Abstract:
A bulk bag includes a side wall, a bottom wall, and plurality of vertically extending pockets secured to the side wall and positioned at equally spaced locations around the periphery thereof. The pockets receive support members comprising hollow tubes which receive positioning cups at the lower ends thereof to facilitate the stacking of bulk bags one upon another. Spaced, parallel forklift tine receiving tunnels are located beneath the bottom wall and are secured either adhesively or by means of projections formed in the structure of the tunnels at spaced apart locations along the lengths thereof. The forklift tine receiving tunnels have either semicircular, rectangular, or inverted V-shaped cross sectional configurations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/847,768 filed on May 18, 2004, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/769,168 filed Jan. 30, 2004, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/689,278 filed Oct. 20, 2003, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/436,761 filed May 13, 2003, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/253,086 filed Sep. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,753, which is a utility application comprising a continuation-in-part of prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/389,865 filed Jun. 20, 2002, abandoned.  
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to flexible intermediate bulk containers also known as bulk bags, and more particularly to bulk bags which are stackable one upon another and which facilitate the use of forklift trucks for lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking bulk bags and the contents thereof.  
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     For more than thirty years flexible intermediate bulk containers a.k.a. bulk bags have been in widespread use throughout the world. Bulk bags are utilized primarily for receiving, storing, transporting, and discharging flowable solids. However, bulk bags are also utilized for a wide variety of other purposes including but not limited to waste disposal, handling of liquids and liquid containing substances, and handling of meat and meat products.  
         [0004]     Bulk bags are typically, but not always, provided with lift loops at the upper ends thereof. The lift loops of a bulk bags are adapted to receive the tines of a forklift truck. The forklift truck is in turn utilized in the lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking of bulk bags.  
         [0005]     The present invention comprises improvements in bulk bag design which facilitate the stacking thereof, and which also facilitate the use of forklift trucks for lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking bulk bags. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, bulk bags are provided with vertically extending pockets which receive support members, typically lengths of PVC pipe. In the case of square or rectangular bulk bags the pockets are positioned at the corners thereof, and in the case of tubular bulk bags the pockets are located at spaced apart intervals around the periphery thereof. In accordance with the present invention positioning cups are received in the bottom ends of the lengths of PVC pipe comprising the support members of the bulk bags, thereby facilitating the stacking of bulk bags one on top of another.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention spaced apart forklift tine receiving tunnels are provided at the bottom of the bulk bag to facilitate lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking of the bulk bag utilizing a forklift truck. The forklift tine receiving tunnels may be either semicircular, triangular, or rectangular in configuration. The forklift tine receiving tunnels may be secured in place by outwardly projecting ridges extending transversely relative to the lengths thereof. When the bulk bag is filled, the bottom wall thereof is forced into engagement with the ridges of the forklift tine receiving tunnels thereby preventing lengthwise movement of the tunnels relative to the bulk bag. Alternatively, the forklift tunnels may be secured to the bottom wall of the bulk bag by means of adhesives.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, exploded partial perceptive view comprising a portion of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial perspective view comprising a different portion of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a first forklift tine receiving tunnel useful in the practice of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a further variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating a second forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration useful in the practice of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perceptive view illustrating a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating a further variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating yet another variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating a third forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration useful in the practice of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating a fourth forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration useful in the practice of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 16  is an end view of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of  FIG. 14 ; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 18  is an enlargement comprising a portion of  FIG. 17 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     Referring to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a bulk bag  20  comprising a first embodiment of the invention. The bulk bag  20  comprises a square or rectangular configuration, it being understood that the present invention is equally applicable to tubular bulk bags which are more or less round in horizontal cross section. The bulk bag  20  is provided with vertically extending pockets  22  located at each corner thereof. In the case of a tubular bulk bag the pockets  22  are located at equally spaced intervals around the periphery thereof.  
         [0027]     Each of the pockets  22  contains a support members which typically comprises a length of PVC pipe. The function of the support members is to maintain the bulk bag  20  in an upright configuration, that is, to prevent the bulk bag from collapsing inwardly and downwardly. In this manner both the filling and the stacking of the bulk bag  20  are facilitated.  
         [0028]     In accordance with the present invention each of the support members  24  is provided with a positioning cup  26  at the lower end thereof. Referring particularly to  FIG. 2 , each of the positioning cups  26  has a tubular member  28  extending upwardly therefrom. The tubular member  28  of the positioning cup  26  is received within the interior of the support member  24  whereby the positioning cup is located relative to the support member  24  and the bulk bag  20 . The positioning cup may be provided with apertures  30  which receive tying members extending from the pocket  22  whereby the positioning cup  26  may be secured in engagement with the support member  24 .  
         [0029]     Utilization of the positioning cups  26  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . When an upper bulk bag  20  is stacked on top of a lower bulk bag  20 , the positioning cups  26  engage the upper ends of the support members  24  of the lower bulk bag member which may be enclosed by the pocket  22 . In this manner the upper bulk bag  20  is aligned relative to the lower bulk bag  20  both vertically and horizontally, thereby facilitating the assembly of a straight, parallel, and uniform stack of bulk bags.  
         [0030]     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the bulk bag  20  is further provided with a pair of spaced, parallel forklift tine receiving tunnels  34 . The forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  each have a length equal to or somewhat greater than the width of the bulk bag  20  and are adapted to receive the tines T of a forklift truck F thereby facilitating the lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking of the bulk bag  20  by means of the forklift truck F. The forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  have a triangular or inverted V-shaped configuration and are secured in place by a fabric layer extending across the bottom of the bulk bag  20 . The forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  may also be secured in place by lengths of webbing which are secured to the bottom of the bulk bag  20  at the center line thereof and which are secured to the sides of the bulk bag  20  by hook-and-loop fasteners of the type sold under the trademark “VELCRO”®.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 4  there is shown a bulk bag  40  comprising a second embodiment of the invention. The bulk bag  40  comprises numerous component parts which are identical in construction and function to component parts of the bulk bag  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The bulk bag  40  differs from the bulk bag  20  in that the forklift tine receiving tunnels thereof are semicircular in configuration as opposed to the triangular or inverted V-shaped configuration of the forklift receiving tunnels  34  of the bulk bag  20 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 5  there is shown a bulk bag  44  comprising a third embodiment of the invention. The bulk bag  46  comprises numerous component parts which are identical in construction and function to component parts of the bulk bag  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The bulk bag  44  differs from the bulk bag  20  in that the forklift tine receiving tunnels  46  thereof are rectangular in configuration as opposed to the triangular or inverted V-shaped configuration of the forklift receiving tunnels  34  of the bulk bag  20 .  
         [0033]     The forklift tine receiving tunnels of the present invention are further illustrated in  FIGS. 6-18 , inclusive. The forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  illustrated in  FIG. 5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith are further illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  may comprise lengths of tubing which are cut in half longitudinally. For example, the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  may be formed from length of PVC pipe or from lengths of cellulose-based tubing of the type utilized as arbors for rolls of carpeting. As is shown in  FIG. 7 , the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  may be provided with flanges  52  located at the opposite ends thereof. The purpose of the flanges  52  is to guide the forklift truck operator during engagement of the tines of the forklift truck with the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  thereby preventing damage to the fabric of the bulk bag by engagement of the forklift tines therewith.  
         [0034]     The forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  may be secured to the bottom wall of the bulk bag  20  by means of a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  may be provided with a plurality of ridges  54  which extend transversely relative to the lengthwise dimension of the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  equipped with ridges  54  is filled, the bottom wall of the bulk bag is tightly engaged with the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  whereby the ridges  54  thereof prevent longitudinal movement of the tunnel  42  relative to the bulk bag when forklift tines are inserted therethrough.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42 . In accordance therewith the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  are provided with a bottom wall  56 . The function of the bottom wall  56  is prevent damage to the fabric layer which secures the forklift tine receiving tunnels  42  in engagement with the bottom wall of the bulk bag.  
         [0036]     The forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith are further illustrated in  FIGS. 9, 10 , and  11 . As is shown in  FIG. 9 , the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  may comprise corrugated plastic panels which are slit along one side thereof and then folded into an inverted V-shaped configuration. In such instances the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  are secured in place utilizing suitable adhesives. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  may comprise molded structures that are provided with flanges  62  located at the opposite ends thereof. The purpose of the flanges  62  is to guide the forklift truck operator during engagement of the tines of the forklift truck with the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  thereby preventing damage to the fabric of the bulk bag by engagement of the forklift tines therewith.  
         [0037]     The forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  may be secured to the bottom wall of the bulk bag  20  by means of a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  may be provided with a plurality of ridges  64  which extend transversely relative to the lengthwise dimension of the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  equipped with ridges  64  is filled, the bottom wall of the bulk bag is tightly engaged with the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  whereby the ridges  64  thereof prevent longitudinal movement of the tunnels  34  relative to the bulk bag when forklift tines are inserted therethrough.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  illustrates a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34 . In accordance therewith the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34  are provided with a bottom wall  66 . The function of the bottom wall  66  is prevent damage to the fabric layer which secures the forklift tine receiving tunnels in engagement with the bottom wall of the bulk bag.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  illustrates a variation of the inverted V-shaped configuration of the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34 . In accordance therewith a forklift tine receiving tunnel  34 ′ comprises a top wall  68  and angularly extending side walls  70 . The forklift tine receiving tunnels  34 ′ may comprise molded structures. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels  34 ′ may comprise a flat panel which is bent downwardly along the opposite sides thereof to form the side walls  70 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  further illustrates the forklift tine receiving tunnels  46  which are shown in  FIG. 5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. The forklift tine receiving tunnels  46  each comprise a rectangular construction which may include an imperforate bottom wall  70  and longitudinally extending side members  72 . The top wall of the forklift tine receiving tunnel  46  comprises a plurality of spaced apart slats  74 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having the forklift tine receiving tunnels  46  positioned in engagement with the bottom wall thereof is filled, the material of the bottom wall is forced into the spaces between the slats  74  of the tunnels  46  thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the tunnels  46  under the action of forklift tines moving longitudinally therethrough.  
         [0041]     Another variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel  46  which is shown in  FIG. 5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith is illustrated in  FIGS. 14, 15 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , a forklift tine receiving tunnels  76  comprises a top wall  78  and angularly extending side walls  80 . The forklift tine receiving tunnel  76  is provided with a plurality of ridges  82  which extend transversely relative to the lengthwise dimension of the forklift tine receiving tunnels  76 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having forklift tine receiving tunnels  76  equipped with ridges  82  is filled, the bottom wall of the bulk bag is tightly engaged with the forklift tine receiving tunnels  76  whereby the ridges  82  thereof prevent longitudinal movement of the tunnel  76  relative to the bulk bag when forklift tines are inserted therethrough. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels  46  may be secured to the bulk bag  20  by hook-and-loop fasteners of the type sold under the trademark “VELCRO”®. As shown in  FIG. 14 , a slot  84  located at each end of the top wall  78  of the forklift tine receiving tunnel  76  may receive a VELCRO® strap from the bag. The VELCRO® strap is affixed to the bottom of the bulk bag, secured through the slots  84 , and then fastened back onto the bottom of the bulk bag.  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  illustrates the close proximity of the ridges  82  along the top wall  78 .  FIG. 16  illustrates the degree to which side walls  80  of the forklift tine receiving tunnels  76  are angled. The angled side walls  80  allow for some margin of error if forklift tines are not inserted perfectly through the forklift tine receiving tunnels  76 .  
         [0043]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate the side of the forklift tine receiving tunnel  76 . At each end of the forklift tine receiving tunnel has beveled edges  86 . The beveled edges  86  aid in moving the bulk bag  20  across the floor. As well known to those skilled in the art, bulk bags are often pushed across the floor to the desired location, rather than being lifted. The beveled edge  86  facilitates pushing the bulk bags across a floor because it allows the bulk bag to slide more easily over cracks in the floor or over any debris that may be on the floor. The enlarged representation of the ridges  82  in  FIG. 18  illustrates that increased thickness of the top wall  78  towards the middle thereof. The increased thickness of the top wall adds strength and reduces any splaying of the side walls  76 .  
         [0044]     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.