PT84054B - APPARATUS FOR STORING INTERMEDIATE LOAD CONTAINERS, INTERMEDIATE LOAD CONTAINER BATCH AND RELATED EXTERIOR INVOLVEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for stacking two or more Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) which apparatus comprises means for sequentially placing the IBCs into a moulding means to form a stack of IBCs; and means for removing the thus formed stack from the moulding means. Means is provided for vibrating the IBCs within the moulding means.

Description

DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY

This invention relates to an apparatus for stacking full or partially filled intermediate cargo containers (hereinafter referred to as IBCs).

IBCs are generally in the form of sacks or bags, made of a woven fabric, such as polypropylene in a piece prepared to form a tubular body with handles at the top to close, cut hexagonally and baked at the bottom to give the bag / practically circular shape. The container generally has a polyethylene film inner liner to protect the contents from wet entry from and / or other potential contaminants. In this respect, it is worth mentioning that IBCs are particularly used to package and transport powdered materials, in the form of granules, such as chemical substances, including fertilizers used in agriculture - materials that are particularly susceptible to deterioration under the effects of humidity.

Such IBCs generally have suspension handles or s. tropes or others, connected to or forming an integral part of the container. When suspended by such means, the content of the IBC is compressed, and this compression tends to give the IBC a convex shape, which does not give it stability when an IBC is deposited on top of one or more IBCs. In practice, it has been discolored that stacking such IBCs gives rise to an unstable stack, with the obvious consequence of safety risks for anyone forced to handle / work with stacked IBCs.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to overcome these problems.

Therefore, the invention provides an apparatus for stacking two or more filled or partially filled IBCs, which comprises means for successively placing IBCs within molding means, in order to form a stack of

IBCs; and means for removing the batteries, thus formed, from the

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-3 molding means.

Preferably, there are means for vibrating the first IBC as well as the subsequent ones within the molding means.

Preferably, the molding means are of tubular construction and the placement means are adapted to bring each IBC into the molding means, whose axis is practically perpendicular to the floor.

Preferably, the removal means include conveyor means located under the molding means, on which the IBC placed first rests, and the molding means have a part that can be opened, in the form of a door, to allow that the conveyor means move the stack in a nearly horizontal direction through the door and out of the molding means.

Preferably, a pallet is interposed between the first IBC and the means of transport so that the stack, thus formed, is supported by the pallet.

Preferably, there are means that allow the control means to detect when each IBC of the stack is placed within the molding means.

Preferably, the stack is made up of three IBCs.

Preferably, the placement means are constituted by a carousel mechanism, which comprises a carousel support supported on the floor; means for rotating the carousel; at least two hoisting means suspended from the carousel, each having a coupling cat with these hoisting means located practically equidistant from each other; means of hoisting and harnessing, independently, each cat so that, in operation, each of the hoisting means is adapted to hoist an IBC from a loading station, successively, after which the cart rotates to a position that allows the said lifting means to bring said IBC into the molding means.

Preferably, the carousel mechanism comprises

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-4 at least three hoisting means, one of which has a weight to rest on the top of the IBC stack, within the molding means, in order to compress the stack within the molding means.

Preferably, the carousel mechanism has four lifting means, one of which includes said weight.

Preferably, it is equipped with means for placing IBC's in succession at the charging station.

Preferably, the loading station includes means for vibrating each IBC before being lifted by the lifting means.

Preferably, each hitching cat comprises a plate, which has one of the two sides means for articulating engagement with the cable of the lifting means, the other face of the plate hingingly supporting a hitching cat and spring means for pulling the cat out from the position of engagement with the load when the weight of the load is no longer supported by the lifting means.

This invention also relates to a stack of full or partially filled intermediate cargo containers.

In cases where IBCs are equipped with suspension straps, it is also known that between filling the IBC with product, for example fertilizer, and the moment when it reaches the hands of the end user, namely the farmer, the suspension straps will have been used on numerous occasions, which probably caused them harm.

The present invention aims to not only overcome these problems, but also to provide better stacking and distribution of the final product.

For this reason, the invention provides a stack of full or partially filled intermediate load containers (IBCs), comprising two or more IBCs and a removable outer shell adapted for use in storing the stack, with the outer shell in the shape of a bag, whose mouth is placed over the top of the pile and pulled towards

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5684 EN to the bottom of the battery to insert the battery into the bag. Preferably, the outer casing is waterproof and reusable.

This invention also relates to flexible intermediate cargo containers.

In cases where IBCs have suspension straps, it is also known that between filling the IBC with product, for example fertilizer, and the moment it reaches the hands of its end user, namely the farmer, the suspension straps will have been perhaps six to eight times. Unfortunately, not always the way to use your handles. pension is made according to recommended practice, with damage to the suspension straps. Thus, when the IBC reaches the farmer, the suspension straps are often damaged and dangerous to use, giving rise to additional safety risks.

It has been proposed to overcome this type of problem by removing the suspension straps and placing the IBCs on special pallets using fork lift trucks. This in itself is great, as long as all users have forklift trucks to handle IBCs - a situation that is not always the case in farms or small factories.

In the use of IBCs for storage - although they have interior lining - outdoor storage is generally not possible and consequently valuable covered space must be used for storage.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned problems, providing, for storage and / or transportation of powdered, granulated or similar materials, an outer casing adapted to be opened and closed several times and used to stack a multiplicity of IBCs, each with an inner bag pa. to contain the products to be packaged and each with suspension straps, the outer wrapper not having straps and with the base shaped to rest on a pallet. Preferably, the outer casing is waterproof

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-6e reusable.

The invention will be described in greater detail below, with the description of the preferred embodiments given by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention, seen from above;

- fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of fig. 1, seen from below?

- fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of fig. 1;

- fig. 4 is an elevation of the fig. 1 seen on direction arrow IV of fig. 3; - fig. 5 is an elevation of the fig. 1 seen on direction arrow V of fig. 3; - figs . 6 to 18 are seen in detail from parts of device of fig. 1; - fig. 19 is a prospect of a full or shared IBC ciably i full; - fig. 20 is a perspective of three IBCs stacked on a pallet; and - fig. 21 is a stack perspective in IBCs sitting in Fig. 2 of the drawings having an enclosure outside,

whose formation is in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, it is shown, in particular in figs. 1 to 5, an apparatus 10 according to the invention for stacking intermediate cargo containers (iBCs). The apparatus 10 essentially comprises means generically indicated by 11, for sequentially placing IBCs 12 within the molding means 13 to form a stack 14 of IBCs, and means 17 for removing the thus formed stack 14 from the molding means 13.

The placement means 11 comprises a carousel mechanism 30 mounted on a support 20. The support 20 comprises

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-7four legs 21, 22, 23 and 24 which together with the struts 25 support a basically rectangular structure 26 and a beam 27. Part of the structure 26 and the beam 27 support a circular rail.

carousel mechanism 30 has the generic shape of a cross, having arms 31, 32, 33 and 34, to whose ends are connected wheels with free movement 35, 36, 37 and 38. The races 35 to 38 are designed to move around along the rail 28. The carriage mechanism 30 is supported by a pi. home 15 supported on the floor, in addition to the circular rail 28 ·

Mounted on the pillar 15 is an electric motor 16 and an associated gearbox (not shown) having a wheel (not shown) for engaging the gearwheel 39 located in the center of the carriage mechanism 30. The electric motor 16 serves to make turn the cel drive mechanism 30 in the direction of the arrows 18 (fig. 3).

Mounted on each arm 31 to 34 is an electric motor 41, 42, 43 and 44, the end of which will be explained below. The electrical cables (not shown) for supplying the motors 16, 41 to 44 are connected to the pillar 15. The appropriate connections to allow said cables to supply the components mounted on the carousel mechanism 30 are housed in a box 45.

Each of the motors 41 to 44 supports a cable, one of which 51 is shown (see in particular Figures 9 and 10 and 14 to 18).

Three of the cables, including cable 51, end in one piece. support ring ring 52, having a ring 53 attached thereto. The fourth cable connected to the motor 44 supports a wheel 54 with a tire 55 containing weights (not shown). Each ring 53 has a coupling cat 60 attached.

coupling cat 60 has a plate 61 having a face 63, a ring 62 adapted to engage the ring 53. The plate

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it can rotate relative to ring 62. Projecting as wings from plate 61 are three tabs for engaging cage 64, 65 and 66, the purpose of which will be explained below. On the other side, that is, the bottom face 67 of the plate 61, there is a handle 68 that projects in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate 61. In the center of the lower face 67, a first pair of ears 69 is mounted with a coupling cat 70, hingedly connected. A second pair of ears 71 is also mounted on the lower face 67. On the cat 70 a third pair of ears 72 is mounted.

Connecting the ears 71 and 72 is a spring 73. The spring 73 serves to force the cat 70 to a disengaged position as shown in Figures 15 to 17. The handle 68 serves not only to be used by an operator 74 but also its weight is such that, when the cat 60 is suspended without engaging the IBC 12, the plate 61 is in a practically horizontal position and, consequently, the cat 70 is in the disengaged position. In order to engage the cat 70 on the handle of the IBC 12, the operator 74 grips the handle 68 (see figure 17) in order to engage the cat 70 on the handle of the IBC 12. Handle 68 is grasped while the cable 51 is attached to the handle. until the lifting cable 51 supports the weight of the IBC 12. As the weight of the IBC 12 is supported by the cable 51, the handle 68 is released, after which the plate 61 is in the horizontal position, and □ cat 70 stays in the engaged position (figures 14 and 18) with spring 73 stretched.

When the lifting cable 51 is harnessed so that the weight of the IBC 12 is removed, the spring 73 is used to automatically pull the cat 70 to the disengaged position, thus freeing the handle of the IBC 12 from the cat 70. This way , to liber. an IBC, operator 74 is not required.

Connected to each of the arms 31 to 34 is a cage

81, 82, 83 and 84. One of the cages 83 is shown in detail in Figs. 8 to 10 and the other cages 81, 82 and 84 have similar design. The cage 83 has a plate 85 with an orifice 86. The orifice 86 serves to pass the cable

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lift 51. Rigidly attached to plate 85 is a cage element 87. The cage element 87 consists of four outwardly curved metal legs 88, which support a metal ring 89. Plate 85 has four holes for sliding connection with the respective screws 90. The screws 90 are attached to the arm 33. Between each screw 90 and the arm 33 is fitted a spring 91, which serves to impel the plate 85 and, consequently, the cage 87 downwards as shown in fig . 10.

Also mounted on arm 33 (and similarly on the other arms 31, 32 and 34), there is a pair of microswitches 92, 93. Each of the microswitches is of the type with arm 94, 95. Each arm 94 , 95 rests on the upper face of plate 85. When plate 85 is in the compressed position, as shown in fig. 9 of the drawings, the micro-intej? breakers 92, 93 are activated by the plate 85 pressing against the arms 94, 95 and placing them in an upward position.

When the plate 85 is in the position shown in fig. 10

of the drawings, microswitches 92, 93 are deactivated due to the absence of pressure exerted by plate 85, per. preventing arms 94, 95 from being in the down position. The activation of microswitches 92, 93 provides a signal that is verified by a central control system, preferably a microprocessor (not shown), the purpose of which will be explained below.

The plate 85 will be in the up position (figures 8 and 9 of the drawings) when the lifting cable 51 raises the plate 61 to a height sufficient for its tabs 64, 65 and 66 to engage the cage, engage with the plate 85 , pushing the latter against the springs 91 and, consequently, activating the microswitches 92 and 93. The activation of the microswitches 92, 93 serves to cut the current to the electric motor 43 (or the motor 41, 42 or 44, depending on the case) thus automatically stopping the lifting of cable 51. If the IBC 12 being lifted by cable 51 is sufficiently bulky, it will fit into metal ring 89 and, consequently,

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will push plate 85 upwards and the same result will be obtained. (For reasons of clarity, in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the plate 85 is shown in the up position although the cable 51 is shown in the harnessed position. See Figure 8 for a perspective view of the plate 61 attached to the plate 85. One more (for reasons of clarity, microswitches 92 and 93 are not shown in figure 8 of the drawings).

The 87 cage configuration is designed to prevent the IBC 12 from swinging while the carousel mechanism 30 rotates.

With particular reference to figs. 11-13 of the drawings, the molding means 13 are essentially composed of a tubular box 100 with a wall 101 basically if circular and a pair of doors 102, 103, which, when closed, constitute the other semi-wall circular from box 100. Box 100 is open at both ends and wall 101 and doors 102, 103 each have an inclined area for outside 104, 105 and 106 at the top entrance 107 of box 100. Doors 102, 103 can be opened and closed by plungers 108 (fig. 11). A sensor device 109, 110 allows the microprocessor to determine whether ports 102, 103 are open or closed.

The wall 101 and the doors 102, 103 have reinforcement components 111 and the plungers 108 and the wall 101 are supported by a frame 112 (fig. 13). The wall 101 has three holes 113, 114 and 115. Coinciding with each hole 113, 114 and 115 and mounted on one of the reinforcement components 111, there is a sensor 116, 117 and 118, respectively, whose objective is. explained below.

internal diameter of the box 100, when closed, must be such that the IBCs 12 placed there are adjusted but not too tight. The diameter of box 100 must be equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the base of IBC 12. IBCs 12 are shaped by box 100 according to the nature of its contents.

Located under box 100 and providing a base on which stack 14 rests, there is a pallet 120.

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Pallet 120 is placed under the box 100 by a conveyor 121, which takes it out of a warehouse 122 where the pallets are stored. Part of the conveyor system 121 has a vibrating section 123, which is located directly under the box 100. In this way, the section 123 can vibrate the pallet 120 located under the box 100 and can, therefore, vibrate the I3Cs 12 inside of the molding means 13 or the stack 14 within the molding means 13 * The conveyors with cross sections are well known and will not be described here.

Each arm 31 to 34 has a plate, three of which 131, 132 and 133 are shown (figs. 6-10 of the drawings). Each of the said plates has a letter A-D engraved, which serves to visually identify each arm 31 to 34. It will be verified by figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings that the plate 131 with the letter Ά 'is located closer to the end of the arm 31 compared to the location of the plate 132 with the letter' 8 'of the arm 32 and with the other plates with the letters' 0' and 'D'. Thus, the distances between the circular rail 28 and the plates marked '8', 'C' and 'D', respectively, are practically equal and the distance between the circular rail 28 and the plate 131 marked Ά 'is comparatively less. The reason for this will be explained below.

With particular reference to Figs. 6, 7, and 8 of the dese. a sensor 150 is mounted on the inner wall of the circular rail 28. The sensor 150 is located directly above the charging station 143.

In the area of the circular rail 28 very close to a port directly above the molding means 13, there is a sensor 151. The sensor 151 is marked with a white band

152 for visual identification. The purpose of these sensors 150 and 151 will be explained below.

The conveyor 140 is used to take IBCs 12, filled or partially filled, containing granular fertilizers, successively from a filling station (not shown).

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-12trade) in the direction of arrow 141. The conveyor 140 incorporates a vibrating section 142 similar to the vibrating section 123, the section 142 being used to vibrate about I8C of force. so that the air between the granules comes out before the I3C 12 is closed by the operator 74 and then lifted by the cable 51.

After vibration, conveyor 140 moves each IBC 12 to loading station 143.

apparatus 10 works as follows. It will be verified that the arms 31-34 are located 902 from each other. The arm 31 has the plate 131 which has the letter Ά '; arm 32 has plate 132 which has the letter 'B'; and arm 33 has plate 133 which has the letter '0'. The other arm has a similar plate (see above) that has the letter 'D ·.

The starting position of the carousel mechanism 30 to create the stack 14 is that in which the plate 131 with the letter Ά 'is in front of the sensor 150 (see fig. 6). In other words, the arm 31 is directly above the charging station 143. The sensor 150 can emit an output signal controlled by the microprocessor, a signal that is reflected by the plate 13 to the sensor 150. The reflected signal is verified by the microprocessor, thus informing that the arm 31 is above the loading station 143. The signal is reflected to the sensor 150 due to the relative proximity of the plate 131 to the circular rail 28. The other plates marked 'B *,' C 'and' 0 'do not reflect the signal emitted by sensor 150. Consequently, the microprocessor can determine the orientation of the plate Ά' with respect to a reference point or sensor 150.

Under the control of the microprocessor, the carrier

140 will place, for example, the first IBC 12 in the vibrating section 142, where the contents of the IBC are agitated and then moved to the charging station 143. The microprocessor activates the motor 41 to bring the associated cable 51 to an appropriate height that allow operator 74 to engage ma

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5684 EN the cat 70 on the handle of the IBC 12 as described above. The operator 74 then operates a control panel (not shown) at the charging station 143, control panel, in the control that signals the microprocessor to lift the cable 51. The operator's intervention is only necessary to close the IBC 12 after the vibration; to manually engage the cat 70; and to signal the microprocessor to lift the cable 51.

When the plate 91 is lifted against the tension of the springs 91 (see above), either by the action of the IBC 12 by pushing against the metal ring 89 or by the action of the locking tabs in the cage 64-66 engaging with the plate 91, the microswitches 92, 93 are activated in order to cut the current to the motor 43. The microprocessor now drives the motor 16 in order to rotate the carousel mechanism 30 in the direction of the arrows 18 (fig. 3), thus bringing plate 131 marked Ά 'on top of molding means 13 and plate 132 marked' B 'on top of loading station 143. During rotation of the carousel mechanism 30, plate 131 marked Ά' passes through the sensor 151. The passage of plate 131 through sensor 151 is detected by the microprocessor, which reduces the speed of motor 16 and finally cuts off the current

to the motor 16 to allow the carousel mechanism 30 to stop smoothly with the plate 131 above the molding means 13.

motor 41 is now activated in order to bring the hoisting cable 51 down, thereby bringing the IBC 12 into the molding means 13, whose doors 102, 103 are closed. Meanwhile, the conveyor 121 removed a pallet 120 from the baggage air 122 by introducing it under the molding means 13. Thus, the lifting cable 51 brings the IBC 12 down onto the pallet 120 and the cat 70 automatically disengages from the handle of the IBC 12 as described above. The presence of IBC 12 (hereinafter referred to as the first IBC) is detected by sensor 116, which signals the microprocessor, which activates the vibrating section 123 for a predetermined period. Si. At the same time with the operation of motor 41 to harness the

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-14 lift cable 51, motor 42 is activated by the microprocessor in order to allow operator 74 to hook a second IBC 12 to the cat 70 of the lifting cable 51 corresponding to motor 42. The presence of plate 132 marked 'B' is not detected by the sensor 150, since the distance between this second plate and the circular rail 28 is too great.

When operator 74 acts on the control panel, the lifting cable 51 corresponding to the motor 42 is lifted and the operating cycle described above with respect to the arm 31 is repeated. Simultaneously with the actuation of the motor 42, the motor 41 is activated in order to hoist the hoisting cable 51 associated with it in order to remove it from the molding means 13. When the hoisting cable 51 associated with the motor 42 causes the according to IBC 12 into the molding means 13, the presence of the second IBC 12 is detected by the sensor 117 which allows the microprocessor to actuate the vibrating section 123 during a predetermined period.

A third IBC 12 is introduced into the molding means 13 by the lifting cable 51 associated with the motor 43 in a similar way to the second IBC 12, the presence of the third IBC 12 being detected by the sensor 118. A stack 14 of IBCs is thus formed in the molding means 13.

It will be seen that when the third IBC 12 is brought into the molding means 13, the lifting cable 51 associated with the motor 44, now directly above the load station 143, is not harnessed since this cable is connected to wheel 54.

Following the release of the third IBC into the molding means 13, the lifting cable 51 associated with the motor 43 is lifted and the carriage mechanism 30 rotates 903 in order to take the wheel 54 directly over the molding means 13. A wheel 54 is drawn into the molding means and its weight compresses the top of the stack 14. Simultaneously, the vibrating section 123 is activated for a predetermined period. Simultaneously with the harnessing of wheel 54, the lifting cable 51

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5684 PT associated with motor 41 (plate 131 with the letter Ά ’), which is again directly above the charging station 143, is also harnessed. A first IBC 12 from a second stack 14 is engaged with the cat 70 and the lifting cable 51 attached to the motor 41 is lifted simultaneously with the lifting of the cable 51 associated with the motor 44.

Under the control of the microprocessor, ports 102, 103 are opened; and the removal means 17 are activated by the microprocessor so that the pallet 120 with the stack 14 on top is removed from the molding means 13 to a location still within the wall 160 of a building where the apparatus 10 is installed. Simultaneously, a second pallet 120 is introduced below the molding means 13 and the complete cycle of operations described above is repeated again to form a second and subsequent stacks 14 of IBCs 12.

If desired, an outer shell (not shown) can be placed over the stack 14 before it is removed through opening 161 in the wall 160 for a loading zone (not shown). In the loading area, a fork lift truck (not shown) can be used to immediately place pallet 120 and stack 14 on top of a truck (not shown) or in storage, as desired.

apparatus 10 according to the invention provides the. rather a safe stacking of IBCs 12, relatively quick, easy and convenient.

.0

If apparatus 10 is not in use, / conveyor 140 can be used to transport various items, including IBCs not stacked through opening 162 in wall 163 of the building (arrow 164) leading to a second loading zone (not represented).

Referring now to figures 19-21, an IBC 12 fabric made of polypropylene is shown and worked to form a tubular body with a 221. suspension handle. The IBC 12 has an inner lining or bag

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5684 PT of polyethylene film. IBC 12 is filled or partially filled in the manner described above with fertilizer in the form of granules. The IBC 12 is then subjected to vibration to allow the air between the granules to escape and the inner bag to be sealed / tied. The vibration applied to the IBC allows the material within the IBC to assume a good position within the IBC for stacking purposes.

Referring, in particular to Fig. 20, three IBCs 12, which were individually subject to vibration, are stacked in the manner described and placed on top of a 223 pallet. The bottom and middle IBCs have the suspension handles

Q.

221 compressed against the tubular part of the IBC, due to the weight of the material in the IBC above.

Referring to fig. 21 of the drawings, three IBCs are shown inside an outer shell 224 that girds the stack 14. The outer shell 224 is shaped like a bag, the mouth of which is placed over the top of the stack and pulled into the bottom 225 of the stack. 14.

Accordingly, bottom 225 of housing 224 faces upwards.

The use of the outer shell 224, which is made of a waterproof material, for example P.V.C. reinforced, serves first to prevent moisture and / / or other contaminants from entering the pile 14, and secondly, to reinforce the stability of the pile 14. C Using the outer shell 224 allows the pile 14 on the pallet 223 is stored outdoors.

Claims (20)

1 - Apparatus for stacking two or more intermediate or full load containers (IBCs) characterized by comprising means for placing the IBCs in succession in molding means to form a stack of IBCs; and means for removing the thus formed pile from the molding means 65 668 5684 PT -17age. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with means for vibrating the first and the following I3Cs within the molding means. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the molding means are of tubular construction and the means for placement are adapted to harness each IBC into the molding means whose axis is basically perpendicular to the floor. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the removal means include conveyor means located under the molding means on which the first placed IBC rests and the molding means include a part that can be opened with the shape of a door to allow the conveyor means to move the stack in a substantially horizontal direction through the door and out of the molding means. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means for interposing a pallet between the first IBC and the conveyor means so that the stack thus formed is supported by the pallet. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means that allow the control means to detect the presence of each IBC in the molding means. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stack comprises three IBCs. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means for supplying pallets in succession to the molding means. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises means for placing 65 668 5684 EN at least two hoisting means suspended from the cart equipped with the respective coupling cats with hoisting means located substantially equidistant from each other; means for independently lifting and lowering each hitch cat so that in operation each of the lifting means is adapted to lift, in sequence, from an IBC loading station, an IBC, after which the cart is rotated to a position that allows said lifting means to bring said IBC into the molding device. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the carousel mechanism comprises at least three lifting means, one of which has a weight to clamp onto the top of the IBC stack inside the molding device in order to compress the stack within the mole means. approach. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the carousel mechanism comprises four lifting means, one of which includes said weight. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it is equipped with means _: to introduce the IBCs in succession to the charging station. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the charging station includes mei. to vibrate each IBC before being lifted by the lifting means. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that each coupling cat comprises a plate, which has on one of its faces means for articulating engagement with the cable of the respective lifting means, supporting the other face of that plate articulating a coupling cat, and spring means for pulling the cat out of the coupling position when the weight of the load is not 65 668 5684 PT be supported by the lifting means. 15 - Stack of full or partially full intermediate cargo containers (iBCs) characterized by comprising two or more IBCs and a removable outer shell adapted to be used to store the stack, the outer shell has the shape of a bag whose mouth is placed by over the top of the stack and pulled towards the bottom of the stack to insert the stack into the bag. Battery according to claim 15 characterized by α outer shell being waterproof and reusable. 17 - Battery according to any of the claims 15 and 16 characterized by also comprising a pallet that supports the stack. 18 - Outer casing characterized by being adapted to open and close several times and adapted to be used to store in stack form a plurality of intermediate cargo containers, each with an inner bag to contain the packed material and each with handles of suspension, without the outer casing having suspending handles. healthy and whose base has a suitable shape to rest on a platform. 19. The wrapper according to claim 18. termed for being waterproof. A housing according to claim 18 or claim 12, characterized in that it is reusable.