| US4795044A | 1989-01-03 | |||
| US4547332A | 1985-10-15 |
| PATENT CLAIMS 1 . A tamper indicating cap for intermediate bulk containers supporting flexible collapsible container inner bags used for the bulk handling of fluent materials, which includes (a) a cap member adapted to be folded over and clipped onto a gland of a bung to make the bung inaccessible; and (b) a collar member connected to the cap member and being adapted to be slipped over a gland of an intermediate bulk container. 2. A cap as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a tamper indicating tab. 3. A cap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the collar member has been slipped over the gland before the cap member is folded over and clipped onto a gland of a bung. 4. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted to provide tamper evidencing. 5. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the gland is a 2 inch diameter gland. 6. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted to be required to be removed in order to unscrew the bung. 7. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which removal of the cap member is a destructive process. 8. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the only way to remove the cap member is by tugging the tamper tab causing it to tear open down the centre. 9. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each tamper indicating cap member is individually marked. 10. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the gland has an internal diameter of about 2 to 4 inches. 1 1 . A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is made of plastics and/or be injection moulded and/or consists of flexible plastics material. 12. A cap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the intermediate bulk container has a capacity of 50 to 500 gallons or about 189 to 2000 litres. 13. A tamper indicating cap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. 14. A method for delivering bulk material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. |
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tamper indicating tap for intermediate bulk containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tamper indicating tap for intermediate bulk containers supporting flexible collapsible container inner bags used for the bulk handling of fluent materials.
BACKGROUND TO INVENTION
Palletized transport or shipping containers are used for the bulk handling of fluent materials. In these palletized shipping containers a collapsible bag encased in a strong outer shell for bulk handling of liquids, fine powders, granular products and other goods having flow characteristics is provided in the shipping or transport container.
Intermediate bulk containers (IBC) have found wide acceptance for the shipment of goods. In one example an intermediate bulk containers (IBC) consists of a 275 gallon container mounted to a skid or pallet. A wire mesh cage is also mounted to the skid and surrounds the container on all four sides. The top of the container is generally exposed. Additional pallets or intermediate bulk containers can accordingly be stacked for shipping and storage. A flexible collapsible inner bag actually contains the material and a rigid box-like structure that forms a secondary container houses the flexible bag. These "bag-in-a-box" type of transport containers generally include valve and spout or gland assemblies that are attached to the inner bag. An intermediate bulk container is filled at the top by removing a cover providing access to an opening. A spout or gland located at the bottom acts as an outlet for goods stored in the container. A bulk container valve is typically removably secured to the intermediate bulk container to control removal of goods from the container. Often the valve is threaded onto the spout or gland and a hose can also then be connected to the valve to empty the contents of the IBC. This is time-consuming and laborious.
It is an object of the invention to suggest a novel tamper indicating tap for intermediate bulk containers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the invention, a tamper indicating cap for intermediate bulk containers supporting flexible collapsible container inner bags used for the bulk handling of fluent materials, includes
(a) a cap member adapted to be folded over and clipped onto a gland of a bung to make the bung inaccessible; and
(b) a collar member connected to the cap member and being adapted to be slipped over a gland of an intermediate bulk container.
The tamper indicating cap may include a tamper indicating tab.
The collar member may be slipped over the gland before the cap member is folded over and clipped onto a gland of a bung. The tamper indicating cap may provide tamper evidencing.
The gland may be a 2 inch diameter gland. In order to unscrew the bung, the cap member needs to be removed. The removal of the cap member is a destructive process.
The only way to remove the cap member is by tugging the tamper tab causing it to tear open down the centre. Each tamper indicating cap member may be individually marked.
The gland may have an internal diameter of about 2 to 4 inches.
The tamper indicating cap may be made of plastics and/or be injection moulded and/or consist of flexible plastics material.
The intermediate bulk container may have a capacity of 50 to 500 gallons or about 189 to 2000 litres.
The invention also extends to a method for delivering bulk material as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing. In the drawings there is shown in:
Figure 1 : a front perspective view of the tamper indicating tap according to the invention; and
Figure 2: a bottom perspective view of the tamper indicating tap shown in Figure
1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring to the Figures, a gland retaining clip for intermediate bulk containers in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown.
The tamper indicating cap 10 for intermediate bulk containers supporting flexible collapsible container inner bags used for the bulk handling of fluent materials, includes
(a) a cap member 12 adapted to be folded over and clipped onto a gland of a bung to make the bung inaccessible; and
(b) a collar member 14 connected to the cap member 12 and being adapted to be slipped over a gland of an intermediate bulk container. The tamper indicating cap 10 includes a tamper tab 16.
The collar member 14 is slipped over the gland before the cap member 12 is folded over and clipped onto a gland of a bung.
The tamper indicating cap 10 provides tamper evidencing.
The gland is a 2 inch gland. In order to unscrew the bung, the cap member 12 needs to be removed.
The removal of the cap member 12 is a destructive process.
The only way to remove the cap member 12 is by tugging the tamper tab 16 causing it to tear open down the centre.
Each tamper indicating cap member 12 is individually marked. The gland has an internal diameter of about 2 to 4 inches.
The tamper indicating cap is made of plastics and/or be injection moulded and/or consist of flexible plastics material.
The intermediate bulk container generally have a capacity of 50 to 500 gallons or about 189 to 2000 litres.
The invention also extends to a method for delivering bulk material as described herein.
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