Patent ID: 7226209

Claim:
A bulk bag for the storage and transport of bulk materials, comprising: a bottom panel; a plurality of side panels; a pair of substantially parallel collapsible tubular guide members, each tubular guide member having a first end and a second end and being secured on or adjacent to the top of a side panel; and a plurality of lifting straps; each end of each tubular guide member supporting a lifting strap and the tubular members being connected together by a first spacer; wherein the first spacer comprises at least one axially stiff elongate member and is provided with a pair of jaws at each end, each pair of jaws comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member and being adjustable between an open position and a closed position and biased to the open position by spring means; each pair of jaws being connected to a tubular member at or adjacent to the first end thereof in a manner whereby when the jaws are in the closed position they will cause at least the first end of each tubular member to lie substantially flat and when the jaws are in the open position they will cause or permit at least the first end of each of the tubular members to adopt a shape which is suitable for receiving a tine of a fork-lift.