A shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system includes a shipping container having an opening therein for transferring cargo; a chassis, the shipping container disposed thereon; and a vibratory system being configured to transfer the cargo relative to the shipping container. The vibratory system may be used to load and unload the cargo.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with sensors and/or a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate flow control operations.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with equipment including a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate flow control operations.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with equipment including an intermediate surge hopper with a vibration system and a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate the operational movement of sand.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. The proppant container is part of an overall system that is used to move sand for use as proppant, and is fitted with a vibration system that facilitates the discharge of sand from the container.

The invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for packaging a material, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises a vertical and downwardly tapering hopper element (1) in which the material being dispensed is arranged, comprising more than two side walls with corners therebetween, at least two elongated plate-shaped parts (4) attached substantially horizontally in connection with at least two side walls of the hopper element so as to extend from one corner of the hopper element to another, and a dispensing element (2, 3) arranged at the tapering end of the hopper element, through which dispensing element the material is dispensed, and at least one vibrator arranged in connection with the hopper element (1) to provide vibration of the hopper element via the elongated plate-shaped part (4) to the side walls of the hopper element. Further, the invention relates to the use of the apparatus.

The invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for packaging a material, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises a vertical and downwardly tapering hopper element (1) in which the material being dispensed is arranged, comprising more than two side walls with corners therebetween, at least two elongated plate-shaped parts (4) attached substantially horizontally in connection with at least two side walls of the hopper element so as to extend from one corner of the hopper element to another, and a dispensing element (2, 3) arranged at the tapering end of the hopper element, through which dispensing element the material is dispensed, and at least one vibrator arranged in connection with the hopper element (1) to provide vibration of the hopper element via the elongated plate-shaped part (4) to the side walls of the hopper element. Further, the invention relates to the use of the apparatus.

A hopper assembly includes a hopper configured to contain a feedstock material. A vibration imparting device is arranged inside the hopper and a vibration source coupled to the vibration imparting device. Embodiments of the instant invention are believed to provide various improvements in feeding uniformity by providing various hopper configurations that ensure a more consistently uniform filling of the metering device for a variety of difficult-to-feed materials and not-so-difficult-to-feed materials. One, more or all of these embodiments are also believed to improve accuracy and add precision to control, and, in addition, offer more simplified hopper constructionwhich is less costly to manufacture and maintain.

A hopper assembly includes a hopper configured to contain a feedstock material. A vibration imparting device is arranged inside the hopper and a vibration source coupled to the vibration imparting device. Embodiments of the instant invention are believed to provide various improvements in feeding uniformity by providing various hopper configurations that ensure a more consistently uniform filling of the metering device for a variety of difficult-to-feed materials and not-so-difficult-to-feed materials. One, more or all of these embodiments are also believed to improve accuracy and add precision to control, and, in addition, offer more simplified hopper constructionwhich is less costly to manufacture and maintain.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. The proppant container is provided with a system for dislodging the wet sand for subsequent use. This may be done by use of a vibrator or an umbrella valve. In another aspect, the proppant container may be used in combination with a rack having a wash system that slurries the proppant for delivery to a blender tub without necessarily resorting to use of a conveyor belt.