GB2599136A - Bulk material handling container - Google Patents

Abstract

Bulk handling container 100 comprising a container body 102 with an opening, at least one door 108a moves between open and closed positions to dispense material through the opening. The container 100 comprises a lifting plate 116, a spreader beam 112 connected to the container body. There is a first set of lifting means 118 connected at a first end to the lifting plate 116, and at a second end to at least one door 108 of the container, and a second set of lifting means 120 connected at a first end to the lifting plate 116 and a second end to the spreader beam 112. The container 100 comprises a load transfer mechanism, where the container is supported by the first lifting means 118 the door 108 is closed, and when supported by the second lifting means 120 the door is free to open dispensing the contents of the container, with means for activation of the transfer mechanism. This may take place by changing the length of the second lifting means 120, such that the weight is supported by said means 120. The container may further comprise a resilient member, a dampener, a restrictor and switch.

Description

BULK MATERIAL HANDLING CONTAINER

This invention relates to a bulk material handling container. The container of the present invention is 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 container of the present invention is also suitable for a wide variety of other applications in other industries.

Bulk material handling systems are known in the art, and one such known system comprises a generally 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 skips have an arrangement of beams which project from the end walls 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 mid-point of the doors.

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. Known prior art systems have attempted to improve upon the above system by reducing the size of the gantry system, and improving the manner in which the hinged doors are operated. Nevertheless, the inventor of the present invention has identified limitations associated with the existing systems, and as such it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bulk material handling container.

In particular, 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. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bulk material handling container that does not require a gantry.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bulk material handling container, comprising: a container body 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; and a bulk material dispensing mechanism 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 dispensing mechanism comprising: a lifting plate, for attachment to a lifting device; a spreader beam assembly connected to said container body; a first set of lifting means, coupled at a first end to said lifting plate and at a second end to said at least one door; a second set of lifting means, coupled at a first end to said lifting plate and at a second end to said spreader beam assembly; a load transfer mechanism having a first configuration in which the load of the bulk material handling container is supportable by said first set of lifting means and the at least one door being in the closed position, and a second configuration in which said load is supportable by said second set of lifting means and the at least one door being free to move to the open position; and means for activating said bulk material dispensing mechanism, wherein upon activation said load transfer mechanism is movable from said first configuration to said second configuration.

Providing a bulk material handling container having such a dispensing mechanism enables the container to be emptied without the need for unloading stations provided on the ground. The container may therefore be emptied at any appropriate location. By enabling the load to be transferrable from a first set of lifting means, preferably in the form of chains or cables, to a second set of lifting means, allows for the container to be emptied in this manner and without the need for the device lifting the container, such as a crane, to be uncoupled.

The present invention therefore provides an efficient, easy to use, bulk material handling container.

Preferably, the load transfer mechanism is configured to be movable from the second configuration to said first configuration upon the load of the bulk material handling container being supported by said second set of lifting means. Advantageously, configuring the load transfer mechanism to move from the second configuration, in which the or each door is open, to the first configuration in which the or each door is closed, upon the load of the container being supported by the second set of lifting means, enables, in effect, the or each door to be automatically closed once the or each door has been opened. This therefore provides a simple and efficient means for the container to be reset to once again be filled with bulk material.

Preferably, said load transfer mechanism comprises a device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means, such that upon the load transfer mechanism being in the first configuration said second set of lifting means has a first length and upon the load transfer mechanism being in the second configuration said second set of lifting means has a second length, the first length being greater than the second length.

The change in length of the second set of lifting means enables the transfer of load, thereby allowing the or each door to open because the first set of lifting means has, in effect, an increased length relative to the position of the container body, thus enabling the or each door to open. As such, preferably, the change in length of the second set of lifting means is such that the effective increase in length of the first set of lifting means allows the or each door to fully open.

Preferably, the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means comprises at least one resilient member configured to bias said device towards said second configuration. More preferably. the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means comprises a first resilient member configured to bias a first one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means, and a second resilient member configured to bias a second one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means. The or each resilient member may be a spring, or an elastic member. Preferably, the or each resilient member is a spring, such as a coil spring, or a gas spring. Preferably, the spring is a tension spring. In a preferred embodiment, the or each resilient member is a gas strut configured to be biased to its shortest length.

The device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means may further comprise at least one damper configured to damp movement of said load transfer mechanism from said second configuration to said first configuration. Preferably, the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means comprises a first damper configured to damp movement of a first one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means, and a second damper configured to damp movement of a second one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means. The or each damper may be a fluid damper, preferably a hydraulic ram having a flow restrictor.

When the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means further comprises at least one damper, the bulk material handling container preferably further comprises a restrictor having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the restrictor substantially prevents movement of the or each damper in a direction to change the effective length of the second set of lifting means from the second length to the first length, and in the second configuration the restrictor allows movement of the or each damper, such that the load transfer mechanism is substantially prevented from moving from its second configuration to its first configuration until the restrictor is in the second configuration. Preferably, the bulk material handling container further comprises a switch having a closed and an open state, wherein upon activation to the open state, the switch is configured to move the restrictor from the first configuration to the second configuration. Preferably, the switch is opened upon the at least one door being in the open position. The bulk material handling container preferably further comprises a first sheave wheel and a second sheave wheel provided at opposed ends of the spreader beam assembly for guiding the first set of lifting means, wherein the switch is coupled to the first sheave wheel, such that upon said first set of lifting means supporting a load above a threshold value, said switch is opened. Preferably, the first sheave wheel is slidably mounted to the spreader beam assembly, and is resiliently biased towards a position in which the switch is in its closed position.

The bulk material handling container may comprise a first restrictor and a first switch, configured to act upon the first damper, and a second such restrictor and a second such switch configured to act upon the second damper. In this case, each of the first and second sheave wheels are slidably mounted to the spreader beam assembly, and are resiliently biased towards a position in which the switches are in their closed positions.

Where the damper is a hydraulic ram damper, the or each restrictor is preferably a normally closed valve which prevents fluid flow in a direction that would allow the damper to return to the first configuration.

Alternatively, the restrictor may be a latch which is engaged upon the or each damper is in the second configuration. The latch being released upon activation by the switch.

The means for activating said bulk material dispensing mechanism preferably comprises at least one lever, disposed on the spreader beam assembly, movable from a first position to a second position in which the bulk material dispensing mechanism is activated. The at least one lever is preferably coupled to a latch, the latch movable from a latched position to an unlatched position, wherein in the latched position the latch is configured to retain the load transfer mechanism in the first configuration, and in the unlatched position the load transfer mechanism is movable to the second configuration.

Preferably, the means for activating said bulk material dispensing mechanism further comprises at least one activation cradle, attached to a first side wall of the container body, configured to receive the spreader beam assembly, the at least one cradle comprising at least one protrusion configured to act upon the or each lever to move it from its first position to its second position.

The bulk material dispensing mechanism may comprise at least one indicator, the or each indicator configured to indicate when the dispensing mechanism is in the second configuration. Preferably, the or each indicator is a flag pivotably mounted to the spreader beam assembly, the or each damper and/or the or each resilient member being configured to act upon the or each respective flag to move it to a configuration in which it is visible to an operator. The or each flag may be pivotably coupled to the spreader beam assembly by a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer.

The bulk material handling container may further comprise at least one support cradle, attached to a second side wall, opposed to the first side wall, configured to receive the spreader beam assembly.

Preferably, the spreader beam assembly is pivotably connected to the container body, such that it is movable from a first, lifting, position, to a second position in which the spreader beam assembly is supported in said activation cradle. The spreader beam assembly is preferably pivotably connected to the container body by a pair of rigid straps.

Preferably, the first set of lifting means pass through guides attached to opposed end walls of the container body.

The bulk material handling container preferably 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 doors collectively occlude the at least one opening, and an open position.

The container of the present invention is suitable for use in a number of different industries including the following, among others. It may, for example, be used in the construction industry to store, transport and dispense sand, gravel, rubble, stones etc. It 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. It 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. It 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. It 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. It 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.

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(a) shows a perspective view of a bulk material handling container according to the present invention; Figure 1(b) shows a side view of the bulk material handling container shown in Figure 1(a); Figure 2(a) shows a perspective view of the bulk material handling container of Figures 1 shown in an activation configuration; Figure 2(b) shows an end view of the bulk material handling container of Figure 2(a); Figure 3(a) shows a cut-away view of a spreader beam assembly of the bulk material handling container according to the present invention in a locked configuration; Figure 3(b) shows a cut-away view of the spreader beam assembly of the bulk material handling container according to the present invention in an initial unlocked configuration; Figure 3(c) shows a cut-away view of the spreader beam assembly of the bulk material handling container according to the present invention in a complete unlocked configuration; Figure 4 shows a hydraulic damper of the bulk material handling container according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows a detailed view of an end of the spreader beam assembly; Figure 6(a) shows a detailed view of a fluid control manifold of the hydraulic damper, in a closed position; Figure 6(b) shows a detailed view of a fluid control manifold of the hydraulic damper, in an open position; Figure 7(a) shows Figure 2(a) with detailed views shown in Figure 7(b) and Figure 27(c) Figure 8(a) shows a perspective view of the bulk material handling container shown in an open configuration; Figure 8(b) shows an end view of the bulk material handling container shown in an open configuration; and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the bulk material handling container in a further, storage, configuration.

Figure 1 shows a bulk material handling container 100. The container is suitable for use in a number of different industries including the following, among others. It can, for example, be used in the construction industry to store, transport and dispense sand, gravel, rubble, stones etc. It can 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. It can 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. It can 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. It can 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. It can also be used in a variety of industries to store, transport and dispense liquid products.

The bulk material handling container 100 comprises a container body 102 having a first pair of opposed side walls 104a and 104b, and a second pair of opposed end walls 106a and 106b. The container body 102 has an open mouth, and an open bottom. The container body 102 is provided with a pair of hinged doors 108a, and 108b. The doors are hinged along their outer edges to respective lower portion of opposite side walls 104a and 104b of the container body. In a closed position (shown in Figures 1(a), 1(b), 2(a), 2(b) and 8), the doors occlude the open bottom of the container body so that the container may be used to transport bulk materials. In an open position (shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b)), the doors hang substantially vertically beneath and substantially in line with the opposed side walls 104a and 104b of the container body.

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.

The doors may include one or more stiffening members 110 orientated transversely and/or longitudinally to stiffen the doors. The side walls and/or end walls may also comprise one or more stiffening members.

The container 100 further comprises a spreader beam assembly 112. The spreader beam assembly 112 is pivotably attached to the end walls 106a and 106b of the container body 102 by straps 114a and 114b. The spreader beam assembly houses a dispensing mechanism for opening the hinged doors and dispensing the contents of the container 100. The dispensing mechanism is described in detail below with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

A lifting plate 116 is provided having a lifting shackle for attachment to a lifting device, such as a crane. Coupled to the lifting plate 116 are respective first ends of a first set of lifting means 118a and 118b, and first ends of a second set of lifting means 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d, the lifting means being cables or chains. In this particular example the lifting means are shown as cables. Cable 118b is further coupled, at a second end, to respective first ends of a pair of straps 122a and 112b. Cable 118a is further coupled, at a second end, to respective first ends of a pair of corresponding straps (not shown). Each pair of straps 122a and 122b are coupled at their respective second ends to a first end of each of the doors, the corresponding pair of straps being 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 second end to an end of one of the doors 108a, 108b. As shown the second ends of the straps are pivotally coupled to stiffening beams or struts positioned on or adjacent the longitudinal centreline of each door. The person skilled in the art will understand that the straps may be coupled to any suitable portion of the doors.

Pivotally coupling the second 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 and the cables 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 cables 118a and 118b may be coupled to the straps 122a, 122b by any suitable fixing means such as a clevis, shackle, bolts or pins etc. 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.

Each of the cables 118a and 118b of the first set of lifting means passes through respective chain or cable guides 124a and 124b affixed to the opposed end walls of the container body. The cable guides may be affixed to the end walls by any suitable means, such as welding, or using conventional fixing means.

The cable guides 124a and 124b may be provided with replaceable inserts providing a wearable surface in contact with the cable. The inserts can be replaced, for example, by removing one or more fixings coupling a removable outer portion of the cable guide to the remainder of the cable guide, removing the worn inserts and inserting new ones and then recoupling the two halves of the cable guides with the fixings.

As shown, the cables 118a and 118b of the first set of lifting means pass from the straps through the cable guides, and then over sheave wheels (not shown) provided in the spreader beam assembly, and on to the lifting plate 116.

As described above, the cables 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d of the second set of lifting means are coupled at a first end to the lifting plate 116. The second ends of the cables 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are coupled to the dispensing mechanism housed with the spreader beam assembly 112.

The spreader beam assembly 112 may comprise cable sheaths, cable boots or the like, formed of flexible material and surround each of the cables, for substantially preventing the ingress of material into the spreader beam assembly.

The dispensing mechanism comprises a further portion 126 disposed on a side wall 104a of the container. The further portion 126, in the form of an activation cradle, is configured to receive the spreader beam assembly 112 as it pivots about the straps 114a, 114b, as seen in Figures 2(a), 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c); the straps 114a, 114b are pivotably attached to both the container body 102 and the spreader beam assembly 112. The activation cradle 126 comprises protrusions 127a and 127b, for engaging with and activating the dispensing mechanism in the spreader beam assembly 112. The operation of the activation cradle is described in further detail below.

The container body comprises further support cradles 128a and 128b for receiving the spreader beam assembly 112 as it pivots to the other side of the container body.

The dispensing mechanism housed in the spreader beam assembly 112 will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7. As described above, the cables 118a and 118b of the first set of lifting means pass over sheave wheels 300a, 300b mounted at each end of the spreader beam assembly. The sheave wheels 300a and 300b are slidably mounted to the housing of the spreader beam assembly, such that they are slidable along a longitudinal direction; springs 500 are provided to bias the sheave wheels 300a and 300b towards the respective longitudinal ends of the spreader beam assembly. Cable 120a (not shown), and cable 120b of the second set of lifting means are coupled to a first hydraulic damper 302, and pass over sheave wheels 304. The hydraulic damper 302 is provided with a control manifold 303 for controlling flow of the hydraulic damping fluid. Similarly, cable 120c (not shown), and cable 120d of the second set of lifting means are coupled to a second hydraulic damper 306, and pass over sheave wheels 308. The hydraulic damper 306 is provided with a control manifold 307 for controlling flow of the hydraulic damping fluid. The first hydraulic damper 302 is fixedly attached to the spreader beam assembly 112 at a mounting point 310. Similarly, hydraulic damper 306 is fixedly attached to the spreader beam assembly at a mounting point 312.

A first resiliently biased strut 314, also fixedly attached to the mounting point 310, is provided. The resiliently biased strut 314, in this example, is a gas strut, but may be in the form of a spring, such as a coil or helical spring. In Figure 3(a), the gas strut 314 is shown in its elongated, open, position, and is configured such that it is biased towards its closed position. The second end of the gas strut 314 is attached to the other end of the hydraulic damper 302 and thus to the cables 120a and 120b. Similarly, a second resiliently biased strut 316, also fixedly attached to the mounting point 312, is provided. The resiliently biased strut 316, in this example, is also a gas strut, but again may be in the form of a spring, such as a coil or helical spring. The second end of the gas strut 316 is attached to the other end of the hydraulic damper 306 and thus to the cables 120c and 120d. In Figure 3(a), the gas strut 316 is shown in its elongated, open, position, and is configured such that it is biased towards its closed position.

The end of the hydraulic damper 302 is provided with a clevis type fitting to which the gas strut 314 and the cables 120a and 120b are mounted. The clevis fitting is provided with a pin 318 which extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal length of the damper and the strut. A latch 320, pivotably mounted to the spreader beam assembly housing by hinge 322 is provided which, in its closed position, engages with the pin 318 to retain the gas strut 314 in its elongated, open, position. The latch 320 comprises pins 324 which protrude out of the spreader beam assembly housing, as can be seen in Figure 7(b) and 7(c).

Similarly, the end of the hydraulic damper 306 is provided with a clevis type fitting to which the gas strut 316 and the cables 120c and 120d are mounted. The clevis fitting is provided with a pin 326 which extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal length of the damper and the strut. A latch 328, pivotably mounted to the spreader beam assembly housing by hinge 330 is provided which, in its closed position, engages with the pin 326 to retain the gas strut 316 in its elongated, open, position. The latch 328 comprises pins 332 which protrude out of the spreader beam assembly housing, as can be seen in Figure 7(b) and 7(c).

A first indicator 334, in the form of a flag, is rotatably mounted to the spreader beam assembly housing by means of a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer. The clevis type fitting of the first hydraulic damper 302 is configured to act upon, and rotate, the indicator 334 upon movement thereof A second indicator 336, in the form of a flag, is rotatably mounted to the spreader beam assembly housing also by means of a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer. The clevis type fitting of the second hydraulic damper 306 is configured to act upon, and rotate, the indicator 336 upon movement thereof.

Some suitable materials for the various components of the system include: mild steel for the container (for any or all of the side walls, end walls, and stiffening members); mild steel for the straps; structural steel (e.g. s355) for the lifting plate; hardened steel e.g. EN24T for the pins which couple the straps to the doors; nylon for the replaceable cable guide inserts; mild steel bolts for the hinges for the doors. The structure of the container may be welded. In one example configuration of a container embodying the present invention: the container may be between about 1.5 and about 3 metres wide; the container may be between about 2.5 and about 5 metres long; the container may be between about 1.5 and about 4 metres deep. In one particularly preferred example, a container embodying the present invention has a length of about 4 metres, a width of about 2.5 metres, and a depth of about 2.8 metres.

Operation of the bulk material handling container will now be described. The dispensing mechanism housed in the spreader beam assembly, as shown in Figure 3(a), is in the inactivated configuration. In this configuration, the second lifting means cables 120a, 120b, 120c and 120d have first effective lengths such that the distance between the lifting plate 116 and the spreader beam assembly 112 is X. In this configuration, the distance between the spreader beam assembly 112 and the end of the first lifting means cables 118a and 118b is Y (as shown in Figure 1(b)), and is such that the doors 108a and 108b are in the closed position. In addition, the load of the container is supportable by the first set of lifting means, cables 118a and 118b.

In use, the container 100 is attached to a lifting device, such as a crane, by the lifting plate 116. Upon the crane operator setting the container down in a location where the contents of the container are to be dispensed, the spreader beam assembly 112 is pivoted, and lowered, so that it is supported in the activation cradle 126 (as shown in Figure 2(b)). The crane operator then further lowers the lifting plate 116 so that the cables 118a and 118b are slack. The protrusions 127a and 127b act upon the pins 324 and 332 of the latches 320 and 328 as the spreader beam assembly is lowered into the cradle 126. In turn, the latches 320 and 328 are rotated out of engagement with the 318 and 326; as shown in Figure 3(b). As shown in Figure 3(c), the gas struts 314 and 316 thus compress to their, shortened, closed states and pull the hydraulic dampers to their shortened state. As they do so, they also act upon the indicator flags 334 and 336 so that they protrude from the top of the spreader beam assembly 112.

The second lifting means cables 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are therefore drawn into the spreader beam assembly, reducing their effective length. This reduced effective length can be seen in Figure 8(b) where the distance X has been reduced to X'. By reducing the effective length of the second lifting means cables 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d, the effective length of the first lifting means cables 118a and 118b is increased, such that distance is increased to Y' (as shown in Figure 8(b)).

The second set of lifting means, cables 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d, are prevented from immediately returning to their original effective length by the hydraulic dampers 302 and 306. This is because the control manifolds 303 and 307 comprise one-way valves 600 (as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b)) which only allow damper fluid to flow in a direction such that the hydraulic damper moves from the first configuration shown in Figure 3(a) to the second configuration shown in Figure 3(c).

In this activated configuration, upon the crane operator lifting the spreader beam assembly 112 away from the activation cradle 126, the load of the container has effectively been transferred from being supported by the first set of lifting means, cables 118a and 118b, to the second set of lifting means, cables 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d. In turn, the effective increase in the length of the first lifting means, cables 118a and 118b, allows the doors 108a and 108b to rotate about their hinges and open thus dispense the bulk material. This configuration is shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b) -as can be seen, the indicator flags 334 and 336 are raised which inform the operators that the container is in a configuration where the doors will open.

Upon the container being lifted to a height such that the doors are fully open, the first set of lifting means, cables 118a and 118b, are placed in tension by at least a portion of the load of the container. The tension in the cables 118a and 118b acts upon the sheave wheels 300a and 300b and slides them from an outer position, to an inner position. As shown in Figures 3(c) and 5, the sheave wheel 300b is coupled to a first end of a first Bowden type cable 338 by a clevis type coupling. As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), a second end of the Bowden type cable is coupled to a normally-closed valve 602 in the control manifold 303. The sheave wheel 300a is also coupled to a first end of a second Bowden cable 340. The second end of the Bowden cable 340 being coupled to a normally-closed valve provided in the control manifold 307. As the sheave wheels 300a, and 300b move towards the inner position, and thus the centre of the spreader beam assembly, due to the tension in the cable 1 18b, the Bowden cables 338 and 340 are pulled. As such, upon the sheave wheels pulling the Bowden type cables 338 and 340 the normally-closed valves 602 are opened (as shown in Figure 6(b), allowing hydraulic damper fluid to flow in the reverse direction, and thus allowing the dampers 302 and 306 to return to the position shown in Figure 3(a). The dampers 302 and 306 are pulled to this position under the load of the container acting on the spreader beam assembly 112.

The bulk material handling container 100 is thus automatically reset, and can be refilled with bulk material to be transported and dispensed.

In the event that the container dispensing mechanism is accidentally activated in a location where the bulk material should not be dispensed, a manual override lever may be provided. The manual override lever is coupled to the valves 602 in the control manifolds 303 and 307, and acts to open the normally-closed valves to allow hydraulic damper fluid to flow and thus allow the dampers to return to the configuration shown in Figure 3(a) as the container is lifted from the ground, and before the doors are allowed to open.

As described above, the container body comprises support cradles 128a and 128b for receiving the spreader beam assembly 112 as it pivots to the side of the container body opposed to the side having the activation cradle 126. The support cradles 128a and 128b do not comprise protrusions and so when the spreader beam assembly 112 is being supported in the these cradles the dispensing mechanism is not activated. For example, when the container is to be filled with bulk material, the operator can set the container down in the vicinity of the bulk material, and then move the spreader beam assembly to the support cradles. Upon the bulk material being loaded into the container, the container can be lifted without the doors opening.

As will now be appreciated, in use of the system, a crane may be used to position the container 100 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 112 maintains tension in the first set of lifting means, cables 118a and 118b, which acts to maintain the doors in the closed position and prevent the contents from being dispensed from the container. Once the container is in the location where the bulk material is to be dispensed, the dispensing mechanism is activated as described above, and the bulk material is emptied to the ground or other surface.

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 side wall 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 end walls 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.

Claims (3)

1. Claims 1. A bulk material handling container, comprising: a container body 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; and a bulk material dispensing mechanism 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 dispensing mechanism comprising: a lifting plate, for attachment to a lifting device; a spreader beam assembly connected to said container body; a first set of lifting means, coupled at a first end to said lifting plate and at a second end to said at least one door; a second set of lifting means, coupled at a first end to said lifting plate and at a second end to said spreader beam assembly; a load transfer mechanism having a first configuration in which the load of the bulk material handling container is supportable by said first set of lifting means and the at least one door being in the closed position, and a second configuration in which said load is supportable by said second set of lifting means and the at least one door being free to move to the open position; and means for activating said bulk material dispensing mechanism, wherein upon activation said load transfer mechanism is movable from said first configuration to said second configuration.
2. A bulk material handling container according to claim 1, wherein the load transfer mechanism is configured to be movable from the second configuration to said first configuration upon the load of the bulk material handling container being supported by said second set of lifting means.
3. 3. A bulk material handling container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said load transfer mechanism comprises a device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means, such that upon the load transfer mechanism being in the first configuration said second set of lifting means has a first length and upon the load transfer mechanism being in the second configuration said second set of lifting means has a second length, the first length being greater than the second length. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.A bulk material handling container according to claim 3, wherein the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means comprises at least one resilient member configured to bias said device towards said second configuration.A bulk material handling container according to claim 4, wherein the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means comprises a first resilient member configured to bias a first one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means, and a second resilient member configured to bias a second one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means.A bulk material handling container according to claim 3, 4, or 5, wherein the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means further comprises at least one damper configured to damp movement of said load transfer mechanism from said second configuration to said first configuration.A bulk material handling container according to claim 6, wherein the device configured to change the effective length of said second set of lifting means comprises a first damper configured to damp movement of a first one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means, and a second damper configured to damp movement of a second one of the lifting means of the second set of lifting means.A bulk material handling container according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a restrictor having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the restrictor substantially prevents movement of the or each damper, and in the second configuration the restrictor allows movement of the or each damper, such that the load transfer mechanism is substantially prevented from moving from its second configuration to its first configuration until the restrictor is in the second configuration.A bulk material handling container according to claim 8, further comprising a switch having a closed and an open state, wherein upon activation to the open state, the switch is configured to move the restrictor from the first configuration to the second configuration A bulk material handling container according to claim 9, wherein said switch is opened upon the at least one door being in the open position.11. A bulk material handling container according to claim 10, further comprising a first sheave wheel and a second sheave wheel provided at opposed ends of the spreader beam assembly for guiding the first set of lifting means, wherein the switch is coupled to the first sheave wheel, such that upon said first set of lifting means supporting a load above a threshold value, said switch is opened.A bulk material handling container according to claim 11, wherein the first sheave wheel is slidably mounted to the spreader beam assembly, and is resiliently biased towards a position in which the switch is in its closed position.A bulk material handling container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means for activating said bulk material dispensing mechanism comprises at least one lever, disposed on the spreader beam assembly, movable from a first position to a second position in which the bulk material dispensing mechanism is activated.A bulk material handling container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one lever is coupled to a latch, the latch movable from a latched position to an unlatched position, wherein in the latched position the latch is configured to retain the load transfer mechanism in the first configuration, and in the unlatched position the load transfer mechanism is movable to the second configuration.A bulk material handling container according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said means for activating said bulk material dispensing mechanism further comprises at least one activation cradle, attached to a first side wall of the container body, configured to receive the spreader beam assembly. the at least one cradle comprising at least one protrusion configured to act upon the or each lever to move it from its first position to its second position.A bulk material handling container according to claim 15, further comprising at least one support cradle, attached to a second side wall, opposed to the first side wall, configured to receive the spreader beam assembly.A bulk material handling container according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said spreader beam assembly is pivotably connected to the container body, such that it is movable from a first, lifting, position, to a second position in which the spreader beam assembly is supported in said activation cradle. 12. 14. 15. 16. 17.18. A bulk material handling container according to claim 17, wherein said spreader beam assembly is pivotably connected to the container body by a pair of rigid straps.19. A bulk material handling container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first set of lifting means pass through guides attached to opposed end walls of the container body.20. A bulk material handling container according to any of the preceding claims, comprising 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.