Patent ID: 6142727
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B65D,B66C

Abstract:
A method of defining a liftable container for a unit of bulk cargo having a weight of at least eight tons, the method comprising the operations of:providing a bulk cargo unit container comprising a flexible container made from sheet-like material that defines a three dimensional enclosure having an open top, a plurality of opposite sides including opposite first and second sides and opposite third and fourth sides, and at least one bottom between the opposite sides; the at least one bottom being a continuous extension of the respective first and second sides or the respective third and fourth sides; the container defining a volume sufficient to contain at least eight tons of the bulk cargo; andproviding a lifter with the container, the lifter comprising a plurality of straps, each of the straps being formed separately from the container, each of the straps being provided with opposite strap ends having a separate respective first and second connector loop, each of the straps having a continuous uncut length between the strap ends, at least five of the straps being arranged to extend uncut in a uniformly spaced parallel relationship in a continuous path along and being secured to the first opposite side and extending in the continuous path and being secured to the bottom and extending in the continuous path along and being secured to the second opposite side with the respective loops and the corresponding strap ends extending away from the container; at least three of the straps being arranged to extend uncut in a uniformly spaced parallel relationship in a continuous path along and being secured to the third opposite side and extending in the continuous path and being secured to the bottom and extending in the continuous path along and being secured to the fourth opposite side with the respective loops and the corresponding strap ends extending away from the container; the securing to the bottom of the at least five straps and the at least three straps being to arrange the respective at least five straps and the respective at least three straps in the respective uniformly spaced parallel relationship and extending into intersection with each other across the bottom to define a grid of continuous uncut separate straps secured to the continuous bottom; the respective loops of the lifter being able to receive an aggregate of at least eight tons of lifting force; the straps being capable of collectively applying to the container at least eight tons of lifting force.