An adjustable including a base structure designed for being mounted to an intake of a conveying mechanism for conveying particulates. A bottom portion of a flexible hopper structure is mounted to the base structure. A top structure is mounted to a top portion of the flexible hopper structure. An adjusting mechanism is connected to the base structure and the top structure. The adjusting mechanism enables moving the top structure from a transport position, with the top structure being disposed in proximity to the base structure, to a loading position, with at least a substantial portion of the top structure being disposed at a predetermined distance to the base structure.

Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.

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.

A conveyor capacity control system includes a conveyor operative to receive granular material at a conveyor intake thereof and convey same to a conveyor discharge with a conveying device at a conveyor flow rate up to a maximum conveyor flow rate, and a granular material container with a container discharge opening oriented to discharge granular material from the granular material container into the conveyor intake, and a discharge gate movable to control a size of the container discharge opening. A flow rate control processor is operative to determine the maximum conveyor flow rate and detect when a discharge flow rate of granular material from the container discharge opening into the conveyor intake is greater than or less than the maximum conveyor flow rate, and increase or decrease the discharge flow rate to substantially coincide with the maximum conveyor flow rate. A hoist control is also provided for a truck box.

A conveyor capacity control system includes a conveyor operative to receive granular material at a conveyor intake thereof and convey same to a conveyor discharge with a conveying device at a conveyor flow rate up to a maximum conveyor flow rate, and a granular material container with a container discharge opening oriented to discharge granular material from the granular material container into the conveyor intake, and a discharge gate movable to control a size of the container discharge opening. A flow rate control processor is operative to determine the maximum conveyor flow rate and detect when a discharge flow rate of granular material from the container discharge opening into the conveyor intake is greater than or less than the maximum conveyor flow rate, and increase or decrease the discharge flow rate to substantially coincide with the maximum conveyor flow rate. A hoist control is also provided for a truck box.

Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for blending multi-component granular compositions such as proppant used in hydraulic fracturing in well drilling. The system includes the control and management of an on-site storage system for each of the components, regulating the delivery of specified quantities of each component to a well site, and coordinating the flow of materials into and out of the blender.

Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for blending multi-component granular compositions such as proppant used in hydraulic fracturing in well drilling. The system includes the control and management of an on-site storage system for each of the components, regulating the delivery of specified quantities of each component to a well site, and coordinating the flow of materials into and out of the blender.

A loose component supply device provided with component supply apparatus that stores multiple components, frame to which the component supply apparatus is detachably attached, claw member for locking the component supply apparatus to the frame, and a component support member that supports multiple component in a scattered state, the components having been ejected from an entrance of the component supply apparatus that is attached to the frame; the locking of the component supply apparatus to the frame is released by an operator grasping grip of the component supply apparatus. The component supply apparatus is swung, and with the swinging linking mechanism is operated such that shutter rotates downwards. That is, with the releasing of the locking of the component supply apparatus, the entrance of the component supply apparatus is covered by the shutter.

A loose component supply device provided with component supply apparatus that stores multiple components, frame to which the component supply apparatus is detachably attached, claw member for locking the component supply apparatus to the frame, and a component support member that supports multiple component in a scattered state, the components having been ejected from an entrance of the component supply apparatus that is attached to the frame; the locking of the component supply apparatus to the frame is released by an operator grasping grip of the component supply apparatus. The component supply apparatus is swung, and with the swinging linking mechanism is operated such that shutter rotates downwards. That is, with the releasing of the locking of the component supply apparatus, the entrance of the component supply apparatus is covered by the shutter.