Flexible container for liquid transport, liquid transport method using the container, liquid transport apparatus using the container, method for washing the container, and washing equipment

• US 6,913,028 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asano Transportation Company Limited, YKK Corporation
• Original Assignee: Asano Transportation Company Limited, YKK Corporation
• Inventors: Asano, Hiromasa, Oozeki, Tokuo, Kudo, Jyunichiro, Asano, Yoshimitsu, Morioka, Koitsu, Ichikawa, Nobuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/231,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 134/61, 134/62, 134/76, 134/95.2, 134/95.3, 134/103.2, 134/140, 134/148, 134/152, 134/166.R, 134/169.R
• US Class Current: 134/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/426 from transport of fluids to transport of other types of goods
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2590/046 Bladders
• 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: Y10S 206/81 Zipper, i.e. receptacle securement

Abstract

A flexible container for liquid transport made of a flexible material includes a top face portion, a bottom face portion, and a peripheral face portion connecting the top face portion and the bottom face portion. An air tight, water resistant slide fastener is openably/closably mounted to the peripheral face portion of the container. A liquid stirring port is provided at the top face portion, and a liquid injecting and ejecting port are provided at a lower end of a rear face portion of the peripheral face portion. Container suspending pieces and bottom face portion fixing pieces are mounted at the top face portion of the container and at four corners of the bottom face portion. During washing, the container can be washed reliably and efficiently while the inside of the spread out container can be visually checked by efficiently utilizing the air tight, water resistant slide fastener, liquid stirring port, liquid injecting and ejecting port, and container suspending pieces, and bottom face port fixing pieces. Thus, according to the present invention, washing, sterilizing and disinfecting treatments and thereafter drying treatment by heating can be performed efficiently, with the container having higher strength, higher air tightness and water resistance.

Claims

1. An equipment for washing a flexible container for liquid transport made of an air tight, water resistant sheet material, the flexible container including a top face portion, a bottom face portion, and a peripheral face portion connecting the top face portion and bottom face portion, and comprising a liquid stirring port formed on the top face portion, a liquid injecting and ejecting port formed on the peripheral face portion in the vicinity of the bottom face portion and an air tight, water resistant slide fastener mounted to the peripheral face portion with an exception of a non-opening and closing portion,

said washing equipment including:

a washing area and a drying area as partition for the flexible container;

guide passages provided between the washing area and the drying area for guiding and suspending the flexible container; and

suspending and movement means for the flexible container for guiding and moving it to the guide passages.

2. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the guide passages are further extended to a storage area for the flexible container.

3. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the washing area has container forming means for forming the empty flexible container to be in its swelled state.

4. A washing equipment according to claim 3, wherein the container forming means is a blower for blowing air into the container.

5. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the washing area includes a washing base having an inclined face on its top face for placing the flexible container in such a position that the liquid injecting and ejecting port is at a lower side of the inclined face.

6. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the washing area includes a jetting nozzle to be inserted into a liquid stirring port of the flexible container for radiantly jetting washing liquid toward an internal wall of the container.

7. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the washing area includes a washing liquid vessel and a sterilizing and disinfecting solution vessel where the flexible container is to be immersed therein.

8. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the washing area further includes a jetting nozzle for jetting warm water of 40 to 70°

C.

9. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the washing area includes tanks for storing the washing liquid, sterilizing and disinfecting solution, and warm water;

and jetting nozzles connected to the tanks via at least a 5-port switching valve.

10. A washing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the drying area includes a heater and a warm air blowing fan.

11. A washing equipment according to claim 10, wherein the drying area further includes a sterilizing and disinfecting lamp.

12. A washing equipment according to claim 10, wherein the drying area further includes an ozone generator.