GB2528662A

GB2528662A - Container for a bulk material and bulk material handling system

Info

Publication number: GB2528662A
Application number: GB1413201.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Bruce Penprase
Original assignee: CONQUIP ENGINEERING GROUP
Current assignee: CONQUIP ENGINEERING GROUP
Priority date: 2014-07-25
Filing date: 2014-07-25
Publication date: 2016-02-03
Also published as: GB201413201D0

Abstract

A container for a bulk material 20, comprises a container body, at least one opening in the container body, at least one door 22, 23, 24 moveable between a closed position in which the at least one door occludes the at least one opening, and an open position, an actuation mechanism 31 and means 39 for lifting the container. The lifting means is coupled to the container in a central region of the container. The at least one door is hinged along at least a portion of the door to a portion of the container body by at least one hinge. The at least one door is rotatable about the at least one hinge (25, 26, 27, fig 8) from the closed position to the open position so as to dispense a bulk material from the container and the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least one door about the at least one hinge from the open position to the closed position. A bulk material handling system is also provided which comprises a container and a support structure 41 for supporting the container in an elevated position. The container may include a rim or flange 21 projecting from the container for engagement with the support structure.

Description

CONTAINER FOR A BULK MATERIAL AND BULK MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

The container and system of preferred embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for transporting and dispensing bulk material for use on a construction site, or for removal of waste materials, e.g. from construction or excavation sites.

However, the system and container of preferred embodiments 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 marketed by the present applicant under the name "CASiO Bulk Excavation System" or "CASiO series" is shown in Figures 1 to 6. The system generally comprises a nine-sided (or nonagonal) container 1 for a bulk material.

The container is fitted with a door 2 which may be opened by an actuation mechanism in order to dispense bulk material from the container. The door is a generally cone-shaped, nine-sided, door.

A central region of the space defined by the container wall is provided with a chain guide 3. The chain guide is supported in the centre of the container by an upper set of three bracing arms 4 which protrude from an upper portion of the inner surface of the container wall and a lower set of three bracing arms 5 which protrude from a lower portion of the inner surface of the container wall. The upper and lower sets of bracing arms converge as they extend from the container wall towards the chain guide, each pair of upper and lower bracing arms thereby being angled at an acute angle to one another.

A vertically orientated chain 6 extends through the chain guide and is coupled at a lower end to a central region of the cone-shaped door. An upper end of the chain may be coupled to a lifting hook or lifting eye (not shown).

A central region of an upper surface of the door is provided with a series of three projections or guide members 7 evenly spaced around the point of connection of the chain with the door. The guide members have curved or angled upper edges and are designed to engage with the lower set of bracing arms 5 so as to rotate the door as it is retracted and align the sides of the door with the sides of the container.

During lifting and positioning of the container, tension in the chain 6 urges the door into contact with a lower edge of the container wall around its periphery. When the container is lowered onto the ground or other surface, the chain may be released or slackened and the door remains in contact with the lower edge of the container wall due to contact with the ground. The container may then be filled with a bulk material. A crane or other lifting device may then be used to lift the container and once again tension in the chain urges the door into contact with the container preventing, or minimising, leakage of the bulk material from the container.

In order to dispense bulk material stored within the container, a support system or gantry 8 is provided. The container is lowered by the crane onto the gantry and a rim or flange extending from the upper edge of the container engages with the gantry, supporting the container in an elevated position. As shown in the figures, the gantry generally comprises a pair of spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal, beams or rails 9 supported at their ends by vertically orientated posts or uprights 10. The lower ends of opposing pairs of the uprights are affixed to a further pair or spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal, beams 11 which extend in a direction that is perpendicular to that of the container engaging rails.

This provides the support structure with additional rigidity and also provides a clear path for a vehicle to pass through the sides of the gantry and into the space beneath the elevated container.

Once the container is supported in an elevated position by the support structure, the chain 6 is lowered by the crane, passing through the chain guide 3 and allowing the door to be lowered by the weight of the bulk material. This opens a gap between the door 2 and the lower edge of the container wall allowing bulk material stored within the container to be dispensed. Further lowering of the chain increases the gap between the container and the door and increases the flow rate of bulk material from the container.

When the contents of the container have been dispensed, the chain is raised by the crane in order to withdraw the door 2 towards the lower edge of the container. The guide members 7 in the central region of the door engage with the lower bracing arms 5 to align the sides of the door with the sides of the container. Further lifting of the chain brings the door into contact with the lower edge of the container and yet fuither lifting of the chain lifts the empty container out of engagement with the supporting rails and away from the gantry.

This prior art bulk material handling system generally provides an effective way of transporting and dispensing bulk, or waste, material. However the inventor has identified some limitations associated with this existing system. The inventor has identified that there is a tendency during dispensing of material from the container for the cone-shaped door to be forced to one side of the container (i.e. swung) by the weight of bulk material acting on an opposite side of the door (i.e. on the opposite side of the central chain). This may be undesirable on an excavation or construction site. It may also generate noise as the chain and/or door contacts the lower edge of the container or the gantry. It may also cause a build up of bulk material trapped between the raised side of the door and the container wall which may pievent complete emptying of the container.

The inventor has also identified that swinging movements of the door during dispensing of the bulk material may mean that the door does not provide an effective seal against the lower edge of the container wall when the door is retracted if the flat poitions of the door are not fully re-aligned with sides of the container. The inventor has also identified that contact between the guide members and the lower bracing arms may cause considerable noise which may affect residents surrounding a construction or excavation site and may limit the hours during which the system can be used.

The inventor has also identified that there is the potential for bulk material to be trapped between, or accumulate on, the bracing arms which may prevent complete emptying of the container. The inventor has also appreciated that there is potential for bulk material to accumulate between the guiding members in the central region of the door which may prevent effective operation of the guide members in aligning the door with the container and may cause leakage of material from the container.

The inventor is the first to appreciate that there is a need for an improved bulk material handling system which addresses some or all of the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a container for a bulk material and a bulk material handling system comprising the container as defined in the appended independent claims to which reference should now be made.

The container and system of preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide an improvement of the prior art bulk material handling system described above.

The container and system of preferred embodiments of the present invention may be more easily and effectively used on a construction or excavation site for the handling of bulk materials than the prior art system. The container may be operated so as to dispense bulk material in a more controlled manner and may enable the contents of the container to be dispensed more quickly and more fully compared to the prior art system. The container may also generate reduced noise compared to the prior art system which may mean that the system can be used for longer periods or during conventional periods of downtime (e.g. during the night or at weekends). The container may also reduce the likelihood of bulk material becoming trapped by the actuation mechanism and so the container may provide a more reliable and effective seal between the door(s) and the container, thereby minimising or eliminating spillage from the container.

Preferred or advantageous features of preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined in the appended dependent claims to which reference should now be made. Some preferred or advantageous features of preferred embodiments of the present invention are also discussed below.

The actuation mechanism may be operable to rotate the at least one door about the at least one hinge between the closed position and the open position. As described further below, the actuation mechanism may thereby play an active role in dispensing the contents of the container.

Preferably, the lifting means is coupled to the actuation mechanism. This may provide a simple and compact arrangement in which the lifting means engages with the actuation mechanism in order to retract the doors and then lift the container in a single motion.

Preferably, the actuation mechanism is positioned within an internal space defined by the container body. This may reduce or eliminate a risk of components of the actuation mechanism coming into contact with other objects that are external to the container which may prevent effective operation of the actuation mechanism.

Preferably, the actuation mechanism comprises at least one connecting arm, a first connecting means for connecting the at least one connecting arm to the at least one door and a second connecting means for connecting the at least one connecting arm to the lifting means. Preferably, the at least one connecting arm is pivotally coupled to the first connecting means and the at least one connecting arm is pivotally coupled to the second connecting means. This arrangement enables the at least one connecting arm to pivot relative to the at least one door which may allow the at least one door to open more fully and may allow an angle of the at least one connecting arm to change as the door is opened which may reduce a risk of build of material on the connecting arm.

Preferably, the first connecting means is located in a central region of the at least one door. This ensures that the weight of the bulk material acts via the at least one connecting arm on a central region of the at least one door as the container is lifted and manoeuvred using the lifting means. This may minimise the load that is exerted by the bulk material on the hinge which may enable a smaller, lighter, hinge made from less expensive materials to be used compared to an arrangement in which the first connecting means is positioned closer to an outer edge of the at least one door.

Preferably, the container comprises at least three doors. Preferably, each of the at least three doors is coupled to the container body by at least one hinge and the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least three doors about their respective hinges from their respective open positions to their respective closed positions. A container comprising at least three doors may enable smaller, lighter, doors to be used compared to a container having only one, or two doors. This may enable the doors to be more easily moved to a fully open position. It may also ensure that the bulk material stored within the container is funnelled down through a defined central opening as opposed to sliding out to one side of the container as may be the case if only one door is provided. This may reduce side loads on the container and an associated support structure (discussed below) and may permit more controlled dispensing of the bulk material compared to a container having only one door.

Preferably, the container is configured so that when the at least three doors are in their respective open positions, each door hangs from its respective hinge substantially vertically and substantially in-line with an inner surface of the container body. This may provide a container having a smooth inner surface from the top of the container down to the tip of the open doors which may minimise obstructions to the flow of bulk material and promote complete dispensing of the container.

Preferably, an angle subtended between the lifting means and each of the at least three connecting arms varies as the at least three doors are rotated about their respective hinges between their respective closed positions and their respective open positions.

Preferably, an angle subtended between the lifting means and each of the at least three connecting arms decreases as the at least three doors are rotated about their respective hinges from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions. This may enable more complete opening of the doors and may reduce the likelihood of build up of bulk material on the connecting arms.

Preferably, the container comprises at least one container support means for engagement of the container with a support structure. Preferably, the at least one container support means is a rim or flange projecting from the container body. The rim may extend around the whole or part of the upper edge or periphery of the container wall.

This may provide an effective means for supporting the container in an elevated position and may provide flexibility in the positioning of the container on a support structure as it may permit the container to be supported in one of a number of different orientations.

Preferably, at least a portion of the projecting rim or flange is angled relative to the container body. This may help to minimise build-up of bulk material on the rim of the container and may thereby minimise a risk of material falling from the container.

Preferably, the connecting arms or straps of the actuation mechanism are substantially rigid. This may allow the actuation mechanism both to move the doors from the closed position to the open position as well as retract the doors from the open position to the closed position. This may mean that the container is no longer reliant on the weight of the bulk material to move the doors from the closed position to the open position and the connecting arms play an active role in opening the doors.

Alternatively, the connecting arms may be flexible, comprising, for example, chains or cables. This may be advantageous in that it may reduce the surface area of the actuation mechanism within the container on which bulk material might accumulate.

However, it may lead to the chains or cables becoming loose and tangled around and/or trapped between the doors which may prevent effective operation of the container.

Preferably, each of the at least three doors has an angled edge portion around at least a portion of its periphery. This may help to prevent material from becoming trapped between the doors and may thereby prevent bulk material falling from the container.

Preferably, the container is provided with at least one hinge cover plate projecting from the body of the container and arranged to cover at least a portion of the at least one hinge. Preferably, the cover plate is angled to the container wall. This may help to prevent build up of bulk material on the hinges and thereby minimise a risk of material falling from the container. It may also prevent bulk material fouling the hinges.

Preferably, the lifting means comprises at least one cable or chain. A flexible lifting means may make it easier to manoeuvre the container into engagement with, and to remove the container from engagement with the support structure. Alternatively, the lifting means may be a rigid lifting means, such as a tube or bar, or telescopic tube or bar. A rigid lifting means may permit the actuation mechanism to rotate the doors from the closed position to the open position as well as rotate the doors from the open position to the closed position. This may mean that the container is no longer reliant only on the weight of the bulk material and the weight of the doors to move the doors from the closed position to the open position.

A containing according to preferred embodiment of the present invention is a nine-sided container provided with three doors. This arrangement provides an average dimension across the flat sidewalls and connection points between sidewalls that makes the container nominally circular -in other words, it provides a container having a plurality of flat sidewalls but which has an external shape that is similar to that of a circular container.

This may help with orientation of the container when engaging the container with a support structure. The three door configuration works well with a nine-sided skip structure as the number of doors (three) is a division of the number of sidewalls (nine) and it provides a long central door edge for positioning of the door hinges. A container having fewer sidewalls (than the nine walls of this preferred embodiment) and a shallower angle between adjacent sidewalls may have more pronounced points and may require additional manoeuvring (e.g. rotation) to position the container in engagement with the support structure. A container having a smaller or greater number of sidewalls (than the nine walls of this preferred embodiment) may necessitate a small or greater number of doors (than the three doors of this preferred embodiment) which may reduce the length of an edge of the door along which a hinge can be positioned and may therefore require a greater number of hinges or more complex hinges which may need to be made from more expensive materials.

The container and system of preferred embodiments of the present invention may be 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 embodiments 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 embodiments may be applied to any, some and/or all features of any other aspect or embodiments, 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 may be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 container of a prior art bulk material handling system with the door in a fully closed position; Figure 2 is a top view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the door in a partially open position; Figure 4 is a side view of the container of Figure 3 with the door in the partially open position; Figure 5 is a further perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the door in a fully open position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the prior art bulk material handling system showing the support structure supporting the container in an elevated position with the door in a fully open position; Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of a container for a bulk material according to preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the doors are in a fully closed position; Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the container of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a side view of the container of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a plan view of the container of Figure 7; Figure 11 is a view of the underside of the container of Figure 7; Figure 12 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 7; Figure 13 is a perspective view from above of the container of Figure 7 with the doors in a first partially open position; Figure 14 is a perspective view from below of the container of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a side view of the container of Figure 13; Figure 16 is a plan view of the container of Figure 13; Figure 17 is a view of the underside of the container of Figure 13; Figure 18 is a perspective view from above of the container of Figure 7 with the doors in a second partially open position; Figure 19 is a perspective view from below of the container of Figure 18; Figure 20 is a side view of the container of Figure 18; Figure 21 is a top view of the container of Figure 18; Figure 22 is a view of the underside of the container of Figure 18; Figure 23 is a perspective view from above of the container of Figure 7 with the doors in a fully open position; Figure 24 is a perspective view from below of the container of Figure 23; Figure 25 is a side view of the container of Figure 23; Figure 26 is a plan view of the container of Figure 23; Figure 27 is a view of the underside of the container of Figure 23; Figure 28 is a perspective view of a bulk material handling system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the container of Figures 7 to 27 is supported in a elevated position by a support structure and the doors are in a fully open position; Figure 29 is a perspective view from below of the system of Figure 28; Figure 30 is a side view of the bulk material handling system of Figure 28; Figure 31 is an end view of the bulk material handling system of Figure 28; Figure 32 is a plan view of the bulk material handling system of Figure 28; Figure 33 is a view of the underside of the bulk material handling system of Figure 28; Figure 34 is a perspective view of an alternative support structure according to preferred embodiments of the present invention; Figure 35 is a front view of the alternative support structure of Figure 34; Figure 36 is a side view of the alternative support structure of Figure 34; and Figure 37 is an overhead view of the alternative support structure of Figure 34;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A bulk material handling system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention is shown in Figures 7 to 37. The system generally comprises a container 20 for containing bulk material and a support structure 41,50 for supporting the container in an elevated position. The container 20 is shown in detail in Figures 7 to 27 and a preferred support structure 41 for use with the container is shown in Figures 28 to 33. An alternative support structure 50 is shown in Figures 34 to 37.

With reference to Figures 7 to 27, a container 20 according to preferred embodiments of the invention is a nine-sided (nonagonal) container having an open top and an open bottom and forming an enclosure for a bulk material. A container support means 21 in the form of an outwardly extending rim (also known as a landing lip or landing rim) projects from an upper portion of the wall of the container and extends around the open top of the container. As discussed further below, the rim enables the container to be supported in an elevated position by a support structure.

The container is provided with three doors 22,23,24 for occluding the open bottom of the container. Each of the doors is hinged along one side to a different sidewall of the container, the doors being spaced around the container so that each third sidewall of the container supports a different door. The hinges 25,26,27 are preferably formed from a plurality of bolts or pins passing through holes through plates which project from the lower edge of the container wall and from a central edge of each of the doors. However, it will be appreciated that the hinges may be formed in a number of other ways, for example, by a single, elongate, pin passing through a plurality of holes, or a plurality of pins, or by any other suitable means. The holes for the bolts/pins are preferably provided with wearable inserts which may be replaced, if they are found to have worn, during maintenance of the container.

Optionally, the container 20 may be provided with a stiffening member around an inside and/or an outside surface of the container at its upper and or lower end to stiffen the container. It may be particularly advantageous to provide a stiffening member around an inside and/or an outside surface of the container at its lower end so as to stiffen the container proximate the point of connection of the doors with the container body.

Where the container is to be used 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 whole, or any part, of the edge of the doors to prevent leakage from the container when the doors are in the closed position. Where the container is to be used for storing, transporting and dispensing a liquid material, a seal may be provided around the whole or part of the edge of the doors to reduce or prevent leakage from the container when the doors are in the closed position. It may also be advantageous to provide the container with bracing arms which extend into the space defined by the container and provide a surface for engagement by the doors in the closed position, as discussed further below.

Each of the doors is a generally flat, five-sided structure. Three sides of each door are of equal length and of a length that is substantially equal to the length of each side of the container. The other two sides of each door are of equal length, are longer than the other three sides of the door, and are of a length that is substantially equal to a radius of the space defined by the container.

Preferably, each door is provided with angled edges (or tknife edges') 28 along each side. The edge of each door is therefore angled around its periphery and comprises defined points at each of its corners. In the fully closed position of the container, the outermost corners 29 of each of the doors opposite the hinges are adjacent one another in the centre of the container. The angled edges along each of the two longer sides of each door are positioned substantially adjacent, or butt up against, the angled edges of the longer sides of the other two doors. The angled edges are designed to urge any bulk material in the vicinity of the doors back up into the container to allow the doors to move to the fully closed position. This may help to reduce or eliminate a risk of bulk material being trapped between the adjacent edges of the doors that might otherwise have prevented the doors from moving to a fully closed position and might have caused leakage from the container.

Preferably, the outwardly extending rim 21 projecting from the upper portion of the container around the open top of the container is provided with an angled upper surface.

Preferably, angled hinge cover plates 30 extend from each of the container sides which support the doors from a position above each hinge so as to cover their respective hinges.

These angled surfaces may reduce or eliminate the risk of bulk material accumulating on exposed surfaces of the container and may therefore help to prevent material falling from the container.

As shown in the drawings, the doors are rotatable about their respective hinges between a closed position (Figures 7 to 11) in which a portion of the periphery of each door is in contact with a lower edge of the sides of the container and a fully open position (Figures 23 to 27) in which the doors hang substantially vertically beneath the container from their respective hinges. This provides the container with a substantially vertical and smooth inner surface from the upper edge of the container down to the knife edge of the doors. This may facilitate complete emptying of the container and prevent a build up of bulk material on the inner surface of the container.

As will be described further below, rotational movement of the doors from the fully open position to the fully closed position occludes the bottom of the container and enables the container to be filled with a bulk material and rotational movement of the doors from the fully closed position towards the fully open position enables a bulk material stored within the container to be dispensed from the container.

An actuation mechanism 31 is provided for rotating the doors 22,23,24 about their respective hinges 25,26,27 from their respective open positions to their respective closed positions. The actuation mechanism comprises a boss or yoke 32,33,34 coupled to each of the doors and a series of three substantially rigid straps or connecting arms 35,36,37 coupling the door yokes to a central boss or yoke 38. A first, or lower, end of each strap is pivotally coupled to its respective door yoke by a bolt or pin or any other suitable means. A second end of each strap is pivotally coupled to the central yoke by additional bolts or pins or other suitable means.

A first, or lower, end of a generally vertically orientated chain 39 is coupled to the central yoke 38 for example, by a pin or clevis pin or bolt or hook or any other suitable means. A second, or upper, end of the chain may be coupled to a lifting eye or lifting hook (not shown) by a pin, or clevis pin or bolt or any other suitable means for coupling the chain to a crane or other lifting device.

Preferably, each of the door yokes 32,33,34 is positioned in a central region of its respective door 22,23,24. This ensures that the load acts via the straps on a central region of each door when the container 20 is lifted by the chain 39. This may minimise the load that is exerted on the hinges 25,26,27 by the bulk material and may enable smaller, lighter, hinges made from less expensive material to be used than if the door yokes were positioned towards an outer region of each door. A further advantage of this configuration is that the majority, or substantial all, of the load of the bulk material in the container may be borne by the crane or other lifting device during lifting of the container, positioning of the container into contact with a support structure (discussed below) 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 may be continually supported by the crane, the support structure discussed below is principally only required to support the weight of the container. This may enable the support structure to be smaller and less bulky than might otherwise be required for a container in which the connecting arms are coupled to door yokes positioned closer to the periphery of the doors.

In a preferred construction of a container according to preferred embodiments of the invention, sections of sheet material are welded together to form the nine-sided container.

The angled upper rim is formed from additional sections of sheet material welded together and welded to the upper edge of the container and around the sidewall of the container.

The angled hinged cover plates are formed from additional sections of sheet material welded together and welded to the respective sidewalls of the container. Each of the straps or connecting arms is formed from a pair of spaced, parallel, sections of sheet material connected by short sections of sheet metal and welded to form a hollow enclosure.

Preferably, the spaced, parallel, sections overhang the narrower joining sections. The central boss is formed from a series of sections of sheet material that are welded to form the desired shape. Each of the doors is formed from a pair of spaced, parallel, sheets of material that are connected with narrow connecting pieces and welded along their edges to form hollow enclosures. Preferably, a lower surface of each of the doors has a smaller area than the upper suiface and the connecting pieces are angled so that each of the doors is angled around its periphery, as discussed above. The doors may include one or more internal or external stiffening members (e.g. ribs or beams or webs or other suitable means).

Each of the door yokes is formed from a pair of spaced, parallel plates through which a hinge pin or bolt may be passed to form a pivot for the lower end of each of the connecting arms. The plates project into the container through holes or slots in the upper surface of each of the doors and are secured to the doors with conventional fixing means, such as bolts. A cavity 40 in the lower surface of each of the doors permits access to the fixing means for tightening of the fixing means, or removal and replacement of the plates, if they have worn, during maintenance of the container. A cover plate may be secured to the lower suiface of each of the doors using appropriate conventional fixing means so as to cover the cavity.

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

With leference to Figures 28 to 33, a support structure 41 is provided for supporting the container 20 in an elevated position. The support structure comprises a pair of spaced, parallel, beams or rails 42,43 for supporting the outwardly extending rim 21 on opposite sides of the container 20. The beams are positioned substantially horizontally so as to support the container in a substantially upright position. The ends of the parallel rails are supported by substantially vertically orientated uprights or posts 44,45,46,47. The lower ends of opposite pairs of the uprights may be affixed to a lower pair of spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal beams 48,49 which may provide additional rigidity to the support structure and increase the surface area of the support structure in contact with the ground.

The support structure is preferably formed from I-section or H-section beams, but other suitable shapes will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

A lower, support structure engaging, surface of the rim 21 of the container and/or an upper container engaging surface, of the support structure rails 4243 may optionally be provided with a wearable, replaceable, pad (not shown). The pad may made from a material which is softer than the material from which the container and support structure are made. The pad may extend substantially along the entire length of, or only along a portion of, the upper surface of the support structure rails or the lower surface of the container rim. More than one pad may be provided in a layered configuration or adjacent to one another. The pad(s) may provide a replaceable, wearable, surface which may reduce a risk of damage being caused to the container rim or support structure during repeated engagement and disengagement of the container with the support structure. The pad may also lead to a reduction in noise that would otherwise be generated during interactions between the container 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 41 may be a moveable structure which can be manoeuvred around a construction or excavation site as required by a crane or other lifting device. This may allow the support structure to be positioned at a convenient location on a construction or excavation site. It may also allow the support structure to be deployed and stowed as required. It may, for example, be positioned across a track or road so that bulk material transport vehicles may position themselves beneath an elevated container in order to receive the dispensed contents of the container (e.g. spoils from an excavation/construction site) and when the support structure is no longer required, it may be removed and stowed adjacent to the road. The support structure may, for example, be positioned across a road during the night so that it may be used to dispense excavated material into bulk material transport vehicles and then removed from the road at the end of a night shift to allow the road to be used by other vehicles.

Some suitable materials for the various components of the system include: mild steel for the sidewalls of the container; mild steel for the doors; structural steel (e.g. s355) for the outwardly extending rim; mild steel or hardened steel bolts for the hinges for the doors; mild steel for the connecting arms or straps; hardened steel e.g. EN24T for pins or bolts which couple the ends of the connecting arms to the door yokes and to the central yoke (which may be, for example, 40mm diameter pins); nylon (e.g. oil impregnated nylon) for the optional replaceable pads for the container and/or support structure rails; and structural steel for the beams which form the support structure.

In one example configuration of a system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the container body may be between about 2.5 and about 3 metres wide; the container may be between about 1 and about 2 metres deep; and the rim (or landing lip) may extend between about 250mm and about 500mm from the sides of the container. The straps may be between about 50mm and about 150mm thick and between about 150mm and about 250mm wide and between about 1.5 metres and about 2 metres long.

The support structure may generally be bespoke to the site on which the system is to be used. In one example configuration of the support structure, the spacing of the horizontal support rails may be between about 50mm and about 200mm greater than the width of the container body. Example dimensions for the space occupied by the support structure are: a height of between about 3 metres and about 5 metres (e.g. about 4 metres); a width of between about 3 metres and about 5 metres (e.g. about 4 metres); a depth of between about 3 metres and about 5 metres (e.g. about 4 metres).

In use of the bulk material handling system, a crane may be used to lift the container 20 by the chain 39. Tension in the chain urges the doors 22,23,24 into the fully closed position (Figures 7 to 11) which enables the container body to be lifted through contact between the doors and the sidewalls of the container. The container may then be positioned on the ground or other resting surface and filled with a bulk material. As the container is positioned in contact with a surface, tension in the chain may be released as the doors are maintained in the fully closed position by contact with the ground or surface.

When the container has been filled, the crane may be used to lift the container using the chain, the doors being urged into the fully closed position so as to prevent bulk material from being dispensed from the container. The container may then be manoeuvred towards and lowered down onto the support structure 41 so that opposite sides of the rim 21 of the container engage with the parallel supporting rails 42,43 to support the container in an elevated position. This process of aligning the container with the support structure may be helped by one or more construction workers using guide ropes affixed to the container.

The crane may then be used to lower the chain 38 which lowers the central yoke 39 and allows the lower ends of the connecting arms 35,36,37 to rotate relative to the door yokes 32,33,34 under the weight of the bulk material and the weight of the doors so that the doors pivot about their respective hinges 25,26,27 and begin to move from the fully closed position towards the open position. This opens up a gap between the adjacent edges of the doors enabling bulk material stored within the container to begin to flow from the container (Figures 13 to 17). Further lowering of the chain permits further rotation of the doors about their respective hinges, increasing the gap for the bulk material to be dispensed from the container (Figures 18 to 22). Yet further lowering of the chain permits the door to rotate about their hinges to the fully open position in which the doors hang substantially vertically below the sidewalls of the container and a maximum dispensing area is provided for the bulk material to flow from the container (Figures 23 to 27).

It will be appreciated that as the chain is lowered so as to increase the dispensing area, the rate of flow of material from the container may be increased. Therefore, only allowing the doors to open by a small amount initiates a lower rate of flow of the bulk material which may enable more controlled dispensing, whereas lowering the chain further allow the doors to move to a more fully open position will provide a higher rate of flow of material from the container.

When the contents of the container have been dispensed, lifting of the chain 39 by the crane retracts the doors 22,23,24 from the fully open position to the fully closed position in which the doors reengage with the lower edges of the container walls. Further lifting of the chain withdraws the container from engagement with the supporting rails 42,43 and lifts it away from the support structure 41. The container may then be returned to an active part of an excavation or construction site or positioned onto a transport vehicle so that it may be refilled with additional bulk material.

In an alternative embodiment, the substantially rigid connecting arms 35,36,37 may be replaced with flexible connecting means, which may be chains or cables. These may be used to retract the doors from the open position to the fully closed position as described above.

In the embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that it is primarily a combination of the weight of the bulk material stored within the container and the weight of the doors that is responsible for urging the doors from the fully closed position towards the fully open position and that as the chain is lowered by a crane, the doors are permitted to rotate under the weight of the bulk material and their own weight towards the open position so as to dispense material from the container. The actuation mechanism can therefore be said to play a passive role in moving the doors from the fully closed to the fully open position, whereas, as described above, the actuation mechanism plays an active role in moving the doors from the fully open to the fully closed position.

In an alternative embodiment of the container, the dispensing means may be modified so that it takes an active role in moving the doors from the fully closed to the fully open position as well as an active role in moving the doors from the fully open to the fully closed position. For example, the lifting means may be a substantially rigid tube or bar which may pass through a guide (which may be similar to the chain guide of the prior art system) and may be coupled at an upper end to a lifting hook or eye and coupled at a lower end to the central yoke. When the container is supported by the support structure, lowering of the tube by a crane causes the tube to slide down through the tube guide and acts through the central yoke and the substantially rigid connecting arms to rotate the doors about their hinges from the closed to the open position. Raising the tube acts in the reverse manner, as described above in relation to the chain 39, to return the doors from the open to the closed position. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the weight of the bulk material stored within the container and the weight of the doors still play a part in urging the doors from the fully closed position towards the fully open position but in combination with the actuation mechanism which plays an active role in urging the doors from the fully closed position towards the fully open position.

In further alternative embodiments, the container support means, described above as an outwardly projecting rim 21, may have a different configuration and may be any means that enables the container to engage with the support structure. It may, for example, be a rail or beam or bar, which may be curved or straight and which extends from opposite sides, or around the whole, or part, of the periphery, of the container for engaging with the support rails. 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 from the container for engagement with the rails. The supporting rails of the support structure may also have a different shape to that shown in the Figures and may be shaped to compliment the shape of the container support means. The supporting rails of the support structure may, for example be provided with a trough or channel having a profile which corresponds to that the profile of the container support member so as to provide a stable coupling between the container and the support structure.

In a further alternative embodiment, the container 20 may be provided with one or more internal dividing walls (not shown) dividing the container into two or more sections or chambers. The container 20 may be provided with or one or more stiffening or bracing members extending between a pair of opposed sides of the container or extending into the space defined by the container from two or more of the sides of the container. It may, for example, be advantageous for a series of three stiffening members, similar to the lower set of bracing arms described in relation to the prior art system, to extend into the container proximate the lower end of the container. This may stiffen the container and/or may provide a support member against which the edges of the doors may bear when they are withdrawn into the fully closed position. In other words, the stiffening members may follow the line of, and be positioned above the adjacent edges of the doors when the container is viewed from below with the doors in the fully closed position (Figure 11).

In further alternative embodiments, the container 20 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 the door or doors when in the closed position. The actuation mechanism may be 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 nine-sided (nonagonal) container as shown in the various Figures but may have fewer or more than nine sidewalls. The greater the number of sidewalls, the closer the container approximates a circular or cylindrical shaped container. Forming the container from a plurality of straight wall sections to approximate a circular or cylindrical shaped container may make it easier to hinge the doors relative to the container and form a seal around the doors as the hinges may be positioned on a straight, rather than curved, sections of the container wall.

In further alternative embodiments, the container 20 may be provided with more than three doors, each door being hinged along its outer edge, or part of its outer edge, to a respective side of the container.

In further alternative embodiments, the container may have a different shape. The container may, for example, be a round or cylindrical container. In this case, it may be advantageous for the hinges for the doors to be positioned inside the container wall (i.e. within the cavity defined by the container) on an inwardly projecting flange or rim comprising a series of straight wall portions so that the hinges may be provided on a straight, as opposed to curved, sections of the container bottom. However this may introduce a constriction at the bottom of the container which may restrict the flow of bulk material from the container. Alternatively, it may be advantageous for the hinges for the doors to be positioned outside the container wall (i.e. on the other side of the container wall from the cavity defined by the container) on an outwardly projecting flange or rim comprising a series of straight wall portions, again so that the hinges may be provided on a straight, as opposed to curved, sections of the container. However, this may be less desirable as it may make the container wider and require the landing lip to extend further from the container in order to engage with the support structure An alternative embodiment of support structure for a bulk material handling system is shown in Figures 34 to 37. The support structure 50 generally comprises a pair of spaced, substantially vertical, frame members (or uprights) 51, 52 and a substantially horizontal cross-member 53 affixed to, and extending between, the uprights. The uprights are shown in the Figures as I-section or tH' -section beams but the skilled person will readily appreciate that other shapes may 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 alternative embodiment of a container (not shown) for use with the alternative support structure of Figures 34 to 37 comprises a container support means 21 comprising an elongate hook member, or a series of hook members projecting from one or more sides of the container and configured to engage with the cross-member 53. This enables the container to be hung from the support structure in a cantilever-type arrangement.

Providing the container with one or more hook members along more than one side may permit the container to be hung from the support structure in more than one orientation.

This may reduce the manoeuvring required to hang the container from the support structure. It may also permit a choice of hanging orientation in the event that the container is unevenly weighted.

An example profile of the cross-member is shown in Figure 36. The cross-member 53 comprises an upwardly extending hook portion 54 and a buffer portion 55. Preferably, the profile of the cross-member hook portion substantially corresponds to the shape of the or each hook member extending from sidewalls of the container. The buffer member engages with an outer surface of at least one sidewall of the container so as to urge the container into an upright position.

As described above, 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 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 alternative support structure 50 may further comprise a pair of spaced, substantially horizontal, ground engaging frame members 56,57 for supporting the uprights.

The engaging frame members may be positioned in contact with the ground or other surface. The engaging frame members may alternatively 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, by welding, or by another suitable joining process.

The ground engaging frame members 56,57 may extend only in front of the uprights 51,52 as shown in Figures 34 to 37. Alternatively, they may extend only to the rear of the uprights, or may extend both in front of and to the rear of the uprights.

In further alternative embodiments (not shown), the varied, shape and configuration of the support structures 41, 50 described above may be varied according to the requirements of a particular site. For example, a length and/or separation of the upper support rails 42,43 of the support structure of Figures 28 to 33, or the length of the cross member 53 of the support structure of Figures 34 to 37, may be increased in order to accommodate containers of different dimensions. The length of the support rails, or the cross member, may be approximately the same as the diameter of the container or may, for example, be increased so that they are longer, or significantly longer, than the diameter of the container. This may provide flexibility in the positioning of a single container along the support structure or allow more than one container to be supported from a common support structure.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the support structure 41,50 may be provided with more than one set of parallel support rails, or more than one cross member, at the same, or different, heights. This may permit a single container to be supported in more than one location on a common support structure (e.g. at different heights), or enable two or more containers to be supported at the same, or different, heights by a common support structure.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the support structure of Figures 28 to 33 may be provided with at least a third rail that is parallel to, and at the same, or a different, height as the first two parallel support rails so as to provide two adjacent container supporting channels. This may permit the contents of more than one container to be dispensed into a transport vehicle positioned beneath the support structure. The containers may be dispensed simultaneously or sequentially.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the support structure of Figures 34 to 37 may be provided with a further cross member on the same, or opposite, side of the uprights at the same or, a different, height as the first cross member. Alternatively, a plurality of support structures such as shown in Figures 33 to 37 may be arranged in an [-shaped or U shaped or rectangular-shaped or square-shaped or horse-shoe shaped configuration. The support structure may also 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.

Providing a common support structure with different container supporting positions or providing more than one support structure as described above may permit segregation of materials. For example, waste materials, such as excavated soil, may be loaded into a first container supported in a first position on the support structure, and raw materials, such as sand or concrete, may be dispensed from a second container supported in a second position on the same, or a different, support structure.

In further alternative embodiments (not shown), the height of the one or more pairs of parallel rails 42,43, or the cross member 53, may be adjustable. This may, for example, be achieved by a series of holes in the uprights through which bolts may be positioned in order to select the height of the rails or the cross member. It may also be achieved using a suitable clamping mechanism. The skilled person will appreciate other suitable adjustment methods. A system including adjustable height rails or cross member(s) may be particularly advantageous for accommodating containers of different sizes. It may also be particularly advantageous where bulk materials contained within the container are to be dispensed into a vehicle positioned below the container, as the adjustment means may be used to accommodate vehicles of different types and heights and reduce the risk of spillage of bulk materials during dispensing events.

In further alternative embodiments (not shown), 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 further alternative embodiments (not shown), two or more of the same support structure discussed above, or a combination of different support structures discussed above (forming a composite structure) 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 may be arranged in any 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 structure, or in the centre of a particular part of the site with excavation or construction work happening around it.

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

Claims

Claims A container for a bulk material, comprising:-a container body; at least one opening in the container body; 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; an actuation mechanism; and a lifting means for lifting the container; wherein the lifting means is coupled to the container in a central region of the container; wherein the at least one door is hinged along at least a portion of the door to a portion of the container body by at least one hinge; wherein the at least one door is rotatable about the at least one hinge from the closed position to the open position so as to dispense a bulk material from the container; and wherein the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least one door about the at least one hinge from the open position to the closed position.
2. A container for a bulk material according to claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least one door about the at least one hinge between the closed position and the open position.
3. A container for a bulk material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lifting means is coupled to the actuation mechanism.
4. A container for a bulk material according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuation mechanism is positioned within an internal space defined by the container body.
5. A container for a bulk material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises at least one connecting arm, a first connecting means for connecting the at least one connecting arm to the at least one door and a second connecting means for connecting the at least one connecting arm to the lifting means.
6. A container for a bulk material according to claim 5, wherein the at least one connecting arm is pivotally coupled to the first connecting means and the at least one connecting arm is pivotally coupled to the second connecting means.
7. A container for a bulk material according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first connecting means is located in a central region of the at least one door.
8. A container for a bulk material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises at least three doors.
9. A container for a bulk material according to claim 8, wherein each of the at least three doors is coupled to the container body by at least one hinge and the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least three doors about their respective hinges from their respective open positions to their respective closed positions.
10. A container for a bulk material according to claim 9, wherein the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least three doors about their respective hinges from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.
11. A container for a bulk material according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises at least three connecting arms, one for each of the at least three doors, a first connecting means for connecting each of the connecting arms to its respective door, and a second connecting means for connecting the at least three connecting arms to the lifting means.
12. A container for a bulk material according to claim 11, wherein each of the at least three connecting arms is pivotally coupled to its respective first connecting means and is pivotally coupled to the second connecting means.
13. A container for a bulk material according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first connecting means associated with each of the at least three connecting arms is coupled to a central region of each of the respective doors.
14. A container for a bulk material according to any of claims 8 to 13, configured so that when the at least three doors are in their respective open positions, each door hangs from its respective hinge substantially vertically and substantially in-line with an inner surface of the container body.
15. A container for a bulk material according to claim 11 to 14, wherein an angle subtended between the lifting means and each of the at least three connecting arms varies as the at least three doors are rotated about their respective hinges between their respective closed positions and their respective open positions.
16. A container for a bulk material according to claim 15, wherein an angle subtended between the lifting means and each of the at least three connecting arms decreases as the at least three doors are rotated about their respective hinges from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.
17. A container for a bulk material according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one container support means for engagement of the container with a support structure.
18. A container for a bulk material according to claim 17, wherein the at least one container support means is a rim or flange projecting from the container body.
19. A container for a bulk material according to claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the projecting rim or flange is angled relative to the container body.
20. A container for a bulk material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a plurality of sides, each adjacent pair of sides being connected at an obtuse angle to one other.
21. A container for a bulk material according to claim 20, wherein each of the at least three doors of the container is hingedly coupled to a different one of the plurality of sides of the container.
22. A container for a bulk material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container is a nine-sided container.
23. A container for a bulk material according to claim 22 when appended to any of claims 8 to 21, wherein the at least three doors are hingedly coupled to each third side of the container so that the hinges are positioned 120 degrees apart.
24. A container for a bulk material according to claim 23, configured so a corner of each of the at least three doors opposite its respective hinge is adjacent to the respective corners of the other doors in the centre of the container when the at least three doors are in the closed position.
25. A container for a bulk material according to any of claims 5 to 24, wherein the at least one connecting arm is substantially rigid.
26. A container for a bulk material according to any of claims 8 to 25, wherein each of the at least three doors has an angled edge portion around at least a portion of the periphery of each of the doors.
27. A container for a bulk material according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one hinge cover plate projecting from the body of the container and arranged to cover the at least one hinge.
28. A container for a bulk material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting means comprises at least one cable or chain.
29. A bulk material handling system, comprising:-a container according to any of the preceding claims, the container comprising at least one container support means for engagement with a suppoit structure; and a support structure; wherein the at least one container support means is engageable with the at least one support structure so as to support the container in an elevated position; and wherein the at least one door is rotatable about the at least one hinge from the closed position to the open position so as to dispense a bulk material from the container into a space below the support structure; and wherein the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least one door about the at least one hinge from the open position to the closed position.
30. A bulk material handling system according to claim 29, wherein the actuation mechanism is operable to rotate the at least one door about the at least one hinge from the closed position to the open position.
31. A bulk material handling system according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the at least one container support means comprises a rim or flange projecting from the container body and the support structure comprises a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, substantially horizontal, rails for engaging with the container support means so at to support the container in the elevated position.
32. A bulk material handling system according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the at least one container support means comprises a rim or flange projecting from the container body and the support structure comprises a substantially horizontal cross member for engaging with the container support means so at to support the container in the elevated position.
33. A container for a bulk material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
34. A bulk material handling system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.