CA1331448C - Container apparatus for fluid material - Google Patents
Container apparatus for fluid materialInfo
- Publication number
- CA1331448C CA1331448C CA000609281A CA609281A CA1331448C CA 1331448 C CA1331448 C CA 1331448C CA 000609281 A CA000609281 A CA 000609281A CA 609281 A CA609281 A CA 609281A CA 1331448 C CA1331448 C CA 1331448C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- rigid
- rigid base
- container apparatus
- support
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
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
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/16—Large containers flexible
- B65D88/18—Large containers flexible bellows-shaped
-
- 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
- B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D19/38—Details or accessories
- B65D19/385—Frames, corner posts or pallet converters, e.g. for facilitating stacking of charged pallets
-
- 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
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
- B65D77/061—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers the containers being mounted on a pallet
-
- 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
- B65D88/20—Large containers flexible with rigid end-walls
Abstract
ABSTRACT
CONTAINER APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGE AND
TRANSPORTATION OF FLUID MATERIAL
Container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material, the container apparatus comprising a support container for supporting a liner bag containing the fluid material, and the support container comprising four collapsible sides which are made to form a continuous piece of flexible material, a rigid top portion, a rigid base, an access opening in the rigid top portion, horizontally extending constraint members which are for constraining the collapsible sides, and elongate support members which are movable about hinge means from a first position in which they extend between the rigid top portion and the rigid base to hold the rigid top portion firm with respect to the rigid base, to a second position in which they allow the collapsible sides to collapse by folding between the constraint members, the hinge means being such as to secure the elongate support members to the rigid base, and the collapsible sides being such that they are not attached to the rigid base.
CONTAINER APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGE AND
TRANSPORTATION OF FLUID MATERIAL
Container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material, the container apparatus comprising a support container for supporting a liner bag containing the fluid material, and the support container comprising four collapsible sides which are made to form a continuous piece of flexible material, a rigid top portion, a rigid base, an access opening in the rigid top portion, horizontally extending constraint members which are for constraining the collapsible sides, and elongate support members which are movable about hinge means from a first position in which they extend between the rigid top portion and the rigid base to hold the rigid top portion firm with respect to the rigid base, to a second position in which they allow the collapsible sides to collapse by folding between the constraint members, the hinge means being such as to secure the elongate support members to the rigid base, and the collapsible sides being such that they are not attached to the rigid base.
Description
` - 1 1 33 1 4~8 CONTAINER APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGE AND
TRANSPORTATION OF FLUID ~ATERIAL
This invention relates to container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material such for example as liquids, powders and granular materials. ;
There are many known types of container for use in ;5~ transportLng fluld materlals. Most of the known containers are non-returnable and the non-returnability of these -~
~; containers adds significantly to the delivery price of the contents. Some of the known containers are however returnable and, of the returnable containers, those that ~10~ are most cost effective are those that can be collapsed, -since this generally reduces the transport costs of returning them.; However, if~the returnable collapsible containers are ; ;~
to yield~significant economic advantage~, then they must also~be~durable~ resillent against weather during outside~
151~ btorage,~ ànd~resilient~against ~repeated erection and collapsing.
They;`~must also~be~light in weight.
One known returnable container which attempts to yi~eld significant economic advantages~is~known from German ; `;~
~ pat~ent~specification No.1835831. This known collapsible 20~ container has ~longa~ support members which are ~ovable ;~
rom a first pasition in which they extend between a rigid :~ . -:: ~, .
1 3 3 1 4 4 8! ~
top portion and a rigid base of the container to hold the rigid top portion firm with respect to the rigid base, to a second po~i~on in which they allow collapsible sides of the container to collapse. In the second position of the ~;5 support members in which the col;lapsible sides have collapsed, , ~
the support members are actually taken off the rigid base ~;
and they are stored underneath the rigid base. The use of such elongate support members which are removable from the rigid base can lead to Loss of the elongate support members, 10~ which then renders the container useless.
The container known from the German patent specification is such that the collapsible sides are in ``~
cont~act witn the fluld material to be transported and, ~ especial~ly with~lLquid~ ~fluid materials,~care has to be taken ` ~ `
~ that leaks~do not occur~. The need for positively sealing the~collap~sible s~ides can lead to complicated sealing ;-constructlons and~can also lead to difflculties in subsequently cleaning the container.;
he cont~iner;known from the GermaD patent `20 ~ specificatlon may also be such that the collapsible sides :~
` tend~to bow~when the container is full.~ This can cause excess ~;
weàr of the~sides, apart from causing~problems in transport when full containers should be placed;as close together as ; ~ possible~in a side by side manner.
~ ~ .
~`~
_ 3 _ 1 331 4~8 It is an aim of the present invention to provide container apparatus which is returnable and which obviates or reduces the disadvantages mentioned above in connection ~ with the German patent specification.
Accordingly, this invention provides container : .
apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid ~ ~ :
material, the container apparatus comprising a support ~ ~:
container for supporting a liner bag containing fluid :-~ : material, and a support container comprising four collapsible ;
-`~IO~ ;sides~which are made:to ~orm a con~inuous piece of flexible ~ -material,~a rigid top:portion which is attached to the . ~:~
collapsib1e-sides~ a rigid base, an access opening in the rigid top portion, horizont~ally extending-constraint members which are for constrsining the ~lS~ :collapsible~sides when the support container i~ in use and contains~the~liner ~ag with the fluid material, and elongate support members~which`are positioned on the outside of:the ; collapsl~le sides such~that the elongate support members ~ -~
; are~adjacent the collapsible sides, the elongate support :~ ~members being such that they àre movable àbout hinge means ~; :
from a first positlon~in which they extend batween the rigid . ~ .
:top~portion and the rigid base to hold the rigid top portion :.. ::.
firm with respect to the rigid base, to a second po~ition in ~ :
133144~
,.
which they allow the collapsible s~des to collapse by folding between the constraint members, the hinge means being such as to secure the elongate support members to the rigid base~ and the collapsible sides being such that they are not attached to the rigid ba~e.
The container apparatus may be used for transporting and storing fluid materials such for example as liquids, powders, particulate materials and small food products such for example as peas and peanuts. Generally, the collapsible container may be used -for transporting and storing any material that is able to flow. The rigid base facilitates the handling of the container apparatus for example on pallets by forklift trucks. Because the elongate support members are secured by the hinge means to the rigid base, it will be apparent that the elongate support members cannot be removed from the rigid base and lost. The elongate support members also allow the container apparatus to be stacked. During transportation of the stacked container apparatus, sideways forces may be encountered, for example -~0 in lorries travelling around corners and the elongate support members will then be effective to hold the rigid top portion firm with respect to the rigid base and thus stop any tendency for the collapsible sides to adopt the shape of a parallelogram. The use of the liner bag avoids the need '' .' "
to have the collapsible sides leakproof, and the presence of the horizontally extendinc3 constraint members ensures that the collapsible sides do not bulge excessiYely when the support container is full with ~luid material.
The collapsible sides may define a square or a rectangle. Generally, the collapsible sides may be of any suitable width and height.
Preferably, the container apparatus is one in ~hich ~ -the collapsible sides are curved inwardly at their lower ends to define convex portions adjacent the rigid base.
The convex portions enable the liner bag easily to follow the contour of the collapsible sides and this is advantageous because the liner bags can split if ~hey do not clo~ely follow the contour of the collapsible sides, the coLlapsible sides being effective to support the liner bags.
Advantageously, the collapsible sides extend inwardly over the riyid base to define a drainage aperture.
; The drainage aperture is of use in allowing cleaning water to drain from the support container after it has been cleaned, for example hosed down.
In one embodiment of the invention, the collapsible sides are not attached to the rigid base. However, if desired, the c~llapsible sides may be attached to the rigid base.
The collapsible sides may he directly attached to th~
` rigid top portion, for example by means of screws, rivets, bolts or other fa~tening means. Alternatively, the collapsible side~ may be inclirectly attached to the rigid top portion via an intermediate member.
_ 6 - 133144~
The access opening in the rigid top portion will usually be circular but it may be of other shapes if de~ired.
m e rigid base may be in the form of a pallet.
m ere may be any desired number of the horizontally extending constraint members, for example three, four or more of the constraint members.
The constraint members may be arranged closer - i~
together nearer the rigid base, in order to offer increasing ~ ;
constraint where the collapsible sides are likely to be subject to the most pressure in use of the container apparatus.
The constraint members may have any desired cross ~ectional shape. The constraint members will usually be such that four separate elongate members are joined together, -for example by welding orcrimping, to form a single square or rectangular constraint member~
Preferably, ~he constraint members are attached to the collapsible sides by being located in covers. The covers may terminate short of corners formed by the collapsible sides. The cover~ may be in the form of elongate patches . .
which are welded to the oollapsible sides. `
Preferably, the container apparatus is such that there !' iS one of the support members adjacent each corner formed by the collapsible sides.
Each elongate support member may comprise first and second parts which are separable from each other. ~ -The first part may be plvotable about the rigid base, such that in its pivoted position it lies along an edge of an .~.
. .
~ :..... :., :
7 _ 13314~
upper surface of the rigid base.
The second part may be smaller than the firsit part and it may be rigidly fixed to the rigid top portion, the second part being of a length which allows the collapiqible sides to collap~e and which forms a support leg extending between the rigid top portion and the rigid base in the collapsed condition of the collap~ible sides, whereby the container apparatuiq can be stacked with the second parts forming support legs which take the weight of the stacked container apparatus.
The first and the second parts may abut against each other and they may be held in position by a sliding member ~ positioned inside the first and the second parts.
; The sliding member po~itioned inqide the first and the second parts may have an arm which extends through a silot in the second part and which lig for being moved by hand to cause the required movement of the sliding member.
The container apparatus may be one in which the first part i~ hinged about the upper ~urface of the rigid base, and in which the rigid base is provided with a female member beneath the upper surface, the first part being held in its upstanding position by a sliding member poisitioned inside the 1 . ~ .
first part and the female member.
The female member i5 preferably of the same cross sectional shape as the first part.
The sliding member in the first part and the female part may have an arm which extends through a slot in the first ~, .~
- 8 ~ 13314~8 par-t and which is for being moved by hand to cause the required movement o~ the sliding member.
The sliding member in -the first and the second parts in the upstanding position of the first part may extend into the ~emale part when the collapsible sides are in their collapsed condition.
The rigid top portion may be in the form of a frame.
The frame may have horizontally extending side members to which the collapsible sides are attached, and leg members which connect to the elongate support members.
The leg members preferably connect to the elongate ;
support members by slotting in open top portions o~ the elongate support members.
The rigid top portion may include a lid for opening ; `~
and closing the access opening. `
Pre~erably, the lid is a hinged lid but other types of lid may be employed if desired. The lid may be hinged to one of the horizontally extending side members or the lid -~
..
may be hinged to a part of the rigid tcp portion.
j The lid may be a flexible or a non-~lexible lid. If ;~ ~;
the lid is a flexible lid, it may just be made of a material such for example as can~ass or a plastics material. If the ~-;
lid is a non~flexible lid, then it may be made from sheet !'.'', metal i~ desired.
~ 9 ~ l 33 1 448 ~
The access opening is for inserting and removing the liner bag, usually when the liner bag is in its empty condition. m e access opening also enables the ~luid material to be removed ~rom the liner bag when desired.
The fluid ma-terial from the liner bag can also be removed from ~he bottom o~ the liner bag and~ to this end, one of the collapsible sides of the container apparatus may be provided with an outlet aperture, the outlet aperture being provided in a vertically extending portion o~ the side and adjacent the upper sur~ace of the rigid base~
There may be one outlet aperture or there may be more than one outlet aperture i~ desired. For example, two outlet apertures may be employed ~or receiving pipes ~or connecting two units o~ the container apparatus together.
Advantageously, the container apparatus includes locating members ~or use when the container apparatus is to be stacked.
There may be a locating member positioned on the rigid top portion above each elongate support member, and there may be a complementary locating member on the rigid base below each elongate support member.
`:
o 13314~
The container apparatus may be such that each locating member on the rigid top portion is a stud having an upper portion of a first size and a lower portion of a second and larger size9 and in which the complementary locking member on the rigid base has a recess for receiving the upper portion of the stud.
The stud may have flat or circular sides.
The container apparatus of the invention may include the liner bag. It is to be appreciated that the container apparatus may be manufactured and sold with or without the liner bag The container apparatus may be made of any desired materials. For example? the collapsible sides may be made of a fabric material. Presently preferred fabric materials are non-elastic woven fabric materials. m e rigid top may be made of a metal The rigid base may be made of wood or it may alternatively be made of a metal. Generally, the rigid base when it is is in the form of a pallet can be of any design known for pallets.
The Gonstraint members may be made o~ a metal.
me covers for the constraint members may be made of a plastics material such for example as polyvinyl chloride.
The liner bags may be made of plastics materials, for example polyethylene, depending upon the type of the 1 33 1 4~
~luid material to be carried.
Persons using the con-ta:iner appara~us may wish to discharge the ~luid material in the liner bag when the liner bag is in the support container and is extending through a discharge aperture in the support container. Usually, the discharge aperture cannot be located absolutely at the bottom o:E ~he liner bag and so, in order to discharge any ~luid ma-terial remaining right at the bottom of the liner bag, persons would normally lean inside the support container and raise a part of the liner bag that is within reach, so as to encourage flow of the fluid material to the discharge valve.
With fluid materials that may be toxic, firms providing the fluid material may prefer to seal the rigid top portion with wires and lead seals in order to prohibit their end-users from opening the container. The rigid top portion may thus have a lid which closes the access opening and which is sealed with the wires and the lead seals. The end-users of the contents of the container apparatus thus empty the fluid material via the discharge . . .
valve in the liner bag, and then they collapse the container apparatus with the rigid top pcrtion still sealed. This ensures that the liner bags come back to the supplier ~or proper disposal. With the sealed rigid - 12 - ~331~8 top portion, it is not possible for the end-users easily to obtain the last amount of fluid material in the liner bag, due to the fact that the discharge valve in the liner bag is usually slightly above -the bottom o~ the liner bag as mentioned above. In order to meet this problem, the container apparatus may advantageously include auxiliary discharge means ~or pulling up a part of the support container opposite a discharge aperture in the support container in order to cause a discharge valve in -;~
the liner bag to be at the lowest part of the liner bag, whereby any fluid material remaining in the liner bag ~
can be discharged through the discharge ~alve when the ;
liner bag is in the support container.
The use of the auxiliary discharge means thus pro~ides a convenient way o~ obtaining the last amount o~
~luid material that may be remaining in the liner bag.
The rigid top portion may be sealed for use with toxic or ~;
hazardous fluid material9 or the rigid top portion may be openable for use with non-toxic ~luid materials. In either case, the auxiliary discharge means can easily be operated to obtain the last amount of the fluid material from the -! liner bag. `
With the auxiliary discharge means~ the collapsible sides o~ the support container will usually be connected ~ - 13 ~ 1 331 4~8 together by a bottom member which is made of a ~lexible material. The ~lexible material :Eor the bottom member may be the same type of flexible material as that employed ~or the collapsible sides.
Pre~erably, the auxili~ry discharge means comprises a ~lexible elongate meml~er which is connectible to the bottom member of the support container, and which passes through an anchor member on the rigid top portion such that pulling on the flexible elongate member causes the flexible elongate member to slide through the anchor member and raise the bottom portion of the support container in order to discharge any o~ the ~luid material remaining in the liner bag.
The ~lexible elongate member may be a strap.
Other types of flexible elongate member such for example as a cord may be employed.
The anchor member may be a loop member. Other constructions may be employed ~or the anchor member.
The auxiliary discharge means may include a strain-taking member which is connected to the lowermost one of the constraint members and to which the ~lexible , member is also connectible. The strain-taking member may be a loop member~ Other constructions ~or the strain-taking member may be employed. -, ,, ~ - 14 ~ 1 331 4~
Any number of units o~ the co-ntainer apparatus may be linked together to ~orm a desired bulk storage ~acility.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which~
. Figure 1 is a perspective view o~ ~irst container apparatus for the storage and transportation o~
fluid material;
Figure 2 is a cross section through the support container shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a side view of the support container shown in Figure l;
Figure 4 shows in more detail part o~ the support container shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a side view of the support container in a collapsed condition;
Figure 6 shows two o~ the support containers in a stacked and erect oondition;
Figure 7 shows ~ive o~ the support containers in a stacked but collapsed condition;
~: ~ Figure 8 is a perspective view of second container apparatus Figure 9 is a side view o~ third container ~pparatus in a normal discharge condition;
_ 15 - 1 33 1 448 Figure 10 is a side view of the container apparatus shown in Figure 9 in a discharge position using auxiliary discharge means, and Figure 11 is a front view of the container apparat~s shown in Figure 9 but without a strap forming part o~ the auxiliary discharge means.
Referring to Figures 1 to 7, there is shown container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material. For ease of illustration, some parts of the container apparatus 2 have been omitted from some of the drawings.
m e container apparatus 2 comprises a support container 4 for supporting a liner bag 6 containing the fluid material.
The liner bag 6 has side gussets 8 and an opening 10, and it may be an~ known type of liner bag.
m e support container 4 comprises four collapsible ~`~
sides 12, a rigid top portion in the ~orm o~ a rigid ~op 14, a rigid base 16 which is in ~he form of a pallet, and an access opening 18 in the rigid top 14. -~
~. ~ . . . .. .
~.
.
~, . ~
. ;:: ;. :
', ,.~ ; ~, , . , ~ , --: 1 331 ~
.
ThP support container 4 also oomprises constraint members in the form of three ribs 20 for constraining the sides 12 of the support oontainer 4 when the support container 4 is in use and contains the liner bag 6 with the fluid material. m e container apparatus 2 also comprises four elongate support members 22 which are positioned on the outside of the four collapsible sides 12 ~uch that one of the elongate support members 22 is provided adjacent each corner 24 formed ~y the collapsible sides 12. The elongate 1~ support members 22 are such that they are mova~le from a first position as illustrated in Figure 1 in which they `
extend between the rigid top 14 and the rigid base 16 to hold the rigid top 14 firm with respect to the rigid base 16, to a second position as shown in Figure S in which they allow the four collapsible sides 12 to collapse.
As shown in the drawings, the four collapsible sides 12 define a square but they may define a rectangle if desired. ~ ;~
The four collapsible sides 12 may be of any de~ired height, ~ sojthat generally, the support container 4 may be of any i., desired size. Obviously, the liner bag 6 will ke of a size appropriate to the size of the support container 4. The liner bag 6 will usually be slightly larger than the support oontainer 4 to ensure that the liner bag 6 is always supported by the support container 4.
, ~ 17 As hest seen from Figure 2, the four collapsible sides 12 are curved inwardly at their lower end~ to define convex portions 26 adjacent the rigid ba~e 16. The four collap~ible ~ides 12 extend inwardly over the rigid base 26 as shown in Figure 2 to define a drainage aperture 28.
Thus, if the inside of the support container 4 is hosed down or otherwise washed, the water can drain out through the drainage aperture 280 The ends 30 of the collapsible sides 12 are not -secured to the rigid base 16 and, if desired, a batten 32 .. :. ~:
may be provided adjacent the convex por~ions 26 to stop the ends 30 from sliding off the pallet duxing transport.
lhe battens have only been shown in Figure 2 since they are not necessary and merely represent an optional feature. ;~ ~ -Indeed, if desired, the ends 30 may be secured to the rigid ~;~
base 16.
The upper ends 34 of the collapsible sides 12 are : . .: . . .
turned back to define a pocket 36 through which a fixing bar 38 pa~ses. The fixing ~ar 38 is fixed by means of screws clips or other fastener means tnot shown) to the `~
.:
rigid top 14 so that the collapsible sides 12 are attached ~-to the rigid top 14~ ~
`"~ .'~ ~`, As can be seen from Figure 1, the access opening 18 in the rigid top 14 is circular.
The ribs 20 extend horizontally as shown. Three horizontally extending ribs are shown provided along each '.,.~: ~' :` ~ '~' _ . :
18 13314~
collapsi~le side 12. More ribs may be employed if desired, for example four ribs. As shown in Figure 2, the two lowermost ribs 20 are closest together, in order to offer increasing constraint where the four collapsible sides 12 are likely to be subject to the most pressure in use of the container apparatus 2. The ribs 20 are made of metal rods of circular cross section.
The ribs 20 are located in elongate covers 40 which are made of a plastics materials such for example as polyvinyl chloride and which are welded to the fabric material of the collapsible sides 12. As an alternative to welding, stitching or other faste~er means may be employed.
As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, each elongate support member 22 comprises a first part 42 which is separable from a second part 44. The first part 42 is hinged to the ~-rigid base 16 by hinge means in the form of a hinqe 46 so that the first part 42 i5 pivotable about the rigid base 16 ~uch that in its pivoted position it lies along an edge of an upper surface 48 of the rigid base 16. Each first part 42 has a base plate 49 to which one half of the hinge 46 is attached, the other half of the hinge 46 being attached to the upper surface 48.
The second part 44 is smaller than the first part 42 and it is rigidly fixed by welding to the rigid top 14 which is made of metal. The second part 44 is of a length which allows the four collapsible sides 12 to collapse to the position shown in Figure 5. It will be seen from Figure 5 1 331 ~3 that in the collapsed condition, the seoond part 44 forms a support leg extending between the rigid top 14 and the rigid base 16, whereby the container apparatus 2 and more specifically the support container 4 can be stacked as shown in Figure 7 with the second parts 44 forming support legs which take the weight of the stacked container apparatu~
TRANSPORTATION OF FLUID ~ATERIAL
This invention relates to container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material such for example as liquids, powders and granular materials. ;
There are many known types of container for use in ;5~ transportLng fluld materlals. Most of the known containers are non-returnable and the non-returnability of these -~
~; containers adds significantly to the delivery price of the contents. Some of the known containers are however returnable and, of the returnable containers, those that ~10~ are most cost effective are those that can be collapsed, -since this generally reduces the transport costs of returning them.; However, if~the returnable collapsible containers are ; ;~
to yield~significant economic advantage~, then they must also~be~durable~ resillent against weather during outside~
151~ btorage,~ ànd~resilient~against ~repeated erection and collapsing.
They;`~must also~be~light in weight.
One known returnable container which attempts to yi~eld significant economic advantages~is~known from German ; `;~
~ pat~ent~specification No.1835831. This known collapsible 20~ container has ~longa~ support members which are ~ovable ;~
rom a first pasition in which they extend between a rigid :~ . -:: ~, .
1 3 3 1 4 4 8! ~
top portion and a rigid base of the container to hold the rigid top portion firm with respect to the rigid base, to a second po~i~on in which they allow collapsible sides of the container to collapse. In the second position of the ~;5 support members in which the col;lapsible sides have collapsed, , ~
the support members are actually taken off the rigid base ~;
and they are stored underneath the rigid base. The use of such elongate support members which are removable from the rigid base can lead to Loss of the elongate support members, 10~ which then renders the container useless.
The container known from the German patent specification is such that the collapsible sides are in ``~
cont~act witn the fluld material to be transported and, ~ especial~ly with~lLquid~ ~fluid materials,~care has to be taken ` ~ `
~ that leaks~do not occur~. The need for positively sealing the~collap~sible s~ides can lead to complicated sealing ;-constructlons and~can also lead to difflculties in subsequently cleaning the container.;
he cont~iner;known from the GermaD patent `20 ~ specificatlon may also be such that the collapsible sides :~
` tend~to bow~when the container is full.~ This can cause excess ~;
weàr of the~sides, apart from causing~problems in transport when full containers should be placed;as close together as ; ~ possible~in a side by side manner.
~ ~ .
~`~
_ 3 _ 1 331 4~8 It is an aim of the present invention to provide container apparatus which is returnable and which obviates or reduces the disadvantages mentioned above in connection ~ with the German patent specification.
Accordingly, this invention provides container : .
apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid ~ ~ :
material, the container apparatus comprising a support ~ ~:
container for supporting a liner bag containing fluid :-~ : material, and a support container comprising four collapsible ;
-`~IO~ ;sides~which are made:to ~orm a con~inuous piece of flexible ~ -material,~a rigid top:portion which is attached to the . ~:~
collapsib1e-sides~ a rigid base, an access opening in the rigid top portion, horizont~ally extending-constraint members which are for constrsining the ~lS~ :collapsible~sides when the support container i~ in use and contains~the~liner ~ag with the fluid material, and elongate support members~which`are positioned on the outside of:the ; collapsl~le sides such~that the elongate support members ~ -~
; are~adjacent the collapsible sides, the elongate support :~ ~members being such that they àre movable àbout hinge means ~; :
from a first positlon~in which they extend batween the rigid . ~ .
:top~portion and the rigid base to hold the rigid top portion :.. ::.
firm with respect to the rigid base, to a second po~ition in ~ :
133144~
,.
which they allow the collapsible s~des to collapse by folding between the constraint members, the hinge means being such as to secure the elongate support members to the rigid base~ and the collapsible sides being such that they are not attached to the rigid ba~e.
The container apparatus may be used for transporting and storing fluid materials such for example as liquids, powders, particulate materials and small food products such for example as peas and peanuts. Generally, the collapsible container may be used -for transporting and storing any material that is able to flow. The rigid base facilitates the handling of the container apparatus for example on pallets by forklift trucks. Because the elongate support members are secured by the hinge means to the rigid base, it will be apparent that the elongate support members cannot be removed from the rigid base and lost. The elongate support members also allow the container apparatus to be stacked. During transportation of the stacked container apparatus, sideways forces may be encountered, for example -~0 in lorries travelling around corners and the elongate support members will then be effective to hold the rigid top portion firm with respect to the rigid base and thus stop any tendency for the collapsible sides to adopt the shape of a parallelogram. The use of the liner bag avoids the need '' .' "
to have the collapsible sides leakproof, and the presence of the horizontally extendinc3 constraint members ensures that the collapsible sides do not bulge excessiYely when the support container is full with ~luid material.
The collapsible sides may define a square or a rectangle. Generally, the collapsible sides may be of any suitable width and height.
Preferably, the container apparatus is one in ~hich ~ -the collapsible sides are curved inwardly at their lower ends to define convex portions adjacent the rigid base.
The convex portions enable the liner bag easily to follow the contour of the collapsible sides and this is advantageous because the liner bags can split if ~hey do not clo~ely follow the contour of the collapsible sides, the coLlapsible sides being effective to support the liner bags.
Advantageously, the collapsible sides extend inwardly over the riyid base to define a drainage aperture.
; The drainage aperture is of use in allowing cleaning water to drain from the support container after it has been cleaned, for example hosed down.
In one embodiment of the invention, the collapsible sides are not attached to the rigid base. However, if desired, the c~llapsible sides may be attached to the rigid base.
The collapsible sides may he directly attached to th~
` rigid top portion, for example by means of screws, rivets, bolts or other fa~tening means. Alternatively, the collapsible side~ may be inclirectly attached to the rigid top portion via an intermediate member.
_ 6 - 133144~
The access opening in the rigid top portion will usually be circular but it may be of other shapes if de~ired.
m e rigid base may be in the form of a pallet.
m ere may be any desired number of the horizontally extending constraint members, for example three, four or more of the constraint members.
The constraint members may be arranged closer - i~
together nearer the rigid base, in order to offer increasing ~ ;
constraint where the collapsible sides are likely to be subject to the most pressure in use of the container apparatus.
The constraint members may have any desired cross ~ectional shape. The constraint members will usually be such that four separate elongate members are joined together, -for example by welding orcrimping, to form a single square or rectangular constraint member~
Preferably, ~he constraint members are attached to the collapsible sides by being located in covers. The covers may terminate short of corners formed by the collapsible sides. The cover~ may be in the form of elongate patches . .
which are welded to the oollapsible sides. `
Preferably, the container apparatus is such that there !' iS one of the support members adjacent each corner formed by the collapsible sides.
Each elongate support member may comprise first and second parts which are separable from each other. ~ -The first part may be plvotable about the rigid base, such that in its pivoted position it lies along an edge of an .~.
. .
~ :..... :., :
7 _ 13314~
upper surface of the rigid base.
The second part may be smaller than the firsit part and it may be rigidly fixed to the rigid top portion, the second part being of a length which allows the collapiqible sides to collap~e and which forms a support leg extending between the rigid top portion and the rigid base in the collapsed condition of the collap~ible sides, whereby the container apparatuiq can be stacked with the second parts forming support legs which take the weight of the stacked container apparatus.
The first and the second parts may abut against each other and they may be held in position by a sliding member ~ positioned inside the first and the second parts.
; The sliding member po~itioned inqide the first and the second parts may have an arm which extends through a silot in the second part and which lig for being moved by hand to cause the required movement of the sliding member.
The container apparatus may be one in which the first part i~ hinged about the upper ~urface of the rigid base, and in which the rigid base is provided with a female member beneath the upper surface, the first part being held in its upstanding position by a sliding member poisitioned inside the 1 . ~ .
first part and the female member.
The female member i5 preferably of the same cross sectional shape as the first part.
The sliding member in the first part and the female part may have an arm which extends through a slot in the first ~, .~
- 8 ~ 13314~8 par-t and which is for being moved by hand to cause the required movement o~ the sliding member.
The sliding member in -the first and the second parts in the upstanding position of the first part may extend into the ~emale part when the collapsible sides are in their collapsed condition.
The rigid top portion may be in the form of a frame.
The frame may have horizontally extending side members to which the collapsible sides are attached, and leg members which connect to the elongate support members.
The leg members preferably connect to the elongate ;
support members by slotting in open top portions o~ the elongate support members.
The rigid top portion may include a lid for opening ; `~
and closing the access opening. `
Pre~erably, the lid is a hinged lid but other types of lid may be employed if desired. The lid may be hinged to one of the horizontally extending side members or the lid -~
..
may be hinged to a part of the rigid tcp portion.
j The lid may be a flexible or a non-~lexible lid. If ;~ ~;
the lid is a flexible lid, it may just be made of a material such for example as can~ass or a plastics material. If the ~-;
lid is a non~flexible lid, then it may be made from sheet !'.'', metal i~ desired.
~ 9 ~ l 33 1 448 ~
The access opening is for inserting and removing the liner bag, usually when the liner bag is in its empty condition. m e access opening also enables the ~luid material to be removed ~rom the liner bag when desired.
The fluid ma-terial from the liner bag can also be removed from ~he bottom o~ the liner bag and~ to this end, one of the collapsible sides of the container apparatus may be provided with an outlet aperture, the outlet aperture being provided in a vertically extending portion o~ the side and adjacent the upper sur~ace of the rigid base~
There may be one outlet aperture or there may be more than one outlet aperture i~ desired. For example, two outlet apertures may be employed ~or receiving pipes ~or connecting two units o~ the container apparatus together.
Advantageously, the container apparatus includes locating members ~or use when the container apparatus is to be stacked.
There may be a locating member positioned on the rigid top portion above each elongate support member, and there may be a complementary locating member on the rigid base below each elongate support member.
`:
o 13314~
The container apparatus may be such that each locating member on the rigid top portion is a stud having an upper portion of a first size and a lower portion of a second and larger size9 and in which the complementary locking member on the rigid base has a recess for receiving the upper portion of the stud.
The stud may have flat or circular sides.
The container apparatus of the invention may include the liner bag. It is to be appreciated that the container apparatus may be manufactured and sold with or without the liner bag The container apparatus may be made of any desired materials. For example? the collapsible sides may be made of a fabric material. Presently preferred fabric materials are non-elastic woven fabric materials. m e rigid top may be made of a metal The rigid base may be made of wood or it may alternatively be made of a metal. Generally, the rigid base when it is is in the form of a pallet can be of any design known for pallets.
The Gonstraint members may be made o~ a metal.
me covers for the constraint members may be made of a plastics material such for example as polyvinyl chloride.
The liner bags may be made of plastics materials, for example polyethylene, depending upon the type of the 1 33 1 4~
~luid material to be carried.
Persons using the con-ta:iner appara~us may wish to discharge the ~luid material in the liner bag when the liner bag is in the support container and is extending through a discharge aperture in the support container. Usually, the discharge aperture cannot be located absolutely at the bottom o:E ~he liner bag and so, in order to discharge any ~luid ma-terial remaining right at the bottom of the liner bag, persons would normally lean inside the support container and raise a part of the liner bag that is within reach, so as to encourage flow of the fluid material to the discharge valve.
With fluid materials that may be toxic, firms providing the fluid material may prefer to seal the rigid top portion with wires and lead seals in order to prohibit their end-users from opening the container. The rigid top portion may thus have a lid which closes the access opening and which is sealed with the wires and the lead seals. The end-users of the contents of the container apparatus thus empty the fluid material via the discharge . . .
valve in the liner bag, and then they collapse the container apparatus with the rigid top pcrtion still sealed. This ensures that the liner bags come back to the supplier ~or proper disposal. With the sealed rigid - 12 - ~331~8 top portion, it is not possible for the end-users easily to obtain the last amount of fluid material in the liner bag, due to the fact that the discharge valve in the liner bag is usually slightly above -the bottom o~ the liner bag as mentioned above. In order to meet this problem, the container apparatus may advantageously include auxiliary discharge means ~or pulling up a part of the support container opposite a discharge aperture in the support container in order to cause a discharge valve in -;~
the liner bag to be at the lowest part of the liner bag, whereby any fluid material remaining in the liner bag ~
can be discharged through the discharge ~alve when the ;
liner bag is in the support container.
The use of the auxiliary discharge means thus pro~ides a convenient way o~ obtaining the last amount o~
~luid material that may be remaining in the liner bag.
The rigid top portion may be sealed for use with toxic or ~;
hazardous fluid material9 or the rigid top portion may be openable for use with non-toxic ~luid materials. In either case, the auxiliary discharge means can easily be operated to obtain the last amount of the fluid material from the -! liner bag. `
With the auxiliary discharge means~ the collapsible sides o~ the support container will usually be connected ~ - 13 ~ 1 331 4~8 together by a bottom member which is made of a ~lexible material. The ~lexible material :Eor the bottom member may be the same type of flexible material as that employed ~or the collapsible sides.
Pre~erably, the auxili~ry discharge means comprises a ~lexible elongate meml~er which is connectible to the bottom member of the support container, and which passes through an anchor member on the rigid top portion such that pulling on the flexible elongate member causes the flexible elongate member to slide through the anchor member and raise the bottom portion of the support container in order to discharge any o~ the ~luid material remaining in the liner bag.
The ~lexible elongate member may be a strap.
Other types of flexible elongate member such for example as a cord may be employed.
The anchor member may be a loop member. Other constructions may be employed ~or the anchor member.
The auxiliary discharge means may include a strain-taking member which is connected to the lowermost one of the constraint members and to which the ~lexible , member is also connectible. The strain-taking member may be a loop member~ Other constructions ~or the strain-taking member may be employed. -, ,, ~ - 14 ~ 1 331 4~
Any number of units o~ the co-ntainer apparatus may be linked together to ~orm a desired bulk storage ~acility.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which~
. Figure 1 is a perspective view o~ ~irst container apparatus for the storage and transportation o~
fluid material;
Figure 2 is a cross section through the support container shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a side view of the support container shown in Figure l;
Figure 4 shows in more detail part o~ the support container shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a side view of the support container in a collapsed condition;
Figure 6 shows two o~ the support containers in a stacked and erect oondition;
Figure 7 shows ~ive o~ the support containers in a stacked but collapsed condition;
~: ~ Figure 8 is a perspective view of second container apparatus Figure 9 is a side view o~ third container ~pparatus in a normal discharge condition;
_ 15 - 1 33 1 448 Figure 10 is a side view of the container apparatus shown in Figure 9 in a discharge position using auxiliary discharge means, and Figure 11 is a front view of the container apparat~s shown in Figure 9 but without a strap forming part o~ the auxiliary discharge means.
Referring to Figures 1 to 7, there is shown container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material. For ease of illustration, some parts of the container apparatus 2 have been omitted from some of the drawings.
m e container apparatus 2 comprises a support container 4 for supporting a liner bag 6 containing the fluid material.
The liner bag 6 has side gussets 8 and an opening 10, and it may be an~ known type of liner bag.
m e support container 4 comprises four collapsible ~`~
sides 12, a rigid top portion in the ~orm o~ a rigid ~op 14, a rigid base 16 which is in ~he form of a pallet, and an access opening 18 in the rigid top 14. -~
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.
ThP support container 4 also oomprises constraint members in the form of three ribs 20 for constraining the sides 12 of the support oontainer 4 when the support container 4 is in use and contains the liner bag 6 with the fluid material. m e container apparatus 2 also comprises four elongate support members 22 which are positioned on the outside of the four collapsible sides 12 ~uch that one of the elongate support members 22 is provided adjacent each corner 24 formed ~y the collapsible sides 12. The elongate 1~ support members 22 are such that they are mova~le from a first position as illustrated in Figure 1 in which they `
extend between the rigid top 14 and the rigid base 16 to hold the rigid top 14 firm with respect to the rigid base 16, to a second position as shown in Figure S in which they allow the four collapsible sides 12 to collapse.
As shown in the drawings, the four collapsible sides 12 define a square but they may define a rectangle if desired. ~ ;~
The four collapsible sides 12 may be of any de~ired height, ~ sojthat generally, the support container 4 may be of any i., desired size. Obviously, the liner bag 6 will ke of a size appropriate to the size of the support container 4. The liner bag 6 will usually be slightly larger than the support oontainer 4 to ensure that the liner bag 6 is always supported by the support container 4.
, ~ 17 As hest seen from Figure 2, the four collapsible sides 12 are curved inwardly at their lower end~ to define convex portions 26 adjacent the rigid ba~e 16. The four collap~ible ~ides 12 extend inwardly over the rigid base 26 as shown in Figure 2 to define a drainage aperture 28.
Thus, if the inside of the support container 4 is hosed down or otherwise washed, the water can drain out through the drainage aperture 280 The ends 30 of the collapsible sides 12 are not -secured to the rigid base 16 and, if desired, a batten 32 .. :. ~:
may be provided adjacent the convex por~ions 26 to stop the ends 30 from sliding off the pallet duxing transport.
lhe battens have only been shown in Figure 2 since they are not necessary and merely represent an optional feature. ;~ ~ -Indeed, if desired, the ends 30 may be secured to the rigid ~;~
base 16.
The upper ends 34 of the collapsible sides 12 are : . .: . . .
turned back to define a pocket 36 through which a fixing bar 38 pa~ses. The fixing ~ar 38 is fixed by means of screws clips or other fastener means tnot shown) to the `~
.:
rigid top 14 so that the collapsible sides 12 are attached ~-to the rigid top 14~ ~
`"~ .'~ ~`, As can be seen from Figure 1, the access opening 18 in the rigid top 14 is circular.
The ribs 20 extend horizontally as shown. Three horizontally extending ribs are shown provided along each '.,.~: ~' :` ~ '~' _ . :
18 13314~
collapsi~le side 12. More ribs may be employed if desired, for example four ribs. As shown in Figure 2, the two lowermost ribs 20 are closest together, in order to offer increasing constraint where the four collapsible sides 12 are likely to be subject to the most pressure in use of the container apparatus 2. The ribs 20 are made of metal rods of circular cross section.
The ribs 20 are located in elongate covers 40 which are made of a plastics materials such for example as polyvinyl chloride and which are welded to the fabric material of the collapsible sides 12. As an alternative to welding, stitching or other faste~er means may be employed.
As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, each elongate support member 22 comprises a first part 42 which is separable from a second part 44. The first part 42 is hinged to the ~-rigid base 16 by hinge means in the form of a hinqe 46 so that the first part 42 i5 pivotable about the rigid base 16 ~uch that in its pivoted position it lies along an edge of an upper surface 48 of the rigid base 16. Each first part 42 has a base plate 49 to which one half of the hinge 46 is attached, the other half of the hinge 46 being attached to the upper surface 48.
The second part 44 is smaller than the first part 42 and it is rigidly fixed by welding to the rigid top 14 which is made of metal. The second part 44 is of a length which allows the four collapsible sides 12 to collapse to the position shown in Figure 5. It will be seen from Figure 5 1 331 ~3 that in the collapsed condition, the seoond part 44 forms a support leg extending between the rigid top 14 and the rigid base 16, whereby the container apparatus 2 and more specifically the support container 4 can be stacked as shown in Figure 7 with the second parts 44 forming support legs which take the weight of the stacked container apparatu~
2.
In the erect condition of the support container 4, the first and the second parts 42,44 of the elongate ~ ~:
support members 22, abut against each other and they are held ~ ~ ;
in position b~ a sliding member in the form of a sliding bolt 50, see Figure 4. The sliding bolt 50 is positioned inside the first and the seoond parts 42,44. The sliding bolt has ~ ~
an arm 52 which extends through a pair of slots 54 in `~;`
the second part 44O The arm 52 is for being moved by hand ~ :
to cause the required movement of the sliding bolt 50. When the arm 52 is moved upwardly in its slots 54 from the position shown in Figure 1, the sliding bolt 50 slides clear of the top o~ the first part 42 and then the first part 42 can pivot about its hinge 46 as shown in Figure 3.
The rigid base 16 is provided with a female member in : the`form of a short tube 56 which is positioned between the top and bottom 5B,60 respectively of the rigid base 16~ T.he ; .~-~irst part 42 is held in its upstanding position by a sliding member in the form of a sliding bolt 62 po itioned in~ide the first part 42 and the tube S6. The tube 56 is of the . `
same cross sectional shape aq the first part 42.
_ 20 ~ 1 331 4~8 The sliding bolt 62 has an arm 64 ~hich extends through a pair of slots 66 in the first part 42.
The arm 64 is for being moved by hand to cause the required movement of the sliding bolt 62. When the sliding bolt 62 is moved to the top of the slots 66 as shown in Figure 1, the sliding bolt 62 clears the top of the tube 56 and then the first part 42 can pivot downwardly as shown in Figure 3.
It will be seen from the position of the arms 64 and the slots 66 that the first parts 42 all pivot downwardly to follow one another around the periphery of the rigid base 16 so that no two of the ~irst parts 42 can pivot in the same direction ~ :
and hit each other. ~::
In the collapsed c3ndition of the support container 4 as shown in Figure 5, the sliding bolt 50 enters the tube 56 lS 50 that the support container 4 is very stable in its collapsed condition in addition to being very stable in its erect condition~ .
The rigid top 14 is provided with a circular lid 68 which i9 hinged to the rigid top 14 by means of a hinge 70.
-~20 The lid 68 is for opening and closing the access opening 18.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, one of the collapsible ;~
sides 12 is provided with a rectan~ular outlet aperture 72. ~:
The outlet aperture 72 is for enabling the fluid material in the liner ba~ 6 to be removed from the bottom of the support 2S container 4. If it is desired to remove the fluid material from the liner bag 6 through the access opening 18 and the `` 1 331 ~
opening 10 inthe neckportion 8 of the liner bag 6, then the outl~t aperture 72 may be dispen~ed with. The outlet aperture 72 may also be advantageous in linking two or more units of the oontainer apparatus 2 together by hoses (not shown) in order to provide a large bulk storage facility.
The support container 4 advantageously includes locating members for use when the container appara~us is to be stacked~ More specifically, the support container 4 may be one in which a locating member 74 is positioned on the rigid top 14 above each elongate support member 22, and in which there is a complementary locating member 76 on the rigid base 16 below each elongate support member 22. As ~ :
shown in Figures 1 and 3, the locating members 74 are in the : form of studs having an upper square sided portion 78 ~hich i5 of a first size, and a lower square sided portion 80 which is of a second and larger size. In the stacked condition of the support containers 4, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the locating member 74 is received in a complementary recess (not shown) in the oomplementary locating member 76. Especially :~
:~-20 in the erect and stacked condition shown in Figure 6, the locating members 74,76 are especially useful in preventing I ~ relative motion between different units of the container apparatus 2~ With the container apparatus 2 stacked two or three units high in, for example, a lorry travelling around a bend, it will be appreciated that considerable force can be exerted on the containers and it is desirable to have them ": ~
' ^:~
1 331 44~
- 22 ~
as securely connected together as possibleO The illustrated design of the elonga-te support members 22 is also advantageous in this connec-tion in helping to a~oid relative movement between the rigid top portion 14 and the rigid base 16 which might cause the support container 4 to assume the shape of a parallelogram~
The liner bag 6 may be of any appropriate type and shape, It may contain any desired fluid material from liquids to particulate materials and as diverse from drilling mud to foods.
Reîerring now to Fi~re 8, similar par~s as in Figures 1 to 7 have been given the same reference numerals : for ease of description. In Figure 8, it will be seen that :
the rigid top portion 1~ shown in Figussres 1 to 7 has been 1~ replaced by a rigid top portion in the form of a frame 88.
m e frame 88 has four horizontally extending side members 90 to which the collapsible sides 12 are attached by bolts or rîve~s 92~ As can be seen ~rom Figure 8, the collapsible sides are attached to the inside sur~aces of the horizontally extending side members 90.
~ 23 - 1331~
Tl~e frame 88 also h~s leg member~ 94 which are positioned at the four corners of the frame 88. The leg members 94 connect as shown to the elongate support member~
22 by slotting ln open top portions 96 of the elongate support members 22~ The leg members 94 are provided wi~h increased diameter slee~e portions 98 whi.ch rest on the tops o~ the elongate support members 22 to stop the leg member~
94 sliding too far down the inside of the open top portions -~.
96 o~ the elongate support members 22.
lo The frame 88 may be formed by welding or otherwise connecting the horizontally extending side members 90 and the leg members 94 together. As shown in Figure 8, one horizontally extending side member 90 is provided with ~ -hinge 100 to which is attached a lid 102. The lid 102 can be a flexible or a non-~lexible lid.
By comparing Figure 1 with Figure 8, it will be seen that the ~rame 88 connect~ to the ;
e.Longate support member~ 22 without the use of the .-~; top sliding bolts 50 which are shown in detail in Figure 4. ~:
2Q It is to be understood that the top slidlng bolts 50 may ~; .
be employed in the arrangement shown in Figure 8,and the ~rame 88 with its leg members 94 may be employed in the support containers shown in Figures 1 to 7. ~
.. .. .
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-~ ~3314~3 _ 24 In Figures 9 to Il o~ the accompanying drawings, there is shown container apparatus 2 for the storage and transportation of fluid material. The container apparatus 2 comprises a support container 4 for supporting a liner bag (not shown) containing ~he ~luid material.
The support container 4 comprises four collapsible sides 12, a rigid top portion (not shown), a rigid base 16 which is in the form of a pallet~ and an access opening (not shown) in the rigid top.
The support member 4 also comprises horizontally extending constraint members 20 for constraining the ; sides 12 of the support container 4 when the support container 4 is in use and contains the liner bag with the fluid material~
The support container further comprises ~our elongate suppor~ members 22 which are positioned on the outside of the four collapsible sides 12 such that one of the elongate support members 22 i5 provided adjacent each corner 24 formed by the collapsible sides 12. The ,~ elongate support members 22 are such that they are movable from a first position as shown in Figures 9 to 11 in which they extend between the rigid top and the rigid base 16 to hold the rigid top firm with respect to the rigid base 16, to a second position (not shown) in which ~;
, - 25 - 1331~
they allow the four collapsible sides 12 ~o collapse.
As shown in Figures 9 - 11, the ~our collapsible sides 12 define a s~uare but they may define a rectangle if desiredO m e ~our collapsible sides 12 may be o~ any desired height, so that generally, ~he support container 4 may be of any desired size.
Obviously, the liner bag 6 will be o~ a size appropriate to the size o~ the support container 4. T~e liner bag 6 will also usually be slightly larger than the support `
container 4 so ensure that the liner bag 6 is always supported by the support container 4. ;~
As can be seen ~rom Figure 9, the four collapsible sides 12 are curved inwardly at their lower ends to define con~ex portions 26 adjacen~ the rigid base 16.
As can be seen from FigurelO, the collapsible `
sides 12 are not secured to the rigid base 16. ~-The ribs 20 are located in elongate covers (not ~-shown) which are made of a plastics material such ~or example as polyvinyl chloride and which are welded to the fabric material o~ the collapsible sides 12. As an alternative to welding, stitching or other ~astener ' ~;
means may be employed.
. ~ , Each elongate support member 22 comprises a ~irst part 42 which is separable from a second part 44~ m e 1 33 1 4~
detailed construction o~ the elongate support members 22 i,s as described abové. --The container apparatus 2 shown in Figures 9 - 11 is such that the liner bag has a discharge valve (not shown) which extends through a discharge aperture 72 in the support container 4. The discharge aperture 72 is connected to a discharge pipe 10~.
~he discharge valve in the liner bag is located above the bottom of the liner bag.
m e collapsible sides 12 of the support container 4 are connected toge~her by a bottom member 106 which is made of a flexible material. Usually the flexible material for the bottom member 106 will be the same as the ~lexible material for the collapsible sides 12.
Thus the collapsible sides 12 and the bottom member 106 form a bag member.
The container apparatus 2 further includes auxiliary discharge means 108 for pulling up a part 110 of the support container 4 opposite the discharge aperture 72 in order to cause the discharge valve to be at the lowest part o~ the liner bag, whereby fluid material 112 ~see Figure 9 ) remaining in the liner bag can be discharged through the discharge valve as shown -in Figure 10.
1 33 1 ~48 The auxiliary discharge means 108 comprises a flexible elongate member in the form of a strap 114 which is provided with a buckle member 116. me strap 114 is connectible to the bottom member 106 of the support container 4. The strap 114 is connected to a loop member 118 on the bottom member 106. The loop member 118 may ~e made of a flexible material , or a rigid material such as a metal.
.. ~ .
m e strap 114 also passes through an anchor member in the form of a loop member 120 on the rigid top portion. m us pulling on the strap 114 causes the -strap 114 to slide through the loop member 120 and raise the bottom member 106 in order to discharge the fluid material 112 remaining in the liner bag.
The-auxiliary discharge means 108 further includes a strain-taking member in a ~orm of a loop member 122. m is loop member 122 is connected to the lowermost one of ~he constraint members 20 and the strap 114 passes through this loop member 122. The loop mem~er 122 helps to take the strain off the loop mémber 118.
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1 3 3 1 4 ~
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with xeference ts the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modification3 may be effected. Thus, for exiample, the suppo~t container 4 could be generally rectangular instead of being square in shape as i3hown. Also, instead o~ being substantially cuboid as shown, the collapsible sides 12 could be made taller.
As shown, the first and the second parts 42, 44 are made of ::
metal tubing which is square in cross section, but this can be circular in cross section. The illustrated shape o~ the palle~ can be varied to any desired shape for giving ~; ~ ease of handling, for example by a fork lift truck and to this end any size, number and i~hape o openings 82 may be employed. In addition to giving good location, the locating , ' ' ` `~
members 74, 76 also provide a clearance` space 84 for receiving the lid 68 in t:he stacked condition of the con~ainers in their non-collapsed and their collapsed conditio~ as shown in Figures ' ' '~ ' ~, .
_ 29 ~ 13S144~
6 and 7~ Also, the rigid base 16 could be in the form '' of a flat platform which could then be placed on a separate pallet. Further, in order to ma]ce the support container~
4 lockable together in their erect condition, for being '~
stacked together during transport, the support containers 4 may be provided with locking means (not shown) such for example as locking catches. m e flexible material for the collapsible sides can be a composite material such for example as a woven thread sandwiched between two layers ' of a plastics material. The woven thread may be nylon and the two layers of plastics material may he, for example, ' polyvinyl chloride. If desired, especially for larger support containers, the two layerR of plastics materials may be replaced by a rubber material such for example as butyl rubber.
If desired, two liner bags 6 may be employed instead of one liner bag. The use of two liner bags 6 is in case '~
one of them splits. During emptying of the contents of a liner bag 6 through its access opening 18, the liner bag 6 may be impaled on studs 86 which are positioned around the access opening 18 as sho~n and which extend at 45 to t,he ' rigid top 14. Other fastener devices for the liner bags -6 may be employed if desired. ~rhe liner bag 6 may be closed by string or by a draw fastener.
d , .'. i, ,.'., ,., .. ' ,. ' . ;. ~ ; ; . .; . :, ,` . . ..
~ 30 - 13314~8 In the em~odiment of the invention described above with reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11, a cord or cable instead of the strap 114 may be employed.
Furthermore, the strap 114 may be attached to -the loop member 118, in which case the buckle 116 may be dispensed wi~h. The strap 114 or other elongate flexible member employed will usually be removable from the remainder of the container apparatus 2 but it may be made as a fixture to the remainder of the container apparatus 2 if desired.
A pulley system may also be employed as the auxiliary discharge means. A counter-balance weight system may also be used. The auxiliary discharge means may be used with non-toxic fluid materials if desired.
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:
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, .-: ~, :` ~
In the erect condition of the support container 4, the first and the second parts 42,44 of the elongate ~ ~:
support members 22, abut against each other and they are held ~ ~ ;
in position b~ a sliding member in the form of a sliding bolt 50, see Figure 4. The sliding bolt 50 is positioned inside the first and the seoond parts 42,44. The sliding bolt has ~ ~
an arm 52 which extends through a pair of slots 54 in `~;`
the second part 44O The arm 52 is for being moved by hand ~ :
to cause the required movement of the sliding bolt 50. When the arm 52 is moved upwardly in its slots 54 from the position shown in Figure 1, the sliding bolt 50 slides clear of the top o~ the first part 42 and then the first part 42 can pivot about its hinge 46 as shown in Figure 3.
The rigid base 16 is provided with a female member in : the`form of a short tube 56 which is positioned between the top and bottom 5B,60 respectively of the rigid base 16~ T.he ; .~-~irst part 42 is held in its upstanding position by a sliding member in the form of a sliding bolt 62 po itioned in~ide the first part 42 and the tube S6. The tube 56 is of the . `
same cross sectional shape aq the first part 42.
_ 20 ~ 1 331 4~8 The sliding bolt 62 has an arm 64 ~hich extends through a pair of slots 66 in the first part 42.
The arm 64 is for being moved by hand to cause the required movement of the sliding bolt 62. When the sliding bolt 62 is moved to the top of the slots 66 as shown in Figure 1, the sliding bolt 62 clears the top of the tube 56 and then the first part 42 can pivot downwardly as shown in Figure 3.
It will be seen from the position of the arms 64 and the slots 66 that the first parts 42 all pivot downwardly to follow one another around the periphery of the rigid base 16 so that no two of the ~irst parts 42 can pivot in the same direction ~ :
and hit each other. ~::
In the collapsed c3ndition of the support container 4 as shown in Figure 5, the sliding bolt 50 enters the tube 56 lS 50 that the support container 4 is very stable in its collapsed condition in addition to being very stable in its erect condition~ .
The rigid top 14 is provided with a circular lid 68 which i9 hinged to the rigid top 14 by means of a hinge 70.
-~20 The lid 68 is for opening and closing the access opening 18.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, one of the collapsible ;~
sides 12 is provided with a rectan~ular outlet aperture 72. ~:
The outlet aperture 72 is for enabling the fluid material in the liner ba~ 6 to be removed from the bottom of the support 2S container 4. If it is desired to remove the fluid material from the liner bag 6 through the access opening 18 and the `` 1 331 ~
opening 10 inthe neckportion 8 of the liner bag 6, then the outl~t aperture 72 may be dispen~ed with. The outlet aperture 72 may also be advantageous in linking two or more units of the oontainer apparatus 2 together by hoses (not shown) in order to provide a large bulk storage facility.
The support container 4 advantageously includes locating members for use when the container appara~us is to be stacked~ More specifically, the support container 4 may be one in which a locating member 74 is positioned on the rigid top 14 above each elongate support member 22, and in which there is a complementary locating member 76 on the rigid base 16 below each elongate support member 22. As ~ :
shown in Figures 1 and 3, the locating members 74 are in the : form of studs having an upper square sided portion 78 ~hich i5 of a first size, and a lower square sided portion 80 which is of a second and larger size. In the stacked condition of the support containers 4, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the locating member 74 is received in a complementary recess (not shown) in the oomplementary locating member 76. Especially :~
:~-20 in the erect and stacked condition shown in Figure 6, the locating members 74,76 are especially useful in preventing I ~ relative motion between different units of the container apparatus 2~ With the container apparatus 2 stacked two or three units high in, for example, a lorry travelling around a bend, it will be appreciated that considerable force can be exerted on the containers and it is desirable to have them ": ~
' ^:~
1 331 44~
- 22 ~
as securely connected together as possibleO The illustrated design of the elonga-te support members 22 is also advantageous in this connec-tion in helping to a~oid relative movement between the rigid top portion 14 and the rigid base 16 which might cause the support container 4 to assume the shape of a parallelogram~
The liner bag 6 may be of any appropriate type and shape, It may contain any desired fluid material from liquids to particulate materials and as diverse from drilling mud to foods.
Reîerring now to Fi~re 8, similar par~s as in Figures 1 to 7 have been given the same reference numerals : for ease of description. In Figure 8, it will be seen that :
the rigid top portion 1~ shown in Figussres 1 to 7 has been 1~ replaced by a rigid top portion in the form of a frame 88.
m e frame 88 has four horizontally extending side members 90 to which the collapsible sides 12 are attached by bolts or rîve~s 92~ As can be seen ~rom Figure 8, the collapsible sides are attached to the inside sur~aces of the horizontally extending side members 90.
~ 23 - 1331~
Tl~e frame 88 also h~s leg member~ 94 which are positioned at the four corners of the frame 88. The leg members 94 connect as shown to the elongate support member~
22 by slotting ln open top portions 96 of the elongate support members 22~ The leg members 94 are provided wi~h increased diameter slee~e portions 98 whi.ch rest on the tops o~ the elongate support members 22 to stop the leg member~
94 sliding too far down the inside of the open top portions -~.
96 o~ the elongate support members 22.
lo The frame 88 may be formed by welding or otherwise connecting the horizontally extending side members 90 and the leg members 94 together. As shown in Figure 8, one horizontally extending side member 90 is provided with ~ -hinge 100 to which is attached a lid 102. The lid 102 can be a flexible or a non-~lexible lid.
By comparing Figure 1 with Figure 8, it will be seen that the ~rame 88 connect~ to the ;
e.Longate support member~ 22 without the use of the .-~; top sliding bolts 50 which are shown in detail in Figure 4. ~:
2Q It is to be understood that the top slidlng bolts 50 may ~; .
be employed in the arrangement shown in Figure 8,and the ~rame 88 with its leg members 94 may be employed in the support containers shown in Figures 1 to 7. ~
.. .. .
~,"' '"'.
, :.
-~ ~3314~3 _ 24 In Figures 9 to Il o~ the accompanying drawings, there is shown container apparatus 2 for the storage and transportation of fluid material. The container apparatus 2 comprises a support container 4 for supporting a liner bag (not shown) containing ~he ~luid material.
The support container 4 comprises four collapsible sides 12, a rigid top portion (not shown), a rigid base 16 which is in the form of a pallet~ and an access opening (not shown) in the rigid top.
The support member 4 also comprises horizontally extending constraint members 20 for constraining the ; sides 12 of the support container 4 when the support container 4 is in use and contains the liner bag with the fluid material~
The support container further comprises ~our elongate suppor~ members 22 which are positioned on the outside of the four collapsible sides 12 such that one of the elongate support members 22 i5 provided adjacent each corner 24 formed by the collapsible sides 12. The ,~ elongate support members 22 are such that they are movable from a first position as shown in Figures 9 to 11 in which they extend between the rigid top and the rigid base 16 to hold the rigid top firm with respect to the rigid base 16, to a second position (not shown) in which ~;
, - 25 - 1331~
they allow the four collapsible sides 12 ~o collapse.
As shown in Figures 9 - 11, the ~our collapsible sides 12 define a s~uare but they may define a rectangle if desiredO m e ~our collapsible sides 12 may be o~ any desired height, so that generally, ~he support container 4 may be of any desired size.
Obviously, the liner bag 6 will be o~ a size appropriate to the size o~ the support container 4. T~e liner bag 6 will also usually be slightly larger than the support `
container 4 so ensure that the liner bag 6 is always supported by the support container 4. ;~
As can be seen ~rom Figure 9, the four collapsible sides 12 are curved inwardly at their lower ends to define con~ex portions 26 adjacen~ the rigid base 16.
As can be seen from FigurelO, the collapsible `
sides 12 are not secured to the rigid base 16. ~-The ribs 20 are located in elongate covers (not ~-shown) which are made of a plastics material such ~or example as polyvinyl chloride and which are welded to the fabric material o~ the collapsible sides 12. As an alternative to welding, stitching or other ~astener ' ~;
means may be employed.
. ~ , Each elongate support member 22 comprises a ~irst part 42 which is separable from a second part 44~ m e 1 33 1 4~
detailed construction o~ the elongate support members 22 i,s as described abové. --The container apparatus 2 shown in Figures 9 - 11 is such that the liner bag has a discharge valve (not shown) which extends through a discharge aperture 72 in the support container 4. The discharge aperture 72 is connected to a discharge pipe 10~.
~he discharge valve in the liner bag is located above the bottom of the liner bag.
m e collapsible sides 12 of the support container 4 are connected toge~her by a bottom member 106 which is made of a flexible material. Usually the flexible material for the bottom member 106 will be the same as the ~lexible material for the collapsible sides 12.
Thus the collapsible sides 12 and the bottom member 106 form a bag member.
The container apparatus 2 further includes auxiliary discharge means 108 for pulling up a part 110 of the support container 4 opposite the discharge aperture 72 in order to cause the discharge valve to be at the lowest part o~ the liner bag, whereby fluid material 112 ~see Figure 9 ) remaining in the liner bag can be discharged through the discharge valve as shown -in Figure 10.
1 33 1 ~48 The auxiliary discharge means 108 comprises a flexible elongate member in the form of a strap 114 which is provided with a buckle member 116. me strap 114 is connectible to the bottom member 106 of the support container 4. The strap 114 is connected to a loop member 118 on the bottom member 106. The loop member 118 may ~e made of a flexible material , or a rigid material such as a metal.
.. ~ .
m e strap 114 also passes through an anchor member in the form of a loop member 120 on the rigid top portion. m us pulling on the strap 114 causes the -strap 114 to slide through the loop member 120 and raise the bottom member 106 in order to discharge the fluid material 112 remaining in the liner bag.
The-auxiliary discharge means 108 further includes a strain-taking member in a ~orm of a loop member 122. m is loop member 122 is connected to the lowermost one of ~he constraint members 20 and the strap 114 passes through this loop member 122. The loop mem~er 122 helps to take the strain off the loop mémber 118.
,~ .
, i`.!,': ` . . ` . ` `,`~ .... . .: . , :
1 3 3 1 4 ~
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with xeference ts the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modification3 may be effected. Thus, for exiample, the suppo~t container 4 could be generally rectangular instead of being square in shape as i3hown. Also, instead o~ being substantially cuboid as shown, the collapsible sides 12 could be made taller.
As shown, the first and the second parts 42, 44 are made of ::
metal tubing which is square in cross section, but this can be circular in cross section. The illustrated shape o~ the palle~ can be varied to any desired shape for giving ~; ~ ease of handling, for example by a fork lift truck and to this end any size, number and i~hape o openings 82 may be employed. In addition to giving good location, the locating , ' ' ` `~
members 74, 76 also provide a clearance` space 84 for receiving the lid 68 in t:he stacked condition of the con~ainers in their non-collapsed and their collapsed conditio~ as shown in Figures ' ' '~ ' ~, .
_ 29 ~ 13S144~
6 and 7~ Also, the rigid base 16 could be in the form '' of a flat platform which could then be placed on a separate pallet. Further, in order to ma]ce the support container~
4 lockable together in their erect condition, for being '~
stacked together during transport, the support containers 4 may be provided with locking means (not shown) such for example as locking catches. m e flexible material for the collapsible sides can be a composite material such for example as a woven thread sandwiched between two layers ' of a plastics material. The woven thread may be nylon and the two layers of plastics material may he, for example, ' polyvinyl chloride. If desired, especially for larger support containers, the two layerR of plastics materials may be replaced by a rubber material such for example as butyl rubber.
If desired, two liner bags 6 may be employed instead of one liner bag. The use of two liner bags 6 is in case '~
one of them splits. During emptying of the contents of a liner bag 6 through its access opening 18, the liner bag 6 may be impaled on studs 86 which are positioned around the access opening 18 as sho~n and which extend at 45 to t,he ' rigid top 14. Other fastener devices for the liner bags -6 may be employed if desired. ~rhe liner bag 6 may be closed by string or by a draw fastener.
d , .'. i, ,.'., ,., .. ' ,. ' . ;. ~ ; ; . .; . :, ,` . . ..
~ 30 - 13314~8 In the em~odiment of the invention described above with reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11, a cord or cable instead of the strap 114 may be employed.
Furthermore, the strap 114 may be attached to -the loop member 118, in which case the buckle 116 may be dispensed wi~h. The strap 114 or other elongate flexible member employed will usually be removable from the remainder of the container apparatus 2 but it may be made as a fixture to the remainder of the container apparatus 2 if desired.
A pulley system may also be employed as the auxiliary discharge means. A counter-balance weight system may also be used. The auxiliary discharge means may be used with non-toxic fluid materials if desired.
~'.
.
:
1'` ` ' ' : `~:
, .-: ~, :` ~
Claims (10)
1. Container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material, the container apparatus comprising a support container for supporting a liner bag containing fluid material, and the support container comprising four collapsible sides which are made to form a continuous piece of flexible material, a rigid top portion which is attached to the collapsible sides, a rigid base, an access opening in the rigid top portion, horizontally extending constraint members which are for constraining the collapsible sides when the support container is in use and contains the liner bag with the fluid material, and elongate support members which are positioned on the outside of the collapsible sides such that the elongate support members are adjacent the collapsible sides, the elongate support members being such that they are movable about hinge means from a first position in which they extend between the rigid top portion and the rigid base to hold the rigid top portion firm with respect to the rigid base, to a second position in which they allow the collapsible sides to collapse by folding between the constraint members, the hinge means being such as to secure the elongate support members to the rigid base-, and the collapsible sides being such that they are not attached to the rigid base.
_ 32 -
_ 32 -
2. Container apparatus according to claim 1 in which the collapsible sides are curved inwardly at their lower ends to define convex portions adjacent the rigid base.
3. Container apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the constraint members are closer together nearer the rigid base, in order to offer increasing constraint where the collapsible sides are likely to be subject to the most pressure in use of the container apparatus.
4. Container apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the constraint members are attached to the collapsible sides by being located in covers.
5. Container apparatus according to claim 1 in which each elongate support member comprises first and second parts which are separable from each other, and in which the first part is pivotable about the rigid base such that in its pivoted position it lies along an edge of an upper surface of the rigid base.
6. Container apparatus according to claim 5 in which the second part is smaller than the first part and is rigidly fixed to the rigid top portion, the second part being of a length which allows the collapsible sides to collapse and which forms a support leg extending between the rigid top portion and the rigid base in the collapsed condition of the collapsible sides, whereby the container apparatus can be stacked with the second parts forming support legs which take the weight of the stacked container apparatus.
7. Container apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which one of the collapsible sides is provided with an outlet aperture, the outlet aperture being positioned in a vertically extending portion of the side and adjacent the upper surface of the rigid base.
8. Container apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 and including locating members for use when the container apparatus is to be stacked, there being a said locating member positioned on the rigid top portion above each elongate support member, and there being a complementary said locating member on the rigid base below each elongate support member.
9. Container apparatus according to claim 1 and including auxiliary discharge means for pulling up a part of the support container opposite a discharge aperture in the support container in order to cause a discharge valve in the liner bag to be at the lowest part of the liner bag, whereby any fluid material remaining in the liner bag can be discharged through the discharge valve when the liner bag is in the support container.
10. Container apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 9 and including the liner bag.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8627304A GB2189773B (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-11-14 | Container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material |
| CA000609281A CA1331448C (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1989-08-24 | Container apparatus for fluid material |
| CY159492A CY1594A (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1992-04-03 | Container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB868610374A GB8610374D0 (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-04-28 | Container apparatus |
| GB868616971A GB8616971D0 (en) | 1986-07-11 | 1986-07-11 | Container apparatus |
| CA000609281A CA1331448C (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1989-08-24 | Container apparatus for fluid material |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1331448C true CA1331448C (en) | 1994-08-16 |
Family
ID=27168424
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000609281A Expired - Fee Related CA1331448C (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1989-08-24 | Container apparatus for fluid material |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1331448C (en) |
| CY (1) | CY1594A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2189773B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2016165011A1 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2016-10-20 | 2454223 Ontario Inc. operating as Handy Hydrant | Portable fluid tank and method of making same |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4943288A (en) * | 1988-02-25 | 1990-07-24 | Bioresearch, Inc. | Liquid reinfusion bag system |
| CA1326417C (en) * | 1988-02-25 | 1994-01-25 | Leonard D. Kurtz | Liquid reinfusion bag system |
| DE8907061U1 (en) * | 1989-06-09 | 1989-10-05 | Loebbert, Johannes, 4405 Nottuln, De | |
| GB8915650D0 (en) * | 1989-07-07 | 1989-08-23 | Farrell Containers Limited | Container apparatus for use in the storage and transportation of fluid materials |
| GB2244973A (en) * | 1990-06-15 | 1991-12-18 | Concertainer Ltd | Container apparatus for the storage and transportation of fluid material |
| DE4102985A1 (en) * | 1991-02-01 | 1992-08-06 | Rietbergwerke Gmbh & Co Kg | Safety container for storing poly:chlorinated bi:phenyl-contg. material - comprises rigid steel frame fixed to double sheet steel pallet mounting double-walled explosion-proof container |
| DE9114919U1 (en) * | 1991-11-30 | 1992-02-06 | Kroepfel-Spreitzer Ges.M.B.H., Mauterndorf, At | |
| FR2690900A1 (en) * | 1992-05-07 | 1993-11-12 | Hutchinson | Water tank, especially for the irrigation of potted plants. |
| GB9212032D0 (en) * | 1992-06-05 | 1992-07-15 | Farrell Peter J | Collapsible container apparatus for fluid material |
| GB2296233A (en) * | 1994-12-23 | 1996-06-26 | Hsiao Liang Ho | A container |
| US5706872A (en) * | 1996-03-19 | 1998-01-13 | Schlesinger; Sol | Collapsible container for bulk transport and handling of heat meltable materials |
| FR2753182B1 (en) * | 1996-09-06 | 1998-10-16 | Vetrotex France Sa | HANDLING DEVICE |
| DE19749619A1 (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1998-05-20 | Renno Otto Paul | Collapsible container particularly for crown corks and screw-caps |
| DE19748637C1 (en) * | 1997-11-05 | 1999-04-22 | Bundesrep Deutschland | Fluid container with base and roof parts |
| US6003705A (en) * | 1998-05-19 | 1999-12-21 | Magnum Mud Equipment Company | Portable bulk storage container having and easy opening lid |
| US6463863B1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2002-10-15 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Commodity carrying and storing apparatus |
| GB0125228D0 (en) * | 2001-10-19 | 2001-12-12 | Farrell Peter J | Collapsible container apparatus for use in the storage and transportation of fluid material |
| EP1360124B1 (en) * | 2001-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | Almar Packaging International Inc. | Intermediate bulk container |
| BRPI0409829A (en) * | 2003-05-02 | 2006-04-25 | Almar Packaging Internat Inc | intermediate capacity container |
| ES2247950B1 (en) * | 2005-05-13 | 2006-12-01 | Rovira Garraf, S.A. | FOLDING CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF GOODS. |
| JP4935382B2 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2012-05-23 | 株式会社不二越 | Collection method of used tape using a collection bag of tape wrap device |
| FR2913668B1 (en) * | 2007-03-14 | 2009-04-24 | Martine Cirone | DEVICE FOR AIDING THE FILLING OF BAGS OF LARGE DIMENSIONS. |
| WO2008147342A2 (en) * | 2007-05-30 | 2008-12-04 | Yusuf Kohen | A container having vertical support elements adaptable to container pallet |
| US8950612B2 (en) | 2010-12-22 | 2015-02-10 | Macro Plastics, Inc. | Hybrid shipping container |
| WO2014027114A1 (en) | 2012-08-17 | 2014-02-20 | Yusuf Kohen | Vertical column flexible big bag |
| DE102014101839B4 (en) * | 2014-02-13 | 2018-03-15 | Sartorius Stedim Biotech Gmbh | Packaging for a flexible container and transport unit |
| JP6298333B2 (en) * | 2014-03-24 | 2018-03-20 | 株式会社三洋 | Self-supporting flexible container |
| EP3188972A4 (en) * | 2014-09-05 | 2018-03-21 | De Villiers, Gregory John | A collapsible bulk container |
| KR102429133B1 (en) | 2014-12-31 | 2022-08-04 | 글로벌 라이프 사이언시스 솔루션즈 유에스에이 엘엘씨 | Shaft-mounted fluid transfer assembly for a disposable bioreactor |
| US10836989B2 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2020-11-17 | Global Life Sciences Solutions Usa Llc | Disposable container, mixing system and packaging |
| IL252013A0 (en) * | 2017-04-27 | 2017-07-31 | Eliyahu Hazan | Tank |
| ES2720973A1 (en) * | 2018-01-25 | 2019-07-25 | Univ Internacional De La Rioja Unir | FOLDING AUXILIARY SUPPORT FOR THE TAKING OF PHOTOS OF LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
| WO2021050484A1 (en) * | 2019-09-10 | 2021-03-18 | Emd Millipore Corporation | Articulating biocontainers |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4036361A (en) * | 1975-12-18 | 1977-07-19 | Leo Jacobson | Collapsible container |
-
1986
- 1986-11-14 GB GB8627304A patent/GB2189773B/en not_active Expired
-
1989
- 1989-08-24 CA CA000609281A patent/CA1331448C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-04-03 CY CY159492A patent/CY1594A/en unknown
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2016165011A1 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2016-10-20 | 2454223 Ontario Inc. operating as Handy Hydrant | Portable fluid tank and method of making same |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CY1594A (en) | 1992-04-03 |
| GB8627304D0 (en) | 1986-12-17 |
| GB2189773A (en) | 1987-11-04 |
| GB2189773B (en) | 1989-12-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |