Liner for Container with Side Door

Abstract

A moisture proof liner and method for installing the liner in an elongated container for shipping cargo is provided. The method may include the steps of providing said liner to be placed in the container, cutting an access opening in at least one of the side panels, attaching a lateral tube to form a transfer passage, positioning the liner in the container and erecting the liner by differential pressure, holding the tube open, transferring the cargo through the opening and closing the opening to seal the liner. The method may also include the steps of providing said liner, forming an access opening, and positioning said liner in the container such that the liner is free-standing.

1 . A moisture proof liner for an elongated container for use in shipping cargo, comprising:
 four elongated panels of impervious film adapted to substantially match the elongated sides, top and bottom of said container, each of said panels having a length L 1 ;   first and second end panels to complete said liner, each of said end panels having a length L 2 , wherein L 1  is greater than L 2 ;   an access opening along one side panel adapted for loading and unloading said cargo, said access opening having a height substantially equal to a height of one of said elongated sides;   a tube attached to the liner, such that the tube extends laterally from said access opening to thereby form a passage for loading and unloading said cargo, wherein said tube is positioned substantially transverse to said side panel containing said access opening.   
   
   
       2 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein said liner includes a closure for said access opening to seal said liner against moisture to protect the cargo. 
   
   
       3 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein said liner and said tube are formed of plastic sheet and a heat seal bead extending around said access opening between said one side panel and the adjacent one end of said tube. 
   
   
       4 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the side panel includes a first flap, the tube includes a second flap adjacent the first flap, and a heat seal bead attaches the tube to the side panel. 
   
   
       5 . The liner of  claim 2 , wherein said closure is formed by a tie around the tube and adapted to be tucked inside said container after loading. 
   
   
       6 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the access opening is approximately at the mid-point of said one side panel. 
   
   
       7 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein is provided a second access opening including a second tube attached to the second side panel substantially opposite the first opening for also loading and unloading said cargo. 
   
   
       8 . The liner of  claim 7 , wherein said second tube is positioned substantially transverse to said second side panel containing said second access opening. 
   
   
       9 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the side panels include folds to allow expansion for substantially filling said container when said panels are fully extended. 
   
   
       10 . The liner of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second end panels are formed by folded end sections of the side panels and a heat seal bead extending across the folds of said end sections. 
   
   
       11 . The liner of  claim 1  in combination with a source of air for erecting the liner. 
   
   
       12 . The liner of  claim 7 , wherein a height of the second access opening is substantially equal to the height of the first access opening. 
   
   
       13 . A moisture proof liner for an elongated container for use in shipping cargo, comprising:
 four elongated panels of impervious film adapted to substantially match the elongated sides, top and bottom of said container, each of said panels having a length L 1 ;   first and second end panels to complete said liner, said first and second end panels being free of any openings, each of said end panels having a length L 2 , wherein L 1  is greater than L 2 ;   a first access opening along one side panel adapted for loading and unloading said cargo, said access opening having a height and width substantially equal to the height and width of an opening of the elongated container adjacent to the first access opening;   a second access opening in the panel substantially opposite the first opening for also loading and unloading said cargo, said access opening having a height and width substantially equal to the height and width of an opening of the elongated container adjacent to the second access opening; and   closures for said first and second access openings to seal said liner against moisture to protect the cargo, wherein said liner is free-standing when erected in said container.   
   
   
       14 . The liner of  claim 13 , wherein there is only a single access opening along the elongated side containing the first access opening. 
   
   
       15 . The liner of  claim 13 , wherein there is only a single access opening along the elongated side containing the second access opening. 
   
   
       16 . The liner of  claim 13 , wherein said first access opening includes a tube attached to the liner, such that the tube extends laterally from said opening to thereby form a passage for loading and unloading said cargo. 
   
   
       17 . The liner of  claim 16 , further including a second tube attached to the liner, such that the second tube extends from said second opening in a direction opposite from said first tube. 
   
   
       18 . A moisture proof liner for an elongated container for use in shipping cargo, comprising:
 four elongated panels of impervious film adapted to substantially match the elongated sides, top and bottom of said container, each of said panels having a length L 1 ;   first and second end panels to complete said liner, each of said end panels having a length L 2 , wherein L 1  is greater than L 2 ;   first and second tubes attached to said liner, said tubes having a height substantially equal to a height of the elongated sides, said tubes extending in opposite directions and positioned substantially transverse to the side panels, wherein said tubes form separate passages for loading and unloading said cargo.   
   
   
       19 . The liner of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second tubes are positioned approximately at the mid-point of said side panels, 
   
   
       20 . The liner of  claim 18 , wherein a heat seal bead attaches the first and second tubes to the liner.