Collapsible intermediate bulk container
First Claim
1. A collapsible bulk container, adapted to hold liquids or freely flowable solids, comprising:
- a frame having a plurality of articulated members;
a flexible bag disposed within and secured to said frame; and
,means for securing said flexible bag to said base portion and to said upper frame portion, said securing means comprising a plurality of straps attached to said flexible bag, a plurality of cleats attached to said base portion, and a plurality of cleats attached to said upper frame portion;
wherein said frame further comprises;
a base portion disposed below said flexible bag; and
,an upper frame portion disposed above said flexible bag, and said frame is adapted to (a) gradually collapse as said flexible bag is emptied and (b) gradually extend as said flexible bag is filled.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A collapsible intermediate bulk container for liquid or freely flowable solid materials includes either a fabric outer/film liner bag or a bag of fabric reinforced elastomer. The bag is supported by a collapsible rigid frame which gradually collapses as the bag is emptied. The collapsible rigid frame includes a pallet-base portion that has an upper surface that is sloped to a center drainage point to facilitate complete emptying. The pallet-base portion contains a valve arrangement fixed to either the fabric outer bag (in the film-lined configuration) or to the reinforced fabric bag, at the center drainage point. The collapsed frame provides a compact return package. Either bag configuration may be reused or replaced in whole or in part.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A collapsible bulk container, adapted to hold liquids or freely flowable solids, comprising:
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a frame having a plurality of articulated members; a flexible bag disposed within and secured to said frame; and
,means for securing said flexible bag to said base portion and to said upper frame portion, said securing means comprising a plurality of straps attached to said flexible bag, a plurality of cleats attached to said base portion, and a plurality of cleats attached to said upper frame portion; wherein said frame further comprises; a base portion disposed below said flexible bag; and
,an upper frame portion disposed above said flexible bag, and said frame is adapted to (a) gradually collapse as said flexible bag is emptied and (b) gradually extend as said flexible bag is filled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A bulk container, comprising:
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a collapsible frame including a base portion, a plurality of articulated members disposed on the base portion and an upper frame portion disposed on the plurality of articulated members; and a flexible bag disposed in the frame, the flexible bag having a shape when separate from the frame and when filled including a top portion of a first cross-sectional size and a bottom portion of a second cross-sectional size larger than the first cross-sectional size; wherein the bag assists in erecting the frame in a stable fashion when a flowable material is introduced into the flexible bag and wherein the bag assists in collaspsing the frame in a stable fashion when flowable material is emptied from the bag. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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14. The bulk container of 13, wherein the bag further comprises at least one fitment adapted for filling and/or emptying the bag and attached to the integral, fabric-reinforced sealed layer.
Specification