WO2002059018A1 - Method and apparatus for material discharge from freight and the like containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 110 is for the transport and/or storage of a variety of bulk materials. The container includes an elongate hollow central portion 112, first and second closed ends 144,145, and at least one discharge port 120 in at least one of the closed ends 144 for discharging bulk materials in said container. Each discharge port including a funnel 136 communicating with the interior of the container said funnel having an inlet opening 124 and a discharge end 128 with a discharge opening 132, and an internal wall 146 adjacent the first end 144 and shaped to direct material to the discharge end of said funnel during discharge of material from said container. The internal wall 146 sealingly engages with an internal surface of a peripheral wall of the container 110 and the internal wall has an opening which is aligned with, and sealingly communicating with, the discharge end of the funnel 136.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MATERIAL DISCHARGE FROM

FREIGHT AND THE LIKE CONTAINERS.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for material discharge from freight containers and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to such a method and apparatus for use with ISO containers and their equivalents, particularly such containers for use with different materials.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention relates to containers such as those shown in our earlier applications PCT/SGO0/O0O43, PCT/SG00/00084 and Singapore Patent No. 200004807-4 (our "Earlier Applications") the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Normally, when one refers to a freight container, it is either a general purpose container or a bulk container. General purpose containers are normally used for general cargo, which is already packed before loading into the container. This may include, for example, freight in bags, drums, cartons or pallets and so forth. Bulk containers are used for bulk cargo. This is cargo loaded directly into the container without packaging. Examples of bulk cargo are cement, coal, petroleum coke, flour, sand, plastic resin, hay, grains, and so forth. This invention relates to bulk containers.

Bulk containers ("containers") are used for transporting and/or storage of cargo so they must be capable of effectively loading and unloading the cargo. When a bulk container is used worldwide it is normally termed an international freight container, and is required to comply with international standards, rules and regulations, for worldwide movement, handling and safety. Many classifications and governing authorities have been established for such purposes such as, for example, the International Standards Organization ("ISO").

It is further understood that any container complying with the standards, rules and regulations of these authorities will be able to enjoy the conveniences agreed by these authorities; whereas container that does not comply with such requirements will not be certified as an international freight container and will not enjoy those conveniences.

Bulk containers are normally constructed by joining two hemispherical ends to a cylindrical center drum. If the container is housed within a container frame and if this frame complies with ISO freight container requirements, it will be a certified ISO international bulk freight container; if it does not, it will be a mere bulk container and will not enjoy these agreed conveniences. This, however, will not affect its loading and unloading performance. The main factors that affect its loading and unloading performance is its design. Bulk containers have two main categories: a non-pressurized design, and a pressurized design.

In general, bulk materials also come in different forms/groups. These include : (i) fluids including, for example, liquids such as water and oils, and gases such as nitrogen and oxygen;

(ii) dry powdery such as, for example, cement, flour and chemical powders; and

(iii) granular/particulate such as, for example, grains, plastic resins, and iron ore and coal.

These materials haye different characteristics and ability of flow; and require different discharge methods that employ different equipment and/or techniques. Liquids and gases have very high flow ability and can be discharged easily. Gravity and/or suction and/or air assisted discharges can be used. Dry powdery materials require fluidization with compressed air to enhance flow ability for an effective discharge. In prior art technologies, fabric air slides are normally used with pneumatic discharge. Granular/particulate bulk materials have low flow ability and it is not practical to use compressed air to increase their flow ability. Therefore, a discharge angle is used to rely on gravity discharge.

With prior art, a bulk container designed for the storage and transport of fluids is unable to be used for dry powdery material due to the lack of an air slide. It is also not effective/suitable to be used for granular/particulate material, due to its small discharge outlet. If a bulk container is equipped with an air slide, it cannot be used for fluids because fluids would be trapped inside the fabric of the air slide, thus causing contamination. Furthermore, air slides used in the prior art technology are very difficult, if not impossible, to be removed. Thus they do not allow the container to be washed and cleaned. As such, those used for industrial bulk cargoes such as powdery materials, or for non-edible fluids, cannot be used for edible products. For example, a bulk container used to transport cement cannot be used to transport flour. Liner is the

.possible solution when it is used in conjunction with the container for cross contamination problems. Also, container in the prior art technology does not have any liner air inlet thus, does not permit air assisted discharge methods for effective material discharge.

Bulk containers for dry powdery materials can be designed to be tilt-able to a required angle for gravity discharge, in addition to fluidization and pneumatic discharge. However, due to the installation of air slide, the outlet port is normally located at the centre of the container and in a inverted position, as such, the container is unable to achieve complete discharge of dry powdery material contained inside using tilting method. The small discharge outlet also makes them unsuitable to perform effective gravity discharge for granular materials having relatively coarser surface and / or bigger dimension. Further more, air slide takes up considerable spaces inside the container and reduces the container's volumetric efficiency.

In general, for granular/particulate materials having a relatively coarser surface and/or of a larger dimension, for discharge from a bulk container rely on a tilting angle of, for example, 45 degrees, for effective gravity discharge by pouring the material from the container. As such, bulk containers which have a small outlet port are not suitable for use with granular/particulate materials.

Furthermore, many bulk containers are permanently fitted to trucks and therefore cannot be used in the same manner as an ISO freight container. They cannot be used where materials belong to different groups such as, for example, powdery, fluid, .granular/particulate, are transported in the same container at different times as they are unable to perform the different discharge methods required by the different forms of bulk material.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for material to be effectively discharged from freight or like containers that will allow the containers to be used for the transport and/or storage of different groups of materials at different times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above and other objects in mind, the present invention provides a container for transport and/or storage of a material, the container including an elongate hollow central portion, first and second closed ends, at least one inlet on the top, at least one discharge port in said closed ends for discharging material from said container, each discharge port including a funnel communicating with the interior of the container, said funnel having an inlet opening and a discharge end with a discharge opening, and an end wall adjacent said first end and funnel shaped to direct material to the discharge end of said funnel during discharge of material from said container, said internal wall sealingly engaging with the internal surface of a peripheral wall, of the container, the internal wall having an opening which is aligned with and sealingly communicating with the discharge end of said funnel.

The discharge port at the first end is mainly used where material is required to discharge directly into a receptor say a silo. A control valve with quick-fit coupling to facilitate easy connection for discharge hose/pipe are normally included. The second end may be provided with at least one discharge port adjacent a lower end thereof. The second discharge port is provided in said second end, and the container further includes a second internal wall having an opening which is aligned with and sealingly v communicating with the inlet opening of the funnel in the second discharge port.

.; It is preferable that the second discharge port is of relatively large dimensions as „ ^{■ ■}■ compared to the one at the first end, and manhole designs of known construction may be utilized for the second discharge port. The second discharge port at the second end preferably is mainly used for discharge material of relatively coarser surface and bigger dimension such as coal for one example. Again, a funnel is also included to assist effective discharge at this end.

Air assisted discharge combined with tilting discharge may be used for discharging different groups of material from said ends.

The funnel may be integrated with the container, or may be releaseably attached to the container. The funnel may have an inlet end with an inlet opening, and a discharge end with an outlet opening. Preferably, the inlet end and the discharge end are integrated. Alternatively, the inlet end and the discharge end are separate components.

The inlet opening and the outlet opening may be eccentric or concentric.

The internal wall may be co-planar with the inlet opening, and may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. Alternatively, it may be inclined to the longitudinal axis of the container . The internal wall may be integrated. with the funnel, and may close the first end. The internal wall is preferably integratediwith the peripheral wall.

The inlet end of the funnel may be located within the container and the discharge end external of the container. Alternatively, the inlet end and the discharge ' end may both be external of the container. There may be provided a valve that is attached to the discharge end and aligned with the outlet opening. Alternatively, there may be a manhole with cover attached to the discharge end and aligned with the outlet opening. To the manhole there may be attached a conical intermediate portion, a valve, and a quick-fit coupling.

Preferably, there is provided at least one discharge outlet from the container, the at least one discharge outlet being at or adjacent the second end. The at least one discharge outlet may be operatively connected to a discharge pipe by at least one outlet pipe, and the at least one outlet pipe may have a valve therein. Alternatively, the discharge pipe has a valve therein.

The at least one discharge outlet may be in a lower portion of the container, or a side wall portion of the container. There may be a plurality of discharge outlets along the container. The at least one discharge outlet may be closed before the at least one discharge port is opened. Prior to opening the at least one discharge outlet, and in the case of dry material, optional fluidization may be applied by means selected from the group consisting of: fluidization, vibration and pressurization by the compressed conveying air.

The present invention also provides a method of discharging material from a container mounted within a frame, through at least one discharge port located at the second closed end of the said container, wherein said material is to discharge on to an open ground/receptor with a position lower than said container, the method including the steps of:- opening said at least one discharge port in a lower portion of said closed end of said container, allowing material therein to discharge by the influence of gravity, and tilting the container about a frame end adjacent said closed end to provide complete discharge through the at least one discharge port.

The frame may be ISO standard which has a first frame end and a second frame end adjacent the first and second ends of the container respectively, the frame being pivot-able about each of the frame end. The method may further include the steps of supplying compressed conveying air to said container in the headspace above said material, allowing the pressure to

^■ increase therein. In the case of dry material, it allows part if not all of the pressurised ..; conveying air to penetrate into the void space between the material particles to achieve --fluidization of said material which will help in smoother and effective discharge. In the - case of liquid material, the pressurized conveying air will not penetrate into the liquid but instead exert a driving force on top the liquid surface, which will help to push the liquid out from the container. Once the pressure inside said container is increased to the operating pressure the at least one discharge port in a lower portion of a closed first end of said container is opened, and the container about a first frame end adjacent the first end is tilted to provide discharge through the at least one discharge port.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be fully understood and put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3(a), (b) and (c) are side views of the funnel components of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of a second embodiment;

- Figure 5 is an end view of the second embodiment; Figure 6 is a side view of a third embodiment and Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the cone section of Figure 6;

Figure 7 is an end view of the third embodiment;

.;■ Figure 8 is a side view of a fourth embodiment and Figure 8(a) is a perspective view of the cone section of Figure 8;

Figure 9 is an end view of the fourth embodiment;

Figure 10 is a side view of a fifth embodiment;

Figure 11 is a side view of a sixth embodiment;

Figure 12 is a top view of the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 4, 6 and 8;

Figure 13 is a side view of an seventh embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14 is a side view showing manholes on top of the first embodiment;

Figure 15 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 14, tilted at the first end and pivoted about the second end;

Figurelό is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 14, tilted about the second end and pivoted about the first end;

Figure 17 is a side view of a first form of the first embodiment;

Figure 18 is a side view of a second form of the first embodiment;

Figure 19 is a side view of a third form of the first embodiment; Figure 20 is a side view of a fourth form of the first embodiment;

Figure 20(a) is a side view of a fifth form of the first embodiment;

Figure 21 is a side view of the embodiment for Figure 20 filled with a material prior to discharge;

Figure 22 is a side view corresponding to Figure 21 after a first stage of discharge;

Figure 23 is a side view corresponding to Figure 21 and 22 during a final stage of discharge;

Figure 24 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a liner material discharge pipe for use with the invention;

Figure 25 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a liner "conveying air" supply pipe for use with the invention;

Figure 26 is a schematic sectioned view of the first embodiment with a liner "conveying air" supply pipe inserted into a container in accordance with the invention;

Figure 27 is a side view of an embodiment of a container "conveying air" supply pipe with a connection for pressure equalization;

Figure 28 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention showing pressure equalisation apparatus connected;

Figure 29 is a plan view of removable air diffuser which may be inserted into the embodiment of the invention shown as in Figures 30 and 31;

Figure 30 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention for use with the diffuser of Figure 29;

Figure 31 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 30 with the man hole discharge port closed and the air diffuser fitted;

Figure 32 is a side view of a further embodiment of the invention in which the second closed end is openable; and

Figure 33 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 32 inclined and open for discharge of material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the description of Figures 1 to 23, reference to like components will be with like reference numerals with a prefix number designating the embodiment concerned. In this way the prefix number is 1 for the first embodiment, and so forth. If no prefix number is used, the reference numeral is being used generically.to apply to all embodiments.

It is understood that all figures shown are for the purposes of description, and have been simplified for ease of understanding. Some of the items/components present in a commercial product may not be shown. It is further understood that all containers shown will possess at least one material inlet (say having a 500mm diameter, for example) on top of the container to facilitate simple and effective loading of material into the container by gravity. Manholes with covers of known construction can be used;*

To first refer to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an ISO container 110 which has a central portion 112 which is preferably cylindrical and,, a first end 114, and a second end 116 which are preferably hemispherical. The container 110 is mounted within a frame 118.- Frame 118 may be built in accordance with the international freight container standards, such that container 110 can be handled as international freight container.

To enable complete discharge of material, optional fluidization may be applied to the material inside container 110, this may be provided by, for example, one or more airtight and fluid impermeable vibrators, fluidizers, or pressurized compressed air. Whatever is used should be capable of being washed and/or cleaned without causing contamination to the contents. At first end 114, there is a discharge port 120. The discharge port 120 includes a valve 122 to control the discharge; and a funnel 124. The funnel 124 may be integrated with end 114, securely and permanently attached to end 114, or securely yet releasably attached to end 114.

The funnel 124 has ail inlet end 126 which in this instance is within container 110, and an discharge end 128 external of container 110. The parts 126, 128 may be integral or separate components, if desired - see Figure 3(b). They may be co-axial (Figure 3(a)); or with different central, longitudinal axes (Figures 3(b) and (c)). In this embodiment, the inlet end 126 of funnel 124 also forms an internal wall 136. Inlet end 126 has an opening 130 into which material for discharge can pass; and discharge end 128 has an opening 132 through which material being discharged can pass to valve 122.

In general, the funnel may be formed by joining the two opposite ends of a "fanlike" piece (made of steel, for example) together. After joining, a funnel with two different round openings at each end will be formed. This results in an included angle (referred to as angle "a") within the funnel. Thus, the funnel wall preferably forms a preferable "V-like" shape when viewed from the side and top, as shown in Figures 3 (a), (b) & (c), and Figure 12. It has two round openings (one big and another one small) when viewed from the ends, as shown in Figures 2, 5, 7 & 9.

The included angle "a" channels material into the discharge port of the. funnel when the container is tilted, and helps to achieve a complete and effective discharge. When joining the funnel to the end 114 of container 110, the funnel internal wall 136 seals with the internal wall of container 110 at rim 137 of wall 136. Wall 136 thereby divides container 110 into a material receiving portion 144 and a void 146. Wall 136 and end 114 may join central portion 112 at the same location (at the smaller end of wall 136). If desired there may be pressure equalization between portions 144 and 146 by internal and/or external pipes (with or without valves) so that wall 136 can be made relatively thin. For example, it may be a steel plate approximately 4mm thick. Without pressure equalization it may need to be thicker - for example, 6mm. However, it should be able to withstand the weight of material in container 110 in contact with it during storage and/or transport. It must also be able to withstand the operating pressure and weight of material when a titled gravity discharge is carried out simultaneously with an air assisted discharge for the container, (see Figures 15 & 16).

Also, internal wall 136 is of irregular height so that opening 130 is as if wall 136 was cut at an angle. This means that wall 136 appears to be eccentric. It is preferable that the lower portion 120 of discharge end 128 be coplanar with the lower portion 140 of central portion 112 although there may be some benefits in the angle of incidence of the lower portion 120 of discharge end 128 being less than horizontal.,;, Additionally, the internal wall 136 is at an angle to the horizontal, with the angle beings more preferably a positive angle, but less than 85°. This means that when axis 138 is tilted to 45°, portion 136 is at angle of no more than 130° to the horizontal, thus ? allowing funnel 124 to still perform correctly.

By using the preferred angles above, when container 110 is pivoted through an angle of say 45°, the funnel's shape will greatly assist material discharge, yet not provide regions within container 110 where material can be caught and resist discharge. Therefore, effective and complete discharge may be obtained. Also, as after tilting container 110 is at an angle of 45°, its central of gravity is still well forward of the pivot point so that it will be stable.

Figures 1 to 3 also show a preferred second funnel 155 having an inlet end 157 and a discharge end 159. In this embodiment the diameter of the openings 161, 163 in the inlet end 157 and discharge end 159 respectively are larger than corresponding openings 130, 132 in funnel 124. The provision of this larger second opening enables the container 110 to be used for effective discharge for granular/particulate materials of coarser surface/bigger dimensions. In general, the discharge port on the smaller funnel is more preferably to be used for discharging material from container 110 directly into a receptor at an elevated level such as, for example, a silo. Discharge port with the larger funnel is more preferable to be used for discharging material from container 110 that is poured directly onto open ground, or to a lower level.

It is preferable that the containers of the invention are pressurized prior to discharge. One means of pressurising the containers is by supplying conveying air through an opening of a container air pipe. This will be described in greater detail later in the specification.

By pressurising the container prior to discharge, the particulate material is fluidized and entrained in the air. It can then be discharged through the discharge ports once they are opened, thereby assisting discharge of the material.

Figure 12 is a view of the first embodiment showing how funnel wall and the* rim 137 appear from the top.

The embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 is where the angle between the base 312 of the central portion and the discharge end 328 of the funnel is less than 180°, thus creating a "drop nose" effect. Furthermore, the hemispherical end 314 has been eliminated such that wall 342 is no longer an internal wall but is the end wall of container 310. This eliminates the void 346. However, the material used for the funnelf; will have to be relatively thicker to give the necessary strength.

Figures 6, 6(a) and 7 show a third embodiment that is similar to that of Figures?

4 and 5 but in this instance the angle is greater than 180°. This creates a more traditional funnel shape for discharge port 442, but require the angle of inclination of container 410 (i.e. of its axis 438) to be more than 45° to achieve quick, smooth and efficient discharge.

Figures 8, 8(a) and 9 show the fourth embodiment, which represents the extreme angular position. Here the axis 538 through the funnel is coincident with axis 534 of the container 510. Funnel wall of funnel 524 has an inlet 526 that is a symmetrical truncated cone about axis 538. The angle of inclination of container 510 for complete, smooth and speedy discharge may be as high as (but preferably not greater than) 90°. An angle of inclination greater than 45° would be required so that lower portion 550 is not horizontal and is inclined upwardly to the horizontal. This therefore prevents material being caught or trapped and not discharged.

Figures 10 and 11 and 12 show alternative embodiments of the invention where container 10 is provided with substantially the same outlets. In the embodiment of Figure 10 two smaller sized outlets 20 are provided whereas Figure 11 has two larger sized outlets 21 wherein that of Figure 12 has one larger and one smaller.

Figure 13 shows yet another embodiment where the upper portion 642 of funnel wall 636 is curved and is adjacent the top portion of first end 614. Lower portion 650 of wall 636 is as before. At opening 632, a manhole with cover 666 is provided. Manhole and cover 666 can be similar to manholes 668 (which is of known construction) at the top of container 610, and operate in the same manner. If desired, an intermediate conical portion 672 with a valve 674 and quick-connect coupling 676 may be provided. This embodiment allows necessary discharge of materials from container 610 at the same end.

To simplify the description of the discharge processes, compressed air used for conveying purposes will be referred to as "conveying air" and an optional or additional fluidization effect resulting from the use of a fluidizer or vibrator will be referred to as "optional fluidization." Permanently fixed and troublesome air slides commonly used in the prior art technology prevent the container from being washed and cleaned. To avoid their use, the conveying air can enter the container 10 by a number of methods to be hereinafter described.

First, the continual supply of conveying air from the top of container 10 will result in an increase of the air pressure in the headspace above the top of the bulk material. The increased air pressure enables at least part of the conveying air (if not all) to penetrate into the voids between the material particles to achieve the necessary fluidization of dry bulk material to give a relatively smooth pneumatic discharge. When the bulk material inside containers 10 is liquid, the pressurized air exerted on top the liquid surface will not penetrate into the liquid but will help to press the liquid downwardly and achieve a pressurized discharge. This helps to increase the discharge flow rate of bulk liquid out of container 10 and also enables bulk liquid to be delivered to a higher/further point of discharge without the use of an external suction pump.

Most dry bulk powdery materials have mutual adhesion between adjacent particles and, as such, extra effort may be required to overcome such adhesion. Fluidizer/vibrators may be used to help break up such adhesion and to separate the particles from each other. Once the particles have been separated, conveying air will be able to penetrate* between them to achieve the necessary fluidization. When the container is tilted to*s necessary angle of inclination, and with the continual supply of conveying air,- ai relatively smooth and effective discharge can be achieved. < .

In the case of dry bulk granular material, conveying air (normally with 2 bar operating pressure) is supplied to container 10 and can penetrate into the voids between the particles relatively easily because, under normal conditions, such materials do not have a mutual adhesion between the particles. As such, once the container is tilted to?- necessary angle of inclination, and with the continual supply of conveying air, a smooth and effective discharge can be achieved. Some of the examples for these types of dry - bulk material are: plastic resin, grain, beans and so forth.

To allow the container to be washed and cleaned, airtight fluidizers and/or vibrators made of fluid/liquid impermeable material (such as Teflon) of known construction can be used for container 10. These items are usually small in size, simple in design, and allow for direct installation onto the container 10. Normally one unit or more per container will suffice. Thus, the use of these items will not affect the effective volumetric efficiency of container 10.

The quantity of air required to operate these items are relatively small. For example, 7 m per hour for one. They normally have an optimum operating pressure range of, for example, 4 to 10 bar. As such, an alternate air source with a much smaller capacity can be used for these items. There will be vibration effects during compressed air exhaust from the fluidizer. These effects help to achieve a smoother discharge.

Fluidization is applicable and effective for all types of dry bulk material discharge from container 10 in accordance with the invention and may be carried out at any time before and/or during the discharge process.

Secondly, conveying air enters from an air inlet port equipped with quick-fit coupling 786 and 787 on the cover 782 of outlet port 778 (Figures 30, 31), and diffuses into the container through the air diffuser 799. The air diffuser is placed below the dry bulk? material being carried by the container 710. When conveying air starts to diffuse^ upwardly,. it will disperse at least part (if not all) the dry bulk material, penetrate and be . mixed among the particles. Consequently, fluidization of the dry bulk material and a smooth pneumatic discharge can be achieved. Details for the air diffuser 799 will be discussed below.

It is further understood that fluids, such as liquids and gases, have a relatively high ability of flow and do not require a fluidizer/vibrator to achieve effective.* discharge.

To now refer to embodiments shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, preferably container 710 and frame 718 are capable of being pivoted about each end of frame 718 to allow for gravity (plus air assisted discharge, if necessary) from outlet port 720 and 778. In Figure 14, container 710 is in the normal (horizontal) position, whereas in

Figure 15 container 710 is pivoted about the second frame end 719 where outlet port 778 is located. In Figure 16, container 710 is pivoted about the first frame end 716 where smaller outlet port 720 is located.

Optional fluidization (if required) can be introduced at a relevant time; either before, during or after commencement of discharge. Container 710 is pivoted about the discharge outlet port so that material 764 will all move towards respective funnel 780 for a clean discharge. With the accumulated material in funnel 780, plus the increased air pressure, the discharge of material 764 will be optimized.

Normally, outlet port 778 is used for tilted gravity discharge where material is required to be poured out directly from the container 710 through port 778 and is ideal for larger granular/particulate material. Conveying air can also be used to enhance such tilted gravity discharge.

To consider of the example of dry sand to be discharged on to open ground, cover 782 can be opened and dry sand will commence to be discharged through outlet 778 under the influence of gravity. The container 710 and the first frame end 716 may then be tilted about the second frame end 719 for complete discharge. As dry sand does not possess mutual adhesion problems between the particles, there are no problems discharging the material out of container 710 by simply using the tilting gravity discharge method. However, additional discharge methods such as air assisted discharge can be used with or without using any optional fluidization to further enhance the discharge of materials such as dry sand from the container 710.

Normally, outlet port 720 is used for air assisted plus tilted gravity discharge for fluid such as water, dry granular material such as plastic resin, and dry powdery material such as cement. These materials are normally discharged into a receptor. By combining tilted gravity and air assisted (with or without optional fluidization) discharge methods, an effective, simple and complete discharge process for different types of material can be achieved. For fluid material such as water to be delivered to a receptor (such as a silo), a discharge hose is normally used to connect the inlet port of the silo to the outlet port 720. Once this connection had been made, conveying air can be supplied into container 710 from the top. Once the pressure inside the container 710 has reached the necessary operating pressure (normally 2 bar), outlet port 720 can be opened. Due to the pressure exerted on the surface of the water and the influence of gravity, water will convey from the container 710 to the silo through the discharge hose. Container 710 is pivoted about the outlet port 720 so that water will move towards the respective funnel at that end for a clean discharge. As water possesses very high flow ability, optional fluidization is not required.

For granular material, ( for example plastic resin) to be delivered into a receptor (such as a silo), once the pressure inside the container 710 has reached the necessary operating pressure (normally 2 bar), outlet port 720 can be opened and the resin will be conveyed from the container 710 to the silo through the discharge hose. Container 710 is pivoted about the outlet port 720 so that the resin will move towards the funnel 724 for a clean discharge. As resin does not have an adhesion problem between particles, optional fluidization is not required.

For powdery material, such as dry bulk cement to be delivered into a receptor such as a silo, the necessary connection and air supply as described above are made. Once the pressure inside the container 710 has reached the necessary operating pressure (normally 2 bar), outlet port 720 can be opened and cement will be conveyed from the container 710 to the silo through the discharge hose. Container 710 is pivoted about the outlet port 720 so that cement will move towards respective funnel 724 for a clean discharge. As cement has- adhesion characteristic between the particles, optional fluidization can also be used to further improve their fluidization to enhance? the discharge process.

Container 710 can be tilted at any time during the operation including, before and/or during pressurizing for the discharge processes mentioned above. Figure. 17 shows the first form of the first embodiment of the invention fitted with a discharge pipe 252 operatively connected to a number of outlets 254 along the lower wall 240 of container 210. Connecting each outlet 254 to pipe 252 are outlet pipes 256 each of which has an outlet valve 258. Pipe 252 is connected to material pipe 260 which is the outlet from valve 222. In this way when the initial discharge takes place, and if valves 258 are open, a substantial volume of material will be discharged through pipe 252. At that time valve 222 may be opened or closed, as desired.

Before, during or subsequent to tilting, valves 258 may be closed, if desired. This may be done sequentially from right to left, or substantially simultaneously. However, they may be left open, if desired. This may be relevant for granular material. Figure 18 shows a variation of that of Figure 17. The only difference is that there is one valve 258 in pipe 252, rather than in each outlet pipe 256. This would make it easier for an operator.

In Figure 19, the only difference over Figure 18 is that outlets 254 are in sidewall 262 of cylindrical portion 212, rather than along the lower portion 240. Again;.. Figure 20 is similar to Figure 18 except that there is only one outlet 254 and in* consequence only one outlet pipe 256.

Figures 17 to 20 show that one end of the outlet pipe 252 is operatively connected from outlet 254 to the discharge port at the first end of the container, and the outlet 254 is adjacent the discharge port at the second end of the container. However, that one end of discharge pipe 252 can also be arranged to be operatively connected from oultlet 254 located adjacent the first end to the discharge port at the second end. . t

Figure 20a shows that outlet pipe 252 can also be provided with quick-fit* couplings at either end, such that discharge hose can also be connected to any of the- selected end for primary discharge. The number (if any) of outlets 254, and their location may be varied. Likewise, the number and location of valves 258 may be varied.

In Figure 21 there is shown the container of Figure 20 substantially filled with material 264 prior to any discharge. Nalves 222 and 258 are closed. After any necessary vibration and/or fluidization and/or pressurization (if only), valve 258 is opened so that a substantial volume of material 264 is discharged - Figure 22. Valve 222 is then opened and valve 258 closed as frame 218 is tilted Figure 23. The remaining material 264 will then flow out through funnel 224, valve 222 and pipe 260 until complete and effective discharge is achieved. During the second stage (or secondary) discharge vibration and/or pressurization and/or fluidization may be used or continued, if desired. Near the completion of discharge process, valve 258 may be opened for conveying air to flush any residual remaining inside pipe 252, with valve 222 remaining opened or closed. The optional discharge pipe and outlet port provided for the embodiments of Figures 17 to 23 reduce the weight on that end of container 210 that is required to be lifted for tilting discharge by reducing the volume of material 64 at that end. The necessary discharge processes are similar to those described above.

The container can easily be cleaned, and the cleaning water discharge through ports 220 and/or 278. Discharge ports 220 and 278 may be used simultaneously, sequentially, or as alternatives.

All embodiments can be used with a liner. Liners are generally required when container 10 is being used to transport food-grade materials or otherwise as required.

The liner can be placed inside the container through the bigger discharge port at the second end. Thereafter, liner installation methods such as the "vacuum" method, or as described in our Singapore patent application number 200005520-2, can be applied, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. When material is required to be discharged through outlet port 278, the cover at outlet port 278 can be opened, and the liner can be opened either by the influence of conveying air pressure, or be cut by a suitable cutter and/or due to the weight of material. Once the liner has been 5 opened, material will be discharged from outlet port 278 under the influence of gravity. The container can then be tilted as_. necessary for a clean discharge. Conveying air can also be introduced into the liner to enhance the discharge efficiency. In addition a vibrator may be used. .

10. When bulk materials are required to be discharged from a liner inside the container 210 directly into the a silo, the discharge process is the same as at described above. However, a liner material discharge pipe (Figure 24) will be required for discharge through outlet port 220 and a liner conveying air supply pipe (Figure 25) will be used to supply the conveying air into the liner.

15

At the place of delivery, valve 122 (Figure 28) can be opened. The material 64 inside the liner will not discharge at this time. A discharge hose can be used to connect the inlet port of a silo to the quick-fit coupling of the liner material discharge pipe 111 shown in Figure 24. The front tip 171 of pipe 111 can be inserted into the discharge 0 valve 122 opening (Figure 28). As pipe 111 has a shaφ front tip, it will break and penetrate the liner. Thereafter, pipe 111 continues to move forward until coupling 131 couples with another quick-fit coupling 533 (refer to Figure 28) on valve 122. Once this connection is done, valve 121 on pipe 111 may be opened to allow the material 64 to discharge. 5

When air assisted discharge is desired and or required, a liner air supply pipe 211 (Figure 25) can be used to supply conveying air directly into the liner cavity to inflate liner, and to fluidize and/or pressurize the material 64 inside the liner. Once the pressure inside the liner had reached the operating pressure, valve 121 on pipe 111 can 0 be opened to allow the material 64 to discharge.

The pipe 211 has two ends. An external end is equipped with a quick-fit coupling 232 at the conveying air inlet end. An equalizing valve 222 is used for pressure equalizing control and an inlet control valve 221 is used to control the 5 conveying air supply into the liner of container 10. A check valve 223 is used to prevent back-pressure and to protect the conveying air source (normally a compressor). It also prevents the material 64 from flowing into pipe 211. A relief valve 224 is used to assist safety of operation. A pressure gauge 281 indicates operating air pressure, and another quick-fit coupling 231/331 is used to couple with the at least one liner air inlet port 339 (Figure 26) or 539 (Figure 28) on the container 10. Pipe 211 has an internal shaφ end 271/371 to rupture the liner when pipe 211 is inserted into an opening of liner air inlet port 339 on the side of container 10. End 271 has numerous air dispersal holes 272 to allow air to pass therethrough.

Dispersal holes 272 are used to disperse the conveying air in many directions to prevent the air from discharging only from the front end of tip 271, which is not desired. Also, to assure that at least part of the incoming air will disperse into the material 64 through holes 272, the opening at the shaφ end 271 may be of reduced size. The front tip 371 (Figure 26) of pipe 211 can also be designed to be above the material 64 after complete insertion. The liner air inlet port 539 on the container can also be designed to be located at any suitable location on the container, such as, higher or lower than the central axis or on the top adjacent the material inlet. Normally, the container is provided with at least one liner air inlet port 539, one at each side or one at each end. It is also understood that, there maybe four liner air inlet port 539 on the same container,* which is one at each side and one at each end of the said container.

To now refer to Figure 26, there is shown an end view of a container 10 inside which a liner 351 has been placed. When container 10 arrives at the place of delivery, and normally with the container 10 still being held in horizontal position, all the necessary connections at the discharge ports can be made as mentioned above. The cover on the liner air inlet port 339 on the container cylindrical portion at the lower region thereof can then be opened. As the material 64 is contained inside the liner 351,*. it will not discharge. Once the cover is opened, pipe 211 can be inserted into the- opening of inlet 339. As pipe 211 has a shaφ front tip 371, it will rupture, and*, penetrate the liner 351. Thereafter, it continues to move forward until a coupling 331?. couples with the quick-fit coupling on air inlet 339 on the container 10. Once the operator has completed the connections, the conveying air supply hose can be connected to coupling 332. If the container 310 does not have a void formed within the container by the inner wall/funnel joining an inner surface of the container, air equalization is not required. Equalizing valve 322 can therefore be closed, and the air inlet valve 321 can be opened. The conveying air can then be supplied directly into the cavity of liner 351. Once the pressure reaches the operating pressure, normally 2 bar, valve 121 on discharge pipe 111 (Figure 24) can be opened for material discharge.

If a liner 351 is being used, and there is a void 591, 592 (Figure 28) inside the container 510, air equalization will be required for safe operation. All the connections and procedures remain the same as above, except for the extra step of connecting the equalizing valve 322 (Figure 26) to the inlet 431 of the container air pipe 411 (Figure 27), then open equalizing valve 322, and close equalizing valve 422 on pipe 411.

If the conveying air enters between the container interior and the liner exterior, it may squeeze the liner and may cause a disturbance to the material discharging process. This can be eliminated by closing valve 422 on pipe 411 when pressure equalization is required.

Container air pipe 411 is used to supply conveying air into the container and it- normally has two conveying air inlet ends, one being adjacent to the discharge port at the first end of the container, and, another adjacent to the discharge port at the second. end of the container. A quick-fit coupling 431/431 A is used to facilitate easy connection at the two air inlet ends. Two check valves 423 and 423A are installed near each coupling 431/431 A respectively to protect the air compressor from back-pressure and a relief valve 424 assists safe operation. At least two pressure gauges 481 and 481A are for each inlet end to indicate the pressure inside the container. A pressure equalizing valve 422 is provided to prevent conveying air from entering the container- when necessary. A depressurizing valve 421 is used to release the pressure inside the " container when and as necessary. One end 432 of portion 414 is connected to the top of. container 10 (Figure 28) for the conveying air to enter the container 10 from the top- Also, between check valve 423 and relief valve 424, there is a equalizing pipe 412 with first end 433 joined to the portion 413 of pipe 411 and second end 434 operatively connected to the void portion 591 of container shown in figure 28. Equalizing pipe 412 and equalizing valve 422 are included in container air pipe 411 shown in Figure 27, to achieve pressure equalizing.

In general, a conveying air supply hose is only required to be connected to an one inlet end of the container air pipe adjacent the discharge port at the container end being pivoted for the discharge process. To facilitate simple connection between conveying air supply hose to the selected inlet end, the inlet ends are designed to be diagonally opposite each other.

Figure 28 shows a simple schematic drawing of container 510. There are two void portions: one 591 being at first end and the other 592 being at second end. Equalizing pipe 512 joins the void portion 591 at the first end, and another pressure equalizing pipe 515 is used to connect these two void portions to assure pressure equalizing for both of them, and other portion 593 inside container 510. Equalizing pipe 515 can be installed inside or outside the container. Figure 28 also shows a liner conveying air inlet port 539 being used for a liner conveying air supply pipe 211 (as shown in Figure 25) to supply the conveying air into the liner.

It is further understood that when a liner is used in conjunction with container* 10, a vibrator can be used to achieve an optional fluidization effect for a dry bulk¹ material contained inside said liner.

Figure 29 shows a readily remove-able air diffuser 799 for use with dry bulk materials. It is normally made by joining two layers of fabric materials to form a "flat sleeve". There is a quick-fit coupling 788 provided on the air inlet trunk 771 toi facilitate simple connection with coupling 787 of cover 782 described above.- Conveying air will be introduced into the hollow section of the flat sleeve created b the two layers of fabric material. As the pressure of the conveying air continues tov increase, air will diffuse into the container to disperse material inside the container through rows of perforations on the surface of the air diffuser. Rings 761, 762 are also provided on each end of the air diffuser. Figure 30 and 31 illustrates coupling 788 on trunk 771 of air diffuser 799 which is being joined to coupling 787 on the air inlet port on cover 782 of discharge port 778. A quick fit coupling 786 on cover 782 of discharge port 778 is connectable to an air supply (not shown) which supplies air. through these connections into the air diffuser.

Air diffuser 799 may be fitted to the container 710 simply by inserting it through opening 778. A tie 781 may be attached to the rear ring 762 of diffuser 799 and looped through a ring 783 secured to the interior of container 710. Once the tie is looped through the ring and pulled, diffuser 799 is pulled into the container. The diffuser 799 rests on the lower surface of the container and is may be held in position by the weight of the bulk material substantially loaded into the container. The diffuser 799 is provided with rows of perforations in the upper and or lower surface thereof so that conveying air entering diffuser 799 can be diffused directly into the material described above. Joints 751 are provided on diffuser 799 to prevent the diffuser being inflated to a "cylindrical shape". The most effective shape of a flat sleeve can be maintained to allow effective and continual diffusing of conveying air into the liner to disperse the material therein over a widespread area. Furthermore, rings 761 may be provided on the end adjacent to air inlet trunk 771 so that air diffuser can also beϊ secured to cover 782 using strings and/or ropes to prevent the diffuser from falling off when the container is being lifted up at the second end, where discharge port 778 is located.

As the diffuser is . readily removable, once the discharge process had been completed, it can be easily removed from the container through the discharge port 778 opening by disconnecting necessary connections. Thereafter, the container can be sent_* for any necessary washing and cleaning.

A cover can be used to cover the coupling 786 if not in use. Furthermore, a_* plug can also be used to cover coupling 787 when not in use. In the embodiment shown in Figures 32 and 33, a container 810 is shown having a smaller sized funnel outlet at end 816 and a large material outlet at second end 818. In this embodiment the second end is hingedly connected to the central portion of the container and the outlet is opened by releasing clamps 882 and opening the entire end about its top in a pivotal movement, preferably by an hydraulic actuator (not shown). The outlet 818 is for large size material. Such material may be discharged through the opening by tilting the container as is common to the other embodiments of the invention. The lip between the second end 818 and the central generally cylindrical portion 812 may be raised so that the respective lips interlock to form a seal when the end is closed. Again, air assisted and optional fluidization may also be utilized to enhance effective discharge.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

The invention disclosed herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the specifications. All. of these different combinations are various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

The Claims

1) A container which can be repeatedly reused for the transport and/or storage of different bulk materials, said container including an elongate hollow central portion, first and second closed ends, and at least one discharge port in said closed ends for discharging bulk materials from said container; said discharge port including a funnel communicating with the interior of the container, said funnel having an inlet opening and a discharge end with a discharge opening, and an internal wall adjacent said inlet opening and shaped to direct material to the discharge end of said funnel during discharge of material from said container, said internal wall sealingly engaging with an internal surface of a peripheral wall of the container.

2) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal wall has an opening which is aligned with and sealingly communicating with the discharge end of said funnel.

3) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the funnel is attached to the container in a manner selected from the group consisting of: integral with the container, and releasably attached to the container.

4) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal wall is coplanar with the inlet end opening.

5) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal wall is peφendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

6) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal wall is inclined to the longitudinal axis.

7) A container as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein the internal wall is a side wall of the funnel. 8) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a valve is attached to the discharge end and aligned with the discharge end opening.

9) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a manhole with cover is attached to the discharge end and aligned with the discharge end opening.

10) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein to the manhole there is attached a conical intermediate portion, a valve, and an optional quick-fit coupling.

11) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central portion of the container is substantially cylindrical and the first and second ends substantially hemispherical.

12) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided at least one discharge outlet from the container, the at least one discharge outlet being at or adjacent the second end.

13) The container as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one discharge outlet is" operatively connected to a discharge pipe by at least one outlet pipe.

14) A container as claimed in claims 12 or 13, wherein the at least one discharge outlet is in a lower portion of the container.

15) A container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one discharge outlet is in a side wall portion of the container.

16) A container as claimed in claim 12, wherein there is a plurality of discharge* outlets along the container.

17) The container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the discharge pipe has two ends, each end being operatively connected to the discharge port. 18) The container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the discharge pipe has two ends, each end being attached to a valve and an operational quick fit coupling.

19) The container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the container is mounted within a frame, the frame having a first frame end adjacent the first end of the container, the frame being pivot-able about the first frame end.

20) The container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the frame has a second frame end remote rom the first frame end, the frame being pivot-able about the second frame end.

21) The container as claimed in any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein said frame is accordance with standards and specifications of the international freight containers as requires by international freight container authorities to enable said container to be handle as an international freight container.

22) The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first discharge port is provided in said first end and a second discharge port is provided in said second end, said container further including a second internal wall having an opening which is aligned with and sealingly communicating with the inlet opening in the funnel of the second discharge port.

23) The container as claimed in claims 22, wherein the funnel of the second discharge port is substantially the same as the funnel of the first discharge port.

24) The container as claimed in claim 23, wherein the inlet opening of the second discharge port is of a substantially larger diameter than the inlet opening of the first discharge port. 25) The container as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the discharge opening of the second discharge port is of a substantially larger diameter than the discharge opening of the first discharge port.

26) The container as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the second discharge port is located remote from the at least one discharge port at the first end and in a lower portion of the closed second end.

27) The container as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the second discharge port has a substantially cylindrical portion, and a cover.

28) The container as claimed in claim 27, wherein the cover has a mechanized actuator to assist the opening and closing of the cover.

29) The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second closed end is releasably pivot-able about a hinge on said central portion to enable the second end to effectively act as a discharge port.

30) A container which can be repeatedly reused for the transport and/or storage oft different bulk materials, said container including an elongate hollow centraL portion, first and second closed ends, at least one discharge port in said closed ends for discharging different materials directly out from said container using different discharge methods, a first discharge port in a lower portion of the first closed end for discharging material from said container, said first discharge port including a first funnel communicating with the interior of the container said first funnel having an first inlet opening and a first discharge end with a first;- discharge opening, and a first end wall adjacent said first closed end shaped to?-- direct material to the first discharge end of said first funnel during discharge of_* material from said container, said first internal wall sealingly engaging with an. internal surface of a peripheral wall of the container, the internal wall having an first opening which is aligned with and sealingly communicating with the discharge end of said funnel, and a second discharge port in a lower portion of the second closed end, the second discharge port having a diameter substantially larger than that of the first discharge port.

31) The container as claimed in claim 30, wherein the second discharge port has a substantially cylindrical portion, and a cover.

32) The container as claimed in claim 31 wherein the cover has a mechanized actuator to assist the opening and closing of the cover.

33) The container as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the second discharge port has an axis which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion.

34) The container as claimed in claim 1 or 30, wherein the container is pressurizable.

35) The container as claimed in claim 34, wherein a container air pipe for the supply of conveying gas/air is provided said pipe being integrated with the exterior of the container.

36) The container as claimed in claim 34, wherein a container air pipe for the supply of conveying gas/air is provided, said pipe being releasably attached to the container.

37) The container as claimed in claim 35 or 36, wherein said air pipe has an inlet end, the air inlet end being provided with a coupling to a source of conveying gas/air, a depressurizing valve and at least one operative connection to an inlet adjacent the top of said container.

38) The container as claimed in claim 37, wherein said inner walls of said funnels define respective void portions within the container, said container further including a check valve at each end, a relief valve, a pressure gauge, a liner equalizing valve, and a pressure equalizing portion operatively connected to the void portions created by the funnel walls. 39) The container as claimed in claim 37 or 38, wherein the couplings to said container air pipe is provided on diagonally opposite sides of said container, the container air pipe extending between said couplings.

40) The container as claimed in claim 39, further providing a pressure equalizing pipe operatively connected to any one or both of the two void portions created by the funnels at the first and second ends.

41) The container as claimed in claim 1 and 30, wherein said pressure equalizing pipe is integral with said container.

42) The container as claimed in claim 1 and 30, wherein said pressure equalizing pipe is releasably attached to said container.

43) The container as claimed in claim 40 to 42, wherein said equalizing pipe is inside the container.

44) The container as claimed in claim 40 to 42, wherein said equalizing pipe is exterior to the container.

45) The container as claimed in claim 40 to 44, wherein said equalizing pipe includes at least one valve.

46) The container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 45 further including at least one liner air inlet port.

47) The container as claimed in claim 46, wherein at least on inlet port is provided on each side of said container.

48) The container as claimed in claim 46, wherein said at least one liner air inlet port is provided adjacent the lower portion of each end of said container. 49) The container as claimed in claim 48, wherein said at least one liner inlet port is provided above or below said container air pipe.

50) The container as claimed in claim 46, wherein the at least one liner air inlet port is provided with a coupling and a cover on the said liner air inlet port.

51) The container as claimed in claims 47 or 48, wherein, said liner air inlet port is on the same side as the container air pipe and is adjacent the lower portion of the container.

52) The container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 51 further including a liner air supply pipe used to supply compressed conveying air into the liner placed inside the container.

53) The container as claimed in claim 52, said supply pipe having an internal end and an external end, and a coupling dividing said internal and external ends.

54) The container as claimed in claim 53, wherein the internal end is provided^with converging open tip to rupture the liner inside the container.

55) The container as claimed in claim 53 wherein there is provided a conveying air inlet coupling, a conveying air control valve, a check valve and a relief valve, and further including a pressure gauge adjacent the coupling, a branch in between said, air inlet coupling and said air control valve, and a pressure equalizing valve at the end of said branch.

56) The container as claimed in claim 54, wherein the tip is provided with numerous holes for conveying air therethrough.

57) The container as claimed in claim 55, wherein said coupling is used to couple the supply pipe to the liner air inlet port. 58) The container as claimed in claim 1 or 30, further including a liner material discharge pipe for discharging material from said container when a liner is used in conjunction with said container.

59) The container as claimed in claim 58, wherein said discharge pipe has a coupling divided said pipe into one internal end and one external end, there being provided a converging open tip on the internal end to rupture a liner of said container.

60) The container of claim 59 further providing a coupling for connection to a material discharge hose, and a material discharge valve adjacent the coupling.

61) The container as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein a valve, and a quick-fit coupling is attached to the cover.

62) The container as claimed in claims 1 to 30, wherein the container is capable of being easily washed and cleaned to enable the container to be reused for a different group of bulk materials.

63) The container as claimed in claim 1 or 30, furthering a readily removable air diffuser positionable in the lower portion of the interior thereof, said air diffuser being connectable to a source of conveying air.

64) The container as claimed in claim 63, wherein said at least on discharge port being provided with a cover, said cover being provided with one conveying air inlet port, for supplying of conveying air into the container through the said air diffuser.

65) The container as claimed in claim 1 to 30, further including a fluidizer/vibrator in the lower portion of said container, said fluidizer/vibrator being connected to their respective air supply pipe, said fluidizer/vibrator being removable and replaceable with a plug. 66) The container as claimed in claim 64, wherein the conveying air port on the cover has two couplings, one being on the inner side and another one being on the outer side of the said cover.

67) The container as claimed in claim 64 or 66, wherein the coupling is provided with one selected from the group consisting of: cover and plug.

68) The container as claimed in claims 63, wherein said air diffuser is made by joining two layers of fabric materials to form a flat sleeve and there is provided a air inlet trunk for supply conveying air to enter into the hollow portion between the two layers of fabric materials.

69) The container as claimed in claim 68, wherein, there is provided a coupling on one end of the said air inlet trunk for connecting with the inner coupling provided on the inner side of the discharge port cover.

70) The container as claimed in claim 68 or 69, wherein there is provided rings at one end for moving said air diffuser into the container using strings/ropes, and there are also rings provided on the other end for securing said air diffuser to the inner side of the discharge port cover.

71) The container as claimed in claims 68 to 70, wherein said air diffuser is held or rests in position inside the container by releasably securing it to the inner side of the discharge port cover at the second end and the ring inside the first end of the container.

72) The container as claimed in claim 71, wherein said air diffuser is held on the container lower surface by the weight of bulk material inside the container.

73) The container as claimed in claims 52 to 54, wherein said liner conveying pipe allows the conveying air to enter into the liner through the front tip of said liner conveying pipe.

74) The container as claimed in claims 52 to 54 and claim 67, wherein said liner air conveying pipe further allow the conveying air to entering into the headspace above the material inside the liner. 75) The container as claimed in claims 52 to 54 and 67, wherein said liner air conveying pipe further allows the conveying air to diffuse directly into the void between the material particles of said material inside the liner.

76) The container as claimed in all the preceding claims, wherein there is provided at least one material inlet with a cover on top of said container.

77) The container as claimed in claim 67, wherein said inlet includes a mechanical actuator to open and close said cover thereon.

78) The container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 77 wherein said coupling is a quick-fit coupling.

79) A method of discharging material from a container mounted within a fiame through at least one discharge port located at a closed end of the said container, the method including the steps of connecting the discharge port to a receptor/s, opening at least one discharge port in a lower portion of a closed first end of said container, and tilting the container about a first frame end adjacent the first end to provide complete discharge through the at least one discharge port.

80) The method of claim 79 further including the step of supplying compressed conveying air/gas to said container in the headspace above said material through a container air pipe, allowing the pressure of said conveying air to increase within said container.

81) The method of claim 80, wherein the increased conveying air pressure in side the container, allows said conveying air to fluidizes a portion if not all o£:.the material in said container to assist discharge through the at least one discharge port.

82) The method of claim 80, wherein the conveying air supplied to the container exerts pressure on the surface of the material to act as a driving force for the discharge of material through the at least one discharge port. 83) The method as claimed in claim 81, wherein a pump is connected between the receptor/s and the at least one discharge port in a lower portion of the closed end of said container, and tilting the container about a frame end adjacent said closed end to provide discharge through the at least one discharge port.

84) The method as claimed in any one of claims 79 to 82, wherein said material consisting of bulk materials selected from the group consisting of powdery, granular and or particulate materials.

85) The method as claimed in any one of claims 79, 80, 82 or 83, wherein said material is bulk liquid.

86) The method as claimed in claim 79 or 83, wherein said material is bulk gas.

87) A method of discharging material fiom a container mounted within a fiame through at least one discharge port located at a closed end of said container, wherein said material is to discharge on to an open ground/receptor with a position lower than said container, the method including the steps of:- opening said at least one discharge port in a lower portion of said closed end of said container, allowing material therein to discharge under the influence of gravity, and tilting the container about a frame end adjacent said closed end to provide complete discharge through the at least one discharge port.

88) The method as claimed in claim 87, wherein compressed conveying air/gas is supplied to said container to enhance the discharge process.

89) The method as claimed in claim 87 or 88, wherein said material consists of- bulk materials selected from the group consist of powdery, granular, particulate.

90) The method as claimed in claim 87 or 88, wherein said material is bulk liquid. 91) The method as claimed in claim 79 or 87 further including the step of opening at least one discharge outlet adjacent one of the closed end of the container prior to opening the at least one discharge port thereby producing an initial discharge of material, the opening of the at least one discharge port providing a second flow of material.

92) The method as claimed in claim 84, 85 or 86, wherein the at least one discharge outlet is closed before the at least one discharge port is opened.

93) The method as claimed in any one of claims 79, 80, 87, 88 and 89, wherein prior to opening the at least one discharge outlet, the material is subjected to one or more optional fluidization means selected fiom the group consisting of: fluidizer, vibrator.

94) The method as claimed in claim 91, wherein the optional fluidization continues during the primary discharge.

95) The method as claimed in claim 91 or 92, wherein the fluidizer/vibrator are of airtight design made of fluid impermeable material.

96) The method as claimed in any one of claims 91 to 93, wherein the . use of fluidizer/vibrator will not affect the volumetric efficiency of a container.

97) The method of claim 79, wherein a conveying air/gas enters a liner lining the container interior through a liner air/gas supply pipe, the air/gas supply pipe being coupled to a liner air inlet port on said container. t

98) The method of claim 97, including the step of inserting the liner air/gas supply pipe through the liner air inlet port, the air/gas supply pipe extending through the liner into the interior of the liner, and supplying conveying air into said liner. 99) The method of any one of claims 79 to 81, further including the step of connecting a conveying air supply pipe/hose to a readily removable air diffuser positioned in said container, said conveying air exiting through row of perforations therein to fluidize at least part of the material above said diffuser to assist in the discharge of material through selected discharge port in said container.

100) The method of claim 99, wherein the diffuser is positionable within said container by threading string/ropes attached to said air diffuser through rings secured to the inside of said container, drawing said strings/ropes through said ring to slide said air diffuser into position in said container and securing said string/rope to securing rings on the inner side of the discharge port cover.

101) The method of claim 99 or 100, wherein material is discharged through said open discharge port by supplying conveying air to said air diffuser to fluidize said material prior to or during tilting said container.

102) The method of any one of claims 99 to 101, wherein after discharge of material from said container, said air diffuser is removable from said container by untie said strings/ropes and sliding said diffuser through said discharge port to enable said container to be washed and reused.

103) The method as claimed in any one of claims 79 to 101, wherein the container can be used with a liner, the liner being introduced through the second discharge port.

104) The method of any one of claims 87 to 96 and 99 to 102, wherein compressed conveying air/gas is supplied to said container in the headspace above said material through a container air pipe, allowing the pressure of said conveying air to increase within said container.

105) The method of claim 104, wherein the increased conveying air pressure insider the container allows the conveying air to fluidize at least a portion of the material in the container to assist discharge of the material through the at least one discharge port.

106) The method of claim 104, wherein the conveying air supplied to the container exerts pressure on the surface of the material to act as a driving face for the discharge of material through the at least one discharge port.

107) The method as claimed in any one of claims 79 to 106, wherein the discharge port at the first end can be opened at a time selected from the group consisting of: before pressurization, during pressurization, and after pressurization.

108) The method as claimed in any one of claims 99 to 102, wherein the diffuser is cleanable.

109) The method as claimed in any one of claims 99 to 102, wherein the diffuser is selected according to the material to be contained in the container.

110) The method as claimed in claim 98, wherein the conveying air is supplied to the interior of the liner to increase the pressure of the conveying air within, the liner so as to assist the discharge of the material through the discharge port.

111) The method as claimed in claim 98 or 110, wherein the conveying air is increased in pressure until the liner ruptures at the discharge port to enable the material to be discharged through the discharge port.

112) The method as claimed in any one of claims 98, 110 or 111, wherein the conveying air is increased in pressure until the material is fluidized to assist the discharge of the material through the discharge port.

113) The method as claimed in any one of claims 98, or 110 to 112, wherein the liner air/gas supply pipe is of stainless steel to substantially reduce the risk of contamination of the material. 114) The method as claimed in any one of claims 98 or 110 to 113, wherein a liner material discharge pipe is used to discharge the material from the container.

115) The method as claimed in claim 114, wherein the liner material discharge pipe has a shaφ tip to rupture and penetrate the liner at the discharge port.

116) The method as claimed in claim 114 or 115, wherein the liner material discharge pipe is inserted through an opening of a discharge valve of the discharge port.

117) The method as claimed in claim 116, wherein the liner material discharge pipe has a coupling to couple with a quick-fit coupling on the discharge valve, and a control valve to control the discharge of material through the liner material discharge pipe.

118) The method as claimed in any one of claims 98 or 110 to 117, wherein pressure equalization is used to equalize pressure in voids within the container to substantially the same pressure as is within the container

119) The method as claimed in any one of claims 115 to 117, wherein the -tip is of stainless steel.

120) The method of any one of claims 114 to 117 and 119, wherein the liner material discharge pipe is of stainless steel.