Patent ID: 8371476

Claim:
A bulk bag for storing and dispensing bulk material, the bulk bag comprising: a flexible shell defining a storage chamber and a first aperture, the storage chamber configured to retain bulk material, the first aperture in communication with the storage chamber; a plurality of lifting members attached to the flexible shell; and a gate valve assembly comprising: a retention member fixedly attached to the flexible shell, defining a second aperture and at least partially defining a channel, wherein the second aperture is substantially aligned with the first aperture; and a gate extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second openings along the longitudinal axis, the first and second openings each having a generally triangular shape, and the second opening being in a mirrored position relative to the first opening, the gate comprising: a first end; a second end; a first edge; a second edge; a third edge; a fourth edge; a fifth edge; a sixth edge; and a blocking portion that includes an upper surface; wherein: the first, second, and third edges cooperate to at least partially define the first opening; the first and second edges meet at a first vertex; the fourth, fifth, and sixth edges cooperate to at least partially define the second opening; the fourth and fifth edges meet at a second vertex; the first vertex and the second vertex are disposed upon the longitudinal axis; the upper surface of the blocking portion extends continuously between the first and second vertices; at least a portion of the gate is slidably received within the channel; and the gate is slidable relative to the retention member between: a closed position in which the gate prevents dispensation of bulk material from the storage chamber through the first aperture, and an opened position in which the gate facilitates dispensation of bulk material from the storage chamber sequentially through the first aperture, one of the first and second openings, and the second aperture.