Transportable bulk container with slide gate dispenser

Abstract

A transportable bulk container having a discharge chute and a sliding gate assembly to control discharge through the discharge chute, wherein the sliding gate assembly has a gate member with generally J-shaped suspension members, the suspension members being supported by generally L-shaped rail flanges mounted on the discharge chute above and separated from the lower end of the discharge chute, such that bulk material does not interfere with the sliding movement of the gate member.

1 . A transportable bulk container comprising:
 a hopper mounted on a pallet;   a discharge chute beneath said hopper, said discharge chute having a lower end;   a slide gate assembly mounted beneath said discharge chute, said slide gate assembly comprising a gate member having a gate opening and an occluded portion, said gate member abutting said lower end of said discharge chute, whereby with said gate opening positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is free to flow from said hopper and said discharge chute through said gate opening, and whereby with said occluding portion positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is prevented from flowing from said hopper and said discharge chute;   said slide gate assembly further comprising a pair of elongated suspension members, J-shaped in cross-section, extending upwardly from said gate member and positioned on opposite sides of said discharge chute, said suspension members mounted in parallel on said gate member and each comprising an elongated leg portion and a downwardly-directed hook portion; and   a pair of elongated rail flange members, L-shaped in cross-section, positioned in parallel manner on opposite sides of said discharge chute, each said rail flange member comprising a upwardly extending wall defining a rail channel, whereby said hook portions of said suspension members rest on said upwardly extending walls of said rail flange members, such that said gate member is translatable relative to said discharge chute to align either said gate opening or said occluding portion with said discharge chute.   
     
     
         2 . The bulk container of  claim 1 , wherein said rail flange members are mounted to said discharge chute. 
     
     
         3 . The bulk container of  claim 2 , wherein said rail flange members are mounted above and separated from said lower end of said discharge chute. 
     
     
         4 . The bulk container of  claim 1 , wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion. 
     
     
         5 . The bulk container of  claim 2 , wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion. 
     
     
         6 . The bulk container of  claim 3 , wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion. 
     
     
         7 . The bulk container of  claim 1 , said slide gate assembly further comprising a front stop member and a rear stop member to limit travel of said gate member. 
     
     
         8 . The bulk container of  claim 7 , wherein said rear stop member is mounted on said gate member such that said rear stop member abuts said discharge chute when said gate opening is aligned with said discharge chute, and wherein said front stop member is mounted on said handle such that said front stop member abuts said pallet when said occluding portion is aligned with said discharge chute. 
     
     
         9 . A transportable bulk container comprising:
 a hopper mounted on a pallet;   a discharge chute beneath said hopper, said discharge chute having a lower end;   a slide gate assembly mounted beneath said discharge chute, said slide gate assembly comprising a gate member having a gate opening and an occluded portion, said gate member abutting said lower end of said discharge chute, whereby with said gate opening positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is free to flow from said hopper and said discharge chute through said gate opening, and whereby with said occluding portion positioned beneath said discharge chute bulk material is prevented from flowing from said hopper and said discharge chute;   said slide gate assembly further comprising a front stop member and a rear stop member to limit travel of said gate member, wherein said rear stop member is mounted on said gate member such that said rear stop member abuts said discharge chute when said gate opening is aligned with said discharge chute, and wherein said front stop member is mounted on said handle such that said front stop member abuts said pallet when said occluding portion is aligned with said discharge chute;   said slide gate assembly further comprising a pair of elongated suspension members, J-shaped in cross-section, extending upwardly from said gate member and positioned on opposite sides of said discharge chute, said suspension members mounted in parallel on said gate member and each comprising an elongated leg portion and a hook portion; and   a pair of elongated rail flange members, L-shaped in cross-section, mounted in parallel manner onto opposite sides of said discharge chute above and separated from said lower end, each said rail flange member comprising a upwardly extending wall defining a rail channel, wherein each said rail flange wall is shorter than each said suspension member leg portion, whereby said hook portions of said suspension members rest on said upwardly extending walls of said rail flange members, such that said gate member is translatable relative to said discharge chute to align said gate opening or said occluding portion with said discharge chute.