Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WO 98/34854 PCT/GB98100232
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CONTAINER BAG
This invention relates to container bags and in particular
relates to container bags for carrying loads in the range of
one half to two tonnes and known as flexible intermediate bulk
containers (FIBC's).
Intermediate bulk containers are increasingly employed in cargo
handling and transporting situations, especially for the
carriage of particulate or pulverulent material. A typical
FIBC will be manufactured from a fabric woven from polyolefin
tapes and have integral lifting loops. Examples of such
containers are described in UK patent numbers 1591091 and
2063816. FIBC's have to meet various national and
international safety standards; for example it is normal to
require a 5:1 safety ratio, that is an FIBC rated at one tonne
should not break under loads of less than five tonnes.
Many FIBC's, even so-called "single trip" FIBC's, are
sufficiently robust to be re-used. Indeed many are sold
specifically as "multi-trip" products. However FIBC's often
get soiled during use, for example a common problem is fork-
lift truck mast grease contacting and soiling the sides of an
FIBC.
While it is possible to refit the FIBC with a new liner to
ensure that the product entering the FIBC for a second time is
completely clean, the used FIBC is frequently aesthetically
unacceptable because of various grease marks, soiling, or the
like. This is particularly so where high value products such as
chemicals or pharmaceuticals are to be transported, since users
are understandably reluctant to jeopardise high-value cargo
with apparently soiled containers - even though a new liner may
have been fitted. Alternatively, some products do not
require a liner in the FIBC, in which case the FIBC is cleaned
(dust extracted, etc.) but the exterior will remain dirty as
before.
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The invention seeks to provide an FIBC improved in the above
respects.
According to the present invention there is provided a
container bag which comprises a body of flexible material and
one or more lifting loops characterised in that the body is
provided with one or more removable sleeves.
In addition to the body, the base, and optionally the top, may
be provided with one or more removable covers which may or may
not be attached to or integral with the removable body sleeve.
Preferably more than one removable sleeve is provided, for
example four. It is envisaged that the way in which such an
FIBC would be used is as follows. A new multi-trip FIBC
complete with, say, four sleeves is filled with its first load
and transported to its eventual destination. At that point
the load is discharged and the FIBC is returned for re-use.
Before filling with its second load, the outer sleeve is
inspected and, if soiled, is removed - exposing the sleeve
beneath it. The latter will be in pristine condition, having
been protected by the outer sleeve. The process is
repeated until all the sleeves have been removed when the
normal body of the FIBC is exposed and it can be used for what
may perhaps be its last trip. In this way, with four
sleeves, a minimum of five trips can be obtained from the FIBC
without the soiling problems previously experienced.
The sleeve or sleeves are affixed to the FIBC in a manner which
allows them easily to be removed. They should therefore be
loosely attached by either clipping or stitching or any other
suitable manner of adhering. The clips if used may be
removed, and the stitches if used may be cut or pulled off
allowing easy removal of the sleeve.
Each sleeve may be fully printed with the company logo, or any
other instructions or lettering which would normally appear on
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an FIBC. A further advantage of the sleeves in the FIBC of
the invention is that they render the FIBC more stable.
In addition to sleeves, which may be tubular in construction
and of a relatively light and inexpensive material, it is
' preferred also to incorporate a base cover which may
conveniently formed integrally with or stitched to the or each
sleeve. The base cover may have a cord tie, for example a
cross cut cord tie, to give access to the discharge spout of
the FIBC. An additional advantage of incorporating a base
is that it helps protect the bag when placed on the ground, and
may enable users to dispense with the use of pallets.
Where the sleeve and/or base is attached by means of stitching
it is preferred that the colour of the stitching thread used
for each successive layer used is different so that the user
can immediately tell, by the exposed colour of the stitching,
how many layers of sleeve remain to be used.
The fabric from which the FIBC of the invention is formed, as
well as the sleeve and base, may be conventional fabrics for
use in this type of container bag and may be woven from
polyethylene or polypropylene tape yarns. The side walls of
the FIBC may be made from a fabric having reinforced zones or
areas of interwoven reinforcing yarns, for example as disclosed
in UK patent number 1591091. Where such reinforcing areas
are provided they may be as described in that patent and may be
formed of interwoven threads of high tensile strength
reinforcing yarns such as poiyamide, polyester or twisted or
fibrillated polypropylene. The lifting loops are attached
to such reinforced area. Alternatively, the FIBC may be
"underslung" where the lifting loops extend down the side walls
and under the base of the container body. In either case the
lifting loops will preferably be of a woven webbing of
synthetic yarns, for instance of the type used for car seat
belts, for example polyamide or polyester yarns, or may be
ropes or hawsers of suitable strength.
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It is preferred that four lifting loops be provided spaced
across the corners of the container bag. The corners will
normally but not necessarily be defined by side seams. This
construction of bag is particularly preferred since it is
roughly cubic in shape when filled and therefore stacks well.
The container bag of the invention may be fitted with a top
and/or a filling spout as well as a discharge spout as is
conventional in the FIBC art.
The invention will described further, by way example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded view of an FIBC in
accordance with the invention; and
Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the FIBC of figure 1.
Referring to the drawings, an FIBC generally designated 10 has
side walls 12 and a base 14. The bag may be circular woven
or the side walls may be attached to one another by one or more
stitched seams 16. Lifting loops 18 are provided across the
corners of the bag.
The bag 10 is provided with one or more sleeves 20, preferably
four. The sleeves 20 are loosely attached to the bag for
example by means of sewing at 22, and the colour of thread used
for each successive sleeve 20 is preferably different so that
an immediate visual check may be made on how many sleeves there
are left.
Preferably each sleeve 20 incorporates a base 24 incorporating
a cross cut cord tie 26 to enable access to be obtained to a
discharge spout 28 having tie cords 30. A base with
protective opening may be attached to each of the sleeves 20 or
alternatively, one additional base may be fitted to the actual
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FIBC 10 for multi-trip purposes.
In use, the bag of the invention 10 is filled as is
conventional and used to transport a product. At this stage
all four sleeves 20 are present. After discharge of the
product, the bag 10 may be re-used. The outer sleeve 20 is
inspected for soiling and, if soiled, is removed by cutting or
unpulling the stitching 22 and removing the outer sleeve.
This then exposes the next respective sleeve which will be in
pristine condition and enables the bag to be re-used with
confidence. Each sleeve may carry such printed matter as is
necessary or desirable, for example instructions, company
logos, hazard warnings or the like. When all four sleeves 20
have been removed the FIBC may then be used with the outer body
12 being exposed until that becomes too soiled for re-use.
The FIBC of the invention provides a simple economical and
effective answer to the problem of soiling with multi-trip
FIBC's.
