Patent ID: 8091925
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: B65D,B65G,F16L

Abstract:
1. A integral tee directing the flow of bulk material from a container, located above a horizontal surface or ground, into a horizontal unloading system using pressurized air, said bulk material having a temperature, the horizontal unloading system having an upstream and an opposite downstream flow of bulk material therein, said integral tee increasing a rate of unloading the bulk material from the container and having a ground clearance, comprising: a flange, generally planar, having a top surface, an opposite bottom surface, and an opening through said flange, said opening communicating with said container for passage of bulk material through said integral tee; a vertically directed hollow pipe extending from said flange and centered upon said opening; a transverse hollow pipe joining to said vertically directed hollow pipe at a juncture opposite said flange, generally parallel to said flange, said transverse hollow pipe including an inlet adapted to receive bulk material from upstream in the horizontal unloading system, an opposite outlet adapted to discharge bulk material downstream from said integral tee into the horizontal unloading system, and said transverse hollow pipe having a diameter; said vertically directed hollow pipe having an internally located flute therein curving immediately from said opening in said flange towards said outlet, said flute forming a transition between said flange, said vertically directed hollow pipe, and said transverse hollow pipe; said flute having a width equal to a diameter of said opening and narrowing to a width equal to the diameter of said transverse hollow pipe, said flute rounding the juncture of said vertically directed hollow pipe and said transverse hollow pipe, and said transition having a generally convex shape; said flute having a flute line extending from said top surface of said flange through said vertically directed hollow pipe then curving into said transverse hollow pipe, said flute accelerating and turning the flow of bulk materials towards said outlet; said vertically directed hollow pipe at said juncture having a generally curved shape towards said outlet and a generally square shape towards said inlet, the curved shape rounding the juncture of said vertically directed hollow pipe and said transverse hollow pipe; a portion of said vertically directed hollow pipe opposite said flute and extending partially into said transverse hollow pipe creating eddies in the flow of bulk material through said integral tee wherein the eddies increase the rate of unloading of the bulk material from the container; said transverse hollow pipe having a drop opening therein generally opposite said flange and corresponding in width to the diameter of the opening in said flange; said drop opening having a lip along the circumference of said drop opening and a bead located upon said lip; a gasket generally annular in shape, abutting said bead, and having a plurality of legs extending outwardly from said gasket; a door closing upon said gasket and sealing said drop opening when said door is closed, said door having an interior surface, said interior surface attaining a flush position with the interior of said transverse hollow pipe wherein the bulk material flows smoothly over said door and wherein said gasket prevents leakage of bulk material from said integral tee; said door including at least one hinge, said hinge located radially outward from said door and said hinge attached to said vertically directed hollow pipe at a plurality of hinge ears thereon; said legs of said gasket entering a plurality of holes in said door for securement of said gasket thereto; and, a cam lever including at least one hinge, said cam lever hinge located generally opposite the hinge of said door and attached to said vertically directed hollow pipe at a plurality of pivot ears, said cam lever being below said door when said door is closed; wherein said cam lever opens oppositely from said door.