JP2006521976A - Side discharge bag for powder fluid material and method for discharging powder fluid material - Google Patents

Abstract

A pulverulent fluid material having a side outlet 16 near the bottom of the bag, allowing discharge without requiring the bag to be lifted by a forklift or other means to release the material contained therein. A discharge bag for the same is disclosed. The side discharge bag can be conveniently used with a frame assembly that further facilitates the discharge of powdered fluid material stored in the bag.

Description

  This application claims the priority of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 458,210, filed March 31, 2003.

  The present invention relates to a container for bulk material and an outflow system for discharging bulk product from within the container.

  It has been common practice to pack, transport and deliver powdered fluid materials, dry particulates or granular materials in bags or containers. Powdered fluids include chemical products, polymer additives, minerals, fertilizers, foodstuffs, grains, cement, agricultural products and the like. When transporting large quantities of material, use dedicated bulk handling equipment. For example, the material is loaded onto a truck, rail vehicle or barge and then transferred to a hopper or other storage device.

  Small container systems are used when handling small quantities of pulverulent fluid material. The present invention relates to such a container system. The container may be in the form of a bag, a bulk bag, or a flexible container. Bulk shipping bags are very common as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,484,207, and usually such bags protrude from the bottom of the bag used to release material from the bag. It should have an outlet. In other publications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,796 discloses a container bag having a top loading and bottom discharge function.

  Conventional bag discharge systems require special handling, including lifting the bulk bag via a forklift or other means to place the bulk bag into or out of the receiving hopper. U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,171 discloses a special device that uses a forklift truck to lift a container bag without requiring the driver to leave the seat. U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,754 discloses a support frame with a bag lifting frame and support legs. In operation, a forklift or hoist is required to lift the bulk bag beyond the mounting frame. When handling a large amount, use of a forklift is required for removing the bag and emptying the contents. For small handling, that is, when handling individual bags, the operator often has to handle the bags separately, lift them by hand, open them, and dump the bags into a receiving box. Prior art approaches tend to injure or sprain the operator by lifting or winding the bag. It takes time to empty the bag.

  The present invention relates to an improved novel bulk bag design as well as a convenient bulk bag release system that facilitates the release of pulverulent fluid material from the bulk bag.

  The present invention relates to a discharge bag for pulverulent fluid material having a side discharge opening near the bottom of the bag.

  The present invention further includes a wheel rotatably mounted for moving the ground surface to a position of a discharge bag that stores the powder fluid material, and supports the discharge bag, the powder fluid material stored in the bag. The present invention relates to a discharge assembly comprising a frame for discharge.

  Finally, the invention also relates to a method for discharging pulverulent fluid material from a bulk bag having a side outlet.

  As used herein, a “flexible container” refers to a container of the present invention for holding large amounts of heavy material, typically 1 to 3 tons, a “bag” or “bulk bag” Are used interchangeably. The bag of the present invention is useful for handling pulverulent fluids, which are moist, large and compact, can be powdered, small lumps, granular, and tablet-like. Sometimes there are.

  As also used herein, a “release assembly” is used in conjunction with the side discharge bag of the present invention to conveniently discharge contents from the bag via a side discharge port or opening. Refers to a device that can be used and is used interchangeably with “discharge frame” or “discharge device” or “frame assembly”.

  Side Release Bag: Referring to FIG. 1 in more detail, one embodiment of the bag of the present invention is shown. An intake 15 extends upward from an opening (not shown) at the top 17 of the bag 10. The bag has a base or bottom 12 from which four sides or panels 13 extend upward. Four lifting straps or loops 19 are attached to the top corners of the side 13 for use as attachment means to the discharge assembly. There is an optional lifting strap 14 located approximately one third from the top 17 to the bottom 12. A side discharge port (or flap) 16 is arranged at the bottom of one of the side portions or in the vicinity thereof, from an opening (not shown) on the side facing the side supporting the lifting strap 14 It extends. The side discharge means 16 has an opening or spout 18 for discharging material from the bag.

  In one embodiment of the invention, the outlet is located at the bottom 12 of the bag, i.e., the bottom of the side outlet is flush with the bottom 12 of the bag. In another embodiment, the bottom of the outlet is at a distance of 25.4 to 127 millimeters (1 to 5 inches) from the bottom 12 of the bag. In a third embodiment, the bottom of the outlet is at a distance of 0 to 381 millimeters (0 to 15 inches) from the bottom 12 of the bag.

  The outlet is well known in the art, for example, in the form of a standard cord lock with a outlet lock device, heavy duty code lock, wire binding, resin binding, fiber binding, or cinching. It is kept sealed or closed by binding. In one embodiment of the invention, the side discharge means 16 is in the form of a cylindrical tube with a circular opening or discharge port. In a further embodiment, the discharge means is tapered towards the circular discharge opening in the form of a conical discharge tube, ie in the downward and inward direction. In a third embodiment, the ejection means comprises a resealable opening, such as by a VELCRO hook and loop, so there is no need for a securing means to keep the ejection means closed.

  In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a second set of four (additional) lifting straps / loops that are different in size / length from the first set of lifting straps, again on the side It is attached to the top corner of the section, giving the operator flexibility in adjusting the height of the bag.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means is in the form of a hook, S-shaped hook, or ring 29 and is used in place of the lifting strap, also as shown in FIG. The hook or ring is subsequently hooked on or suspended from the corresponding hook or ring of the discharge assembly.

  In yet another embodiment of the invention, the attachment means is in the form of at least one hook, one ring, or one strap as part of a knot or strap for attaching the bag opening 15. The hooks or straps are subsequently hooked or used with corresponding attachment means of the discharge assembly.

  In one embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the bag may have a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical peripheral wall and a side outlet located near or toward the bottom of the cylindrical bag. . In another embodiment, each lifting strap includes a lifting loop with an optional guide loop at the end of the loop, the lifting strap being shown at four corners of a cylindrical or rectangular bag. Has been. In yet another embodiment for a bag to be used with a liner, as shown in FIG. 2, the bag 20 has an opening (in the bottom of the bag for processing the liner before and after use for bag renewal). (Or discharge port) 22.

  Materials for manufacturing side discharge bags: The side discharge bags of the present invention can be made of any suitable material that provides strength and support for the materials contained therein, such as jute, cotton, polyester, polypropylene and others. It has been. In one embodiment, the bag is made of woven fabric to prevent leakage of the contents. Appropriate materials have a suitable striate thickness, for example 1000 denier polypropylene striated woven fabric, polyvinyl chloride covered with polyester striated and / or rubber woven nylon fabric There is. In yet another embodiment, the woven fabric is coated with a mixture of polypropylene and polyethylene.

  Optional liner: In one embodiment of the invention, the bag further comprises an inner layer or liner. When shipping powdered materials, such as powder, sugar, or chemicals, prevent the powder contents from moving through the porous outer bag, or prevent contamination of the outer bag, provide a moisture barrier, or A liner is often desirable to be able to contain liquid. The liner can be provided independently or integral with the bag, ie by extrusion lamination. Independent liners are often non-reusable. Conventional liners are made of flexible, conductive and non-conductive materials such as polyolefins, polyesters, or nylons, and are configured to conform to the shape of a tubular liner, ie, a tube liner or bag. It is a liner that matches the shape.

  In one embodiment, the liner is a polybutylene film approximately 0.13 millimeters (0.5 mil) to 1 millimeter (4.0 mils) thick and attached to the bag (outer layer) with a resin adhesive. Yes. In yet another embodiment, the liner comprises a metallized layer or a metal foil strip layer.

  In one embodiment, an adhesive kiss coating is applied in a manner well known in the art to secure the inner layer and bag. As used herein, the term “kiss coating” refers to a conventional process whereby a thin layer of adhesive is applied to a surface. In a second embodiment, the liner is woven into the outer bag with side seams at opposite diagonal corners. In other embodiments, the liner may be woven into the top and sides of the bag or the bottom and side panels. In yet another embodiment, the liner is strapped and tied to the top and bottom corners of the bag to position the liner and hold it in place while the product is being poured and discharged.

  When the discharge is performed in one embodiment where the liner has a flat bottom, the operator reaches for the liner through the outlet of the outer bag and opens the liner with a sharp instrument such as a knife, blade and the like to open the product. Allow the liner to flow through the side outlet. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the liner 30 can be folded over a top intake 31, a body 33 that optionally fits the size of the bag, and a bottom 32 or side 30 of the bag. It has a particularly long lower part or tail part 32. In the discharge operation, the operator can reach out to the liner through the bag outlet 18 and pull out the output tail 22 to release the material contained in the liner 20.

  Discharge assembly and discharge method: First, the bag is loaded with material or the bag is filled with material. In an embodiment involving the use of a liner, the bulk bag is first lined with the liner by first inserting the liner into the bag through the top intake. Here, the lined bag can now be filled with material fed through the liner opening protruding from the intake. The inlet as well as the top of the liner are securely fastened, heat fused, bonded or secured with a knot, string or thread by any fastening means. The side outlet of the bag can be bound and stowed on one side of the bag.

  In one embodiment, the side discharge bag filled with material is set on a pallet, i.e., near a receiving container or hopper. As shown in FIG. 5, the discharge assembly 50 is manually moved (over the wheel 51) to a position across the pallet (not shown) and the bag 10 in an upright position (vertical orientation). The bag is supported via a strap cable and suspended in an upright position. The bag can then be emptied toward the container (not shown) via the side outlet 18 near the bottom of the bag.

  Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 for the discharge assembly. The loop or lifting strap 19 of the bag 10 is first attached to support means in the form of a frame 40. The frame 40 can optionally be adjusted vertically by raising and lowering the rod 52 via lifting or lever means to reduce the burden and work required by the operator to place the bag on the frame. . As shown, the frame is adjusted vertically via a pulley / roller 54 and via a hand crank 53 by an operator (not shown). After the bag 10 is stabilized in the desired vertical position, the side outlet is unrolled or opened to expose the opening and release the material from the bag. If the material is contained inside the liner in the bag, the operator reaches out through the opening in the outlet and uses a blade to cut the liner in a convenient manner, ie X-shaped or inverted U-shaped. Material, thus allowing the material to flow out of the side outlet. As the bag is emptied, the operator can lift the lifting strap 14 (not shown) and tilt the material toward the front of the bag to exit the outlet.

  In another embodiment of the invention in which hooks and rings for bag attachment are used in the bag (instead of the lifting strap 19), the frame 40 incorporates a bag 10 that can be conveniently hooked to the frame. Has a loop or ring of formula.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the support means is in the form of a ring with built-in notches or hooks for bag loops or lifting straps or hooks attached accordingly.

  In yet another embodiment, the support means comprises two parallel bars or rods instead of a frame, which can be adjusted vertically by moving the rod 52 up and down as well as one end or the other end of the bar Can be tilted up and down, so the operator can tilt the bag slightly (towards the side discharge opening) and empty the bag through the side discharge opening.

  In other embodiments of the invention, the support means may include hooks, rings or notches as part of the lifting device or suspended from it to suspend the bag directly.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the lifting device for the frame comprises one or more winches operatively connected between the frame and the discharge assembly instead of a pulley and / or hand crank. The winch can be fried via manual, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical means. The winch may also include a small hook for the lifting strap to attach during the discharge operation.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the frame assembly is optionally equipped with a vibrator assembly (not shown) to allow bulk material to flow out of the discharge opening / mouth as the bag is emptied. Is conducive.

  In yet another embodiment of the invention, the discharge assembly is in the form of a circle, i.e. the support means 40 is in the form of a circular ring.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a foldable rod or bar, allowing disassembly of the frame and easy movement around. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the frame is supported by support means in the form of a three-sided frame assembly, the frame is moved to a stationary bulk bag location, and the bulk bag is opened. It is possible to enclose through the side.

  In another embodiment, a motor is used to drive the winch, allowing the operator to quickly adjust / tension the winch and speed up the discharge process. Once the bag is near empty, a winch coupled to the back of the bag is stretched to lightly lift the back of the bag and expel material from the bag toward the outlet and from the side outlet.

  It will therefore be appreciated that an easily prepared flexible container or bag is provided here for delivery in a safe and simple manner. A discharge system is also provided for use with the side discharge bag of the present invention. The bag and release system may be modified and modified from the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.

1 is a perspective view of a side discharge bag that embodies the principles of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second side discharge bag that embodies the principles of the present invention. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a liner for use with the side discharge bag of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a discharge assembly with a side discharge bag in operation in conjunction with a discharge frame.

Claims (15)

A container for bulk material,
A flexible bulk back having a bottom of the bag from which the peripheral wall of the bag extends;
A bag discharge opening extending from the peripheral wall and sealable to retain the bulk material in the flexible bag;
A fastening means comprising at least one of a knot, a hook, a ring, an S-shaped hook and a strap, and securely attached to the flexible bulk bag;
Securely securing the bulk bag to a location for holding the flexible bulk bag in an upright position via the anchoring means and where the bulk material flows out of the discharge opening. Container for bulk material that can be emptied by.   Claim: The bag discharge opening is kept sealable by an anchoring means comprising at least one of a cord lock, a wire bond, a plastic bond, a fiber bond, a strap, a flap, and a re-encloseable closure. Item 2. A bulk material container according to Item 1.   The bulk material container of claim 1, further comprising a flexible liner lining inside the bulk bag.   The bulk material container of claim 1, wherein the bag discharge opening has a bottom side disposed at a distance of less than 381 millimeters (15 inches) from the bottom of the flexible bulk bag.   5. A bulk material container according to claim 4, wherein the bottom side of the bag discharge opening is located at a distance of less than 127 millimeters from the bottom of the flexible bulk bag.   The bulk material container according to claim 1, wherein the bag discharge opening is a tube with an opening which is one of a circular discharge port, a rectangular discharge port, and a conical discharge port.   5. A bulk material container according to claim 4, wherein the tube comprises a cylindrical tube having a cylindrical peripheral wall or a rectangular tube having a side wall. A bulk bag discharge assembly for discharging a flexible bulk bag, wherein the flexible bulk bag is filled with powder fluid material and secured to the flexible bulk bag A bulk bag discharge assembly comprising means and a sealable side bag discharge opening comprises:
A support frame coupled to vertical support means for suspending the flexible bulk bag in an upright position via the securing means;
A bulk bag discharge assembly that allows the flexible bulk bag to be emptied by opening the side discharge opening through which the powdered fluid material flows out of the flexible bag.   9. A bulk bag discharge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the vertical support means comprises four support rods.   The bulk bag discharge assembly of claim 8, further comprising a moving wheel.   The bulk bag discharge assembly of claim 8, further comprising a vibrator assembly.   The bulk bag discharge assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible bulk bag further comprises a flexible liner lining within the bulk bag.   The flexible bulk bag comprises at least one of a knot, a hook, a ring, an S-shaped hook and a strap as an anchoring means secured to the flexible bulk bag. Bulk bag ejection assembly.   9. The bulk bag discharge assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible bulk bag comprises at least one of a knot, hook, ring, S-shaped hook and strap as a fastening means.   The bag discharge opening is kept sealable by an anchoring means comprising at least one of a cord lock, wire binding, plastic binding, fiber binding, lace, flap and resealable closure. 9. Bulk bag release assembly according to claim 8.

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