Shipping container for flowable material and flexible tank therefor

Abstract

A shipping container for flowable material including a large rigid shipping container and a flexible tank. The shipping container has a substantially rectangular cubic configuration with common attachment regions. The flexible tank is positionable within the rigid shipping container. The flexible tank includes a generally rectangular cubic configuration. At least certain dimensions of the flexible tank corresponding to dimensions of the large rigid shipping container so that the flexible tank has a generally form fit retention within the large rigid shipping container. The flexible tank further comprises a film which together with a plurality of seals defines a substantially rectangular cubic cavity. A dispensing means is provided which extends through the film for selectively placing the cavity in fluid communication with an outside dispenser. The film comprises a layer comprising a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.

1 . A shipping container for flowable material comprising:
 a large rigid shipping container;   a flexible tank positionable within the rigid shipping container, the flexible tank including:   a film having a plurality of seals to define a cavity, and a dispensing means for dispensing a flowable material positioned within the cavity, the film comprising:   a layer comprising a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.   
   
   
       2 . The shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the film comprises a thickness of at least  15  mils, and more preferably at least 35 mils. 
   
   
       3 . The shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the shipping container comprises a standard twenty foot shipping container. 
   
   
       4 . The shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the cavity of the flexible tank is between 10,000 and 30,000 liters. 
   
   
       5 . The shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the film comprises a co-extrusion with the layer comprising the product contact layer. 
   
   
       6 . The shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the layer of the film further comprises at least one of EVOH, Nylon, PET, an oxygen scavenger and anhydride-modified PE. 
   
   
       7 . The shipping container of claim l wherein the film includes a second layer comprising at least one of an LLDPE and an LDPE material, the second layer positioned about the first layer. 
   
   
       8 . The shipping container of  claim 7  wherein the film further includes a third layer comprising at least one of an LLDPE and an LDPE material, the third layer positioned about the first layer opposite the second layer. 
   
   
       9 . The shipping container of  claim 9  wherein the layer, the second layer and the third layer are co-extruded. 
   
   
       10 . The shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the film has an OTR, the OTR of the film being less than six cubic centimeters per one hundred square inches per day, and wherein the film is at least 30 mils in thickness. 
   
   
       11 . A flexible tank for use in association with a rigid shipping container for the transport of flowable material, including oxygen sensitive flowable material, comprising:
 a flexible tank positionable within the rigid shipping container, the flexible tank including:   a film having a plurality of seals to define a cavity, and a dispensing means for dispensing a flowable material positioned within the cavity, the film comprising:   a layer comprising a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.   
   
   
       12 . A shipping container for flowable material comprising:
 a large rigid shipping container, the shipping container having a substantially rectangular cubic configuration, the shipping container having common attachment regions;   a flexible tank positionable within the rigid shipping container, the flexible tank including a generally rectangular cubic configuration, at least certain dimensions of the flexible tank corresponding to dimensions of the large rigid shipping container so that the flexible tank has a generally form fit retention within the large rigid shipping container, the flexible tank further comprising:   a film which together with a plurality of seals defines a substantially rectangular cubic cavity, and a dispensing means extending through the film for selectively placing the cavity in fluid communication with an outside dispenser, the film comprising:   a layer comprising a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.   
   
   
       13 . The shipping container of  claim 12  wherein the film comprises a thickness of at least 30 mils and has an OTR of less than six cubic centimeters per one hundred square inches per day. 
   
   
       14 . The shipping container of  claim 12  wherein the film includes a second layer extending about the first layer and a third layer extending about the second layer, the second and third layers comprising at least one of an LLDPE and an LDPE material. 
   
   
       15 . The shipping container of  claim 12  wherein the large rigid shipping container comprises a standard 20 foot container.