Lift-liner apparatus

• US 6,079,934 A
• Filed: 11/14/1997
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Penguin Logistics LLC (Rockwell Holdco, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Aldon E. Beale
• Inventors: Beale, Aldon E.
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DOUGLAS A
• Application Number:
  US08/971,051
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 294/75, 294/81.56, 294/68.3, 294/68.21, 294/68.1, 294/74, 383/24, 383/113, 383/98, 383/99, 383/18, 383/117, 414/608, 414/607, 414/422, 414/592, 220/23.91
• US Class Current: 414/607
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/1612 Flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC]
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/046 Flexible liners, e.g. loosely positioned in the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/205 for flexible containers, i.e. the flexible container being permanently connected to the frame B65D77/061, B65D88/1612, B65D90/046 take precedence; unpacking of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container [FIBC] B65B69/0075; crane hooks for frames for FIBC B66C1/226
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/226 for flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC]

Abstract

A system provides a lift-liner for efficient transport of units of bulk cargo (especially bulk cargo that is radioactive hazardous material waste), and economical disposal of the lift-liner for storage of the waste therein. The cargo is transported in the lift-liner from a remediation site to a railroad siding, during transport on a railroad gondola car, from the gondola car to a waste storage site, and within such storage site to a storage cell, in which the lift-liner and the waste therein are placed. The units are defined by the lift-liner, which is capable of containing up to ten tons of the waste. A container of the lift-liner is provided with straps connected to four walls and a bottom between corners of the container. The straps receive more than ten tons of vertical lifting force from a lift grid having a connector vertically above and aligned with each strap. The straps assist the container in containing the waste and apply vertical forces to the walls and to the bottom to lift the container from a surface. Embodiments of the lift-liner are provided for waste in the form of contaminated dirt, and for contaminated demolition materials. Methods include steps for providing the lift-liner with the container and the straps, and for loading the gondola car efficiently with fewer than ten units (of ten tons each) to minimize the number of unit loading operations needed to fill the gondola car.

Claims

1. A bulk cargo container-lifter designed to contain and lift a bulk cargo unit having a weight in a range of eight to ten tons, the container-lifter comprising:

a flexible container, the flexible container comprising;

a first three-dimensional enclosure having a first closable top opening, a length, a width, and an inside;

the enclosure being fabricated from first and second layers;

the first layer being made from heavy woven and coated flexible polyolefin sheet-like material;

the second layer being on the inside of the enclosure and being made from material taken from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene;

the width being defined by first and second opposite vertical walls and the length being defined by third and fourth opposite vertical walls;

the container having a first bottom between the first, second, third, and fourth walls;

the first bottom having a given area;

a first perimeter defined by the walls at a first height from the bottom and defining a bulk cargo load limit;

the enclosure having first, second, third and fourth flaps connected adjacent to the respective first, second, third and fourth walls to close the first closable top opening; and

a lifter secured to the flexible container, the lifter comprising;

at least eight straps, at least five of the at least eight straps each having a length greater than twice the height plus the length, at least three of the at least eight straps having a length greater than twice the height plus the width, each of the straps extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the outside of the container, each of the at least five straps extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the first wall and extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the bottom and extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the second wall;

each of the at least three straps extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the outside of the container, each of the at least three straps extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the third wall and extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the bottom and extending continuously and uncut along and being secured to the fourth wall, the at least five straps and the at least three straps extending continuously and uncut being parallel to each other along the respective first, second, third, and fourth walls;

the straps being made from material capable of collectively applying to the container a total lifting force in the range of from eight tons to ten tons.

2. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 1, wherein the bulk cargo that the container-lifter is designed to contain and lift is radioactive hazardous material waste which is to be stored with the container-lifter, the container-lifter being designed so that prior to the storage the container-lifter is capable of containing and lifting a bulk cargo unit having a weight in the range of from eight to ten tons, the container-lifter further comprising:

the enclosure material being resistant to leakage of radioactive hazardous material waste;

the at least five straps being five straps;

the at least three straps being three straps;

the five straps that extend along and secured to the bottom intersecting the three straps as the three straps extend along and secured to the bottom to define a plurality of strap intersections on the bottom; and

the enclosure and lifter being designed to be stored with the radioactive waste.

3. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 1, further comprising:

the straps extending along the first and second walls being spaced from each other by substantially equal distances; and

the straps extending along the third and fourth walls being spaced from each other by substantially equal distances.

4. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 3, further comprising:

the at least five straps that extend along the bottom intersecting the at least three straps that extend along the bottom to define a plurality of substantially equal areas of the bottom, each of the substantially equal areas being bounded by the straps.

5. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 1, wherein the bulk cargo is hazardous material waste that is to be securely contained, the container-lifter further comprising:

adjacent ones of the first, second, third, and fourth walls defining respective container corners;

a container closure comprising of a transition section connected to each wall at the first height and extending from the respective wall for a transition distance, at the transition distance the transition section being connected to a respective one of the flaps, the transition section having four transition corners respectively corresponding to the container corners, the transition distance of the transition section being sufficient to define a tuck at one of the transition corners when the one of the flaps adjacent to the one transition corner is pulled across the open top of the container.

6. A bulk cargo lift-liner container, wherein bulk cargo to be contained in the container is radioactive hazardous material waste having a weight of about ten tons, the lift-liner container comprising:

a first flexible container, the first flexible container comprising;

a first three-dimensional enclosure having a closable top opening, a length, a width, an inside, and an outside surface;

the enclosure being fabricated from woven, sheet-like material;

the width being defined by first and second opposite walls and the length being defined by third and fourth opposite walls;

the container having a bottom between the first, second, third and fourth walls;

a first perimeter defined by the walls at a first height from the bottom and defining a bulk cargo load limit;

a second perimeter defined by the walls and having a second height from the bottom, the second height being greater than the first height so that the first, second, third, and fourth walls between the first height and the second height define a containment area of the walls, each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls being connected to a respective adjacent one of the walls to define a corner of the enclosure and of the containment area;

the first enclosure having first, second, third and fourth flaps extending from the respective first, second, third and fourth walls at the second perimeter and adjacent to the containment area;

a second flexible container received in the first enclosure, the second flexible container comprising;

a second three-dimensional enclosure having a second closable top opening, a second length, and a second width;

the enclosure being fabricated from high density polymer, sheet-like material having a smooth surface facing into the second container;

the second width being less than the first width and being defined by fifth and sixth opposite walls;

the second length being less than the first length and being defined by seventh and eighth opposite walls;

the second container having a second bottom between the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth walls;

the second bottom being dimensioned to overlap the area of the first bottom;

the second enclosure having fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth flaps extending from the respective fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth walls;

the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth flaps being foldable over each other to form a first cover for the bulk cargo received in the second enclosure and extending from the second bottom to the first height;

the first, second, third and fourth flaps being foldable over each other to form a second cover over the first cover;

a lifter secured to the outside of the first flexible container, the lifter comprising;

five straps each having a length greater than twice the first height plus the first length, the five straps extending continuously and uncut in first continuous paths along and being secured to the outside of the first container, each of the continuous uncut five straps in the first continuous paths extending along and being secured to the first wall, each of the continuous uncut five straps in the first continuous paths extending along and being secured to the bottom, each of the continuous uncut five straps in the first continuous paths extending along and being secured to the second wall, the first continuous paths of the five straps being parallel to each other;

three straps each having a length greater than twice the first height plus the first width, the three straps extending continuously and uncut in second continuous paths along and being secured to the outside of the first container, each of the continuous uncut three straps in the second continuous paths extending along and being secured to the third wall, each of the continuous uncut five straps in the second continuous paths extending along and being secured to the bottom, each of the continuous uncut three straps in the second continuous paths extending along and being secured to the fourth wall;

the second continuous paths of the three straps being parallel to each other;

each of the five and three straps having opposite strap ends and being made from material capable of receiving at the strap ends a collective total of at least ten tons of vertical force so that the straps collectively apply to the container sufficient force to lift the container containing the ten tons of bulk cargo off a support surface; and

the first and second flexible containers being collectively capable of containing the ten tons of radioactive hazardous material waste as the five and three straps lift the container off the support surface.

7. A container for containing between about eight and about ten tons of bulk cargo to be lifted from a support surface, comprising:

a three dimensional enclosure having two opposite vertical walls and two opposite vertical sides defining an open top;

the container having a bottom between the opposite sides and opposite walls, the vertical walls and the vertical sides having a top edge defining a load height, a first one of the walls having a first part of the top edge and a second one of the walls having a second part of top edge;

a first one of the sides having a third part of the top edge;

the container having a closure section provided with a first portion connected to the first part of the top edge and a second portion connected to the second part of the top edge and a third portion connected to the third part of the top edge;

adjacent ones of the walls and the sides, and adjacent ones of the portions of the closure section, defining corners of the container, a first of the corners being between the first wall and the first side and between the first portion and the third portion;

a first flap extending from the first part along and secured to the first portion;

a second flap extending from the third part along and secured to the third portion;

the first flap being bendable along a bend line at the top edge to permit the first portion and the first flap to extend toward the opposite wall;

the third portion being foldable along a first fold line extending from the first corner to permit the third portion to fold onto itself and define a first tuck as the first portion and the first flap extend toward the opposite wall;

the second flap being bendable along a bend line at the top edge to permit the third portion and the second flap to extend toward the opposite side;

the third portion being foldable along a second fold line intersecting the first fold line to permit the first tuck to fold onto itself as the third portion extends toward the opposite side.

8. A container according to claim 7, further comprising:

the container having at least five straps, each of the at least five straps extending continuously and uncut in a continuous path along and being secured to one of the opposite walls and extending continuously and uncut in the continuous path along and being secured to the bottom and extending continuously and uncut in the continuous path along and being secured to another of the opposite walls,

the container having at least three additional straps, each of the at least three additional straps extending continuously and uncut in a continuous path along and being secured to one of the opposite sides and extending continuously and uncut in the continuous path along and being secured to the bottom and extending continuously and uncut in the continuous path along and being secured to another of the opposite sides;

each of the straps having a first coupling at the open top adjacent to the one of the walls and having a second coupling at the open top adjacent to the other opposite wall; and

the securing of the straps to the respective walls and the respective sides being away from the respective closure sections and away from the respective flaps so that the straps and the respective first and second couplings may extend vertically from the respective walls and sides to lift the container after the closure section and the flaps have closed the open top.

9. A bulk cargo container-lifter comprising:

a flexible container made from sheet-like material that defines a three dimensional enclosure having an open top, a length, a width, and a container height;

the open top being defined by a perimeter at the container height, the enclosure being defined by first and second opposite walls, the length being defined by third and fourth opposite walls;

the container having at least one bottom between the first, second, third, and fourth walls;

the at least one bottom being a continuous uncut extension of at least the respective first and second walls or the respective third and fourth walls; and

a lifter for the container, the lifter comprising at least eight straps formed separately from the container, each of the straps having opposite strap ends provided with a separate first and second connector loop and a continuous uncut length between the strap ends, at least five of the straps being arranged uncut and continuously in a uniformly spaced parallel relationship connected to the first wall and to the bottom and to the second opposite wall with the respective first and second connector loops and the corresponding strap ends extending away from the perimeter and spaced from the respective first and second walls;

at least three of the straps being arranged uncut and continuously in a uniformly spaced parallel relationship connected to the third wall and to the bottom and to the fourth opposite wall with the respective first and second connector loops and the corresponding strap ends extending away from the perimeter and spaced from the respective third and fourth walls;

the connection to the bottom of the at least five straps and the at least three straps being to arrange the respective at least five straps and the at least three straps in the respective spaced parallel relationships and extending into intersection with each other across the bottom to define a grid of continuous uncut separate straps secured to the continuous uncut bottom;

the respective first and second connector loops of the lifter being able to receive at least an aggregate of eight tons of vertical lifting force and via the at least eight straps associated with the respective connector loops to apply to the container at least eight tons of lifting force.

10. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 9, further comprising:

the walls of the flexible container defining four elongated corners; and

,

the at least five straps comprise five straps;

the at least three straps comprise three straps;

each of the five straps and each of the three straps being spaced from all of the elongated corners and extending into the intersection with each other to define fifteen strap crossings on the bottom and adjacent to the respective corners;

the strap ends collectively being able of applying to the flexible container the lifting force of at least ten tons.

11. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 9, wherein the container height of the three dimensional enclosure defines the intended height of bulk cargo to be contained in the container, further comprising:

the walls of the flexible container defining four corners;

each of the walls extending beyond the container height to define an enclosed containment transition area, the containment transition area having respective first, second, third, and fourth sections extending vertically beyond each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls and having a respective corner at the intersection of each adjacent pair of the first and third walls, and the first and fourth walls, and the second and third walls, and the second and fourth walls, each of the corners having a top;

respective first, second, third, and fourth closure flaps being connected to the respective first, second, third, and fourth sections of the transition area, the flaps being separately movable over the bulk cargo contained in the enclosure up to the container height;

the first section of the transition area being bendable over the bulk cargo contained in the enclosure up to the container height, the first flap being movable with the first section and extending between the third and fourth opposite walls, the third section of the transition area being connected to the first section of the transition area and being movable with the first section and thereby being foldable onto itself when the first flap moves, when the third section moves with the first section the third section defining a first tuck adjacent to the corner between the first and third transition sections to permit the first flap extending between the third and fourth opposite walls to extend closely adjacent to the third wall to close the top of the three dimensional enclosure between the third and fourth opposite walls.

12. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 11, further comprising:

the third section of the transition area being bendable over the first flap and over the first section of the transition area, at least a portion of the first tuck being foldable over the first section of the transition area, the third flap extending from the third section across the enclosure toward the fourth wall to close the top of the three dimensional enclosure between the first and second walls.

13. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 9 further comprising:

each of the at least eight straps being made from woven seat belt webbing separately from the walls and the bottom.

14. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 9, further comprising:

the at least five straps being five straps; and

the at least three straps being three straps.

15. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 9, further comprising:

the respective first and second connector loops of the lifter being able to receive from eight to ten tons of vertical lifting force;

the at least eight straps associated with the respective connector loops being eight straps; and

via the eight straps associated with the connector loops the lifter being able to apply to the container from eight to ten tons of lifting force.

16. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 9, wherein the bulk cargo is hazardous material waste that is to be securely contained, the container-lifter further comprising:

a flap corresponding to each of the walls;

a container closure comprising of a transition section connected to each wall at the container height and extending from the respective wall for a transition distance, at the transition distance the transition section being connected to a respective flap, the transition section having four transition corners respectively corresponding to the container corners, the transition distance of the transition section being sufficient to define a tuck at one of the transition corners when the one of the flaps adjacent to the one transition corner is pulled across the open top of the container.

17. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 9, wherein the bulk cargo is hazardous material waste that is to be securely contained, the container-lifter further comprising:

each of the first and third walls, the third and second walls, the second and fourth walls, and the fourth and first walls being respectively sewn together along a line extending parallel to the container height to define respective first, second, third and fourth container corners of the container, each of the container corners extending from the bottom to the perimeter at the container height, the container height defining the intended height of the cargo to be contained by the container;

a first flap having a length about equal to the enclosure length and a cover dimension about equal to the enclosure width;

a second flap having a length about equal to the enclosure length and a cover dimension about equal to the enclosure width;

a third flap having a length about equal to the enclosure width and a cover dimension about equal to the enclosure length;

a fourth flap having a length about equal to the enclosure width and a cover dimension about equal to the enclosure length;

a transition-containment section secured to and extending from each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls for a containment distance to define a containment height spaced from the container height by the containment distance, the section having respective first, second, third, and fourth portions corresponding to and secured to a respective one of the first, second, third, and fourth walls;

each of the respective first, second, third, and fourth portions also corresponding to and being secured to a respective one of the first, second third, and fourth flaps;

each of the first and third portions, the third and second portions, the second and fourth portions, and the fourth and first portions being respectively sewn together along a line extending parallel to the containment height to define respective first, second, third and fourth containment corners as extensions of the respective container corners, each of the containment corners extending from the respective wall at the container height to the respective flap at the containment height;

the containment distance being sufficient to enable each one of the portions to be capable of folding onto itself to define a tuck when another portion adjacent to the one portion moves with its respective flap across the container over the cargo, so that each of the portions is capable of defining one of the tucks.

18. A bulk cargo unit container-lifter, comprising:

at least one sheet configured to define a three-dimensional container having a length, a width, and a height;

the width being defined by first and second opposite walls;

the length being defined by third and fourth opposite walls;

the at least one sheet defining a bottom between the first, second, third, and fourth walls;

a first corner being defined between the first and third walls;

a second corner being defined between the third and second walls;

a third corner being defined between the second and fourth walls;

a fourth corner being defined between the first and fourth walls;

each of the first and the second walls having an upper edge defining two length portions of a container perimeter;

each of the third and the fourth walls having an upper edge defining two width portions of the container perimeter;

a first group of at least five straps, each strap of the first group being separate from the container and having a strap length greater than twice the height plus the length;

each strap of the first group having ends spaced by the strap length;

a coupling loop being provided at each of the ends;

each strap of the first group being arranged parallel to each other, substantially equally spaced across the length, and extending uncut, continuously, secured to, and across the first wall, the bottom, and the second wall with the ends extending beyond the container perimeter;

a second group of at least three straps, each strap of the second group being separate from the container and having a strap length greater than twice the height plus the width;

each strap of the second group having ends spaced by the strap length;

a coupling loop being provided at each of the ends of each strap of the second group;

each strap of the second group being arranged parallel to each other, substantially equally spaced across the width, and extending uncut, continuously, secured to, and across the third wall, the bottom, and the fourth wall with the respective ends extending beyond the container perimeter;

the straps of the first and second groups of straps respectively extending completely across and secured to the bottom in different directions and intersecting to define a grid of continuous, uncut straps;

the straps of the first and second groups of straps being collectively capable of applying to the container a total vertical lifting force of more than about eight tons; and

a lift frame having lift connectors arranged along a lift perimeter corresponding to the container perimeter and in spaced relation corresponding to the substantially equal spacings of the straps of the first and second groups of straps across the respective length and width, the correspondence of the lifting perimeter and the container perimeter being effective to enable each of the lift connectors to substantially vertically apply to a respective one of the coupling loops a substantially vertical lifting force, the substantially vertical lifting forces having an aggregate value of more than about eight tons of force.

19. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 18, further comprising:

the at least five straps being five straps; and

the at least three straps being three straps.

20. A bulk cargo container-lifter according to claim 18, further comprising:

the respective first and second coupling loops being able to receive from eight to ten tons of vertical lifting force;

the at least eight straps associated with the respective coupling loops being eight straps; and

via the eight straps associated with the coupling loops the container-lifter being able to apply to the container from eight to ten tons of lifting force.

21. A bulk cargo container-lifter, comprising:

at least one sheet configured to define a three-dimensional container having a length, a width, and a height;

the width being defined by first and second opposite walls;

the length being defined by third and fourth opposite walls;

the at least one sheet defining a bottom between the first, second, third, and fourth walls;

a first corner being defined between the first and third walls;

a second corner being defined between the third and second walls;

a third corner being defined between the second and fourth walls;

a fourth corner being defined between the first and fourth walls;

each of the first and the second walls having an upper edge defining two length portions of a container perimeter;

each of the third and the fourth walls having an upper edge defining two width portions of the container perimeter;

a first group of at least five straps, each strap of the first group being separate from the container and having a strap length greater than twice the height plus the length;

each strap of the first group having ends spaced by the strap length, a coupling loop being provided at each of the ends;

each strap of the first group being arranged parallel to the other straps of the first group, substantially equally spaced across the length, and extending uncut, continuously, secured to, and across the first wall, the bottom, and the second wall with the ends extending beyond the container perimeter;

a second group of at least three straps, each strap of the second group being defined separately from the container and having a strap length greater than twice the height plus the width;

each strap of the second group having ends spaced by the strap length, a coupling loop being provided at each of the ends of each strap of the second group;

each strap of the second group being arranged parallel to the other straps of the second group, substantially equally spaced across the width, and extending uncut, continuously, secured to, and across the third wall, the bottom, and the fourth wall with the respective ends extending beyond the container perimeter;

the straps of the first and second groups of straps being collectively capable of applying to the container a total vertical lifting force of more than about eight tons; and

a lift frame having lift connectors arranged along a lift perimeter corresponding to the container perimeter and in spaced relation corresponding to the substantially equal spacings of the straps of the first and second groups of straps across the respective length and width, the correspondence of the lifting perimeter and the container perimeter being effective to enable each of the lift connectors to substantially vertically apply to a respective one of the coupling loops a substantially vertical lifting force, the substantially vertical lifting forces having an aggregate value of more than about eight tons of force.