WO2012016077A1

WO2012016077A1 - Palletless bulk bag

Info

Publication number: WO2012016077A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/045781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bobby Glenn Brown
Original assignee: B.A.G. Corp.
Priority date: 2010-07-28
Filing date: 2011-07-28
Publication date: 2012-02-02

Abstract

An efficient and cost-effective bulk bag may be provided could be pulled, pushed, lifted, transported, positioned, and/or stacked without the use of a pallet or skid. The bulk bag could include a coupling system having a sleeve-like structure disposed on one or more bottom edges of the bulk bag coupled with one or more blades of a moving device to aid in pulling, pushing, lifting, transporting, positioning, and/or stacking the bulk bag without the use of a pallet.

Description

PALLETLESS BULK BAG

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/368,467, filed on July 28, 2010, entitled "Palletless Bulk Bag," which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods of receiving, storing, transporting, and discharging bulk materials, and more specifically, to bulk bag systems for use without a pallet.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Bulk bags, also known as flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) , may be used to facilitate the receiving, storing, transporting, and discharging of flowable solids and other materials. In addition, forklift trucks and pallets (or skids) have been used to aid in lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking bulk bags and their contents. Pallets are generally flat structures used to support materials in a stable fashion that are being lifted, transported, positioned, or stacked by a forklift or other similar device or while in shipping containers. Pallets are often bulky, not easily accessible for use, and may add additional costs. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a palletless bulk bag system comprising a body having a bottom surface and a coupling system protruding from the bottom surface of the body, the coupling system including flanges to engage with blades of a moving device. The moving device may be selected from the group comprising a lifter, a powered truck, a powered truck device, a lift truck, a pusher/puller truck, a high/low, a stacker-truck, a trailer loader, a side loader, a fork truck, a tow-motor, a fork hoist, and a fixed crane with forklift-like capabilities. The flanges may be securely attached to the bottom surface of the body by a fastening mechanism selected from the group comprising a hook and loop fastener system, glue, adhesive, self-adhesive, heat-sensitive fastener, tape, putty, gel, magnet, zipper, slide-lock, wire, tie-back, twist tie, wire tie, web tie, cord lock, cable, drawstring, rope, button, snap, hook, hook and eye fastener, buckle, clasp, laces, a temporary fastener, a temporary retainer, a semi-permanent fastener, and a semi-permanent retainer. The flanges also may be removably coupled to the bottom surface of the body. The flanges may protrude from the bottom surface of the body in parallel or at an angle relative to each other. [0005] The palletless bulk bag system also may include a handle system selected from the group comprising lifting loops, fabric lifting loops, tumble straps, loop hooks, buckle straps, positioning cones, stevedore straps, and webbing lift loops. The system also may include a spout to selectively access the contents of the body. The spout may be selected from the group comprising an opening, a covered opening, a flap, a sling, a discharge/fill spout, a cone bottom/top, a full opening dump/duffle top, a drawstring cover, a protective cover, a fastener, and a handle.

[0006] Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a palletless bulk bag comprising a coupling system having at least one sleeve-like structure disposed on one or more bottom edges of the bulk bag, wherein the at least one sleeve-like structure may be coupled with one or more blades of a moving device to perform at least one function on the bulk bag without the use of a pallet. The at least one function to be performed on the bulk bag may be selected from the group comprising pushing, pulling, lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking. The at least one sleeve-like structure may be removably secured to the one or more bottom edges of the bulk bag. The at least one sleeve-like structure also may be disposed at the corners of the one or more bottom edges of the bulk bag. The at least one sleeve-like structure may be disposed along the length of each of the one or more bottom edges of the bulk bag. The at least one sleeve-like structure may include at least one reinforcement mechanism selected from the group comprising lining, protective coating, support plate, rigid metal strip, rigid plastic strip, and rigid extruded plastic strip. The bulk bag may be formed from a material selected from the group comprising polypropylene, micro-pored material, static controlled material, conductive material, metalized material, liner material, film material, foil material, coated material, tubular material, webbed material, baffle fabric, coated baffle fabric, nonflammable material, water-proof material, corrugated material, nylon, rope, jute, hemp, sisal, leather, fibers, rope-like material, twine, cloth, canvas, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , bungee cord material, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) , polyester, high-gloss polyester, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plastic, polymer, natural fiber, and synthetic fiber.

[ 0007 ] Additional embodiments may provide a bulk bag assembly for use without a pallet. Such an assembly may comprise a body formed with side panels and a bottom panel extending between and connected to the bottom edges of each of the side panels, and at least one flange-like structure disposed on one or more outer edges of the bottom panel for receiving at least one blade disposed on a surface of a moving device. The at least one flange-like structure may securely attach to the one or more outer edges of the bottom panel. The at least one flange-like structure may be secured to the one or more outside edges of the bottom panel by a fastening mechanism selected from the group comprising a hook and loop fastener system, glue, adhesive, self-adhesive, heat-sensitive fastener, tape, putty, gel, magnet, zipper, slide-lock, wire, tie-back, twist tie, wire tie, web tie, cord lock, cable, drawstring, rope, button, snap, hook, hook and eye fastener, buckle, clasp, laces, a temporary fastener, a temporary retainer, a semi-permanent fastener, and a semi-permanent retainer. The at least one flange-like structure may be removably coupled to the one or more outer edges of the bottom panel .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C are exemplary illustrations of an application for a bulk bag according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a bulk bag having a spout according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a bulk bag having a down spout according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0012] FIGURE 4 is an exemplary view of the bulk bag shown in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C in a partially unassembled state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure could generally provide bulk bag systems that could be lifted, transported, positioned, and/or stacked without the use of a pallet or skid. Bulk bag systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure could include a coupling system to aid in lifting, transporting, positioning, and/or stacking the bulk bag without the use of a pallet. In one embodiment, the present disclosure could provide five relatively flat two-dimensional pieces (e.g., a body piece, a coupling system, a handle system, lid piece, and bottom surface piece) that may be assembled to form a bulk bag, as generally shown in FIGURES 1-4. Although the following description generally describes a particular construction, it should be understood that any suitable configuration could be used to construct the bulk bag according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] In one embodiment, the bulk bags and the contents therein could be, for example, stacked on top of one another, transported, or handled as desired without the use of a pallet by coupling at least one flange-like structure disposed on one or more bottom edges of the bulk bag with one or more pulling, pushing, gripping, and/or coupling blades of a forklift-like device. The bulk bag could include three relatively flat two- dimensional pieces (e.g., a body piece, lid piece, and bottom surface piece) that are easily assembled to form a bulk bag having a lid and a bottom surface. As an example, the structure of the bulk bag could be secured or otherwise retained in place by simply folding certain portions of the lid and bottom surface pieces and joining these portions using a fastening system.

[0015] FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C are exemplary illustrations of an application 100 for bulk bag 100a according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that application 100 and bulk bag 100a shown in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable application, bag system, or bag-like system could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of application 100 or bulk bag 100a according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Although bulk bag 100a may be depicted as a somewhat rectangular-shaped three-dimensional structure, cube, or prism, it should be understood that bulk bag 100a could be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

[0016] Application 100 could generally include any suitable application such as the lifting, transporting, positioning, and/or stacking of bulk bag 100a without the use of a pallet or skid according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Application 100 illustrated in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C may include pushing or pulling bulk bag 100a using one or more flanges 108, such as flanges 108a and 108b, as later described in detail herein.

[0017] FIGURE 1A generally illustrates bulk bag 100a and flange 108a in an initially engaged position with blades 104a and 104b before being disposed on a moving device or lifter 102, while FIGURE IB generally illustrates bulk bag 100a and flange 108a in an engaged position after being partially disposed on lifter 102. FIGURE 1C generally illustrates bulk bag 100a and flange 108a in a fully disposed position on lifter 102. Although FIGURES 1A-1C may not illustrate more than one of bulk bag 100a stacked on top of each other, it should be understood that any suitable number of bulk bags 100a could be positioned or otherwise stacked on top of one another according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Application 100 could be implemented or generally used in warehouses, garages, factories, manufacturing plants, packaging plants, processing plants, storage facilities, transportation facilities, trucks, cargo ships, shipyards, commercial real estate locations, lumber yards, other suitable locations, or any combination thereof according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Although a particular scale of application 100 is shown in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C, it should be understood that application 100 could include any suitable scaled or sized application according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] In one embodiment, application 100 could include a system to lift, transport, position, and/or stack bulk bag 100a using, for example, lifter 102, forks or blades 104a and 104b

(collectively referred to herein as blades 104), while bulk bag 100a could include body 106 (depicted in FIGURE 2), flanges 108a and 108b (collectively referred to herein as flanges 108), handle system 110, and spout 112. Blades 104 and flanges 108 could generally provide a coupling system to aid in lifting, transporting, positioning, and/or stacking bulk bag 100a without the use of a pallet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure .

[0020] Bulk bag 100a could include different configurations for different applications, ease of use, and maximum fill/discharge efficiency according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, bulk bag 100a could be used as a platform to stack a second bulk bag 100a on top of a first bulk bag 100a. Bulk bag 100a could include a flat surface, stackable surface, liner, seal, opening, flap, sling, discharge/fill spout, cone bottom/top, full opening dump/duffle top, sling bottom, protective cover, fasteners, handles, identification information, color coding, other suitable accessories and information, or any combination thereof according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] When in use, bulk bag 100a and the contents therein could be, for example, stacked on top of one another, transported, or handled as desired according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, when not in use, bulk bag 100a could be folded or otherwise stored, recycled, or reused as desired. Bulk bag 100a could also be easily disassembled into relatively flat two-dimensional pieces (i.e., side panels 406a, 406b, 406c, and 406d as later described herein in conjunction with the description accompanying FIGURE 4) and stored, recycled, or reused as desired according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Although a particular structure of bulk bag 100a may be generally illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, it should be understood that bulk bag 100a could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape .

[0022] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, bulk bag 100a and parts of bulk bag 100a could be made of or include materials such as, for example, polypropylene, micro- pored material, static controlled material, conductive material, metalized material, liner material, film material, foil material, coated material, tubular material, webbed material, baffle fabric, coated baffle fabric, nonflammable material, water-proof material, corrugated material, nylon, rope, jute, hemp, sisal, leather, fibers, rope-like material, twine, cloth, canvas, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , bungee cord material, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) , polyester, high-gloss polyester, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plastic, polymer, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof.

[0023] Lifter 102 could be any suitable device or mechanism that could be used to push, pull, lift, transport, position, and/or stack bulk bag 100a and the contents therein without the use of a pallet according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, lifter 102 could include, for example, a powered truck, a powered truck device, a lift truck, a pusher/puller truck, a high/low, a stacker-truck, a trailer loader, a side loader, a fork truck, a tow-motor, a fork hoist, a fixed crane with forklift-like capabilities, other suitable device or mechanism, or any combination thereof. Although a particular structure of lifter 102 may be generally illustrated in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C, it should be understood that lifter 102 could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape. [0024] Blades 104 could be controlled by or otherwise manipulated by lifter 102 and include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape to push, pull, lift, transport, position, and/or stack bulk bag 100a and the contents therein without the use of a pallet, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, blades 104 could include an elongated fork-like configuration as generally shown in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C. Blades 104 could be used to removably couple or grip a portion of one or more flanges 108 to push, pull, lift, transport, position, and/or stack bulk bag 100a and the contents therein without a pallet as desired.

[0025] Although a particular structure of blades 104 is generally illustrated in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C, it should be understood that blades 104 could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As examples, each of blades 104 could be generally parallel to each other or be generally disposed at acute or obtuse angles relative to each other. In one embodiment, the size or shape of blades 104 could generally be changed or altered to accommodate pushing, pulling, gripping, or coupling with different sized or shaped flanges 108.

[0026] Body 106 could include any suitable size, shape, material, construction, or configuration according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, body 106 and bulk bag 100a, in general, could be designed to withstand or otherwise comply with certain weight/loading capacities, pushing/pulling requirements, lifting requirements, sift tolerances, contamination standards, moisture-resistant properties, temperature requirements, humidity tolerances, pressure tolerances, stability requirements, structural integrity, conductivity levels, grounding requirements, static control specifications, sealing specifications, insulation requirements, minimum or maximum air exposure requirements, hygroscopic specifications, strength-loss specifications, torque specifications, safety/hazard requirements, occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) rules and regulations, other suitable tolerances, specifications, requirements, standards, rules, or regulations associated with bulk bag 100a or any materials stored in or transported by bulk bag 100a, or any combination thereof. Although a particular structure of body 106 is generally illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, it should be understood that body 106 could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Flanges 108 could be a part of or a removable part of body 106 and be used to removably couple with blades 104 to push, pull, lift, transport, position, and/or stack bulk bag 100a and the contents therein without a pallet according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, flanges 108 could be formed by generally folding the material from the side panel or bottom panel of bulk bag 100a to form a loop of material and sewing a seam to close the loop of material. In another embodiment, flanges 108 could include an elongated cylinder-like shaped structure that securely attaches to the bottom end of bulk bag 100a as generally shown in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C.

[0028] Flanges 108 could be secured to the bottom edges of opposing sides of bulk bag 100a as generally shown in FIGURES 1- 4 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, flanges 108 could be included on each bottom edge of bulk bag 100a to provide access to bulk bag 100a regardless of the orientation of bulk bag 100a. In addition, by providing flanges 108 on each bottom edge of bulk bag 100a, different lengths of flanges 108 could be used to accommodate and appropriately grip or couple with a particular size of blades 104 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that flanges 108 could be appropriately sized to grip or couple with any suitably sized blades 104 or custom designed to grip or couple with a particular size, brand, model, configuration, or type of blades 104 as desired.

[0029] In one embodiment, flanges 108 could include a length generally equal to the length of bottom edge of bulk bag 100a, such as seam 202b or 202c shown in FIGURE 2. Thus, bulk bag 100a having sides of unequal length could include unequally sized flanges 108. In one embodiment, the bottom edge of bulk bag 100a could include multiple flanges 108 disposed at various intervals along the length of the bottom edge. Bulk bag 100a could include flanges 108 disposed just at the corners of each bottom edge of bulk bag 100a or include flanges 108 in a generally central position along the length of the bottom edge of bulk bag 100a according to embodiments of the present disclosure .

[0030] Although a particular structure of flanges 108 is generally illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, it should be understood that flanges 108 could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape to aid in lifting, transporting, positioning, and/or stacking bulk bag 100a and the contents therein without the use of a pallet, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As an example, flanges 108 could be suitably sized and configured to grip or couple with blades 104 that are generally parallel to each other or generally disposed at acute or obtuse angles relative to each other. In one embodiment, the size or shape of flanges 108 could generally be changed or altered to accommodate coupling with different sized or shaped blades 104.

[0031] In one embodiment, flanges 108 or one or more edges of flanges 108 could be sewn to or otherwise secured to bulk bag 100a. It should be understood that flanges 108 could be secured to bulk bag 100a and include or be subject to any suitable fastening or retaining material or mechanism. For example, flanges 108 could be fastened with a hook and loop fastener system, glue, adhesive, self-adhesive, heat-sensitive fastener, tape, putty, gel, magnet, zipper, slide-lock, wire, tie-back, twist tie, wire tie, web tie, cord lock, cable, drawstring, rope, button, snap, hook, hook and eye fastener, buckle, clasp, laces, other suitable temporary or semi-permanent fastening or retaining method, or any combination thereof according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] In one embodiment, flanges 108 could be lined or otherwise reinforced with a lining, support structure, or other mechanism. For example, flanges 108 could include a lining or protective coating on one or more surfaces of flanges 108 to provide additional strength or support when flanges 108 grip or couple with blades 104. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, flanges 108 could include a support plate or rigid strips of material made of metal, plastic, extruded plastic, or other suitable material sewn into or otherwise included on one or more surfaces of flanges 108.

[0033] Handle system 110 could include any system or combination of systems to aid in receiving, storing, transporting, or discharging materials in or from bulk bag 100a according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, handle system 100 could, for example, include lifting loops, fabric lifting loops, tumble straps, loop hooks, buckle straps, positioning cones, stevedore straps, webbing lift loops, other suitable handle or handle-like device, or any combination thereof.

[0034] In one embodiment, handle system 110 could be accessible to and used by a handler, forklift, banding equipment, other handling or transporting person or device, or any combination thereof. Although a particular structure of handle system 110 may be generally illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, it should be understood that handle system 110 could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape to aid in lifting, transporting, positioning, and/or stacking bulk bag 100a and the contents therein according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Spout 112 could include an aperture or other structure that aids in selectively accessing the contents of bulk bag 100a according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, spout 112 could include an opening, a covered opening, a flap, a sling, a discharge/fill spout, a cone bottom/top, a full opening dump/duffle top, a drawstring cover, a protective cover, a fastener, a handle, other suitable structure, or any combination thereof. Although a particular structure of spout 112 may be generally illustrated in FIGURES 1A, IB, 1C, and 2, it should be understood that spout 112 could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIGURE 2 depicts a perspective view of bulk bag 100a, while FIGURE 3 depicts a perspective view of bulk bag 300 having discharge spout 302 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that bulk bag 100a and bulk bag 300 shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable bag system or bag-like system could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of bulk bag 100a and bulk bag 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure .

[0037] As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, bulk bag 100a could include bottom seams 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d (not shown in FIGURE 2 and could be an opposing seam to 202a) , side seams 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202h (not shown in FIGURE 2 and could be an opposing seam to 202f) , and top seams 202i, 202j, 202k, and 2021 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Bottom seams 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d, side seams 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202h, and top seams 202i, 202j, 202k, and 2021 may be collectively referred to herein as seams 202. Although a particular structure of seams 202 may be generally illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 it should be understood that seams 202 could include any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] As shown in FIGURE 3, bulk bag 300 could be similar to bulk bag 100a shown in FIGURES 1A, IB, 1C, and 2, and could additionally include downspout 302 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Downspout 302 could include an aperture or other structure that could aid in selectively accessing, filling, or removing the contents of bulk bag 100a or any other bag or container stored in bulk bag 100a according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, downspout 302 could include an opening, a covered opening, a flap, a sling, a discharge/fill spout, a cone bottom/top, a full opening dump/duffle top, a drawstring cover, a protective cover, a fastener, a handle, other suitable structures, or any combination thereof. Although a particular structure of downspout 302 may be generally illustrated in FIGURE 3, it should be understood that downspout 302 could be of any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape.

[0039] FIGURE 4 depicts an exemplary view of bulk bag 100a in a partially unassembled state 400 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that unassembled state 400 of bulk bag 100a shown in FIGURE 4 is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable bag system or bag-like system could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of bulk bag 100a according to embodiments of the present disclosure .

[0040] As generally shown in unassembled state 400, bulk bag 100a could include bottom panel 402, top panel 404, side panels 406a, 406b, 406c, and 406d (collectively referred to herein as side panels 406), and fastening edges 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d, 408e, 408f, and 408g (collectively referred to herein as fastening edges 408), according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, bulk bag 100a could include or be formed by a generally continuous and elongated material and include bottom panel 402, top panel 404, and side panels 406 as generally shown in FIGURE 4.

[0041] Flanges 108 and handle system 110 could generally be a part of unassembled state 400 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 or be add-on or retrofitted components to bulk bag 100a according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, flanges 108 could be formed by generally folding the material formed by side panels 406a, 406b, 406c, and/or 406d to form a loop of material and sewing a seam to close the loop of material as generally shown in FIGURE 4. In one embodiment, flanges 108 could include an elongated cylinder-like shaped structure that may securely attach to the bottom panel of bulk bag 100a as generally shown in FIGURES 1A, IB, and 1C. It should be understood, however, that bottom panel 402, top panel 404, side panels 406, flanges 108, and handle system 110 illustrated in FIGURE 4 could be of any suitable structure, design, configuration, size, or shape.

[0042] In one embodiment, side panels 406 could be joined together with fastening edges 408d, 408e, 408f, and 408g (shown in FIGURE 4) and could generally form seams 202e, 202f, 202g, and 202h (all but 202h shown in FIGURE 2, but where 202h could be an opposing seam to 202f) . Top panel 404 and fastening edges 408a, 408b, and 408c could be joined together with one edge of side panels 406 to form seams 202i, 202j, 202k, and 2021 (shown in FIGURE 2) according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, side panels 406 or parts of side panels 406 could include liner made of any suitable material or combination of materials such as, for example, polyethylene or high-density polyurethane foam (HDPF) .

[0043] Fastening edges 408 could be sewn or could include any suitable fastening or retaining material or mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, fastening edges 408 could include a hook and loop fastener system, glue, adhesive, self-adhesive, heat-sensitive fastener, tape, putty, gel, magnet, zipper, slide-lock, wire, tie-back, twist tie, wire tie, web tie, cord lock, cable, drawstring, rope, button, snap, hook, hook and eye fastener, buckle, clasp, laces, other suitable temporary or semi-permanent fastening or retaining method, or any combination thereof. It should be understood that fastening edges 408 shown in FIGURE 4 are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system for fastening, securing, retaining, or otherwise disposing fastening edges 408 with other parts of bulk bag 100a could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of fastening edges 408 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Accordingly, bulk bag 100a generally may provide an efficient and cost-effective system and method of lifting, transporting, positioning, and/or stacking bulk bags without the use of a pallet. In one embodiment, bulk bag 100a and the contents therein could be, for example, stacked on top of one another, transported, or handled as desired without the use of a pallet or skid by essentially removably coupling a sleeve-like structure disposed on one or more bottom edges (e.g., flanges 108) of bulk bag 100a with one or more blades (e.g., blades 104) of a forklift-like device.

[0045] It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term "couple," as well as derivatives thereof, mean to join together by fastening or by association, link, or connect. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

[0046] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A palletless bulk bag system, said system comprising: a body having a bottom surface; and

a coupling system protruding from said bottom surface of said body, said coupling system including flanges to engage with blades of a moving device.

2. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 1, said system further comprising:

a handle system, said handle system selected from the group comprising :

lifting loops, fabric lifting loops, tumble straps, loop hooks, buckle straps, positioning cones, stevedore straps, and webbing lift loops.

3. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 1, said system further comprising:

a spout to selectively access contents of said body, said spout selected from the group comprising:

an opening, a covered opening, a flap, a sling, a discharge/fill spout, a cone bottom/top, a full opening dump/duffle top, a drawstring cover, a protective cover, a fastener, and a handle.

4. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 1, wherein said moving device is selected from the group comprising: a lifter, a powered truck, a powered truck device, a lift truck, a pusher/puller truck, a high/low, a stacker-truck, a trailer loader, a side loader, a fork truck, a tow-motor, a fork hoist, and a fixed crane with forklift-like capabilities.

5. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 1, wherein said flanges securely attach to said bottom surface of said body .

6. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 1, wherein said flanges are removably coupled to said bottom surface of said body.

7. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 1, wherein each of said flanges protrudes from said bottom surface of said body in parallel.

8. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 1, wherein each of said flanges protrudes from said bottom surface of said body at an angle relative to each other.

9. The palletless bulk bag system of claim 5, wherein said flanges are securely attached to said bottom surface of said body by a fastening mechanism selected from the group comprising :

a hook and loop fastener system, glue, adhesive, self- adhesive, heat-sensitive fastener, tape, putty, gel, magnet, zipper, slide-lock, wire, tie-back, twist tie, wire tie, web tie, cord lock, cable, drawstring, rope, button, snap, hook, hook and eye fastener, buckle, clasp, laces, a temporary fastener, a temporary retainer, a semi-permanent fastener, and a semi-permanent retainer.

10. A palletless bulk bag, said bulk bag comprising:

a coupling system having at least one sleeve-like structure disposed on one or more bottom edges of said bulk bag, said at least one sleeve-like structure suitable for coupling with one or more blades of a moving device to perform at least one function on said bulk bag without the use of a pallet.

11. The palletless bulk bag of claim 10, wherein said at least one function to be performed on said bulk bag is selected from the group comprising:

pushing, pulling, lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking .

12. The palletless bulk bag of claim 10, wherein said at least one sleeve-like structure is removably secured to said one or more bottom edges of said bulk bag.

13. The palletless bulk bag of claim 10, wherein said at least one sleeve-like structure is disposed at the corners of said one or more bottom edges of said bulk bag.

14. The palletless bulk bag of claim 10, wherein said at least one sleeve-like structure is disposed along the length of each of said one or more bottom edges of said bulk bag.

15. The palletless bulk bag of claim 10, wherein said at least one sleeve-like structure includes at least one reinforcement mechanism, said at least one reinforcement mechanism selected from the group comprising:

lining, protective coating, support plate, rigid metal strip, rigid plastic strip, and rigid extruded plastic strip.

16. A bulk bag assembly for use without a pallet, said assembly comprising:

a body formed with side panels and a bottom panel extending between and connected to the bottom edges of each of said side panels; and

at least one flange-like structure disposed on one or more outer edges of said bottom panel for receiving at least one blade disposed on a surface of a moving device.

17. The bulk bag assembly of claim 16, wherein said at least one flange-like structure securely attaches to said one or more outer edges of said bottom panel.

18. The bulk bag assembly of claim 17, wherein said at least one flange-like structure is secured to said one or more outside edges of said bottom panel by a fastening mechanism selected from the group comprising:

19. The bulk bag assembly of claim 16, wherein said at least one flange-like structure is removably coupled to said one or more outer edges of said bottom panel.