Kellogg Company

Randall L Cary

David C Ours

Gary W Gunia

Michael N Bauman

Stanley Davis

Gary Stolhanske

A bulk packaging support structure for supporting a radially flexible container during filling includes first and second foldable members each having a bottom portion and a side portion. The side portion includes a first wall section that is pivotally connected to the bottom portion along a primary fold line. The side portion further includes a second wall section that is pivotally connected to the first wall section along a secondary fold line that extends perpendicular to the primary fold line. The first and second foldable members are releasibly engaged with one another such that the bottom portion of the first foldable member is disposed between the second wall section and the bottom portion of the second foldable member.

Bulk transport system for dense products

The invention provides a stackable bulk transport container. The stackable bulk transport container includes a first bulk container that includes a flexible container filled with particulate material and wrapped in stretch wrap. The flexible container of the first bulk container is wrapped such that the stretch wrap is applied substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises. The stackable bulk transport container also includes a planar member positioned on the first bulk container. The planar member defines a substantially planar surface that engages the first bulk container. The stackable bulk transport container also includes a second bulk container positioned on the planar member. When the second bulk container is positioned on the planar member, the planar member flattens and expands the top portion of the first bulk container to enhance the stability of the stackable bulk transport container.

Stackable bulk transport container

A method for filling a flexible container with a flowable material is provided, including the steps of filling the flexible container, suspending the flexible container, transferring the weight of the flexible container from being suspended to being supported by a support surface, and applying a hoop force to the flexible container to substantially maintain a configuration of the flexible container. The flexible container can be a bag-type container for containing flowable material such as chemicals, food products, agricultural products, and plastic pellets. As the container is lowered from the suspended position to a bottom-supported position, the hoop force is applied around the perimeter as the perimeter changes during transfer of the flexible container from being suspend to being bottom-supported. The hoop force can be applied by stretch wrap. Alternatively, the first flexible container can be lowered into a second flexible container. The second flexible container can be formed from a heat shrinkable material and the second flexible container can be shrunk at the perimeter as the perimeter changes. Alternatively, the second flexible container can be a stretchable bag. A stretched portion of the stretchable bag can be released substantially at the perimeter to generate the hoop force.

Bulk transportable container

A method for filling a container with a plurality of particles includes the step of filling a radially flexible container through a large diameter with a plurality of particles to a fill level. The method also includes the step of reducing the large diameter of the radially flexible container to a smaller fill diameter in vertical relationship to the fill level as the fill level rises during filling of the flexible container. The method also includes the step of varying the vertical relationship between the fill level and the smaller fill diameter in response to the density of the particles.

Method for forming a transportable container for bulk goods

The invention provides an apparatus including a conveying member defining a loop that may be used for transferring a product into a container. The conveying member can be a belt, a chain, or plurality of hinged plates. The invention also includes first and second supporting members individually disposed at opposite sides of the loop and spaced a first distance apart from one another. The first and second supporting members support rotating movement of the conveying member. The invention also includes a moving device operable to translate the first and second supporting members concurrently along a path having at least one bend. The lengths of the portions of the conveying member disposed on opposite sides of the bend can be adjusted by the moving device.

Conveyor assembly

A transportable container for bulk goods and a method for forming the container are disclosed. The transportable container is formed from a bag having a closed base and an open top. The open top is in a folded over position and a bottom support is located adjacent to the closed base. A particulate material is filled into the bag and an outer wrap is spirally wrapped around the bottom support and the bag such that the outer wrap secures the bag to the bottom support and secures the open top in the folded over position. The method for forming the transportable container includes the steps of securing the open top of the bag in an opened position and supporting a base of the bag. The bag is filled to a predetermined level with a particulate material and while being filled the fill level of the particulate material in the bag is monitored. Simultaneously with filling of the bag, an outer wrap is spirally wrapped around the bag in an upward direction to a predetermined fill level. Once the bag is completely filled the open top of the bag is released and moved into a folded over position whereupon the outer wrap is spirally wound around the bag in a downward direction to secure the open top in the folded over position thereby forming the transportable container.

Transportable container for bulk goods and method for forming the container

The subject invention relates to a vacuum wand assembly for extracting a product from a container, especially a non-self supporting container that collapses as the product is extracted. The assembly includes a wand for extending into the container and for withdrawing the product therefrom. A vacuum source is connected to the wand for applying a vacuum to extract the product through the wand. A supporting structure supports the wand and is moveable relative to the container for carrying the wand as the product is extracted from the container. The wand is limited in a vertical direction by the supporting structure. This keeps the wand at the pre-determined level relative to the product within the container.

Vacuum wand assembly for extracting a product from a container

The invention provides a diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container as the container is filled. The system includes a shrinking device to shrink the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The shrinking device can include a heater to direct heat at the fill level. The container can be a bag formed from heat shrinkable material. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles.

Shrink wrap transportable container and method

The invention provides a diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container as the container is filled. The system includes a stretching device to stretch the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The stretching device can release a stretched portion of the container substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises. The container can be a flexible, elastic bag. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles to enhance the structural integrity of the filled container and to reduce the likelihood that particles will be damaged during movement of the filled container.

Stretch wrap transportable container and method

The invention provides a diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container as the container is filled. The system includes a stretching devise to stretch the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The stretching device can release a stretched portion of the container substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises. The container can be a flexible, elastic bag. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles to enhance the structural integrity of the filled container and to reduce the likelihood that particles will be damaged during movement of the filled container.

A transportable container for bulk goods and a method for the container are disclosed. The transportable container is formed from a bag having a closed base and an open top. The open top is in a folded over position and a bottom support is located adjacent to the closed base. A particulate material is filled into the bag and an outer wrap is spirally wrapped around the bottom support and the bag such that the outer wrap secures the bag to the bottom support and secures the open top in the folded over position. The method for forming the transportable container includes the steps of securing the open top of the bag in an opened position and supporting a base of the bag. The bag is filled to a predetermined level with a particulate material and while being filled the fill level of the particulate material in the bag is monitored. Simultaneously with filling of the bag, an outer wrap is spirally wrapped around the bag in an upward direction to a predetermined fill level. Once the bag is completely filled the open top of the bag is released and moved into a folded over position whereupon the outer wrap is spirally wound around the bag in a downward direction to secure the open top in the folded over position thereby forming the transportable container.

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Battle Creek, MI, United States of America

Randall L Cary