MXPA97000876A - Flexible container of bulk material, with sopo side beams - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container of bulk material comprising: a substantial substantially flexible container comprising a rigid upper panel and a rigid bottom panel interconnected by an erect side wall panel defining a folding chamber for material that can flow , meterials that can flow create a lateral buckling force acting against the sidewall panel: eight side beams extending substantially vertically around the sidewall panel in a spaced relation, these side beams join the panel and bottom panel so that a lateral buckling force towards the lateral flights to the rigid top panel and the rigid bottom panel, and where the eight side beams are in sets of two and where the games are placed in front of each other and where the side beams that form each set of side beams are interconnected so that the beams beats The rails make an equal distribution of lateral buckling force around the side wall panel providing lateral support for the container to prevent buckling when the chamber contains materials that can flow

Description

FLEXIBLE CONTAINER OF BULK MATERIAL. WITH SIDE SUPPORT BEAMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to containers of bulk material and, in particular, to flexible containers of bulk material, which have lateral support beams that prevent the buckling of these containers, when loaded with materials that can flow . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to store and transport materials that can flow, such as grains, chemicals, fertilizers and minerals, intermediate or semi-flexible transport containers have been developed. These containers are often cylindrical in design and are formed of a flexible woven material. Approximately 454 to 1361 kilograms or more of the bulk material can be loaded into the containers, which generally have characteristics for top loading and bottom discharge. Flexible intermediate containers of bulk material are easily transported and stored in an exposed condition and can be easily stacked for high density storage or transportation. The patent of E. U. A., No. 4,194,652 describes an intermediate container for the transport of bulk material. A woven container is provided, which includes a bottom portion and an upright side portion. The bottom portion is formed of one or more panels stitched together at the vertical edges. The lower edge of the cylindrical lateral portion is sewn to the periphery of the bottom portion, which includes a discharge tube. A similar tube is placed on top of the container to facilitate its loading. As a result of the inherent properties of the flowable or bulk material, a lateral force, generated by the bulk material, is exerted on the sidewall panels of the flexible bulk material containers. The flexible side walls, circular, tend to evenly distribute the lateral force, caused by the bulk material around the containers. However, lateral force tends to cause buckling of the container. This buckling is an inconvenient effect as it distorts the containers, causing a loss of storage space when these containers stack together. In the extreme case, the buckling can cause the containers to rupture and spill their contents. This is especially inconvenient when the contents are of chemical composition. The transport, which can be by truck, train or boat, subjects the flexible containers to moment forces. Thus, the acceleration and deceleration of the transport vehicle can cause a displacement of the contents of the containers and of the containers themselves. To alleviate some of the problems associated with transport, flexible intermediate containers of bulk material have been developed with rigid support elements. U.A. Patent No. 5,025,925 discloses a flexible intermediate container of bulk material having support pillars associated therewith. The outer surface of the container has channels placed vertically, which receive the supporting pillars. The bottom ends of the support pillars are connected to a wooden platform. The patent discloses that the abutments are useful in reducing stresses placed on the upper end of the front support pillars and the lower end of the posterior support pillars, when the transport speed is reduced. The patent of E. U. A., No. 4,019,635 discloses an intermediate container of bulk material of tubular cardboard or corrugated board, which is supported inside a sleeve which is secured to a bottom platform. The patent further discloses that the relative movement of the container within the sleeve provides for the absorption of a large proportion of the impact energy, resulting from the transport of the container.

Because the flexible intermediate containers of bulk material can be crushed, attempts have been made to create side walls that hold themselves, to facilitate the filling of the container. The patent of E. U. A., No. 4,903,859 discloses a flexible intermediate container of bulk material incorporating rigid panels in the side walls of the container. This patent discloses that rigid panels allow the container to hold only when filled. While employing some form of support structure, the patents, the aforementioned entities, do not address or attempt to alleviate the problem of buckling of the container. An attempt to overcome the problems associated with buckling involves the placement of flexible containers within a rigid external cubic frame work structure. Examples of such applications are found in the following patents: U.A.A. Patent Nos. 5,437,384, 4,834,255, 4,901,885, 4,927,037, 5,052,579, 5,071,025, 5,282,544, 5,289,937 and 5,407,090. However, this approach is burdensome, expensive and complicated, since it requires the construction of an external support. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks associated with the buckling of flexible containers of bulk material under the load. This object is achieved by the use of vertical side beams, placed around the sidewall panel of the flexible container for bulk material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is achieved by providing a flexible container of bulk material having rigid side beams, placed vertically, around the side wall panel of the container. The lateral beams are connected at the top and bottom of the container in such a way that they carry the lateral forces of the materials that can flow, contained, and transfer those forces vertically to the top and bottom of the container, as well that horizontally to the panel of the side wall. Rigid side beams can be formed in a variety of configurations and can be composed of numerous materials. However, the configuration and composition of the rigid side beams must function to transfer the forces longitudinally with relatively little deviation. A preferred configuration of the rigid side beams is of a triangular or V-shaped profile, since the ratio of the material to the resistor makes this configuration economically possible. An angle of 45 degrees at the vertex is preferred, with the vertex pointing preferably towards the center of the container. A commercially available product, known as an "angled board" or "edge board", will be suitable for constructing side beams. It has a V profile and is made of paper or plastic fiber. The side beams can be held in place by a variety of fastening mechanisms. The use of an adhesive to fix the side beams to the side wall panel of the container can be employed. Additionally, the side wall panel may contain sleeves or bags that receive the side beams and hold them in position around the side wall panel. It is also possible to laminate the side beams to the side wall panel. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the container has a rigid panel in the upper part and the bottom, molded receptacles can be supplied in the upper and bottom panels to fix the ends of the side beams and their position vertically around of the side wall panel. The spacing and the number of lateral beams is dependent on the characteristics of the flowable material to be contained. Ideally, the spacing and number of side beams should result in a relatively cubic container in appearance with folds in the sidewall panel occurring between the side beams and at the corners of the container. This is often accompanied by the use of eight side beams in pairs in sets of two, which are spaced equidistantly from other games around the side wall panel. The side beams act to transfer the internal buckling force to the areas in the sidewall panel where the bends occur. More importantly, the side beams transfer the lateral buckling force away from the sidewall panel to the top of the container. This is accomplished by connecting the top ends of the side beams to or near the top panel of the container. The flexible container of bulk material of the present invention can be made inexpensively from a standard material and packaging of bulk material. When the container is empty, it is easily foldable and, therefore, economical to transport. When the container is filled with the flowable materials, it conforms to a relatively cubic configuration, eliminating the problem associated with a "buckled" container and providing a more efficient bulk material transport and storage container. Additionally, the flexible bulk material container of the present invention has improved stacking capabilities, when loaded, as a result of the uniformly distributed forces and aggregate strength of the side beams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an isometric view, with separate sections, of a first embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing side beams placed with top and bottom sleeves. Figure 2 is an isometric top view of a second embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing a rigid panel of the top and bottom. Figure 3 is an isometric top view of a third embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing an interconnection between sets of lateral beams. Figure 4 is an isometric top view of a third embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing the side beams as lacquers. Figure 5 is a top isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing the side beams placed with top and bottom bags. Fig. 6 is an isometric top view of a quina mode of the bulk container of bulk material, showing the side beams placed with a laminated sheet.

Figure 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing the side beams placed on the external surface of the side wall of the container. Figure 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the flowable container of bulk material, showing the side beams placed on the inner sidewall surface of the container. Figure 9 is an isometric top view of a seventh embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing a top filler opening, lifting loops and a pallet. Figure 10 is an isometric bottom view of the seventh embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing a bottom distribution opening. Figure 11 is an isometric top view of an eighth embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material showing strips connecting the upper ends of the side beams. Figure 12 is a schematic, isometric, bottom view of the eighth embodiment of the flexible container of bulk material, showing the placement of the strips connecting the bottom ends of the side beams.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES With reference to the figures, where similar elements have been given with similar numerical designations, to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, and particularly with reference to the embodiment of the bulk material container of the present invention, illustrated in Figure 1, the container of bulk material can be constructed as a substantially flexible container 10, having an upper panel 11 and a bottom panel 12 interconnected by an erect side wall panel 13, which defines a chamber folding 14 for flowable materials. Preferably, four or more side beams 15 extend in a substantially vertical direction around the side wall panel 13, in a spaced relationship. The flexible container 10 can be partially formed of a flexible material. As an example, the side wall panel 13 can be formed of a flexible material and the top panel 11 and / or the bottom panel 12 can be formed of a relatively rigid material. Preferably, the flexible container 10 is constructed entirely of a flexible material. This flexible material, which forms the flexible container 10, can be a woven material and, in particular, a woven polypropylene material or a woven polyethylene material. However, it will be understood that other flexible materials may be used in the construction of the flexible container 10. For example, the flexible container can be formed from a paper material or a synthetic material. Examples of synthetic materials may include plastics or rubber. The flexible container 10 can be formed of multiple layers. For example, the flexible container 10 can be composed of a layer of relatively permeable woven material and a relatively impermeable layer of material. This relatively impermeable material can be an external or internal coating. Preferably, the relatively permeable woven material is a woven polypropylene material and the relatively impermeable material is a synthetic film material. Examples of the synthetic film material include nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyesters. As shown in Figure 2, the top panel 11 and / or the bottom panel 12 can be constructed of a substantially rigid material. While it will be understood that various materials having rigidity can be used to construct the top panel 11 and / or the bottom panel 12, it is preferred if the rigid material is corrugated paper, wood, plastic or metal. With reference to Figure 1, it can be seen that the panel of the side wall 13 can be formed from a single panel joined at its ends. Alternatively, the side wall panel 13 can be formed of separate side panel panels, which are joined together to form the side panel panel 13. As an example, the side panel panel 13 can be constructed of four separate side panel panels. These separate side panel panels are preferably joined together at their respective ends to adjacent and separate side wall panels. It will be understood that the side wall panel 13 can be joined by any fastening method. The fastening method will depend on a variety of construction factors, such as, for example, the type of material used to form the sidewall panel 13. However, in a modality in which the side wall panel 13 is made of woven material, it will be preferred if the fastening method is achieved through sewing or staples. Again with reference to Figure 1, it is preferred if the number of side beams 15 is between four and twelve. Even more preferred is if the number of side beams 15 is eight. These side beams 15 can also be two. When configured in sets of two, it is preferred if the sets of side beams 15 are placed opposite each other around the side wall panel 13. As illustrated in Figure 3, the side beams 15 forming the sets of side beams 15 can be interconnected. The sets of lateral beams 15 can be interconnected with any type of connecting element 16. The connecting element 16 is preferably made of the same material that forms the side beams 15. The connecting element 16 can be a rod, tube or similar device and its placement between the side beams 15, which form the set of the side beams, can be of any configuration or angle. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element 16 is of such a design that the interconnected side beams 15 form a plate, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 1 shows side beams 15 extending substantially vertically around the panel 13. of lateral wall. Preferably, the beams 15 can be placed at an angle in the range of 10 to 90 degrees relative to the bottom panel 12. More preferably, the side beams 15 can be positioned at an angle in the range of 45 to 90 degrees relative to the bottom panel 12. And even more preferably, the side beams 15 can be placed at an angle of about 90 degrees in relation to the bottom panel 12. Again with further reference to Figure 1, the side beams 15 can extend substantially over the entire height of the side wall panel 13. To effect the distribution of the buckling lateral forces, it is preferable that the side beams 15 are formed of a substantially rigid material. This rigid material forming the side beams 15 can be of any material having rigidity, so that the distribution of the lateral buckling forces is achieved. Preferably, such rigid material is corrugated paper, wood, plastic or metal. The side beams 15 can also be designed in a variety of configurations. For example, the side beams 15 can be tubular. In addition, the side beams 15 can be triangular or V-shaped in cross section. The buckling force is the same in all lateral directions. Thus, without the use of the side beams 15 to transfer the buckling force, the flexible container 10 will be circular or round. To obtain the flexible container 10 of the desired cubic shape, which is represented in the figures, the side beams 15 must be placed around the panel 13 of the side wall, in order to effect an equal deviation of the lateral buckling forces. The determination of the placement of the side beams 15 may involve the following consideration. Calculate the circumference of a theoretical circle using as a guide (1) the diameter of a loaded circular flexible container, without lateral beams (there are no restrictions on preventing lateral buckling force) and (2) include elasticity in the calculation or expected elongation of the material that forms the sidewall panels of the container. Divide the circumference calculated by the number eight (two lateral beams per side or eight segments that maximize the equal distribution of the buckling force). The resulting number is the distance on the circumference of the flexible container 10 that the side beams 15 must be placed spaced apart from each other. However, due to the considerations, such as tolerances and manufacturing efficiencies of the product, the profiles of the side beams 15, the material selection of the side wall panel 13, the requirements of the contained load and others, the placement of the side beams 15 does not need to be placed as described just before. In addition, it can be beneficial, for other reasons besides the design (for example, considerations of stacking and handling) more than two side beams 15 per side can be used. In this situation, the side beams 15 can be placed symmetrically around the side wall panel 13. If the side beam 15 is positioned at the midpoint of one side of the side wall panel 13, the placement of the other side beams 15 can be done to balance the residual buckling force or to more efficiently handle the stack load.

In one embodiment, in which the side wall panel 13 has four different sides, as, for example, when formed of four separate (but joined) sidewall panels 13, a possible construction of the present invention would be to place four side beams 15 in the center of each separate panel 13 of the side wall. In a preferred embodiment, two side beams 15 are placed around each of the four side wall panels 13. The side beams 15 can be placed around the side wall panel 13 in various ways. The side beams 15 can be attached directly to the side wall panel 13 or the side beams 15 can be attached directly to the top panel 11 and the bottom panel 12. The attachment means can be dictated by the type of material that forms the flexible container 10. In the embodiment of the present invention, in which the side beams 15 are fixedly attached to the side wall panel 13, the side beams 15 can be joined by adhesive. In the embodiment of the present invention, in which the side wall panel 13 is made of a flexible metal, the side beams 15 can be welded to the side wall panel 13. In the embodiment in which the side wall panel 13 is made of woven or paper material, a mechanical fastener can be used to achieve the joint. An example of a mechanical fastener is by staples or seams. As illustrated in Figure 1, the side beams 15 can be placed around the side wall panel 13 by retaining the element 17 which receives and maintains the side beams 15 in a substantially vertical position relative to the bottom panel 12. Preferably, the retaining elements 17 are configured as sleeves 18. Again with reference to Figure 1, the ribs 18 can be secured to the side wall panel 13. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeves 18 are placed on the upper end 19 of the side wall panel 13 and the bottom end 20 of the side wall panel 13, whereby the ends of the side beams 15 can be joined together. fixedly to the side wall panel 13. The sleeves 18 may extend continuously around the side wall panel 13 at the upper end 19 and the bottom end 20. However, the sleeves 18 may also extend non-continuously around the side wall panel 13 at the upper end 19 and the bottom end 20. As can be seen in Figure 5, the sleeves 18 may preferably be in the form of multiple balls 21, whereby a set of two bags, one placed at the bottom end 20 and another placed at the upper end 19, they receive and maintain individual side beams 15 in a substantially vertical position around the side wall panel 13. Instead of a set of two bags, the bags 21 can be a single bag extending the height of the side wall panel 13 receiving a side beam 15. In another preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the sleeves 18 they may be in the sheet form 22. Preferably, the sheet 22 forms a laminate which substantially covers the side wall panel 13 and the side beams 15, as they are placed around the side wall panel 13. The sheets 22 can be fastened to the side wall panel 13 by several conventional means. Also, the sheet 22 can extend continuously around the side wall panel 13"to form a laminate or sheet 22, which can extend non-continuously around the side wall panel 13 to form the laminate. The sheet 22 can be composed of sheet cover portions separated from the side wall panel 13. The sleeves 18 can be secured to the side wall panel 13 by conventional means, depending on the material forming the sleeves 18. For example, sleeves 18 can be made of a flexible, non-elastic material, which preferably is a polypropylene material or a polyethylene material. The sleeves 18 made of a flexible, non-elastic material can be secured to the side wall panel 13 by conventional fastening means, such as, for example, mechanical fasteners. For illustrative purposes, the mechanical fastener may be by stitching 23 as shown in Figure 1. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the retaining element 17 joins the side beams 15 to the panel 11 and to the bottom panel 12. Depending on the material used to form the top panel 11 and the bottom panel 12, various methods may be employed to join the side beams 15. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the top panel 11 and the bottom panel are formed of a sub- stantially rigid material. Here, the retaining element 17 can be of molded receptacles 24 on the top panel 11 and the bottom panel 12, which receive respective ends of the side beams 15 and maintain these side beams 15 in a substantially vertical position around the panel 13 of side wall. With reference to Figure 7, the flexible container 10 is shown as being an outer layer 25 of woven, relatively permeable material and an inner layer 26 of relatively impermeable material. In this preferred embodiment, the side beams 15 can be placed or joined by retention elements 17 to the external surface 31 of the outer layer 25. Alternatively and as shown in Figure 8, the side beams 15 can be placed or joined by the retaining element 17 to the inner surface 32 of the outer layer 25 adjacent to the inner layer 26. As illustrated in Figure 9, the flexible container 10 may have a selectively closeable filling opening 27, placed in the upper panel 11 to facilitate filling of the chamber 14 with flowable materials. The flexible container 10 may also have lifting loops 28 for handling or transporting this flexible container 10 by a load elevator. Preferably, the lifting loops 28 are fastened to the upper panel 11 or the upper end 19 of the side wall panel 13. A bottom pallet 30 can also be provided, in which a flexible container is placed to assist in the transport of the flexible container 10. As seen in Figure 10, the discharge opening 29, which can be selectively closed, it can also be placed on the bottom panel 12 to facilitate the removal of the flowable materials contained within the chamber 14. In another preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figure 11, the flexible container 10 is without the top panel 11. Instead of it, the distribution element of the upper force interconnects the upper ends 33 of the side beams 15. The upper force distribution element 35 functions to uniformly distribute the lateral forces caused by a charge of flowable materials in the flexible container 10 and specifically in all the side beams 15. Preferably, the upper force distribution element 35 connects the adjacent upper ends 33 of the side beams 15 to each other. As shown in Figure 12, the flexible container 10 can also have a distribution element 36 of the bottom force interconnecting the bottom ends 34 of the side beams 15. Similarly, the bottom force distribution element functions to evenly distribute the lateral forces caused by the loading of flowable materials through the container flexible 10 and specifically on all side beams 15. Preferably, the bottom force distribution element connects the adjacent bottom end 34 of the side beams 15. The upper force distribution element 35 and the distribution element 36 of the bottom force, can be any device that supplies the interconnection of the side beams 15 and functions to distribute the lateral force as mentioned. Examples may include wires and rigid preformed material. Preferably, the distribution element 35 and 36 of the upper and bottom force are strips 37 formed of a non-elastic material. In the mode just described, the retaining element 17 can also place or join the side beams 15 to the side wall panel 13. In the embodiment described above, the side beams 15 are relatively restricted from moving when the chamber 14 is filled with flowable materials. As a result, a force exerted in either direction on one of the side beams 15 must be counteracted by an opposing force caused by the same force on one or more of the other side beams 15. Thus, a stabilized equal distribution of forces results. In other words, any outward force exerted on a side beam 15 by a force exerted by the lateral buckling force on the side wall panel 13 is transmitted to the upper end 33 and the bottom end 34 of the side beams 15. and then it is transmitted through the distribution element 35, 36 of the upper and / or bottom force to other side beams 15. Since equal tension is applied to the side beams 15 and hold in place, the flexible container 10 It has a fixed dimensional stability. Preferably, eight side beams are used in this embodiment, and the bottom force distribution element 35, 36 will resemble an octagon that will connect eight geometrically spaced side beams 15 on the top and bottom of the flexible container 10. , which results in a stable condition of resistance against all directional stresses. The bulk material container of the present invention can be constructed by the provision of the top panel 11 and the bottom panel 12. The side wall panel 13, made of a substantially flexible material, is then connected to the top panel 11 and the 12 background panel to create a folding camera 14 for the flowable materials. Four or more rigid side beams 15 are placed around the side wall panel 13 in a substantially vertical position whereby the side beams 15 provide the lateral support for the flexible container 10 to prevent its buckling when the chamber 14 contains flowable materials. The retaining element 17, as previously described, can be used to achieve the placement of the side beams 15 around the panel 13 of the side wall. The number of side beams 15 can be between four and twelve. However, eight lateral beams are preferred. Is also preferred if the side beams 15 are provided in sets of two and are then placed opposite another set of side beams 15 around the side wall panel 13. The present invention has utility for a variety of flexible or semi-flexible transport containers. It is anticipated that an application of the present invention will be with flexible intermediate transport containers of bulk material. The flexible intermediate transport containers of bulk material are commonly made of a permeable woven material having an inner liner of impermeable material such as plastic. These containers generally hold between 454 and 1362 kilograms or more of the material. Preferably, the container 10 can retain about 908 kilograms of bulk material in a volume of 0.765 to 1.147 cubic meters. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention will be defined only by the appended claims, and within the full range of equivalences, many variations and modifications will be apparent. naturally to those skilled in the art of a careful reading of this specification.

Claims (59)

1. CLAIMS 1. A container of bulk material, this container comprises: a substantially flexible container, including top and bottom panels interconnected by an erect side wall panel, which defines a folding chamber for materials that can flow; four or more side beams, extending substantially vertically around the side wall panel, in a spaced relation, these lateral beams provide the lateral support for the container, to prevent its buckling when the chamber contains the materials that can flow.
2. 2. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the number of side beams is between four and twelve.
3. 3. The container of bulk material, according to claim 2, wherein the number of side beams is eight.
4. 4. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the four or more lateral beams are in sets of two.
5. 5. The container of bulk material, according to claim 4, wherein the sets of lateral beams are placed opposite each other around the side wall panel.
6. 6. The container of bulk material, according to claim 4, in which the lateral beams of each set of them are interconnected.
7. 7. The container of bulk material, according to claim 6, wherein the interconnected side beams form a plate.
8. 8. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the side beams are placed at an angle with a value of 10 to 90 degrees, in relation to the bottom panel.
9. 9. The container of bulk material, according to claim 8, wherein the beams are placed at an angle with a value of 45 to 90 degrees, relative to the bottom panel.
10. 10. The container of bulk material, according to claim 9, wherein the beams are placed at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom panel.
11. 11. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the side beams extend substantially over the entire height of the side wall panel.
12. 12. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the side beams are formed of a substantially rigid material.
13. 13. The container of bulk material, according to claim 12, wherein the rigid material is selected from the group consisting of corrugated paper, wood, plastic and metal.
14. 14. The container of bulk material, according to claim 13, wherein the beams are tubular.
15. 15. The container of bulk material, according to claim 13, wherein the side beams are of triangular configuration in cross section.
16. 16. The container of bulk material, according to claim 13, wherein the side beams are in a V-cross section configuration.
17. 17. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the side wall panel is formed of four separate panels, joined together.
18. 18. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the container, substantially flexible, is formed of a woven material.
19. 19. The container of bulk material, according to claim 18, wherein the woven material is selected from the group consisting of woven polypropylene and woven polyethylene.
20. 20. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the container, substantially flexible, is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of paper and synthetic material.
21. 21. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the top panel is formed of a substantially rigid material, selected from the group consisting of corrugated paper, wood, plastic and metal.
22. 22. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, in which the bottom panel is formed of a substantially rigid material, selected from the group consisting of corrugated paper, wood, plastic and metal.
23. 23. The container of bulk material, according to claim 1, wherein the top and bottom panels are formed of a substantially rigid material, selected from the group consisting of corrugated paper, wood, plastic and metal.
24. 24. A container of bulk material, this container comprises: a container, substantially flexible, including top and bottom panels interconnected by an erect sidewall panel, which defines a collapsible chamber for materials that can flow; four or more side beams, substantially rigid, extending substantially vertically around the side wall panel, in a spaced relation, these lateral beams provide the lateral support for the container, to prevent its buckling, when the chamber contains the materials that can flow; and a retaining element, which joins the four or more beams to the container.
25. 25. The bulk material container according to claim 24, wherein the substantially flexible container is formed of a material comprising a layer of relatively permeable woven material and a relatively impermeable layer of material.
26. 26. The container of bulk material, according to claim 25, wherein the relatively permeable woven material is a woven polypropylene material and the impermeable material is a synthetic film material.
27. 27. The container of bulk material, according to claim 24, wherein the retaining elements securely attach the four or more side beams to the side wall panel.
28. 28. The container of bulk material, according to claim 27, wherein the retaining elements are selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, welding and a mechanical fastener.
29. 29. The container of bulk material, according to claim 27, wherein the retaining elements are sleeves secured to the sidewall panel.
30. 30. The container of bulk material, according to claim 29, wherein the sleeves are placed at the upper and bottom end of the side wall panel, whereby the ends of the side beams are fixedly attached to the panel. side wall.
31. 31. The bulk material container according to claim 30, wherein the sleeve extends continuously around the side wall panel at the top and bottom ends.
32. 32. The container of bulk material, according to claim 30, wherein the sleeves extend non-continuously around the side wall panel at the upper and bottom ends.
33. 33. The container of bulk material, according to claim 29, wherein the sleeves are in the form of multiple bags, whereby a set of two bags, one placed at the bottom of the sidewall panel and another placed in the upper part of the side wall panel, they receive and maintain individual beams in a substantially vertical position, around the side wall panel.
34. 34. The container of bulk material, according to claim 29, wherein the sleeves are in sheet form, and this sheet forms a laminate substantially covering the side wall panel and the side beams.
35. 35. The container of bulk material, according to claim 34, wherein the sheet extends continuously around the side wall panel, to form the laminate.
36. 36. The container of bulk material, according to claim 34, wherein the sheet extends non-continuously around the side wall panel, to form the laminate.
37. 37. The container of bulk material, according to claim 29, wherein the sleeves are made of a flexible, non-elastic material.
38. 38. The container of bulk material, according to claim 37, wherein the flexible, non-elastic material is selected from the group consisting of propylene and polyethylene.
39. 39. The container of bulk material, according to claim 37, wherein the sleeves are secured to the side wall panel by fasteners.
40. 40. The container of bulk material, according to claim 39, wherein the mechanical fastener elements are staples.
41. 41. The container of bulk material, according to claim 24, wherein the retaining elements connect four or more lateral beams to the upper and bottom panels.
42. 42. The container of bulk material, according to claim 41, in which the upper and bottom panels are formed of a substantially rigid material and the retaining elements are molded receptacles in the upper and bottom panels, which receive respective ends of the side beams and maintain these side beams in a substantially vertical position around the sidewall panel.
43. 43. A container of bulk material, this container comprises: a container, substantially flexible, formed of a material having an outer layer of a woven material, relatively permeable, and an inner layer of relatively impermeable material, this container, substantially flexible , comprises upper and bottom panels interconnected by an erect side wall panel, which defines a folding chamber for materials that can flow; four or more side beams, substantially rigid, extending substantially vertically around the side wall panel, in a spaced relation, these lateral beams provide the lateral support for the container, to prevent its buckling, when the chamber contains materials that they can flow; retaining elements, which connect four or more lateral beams to the side wall panel; and a filling opening, which can be selectively closed, placed in the upper panel.
44. 44. The container of bulk material, according to claim 43, wherein it further comprises a plurality of lifting loops, attached to the substantially flexible container, for handling or transporting the container by a load elevator.
45. 45. The container of bulk material, according to claim 43, further comprising a discharge opening, which can be selectively closed, placed on the bottom panel.
46. 46. The container of bulk material, according to claim 43, further comprising a bottom platform, on which the container of bulk material sits, for transport.
47. 47. The container of bulk material, according to claim 43, wherein the beams are joined by retaining members to an outer surface of the outer layer of the relatively permeable woven material.
48. 48. The container of bulk material, according to claim 43, wherein the side beams are joined by the retaining elements to an internal surface of the outer layer of the woven, relatively permeable material, and are placed adjacent to the layer. internal of the relatively impermeable material.
49. 49. A container of bulk material, this container comprises: a container, substantially flexible, including a bottom panel connected to an erect side wall panel, which defines a collapsible chamber for materials that can flow; four or more lateral beams, substantially rigid, extending substantially vertically around the side wall panel, in a spaced relation, the side beams have upper and bottom ends and supply the lateral support for the container, to prevent its buckling , when the camera contains materials that can flow; and upper force distribution elements, which connect each upper end of the side beams to the upper ends of adjacent side beams.
50. 50. The container of bulk material, according to claim 49, further comprising force distribution bottom elements, connecting each bottom end of the side beams to the bottom ends of adjacent side beams.
51. 51. The container of bulk material, according to claim 50, wherein the upper force distribution elements are strips formed of a non-elastic material.
52. 52. The container of bulk material, according to claim 50, wherein the elements, upper and bottom, force distribution, are strips formed of a non-elastic material.
53. 53. The container of bulk material, according to claim 49, further comprising retaining elements that join the side beams to the side wall panel.
54. 54. A method for building a container of bulk material, this method comprises the steps of: (a) supplying top and bottom panels; (b) interconnecting the erect panel of the side wall, formed of a substantially flexible material, to the top and bottom panels, to create a collapsible chamber for materials that can flow; and (c) placing four or more rigid side beams around the side wall panel, in a substantially vertical position, whereby the side beams provide the lateral support for the container, to prevent its buckling, when the chamber contains the materials that they can flow.
55. 55. The method to build a container of bulk material, according to claim 54, further comprising the step of supplying retention elements to achieve the step of placing paragraph (c).
56. 56. The method for constructing a container of bulk material, according to claim 54, wherein the number of side beams is between four and twelve.
57. 57. The method for constructing a container of bulk material, according to claim 56, wherein the number of side beams is eight.
58. 58. The method for constructing a container of bulk material, according to claim 54, wherein the four or more lateral beams are in sets of two.
59. 59. The method for constructing a container of bulk material, according to claim 58, wherein the sets of side beams are placed opposite each other, around the side wall panel.