Patent ID: 6354784
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B65B,B65D

Abstract:
A method of mechanically handling flowable material comprising loading it onto a deck-spaced pallet base having a frame within which there are provided a pair of downwardly-openable flaps pivotally mounted on opposed side elements of the frame, outer ground-engaging rigid supports being fixed beneath said frame elements and inner ground-engaging supports being fixed beneath the ends of the flaps remote from their pivots, whereby the flaps are held closed during loading by contact between the ground and the supports on said flaps, transporting the loaded base to a required location by applying a lifting force beneath the flaps which acts to hold them closed during transport, resting the supports on the frame elements upon suitably spaced-apart members at said location, and removing said force to permit the flaps to open without any manual intervention for central gravity discharge of the material.