BAG FILLING AND DISCHARGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for storing a loose material comprises an upright bag having internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards and a support structure operable to lift the bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position. The structure includes a plurality of hinged support members extending between a base and top ring frame. The system further comprises a flexible tension member extending between each of the plurality of hinged support members and the middle portion of the bag and a winch connected to each flexible tension member wherein the winch is operable to adjust a distance between the bag and the hinged support members so as to move the bag and the support structure between a first collapsed position and a second filled position in which the bag is upright and the hinged support members are upright.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/678,893 filed May 31, 2018 entitled Bag Filling and Discharge System.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system for filling collapsible bags, and in particular to a system to erect, fill and discharge a collapsible bag for particulate bulk materials.

2. Description of Related Art

Silos are widely used to temporarily store granular or powdered particulate bulk materials prior to shipment or use. A variety of silo manufacturing methods and construction materials may be used, such as concrete or steel panels, cast concrete, wood staves, heavy plastic tubular bags or fabric bags suspended from a structural frame.

Conventional silos can be expensive, and are generally permanent structures, not meant to be moved or dismantled. In some cases, it is desirable to have the ability to periodically move the silo to a new location. Additionally, it may be cost prohibitive for some users to construct a conventional permanent silo.

Plastic bag silos are filled and stored in a horizontal orientation, with sections of the bag cut and discarded as the material stored within is removed. It is difficult to unload material from a bag silo, as a specialized machine must be used, and material can be damaged or lost when it falls on the ground. Plastic bag silos are not reusable, thus creating a large amount of plastic waste. Additionally, this type of storage solution requires a large area to store material.

Fabric bag silos are also known as flexible silos. This type of silo utilizes reinforced fabric bags supported by a structural frame. They are economical and can be assembled on site. Disadvantageously, large fabric silos require specialized equipment to access the top of the frame to hang the bag therefrom. Additionally, typical fabric silos require that the frame be sized to sufficiently support the weight of the bag and its contents, as the bag is permanently raised to expose a conical bottom portion and is thus not self-supporting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a system for storing a loose material comprising an upright bag extending between a top and a bottom with a middle portion therebetween, the upright bag including internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards. The system further comprises a support structure operable to lift the bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position, wherein the structure comprises a base, a top ring frame surrounding and securable to the top of the upright bag and a plurality of hinged support members extending between the base and the top ring frame wherein each of the plurality of hinged support members is pivotably connected to the base and the top ring frame. The system further comprises a flexible tension member extending between each of the plurality of hinged support members and the middle portion of the bag and a winch connected to each flexible tension member wherein the winch is operable to adjust a distance between the bag and the midpoint of the hinged support members so as to move the bag and the support structure between a first collapsed position in which the bag is collapsed and the hinged support members are bent and a second filled position in which the bag is upright and the hinged support members are upright.

The middle portion of the bag may include a plurality of lift brackets on an outer surface thereof distributed circumferentially therearound at locations corresponding to the plurality of hinged support members, wherein a distal end of the flexible tension member is selectively operably connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of lift brackets. The internal bracing may comprise a plurality of inner flexible tension members extending across an interior of the bag. The plurality of inner flexible tension member may extend diametrically across the interior of the bag. The plurality of flexible tension members may extend to ends secured to an inner surface of the bag at locations corresponding to the plurality of lift brackets. The plurality of flexible tension member may be located at a midpoint along the bag between the bottom and the top.

The bag may include an open through the top for filling the bag. The bag may include a discharge opening through the bottom for emptying the bag. The top of the bag may have an inverse frustoconical shape with the opening at an apex thereof.

The system may further comprise a roof assembly adapted to engage upon the top ring frame and cover the upright bag. The top of the bag may be connected to and suspended from the roof assembly. The roof assembly may have an inverse conical shape. The bottom of the bag may have an upright conical bottom portion extending from the bottom edge of the fillable portion, the conical bottom portion having a central bag discharge opening therethrough.

The flexible tension member may be selectively operably connectable to the bottom edge the bag. The winch may be operable to adjust the length of the flexible tension member extending between each of the plurality of hinged support members and the bottom edge of the fillable portion of the bag such that the bag is raised to the third discharge position, wherein the bottom edge of the fillable portion is raised to direct material within the bag to a radial center.

The system may further comprise a plurality of lift arms extending connected to the bottom of the bag, wherein the plurality of lift arms extend upwardly along the bag to a top end and are connected to each flexible tension member such that lifting up by the flexible tension member rotates the plurality of lift arms inward so as to compress the middle portion of the bag as a periphery of the bottom is raised. The plurality of lift arms may be secured to the bag proximate to the top end.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method for erecting a collapsible bag, the method comprising providing an upright bag extending between a top and a bottom with a middle portion therebetween, the upright bag including internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards. The method further comprises surrounding the bag with a structure operable to lift the bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position, wherein the structure comprises a base, a top ring frame surrounding and securable to the top of the upright bag and a plurality of hinged support members extending between the base and the top ring frame wherein each of the plurality of hinged support members is pivotably connected to the base and the top ring frame. The method further comprises connecting a flexible tension member extending from each of the plurality of hinged support members and to the middle portion of the bag and retracting the flexible tension member with a winch connected to each flexible tension member so as to adjust a distance between the bag and the midpoint of the hinged support members so as to move the bag and the support structure between a first collapsed position in which the bag is collapsed and the hinged support members are bent and a second filled position in which the bag is upright and the hinged support members are upright.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag filling and discharging system in a partially collapsed or hinged position according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the system of FIG. 1 in a hinged or collapsed position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1 in a hinged or collapsed position taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 in a second fill or erect position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1 in a second fill or erect position with content material at a discharge angle of repose.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 in a third discharge position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 with the bag removed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bag of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a detailed side view of a bag control arm for use in the system of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, a system for filling and discharging a collapsible bag 12 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The system 10 includes a structure 40 operable to lift the bag 12 between a first collapsed position and a second fill position, then to a third discharge position, as will be set out in more detail below. A tube auger 110, as is commonly known, is positioned under the bag 12 for material discharge, as illustrated in FIG. 8 where the bag has been removed for clarity. The system 10 may further include a roof assembly 90. The system 10 is illustrated in a partially collapsed or hinged position in FIGS. 1 and 8.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the bag 12 is comprised of a substantially cylindrical fillable portion 14 extending along a center axis 200 between top and bottom edges, 16 and 18, respectively, with a bag midline 202 therebetween. The bag 12 may include a top portion 20 extending from the top edge 16 having a central fill opening 22 therethrough. As illustrated, the top portion 20 may be formed in such as, by way of non-limiting example, a conical shape having a top opening angle 24, although it will be appreciated that the top portion 20 may be planar, as well. The top opening angle 24 may be selected to correspond with the roof assembly 90 or material fill angle, as will be set out below. It will be appreciated that the bag 12 may have an open top without a top portion 20, such that the full open top forms the central fill opening 22. The bag 12 may also include a bottom portion 26 extending from the bottom edge 18 having a central discharge opening 28 therethrough. As illustrated, the bottom portion 26 may be formed in such as, by way of non-limiting example, a conical shape having a bottom opening angle 30, although it will be appreciated that the bottom portion 26 may be planar, as well. The bottom opening angle 30 may be selected to correspond with the angle of repose of the material collected within, as will be set out in further detail below. The bag 12 may be formed of any suitable collapsible material as is commonly known, such as, by way of non-limiting example, reinforced fabric.

The bag 12 includes a plurality of upper suspension brackets 32 distributed circumferentially therearound proximate to the top edge 16. The upper suspension brackets 32 may be secured to the bag 12 by any commonly known means, such as, by way of non-limiting example, sewn in place, and may include shock absorption between the upper suspension brackets 32 and the bag 12 such as, by way of non-limiting example, bungee cords or the like. The upper suspension brackets 32 are secured to the structure 40, as will be set out below, to lift the bag 12 into an erect position, but do not support the weight of the bag contents when filled with material.

A plurality of mid suspension brackets 34 are distributed circumferentially around the bag 12 at the midline 202. Referring to FIG. 3, in which the roof assembly 90 and the top portion 20 of the bag 12 have been removed for clarity, and in perspective in FIG. 9, there are an even number of mid suspension brackets 34 such that each is positioned diametrically opposite from another mid suspension bracket 34 across the interior of the bag 12 through the center axis 200. Note that in FIG. 2, the mid suspension brackets 34 are shown in a relaxed position for clarity, hanging down from the exterior of the bag, but when secured to the structure 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the mid suspension brackets 34 extend radially from the midline 202, perpendicular to the fillable portion 14 of the bag 12.

A plurality of discharge suspension brackets 102 are distributed circumferentially around the bag 12 proximate to the bottom edge 18. The discharge suspension brackets 102 may be secured to the bag 12 by any commonly known means, such as, by way of non-limiting example, sewn in place, and may include shock absorption between the discharge suspension brackets 102 and the bag 12 such as, by way of non-limiting example, bungee cords or the like. The discharge suspension brackets 102 do not support the weight of the bag contents when fully filled with material, as they are only used during discharge to lift the bottom edge 18 of the bag 12 to expose the bottom portion 26 when the material within reaches a discharge angle of repose, as will be set out below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of inner flexible tension members 36 with distal ends 38 extend diametrically across the bag 12 through the center axis 200 at the midline 202. The inner flexible tension members 36 are aligned with the plurality of mid suspension brackets 34 and are operably connected thereto at the distal ends 38 such that any force or load applied to the mid suspension brackets 34 is transferred through the inner flexible tension members 36. It will also be appreciated that other means of reinforcing the bag 12 may be utilized such as providing reinforcing rings or ribs therearound. As illustrated, the inner flexible tension members 36 may be formed such that they are joined or co-formed at the center axis 200, although it will be appreciated that the flexible tension members 36 may be formed individually, as well. The inner flexible tension members 36 may be such as, by way of non-limiting example, straps or cables, as is commonly known. The mid suspension brackets 34 and inner flexible tension members 36 are used to erect the structure 40 and to lift the bag 12 into an erect position, as will be set out below.

Turning now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the structure 40 includes a bottom ring frame 42 and a top ring frame 44 with a plurality of hinged support members 46 extending therebetween. Note that in FIG. 4, only two opposing hinged support members 46 are shown for clarity. The bottom and top ring frames 42 and 44, respectively, are formed in a similar manner with a generally circular configuration having an inner space greater than the diameter of the bag 12. As illustrated, the bottom and top ring frames 42 and 44 are formed in an octagonal shape to correspond to eight hinged support members 46 at each corner. It will be appreciated that the bottom and top ring frames 42 and 44 may be formed in a circle or in other generally circular shape having an even number of corners, such as a hexagon or decagon, with a corresponding even number of hinged support members 46 such that each hinged support member 46 is positioned diametrically opposite from another hinged support member 46, the purpose of which will be set out in further detail below.

The bottom and top ring frames 42 and 44 are formed the same, and each includes eight elongate structural segments 50 extending horizontally between eight corner supports 52. As illustrated, each segment 50 may be formed as a lightweight beam with internal cross bracing, such as a space frame, as is commonly known, although it will be appreciated that any other structural beam sections may be useful, as well, such as, by way of non-limiting example, hollow, solid or shaped beams. Each distal end of each segment 50 is secured to a corner support 52 by means as are commonly known. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, each corner support 52 includes a pivot 70 and a gap 72 to receive a hinged support member 46 therein, as will be set out below.

Each hinged support member 46 includes lower and upper portions, 54 and 56, respectively, and extends between lower and upper ends, 60 and 62, respectively, with a hinge 64 at a midpoint 58 therebetween. Each hinged support member 46 includes inner and outer surfaces 66 and 68, respectively. The hinge 64 joins the lower and upper portions 54 and 56 proximate to the inner surface 66 such that the lower and upper portions 54 and 56 hinge towards each other bringing the inner surface 66 of each portion in proximity when fully hinged. The lower and upper ends, 60 and 62, are pivotably joined to the bottom and top ring frames, 42 and 44 respectively, at the pivots 70 proximate to the outer surface 68, such that when the hinged support members 46 are fully extended to an upright position, the lower and upper ends 60 and 62 engage the bottom and top ring frames 42 and 44, respectively, within the gap 72 on each corner support 52. Each lower and upper portion 54 and 56 is formed as a lightweight beam with internal cross bracing, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a space frame, as is commonly known, although it will be appreciated that any other structural beam sections may be useful, as well, such as, by way of non-limiting example, hollow, solid or shaped beams. It will be noted that the first collapsed or hinged position, not shown, is positioned such that the hinged support members 46 are fully hinged with the top ring frame 44 in proximity to the bottom ring frame 42.

Referring to FIG. 4, each hinged support member 46 includes a flexible tension member 74 extending from a winch 76 secured to the inner surface 66 of the lower portion 54, and extending to a distal end 78 with a fastener 80 thereon. The flexible tension member 74 is redirected through a pulley 82 at the midpoint 58. The flexible tension member 74 may be such as, by way of non-limiting example, a cable, as is commonly known. The fastener 80 is selectively secured to a mid suspension bracket 34, and may be of any suitable fastener type, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a hook. Each winch 76 is operable to adjust the length of the corresponding flexible tension member 74, thereby raising and lowering the structure 40, as will be set out below. The flexible tension member 74 extends horizontally between the pulley 82 at the midpoint 58 and the corresponding mid suspension bracket 34, thereby aligning the midpoint 58 with the midline 202 of the bag 12.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the tube auger 110 extends between first and second ends, 112 and 114, respectively. The first end 112 of the tube auger 110 is positioned below the bag 12 at the central discharge opening 28 proximate to the center axis 200 with the tube auger 110 extending radially therefrom, over the bottom ring frame 42 such that the second end 114 may be accessed from the exterior of the structure 40. Tube augers are commonly known in the art and will not be described in further detail. For clarity, the tube auger 110 is not illustrated in other figures, although it will be appreciated that the tube auger 110 is present in all illustrated configurations of the system 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the roof assembly 90 is comprised of a plurality of trusses 92 extending from a central fill port 94 with a cover 98 extending over the trusses 92 to form a roof structure, as is commonly known. The central fill port 94 may be such as, by way of non-limiting example, an open cylinder, having a passage 96 therethrough, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Note that in FIG. 4 the top portion 20 of the bag 12 has been removed for clarity. The central fill port 94 is aligned with the central fill opening 22 of the bag 12, and the bag 12 may be secured proximate to the central fill opening 22 to the roof assembly 90 proximate to the central fill port 94 to direct fill material therein. The trusses 92 are selected to form a roof angle 100. The roof angle 100 is selected by means as are commonly known in the art, to correspond to the fill angle of the material to be stored therein. As outlined above, the top opening angle 24 of the bag 12 is selected to correspond with the roof assembly 90, and thus to the roof angle 100. The trusses 92 engage upon the top ring frame 44 at the corner supports 52 and may be sized to extend beyond the top ring frame 44 creating a roof overhang as is commonly known.

To utilize the system 10, the structure 40 is placed in a fully hinged position at a desired location. In a fully hinged position, the hinged support members 46 are fully collapsed, as outlined above, with the top ring frame 44 in close proximity to the bottom ring frame 42. The tube auger 110 is positioned such that the first end 112 is located proximate to at the center axis 200, with the tube auger passing between the bottom and top ring frames 42 and 44 and the second end 114 extending beyond the structure 40, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The bag 12 is placed in the center of the ring frames 42 and 44, with the central discharge opening 28 positioned on the first end 112 of the tube auger 110, and the bag 12 rotationally aligned such that the brackets 32, 34 and 102 are aligned with the hinged support members 46. The upper suspension brackets 32 are secured to the top ring frame 44 by means as are commonly known, and the mid suspension brackets 34 are secured to the corresponding flexible tension members 74 with the fasteners 80. With the bag in place, the roof assembly 90 is mounted to the top ring frame 44 by any suitable method.

With all components in place, the winches 76 are engaged simultaneously to reduce the length of the flexible tension members 74. As the length of the flexible tension members 74 is reduced, the midpoint 58 of each hinged support member 46 moves towards the mid suspension brackets 34, and therefore towards the bag 12 at the bag midline 202, in a direction generally indicated at 120 in FIG. 4. The flexible tension members 74 are in tension in this position, as is commonly known, with the tension forces transferred through the flexible tension members 74 and through the mid suspension brackets 34 to the inner flexible tension members 36, such that the forces are used to pull the midpoint 58 towards the bag 12, thus extending the hinged support members 46 to a fully extended position, and lifting the top ring frame 44 with the roof assembly 90 thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The inner flexible tension members 36 ensure that the external material of the bag 12 does not transfer forces therethrough, thus maintaining the integrity of the bag material. The bag midline 202 is maintained in alignment with the midpoint 58 of the hinged support members 46 at a distance from the ground generally indicated at 122 in FIGS. 4 and 5. The top edge 16 of the bag 12 is maintained proximate to the top ring frame 44 with the upper suspension brackets 32 secured thereto, as set out above. As the winches 76 continue to reduce the length of the flexible tension members 74, the distance 122 increases until the hinged support members 46 are in a fully extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, with the bag 12 fully erected.

When the bag 12 is fully erected, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a plurality of cross braces 130 are secured to the structure 40. Each cross brace 130 extends between the bottom and top ring frames 42 and 44 proximate to the corner supports 52 of adjacent hinged support members 46. The cross braces 130 may be flexible tension members, such as cables, as are commonly known. When secured in place by known means, the cross braces 130 ensure that the hinged support members 46 are maintained in an extended position. With the cross braces 130 in place, the tension forces in the flexible tension members 74 may be released by increasing the length thereof with the winches 76. The fasteners 80 at the distal ends 78 of the flexible tension members 74 may then be disconnected from the mid suspension brackets 34 such that the bag 12 is maintained in an erect position with the upper suspension brackets 32. The flexible tension members 74 are not used during the bag filling process.

During bag filling, the material to be stored enters the bag 12 through the passage 96 of the central fill port 94 and through the central fill opening 22 of the bag 12. The structure 40 does not support the weight of the material, as the base of the bag 12 is resting on the ground, such that the material load is transferred to the ground below the bag 12. Any change in dimension of the bag is absorbed by the shock absorption within the upper suspension brackets 32, as set out above.

Turning now to FIG. 6, to discharge the bag 12, the tube auger 110 (not shown) is activated, thus discharging the material 140 through the central discharge opening 28 until the material 140 has reached the angle of repose 142, as is commonly known, at which point the material 140 will no longer discharge from the bag 12 while in the fill position. Note that in this position the bottom portion 26 of the bag 12 is compressed below the bottom edge 18. To extract the remaining material 140 from the bag 12, the bottom edge 18 is lifted to expose the bottom portion 26, thereby directing the remaining material 140 through the central discharge opening 28.

Referring to FIG. 7, to lift the bottom edge 18 of the bag 12, the distal ends 78 of the flexible tension members 74 are secured to the discharge suspension brackets 102 with the fasteners 80. The winches 76 are then engaged simultaneously to reduce the length of the flexible tension members 74 thus lifting the bottom edge 18 of the bag 12 and exposing the bottom portion 26. The angle of repose 142, as illustrated in FIG. 6, is overcome and the material 140 therein is directed towards the central discharge opening 28, thus allowing for the bag 12 to be fully discharged.

With the bag 12 fully discharged, the structure 40 may be collapsed back to the original hinged position by reversing the process described above. First the bottom edge 18 of the bag 12 is returned to the lowered position and the flexible tension members 74 removed from the discharge suspension brackets 102. The flexible tension members 74 are then secured to the mid suspension brackets 34 and the winches 76 adjusted to ensure that the flexible tension members 74 are in tension. The cross braces 130 are then removed such that they are no longer maintaining the hinged support members 46 in an extended position. The winches 76 are simultaneously engaged to increase the length of the flexible tension members 74, thereby allowing the hinged support members 46 to pivot about the hinge 64 and the pivots 70, lowering the top ring frame 44 and roof assembly 90 towards the bottom ring frame 42. Once fully collapsed, the system 10 may be disassembled and relocated.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the system may optionally include a plurality of lifting brackets 150 connected to each discharge suspension bracket 102 to assist with the efficient discharge of all material 140 from the interior thereof. The lifting brackets 150 comprise an elongate member extending between bottom and top ends, 152 and 154, respectively. The bottom end 152 includes a bottom bracket 156 to which the distal end 78 of the flexible tension member 74 may be selectably connected. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the cable connection location 157 for the flexible tension member 74 is offset radially outward from the bag connection point 155 such that lifting upwardly upon the cable connection location 157 by the flexible tension member 74 rotates the top end 154 radially inward in a direction indicated at 160. It will be appreciated that this rotation reduces the radius of the bag at higher locations thereon and therefore retains more of the material 140 central to the bag so as to cause the material 140 to be discharged quicker. The lifting brackets 150 may be connected to the bag 12 proximate to the top end 154 by a connection strap 158 or the like.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A system for storing a loose material comprising:

an upright bag extending between a top and a bottom with a middle portion therebetween, said upright bag including internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards;

a support structure operable to lift said bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position, wherein said structure comprises: a base; a top ring frame surrounding and securable to said top of said upright bag; a plurality of hinged support members extending between said base and said top ring frame; wherein each of said plurality of hinged support members is pivotably connected to said base and said top ring frame;

a flexible tension member extending between each of said plurality of hinged support members and said middle portion of said bag; and

a winch connected to each flexible tension member wherein said winch is operable to adjust a distance between said bag and said midpoint of said hinged support members so as to move said bag and said support structure between a first collapsed position in which the bag is collapsed and said hinged support members are bent and a second filled position in which said bag is upright and said hinged support members are upright.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said middle portion of said bag includes a plurality of lift brackets on an outer surface thereof distributed circumferentially therearound at locations corresponding to said plurality of hinged support members, wherein a distal end of said flexible tension member is selectively operably connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of lift brackets.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said internal bracing comprises a plurality of inner flexible tension members extending across an interior of said bag.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said plurality of inner flexible tension member extend diametrically across said interior of said bag.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said plurality of flexible tension members extend to ends secured to an inner surface of said bag at locations corresponding to said plurality of lift brackets.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said plurality of flexible tension member are located at a midpoint along said bag between said bottom and said top.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said bag includes an open through said top for filling said bag.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said bag includes a discharge opening through said bottom for emptying said bag.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said top of said bag has an inverse frustoconical shape with said opening at an apex thereof.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a roof assembly adapted to engage upon said top ring frame and cover said upright bag.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said top of said bag is connected to and suspended from said roof assembly.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said roof assembly has an inverse conical shape.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said bottom of said bag has an upright conical bottom portion extending from said bottom edge of said fillable portion, said conical bottom portion having a central bag discharge opening therethrough.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said flexible tension member is selectively operably connectable to said bottom edge said bag.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said winch is operable to adjust the length of said flexible tension member extending between each of said plurality of hinged support members and said bottom edge of said fillable portion of the bag such that the bag is raised to said third discharge position, wherein said bottom edge of said fillable portion is raised to direct material within the bag to a radial center.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of lift arms extending connected to said bottom of said bag, wherein said plurality of lift arms extend upwardly along said bag to a top end and are connected to each flexible tension member such that lifting up by the flexible tension member rotates said plurality of lift arms inward so as to compress said middle portion of the bag as a periphery of said bottom is raised.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said plurality of lift arms are secured to said bag proximate to said top end.

18. A method for erecting a collapsible bag, the method comprising:

providing an upright bag extending between a top and a bottom with a middle portion therebetween, said upright bag including internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards;

surrounding said bag with a structure operable to lift said bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position, wherein said structure comprises: a base; a top ring frame surrounding and securable to said top of said upright bag; a plurality of hinged support members extending between said base and said top ring frame; wherein each of said plurality of hinged support members is pivotably connected to said base and said top ring frame;

connecting a flexible tension member extending from each of said plurality of hinged support members and to said middle portion of said bag; and

retracting said flexible tension member with a winch connected to each flexible tension member so as to adjust a distance between said bag and said midpoint of said hinged support members so as to move said bag and said support structure between a first collapsed position in which the bag is collapsed and said hinged support members are bent and a second filled position in which said bag is upright and said hinged support members are upright.