GB2245883A

GB2245883A - A collapsible container

Info

Publication number: GB2245883A
Application number: GB9008340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Frederick Goymer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-08-25
Filing date: 1990-04-12
Publication date: 1992-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-12
Also published as: GB2260759B; GB9221771D0; GB9008340D0; GB2245883B; GB8919367D0; GB2260759A

Abstract

An intermediate bulk container 50, comprises four panels 51, forming the sides thereof on a pallet base 52. The panels are connected to one another by sliding connection along the length of their side edges and can be disconnected from one another and lain on the container base 52, to permit compact transport of the container 50, when empty. The panel connections give good resistance to bursting of the container. The interior surface of the panels 51, and base 52, are smooth and free from projections. This diminishes any risk of tearing of a lining bag when used in the container. An outlet port is defined in the floor of the container. <IMAGE>

Description

A CONTAINER FOR THE BULK TRANSPORT OF MATERIAL The invention relates to a container for the bulk transport of material, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a socalled intermediate bulk container which is collapsible for compact return transport and which includes a pallet so that it can be readily moved on site.

A known container of the kind particularly referred to above is shown in Figs.1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

Fig.1 is an elevation of the back and one side of the container and Fig.2 is a front perspective view of the container. The container 10 includes a pallet 11 on which are mounted four upwardly extending side panels 12, which, together with a top panel 13 and top of the pallet 11 form box 14 in thr shape of a cube. Each panel 12, 13 is made from a sheet of plywood 15 supported on a tubular metal framework 16. Each tubular metal framework 16 extends around the edges of the plywood sheet 15 as a square and includes two cross struts 17, which on the side panels extend vertically in use. The side panels 12 are secured to one another by overcentre clamps 18 and are located on the pallet 11 by downwardly extending tabs 19.The top panel 13 includes downwardly extending tabs 20 on two sides and on another side includes hooked tabs 21 which extend downwardly and under the top of the framework 16. At the opposite side of the top panel 13, the top panel is secured by an overcentre clamp 18. A sliding door 22 in the front of the container covers an outlet valve (not shown) for the contents of the container.

Containers of this type are commonly used with a flexible lining bag so that powders or liquids can be transported without becoming contaminated. It is also known, however, for the container to be used as a security container, for example, for electronic components for computers. Once the container has been used to transport material to a location1 the overcentre clamps can be released and the panels 12, 13 can be stacked on top of one another on the pallet and tied thereon for compact return transport.

Such containers may not, however, provide sufficient resistance to damag under certain conditions, and may tend to burst, for example, if dropped from a transport vehicle or loading crane. This is of particular concern where the material to be transported is, for example, a hazardous chemical.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a container for the bulk transport of material, the container comprising a plurality of panels forming the sides thereof which can be disconnected from one another to an extent permitting compact transport of the container when empty, the panels being connected to one another along at least half of the total length of their side edges.

In this way, a container is provided which has a high resistance to bursting, for example, as a result of a shock load on one corner, as the stresses from such a shock load are spread over connections on at least half of the length of each side.

The panels may be connected in any suitable manner but preferably are connected in a sliding manner.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a container for the bulk transport of material the container comprising a plurality of panels forming the sides thereof which can be disconnected from one another to an extent permitting compact Transport of the container when empty, the panels being arranged to be connected to one another in the erected container by sliding connections.

The sliding connection provides an even spread of any applied shock load and also enables the panels to be readily connected to one another in a simple manner.

Preferably, each sliding connection is provided along at least half of the total length of the side edges of each side panel.

In the most preferred embodiment, the panels are connected over substantially the whole of the length of their side edges.

The base of the container may be arranged to be substantially rigid and preferably the container includes a pallet which is connected at the base thereof to make the base substantially rigid. The pallet may be integral with the base. The pallet also, of course, enables easy transportation of the container about a site. As the base of the container is substantially rigid, it cannot bend or bow under stress to permit bursting of the container.

Preferably, lower retention means is provided for preventing the lower portions of each side panel from moving outwardly.

With the base of the container substantially rigid, the lower retention means prevents being or bowing of the lower portions of the side panels so that bursting is inhibited at all of the lower edges of the container. The lower retention means may take any suitable form and may comprise a stop for each side. Each stop may extend along at least half of the total transverse length of the lower portions of the side panels and preferably extends along substantially all of the transverse length of the lower portions of its side panels. In a preferred embodiment, two opposite stops form part of a sliding connection between their respective side panels and the base of the container.

Thus, a simple and strong connection is provided in this way between two side panels and the base of the container.

Clearly, with the side panels connected to one another, not more than two of the side panels can be connected to the base in a sliding fashion.

The container may be open topped for use in circumstances where a lid is not essential, but more usually or preferably includes a lid. Preferably upper retention means is provided, for preventing the upper portions of the side panels from moving away from the lid. The upper retention means for the opposite sides preferably comprises a sliding connection between the respective side panels and the lid.

The upper retention means for at least one side preferably comprises at least one releasable mechanical fastener, which may be an overcentre clamp.

Lid retention means may also be provided for preventing the edges of the lid from moving away from the side of the container. The lid retention means may comprise a stop for at least one edge and may comprise a stop for three edges of the lid. Each stop may extend along at least half of the length of each lid edge and preferably extends over substantially the whole length of its lid edge. Preferably, the stops for two opposite edges form part of a sliding connection between the edges and the respective side panels.

Preferably, the lid retention means or at least one edge thereof comprises at least one releasable mechanical fastener which may be an overcentre clamp.

The side panels may be formed from plastics material and where sliding connections are provided therebetween these are preferably integral with the side panels. The base may also be made of plastics material and, in the case where stops are provided these are preferably integral with the base. Also, the lid may be made from plastics material and, in the case where a stop or a sliding connection is provided the stop or the sliding connection is preferably integral with the lid.

A further problem which might occur in the known container described is that of damage through weakening or ripping of a flexible lining bag provided in the container by movement of the bag against the ends of bolts or rivets used to secure the framework 16 to the plywood panels 15. Thus the interior surface of a container according to the present invention is preferably smooth and free from projections.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a container for the bulk transport of material, the container comprising a plurality of panels forming the sides thereof which can be disconnected from one another to an extent permitting compact transport of the container when empty, the interior surface of the container being smooth and free from projections.

The side panels are preferably made from plastics material.

The base and/or lid of the container are preferably also made from plastics material.

A feature of the known container which may lead to its being used less frequently then might otherwise be the case, where liquids and powders are concerned, is that the outlet valve is positioned such that when it is opened, not all of the liquid or powder therein is able to flow out. For this reason, the containers must be tipped, which is time consuming and may also necessitate the expense of purchasing specialised tipping machines.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container for the bulk transport of material the container comprising a plurality of side panels which are connected and extend upwardly from a pallet, and a downwardly extending outlet port defined in the container1 the inner end of which is at least partly defined in the floor of the container.

In this way, on opening of the outlet, any liquid or powder within the container can flow out at a low level and little or no residue will remain within the container.

Preferably, the inner end of the outlet bore is defined entirely within the floor of the container.

The bore may be defined by a pipe as a separate component of the container, for example, but preferably the outer end of the bore is defined at least partly in the pallet and in the most preferred embodiment the outer end of the bore is defined entirely in the pallet. Conveniently, the outer end of the bore may be defined in an upright of the pallet and preferably is defined within an upright of the pallet which is substantially centrally arranged on one side thereof to lessen the chance of accidental damage.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an upright for a pallet, the upright defining a bore therewithin which extends from its upper surface to a side surface.

The bore may be curved, for example, where liquids are to be dispensed, or may be straight, which aids flow where powders are to be dispensed.

To assist in emptying of the container, the base of the container is preferably contoured to promote the flow of liquid or powder into the outlet bore. In the case where the container is arranged to be used with a flexible lining bag, the container is preferably arranged to support the bag in a manner so as to promote the flow of liquid or powder into the outlet bore.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an outlet pipe for a bag, the pipe including adjacent the outer end thereof at least one locating lug.

The or each locating lug prevents the pipe from twisting with respect to the bag and hence keeps the pipe in the position of maximum internal diameter and prevents twisting stresses being imposed on the pipe.

The pipe preferably also includes at the inner end thereof at least one further locating lug.

Preferably, a barrier for preventing outflow through the pipe is provided within the outer end of the pipe end over the bore thereof. The barrier may take any suitable form but preferably takes the form of a membrane. A protective member may be provided in front of the membrane. A protective member may be provided inside the bore of the pipe and preferably the internal bore of the pipe is screw threaded and the protective member includes complementary screw threads.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an outlet pipe for a bag according to the previously described aspect of the invention and including any of the preferred features mentioned in relation thereto, the outlet pipe being arranged to extend between the interior and exterior of a container for the bag and the container including a complementary recess arranged to receive the or each locating lug.

Preferably, the container is a container according to any previous aspect of the invention. Holding means is preferably provided for holding the or each outer locating lug in its complementary recess and the means preferably comprises a member having an internal screw thread which is arranged to be screw threaded onto an externally screw threaded portion adjacent the outer end of the pipe so as to abut the outside of the container. Means is preferably also provided for preventing movement of the pipe out of the container. The means preferably comprises a shoulder adjacent the outer end of the pipe which abuts a portion of the container.

The pipe may be a separate article suitably connected to a bag, but preferably is integral with the bag.

The pallet could be 1000 x 1200mm or 1200 x 1200mm.

Preferably, the container is dimensioned such that a plurality of containers can be transported in a standard ISO container with a high degree of space efficiency. The container may have the dimensions of a cube such that the maximum number of panels may be interchangeable.

Preferably the container has sufficient strength to permit at least one further container to be stacked thereon.

Preferably the container has sufficient strength to permit a number of the order of six further containers to be stacked thereon. The container may include thickened corner pillars or may include strengthening members e.g., in the form of metal rods, to provide such strength, if the basic structure is not sufficient. The container may include locating means to assist in location of a further container thereon. The locating means may take the form of a matingly engaging part arranged to engage with a complementary part on a further container. The male part may be a dome and the female part a recess.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to accompanying drawings in which:- Fig.3 is a front elevation of the embodiment, Fig.4 is a plan view of the base of the embodiment, Fig.5 is a side elevation of the base of the embodiment, Fig.6 is a rear elevation of the base of the embodiment, Fig.7 is a side elevation of a side panel of the embodiment, Fig.8 is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment, and Fig.9 is an elevation in partial cross-section of the outlet pipe of the embodiment.

The container 50 of the embodiment comprises five panels 51 mounted on a pallet 52 to form a box in the shape of a cube.

The pallet 52 is in the same shape as a conventional pallet but is moulded from plastics material. Around the edges of the upper surface of the pallet are grooves 53, 54. The grooves 53 on two opposite sides of the pallet are straight sided and the other two grooves 54 have a narrow entrance neck 55 as shown in phantom in Fig.7 so that they are able to form a sliding connection with an elongate projection on the lower edge of a side panel 51, the projection 56 including a narrow neck 57 leading to a larger head 58 which is received in the lower part of the groove 54 so that a side panel is prevented from moving upwardly out of the groove.

Sliding connections of this type are formed between each of the side panels. Once the side panels have been connected to each other, the two opposite side panels including elongate projections 56 are slid into the grooves 54. The lower edges of the other two side panels 51 are plain and arranged to be received in the straight sided grooves 53.

Overcentre clamps 59 are used to clamp the plain edged side panels to the pallet.

The fifth panel 51 is a lid 60. The upper edges of two opposite side panels 51 include grooves 54 for forming a sliding connection with downwardly facing elongate projections 56 provided on the underside of the lid 60 adjacent opposite edges thereof. The upper edge of one of the other side panels 51 is provided with a straight sided groove 53 which is arranged to receive an edge of the lid 60. The fourth edge of the lid 60 is secured to its adjacent side panel b overcentre clamps 59.

Fig.8 shows the connections at each edge of the container and in the Figure: "S" indicates a sliding connection "G" indicates a straight edged groove connection, and "C" indicates a connection only using clamps.

The pallet 52 includes nine uprights 61 between its base 62 and upper part 63. One upright 61 is provided in each corner of the pallet, one upright 61 is arranged centrally and the remaining four uprights are provided one at each edge of the pallet substantially centrally with respect thereto. An outlet bore 64 is defined in one of the central edge uprights 61, the inner end of the outlet bore 64 is defined in the floor of the container and the outlet end is defined in the outer vertical face of the upright 61. A hinged cover 65 is provided to protect the outer end of the outlet bore in use.

In use, items may be stored within the container either alone or inside a flexible lining bag, the latter being particularly useful for liquids or powders. The lining will include an outlet pipe 70 extending therefrom in a position to run through the outlet bore 64. As the outlet bore 64 is in the floor of the container, little if any residue will be left in the container after emptying through the outlet bore 64. In an alternative embodiment, the floor of the container instead of being flat is sloped down towards the outlet bore 64 to ensure that all of the powder or liquid flows out though the bore 64. The inside surfaces of the panels 51 are smooth and free from projections and, as shown in Fig.7, the connections at the edges of the panels 51 are flush and thus there is no risk of any inner flexible lining bag becoming damaged by the interior of the container.

The outlet pipe 70 is shown in Fig.9. At its inner end, the outlet pipe 70 includes a shoulder 71 which is received in a complementary counterbore 72 at the entrance to the outlet bore 64. A locating lug 73 extends downwardly from the shoulder 71 and is received in a recess in the floor of the container. A similar shoulder 74 and locating lug 75 are provided at the outer end of the pipe 70. The shoulder 74 forms the front of a collar 76 provided on the outlet pipe 70 and abuts a shoulder on the container where the outlet bore 64 narrows to a diameter closer to that of the outlet pipe 70. The narrower diameter outer part 77 of the outlet bore 64 includes a groove 78 for receiving the locating lug 75. The part 79 of the outlet pipe subsequent to the shoulder 74 includes both external and internal screw threads.A barrier membrane 80 is also provided adjacent the end of the outlet pipe and extends across the bore. The barrier membrane 80 prevents the contents of a flexible lining bag from leaving the bag through the outlet pipe 70.

The barrier membrane 80 is protected from damage from external sources in use by an externally screw threaded plug 81 which is screwed into the outlet pipe 70 in front of the barrier membrane 80. The outer end 79 of the outlet pipe 70 receives on its external screw threads an internally screw threaded securing ring 82. The securing ring 82 is received in a counterbore 83 in the container so that the outlet does not project from the container and the hinged cover 65 lies flush with the side of pallet.

In use, to empty the container of granular or liquid content, the plug 81 is first unscrewed and the membrane 80 must then be broken. This may be done with a drain tap 84 in the form of a thin walled cylindrical tube having an axially projecting blade 85 at one end. When the blade 85 is screwed into contact with the membrane 80, it will cut around its circumference. A method may be used to ensure that the membrane 80 is not completely detached from the outlet pipe 70 so that it undesirably is carried out of the outlet pipe 70 with the contents of the container. This may involve providing a stop or a marking on the drain tap 84 which will inform an operator when the blade 85 has cut a sufficient distance around the circumference of the membrane 8C, such as, for example, two thirds of the distance around.

A particular advantage of the invention is the resistance to bursting of a container according to the invention when subjected te a shock load, such as might be experienced if the container were accidentally dropped from a fork lift truck, for example. In particular it is intended that the embodiment should comply with the British Standard No.6939 for intermediate bulk containers for dangerous goods which is based on Chapter 16 of the 1986 United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

In the embodiment, the sliding connection between each of the sides means that any load is spread over the length of the sliding connection and is thus more readily absorbed.

Clearly it is impossible for a box to be constructed with sliding connections at every edge. At two of the lower edges of the container of the embodiment, plain edges of side panels 51 are received in straight sided grooves 53. A burst force tending to move a side panel 51 so as to bow the panel 51 will be resisted by the outer wall of the groove and any downwards component of the burst force will not be able to bow the rigid pallet base 52 away from the side panels 51. Any tendency for such a force to move a side panel 51 upwards away from the base is resisted by the overcentre clamps 59. It is also not possible for a bag to become squeezed between two panels for example, simply by the weight of the liquid or powder therewithin. In some instances a lid 60 will not be required and maybe be omitted.

In the embodiment the iid 60 is secured by sliding connections on two sides and by a groove connection on a further side. While the sliding connection as before, will resist any burst force transverse to the edge, the groove connection does not. In the embodiment, the groove connection with the lid 60 prevents the lid 60 from bowing away from the side panel but does not provide any resistance to bowing of the side panel away from the lid and overcentre clamps are thus used to provide this necessary retaining force. As neither a sliding nor a groove connection could be used on the final edge of the container, clamps are provided to resist any burst force.

While the particular arrangement of sliding and groove fastenings described is preferred, clearly alternative arrangements are possible.

The panels in the embodiment are of constant thickness, but in alternative embodiments, external ribs may be provided for additional strength.

In one alternative embodiment the lower edges of the panels to be received in grooves include a short projecting lip and a similar lip is provided on the outer edge of the groove.

Thus, in use, the pressure from the contents of the container will cause the lips to engage to prevent movement of a panel out of a groove.

Claims

1. A container for the bulk transport of material, the container comprising a plurality of panels forming the sides thereof which can be disconnected from one another to an extent permitting compact transport of the container when empty, the panels being connected to one another along at least half of the total length of their side edges.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panels are connected to one another in a sliding manner.

3. A container for the bulk transport of material, the container comprising a plurality of panels forming the sides thereof which can be disconnected from one another to an extent permitting compact transport of the container when empty, the panels being arranged to be connected to one another in the erected container by sliding connections.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein each sliding connection is provided along at least half of the total length of the side edges of each side panel.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panels are connected over substantially the whole of the length of their side edges.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base of the container is arranged to be substantially rigid.

7. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the container includes a pallet which is connected at the base thereof to make the base substantially rigid.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pallet is integral with the base.

9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein lower retention means is provided for preventing the lower portions of each side panel from moving outwardly.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein lower retention means comprises a stop for each side.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein each stop extends along at least half of the total transverse length of the lower portions of the side panels.

12. A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein each stop extends along substantially all of the transverse length of the lower portions of its side panels.

13. A container as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein two opposite stops form part of a sliding connection between their respective side panels and the base of the container.

14. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container includes a lid.

15. A container as claimed in claim 14, wherin upper retention means is provided, for preventing the upper portions of the side panels from moving away from the lid.

16. A container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the upper retention means for at least one side comprises a stop.

17. A container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the upper retention means comprises a skirt depending from te lid to act as a stop for each side.

18. A container as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the upper retention means for two opposite sides comprises a sliding connection between the respective side panels and the lid.

19. A container as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 18 wherein the upper retention means for at least one side comprises at least one releasable mechanical fastener.

20. A container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the releasable mechanical fastener is an overcentre clamp.

21. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein lid retention means is provided for preventing the edges of the lid from moving away from the side of the container.

22. A container as claimed in claim 21, wherein the lid retention means comprises a stop for at least one edge of the lid.

23. A container as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lid retention means comprises a stop for three edges of the lid.

24. A container as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein each stop extends along at least half of the length of each l-id edge.

25. A container as claimed in claim 24, wherein each stop extends over substantially the whole length of its lid edge.

26. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the stops for two opposite edges form part of a sliding connection between the edges and the respective side panels.

27. A container as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26, wherein the lid retention means or at least one edge thereof comprises at least one releasable mechanical fastener which may be an overcentre clamp.

28. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means is provided for preventing bowing of the lid.

29. A container as claimed in claim 28, wherein the means preventing bowing comprises at least one rib on the lid.

30. A container as claimed in claim 29, wherein, where the lid includes a depending skirt, the skirt comprises the said means for preventing bowing.

31. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the side panels are formed from plastics material.

32. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, where sliding connections are provided between side panels these are integral with the side panels.

33. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is made of plastics material.

34. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in the case where stops are provided these are preferably integral with the base.

35. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, where a lid is provided, the lid is made from plastics material.

36. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in the case where a stop or a sliding connection and a lid is provided the stop or the sliding connection is integral with the lid.

37. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the interior surface of the container is smooth and free from projections.

38. A container for the bulk transport of material, the container comprising a plurality of panels forming the sides thereof which can be disconnected from one another to an extent permitting compact transport of the container when empty, the interior surface of the container being smooth and free from projections.

39. A container as claimed in claim 38, wherein the side panels are made from plastics material.

40. A container as claimed in claim 38 or claim 39, wherein the base of the container is made from plastics material.

41. A container for the bulk transport of material, the container comprising a plurality of side panels which are connected and extend upwardly from a pallet, and a downwardly extending outlet port defined in the container, the inner end of which is at least partly defined in the floor of the container.

42. A container as claimed in claim 41, wherein the inner end of the outlet port is defined entirely within the floor of the container.

43. A container as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42, wherein the port simply passes through the floor of the container.

44. A container as claimed in claim 42, wherein a guard is provided adjacent the outlet end of the port.

45. A container as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42, wherein the outer end of the port isdefined at least partly in the pallet.

46. A container as claimed in claim 45, wherein the outer end of the port is defined entirely in the pallet.

47. A container as claimed in claim 46, wherein the outer end of the port is defined in an upright of the pallet.

48. A container as claimed in claim 47, wherein the said upright is substantially centrally arranged on one side thereof to lessen the chance of accidental damage.

49. An upright defining a port therewithin which extends from its upper surface to a side surface.

50. A container as claimed in any of claims 41 to 48, wherein the base of the container is contoured to promote the flow of liquid or powder into the outlet port.

51. A container as claimed in any of claims 41 to 48, wherein in the case where the container is arranged to be used with a flexible lining bag, the container is preferably arranged to support the bag in a manner so as to promote the flow of liquid or powder into the outlet port.

52. An outlet pipe for a bag, the pipe including adjacent the outer end thereof at least one locating lug.

53. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 52, wherein the pipe includes at the inner end thereof at least one further locating lug.

54. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 52 or 53, wherein a barrier for preventing outflow through the pipe is provided within the outer end of the pipe and over the bore thereof.

55. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 54, wherein the barrier takes the form of a membrane.

56. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 55, wherein a protective member is provided in front of the membrane.

57. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 56, wherein the protective member is provided inside the bore of the pipe.

58. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 57, wherein the internal bore of the pipe is screw threaded and the protective member includes complementary screw threads.

59. An outlet pipe for a bag as claimed in any of claims 52 to 58, the outlet pipe being arranged to extend between the interior and exterior of a container for the bag and the container including a complementary recess arranged to receive the or each locating lug.

60. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 59, wherein the container is a container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 47, 49 or 50.

61. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 59 or 60, wherein holding means is provided for holding the or each outer locating lug in its complementary recess.

62. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 61, wherein the holding means comprises a member having an internal screw thread which is arranged to be screw threaded onto an externally screw threaded portion adjacent the outer end of the pipe so as to abut the outside of the container.

63. An outlet pipe as claimed in any of claims 59 to 62, wherein means is provided for preventing movement of the pipe out of the container.

64. An outlet pipe as claimed in claim 63, wherein the means comprises a shoulder adjacent the outer end of the pipe which abuts a portion of the container.

65. An outlet pipe as claimed in any of claims 52 to 64, wherein the pipe is integral with a bag.

66. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 48, 50 or 51, wherein the container is dimensioned such that a plurality of the containers can be transported in a standard ISO container with a high degree of space efficiency.

67. A container as claimed in any of claimed 1 to 48, 50 or 51 or 66, wherein the container has sufficient strength to permit at least one further container to be stacked thereon.

68. A container as claimed in claim 67, wherein the container has sufficient strength to permit a number of the order of six further containers to be stacked thereon.

69. A container as claimed in claim 68, wherein the container includes strengthening members 60 provide said sufficient strength.

70. A container as claimed in any of claims 67, 68 and 69 wherein the container includes locating means to assist in location of a further container thereon.

71. A container as claimed in claim 70, wherein the locating means takes the form of a matingly engaging part arranged to engage with a complementary part on a further container.

72. A container as claimed in claim 71, wherein the male part is a dome and the female part a recess.

73. A container as claimed in claim 71 or 72, wherein the male part is provided on the top of the container and the female part in the base.

74. A container substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 3 to 9 or Figs. 10 to 26 of the accompanying drawings.

75. An outlet pipe for a bag substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 3 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

76. An upright for a pallet substantially as described with reference to Fig. 3 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.