Abstract: A membrane having dimensions slightly larger than the dimensions of a bulk lift bag is inserted into the bag, so that the membrane may expand as the bag is filled without tearing. The membrane may be secured to the bag at a flange, without perforating the membrane.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bulk bag, which bulk bag can be used for shipment of powder without loss, yet which does not require a full inner liner for the bulk bag and has a surface receptive to imprinted indicia on the bulk bag body. A bag body of height Y is cut from a fabric tube of circumference X having an imprint-receptive outer surface and is partially lined with a tubular partial film liner of like dimensions; two bands of reinforced resin tape are adhesively bonded to the top and bottom rims of the body liner. There are top and bottom panels, each cut from a flat web of coated, powder-impervious fabric, and each having a circumferential length X; these panels are stitched into the bag body with stitching that extends through the resin tape to simultaneously mount the panels and the partial liner in the bag body, completing a bulk bag suitable for powder shipments but with an imprint-receptive external surface.

Abstract: A reusable discharge closure construction for the bottom wall of a bulk bag having a large outlet opening of diameter D includes an inner flexible discharge tube having a diameter at least as large as D and a short, flexible outer closure tube which has an effective length less than the opening radius D/2. There is a support ring strong, heavy webbing having a diameter at least as large as D; one end edge of the support ring is sewn to the bottom wall of the bulk bag and the other end edge of the ring is sewn to the tubes. A relatively flat closure is effected by tying the discharge tube closed, stuffing it into the bag interior, and then closing the closure tube by a drawstring mounted in its outer end.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bulk bag having a side wall height H of at least about twenty inches (51 cm) and a total circumferential length L of at least about ninety inches (228 cm) comprises fabricating a fabric side wall structure having a height H and a total circumferential length L, and providing a plurality of lift loops each having a first and second leg portion. The legs of each lift loop are aligned at spaced locations around the top of the side wall structure, in positions for ready penetration by the tines of a forklift truck, with both leg portions of each lift loop extending a given distance downwardly from the top edge of the side wall structure. The leg portions of each of the lift loops are stitched to the top of the side wall structure by at least three parallel lines of high-strength thread, preferably by chain stitching or lock stitching.

Abstract: Semi-bulk transport bags having wide lifting members, each lifting member formed from a plural layer folded strip of plain fabric woven from flat ribbon tape, of the same type as used for the bodies of the bags; these relatively stiff lifting members are anchored at the tops of the bags, and are positioned to distribute lifting stresses across wide segments of the side panels. One construction uses four lifting loop members, one at each corner of a rectangular bag; the edges of the ends of each loop are overlapped and tacked into the bag corner by the corner seams that join the side panels of the bags, without folding the side panels over the lifting members, materially reducing manufacturing costs. In another construction, using only two lifting members, the ends of each lifting member are anchored into wide vertical hems on just two side panels of a rectangular bag, allowing use of a lighter weight plain fabric material for the other two side panels without sacrifice of bag strength.

Abstract: A fabric bag for carrying bulk materials is formed by attaching side panels into a U-shaped member such that the bag is generally in the shape of a rectangular solid in the open position. Lifting loops are secured to each corner of the bag. A discharge outlet is present in the base of the bag for simplifying the emptying process for the bag. The lifting loops are present and sufficiently strong to support the bag when the bag is lifted by a forklift or similar apparatus.

Abstract: A flat reusable fill/discharge closure for the end wall (bottom or top) of a cloth bag for transporting bulk materials comprises a flexible tube folded back into itself to form a long inner fill/discharge tube and a short outer closure tube having a length less than the radius of an opening in the bag end wall; the tube fold is sewn into the periphery of the end wall opening of the bag with the closure and fill/discharge tubes projecting outwardly. A flat closure is effected by tying the fill/discharge tube closed, stuffing it into the bag interior, and then closing the closure tube by a drawstring mounted in its outer end.

Abstract: A fabric bag for transporting bulk materials, especially granular materials, comprising four generally rectangular side walls, joined to and extending upwardly from a generally rectangular bottom wall; each side wall is joined to the adjacent side walls by a seam which includes two pleats formed inwardly of the side wall edges, the pleats being sewn together, leaving a terminal strip projecting into the bag interior. A lifting loop is located at the top of each seam; a terminal strip is folded over each lifting loop, the seam pleat is folded against one of the side walls, and the pleats, loop legs, terminal strips and side walls are fastened to one another by zig-zag anchor stitching extending from the tops of the walls at least to the bottoms of the lifting loop legs. Preferably, the bottom wall and two of the side walls are formed of a single U-shaped piece of material and the bottom wall is attached to the other two side walls of the bags by seams that are continuous with the side wall seams.

Abstract: A flat reusable fill/discharge closure for the end wall (bottom or top) of a cloth bag for transporting bulk materials comprises a flexible tube folded back into itself to form a long inner fill/discharge tube and a short outer closure tube having a length less than the radius of an opening in the bag end wall; the tube fold is sewn into the periphery of the end wall opening of the bag with the closure and fill/discharge tubes projecting outwardly. A flat closure is effected by tying the fill/discharge tube closed, stuffing it into the bag interior, and then closing the closure tube by a drawstring mounted in its outer end.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/000,584, filed 07-06-84, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).