Molded container assembly for transporting bulk materials

Abstract

A container assembly for transporting bulk materials that includes a molded, one-piece completely integral non-metallic container insert and a frame supporting the container insert. The container insert can be molded of polyolefin. It can include walls having varying thicknesses, a bottom wall having a thickness greater than the side walls, and/or reinforcing structures molded within the walls. The container assembly can be constructed to provide a fixed truck box or dump truck box.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for transporting bulk materials, the apparatus comprising: 
 an open support frame formed of spaced-apart frame members; and    a non-metallic container insert located substantially within the support frame, and further wherein the container insert comprises at least a front wall, a bottom wall, and opposing side walls that are provided as a molded, one-piece, completely integral unit.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one flange located on an exterior surface of at least one of the side walls of the container insert, wherein the at least one flange extends generally longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the container insert, and further wherein the at least one flange rests on one of the spaced-apart frame members of the support frame.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising retaining structure on an exterior surface of the container insert, wherein the retaining structure, the container insert and the support frame cooperate to retain the container insert within the support frame.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the retaining structure is molded integral with the exterior surface of the container insert.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the retaining structure further comprises at least one eyelet on an exterior surface of the container insert.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the retaining structure is located along a single axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the container insert, wherein the container insert can expand and contract along the longitudinal axis independent of the support frame.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container insert further comprises means for retaining the container insert within the frame.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container insert includes at least one wall of varying thickness.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall of the container insert has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of at least one of the opposing side walls.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container insert is formed of at least one polyolefin material.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the container insert comprises a reinforcing structure molded therein.  
     
     
         12 . A truck box comprising: 
 an open support frame formed of spaced-apart frame members; and    a non-metallic container insert located substantially within the support frame, and further wherein the container insert comprises at least a front wall, a bottom wall, and opposing side walls that are provided as a molded, one-piece, completely integral unit.    
     
     
         13 . A truck box according to  claim 12 , wherein the bottom wall is thicker than at least a portion of at least one of the opposing side walls.  
     
     
         14 . A truck box according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the opposing side walls of the container insert has a varying thickness.  
     
     
         15 . A truck box according to  claim 12 , wherein further comprising at least one eyelet on an exterior surface of the bottom wall of the container insert.  
     
     
         16 . A truck box according to  claim 15 , wherein the eyelet is located proximate a rear of the container insert.  
     
     
         17 . A truck box according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least one flange located on an exterior surface of at least one of the side walls of the container insert, wherein the at least one flange extends generally longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the container insert, and further wherein the at least one flange rests on one of the spaced-apart frame members of the support frame.  
     
     
         18 . A truck box according to  claim 12 , further comprising retaining structure on an exterior surface of the container insert, wherein the retaining structure, the container insert and the support frame cooperate to retain the container insert within the support frame.  
     
     
         19 . A truck box according to  claim 18 , wherein the retaining structure further comprises at least one eyelet on an exterior surface of the container insert.  
     
     
         20 . A truck box according to  claim 18 , wherein the retaining structure is located along a single axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the container insert, wherein the container insert can expand and contract along the longitudinal axis independent of the support frame.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for transporting bulk materials, the apparatus comprising: 
 an open support frame consisting essentially of spaced-apart frame members; and    a non-metallic container insert located substantially within the support frame, and further wherein the container insert comprises at least a front wall, a bottom wall, and opposing side walls that are provided as a molded, one-piece, completely integral unit.    
     
     
         22 . A truck box comprising: 
 an open support frame consisting essentially of spaced-apart frame members; and    a non-metallic container insert located substantially within the support frame, and further wherein the container insert comprises at least a front wall, a bottom wall, and opposing side walls that are provided as a molded, one-piece, completely integral unit.