A sediment capping system is adapted to create, and distribute, a homogenized mixture of capping material. Where distributing the capping material, the system is configured to militate against the capping material forming clumps of a size and weight that would disturb the sediment on a bottom of a body of water. This in turn militates against the sediment being disturbed, and a disturbing of pollutants and toxins into the water surrounding the sediment. The sediment capping system militates against the clumping of capping material through a vibrating spreader and baffle system, producing a sediment cap with a more consistent depth that will minimally disturb the sediment on the floor of the body of water where the sediment cap is being deposited.

Method of emptying a container filled with rod-like articles manufactured in the tobacco industry comprising the following stages: the container to be emptied is delivered to the entrance area of an intermediate store comprising adjacent channels separated from one another by walls; the rod-like articles are transferred by supporting plates from the container to the channels of the intermediate store; the channels of the intermediate store are filled with the rod-like articles; characterised in that during the transfer of the rod-like articles from the container to the channels of the intermediate store the intermediate store makes a reciprocating motion in the horizontal direction, transversely to the axis of the rod-like articles.

Method of emptying a container filled with rod-like articles manufactured in the tobacco industry comprising the following stages: the container to be emptied is delivered to the entrance area of an intermediate store comprising adjacent channels separated from one another by walls; the rod-like articles are transferred by supporting plates from the container to the channels of the intermediate store; the channels of the intermediate store are filled with the rod-like articles; characterised in that during the transfer of the rod-like articles from the container to the channels of the intermediate store the intermediate store makes a reciprocating motion in the horizontal direction, transversely to the axis of the rod-like articles.

A bulk material shipping conveyor including a support assembly, a housing connected to the support assembly, a conveyor belt assembly partially positioned in the housing, a motor assembly coupled to the conveyor belt assembly, a hopper assembly including a receiving assembly including a plurality of walls and at least one movable flap extending above at least one of the plurality of walls, a gate assembly including a door movable between an open position and a closed position, and a transition assembly including a plurality of spaced apart conveyor supports, wherein at least one of the spaced apart conveyor supports is rotated relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

A material application system includes a hopper assembly and a conveyor assembly. The hopper assembly includes an upper portion and a downcomer portion. Bulk material is loaded into the upper portion and passes through the downcomer portion. The downcomer portion may include a sail plate for agitating the bulk material to inhibit the formation of clogs in the bulk material.

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.

The invention relates to a mobile storage container for bulk material in the form of a container unit which is dimensioned such that it can be transported on public roads and in public areas without requiring special permits for said transport. The container unit has a container with sidewalls, an underfloor, and an intermediate bottom arranged above the underfloor. The container has a stiffness that allows for the container to be set up even in the filled state on any essentially level ground without pillar mounting and without a foundation. A discharge device for the bulk material and a cross conveyor are integrated into the container, and a vertical conveyor connected to the discharge device is integrated into the container unit. By means of the discharge device, the bulk material is dispensed at a discharge height from the container unit and transferred to the vertical conveyor. From the vertical conveyor, the bulk material is dispensed at a drop height, which is higher than the discharge height.

A circular distribution apparatus for distributing loose products has a top portion (17) with an inlet (19) positioned centrally relative to a vertical central axis, a base portion (7) comprising an annular horizontal floor (11); a plurality of openable and closable outlets (23) provided in the annular floor (11); a side wall (9) surrounding entirely the annular floor (11); a central elevation (13) disposed between the annular floor (11) and the inlet (19); and a vibrator (51) configured to vibrate the base portion (7) so that products received on the base portion (7) circulate around the elevation (13) on the annular floor (11). The top portion (17); the elevation (13); the annular floor (11); and the side wall (9) provide a housing (3) comprising a distribution chamber (5), where at least the elevation (13), the annular floor (11) and the side wall (9) are provided integrally.

An unloader for a shipping container includes a supporter having a frame structure and a pallet base supported by the frame structure and configured to receive the pallet and support the shipping container in an elevated position. A gate moving mechanism is supported by the pallet base and configured to engage the moveable gate assembly when the full shipping container is positioned onto the pallet base. A material director has a first end located beneath the pallet base subjacent of the gate moving mechanism. The material director extends downwardly from the pallet base and terminates at a second end opposite the first end. Bulk material is dispensed from the shipping container into the first end and is discharged from the second end of the material director. Shipping containers may be positioned onto and removed from the pallet base without disassembly of the unloader.