Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Intermediate bulk containers
. . .
~ his invention relates to fle~ible in.er~ediate bulk
containers, which are hereinafter referred to as IBC's. Slch
containers, which are often in the fo~m of bags or sacks fa~-
ricated from a wovPn fabric, eOg. woven from polyolefin fibresor ribbons, often with an impervious liner, e~g. as a separate
irmer plastics sack or having an inner or ou-ter plastics lamin-
ated coating, are widely used for transportin~ powdery or
granular materials, such as chemicals, e.g. fertiiizers, whPn
it is desired that a unit package should be of the order of 0.5
to 3 m3. ~ypically IBC's have a capacity of 1 to 1.5 m~r
~ eretofore such IBC's have been provided with lifting
straps or slings sewn or otherwise attached to the cortainer or
formed integrally therewith. When lifted by such means, the
con-tents of the IBC are co~pressed and tend to give the I~C a
convex top. This gives rise to problems ir:~en it is desired o
stack the I~C' 8 several hi~rh since the convex top t~ ' -to grive
rise to stack instability with consequent s-~ ety hazards. A130,
since the BC's are lifted from the top, it is ofter necessa~y
for an operative to climb on to the top of the stack -to attach
the slings etc. to the lifting device.
In some cases the IBC's are transported on pallets of
the conventionrl type, generally with one IBC per pallet, so that
the palletised IBC can be moved by means of conventional fo- -
lift trucks. ~ormation of a convex top to the I~C, with con-
sequent stacking instability is still liable to occur, particularly
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where the IBC is lifted by slings etc. on to the palletO
We hare devised a method of overcomi~g t'nis p~oblem.
Accordingly we provide in combination
(a) an IBC and
5 (b) a supporting cradle therefor, said cradle comprising a
pair of supportin~ members disposed be~eath the base
of the IBC so tnat the IBC can sag into the space
between said supporting members to a depth substan-
tially equal to the height of the cradle, said s-~?-
porting members being con-nected so that the r~a~irmu3
spacing between said supporting members, and their
height, is sufficient to permit the insertion of the
tines of a fork-lift truck on eithe side of said
supporting members and beneath said IBC.
Preferably the supporting members are provided with -trans-
verse members e~tending outwardly from the upper edgeE thereof so
that the cradle can be lifted, together with the I~5, by a fork-'ift
truck having its tines disposed beneath said transverse members.
One embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the
accompanying drawings wherein
Figure 1 is a front elevat on of the IBC located
on the cradle,
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the I2C located
on the cradle,
Figrure 3 is a plan of the cradle~
Figures 4 to 9 are diagrarnmatic elevations showing
the stages in the formation of the bot'om OI an
I~C suitable for use with the cradle. Figures 8
and 9 are front and back elevations respectively
of the final stage.
Figures 4a to 8a show sections along the lines I-I
of Figures 4 to 8 respectively.
Figures 4b, 5b, 6b and 6c correspond to Figures 4,
5, 6 and 6a respectively showing possible
modifications.
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Figures 10 to 12 are sections through a~ IBC of the
type shown in ~igures 8 and 9 positioned in a
cradle sho~/ing the various stages in filling. In
Figu~es 10 to 12 some of the laye~s of mat~rial
forming -the base have been omitted f`or sim?licity.
In Figures 4a to 8a, and 10 to 12, -the co~ponent
layers are shown separated sli~htly for clarity.
~igure 13 is a view, from the underside, of a filled
I~C as shown in ~igure 12 on a slighJly modified
cradle.
In Figures 1 and 2 an I3C 1, of approximate capacity
1 m3 in the form of a nominal cuboid bag is located on a cradle 2
which is resting on a surface 3, which may be the ground or
another IBC.
'rhe cradle has a pair of supporting members 4a, 4b spaced
apart only by a pair of cross members 5 connecting -the lower
ed~es of the supporting members 4a, 4b. A pair of auxiliary
members 6a, 6b are provided, each being disposed outwardly of,
and parallel to, the respective supporting members 4a9 4b. These
auxiliary members 6a, 6b are connected to their respective support-
ing members 4a, 4b by extensions 7a, 7b of the cross-members 5 and
by transverse members 8a, 8b at their lower edges, and by træns-
verse members 9a, 9b at their upper edges.
The auxiliary members 6a, ~b and the support members 4a,
4b, together with the trarsverse members 8a, 8b, 5a, 9b, assoc a-ted
therewith thus define box-like 3tructures havinr^ open ends lOa, 1O~D.
'rhe dimensions of the membe7s i~ such -that the tines lla,
llb (shown dotted in Figures 2 and 3) of a fork-lif'c truck can be
inserted into the box-like struc-tures throuFh their operl end3 lOa,
lOb. 'rhe transverse members 9a, 9b above the supportirlg memDer
4a, 4b enable the cradle to be lifted, with the I~C, by the tines
of a fork-lift truck inserted into the boY.-like st~uctures.
Typically the dimension of -the com?onents are such -that
the openings lOa, lOb have a wid-th of -the order of 15 - 20 cm and
a height of 5 - 8 cm, and are spaced apart by 70 - 85 cm. If the
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supporting members 4a, 4b have a thickness of about 2.5 cm, the
distance between the facing sides of the su?pGrt~ng members 4a,
4b will thus be about 65 - 80 cm. If the tra~sverse members 8a, 8b,
9a, ~b, and the cross-members 5a, 5b have a th~ckness of about 1 cm,
the total height of the cradle will be about 7 - 10 cm.
~ etween the box-like structures there is thus a spzce
of approximate width 65 - 80 cm and 7 - 10 cm heigh-t. ~ne I~C
sags into this space so that it rests upon the surlace 3: hence
the bulk of the weight (and of any I~C's stac'~ed on top of I3C 1
is borne by the base of IBC 1 rather th~-n by the cradle 2. Ln
t~rn this sagging of the IBC may, in some casos, give the ~op of
the IBC a slightly concave configuration as shown by the dotted
line 12 in ~igure 1~
~he I3C is preferably filled while located on the cradle
as this enables the requisite degree of "saæ" to be achieved and,
by using conventional vibratory filling devices, the top of
the I3C can then be rendered essentially fla-t. Where the I~C has
an impermeable lining, it may be advantageous, after filling, to
evacuate the air inside the lining. This renders the filled IBC
relatively rigid.
While lifting straps can be fastened to the I3C or made
integral therewith, preferably there are no such straps or lift-
ing means so tLat the IBC can only be ha~dled by means of tke
cradle so tLat the fo~mation of a convex top to the I~C is avoided.
Where there are no lifting straps etc., the materi~i o
the IBC can be less substantial than is conventional, thus giv;~g
cost savings. Since the cradle serves essentially only a stabil-
ising function, it too can be less substantial tha~ conven~ional
pallets. Conveniently the cradle i5 made from -timber.
In order to enable the I~C to be filled while located
on the cradle, it is desirable tLat means a~e provided to acc~r-
ately position the empty IBC on the cradle so that, when filled,
the IBC is evenly supported by the cradle.
The IBC is preferably of tubular configuration with its
bottom formed, as in conventional bag or sack technology by fol~ng
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and sealing the material at one end of the tube~ Depending on
the materials employed for the manuf2cture of t.1e IBC, the bottom
may be sealed by stitching, by an adhesive, and/or by ~,reldirg, and
may incorporate a reinforcing or sealing patch. Convenierllly the
5 bottom is for~ed by folding one end of the tube, while the latter
is in the collapsed, "lay-flat" state, into an approximatel~
square config~ration, followed by foldin~ the opposite "free" corners
of the square towards one another to form 3 generally heYagonal
shape having a length equal to the lzy-flat width of the tube and
four sides of equal length disposed in two oppo3ite pairs with a
right angle between adjacent eq~al length sides. Ihe other two
sides of the hexagon will not be disposed at right angles to
adjacent sides but may, in some cases, also have a length eq~lal
to those of the aforesaid four sides.
3y forming the bottom of the I3C of such a size that
it ha~ a hexagonal configuration so that the hexagon has a length
equal to the lay-flat width of the tube, parallel opposed sides,
one pair of opposed sides parallel to the length of the hexagon,
and a width such tha-t the hexagon can fit between the support
numbers of the cradle witk the sides of the hexagon parallel to
its length parallel to the support members, the I~C can be
accurately positioned during filling. Accordingly, the present
invention also provides an IBC suitable for use in a combination
as hereinbefore described comprising a flexible tubular body
having a closed bottom which ha~, when said tu~ular body is in
the collapsed, "lay-flat", condition, a generally hexagonai con-
figuration, said hexagon having a length equal to the lzy-flat
width of said body, parallel opposed sides, one pair of opposed
sides parallel to the length of the hexagon and a width such -tnat
the hexagon can fit between the support member~ of the cradle -~ith
the sides of the hexagon parallel to its length parallel to said
support members~
However, for optimum capacity, appearance, and stability
of the filled IBC, the bot-tom of the I~C is preferably of such a
hexagonal configuration withthe width of the hexagon eql~l to the
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length of the sides of the kexagon that are parallel to its
length.
In many cases this width wiil excesd the spacing between
the support members of the cradle.
We have fou~d however that if poxtions of the bottom of
the IBC are folded back, along lines pa~allel to the length of
the heYagon, to give a bottom of width suitaDle to fit between
the suppor-t membere of the cradle, and the folded bac~; por-tio~s
lightly fastened to the sides of the IBC, on filling tne IB~, the
fastening can be broken to release these folded back portions.
~ he light fastening may be, for example, stitchLn~ with
a suitable thread, and/or a layer, line, or spots of a~ adhesive,
and/or one or more strips of adhesive tape.
In order to obtain satisfactory filling of ths container
and release of the folded back portions, it is preferred to clamp
the top of the rBC during the filling opexation.
We therefore also provide an IEC as described above
wherein the hexagonal bottom has a width greater than the spacing
between the support members of the cradle, and portions of said
bottom are folded back, along lines parallel to the length of the
hexagon, to give a narrower hexagon of width such that the narrower
hexagon can fit between the suppor-t members of the cradle with ~he
sides of the narrower hexagon parallel to its len2~h parallel to
said support members, said folded back portions being releasably
fastened to the sides of the tubular body.
As mentioned above, the cradle is dimensioned so that
the tines of a fork-lift truck can be inserted in the openin~3 lOa,
lOb, and to this end, the overall width of the space between the
support members 4a, 4b is about 70 cm while -the overall width of
the cradle is about 120 cm.
Such a cradle can conveniently support an IBC which,
when filled iB of approximate cylindrical configuration ha~ing a
diameter of about 120 cm. Such an I~C can be formed from a tube
of lay-flat width of about 183 cmO
The bottom of the IBC can be formed, as shown in ~igures
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4 to 9 and 4a to 8a, by folding the lay-flat ~ube 12. ~irst the
bottom corners 13a, 13b are folded, about lines 14a 14b respectively
and tucked inside the tube (see Figures 4 and 4a). I~o tri~ngul2r
shaped flaps 15a, 15b are thus formed at the end of the tube. One
flap 15a is then folded upwards about line 16 (shown dotted in
Eigure 5) to give a square configuration 17.
It will be appreciated that, if desired, the lines along
which the corners l~a, 13b and flap 15a are folded may be displaced
to 14a', 14b', and 16' respectively (see ~ig~re 4b) 30 thzt an
overlap 18 (see Figure 5b) is formed.
~ he free opposed corners 1a, l9b of s~uare 17 are then
folded towards each other (see ~igures 6, 6a) about lines 20a, 20b
to give a hexa6~nal configuration 21 denoted in Eigure 6 as hexagon
ABCDEF. This hexagon has opposed parallel sides AB, ÆD; BC, F3;
and CD, AF and four sides AB, CD, DE, and EA of equal len6~th.
A reinforcing patch 22 is then applied to the area 3CEF
(see Figures 7, 7a)
By geometry it is seen that if the opposed corners l9a,
l9b are folded so that they just meet, corners ~CEF of the hexagon
describe a square. ~hen, if the lay-flat width of the tube 2 i3
188 cm, the width of the hexagon 21, i.e. the distance between the
opposed parallel sides BC and ~3, is 94 cm, which is in an excess
of the spacing (about 70 cm) between the support members 4a, 4b of
the cradle. ~he distance between sides BC and ~3 can be reduced
by folding the opposed corners l9a, l9b of square 17 along lines
20a', 20b' (~ee Figure 6b) so that the corners l9a, l~b overl~D,
to give a narrower hexagon AB'C'D~'F' that coulcL fit between +he
support members 4a, 4b of the cradle. Whiie such an arrangemerlt
could be ut~lised, the corners B'C'E'F' of the narrower hexa~on
AB'C'DE'F' no longer describe a square.
A square base BCEF is desirable in order to give the I~C
is optimum capacity and to improve the appearance and stability of
the filled ~BC on the cradle.
In order to permit the bottom to fit between the support
members 4a, 4b of the cradle and, at the same time, permit the IBC
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in use to have a square bare ~CEF, we there~ore prefer tkat
opposed por-tions 23a, 23b of the hexagon 21 (each portion con-
taining one of the opposed sides ~C, E~ of the hexagon) are
folded back, about lines 24z, 2.~b (see Figure 8, 8a, 9) to ~ ve a
5 narrower hexago~ AB'TC" DE"~ " ofsize such that it can fit be~ween
the support members 4a, 4b of the cradle with sides ~' IC7 1 ar.d E" F"
parallel to the length ~D of the hexagon and parallel to the
support members 4a, 4b.
These folded back portions 23a, 23b are fastened to the
outer sides 25a, 25b of the rest of the flaps 15a, 15b by mea~s of
a releasable fastening, e.g. by means of adhesive tape st-ips 26
(see ~igures 8, 8a, and 9) and/or by a line or spots of a ~eak
adhesive (not shown).
In use the IBC is first placed (see Figure 10) on the
cradle with the narrow hexagon A3'7C "DE"F" betwee~ the su?port
members 4a, 4b with the sides 3"C " and F"E" parallel to the sup-
port members 4a, 4b.
The top of the BC is then clamped open by a clamp
device 27 (see Figure 11). On filling the I3C (see Figure 12)
the fastening, e.g. tape 26, holding portions 23a, 23~ back is
broken by the action of the IEC base openirV out to accom30date
the contents (which are not sho~n in ~igu~e 12).
After filling, the clamp 27 is released and the top of
the IEC closed, for example by folding and sealing the uppe~ ends
28 of the I3C over the contents and/or by the application of a
separate cover member (not shown) which is fast;Lned to the top of
the IBC, e.g. by shrink wrapping.
Where the filled IBC 29 is of gener~lly cylin~ricz]
oonfiguration, i.e. as is obtained using an IBC made, as des-
~0 cribed above, from a tubular material, the cra~1le is preferablyof octagonal configuration as sho~n in Fig~re 13.
PA/CG ~
9 ~ovember 1982
