GB2098581A - Improvements relating to bulk containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible bulk container of woven fabric has a base (1) a wall (2-5) upstanding from the base and lifting means (6) extending above the upper edges of the wall and joined to the wall at appropriate locations. In at least two adjacent locations a stiffening element is incorporated in the lifting means (6) each stiffening element having a first stiffening section (11) extending downwardly along an upper part of the wall (2) towards the base, a second stiffening section (12) extending partly along the lifting means (6) and held thereon and a third section (13) joining the first and second sections to hold these normally in substantially axial alignment. The third section is capable of bending to allow the first and second sections to lie substantially at right angles one to another and of resiliently restoring after bending to return the first and second sections to substantially axial alignment. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to bulk containers This invention relates to containers for the transport and storage of materials in bulk, for example powdered or granular materials for use in chemical processes or in agriculture.

Many different designs of bags are not available on the market, many using individual lifting loops at corners of the bags, which may be engaged by a crane or by the tines of a forklift truck in order to lift and transport the bag. However, the trend is towards bags which can be handled by a forklift truck operator without that operator having to leave the driving seat of the truck to engage the tines with lifting loops. Accordingly, bags are known which have lifting band means in the form of a single band of material passing across the top of the bag between the upper edges of end walls of the bag, the underside of that material being engageable by a hook or by forklift truck tines for handling purposes.Bags of this nature facilitate one-man operation with a forklift truck to a greater or lesser degree depending on the particular design of the lifting band means, due to the tendency of the lifting band means to stand upwardly clear of the top of the bag so allowing entry space for the tines. Filled bags of this nature often have to be stacked one on top of another during transport and storage and it is found that whereas the lifting band means of the uppermost bag may continue to stand proud of the container top, the bands of the lower containers are effectively flattened by the pressure of other containers resting thereon.Even when an upper container is removed the lifting band means will not recover to an upstanding position and in order to pick up the bag a forklift truck operator must skilfully operate the truck so that the tines work the material to create an opening below the lifting band means into which the tines can then extend.

This can be difficult to achieve even when the forklift truck operator has a good view of the top of the bag; when the bag top is out of view, for example some distance above the operator's head, manoeuvring of the tines is extremely difficult and indeed a second operator may be required to ensure that proper engagement of the tines below the lifting band means is achieved. Similar problems arise, on a greater scale, if an operator has to attempt to engage individual lifting loops of bags that have been stacked. The object of the invention is to provide a bag which will facilitate one-man operation even after stacking of the bags.

According to the present invention a flexible bulk container of woven fabric comprises a base, a wall upstanding from the base and lifting means extending above the upper edges of the wall and joined to the wall at appropriate locations, in which, in at least two adjacent locations, a stiffening element is incorporated in the lifting means, each stiffening element having a first stiffening section extending downwardly along an upper part of the wall towards the base and held in position thereon, a second stiffening section extending partly along the lifting means and held in position thereon and a third section joining the first and second sections to hold these normally in substantially axial alignment, the third section being capable of bending to allow the first and second sections to lie substantially at right angles one to the other and of resiliently restoring after bending to return the first and second sections to substantially axial alignment.

In a bag according to the invention the normal substantially axial alignment of the first and second stiffening sections will positively hold the lifting means upwardly clear of the top of the bag.

When such bags are stacked one on top of another the lifting means of the lower bag is flattened by the upper bags as in earlier bag designs, and the third sections of the stiffening elements effectively allows those elements to bend to allow this flattening of the lifting means.

The first stiffening section of the element is effectively maintained in its substantially vertical alignment by the reaction of the material contained in the bag, most if not all of the first section will generally be below the fill level of the bag. The third section bends, and the second stiffening section moves to take up a position lying along the top of the bag or projecting outwardly from the top of the bag, and may take up an angle of anything up to 900 relative to the first stiffening section. When any upper bag causing flattening of the lifting means of a lower bag is removed, the third section of the stiffening element returns resiliently substantially to its original condition, and thus it returns the second stiffening section into substantially axial alignment with the first stiffening section.The fact that stiffening elements are included at at least two adjacent locations, which should desirably be at the same side of the bag, ensures that the lifting means is raised in two locations to stand upwardly clear of the top of the bag. It is then a simple matter to engage the tines of a forklift truck with the resulting spaces. It will be understood that return of the stiffening elements and of the lifting means after flattening may well not be to an absolutely identical condition to their condition before flattening, but nevertheless the effect is sufficient to create the required openings.

The stiffening element may take any one of a number of different forms. Elements wherein all three sections are integral with each other may be formed from material which, in use will have a suitable degree of rigidity in the first and second stiffening sections, yet will allow the necessary flexibility and resilient restoration in the third section. Such elements may be in the form of solid rods of constant cross-section, or with the crosssection of the third section different from that of the first and second sections. Alternatively such elements may be of tubular form, and again a different cross-section for the third section of the element is possible. Selection of materials for integral stiffening elements is not easy if the required properties are to be obtained at reasonable cost.However, spring steel, some other metals and certain plastics materials, for example some polyurethanes, may possess the required properties. In particular, a successful integral stiffening element can be constituted by a single suitable coil spring.

In a further alternative the second stiffening section and the third, bendable section may be integrally formed, the third section being suitably joined to a separate rigid first section. For example the second and third sections may be constituted by a coil spring, one end of which is a push-fit onto the end of a first stiffening section.

In a preferred alternative each stiffening element comprises first and second sections that are substantially rigid and that are joined by a resiiiently flexible third section. The third section may conveniently be in the form of a sleeve, with ends of the first and second sections received in opposite ends of the sleeve, desirably by a pushfit. By recognising that the physical properties of the third section are required to be different from those of the first and second sections, relatively inexpensive materials may be chosen as appropriate for each of the sections. For example, the third section may be a continuous sleeve of elastomeric material or it may be in the form of a coil spirng. The first and second sections may be rods of metal, plastics material or wood.

It is important that the first section of each stiffening element reacts against the load contained within the bag in order to hold that section substantially vertical, even when the second section is moved out of alignment with the first section. In order to ensure this it is presently preferred that the first section extends for not less than one third the height of the wall in order to ensure that a substantial length of the first section lies below the fill level of the bag.

The resilient third section must at all times remain in the region of the upper edge of the side wall, above the fill level, and this can conveniently be achieved by anchoring the third section to the fabric of the container in some way at that point.

When a sleeve is used for the third section, one convenient method of effecting such anchoring is to form the sleeve with a transversely projecting web and to stitch part of that web to the wall of the container.

When containers are stacked one on top of another the effect on the lower container is not only to bend the second stiffening section relative to the first but also to drive the first stiffening section downwardly of the bag, even though the third section is anchored to the bag fabric.

Accordingly, it is desirable that the first section have a limited degree of freedom to move longitudinally relative to the wall, towards and away from the base, so that this movement can be accommodated without damage to the container fabric. For example, the third section may be received in a pocket extending towards the base from the upper part of the wall.

One convenient way of putting the invention into practice is to manufacture stiffening element assemblies, and to incorporate such assemblies into containers as they are made. Such a stiffening assembly may conveniently comprise a stiffening element contained in an elongated pocket of fabric, the pocket extending beyond the free end of the first stiffening section and the third section of the stiffening element being secured to the fabric of the pocket to prevent movement of the third section along the pocket. The stiffening element may then be incorporated in the container by stitching the pocket to the wall of the container to extend towards the base from the upper part of the wall, desirably along the outer wall of the container.

The invention finds application in containers having various forms of lifting means. Thus, in a first embodiment the container wall is formed by side walls joined to the base and by end walls joined to the base and to the side walls, the lifting means comprises lifting band means extending between the upper edges of the end walls and over the top of the container and stiffening elements are incorporated in the lifting means in at least two corner regions of the container at the same side of the top thereof. Preferably the lifting band means is a single lifting band extending between the upper edges of the end walls.Alternatively the lifting band means may comprise two lifting bands, one at each side of the container and extending between the upper edges of the end walls.However, a single band facilitates one-man operation, as when two bands are used there can be a tendency for the tines to pass through the opening between the two lifting bands and so fail to engage properly the full width of the bag.

In a second embodiment the lifting means may comprise a plurality of lifting loops spaced around the upper part of the bag, each loop having a bight and two legs, each leg being joined to the wall and stiffening elements being incorporated into at least two lifting loop legs lying at the same side of the top of the container. Where the container wall is formed by side walls and end walls as aforesaid four loops may be provided, each extending across one top corner region of the container and having one leg joined to a respective side wall and the other leg joined to a respective end wall. Stiffening elements may be incorporated into either or both legs of any or all of the lifting loops.

It will be understood that if stiffening elements are incorporated only at two corner regions at the same side of the container top then only the lifting means at one side of the container will be raised to provide tine space for the forklift truck. If the bag is required to be reversible so that the lifting means may be engaged from either side, then four stiffening elements should be incorporated, two at each side of the container, and adjacent the corner regions thereof.

In order that the invention may be better understood embodiments of container in accordance therewith will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show different views of a container according to the invention; Figure 3 shows schematically two such containers one stacked on top of the other; Figure 4 is an enlarged, partly cross-sectional view of the incorporation of a stiffening element into a container; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the stiffening element in its bent condition; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a second embodiment of stiffening element; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a third embodiment of stiffening element;; Figures 8, 9 and 10 are views similar to Figure 1 showing other forms of container into which stiffening elements may be incorporated; Figure 11 shows an enlarged, part crosssectional view of the container of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a further form of container; and Figure 13 is an enlarged detail view of yet another embodiment of container.

Figures 1 and 2 show a container manufactured from woven fabric such as a high tenacity synthetic fibre, of which polypropylene is a particularly suitable example. The container comprises a base 1, opposed side walls 2 and 3 and opposed end walls 4 and 5. A lifting band 6 extends between the upper edges of the end walls 4 and 5 across the top of the container. The base 1, end walls 4, 5 and lifting band 6 may conveniently be formed from a continuous length of material, the free ends of which are secured together by a seam 7 at the base of the container.

The side walls 2 and 3 are stitched to the base and to the end walls. The top 8 of the container may either be open or may be closed by a further length of fabric extending between the upper edges of the side walls and conveniently integral therewith so that side wall 2, top 8 and side wall 3 are formed from a single length of material folded to a U-shape. As shown, the lifting band 6 and top 8 are devoid of any openings so that their strength is unimpaired, and access to the container is gained through an opening 9 in the base thereof.

The container may be filled through the opening 9 when inverted and material may be discharged through that opening when the container is in its normal position. Any suitable releasable closure means may be provided for the opening 9 and the container may be provided with a tubular inner liner of impervious material, such as polyethylene, in conventional manner.

Each of the four top corner regions of the container incorporates an identical stiffening element, indicated generally at 10. Each stiffening element, as shown more clearly in Figure 4, comprises a first substantially rigid section 11, a second substantially rigid section 12 and an intermediate, resiliently flexible third section 1 3.

The third section 1 3 is in the form of an elastomeric sleeve of substantially constant crosssection, the internal diameter of the sleeve being such in relation to the external diameter of the sections 11 and 12 that the sections 11 and 12 are each a push-fit into the respective end of the sleeve. As will be seen from Figure 4 the sections 11 and 12 are not pushed so far into the sleeve that their ends are in contact. so allowing the centre section of the sleeve to be readily flexible.

Any suitable elastomer may be used for the sleeve, natural rubber giving particularly good results. The first and second sections 11 and 12 may be of any suitable rigid material, and wooden dowel of 12 mm outside diameter has been found suitable and inexpensive. For use with such dowel a sleeve of 11.5 mm inside diameter and 13.5 mm outside diameter has been found suitable, the sleeve being some 7.5 cm in length. This allows sufficient flexibility of the third section, and ensures that bending takes place within this section and that breaking of the second section 12 does not occur.

The stiffening element is contained in an elongated pocket 14 of fabric, which may for example be of the same fabric as the container.

The pocket extends beyond the free end 1 5 of the first section 1 The third section 1 3 is formed with an integral, transversely projecting web 1 6 which is secured to the pocket fabric by stitching 17. The stiffening element is secured to the container by stitching the pocket 14 to the outer wall of the container so that the pocket extends along the joining line between the side and end walls. It is particularly convenient if the pocket is stitched to the container by the stitching used for forming the corner seam 1 8 between the respective side and end walls.The pocket is located such that the line of the upper edge 19 of the respective side wall is at substantially the same level as the mid-point of the sleeve 1 3. The first section 11 must extend downwardly from the upper edge of the side walls, and preferably extends down the seam 1 8 for at least one third the length of that seam. The actual extension may conveniently be from 33 to 40% of the seam length. The second section 12 of the stiffening element lies along the side of the respective end wall that projects above the upper edge 19 of the side wall.

As will be seen from Figures 1 and 4 the sleeve 13 of each stiffening element normally holds the sections 11 and 1 2 in substantially axial alignment, and thus the lifting band of the bag is supported to stand upwardly clear of the upper edges 19 of the side walls. Entry space is thus allowed for the tines of a forklift truck. As shown in Figure 1 the lifting band is substantially flat, being held taut by the stiffening means. In practice the band will sag somewhat from the flat condition, generally taking the shape of a shallow catenary between the upper end of the second section 12 at the opposite ends of the band.

When a further bag is stacked on top, the lifting band is flattened and the sleeve 1 3 of each stiffening element bends to allow the second section 12 to lie either substantially flat along the top of the bag as shown in Figure 5 or projecting outwardly from the bag top. Movement of the stiffening section 11 away from the corner seam is prevented by the pocket and by reaction against the material with which the container is filled.

However, the stiffening section 11 may move along the line of the seam, this being allowed by the free reception of the section within the pocket.

Buckling of the pocket along its length will obviously occur, due to the connection of the sleeve 13 to the pocket, but this movement takes place without any damage to the container. The whole of the lifting band and the stiffening elements thus fold onto the top of the bag as shown for the lowermost bag 20 in Figure 3. For the uppermost bag 21 of such a stack the stiffening elements will remain in their extended condition so that the lifting band 6 of the uppermost bag is spaced from the upper edges of the side walls and is always ready to receive the tines of a forklift truck. When such upper bag is lifted from the stack the resilient sleeves 13 of the stiffening elements of the lower bag return towards their original positions and bring the stiffening sections 11 and 12 substantially back into axial alignment.This action automatically lifts the lifting band 6 back into position substantially as shown in Figure 1, i.e. lying above the upper edges 1 9 of the side walls. Thus, space for the tines of a forklift truck is automatically opened and it is an easy matter for the truck operator to drive the tines ino that space. It is unlikely that the stiffening elements will return exactly to their original positions, but the amount of return movement is certainly sufficient to create the required tine space. The degree of return will depend to some extent on the length of time that the bags have been stacked and thus that the sleeves 13 of the stiffening elements have been deformed. However, adequate return of the lifting band to an upstanding position is obtained even after stacking of the bags for many months.

Figure 6 shows an alternative form of construction for the stiffening element. As shown in this Figure the element comprises a first stiffening section 22 and second stiffening section 23, connected by a resilient third section 24 in the form of a coil spring. The outer diameter of the sections 22 and 23 and inner diameter of the coil spring 24 are chosen so that the ends of the sections are each a push-fit into the respective end of the spring. The stiffening element is received in a pocket 25 similar to the pocket 14 shown in Figure 4, that pocket being attached to the bag also in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4. The spring 24 is anchored in position in the pocket by adhesive between the spring and the pocket.The spring may conveniently be fabric wrapped before incorporation in the pocket, so facilitating such adhesion and affording a measure of protection to the fabric of the pocket and of the bag. It is desirable that if a spring is used as shown in Figure 6 the spring should be plated to prevent rusting and also to reduce possible reaction of the steel spring material with the contents of the container when full. Rather than anchor the spring 24 in the pocket by an adhesive it would be possible to include in the pocket stops below the spring which will prevent the spring being pushed downwardly within the pocket when a downward load is placed upon the stiffening element. Indeed, the sleeve 13 shown in Figure 4 could also have its movement relative to the pocket limited by stops, rather than by having a web 1 6 stitched into the pocket as shown in that Figure.

Figure 7 shows a further alternative construction for the stiffening element. In this embodiment the element comprises a first stiffening section 32, that may again be of any suitable rigid material, for example wooden dowel.

The second stiffening section 33 and the resilient third section 34 are integrally formed by a coil spring having an inner diameter such that it is a push-fit onto the end of the first stiffening section 32. The stiffening element may be received in a pocket 35 in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 6. Again, the spring may be fabric wrapped and may be anchored in the pocket by adhesive or by suitable stops.

In use, when one bag is stacked on top of another that part of the spring adjacent to the top of the first stiffening section will bend, so allowing the lifting loop to fold onto the top of the lower bag, with the upper part of the spring lying on the surface of the lower bag. When the upper bag is removed, the spring will restore to its normal position, the upper part of the spring having sufficient rigidity to hold the lifting loop in the required raised position.

In a further embodiment, the whole of the stiffening element may be constituted by a single suitable spring, which may again be retained in a pocket as previously described. Deformation of the spring in the region of the fill level of the bag will occur when a further bag is stacked on top, so allowing the lifting loop to fold onto the top of the lower bag. When the upper bag is removed, the spring will be restored substantially to its straight condition, so lifting and opening the lifting loop.

The drawings show use of a stiffening element 10 at each of the four corners of the bag, so that the lifting band is raised above the level of the side walls at each side of the band. It will be understood that only two stiffening elements at the same side of the lifting band could be used where raising of the band at one side only would be adequate. Various other modifications, both in the material and construction of the stiffening element itself and the incorporation of the stiffening element into the bag corners will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It will also be understood that the invention may readily be applied to any container of the general form shown in Figure 1, no matter how that container is assembled. Thus, the base, end walls and lifting band need not be a continuous strip, but may be formed as one or more separate panels stitched together as required. In one such form the end walls 4, 5 and the lifting band 6 may form one continuous strip of fabric, while the side walls 2 and 3 and the base 1, together with a top 8 if it is provided, form a second continuous strip of fabric. Figures 1 and 2 show the container as devoid of filling openings in the lifting band 6 and the top 8 when this is provided. However, filling openings in the form of slits or holes of any required shape may be formed in each of these elements in order to allow filling of the bag without inversion thereof.Spouts to assist such filling may be provided, and spouts assisting discharge may be secured to the base of the bag.

Figure 8 illustrates application of the invention to a container comprising two lifting bands 41,42 each having two stiffening sections such as 43, 44 at the two respective corners of the bag. The two lifting bands are desirably joined by members 45, 46 to assist in the raising of the two bands as a unit above the top of the bag, so allowing a forklift truck operator to manoeuvre the tines of the truck to a position below both bands in order to lift the container. Additionally, or in the alternative, each lifting band may be made from a material that is stiffer than would be used for a single band.

Figures 9 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment of container comprising a base 51, side walls 52 and 53 and end walls 54 and 55.

The container may be constructed from any desired combination of fabric lengths. Two lifting bands 56 and 57 extend between the upper edges of the end wall 54 and 55 across the top of the container. Each end of each band is secured to the container by stitching into the appropriate corner seam 58 of the container, the material of the band extending down that seam for a considerable length, preferably for at least one third the length of the seam. The material of the lifting bands may lie outside the bag along the corner seam or, more desirably inside the bag along the seam.

Each of the lifting bands is woven from fibres of high tensile strength, and may for example be similar in nature to the material used for vehicle seat belts. Both bands are, however, woven to be tubular so there is an internal passage throughout the whole of the length of each lifting band.

Each corner of the bag is equipped with a stiffening element 59 (Figure 11), which may be in any of the forms previously described. Each stiffening element is inserted into one end of the tubular fabric of the lifting band to a position wherein the first rigid section 60 of the stiffening element extends upwardly from the end of the lifting band, the third section 61 lies in the region of the fill level 62 of the container and the second section 63 projects above that fill level and upwardly beyond the upper edge 64 of the side wall. The third section may be formed with an integral, transversely projecting web 66 which is secured to the fabric of the lifting band by stitching 67.

Operation of this embodiment is analogous to that already described, the stiffening elements normally supporting the lifting bands to stand upwardly clear of the bag. When bags are stacked one on top of another the lifting bands of a lower bag are flattened, but they will be raised by the stiffening elements once the upper bag has been removed.

In the alternative form of container shown in Figure 10 the container includes a lifting band 70 that extends between the upper edges of end walls 71 and 72 and that is desirably formed together therewith and with the base from a continuous length of material, the free ends of which may be secured together by a seam at the base of the container. An opening 73 is provided in the lifting band 70. Two reinforcing strips 74, 75 of tubular woven webbing extend across the full extent of the lifting band 70 alongside thereof and have stiffening elements incorporated therein in accordance with any of the described arrangements.Alternatively, the tubular woven material need not extend across the full width of the lifting band and may simply form a pocket at each side of the lifting band and extending down the appropriate corner seam of the container, the pocket including a suitable stiffening element.

The container shown in Figure 12 has a base joined to opposite side walls 80, 81 and opposite end walls 82 and 83. The container is provided with four lifting loops each having a bight and two legs, the legs being secured respectively one to a side wall and one to an end wall so that the loop extends across a respective top corner region of the container. The legs 85 that are joined to the side wall 80 and the legs 86 that are joined to the side wall 81 each incorporate a stiffening element 87 which may be in any of the forms previously described As shown, each lifting loop is formed of tubular fabric and the stiffening element is inserted into the lifting loop from one open end thereof.The loop is joined to the container in any convenient way and the third section of each stiffening element may be secured to the respective container wall to maintain it in the position shown, where it lies in the region of the fill level of the container. The presence of the stiffening elements will ensure that each individual lifting loop is raised when there is no restriction on the top of the container, the raised loop thus affording entry for the tines of a forklift truck.

Figure 13 shows part of a container similar to that shown in Figure 12, but utilising lifting loops such as 90 formed from a single thickness of fabric and not of tubular form. The leg of the loop may be joined to the respective side 91 of the container in any convenient manner, for example by stitching or by having the loop integral with reinforcing means in the container wall. A stiffening element is associated with each loop where it is secured to the side wall, the stiffening element being in any of the forms previously described. As shown, the stiffening element inciudes a first rigid section 92 extending downwardly toward the base of the container, a third resilient section 93 in the region of the fill level of the container and a second rigid section 94 extending upwardly above the fill level together with the lifting loop 90. The third section 93 is formed with a web 95 of fabric by way of which it may be stitched to the side wall 91 in order to hold it in place. The whole of the stiffening element is located relative to the container by a fabric overlay 96 which is stitched to the fabric of the side wall 91 of the container, so sandwiching the stiffening element between the side wall and the overlay. Above the level of the side wall 91 the overlay is partially wrapped round the lifting loop, as indicated at 97 to retain the top section 94 between the overlay and the lifting loop.

The foregoing specification describes many different ways in which stiffening elements can be incorporated into lifting means of flexible bulk containers. However, other ways in which this can be done will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (28)

1. A flexible bulk container of woven fabric comprising a base, a wall upstanding from the base and lifting means extending above the upper edges of the wall and joined to the wall at appropriate locations, in which, in at least two adjacent locations, a stiffening element is incorporated in the lifting means, each stiffening element having a first stiffening section extending downwardly along an upper part of the wall towards the base and held in position thereon, a second stiffening section extending partly along the lifting means and held in position thereon and a third section joining the first and second sections to hold these normally in substantially axial alignment, the third section being capable of bending to allow the first and second sections to lie substantially at right angles one to the other and of resiliently restoring after bending to return the first and second sections to substantially axial alignment.

2. A flexible bulk container according to claim 1 in which the first section extends for not less than one third the height of the wall.

3. A flexible bulk container according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the first and second sections are substantially rigid and are joined by a resiliently flexible third section.

4. A flexible bulk container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the third section is in the form of a sleeve, and ends of the first and second sections are received in opposite ends of the sleeve.

5. A flexible bulk container according to claim 4 in which the ends of the first and second sections are push-fits into the ends of the sleeve.

6. A flexible bulk container according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the sleeve is a continuous sleeve of elastomeric material.

7. A flexible bulk container according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the sleeve is a coil spring.

8. A flexible bulk container according to any one of claims 4 to 7 in which the sleeve is secured to the fabric of the container in the region of the upper edge of the wall.

9. A flexible bulk container according to claim 8 in which the sleeve has a transversely projecting web, part of which is stitched to the wall of the container.

10. A flexible bulk container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first section has a limited degree of freedom to move iongitudinally relative to the wall towards and away from the base.

11. A flexible bulk container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first section is received in a pocket extending towards the base from the upper part of the wall.

12. A flexible bulk container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which each stiffening element is contained in an elongated pocket of fabric, the pocket extending beyond the free end of the first section and the third section being secured to the fabric of the pocket to prevent movement of the third section along the pocket.

1 3. A flexible bulk container according to claim 1 2 in which the pocket is stitched to the wall of the container to extend towards the base from the upper part of the wall.

14. A flexible bulk container according to claim 13 in which the pocket is stitched to the container along the outer surface of the wall of the container.

1 5. A flexible bulk container according to any one of the preceding claims in whcih the wall is formed by side walls joined to the base and by end walls joined to the base and to the side walls, the lifting means comprises lifting band means extending between the upper edges of the end walls and over the top of the container and stiffening elements are incorporated in the lifting means in at least two corner regions of the container at the same side of the top thereof.

1 6. A flexible bulk container according to claim 1 5 in which the first section of each stiffening element lies along an upper part of the joining line of the respective end and side wall.

1 7. A flexible bulk container according to claim 1 5 or claim 16 insofar as dependent on any one of claims 12 to 14 in which each pocket is stitched to the container along the upper part of the joining line of the respective end and side wall.

18. A flexible bulk container according to claim 17 in which each pocket is stitched to the container by the stitching used for forming a corner.

19. A flexible bulk container according to any one of claims 1 5 to 18 in which the lifting band means is a single lifting band extending between the upper edges of the end walls.

20. A flexible bulk container according to any one of claims 15 to 18 in which the lifting band means comprises two lifting bands, one at each side of the container and extending between the upper edges of the end walls.

21. A flexible bulk container according to claim 20 insofar as dependent on any one of claims 12 to 14 in which each lifting loop is formed from a tubular woven length of fabric and each end of each lifting loop forms the elongated pocket in which the respective stiffening element is contained.

22. A flexible bulk container according to any one of claims 15 to 21 in which similar stiffening elements are provided at all four top corner seams of the container.

23. A flexible bulk container according to any one of claims 1 to 14 in which the lifting means comprise a plurality of lifting loops spaced around the upper part of the bag, each loop having a bight and two legs, each leg being joined to the wall and stiffening elements being incorporated into at least two lifting loop legs lying at the same side of the top of the container.

24. A flexible bulk container according to claim 23 in which the wall is formed by side walls joined to the base and by end walls joined to the base and to the side walls, and four lifting loops are provided, each extending across one top corner region of the container and having one leg joined to a respective side wall and the other leg joined to a respective end wall.

25. A flexible bulk container according to claim 23 or claim 24 in which stiffening elements are incorporated into the two lifting loop legs that are joined to a first common side wall.

26. A flexible bulk container according to claim 25 in which stiffening elements are also incorporated into the two lifting loop legs that are joined to the side wall opposite the first common side walls.

27. A flexible bulk container according to claim 23 or 24 in which stiffening elements are incorporated into at least one leg of each of the lifting loops.

28. A flexible bulk container substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, or to those Figures as modified by either Figure 6 or Figure 7, or to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings taken in conjunction with Figures 4 and 5 or with Figure 6 or Figure 7, or to Figures 9 and 10 or to Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.