Bitumen Packaging and Method

Abstract

A bitumen package is disclosed. The package comprises of paving bitumen binder having a softening point in the range of 30-65° C. enclosed within a multi-layered polymer film encasement, each layer being a thin flexible continuous self-sustaining polymer film, such that upon melting, the polymer becomes homogeneous with the paving bitumen binder contained therein.

1 . A bitumen package comprising paving bitumen binder having a softening point in the range of 30-65° C. enclosed within a multilayered polymer film encasement including at least three layers, the multilayer polymer film encasement forming from 0.5 to 10 wt % of the total package, the remaining being paving bitumen binder, said multilayer polymer film encasement melting at a temperature in the range of 140 to 280° C., each layer being a thin flexible continuous self-sustaining polymer film, such that upon melting, the polymer becomes homogeneous with the paving bitumen binder contained therein, and gets incorporated with the binder and improves its properties significantly. 
   
   
       2 - 30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the multilayer polymer encasement melts in the temperature range of from 150 to 200° C. 
   
   
       32 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the multilayered encasement is a three layered polymer bag, all the layers being polyethylene or polypropylene or nylon. 
   
   
       33 . A method for packaging paving bitumen which comprises filling bitumen binder having softening point in the rage of from 30-65° C., in a multilayered polymer encasement consisting of at least three layers, which encasement melts at a temperature in the range of from 140 to 280° C., each layer being a thin flexible continuous self-sustaining polymer film, and upon melting the polymer becomes homogeneous with the paving bitumen binder contained therein. 
   
   
       34 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the multilayered polymer encasement is a preformed bag sealed from all sides except from top into which hot molten bitumen is filled and heat sealed at the top. 
   
   
       35 . A method claimed in  claim 34  wherein the polymer encasement is supported by a perforated metal mold during filling and cooling. 
   
   
       36 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer encasement form more than 2 wt % of the total package and upon melting, the polymer becomes homogenous, gets incorporated with paving bitumen binder and improves the properties of the binder. 
   
   
       37 . A mold for packing bitumen in a multi layer polymer encasement which comprises a bottom wall, a pair of horizontal walls mounted on said horizontal plate, so that at least one of the horizontal walls open outwardly, away from the other in an open position and stand vertically, parallel to each other in a closed position, thereby providing a space therebetween for positioning a bag to be filled and packed with bitumen, locking means located on the top of at least one wall so that the walls are maintained in a locked position while the bag is being filed with bitumen. 
   
   
       38 . A mold as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the horizontal walls are perforated. 
   
   
       39 . A mold as claimed in  claim 37  wherein both the vertical walls are hingedly mounted on said bottom wall. 
   
   
       40 . A mold as claimed in  claim 38  wherein both the vertical walls are hingedly mounted on said bottom wall. 
   
   
       41 . A mold as claimed in  claim 37  wherein one vertical wall is hingedly mounted on said bottom plate while the other wall is fixedly mounted on said bottom wall. 
   
   
       42 . A mold as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the locking means comprise a hook and eye mechanism. 
   
   
       43 . A mold as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the locking means comprise a hook and eye mechanism. 
   
   
       44 . A mold as claimed in  claim 39  wherein the locking means comprise a hook and eye mechanism. 
   
   
       45 . A mold as claimed in  claim 40  wherein the locking means comprise a hook and eye mechanism.