U.S. patent application number 13/324264 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for containment bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEW PIG CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Matthew J. Huff, Beth P. Powell.
Application Number | 20120155787 13/324264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46234524 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120155787 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Powell; Beth P. ; et
al. |
June 21, 2012 |
Containment Bag
Abstract
A containment bag having a base, a sidewall, and a lifting
strap. The sidewall extends upward from the base and may include a
sleeve top portion attached to or formed at an upper end of the
sidewall opposite the base end. The sidewall or the sleeve top
defines a bag opening. The lifting strap is attached to at least
one of the sidewall and/or the sleeve top for lifting the
containment bag. The containment bag may further comprise means for
closing the bag opening. In addition, the containment bag may also
include a disposable bag liner positionable within an interior of
the sidewall.
Inventors: |
Powell; Beth P.; (State
College, PA) ; Huff; Matthew J.; (Altoona,
PA) |
Assignee: |
NEW PIG CORPORATION
Tipton
PA
|
Family ID: |
46234524 |
Appl. No.: |
13/324264 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61423642 |
Dec 16, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 90/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/25 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/06 20060101
B65D033/06 |
Claims
1. A containment bag comprising: a base; a sidewall extending
upward from the base, the sidewall including a sleeve top attached
to an upper end of the sidewall opposite the base, the sleeve top
defining a bag opening; and a lifting strap attached to at least
one of the sidewall and/or the sleeve top for lifting the
containment bag.
2. The containment bag of claim 1, wherein the base is an
abrasion-resistant base.
3. The containment bag of claim 2, wherein the base is formed of
ultra-high, molecular-weight polyethylene.
4. The containment bag of claim 3, wherein the base is generally
circular.
5. The containment bag of claim 4, wherein the base has a height in
the range of about 2 inches to about 10 inches.
6. The containment bag of claim 1, further including means for
closing the bag opening.
7. The containment bag of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is
ultraviolet resistant.
8. The containment bag of claim 7, wherein the sidewall is water
resistant.
9. The containment bag of claim 8, wherein the sidewall is formed
of a vinyl-coated fabric.
10. The containment bag of claim 9, wherein the sidewall is
generally tubular.
11. The containment bag of claim 1, wherein the lifting strap is
formed of a high-capacity, ultraviolet-resistant, woven
polyester.
12. The containment bag of claim 1, further including an additional
lifting strap.
13. The containment bag of claim 1, further including a bag liner
positionable within an interior of the sidewall.
14. The containment bag of claim 13, wherein the bag liner is
disposable.
15. The containment bag of claim 1, wherein the bag liner is formed
of a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or propylene.
16. A containment bag comprising: an abrasion-resistant base; a
tubular sidewall extending upward from the abrasion-resistant base,
the tubular sidewall including a sleeve top portion at an upper end
of the tubular sidewall opposite the abrasion-resistant base, the
sleeve top portion defining a bag opening; and lifting straps
attached to the tubular sidewall and/or the sleeve top for lifting
the containment bag.
17. The containment bag of claim 16, wherein the abrasion-resistant
base is formed of ultra-high, molecular-weight polyethylene.
18. The containment bag of claim 16, wherein the sidewall is
ultraviolet resistant.
19. The containment bag of claim 16, wherein the sidewall is water
resistant.
20. The containment bag of claim 16, further including means for
closing the bag opening.
21. The containment bag of claim 16, further including a disposable
bag liner positionable within an interior of the tubular sidewall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/423,642 filed Dec. 16, 2010, which
is fully incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a containment bag. More
particularly, the invention relates to a containment bag for use in
association with, for example, drums and oil-filled equipment, so
as to prevent spills or leaks.
[0003] Federal requirements for a Spill Prevention Control and
Countermeasure (SPCC) plan are contained in the Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 40 (40 CFR), Parts 110 and 112. According to
SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors:
[0004] Mobile containers, such as drums, skids, and totes, must
comply with the requirements of .sctn.112.8(c)(11) or
.sctn.112.12(c)(11) according to good engineering practice. For
these types of containers, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) inspector should verify that the secondary containment
methods are appropriate. For example, an oil-filled drum positioned
for use at a construction site must be equipped with secondary
containment sized in accordance with .sctn.112.8(c)(11).
[0005] Oil drums and totes, which could reasonably be expected to
discharge oil into or upon navigable waters once the threshold SPCC
capacity criteria has been met, are typically stored in overpacks,
trays, or spill pallets to meet the secondary containment
requirements. Overpacks seal drums completely, but are hard to open
and close, especially by a single person. Trays and spill pallets
can easily fill with rainwater, which can reduce sump capacity
below the volume requirement. Trays and spill pallets also can be
covered to limit rainwater accumulation, but this is an additional
step that can be costly (e.g., build a roof), prone to weathering
issues (e.g., lightweight covers tear or blow away), or difficult
to lift (e.g., heavy, hard plastic lids).
[0006] Known bags exist that could also be used as secondary
containment. These include bulk bags, such as cubic yard bags, that
are constructed out of woven polypropylene with a liquid liner.
These bags, similar to overpacks, have the advantage of being
United States Department of Transportation ("USDOT") or United
Nations ("UN") rated for shipping. To receive these ratings, the
bags must meet top-load lifting requirements. The woven
polypropylene, however, has limited UV resistance, even when
heavily loaded with UV stabilizer The poor UV resistance, coupled
with a woven base that can be torn and cut when dragged across
uneven surfaces, provides limited life in outdoor environments.
[0007] Vinyl-coated fabric bags, specifically for spill control,
exist that provide extended UV resistance. These options do not
require a liquid liner, since the seams are heat sealed. Because of
the heat-sealed seams, however, the bags cannot be USDOT- or
UN-rated for drums or oil-filled equipment. The heat-sealed seams
are not strong enough to meet top-load lifting requirements. These
vinyl-coated fabric bags also do not have an abrasion-resistant
base and are easily punctured on uneven surfaces, such as
gravel.
[0008] Thus, it would be advantageous to provide an improved
containment bag that overcomes limitations and disadvantages of
known such devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect, the invention includes a containment bag
having a base, a sidewall, and a lifting strap. The sidewall
extends upward from the base and includes a sleeve top attached to
an upper end of the sidewall opposite the base end. The sleeve top
defines a bag opening. The lifting strap is attached to at least
one of the sidewall and/or the sleeve top for lifting the
containment bag. The containment bag may further comprise means for
closing the bag opening. In addition, the containment bag may also
include a disposable bag liner positionable within an interior of
the sidewall.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention includes a containment bag
comprising an abrasion-resistant base, a tubular sidewall, and
lifting straps. The tubular sidewall extends upward from the
abrasion-resistant base. The tubular sidewall includes a sleeve top
attached to an upper end of the tubular sidewall opposite the
abrasion-resistant base end. The sleeve top defines a bag opening.
The lifting straps are attached to the tubular sidewall and/or the
sleeve top for lifting the containment bag. In addition, the
containment bag may further include means for closing the bag
opening. The containment bag may also further include a disposable
bag liner positionable within an interior of the tubular
sidewall.
[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
more fully understood following a review of this specification and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the containment bag in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an additional front elevation view of the
containment bag illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a sleeve top of the
containment bag and an expanded position in accordance with an
aspect of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an additional front elevation view of the
containment bag illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a means for
closing the containment bag in accordance with an aspect of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the containment bag
in an open position and containing a drum positioned inside of a
bag liner within the containment bag in accordance with an aspect
of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of the containment bag in an open
position illustrating the bag opening in accordance with an aspect
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to the figures, the invention disclosed herein is
a containment bag, generally referred to by reference number 10.
More specifically, the invention disclosed herein is a containment
bag 10 that provides for secondary containment to prevent leakage
or spillage of hazardous materials or the like. For example, the
containment bag 10 may contain drums 11 filled with oil or other
types of oil-filled equipment, so as to prevent any spillage or
leakage of oil from reaching and contaminating the ground or water
supplies. As will be appreciated from the description set forth
herein, the containment bag 10 can be lifted by its own straps when
full, transported on the highway as USDOT- and/or UN-rated
container, sealed from precipitation, transported across rough
surfaces, and stored outside for extended periods of time, even
during ground-freezing conditions. It will be appreciated that the
bag 10 can be a USDOT- and/or UN-rated container suitable for
repeated use.
[0018] Referring specifically to FIGS. 1-5, the containment bag 10
of the invention includes a base 12, a sidewall 14 extending
generally upwardly from the base 12, and one or more lifting straps
16 for lifting the containment bag 10.
[0019] In one aspect of the invention, the base 12 may be generally
circular. In addition, the sidewall 14 of the containment bag 10
may be generally tubular. However, it will be appreciated that
various shapes and configurations of the base 12 and the sidewall
14 may be provided in accordance with various aspects of the
invention.
[0020] In one aspect, the sidewall 14 includes a sleeve top portion
18 attached to or formed at an upper end 20 of the sidewall 14
generally opposite of the end of the sidewall 14 that is extending
upwardly from the base 12. The sleeve top 18 in an open position
(see, for example, FIG. 5) defines a bag opening 22 for inserting,
for example, drums 11 or other types of equipment to be stored or
contained within the containment bag 10. It will be appreciated
that in accordance with various aspects of the invention the sleeve
top portion 18 may be a continuous upper section of the sidewall
14, i.e. the sidewall extends from the base 12 to the opening 22,
or the sleeve top 18 may be a separate piece attached to the
sidewall 14.
[0021] In one aspect of the invention, the base 12 is formed of a
generally rigid material, so as to provide for an
abrasion-resistant base that will withstand contact with various
types of rough surfaces. For example, the base 12 may be formed of
an ultra-high, molecular-weight polyethylene material that can be
thermoformed into the described, generally circular base 12 having
a generally flat bottom 24 with upwardly-rounded edges 26. The base
12 formed of, for example, the ultra-high, molecular-weight
polyethylene provides for the desired abrasion resistance, as well
as cold crack resistance.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the base 12 having the
bottom surface 24 and upwardly-rounded edges 26 is structured and
arranged, so as to advantageously provide for spill containment
should the drum 11 or other type of equipment being contained in
the containment bag 10 leak or spill inside of the bag 10. To
provide for the spill containment, the edges 26 of the base 12 may
have a height H in the range of about 2 inches to 10 inches, and in
one example, 6 inches in height.
[0023] In another aspect of the invention, the sidewall 14 of the
containment bag 10 is formed of a material, so as to provide for
ultraviolet ("UV") resistance and/or water resistance. For example,
the sidewall 14 may be formed of a vinyl-coated fabric material. In
addition to the described UV and water resistance for the sidewall
14, the sidewall material needs to be sufficiently strong for
lifting the containment bag 10 and the contents thereof. In one
example, if a combined load of the containment bag 10 and the
contents is greater than about 1500 pounds, an addition layer of
woven fabric, such as, for example, polypropylene, can be used on
an interior surface 28 of the sidewall 14 for added lifting
strength. In another aspect, the sidewalls 14 may also have the
seams thereof sealed over the stitching in order to provide
additional water resistance.
[0024] In another aspect, one or more of the straps 16 are attached
to the sidewalls 14 in a suitable manner, so as to provide a means
for lifting the containment bag 10. Depending upon the combined
weight of the containment bag 10 and the contents being contained
therein, various types of lifting equipment, such as, for example,
forklifts or cranes, may be used for lifting the containment bag 10
onto a truck for transport for a storage space for storage. In one
aspect, the lifting straps 16 are formed of, for example, a
high-capacity, ultraviolet-resistant, woven polyester.
[0025] In yet another aspect of the invention, the sleeve top 18
formed at the upper end 20 of the sidewall 14 that defines the bag
opening 22 is structured and arranged, so as to provide for closing
the bag opening. It will be appreciated that, in accordance with
the invention, various types of means for closing the bag opening
22 may be provided. In one example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the
sleeve top 18 may be rolled down and clipped shut using a clipping
mechanism 30, so as to prevent rain water or other materials from
entering the containment bag, as well as preventing the contents of
the containment bag 10 from spilling or leaking through the bag
opening 22. Other types of means for closing the bag opening 22 may
include, for example, hook-and-loop type fasteners, e.g.,
Velcro.RTM., and draw strings.
[0026] As described herein, the containment bag 10 provides for
spill containment to prevent undesired spillage or leakage of
materials contained therein. If additional capacity is needed for
preventing such spillage or leakage from occurring, a bag liner 32
can be placed in the interior of the containment bag 10. For
example, the bag liner 32 is positioned inside of the containment
bag 10 adjacent the interior wall 28 of the sidewall 14. FIG. 4
illustrates a drum 11 being contained within the bag liner 32, as
well as positioned inside of the containment bag 10.
[0027] In one aspect of the invention, the bag liner 32 is
disposable. The bag liner 32 may be formed of, for example, a
polyolefin, such as, polyethylene or propylene. It is desired that
the material for forming the bag liner 32 provides for water and/or
chemical resistance to prevent leakage or spillage. In another
aspect, the bag liner 32 can be coextruded for increased puncture
resistance, such as, for example, a nylon core. In addition, the
bag liner 32 may be constructed to provide improved seam sealing at
lower cost using, for example, metallocene skins. Thus, it will be
appreciated that the bag liner 32 produces clean out and
contamination of the containment bag 10 once the contents, such as
the drum 11, is removed and replaced.
[0028] In another aspect of the invention, sorbents can be provided
on the interior of the containment bag 10 or the liner 32, so as to
further reduce the possibility of leaks or spills from within the
liner 32 or the containment bag 10.
[0029] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the containment bag
10 of the invention provides for an improved containment bag having
various advantages over known containment bag arrangements. For
example, the base 12, as described herein, provides for abrasion
resistance for contacting various types of rough surfaces, as well
as upwardly-rounded edges 26 to further prevent spillage or leakage
from occurring. In addition, the sidewalls 14 and the construction
thereof as described herein provides for improved strength and
durability of the containment bag 10.
[0030] Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been
described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of
the present invention may be made without departing from the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *