Collapsible receptacle for flowable materials

Claim 2

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials, comprising: a substantially flexible container having upper and lower ends and defining a generally cylindrical collapsible chamber for the flowable materials; said container including an upstanding sidewall comprised of one substantially rectangular panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges with the sides of the panel secured together inwardly of the side edges to form one outwardly facing and longitudinally extending container sidewall seam; the upper end of said container comprising a selectively closeable fill opening; means for selectively closing the fill opening; and a flexible and substantially inextensible sling assembly for supporting the container, said sling assembly having a plurality of lift straps extending upwardly in circumferentially spaced relationship with the top ends of the straps terminating a predetermined distance beyond the upper end of the container; one of said lift straps being provided for the container sidewall seam and folded along its length so that longitudinal strap portions overlay the outwardly facing edges of the sidewall seam, with at least one of the other of said lift straps being folded along its length over a longitudinally folded portion of the sidewall panel, and with each of said folded lift straps being continuously secured therethrough over a major portion of the height of the container so that said folded straps are interconnected with at least two thicknesses of container material.

Claim 3

The collapsible receptacle of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of a material comprising: an outer layer of relatively permeable woven material; and a resilient inner layer of relatively impermeable material noncontinuously secured to the inside surface of said outer layer at a plurality of spaced points so that each layer retains a major portion of its separate functional characteristics despite attachment to the other layer.

Claim 4

The collapsible receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the outer layer comprises woven polypropylene material, and the inner layer comprises polybutylene film material.

Claim 5

The collapsible receptacle of claim 1, wherein the container further includes a circular bottom wall secured to the bottom edge of the sidewall panel.

Claim 6

The collapsible receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the lift straps comprise pairs of connected straps positioned on opposite sides of the container, each pair extending in crossing relationship with other straps beneath the container and engaging the bottom wall thereof whereby the bottom of the receptacle is supported by the sling assembly.

Claim 7

The collapsible receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the container bottom wall includes two substantially bisecting cuts of predetermined lengths to define a flapped centrally positioned opening therein, and further including a discharge spout assembly comprising: a cylindrical spout of substantially flexible material positioned within the opening defined by the flaps and secured about the periphery of the upper end thereof to the inside surface of the bottom wall in surrounding relationship with the bisecting cuts defining the flaps; a spout cover of substantially flexible material positioned within the opening defined by the flaps and secured along one side thereof to the inside surface of the flaps; and means for selectively closing the discharge spout assembly.

Claim 8

The collapsible receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bottom ends of the lift straps terminate inwardly of the lower end of the container and are folded back and secured to themselves to define guide loops, and wherein substantially the entire lower end of said container comprises a selectively closeable discharge opening, and further including: means for selectively closing the discharge opening; and a draw rope passing through said guide loops for supporting the container in selective predetermined surrounding engagement above the means for closing the discharge opening.

Claim 9

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials in semi-bulk quantities, comprising: a substantially flexible bag defining a collapsible chamber for the flowable materials and having a selectively closeable fill opening formed at the upper end of said bag; means for selectively closing the fill opening; said bag including an upstanding sidewall comprised of one substantially rectangular panel with the sides secured together inwardly of the side edges to form an outwardly facing and longitudinally extending bag sidewall seam, and a bottom wall; and a flexible and substantially inextensible sling assembly for supporting the bag, said sling assembly having a plurality of lift straps extending upwardly in circumferentially spaced relationship about the bag with the top end of the straps terminating a predetermined distance beyond the upper end of the bag; one of said lift straps being provided for the bag sidewall seam and folded along its length so that longitudinal strap portions overlay the outwardly facing edges of the bag sidewall seam, with at least one of the other of said lift straps being folded along its length over a longitudinally folded portion of the sidewall panel, and with each of said folded lift straps being continuously secured therethrough over a major portion of the height of the container so that said folded straps are interconnected with at least two thicknesses of container material.

Claim 10

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials in semi-bulk quantities, comprising: a substantially flexible bag defining a collapsible chamber for the flowable materials and having a selectively closeable fill opening formed at the upper end of said bag; means for selectively closing the fill opening; said bag including an upstanding sidewall comprised of one substantially rectangular panel with the sides secured together inwardly of the side edges to form an outwardly facing and longitudinally extending bag sidewall seam, and a bottom wall; and a flexible and substantially inextensible sling assembly for supporting the bag, said sling assembly having a plurality of lift straps extending upwardly in circumferentially spaced relationship about the bag with the top end of the straps terminating a predetermined distance beyond the upper end of the bag; one of said lift straps being provided for the bag sidewall seam and folded along its length so that longitudinal strap portions overlay the outwardly facing edges of the bag sidewall seam, with at least one of the other of said lift straps being folded along its length over a longitudinally folded portion of the sidewall panel, and with each of said folded lift straps being continuously secured therethrough over a major portion of the height of the container so that said folded straps are interconnected with at least two thicknesses of container material.

Claim 11

The collapsible receptacle of claim 8, wherein the lift straps comprise pairs of connected straps positioned on opposite sides of the bag, each pair extending in crossing relationship with other straps beneath the bag and engaging the bottom wall thereof whereby the bottom of the receptacle is supported by the sling assembly.

Claim 12

The collapsible receptacle of claim 8, wherein the bag is formed of a material comprising: an outer layer of woven material; and an inner layer of resilient material noncontinuously secured adhesively to the inside surface of the outer layer at a plurality of spaced points so that each layer retains a major portion of its separate functional characteristics despite attachment to the other layer.

Claim 13

The collapsible receptacle according to claim 10, wherein the inner layer comprises polybutylene film material, the outer layer comprises polypropylene weave material, and the sling assembly comprises straps of polyester webbing material.

Claim 14

The collapsible receptacle of claim 8, wherein the bottom of the bag includes a discharge opening centrally positioned therein, said discharge opening being defined by a plurality of flaps formed by substantially bisecting crosscuts in the bottom wall, each crosscut having a length substantially less than the diameter of the bottom wall, and further including a discharge spout assembly comprising: a cylindrical spout of substantially flexible material secured about the periphery of the upper end to the inside of the bottom wall in surrounding relationship with the flaps and crosscuts; said flaps being folded back and secured to themselves to define a guideway at the end of each flap; a spout cover of substantially flexible material secured along one edge to the bottom wall on the inside of the flaps; and a drawstring extending through the guideways formed on the flaps for selectively enclosing the spout and the spout cover within the flaps in the bottom wall of the bag.

Claim 15

The collapsible receptacle according to claim 12, further including a cylindrical liner of substantially flexible impermeable material disposed within the spout and secured about the periphery of the upper end to the inside of the bottom wall in surrounding relationship with the connection between the spout and the bottom wall.

Claim 16

The collapsible receptacle according to claim 12, wherein the sling assembly includes a circular belt attached to the lower ends of the lift straps and engaging the bottom wall of the bag in surrounding relationship with the discharge spout assembly so that the bottom of the bag is supported by the sling assembly.

Claim 17

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials in semi-bulk quantities, comprising: a substantially flexible container having upper and lower ends and defining a collapsible chamber for the flowable materials; said container including an upstanding sidewall comprised of one substantially rectangular panel with the sides secured together inwardly of the side edges to form an outwardly facing and longitudinally extending container sidewall seam; the upper end of the container comprising a closeable fill opening for admitting flowable materials into the chamber; means for selectively closing the fill openings; the bottom end of the container comprising a closeable discharge opening for unloading flowable material from the chamber; means for selectively closing the discharge opening; and a flexible and substantially inextensible sling assembly for supporting the container, said sling assembly comprising: a plurality of lift straps extending upwardly in circumferentially spaced relationship about the container, with the top ends of said straps terminating a predetermined distance beyond the upper end of the container, the bottom ends of said straps terminating a predetermined distance inward of the lower end of said container and including guide loops formed thereon; one of said lift straps being provided for the container sidewall seam and folded along its length so that longitudinal strap portions overlay the outwardly facing edges of the container sidewall seam, with at least one of the other of said lift straps being folded along its length over a longitudinally folded portion of the sidewall panel, and with each of said folded lift straps being continuously secured therethrough over a major portion of the height of the container so that each folded lift strap is interconnected with at least two thicknesses of container material; and a draw rope passing through said guide loops for supporting the container in selective predetermined surrounding engagement above the means for closing the discharge opening.

Claim 18

A collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials in semi-bulk quantities, comprising: a substantially flexible container having upper and lower ends and defining a collapsible chamber for the flowable materials; said container including an upstanding sidewall comprised of one substantially rectangular panel with the sides secured together inwardly of the side edges to form an outwardly facing and longitudinally extending container sidewall seam; the upper end of the container comprising a closeable fill opening for admitting flowable materials into the chamber; means for selectively closing the fill openings; the bottom end of the container comprising a closeable discharge opening for unloading flowable material from the chamber; means for selectively closing the discharge opening; and a flexible and substantially inextensible sling assembly for supporting the container, said sling assembly comprising: a plurality of lift straps extending upwardly in circumferentially spaced relationship about the container, with the top ends of said straps terminating a predetermined distance beyond the upper end of the container, the bottom ends of said straps terminating a predetermined distance inward of the lower end of said container and including guide loops formed thereon; one of said lift straps being provided for the container sidewall seam and folded along its length so that longitudinal strap portions overlay the outwardly facing edges of the container sidewall seam, with at least one of the other of said lift straps being folded along its length over a longitudinally folded portion of the sidewall panel, and with each of said folded lift straps being continuously secured therethrough over a major portion of the height of the container so that each folded lift strap is interconnected with at least two thicknesses of container material; and a draw rope passing through said guide loops for supporting the container in selective predetermined surrounding engagement above the means for closing the discharge opening.

Claim 19

The collapsible receptacle of claim 15, wherein the container is formed of a material comprising: an outer layer of woven material; and an inner layer of resilient material noncontinuously secured adhesively to the inside surface of the outer layer at a plurality of spaced points so that each layer retains a major portion of its separate functional characteristics despite attachment to the other layer.

Claim 20

The collapsible receptacle according to claim 16, wherein the outer layer comprises woven polypropylene material, and the inner layer comprises polybutylene film material.

Claim 21

The collapsible receptacle of claim 15, wherein the upper end of each lift strap is folded back and attached to itself to define lift loops for facilitating handling of the receptacle.

Claim 22

The collapsible receptacle of claim 15, wherein the container is formed of woven polypropylene material, and wherein the straps are formed of polyester webbing material.

Claim 25

The method of claim 20, wherein the container sidewall and bottom wall are formed of a material comprising: an outer layer of relatively permeable woven material; and a resilient inner layer of relatively impermeable material noncontinuously secured to the inside surface of said outer layer at a plurality of spaced points.

Claim 26

The method of claim 20, wherein at least two of the lift straps are arranged on opposite sides of the container and are interconnected and extend beneath the receptacle in engagement with the bottom wall of the container.

Claim 27

The method of claim 20, including the steps of: forming a discharge spout in the bottom wall of the container; providing a means for selectively closing the discharge spout; and supporting the bottom wall of the container around the discharge spout with a surrounding member connected to at least some of the lift straps.

Claim 28

The method of claim 20 wherein the lift straps are formed of polyester webbing material.

Claim 29

The method of claim 20, wherein the container sidewall and bottom wall are formed of woven polypropylene material.

Claim 30

The collapsible receptacle constructed in accordance with the method of claim 20.

Claim 33

The method of claim 27, wherein the container sidewall is formed of a material comprising: an outer layer of relatively permeable woven material; and a resilient inner layer of relatively impermeable material noncontinuously secured to the inside surface of said outer layer at a plurality of spaced points.

Claim 34

The method of claim 27, wherein the lift straps are formed of polyester webbing material.

Claim 35

The method of claim 27, wherein the container sidewall is formed of woven polypropylene material.

Claim 36

The receptacle constructed according to the method of claim 27.