VIBRATORY CARGO HANDLING SYSTEM FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS
A shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system includes a shipping container having an opening therein for transferring cargo; a chassis, the shipping container disposed thereon; and a vibratory system being configured to transfer the cargo relative to the shipping container. The vibratory system may be used to load and unload the cargo.
This utility patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/848,094 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 15, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREShipping containers that are filled with dry or bulk goods usually are unloaded or loaded using tilt mechanisms, or the filled containers are off-loaded from a carrier to be unloaded using vacuums or other devices.
Known methods and systems for unloading or loading dry bulk containers take too long, are labor intensive, and often do not completely unload the product from the containers. These drawbacks lead to wasted product and also require that containers be cleaned and cleared of the residual product if different goods are to be transported in the next shipment. Such wasted product and time increase costs.
What is needed in the shipping industry is a system for emptying cargo containers more quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly without having to detach or tilt the containers from their carriers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure is directed in general to vibratory systems and methods for unloading dry bulk containers.
In one embodiment, a shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system may include a shipping container having an opening for transferring cargo wherein the container is carried on the chassis, and a vibratory system is provided to transfer the cargo relative to the shipping container; for example, by loading the cargo into the container or unloading it. A hopper may be in communication with the opening of the shipping container to deliver the cargo into the shipping container or receive cargo therefrom.
A liner may be installed in the shipping container to hold the cargo within the shipping container, and the vibratory system may further include isolation mounts, springs, and rocker arms located between the shipping container and the chassis to assist the vibratory system with cargo transfer.
The vibratory system may further comprise a radio-communication device to establish a communication between the container and a control point and insert the vibratory system into an internet of things.
Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed features, processes, and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of the various embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which refers to the appended figures, in which:
As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as their equivalents.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term or acronym herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.
Wherever the phrase “for example,” “such as,” “including,” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly, “an example,” “exemplary” and the like are understood to be non-limiting.
The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that do not negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited.
The term “about” when used in connection with a numerical value refers to the actual given value, and to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and or measurement conditions for such given value.
The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (and similarly “comprises”, “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etcetera. Thus, for example, “a device having components a, b, and c” means that the device includes at least components a, b and c. Similarly, the phrase: “a method involving steps a, b, and c” means that the method includes at least steps a, b, and c.
Where a list of alternative component terms is used, e.g., “a structure such as ‘a’, ‘c’, ‘d’ or the like”, or “a” or b″, such lists and alternative terms provide meaning and context unless indicated otherwise.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
The various embodiments of the disclosure and/or equivalents falling within the scope of present disclosure overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art or provide a useful alternative.
Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present subject matter are shown. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features of the drawings. The drawings and detailed description provide a full and written description of the present subject matter, and of the manner and process of making and using various exemplary embodiments, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use them, as well as the best mode of carrying out the exemplary embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Thus, the examples set forth in the drawings and detailed descriptions are provided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations of the disclosure. The present subject matter thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Turning now to
In the example shown in
With reference to
The vibratory unloading table 138 shown in
As further shown in
As shown
The trackers 348 in
Once the tracker program is loaded on a computer, laptop, tablet, or a smart phone, the product shipment can be controlled from initial pick-up to offload using a wireless controller, radio, or satellite device in communication with weigh cells to monitor the product load. Truck drivers, for instance, can use their cell phones to receive discharge or loading permissions from a control station or manager via the trackers 348 to clear or load their cargo liners. The program can be used to adjust the vibrator force and the pressure in isolation mounts as the load increases or decreases during loading and unloading. Liner serial numbers or bar codes can be used with the container 312 associated with the application to ensure appropriate discharge authorizations, to monitor the loading and unloading processes, and track discharges. Photographs can be taken of the container number for additional security.
With continued reference to
Turning now to
More particularly, the discharge unit 420 shown by way of example in
A shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system includes a shipping container having an opening therein for transferring cargo; a chassis, the shipping container disposed thereon; and a vibratory system connected to the shipping container and being configured to load and unload the cargo relative to an interior of the shipping container.
Embodiment 2The vibratory system of embodiment 1, further comprising isolation mounts disposed between the shipping container and the chassis.
Embodiment 3The vibratory system of embodiments 1 or 2, further comprising a hopper in communication with the opening of the shipping container, the hopper being configured to deliver cargo into the shipping container or receive cargo therefrom.
Embodiment 4The vibratory system of any of the embodiments 1-3, further comprising a liner disposed in the shipping container, the liner being configured to hold the cargo within the shipping container.
Embodiment 5The vibratory system of any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a rocker arm disposed between the chassis and the shipping container to assist the vibratory system with cargo transfer.
Embodiment 6The vibratory system of any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a spring disposed between the chassis and the shipping container to assist the vibratory system with cargo transfer.
Embodiment 7The vibratory system of any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a radio-communication or satellite device to establish a communication between the container and a control point and insert the vibratory system into an internet of things.
Embodiment 8A method of dry bulk cargo handling, comprising providing a shipping container having an opening therein; placing the shipping container on a chassis; providing a vibratory system in communication with the shipping container, the vibratory system being configured to transfer cargo relative to the shipping container; and shaking the shipping container with the vibratory system to load or unload cargo.
Embodiment 9The method as in embodiment 8, further comprising providing a computer application to cause communication between a remote device and the vibratory system.
Embodiment 10A shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system, comprising a shipping container having an opening therein for transferring cargo; a chassis, the shipping container disposed thereon; a vibratory system being configured to transfer the cargo relative to the shipping container; and a wireless controller in communication with weigh cells to monitor cargo weight.
The system as in embodiment 10, further comprising a container vibrator and a conveyance device proximate the container vibrator being configured to vibrate the cargo into the shipping container without moving the container or handling the cargo.
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Claims
1. A shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system, comprising:
- a shipping container having an opening therein for transferring cargo;
- a chassis, the shipping container disposed thereon; and
- a vibratory system attachable to the shipping container and being configured to transfer the cargo relative to the shipping container without tilting the shipping container or contacting the cargo.
2. The vibratory system as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of isolation mounts disposed between the shipping container and the chassis.
3. The vibratory system as in claim 1, further comprising a hopper in communication with the opening of the shipping container, the hopper being configured to deliver cargo into the shipping container or to receive cargo therefrom.
4. The vibratory system as in claim 1, further comprising a liner disposed in the shipping container, the liner being configured to hold the cargo within the shipping container.
5. The vibratory system as in claim 1, further comprising a rocker arm disposed between the chassis and the shipping container to assist the vibratory system with cargo transfer.
6. The vibratory system as in claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed between the chassis and the shipping container to assist the vibratory system with cargo transfer.
7. The vibratory system as in claim 1, further comprising a radio-communication device to establish a communication between the container and a control point and insert the vibratory system into an internet of things.
8. A method of dry bulk cargo handling, comprising:
- providing a shipping container having an opening therein;
- placing the shipping container on a chassis;
- providing a vibratory system in communication with the shipping container, the vibratory system being configured to transfer cargo relative to the shipping container; and
- shaking the shipping container with the vibratory system to load or unload cargo.
9. The method as in claim 8, further comprising providing a computer application to establish communication between a remote device and the vibratory system.
10. A shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system, comprising:
- a shipping container having an opening therein for transferring cargo;
- a chassis, the shipping container disposed thereon;
- a vibratory system being configured to transfer the cargo relative to the shipping container; and
- a wireless controller in communication with weigh cells to monitor cargo weight.
11. The system as in claim 10, further comprising a container vibrator and a conveyance device proximate the container vibrator being configured to vibrate the cargo into the shipping container without moving the container or handling the cargo.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 23, 2020
Publication Date: Nov 19, 2020
Inventor: Stephen D. Podd (Rouses Point, NY)
Application Number: 16/856,763