Trailer and sealing means for a trailer door

Abstract

Trailer 100 comprising: a trailer body 102; a trailer door 104; door actuation means 108; and a sealing means 10 for bringing the trailer door into engagement with the trailer body. The sealing means

Description

The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to trailers, in particular, to a sealing means for a trailer door and a method of installing a sealing means. Background to the Invention Trailers are used daily in the agricultural industry to transport different materials and products. In particular, trailers are used to transport silage and grain. However, it is often desirable or necessary to transport liquids from food waste, sludge, or fine seeds such as rape seeds. The problem with using trailers to transport liquids or fine seeds or grain is that the trailer doors do not seal tight enough to prevent leakage of these materials from the trailer. Conventional trailer doors rely on their own weight to close and require a further locking means to lock the door into a fully closed position. Other doors are provided with means such as hydraulic rams or lever mechanisms by which the door is opened. Efforts to provide a more reliable sealing means on these trailer doors include incorporating sealing materials to fill gaps around the door after it has been closed and latches that engage with a retaining means on the trailer body to maintain engagement between the door and the trailer. However, the sealing material and retaining means would wear gradually, allowing liquids and fine material to leak out of the trailer. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a trailer having a sealing means for the trailer door which overcomes the drawbacks of known solutions or at least provides a suitable alternative. Summary of the Invention The present invention addresses the problem of providing a water-tight seal on trailer doors and preventing the leakage of liquids and other fine materials from trailers. This problem is solved by providing a sealing means configured to engage directly with the trailer door to tightly clamp the door such that liquid or other fine materials are prevented from leaking out of the trailer. Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is a trailer comprising a trailer body, a trailer door and a sealing means for bringing the trailer door into engagement with the trailer body, the sealing means comprising a sealing member configured to clamp against the trailer door to releasably seal the trailer door against the trailer body and an actuation means for activating the sealing member. Advantageously, direct engagement of the sealing member against the trailer door creates and maintains a sealing engagement between the trailer door and the trailer body. Thereby, this prevents the leakage of liquid and fine material. Preferably, the trailer body comprises a structure defining an open end. In some embodiments, the structure comprises one or more rear posts defining an opening. In some embodiments, the structure comprises two vertical rear posts and a top horizontal rear post and a bottom horizontal rear post extending therebetween. In preferred embodiments, the sealing member clamps a lower portion of the trailer door. Advantageously, this reinforces the seal at the bottom of the trailer door where leakages are more likely to occur due to the heavy load of material inside the trailer pressing on the bottom of the door. Additionally, or alternatively, the sealing member clamps any other suitable portion of the trailer door. In some embodiments, the sealing member clamps a mid-portion or upper portion of the door. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing means is pivotally mounted to the trailer body. Most preferably, the sealing member is pivotally mounted to the trailer body. Ideally, the sealing member comprises a sealing portion for engaging with the trailer door and an actuation portion for engaging with the actuation means. Preferably, the sealing portion and the actuation portion are located at opposite ends of the clamping body. Ideally, the sealing member comprises a pivot receiving means for receiving a pivot, the pivot receiving means being located between the sealing portion and the actuation portion. Preferably the receiving means is an aperture. Preferably, the sealing member is moveable between a closed configuration where it is engages, most preferably forcefully engages, the trailer door and an open configuration where it is not in engagement with the trailer door. Preferably, the sealing member is configured to pivot between an open and closed configuration. Preferably, the sealing member is configured to pivot in a first direction towards an open configuration and to pivot in a second direction towards a closed configuration. Ideally, the sealing member is configured to pivot downwardly towards an open configuration and to pivot upwardly towards a closed configuration. Preferably, when sealing is required, the sealing member actuation means remains activated to maintain the clamping engagement of the sealing member against the trailer door. Advantageously, this prevents unintentional disengagement between the sealing member and the trailer door. In preferred embodiments, the trailer comprises a plurality of sealing means. Advantageously, this strengthens the seal between the trailer door and the trailer body. This is in comparison to having only one sealing means or no sealing means. Ideally, the trailer comprises one or more right-hand sealing means and one or more lefthand sealing means. Advantageously, this enables a uniform seal across the width of the trailer door. Further advantageously, this prevents a gap forming at one side due to unbalanced pressure being applied on another side. In a preferred embodiment, the trailer comprises a trailer door actuation means for activating the opening and closing of the door. Preferably, the trailer comprises a plurality of door actuation means. Ideally, the trailer comprises one or more right-hand door actuation means and one or more left-hand door actuation means. In a preferred embodiment, the trailer door is pivotally mounted on the trailer body. Preferably, in use, the trailer door pivots upwardly to open and pivots downwardly to close. In a preferred embodiment, the door actuation means and / or sealing member actuation means is a hydraulic actuation means. Most preferably, a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuation means may be electric, pneumatic or any other suitable actuation means. Preferably, the trailer comprises a control means for controlling the operation of one or more of the door actuation means and the sealing member actuation means. Ideally, the control means is configurable to operate the door actuation means and the sealing member actuation means sequentially. Advantageously, this prevents damage to one or more parts of the trailer caused due to the door trying to open before the sealing means has been released or the door trying to close while the sealing means is engaged. Further advantageously, it enables optimum operation of the sealing means by enabling full exhaustion of the door actuation means to close the door prior to engaging the sealing member actuation means. Preferably, where the trailer comprises a plurality of sealing member actuation means, the control means is configurable to operate the plurality sealing member actuation means simultaneously. Advantageously, this enables smooth operation of the sealing members. Ideally, where the trailer comprises a plurality of door actuation means, the control means is configurable to operate the plurality of door actuation means simultaneously. Advantageously, this enables smooth opening and closing of the trailer door. Preferably, for releasing the seal and opening the trailer door, the control means is configured to first activate the sealing member actuation means to release the seal and then to activate the door actuation means to open the door. Ideally, for closing the trailer door and bringing the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body, the control means is configured to first activate the door actuation means to close the door and then, when the door actuation means is fully exhausted to close the door as much as possible, the control means is configured to activate the sealing member actuation means to clamp the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body. In a preferred embodiment, the actuation means are double-acting hydraulic cylinders. In this embodiment, the control means is operable to open the door by activating the one or more sealing member hydraulic cylinders such that the sealing member hydraulic cylinders extend, causing the sealing member to pivot such that the sealing portion of the sealing member is moved out of engagement with and away from the trailer door. Then, the control means activates the one or more door hydraulic cylinders such that the door hydraulic cylinders retract causing the door to pivot open. The sequence is reversed to close the trailer door and engage the sealing member with the trailer door to create a seal between the trailer door and the trailer body. Preferably, the control means comprises one or more valves. Most preferably, the control means comprises one or more sequence valves. Preferably, the sealing means is capable of bringing the trailer door into water-tight engagement with the trailer body. Advantageously, the seal created and maintained between the sealing means prevents liquid from leaking out of the trailer. In some embodiments, the trailer door comprises a locking means engageable with a retaining means on the trailer body to lock the trailer door closed. Preferably, the retaining means is a bearing, roller, pin, protrusion or any other suitable means extending from the trailer body, most preferably from a side wall of the trailer body. Ideally, the locking means is a hook extending laterally beyond the side post of the trailer door, most preferably at a lower portion of the trailer door. Preferably, the trailer door comprises a right-hand locking means and a left-hand locking means engageable with a right-hand retaining means and a left-hand retaining means, respectively, on the trailer body. Preferably, part of the sealing means is configured to be welded or fastened to the trailer body. Preferably, the sealing means comprises a frame member for fixing to the trailer body, most preferably for immovably fixing to the trailer body. Preferably, the frame member is fixed to the trailer body via one or more fastening, welding or any other suitable means. Ideally, the actuation means extends between the frame member and the sealing member. Advantageously, activation of the actuation means enables movement of the sealing member while the frame member remains static. Preferably, a surface of the sealing portion that engages with the trailer door is shaped to complimentary to the portion of the door that it engages. Advantageously, this enables optimum engagement between the sealing portion and the trailer door. In some embodiments, the surface of the sealing portion that engages with the trailer door is flat to match a flat portion of the trailer door. Alternatively, the surface of the sealing portion that engages with the trailer door may be arcuate to match an arcuate portion of the door or any other suitable configuration. In some embodiments, the pivot receiving means is located on a nib of the sealing member. Preferably, the nib is located between the sealing portion and the actuation portion of the sealing member. In some embodiments, the trailer door comprises sealing material arranged around or extending from the edges of the trailer door. Alternatively, or additionally, the trailer body comprises sealing material arranged around or extending from one or more rear posts of the trailer body. Advantageously, the sealing material fills any caps or cavities between the trailer body and the trailer door. In another aspect, the invention provides a sealing means for use on a trailer, the sealing means being configurable to bring the trailer door of the trailer into sealing engagement with the trailer body, the sealing means comprising a sealing member configured to clamp against the trailer door to releasably seal the trailer door against the trailer body and an actuation means for activating the sealing member. Preferably, the sealing means is configurable to be retrofitted to a trailer. Advantageously, this mitigates the need to buy a new trailer having the sealing means. Therefore, this reduces waste and costs. In preferred embodiments, the sealing means configurable to be pivotally mounted to the trailer body. Most preferably, the sealing member is configured to be pivotally mounted to the trailer body. Preferably, the sealing member comprises a pivot receiving means for receiving a pivot. Ideally, the sealing member is configurable to rotate about the pivot. Preferably, the sealing means comprises one or more fastener receiving means for receiving fasteners to enable mounting of the sealing means to the trailer body. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more parts of the sealing means are weldable to the trailer body. Preferably, the sealing means comprises one or more features of the sealing means according to the first aspect of the invention. The term sealing member and clamping member can be used interchangeably. In addition, the term sealing portion and clamping portion can be used interchangeably. The skilled person will understand that where the same feature has been referenced in different aspects of the invention, this feature comprises the same parts and operates in the same way unless otherwise stated. Brief Description of the drawings Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 a is a side view of a first embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means in engagement with the trailer door; Figure 1b is a magnified view of figure 1a; Figure 1c is perspective view of the first embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means in engagement with the trailer door; Figure 1d is a magnified view of figure 1c; Figure 2a is a side view of the first embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means out of engagement with the trailer door; Figure 2b is a magnified view of figure 2a Figure 3a is a side view of the first embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means out of engagement with the trailer door and the trailer door open; Figure 3b is a magnified view of figure 3a; Figure 3c is a perspective view of the first embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means out of engagement with the trailer door and the trailer door open; Figure 3d is a magnified view of figure 3c; Figure 4a is a side view of a second embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means in engagement with the trailer door; Figure 4b is a magnified view of figure 4a; Figure 4c is a perspective view of the second embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means in engagement with the trailer door; Figure 4d is a magnified view of figure 4c; Figure 5a is a side view of the second embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means out of engagement with the trailer door; Figure 5b is a magnified view of figure 5a; Figure 5c is a perspective view of the second embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means out of engagement with the trailer door; Figure 5d is a magnified view of figure 5c; Figure 6a is side view of a third embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means in engagement with the trailer door; Figure 6b is a magnified view of figure 6a; Figure 6c is a perspective view of the second embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means in engagement with the trailer door; Figure 6d is a magnified view of figure 6c; Figure 7a is a side view of the third embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means out of engagement with the trailer door; Figure 7b is a magnified view of figure 7a; Figure 7c is a perspective view of the second embodiment according to the invention showing the sealing means out of engagement with the trailer door; Figure 7d is a magnified view of figure 7c; and Figure 8a is a perspective view of a sealing means according to an aspect of the invention in a closed configuration; Figure 8b is a second perspective view of the sealing means illustrated in figure 8a; Figure 9a is a perspective view of the sealing means of figure 8 in an open configuration; Figure 9b is a second perspective view of the sealing means of figure 9a; and Figure 10 is a schematic drawing of the hydraulic control circuit. Detailed Description In overview, a trailer, generally indicated by reference numeral 100 and a sealing means for use on a trailer generally indicated by reference number 10 is provided. The sealing means 10 having a sealing member 12 and actuation means 14 for activating the sealing member 12. Trailer 100, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a sealing means 10. However, the sealing means 10 may be provided separately from the trailer 100 and may be retrofitted to existing trailers. Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. It will be appreciated that the invention should not be construed to be limited to the examples, which are now described; rather, the invention is construed to include any and all applications provided herein and all equivalent variations within the skill of the ordinary artisan. Referring to the drawings, there is shown a trailer 100 / 200 / 300 comprising a trailer body 102, a trailer door 104 and a sealing means 10 for bringing the trailer door 104 into engagement with the trailer body 102, the sealing means 10 comprising a sealing member 12 for directly clamping or pressing against the trailer door 104 to releasably seal the trailer door 104 against the trailer body 102 and an actuation means 14 for activating the sealing member 12. Direct engagement of the sealing member 12 against the trailer door 104 creates and maintains a sealing engagement between the trailer door 104 and the trailer body 102. Thereby, this prevents the leakage of liquid and fine material. In the embodiments illustrated in drawings 1 a to 5d, the sealing member clamps a lower portion of the trailer door 104 / 204. This reinforces the seal particularly at the bottom of the trailer door 104 / 204 where leakages are more likely to occur due to the heavy load of material inside the trailer 100 / 200 pressing on the bottom of the door 104 / 204. Additionally, or alternatively, the sealing member 12 may clamp any other suitable portion of the trailer door. For example, as illustrated in figures 6a to 7c, the sealing member 12 clamps a mid-portion of the door. By mid-portion we mean in relation to the height of the door, between an upper portion and lower portion. The sealing means 10 is pivotally mounted to the trailer body 102. In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the sealing member 12 is pivotally mounted to the trailer body 102. The sealing member has a sealing portion 12a for engaging with the trailer door 104 and an actuation portion 12b for engaging with the actuation means 14. In use, the sealing portion 12a presses against a part of the trailer door to press the trailer door 104 into sealing engagement with the trailer body 102, particularly into watertight sealing engagement. The sealing portion 12a and the actuation portion 12b are located at opposite ends of the sealing member 12. The sealing member 12 further has a pivot receiving means 12c for receiving a pivot 106, the pivot receiving means 12c being located between the sealing portion 12a and the actuation portion 12b. The pivot 106 extends from the trailer body 102, preferably from a side portion of the trailer body 102. The sealing member 12 is moveable between a closed configuration where it is clamped against the trailer door 104, as illustrated in figures 1a to 1d, and an open configuration where it is not in engagement with the trailer door, as illustrated in figures 2a to 3b. The sealing member 12 is pivotable between an open and closed configuration. The sealing member 12 is configured to pivot in a first direction towards an open configuration, as illustrated by arrow 50 in figure 2a, and to pivot in a second direction towards a closed configuration, as illustrated by arrow 52 in figure 1b. Figures 1 b and 2b show a left side of the trailer. The sealing member 12 rotates downwardly to open and rotates upwardly to close or to press against the trailer door 104. From the view of figure 1 b and 2b, the sealing member 12 rotates clockwise to open and anti-clockwise to close. However, the skilled person will understand that from a right-side view, the sealing member 12 rotates anti-clockwise to open and clockwise to close. When the sealing member is in a closed configuration, the sealing member actuation means 14 remains activated to maintain the clamping engagement of the sealing member 12 against the trailer door 104. When the sealing member is in a closed configuration, the sealing member actuation means 14 remains activated to maintain the sealed engagement, most preferably watertight engagement, between the trailer door 104 and trailer body 102. This prevents unintentional disengagement between the sealing member 12 and the trailer door 104, for example during transport. Thereby, this prevents leakage of material from the trailer 100. The trailer 100 has a plurality of sealing means 10, as visible in figures 1c, 3c, 5c and 6c. This strengthens the seal between the trailer door 104 and the trailer body 102. This is in comparison to having only one sealing means or no sealing means. The trailer 100 has one or more right-hand sealing means 10a and one or more left-hand sealing means 10b. This enables a uniform seal across the width of the trailer door 104. Further, this prevents a gap forming at one side due to unbalanced pressure being applied on another side. The trailer 100 has a trailer door actuation means 108 for activating the opening and closing of the door 104. The trailer 100 has a plurality of door actuation means 108 as illustrated in figures 1c, 3c, 5c and 7c. The trailer 100 has one or more right-hand door actuation means (not visible) and one or more left-hand door actuation means 108b. The trailer door 104 is pivotally mounted on the trailer body 102. As illustrated in the drawings, the trailer door 104 is pivotally mounted to a one or more side walls 102a of the trailer body 102 and is rotatable about pivot 110. However, the skilled person will understand that the trailer door may be pivotally mounted from to or on any suitable portion of the trailer body. In use, the trailer door 104 pivots upwardly to open and pivots downwardly to close. In some embodiments, the door actuation means 108 extends between a door actuation mount 114 and a door frame member 112. Trailer 100 has one or more door actuation mounts 114 for connecting to a door actuation means 108. The trailer body 102 has a left-hand door actuation mount 114b for connecting to a door actuation means 108b and a right-hand door actuation mount (not visible) for connecting to a door actuation means 108a. The trailer door has one or more door frame members 114 for connecting to a door actuation means 108. The trailer door 104 has a left-hand doorframe member 112b for connecting to a door actuation means 108b and a right-hand door frame member 112a for connecting to a door actuation means 108a. In a preferred embodiment, the door actuation means 108 and / or sealing member actuation means 14 is a hydraulic actuation means. Most preferably, they are double-acting hydraulic cylinders, as illustrated in the drawings. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuation means may be electric, pneumatic or any other suitable actuation means. The trailer 100 has a control means for controlling the operation of one or more of the door actuation means 108 and the sealing member actuation means 14. The control means is configured to operate the door actuation means 108 and the sealing member actuation means sequentially 14. This prevents damage to one or more parts of the trailer caused due to the door trying to open before the sealing means has been released or the door trying to close while the sealing means is engaged. Further, it enables optimum operation of the sealing means by enabling full exhaustion of the door actuation means 108 to close the door 104 prior to engaging the sealing member actuation means 14. Where the trailer comprises a plurality of sealing member actuation means 14, the control means is configured to operate the plurality sealing member actuation means 14 simultaneously. This enables smooth operation of the sealing members 12. Likewise, where the trailer 100 comprises a plurality of door actuation means 108, the control means is configured to operate the plurality of door actuation means 108 simultaneously. This enables smooth opening and closing ofthe trailer door 104. To release the seal and open the trailer door 104, the control means first activates the sealing member actuation means 14 to release the seal and then, when the sealing member 12 is fully cleared from the path ofthe door opening, the control means activates the door actuation means 108 to open the door 104. To close the trailer door 104 and activate the clamping means to bring the trailer door 104 into sealing engagement with the trailer body 102, the control means firsts activates the door actuation means 108 to close the door and then, when the door actuation means 108 is fully exhausted to close the door as much as possible, the control means is activates the sealing member actuation means 14 to clamp the trailer door 104 into sealing engagement with the trailer body 102. Where the actuation means are double-acting hydraulic cylinders, the control means operates to open the door 104 by activating the one or more sealing member hydraulic cylinders 14 such that the sealing member hydraulic cylinders 14 extend (see figures 2a to 3b), causing the sealing member to pivot such that the sealing portion 12a ofthe sealing member 12 is moved out of engagement with and away from the trailer door 104. Then, the control means activates the one or more door hydraulic cylinders 108 such that the door hydraulic cylinders 108 retract causing the door to pivot open (see figures 3a to 3c). The sequence is reversed to close the trailer door 104 and engage the sealing portion 12a with the trailer door 104 to create a seal between the trailer door 104 and the trailer body 102. In preferred embodiments, the control means comprises one or more valves. Most preferably, the control means comprises one or more sequence valves. The sealing means 10 is capable of bringing the trailer door 104 into water-tight engagement with the trailer body 102. This means that the seal created and maintained between the sealing means 10 prevents liquid from leaking out of the trailer 100. In some embodiments, the trailer door 104 comprises a locking means 120 engageable with a retaining means 122 on the trailer body 102 to lock the trailer door 104 closed. In the embodiments illustrated, retaining means 122 is a bearing fitted on a stub extending from a side portion a rear post 130 ofthe trailer body 102. In this embodiment, the locking means 120 is a hook which extends laterally beyond side edges 140 ofthe trailer door 104. The trailer door 104 has a right-hand locking means 120a and a left-hand locking means 120b engageable with a right-hand retaining means (not visible) and a left-hand retaining means 122b, respectively, on the trailer body 102. Part ofthe sealing means 10 is capable of being welded or fastened to the trailer body 102. The sealing means 10 has a frame member 16 for fixing to the trailer body 102, most preferably for immovably fixing to the trailer body 102. The frame member 16 is fixed to the trailer body 102 via one or more of fastening, welding or any other suitable means. The actuation means 14 extends between the frame member 16 and the sealing member 12. Activation ofthe actuation means 14 enables movement ofthe sealing member 12 while the frame member 16 remains static. The sealing means 10 comprises a sealing member pin mount 18 and a frame member pin mount 20. A sealing member pin 18a extends between the sealing member 12 and pin mount 18. A frame member pin 20a extends between the frame member 16 and pin mount 20. The sealing member actuation means 14 extends between sealing member pin mount 18a and frame member pin mount 20a. Referring to figures 1a to 3d, 1a to 1d show the trailer door 104 and the sealing means 10 in a closed configuration. The sealing member 12 ofthe sealing means is clamped against the trailer door 104 to clamp the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body 102. As illustrated, the sealing member actuation means 14 is activated to maintain the clamping of the sealing member 12 against the trailer door 104. The sealing member actuation means is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and is fully retracted. To release the seal, the sealing member actuation means 14 hydraulic cylinder extends fully, causing the sealing member to rotate about pivot 106 such that the sealing portion 12a is moved away from the trailer door 104, as illustrated in figures 2a and 2b. Figures 2a and 2b show the sealing member 12 out of engagement with the trailer door 104 while the trailer door 104 is in a closed configuration. The sealing member 12 rotates about pivot 106. Pivot 106 may also double up as the retaining means 122. Once the sealing member 12 is moved out of the path of the trailer door opening 104, the door actuation means 108 is activated to open the door. The door actuation means 108 hydraulic cylinders are retracted causing the door to open (see figure 3a to 3c), most preferably by rotation about pivot 110. To close the trailer door 104, the door actuation means 108 hydraulic cylinders are extended, causing the door to rotate in the opposite direction as before. Once the door is in its closed configuration, as illustrated in figures 2a and 2b, the sealing member actuation means 14 hydraulic cylinders retract causing the sealing member to rotate such that the sealing portion 12 is moved towards and clamped against the trailer door 104. In this embodiment, the sealing member 12 clamps against the locking mechanism hook 120. Referring to figures 4a to 5d, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein the sealing means is located inwardly at the rear of the trailer. By inwardly, we mean with respect to the side walls 202a of the trailer i.e., more toward the centre than the side walls. The sealing members 12 operate in the same way as the embodiment described in relation to figures 1a to 3d to clamp against a portion of the trailer door 204 to clamp the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body 202. Like in the previously described embodiment, to release the seal and open the door, the sealing member actuation means 14 hydraulic cylinder extends until the sealing member 12 is out ofthe door opening path and then the door actuation means 208 hydraulic cylinder is retracted to open the door 204. To close the door and activate the seal, the door actuation means 208 hydraulic cylinder is extended until the door is close as much as possible and then the sealing member action means 14 hydraulic cylinder retracts to move the sealing member 12 such that the sealing portion 12a clamps against a portion ofthe trailer door 204 to press the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body 202. The sealing members 12 rotate about a pivot (not visible) extending from the trailer body 202. Referring to figures 5a to 7d, a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein the sealing means 10 is located on another location ofthe trailer 300. In this embodiment, the sealing members 12 engage with a door frame member 312. In particular, the sealing members 12 engage with a portion of door frame member 312 which extend beyond the side edges 340 ofthe trailer door 304. This means that the sealing members can be mounted on a side wall 302a or side portion of rear post 330 ofthe trailer body 302. In this embodiment, the sealing means 10 is located on a mid-portion ofthe trailer body 302 in relation to the height of the trailer body 302. The sealing members 12 operate in the same way as the embodiment described in relation the previous embodiments to clamp against a portion ofthe trailer door 304, in particular door frame member 312 of the trailer door 304, to clamp the trailer door 304 into sealing engagement with the trailer body 302. Like in the previously described embodiments, to release the seal and open the door 304, the sealing member actuation means 14 hydraulic cylinder extends until the sealing member 12 is out of the door opening path and then the door actuation means 308 hydraulic cylinder is retracted to open the door 304. To close the door and activate the seal, the door actuation means 308 hydraulic cylinder is extended until the door is closed as much as possible and then the sealing member action means 14 hydraulic cylinder retracts to move the sealing member 12 such that the sealing portion 12a clamps against a portion of the trailer door 304 to press the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body 302. The sealing members 12 rotate about a pivot 306 extending from the trailer body 302. In preferred embodiments, the surface 12d of the sealing portion 12a that engages with the trailer door 104 is shaped complimentary to the portion of the trailer door that it engages. This enables optimum engagement between the sealing member 12a and the trailer door 104. In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the surface 12d of the sealing member 12 that engages with the trailer door 104 is flat to match the surfaces of the trailer door 104 engages in each embodiment. Alternatively, the surface 12d of the sealing member 12 that engages with the trailer door 104 may be arcuate to match an arcuate portion of the door or any other suitable configuration. In some embodiments, the pivot receiving means 12c is located on a nib 12e of the sealing member 12a. The nib 12e is located between the sealing portion 12a and the actuation portion 12b of the sealing member 12. In some embodiments, there is a bend between the sealing portion 12a and the nib 12e. Most preferably, there is a bend 30 between the clamping surface 12d and the nub 12e. In some embodiments, the bend 30 is approximately 90°. In some embodiments, there is a bend 32 between the nib 12e and the actuation portion 12b to enable other parts of the trailer to extend therebetween as the sealing member moves or to prevent abutting of the sealing member 12 against other parts of the trailer. In some embodiments, the bend 30 is approximately 90°. Referring to figures 8a to 9b, there is shown a left-hand side sealing means 10 according to an aspect of the invention. Figure 8a and 8b show the position of the clamping member 12 when it is in a closed configuration. Figure 9a and 9b show the position of the clamping member 12 when it is in an open configuration. Figure 8a and 9a show a perspective of the sealing means from an outer side i.e., the side that faces out when the sealing means is installed on a trailer. Figures 8b and 9b show an inner side of the sealing means. The surface of frame member 16 that is fixed to the trailer is visible in figures 8b and 9b. The sealing means 10 is capable of being retrofitted to a trailer 100. This mitigates the need to buy a new trailer having the sealing means. Therefore, this reduces waste and costs. In preferred embodiments, the sealing means comprises is configurable to be pivotally mounted to the trailer body. Most preferably, the sealing member is configured to be pivotally mounted to the trailer body. To retrofit the sealing means 10 to a trailer, the sealing member 12 is mounted onto a pivot, preferably a pivot extending in a lateral direction from the trailer body 102, and the frame member 16 is fastened and / or welded, preferably spot welded, to a portion of the trailer body 102. The actuation means 14 is then connected to the control means. In the embodiments illustrated, the actuation means 14 is a hydraulic actuation means, the control means comprises two sequence valves and the trailer comprises one or more door actuation means 108. In embodiments like these, the sequence valves are introduced, and the door hydraulic hoses and the sealing member hydraulic hoses are connected to the respective sequence valve in a known manner. For example, the door hydraulic hoses are removed from the hose tray and / or disconnected from the flow line. The sequence valve is then connected to the flow line and / or hose tray. The door hydraulic hoses and the sealing member hydraulic hoses are connected to the sequence valve in a known manner. To adjust the sequence valves, the valve cap is undone and rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise to adjust the pressure (e.g., to reduce or increase the pressure), to trigger the sequence. Once the desired sequence is achieved, the valve cap is reattached and tightened. An example hose kit is provided as follows: 1 / 4” Hose 2150mm long - 3 / 8” Female - M18” 90o xx4, 3 / 8” F / F / F Tee x4, 3 / 8” M / M Adaptor x 4, 3 / 8” M / F Adaptor x 2, 3 / 8” Dowty Washers x 6, Sequence Valves x2. The hydraulic control circuit shown in Figure 10, it controls the opening and closing of the door and the operation of the separate sealing means. The hydraulic operation is controlled by a user from the cab of the tractor which acts as the prime mover for the trailer. The circuit includes two sequence valves 410 and 420, a set of hydraulic rams 430 and 432 for operating the door and a set of hydraulic rams 440 and 442 for the operation of the clamps. Each valve has two pressure ports 412 and 414 and a control port 416. When the user decides to close the door, the user pushes the control lever to the close position (not shown) which opens the pressure ports 412 and 414 on sequence valve 410 which supplies hydraulic pressure to the door hydraulic rams 430 and 432. When the door is fully closed, the sequence valve detects the hydraulic oil back pressure which presses against the bias in the control port 416 and opens it to allow the hydraulic flow through to the clamp or latch rams 440 and 442. When the clamps are fully closed, sequence valve 410 detects the back pressure and stops the flow of hydraulic fluid. When the user decides to open the door, they push the lever to the open position which opens hydraulic flow through the pressure ports 412 and 414 through the sequence valve 420 to first operate the hydraulic rams 440 and 442 for the clamp. When the clamps are fully open, the sequence valve 420 detects the back pressure and opens the control port 416 against its bias to allow hydraulic fluid to flow to the rams 430 and 432. When the door is fully opened, the sequence valve 420 detects the back flow of pressure and turns off the flow of hydraulic fluid. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and additions are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A trailer comprising a trailer body having a structure defining an open end for enabling the discharge of material from the trailer, a trailer door and a sealing means for bringing the trailer door into sealed engagement with the trailer body at said open end, the sealing means comprising a sealing member configured to press against the trailer door to releasably seal the trailer door against the trailer body at said open end and a sealing member actuation means for actuating the sealing member.

2. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing member directly engages with the trailer door to create and maintain a seal between the trailer door and the trailer body.

3. A trailer according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sealing member is pivotally mounted to the trailer body.

4. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing member comprises a sealing portion for engaging with the trailer door and an actuation portion for engaging with the actuation means, the sealing portion and the actuation portion are located at opposite ends of the clamping body and wherein the sealing member comprises a pivot receiving means for receiving a pivot, the pivot receiving means being located between the sealing portion and the actuation portion.

5. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

6. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is configured to pivot between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

7. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is configured to pivot in a first direction towards an open configuration and to pivot in a second direction towards a closed configuration.

8. A trailer according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when the sealing member is in a closed configuration, it engages, most preferably forcefully engages, the trailerdoor and when the sealing member is in an open configuration, it is out of engagement with the trailer door.

9. A trailer according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein when the sealing member is in a closed configuration, it clamps the trailer door against the trailer body to create a seal between the trailer door and trailer body, most preferably a watertight seal.

10. A trailer according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein when the sealing member is in a closed configuration, the sealing member actuation means remains activated to maintain the forceful engagement of the sealing member against the trailer door.

11. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer comprises a plurality of sealing means, most preferably, wherein the trailer comprises one or more sealing means at a first side of the trailer and one or more sealing means at a second side of the trailer.

12. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer comprises a trailer door actuation means for actuating the opening and closing of the door.

13. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer comprises a plurality of door actuation means for actuating opening and closing of the door, most preferably, the trailer comprises one or more door actuation means at a first side of the trailer and one or more door actuation means at a second side of the trailer.

14. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer door is pivotally mounted on the trailer body.

15. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member actuation means is a hydraulic actuation means, most preferably the sealing member actuation means is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder.

16. A trailer according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the door actuation means is a hydraulic actuation means, most preferably the door actuation means is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder.

17. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer comprises a control means for controlling the operation of one or more of the door actuation means and the sealing member actuation means.

18. A trailer according to claim 17, wherein the control means is configured to operate the door actuation means and the sealing member actuation means sequentially.

19. A trailer according to claim 11, wherein when the trailer comprises a plurality of sealing member actuation means, the control means is configured to operate the plurality sealing member actuation means simultaneously.

20. A trailer according to claim 13, wherein when the trailer comprises a plurality of door actuation means, the control means is configured to operate the plurality of door actuation means simultaneously.

21. A trailer according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein, to release the seal and open the trailer door, the control means is configured to first activate the sealing member actuation means to release the seal and then to activate the door actuation means to open the door.

22. A trailer according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein, to close the trailer door and bring the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body, the control means is configured to first activate the door actuation means to close the door and then, when the door actuation means is fully exhausted to close the door as much as possible, the control means is configured to activate the sealing member actuation means to clamp the trailer door into sealing engagement with the trailer body.

23. A trailer according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the control means comprises one or more valves, most preferably, the control means comprises one or more sequence valves.

24. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer door comprises a locking means engageable with a retaining means on the trailer body to lock the trailer door closed, wherein the retaining means is a bearing, stub or any other suitable means extending from the trailer body, most preferably from a side wall ofthe trailer body and wherein the locking means is a hook extending laterally beyond the side edge ofthe trailer door, most preferably ata lower portion ofthe trailer door.

25. A sealing means for use on a trailer, the sealing means being configured to bring the trailer door ofthe trailer into sealing engagement with the trailer body, the sealing5 means comprising a sealing member configured to press against the trailer door toreleasably seal the trailer door against the trailer body and an actuation means for actuating the sealing member, wherein the sealing member comprises a pivot receiving means for receiving a pivot to enable pivotable mounting to a trailer chassis, most preferably a trailer body.10

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