Improvements in the use, method and apparatus for using inflate liner systems for discharging bulk material from storage vessels

Abstract

In a storage container having a floor and a sidewall defining a space for a flowable material, and an inflatable liner attached at a first edge to the side wall along a line spaced from the floor, and attached at an opposite second edge to the floor along a line spaced from the sidewall, the inflatable liner adapted to be inflated to facilitate emptying the flowable material from the storage container, the improvement comprising a retraction system for retracting the liner as it is deflated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In a storage container having a floor and a sidewall defining a space for a flowable material, and an inflatable liner attached at a first edge to the side wall along a line spaced from the floor, and attached at an opposite second edge to the floor along a line spaced from the sidewall, the inflatable liner adapted to be inflated to facilitate emptying the flowable material from the storage container, the improvement comprising a retraction system for retracting the liner as it is deflated, the retraction system comprising
 at least one lower retractor, each lower retractor comprising a lower anchor secured to the liner at a position intermediate the first and second edges, a lower retractor line engaging the lower anchor, and a lower retractor mechanism for resiliently pulling the lower retractor line generally downwardly and outwardly toward the corner of the sidewall and floor; and   at least one upper retractor, each upper retractor comprising an upper anchor secured to the liner at a position intermediate the the first edge and the lower anchor, an upper retractor line engaging the upper anchor, and a lower retractor mechanism for resiliently pulling the upper retractor line generally horizontally toward the sidewall, so that as the liner is deflated, the liner is generally pulled outwardly toward the sidewall.   
     
     
         2 . The improved storage container according to  claim 1  wherein the upper retractor mechanism comprises at least one pulley generally adjacent the sidewall and a counter weight attached to the upper retractor line. 
     
     
         3 . The improved storage container according to  claim 2  wherein the inflatable liner extends along a length of the sidewall, and wherein there are a plurality of upper and lower retractor mechanisms spaced along the length of the liner. 
     
     
         4 . The improved storage container according to  claim 1  wherein the upper anchor comprises an elongate pocket formed on the liner and an elongate anchor member disposed in the elongate pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The improved storage container according to  claim 1  wherein the upper anchor comprises an upper elongate anchor member disposed on the liner. 
     
     
         6 . The improved storage container according to  claim 5  wherein an end of the upper retractor line is secured to each end of the upper elongate anchor member. 
     
     
         7 . The improved storage container according to  claim 6  wherein the portion of the upper retractor line intermediate the ends extends over two pulleys and has a counter weight secured thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The improved storage container according to  claim 7  further comprising an elongate pocket on the liner for engaging the upper elongate anchor member. 
     
     
         9 . The improved storage container according to  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of upper and lower retractors and wherein the upper and lower retractors are laterally offset from each other. 
     
     
         10 . The improved storage container according to  claim 1  wherein the lower retractor mechanism comprises a first pulley adjacent the corner between the floor and the sidewall, and a second pulley adjacent the sidewall and spaced from the floor, and a counterweight on the lower retractor line. 
     
     
         11 . In an inflatable liner of the type adapted to be installed in a storage container with a first edge secured to the wall of the storage container along a line spaced from the floor, and a second edge attached to the floor along a line spaced from the wall, so that the liner can be inflated to facilitate emptying flowable material from the storage container, the improvement comprising a retraction system for retracting the liner as it is deflated, the retraction system comprising
 at least one lower retractor, each lower retractor comprising a lower anchor secured to the liner at a position intermediate the first and second edges, a lower retractor line engaging the lower anchor, and a lower retractor mechanism for resiliently pulling the lower retractor line generally downwardly and outwardly toward the corner of the sidewall and floor; and   at least one upper retractor, each upper retractor comprising an upper anchor secured to the liner at a position intermediate the the first edge and the lower anchor, an upper retractor line engaging the upper anchor, and a lower retractor mechanism for resiliently pulling the upper retractor line generally horizontally toward the sidewall, so that as the liner is deflated, the liner is generally pulled outwardly toward the sidewall.