Article of manufacture for a flexible silo

Abstract

An article of manufacture for a flexible silo with a cone of specified volume has a plurality of attachments fabricated about the upper perimeter in a radial formation in relation to the center of the cone. The radially positioned attachments allow for quickly attaching and removing the flexible silo to and from a support structure free of the need for integral structural members. The storage capacity may be increased by adding a cone shaped top panel or a vertical cylinder. A top panel may also have an inlet spout for connecting to a filling device for dust containment while filling. The flexible silo may be constructed of a wide range of flexible materials that allow the use of the flexible silo in a multitude of applications. The flexible silo may be constructed of materials that are inexpensive for single use or multiple uses and easily disposed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 930,899STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableDESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX[0003]Drawings; Information Disclosure Statement PTO / SB / 08aBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]This invention relates generally to the field of bulk materials handling and more specifically to an article of manufacture for storing bulk products.[0005]Silos, bins, hoppers, day bins and portable bins are presently known for use as rigid storage containers for powder and granular product comprising a cone section with an outlet and using a wide variety of valves that can be used to control product flow. These storage systems are usually constructed of steel, aluminum or plastic silo body mounted on a rigid steel framework. Flexible fabrics for the silo body are also used in some applications with the flexible silo body suspended on a rigid steel framework. It is also known that some...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The primary advantage of the invention is an inexpensive and replaceable alternative to rigid storage silos such as steel and plastic.

[0018]Another advantage of the invention is a simpler means of attaching a flexible silo to a support structure and disassembling as compared to present method flexible silos and bulk bag systems, free of the need for integral structural members and requiring no special tools.

[0019]Another advantage of the invention is the provision of means for connecting to a silo support structure that extend radially in relation to the center of the cone, providing support and tension across the width of the silo cone.

[0020]A further advantage of the invention is the flexible silo may be fabricated of a wide variety of flexible materials for chemical and environmental compatibility and to meet certain disposal requirements.

[0021]Another advantage of the invention is that the flexible silo can be fabricated for use in sanitary applications.

[0022]And yet another advantage of the invention is that the flexible silo can be easily placed onto a support structure and easily removed for disposal after use.

Problems solved by technology

Product flow from rigid containers can be unreliable.

And it is known that vibration can also contribute to unreliable or no-flow conditions when used with certain products by de-aerating and causing compaction of the product.

The mix of water, solution and residual product will be discharged, often to a city or county sewer system and thereby impacting the environment.

Fresh water supply can be contaminated by this bin washing procedure.

Flexible silo materials are not conducive to washing and sterilization and are generally not used in wash down applications.

However, the potential exists to remove and replace a flexible silo body after use.

The flexible fabric silo body, with rigid members running through the horizontal sleeves makes it a semi-permanent fixture and is not conducive to quick and easy removal of the flexible fabric silo body.

If multiple products are used in a process, cross contamination issues can cause concerns with using bulk bag discharging systems and conveying systems since product contacts the internals of the dust containment enclosure, valve and conveying equipment.

If multiple products are used in a process, cross contamination and sanitation issues can cause concerns with using bulk bag discharging systems and conveying systems.

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