GB2115509A

GB2115509A - Equipment comprising a mobile container and inlet coupling therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2115509A
Application number: GB08305492A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Der Lely Cornelis Van
Original assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Current assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Priority date: 1982-02-26
Filing date: 1983-02-28
Publication date: 1983-09-07
Also published as: FR2522244A1; GB8305492D0; DE3306379A1; GB2115509B

Abstract

A slurry spreader (1) has an inlet pipe (23) for connection to a feed pipe (45) so that slurry from a slurry pit (48) can be drawn into the tank (2) by suction. A coupling member (27) is adapted to make sealing engagement with a connecting plate (46) when the spreader (1) is reversed towards the feed pipe (45). The suction in the tank (2) serves to hold the coupling member (27) in engagement with the plate (46). The coupling member (27) is flexible and so can tolerate misalignment of the pipes (23, 45). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Equipment comprising a mobile container This invention relates to equipment (particularly, although not exclusively agricultural equipment) comprising a mobile container and a feed pipe for communication with a source of flowable material.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided equipment comprising a mobile container and a feed pipe for communication with a source of flowable material, the container being provided with an inlet pipe for connection to the feed pipe, the equipment further comprising means for generating a pressure difference between the exterior and interior of the container and/or the pipes, at least one of the pipes having a coupling member for engagement with the other pipe by movement of the container towards the said other pipe, the coupling member being adapted to be urged against the said other pipe by the pressure difference thereby to enhance the coupling between the pipes during flow of material through the pipes.

With equipment constructed in accordance with the present invention, it is not necessary, when connecting the inlet and feed pipes, to touch either of the pipes. This is a great advantage when the interconnected pipes are to convey materials which are unpleasant or dangerous to touch. For connecting the pipes, no separate manipulations are required which helps to make it quick and easy to establish the connection.

An advantageous embodiment of the equipment is obtained when a suction pump is provided for generating sub-atmospheric pressure in the container and in the pipes so as to draw material from the source into the container. With such an embodiment, the coupling member may be flexible so that it is pressed against a connecting member of the other pipe by atmospheric pressure. In this way the manufacture and the inspection of the equipment are simplified.

A simple construction is obtained when the coupling member is made from flexible material and is coupled at one end to a rigid pipe portion of the pipe concerned, the coupling member extending away from the rigid pipe portion in a flaring manner.

A satisfactory connection between the two pipes can be further improved when the coupling member comprises two or more layers of material which are relatively movable. Each layer can establish a connection independently of the other or others so that the connection is more reliable.

The connection between the two pipes can be advantageously designed so that it can be more readily established if the diameter of the connecting member is appreciably larger than the diameter of the coupling member, so that when connecting the inlet pipe and the feed pipe together, the centrelines of the mouths of these pipes need not coincide. Thus, the approach of the inlet pipe to the feed pipe need not be a precision operation, and the connecting procedure is thus simplified.

In a further embodiment, the coupling member is movable with respect to a further part of the pipe on which it is provided. This avoids damage to the parts. An advantageous construction is furthermore obtained when the adjoining pipe ends are designed so that the pipes can be interconnected reliably even if they are inclined to each other.

In a further embodiment the feed pipe and a support frame on which it is mounted may be provided with an indicating mechanism, the feed pipe being movable with respect to the support frame so that this movement causes the indicating mechanism to display the value of the force exerted between the inlet pipe and the feed pipe.

The driver of the mobile container thus obtains an indication of the manner in which the inlet pipe is connected with the feed pipe so that the establishment of the coupling between the channels can be satisfectorily controlled.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a slurry spreader having an inlet pipe for connection to a feed pipe extending from a slurry pit; Figure 2 is a view taken on the line 11-Il in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection between the inlet pipe and the feed pipe; Figure 4 con esponds to Figure 3 but shows the feed pipe and the inlet pipe in a different relative position; Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of another form of connection between an inlet pipe and a feed pipe; Figure 6 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow VI in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows on an enlarged scale a third form of connection between an inlet pipe and a feed pipe;; Figure 8 is a sectional view of a fourth form of connection between an inlet pipe and a feed pipe; Figure 9 is a sectional view of a fifth form of connection between an inlet pipe and a feed pipe; Figure 10 shows a connection similar to that of Figure 8, the inlet pipe being similar to that of Figure 5; and Figure 1 1 shows a connection similar to that of Figure 9, the inlet pipe being similar to that of Figure 5.

The slurry spreaders represented in the Figures are in the form of mobile containers constructed as agricultural tanker trailers 1. However, they could also be constructed as semi-trailers or self propelled vehicles. Such equipment is particularly suitable for transporting and spreading liquid manure. Referring to Figure 1, the trailer 1 comprises a chassis 2 on which a tank 3 is mounted. The chassis 1 is provided with ground wheels 4 and has a draw ring 5 by which, as illustrated, the trailer is hitched to a tractor or a similar vehicle. The trailer has a reversible pump 7, i.e. a pump which can selectively apply suction or pressure, mounted on the chassis 1 and connected by a conduit 8 with the upper region of the interior of the tank 3. The pump 7 can be linked to a power take off shaft 10 of the tractor 6 by an auxiliary shaft 9, as is shown in Figure 1.The tank 3 has an outlet 15 having a spreading plate 16 and a shut-off valve 17. The valve 17 is connected by means of a linkage 18 with a control lever 1 9. The outlet 1 5 is situated at the lower region of the tank 3 at the rear, with respect to the normal intended direction of travel 20. The control lever 1 9 is at the front of the tank 3 to permit control from the tractor 6.

At the top, near the rear, the tank is provided with an inlet pipe 23 comprising a rigid pipe portion 22 having a shut-off valve 24. The valve 24 is connected by means of a linkage 25 with a control lever 26 at the front of the tank. The inlet pipe 23 has a coupling member 27 which is flexible and in the form of a trumpet. The coupling member 27 is made from flexible material and has three relatively movable, flexible layers, namely an outer layer 28, an intermediate layer 29 and an inner layer 30. The coupling member 27 is clamped by means of a strap 31 to the pipe portion 22 and is located against a collar 32 mounted on the pipe portion 22. The coupling member flares in the direction away from the pipe portion 22 and has at its outer end an outer diameter 33, which is approximately three to four times greater than the outer diameter 34 of the pipe portion 22.The coupling member 27 extends at the outer circumference in an arc, as viewed in cross-section, having a radius of curvature 35 which is, in the unloaded condition of the coupling member, approximately equal to the length 36 by which the coupling member extends beyond the pipe portion 22. The coupling member 27 is coaxial with the opening of the inlet 23, the centreline of which is indicated at 37. The centreline 37 is parallel to the centreline 38 of the tank 3. When the trailer is on horizontal ground, the tank 3 is inclined downwardly from front to rear at an angle 39 of, for example, 4 to 50 to the horizontal.In the unloaded condition of the coupling member 27, the opening of the coupling member 27 defined by edges 41,42 and 43 of the layers 28, 29 and 30 is located in a plane 40 which is at an angle corresponding to the angle 39 to the vertical, being perpendicular to the centreline 37.

Also shown in Figure 1 is a feed pipe 45 comprising a connecting member 46 in the form of a plate. The plate 46 is disposed so that in the unloaded, upright position of the feed pipe 45 the plate 46 is parallel to the end plane 40 of the coupling member 27. The feed pipe 45 is mounted on a support frame 47 disposed near a slurry pit 48 into which the feed pipe extends. The support frame 47 is preferably fixed immovably near the slurry pit 48, although the support frame 47 in itself may be displaceable. The feed pipe 45 is movably connected to the support frame 47 by a horizontal pivotal shaft 49. The pivotal shaft 49 is at the lower region of the support frame 47. The feed pipe 45 is also connected to the support frame 47 by a rod 50, which is slidable in its lengthwise direction in a pivotal shaft 51, permitting pivotal movement of the rod 50 relatively to the support frame 47.The rod 50 is connected by a pivotal shaft 52 with the feed pipe 45. Between the pivotal shafts 51 and 52, the rod 50 is surrounded by a compression spring 53. The ends of the spring 53 bear on the pivotal shaft 51 and 52 and may be connected with them. The rod 50 is connected at its end opposite the pivotal shaft 52 to an arm 54 of a bell-crank 55. The bellcrank 55 is pivotable about a shaft 56, which is carried by an arm 57 of the support frame 47. The other arm 58 of the bell-crank 55 is pivotally connected to a control rod 59, which extends upwardly to a level above the plate 46. The top end of the control rod 59 is coupled with a control arm 60 of a pointer 61 which is movable across an indicator plate 63. The indicator plate 62 is held by a carrying arm 63 rigidly secured to the feed pipe 45.The feed pipe is provided with a drip basin 64 disposed beneath the connecting plate 46 and having a drain pipe 65 extending along the feed pipe 45 into the slurry pit 48.

In use of the trailer 1, it is attached, as shown in Figure 1, by the draw ring 5 to the tractor 6 or another suitable vehicle. When the trailer is hitched to the tractor or other vehicle, the pump 7 is linked by the auxiliary shaft 9 to the power takeoff shaft 10. The equipment shown can draw material from the slurry pit 48 into the tank 3 and transport it to an area where it is to be spread. To fill the tank 3 from the slurry pit 48, the trailer 1 is driven backwards by the tractor, i.e. in the direction opposite the arrow 20, so that the coupling member 27 contacts the connecting plate 46.Since the connecting plate 46 is located at such a height above the ground that it can be seen above the tank 3 from the driver's seat of the tractor, the coupling member 27 also being visible from the driver's seat, the coupling member 27 and the connecting plate 46 themselves serve as direction finders for guiding the coupling member 27 to the connecting plate 46. By reversing, the coupling member 27 can be brought into contact with the connecting plate 46 so that the edges 41, 42 and 43 of the flexible coupling member 27 are vigorously pressed against the plate 46. The edges 41 to 43 are resiliently movable with respect to the pipe portion 22 since the layers 28 to 30 are made from flexible material. The feed pipe 45 can deflect slightly under the pressure of the coupling member 27 on the plate 46 by turning about the shaft 49. For this purpose the shaft 49 is at right angles to the normal direction in which the coupling member 27 is driven towards the plate 46, or else parallel to the connecting plate 46.

When the coupling member 27 contacts the plate 46 and presses against it to turn the feed pipe 46 about the pivotal shaft 49, this turning movement is transmitted by the rod 50 and the bell crank 55 to the control rod 59. The control rod 59, acting through the control arm 60, causes the pointer 61 to move across the scale of the indicator plate 62.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the control arm 60 and the pointer 61 are mounted on a common shaft 67. The pointer 61 makes it possible to ascertain whether the coupling member 27 is urged with sufficient pressure against the connecting plate 46. For this purpose the scale on the indicator plate 62 and the transmission linkage between the pivotal shaft 52 and the pointer 61 are arranged so that the motion of the pointer 61 along the plate 62 provides an indication to the tractor driver of the pressure of the coupling member 27 on the plate 46.

When the coupling member 27 properly engages the plate 46, slurry can be drawn by suction out of the pit 48 into the tank. To do this, the shut-off valve 17 is closed or held closed and the shut-off valve 24 is opened by operation of the control lever 26. The pump 7 is driven from the power take-off shaft 10 so that the suction side of the pump is coupled with the conduit 8 and air can be sucked out of the tank 3.

By sucking air out of the tank 3, the pressure in the tank and in the pipes 23 and 45 falls to below atmospheric pressure so that the slurry is forced from the pit 48 through the pipes into the tank 3 by atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference between the open air and the interior of the tank and the pipes 23 and 45, means that atmospheric pressure on the outer side of the flexible coupling member 27 will press the coupling member firmly against the plate 46. It is advantageous that the coupling member 27 is curved from its connection with the pipe portion 22 towards the diameter 33, this curve being concave viewed from the outside.

The edges 41 to 43 of the coupling member 27 have to seal hermetically against the plate 46. It is, therefore, advantageous that the coupling member 27 comprises a plurality of flexible layers 28 to 30, which are movable relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment three layers 28, 29 and 30 are provided, whose outer edges 41 to 42 are located in the plane 40 so that each edge 41, 42 or 43 constitutes a sealing ring engaging the plate 46.

Each sealing edge 41, 42 or 43 is thus operative independently of the other edges. The seal between the edges 41 to 43 and the connecting plate 46 is further improved by the flexibility of the material of the layers 28 to 30.

Therefore, each sealing edge can readily adapt to the shape of the connecting plate or to any dirt or other impurities adhering to it. Although in the illustrated embodiment the coupling member 27 comprises three layers, which are in contact with one another in the unloaded state of the coupling member, a different number of layers may be used, and they may be spaced by a short distance from one another. The individual adaptation of each sealing edge of the layers will thus be enhanced. When the tank 3 is full, the shut-off valve 24 is closed by operating the control arm 26 so that the suction of air from the tank through the conduit 8 ceases. Then the equipment can be towed away in the direction of the arrow 20 so that the coupling member 27 disengages from the plate 46.By closing the shut-off valve 24 the pressure in the pipe 46 returns approximately to atmospheric pressure so that the coupling member 27 can readily release the plate 46. If desired, for example should the coupling member 27 not readily disengage from the plate 46, the conduit 8 could be connected with the pressure side of the pump 7 and the shut-off valve 24 can be briefly opened so that the pressure inside the coupling member 27 exceeds atmospheric pressure and the coupling member 27 is released from the plate 46. Upon release of the coupling member 27 from the plate 46 any material still present in the coupling member 27 will flow away down the plate 46 into the drip basin 64. From this drip basin the material can flow through the drain pipe 65 back into the slurry pit 48.In the same manner any material flowing out of the top end of the feed pipe 45 will flow down the plate 46 to the drip basin 64. After disengagement of the coupling member 27 from the plate 46 the feed channel 45 will again move into a vertical or other upright position under the action of the spring 53. This vertical position is the rest position or zero position, in which the pointer 61 stands at a zero point on the scale on the indicator plate 62, indicating the unloaded condition, as is shown in Figure 2.

When the tank is full and the pipe 45 is released, the trailer with the loaded tank 3 can be transported to the desired place, and the material can be discharged from the tank through the outlet 15.

Filling of the tank can be particularly effectively carried out by means of the inlet pipe 23 arranged on the top of the tank. It is a matter of design choice how far the pipe portion 22 extends into the tank. The pipe portion 22 may, for example, open out near the top or near the bottom of the tank.

The tank shown in the Figures, constituting a loading chamber, is provided with a spreading device comprising the outlet 15 and the spreading plate 16. The agricultural trailer thus serves not only to transport material, but also to distribute the material during travel of the trailer across a broad strip of land. For this purpose the pressure side of the pump can be coupled with the conduit 8 so that air can be pumped into the tank. When the interior of the tank is pressurized, the shut-of - valve 17 in the outlet 15 can be opened so that the material leaves the outlet 15 under pressure and impinges on the spreading plate to be spread out in a fan-shaped fashion. During travel, the material will thus be distributed over a broad strip.

The equipment shown can thus be very effectively employed for processing flowable materials. In particular the equipment shown is suitable for processing liquid manure or slurry. The manure can thus be loaded from a slurry pit and be spread on the field. During these operations the operator, for example the tractor driver, need not leave his seat for the purpose of filling the tank or for spreading the manure on the land. The operator need not touch component parts which may be soiled by the manure. Moreover, no separate manipulations are required for coupling and decoupling the inlet pipe and the feed pipe.

In order to obtain a pressure capable of pressing the coupling member 27 against the plate 46 without undesirable movement of the feed pipe 45 from its rest position, the spring 53 may be adjustable. The pressure of the spring 53 will be chosen so that the desired pressure between the coupling member 27 and the plate 46 can be obtained to ensure satisfactory engagement between the inlet pipe 23 and the feed pipe 45. Owing to the mode of coupling between the pipes 23 and 45 via the flexible coupling member 27 the connection can also be established when the end of the pipe portion 22 is not exactly in line with or parallel to the end part 66 of the feed pipe 45. Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view, in which the pipe portion 22 is inclined to the centreline 68 of the end part 66 of the feed pipe 45.In this position of the joined parts of the pipes 23 and 45, which are at an angle of less than 1800 to one another, the flexible coupling member 27 will deform so that its edges 41 to 43 nevertheless ensure a satisfactory seal with the plate 46 so that satisfactory coupling between the pipes 23 and 45 remains possible. In this manner coupling of the inlet pipe 23 with the feed pipe 45 is facilitated since the pipe 23 need not be accurately in line with or parallel to the end part 66. The diameter 33 of the coupling member 27 exceeds the diameter of the opening 66, which is to the diameter of the pipe 23, with the result that the circumferential edges of the coupling member 27 need not be exactly coaxial with the opening 66 of the pipe 45 to ensure satisfactory cooperation between the pipes. This also facilitates the connection of the coupling member 27 with the plate 46.The plate 46 preferably has such a large diameter 69 that the edges 41 to 43 can lie on one side just near the opening of the channel part 66, while at the diametrically opposite side they will still bear on the plate 46.

The diameter 33 is preferably about 50 cm and the diameter 34 is preferably about 12 cm.

Preferably, the diameter 33 is not less than about three times the diameter 34. Thus a difference in distances between the centrelines 37 and 68 of the preferably horizontal, adjoining end parts of the pipes 23 and 45 can be readily bridged without adversely affecting the efficiency of the coupling for conveying material through the pipes to the reservoir or conversely.

It will be obvious that the support frame 47 which is preferably fixed in place near the slurry pit 48 during operation, may be releasable and/or displaceable, along with the pipe 45, for use at another slurry pit.

Although in the embodiment shown the flexible coupling member 27 is connected with the pipe 23 and the connecting plate 46 is connected with the pipe 45, the coupling member may, as an alternative, be fitted to the pipe 45 and the connecting plate 46 to the pipe 23.

Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment of an inlet pipe arranged on a tank 70. The tank 70 corresponds with the tank 3 of the first embodiment, and so only the rear part of the tank 70 is shown. At the rear, the tank 70 has an outlet 71 (Figure 6) with a spreading plate 72 and a shut-off valve 73, which is connected by a linkage 74 with a control lever at the front of the tank.

This arrangement corresponds to that of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment the tank is provided with an inlet pipe 76 located at the same level as the outlet 71 near the bottom of the tank at the rear. The inlet pipe 76 has a shut-off valve 77, which is coupled by a linkage 78 to a control lever corresponding to the control lever 19 of Figure 1. The inlet pipe 76 is provided with a connecting flange 79, which is coupled to a flange 80 on the tank 70. The inlet pipe 76 has a coupling member 81 supported by a carrying mechanism 82. The coupling member 81 is connected to a rigid pipe portion 84 of the inlet pipe 76 by a flexible bellows portion 83. The coupling member 81 is surrounded by a support collar 85 fastened to a carrying arm 86 comprising two parallel strips.The carrying arm 86 is pivotally connected to two pairs of arms 87 and 88, which in turn are pivotally connected to a support 89.

The support 89, the arms 87 and 88 and the carrying arm 86 constitute a parallelogram linkage. The coupling member 81 is thus movable parallel to itself with respect to the support 89 and the tank 70.

The support 89 is rigidly secured to lugs 90 which are fastened to the flange 79. The carrying arm 86 is provided with a transverse arm 91, which is provided at the ends located on opposite sides of the arm 86 with apertures (not shown) in which guide pins 92 are fastened to the plate 79.

The pins 92 are surrounded by compression springs 93 extending between the plate 79 and washers 94 abutting the transverse arm. The ends of the guide pins 92 are provided with nuts 95.

The inlet pipe 76 can co-operate with a feed pipe 100 which extends into a slurry pit 101 corresponding with the slurry pit 48. The feed pipe 100 is mounted on a support frame 102, which is fixed near the slurry pit 101, but can be removed.

The feed pipe 100 is connected to the frame 102 by arms 103 and 104, forming a parallelogram linkage. The feed pipe 100 is thus movable upwardly and downwardly parallel to itself with respect to the frame 102. The frame 102 is provided with a supporting arm 105, in which a supporting pin 106 is journalled so as to be movable upwardly and downwardly. The pin 106 is movably arranged in a tongue 107 provided on the pipe 100 and is provided below the tongue 107 with a stop 108. Above the supporting arm 105, that is to say, on the opposite side of the arm 105 from the tongue 107, the guide pin 106 is surrounded by a compression spring 109. The compression spring 109 is disposed between the supporting arm 105 and a washer 110 movably arranged around the pin 106, above which two nuts 111 are provided, screwed onto the screwthreaded end of the pin 106.The top end 1 1 3 of the feed pipe extends horizontally and is provided with a funnel-shaped connecting member 114. The connecting member 114 has a conical shape with the same cone angle as the outer surface 11 5 of a flaring sealing portion 11 6 of the coupling member 81. A sealing ring 11 7 is provided in the connecting member 114.

When the device is put into use it is attached to a tractor or a similar vehicle in the same manner as described with reference to the first embodiment. Like the first embodiment the equipment can be used for sucking liquid out of the slurry pit 101 and for transporting and/or spreading the liquid where it is required.

The coupling between the inlet pipe 76 and the feed pipe 100 is established by reversing the agricultural trailer to insert the coupling member 81 into the conical connecting member 114. The outer diameter 1 20 of the conical connecting member 114 exceeds the diameter of the coupling member 81 by an amount sufficient to enable the coupling member to be readily manoeuvered into the conical connecting member by driving backwards. When inserting the coupling member 81 into the connecting member 114, the conical outer surface 11 5 of the sealing portion 11 6 serves as an effective centering part for the coupling member inside the connecting member 114.The coupling member 81 can be inserted into the connecting member 114 far enough to bring the sealing portion 11 6 into contact with the sealing ring 11 7. The force by which the coupling member 81 is pressed against the sealing ring 117 causes the coupling member 81 to deflect resiliently in a direction towards the tank 70, this being accompanied by pivotal movement of the nrm 86 with respect to the arms 87 and 88, which are pivotable with respect to the supporting arm 89. The transverse arm 91 then exerts pressure on the compression springs 93 around the guide pins 92. As the springs 93 are further compressed, the nuts 95 on the pins 92 move away from the transverse arm 91. This movement of the coupling member 81 with respect to the pipe portion 84 is allowed by the flexible portion 83 of the inlet pipe 76.In this way the coupling member 81 is resiliently mounted with respect to the tank in a direction substantially parallel to the centreline 118 and to the direction of movement 20 and perpendicular to the connecting sealing ring 11 7.

If desired, the coupling member 81 may lie with a greater or smaller amount of clearance inside the collar 85 in order for satisfactory abutment of the coupling member 81 with the sealing ring 117 inside the connecting member 114 when the centreline 11 8 of the inlet pipe 76 is not precisely in line with the centreline 11 9 of the horizontal top end 113 of the feed pipe 100.

If desired, chocks, or some other form of buffer blocks, may be disposed in front of the wheels, for example the wheels 4 (Figure 1) of the trailer at a suitable distance from the opening of the feed pipe 100 in order to prevent the coupling member 81 from penetrating too far and/or with too heavy a force into the connecting member 114 and against the sealing ring 1 1 7. The chocks may be arranged so that upon contact with the wheels the stressing of the springs 93 is sufficiently high to hold the coupling member 81 with the correct pressure on the sealing ring 11 7. It will be obvious that the chocks may also be used in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 to prevent the coupling member 27 from being urged against the connecting plate 46 with excessive pressure.

In order to establish a satisfactory connection of the coupling member 81 inside the connecting member 114, the connecting member 114 with the feed pipe 100 is slightly movable upwardly and downwardly in a resilient manner. For this purpose the feed pipe 100 is suspended from the support 102 and loaded by the spring 109.

When the coupling member 81 is introduced into the conical connecting member 114, the connecting member 114 can move upwardly or downwardly when the outer surface 11 5 meets the inner surface of the connecting member 114.

The pressure of the spring 109 can be adjusted by turning the nut 111 about the screwthreaded end 112 of the pin 106. Thus the height of the connecting member 114 above the ground, in the unloaded condition, can be adjusted.

When the connection between the feed channel 76 and the supply channel 100 is established in the manner described above, air can be sucked from the tank 70 by a reversible pump corresponding to that described above with reference to the first embodiment. The shut-off valve 77 can be opened by means of the linkage 78 and a control arm (not shown) corresponding to the arm 19. The material will thus flow out of the slurry pit 101 through the feed pipe 100 into the inlet pipe 76 and the tank 70. When the tank is completely full, the suction effect of the pump on the tank can be discontinued and the shut-off valve 77 can be closed. Then the agricultural trailer can be driven away in the direction indicated by the arrow 20 as described with reference to the preceding embodiment, the coupling member 81 then moving out of the conical connecting member 114. As a result, the resilience of the springs 93 will move the arm 86 in a direction away from the tank 70 until the transverse arm 91 abuts the nuts 95. When the coupling member 81 is released, the material contained in the feed pipe will flow back into the slurry pit 101, whilst any material still contained in the inlet pipe 76 beyond the closing member 77 will flow away. As in the preceding embodiment a drip basin can be provided for catching excess material and conducting it back into the slurry pit 101.

When the trailer has reached the place where the material is to be delivered or spread, the material can be discharged from the tank 70 through the outlet 71 in the manner described above with reference to the first embodiment, i.e.

the material in the tank is subjected to pressure and the shut-off valve 73 is opened by means of the linkage 74. During travel of the equipment the material can then be spread by the spreading plate 72 over the surface to be covered. The relative positions of the plate 72 and the coupling member 81 are chosen so that the material spread by the plate 72 cannot strike the coupling member 81.

As with the first embodiment the equipment can be effectively employed for removing manure from a slurry pit 101 and transporting it to the field for fertilizing purposes.

Although in this second embodiment the coupling member 81 is held in contact with the sealing ring 117 by the pressure of the springs 93, atmospheric pressure will, as in the previous embodiment, exert a force on the sealing portion 11 6 owing to the subatmospheric pressure in the inlet pipe 76 and the feed pipe 100, this force causing the sealing portion 11 6 to be further pressed against the sealing ring 11 7 when the sealing ring 117 engages the sealing portion 11 6 along a circle exceeding the outer circumference of the part of the coupling member 81 which is surrounded by the collar 85.

It will be obvious that the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 may also be used when the inlet pipe is arranged at the top of the tank as in the first embodiment. Conversely the construction of the first embodiment may also be used with an inlet arranged near the bottom of the tank as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 7 shows a coupling member 81 with a connecting member 114 corresponding to those of Figure 5, and so corresponding structural parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In Figure 7, the coupling member 81 comprises a conical sealing ring 121 at the outer periphery of the sealing portion 11 6. When connecting the coupling member 81 with the connecting member 114 the sealing ring 121 will seal against the connecting member 114. The sealing ring 121 has a selected flexibility such that it can satisfactorily seal against the connecting member 114 under pressure. The sealing ring 11 7 then serves as a secondary seal between the pipes 76 and 100. In this construction the ring 11 7 could be omitted if desired.Apart from the springs 93, atmospheric pressure exerts additional pressure on the ring 116 and on the sealing ring 121 to enhance the seal between the pipes.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of a coupling member 127 arranged on an inlet pipe 125 and cooperating with a connecting member 124 on an end portion 123 of a feed pipe 122. In this embodiment the inlet pipe 125 is provided with a resilient sealing ring 126. The coupling part 127, when unloaded, is coaxial with the pipe end portion 129 of the inlet pipe and may, for example, be trumpet-shaped like the part 27 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3 or it may, for example, be perpendicular to the pipe end portion 129 of the inlet pipe 125. The coupling member 127 is fastened to the fixed pipe end portion 129 at a short distance from its end 128.

As with the earlier embodiments, the inlet pipe is introduced into the conical member 124 by driving the trailer backwards. The flexible coupling member 127 will deform and engage the inner surface of the conical connecting member 124 as is shown in Figure 8. The coupling member 127 has a flexibility such that it can adapt to the many different positions which the pipe end portion 129 may occupy inside the conical connecting member 124. This always ensures satisfactory connection between the outer surface of the coupling member 127 and the inner surface of the connecting member 124 as is illustrated in Figure 8. The flexible coupling member 127 eliminates the need for the inlet pipe 125 to lie precisely in line with the substantially horizontal end part 123 of the feed pipe 122, and this facilitates the establishment of the connection between the pipes.To draw the liquid into the tank through the channels 122 and 125, a subatmospheric pressure is generated in the tank, causing the coupling member 127 to be pressed by atmospheric pressure against the inner surface of the connecting member 124. This provides a satisfactory junction. The flexible sealing ring 126 acts as a buffer, preventing the end 128 of the inlet pipe from damaging the inner surface of the connecting member 124. When the two pipes are substantially aligned, the ring 126 provides a secondary seal. As in the first embodiment, a quick and satisfactory connection can be obtained between the inlet pipe of the tank on the agricultural trailer and the slurry pit. The inlet pipe 125 with the coupling member 127 may be used, for example, instead of the coupling member 27 of Figures 1 to 4.The pipe portion 129 can be compared with the substantially horizontal part of the pipe portion 22 and it may include the shut-off valve 24. The embodiment shown in Figure 8 may also be employed with a construction as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a coupling member 132, 135 which may be used instead of the coupling member 127 of Figure 8.

Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the embodiment of Figure 9, an inlet pipe 130 is provided with a resilient ring 131 corresponding with the ring 126. The inlet pipe 130 is surrounded by a sealing ring 132 having a diameter 133 which is larger than the diameter 134 of the inlet pipe 130. The diameter 133 is about 1.5 times the diameter 134. The sealing ring 132 is mounted on a flexible bellows 135, which is generally conical and surrounds the pipe 130, being connected to it by a securing collar 136. Inside the flexible bellows 135 there is a conical compression spring 137, the wide end of which is in contact with the sealing ring 132, and the narrower end of which is located on an abutment ring 138 on the inlet pipe 130. In this embodiment, as in the immediately preceding embodiment, the inlet pipe 130 is introduced into the conical connecting member 124 until the sealing ring 132 is pressed against the inner side of the connecting part 124 in sealing relationship.

The buffer ring 131 avoids damage of the inner surface of the connecting member 124. The inlet pipe 130 is moved inwardly of the member 124 so as to stress the spring 137 by an amount sufficient to press the sealing ring 132 with adequate force against the inner surface of the part 124. The movability of the bellows 135 and its spring 137 means that the inlet pipe 130 can be introduced at different angles with respect to the connecting member 124 and the feed pipe 123, while still establishing a satisfactory coupling between the pipes. Thus the connection of the inlet pipe 130 with the end part 123 can be readily established by manoeuvering the agricultural trailer with the tank in reverse.As the liquid is drawn out of the slurry pit into the tank, subatmospheric pressure exists in the pipes and acts on the flexible part 135, with the spring 137 to enhance the sealing engagement of the sealing ring 132 with the inner surface of the wall 124.

Referring to Figure 10 a construction corresponding with that of Figure 8 is used with an inlet pipe as shown in Figure 5. The pipe portion 129 replaces the coupling member 81 and is coupled with the bellows portion 83 and connected by the collar 85 to the carrying arm 86.

Referring to Figure 11, a construction corresponding with that of Figure 9 is used with an inlet pipe as shown in Figure 5. The pipe portion 130 is arranged on the bellows portion 83 and is connected to the carrying arm 86 by the collar 85.

Whilst various features of the couplings that have been described, and that are illustrated in the drawings, will be set forth in the following claims as inventive features, it is to be noted that the invention is not necessarily limited to these features and that it encompasses all of the features that have been described both individually and and in various combinations.

Claims

1. Equipment comprising a mobile container and a feed pipe for communication with a source of flowable material, the container being provided with an inlet pipe for connection to the feed pipe, the equipment further comprising means for generating a pressure difference between the exterior and interior of the container and/or the pipes, at least one of the pipes having a coupling member for engagement with the other pipe by movement of the container towards the said other pipe, the coupling member being adapted to be urged against the said other pipe by the pressure difference thereby to enhance the coupling between the pipes during flow of material through the pipes.

2. Equipment as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for generating a pressure difference comprises a suction pump for reducing the pressure within the container and in the pipes thereby to draw material into the container by suction, the coupling member being flexible whereby it is pressed by atmospheric pressure against a connecting member of the said other pipe.

3. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the coupling member is made from flexible material and has one end coupled with a rigid pipe portion of the respective pipe, the coupling member being flared in the direction away from the said one end.

4. Equipment as claimed in claim 3, in which the coupling member comprises two or more relatively displaceable layers of material.

5. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the said other pipe is provided at its end with a rigid connecting member for engagement with the coupling member.

6. Equipment as claimed in claim 5, in which the connecting member comprises a plate having a flat surface with which the coupling member can engage.

7. Equipment as claimed in claim 5, in which the connecting member is conical.

8. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the diameter of the connecting member is significantly larger than the diameter of the coupling member whereby operative engagement between the coupling member and the connecting member can be effected when the inlet pipe and the feed pipe are misaligned.

9. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the connecting member is provided on the feed pipe and the coupling member is provided on the inlet pipe.

10. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one spring is provided which acts on the coupling member when the coupling member engages the said other pipe.

11. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling member is mounted movably with respect to a further part of the pipe on which it is provided.

12. Equipment as claimed in claim 10 or 11, in which the coupling member is connected by a flexible duct portion with a rigid pipe portien of the pipe on which the coupling member is provided.

13. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, in which the coupling member is movably arranged on a carrying mechanism connected to the container.

14. Equipment as claimed in claim 12, in which the coupling member is supported by a coupling arm which is pivotally coupled by a parallelogram linkage with a supporting arm which is rigidly secured to the container, the coupling arm co-operating with at least one spring located between the coupling arm and the container.

15. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 when appendant to claim 5, in which the coupling member and the connecting member each have a conical shape whereby movement of the coupling member into engagement with the connecting member automatically causes the coupling member to be guided into the correct position relative to the connecting member.

16. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling member comprises a sealing ring arranged at the periphery of a tapering sealing portion.

17. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the pipe on which the coupling member is provided has at its end a buffer or sealing element located within the coupling member.

18. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling member is flexible and has a flared shape, the coupling member extending around the mouth of the pipe on which it is provided and having at its outer end a sealing element which is engaged by a tapering compression spring which abuts the pipe.

19. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the co-operating pipe ends are constructed so that the pipes can be hermetically interconnected when inclined to each other.

20. Equipment comprising a mobile container and a feed pipe for communication with a source of flowable material, the container having an inlet pipe for connection to the feed pipe, for conveying material between the container and the source of flowable material through the feed pipe and the inlet pipe, at least one of the pipes having a coupling member which is movable with respect to a further part of that pipe whereby the coupling member can sealingly engage the other pipe when the pipes are inclined to each other.

21. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the feed pipe is mounted on a support frame which is stationary with respect to the source of flowable material during operation, the feed pipe being resiliently movable with respect to the support frame.

22. Equipment as claimed in claim 21, in which an indicating mechanism is provided on the support frame and/or on the feed pipe, movement of the feed pipe with respect to the support frame causing operation of the indicating mechanism to display the force exerted between the inlet pipe and the feed pipe.

23. Equipment as claimed in claim 21 or 22, in which the indicating mechanism comprises a dial mounted on the feed pipe, and a pointer which is movable across the dial by a linkage carried by the support frame and coupled with the feed pipe, whereby movement of the feed pipe with respect to the support frame causes the pointer to move across the dial.

24. Equipment as claimed in claim 21, in which the feed pipe is resiliently movable upwardly and downwardly with respect to the support frame.

25. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the feed pipe comprises a drip basic disposed beneath the junction between the feed pipe and the inlet pipe, the drip basic basin connected by a drain channel with the source of flowable material.

26. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is provided with a spreading mechanism through which the material can be discharged from the container.

27. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is mounted on an agricultural trailer which can be attached to a tractor or a similar vehicle.

28. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is connected with a reversible pump which can be connected to a power take-off shaft of a tractor or a similar vehicle.

29. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the feed pipe is provided with a direction finder by means of which the mobile container can be steered to establish the coupling between the pipes.

30. Equipment as claimed in claim 29, in which a connecting member of the feed pipe constitutes the direction finder.

31. Equipment as claimed in claim 30, in which the coupling niember constitutes a sighting member for monitoring the approach to the connecting member.

32. Equipment comprising a mobile container and a feed pipe substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 and 6, with or without the modifications of Figures 7 to 11, of the accompanying drawings.

33. A mobile container comprising an inlet pipe provided with a coupling member, for use on the mobile container of equipment in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

34. A feed pipe mounted on a support frame, for use as the feed pipe of equipment in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 32.