Container with repositionable slip-sheet to cover outlet

Abstract

A bulk bag comprises a container and a cover sheet at least partially attached to the lower surface. The cover provides a slip sheet for the container. In a preferred form, the container has an outlet in the lower surface thereof in normal use. The slip sheet is positioned so that it can optionally cover or at least substantially uncover the outlet.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A container for directly receiving, without an inner liner, a material to be contained; wherein said container comprises an upper surface, at least one side surface, and a lower surface, wherein said lower surface comprises an outlet through which said material may directly exit said container and a cover that is permanently affixed externally to at least part of at least one edge between a side surface and the lower surface, wherein due to the weight of said cover, said cover hangs in an open position t when said container is lifted and retains a closed position when the container is not lifted; wherein said cover, when in said open position, exposes said outlet and when in said closed position, said cover closes said outlet; and wherein said cover covers at least substantially all of said lower surface.  
     
     
         2 . The container, according to  claim 1 , wherein said container has a substantially square or rectangular lower surface.  
     
     
         3 . The container, according to  claim 2 , wherein said cover extends outwardly beyond at least one edge between a side surface and said lower surface.  
     
     
         4 . The container, according to  claim 1 , wherein said outlet is positioned substantially centrally in said lower surface.  
     
     
         5 . The container, according to  claim 2 , wherein said cover is permanently affixed along one edge between a side surface and said lower surface of said container.  
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover is permanently affixed to part of at least two edges formed between a side surface and said lower surface.  
     
     
         7 . The container, according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover is a slip sheet.  
     
     
         8 . A method for transporting and/or storing a material, wherein said method comprises placing a material in a container which does not have an inner liner; and wherein said container comprises an upper surface, at least one side surface, and a lower surface, wherein said lower surface comprises an outlet through which said material may directly exit said container and a cover that is permanently affixed externally to at least part of at least one edge between a side surface and the lower surface, wherein due to the weight of said cover, said cover hangs in an open position t when said container is lifted and retains a closed position when the container is not lifted; wherein said cover, when in said open position, exposes said outlet and when in said closed position, said cover closes said outlet; and wherein said cover covers at least substantially all of said lower surface.  
     
     
         9 . The method, according to  claim 8 , wherein said container has a substantially square or rectangular lower surface.  
     
     
         10 . The method, according to  claim 9 , wherein said cover extends outwardly beyond at least one edge between a side surface and said lower surface.  
     
     
         11 . The method, according to  claim 8 , wherein said outlet is positioned substantially centrally in said lower surface.  
     
     
         12 . The method, wherein said cover is permanently affixed along one edge between a side surface and said lower surface.  
     
     
         13 . The method, according to  claim 8 , wherein said cover is permanently affixed to part of at least two edges formed between a side surface and said lower surface.  
     
     
         14 . The method, according to  claim 8 , wherein said cover is a slip sheet.