BAG FOR THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF BULK GOODS AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SUCH A BAG

Abstract

A bag for the transport and storage of bulk goods including a main body having at least a bottom part and four sides connected in pairs along adjacent edges to form vertical ridges at four corners of the bag. The bag further includes four lifting straps, each having first and second end sections and an intermediate section rising above a top surface of the bag. The lifting straps are interconnected in pairs by two sleeves to form tubings or ducts extending longitudinally along a top surface of the bag to allow lifting of the bag by means of a forklift. The sleeves are connected to the main body of the bag via the lifting straps and are not attached longitudinally to the main body of the bag. Furthermore, the first and second end sections of each lifting strap are secured to corresponding sides of the bag.

Claims

1.-29. (canceled)

30. A bag for the transport and storage of bulk goods comprising a main body including at least a bottom part and four sides connected in pairs along adjacent edges to form vertical ridges at four corners of the bag, wherein the bag further comprises four lifting straps, each comprising first and second end sections and an intermediate section rising above a top surface of the bag, wherein the lifting straps are interconnected in pairs by two sleeves to form tubings or ducts extending longitudinally along a top surface of the bag to allow lifting of the bag by means of a forklift, wherein the sleeves are connected to the main body of the bag via the lifting straps and are not attached longitudinally to the main body of the bag, and wherein the first and second end sections of each lifting strap are secured to corresponding sides of the bag.

31. The bag according to claim 30, wherein the first and second end sections of each lifting strap are non-overlapping vertical end sections that are sewn on different portions of the corresponding sides of the bag, and wherein the intermediate section of each lifting strap is a U-shaped intermediate section rising above the top surface of the bag.

32. The bag according to claim 31, wherein the first and second end sections extend and are sewn vertically along substantially all of the relevant portions of the corresponding sides of the bag.

33. The bag according to claim 31, wherein the first and second end sections are sewn on different portions of a front or rear side of the bag.

34. The bag according to claim 30, wherein the intermediate section of each lifting strap is reinforced to force the intermediate section into an essentially upright configuration rising above the top surface of the bag when no load is applied onto a top portion of the bag.

35. The bag according to claim 34, wherein the intermediate section is reinforced by means of a flexible reinforcement tube surrounding the intermediate section.

36. The bag according to claim 35, wherein the flexible reinforcement tubes are made of a flexible polymer or biopolymer material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), bio-polyethylene (bio-PE), polypropylene (PP), bio-polypropylene (bio-PP) or silicone.

37. The bag according to claim 30, wherein terminal ends of the sleeves are each provided with a hem surrounding part of the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap and thereby provide connection of the sleeves to the main body of the bag.

38. The bag according to claim 37, wherein each hem is formed by folding and stitching a terminal portion at each terminal end of the sleeves.

39. The bag according to claim 38, wherein the hem is not stitched to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

40. The bag according to claim 37, wherein each hem is configured to allow a relative movement of each hem with respect to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

41. The bag according to claim 34, wherein terminal ends of the sleeves are each provided with a hem surrounding part of the flexible reinforcement tube, and thus part of the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap, and thereby provide connection of the sleeves to the main body of the bag.

42. The bag according to claim 41, wherein each hem is formed by folding and stitching a terminal portion at each terminal end of the sleeves.

43. The bag according to claim 42, wherein the hem is not stitched to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

44. The bag according to claim 41, wherein each hem is configured to allow a relative movement of each hem with respect to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

45. The bag according to claim 30, wherein a bottom portion of each sleeve, at each terminal end of each sleeve, is secured to the top surface of the bag.

46. The bag according to claim 30, wherein the sleeves are made of a transparent or translucent material.

47. A method of producing a bag for the transport and storage of bulk goods, comprising the following steps: a) producing a pair of sleeves independently of a main body of the bag; b) producing two pairs of lifting straps each comprising first and second end sections and an intermediate section; c) connecting each terminal end of each sleeve to the intermediate section of a corresponding one of the lifting straps; and d) securing the first and second end sections of each lifting strap to corresponding sides of the bag so that the intermediate section rises above a top surface of the bag, wherein the sleeves are connected to the main body of the bag via the lifting straps and are not attached longitudinally to the main body of the bag.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the first and second end sections of each lifting strap are secured to the corresponding sides of the bag at step d) by stitching.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the first and second end sections of each lifting strap are non-overlapping vertical end sections that are sewn at step d) on different portions of the corresponding sides of the bag, and wherein the intermediate section of each lifting strap is a U-shaped intermediate section rising above the top surface of the bag.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the first and second end sections extend and are sewn vertically along substantially all of the relevant portions of the corresponding sides of the bag.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein the first and second end sections are sewn on different portions of a front or rear side of the bag.

52. The method according to claim 47, further comprising the step of reinforcing the intermediate section of each lifting strap to force the intermediate section into an essentially upright configuration rising above the top surface of the bag when no load is applied onto a top portion of the bag.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the intermediate section is reinforced by surrounding the intermediate section of each lifting strap with a flexible reinforcement tube.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein the flexible reinforcement tubes are made of a flexible polymer or biopolymer material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), bio-polyethylene (bio-PE), polypropylene (PP), bio-polypropylene (bio-PP) or silicone.

55. The method according to claim 47, wherein the step c) of connecting each terminal end of each sleeve to the intermediate section of the corresponding lifting strap includes providing each terminal end of the sleeves with a hem and surrounding part of the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap with the hem, thereby providing connection of the sleeves to the main body of the bag.

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein each hem is formed by folding and stitching a terminal portion at each terminal end of the sleeves.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein the hem is not stitched to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

58. The method according to claim 55, wherein each hem is formed such as to allow a relative movement of each hem with respect to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

59. The method according to claim 53, wherein the step c) of connecting each terminal end of each sleeve to the intermediate section of the corresponding lifting strap includes providing each terminal end of the sleeves with a hem and surrounding part of the flexible reinforcement tube, and thus part of the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap, with the hem, thereby providing connection of the sleeves to the main body of the bag.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein each hem is formed by folding and stitching a terminal portion at each terminal end of the sleeves.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein the hem is not stitched to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

62. The method according to claim 59, wherein each hem is formed such as to allow a relative movement of each hem with respect to the intermediate section of the associated lifting strap.

63. The method according to claim 47, further comprising the step of securing a bottom portion of each sleeve, at each terminal end of each sleeve, to the top surface of the bag.

64. The method according to claim 47, wherein the sleeves are made of a transparent or translucent material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention which are presented solely by way of non-restrictive examples and are illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

[0036] FIGS. 1A-E are schematic illustrations of prior art bags as disclosed e.g. in International (PCT) Publication No. WO 98/54070 A1;

[0037] FIGS. 1F and 1G are schematic illustrations of another prior art bag as disclosed e.g. in International (PCT) Publication No. WO 2018/142196 A1;

[0038] FIGS. 2A-D are photographic illustrations of bags in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a photographic illustration of two bags as shown in FIGS. 2A-D being disposed one on top of the other;

[0040] FIGS. 4A-C are photographic illustrations showing a pair of fork arms of a forklift being inserted through the pair of sleeves provided in a top portion of the bag as shown in FIGS. 2A-D; and

[0041] FIG. 5 is a photographic illustration showing a close-up of a terminal end of one of the sleeves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The present invention will be described in relation to various illustrative embodiments as shown in particular in the photographic illustrations of FIGS. 2A-D to 5. It shall be understood that the scope of the invention encompasses all combinations and sub-combinations of the features of the invention disclosed herein.

[0043] FIGS. 2A-D are photographic illustrations of a bag in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, which bag is generally identified by reference numeral 100. Two such bags 100 are actually visible in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The bag 100 typically exhibits a generally cubic or cuboid shape, with possibly different width, length and height dimensions, depending on the relevant application and goods to be transported and stored. The bag dimensions (be it the width, length or height) may in particular range from approximately 60 to more than 200 centimetres, which dimensions shall however be understood as being mentioned for the purpose of illustration only.

[0044] Bag 100 is preferably manufactured from woven fabric using e.g. synthetic fibre materials (such as polypropylene or polyethylene materials), which fabric is cut into pieces that are sewn and/or welded together to form the bag structure. By way of illustration, reference can be made to International (PCT) Publication No. WO 01/18293 A1 in the name of the present Applicant, which publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0045] Bag 100 comprises a main body 11-15 including at least a bottom part 15 and four sides 11 to 14, namely a front side 11, a rear side 13, and two opposite lateral sides 12, 14, connected in pairs along adjacent edges to form vertical ridges at four corners of the bag 100. Bag 100 may optionally be provided with a lid closing the upper part thereof and provided with an aperture or spout to transfer goods inside the storage area of the bag 100, as shown. Bag 100 further comprises four lifting straps 18 that are secured to corresponding ones of the sides 11-14, namely the front and rear sides 11, 13 in the illustrated embodiment. More specifically, each lifting strap 18 includes first and second end sections 18a, 18b that are secured to the sides 11, 13 of the bag 100, and an intermediate section 18c rising above a top surface of the bag 100. The lifting straps 18 are interconnected in pairs by two sleeves 17 to form tubings or ducts extending longitudinally along a top surface of the bag 100, namely along a direction that is substantially parallel to the two opposite lateral sides 12, 14, to allow lifting of the bag 100 by means of a forklift 50, as shown e.g. in FIGS. 3 and 4A-C.

[0046] By way of preference, as illustrated, the first and second end section 18a, 18b of each lifting strap 18 are non-overlapping vertical end sections that are sewn on different portions of the corresponding sides 11, 13 of the bag 100. In the illustrated example, the first end section 18a is sewn on the front side 11 or rear side 13, alongside each vertical ridge of the bag 100, whereas the second end section 18b is sewn along a portion of the front side 11 or rear side 13 at a distance from each vertical ridge of the bag 100. The intermediate section 18c of each lifting strap 18 thus exhibits an inverted-U shape rising above the top surface of the bag 100. The end sections 18a, 18b advantageously extend and are sewn vertically along substantially all of the relevant portions of the sides 11, 13, namely along at least 80% of the height of each side 11, 13.

[0047] In another embodiment, the first end section 18a of each lifting strap 18 could alternatively be sewn on the lateral side 12 or 14, alongside each vertical ridge of the bag 100, while the second end section 18b remains sewn along a portion of the front side 11 or rear side 13.

[0048] According to the invention, and in contrast to the known bags depicted e.g. in FIGS. 1B-G where each sleeve is made of an integral portion of opposite lateral sides of the bag that is bended/looped on itself to form the tubings or ducts, the sleeves 17 are not an integral part of the main body 11-15 of the bag 100. Rather, the sleeves 17 are made of separate pieces of fabric that are shaped into the desired tubings or ducts and are connected to the main body 11-15 of the bag 100 via the lifting straps 18 and are not attached longitudinally to the main body 11-15 of the bag 100. More specifically, a longitudinal spacing is thus created between the sleeves 17 and the main body of the bag 100 (see in particular FIGS. 4A-C), which allows bulging of the main body 11-15 of the bag 100 upon being filled, without however compromising the function of the sleeves 17 and cooperation thereof with the fork arms 51 of the forklift 50. Connection of the sleeves 17 to the main body 11-15 of the bag 100 only at each terminal end thus allows the sleeves 17 to remain parallel to one another and cope with the inherent bulging of the main body 11-15 of the bag 100 as is visible e.g. in FIG. 2D.

[0049] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate section 18c of each lifting trap 18 is reinforced to force the intermediate section 18c into an essentially upright configuration rising above the top surface of the bag 100 when no load is applied onto a top portion of the bag 100. In this way, and as long as no load is applied onto the intermediate section 18c, the intermediate section 18c is urged by default in an essentially upright configuration above the top surface of the bag 100, as shown e.g. in FIGS. 2A-D. The intermediate sections 18c however retain a certain flexibility allowing a flattening of the intermediate sections 18c and of the associated sleeves 17, especially upon stacking another bag on top of the bag 100, as shown e.g. in the photographic illustration of FIG. 3.

[0050] Reinforcement of each intermediate section 18c can in particular be achieved by means of a flexible reinforcement tube that is provided in such a way as to surround the intermediate section 18c. Such flexible reinforcement tubes are partly visible in the photographic illustrations of FIGS. 4A-C and 5, and are designated by reference numeral 180, it being to be understood that terminal ends of the sleeves 17 are in effect wrapped around these flexible reinforcement tubes 180 in the illustrated example.

[0051] The flexible reinforcement tubes 180 may conveniently be made of a flexible polymer or biopolymer material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), bio-polyethylene (bio-PE), polypropylene (PP), bio-polypropylene (bio-PP) or silicone. Other flexible reinforcement materials may however be contemplated.

[0052] By way of preference, each terminal end of the sleeves 17 is provided with a hem 17A (visible especially in FIGS. 2D, 4A-C and 5) surrounding part of the intermediate section 18c of the associated lifting strap 18 and thereby providing connection of the sleeves 17 to the main body 11-15 of the bag 100. As already mentioned, a particularity of the sleeves 17 resides in that they are not longitudinally attached to the main body 11-15 of the bag 100. In the illustrated example, each hem 17A in effect surrounds part of the flexible reinforcement tube 180 and a longitudinal spacing is created between the sleeves 17 and the main body 11-15 of the bag 100.

[0053] Each hem 17A may conveniently be formed by folding and stitching a terminal portion at each terminal end of the sleeves 17. In practice, a terminal portion of the order of 5 to 10 cm may suffice to form each hem 17A. By way of preference, the hem is not however stitched to the intermediate section 18c of the associated lifting strap 18.

[0054] In accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment, each hem 17A is configured to allow a relative movement of the hem 17A with respect to the intermediate section 18c (and flexible reinforcing tube 180) of the associated lifting strap 18. This in effect allows some movement between the sleeves 17 and the lifting straps 18 upon lifting the bag 100, as shown e.g. in FIG. 4C, thereby reducing stresses and tensions.

[0055] In effect, according to the present invention, the sleeves 17 are subjected to far lesser stresses upon lifting of the bag 100, the greatest part of the load being supported by the lifting straps 18 and the main body 11-15 of the bag 100. Thanks to the fact that the sleeves 17 are not directly attached to the main body 11-15 of the bag 100, the sleeves 17 are furthermore not anymore subjected to important tensions and deformations as is the case with the known bags. As a result, the bag 100 retains a better and more uniform overall shape upon being lifted.

[0056] By way of preference, as shown e.g. in FIG. 5, a bottom portion 17B of each sleeve 17, at each terminal end of each sleeve 17, is secured to the top surface of the bag 100, for instance by stitching or by any other adequate means. The bottom portion 17B could in effect be secured permanently or non-permanently to the top surface of the bag 100, for instance by means of Velcro elements. This ensures that each terminal end of each sleeve 17 remains in a generally open configuration to facilitate insertion of the fork arms 51 of a forklift 50 as shown in FIGS. 4A-C.

[0057] The sleeves 17 shown in FIGS. 2A-D to 5 are made of the same fabric material as the main body 11-15 of the bag 100, but the sleeves 17 could in effect be made of any suitable material. In particular, the sleeves 17 may advantageously be made of a transparent or translucent material to facilitate handling operations with a forklift, thereby providing the ability for the operator to have visual feedback during insertion and extraction of the fork arms 51 in and out of the sleeves 17.

[0058] The bag of the invention also leads to substantial simplification of the steps required to produce the bag. Indeed, referring to the bag 100 illustrated by FIGS. 2A-C to 5, each required pair of sleeves 17 may be produced independently of the main body 11-15 of the bag 100, and each terminal end of each sleeve 17 can simply be connected to an intermediate section 18c of a corresponding lifting strap 18 (preferably by means of a hem 17A as previously discussed), even before the lifting straps 18 are actually secured to the main body 11-15 of the bag. In particular, a sub-assembly consisting of one sleeve 17 connected to a pair of lifting straps 18 (including by way of preference optional reinforcement of the intermediate section 18c) may be produced independently of the main body 11-15 of the bag 100. Stitching of the end sections 18a, 18b of each lifting strap 18 to corresponding ones of the sides 11-14 of the bag 100 may accordingly be performed as a separate, possibly final production step.

[0059] The end sections 18a, 18b of each lifting strap 18 could be stitched to the desired portions of the sides 11-14 of the bag 100 by any suitable stitching techniques, including e.g. specific stitching techniques aimed at ensuring improved load resistance.

[0060] Various modifications and/or improvements may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For instance, while the bag is shown as being of generally cubic form, the bag could exhibit a more elongated shape in one direction, for instance be taller or wider, depending on the relevant application.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS USED THEREIN

[0061] 10 bag (prior art of FIG. 1A) [0062] 10 bag (prior art of FIGS. 1B to 1D) [0063] 10 bag (prior art of FIG. 1E)( [0064] 10 bag (prior art of FIGS. 1F and 1G) [0065] 1 first side of bag 10, 10, 10, 10 [0066] 2 second side of bag 10, 10, 10, 10 [0067] 3 third side of bag 10, 10, 10, 10 [0068] 4 fourth side of bag 10, 10, 10, 10 [0069] 5 bottom part of bag 10, 10, 10, 10 [0070] 6 lifting straps to allow lifting of the bag 10 by means of a four-point lifting device (prior art of FIG. 1A) [0071] 7 first and second sleeves interconnecting lifting straps 8 in pairs and forming tubings or ducts to allow lifting of the bag 10, 10 or 10 by means of a forklift (prior art of FIGS. 1B-G) [0072] 8 lifting straps provided at four corners of bag 10, 10, 10 and forming an integral part of sleeves 7 (prior art of FIGS. 1B-G) [0073] 8a, 8b first and second ends of lifting strap 8 secured to e.g. by sewing along the vertical ridge of the bag 10 (prior art of FIGS. 1F and 1G) [0074] 8c intermediate section of lifting strap 8 positioned lengthwise along upper edge of bag 10 (prior art of FIGS. 1F and 1G) [0075] 8A restraining straps (prior art of FIGS. 1F and 1G) [0076] 8Aa, 8Ab non-overlapping vertical sections of restraining strap 8A (prior art of FIGS. 1F and 1G) [0077] 8Ac U-shaped intermediate section of restraining strap 8A positioned over intermediate section 8c and at least partially sewn thereon (prior art of FIGS. 1F and 1G) [0078] 9 additional lifting straps to allow lifting of the bag 10 (or 10) by means of a four-point lifting device (prior art of FIG. 1E) [0079] 50 forklift [0080] 51 fork arms of forklift 50 [0081] 100 bag according to the invention (preferred embodiment) [0082] 11 first side (front side) of bag 100 [0083] 12 second side (lateral side) of bag 100 [0084] 13 third side (rear side) of bag 100 (opposite to side 11) [0085] 14 fourth side (lateral side) of bag 100 (opposite to side 12) [0086] 15 bottom part of bag 100 [0087] 17 first and second sleeves interconnecting lifting straps 18 in pairs and forming tubings or ducts extending longitudinally along the top surface of bag 100 to allow lifting of the bag 100 by means of a forklift [0088] 17A hem provided at each terminal end of the first and second sleeves 17 [0089] 17B bottom portion of each sleeve 17, at each terminal end of the first and second sleeves 17, secured to top surface of bag 100 [0090] 18 lifting straps provided at four corners of bag 100 and connected to terminal ends of sleeves 17 [0091] 18a (first) end section of lifting strap 18 secured to front side 11 or rear side 13 [0092] 18b (second) end section of lifting strap 18 secured to front side 11 or rear side 13 [0093] 18c U-shaped intermediate section of lifting strap 18 rising above top surface of bag 100 [0094] 180 flexible reinforcement tube surrounding intermediate section 18c of each lifting strap 18