Abstract: A horizontal bulk material container has a cylindrical shell having a horizontal axis. Disposed within the shell intermediate the end walls thereof is a bulkhead follower. In one embodiment, a manhole is located at each end of the shell to provide access to the shell. The bulkhead follower has a cylindrical cross-sectional area slightly less in diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical cross-sectional area of the shell. The forward end surface of the bulkhead follower has a convex configuration conforming to the concave contour of the forward end wall of the shell.

Abstract: A horizontal bulk material container has a cylindrical shell having a horizontal axis. Disposed within the shell intermediate the end walls thereof is a bulkhead follower. In one embodiment, a manhole is located at each end of the shell to provide access to the shell. The bulkhead follower has a cylindrical cross-sectional area slightly less in diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical cross-sectional area of the shell. The forward end surface of the bulkhead follower has a convex configuration conforming to the concave contour of the forward end wall of the shell.

Abstract: A horizontal bulk material container has a cylindrical shell having a horizontal axis. Disposed within the shell intermediate the end walls thereof is a bulkhead follower. In one embodiment, a manhole is located at each end of the shell to provide access to the shell. The bulkhead follower has a cylindrical cross-sectional area slightly less in diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical cross-sectional area of the shell. The forward end surface of the bulkhead follower has a convex configuration conforming to the concave contour of the forward end wall of the shell.

Abstract: A bin for storing dry powder bulk material or granules. Bulk material is deposited in an upper section of the bin and is discharged from the bottom of the lower section of the bin. The lower section of the bin is formed with oppositely directed, downwardly sloping walls joined by opposing vertical walls. The downwardly sloping walls, respectively, slope downwardly at an angle greater than the angle of repose of the material or granules in the bin. Disposed in the lower section of the bin is a planar vertical divider wall that is supported by the vertical walls of the lower section. The vertical divider wall has flat surfaces that face, respectively, the oppositely directed, downwardly sloping walls of the lower section for reducing bridging of the dry powder bulk material or granules in the bulk material bin during mass flow of the dry powder bulk material or granules from the upper section through the lower section of the bin.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprises a discharge opening defined by a discharge assembly. A sliding gate overlays the discharge opening for preventing bulk material to advance through the discharge assembly. The sliding gate is withdrawn from the position overlaying the discharge opening to discharge material from the bulk material container through the discharge assembly into a hopper. A closure seal surrounds the discharge opening. When the sliding gate is disposed over the discharge opening, cam assemblies raise the sliding gate into compressive sealing engagement with the closure seal. When the cam assemblies lower the sliding gate, the sliding gate is withdrawn from the discharge assembly. Wipers mounted on the discharge assembly remain in contact with the sliding gate to remove bulk material that may remain on the sliding gate while the sliding gate is withdrawn from the discharge assembly.

Abstract: A bulk material container includes a shell. Disposed in the shell is a flexible liner for containing material to be dispensed. The upper wall of the flexible liner is clamped or pressed between the rim flange at the top of the shell and the rim flange of a removable top for the container. In a modified bulk material container, the top wall of the flexible liner is detachably secured to the underside of a top on the shell by means of interlocking metallic hook and loop tapes. The discharge end of a spout for the flexible liner through which material is dispensed is extended outwardly to form a lip. The lip of the discharge spout of the flexible liner is detachably secured between a flange of an outlet fitting and a confronting flange of a discharge fitting. The outlet fitting is welded to the wall of the shell and the discharge fitting is secured to the outlet fitting by nuts and bolts. The lip of the spout is sandwiched between the flange of the outlet fitting and the flange of the discharge fitting.

Abstract: A split lock ring for securing a top plate or the like to a bulk material container. The split lock ring includes a segmented body with pairs of confronting ends. A chain hinge is secured to the confronting ends of one pair of confronting ends. A lug and bolt locking arrangement is secured to the confronting ends of another pair of confronting ends. In a modification of the split lock ring, a flexible circumferential band hinge is secured to a segmented body having pairs of confronting ends. The flexible circumferential band hinge is secured to the segmented body about the circumference of the segmented body and overlies one pair of confronting ends. The flexible circumferential band hinge extends over an angular distance of approximately 290.degree.. In still another modification of the split lock ring, a segmented body includes three curved segments forming three pairs of confronting ends.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprising a flexible liner with a bottom outlet fitting. The bottom outlet fitting of the flexible liner is inserted by means of an installing tool into a bottom opening of the shell of the container. The bottom outlet fitting has a substantially square internal pocket shape that is adapted for receiving fingers of the insertion tool for installation in the shell.

Abstract: A bulk material container in which is disposed a flexible liner for storing bulk material. A rigid follower is attached at the top wall of the flexible liner for moving the top wall of the flexible liner to the level of the bulk material in the flexible liner during the removal of bulk material from the flexible liner. A rigid base is attached at the bottom wall of the flexible liner to facilitate the installation of the flexible liner into the bulk material container. The bulk material container and flexible liner provide an arrangement for storing, transporting and dispensing bulk material without contact between the bulk material and the container.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprising a flexible liner with a bottom outlet fitting. The bottom outlet fitting of the flexible liner is inserted by means of an installing tool into a bottom opening of the shell of the container. The bottom outlet fitting has a substantially square internal pocket shape that is adapted for receiving fingers of the insertion tool for installation in the shell.

Abstract: A bulk material container with an opening has a door arranged to move over a rectilinear path for the opening and the closing of the opening. For moving the door over a rectilinear path to either open or close the opening, a threaded shaft is journalled for rotation within the container and is aligned axially with the center of the door. Means on the threaded shaft engage the door so that the door is moved over the rectilinear path by the rotation of the threaded shaft. A gasket surrounds the opening at the time of closure by the door. Continued rotation of the shaft for the closure of the door will cause the gasket to be compressed against the plate surrounding the opening. Rotation of the door is inhibited while the gasket is being compressed.

Abstract: A bulk material container in which is disposed an inflatable vessel. Also disposed in the container above the inflatable vessel is a compressible vessel containing a product to be disposed. Between the inflatable vessel and the compressible vessel is disposed a generally rigid disc. A source of air under pressure disposed exteriorly of the container communicates with the inflatable vessel. As air under pressure is discharged into the inflatable vessel, the inflatable vessel expands to lift the disc vertically within the container. This action causes the compressible vessel to be compressed for dispensing the product from the compressible vessel.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprising a flexible liner with a bottom outlet fitting. The bottom outlet fitting of the flexible liner is inserted by means of an installing tool into a bottom opening of the shell of the container. The bottom outlet fitting has a substantially square internal pocket shape that is adapted for receiving fingers of the insertion tool for installation in the shell.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprising a flexible liner with a bottom outlet fitting. The bottom outlet fitting of the flexible liner is inserted by means of an installing tool into a bottom opening of the shell of the container. The bottom outlet fitting has a substantially square internal pocket shape that is adapted for receiving fingers of the insertion tool for installation in the shell.

Abstract: A bulk material container with an opening has a door arranged to move over a rectilinear path for the opening and the closing of the opening. For moving the door over a rectilinear path to either open or close the opening, a threaded shaft is journalled for rotation within the container and is aligned axially with the center of the door. Means on the threaded shaft engage the door so that the door is moved over the rectilinear path by the rotation of the threaded shaft. A gasket surrounds the opening at the time of closure of the door. Continued rotation of the shaft for the closure of the door will cause the gasket to be compressed against the plate surrounding the opening. Rotation of the door is inhibited while the gasket is being compressed.

Abstract: A bulk material container with an opening has a door arranged to move over a rectilinear path for the opening and the closing of the opening. For moving the door over a rectilinear path to either open or close the opening, a threaded shaft is journalled for rotation within the container and is aligned axially with the center of the door. Means on the threaded shaft engage the door so that the door is moved over the rectilinear path by the rotation of the threaded shaft. A gasket surrounds the opening at the time of closure by the door. Continued rotation of the shaft for the closure of the door will cause the gasket to be compressed against the plate surrounding the opening. Rotation of the door is inhibited while the gasket is being compressed.

Abstract: A bulk material container with a vent. Disposed in the vent is a filter membrane. Under normal conditions, fluid in the container breathes with the air under atmospheric pressure through the filter membrane. In one embodiment, when the bulk material in the container is under excessive fluid pressure, the filter membrane is fractured for fluid under excessive pressure to vent rapidly to atmosphere. In another embodiment, when there is an excessive vacuum in the container, air under atmospheric pressure fractures the filter member for air atmospheric pressure to instantaneously enter the container through the fractured membrane to reduce the vacuum within the container.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing bins to a deck of a vehicle, which employs a tie-down frame. The tie-down frame includes longitudinally extending right angle members that extend along the outboard upper end edges of the bins and outboard transversely extending right angle end members that extend across the uppermost side edges of the outboard bins. Right angle members are fixed to the longitudinal members inwardly of the transverse end members to engage the outward corners of the intermediate bins. The tie-down frame also includes intermediate transversely extending channel-shaped members that extend along the top of the bins inwardly from the outboard transversely extending end members for receiving the tines of a fork lift truck to move the tie-down frame from place-to-place. The tie-down frame is placed along the top of the bins. Cables releasably secure the tie-down frame to the deck to prevent the bins from sliding along the deck.

Abstract: A bulk material container in which a manhole cover has a relief valve. The relief valve includes a resilient spacer ring disposed between a valve seat of the relief valve and a valve plate. A spring urges the valve plate of the relief valve toward the valve seat. When the fluid pressure in the container exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the valve plate is lifted away from the valve seat against the urgency of the spring to vent the fluid in the container to atmosphere. A bulk material container in which a manhole cover has a relief valve. Vacuum relief apertures are formed in a backing plate of the relief valve. The vacuum relief apertures communicate with the fluid in the container and atmosphere. A disc closes the vacuum relief apertures until displaced when the fluid pressure of the fluid within the container is less than atmospheric pressure to provide a path for air under atmospheric pressure to flow into the container through the vacuum relief apertures.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprising a shell made from suitable material, such as aluminum or stainless steel. Disposed within the shell is a floatable rigid follower. The vertical position of the floatable rigid follower varies with the level of flowable bulk material stored in the shell. The rigid follower comprises axially aligned, juxtaposed rigid sections with a flexible wiper secured therebetween. A permanent magnet is carried by the rigid follower for movement therewith and means responsive to a magnetic field are attached to the exterior of the shell to detect the height of the permanent magnet. Indicating means are responsive to the operation of the means responsive to a magnetic field for indicating the level of the rigid follower. In a modification of the bulk material container, the wiper is replaced by an inflatable seal and the floatable rigid follower provides a selectively positionable cover for the bulk material container.