1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bulk container for flowable materials and, more specifically, to a flexible bulk container system which is stackable both in use and in storage, and is collapsible to facilitate more compact storage and transportation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known in the art to provide rigid containers, such as drums, for the storage and transportation of flowable materials. Such prior art drums, however, are bulky and heavy, even when not in use. Also, by utilizing the strength attributes of a circular exterior, such drums do not maximize space most efficiently. Accordingly, when such drums are placed on a pallet, there are substantial open interior spaces, which could be better utilized to store flowable materials.
It is also known in the art to reduce weight by providing a container of a flexible, circular construction, which may be collapsed for transportation and storage after use. While such containers utilize space somewhat more efficiently than drums, are somewhat lighter than drums, and may be reduced in size for storage, such containers do not maximize the available space for storage of flowable materials. Additionally, since such containers do not possess rigid sides, they cannot be stacked, thereby substantially reducing their ability to maximize utilization of warehouse space.
While it is known in the art to provide rigid, square containers, maximizing the space allocation and allowing for the containers to be stacked, such containers are typically heavy, expensive, and difficult to collapse for storage or transportation when not in use.
It is also known in the art to provide collapsible containers with rigid side supports to allow for the containers to be stacked. One drawback associated with this construction is that such containers typically require strapping material or other securement mechanisms to be provided across the top of the container, thereby reducing access to the top of the container and preventing the container from being used in association with many flowable material filling systems. Also, such containers are typically of a cylindrical construction, thereby preventing them from utilizing space most efficiently.
It is further known in the art to provide stackable collapsible containers which have a top and bottom panel for receiving tubular supports which extend therebetween. The tubular supports are typically provided with cross bracing which adds strength, but which also adds cost, weight, complexity and difficulty in assembly, disassembly and storing the container. When it is desired to transport the stackable collapsible container in the collapsed orientation, the tubular supports and top panel are provided within the bottom panel. As the top panel is required to be of dimensions sufficient to fit inside the perimeter of the bottom panel, the top panel is necessarily smaller than the bottom panel. When the containers are stacked near one another for transport, with the bottom panels in contact with one another, the top panels of adjacent containers necessarily have a space therebetween. This space, although small, prevents such prior art containers from obtaining lateral support from the top panel of an adjacent container. The filled containers are typically being transported in a rail car or the like. When the rail car stops or starts suddenly, the space between the top panels of the containers allows the containers to generate momentum, causing the top panels of the containers to sway into and out of contact with one another. These undesired torsional forces lead to damage and possible failure of the container.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a container for flowable materials which is of a low cost, lightweight construction, easily collapsible for storage and transportation when not in use. It is also desirable to provide a container for flowable materials which provides a large access area into the container from the top of the container, which is stackable both when in use and when not in use, and when in use provides improved lateral support characteristics both at the bottom and top of the flowable materials container when the container is filled with flowable material. The difficulties encountered in the prior art heretofore are substantially eliminated by the present invention.
The present invention relates to a bulk container having a first frame and a second frame which receive supports therebetween. A flexible outer bag and a flexible inner bag are provided between the frames. Means are provided on the first frame for receiving the second frame and for retaining the second frame against lateral movement relative to the first frame. The receiving means align the sides of the first frame substantially planar with the sides of the second frame. In the preferred embodiment, the second frame interlocks into the first frame, securing the second frame against lateral movement relative to the first frame during transport. This allows the second frame to be of dimensions similar to the first frame. When the container is filled with flowable material, both the first frame and second frame of adjacent containers provide lateral support to one another.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flowable materials container which is low cost.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flowable materials container which is lightweight.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a flowable materials container which may be stacked upon it when filled.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a flowable materials container which efficiently utilizes available storage space efficiently.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a flowable materials container which may be used in association with standard pallets.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a flowable materials container which when stacked near a similarly filled flowable materials container, the bottom panels thereof and top panels thereof provide lateral support to one another.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
A stackable collapsible container for flowable materials is shown generally as (10) in
As shown in
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As shown in
As shown in
In addition to strengthening the second frame (34) and adding rigidity thereto, the locater pins (50) also assist in locating containers (10) and (62) relative to one another when one container (62) is stacked on top of another container (10). As shown in
When it is desired to use the container (10) of the present invention, the poles (32) are positioned within the pole sockets (30) of the first frame (20). The outer liner (18) is secured to the poles (32) either by weaving the outer liner (18) around the poles (32) or, in the preferred embodiment, by providing the outer linter (18) with sleeves (80) through which one or more of the poles (32) are provided. Securing some or all of the poles (32) through the sleeves (80) prevents the outer liner (18) from moving relative to the poles (32). Alternatively, the outer liner (18) may be secured to the second frame (34) and/or first frame (20) in any manner such as that known in the art. The second frame (34) is positioned so the poles (32) enter the pole sockets (44) of the second frame (34).
The inner liner (12) is then provided within the outer liner (18) and the top cap (14) is opened to allow the inner liner (12) to be filled with flowable material (92) by any means known in the art. Once the inner liner (12) has been filled, the top cap (14) is secured. A dust cover (82) may then be positioned over the inner liner (12) as shown in
As shown in
Once the containers (10) and (62) reach their destination, the flowable material (92) provided within the containers (10) and (62) may be drained utilizing the threaded plug (16). Once the containers (10) and (62) have been drained, the inner liner (12) may be discarded. When it is desired to transport the containers (10) and (62) after they have been emptied, the second frame (34) may be removed from the poles (32) and the poles (32) disengaged from the first frame (20). The outer liner (18) may be folded and placed on the platform (28) along with the poles (32). As shown in
The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080135547 A1 | Jun 2008 | US |