Patent ID: 6155772
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B65D,B66C,Y02W

Abstract:
A bulk cargo unit container-lifter comprising:a flexible container made from sheet-like material that defines a tree dimensional enclosure having an open top, a length, a width, and a container height; the open top being defined by a perimeter at the container height; the width being defined by first and second opposite walls, the length being defined by third and fourth opposite walls; the container having at least one bottom between the first, second, third, and fourth walls; the at least one bottom being a continuous uncut extension of at least the respective first and second walls or the respective third and fourth walls; anda lifter for the container, the lifter comprising at least five straps formed separately from the container, each of the straps having opposite strap ends provided with a separate first and second connector loop and a continuous uncut length between the strap ends, each of the at least five straps having a length greater than twice the height plus the length, the at least five straps being arranged uncut and extending in a continuous path in a uniformly spaced parallel relationship along and being secured to the first wall and to the at least one bottom and to the second wall with the respective first and second connector loops and the corresponding strap ends extending away from the perimeter and spaced from the respective first and second walls;the lifter further comprising at least four further straps in addition to the at least five straps; the at least four further straps each being formed separately from the container, each of the at least four straps having opposite strap ends provided with a separate first and second connector loop and a continuous uncut length between the strap ends, each of the at least four straps having a length greater than twice the height plus the length, the at least four further straps being arranged uncut and extending in a continuous path in a uniformly spaced parallel relationship along and being secured to the third wall and to the at least one bottom and to the fourth wall with the respective first and second connector loops and the corresponding strap ends extending away from the perimeter and spaced from the respective third and fourth walls;the connection to the at least one bottom of the at least five straps and of the at least four straps being to arrange the respective at least five straps and the at least four straps in the respective spaced parallel relationships and extending into intersection with each other across bottom to define a grid of continuous uncut separate straps secured to the continuous uncut at least one bottom;the respective first and second connector loops of the lifter being able to receive an aggregate of at least eight tons of vertical lifting force and via the at least nine straps associated with the respective connector loops to apply to the container at least eight tons of lifting force;said container being made from material capable of containing and lifting bulk cargo weighing more than eight tons when the straps collectively apply the at least eight tons of lifting force to the container to lift the container from a support surface.