US 9,309,064 B2 · Belly-dump intermodal cargo container

Abstract

A container comprising a frame conforming to ISO intermodal container dimensions, a hopper attached within the frame; the hopper defining a chute having a first opening and a second opening, at least one door pivotally attached to the hopper proximal to the second opening; at least one gate assembly attached to the at least one door; a connector apparatus panel mounted to the frame; and at least one actuating fluid or electrical line connected between the at least one gate and the connector apparatus panel. An alternative embodiment includes at least one air tank connected to the container and filled through an air transfer system and a plunger system to cause actuation of container doors for releasing of materials into a second receptacle and where the air transfer and plunger systems reside partially on a rough terrain container handler vehicle.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system for handling bulk materials comprising:

a container;
a rough terrain container handler releasably attached to said container;
an air transfer system having a delivery component attached to said rough terrain container handler and a receiving component attached to said container;
a plunger system mounted on said rough terrain container handler, wherein said plunger system comprises:
a housing;
a cylinder slidable within said housing, said cylinder having a clevis at a top end;
a guide lip attached to the bottom of said housing, said guide lip extending down and outward at an obtuse angle of approximately 130° relative to a horizontal plane along said bottom of said housing;
a mounting bracket mounted to said housing;
a pin releasably connecting said housing to sid cylinder at a desired height within said housing;
a plurality of fluid lines connecting said plunger system to said rough terrain container handler;
a rod connected at one end to said cylinder;
and
a plunger connected to an opposite end of said rod.

10 more elements

A system for handling bulk material, said system comprising:

a container;
a rough terrain container handler vehicle;
an air transfer system releasably mounted to said rough terrain container handler vehicle, said air transfer system having a first portion and a second portion and wherein said first portion of said air transfer system is attached to said rough terrain container handler vehicle and said second portion of said air transfer system is attached to said container, said air transfer system comprising:
an air source;
a housing;
slidable column within said housing;
a first block attached to one end of said slidable column and having a recessed portion in the center of said first block and an aperture in the center of said recessed portion, said aperture providing a fluid pathway;
a plurality of biasing means for biasing said first block toward said second portion of said air transfer system, said plurality of biasing means connected to said slidable column;
fastening means for fastening said first block to said slidable column;
a fluid line having a first end and a second end, said first end of said fluid line connected to said air source;
a connector connected to said first block on one side and to said second end of said fluid line;
and a gasket attached to said first block;
a plunger system releasably mounted to said rough terrain container handler vehicle;
at least one air tank attached to said container and in fluid communication with said air transfer system;
and
a lever mounted on said container and in fluid communication with said at least one air tank.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Belly-dump intermodal cargo container

Life of this patent

Belly-dump intermodal cargo container

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15