Bulk bag

Details Bulk bag Bulk bag

1999-08-02

2001-04-10

Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)

Special receptacle or package

With pallet feature

Specified pallet legs

C206S600000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06213305

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bulk bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bulk bags are large bags that are used to transport bulk commodities. They are currently transported on low portable platforms known as “pallets.” The use of pallets facilitates the handling of bulk bags with fork lifts. Unfortunately, pallets increase the weight and, consequently, the cost of shipping bulk bags. This involves both the transportation of full bulk bags from the shipper to the customer, and the transportation of empty bulk bags from the customer back to the shipper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a bulk bag that can be readily transported without requiring a pallet.
According to the present invention there is provided a bulk bag which includes a flexible body having a bottom. At least one pair of tubular fork tine receiving members are arranged in parallel spaced relation across the bottom of the body. Fork tines from a forklift are insertable into the receiving members to lift the body.
The bulk bag, as described above, does not need a pallet as provision is made for receiving members to accommodate the fork tines of a forklift. This enables a forklift to be used to handle the bulk bags. The preferred mode of construction of the bulk bag involves making the fork tine receiving members in the form of sleeves that extend across the bottom of the bulk bag into which are inserted rigidifying inserts.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the bulk bag, as described above, rigidifying inserts can limit the extent to which empty bulk bags may be folded up for transport. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when the rigidifying inserts are removable from the sleeves to facilitate transportation of empty bulk bags.
There are various ways in which rigidifying inserts may be maintained within the sleeves and yet, still remain removable to facilitate transportation of empty bulk bags. One way is to provide elastic bands at opposed ends of the sleeves to elastically deform the opposed ends. The elastic bands constrict the opposed ends of the sleeves to preclude the rigidifying inserts from being withdrawn from the sleeves. Another way is to provide a mating clamping component which clamps around the sleeve and onto the rigidifying insert. In this manner the rigidifying insert is clamped in position within the sleeve and cannot be withdrawn until the mating clamping component is removed. Yet another is to have sleeves made from an elastic material, that will stretch to allow entry of the rigidifying inserts and then return to their original form, thereby holding the rigidifying inserts in place.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the bulk bag, as described above, there is a danger that a fork lift may rupture the bulk bag when attempting to insert fork tines into the fork tine receiving members. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when a peripheral reinforcing impact panel is secured to the sidewalls adjacent the bottom of the bulk bag in the vicinity of the at least one pair of tubular fork tine receiving members.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 3425472 (1969-02-01), Marino
patent: 4100859 (1978-07-01), Clark, Jr.
patent: 4300608 (1981-11-01), Cuthbertson
patent: 4790249 (1988-12-01), Webb
patent: 4792171 (1988-12-01), Lamy
patent: 5285731 (1994-02-01), McIntyre
patent: 5377600 (1995-01-01), Speese et al.
patent: 5607237 (1997-03-01), LaFleur
patent: 5685644 (1997-11-01), Taylor
patent: 5785175 (1998-07-01), Cholsaipant

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