Flexible bulk storage container having a discharge chute

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a flexible bulk storage container having a selectively openable discharge chute for improved emptying. When loaded, the bulk storage container has substantially flat top and bottom surfaces to facilitate stacking.

1 . A flexible, non-metallic bulk storage container, comprising:
 a storage volume defined by opposing top and bottom portions and lateral side walls extending between said top and bottom portions;   a closure means interconnected to at least one of said top portion and said lateral side walls, said closure means adapted to selectively open and close said top portion;   a discharge chute positioned proximate to said bottom portion and having selectively opened and closed discharge chute positions, and at least one hopper seam forming an angle from about 0 to about 90 degrees with respect to said lateral wall to direct the discharge of a bulk material in a pre-determined direction; and   at least one lifting strap interconnected to said bulk storage container, wherein when said bulk storage container is loaded said top and bottom portions, respectively, have substantially flat top and bottom surfaces to accommodate stacking of multiple flexible bulk storage containers.   
     
     
         2 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover selectively interconnected to said bottom portion, wherein said cover is adapted to protect said discharge chute. 
     
     
         3 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner positioned between said bulk material and said bulk storage container, and comprises one of a polymeric material, a fibrous material, a metallic material or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said bulk storage container is comprised at least one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a circularly woven fabric, an interlocking fabric or a combination thereof 
     
     
         5 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion is comprised of a selecting closeable duffle top or a spout top. 
     
     
         6 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said bulk storage container comprises one or more layers of a jute, a polyamide, a polyester, a carbon fiber, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an aramid, and a para-aramid. 
     
     
         7 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said bulk storage container is coated with at least one of a static control coating, a UV coating, a water-resistant coating, a puncture-resistant coating, and a chemical-resistant coating. 
     
     
         8 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , said discharge chute further comprises
 first and second ends and a pull strip interconnected to said first and second ends wherein when a transient force is applied to said pull strip said discharging chute is opened.   
     
     
         9 . The bulk storage container of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second ends are folded back onto one another and interconnected by one or more rows of chain loop stitches. 
     
     
         10 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said discharge chute has a substantially funnel shape. 
     
     
         11 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising
 one or more reinforcing panels positioned about said at least one lifting strap.   
     
     
         12 . The bulk storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lifting strap is interconnected permanent to said top portion by one or more of a stitching, an adhesive bonding, a molding, a mechanical fastening, a welding, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A flexible, non-metallic bulk storage container, comprising:
 a top portion, bottom portion, and one or more lateral sides positioned between said top portion and said bottom portion, said bottom portion comprises a discharge chute having a plurality of hopper seams and first and second ends folded back onto each other and interconnected to a pull strip, each of said plurality of hopper seams have an angle from about 0 to about 90 degrees with respect to one or more lateral sides and interconnect said one or more lateral sides, wherein said discharge chute is selectively openable when a predetermined force is applied to said pull strip;   a closure means interconnected to said top portion, said closure means adapted to selectively open and close said top portion;   a cover selectively interconnected to said bottom portion;   at least one lifting strap interconnected to said bulk storage container; and   wherein when said bulk storage container is loaded, said bottom portion has a substantial, flat bottom surface and said top portion has a substantially, flat top surface.   
     
     
         14 . The bulk storage container of  claim 13 , further comprising a liner positioned between said bulk material and said bulk storage container, wherein said liner comprises one of a polymeric material, a fibrous material, a metallic material or a combination. 
     
     
         15 . The bulk storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said bulk storage container comprises at least one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a circularly woven fabric, an interlocking fabric or a combination thereof 
     
     
         16 . The bulk storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said bulk storage container comprises at least one of a jute, a polyamide, a polyester, a carbon fiber, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an aramid, and a para-aramid. 
     
     
         17 . The bulk storage container of  claim 16 , wherein said bulk storage container is coated with at least one of a static control coating, a UV coating, a water-resistant coating, a puncture-resistant coating, and a chemical-resistant coating. 
     
     
         18 . The bulk storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second ends are interconnected to a pull strip by one or more rows of chain loop stitching. 
     
     
         19 . The bulk storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one lifting strap comprises one of two or four lifting straps, wherein said lifting straps are interconnected to said storage container by one or more of stitching, adhesive bonding, molding, mechanical fastening and welding, and wherein said at least one lifting strap is interconnected to said top portion. 
     
     
         20 . The bulk storage container of  claim 19 , wherein said at least one lifting strap comprises a stevedore strap, a cargo strap, a sleeve-hemmed strap, or a spread strap. 
     
     
         21 . The bulk storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said bulk storage container has a shape substantially resembling one of a cylinder, a cube, or a rectangular box.