Bag filling and discharge system

Abstract

A system for storing a loose material comprises an upright bag having internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards and a support structure operable to lift the bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position. The structure includes a plurality of hinged support members extending between a base and top ring frame. The system further comprises a flexible tension member extending between each of the plurality of hinged support members and the middle portion of the bag and a winch connected to each flexible tension member wherein the winch is operable to adjust a distance between the bag and the hinged support members so as to move the bag and the support structure between a first collapsed position and a second filled position in which the bag is upright and the hinged support members are upright.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for storing a loose material comprising:
 an upright bag extending between a top and a bottom with a middle portion therebetween, said upright bag including internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards;   a support structure operable to lift said bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position, wherein said structure comprises:
 a base; 
 a top ring frame surrounding and securable to said top of said upright bag; 
 a plurality of hinged support members extending between said base and said top ring frame; 
 wherein each of said plurality of hinged support members is pivotably connected to said base and said top ring frame; 
   a flexible tension member extending between each of said plurality of hinged support members and said middle portion of said bag; and   a winch connected to each flexible tension member wherein said winch is operable to adjust a distance between said bag and said midpoint of said hinged support members so as to move said bag and said support structure between a first collapsed position in which the bag is collapsed and said hinged support members are bent and a second filled position in which said bag is upright and said hinged support members are upright.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said middle portion of said bag includes a plurality of lift brackets on an outer surface thereof distributed circumferentially therearound at locations corresponding to said plurality of hinged support members, wherein a distal end of said flexible tension member is selectively operably connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of lift brackets. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said internal bracing comprises a plurality of inner flexible tension members extending across an interior of said bag. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of inner flexible tension member extend diametrically across said interior of said bag. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of flexible tension members extend to ends secured to an inner surface of said bag at locations corresponding to said plurality of lift brackets. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of flexible tension member are located at a midpoint along said bag between said bottom and said top. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said bag includes an open through said top for filling said bag. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said bag includes a discharge opening through said bottom for emptying said bag. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said top of said bag has an inverse frustoconical shape with said opening at an apex thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a roof assembly adapted to engage upon said top ring frame and cover said upright bag. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said top of said bag is connected to and suspended from said roof assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said roof assembly has an inverse conical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said bottom of said bag has an upright conical bottom portion extending from said bottom edge of said fillable portion, said conical bottom portion having a central bag discharge opening therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said flexible tension member is selectively operably connectable to said bottom edge said bag. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said winch is operable to adjust the length of said flexible tension member extending between each of said plurality of hinged support members and said bottom edge of said fillable portion of the bag such that the bag is raised to said third discharge position, wherein said bottom edge of said fillable portion is raised to direct material within the bag to a radial center. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of lift arms extending connected to said bottom of said bag, wherein said plurality of lift arms extend upwardly along said bag to a top end and are connected to each flexible tension member such that lifting up by the flexible tension member rotates said plurality of lift arms inward so as to compress said middle portion of the bag as a periphery of said bottom is raised. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said plurality of lift arms are secured to said bag proximate to said top end. 
     
     
         18 . A method for erecting a collapsible bag, the method comprising:
 providing an upright bag extending between a top and a bottom with a middle portion therebetween, said upright bag including internal bracing to support a middle portion from expanding radially outwards;   surrounding said bag with a structure operable to lift said bag between a first collapsed position and a second fill position, wherein said structure comprises:
 a base; 
 a top ring frame surrounding and securable to said top of said upright bag; 
 a plurality of hinged support members extending between said base and said top ring frame; 
 wherein each of said plurality of hinged support members is pivotably connected to said base and said top ring frame; 
   connecting a flexible tension member extending from each of said plurality of hinged support members and to said middle portion of said bag; and   retracting said flexible tension member with a winch connected to each flexible tension member so as to adjust a distance between said bag and said midpoint of said hinged support members so as to move said bag and said support structure between a first collapsed position in which the bag is collapsed and said hinged support members are bent and a second filled position in which said bag is upright and said hinged support members are upright.