Top closure member for a storage bin

Abstract

A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening; the closure member comprising: a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve; the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening; the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin; a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed; the sleeve having a plurality of openings therethrough at angularly spaced positions therearound for allowing vent air to pass between the interior and the exterior of the bin.

1 . A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin: 
 wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening;    the closure member comprising: 
 a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve;  
 the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening;  
 the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin;  
 a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed;  
 the sleeve having a plurality of openings therethrough at angularly spaced positions therearound for allowing vent air to pass between the interior and the exterior of the bin.  
   
   
   
       2 . The closure member according to  claim 1  wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical portion defining a vertical wall and wherein the openings are arranged in the cylindrical portion.  
   
   
       3 . The closure member according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided an overhanging cover surface surrounding the sleeve above the openings and extending outwardly from the sleeve to inhibit penetration of rain through the openings.  
   
   
       4 . The closure member according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a depending flap member over the openings which is arranged such that it flexes away from the sleeve when air flows from the interior to the exterior through the openings and is pressed onto the sleeve when air tends to flow from the exterior to the interior thus inhibiting penetration of exterior materials.  
   
   
       5 . The closure member according to  claim 4  wherein the flap member comprises a surrounding band of a flexible material which is slit from the bottom and attached at a top edge above the openings.  
   
   
       6 . The closure member according to  claim 1  wherein the sleeve includes a bottom tapered portion which tapers downwardly and inwardly from a cylindrical portion to a bottom edge and wherein the tapered portion is arranged to fit in a bin opening having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion.  
   
   
       7 . The closure member according to  claim 1  wherein the cover plate has a depending lip for surrounding an outer surface of the sleeve at the open top of the sleeve, wherein there is provided a track extending generally horizontally from the open top of the sleeve to one side therefor for carrying the cover plate from the closed position to the open position at the one side  
   
   
       8 . The closure member according to  claim 7  wherein the track is shaped to lift the lip over the open top end to allow the cover plate to move to the side.  
   
   
       9 . The closure member according to  claim 7  wherein the track includes a pair of track rails spaced by a width of the cover plate and arranged to engage respective sides of the cover plate.  
   
   
       10 . The closure member according to  claim 7  wherein there is provided a latch member actuable to hold the cover plate in the closed position and in the open position.  
   
   
       11 . The closure member according to  claim 10  wherein the latch member is carried on the cover plate and is operable to engage and release stops provided on the track.  
   
   
       12 . The closure member according to  claim 10  wherein the cover plate is pulled from the closed position to the open position by a cable attached to the latch member.  
   
   
       13 . The closure member according to  claim 7  wherein the track is arranged to rise slightly from the closed position to the open position such that the cover plate returns to the closed position under gravity by running down the track.  
   
   
       14 . A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin: 
 wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening;    the closure member comprising: 
 a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve;  
 the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening;  
 the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin;  
 a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed;  
   wherein the cover plate has a depending lip for surrounding an outer surface of the sleeve at the open top of the sleeve,    wherein there is provided a track extending generally horizontally from the open top of the sleeve to one side thereof for carrying the cover plate from the closed position to the open position at the one side;    and wherein the track is shaped to lift the lip over the open top end to allow the cover plate to move to the side.    
   
   
       15 . The closure member according to  claim 14  wherein the track includes a pair of track rails spaced by a width of the cover plate and arranged to engage respective sides of the cover plate.  
   
   
       16 . The closure member according to  claim 14  wherein there is provided a latch member actuable to hold the cover plate in the closed position and in the open position.  
   
   
       17 . The closure member according to  claim 16  wherein the latch member is carried on the cover plate and is operable to engage and release stops provided on the track.  
   
   
       18 . The closure member according to C claim 16  wherein the cover plate is pulled from the closed position to the open position by a cable attached to the latch member.  
   
   
       19 . The closure member according to  claim 14  wherein the track is arranged to rise slightly from the closed position to the open position such that the cover plate returns to the closed position under gravity by running down the track.  
   
   
       20 . A closure member for a top opening of a storage bin: 
 wherein the storage bin includes a roof with a top opening through which the bin can be filled by material discharged downwardly through the opening;    the closure member comprising: 
 a sleeve for engagement with the bin at the opening, the sleeve having a peripheral wall surrounding an axis of the sleeve;  
 the sleeve being arranged to be mounted on the bin at the opening so as to hold the axis to stand substantially upright from the opening with the sleeve extending upwardly from the opening;  
 the sleeve defining an open top end for pouring material through the sleeve into the bin;  
 a cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the open top end and an open position in which the open top end is exposed;  
   wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical portion and a bottom tapered portion which tapers downwardly and inwardly from the cylindrical portion to a bottom edge and wherein the tapered portion is arranged to fit in a bin opening having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion.