Systems and methods for storage

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a system for storing commodities is provided. The system may include a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin may further have an internal strapping. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing commodities is provided. The method may include providing a tarpaulin. In one embodiment, the method for storing commodities may include configuring the tarpaulin to provide internal strapping.

Claims

1. A method of storing a bulk pile of particulate material on a storage area surface, the storage area surface having a storage perimeter defined at a ground surface within which the pile of bulk material is stored substantially on or proximate to the ground surface, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tarpaulin over the storage area surface and over a retaining wall wherein the retaining wall is provided along the storage perimeter and a lower edge at the storage perimeter and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, and the tarpaulin having a perimeter edge, at least one tunnel integrally bonded to the tarpaulin, and a securing strap provided within the at least one tunnel; extending a first end of the securing strap beyond the perimeter edge; securing the tarpaulin over the storage area surface, including securing the first end of the securing strap; positioning a board over the upper edge of the retaining wall, a space between the board and the upper edge of the retaining wall defining an opening; feeding the perimeter edge of the tarpaulin through the opening; and securing the board to the upper edge of the retaining wall.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said securing strap is freely moveable within the at least one tunnel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the extending step further comprises extending a second end of the strap beyond the perimeter edge, the second end of the strap opposite the first end of the strap, and wherein the securing step further comprises securing the second end of the strap.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the secured first and second ends of the strap are adjustable so as to vary a tension of the strap.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tarpaulin further includes an opening, and the method further comprises: filling the storage area surface with particulate material through the opening and adjusting the tension of the strap as the storage area surface is filled and the particulate material presses against the secured tarpaulin.

6. A method of storing a bulk pile of particulate material on a storage area surface, the storage area surface having a storage perimeter defined at a ground surface within which the pile of bulk material is stored substantially on or proximate to the ground surface, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tarpaulin over the storage area surface and over a retaining wall wherein the retaining wall is provided along the storage perimeter and a lower edge at the storage perimeter and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, and the tarpaulin having a perimeter edge, at least one tunnel integrally bonded to the tarpaulin, and a securing strap provided within the at least one tunnel; extending a first end of the securing strap beyond the perimeter edge; securing the tarpaulin over the storage area surface, including securing the first end of the securing strap; positioning a board over the upper edge of the retaining wall, a space between the board and the upper edge of the retaining wall defining an opening; feeding the perimeter edge of the tarpaulin through the opening; and securing the board to the upper edge of the retaining wall; and extending the strap over the board.

7. A method of storing a bulk pile of particulate material on a storage area surface, the storage area surface having a storage perimeter defined at a ground surface within which the pile of bulk material is stored substantially on or proximate to the ground surface, and a retaining wall positioned along the storage perimeter, the retaining wall having a lower edge positioned at the storage area perimeter and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of tarpaulins over the storage area surface and over the retaining wall, including joining each positioned tarpaulin at an adjacent edge, and each tarpaulin including a perimeter edge, at least one tunnel integrally bonded to the tarpaulin, and a securing strap provided within the at least one tunnel; extending a first end of the securing strap over the upper edge of the retaining wall and beyond the perimeter edge; securing the plurality of tarpaulins over the storage area surface and over the retaining wall, including extending the first end of the securing strap over the upper edge of the retaining wall and securing the first end of the securing strap; positioning at least one board over the upper edge of the retaining wall, a space between the at least one board and the upper edge of the retaining wall defining an opening; feeding the perimeter edge of at least one of the plurality of tarpaulins through the opening, and securing the at least one board to the upper edge of the retaining wall.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said securing strap is freely moveable within the at least one tunnel.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the extending step further comprises extending a second end of the strap over the upper edge of the retaining wall, the second end of the strap opposite the first end of the strap, and wherein the securing step further comprises extending the second end of the strap over the upper edge of the retaining wall and securing the second end of the strap.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the secured first and second ends of the strap are adjustable so as to vary a tension of the strap, wherein the plurality of tarpaulins form an opening, and the method further comprises: filling the storage area surface with particulate material through the opening and adjusting the tension of the strap as the storage area surface is filled and the particulate material presses against the secured tarpaulin.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings, in which like numerals represent similar parts, illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a storage tarpaulin and retaining wall with angle iron braces.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin as depicted in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 2a is a detailed diagram of the edge of the tarpaulin of FIG. 1, showing the strapping within a pocket of the tarpaulin.

(5) FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a storage tarpaulin and retaining wall with angle iron braces.

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin as depicted in FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a round tarpaulin.

(8) FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin in the shape of an oval with straps running crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the oval.

(9) FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of a tarpaulin in the shape of an oval with straps running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oval.

(10) FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a round tarpaulin in which the straps terminate at a mid-point in the tarpaulin.

(11) FIG. 9 illustrates a retaining wall and angle iron brace in cross section with a tarpaulin sandwiched between a board and the retaining wall, and a strap attached to a winch.

(12) FIG. 10 illustrates a method of connecting two tarpaulin sections.

(13) FIG. 11 depicts two straps attached using a carabiner.

(14) FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of the storage system in which a retaining wall is not used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(15) FIG. 1 is a front view of a storage surface area having a perimeter with a tarpaulin 10 secured to a retaining wall 12 extending around the perimeter of the storage surface area. Straps 14 extend through internal tunnels or pockets (not visible) integral to the tarpaulin. Angle iron braces 18 extend around the outside perimeter of the retaining wall 12. A top opening 20 allows particulate, preferably grain, to be loaded to the storage area using an overhead conveyor (not shown). In FIG. 1, straps are passed generally across the tarpaulin from one side to another and are secured on either side of the storage area. Internal straps 14 are encased in lengthwise pockets that are integral to the tarpaulin, and may be secured to an external anchor where they extend through the tarpaulin. The straps can be made from any suitable material, including but not limited to rope, cord, webbing or cable.

(16) In the invention, straps are placed under tension to provide a generally downwardly directed force to secure the tarpaulin and the underlying particulate material being stored against undesired movement during the period of storage. Pockets are provided to hold the straps in place with respect to the tarpaulin, and the pockets do not experience tension along the length of the pocket.

(17) In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of pockets and straps extending in a generally parallel direction may be spaced apart by between about 3 feet up to about 24 feet. Alternate embodiments may have variable spacing between adjacent straps and pockets.

(18) FIG. 2 is a plan view of a round tarpaulin 10 in which parallel pockets 16 and straps 14 extend across the tarpaulin. One or more lifting rings 50 may be attached at or near the top of the tarpaulin to assist in installation and removal. A center opening 20 is used for filling the storage area. The tarpaulin depicted in FIG. 2 may be comprised of a plurality of sections which can be adjoined together to create a larger surface area.

(19) FIG. 2a depicts the detail of the tarpaulin 10 and pocket 16 through which a strap 14 is passed. Pockets may be used wherever it is necessary to secure a strap such that the strap must physically pass from within a pocket to the outside of the tarpaulin where it may be fastened to some other object. FIG. 2a is an enlarged, detailed view showing the structure of the tarpaulin 10 in the vicinity of straps 14, which, in a preferred embodiment, may be enclosed in pockets 16. The straps may of any material, including rope, cord, webbing, or cable. In a preferred embodiment, the straps 14 may be between 1 and 3 inches in width. In some embodiments, the straps 14 may be fully movable longitudinally within the pocket 16. In some embodiments, the pockets 16 may be thermally bonded to the tarpaulin 10. Optionally, any other suitable method such as stitching or adhesive may be used to bond the pockets to the tarpaulin. It should be noted that the word tarp and tarpaulin may be used interchangeably.

(20) FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of the storage system in which straps 14 within a tarpaulin 10 run at an angle before passing over the top of the storage area. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, additional strength is provided on one side of the storage area by the higher incidence of straps on one side.

(21) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage system of FIG. 3. Straps 14 generally provide support in a localized section of the tarpaulin. Such localized support might be desirable in situations in which there is a prevailing wind that constantly wears against one side of the tarpaulin.

(22) Other strap and webbing configurations may be used as circumstances require. FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the tarpaulin and strap system depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 5, parallel pockets run across of the tarpaulin and straps 14 are within the pockets. A perpendicular cross-strap 26 provides strength and tensioning ability in a direction that is perpendicular to the parallel straps. A center hole 20 may have a reinforced collar or other device to allow perpendicular strap 26 and one of the parallel straps to meet and connect at the center hole.

(23) FIG. 6 depicts a plan view of another embodiment of a storage tarpaulin. In this embodiment, pockets and straps 14 run crosswise to the long axis of the oval tarpaulin. This configuration may be suitable for a storage area in which material is to be deposited or removed from either or both ends. As material is added, straps at the vicinity of the area where material is added can be adjusted by loosening until the particulate has been added, or by tightening to secure the tarpaulin against the material. This can be done in a localized area without the need to adjust straps in other parts of the storage area.

(24) Another oval embodiment is shown in the plan view of FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the pockets run lengthwise on the long axis of the oval tarpaulin. Straps 14 are be used to tension the tarpaulin against the stored material.

(25) FIG. 8 is a plan view depicting an alternative embodiment of a round tarpaulin that may be assembled in four sections. In this configuration, parallel straps 14 intersect and join perpendicular straps 26. Pockets enclose all straps. In each section, parallel straps extend from the edge of the tarpaulin about half of the distance across the tarpaulin, only as far as a perpendicular strap where they are joined and terminate.

(26) FIG. 9 depicts the retaining wall 12 (in cross section) and demonstrates how the tarpaulin 10 and strap 14 may be anchored to angle iron brace 28 which is situated adjacent to retaining wall 12. In this embodiment, board 32 runs lengthwise along the top of the retaining wall 12. Just before the tarpaulin reaches the board 32 the strap 14 leaves the tarpaulin through a hole in the pocket 16 and passes over the board 32. The tarpaulin 10 extends between the top of the retaining wall 12 and the board 32, and is pressed between the retaining wall 12 and board 32 when the board is tightened against the retaining wall with screws, clamps, or some other suitable tightening mechanism. Strap 14 runs over the board and terminates at a winch 30, ratchet, or other suitable device that may be used to tension the strap. As depicted in FIG. 9, angle iron brace 28 further supports winch 30. In this embodiment, the winch 30 and supporting angle iron brace 28 are the anchors which tighten and secure tarpaulin 10.

(27) FIG. 10 depicts a seam between two tarpaulin sections 10, and also shows an integral handle 44 for closing the two sections. A rain flap 38 is used to keep water out of the storage area. The rain flap 38 may be attached to the tarpaulin by stitching 40, or preferably by heat bonding. A hook and loop fastener 42, 46 may be used to seal the rain flap against becoming unsecured by wind or the elements. Where the respective edges of two adjacent sections meet, opposing grommets 34 are used to hold the sections together and are tied with a plastic tie wrap 36, a cord, cable, chain, carabiner or any other suitable closing mechanism.

(28) At times, it may be necessary to secure two straps 14 to one another. When this is done as shown in FIG. 11, a carabiner 48 may be used to pass through opposing loops in the straps 14. A carabiner may have a quick release or spring loaded link that may be opened to secure or loose the straps. Optionally, straps may have grommets or other reinforcements embedded at the end, and two straps may be connected by a screw or nut and bolt.

(29) FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of the storage system in which a retaining wall is not used. Although any suitable ground anchoring component may be used, one of the simplest, which is depicted in FIG. 12, is stakes 50 that may be embedded in the ground or may be embedded in or otherwise secured to a ground covering 52. In an embodiment, the ground covering may be a tarpaulin material that attaches to the tarpaulin 10 around the base perimeter of the storage area, thereby preventing the material being stored from escaping below the tarpaulin 10, or allowing wind or rain to enter the storage area from beneath the tarpaulin 10.

(30) In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tarpaulin engages a ground covering section. The ground covering section is laid on the ground, whereupon particulate material is piled on top of the ground covering. Once the particulate material has been piled on the ground covering, the perimeter of the tarpaulin is secured to the perimeter of the ground covering using a hook and loop fastener, or by sewing the perimeters together, or by using any other equivalent structure for securing the perimeter of the tarpaulin to the perimeter of the ground covering. Once the tarpaulin and ground covering have been secured to one another, an internal strapping systemas described hereinmay then be utilized to tighten and further secure the ground covering and tarpaulin to the particulate material contained therein.