Packaging core and method of use

Abstract

A packaging core ( 10 ) has an elongated, hollow tubular body portion ( 14 ) with funnel shaped ends ( 18, 22 ) and is used to prepare bales ( 34, 36, 38, 40 ) for transportation. The bales are formed into four-bale sets ( 56 ), each set ( 56 ) being bound together around a packaging core ( 10 ), for example with elastic bands ( 52 ). A pole lift can then be used to load the bale sets ( 56 ) onto a truck or other vehicle for transportation. The four bale sets ( 56 ) are more stable during transport than individual bales and are therefore less disorganized when they arrive at their destination. This reduces the time and effort spent during the loading and offloading processes, as well as the risk that neighboring bale sets ( 56 ) will be damaged during the offloading process.

1 . A method of enhancing portability of deformable material in flexible bags comprising: 
 binding at least one bag of deformable material to a tube, said tube being dimensioned to receive insertion of a lifting element.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said tube widens at least one end, said widening being dimensioned to guide said insertion of the lifting element into said tube.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one bag is plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said deformable material inside said at least one flexible bag is plastic bags.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said binding is by binders selected from the group consisting of: plastic bands, metal bands and wire.  
     
     
         6 . A method of packing for transportation flexible bags of deformable material comprising: 
 binding at least one bag to a tube to form a bound bag and tube assembly;    inserting in said tube a lifting element;    lifting said bound bag and tube assembly;    placing said bound bag and tube assembly onto a transportation vehicle; and    removing said lifting element.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said binding is by binders selected from the group consisting of: plastic bands, metal bands and wire.  
     
     
         8 . Method of  claim 6  wherein said tube widens at least one end, said widening being dimensioned to guide said insertion of the lifting element into said tube.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said at least one bag is plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said deformable material inside said at least one flexible bag is plastic bags.  
     
     
         11 . A method of transporting flexible bags of deformable material comprising: 
 binding at least one bag to a tube to form a bound bag and tube assembly;    inserting in said tube a lifting element;    lifting said bound bag and tube assembly;    placing said bound bag and tube assembly onto a transportation vehicle;    removing said lifting element;    transporting said bag and tube assemblies on said vehicle to a destination;    inserting a second lifting element in said tube;    lifting said bag and tube assembly from said transportation vehicle;    lowering said bag and tube assembly to a receiving platform; and    removing said second lifting element.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said binding is by binders selected from the group consisting of: plastic bands, metal bands and wire.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said tube widens at least one end, said widening being dimensioned to guide said insertion of the lifting element into said tube.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said at least one bag is plastic.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said deformable material inside said at least one flexible bag is plastic bags.  
     
     
         16 . A deformable material flexible bag transport assembly comprising: 
 at least one bag of deformable material;    a tube, said tube being dimensioned to receive a lifting element; and    a binder securing said tube to said at least one bag.    
     
     
         17 . The transport assembly of  claim 16  wherein said tube is dimensioned to receive a fork truck fork as the lifting element.  
     
     
         18 . The transport assembly of  claim 16  wherein said tube is dimensioned to receive a pole lift pole as the lifting element.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said at least one bag is plastic.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said deformable material inside said at least one flexible bag is plastic bags.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said binding is by binders selected from the group consisting of: plastic bands, metal bands and wire.  
     
     
         22 . A packaging core tube comprising: 
 a tube having a hollow inside diameter dimensioned to receive a lifting element; and    a widening of said inside dimension at at least one end of said tube, whereby said widening guides insertion of the lifting element.    
     
     
         23 . The packaging core tube of  claim 22  wherein said tube is dimensioned to receive a fork truck fork as the lifting element.  
     
     
         24 . The packaging core tube of  claim 22  wherein said tube is dimensioned to receive a pole lift pole as the lifting element.