by a handle outside the container. Although in the closed position the Archimedes screw will close the chute reasonably reliably, the chute may as a safety precaution also be provided with an openable/closable shutter, especially intended for use during transport of the container.

The supporting means for the container preferably comprises a base having ground wheels enabling the container to be towed. Liftable lugs may also be provided on the base for use when the container is free standing.

Alternatively, however, the supporting means may comprise fixed legs and a laterally projecting arm means on which the container is pivotally mounted, whereby when the unit and truck are relatively moved to move the arm means over the bed of a truck, the container is tilted and lifted to lie flat (side down) on the bed of the truck for transport purposes.

In the alternative embodiment, a hatch may be provided in the side of the container to enable it to be loaded with material while lying flat on the truck. Additionally, the container may carry a skid or roller to ease its movement along the bed of the truck during loading and unloading.

Preferably, the container has at least one apertured baffle which serves to reduce compaction of the powder stored in the container. An advantage of using an Archimedes-type screw as the chute control means is that, when opened, the screw acts to lift the adjacent powder, breaking up compaction and thus assisting free flow of the powder into the chute.

Two embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side and end views of one embodiment of storage unit; Figure 3 shows the container forming the main component of the unit; Figures 4 and 5 are interior views of the container, seen in directions at right angles; and Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of storage unit and is also illustrative of its manner of loading on to a truck.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, a storage unit for cement or like material susceptible to water and/or dampness comprises a trailer 10 with ground wheels 12 and tow bar 14 enabling the trailer to be towed by a vehicle. The trailer has an upstanding frame 16 on which is mounted a lidded container 18 for the cement powder.

The container 18 is shown in isolation in Figure 3. It has a lid 20 which when closed overhangs the main body of the container around its periphery so as to reduce risk of entry of rain water to the container interior. The lid 20 also closes as a tight fit forming a seal against water ingress, as by means of screwthread fittings or other fastening means, possibly associated with a rubber or plastics seal.

At the bottom of the container it tapers to an off-centre chute 22.

The container 18 and parts within it are preferably moulded of plastics material such as polypropylene to reduce risk of condensation on interior surfaces.

The container is top loaded with cement powder after opening the lid. After closing the lid, the unit may then be towed to a site where the cement is to be used.

For controlling the delivery of cement to be used through the chute 22, an Archimedes-type screw 24 is provided, operable via a transmission 26 including bevel gearing 28 from a rotatable handle 30 accessible on the outside of the container 18. Lifting the screw 24 opens the chute, and lowering the screw closes the chute. For additional security against leakage of powder when the chute is closed, a slidable shutter 32 is provided, especially for use during transport.

Apertured baffles 34 within the container minimise risk of powder compaction. When lifted to open the chute, the upward movement of the screw 24 also tends to break up compacted powder in the container, facilitating its free delivery from the chute. A shield 35 is provided above the transmission to the screw.

The unit has vertically movable legs 36 lowered to engage the ground when the unit is free standing ready to deliver cement.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, the container 18 is identical, but the ground wheels, towing bar and movable legs are replaced by fixed legs 38. Additionally, the frame 16 includes laterally projecting arms 40, preferably foldable out of the way when not in use and possibly of adjustable height, to which the part of the frame carrying the container is pivotally mounted.

In use, movement of the arms over the bed 42 of a flat bed truck, as by pushing the unit towards the truck, rearward movement of the truck, or a combination of both, enables the unit to be lifted and tilted to slide on its side on to the truck bed, where it can be secured against an end stop 44 to permit transport. On site, the unit can be unloaded by a reverse procedure.

A stud or roller 46 may be provided on the container 18 to ease its sliding movement on the bed of the truck, and a hatch 48 may be incorporated in the side of the container to enable it to be loaded with cement or other material while lying on its side on the truck.

It is apparent that features of the first and second embodiments may be combined to provide a storage unit which either may be towed or may be loaded on to a truck.

In a non-illustrated modification, the Archimedes-type screw 24 is provided with one or more transverse aerofoilshaped bars or fins which, in use, tend to scoop material surrounding the screw inwardly into or towards the path of the screw. It is apparent that, in this case, assuming the container 18 to be cylindrical, then in contrast to the arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5, the screw, and also the exit chute 22, are preferably located on the central axis of the container.

Claims

1. A portable storage unit for damp-susceptible materials such as cement powder, comprising a container, lid means at the top openable to enable the container to be loaded with material, said lid means closing the container in a watertight manner, a chute at the bottom of the container for delivery of the material, accessible control means for opening and closing the chute and controlling the delivery of material by the chute, and supporting means for the container whereby it can be towed by a vehicle or loaded on to the goods-carrying bed of a vehicle.

2. A storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the container and parts housed therein are made of plastics material such as polypropylene to reduce risk of condensation on interior surfaces in contact with material in the container.

3. A storage unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control means for the chute is an Archimedestype screw within the container controllable by a handle outside the container.

4. A storage unit according to claim 3, wherein the screw carries transverse bars or fins.

5. A storage unit according to claim 4, wherein the transverse bars or fans are aerofoil shaped to scoop material into or towards the path of the screw.

6. A storage unit according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the chute is provided with an openable/closable shutter, especially intended for use during transport of the container.

7. A storage unit according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container is cylindrical and the chute and control means therefor lie on the axis of the cylinder.

8. A storage unit according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the supporting means for the container comprises a base having ground wheels enabling the container to be towed.

9. A storage unit according to claim 8, wherein liftable lugs are also provided on the base for use when the container is free standing.

10. A storage unit according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the supporting means comprises fixed legs and a laterally projecting arm means on which the container is pivotally mounted, whereby when the unit and truck are relatively moved to move the arm means over the bed of a truck, the container is tilted and lifted to lie flat (side down) on the bed of the truck for transport purposes.

11. A storage unit according to claim 10, wherein a hatch is provided in the side of the container to enable it to be loaded with material while lying flat on the truck.

12. A storage unit according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the container carries a skid or roller to ease its movement along the bed of the truck during loading and unloading.

13. A storage unit according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the container has at least one apertured baffle serving to reduce compaction of material in the container.

14. A portable storage unit for damp-susceptible material such as cement, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.