Abstract:
A payload system for a cargo carrier includes a spillbox having a collar, a tube and a valve. The collar seats about a manhole of a shipping container. The tube has a first end and a second end, the first end being connectable to a flexiliner installed in the shipping container. The second end is connectable to the valve for communicating a load of cargo through the manhole via the spillbox. The spillbox is unseated from about the manhole to remove the flexiliner through the manhole after the load of cargo is extracted from the flexiliner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a loading and unloading system for a shipping container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Shipping containers can be used to carry a variety of liquids ranging from toxic chemicals to consumables such as wine and other beverages. When a shipping container is used to carry a chemical, for instance, from a loading point to a destination point, the shipping container must be cleaned thoroughly of chemical residue in order to reload the shipping container with another chemical. More often than not, the destination point may not have a cleaning station, so the shipping container must be shipped empty to a distant cleaning station to clean the chemical residue. This is inefficient and costly due to an empty transport or required repositioning of the shipping container. Even if the cleaning station is at the destination point, conventional cleaning of the cargo container is relatively expensive and inconvenient. Moreover, whether the shipping container is cleaned at the destination point or shipped to the distant cleaning station, the shipping container is unusable until cleaned and may be out of service for an undesirable period of time.  
         [0003]     One attempt to avoid conventional cleaning of the shipping container uses a removable plastic carrier that lines an interior surface of the shipping container to carry the liquid chemical or the consumable liquid to the destination point. At the destination point, the liquid is discharged from the plastic carrier, which is removed from the shipping container and replaced with another plastic carrier. These removable plastic carriers suffer from various drawbacks. For instance, the removable plastic carrier uses a plastic discharge sleeve attached near a bottom portion of the plastic carrier. At the destination point, a valve assembly on a lower exterior part of the shipping container is at least partially disassembled or removed entirely to open an aperture in the shipping container in order to extract the discharge sleeve through aperture. Once the discharge sleeve has been extracted, the valve assembly is reassembled or reattached, which usually requires replacing numerous seals that are broken during the extraction process. This sleeve extraction process requires intensive labor and skill, takes an inordinate amount of time and can be costly due to seal replacements or other damage to the valve assembly, and the valve must be replaced or cleaned.  
         [0004]     A liner system is needed in the shipping industry that can be readily installed in a shipping container, which will permit rapid loading and unloading of liquids without having to disconnect or adapt components of the shipping container to accommodate the liner system.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention is directed in general to a drop-in, pull-out spillbox system for a cargo carrier that requires no preparation or modification of the cargo carrier. The spillbox system permits rapid loading and unloading of various liquids through a manhole of the cargo carrier. The spillbox system also prevents workers from contaminating liquid in the cargo carrier; protects the workers from falling through the manhole; and if there is an overflow, the spillbox system prevents spillage from entering the cargo carrier and contaminating the liquid in the cargo carrier. Other advantages of various embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the attached drawings, or can be learned through practice of the invention.  
         [0006]     In one aspect of the invention, a method of using a payload system with a cargo carrier includes the steps of providing a flexiliner with a conduit attached thereto; installing the flexiliner through a manhole of a shipping container; providing a spillbox having a collar, a tube and a valve, the tube defining a first end and a second end; connecting the first end to the conduit, the second end being connected to the valve; and seating the collar about the manhole for communicating a load of cargo therethrough to prevent contamination of the cargo.  
         [0007]     According to an aspect of the method, the flexiliner can be made of an elastomeric or thermoplastic material and can have a thickness of about 20 MIL to about 60 MIL.  
         [0008]     According to a further aspect of the method, the flexiliner can be made with a reinforcement section having a thickness of about 40 MIL to about 80 MIL, the conduit being attached to the reinforcement section.  
         [0009]     According to yet a further aspect of the method, the conduit includes a flange with a sleeve depending therefrom, the flange attached to the exterior surface, the sleeve having an inner surface defining an inner diameter and having a disconnect assembly, the first end having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter, and further comprising the steps of inserting the first end in the inner diameter and engaging the first end with the disconnect assembly.  
         [0010]     According to another aspect of the method, the manhole defines an access port having a plurality of latches disposed thereabout and a manhole lid having a plurality of catches disposed thereabout, and further comprising the step of connecting each of the latches to respective ones of the catches to lock the spillbox under the manhole lid.  
         [0011]     Also according to the method, the spillbox can be secured within the access port using a plurality of tie-downs.  
         [0012]     Further according to the method, the valve defines a tube end, an orifice end and a lever, the tube connected to the tube end of the valve, and further comprising the steps of attaching a supply hose to the orifice end and activating the lever to open or close communication between the orifice end and the tube end to move the load of cargo from the supply hose through the orifice and tube ends into the flexiliner.  
         [0013]     According to another aspect, the method can include the step of seating a lip disposed about a perimeter of the collar on a complementary lip defined about the manhole.  
         [0014]     The method can further include the step of closing a liner valve attached to the conduit, the liner valve being configured to close the flexiliner during removal of the flexiliner from the manhole to prevent a residue of the cargo from spilling from the flexiliner  
         [0015]     The method can also include the step of providing cartons for packaging the flexiliner and the spillbox as a kit. According to one aspect, the flexiliner can be vacuum packed for installation in a carton.  
         [0016]     The method can further include the steps of unfolding the carton, the carton defining a cut-out therein, the cut-out complementary in size to the manhole, and positioning the cut-out over the manhole to protect the flexiliner from damage during installation through the cut-out into the manhole.  
         [0017]     The method can also include the step of unfolding the flexiliner in the shipping container.  
         [0018]     The method can further include the step of snap-fitting the first end of the tube to the sleeve of the flexiliner in the shipping container.  
         [0019]     The method can also include the step of locking the first end of the tube to the sleeve of the flexiliner in the shipping container using a quick disconnect lever.  
         [0020]     The method can include the step of unseating the spillbox from about the manhole after the load of cargo is extracted from the flexiliner.  
         [0021]     The method can further include the step of removing the flexiliner through the manhole after the load of cargo is extracted from the flexiliner.  
         [0022]     The method can also include the step of vacuuming the flexiliner to condense the flexiliner before extracting the flexiliner through the manhole.  
         [0023]     The method can further include the step of discarding the flexiliner after removing the flexiliner through the manhole.  
         [0024]     According to another embodiment of the inventive subject matter, a payload system for a cargo carrier is provided including a liner defining an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface and having a conduit attached to the exterior surface, the conduit defining an aperture therethrough in communication with the interior surface, the liner being configured for installation in a shipping container through a manhole of the shipping container; and a spillbox including a collar, a tube and a valve, the collar being configured to seat about the manhole, the tube defining a first end and a second end, the first end being connectable to the conduit, the second end being connectable to the valve for communicating a load of cargo through the manhole, the spillbox being further configured for unseating from about the manhole and the liner being further configured for removal through the manhole when the load of cargo is extracted from the liner.  
         [0025]     The liner in this aspect of the invention can be an elastomeric liner. The liner can be made from a polyethylene material. The liner can have a thickness of about 20 MIL to about 40 MIL. More specifically, the liner may have a thickness of about 20 MIL and include a reinforcement section having a thickness of about 40 MIL to about 80 MIL, the conduit being attached to the reinforcement section.  
         [0026]     According to this aspect of the invention, the conduit includes a flange with a sleeve depending therefrom, the flange attached to the exterior surface, the sleeve having an inner surface defining an inner diameter and having a disconnect assembly, the first end having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter, the disconnect assembly being configured to engage the first end when the outer diameter is disposed in the inner diameter.  
         [0027]     Also in this aspect of the invention, the manhole includes an access port and a manhole lid, the access port being configured for human entry, the manhole lid being configured for opening and closing the access port. The access port can include a plurality of latches disposed thereabout and the manhole lid can define a plurality of catches disposed thereabout, each of the latches being configured to connect to respective ones of the catches to lock the spillbox under the manhole lid. A plurality of tie-downs can be provided to secure the spillbox within the access port.  
         [0028]     Also in this aspect of the invention, the collar defines a recess therein and the valve includes an orifice end and a cap, the orifice end defining an orifice therethrough, the cap being configured to access the orifice, the cap when attached to the orifice end disposed in the recess under the manhole lid.  
         [0029]     Further in this aspect of the invention, the valve also includes a tube end, an orifice end and a lever, the tube connected to the tube end of the valve, the orifice end connectable to a supply hose and the lever being configured to open and close communication between the orifice end and the tube end to move the load of cargo from the supply hose through the orifice end and the tube end into the liner.  
         [0030]     Also in this aspect of the invention, the collar defines a perimeter and a lip disposed about the perimeter and the manhole defines a complementary lip for seating the lip of the collar.  
         [0031]     Further in this aspect of the invention, a liner valve is attached to the conduit, the liner valve being configured for closure during removal of the liner from the manhole to prevent a residue of the cargo from spilling from the liner.  
         [0032]     Also in this aspect of the invention, cartons can be provided for shipping the liner and the spillbox as a kit. The cartons are configured to be unfolded and defines a cut-out therein, the cut-out being complementary in size to the manhole, the carton being further configured to protect the liner from damage during installation through the cut-out into the manhole.  
         [0033]     In another embodiment according to the invention, a payload system for a cargo carrier includes a flexiliner defining an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface, the flexiliner having a reinforcement panel formed on a portion of the exterior surface, the flexiliner being configured for installation through a manhole of a shipping container; a valve attached to the reinforcement panel, the valve defining an aperture therethrough in selectable communication with the interior surface; and an air vent disposed proximate the valve, the air vent defining an opening therethrough in selectable communication with the interior surface, the air vent being configured to inflate the flexiliner to dispose the valve and the air vent at the manhole for loading or unloading cargo.  
         [0034]     The flexiliner can be made from a polyethylene material and have a thickness of about 20 MIL to about 40 MIL. The reinforcement section can have a thickness of about 40 MIL to about 80 MIL. Also in this aspect, the air vent is configured to “burp” the flexiliner and release excess gas or fill the flexiliner with nitrogen or the like. Moreover, the valve further includes a cam lever being configured to open and close the valve to move the cargo therethrough. Also, the cargo in this aspect is a fluid and the valve further includes an anti-vortex device disposed in the flexiliner proximate the interior surface, the anti-vortex device being configured to prevent formation of a gyrating vortex in the fluid disposed in the flexiliner and to permit a more thorough discharge.  
         [0035]     A carton for packaging the flexiliner in this aspect of the invention is configured to be unfolded and defines a cut-out therein, the cut-out being complementary in size to the manhole, the carton being further configured to protect the flexiliner from damage during installation through the cut-out into the manhole.  
         [0036]     In yet another aspect of the invention, a payload system for a cargo carrier includes a spillbox having a collar, a tube and a valve, the collar being configured to seat about a manhole of a shipping container, the tube defining a first end and a second end, the first end being connectable to a flexiliner disposed in the shipping container, the second end being connectable to the valve for communicating a load of cargo through the manhole, the spillbox being further configured for unseating from about the manhole to remove the flexiliner through the manhole when the load of cargo is extracted from the flexiliner.  
         [0037]     In this aspect, the manhole includes an access port and a manhole lid, the access port being configured for human entry, the manhole lid being configured for opening and closing the access port. Also, the access port includes a plurality of latches disposed thereabout and the manhole lid defines a plurality of catches disposed thereabout, each of the latches being configured to connect to respective ones of the catches to lock the spillbox under the manhole lid. Furthermore, a plurality of tie-downs to secure the spillbox within the access port are provided in this aspect.  
         [0038]     Also in this aspect, the collar defines a recess therein and the valve includes an orifice end and a cap, the orifice end defining an orifice therethrough, the cap being configured to access the orifice, the cap when attached to the orifice end disposed in the recess under the manhole lid.  
         [0039]     The valve in this aspect further includes a tube end, an orifice end and a lever, the tube connected to the tube end of the valve, the orifice end connectable to a supply hose and the lever being configured to open and close communication between the orifice end and the tube end to move the load of cargo from the supply hose through the orifice end and the tube end into the flexiliner. The collar can also defines a perimeter and a lip disposed about the perimeter and the manhole defines a complementary lip for seating the lip of the collar.  
         [0040]     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the attached drawings, or can be learned through practice of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0041]     Further aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, or can be learned through practice of the invention, in combination with the drawings in which:  
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spillbox system shown in an intended use environment in accordance with an aspect of the invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a spillbox of the spillbox system as in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary, perspective view of a method of installing a liner of the spillbox system as in  FIG. 1  in an interior of a cargo container in accordance with another aspect of the invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a conduit of the liner as in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary, perspective view of the interior of the cargo container, particularly showing a hose of the spillbox system attached to the conduit as in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is a partial detailed view of the hose attached to the conduit as in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows a step in a method of installing the spillbox system in a manhole of the cargo container as in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the spillbox after installation about the manhole as in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a hatch secured over the manhole and the spillbox as in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of the manhole lid and the spillbox taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0052]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are perspective views showing steps in a method of using a spillbox kit in accordance with another aspect of the invention; and  
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a liner with a valve assembly and an air vent in accordance with a further aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0054]     Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present invention are shown. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features of the drawings. Like or similar designations of the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.  
         [0055]     The drawings and detailed description provide a full and written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use it, as well as the best mode of carrying out the invention. However, the examples set forth in the drawings and detailed description are provided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations of the invention. The present invention thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.  
         [0056]     The figures generally show drop-in, pull-out spillbox systems including flexible liners used for loading and unloading a cargo container with a first liquid or other cargo through a manhole in the cargo container. The first liquid is unloaded from the liner at a destination, and the liner is removed and replaced with another liner for loading a second liquid or another cargo for shipment to another destination without having to clean the cargo container.  
         [0057]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a spillbox system is designated in general by the number  10 . As shown, the spillbox system  10  is installed in a shipping container  16 , which in this example includes a walkway W for loading or unloading cargo C via the spillbox  14 . The cargo C can be industrial fluids, liquids such as chemicals or beverages, or consumable food products.  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the spillbox system  10  broadly includes a liner  12  and a spillbox  14 . As partially shown in  FIG. 1 , the liner  12  is alternatively referred to herein as an “inner liner”, a bag, a bladder, a “flexitank” or a “monoliner” and is described in greater detail below. One skilled in the art will instantly recognize that the shipping container  16  and thus the liner  12  can be box-shaped, rectangle-shaped, cylindrically shaped or shaped otherwise to meet a variety of shipping requirements. Thus, the spillbox system  10  can be used with any container for ships, tractor-trailers, trains or the like and is not limited to the shipping container  16  shown in this example.  
         [0059]      FIGS. 1 and 2  further show the spillbox  14  installed at a manhole  72  surrounded by a spill wall S on the shipping container  16 . As shown in these figures, the spillbox  14  includes a valve  40  seated in a recess  52 , a collar or skirt  48  formed around the recess  52 , and a tube or hose  62  for connection to the liner  12 . In this example, the spillbox  14  is made of aluminum, but the skilled artisan will instantly recognize that the spillbox  14  can be made of other metals, plastics or other durable material and is not limited to aluminum.  
         [0060]     As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the collar  48  defines a perimeter, which is sized to fit over the manhole  72 . With the collar  48  seated around the manhole  72  and the valve  40  attached to a support wall  54  of in the recess  52 , the valve  40  is recessed at an appropriate angle and depth to secure a manhole lid or hatch  80  of the shipping container  16  about the spillbox  14 . More particularly and with brief reference to  FIG. 10 , the support wall  54  is angled to minimize its intrusion into the container  16  to minimize contact with the liner  12  when the liner  12  is filled with the cargo C.  
         [0061]     Continuing with reference to  FIG. 1 , a hinge assembly  83  and a handle  84  are used to close the hatch  80  over the spillbox  14  and the valve  40 . A plurality of latches  78  is installed around the manhole  72  and secured to a plurality of corresponding lugs  82  on the hatch  80 . One or more loops  79 A can be attached around the manhole  72 , and one or more complementary loops  79 B can be attached to the hatch  80 . Thus, one or more plastic tie-downs or cable ties  69  can be used to further secure the spillbox  14  to respective loops  79 A or to the latches  78  via a plurality of holes “h” formed in the spillbox  14  such as in the collar  48  (see also  FIG. 8 ).  
         [0062]     The valve  40  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  also includes an opening or orifice  44  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 ), a cap  56 , an orifice end  58  and a tube end  60 . The cap  56  snaps on or screws around the orifice end  58  in a known manner to protect the orifice end  58  from damage by foreign objects and to prevent debris from entering the orifice  44  when the valve  40  is not in use. When the cap  56  is removed from the orifice end  58  as in  FIG. 1 , a pumping or discharge hose H is attached to the orifice end  58  by press-fitting, screwing or locking the hose H to the orifice end  58  in a known manner. As shown, a valve lever  46  is moved to an open position on the valve  40  to pump the cargo C into the liner  12  within the shipping container  16 . As shown for example in  FIG. 10A , the valve  40  can be a ball-type valve arrangement, which is activated by rotating the lever  46  to open the orifice  44 . Those skilled in the art will instantly recognize that other types of valves such as butterfly valves, gate valves, flap valves and the like, as well as combinations of these and other types of valves, can be used for the valve  40 .  
         [0063]     With more particular reference to  FIG. 2 , the tube  62  of the spillbox  14  is shown most clearly. The tube  62  in this example is a flexible, ribbed polymer tube, which includes a first end  64  defining a first opening  66  and a second end  68  defining a second opening  70 . As discussed further with respect to  FIG. 7  below, the polymer tube  62  can have a spring constant or memory from being in a rolled arrangement, which tends to urge the tube  62  into a coiled arrangement for storage and shipping. The tube  62  can also include an embedded spring (not shown) to impart an additional spring constant to the tube  62 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 2  further shows that the second end  68  of the tube  62  is connected to the tube end  60  of the valve  40 . The first end  64  of the tube  62  is for connection to a sleeve  28  of the conduit  20  as discussed in detail with respect to  FIG. 4  below. As  FIG. 2  further shows, the first end  64  has an outer diameter O.D., which is smaller than an inner diameter I.D. defined by an inner surface  32  of the sleeve  28  in  FIG. 4 . The outer diameter O.D. is snap-fitted or screwed into the inner diameter I.D. as will be described by example operation below.  
         [0065]      FIG. 3  most clearly shows the liner  12 , briefly introduced above. The skilled artisan will recognize that the liner  12  is not shown to scale relative to an interior  86  of the container  16  for sake of discussion. In this example, the liner  12  is made from a disposable, recyclable, thermoplastic such as polyethylene. To decrease weight and thus reduce manufacturing costs and recurring shipping costs, the liner  12  can be a single layer or multiple layers of thermoplastic having an overall thickness of about 20 MIL (about 0.5 mm) to about 60 MIL. Since the liner  12  can be used for shipping cargo C in the form of beverages for human consumption, the thermoplastic chosen for the liner  12  can be FDA, EU and Kosher certified. Those skilled in the art will recognize that polyethylene is only one thermoplastic material that can be used for the liner  12 . Many other polymers, elastomeric materials and the like, which are durable, extensible, resilient and flexible, can be used for the liner  12 . For instance, an elastomeric material coated on its interior with an extensible, sealing film can be used for the liner  12 ; thus, the liner  12  is not limited to only polyethylene as described in the foregoing example.  
         [0066]      FIG. 3  further shows a make-up or reinforcement panel  18  that strengthens a section of the liner  12 . The panel  18  can be a separate piece of thermoplastic material attached to the liner  12  at seams  18 A,  18 B, or the panel  18  can be formed by overlapping two ends of the liner  12  and sewing or gluing the two ends together to form the seams  18 A,  18 B. Since a majority of the liner  12  has a thickness of about 20 MIL to about 60 MIL as noted above, the reinforcement panel  18  serves to strengthen that portion of the liner  12  to which the conduit  20  is attached (see also  FIG. 6 ) to withstand various stresses, which are discussed below. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the reinforcement panel  18  is approximately double the thickness of the liner  12 ; thus, the reinforcement panel  18  can have a thickness of about 40 MIL to about 80 MIL.  
         [0067]     Also shown in  FIG. 3 , a carton or box  88  is provided in this embodiment to protect the liner  12  from abrasions, punctures or other damage, which can be caused by inadvertently dragging the liner  12  along the walkway W, or by snagging the liner  12  on equipment such as the coupling devices  78  introduced above. As shown, the liner  12  is folded or compacted initially in the box  88 , and the box  88  and the liner  12  are dropped as a kit through the manhole  72  into an interior  86  of the shipping container  16 . After the box  88  is in the interior  86 , a technician (not shown) enters the manhole  72  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ), opens the box  88 , removes the liner  12  and unfolds the liner  12  as indicated by the large arrow in  FIG. 3 . Also shown, the technician positions the conduit  20  approximately under the manhole  72  and then egresses from the shipping container  16  with the box  88 . If the shipping container  16  is angled on the truck, trailer or the like, the conduit  20  can be placed as required to leverage the angle and assist with unloading the cargo C.  
         [0068]     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the conduit  20  of the liner  12  is shown most clearly attached to the reinforcement panel  18  as mentioned above. As shown, the conduit  20  is attached by its sealing flange  24  via a plurality of nuts and bolts  26  to the reinforcement panel  18 , which is attached to a first, outer or exterior surface  12 A of the liner  12 . The skilled artisan will instantly recognize that the sealing flange  24  can be attached to the reinforcement panel  18  in a variety of ways including adhesives, heat welding, or adhesives in combination with the exemplary nuts and bolts  26 . For example, the sealing flange  25  can have an attachment base or ring  23  as shown to form a liquid-tight seal with the reinforcement panel  18 . The ring  23  can be rubber, polyethylene or the like and can be heat-sealed, impulse welded or the like to the reinforcement panel  18 . The ring  23  can also be about 80 MIL to about 120 MIL thick to withstand pulling, pushing and shear forces imparted by movements of the conduit  20 . Accordingly, as the liner  12  is subjected to load shifts and shear forces during shipment of the cargo C, the reinforcement panel  18  and the attachment ring  23  strengthen that area of the liner  12  around the sealing flange  24  to prevent tears or ruptures in the liner  12 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 4  also more particularly shows the sleeve  28  of the conduit  20  as briefly introduced above. As shown, the sleeve  28  has an aperture  30  and an inner surface  32  defining the inner diameter I.D. for receiving the outer diameter O.D. of the first end  64  of the tube  62  as noted above. A plurality of quick-disconnect levers  34  in  FIG. 4  is rotatably attached to the sleeve  28 . The levers  34  can be locking cam levers that control respective cams  36 , which project through the inner surface  32  of the sleeve  28 . With brief reference to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 , the levers  34  rotate the cams  36  against or into a portion of the first end  64  of the tube  62  to hold the tube  62  within the sleeve  28 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 4  further shows an anti-vortex device  42 , which is attached to a second, inner or interior surface  12 B of the liner  12  in communication with the valve  40  to prevent generation of vortices as the cargo C is being unloaded or suctioned from the liner  12 . As known, the anti-vortex device  42  can prevent a suction force from suctioning up the liner  12  itself. By way of example but not of limitation, Snyder et al. describes an exemplary anti-vortex device in U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,966.  
         [0071]     As further shown in  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 , the first end  64  of the hose  62  is attached to the sleeve  28  as described above. As shown, the tube  62  extends outward through an access hole  74  of the manhole  72 . As noted above, the levers  34  in  FIG. 4  are shown in an engaged position (the tube  62  is not shown for clarity and discussion purposes). In comparison to  FIG. 4 , the levers  34  are shown in  FIG. 6  in an upright or disengaged position during insertion of the first end  64  of the tube  62 .  FIG. 5  also shows a lift ring  95  attached to the liner  12  via another attachment ring  23  as described above. The lift ring  95  can be tied to the spillbox  14  to assist in removing the empty liner  12  from the interior  86 , or a worker can use a grappling hook (not shown) to hook the lift ring  95  and remove the empty liner  12 .  
         [0072]     With particular reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the liner  12  is shown partially filled with the cargo C. As shown, the second end  68  of the tube  62  is connected to the valve  40  in the manner described above. As the liner  12  is being filled, the spring constant of the tube  62  causes the tube  62  to coil upward in a direction of the manhole  72  as indicated by the large arrow in  FIG. 7 . Also shown in  FIG. 7 , the collar  48  of the spillbox  14  is being positioned for placement about the manhole  72 .  
         [0073]     With reference now to  FIGS. 8, 9  and  10 , the spillbox  14  is seated about the manhole  72  of the container  16 . As shown, a lip  50  defined on the collar  48  of the spillbox  14  overhangs a projection  76  of the manhole  72  to hold the spillbox  14  in place about the manhole  72 . Also particularly shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of tie-downs  69 , as introduced with respect to  FIG. 1  above, can be attached to the collar  48  and to the loops  79 A and/or the coupling devices  78  to further secure the spillbox  14  in the manhole  72  for shipment. Additionally, in this example, the spillbox  14  is made of aluminum and its inherent weight forces the lip  50  downward on the projection  76  to further secure the spillbox  14  in position. Moreover, the lip  50  serves to direct any liquid overflow (not shown) out of the spillbox  14  in a direction of the spill walls S of the container  16 , and more particularly, through a port P as shown in  FIG. 9  to prevent the liquid overflow from entering the interior  86  of the container  16 .  
         [0074]     With more particular reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the hatch  80  is shown closed over the spillbox  14 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the coupling devices  78  are screwed onto or latched down on the lugs  82  from their open positions shown in phantom in  FIG. 10 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the coupling devices  78  can be wing nuts, snaps, latches, lugs, or clamps and the lugs  82  can be a variety of receptacles for receiving and attaching to the coupling devices  78 . Further, the coupling devices  78  and the lugs  82  can be interchanged as known to those skilled in the art. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the valve  40  is attached to the support wall  54  at an angle to facilitate closure of the hatch  80  with minimal intrusion into the interior  86  of the shipping container  16  and ultimately to attach a take-away hose H.  
         [0075]     Turning now to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , a kit  110  is shown including a liner  112  in a carton  188 . A spillbox (not shown) similar to the spillbox  14  can be shipped as a kit with the carton  188  in one aspect of the invention. Some components of this embodiment and their dimensions and material are similar to the previously described embodiments and reference is made to the foregoing embodiments for a full and enabling disclosure of the present embodiment.  
         [0076]     More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the liner  112  is removed from the carton  188 . For discussion purposes only, the liner  112  and the carton  188  are not shown to scale in these figures. As shown, the carton  188  is unfolded to reveal a precut hole or cutout  190 , which is sized to fit about a manhole  172  of a shipping container  116 . In this example, the carton  188  is cardboard or other material sufficiently durable for at least a single use to protect the liner  112  from rough surfaces such as those found on the walkway W. As shown, once the cutout  190  is aligned with an access hole  174  of the manhole  172 , the liner  112  is dropped through the access hole  174  and the cutout  190  for installation in the shipping container  116  in a manner substantially as described above with respect to  FIG. 3 .  
         [0077]     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , a liner  212  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention generally includes a valve assembly  220  and an air vent  222 . Similar to the previous embodiments, the liner  212  is inserted in a container  216 , and after loading, excess air can be removed from the liner  212  via the air vent  222 . As shown, the valve assembly  220  includes a sleeve  228  and a cap  256  to protect the sleeve  228 . Also shown, the valve assembly  220  is attached to a reinforcement panel  218  via a flange  224  and a plurality of bolts and nuts  226  and/or other attachment devices. As in the previous embodiments, the reinforcement panel  218  shown in  FIG. 12  strengthens an area about the flange  224  such that shear and other load forces during loading, shipment and unloading of the cargo do not rupture the liner  212 .  
         [0078]      FIG. 12  further shows a valve lever  246  for operating the valve assembly  220  in substantially the manner described above with respect to the spillbox valve  40 . Thus, the cap  256  is unscrewed or pried upward to attach a take-away hose similar to the hose H in  FIG. 1 . The lever  246  is rotated or switched to an open position and the cargo is loaded into or unloaded from the liner  212  via the hose.  
         [0079]     One aspect of the invention may be better understood with reference to a method as shown in  FIGS. 1-9 . As shown and briefly described above, the liner  12  can be shipped in the box  88  and the spillbox  14  can be shipped in another box (not shown) palletized as a kit. At the shipping container  16 , the box  88  with the liner  12  is dropped through the access hole  74  of the manhole  72  of the shipping container  16 . A technician extracts the liner  12  from the box  88 , unrolls or unwraps the liner  12  and can position its conduit  20  under the access hole  74  or where desired. The spillbox  14  is positioned near the manhole  72  and the hose  62  is inserted through the access hole  74  for the technician to connect the hose  62  to the conduit  20 . The technician egresses with the box  88  from the container  16  through the access hole  74  of the manhole  72  and discards or recycles the box  88 .  
         [0080]     More particularly, as shown in  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 , for instance, the first end  64  of the tube  62  is press-fitted into the sleeve  28  and the levers  34  are pressed downward to rotate the cams  36  into or against the first end  64  of the tube  62  to hold the first end  64  within the sleeve  28 .  
         [0081]     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the spillbox collar  48  is placed over the projection  76  of the manhole  72 . The cap  56  is removed from the orifice end  58  of the valve  40 , and the hose H as shown in  FIG. 1  is attached to the orifice end  58 . The valve lever  46  is rotated to an open position as shown in  FIG. 1  and the cargo C is loaded into the liner  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , as the liner  12  is filled with cargo, the liner  12  raises the tube  62  in a direction of the manhole  72 . Once the cargo C is loaded, excess air can be emptied from the liner  12 . Finally, the hatch  80  is closed as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  with the valve  40  secured beneath but not obstructing the hatch  80 .  
         [0082]     The foregoing steps also apply substantially to the alternative embodiments described above such as with the liner  212 . For instance, the hatch  280  is closed about the valve assembly  220 .  
         [0083]     At destination, the liner  12 ,  112 ,  212  can be emptied via the hose H through the manhole  72 ,  172 ,  272  without having to unload the cargo C through any other aperture of the shipping container  16 ,  116 ,  216 . Moreover, a vacuum source can be connected to the valve  40  or valve assembly  220  after the cargo C has been emptied from the liners  12 ,  212  to suction the liner  12 ,  212  from within the shipping container  16 ,  216 . Alternatively, a lifting device such as the lift ring  95  shown in  FIG. 5  can be installed on the liner  212  to remove the used liner from the shipping container  216 . Thus, the liner  212  can be quickly and easily disposed of and the shipping container can be used in a conventional fashion without another liner  212 , or a new liner  212  can be installed to reuse the shipping container for shipping a different cargo from the same point without having to clean the shipping container and without having to send the shipping container to a distant cleaning station for cleaning before it can enter shipping lanes again.  
         [0084]     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that other changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing examples without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, various durable, recyclable materials can be used for the liners described herein. It is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.