Container, container construction, handling method and apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a lid ( 400 ) for an open container ( 100, 13.10 ), a lid lifting system ( 13.100 ), a tippler ( 13.200 ) with the improved lid lifting system ( 13.100 ) and a method of lifting a container. The lid and lifting arrangement includes an apertured receiving formation ( 401 ) on an upper side of a lid ( 100 ) to receive a lift member ( 13.40 ). The lift member ( 13.40 ) can do one or more than one of the following: engaging the formation ( 401 ) will unlock a locking mechanism ( 13.42,458 ) holding the lid ( 400 ) to a container ( 100 ); or allow the lift member ( 13.40 ) to be rotated to thereby unlock the locking mechanism ( 13.42, 458 ) which locks the lid ( 400 ) to the container ( 100 ), while simultaneously locking the lift member ( 13.40, 458 ) to the lid ( 400 ). A lifting device which is able to perform such actions is also disclosed, and a method to operate the lifting device.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . An open top container for transporting material said container having ISO corner fittings located at or in the vicinity of end walls and side walls of said container, each of said end walls and side walls terminating in a respective end rail and side rail, wherein said corner fittings are formed from a generally box like structure as a main body, and at least one gusset formation extending therefrom; wherein said gusset formation extends inwardly from the corner fitting, and only laterally of a longitudinal axis of the container. 
     
     
         56 . An open top container for transporting as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein said fittings include a respective gusset formation which extends from said fitting and along an end rail of said container. 
     
     
         57 . An open top container or corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein said ISO corner fittings are reinforced by gusset plates which are welded to or cast integrally with the fittings. 
     
     
         58 . An open top container or corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein said gusset formation is formed from an outboard triangular plate and an inboard plate having a triangular or trapezoidal shape, said outboard and inboard plates being connected by a rectangular plate. 
     
     
         59 . An open top container or corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein said gusset formation includes a plate having a trapezoidal shape, and connected to said end rail and said corner fitting. 
     
     
         60 . An open top container or corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein said plate is connected to a top side rail of said container. 
     
     
         61 . An open top container or corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein said plate having a trapezoidal shape is made with a hole therein, adjacent the corner fitting. 
     
     
         62 . A corner reinforcing arrangement for an open top container, said arrangement being formed from a body such as an ISO corner fitting and a post, and at least one gusset formation extending inwardly therefrom with respect to the container, and only laterally of a longitudinal axis of said container. 
     
     
         63 . A corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein said gusset formation has a three-dimensional shape. 
     
     
         64 . A corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the gusset formation of a generally triangular configuration. 
     
     
         65 . A corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in  claim 62  wherein a part of the periphery of the gusset formation is welded to the corner or post, with another part being welded to an end rail of said container. 
     
     
         66 . An open top container having a corner reinforcing arrangement as claimed in of  claim 62 . 
     
     
         67 . An open top container as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein four upper corners are formed by such a corner reinforcing arrangement. 
     
     
         68 . An open top container as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein lower corners of said container include generally triangular shaped gusset formations between lower corners and beams or rails of said container. 
     
     
         69 . An open top container as claimed in  claim 66  wherein the forward and rearward ends of said container include an upper beam which extends between respective corner posts and or corners, said upper beam having an inboard edge or side which is internally offset from the posts and or corners. 
     
     
         70 . An open top container as claimed in  claim 69 , wherein the forward and rearward ends of said container include a lower beam which extends between respective corner posts and or corners, said lower beam having an inboard edge or side which is internally offset from the posts and or corners. 
     
     
         71 . An open top container as claimed in  claim 70 , wherein said inboard edge or side lower beam is internally offset by a greater distance than the inboard edge or side of said upper beam.