Abstract: A bladder stowage and deployment apparatus particularly for an open topped body used for transport of goods supported from an upper region of said body, to allow fluids to be stored within the bladder while avoiding cross-contamination with the body, the bladder stowage and deployment apparatus having a base member supporting a bladder within the body, the base member movable between and upward stowed position in which the bladder is stowed above and the body can be used for stowage of goods, and a downward deployed position in which the bladder fills available space within the body and holds fluid, and wherein the bladder stowage and deployment apparatus has features to avoid abrading of the bladder such as arrangements to draw in the sides of the bladder.

Abstract: A system for a freight vehicle having a cargo space convertible for handling bulk cargo as well as piece goods, for deploying bulk cargo containers, includes a cable winding shaft positioned adjacent one end wall of the vehicle, with a cable winding reel mounted on each end of the shaft. The shaft is turned either by an electric motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic motor using the hydraulic or pneumatic system of the tractor that pulls the freight vehicle. Cables are run from the retainer rings of the bulk cargo bags upward against the side walls of the vehicle and then along the roof of the vehicle to the winding reels. According to another embodiment, the lifting mechanism for the bags is a hydraulic or pneumatic ram assembly which uses the hydraulics or pneumatics of the tractor for operation. The ram assembly is mounted externally under the floor of the freight vehicle and the cables are run through openings in the vehicle to the ram assembly.

Abstract: A collapsible container for hauling certain bulk materials in freight vehicles. The container includes a generally flexible barrier that defines a collapsible cavity in which bulk materials may be controlled during transportation. The flexible barrier includes at least one port for passing material into and out of the cavity, as well as a cover for closing the port. To assist in the loading and unloading, the container includes a lifting member for engagement with a crane, a strap attached to the lifting member and the barrier, and a ring attached to the lower portion of the barrier. The strap provides support to the barrier as it is lifted and suspended during loading and unloading from a freight vehicle. The ring is provided to hold the container in place as it is inverted to discharge the materials from the cavity.

Abstract: A container and method for transporting finely divided coal in rail cars or other cargo hauling vehicles, the container having a generally flexible and substantially oxygen impermeable barrier defining an encapsulated cavity. A port, including a coupling adapted to substantially prevent exposing the finely divided coal to oxygen, is positioned in the container for passing a flowable material through the barrier. The container also including a cap for sealing the port, a one-way pressure activated valve positioned in the barrier preventing gases in the cavity, and a harness for supporting the barrier and defining the shape of the cavity. The method generally having the initial steps of removing most of the oxygen from the cavity of the container, and adjusting the shape of the cavity to conform to the type of rail car that is being used to haul the finely divided coal.

Abstract: The invention provides a railroad car adapted to transport bulk commodities such as coal, mineral ores, or the like yet efficiently and safely haul bladders filled with flowable commodities. The railcar includes a rugged bracing configuration which enables the railcar to readily transport bulk commodities in standard industry volumes, and within existing industry standards for material handling procedures such as flood loading of coal and rotary dumping of coal cars. The bracing configuration, floor layout, and car dimensions also permit the use of a maximum volume of bladders for effective hauling of materials in such bladders while avoiding undue wear and tear on the bladders. The bracing generally consists of at least one brace including a lower horizontal strut, an upper horizontal strut, and a generally vertical strut member. The bracing allows the railcar to handle bulk commodities such as coal while eliminating surges in bladders filed with flowable products.

Abstract: A railroad car conversion apparatus for hauling a flowable material in an open-topped railroad car having a frame for holding a plurality of bladders, which may depend downwardly from the frame into the railroad car. The frame is adapted to fit on top of the sidewalls of a hopper car, and be readily attached or detached from the railcar. A plurality of bladders, which may be attached directly to this frame for removal therewith, are also attached in such a manner that they may be readily filled with or emptied of a fluid of a particulate, flowable material without requiring the removal of the frame. The conversion apparatus includes an elongate central beam having first and second ends, and a plurality of bladder-connecting devices for releasably attaching a plurality of material-receiving bladders to the central beam.

Abstract: A tank trailer assembly for transporting liquid bromine and hydrobromic acid which comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical container having three inner containers for transporting fluids. Two of the inner containers are internally lined with a poly(vinylidene fluoride) plastic material and the third container is internally lined with material that is chemically resistance to bromine.

Abstract: Transport container for the transport of bulk material provided with a filling-hole in the upper part and an emptying device in the rear. For the loading and unloading of also parcelled goods the container is provided with a side section that can be opened, and that the emptying device comprises a pneumatic pressure discharger with a pressure vessel into which the bulk material can freely flow from the container through a check valve and in which, with the check valve closed, pressure can be produced for discharging the bulk material through a discharge pipe.

Abstract: A liquid-retaining railroad car liner for lining the interiors of railroad cars enabling the cars to transport liquids. The liner serves as a bladder which may be carried by an open-topped railroad car enabling the car to be filled with liquid. The bladder, when empty, can be flattened and used as a waterproof tarpaulin to cover cargo carried by a railroad car thus protecting the cargo from the elements and helping to prevent spillage on railways.

Abstract: A railway car is convertible from a grain carrying car to a vehicle transport car and vice-versa. The car has closed sides, a roof and a floor and end doors movable from a closed position when in the grain carrying mode and to an open position for vehicle transport mode. Loading hatches in the roof and dumping hoppers in the base allow for use in carrying grain and other comminuted material and longitudinally extending spaced and parallel vehicle grids are provided on one, two or three levels thereby permitting vehicles to be carried in a conventional manner when in the vehicle transport mode. The grids and supporting structure permit and facilitate the loading and unloading of grain or the like when in the grain carrying mode and the railway car is easily converted manually from one mode to the other.

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 truck trailer adapted to carry fluid and dry freight includes two spaced fluid carrying tanks respectively positioned adjacent the front and rear ends of the trailer and a dry freight section between the two tanks. The rear fluid carrying tank is selectively removable from the trailer to allow dry freight to be loaded through the rear end of the trailer into the dry freight cargo section of the trailer.

Abstract: A liquid containing bag is mounted on the upper surface of the floor of a box-shaped container and is provided with an inlet port and outlet port opening outside the container and a protective partition forming a space for housing the above mentioned liquid containing bag when solid goods are to be transported is provided in the lower corner on the front end panel side of the container.

Abstract: A dual lading railroad car which can carry solid, granular lading in hoppers at each end of the car and a liquid lading in a tank located in the center of the car between the hoppers. Only liquid lading can be carried in one direction and only solid, granular lading can be carried in a different or return direction, or both such ladings can be carried simultaneously in the same direction. Phosphate rock can be carried in the hoppers and molten sulfur in the tank. The exterior of the car looks substantially like a conventional covered hopper car since the tank is fully enclosed by the car walls and roof.

Abstract: A convertible freight car operable as a flatbed car for receiving items such as lumber and the like or as a bulk storage freight car for bulk items such as grain or the like. The freight car is converted from the flatbed car to the bulk storage freight car when the flatbed is elevated upward permitting a plurality of flexible containers attached to the underside of the flatbed to be extended to form containers for receiving bulk goods or liquids.