Lightweight transport, storage, and delivery system
OwnerKevin M. O'Neillinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Reusable, flexible, lightweight, low cost flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for the delivery of granular proppant material for fracing that will allow the transport of higher weights of proppant, such as sand, per truck load. The invention includes a container made of a high strength, flexible material with a top opening for loading and deploying the proppant. The container can be lifted and deployed with a fork truck or crane. Alternatively, proprietary deployment systems, such as a conveyor system, can be used to quickly and efficiently deploy the proppant from the container at a desired site.
Claims5
A bulk material containment system comprising:
- a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) comprised of a high strength, flexible fabric configured for storing bulk material, said FIBC including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls;
- said FIBC comprising a top opening configured for receiving said bulk material;
- said FIBC being further configured to be lifted and tipped for deploying said bulk material at a selected location;
- a front opening located on said front wall, said opening configured for unloading said bulk material through a spout affixed to said front wall;
- a hatch hingedly affixed to said top wall of said FIBC about said top opening;
- a moisture-proof seal about said hatch;
- a clamp configured for releasably sealing said spout;
- and
- a first horizontally-oriented strap wrapped about said FIBC and configured for releasbly confining said spout in a non-deployed orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.