Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02683150 2009-10-21
DESCRIPTION
This invention relates to the collection of construction waste materials with
a Flexible
Intermediate Bulk Container. For the purposes of this description, the term
"bulk
container" and the term "bag" shall be interchangeable.
A flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) is defined as an intermediate
bulk
container, having a body made of flexible fabric, which
= Cannot be handled manually when filled;
= Is intended for shipment or movement of solid material;
= Does not require further packaging;
= Is designed to be lifted from the top by means of integral, permanently
attached devices (lift loops or straps)
Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), also known as "big bags," "bulk
bags," and "bulk sacks," were first manufactured in the late 1950s or early
1960s. It is known that FIBCs were made in the United States, Europe, and
Japan during the time period mentioned above. The first FIBCs were
constructed with heavy-duty PVC-coated nylon or polyester where the cut sheets
are welded together to form the FIBC. These FIBCs were made with integrated
lift slings around the container, or attached to a specially made pallet, or a
metal
lifting device that the container sat on. The handling devices allowed the
container to be filled from the top and discharged from the bottom.
The initial cost of these heavy-duty PVC containers is high; therefore, they
are
designed to be reused many times.
Flexible intermediate bulk containers manufactured with polyolefin fabrics
were
experimented with in England, Japan, Canada, and the United States all at
about
the same time in the late 1960s to the early 1970s. It was the development of
these high-strength light weight fabrics (i.e., polypropylene) that spurred
the
growth of the flexible intermediate bulk bags that are universally used today.
The flexible bulk container offers features that are unique to this package.
It can
be folded flat and bailed for shipment to the user. The cost of FIBCs is
competitive with other forms of packaging as it is usually utilized without
pallets.
They are easy to store and handle in warehouses with standard equipment.
CA 02683150 2009-10-21
FIBCs generally are manufactured to meet specific requirements of the
container
users. The height of the container, the diameter and length of the spouts,
coated
or uncoated fabric, and whether a polypropylene liner is necessary will be
specified according to the type of product that will be transported.
Typical Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers of this type are shown, for
example, in the following Canadian patents:
CA 2138576 Gallie and Thorpe
CA 2005867 Strand and Omdal
CA2047725 Juel, Strand, Omdal and Lysfjord
CA2005662 Strand
Though such Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers have achieved considerable
approval and commercial use, there has been a continuing need for
improvement.
As the legislation is new regarding this process, I have devised a system and
product
that will make collection and disposal of construction waste materials safe,
inexpensive
and effective. My bag has a series of loops allowing the extraction by boom
picker truck
and the support of a bag stand. These bags can be stand-alone entities in the
field.
I have found that all of the innovative features of my bag overcome all
obstacles in the
support and collection process. The top loops allow the picker boom truck
operator to
remotely connect on to and safety extract the bag from the stand and the
interior loops
sole purpose is to allow the bag to be supported freely and in a manner
conducive to
the ease of collection.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is an
elevated
corner view of the entire open bag ready to be emptied. Figures 1 A, 1 B, 1 C
and 1 D are
close-up sectional views of components in Figure 1. Figure 2 is also an
elevated corner
view of the entire open bag ready to be emptied. Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are
close-
up sectional views of components in Figure 2.
CA 02683150 2009-10-21
The invention is a bulk container having four top lifting straps B for lifting
and
transporting the container. These straps are sewn vertically onto the body of
the bag at
each corner forming an inverted "U shape" and into the reinforced top edging
the bag.
The invention also has four stand loops A in Figure 1 sewn just below the
lifting straps
and onto the vertical interior of the bag to allow the bag to be supported by
the bag
stand apparatus. Figure 1 shows the bag with the section of the bag secured by
E ready
to be tucked upward with the flap which is attached to the straps D about to
be folded
up to secure to the Cam Buckles C. The sides and bottom of the bag are now
supported
by straps D with quick connect Cam Buckles C. The bulk container is now ready
to be
placed on the stand ready to be filled with waste. This system allows for
additional side
support and an easy way of emptying the bag. The open bottom of the bulk
container
shall be secured with a pull cord E. The additional option to this invention
is the same
bulk container having four top lifting straps B for lifting and transporting
the container.
These straps are sewn vertically onto the body of the bag at each corner
forming an
inverted "U shape" and into the reinforced top edging the bag. The option
version of this
invention has four stand rings, comprised of metal, A in Figure 2 sewn just
below the
lifting straps and onto the vertical interior of the bag to allow the bag to
be supported by
the bag stand apparatus. Figure 2 shows the bag with the section of the bag
secured by
E ready to be tucked upward with the flap which is attached to the straps D
about to be
folded up to secure to the Cam Buckles C. The sides and bottom of the bag are
now
supported by straps D with quick connect Cam Buckles C. The bulk container is
now
ready to be placed on the stand ready to be filled with waste. This system
allows for
additional side support and an easy way of emptying the bag. The open bottom
of the
bulk container shall be secured with a pull cord E.
The lifting strap is comprised of a material loop sewn onto the outside
portion of each
corner of the bulk container with the stand loop sewn slightly below the
lifting strap on
the inside of the bulk container.
The body of the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container is made of flexible
strong
polypropylene woven material. This material provides a safe, sturdy and easy-
to-clean
bag that will be utilized in all of the construction waste removal
applications. The bottom
pull cord is also made of a polypropylene woven material. The flexible bulk
container
material offers the ability that it can be folded and bailed for ease and cost-
effectiveness
of shipment.
This invention provides a safe and effective way of recycling construction
waste
materials.
