Abstract: A slip sheet for use with bulk containers and a method of use of such slip sheet. An empty bulk container is detachably secured to a slip sheet including one or more movable edges. The slip sheet and container can be manipulated and transported with a forklift or similar machinery. The slip sheet can be easily detached from the container after use via the movable edges.

Abstract: A process for the construction of a bulk container including a glued bottom portion. A blank is suspended in the shape of the desired container and is positioned over a bottom portion. Adhesive or glue is applied to the bottom portion in areas which will contact the blank. The blank is lowered into contact with the blank and fins are formed. The fins are either folded, cut and/or secured to complete the container in one of several ways.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a flexible bulk container includes a dust collector having a negative pressure chamber connected through a vacuum hose to a fill spout support chamber to which a dirty container is connected in a substantially dust tight relationship. An exhaust blower of the dust collector is connected through a pressure hose to the fill spout support chamber. An alternating valve connected to the two hoses alternately disrupts fluid flow through one hose while allowing fluid flow through the remaining hose to alternately inflate and evacuate the dirty container connected to the fill spout support chamber. The alternate inflating and evacuation of the dirty container is repeated a predetermined number of times to remove the desired amount of particulate material from the dirty container. A third hose is connected to the dust collector for vacuuming the exterior of the dirty container.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating and compacting flowable materials within a container for transportation and storage of the materials includes a hollow chamber having an open bottom end for insertion of the chamber into the container. A rubber pad placed under the container seals the chamber for creation of a vacuum in the chamber through a vacuum line connecting the chamber to a vacuum source for deaeration of flowable materials placed within the chamber and the container. A line having a valve therein and vented to the atmosphere is connected to the chamber for returning the chamber to atmospheric pressure substantially instantaneously to compact the deaerated material into a substantially solid mass within the container. Upon completion of compaction the chamber of the vacuum fill system is removed from the interior of the container and the top of the container closed for shipment or storage.

Abstract: A full sack compressor for deaerating flowable material includes a hollow, rectangular chamber connected to a vacuum pump for establishing a vacuum when filled with flowable material, causing the flowable material to deaerate and subsequently compact when atmospheric pressure is restored.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials for storage in a container. The vacuum fill system in general has a hollow, cylindrical container connected to a plurality of valves, slide gate valves and a vacuum pump in order to create a vacuum when filled with flowable materials that causes the flowable materials to deaerate and subsequently compact when atmospheric pressure is restored.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for continuously deaerating and compacting flowable materials for transportation and storage in containers includes a first rotatable chamber valve for receiving the flowable materials. Attached to the rotatable chamber valve is a fixed position chamber connected to a vacuum source for receiving the flowable materials from the first rotatable chamber and for deaerating the flowable materials. The fixed position chamber is in turn connected to a second rotatable chamber valve for receiving the deaerated flowable materials from the fixed position chamber, maintaining the materials in a vacuum, then returning the materials to atmospheric pressure substantially instantaneously as the valve rotates to compact the deaerated materials into a substantially solid mass.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a flexible, collapsible receptacle for handling flowable materials fabricated from an improved conductive woven metalized, anti-static fabric to more efficiently and effectively dissipate static electric build-up generated during the handling of flowable materials. In a first embodiment of the invention, a laminated metalized, anti-static fabric is utilized for fabricating all, or selected parts of the receptacle. In a second embodiment of the invention, all or part of the receptacle is formed from a sandwiched metalized and anti-static fabric. Parts of the receptacle not formed from either the laminated metalized, anti-static fabric or sandwiched metalized and anti-static fabric are fabricated from an anti-static fabric. Conductive anti-static lift straps are then added to the receptacle for support and to assist in static discharge. A conductive plastic liner is also inserted into the receptacle to further assist in the discharge of static build-up.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials includes a hollow, cylindrical container connected to a plurality of valves, slide gate valves and a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum when filled with flowable materials that causes the flowable materials to deaerate and subsequently compact when atmospheric pressure is restored.

Abstract: A stabilized flexible container for receiving flowable materials includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a perimeter wall formed from four double layered side walls seamed together along adjacent side edges. The exterior layer of the double layered side walls is greater in length than the interior layer and is folded inwardly upon itself and stitched along the side edges to form a pocket in a space between the interior and exterior layers of the double layered side wall with the side edges of the exterior layer in the pocket region being free from the seam connecting the adjacent side walls. The interior layers of the side walls are seamed together in the pocket region and are seamed along their bottom edges to the perimeter of the bottom wall. Rigid panels are inserted into the space between the interior and exterior layers of the side walls and are secured in the pocket to prevent the rigid panels from slipping out of the side walls.

Abstract: A spread strap flexible bulk container comprises a flexible bulk container having a plurality of panels seamed together to form a substantially square container with vertical seams connecting the panels located equidistant between adjacent corners of the container as opposed to the seams being located at the corners. Lift straps for supporting the container are attached at opposed ends to the container beginning at adjacent seams and extending diagonally upwardly to loop over the corners of the container. Bridge panel may be inserted into the container and each bridge panel attached to a single panel or a portion of a single panel.

Abstract: A spread strap flexible bulk container comprises a flexible bulk container having a plurality of panels seamed together to form a substantially square container with vertical seams connecting the panels located equidistant between adjacent corners of the container as opposed to the seams being located at the corners. Lift straps for supporting the container are attached at opposed ends to the container beginning at adjacent seams and extending diagonally upwardly to loop over the corners of the container. Bridge panel may be inserted into the container and each bridge panel attached to a single panel or a portion of a single panel.

Abstract: A stabilized flexible container for receiving flowable materials includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a perimeter wall formed from four double layered side walls seamed together along adjacent side edges. The exterior layer of the double layered side walls is greater in length than the interior layer and is folded inwardly upon itself and stitched along the side edges to form a pocket in a space between the interior and exterior layers of the double layered side wall with the side edges of the exterior layer in the pocket region being free from the seam connecting the adjacent side walls. The interior layers of the side walls are seamed together in the pocket region and are seamed along their bottom edges to the perimeter of the bottom wall. Rigid panels are inserted into the space between the interior and exterior layers of the side walls and are secured in the pocket to prevent the rigid panels from slipping out of the side walls.

Abstract: A spread strap flexible bulk container comprises a flexible bulk container having a plurality of panels seamed together to form a substantially cylindrical container with vertical seams connecting the panels. Lift straps for supporting the container are attached at opposed ends to the container beginning adjacent the seams and extending diagonally upwardly to loop over the top panel of the container.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable material includes a cylindrical container partitioned into a plurality of chambers which rotate sequentially and which are connected to a vacuum pump for establishing a vacuum when filled with flowable material. The flowable material deaerates and compacts when atmospheric pressure is subsequently restored.

Abstract: A spread strap flexible bulk container comprises a flexible bulk container having a plurality of panels seamed together to form a substantially square container with vertical seams connecting the panels located equidistant between adjacent corners of the container as opposed to the seams being located at the corners. Lift straps for supporting the container are attached at opposed ends to the container beginning at adjacent seams and extending diagonally upwardly to loop over the corners of the container. Bridge panel may be inserted into the container and each bridge panel attached to a single panel or a portion of a single panel.

Abstract: A container fill system for filling flexible bulk container shaving lift straps with a product having a support frame with first and second ends, a scale connected to the first end of the support frame for determining the weight of the flexible bulk containers, a fill control device connected to the second end of the support frame for controlling the flow rate of the product into the flexible bulk container, a rotatable holder connected to the support frame and to a fill spout rotatable along a vertical axis and having fingers for securing the lift straps to the rotatable holder for supporting the flexible bulk containers and an electronic operator panel with an associated microprocessor for controlling the operation of the container fill system. The container fill system of the present invention allows for one man operation and filling of the flexible bulk containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a protective cover for a flexible semi-bulk container to protect the container from contamination during filling, handling and storing. The protective covering forms no permanent bond and is strippable from the outside of the container when the container is ready for marketing and display.

Abstract: An improved flexible semi-bulk container utilizing rigid panels associated with the side walls of the flexible container to provide rigidity and enable the container to stand alone when filled with fluidized material such as fluidized solids, semi-solids, slurries and liquids.

Abstract: A discharge spout on the bottom wall of a collapsible receptacle has an exterior layer which is grounded during the flow of material through the discharge spout to prevent buildup of static electric charge therein. The discharge spout is made from a metalized fabric having a lower layer of fabric. Secured to the fabric layer is an upper film layer. At least a portion of the exposed surface of the film layer is metalized or laminated with foil.