Flexible tank for fluid containerisation

Abstract

A flexible walled bag, tank ( 1 ), or flexitank, for shipping fluids, in particular liquids, disposed within an outer container ( 12 ) confines. and supportable by a container floor, side walls and end structures, an upper tank surface being constrained. loaded or biassed, by external restraints, such as depending local spaced intrusions or baffles ( 22 ) extending from one side towards the other.

1 . A flexible walled tank or bag ( 1 ) disposed within a container, for transport and storage of liquid, and configured for support, upon fill, by a container floor, side walls and end structures, with an overlying headspace ( 75 ) between a tank top wall, upper layer or bag skin and a container roof, and local damper, buffer, loading or constraint to achieve baffles ( 22 ) operative upon the tank wall and underlying liquid content. 
     
     
         2 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 with internal baffles formed by local bag wall contour displacement constraints,   an upper layer of the tank having in-turned depending portions.   
     
     
         3 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 with external tensioners between bag and container structure   operative at upper levels and between opposite sides as cross-bracing.   
     
     
         4 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 with elongate tensioners on each side   disposed to criss-cross over the tank   for fastening to container lashing hoops,   located on opposite container top side rails.   
     
     
         5 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 in which a tensioner comprises elongate webbing or rope   passing under a tank body and around to upper fastening points of container body or structure.   
     
     
         6 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 in which an elongate tensioner is secured at one end   to the tank at a point below the top surface.   
     
     
         7 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 with mobile external local bearers for local bag wall indentation and restraint.   
     
     
         8 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 with baffles formed, deployed and tensioned upon tank fill.   
     
     
         9 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 with an in-turned skin portion forming a tank baffle   and/or local reinforcement adjacent to an adjacent tank wall indentation.   
     
     
         10 . A flexible tank of  claim 1 ,
 with an internal baffle sheet secured between opposed tank walls,   an array of apertures in the sheet,   allowing restricted movement of liquid through and past the sheet,   the upper surface of the tank being tethered against rising,   by the dead weight of liquid acting on the floor of the tank.