Collapsible, reusable storage container

摘要

A collapsible, reusable bulk material container assembly, kit and method for assembling and using same are disclosed. Upper ring and base members are locked together by peripheral post members, forming an upright rigid framework that operatively supports a woven fabric bulk material receiving sleeve. A cover connected to the upper ring seals the container. Intermediate support bands may be attached to and along the post members to resist outwardly directed forces applied to the post members through the sleeve by contained bulk material. The container is reconfigurable to a collapsed storage or shipping module that retainably contains the post members, support bands and woven fabric sleeve. The post members may be segmentable or collapsible for containment within the collapsed module. Component parts of the container assembly are detachable, reusable and recyclable. One configuration of the container is sized to replace a conventional 55 gallon drum.

主权项

1. A collapsible container assembly suitable for holding a charge of bulk material for storage and transport, comprising:
(a) a rigid collapsible framework defining an internal geometrically shaped volume, comprising:
(i) a rigid base having a footprint perimeter defining a first closed geometric shape, and having a bottom portion with a broad upper surface and strength sufficient to support said charge of bulk material;(ii) a rigid upper member having a perimeter defining a closed geometric shape similar to that of said first closed geometric shape, and defining an opening therethrough suitable for receiving said charge of bulk material; and(iii) a plurality of rigid post members detachably fixedly connecting and peripherally extending between said base and said upper member to form a rigid framework therewith; (b) a woven fabric sleeve sized and configured to operatively fit within said internal geometrically shaped volume of said framework, said sleeve having a closed bottom or having a lower open end that is positionable in folded manner on the broad upper surface of the base bottom portion to form a bottom and having an open upper end for receiving said charge of bulk material into the sleeve, said sleeve having strength and bulge resistance parameters suitable for containing said charge of bulk material of a quantity that would substantially fill said internal geometrically shaped volume; (c) one or more connectors cooperatively configured on said upper member and said sleeve, detachably connecting said sleeve to said upper member with said open upper end of said sleeve being in operative alignment with said opening in said upper member; and (d) a cover detachably cooperatively securable to said upper member to selectively close said opening through said upper member, and access into said sleeve through said open upper end of said sleeve.