US 4,224,970 A · Collapsible receptacle for flowable materials

Abstract

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials in semi-bulk quantities comprises a generally cylindrical container supported by a sling. The container features top loading and bottom discharge. The container can be constructed of a strong weave material. Preferably, the container is constructed of a unique laminate material formed of an inner liner of polybutylene film noncontinuously adhered to an outer layer of woven polypropylene. The sling is constructed of straps of polyester webbing, which are sewn to the container so that support stresses are distributed between the sling and the container. In one embodiment, the sling includes a ring for supporting the bottom of the container and lift straps attached to the ring. The ring surrounds a unique discharge spout in the container bottom. In another embodiment, the lower ends of the lift straps include guide loops for a draw rope. The draw rope surrounds a wire tie which functions to gather and close the bottom of the container. Release of the wire tie and draw rope permits discharge of the contents across the entire bottom of the container. In another embodiment, the receptacle includes a top panel, side panels and side seams between the side panels with the lift straps encompassing at least a portion of the side seams and attached to a top stitch to the top and side panels.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials, comprising:

a substantially flexible container having upper and lower ends and defining a collapsible chamber for the flowable materials;
said container including at least one side panel extending between the upper and lower ends of said container and forming a surrounding sidewall therefor;
the upper end of said container having a top panel peripherally attached to the side panel by a top seam;
said top panel including a closable opening for passing flowable materials therethrough;
and
a plurality of lift straps attached to said container arranged in spaced apart relationship and extending beyond the upper end of said container, said straps being secured to the top and side panels at the upper end of said container and being secured therealong to the side panel except over a portion of predetermined length adjacent the point of connection of said straps to said top panel, said straps thereby being operable to distribute lifting forces along said side panel so that said top panel resists forces applied through said straps in a direction oblique to said side panel to prevent said straps from being torn away from said side panel by the oblique forces.

3 more elements

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials, comprising:

a substantially flexible container having upper and lower ends and defining a collapsible chamber for the flowable materials;
a plurality of side panels forming a side wall of the container and being defined by a plurality of side seams extending between adjacent side panels from the upper to the lower ends of said container;
a plurality of side seam flaps, each of said flaps extending along a separate one of said side seams and extending outwardly from said container;
a top panel sewn to the upper end of said container by a top seam extending along the upper edges of said side panels and along the outer edge of said top panel forming a closed upper end of said container, said side seam flaps being folded against and sewn to said side panels by said top seam;
said top panel including a closeable opening for introducing flowable materials into said container;
and
a plurality of lift straps, each of said lift straps being folded lengthwise and positioned over a separate one of said side seam flaps with sewn strap stitches securing said straps to said seam flaps along at least a portion of said seam flaps, said strap stitches extending continuously from the lower end of said container to a point positioned a predetermined distance below the upper end of said container thereby providing an unsecured, relieved strap portion in each strap;
the upper portions of said straps extending beyond the upper end of said container for applying a lifting force to said container;
said straps being sewn to the upper end of the container above the relieved portion and through the outer edge of said top panel, the upper edges of said side panels, the side seams, said side seam flaps and said straps, so that said straps are operable to distribute lifting forces along said side panels, and to transmit oblique forces applied through said upper portions of said straps in a direction oblique to said side panels into said top panel to prevent said side straps from being torn away from said side seam flaps by the oblique forces.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Collapsible receptacle for flowable materials

Life of this patent

Collapsible receptacle for flowable materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11