CONTAINER BAG

Abstract: A container bag (10) comprises a body of flexible material and one or more lifting loops (18) characterised in that the body is provided with one or more removable sleeves (20), e.g. four. In addition to the body, the base (14), and optionally the top, may be provided with one or more removable covers which may or may not be attached to or integral with the removable body sleeve (20). A new multi-trip FIBC complete with, say, four sleeves (20) is filled with its first load and transported to its eventual destination. At that point the load is discharged and the FIBC is returned for re-use. Before filling with its second load, the outer sleeve (20) is inspected and, if soiled, is removed exposing the sleeve (20) beneath it. The latter will be in pristine condition, having been protected by the outer sleeve (20). The process is repeated until all the sleeves (20) have been removed when the normal body of the FIBC is exposed and it can be used for what may perhaps be its last trip. In this way, with four sleeves (20), a minimum of five trips can be obtained from the FIBC without the soiling problems previously experienced.

Description: CONTAINER BAG This invention relates to container bags and in particular relates to container bags for carrying loads in the range of one half to two tonnes and known as flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC's). Intermediate bulk containers are increasingly employed in cargo handling and transporting situations, especially for the carriage of particulate or pulverulent material. A typical FIBC will be manufactured from a fabric woven from polyolefin tapes and have integral lifting loops. Examples of such containers are described in UK patent numbers 1591091 and 2063816. FIBC's have to meet various national and international safety standards; for example it is normal to require a 5:1 safety ratio, that is an FIBC rated at one tonne should not break under loads of less than five tonnes. Many FIBC's, even so-called "single trip" FIBC's, are sufficiently robust to be re-used. Indeed many are sold specifically as "multi-trip" products. However FIBC's often get soiled during use, for example a common problem is fork- lift truck mast grease contacting and soiling the sides of an FIBC. While it is possible to refit the FIBC with a new liner to ensure that the product entering the FIBC for a second time is completely clean, the used FIBC is frequently aesthetically unacceptable because of various grease marks, soiling, or the like. This is particularly so where high value products such as chemicals or pharmaceuticals are to be transported, since users are understandably reluctant to jeopardise high-value cargo with apparently soiled containers - even though a new liner may have been fitted. Alternatively, some products do not require a liner in the FIBC, in which case the FIBC is cleaned (dust extracted, etc.) but the exterior will remain dirty as before. The invention seeks to provide an FIBC improved in the above respects. According to the present invention there is provided a container bag which comprises a body of flexible material and one or more lifting loops characterised in that the body is provided with one or more removable sleeves. In addition to the body, the base, and optionally the top, may be provided with one or more removable covers which may or may not be attached to or integral with the removable body sleeve. Preferably more than one removable sleeve is provided, for example four. It is envisaged that the way in which such an FIBC would be used is as follows. A new multi-trip FIBC complete with, say, four sleeves is filled with its first load and transported to its eventual destination. At that point the load is discharged and the FIBC is returned for re-use. Before filling with its second load, the outer sleeve is inspected and, if soiled, is removed - exposing the sleeve beneath it. The latter will be in pristine condition, having been protected by the outer sleeve. The process is repeated until all the sleeves have been removed when the normal body of the FIBC is exposed and it can be used for what may perhaps be its last trip. In this way, with four sleeves, a minimum of five trips can be obtained from the FIBC without the soiling problems previously experienced. The sleeve or sleeves are affixed to the FIBC in a manner which allows them easily to be removed. They should therefore be loosely attached by either clipping or stitching or any other suitable manner of adhering. The clips if used may be removed, and the stitches if used may be cut or pulled off allowing easy removal of the sleeve. Each sleeve may be fully printed with the company logo, or any other instructions or lettering which would normally appear on an FIBC. A further advantage of the sleeves in the FIBC of the invention is that they render the FIBC more stable. In addition to sleeves, which may be tubular in construction and of a relatively light and inexpensive material, it is preferred also to incorporate a base cover which may conveniently formed integrally with or stitched to the or each sleeve. The base cover may have a cord tie, for example a cross cut cord tie, to give access to the discharge spout of the FIBC. An additional advantage of incorporating a base is that it helps protect the bag when placed on the ground, and may enable users to dispense with the use of pallets. Where the sleeve and/or base is attached by means of stitching it is preferred that the colour of the stitching thread used for each successive layer used is different so that the user can immediately tell, by the exposed colour of the stitching, how many layers of sleeve remain to be used. The fabric from which the FIBC of the invention is formed, as well as the sleeve and base, may be conventional fabrics for use in this type of container bag and may be woven from polyethylene or polypropylene tape yarns. The side walls of the FIBC may be made from a fabric having reinforced zones or areas of interwoven reinforcing yarns, for example as disclosed in UK patent number 1591091. Where such reinforcing areas are provided they may be as described in that patent and may be formed of interwoven threads of high tensile strength reinforcing yarns such as polyamide, polyester or twisted or fibrillated polypropylene. The lifting loops are attached to such reinforced area. Alternatively, the FIBC may be "underslung" where the lifting loops extend down the side walls and under the base of the container body. In either case the lifting loops will preferably be of a woven webbing of synthetic yarns, for instance of the type used for car seat belts, for example polyamide or polyester yarns, or may be ropes or hawsers of suitable strength. It is preferred that four lifting loops be provided spaced across the corners of the container bag. The corners will normally but not necessarily be defined by side seams. This construction of bag is particularly preferred since it is roughly cubic in shape when filled and therefore stacks well. The container bag of the invention may be fitted with a top and/or a filling spout as well as a discharge spout as is conventional in the FIBC art. The invention will described further, by way example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded view of an FIBC in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the FIBC of figure 1. Referring to the drawings, an FIBC generally designated 10 has side walls 12 and a base 14. The bag may be circular woven or the side walls may be attached to one another by one or more stitched seams 16. Lifting loops 18 are provided across the corners of the bag. The bag 10 is provided with one or more sleeves 20, preferably four. The sleeves 20 are loosely attached to the bag for example by means of sewing at 22, and the colour of thread used for each successive sleeve 20 is preferably different so that an immediate visual check may be made on how many sleeves there are left. Preferably each sleeve 20 incorporates a base 24 incorporating a cross cut cord tie 26 to enable access to be obtained to a discharge spout 28 having tie cords 30. A base with protective opening may be attached to each of the sleeves 20 or alternatively, one additional base may be fitted to the actual FIBC 10 for multi-trip purposes. In use, the bag of the invention 10 is filled as is conventional and used to transport a product. At this stage all four sleeves 20 are present. After discharge of the product, the bag 10 may be re-used. The outer sleeve 20 is inspected for soiling and, if soiled, is removed by cutting or unpulling the stitching 22 and removing the outer sleeve. This then exposes the next respective sleeve which will be in pristine condition and enables the bag to be re-used with confidence. Each sleeve may carry such printed matter as is necessary or desirable, for example instructions, company logos, hazard warnings or the like. When all four sleeves 20 have been removed the FIBC may then be used with the outer body 12 being exposed until that becomes too soiled for re-use. The FIBC of the invention provides a simple economical and effective answer to the problem of soiling with multi-trip FIBC's.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A container bag which comprises a body of flexible material and one or more lifting loops characterised in that the body is provided with one or more removable sleeves. 2. A bag as claimed in claim 1 in which, in addition to the body, the base is provided with one or more removable covers. 3. A bag as claimed in claim 2 in which the removable cover for the base is attached to or integral with the removable body sleeve. 4. A bag as claimed in 3 in which the base cover has a cord tie, for example a cross cut cord tie, to give access to the discharge spout of the FIBC. 5. A bag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which a removable cover is provided for the top. 6. A bag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which more than one removable sleeve is provided, for example four. 7. A bag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the sleeve or sleeves are affixed to the FIBC in a manner which allows them easily to be removed. 8. A bag as claimed in claim 7 in which the sleeves are loosely attached by either clipping or stitching or any other suitable manner of adhering. 9. A bag as claimed any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the sleeves are of tubular construction and of a relatively light and inexpensive material. 10. A bag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in which the sleeve and/or base is attached by means of stitching and the colour of the stitching thread used for each successive layer used is different so that the user can immediately tell, by the exposed colour of the stitching, how many layers of sleeve remain to be used. 11. A bag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 in which the fabric from which the FIBC of the invention is formed, as well as the sleeve and base, is woven from polyethylene or polypropylene tape yarns.

Inventors: FUTERMAN CHARLES SIDNEY, FUTERMAN, CHARLES, SIDNEY
Applicants: FUTERMAN CHARLES SIDNEY, REXAM MULOX LTD, FUTERMAN, CHARLES, SIDNEY, REXAM MULOX LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D88
IPC codes: B65D88, B65D90