Transportable bulk container with slide gate dispenser

Abstract

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]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.[0002]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 K...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a transportable bulk container for holding dry bulk materials. The container has a hopper with a bottom discharge chute through which the material is dispensed by gravity flow. The container can be lifted and moved using forklifts or hand trucks. A slide gate assembly is provided to control the dispensing of the material. The slide gate has a horizontal plate-like member with a gate opening and an occluding portion that blocks the flow of material when closed. The gate can be slid into an open position. The container also has front and rear stop members to limit movement of the slide gate. J-shaped suspension members and L-shaped rail flange members are attached to the discharge chute to guide the movement of the slide gate. The glide assembly prevents bulk material from entering the rail channel. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a convenient and efficient way to transport and dispense dry bulk materials."

Problems solved by technology

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.

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