Systems and methods are provided for safely and efficiently transporting granular material. In one embodiment, a container for granular material is provided. The container can have a top plate and a bottom plate that are coupled to one another via one or more high-strength fabric sleeves. The bottom plate can include a discharge valve for discharging the granular material in the container. The container can also include a discharge bladder that, when inflated, biases granular material within the container toward the discharge valve. The container can also include at least one barrier positioned proximate the discharge valve such that the barrier prevents at least a portion of the discharge bladder from entering the discharge valve. The barrier can allow sand or other granular material to pass through the barrier and exit through the discharge valve.

The invention is directed to a flexible and collapsible extended-length bulk bin. The bulk bin includes two molded plastic end pieces that are connected at each side to each by metal rails. A bottom panel and two side wall panels are also positioned between the two molded plastic end pieces.

The invention is directed to a flexible and collapsible extended-length bulk bin. The bulk bin includes two molded plastic end pieces that are connected at each side to each by metal rails. A bottom panel and two side wall panels are also positioned between the two molded plastic end pieces.

An apparatus for forming a shipping container comprises a tubular body extending between top and bottom ends, first and second bottom panels extending from the bottom end, the first and second bottom closing panels rotatable from a co-planar configuration with the tubular body to a position extending perpendicularly across the bottom of the tubular body and at least one fastener adapted to secure the bottom closing panels across the bottom end of the tubular body. The shipping container may also be formed by a planar body having top and bottom surfaces wherein the top surface is adapted to support a load, at least one pocket extending across the bottom surface and at least one spacing element sized to be received within the pocket. The apparatus may include at least one rigid body between the top and bottom surfaces of the planar body and side walls extending upwardly therefrom.

An apparatus for forming a shipping container comprises a tubular body extending between top and bottom ends, first and second bottom panels extending from the bottom end, the first and second bottom closing panels rotatable from a co-planar configuration with the tubular body to a position extending perpendicularly across the bottom of the tubular body and at least one fastener adapted to secure the bottom closing panels across the bottom end of the tubular body. The shipping container may also be formed by a planar body having top and bottom surfaces wherein the top surface is adapted to support a load, at least one pocket extending across the bottom surface and at least one spacing element sized to be received within the pocket. The apparatus may include at least one rigid body between the top and bottom surfaces of the planar body and side walls extending upwardly therefrom.

Various embodiments of a flexible bulk container are disclosed having a number of innovative features. In one embodiment, the flexible bulk container includes an enclosure defining an interior volume in which a support sling is located. The support sling helps prevent the shape of the container from deforming as it is filled with bulk material. In another embodiment, the flexible bulk container includes an opening in the top through which it can be filled with material. A cord is coupled to the top around the opening and can operate as a drawstring to close the opening.

Various embodiments of a flexible bulk container are disclosed having a number of innovative features. In one embodiment, the flexible bulk container includes an enclosure defining an interior volume in which a support sling is located. The support sling helps prevent the shape of the container from deforming as it is filled with bulk material. In another embodiment, the flexible bulk container includes an opening in the top through which it can be filled with material. A cord is coupled to the top around the opening and can operate as a drawstring to close the opening.

Systems and methods are provided for safely and efficiently transporting granular material. In one embodiment, a container for granular material is provided. The container can have a top plate and a bottom plate that are coupled to one another via one or more high-strength fabric sleeves. The bottom plate can include a discharge valve for discharging the granular material in the container. The container can also include a discharge bladder that, when inflated, biases granular material within the container toward the discharge valve. The container can also include at least one barrier positioned proximate the discharge valve such that the barrier prevents at least a portion of the discharge bladder from entering the discharge valve. The barrier can allow sand or other granular material to pass through the barrier and exit through the discharge valve.

Systems and methods are provided for safely and efficiently transporting granular material. In one embodiment, a container for granular material is provided. The container can have a top plate and a bottom plate that are coupled to one another via one or more high-strength fabric sleeves. The bottom plate can include a discharge valve for discharging the granular material in the container. The container can also include a discharge bladder that, when inflated, biases granular material within the container toward the discharge valve. The container can also include at least one barrier positioned proximate the discharge valve such that the barrier prevents at least a portion of the discharge bladder from entering the discharge valve. The barrier can allow sand or other granular material to pass through the barrier and exit through the discharge valve.

A container may comprise a support frame with sides and at least one of the sides being an open side defining an opening, a flexible panel configured to at least partially cover the open side of the support frame, and a panel mounting assembly configured to removably mount the panel over the opening. The panel mounting assembly may comprise at least one panel mounting element including a leverage structure configured to provide a fulcrum edge along at least a portion of the opening, with the at least one portion of the panel being tensionable over the fulcrum edge. The panel mounting element may also comprise a tensioning structure mountable on the leverage structure and configured to selectively apply tension to the at least one portion of the panel with the thicker thickness over the fulcrum edge of the leverage structure.