Industrial containment bags for bulk materials, waste materials and/or hazardous materials with varying levels of radioactivity

Abstract

The present invention is directed to new and improved industrial containment bags wherein the improvement comprises providing methods and technologies for improving the integrity of such bags during processes designed for lifting, transporting storing and/or disposing of the same. In certain embodiments, the improvement includes providing methods and technologies for improving the sealing capabilities of the bag's closure systems. In other embodiments, the improvement includes providing methods and technologies for assessing the load balance of materials being contained in such industrial containment bags; and thereafter, compensating for any significant load imbalances. The present invention is also directed to methods of manufacturing, using, filling, lifting, transporting, storing, and/or disposing of such new and improved industrial containment bags.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An industrial containment bag designed for containing bulk materials, said containment bag comprising a top portion, a bottom portion laterally spaced below said top portion, and side portions positioned between and perpendicular to said top and bottom portions, said side portions interconnecting with said top portion at the containment bag's top perimeter edge, and said side portions interconnecting with said bottom portion at the containment bag's bottom perimeter edge, said industrial containment bag comprising:
 (a) a closeable opening positioned on said top portion;   (b) a closure system configured to seal said closable opening in a closed position; and   (c) a means for reducing the torsional forces exerted on said closure system when said containment bag that contains bulk materials is lifted.   
     
     
         2 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a means for visually inspecting bulk materials contained in said containment bag. 
     
     
         3 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces are attached to the inside wall surfaces of said bag. 
     
     
         4 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces are attached to the outside wall surfaces of said bag. 
     
     
         5 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 4 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces has a belt-securing configuration comprising a series of individual strap systems wherein at least one of which can (a) cross over a portion of said closure system, (b) be pulled to reduce the torsional forces that will be exerted on the bag's closure system when said bag is filled and subsequently lifted, transported, stored or disposed, and (c) be secured in this torsional force-reducing position. 
     
     
         6 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 4 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces has a flap-securing configuration comprising a series of individual flaps, wherein at least one of which can (a) cross over a portion of said closure system, (b) be pulled to reduce the torsional forces that will be exerted on the bag's closure system when said bag is filled and subsequently lifted, transported, stored or disposed, and (c) be secured in this torsional force-reducing position. 
     
     
         7 . An industrial containment bag designed for containing bulk materials, said containment bag comprising a top portion, a bottom portion laterally spaced below said top portion, and side portions positioned between and perpendicular to said top and bottom portions, said side portions interconnecting with said top portion at the containment bag's top perimeter edge, and said side portions interconnecting with said bottom portion at the containment bag's bottom perimeter edge, said industrial containment bag comprising:
 (a) a closeable opening positioned on said top portion;   (b) a closure system configured to seal said closable opening in a closed position; and   (c) a means for visually inspecting bulk materials contained in said containment bag.   
     
     
         8 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a means for reducing the torsional forces exerted on said closure system when said containment bag that contains bulk materials is lifted. 
     
     
         9 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 8 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces are attached to the inside wall surfaces of said bag. 
     
     
         10 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 8 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces are attached to the outside wall surfaces of said bag. 
     
     
         11 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 10 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces has a belt-securing configuration comprising a series of individual strap systems wherein at least one of which can (a) cross over a portion of said closure system, (b) be pulled to reduce the torsional forces that will be exerted on the bag's closure system when said bag is filled and subsequently lifted, transported, stored or disposed, and (c) be secured in this torsional force-reducing position. 
     
     
         12 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 10 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces has a flap-securing configuration comprising a series of individual flaps, wherein at least one of which can (a) cross over a portion of said closure system, (b) be pulled to reduce the torsional forces that will be exerted on the bag's closure system when said bag is filled and subsequently lifted, transported, stored or disposed, and (c) be secured in this torsional force-reducing position. 
     
     
         13 . An industrial containment bag designed for containing bulk materials, said containment bag comprising a top portion, a bottom portion laterally spaced below said top portion, and side portions positioned between and perpendicular to said top and bottom portions, said side portions interconnecting with said top portion at the containment bag's top perimeter edge, and said side portions interconnecting with said bottom portion at the containment bag's bottom perimeter edge, said industrial containment bag comprising:
 (a) a closeable opening positioned on said top portion;   (b) a closure system which, when in its closed position is centrally-positioned on said top portion and forms two-opposing triangular-shaped folds; and   (c) a means for independently securing each of said two-opposing triangular-shaped folds to said top portion.   
     
     
         14 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a means for reducing the torsional forces exerted on said closure system when said containment bag that contains bulk materials is lifted. 
     
     
         15 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 14 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces are attached to the inside wall surfaces of said bag. 
     
     
         16 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 14 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces are attached to the outside wall surfaces of said bag. 
     
     
         17 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 16 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces has a belt-securing configuration comprising a series of individual strap systems wherein at least one of which can (a) cross over a portion of said closure system, (b) be pulled to reduce the torsional forces that will be exerted on the bag's closure system when said bag is filled and subsequently lifted, transported, stored or disposed, and (c) be secured in this torsional force-reducing position. 
     
     
         18 . The industrial containment bag recited in  claim 16 , wherein said means for reducing the torsional forces has a flap-securing configuration comprising a series of individual flaps, wherein at least one of which can (a) cross over a portion of said closure system, (b) be pulled to reduce the torsional forces that will be exerted on the bag's closure system when said bag is filled and subsequently lifted, transported, stored or disposed, and (c) be secured in this torsional force-reducing position.