Patent ID: 6558111
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A method to unload bulk powder from a large bulk container removably mounted on a platform, the container having surrounding walls and a floor mounted on a structural frame and two ends, a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end is closed and rear having doors, the powder being stored in the container and the container having a means of tilting at an angle from about 0 to at least 40 degrees wherein the tilting means is selected from the group consisting of an inclined structure, ramps, a lifting front wheel, a tilt trailer, a truck tilting platform, a stationary tilt platform and a crane to hoist the rear end of the container higher than the front end; and vibrators mounted outside of the container and attached to heavy channel rails and cross members supporting the floor of the container, the method comprising the steps of;(a) connecting to the rear end of the container a manifold having a inlet and discharge sections the manifold being mounted by a support member connected to a location selected from the group consisting of the rear end of the container and the platform in order to connect the inlet of the manifold to rear end of the container, and wherein at least a portion of the manifold is lined with a pneumatic conditioning membrane and wherein on the manifold is a service port by which gas service is supplied to the pneumatic conditioning membrane in order to enhance the flow of the bulk powder in the manifold and throughout the powder's entire mass; (b) tilting the container to an angle between 0 and at least 40 degrees; (c) activating the pneumatic conditioning membrane by supplying gas to the membrane, with the proviso that if the angle of tilt is fixed and is an angle less than the angle of repose of the bulk powder the vibrators are activated wherein activated means that the vibrators are vibrating by means of electric or air power drive to walk the powder in the direction of the manifold.