GB2313354A

GB2313354A - A bag with a closure operable from the side

Info

Publication number: GB2313354A
Application number: GB9610982A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John William Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-24
Filing date: 1996-05-24
Publication date: 1997-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-24
Also published as: GB9610982D0; GB2313354B

Abstract

A bag 1 for holding and dispensing particulate material comprises sidewall(s) and a base, the bag being fillable from above but having an emptying chute 2 associated with the base through which the contents can be emptied and a closure means for the chute, the closure means being operable from the side of the bag rather than underneath it. The closure may comprise a flap of material 3 adapted to be drawn across the base of the bag or fastening means adapted to draw the chute across the base of the bag, thereby substantially closing it off. A tapered flap (3, Figure 3) forming an extension of the chute may be used as the closure means. The closure means may be fastened 5 to the side of the bag.

Description

A container suitable for holding and dispensing particulate building matenals.

Field of Invention This invention relates to a container suitable for holding and dispensing particulate building materials, particularly aggregate.

Background to the invention Bags made of flexible material are commonly used in the construction trade to transport and deposit particulate building materials such as aggregate. These bags often have a chute in the bottom, through which the aggregate can be funnelled out of the bag. This chute is closed off in some way before fizzing and moving such a bag of aggregate so that the contents do not fall out from the chute.

The chute is formed from a tube of flexible material and is inserted into the base of the bag. In order to close the chute, the operator simply ties a knot in the chute itself or alternatively ties a further strip of material, for example rope, around the chute.

The bag of aggregate is then transported to the desired location and lifted above the site where the aggregate is to be deposited. Once the bag is suspended above this site the chute must be opened to allow the contents to fall out. This means that the operator must stand close to the chute to undo the knot in the chute or rope around the chute. If the bag is large as is usually the case, the operator inevitably has to stand under the bag itself whilst doing this. In any event the operator must put his or her hands and arms under the bag to reach the chute.

Because of this there is a danger that as the chute opens aggregate will fall out onto the operator. As the aggregate falls from a position above the operator it gathers momentum and can be very harmful if it hits the operator. Aggregate-materials can contain sharp pieces such as grit which can be especially dangerous. This is a major problem with known aggregate bags.

More seriously, if the bag which is suspended above the operator, should tear or fall then the consequences may be very serious indeed. Injuries so caused can be very debilitating. Worry about the possibility of such injury can lead to high stress levels in operators and from the point of view of the construction company, insurance premiums and other costs may be raised.

Other problems include the facts that: (i) The chutes can be difficult to close properly. Tying a knot in the chute can be both difficult and time consuming and if the chute is not properly closed the chance of accidents occurring increases.

(ii) Because the chute is difficult to open this leads to time delays. Once a knot is tied in the chute and the bag is filled with aggregate the weight of the aggregate acts against the base of the bag and the knot, causing the knot to tighten. This can make the knot very difficult to undo.

(iii) Closing the chute by tying knots in it or by tying rope around the chute can cause damage to the chute and to the bag itself. Creases formed when the knots are formed create weak points in the bag which are then more likely to break.

Breakages in the bag are not only expensive, reducing the life of the bag, but can also be dangerous especially if they occur during use. The bag would be most likely to break when full of aggregate which acts against weak points in the bag.

(iv) Closing the chute by tying knots in it or by tying rope around the chute is also unsatisfactory in that when the chute is opened it may be more likely to block or to direct the aggregate in the wrong direction. For example, creases in the chute from the knot may not fully unfold so that the chute is not open fully. Aggregate may catch in these folds and build up so causing a blockage. Also, any folds may mean that the chute does not fall vertically down below the bag but rather opens to one side. The aggregate is then directed to one side of the chute rather than straight down as expected.

(y) Closing the chute by tying knots in it or by tying rope around the chute is also unsatisfactory in that this makes the base of the bag uneven. This reduces the stability of the bag when it is placed on a surface.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a container for holding and dispensing particulate building materials particularly for use with aggregate which overcomes or at least mitigates one or more of the problems noted above.

Summary of invention According to the present invention, there is provided a container suitable for holding and dispensing particulate building materials such as aggregate and the like comprising: (i) at least one side wall and a base, the side walls(s) and base forming in combination a container which can be filled from above; (ii) an emptying chute associated with the base of the container through which the contents of the container can empty when the container is raised off the ground; (iii) closure means adapted to control the emptying of the contents of the container through the chute; wherein the closure means is operated, in use, from the side of the container rather than from beneath it. Advantageously, such a container can be opened from the side without the operator needing to stand or place his or her arm in the region where the contents of the bag will fall. In this way the risk of injury to the operator from the falling contents of the bag is removed.

In a preferred embodiment the closure means comprises a fastening means adapted to draw the emptying chute across the base of the container and thus substantially close off the chute, the fastening means being attached in use to a side wall of the container. By these means the chute can be closed off without tying a knot in, or a rope around the chute. This removes the problems that have been encountered with using such methods to seal the chute. For example, fewer folds and creases are created in the chute. This prolongs the life of the chute and bag, helps to prevent blockages from forming in the chute and makes the base of the bag more even so that the bag is stable on its base. Also, because the chute is closed off by simply being drawn across the base of the container the chute is also easy to open. The operator does not have to untie any knots or rope from around the chute.

In a further preferred embodiment the fastening means comprises a flap of material adapted to be drawn across the base of the container over and substantially closing the chute, the fastening for this flap being on the side of the container. Advantageously this strengthens the seal over the chute by placing another layer of material over it. Also, fastening means comprising such a flap may be added to a known aggregate bag with a chute as described.

Description of the drawings The invention will be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the left and above of a container suitable for holding and dispensing particulate building materials.

Figure 2 shows an elevation of an emptying chute and flap of material.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the left and above of an alternative embodiment of a container suitable for holding and dispensing particulate building materials.

Description of preferred embodiments Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

As shown in Figure 1 a container 1 is provided that is suitable for holding aggregate. Preferably, the container is made from a flexible material such as reinforced plastic although this is not essential. Canvas or rigid materials could also be used. An aperture is provided in the top of the container so that aggregate or other particulate building materials can be put into the container from above.

Handles 6 are provided on the top of the container so that the container can be lifted by a crane or grab. In the base of the container there is an emptying chute 2 through which the contents of the container can empty when the container is raised off the ground. This chute is also made of flexible material such as plastic and is preferably situated in the centre of the base. The chute can be closed using a closure means. In a preferred embodiment the closure means comprises a fastening means 3 which is a flap of material. To close the chute, this flap can be drawn across the base of the container, over and substantially closing the chute and the end 4 of the flap fastened to the side wall of the container for example, at position 5. After the container has been raised above the place where the aggregate is to be deposited the chute can be opened to deposit the aggregate. To open the chute the operator unfastens the end 4 of the flap from the side wall of the container and allows the flap to fall down and hang below the chute so that the chute is uncovered and the contents of the bag fall out of the chute.

A typical fastening means comprises a spring loaded clip such as is used to secure sails or dog leads. Such a fixing is extremely strong and requires no knots.

In a preferred embodiment the container is made of flexible material. This means that when the container is full the volume of aggregate inside the container forces the sides and base of the container outwards. As aggregate empties out of the container via the chute the sides of the container are not forced outwards so much but the base is still pressed downwards especially around the chute. The sides of the container then slope inwards towards the centre of the base and aggregate around the sides of the container falls down towards the chute. This enables all the aggregate to be emptied out of the container without needing to agitate the container.

A preferred embodiment for the closure means is shown in Figure 1. Here a flap of material 3, that is tapered towards one end 4, is fixed around the perimeter of the chute at the place where the chute joins the base of the container as shown.

The flap is fixed to the container by sewing but any conventional fixing means coula be used. When the flap is drawn around the surface of the container and over the chute the chute itself is folded up between the flap and container base, and is also drawn around the surface of the container. Thus the chute folds over itself and closes itself off and the flap provides an additional layer over the chute opening.

The end 4 of the flap is fastened to the side of the container at 5 using any conventional fastening means. When the end 4 is unfastened the flap falls away from the side of the container and the chute unfolds and falls down into the position shown in Figure 1. The end 4 is weighted so that the flap falls away easily. This weight may be provided by a fastener for fastening the flap to the side of the container at 5. It is envisaged that these flaps could be sold separately for attachment onto existing bags.

This has the advantage that the chute can be quickly opened from the side without the need to app-oach the area where aggregate will fall. Also. the number of creases and folds in the chute are reduced as compared with tying a knot in the chute or tying a rope around it. This prolongs the life of the bag and helps to prevent blockages from forming in the chute. When the chute is closed and the flap fastened the base of the bag is relatively smooth compared with methods which involve tying the chute. This makes the container easier to stack and improves its stability when standing.

When the chute is open as shown in Figure 1 the flap hangs down around the chute and acts to strengthen the chute. The flap also extends the length of the chute on one side and helps to funnel the aggregate as it empties out of the container. The tapered shape of the flap is advantageous in that when the flap is drawn around the container into the closed position, few creases and folds form in the flap. This helps to prolong the life of the flap and also to keep the sides of the container smooth when the chute is closed. The tapered shape of the flap also reduces the amount of material needed for the flap and so reduces production costs.

It is not essential that the flap 3 be fixed to the container as shown in Figure 1. The flap could be fixed to another part of the container base or could be fixed to the chute. In a second embodiment the flap forms part of the chute as shown in Figure 2. This has the advantage that there is only one join from the container to the chute and or flap. This makes the manufacturing process easier and also reduces the number of weak points where joins exist in the container.

Again the flap acts to extend the length of the chute on one side and helps to funnel the aggregate.

In a third embodiment the flap again forms part of the chute as shown in Figure 3. With this design the chute is tubular and one side of the chute extends downwards forming the tapered part of the flap. The tapered part of the flap merges into the tubular chute in a gradual manner without any sharp changes in contour so reducing the risk of rips or tears occurring.

It is not essential that the closure means be comprised of a flap.

Alternatively, a piece of cord can be looped around the chute and used to draw the chute around the base of the container so closing the chute. The cord can then be fastened to the side of the container as described above so that the chute can be opened by unfastening the cord. It is also possible to attach a length of cord or string to one side of the end of the chute and use this to draw the chute closed in the manner described above.

Claims

1. An aggregate bag for holding and dispensing particulate building materials such as aggregate and the like, the bag comprising sidewall(s) and a base, the bag being fillable from above but having an emptying chute associated with the base through which the contents of the bag can be emptied when the bag is raised from the ground, the chute having closure means adapted to control the emptying of the contents of the bag through the chute, wherein the closure means is operable from the side of the bag rather than from beneath it.

2. An aggregate bag as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the closure means comprises a fastening means adapted to draw the emptying chute across the base of the bag and thus substantially close off the chute, the fastening means being attached, in use, to althe side wall of the bag.

3. An aggregate bag as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the closure means comprises a fastening means that comprises flap of material adapted to be drawn across the base of the bag over and thereby substantially closing the chute1 the fastening for this flap being on a/the side of the bag.

4. An aggregate bag as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the chute incorporates the flap as an extension thereof to serve as the closure means to be drawn across the base of the bag.

5. An aggregate bag as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the flap is tapered.

6. An aggregate bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any suitable combination of the accompanying drawings.