Abstract: A cargo storage for handling of cargo such as containers, comprising at least one unloading and loading appliance for unloading and loading of containers from or to a ship, train, truck or the like, and also a framework incorporating one or more movable main cranes for placing and retrieving containers in the cargo storage, and where the framework has outer lanes which are arranged in the at least partially surrounding one or more of the main cranes. Several auxiliary cranes in the outer lanes are arranged to move in parallel adjacent to the direction of movement of the main cranes in the framework, and to receive respective lifting devices, where said outer lanes parallel with the main cranes comprises the transfer points for transfer of the lifting devices between the auxiliary cranes and said main cranes, and that the lifting devices are arranged to circulate in said outer lanes and for a return to a holding location. Also described is an associated system and method.

Abstract: A livestock unloading system for unloading livestock from a storage unit of a transport vehicle to a processing plant or storage facility. The unloading system includes a conveyor system whereby livestock ride from the storage unit to their destination. The conveying system includes a telescoping end that extends into and retracts from a coop during the unloading process. A truck positioner positions the transport vehicle for the proper unloading process.

Abstract: A load transfer system for flatbed trucks is described. A load transfer bay is defined between opposed rigid longitudinal load support beams. Each of the beams is connected to individually controllable adjustable support members in the form of pistons to adjust the elevation of the beams above a ground surface of the load transfer bay. A load support platform is displaceable from a retracted position outside the bay to a support position across and over the opposed load support beams for support contact therewith. The support platform has a plurality of spaced-apart support arms secured at an attachment end to a displaceable interconnecting member and projects therefrom in a substantially common plane to a free end thereof.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for delivering and feeding a stack of paper to a high-speed sheet feeder. A sheet handling cart is removably connectable to a docking station attached to the high-speed sheet feeder. The sheet handling cart comprises a paper trough which is liftable from the rest of the cart. The paper trough has a trough bottom which longitudinally forms an elongated opening narrower than the bottom of the paper trough, the elongated opening being dimensioned to accommodate a conveyor belt that will protrude upward through the rectangular opening, after the paper trough is lifted from the rest of the cart, in order to advance the stack of paper toward the high-speed sheet feeder.

Abstract: A collapsible hopper is used with a conveyor, for example a grain auger. The hopper is fastened onto the bottom end of the auger to surround the inlet. It has a flaccid side wall that is normally supported in a raised condition by a top, rigid hoop connected to the hopper base by a pair of springs. The springs allow the hoop to be deflected downwardly when engaged by another object, for example a truck box when it is dumping into the hopper. An over-center linkage allows the springs to be released so that the flaccid hopper wall can collapse, allowing insertion of the hopper in this collapsed state into a position where there is insufficient clearance to insert the fully-raised hopper.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for loading and unloading motor vehicles, to be positioned between a loading platform and a vehicle positioning region, includes a frame movable longitudinally to the loading platform, a manipulator-conveyor unit provided with lifting and/or gripping devices and arranged on a support element rotatable through at least 180.degree., the manipulator-conveyor unit being extendable so as to be movable to a position above the loading platform and to a position above the load floor of a vehicle, features being provided for correctly aligning the support element with the load floor, a central processor also being connected to the apparatus. Sensors are associated with the manipulator-conveyor unit for sensing its movement above the support element and are connected to the central processor and to an actuator which correctly positions at least one pair of motorized wheels supporting the manipulator-conveyor unit.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor has at least one group of at least three individually reciprocatable slat members. A drive engages each slat member and moves more than half of the slat members simultaneously in a conveying direction and moves the remainder of the slat members in the opposite direction at least at about twice the rate of speed. The drive includes a fluid pressure source, a flow divider connected to the fluid pressure source which provides a separate, equal rate of flow for each slat member, a separate extensible fluid driven cylinder for reciprocation of each slat member that is connected to a separate flow from the flow divider, and a direction valve for each fluid driven cylinder which controls fluid flow into and out of the cylinder.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor has at least three groups of one or more individually reciprocatable slat members. A drive engages each slat group and moves more than half of the slat members simultaneously in a conveying direction and moves the remainder of the slat members in the opposite direction at least at about twice the rate of speed. The drive includes a fluid pressure source, a flow divider connected to the fluid pressure source which provides a separate, equal rate of flow for each slat group, a separate extensible fluid driven cylinder for reciprocation of each slat group that is connected to a separate flow from the flow divider, a direction valve for each fluid driven cylinder which controls fluid flow into and out of the cylinder, and an unloading valve communicating with the interconnected rod sides of the fluid driven cylinders.

Abstract: Mobile elevatable platform devices are fitted with an impact absorbing bumper, a truck restraining hook mechanism, and, optionally, a ground anchor.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and/or delivering articles comprises a generally horizontal conveyor having a number of cars arranged to travel along it. A receiving station and a delivering station are located in the path of travel of the cars along the conveyor. Each car has doors at its ends which are normally kept closed but which are arranged to open as the car approaches the receiving end delivering stations and to close on leaving the stations. The receiving station has a plate located below the base of the car but engageable therewith and means are provided to retain articles in the car on the plate as the car passes through the receiving station. The delivering station has a similar plate located below the base of the car but engageable therewith and a mechanism is provided to retain articles on the plate until the car passes through the delivering station when it picks up the articles from the plate automatically.

Abstract: A bulk material such as garbage is introduced into a hopper inlet (14) of a comparator (12). A piston (18) in the comparator moves the bulk material out from the comparator (12) into the vault (26). In the vault (26) the material is compacted against a barrier wall (66) until an initial body of compacted material is formed between the inlet and the barrier wall (64). Then, the barrier wall (64) is retracted up into a position substantially within the plane of the top wall (32). Then, the comparator (12) is operated to compact additional bulk material (24) into the vault (26), and at the same time move the material (24) lengthwise through the vault (26). When the vault (26) is sufficiently full of compacted material (24), the vault (26) is expanded for the purpose of enlargening the cross sectional dimension of its inner space. A cargo receiving compartment (30) of a road vehicle (10) is positioned in registry with the outlet of the vault (26).

Abstract: An improved catalyst handling process and system is provided to safely, effectively, and automatically transport catalyst by remote control to and from resid hydrotreating units. The process and equipment feature computerized monorail equipment for efficiently transporting special fresh catalyst containers and spent catalyst containers. Various electronic equipment is provided to electronically detect the type of catalyst stored in the catalyst containers. Lift elevators, four-prong liftfork trucks, remote control tilting mechanisms, catalyst transfer lines, deoiler units, bridge cranes, and other transport vehicles, as described, can also be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and transporting particulate material from directly underneath the discharge outlet of a vehicle includes a collection chamber for receiving the particulate material. An auger is provided to convey particulate material from the collection chamber to an auger chamber for subsequent discharge of the particulate material into a receiving hopper. An extension mechanism is provided which permits telescopic extension of the collection chamber and auger chamber so that the collection chamber may be placed directly underneath the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A vertical positioning mechanism is also provided which allows the collection chamber to be raised from a lowered position to closely abut the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A swivel base mount is further provided so that the collection chamber and auger chamber may be selectively rotated between a position generally parallel to the vehicle and a collecting position under the vehicle.

Abstract: A grain handling device for the receiving and transporting of grain and the like with the primary aspects of this invention being related to ground level receiving of such grain from a carrier, such as a truck, holding and controlling such grain and transporting such grain to a storage bin, typically at an elevation higher than that of the grain delivery carrier. The primary aspects of this invention are the positive control of the grain received from the truck into the grain receiving bin through the use of a valve disposed in the grain bin at the outlet thereof for control of the rate of flow of the grain from the grain holding bin into a grain transport. The valve is configured in a unique way to cooperate with sloping bin walls and the bin outlet to substantially seal such outlet in the valve closed position and to prevent bridging of grain within the grain receiving bin, thereby eliminating plugging at the grain bin outlet.

Abstract: A train of tandem arranged, wheeled, refuse receptacles, pulled by a prime mover along a path, are successively moved over a dump chute to drop their contents when their discharge doors are successively tripped, the contents falling downwardly through the chute and into the entrance opening of an underground compactor. The reciprocating ram of the compactor passes the contents sidewise into the awaiting container of a refuse collection vehicle, compacting the contents therein.

Abstract: An automatic loading platform for facilitating the loading and unloading of palletized loads is provided. The platform comprises an upper surface and an inclined ramp. A plurality of rotatable drive rollers extend above the upper surface to support a load, and the upper surface includes a plurality of air exit ports to provide a fluid bearing surface for the load. The drive rollers rotate in response to the rotation of carrier rollers and wheels, such response occuring only after air is supplied to the frame, and after the carrier rollers rotate in response to translational movement of the platform. A method for unloading a load from the platform by creating relative motion between the platform and load is thereby provided.

Abstract: A sludge distribution plant which receives a plurality of trucks either simultaneously or singly which bring in dried sludge in granular form and effluent both of which are separated between origin pickup and the distribution plant as shown in U.S. Pat. 4,046,689. At the plant site there are means for discharging the dry granular material containing debris into a sieve type shaker arranged over a conveyor belt both of which are on an angle of delination from the truck toward a central collector and conveyor system positioned to receive the non-liquid discharge contents of a plurality of trucks and which will separate the dry granular material from the debris and discharge each separately.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for receiving bulk particulate materials from a material supply carrier into a hopper construction in which the hopper construction includes a multicellular or multitubular arrangement providing for free flowing of the material through the cells or tubes into a hopper chamber, the tubular or cellular construction being provided with a central conically-shaped void or space defined by certain of the tubes or cells being of varying lengths whereby the angle of the conically-shaped void simulates a natural angle of repose of the particulate material so that the particulate material in the hopper chamber and in the void or space seals the tubes or cells preventing cross winds or moving air from affecting or entraining the material thereby minimizing or substantially eliminating loss of the material and contamination of the environment by the material.