Bulk Material Bag Discharge Apparatus

Abstract

A bulk material transport bag comprising a flanged discharge apparatus that secures a replaceable discharge outlet cover is disclosed. The discharge outlet cover may be quickly replaced to reseal the discharge outlet after use. The flanged discharge apparatus is comprised of a flange or base ring assembly engaged with the bag around the bag discharge opening. A locking flange or ring secures the replaceable cover to the base ring assembly to cover and seal the bag discharge opening. The replaceable cover is intentionally incised to discharge and empty the contents of the bag. When the bag is emptied a new replaceable cover is mounted between the base ring assembly and locking ring to seal the bag discharge opening. The replaceable cover may be comprised of the same material used for construction of the bag or another suitable material.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for transporting bulk materials, said apparatus comprising:
 a. a bulk material containing bag having a discharge opening formed therein;   b. at least one ring having a central aperture, said at least one ring securely affixed to said bag around said discharge opening; and   c. a cover piece secured to said at least one ring over said aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one ring further comprises:
 a. at least one base ring affixed to said bag;   b. a locking ring detachably secured to said at least one base ring; and   c. wherein said cover piece is secured between said at least one base ring and said locking ring.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one base ring affixed to said bag further comprises:
 a. an inner base ring positioned within said bag; and   b. an outer base ring positioned external to said bag, said outer base ring affixed on a first side to said inner base ring;   c. wherein said outer base ring has a plurality of latches extending perpendicularly outward from a second side.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said locking ring has a plurality of receiving holes, said receiving holes slidably engagable with said plurality of latches extending perpendicularly outward from said second side of said outer base ring. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein a stored bulk material is released from said bulk material containing bag through said discharge opening after rupture of said cover piece. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said discharge opening is resealed for storage of a bulk material by securement of a new cover piece over said aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a bulk material inlet opening for filling said bag with a bulk material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a. a sealant positioned between said inner base ring and said bag; and   b. a sealant positioned between said bag and said outer base ring.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said cover piece is an elongated sleeve having an internal volume. 
     
     
         10 . In combination with a bulk material containing bag having a discharge opening, an apparatus for securing said discharge opening of said bulk material containing bag, said apparatus comprising:
 a. at least one ring having a central aperture, said at least one ring securely affixed to a bag around a discharge opening; and   b. a cover piece detachably affixed to said at least one ring, said cover piece preventing fluid transmission through said aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one ring further comprises:
 a. at least one base ring affixed to said bag;   b. a locking ring detachably secured to said at least one base ring; and   c. wherein said cover piece is secured between said at least one base ring and said locking ring.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one base ring affixed to said bag further comprises:
 a. an inner base ring positioned within said bag; and   b. an outer base ring positioned external to said bag, said outer base ring affixed on a first side to said inner base ring;   c. wherein said outer base ring has a plurality of latches extending perpendicularly outward from a second side.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a stored bulk material is released from said bag through said discharge opening after rupture of said cover piece. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said discharge opening is resealed for storage of a bulk material by securement of a new cover piece over said aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said cover piece is an elongated sleeve having an internal volume. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a. a sealant positioned between said inner base ring and said bag; and   b. a sealant positioned between said bag and said outer base ring.   
     
     
         17 . A bulk material transport bag comprising:
 a. a bulk material containing bag having a discharge opening formed therein;   b. an inner base ring having an aperture, said inner base ring engaged along an interior surface of said bulk material bag such that said central aperture of said inner base ring aligns with said discharge opening;   c. an outer base ring having an aperture, said outer base ring positioned external to said bag, said outer base ring affixed to said inner base ring, said outer base ring positioned such that said aperture of said outer base ring aligns with said aperture of said inner base ring;   d. a plurality of latches extending outward from said outer base ring;   e. a cover piece detachably affixed to said at least one ring, said cover piece preventing fluid transmission through said aperture, said cover piece having a plurality of peripherally positioned holes to slidably engage with said plurality of latches on said base ring;   g. a locking ring having a plurality of peripherally located receiving slots configured to correspond with said latches of said outer base ring; and   h. wherein said locking ring is urged toward said base ring with said receiving slots aligned to receive said latches, said locking ring is rotationally urged to lock beneath a lip located on a distal end of each of said latches.   
     
     
         18 . A bulk materials bag comprising:
 a. a collapsible bag having a discharge opening formed therein;   b. a flange assembly positioned around said discharge opening and affixed to said bag; and   c. a cover piece covering said discharge opening, said cover piece releasably secured to said flange assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said cover piece is intentionally incised for emptying said bag through said discharge opening. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said incised cover piece may be released from said flange assembly and replaced with a replacement cover piece.