Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, this continuation application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/378,194, entitled Drying Apparatus and Method of Using the Same, naming Randal W. Hill as inventor, filed Feb. 12, 2009 (issued on Aug. 24, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,556), which pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/989,739, entitled Drying Apparatus and Method of Using the Same, naming Randal W. Hill as inventor, filed Nov. 15, 2004, which pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/520,415, entitled Drying Apparatus and Method of Using the Same, filed Nov. 14, 2003, naming Randal W. Hill as inventor. The contents of these aforementioned United States patent applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for any and all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates in general to the field of drying containers and more specifically to the field of mobile drying containers used to dry crops, such as, for example, a peanut trailer used to store and dry large quantities of peanuts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As harvesting technologies advance, the harvesting capacity of field crops increase. However, in many types of field crops the moisture content must be removed through a drying process—typically referred to a “curing.” Such a curing process is seen by many as bottleneck in the overall production process of a crop. Therefore, it is desirable to batch process the crop. For example, a typical practice in peanut processing is to load harvested peanuts into a wagon and transport the peanuts to a central location. At the central location, the peanuts are offloaded into large commercial curing facilities and dried to a suitable moisture content—typically less than 10%. 
         [0004]    While such a practice enables batch processing, inefficiencies are perceived. The peanuts must be transferred multiple times. For example, peanuts are first loaded into the wagon; then the peanuts are transferred into the curing facility; and then the peanuts are transferred to another container to load into a storage facility. Additionally, the peanuts can only be processed at the remote facility—sometimes requiring undesirable travel distances. 
         [0005]    In yet other practices of the peanut processing, the inefficiencies of a crop transfer are reduced by utilization of specially-designed peanut wagons in the field. The peanut wagons have perforated floors. After deposit of the harvested peanuts, the peanut wagons are placed under a cover and warm air is injected through the perforated floors. The consequence of such a practice is the inability to batch process the peanuts. And, as the size of the peanut wagon increases, concern is given to the structural limitations that may exist—e.g., from the increased loading of the wagon. Additionally, an increased size peanut wagon may not be economically feasible or capable of traveling distances to the storage facility. Further concerns include regulations that make it necessary to cure peanuts in batches to maintain the identity of the peanuts until they are sold. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a storage container; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A AND 2B  show perspective view of a drying container, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an interior of a drying container, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 A, AND  6 B show a view of a support system, which can be used to support the floor, according to an aspect of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom perspective view of a floor, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows a top perspective view of a floor, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  shows a bottom perspective view of a floor and its coupling to the sidewall, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  shows another bottom perspective view of a floor and its coupling to the sidewall, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  shows a close up view of a front of a storage container with various component parts; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  shows a close-up view of a front of a drying container with a new location for various component parts, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  shows a close-up view of tarp straps, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  shows a close-up view of a winch, which can be used with a tarp strap, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  shows a close-up view of a winch, which can be used with a tarp strap, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  shows a view of a back of a converted trailer with a rear conversion, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  shows a view of another type of storage container, which can be converted, according to an aspect of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e , and  18   f  are a series of drawings that illustrate the conversion of the support legs to a skid support with moveable connections; 
           [0023]    FIGS.  19 , 20 ,  21  and  22  illustrate an opening, such as a plenum opening, at a front wall leading to a lower volume of the mobile drying container, and the installation of a front opening cover; 
           [0024]      FIG. 23  illustrates a hinged gate of the back wall of a mobile drying container; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 24 ,  25 , and  26  illustrate an opening at a back wall leading to a lower volume within the mobile drying container, and included as part of the hinged gate, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 23 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of the present invention is illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present invention should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein. 
         [0027]    One aspect of the invention generally involves the conversion of any container, van, or trailer (hereinafter referred to as “storage container  50 ”) into a drying container  100 . In this aspect of the invention, a crop, such as peanuts, can be deposited through an opening  124  ( FIG. 3 ) into a bin  200  ( FIG. 3 ) within the drying container  100 . The crop, upon being inserted into the drying container  100 , rests upon a floor  150  ( FIG. 3 ), which is made of a screen  152  ( FIG. 8 ), having a plurality of holes therein. The holes are preferably small enough to prevent the crop from passing therethrough. The floor  150  ( FIG. 3 ) is elevated above an interior bottom  148  ( FIG. 3 ) of the drying container  100  to create a plenum  300  ( FIG. 3 ), which may be referred to as a lower volume  300 . The elevation of the floor  150  ( FIG. 3 ) above the interior bottom  148  ( FIG. 3 ) is facilitated via a support system  160  ( FIGS. 4-6 ). The plenum  300  ( FIG. 3 ) is in communication with at least one plenum opening  310  ( FIGS. 2A ,  12 , and  16 ), which couples with a blower to pressurize the plenum  300  ( FIG. 3 ) with warm air flow. The pressurization of the plenum  300  with warm air flow forces air up into the bin  200  ( FIG. 3 ), which may be referred to as an upper volume, through the screen  152  to facilitate a drying of the crop. 
         [0028]    After drying of the crop, the drying container  100  can be unloaded in a variety of manners. For example, the entire drying container  100  can be hydraulically lifted to a vertical position, doors  105  ( FIG. 2B ) can be opened, and the contents of the bin  200  can be dumped out. While these general aspects of the invention have been described above, other aspects of the invention will become apparent with reference to the description below and figures, corresponding thereto. 
         [0029]    Another aspect of the invention generally includes utilization of a drying container  100 , having wheels  500 , which allows movement of the drying container  100 —e.g., in a crop field or on the road towards a storage facility. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B show a general “before and after” view of a storage container  50 /drying container  100 , according to an aspect of the invention.  FIG. 1  is a view of a storage container  50  (the before) while  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a view of a drying container  100  (the after). As referenced above, the storage container  50  can be any commercially-available storage container including, but not limited to, rail vans, cargo boxes, trailers, and the like. The general description of the storage containers  50 , described herein, is intended as being only illustrative of some of the many storage containers  50  that can be converted into a drying container  100 . Other storage containers  50  should become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, while a general description of a conversion of a storage container is given herein it should be expressly understood that in other aspects of the invention the drying container  100  can be made directly rather than being converted from a storage container  50 . 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the conversion of the storage container  50  into the drying container  100  includes incorporation of several features, namely a plenum opening  310  and a ladder  106  at a front end  102 , which may also be referred to as a front wall, of the drying container  100  and a tarp  180  on the top of the drying container  100 . Such features, along with other features described below, allow the drying container  100  to facilitate the drying of crops—e.g., peanuts. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2B  generally shows a back end  104  of the drying container  100 , which may also be referred to as a back wall. The back end  104  can include standard component parts generally available in a storage container  50 —e.g., doors  105 . 
         [0033]    While the plenum opening  310  is generally shown on a front end  102  of the drying container  100  in the aspect of  FIG. 2A , it should be expressly understood that the plenum opening  310  can be positioned in other locations as will be described below with reference to  FIG. 16 . 
         [0034]    In the general design of the drying container  100 , care must be taken to ensure that the drying container  100  can withstand the loads that will be placed thereon. Therefore, for example, in aspects of the invention involving a conversion of a storage container  50  into a drying container  100 , consideration can be given to certain structural features of the storage container  50 , which have been designed to support a load. In several aspects of the invention, structural features of the storage container  50  can be utilized in support of the load being placed on the drying container  100 . More details of this aspect of the invention will be described below. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an interior of the drying container  100 , according to an aspect of the invention. This view is taken from a back end  104  of the drying container with doors  105  opened. The plenum opening  310  is partially seen on an opposite end of the drying container  100 . In this aspect of the invention, the drying container  100  generally includes an interior side wall  140  which may include a first side wall and a second side wall, an interior bottom  148 , cross members  120 , ridge straps  170 , a floor  150 , and a support system  160 . While such features will generally be described below, it is to be expressly understood that in other aspects of the invention, other component parts may be utilized and the component parts described herein may additionally be modified. The ultimate design of the drying container  100  will, to a certain degree, depend on the dynamics of the particular use in which the drying container  100  will be used. 
         [0036]    The interior sidewalls  140  and interior bottom  148  help define the interior space of the drying container  100 . The insertion of a floor  150  above the interior bottom  148  divides the interior space of the drying container  100  into a bin  200  and a plenum  300 . Generally, a crop, such as peanuts, can be placed inside the bin  200 —the bin  200  being elevated above the interior bottom  148 . Warm air or the like can then be injected into the plenum  300  (area between the interior bottom  148  and floor  150 ) and allowed to seep up through the floor  150  to dry the crop. The details of the floor  150  will be described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  6 A, and  6 B. 
         [0037]    The crop can be placed into the storage bin  200  utilizing any techniques, now known or later developed. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, depositions into the bin via an auger or conveyer belt. To facilitate the deposition of a crop, such as peanuts, into the bin  200 , this aspect of the drying container  100  includes an opening  124 . In aspects of the invention involving the conversion of a storage container  50  that has a roof (e.g., if the storage container  50  is a rail van), the roof can be cut off or stripped from the storage container  50 . 
         [0038]    Roof bows or cross members  120  can serve to provide structural integrity similar to that provided by a roof—e.g., a brace for the interior sidewalls  140 . The cross member  120  can be mounted to top rails  122  atop the interior sidewalls  140  of the drying container  100 . Such cross members  120  can be made of virtually any material suitable for their intended purposes including, but not limited to, tube steel. 
         [0039]    A tarp  180  can be incorporated adjacent the cross members  120  to allow selective covering of the opening  124  of the drying container  100  to prevent environmental elements, such as rain, from entering the interior of the drying container  100 . The use of a tarp  180 —e.g., that is rolled over the cross members  120 —should become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The cross members  120  in this aspect of the invention have a peaked center portion, which allows the environmental elements to roll off the tarp  180 . To prevent environmental elements, such as water, from standing in areas upon the tarp  180  between the cross members  120 , ridge straps  170  can be used. In this aspect of the invention, two independent ridge straps  170  are positioned on top of the cross members  120  down the length of the drying container  100 . The ridge straps  170  elevate the tarp  180  (when placed over the cross members) to decrease the surface area of the tarp  180  between the cross members  120 —helping to prevent sinking of the tarp  180  between the cross members  120 . The ridge straps  170  can be adjusted (e.g., tightened down onto the cross members  120 ), utilizing ridge strap winches  172 . 
         [0040]    The interior sidewalls  140  in this aspect of the invention include sidewall members  142 —one on each interior sidewall  140 . The sidewall members  142  can be coupled to posts (not seen), which may extend inside the interior sidewalls  140 . Chains  190  are stretched between the sidewall members  142  to provide additional structural support to the interior sidewalls  140 . When a large crop load is placed within the bin  200 , the chains  190  prevent the sidewall members  142  and sidewalls  140  from extending outwardly. 
         [0041]    The deposition of a large crop load in the bin  200  creates a large force on the floor  150 . The support system  160  works to support the floor  150 , resisting the load while facilitating air flow through the plenum  300 . In one aspect of the invention, gates (not shown) can be placed over an end area generally defined by the plenum  300 . In this aspect, the gates would not allow any particles that fell into the plenum  300  to escape, e.g., during dumping of the drying container  100  as described above (e.g., hydraulically lifting the drying container  100  into a vertical position and opening the doors  105 ). Such an aspect can be beneficial in circumstances in which sand, gravel, or the like fell into the plenum  300 . The gates that are placed over an end area generally defined by the plenum  300  would not allow the sand, gravel, or the like to escape the drying container  100  during dumping of the contents of the bin  200 . After dumping of the bin  200 , the sand, gravel, or the like can easily be cleaned out of the plenum  300  by opening the gates that are placed over an end area generally defined by the plenum  300  and the doors  105  and injecting air into the plenum opening  310  (shown in  FIG. 2A ). 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 A, AND  6 B show several views of a support system  160  which can be used to support the floor  150 , according to an aspect of the invention. As referenced above, the plenum  300  allows the circulation of airflow under the floor  150  to allow seeping through the floor  150 . To support the floor  150 , the support system  160  in this aspect of the invention includes a series of trussed support members  162  and angle members  164 . These may be referred to as “engineered joists” and are designed to support the crop, such as a load of peanuts, above the ventilated floor or screen  152 . 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 6A , a schematic of an orientation of the support member  162 , angle members  164 , interior bottom  148 , and floor  150  is shown. A pair of lower angle members  164 B are in contact with the interior bottom  148  and a pair of upper angle members  164 A are in contact with the floor  150  (such as ventilated floor  150 ). The support member  162  is disposed between each pair of angle members between the floor  150  and the interior bottom  148 . 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 6B , a schematic of a side view of the support system  160  is shown in isolation, according to an aspect of the invention. The support members  162  are shown in a trussed configuration between the upper angle members  164 A and lower angle members  164 B. Trussing the support members  162  provides structural advantages, which should become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art—e.g., a structural rigidity. While such a specific trussing configuration is shown in this aspect of the invention, it should be understood that in other aspects of the invention, other trussing configurations can additionally be used. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 A and  6 B, the trussed support members  162  (along with angle members  164 ) can generally be seen in rows. With reference to  FIG. 12 , four rows of trussed support members  162  are shown through the plenum opening  310 . 
         [0046]    The trussed support members  162  are preferably primed or processed to prevent rust and/or deterioration. Such priming and/or processing can include any technique, now known or later developed. Additionally, in one aspect of the invention, the rows of trussed support members  162  can be coupled to the interior bottom  148  at two locations: near the front end  102  and the back end  104  of the drying container  100 , e.g, via welding. Such a coupling prevents the rows of trussed support members  162  from rising up from the interior bottom  148 . In other aspects of the invention, the rows of trussed support members  162  can be coupled in other areas. 
         [0047]    As the air flows through the plenum  300 , the trussed support members  162  will create some disturbance of the air flow. In some aspects of the invention, additional disturbance may be necessary. As such, in those aspects of the invention, baffles (not shown) can be positioned in various locations of the plenum  300 . 
         [0048]    With the configuration shown in this aspect of the invention (four rows of trussed support members  162 ), the support system  160  can support 125,000 pounds of pressure—allowing heavy crop loads to be placed upon the floor  150 . Such a support loading is intended as only illustrative of a load that can be supported as other loads can be supported in other aspects of the invention—e.g., heavier loads or lighter loads. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom perspective view of the floor  150 , looking up. The floor  150  in this aspect of the invention is shown as a screen  152 , which will be described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 8 . The support members  162  are providing support to the upper angle members  164 A. The screen  152  could be placed directly on the upper angle members  164 A; however, in this aspect of the invention, a flat bar or support piece  166  is mounted on the upper angle members  164 A between the rows of trussed support members  162  and angle members  164 . The mounting of the support piece  166  to the upper angle members  164 A can include a variety of coupling techniques known by one of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, soldering. The support piece  166  provides additional support to the screen  152  as should be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art—e.g, a reduced support area that prevents sinking of the screen  152  between the rows of double trussed members and double paired angle members. The screen  152  is coupled to the support piece  166  via coupling members  154 , which in this aspect of the invention is shown as rivets. The use of rivets for the coupling members  154  allows an ease of removability of the coupling members  154 . For example, rivets can be drilled out and easily replaced if the coupling member  154  or a portion of the screen  152  becomes damaged. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  shows a top perspective view of the floor  150  looking down. The floor  150 , as referenced above, can be a screen  152 . The screen  152  in this aspect of the invention is shown having a plurality of holes disposed therein. Preferably, the screen  152  has a 40% opening; however, other percentages of opening can additionally be used as will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the screen  152  preferably has a fourteen gauge thickness; and the material for the screen  152  is preferably a cold rolled metal that is processed with a brush and a rust prevention oil. Cold rolling is a metal processing technique, which should become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The use of cold rolled metal that has been brushed and processed with rust prevention oil extends the life of the floor  150 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  shows a bottom perspective view of the floor  150  and its coupling to the interior sidewall  140 . In addition to the use of support members  162  (described with reference to  FIGS. 4-6A  and  6 B), the support system  160  can utilize portions of interior sidewall  140 . In such an aspect of the invention, the interior sidewall  140  can include posts or side supports (not seen in  FIG. 9 , but generally referenced in  FIG. 13 ) that are typically available in the interior sidewalls  140  of a storage container  50 . A mounting member  146  can be coupled to the posts utilizing a mounting piece  149  (e.g., bolts and screws). In some aspects of the invention (e.g., a conversion of a storage container  50  into a drying container  100 ), the sidewalls  140  may already have a mounting member  146 . In other aspects of the invention, the mounting member  146  may need to be coupled to the post of the interior sidewall  140 . In yet other aspects of the invention, the floor  150  may not utilize portions of the interior sidewall  140 . The screen  152  is shown coupled to the mounting member  146  via a coupling member  154  in the same manner in which the screen  152  is coupled to the support piece  166  via the coupling member  154 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  shows another bottom perspective view of the floor  150  and its coupling to the interior sidewall  140 . The mounting member  146  is shown generally secured to the interior sidewall  140 . A support piece  166  is mounted on top of the mounting member  146 . In this aspect of the invention, the support piece  166  is shown as soldered onto the mounting member  146 . The screen  152  is shown positioned on top of the support piece  166  and the screen  152  is shown coupled to the mounting member  146  via the coupling member  154 . The mounting member  146  is additionally shown in this aspect of the invention as being coupled to a corner post  144 —for example, via soldering. 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  shows a close-up view of a front of a standard storage container  50  similar to  FIG. 1 . In the standard storage container  50 , a variety of component parts exist, including items such as hookups  52  (e.g., an air break access point) and document boxes  54 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  shows a close-up view of a front of a drying container  100 —e.g., converted from the storage container  50  of FIG.  11 —with a new location for various component parts. The hookups  52  of  FIG. 11  have been elevated to the location of hookup  52 A of  FIG. 12 . Additionally, the document box  54  in  FIG. 11  has been moved to the new location of document box  54 A of  FIG. 12 . The new location of these component parts allows the positioning of a plenum opening  310  in the front of the drying container  100 . 
         [0055]    The front of the drying container  100  in this aspect of the invention includes blower couplings  188 , which facilitate the connection of any blower, now known or later developed. The blower injects air pressure into the plenum opening  310  and into the plenum  300  to seep up through the floor  150  and dry the crop that is placed within the bin  200 . Additionally shown is the ladder  106 , which allows an individual to view the opening  124  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0056]      FIGS. 13 AND 14  show close-up views of component parts that can be utilized to tighten down a tarp  180 .  FIG. 13  generally shows tarp straps  184 . The tarp straps  184 , as should be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, facilitate the bracing of the tarp  180  to the top of the drying container  100 . With reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , winches  182  can be used to tighten down the tarp straps  184 . Additionally shown in  FIG. 13  are sidewall support members  141 , which correspond to side supports that are within the walls of the drying container  100 . As indicated above with reference to  FIG. 9 , such side supports can be contained within a variety of different storage containers  50  (ultimately transformed into drying containers  100 ). The sidewall member  142  ( FIG. 3 ) and mounting member  146  ( FIG. 9 ) can be coupled to the side supports of drying containers  100  containing such side supports. 
         [0057]      FIG. 15  shows a close-up view of a tarp stop  186 , which can be used with the tarp  180 . The particular tarp stop  186  shown in  FIG. 15  is an easy off tarp stop  186 , which allows for easy removal of the tarp  180  without using any tools, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0058]      FIG. 16  shows a view of a back of a drying container  100  with a conversion at the back end  104 A of the drying container  100 . The back end  104 A can be a custom made end to replace doors  105  (see  FIG. 2B ) to include the plenum opening  310  at this location in addition to or instead of being located at the front end  102  or elsewhere on the drying container  100 . Additionally, the back end  104 A can be made to hingeably position to the remaining portion of the drying container  100 , for example, to empty the bin  200  in a manner similar to that described above (the entire drying container  100  can be hydraulically lifted to a vertical position, the dump gate can be opened, and the contents of the bin  200  can be dumped out). Such a conversion of the back end  104 A illustrates that the plenum opening  310  can be in a variety of locations. For example, in some aspects of the invention, the plenum opening  310  could be positioned on a side of the drying container  100  or underneath the drying container  100 . In yet other aspects of the invention, more than one plenum opening  310  can be utilized—e.g, one in the front and one in the back with blowers or other equipment being capable of connecting to both plenum openings  310 . In still further aspects of the invention, multiple plenum openings  310  can be provided, but only one plenum opening  310  utilized—e.g., giving an operator a choice of which plenum opening  310  to utilize in particular situations. In such an aspect of the invention, the plenum openings  310  can be outfitted with sealable doors such that the plenum that is not utilized can be sealed to maintain the pressure buildup inside the plenum  300 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 17  shows a view of another type of storage container  50 , which can be converted into a drying container  100 . The illustration of the storage container  50  in  FIG. 17  is intended as expounding upon the concept briefly described above—that any storage container  50  can be utilized. The storage container  50  of  FIG. 17  is a 28-foot pup trailer. Such a storage container  50  allows for smaller drying containers  100 . As described above, features of storage container  50  can be utilized in facilitating structural support of the drying container  100 . In  FIG. 17 , the corner posts  144  can be utilized in a manner similar to that described above with reference to  FIG. 10 . Additionally, an end  104 A—e.g., a custom made end—can be used on the back of the drying container  100  to replace, e.g., a roll-up door that may exist on the storage container  50 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 18A ,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D,  18 E, and  18 F are a series of drawings that illustrate the conversion of the support legs of a mobile drying container  600  to a skid support system with moveable connections or couplings to allow the mobile drying container  600  to be supported on uneven ground. The mobile drying container  600  is shown with an opening  602  in a front wall (or end wall) leading to the lower volume of the mobile drying container  600  so that a dryer, such as a peanut dryer, may be connected to the mobile drying container  600  to allow hot or warmed air to flow into the lower volume, up through the ventilated floor, and through the crop, such as peanuts, previously loaded into the upper volume of the mobile drying container  600 . In other embodiments, the opening  602  may be provided on the opposite back wall or, in some embodiments, on the long side wall. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the number or the placement of the opening(s)  602 . Wheels are shown to illustrate that the mobile drying container  600  may be easily and conveniently moved. 
         [0061]    The moveable connections, described more fully in connection with  FIGS. 18E and 18F , reduce the likelihood that the skid support system will bind when the skid support system is being raised and lowered. 
         [0062]    A traditional support leg system is shown in  FIG. 18A . This support leg system includes a first extendable support leg and second extendable support leg connected through a horizontal member  652 . The first extendable leg includes an upper portion  614 , a retractable end  606 , and a footing  608 . The second extendable leg includes an upper portion  612 , a retractable end  604 , and a footing  608 . A crank  610  is shown for raising and lowering (or extending and retracting) the skid support system. 
         [0063]    In  FIG. 18B , the footings  608  are shown removed from the retractable end of each extendable leg. In  FIG. 18C , a first plate  622  is shown coupled or attached to the end of the retractable end  606 , and a second plate  620  is shown attached to the end of the retractable end  604 . This may be achieved, in certain embodiments, by welding the plates to the end of the retractable ends of the extendable legs. 
         [0064]      FIG. 18D  illustrates a tray or skid  624  shown positioned under the first plate  622  and the second plate  620 , and extending between the two extendable and retractable legs. In one embodiment, a rigid member  626  is provided between the two legs and on the skid  624  to provide additional stability or rigidity to prevent the skid  624  from bending or buckling when the mobile drying container is positioned on an uneven surface or ground. 
         [0065]    The depth of the skid  624  is illustrated by the distance  630 . This distance is greater than the thickness of the first plate  622  and the second plate  620 . Because, in one embodiment, the first plate  622  and the second plate  620  are not directly welded or coupled to the skid  624 , the difference in the thickness or distance  630  and the thickness of the plates  622  and  620  allow for some movement, as will be discussed more fully below. 
         [0066]      FIG. 18E  illustrates the installation of an end cap  640  and  642  to both ends of the skid  624 . The end caps  640  and  642  prevent the skid from being removed from the first plate  622  and the second plate  620 , but allow for a “moveable connection” because the distance  630  is greater than the thickness of the first plate  622  and the second plate  620 . This provides the significant advantage of reducing the frequency and tendency for the extendable legs to “freeze” or “bind” up when being raised and lowered using the crank  610 . This allows the skid  624  of the mobile drying container  600  to be conveniently raised and lowered, even when positioned on uneven ground while still being able to raise and lower the legs. 
         [0067]      FIG. 18F  illustrates the mobile drying container  600  with a chain  650  attached between the horizontal member  652  and the skid  624  (or the rigid member  626 ). This provides additional safety assurances to prevent the skid  624  from falling or breaking loose while the mobile drying container  600  is in transit. 
         [0068]    FIGS.  19 , 20 ,  21  and  22  illustrate an opening  602 , such as a plenum opening, at a front wall leading to a lower volume of the mobile drying container  600 , and the installation of a front opening cover.  FIG. 20  illustrates a close-up view illustrating one mechanism to hold an opening cover in position as desired when the opening is not being used. A rod  702  may extend above the opening and include tabs that rotate up and down when a lever  704  is moved. The tabs can grip the opening plate or cover. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 21 and 22  shows this installation of the opening cover  730  with the tabs at the top holding the upper edge of the cover  730  and the slots  700  holding the bottom edge of the opening cover  730  to securely hold the opening cover  730 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 23  illustrates a hinged gate  802  of the back wall of a mobile drying container. The hinges  800  are shown at the top of the hinged gate  802  so that the crop, such as a load of peanuts, may be safely dumped from the top or upper volume of the mobile drying container. A lever  750  is shown connected to a member or rod  760  such that the lever  750  may be pulled, while standing at the side of the container to rotate the rod  760  allowing for one or more tabs on the rod  760  to be moved away from the bottom edge of the hinged gate  802 . This allow for the crop to push open the bottom edge of the hinged gate  802  so that the crop can be dumped. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 24 ,  25 , and  26  illustrate an opening at a back wall leading to a lower volume within the mobile drying container, and included as part of the hinged gate, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 23 . a bar  720  is shown with various tabs  706 ,  708  and  710  shown with a lever  704  to operate as described above in connection with  FIGS. 20-22  to hold and secure an opening cover. 
         [0072]    A lever  750  is shown coupled to a rod  760  with various tabs  752 ,  754  and  756  to secure the bottom edge of the hinged gate  802 . A hinge  800  is shown in  FIG. 26 . When the rod  760  is turned the tabs release the bottom edge of the hinged gate so that the upper volume of crop, such as peanuts may be dumped. 
         [0073]    Although the preferred embodiment has been described, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention, even if all, one, or some of the advantages identified above are not present. These are only a few of the examples of other arrangements or configurations of the system that is contemplated and covered by the present invention. 
         [0074]    The various components, configurations, and materials described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other components, configurations, and materials of other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Category: 4