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Title:
STORAGE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/142676
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A storage and delivery system (10) for granulated material or liquid, including a plurality of storage silos (14) extending generally above a ground surface (20), a roof structure (16) common to the plurality of storage silos, a plurality of openings (18) in the roof structure opening into the storage silos, and means (42) at or near the bottom of the storage silos for gravity feeding the material out of the storage silos. A truck (24) is able to drive over the roof to deposit material in a storage silo through an opening, and a truck is able to be loaded with material by driving into a position on the ground surface such that the gravity feed means is able to deposit material into the truck.

Inventors:
PORTER MICHAEL RICHARD (AU)
ATTWOOD HARLAND JAMES (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2012/000424
Publication Date:
October 26, 2012
Filing Date:
April 23, 2012
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
JAVELIN PACIFIC PTY LTD (AU)
PORTER MICHAEL RICHARD (AU)
ATTWOOD HARLAND JAMES (AU)
International Classes:
E04H7/26; B65D88/54; B65G3/04; B65G65/30
Foreign References:
GB2211829A1989-07-12
FR2246183A51975-04-25
Other References:
DATABASE WPI Week 198205, Derwent World Patents Index; AN 1982-B1473E
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
FREEHILLS PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS (101 Collins StreetMelbourne, Victoria 3000, AU)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A storage and delivery system for granulated material or liquid, including: a plurality of storage silos extending generally above a ground surface; a roof structure common to the plurality of storage silos; a plurality of openings in the roof structure opening into the storage silos; means at or near the bottom of the storage silos for gravity feeding the material out of the storage silos; wherein a truck is able to drive over the roof to deposit material in a storage silo through an opening; and wherein a truck is able to be loaded with material by driving into a position on the ground surface such mat me gravity feed means is able to deposit material into the truck.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one ramp connects the roof structure to the ground surface.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the silos are located in a cutting on a sloped surface, such that a second ground surface is provided above the said first ground surface, with the silos extending between, whereby a truck can drive straight onto the roof from the second ground surface.

4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silos are rectangular in cross-section. 5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the silos are circular in cross- section.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silos have a height in the range of 10- 15 metres.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each silo holds a volume of 700 to 2000 Tonnes.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of openings is provided as a matrix across the surface of the roof structure. 9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each silo has more than one opening above it.

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening include grates, which are of sufficient strength for a truck to drive over them.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the grates are of a width greater than a truck trailer, such that when the lid is open, a truck can drive over the grate, and tip the contents of their trailer directly into the opening through the grate.

12. A system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein each opening includes a lid.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein each lid is provided as two sides, having a central join, such that when they open sideways, they provide splash guards for the dumping of the granulated material into the openings.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein an additional full width lid is provided that closes over the centrally opening lids to additionally seal against the ingress of rodents and moisture.

15. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base of the silos is raised above the ground surface, such that a truck may drive underneath.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the bases of the silos are funnel shaped, being conical or pyramidal, such that they centrally drain the granulated material out of an aperture provided in the funnelled base.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein release of a closure over the opening allows the granulated material to feed directly down into a truck's trailer parked underneath the opening.

18. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the silos are located on the first ground surface and a gravity feed chute extends out of the side of silos towards the base, above the height of a truck trailer, such that a truck can park on the ground surface alongside the silos and the chute may be opened to drain granulated material into the truck's trailer.

1 . A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are two rows of silos.

20. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein there more than two rows of silos. 21. A system according to claims 19, wherein the two rows of silos are spaced apart, such that a central bunker or a number of central bunkers are created that run the entire length of the row of silos.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the central bunker or bunkers share the common roof structure, such that granulated material is dumped into the bunker(s) in the same way as the silos, through openings in the roof.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the bunker(s) have a plurality of openings, such that granulated material can be dumped to fill the bunker successively, starting at a first closed end.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the other end of the bunker(s) has an openable door, such that access can be gained to the bunker(s).

25. A system according to claim 24 when depended from any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein grated openings are provided in the base of the bunker(s) such that trucks can drive underneath and the granulated material can be gravity fed out of the openings.

26. A system according to claim 24 when depended from claim 18, wherein an auger and front end loader can be used to carry granulated material out of the door to the bunker to be loaded into a truck's trailer.

27. A system according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein, in the central bunker(s), pillars are provided to support the load of the roof structure.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein the pillars are formed to taper towards the floor of the bunker(s). 29. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure is made from concrete.

Description:
Storage and delivery system

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the delivery and storage of granulated materials or liquids, which finds particular though not exclusive application in the delivery and storage of grains.

Background of the invention

Currently, grain is stored in bunkers for long term storage. Grain bunkers are formed with upstanding 1-2 metre concrete, metal or dirt walls approximately spaced 15-20 metres apart, with the grain typically being piled up to a height of 10 metres. Alternatively, no walls may be provided. A single large tarpaulin (tarp) or a number of large tarps are then used to cover over the top of the grain and is typically tied down onto the concrete walls. The length of the bunkers can be up to 300 metres. Grain can stay in bunkers for several years.

There are a number of issues with bunker storage, particularly Occupational Health and Safety concerns relating to the tarps in high wind conditions. If wind is able to get underneath the tarps, they can pull up and rip. There has been at least one fatal incident where a worker was securing the tarp before strong winds hit, when the tarp lifted and threw him into the air.

Due to the size of the bunkers, in unfilled areas, workers will often jump over the wall to walk across the bunker, or prop a ladder against the concrete wall to climb over. The ladders are often left where they are, which can cause access issues for machinery. Workers walking across the bunker causes contamination issues.

The bunker design also takes up a large footprint of land, particularly in storage areas where a number of bunkers are used. Spacing is required between bunkers to allow a truck to drive for filling the bunkers. Currently, trucks deliver grain to the storage site and drive over a temporary moveable hopper and dump their grain. A conveyor belt on an inclined arm then transports the grain from the hopper to the top of the bunker grain pile, by driving the moveable hopper along beside the bunker. Approximately 300-400 Tonnes of grain can be transported to storage per hour via this method. , To unload the grain, a grain auger is used positioned within the bunker to transport the grain up and over the walls into a truck parked alongside the bunker wall. For the low lying grain not able to be picked up by the auger, a front end loader is used, which scoops it up and dumps it in the hopper, with the conveyor being used to load it into the truck. This is quite a slow process and requires trucks to be on site for long periods of time when unloading and loading. Workers are required to operate the hopper and conveyor system, as well as the front end loaders. A large amount of grain is wasted in this process, particularly through use of an auger, where grain is easily stuck or is blown away between the auger outlet and the truck.

Another significant disadvantage of the bunker storage of grain is that it is open to the environment. Rodents and weevils regularly infest grain piles, which results in the grain requiring fumigation. The bunkers are continually filled over time and therefore when a new load is being delivered, the tarp is removed for the entire day. This opens the grain up further to the environment and in particular moisture in the air. If a storm or rain approaches, there may not be enough time for workers to re position the tarp. In heavy rain, the unloading of trucks still needs to occur and requires access under the tarp to be provided.

It is therefore a desired object of the present invention to provide an alternative storage and delivery system that find particular application in grain storage.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a storage and delivery system for granulated or liquid material, including: a plurality of storage silos extending generally above a ground surface; a roof structure common to the plurality of storage silos; a plurality of openings in the roof structure opening into the storage silos; means at or near the bottom of the storage silos for gravity feeding the material out of the storage silos; wherein a truck is able to drive over the roof to deposit material in a storage silo through an opening; and wherein a truck is able to be loaded with material by driving into a position on the ground surface such that the gravity feed means is able to deposit material into the truck.

Preferably, the openings having grates and closable lids to seal the roof of the storage silos. Advantageously, at least one ramp connects the roof structure to the ground surface.

Alternatively, the silos may be located in a cutting on a sloped surface, such that a second ground surface is provided above the said ground surface, with the silos extending between, whereby a truck can drive straight onto the roof from the second ground surface. A truck could then drive on the said first ground surface to be loaded. The silos may be rectangular or circular in cross-section, and would typically have a height in the range of 10-15 metres. Each silo may therefore hold a volume of 700 to 2000 Tonnes, although it will be appreciated that the silos could be outside this range.

The plurality of openings is preferably provided as a matrix across the surface of the roof structure. Depending on the size of the silos, each silo may have more than one opening above it. This means that more than one truck can be unloading into the same silo simultaneously. Advantageously, the grates are of sufficient strength for a truck to drive over them. The grates are typically of a width greater than a truck trailer, such that when the lid is open, the truck can drive over the grate, and tip their trailer directly into the opening through the grate. The lid is preferably provided as two sides, having a central join, such that when they open sideways, they provide splash guards for the dumping of the granulated material into the openings. An additional full width lid may also be provided that closes over the centrally opening lids to additionally seal against the ingress of rodents and moisture.

The gravity feed means may be provided in two different ways. In a first embodiment, the base of the silos is raised above the ground surface, such that a truck may drive underneath. The bases of the silos in this embodiment are funnel shaped, being conical or pyramidal, such that they centrally drain the granulated material out of an aperture provided in the funnelled base. Release of a closure over the opening allows the granulated material to feed directly down into- the truck's trailer parked underneath the opening. In an alternative embodiment, the silos are located on the ground surface and a gravity feed chute extends out of the side of silos towards the base, but above the height of a truck trailer, such that a truck can park on the ground surface alongside the silos and the chute may be opened to drain granulated material into the truck's trailer. Any granulated material below the chute may be vacuum pumped out via a socket and hose extending out of the base of the silo. Alternatively, an auger may be used.

In a storage and delivery system, there may be two or more rows of silos. Typically, there are two rows of silos, such that trucks can gain access to both sides. The two rows of silos may be spaced apart, such that a central bunker or a number of central bunkers may be created that run the entire length of the row of silos. The central bunker or bunkers share the common roof structure, such that granulated material is dumped into the bunker(s) in the same way as the silos, through openings in the roof. The bunker(s) therefore may have a plurality of openings, such that granulated material can be dumped to fill the bunker successively, starting at a first closed end. The other end of the bunker(s) may have an openable door, such that access can be gained to the bunker(s). To empty granulated material out of the bunker(s), two alternatives may be provided. In the case where the silos are raised off the ground surface to allow access underneath, grated openings may be provided in the base of the bunker(s) such that trucks can drive underneath and the granulated material can be gravity fed out of the openings. Alternatively, an auger and front end loader can be used to carry granulated material out of the door to the bunker to be loaded into a truck's trailer. Alternatively, a vacuum pump may be used. In the central bunker(s), pillars are provided to support the load of the roof structure. These pillars are preferably formed to taper towards the floor of the bunker(s).

The storage and delivery system is advantageously made from concrete, however, it will be appreciated that the silos may be made from metal or other suitable material and the rest of the structure may be made from other suitable building materials.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an aerial perspective view of a storage and delivery system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the top level of the system of Figure 1 showing a truck unloading;

Figure 3 is an aerial side view of the system of Figure 1 showing a truck loading; Figure 4 is a close up view of the truck loading in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an aerial perspective view of a storage and delivery system according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is an aerial top view of the top level of the system of Figure 5 with several trucks unloading;

Figure 7 is an end view of the trucks of Figure 6 unloading;

Figure 8 is an aerial perspective view of a storage and delivery system according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is an end view of the system of Figure 8 ; Figure 10 is a perspective upward view from inside the central bunker of the system of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an aerial perspective view of a storage and delivery system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is an aerial perspective view from the other end of the system of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a top view through the grates of the system of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is an aerial perspective view of a storage and delivery system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 15 is an aerial perspective view of a storage and delivery system according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 16 is a side perspective view of the system of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a top perspective view of the system of Figure 15;

Figure 18 is an aerial perspective view of a storage and delivery system according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; Figure 19 shows the centre access of the embodiment shown in Figure 15;

Figure 20 shows a side view of the system of Figure 18;

Figure 21 shows a top perspective view of a silo base according to various aspects;

Figures 22 through 29 show the construction and operation of the openings and grates according to various aspects of the present invention; and Figures 30 and 31 show cross sectional end views of the system according to the first or second embodiments of the invention. Detailed description of the embodiments

The drawings show a number of different embodiments of the storage and delivery system 10 for granulated material, typically being grain. Like reference numerals will be used for the different embodiments, preceded by a first number. A first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 through 4, with a system that has a capacity to hold up to 21,000 Tonnes of grain. Two rows 112 of rectangular silos 114 are provided, having six silos in each row. The silos 114 each hold approximately 1750 Tonnes of grain. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the twelve silos 114 share a common roof structure 116 having a plurality of openings 118 forming a matrix of rows. A ground surface 120 is provided, below the roof structure 116, with the silos 114 extending between them. A ramp 122 is provided such that a truck 124 can drive up from the ground surface 120 to gain access to the roof 116. The truck 124 can drive over the roof surface 116 and unload the contents of its trailer 126 into a silo 114 through an opening 118.

In this first embodiment, known as an over and under system, the base 128 of the silos 114 are located above the ground surface 120 to provide docking areas 130 into which a truck's trailer 126 can be reversed. The truck 124 is able to be loaded with granulated material by driving into position, in the docking area 130, such that gravity feed means is able to deposit granulated material into the truck's trailer 126 from silo 114.

The second embodiment, shown in Figures 5 through 7, is a larger version of the first embodiment, with the storage and delivery system 210 having a capacity to hold up to 42,000 Tonnes of grain. It can be seen in Figures 6 and 7 that the common roof structure 216 allows a number of trucks 224 to deliver grain simultaneously. This greatly speeds up the delivery of grain; current systems may require a truck to wait for access to the loading hopper.

A third embodiment is shown in Figures 8 through 10, which is known as an over system. This embodiment is capable of holding up to 64,000 Tonnes of grain and includes two rows 312 of silos 314 that sit on the ground surface 320. The ramp 322a at one end extends the full width of the common roof 316, with the opposite ends ramp 322b having a central access opening 332.

A central bunker 334 is provided between the two rows 312 of silos 314, which are spaced apart.

The central bunker shares the common roof structure 316 with the silos 314 and therefore grain can similarly be delivered by truck 324 through openings 318 in the roof 316. The central bunker 334 allows for the storage of bulk grain, with different types of grain being able to be separately stored in individual silos 314. The spacing of the rows 312 of silos 314 may be at any distance to create one or more central bunkers, which typically run the full length of the rows 312. Indeed, in some cases, not shown, the central bunker could extend further underneath the ramp 322a past the end of the silos 314. The access opening 332 is fully sealable with a door (not shown), such that rodents and moisture cannot access the bunkers. The roof structure 316 is supported by rows of concrete pillars 336, as shown in Figure 10. Walls may also be provided, dividing the central bunker area into two or more bunkers. The pillars 336 are preferably formed to taper towards the floor of the bunker 334. The reason for this is to minimise surfaces for dust to collect upon. As the pillars 336 are wider at the roof and narrower at the floor, no dust can settle on them. If a spark were to enter the bunker through an opening from a truck above, dust would ignite and cause an explosion, so the system is designed to minimise the amount of dust that may accumulate.

As mentioned above, the system 310 shows an over system. In such systems, the base 328 of the silos 314 are located on the ground surface 320, such that a truck 324 cannot be parked underneath, as in an over and under system, such as in embodiment two. In the over system 310, a gravity feed chute 338 extends out of the side of the silos 314 towards the base 328. A truck 324 may park along side the silo 314 with its trailer 326 underneath the chute 338, which is opened so that the grain can drain directly into the trailer 326. As can be seen, the chute 338 is located above the height of a trailer 326, such that anything below the chute 338 cannot drain by gravity feed. In this case, a vacuum pump (not shown) with a hose (not shown) is provided at the base 328 of the silo. The end of the hose can be placed in the trailer and the pump vacuums the grain out of the base of the silo into the trailer to fully empty the silo.

For an over system, the central bunker 334 is emptied by using a standard auger and/or a front end loader to remove grain out of the access opening 332.

Figures 11 to 13 show a fourth embodiment, similar to embodiment three, which holds 64,000 Tonnes of grain; however it is an over and under system 410. In this embodiment, two rows 412 of twelve silos 414 are provided on either side, with a central bunker 434 located between them. Docking areas 430 extend all the way through from one side to the other, underneath the two rows 412 and the central bunker 434, such that the base 428 of the silos and the base 440 of the bunker 434 is raised above the ground surface 420, whereby a truck 424 can drive all the way through the docking area 430.

In the case of the central bunker 434, for loading grain from the bunker 434 into a truck trailer 426, a plurality of grated openings are provided in the base 440 of the bunker. A truck can pull up underneath on of these openings and when opened, grain will drain from the bunker into the trailer positioned underneath. When the depth of the grain in the bunker gets low, a front end loader can be used to push the grain located on the base between the openings over an opening so that it can feed out.

The bases of the silos 14 are funnel shaped, as shown best in Figure 21, having a cone section for circular silos or a pyramidal section 42 for rectangular silos such that they centrally drain the grain out of an aperture 44 when a truck is positioned underneath. This is best illustrated in Figures 30 and 31, which show in cross-section how the system 10 operates, with grain being dumped from above by trucks driving over the roof 16 into openings 18. The grain is either stored in a central bunker 34 or in separate silos 14. A truck 24 can then drive underneath the base 28 through the docking area 30 and park underneath a particular silo 14 or the central bunker 34. The aperture 44 is then opened and the grain drains under gravity down the walls of the pyramidal section 42 through the aperture 44 and into the trailer 26.

Another over and under embodiment is shown in Figure 14, where the system 510 can hold up to 130,000 Tonnes of grain. In the embodiment shown in Figures 15 through 17, and 19, four rows 612 of silos 614 are provided, with a central access opening provided in the centre. Figure 19 shows the centre access 621. The grain is deposited into the silos in the same way, and are emptied via the gravity feed chutes 638. The silos shown in this embodiment are circular, with the only difference to the rectangular versions being in the silo dimensions. Operation of the system is the same. Figures 18 and 20 show a seventh embodiment. Figure 20 shows how the circular silos work with a drive under system, with conical bases 728 draining grain into a docking area 730 on the ground surface 720 when a truck is parked underneath.

The openings 18 in the roof 16 are illustrated in detail in Figures 22 through 29. Grates 46 are of sufficient strength for a truck to drive over them and have a sealed lid system. Two side lids 48 are provided having a central join 50. The side lids, when closed, sit flush against the top of the grate bars 52 inside the outer grate frame 54. A top lid then closed from the rear over the side lids 48 on top of the outer grate frame 54 to fully seal the openings 18 against rodents and the weather. When loading grain, the top lid is pivoted to a fully flat position on the roof surface, as shown in Figure 25 and the two side lids 48 sit generally upright, but wider than 90 degrees. This means that a truck can drive over the top lid and the grate bars, between the side lids. The top lid may be lifted back up to provide a rear guard, as shown in Figure 26, together with the side lids acting as side guards to ensure that when the grain is being dumped it falls into the opening 18. Figure 28 shows the grates 46 fully installed, with the left lids in the open position and the right lids in the closed position. Figure 29 shows how the grates are set in the concrete of the roof surface, with tie rods projecting into the concrete to provide strength and support.

The present invention provides a superior system for the storage and delivery of granulated material such as grain. The advantages include the speed with which grain can be delivered directly into the long term storage vessels, rather than having to be dumped by a truck into a temporary storage hopper and then transported into a bunker. The speed at which grain can be loaded into trucks via gravity feeding greatly reduces the time during which a truck has to be on-site. Other advantages of the system include the ability to seal the grain from rodents and the environment, eliminating the risks involved with the use of large tarps and the inability to sufficiently seal existing bunker systems. Further, for silos that are full, they have no need to be opened and can be kept sealed, in contrast with existing bunker systems, where the tarp is removed for the entire day. Another significant advantage is the reduction of wasted grain. Due to the gravity feeding of grain directly into the trailer, there is no wastage, as the entire silo can be fully drained, without the complication of augers where grain can become trapped. As the silos can be kept dry, the grain does not clump and remains in a fully granulated state, such that it does not get stuck to surfaces and drains freely.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.