GB2355705A

GB2355705A - Apparatus for discharging bulk material

Info

Publication number: GB2355705A
Application number: GB9925248A
Authority: GB
Inventors: A Wiersma
Original assignee: SMST DESIGNERS AND CONSTRUCTOR
Current assignee: SMST DESIGNERS AND CONSTRUCTOR
Priority date: 1999-10-27
Filing date: 1999-10-27
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Also published as: WO2001030681A1; GB9925248D0; AU1048301A

Abstract

An apparatus, for use in discharging bulk material from a freight container (C, Fig 2), comprises a structure (F) for attaching to the container, a suspension arm (18) pivoted to the structure (F), enabling the container to be suspended via the arm (18), and actuator means (22) for turning the structure (F) relative to the arm (18) in order to tip the container (C) to a desired angle relative to the horizontal. Preferably, the frame F has two V-shaped side arms 16 and a ram 22 acting on the side arms 16 to tilt them relative to the arm 18. Preferably, a sub-frame 26 carries brackets 32 which hold the container door closed until a ram 30 is operated. Twist locks 10, 12 connect to the container and the apparatus can be connected to a crane via line L.

Description

2355705 DISCRARGE APPARATUS FOR FREIGHT CONTAINERS The present invention

relates to an apparatus f or use in emptying freight containers which carry bulk material.

of ten f reight containers are used to transport bulk material. However, problems arise in discharging the bulk material f rom such containers, because of the clouds of dust which are inevitably created.

We have now devised an apparatus which enables the discharge of bulk material from a freight container, with minimal dust clouds being generated.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use in discharging bulk material from a freight container, the apparatus comprising a structure for attaching to the container, a suspension arm pivoted to said structure, enabling the container to be suspended via said arm, and means for turning said structure relative to said arm in order to tip said container to a desired angle relative to the horizontal.

Preferably the structure for attachment to the freight container comprises a frame which, in use, engages over the top of the container. Preferably this frame includes two V-shaped sub-frames which, in use, lie against or adjacent the opposite sides of the container. Preferably the suspension arms are provided, pivoted to the respective V-shaped sub-frames at or adjacent their vertices. Preferably an hydraulic actuator is coupled between each suspension arm and the respective subframe.

It will be appreciated that, by angularly displacing the suspension arm relative to the attachment structure, the freight container can be tipped so that one end, which is provided with a discharge opening, is directed downwardly, so that bulk material carried by the container can be discharged.

2 Preferably the discharge opening of the container is provided with a door. Preferably the discharge apparatus of the present invention includes means for moving the door of the discharge opening between closed and open positions. Preferably the apparatus includes a sub-frame which lies against or adjacent the end of the container, and to which the means for opening the door are mounted.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a tipping apparatus in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is aside view of a -container held by the tipping apparatus and tipped into an inclined position for discharge of its load; FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view, corresponding to Figure 2, showing the container tipped in the opposite direction; and FIGURE 4 is an end view of tne container shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the tipping apparatus comprises a frame F for attaching to the container C. The frame F comprises two cross-beams 10,12 interconnected by one or more bracing beams 14. The two cross-beams 10,12 are arranged to engage to the opposite ends of the container, at its top, with the bracing beam or beams 14 extending lengthwise of the container, above the top of the container. The frame F further comprises two V-shaped sub- frames, one of which is shown at 16: these sub-frames lie adjacent the opposite sides of the container and each sub-frame e.g. 16 is joined at its opposite ends to the respective cross-beams 10,12. An arm 18 is pivoted to a strengthening plate 20 which is fixed between the two limbs e.g. 16a,16b of each sub-frame, adjacent its apex: an hydraulic actuator 22 is connected between each arm 18 and one of the limbs e.g. 16a of the respective sub-frame. The frame F, and 3 likewise the container C, is suspended by means of respective lines e.g. L coupled to the upper ends of the arms 18. A power pack 24, for powering the hydraulic actuators 22, is mounted to one or both arms 18.

At one end, the container C is formed, adjacent its bottom, with a door D which is pivoted along its top edge. The frame F of the tipping apparatus further comprises a sub-frame 26 which extends downwards from the cross-beam 10, to lie adjacent the end of the container: the sub-frame 26 comprises a pair of beams 27 which project downwardly from the cross-beam 10, and a lower cross-beam 28; bracing beams 29 join the ends of the cross-beam 28 to the respective sub-frames 16, adjacent the apex of each of the sub- frames. Hydraulic actuators 30 interconnect the vertical beams 27 and brackets 32 which are engaged to the door D of the container C.

In use, the tipping apparatus is engaged to the top of the container C in the manner shown, so that the container C may be lifted by way of the lines L. When the container Cis thus suspended, the hydraulic actuators 22 may be retracted, so that the arms 18 lie at equal angles to the two limbs of the respective sub- frames 16, as shown in Figure 3. In this position, the bulk material load B of the suspended container C causes the closed end of the container to tip downwardly. When it is desired to empty the bulk material load B from the container, the hydraulic actuators 22 are extended, so that the arms 18 lie alongside the limbs 16b of the sub-frames 16 and the container C tips in the opposite direction, as shown in Figure 2: now the actuators 30 are retracted, to open the door D of the container, and so allow the bulk material load B to flow out under gravity. It will be appreciated that the bulk material may be discharged in a relatively controlled manner, with the generation of minimal dust clouds.

4

Claims

1) An apparatus for use in discharging bulk material from a freight container, the apparatus comprising a structure (F) for attaching to the container (C), a suspension arm (18) pivoted to said structure (F), enabling the container (C) to be suspended via said arm (18), and actuator means (22) for turning said structure (F) relative to said arm (18) in order to tip said container (C) to a desired angle relative to the horizontal.

2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said structure (F) comprises a frame which, in use, engages over the top of the container (C).

3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which said frame (F) includes two V-shaped sub-frames (16), which, in use, lie against or adjacent the opposite sides of the container (C).

4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising two said suspension arms (18), pivoted to respective said V-shaped subframes (16) at or adjacent their vertices.

5) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which said actuator means (22) comprises an hydraulic actuator coupled between each said arm (18) and its respective sub-frame (16).

6) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means (30) for opening a door (D) of a discharge opening in an end of the container (C).

7) An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which said structure (F) comprises a sub-frame (26) which, in use, lies against or adjacent said end of the container (C) and to which said door opening means (30) is mounted.

8) An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.