Patent ID: 7337908
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
1. A container and supporting pallet-like structure for the container for bulk handling of fluid which minimizes shock and abrasion on a fluid transporting bag within the container wherein the container elements are shaped to maximize the quantity of fluid containable therein and the container elements are structured to withstand the pressure exerted by such fluid and permit easy ingress and egress of the fluid from the container, comprising: a rigid outer shell adapted to withstand shock during transportation, comprising a rectangular top wall having a hole therethrough, and four rectangular side walls, one of said side walls having an opening at a bottom end thereof, the inside of said walls being flat, said shell top wall and shell side walls being made of a material capable of attachment by nails or staples, said shell side walls being in abutting contact but unattached to each other; a pallet-like structure particularly adapted for permitting movement and storage of said shell without contact with said shell top wall, said pallet-like structure comprising a rectangular deck which is permanently attached to said shell side walls and serves as a bottom wall for said shell, said deck having a flat upper surface, said pallet-like structure being made of a material capable of attachment by nails or staples; a flexible multiple ply bag disposed inside said shell, said bag having side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall defining an interior with a capacity of from about 150 gallons to about 400 gallons, and integral outwardly extensible flaps adjacent an upper end thereof, each being attached to an inside top portion of at least two of said shell side walls for securing said bag in an erect uncollapsed configuration within said container; a generally cylindrical bung having a flat circular bottom flange heat sealed around an opening in said bag top wall, a second circular flange of smaller diameter spaced a short distance above said bottom flange, at least two laterally opposed flat surfaces extending between said bottom flange and said second flange, a cylindrical neck portion extending upwardly from said second flange, a passageway in communication with said bag interior for permitting fluid passage into or out of said bag interior through said bag top wall, interior threads in said passageway and an annular O-ring shoulder at its top end in which an O-ring is installed, and a removable closure member threadedly engaged in said passageway; a discharge valve heat sealed to said bag adjacent said bottom wall thereof having a passageway in communication with said bag interior and a valve closure element in said passageway movable between a closed position shutting off fluid flow through said passageway and an open position allowing fluid to flow through said passageway; a corrugated liner disposed between said outer shell and said bag, for protecting said bag against abrasion during transportation of said container, said liner comprising a rectangular top wall having a hole therethrough in alignment with said hole in said shell top wall, and four rectangular side walls, one of said side walls having an opening at a bottom end thereof in alignment with said opening in said shell side wall; reinforcing cleats attached to said shell side walls traversing the horizontal perimeter outer side of said shell; horizontal straps adapted to be positioned about said cleats for holding said shell sidewalls in contact with each other, and vertical straps adapted to be positioned about the vertical perimeter outer side of said shell for holding said shell top wall in contact with said shell sidewalls; said bung and its said closure member protruding through said hole in said corrugated liner top wall and into said hole in said shell top wall and being sufficiently flush with said shell top wall to enable stacking of another container upon said shell top wall, and said discharge valve body protruding through said corrugated liner opening and said shell side wall opening but not protruding further outside said shell side wall than does said cleats; and bung retainer means removably disposed between said corrugated liner top wall and said bung for releasably retaining said bung and its said closure member in said hole in said shell top wall and substantially reducing sagging of said bag top wall.