In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

A bulk cargo blending hopper has a hollow interior volume that is selectively communicated with a source of vacuum pressure. A first conduit has a first end that is connected to the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior volume of the housing of the hopper. An opposite second end of the first conduit is configured for communication with a source of bulk cargo that is separate from the hopper. A second conduit has a first end that is also connected to a portion of the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior portion of the housing. A second end of the second conduit is also connected to a portion of the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior volume of the housing of the hopper.

A bulk cargo blending hopper has a hollow interior volume that is selectively communicated with a source of vacuum pressure. A first conduit has a first end that is connected to the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior volume of the housing of the hopper. An opposite second end of the first conduit is configured for communication with a source of bulk cargo that is separate from the hopper. A second conduit has a first end that is also connected to a portion of the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior portion of the housing. A second end of the second conduit is also connected to a portion of the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior volume of the housing of the hopper.

In order to protect the side walls of a container during loading, in one design, a hopper has one or more barrier wall pairs attached to the hopper walls at the end adjacent to a container. As the hopper is moved forward the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair become closely adjacent to the walls of the container protecting them from damage and helping enable material to be pushed into the container. In a variation, an assembly of barrier wall pairs is set inside a hopper and material is deposited between the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair and then the assembly is moved forward into the container, the material being pushed along with the barrier wall pair into the container. In another variation, the barrier walls may be hinged to the hopper walls. More than one barrier wall pair can be used. Where there are two pairs, the second pair can be hinged to the first so that the second pair can be extended or rotated into a storage position. In a further variation, barrier walls on opposite sides of the hopper are of different length and/or barrier wall pairs are of unequal length.

In order to protect the side walls of a container during loading, in one design, a hopper has one or more barrier wall pairs attached to the hopper walls at the end adjacent to a container. As the hopper is moved forward the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair become closely adjacent to the walls of the container protecting them from damage and helping enable material to be pushed into the container. In a variation, an assembly of barrier wall pairs is set inside a hopper and material is deposited between the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair and then the assembly is moved forward into the container, the material being pushed along with the barrier wall pair into the container. In another variation, the barrier walls may be hinged to the hopper walls. More than one barrier wall pair can be used. Where there are two pairs, the second pair can be hinged to the first so that the second pair can be extended or rotated into a storage position. In a further variation, barrier walls on opposite sides of the hopper are of different length and/or barrier wall pairs are of unequal length.

The invention relates to a vibratory floor made up of shaker modules protected against the entry of dust, and capable of emptying cohesive products. The inner volume (10) of each module is connected by means of a pipe (14) to an air or clean gas volume (19). Each module past the first row is provided with an anti-pressure device (46) made up of an anti-pressure plate (47) situated above the motor cover (44), supported by two flanges (48) and (49) resting on stationary parts (36) on either side of the module. The modules thus formed are protected against the entry of dust, and effectively emptying any cohesive product from silos, vessels, railroad cars or any other containers, without human or mechanized intervention.

The invention relates to a vibratory floor made up of shaker modules protected against the entry of dust, and capable of emptying cohesive products. The inner volume (10) of each module is connected by means of a pipe (14) to an air or clean gas volume (19). Each module past the first row is provided with an anti-pressure device (46) made up of an anti-pressure plate (47) situated above the motor cover (44), supported by two flanges (48) and (49) resting on stationary parts (36) on either side of the module. The modules thus formed are protected against the entry of dust, and effectively emptying any cohesive product from silos, vessels, railroad cars or any other containers, without human or mechanized intervention.

A gathering and dispensing scoop with agitating gate valve provides a scoop body defining an upper opening, a bottom opening, and a channel extending therebetween. A handle extends radially from an outer peripheral surface of the scoop body. A gate valve transects the channel and has a user operable finger tab adjacent to the handle for a user to move the gate valve from a first position transecting the channel and obstructing the bottom opening to a second position wherein the gate valve no longer obstructs the channel and opens the bottom opening.

A gathering and dispensing scoop with agitating gate valve provides a scoop body defining an upper opening, a bottom opening, and a channel extending therebetween. A handle extends radially from an outer peripheral surface of the scoop body. A gate valve transects the channel and has a user operable finger tab adjacent to the handle for a user to move the gate valve from a first position transecting the channel and obstructing the bottom opening to a second position wherein the gate valve no longer obstructs the channel and opens the bottom opening.