Bulk container

• US 7,819,269 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paper Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plastic Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Perkins, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick; Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hicks; Robert J
• Application Number:
  US11/637,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20080137997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 220/23.6, 220/6, 220/4.01, 220/495.01, 220/23.2, 220/FOR.116, 220/FOR.115, 220/FOR.122, 220/FOR.120, 220/FOR.112, 220/1.6, 220/4.33, 220/9.2, 220/9.1, 220/9.4, 220/495.06, 220/23.86, 206/504, 206/600, 206/503, 206/386, 206/512, 383/105, 217/43.A, 217/43.R, 217/36, 217/13, 217/12.R, D94/32, D94/30, D94/14
• US Class Current: 220/1.6
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/18 made wholly or mainly of plastics material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/385 Frames, corner posts or pallet converters, e.g. for facilitating stacking of charged pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00129 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00208 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00268 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00437 on the load supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00442 on the base surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00532 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00676 Structures intended to be disassembled
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00711 removable lid or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00965 when loaded
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/061 the containers being mounted on a pallet

Abstract

A stackable collapsible container for flowable materials. The container has a flexible outer skin and rigid support, having a top frame and bottom frame connected by poles. The top frame and bottom frame are designed for mating engagement when the containers are stacked, as well as for mating engagement when the containers are broken down for transport. The top frame and bottom frame are provided with similar perimeters to prevent undesired movement and contact between adjacent top frame when the containers are filled and transported.

Claims

1. A bulk container comprising:

(a) a first support having a first end and a second end;

(b) a second support having a first end and a second end;

(c) a first frame defining a first slot receiving at least six centimeters of said first end of said first support, and a second slot receiving at least six centimeters of said first end of said second support;

(d) a second frame defining a third slot receiving at least four centimeters of said second end of said first support and a fourth slot receiving at least four centimeters of said second end of said second support;

(e) a flexible outer liner secured between said first frame and said second frame;

(f) a flexible inner liner provided within said outer liner and defining an interior of at least four hundred liters; and

(g) a metal brace secured to said first frame between said first end of said first support and said first frame.

2. The bulk container of claim 1, further comprising a supplemental metal brace secured to said second frame between said second end of said first support and said second frame.

3. The bulk container of claim 2, wherein said first frame defines a top and wherein said first slot is recessed from said top of said first frame.

4. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said first frame defines a top and wherein said first slot is recessed from said top of said first frame.

5. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said second frame defines a bottom, and wherein said third slot is provided with a collar extending below said bottom of said second frame.

6. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said metal brace is an annular plate secured to said first frame within said first slot.

7. The bulk container of claim 2, wherein said supplemental metal brace is an annular plate secured to said second frame within said second slot.

8. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said first frame is provided with a first perimeter, wherein said second frame is provided with a second perimeter, and wherein said first perimeter is substantially similar to said second perimeter.

9. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said first frame is non-metallic.

10. The bulk container of claim 1, further comprising at least two locator pins secured to and extending upward from said second frame.

11. The bulk container of claim 10, wherein said first frame defines a foot configured to receive at least one of said locator pins.

12. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein said first support is a first pole and wherein said second support is a second pole.

13. A bulk container comprising:

(a) a first frame defining a first slot and a second slot;

(b) a second frame defining a third slot and a fourth slot;

(c) a first pole provided at least six centimeters within said first slot and at least four centimeters within the third slot;

(d) a second pole provided at least six centimeters within said second slot and at least four centimeters within the fourth slot;

(e) a flexible outer liner secured between said first frame and said second frame;

(f) a flexible inner liner provided within said outer liner and defining an interior of at least four hundred liters;

(g) a first metal brace secured to said first frame within said first slot between said first frame and said first pole; and

(h) a second metal brace secured to said first frame within said second slot between said first frame and said second pole.

14. The bulk container of claim 13, further comprising a third metal brace secured to said second frame within said third slot between said second frame and said second pole.

15. The bulk container of claim 13, wherein said first frame defines a top and wherein said first slot is recessed from said top of said first frame.

16. The bulk container of claim 15, wherein said second frame defines a bottom and wherein said third slot is provided with a collar which extends below said bottom of said second frame.

17. The bulk container of claim 13, wherein said first frame defines at least two forklift slots.

18. The bulk container of claim 13, wherein said first frame is provided with a first perimeter, wherein said second frame is provided with a second perimeter, and wherein said first perimeter is substantially similar to said second perimeter.

19. A bulk container comprising:

(a) a first pole;

(b) a second pole;

(c) a first frame defining a first slot receiving at least six centimeters of the first pole and a second slot receiving at least six centimeters of the second pole in a recessed face surrounded by a perimeter wall;

(d) a second frame defining a third slot having a first collar and receiving at least four centimeters of the first pole, a fourth slot having a second collar and receiving at least four centimeters of the second pole, surrounded by a perimeter shoulder recessed from said first collar and said second collar;

(e) a first metal brace molded into said first frame in said first slot between said first frame and said first pole; and

(f) a second metal brace molded into said second frame in said third slot between said second frame and said first pole.

20. The bulk container of claim 19, wherein said first frame is provided with a first perimeter, wherein said second frame is provided with a second perimeter, and wherein said first perimeter is substantially similar to said second perimeter.