An apparatus for dispensing dry particulate consumables includes a storage silo to store the particulate consumables. A first end of a conveyor is adjacent to a discharge opening of the silo. A second end of the conveyor is in communication with a dispensing hopper. A motor is configured to drive the conveyor in order to fill the dispensing hopper, where the dispensing hopper is filled in response to a purchase signal indicating a purchase request for dispensing the particulate consumables. A user interface is configured to initiate the purchase signal, where the user interface is configured to receive payment from a purchaser for the particulate consumables. A controller is in communication with the user interface, the motor that controls the conveyor, and the dispenser hopper in order to control an amount of particulate consumables dispensed to the purchaser.

Provided is a dynamic vibration attenuation system 10 for a granular material silo 8. The system 10 comprises a sensor arrangement 12, a processor 16, and a damping arrangement 24. The sensor arrangement 12 is configured for operatively sensing, over a period comprising a plurality of instances of time, a displacement of the silo 8, a weight of granular material in the silo 8, and a flow rate of granular material discharged from the silo 8. The processor 16 is arranged in signal communication with the sensor arrangement 12 and is configured to calculate, at each instance of time, a resultant dynamic force from the sensed displacement, weight and flow rate. System 10 further includes damping arrangement 24 which is operatively responsive to the processor 16 and is configured to dynamically dampen the resultant dynamic force in order to maintain vibration amplitudes in the silo structure 9 below a user-selectable threshold.

Provided is a dynamic vibration attenuation system 10 for a granular material silo 8. The system 10 comprises a sensor arrangement 12, a processor 16, and a damping arrangement 24. The sensor arrangement 12 is configured for operatively sensing, over a period comprising a plurality of instances of time, a displacement of the silo 8, a weight of granular material in the silo 8, and a flow rate of granular material discharged from the silo 8. The processor 16 is arranged in signal communication with the sensor arrangement 12 and is configured to calculate, at each instance of time, a resultant dynamic force from the sensed displacement, weight and flow rate. System 10 further includes damping arrangement 24 which is operatively responsive to the processor 16 and is configured to dynamically dampen the resultant dynamic force in order to maintain vibration amplitudes in the silo structure 9 below a user-selectable threshold.

A raw material feed hopper according to the present embodiment may include a hollow tube having a raw material accommodating space formed therein, a supporter supporting the hollow tube, a cone accommodated in the raw material accommodating space so as to be able to lift up and down, a rod connected to the cone, a connector connected to an upper portion of the rod, a lifting rod connected to the connector, and an elevator installed on the supporter for lifting up and down the lifting rod.

A raw material feed hopper according to the present embodiment may include a hollow tube having a raw material accommodating space formed therein, a supporter supporting the hollow tube, a cone accommodated in the raw material accommodating space so as to be able to lift up and down, a rod connected to the cone, a connector connected to an upper portion of the rod, a lifting rod connected to the connector, and an elevator installed on the supporter for lifting up and down the lifting rod.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.

Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

A system may include a closure actuation assembly to actuate a bin closure apparatus on a storage bin apparatus, and the assembly may include a gate movement structure to move a gate of the closure assembly. The gate movement structure may include a movement rod for engaging the gate. The actuation assembly may further include a support structure which in turn includes a support beam for mounting on the bin elevating structure, a securing element provided on the support beam for securing the support beam, and a support plate mounted on the support beam and having an adjustment slot for passing the movement rod therethrough. The support structure may include a support slide mounted on the support plate and having a support aperture to receive the movement rod passing through the adjustment slot. The position of the support slide over the adjustment slot may be adjustable.