Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to improved materials handling devices, and more particularly, to containers into which materials are easily loaded and unloaded and which provide for the efficient storage and transportation of the materials deposited therein. The present invention is also directed to unloading facilities associated with the containers which facilitate the removal of the materials deposited in the containers from such containers. The present invention is particularly well suited to provide a materials handling device for storing and transporting scrap metals, which materials handling device includes a container into which, and from which, the scrap metal is easily loaded and unloaded.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to improved materials handling devices, and more particularly, to containers into which materials are easily loaded and unloaded and which provide for the efficient storage and transportation of the materials deposited therein. The present invention is also directed to unloading facilities associated with the containers which facilitate the removal of the materials deposited in the containers from such containers. The present invention is particularly well suited to provide a materials handling device for storing and transporting scrap metals, which materials handling device includes a container into which and from which the scrap metal is easily loaded and unloaded. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     In virtually every industrial process, raw materials are combined or otherwise manipulated to form a finished product. In many cases, the raw materials are stored in bulk and then subdivided into smaller shippable quantities. The smaller quantities may then either be used directly or further subdivided into even smaller quantities by a manufacturer. 
     For example, scrap iron is typically recycled by steel mills by collecting and remelting it for use in new products. The individual pieces of scrap iron are generally of many different weights and sizes and are commonly collected by scrap metal dealers in scrap yards. The scrap metal is often sorted in the scrap yard by placing the scrap metals in piles of related materials. The materials may be related, for example, by metallic composition (e.g., aluminum, steel, copper, etc.) by size of individual scrap pieces or other criteria. After sufficient scrap metal has been accumulated, the piles of scrap metal are loaded into containers for transportation to a steel mill for remelting and use in producing new steel materials. 
     The container into which the scrap is loaded for transportation from the scrap yard to the steel mill may be, for example, a railroad car or the bed of a truck. Also, by way of example, the container may be a shipping container, which shipping container is then in turn loaded generally by using a crane into a railroad car or onto the bed of a truck. 
     Generally, the scrap metal is loaded into the container by grasping the scrap metal with one or more conventional crane-operated grappling hooks and then positioning the grappling hook over the container and opening the hook to cause the scrap metal to fall into the container. The container is then transported to a steel mill where the scrap metal is unloaded, typically by a similar grappling hook method. 
     More particularly, in the typical unloading process, there is provided at the steel mill a scrap metal unloading station or area where the container of scrap metal may be unloaded. In the unloading area, there is generally provided one or more cranes which are fitted with one or more grappling hooks. The scrap metal in the container is seized by the crane-operated grappling hook, which hook is lifted from the container by the crane and is then positioned over yet another container commonly referred to as a “charge bucket”. The hook is then released causing the scrap metal to fall into the charge bucket. 
     The function of the charge bucket is to collect the scrap metal, transport it into the steel mill and transfer the scrap metal from the charge bucket into a melting furnace where the scrap metal can be melted and used in producing new steel products. Conventional charge buckets typically hold about 150,000 to 200,000 pounds of scrap metal and are located on transfer cars. The transfer cars are wheeled platforms that travel on rails to permit the charge bucket to be easily moved from the unloading area to the melting furnace. The transfer car having the charge bucket disposed thereon is then pulled or pushed into the steel mill meltshop where its contents are deposited into one or more furnaces and melted. 
     The grappling method of unloading the container has significant limitations. For example, unloading the container by the grappling method is a slow process and requires a relatively large amount of time. Also, for example, pieces of scrap metal may move or shift positions during the transportation to the steel mill interfering with the grappling operation and requiring hand effort or other machinery to aid in the unloading operation. Still further, near the end of the unloading process it becomes increasingly difficult to grapple the remaining scrap metal requiring hand effort or other machinery to aid in the completion of the unloading operation. Finally, scrap metal has a tendency to fall from the grappling hook as the scrap metal is transported from the container to the charge bucket, creating a safety hazard and requiring still further hand effort or machinery to keep the unloading area free of fallen scrap metal pieces. 
     A presently available improvement to this conventional grappling hook-based scrap metal loading and unloading system utilizes a self-dumping container as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B and discussed in more detail below. 
     In FIG. 1A there is shown an unloading station  10  where scrap metal from a container  12  is unloaded into a charge bucket  14 . Containers of the type of container  12  generally hold about 10,000 pounds of scrap metal. The scrap metal is typically loaded into the container  12  at the scrap metal yard using either the grappling hook-based system described above for pieces of scrap large enough to be grappled or by other methods, such as by hand or with a utility tractor equipped with a bucket for pieces of scrap metal too small or otherwise not suitable for grappling. 
     The container  12  is unloaded into the charge bucket  14  at the steel mill in the fashion described below. The charge bucket  14  used in this improved system is typically cylindrical having an open top  16  and a flat bottom. The charge bucket  14  is disposed over a transfer car  18 , which transfer car  18  includes a plurality of wheels  19  which ride along a pair of rails  20  to allow the charge bucket  14  to be moved between the unloading station  10  and the melt furnace in the steel mill. A planar stage or platform  22  is located near the top of the charge bucket  14  and extends inwardly toward a center  24  of the charge bucket  14 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some charge buckets  14 , the planar stage  22  is not present and a simple bar  23  extends across a portion of the charge bucket  14 , and the container  12  rests on the bar  23  and a lip  25  of the charge bucket  14 . The container  12  used in this improved system is generally rectangular and includes a planar bottom  26 , two opposed side walls  28  and  29 , a front wall  30 , a rear wall  32  and an open top  34 . A bale assembly  40  is mounted on the side walls  28  and  29  of the container  12 . The bale assembly  40  includes a movable bale  42  mounted between two complicated locking devices  44  on either side of the container  12 . The locking devices  44  permit the bale  42  to be maintained in either a nearly vertical locked position, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1A of the drawings, in which pivotal rotation of the bale  42  relative to the container  12  is prevented or in a pivotal position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 1A of the drawings, in which the bale  42  and container  12  are free to pivot relative to one another. Even in its lowest pivotal position, a portion of the bale  42  still extends above the open top  34  of the container  12  as illustrated in FIG.  1 A. 
     In normal operation, the container  12  is filled with scrap metal at the scrap yard. The container  12  is then hoisted onto a transportation means, such as a railcar or truck bed by a crane. During this hoisting operation, the bale  42  is in its locked position to prevent any pivotal movement of the bale  42  relative to the container  12  thereby preventing the container  12  from pivoting and unintentionally permitting the scrap metal to fall out of the container  12  during the hoisting operation. As the container  12  is placed into the railcar or on the truck bed or other transportation device and the crane no longer provides upward force on the bale  42 , the bale  42  is released by the locking mechanisms  44  into its pivotal position. 
     When the container  12  arrives at the steel mill, a crane is attached to the bale  42  to lift the container  12 . The upward force of the crane causes the bale  42  to return to its vertical locked position permitting the container  12  to be transported from the transportation device (e.g., out of a railcar) and onto the platform  22  (or the bar  23  and lip  25  as illustrated in FIG. 1B) without pivotal rotation of the bale  42  relative to the container  12 . After the container  12  has been placed on the platform  22 , the upward force of the crane is released and the complex locking mechanisms  44  release permitting the bale  42  to return to its pivotal position and remain in that position until the container  12  is again raised by bale  42  by the crane. The crane is then used to move and pivotally rotate the container  12  about the platform  22  (or the bar  23  and lip  25  illustrated in FIG. 1B) to cause the scrap metal to fall from the container  12  into the charge bucket  14 . 
     There are, however, problems associated with this improved unloading system. For example, the locking devices  44 , typically ratchet gear boxes, are complex mechanisms that must be activated by lifting the container  12 . The mechanisms of the locking devices  44  often stick due to wear or the build up of pieces of scrap metal in the locking devices which requires physically shaking the container  12 . This presents a safety hazard to the workers in the immediate vicinity of the unloading operation and causes delays in the unloading process. Moreover, attached to a crane, the container  12  is analogous to a free floating pendulum making it difficult to place the container  12  on the platform  22  (or the bar  23  and lip  25  illustrated in FIG.  1 B), making it difficult to control the movement of the container  12  during dumping, and making difficult to accurately dump the scrap metal pieces into the charge bucket  14 . Therefore, the container  12  must be handled slowly and with great care so as not to cause personal injury or property damage. Moreover, because a portion of the bale  42  extends above the open top  34  of the container  12  even when the bale  42  is in its lower pivotal position, stacking several containers  12  on top of one another for storage or transportation, whether empty or full of scrap metal, is not possible. This reduces shipping efficiency when using the container  12  to transport scrap metal in the container  12  to the steel mill. For example, because the shipping containers  12  are not stackable, it is not possible to provide a railroad car full of self-dumping containers  12 . Rather, a railroad car is typically loaded with scrap by the grappling hook method until nearly full, whereupon a few containers of the type of container  12  are placed on top of the scrap metal already loaded into the railroad car. This arrangement results in an undesirable loss of transportation space in the railroad car. An additional drawback of the above-described system is that scrap metal pieces may be inadvertently dumped onto the platform  22  interfering with the setting of the container  12  on the platform  22 . Further, pieces of scrap metal tend to miss the open top  16  of the charge bucket  14  during the unloading process and tend to fall around the base of the charge bucket  14  creating an additional safety hazard. 
     As may be appreciated by the foregoing, there remains a need in the art for a materials handling device which is simple to manufacture and operate which avoids the use of complex locking devices or mechanism and which permits the safe and sure unloading of its contents into a repository. It would also be advantageous to provide a material handling device which is easily and efficiently transported, as for example, by providing materials handling devices that are stackable upon one another. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a materials handling device which is simple to manufacture and operate. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a materials handling device which is easily and efficiently transported by providing materials handling devices which are stackable upon one another. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a materials handling device which permits the safe and sure unloading of its contents into a repository. 
     These and other objects are obtained with the present invention which is directed to a materials handling device which includes: 
     a container comprising a floor and a pair of opposed side walls affixed to the floor to form a structure for receiving materials therein, the container having an open top; 
     a bale having a first and second end, the bale being pivotally affixed to one of the pair of opposed side walls at its first end and pivotally affixed to the other of the side walls at its second end, wherein the bale provides a mechanism for lifting and moving the container; and 
     a means for securing the container over a repository for the materials contained within the container, wherein the securing means secures the container over the repository such that the container may be pivotally rotated to cause the materials within the container to be deposited within the repository. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the securing means includes a means for pivotally rotating the container by pivotally rotating the bale and the container relative to one another. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the securing means includes a hinged supporting device, and the container is pivotally rotated by placing the container on the hinged supporting device and rotating the supporting device about its hinge to pivotally rotate the container. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the materials handling device of the present invention does not employ complex locking devices to prevent pivotal rotation of the bale relative to the container. 
     The materials handling device of the present invention is particularly well suited for transporting and unloading scrap metal. 
     A complete understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like references numbers identify like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B are side perspective views of two presently available materials handling devices; 
     FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a materials handling device in accordance with the present invention illustrating the use of a ramp assembly for unloading the contents of a container; 
     FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a materials handling device in accordance with the present invention illustrating the use of guide rails and hooks with a ramp assembly; 
     FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of a container in accordance with the present invention illustrating alternative placement of bale stops over that illustrated in FIG. 3; 
     FIGS. 4B and 4C are side perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the materials handling device of the present invention illustrating alternative methods for pivotally affixing a bale to the container; 
     FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the materials handling device of the present invention illustrating the use of a ramp extension; 
     FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the materials handling device of the present invention illustrating the use of a substantially horizontal unloading platform; 
     FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the materials handling device of the present invention illustrating the use of a substantially horizontal hinged unloading platform; 
     FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an alterative embodiment of the materials handling device of the present invention illustrating a bar and cross member-type dumping member; 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are each side perspective views of alterative embodiments of the materials handling device of the present invention illustrating the use a hook-type dumping member; and 
     FIGS. 10A,  10 B,  10 C and  10 D are side perspective views of alternative embodiments of the materials handling device of the present invention illustrating alternative embodiments for associating a removable bale with the container of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As used herein, the term scrap metal is not limiting to the invention in that it is not limited to any particular type of metal and the term scrap metal includes scrap iron, stainless steel scrap metal or other alloys. Further, while the present invention is described below in connection with the transportation and handling of scrap metal, as may be appreciated, the present invention is not limited to this application and may be used to handle or transport any type of material or materials. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown one embodiment of a materials handling device in accordance with the present invention. Illustrated in FIG. 2 are container  48  (e.g., a container of scrap metal) and unloading station  50  which cooperate in the manner described below to provide for the fast efficient and complete unloading of the contents of the container  48  into a repository (e.g., a charge bucket  52 ). 
     In this embodiment of the present invention, the unloading station  50  includes an inclined unloading slide or ramp  54  mounted on several supports  56 . The supports  56  are not limiting to the present invention, but preferably are in the form of at least four legs or posts located at or near each corner of the ramp  54 . The ramp  54  includes an upper end  58  and a lower end  59 , with a stop  60  mounted on the lower end  59  of the ramp  54 . The stop  60  is preferably a vertical wall, post or series of posts extending generally upwardly from the lower end  59  of the ramp  54 . The height of the ramp  54  on the supports  56  is such that the lower end  59  of the ramp  54  is slightly above an open top of the repository when the repository is moved under the lower end  59  of the ramp  54 . Hereinafter, the repository will be described as being a charge bucket  52 , and the container  48  will be described as containing scrap metal, although as may be appreciated, and as stated above, the present invention is not limited to handling scrap metal but may be used to handle any suitable materials. Charge bucket  52  may be identical to charge bucket  12 , illustrated in FIGS. 1A or  1 B, but preferably does not include the platform  22 . Other charge bucket modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention to enable the charge bucket to function with the present invention. Certain of such other modified charge buckets are described below. 
     Container  48  includes a generally planar base or bottom plate  61 , a front wall  62  having an optional opening  64  therein, a rear wall  66 , a pair of opposed side walls  68  and  70  to form a generally box-like structure having an open top  72 . 
     The precise shape of the opening  64  is not limiting to the present invention and may be of any shape including, but not limited to, square, rectangular or semicircular provided it is sufficiently large to enable the material inside the container  48  to easily flow through the opening  64  when the container  48  is being emptied as discussed in more detail below. The container  48  may also optionally include a ramp  71  illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2 to facilitate the flow of material out of the container  48  through the opening  64 . Ramp  71  may be integrally formed with any or all of side walls  68  and  70 , bottom plate  61  or front wall  62 . In an alternative embodiment, ramp  71  may be removably attached to any or all of side walls  68  and  70 , bottom plate  61  or front wall  62 . Such removable attachment may employ any or all of the bolts, screws, rivets or other fasteners as are known in the art. 
     In yet another embodiment (not shown), front wall  62  may be formed as a ramp having no opening therein in the same fashion as front wall  30  illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, wherein the bottom plate  61 , side walls  68  and  70  and rear wall  66  of container  48  form the same general shape as container  12  illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, container  48  includes a bale  74  pivotally mounted to the side walls  68  and  70  of the container  48 . Preferably, the bale  74  is pivotally mounted to the side walls  68  and  70  of container  48  with a simple pivot and does not employ the use of complex locking mechanisms. For example, in one embodiment, bar members  75  and  77  extend externally of the interior surface of container  48  by extending perpendicular from the major plane of each of the side walls of the container  48  and the bale  74  includes apertures therein for receiving the bar members  75  and  77  permitting the bale  74  to pivot on the bar members  75  and  77  to permit the container  48  to pivot relative to the bale  74  as illustrated in FIG.  2 . However, as may be appreciated, the precise design of the pivotal mounting of the bale  74  to the container  48  is not limiting to the invention provided it does not employ complex locking mechanisms and may include any simple pivot presently known or hereinafter developed. Preferably, the bale  74  is pivotally affixed to the side walls  68  and  70  such that it generally lies along a plane parallel with the top of the container  48  when the bale  74  is in its down or non-hoisting position as illustrated by the dashed lines of  74   a  in FIG. 2 to permit the containers  48  to be stably stacked upon one another in either a loaded or empty state. Where the pivot points are located near the top of the side walls  68  and  70 , the bale  74  will be along a plane parallel with the top of the container  48 . Where pivot points are located further down the side walls  68  and  70  (e.g., close to the base), the side walls  68  and  70  may require certain cut out portions (not shown) to prevent the bale  74  from extending above the side walls  68  and  70  when the bale  74  is in its down or non-hoisting position so that the containers  48  can be stably stacked upon one another in either a loaded or empty state. 
     Further, while the bale  74  is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being pivotally mounted to the outside surfaces of the side walls  68  and  70  of container  48 , as may be appreciated and as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the bale  74  may be pivotally mounted to the inside surfaces (e.g., those surfaces forming the inside of the box-like structure of container  48 ) of side walls  68  and  70 . Where the bale  74  is pivotally mounted to the inside surfaces of the side walls  68  and  70  as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the bale  74  may lie in a plane parallel with but not extending upwardly beyond the top of the container  48  as illustrated in phantom by  74   a  in FIG.  4 B. Not shown, is a stop or other device that, as may be appreciated, may be necessary to prevent the bale  74  from rotating downwardly into container  48  when in the down or non-hoisting position. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the bale  74  may be pivotally mounted to the top surface of the side walls  68  and  70  with pivotal mounting hardware  79  and  81  as illustrated in FIG.  4 C. The pivotal mounting hardware  79  and  81  are not limiting to the present invention and may include any simple pivot. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, in one embodiment the pivotal hardware may include one or more plates  83  and  85  removably attached or integrally formed with the side walls  68  and  70 , respectively, which plates include bar members  87  and  89  to form simple pivots for the hole  74  as described above. Where the bale  74  is pivotally mounted to the top surface of the side walls  68  and  70 , it is preferred that the bottom plate  61  of the container  48  contain indentations (not shown) that correspond generally to the shape and placement of the pivotal mounting hardware  79  and  81  and/or the bale  74  such that a plurality of containers  48  can be stacked upon one another (not shown) with the mounting hardware  79  and  81  and/or bale  74  of the lower container  48  fitting into the corresponding indentations in the bottom plate  61  of the upper container  48  when two or more containers  48  are stacked upon each other. In this embodiment, the bale  74  may rest on top of the side walls when in its down or non-hoisting position as illustrated in phantom by  74   a  in FIG. 4C with a corresponding indentation in the top of side walls  68  and  70  corresponding to the shape of the bale  74  (not shown). 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the unloading of the scrap metal in container  48  into the charge bucket  52  using the ramp  54  at a steel mill unloading station will be described. As may be appreciated, modifications may be made to the order in which the steps of the unloading process are presented in this discussion which will provide the same result (e.g., that the scrap metal is transferred from the container  48  into the charge bucket  52 ) without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Preferably, first the charge bucket  52  is moved along a pair of rails  76  such that the charge bucket  52  is positioned below the lower end  59  of the ramp  54 . A hook  78  affixed to the hoisting cable  80  of a crane (not shown) is then attached to the bale  74 . The container  48  full of scrap metal is then lifted by the crane from the transportation device (not shown) (e.g., railroad car, truck bed, etc.). Preferably, the bale  74  is pivoted in a line slightly in advance, (i.e., at a point slightly toward the front wall  62  of the container  48 ) of a line between the pair of opposed side walls corresponding to the center of gravity of container  48 , such that when the container  48  is hoisted by the crane, the container  48  pivots about the bale  74  to cause the front of the container  48  to be raised higher in the air than the back of container  48 . This embodiment is preferred as it causes the scrap metal in container  48  to be directed toward the rear wall  66  of the container  48  preventing the scrap metal from falling through the opening  64  in the front wall  62  during the hoisting operation. The container  48  is then placed over the ramp  54  and is lowered downwardly onto ramp  54 . As it is lowered, the container  48  pivots about the bale  74  and is tilted or tipped causing the intersection of the base  61  and the front wall  62  to be lower than the intersection of the base  61  and the rear wall  66  causing the scrap metal within container  48  to, flow through the operation of gravity through the opening or aperture  64  in the front wall  62  of the container  48  and into the charge bucket  52 . Forward movement of the container  48  down the ramp  54  is prevented by operation of stop  60  on container  48 . When the scrap metal has been emptied from container  48 , the crane then simply lifts the container  48  upwardly and replaces it on the transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed and the like). 
     Advantages of the present invention are numerous, and include without limitation that because no complex locking devices  44  of the prior art are required for the bale  74 , the container  48  of the present invention is easier and less costly to manufacture and maintain over those presently available. The container  48  of the present invention is easier to use and results in faster unloading times because it is not necessary to place the container  48  on a platform  22  (or the bar  23  and lip  25 ) on the charge bucket  14  (illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and then release and reapply upward force on the bale  74  (illustrated in FIG. 2) in order to cause the release of a complex locking mechanism and then, still further, to drag the container forward to dump its contents, as is required by the presently available containers shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Still further, because the bale  74  of the container  48  lies flat along the top of container  48  when it is in its down or non-hoisting position  74   a , multiple containers  48  can be stacked upon each other. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stacked containers  48  are sized such that the stacked dimensions in length, width and height completely fill the space provided by the transportation device. For example, where the transportation device is a railcar, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the containers  48  are sized such that when multiple containers are stacked in a railcar, the containers just fit within the railcar with little or no wasting of the space within the railcar. Upon arrival at the unloading station at the steel mill, the containers  48  can be quickly, safely and efficiently unloaded into the charge bucket  52  in the manner described above, without any grappling operation. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which certain additional elements are described in connection with the container and ramp of the present invention. More particularly, shown in FIG. 3, is a container  82  which is identical to container  48 , but for the addition of hooks  84  and  86  and pivot stops  88  and  90 . Ramp  92 , shown in FIG. 3, is identical to ramp  54  of FIG. 2, but for the addition of guide rails  94  and  96 . 
     Hooks  84  and  86  may be affixed to either the rear wall  66  or the bottom plate  61  of the container  82 , and function to engage the upper end  58  of the ramp  92  as the container  82  is lowered onto the ramp  92  to prevent container  82  from traveling downwardly along ramp  92 . Hooks  84  and  86  may be used in addition to or in lieu of stop  60  (illustrated in FIG.  2 ). The hooks  84  and  86  may either be simple gravity hooks or may be spring-biased outwardly. Further, as may be appreciated, the present invention is not limited to the two hooks  84  and  86  illustrated in FIG. 3, but may include a single hook (not shown) or a plurality of hooks (also not shown). Where a single hook is employed, it is preferably attached along the center line of container  82  to prevent container  82  from pivotally rotating on ramp  92  as the hook engages the upper end  58  of the ramp  92 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hooks  84  and  86  are pivotally attached to the bottom plate  61  or the rear wall  66  of the container  82  to permit the hooks  84  and  86  to retract upwardly when the container  82  is placed on a surface. Where the hooks  84  and  86  are pivotally attached to the bottom plate  61  or the rear wall  66  of the container  82 , it may be necessary to provide for indentations in the bottom plate  61  or the rear wall  66 , respectively, to accommodate the hooks  84  and  86  in their retracted position. 
     Pivot stops  88  and  90  are illustrated in FIG.  3  and operate to provide a limit to the pivotal movement of the container  82  relative to the bale  74 . The pivot stops  88  and  90  may be affixed at a first end, respectively, to the side walls  68  and  70  of the container  82 , whereupon the pivotal rotation of the container  82  will cause the bale  74  to contact the pivot stops  88  and  90  to provide a limit to the pivotal rotation of the container  82  relative to the bale  74 . Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the pivot stops  88  and  90  may be affixed to the bale  74  and caused to engage a seat or shoulder member  98  or  100  respectively, to provide a limit to the pivotal rotation of the bale  74  relative to the container  82 . 
     Guide rails  94  and  96 , illustrated in FIG. 3, are provided along the outer or longitudinal edges of the ramp  92  and operate to direct container  82  as it is lowered onto ramp  92 . Guide rails  94  and  96  may each be of a simple wall-type design (not shown), which may extend perpendicularly and upwardly of the ramp  92  or which may extend upwardly and outwardly at an obtuse angle from the ramp  92  (also not shown). Alternatively, each of the guide rails  94  and  96  respectively include an outwardly projecting upper portion to provide a “y” shaped design, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in order to more fully direct the container  82  onto the ramp  92 . 
     As may be appreciated, while several additional elements are disclosed in FIG. 3, the present invention is not limited only to the combination of additional elements provided in FIG. 3, but includes each element individually. For example, in an embodiment (not shown), the ramp  92  might include the guide rails  94  and  96  while the container  82  may not include hooks  84  and  86 , but does include pivot stops  88  and  90 . Alternatively, for example, the container  82  might include hooks  84  and  86  while ramp  92  does not include guide rails  94  and  96  and is, therefore, identical with ramp  54 . This is also true of the elements disclosed in the remaining figures discussed below which may be freely combined to form alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  5 . Illustrated in FIG. 5 is container  82  which is positioned over ramp  92 . Ramp  92  further includes an extended portion or ramp extension  104  having slots  106  and  108  therein. While the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, as may be appreciated in FIG. 3, the ramp  92  is illustrated in a length along a line  109  that is generally commensurate with the length of the container  82  along a line  110 . This requires that the crane operator operate with a degree of precision when placing the container  82  on the ramp  92  to ensure that the container  82  is properly placed on ramp  92 . While the ramp  92  could be extended further along the line  109 , illustrated in FIG. 3, to provide a ramp  92  substantially larger than container  82 , in an alterative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the extended portion  104  provides additional surface area on which to place the container  82  providing the crane operator with a greater margin for error. The slots  106  and  108  accommodate the hooks  84  and  86  as the container  82  slides along the extended portion  104 , whereupon the hooks  84  and  86  engage the upper end  58  and/or the front wall  62  of the container  82  engages the stop  60  to prevent and further forward movement of the container  82  when it has reached the lower end  59  of the ramp  92  in the same fashion as described above in connection with the discussion of FIG.  3 . Extended portion  104  may or may not be equipped with guide rails, although it is illustrated in FIG. 5 with guide rails  112  and  114  which may or may not be continuous with guide rails  94  and  96 , respectively. Extended portion  104  may be permanently affixed to ramp  92  or may be removably affixed thereto. 
     An alternative embodiment of the unloading system of the present invention is designated  116  in FIG. 6 of the drawings. In the unloading system  116 , the inclined ramp is replaced with a substantially horizontal platform  118  having a substantially planar upper surface  120 . A plurality of guides or guide posts  122  extend upwardly from the upper surface  120  of the platform  118 . At least a portion of the guide posts  122  preferably have a first member  124  having a first surface attached to the upper surface  120  of the platform  118  and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a second member  126  also having a first surface and second surface opposite thereto, the first surface of the second member  126  being attached to the second surface of the first member  124  at an angle to the second surface of the first member  124  such that the second members  126  points outwardly from the platform  118  as illustrated in FIG. 6. A stop  128 , such as a vertical wall or ledge, is located on or near the end of the platform  118  closest to the charge bucket  52 . A container  130  for use with this unloading system  116  is similar to containers  48  (illustrated in FIGS. 2,  4 B or  4 C) or  82  (illustrated in FIGS. 3,  4 A and  5 ), but includes a hoisting or dumping member  132  mounted on the exterior surface of the rear wall  66  of the container  130 . 
     Operation of the unloading system  116  will now be described. A crane is attached to the bale  74  of the container  130  using the hook  78  and cable  80  as described above, and the container  130  is removed from its transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed or the like) by hoisting it with the crane. Again, the bale  74  is preferably offset with respect to the center of gravity of the container  130  such that the container  130  pivots about the bale  74  such that the rear wall  66  of the container  130  is lower than the front wall  62  of the container  130  when the container  130  is lifted by the crane to prevent accidental spilling of the scrap metal contained therein. The container  130  is then lowered with the crane onto the platform  118 . The guide posts  122  guide the container  130  as it is being lowered to accurately position the container  130  on the platform  118 . The guide posts  122  also prevent the container  130  from moving laterally and falling off of the platform  118 . To empty the scrap metal from the container  130 , the hook  78  of the crane is released from the bale  74  and is then attached to the dumping member  132 . The exact form of the dumping member  132  is not limiting to the invention, but a handle which can engage hook  78  is one preferred embodiment. The crane is then raised such that the rear wall  66  of the container  130  is moved upwardly to dump the scrap metal from the container  130  into the open top of the charge bucket  52 . The stop  128  prevents the front wall  62  of the container  130  from moving beyond the end of the platform  118 . After the contents of the container  130  have been deposited into the charge bucket  52 , the crane is lowered to lower the container  130  back onto the top of the platform  118 . The hook  78  is then detached from the dumping member  132  and is reattached to the bale  74  so that the container  130  can be lifted from the platform  118  and replaced on the transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed and the like). Again, since the bale  74  pivots completely flat along the top of the container  130  when not hoisted, multiple containers  130  can be stacked one on top of another on the transportation device. 
     Illustrated in FIG. 7 is yet another embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to that of FIG. 6, except that the platform  134  illustrated in FIG. 7 is comprised of a generally planar upper section  136  and a generally planar lower section  138 . The upper section  136  and the lower section  138  are hinged relative to one another via hinge member  140  illustrated in FIG.  7 . Upper section  136  also includes engaging or dumping member  142  which may be engaged by a hook  78  attached by a cable  80  to a crane (not shown). Upper section  136  may be fitted with guide posts such as guide posts  122  as described above and as illustrated in FIG.  7  and/or guide rails, such as guide rails  94  and  96 , also described above and also as illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     Operation of the unloading system of FIG. 7 will now be described. A crane is attached to the bale  74  of a container such as that of containers  48 ,  82  and  130  described above, although container  130  will be described by way of example. The crane is attached to the container  130  using the hook  78  and cable  80  as described above, and the container  130  is removed from its transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed or the like) by hoisting it with the crane. Again, the bale  74  is preferably offset with respect to the center of gravity of the container  130  such that the container  130  pivots about the bale  74  such that the rear wall  66  of the container  130  is lower than the front wall  62  of the container  130  when the container  130  is lifted by the crane to prevent accidental spilling of the scrap metal contained therein. The container  130  is then lowered with the crane onto the platform  134 . The platform  134  is shown in FIG. 7 equipped with guide posts  122  and/or rails  94  and  96  which guide the container  130  as it is being lowered, and function to accurately position the container  130  on the platform  134  and prevent the container  130  moving laterally and falling off of the platform  134  as described above in connection with FIG.  6 . To empty the scrap metal from the container  130 , the hook  78  of the crane is released from the bale  74  and is then attached to the dumping member  142 . The exact form of the dumping member  142  is not limiting to the invention, but a handle which can engage hook  78  is one preferred embodiment. The crane is then raised such that the upper section  136  of the platform  134  is caused to rotate about hinge member  140 , whereupon the upper section  136  functions as a ramp similar to that of ramps  92  (illustrated in FIG. 5) and/or  54  (illustrated in FIG. 2) described above. Upper section  136  of platform  134  is raised until the scrap metal is caused to be emptied from the container  130  into the open top of the charge bucket  52 . The stop  128  prevents the front wall  62  of the container  130  from moving beyond the end of the platform  134 . After the contents of the container  130  have been deposited into the charge bucket  52 , the crane is lowered to lower the upper section  136  of the platform  134  back to its generally horizontal position on top of lower section  138  of platform  134 . The crane hook  78  is then detached from the dumping member  142  and is reattached to the bale  74  so that the container  130  can be lifted from the platform  134  and replaced on the transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed and the like). 
     Still yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8, which is similar to FIG. 2, except that the unloading station ramp  54  of FIG. 2 has been replaced by dumping member  150 . The dumping member  150  includes one or more and preferably a pair of vertical supports  152  and  154  which are connected by a generally horizontal engaging member  156 . The vertical supports may extend in a vertical direction only to the point where it joins horizontal engaging member  156  as shown by the vertical support  152  in FIG. 8, or they may extend vertically beyond that point as illustrated by the vertical support  154  in FIG.  8 . Extending vertically upward beyond that point is preferred, and it is still more preferred to extend upwardly a distance illustrated by line  153  that is generally equivalent to the height of the container  82  as illustrated by line  155  to provide a guide post for container  82  as it is brought in contact with the dumping member  150 . 
     The operation of the unloading system of FIG. 8 will now be described. A crane is attached to the bale  74  of the container  82  using the hook  78  and cable  80  as described above, and the container  82  is removed from its transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed or the like) by hoisting it with the crane. Again, the bale  74  is preferably offset with respect to the center of gravity of the container  82  such that the container  82  pivots about the bale  74  such that the rear wall  66  of the container  82  is lower than the front wall  62  of the container  82  when the container  82  is lifted by the crane to prevent accidental spilling of the scrap metal contained therein. The hook  78  and, therefore, the container  82  are continually lowered and moved toward the charge bucket  52  with the crane until the hooks  84  and  86  engage horizontal engaging member  156 . The container  82  is then caused to pivotally rotate upon its hooks  84  and  86  about the engaging member  156  by continually lowering the hook  78  with the crane, until the front wall  62  of the container  82  is sufficiently lower than the rear wall  66  of the container  82  that the scrap metal in container  82  is caused to fall into the charge bucket  52  through opening  64  in the front wall  62  of the container  82 . The crane is then raised such that the container  82  is caused to rotate by its hooks  84  and  86  about engaging member  156  and by virtue of the bale  74  being offset with respect to the center of gravity of the container  82  as described above. The crane hook  78  is then moved in a direction away from the charging bucket  52  to permit the hooks  84  and  86  of the container  82  to disengage themselves from horizontal engaging member  156 . The container  82  is then replaced by the crane on the transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed and the like). 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9A, which is similar to that of FIG. 8 except that the container  160  of FIG. 9A does not include hooks  84  and  86 , but instead includes horizontal engaging member  162 . Horizontal engaging member  162  is removably or permanently affixed or integrally formed as part of either the front wall  62  or bottom plate  61  or both of container  160  and is adapted to engage one or more vertical engaging members. Preferably, the horizontal engaging member  162  is adapted to retract upwardly or pivotally to permit containers  160  to be stacked on top of each other for transportation or storage. Where horizontal engaging member  162  retracts, it may be urged to its non-retracted position by gravity or spring biasing means among others. The precise form of the attachment of the horizontal engaging member  162  to the front wall  62  or the bottom plate or base  61  is not limiting to the invention. However, illustrated in FIG. 9A, are two attachment members  162   a  and  162   b  which extend downwardly in a plane generally parallel with front wall  62  of container  160  to which horizontal engaging member  162  is mounted or otherwise affixed, extending generally perpendicular to the attachment members  162   a  and  162   b . Illustrated in FIG. 9A is the unloading station  180  which includes two vertical engaging members  164  and  166 . While preferably the vertical engaging members are identical, as for purposes of brevity, illustrated in FIG. 9A are two different vertical engaging members and either or pairs of both may be employed in accordance with the present invention. The first vertical engaging member  164  includes a hook-type engaging portion  167  that is adapted to engage horizontal engaging member  162  of container  160 . There is alternatively illustrated in FIG. 9A vertical engaging member  166  which includes a vertical post portion  165  and a hook-type engaging portion  169  which is offset from the vertical post portion  165  by support member  171 . The vertical engaging member  166  also includes a vertically extending portion  168  which extends vertically above its hook-type engaging portion  169 . The vertically extending portion  168  can function as a guide post for the container  160 , and particularly so where both vertical engaging members are of the type of vertical engaging member  166 , each including a vertically extending portion together providing a structure generally reminiscent of a football goal post. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vertical engagement members  164  and  166  may include a horizontal cross member  163  connecting the two vertical engaging members  164  and  166  as illustrated in phantom in FIG.  9 A. In an embodiment (not shown), support member  171  may be extended between the engaging members  164  and  166  to form the cross member  163  described above in FIG.  9 A. The precise shape of the horizontal engaging member  162  is not limiting to the present invention and can be cylindrical, square, rectangular, or U-shaped in cross section, among others. A bar-shaped horizontal engaging member  162  is generally preferred. 
     The process of emptying the contents of the container  160  into the charge bucket  52  is much the same as that described above in connection with container  82  in FIG.  8 . More particularly, once the container  160  has been hoisted by its bale  74  with the crane, it is lowered over the vertical engaging members  164  and  166  until the horizontal engaging member  162  of the container  160  engages the vertical engaging members  164  and  166  as illustrated by the double headed arrow  173 . The container  160  is then hoisted by the cable upwardly and forwardly causing the container  160  to pivot about its horizontal engaging member  162  and bale  74  such that the front wall  62  of the container  160  is caused to be lower than the rear wall  66  of the container  160 , whereupon the scrap metal in the container  160  is caused to fall through the opening  64  into the charge bucket  52 . The crane is then lowered such that the container  160  is caused to rotate by virtue of the bale  74  being offset with respect to the center of gravity of the container  160  in the same fashion as that described above in connection with container  82  (illustrated in FIG.  8 ). The crane hook  78  affixed to the bale  74  is then moved in a direction downwardly away from the charging bucket  52  to permit the horizontal engaging member  162  to disengage itself from vertical engaging members  164  and  166 . The container  160  is then replaced by the crane on the transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed and the like). 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9B, which is similar to that of FIG. 9A, except that horizontal engaging member  202  of a container  200  of FIG. 9B is affixed in the general area of the rear wall  66  of the container  200 . More particularly, horizontal engaging member  202  may be removably or permanently affixed or integrally formed as part of either the rear wall  66  or bottom plate  61  of the container  200 , and is adapted to engage one or more vertical engaging members. Horizontal engaging member  202  may be adapted to retract upwardly or pivotally to permit containers  200  to be stacked on top of each other for transportation or storage. Where horizontal engaging member  202  is adapted to retract upwardly or pivotally, it is preferably fitted with a locking mechanism (not shown) to prevent such pivoting or retraction during the process of emptying the contents of the container  200  into the charge bucket  52 . 
     Illustrated in FIG. 9B is unloading station  225  which includes two vertical engaging members  204  and  206 . While preferably the vertical engaging members are identical, for purposes of brevity, illustrated in FIG. 9B are two different vertical engaging members and either or pairs of both may be employed in accordance with the present invention. 
     Vertical engaging member  204  includes a hook-type engaging portion  208  that is adapted to engage horizontal engaging member  202  of container  200 . There is alternatively illustrated in FIG. 9B vertical engaging member  206  which includes a vertical post portion  210  and a hook-type engaging portion  212  which is offset from the post portion  210  by support member  214 . The vertical engaging member  206  also includes a vertically extending portion  216  which extends vertically above its hook-type engaging portion  212 . The vertically extending portion  216  can function as a guide post for the container  200 , and particularly so where both vertical engaging members  204  and  206  are of the type of vertical engaging member  206 , each including a vertically extending portion which together provide a structure generally reminiscent of a football goal post. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the vertical engaging members  204  and  206  may be connected by a horizontal cross member  218 , connecting the two vertical engaging members  204  and  206  as illustrated in phantom in FIG.  9 B. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), support member  214  may be extended between the engaging members  204  and  206  to form the cross member  218 . 
     The process of emptying the contents of the container  200  into the charge bucket  52  is much the same as that described above in connection with FIG.  9 B. More particularly, once the container  200  has been hoisted by its bale  74  with the crane, it is lowered over the vertical engaging members  204  and  206  until the horizontal engaging member  202  of the container  200  engages the hook portions of the vertical engaging members  204  and  206  as illustrated by a double headed arrow  220 . Further lowering of the cable downwardly causes the container  200  to pivot about the horizontal engaging member  202  and bale  74  such that the front wall  62  of the container  200  is caused to be lower than the rear wall  66  of the container  200  whereupon the scrap metal in the container  200  is caused to fall through the opening  64  into the charge bucket  52 . The crane is then raised such that the container  200  is caused to rotate by virtue of the bale  74  being offset with respect to the center of gravity of the container  200  in the same fashion as described above in connection with containers  48  and  82 . The hook  78  affixed to the bale  74  is then moved in a direction generally upwardly and away from the vertical engaging members  204  and  206  to permit the horizontal engaging member  202  to disengage itself from vertical engaging members  204  and  206 . The container  200  is then replaced by the crane on the transportation device (e.g., railcar, truck bed and the like). 
     The bale of the present invention has been described as being pivotally connected to the containers of the present invention. However, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the bale may be removably associated with any of the above-described containers of the present invention using the bales illustrated in FIGS. 10A,  10 B and  10 C. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, a bale  170  is a generally U-shaped member having hooks  172  and  174  at each end. The hooks  172  and  174  may be integral with the bale  170  or may be permanently or removably affixed thereto. Further, the hooks  172  and  174  may include a safety catch or locking mechanism  175  as illustrated in FIG. 10D, which locking mechanism  175  may be biased as, for example, by spring  177  upwardly in the direction of the arrow  179  against a stop  181  to prevent the bale from disengaging itself from engaging member  176  unexpectedly. The hooks  172  and  174  are adapted to engage engaging members  176  and  178  which are affixed to container  180  as shown in FIG.  10 A. The engaging members  176  and  178  are not limiting to the present invention provided they permit the pivotal rotation of the bale  170  relative to the container  180 , however, a simple post design is generally preferred. Also, while illustrated in FIG. 10A as extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the side walls  68  and  70  of the container  180 , the engaging members  176  and  178  need not be so and may in fact extend inwardly from the interior surface of the side walls  68  and  70  of the container  182  (illustrated in FIG.  10 B), with appropriate narrowing of the bale  184  over that shown in FIG. 10A to permit it to engage the inwardly facing engaging members  186  and  188  as shown in FIG.  10 B. The engaging members may also be provided on the top surfaces of side walls  68  and  70  as part of mounting assemblies  191  and  193  with appropriate modification of the width of bale  184  shown in FIG. 10C to accommodate this positioning of the engaging members  190  and  192 . The method of affixation of the engaging members  172 ,  174 ,  186 ,  188 ,  190  and  192  (illustrated in FIGS. 10A,  10 B and  10 C) to the side walls  68  and  70  is also not limiting to the present invention and can include any known or hereinafter developed methods of attachment including integral forming, bolting and/or welding among others. Again, the bales illustrated in FIGS. 10A,  10 B and  10 C are all preferably offset with respect to the center of gravity of the respective container such that the container pivots about the bale such that the rear wall  66  of the container is lower than the front wall  62  of the container when the container is lifted by the crane to prevent accidental spilling of the scrap metal contained therein. A removable bale has several advantages, including, but not limited to, reduced costs for producing the containers as each container does not require its own bale. 
     It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Such modifications are to be considered as included within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail here and above are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the above disclosure and any and all equivalents thereof.