# US 9,751,691 B2 · Silosack container > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,691 B2 - Document ID: US9751691B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/356,986 - Filed: 2012-11-02 - Published: 2015-07-23 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-08 - Assignees: Composite Containers LLC - Applicants: Composite Containers LLC - Inventors: Andrew Hunter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751691B2 ## CPC - B65D 90/205: {for flexible containers, i.e. the flexible container being permanently connected to the frame (B65D77/061, B65D88/1612, B65D90/046 take precedence; unpacking of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container [FIBC] B65B69/0075; crane hooks for frames for FIBC B66C1/226)} - B65D 88/1668: {closures for top or bottom openings} - B65D 88/1681: {Flexible, e.g. loops, or reinforcements therefor} - B65D 88/28: Construction or shape of discharge section - B65D 90/08: Interconnections of wall parts; Sealing means therefor - D05B 13/00: Machines for sewing sacks - B65D 2588/165: FIBC on a pallet base - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - D05B: SEWING (appliances for the tailoring trade A41H; sewing tables A47B29/00; sewing in bookbinding B42B2/00; sewing machines modified for knitting D04B39/08) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A collapsible container, a method of manufacturing, and a method of using the same is provided herein. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is octagonal, generally square, or generally rectangular while comprising eight side panels have receiving pockets for receiving stiffening panels. The collapsible container may include a third layer sewn to the inside of the walls such that content loaded into the third layer is directed to a spout at the bottom of the third layer for convenient discharge of contents. The eight side panels are designed such that the container can be collapsed for easy transport but also stably supports and facilitates discharge of contents from the third layer when the container is set up. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A collapsible container, the container comprising: a collapsible sleeve having a first end and a second end; and a liner attached to the collapsible sleeve at the first end, wherein the liner comprises an apex and is suspended within the collapsible sleeve, wherein the liner is sized so that the apex is suspended in the collapsible sleeve above a surface upon which the second end of the collapsible sleeve is resting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the apex includes an opening configured for discharging content from the collapsible container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end are open. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein a cylinder extends from the apex to a position on the opposite side of the second end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein a sealing mechanism closes the apex. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The collapsible container of claim 5, wherein the sealing mechanism is selected from the group consisting of rope, twist ties, Velcro, cable ties, and clips. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising a rigid lid attached at the first end of the sleeve and configured to support the weight of a second container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the collapsible sleeve comprises receiving pockets configured for receiving stiffening panels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The collapsible container of claim 8, wherein the receiving pockets are defined by vertical seams. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The collapsible container of claim 8, wherein the collapsible sleeve is octagonal and comprises eight receiving pockets configured for receiving eight stiffening panels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising at least one horizontal reinforcement band positioned on the inside or the outside of the collapsible sleeve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising lift loops attached to the collapsible container and configured for lifting the collapsible container when contents are loaded into the liner. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the collapsible sleeve is resting on a pallet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the liner is permanently or removably attached to the collapsible sleeve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method for storing content in a collapsible container, the method comprising: providing a container, as provided in claim 1; loading content into the container when the container is in a free-standing configuration and the apex is closed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising releasing a sealing mechanism at the apex to open the liner and discharge the content. ### Claim 17 A method for manufacturing a collapsible container, the method comprising: (a) producing a collapsible sleeve having a first end and a second end, said method comprising: (i) providing four side wall assemblies each comprising an inner layer and an outer layer of fabric, film or vinyl; (ii) securing the inner layer and an outer layer of two of the side wall assemblies together using two vertical sew lines to create a pocket in each; (iii) securing the four side wall assemblies together end to end, alternating the side wall assemblies with the two vertical sew lines and the side wall assemblies without the two vertical sew lines to create the collapsible sleeve having eight pockets; and (iv) inserting stiffening panels in the pockets, and (b) providing a liner attached to the collapsible sleeve at the first end, wherein the liner comprises an apex and is suspended within the collapsible sleeve, wherein the liner is sized so that the apex is suspended in the collapsible sleeve above a surface upon which the second end of the collapsible sleeve is resting. ### Claim 18 A method for manufacturing a collapsible container, the method comprising: (a) producing a collapsible sleeve having a first end and a second end, said method comprising: (i) providing four side wall assemblies, wherein two of the four side wall assemblies are a single layer of fabric, film, or vinyl and two of the four side wall assemblies are a double layer of fabric, film, or vinyl; (ii) securing the four side wall assemblies together end to end, alternating the side wall assemblies with a single layer and the side wall assemblies with a double layer to create the collapsible sleeve; (iii) providing a vertical sew line in each of the double layer wall assemblies, the vertical sew lines defining two pockets in each of the double layer wall assemblies; and (iv) inserting stiffening panels in the pockets; and (b) providing a liner attached to the collapsible sleeve at the first end, wherein the liner comprises an apex and is suspended within the collapsible sleeve, wherein the liner is sized so that the apex is suspended in the collapsible sleeve above a surface upon which the second end of the collapsible sleeve is resting.