Patent Publication Number: US-11661235-B2

Title: Bulk material shipping container top wall assembly and bulk material shipping container having a top wall assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Various bulk material shipping containers are known. Various known bulk material shipping containers are used to transport a wide range of products, parts, components, items, and other materials such as, but not limited to, seeds, shavings, fasteners, dry bulk, plastic resins, and granular materials (such as but not limited to cement or sand). These materials are generally referred to as loose materials herein. 
     There is a continuing need for better bulk material shipping containers for loose materials that are stronger than various known bulk material shipping containers, more durable than various known bulk material shipping containers, lighter than various known containers (that having similar loose material volume and weight capacities), easier to construct than various known bulk material shipping containers, configured to hold greater volumes of loose materials than various known bulk material shipping containers, configured to hold greater weights of loose materials than various known bulk material shipping containers, and configured to have a better weight to holding cargo capacity than various known bulk material shipping containers. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bulk material shipping container top wall assembly, and a bulk material shipping container including the top wall assembly, that provides various advantages over previously known commercially available bulk shipping material container top wall assemblies and bulk shipping material containers. 
     Various embodiments of the bulk material shipping container top wall assembly include: (1) a molded unitary (or one-piece) outer structure; and (2) a relatively lightweight and relatively strong inner reinforcing structure. The top wall assembly is configured to be mounted on and co-act with the other components of a bulk material shipping container to provide an inner chamber for holding loose materials. 
     Various embodiments of the bulk material shipping container of the present disclosure include: (1) a pallet; (2) a compartment connected to and supported by the pallet (such as via hopper supports), and which includes the top wall assembly; (3) a material unloading assembly connected to and supported by the pallet and positioned at a bottom portion of the compartment; and (4) a material loading assembly connected to and supported by the top wall assembly of the compartment. 
     In various embodiments, the bulk material shipping container with the top wall assembly is: (1) lighter than various known bulk material shipping containers; (2) stronger than various known bulk material shipping containers; (3) more durable than various known bulk material shipping containers; (4) configured to hold greater weights of loose materials than various known bulk material shipping containers; (5) configured to have a better weight to holding cargo capacity than various known bulk material shipping containers; (6) configured to better prevent leakage or water egress into the compartment than various known bulk material shipping containers; and (7) easier to assemble than various known bulk material shipping containers. 
     For purposes of brevity, (1) the bulk material shipping container of the present disclosure may sometimes be referred to herein as a material shipping container, a shipping container, or simply as a container; (2) a person who uses the container may sometimes be referred to herein as a “user” or an “operator”; (3) a person who loads loose materials in a container may sometimes be referred to herein as a “loader”; and (4) a person who removes the loose materials from a container may sometimes be referred to herein as an “unloader.” 
     Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in and will be apparent from the following figures and Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top front perspective view of the bulk material shipping container of one example embodiment of the present disclosure, and illustrating an example embodiment of the improved top wall assembly of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a top rear perspective view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a top side perspective view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a rear view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a right side view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a left side view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  9    is a partially exploded top perspective view of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   , showing the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged top perspective view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  11    is an enlarged top view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  12    is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  13    is an enlarged bottom view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  14    is an enlarged front view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  15    is an enlarged rear view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  16    is an enlarged right side view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  17    is an enlarged left side view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  18    is an enlarged fragmentary top perspective view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   , and showing the inner reinforcing structure in the interior cavity. 
         FIG.  19    is a top view of the top wall assembly removed from the rest of the bulk material shipping container of  FIG.  1   , and showing the inner reinforcing structure in the interior cavity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     While the systems, devices, and methods described herein may be embodied in various forms, the drawings show and the specification describes certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the components shown in the drawings and described in the specification may be required, and certain implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components; the shapes, sizes, and materials of the components; and the manners of connections of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise indicated, any directions referred to in the specification reflect the orientations of the components shown in the corresponding drawings and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Further, terms that refer to mounting methods, such as mounted, connected, etc., are not intended to be limited to direct mounting methods but should be interpreted broadly to include indirect and operably mounted, connected, and like mounting methods. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As further explained below, in various embodiments, the bulk material shipping container of the present disclosure provides an improved bulk material shipping container for loose materials that includes a compartment having a top wall assembly of the present disclosure that includes an outer unitary (or one-piece) top wall and a relatively lightweight relatively strong inner reinforcing structure and that is configured to co-act with the other components of the compartment. The top wall assembly enables the compartment and the overall shipping container to be: (1) lighter than various known bulk material shipping containers; (2) stronger than various known bulk material shipping containers; (3) more durable than various known bulk material shipping containers; (4) configured to hold greater weights of loose materials than various known bulk material shipping containers; (5) configured to have a better weight to holding cargo capacity than various known bulk material shipping containers; (6) configured to better prevent leakage or water egress into the compartment than various known bulk material shipping containers; and (7) easier to assemble than various known bulk material shipping containers. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS.  1  to  19    illustrate one example embodiment of a bulk material shipping container of the present disclosure and including one example embodiment of a top wall assembly of the present disclosure. This example bulk material shipping container, which is generally indicated by numeral 50, is configured to receive, hold, and release loose materials of substantial weight and volume. 
     Generally, as shown in  FIGS.  1  to  19   , this illustrated example embodiment of the shipping container  50  of the present disclosure includes: (1) a pallet  100 ; (2) a compartment  200  connected to and supported by the pallet  100 , and including a top wall assembly  300 ; (3) a material unloading assembly  800  connected to and supported by the pallet and the compartment  200 , and positioned at bottom portion of the compartment  200 ; and (4) a material loading assembly  900  connected to and supported by the top wall assembly  300  of the compartment  200 . The pallet  100  is configured to facilitate movement of the container  50  and to facilitate stacking of multiple containers  50 . The compartment  200  is configured to receive, hold, and release loose materials. The material unloading assembly  800  is configured to facilitate the release or unloading of loose materials from the compartment  200  of the container  50 . The material loading assembly  900  is configured to facilitate the loading of loose material into the compartment  200  and to prevent contaminants from entering the compartment  200 . It should be appreciated that the material shipping container  50  generally includes a front side (shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  3 ,  4 , and  9   ), a rear or back side (shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  5 , and  9   ) that is opposite the front side, a right side (shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  3 ,  6 , and  9   ), a left side (shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  7 , and  9   ), opposite the right side, a bottom side, and a top side (shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  9   ). 
     More specifically, in this example embodiment of the shipping container  50  of the present disclosure, the pallet  100  is configured to be lifted by a lifting vehicle such as a forklift truck to lift, move, and position or place the container  50  when the container  50  is: (a) manufactured; (b) transported to a material loading facility; (c) at a material loading facility; (d) moved and positioned in or on a transport vehicle at the material loading facility after loading loose materials in the container  50 ; (e) removed from a transport vehicle at a material unloading facility or storage facility; (f) at a container unloading facility or site or at a storage facility; (g) moved and positioned in or on a material unloading device for storage or emptying or another container at the material unloading facility for storage or emptying; (h) moved into another position or another location for customer storage, use, or emptying; and/or (i) moved and positioned in or on a transport vehicle at the material unloading facility after unloading the materials from the container  50 . The container  50  and specifically the pallet  100  of the container  50  is configured to account for the use of forklift trucks that can engage the pallet  100  to: (1) lift the container  50 ; (2) move the container  50 ; (3) stack the container  50  on top of another container  50  or other device; (4) un-stack a stacked container  50  from another container  50  or other device; and (5) place the container  50  on a material unloading device (such as one of the example material unloading devices shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,650,216 or U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2018/0002120). Example pallets for the containers of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,887,914 and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2018/0002066, which are incorporated herein by reference. It should be appreciated that the pallet may be in other suitable forms in accordance with the present disclosure. Thus, the pallet  100  is not described in further detail herein for brevity. 
     The example material unloading assembly  800  of the bulk material shipping container  50  of the present disclosure is indicated by numeral  800  but not fully illustrated in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . The material unloading assembly  800  generally includes: (a) a gate movement assembly (not shown); and (b) a gate assembly (not shown). The gate assembly is configured to move on and with respect to the gate movement assembly to be in a closed position to prevent the release of loose materials held in the compartment  200 , and to move to a plurality of different partially open positions and to a fully opened position to enable the release of loose materials held in the compartment  200 . Example material unloading assemblies for such containers of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,887,914 and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2018/0002066. It should be appreciated that the material unloading assembly may be in other suitable forms in accordance with the present disclosure. Thus, the material unloading assembly  800  is not described in further detail herein for brevity. 
     Various parts of the illustrated example compartment  200  of the shipping container  50  of the present disclosure are generally illustrated in  FIGS.  1  to  10   . The compartment  200  defines an interior chamber or material holding area  202  (as indicated in  FIG.  9   ) configured to receive, hold, and release loose materials (not shown). The compartment  200  generally includes: (1) a first upright corner assembly  210  (including a bottom corner, upright corner members, and top corner); (2) a second upright corner assembly  212  (including a bottom corner, upright corner members, and top corner); (3) a third upright corner assembly  214  (including a bottom corner, upright corner members, and top corner); (4) a fourth upright corner assembly  216  (including a bottom corner, upright corner members, and top corner); (5) an interior bottom wall assembly (not shown); (6) an interior bottom wall support assembly (not shown); (7) an exterior front wall assembly  220 ; (8) an exterior first or right side wall assembly  222 ; (9) an exterior rear wall assembly  224 ; (10) an exterior second or left side wall assembly  226 ; (11) the top wall assembly  300 ; and (12) a material release opening or chute (not shown) defined by the interior bottom wall assembly. In this illustrated embodiment, the first upright corner assembly  210 , the second upright corner assembly  212 , the third upright corner assembly  214  and the fourth upright corner assembly  216  are all formed from steel and suitably connected by fasteners or welding to provide suitable structural strength and rigidity. However, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, various parts of the compartment  200  can be made from other suitably strong materials (such as wood, plastic, or composite or fiber glass materials), and that two or more parts thereof can be suitably connected in other manners. Example material compartments for such containers of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,887,914 and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2018/0002066. It should be appreciated that the compartment may be in other suitable forms in accordance with the present disclosure. Thus, the compartment (except for the top wall assembly  300 ) is not described in further detail herein for brevity. 
     As best shown in more detail in  FIGS.  10  to  19   , the illustrated example top wall assembly  300  of the compartment  200  of the container  50  includes: (1) a molded unitary or one-piece outer structure  310 ; and (2) a relatively lightweight relatively strong inner reinforcing structure  600  encapsulated in the molded unitary or one-piece outer structure  310 . The outer structure  310  defines an interior cavity  602  in which the inner reinforcing structure  600  is positioned. 
     The outer structure  310  of the top wall assembly  300  includes a horizontally or substantially horizontally extending base  320  including: (1) an inner section  330 ; (2) a reinforced central section  350  surrounding the inner section  330  and defining the interior cavity  602  between a first (top) wall  350   t  and a second (bottom) wall  350   b ; and (3) an outer section  370  surrounding the central section  350 . The outer structure  310  of the top wall assembly  300  includes: (1) four somewhat L-shaped partially raised corner sections  400 ,  420 ,  440 , and  460  extending from the four respective corners of the outer section  370 ; and (2) four outer lips  480 ,  482 ,  484 , and  486  extending downwardly from the four respective outer panels of the outer section  370 . 
     More specifically, the inner section  330  of the outer structure  310  of the top wall assembly  300  includes: (1) a front panel  332 ; (2) a rear panel  336  spaced apart from the front panel  332 ; (3) a first side panel  334  connecting the front panel  332  and the rear panel  336 ; (4) a second side panel  338  connecting the front panel  332  and the rear panel  336  and spaced apart from the first side panel  334 ; and (5) an inner lip  340  that is connected to and that extends upwardly from the front panel  332 , the rear panel  336 , the first side panel  334 , and the second side panel  338 . Each of the front panel  332 , the rear panel  336 , the first side panel  334 , and the second side panel  338  have respective top and bottom surfaces (not labeled). The inner lip  340  defines a central material loading opening  340   a  for the compartment  200  of the container  50 , and includes: (1) a front wall  342 ; (2) a rear wall  346  spaced apart from the front wall  342 ; (3) a first side wall  344  connecting the front wall  342  and the rear wall  346 ; and (4) a second side wall  348  connecting the front wall  342  and the rear wall  346  and spaced apart from the first side wall  344 . The upwardly extending inner lip  340  is configured to be engaged by and sealed by the hatch assembly  910  of the material loading assembly  900  described below. The top wall assembly  300  thus defines a rectangular material receipt or loading opening  340   a  that enables loose materials to flow into the compartment  200  when the hatch assembly  910  of the material loading assembly  900  is opened. 
     The central reinforced section  350  of the outer structure  310  of the top wall assembly  300  includes: (1) a front panel  352 ; (2) a rear panel  356  spaced apart from the front panel  352 ; (3) a first side panel  354  connecting the front panel  352  and the rear panel  356 ; and (4) a second side panel  358  connecting the front panel  352  and the rear panel  356  and spaced apart from the first side panel  354 . The front panel  352  extends from the front panel  332 , the rear panel  356  extends from the rear panel  336 , the first side panel  334  extends from the first side panel  334 , and the second side panel  358  extends from the second side panel  338  such that the front panel  352 , the rear panel  356 , the first side panel  354 , and the second side panel  358  surrounds the inner section  330  and specifically respectively surrounds the front panel  332 , the rear panel  336 , the first side panel  334 , and the second side panel  338 . Each of the front panel  352 , the rear panel  356 , the first side panel  354 , and the second side panel  358  have respective top and bottom walls collectively referred to as first (top) wall  350   t  and second (bottom) wall  350   b.    
     In this illustrated example embodiment, the front panel  352 , the rear panel  356 , the first side panel  354 , and the second side panel  358  are reinforced by a plurality of suitable inner reinforcing members  600  diagrammatically shown in  FIGS.  18  and  19   . In this illustrated example embodiment, the front panel  352  includes spaced apart first (top) and second (bottom) walls  352   t ,  352   b  that define a front interior cavity  652 , the rear panel  356  includes spaced apart first (top) and second (bottom) walls  356   t ,  356   b  that define a rear interior cavity  656 , the first side panel  354  includes spaced apart first (top) and second (bottom) walls  354   t ,  354   b  that define a first side interior cavity  654 , and the second side panel  358  includes spaced apart first (top) and second (bottom) walls  358   t ,  358   b  that define a second side interior cavity  658 . In this illustrated example embodiment, the front interior cavity  652 , the rear interior cavity  656 , the first side interior cavity  654 , and the second side interior cavity  658  are all connected. In this illustrated example embodiment, the front interior cavity  652 , the rear interior cavity  656 , the first side interior cavity  654 , and the second side interior cavity  658  are each partially or fully filled with a relatively light weight relatively strong inner reinforcing material  600 . In this illustrated example embodiment, the reinforcing material  600  is a lightweight wood such as a balsa wood. It should be appreciated that other suitable reinforcing materials may be employed in accordance with the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the reinforcing material can be arranged in any suitable manner in the connected interior cavities in accordance with the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that two or more of the interior cavities may be separate cavities in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     The outer section  370  of the outer structure  310  of the top wall assembly  300  includes: (1) a front panel  372 ; (2) a rear panel  376  spaced apart from the front panel  372 ; (3) a first side panel  374  connecting the front panel  372  and the rear panel  376 ; and (4) a second side panel  378  connecting the front panel  372  and the rear panel  376  and spaced apart from the first side panel  374 . The front panel  372  extends from the front panel  352 , the rear panel  376  extends from the rear panel  356 , the first side panel  374  extends from the first side panel  354 , and the second side panel  378  extends from the second side panel  358  such that the front panel  372 , the rear panel  376 , the first side panel  374 , and the second side panel  378  surrounds the inner section  350  and more specifically respectively surround the front panel  352 , the rear panel  356 , the first side panel  354 , and the second side panel  358 . Each of the front panel  372 , the rear panel  376 , the first side panel  374 , and the second side panel  378  have respective top and bottom surfaces (not labeled). 
     The four somewhat L-shaped partially raised corner sections  400 ,  420 ,  440 , and  460  of the outer structure  310  of the top wall assembly  300  are identical in this illustrated example embodiment. 
     Corner section  400  includes: (1) first and second upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  402  and  404  connected by a curved inner wall  403 ; (2) first and second outwardly extending top walls  406  and  408  connected by a curved top wall  407 ; (3) first and second downwardly extending outer walls  410  and  412  connected by a downwardly extending curved outer wall  411 ; and (4) first and second downwardly extending end walls  414  and  416 . Each of the upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  402 ,  403  and  404 , the outwardly extending top walls  406 ,  407  and  408 , the downwardly extending outer walls  410 ,  411  and  412  have top and bottom surfaces (not labeled). The first and second downwardly extending end walls  414  and  416  have inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). 
     The first inner wall  402  is connected to the outer section  370 , the first top wall  406  is connected to the first inner wall  402 , and the first outer wall  410  is connected to the first top wall  406 . The second inner wall  404  is connected to the outer section  370 , the second top wall  408  is connected to the second inner wall  404 , and the second outer wall  412  is connected to the second top wall  408 . The curved inner wall  403  is connected to the outer section  370 , the curved top wall  407  is connected to the curved inner wall  403 , and the curved outer wall  411  is connected to the curved top wall  407 . The first end wall  414  is connected to the first inner wall  402 , the first top wall  406 , and the first outer wall  410 . The second end wall  416  is connected to the second inner wall  404 , the second top wall  408 , and the second outer wall  412 . Each of these walls includes respective inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). Each of these walls co-act to form the corner section  402  such that the corner section  402  is configured to be mounted to and supported by the first upright corner assembly  212 . 
     Likewise, corner section  420  includes: (1) first and second upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  422  and  424  connected by a curved inner wall  423 ; (2) first and second outwardly extending top walls  426  and  428  connected by a curved top wall  427 ; (3) first and second downwardly extending outer walls  430  and  432  connected by a downwardly extending curved outer wall  431 ; and (4) first and second downwardly extending end walls  434  and  436 . Each of the upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  422 ,  423  and  424 , the outwardly extending top walls  426 ,  427  and  428 , the downwardly extending outer walls  430  and  432  have top and bottom surfaces (not labeled). The downwardly extending end walls  434 ,  435  and  436  have inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). 
     The first inner wall  422  is connected to the outer section  370 , the first top wall  426  is connected to the first inner wall  422 , and the first outer wall  430  is connected to the first top wall  426 . The second inner wall  424  is connected to the outer section  370 , the second top wall  428  is connected to the second inner wall  424 , and the second outer wall  432  is connected to the second top wall  428 . The curved inner wall  423  is connected to the outer section  370 , the curved top wall  427  is connected to the curved inner wall  423 , and the curved outer wall  431  is connected to the curved top wall  427 . The first end wall  434  is connected to the first inner wall  422 , the first top wall  426 , and the first outer wall  430 . The second end wall  436  is connected to the second inner wall  424 , the second top wall  428 , and the second outer wall  432 . Each of these walls includes respective inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). Each of these walls co-act to form the corner section  420  such that the corner section  420  is configured to be mounted on and supported by the second upright corner assembly  214 . 
     Likewise, corner section  440  includes: (1) first and second upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  442  and  444  connected by a curved inner wall  443 ; (2) first and second outwardly extending top walls  446  and  448  connected by a curved top wall  447 ; (3) first and second downwardly extending outer walls  450  and  452  connected by a downwardly extending curved outer wall  451 ; and (4) first and second downwardly extending end walls  454  and  456 . Each of the upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  452 ,  453  and  454 , the outwardly extending top walls  456 ,  457  and  458 , the downwardly extending outer walls  460  and  462  have top and bottom surfaces (not labeled). The downwardly extending end walls  454 ,  455  and  456  have inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). 
     The first inner wall  442  is connected to the outer section  370 , the first top wall  446  is connected to the first inner wall  442 , and the first outer wall  450  is connected to the first top wall  446 . The second inner wall  444  is connected to the outer section  370 , the second top wall  448  is connected to the second inner wall  444 , and the second outer wall  452  is connected to the second top wall  448 . The curved inner wall  443  is connected to the outer section  370 , the curved top wall  447  is connected to the curved inner wall  443 , and the curved outer wall  451  is connected to the curved top wall  447 . The first end wall  454  is connected to the first inner wall  442 , the first top wall  446 , and the first outer wall  450 . The second end wall  456  is connected to the second inner wall  444 , the second top wall  448 , and the second outer wall  452 . Each of these walls includes respective inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). Each of these walls co-act to form the corner section  440  such that the corner section  440  is configured to be mounted on and supported by the third upright corner assembly  216 . 
     Likewise, corner section  460  includes: (1) first and second upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  462  and  464  connected by a curved inner wall  463 ; (2) first and second outwardly extending top walls  466  and  468  connected by a curved top wall  467 ; (3) first and second downwardly extending outer walls  470  and  472  connected by a downwardly extending curved outer wall  471 ; and (4) first and second downwardly extending end walls  474  and  476 . Each of the upwardly and outwardly extending inner walls  472 ,  473  and  474 , the outwardly extending top walls  476 ,  477  and  478 , the downwardly extending outer walls  480 ,  481  and  482  have top and bottom surfaces (not labeled). The first and second downwardly extending end walls  484  and  486  have inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). 
     The first inner wall  462  is connected to the outer section  370 , the first top wall  466  is connected to the first inner wall  462 , and the first outer wall  470  is connected to the first top wall  466 . The second inner wall  464  is connected to the outer section  370 , the second top wall  468  is connected to the second inner wall  464 , and the second outer wall  472  is connected to the second top wall  468 . The curved inner wall  463  is connected to the outer section  370 , the curved top wall  467  is connected to the curved inner wall  463 , and the curved outer wall  471  is connected to the curved top wall  467 . The first end wall  474  is connected to the first inner wall  462 , the first top wall  466 , and the first outer wall  470 . The second end wall  446  is connected to the second inner wall  444 , the second top wall  448 , and the second outer wall  472 . Each of these walls includes respective inner and outer surfaces (not labeled). Each of these walls co-act to form the corner section  460  such that the corner section  460  is configured to be mounted on and supported by the fourth upright corner assembly  418 . 
     Each of the corner sections  400 ,  420 ,  440 , and  460  are configured to: (1) direct water (such as from precipitation) away from the corner and off of the container  100 ; (2) prevent water (and other contaminants) from entering the compartment; (3) provide for easier, simpler, and quicker attachment of the top wall assembly to the rest of the container; and (4) add strength and rigidity to the corner sections of the compartment and the entire container. 
     The four downwardly extending outer lips  482 ,  484 ,  486 , and  488  of the outer structure  310  of the top wall assembly  300  are connected to the outer section  370  of the outer structure  310 . More specifically, (1) outer lip  482  is connected to and extends downwardly from the front panel  372 ; (2) outer lip  486  is connected to and extends downwardly from rear panel  376 ; (3) outer lip  484  is connected to and extends downwardly from first side panel  374 ; and (4) outer lip  488  is connected to and extends downwardly from second side panel  378 . 
     Each of the four downwardly extending outer lips  480 ,  482 ,  484 , and  486  are configured to: (1) prevent water from entering the compartment; and (2) provide for easier, simpler, and quicker attachment of the top wall assembly to the rest of the container. Specifically, for attachment purposes, suitable holes are formed in each of the outer lips  480 ,  482 ,  484 , and  486 , and suitable fasteners (such as nuts, washers, and bolts) are employed to attached each of the respective outer lips  480 ,  482 ,  484 , and  486  to respective top wall assembly supporters (not shown). 
     In this illustrated embodiment, the top wall  310  of the top wall assembly  300  (besides the inner reinforcing structure) is made of fiberglass to: (1) provide a relatively light-weight top wall; (2) facilitate ease of attachment or connection to the rest of the compartment of the container; (3) provide structural strength and rigidity; (4) facilitate ease of cleaning; (5) prevent rusting; (6) minimize overall weight of the container; and (7) prevent contamination. However, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, one or more of these components can be made from other suitable materials and connected in any suitable manner. 
     The material loading assembly  900  of this illustrated example embodiment of the shipping container  50  of the present disclosure is generally illustrated in  FIGS.  1  to  9   . The material loading assembly  900  generally includes: (1) a hatch assembly  910 ; and (2) a hatch movement and locking assembly  950 . The hatch assembly  910  is configured to be in a closed position (as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9   ) to prevent loose materials and contaminants from entering the compartment  200  through the opening  340   a  in the top wall  310  of the top wall assembly  300  of the compartment  200 , and to move to a plurality of different partially open positions (not shown) and to a fully opened position (not shown) to enable loose materials to be loaded into the compartment  200  through the opening  340   a  in the top wall  310  of the top wall assembly  300  of the compartment  200 . 
     In this illustrated example embodiment, the hatch assembly  910  includes a top wall (not labeled), a front wall (not labeled) connected to and extending downwardly from the top wall, a back wall (not labeled) connected to and extending downwardly from the top wall, a right side wall (not labeled) connected to and extending downwardly from the top wall, and a left side wall (not labeled) connected to and extending downwardly from the top wall. In this illustrated example embodiment, the hatch movement and locking assembly  950  includes a first hinge assembly (not labeled), a second hinge assembly (not labeled), a third hinge assembly (not labeled), and a locking assembly (not labeled). In this illustrated example embodiment, the first, second and third hinge assemblies are suitably connected to the top wall  310  and the top wall site hatch assembly  910 . In this illustrated embodiment, the configuration, arrangement, and attachment of the hatch assembly  910  and the hatch movement and locking assembly  950  provide material contamination prevention and secure access to the compartment  200 . 
     It should be appreciated that any suitable locking mechanism (not shown) may be employed in accordance with the present disclosure to lock the material loading assembly. 
     It should further be appreciated that the top wall assembly of the present disclosure can be suitably coated (such as by painting with a clear or colored protective coating). It should be appreciated that such coating may include a UV protective agent. 
     It should also be appreciated that one or more suitable vents (not shown) can be formed in or attached to the top wall assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     It should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates the elimination or reduction of sharp edges in the compartment and that any sharp edges can be curved or formed with a suitable radius. 
     It should also be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates the use of foam, tape, or other materials in connection with the corner assemblies for sealing purposes. 
     It should be appreciated from the above, that various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bulk material shipping container comprising: a compartment including a top wall assembly, the top wall assembly including a molded unitary outer structure and an inner reinforcing structure; a material loading assembly connected to and supported by the top wall assembly; and a material unloading assembly at a bottom portion of the compartment. In various such embodiments, the top wall assembly mates with a first upper corner assembly, a second upper corner assembly, a third upper corner assembly, and a fourth upper corner assembly of the compartment. In various such embodiments, the outer structure includes an inner section, a central section surrounding the inner section and defining an interior cavity in which the inner reinforcing structure is positioned, and an outer section surrounding the central section. In various such embodiments, the outer structure includes four somewhat L-shaped partially raised corner sections extending from four respective corners of the outer section. In various such embodiments, the outer structure includes four outer lips extending downwardly from the outer section. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes wood. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes balsa wood. 
     It should also be appreciated from the above, that various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bulk material shipping container comprising: a compartment including a top wall assembly, the top wall assembly including a molded unitary outer structure and an inner reinforcing structure, the top wall assembly mating with a first upper corner assembly, a second upper corner assembly, a third upper corner assembly, and a fourth upper corner assembly of the compartment, the outer structure including an inner section, a central section surrounding the inner section and defining an interior cavity in which the inner reinforcing structure is positioned, and an outer section surrounding the central section, the outer structure including four somewhat L-shaped partially raised corner sections extending from four respective corners of the outer section, the outer structure including four outer lips extending downwardly from the outer section; a material loading assembly connected to and supported by the top wall assembly; and a material unloading assembly at a bottom portion of the compartment. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes wood. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes balsa wood. 
     It should also be appreciated from the above, that various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bulk material shipping container top wall assembly comprising: a molded unitary outer structure; and an inner reinforcing structure. In various such embodiments, the outer structure is configured to mate with a first upper corner assembly, a second upper corner assembly, a third upper corner assembly, and a fourth upper corner assembly of a compartment of a bulk material shipping container. In various such embodiments, the outer structure includes an inner section, a central section surrounding the inner section and defining an interior cavity in which the inner reinforcing structure is positioned, and an outer section surrounding the central section. In various such embodiments, the outer structure includes four somewhat L-shaped partially raised corner sections extending from four respective corners of the outer section. In various such embodiments, the outer structure includes four outer lips extending downwardly from the outer section. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes wood. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes balsa wood. 
     It should also be appreciated from the above, that various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bulk material shipping container top wall assembly comprising: a molded unitary outer structure including an inner section, a central section surrounding the inner section and defining an interior cavity, and an outer section surrounding the central section, the outer structure including four somewhat L-shaped partially raised corner sections extending from four respective corners of the outer section, the outer structure including four outer lips extending downwardly from the outer section; and an inner reinforcing structure positioned in the interior cavity. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes wood. In various such embodiments, the inner reinforcing structure includes balsa wood. 
     It should be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.