Patent Publication Number: US-RE48199-E

Title: Containment bag for use in a commercial disposal container

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/960,032 filed on Dec. 3, 2010, (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,212) which application was a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/464,114, filed on Aug. 11, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,511) which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/473,673 filed on Jun. 23, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,953), all of which this application claims priority to and which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to containment bags used with large dumpster style disposal containers in the storage, transportation and disposal of wastes. 
     PRIOR ART 
     In plant renovations or other type of construction or cleanup projects, wastes are generated and stored in large on-site dumpster-containers, such as rolloff containers, end dump containers, and gondola rail car containers. When hazardous materials (such as tank cleaning sludge, wet or dry waste materials, chemical plant by-products, rail wastes, high heat wastes), odorous materials, or fine particulate matter (for instance, incinerator ashes, powders, asbestos materials) are to be stored in an onsite dumpster container for later transportation and disposal, it is desirable to line the container to protect the container from exposure to the materials and to make later disposal easier. Currently, either large sheets of plastic are used to line the container or container bags are utilized. The existing container bags have openings that are closable using a series of ties or cords. Given the large size of the containers, closing the series of ties can be a time consuming chore. Further, the ties fail to make an effective closure, allowing small particle materials to leak. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention consists of non-self supporting containment bag constructed with a single top opening, with sufficient spare material at the ends of the rectangular shaped bag to allow the top to be inverted over the sides of the container. The opening is then closed. The bag may include a plurality of pick-up or attachment loops or handles may also be attached to the outer bag material. The bag may additionally have an internal lining. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a simple easily installable liner for a dumpster container that is sealable. 
     It is another object to provide a liner for use in a dumpster container having attachment or pick-up handles. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a containment bag for use in a dumpster container having a secondary liner on the interior of the containment bag. 
     It is an object to the invention to have an easily manufactured bag from a single piece of fabric, including a multilayered piece of fabric. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rolloff container. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an end dump container. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a gondola rail car container. 
         FIG. 4  shows a series of prior art container bags. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the containment bag invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the containment bag invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a plan view of the single sheet construction. 
         FIG. 7B  is a plan view of the folded sheet of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the cylinder formed by joining the sides of the sheet in  FIG. 7B . 
         FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the cylinder in  FIG. 7C  with a bottom seam. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the bag of  FIG. 7D  with a flattened bottom. 
         FIG. 8B  is a top view of the bag of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the bag of  FIG. 8A  with the triangular folds removed. 
         FIG. 8D  is a top view of the bag in  FIG. 8C . 
         FIG. 9A  is a plan view of the single piece construction removing fabric before assembly. 
         FIG. 9B  is a plan view of a two piece construction embodiment having a separate bottom. 
         FIG. 9C  is a plan view of a two piece construction using two overlapping panels. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the completed bag of  FIG. 8  with the top zipper closed. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the competed bag of  FIG. 10  placed in a container with the top zippered closed. 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the completed bag of  FIG. 10  in a container with the top open and inverted. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a two layer single piece construction having two closable tops. 
         FIG. 13A  is a is a side view of one embodiment of an edge strip. 
         FIG. 13B  is a top view of another embodiment of an edge strip  FIG. 13C  is a side view of another embodiment of an edge strip. 
         FIG. 14A  is a prospective view of a lined bag with lining detached above the edge strip, where the liner extends above the exterior bag fabric. 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of the bag of  FIG. 14A  where the top portion of the liner has been folded inside bag exterior. 
         FIG. 15A  is a plan view of the single piece double layered fabric composed showing an inner zipper and outer zipper. The view is an interior facing view. 
         FIG. 15B  is a top view showing of a double zippered bag showing the relationship of the zippers. 
         FIG. 16  is a prospective view of one embodiment of a closed liner bag depicting one embodiment of a linking strap between the triangular folds after folding across the bag top. 
         FIG. 17  is a prospective view of one embodiment of a liner bag depicting attachment of the linking strap shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Three existing dumpster type containers are shown in  FIGS. 1-3 : a roll off container ( FIG. 1 ), an end-dump container ( FIG. 2 ) and a rail car gondola ( FIG. 3 ). These containers range in size from 67′×10′×6′ for a rail gondola to 16′×8′×4′ for an end dumpster container. Shown in  FIG. 4  are typical prior art container bags.  FIG. 4a  shows a single spout container bag  100  having a series of grab loops  101 . The grab loops  101  are used to attach and support the container bag to a dumpster container. The single spout  104  provides access to the interior of the bag for loading materials into the container bag. After loading, the single spout would be tied shut with a suitable tie, such as a rope. The spout type bag can come with multiple spout configurations as shown in  FIG. 4d . 
       FIG. 4b  shows a prior art cigar top bag  300 . The cigar top bag  300  has a top opening  301 , which is closable by a cover  304  having a series of ties  302  located around the periphery of the top opening  301 . Ties  302  attach to loops  303 .  FIG. 4c  shows a prior art bread bag style container bag  400 . The bread bag style is similar to the cigar top bag except the opening in the cigar top bag is located on the end instead of the top. Again, the opening is closable by tying a series of ties  402  to a matching series of loops  403 . Also shown is a series of handles, shown here shown as loops  404 , for attaching and supporting the container bag to a disposal container. Prior art bags are generally constructed of polypropylene and may have an interior lining  409 , such as a polyethylene barrier attached to the interior of the bag shell. 
     Shown in  FIG. 5  is containment bag  1 . Containment bag  1  is made of a non-self supporting material and is designed to be inserted in a commercial dumpster container. The containment bag  1  may be made of woven or non-woven materials with a 3-6 oz woven polypropylene preferred. Other materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC, reinforced or non-reinforced), woven or non-woven polyethylene or other suitable materials, such as woven fiberglass may be used. The bag material may also be coated, such as woven or non-woven polypropylene bag having a polyethylene or polypropylene coating placed on the interior or exterior of the bag. 
     The bag should have an opening  2  that is closable. Bag opening  2  should be placed on the bag for ease of loading and storage of materials and, in some instances, for ease of removal of the stored materials. For instance, the bag shown in  FIG. 5  has two closable openings, one positioned on the top of the bag  3 , and one positioned on the side of the bag  4 . The two openings are shown for demonstration purposes. In the standard embodiment, a container bag will have a single opening. As shown, the openings are closable with a closing means, such as a zipper. A preferred zipper is a #10 coil nylon zipper, with two pulls positioned on the zipper tracks. Other zipper or zipper types can be used. 
     Also shown are support handles  5 . The support handles  5  can serve two purposes: (1) to attach the bag to the container, and thereby support the bag for fill; and, in some instances, (2) to assist in moving or removal of the bag from the container. Handles  5  can be loops, such as double D-ring straps or 2-inch loops, or lines or ties, and can be made from suitable materials, such as polypropylene or polyester webbing. When used to attach the bag to the container, the handles will attach to points on the container, generally, at least one handle on each corner (see  FIGS. 1 and 2  showing containers having a fabric top attached to the container with handles). 
     Additionally, the bag  1  may incorporate a separate inner liner  10  (not shown). Inner liners are useful when the stored materials are wet or liquids. Suitable material can be low-density polyethylene, with 6-10 mil thickness being preferred. One such liner is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,005, herein incorporated by reference. Inner liner may be sewn to the outer bag, or attached by other means, for instance heat-sealed to the outer bag. 
     Shown in  FIG. 6  is another embodiment of the container bag  4 . Bag  4  is shown having a single top opening, closable with a zipper. Also shown are loops  5  on one side of the top and a series of straps  6  on the opposite topside. As shown, the matching loops are D-ring loops  7 . The straps are of length sufficient to cross the top surface of the bag and tie into loops on the opposite top side. The straps may be tied into or coupled to straps positioned on the opposite side instead of tied into D-rings. When so secured, these straps help resist “flapping” of the bag top during transport in an open container, such as a railcar gondola. 
     As can be seen, when the bag of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is opened, the container top opening is substantially aligned with the bag opening. This alignment provided for access to the container interior from anywhere along the container top edge. 
     Another bag design that provides access to the entire interior of the container is a single centered zippered bag, having excess material on the top surface to allow the top to be folded over the top edge of the container, in an inside out relationship. The following is a description of the construction of such a bag using a single sheet of material (or a single sheet of multilayered materials. 
     A preferred means of construction is to build the bag from a single fabric sheet  1005  or a single multilayer fabric sheet. The multiple sheets can be coextensive when laid on top of one another, or the innermost fabric can be shorter in height than that of the outermost fabric if it is not desired to have the top of the resulting bag lined. Additionally, multilayered designs are possible. For ease of explanation, construction will be described using a single sized multilayer fabric piece, with two side edges  1001 A and  1001 B, a bottom edge  1001 C, and a top edge  1001 D, as shown in  FIG. 7A . Using a single fabric piece constructed in the present manner, the resulting constructed bag will have a center opening on the bag top, preferably closable with a zipper  1070 , such as shown in  FIG. 10 . To construct the bag with a zippered opening, one side of a zipper chain  1005  is attached one of the long edges of the fabric, shown in  FIG. 7A , at the top edge. Generally, a sewn attachment is preferred, and to form a seam. It is preferred that the edges of the fabric on the seam be folded over about 1.5-2 inches to create extra strength at the seam. This is desirable for all seams in the bag or liner. 
     Also attached lengthwise and parallel to the half zipper chain is a strap band  1006 . In the present embodiment, this strip is positioned so that when the bag is complete, the strap band  1006  is positioned at or near the top edge of the completed bag. The strap band  1006  can be eliminated depending if top closure straps are not needed. If the strap band is not used, it is still desired, in a multilayered fabric embodiment, to place a stitch along a horizontal line at or near the location that will become the top edge of the completed bag. Such a stitch or join will keep the inner liner top from separating from the outer liner top and collapsing into the bag interior. 
     For instance, to form an 8′4″×8′10′ bag, a single or multilayer fabric piece of 12′×14′6′ is used. To construct the bag, the single piece of bag fabric  1001  has the two ends  1001 A and  1001 B joined together, creating an opened top and bottom oblong cylinder  FIG. 7C . The bottom edge of the cylinder  1001 C (the edge opposite that having the zipper edge) is closed by attaching (preferably a sewn attachment) the opposing sides of the bottom edge of the cylinder (e.g. flatten the cylinder, creating two opposed sides, and attach the opposed sides). See  FIG. 7D . The resulting structure resembles an open end toothpaste tube, with a seam  1008  running across the tube&#39;s bottom and up one side  1007 . It is preferred that the tube like structure be created in a single step: the fabric piece  1001  is folded to align edges  1001 A and  1001 B, and a join (such as by sewing) edges  1001 A and  100 B together, and the opposing sides of the folded bottom edge  1001 C joined together, creating a bottom seam  1008  and single side seam  1007  (see  FIG. 7B ). 
     If a rectangular box like structure is desired for the bottom, the bottom closed end of the tube structure is flattened inwardly, with excess bottom fabric forming two triangular shaped flaps  1010 A and  1010 B that extend outwardly from the tube bottom (see  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). It is preferred that the triangular folds  1010 A and  1010 B be formed so that the bottom seam or join  1008  forms the perpendicular bisector of the triangular flaps  1010 A and B (see  FIG. 8B ). Each triangular flap  1010 A and  1010 B is cut or sheared off and the cut edges joined (preferably by sewing) creating two bottom edge seams,  1011 A and  1011 B. The resulting structure now approximates a rectangularly shaped open top box structure, having two long sidewalls  1020 , two shorter endwalls  1030  and a bottom  1040 . See  FIG. 8C . As seen in  FIG. 8D , the bottom of the structure has a seam running down the center of the bottom  1008  and along the two edges of the bottom  1031  adjacent the endwalls. In the preferred embodiment, one of the endwalls  1030  has a seam  1007  running from the top to the bottom edge (see  FIG. 8C ). The fabric  1050  that will form these triangular folds can be removed or excised from the single fabric piece prior to assembly (such as shown in  FIG. 9A ), but this is not preferred, as it makes seam alignment during construction more critical for quality control. Alternatively, instead of removing these triangular folds, the folds could be folded up and attached to the end walls or folded down and attached to the bottom of the structure. In many instances, the bottom structure can remain a tube like structure, without adjustments for rectangular shape. 
     As described above, an open top boxlike or (tubelike) structure is constructed from a single fabric sheet. Alternatively, this same structure may be formed from two fabric pieces, the first fabric piece forming the sidewalls of the structure having the ½ zipper chain  1005  attached and strap band  1006  attached. A separate bottom is then sewn in, such as shown in  FIG. 9B , but this is not preferred. 
     The next step is to form the top of the bag. Along the open top edge  1001 D of the boxlike structure  1060  is the single side of a zipper chain  1005 . The opposing sides of the open top are now operationally joined into a closable opening by attaching a zipper slide to the two half zipper chains, creating a functional zipper  1070 . Two zipper slides may be added if desired. Zipper stops are added at the two opposing ends of the zipper to maintain the zipper slide on the resulting zipper  1070 . A #10 nylon coil zipper has been employed. The zippered top, when closed, again creates a toothpaste tube-like top end. The top end is pushed inwardly, again creating two triangular folds  1060 A and  1060 B on the top  1080  of the box shaped bag with the zipper bisecting the two triangular folds. See  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , boxlike bag structure now has the strap band  1006  positioned adjacent or near the top periphery of the edge forming the top portion  1080  of the bag. 
     These top triangular flaps,  1060 A and  1060 B, are designed to allow the top, when unzipped along the centerline, to be inverted “inside out” thereby allowing the top portion  1080  be folded over the edges of the container or frame that the bag is placed in, thereby exposing the interior of the bag, and the exposed opening is substantially aligned with the open top of the container or frame. The bag is now ready for loading. (See  FIGS. 11A  and B showing a container with bag placed inside). As described, the top opening of the bag has a zipper closure device, but other closure means could be used, such as ties, loops, Velcro, etc. 
     When used for debris, the bag may include an inner support liner  30 , lining all or part of the interior. The liner can be constructed in multiple layers of differing fabrics or materials for strength, puncture resistance, water resistance, or other desired physical properties. Generally, the inner liner will be a nonwoven layer and the outer layer a woven material. Sandwiched between the two layers may be a liquid impervious material. A preferred material for the innermost layer is non-woven polypropylene of various weights. One embodiment uses a 16oz weight material. A preferred material for the outermost layer is a woven polypropylene: a typical weight is 6.0 oz. The outer woven polypropylene layer may have a coating on one side (generally the exterior side) of polyethylene, such as 1-2 mills thickness. A layer impervious to water and other liquids that can be used is a polyethylene material, such as 6-10 mil thickness. Other materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC, reinforced or non-reinforced), woven or non-woven polyethylene or other suitable materials, such as woven fiberglass, may be used. 
     When using a multilayered construction, each of the layers may each have separate closure means, such as separate zippers, such as shown in  FIG. 14A . If two zippers are used, the liner and exterior fabric can be attached near the zippers, or only joined at the edge strip  1006 , or joined between the edge strip and the zippers. If joined or attached at the edge strip or substantially below the zippers, the liner and exterior fabric remain as separate flaps above the topmost join or connection between the inner and outer fabrics. Each can have a half zipper chain  1005 A and  1005 B attached, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The liner may be cut slightly shorter (2-4 inches) then the topmost fabric (the “topmost” fabric is that fabric that will form the exterior facing fabric), allowing both the liner and outer fabric to be zippered shut separately. Alternatively, both inner and outer lining can be joined together when the ½ chain zipper is added if the inner liner is cut shorter (1-2 inches) or the inner zipper ½ chain  2050  is attached about 1-2 inches below the top edge (see  FIGS. 15A  and B). The separation of the inner ½ chain zipper  2050  from the outer ½ chain zipper  2060  provides enough freedom between the two zippers on the assembled bag to allow closure of the inner then closure of the outer completed zipper. 
     Also, the inner liner  3010  may be cut longer, and not attached to the outer fabric  3000  near the top zipper chain  1007 . It is preferred, however, that the inner liner be attached to the outer fabric near the top edge or at the edge strip (is so equipped). The enclosure is formed with the inner liner (zippered or not)  3010  extending above the top of the outer fabric  3000  (see  FIG. 14  A). The inner liner  30010  extending above the join or seam where the two liners are connected strip is then folded into the interior of the enclosure. See  FIG. 14B  showing the connection at the edge strip. The top of the bag is then assembled as described above. In use, both exterior and interior fabric is folded inside out near the top section to overlap the container. After the container is filled, the inner liner is re-inverted and can be closed (by zipper if so equipped or the material gathered and tied, etc) or just folded over the debris in the bag. The outer fabric is then re-inverted, and zippered shut. 
     The edge strip  1006 , if attached, may be used as a means of attaching the bag support handles  5  (if so equipped) and to provide a place to affix or attach top straps, it the bag is so equipped (the handles  5  may be separately attached to the bag, such as shown on the bag depicted in  FIG. 6 ). One version of the edge strip  1006  is shown in  FIG. 13A . As shown, it is a single wide webbing band (about 2 inches wide polyester webbing) with slits  1061  positioned along a line offset from the band center line. The band is sewn to the bag near the bag top edge, and the slits  1061  in the band are positioned to accommodate top straps and/or support handles. Top straps and support handles can be equipped with clip end to clip into the slits, or the top straps and/or support handles could be threaded through and tied to the slit, or a top strap positioned on each opposing side of the edge strip, and joined across the top of the bag, such as with a snap clip, carabiner, etc. or simply tied to one another. 
     Instead of a single band with slits as shown in  FIG. 13A , the edge strip  1006  can be constructed from two bands, one a straight band  1006 A that will be attached to the bag&#39;s side and end walls, and as second band  1006 B that is attached to the first band  1006 A leaving undulations creating openings between the first and second bands. A top view is of this two band arrangement is shown in  FIG. 13B . Alternatively, the edge strip  1006  may be a single band with grommets  1009  instead of slits positioned periodically therethrough ( FIG. 13C ), to clip or tied support handles or top straps to the edge strip. The edge strip may be constructed from 1.5-2.5 inch polypropylene or polyester webbing, 1.5-2.5 inch elastic knitted latex webbing, or other suitable material, such a polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon. 
     The two triangular shaped folds may be secured to each other with a linking strap  2000  or other type of connector, such as a linear connector (rope, strap or band, bungy cord, etc), to allow the triangular shaped folds be drawn down toward one another and secured to one another or to the top of the container, adjacent to the closed top portion of the containment bag. See  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
     It is intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.