Patent ID: 8123454

Claim:
A particulate material loading and unloading system installable in an empty container having a floor, said system comprising: a) a self-contained particulate material loading and unloading system comprising: i) an elongated base member configured for removable installation between a product loading position and a product unloading position, ii) an elongated reciprocating conveyor secured movably on said elongated base member, A) said reciprocating conveyor configured to reciprocate between said loading position and said unloading position for moving particulate material toward said unloading position, B) said reciprocating conveyor having a plurality of elongated slats arranged side-by-side across the width of said base member and secured together as a plurality of groups, each group comprising a plurality of slats arranged for independent reciprocation of each slat of said group, and iii) at least one power drive on and above said base member, said at least one power drive engaging said reciprocating conveyor for reciprocating the latter, and b) said self-contained particulate material loading and unloading system installable and removable as an integrated system above said floor of said empty container, c) wherein said floor remains intact upon installation or removal of said self-contained particulate material loading and unloading system.