A method and system for metering proppant discharged from a storage container is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a method may comprise loading a known amount of a first proppant type into a storage container, detecting proppant at or adjacent to a discharge outlet of the storage container via one or more sensors coupled to the storage container, operating a metering device at a predetermined speed, wherein the metering device may be coupled to the discharge outlet of the storage container, and wherein the metering device may comprise one or more pockets for receiving the first proppant type. In certain embodiments, the method may further comprise dispensing a known amount of the first proppant type from the storage container via the metering device, wherein an encoder coupled to the metering device may emit pulses during the dispensing. In certain embodiments, the method may further comprise determining an amount of the first proppant type dispensed by at least one pocket of the one or more pockets of the metering device based at least in part on the pulses and determining a relationship between the known amount of the first proppant type dispensed by each pocket and a speed of the metering device.

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.

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.

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.

A combination weighing apparatus 1 includes a pool hopper 5 and a support body 11. An attached portion 30 of the support body 11 has first defining portions 34 and 39 and second defining portions 35 and 40, support portions 36 and 41 capable of supporting a first locking member 24, and guide portions 37 and 42 disposed on the track of a second locking member 25 at a time when the pool hopper 5 is swung to the support body 11 side about the first locking member 24 with the first locking member 24 supported by the support portions 36 and 41 and guiding the second locking member 25 such that the second locking member 25 moves to the lower side in a height direction with respect to a position on the track and is positioned in the second defining portions 35 and 40.

A combination weighing apparatus 1 includes a pool hopper 5 and a support body 11. An attached portion 30 of the support body 11 has first defining portions 34 and 39 and second defining portions 35 and 40, support portions 36 and 41 capable of supporting a first locking member 24, and guide portions 37 and 42 disposed on the track of a second locking member 25 at a time when the pool hopper 5 is swung to the support body 11 side about the first locking member 24 with the first locking member 24 supported by the support portions 36 and 41 and guiding the second locking member 25 such that the second locking member 25 moves to the lower side in a height direction with respect to a position on the track and is positioned in the second defining portions 35 and 40.

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.

An unloading device includes a loading assembly, an unloading assembly, and an alignment assembly. The loading assembly includes a loading rack and a loading tray. The unloading assembly includes a conveyor belt and a movable rod. The movable rod pushes the loading tray toward the conveyor belt. The alignment assembly includes a sensing member, a processor, and a driving member. The sensing member senses a first distance between different positions of the loading tray and the sensing member. A second distance is defined between the sensing member and the loading rack. The processor calculates a position deviation of the loading tray relative to the conveyor belt and controls the driving member to drive the loading rack to move to compensate for the position deviation.