Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02405679 2002-09-30
80445-1111 PATENT
HULK BAG FOR DENSE MATERIALS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part application under 37
C.F.R. ~1.63 of Application Serial No. 09/479,812 filed
January 7, 2000, currently pending.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to flexible
intermediate bulk containers, also known as bulk bags, and
more particularly to an improved bulk bag construction
useful in the transportation, storage, and discharge of
dense materials.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the past three decades flexible intermediate bulk
containers, commonly known as bulk bags, have gained
increasing acceptance in the transportation, storage, and
discharge of dry, flowable solids. Bulk bags are almost
universally constructed from woven polypropylene panels
which are joined along their adjacent edges by sewing.
Although tubular bulk bag constructions are known, most of
the present bulk bag designs are square or rectangular in
horizontal cross section.
Because they are constructed from flexible fabrics,
conventional bulk bag designs assume a cylindrical
configuration when filled regardless of their original
horizontal cross sectional configuration. This is
undesirable because cylindrical configurations cannot
completely fill a square or rectangular vehicle or
warehouse.
The foregoing problem is overcome by the bulk bag
disclosed and claimed Derby Patent Number 5,076,710 issued
December 31, 1991, and assigned to the assignee hereof. As
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 hereof, the bulk bag of the
Derby Patent employs side panels which are joined at seams
located at spaced intervals relative to the corners of the
bulk bag. Baffles extending across the corners of the bulk
bag and secured to the side panels prevent the bulk bag
from assuming a cylindrical configuration when f~.lled.
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The bulk bag of the Derby Patent operates
satisfactorily when used in conjunction with relatively
light materials. However, when used in conjunction with
more dense materials, the bulk bag construction of the
Derby invention is not entirely successful in maintaining
a rectangular configuration when filled. Thus, a need
exists for further improvements in the art of bulk bag
design to provide a bulk bag which maintains a rectangular
configuration even when filled with coins and other objects
formed from relatively heavy metals.
The present invention comprises a bulk bag
construction which fulfills the foregoing and other
objectives long since found lacking in the prior art. In
accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, a
bulk bag constructed generally in accordance with the
disclosure of the above-identified Derby Patent is provided
with at least one additional panel extending between the
side walls of the bulk bag. The use of the additional
panel in the construction of the bulk bag prevents the side
walls of the bulk bag from bulging outwardly when the bulk
bag is filled with dense materials.
In accordance with more specific aspects of the
invention, the bulk bag may be provided with either one or
two panels extending between the side walls thereof. When
two panels are used, the panels may be deployed either in
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a parallel configuration or in a perpendicular
configuration.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the present invention
may be had by reference to the following Detailed
Description when taken in connection with the accompanying
Drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a prior
art bulk bag;
FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the bulk
bag of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a bulk bag
comprising the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view of a bulk bag
comprising a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a bulk bag
comprising a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 6 is a further illustration of the bulk bag of
FIGURE 5;
FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view of a bulk bag
comprising a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 8 is an illustration of a first step in a
method of manufacturing the bulk bag of FIGURE 7;
FIGURE 9 is an illustration of an intermediate step in
the method of FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 20 is an illustration of a later step in the
method of FIGURE 8; and
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FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 illustrating
a variation of the fourth embodiment of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to
FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a bulk bag 10
constructed in accordance with the teachings of Derby
Patent Number 5,076,710 granted December 31, 1991, and
assigned to the assignee hereof. The bulk bag 10 includes
four side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18. The bulk bag 10
further includes a top wall 20 and a bottom wall 22 either
of which may be provided with an aperture 24 which receives
a fill spout in the case of the top wall 20 or a discharge
spout in the case of the bottom wall 22.
The side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the bulk bag 10
are formed from four side panels 26, 28, 30, and 32. The
side panels 26, 28, 30, and 32 are joined one to another at
seams 34 each of which is located in a spaced apart
relationship to the corners 36 of the bulk bag 10. In the
embodiment of the Derby invention illustrated in FIGURE 2,
the seams 34 are located at points equidistant from
adjacent corners 36, however, other configurations can be
used in the practice of the Derby invention, if desired.
Each of the side panels 26, 28, 30, and 32 is provided
with a baffle 38. Each baffle 38 is secured to its
respective side panel at points 40 by sewing. Each baffle
38 is provided with one or more apertures 42 which allow
material received in the bulk bag to flow into the corners
36 thereof.
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Referring now to FIGURE 3, there is shown a bulk bag
110 comprising a first embodiment of the present invention.
The bulk bag 110 includes four side walls 112, 114, 116,
and 118. The bulk bag 110 further includes a bottom wall
122 and may include a top wall, although open top bulk bags
are known. The top wall and the bottom wall may be
provided with an aperture which receives a fill spout in
the case of the tap wall or a discharge spout in the case
of the bottom wall.
The side walls 112, 114, 116, and 118 of the bulk bag
110 are formed from four side panels 126, 128, 130, and
132. The side panels 126, 128, 130, and 132 are joined one
to another at seams 134 each of which is located in a
spaced apart relationship to the corners 136 of the bulk
bag 110. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGURE 3, the seams 134 are located at points equidistant
from adjacent corners 136, however, other configurations
can be used in the practice of the invention, if desired.
Each of the side panels 126, 128, 130, and 132 is
provided with a baffle 138. Each baffle 138 is secured to
its respective side panel at points 140 by sewing. Each
baffle 138 is provided with one or more apertures 142 which
allow material received in the bulk bag to flow into the
corners 136 thereof.
In accordance with the present invention, the bulk bag
110 is provided with a baffle 144 which extends between the
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seams 134 of the side walls 114 and 118. The baffle 144 is
provided with an aperture 146 which allows material to flow
between the opposite sides of the baffle 144 as the bulk
bag 110 is filled. The baffle 144 prevents the side walls
114 and 118 of the bulk bag 110 from bulging outwardly when
the bulk bag 110 is filled with dense materials, thereby
preventing the bulk bag 110 from assuming a non-rectangular
configuration when filled.
Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is shown a bulk bag
210 comprising a second embodiment of the present
invention. The bulk bag 210 includes four side walls 212,
214, 216, and 218. The bulk bag 210 further includes a top
wall and a bottom wall 222 either of which may be provided
with an aperture which receives a fill spout in the case of
the top wall or a discharge spout in the case of the bottom
wall.
The side walls 212, 214, 216, and 218 of the bulk bag
210 are formed from six side panels 226, 227, 228, 230,
231, and 232. The side panels 226, 227, 228, 230, 231, and
232 are joined one to another at seams 234 each of which is
located in a spaced apart relationship to the corners 236
of the bulk bag 210. In the embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIGURE 4, the side walls 214 and 218 which
include the panels 227 and '231, respectively, are
relatively longer than the side walls 212 and 216.
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Each of the side panels 226, 228, 230, and 232 is
provided with a baffle 238. Each baffle 238 is secured to
its respective side panel at points 240 by sewing. Each
baffle 238 is provided with one or more apertures 242 which
allow material received in the bulk bag to flow into the
corners 236 thereof.
In accordance with the present invention, the bulk bag
210 is provided with two baffles 244 which are secured in
and extend between the seams 234 of the side walls 214 and
218. The baffles 244 are provided with apertures 246 which
allow material to flow between the opposite sides of the
baffles 244 as the bulk bag 210 is filled. The baffles 244
prevent the side walls 214 and 228 of the bulk bag 210 from
bulging outwardly when the bulk bag 210 is filled with
dense materials, thereby preventing the bulk bag 110 from
assuming a non-rectangular configuration when filled.
Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, there is shown a bulk
bag 310 comprising a third embodiment of the present
invention. The bulk bag 310 includes four side walls 312,
314, 316, and 328. The bulk bag 310 further includes a top
wall and a bottom wall 322 either of which may be provided
with an aperture which receives a fill spout in the case of
the top wall or a discharge spout in the case of the bottom
wall.
The side walls 312, 314, 316, and 318 of the bulk bag
310 are formed from four side panels 326, 328, 330, and
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332. The side panels 326, 328, 330, and 332 are joined one
to another at seams 334 each of which is located in a
spaced apart relationship to the corners 336 of the bulk
bag 310. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGURE 5, the seams 334 are located at points equidistant
from adjacent corners 336, however, other configurations
can be used in the practice of the invention, if desired.
Each of the side panels 326, 328, 330, and 332 is
provided with a baffle 338. Each baffle 338 is secured to
its respective side panel at points 340 by sewing. Each
baffle 338 is provided with one or more apertures 342 which
allow material received in the bulk bag to flow into the
corners 336 thereof.
The bulk bag 310 includes a baffle 344 which is sewn
into the seams 334 on opposite sides of the bulk bag and
extends between the side walls 214 and 218. A baffle 350
is likewise sewn into the seams 334 and extends between the
side wall 212 and the side wall 216. As is best shown in
FIGURE 6, the baffle 344 has an aperture 346 centrally
located therein, and the baffle 348 has apertures 350
formed in the upper and lower edges thereof. This allows
the baffle 348 to extend through the baffle 344.
In the use of the bulk bag 310, the baffle 344
prevents the side walls 314 and 318 from bulging outwardly
when the bulk bag is filled with dense materials.
Likewise, the baffle 350 prevents the side walls 312 and
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316 from bulging outwardly when the bulk bag is formed with
dense materials. In this manner the baffle 344 and 350
maintain the bulk bag 310 in a square or rectangular
configuration when the bulk bag is filled with dense
materials.
Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a bulk bag 410
comprising a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The bulk bag 410 includes four side walls 412, 414, 416,
and 418. The bulk bag 410 further includes a bottom wall
422 and may include a top wall, although open top bulk bags
are known and used. The top wall and/or the bottom wall
may be provided with an aperture which receives a fill
spout in the case of the top wall or a discharge spout in
the case of the bottom wall.
The side walls 412, 414, 416, and 418 of the bulk bag
410 are formed from four side panels 426, 428, 430, and
432. The side panels 426, 428, 430, and 432 are joined one
to another at seams 434. As will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art, other side wall constructions and
configurations can be utilized in the practice of the
invention, if desired.
The bulk bag 410 further includes baffles 440 and 442.
The baffles 440 and 442 are equal in height to the height
of the bulk bag 410 and are substantially equal in length.
Each of the baffles 440 and 442 extends between opposite
ends 444 and 446. End 444 of the baffle 440 is secured
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between the side panels 426 and 428 by one of the seams
434. End 446 of baffle 440 is secured between the side
panels 428 and 430 by one of the seams 434. End 444 of
baffle 442 is secured between the side panels 426 and 432
by one of the seams 434. End 446 of baffle 442 is secured
between the side panels 430 and 432 by one of the seams
434. The baffles 440 and 442 are secured one to another
along their vertical center lines by a seam 450.
A method of constructing the bulk bag 410 is
illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 10. Referring
particularly to Figure 8, the baffles 440 and 442 are
positioned in an overlying relationship with the edges 444
and 446 aligned. The seam 450 is next extended along the
vertical center lines of the baffles 440 and 442 thereby
securing the baffle one to another.
Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the baffles 440 and 442
are next folded around the seam 450 to provide four
overlapping layers. The four overlapping layers axe next
dye cut to provide apertures 452 extending through all four
layers. Although four circular apertures are illustrated
in Figure 10, the number, geometrical configuration, and
size of the apertures 452 is not critical to the practice
of the invention.
At the conclusion of the foregoing steps the baffles
440 and 442 are assembled into the bulk bag 410 in the
manner illustrated in Figure 7. As will be appreciated by
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those skilled in the art, the apertures 452 allow the
contents of the bulk bag 410 to flow between the several
compartments defined by the baffles 440 and 442, thereby
assuring that the bulk bag 410 is uniformly filled. The
bulk bag 410 is particularly adapted to receive, store,
transport, and discharge dense materials, for example,
coinage of the type circulated at currency.
It will therefore be understood that the bulk bag 410
comprises four side walls which are joined together end to
end to define a rectangular enclosure having four corners.
The rectangular enclosure is further characterized by a
center line extending parallel to the side walls of the
bulk bag and located equidistant from each of the corners
characterizing the rectangular enclosure. Four baffle
portions extend inwardly from the sides of the rectangular
enclosure and are j oined together at the center line . Each
of the baffle portions has at least one aperture formed
therethrough to facilitate the flow of dense materials
within the bulk bag.
The bulk bag 410 is further characterized by two
baffle segments each having opposed ends . The opposed ends
of the first baffle segment are secured at the centers of
the first and second side walls of the rectangular
enclosure, and the baffle segment extends inwardly
therefrom to the center line. The opposed ends of the
second baffle segment are secured at the center of the
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third and fourth corners of the rectangular enclosure, and
the baffle segment extends inwardly therefrom to the
center. The baffle segments are seamed together at the
center line.
Referring to Figure 11, there is shown a bulk bag 460
comprising a variation of the fourth embodiment of the
invention as illustrated in Figure 7 and described
hereinabove in connection therewith. The bulk bag 460 is
substantially identical in construction and function to the
bulk bag 410, except that the bulk bag 460 is provided with
four baffles 462 extending across the corners of the bulk
bag 460. Each of the baffles 462 is secured in place seams
464. Each of the baffles 462 is provided with one or more
apertures 466 to facilitate the flow of dense materials
within the bulk bag 460.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have
been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described
in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be
understood that the invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous
rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts
and elements without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
