AU2020233675A1

AU2020233675A1 - An Improved Bag

Info

Publication number: AU2020233675A1
Application number: AU2020233675A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mathew Brisbane Flynn; Ian Andrew Shaw
Original assignee: Bulk Handling Australia Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Bulk Handling Australia Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-17
Filing date: 2020-09-16
Publication date: 2021-04-01

Abstract

The present invention is a bulk bag for inclusion in a roll of like bags. The bulk bag being of the type adapted to contain and store powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid materials. The roll of bags is adapted for use with an automatic bag feeding means included in an automatic bag filling system. The bulk bag includes a single point lifting means. The bulk bag includes an internal liner, and wherein the internal liner is adapted to mitigate the amount of bulging of the bulk bag when the bag is filled so that the filled bulk bag retains a substantially square plan profile. The unfilled bag is adapted to be folded so that it has a uniform folded shape and dimensions with other bags on the roll so that the automatic bag feeding means is capable of taking the bag off the roll and manipulating it so that the bag is ready to be filled by the bag filling system. 2/4 13 FIGURE 3

Description

2/4

13

FIGURE 3

An Improved Bag

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to bulk bags, and in particular to bulk bags that are configured into a roll of bags that are configured to be fed into an automated bag filling system and are required to retain a substantially square profile after filling to improve transport efficiencies.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Bulk bags are known. So are "bag on roll" feed systems that enable a plurality of bags to be fed into an automatic bag filling apparatus one at a time. The bagfilling apparatus continuously fills a series of bags. Typically, the filled bags are then placed loosely on a truck, or as break bulk into the holds of a ship for transportation. Because the filled bags are transported this way, there is little concern given to the fact that these types of bags bulge substantially when filled. However, when two bulging bags are placed side by side, there is a void created between them due to the combined effect of adjacent bulging side walls of neighbouring bags. The void is wasted space and reduces the volume efficiency of a stack or pile of filled bags. This becomes a problem when an operator wants to transport the filled bags inside a uniform space, such as the interior of a standard shipping container. These containers all have uniform dimensions. To maximise the efficiency, and lower the cost of the shipping, it is important that the stacked bags occupy as much of the volume of the shipping container as possible.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bulk bag that is adapted to be used in a "bag on roll" feed system for an automatic bag filling apparatus that at least ameliorates some of the aforementioned problems.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, in a first form, the present invention is a bulk bag for inclusion in a roll of like bags. The bulk bag being of the type adapted to contain and store powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid materials. The roll of bags is adapted for use with an automatic bag feeding means included in an automatic bag filling system. The bulk bag includes a single point lifting means. The bulk bag includes an internal liner, and wherein the internal liner is adapted to mitigate the amount of bulging of the bulk bag when the bag is filled so that the filled bulk bag retains a substantially square plan profile. The unfilled bag is adapted to be folded so that it has a uniform folded shape and dimensions with other bags on the roll so that the automatic bag feeding means is capable of taking the bag off the roll and manipulating it so that the bag is ready to be filled by the bag filling system.

[0005] Preferably, the internal liner includes a baffle in each of the four comers of the bag, and each of the baffles is adapted to mitigate any side walls of the bag bulging when the bag is filled.

[0006] Preferably, each baffle is rectangular shaped and stretches from a side wall of the bag, across a corner and to an adjacent side wall of the bag, thereby creating a void between the comer and the baffle.

[0007] Preferably, each baffle runs from the base of the liner inside the bag up to at least the fill line of the bag.

[0008] Preferably, each longitudinal side of each baffle is attached to the liner inside the bag at a point partway along the bag's corresponding side wall.

[0009] Preferably, each longitudinal side is welded to bag.

[0010] Preferably, the internal liner is a continuous tube of material, and each of the baffles are formed out of the continuous tube.

[0011] Preferably, each baffle is formed by a plurality of lines joining between the internal liner and the bag at positions partway along each side wall of the bag so that a baffle stretches across each comer.

[0012] Preferably, the tube runs from the base of the liner inside the bag up to at least the fill line of the bag.

[0013] Preferably, the internal liner is a continuous tube, and the tube has four planar faces that correspond with the four faces of the square profile of the bag, and each planar face of the internal liner is centrally located on a corresponding face on the bag, and each planar face only covers a central portion of its corresponding face.

[0014] Preferably, the entire periphery of each planar face on the internal liner is joined to the corresponding face on the first internal liner, and the size of the tube, relative to the size of the first internal liner is selected so that four baffles are thereby formed, one in each comer of the bag.

[0015] Preferably, each baffle includes at least one aperture.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one aperture is oval, diamond or square shaped.

[0017] Preferably, the size and shape of the at least one aperture is selected so that the particular type of powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid material to be placed inside the bulk bag is able to substantially flow freely through the at least one aperture during the filling operation and fill the void created behind each baffle and the corner of the bag and thereby not significantly impact the filling time for the bag.

[0018] Preferably, if there are more than one aperture included in the baffle, they are arranged in a spaced vertical arrangement.

[0019] When ready for use, the bag is removed from the roll of like bags and inserted by the bag feeding means into the automatic bag filling system, thereby causing the bag to be filled and retain its square profile after filling.

[0020] The square profile of each filled bulk bag has external dimensions that are adapted to best fit within the internal dimensions of a standard shipping container when a plurality of bags are placed within the container in a side by side and stacked arrangement from wall to wall within the container, so as to maximise the efficiency of the container's internal storage.

[0021] Ina second form, the present invention is a bulk bag for inclusion in a roll of like bags. The bulk bag being of the type adapted to contain and store powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid materials. The roll of bags is adapted for use with automatic bag feeding means included in an automatic bag filling system. The bulk bag includes a single point lifting means. The bulk bag includes a first internal liner and a second internal liner which is located inside the first internal liner. The second internal liner is adapted to mitigate the amount of bulging of the bulk bag when the bag is filled so that the filled bulk bag retains a substantially square profile. The unfilled bag is adapted to be folded so that it has a uniform folded shape and dimensions with other bags on the roll so that the automatic bag feeding means is capable of taking the bag off the roll and manipulating it so that the bag is ready to be filled by the bagfilling system.

[0022] Preferably, the second internal liner includes a baffle in each of the four corners of the first internal liner, and each of the baffles is adapted to mitigate any side walls of the bag bulging when the bag is filled.

[0023] Preferably, each baffle is rectangular shaped and stretches from a side wall of the first internal liner, across a corner and to an adjacent side wall of thefirst internal liner, thereby creating a void between the corner and the baffle.

[0024] Preferably, each baffle runs from the base of the first internal liner up to at least the fill line.

[0025] Preferably, each longitudinal side of each baffle is attached to the first internal liner at a point partway along a corresponding internal liner's side wall.

[0026] Preferably, each longitudinal side is welded to the corresponding side of the internal liner.

[0027] In another preferred form of the invention, the second internal liner is a continuous tube of material, and each of the baffles are formed out of the continuous tube.

[0028] Preferably, each baffle is formed by a plurality of lines of joining between the second internal liner and the first internal liner at positions partway along each side wall of the first internal liner so that a baffle stretches across each corner.

[0029] Preferably the tube runs from the base of the bag up to at least the fill line of the bag.

[0030] In another preferred form of the invention, the second internal liner is a continuous tube, and the tube has four planar faces that correspond with the four faces of the square profile of the internal liner, and each planar face of the second internal liner is centrally located on a corresponding face on the first internal liner, and each planar face only covers a central portion of its corresponding face.

[0031] Preferably, the entire periphery of each planar face on the second internal liner is joined to the corresponding face on the first internal liner, and the size of the tube, relative to the size of the first internal liner is selected so that four baffles are formed, one in each corner of the first internal liner.

[0032] Preferably, in any of the forms of the invention, each baffle includes at least one aperture.

[0033] Preferably, the at least one aperture is oval, diamond or square shaped.

[0034] Preferably, the size and shape of the at least one aperture is selected so that the particular type of powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid material to be placed inside the bulk bag is able to substantially flow freely through the at least one aperture during the filling operation and fill the void created behind each baffle and the corner of the bag and thereby not significantly impact the filling time for the bag.

[0035] Preferably, if there are more than one apertures included in the baffle, they are arranged in a spaced vertical arrangement.

[0036] In another form of the present invention, each baffle comprises netting and the at least one aperture is provided by the mesh structure of the net.

[0037] When ready for us, the bag is removed from the roll of like bags and inserted by the bag feeding means into the automatic bag filling system, thereby causing the bag to be filled and retain its square profile after filling.

[0038] Preferably, each filled bulk bag has a square profile with external dimensions, when filled, that are adapted to best fit within the internal dimensions of a standard shipping container when a plurality of bags are placed within the container in a side by side and stacked arrangement from wall to wall within the container, so as to maximise the efficiency of the container's internal storage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039] Figure 1 is a plan view of prior art four loop bulk bag.

[0040] Figure 2 is a plan view of one form of the present invention where the bag includes four baffles and no liner.

[0041] Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the liner and the bag forming the single lift point at the top of the bag in accordance with one form of the present invention.

[0042] Figures 4 a and b illustrate one form of the liner used inside a bulk bag in accordance with the present invention.

[0043] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0044] Traditionally, standard single point lift design bulk bags that are used in "bag on roll" arrangements for use with automatic filling apparatus, bulge, and the sizing of the bulk bag has to accommodate for the bulging when filled with powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid material. This is illustrated in plan view in Figure 1. The bag 1 includes a side wall 5. Typically, the bulging is not a problem because the dimension of the filled bags when placed in side by side arrangement, and perhaps stacked in layers, is not a major concern when the collection of filled bags is transported by truck or break bulk in a ship's cargo hold. It is a major consideration, however, when shipping will occur via a standard shipping container. Shipping containers include uniform internal dimensions. It is important that this internal cargo space is utilised as efficiently as possible. It is important that the filled bags maximise the available volume within the container. As illustrated in this view, the side wall 5 bulges outwardly quite significantly when the bag is filled. The bulging of traditional filled bags significantly reduces this efficiency by creating lots of wasted space within the container.

[0045] Turning to Figure 2, where we are shown a plan view of an example of a prior art filled bulk bag 1 that attempts to overcome the bulging problem. In this example, no internal liner is used, however there is included four corner baffles 7 that are used to attempt to resist the bulging effect of the weight of the contained load upon the walls of the bag. The fill contents 9 of the bag 1 is predominately located in the centre portion of the bag, however in this embodiment, the baffles 7 each creates a void 11 between the liner 7 and the comers of the bag 1. In this embodiment there is a plurality of apertures included in the liner 7 that allows the fill material 9 to free flow through the apertures and into each of the voids 11. The baffles 7 enables a filled bag 1 to have better retention of the bags square profile than it would have if the bag had no baffles. Bags of this type may be filled and placed in closer proximity to one another and not create as much wasted space.

[0046] Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of the topmost portion of a bulk bag 3 in accordance with the present invention configured into its single point lift 13 configuration of a bag on roll bulk bag that includes a first internal liner 7. The first internal liner closely matches the total internal dimensions of the bag including the handles. The first internal liner is at least attached to the bag by being sewn into the handle.

[0047] Turning to Figure 4, where we are shown in Figure 4a an illustration showing hidden details of one form of the present invention. The bag 1 has a side wall 3. In this embodiment, the bag includes a first inner liner, and a second inner liner, inside the first. The second inner liner comprises four baffles 15. Each of the baffles 15 stretches across a respective corner 17 of the bag 1 and is joined to each adjacent side wall of the first inner liner. As shown best in Figure 5b, each of the baffles 15 includes a plurality of oval shaped apertures 19 in an evenly spaced vertical arrangement. Each aperture 19 is shaped and sized so that the material used to fill the bag is able to substantially free flow into each of the voids 11 created between the baffle 15 and the comer 17. This allows the bag of the present invention to be filled close to the same time it takes a typical bulk bag to be filled. In other words, there is no substantial slow down of the filling rate of the bags in the bag filling apparatus. Please note that the oval shape of the aperture 19 is illustrative only. Other shapes, including diamond, square, circular or rectangular may be used. The second inner liner only rises from the base of the bag up to substantially the fill line.

[0048] Turning to Figure 5, where we are shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the second internal liner 21 is attached to the inner side-wall of the first internal liner. The inner liner is attached to the inner wall of the first internal liner at multiple locations around the side-wall of the bag. The second internal liner is effectively a continuous inner tube of liner material that is attached to the outer liner. The product filled into the bag can flow around the external liner. The internal liner creates a plurality of baffles that hold the four sides of the bag in a substantially square configuration.

[0049] The advantages of the present invention over the prior art is that it allows for a square profile bag that can be stored in a "bag-on-roll" configuration, and used in conjunction with a mechanical bag feeding means that is adapted to removes a bag from the bag-on-roll and configures the bag for use in an automatic bag filling system. The liner or liners then combine to provide retain a square plan profile for the bag when it is filled.

[0050] To confirm with rolls of bags, the bag assembly needs to confirm to certain requirements. It needs to be folded in a particular way, and it needs to have the proper dimensions so that the mechanical bag feeding apparatus can interact properly with the bag off the roll. The liner or liner(s) must also be configured so that they can be manipulated after the bag is filled.

[0051] This is the first time a baffled bag has been used in a bag-on-roll system utilising a reeled bag in feed to the automated system.

[0052] While the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.

[0053] It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

[0054] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

1. A bulk bag for inclusion in a roll of like bags, wherein said bulk bag being of the type adapted to contain and store powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid materials, and wherein the roll of bags is adapted for use with automatic bag feeding means included in an automatic bag filling system, and wherein the bulk bag includes a single point lifting means, and wherein the bulk bag includes an internal liner, and wherein the internal liner is adapted to mitigate the amount of bulging of the bulk bag when the bag is filled so that the filled bulk bag retains a substantially square plan profile, and wherein the unfilled bag is adapted to be folded so that it has a uniform folded shape and dimensions with other bags on the roll so that the automatic bag feeding means is capable of taking the bag off the roll and manipulating it so that the bag is ready to be filled by the bagfilling system.

2. The bulk bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the internal liner includes a baffle in each of the four corners of the bag, and each of the baffles is adapted to mitigate any side walls of the bag bulging when the bag is filled.

3. The bulk bag as defined in claim 2 wherein each baffle is rectangular shaped and stretches from a side wall of the bag, across a corner and to an adjacent side wall of the bag, thereby creating a void between the corner and the baffle.

4. The bulk bag as defined in claim 3 wherein each baffle runs from the base of internal liner of the bag up to at least the fill line of the bag.

5. The bulk bag as defined in claim 4 wherein each longitudinal side of each baffle is attached to the internal liner of the bag at a point partway along the bag's corresponding side wall.

6. The bulk bag as defined in claim 5 wherein each longitudinal side is welded to bag.

7. The bulk bag as defined in claim 2 wherein the internal liner is a continuous tube of material, and each of the baffles are formed out of the continuous tube.

8. The bulk bag as defined in claim 7 wherein each baffle is formed by a plurality of lines joining between the internal liner and the bag at positions partway along each side wall of the bag so that a baffle stretches across each corner.

9. The bulk bag as defined in claim 8 wherein the tube runs from the base of internal liner of the bag up to at least the fill line of the bag.

10. The bulk bag as defined in claim 2 wherein the internal liner is a continuous tube, and the tube has four planar faces that correspond with the four faces of the square profile of the bag, and each planar face of the internal liner is centrally located on a corresponding face on the bag, and each planar face only covers a central portion of its corresponding face.

11. The bulk bag as defined in claim 10 wherein the entire periphery of each planar face on the internal liner is joined to the corresponding face on the first internal liner, and the size of the tube, relative to the size of the first internal liner is selected so that four baffles are thereby formed, one in each corner of the bag.

12. The bulk bag as defined in anyone of claims 2, 7 or 10 wherein each baffle includes at least one aperture.

13. The bulk bag as defined in claim 12 wherein the at least one aperture is oval, diamond or square shaped.

14. The bulk bag as defined in claim 13 wherein the size and shape of the at least one aperture is selected so that the particular type of powdered, granular, particulate, pelletised or briquetted solid material to be placed inside the bulk bag is able to substantially flow freely through the at least one aperture during the filling operation and fill the void created behind each baffle and the corner of the bag and thereby not significantly impact the filling time for the bag.

15. The bulk bag as defined in claim 14 wherein if there are more than one aperture included in the baffle, they are arranged in a spaced vertical arrangement.

16. The bulk bag as defined in any previous claim wherein when ready for use, the bag is removed from the roll of like bags and inserted by the bag feeding means into the automatic bag filling system, thereby causing the bag to be filled and retain its square profile after filling.

17. The bulk bag as defined in claim 16 wherein the square profile of each filled bulk bag has external dimensions that are adapted to best fit within the internal dimensions of a standard shipping container when a plurality of bags are placed within the container in a side by side and stacked arrangement from wall to wall within the container, so as to maximise the efficiency of the container's internal storage.