U.S. patent application number 10/753542 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for bag nozzle retention system.
Invention is credited to Perkins, David W..
Application Number | 20050145521 10/753542 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711764 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050145521 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perkins, David W. |
July 7, 2005 |
Bag nozzle retention system
Abstract
A bag nozzle retainment system which includes a flexible bag
positioned within a container. The container defines an outlet
through which extends a nozzle provided on the flexible bag. A
plate provided with a hole is slidably coupled to the container and
the nozzle is positioned through the hole. Hydrostatic pressure
secures the plate to the container which, in turn, holds the nozzle
sufficiently back into the container to prevent damage and
inadvertent dislodgment of the nozzle during transport and storage
of the container.
Inventors: |
Perkins, David W.;
(Hiawatha, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRETT J. TROUT, PC
516 WALNUT
DES MOINES
IA
50309
US
|
Family ID: |
34711764 |
Appl. No.: |
10/753542 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/061
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/386 |
International
Class: |
B65D 019/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bag nozzle retention system comprising: (a) a flexible bag
defining an interior and an exterior; (b) a nozzle provided on said
bag, said nozzle comprising a body defining a passage between said
interior and said exterior of said bag; (c) a container defining an
outlet, wherein at least a portion of said bag is provided within
said container, and wherein said nozzle is positioned to deliver a
flowable material through said outlet; and (d) means releasably
coupled around said nozzle and releasably coupled to said container
for retaining said nozzle against said container.
2. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 1, wherein said
retaining means is a plate defining an opening sized to accommodate
said nozzle.
3. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 2, wherein said plate
comprises: (a) a center plate; (b) first means coupled to said
center plate for retaining said center plate to a first portion of
said container; and (c) second means coupled to said center plate
for retaining said center plate to a second portion of said
container.
4. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 3, further comprising a
strengthening rib secured to said center plate.
5. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 1, wherein said
retaining means is a plate comprising: (a) a first strengthening
rib provided along a first side of said plate; (b) a second
strengthening rib provided along a second side of said plate; (c) a
first container retainer provided along a third side of said plate;
(d) a second container retainer provided along a fourth side of
said plate; and (e) wherein said plate is provided with an opening
sized to accommodate said nozzle.
6. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 5, wherein said
container is provided with a first bar and a second bar, wherein
said first container retainer is a first bar retainer, and wherein
said second container retainer is a second bar retainer.
7. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 1, wherein said
container comprises a first bar and a second bar wherein at least a
portion of said flexible bag extends past at least a portion of
said first bar and at least a portion of said second bar, and
wherein said retaining means is means for retaining at least a
portion of said flexible bag inward of said first bar and said
second bar.
8. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 7, wherein said
retaining means is a plate defining an opening sized to accommodate
said nozzle.
9. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 8, wherein said plate
comprises: (a) a center plate; (b) first means coupled to said
center plate for retaining said center plate to a first portion of
said container; and (c) second means coupled to said center plate
for retaining said center plate to a second portion of said
container.
10. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 9, further comprising
a strengthening rib secured to said center plate.
11. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 7, wherein said
retaining means is a plate comprising: (a) a first strengthening
rib provided along a first side of said plate; (b) a second
strengthening rib provided along a second side of said plate; (c) a
first container retainer provided along a third side of said plate;
(d) a second container retainer provided along a fourth side of
said plate; and (e) wherein said plate is provided with an opening
sized to accommodate said nozzle.
12. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 11, wherein said
container is provided with a first bar and a second bar, wherein
said first container retainer is a first bar retainer, and wherein
said second container retainer is a second bar retainer.
13. A bag nozzle retention system comprising: (a) a container
comprising a first upright bar and a second upright bar defining an
outlet; (b) a flexible bag provided within said container, wherein
said flexible bag defines an interior and an exterior; (c) a nozzle
provided on said bag, said nozzle comprising a body defining a
passage between said interior and said exterior of said bag; and
(d) means slidably coupled to said first bar and said second bar
for retaining said nozzle a predetermined amount relative to said
first bar and said second bar.
14. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 13, wherein said
retaining means is a plate defining an opening sized to accommodate
said nozzle.
15. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 13, wherein said
retaining means is a plate comprising: (a) a first strengthening
rib provided along a first side of said plate; (b) a second
strengthening rib provided along a second side of said plate; (c) a
first container retainer provided along a third side of said plate;
(d) a second container retainer provided along a fourth side of
said plate; and; (e) wherein said plate is provided with an opening
sized to accommodate said nozzle.
16. The bag nozzle retention system of claim 13, wherein at least a
portion of said flexible bag extends into said outlet, and wherein
said retaining means is means for retaining at least a portion of
said flexible bag out of said outlet, and wherein said nozzle
extends through said retaining means.
17. A bag retainer comprising: (a) a rigid plate defining an
opening; (b) a first strengthening rib provided along a first side
of said plate; (c) a second strengthening rib provided along a
second side of said plate; (d) a first container retainer provided
along a third side of said plate; and (e) a second container
retainer provided along a fourth side of said plate.
18. The bag retainer of claim 17, wherein said opening is
circular.
19. The bag retainer of claim 17, wherein said center plate carves
arcuately into said first strengthening rib; wherein said center
plate carves arcuately into said second strengthening rib; wherein
said center plate carves arculately into said first container
retainer; and wherein said center plate carves arcuately into said
second container retainer.
20. The bag retainer of claim 17, further comprising a container:
(a) a flexible bag defining an interior and an exterior; (b) a
nozzle provided on said bag, said nozzle comprising a body defining
a passage between said interior and said exterior of said bag; (c)
a flexible bag provided within said container, wherein said
flexible bag defines an interior and an exterior; (d) wherein said
first container retainer is slidably engaged within said first bar;
and (e) wherein said second container retainer is slidably engaged
within said second bar.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to bulk containers for
flowable materials and, more specifically, to a support collar for
retaining a nozzle of a flexible container to prevent damage to the
nozzle during transport and storage of the container.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known in the art to provide flexible containers for
flowable materials. Typically, such systems involve a lightweight,
interior bag, provided with an exterior support structure which may
be flexible or rigid. The outer container is typically provided
with an opening through which a nozzle of the interior bag is
positioned.
[0005] A problem associated with such prior art constructions is
that as the interior bag is filled with flowable material,
hydrostatic pressure forces the outer container past the support
structure. As the nozzle typically extends from the bag, the nozzle
often extends even further beyond the support structure. This
extension of the nozzle beyond the support structure provides a
hazard during transport and storage. Additionally, if the nozzle is
inadvertently damaged or dislodged from the bag, the contents of
the bag may immediately evacuate, causing a loss of the contents
and damage to nearby materials.
[0006] While it is known in the art to provide containers with
completely rigid exteriors, such rigid containers are costly,
difficult to maintain, bulky and heavy for transport and storage.
It is also known to place nozzles on the top of the container to
limit damage. Such an orientation, however, complicates evacuation
of the container by requiring a vacuum and/or tilting of the
container. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a
lightweight, yet strong and rigid, means for retaining the nozzle
closer to the container. The difficulties encountered in the prior
art discussed hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In an advantage provided by this invention, a bag nozzle
retention system is provided which reduces damage to a side
evacuation nozzle of a flexible bag during transport and
storage.
[0008] Advantageously, this invention provides a bag nozzle
retention system which is inexpensive to manufacture and
maintain.
[0009] Advantageously, this invention provides a bag nozzle
retention system which is quickly adaptable and releasable from a
flexible bag container.
[0010] Advantageously, this invention provides a bag nozzle
retainment system which is adaptable to various nozzle types and
dimensions.
[0011] Advantageously, this invention provides a bag nozzle
retention system which may be simply and inexpensively retrofit to
existing nozzles and bag containers.
[0012] Advantageously, this invention provides a bag nozzle
retainment system which may be adjusted for various nozzle
heights.
[0013] Advantageously, in a preferred example of this invention, a
bag nozzle retention system is provided, comprising a flexible bag
defining an interior and exterior. A side evacuation nozzle is
provided on the bag wherein the nozzle comprises a body defining a
passage between the interior and the exterior of the bag. A rigid
container is provided defining an outlet wherein a portion of the
bag is provided within the container, and wherein the nozzle is
positioned to deliver a flowable material through the outlet. Means
are also releasably coupled around the nozzle and releasably
coupled to the container for retaining the nozzle against the
container. Preferably, the retaining means is a flat plate defining
an interior opening and curved edges. Two of the curved edges of
the plate act as container engagers, and two of the edges as
strengthening ribs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a flowable
material containment system incorporating the bag nozzle retainer
of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the
flowable material containment system of FIG. 1, showing the bag
nozzle retainer detached from the nozzle;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the bag nozzle and
bag nozzle retainer of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the retainer of the
present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the bag nozzle
retainer of the present invention, provided around the bag
nozzle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] A stackable, collapsible container for flowable materials is
shown generally as (10) in FIG. 1. The container (10) includes a
removable, flexible liner (12), having an inlet opening with a top
cap (14) and a drain nozzle (16) provided with a threaded plug
(18). As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle (16) is integrally molded with
a first collar (20) and a second collar (22). Although the nozzle
(16) may be constructed of any suitable material, in the preferred
embodiment, it is constructed of plastic injection-molded polyvinyl
chloride. Also as shown in FIG. 2, the second collar (22) is of a
diameter greater than the diameter of the first collar (20), and is
separated therefrom by a spacer (24). (FIG. 3).
[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the removable flexible liner (12) is
constructed of polyethylene, such as that well known in the art to
hold flowable material. The removable flexible liner (12) is
preferably of a double thickness, and provided with a hole (26)
through which the nozzle (16) is provided. The nozzle (16)
preferably extends through the hole (26) a sufficient distance so
that the first collar (20) is on one side of the hole (26), and the
second collar (22) is on the other side of the hole (26). The
removable flexible liner (12) is then heat sealed, glued or
otherwise secured to the nozzle (16) along the first collar (20)
and spacer (24).
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the removable flexible liner (12) is
provided within an exterior container (28). While the exterior
container (28) may be of any suitable construction or dimensions,
in the preferred embodiment the exterior container (28) comprises
an outer skin (30) and a rigid framework (32), to which the outer
skin (30) is secured. Although the outer skin (30) may be
constructed of any suitable material, in the preferred embodiment,
the outer skin (30) is constructed of a woven polypropylene
fabric-like material, having a non-ribbed construction. The outer
skin (30) may, of course, be constructed of any lightweight
material known in the art to have strength characteristics
sufficient to contain a flowable material. Alternatively, the outer
skin (30) may be constructed of metal, plastic or other rigid
material. The rigid framework (32) may be integrated with the outer
skin (30), or may be eliminated altogether. The outer skin (30) is
preferably waterproof, or at least coated with a waterproof
material, in a manner such as that well known in the art, to allow
the container (10) to be used outdoors as well as indoors.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer skin (30) is preferably
provided with an opening (34) sufficiently large to accommodate the
nozzle (16). As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle (16) extends through
the opening (34) and through an outlet (36) defined by the rigid
framework (32). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rigid framework
comprises a rigid plastic top (38) and bottom (40). Both the top
(38) and bottom (40) are provided with bores (42) sized to receive
a plurality of cylindrical steel bars (44). The top (38) is
preferably designed to provide at least one square meter of an
obstructed access to the top of the flexible liner (12). The bottom
(40) is preferably integrally molded as a pallet to receive and
support the full weight of flowable material (46), provided within
the flexible liner (12). As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the bottom (40) is
preferably provided with slots (48) to receive forks of a forklift.
Each pair of bars (44) is connected by a pair of intersecting steel
cables (50), secured through holes passing through the bars (44).
The cables are taunt and strong enough to prevent the bars (44)
from tilting laterally relative to one another.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, when the flexible liner (12) and
exterior container (28) are positioned within the rigid framework
(32), and the container (10) is filled with the flowable material
(46), such as water or the like, the hydrostatic pressure of the
flowable material (46) forces the exterior container (28) around
the bars (44) of the rigid framework (32). The hydrostatic pressure
also forces the exterior container (28) outward through the outlet
(36) defined by the rigid framework (32), thereby causing the
nozzle (16) to extend even further through the outlet (36). With
the nozzle (16) so extended, the nozzle (16) is subject to damage
and/or shear during transport and storage. Such damage may be
sufficient to dislodge the nozzle (16) from the container (10),
causing the flowable material (46) to evacuate from the container
(10).
[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, in the present invention, a nozzle
retainer (52) is constructed preferably of heavy gauge steel or
similarly rigid material. The nozzle retainer (52) defines a
circular center opening (54), which may of any suitable shape,
diameter and/or dimension.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the edges (56) of the nozzle retainer
(52) are curved arcuately outward relative to the interior of the
container (10). Sides (58) and (60) are provided with a curvature
substantially similar to the exterior curvature of the bars (44)
forming the rigid framework (32). The sides (58) and (60) are also
preferably spaced sufficiently to slidably engage the bars (44) of
the rigid framework (32). The sides (58) and (60) are preferably
curved enough to allow the sides (58) and (60) to engage the bars
(44), but not so curved as to hinder quick, slidable attachment to
and removal from the bars (44).
[0027] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the top (62) and bottom (64) of
the nozzle retainer (52) are also curved arcuately outward to
create strengthening ribs to prevent the nozzle retainer (52) from
buckling or becoming inadvertently dislodged from the container
(10) as the result of hydrostatic pressure or other forces.
Although the top (62) and bottom (64) are preferably curved to
reduce the likelihood of the nozzle retainer (52) pinching or
puncturing the exterior container (28) or flexible liner (12), the
top (62) and bottom (64) of the nozzle retainer (52) may be
constructed of any suitable sides or dimension. Alternatively,
strengthening ribs may be welded or otherwise secured to the nozzle
retainer (52). Similarly, the sides (58) and (60) may be replaced
with rings or other items designed to slidably engage he nozzle
retainer (52) to the bars (44).
[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, when it is desired to fill the container
(10), the nozzle retainer (52) is slidably engaged with the bars
(44) of the rigid framework (32), and slid downward until the
opening (54) of the nozzle retainer (52) is positioned at the
desired height to receive the nozzle (16). The nozzle (16) is then
inserted through the opening (54) of the nozzle retainer (52), and
the flexible liner (12) is filled through the top cap (14). As the
flowable material (46) enters the flexible liner (12), hydrostatic
pressure forces the nozzle retainer (52) against the bars (44) of
the rigid framework (32), holding the nozzle retainer (52) and
nozzle (16) in place.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, when the container (10) is filled, the
nozzle retainer (52) retains the nozzle (16) back sufficiently so
that the bars (44) of the rigid framework (32) serve as shields for
the nozzle (16), limiting access to the nozzle (16) and protecting
the nozzle (16) during transport and storage. As the nozzle
retainer (52) is slidably engaged with the bars (44), the nozzle
retainer (52) may be adjusted upward and downward relative to the
bars (44) to properly position the nozzle (16). However, this
adjustment can only be made until hydrostatic forces become great
enough to prevent movement of the nozzle retainer (52) relative to
the bars (44). Similarly, the nozzle retainer (52) can be
constructed to retain the nozzle (16) more deeply or shallow
relative to the container (10).
[0030] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and
illustrate the invention, and the invention is not to be limited
thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited, as those
skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able
to make modifications and variations therein, without departing
from the scope of the invention. By way of example, it should be
noted that the nozzle retainer (52) may be constructed of any
suitable materials and/or dimensions, and may be constructed so as
to position the nozzle (16) further forward or rearward, depending
on the size of the nozzle (16) or the requirements of the
transportation or storage associated with the container (10).
* * * * *