Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-08
2001-11-20
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S185100, C222S181200, C222S105000, C222S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318594
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container and system for handling, storing, and discharging flowable dry materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has recently become common to handle, store and dispense flowable dry goods, such as agricultural feed, plastic molding resins, dry chemicals, and many dry food products, in large soft containers. A typical container of this type has a capacity of approximately one ton, and dimensions of approximately four feet by four feet by four feet. These dimensions allow the containers to be transported and stored on standard pallets.
The ease, convenience, and flexibility of using such containers make them most practical and desirable to medium sized processors, for whom small fifty-pound bags of goods are burdensome and not economical. For such users, the purchase of goods in truckloads and the storage in silos is also not feasible, but such containers as are the subject herein still allow the processor to purchase goods “by the ton” as opposed to “by the pound”, so that a significant bulk discount can be realized. The ability to store many of these containers in a relatively small area allows the processor to inventory many types of goods simultaneously and access each on short notice.
Additionally, these reinforced fabric bag-like containers are reusable many times, offering the processor a significant savings over disposable paper bags or Gaylord boxes, which are generally only reusable once or twice.
These containers are filled through the top, and goods are generally dispensed through openings in a side or in the bottom through a variety of methods and means. They are these methods and means of dispensing which to date have been the most troublesome aspects of prior art soft storage containers.
Some materials just do not flow as well as others and are inherently more suitable to bottom discharge containers while other materials are very fluid or hazardous and more suitable to side discharge containers.
During transporting from the vendor to the customer, and over time, some dry goods can become compacted. As a result, they cake and clump and become not readily flowable. Vibrators are sometimes employed to reduce clumping and improve flow, but this is quite burdensome and complicated and adds an additional expense.
Precise and simple control of the flow rate of materials of varying viscosities is not provided and automatic control of flow rate and the termination of discharge is not provided in present systems.
Precise control and measurement of the amount of material which has been dispensed, such as by weight, is not provided in present systems.
To date, there are no known re-usable soft containers or dispensing systems which provide a means for an individual operator to conveniently handle bulk quantities of dry goods, to move the goods freely about a warehouse, to position the goods precisely where and as needed, to dispense the goods precisely and with minimal loss, and to reseal and restore the containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a soft dry goods container and dispenser and a handling system therefor.
The container comprises a substantially planar top, front, back, left side, right side, and bottom panels, arranged in an orthogonal hexahedron. The panels are constructed of a durable and flexible fabric and, therefore, the containers are inherently collapsible when empty. The top panel has an inlet opening through which the container is filled with the flowable dry goods. The container is adapted to contain the dry goods and to dispense the same through a resealable discharge chute that is provided along the edge formed by the bottom and front panels. The system comprises means for transporting and supporting the container, means for lifting and lowering the container to allow the goods to automatically flow from the open chute in a precisely controllable manner and by only the force of gravity, means for pinching the chute closed as the container is lowered, means for distorting the container to force all of the goods therefrom, and means for precisely maneuvering and locating the container and system.
Both the container and the system are adapted to allow an individual to conveniently and effectively handle and dispense dry goods without assistance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a dry goods container, and a handling and dispensing system therefor, that are more efficient and effective than existing containers and systems.
It is another object of the invention to provide a container and system that can be operated by an individual user.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a container and system that allow a more efficient material discharge. It is still another object of the invention to provide a container and system that allow a more controllable discharge of the goods.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a container and system that reduce the problems created by the compacting and caking of the goods before or during discharge without the use of vibrators or such.
It is a further object to provide an edge-discharge soft container and a handling system.
It is another object of the invention to provide a container with an edge-discharge spout that can be accessed from the front.
It is another object of the invention to provide an edge-discharge container including an adjustable flap that maintains the shape and integrity of the container before initial discharge and after partial discharge.
These and other objects will be apparent from the description and claims that follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4365737 (1982-12-01), Marvia
patent: 4572408 (1986-02-01), Kupersmit
patent: 4573204 (1986-02-01), Polett
patent: 5335820 (1994-08-01), Christianson
patent: 5340218 (1994-08-01), Cuthbertson
patent: 5344048 (1994-09-01), Bonerb
patent: 5636764 (1997-06-01), Bonerb
patent: 5685454 (1997-11-01), Bonerb
patent: 5687881 (1997-11-01), Rouse et al.
patent: 2078676-A (1982-01-01), None
Buechner Patrick
Jarcho Harold G.
Shaver Kevin
Toupal John E.
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