A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. The main bin includes a vertical front wall joined to planar first front surface that is disposed below the vertical front wall, at an angle relative to the vertical front wall so as to direct bulk material inwardly towards the interior of the storage reservoir. A second planar front surface is joined to the first front surface, and disposed at an angle relative to the first front surface, so as to direct the bulk material towards the dispensing chute.

According to one embodiment a solid component mixing apparatus is provided that includes a mixing device, a first dosing device for supplying sand and a second dosing device for supplying a solid additive that are communicated with the mixing device. The mixing device includes a vertical mixing chamber with a rectangular cross-section, the contour of the chamber being formed by four side walls, such that two side walls opposite one another are wider than the other two walls. The chamber includes a first inlet communicated with the first dosing device and a second inlet communicated with the second dosing device, the second inlet being at a lower height than the first inlet, and the second inlet being arranged in one of the wider side walls of the chamber. Associated mixing methods are also provided.

A transport and distribution apparatus for bulk granular product in a container mounted to an ISO frame, the container having opposing side walls and opposing end walls closed by a cover that has hatch openings for providing entry of a bulk granular product into the container, with a plurality of chutes opposing the cover and each having a discharge port that connects through a valve to a product discharge conduit. An air supply provides an air flow through the product discharge conduit to discharge the bulk product from the apparatus and an air plenum disposed within the container proximate the cover communicates pressurized air into the container.

A transport and distribution apparatus for bulk granular product in a container mounted to an ISO frame, the container having opposing side walls and opposing end walls closed by a cover that has hatch openings for providing entry of a bulk granular product into the container, with a plurality of chutes opposing the cover and each having a discharge port that connects through a valve to a product discharge conduit. An air supply provides an air flow through the product discharge conduit to discharge the bulk product from the apparatus and an air plenum disposed within the container proximate the cover communicates pressurized air into the container.

A system for moving a product, comprising: a container configured to receive the product, the container comprising a product outlet arranged in a lower part of the container; an actuator system configured to generate a non-contact force; a frame, wherein the frame is: arranged within the container and configured to be in contact with the product when the product is arranged in the container, configured to be moveable relative to the container, configured to be subjectable to the non-contact force generated by the actuator system; a control unit configured to control the actuator system, wherein the control unit is configured to generate changes in the non-contact force for moving the frame relative to the container.

A system for moving a product, comprising: a container configured to receive the product, the container comprising a product outlet arranged in a lower part of the container; an actuator system configured to generate a non-contact force; a frame, wherein the frame is: arranged within the container and configured to be in contact with the product when the product is arranged in the container, configured to be moveable relative to the container, configured to be subjectable to the non-contact force generated by the actuator system; a control unit configured to control the actuator system, wherein the control unit is configured to generate changes in the non-contact force for moving the frame relative to the container.

A method of dislodging entrapped particulate material from an assembly of a bin and a hopper for dispensing the particulate material is disclosed. The method includes lifting at least one of a plurality of support legs off of the foundation by a predetermined amount by using at least one lifting mechanism that is resting on the foundation and operatively attached to one of the plurality of support legs; and dropping the at least one support leg into a free fall down on to the foundation using the lifting mechanism, whereby an impact shock thus produced is transmitted to the assembly of the bin and the hopper through the support leg and promote dislodging of any of the particulate material that may be in a non-flowable state to enhance dispensing of the particulate material from the assembly of the bin and the hopper.

A method of dislodging entrapped particulate material from an assembly of a bin and a hopper for dispensing the particulate material is disclosed. The method includes lifting at least one of a plurality of support legs off of the foundation by a predetermined amount by using at least one lifting mechanism that is resting on the foundation and operatively attached to one of the plurality of support legs; and dropping the at least one support leg into a free fall down on to the foundation using the lifting mechanism, whereby an impact shock thus produced is transmitted to the assembly of the bin and the hopper through the support leg and promote dislodging of any of the particulate material that may be in a non-flowable state to enhance dispensing of the particulate material from the assembly of the bin and the hopper.

A feeder system for item feeding is presented. The feeder system may include a container having a plurality of walls, an actuator, a selector, and a chute. The container receives a plurality of items. An opening is formed in the container. The items flow through the opening towards the selector by a gravitational force. The selector singulates the plurality of items into one item. The chute receives the singulated item one at a time from the selector. The actuator is attached to the container and agitates the container to maintain a flow of the plurality of items passing through the opening.

A feeder system for item feeding is presented. The feeder system may include a container having a plurality of walls, an actuator, a selector, and a chute. The container receives a plurality of items. An opening is formed in the container. The items flow through the opening towards the selector by a gravitational force. The selector singulates the plurality of items into one item. The chute receives the singulated item one at a time from the selector. The actuator is attached to the container and agitates the container to maintain a flow of the plurality of items passing through the opening.