Technical field

This invention relates to a containment device for Big Bags, more specifically a device for containing and transporting Big Bags. The term "Big Bag" means a bag for waste, more specifically industrial waste. Big Bags are UN approved bags and have a loading capacity of approximately one cubic metre, they are made from polypropylene fabric treated with special resins and they are equipped with a completely impermeable inner enclosure. Big Bags have a square or rectangular cross-section and are normally equipped with four handles on the top corners for gripping by the operators.

Considering their use in an industrial context, Big Bags are specifically designed for transporting bulky and heavy waste materials, for example, masonry debris, pieces of plaster or other building materials.

Once filled, the Big Bag must be transported to a waste disposal area.

Background art

For this reason, there are prior art containment devices specifically designed for transporting Big Bags. The prior art devices have a base structure on which the Big Bag is rested, one or more supporting uprights forming a framework and one or mechanisms for attaching the Big Bag to the containment device for a stable and safe transport of the bag to the disposal area.

Disadvantageously, the prior art containment devices are bulky structures, rigid to use and inconvenient for storing. In effect, they have the rigid base structure connected to the uprights, generally by welding.

Moreover, the prior art devices are suitable exclusively for transporting the bag, but not for any temporary storage of the Big Bag in the disposal area. In effect, it is quite possible that the disposal area is not able to immediately empty the incoming bags, which must therefore be temporarily stored, generally outdoors, and they are therefore directly exposed to adverse weather conditions.

Moreover, a filled Big Bag, for example with masonry debris, is very heavy and the fabric of Big Bag is subjected to a high mechanical force for containing the material inside. The full Big Bag therefore has the tendency to bulge along its lateral surfaces.

The prior art containment devices are not able to overcome this drawback and, during transport, the bags are known to unbalance and discharge the material contained therein.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to provide a solution that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

The aim of this invention is to propose a containment device for Big Bags which is highly flexible in use.

Another aim of this invention is to propose a containment device for Big Bags which improves the transport safety of the bag.

Yet another aim of this invention is to propose a containment device for Big

Bags which protects the bag against weather conditions during both transport and any storage period.

The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a containment device for Big Bags comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the non- limiting description which follows of a preferred embodiment of a containment device for Big Bags as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a containment device for Big Bags according to this invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a containment device for Big Bags according to this invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the containment device for Big Bags of

Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a first construction detail of the containment device for Big Bags; Figure 5 is a second construction detail of the containment device for Big Bags;

Figure 6 is a third construction detail of the containment device for Big Bags;

Figure 7 is a fourth construction detail of the containment device for Big Bags;

Figure 8 is a fifth construction detail of the containment device for Big Bags; With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a containment device for Big Bags according to this invention.

Advantageously, the containment device 1 according to this invention is reversibly sectional for facilitating the method of use. In other words, the various elements which constitute the device 1 can be mounted on/removed from each other in such a way that the containment device 1 in the "non-operational" configuration (for example, in assembly kit) has small dimensions for simplifying the transport when empty, and is easily mountable by means of few and simple operations thereby guaranteeing a high level of structural solidity in the "operational" configuration.

The containment device 1 for Big Bags 10 comprises a pallet 100 which may be carried by the forks of a forklift truck and acts as base for transport. The pallet 100 in question is a pallet which complies with the internationally known standards and is therefore readily available.

For this reason, the pallet 100 is not necessarily provided in the assembly kit for the containment device according to this invention.

The containment device 1 comprises a plurality of cross-members 2 which may be inserted inside the pallet 100, wherein each cross-member 2 has two housing seats 20 positioned at the relative ends so as to protrude from the pallet 100.

In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the cross-members 2, during assembly of the containment device 1 , are inserted inside the pallet 100 and having a longitudinal extension greater than the size of the pallet 00, the housing seats 20 protrude from both sides of the pallet 100.

The device 1 also comprises a plurality of uprights 3, each having a lower end 3a connected to a respective housing seat 20 of the cross-members 2.

Preferably, each housing seat 20 of the cross-members 2 has an extension substantially parallel to a main direction of extension of each cross-member 2 (therefore horizontal in the operational configuration), whilst the lower end 3a of each upright 3 is L-shaped having a connecting portion 30 substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction of extension of each upright 3 for inserting inside the housing seat 20 of each cross-member 2.

In order to lock safely in position the uprights 3 and cross-members 2, the containment device 1 also comprises fixing means 7 comprising at least one locking pin 71 operating along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the connecting portion 30 in the housing seat 20. In other words, the shape of the housing seats 20 and of the lower ends 3a of the uprights 3 determines a stable coupling between the two components, whilst the fixing means 7 prevent an accidental uncoupling (reciprocal withdrawal) between uprights 3 and cross-members 2 during normal use of the containment device 1.

In an embodiment not illustrated, each fixing means 7, more specifically each pin 71 , is connected by a chain or cable to the respective upright 3 or cross- member 2 in such a way that during the assembly/dismantling of the containment device 1 no component can be lost or misplaced, compromising at least in part the operational safety of the device 1.

The uprights 3, like the cross-members 2, are preferably made from tubular members preferably with a square or rectangular cross-section to give the entire device 1 the necessary mechanical strength and to be able to safely support the weight of the Big Bag 10 when fully loaded.

The containment device 1 also comprises a plurality of attachment devices 5 which may be connected to the Big Bag 10 and positioned at an upper end 3b of each upright 3. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, each attachment device 5 comprises at least two sockets 51 , coaxial to each other and located at the upper end 3b of each upright 3, and a pin 52 which may be inserted in the sockets 51 for gripping an upper handle 10a of a Big Bag 10.

In a similar manner to the pins 71 of the fixing means 7, each pin 52 of the attachment devices 5 can also be connected to the respective upright 3 by a chain or cable (not illustrated) in such a way that, when the pin 52 is not housed inside the two sockets 51 , it is not completely free but is always connected to the upright 3 to prevent it being lost or misplaced.

Preferably, the containment device 1 also comprises a plurality of reinforcement rods 4, each interposed between two of the uprights 3 and connected to respective portions, preferably central 3c, of the uprights 3 in such a way that each upright 3 is connected to a pair of adjacent uprights through two respective reinforcement rods 4. In other words, as clearly shown in Figure 1 and 2, the reinforcement rods 4 connect the uprights 3 along an ideal perimeter of containment of the device 1 to give further structural solidity to the device 1 under any load condition. The reinforcement rods 4 also have the further function of containing the lateral bulging of the Big Bag 10 under full load conditions, thereby also allowing a safer and more reliable transport.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each reinforcement rod 4 is connected, at its ends, on one side to an upright 3 using a double hinge 8 and on the other side to another upright 3 using a locking device 9. Each locking device 9 comprises a pin 91 which may be inserted in a housing ring 93 positioned on the upright 3 and a device 92 preventing the withdrawal of the pin 91 from the housing ring 93.

The housing ring 93 forms a seat for inserting the pin 91 along a direction substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the upright 3.

As shown in the detail in Figure 5, the contrast device 92 is preferably formed by a retractable pin which, in the operational lock position, inserts (preferably by the action of elastic means) inside a hole 94 made on each upright 3 for keeping the reinforcement rod 4 locked. The retractable pin can be manually disengaged from the hole 94 to allow the removal of the reinforcement rod 4 from the upright 3.

For this reason, each reinforcement rod 4, as well as being completely mountable on/removable from the respective uprights 3 can also move in the "operational" configuration of the containment device 1. More specifically, the double hinge 8 of Figure 4 allows, each reinforcement rod 4, to perform a first rotational movement upwards in such a way that the pin 91 of the locking device 9 can withdraw from the respective housing ring 93 and a second rotational movement towards the outside of the device 1 in such a way that an operator can access and if necessary pick up the Big Bag 10 from any side of the containment device 1. As shown in the detail in Figure 4, the double hinge 8 comprises a first guide ring 82 positioned on the upright 3 inside of which is inserted a first end of an L-shaped connecting element 83. A second end of the connecting element 83 is, on the other hand, inserted in a second guide ring 84 positioned on one of the ends of the reinforcement rod 4. Operatively, the two ends of the connecting element 83 are rotatably coupled to the respective guide rings 82, 84 in such a way as to obtain the two rotational movements (one about an axis positioned along the upright 3 and one about an axis perpendicular to the direction of extension of the upright 3 and preferably horizontal) of the double hinge 8.

Preferably, the containment device 1 also comprises a lid 6 connected to the upper end 3b of each upright 3 for covering the surface (square or rectangular in shape in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, which comprises four uprights) between the uprights 3. In other words, the lid 6 acts as a "roof to protect the upper opening of the Big Bag 10. The lid 6 is mobile between a closed position for protecting the Big Bag 10 against the weather conditions and an open position for allowing the filling of the Big Bag 10, in particular by rotating about a horizontal axis.

More specifically, the lid 6 is connected to a pair of uprights 3 using respective rotational joints 16 and preferably has at least one centring device 12 positioned opposite the rotational joints 16 for coupling stably to another upright 3, preferably by mutual insertion.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid 6 has at least two centring devices 12 positioned opposite to the rotational joints 16 and each insertable in a respective upright 3. In this way the lid 6 has four contact points with as many uprights 3, giving a complete structural solidity to the containment device 1.

In this regard, the lid 6 also comprises, close to the above-mentioned centring device 12, at least one reversible device 13 for locking the lid 6 for keeping the lid 6 stably in its closed position during transport.

As shown in the detail in Figure 8, the device 13 for locking the lid 6 couples, in its closed position, against a protrusion 15 made on the upper end 3b of the upright 3.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid 6 has at least two locking devices 13 each positioned close to each of the two centring devices 12 and each acting on a respective upright, as shown in Figures 3, 7 and 8.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the containment device 1 comprises at least one extension 11 positioned between the upper end 3b of an upright 3 and the centring device 12 of the lid 6 for allowing easy access to the Big Bag 10 for its filling.

As shown in Figure 3, the extension 11 can be inserted at the upper end 3b of an upright 3 and it is inclined relative to the direction of extension of the upright 3 in such a way that the centring device 12 of the lid 6 can easily insert inside the extension 11. In the preferred alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3, it can be seen that there are at least two extensions 11 , one for each upright 3 opposite the rotational joints 16 of the lid 6. For this reason, each extension can be inserted in a respective upright 3 and receive a respective centring device 12 of the lid 6 in such a way as to guarantee the same structural solidity to the containment device 1 which there is in the embodiment without the extensions 11 (that is, that of Figure 1).

Preferably, the containment device 1 also comprises a plate (not illustrated) identifying the contents of the Big Bag 10.

A kit for assembling the containment device 1 forms part of this invention.

Preferably, this kit, as stated above, does not comprise the pallet 100 which is readily available being of a type in accordance with known standards.

The kit comprises at least two cross-members 2 and at least four uprights 3.

The two cross-members 2 each have two housing seats 20, in which are inserted, during assembly, the respective four lower ends 3a of the four uprights

3 of the kit. Each upright 3 comprises a respective attachment device 5 for gripping a respective upper handle 10a of the Big Bag 10.

The kit also comprises at least four reinforcement rods 4 for the four sides formed between respective pairs of uprights 3, and the lid 6 can be assembled with two uprights 3 at the rotational joints 16 of the lid 6.

The invention achieves the preset aims.

The reciprocal mountability/removability of the components of the containment device for Big Bags according to this invention allows a considerable flexibility of use, compactness and ease of use.

Moreover, the structure of the containment device, the presence of cross- members, uprights and reinforcement rods gives a structural solidity which improves the level of safety and efficiency of transport of the Big Bag with full load.

Lastly, the lid and its connection to the rest of the structure allow the contents of the Big Bag to be protected against the weather conditions, at the same time guaranteeing an easy access for the filling and emptying of the Big Bag.