Abstract:
The invention is an apparatus for loading and unloading pellets into a trailer. Conduits are positioned with at least one opening configured to direct flow toward a central longitudinal axis of the interior region. A blower is connected to an input port, and a suction device is connected to an output port to cause a flow of moving air so that pellets within the interior region are carried with the flow toward the central longitudinal axis, the collector and an output port. A pellet loading pipe has a plurality of spaced openings and deflection plates upstream of each opening. Pellets in the pipe are deflected from the openings until a clog develops downstream, at which time the pellets will exit an opening adjacent the clog until it clogs, and continuing successively until the longitudinal spaced opening proximate the loading port becomes clogged and the interior region is substantially full.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) based upon United States Provisional Application No. 60/156,822 filed on Sep. 30, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a trailer for hauling polystyrene pellets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for unloading polystyrene pellets from a semi-trailer. 
     Polystyrene pellets are commonly known as Styrofoam® brand packaging “peanuts.” Polystyrene pellets are used as packing material to protect objects during shipping. Polystyrene pellets are loaded on bulk trailers at the polystyrene pellet manufacturing plant for shipment to a distribution center. The polystyrene pellets are then unloaded from the trailer to use as packing material in boxes or other containers used to ship fragile objects. 
     The current invention shows an apparatus for loading and unloading pellets into and from an interior region, such as a trailer, and a method for unloading pellets. 
     The unloading apparatus includes a collector within an interior region of the trailer, and adjacent one of a front or rear wall. Inflow conduits are positioned in the interior region and adjacent the side walls, with at least one opening that may be configured to direct flow toward a central longitudinal axis of the interior region. A blower is connected to the at least one input port, and a suction device connected to the output port during unloading to cause a flow of moving air so that pellets within the interior region are carried with the flow toward the central longitudinal axis and toward the collector and out the at least one output port. 
     The loading apparatus has pellet loading pipes with spaced openings configured along the pipe, and a deflection plate upstream of each of the openings to deflect pellets toward the outlet until a clog develops. When a clog develops, the pellets will then exit an upstream opening adjacent the clog until it clogs. This process will continue successively until the longitudinal spaced opening proximate the loading port becomes clogged and the chamber is substantially full. 
     The inventive method includes the steps of producing an air flow from the side walls toward the central longitudinal axis along the bottom. It also includes producing a second air flow along the central longitudinal axis towards the collector and removing pellets transported to the outlet port. The inventive method may also include providing a suction device in communication with a collector to urge pellets toward the outlet port. An airflow is created that carries pellets from the interior to the output port. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an empty trailer showing the trailer including a pellet-loading apparatus and a pellet-unloading apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 showing the pellet-loading apparatus coupled to a pellet source at the pellet manufacturing facility and loading pellets into the trailer; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 showing the trailer filled with pellets for transportation to a distribution center; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 showing the pellet-unloading apparatus including an collector removing the pellets from the trailer, the collector including a pellet mover directing pellets toward the extraction device; 
     FIG. 5 is a cut-away side elevation view of a preferred embodiment trailer having a wheel assembly and a chamber being loaded with polystyrene pellets showing the trailer including a preferred pellet-loading apparatus including a pair of loading pipes loading polystyrene pellets into an interior region of the chamber; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear view of the trailer of FIG. 5 showing the trailer including an access door, intake ports for the pair of loading pipes positioned in the upper-right corner of the back end of the trailer bed, three intake ports for a preferred pellet-unloading apparatus positioned near the bottom of the trailer bed, and an extraction port for the pellet-unloading apparatus positioned near the mid-point of the left side of the trailer bed; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5 showing pellets clogging an end of the upper loading pipe so that other pellets are forced to exit the upper loading pipe through a side opening; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 5 showing the upper loading pipe including a deflector plate that diverts pellets traveling through the upper loading pipe and upstream opening; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 5 showing a pipe hanger assembly supporting the upper loading pipe from the ceiling of the trailer; 
     FIG. 10 is a cut-away side elevation view of the trailer showing pellets being unloaded from the trailer by the preferred pellet-unloading apparatus including an extraction conduit pulling the pellets from the trailer, a scoop positioned at the front-bottom of the chamber and directing the pellets into the extraction pipe, and a downwardly sloping conduit system directing the pellets toward the scoop; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 10 showing the conduit system including right, left, and center conduits tapering from the back of the trailer to the front of the trailer; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 10, with the majority of the pellets not shown for clarity, showing the right and left conduits directing pellets toward the center of the trailer and the center conduit directing pellets toward the scoop; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 10, with the pellet removed for clarity, showing air blown from the right and left conduits flowing toward the center of the trailer and air blown from the center conduit flowing toward the scoop; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line  14 — 14  of FIG. 10, with the front end of the right, left, and center conduits shown in phantom, showing pellets being drawn into the scoop; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line  15 — 15  of FIG. 12 showing the center conduit directing pellets into the scoop and the scoop directing pellets into the extraction conduit to remove pellets from the trailer; 
     FIG. 16 is a section view taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment loading pipe; and 
     FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line  18 — 18  of FIG. 17 showing the loading pipe including a deflector that diverts pellets traveling through the loading pipe over the opening. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A schematic trailer  10  according to the present disclosure is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 for hauling polystyrene pellets (commonly known as Styrofoam®-brand packaging peanuts) from a pellet manufacturing facility (not shown) to a distribution center (not shown) for use as packing material in packages shipped to customers. Pellets are made of expanded polystyrene and are extremely light having a density of approximately 0.2 pounds/cubic foot. Pellets are made in several shapes and sizes. For example, some pellets are made in flattened M-shapes, S-shapes, 8-shapes, and O-shapes. When moved relative to one another, pellets  12  can gain a static electric potential that cause pellets to “stick” together. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, schematic trailer  10  includes a chamber  17  and a pellet-loading apparatus  16  injecting pellets  12  from a supply  3  into chamber  17  from the manufacturing facility. Once schematic trailer  10  is loaded with pellets  12 , as shown in FIG. 3, schematic trailer  10  is hauled to the distribution center by a semi-truck or other vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4, schematic trailer  10  also includes a pellet-unloading apparatus  18  that removes pellets  12  from chamber  17 . Pellet-unloading apparatus  18  includes a pellet collector  20  that pulls pellets  12  from schematic trailer  10 , the collector  20  in communication with a funneling device  22  that channels pellets  12  toward the collector  20 . Pellet-unloading apparatus  18  also includes a pellet mover  24  that urges pellets  12  toward collector  20  by blowing air along the walls of funneling device  22 . 
     The schematic diagrams of FIGS. 1-4 assist in laying the framework for the structure needed to accomplish the invention. For example, the schematic trailer  10  and funneling device  22 , as shown in schematic FIGS. 1-4, is embodied by a trailer  11 , a downward-slanted and V-Shaped floor  40  and plates  212 , 214 , as shown more particularly in FIGS. 10-14. The collector  20 , as shown in FIGS. 1-4, is embodied by a collector including scoop  52  and an extraction conduit  54 , as shown in FIG.  5 . The unloading apparatus  18  in FIGS. 1-4 is embodied in unloading apparatus  23  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The pellet mover  24 , as shown in FIGS. 1-4, is embodied in inflow conduits  46 , 48  and  50  as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The pellet loading apparatus  16 , as shown in FIGS. 1-4, is embodied in the pellet loading apparatus  19  including the loading pipes  44 , 45 , openings  49 , and blower  21 , as shown, for example, in FIG.  5 . 
     A trailer  11  according to the presently preferred embodiment of the disclosure is shown in FIG.  5 . Trailer  11  includes a wheel assembly  15  and a chamber  17  positioned on wheel assembly  15  for transportation. Trailer  11  further includes a pellet-loading apparatus  19  positioned within chamber  17 . As shown in FIG. 5, a blower  21  (preferably rated at approximately 2,800 cubic feet per minute) at the manufacturing facility is coupled to pellet-loading apparatus  19  to blow pellets  12  through pellet-loading apparatus  19  into chamber  17 . Pellet-loading apparatus  19  evenly distributes pellets  12  into chamber  17  until trailer  11  is filed with pellets  12 . After loading, blower  21  is uncoupled from pellet-loading apparatus  19  and trailer  11  is hauled by a semi-truck or other vehicle to a shipping facility to be unloaded. Trailer  11  also includes a pair trailer doors  9  that are closed to a back end  34  of chamber  17  during hauling. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, trailer  11  further includes a pellet-unloading apparatus  23  positioned within chamber  17  to unload pellets  12  from trailer  11 . To unload pellets  12  from trailer  11 , a suction device  25  (preferably rated at 15 horsepower and approximately 2,800 cubic feet/minute) and a blower  27  (preferably rated at 15 horsepower and approximately 2,800 cubic feet/minute) located at the shipping facility are coupled to pellet-unloading apparatus  23  to extract pellets  12  from chamber  17 . After unloading, suction device  25  and blower  27  are uncoupled from pellet-unloading apparatus  23  and trailer  11  is hauled back to the manufacturing facility to be reloaded with pellets  12  for the next shipment. 
     Trailer chamber  17  is commercially available having dimensions of 48′ long, 102″ wide, and 114″ tall. Other size chambers may also be used in accordance with the present disclosure. Chamber  17  includes a chamber bottom  26 , a right side wall  28 , a left side wall  30  coupled, a front end wall  32 , a back end wall  34 , and a ceiling  36 . Chamber bottom  26 , right and left side walls  28 ,  30 , front and back end walls  32 ,  34 , and ceiling  36  cooperate to define an interior region  38  of chamber  17 . 
     Pellet-unloading apparatus  23  includes a V-shaped floor  40  positioned in interior region  38  as shown in FIG.  12 . Floor  40  cooperates with right and left side walls  28 ,  30 , front and back end walls  32 ,  34  and ceiling  36  to define a pellet storage region  42  to store pellets  12  during transportation from the manufacturing facility to the distribution center. Pellets  12  are loading into storage region  42  by pellet-loading apparatus  19  and removed from storage region  42  by pellet-unloading apparatus  23 . 
     Pellet-loading apparatus  19  includes first and second loading pipes  44 , 45  (preferably 10 inches in diameter) that are coupled to blower  21  to move pellets  12  from the manufacturing facility to storage region  42 . Loading pipes  44 ,  45  include opened front ends  47  and a plurality of openings  49  through which pellets  12  empty from pipes  44 ,  45  into storage region  42 . The openings  49  are shown in sides of the loading pipes  44 ,  45 . When storage region  42  is filled with pellets  12 , blower  21  is shut down and uncoupled from loading pipes  44 ,  45  so that trailer  11  can be hauled to distribution facility. 
     Loading pipes  44 , 45  include a plurality of pipe sections  58  and a plurality of pipe couplers  60  coupling respective pipe sections  58  together as shown in FIG.  5 . Fasteners couple pipe couplers  60  to each respective pipe section  58  to form pipes  44 ,  45 . According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, pipe sections  58  are spiral formed. Spiral formed pipes provide added strength to pipes  44 ,  45 . However, other configurations of pipes and pipe sections may also be used. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, pellet-loading apparatus  19  further includes pipe hanger assemblies  64  coupled to ceiling  36  to hang pipe  44  in interior region  38  of chamber  17 . Although pipe  44  is shown to hang from ceiling  36  by hanger assemblies  64 , it is also within the scope of the disclosure to support pipe  44  using hanger assemblies  64  coupled to right side wall  28 . Each pipe hanger assembly  64  includes a strap  62  and bracket  66  for supporting each respective pipe section  58 , a bolt  68  extending through the top end of bracket  66 , and a nut  70  coupled to bolt  68  to secure bracket  66  to bolt  68 . Each pipe hanger assembly  64  further includes a first flat washer  72  positioned under the head of bolt  68  and a RTV gasket  74  positioned between the head of bolt  68  and ceiling  36 . Gasket  74  provides a seal over the aperture formed in ceiling  36  to prevent rain water or other liquids from entering into trailer  11 . Each pipe hanger assembly  64  also includes a stepped washer  76  positioned between bracket  66  and ceiling  36 , a second flat washer  78  positioned between nut  70  and bracket  66 , and a lock washer  80  positioned between second flat washer  78  and bracket  66 . 
     Nut  70  is turned onto bolt  68  to compress the other components of pipe hanger assembly  64  together and compress gasket  74  into sealing engagement with ceiling  36 . Each washer is made of aluminum to prevent corrosion. However, the washers may also be made of other suitable materials. Pipe hangers  64  for pipe  45  are coupled to right side wall  28  to hang pipe  45  in chamber  17 . 
     Pellet-loading apparatus  19  further includes a plurality of deflection plates  82  coupled to pipe sections  58  over a portion of respective openings  49 . As shown in FIG. 7, each deflection plate  82  includes a bent portion  84  and a flange portion  86  coupled to pipe section  58  and bent portion  84 . Bent portion  84  is positioned within pipe section  58 . Flange portion  86  is coupled to pipe section  58  by fasteners. 
     During loading of trailer  11 , pellets  12  travel toward open front end  47  of respective pipes  44 ,  45 . Because bent portions  84  of each deflection plate  82  extends into each respective pipe section  58 , pellets  12  are initially deflected over each respective opening  49  until exiting through open front end  47  into storage region  42 . As pellets  12  exit from open front end  47  of pipes  44 ,  45 , front end  51  of trailer  11  fills with pellets  12 . As front end  51  continues to fill, pellets  12  eventually cover open front ends  47  of pipes  44 ,  45  so that addition pellets  12  are block from exiting therethrough. Pellets  12  are then forced from the forward most openings  49  of pipes  44 ,  45  until covered by pellets  12 . As each respective opening  49  of pipes  44 ,  45  is covered, pellets  12  begin to exit through the next upstream opening  49  until storage region  42  is substantially full of pellets  12 . By positioning the backward most opening  49  of pipe  44  adjacent back end wall  34 , the top-back portion of storage region  42  is filled with pellets  12  to substantially fill trailer  11  with pellets  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6, pellet-loading apparatus  19  further includes two gate assemblies  88  coupled to respective first and second pipes  44 , 45  to close an open back end  90  of pipes  44 ,  45  after trailer  11  is loaded. Each gate assembly  88  includes a gate plate  93  and a track  95  for receiving gate plate  93 . The backward most pipe section  58  of each pipe  44 ,  45  includes a slot (not shown) for receiving gate plate  93 . Each gate plate  93  slides sideways in a slot from a first position blocking back end  90  of each pipe  44 ,  45  to a second position opening back end  90  for receiving pellets  12 . 
     At the distribution center, pellet-unloading apparatus  23  is used to unload pellets  12  from trailer  11  to a storage region (not shown) in the shipping facility. Pellet-unloading apparatus  23  includes a pellet mover  24  or conduit system  29 , funnel  22 , a collector  20  including a scoop  52  positioned at a front end  51  of trailer  11 , and an extraction conduit  54  (preferably 8 inches in diameter) coupled to scoop  52 . Scoop  52  is apart of presently preferred collector, as shown in FIG. 10, that operates in cooperation with extraction conduit  54 . Suction device  25  is coupled to extraction conduit  54  at a back end  53  of trailer  11  and blower  27  is coupled to conduit system  29  at back end  53 . 
     Blower  27  pumps air into conduit system  29  to urge pellets  12  down V-shaped floor  40  toward scoop  52 . Suction device  25  generates negative pressure in extraction conduit  54  to pull pellets  12  into scoop  52  and extraction conduit  54  to remove pellets  12  from trailer  11 . Thus, suction device  25  draws pellets  12  from storage region  42  through scoop  52  and extraction conduit  54  to the storage region (not shown) in the distribution center to unload trailer  11 . 
     As shown in FIG. 12, conduit system  29  includes right and left conduits  46 ,  48  and a center conduit  50  positioned between right and left conduits  46 ,  48 . Right and left conduits  46 ,  48  are positioned adjacent to respective right and left side walls  28 , 30  of chamber  17  to direct pellets  12  toward a longitudinal, center axis  13  of chamber  17 . Center conduit  50  is positioned to direct pellets toward scoop  52 . 
     Right conduit  46  includes right, left, top, and bottom walls  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  extending from back end  53  of trailer  11  toward front end  51  that define an air passage  110  extending through right conduit  46 . As shown in FIG. 12, left wall  92  and top wall  94  are formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Left wall  92  includes a flange  112  coupled to bottom wall  96  to couple left wall  92  to bottom wall  96 . Right wall  90  and bottom wall  96  are also formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Right wall  90  is coupled to right side wall  28  with fasteners (not shown). Top wall  94  is spaced apart from right wall  90  by approximately one half inch by a spacer  98  to provide an air gap  114  therebetween. According to alternative embodiments of the right conduit, other materials and configurations are used to define an air passage and air gap. 
     As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, air is forced through air gap  114  to direct pellets  12  toward center axis  13  of chamber  17 . Blower  27  blows air into a port  248  (preferably 14 inches in diameter) of right conduit  46  from back end  53  of trailer  11  to create positive pressure in air passage  110 . The positive air pressure forces the air down right conduit  46  so that air escapes to the lower pressure region provided in storage region  42 . 
     Right conduit  46  is configured to provide a substantially equal pressure drop between air passage  110  and storage region  42  along the length of air gap  114 . To maintain the pressure drop, top wall  94  and left wall  92  are configured to provide right conduit  46  with a decreasing flow area as right conduit  46  extends toward front end  51  of trailer  11 . As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the width of top wall  94  decreases as right conduit  46  extends toward front end  51  of trailer  11 . Similarly, the height of left wall  92  decreases as right conduit  46  extends toward front end  51 . The combination of the decrease height of left wall  92  and decreasing width of top wall  94  provides the decreasing flow area of air passage  10  to maintain the pressure drop along right conduit  46 . 
     Conduit system  29  further includes a right louver  116  positioned to direct air exiting right conduit  46  down right side  41  of V-shaped floor  40 . Right louver  116  includes a mounting flange  118  coupled to right wall  90  of right conduit  46  and an air diverter flange  120  coupled to mounting flange  118 . Diverter flange  120  directs air leaving right conduit  46  through air gap  114  along right side  41  of V-shaped floor  40  so that pellets  12  are urged from the right side of chamber  17  toward center axis  13  of chamber  17 . 
     Left conduit  48  includes right, left, top, and bottom walls  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  extending from back end  53  of trailer  11  toward front end  51  that define an air passage  130  extending through left conduit  48 . As shown in FIG. 12, right wall  122  and top wall  126  are formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Right wall  122  includes a flange  132  coupled to bottom wall  128  to couple right wall  122  to bottom wall  128 . Left wall  124  and bottom wall  128  are also formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Left wall  124  is coupled to left side wall  30  with fasteners (not shown). Top wall  126  is spaced apart from left wall  124  by approximately one half inch by a spacer  98  to provide an air gap  134  therebetween. According to alternative embodiments of the left conduit, other materials and configurations are used to define an air passage and air gap. 
     As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, air is forced through air gap  134  to direct pellets  12  toward center axis  13  of chamber  17 . Blower  27  blows into a port  250  (preferably 14 inches in diameter) of left conduit  48  from back end  53  of trailer  11  to create positive pressure in air passage  130 . The positive air pressure forces the air down left conduit  48  so that the air escapes to the lower pressure region provided in storage region  42 . 
     Left conduit  48  is configured to provide a substantially equal pressure drop between air passage  130  and storage region  42  along the length of air gap  134 . To maintain the pressure drop, top wall  126  and right wall  122  are configured to provide left conduit  48  with a decreasing flow area as left conduit  48  extends toward front end  51  of trailer  11 . As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the width of top wall  126  decreases as left conduit  48  extends toward front end  51  of trailer  11 . Similarly, the height of right wall  122  decreases as left wall  48  extends toward front end  51 . The combination of the decrease height of right wall  122  and decreasing width of top wall  126  provides the decreasing flow area of air passage  130  to maintain the pressure drop along left conduit  48 . 
     Conduit system  29  further includes a left louver  136  positioned to direct air exiting left conduit  48  down left side  43  of V-shaped floor  40 . Left louver  136  includes a mounting flange  138  coupled to left wall  124  of left conduit  48  and an air diverter flange  140  coupled to mounting flange  138 . Diverter flange  140  directs air leaving left conduit  48  through air gap  134  along left side  43  of V-shaped floor  40  so that pellets  12  are urged from the left side of chamber  17  toward center axis  13  of chamber  17 . 
     Center conduit  50  includes right, left, top, and bottom walls  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148  extending from back end  53  of trailer  11  toward front end  51  that define an air passage  150  extending through left conduit  48 . As shown in FIG. 12, right wall  142  and a right portion  152  of top wall  146  are formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Right wall  142  includes a flange  154  coupling right wall  142  to chamber bottom  26 . Left wall  144  and a left portion  156  of top wall  146  are also formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Left wall  144  includes a flange  158  coupling left wall  144  to chamber bottom  26 . As shown in FIG. 12, bottom wall  148  is made of sheet metal and coupled to chamber bottom  26 . Top wall  146  further includes a center louver  160  positioned between right and left portions  152 ,  156  of top wall  146 . Center louver  160  is made of sheet metal and formed to include a plurality of openings  162 . According to alternative embodiments of the center conduit, other materials and configurations are used to define an air passage. 
     As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, air is forced through openings  162  to direct pellets  12  toward front end  51  of chamber  17  and scoop  52 . Air is blown into a port  252  (preferably 14 inches in diameter at the inlet and tapering to a 9.5 inch×24 inch oval at the outlet) of center conduit  50  from back end  53  of trailer  11  to create positive pressure in air passage  150 . The positive air pressure forces the air down center conduit  50  so that the air escapes through openings  162  to the lower pressure region provided in storage region  42  and urges pellets  12  toward scoop  52 . 
     Center conduit  50  is configured to provide a substantially equal pressure drop between air passage  150  and storage region  42  along the length of center louver  160 . To maintain the pressure drop, top wall  146 , right wall  142 , and left wall  144  are configured to provide center conduit  50  with a decreasing flow area as center conduit  50  extends toward front end  51  of trailer  11 . As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the width of top wall  146  decreases as center conduit  50  extends toward front end  51  of trailer  11 . Similarly, the height of right and left walls  142 ,  144  decrease as center conduit  50  extends toward front end  51 . The combination of the decrease height of right and left walls  142 ,  144  and decreasing width of top wall  146  provides the decreasing flow area of air passage  150  to maintain the pressure drop along left conduit  48 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, V-shaped floor  40  funnels pellets  12  from the right and left sides of chamber  17  toward center louver  160  and from back end  53  of trailer  11  to front end  51 . Floor  40  is made of sections of sheet metal and includes right and left sides  41 ,  43  that provide the V-shaped configuration. As shown in FIG. 12, right side  41  slants (preferably at 10°) downwardly (from right to left ) toward center louver  160 . Similarly, left side  43  slants (preferably at 10°) downwardly (from left to right) toward center louver  160 . A vertex of sides  41  and  43  is depicted by center axis  13 . As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, right and left side  41 ,  43  of floor  40  and center louver  160  slant (preferably at 1.2°) downwardly (from back to front) toward scoop  52 . The slanting of floor  40  and center louver  160  and the air escaping conduit system  29  direct pellets  12  toward the rear-center of chamber  17  so that scoop  52  collects pellets  12  and extraction conduit  54  pulls pellets  12  from chamber  17 . As shown in FIG. 12, floor  40  is supported above bottom  26  by conduit system  29 , a right bracket  168 , a left bracket  170 , and a plurality of right and left strips  172 ,  173 . Right bracket  168  is positioned between right conduit  46  and center conduit  50  to support right strips  172  extending therebetween and left bracket  170  is positioned between left conduit  48  and center conduit  50  to support left strips  173  therebetween. Right and left brackets  168 ,  170  extend from back end  53  of trailer  11  toward front end  51  to support strips  172 ,  173  positioned along the length of trailer  11 . 
     Right bracket  168  is made of sheet metal and includes a lower mounting flange  174  coupled to chamber bottom  26 , an upper mounting flange  176  coupled to support strips  172 , and a web  178  coupled to and extending between upper and lower mounting flanges  174 ,  176  as shown in FIG.  12 . Upper mounting flange  176  is slanted to support strips  172  at 10°. Similarly, left bracket  170  is made of sheet metal and includes a lower mounting flange  180  coupled to chamber bottom  26 , an upper mounting flange  182  coupled to support strips  172 , and a web  184  coupled to and extending between upper and lower mounting flanges  180 ,  182 . Upper mounting flange  176  is slanted to support strips  172  at 10°. 
     Strips  172 ,  173  are made of steel and provide rigidity to floor  40  to prevent buckling. Right strips  172  extend from the right-most extent of top wall  92  of right conduit  46  to the left-most extent of right portion  152  of top wall  146  of center conduit  50 . Similarly, left strips  173  extend from the left- most extent of top wall  126  of left conduit  48  to the right most extent of left portion  156  of center conduit  50 . Right strips  172  are spaced apart laterally along the length of trailer  11  by a distance of approximately one foot to support the right side  41  of floor  40  along the length of trailer  11 . (See FIG. 16.) Similarly, left strips  173  are spaced apart laterally along the length of trailer  11  by a distance of approximately one foot to support the left side  43  of floor  40 . Each strip  172 ,  173  is fastened to respective right, left, and central conduits  46 ,  48 ,  50  and right and left brackets  168 ,  170  and right and left sides  41 ,  43  of floor  40  are fastened to respective strips  172 ,  173  to provide the structural support for floor  40 . 
     As shown in FIG. 12, conduit system  29  further includes right and left brackets  186 ,  188  for supporting center louver  160 . Right bracket  186  is made of sheet metal and includes a mounting flange  190  sandwiched between the right portion of floor  40  and right strips  172 , a support flange  192  supporting a right side of center louver  160 , and a web  194  extending between mounting flange  190  and support flange  192 . Similarly, left bracket  188  is made of sheet metal and includes a mounting flange  196  sandwiched between the left portion of floor  40  and left strips  173 , a support flange  198  supporting a left side of center louver  160 , and a web  210  extending between mounting flange  196  and support flange  198 . Each bracket  186 ,  188  extends from back end  53  of trailer  11  toward front end  51  to support the length of center louver  160 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, trailer  11  includes a right plate  212  and a left plate  214  that cooperate with V-shaped floor  40  to define a preferred funnel  222  that directs pellets  12  toward an opening  220  in scoop  52 . Right and left plates  212 ,  214  slant (preferably at 45°) from the front end  51  of trailer  11  toward bottom  26  to direct pellets  12  away from front end wall  32  of trailer  11  and toward opening  220  in scoop  52 . Right and left plates  212 ,  214  are made of sheet metal and are coupled to front end wall  32  by a bracket  215  as shown in FIG.  16 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, right plate  212  closes the front end of right conduit  46  so that air does not move therethrough from air passage  110 . Similarly, left plate  214  closes the front end of left conduit  48  so that air does not move therethrough from air passage  130 . As shown in FIG. 14, right and left plates  212 ,  214  are substantially rectangular with truncated corners  216 ,  218 . 
     Scoop  52  is funnel-shaped having a first end or wide opening  220 , a tapered passage  222 , and a narrow end or narrow opening  224  exiting into extraction conduit  54 . Scoop  52  further includes a pair of triangular side walls  226 ,  228  having edges  230 ,  232  and a square collar  234  having an edge  236 . Edges  230 ,  232 ,  236  cooperate to define opening  220 . Side walls  226 ,  228  taper to narrow passage  222  as scoop  52  extends from wide opening  220  to narrow opening  224 . As shown in FIG. 15, scoop  52  further includes a rounded back wall  238  that provides a smooth transition as pellets  12  are directed through scoop  52 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, right and left plates  212 ,  214  are coupled to scoop  52 . Scoop  52  includes a pair of flanges  240 ,  242  that extend along edges  230 ,  232  and the right and left sides of collar  234 . Right plate  212  is coupled to flange  240  and left plate  214  is coupled to flange  242 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 14,  15 , pellets  12  are funneled toward opening  220  and are pulled into scoop  52  by suction applied to extraction conduit  54  by suction device  25 . The front end of center conduit  50  has an opening  244  through which a portion of the air flowing through air passage  150  exits and enters scoop  52 . This flow of air from opening  244  blows pellets  12  into scoop  52  and extraction conduit  54 . Thus, pellets  12  are both pulled into scoop  52  by the suction applied to extraction conduit  54  and blown into scoop  52  by air exiting opening  244  from air passage  150 . 
     Extraction conduit  54  extends from the back-center of trailer  11  at scoop  52  to the left-back of trailer  11  at port  256 . A gate  258  is located at port  256  to close the back end of extraction conduit  54  during transportation of trailer  11  between the manufacturing facility and the distribution center, as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     To unload trailer  11 , blower  27  is coupled to ports  248 ,  250 ,  252  of right, left, and center conduits  46 ,  48 ,  50  and suction device  25  is coupled to port  256  of extraction conduit  54 . After blower  27  and suction device  25  are activated, air flows into right, left, and center conduits  46 ,  48 ,  50  and passes through respective air passages  110 ,  130 ,  150 . As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, pressurized air in air passage  110  exits through air gap  114  to direct pellets down right side  41  of floor  40  toward center louver  160 ; pressurized air in air passage  130  exits through air gap  134  to direct pellets down left side  43  of floor  40  toward center louver  160 ; and pressurized air in air passage  150  exits openings  162  in center louver  160  to direct pellets  12  collecting at the center of floor  40  toward front end  51  of trailer  11  and scoop  52 . Additional air from air passage  150  of center conduit  50  exits through opening  244  to blow pellets  12  into scoop  52 . 
     Suction device  25  creates negative pressure in extraction conduit  54  to draw air and pellets  12  into scoop  52 . As pellets  12  collect near opening  220  of scoop  52 , the negative pressure in extraction conduit  54  draws pellets  12  into scoop  52  and extraction conduit  54 . Pellets  12  are then pulled through extraction conduit  54  and exit through port  256  and into suction device  25 . Pellets  12  are then dumped into a storage area (not shown) at the shipping facility for use as packing material. When trailer  11  is unloaded, suction device  25  and blower  27  are uncoupled from respective ports  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  256  and trailer  11  is hauled back to the pellet manufacturing facility for reloading. 
     An alternative embodiment loading pipe  260  is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Openings  262  are formed in pipe  260  to permit pellets  12  to exit loading pipe  260 . Openings  262  are formed in pipe  260  without cutting through a rib  264  in spiral pipe  260  so that the structural integrity of pipe  260  is not significantly affected. Pipe  260  includes a first edge  262  that is substantially parallel to rib  264  and parallel second and third edges  265 ,  266 . A slit  268  is cut in pipe  260  to form two flaps  270 ,  272  that arc folding into pipe  260  and fastened together to form a deflection plate  274  and define a fourth edge  276 . First, second, third, and fourth edges  262 ,  264 ,  266 , and  268  cooperate to define opening  262 . 
     Thus, a trailer is provided to haul packing material. The trailer includes a chamber having an interior region and an unloading system. The unloading system includes a collector positioned to remove the packing material from the trailer, an inlet, and an outlet. The unloading system further includes a funnel positioned to direct packing material toward the inlet of the collector and a conduit system configured to blow air down the funnel to direct the packing material into the inlet of the collector. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, a trailer and packing material are further provided. The packing material has a density of approximately 0.2 pounds/cubic foot. The trailer includes a chamber having an interior and an unloading system. The unloading system includes a collector positioned to remove the packing material from trailer. The unloading system further includes an inlet and an outlet and a funnel positioned to direct the packing material toward the inlet of the collector. 
     In preferred embodiments, the unloading system of the trailer and packing material further includes a conduit system configured to blow air down the funnel to direct the packing material into the inlet of the collector. The chamber of the trailer includes a slanted floor defining a portion of the funnel. The conduit system includes a first portion positioned near a bottom edge of the slanted floor to urge the packing material toward the inlet of the collector. The conduit system further includes a second portion positioned near a top edge of the slanted floor to urge packing material down the slanted floor. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The chamber is shown as part of a trailer having wheels, but the chamber could also be a closed chamber on a flatbed truck or trailer. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.