Rapid Handling of Semi-trailer Loads
Page 55
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A NEW and unusual method of load
ing small products in loose bulk into long-distance semi-trailers and discharging them at destination, with speed and economy, is now in use in the United States. The plan was proposed and its development for transporting empty orange-concentrate cans in Florida was supervised by Mr. S. S. Nicholson, of the American Can Co. He is supervisor of packing and materials ha nal ing,. The new system obviates the usual manual positioning of cans at the manufacturing plant in rows, inserting liners, fillers and bracing to protect them against damage in transit_ It also reduces to a minimum the warehousing of large quantities of empty cans at canneries.
This way of handling containers for delivery is said by Mr. Nicholson to be promising. as more than 40,000m. cans are used annually in America for a great variety of food and non-food products and beverages. -It is called Jumble-Rae and the equipment was designed and built by the Link-Belt Co. whose headquarters are in Chicago.
There are two main features of the new system. One is an inner body, or liner, with compartments which fits closely inside the sennkrailer, but can be removed _and used again. Empty
• canS are poured into it, arid Upon .arrival at destination the liner is rolled out of the semi-trailer „at a rate of 12;. in Per minute and the tans discharged .throtigh trap. doors in, ihb bottom of eieh compartment to fall on to a eimveyor belt which Carries them to filling stations in the cannery.
The other major feature is a COIIVCSIOt mounted on the floor of the semi-trailer and used for traversing the liner. It consists of two sets of channel-section metal slats carried on endless roller chains which are driven by an' electric motor.
The Trailer-Bak conveyor increases the floor height by only -8-& in, It may readily be removed as a unit, excluding the motor, and stored when not required, so that the semi-trailer can be used for transporting loads of other kinds in the normal Manner.