Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CRADLE FOR PROPPANT CONTAINER HAVING TAPERED BOX GUIDES
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[001] The present invention relates to positioning and aligning proppant
containers at a well
site. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods
to position and
align proppant containers onto stands and/or conveyors at the well site.
2. Description of Related Art
[002] Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" has been used for decades to
stimulate production
from conventional oil and gas wells. In recent years, the use of fracking has
increased due to the
development of new drilling technology such as horizontal drilling and multi-
stage fracking.
Such techniques reach previously-unavailable deposits of natural gas and oil.
Fracking generally
includes pumping fluid into a wellbore at high pressure. Inside the wellbore,
the fluid is forced
into the formation being produced. When the fluid enters the formation, it
fractures, or creates
fissures, in the formation. Water, as well as other fluids, and some solid
proppants, are then
pumped into the fissures to stimulate the release of oil and gas from the
formation.
[003] By far the dominant proppant is silica sand, made up of ancient
weathered quartz, the
most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Unlike common sand,
which often feels
gritty when rubbed between your fingers, sand used as a proppant tends to roll
to the touch as a
result of its round, spherical shape and tightly-graded particle distribution.
Sand quality is a
function of both deposit and processing. Grain size is critical, as any given
proppant should
reliably fall within certain mesh ranges, subject to downhole conditions and
completion design.
Generally, coarser proppant allows a higher capacity due to the larger pore
spaces between
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
grains. This type of proppant, however, may break down or crush more readily
under stress due
to the relatively fewer grain-to-grain contact points to bear the stress often
incurred in deep oil-
and gas-bearing formations.
[004] During fracking operations, workers may transport containers holding
the proppant
between rail cars, trucks, staging areas, or the like and stands or container
holders. For example,
work vehicles (e.g., cranes, fork lifts, etc.) may be used to transport the
containers between
different locations at the work site. Often, renting and/or purchasing the
equipment for
transporting and moving the containers is expensive, therefore, efficiency
with transportation and
movement is desirable to decrease costs for owners and operators. Typically,
the stands or
container holders include protruding features (e.g., fasteners, protrusions,
etc.) that align with
corresponding recessed features of the containers to secure and align the
containers on the stands
or holders. However, aligning the respective features may be time consuming
and difficult for
workers using large equipment, where visibility of the features on the stands
or containers may
be decreased. It is now recognized that improvements for positioning
containers onto the stands
or holders is desirable.
SUMMARY
[005] Applicants recognized the problems noted above herein and conceived
and developed
embodiments of systems and methods, according to the present invention, to
position proppant
containers onto racks, holders, conveyors, or the like.
[006] In an embodiment an apparatus to support a proppant container
includes a frame o
receive and support the proppant container, the frame having a top surface
that receives and
positions the proppant container above a conveyor to carry proppant disposed
thereon away from
the proppant container. The apparatus also includes a box guide assembly
positioned on the top
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
surface. The box guide assembly includes a corner assembly having two wall
segments
positioned substantially perpendicular to one another and to the top surface,
the corner assembly
positioned on a peripheral edge of the frame to at least partially define a
desired location for
positioning the proppant container. The box guide assembly also includes a
guide member
extending upwardly and positioned substantially perpendicular to the top
surface, the guide
member positioned adjacent the corner assembly. The box guide assembly also
includes a
tapered portion of the guide member extending distally from the top surface,
such that a first
width of the tapered portion at a top portion of the guide member is less than
a second width of
the tapered portion at a bottom portion of the guide member, the tapered
portion contacting and
directing the proppant container to the desired location when the proppant
container is being
positioned thereon.
[007]
In another embodiment a system to store and support proppant containers
includes a
plurality of proppant containers. Each of the proppant containers of the
plurality of proppant
containers includes walls forming a periphery of the proppant container, an
upper side, and a
bottom side forming a compaitment to store the proppant therein. The bottom
side having an
outlet formed therein to facilitate removal of the proppant from the proppant
container. The
system also includes a cradle for receiving and supporting the plurality of
proppant containers,
the cradle having a plurality of cradle sections defining a desired location
on the cradle
associated with respective proppant containers of the plurality of proppant
containers. Each
proppant container is positioned on a top surface of the cradle. Moreover, the
system includes a
plurality of box guide assemblies positioned on the top surface of the cradle
at respective edges
of the plurality of cradle sections to at least partially define the desired
location of each cradle
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
section. The box guide assemblies each have a tapered portioned to direct each
proppant
container of the plurality of proppant containers into the respective cradle
section.
[008] In a further embodiment, a method for moving and supporting proppant
containers
includes lifting a proppant container to a position above a top surface of a
support structure, the
position being vertically higher relative to a ground plane than a top portion
of a box guide
assembly. The method also includes aligning the proppant container over a
section of the
support structure which receives and supports the proppant container, the
section defining a
desired location for the proppant location. The method further includes
lowering the proppant
container toward the support structure such that a bottom surface of the
proppant container is at a
position vertically lower than the top portion of the box guide assembly. The
method also
includes positioning the proppant container within an area of the section at
least partially defined
by the box guide assembly via at least one tapered surface of the box guide
assembly, the at least
one tapered surface positioned on a top surface of the support structure to
guide the proppant
container toward the desired location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be
further appreciated when considered with reference to the following
description of embodiments
and accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiments of the invention
illustrated in the
appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity.
However, the
invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is
to be understood that
each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to
accomplish a similar
purpose.
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0010] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an embodiment of a
well site for
fracking using an embodiment of the system and method, according to the
present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container,
according to the
present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the container of FIG. 2
positioned on forks of a
forklift, according to the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a conveyor
system having
containers positioned thereof, according to the present disclosure;
[0014] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a forklift
preparing to position a
container having proppant for fracking onto a conveyor, according the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container
positioned on a cradle,
according to the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of
guide member of
a box guide assembly, according to the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of
a guide member
of a box guide assembly, according to the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of
a guide member
of a box guide assembly, according to the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of
box guide
assemblies positioned on a top surface of a cradle, according to the present
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of
box guide
assemblies positioned on a top surface of a cradle, according to the present
disclosure;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0021] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an embodiment of box guide assemblies
positioned on a
top surface of a cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an embodiment of box guide assemblies
positioned on a
top surface of a cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for positioning
a container onto
a cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for positioning
a container onto
a cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container
positioned over a
desired location of a cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container in
contact with a
box guide assembly on a top surface of a cradle, according to the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container in
contact with a
box guide assembly on a top surface of a cradle, according to the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container on
a top surface of a
cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a container
misaligned with a desired
location of a cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a container aligned
over a top surface
of a cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a container in
contact with a box
guide assembly on a top surface of a cradle, according to the present
disclosure;
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0032] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a container on a top
surface of a
cradle, according to the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container
positioned over a
desired location of a cradle via a forklift, according to the present
disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container in
contact with a
box guide assembly on a top surface of a cradle via a forklift, according to
the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container in
contact with a
box guide assembly on a top surface of a cradle via a forklift, according to
the present disclosure;
and
[0036] FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container on
a top surface of a
cradle via a forklift, according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be
further appreciated when considered with reference to the following
description of embodiments
and accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiments of the invention
illustrated in the
appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity.
However, the
invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is
to be understood that
each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to
accomplish a similar
purpose.
[0038] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present
invention, the
articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one
or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and
mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any
examples of
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of
other
parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be
understood that
references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "certain embodiments," or
"other
embodiments" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as
excluding the
existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited
features. Furthermore,
reference to terms such as "above," "below," "upper", "lower", "side",
"front," "back," or other
terms regarding orientation are made with reference to the illustrated
embodiments and are not
intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations.
[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure include box guide assemblies
for adjusting the
alignment of a container being positioned onto a surface. For example, the box
guide assemblies
may be positioned on a top surface of a cradle. The box guide assemblies
include guide
members having a tapered portion that contacts the container when the
container is not aligned
with the surface. For example, as the container is lowered toward the top
surface, the container
may contact the tapered portion of the guide members. The tapered portions may
include incline
edges that receive the container and direct the container toward a desired
location on the top
surface. As a result, even when the container is misaligned, the container may
be directed
toward the top surface by the box guide assemblies without manual realignment
of the
containers.
[0040] Turning to FIG. 1, is an environmental perspective view of a well
site 10 for fracking
using certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated
embodiment, the well site
includes a removable floor 12 (e.g., made of wood, metal, polymers, or the
like) to facilitate
the use of heavy machinery, including one or more forklifts 14, for loading
and unloading
railroad cars 16 or trucks 18 carrying one or more containers 20 (e.g.
proppant containers),
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
containing proppant. However, in other embodiments, cranes, jacks, or other
prime movers, may
be used at the well site 10 for loading, unloading, and/or positioning (e.g.,
staging) the containers
20. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers 20 are positioned in a side-
by-side
configuration on the railroad cars 16. As shown, four containers 20 are
arranged on each railroad
car 16. However, in other embodiments, different configurations of the
containers 20 on the
railroad car 16 may be utilized to account for engineering design conditions
(e.g., the weight of
the containers, the size of the containers, the staging area at the well site,
etc.)
[0041] The containers 20 are stackable at the well site 10, thereby
potentially decreasing the
foot print occupied by the containers 20. For example, containers 20a may be
stacked on top of
other containers 20b. As such, the containers 20 may be filled with proppant
and stacked at the
well site 10, thereby reducing logistical problems related to delivering and
unloading loose
proppant at well sites 10. The well site 10 may also include blenders 22 for
combining proppant
24, which may consist of mined silica sand, but potentially also coated or
treated sand, ceramic,
or bauxite, with fracking fluids. The well site also can include fracking
machinery 26 to pump
the proppant 24 and other fracking fluids into a wellbore 28 at high pressure.
In the illustrated
embodiment, a conveyor system 30 receives the containers 20 proximate the
blenders 22. In
certain embodiments, the conveyor system 30 includes a conveyor belt that
receives the proppant
24 from the containers 20 and transports the proppant 24 to the blenders 22
for further use in the
wellbore 28.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 20
for storing,
shipping, and distributing the proppant 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the
container 20
includes a frame 42 having substantially vertical cross members 44 and
substantially horizontal
cross members 46. However, in other embodiments, the frame 42 may include only
vertical
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
cross members 44, only horizontal cross members 46, or cross members
positioned at an incline.
Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiments includes the cross members 44,
46 on an outer
surface of the container 20, in other embodiments the cross members 44, 46 may
be located on
the interior surface of the container 20. As will be appreciated, the cross
members 44, 46
provide support to the container 20 when the container 20 is filled with
proppant 24. An end
wall 48 is shown on one end of the container 10, which is adjacent and
perpendicular to a
sidewall 50. An upper side 52 of the container 10 projects perpendicularly to
and between end
wall 48 and the side wall 50. The end wall 48, sidewall 50, a second end wall
(not pictured), and
a second sidewall (not pictured) define a lateral periphery of an interior
volume of the container
20 in which to store the proppant 24. Moreover, the upper side 52 includes a
hatch 54, in the
illustrated embodiment, to permit access to the interior volume of the
container 20. For example,
the container 20 may be filled with proppant 24 via the hatch 54.
[0043]
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the container 20 includes several
support
features to permit operators access to the container. For example, a ladder 56
is positioned on
the sidewall 50 to permit access to the upper side 52. Moreover, attachment
hooks 58 enable
cables or tie down supports to be attached to the container 20 during loading,
unloading, or
transportation operations. For example, operators may attach tie downs (e.g.,
ropes, straps, etc.)
to the attachment hooks 58 to secure the container 20 to the truck 18.
Furthermore, the container
20 includes compaitment supports 60 projecting radially inward from an open
space below the
end wall 48 and the sidewall 50. The compaitment supports 60 are coupled to a
lower girder 62
of the frame 42. Additionally, the container 20 includes slots 64 extending
through the lower
girders 62. The slots 64 may enable forks of the forklifts 14 to engage the
frame 42 and transport
the container 20 between different locations.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the container 20 being
lifted by the
forklift 14. As shown, the forks 66 of the forklift 14 extend through the
slots 64, thereby
supporting the container 20 and securing the container 20 to the forks 66 for
movement between
different locations at the well site 10. As will be described in detail below,
in certain
embodiments, the forklift 14 may transport the containers 20 from a stacked
orientation to the
conveyor system 30. The illustrated slots 64 extend through the lower girder
62, isolated from
an inclined section 68 (e.g., ramped section, ramped portion) of the container
20. In certain
embodiments, the inclined section 68 includes a plurality of ramped sections
that direct the
proppant 24 toward an outlet. As a result, the likelihood of damage to the
inclined section 68
during transportation is decreased, because the forks 66 do not contact the
inclined section 68, or
the gap 70 around the inclined section 68. As shown, the gaps 70 permit visual
inspection of the
area surrounding the inclined section 68. For example, during international
shipment, visual
inspection may be desirable. However, in certain embodiments, the compaitment
supports 60
may include openings 72 which receive the forks 66. It will be appreciated
that the location of
the slots 64 and/or openings 72 may be particularly selected based on the
forklifts 14 in use at the
well site 10, as well as for other manufacturing, assembly, or production
concerns. In this
manner, the forks 66 may engage the lower girder 62, compaitment supports 60,
or other features
of the frame 42 to transport the container 20 between different locations.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment of the
containers 20
positioned on a cradle 80 of the conveyor system 30. For example, the conveyor
system 30 may
be part of a moveable rig for transporting the positioning the containers near
the well bore 28. In
the illustrated embodiment, the cradle 80 includes a conveyor 82 for receiving
and distributing
proppant 24 from within the containers 10. The conveyor 82 includes a moving
belt 84 that
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
transports the proppant 24 to a ramp 86, that in turn delivers the proper 24
to a chute system 88.
From the chute system 88 the proppant 24 makes its way to the wellbore 28
after passing through
the blender 22 and fracking machinery 26.
[0046]
In the illustrated embodiment, the cradle 80 includes a structural frame 90
(e.g.,
frame) having cage-like support structure including horizontal support members
92, vertical
support members 94, and inclined support members 96. Moreover, the horizontal
support
members 92 include an upper support member 98 and a lower support member 100.
In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper support member 98 has a top surface 102
which receives and
supports the containers 20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the
containers 20 are
arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that individual containers 20
may be removed from
the cradle 80 without disturbing adjacent containers. In certain embodiments,
the containers 20
are not in contact with adjacent containers 20. However, in other embodiments,
the containers
20 may be in contact with adjacent containers. Furthermore, box guide
assemblies 104 are
mounted on the top surface 102 at intervals along a length of the cradle 80.
For example, the
illustrated embodiment includes eight box guide assemblies 104 positioned in a
spaced
relationship relative to one another. For example, the box guide assemblies
104 may be
separated by approximately one container 20 width. Also, the box guide
assemblies 104 may be
closely spaced (e.g., less than one container 20 width) or in contact with one
another. As will be
appreciated, the location of the box guide assemblies 104 may be particularly
selected to
accommodate design and/or manufacturing considerations. However, in other
embodiments,
there may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, or any suitable number of
box guide assemblies
104. For example, as will be described below, each section (e.g., segment,
partition) of the
cradle 80 may include four box guide assemblies 104 to direct and guide the
containers 20 into
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
the sections. In certain embodiments, the box guide assemblies 104 include
inserts which
contact the containers 20 during installation to guide the containers 20 into
the sections and/or to
desired locations along the cradle 80. However, in other embodiments, the box
guide assemblies
104 have guide members and/or tapered sections integrally formed to the box
guide assemblies
104 to guide the containers 20 into the sections.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 20
being moved to the
cradle 80 via the forklift 14. As shown, the forks 66 engage the slots 64 of
the frame 42 to lift
the container 20 toward the cradle 80. In the illustrated embodiment, two
containers 20a, 20b are
already positioned on the cradle 80 while the third container 20 is moved by
the forklift 14 to
position the containers 20 in a side-by-side configuration along the length of
the cradle 80. Each
container 20 is aligned with a respective cradle section 120 defined at least
partially by the
respective box guide assemblies 104. For example, the first container 20a is
positioned within
the first cradle section 120a, the second container 20b is positioned within
the second cradle
section 120b, the third container 20c is moved toward the third cradle section
120c via the
forklift 14, and a fourth cradle section 120d is proximate the third cradle
section 120c. In this
manner, the containers 20 may be positioned on and/or removed from the cradle
80 without
disturbing adjacent containers. For example, the proppant 24 may be flowing
out of the
containers 20a, 20b while the container 20c is being positioned onto the
cradle 80.
[0048] As described above, the box guide assemblies 104 are positioned on
the top surface
102 of the upper support member 98, thereby at least partially defining the
cradle sections 120.
In the illustrated embodiment, the box guide assemblies 104 are positioned at
corners of the
cradle sections 120, and, as a result, each cradle section 120 is at least
partially defined by four
box guide assemblies 104. However in certain embodiments, each cradle section
120 may
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
include more or fewer box guide assemblies 104. For example, the box guide
assemblies 104
may be positioned at opposite comers of the cradle sections 120, along one
side of the cradle
sections 120, at particularly selected comers of the cradle sections 120, or
any combination
thereof.
[0049] In certain embodiments, the box guide assemblies 104 include guide
members 122 to
direct the container 20 into the cradle sections 120 when the container 20 is
not aligned with the
cradle section 120 during installation. That is, the guide members 122 move
the container 20
from an improper or undesirable alignment to a proper or desirable alignment
that allows the
container 20 to rest on the top surface 102. The guide member 122 is
positioned adjacent a
corner assembly 124 having a pair of walls 126, 128 that form a portion of the
box guide
assembly 104. As shown, the walls 126, 128 are substantially perpendicular to
one another, and
substantially perpendicular to the top surface 102. In other words, the walls
126, 128 form a
substantially 90-degree angle relative to one another and relative to the top
surface 102. As used
herein with respect to angles, substantially is equal to plus or minus 15
degrees. Moreover, in
certain embodiments, adjacent box guide assemblies 104 may share one or more
walls 126, 128.
For example, the wall 126 may extend along the top surface and accommodate
adjacent cradles
sections 120e, 120f. Moreover, the wall 128 may be utilized by both cradle
sections 120c, 120d.
In other words, the cradle section 120c may be associated with a first side of
the wall 128, while
the cradle section 120d is associated with a second, opposite side of the wall
128.
[0050] The guide members 122 are positioned adjacent the walls 126, 128 and
direct the
container 20 into the cradle section 120 if the container 20 is not aligned
with the cradle section
120 during installation. In other words, the guide members 122 guide the
container 20 to a
desired location 130 on the cradle 80. In certain embodiments, the desired
location 130 is the
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
associated cradle section 120. However, in other embodiments, the desired
location 130 may be
a slot, recess, opening, or the like in the cradle 80 that receives the
container 20, a corresponding
feature to lock the container 20 to the cradle 80, or the like. For example,
the desired location
130 may be a recessed section in the top surface 102 which substantially
blocks axial movement
of the container 20 while the container 20 is in the desired location 130. As
will be described in
detail below, the guide members 122 include a tapered portion which contacts
the container 20
when the container 20 is not aligned with the cradle section 120 to drive the
container 20 toward
the desired location 130.
[0051]
During installation, the forklift 14 raises the container 20 above the corner
assemblies
124, thereby allowing the lower girder 62 to clear a height of the walls 126,
128. In other words,
the container 20 is moved to a vertical position (e.g., elevation) higher than
the walls 126, 128,
relative to a ground plane. Moreover, the forklift 14 may position the
container 20 over the
cradle 80, for example, by extending the forks 66 away from the forklift 14.
However, as shown,
the size of the container 20 may reduce visibility of the cradle 80 and/or the
cradle sections 120.
In certain embodiments, additional operators may guide the forklift operator
as the container 20
is positioned on the cradle 80. However, by utilizing the disclosed guide
members 122, the
container 20 may be misaligned with the cradle sections 120, but the guide
members 122 may
guide the container 20 into the proper position (e.g., toward the desired
location 130) on the
cradle 80. As a result, the efficiency of positioning the containers 20 onto
the cradles 80 may be
improved because operators will be able to load containers 20 faster due to
the guide members
122 providing alignment of the containers 20 onto the cradle sections 120
instead of utilizing
manual alignment.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0052] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 20d
being positioned
over the respective cradle section 120d. Certain features have been removed
for clarity. As
shown, the container 20d is misaligned with the cradle section 120d such that
the end wall 48 is
longitudinally displaced from the box guide assemblies 104 along a
longitudinal axis 140. That
is, as the container 20d is lowered toward the cradle section 120d, the
container 20d will contact
the box guide assemblies 104 to drive the container 20d toward the desired
location 130. For
example, the lower girder 62 of the container 20d may contact (e.g., engage,
strike, etc.) the
guide member 122 of the box guide assembly 104. Specifically, the container
20d may contact a
tapered portion 142 of the guide member 122, the tapered portion guiding the
container 20d
toward the cradle section 120d. That is, the lower girder 62 may slide down an
inclined edge
144 of the tapered portion 142 toward the desired location 130. As shown, the
inclined edge 144
is downwardly sloped such that the container 20d is encouraged to move toward
the desired
location 130.
[0053] In certain embodiments, the guide members 122 may be arranged such
that the
containers 20 are driven toward the desired location 130 along two different
axes. For example,
the inclined edge 144 of the guide members 122 may be arranged to direct the
containers 20
toward the desired location 130 along the longitudinal axis 140 and along a
lateral axis 146.
That is, the guide members 122 may include multiple inclined edges 144 aligned
with multiple
axes. In the illustrated embodiment, referring to cradle section 120b, the
guide members 122a,
122b, 122c, 122d are positioned at each corner assembly 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d
to direct the
container 20 in one direction along either the longitudinal axis 140 or the
lateral axis 146. For
example, the inclined portion 144a of the guide member 122a is aligned with
the lateral axis 146,
thereby being positioned to drive the container along the lateral axis 146.
Similarly, the inclined
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
portion 144c of the guide member 122c is aligned with the lateral axis 146,
thereby being
positioned to drive the container along the lateral axis 146. In this manner,
the guide members
122a, 122c may cooperate to laterally align the container 20 within the cradle
section 120b,
thereby positioning the container at the desired location 130.
[0054]
Continuing with the discussion of cradle section 120b, the inclined portion
144b of
the guide member 122b is aligned with the longitudinal axis 140, thereby being
positioned to
drive the container along the longitudinal axis 140. Similarly, the inclined
portion 144d of the
guide member 122d is aligned with the longitudinal axis 140, thereby being
positioned to drive
the container along the longitudinal axis 140. In this manner, the guide
members 122b, 122d
may cooperate to longitudinally align the container 20 within the cradle
section 120b. It is
appreciated that the guide members 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d may all work in
unison to align the
container 20 over the cradle section 120b to place the container 20 in the
desired location 130.
Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment depicts the guide members 122a,
122c aligned with
the lateral axis 146 and guide members 122b, 122d aligned with the
longitudinal axis 140, in
other embodiments, the guide members 122a, 122c may be aligned with the
longitudinal axis
140, the guide members 122b, 122d may be aligned with the lateral axis 146, or
any combination
thereof to facilitate alignment and placement of the container 20 at the
desired location 130.
Moreover, in certain embodiments, all of the guide members 122 may be aligned
along the same
axis. For example, with reference to cradle section 120c, each guide member
122 is aligned
along the lateral axis 146. In certain embodiments, the container 20 may be
substantially square
(e.g., the length of the end walls 48 may equal the length of the side walls
50), therefore
alignment in one axial direction may be sufficient to position the container
20 in the desired
location 130.
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, with reference to cradle section
120a, the guide
members 122e, 122f, 122g, 122h are positioned proximate the corner assemblies
124e, 124f,
124g, 124h. As shown, each guide member 122e, 122f, 122g, 122h includes a
first inclined edge
148 and a second inclined edge 150 extending along legs 152 of the guide
members 122. The
first and second inclined edges 148, 150 are aligned with the longitudinal
axis 140 and the lateral
axis 146, respectively. As a result, the guide members 122e, 122f, 122g, 122h
adjust the
positioning of the container 20 in at least two axial directions. For example,
the guide member
122e may adjust the alignment of the container 20 along both the longitudinal
axis 140 (e.g., via
the first inclined edge 148) and/or the lateral axis 146 (e.g., via the second
inclined edge 150).
While the illustrated embodiment includes four guide members 122e, 122f, 122g,
122h, in other
embodiments more or fewer guide members 122 may be utilized. Moreover, guide
members 122
that adjust the container 20 position along two axial directions may be mixed
with guide
members 122 that adjust the container 20 position along a single axial
direction.
[0056] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the guide
member 122. As
described above, the guide member 122 includes the inclined edge 144 that
downwardly slopes
from a proximal side 160 to a distal side 162. In operation, the proximal side
160 is positioned
proximate at least one wall (e.g., wall 126, wall 128) of the corner assembly
124 and the distal
side 162 is positioned proximate the desired location 130. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
guide member 122 includes a bottom portion 164, a middle portion 166 and a top
portion 168.
As shown, the bottom portion 164 has a substantially constant first width 170.
However, the
inclined edge 144 extends from the top portion 168, through the middle portion
166, and
terminates at a first end 172 of the bottom portion 164. In other words, the
inclined edge 144
extends from the top portion 168 to the first end 172 of the bottom portion
164. As a result, a
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
width of the inclined edge 144 is variable over a length 174 of the inclined
edge 144. Yet, in the
illustrated embodiment, a second width 176 of the top portion 168 is smaller
than the first width
170 of the bottom portion 164. Moreover, at least a portion of a third width
178 of the middle
portion 166 is smaller than the first width 170 of the bottom portion 164.
[0057]
As mentioned above, the inclined edge 144 slopes downwardly from the top
portion
168 to the bottom portion 164 (e.g., laterally away from the proximal side
160). A first angle
180 and a second angle 182 define the inclined edge 144. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first
angle 180 is approximately 50 degrees, relative to the end 172. However, in
other embodiments,
the first angle 180 may be approximately 10 degrees, approximately 20 degrees,
approximately
30 degrees, approximately 40 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, or any other
reasonably value.
As used herein, approximately refers to plus or minus 5 degrees. Moreover, in
other
embodiments, the first angle 180 may be between a range of approximately 10
degrees and 40
degrees, approximately 20 degrees and 50 degrees, approximately 30 degrees and
60 degrees, or
any other suitable range. It will be appreciated that the first angle 180 may
be particularly
selected to accommodate anticipated design conditions and/or manufacturing
conditions.
Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the second angle is approximately
40 degrees,
relative to the proximal side 160. However, in other embodiments, the second
angle 182 may be
approximately 10 degrees, approximately 20 degrees, approximately 30 degrees,
approximately
50 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, or any other reasonably value. Moreover,
in other
embodiments, the second angle 182 may be between a range of approximately 10
degrees and 40
degrees, approximately 20 degrees and 50 degrees, approximately 30 degrees and
60 degrees, or
any other suitable range. It will be appreciated that the second angle 182 may
be particularly
selected to accommodate anticipated design conditions and/or manufacturing
conditions.
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal side 160 extends for a
first height 184 and
the distal side 162 extends for a second height 186 from a second end 188 of
the bottom portion
164. As shown, the first height 184 is larger than the second height 186 due
to the downwardly
sloping inclined edge 144 extending from the proximal side 160 to the distal
side 162.
Accordingly, as the container 20 contacts the inclined edge 144, the container
20 will slide down
the inclined edge 144 in a direction 190 represented by the arrow due to
gravity. In other words,
the weight of the container 20 will drive movement of the container 20 down
the inclined edge
144 and toward the desired location 130. While the illustrated embodiment
includes the inclined
edge 144 extending from the top portion 168 to the first end 172 of the bottom
portion 164, in
other embodiments the inclined edge 144 may extend from the top portion 168 to
the second end
188 of the bottom portion 164. In other words, the guide member 122 may have a
cross-
sectional shape that is substantially a right triangle. As a result, in
certain embodiments, the
second height 186 may be substantially zero when the inclined edge 144 extends
to the second
end 188 of the bottom portion 164.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the guide
member 122. As
described above, the guide member 122 includes the inclined edge 144 extending
between the
proximal side 160 and the distal side 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the
top portion 168
includes a curved edge 200 between the inclined edge 144 and the proximal side
160. In other
words, the top portion 168 includes a substantially rounded edge. It is
appreciated that the
curved edge 200 may decrease the likelihood of marring or other cosmetic
and/or structural
defects to the frame 42 of the container 20 as the container 20 is placed on
the cradle 80.
Moreover, the curved edge 200 may distribute stresses over the guide member
122 more
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
efficiently than the substantially straight edge illustrated in FIG. 7. As a
result, the structural
integrity of the guide member 122 may be improved.
[0060] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the guide
member 122
having the legs 152 including the first inclined edge 148 and the second
inclined edge 150. As
described above, the guide member 122 having the first and second inclined
edges 148, 150 may
adjust the position of the container 20 in at least two directions as the
container 20 is installed
onto the cradle 80. Similarly to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 7, the first
inclined edge 148
extends from the proximal side 160 (e.g., the side adjacent the wall 126, 128)
to the distal side
162 (e.g., the side adjacent the desired location 130). Moreover, the second
inclined edge 150
also extends from the proximal side 160 to the distal side 162. In the
illustrated embodiment, the
first inclined edge 148 is approximately perpendicular to the second inclined
edge 150.
Accordingly, the illustrated guide member 122 may correspond to the walls 126,
128 when
installed in the box guide assembly 104.
[0061] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the
cradle section 120 of
the cradle 80, in which the guide members 122 are arranged such that the
alignment of the
container 20 is adjusted in a single direction (e.g., the lateral axis 146).
Features of the cradle 80,
such as portions of the structural frame 90, have been removed for clarity. As
shown, the guide
member 122 is positioned adjacent to the corner assembly 124. That is, the
proximal side 160 of
the guide members 122 is positioned adjacent to the wall 128. In certain
embodiments, the guide
member 122 and the corner assembly 124 may be a single, integrally formed
piece. However, in
other embodiments, the guide member 122 may be a separately fonned piece. For
example, the
guide member 122 may be an insert that is coupled to the cradle 80 and/or the
corner assembly
124 (e.g., via fasteners, adhesives, or the like). In the illustrated
embodiment, the guide members
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
122 include the inclined edges 144 aligned substantially with the lateral axis
146. Accordingly,
the guide members 122 will direct the container 20 toward the desired location
130 along the
lateral axis 146.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the first height 184 of the guide
members 122 is
substantially equal to a wall height 210 of the comer assemblies 124. However,
in other
embodiments, the first height 184 may be smaller than the wall height 210 or
larger than the wall
height 210. Moreover, each guide member 122 need not be the same height.
Furthermore, the
first width 170 is less than a wall width 212. That is, the guide members 122
do not extend the
full length of the walls 126, 128. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,
the first width 170
is approximately one-half of the wall width 212. However, in other
embodiments, the first width
170 may be approximately one-eighth of the wall width 212, approximately one-
fourth of the
wall width 212, approximately three-fourths of the wall width 212, or any
other suitable ratio of
the wall width 212. Moreover, the first width 170 is less than a support
member width 214.
Accordingly, by positioning the guide members 122 proximate the corner
assembly 124 and the
desired location 130, the container 20 may be directed toward the desired
location 130 if an
operator improperly aligns the container 20 during installation.
[0063] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the cradle
section 120 of the
cradle, in which the guide members 122 are arranged such that the alignment of
the container 20
is adjusted in at least two directions (e.g., the longitudinal axis 140, the
lateral axis 146). As
described above, in certain embodiments, the guide members 122 include the
first inclined edge
148 and the second inclined edge 150, each edge being aligned with a different
axis (e.g., the
longitudinal axis 140 and the lateral axis 146). Because the edges are aligned
with different
axes, the container 20 may be aligned and/or positioned along both the
longitudinal axis 140 and
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
the lateral axis 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the first inclined edge
148 is aligned with the
lateral axis 146 (e.g., extending across the plane of the page) and the second
inclined edge 150 is
aligned with the longitudinal axis 140 (e.g., extending into the plane of the
page). As a result,
alignment of the container 20 may be adjusted in at least two directions. As
shown, the first
inclined edge 148 and the second inclined edge 150 form the guide member 122
positioned
adjacent to the comer assembly 124. While the illustrated embodiment depicts
the guide
member 122 as a separate piece, in other embodiments the guide member 122 may
be integrally
formed into the corner assembly 124. For example, the guide member 122 may be
cast,
machined, or otherwise coupled to the corner assembly 124 to form an integral
part.
[0064]
In the illustrated embodiment, the first inclined edge 148 and the second
inclined
edge 150 do not interfere with one another to align and place the container 20
into the desired
location 130. For example, a first thickness 220 of the second inclined edge
148 may be
particularly selected so that the first thickness 220 is less than the first
width 170 and less than
the second width 176. As a result, the container 20 would necessarily contact
the first inclined
edge 148 as the container 20 moved toward the desired location 130 because the
first and second
widths 170, 176 would extend laterally away from the wall 128 a greater
distance than the first
thickness 220. In this manner, the guide member 22 may be utilized to align
the container 20 on
the desired location 130 along both the longitudinal axis 140 and the lateral
axis 146. Moreover,
as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first width 170 and the first
thickness 220 are less
than the support member width 214, thereby enabling the guide member 122 to be
positioned on
the top surface 102 without blocking the container 20 from being positioned on
the top surface
102.
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
[0065] FIG. 12 is a top view of an embodiment of the cradle section 120
having four guide
members 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d positioned at each corner of the cradle section
120. As shown,
the guide members 122a, 122c are arranged such that the inclined edges 144a,
144c are
substantially aligned with the lateral axis 146 and the guide members 122b,
122d are arranged
such that the inclined edges 144b, 144d are substantially aligned with the
longitudinal axis 140.
As a result, while each guide member 122 adjusts the position of the container
20 in one
direction, the combination of guide members 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d may adjust
the orientation
of the container 20 in at least two directions. In the illustrated embodiment,
the first thickness
220 of the guide members 122 is smaller than the wall width 212. As a result,
the guide
members 122 may be arranged on the upper support member 98 of the cradle 98
and not extend
toward the desired location 130. In other words, the support member width 214
is larger than the
first thickness 220. Therefore, the guide members 122 do not interfere with
placing the container
20 on the top surface 102 of the upper support member 98.
[0066] FIG. 13 is a top view of an embodiment of the cradle section 120
having four guide
members 122e, 122f, 122g, 122h positioned at each corner of the cradle section
120. In the
illustrated embodiment, each guide member 122e, 122f, 122g, 122h includes
first and second
inclined edges 148, 150 on the legs 152. As a result, each guide member 122e,
122f, 122g, 122h
may adjust the orientation of the container 20 along the longitudinal axis 140
and the lateral axis
146. As described above, the first thickness 220 may be smaller than the
support member width
214. As a result, the guide members 122e, 122f, 122g, 122h do not interfere
with the placement
of the container 20 on the top surface 102 of the upper support member 98.
[0067] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method 250 of positioning the container
20 onto the
cradle 80. The proppant container 20 is lifted to a first position above the
top surface 102 of the
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
support structure (block 252). For example, the first position is vertically
higher (e.g., at a higher
elevation), relative to the ground plane, than the top portion 168 of the box
guide assembly 104.
In other words, the proppant container 20 is lifted over the box guide
assemblies 104. Moreover,
the container 20 is aligned with the cradle section 120 (block 254). For
example, the container
20 may be substantially aligned over the desired location 130. Then, the
container 20 may be
lowered toward the top surface 102 (block 256). For example, the container 20
may be lowered
such that the lower girder 62 of the container 20 is at a vertical position
lower than the top
portion 168 of the box guide assembly 104. Additionally, the container 20 may
be positioned
over the desired location 130 via the guide members 122 (block 258). For
example, the tapered
portion 142 may include an inclined edge 144 which guides the container 20
toward the desired
location 130. Accordingly, the container 20 may be misaligned (e.g., not
aligned with the
desired location 130) during installation and be moved toward the desired
location 130 via the
guide members 122, thereby improving loading efficiency because the containers
20 may be
automatically aligned via the guide members 122 instead of having operators
conduct the
alignment manually.
[0068]
FIG. 15 is a flow chart of an embodiment of positioning the container 20 over
the
desired location 130 via the guide members 122 (block 258) from FIG. 14. A
side of the
container 20 is moved toward the tapered portion 142 of the guide members 122
(block 260).
For example, the forklift 14 may move the container 20 toward the tapered
portion 142 such that
the container 20 engages the guide member 122. Moreover, the side of the
container 20 is
positioned onto the inclined edge 144 of the tapered portion 142 (block 262).
For example, the
side may be placed into contact with the inclined edge 144. In certain
embodiments, the forklift
14 may tilt or lean the container 20 toward the inclined edge 144 such that
the side in contact
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
with the inclined edge 144 has a lower elevation (e.g., relative to the ground
plane) than the
opposite side of the container 20. As a result, the container 20 may move or
travel off of the
forks 66 of the forklift 14. Then, the container 20 slides down the inclined
edge 144 and toward
the desired location 130 (block 264). For example, the weight of the container
20 may drive the
container 20 to slide down along the length 174 of the inclined edge 144 and
toward the desired
location 130. Accordingly, by positioning the container 20 into contact with
the tapered portion
142, the container 20 may be aligned to move toward the desired location 130
without additional
adjustments made by operators.
[0069]
FIGS. 16-19 are cross-sectional side views of the container 20 being moved
toward
the desired location 130 via the box guide assembly 104. For example, with
reference to FIG.
16, the container 20 is misaligned with the desired location 130 such that the
container 20
contacts the box guide assembly 104 as the container 20 is lowered toward the
top surface 102.
As shown, a corner portion 270 is positioned above the box guide assembly 104,
thereby
blocking the container 20 from being lowered to the top surface 102. FIG. 17
depicts the
container 20 contacting the box guide assembly 104 as the container 20 is
lowered toward the top
surface 102. As shown, the corner portion 270 engages the tapered portion 142
of the box guide
assembly 104. For example, the corner portion 270 slides down the inclined
edge 144 (e.g., due
to gravity because of the weight of the container 20) and toward the desired
location 130.
Continuing to FIG. 18, in the illustrated embodiment, a second corner portion
272 contacts the
guide member 122 positioned on the opposite side of the cradle section 120. As
shown, the
corner portion 270 is positioned vertically below the inclined edge 144 of the
guide member 122,
but the second corner portion 272 is on the inclined edge 144. However, due to
the weight of the
container 20, the second corner portion 272 is directed downward and toward
the desired
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
location 130. FIG. 19 illustrates the container 20 within the desired location
130. As shown, the
box guide assemblies 104 have moved and aligned the container 20 such that the
container is
positioned on the desired location 130. Accordingly, the installation process
may continue
without manually repositioning the container 20 in the event the container is
misaligned while
the container 20 is installed on the cradle 80 via the forklift 14.
[0070] FIGS. 20-23 are perspective views of an embodiment of the container
20 being
positioned on the cradle section 120. As described above, with respect to
FIGS. 15-19, in certain
embodiments the container 20 is lifted and aligned over the cradle section 120
to position the
container 20 onto the top surface 102. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, the container
20 is moved toward the cradle section 120. As shown, the corner portions 270a,
270b, 270c,
270d are not aligned with the desired location 130 (e.g., are not aligned with
the box guide
assemblies 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d). As a result, if the operator tried to
lower the container 20
onto the top surface 102, the container 20 may not be properly positioned at
the desired location
130. Turning to FIG. 21, the container 20 is positioned over the cradle
section 120, however, the
corner portions 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d are misaligned with the desired
location 130. That is, the
corner portions 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d are positioned above the box guide
assemblies 104 such
that if the container 20 were moved downward toward the top surface 102, the
corner portions
270a, 270b, 270c, 270d would contact the respective box guide assemblies 104.
[0071] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 20
engaging the box
guide assemblies 104 because the container 20 is misaligned with the desired
location 130 and
cannot be positioned on the top surface 102 of the cradle section 120 due to
the misalignment.
As shown, the corner portions 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d contact the box guide
assemblies 104,
which in turn drive the container 20 toward the desired location due to the
respective inclined
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
edges 144 of the respective tapered portions 142. For example, the inclined
edges 144 of the
respective box guide assemblies 104 may be arranged such that movement of the
container 20 is
controlled in at least two directions (e.g., the longitudinal axis 140 and the
lateral axis 146).
Accordingly, the weight of the container 20 may encourage the container 20 to
move toward the
desired location 130 (e.g., via gravity because the container 20 is on an
inclined surface) such
that manual adjustment by an operator is substantially reduced or eliminated.
For example, as
shown in FIG. 23, the container 20 is positioned at the desired location 130
on the top surface
102 due to the adjustment of the box guide assemblies 104.
[0072]
FIGS. 24-27 are side elevation views of an embodiment of the container 20
being
placed onto the structural frame 90 via the forklift 14. Turning to FIG. 24,
the forklift 14 moves
the container 20 toward the structural frame 90 to position the container 20
onto the top surface
102 of the upper support member 98. As described in detail above, the frame 90
includes the
box guide assemblies 104 to align the container 20 with the desired location
130. As shown, the
container 20 is lifted to a vertical position having a higher elevation than a
top portion of the
corner assemblies 124. In other words, the lower girder 62 of the container 20
has a higher
elevation than the highest elevation of the frame 90, thereby enabling the
container 20 to be
positioned over the frame 90. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25, the
container 20 is
positioned over the frame 90. That is, the container 20 is substantially
aligned with the desired
location 130 and/or with the corner assemblies 124. In the illustrated
embodiment, the container
20 is positioned over the corner assembly 124 such that if the container 20
were lowered toward
the frame 90, the container 20 would contact the corner assembly 124. Turning
to FIG. 26, the
container 20 is tilted and/or slanted toward the corner assembly 124 such that
a front edge 274 of
the container 20 has a lower elevation, relative to the ground plane, than a
back edge 276.
28
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
Tilting the container 20 via the forklift 14 positions of the front edge 274
onto the inclined edge
144 of the guide member 122, thereby enabling the guide member 122 to
substantially align the
container 20 with the desired location 130 without additional alignment being
done by the
operators. For example, the container 20 may slide along the length 174 of the
inclined edge 144
via the contact between the front edge 274 and the inclined edge 144. As the
container 20 slides
down the inclined edge 144, the back edge 276, in certain embodiments, may
engage the
opposite box guide assembly 104, thereby driving the container 20 toward the
desired location
130. Moreover, tilting the container 20 may facilitate removal of the
container 20 from the forks
66 of the forklift 14. For example, the container 20 may move away from the
forklift 14 via
gravity due to the inclined position of the container 20 on the forks 66. As
shown in FIG. 27, the
container 20 is positioned on the desired location 130. For example, as
described above, the
container 20 may slide down the inclined edge 144 of the guide member 122 such
that the
container 20 is positioned onto the desired location 130. In other words, the
guide member 122
of the box guide assembly 104 substantially aligns the container 20 with the
desired location 130
without utilizing additional or extraneous alignment techniques, such as
additional rigging. In
this manner, the container 20 may be positioned on the frame 90 quickly and
efficiently because
the box guide assemblies 104 align the container 20 with the desired location
130.
[0073]
As described in detail above, embodiments of the present disclosure are
directed
toward one or more box guide assemblies 104 that guide the containers 20
toward desired
locations 130 on the top surface 102 of the cradle 80. In certain embodiments,
the box guide
assemblies 104 include guide members 122 having the tapered portion 142 at the
top portion
168. The tapered portion 142 includes a narrowing width and is sloped
downwardly. As the
container 20 contacts the inclined edge 144 of the tapered portion 142, the
weight of the
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
container 20 causes the container 20 to slide down the inclined edge 144.
Accordingly, the
container 20 slides away from the box guide assemblies 104 and toward the
desired location 130.
As described above, the box guide assemblies 104 may be oriented such that the
position of the
container 20 is adjusted in one or more directions. For example, the tapered
edges 144 may be
oriented along the longitudinal and/or lateral axes 140, 146 to encourage
movement of the
container 20 in multiple directions. In this manner, misalignment of the
container 20 over the
cradle section 120 may be managed without manual adjustments due to the
automatic
adjustments to the position of the container 20 made by the box guide
assemblies 104.
[0074]
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and
explanatory of the embodiments of the invention. Various changes in the
details of the illustrated
embodiments can be made within the scope of the appended claims without
departing from the
true spirit of the invention. The embodiments of the present invention should
only be limited by
the following claims and their legal equivalents.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
