Loader Hopper with Anti-Spill Lip and Central Chute
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering and dispensing flowable materials like concrete to remote locations are inefficient, labor-intensive, and prone to material waste due to physical limitations of concrete trucks, manual handling, and design flaws in existing hopper attachments for loader vehicles, which result in high costs and potential for faulty pours.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, attachable hopper apparatus for loader vehicles with a rectangular design featuring converging lower side walls, a central discharge chute, anti-spill lip, and adjustable mounting brackets that allow for precise material distribution and improved stability, enabling single-operator operation on uneven terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If concrete trucks are used to deliver material to remote locations, then material can be transported in large quantities, but the trucks cannot reach the final pour site and require additional equipment and manpower for distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the delivery process by separating the bulk transport function (concrete truck) from the final delivery function (hopper attachment). The hopper acts as an intermediate container that can be detached from the truck and attached to a loader for precise placement at the pour site, resolving the contradiction between bulk transport capability and final delivery accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If pumps and wheelbarrows are used for material distribution, then material can be delivered to the pour site, but labor costs and time required are substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper utilizes hydraulic systems integrated with the loader vehicle to mechanically lift, position, and discharge the concrete. This replaces manual pumping and wheelbarrow operations, dramatically increasing productivity while reducing labor requirements. The hydraulic discharge mechanism allows rapid, controlled material flow directly to the pour site.
3Measurement precision
If hand carried buckets are used for material delivery, then accurate placement of materials is achieved, but the process is time consuming and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper serves as an intermediary between the concrete truck and the final pour site. It combines the accuracy of manual placement (by allowing visual observation and precise positioning of the discharge opening) with the efficiency of mechanical handling (hydraulic lifting and discharge). This eliminates the need for repeated manual bucket carrying while maintaining placement precision.
4Quantity of substance
If standard dumping buckets are used with full width design, then container capacity is increased, but precision in directing material to small pour areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper design concentrates the discharge capability at a specific location (the front discharge opening) rather than distributing it across the full width. The converging side walls and centralized chute direct all material flow through a single, controllable opening, enabling precise targeting of small pour areas like post holes while maintaining large storage capacity in the hopper body.
5Ease of operation
If mounting brackets are placed high on the loader arm, then operator enclosure door can remain closed, but the loader stability with full container is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket design incorporates a lower bracket position that acts as a counterbalancing support point. This lower mounting location provides a stabilizing moment that counteracts the toppling effect of the heavy, full hopper, maintaining loader stability while still allowing the operator enclosure door to remain closed during operation.
6Quantity of substance
If elongated bucket design is used to promote increased capacity, then more material can be carried, but the ability to complete pours requiring precision in narrow areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper design dynamically adapts its discharge characteristics through the controlled opening mechanism. The converging side walls and adjustable discharge opening allow the system to optimize material flow for different job requirements - whether large area pours or precise placement in narrow post holes - while maintaining large storage capacity. The design is not fixed but adaptable to various pouring scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hopper apparatus enables efficient, precise, and cost-effective delivery and dispensing of flowable materials, reducing waste and labor costs by allowing single-operator operation on variable terrain and improving stability and precision in material placement.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-spill lip, the perimeter of which defines the hopper opening, is angled between 30° to 90° inwardly from the vertical planes of the front, back and upper side walls towards the top hopper opening
Implementation Method 2
The front vertical wall includes a discharge chute. The opening of the chute is centrally located on the lower portion of the front vertical wall that is located equidistant between the downwardly and inwardly converging first and second lower sidewalls. A discharge door controls the flow of said flowable material through the discharge opening to the discharge chute.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an open top generally rectangular hopper for the delivery and discharge of a flowable material. The hopper has lower side walls which converge inwardly and downwardly and are joined to a bottom plate. The hopper also has a bracket mounted on the exterior of the back vertical wall for securing the hopper container to the arm of a transport vehicle. A discharge chute is located on the lower portion of the front vertical wall about equidistant between the downwardly and inwardly converging lower sidewalls. In certain embodiments, an anti-spill lip surrounds the perimeter of the hopper opening and is angled between 30° to 90° inwardly from the vertical walls.