GB2526868A

GB2526868A - Bulk material handling system and container

Info

Publication number: GB2526868A
Application number: GB1410033.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Bruce Penprase
Original assignee: CONQUIP ENGINEERING GROUP
Current assignee: CONQUIP ENGINEERING GROUP
Priority date: 2014-06-05
Filing date: 2014-06-05
Publication date: 2015-12-09
Also published as: WO2015185943A1; GB201410033D0

Abstract

A bulk container has an arrangement for hanging it 15, 24 and an opening selectively covered by a door 8 whose opening is controlled by dispensing mechanism 17. Ideally the opening is in the base of the container and it is selectively covered by two doors 8, 9 hinged to the side walls. The mechanism preferably comprises chains 21, 23 and straps 16, 17 running from the sides of the door through chain guides 25, 26 to a spreader bar 24 which can be used to lift the container. The container can be hooked 15 along its edge to a stand so that the main hoist can be released allowing both doors to open.

Description

BULK MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM AND CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bulk material handling system. This invention further relates to a container for a bulk material handling system.

The system and container of the present invention are particularly suitable for transporting and dispensing bulk material for use on a construction site or for the removal of waste materials, e.g. from construction or excavation sites. However, the system and container of the present invention are also suitable for a wide variety of other applications in other industries.

BACKGROUND TO THE PRESENT INVENTION

A bulk material handling system is marketed by the present applicant under the name "CA500 Bulk Excavation System" or "CA500 series". This system generally comprises a rectangular skip, having a pair of hinged doors forming a bottom surface of the skip which may be opened to dispense a material contained within the skip. An arrangement of beams which project from the endwalls of the skip provide means for supporting the skip at either end.

The skip can be moved around a site using a crane and lowered onto a gantry which supports the beams extending from the ends of the skip to support the skip in a raised position and allow the doors to be opened in order to empty the contents of the skip onto the ground below.

Straps coupled to the ends of the doors are attached to vertically orientated chains that are coupled to the ends of a spreader beam assembly. The lower ends of the straps are coupled to the outer corners of the doors so that when the doors are closed, the points of connection of the straps are adjacent one another where the inner edges of the doors meet.

A crane may be coupled to the spreader beam assembly to manoeuvre the skip.

Tension in the chains ensures that the doors remain closed, preventing the contents from being dispensed during skip movements. When the skip is lowered onto the gantry to support the skip at both ends, the spreader beam may be lowered by the crane allowing the doors to rotate about their hinges to dispense the contents of the skip onto the ground below.

This prior art system generally provides an effective way of transporting and dispensing bulk or waste material. However, the inventor of the present invention has identified some limitations associated with the existing system.

The inventor has identified that the framework protruding from the ends of the skip makes the skip bulky and heavy and necessitates a large, bulky, gantry in order to support the skip at both ends and provide a central void into which the contents of the skip may be dispensed. This gantry may obstruct movement of workers and equipment around the site.

The inventor has further identified that the size of the gantry required to support the skip at both ends means that it may be difficult for workers or heavy moving equipment to access the dispensed contents of the skip from the area beneath it. The inventor has further identified that the gantry also imposes a height restriction which may limit movement of heavy moving equipment around the site. The inventor has further identified that the point of attachment of the straps at the corners of the hinged doors mean that a substantial part of the load of the bulk material stored within the container is transferred through the hinges which, requires the hinges to be made from appropriate materials, which may be expensive.

The inventor is the first to appreciate that there is a need for an improved bulk excavation system which addresses the aforementioned drawbacks and provides a system which may be more easily and effectively used on an excavation or construction site.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides: a bulk material handling system comprising: at least one container for containing a bulk material, comprising: at least one opening; at least one door moveable between a closed position in which the at least one door occludes the at least one opening, and an open position; a bulk material dispensing mechanism; and at least one container hanging means; and a support structure comprising at least one support structure hanging means; wherein the at least one container hanging means is engageable with the at least one support structure hanging means so as to hang the container from the support structure; and wherein the bulk material dispensing mechanism is operable to move the at least one door between the closed position and the open position so as to dispense a bulk material from the container.

The bulk material handling system of the present invention enables a container to be supported by, or hung from, the support structure along only one side of the container.

The container may thereby form a cantilever with the support structure.

The bulk material handling system of the present invention provides a system which may be more easily and effectively used on an excavation or construction site. The system requires a substantially less bulky support structure (or gantry) for supporting the container which has clear advantages over the known system. The number of gantry or frame members required to perform the gantry or support structure is reduced. This reduces the time required to assemble the gantry and the cost of the materials required to form the gantry. It also reduces the time required to dissemble and remove the gantry when the system is no longer required. It also provides significantly improved access to the dispensed contents of the container making it easier for construction workers or heavy moving equipment to remove it. It substantially reduces the footprint of the gantry making it less likely to obstruct movement of workers and equipment around the site and maximising the workable area of a construction or excavation site around it. It also reduces the eliminates the height restriction associated with the gantry of the known system which supports the container at both ends and has cross-members running along the length of the gantry.

The at least one container hanging means may be any means which enables the container to be engaged with the at least one support structure hanging means so as to hang the container from the support structure. In addition to any specific embodiments described below, the container hanging means may, for example, be an elongate hook or rail or bar or other suitable device for hanging the container from the support structure.

The at least one support structure hanging means may be any means which engages with the container hanging means so as to hang the container from the support structure. In addition to any specific embodiments described below, the support structure hanging means may, for example, be an elongate hook or rail or bar or other suitable device for hanging the container from the support structure.

One or both of the at least one container hanging means and the least one support structure hanging means may comprise a lip or rim which engages with the other to provide a more secure engagement but this is not essential.

Preferred or advantageous features of the present invention in a first aspect are defined in the dependent claims to which reference should be made. These features include the following.

Preferably, the container comprises a second container hanging means engageable with the at least one support structure hanging means so that the container is supportable by the support structure in either one of a first and a second orientation. This may reduce the manoeuvring required to hang the container from the support structure. It may also allow a choice of hanging orientation in the event that the container is unevenly weighted.

Preferably, the, or each, container hanging means is an elongate hanging means.

Preferably, the, or each, container hanging means has a lip or rim for engagement with the support structure hanging means. This may permit more secure engagement between the hanging meanss and a more stable coupling between the container and the support structure.

Preferably, the at least one door is rotatable about at least one hinge between the closed position and the open position.

Preferably, the container comprises at least two doors, the at least doors being rotatable about respective first and second hinges between a closed position, in which the at least two door collectively occlude the at least one opening, and an open position.

Preferably, the container comprises a substantially open bottom and the at least one door is moveable between the closed position, in which the at least one door occludes the substantially open bottom, and the open position.

Preferably, the at least one support structure comprises at least one substantially vertical frame member supporting the at least one support structure hanging means.

Preferably, the at least one support structure comprises at least two substantially vertical frame members supporting the at least one support structure hanging means.

Preferably, the at least one substantially vertical frame member is attachable to at least one ground engaging frame member. Preferably, at least two substantially vertical frame members are attachable to at least two substantially horizontal ground engaging frame members. The ground engaging frame member(s) may provide additional support for the substantially vertical frame members and may increase the load bearing capacity of the support structure.

Preferably, the container comprises at least a first pair of opposed sidewalls and at least a second pair of pair of opposed sidewalls connecting the first pair of opposed sidewalls, and a pair of doors, each of the doors being hinged proximate a bottom end of an opposite one of each of the first pair of opposed sidewalls.

Preferably, the at least one container hanging means protrudes from at least one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls. Preferably, the at least one container hanging means protrudes from at least one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls at a position above the hinge. Preferably the container hanging means extends from the at least one sidewall, from a top edge of the sidewall or from a flange or rim along the upper edge of the sidewall which may be used to stiffen the sidewall. Preferably, the at least one container hanging means is substantially parallel to the hinge.

Preferably, the second hanging means protrudes from the opposite one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls so that the container is supportable by the support structure along either a first one or a second one of the least one pair of opposed sidewalls.

Preferably, the bulk material dispensing mechanism comprises: a first pair of connecting devices proximate a first one of the opposed pair of endwalls, each connecting device coupled at one end to an opposite one of the doors; a first lifting means coupled to the second ends of each of the first pair of connecting devices; a second pair of connecting devices proximate a second one of the opposed pair of endwalls, each connecting device coupled at one end to an opposite one of the doors; and a second lifting means coupled to the second ends of each of the second pair of connecting devices. This may provide a simple, rugged and effective mechanism for opening the doors so as to dispense the contents of the container.

Preferably, the first and second pairs of connecting devices comprise first and second pairs of straps. Preferably, the first and second pairs of straps are pivotally coupled at their first ends of the doors. This may enable increased movement of the doors so as to maximise the size of the opening through which the bulk material may be dispensed.

Preferably, the first ends of the first and second pairs of straps are coupled to pivots positioned centrally along the ends of the doors. Alternatively, the first ends of the first and second pairs of straps may be coupled to pivots positioned on a longitudinally orientated stiffening members running through each of the doors. This may increase the stiffness of the doors and the load carrying capacity of the container. Preferably, the longitudinally orientated stiffening members are positioned on, or proximate, a longitudinal centreline of the doors. Central positioning of the pivots on the ends of the doors may lead to a shift in the load away from the hinges of the container on to the straps and the lifting means. This reduces the load on the hinges and may enable smaller, lighter, hinges to be used that are made from less expensive materials.

Preferably, the first and second lifting means are cables or chains. Preferably, the cables or chains pass through guides attached to the opposed endwalls of the container.

This may help to guide the cables or chains and ensure smooth, unrestricted, movement of the dispensing mechanism.

The first and second lifting means may be coupled to a spreader beam assembly.

This may permit safe and effective handling of the container by a crane or other lifting device.

A height of the at least one support structure hanging means may be adjustable.

This may enable the container to be supported at different heights or may accommodate containers of different sizes.

Preferably, at least a portion of the at least one container hanging means and at least a portion of the support structure hanging means are complementary. This may improve the stability and security of the hanging relationship between the container and the support structure. It may also help to guide the corresponding hanging means into secure engagement with one another.

Preferably, the at least one support structure hanging means comprises a buffer portion for engaging with an outer surface of the container. This may help to prevent tipping of the container and maintain it in a vertical orientation.

The present invention in a second aspect provides: a container for a bulk material handling system, the container comprising: at least one opening; at least one door moveable between a closed position in which the at least one door occludes the at least one opening, and an open position; a bulk material dispensing mechanism; and at least one container hanging means; wherein the container is coupleable to a support structure using the hanging means so as to hang the container from the support structure; and wherein the bulk material dispensing mechanism is operable to move the at least one door between the closed position and the open position so as to dispense a bulk material from the container.

Preferred or advantageous features of the present invention in a second aspect are defined in the dependent claims to which reference should be made, and are discussed above in relation to features of the system of the invention in a first aspect.

The container and system of the present invention are suitable for use in a number of different industries including the following, among others. They may, for example, be used in the construction industry to store, transport and dispense sand, gravel, rubble, stones etc. They may also be used for the removal of materials from a construction or excavation site, including soil, clay, rocks, stones, sand, wood chips, waste materials and spoils etc. They may be used in the mining industry for example to store, transport and dispense products such as coal, ores, salt, sand and other materials from a mining site.

They may also be used in the haulage and shipping industry for example to enable raw materials or waste materials to be positioned on, and removed from, multi-wheeled vehicles, ships and other transport vehicles and vessels. They may also be used in the agriculture industry, for example to store, transport and dispense materials such as sugar, other food substances and food waste products. They may also be used in a variety of industries to store, transport and dispense liquid products. Other suitable uses will be apparent to the skilled person.

Any feature in one aspect or embodiment of the invention may be applied to other aspects or embodiments of the invention, in any appropriate combination. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect or embodiment can be applied to any, some and/or all features of any other aspect or embodiment, in any appropriate combination. It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects or embodiments of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bulk material handling system embodying the present invention in a first aspect; Figure 2 is a side view of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an overhead view of the system of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a front view of the system of Figures ito 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example container for a bulk material handling system embodying the present invention in a second aspect; Figure 6 is a further perspective view of the container of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the container of Figures 5 and 6; Figure 8 is an end view of the container of Figures 5 to 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the container of Figures 5 to 8 in which a pair of doors are shown in a partially open position; Figure 10 is a further perspective view of the container of Figures 5 to 8 in which the doors are shown in a fully open position; Figure 11 is an end view of the container of Figures 5 to 8 in which the pair of doors are shown in a partially open position; Figure 12 is a further end view of the container of Figures 5 to 8 in which the doors are shown in a fully open position; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a support structure forming part of the bulk material handling system embodying the present invention in a first aspect; Figure 14 is a front view of the support structure of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a side view of the support structure of Figures 13 and 14; Figure 16 is an overhead view of the support structure of Figures 13 to 15; Figure 17 is a further perspective view of a bulk material handling system embodying the present invention in which a container is being lowered towards a support structure; Figure 18 is a side view of the system of Figure 17 in which the container is positioned close to the support structure; Figure 19 is a further side view of the system of Figure 17 in which the container is supported by the support structure with a pair of doors in a closed position; Figure 20 is a further side view of the system of Figure 17 in which the doors of the container are in a partially open position; and Figure 21 is a further side view of the system of Figure 17 in which the doors are shown in a fully open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A bulk material handling system 1 embodying the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4. The system generally comprises a container 2 and a support structure 3 for supporting the container in an elevated position. The container is shown in more detail in Figures 5 to 12. The support structure is shown in more detail in Figures 13 to 16.

In one example embodiment, the container is a generally rectangular container or skip comprising four walls connected at corners, a shorter pair of opposed walls forming a pair of end walls 4 and a longer pair of opposed walls forming a pair of sidewalls 5. The skip has an open mouth 6 and an open bottom 7.

The skip is provided with a pair of hinged doors 8,9. The doors are hinged along their outer edges to a lower portion of opposite sidewalls 5 of the skip. In a closed position (Figures 7 and 8), the doors occlude the open bottom of the container so that the skip may be used to transport bulk materials. In an open position (Figures 10 and 12), the doors hang substantially vertically beneath and substantially in line with the opposing sidewalls of the skip.

Where the container is intended for storing, transporting and dispensing solid material, for example, soil, clay, sand or stones, there may not be any need for a seal around the doors to prevent leakage from the container when the doors are in the closed position. Where the container is intended for use in storing, transporting and dispensing a liquid material, a seal may be provided around the doors to prevent leakage from the container when the doors are in the closed position.

Preferably, inner ends 10,11 of the doors 8,9 comprise angled or pointed inner edges (or knife edges') which are positioned substantially adjacent, or butt up against, one another, when the doors are in the closed position. The doors may be provided with replaceable pointed or angled edges. The angled edges may help to reduce or eliminate a risk of bulk material being trapped between the inners edges of the doors that might otherwise prevent the doors from moving to a fully closed position and might otherwise cause leakage from the container. The angled edges are designed to urge bulk material in the vicinity of the doors upward into the container or, if appropriate for a particular application, out of the container into the space below it, to allow the doors to move to the fully closed position.

The doors may include one or more stiffening members 12,13 orientated transversely and/or longitudinally to stiffen the doors. The sidewalls and/or endwalls may also comprise one or more stiffening members 14.

The skip is further provided with at least one hanging means 15 to permit the skip to be hung from the support structure. The hanging means is an elongate hanging device such as a hook member or side rail protruding from at least one sidewall of the skip, from an upper edge of the sidewall or from a flange around the top of the sidewall. The hook member may be welded to the container or affixed to it by any other suitable means. The hook member may alternatively extend from the sidewall at a position below the top of the sidewall. The hook member is positioned above and is substantially parallel to the hinge.

Providing the skip with a hook member 15 along each of the opposed sidewalls as shown in the Figures enables the skip to be hung from the support structure along either one of the opposed sidewalls of the skip.

As shown in Figures 11 to 12, an upper surface of each hook member forms an acute angle with its respective sidewall, thereby providing a sloping upper surface. This may help to minimise or eliminate build up of bulk material that might otherwise occur on a flat upper surface and might thereby help to minimise or eliminate spillage of bulk material from the container.

The container is provided with a dispensing mechanism for opening the hinged doors so as to dispense bulk material stored within the container. The mechanism comprises a first pair of straps 16 coupled at their respective first ends to a first end of each of the doors and a second pair of straps 17 coupled at their respective first ends to a second end of each of the doors. Each strap of the first and second pairs of straps is pivotally coupled at a first end to an end of one of the doors 8,9. The first ends of the straps are pivotally coupled at 18,18a and 19,19a to a central portion of the ends of the doors. The first ends of the straps may be pivotally coupled to a central portion of the ends of the doors. The first ends of the straps may alternatively be pivotally coupled to stiffening beams or struts positioned on or adjacent the longitudinal centreline of each door.

Pivotally coupling the first ends of the straps to the centre of the doors or to a stiffening member positioned on the centreline of the doors has the advantage that the load is transferred substantially, or entirely, away from the hinges and instead passes through the straps 16,17 and the chains 21,23 and is transferred to the crane or lifting device. This may enable the hinges to be made smaller and lighter and from a less expensive, material.

The first ends of the straps may be pivotally coupled to the doors by bolts or pins or clevis pins or any other suitable means. The second end of each of the first pair of straps may be coupled to a first hook or lifting eye 20 at a lower end of a first vertically orientated chain or cable 21. The second end of each of the second pair of straps is attached to a second hook or lifting eye 22 at a lower end of a second vertically orientated chain or cable 23. The straps may be coupled to the lifting eyes by bolts or clevis pins or any other suitable fixing means.

Holes in the first and/or second ends of the straps for accommodating the fixing means may be provided with wearable inserts which may be made from a different material to that of the straps. The inserts may be replaced, if necessary, during maintenance of the container in the event that they are found to have worn. This may reduce or eliminate the need for the straps and/or or the bolts or pins or other fixing means coupling the first ends of the straps to be replaced and may reduce the time and cost associated with maintenance of the container.

The first and second chains may be coupled at their upper ends to hooks or lifting eyes attached to opposite ends of a spreader beam assembly 24 which may be coupled to a crane or other lifting device using further chains or cables.

The first chain passes through a first chain or cable guide 25 affixed to a first endwall of the skip. The second chain passes through a second chain or cable guide 26 affixed to a second endwall of the skip. The chain guides may be affixed to the endwalls by any suitable means, such as welding, or using conventional fixing means.

The chain guides may be provided with replaceable inserts providing a wearable surface in contact with the chain. The inserts can be replaced, for example, by removing one or more fixings coupling a removable outer portion of the chain guide to the remainder of the chain guide, removing the worn inserts and inserting new ones and then recoupling the two halves of the chain guides with the fixings.

A depression or channel or groove 29 may be provided in the angle section running along the outside surface ends of the container to prevent contact with the chains or an attachment device such as clevis pin which secures the lower end of each chain to the second ends of the straps.

In one example of a suitable skip construction, an upper edge or rim 27 of the skip is formed from lengths of square section tube welded at their ends. The sidewalls and endwalls 4,5 of the skip are formed from sheet material welded to the tube. The sidewalls are stiffened on their outside surface using a plurality of stiffening members 14 welded to the sidewalls. A lower edge or rim 28 of the sidewalls is stiffened with lengths of angle section welded to the outside of the sidewalls.

The use of angle section on the outside of the side walls as opposed to square section tube such as is used to form the upper edge of the container avoids any constriction around the inside of the open bottom of the container that might otherwise cause a build up of bulk material and might otherwise restrict the flow of a bulk material being dispensed from the container. In a fully open position with the doors handing vertically below the sidewalls of the container, this container construction provides the container with a substantially vertical and smooth inner surface from the upper edge of the container down to the inner or lower edge (knife edge) of the doors (Figures 10 and 12).

Preferably, the square section tube forming the upper edge or rim of the skip is angled at 45 degrees to the rest of the skip. Preferably, the angle section around the outside of the bottom of the sidewalls is also angled at 45 degrees to the rest of the skip.

This may help to minimise or eliminate horizontal or level surfaces that might otherwise lead to a build up of bulk material and might otherwise cause leakage of bulk from the container.

Other suitable methods for constructing the skip will be apparent to the skilled person.

A support system 3 forming part of the bulk material handling system is shown in Figures 13 to 16. The support structure generally comprises a pair of spaced apart, substantially vertical, frame members (or uprights) 30,31 and a substantially horizontal hook member in the form of a cross-member 32 affixed to and extending between the uprights. The uprights are shown in the Figures as I-section beams but the skilled person will readily appreciate that other shapes may be also be suitable. The cross-member may be affixed to the uprights by any suitable attachment means, including by conventional fixing means (e.g. bolts).

An example profile of the cross-member is shown in Figure 15. The cross-member comprises an upwardly extending hook portion 33 and an buffer portion 34. Preferably, the profile of the cross-member hook portion substantially corresponds to the shape of the hook members 15 provided along the sidewalls of the container. The buffer member is designed to engage with an outer surface of a sidewall of the container so as to maintain the container in an upright position.

A container engaging surface of the buffer member and/or a container engaging surface of the hook member may be provided with a replaceable pad. The replaceable pad may made from a material which is softer than the material from which the buffer member and the skip are made. The pad may extend substantially along the entire length of the hook member and/or the buffer member or may extend only along a portion of the length of the hook member and/or the buffer member. More than one pad may be provided in a layered configuration or adjacent one another on the length of the hook member and/or the buffer member. The pad(s) provides a replaceable, wearable, surface which reduce the likelihood of the sidewall of the skip being damaged during engagement with and disengagement from the support structure. The pad may also lead to a reduction in noise that would otherwise be generated during interactions between the skip and the support structure. This may enable the system to be used outside of normal construction hours (e.g. during the night).

The support structure may further comprise a pair of spaced apart, substantially horizontal, ground engaging frame members 35,36 for supporting the uprights. The uprights may be positioned in contact with the ground or other surface. The uprights may be embedded in a concrete slab or pad to provide additional support and increase the load bearing capacity of the support structure in the horizontal and/or vertical directions. The lower ends of the uprights are attachable to the inner ends of the ground engaging frame members using conventional fixing means such as bolts, or by welding or another suitable joining process. The ground engaging frame members may extend only in front of the uprights as shown. Alternatively, they may extend only to the rear of the uprights, or may extend in front of and to the rear of the uprights.

Some suitable materials for the various components of the system include: mild steel for the container (for any or all of the sidewalls, endwalls, tube forming the upper rim, and stiffening members); mild steel for the straps; structural steel (e.g. s355) for the hook members; hardened steel e.g. EN24T for the pins which couple the straps to the doors; nylon for the replaceable chain guide inserts and for the replaceable sidewall engaging faces of the cross-member buffers (which may be oil impregnated nylon); mild steel bolts for the hinges for the doors. The structure of the container may be welded. The hook members may be affixed to the container by welding.

In one example configuration of a system embodying the present invention: the container may be between about 1.5 and about 2 metres wide; the container may be about 2.5 and about 3 metres long; the container may be between about 1.5 and about 2 metres deep; the hook members may be made form from steel plate which may be between about 5mm and about 15mm thick; the hook members may be between about 1.75 and about 2.25 metres long; the hook members may extend between about 125mm and about 250mm from the sidewall of the container; the cross-member may be between about 2.25 and about 2.75 metres long; the cross-member may be positioned at a height of between about 2.5 and about 3.5 metres; the uprights and/or the ground engaging frame members may be positioned between about 2 and about 3 metres apart; and the container engaging surface of the cross-member may be between about 0.5 and about 1 metre from the rear surface of the uprights.

In use of the system, a crane may be used to position the container 2 on the ground or other surface, the hinged doors being maintained in the closed position by contact with the ground. The container may then be filled with a bulk material, for example, sand, gravel or other construction materials or waste materials. The crane may then be used to lift the container and move it to a different location on a construction or excavation site or to position it on a transport vehicle, for example a multi-wheeled transport vehicle, or a ship.

Lifting the container filled with material by the spreader beam assembly 24 maintains tension in the first 21 and second 23 chains which acts via the first 16 and second 17 pairs of straps to maintain the doors 8,9 in the closed position and prevent the contents from being dispensed from the container.

With reference to Figures 9to 12, it will be appreciated that when the closed doors of the container are not in contact with the ground or other surface and when the container is supported by means other than a crane or other lifting device, the spreader beam assembly may be lowered so as to lower the first and second chains and allow the hinged doors to rotate about their respective hinges from the closed position towards the open position in which the doors are positioned substantially vertically and hang from their respective hinges. Rotation of the doors 8,9 about their respective hinges from the closed position towards the open position permits bulk material contained within the container to be dispensed through the bottom of the container, the material flow rate increasing as the doors move further towards a fully open position.

With reference to Figures 17 to 21, a container 2 filled with a bulk material is lifted by a crane or other lifting device from the ground or from a transport vehicle and lowered into the vicinity of the support structure. The container is then manoeuvred so as to engage the hook member 15 along one of sidewalls of the container with the correspondingly shaped hook portion 33 of the cross-member 32 of the support structure 3.

Once engaged, the container is hung form the support structure in an elevated position with the buffer portion 34 of the cross-member in contact with the sidewall of the container. This process of aligning the skip with the support structure may be assisted by one or more construction workers using guide ropes affixed to the container.

Once the container is engaged with and supported by the support structure, the crane is used to lower the spreader beam assembly whilst maintaining tension in the chains, thereby lowering the first 21 and second 23 chains and allowing the doors 8,9 to pivot around the hinges and dispense the bulk material stored within the container onto the ground, or into another container positioned beneath it. Once the contents of the container have been dispensed, the crane may be used to raise the spreader bar assembly 24, retracting the hinged doors and rotating them into the closed position. Further lifting of the spreader beam assembly lifts the container out of engagement with the cross-member and enables it to be moved to a different location or positioned on a transport vehicle.

As described above, the lower ends of the straps are pivotally coupled to the longitudinal centreline of the doors or to a stiffening member positioned along the longitudinal centreline of the doors. A further advantage of this configuration is that the majority of the load of the bulk material in the container is borne by the crane or other lifting device during positioning of the container into contact with the support structure with the doors in the fully closed position, and also during rotational movement of the doors from the fully closed to the fully open position to dispense the bulk material. As the majority of the load of the bulk material is continually supported by the crane, the support structure is principally only required to support the weight of the container. This may enable the support structure to be smaller and less bulk than an equivalent system having a different positioning of the ends of the straps relative to the doors in which the support structure is required to support the container and at least a portion of the bulk material load.

The container and the support structure may be reused as required during a particular construction or excavation project. When the bulk material handling system is no longer required, the uprights may be detached from the ground engaging frame members, for example, by removing bolts and/or by cutting through any weld lines so as to enable the uprights to be removed from the site. If appropriate, the ground engaging members may also be removed. The ground engaging members may alternatively be left in place, for example, where they have been embedded in a concrete pad.

The dimensions of the support structure may be varied according to the requirements of a particular site. For example, a span of the cross-member may be reduced or increased in order to accommodate containers of different dimensions. The span of the cross-member may, for example, be increased so that it is wider, or significantly wider, than the container to be supported, allowing flexibility in the positioning of a single container or so as to allow more than one container to be hung from the same cross-member on the same side of the support structure.

In alternative embodiments, additional cross-members may be affixed to the same support structure so as to enable hanging of a single container in more than one location on the same, or opposite, sides of the support structure, to enable hanging of a single container at different heights on the same, or opposite, sides of the support structure, or to enable hanging of more than one container at the same, or different, heights on the same, or opposite, sides of the support structure.

In further alternative embodiments, the height of the one or more cross-members may be adjustable. This may, for example, be achieved by a series of holes in the uprights through which bolts can be positioned in order to select the height of the cross-member. It may also be achieved using a suitable clamping mechanism. The skilled person will appreciate suitable adjustment methods. A system including an adjustable cross-member may be particularly advantageous for accommodating containers of different sizes. It may also be particularly advantageous where materials contained within the container are to be dispensed into a vehicle positioned below the container, as the adjustment means can be used to accommodate vehicles of different types and heights and reduce the risk of spillage of bulk materials.

The number of uprights forming the support structure may be selected according to the requirements of a particular application, for example, the size of the containers to be supported, the required load bearing capacity of the structure and/or the number of containers to be supported. In an alternative embodiment, the support structure may comprise only a single upright which supports a cross-member or hook member having a different configuration. In further alternative embodiments, the support structure may comprise more than two uprights for supporting the cross-member. For example, a third upright may be provided between, or to one side of, the two uprights. This may increase the load carrying capacity of the support structure. It may also enable a longer cross-member to be provided from which to hang a longer container, or to hang more than one container, or to enable greater flexibility of the hanging position of a container at different points along the cross-member.

Two or more support structures may be provided at different locations around a construction or excavation site so as to enable a container carrying bulk material to be supported in one of a number of locations, or to enable a number of containers to be supported simultaneously at different locations. For example, a plurality of support structures such as shown in the Figures may be arranged in an L-shaped or U shaped or rectangular-shaped or square-shaped or horse-shoe shaped configuration around the perimeter of an excavation or construction site or around the perimeter of a part of a construction site e.g. in the proximity of foundations being excavated for a new construction project.

In alternative embodiments, the support structure may be multi-sided. For example, the support structure may be provided as a 2-sided (e.g. [-shaped) or 3-sided (e.g. triangular or U shaped) or 4-sided (e.g. square, diamond or rectangular shaped) or 5-sided or 6-sided etc. structure with one or more cross-members affixed to some, or all, of the sides, enabling one or more containers to be hung from the most appropriate side or sides of the structure. A support structure of this type may, for example, be positioned at one more locations around a site, e.g. around the perimeter of a site of excavation or construction work. Alternatively, it may, for example, be positioned more centrally with excavation oi construction work taking place around it. It may alternatively be positioned in the vicinity of a part of an excavation or construction site so that excavation or construction work may take place in front of or alongside it.

In further alternative embodiments, the support structure may be configured so that more than one container may be hung from opposite sides of the structure (e.g. where cross-members are provided on opposite sides of the same uprights) or different sides of a multi-sided structure (e.g. where cross-members are provided on two or more sides of a structure). This may be particularly advantageous for segregation of materials. For example, waste materials such as excavated soil may be loaded into a first container hung from a first side of the support structure and raw materials, such as sand or concrete, may be dispensed from a second container hung from a second side of the support structure.

It will be appreciated that a support structure according to any of the aforementioned example embodiments may also be formed by one or more cross-members, or hook members having another configuration, being attached to an existing structure such as a front/rear/side wall of an existing building or an existing standalone wall.

It will also be appreciated that the cross-member may be any means that enables a container to be hung from the structure. It may for example be a rail or beam or bar extending from a support structure over which the hook members on the container may be positioned so as to hang the container from the structure. Such a rail or beam or bar may, for example, be of circular, square or rectangular section and may be supported at its ends so as to project in front of the support structure and provide clearance for the hook members to be engaged with it. In a further embodiment, the cross member may generally be provided as a trough or channel, or a series of hooks forming a trough or channel, which projects from the support structure and has a profile, e.g. a substantially semi-circular section, for receiving the container hook member e.g. a bar or tube of circular section.

In further alternative embodiments, the container may have only one door hinged along one side of the container or may have more than two doors, each door being hinged along its outer edge, or part of its outer edge, to a respective sidewall of the container.

Alternatively, one or more doors may be hinged along an edge to a dividing wall dividing the container into two or more sections. Alternatively, one or more doors may be hinged along an edge to a stiffening member extending between a pair of opposed side or endwalls of the container.

In further alternative embodiments, the container need not be entirely open at the bottom but may have one or more openings or apertures in the bottom which may be occluded by a door, or by more than one door, when in the closed positioned. The dispensing mechanism is arranged to open the at least one door so as to dispense bulk material from the or each opening in the manner described in relation to any of the embodiments described above.

In further alternative embodiments, the container need not have an opening in the bottom of the container but may instead have one or more openings or apertures in at least one sidewall and/or at least one end wall of the container which may be occluded by a door, or by more than one door, when in the closed positioned. The dispensing mechanism is arranged to open the at least one door so as to dispense bulk material from the or each opening in the manner described in relation to any of the embodiments described above.

In further alternative embodiments, the container may not be a rectangular container but may have a different shape. The container may, for example, be multi-sided or multi-faceted container having any number of container walls. The container may, for example, be a circular or cylindrical or pyramid-shaped or conical container or bucket-type container. One or more hook members may be affixed to one or more of the sidewalls or to an upper edge of one more of the sidewalls to enable the container to be hung from the cross-member of the support structure.

It will be appreciated that a system embodying the invention may comprise any of the container embodiments discussed above in combination with any of the support structure embodiments discussed above.

Claims

Claims 1. A bulk material handling system comprising:- at least one container for containing a bulk material, comprising:-at least one opening; at least one door moveable between a closed position in which the at least one door occludes the at least one opening, and an open position; a bulk material dispensing mechanism; and at least one container hanging means; and a support structure comprising at least one support structure hanging means; wherein the at least one container hanging means is engageable with the at least one support structure hanging means so as to hang the container from the support structure; and wherein the bulk material dispensing mechanism is operable to move the at least one door between the closed position and the open position so as to dispense a bulk material from the container.
2. A bulk material handling system according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a second container hanging means engageable with the at least one support structure hanging means so that the container is supportable by the support structure in either one of a first and a second orientation.
3. A bulk material handling system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one door is rotatable about at least one hinge between the closed position and the open position.
4. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container comprises at least two doors, the at least doors being rotatable about respective first and second hinges between a closed position in which the at least two door collectively occlude the at least one opening, and an open position.
5. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a substantially open bottom and the at least one door is moveable between the closed position in which the at least one door occludes the substantially open bottom and the open position.
6. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support structure comprises at least one substantially vertical frame member supporting the at least one support structure hanging means.
7. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support structure comprises at least two substantially vertical frame members supporting the at least one support structure hanging means.
8. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one substantially vertical frame member is attachable to at least one ground engaging frame member.
9. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises at least a first pair of opposed sidewalls and at least a second pair of pair of opposed sidewalls connecting the first pair of opposed sidewalls, and a pair of doors, the doors being hinged proximate a bottom end of an opposite one of each of the first pair of opposed sidewalls.
10. A bulk material handling system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one container hanging means protrudes from at least one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls.
11. A bulk material handling system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one container hanging means protrudes from at least one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls at a position above the hinge.
12. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the at least one container hanging means is substantially parallel to the hinge.
13. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 9 to 12 when dependent on any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the second container hanging means protrudes from the opposite one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls so that the container is supportable by the support structure along either a first one or a second one of the least one pair of opposed sidewalls.
14. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the bulk material dispensing mechanism comprises: a first pair of connecting devices proximate a first one of the opposed pair of endwalls, each connecting device coupled at one end to an opposite one of the doors; a first lifting means coupled to the second ends of each of the first pair of connecting devices; a second pair of connecting devices proximate a second one of the opposed pair of endwalls, each connecting device coupled at one end to an opposite one of the doors; and a second lifting means coupled to the second ends of each of the second pair of connecting devices.
15. A bulk material handling system according to claim 14, wherein the first and second pairs of connecting devices comprise first and second pairs of straps.
16. A bulk material handling system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first and second pairs of straps are pivotally coupled at their first ends to the doors.
17. A bulk material handling system according to claim 16, wherein the first ends of the first and second pairs of straps are coupled to pivots positioned centrally along the ends of the doors.
18. A bulk material handling system according to claim 16, wherein the first ends of the first and second pairs of straps are coupled to pivots positioned on a longitudinally orientated stiffening members running through each of the doors.
19. A bulk material handling system according to claim 18, wherein the longitudinally orientated stiffening members are positioned proximate a longitudinal centreline of the doors.
20. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the first and second lifting means are cables or chains.
21. A bulk material handling system according to claim 20, wherein the cables or chains pass through guides attached to the opposed endwalls of the container.
22. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 14 to 21, wherein the first and second lifting means are coupled to a spreader beam assembly.
23. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 14 to 21, wherein the first and second lifting means are coupled to a spreader beam assembly.
24. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a height of the at least one support structure hanging means is adjustable.
25. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a poition of the at least one container hanging means and at least a portion of the support structure hanging means is complementary.
26. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support structure hanging means comprises a buffer portion for engaging with an outer surface of the container.
27. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container hanging means is at least one container hook member.
28. A bulk material handling system according to claim 27, wherein the at least one container hook member is an elongate hook member.
29. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support structure hanging means is at least one support structure hook member.
30. A bulk material handling system according to claim 29, wherein the at least one support structure hook member hook member is an elongate hook member.
31. A container for a bulk material handling system, comprising at least one opening; at least one door moveable between a closed position in which the at least one door occludes the at least one opening, and an open position; a bulk material dispensing mechanism; and at least one container hanging means; wherein the container is coupleable to a support structure using the hanging means so as to hang the container from the support structure; and wherein the bulk material dispensing mechanism is operable to move the at least one door between the closed position and the open position so as to dispense a bulk material from the container.
32. A bulk material handling system according to claim 31, wherein the container comprises at least a second container hanging means so that the container is supportable by a support structure in either one of a first and a second orientation.
33. A bulk material handling system according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the at least one door is rotatable about at least one hinge between the closed position and the open position.
34. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 31 to 33, wherein the container comprises at least two doors, the at least doors being rotatable about respective first and second hinges between a closed position in which the at least two door collectively occlude the at least one opening, and an open position.
35. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 31 to 34, wherein the container comprises a substantially open bottom and the at least one door is moveable between the closed position in which the at least one door occludes the substantially open bottom and the open position.
36. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 31 to 35, wherein the container comprises at least a first pair of opposed sidewalls and at least a second pair of pair of opposed sidewalls connecting the first pair of opposed sidewalls, and a pair of doors, the doors being hinged proximate a bottom end of an opposite one of each of the first pair of opposed sidewalls.
37. A bulk material handling system according to claim 36, wherein the at least one container hanging means protrudes from at least one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls.
38. A bulk material handling system according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the at least one container hanging means protrudes from at least one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls at a position above the hinge.
39. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 36 to 38, wherein the at least one container hanging means is substantially parallel to the hinge.
40. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 36 to 39 when dependent on any of claims 27 to 30, wherein the second hanging means protrudes from the opposite one of the first pair of opposed sidewalls so that the container is supportable by a support structure along either a first one or a second one of the least one pair of opposed sidewalls.
41. A bulk material handling system according to any of the claims 36 to 40, wherein the bulk material dispensing mechanism comprises: a first pair of connecting devices proximate a first one of the opposed pair of endwalls, each connecting device coupled at one end to an opposite one of the doors; a first lifting means coupled to the second ends of each of the first pair of connecting devices; a second pair of connecting devices proximate a second one of the opposed pair of endwalls, each connecting device coupled at one end to an opposite one of the doors; and a second lifting means coupled to the second ends of each of the second pair of connecting devices.
42. A bulk material handling system according to claim 41, wherein the first and second pairs of connecting devices comprise first and second pairs of straps.
43. A bulk material handling system according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the first and second pairs of straps are pivotally coupled at their first ends to the doors.
44. A bulk material handling system according to claim 43, wherein the first ends of the first and second pairs of straps are coupled to pivots positioned centrally along the ends of the doors.
45. A bulk material handling system according to claim 43, wherein the first ends of the first and second pairs of straps are coupled to pivots positioned on a longitudinally orientated stiffening members running through each of the doors.
46. A bulk material handling system according to claim 45, wherein the longitudinally orientated stiffening members are positioned proximate a longitudinal centreline of the doors.
47. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 41 to 46, wherein the first and second lifting means are cables or chains.
48. A bulk material handling system according to claim 47, wherein the cables or chains pass through guides attached to the opposed endwalls of the container.
49. A bulk material handling system according to any of claims 41 to 48, wherein the first and second lifting means are coupled to a spreader beam assembly.
50. A bulk material handling system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container hanging means is at least one container hook member.
51. A bulk material handling system according to claim 50, wherein the at least one container hook member is an elongate hook member.
52. A bulk material handling system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
53. A container for a bulk material handling system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.