MXPA01000448A - Adaptor for converting bulk solids container for fluid storage/transportation - Google Patents

Abstract

A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus particularly for an open topped body (79) used for transport of goods supported from an upper region of said body, to allow fluids to be stored within the bladder while avoiding cross-contamination with the body, the bladder stowage and deployment apparatus having a base member (17) supporting a bladder (13) within the body (79), the base member (17) movable between an upward stowed position (75) in which the bladder (13) is stowed above and the body can be used for stowage of goods, and a downward deployed position (77) in which the bladder (13) fills available space within the body and holds fluid, and wherein the bladder stowage and deployment apparatus has features to avoid abrading of the bladder such as arrangements to draw in the sides of the bladder.

Description

'i ADAPTER TO CONVERT A CONTAINER OF BULK SOLIDS FOR STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF FLUIDS Field of Invention. The present invention relates to the transport and storage of bulky items, and in particular to an apparatus and method for maximizing the potential use of solid transport vehicles and storage facility. Background of the Invention Vehicles for transporting road and rail vehicles in use are usually built with a particular application in mind. Consequently there are many types of vehicle body employed for the use of road and rail transport. In the case of railway wagons, these vehicle bodies include gondolas and hopper wagons for the transport of bulky solid items such as coal, minerals and grain, carts for the transport of bulky items handled manually and refrigerated articles, tanks for the transport of goods. transport of fluid and flat cars for the transport of traffic vehicles and other things, there are also many types of specially designed rail cars, railroads are frequently used for the transport of bulky solid items such as minerals and grains in trains made of many identical hopper wagons. In the case of ore transport, the ore often transported in this way from the mine site or from a central warehouse storage stack from a number of mine sites, to a refinery or port for processing or shipping, respectively. The train then returns with empty hopper cars to be filled and repeat the trip. Frequently there is a need for transportation of liquid articles, such as fuel and the like to a place such as a mine. If these liquid items are transported by rail, this can be done by coupling the appropriate tank wagons to the train and transporting the liquid items along with empty hopper wagons. Similarly, bulky solid items such as minerals are transported from a mine to a port or processing site by open cargo trucks, which then return empty to the mine, and tank trucks carry liquid items such as fuels to the mine and return empty of it. Summary of the Invention. The invention has been conceived to allow the dual use of bulky solid articles, in transport vehicles and in storage container, in the case of vehicles of bulky solid articles, the invention allows a simple and fast conversion of a vehicle between the state of the which is capable of transporting bulky solids and being a layer: of transporting fluids, but avoiding all the problems of cross contamination between the solid and the fluid articles. With such an arrangement, the same vehicle can transport solid items on a trip, and quickly convert to transport liquid items for the next trip. In the case of road transport, this invention offers the possibility of reducing the number of trucks transporting items up to half, which could represent a considerable cost saving to transport operators and their customers. In the case of road transport, the invention can also offer savings, but the same extent in the use of fuel as by road, at least when the number of vehicles required for transport purposes decreases. The invention can be applied in the storage of bulky liquid and transport container to allow the transport and storage of more than one type of fluid without the need to clean and avoiding cross-contamination. The invention may also have application in storage container of bulky solids for example, in silos used in farms. The invention relates to a bellows and expansion storage apparatus for a body used for storing or transporting articles. Through the specification unless the text requires otherwise, the word "understand" or variations such as "comprises" or "understanding" shall be understood to imply the inclusion of an integrator or group of integrators, but not the exclusion of any other integrator or group of integrators. According to one aspect of the invention, the body is provided with a laterally limited base in a body used for stowing, storing or transporting articles.; a bellows and expansion stowing apparatus supported from an upper region of the body, the bellows and expansion stowing apparatus has a base member adapted to support a bellows within the body, the base member is movable between a top stowed position , in which the bellows is stowed above the body and the body can be used for stowing articles, and a downward expanded position in which the bellows can substantially fill the available space within the body and be used to stop the fluid; wherein the base member has dimensions that substantially adapt to the internal shape of the body in the vicinity of the base and wherein the bellows and expansion stowing apparatus includes means for preventing wear or scraping of the bellows against the sides of the base. body in the form of contraction means attached to the sides of the bellows for pulling on the sides of the bellows when or as the base member moves towards the upper position. According to a second aspect of the invention an adapter is provided to allow a body used for stowing or transporting articles to stop the fluid without cross contamination, the body having a base limited by sides, the adapter comprises a bellows stowing apparatus and of expansion supported from an upper region of the body, the bellows and expansion stowing apparatus has a base member adapted to support a bellows within that body, the base member is movable between a stowed upper position in which the bellows is stretched up or in an upper region of the body, and the body can be used for stowing articles, and an expanded downward position in which the bellows can substantially fill the available space within the body and be used to stop the fluid, in where the base member has dimensions that are substantially adapted to the internal shape of the body in the vicinity of the base, and wherein the bellows and expansion stowage apparatus includes means for preventing wear of the bellows against the side or sides of the body in des shape. contraction means attached to the sides of the bellows to be pulled on the sides of the bellows when or as the base member moves toward the upper position. According to a third aspect of the invention, an adapter j is provided to allow an open top body used for the transport of bulky solid articles, to stop the fluid without cross contamination, the body having a base limited by sides, the adapter It comprises a bellows and expansion stowing apparatus supported from an upper region of the body, the bellows stowing apparatus. and expansion has a base member adapted to support within that body, the base member is movable between an upwardly stowed position in which the bellows is stowed up or in an upper region of the body and the body can be used for the stowing of articles and an expanded downward position in which the bellows can substantially fill the available space within the body and be used to stop the fluid; wherein the base member has dimensions that substantially adapt to the internal shape of the body in proximity to the base, and wherein the bellows and expansion stowing apparatus includes means for preventing wear of the bellows against the side or sides of the bellows. body in the form of contraction means attached to the sides of the bellows for pulling on the sides of the bellows when or as the base member moves towards the upper position.

It should be appreciated that the term "side" (s) includes a cylindrical body having a side wall of circular cross section or a rectangular square body or other polygonal body having a plurality of walls. The provision of means to prevent the carving or wear of the bellows prevents the sides of the bellows from being captured between the base member and the body and prevents the sides of the bellows from being excessively subjected to a wearing contact against the side or sides of the body. and 0 consequently be damaged. Preferably the bellows is fixed to the base member at least in the vicinity of any connector to be emptied and preferably around or near the periphery of the base member. By fixing the bellows to the base member, it is helpful to align the bellows with respect to the structural members of the apparatus, which prevents wear of the bellows in the region of the filling and emptying connectors. According to a preferred feature of any of the preceding aspects of the invention, where Q the body is an open top body (such as a gondola or hopper used for rail transport), the bellows and expansion stack apparatus includes a cover assembly made to fit as a cover to the body, the base member and the bellows are supported from said cover assembly.

Preferably, the contraction functions to pull the side walls of the bellows inwardly when the base member moves from the expanded position downwardly to the stowed position above and / or when the bellows is in the expanded downward position and stationary. Furthermore and preferably, the apparatus includes joining members for fixing the bellows at or near the periphery of the base member. Preferably, the attachment or attachment means includes a peripheral skirt or peripheral strips that extend at least intermittently from the bellows and attach it to the base member. Thus the peripheral fault may be formed of at least 3 or 4 narrow strips arranged to secure the bellows to the base member. In another alternative or additional arrangement, preferably the apparatus includes a strip that bears friction around the periphery of the base member, in this arrangement preferably the friction support strip wraps and fixes the peripheral skirt or the peripheral strips to the base member. Furthermore and preferably the apparatus further includes joining means for fixing the bellows at or near the periphery of the upper body part or at or adjacent the periphery of the cover. Preferably the attachment means includes a second peripheral skirt or a plurality of peripheral strips which extend at least intermittently from the bellows and are attached to the upper part of the body or the cover. Thus the second peripheral skirt can be formed of at least 3 or 4 strip loops arranged to secure the bellows to the base member. In addition to the peripheral strip loops, other strip loops arranged on the upper part of the bellows are included to prevent the upper part of the bellows from falling excessively downwards. The most preferred arrangement of the joining or fixing means is when the peripheral strips or skirts secure the bellows at its base to the base member and at its upper part to the upper part of the body or cover. In this way, when the base member is moved from the stowed position up to the expanded position downward, with the means for forcing the side wall or walls guiding them in an inward movement, the upper part and bottom of the bellows are maintained in a relative spatial alignment, preventing damage that might otherwise occur if the bellows arrangement is left to probability during this movement. Additionally, it is preferable that the means for preventing wear of the bellows include side walls that extend upwardly from the periphery of the base member. Preferably the bellows and expansion stibamient apparatus, include means of elevators to raise and lower the base member. The base member has a shape that adapts to the internal shape of the body, in order to maximize the space available for the storage of fluid in the bellows. Preferably, the base member has a generally flat base i 10 to simplify the construction of the bellows. Preferably the base member includes an opening therethrough to receive a drain connection of the bellows. Preferably the base member is configured (in relation to the body configuration) to allow a lower space for access to the connection of the bellows drain. The filling connection for the bellows can be in a conventional way for the storage and transport of fluid and located in the upper part of the bellows. Preferably the contraction means includes tensioning means attached to opposite or adjacent positions along side walls on the inner side of the bellows for pulling on the sides of the bellows, as shown in FIG. (considered in relation to the top and bottom of the bellows) when the base member moves between the expanded position down and the stowed position up or when the bellows is emptied into the fluid. Preferably the tension means include at least one coil tension spring. Other tensioning means may be employed such as elastic strips or other elastic material which is under tension when the bellows is filled or lowered. Preferably, when more than one tension spring means is used, the tension spring means are arranged alternately normal to one another. Description of the Drawings. Two preferred embodiments of the invention, one being, an adapter for converting a hopper rail car open at the top to the transport of the fluid, and the other being a pair of adapters for converting an open-sided tilt trailer to the fluid transport. above, for a primary mobile that will now be described in the following description made with reference to the drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a flat elevation view from above of the adapter according to the first embodiment; FIGURE 2 is a view in flat elevation from above of the adapter according to the modality; FIGURE 3 is a side elevational elevation view through the longitudinal extension of the adapter (adjacent to the column positions in the upper body of the hopper car) according to the embodiment; FIGURE 4 is a view in transverse extreme elevation through the center of the adapter; FIGURE 5 is a sequence of views that show the operation of the adapter when adjusting to the hopper rail car open at the top; FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view showing details of the adapter according to the second embodiment; FIGURE 7 is a view in extreme elevation of the adapter according to the second embodiment showing an aspect of the operation; FIGURE 8_ is a partial section view of the part of the adapter according to the second embodiment; and FIGURE 9, is another partial cross-sectional view of the adapter portion of FIG. 8, showing the base member between the stowed position above and the expanded position below. Description of the invention. The first embodiment is an adapter for converting a hopper railway wagon for bulky solids open above to transport fluid and includes a cover 11 incorporating a fluid storage bellows 13 for a hopper rail wagon open at the top (indicated generally in Fig. 5). The cover 11 is configured to fit and be fixed to the upper edge of the body of the hopper car. The fluid storage bellows 13 is supported on a base member 17 having a flat bottom 19, and has sides 21 that extend sufficiently upwards to completely contain the bellows 13 when it is empty. The base unit 17 is a reinforced fiberglass molded construction. The base member 17 includes an opening 23 in the bottom 19 of which a fluid drain 25 projects through it. The fluid drain in the embodiment comprises a dry M-TEC (registered trademark) disconnected coupling, as is commonly used in handling fluids. The cover 11 has a pair of transverse beams 27, which extend through either end of the cover 11. The transverse beams 27 are formed of 250x250x5 RHS (all dimensions in nm) and are provided for handling with fork lifter to allow quick adjustment and removal of the adapter to and from the body of the hopper car. The transverse beams include crushed end portions 28 to assist in the alignment of the forks of a fork lifter. A panel panel C 29, provides a path of travel along the longitudinal center of the cover 11. The panels 31 are formed of 2mm zinc plate steel, and complete the cover. The structural support for the cover 11 is provided with supporting beams 33 of 50x50x3 RHS, and crosswise support beams RHS of 50x25x3, marked with figure 35 (shown in a diagrammatized in Fig. 1). The support beams 33, 35 are located under the panels 29 and 31, two longitudinal support beams RHS 37 of 100x50x3 extend along each side of the cover 11 below the panel 31. A circular opening 39 is located in the panel 29 and includes an adapter fitting 41 (shown in the section cut away from the bellows pattern in Fig. 2), for a hatch 43 VO-200 (registered trademark), the settings of which communicate with the interior of the bellows 13, and are used to purge the filling and ventilation purposes. Lifting means are provided by two longitudinal rotating rods 45 which are mounted to the support beams (35 and 37) on bearing assemblies 47. Four pulleys 49 are formed to each rod 45 mounted in spaced relationship for load bearing purposes. Each pulley 49 includes 50mm loading strip 51, which extends through the openings in the logs 31 and is attached to the sides 21 of the base member 17. The loading strip 51 is a reinforced polyester fabric ( type 108) that has a failure load of approximately 24kN. A hand operated lifter 53 is mounted on one of the transverse beams 27 and is attached to the adjacent longitudinal rotating shaft 45 by a chain without in (1/2"BS Conlink Cttain Drive). rotation synchronized by an endless chain 57 (also a 1/2"BS Conlink Chain Drive). The cover also includes a frame member 59 formed of pressed steel plate with a shape to fit over the lip of the body of a hopper car to which the adapter is intended to be adjusted. The frame member 59 is supported on the transverse beams 27 and the support beams 37 by eight reinforcing or abutting columns RHS 61. 100x100x3 which are covered by non-structural zinc plate steel sheet (not shown) to prevent the entry of dust and any accidental foreign body. The frame member 59 has four openings 63 (see Fig. 2) through which the posts 65 located in the upper part of the body of the hopper car can protrude. Referring to Fig. 3, posts 65 include openings (shown in a dotted pattern) for receiving spring-loaded pins 67, for securing the adapter against unintentional loosening or withdrawal. The spring-loaded pins 67 are connected by wire 69 to a handle 71 pivotally mounted to one of the stiffener columns 61. The operation of the handle can remove the pins 67 from the posts 65, allowing the removal and replacement of the adapter from the body of the hopper car. The bellows 13 must be formed of a plastic resistant to the fluid that is intended to be transported. In the case of the mode, the bellows 13 is made of reinforced fabric "XR5 ELVALOY" plastics and polyvinylchloride ethylene interpolymer alloy. The bellows 13 includes contraction means in the form of two tension springs of stainless steel 73, internally mounted with a diameter of 30mm x 2mm (thickness of the wire), which are attached to the interior of the bellows by welding strips. The springs 73 are 99mm long and can be stretched to 2, 800mm (the actually stretched length will be determined by the normal operational size of the bellows, however, care must be taken to ensure that the springs are selected so that when they are under tension there is no its normal length of operation is exceeded). The springs 73 extend to each other perpendicularly (seen from above) and are located in a spaced relation as can be seen in Fig. 5. The purpose of the springs 73, is to cause the bag to collapse when pulling on the sides. of the bellows when the lifting means lift the base member 17 to the stowed position above. This prevents damaging the bellows 13 when it hits the body 15 of the hopper car or against some part of the adapter itself. The positioning of the normal springs relative to each other, results in the bellows being folded inward in two different directions, which are normal to each other, aiding a compact stowage of the bellows in the stored position. Referring to Fig. 5, the adapter is removed from the body 15 of the hopper car to allow the body 15 to be filled with bulky solids. The adapter is then fitted to the body 15 of the hopper car for the transport of bulky solids. In the place of destination the bulky solids are emptied from the hopper car in the usual way. The lifting means are operated to lower the base member and the bellows to the deployed position, and after which the bellows 13 can be filled with fluid such as fuel, the hopper car then transports the fuel on the return trip to the point of travel. load of bulky solids, at which point the fuel charge is emptied. The lifting means is operated to lift the base member and the bellows to the stowed position, and subsequently the adapter can be removed from the body of the hopper car for bulky solid loads before the cycle is repeated. Referring to Figs. 6 to 8, details of the second embodiment, which is a pair of adapters 75 and 77 of a rectangular cube configuration fixed in a side discharge trailer 79 for being driven by a primary impeller (not shown), are shown. Equal reference figures in the second embodiment indicate equal parts as described in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the adjustment of adapters requires that the tow body 79 be converted from the transport of bulky solids ^ (typically mine ore in a given application), to dual use when bulky solids can be transported to the adapters. in a raised / stowed-up position, and wherein liquids such as fuel, oil or water can be transported with the adapters in a lowered / downward deployed position, the adapter 75 is shown in the raised / stowed-up position where the bulky solids can be transported in the discharge vessel 81, while the adapter 77 is shown in the unfolded down / down position where the liquids or (actually fluids in general) can be transported in the bellows 13. It should be noted that the adapters 75 and 77 both rise and fall in unison, and are shown as an adapter 75 raised and the other adap 77 for purposes of illustration, although there is no reason why not, in an alternative mode they can not get off and get up independently. The doors of the emptying container 82, fixed to retain the bellows inside the emptying body 79, can be opened to allow the bulky solids to be poured in known manner. The trailer body 79, has a central divider head 80, and has two openings 83 in the base thereof with removable covers 85 for retaining the bulky solids in the containers 81 when the adapters 75, 77 are in the raised / stowed position upwards. The covers 85 are removed to have access to the fluid drain connections 25 of the bellows 13 when the adapters 75, 77 are in the unfolded down / down position, as in the first embodiment, the bellows 13, is supported on a base member 17, details of the construction for a part of which are shown in Fig. 8. The base member 17 is formed of a core of a sheet, of a honeycomb reinforced Kevlar in PVC foam, expanded 87 or a density between 60 kg / m3 and 80 kg / m3 framed by a hardwood frame 89, gμe runs around the periphery of the foam sheet 87, all of which is contained within a helmet 91 of a fiber construction glass and resin. The density of the foam may vary depending on the mechanical strength of the reinforcing material. Means for forcing the side walls of the bellows inwards are formed by tensioner having anchor points halfway along the longitudinal sides of the bellows 13. The tension means comprise four of the springs 73, as are described above in the first embodiment, which extend to the opposite longitudinal side of the bellows 13, four of which springs are provided in a parallel relationship, for each bellows. The springs 73 are mounted at each end to the anchor points by means of adjustable strips 93. The anchor points are each formed by a flexible hose reinforced with polyvinyl chloride 95, which is welded to a vertical loop 97 welded to the interior of the bellows 13. Reinforced flexible polyvinyl chloride stub 95 is accessed by adjustable straps 93 through an interruption "99 located along vertical loop 97 halfway up the sides of the bellows wall. The loops or gauzes 97 are located in a separate relation along the longitudinal sides of the bellows to provide a substantially uniform driving force along the entire longitudinal length of the bellows 13. The loops 97 are formed of the same material. that the bellows, although a tension medium of a similar shape, extending from opposite ends of the bellows was tested by the inventor, was found not to be However, in some arrangements depending on factors such as the type of bellows material used and its dimensions may be necessary. Referring to Fig- 8 9, one can appreciate the way of operation of the means - of tension. Additional means for preventing wear of the bellows 13 are provided in the form of a skirt extending outwardly peripherally welded to the base of the bellows 13, and a skirt extending downwardly circumferentially 103 welded near the bottom of the bellows. sides of the bellows 13. The skirts 101 and 103 are tensioned to stop the bellows 13, with respect to the base member 17, and there fixed to be sandwiched by a bumper strip of high density polyethylene "105. The bumper strip or stop 105j it has a cross-section that is i-round and is fixed by a certain number of screws 107. The chuck 105 forms a peripheral edge of the base member 17, and receives the impact of any contact against the interior of the trailer 79. The skirts 101 and 103 are formed of the same material as the bellows.Fixing the bottom of the bellows 13, with respect to the base member 17, a correct adjustment of the fluid drain 25 with the opening for it in the base member 17., and prevents excessive bending and wear of the bellows 13, especially in the vicinity of the adjustment 41., which could occur if the bellows was not restricted and could move around when empty. The bumper strip 105, maintains at a certain distance the material of the bellows with respect to the base member 17, from inside the trailer avoiding contact and wear of the bellows at that point. The adapters 75, also include covers 11, of being constructed in a manner similar to the covers of the first embodiment with the exception that the transverse beams 27 thereof are not provided to allow the adapters to be removed by a fork lift, now four survey points 109 are provided for this purpose. The four lifting points are provided in rolling elements 110, which are provided to prevent damage to the adjustment of the adapter in the case of a return of the vehicle. The other exception on the cover of this embodiment when compared to the first embodiment is that the transverse beams 27 have a telescopic arrangement and include rails or tracks 111, to allow the cover 11 to slide open and closed; opening to allow access to the trailer to fill it with bulky solids, and closed for transport. A spring-loaded pin 115, at one end of each of the tracks 111, fixes the transverse beams to keep the cover 11 closed. The spring-loaded pins 115 are operable in unison by a cable and lever assembly 117. The upper part of the bellows 13 has a plurality of loops 118 (one of which can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9) welded to the outer side thereof, arranged in four substantially parallel longitudinal lines extending along the length of the belt. the length of the upper part of the bellows 13. There are six of these loops 118 in each line, which receive four longitudinal aluminum diaphragms 119 (one per line), the tubes are fixed to. lower side of the cover, to support the upper part of the bellows 13 and prevent it from falling downwards. Two of these tubes are located one along each longitudinal edge of the upper part, and the other two tubes are uniformly spaced from the longitudinal edge of the upper part and each other. Four loops 121 are provided at each end near the top of the bellows 13 to secure the ends of the bellows 13 against falling inward, fixing the upper part of the bellows with respect to the cover, results in a correct adjustment of the fit. of the adapter 41 with opening thereto in the cover 11, and prevents too much bending and roughing of the bellows 13 in, the vicinity of the trim 41. The combination of fixing both the top and the bottom of the bellows 13 as described together with the action of the means, of tensioning when the base member is raised and lowered, ensures that the movement of the lateral walls of the bellows is controlled, taking the probability of damage by wear or puncture to a minimum. The base member 17 is raised and lowered with a 50mm load strip of the same type and arranged and driven in the same manner as in the first embodiment, with the exception that there are four strips 51 along each longitudinal side. of the base member 17 (as seen in Fig. 6). Each strip 61 is fixed to the underside of the base member 17, three screws 123 reinforced by an aluminum plate 125, the screws 123 and the aluminum plate 125 fix the strip 51 to the bottom side of the base member 17. The way in which the lifting or grabbing of the base member is carried out to raise and lower it, is the same as in the first modality except that due to the load exerted on a manually operated crane, it is now replaced with a crane that operates hydraulically. In addition (not shown), pins or shackles may also be used to secure the base member to the cover when in the stowed position to give additional slackness when removing the load from the strips 51 when the trailer is being towed. The cycle of operation of use of a bulky article transport vehicle having the adapter is the same as that described in the case of the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 5, except that to fill the containers 81 of the trailer 79, with the base members 17 in the raised position stowed up, the spring loader pins retract and the covers 11 are wound along the tracks 111 exposing the containers 81 to be filled with bulky solids. When the containers are full, the covers 11, are returned to close the upper parts and the bulky solids are transported to their final destination. The covers also serve to avoid the need to use blankets to prevent the dispersion by wind of the load. Upon reaching the destination, the load is emptied in the usual way by a lateral tilt. The base members 17 are then lowered to the deployed position and the bellows filled with the fluid to be transported on the return journey. Upon reaching the destination, the fluid is emptied and the base members are lifted to the stowed position and the cycle can be repeated. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the modalities that have been described, changes of certain details such as the mechanical construction characteristics of the base member 17 and cover 11 and other details to achieve the same benefits that have been discussed in the embodiments may be done without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (18)

1. S 7OSDTCATIONS 1.- A stowing apaxto and bellows deployment for a body used for the storing, storage and transport of articles, to allow fluids to be stored inside the bellows, but avoiding cross-contamination with the body, characterized because , the body has a limited base per side or sides, the bellows storage and deployment apparatus is supported from an upper region of the body, the bellows deployment and stowing apparatus has a base member adapted to support a bellows inside the body, the The base member is movable between a stowed position at the top in which the bellows is stowed above the body, and the body can be used for the stowing of axtlets and a downward deployed position in which the bellows can fill the available space within the body and be used to contain fluidOj an where the imbro-base has dimensions that are substantially adapted to the internal shape of the body in the vicinity of the base, and wherein the stowage and deployment device of the bellows includes means for preventing wear by rubbing the bellows against the side or sides of the body in the form of contraction means attached to the sides of the bellows for pull the sides of the bellows when the base member moves to the upper position.
2. 2. - A bellows stowage and deployment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the bellows is fixed to the base member at least approximately any connector for emptying.
3. 3. A bellows stowage and deployment apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body is an open top body, the bellows stowage and deployment apparatus includes a cover assembly manufactured to conform as a lockable cover for the body, the base member and the bellows are supported from the cover assembly.
4. 4. A stowage and de-bellows apparatus as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes side walls extending upwards from the periphery of the base member.
5. 5. - A bellows stowing and unlocking apparatus as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus also includes attachment means for fixing the bellows at or near the periphery of the base member.
6. 6. - A bellows and stowage apparatus as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining means include a peripheral skirt or peripheral strips that extend at least intermittently from the bellows and join the base member.
7. 7. - A bellows stowing and unlocking apparatus as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus also includes a friction support strip disposed around the periphery of the base member.
8. 8. A bellows stowing and unlocking device according to claim 7, characterized in that the friction support strip forms part of the joining means for fixing the bellows to the base member, sandwiching and fixing the peripheral skirt or fasteners. peripheral strips to the base member.
9. 9.- A bellows stowing and unlocking device as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus also includes other joining means for fixing the bellows at or near the periphery of the upper part of the body or near the body. periphery of the cover.
10. 10. - A bellows stowing and unlocking apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, other joining means include a second peripheral skirt or a plurality of peripheral strips that extend at least intermittently from the bellows and are attached to the bellows. Upper body or cover.
11. 11. A stowage and de-bellows apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, other strap loops arranged in the upper part of the bellows are included to fix the bellows and prevent the upper part of the bellows from falling down excessively.
12. 12. A stowage and de-bellows apparatus as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes lifting means for raising and lowering the base member.
13. 13. - A bellows stowing and unlocking apparatus as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the base member has a generally flat base.
14. 14. A bellows stowing and unlocking device as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the base member includes an opening therethrough to receive a connection of the drainage of the bellows.
15. 15. A bellows stowing and unlocking device as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the contraction means includes tension means attached to opposite positions along the side wall or walls of the inside of the bellows to pull the bellows. sides of the bellows when the base member moves between the unfolded position downwards and the stowed position upwards, or when the bellows is emptied of fluid.
16. 16. - A bellows stowing and unlocking apparatus as set forth in the preceding claims, characterized in that the shrinkage means include tension means attached at adjacent positions along the side wall or walls on the inner side of the bellows for pull the sides of the bellows when the base member moves between the unfolded position downwards and the stowed position upwards or the bellows is emptied of fluid.
17. 17. - A bellows stowing and unlocking apparatus as indicated in claims 15, 16, characterized in that the tension members include at least one helical tension spring.
18. 18. A stowage apparatus and bellows disconnector as described with reference to the description of any modality.