Bottom unloading bulk container

Claim 2

In a bottom for a bulk shipping and storage container of the type wherein a mass of bulk product is contained in the container with its weight resting on the bottom, the improvement comprising: (a) the bottom being formed with a central portion having a plurality of side panels hingedly connected thereto; (b) a plurality of score lines being formed on said central portion for weakening said central portion so that said portion deforms from the weight of the product positioned on the bottom into a generally funnel shape; and (c) a pouring opening formed in proximity to said plurality of score lines for removing the bulk product from the container.

Claim 3

The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of score lines are formed in a star pattern and said pouring opening is formed in the central portion of the star pattern.

Claim 4

The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said central portion has applied thereto a friction diminishing coating across the central portion at least as wide as said slot.

Claim 5

The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said pouring opening is oval shaped.

Claim 6

The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said pouring opening is formed off center within said star pattern.

Claim 7

The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said star pattern comprises a four point star having a star point at each corner of said central portion.

Claim 8

The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said star pattern is formed having at least one star point located at a corner of said central panel.

Claim 9

An improved bulk material container designed for bottom pouring from the container, comprising: (a) a central shell portion having an upper and a lower opening; (b) a top cap positioned on the upper opening of said shell portion; (c) a bottom cap positioned on the lower opening of said shell portion, said bottom cap comprising: (1) the bottom cap being formed with a central portion having a plurality of side panels hingedly connected thereto; (2) a plurality of score lines being formed on said central portion for weakening said central portion so that said portion deforms from the weight of the product positioned on the cap into a generally funnel shape; (3) a pouring opening formed in proximity to said plurality of score lines for removing the bulk product from the container; (4) a slot being formed in proximity to the hinged connection of one of the side panels and in proximity to said pouring opening, said slot being sized somewhat larger than said pouring opening; and (d) an elongated slide plate positioned in said slot and partially within said container and partially outside of said container and covering said pouring opening.

Claim 10

An improved bulk material container designed for bottom pouring from the container, comprising: (a) a central shell portion having an upper and a lower opening; (b) a top cap positioned on the upper opening of said shell portion; (c) a bottom cap positioned on the lower opening of said shell portion, said bottom cap comprising: (1) the bottom cap being formed with a central portion having a plurality of side panels hingedly connected thereto; (2) a plurality of score lines being formed on said central portion for weakening said central portion so that said portion deforms from the weight of the product positioned on the cap into a generally funnel shape; (3) a pouring opening formed in proximity to said plurality of score lines for removing the bulk product from the container; (4) a slot being formed in proximity to the hinged connection of one of the side panels and in proximity to said pouring opening, said slot being sized somewhat larger than said pouring opening; and (d) an elongated slide plate positioned in said slot and partially within said container and partially outside of said container and covering said pouring opening.

Claim 11

The container as defined in claim 8, wherein said central portion has applied thereto a friction diminishing coating across the central portion at least as wide as said slot.

Claim 12

The container as defined in claim 8 wherein said slide plate has applied thereto a friction diminishing coating on the side facing said pouring opening.

Claim 13

The container as defined in claim 8 wherein said central portion and one side of said slide plate have applied thereto in facing engagement a friction diminishing coating.

Claim 14

The container as defined in claim 8 further comprising said container having positioned therein a plastic bag for receiving the contents of the container, said plastic bag being spot glued to at least two sides of said central shell.

Claim 15

An improved moisture resistant package comprising a container and contents designed for bottom pouring from the container, comprising: (a) a central shell portion having an upper and a lower opening; (b) a top cap positioned on the upper opening of said shell portion; (c) a bottom cap positioned on the lower opening of said shell portion, said bottom cap comprising: (1) the bottom cap being formed with a central portion having a plurality of side panels hingedly connected thereto; (2) a plurality of score lines being formed on said central portion for weakening said central portion so that said portion deforms from the weight of the product positioned on the cap into a generally funnel shape; (3) a pouring opening formed in proximity to said plurality of score lines for removing the bulk product from the container; and (4) a slot being formed in proximity to the hinged connection of one of the side panels and in proximity to said pouring opening, said slot being sized somewhat larger than said pouring opening; (d) an elongated slide plate positioned in said slot and partially within said container and partially outside of said container and covering said pouring opening; (e) an inner plastic bag positioned within said central shell portion for receiving the contents of the container; (f) a heat shrinkable outer plastic bag positioned over said top cap, said central shell portion, said bottom cap, and said slide plate; and (g) a heat shrinkable plastic sheet positioned beneath said bottom cap, said plastic sheet and said outer plastic bag being heat shrunk to a tight moisture resistant fit with the ends of said plastic sheet being positioned within said plastic bag prior to heat shrinking so that upon heat shrinking the ends are adhered to said bag.

Claim 16

An improved moisture resistant package comprising a container and contents designed for bottom pouring from the container, comprising: (a) a central shell portion having an upper and a lower opening; (b) a top cap positioned on the upper opening of said shell portion; (c) a bottom cap positioned on the lower opening of said shell portion, said bottom cap comprising: (1) the bottom cap being formed with a central portion having a plurality of side panels hingedly connected thereto; (2) a plurality of score lines being formed on said central portion for weakening said central portion so that said portion deforms from the weight of the product positioned on the cap into a generally funnel shape; (3) a pouring opening formed in proximity to said plurality of score lines for removing the bulk product from the container; and (4) a slot being formed in proximity to the hinged connection of one of the side panels and in proximity to said pouring opening, said slot being sized somewhat larger than said pouring opening; (d) an elongated slide plate positioned in said slot and partially within said container and partially outside of said container and covering said pouring opening; (e) an inner plastic bag positioned within said central shell portion for receiving the contents of the container; (f) a heat shrinkable outer plastic bag positioned over said top cap, said central shell portion, said bottom cap, and said slide plate; and (g) a heat shrinkable plastic sheet positioned beneath said bottom cap, said plastic sheet and said outer plastic bag being heat shrunk to a tight moisture resistant fit with the ends of said plastic sheet being positioned within said plastic bag prior to heat shrinking so that upon heat shrinking the ends are adhered to said bag.

Claim 17

The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said star pattern is formed having the star points located at positions on the edges of the central panel other than at the central panel corners.