WO2015031951A1

WO2015031951A1 - Materials handling bag, bag system and method of materials handling using a bag or bag system

Info

Publication number: WO2015031951A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/050195
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Anthony Burgun
Original assignee: David Anthony Burgun
Priority date: 2013-09-04
Filing date: 2014-08-22
Publication date: 2015-03-12
Also published as: AU2019200585A1; AU2014317808A1; AU2013101620A4; AU2013101620B4

Abstract

A bag system (11) for the encapsulation and carriage of a hazardous material, the bag (11) system including a bag (10) and a liner (40) dimensioned to fit within the bag (10) so as to define a receptacle (14) into which the material is receivable. The bag (10) includes a bag body (12) and a lifting strap (16) coupled to the bag body (12), the bag body (12) including a topside (18), an underside (20), opposing ends (24) and opposing sides (22). The lifting strap (16) is arranged to extend from one of the opposing sides (22) along the underside (20) to an opposing one of the opposing sides (22) so as to provide support to the underside (20) of the bag body (12). The topside (18) includes a releasably closable flap (32) which provides a closable opening and wherein the liner (40) is dimensioned to substantially line internal surfaces of the bag body (12) and is arranged to provide a sealable opening aligned with the closable opening such that the material is receivable into the receptacle (14), and the liner (40) is formed of a plastic material having a thickness of at least about 200 µm such that when the sealable opening and closable opening are closed the material is encapsulated.

Description

Materials Handlin Bag, Bag System and Method of Materials- Handlin using a

Bag or Bag System

Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority from Australian patent application no. 2013903392 filed 4 September 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[002] The invention relates to a materials handling bag, a bag system and method of materials handling using a bag or bag system. In particular, the invention relates to a bag, a bag system and a method of using a bag or bag system to contain, store and transport a hazardous material such as asbestos.

Background

[003] When a site contains a hazardous material, such as asbestos, the hazardous material must be contained, stored and transported between the site and a disposal facility.

[004] Hazardous materials such as asbestos present significant challenges as the material needs to be carefully contained and sealed from the external environment prior to being transported from the sit to the disposal facility.

[005] One apparatus and method to contain and transport asbestos includes delivering a. bin such as a skip bin to a building site and linin the skip bin with a plastic sheet. Typically, two plastic sheets are used, with an inner of the two sheets lying over an outer of the two sheets. The two plastic sheets are typically flat rectangular sheets which ar dimensioned to surround and cover the asbestos when located within the bin. [006] Asbestos is then placed or dumped into the skip bin. To contain the asbestos the ends of the inner sheet are brought together and sealed with tape. Once the inner sheet is sealed, ends of the outer of the two plastic sheets are al so brought together to seal the outer plastic sheet around the inner sheet. This provides a double seal around the asbestos.

[007] The sealed asbestos is then transported to the site within the double sealed plastic and tipped or otherwise removed from the skip bin at the disposal site,

[008] A disadvantage with this apparatus and method is that the plastic sheets may be incorrectly fitted or sized for the skip bin and therefore not properly seal the asbestos. In particular, in use, the plastic sheets are rarely correctly aligned so as to fit with the ski bin and/or are rarely properly aligned to fit with one another. This may result in the asbestos not being properly sealed, for example, the seal ma become released such that some of the asbestos may escape from the incorrectly sealed plastic sheets,

[009] Another disadvantage with this method is that due to the incorrect fitted and/or sizing, the plastic sheets may become compromised such as by tearing during the dumping, sealing, transportation and unloading of the sealed asbestos material. Furthermore, the sealed sheets provide little scuff or tear resistance and the plastic sheets may become ripped o torn allowing the asbestos to escape. Another disadvantage with this method is that the plastic sheets are required to be supported whil t being tilled with the asbestos material.

[0010] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified disadvantages or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

[001 1 ] In accordance with a first main aspect there is provided, a bag system for the encapsulation and carriage of a hazardous material, the bag system including a bag and a liner dimensioned to fit within the bag so as to define a receptacle into which the materia] is receivable, wherein the bag includes a bag body and a lifting strap coupled to the bag body, the bag body including a topside, an underside, opposing ends and opposing sides, wherein the lifting strap is arranged to extend from one of the opposing sides along the underside to an opposing one of the opposing sides so as to provide support to the underside of the bag body; and wherein the topside includes a releasably closable flap which provides a closable opening and wherein the liner is dimensioned to substantially line internal surfaces of the bag body and is arranged to provide seaiable opening aligned with the closable opening such that the material is receivable into the receptacle, and wherein the liner is formed of a plastic material having a thickness of at least 200 μιη such that when the scalable opening and closable opening are closed the material is. encapsulated.

[0012] In one aspect, the flap is releasably closable by a zipper arrangement, the zipper arrangement including a track which extends proximate to and along three perimeter sides of the topside which meet the opposing ends and one of the opposing sides,

[0013] In another aspect, the lifting strap includes lifting loop portions and an attached portion, wherein the lifting loop portions extend from the opposing sides, and the attached portion is attached to at least the underside of the bag body.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the lifting strap is arranged to splay from one of the lifting loop portions so as to provide two spaced apart strap portions which extend from one of the opposing sides, along the underside to an opposing one of the opposing sides, and converge at the other of the lifting loop portions.

[0015] I yet another aspect, opposing ends and opposing sides of the liner are longer tha the correspondi ng opposing sides and ends of the bag body such that free ends of the opposing ends and opposing sides of the liner are inwardly foldable to meet with one another and encapsul te the material.

[0 16] In yet another aspect, the bag body is substantially rectangular in shape,

[0017] In yet another aspect, the bag body and a corresponding received portion of the liner each have a generally trapezoidal shape so as to fit with a ski bin, [0018] In yet another aspect, the bag is adapted to be fitted with a frame such that the bag is self-supporting.

[001 ] I yet another aspect, the bag body includes at least one attachment point and the frame include at least one frame member which is coupled in a fitted condition to the at least one attachment point.

[0020] I yet another aspect, the frame is relesably attachable to the attachment points so as to be moveable from the fitted condition and a disassembled removed condition.

[0021] In yet another aspect, the bag body is formed from polypropylene and the lifting strap is formed from at least one of nylon and polyester.

[0022] In yet another aspect, the bag body is substantially rectangular in shape having a first end and a second end, and wherein the bag includes two lifting straps which are respectively arranged toward the first end and the second end such that each strap provides two spaced apart lifting loop portions.

[0023] In another aspect, the lifting strap is a unitary structure,

[0024] I another aspect, the liner arrangement includes an inner liner and an outer liner, the outer being arranged to substantially occup an inner surface of the bag body and the inner being arranged to substantially occupy an inner surface of the outer liner so as to provide a receptacle to receive the asbestos.

[0025] In another aspect, the inner liner and the outer liner are formed from plastic sheet.

[0026] In another aspect, the inner liner is a scalable inner bag and the outer liner is a scalable outer bag which are each dimensioned to fit with and substantiall occupy the bag body. [0027] In. accordance wit a second main aspect there is provided, a method for encapsulating and carriage of a hazardous material using a bag s stem including a bag having a bag body and a liner dimensioned to fit within the bag body so as to define a receptacle into which the materia! is receivable, the bag body including a topside, an underside, opposing ends and opposing sides, the method including the steps of: arranging the liner substantially within the bag body such that a scalable opening of the liner is accessible through a closable opening provided by a releasably closable flap of the topside of the bag body; inserting the material through the closable opening of the bag body and seal able opening of the liner into the receptacle; sealing the bag system by closing the scalable opening of the liner, the liner being formed of a plastic material having a thickness of at least 200 pm, and then sealing the closable opening of the bag body by closing the closable flap of the bag body so as to encapsulate the material; and moving the bag vi a lifting strap attached to the bag body, the lifting strap being arranged to extend from one of the opposing sides along the underside to an opposing one of the opposing si des so as to provide support to the underside of the bag body and the material encapsulated therein .

[0028] In on aspect, closing the .seal able opening of the liner includes the step of bringing free ends of the liner at least partially together and applying a fastener to secure the scalable opening in a closed condition,

[0029] I another aspect, the fastener is tape arranged to seal and secure the free ends of the liner i the cl osed condition ,

[0030] In yet another aspect, the method further includes the step of inserting the bag within skip bin.

[0031] In yet another aspect, the method further includes the step of attaching a frame to at least one attachment point of the bag body such that the bag is self-supported by the frame.

[0032] In yet another aspect, the method further includes the step of attaching a lifting device to the lifting strap and lifting the bag. Brief Description of the Figures

[0033] The inventio is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0034] Figure 1 is a top perspective view illustrating a containment or bagging system including a bag;

[0035] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the bagging system including the bag;

[0036] Figure 3 is a top view iliustrating the bagging system including the bag;

[0037] Figure 4 is a detailed view illustrating a zipper of the bag;

[0038] Figure 5 is a side view illustrating the bagging system including the bag;

[0039] Figure 6 is a top view illustrating section D-D of the bag which is shown in Figure 7;

[0040] Figure 7 is a side section view illustrating section D-D of the bag which is shown i Figure 6;

[0041] Figure 8 is a detailed view of the inner and outer liners located at an end wall of the bag as indicated by detail E shown in Figure 7;

[0042] Figure 9 is a top perspective view illustrating another example of the containment or bagging system including the bag;

[0043] Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the bagging system including the bag;

[0044] Figure 11 is a top view iliustrating section D-D of the bag which is shown in Figure 12;

[0045] Figure 12 is a side section view illustrating section D-D of the bag which is shown in. Figure 1 1; and

[0046] Figure 13 is a detailed view of the inner and outer liners located at an end wall of the bag as indicated by detail E shown on Figure 12;

[0047] Figure 14 is a top perspective view illustrating yet another example of the containment or bagging system including the bag;

[0048] Figure 15 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the bagging system including the bag;

[0049] Figure 16 is an end view illustrating the baggin system including the bag;

[0050] Figure 17 is a side sectional view of the bagging system including the bag;

[0051 ] Figure 18 is a detailed view of liner located at an end wall of the bag as indicated by detail F as shown on Figure 17;

[0052] Figure 19 is a top perspective view illustrating yet another example of the containment or bagging system including the bag adapted to be self-supporting;

[0053] Figure 20 is a bottom perspective view illustrating self-supporting bag;

[0054] Figure 21 is a top perspective vie illustrating the self-supporting bag fitted with support members;

[0055] Figure 22 is a side view illustrating the self-supporting bag fitted with support members;

[0056] Figure 23 is a perspective vie of the bagging system including the self- supporting bag and a pre- shaped liner to be fitted within the self-supporti g bag. [0057] Figure 24 is a perspective view of the bagging system including the bag and the pre-shaped liner being fitted with a skip bin; and

[0058] Figure 25 is a perspective view of the bagging system including the bag and the pre-shaped liner fitted within a skip bin.

Detailed Description

[0059] Reierring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an example of a containment or bagging system 1 1 including ba 10 for the storage and carriage of a material (not shown). The bag 10 including a bag body 12 which provides a receptacle 14 in which the material is receivable and a lifting strap provided in the form of lifting straps 16 coupled to the bag body 12

[0060] The bag body 12 includes a topside 1.8, an underside 20, opposing sides 22 and opposing ends 24. In this example, the bag body 12 is shown as being generally rectangular in shape. However, the bag bod 12 may be formed of other shapes. The bag body 12 may be formed of polypropylene or other suitable material .

[0061] The lifting straps 16 are arranged to extend from one of the opposing sides 22 along the underside 20 to an opposing one of the opposing sides 22 so to provide support to the underside 20. as is best shown in Figure 2.

[0062] The lifting straps 16 include lifting loop portions 26 and attached portions 28. The lifting loop portions 16 extend from the opposing sides 22 and the attached portions 2.8 are attached to the opposing sides 22 of the underside 20 of the bag body .12. In some examples, the attached portions 28 m }' only be attached to the underside 20 of the bag body 12.

[0063] In this example, the lifting straps 16 are etch arranged to spl ay from one of the lifting loop portions 26 so as to provide two spaced apart strap portions 30 which extend from one of the opposing sides 22, extend along the underside 20 to the other one of the opposing sides 22, and converge at the other of the lifting loop portions 28. [0064] In this example, the bag 10 includes two lifting straps 16, which are each respectively arranged toward one of the opposing ends 24 such that each strap 16 provides the two spaced apart strap portions 30. As may be best appreciated from Figure 2, the two spaced apart strap portions 30 of each of the two lifting straps 16 provides a total of four attached strap portions 30 extending across the underside 20 thereby providing support for the underside 20 and any material which may be contai ned within or carried by the bag 10, It may be appreciated that each of the straps 16 provides an integrally fitted lifting sling,

[0065] The attachment of the liftin strap 16 to the bag body 12 ensures that the lifting strap 16 is located in the correct position for safe and balanced lifting of the bag 10 when loaded with the hazardous material. For example, the two spaced apart strap portions 30 are maintained in an evenly spaced position along the underside 20 of the bag i0,

[0066] The lifting straps 16 may each be formed from a single piece of material that is sewn, glued or otherwise attached the bag 10. The lifting straps 16 may be formed from nylon, polyester or other suitable material .

[0067] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the topside 18 includes a flap 3.2 which is releasably closable b a closure device 34 to seal the bag 10. In this example, the closure device 34 is provided in the form, of a zipper 36 to releasably ope and close the bag 12. However, the closure device 34 may be provided in a variety of forms such as Velcro or the like.

[0068] The zipper 36 includes a track 38 which extends proximate to and along three perimeter sides of the top side 32 so as to define the flap 34, The arrangement provi des a closable opening 33 i nto the receptacle 14 of the bag 12 and also allows the closure device 34 to be accessed from the topside 18 of the bag 12.

[0069] Referring to Figures 5 to 8, the bagging system 1 1 also includes a liner arrangement 40 dimensioned or shaped to fit within the bag 1.0. The liner arrangeixtent 40 may be arranged to provide a sealable opening 43 such that the liner provides a first seal around the material and the bag 10 provides a second seal around the material. The liner arrangement 40 may itself be considered to be a bag and may be referred to as a liner bag.

[0070] The liner arrangement 40 may include a double wall structure or, as is illustrated in Figure 8, the liner arrangement 40 may be provided in the form of an inner liner 42 and an outer liner 44 where the outer liner 44 i s arranged to substantially occupy an inner surface 46 of the bag body 12 and the inner liner 42 is arranged to substantially occupy an inner surface 48 of the outer liner 44 so as to provide a receptacle 50 within the receptacle 16 of the bag 12 to receive the material which in this example may be asbestos,

[0071] Each of the inner liner 42 and an outer liner 44 are arranged to have an opening at the topside 18 of the bag 12 which is substantially equal in size of the opening provided by the fla 32. Each of the inner liner 42 and an outer liner 44 are dimensioned to extend over the openin whe the bag 12 is filled with the material so as to cover or seal the opening.

[0072] Accordingly, each of the inner liner 42 and an outer liner 44 provide closable bags or covers thereby providing a. double seal within the bag 12. When the bag 12 is also sealed by closing tire flap 32 with the zipper 34, the overall bagging system 11. provides three layers, seals or levels of containment of the hazardous material.

[0073] in some examples, the inner liner 42 and the outer liner 44 may each be separate plastic bags or specifically shaped or pre-shaped plastic sheets which are configured to fit with each other and within the main bag 10. In particular, the inner liner 42 and the outer liner 44 may be configured as inner liner bags and outer liner bags which are each shaped to fit with and substantially occupy the bag body 12. The plastic may be polyethylene and may have a thickness of 200 μιη.

[0074] In this example, the bag 10 has an overall length of 3100 mm, a height of 900 mm and a width of 1400 mm. However, the bag 10 may be made in a variet of sizes having similar configurations to that described above. [0075] Referring now to Figures 9 to 13, there is shown a second example of a bag system 11 1 including a bag 112 in which like numerals denote like parts. The parts and overall configuration of this second example are generally the same as that described above in relation to the first example with reference to Figures I to 8. Accordingly, the parts are not described again.

[0076] However, the main difference between the first example of the bag 10 and the second example of the bag 1 10 is the configuration of the lifting strap 16. More particularly, in this example, a single lifting strap 16 is provided having spaced apart attached portions 1 17 and loop portions 113 which extend from each of the opposing sides 22 of the ba and connect the spaced apart, attached portions 1 17. The spaced apart attached portions 117 extend down the opposing sides 22 and around the underside of the bag 1 10 so as to provide dual supports to the underside 20 of the bag 110.

[0077] In this configuration, the lifting strap 16 may be provided as a single piece or unitary construction which is attached, at the attached potions 1 17, to the bag body 12. Accordingly, it may be appreciated that the lifting strap 16 provides an integral continuous lifting sling. The attachment of the lifting strap 16 to the bag body 12 ensures that the lifting strap 16 is located in the correct position for safe and balanced lifting of the bag 110 when loaded with the hazardous material.

[0078] In this example, the bag 1 10 has an overall length of 1500 mm, a height of 400 mm and a width of 1000 mm In this example the bag 110 is substantially smaller than the bag 10 described in relation to the first example, This provides a bagging system 1 1 1 and a bag 110 which is of a size that can be more readily transported and is more suitable for the do-it-yourself market or applications where the hazardous material has to be h and transported out of the building such as in. a unit block .

[0079] It is noted that due to the reduced size of the bag 1 10, the number of lifting straps 16, in particular, the number of attached portions of the lifting straps 16 which proceed along the underside 20 of the bag 1 10 is also reduced due to the reduction in the volume of material hence associated maximum weight which may be carried within the bag 1 10. Whilst the configuration of the lifting strap 16 is different in this second example to that of the first example, the bag D O may be still provided in a variety pf shapes and sizes and formed of a similar material.

[0080] Referring more specifically to Figures 1 1 to 13, this example of the bagging system 1 1 1 also includes a liner arrangement 40 in the form of an inner liner 42 and an outer liner 44. These liners 42, 44 are shaped and sized to be inserted within or fit within the smaller bag 1 10 such that the outer liner 44 is arranged to substantially occupy an inner surface 46 of the bag body 12 and the inner liner 42 being arranged to substantially occupy ah inner surface 48 of the outer liner 44 so as to provide a receptacle 50 within the receptacle 16 of the bag 12 to receive the material which in this example may be asbestos. n some examples, the inner liner 42 and the outer liner 44 ma each be separate plastic bags which are shaped to fit with each other and within the main bag 1 10. The plastic may be polyethylene and ma have a thickness of 200 μτη or greater.

[0081 ] Referring now to Figures 14 to 18, there is shown a third example of a bag system 21 1 including a bag 210 in which like numerals denote like parts. The parts and overall configuration of this second example are generall the same as that described above in relation to the first example with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Accordingly, all of the parts are not described again. However, the main difference between the first, exampl e of the bag 10 and this third example of the bag 210 is that the shape of the bag 210 and the liner arrangement 40 is provided in the form of a single layer plastic liner bag 240.

[0082] More specifically, in this example, the bag body 212 tapers on all sides from the topside 18 to the bottom side 20. As may be appreciated best from Figures 16 and 17, the ends 24 and sides 22 the bag body 212 have a trapezoidal profile narrowing toward the bottom side 20. The tapered shape of the bag body 212 allows the bag body 212 to snuggly fit with a correspondingly shaped skin bin 300 as is shown in Figures 24 and 25.

[0083] Referring more specifically to Figures 1.7 and 18, in this example, the liner arrangement 40 is provided in the form of the single layer plastic liner bag 240. The single layer plastic liner bag 240 is pre-shaped to fit with the trapezoidal shaped bag body 212 , The plastic liner bag 240 has a wall thickness of about 200 μηι or greater.

[0084] As is shown in. Figure 24, the plastic liner bag 240 includes a body portion 24.2 and a sealing flap arrangement 244 extending form the body portion 242. The sealing flap arrangement 244 may be folded to provided opposing side flaps 246 and opposing end flaps 248 which are arranged to be folded over material contained in the body portion 242 to encapsulate the material therein as is further detailed in the method of use described bel ow.

[0085] The overall length of opposing sides 243 and opposing ends 245 of the plastic liner bag 240 are longer than the corresponding opposing sides 22 and ends 24 of the bag body 212 such that free ends 381 of the opposing ends 245 and opposing sides 243 of the liner 240 are inwardly foldable to meet with one another and encapsulate the material. The single layer liner bag 240 has a thickness of at least 200 μηι.

[0086] Referring now to Figures 19 to 22, there is shown a fourth example of a bag system 311 including a bag 310 in which: like numerals denote like parts. The parts and overall configuration of this second example are generally the same as that described above in relation to the first example with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Accordingly, all of the parts are not described again . However, the main difference between the first example of the bag 10 and this fourth example of the bag 3.10 is that in this example the bag 310 i adapted to be self-supporting and the bag body 312 is adapted to couple with a supporting frame or staictural arrangement 360 as is best shown in Figures 21 to 23,

[0087] In more detail, in this example, the bag body 312 includes attachment points or couplings 362 in the form of sleaves or eyelets 364. The eyelets 364 are provided at spaced apart intervals along the perimeter of the topside 18 at the intersectio with the opposing sides 22 and ends 24. The eyelets 364 are also provided on the four vertical corners 366 of the bag body 312,

[0088] As is best shown in Figures 21 and 22, the support structural arrangement or frame 360 is fitted to the eyelets 364 such that the bag 312 is self-supporting. The .structural arrangement 360 includes supporting legs 368 located at the vertical corners 366 of the bag body 312 and a rectangular top frame 370 support by the supporting legs 368. The supporting legs 368 and rectangular top frame 370 are formed from tubular members 372, such as PVC tubes, which are releasablv attachable with one another via corner connectors 374 which are arranged to receive and secure the tubular members 372 together. The tubular members 372 are arranged to be slid through the respective eyelets 364 and then coupled to one another via the corner connectors 374,

[0089] Accordingly, the supporting frame 360 may be releasablv fitted to the bag 330 so as to be reusable wit a number of the bags 312. Advantageously, this supporting frame 360 allows the bagging system 33 1 to be arranged similarly to that described below in situations where a skip bin 300 is not used.

[0090] Referring to Figure 23, the self-supporting bag 3 10 is arranged to receive a liner bag 40 in the form of a generally rectangular shaped pre-shaped liner bag 340 which is received in use within the bag body 312. The pre-shaped liner bag 340 includes bod portion 342 and a sealing flap arrangement 344 extending form the body portion 342. The sealing flap arrangement 344 may be folded to provide opposing side flaps 346 and opposing end flaps 348 which are arranged to be folded over material contained in the body portion 342 to encapsulate the material therein as is further detailed in the method of use described below. The single layer liner bag 340 has a thickness of at least 200 μτη,

[0091] Turning now to the method of use and referring to Figures 24 and 25, in use, the bag system I I, 1 11, 211, 311 including the bag 10, 1 1.0, 210, 310 and the liner arrangement 40 as described hi any of the above examples may be utilised in method of handling a hazardous material. In particular, the bag system 13 , 1 1 1, 21 1, 311 is preferably designed for the reliable and safe containment, storage and transport of asbestos. The example below is focussed on the example of the bag 210, However, it is to be understood that the other examples of the bag 10, 1 10, 210 and 310 may also be utilised in a similar method. [0092] The method including the steps of; arranging the liner arrangement 40 in the hag 210 such that a scalable opening 43 of the liner arrangement 40 is accessible through the closable opening 33 which is closable by the flap 32 of the bag 210.

[0093] In this example, the liner arrangement 40 in the form of a pre-shaped liner bag 240 is shown and the method includes inserting the liner arrangement 40 within the bag 210. In other examples, the method step may also include inserting an outer liner 44 into the bag 210 and then inserting the inner liner 42 into the outer liner 44 such that both the inner and outer liners 42, 44 are arranged in substantially the same shape as the bag 210 with an opening which is accessible through the closable flap 32.

[0094] The bag 210 may then itself be inserted or fitted to a bi or skip, such as skip bin 300, being a bin structure which provides additional support to the bag 210 whilst being filled with the material. Alternately, in some example, the self-supporting bag 310 may be utilised and be fitted with a supporting frame 360 during use.

[0095] The hazardous material which in this example is asbestos is then inserted into the bag 210 through the closable flap 32 and received into the void or receptacle 50 within the liner arrangement 40 through an opening 380 defined by the flap arrangement 244 which is shown in Figure 24 is an open condition. Once the void or receptacle 50 within liner arrangement 40 is sufficiently filled, and the bag 210 is in a filled condition, the liner arrangement 40 is then sealed and the closable flap 32 is closed and further sealed with the zipper 34.

[0096] More specifically, to seal the bag 210, the free ends 381 of the liner arrangement 40, in this example being shown as the pre-shaped liner bag 40 having a closable sealing flap arrangement 244, are brought together and folded over one another so as to encapsulate the material withi the void or receptacle 50. The joints 383 between the folds of the flap arrangement 244 are then sealed by a fastening means such as tape, in particular, duct tape. Then, the flap 32 is closed and secured in a closed position by zipper 34. This seals the material within the bag 210.

[0097] In other examples, where the liner arrangement 40 includes two liners being an inner liner 42 and an outer liner 44. The method includes the steps of the inserting the material through an opening defined by the inner liner 42 and the outliner liner 44 so as to at least partially fill the void 50 within the inner liner 42, The inner liner 42 may then be sealed by bringing free ends of the inner liner 42 together to encapsulate the material within the inner liner 42. The free ends may be sealed by a fastening means such as tape, in particular, duct tape. Once the inner liner 42 is sealed, free ends of the outer liner 44 are brought together to encapsulates the inner liner 42. Again, joints betwee the folds of the outer liner 44 are then sealed b a fastening means such as tape, in particular, duct tape. Once the inner liner 42 and the outer liner 44 are sealed, the flap 32 is closed and secured in a closed position b zipper 34,

[0098] Once sealed or closed, the bag 210 may then be lifted by the lifting stra 16 into a vehicle and/or otherwise transported to a disposal site. This process may involve the attachment of a lifting device (not shown) to the lifting strap 16 to lift the bag 210 into or out of the vehi cle. Alternatively, the bag 210 may be simply dumped from the rear of the vehicle or bin at a disposal site. The bag 210 having a generally rectangular or trapezoidal shape may also be stackable or stacked on top of or next to one another for efficient and stable transportation and/or storage.

[0099] As may be appreciated from the above, the bag system and bag provide for the safe and efficient containment and transportation of a hazardous material such as asbestos. In particular, the bag system provides a pre-configured containment system with a bag having integral lifting straps or slings and a scalable opening through which insertable liners may be fitted.

[00100] In particular^", the liners may be pre-shaped hner bags being specifically shaped and sized to fit within the bag which may be arranged to provide the closable openings so as to provide an first inner seal and an second outer seal around the material which is then further encapsulated by the bag to provide a third or tertiary seal around the liner bags, The inner and outer liners are formed of a relatively thin plastic sheet material which is configured for the safe containment of asbestos and the bag is formed of a relatively tough material so as to inhibit the damage such as piercing or tearing of the outer and inner plastic liners, [00101 ] Further advantageously, the integral lifting straps are arranged at spaced apart locations and extend entirely around the opposing outer sides and the underside of the bag and therefore provide support for the material which may be carried within the bag. The arrangements of the straps thereby providing a distributed load over the outer surface of the bag and hence reducing an point loads on the bag which may lead to damage to the bag and/or the liners,

[00102] Accordingly, it may be appreciated that, overall, the bag, system and methods disclosed herein provide significant operational, reliability, repeatability and safety advantages over the apparatus and/or methods which have been previously proposed,

[00103] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of i tegers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps,

[00104] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that, the known matter or prio art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[00105] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[00106] Many and various modifications, will be apparent, to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A hag system for the encapsulation and carriage of a hazardous material, the bag system including a bag and a liner dimensioned to fit within the bag so as to define a receptacle into which the materia! is receivable,

wherein the bag includes a bag body and a lifting strap coupled to the bag body,, the bag body including a topside, an underside, opposing ends and opposing sides,

wherein the lifting strap is arranged to extend from one of the opposing si des alon the undersi de to an opposing one of the opposing sides so as to provide support to the undersi de of the bag body ; and

wherein the topside includes a releasably closable fla which provides a closable opening and wherein the liner is dimensioned to substantially line internal surfaces of the bag body and is arranged to provide a seal able opening aligned with the closable opening such that the material is receivable into the receptacle, and wherei the liner is formed of a plastic material having a thickness of at least about 200 μηι such that when the scalable opening and closable opening are closed the material is encapsulated.

2. The bagging system according to claim 1, wherei the flap is releasably closable by a zipper arrangement, the zipper arrangement including a track which extends proximate to and along three perimeter sides of the topside whic meet the opposing ends and one of the opposing si des.

3. The bag system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lifting step includes lifting loop portions and an attached portion, wherein the lifting loop portions extend from the opposing sides, and the attached portion is attached to at least the underside of the bag body.

4. The bag system according to claim 3, wherein the lifting strap is arranged to splay from one of the lifting loop portions so as to provide two spaced apart strap portions which extend from one of the opposing sides, along the underside to an opposing one of the opposing sides, and converge at the other of the lifting loop portions.

5. The bag system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein opposing ends and opposing sides of the liner are longer than the corresponding opposing sides and ends of the bag body such that free ends of the opposi ng ends and opposing sides of the finer are inwardly foldabl© to meet with one another and encapsulate the material,

6. The bag system according to claim 5, wherein the bag body and a corresponding received portion of the liner each have a generally trapezoidal shape so

7. The bag system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the bag is adapted to be fitted with a frame such that the bag is self-supporting,

8. The bag system according to claim 7, wherein the bag body includes at least one attachment point and the frame includes at least one frame member which is coupled in a fitted condition to the at least one attachment point.

9. The bag system according to claim 8, wherei the frame is relesably attachable to the attachment points so a to be moveable from the fitted condition and a disassembled removed condition,

10. The bag according to any one of the previous claims, wherei the bag body is formed from polypropylene and the lifting strap is formed from at least one of nylon and polyester.

1 1. A method for encapsulating and carriage of a hazardous material using a bag system including a bag having a bag body and a liner dimensioned to fit within the bag body so as to define a receptacle into which the material is receivable, the bag body including a topside, an underside, opposing ends and opposing sides, the method including the steps of:

Arranging the liner substantially within the bag body such that a sea!able opening of the liner is accessi ble through a closable opening provided b a releasably closable flap of the topside of the bag body; Inserting the material through the elosahle opening of the bag body and scalable opening of the liner into the receptacle;

Sealing the hag system by closing the scalable opening of the liner, the liner being formed of a plastic material having a thickness of at least 200 μηι, and then sealing the closable opening of the bag body by closing the closable fla of the bag body so as to encapsulate the material; and

Moving the bag via a lifting strap attached to the bag body, the lifting strap being arranged to extend from one of the opposing sides along the underside to an opposing one of the opposing sides so as to provide support t the underside of the bag body and the material encapsulated therein.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein closing the scalable opening of the liner includes the ste of bringing free ends of the liner at least partially together and applying a fastener to secure the sealable opening in a closed condition.

13. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein the fastene is tape arranged to seal and secure the free ends of the liner in the closed condition.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the method further includes the step of inserting the bag within skip bin.

1.5. The method according to any one of claim 1.0 to 12, wherein the method further includes the step of attaching a frame to at least one attachment point of the bag body such that the bag is sel -supported by the frame,

16. A bag for use in a bag system or method as defined in any one of the previous claims.