Granular material conveyance and transfer apparatus

A system for handling granular material, the system comprising a granular material conveyance apparatus according to any preceding claim and a granular material transfer apparatus,

• wherein the granular material transfer apparatus comprises a filling module and a receiving module, the filling module being configured to be received by the receiving module to transfer granular material between the filling module and the receiving module, the filling module comprising:
• a transport chamber configured to store granular material;
• a conveyor disposed in the transport chamber and configured to move the granular material along a conveyance path to an outlet of the transport chamber;
• and
• a cover disposed with respect to the transport chamber and movable between a closed position in which the outlet from the transport chamber is sealed and an open position in which the outlet from the transport chamber is open to permit discharge of granular material from the transport chamber,
• wherein the granular material source for the granular material conveyance apparatus is provided by the receiving module of the granular material transfer apparatus.

A method of transferring granular material between a filling module and a receiving module, the filling module comprising:

• a transport chamber configured to store granular material;
• a conveyor disposed in the transport chamber and configured to move the granular material along a conveyance path to an outlet of the transport chamber;
• and
• a cover disposed with respect to the transport chamber and movable between a closed position in which the outlet is sealed and an open position in which the outlet is open to permit discharge of granular material from the transport chamber,
• the method comprising steps of:
• coupling the filling module to the receiving module;
• moving the cover from the closed position to the open position;
• and
• operating the conveyor to transfer granular material between the transport chamber and the receiving module via the outlet.

A granular material transfer apparatus, the apparatus comprising a filling module and a receiving module, the filling module being configured to be received by the receiving module to transfer granular material between the filling module and the receiving module, the filling module comprising:

• a transport chamber configured to store granular material;
• a conveyor disposed in the transport chamber and configured to move the granular material along a conveyance path to an outlet of the transport chamber;
• and
• a cover disposed with respect to the transport chamber and movable between a closed position in which the outlet from the transport chamber is sealed and an open position in which the outlet from the transport chamber is open to permit discharge of granular material from the transport chamber.