WO1996041754A2

WO1996041754A2 - Collapsible bin-type for bulk materials

Info

Publication number: WO1996041754A2
Application number: PCT/GB1996/001352
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Ronald Brimson
Original assignee: Centa-Pak Limited
Priority date: 1995-06-09
Filing date: 1996-06-04
Publication date: 1996-12-27
Also published as: WO1996041754A3; GB9511708D0; ZA964828B; AU6009396A

Abstract

A container arrangement (10) (Fig. 5) comprising a support structure in the form of a frame assembly (12) and flexible containing means (14) attached to the assembly (12) generally at the open top end of the means (14) and arranged to define a space (16) to contain material therein, the assembly (12) being generally collapsible substantially as an integral unit from a first, erect condition (Figs. 1, 5) in which the containing means (14) defines a relatively large space (16) for containment of material, to a second, collapsed condition (Fig. 3) following or during dispensing of material, for transport and/or storage. A movable base plate (62) is pivotally connected along the side thereof adjacent a dispensing valve arrangement (58) about a torque bar (64). The torque bar (64) is in torsion when the base plate (62) lies above a fixed base (54), and is generally free from torsion, when the base plate (54) is inclined on the base plate (54) in a direction down toward the slot (56), such that as the weight of material in the container and bearing on the movable plate (62) reduces as material is dispensed through the valve arrangement (58), the plate (62) gradually inclines to slope down toward the valve arrangement (58) and thereby guide material to the valve arrangement (58) to be dispensed.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE BIN-TYPE FOR BULK MATERIALS

The present invention relates to a container arrangement, and particularly but not exclusively to a container arrangement of the bag-in-box type for containing and dispensing fluid materials in bulk.

Conventional bag-in-box type containers used for the transport and storage of fluid materials (both liquids and powders) in bulk volumes comprise an outer casing and an inner flexible bag in which the material is located. The material is stored, transported and dispensed with the container in an erect condition. However, once the material has been dispensed, the outer casing may be dismantled for more compact transport back to a filling station. This is inconvenient and labour intensive, often requiring at least two operatives.

Further, once the dismantled container has reached the filling station or is otherwise required for use, it must be reassembled, which again is both labour intensive and inconvenient. It is also found that the outlet valves on such containers through which the material is dispensed are often fully exposed during transport and thereby susceptible to damage.

Another significant disadvantage of known containers of this type is that a residue of material is left in the container following dispensing. This can be a considerable volume of material. In an attempt to overcome this problem, known containers are tilted manually to slope the bottom thereof towards the outlet. A ratchet mechanism is employed to assist this. Again, this is labour intensive, inconvenient and susceptible to failure .

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the disadvantages of the aforesaid prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a container arrangement comprising an outer support structure and flexible containing means attached to the structure and arranged to define a space to contain material therein, the assembly being generally collapsible substantially as an integral unit from a first, erect condition in which the containing means defines a relatively large space for containment of material, to a second, collapsed condition.

Preferably the structure is symmetrically collapsible.

Preferably the outer structure comprises a pivotally collapsible frame assembly which is desirably collapsible about a plurality of pivotal connections. The connections may be provided in at least one generally upright member in the assembly. Preferably the or each upright member is foldably collapsible such that a top structure of the assembly is lowered generally onto a base of the assembly to the collapsed condition.

Preferably the or each upright member comprises a plurality and desirably three sections pivotally connected in series. Preferably the sections are substantially the same length. A first of said sections is preferably pivotally attached at one end to a base of the assembly, preferably substantially at one corner of the base, and pivotally attached at its other end to one end of a second section, to be pivotally movable from a generally upright position, to a folded position in which the said first section lies generally along, at least part of, and desirably less than half the length of, the side of the base.

Preferably the said second section is attached to the first section to be pivotally movable from a generally upright position on the first section to a folded position in which the second section lies on the first section on the base. Preferably releasable locking means is provided to lock the first and second sections in generally upright coaxial alignment. The locking means may comprise an arm pivotally attached to a one of said sections and movable from a first position in which relative pivotal movement of the sections is allowed, to a locking position in which the arm releasably engages a formation on the other of the said sections to lock the sections against relative pivotal movement. The arm may extend across the pivotal connection between the first and second sections when in the locking position. Preferably the arm is attached to the second section and is preferably movable to the locking position under the influence of gravity.

Preferably the second section is pivotally connected to an upper section desirably rigidly connected integral with the top structure of the assembly. Preferably the containing means is attached generally at an upper, open end thereof to the top structure. The second and upper sections may be connected to be movable between a generally coaxial, upright position to a folded position in which the second section lies on the first section and the upper section extends upwardly therefrom to space the top structure from the base. Alternatively, the second section may be pivotally attached to the top structure such that the top structure lies on the second section when the assembly is in the collapsed condition. Preferably a locking arrangement is provided to releasably retain the second and upper sections in coaxial alignment. The locking arrangement may comprise locking means generally as defined above. Alternatively or additionally, the arrangement may comprise a slot formed in one of the said sections along which the pivot therebetween is slidably movable when the sections are generally in coaxial alignment between a first position ' in which sections can mutually pivot and a second position in which sections overlap in an axial direction thus preventing relative pivotal movement.

Preferably the sections are in said folded positions when the assembly is in the collapsed condition, and in said generally coaxial positions when the assembly is in the erect condition.

Preferably the assembly comprises four upright members disposed on respective corners of a generally quadrilateral base.

Preferably the base comprises an upwardly extending wall extending generally around the periphery thereof and in which is located a slot to receive and support the outlet of a dispensing valve arrangement of the containing means and/or an inner flexible liner located within the containing means to hold material. Alternatively or additionally an upwardly extending member may be provided on the base which member comprises a slot as aforesaid. A closure may be provided to be locatable over the slot front side to protect a valve arrangement located in the slot, for example during transport. The closure may comprise a pivotal door attached to the base.

Preferably the assembly comprises means defining one or more openings to receive lifting apparatus, such as the tines of a forklift truck for use in supporting the top structure during movement of the assembly between the collapsed and erect conditions.

Preferably the base is arranged to automatically move from a substantially horizontal position to a position in which it directs fluid flow of material toward an outlet in the arrangement for dispensing. The base may comprise means operable to lift a platform on which the material is supported to a position inclined down toward the outlet as the weight of material on the base reduces. Preferably the means comprises a resilient member, such as a torque bar, and which acts to bias the support generally about a pivot axis which may be located adjacent the outlet against the weight of the material.

Alternatively or additionally one or more spring members may be provided, desirably beneath the platform support and preferably generally at the side of the platform support remote from the outlet, to cause said movement .

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for storage and dispensing of fluid material, the container comprising a structure to contain material therein and which has a base on which contained material is supported, and means operable to automatically move the base to a position in which the base directs fluid flow of material toward an outlet as the weight of the material supported thereon reduces, to assist the dispensing of material from the container .

Preferably the means is operable to automatically tilt the base to incline the base down towards the outlet. Preferably the tilt means comprise means substantially as defined in paragraphs sixteen and/or seventeen above.

Preferably the container comprises an outer frame assembly in which the base is provided, and flexible containing means attached to the assembly. Preferably the flexible containing means may be connected to the outlet. The flexible containing means may be arranged to contain a liner in which material is located. The liner may be connectable to the outlet. The container may comprise a container arrangement substantially as defined in any of paragraphs six to seventeen above.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container support structure in an erect condition according to the present invention ;

Fig. 2 is the structure of Fig. 1 in a part- collapsed condition;

Fig. 3 is the structure of Fig. 1 in a collapsed condition;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of locking means on the structure according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a container arrangement according to the present invention, in an erect condition;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of a closure member according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a cross-section along the line VII-VII of the lower part of Fig. 5, with an inner liner loaded with material contained therein in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 7, showing the base of the assembly in an inclined position according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a container arrangement 10 (Fig. 5) comprising a support structure in the form of a frame assembly 12 and flexible containing means 14 attached to the assembly 12 generally at the open top end of the means 14 and arranged to define a space 16 to contain material therein, the assembly 12 being generally collapsible substantially as an integral unit from a first, erect condition (Figs. 1,5) in which the containing means 14 defines a relatively large space 16 for containment of material, to a second, collapsed condition (Fig. 3) following or during dispensing of material, for transport and/or storage.

In more detail, the frame assembly 12 comprises a generally square base 18 from generally each corner of which extends an upright member 20.

Each upright member 20 comprises a lower section 22 pivotally connected one end to the base^' 18 about a pivot 24, and at its other end to one end of a middle section 26 about a pivot 28. The middle section 26 is pivotally attached at its other end to an upper section 30 about a pivot 32, the upper section 30 being integrally formed with a top structure 34 of the assembly. The top structure 34 comprises four generally horizontal cross-members 36 interconnecting the upper sections 30 to define a generally square area, thus giving the assembly 12 a generally cubic configuration when erect. Loop formations 38 are provided on at least two opposing ones of the cross-members 36 to define openings 40 for the location of lifting means, such as the tines of a forklift truck (not shown).

The pivots 24,28,32 are arranged to allow the upright members 20 to fold between positions in which the upright members 20 are in coaxial alignment (the assembly is erect), to a folded condition, in which the lower sections 22 lie flat on the base 18, the respective middle section 26 lies across the lower section 22, and the upper section 30 extends upward generally from the base 18, to space the cross-members 36 from the base 18 a short distance (Fig. 3). The upright members 20 fold as two pairs, each pair across one of opposing sides of the base 18. Fig. 2 shows the members 20 in a part-folded condition. When the upright members 20 are folded the assembly is in the collapsed condition.

Fig. 4 shows locking means 42 which is provided on each of the upright members 20 to be locatable over the pivot 28 to prevent pivotal movement between the lower and middle sections 22,26. The locking means 42 comprises an arm 44 pivotally mounted about a pivot 46 on the middle section 26 and movable under its own weight to the locking position. The arm 44 comprises a clasp 48 operable to releasably clasp a projecting formation 50 located on the lower section 22 when in a locking position, thereby locking the joint, and which is releasable therefrom to unlock the sections 22,26 and allow relative pivotal movement therebetween.

The pivot 32 between the middle and upper sections 26,32 may also be lockable by a similar locking means (not shown) provided between the middle and upper members 26,30. Alternatively or additionally the pivot 32 may incorporate a pivot pin and slot arrangement allowing relative axial movement of the members 26,30, such that when the assembly 12 is in the erect condition, the section 30 locates partly within or around the middle section 26, thereby preventing relative pivotal movement, with the location being releasable when the upper section 30 is raised slightly to enable pivotal movement. This arrangement may if desired be provided between the lower. ^' and middle sections 22,26.

The base 18 comprises an upstanding perimeter wall 52 which extends upwardly around the perimeter of a base plate 54. A slot 56 (Fig. 6) is provided in one side of the wall 52 along one edge of the base 18, for location of a valve arrangement 58 of the containing means 14 and/or an inner liner 68 (Figs. 7 and 8). The slot 56 supports the valve arrangement 58 in an appropriate position to facilitate connection of conduits and/or pumping apparatus for dispensing of material from the arrangement 10. A protective shield 60 is pivotally attached to the base 18 to be removably locatable over the valve arrangement 58 to protect the valve arrangement 58 for example during transport of a loaded arrangement 10. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the base further comprises a second, movable base plate 62 which extends over the fixed base plate 54, within the confines of the wall 52. The movable base plate 62 is pivotally connected along the side thereof adjacent the slot 56 about a torque bar 64. The torque bar 64 comprises a length of metal, attached between the base plate 54 and the movable base plate 62, to be in torsion when the base plates are adjacent and generally horizontal, and to be free from torsion, or have reduced torsion when the base plate 54 is inclined on the base plate 54 in a direction down toward the slot 56.

It is to be appreciated that the torque bar 54 may be replaced or supplemented by any suitable resilient means, such as compression springs located beneath the base plate 62.

Feet 66 are provided on the base 18 to distance the base 18 from the ground, and thereby enable lifting of the arrangement 10 by lifting means such as a forklift truck .

In use, the arrangement 10 in the erect condition (Fig. 5) defines a space 16, in which an inner liner 68 is located. This is then loaded with material, such as liquid or free flowing powder at a filling station, and then sealed. A cover (not shown) may be located over the top of the containing means 14 to enclose the liner 68 therein .

The valve arrangement 58 of the liner 68 or containing means 14 is located in the slot 56 to be supported thereby, and the shield 60 is closed over the valve arrangement 58 to protect it. The container arrangement 10 may then be transported to a location at which the material is desired to be dispensed.

To dispense the material from the arrangement 10, the shield 60 is pivotally removed from over the valve arrangement 58, and a dispensing conduit, pumping apparatus etc. is connected to the valve arrangement 58, if desired. The valve 58 is then opened, and the material dispensed- from the arrangement. Depending upon the material being dispensed, gravity may be sufficient to dispense the material.

As the weight of the material supported on the movable base plate 62 drops, the torque bar 64 gradually moves the movable base plate 62 from a generally horizontal position (Fig. 7) to an inclined position (Fig. 8), in which material contained within the liner 68 drains towards the outlet valve arrangement 58. This ensures that little or no material remains trapped in the bottom of the liner 68 following dispensing.

Once the liner 68 is empty, it may be removed from within the containing means 14. The locking arrangements 42 are removed from the locking position (Fig. 4) to a position in which pivotal movement between the upper and lower sections 22,26 is permitted thereby. The locking arrangements provided between the middle and upper sections 26,30 are also released, and the top structure 34 is lowered, the respective upright members 20 folding over respective sides of the base, as the assembly 12 is collapsed via the intermediate condition shown in Fig. 2 to the fully collapsed condition as shown in Fig. 3. This collapsed condition enables space efficient return of the arrangement 10 to the filling station, or space efficient storage.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement 10 of the present invention collapses as a single unit, without the need for parts thereof to be removed. This results in a simple and efficient procedure for collapsing and erecting the arrangement 10. Whilst the openings 40 enable a forklift truck to be used if desired, it has been found that the arrangement 10 can be readily erected and collapsed by a single operative, easily and quickly. Moreover, since there is no dissociation of parts of the arrangement 10, there is no likelihood of any being misplaced. The gravitational action of the locking arrangement 42 also facilitates erection of the assembly.

Further, the automatically inclining base plate 62 ensures that there is little or no material left in the liner 68 and therefore obviates the problem of wastage, without the need for an operative to take any action.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, the locking arrangement may take any convenient form. The torque bar 64 may be replaced by appropriate spring means to move the base plate 62 or any other appropriate formation to a position to direct material toward the outlet valve. The pivots 32 may be adjacent the top structure 34, whereby the container can be collapsed to an even more compact configuration for transportation. Further, the perimeter wall may be removed where possible to reduce the cost of manufacture and weight of the container, whereby to ease transporta¬ tion etc. A support member may be provided on the base to support the outlet. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

C L A I MS

1. A container arrangement comprising an outer support structure and flexible containing means attached to the structure and arranged to define a space to contain material therein, the arrangement being generally collapsible substantially as an integral unit from a first, erect condition in which the containing means defines a relatively large space for containment of material to a second, collapsed condition.

2. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the structure is symmetrically collapsible.

3. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the outer structure comprises a pivotally collapsible frame assembly.

4. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 3, in which the assembly is collapsible about a plurality of pivotal connections.

5. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 4, in which the connections are provided in at least one generally upright member in the assembly.

6. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 5, in which the or each upright member is foldably collapsible such that a top structure of the assembly is lowered generally onto a base of the assembly to the collapsed condition .

7. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the or each upright member comprises a plurality of sections pivotally connected in series.

8. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 7, in which the sections are substantially the same length.

9. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, in which a first of said sections is pivotally attached at one end to a base of the assembly, pivotally attached at its other end to one end of a second section, to be pivotally movable from a generally upright position, to a folded position in which the said first section lies generally along, at least part of, and desirably less than half the length of, the side of the base .

10. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 9, in which the first section is attached at its said one end substantially at one corner of the base.

11. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the said second section is attached to the first section to be pivotally movable from a generally upright position on the first section to a folded position in which the second section lies on the first section on the base.

12. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, in which releasable locking means is provided to lock the first and second sections in generally upright coaxial alignment.

13. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 12, in which the locking means comprises an arm pivotally attached to a one of said sections and movable from a first position in which relative pivotal movement of the sections is allowed, to a locking position in which the arm releasably engages a formation on the other of the said sections to lock the sections against relative pivotal movement.

14. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 13, in which the arm extends across the pivotal connection between the first and second sections when in the locking position.

15. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which the arm is attached to the second section .

16. A container arrangement as^'claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, in which the arm is movable to the locking position under the influence of gravity.

17. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 9 to 16, in which the second section is pivotally connected to an upper section.

18. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 17, in which the upper section is rigidly connected integral with the top structure of the assembly.

19. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 6 to 18, in which the containing means is attached generally at an upper, open end thereof to the top structure .

20. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, in which the second and upper sections are connected to be movable between a generally coaxial, upright position to a folded position in which the second section lies on the first section and the upper section extends upwardly therefrom to space the top structure from the base.

21. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 9 to 16, in which the second section is pivotally attached to the top structure such that the top structure lies on the second section when the arrangement is in the collapsed condition.

22. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20, in which a locking arrangement is provided to releasably retain the second and upper sections in coaxial alignment.

23. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 21, in which a locking arrangement is provided to releasably retain the second section against pivotal movement on the top structure.

24. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 22 or 23, in which the locking arrangement comprises locking means generally as defined in any of claims 12 to 16.

25. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 22, in which the arrangement comprises a slot formed in one of the said sections along which the pivot therebetween is slidably movable when the sections are generally in coaxial alignment between a first position in which sections can mutually pivot and a second position in which sections overlap in an axial direction thus preventing relative pivotal movement.

26. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 9 to 25, in which the sections are in said folded positions when the arrangement is in the collapsed condition, and in said generally coaxial positions when the arrangement is in the erect condition.

27. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims

5 to 26, in which the assembly comprises four upright members disposed on respective corners of a generally quadrilateral base.

28. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims

6 to 27, in which the base comprises an upwardly extending wall extending generally around the periphery thereof and in which is located a slot to receive and support the outlet of a dispensing valve arrangement of the containing means and/or an inner flexible liner located within the containing means.

29. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 6 to 28, in which an upwardly extending member is provided on the base which member comprises a slot to receive and support the outlet of a dispensing valve arrangement and/or an inner flexible liner located within the containing means to hold material.

30. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 28 or claim 29, in which a closure is provided to be locatable over the slot to protect a valve arrangement located in the slot, for example during transport, from damage from outside of the arrangement.

31. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 30, in which the closure comprises a pivotal door attached to the base.

32. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the arrangement comprises means defining one or more openings to receive lifting apparatus, such as the tines of a forklift truck for use in supporting the top structure during movement of the assembly between the collapsed and erect conditions.

33. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 5 to 32, in which the base is arranged to automatically move from a substantially horizontal position to a position in which it directs fluid flow of material toward an outlet in the arrangement for dispensing.

34. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 33, in which the base comprises means operable to tilt a platform on which the material is supported to a position inclined down toward the outlet as the weight of material on the base reduces.

35. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 34, in which the means comprises a resilient member which acts to bias the support generally about a pivot axis against the weight of the material.

36. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 35, in which the resilient member comprises a torque bar.

37. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 35 or claim 36, in which the pivot axis is located generally adjacent the outlet.

38. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 35 to 37, in which one or more spring members is provided beneath the platform support.

39. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 38, in which the spring member(s) is/are located generally at the side of the platform support remote from the outlet, to cause said movement.

40. A container for storage and dispensing of fluid material, the container comprising a structure to contain material therein and which has a base on which contained material is supported, and means operable to automatically move the base to a position in which the base directs fluid flow of material toward an outlet as the weight of the material supported thereon reduces, to assist the dispensing of material from the container.

41. A container as claimed in claim 40, in which the means is operable to automatically tilt the base to incline the base down towards the outlet.

42. A container as claimed in claim 40 or claim 41, in which th means comprise tilt means substantially as defined in any of claims 34 to 39.

43. A container as claimed in any of claims 40 to 42, in which the container comprises an outer frame assembly in which the base is provided, and flexible containing means attached to the assembly.

44. A container as claimed in claim 43, in which the flexible containing means is connected to the outlet.

45. A container as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44, in which the flexible containing means is arranged to contain a liner in which material is located.

46. A container as claimed in claim 45, in which the liner is connectable to the outlet.

47. A container as claimed in any of claims 40 to 46, in which the container comprises a container arrangement substantially as defined in any of claims 1 to 39.

48. A container arrangement substantially as herein¬ before described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

49. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

50. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.