Bulk transport system for dense products

Abstract

A method for filling a container with a plurality of particles or a liquid includes a bulk packaging support structure for supporting the flexible container during filling. The support structure includes first and second foldable members each having a bottom portion and a first wall section that is pivotally connected to the bottom portion along a primary fold line. A second wall section is pivotally connected to the first wall section along a secondary fold line that extends perpendicular to the primary fold line. The first and second foldable members are releasibly engaged with one another such that the bottom portion of the first foldable member is disposed between the second wall section and the bottom portion of the second foldable member. The radially flexible container disposed within the support structure is filled through a large diameter to a fill level. The large diameter of the radially flexible container is then reduced to a smaller fill diameter in vertical relationship to the fill level as the fill level rises during filling of the flexible container.

1 . A method for filling a container with one of a plurality of particles and a liquid comprising the steps of:
 filling a radially flexible container through a large diameter with one of a plurality of particles and a liquid to a fill level;   reducing the large diameter of the radially flexible container to a smaller fill diameter in vertical relationship to the fill level as the fill level rises during filling of the flexible container; and   placing a paperboard structure on opposing sides of the radially flexible container to support the radially flexible container during filling.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the placing step further comprises the steps of:
 positioning a first foldable member under and at least partially around the radially flexible container; and 
 positioning a second foldable member shaped similar to the first foldable member under and at least partially around the radially flexible container. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the placing step further comprises the steps of:
 overlapping the first and second foldable members with respect to one another under the radially flexible container. 
 
     
     
         4 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for filling a container with one of a plurality of particles and a liquid comprising the steps of:
 forming a support structure with a first foldable member and a second foldable member that releasibly engages the first foldable member for supporting a radially flexible container;   disposing the radially flexible container in the support structure;   filling the radially flexible container through a large diameter with one of a plurality of particles and a liquid to a fill level; and   reducing the large diameter of the radially flexible container to a smaller fill diameter in vertical relationship to the fill level as the fill level rises during filling of the flexible container.   
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 18  further including the step of forming the first and second foldable members with each of the first and second foldable members including a bottom portion having an upwardly facing surface and a side portion directly connected to the bottom portion along a primary fold line for substantially encircling the radially flexible container. 
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the each of the side portions of the first and second foldable members include a first wall section extending between a top and a bottom and further including the step of:
 disposing each of the first wall sections substantially perpendicular to the connected bottom portion along the primary fold line. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method as set forth in  claim 20  further including the step of overlapping the bottom portions of the first and second foldable members with respect to one another, wherein the first wall section of the first foldable member and the first wall section of the second foldable member are spaced and parallel relative to one another for receiving a flexible container in the support structure. 
     
     
         22 . The method as set forth in  claim 20  further including the steps of:
 directly connecting a second wall section that extends between a top and a bottom to each of the first wall sections of the first and second foldable members along a secondary fold line that extends between the top and bottom and perpendicular to the primary fold line, wherein each of the second wall sections is moveable about the secondary fold line for substantially encircling the radially flexible container; and 
 spacing the upwardly facing surface of the second foldable member and the bottom of the second wall section of the second foldable member to define a gap for receiving the bottom portion of the first foldable member to form the support structure and wherein the bottom of the second wall section of the second foldable member is movable over the upwardly facing surface of the first foldable member for substantially encircling the radially flexible container. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method as set forth in  claim 22  further including the steps of
 directly connecting a third wall section that extends between a top and a bottom to each of the first wall sections opposite the second wall sections of the first and second foldable members along a secondary fold line that extends between the top and bottom and perpendicular to the primary fold line, wherein each of the third wall sections is moveable about the secondary fold line for substantially encircling the radially flexible container; and 
 spacing the upwardly facing surface of the second foldable member and the bottom of the third wall section of the second foldable member to define a gap for receiving the bottom portion of the first foldable member to form the support structure and wherein the bottom of the third wall section of the second foldable member is movable over the upwardly facing surface of the first foldable member for substantially encircling the radially flexible container. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method as set forth in  claim 23  further including the steps of:
 directly connecting a fourth wall section that extends between a top and a bottom to each of the second wall section opposite the first wall sections of the first and second foldable members along a secondary fold line that extends between the top and bottom and perpendicular to the primary fold line, wherein each of the fourth wall sections is moveable about the secondary fold line for substantially encircling the radially flexible container; and 
 spacing the upwardly facing surface of the second foldable member and the bottom of the fourth wall section of the second foldable member to define a gap for receiving the bottom portion of the first foldable member to form the support structure and wherein the bottom of the fourth wall section of the second foldable member is movable over the upwardly facing surface of the first foldable member for substantially encircling the radially flexible container. 
 
     
     
         25 . The method as set forth in  claim 24  further including the steps of:
 directly connecting a fifth wall section that extends between a top and a bottom to each of the third wall section opposite the first wall sections of the first and second foldable members along a secondary fold line that extends between the top and bottom and perpendicular to the primary fold line, wherein each of the fifth wall sections is moveable about the secondary fold line for substantially encircling the radially flexible container; and 
 spacing the upwardly facing surface of the second foldable member and the bottom of the fifth wall section of the second foldable member to define a gap for receiving the bottom portion of the first foldable member to form the support structure and wherein the bottom of the fifth wall section of the second foldable member is movable over the upwardly facing surface of the first foldable member for substantially encircling the radially flexible container. 
 
     
     
         26 . The method as set forth in  claim 25  further including disposing punch-out portions in at least one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth wall sections of the first and second foldable members for retaining the radially flexible container. 
     
     
         27 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  further including the step of contacting the second foldable member adjacent the primary fold line of the second foldable member with an edge on the upwardly facing surface of the bottom portion of the first foldable member and disposed opposite the primary fold line of the first foldable member. 
     
     
         28 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  further including the steps of:
 pivotally connecting first and second tabs to the bottom portion of one of the first and second foldable members along first and second tab lines; and 
 extending the first and second tabs perpendicular to the bottom portion of the first and second foldable member to assist in the handling of the support structure. 
 
     
     
         29 . The bulk packaging support structure as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the bottom and side portions of the first and second foldable members are generally rectangular. 
     
     
         30 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  further including the step of overlapping the bottom portions of the first and second foldable members with respect to one another. 
     
     
         31 . The method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the first and second foldable members have a same shape. 
     
     
         32 . The method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the reducing the large diameter step is further defined as wrapping the radially flexible container with stretch wrap to reduce the large diameter of the radially flexible container to a smaller fill diameter in vertical relationship to the fill level as the fill level rises during filling of the flexible container. 
     
     
         33 . The method as set forth in  claim 32  further including the step of wrapping the first and second foldable members with stretch wrap as the radially flexible container is wrapped with stretch wrap during filling of the flexible container.