Storage container

Abstract

A self-contained container for storing and transporting particulate material is provided, the container including a frame, a storage cavity defined by opposing front and back walls, opposing side walls, a top wall, and a floor, each of the front and back walls, side walls, top wall and floor connected to the frame, at least one loading port in the top wall, and at least one discharge region including at least one discharge port and one sloped wall configured for removing material from the container. The discharge region and discharge port being positioned within the frame.

1 . A container for storing and transporting particulate material, the container comprising:
 a frame;   a storage cavity defined by opposing front and back walls, opposing side walls, a top wall, and a floor, each of the front and back walls, side walls, top wall and floor connected to the frame;   at least one loading port in the top wall;   at least one discharge region including at least one discharge port configured for removing material from the container, the discharge region and discharge port positioned within the frame   at least one sloped wall having a lower edge extending adjacent to and longitudinally to the discharge region and an upper edge mounted to a support rod.   
     
     
         2 . A container as defined by  claim 1  wherein a major axis for the discharge region extends between the opposing side walls, and wherein the discharge region further comprises at least one trough, and the at least one discharge port is proximate to a base of the trough. 
     
     
         3 . A container as defined by  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of discharge regions, each including the corresponding discharge port and a trough. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A container as defined by  claim 4  wherein at least a portion of the sloped wall upper edge is positioned closer to one of the front and back wall top than the corresponding front or back wall bottom. 
     
     
         6 . A container as defined by  claim 2  wherein the frame has a lower perimeter, wherein the trough and the discharge port are positioned above the frame lower perimeter, and wherein at least one of the side walls includes an open access region for accessing the discharge port. 
     
     
         7 . A container as defined by  claim 1  wherein the side walls have a length and the front and back walls have a width, the side wall length is at least twice the front and back width, and wherein the opposing side walls have the same dimensions, and wherein the opposing front and back walls have the same dimensions. 
     
     
         8 . A container as defined by  claim 1  wherein the frame is configured for attachment to a wheeled carrier. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A container for storing and transporting particulate material, the container comprising:
 a frame;   a storage cavity defined by opposing front and back walls, opposing side walls, a top wall, and a floor, each of the front and back walls, side walls, top wall and floor connected to the frame;   at least one discharge region extending longitudinally between the opposing side walls and adjacent to a top surface of the floor;   the discharge region including at least one sloped wall having a lower edge extending adjacent to and longitudinally to a trough and an upper edge mounted to a corresponding support rod; and   the discharge region further including at least one discharge port positioned on one of the side walls and within the frame, the discharge port aligned with the trough and for removing particulate material from the container.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising a pair of sloped walls, each sloped wall having a lower edge extending adjacent to and longitudinally to the trough and an upper edge respectively mounted to the corresponding support rod. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the top wall further comprises at least one loading port. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the pair of sloped walls are respectively mounted to the corresponding support rod at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising an auger positioned in the trough to facilitate removal of the particulate material through the discharge port. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein the auger extends through the discharge port. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 10  wherein an interior surface of the opposing side walls, floor, and sloped wall has an epoxy coating. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the back wall further comprises a door. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the container is one of a 20 foot and 40 foot dimensioned container. 
     
     
         20 . A container comprising:
 a frame;   a storage cavity defined by opposing front and back walls, opposing side walls, a top wall, and a floor, each of the front and back walls, side walls, top wall and floor connected to the frame;   a plurality of discharge regions, each discharge region including:
 a trough extending longitudinally between the pair of opposite side walls and adjacent to a top surface of the floor; 
 a plurality of sloped wall pairs, each sloped wall having a lower edge extending adjacent to and longitudinally to one of the plurality of troughs and an upper edge mounted to a corresponding support rod; and 
 a plurality of discharge ports on each of the side walls and positioned within the frame, the discharge port aligned with the trough and for removing particulate material from the container.