Abstract: Container (10) has a plastic bag (26) filled with a particulate material and sealed within the plastic bag (26). A rear bulkhead (42) at the rear end of the container is positioned adjacent the plastic bag (26) and a tubular discharge fitting (50) is mounted on bulkhead (42). A vacuum unloading device (58) has a pair of rigid conduits (60), (62) secured to each other in a perpendicular relationship. Unloading device (58) is arranged for connection to discharge fitting (50) by coupling (66) and adaptor (72). Upon slitting or puncturing of the plastic bag (26) and tilting of the front end of container (10) about the rear end thereof above the angle of repose of the particulate material being unloaded, the particulate material is discharged by gravity into the vacuum unloading device (58). The particulate material is drawn by a vacuum through conduit (60) into pneumatic conduit (62) for transport to a suitable storage facility.

Abstract: A container unloading assembly for gravity unloading of particulate material from the rear end of a container (10) removably mounted on a trailer (11) upon the tilting of the front end of the container. A rear support frame (50) is removably secured to opposed sides (12) of the container (10) and has a lower opening (64) removably receiving a lading discharge outlet (84) connected to the frame (50) for controlling the flow of particulate material from the container (10) during the unloading operation. Particulate material is loaded within a flexible bag (26) adjacent a rear end bulkhead (42) and rear support frame (50) supports rear end bulkhead (42).

Abstract: A trailer (10) constructed in conformance with European specification has three wheeled rear axles (56, 58, 60) and is adapted for the gravity unloading of a container (18) loaded with particulate lading. A container support frame (20) is pivotally connected about a horizontal axis (86) positioned between the rearmost axle (60) and intermediate axle (58) and is raised by hydraulic cylinder (92) at an unloading site as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 for the gravity unloading of the particulate lading into a hopper (100) positioned rearwardly of the rearmost axle (60) on a rear overhanging trailer portion (72). A rotary valve (116) in the hopper feeds the particulate lading into a high velocity air stream in a lower pneumatic hopper portion (120) for pneumatic discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting and unloading a container (10, 10A) carrying particulate lading which is removably mounted on a tiltable support frame (76, 76A) pivotally mounted on a highway trailer (54, 54A). At the unloading site, a portable throttle valve assembly (108, 108A) and flexible connecting hose (166, 166A) are connected to the container (10, 10A) and the container (10, 10A) is tilted by the support frame (76, 76A) to an angle above the angle of repose of the lading for gravity unloading of the lading from the container (10, 10A) in to a trailer mounted rotary valve (148, 148A) which forms an air lock over a subjacent pneumatic hopper structure (144, 144A) for pneumatic conveyance of the lading to a storage facility.