Soft-Sided Bulk Containers With Hold-Ins to Limit Bulging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soft-sided bulk material containers experience significant bulging during filling, lifting, and stacking due to gravitational forces, leading to inefficient space utilization and potential damage from lateral movement against support structures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing hold-ins within the soft-sided containers, secured by bulk material weight, to maintain vertical shape and prevent lateral expansion, using materials that can be water-permeable or impermeable to solids, and secured by fasteners or adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If soft-sided containers are used for bulk material transport, then flexibility and ease of handling are improved, but the containers experience significant bulging and lateral movement under gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments by inserting bulk material containers (inner containers) within the soft-sided outer container. This segmentation provides structural support to prevent bulging while maintaining the flexibility of the outer soft-sided container. Each inner container acts as an independent structural element that resists lateral deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines two different container types - a flexible soft-sided outer container and rigid or semi-rigid inner bulk material containers. This composite structure leverages the advantages of both: the flexibility and ease of handling of the soft-sided container, and the shape stability and gravitational resistance of the inner containers.
2Shape
If support structures are added to prevent bulging, then shape stability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner bulk material containers serve multiple functions: they contain and transport bulk material, provide structural support to prevent bulging, and can be easily inserted and removed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate, complex support structures while achieving shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner containers automatically provide structural support through their own presence and positioning within the soft-sided container. The bulk material within these inner containers further reinforces their structural integrity, creating a self-supporting system that reduces complexity.
3Shape
If hold-ins are secured by bulk material weight, then shape stability is improved, but the securing mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk material itself serves as the securing mechanism for the hold-ins. The weight of the bulk material naturally presses the hold-ins against the inner container walls, providing automatic securing without requiring additional fasteners, clips, or complex attachment mechanisms. This self-securing system simplifies the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing function is extracted from a separate mechanical mechanism and integrated into the bulk material's own weight and pressure. Instead of adding a complex securing system, the solution uses the existing bulk material to provide the securing force, eliminating the need for additional securing components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hold-ins effectively maintain the container's vertical shape, reducing bulging and optimizing space utilization during transport and storage, while minimizing damage from lateral forces.
Implementation Method 1
secured by bulk material weight
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus for transferring bulk material for transport, the method includes placing a first quantity of bulk material in a soft-sided bulk material container, extending a first hold-in across the container from a first side of the container to a second location, the second location being substantially toward a second side of the container, wherein the first hold-in is secured to the first side of the container, securing the first hold-in to the second location and placing a second quantity of bulk material in the container, the second quantity covering the first hold-in and securing the first hold-in to the second location with a weight of the second quantity of bulk material.