Shipping container for flowable material and flexible tank therefor

Abstract

A shipping container for flowable material including a large rigid shipping container and a flexible tank. The shipping container has a substantially rectangular cubic configuration with common attachment regions. The flexible tank is positionable within the rigid shipping container. The flexible tank includes a generally rectangular cubic configuration. At least certain dimensions of the flexible tank corresponding to dimensions of the large rigid shipping container so that the flexible tank has a generally form fit retention within the large rigid shipping container. The flexible tank further comprises a film which together with a plurality of seals defines a substantially rectangular cubic cavity. A dispensing means is provided which extends through the film for selectively placing the cavity in fluid communication with an outside dispenser. The film comprises a layer comprising a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates in general to shipping containers, and more particularly, to a shipping container for flowable material which comprises a large outer container (i.e., a common twenty foot shipping container, or the like) and an inner flexible tank. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a flexible tank used within the shipping container.[0003]2. Background Art[0004]Shipment of flowable material in large quantity over relatively long distances has increased over the last few decades. Whereas dry cargo has been essentially revolutionized in the last 40 years, with the introduction of the standard shipping container, the ISO tank has remained the common mode of transporting flowable materials.[0005]In the past several years, however, there has been a move toward the use of flexible tanks positioned and retained within standard shipping containers for transporting relatively large shipments of flowable materials. A...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The invention is directed to a shipping container for flowable material, in a first aspect. In particular, the shipping container includes a large rigid shipping container, such as a conventional twenty foot shipping container, and a flexible tank. The flexible tank is positionable within the rigid shipping container. The flexible tank includes a film having a plurality of seals to define a cavity, and a dispensing means for dispensing a flowable material positioned within the cavity. The film includes a layer comprising a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.

[0024]In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a flexible tank for use in association with a rigid shipping container for the transport of flowable material. The flexible tank comprises an oxygen sensitive flowable material. The flexible tank is positionable within the rigid shipping container. The flexible tank includes a film having a plurality of seals to define a cavity, and a dispensing means for dispensing a flowable material positioned within the cavity. The film comprises a layer having a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.

[0025]In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a shipping container for flowable material which includes a large rigid shipping container and a flexible tank positioned within the rigid shipping container. The shipping container has a substantially rectangular cubic configuration with common attachment regions. The flexible tank is positionable within the rigid shipping container. The flexible tank includes a generally rectangular cubic configuration. At least certain dimensions of the flexible tank corresponds to dimensions of the large rigid shipping container so that the flexible tank has a generally form fit retention within the large rigid shipping container. The flexible tank further comprises a film which together with a plurality of seals defines a substantially rectangular cubic cavity. A dispensing means is provided which extends through the film for selectively placing the cavity in fluid communication with an outside dispenser. The film comprises a layer comprising a co-extruded blend of HDPE and TPE, to, in turn minimize oxygen transmission within the film.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, a great cost savings is realized inasmuch as the construction costs of ISO tanks are typically quite expensive when compared to a standard shipping container and a flexible tank.

While such advantages are leading a revolution in the shipment of flowable materials, there have been drawbacks.

Such an OTR is quite high and can adversely affect the quality of oxygen sensitive materials when shipped any appreciable distances.

For example, such an OTR makes the otherwise desirable transport system less suitable for the satisfactory shipment of wine from Australia to North America, or from Argentina to Europe.

There is a great increase in cost with either system.

One particular downside with the packaging of wine into smaller dispensing bags prior to long-haul shipment is that the bags are generally placed into small rigid paperboard boxes.

In turn, if one of the thousands of bags is compromised, generally a number of rigid paperboard container of adjoining bags in the same shipment are destroyed.

Thus, even a small breach in one bag can ruin a number of different bags in a single shipment.

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