NL2017313B1

NL2017313B1 - A big bag container

Info

Publication number: NL2017313B1
Application number: NL2017313A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Oostveen Elgar
Original assignee: Blue Ocean Containers B V
Priority date: 2016-08-12
Filing date: 2016-08-12
Publication date: 2018-02-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a so-called big bag container having a box shape and comprising a bottom wall, side walls forming a circumferential wall of the container, a strap which forms four lifting loops at the upper side of the container and which is fixed to the side walls diagonally such that the strap forms a V-shape on each of said side walls between two adjacent lifting loops.

Description

A BIG BAG CONTAI NER

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a so-called big bag container having a box shape and comprising a bottom wall, side walls forming a circumferential wall of the container, a strap which forms four lifting loops at the upper side of the container and which is fixed to the side walls diagonally such that the strap forms a V-shape on each of said side walls between two adjacent lifting loops.

Background to the Invention [0002] Such a container is known in the art. US5076710 teaches of a flexible bulk container having a plurality of panels seamed together to form a substantially square container with vertical seams connecting the panels located equidistant between adjacent corners of the container as opposed to the seams being located at the corners. US4479243 teaches a collapsible receptacle with prefabricated lift loops and method of making, which is useful in handling flowable materials in semi-bulk quantities and to such a receptacle wherein the lift loops are prefabricated for attachment to the upper end of the receptacle side wall. The lifting loops are located at the top of the container for carrying the container by means of a forklift truck. Due to the V-shapes of the strap on the side walls the load stress in the container is distributed evenly.

Object to the Invention [0003] The present invention seeks to provide an improved big bag container. The present invention also seeks to provide a big bag container wherein the component parts, whilst remaining capable of being easily dismantled, provide greater strength yet reduce stresses on component parts.

Statement of Invention [0004] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for receiving a big bag, comprising a fabric container wherein the container has a rectangular box shape and includes a bottom wall, side walls forming a circumferential wall of the container, a strap which forms four lifting loops at the upper side of the container and which is fixed to the side walls diagonally such that the strap forms a V-shape on each of said side walls between two adjacent lifting loops, wherein within the container there is a volume defined by an inside rectangular circumferential wall, with four corners defined by a pair of adjacent inside walls, wherein in each corner there is arranged a further wall panel angularly arranged with respect to the adjacent wall panels, the further wall panel comprising a double layer of material thereby defining a pocket for placement of a reinforcing panel, which wall panel is attached by stitching to the inside fabric walls of the bag outwith the volume, defined by the internal walls. This enables the arrangement to have a useful volume not compromised by such constructional features. A further benefit arises in stacking. A still further benefit is realised, in use, forces arising from a load act upon a reinforcing panel within the pocket, whereby the reinforcing panel can spread the load and reduce a resultant load placed upon the stitching of said wall panel. Preferably, the reinforcing panels are angularly arranged at substantially 45° with respect to adjacent wall panels. A regular octagonal inside volume can be defined [0005] Conveniently, the strap is formed of a plurality of strap pieces which are secured, to each other. The side walls are conveniently made of a cloth material and are conveniently reinforced by reinforcement panels which are placed in packets within the sidewalls. The container is conveniently dimensioned such that it is operable, in use, to receive an internal container or big bag therein. The internal container can comprise a liner whereby to enable transport of a liquid. When the internal container has a gravity discharge outlet, there can be provided an outlet in one of sidewalls of the container, the side wall having a pocket in which a reinforcement panel can be placed, said reinforcement panel having an outlet, which conveniently includes a valve positioned in general correspondence with the outlet defined in the sidewall, whereby an outlet associated with the internal container can be passed through or affixed to the reinforcement panel.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the container further comprises a big bag having a neck with a peripheral edge, the neck being provided with a pull cord; wherein an intermediate cover is attached to an inside surface of the neck of the bag, such that, in a transport condition, the intermediate cover extends over the contents of the big bag when the neck is closed with the drawstring is tightened; and, in a content handling condition, the intermediate cover can be retracted to enable access to any contents of the big bag. The cover is attached to a lower part of the neck, whereby, irrespective of the state of filling of the bag, it remains possible to tighten the skirt to close the neck. The intermediate cover can comprise a waterproofed fabric.

[0007] Conveniently, a lid is provided for closing the container, wherein the lid has a box shape including an upper wall and side walls depending therefrom, the dimensions of the lid being in general correspondence with the dimensions of the container, wherein the upper wall is provided with slits in the corners to enable the straps from the container to pass through. Preferably, there are apertures arranged on the side walls of the container and apertures on side walls of the lid, wherein, when the lid is placed upon the container, the apertures being closely spaced whereby a security tie can be passed therethrough to provide a tamper evident indicator. Tracking devices can be associated with the security ties; wired alarm clips can be passed through the region of said apertures. Ideally, there are apertures arranged on all four side walls of the container and on all four side walls of the lid. Reinforcement areas may be provided in the region of these apertures [0008] In a specific embodiment the side walls and/or the bottom wall are provided with perforations for creating ventilation. This is typically desired in case the container is used for storage and transport of vegetables, fruit, etc. The perforations may be applied in the reinforcement plate-free central portions of the side walls. The perforations may also be present in the side walls of the container which are entirely supported with reinforcement plates, with perforations also being provided in the reinforcement plates.

[0009] The total surface of the perforations may be larger than 1% of the circumferential surface of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container has a box shape and comprises a bottom wall, side walls that form a circumferential wall of the container, a strap which forms four lifting loops at the upper side of the container and which is fixed to the side walls diagonally such that the strap forms a V-shape on each of said side walls between two adjacent lifting loops, wherein at least two opposite side walls are provided with fastening loops which provide the opportunity to fix a pallet to the bottom wall of the container, for example by means of a rope which is draw through the fastening loops and holes in the support.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment the container is substantially symmetric with respect to a plane extending transversely with respect to the bottom, since this may allow an operator of a forklift truck to take up the container when approaching the container from opposite directions, for example. The invention is also related to a lid which is suitable for closing a container as described hereinbefore. The lid has a box shape and includes an upper wall and side walls. The upper wall can be provided with tunnel shaped portions which extend substantially parallel to each other and protrude in a direction away from the side walls. It is noted, that the lid is also suitable for containers including lifting straps which are not provided with guides.

[0011] The invention also relates to a container for receiving a big bag, having a box shape and comprising a bottom and side walls, wherein one of the side walls comprises at least a reinforcement plate including a valve, and wherein the reinforcement plate is provided with rigid reinforcement bars extending upwardly with respect to the bottom at both sides of the valve. The advantage of the reinforcement bars is that any bulging of the reinforcement plate in case of a filled big bag in the container is minimized. Without reinforcement bars, a valve which is normally located at a lower portion of the container tends to direct downwardly due to bulging of the reinforcement plate. This effect is reduced by the reinforcement bars and their orientation.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment the distance between, an outer side of the bars and the reinforcement panel is the same as or larger than the distance between an outer side of the valve and the reinforcement panel, since this prevents the valve from being damaged from the outside of the container easily. The reinforcement panel and the reinforcement bars may be made of one piece, for example, in the case where the panel is formed from a corrugated plastics, by means of folding side edge portions of a flat reinforcement plate inwardly. It is noted that, it is not necessary to combine the reinforcement panel including the reinforcement bars with a container having lifting straps.

Brief Description of the Figures [0013] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the Figures as shown in the accompanying drawing sheets, wherein:-

Figure 1a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a big bag container, in a transport condition;

Figure 1 b is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of a big bag container, in a transport condition;

Figure 2 is a view from above and to the front of one side illustrating a content handling condition;

Figure 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of a lid for a big bag container;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a container in accordance with the invention with no inner bag present;

Figure 5 is a detail view of a corner of the plan view of Figures4;

Figure 6 is a view of an underside of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of one side of a container with lid in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 shows a detail of inside of the container in accordance with the invention prior to insertion of an inner bag;

Figure 8a is a detail of a securement design as incorporated on an inside wall of the container and lid;

Figure 9 is a detail of a slower side portion for a liquid bag gravity discharge exit aperture;

Figure 10 shows a reinforcing panel with an aperture for use with a container having a liquid bag with a gravity discharge exit aperture;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an upper portion of the container in accordance with the invention detailing an inner bag in a first open state;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of an upper portion of the container in accordance with the invention detailing an inner bag in a second open state;

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an upper portion of the container in accordance with the invention detailing an inner bag in a closed state;

Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiments [0014] There will now be described, by way of example only, the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practice with variations of the specific.

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 show a big bag container 10. The container 10 is suitable for receiving a big bag (not shown) which can be filled with a liquid, powder or the like. Such an assembly is also known as a bag-in-box. Figure 1 shows the container in a transporting condition with a lid 11 in place whereby the container 10 can be carried by an elevating truck, such as a fork-lift truck, engaging lifting straps 12 whereas Figure 2 shows the container 10 in a content handling condition with a bag 20 in place, having an aperture 21, which provides an operator access to the inside of the bag 20 and to any contents therein, for example during filling or emptying of the container 10. The open neck 22 of the bag 20 can conveniently be closed by means of a draw string 23 or other suitable fastening means. In the embodiment of Figure 1a the central portions of the side walls 13 - 16 are provided with apertures for creating ventilation. This is advantageous for certain types of products, for example fruit or vegetables. The apertures are indicated by means of circles in this Figure. When the central portions are free from reinforcement plates the provision of apertures is straightforward; otherwise the panels also need to have apertures defined therethrough, which might necessitate an increase in a thickness of the reinforcement panels. The total surface of the apertures may be larger than 1% of the circumferential surface of the container 10, but a larger percentage is conceivable.

[0016] The container 10 comprises a bottom 17 which can be made of a fabric, such as a polypropylene fabric - although other rugged, yet flexible, sack-cloth fabrics can be used- the fabric being optionally reinforced by a reinforcing panel (not shown). Furthermore, the container 10 is provided with a front side 13, an opposite rear side 14 and two opposite lateral sides 15, 16, which form, a circumferential wall of the container 10. The lateral sides 15, 16 extend between the front side 13 and the rear side 14. In the embodiment as shown the container 10 has a cubic shape, hence the circumferential wall of the container 10 has a square cross section, but an alternative cross-sectional shape such as a rectangle is conceivable. The front side 13, the rear side 14 and the lateral sides 15, 16 are attached to the bottom 13 and can be made of the same type of plastics fabric. The container 1 is provided with front lifting straps 12 at corners 18 where the front side 13 and the respective lateral sides 15, 16 are adjacent to each other. Similarly the container 10 is provided with rear lifting straps 12 at corners 18 where the rear side 4 and the respective lateral sides 5, 6 are adjacent to each other. Each of the lifting straps 12 can be made of one piece, for example in a woven or braided material. The lifting straps 12 are attached to the circumferential walls 13-16 of the container 10, conveniently by means of stitching, such that they form a loop and project upwardly at respective corners 18 in the transporting condition as illustrated in Figure 1. This allows the container 10 to be taken up by a forklift truck by means of inserting the forks of the forklift truck through the front and rear lifting straps 12 and lifting the container 10. The oblique attachment of the straps 12 to the respective circumferential walls 13-16 is advantageous in terms of distributing the lifting force over the sides 13-16. Particularly, if the circumferential wall of the container 10 is provided with reinforcing plates (not shown) which are placed in central pockets (also not shown), such a central reinforcement plate 29 would otherwise tend to move downwardly with respect to the neighbouring sidewall portions of each respective side 13 - 16 of the container 10, upon lifting the container 10.

[0017] In Figures 1 and 2 the container 10 is substantially symmetric with respect to a plane that extends transversely with respect to the bottom 17 of the container 10 and which extends parallel to one of the sides through the centre of the container 10. It will be appreciated that other means of providing loops can be provided. For example, parallel tubular guides (not shown) can be provided, whereby the loops which are formed by the rear lifting straps 12 remain open in order to facilitate insertion of the forks of a forklift truck through the rear lifting straps 12 after they have passed the front lifting straps 12, This is achieved by parallel tubular guides 9, 10, which are fixed at upper side portions of the lateral sides 15, 16.

[0018] Figure 3 shows a lid 11 for closing a container 10 as described hereinbefore. The lid 14 is provided with apertures (indicated at 31 in Figure 1) whereby lifting straps 12 from the container 10 below in the form of loops can pass through the lid 11 at the four corners of box-shaped containers. The lid 11 has a generally rectangular shape, in correspondence with its associated container 10 and comprises an upper or cover surface 32 and four side walls 33 - 36, each depending from a respective side of the rectangular lid cover 32. The lid 11 can have a square or rectangular cross section, depending on the shape of the container 10 to be covered; whilst other plan shapes are possible, rectangular plan shapes are internationally employed. The lid 11 can be placed on the container 10 such that the four side walls 33 - 36 of the lid hang on the outer side of the circumferential wall of the container 10 in a generally parallel spaced apart relationship to respective sidewalls 13 - 16 of the contianerlO.

[0019] Figure 4 shows a plan view of the inside of the container 10, with a general octagonal volume 40 defined by base wall 41 (as shown in Figure 6), inside walls 43 - 46 determined by respective external sidewalls 13-16 and corner walls 47. Each of the corner walls 47 comprises two layers of material - to thereby define a pocket portion 48 - as detailed in Figure 5. A reinforcement panel /plate 47 is placed in the pocket to average the forces encountered i.e. a pocket with reinforcement plate 47 spreads the forces acting upon potentially highly stressed areas of the container 10. The reinforcement panel 47 can be manufactured from a number of materials, dependent upon an intended load to be carried, but conveniently of for example a corrugated extruded plastic sheet of a thickness of 5 - 20mm. In practice a flat reinforcement panel can be made of a light-weight material including folding lines to facilitate the manufacturing of the reinforcing features, although alternative materials are conceivable such as cardboard, plywood and lightweight rigid plastics sheet materials, as well as steel and aluminium plate but the use of metals is expensive both in terms of the material per se, but also in terms of manufacture and protection with regard to corrosion, for example. The wall pocket 47, in accordance with the invention and with reference to Figure 5 is folded such that the double layer of material 47 forming the corner wall pocket is formed by stitching 51, which is then attached by stitching 52 to the inside fabric walls 43 - 46 of the bag outwith the volume 40, defined by the internal walls. Typically, two needle machine four thread safety stitch machine. Lower and upper feed. Adjusted for polypropylene sewing threads for matched seaming of very heavy bag fabrics make of jute, burlap or woven polypropylene with a 10 mm wide overedge stitch on the fabric edge and in a distance of 5mm (13 gauge) to this with an additional double locked stitch. The type of stitching employed Applicants have determined that this configuration is considerably stronger than previous types of corner pocket since, in use with an increasing load, the reinforcement panel 47 is urged outwardly, whereby to act upon the side walls of the corner portions 50 (shown in more detail in Figure 5) of the container 10, without causing the stitching - as between the pocket and the sides 13 -16 of the container 10 to be compromised, by stretching, as has been provided in known systems, giving rise to failure.

[0020] In contrast, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the reinforcement panel 47 spreads the forces against the walls 13 - 16 of the container 10 whereby to reduce peak forces acting upon such sections. Typically, polypropylene threads are employed, being widely available and compatible with the use of polypropylene container cloth material, noting that polypropylene provides good resistance to chemicals, acids and alkalis, and is also resilient against abrasion, but other types of thread are available, such as polyester, polyester and polypropylene, noting that the strength - and thus weight of the thread is governed by the bag, its application and importantly, the weight capacity of a resultant container. Ftolypropylene thread is available in a wide range of gauges, depending on requirements. It can be treated with ultra violet stabilisers, allowing it to maintain its strength even after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ftolypropylene multifilament fibres, sewing threads and webbings are made of hygienically safe materials and are certified as hygienically safe. Furthermore, polypropylene is a fully recyclable material and does not burden the environment.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention and with reference to Figures 7 - 8a, there are provided areas of reinforcement 74 secured by stitching 73 on an inside portion of the lid and a corresponding portion of the circumferential walls 13 - 16 to enable the attachment of security tabs 75 through apertures 71, 72. By the provision of this further reinforcement, the placement of security labels can enable a simple visual indication of tampering. For high-value goods that could be subject manipulation, wired alarm clips called spider wrap may be used instead of tags. Equally, tags can also be provided, in conjunction with a magnetic, wireless or other tracking system, using for example either GPS or GLONMASS technology, to keep track of a location of a container, as commonly utilized by operators for tracking, routing, dispatching and security purposes. Additionally, some tracking devices can provide temperature information which can be used to profile temperature over time for additional peace-of-mind and guarantee for certain temperature-time sensitive goods. In addition to knowing where every container is located, a tracking system allows valuable assets and products to be constantly monitored. Companies that transport expensive items or valuable assets can monitor the minute-to-minute location of that item on a vehicle tracking system. For companies that specialize in sales having a container tracking system this feature can prove to be useful, not only in logistics per se, but is also likely to impress a customer to assist in customer retention.

[0022] In the event that the container is employed to transport liquids, discharge though an entrance port at the top of the bag within the container can be difficult, requiring the use of vacuum tubing - which also presents issues of contamination. Accordingly, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided further embodiment to facilitate transfer of liquids once the container has been received at a destination. Specifically, a transfer of the liquid is performed by use of a drain plug, as conveniently shown with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In this instance, a central panel 90 in a side wall 13 is provided with a pocket (not shown) for placement of a reinforcing panel 92 being provided with an aperture 93 passing perpendicularly therethrough, as conveniently shown in Figure 10, the aperture defined in the reinforcing panel 92 being supplemented by corresponding apertures 94 being provided in sidewall 13 of the container. A bag to be placed within the container with an exit tap (not shown) depending therefrom can pass through or, preferably, be coterminous with, and be fastened to, the sidewall of the container. As shown in Figure 9, there is provided a flap 96 in a raised position, which provides a protective cover, the flap comprising similar material (conveniently) to the sidewall and being fastened by stitching to the sidewall with cooperating pads of corresponding hook and loop fasteners 97 being placed on an inside surface of the flap and outside surface of the sidewall, whereby to prevent or at least reduce the ingress of dirt during transport and storage. The flap can be secured to the sidewall by said hook and loop fastening means - although other types of fastener, such as a press-stud fastener could also be employed.

[0022] Referring again to Figure 10, the reinforcing panel is illustrated a portion of a reinforcement panel 92 including a hole 93 for receiving a valve (not shown). This embodiment of the reinforcement plate 92 is provided with rigid reinforcement bars 99. When incorporated in the circumferential wall of the container 10 the reinforcement bars 99 extend upwardly with respect to the bottom 41 at both sides of the valve, whereby to provide protection to the valve.

[0023] In the embodiment as shown in Figure 10, the distance between an outer side of the bars 95 and the reinforcement plate 92 is slightly larger than the distance between an outer side of any valve and the reinforcement plate 92. This prevents such a valve from being damaged under practical conditions. For example, when a vehicle - such as a fork-lift vehicle - approaches the container 10 in the regions of the valve the reinforcement bars 95 would protect any valve should the vehicle hit the container 10. A further advantage of the reinforcement bars 95 is that bulging out of the reinforcement plate 19 in case of a filled big bag in the container 10 is minimized. This tends to cause the valve to remain in an appropriate position instead of tending to be directed downwardly due to such bulging and conveniently the valve 98 is attached to the panel which remains in a substantially horizontal position.

[0024] With reference to Figures 2 and 11-13, the present invention is also related to an assembly of a container 10 and a big bag 20, which is provided with an intermediate cover 110. Figure 2 shows a big bag 20 within container 10, with a pull cord 23 along a peripheral edge of a neck of the bag 22; turning to Figure 11, a detail is shown of the upper part of the container 10: a protective cover 110 - which comprises a fabric sheet of the bag material, optionally waterproofed - is shown in a furled/retracted position adjacent an inner bag / contents 111 of the big bag 20. In Figure 12, the cover is presented overlying the opening of the big bag 20 and the corresponding opening of the inner bag 111, and in Figure 13, the big bag is shown with the neck 21 closed and the drawstring tightened the tightening member 23 for pulling opposite sides of the big bag at an upper.

[0020] Containers 10 made in accordance with the invention can be made in a variety of sizes, although it will be appreciated that industry standard sizes have evolved. Common capacities are 650 litres and 1000 litres (with 5cm head space). When made from polypropylene, the weight of the bags alone can be as low as 5.7 KG and 9Kg, respectively. Common maximum weights are 600 Kg and 1000Kg; the footprint is typically 120 x 100 cm and 110 x 110 cm with heights being Height 65cm or 100cm (excluding the lifting straps).

Claims

CONCLUSI ES.

A container (10) for receiving a large bag (20), the container (10) comprising tissue and having the shape of a rectangular box and including a lower wall (41), as well as side walls (13-16) forming a peripheral wall of the container (10), a belt (12) forming four hoisting loops on the top of the container (10) and being diagonally attached to the side walls such that the belt (12) has a V-shape on each of the between two adjacent lifting loops, in which in the container (10) there is a volume (40) defined by an inwardly-lying rectangular circumferential wall (43, 44, 45, 46), with four corners (50) defined by a pair of adjacent inner walls (43, 44, 45, 46), in which in each corner (50) a further wall panel (47) is arranged at an angle with respect to the adjacent wall panels, the further wall panel (47) comprising a double layer of material so that it defines a pocket for placement of a reinforcing panel, which wall panel (47) with stitching sels (52) is adhered to the inner tissue walls (43-46) of the bag outside the volume (40) defined by the internal walls.

A container (10) according to claim 1, wherein in each corner (50) the further wall panel (47) is arranged at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the adjacent wall panels.

A container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container (1) has four side walls (13-16) that form four corners, the hoisting loops extending diagonally across said corners.

A container (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the belt (12) is formed by a plurality of belt pieces connected to each other.

A container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (13-16) are made of a cloth material and reinforced by reinforcement panels.

A container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (13-16) and / or the bottom wall (41) are provided with perforations for creating ventilation.

A container (10) according to claim 6, wherein a total surface area of the perforations is greater than 1% of a peripheral surface area of the container.

A container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimensions are such that, in use, it can receive an internal container (20).

A container (10) according to claim 8, wherein the internal container (20) comprises a liner for transporting a liquid.

A container (10) according to claim 8, wherein the internal container (20) has a gravity discharge outlet and wherein an outlet is provided in one of the side walls of the container, said side wall having a pocket in which a reinforcement panel can be placed, wherein the reinforcement panel has an outlet generally corresponding to the outlet defined in the side wall, wherein an outlet associated with the internal container can be guided through or disposed on the reinforcement panel.

A container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the side walls (13-16) comprises at least one reinforcement plate (92) which has an opening for placing a valve, in which the reinforcement plate (92) is provided of rigid reinforcing bars (95) extending upwardly relative to the bottom (41) on both sides of the valve.

A container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a large bag (20), wherein the large bag (20) has a neck with a peripheral edge (22), the neck is provided with a drawstring (23 ); wherein an intermediate cover (110) is coupled to the neck (22) of the bag such that in a transport condition, the intermediate claims (110) extend over the contents of the large bag when the neck (21) is closed with a tightened cord (23); and in a content processing state, the intermediate cover (110) can be retracted to provide access to the contents of the large bag (20).

A container (10) according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate cover (110) comprises an impregnated fabric.

A container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid (11) for closing the container (10), wherein the lid (11) is in the form of a door with an upper wall (15) and side walls (33-36) depending therefrom, wherein the upper wall (15) is provided with slots in the corners for passage of the straps of the container.

A container (10) according to claim 14, wherein there are openings (71, 72) arranged in the side walls of the container and openings in the side walls of the lid, wherein, when the lid is placed on the container, the openings (71, 72) are closely spaced so that a sealing band can be passed therethrough to provide an infringement indicator.

A container (10) according to claim 15, wherein openings (71, 72) are arranged in all four side walls of the container and in all four side walls of the lid.

A container (10) according to any of claims 15 and 16, wherein there are areas of reinforcement (74) with stitching (73) attached in the vicinity of said openings (71, 72).

A container (10) according to any of claims 14-17, wherein wired alarm clips are passed in the vicinity of said openings (71, 72).

A container (10) according to any of claims 14-18, wherein labels can also be provided, in combination with a magnetic, wireless or other tracking system, for tracking a location of a container.