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US3604573A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System and apparatus for unloading bulk material from a storage enclosure

Assignee: Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd
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Filing: 1969-07-07
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-07-07
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Abstract

Abstract A system for unloading a bulk carrier has a flat-bottomed hold with a series of gates thereon to gravity-feed material on to a longitudinal conveyor positioned below the flat bottom; the unloading of the remaining material unaffected by gravity is completed by a deck-supported sling which moves across and along the hold.

Inventors

  • 👤 John Daniel Leitch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 09:21
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B27/00; B63B27/10; B63B27/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 156 words
A system for unloading bulk material from a hole of a vessel, which system comprises means defining a channel extending longitudinally of the hold generally centrally thereof, a conveyor in said channel, individual means defining openings in said hold through which material can flow downwardly due to the effect of gravity on to said conveyor, and grab bucket means supported above said hold, said means being movable above said hold along the length and across said hold to an extent greater than the width thereof, and downwards therein; said grab bucket means being supported by sling means so that, on being lowered into said hold said grab means is movable therein, lengthwise and crosswise, so as to disturb the material piled in said hold which is unaffected by gravity by oscillatory motion of said grab bucket against said material, and by closure of the grab bucket so as to lift material therein clear of the hold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 156 words
A system for unloading bulk material from a hole of a vessel, which system comprises means defining a channel extending longitudinally of the hold generally centrally thereof, a conveyor in said channel, individual means defining openings in said hold through which material can flow downwardly due to the effect of gravity on to said conveyor, and grab bucket means supported above said hold, said means being movable above said hold along the length and across said hold to an extent greater than the width thereof, and downwards therein; said grab bucket means being supported by sling means so that, on being lowered into said hold said grab means is movable therein, lengthwise and crosswise, so as to disturb the material piled in said hold which is unaffected by gravity by oscillatory motion of said grab bucket against said material, and by closure of the grab bucket so as to lift material therein clear of the hold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said hold has a flat bottom above said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said grab bucket movable means further transfers said dislodged material onto said conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said hold has a plurality of individual compartments defined substantially by the sides of the vessel, and spaced-apart cross walls, said grab bucket means on lowering being movable into a selected one of said compartments.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

CA738822A Cited
US1584442A Cited
US1808862A Cited
US2893574A Cited
US3149733A Cited
US3179264A Cited
US3414144A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-09-13 1975-03-15 1975-09-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-09-13 1979-03-15 1979-09-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-09-13 1983-03-15 1983-09-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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