Flexible intermediate bulk container with collection skirt

Abstract

A collection assembly ( 10, 10 a ) for flowable materials includes a central, flexible bag ( 12, 12 a ) with a collection skirt ( 14, 14 a ) secured to the bag ( 12, 12 a ) and extending outwardly from the open top ( 20, 20 a ) of the bag ( 12, 12 a ). In use, the assembly ( 10, 10 a ) is placed at a collection site with the bag ( 12, 12 a ) in a collapsed condition and the skirt ( 14, 14 a ) is deployed about the bag ( 12, 12 a ). Material ( 36 ) is then placed on the assembly ( 10, 10 a ) over the open top ( 20, 20 a ) and, as necessary, the skirt ( 14, 14 a ). The skirt is then elevated using marginal gathering apparatus ( 16, 16 a ), thereby causing the material ( 36 ) to flow into the bag ( 12, 12 a ). The skirt ( 14, 14 a ) may then be gathered and closed, forming a duffel closure for the assembly ( 10, 10 a ).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container assembly for material, comprising:
 a flexible bag including an open top presenting a periphery, sidewall structure, and a bottom wall,   said bag movable between a collapsed position when unfilled with material, and an expanded position when material is placed therein; and   a flexible collection skirt secured to said bag adjacent said open top and extending outwardly therefrom and around the periphery of said open top,   said collection skirt having an outer margin and gathering apparatus at spaced locations adjacent the outer margin in order to permit gathering of the skirt during filling of said bag with material and consequent movement of the bag to the expanded position thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , the area of said skirt being greater than the area of said open top. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , the outer margin of said skirt being substantially circular. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , said gathering apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced apart lifting loops secured to said skirt outer margin. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , said gathering apparatus comprising a peripheral drawstring about said skirt and located within a pocket formed at the outer margin of the skirt. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , including a plurality of lifting points secured to said bag about the periphery of said open top. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 6 , said lifting points including lifting loops. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , said bag being quadrate in plan. 
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , said skirt configured to provide a closure duffel when said bag is filled with said material. 
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , said skirt including a central opening for said bag, there being a plurality of connection segments adjacent said central opening in order to permit attachment of the top of said bag to said segments. 
     
     
         11 . A method of collecting material comprising the steps of:
 depositing a quantity of said material on a container assembly, said container assembly including a bag having an open top presenting a periphery, sidewall structure, and a bottom wall, and a flexible collection skirt secured to said bag adjacent said open top and extending outwardly therefrom about the periphery of the open top to define an outer margin, said bag being in a collapsed position with said skirt deployed about said collapsed bag,   said depositing step comprising the step of depositing said material onto the open top of said collapsed bag and, if necessary, said collection skirt; and   lifting said collection skirt at a plurality of locations around said outer margin in order to elevate the container assembly and thereby cause said material to pass into said open top and expand said bag, and to gather said collection skirt above said bag.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , including the step of closing said gathered skirt. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , said skirt having gathering apparatus at spaced locations adjacent the outer margin thereof, said lifting step comprising the step of engaging said gathering apparatus and pulling the container assembly upwardly. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , there being a plurality of lifting points secured to said bag about the periphery of said open top, including the step of transporting said container assembly with said material therein by using said lifting points. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , the area of said skirt being greater than the area of said open top. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , the outer margin of said skirt being substantially circular. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , said gathering apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced apart lifting loops secured to said skirt outer margin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , said gathering apparats comprising a peripheral drawstring about said skirt and located within a pocket formed at the outer margin of the skirt. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , said lifting points including lifting loops. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , said bag being quadrate in plan.