Crib Bag

Abstract

A crib bag is disclosed that includes a one-way fill valve, such as a duck bill valve, and a vent positioned at the top of the crib bag to allow venting of air from the crib bag when the bag is filled with cement compound and as the cement compound solidifies. When the mining crib bag is filled with cement compound, the one-way fill valve and the top vent prevent spillovers and associated hazards.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crib bag comprising:
 a cylindrical side wall attached to a bottom wall and a top wall;   a vent at the top wall; and   a one-way valve at an upper portion of the cylindrical side wall.   
     
     
         2 . The crib bag of  claim 1  wherein the vent comprises an aperture in the top wall and a cover partially attached to an internal side of the top wall. 
     
     
         3 . The crib bag of  claim 1  wherein the one-way valve comprises a duck bill valve. 
     
     
         4 . The crib bag of  claim 1  wherein the one-way valve comprises a body having a flexible v-shaped insert. 
     
     
         5 . The crib bag of  claim 4  wherein the flexible v-shaped insert allows material to flow through the one-way valve and into the crib bag. 
     
     
         6 . The crib bag of  claim 5  wherein the flexible v-shaped insert prevents material from flowing out of the crib bag. 
     
     
         7 . The crib bag of  claim 2  wherein the cover has a greater diameter than the aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The crib bag of  claim 7 , wherein the cover is partially attached to the top wall by a plurality of welds extending from a peripheral edge of the cover to an edge of the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The crib bag of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of welds is evenly spaced and radially aligned. 
     
     
         10 . The crib bag of  claim 7 , wherein the vent is self-closing and allows air to escape when the crib bag is being filled. 
     
     
         11 . The crib bag of  claim 10 , wherein the cover cooperates with the top wall to close the vent. 
     
     
         12 . The crib bag of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is moved against the top wall when the crib bag is completely filled, thereby closing the vent. 
     
     
         13 . A method for forming a roof support column, the method comprising the steps of:
 suspending a crib bag at a location;   filling a chamber of a crib bag with a load-bearing material through a one-way valve;   allowing air to vent from the crib bag through a vent as the crib bag is being filled; and   closing the vent when the crib bag is completely filled.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of allowing air to vent from the crib bag comprises allowing venting of air through a self-closing aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of closing the vent comprises moving a cover against the aperture. 
     
     
         16 . A crib bag comprising:
 a cylindrical side wall attached to a bottom wall and a top wall, the cylindrical side wall having a chamber;   an aperture formed in the top wall to allow venting from the chamber; and   a cover having a greater diameter than the aperture, the cover closing the aperture after the cylindrical side wall is filled with a load-bearing material.   
     
     
         17 . The crib bag of  claim 16 , further comprising a one-way valve at an upper portion of the cylindrical side wall. 
     
     
         18 . The crib bag of  claim 17  wherein the cover is partially attached to an inside surface of the top wall. 
     
     
         19 . The crib bag of  claim 18  wherein the aperture is self-closing. 
     
     
         20 . The crib bag of  claim 19  wherein the one-way valve comprises a body having a flexible v-shaped insert.