Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
  • B65D33/06—Handles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D88/00—Large containers
  • B65D88/16—Large containers flexible
  • B65D88/1612—Flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC]
  • B65D88/1675—Lifting fittings
  • B65D88/1681—Flexible, e.g. loops, or reinforcements therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
  • B65B69/0008—Opening and emptying bags
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
  • B65B69/0075—Emptying systems for flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC]
  • B65B69/0083—Emptying systems for flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC] using frames whereby the container is only suspended
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
  • B65D90/02—Wall construction
  • B65D90/022—Laminated structures

Definitions

• the present invention relates to bulk bags that are able to carry heavy weights of granular material, powered material or other solid material, or material that is slurried. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved bulk bag apparatus that uses a unique sling arrangement in combination with improvements to the bag structure.
• the apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a bulk bag with improved construction including a better load carrying configuration.
• the present invention includes a bulk bag apparatus, comprising a bag having a bottom wall, a top portion, side walls and seams joining each side wall to another side wall, and bag corners at the seams.
• First and second lifting slings are rigged to the bag, the slings being spaced apart and not intersecting. A portion of the bottom wall can be exposed in between the slings.
• Bottom guides can be on the bag bottom that position the slings on the bottom.
• Side guides can be on the bag side walls that position the slings on the side walls. Corner guides can each extend from the bottom wall to a side wall. Each said guide provides an open ended channel that is receptive of a said first or second lifting sling.
• Each corner can have an eyelet attached to the bag top portion corner.
• the slings are removable from the guides.
• the top portion has an area, a top panel attached to the side walls and a fill opening in the top panel that is smaller than the said area.
• the slings have a load capacity of in excess of 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg).
• the slings are spaced apart laterally at a distance of between 6 and 24 inches (15 and 61 cm).
• the present invention includes a bag for transporting bulk material, comprising a bag member that includes a bottom wall, side walls, bag corners, and a top wall.
• a plurality of eyelets can be secured to upper parts of said sidewalls at the corners and next to the top portion.
• An inlet tube can be secured to the top wall defining a material inlet.
• a plurality of sling guides can be stitched to the bag member including bottom sling guides, side sling guides and corner sling guides. Each sling guide provides an open ended channel that is sized and shaped to receive a lifting sling and position the slings upon the bag member.
• a pair of lifting slings can be attached to the sling guides, each lifting sling having loop end portions, each lifting sling removably secured to the bag member by passing through a plurality of said guides, wherein each sling passes through one or more bottom sling guides, one or more side sling guides of two opposing side walls, and at least one corner sling guide.
• the lifting slings do not overlap.
• Each sling can be of a length that places the loops at an elevation near the top wall of the bag member.
• the slings are spaced apart a distance of between about 6 and 24 inches (15 and 61 cm).
• each sling occupies the channel of a pair of said corner sling guides.
• each sling occupies the channel of a pair of said side sling guides.
• the present invention includes a method of transporting bulk material from a beginning locale to a final locale, comprising the steps of providing a bag member that includes a bottom wall, side walls, bag corners, a top wall, a plurality of sling guides stitched to the bag including bottom sling guides, side sling guides and corner sling guides, each sling guide providing an open ended channel that is sized and shaped to receive a lifting sling.
• the method provides rigging a pair of lifting slings to the bags by passing each lifting sling through a plurality of said sling guides, each sling having loop end portions, wherein the slings do not overlap.
• the bag can be filled at the beginning locale with a volume of bulk material.
• the bag can be transported from the beginning locale to the final locale, wherein the bag is lifted with the lifting slings, wherein the slings are rigged to the sling guides.
• the bag can be cut with a cutting device that cuts the bottom wall at a position in between the slings.
• the slings are maintained in generally spaced apart positions continuously along the lengths of the slings.
• the slings are maintained in generally spaced apart positions parallel to one another.
• the present invention includes a bulk bag apparatus, comprising a bag having a bottom wall, a top portion, side walls and seams joining each side wall to another side wall, and bag corners at the seams.
• a band can encircle the bag, the band being spaced above the bottom wall, the band continuously abutting the bag at the side walls.
• First and second lifting slings can be rigged to the bag, the slings being spaced apart and not intersecting. A portion of the bottom wall can be exposed in between the slings.
• Bottom guides can be on the bag bottom. Corner guides can each extend from the bottom wall to a side wall. Each said guide provides an open ended channel that is receptive of a said first or second lifting sling.
• the slings are removable from the guides.
• the top portion has an area, a top panel attached to the side walls and a fill opening in the top panel that is smaller than the said area.
• the slings have a load capacity of in excess of 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg).
• the present invention includes a bag for transporting bulk material, comprising a bag member that includes a bottom wall, side walls, bag corners, and a top wall.
• An inlet tube can be secured to the top wall defining a material inlet.
• a plurality of sling guides can be stitched to the bag including guides that extend from the bottom panel to a said side wall.
• Each sling guide provides an open ended channel that is sized and shaped to receive a lifting sling.
• a pair of lifting slings can be attached to the sling guides, each lifting sling having liftable end portions, each lifting sling removably secured to the bag member by passing through a plurality of said guides.
• Each sling can be of a length that places the sling end portions at an elevation near the top wall of the bag member.
• each sling occupies the channel of a pair of said guides that are corner sling guides that are attached to both the bottom wall and a said side wall.
• the present invention includes a method of transporting bulk material from a beginning locale to a final locale, comprising the steps of providing a bag member that includes a bottom wall, side walls, bag corners, a top wall, and a plurality of sling guides stitched to the bag.
• a pair of lifting slings can be rigged to the bags by passing each lifting sling through a plurality of said sling guides and under the bag bottom wall, each sling having lifting end portions, and wherein the slings do not overlap.
• the bag can be filled at the beginning locale with a volume of bulk material.
• the bag can be transported from the beginning locale to the final locale, wherein the bag is lifted with the lifting slings, wherein the slings are rigged to the sling guides.
• the bag can be cut with a cutting device that cuts the bottom wall at a position in between the slings.
• the slings are maintained in generally spaced apart positions continuously along the lengths of the slings.
• the slings are maintained in generally spaced apart positions parallel to one another.
• a bulk bag apparatus provides a bag having a bottom wall, a top portion, side walls and seams joining each side wall to another side wall, and bag corners at the seams.
• First and second lifting slings are rigged to the bag, the slings being spaced apart and not intersecting, preferably parallel to each other. A portion of the bottom wall of the bag is exposed in between the slings so that the bottom wall can be cut such as for discharging the contents of the bag.
• Bottom guides are provided on the bag bottom portion.
• Side guides are provided on the bag side walls. Corner guides are provided that each extend from the bottom wall to a side wall and across a bottom corner of the bag. Each guide provides an open ended channel that is receptive of a lifting sling.
• Each corner has an eyelet attached to the bag top portion at the corner.
• Figure 1 is a front, elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 3 is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 5 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 7 is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 8 is a schematic view of a knife that can be used to cut the bottom of a bag
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention after the bag has been emptied and lifting slings removed;
• Figures 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary sectional views showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• FIGs 1-9 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 10.
• Bag apparatus 10 employs a bag 9 that is constructed of a plurality of four side walls, 11, 12, 13, 14 and a bottom wall 15.
• Top wall 16 is attached to each of the side walls 11-14.
• the top wall 16 provides an inlet or inlet opening 17 that can be closed using a tie, rope or other closure 53 (see figures 1, 2).
• a lower end portion of the bag 9 provides a circumferential band 18 that is stitched to each of the side walls 11-14 and/or to the corners 19-22. There are preferably four stitched corners 19, 20, 21, 22. Each of the sides 11, 12, 13, 14 is attached using stitching to the top 16. An upper stitched periphery 23 joins the top 16 to the side walls 11-14.
• the bottom panel or wall 15 is attached to at least two of the side walls with lower stitched edges 24.
• the bottom wall can for example be a continuous rectangle of fabric that includes side walls 11, 13 and the bottom 15 (see figures 1 - 3).
• a pair of lifting slings 25, 26 are provided.
• the bag 9 has a plurality of sling guides 27, 28, 29.
• the slings 25, 26 are rigged to the bag 9 by threading each of the slings 25, 26 through a plurality of the sling guides 27, 28, 29.
• This arrangement can be seen in figures 1-7.
• the lifting slings can be spaced 6 to 24 inches (15 and 61 cm) apart.
• Guides 27 are sling guides that are mounted to a side wall such as side wall 11 or 13.
• the guides 29 are corner sling guides that extend preferably from band 18 downwardly along a side 11 or 13 and to bottom panel or wall 15.
• Bottom sling guides 28 can be provided that are on the bottom 15 only (see figures 3, 7).
• Each lifting sling 25, 26 has a pair of loop end portions 30, 31. These loop end portions 30, 31 can form a connection with a spreader or spreader frame 34 to which is attached to a lifting hook 33 and lifting line 32.
• a lifting device such as a crane having a lifting line 32
• the bag 9 can be lowered as illustrated by arrows 35 in figures 4 and 5 into a hopper 40 that is configured to receive the contents of the bag 9 such as bulk material, particulate material or the like.
• the hopper 40 can provide a hopper interior 41 and an open top 42.
• bag 9 can be lowered into hopper 40 through hopper open top 42 and into hopper interior 41.
• Hopper interior 41 can be fitted with a knife 43 which is known in the art (see figure 8).
• the knife 43 can provide a lance or projection 44 that is engaged by the bottom panel or bottom wall 15 of the bag 9 when it is lowered in the direction of arrows 35.
• the knife 43 then cuts the bag 9 bottom 15, forming cut 45, so that the contents of the bag 9 will fall into the hopper 40 interior 41 (see figures 5 - 7).
• the hopper 40 can provide a conically shaped bottom 36 with an outlet 37.
• discharged material 38 falls in the direction of arrow 39 from the bag apparatus 10 or bag 9 downwardly into another receptacle, tank, open pit or other selected receptacle (see figures 4 - 8).
• FIG 9 an empty bag 9 is shown after knife 43 forms cut 45 in bottom 15 of bag 9 and the material 38 falls into another receptacle.
• Figure 9 also shows lifting sling 26 having been removed from sidewall sling guides 27 of bag 9 in the direction of arrows 54 and lifting string 25 being removed from sidewall sling guides 27 in the direction of arrow 55.
• Figures 10 - 12 show various layers of material that comprise the bag 9 having walls 11 - 16.
• the bag 9 has a wall portion 11 - 16 comprised of four layers.
• the bag 9 has wall portions 11 - 16 comprised of three layers.
• the bag 9 has wall portions 11 - 16 comprised of five layers.
• the polypropylene layer 46 can be eight ounce (237 mL) polypropylene.
• the layer 47 can be polyethylene, the layer 48 foil and the layer 49 PET or polyethylene terephthalate.
• the layers 47, 48, 49 in figure 10 can have a combined thickness of about 8 mils (0.2 mm).
• the layer 46 is polypropylene, for example eight ounce (237 mL) polypropylene.
• the layers 50 and 51 are barrier film such as Saranex 15 manufactured by Dow Chemical Company. Each layer 50, 51 can have a thickness of about 4 mils (0.1 mm).
• the layer 46 is polypropylene, for example eight ounce (237 mL) polypropylene.
• the layer 52 is a film layer such as Winflex 50 which is a commercially available LLDPE/LDPE film which can have a thickness of about 8 mils (0.2 mm).
• the layers 47, 48, 49 in figure 12 can be the same as in figure 10, namely polyethylene layer 47, foil layer 48, and PET layer 49. In figure 12 the layers 47, 48, 49 can have a combined thickness of about 8 mils (0.2 mm).
• PET polyethylene terephthalate

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Bag Frames (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=49769380

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (9)

Citations (4)

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• 2013
  • 2013-06-20 WO PCT/US2013/046775 patent/WO2013192402A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2013-06-20 BR BR112014032273A patent/BR112014032273A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2013-06-20 AU AU2013277125A patent/AU2013277125A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-06-20 US US13/922,710 patent/US20140029872A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

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