WO2014176640A1

WO2014176640A1 - A bulk container

Info

Publication number: WO2014176640A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000490
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dimitrios TRAMBAS
Original assignee: Trambas Dimitrios
Priority date: 2013-05-03
Filing date: 2014-05-02
Publication date: 2014-11-06

Abstract

A bulk container (10) which has a base (11), side walls (12), (13) and end walls (14), (15) which define an open top and an interior space for a bulk material. The open top is closable by a closure assembly (70), that includes first and second closure flaps (18), (19), each of which pivot between open and closed positions along an axis that extends parallel to the side walls (12), (13). The closure flaps (18), (19) each include a rear edge (50) adjacent the hinge and a front edge (51) generally parallel to the opposite rear edge (50). Leading and trailing edges (52), (53) extend laterally between the rear and front edges (50), (51). Each of the leading edges (52), (53) is positioned in the closed position above an entry space (30) for entry of a closure flap lifting device (37). Whereby upon entry of the closure flap lifting device (37) into the entry space (30), the lifting device (37) can engage the closure flaps (18), (19) for lifting them to an open position.

Description

A BULK CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a bulk container, such as a road or seagoing shipping container. The bulk container of the invention has been developed for use in relation to the transport or shipping of coal, aithough it will be appreciated that the bulk container could be used for shipping various kinds of bulk materials, including solids or liquids.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Mining material such as coal or iron ore is can be shipped between the mine site and distribution ports in shipping containers, which can be of standard size and dimensions for such containers, and the transport is usually by semi-trailer, road train or by rail. The present invention is principally concerned with rail transport, aithough it can apply to road transport as well.

[0004] Trains that transport mined material normally travel through a dedicated filling station or loading plant whereby each container of the train is loaded with mined material successively. The train travels through the plant at low speed in a first direction to partly fill the containers and then the train is reversed to fully fill the containers. This forward and reverse travel of the train is required to properly fill the containers as there is a difficulty in fully filling the containers if the train travels in one direction only. In either direction of travel however, the train travels slowly but continuously.

[0005] The mined material is fed into the containers through a hopper which is lowered into the open top of each container for discharge of materia! into the container and when sufficient material has been loaded into the container, the hopper is lifted out of the open end and is re-lowered when the next container presents itself for fiiling. This raising and lowering of the hopper takes place for each container of the train and is controlled by an operator who controls the feeding process,

[0006] Containers used for shipping mining material are often required to be closed, to prevent the escape of dust from the containers. While large or heavy material is unlikely to escape out of the container opening, small or fine particulate matter can blow out of the containers if they are not properly closed. Discharge of such particulate matter is problematic as the matter forms an airborne pollutant that is considered to contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular illness by inhaling. The particulate matter can also pollute waterways in which marine life can be adversely affected. Introduction of such particulates into waterways can produce unpleasant odours and may also affect the appearance of the waterway. For the foregoing reasons, certain councils have rules relating to containers that travel through their boundaries which require the containers to be closed.

[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to close the containers once they have been filled with the mined materia!. However, the opening and closing of the containers can present a challenge to the loading of material into the containers, in this respect, the containers are preferably easily opened and closed, but in the closed state, must be effective to prevent or at least substantiaily prevent escape of particulate matter from the containers. Moreover, ideally the containers are opened and closed without affecting the passage of containers through a loading plant and so the opening and closing is preferably automatic and carried out as the containers move through the facility.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a bulk container which is generai!y square or rectangular and which includes a base, a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding side walls and a pair of spaced apart and parallel, upstanding end walls which define an interior space to receive a bulk material for shipping, the container further includes an open top which is closable by a closure assembly, the closure assembly includes first and second closure flaps, each of which pivot along an axis which extends parallel to the side wails of the bulk container, and each of which are pivotable about the respective axes between open and closed positions, whereby in the open condition, the interior of the container is available for loading, and in the closed position, the interior of the container is closed against escape, or substantia! escape of material from within the interior, the closure flaps each including a rear edge adjacent the hinge, a front edge generally parallel to and opposite the rear edge, and leading and trailing edges which extend lateraliy between the rear and front edges, each of the leading edges being positioned in the closed position above an entry space for entry of a closure flap lifting device, whereby upon entry of the closure flap lifting device into the entry space the lifting device can engage the closure flaps for lifting the closure flaps to an open position. It is to be noted that while the closure assembly includes first and second closure flaps, the opening and closing of those flaps is for loading purposes, and not usually for unloading. That is, the container can be loaded through the opening that is created when the closure flaps are opened, but when the container is to be unloaded, the entire closure assembly, including the closure flaps, is removed, so that the complete open top of the container is exposed for unloading.

[0009] The bulk container according to the invention advantageously can be opened by the lifting device easily and conveniently and in particular, while the container is in motion for filling of the container. That is, the lifting device can open the container as it moves where after the container can be loaded with bulk material. Further, where the containers form part of an in-line cargo transport (such as train transport), successive containers according to the invention can be opened as they pass a dedicated lifting device for loading further down the line and continuously without the containers being stopped to open them. Advantageously, the bulk container according to the invention is both robust and relatively simple, which is important when the containers are being operated in aggressive environments, such as mining environments.

[0010] The present invention also provides a loading plant for loading bulk materials into a bulk container which is generally square or rectangular and includes a base, a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding side walls and a pair of spaced apart and parallel, upstanding end walls which define an interior space to receive the bulk material, the container further including an open top which is closable by a closure assembly, the closure assembly includes first and second closure flaps, each of which pivot along an axis which extends parallel to the side wails of the bulk container, and each of which are pivotable about the respective axes between open and closed positions, whereby in the open condition, the interior of the container is available for loading, and in the ciosed position, the interior of the container is closed against escape, or substantial escape of material from within the interior, the closure flaps each including a rear edge adjacent the hinge, a front edge generally parallel to and opposite the rear edge, and leading and trailing edges which extend laterally between the rear and front edges, each of the leading edges being positioned in the closed position above an entry space, the loading plant including a bulk material loading device and a ciosure flap lifting device, the closure flap lifting device including a leading portion for entry into the entry space of the container, whereby to load the bulk container with bulk material the bulk container is moved within the loading plant in a container opening direction relative to the closure flap fitting device and the closure flap lifting device is positioned for entry of the leading portion into the entry space for engagement with the closure flaps and for lifting the closure flaps to the open position, where after the bulk material loading device loads bulk material into the interior space of the bulk container.

[0011] A loading plant according to the invention employs the bulk container described above, and in addition, includes a lifting device for opening of the closure flaps of the container. As indicated above, a loading plant can be provided to load a rail cargo train, whereby a large number of containers are loaded onto rail trays and are opened and filled in succession. Again, the simplicity of the bulk container in the manner in which it can be opened provides advantages in the loading process, while, as will become evident later herein, closure of the containers can also be by a relatively simpie mechanism and can also take place as the containers are in motion. The ability to open, load and close the containers as the containers are in motion is highly advantageous as it means the train is not required to stop and start as each container is presented for filling. It should be appreciated however, that stationary containers can also be opened by arranging the lifting device to move relative to the containers.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method of loading bulk material into a bulk container, whereby the bulk container is generally square or rectangular and includes a base, a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding side walls and a pair of spaced apart and parallel, upstanding end walls which define an interior space to receive the bulk material, the container further including an open top which is closable by a closure assembly, the closure assembly includes first and second closure flaps, each of which pivot along an axis which extends parallel to the side walls of the bulk container, and each of which are pivotable about the respective axes between open and closed positions, whereby in the open condition, the interior of the container is available for loading, and in the closed position, the interior of the container is closed against escape, or substantial escape of material from within the interior, the closure flaps each including a rear edge adjacent the hinge, a front edge generally parallel to and opposite the rear edge, and leading and trailing edges which extend laterally between the rear and front edges, each of the leading edges being positioned in the closed position above an entry space, the method including positioning a leading portion of a closure flap lifting device for entry into the entry space of the container and moving the container in a container opening direction so that the leading portion enters the entry space and engages the closure flaps and lifts the closure flaps to an open position, where after bulk material is loaded into the interior space of the container.

[0013] Advantages of the method are similar to those set out in relation to the loading plant, in that the method involves a relatively simple operation to open, load and close containers in a robust and continuous manner,

[0014] The closure flaps of a container according to the invention can be lifted by the lifting device in any suitable manner upon entry of the device into the entry space. However, in some forms of the invention, it is the leading edges of the closure flaps, or portions of the closure flaps that are adjacent to the leading edges, that are engaged by the lifting device and the closure flaps are lifted as the container moves relative to the lifting device. Thus, in some forms of the invention there can be a sliding engagement between the leading edges or adjacent the leading edges of the closure flaps and the lifting device, while in other forms, the leading edges or adjacent the leading edges can each include a roller for rolling engagement with the lifting device. Roiling engagement provides benefits in terms of reduced wear between the lifting device and the closure flaps and reduced noise during opening of the closure flaps. However, wear and noise between the lifting device and the closure flaps can be reduced in other ways such as by the use of low friction coatings on one or both of the sliding surfaces.

[0015] The leading edges can extend at any suitable angle between the front and rear edges of the closure flaps, but in most forms of the invention, the leading edges will be extend generally perpendicular to the front and rear edges, so that the closure flaps wi!f be square or rectangular.

[0016] in order to prevent escape of material through the entry space of the bulk container, a closure can be provided to close the entry space until such time as the lifting device enters that space, or even approaches that space, for lifting the closure flaps. Any suitable closure can be employed, but in some forms of the invention, a resilient flap is provided that resiliently bends or pivots away from the entry space as the lifting device enters or approaches the entry space. In these forms of the invention, the lifting device can engage the flap to cause it to resiliency bend or pivot, or the lifting device can trigger a mechanism that causes bending or pivoting of the flap. The lifting device can trigger a mechanism before entering the entry space or when it enters the entry space. The flap can be metal or other suitable material, although plastic or rubber is preferred. The closure can bear against or seal against the leading edges of the closure flaps to close the entry space.

[0017] A bulk container according to the invention can also be arranged so the trailing edges or ends of the closure flaps are positioned for engagement by a closing device in the open position of the closure flaps. Thus, the loading plant can include a closing device which engages the trailing edges or ends of the closure flaps in the open position and which causes them to pivot from the open condition to the closed condition. To assist this process, each of the trailing edges can include a roller for rolling engagement via the closing device. The closure flaps can be controlled in their movement from the open position to the closed position so that they do not fall under gravity, as that might create significant noise and/or wear. Hydraulic or pneumatic rams could be employed.

[0018] In some forms of the invention, the closure flaps are se!f-standing or self- supporting in the open position. That is, when the closure flaps are moved from the closed position to the open position, in the open position, they stand under their own weight and do not require further assistance to stand. For this, the closure flaps can include a main closure portion and a flange portion which extends or is formed at the rear edge of the closure flaps. The flange portion will extend laterally to the main closure portion and the flange portion can extend to the axis about which the closure flaps pivot, in the open position of the closure flaps, the closure flaps rest on the flange portion. Preferably, the flange portion extends generally perpendicular to the main ciosure portion,

[0019] in relation to the loading plant and the method, the lifting device can include an engagement surface for bearing engagement with or adjacent the leading edges of the closure flaps. This can be a roller surface if the closure flaps do not inciude a roller themselves, but if the closure flaps do include a roller at or adjacent the leading edges thereof, the engagement surface can form a cam surface over which the rollers roli. The cam surface can be a continuous surface. Of course if the closure flaps do not include a roller or rollers, then the leading edges of the closure flaps, or portions of the ciosure flaps that are adjacent to the leading edges, can slide relative to the engagement surface of the lifting device in sliding bearing contact with that surface, but if that arrangement is employed, then care needs to be taken to ensure that excessive wear does not take place between the loading device and the closure flaps. Suitable materials, such as low friction materials can be adopted to reduce wear if that sliding engagement is preferred. Alternatively, the bearing surfaces of one or both of the loading device and the closure flaps can be replaceable so that worn surfaces can be replaced when required.

[0020] Forming the engagement surface as a cam surface simply means that the engagement surface is formed in a manner that the ciosure flaps move relative to the engagement surface in a manner causing them to open. Thus, the cam surface can comprise first and second spaced apart surfaces whereby movement of the container in a container opening direction relative to the cam surfaces causes the first closure flap to move along the first cam surface and the second closure flap to move along the second cam surface. The first and second cam surfaces can diverge from a position which is relatively adjacent to each other to a position further apart and from a relatively low position to a higher position in the direction in which a container moves to open the ciosure flaps. Thus, as the ciosure flaps move relative to the first and second cam surfaces, the closure flaps are moved up and out to an open position.

[0021] As indicated above, the loading plant and the method can also include a closing device which is positioned for engaging the trailing edges or ends of the closure flaps, or portions of the closure flaps that are adjacent to the trailing edges or ends and is positioned to close those flaps when the containers have been fully filled. The closing device can comprise first and second spaced apart cam surfaces, whereby during movement of a container in a container closing direction, the first closure flap moves along the first cam surface in a closing direction and the second closure flap moves along the second cam surface in the same closing direction. The cam surfaces can define a surface which shifts the closure flaps from the open position to a point at which the closure flaps will fail under their own weight to the closed position.

[0022] Alternative to allowing the closure flaps to fall under their own weight is to control the lowering of the flaps, because the closure flaps can be of significant weight (such as approximately 300kgs each) and can be prone to buckle as they reach the closed position and decelerate. Thus, closure control devices can be employed and in some forms of the invention, the lifting device can constitute a closure control device. In these forms of the invention, the lifting device can be positioned so that when the closure flaps reach the over-centre position and begin to fall under their own weight, the flaps almost immediately engage the lifting device and are lowered in a controlled manner to the closed position. That occurs substantially the reverse to the manner in which the lifting device lifts the closure flaps.

[0023] In a loading plant according to the invention, the lifting device can be moveable vertically from an elevated position where it will clear a locomotive that is pulling or pushing a body of containers, to a lower position whereby it is positioned for entry into the entry space of the respective containers. Control of the lifting device can be automatic, or can be by a human controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which: [0025] Figure 1 is an isometric perspective view of a container according to the invention in a closed position.

[0026] Figure 2 is an isometric perspective view of a container according to the invention in an open position.

[0027] Figure 3 is an end view of the container of Figure 1.

[0028] Figures 4a to 4e are sequence views showing the manner in which containers are opened when being pulled by a locomotive.

[0029] Figure 5 is an isometric perspective view of a loading device according to the invention.

[0030] Figures 6 and 7 are front and rear views respectively of the lifting device of Figure 5.

[0031] Figures 8 and 9 are rear and front views respectively of a closing device for use in the invention.

[0032] Figure 10 shows the container of Figure 1 , cut with the entire closure assembly removed for unloading of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figures 1 and 2 are isometric perspective views of a bulk container according to the invention, respectively in closed and open conditions. Each of the containers 10 of Figures 1 and 2 includes a base 11 , a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding side walls 12 and 13 and a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding end walls 14 and 15, which define an inferior space 16 (Figure 2). The container further includes an open top 17 which is closable by a closure assembly that includes first and second closure flaps 18 and 19.

[0034] Each of the closure flaps 18 and 19 includes a main closure portion 22 and a flange portion 23. This arrangement is more evident in the end view of Figure 3 which shows the end wall 14. In Figure 3, it can be seen that the flange portion 23 extends perpendicular to the main portion 22. [0035] The closure flaps 18 and 19 are each pivotab!e about axes 24 between the closed position of Figure 1 and the open position of Figure 2. The axes 24 extend parallel to the side walls 12 and 13. It is evident from Figure 3 that the flange portion 23 of each of the closure flaps 18 and 19 extends to the axis 24 about which the closure flaps 18 and 19 pivot.

[0036] It will be readily apparent from Figure 2, that with the closure flaps 18 and 19 in the open position, a large opening is provided in the top 17 of the container 10 for loading bulk material into the interior 16 of the container 10. In the closed position of Figure 1 , the top 17 is substantially closed so that escape of bulk material from the interior 16 is either substantially or fully eliminated.

[0037] A unique feature of the present invention is that when the closure flaps 18 and 19 are in the closed position, the main portions 22 of the flaps 18 and 19 are positioned above an entry space 30 above the top surface 31 (Figure 3) of the container top 17. Thus, there is a gap G, between the surface 31 and the facing surface of the main portions 22. Given that the entry space 30 could present an opening through which bulk material within the interior 16 could escape, the space 30 is closed by a flexible barrier 32 as most clearly seen in Figure 2. The barrier 32 actually extends completely about the opening of the interior space 16 in the top 17 of the container 10 as better seen in Figure 3, thus providing a complete barrier to the escape of material from within the interior space 16 once the closure flaps 18 and 19 are closed. However, the flexible barrier does not need to extend for the full extent shown in the figures, but rather, it can extend just across the entry space 30 (and the space opposite the entry space 30 at the other end of the closure flaps 18 and 19). Also, for reasons that will become apparent later herein, the barrier 32 is flexible so that a lifting device can enter through the entry space 30 and deflect the barrier 32 prior to lifting the closure flaps 18 and 19.

[0038] Figures 4a to 4e show a series of containers 10 which have been loaded onto a plurality of rail trays 35, and which are being drawn by a locomotive 36. Each of Figures 4a to 4e also show a closure flap lifting device 37 (shown suspended in air and not structurally supported as would be the case in practice), the operation of which will be described as follows. [0039] The lifting device 37 is intended to shift the closure flaps 18 and 19 from the ciosed position of Figures 1 and 3 to the open position of Figure 2. In Figure 4a, the vertical position of the lifting device 37 is high enough to dear the upper surface of the locomotive 36, so that the locomotive 36 can clear the iifting device 37 as the locomotive 36 moves past the lifting device 37 in a container opening direction A,

[0040] Once the iifting device 37 has cleared the locomotive 36, it can be lowered to the position shown in Figure 4b. At that position, a leading portion 38 of the Iifting device 37 is in a position aligned for entry into the entry space 30 of the first container 10.

[0041] In Figure 4c, the locomotive has moved further relative to the lifting device 37, so that the leading portion 38 has entered the entry space 30 of the first container 10 and has caused the closure flaps 18 and 19 to pivot about the axes 24 towards the open position of Figure 2. Thus, in Figure 4c, the main portion 22 of the closure flap 18 is visible. In Figure 4c, the closure flap 18 is not fully pivoted to the open position, but further travel of the first container 10 in the direction A will pivot the closure flap 18 further and into the open position.

[0042] As the locomotive 36 moves further forward in the direction A, the Iifting device 37 travels through the length of the first container 10 and past the end wall 14 (see Figures 1 and 2) of the first container 10 and into the entry space 30 of the second container 10. As the leading portion 38 of the lifting device 37 enters the second container 10, the closure flaps 18 and 19 are lifted and in Figure 4d, a second closure flap 18 is evident and is partially open.

[0043] The sequence continues as the locomotive 36 continues to move in the direction A and the lifting device 37 proceeds through successive containers 10. In Figure 4e for example, four closure flaps 18 are evident as being opened, the first three fully open and the last partially open.

[0044] It will be appreciated that any number of containers 10 can be opened in the manner shown in the sequence of Figures 4a to 4e. When loading mining material, it is often the case that a much great number of containers 10 are provided than shown in Figures 4a to 4e, but there is no limitation on the number of containers that can be opened by the lifting device 37. The only real limitation is the size of the loading plant in which the present invention is employed and the capacity of the train.

[0045] Reference will now be made to Figures 5 to 7, which show the lifting device 37 as an individual component. With reference to those figures, the device 37 includes a closure flap engagement surface which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a cam surface that comprises first and second cam surfaces 40 and 41. While the cam surfaces are shown as separate surfaces, they could equally be a single contoured surface of a sheet metal for example. The cam surfaces 40 and 41 diverge from a position relatively adjacent to each other at front ends 42 thereof to position which is further apart, as seen at the rear ends 43 thereof. The cam surfaces 40 and 41 also move from a relatively low position to a higher position between the front and rear ends 42 and 43.

[0046] The cam surfaces 40 and 41 are supported by bridging members 44 and by lengthwise struts 45. A central column 46 extends to a mounting plate 47 with webs 48 providing rigidity between the column 46 and the plate 47. The column 46 is telescopic, to allow for limited height adjustment. The mounting plate is used to mount the lifting device 37 to a suitable structure in the loading plant which is not illustrated in the figures.

[0047] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the closure flaps 18 and 19 are rectangular, so that they include a rear edge 50, a front edge 51 which is parallel to the rear edge 50, and leading and trailing edges 52 and 53, which extend generally perpendicular between the front and rear edges 50 and 51. Each of the leading and traiiing edges 52 and 53 includes a roller 54 in the embodiment illustrated. The roller allows for rolling contact with the cam surfaces 40 and 41 as the container 10 moves relative to the lifting device 37 and as the closure flaps 18 and 19 are lifted to the open position of Figure 2. Thus, while not essential, a major benefit of the present invention is that there is smooth rolling engagement between the leading edges 52 of the closure flaps 18 and 19 and the cam surfaces 40 and 41 of the lifting device 37. This minimises wear between both the closure flaps 18 and 19 and the lifting device 37 and minimises or eliminates noise that would otherwise be associated with a sliding engagement. [0048] Returning to Figures 4a to 4e, once the closure flaps are in an open position, the containers 10 can be filled with bulk material. Thus, a discharge hopper can be positioned beyond the lifting device 37 so that as the containers are opened, the bulk material can be discharged into them.

[0049] In respect of mining material, container filling is generally a two-stage process, where the train of containers 10 is filled to approximately 50% capacity in a first pass, and then the train is reversed through a second pass (usually by a locomotive pulling from the other end of the line of containers 10 to the locomotive 36) to complete the container fill. Thus, the containers are opened as the locomotive 36 moves them in the direction A and they are partially filled as they move in that direction. Once all of the containers 10 have been partially filled, the locomotive 36 stops, and a similar locomotive at the other end of the train pulls the containers in the opposite direction. Once each container 10 is fully filled, the closure flaps 18 and 19 can be closed and for that, the invention provides a closing device, one version of which is shown in isolation in Figures 8 and 9.

[0050] The closing device 60 of Figures 8 and 9 is supported on a cradle 61 formed of a pair of upright beams 62 and a cross beam 63. The closing device 60 further includes a pair of spaced apart cam surfaces 64 and 65 that are attached to the cradle 61 by a bracing structure 66,

[0051] The closing device 60 operates to engage the closure flaps 18 and 19 and to cause them to pivot about the axes 24 to the point at which they can either tip under their own weight to the closed position of Figure 1 or they can be lowered in a controlled manner. In some forms of the invention, particularly if the closure flaps are of significant weight, the lifting device can be used to lower the flaps in a controlled manner to the closed position. In this respect, the closure flaps 18 and 19 of the illustrated embodiment are self-supporting in the open position, by the flange portion 23 of the closure flaps 18 and 19 resting on the top surface 31 of the top 17 of the container 10 at the surface positions 67 (see Figure 3). Accordingly, all that is required to close the closure flaps 18 and 19 is to tip them from the open position of Figure 2 towards the closed position of Figure 1 and once the over-centre position has been reached, the closure flaps 18 and 19 will fall under their own weight. [0052] However, where the closure flaps 18 and 19 are of significant weight (such as approximately 300kgs each) there is the possibility of the flaps buckling as they reach the closed position and decelerate, Thus, the lifting device can be positioned so that when the closure flaps reach the over-centre position and begin to fall under their own weight, the flaps almost immediately engage the lifting device and are lowered in a controlled manner to the closed position. That occurs substantially the reverse to the manner in which the lifting device lifts the closure flaps.

[0053] Thus, when the closure flaps are to be closed, the cam surfaces 64 of the closing device 60 engage the trailing edges 53 of the closure flaps 18 and 19 (or sections of the closure flaps 18 and 19 that are adjacent the trailing edges 53) from the outside of those flaps, and as the containers 10 move relative to the device 60 In the opposite direction to the direction A of Figure 4a, the cam surfaces 64 slowly push the closure flaps 18 and 19 inwardly, about the axes 24. In respect of Figure 8, a container 10 would travel in the closure direction C1 relative to the closing device 60, while in Figure 9, the container would travel in the closing direction C2.

[0054] The closure flaps 18 and 19 will thus be pushed inwardly to the point at which they reach an over-centre position and begin to fall towards the closed position. This point would typically be either at or close to the ends 68 of the cam surfaces 64 and 65 of the closing device 60. However, the lifting device 37 can be positioned so that as the trailing edges 53 of the closure flaps 18 and 19 leave the cam surfaces 64 and 65, the leading ends 52 of the closure flaps 18 and 19 re-engage the cam surfaces 40 and 41 of the lifting device 37 so that the leading edges 52 can slide down the cam surfaces 40 and 41 with further movement of the container 10. It will be apparent that for this controlled lowering to occur, the closing device 60 must be positioned at about a distance away from the lifting device 37 that is equal to the length of the closure flaps 18 and 19.

[0055] it will be appreciated that the cradle 61 of the closing device 60 would be setup to straddle the opposite side walls 12 and 13 of the containers 10, and there is no need for the closing device 60 to be raised and lowered like the lifting device 37, because the device 60 can be made to clear the upper surfaces of the locomotive 36 as the locomotive 36 moves through the cradle 61. In this respect, the cam surfaces 64 and 65 are positioned higher that the lifting device 37 given that the cam surfaces engage the closure flaps 18 and 19 in the open position and therefore at a higher position than engagement of the lifting device in the entry space 30 when the closure flaps 18 and 19 are closed.

[0056] In respect of mined material, the closing device 60 can be positioned at any position along the travel of the train of containers 10, as long as it only closes the containers once they have been completely filled through the second filling pass. However, if the lifting device is to be used to control closure of the closure flaps 18 and 19, the closing device must be in proximity of the lifting device as described above.

[0057] It will be appreciated that in the illustrated form of the invention, the containers 10 can be easily opened for filling and easily closed for subsequent transport between the loading plant and a port or other discharge area. The opening and closing devices, while unique and clever, work in a relatively simple and mechanical way, so that the devices interact with the containers in a robust and predictable manner. Thus, the invention is expected to provide a long and relatively maintenance free life, and be employed in a manner that minimises the impact on the speed of filling of the containers 10. In fact, is it expected that by the invention, the containers 10 will be filled more quickly than is currently the case in prior art filling arrangements.

[0058] Figure 10 shows the container 10 with the closure flaps 18 and 19 closed but with the entire closure assembly 70 lifted from the container 10 so that the complete open top of the container is exposed for unloading. This illustrates that while the closure assembly 70 includes first and second closure flaps18 and 19, the opening and closing of those flaps is for loading purposes, and not usually for unloading. Thus, the container can be loaded through the opening that is created when the closure flaps 18 and 19 are opened, but when the container 10 is to be unloaded, the entire closure assembly 70 , including the closure flaps 18 and 19, is removed.

[0059] The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and if is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fail within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A bulk container which is generally square or rectangular and which includes a base, a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding side walls and a pair of spaced apart and parallel, upstanding end walls which define an interior space to receive a bulk material for shipping, the container further includes an open top which is closable by a closure assembly, the closure assembly includes first and second closure flaps, each of which pivot along an axis which extends parallel to the side walls of the bulk container, and each of which are pivotable about the respective axes between open and closed positions, whereby in the open condition, the interior of the container is available for loading, and in the closed position, the interior of the container is closed against escape, or substantia! escape of material from within the interior, the closure flaps each including a rear edge adjacent the hinge, a front edge generally parallel to and opposite the rear edge, and leading and trailing edges which extend laterally between the rear and front edges, each of the leading edges being positioned in the closed position above an entry space for entry of a closure flap lifting device, whereby upon entry of the closure flap lifting device into the entry space the lifting device can engage the closure flaps for lifting the closure flaps to an open position.

2. A bulk container according to claim 1 , the leading edges of the closure flaps being positioned for engagement by the lifting device.

3. A bulk container according to claim 1 or 2, each of the leading edges including a roller for roiling engagement by the lifting device.

4. A bulk container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the leading edges extending generally perpendicular to the front and rear edges.

5. A bulk container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the trailing edges of the closure flaps being positioned for engagement by a closing device.

6. A bulk container according to claim 5, each of the trailing edges including a roller for rolling engagement by the closing device.

7. A bulk container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the closure flaps being self-supporting in the open position.

8. A bulk container according to claim 7, the closure flaps including a main closure portion and a flange portion, the flange portion being at the rear edge of the closure flap and extending laterally to the main closure portion and extending to the axis about which the closure flap pivots, the closure flaps resting in the open position on the flange portion.

9. A bulk container according to claim 8, the flange portion extending generally perpendicular to the main closure portion.

10. A bulk container according to claim 8 or 9, the main closure portion extending substantially vertically in the open position.

11. A bulk container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the entry space being substantially closed by a barrier in absence of the closure flap lifting device having entered the entry space.

12. A bulk container according to claim 11 , the barrier being a flexible barrier that flexes to open the entry space for entry of the lifting device into the entry space.

13. A bulk container according to claim 11 , the barrier being a pivotable barrier that pivots to open the entry space for entry of the lifting device into the entry space.

14. A loading plant for loading bulk materials into a bulk container which is generally square or rectangular and includes a base, a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding side walls and a pair of spaced apart and parallel, upstanding end walls which define an interior space to receive the bulk material, the container further including an open top which is closable by a closure assembly, the closure assembly includes first and second closure flaps, each of which pivot along an axis which extends parallel to the side walls of the bulk container, and each of which are pivotable about the respective axes between open and closed positions, whereby in the open condition, the interior of the container is available for loading, and in the closed position, the interior of the container is closed against escape, or substantia! escape of materia! from within the interior, the closure flaps each including a rear edge adjacent the hinge, a front edge generally parallel to and opposite the rear edge, and leading and trailing edges which extend laterally between the rear and front edges, each of the leading edges being positioned in the closed position above an entry space, the loading plant including a bulk material loading device and a closure flap lifting device, the closure flap lifting device including a leading portion for entry into the entry space of the container, whereby to load the bulk container with bulk materia! the bulk container is moved within the loading plant in a container opening direction relative to the closure flap lifting device and the closure flap lifting device is positioned for entry of the leading portion into the entry space for engagement with the closure flaps and for lifting the closure flaps to the open position, where after the bulk material loading device loads bulk materia! into the interior space of the bulk container.

15. A loading plant according to claim 14, the lifting device including an engagement surface for bearing engagement with the leading edges of the closure flaps.

16. A loading plant according to claim 15, the engagement surface being a cam surface whereby as the container moves relative to the cam surface in the container opening direction, each the closure flap moves along the cam surface from the dosed position to the open position.

17. A loading plant according to claim 16, the cam surface comprising first and second spaced apart cam surfaces, whereby during movement of the container in the container opening direction, the first closure flap moves along the first cam surface and the second closure flap moves along the second cam surface.

18. A loading plant according to claim 17, the first and second cam surfaces diverge from a position relatively adjacent to each other to a position further apart and from a relatively tow position to a higher position in the container opening direction.

19. A loading plant according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further including a closing device for closing the closure flaps from the open position.

20. A loading plant according to claim 19, the closing device being positioned for engaging the trailing edges of the c!osure flaps.

21. A loading plant according to claim 19 or 20, the closing device comprising first and second spaced apart cam surfaces, whereby during movement of the container in a container closing direction, the first closure flap moves along the first cam surface in a closing direction and the second closure flap moves a!ong the second cam surface in a closing direction.

22. A loading plant according to any one of claims 14 to 21 , the lifting device being movable vertically from an elevated position to a lower position whereby in the lower position, the leading portion of the closure device is positioned for entry into the entry space of the container.

23. A loading plant according to any one of claims 14 to 22, a closure control device being employed to the control movement of the closure flaps from the open to the closed position.

24. A loading plant according to claim 23, the closure control device being the lifting device.

25. A method of loading bulk material into a bulk container, whereby the bulk container is generally square or rectangular and includes a base, a pair of spaced apart and parallel upstanding side walls and a pair of spaced apart and parallel, upstanding end walls which define an interior space to receive the bulk material, the container further including an open top which is closable by a closure assembly, the closure assembly includes first and second closure flaps, each of which pivot along an axis which extends parallel to the side walls of the bulk container, and each of which are pivotable about the respective axes between open and closed positions, whereby in the open condition, the interior of the container is available for loading, and in the closed position, the interior of the container is closed against escape, or substantial escape of material from within the interior, the closure flaps each including a rear edge adjacent the hinge, a front edge generally parallel to and opposite the rear edge, and leading and trailing edges which extend laterally between the rear and front edges, each of the leading edges being positioned in the closed position above an entry space, the method including positioning a leading portion of a closure flap lifting device for entry into the entry space of the container and moving the container in a container opening direction so that the leading portion enters the entry space and engages the closure flaps and lifts the closure flaps to an open position, where after bulk materia! is loaded into the interior space of the container.

26. A method according to claim 24, wherein once the container is filled to the extent required, the method includes closing the closure flaps.