Abstract: A material handling system for continuous reclaiming or unloading of bulk cargo from the "dead flow" regions of a ship hold. An unloading conveyor is positioned in underlying relation to the hold substantially centrally of the transverse dimension of the hold and moves lengthwise of the hold. The bottom of the hold is provided with gated discharge hoppers in overlying and discharging relation to the unloading conveyor. A suspended reclaim scraper is provided on each of the opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal axis of the ship hold to transfer bulk material laterally from the respective "dead flow" regions to the centrally located discharge hoppers and thus to the underlying unloading conveyor. Each reclaim scraper is suspended by a cable hoist system from a suspension head carried by a trolley which is traversible lengthwise of the hold along a track positioned in the upper portion of the hold, whereby to traverse the reclaim scraper longitudinally of the hold.

Abstract: A self-unloading ship includes two longitudinal tunnels with conveyor belts below two rows of hoppers at the bottom of the holds which extend nearly from one end of the ship to the other for unloading bulk material such as coal, iron ore, gypsum or the like. During unloading, the hopper gates are opened and the bulk material on the starboard and port sides of the cargo holds flows by gravity through the open hoppers onto the tunnel belts. A central ridge of bulk material remaining on the bottom floor of the holds between the two rows of hoppers is moved to the hoppers by a wheeled reclaimer having oppositely pitched augers which split the central ridge of bulk material, moving one half to the starboard row of hoppers and one half to the port row of hoppers. The reclaimer includes a power driven, endless chain harrow which drags down the central ridge of bulk material to prevent avalanching and an endless belt brush for cleaning the hold floors between the two rows of hoppers.

Abstract: A bulk material handling apparatus includes a traveling slot feeder which runs on tracks at opposite sides of the endless belt conveyor beneath a row of bins permitting selective emptying of the bins. The feeder includes inclined, shiftable side skirts which can be adjusted to vary the width and elevation of the unloading slot and an adjustable striker at the downstream end of the feeder which establishes the contour and height of the bulk material deposited on the endless belt conveyor. The material handling apparatus may employ power means so as to permit remote control of the bin emptying operation and adjustment of the skirts and striker. The invention is illustrated in a ship where remote control is a particularly desirable feature to reduce space for workmen in the bottom of the ship and to reduce exposure of workmen to dusty working conditions.