Article of manufacture for a flexible silo

Abstract

An article of manufacture for a flexible silo with a cone of specified volume has a plurality of attachments fabricated about the upper perimeter in a radial formation in relation to the center of the cone. The radially positioned attachments allow for quickly attaching and removing the flexible silo to and from a support structure free of the need for integral structural members. The storage capacity may be increased by adding a cone shaped top panel or a vertical cylinder. A top panel may also have an inlet spout for connecting to a filling device for dust containment while filling. The flexible silo may be constructed of a wide range of flexible materials that allow the use of the flexible silo in a multitude of applications. The flexible silo may be constructed of materials that are inexpensive for single use or multiple uses and easily disposed.

1 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo comprising:
 a cone of specified volume, of flexible material fabrication comprising a larger top opening and a smaller outlet opening; and   a plurality of means for connecting said flexible silo to a silo support structure, of male or female construction, each said means located radially along the larger upper perimeter of said cone, to provide support and tension across the width of said cone;   
   
   
       2 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 1 , said cone further comprising an outlet cylinder, or spout, extending from or attaching to the outlet of said cone lower perimeter opening; 
   
   
       3 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 1 , said cone alternatively comprising a skirt or cylinder with an upper perimeter extending from said cone and located at a point between said cone larger top opening and smaller outlet opening and with a lower perimeter suspending free of said cone, thereby providing means for connecting the outlet area of the invention to dust containment components; 
   
   
       4 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 3 , said cylinder or skirt further comprising a cone shape with a larger upper perimeter a smaller lower perimeter, with said larger upper perimeter extending from or attaching to said cone and located at a point between said cone larger top opening and smaller outlet opening with said smaller lower perimeter suspending free of said cone, thereby providing an alternative means for connecting the outlet area of the invention to dust containment components; 
   
   
       5 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 1 , said cone further comprising a top panel with an outer perimeter to conform to the configuration of the upper perimeter of said cone, extending from or fabricated to the upper, larger perimeter of said cone, and further comprising an inlet opening and an inlet cylinder or spout extending from or attaching to the perimeter of said inlet opening; 
   
   
       6 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said top panel forms an inverted cone shape comprising a smaller top opening perimeter and a larger lower perimeter, thereby increasing the capacity of said flexible silo, with an outer perimeter to conform to the configuration of the upper perimeter of said cone, extending from or fabricated to the upper perimeter of the larger cone opening; 
   
   
       7 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 6 , said top panel that forms an inverted cone shape further comprises an inlet opening and an inlet cylinder or spout extending from or attaching to the perimeter of said inlet opening; 
   
   
       8 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 1 , said cone, alternatively, further comprising a body cylinder with a lower perimeter to conform to the configuration of the upper perimeter of said cone, extending from or fabricated to the upper perimeter of said cone, to expand the storage capacity of said flexible silo; 
   
   
       9 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 8 , said body cylinder further comprising a plurality of means, of male or female construction, fabricated about the upper perimeter for connecting the upper perimeter of said cylinder to a silo support structure, or to support the upper perimeter by a means external to a silo support structure; 
   
   
       10 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 8 , said body cylinder further comprising a top panel, with an outer perimeter to conform to the configuration of the upper perimeter of said cylinder, extending from or fabricated to the upper perimeter of said cylinder; 
   
   
       11 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 10 , said top panel further comprising an inlet opening and an inlet spout extending from or fabricated to the upper perimeter of said inlet opening; 
   
   
       12 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said top panel forms an inverted cone shape comprising a smaller top opening perimeter and a larger lower perimeter, thereby increasing the capacity of said flexible silo, with an outer perimeter to conform to the configuration of the upper perimeter of said body cylinder, extending from or fabricated to the upper perimeter of the larger cone opening; 
   
   
       13 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 6 , said top panel that forms an inverted cone shape further comprises an inlet opening and an inlet cylinder or spout extending from or attaching to the perimeter of said inlet opening; and 
   
   
       14 . An article of manufacture for a flexible silo as claimed in  claim 1 , said flexible silo fabricated from any of a wide variety of flexible materials, including but not limited to, woven organic fabric; woven poly fabric; flexible sheet material; craft materials; multiple ply materials of any number, type and combination of materials; laminations of any number, type and combination of materials; and flexible materials with coatings; and of which may be comprised of more than one component to form the invention and its parts; and which may be combined by any of a wide variety of joining methods, including but not limited to, stitches; adhesive; and heat seal.