Intermodal bulk aggregate container

Abstract

An intermodal container for loading, transporting and unloading particulate material comprising a frame that is compatible with intermodal standards, and at least one hopper having a plurality of rows of funnels, each funnel having angled side walls and a bottom having at least one discharge opening. The funnel wall angle is at least as great as the critical angle of repose of the material to be contained therein. The material can be unloaded substantially by gravity, without the need for vibration or other agitation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container system for containing and unloading particulate, granular, powdered or other flowable material, comprising:
 a) a frame constructed to be compatible with ISO or other standards bodies' intermodal standards;   b) at least one hopper having a plurality of funnel portions, each funnel portion having tapered walls and a bottom portion having a discharge opening, the funnel portions and associated discharge openings being arranged in at least two rows, the walls of each funnel portion having an angle at least as great as the critical angle of repose of the material to be held in the at least one hopper; and,   c) a valve associated with each funnel portion proximate to the discharge opening,   wherein the container is configured so that the material is unloadable substantially by gravity from the bottom via the discharge openings.   
     
     
         2 . The container system of  claim 1 , further comprising a piping system having an inlet, an outlet and conduits for conveying air or other gas, the piping system being in communication with each discharge opening. 
     
     
         3 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the funnel portion walls have an angle that enables material to be unloadable by gravity without requiring agitation of the material. 
     
     
         4 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein adjacent rows of discharge openings are arranged in parallel rows. 
     
     
         5 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the discharge openings in a first row are offset or staggered with respect to the discharge openings in a second row. 
     
     
         6 . The container system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one valve operating mechanism, each mechanism being associated with at least one valve, each mechanism being adapted to urge the valve between an open and a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The container system of  claim 6 , wherein the valve operating mechanism comprises a handle. 
     
     
         8 . The container system of  claim 7 , wherein each handle is associated with at least two valves and can operate to open and close each valve simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The container system of  claim 6 , wherein the valve operating mechanism comprises an electrical valve actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to hold and permit unloading by gravity of 25 tons of cement in a 20-foot ISO-standard dimensioned frame. 
     
     
         11 . A container system for containing and unloading particulate, granular, powdered or other flowable material, comprising:
 a) a frame constructed to be compatible with ISO or other standards bodies' intermodal standards;   b) at least one hopper having a plurality of funnel portions, each funnel portion having tapered walls and a bottom portion having a discharge opening, the funnel portions being arranged in at least two rows, the walls of each funnel portion having an angle at least as great as the critical angle of repose of the material to be held in the at least one hopper;   c) a valve associated with each funnel portion, the valve being proximate to the discharge opening;   d) a valve operating mechanism associated with the valve,   wherein the container is configured so that the material is unloadable by gravity from the bottom via the discharge openings.