# US 10,370,184 B2 · Tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,184 B2 - Document ID: US10370184B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/656,263 - Filed: 2017-07-21 - Published: 2018-02-15 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-24 - Assignees: D&BD Marketing d/b/a Bulk Flow - Applicants: D & B D Marketing, LLC. - Inventors: Oswaldo Mino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370184B2 ## CPC - B65D 88/546: {Devices for loading or unloading and forming part of the container, e.g. rollers, conveyors (loading or unloading vehicles B65G67/20)} - B60P 1/003: {vehicles with loading gates (B60P1/43 takes precedence)} - B65D 88/26: Hoppers, i.e. containers having funnel-shaped discharge sections (B65D88/34 - B65D88/78 take precedence) - B65D 88/62: the walls being deformable - B65D 88/66: using vibrating or knocking devices - B65D 90/046: {Flexible liners, e.g. loosely positioned in the container} - B65D 90/48: Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices - B60P 1/38: forming the main load-transporting element or part thereof {(B60P1/365 takes precedence)} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) ## Abstract A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner using a first layer on the container liner floor having a friction reducing top layer and a friction enhancing bottom layer to secure first layer against movement. A second layer of flexible high strength material folded in over lapping multiple pre-folded sections from at least two to eight folded stacked layers are used to cover the friction reducing top first layer. The second layer is connected to a coiling means and motor for coiling up and removing the second layer from the container over the friction reducing top layer of the first layer and the bulk cargo comes out with the second layer into a hopper provided with means for bulk product distribution. Vibrators, depth measuring devices and speed controls are provided to control bulk cargo unloading and prevent blockage build up. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner placed in a container which container liner has been loaded using said tilt-less liner apparatus with bulk cargo on top and said container liner has a linear floor located between two sidewalls of said container liner and having a front end and a back end formed into a bulkhead, by ridged members being placed across said back end of said container liner, to retain said bulk cargo in said container liner and with at least one port in said back end substantially the width of said container liner floor between said two side walls and located proximate said container liner floor for allowing unloading of said bulk cargo therethrough comprising: a. a first layer means placed on said linear liner floor of said container liner to cover said container liner floor having a friction lowering upper surface and a friction promoting lower surface laid against said container liner floor for restricting the movement of said first layer means, b. a second floor liner composed of a flexible high strength material laid over said first layer means, in contact with said friction lowering upper surface of said first layer means for allowing easy movement there across, and arranged in stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked over said first layer means covering said container liner floor for removal of said bulk cargo with said second floor liner; c. a coiling means removably connected to said container and to said second floor liner at said back end for pulling said second floor liner over said friction lowering upper surface of said first layer means and out of said stacks of over lapping pre-folded arrangement and out of said container liner causing said bulk cargo to move out with said second floor liner as said second floor liner is coiled on said coiling means and moved out of said container liner; d. a hopper means provided below said coiling means for receiving said bulk cargo as said coiling means coils up said second floor liner on said coiling means and said second floor liner is moved from said container liner and for processing said bulk cargo for distribution; and e. a distribution means provided in said hopper means for the collection of said bulk cargo from said hopper means for controlled distribution of said unloaded bulk cargo. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 1 wherein said second floor liner composed of flexible high strength material in arranged stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked over said first layer means covering said container liner floor further comprises; a. serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked and arranged with said stacks of said pre-folded sections being in alternating opposite directions for creating different pulling force effects for loosening said bulk cargo for removal with said second floor liner as said second floor liner is removed from said container liner by coiling said second floor liner on said coiling means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 2 wherein said second floor liner composed of serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked and arranged with said stacks of said pre-folded sections being in alternating opposite directions further comprising; a. serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked and arranged with said stacks of said pre-folded sections being in alternating opposite directions from said front end of said container liner to said back end of said container liner for creating different pulling force effects for loosening said bulk cargo for removal of said bulk cargo with said second floor liner as said second floor liner is removed from said container liner by coiling said second floor liner on said coiling means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 3 wherein serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked and arranged with said stacks of said pre-folded sections being in alternating opposite directions further comprising; a. said serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to eight folded layers stacked are arranged with spaced apart openings to receive some of said bulk cargo for creating different pulling force effects against said bulk cargo and for breaking up and moving said bulk cargo for removal with said second floor liner as said second floor liner is removed from said container liner by coiling said second floor liner on said coiling means. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 4 further comprising; a. releasable tape strips applied to said serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked for holding said folded layers stacked in position when said folded layers stacked are positioned on said first layer means for receiving said loading of said bulk cargo, but release upon removal of said second floor liner by said coiling means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 5 further comprising; a. an inflatable and deflate able fluid pillow for covering said at least one port in said bulkhead and preventing bulk cargo from passing out when said fluid pillow is inflated but allowing bulk cargo and said second floor liner to pass out said at least one port for unloading said bulk cargo when said fluid pillow is deflated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 6 further comprising; a. a gravitational scraper means formed by locating said hopper means at an angle of 45 degrees or more below said coiling means connected to said second floor liner where said second floor liner is coiled for removing any excess bulk cargo from said second floor liner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 7 further comprising; a. At least one motor means connected to said coiling means for turning said coiling means for pulling said second floor liner out of said container liner and b. control means on said at least one motor means to vary pulling power and adjusting removal speed of said second floor liner and bulk cargo out of said container liner. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 8 further comprising; a. At least one or more vibrator means located and removably connected on said ridged members across said back end of said container liner formed into said bulkhead across said back end of said container liner for breaking up bulk cargo piled up against said container liner bulkhead to control accumulation of bulk cargo, and b. Control means on said one or more vibrator means for varying the frequency and intensity of said vibrator means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 9 further comprising; a. At least one or more depth sensor means located and removably connected proximate said back end of said container liner formed into said bulkhead across said back end of said container liner for measuring the depth of said bulk cargo if any is piled up against said bulkhead as said second floor liner is pulled out of said container liner and coiled up on said coiling means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 8 wherein said distribution means further comprises; a. bulk cargo handling means for receiving said bulk cargo and processing said bulk cargo for moving said bulk cargo to a desired location and in desired quantities. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 10 further comprising; a. a computer control means for receiving and for sending signals to control said pulling power and adjusting said speed of said at least one motor means connected to said coiling means for controlling the speed of said second floor liner as it is pulled out of said container liner; said vibration of said at least one or more vibrator means; and to provide read outs of at least one or more depth sensor means removably connected to said bulkhead; and for controlling of said distribution means provided in said hopper means for processing said bulk cargo for controlled distribution of said unloaded bulk cargo; and b. means for operator input and automatic control of said computer control means. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 1 wherein said first floor layer means further comprises a. a fluidizing system means positioned between said container liner floor and said second floor layer means for providing a friction lowering upper surface provided by fluid flow for allowing easier movement of said second floor liner out of said container liner when being pulled out by said coiling means removably connected to said second floor liner for coiling said second floor liner. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The till-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 13 wherein said second floor liner further comprises; a. flexible high strength material strips for being part of said second floor liner in spaced apart relationship over the width of said second floor liner and running said length of said second floor liner to provide increased strength and allow higher pulling forces on said second floor liner without damage to said second floor liner as pulled out. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 14 wherein said second floor liner having flexible high strength material strips for being part of said second floor liner in spaced apart relationship over the width of said second floor liner and running the length of said floor liner to provide increased strength further comprises; a. aperture means in said second floor liner in said surfaces in spaced apart relationship over said flexible high strength material strips for allowing fluidizing fluids to pass through said second floor liner to fluidize said bulk cargo as said second floor liner is pulled out by coiling said second floor liner. ### Claim 16 A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner placed in a container which container liner has been loaded using said tilt-less liner apparatus and with bulk cargo using said system in said container liner having a linear liner floor located between two sidewalls of said container liner and having a front end and a back end which is formed into a bulkhead, by ridged members being placed across said back end of said container liner, to retain said bulk cargo in said container liner and with a port in said back end substantially the width of said container liner floor between said two side walls and located at said container liner floor where said back end meets said container liner floor for allowing unloading of said bulk cargo therethrough comprising; a. first layer means placed on said linear liner floor of said container liner to cover said container liner floor having a friction lowering upper surface and a friction promoting lower surface laid against said container liner floor for restricting the movement of said first layer means, b. a second floor liner composed of a flexible high strength material laid over said first layer means, in contact with said friction lowering upper surface of said first layer means for easy movement there across, and arranged in stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to eight folded stacked layers over said first layer means covering said container liner floor; c. a container securing frame for removably connecting to and aligning with said container; d. a coiling means connected to said container securing frame and adjustable for removable connection to said second floor liner at said back end for pulling said second floor liner over said friction lowering upper surface of said first layer means and out of said stacked over lapping pre-folded arrangement and out of said container liner causing said bulk cargo to move out with said second floor liner as said second floor liner is coiled on said coiling means and moved out of said container liner; e. a hopper means connected to said container securing frame and positioned below said coiling means and adjustable for aligning with said container at said bulkhead end of said container liner for receiving said bulk cargo as bulk cargo drops off said second floor liner as said coiling means removes said second floor liner from said container liner; and f. a distribution means provided to said hopper means for the collection of said bulk cargo from said hopper means for controlled distribution of said unloaded bulk cargo. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A tilt-less liner apparatus and, system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 14 wherein said second floor liner composed of flexible high strength material in arranged stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked over said first layer means covering said container liner floor further comprises; a. serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to eight folded layers stacked and arranged with said stacks of said pre-folded sections being in alternating opposite directions for creating different pulling force effects for loosening said bulk cargo for removal of said bulk cargo with said second floor liner as said second floor liner is removed from said container liner by coiling said second floor liner on said coiling means. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a. container liner in a container of claim 17 wherein serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to ten folded layers stacked and arranged with said stacks of said pre-folded sections being in alternating opposite directions further comprising; a. said serial stacks of over lapping multiple pre-folded sections of from at least two to up to eight folded layers stacked are arranged with spaced apart openings to receive some of said bulk cargo for creating different pulling force effects against said bulk cargo and for breaking up and moving said bulk cargo for removal with said second floor liner as said second floor liner is removed from said container liner by coiling said second floor liner on said coiling means. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 18 further comprising; a. a gravitational scraper means formed by locating said hopper means at an angle of 45 degrees or more below said coiling means connected to said second floor liner where said second floor liner is coiled for removing any excess bulk cargo from said second floor liner. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 19 further comprising; a. At least one motor means connected to said coiling means for turning said coiling means for pulling said second floor liner out of said container liner and b. control means on said at least one motor means to vary pulling power and adjusting removal speed of said second floor liner and bulk cargo out of said container liner. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 20 further comprising; a. At least one or more vibrator means connected to said container securing frame and removably and remotely connected on said ridged members across said back end of said container liner formed into said bulkhead across said back end of said container liner for breaking up bulk cargo piled up against said container liner bulkhead to control accumulation of bulk cargo, and b. Control means on said one or more vibrator means for varying the frequency and intensity of said vibrator means. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 21 further comprising; a. An extension member connected to said container securing frame for providing a mounting means for at least one or more depth sensor means and for positioning said at least one or more depth sensor means proximate said back end of said container liner formed into said bulkhead when said container securing frame is connected to said container at said back end of said container liner for measuring the depth of said bulk cargo if any is piled up against said bulkhead as said second floor liner is pulled out of said container liner and coiled up on said coiling means. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner in a container of claim 22 further comprising; a. a computer control panel mounted on said container securing frame and connected for receiving and for sending signals to control said pulling power and adjusting said speed of said at least one motor means connected to said coiling means for controlling the speed of said second floor liner as it is pulled out of said container liner; to control said vibration of said at least one or more vibrator means; and to provide read outs of at least one or more depth sensor means removably positioned in said container liner at said bulkhead; and for controlling of said means provided in said hopper means for processing said bulk cargo for controlled distribution of said unloaded bulk cargo to adjust and optimize the unloading of said tilt-less apparatus, and b. means for operator input and automatic control of said computer control panel for automatic unloading said bulk cargo from said container liner in said container when said container securing frame is secured to said container and connected for operation with said container, container liner and said tilt-less apparatus.