Device for raising the bottom of a container

A device for use with a container having a bottom wall which is movable relative to the sidewall of said container, comprising:

• frame means;
• mechanical extensible means, the lower end of which is mounted on said frame means;
• a lift plate having an external dimension smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the inside dimension of said sidewalls and first connecting means for connecting said lift plate to the upper end of said extensible means so that said lift plate is elevatable with said upper end of said extensible means;
• vertically extendable fluid drive means mounted on said frame means and second connecting means for connecting said fluid drive means to said mechanical extensible means, said mechanical extensible means being extendable in response to an extension of said fluid drive means through said connecting means;
• said bottom wall being positionable over said lift plate and elevated by said fluid drive means and said mechanical extensible means into engagement with said bottom wall, a continued elevating movement of said lift plate causing a movement of said bottom wall relative to said sidewall of said container;
• and
• rotatable support means for rotatably supporting at least said mechanical extensible means and said lift plate connected thereto and relative to said frame means and drive means for drivingly rotating said mechanical extensible means and said lift plate when said lift plate is in engagement with said bottom wall.