Mobile pharmaceutical hopper

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said lip having an outer portion that is recessed inwardly to form a cover-engaging upright rim and ledge,
• further including
• a rib formed in the outer shell and abutting against the underside of the ledge of the lip,
• the ledge having an opening formed therein extending from the top of the ledge to the rib.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an innter shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said closure means including a slide gate valve,
• said slide gate valve having
• a frame mounted on the bottom wall of the outer shell and surrounding the discharge opening,
• a slide gate slidably mounted in the frame,
• said slide gate valve including
• a pull bar mounted on the slide gate,
• the pull bar having a handle having an opening extending through it,
• a thumb screw mounted on the outer shell next to the handle,
• said thumb screw having an opening extending through it,
• said openings in the handle and thumb screw being aligned with each other to permit a tamper evident wire to be put through the openings.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said closure means including a slide gate valve,
• said slide gate valve having
• a frame mounted on the bottom wall of the outer shell and surrounding the discharge opening, and
• a slide gate slidably mounted in the frame,
• said slide gate valve including
• a pull bar mounted on the slide gate, further including
• nut means adjustably mounted on the pull bar adapted to engage the outside of the outer shell for limiting how far the slide gate closes the discharge opening.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said closure means including a slide gate valve,
• said slide gate valve having
• a frame mounted on the bottom wall of the outer shell and surrounding the discharge opening, and
• a slide gate slidably mounted in the frame,
• said slide gate valve including
• a pull bar mounted on the slide gate, further including
• nut means adjustably mounted on the pull bar adapted to engage the outside of the outer shell for limiting how far the slide gate closes the discharge opening.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired, and
• mounting means for mounting a discharge chute over the discharge opening,
• said mounting means including
• a discharge chute retainer mounted on the bottom wall of the outer shell and surrounding the discharge opening, said discharge chute retainer having an annular flange for holding the peripheral end portions of a discharge chute.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four opposed upright outer walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a frustoconical bottom wall and four inner walls extending upwardly from the frustoconical bottom wall,
• a lip rim along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the frustoconical bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• means for blocking access to the closure means to protect the closure means form being struck and damaged by the tines of a forklift truck.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• further including
• means for blocking access to the closure means to protect the closure means form being struck and damaged by the tines of a forklift truck,
• said blocking means including
• raised bosses formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell to protect the closure means from damage by the tines of a forklift.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four opposed upright outer walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four inner walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip rim along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• further including
• a cover for covering the hopper,
• said cover including
• a flat portion,
• a downwardly extending skirt portion connected to the flat portion which forms a secure fit with the hopper when placed thereon, and
• a manway formed in the flat portion.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four opposed upright outer walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four inner walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip rim along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the frustoconical bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• further including
• a cover for covering the hopper,
• said cover including
• a flat portion,
• a downwardly extending skirt portion connected to the flat portion which forms a secure fit with the hopper when placed thereon,
• a manway formed in the flat portion, and
• a lid for covering the manway.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• a cover for covering the hopper,
• said cover including
• a flat portion,
• a downwardly extending skirt portion connected to the flat portion which forms a secure fit with the hopper when placed thereon, and
• a manway formed in the flat portion,
• further including
• a lid for covering the manway,
• further including a pair of towers formed in said flat portion and extending vertically upwardly from the flat portion for a distance at least as high as the vertical projection of the lid above the flat portion,
• said towers being positioned so that, when another hopper is stacked on the cover, the downwardly extending legs and runners of the upper hopper rest on the flat portion of the cover, and the towers about said leg and runners to prevent lateral movement of said upper stacked hopper on said cover.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired, and
• a cover for covering the hopper,
• said cover including
• a pair of spacing towers formed in the cover at opposite ends of the cover, the combined width of each pair being sufficiently wide enough so that tines of the forklift must be spaced apart a distance such that the tines cannot accidentally damage the slide gate valve of the upper stacked hopper,
• said pairs of spacing towers being high enough to prevent the tines of a forklift from being inserted into the vertical space between said spacing towers and the upper stacked hopper.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• a cover for covering the hopper, and
• means for latching the cover to the lid of the hopper,
• said latching means including
• an adjustable draw latch apparatus mounted on the outer shell having a rod,
• said rod extending through a notch in the lip ledge of the hopper and a slot in the cover of the hopper.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a frustoconical bottom wall and four walls extending upwardly from the frustoconical bottom wall,
• a lip along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the frustoconical bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said closure means including a slide gate valve,
• said slide gate valve having
• a frame mounted on the bottom wall of the outer shell and surrounding the discharge opening, and
• a slide gate slidably mounted in the frame,
• said hopper further including
• a pair of spaced-apart runners extending downwardly from opposed upright walls and forming spaces which allow entrance of the tines of a forklift truck to pick up the hopper,
• said runners having a protecting portion with a width substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the discharge opening and the closure means and positioned in front of the discharge opening and the closure means for blocking and protecting the discharge opening and the closure means from the tines of a forklift truck as they pick up the hopper,
• said lip having an outer portion that is recessed inwardly to form a cover-engaging upright rim and ledge,
• a rib formed in the outer shell and abutting against the underside of the ledge of the lip,
• the ledge having an opening formed therein extending from the top of the ledge to the rib, and
• a card holder mounted on an upright wall of the outer shell for holding a card that identifies the contents of the hopper,
• said slide gate valve including a pull bar mounted on the slide gate,
• the pull bar having a handle having an opening extending through it,
• a thumb screw mounted on the outer shell next to the handle,
• said thumb screw having an opening extending through it,
• said openings in the handle and thumb screw being aligned with each other to permit a tamper evident wire to be put through the openings
• said hopper further including
• mounting means for mounting a discharge chute over the discharge opening,
• said mounting means including
• a discharge chute retainer mounted on the bottom wall of the outer shell and surrounding the discharge opening, said discharge chute retainer having an annular flange for holding the peripheral end portions of a discharge chute,
• a discharge chute held by the annular flange of the discharge chute retainer, and
• said hopper further including
• means for blocking access to the closure means to protect the closure means from being struck and damaged by the tines of a forklift truck,
• said blocking means including
• raised bosses formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell to protect the closure means from damage by the tines of a forklift,
• said hopper further including
• a cover for covering the hopper,
• said cover including
• a flat portion,
• a downwardly extending skirt portion connected to the flat portion which forms a secure fit with the hopper when placed thereon,
• a manway formed in the flat portion,
• a lid for covering the manway, a pair of towers formed in said flat portion and extending vertically upwardly from the flat portion for a distance at least as high as the vertical projection of the lid above the flat portion,
• said towers being positioned so that, when another hopper is stacked on the cover, the downwardly extending legs and runners of the upper hopper rest on the flat portion of the cover, and the towers abut said leg and runners to prevent lateral movement of said upper stacked hopper on said cover,
• a pair of spacing towers formed in the cover at opposite ends of the cover, the combined width of each pair being sufficiently wide enough so that tines of the forklift must be spaced apart a distance such that the tines cannot accidentally damage the slide gate valve of the upper stacked hopper,
• said pairs of spacing towers being high enough to prevent the tines of a forklift from being inserted into the vertical space between said spacing towers and the upper stacked hopper, and
• means for latching the cover to the lip of the hopper,
• said latching means including
• an adjustable draw latch apparatus mounted on the outer shell having a rod,
• said rod extending through a notch in the lip ledge of the hopper and a slot in the cover of the hopper, and
• said hopper further including
• transport means for transporting the hopper from place to place,
• said transport means including
• a dolly with a pair of wheels and a pair of casters.

An integral double wall hopper comprising

• an outer shell including a cylindrical upright wall and a bottom panel,
• an inner shell having a cylindrical upright wall with a frustoconical lower portion,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the frusto conical lower portion of the inner shell and in the bottom panel of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said outer shell bottom panel including four downwardly extending legs forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a main cover adapted to fit over and cover the top of the hopper,
• said cover including a downwardly extending lip portion which forms a secure fit with the hopper when placed thereon,
• said lip portion of the cover including a plurality of spaced apart ribs formed therein.

An integral double wall hopper comprising

• an outer shell including a cylindrical upright wall and a bottom panel,
• an inner shell having a cylindrical upright wall with a frustoconical lower portion,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom wall of the frusto conical lower portion of the inner shell and in the bottom panel of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said outer shell bottom panel including four downwardly extending legs forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a main cover adapted to fit over and cover the top of the hopper,
• said cover including a downwardly extending lip portion which forms a secure fit with the hopper when placed thereon,
• wherein the cover is hinged at one end to allow a portion of said cover to be raised to give access to the contents of the hopper without removing the entire cover.

An integral double wall hopper comprising

• an outer shell including a cylindrical upright wall and a bottom panel,
• an inner shell having a cylindrical upright wall with a frustoconical lower portion,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom of the frusto conical lower portion of the inner shell and in the bottom panel of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said outer shell bottom panel including four downwardly extending legs forming supporting members for the hopper,
• said outer shell bottom panel further including a pair of spaced apart runners spaced opposite one another along the outer shell upright wall between said downwardly extending legs for blocking and protecting the discharge opening and closure means from the tines of a forklift truck as they pick up the hopper,
• a main cover adapted to fit over and cover the top of the hopper,
• the cover including
• a plurality of upwardly extending towers,
• said towers being positioned to abut the legs and runners of a second hopper when the second hopper is stacked on the cover to prevent lateral movement of the second hopper on the cover.

An integral double wall hopper comprising

• an outer shell including a cylindrical upright wall and a bottom panel,
• an inner shell having a cylindrical upright wall with a frustoconical lower portion,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom of the frusto conical lower portion of the inner shell and in the bottom panel of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said outer shell bottom panel including four downwardly extending legs forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a main cover adapted to fit over and cover the top of the hopper,
• the cover including
• a manway formed therein, said manway to be adaptable to be covered with a lid,
• a plurality of upwardly extending towers having a height that is at least equal to a vertical projection of the lid above the cover.

An integral double wall hopper comprising

• an outer shell including a cylindrical upright wall and a bottom panel,
• an inner shell having a cylindrical upright wall with a frustoconical lower portion,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom of the frusto conical lower portion of the inner shell and in the bottom panel of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said outer shell bottom panel including four downwardly extending legs forming supporting members for the hopper,
• said outer shell bottom panel further including a pair of spaced apart runners spaced opposite one another along the outer shell upright wall between said downwardly extending legs for blocking and protecting the discharge opening and closure means from the tines of a forklift truck as they pick up the hopper,
• a main cover adapted to fit over and cover the top of the hopper,
• the cover including
• a manway formed therein, said manway to be adaptable to be covered with a lid,
• a plurality of upwardly extending towers having a height that is at least equal to a vertical projection of the lid above the cover,
• said towers being positioned to abut the legs and runners of a second hopper when the second hopper is stacked on the cover to prevent lateral movement of the second hopper on the cover.

An integral double wall hopper comprising

• an outer shell including a cylindrical upright wall and a bottom panel,
• an inner shell having a cylindrical upright wall with a frustoconical lower portion,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom of the frusto conical lower portion of the inner shell and in the bottom panel of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said outer shell bottom panel including four downwardly extending legs forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a main cover adapted to fit over and cover the top of the hopper,
• the cover including
• a pair of spacing towers formed at opposite ends of the cover nearest the front and rear walls of the outer shell,
• said spacing towers being wide enough so that tines of a forklift must be spaced apart for a distance such that they cannot damage the closure means of a second hopper stacked on the cover.

An integral double wall hopper comprising

• an outer shell including a cylindrical upright wall and a bottom panel,
• an inner shell having a cylindrical upright wall with a frustoconical lower portion,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the bottom of the frusto conical lower portion of the inner shell and in the bottom panel of the outer shell,
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• said outer shell bottom panel including four downwardly extending legs forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a main cover adapted to fit over and cover the top of the hopper,
• the cover including
• a pair of spacing towers formed at opposite ends of the cover nearest the front and rear walls of the outer shell,
• said spacing towers being wide enough so that tines of a forklift must be spaced apart for a distance such that they cannot damage the closure means of a second hopper stacked on the cover,
• said spacing towers being high enough to prevent the tines of a forklift from being inserted into the vertical space between said spacing towers and the bottom of the front and rear walls of the outer shell of a second hopper when the second hopper is stacked on the cover.

An integral double wall hopper for handling, storing and dispensing dry flowables such as capsules, tablets, and powders in the pharmaceutical industry, comprising

• an outer shell having a bottom wall and four opposed upright outer walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• an inner shell having a bottom wall and four inner walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall,
• a lip rim along the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls connecting the outer shell to the inner shell,
• said outer and inner shells being integrally molded together to form the double wall hopper,
• four downwardly extending legs formed in the bottom wall of the outer shell forming supporting members for the hopper,
• a discharge opening molded in the center of the frustoconical bottom wall of the inner shell and in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and
• closure means positioned on the discharge opening for opening and closing the discharge opening to dispense the contents of the hopper when desired,
• further including
• a cover for covering the hopper,
• said cover including
• a flat portion,
• a downwardly extending skirt portion connected to the flat portion which forms a secure fit with the hopper when placed thereon, and
• said closure means including a slide gate valve,
• said slide gate valve having
• a frame mounted on the bottom wall of the outer shell and surrounding the discharge opening, and
• a slide gate slidably mounted in the frame, and
• the cover including
• access means for providing access to the contents of the hopper without removing the entire cover.