Flexible intermediate bulk container with induction control
AssigneeTexene LLC
InventorsPaul Holdstock, Carlos Echeverria
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method, apparatus and system is provided for both (1) decreasing electrostatic discharges to reduce the potential for incendiary discharges caused by electrostatic charges in flexible containers such as flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) and (2) decreasing the induction on isolated conductors nearby the container to reduce the potential for incendiary discharges from the isolated conductors.
Claims44
A controlled-conductive flexible fabric container with a reduced energy of electrostatic discharge for use in a combustible environment, comprising:
- a woven fabric configured to form the controlled-conductive flexible fabric container that while grounded has sufficient charge dissipation within the container in order for the residual charge to be maintained below that required to cause potentials to be induced on nearby isolated conductors, said potentials sufficient to cause an incendiary discharge in the combustible environment, wherein the container has side walls, a top attached to the side walls, and a bottom attached to the side walls.
A method for reducing the energy of electrostatic discharge in a combustible environment using a controlled-conductive flexible fabric container, comprising the steps of:
- providing a woven fabric configured to form the controlled-conductive flexible fabric container, wherein the container has side walls, a top attached to the side walls, and a bottom attached to the side walls;
- and
- including a coating with an anti-static agent on the fabric so that, while grounded, there is sufficient charge dissipation within the container in order for the residual charge to be maintained below that required to cause potentials to be induced on nearby isolated conductors, said potentials sufficient to cause an incendiary discharge in the combustible environment.
A system with a reduced energy of electrostatic discharge for use in a combustible environment, the system comprising:
- a controlled-conductive flexible fabric container formed from a woven fabric, wherein the woven fabric is configured such that the container while grounded has sufficient charge dissipation within the container in order for the residual charge to be maintained below that required to cause potentials to be induced on nearby isolated conductors, said potentials sufficient to cause an incendiary discharge in the combustible environment, and wherein the container has side walls, a top attached to the side walls, and a bottom attached to the side walls;
- and
- a hoisting apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.