In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and 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 container assembly comprises a container and a base and is configured to be transported horizontally to a work site where it is raised to a vertical working orientation. A hoppered container floor directs material to a discharge opening in a center of the floor of the container. A plurality of chutes is fixed to the container assembly and each slopes downward and outward from a chute input, located under a central portion of the hoppered floor, to a corresponding chute output. A distributor assembly mounted under the discharge opening receives granular material from the discharge opening and directs same into any one of the chute inputs. When loaded on a gooseneck trailer the container extends over the hitch assembly providing increased volume and capacity.

<Problem> It is an object of the present invention to provide a timing hopper that inhibits the occurrence of the problem that articles end up getting stuck inside the timing hopper and are not normally discharged.

<Solution> A timing hopper 9 includes a first member 91, a second member 92, and a gate 9a. The first member 91 has a first opening 91a to which articles A are input. The second member 92 has a second opening 92a from which the articles A are discharged. The gate 9a opens and closes the second opening 92a. The first member 91 has a first side wall 91b and a second side wall 91c. The second side wall 91c opposes the first side wall 91b. The second member 92 has a third side wall 92b and a fourth side wall 92c. The third side wall 92b is continuously connected to the first side wall 91b. The fourth side wall 92c opposes the third side wall 92b and is continuously connected to the second side wall 91c. The height position where the first side wall 91b and the third side wall 92b are interconnected is different from the height position where the second side wall 91c and the fourth side wall 92c are interconnected.

A storage tank isolation system for a storage tank includes a vertical riser attached to a top of the storage tank and having a cover with an aperture and a connecting member extending from a side of the vertical riser. A distal end of the connecting member is parallel to the top of the storage tank and attached to a storage hatch. The storage tank isolation system includes a valve assembly, which includes a stem extending through the aperture in the cover, a valve plate attached to the stem, and a valve seat sealed to the vertical riser at a position below a connection to the connecting member. The valve plate is moves with the stem from an open position in which the valve plate is held within the vertical riser at a position equal to or above the connection to the connecting member and a closed position.

A storage tank isolation system for a storage tank includes a vertical riser attached to a top of the storage tank and having a cover with an aperture and a connecting member extending from a side of the vertical riser. A distal end of the connecting member is parallel to the top of the storage tank and attached to a storage hatch. The storage tank isolation system includes a valve assembly, which includes a stem extending through the aperture in the cover, a valve plate attached to the stem, and a valve seat sealed to the vertical riser at a position below a connection to the connecting member. The valve plate is moves with the stem from an open position in which the valve plate is held within the vertical riser at a position equal to or above the connection to the connecting member and a closed position.

A modular indefinite volume combined tank is provided, including a tank body module, a tank bottom module and an inflating module, wherein the tank body module is formed by splicing a plurality of wall plates and connectors, and the wall plates and the connectors form a tank body. The tank bottom module includes a strip-type steel plate, concrete cloth, annular steel plate and a cement foundation. The strip-type steel plate is paved on the cement foundation, the annular steel plate is arranged in the upper side of the outer edge of the strip-type steel plate, the annular steel plate is encircled by a plurality of arc-shaped steel sheets, a ring of annular edge is arranged in the annular steel plate to be connected to the upper tank body, and a layer of concrete cloth is arranged between the lower side of the annular steel plate and the strip-type steel plate.

A safety latch for a mud skip container includes a first latch that is pivotal within a bracket that is mounted to a top of the container. The first latch may include a pivoting head with a downwardly projecting catch and an arm connected to the head. The arm extends through an aperture in the bracket and a spring is disposed about the arm between the head and an end wall of the bracket. The safety latch further includes a second latch mounted to a pivoting lid of the container; and, the second latch includes an upwardly projecting catch on a head of the latch. The head of the second latch is positioned over a pivot axis of the lid and positioned relative to the first latch such that the catches of respective first and second latches engage one another when the lid is opened.

A safety latch for a mud skip container includes a first latch that is pivotal within a bracket that is mounted to a top of the container. The first latch may include a pivoting head with a downwardly projecting catch and an arm connected to the head. The arm extends through an aperture in the bracket and a spring is disposed about the arm between the head and an end wall of the bracket. The safety latch further includes a second latch mounted to a pivoting lid of the container; and, the second latch includes an upwardly projecting catch on a head of the latch. The head of the second latch is positioned over a pivot axis of the lid and positioned relative to the first latch such that the catches of respective first and second latches engage one another when the lid is opened.

A cargo container has a tubular shell, an annular mounting ring mounted thereto, and a nose cone clamped to the annular mounting ring by an annular clamping collar. The mounting ring has a coupling slot and an annular flange. The nose cone has an annular flange. The clamping collar has an inwardly facing annular groove, and a constriction device. The mounting ring is mounted to the tubular shell wherein an annular edge of the tubular shell is rigidly held in the coupling slot. The nose cone and mounting ring annular flanges together form a mounting wedge. The clamping collar clamps the nose cone to the annular mounting ring wherein the mounting wedge is rigidly held in the annular groove by constriction of the clamping collar by the constriction device.

A cargo container has a tubular shell, an annular mounting ring mounted thereto, and a nose cone clamped to the annular mounting ring by an annular clamping collar. The mounting ring has a coupling slot and an annular flange. The nose cone has an annular flange. The clamping collar has an inwardly facing annular groove, and a constriction device. The mounting ring is mounted to the tubular shell wherein an annular edge of the tubular shell is rigidly held in the coupling slot. The nose cone and mounting ring annular flanges together form a mounting wedge. The clamping collar clamps the nose cone to the annular mounting ring wherein the mounting wedge is rigidly held in the annular groove by constriction of the clamping collar by the constriction device.