Patent ID: 7600351

Claim:
A transfer terminal comprising: a storage structure bounding a chamber having a maximum height extending between a floor of the storage structure and a top end of the chamber, the chamber being adapted to receive bulk material; a tunnel wall bounding a passageway extending through or below at least a portion of the storage structure; a compartment wall upwardly extending from the tunnel wall into the chamber, the compartment wall terminating at a top end face disposed within the chamber, the compartment wall bounding a compartment that is in communication with the passageway of the tunnel; a first surge bin at least partially disposed within the compartment bounded by the compartment wall, the first surge bin having an inlet, the inlet and the top end face of the compartment wall both being disposed within the chamber of the storage structure at a location below the top end of the chamber by a distance of at least one-third of the maximum height but above the floor such that when the chamber of the storage structure is filled above the location of the inlet and the top end face of the compartment wall with bulk material, the bulk material freely flows under the force of gravity through the inlet and into the first surge bin; an opening formed in the tunnel wall so as to provide communication between the first surge bin and the passageway of the tunnel wall; and means for transferring bulk material from within the chamber but outside of the first surge bin to within the compartment of the first surge bin.