GB2442149A

GB2442149A - Flexible bulk container with closure flap for discharge spout

Info

Publication number: GB2442149A
Application number: GB0723608A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul James Reeve
Original assignee: Structure Flex Ltd
Current assignee: Structure Flex Ltd
Priority date: 2006-01-17
Filing date: 2007-01-17
Publication date: 2008-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-17
Also published as: GB0723608D0; GB2442149B

Abstract

A flexible bulk container (50) has a main body portion (51), preferably formed of a polyvinylchloride (PVC) material., in which, goods to be transported are retained. The body portion (51) has a base of frusto-conical configuration from which depends a closeable, flexible spout (57) through which goods are removed. The spout is closeable by a rope and lock mechanism which is attached to the spout at one or more locations (63) and can be unlocked by pulling on the rope. A closeable flap (58) is provided to strengthen the spout (57) when the container (50) is laden and reduce the risk of the weight of the goods forcing the spout open. Buckles (60, 61) are provided on the body portion (51) to enable the flap (58) to be secured across and clear of the spout (57), respectively. The spout (57) is made of a double layer material, the inner layer of which is of greater length than the outer.

Description

-1-2442149

AN IMPROVED CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flexible container for use in transporting bulk materials. In particular the container is of the type commonly known as a big-bag.

Background to the Invention

The transportation of solid materials, often in the form of powders is an important aspect of modem industry. This is particularly so as an increasing number of materials used as part of a process or to be sold as the final product are made by specialist firms remote from the site where processing or final packaging takes place. Some materials need to be protected from moisture during their transport and the enclosed environment provided by what is commonly referred to as a big-bag is ideal. Such big-bags are flexible containers which can contain around 1.5 to 3 tonnes of material. The majority of the bag is typically formed from a PVC material, strengthened by a woven polyester base cloth.

The bags have a number of advantages. For example they are re-useable and can be easily maintained by an operator with repairs being readily carried out using a relatively simple set of materials and tools. Moreover, when empty the bags can be folded into a relatively small space. This latter characteristic reduces the : *** 25 storage volume required when the bags are not being used or need to be returned S..... to the supplier. * . * * *

** Big-bags do however have a number of disadvantages inherent in their design.

The prime disadvantage is that the outlet for the bag is typically in the lower : 30 surface of the bag. The outlet comprises a sleeve of material or spout, which is simply an extension of the material of the bag in the form of a cylinder connecting the goods in the bag with the exterior. As can be readily deduced the pressure on the outlet exerted by the goods is considerable and care must be taken that the spout is properly stowed to prevent unwanted loss of material.

A further disadvantage of such bags, is that the operator must take care when releasing the goods from the bag. Typically in order to release the goods, the operator after secunng a rope around the neck of the outlet spout for flow control cuts a tie which retains the spout in a closed condition. Once the tie is cut, and the securing rope loosened the pressure of the goods on the spout can occasion rapid release of the goods. If correct procedure is not followed the operator could potentially be caught in the outflow of material. It is also known for material to block the spout in which case unblocking can require an operator to position himself beneath the bag to carry out this operation manually. A widely used alternative to avoid placing an operator in such danger is simply to hit the blocked spout with any implement coming to hand.

EP 1 559661 discloses a bag having a flat base, whereby a flap is drawn across a drawn-up spout located in said base, which flap secures the spout and prevents flow of material from the bag.

EP 1 310440 discloses a bag having a flat base, wherein a flap is drawn across a spout in the base to secure the contents, the flap being secured in position by means of fastenings on the side of the bag.

It is an object of the current invention therefore to provide an improvement on prior art bags and include an even higher level of functionality and safety. * * * *..

Summary of the Invention **.S ** *

According to the invention there is provided a flexible bulk container having a S.....

* body portion defining a volume in which goods are retained and transported from a first to a second location, the body portion having an inlet enabling goods to be S...

loaded into the body portion the base of the body portion being of frusto-conical configuration; the container further containing a closeable flexible spout, depending from the base of the body portion, to releasably retain goods within the body portion; and a closure flap, mounted at a first end to the body portion and releasably securable at a second end to securing means mounted on the body portion, the thus secured flap passing across and supporting the spout when retaining goods, the spout being provided with closure means to releasably close the spout, said closure means being a rope and lock mechanism, the lock mechanism being released by pulling on the rope. Release of the big-bag contents also allows operation of the release mechanism without the need for the operator to be under the bag.

The bag provides for controllable release of the contents of the bag and also for secure retention of the contents in transit and storage.

Preferably, the first end of the closure flap is integral with the body portion. This feature allows the flap to be strongly held and more able to withstand the force exerted on the flap by the contents of the container.

The flap is advantageously triangular and secured at its first end to the base of the container. The profiling of the flap increases its strength, reduces material used and facilitates securing the flap in position.

The spout is optionally formed of a double layered material to increase the durability of the spout and enable the spout to more easily engage certain containers into which the contents of the big-bag are emptied. Further optionally, * the inner layer is of longer length than the outer layer and extends beyond the * outer layer, to reduce dust emission to the atmosphere.

****** * I **** *..: 30 The second end of the closure flap preferably has a strap attached thereto, said flap securable to the first or second securing means allowing an operator to more easily draw the closure flap across the spout without having to be under the bag.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, two embodiments of a big-bag, wherein the embodiment shown in Figures 1-4 are generally representative of a

big-bag from the prior art

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a big-bag; Figure 2 is a side view of the bag shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the bag shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a bottom view of the bag shown in Figurel; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a big-bag; Figure 6 is a side view of the embodiment of bag shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7a-7e illustrates a closure means.

Detailed Description of the Invention * * * ***

* Referring initially to Figures 1 to 4, these show a first embodiment of a big-bag, generally referenced 10. The big-bag 10 is formed of a PVC material coated onto * both sides of a base cloth which provides additional strength to the PVC material ** **** * * and prevents tears or scuffs becoming larger. Typically such bags are formed from sheets of material, longitudinally and circumferentially welded together **** using for example a hot-weld system or a high frequency weld system, to form the finished bag. As the bags are designed to carry around I to 3 tonnes of particulate material, a bag typically has a body portion 11 around a meter in height and a radius of around 580cm giving an approximate volume ofjust over 1 rn3 To the body portion 11, is welded a lid 12. The lid 12 has a rim 13 which facilitates lifting and manoeuvring of a fully laden bag 10. In order to so facilitate lifting of the bag 10, the edge 14 of the rim 13 is folded around a wire (not illustrated) which wire is then passed over a suitably configured lifting ring, operably attached to a fork lift truck or other transport device.

The lid 12 has a flexible inlet sleeve 15 connecting the internal volume of the body portion 11 with the exterior of the bag 10. The sleeve 15 is foldable and is secured shut by a conventional tying means known in the art.

At the other end of the body portion 11 is welded a fi-usto-conical base section 16.

The base section 16 connects the body portion 11 to an outlet sleeve 17. It has been found that the conical shape of the base section 16 assists in controlling the flow of material out of the bag 10.

The outlet sleeve 17 is itself formed of two layers of material: the inner outlet-sleeve 18 being longer than the outer outlet sleeve 19. The two layers facilitate, when required, discharge of the bag with minimal dust release. The discharge facilities can be so configured that contents of the bag are discharged into a metal pipe, the metal pipe passing between the inner outlet sleeve 18 and the outer outlet-sleeve 19. The sleeve 17 is fixed in place around the pipe so reducing dust released to the environment. The double layer arrangement does have the additional, generally useful advantage in that most wear arises from flow of the contents out of the bag 10. The double sleeve therefore can extend the life of a ** S. * bag. S...

When filling the bag 10 therefore, the bag 10 is normally unfolded from a flat storage configuration. A lifting-ring assembly is secured under the wire in the rim 13 of the lid 12. The bag 10 is lifted until the inlet sleeve 15 can be located around a discharge spout of a vessel containing the material to be loaded into the bag 10. The outlet sleeve 17 is secured using tie wraps formed of a plastics material. The bag 10 is then filled and the inlet sleeve 15 tied off.

The laden bag 10 is then transported to the required location and the reverse process carried out. The bag 10 is positioned over for example, a hopper into which products can be discharged. For this element of the procedure, the bag 10 is often supported on a specially designed gantry. The outlet sleeve 17 is pulled downwards and choked off using a rope provided. The ties applied earlier to the outlet sleeve 17 are cut off and the lower part of the outlet sleeve 17 positioned into a discharge chute. The rope is removed allowing the contents to discharge.

Once the contents of the bag 10 have been discharged, the bag is moved to a flat location and the lifting ring removed. The bag 10 can be optionally washed and folded ready for storage or further use.

A second embodiment of bag 50 is shown in Figures 5 and 6. The body portion, lid and outlet sleeve are essentially the same as those illustrated in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 and will not be described further. The bag has additional features over the bag 10 which strengthen the bag 50 and also improve safety when an operator is discharging the bag contents.

In order to further strengthen the outlet sleeve 57, the bag 50 includes a flap 58 formed of a PVC material. At a first end of the flap 58 is stitched a webbing strap 59. The webbing strap 59, in use to retain the flap 58 across the sleeve 57, is ., secured to a stainless steel buckle 60 welded onto the body portion 51 of the bag 50. The opposing side of the body portion 51 has a second stainless steel buckle *..: 61 similarly welded onto the material from which the body portion 51 is made. In order to secure the flap 58 to the buckle 61, the webbing 59 on the flap 58 is * ** engagingly secured to the buckle 61. S...

In use therefore, prior to the bag 50 being filled in similar fashion to that described above the bag 10, the flap 58 is passed across the folded up outlet sleeve 57. It can been seen from the Figures that the flap 58 is profiled and is formed from a piece of material which is generally triangular in shape. On attachment to the conical base portion of the bag 50, the flap 58 is curved into a part-conical shape. This profile facilitates the flap's fit about the base portion when the flap 58 is drawn across the sleeve 57. The bag 50 is therefore also provided with dual means to prevent escape of material from the bag 50 and also to support the bag 50 when laden: namely the flap 58 and the rope and lock mechanism of tying off the sleeve 57. Moreover, the profile of the flap 58 is such that when the bag is placed on a damp surface water ingress to the internal volume is resisted to a greater extent than in prior art bags. Prior to this, the outlet sleeve 57 is tied off.

In place of a tie described for the first embodiment, a rope and lock 62 mechanism, attached to the sleeve at one or more of the locations 63 is used to secure the sleeve 57 and prevent material from running out. The rope and lock mechanism is such that the lock can be unlocked by the user pulling on the rope.

The safety to the user is therefore increased as he is not underneath the laden bag for a prolonged period and not when the sleeve is first released. The rope and lock mechanism has the further advantage that an operator can use the mechanism to control the rate of flow of material out of the bag. A yet further advantage is that due to the mechanism's direct attachment to the sleeve 57, the mechanism can be used to shake the sleeve 57 in the event of a blockage of the sleeve 57. The webbing 59 of the flap 58 is secured when required to the buckle 60 so securing : .,. 25 the sleeve 57. * * *...

On discharging the material from the bag 50, the flap 58 is released from the buckle 60 and the second end secured to the second buckle 61. The flap 58 does ***S.* * not therefore interfere with flow of the material out of sleeve 57. The lock is then released and the material discharged. The bag 50 can subsequently be folded and stored as shown above.

Figures 7a-7e illustrate a typical lock mechanism, well known in the art, which can be used as part of the rope and lock mechanism. The mechanism comprises two elements: a receiving member 70 (shown in Figures 7d, 7e in front and side view respectively) and a key 71 (shown in Figures 7a-7c in front, side and rear view respectively). In use a rope (not illustrated), which is tied around the spout passes through a slot 72 in the receiving member 70. Insertion of the key 70 into the receiving member 71 traps the rope against the receiving member and prevents its movement without intervention of an operator. The serrated edges 73 of the key 71 hinder removal of the key 71 which would thereby loosen the rope leaving it free to move. The operator can by the above mechanism involving remotely operated movement of the key 71 within the receiving member 70, loosen and tighten the rope about the spout and thereby control the flow.

If required or convenient, the outlet sleeve can be formed having only a single layer. For example in those situations where the outlet sleeve does not pass about a metal pipe, a single layer is sufficient. The advantage of a single layer lies on the construction of the single layer outlet which is simpler than a double layer outlet. Repairs to the outlet are also facilitated where only a single layer is present.

The length of the outlet can be chosen to suite the particular purpose.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible with the scope of the appended claims. S. * S * S*S S... * S I. S * S* * *.

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Claims

Claims 1. A flexible bulk container having a body portion defining a

volume in which goods are retained and transported from a first to a second location, the body portion having an inlet enabling goods to be loaded into the body portion; the base of the body portion being of frusto-conical configuration; a closeable flexible spout, depending from the base of the body portion, to releasably retain goods within the body portion; a closure flap, mounted at a first end to the body portion and releasably securable at a second end to securing means mounted on the body portion, the thus secured flap passing across and supporting the spout when retaining goods; wherein the spout is provided with closure means to releasably close the spout, said closure means comprising a rope and lock mechanism, the lock mechanism being released by pulling on the rope.
2. A flexible bulk container according to any preceding claim, wherein the first end of the closure flap is integral with the body portion.
3. A flexible bulk container according to any preceding claim, wherein, the flap is triangular and secured at its first end to the base of the container. * S..
4. A flexible bulk container according to any preceing claim, wherein the spout is formed of a double layered material. *..*
5. A flexible bulk container according to Claim 4, wherein the inner layer is of longer length than the outer layer and extends beyond the outer layer.
6. A flexible bulk container according to any preceding claim, wherein the second end of the closure flap has a strap attached thereto, said flap securable to the first or second securing means. * S * *** * S.. * * ** * S * SS * *S

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