초록 ▼

A container assembly for bulk materials and a method and kit for assembling same are disclosed. A forming member having a plurality of sidewalls defines an internal cavity for receiving bulk materials. The sidewalls are arranged relative to one another and are locked into position so as to define a

A container assembly for bulk materials and a method and kit for assembling same are disclosed. A forming member having a plurality of sidewalls defines an internal cavity for receiving bulk materials. The sidewalls are arranged relative to one another and are locked into position so as to define a geometric volume of predetermined shape, by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly can be integrally attached to or can be separable from the sidewalls, and can form a bottom of the container assembly. A tubular sleeve of continuous material is sized to snugly engage and overlie substantially the entire outer surface area of the sidewalls. The sleeve provides the containment strength, while the forming member provides structural shape and stability to the container assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A container for bulk materials, comprising:(a) an inner forming member comprising: (i) at least one sheet of corrugated material folded to define a plurality of contiguous sidewall segments extending between lower and upper edges with at least two of said sidewall segments slidably engaging one a

1. A container for bulk materials, comprising:(a) an inner forming member comprising: (i) at least one sheet of corrugated material folded to define a plurality of contiguous sidewall segments extending between lower and upper edges with at least two of said sidewall segments slidably engaging one another along their respective lengths between said lower and upper edges, said lower edges being configured to be supported by a planar surface; (ii) said sidewall segments encircling and defining an expandable internal volume therebetween with a cross-sectional shape and area as defined by planes parallel to the upper or lower sidewall edges; (b) positioning means cooperatively engaging at least some of said sidewall segments for expandably slidably holding said sidewall segments in general positional relationships relative to one another while permitting limited movement of said sidewalls relative to one another that changes said cross-sectional area and shape of said internal volume; and (c) an outer continuous flexible sleeve member of woven material sized to snuggly slidably engage substantially the entire outer surfaces of said sidewall segments between said lower and tupper sidewall edges, and having no top or bottom portions extending across the cross-section of said internal cavity; said sleeve being operable to retain the general relative positioning of said sidewall segments as bulk materials are loaded into said internal cavity and being of a strength operable to contain radial forces applied by bulk materials through said sidewalls, while permitting limited relative movement of said sidewalls in a radial direction that changes the shape and expands said cross-sectional area of said internal volume.