Self-funneling flexible container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021284435-A1
Application number	US-201817275989-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 25, 2018
Priority date	Oct 25, 2018
Publication date	Sep 16, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A self-funneling flexible container may be used with a storage and transportation system to provide an efficient, effective and cost-efficient transfer of material to, from or about a site, for example, a hydrocarbon exploration, recovery, production or operation site. The self-funneling flexible container may comprise one or more bands about the bottom or the bottom and one or more sides of the self-funneling flexible container. The bands have an elasticity such that the weight of material disposed in the self-funneling flexible container transitions the bands to an expanded position. When the material is discharged, the bands transition to a contracted position to form a funnel or chute so that all material may be efficiently discharged. As the funnel or chute is only formed at discharge, the self-funneling flexible container may store more material than traditional rigid containers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A self-funneling flexible material container system at a hydrocarbon well services or operation site, comprising:
a self-funneling flexible container, wherein the self-funneling flexible container comprises one or more bands disposed about a bottom of the self-funneling flexible container, and wherein each of the one or more bands has an elasticity; a frame coupled to the self-funneling flexible container; wherein the self-funneling flexible container transitions to an expanded position when a material is flowed into the self-funneling flexible container, and wherein the self-funneling flexible container transitions to a contracted position when the material is discharged from the self-funneling flexible container; and wherein the bottom forms a chute when transitioned to the contracted position.

2 . The self-funneling flexible material container system of claim 1 , wherein the self-funneling flexible container comprises one or more straps coupled to the frame.

3 . The self-funneling flexible material container system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more straps circumnavigate the self-funneling flexible material container.

4 . The self-funneling flexible material container system of claim 1 , wherein the frame is a support structure, wherein the support structure couples the self-funneling flexible material container to a hoisting mechanism.

5 . The self-funneling flexible material container system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more bands form at least one of an L-shaped, a radiating line pattern, an inverted L-shaped pattern and a curved pattern.

6 . The self-funneling flexible container system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more bands extend at least partially on at least one side of the self-funneling flexible container.

7 . The self-funneling flexible container system of claim 1 , wherein the self-funneling flexible container comprises a gate disposed at the bottom, wherein the material is discharged through the gate.

8 . The self-funneling flexible container system of claim 1 , wherein the self-funneling flexible container is partitionable.

9 . A self-funneling flexible container, comprising:
a top portion; a bottom; a plurality of sides coupled to the top portion and the bottom; one or more bands disposed about the bottom, wherein each of the one or more bands has an elasticity; wherein the self-funneling flexible container transitions to an expanded when a material is flowed into the self-funneling flexible container, and wherein the self-funneling flexible container transitions to a contracted position when the material is flowed out of the self-funneling flexible container; and wherein the bottom forms a chute when transitioned to the contracted position.

10 . The self-funneling flexible container of claim 9 , further comprising at least one of a frame coupled to at least the top portion and one or more straps

11 . The self-funneling flexible container of claim 10 , further comprising one or more fasteners that couple the one or more straps to the self-funneling flexible container.

12 . The self-funneling flexible container of claim 10 , wherein the one or more straps circumnavigate the self-funneling flexible container.

13 . The self-funneling flexible container of claim 10 , wherein the one or more straps couple to a frame.

14 . The self-funneling flexible container of claim 9 , wherein the one or more bands extend at least partially on at least one side of the plurality of sides.

15 . The self-funneling flexible container of claim 9 , wherein the one or more bands form at least one of an L-shaped, a radiating line pattern, an inverted L-shaped pattern and a curved pattern.

16 . The self-funneling flexible container of claim 9 , wherein the self-funneling flexible container comprises a gate disposed at the bottom, wherein the material is discharged through the gate.

17 . A method for discharging a material using a self-funneling flexible container, comprising:
opening a gate disposed in a bottom of the self-funneling flexible container; discharging the material through the gate; transitioning one or more bands disposed on the bottom of the self-funneling flexible container to a contracted position as the material is discharged, wherein each of the one or more bands are elastic; and forming a chute by the bottom as the one or more bands transition to the contracted position.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising coupling the self-funneling flexible container to a support structure using one or more straps secured to the self-funneling flexible container.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising
hoisting the self-funneling flexible container to a height, wherein the hoisting comprises coupling the support structure to a hoisting mechanism.

20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
flowing the material into the self-funneling flexible container, wherein flowing the material transitions the one or more bands from a contracted position to an expanded position.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Kresse Frank
• Stegemoeller Calvin L

Classifications

• B65D90/205

  for flexible containers, i.e. the flexible container being permanently connected to the frame (B65D77/061, B65D88/1612, B65D90/046 take precedence; unpacking of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container [FIBC] B65B69/0075; crane hooks for frames for FIBC B66C1/226) · CPC title

• B65D88/1693

  Rigid (B65D90/205 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65D88/1681 Primary

  Flexible, e.g. loops, or reinforcements therefor · CPC title

• B65D88/54

  characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying · CPC title

• B65D88/24 Primary

  by air · CPC title