A self-loading pallet system is disclosed where a three-dimensional basic structure can be manipulated horizontally and vertically and carry with it a cargo, loaded either directly into the structure, or onto a separate pallet structure inserted into the basic structure. The system is useful for loading and unloading cargo between ground level and the cargo floor of vehicles. The vertical loading steps are accomplished by a sequence of extensions and retractions of legs slidably attached to the basic structure. The vertical leg movements are powered by actuators that extend and retract their pistons attached to telescoping legs of the basic structure. Each actuator has an interior motor and a dedicated controller operating the motor. An exterior master controller communicates with each actuator controller, whereby the sequence of vertical loading steps can be pre-programmed to effectively automate the loading and unloading sequences. Actuator motors are powered by an exterior rechargeable battery.

A transport container for transporting a hub and vanes of a fan prior to assembly of the fan includes a body having a floor and defining an interior having a top opening. The transport container also includes a lid that removably covers the top opening. A divider wall is positioned within the interior so that the interior is divided into first and second internal compartments that hold the vanes of the fan. A hub post is positioned within the interior of the body. The hub post has a bottom end portion attached to the floor and a top end portion that is inserted into a central opening of the hub of the fan.

A transport container for transporting a hub and vanes of a fan prior to assembly of the fan includes a body having a floor and defining an interior having a top opening. The transport container also includes a lid that removably covers the top opening. A divider wall is positioned within the interior so that the interior is divided into first and second internal compartments that hold the vanes of the fan. A hub post is positioned within the interior of the body. The hub post has a bottom end portion attached to the floor and a top end portion that is inserted into a central opening of the hub of the fan.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and specifically discloses a UAV transport box. The UAV transport box has a mounting frame, a box body, a driving device, and a control system. The box body has a bottom plate and a side plate, the bottom plate is fixedly installed on the mounting frame, the UAV is arranged on the bottom plate, and the side plate can be unfolded through the driving device, so that the side plate and the bottom plate are in the same plane to form an area which is large enough to provide a suitable take-off and landing platform for the UAV, and can realize the automatic opening and closing for the UAV transport box.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and specifically discloses a UAV transport box. The UAV transport box has a mounting frame, a box body, a driving device, and a control system. The box body has a bottom plate and a side plate, the bottom plate is fixedly installed on the mounting frame, the UAV is arranged on the bottom plate, and the side plate can be unfolded through the driving device, so that the side plate and the bottom plate are in the same plane to form an area which is large enough to provide a suitable take-off and landing platform for the UAV, and can realize the automatic opening and closing for the UAV transport box.

A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system, The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

A tank for bulk material storage and transport and method for producing same. In an embodiment, a tank is provided that includes a shell having a sidewall, a neck including a first collar, and a tube terminating in a second collar. A frustoconical cap may be secured to the first collar. A substantially conical cap may be secured to the second collar. A liner may be applied to the shell so that the liner substantially covers an interior surface of the sidewall, an interior surface of the neck, at least a portion of the first collar, an interior surface of the tube, and at least a portion of the second collar. Annular thickened segments may be trimmed to prepare the tank for use. The annular thickened segments may be located at an interior joint between the frustoconical cap and the first collar, and/or an interior joint between the substantially conical cap and the second collar. The trimming step may form first and second sealing surfaces of the liner adjacent respectively to the first and second collars. The first and second sealing surfaces may respectively be configured to substantially seal against a manway cover and an outlet cover. In a final, assembled preferred form, the frustoconical and substantially conical caps are replaced with the manway assembly and outlet cover, respectively sealed against the first and second sealing surfaces.

A tank for bulk material storage and transport and method for producing same. In an embodiment, a tank is provided that includes a shell having a sidewall, a neck including a first collar, and a tube terminating in a second collar. A frustoconical cap may be secured to the first collar. A substantially conical cap may be secured to the second collar. A liner may be applied to the shell so that the liner substantially covers an interior surface of the sidewall, an interior surface of the neck, at least a portion of the first collar, an interior surface of the tube, and at least a portion of the second collar. Annular thickened segments may be trimmed to prepare the tank for use. The annular thickened segments may be located at an interior joint between the frustoconical cap and the first collar, and/or an interior joint between the substantially conical cap and the second collar. The trimming step may form first and second sealing surfaces of the liner adjacent respectively to the first and second collars. The first and second sealing surfaces may respectively be configured to substantially seal against a manway cover and an outlet cover. In a final, assembled preferred form, the frustoconical and substantially conical caps are replaced with the manway assembly and outlet cover, respectively sealed against the first and second sealing surfaces.

There is disclosed a dry bulk hopper system that includes a generally frustoconical bottle and a base having a tapered wall that defines a cradle for holding the bottle. The bottle has locking tabs disposed at bottom end thereof that cooperate with engagement ledges to secure the bottle to the base when the bottle has been received into the base in a first orientation, but not in a second orientation. Extruded support columns are disposed inside an interior of the base to distribute loads created by material in the bottle when the system is raised by a forklift.

There is disclosed a dry bulk hopper system that includes a generally frustoconical bottle and a base having a tapered wall that defines a cradle for holding the bottle. The bottle has locking tabs disposed at bottom end thereof that cooperate with engagement ledges to secure the bottle to the base when the bottle has been received into the base in a first orientation, but not in a second orientation. Extruded support columns are disposed inside an interior of the base to distribute loads created by material in the bottle when the system is raised by a forklift.