Abstract: A dump system (e.g., for setting in a vehicle's flatbed or trailer) includes a base, a container (for containing material) configured to pivot relative to the base, an inflate membrane coupled to the base and to the container, and a U-frame that extends around the inflate membrane and is configured to pivot relative to the base. The U-frame is configured to restrain outward expansion of the inflate membrane as the inflate membrane expands pushing on the container and causing the container to pivot upward. Some implementations include, in addition to or instead of the U-frame, a wing frame panel configured to collect and contain folds that form from material of the inflate membrane as the inflate membrane deflates and collapses (or when the inflate membrane is in a collapsed or deflated state).

Abstract: In a storage container having a floor and a sidewall defining a space for a flowable material, and an inflatable liner attached at a first edge to the side wall along a line spaced from the floor, and attached at an opposite second edge to the floor along a line spaced from the sidewall, the inflatable liner adapted to be inflated to facilitate emptying the flowable material from the storage container, the improvement comprising a retraction system for retracting the liner as it is deflated.

Abstract: A flexible liner system for a silo receiving and storing granular materials, in which the flexible liner system includes a first flexible inflate liner and a second flexible inflate liner placed in the silo and aligned respectively against a silo wall and a silo floor. The first inflate liner and the second inflate liner are separated from each other by a central trough that extends completely across or substantially completely across the silo floor. The flexible liner system includes a conveyor assembly that inflates each inflate liner to push the granular material toward the central trough and aerates the granular material stored in the silo. The flexible liner system further includes a liner return system that allows each inflate liner to be brought back against the wall and the floor of the silo during deflation.

Abstract: A flexible liner system for a silo receiving and storing granular materials, in which the flexible liner system includes a first flexible inflate liner and a second flexible inflate liner placed in the silo and aligned respectively against a silo wall and a silo floor. The first inflate liner and the second inflate liner are separated from each other by a central trough that extends completely across or substantially completely across the silo floor. The flexible liner system includes a conveyor assembly that inflates each inflate liner to push the granular material toward the central trough and aerates the granular material stored in the silo. The flexible liner system further includes a liner return system that allows each inflate liner to be brought back against the wall and the floor of the silo during deflation.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging dry bulk material by aeration having a substantially annular flexible aeration liner supported by a substantially cone-shaped perforated hopper, which is affixed to an air disc assembly, whereby air introduced into the air disc assembly is distributed evenly through the perforated hopper that supports the aeration liner that tends to fluidize dry bulk material, thereby allowing the material to discharge.

Abstract: A device for removing ice and snow from roofs (10) comprising an inflatable sleeve (19) secured to a mounting frame secured on a roof under shingles or panels (56). Inflating the sleeve (19) fractures ice and snow adhering to the top of the apparatus, causing ice and snow to fall to the ground in a controlled manner. An inflation mechanism can be provided suitably adapted to prevent moisture damage to the system, and to provide warm air to the inflatable sleeve (19) to facilitate the release of ice and snow. Alternatively, a non-inflatable flexible cover (121) can be provided and secured to an eave or side of a building, and then agitated to remove ice and snow. A flexible gutter apparatus (223) can also be provided, having a flexible gutter disposed onto rigid support frame segments and secured to its edges so that the contents of the gutter can be expelled by lifting the flexible gutter over the frame.

Abstract: An unloader for discharging and feeding dry, granular type materials from bulk bags. Among the many improvements of the discharge apparatus is an open frame and offset discharge location. Other improvements include an I-Beam and frame design that keeps the hoist movement within the four corner posts of the frame. The unloader may be provided with vibrators, vibration isolators, or load cells to assist in the discharge function.

Abstract: An improved unloader for rigid or flexible bulk material containers having a side-mounted discharge. In addition to a forward tilting feature, the improved method and apparatus may have any combination of the following: an hydraulic rear tilt feature, hydraulic dump feature, hydraulic bag massage system, inflation system for the container discharge, screw feeder operation and safety controls, pivoting discharge connection flange, or massage arm system.

Abstract: A device and method for removing ice and snow from roofs whereby a flexible sleeve attached to the lower part of a roof is remotely inflated, thereby shattering the ice in a controlled and safe manner. In the preferred embodiment, a mounting frame is sealingly attached to the roof surface and is configured to removably retain the flexible, inflatable sleeve in position on the roof. A number of retention means are disclosed. However, the preferred means is a zipper assembly, which is easy to operate and retains the overall flexibility of the inflatable sleeve to allow it to be rolled up for easy storage when it is removed from a roof. The lower end of the inflatable sleeve extends beyond the lower edge of the roof surface where it is movably secured to the edge of the roof. An operator realizing the need to remove ice from a roof remotely inflates the sleeve with a low pressure air supply. The expansion of the sleeve attached to the roof shatters the brittle ice.

Abstract: A discharge bulk bag that increases the efficiency for handling, storing, transporting and discharging dry materials in intermediate bulk containers. When filled with dry bulk material, the bulk bag can be easily moved about, transported or stored. A flexible discharge spout is located on the bottom side of one of the walls of the bag. At the time of discharge, the bag is positioned on the unloader and the spout is unfolded from its stowed position by releasing one of the restraint straps. The outlet opening at the end of the discharge spout is then connected to a receptacle opening. By releasing the bottom most restraint strap, the spout section opens up--allowing the bulk material inside to flow. The bulk material will continue to flow until it reaches a static condition, at which time the platform of the unloader begins to incline--dumping the remaining material in the bag towards the outlet opening.

Abstract: A discharge bulk bag that increases the efficiency for handling, storing, transporting and discharging dry materials in intermediate bulk containers. When filled with dry bulk material, the bulk bag can be easily moved about, transported or stored. A flexible discharge spout is located on the bottom side of one of the walls of the bag. At the time of discharge, the bag is positioned on the unloader and the spout is unfolded from its stowed position by releasing one of the restraint straps. The outlet opening at the end of the discharge spout is then connected to a receptacle opening. By releasing the bottom most restraint strap, the spout section opens up--allowing the bulk material inside to flow. The bulk material will continue to flow until it reaches a static condition, at which time the platform of the unloader begins to incline--dumping the remaining material in the bag towards the outlet opening.

Abstract: A discharge bulk bag that increases the efficiency for handling, storing, transporting and discharging dry materials in intermediate bulk containers. When filled with dry bulk material, the bulk bag can be easily moved about, transported or stored. A flexible discharge spout is located on the bottom side of one of the walls of the bag. At the time of discharge, the bag is positioned on the unloader and the spout is unfolded from its stowed position by releasing one of the restraint straps. The outlet opening at the end of the discharge spout is then connected to a receptacle opening. By releasing the bottom most restraint strap, the spout section opens up--allowing the bulk material inside to flow. The bulk material will continue to flow until it reaches a static condition, at which time the platform of the unloader begins to incline--dumping the remaining material in the bag towards the outlet opening.

Abstract: A bin for storing and handling bulk material includes a fill opening through which material is introduced into the bin for storage and a discharge opening in a bottom portion of the bin through which material stored in the bin is discharged. The bin includes a primary bin support frame, and has at least one dump assembly with a bin floor panel that is hinged adjacent the discharge opening of the bin. The bin floor panel is pivotable from a generally horizontal position to an angled position for dumping bulk material into the discharge opening. The dump assembly includes a selectively collapsible secondary frame connected to the bin floor panel and pivotable with the bin floor panel. The bin further includes a flexible and collapsible bin wall portion connected to the primary and secondary frames and the bin floor panel to form an enclosure for storage of bulk materials.

Abstract: A bin for storing and handling bulk material includes a fill opening through which material is introduced into the bin for storage and a discharge opening in a bottom portion of the bin through which material stored in the bin is discharged. The bin includes a primary bin support frame, and has at least one dump assembly with a bin floor panel that is hinged adjacent the discharge opening of the bin. The bin floor panel is pivotable from a generally horizontal position to an angled position for dumping bulk material into the discharge opening. The dump assembly includes a rigid secondary frame connected to the bin floor panel and pivotable with the bin floor panel. The bin further includes a flexible bin wall portion connected to the primary and secondary frames and the bin floor panel to form an enclosure for storage of bulk materials. The flexible bin wall portion is supported in an erect position by the primary and secondary frames for storage and discharge of bulk materials.

Abstract: Improvements in bulk storage and handling systems of the type utilizing an inflatable membrane silo liner are disclosed. Included with the inflatable membrane are means for conforming the membrane to the silo or bin walls and means for substantially completing discharge of materials by a bin. The unique features disclosed are equally applicable to bins or silos having central or side discharge openings. Means are provided for avoiding discharge blockage by a membrane and improper membrane positioning during deflation. The invention further provides means for avoiding membrane damage due to improper loading techniques and means for avoiding excessive pressure buildup which might damage the membrane.

Abstract: A bin for storing and handling bulk material includes a fill opening through which material is introduced into the bin for storage and a discharge opening in a bottom portion of the bin through which material stored in the bin is discharged. The bin is erectable over a flat support bed. The bin includes an upright frame that is positionable adjacent to a discharge area of the flat bed to bring the discharge opening of the bin into alignment with the discharge area of the flat bed. The bin includes an outer shield hinged in a lower portion of the frame so that the shield pivots between a closed vertical position against one side of the frame and an open horizontal position away from the frame. The bin includes a floor panel independently hinged inside the outer shield adjacent the discharge opening of the bin, the bin floor panel being pivotable with the outer shield from the horizontal open position to the vertical closed position.

Abstract: A freight vehicle has a cargo space convertible from that suitable for handling piece goods to that suitable for bulk material. A conventional cargo space for piece goods has openings for filling and discharging bulk material. A double-walled inflatable bag having its bottom attached to a rigid support platform is positioned in erected condition to handle bulk material and is movable to a stored position near the roof of the cargo space to allow handling of piece goods.

Abstract: A material-handling, pneumatic discharge-assisted, dual-walled, cup-shaped bag is provided with means in the form of battens or stiffened fabric to prevent the bottom of the inner wall of the bag from wrinkling and accumulating near the discharge opening on deflation of the bag.

Abstract: A flowable granular, powder or flake material storage bin of the type having an inflatable generally cup-shaped bag with a blower for inflating and a blower for deflating the bag has a valve assembly of unique construction for controlling high-volume low-pressure flow for inflation and deflation cycles. The cycles themselves may be automatically controlled from sensing units which sense when the bag is fully emptied and fully deflated. The valve assembly may be adapted for the sequential discharge of a plurality of bins which may, for example, be located on a freight vehicle.

Abstract: A bin made of flexible bag material is disclosed for containing granular free flowing material and for discharging the entire mass of stored material remaining in the bin after discharge by gravity alone. The granular material is intially discharged through a discharge port of the bin by gravity until the remaining granular material forms a cone shape at its angle of repose and stops flowing out the discharge port. The bin is further emptied by forcing air into the bag to inflate an inner membrane until the remaining contents of the bin are fully discharged.