Transportable bulk container with slide gate dispenser

A transportable bulk container having a discharge chute and a sliding gate assembly to control discharge through the discharge chute, wherein the sliding gate assembly has a gate member with generally J-shaped suspension members, the suspension members being supported by generally L-shaped rail flanges mounted on the discharge chute above and separated from the lower end of the discharge chute, such that bulk material does not interfere with the sliding movement of the gate member.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of containers for transporting, storing and dispensing large quantities of dry bulk material, such as grain, sand, abrasive particles, shot, etc., and more particularly relates to bulk containers that are relatively large and mounted on pallets or similar forklift tine-receiving structures, where the containers are provided with bottom mounted dispensers such that the contents are dispensed by gravity.

Transportable bulk material containers are well-known, and often comprise large bins, hoppers, drums or the like mounted onto pallets or pallet-like structures having structures into which the tines of a forklift or hand truck can be inserted in order to move the container. The containers are provided with gated openings at the bottom, such that the bulk material can be dispensed in a controlled manner by opening and closing the gate. Examples of bulk containers are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,594,204 to Kingham, U.S. Pat. No. 2,523,981 to Wittliff, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,879 to Coleman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,318,473 to Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,407,971 to Oehler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,395 to McClaren, U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,005 to Stevens, U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,784 to Labelle, U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,653 to Daloisio, U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,717 to Wright et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,966 to Waltke, U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,605 to Wise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,182 to Copas et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,531,360 to Berdel et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,535 to Coleman. Many of these bulk containers utilize slide gates mounted onto rail members, whereby a generally horizontally disposed plate member is positioned beneath and in contact with the discharge opening in the main body of the container, mounted in such a manner whereby the plate member can be moved laterally to no longer block a portion or all of the discharge opening.

A problem with these known bulk containers having slide gates is that the gates are typically structured in a manner that allows stray particles of the bulk material to interfere with the sliding movement of the gate, sometimes to the point of causing the gate to bind in either the open or closed position. For example, the slide gates in U.S. Pat. No. 1,594,204 to Kingham and U.S. Pat. No. 3,318,473 to Jones et al. have structures wherein bulk material can slide laterally across the upper surface of the horizontal gate plate to fall into the lateral rail channels, thereby causing problems with movement of the gate plate.

It is an object of this invention to provide a bulk container slide gate that is structured to prevent or minimize interference to the slide gate operation due to bulk material sliding or spilling across the upper surface of the slide gate plate and falling into the rail channels or slots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The transportable bulk container is a means for retaining a relatively large quantity of dry bulk material, such as for example grain, sand, abrasive particles, shot or the like, and the bulk container comprises a hopper or bin, such as a drum or barrel, having a bottom discharge chute through which the bulk material is dispensed by gravity flow. The bulk container further comprises a pallet or pallet-like structure onto which the hopper is mounted, such that the bulk container can be lifted and moved using forklifts, hand trucks or the like. A slide gate assembly is provided beneath the discharge chute to control the dispensing of the bulk material.

The slide gate assembly comprises a generally horizontally disposed, generally rectangular, plate-like gate member having a gate opening and an occluding portion, such that when the occluding portion is positioned beneath and abutting the discharge chute flow of bulk material is blocked, and when the gate opening is positioned beneath the discharge chute the bulk material is dispensed. A handle is connected to the gate member in order to slide the gate member between the open and closed position. Front and rear stop members are provided to limit movement of the slide gate in the direction of operation. A pair of parallel J-shaped suspension members are connected to the gate member, the suspension members extending upward from the gate member and positioned so as to reside to each side of the discharge chute. A pair of parallel L-shaped upstanding rail flange members are attached to the discharge chute a short distance above the bottom of the discharge chute, the rail flange members each defining a rail channel to receive the free end of the hook portion of the suspension member, with the hook portion of the suspension member riding on the upper edge of the rail flange member. In this manner, the sliding gate member can be translated from the closed to open to closed position by pulling and pushing, with the travel accomplished by the combination of the rail flange members and the J-shaped suspension members that defines a glide assembly. Because the glide assembly is positioned well above the upper surface of the gate member and the bottom of the discharge chute, bulk material is precluded from entering into the rail channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the transportable bulk container, partially exposed to show the interior structure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the slide gate assembly, shown in the open position relative to the discharge chute.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slide gate assembly.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in detail with regard for the best mode and preferred embodiment. In general, the invention is a transportable bulk container having a slide gate mechanism for release of the bulk material from the bottom of the hopper, the bulk container being structured so that it can be lifted and moved by a forklift, hand truck or similar device.

A representative embodiment of the transportable bulk container 10 is shown in FIG. 1, wherein the bulk container 10 comprises a relatively large hopper, bin or like receptacle member 11, shown here in the shape of a barrel or drum, although other shapes such as for example rectangular may be utilized. The hopper 11 is mounted onto a pallet or pallet-like member 12, the pallet member 12 comprising a pair of tine-receiving members 13 to receive the tines of a forklift, hand truck or the like, thereby enabling movement of the heavy bulk container 10. Preferably, the hopper 11 is provided with a sloping or funnel-like bottom 14 to facilitate flow of the particulate bulk material. A discharge chute 15 is mounted to the bottom of the hopper 11 with the lower end 16 of the discharge chute 15 being disposed in a plane. Such bulk containers are well known in the art.

A slide gate assembly 20 is positioned beneath the discharge chute 15 to control release of the bulk material from the hopper 11. The slide gate assembly 20, shown in isolation in FIG. 3, comprises a gate member 21, a pair of suspension members 25 extending above the upper surface of the gate member 21, and preferably a handle member 24. The gate member 21 is a generally rectangular member having a planar upper surface horizontally positioned abutting the lower end 16 of the discharge chute 15, as seen in FIG. 2. The gate member 21 comprises a gate opening 22 that is aligned with the discharge chute 15 to allow passage of the bulk material and an occluding portion 23, i.e., a non-apertured portion, adjacent the gate opening 22 that when properly positioned beneath the discharge chute 15 blocks passage of bulk material through the discharge chute 15. A rear stop member 28 and a front stop member 29 are provided to limit travel of the gate member 21, with the rear stop member 28 being positioned such that when the slide gate member 21 is pulled forward it abuts the discharge chute 15 when the gate opening 22 is beneath the discharge chute 15, and with the front stop member 29 being positioned such that when the gate member 21 is pushed to the rear it abuts the front of the pallet 12 such that the occluding portion 23 is located beneath the discharge chute 15. Alternative constructions for the travel limiting means may also be utilized.

A pair of elongated suspension members 25, generally J-shaped in cross-section, are connected to the gate member 21 so as to extend upwardly from the gate member 21. The suspension members 25 are positioned in parallel manner longitudinally along the gate member 21, and separated a sufficient distance such that the suspension members 25 are located on opposite sides of the discharge chute 15 with the discharge chute 15 fitting in between. The suspension members 25 comprise an elongated, vertically oriented leg portion 32 and a downwardly-directed upper hook portion 31. The hook portions 31 of the opposing suspension members 25 face each other in the embodiment shown in the figures, although a reverse orientation is also possible if the rail flange members 26 are mounted from the pallet 12 rather than from the discharge chute 15. Likewise, the hook portions 31 are shown as planar members joined at right angles, but it would be possible to provide the hook portion 31 as curved, for example.

An elongated rail flange member 26 is mounted to either side of the discharge chute 15, either directly to the discharge chute 15 or suspended from beneath the pallet member 12. The rail flange members 26 are mounted in parallel and correspond in spacing and orientation to the hook portions 31 of the suspension members 25. The rail flange members 26 are preferably mounted to the discharge chute 15 a short distance above and separated from the lower end 16 of the discharge chute 15, such that a portion of the discharge chute 15 extends beneath the rail flange members 26. The rail flange member 26 extending away from the discharge chute 15 is generally L-shaped in cross-section with a generally horizontal base portion 33 and an upwardly extending support wall member 34 defining a rail channel 27 to receive the free edge of the hook portion 31 of the J-shaped suspension members 25. The free edge of the hook portion 31 is sized so as to be shorter than the upward facing support wall 34 of the rail flange member 26 so that the suspension members 25 and the rail flange members 26 in combination define a glide assembly with the hook portions 31 resting on the upper edges of the upwardly extending support walls 34 of the rail flange members 26. With this structure, any foreign debris that might impair the sliding movement of the suspension members 25 relative to the rail flange members 26 will readily fall away from the contact region, either into the bottom of the rail channel 27 or onto the gate member 21. More importantly, because the glide assembly comprising the hook portions 31 of the suspension members 25 and the rail flange members 26 is located well above the upper surface of the gate member 21 and the lower end 16 of the discharge chute 15, no bulk material can be inadvertently trapped within the glide assembly to impair the sliding motion of the slide gate assembly 20, thereby insuring smooth operation of the device.

The contacting portions of the suspension members 25 and rail flange members 26 may be provided with low-friction lubricants, coatings or members, such as for example TEFLON brand strips, to make translation of the gate member relative to the discharge chute easier.

It is understood that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements set forth descriptively above may be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true definition and scope of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A transportable bulk container comprising:

a hopper mounted on a pallet;
a discharge chute beneath said hopper, said discharge chute having a lower end;
a slide gate assembly mounted beneath said discharge chute, said slide gate assembly comprising a gate member having a gate opening and an occluded portion, said gate member abutting said lower end of said discharge chute, whereby with said gate opening positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is free to flow from said hopper and said discharge chute through said gate opening, and whereby with said occluding portion positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is prevented from flowing from said hopper and said discharge chute;
said slide gate assembly further comprising a pair of elongated suspension members, J-shaped in cross-section, extending upwardly from said gate member and positioned on opposite sides of said discharge chute, said suspension members mounted in parallel on said gate member and each comprising an elongated leg portion and a downwardly-directed hook portion; and
a pair of elongated rail flange members, L-shaped in cross-section, positioned in parallel manner on opposite sides of said discharge chute, each said rail flange member comprising a upwardly extending wall defining a rail channel, whereby said hook portions of said suspension members rest on said upwardly extending walls of said rail flange members, such that said gate member is translatable relative to said discharge chute to align either said gate opening or said occluding portion with said discharge chute.

2. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said rail flange members are mounted to said discharge chute.

3. The bulk container of claim 2, wherein said rail flange members are mounted above and separated from said lower end of said discharge chute.

4. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion.

5. The bulk container of claim 2, wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion.

6. The bulk container of claim 3, wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion.

7. The bulk container of claim 1, said slide gate assembly further comprising a front stop member and a rear stop member to limit travel of said gate member.

8. The bulk container of claim 7, wherein said rear stop member is mounted on said gate member such that said rear stop member abuts said discharge chute when said gate opening is aligned with said discharge chute, and wherein said front stop member is mounted on said handle such that said front stop member abuts said pallet when said occluding portion is aligned with said discharge chute.

9. A transportable bulk container comprising:

a hopper mounted on a pallet;
a discharge chute beneath said hopper, said discharge chute having a lower end;
a slide gate assembly mounted beneath said discharge chute, said slide gate assembly comprising a gate member having a gate opening and an occluded portion, said gate member abutting said lower end of said discharge chute, whereby with said gate opening positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is free to flow from said hopper and said discharge chute through said gate opening, and whereby with said occluding portion positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is prevented from flowing from said hopper and said discharge chute;
said slide gate assembly further comprising a front stop member and a rear stop member to limit travel of said gate member, wherein said rear stop member is mounted on said gate member such that said rear stop member abuts said discharge chute when said gate opening is aligned with said discharge chute, and wherein said front stop member is mounted on said handle such that said front stop member abuts said pallet when said occluding portion is aligned with said discharge chute;
said slide gate assembly further comprising a pair of elongated suspension members, J-shaped in cross-section, extending upwardly from said gate member and positioned on opposite sides of said discharge chute, said suspension members mounted in parallel on said gate member and each comprising an elongated leg portion and a hook portion; and
a pair of elongated rail flange members, L-shaped in cross-section, mounted in parallel manner onto opposite sides of said discharge chute above and separated from said lower end, each said rail flange member comprising a upwardly extending wall defining a rail channel, wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion, whereby said hook portions of said suspension members rest on said upwardly extending walls of said rail flange members, such that said gate member is translatable relative to said discharge chute to align said gate opening or said occluding portion with said discharge chute.
Patent History
Publication number: 20110011893
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 17, 2009
Publication Date: Jan 20, 2011
Inventor: James William Cerny (St. Marys, GA)
Application Number: 12/460,410
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: For Bottom Discharge Dispenser Supported On Horizontal Surface (222/185.1); Integral (222/462); Between Fixed Plates Or Flanges (222/561); With Pallet Feature (206/386)
International Classification: B65D 88/26 (20060101); B65D 90/54 (20060101);