Abstract: A bulk loading system for delivering bulk material to a storage compartment of a bulk transport vehicle through a hatch opening includes a movable positioner supporting an extendable loading spout assembly, a camera coupled to the positioner and a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to the positioner, loading spout assembly and camera for automatically positioning the loading spout assembly over the hatch opening and filling the storage compartment of the vehicle with bulk material. The system provides accurate position information to a driver of the vehicle so that the vehicle and its storage compartments can be quickly positioned within a reach zone of the loading spout.

Abstract: A fluid-driven hatch for a bulk material container includes a cover is opened by a fluid-driven cover actuator and secured by a fluid-driven lock actuator. A fluid conduit connects both the fluid-driven cover actuator and the fluid-driven lock actuator to a pressurized fluid source. Pressurized fluid is selectively supplied to the fluid conduit such that the fluid-driven lock actuator is actuated at a first pressure to unlock the cover, and the fluid-driven cover actuator is actuated moments later at a second, higher pressure to open the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for efficient filling of bulk containers with free-flowing bulk materials. The apparatus is configured to support multiple industrial containers and fill them with bulk materials stored in a batching hopper in an effective and expedient manner. The filled bulk material containers are transported away for storage or use. The apparatus includes a rotatable multi-container support assembly for rotating the empty containers into a filling station under the batching hopper. A controller and data logger may be provided to control the apparatus and record the type, quantity and/or weight of each batch of the bulk material dispensed into the industrial containers.

Abstract: A bulk loading system for delivering bulk material to a storage compartment of a bulk transport vehicle through a hatch opening includes a movable positioner supporting an extendable loading spout assembly, a camera coupled to the positioner and a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to the positioner, loading spout assembly and camera for automatically positioning the loading spout assembly over the hatch opening and filling the storage compartment of the vehicle with bulk material. The system provides accurate position information to a driver of the vehicle so that the vehicle and its storage compartments can be quickly positioned within a reach zone of the loading spout.

Abstract: A bulk loading system for delivering bulk material to a storage compartment of a bulk transport vehicle through a hatch opening includes a movable positioner supporting an extendable loading spout assembly, a camera coupled to the positioner and a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to the positioner, loading spout assembly and camera for automatically positioning the loading spout assembly over the hatch opening and filling the storage compartment of the vehicle with bulk material. The system provides accurate position information to a driver of the vehicle so that the vehicle and its storage compartments can be quickly positioned within a reach zone of the loading spout.

Abstract: An automatic hatch assembly for bulk material containers includes a hatch cover which covers a fill opening of the container, and may be retrofitted to existing containers equipped with a conventional hatch cover. A drive unit is operable to open and close the hatch cover, and a locking assembly actuates an extendable lock member. Optionally, a pneumatic seal is provided within the cover for sealing the container from the outside environment. The locking assembly is adapted to resist opening forces applied to the cover, such as when the container is pressurized, and a sequencing controller may be provided to facilitate automated operation of the opening/closing, locking/unlocking, and/or sealing/unsealing of the hatch cover.

Abstract: A bulk loading system for delivering bulk material to a storage compartment of a bulk transport vehicle through a hatch opening includes a movable positioner supporting an extendable loading spout assembly, a camera coupled to the positioner and a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to the positioner, loading spout assembly and camera for automatically positioning the loading spout assembly over the hatch opening and filling the storage compartment of the vehicle with bulk material. The system provides accurate position information to a driver of the vehicle so that the vehicle and its storage compartments can be quickly positioned within a reach zone of the loading spout.

Abstract: An automatic hatch assembly for bulk material containers, and especially for bulk material containers on vehicles, provides for the remote control and automated operation of opening/closing, locking/unlocking, and/or sealing/unsealing hatch functions. The hatch covers a fill opening of the container, and may be retrofitted to existing containers equipped with conventional hatch covers. A drive unit is operable to open and close the hatch cover, and a locking assembly actuates extendable lock members. Optionally, a pneumatic seal is provided within the cover for sealing the container from the outside environment. The locking assembly may be particularly well-suited to resisting opening forces applied to the cover, such as when the container is pressurized, and a sequencing controller may be provided to facilitate automated operation.

Abstract: A transportable concrete mixing plant is provided and includes a frame, a mixing drum for mixing concrete, a conveying system having at least one rail for moving a pre-measured quantity of premix concrete to the mixing drum, and a supply hopper for directing the pre-measured premix concrete into the mixing drum. The rail forms a support track that is traversed by the supply hopper, which travels from a dispensing position near the mixing drum to a loading position spaced from the mixing drum. Optionally, a concrete pump dispenses flowable concrete received from the mixing drum and pumps it to a remote location, such as a work site.

Abstract: A multi-chamber container includes at least two sections for storing at least two separate bulk materials in isolation from one another, and/or in isolation from environmental elements such as water or humidity, and/or in isolation from other chemicals. The container may include at least two separate openable apertures or regions for dispensing the respective bulk materials separately or simultaneously, and may be filled in a manner that surrounds one bulk material with another, but isolates the bulk materials from one another while they are in the container. The container permits flexibility in storage and handling of the bulk materials, which are substantially prevented from premature chemical reactions or undesired exposure to environmental elements or chemicals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for filling multi-chamber containers with different loose bulk materials. The apparatus and method may be particularly well-suited to packaging at least one bulk material, which is susceptible to water, chemicals, or other contaminants, with at least one other bulk material. The apparatus is a machine that includes separate hoppers for handling the separate bulk materials, and directs the separate bulk materials into different chambers of a multi-chamber container, which is then transported away from the machine for storage or use. The machine may include one or more movable hoppers supported on tracks, for moving the bulk materials to the hoppers that direct the bulk materials into different chambers of the multi-chamber container. A controller and data logger may be provided to control the apparatus and record the quantity and/or weight of the contents of each multi-chamber container.

Abstract: A transportable concrete mixing plant is provided and includes a frame, a mixing drum for mixing concrete, a conveying system having at least one rail for moving a pre-measured quantity of premix concrete to the mixing drum, and a supply hopper for directing the pre-measured premix concrete into the mixing drum. The rail forms a support track that is traversed by the supply hopper, which travels from a dispensing position near the mixing drum to a loading position spaced from the mixing drum. Optionally, a concrete pump dispenses flowable concrete received from the mixing drum and pumps it to a remote location, such as a work site.

Abstract: A multi-chamber container includes at least two sections for storing at least two separate bulk materials in isolation from one another, and/or in isolation from environmental elements such as water or humidity, and/or in isolation from other chemicals. The container may include at least two separate openable apertures or regions for dispensing the respective bulk materials separately or simultaneously, and may be filled in a manner that surrounds one bulk material with another, but isolates the bulk materials from one another while they are in the container. The container permits flexibility in storage and handling of the bulk materials, which are substantially prevented from premature chemical reactions or undesired exposure to environmental elements or chemicals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for filling multi-chamber containers with different loose bulk materials. The apparatus and method may be particularly well-suited to packaging at least one bulk material, which is susceptible to water, chemicals, or other contaminants, with at least one other bulk material. The apparatus is a machine that includes separate hoppers for handling the separate bulk materials, and directs the separate bulk materials into different chambers of a multi-chamber container, which is then transported away from the machine for storage or use. The machine may include one or more movable hoppers supported on tracks, for moving the bulk materials to the hoppers that direct the bulk materials into different chambers of the multi-chamber container. A controller and data logger may be provided to control the apparatus and record the quantity and/or weight of the contents of each multi-chamber container.

Abstract: A transportable concrete mixing plant is provided and includes a frame, a mixing drum for mixing concrete, a rail positioned above the mixing drum, and a carriage assembly mounted to the rail for positioning containers of dry premix concrete so that the premix may be dispensed from the containers into the drum. The concrete pump dispenses liquid concrete from the mixing drum and pumps it to a remote location, such as a work site.

Abstract: An automated hatch for a bulk transport vehicle includes a cover and a locking assembly. The vehicle includes a container and at least one upstanding annular flange defining a fill opening for the container. The cover is adapted to pivotally mount on the vehicle, with the cover moving between an open position and a closed position for extending over the annular flange and closing the fill opening. The locking assembly includes a driver assembly and a plurality of locking members. The driver assembly includes a plurality of pusher members, with each of the pusher members being pivotally mounted to a respective locking member. The locking members are mounted to the peripheral portion of the cover for engaging the annular flange of the vehicle for locking the cover in the closed position.

Abstract: A hatch opening and closing device for a vehicle includes a cover, which is adapted to cover and seal an opening in a vehicle and to pivot between an open position and a closed position, and at least one locking device, which is adapted to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking devices includes an engagement surface for engaging the cover when the cover is in the closed position thereby locking the cover in the closed position. The cover is releasably coupled to the locking device by a lost motion device over a first range of motion and decoupled from the locking device over a second range of motion so that the locking device can be independently moved from the cover. The hatch opening and closing device further includes a driver, which pivots the locking device and cover between the unlocked position and the locked position and the open position and the closed position, respectively.

Abstract: A centering and loading apparatus for locating the center of a fill opening of a vehicle and loading bulk material into the vehicle through the opening is provided which includes a movable loading spout assembly and a locator assembly which locates the fill opening of the vehicle and is adapted to move the loading spout assembly for centering over the fill opening of the vehicle. The loading spout assembly is supported on a first support and is adapted to move along the longitudinal and lateral horizontal axes of the first support for aligning the loading spout assembly over the fill opening of the vehicle. The locator assembly includes a pair of scanning devices, for example, charge coupled devices, radio frequency sensors, and laser and infrared devices, that detect and scan the fill opening to locate the center of the opening.