CONTAINER, IN PARTICULAR PACKAGE

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1), in particular package, for transporting a powder/granular product, comprising: a flexible inlet/outlet (2) which, as intended, is clamped with a distal end portion (22) to a connecting device in order to fill the product into the container (1) or to empty the container (1), the distal end portion (22) having a different, in particular more flexible, construction than another portion of the inlet/outlet (2).

Claims

1. A container, in particular package, for transporting a powder/granular product, comprising: a flexible inlet/outlet which, as intended, is clamped with a distal end portion to a connecting device in order to fill the product into the container or to empty the container, the distal end portion having a different, in particular more flexible, construction than another portion of the inlet/outlet.

2. The container according to claim 1, further comprising: an accommodating body in which the product is accommodated during transportation, wherein the other portion of the inlet/outlet is a proximal end portion connected to the accommodating body.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the proximal end portion has a coating, in particular a metal coating (metal lamination), and is less flexible than the distal end portion.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the flexible inlet/outlet is formed of polyethylene film.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the inlet/outlet is mounted to the proximal end portion of the inlet/outlet in a fusion-integrated, in particular welded, manner.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the distal end portion of the inlet/outlet is mounted on an immediate end of the proximal end portion and extends the inlet/outlet.

7. The container according to claim 5, wherein the distal end portion of the inlet/outlet is mounted on the proximal end portion such that the proximal end portion extends partially within the distal end portion.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is a big bag.

9. Use of a container according to claim 1 for transporting a powder/granular product, wherein both the proximal end portion and the distal end portion are each closed, in particular tied, with a closure.

Description

[0026] Below, a preferred embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the figures attached.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a container according to the invention, in particular a big bag, having an inlet/outlet with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the latter being formed from a different material;

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates the container according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, wherein both the proximal end portion and the distal end portion are tied with a closure.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a container 1 according to the invention, in particular a big bag, for transporting a powder/granular product.

[0030] The big bag 1 comprises an accommodating body 3 and an inlet/outlet 2, through which the big bag 1 can be filled or emptied with the product.

[0031] The accommodating body 3 is constructed from an outer fabric 30 and an inner lining 31. The outer fabric 30 is, for example, a textile fabric with strength that enables the big bag in a filled state to be, for example, lifted or suspended via loops 32. The inner lining 31 (also called liner) is formed from a coated film, for example an aluminum-laminated polyethylene film, which additionally jackets the product inside the outer fabric 30. The coated film forming the inner lining 31 protects the product, for example, from unwanted radiation or oxygen.

[0032] The accommodating body 3 with its outer fabric 30 and inner lining 31 forms a volume in which a large amount of product can be accommodated.

[0033] The inlet/outlet 2 is used to fill or empty the big bag 1 and is designed as tubular in shape. For filling/emptying, the inlet/outlet 2 is clamped to a connecting device (not shown), as intended, so that the product can be transferred from/to a device (not shown), such as a silo or a production plant. The clamping of the inlet/outlet 2 is sealed to such an extent that a user does not come into contact with the product or contaminate the product with particles from the external environment. In other words, the clamping prevents cross-contamination.

[0034] The inlet/outlet 2 comprises a proximal end portion 21 and a distal end portion 22.

[0035] The proximal end portion 21 is preferably an integral component of the inner lining 31 and consequently formed from the coated film.

[0036] The distal end portion 22 preferably adjoins one end of the proximal end portion 21.

[0037] The distal end portion 22 is of a different, in particular more flexible, construction than the proximal end portion 21. For example, the distal end portion 22 is constructed of an uncoated polyethylene film and, due to the lack of coating, is more flexible.

[0038] The inlet/outlet 2 is connected to the connecting device (not shown), as intended, by clamping it to the connecting device in a sealed manner. In particular, for this clamping there is used the distal end portion 22 of the inlet/outlet 2, i.e. the distal end portion 22 is clamped, as intended, to the connecting device in a sealed manner.

[0039] Since the distal end portion 22 is of a more flexible construction, the seal can be achieved much more easily compared to when the distal end portion 22 is not present and clamping is performed on a portion of the inlet/outlet 2 formed from the coated film. The coated film is stiffer and more rigid, making it more difficult to seal.

[0040] The big bag 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 can preferably comprise a further inlet/outlet 2a, which is preferably constructed identically to the inlet/outlet 2 explained, i.e. has a proximal end portion 21a and a distal end portion 22a. In this respect, reference is made to the above statements.

[0041] The inlet/outlet 2 can function, for example, as an outlet for emptying, and the other inlet/outlet 2a can function as an inlet for filling.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates the container 1 according to the invention in a filled state. The container or big bag 1 is in this state, for example, shortly after filling or when it reaches its destination.

[0043] Preferably, the container or big bag 1 is used in such a way that, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 22 and the proximal end portion 21 are each tied by a closure V. The closure V is, for example, a clamp, a cable tie. It should be mentioned in this context that the closure V closing the proximal end portion 21 provides at least a partial seal and the closure V closing the distal end portion 22 provides a stronger seal. In other words, the closure V seals the distal end portion 22 more strongly than the other closure V seals the proximal end portion 21.

[0044] The closures are preferably detachable.

[0045] It should also be emphasized that the inlet/outlet 2 is separated from said connecting device after filling/emptying by being tied off twice and cut in between. This operation is easier to perform in the area of the more flexible distal end portion 22.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inlet/outlet 2 is constructed in such a way that the proximal end portion 21 and the distal end portion 22 are welded together. The welded joint is produced, for example, by a welding device (not shown) heating the coated polyethylene film on the proximal end portion 21 and the polyethylene film forming the distal end portion 22 in such a way that they melt and connect to each other.

[0047] Alternatively, the inlet/outlet 2 can also be formed so that the coating, in particular the aluminum coating, ends at a certain position and the uncoated film, in particular the uncoated polyethylene film, continues and forms the distal end portion 22.

[0048] All of the explanations and considerations made above with regard to the inlet/outlet 2 apply equally to the preferred further inlet/outlet 2a.