WO2013004770A1

WO2013004770A1 - A flexible container for bulk material

Info

Publication number: WO2013004770A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/063085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geert DEMEYERE; Philip VERCAEMST; Stephane CHARIGNON; Marc Smet
Original assignee: Nv Bekaert Sa
Priority date: 2011-07-06
Filing date: 2012-07-05
Publication date: 2013-01-10
Also published as: EP2729386A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible container (100, 200, 300) for bulk material. The invention further relates to a method of discharging such a container (100, 200, 300) from a remote position. The flexible container (100, 200, 300) comprises a holding section (102, 202, 302) and a bottom section (104, 204, 304). The bottom section (104, 204, 304) is foldable over and across a bottom opening (112, 212, 312) of the holding section (102, 202, 302) and can be secured to the holding section (102, 202, 302) by means of at least one strap (118, 218, 318) being threaded in a releasable securing means (120, 220, 320, 400). The releasable securing (120, 220, 320, 400) means comprises a body (410) and a handle (420). The handle (420) is pivotably installed on the body (410) between a tight fastening position and a slackening position. The handle (420) is provided with at least one latch (424) movably installed on the handle (420) to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one latch (424) in the first position is engaged in a recess (418) of said body (410) to secure said handle (420) into said tight fastening position and the at least one latch (424) in the second position is removed from the recess (418) of the body (410).

Description

A flexible container for bulk material

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a flexible container for bulk material.

The invention also relates to a method of discharging such a container allowing discharging from a remote position.

Background Art

[0002] Various forms of flexible containers, typically called bulk bags or big bags, to transport bulk material such as flowable goods are known in the art. This type of containers is often used to transport materials such chemicals, foodstuffs (rice, sugar, salt), cement, mineral ores, ...

Such containers are typically made of a strong flexible fabric such as a fabric made of polyethylene, polypropylene or another material of appropriate strength capable of supporting a heavy weight without rupturing.

[0003] Most of these containers are provided with a closable opening at the top and at the bottom. The top opening is normally used to fill the container with goods and the bottom opening is normally used to discharge goods from the container.

[0004] Discharge of the material from the container is normally accomplished by lifting the container for example by lifting loops, suspending the container over a receiving container, thereby permitting the goods to discharge from the flexible container into a receiving container.

To allow the discharge of a container, the container is provided with discharge means.

One type of discharge means comprises a discharge chute or spout associated with the bottom of the bag which is closed by a tie during transportation and whereby the tie is released when discharge is desired. An alternative discharge means comprises one flap or a number of flaps of material associated with the bottom of the container which is folded over the discharge opening during transportation, but is released when discharge is desired.

[0005] Many containers have the drawback that the discharge of the material is not done remotely. A discharge of material that is not done remotely requires that an operator places his or her body or part of his or her body under the container in order to actuate the discharge means.

This leads to unsafe working conditions.

[0006] Various attempts to provide a container with a discharge means that is remotely operable are described in the prior art.

WO98/17543 describes a bag comprising a plurality of flaps. To close the bag the flaps are folded over each other and the last flap is secured by straps to buckles on the side of the bag. To discharge the contents of the bag, the straps are released from the buckles, permitting the bottom of the bag to open and the content to be discharged. A cord or lanyard is attached to the buckles to facilitate their operation remotely.

A drawback of this type of bags is that inadvertent discharge may occur if the buckles are accidentally lifted for example by contact with adjacent objects or if the lanyard is accidentally snagged during transport or handling of the bag.

[0007] Other flexible containers known in the art comprise securing means that are threaded with a strap provided with a hook. The hook of the strap is thereby fitting in a recess of a buckle. By removing the hook of the strap out of the recess of the buckle the goods of such a container can be discharged. As the straps are provided with a hook, there is a risk that th flexible container is damaged by such hook.

Disclosure of Invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible container

avoiding the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a flexible container provided with discharge means allowing the discharge of its content from remote position. With discharging from a remote position is meant that th operator does not need to place his or her body or part of his or her body or any tool under the container in order to operate discharge.

[0010] It is a further object to provide a flexible container that is secured against inadvertent opening during ordinary transportation or handling of the container.

[001 1] It is still a further object to provide a method of discharging a flexible

container at a remote distance from the container.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention a flexible container for being loaded with bulk material is provided. The flexible container comprises

- a holding section, said holding section having a peripheral wall, an upper side and a lower side, a top opening (preferably a closable top opening) at said upper side and a bottom opening (preferably a closable bottom opening) at said lower side;

- a bottom section, said bottom section being connected to said holding section at said lower side of said holding section, said bottom section being foldable over and across said bottom opening to be secured to said peripheral wall of said holding section;

- at least one strap attached to said bottom section; and

- at least one releasable securing means; said at least one releasable

securing means being provided at said peripheral wall of said holding section and said at least one releasable securing means coacting between said bottom section and said holding section to reliably secure said bottom section to said holding section by means of said at least one strap being threaded in said releasable securing means.

The releasable securing means comprises a body and a handle. The handle is pivotably installed on the body so that the handle can move between a tight fastening position and a slackening position. The handle is provided with at least one latch. This latch is movably installed on the handle to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position the latch is engaged in at least one recess of the body to secure the handle into the tight fastening position. In the second position the latch is removed from the recess of the body allowing the handle to move to the slackening position..

[0013] The latch is movably installed on the handle. It is important to remark that the latch is preferably permanently installed on the handle, this means that the latch is preferably in the tight fastening position and the slackening position installed on the body.

[0014] The at least one strap attached to the bottom section of the flexible

container is free from hooks, hook shaped fittings or latches. Therefore, there is no risk of damage of the flexible container by the straps before, during or after loading of the contents in the flexible container.

[0015] The at least one recess of the body has preferably an open end in the direction away from the pivotal connection of the handle and the body.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment the body comprises a base and two opposing side walls. At least one of these sidewalls is provided with at least one recess. Preferably, each of the side walls is provided with at least one recess. The recess or recesses has/have preferably an open end in the direction away from the pivotal connection of the handle and the body.

[0017] Preferably, the latch is moving from the first position to the second position by applying tension to said latch. A preferred way of moving the latch from a first position to a second position is by pulling on a lanyard attached to the latch. In this way the tension can be applied by pulling on said lanyard from a position remote from the flexible container.

The lanyard is preferably removably attached to the latch short before the discharging.

[0018] The latch is preferably a spring biased latch. In order to move the latch from a first position to a second position, i.e. to remove the latch out of the at least one recess, it is necessary to overcome the biasing force. Once this biasing force is overcome, the latch moves from a first position to a second position thereby allowing the handle to pivot from a tight fastening position to a slackening position.

[0019] By moving the handle from the tight fastening position to the slackening position, the strap or straps are released from the releasable securing means and the contents of the flexible container are discharged.

[0020] In case the latch is moved from a first position to a second position by pulling on a lanyard attached to the latch, it is only when the tension on the lanyard is released that the handle will pivot from a tight fastening position to a slackening position. It is thus only when the tension on the lanyard is released that the strap or straps are released from the releasable securing means, that the bottom section is released from the holding section and that the bulk material is discharged.

[0021] In one embodiment the container is provided with one strap and one

releasable securing means.

In alternative embodiments the container is provided with more than one strap and more than one releasable securing means.

Preferably, the number of straps is corresponding with the number of releasable securing means whereby each of the releasable securing means may be threaded with one strap.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment the bottom section of the container is provided with a first strap and a second strap and the holding section of the container is provided with a first releasable securing means and a second releasable securing means, whereby the first releasable securing means is to be threaded with the first strap and the second releasable securing means is to be threaded with the second strap.

In such an embodiment, the tension is preferably applied by first

(removably) attaching one end of a lanyard to the first latch of the first releasable securing means and by secondly (removably) attaching the second end of this lanyard to the second latch of the second releasable securing means and by subsequently pulling on said lanyard once attached to the first and second latch.

The bulk material of this type of flexible container is discharged by pulling on the lanyard preferably form a position remote from the flexible container. By pulling on the lanyard the first latch and the second latch mover from a first position to a second position. Once the tension on the lanyard is released the handle of the first releasable securing means and the handle of the second releasable securing means will pivot from the tight fastening position to the slackening position. It is thus only when the tension on the lanyard is released that the bottom section is released from the holding section and that the bulk material is discharged.

[0023] The flexible container, more particularly the peripheral wall of the holding section and the bottom section can be made of any type of material of appropriate strength capable of supporting a heavy weight without rupturing. The flexible container is preferably made of a flexible fabric of popypropylyene, polyethylene, polyester, nylon, ...

The holding section and the bottom section may be made of the same material or may comprise a different material.

[0024] The holding section of the flexible container may for example have a

sleeve-like shape having - when loaded with goods - a circular or an elliptical cross-section or a polygonal shaped cross-section such as a square or rectangular cross-section.

[0025] The bottom section may be an extension of the holding section having the same or a similar shape as the holding section. In such an embodiment the peripheral wall of the holding section is extending over the bottom section having the same or a similar shape and the holding section and the bottom section are forming one sleeve.

Alternatively the bottom section may comprise a flap-like section or a chute-like section. A flap-like bottonn section comprises one or more flaps, whereby one flap is foldable over and across the bottom opening to be secured to the peripheral wall of the holding section. In case the flap-like bottom section comprises more than one flap, at least one flap is foldable over and across the bottom opening to be secured to the peripheral wall of the holding section.

In a preferred embodiment of a container having a flap-like bottom section the flaps are folded over each other and the last flap is foldable over and across the bottom opening to be secured to the peripheral wall of the holding section.

A chute-like section comprises for example a discharge spout.

[0026] Independent of the type of bottom section, it is essential for the present invention that the bottom section is foldable over and across the bottom opening and can be secured to the peripheral wall of the holding section.

[0027] For the purpose of this application the at least one strap intends to cover all kind of a length of material which may be used in conjunction with a releasable securing means and covers a strap, a cord, a rope, a webbing, a cable, ...

[0028] The strap may be of any suitable material as for example metal or a

polymeric or elastomeric material.

[0029] A big advantage of the flexible container according to the present

invention is that the container can be discharged at a remote distance from the container thereby avoiding unsafe working conditions for the operator.

[0030] Another advantage of the flexible container is that the container does not comprise free ropes or cords thereby avoiding the inadvertent discharging by accidentally pulling on a free rope or cord during storing or transport. [0031] Still another advantage is that the flexible container has no straps provided with hooks or hook shaped fittings. Therefore, there is no risk of damage of the flexible container by the straps before, during or after loading of the contents in the flexible container or during storing of transporting of the flexible containers.

[0032] A further advantage is that the flexible containers can be re-used as they are not destroyed by for example cutting with a knife.

[0033] The flexible container may be provided with one or more lifting loops. The lifting loops are preferably attached near the upper side of the holding section. The lifting loops may be attached to the holding section by any means known in the art such as gluing, stitching or riveting or by any combination thereof. The tines of a forklift or handtruck can be inserted in these lifting loops to lift and/or transport the flexible containers.

[0034] In preferred embodiments the flexible containers according to the present invention have a releasable securing means provided with one or more additional securing means. An example of such additional securing means comprise a pin.

Preferably, this additional securing means is released or deactivated shortly before the discharge of the bulk material.

[0035] The type of flexible containers according to the present invention is

suitable to store, transport and discharge all types of bulk material such as flowable goods.

The flexible containers are in particular suitable to store, transport and discharge additives to concrete or concrete structures, such as fibre reinforcement, in particular polymer or steel fibres, such as steel fibres known under the trademark Dramix®.

The steel fibres can for example be straight. Alternatively, the steel fibres are non-straight as for examples fibres having a middle portion provided with hook-shaped ends at one or both sides of this middle portion, corrugated fibres or fibres having a cross-section that is varying along the length of the fibre.

For steel fibres, the thickness or diameter preferably varies from 0.15 to 1.2 mm. The length-to-diameter ratio for steel fibres is, for practical and economical reasons, mostly situated between 10 and 200 and preferably minimally amounts to 40. For non-straight fibres, the length is the rectilinear distance between the ends of the fibres, whereas the diameter of fibres of which the diameter varies along the length is defined as the average diameter over the entire length.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the present invention a method to

discharge a flexible container at remote distance is provided. The method comprises the steps of

providing a flexible container as described above;

moving the latch from a first position to a second position allowing the handle to pivot from the tight fastening position to the slackening position by applying tension to the latch at a remote distance from the flexible container.

[0037] In a preferred method a lanyard is applied to the latch, preferably short before the discharging and the latch is moved from a first position to a second position by applying tension to this lanyard. The tension is preferably applied by pulling on the lanyard.

[0038] A preferred method to discharge a flexible container comprises the steps of

providing a flexible container as described above;

moving the latch from a first position to a second position allowing the handle to pivot from the tight fastening position to the slackening position by applying tension to the latch at a remote distance from the container; releasing the tension applied on the latch. Preferred flexible containers have more than one releasable securing means, such as two releasable securing means. A preferred method to discharge a flexible container having two releasable securing means comprises the steps of

providing a flexible container whereby said bottom section of said flexible container is provided with a first strap and a second strap and whereby said holding section of said flexible container is provided with a first releasable securing means and a second releasable securing means; attaching a first end of a lanyard to a latch of said first releasable securing means and attaching a second end of said lanyard to a latch of said second releasable securing means;

pulling on said lanyard from a position remote from said flexible container to move said latch of said first releasable securing means and said latch of said second releasable securing means from a first position to a second position.

[0040] According to a third aspect of the present invention the use of a flexible container to store, transport and discharge bulk material is provided.

More particular the flexible container is useful to store, transport and discharge additives to concrete or concrete structures, such as fibre reinforcement, in particular polymer or steel fibres, such as steel fibres known under the trademark Dramix®.

Brief Description of Figures in the Drawings

[0041] The invention will now be described into more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings where

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a flexible container according to the present invention filled with bulk material. Figure 1a shows this

embodiment filled with bulk material and Figure 1 b shows this

embodiment when the bulk material is discharged;

Figure 2 is an illustration of a second embodiment of a flexible container according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an illustration of a third embodiment of a flexible container according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of a releasable securing means;

Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a releasable securing means showing the threading of the strap.

Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

[0042] The present invention will be described with respect to particular

embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0043] Figure 1 shows a flexible container 100 according to the present invention.

The flexible container 100 comprises a holding section 102 and a bottom section 104. The holding section 102 has a peripheral wall 105, an upper side 106 and a lower side 108. The holding section 102 furthermore has a top opening 1 10 at the upper side 106 of the holding section 102 and bottom opening 1 12 at the lower side 108 of the holding section 102.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the bottom section 104 is an

extension of the holding section 102 having the same or a similar shape as the holding section 102.

[0045] The bottom section 104 is provided with two straps 1 18.

[0046] The peripheral wall of the holding section 102 is provided with two

releasable securing means 120 coacting between the bottom section 104 and the holding section 102 to reliably secure the bottom section 104 to said holding section 102 by means of the straps 1 18 being threaded in the releasable securing means 120.

[0047] The top opening is preferably closable by a closing means 122. Any

closing means 122 known in the art can be considered, for example a web tie, a cord lock, a rope.

[0048] The flexible container 100 shown in Figure 1 is provided with two lifting loops 128.

[0049] In Figure 1 a the releasable securing means 120 are in the tight-fastening position; in Figure 1 b the releasable securing means 120 are in the slackening position.

[0050] Figure 2 is an illustration of a second embodiment of a flexible container 200 according to the present invention filled with bulk material when discharged.

The flexible container 200 comprises a holding section 202 and a bottom section 204. The holding section 202 has a peripheral wall 205, an upper side 206 and a lower side 208. The holding section 202 furthermore has a top opening 210 at the upper side 206 of the holding section 202 and a bottom opening 212 at the lower side of the holding section 202.

[0051] The bottom section 204 comprises four flaps 214 The flaps are foldable over each other and the last flap 215 is foldable over and across the bottom opening 212 to be secured to the peripheral wall 205 of the holding section 202.

[0052] The last flap 215 is provided with two straps 218.

[0053] The peripheral wall 205 of the holding section 202 is provided with two releasable securing means 220 coacting between the bottom section 204 and the holding section 202 to reliably secure the bottom section 204 to the holding section 202 by means of the straps 218 being threaded in the releasable securing means 220.

[0054] Figure 3 shows the cross-section of a third embodiment of a flexible

container 300 according to the present invention filled while the goods are being discharged.

The flexible container 300 comprises a holding section 302 and a bottom section 304. The holding section 302 has a peripheral wall 305, an upper side 306 and a lower side 308. The holding section 302 furthermore has a top opening 310 at the upper side 306 of the holding section 302 and a bottom opening 312 at the lower side 308 of the holding section 302.

[0055] The bottom section 304 comprises a discharge spout.

[0056] The peripheral wall 305 of the holding section 302 is provided with two releasable securing means 320 coacting between the bottom section 304 and the holding section 302 to reliably secure the bottom section 304 to the holding section 302 by means of straps 318 being threaded in the releasable securing means 320.

[0057] Figure 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of a releasable securing

means 400. The releasable securing means 400 is shown in its open position (slackening position).

[0058] The releasable securing means 400 comprises a body 410 and a handle 420. As shown in the embodiments of Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 the body 410 of the releasable securing means 400 is attached to the flexible container, more particularly to the holding section of the flexible container. The body 410 can be attached to the holding section by any means known in the art such as gluing, stitching or riveting or by any combination thereof. [0059] The handle 420 is pivotably connected to the body 410 by pivot pin 430 and is movable between an open position (slackening position) as shown in Figure 4 to a closed position (tight fastening position).

[0060] The body 410 has a base 41 1 and two opposing side walls 412, 413 in such a way that the body 410 defines a generally U-shaped channel 416. The side walls 412, 413 are provided with at least one recess 418 functioning as a gripping notch for latch 424. The recesses 418 preferably have an open end in a direction away from the pivot pin 430.

The side walls 412, 413 are spaced apart by a distance which is preferably slightly larger than the width of the strap (not shown) which the releasable securing means 400 will use to secure, such that the strap can lie along the base 41 1 of body 410 of the releasable securing means 400 between the two side walls 412, 413. The base 41 1 of body 410 can be provided with one or more windows 419.

[0061] The handle 420 comprises a base 421 and two opposing side walls 422,

423. The base 421 of the handle 420 can be provided with one or more windows 429.The handle 404 is provided with a latch 424. The latch 424 is preferably a biased latch such as a spring biased latch. The latch 424, more particularly the engagement arms 426 of the latch 424 can engage with the recesses 418 on the body 410 to secure the handle 420 in a closed position (tight fastening position).

[0062] To move the handle 420 from the closed position to the open position tension is applied to the latch 424. A preferred way of moving the latch 424 from the closed position to the open position is by pulling on said latch

424. This can be realized by attaching a lanyard on said latch and by pulling on said lanyard. In this way the flexible container can be

discharged from a remote position. Preferably, a lanyard is removably attached to the latch shortly before the discharge of the bulk material. [0063] In the closed position (tight fastening position), the engagement arms 426 of latch 424 are engaged in the recesses 418. The spring biases the engagement arms 426 of the latch 424 to engage within the recesses 418. When a force is applied on the latch 424, the latch 424, more particularly the engagement arms 426 of the latch 424, are released from the recesses 418 from the moment the force applied is higher than the biasing force. The handle 420 is then pivoting towards its open position

(slackening position). Once the handle 420 turns to its open position, the strap is released from the releasable securing means 400 and the bottom section will be released from the holding section by the weight of the bulk material.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a releasable securing means 400 showing the threading of strap 440. The numbers used in Figure 5 correspond with the numbers used in Figure 4.

For the treading of strap 440 in the releasable securing means 400, the handle 420 is opened and the free end of the strap 440 is inserted in the body 410 along the base 41 1 of body 410. The strap 440 can be located below or above the base 41 1 or can be partially located above and partially below the base 41 1 , for example by inserting the strap 440 through window 419.

The strap 440 is subsequently inserted below pivot pin 430 and is further guided over the handle 420 through window 429 of handle 420 back again under pivot pin 430.

The strap 440 is tightened by pulling at its free end and by pivoting handle 420 towards is closed position. The engagement arms 426 of latch 424 are thereby engaging with the recesses 418.

Claims

1. A flexible container for being loaded with bulk material, comprising

- a holding section, said holding section having a peripheral wall, an upper side and a lower side, a top opening at said upper side and a bottom opening at said lower side;

- a bottom section, said bottom section being connected to said holding

section at said lower side of said holding section, said bottom section being foldable over and across said bottom opening to be secured to said peripheral wall of said holding section;

- at least one strap attached to said bottom section; and

- at least one releasable securing means, said at least one releasable

securing means being provided at said peripheral wall of said holding section and said at least one releasable securing means coacting between said bottom section and said holding section to reliably secure said bottom section to said holding section by means of said at least one strap being threaded in said releasable securing means;

characterized in that said securing means comprises a body and a handle, said handle being pivotably installed on said body between a tight fastening position and a slackening position; said handle being provided with at least one latch movably installed on said handle to move between a first position and a second position, whereby said at least one latch in said first position is engaged in a recess of said body to secure said handle into said tight fastening position and whereby said at least one latch in said second position is removed from said recess of said body.

2. A flexible container according to claim 1 , whereby said latch is moving from said first position to said second position by applying tension to said latch.

3. A flexible container according to claim 1 or claim 2, whereby said tension is applied from a position remote from said flexible container.

4. A flexible container according to clainn 3, whereby said tension is applied by pulling on a lanyard attached to said latch.

5. A flexible container according to claim 4, whereby said lanyard is removably attached to said latch.

6. A flexible container according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said bottom section is an extension of said holding section having the same or a similar shape as said holding section.

7. A flexible container according to any of claims 1 to 5, whereby said bottom

section comprises one or more flaps.

8. A flexible container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, whereby said bottom section comprises a chute.

9. A flexible container according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said bottom section is provided with a first strap and a second strap and whereby said holding section is provided with a first releasable securing means and a second releasable securing means, the first releasable securing means is to be threaded with the first strap and the second releasable securing means is to be threaded with the second strap.

10. A flexible container according to claim 8, whereby said tension is applied by pulling on a lanyard attached with one end of said lanyard to a first latch of the first releasable securing means and with a second end of said lanyard to a second latch of the second releasable securing means.

1 1. A flexible container according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said releasable securing means is provided with an additional securing means.

12. A method of discharging a flexible container at a remote distance from said container, said method comprising the steps of - providing a flexible container as defined in claim 1 filled with bulk material;

- moving said latch from a first position to a second position allowing said handle to pivot from said tight fastening position to said slackening position by applying tension to said latch at a remote distance from said container.

13. A method according to claim 12, whereby said method comprises the step of attaching a lanyard to said latch and whereby said latch is moved from a first position to a second position by applying tension to said lanyard.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, said method comprising the steps of

- providing a flexible container as defined in claim 1 whereby said bottom section of said flexible container is provided with a first strap and a second strap and whereby said holding section of said flexible container is provided with a first releasable securing means and a second releasable securing means,

- attaching a first end of a lanyard to a latch of said first releasable securing means and attaching a second end of said lanyard to a latch of said second releasable securing means;

- pulling on said lanyard from a position remote from said flexible container to move said latch of said first releasable securing means and said latch of said second releasable securing means from a first position to a second position.

15. Use of a flexible container as defined in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 to store, transport and discharge bulk material.