Ballastsack

Abstract

Ballast bag (1) with an outer shell (2) and a ballast material (3) enclosed by the outer shell (2), characterized in that the outer shell (2) is formed by a woven tarpaulin tube, both ends of which are sealed dust-tight via edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube (2) and at least one cavity is formed between these edge sections and that the ballast material (3) is arranged in this at least one cavity.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ballast bag with an outer shell and ballast material enclosed by the outer shell.

[0002] Ballast bags are typically used as weighting and stabilizing elements of various shapes and masses in different applications. For example, ballast bags are used in automotive driving and crash tests to create loads of defined mass. Ballast bags are also used wherever temporary and flexible stability is required, such as for advertising stands, traffic control systems, and construction site barriers, or when tents or pavilions need to be stabilized in windy conditions.

[0003] Ballast bags have an outer shell that encloses ballast material. The ballast material is the actual weight.

[0004] Various materials are known from the prior art to be used as ballast material. For example, concrete slabs or steel bodies are preferably used for one-piece, rigid ballast elements, whereas sand or metal balls are preferably used for ballast bags.

[0005] Conventional ballast bags, however, are often not sufficiently weatherproof and resistant to the elements. They are not protected against dust escaping and can even tear with repeated use or mechanical stress. Furthermore, they lack ergonomic carrying aids and clear marking of their weight.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a ballast bag with an outer shell and ballast material enclosed by this outer shell, which is resistant to mechanical and / or thermal stress. Furthermore, the ballast bag should be ergonomically portable. A marking that clearly indicates, for example, the total weight of the ballast bag would also be desirable.

[0007] This problem is solved with a ballast bag having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are found in claims 2 to 22.

[0008] Accordingly, the ballast bag has an outer shell and ballast material enclosed by the outer shell. According to the invention, the outer shell is formed by a woven tarpaulin tube, both ends of which are sealed dust-tight via edge sections of the tarpaulin tube. At least one cavity is formed between these edge sections, and the ballast material is arranged in this cavity.

[0009] A woven tarpaulin tube is a tarpaulin that has been formed into a tube. A woven tarpaulin consists of a layer of fabric made from threads or fibers, coated on both sides with a plastic layer. The tube can be formed seamlessly, with one longitudinal seam, or with two longitudinal seams. A seamless tube is created from a woven fabric layer that has already been woven into a tube shape. The desired tube shape can also be created by rolling up a sheet of fabric and joining its longitudinal edges, resulting in a woven tube with one longitudinal seam. If two sheets of fabric are placed on top of each other and joined along their longitudinal sides, a woven tube with two longitudinal seams is produced.

[0010] The use of a woven tarpaulin creates a tear-resistant outer shell for the ballast bag. This makes the entire ballast bag extremely resistant to mechanical stress. Furthermore, it provides a weatherproof and weather-resistant outer shell.

[0011] It is proposed that the woven tarpaulin tube consist of a tarpaulin woven from plastic threads, textile threads, carbon or glass fibers, coated on both sides with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Such woven tarpaulins are used, for example, as truck tarpaulins. Typically, these woven tarpaulins are extremely dense and thus already constitute a dustproof outer shell.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the woven tarpaulin tube is designed as a single layer or multiple layers. The woven tarpaulin tube is considered multi-layered when the fabric layer comprises several individual layers. Preferably, the thread directions are twisted against each other from layer to layer. This further improves the tear resistance of the outer shell of the ballast bag.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment, the outer surface of the outer casing (preferably a contact surface of the ballast bag) is provided with an anti-slip structure. For example, the outer surface is roughened. This ensures a secure hold of the ballast bag on a surface or on another ballast bag.

[0014] It is proposed that the dust-tight sealed edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube be closed by a weld, an adhesive bond, a sewn seam, or a combination of these methods. Such connections can be produced with relatively little effort.

[0015] In an advantageous design, the weld is a high-frequency weld. High-frequency welds are characterized by particularly good strength, which ensures the dust tightness of the sealed edge sections even under high mechanical stress on the ballast bag.

[0016] An advantageous design provides that at least one of the dust-tight sealed edge sections of the tarpaulin tube has a carrying device. This allows for ergonomic carrying of the ballast bag. Furthermore, it also simplifies carrying multiple ballast bags.

[0017] In one embodiment, the carrying device is formed by attaching a handle to the dust-tight sealed edge section of the tarpaulin tube. It is proposed that the handle be riveted to this dust-tight sealed edge section, thus ensuring a secure attachment of the handle to the edge section.

[0018] In another embodiment, the carrying device is formed by creating a recess with a closed outer contour in the dust-tight sealed edge section of the tarpaulin tube, with the remaining portion of the tube's edge forming a handle. Thus, the edge section created by sealing the tarpaulin tube is used to form the handle, eliminating the need for additional material. Furthermore, this design offers the significant advantage that the actual handle is made of the flexible tarpaulin material. This prevents damage and scratches to vehicles, equipment, or structures caused by the ballast bag.

[0019] It is proposed that the recess for forming the support device be created by punching or cutting out a portion of the dust-tight sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube. Punching or cutting allows for cost-effective manufacturing.

[0020] In an advantageous design, the cutting is done using a laser. The heating of the tarpaulin material during laser cutting slightly melts the edges on the outer contour of the cutout, resulting in a smooth cut. This prevents the handle from tearing during subsequent use.

[0021] An advantageous embodiment provides that a dividing seam is arranged section by section within the cavity of the woven tarpaulin tube, and this dividing seam divides the cavity into at least two sections. A dividing seam prevents the ballast material from shifting within the cavity (similar to a quilted mattress).

[0022] It is proposed that the dividing seam run parallel to the edge sections, dividing the cavity into two equal sections. The ballast bag can be folded along this dividing seam, which can facilitate both carrying and storing the ballast bag.

[0023] The invention is not limited to dividing the cavity into two approximately equal sections by means of a dividing seam. The dividing seam can also be arranged such that the two sections have different sizes. Furthermore, additional dividing seams can, of course, be provided to further subdivide the cavity into additional sections. By providing multiple sections, the ballast bag can adapt well to uneven surfaces.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the dust-tight sealed edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube has at least one connecting eyelet. This allows several ballast bags to be connected to each other to prevent slipping or shifting. Such a connection can be made using the connecting eyelets, for example, with cords, wires, or cable ties.

[0025] It is proposed that the connecting eyelet be formed by creating a recess with a closed outer contour in the dust-tight sealed edge section of the tarpaulin tube. Thus, the edge section created by sealing the tarpaulin tube can also be used to form a connecting eyelet, eliminating the need for any additional material.

[0026] In one embodiment, the recess forming the connecting eyelet is created by punching or cutting out a portion of the dust-tight sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube. Punching or cutting also allows for cost-effective manufacturing in this case.

[0027] An advantageous embodiment involves cutting out the recess for the connecting eyelet using a laser. The heating of the tarpaulin material during laser cutting slightly melts the edges of the recess's outer contour, resulting in a smooth cut. This prevents the connecting eyelet from tearing during subsequent use.

[0028] It is proposed that the recess for forming the connecting eyelet be reinforced at the edges. This further prevents the connecting eyelet from tearing during subsequent use.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the recess for forming the connecting eyelet is reinforced at the edge with a metal ring. Such a metal ring can be riveted into the recess using a cost-effective method.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the ballast bag has at least one marking that is printed, woven, or affixed to the outer surface of the tarpaulin tube. This marking can, for example, include an indication of the ballast bag's mass. Such a marking allows the user to select the precise ballast mass required for their needs. At the same time, the marking serves to prevent overloading, both for the persons handling the ballast bags and for the objects or devices that are to be weighted with the respective ballast.

[0031] It is proposed that the ballast material be sand, lead, or steel. If filled with sand, fine-grained quartz sand is preferred, which is particularly distinguished by its weather resistance. However, the use of lead in the form of lead granules is also common and, depending on the application, makes sense, especially when a large mass is required in a small volume, or the use of steel, for example in the form of stamping scrap.

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the ballast bag according to the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 the basic structure of the ballast bag according to the invention, Fig. 2. Connecting several ballast bags via connecting eyelets, Fig. 3a an embodiment of the ballast bag according to the invention, Fig. 3b a further embodiment of the ballast bag according to the invention, Fig. 4a an embodiment of the ballast bag according to the invention with two segments, Fig. 4b an embodiment of the ballast bag according to the invention with three segments, Fig. 4c an embodiment of the ballast bag according to the invention with four segments.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the ballast bag 1 according to the invention. This ballast bag 1 has an outer shell 2. The outer shell 2 forms a cavity that is filled with ballast material 3. Furthermore, the ballast bag has two carrying devices 5 and four connecting eyelets 6. The connecting eyelets 6 are optional. In addition, the ballast bag 1 has at least one marking 7, which is printed, woven, or affixed to an outer surface of the outer shell. The marking 7 is also optional.

[0034] The connecting eyelets 6 can be used, for example, to connect several ballast bags according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows, as an example, three ballast bags 1 connected via the connecting eyelets 6. The connecting eyelets 6 themselves are not shown in this illustration.

[0035] Fig. 3a and Fig. Figure 3b shows a specific embodiment of the ballast bag 1 according to the invention. In both embodiments, the outer shell 2 is formed according to the invention by a woven tarpaulin tube, both ends of which are sealed dust-tight via edge sections 4 of the woven tarpaulin tube 2. The cavity in which the ballast material 3 is arranged is formed between these edge sections.

[0036] The woven tarpaulin tube is made from a tarpaulin woven from plastic threads, textile threads, carbon or glass fibers, coated on both sides with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The woven tarpaulin tube can be single-layered or multi-layered.

[0037] The edge sections 4 are formed by flattening the respective end section of the tarpaulin tube at each end and overlapping sections of the outer surface of the respective end section of the tarpaulin tube. These overlapping outer surface sections are then joined together to close the edge section. The connection is made in such a way that it is dustproof. The connection is formed by a weld, an adhesive bond, a sewn seam, or a combination of these methods. In particular, the connection in the embodiments shown here is made according to Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b a high-frequency weld, without the invention being limited to this, of course.

[0038] The carrying device 5 is formed by creating a recess with a closed outer contour in the dust-tight sealed edge section of the tarpaulin tube. A remaining part of the edge section of the tarpaulin tube 2 then forms a handle. The recess for forming the carrying device 5 is created by punching or cutting out a portion of the dust-tight sealed edge section 4 of the tarpaulin tube 2. In the illustrated embodiments according to Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. Cutting is done using a laser, although the invention is not limited to this.

[0039] In other embodiments not shown, the carrying device 5 is formed by attaching a handle to the dust-tight sealed edge section 4 of the tarpaulin tube 2. This handle is, for example, riveted to the dust-tight sealed edge section of the tarpaulin tube 2.

[0040] When executed according to Fig. 3a further provides a connecting eyelet 6, as already mentioned above, which is formed by creating a recess with a closed outer contour in the dust-tight sealed edge section of the tarpaulin tube 2. This recess can be formed by punching or cutting out a portion of the dust-tight sealed edge section of the tarpaulin tube 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting is carried out using a laser, although the invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, in this illustrated embodiment, the recess is reinforced at the edge by the addition of a metal ring.

[0041] Fig. Figure 4a schematically shows another embodiment of the ballast bag 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, a dividing seam 9 is arranged section by section in the area of ​​the formed cavity of the woven tarpaulin tube 2. This dividing seam divides the cavity into at least two sub-areas 8 (segments). In the illustrated embodiment, the dividing seam runs parallel to the edge sections and divides the cavity into two equally sized sub-areas 8. However, the invention is not limited to this. In principle, further dividing seams 9 can also be present, which divide the cavity into further sub-areas. Exemplary embodiments of this are shown in the Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c shown.

[0042] In all described designs, the ballast material 3 is sand, lead, steel, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the ballast material 3 is frost-resistant quartz sand with a grain size in the range of 0 mm to 2 mm.

[0043] In one embodiment (not shown), the outer surface of the outer shell (preferably a contact surface of the ballast bag) is provided with an anti-slip structure. For example, the outer surface is roughened.

[0044] The following are exemplary dimensions of the ballast bag according to the invention. The invention is not limited to these dimensions.

[0045] The external dimensions vary depending on the weight class of the ballast bag: ◯ 5 kg: approx. 41 cm × 32 cm ◯ 10 kg: approx. 57 cm × 32 cm ◯ 15 kg: approx. 69 cm × 32 cm ◯ 20 kg: approx. 81 cm × 32 cm

[0046] Handle design: ◯ In a 5 kg version of the ballast bag 1, a handle is provided on an edge section of the tarpaulin tube. ◯ From a 10 kg version of the ballast bag 1, two handles are attached to both edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube. ◯ The edge sections are preferably sealed to a width of 7 cm, so that the bag is absolutely dustproof. ◯ Each handle is 13 cm wide (measured when the bag is lying flat) and starts 9.5 cm from the left or right outer edge. ◯ The handles consist of a machine-cut handle tab 1 cm wide, positioned 2 cm from the end of the front of the bag. Reference symbol list 1 ballast bag 2 Outer shell; fabric hose 3 Filling; ballast material 4. Edge section 5 Carrying device 6 connecting eyelets 7. Identification 8 Segment; Sub-area 9. Parting seam

Claims

[1] Ballast bag (1) with an outer shell (2) and ballast material (3) enclosed by the outer shell (2), characterized by , that the outer shell (2) is formed by a woven tarpaulin tube, both ends of which are sealed dust-tight via edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube (2) and at least one cavity is formed between these edge sections and that the ballast material (3) is arranged in this at least one cavity. [2] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the woven tarpaulin tube (2) consists of a tarpaulin woven from plastic threads, textile threads, carbon or glass fibers, coated on both sides with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). [3] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fabric tube (2) is designed as a single layer or as a multi-layered structure. [4] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that one outer surface of the outer shell is provided with an anti-slip structure. [5] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the dust-tight sealed edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube (2) are sealed by a weld (4) or an adhesive connection (4) or a sewn seam (4) or a combination of these connections. [6] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the weld (4) is a high-frequency weld. [7] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the dust-tight sealed edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube (2) has a carrying device (5). [8] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the carrying device (5) is formed by attaching a handle to the dust-tight sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube (2). [9] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the handle is riveted to the dustproof sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube (2). [10] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the carrying device (5) is formed by forming a recess with a closed outer contour in the dust-tight sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube (2) and by forming a handle with a remaining part of the edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube (2). [11] Flexible ballast bag (1) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the recess for forming the carrying device (5) is formed by punching out or cutting out a portion of the dust-tight sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube (2). [12] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the cutting was done using a laser. [13] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that in the area of ​​the cavity of the fabric tarpaulin tube (2) a seam (4) is arranged section by section and this seam (4) divides the cavity into at least two sub-areas. [14] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 13, characterized by , that the seam (4) runs parallel to the edge sections and divides the cavity into two equal sub-areas. [15] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the fabric tube (2) is seamless or has one longitudinal seam or two longitudinal seams. [16] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the dust-tight sealed edge sections of the woven tarpaulin tube (2) has at least one connecting eyelet (6). [17] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 16, characterized by, that the connecting eyelet (6) is formed by forming a recess with a closed outer contour in the dust-tight sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube (2). [18] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the recess forming the connecting eyelet is formed by punching or cutting out a portion of the dust-tight sealed edge section of the woven tarpaulin tube (2). [19] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the cutting was done using a laser. [20] Ballast bag (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized by , that the recess for forming the connecting eyelet (6) is reinforced at the edges. [21] Ballast bag (1) according to claim 20, characterized by , that the recess for forming the connecting eyelet (6) is reinforced at the edge with a metal ring. [22] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the ballast bag (1) has at least one marking (7), wherein the marking (7) is printed, woven or glued onto an outside of the woven tarpaulin tube. [23] Ballast bag (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ballast material (3) is sand or lead or steel.

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