Abstract: Disclosed is a testing apparatus comprising a disposal container body comprising: a first opening portion that faces upward to receive a used test piece dropped by a test piece transfer part of the testing apparatus, wherein the test piece transfer part is configured to transfer the used test piece to the first opening portion; and a second opening portion that faces laterally to receive a liquid waste and to which an end of a discharge pipe of the testing apparatus is inserted, wherein the discharge pipe is configured to transfer the liquid waste to the second opening portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate storage vehicle for storing milled material and also to a work train with such an intermediate storage vehicle, a surface milling machine and a transport vehicle.

Abstract: A cart for restocking provisions includes a body having one or more exterior surfaces. The one or more exterior surfaces include a top surface facing a first direction and a bottom surfacing facing a second direction that is away from the first direction and parallel to the first direction. The cart also includes a handle fixedly attached to the body. The cart further includes one or more wheels coupled to the bottom surface. In addition, the cart includes one or more hoppers each including a hollow space having a length that extends from an aperture located on the top surface and through at least a portion of an interior of the body. The hollow space includes at least one curved surface that extends from the aperture along at least a portion of the length to allow the provisions to be stored within the one or more hoppers.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a chassis; and a cargo bed disposed behind a riding space. The cargo bed is located above the chassis and has a bottom wall portion on which a cargo is placed. The bottom wall portion extends so as to be inclined downward toward a rear side.

Abstract: A dump bed assembly (18) is provided for coupling to a truck having a chassis (22) for supporting the dump bed assembly (18). The dump bed assembly (18) includes a cargo receiving dump bed (13) coupled to the chassis (22) and movable between a travel configuration and a dump configuration. The dump bed includes a metal skeletal frame (85) including a plurality of frame members that define a plurality of openings (171) between the frame members. A plastic bed (90) comprises at least one plastic bed member coupled to and supported by the plurality of frame members. The plastic bed member extends into the openings defined by the frame members.

Abstract: A hopper for transportation of mineral or aggregates which prevents the material from falling off due to movements or slope, and which improves load performance and facilitates the download. In the joining areas between the front and the floor and between the sides and the floor there are folded or cylindered pieces giving curvature to such joining points, thus adding anti-adherent features to this hopper. The front is folded with a wide radius, also achieving an anti-adherent feature. There are also folds in the front and the shield to avoid beams in those areas of the hopper, thus decreasing the total weight of such hopper and reducing the appearance of cracks and lessening the amount of welding. Additionally, the area of release is wider than the front and shield portions to allow for a better sliding of the material during unloading.

Abstract: A method implemented by a programmable controller in a hauling machine having an engine, moveable ground engaging elements, and a bed actuable by at least one hoist cylinder controlled by an operator hoist control device, determines whether the bed is empty by determining a position of the operator hoist control device, applying a gain dependent upon the position, applying an integrator over time to provide a resultant hoist figure, comparing the resultant hoist figure to a hoist minimum constant, and, if the hoist figure is less than or equal to the hoist maximum constant, concluding that the bed is empty.

Abstract: A dump bed assembly (18) is provided for coupling to a truck having a chassis (22) for supporting the dump bed assembly (18). The dump bed assembly (18) includes a cargo receiving dump bed (13) coupled to the chassis (22) and movable between a travel configuration and a dump configuration. The dump bed includes a metal skeletal frame (85) including a plurality of frame members that define a plurality of openings (171) between the frame members. A plastic bed (90) comprises at least one plastic bed member coupled to and supported by the plurality of frame members. The plastic bed member extends into the openings defined by the frame members.

Abstract: A sting trailer has a camera scaffold concealing hidden cameras in a cargo compartment of the trailer. The camera scaffold conceals cameras and wiring so that the cameras are not visible from the interior of the trailer.

Abstract: An hollow railroad car may be a have a lading containment structure that is a pressure vessel. The car may be a covered hopper car having one or more hopper discharge sections. Each hopper discharge section may include a transition from a substantially rectangular upper inlet to a substantially circular outlet. The transition may include developed plate formed as partial conic sections fitted as valleys between respective pairs of fore-and-aft slope sheets and side slope sheets. The car may have substantially planar internal ring reinforcement assemblies that serve to form a jig and a welding surface for the fore-and-aft slope sheet, a self-jig for the skins of the side wall and roof sheets, and which define buckling nodes for longitudinal compression of the car. The rings form local T-sections in combination with the adjacent wall skins, and do not employ out-of-plane formed sections such as hat sections. The reinforcement may be fabricated from flat sheet or flat bar.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to an erosion control device for constructing a barrier bag for use in areas where erosion is likely to occur. The erosion control device can include an attachment member allowing the erosion control device to be operably mounted to a skid steer, front-end loader, tractor or similar vehicle for transportation and power. The erosion control device can include a loading box defining a material hopper for holding a filler material. The loading box can further comprise a beater bar assembly for agitating the filler material within the material hopper so as to continually feed an auger assembly within the loading box. The auger assembly transports and compacts the filler material within a filling chute. The compacted filler material exits the filling chute and enters into a barrier bag that is continually deployed from the filling chute.

Abstract: A hopper for transferring granular materials has a unique composite shape which enables accommodation of the safety guard of an auger and access about a back of the hopper. A wedge-shaped base permits pivoting of the hopper to adjust to the angle of the auger used to remove the material, minimizing the angle of the auger and maximizing extraction of material from the hopper.

Abstract: A dump hopper for a road sweeper includes a dump door, a debris guide chute, and an actuating mechanism for pivoting the dump door and debris chute between travel and dumping positions. The dump door is sandwiched between a hopper and the guide chute in the travel position and seals a debris discharge opening of the hopper. A pair of fluid cylinders are pivotally connected to the dump door and the guide chute and cooperate with cam and cam followers to hold the dump door in sealed relationship to the debris discharge opening until the debris guide chute has been fully deployed.

Abstract: A mortar buggy with stake bed assembly provides a removable flat heavy duty base platform and a rear panel that can be fitted onto the chassis of an existing mortar buggy or similar conveyance in place of a hopper. The stake bed assembly provides removable front and side panels made of solid steel or similar alloy that can be configured to attach vertically in a hopper configuration or horizontally in an extended flat bed configuration, to provide additional loading surface for long or large items. The stake bed assembly also provides for a removable front tailgate with the ability to hinge at both its top and bottom so that the front tailgate can swing either up or down.

Abstract: A mortar buggy with stake bed assembly provides a removable flat heavy duty base platform and a rear panel that can be fitted onto the chassis of an existing mortar buggy or similar conveyance in place of a hopper. The stake bed assembly provides removable front and side panels made of solid steel or similar alloy that can be configured to attach vertically in a hopper configuration or horizontally in an extended flat bed configuration, to provide additional loading surface for long or large items. The stake bed assembly also provides for a removable front tailgate with the ability to hinge at both its top and bottom so that the front tailgate can swing either up or down.

Abstract: A dump hopper for a road sweeper includes a dump door, a debris guide chute, and an actuating mechanism for pivoting the dump door and debris chute between travel and dumping positions. The dump door is sandwiched between a hopper and the guide chute in the travel position and seals a debris discharge opening of the hopper. A pair of fluid cylinders are pivotally connected to the dump door and the guide chute and cooperate with cam and cam followers to hold the dump door in sealed relationship to the debris discharge opening until the debris guide chute has been fully deployed.

Abstract: Accordingly there is disclosed a safety door system, comprising a hopper body containing a powered implement powered by a hydraulic control system, for dispensing liquid or granular materials or for agitating the liquid or granular materials; a safety door for covering and preventing access into the hopper body during use; a hydraulic actuating cylinder operative to open the safety door; and an interlock device coupled between the hydraulic actuating cylinder and the hydraulic control system such that the powered implement within the hopper body is prevented from operating whenever the safety door is not in its closed position. In another embodiment there is disclosed a method of limiting access to a hopper body of a mobile pavement repair system during its use, the hopper body having a powered implement within the hopper body and powered by a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of adapting a vehicle for use in either of a dump truck mode or a spreader truck mode includes a dump body unit and a removable hopper. The dump body unit has a main frame pivotally interconnected with a dump body. The main frame attaches to the vehicle and supports the dump body. The dump body has a substantially flat bed with a lengthwise channel containing an embedded conveyor. In dump truck mode, the conveyor is covered and materials may be loaded into and dumped from the dump body. In spreader truck mode, the conveyor is uncovered and the hopper is attached to the dump body so that an aperture at the hopper's base is aligned over the conveyor. Gravity-fed materials may then be conveyed along the body to an attached spreader for dispersion.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of adapting a vehicle for use in either of a dump truck mode or a spreader truck mode includes a dump body unit and a removable hopper. The dump body unit has a main frame pivotally interconnected with a dump body. The main frame attaches to the vehicle and supports the dump body. The dump body has a substantially flat bed with a lengthwise channel containing an embedded conveyor. In dump truck mode, the conveyor is covered and materials may be loaded into and dumped from the dump body. In spreader truck mode, the conveyor is uncovered and the hopper is attached to the dump body so that an aperture at the hopper's base is aligned over the conveyor. Gravity-fed materials may then be conveyed along the body to an attached spreader for dispersion.

Abstract: A truck bed hopper of a mining dump truck that is capable of elastic deformation when it is subject to the loading or unloading of material, built preferably of structural or of wear and tear steel, where the general structure of the bed hopper is curved. By this construction, the great moments of inertia which are achieved with curved surfaces eliminate or reduce to a great extent the use of beams as main resistive elements. The present bed hopper has a protective blinder which is preferably cylindrical in shape and a frontal wall and floor which are preferably elliptical in shape. The bottom of the bed hopper externally has a plurality of transversal beams, preferably 4 to 6 in number, even more preferably 5 in number which have a main function of keeping the bottom surface curved and transferring the strengths of the envelopment to the truck's body. Further, the bottom externally also has a plurality of support elements, preferably two in number, that are located at the front part, i.e.

Abstract: A truck bed hopper of a mining dump truck that is capable of elastic deformation when it is subject to the loading or unloading of material, built preferably of structural or of wear and tear steel, where the general structure of the bed hopper is curved. By this construction, the great moments of inertia which are achieved with curved surfaces eliminate or reduce to a great extent the use of beams as main resistive elements. The present bed hopper has a protective blinder which is preferably cylindrical in shape and a frontal wall and floor which are preferably elliptical in shape. The bottom of the bed hopper externally has a plurality of transversal beams, preferably 4 to 6 in number, even more preferably 5 in number which have a main function of keeping the bottom surface curved and transferring the strengths of the envelopment to the truck's body. Further, the bottom externally also has a plurality of support elements, preferably two in number, that are located at the front part, i.e.

Abstract: A conventional dump trailer includes discharge members or doors which are typically mounted beneath the trailer. The movement of the doors is controlled by a control device of the present invention having a position sensor which is mounted on the trailer and a sensor actuator mounted on the discharge member. The amount of movement of a door is automatically limited at a preselected position. The control device allows for the discharge member to be further moved to further positions.

Abstract: A system for a freight vehicle having a cargo space convertible for handling bulk cargo as well as piece goods, for deploying bulk cargo containers, includes a cable winding shaft positioned adjacent one end wall of the vehicle, with a cable winding reel mounted on each end of the shaft. The shaft is turned either by an electric motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic motor using the hydraulic or pneumatic system of the tractor that pulls the freight vehicle. Cables are run from the retainer rings of the bulk cargo bags upward against the side walls of the vehicle and then along the roof of the vehicle to the winding reels. According to another embodiment, the lifting mechanism for the bags is a hydraulic or pneumatic ram assembly which uses the hydraulics or pneumatics of the tractor for operation. The ram assembly is mounted externally under the floor of the freight vehicle and the cables are run through openings in the vehicle to the ram assembly.

Abstract: The hopper bottom trailer has a main frame supported by wheels, a hopper with hopper walls that extend downwardly to a discharge opening and a discharge door, and two side walls. An upper side frame member is attached to each side wall. A front upper frame member and a rear upper frame member are secured to the upper side frame members. A forward inclined floor panel is pivotally attached to the front upper frame member and a rear inclined floor panel is pivotally attached to the rear upper frame member. The forward and rear inclined floor panels are pivoted from an inclined position in which grain can slide down their surfaces to the hopper to a raised position which opens the inside of the trailer to receive elongated cargo.

Abstract: A trailer construction includes first and second spaced apart trailer side walls. A bottom wall is provided between the side walls and includes a forward sloping portion, a rear sloping portion and an intermediate portion therebetween. The forward and rear sloping portions of the bottom wall are curved in cross section, and the intermediate portion includes a continuous wall which is curved when viewed in a horizontal cross section and is also curved when viewed in a vertical cross section. A discharge opening is provided in the intermediate portion of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls and a partition. The plurality of walls extend between the floor and the roof and include a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls between the front wall and the rear wall. The roof, floor and walls define an interior storage space. The walls define a discharge opening. The partition extends from the front wall towards the rear wall and is positioned between the floor and the roof to divide the interior storage space into an upper compartment having a volume and a lower compartment having a volume. The partition is vertically movable so as to increase the volume of one of the upper and lower compartments in communication with the discharge opening.

Abstract: An improved tractor-trailer assembly utilizes a trailer bottom wall having a drop center portion which is located rearwardly of the longitudinal midpoint of the trailer. The bottom wall of the cargo container is attached to and suspended from the upper edges of the sidewalls of the trailer. In one form of the invention, the bottom wall has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and in another form of the invention, the bottom wall has an arcuate U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A waste hauling apparatus including a truck body divided into two separate compartments by a movable dividing wall. A bucket assembly having separate side-by-side bins is operative to transfer trash material loaded into the bucket by an operator at ground level to the isolated compartments. The bucket travels between a material receiving position and a material discharging position along a trackway having a path of movement including a vertical portion and a transverse portion. At the material discharging position the material contained in the bins is discharged into associated material receiving openings that communicate with respective compartments defined by the truck body. The bucket is reciprocally conveyed between the trash receiving and trash discharging positions by a chain drive mechanism driven by a fluid pressure operated motor and interconnected with the bucket by a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism cooperates with the chains to define the limits of movement for the bucket.

Abstract: A waste management system for handling both solid and human waste consisting of a trailer with a hitch arrangement for connection to a towing vehicle. The trailer preferably includes tandem axles that support a trailer frame whereto a trash collecting bin is pivotally mounted, with that bin to tilt so as to dump rearwardly. The pivoting trash bin is maintained in an upright attitude to receive trash through a top thereof, and will gravity dump, when released, and further includes a linkage that is operated to move a friction wheel into engagement with one of the trailer wheels for turning a take-up drum. The take-up drum, when turned, to reel in a cable that is passed through a take-up pulley is secured between the trash bin, and the trailer frame. By operating the linkage, trailer forward travel will provide for pivoting the trash bin back to an upright attitude.

Abstract: A container for sorting and collecting of recoverable waste products has fixed partitions providing discrete compartments for those products. Each compartment incorporates its own independently sloped floor. At the bottom of the slope of each compartment is an exteriorly communicable door which allows for unloading of the container without the tipping of the container. Loading doors at the tops of the compartments allow for easier loading of the container. The rear compartment has a rearwardly opening unloading door, while the intermediate and forward compartments preferably open and unload through side doors. The top of the structure is open for loading. A cover and connection between the apparatus and the cover is disclosed herein. The container is made to tow behind a powered vehicle and is mounted upon an undercarriage with wheels.

Abstract: Trash handling apparatus that includes a hopper mounted to tilt to a dump position off a trailer, a friction wheel to engage a wheel of the trailer and to be turned by forward movement of the trailer, reeling in a cable of a drum system so as to tilt the hopper back to an upright position after dumping where at it is locked in place until the hopper is again to be dumped.

Abstract: A collapsible container has a top frame and bottom frame with folding walls having predetermined fold lines therein. The container has a closed position which is a flat platform configuration. In this configuration the walls are folded within the platform which may be used as a pallet for piece goods. The container has an open position where the top frame is raised and the container can be integral with a wheeled vehicle and used as a bulk carrier. Thus the container can be used for one shipment as a pallet for piece goods and for a next shipment as a bulk carrier.

Abstract: A convertible container has side walls, a rear door, front end walls sloping downwardly in the direction of the rear door, a floor commencing at the rear door, and a gated hopper lying between the floor and the front end wall. A movably mounted sheet has first and second positions, the first position of the sheet lying between the side walls, covering the hopper. In the second position the sheet is supported between the side walls, over the floor, sloping downwardly in the direction of the front end wall, and between the hopper and the rear door. The convertible container can be part of a convertible vehicle including a tractor, tilt mechanism for tilting the container between a tilted and a substantially horizontal position, wheels supporting the container, and a towing mechanism pivotally connecting the tractor and the front of the container. The hopper may be employed to discharge dry bulk goods when the sheet is in the second position and the container is in the substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A bin for storing and handling bulk material includes a fill opening through which material is introduced into the bin for storage and a discharge opening in a bottom portion of the bin through which material stored in the bin is discharged. The bin includes a primary bin support frame, and has at least one dump assembly with a bin floor panel that is hinged adjacent the discharge opening of the bin. The bin floor panel is pivotable from a generally horizontal position to an angled position for dumping bulk material into the discharge opening. The dump assembly includes a selectively collapsible secondary frame connected to the bin floor panel and pivotable with the bin floor panel. The bin further includes a flexible and collapsible bin wall portion connected to the primary and secondary frames and the bin floor panel to form an enclosure for storage of bulk materials.

Abstract: A bin for storing and handling bulk material includes a fill opening through which material is introduced into the bin for storage and a discharge opening in a bottom portion of the bin through which material stored in the bin is discharged. The bin includes a primary bin support frame, and has at least one dump assembly with a bin floor panel that is hinged adjacent the discharge opening of the bin. The bin floor panel is pivotable from a generally horizontal position to an angled position for dumping bulk material into the discharge opening. The dump assembly includes a rigid secondary frame connected to the bin floor panel and pivotable with the bin floor panel. The bin further includes a flexible bin wall portion connected to the primary and secondary frames and the bin floor panel to form an enclosure for storage of bulk materials. The flexible bin wall portion is supported in an erect position by the primary and secondary frames for storage and discharge of bulk materials.

Abstract: A bin for storing and handling bulk material includes a fill opening through which material is introduced into the bin for storage and a discharge opening in a bottom portion of the bin through which material stored in the bin is discharged. The bin is erectable over a flat support bed. The bin includes an upright frame that is positionable adjacent to a discharge area of the flat bed to bring the discharge opening of the bin into alignment with the discharge area of the flat bed. The bin includes an outer shield hinged in a lower portion of the frame so that the shield pivots between a closed vertical position against one side of the frame and an open horizontal position away from the frame. The bin includes a floor panel independently hinged inside the outer shield adjacent the discharge opening of the bin, the bin floor panel being pivotable with the outer shield from the horizontal open position to the vertical closed position.

Abstract: A multiway gravity box and door assembly is capable of selectively storing, transporting and/or dispensing different particulate solid materials. The gravity box has a partition wall to separate the box into two separate compartments each of which communicates with a separate discharge opening from the gravity box. First and second doors are slidably movable in the respective openings and a third outer door overlies the first and second doors and is also slidably movable. Pins are selectively positionable to engage the outer door and either one or both of the first and second doors to selectively open or close the first and second doors when the outer door is opened or closed.

Abstract: A flexible bulk container is disclosed, integral with a wheeled vehicle, that has an open bulk mode and a closed flat bed mode. The container can be used one way full and the return journal empty in the flat bed mode with other cargo on the flat bed. The container comprises a main frame with two laterally spaced longitudinal members, two floor panel sections, each hinged at outside edges across the top surfaces of the longitudinal members, the two panel sections having a closed position providing a substantially flat floor, and an open position wherein the two panel sections slope upwards and outwards from each other, flexible liner attached to the two panel sections and the main frame, providing a bulk container when the two panel sections are in the open position, strut support means at the end of each of the longitudinal members to support the two panel sections in the open position, and discharge hopper means between the longitudinal members for emptying the bulk container.

Abstract: A sloped floor trailer which incorporates drain ports which are opened during trailer loading and which are sealed during trailer transportation, in order to retain the liquid. In addition to the foregoing features, I provide apparatus for heating the trailer side walls with the truck tractor exhaust to prevent freezing during inclement weather.

Abstract: A flexible bulk container is disclosed, integral with a wheeled vehicle, that has an open bulk mode and a closed flat bed mode. The container can be used one way full and the return journey empty in the flat bed mode with other cargo on the flat bed. The container comprises a main frame with two laterally spaced longitudinal members, two floor panel sections, each hinged at outside edges across the top surfaces of the longitudinal members, the two panel sections having a closed position providing a substantially flat floor, and an open position wherein the two panel sections slope upwards and outwards from each other, flexible liner attached to the two panel sections and the main frame, providing a bulk container when the two panel sections are in the open position, strut support means at the end of each of the longitudinal members to support the two panel sections in the open position, and discharge hopper means between the longitudinal members for emptying the bulk container.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling particulate material such as is stored in a hopper having an elongated throat opening closed by one or more gates. The gates are mounted at one end thereof from axially aligned rails which are preferably mounted outside the hopper on each lateral side of the throat opening. The other end of the gate is arcuately formed in axial cross section, and is supported on structure, preferably including rollers, bridging the throat opening transversely. As the gate is moved along the track, the other end moves upwardly and forwardly in the hopper, and will dig into and break up arches and rat holes and other formations within the hopper to promote flow through the gate.

Abstract: A carrier unit adapted to be converted into a bulk material carrier including a container having a floor and two parallel substantially vertical walls. The floor has at least one floor panel movable between a storage position and an operative position and at least one floor section movable between a storage position and an operative position. The floor panel when in the operative position and the floor sections when in the operative position cooperate with portions of the walls to define a compartment and to form an opening in the floor, which communicates with hoppers depending from the floor. A flexible liner is mountable in the compartment, when the floor panel and the floor sections are in the operative positions, for holding bulk material. The flexible liner includes an inlet for charging bulk materials into the liner compartment and an outlet cooperable with the opening for communicating the interior of the liner compartment with the exterior of the compartment for discharging the bulk materials.

Abstract: A freight vehicle has a cargo space convertible from that suitable for handling piece goods to that suitable for dry bulk granular material. A conventional cargo space for piece goods has openings in the roof and floor for filling and discharging bulk material. A double-wall inflatable bag having its bottom attached to a rigid support platform is positioned in erected condition to handle bulk material and is movable to a stored position near the roof of the cargo space to allow handling of piece goods.

Abstract: This invention provides a tipping trailer where the trailer frame is pivotably connected to a hopper for the trailer. Upon release of a lock the hopper may tilt on its pivot with the frame such that a portion thereof makes contact with the surface below and on reversal of the trailer the hopper will tilt and roll back until it is up-ended.

Abstract: A partition sheet structure for covered hopper railway cars providing for even fill of commodity between compartments. The structure facilitates the filling operation, and prevents buckling caused by the uneven fills of the cars, while allowing the partition sheet structures to act in its capacity as a structural member of the car.

Abstract: A side delivery attachment for a spreader truck which converts it from a spreader to an apparatus for applying crushed rock in measured amounts accurately to a desired strip of the shoulder of a road.

Abstract: A vehicle for the selective transport of a piece load or a bulk load has a container including a bottom constituting, at least in part, a funnel having a discharge opening, a top closure arranged above the bottom and collapsible side walls attached to the bottom and the top closure. The side walls are formed of a plurality of relatively rigid side wall elements having, in a lowered position of the top closure, a collapsed state in which they are stacked with respect to one another between the top closure and the bottom. In the collapsed state of the side walls the upper face of the top closure serves as a loading platform for a piece load. The side walls further have, in a raised position of the top closure, an erected state in which the side wall elements together contiguously form sealed side walls.

Abstract: A trailer for receiving and hauling bulk material. The trailer includes an elongated bed with an external skeletal frame. Along with the skeletal frame, two truss members are provided on opposite longitudinal sides of the bed. Each truss includes downwardly converging truss members that are affixed at opposite upper ends to the horizontal top rail of the skeletal frame. The truss members converge downwardly to ends that meet at points below the bottom wall of the bed. These ends are affixed to one another and are situated at the approximate longitudinal center of the trailer. Upright web members extend between the top rails and truss members at longitudinally spaced locations along the trailer. A transverse tie member is also provided extending between the joined lower ends of the truss members across the width of the trailer below the bottom wall of the bed.

Abstract: This application discloses a multi-purpose freight vehicle, such as a roadway trailer, which, in one condition, presents a clear cargo space with a continuous floor for hauling packaged goods and which, in another condition, provides one or more container bags between a top fill opening and a bottom discharge hopper opening for hauling bulk goods, the bag being formed of strong flexible material having a top opening with means of support at the top fill opening of the vehicle roof and a more flexible top end portion with closure means to provide a tight dustproof seal; the flexible bag, when empty, being stored in a hopper to which its lower open end is attached and having means for retrieval through the top opening of the vehicle roof, as by a hook pole, the bag except at the top, being rectangular in cross section and cubical to provide maximum capacity within the shape of the vehicle; floor sections above the hopper are hinged transversely to swing up as floor trap doors to permit the bag or bags to be rai

Abstract: An improved tractor-trailer assembly utilizes a trailer bottom wall having a drop center portion which is located rearwardly of the longitudinal midpoint of the trailer. The bottom wall of the cargo container is attached to and suspended from the upper edges of the side wall of the trailer. In one form of the invention, the bottom wall has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and in another form of the invention, the bottom wall has an arcuate U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.