Field of the Invention

The invention relates to wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials, typically for the handling and storage of a specified pre-mixed design of moisture-laden materials used for the production of concrete in a wet concrete mixer.

Background of Invention

A problem with existing methods of storage of concrete mix materials is that they are unable to be used and stored in all climate and/or environments. Generally concrete mix materials have to be kept dry right up to the point that they are to be used which means that during storage and transportation the concrete mix materials must not be subject to wet or damp climates and environments.

Traditionally pre-mixed concrete has been packaged in 20-kilogram bags and the materials have been kiln dried and are devoid of all moisture. Existing storage bags provide various degrees of water proofing to protect the product from hardening. However due to the dry condition of the pre-mixed concrete materials the discharge or emptying process of the bags produces large amounts of dust particles that are extremely harmful to workers.

Generally there are approximately 110 x 20 kilogram bags of pre-mixed concrete bags per cubic meter of wet mixed concrete. For large concrete pours this represents a lot of hazardous and harmful manual handling requiring a large workforce to safely empty the bags. Flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) is readily known and has been in use for many years in many industries for the movement and storage of bulk products. FIBC are not typically used for the storage of pre-mixed concrete materials.

Keeping the pre-mixed concrete materials dry has been the main obstacle to the long-term storage of pre-mixed concrete materials.

Definitions:

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention

In a first aspect the invention resides in a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials in any type of climate or environment without degradation of the stored materials, the wet bag includes:

a) a moisture permeable outer bag; and

b) a moisture proof inner bag positioned and located in the centre of the outer bag, wherein the wet bag is such that the inner bag holds therein the dry cement mixture only and the outer bag holds the inner bag and aggregate materials therein, where the aggregate materials fully surround the inner bag.

In a second aspect the invention resides in a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials in any type of climate or environment without degradation of the stored materials, the wet bag includes:

a) a moisture permeable outer bag; and

b) a moisture proof inner bag positioned and located in the center of the outer bag, wherein the wet bag is such that the inner bag holds therein the dry cement mixture only and the outer bag holds the inner bag and aggregate materials therein, where the aggregate materials fully surround the inner bag, such that the wet bag allows for the passage of moisture into and out of the outer bag whilst not allowing moisture to pass through the inner bag to the dry cement mixture so that the wet bag is able to be used, stored and transported in wet and dry climates or environments without degradation of the stored materials within the respective bags and allows for absorption of ambient moisture into the aggregate materials without activating the crystallization process of the dry cement mixture.

Preferably, the outer bag has a standard cube configuration;

Preferably, the outer bag has four lifting points located in each top comer of the cube.

Preferably, the outer bag is a standard flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC).

Preferably, the inner bag is attached to at least two internal sides of the outer bag so that the inner receptacle is located and suspended in the center of the outer bag.

Preferably, the central vertical axes of the inner bag and outer bag are co-axially aligned.

Preferably, the wet bag has an inner receptacle positioned and located in the center of the outer bag, the inner receptacle houses the inner bag so as to provide protection to the inner bag from the abrasive action of the aggregate mixture during storage and transportation.

Preferably, the inner receptacle is attached to at least two internal sides of the outer bag so that the inner receptacle is located and suspended in the center of the outer bag.

Preferably, the central vertical axes of the inner receptacle and outer bag are co-axially aligned.

Preferably, the inner receptacle is made from moisture proof material. Preferably, the inner receptacle is made from moisture permeable material. Preferably, the inner receptacle is made from the same material as the outer bag. Preferably, the inner receptacle is made from a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the inner receptacle is cylindrical. Preferably, the base of the outer bag is adapted to be punctured such that the inner bag and outer bag are able to be pierced so that the flow of the dry cement mixture is encompassed by the flow of the moist aggregate material so as to trap the fine particles of the dry cement mixture as the contents of the bags enter a concrete mixer.

Any other aspects herein described. Brief Description

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cut-away side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cut-away perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 is a further cut-away side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 is a further cut-away perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cut-away perspective side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 1.

Figure 7 is a top view of a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a cut-away side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cut-away perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 7.

Figure 10 is a further cut-away side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 7. Figure 11 is a further cut-away perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 7.

Figure 12 is a cut-away perspective side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 7.

Figure 13 is a top view of a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 is a cut-away side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 13.

Figure 15 is a cut-away perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 13.

Figure 16 is a further cut-away side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 13 with an inner bag.

Figure 17 is a cut-away perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 16.

Figure 18 is a cut-away perspective side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 16.

Figure 19 is a top view of a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 20 is a cut-away side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 19.

Figure 21 is a cut-away perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 19.

Figure 22 is an exploded side view of a wet bag as shown in figure 19.

Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view of a wet bag as shown in figure 22.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment(s):

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

The wet bag for the storage of concrete mix materials invention eliminates or at the very least minimizes the Occupational Health and Safety hazards that exist with the current known methods due to the invention eliminates of manual handling and minimizes release of harmful airborne particles. The invention allows for the long term storage of pre-mixed concrete products in any type of climate or environment, including wet climates and wet environments, without degradation of the stored product.

Figures 1 to 6 pertain to a first embodiment of the invention of a wet bag 10 for the storage of concrete mix materials. The wet bag 10 has an outer bag 20 generally of a standard flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) type having a standard cube configuration of with four lifting points (handles 50) located in each corner of the outer bag 20. Within the outer 20 is an inner receptacle 30 that is attached to the four sides of the outer bag 20 by straps 40 so that the inner receptacle 30 is located in the center of the outer bag 20 such that the central vertical axes of the outer bag 20 and inner receptacle 30 are co-axially aligned. An end of each of strap 40 is connected to the internal surface of outer bag 120 midway between two corners (as shown in figure 1). The other ends of each of the straps are attached to a further strap that encircles the inner receptacle 30. The combination of the straps 40 and further strap retain the inner receptacle in the center of the outer bag 20.

The inner receptacle 30 is designed to hold therein the dry cement mixture therein and the outer bag 20 contains the aggregates. The outer bag 20 can have a flat base 23 with no openings or the outer bag 20 can have a flat base 23 with central spout that opens the base 33 of the inner receptacle 30 that contains the dry cement mixture and that opens the outer bag 20 that contains the aggregates.

The outer bag 20 is not waterproof and the inner receptacle 30 is waterproof. The outer bag has a lower part 22 and an upper part 21. The outer bag 20 is fabricated from a porous fabric that will retain the fine aggregates but allow the passage of moisture tlirough the fabric both into and out of the outer bag 20. Thus the wet bag 10 is able to be used, stored and transported in any environment or climate conditions (wet or dry) even when the aggregate material is wet as the inner receptacle 30 protects the dry cement mixture contained therein from the moisture absorbed by the aggregate material within the outer bag 20.

The upper part 21 is of a standard duffle top. The outer bag 20 is filled with aggregate materials up to and level with the top of the lower part 22. The handles 50 are situated at the corners of the outer bag 20 on the lower part 22 just below and adjacent where the upper and lower parts join. Four support straps 51 are attached vertically to the outer bag 20 where each strap is joined at one end to a handle 50 in order to provide stability and strength when the outer bag 20 is lifted. As shown in figures 4 to 6 the upper portion 31 of the inner receptacle 30 extends and is situated within the interior of the upper part 21 of the outer bag 20. The upper portion 31 is of a flexible material such that it can be tied closed by a tie 32 (figure 5) in order to enclose and seal the dry cement mixture within inner receptacle 30. It is envisaged that the dry cement mixture could be contained in a waterproof bag and that bag is placed within the interior of the inner receptacle. It is envisaged that the inner receptacle is made of a material able to withstand the contact with the aggregate mixture such that contents within the inner receptacle are protected from abrasion and remain dry. To discharge the contents of the wet bag 10 the base of the outer bag 20 is lowered onto a bulk bag cutter where the base 33 of the inner receptacle 30 is punctured first followed by the entire base 23 of the bulk bag 20. The flow of the cement material is encompassed by the flow of moist aggregates around it trapping the fine particles as they enter a concrete mixer.

Figures 7 to 12 pertain to a second embodiment of the invention of a wet bag 100 for the storage of concrete mix materials. The wet bag 100 has an outer bag 120 generally of a standard flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) type having a standard cube configuration of with four lifting points (handles 150) located in each corner of the outer bag 120. Within the outer 120 is an inner receptacle 130 that is attached to the four sides of the outer bag 120 by diagonal straps 140 so that the inner receptacle 130 is located in the center of the outer bag 120 such that the central vertical axes of the outer bag 120 and inner receptacle 130 are co-axially aligned. An end of each of the diagonal strap 140 is connected to the internal surface of outer bag 120 adjacent to a respective corner to which a handle 150 is connected to the bag (as shown in figure 7). The other ends of each of the straps are attached to a further strap that encircles the inner receptacle 130. The combination of the straps 40 and further strap retain the inner receptacle in the center of the outer bag 120. Attached to the further strap are support handles 135. The inner receptacle 130 is designed to hold therein the dry cement mixture therein and the outer bag 120 contains the aggregates. The outer bag 120 can have a flat base 123 with no openings or the outer bag 120 can have a flat base 123 with central spout that opens the base 133 of the inner receptacle 130 that contains the dry cement mixture and that opens the outer bag 120 that contains the aggregates.

The outer bag 120 is not waterproof and the inner receptacle 130 is waterproof The outer bag has a lower part 122 and an upper part 121. The outer bag 120 is fabricated from a porous fabric that will retain the fine aggregates but allow the passage of moisture through the fabric both into and out of the outer bag 120. Thus the wet bag 100 is able to used, stored and transported in any environment or climate conditions (wet or dry) even when the aggregate material is wet as the imier receptacle 130 protects the dry cement mixture contained therein from the moisture absorbed by the aggregate material within the outer bag 120.

The upper part 121 is of a standard duffle top. The outer bag 120 is filled with aggregate materials up to and level with the top of the lower part 122. The handles 150 are situated at the corners of the outer bag 120 on the lower part 122 just below and adjacent where the upper and lower parts join. Four support straps 151 are attached vertically to the outer bag 120 where each strap is joined at one end to a handle 150 in order to provide stability and strength when the outer bag 120 is lifted. As shown in figures 10 to 12 the upper portion 131 of the imier receptacle 130 extends and is situated within the interior of the upper part 121 of the outer bag 120. The upper portion 31 is of a flexible material such that it can be tied closed by a tie 132 (figure 11) in order to enclose and seal the dry cement mixture within inner receptacle 130. It is envisaged that the dry cement mixture could be contained in a waterproof bag and that bag is placed within the interior of the inner receptacle 130 - in this case the inner receptacle 130 need not be waterproof.

It is envisaged that the inner receptacle 130 is made of a material able to withstand the contact with the aggregate mixture such that contents within the inner receptacle 130 are protected from abrasion and remain dry. To discharge the contents of the wet bag 100 the base of the outer bag 120 is lowered onto a bulk bag cutter where the base 133 of the inner receptacle 130 is punctured first followed by the entire base 123 of the bulk bag 120. The flow of the cement material is encompassed by the flow of moist aggregates around it trapping the fine particles as they enter a concrete mixer.

Figures 13 to 18 pertain to a third embodiment of the invention of a wet bag 200 for the storage of concrete mix materials. The wet bag 200 having three main components, an outer bag 220, inner receptacle 230 and inner bag 231. The outer bag 220 generally of a standard flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) type having a standard cube configuration of with four lifting points (handles 250) located in each corner of the outer bag 220. Within the outer 220 is an inner receptacle 230 that is attached to two sides of the outer bag 220 by diagonal straps 240 so that the inner receptacle 230 is located in the center of the outer bag 220 such that the central vertical axes of the outer bag 220 and inner receptacle 230 are co-axially aligned. An end of each of the diagonal strap 240 is connected to the internal surface of outer bag 220 adjacent to a respective opposite corner to which a handle 250 is connected to the bag (as shown in figure 13). The other ends of each of the straps 240 are attached to a further strap that encircles the inner receptacle 230. The combination of the straps 240 and further strap retain the inner receptacle in the center of the outer bag 220. Attached to the further strap are support handles 235.

The inner receptacle 230 is designed to hold therein an inner bag 231 that is waterproof and contains the dry cement mixture therein. The inner receptacle 230 can be made of either non- waterproof material or made from waterproof material. The inner receptacle 230 can be made from the same material as the outer bag 220 if made from non- waterproof material.

The outer bag 220 contains the aggregates. The outer bag 220 can have a flat base 223 with no openings or the outer bag 220 can have a flat base 223 with central spout that opens the base 233 of the inner receptacle 230 that contains the dry cement mixture and that opens the outer bag 220 that contains the aggregates.

The outer bag 220 is not waterproof. The outer bag has a lower part 222 and an upper part 221. The outer bag 220 is fabricated from a porous fabric that will retain the fine aggregates but allow the passage of moisture through the fabric both into and out of the outer bag 220. Thus the wet bag 200 is able to used, stored and transported in any environment or climate conditions (wet or dry) even when the aggregate material is wet as the inner receptacle 230 protects the dry cement mixture contained therein from the moisture absorbed by the aggregate material within the outer bag 220.

The upper part 221 is of a standard duffle top. The outer bag 220 is filled with aggregate materials up to and level with the top of the lower part 222. The handles 250 are situated at the corners of the outer bag 220 on the lower part 222 just below and adjacent where the upper and lower parts join. Four support straps 251 are attached vertically to the outer bag 120 where each strap is joined at one end to a handle 250 in order to provide stability and strength when the outer bag 220 is lifted. As shown in figures 16 to 18 the inner bag 231 is situated in the inner receptacle 230 and a portion of the inner bag 231 extends and is situated within the interior of the upper part 221 of the outer bag 220. The upper portion 231 is of a flexible material such that it can be tied closed by a tie 232 (figure 17) in order to enclose and seal the dry cement mixture within inner bag 231.

It is envisaged that the inner receptacle 230 is made of a material able to withstand the contact with the aggregate mixture such that inner bag 231 within the inner receptacle 230 are protected from abrasion and remain dry. To discharge the contents of the wet bag 200 the base of the outer bag 220 is lowered onto a bulk bag cutter where the base 233 of the inner receptacle 230 is punctured first followed by the entire base 223 of the bulk bag 220. The flow of the cement material is encompassed by the flow of moist aggregates around it trapping the fine particles as they enter a concrete mixer.

Figures 19 to 23 pertain to a fourth embodiment of the invention of a wet bag 300 for the storage of concrete mix materials. The wet bag 300 having three main components, an outer bag 320, inner receptacle 330 and inner bag 331. The outer bag 320 generally of a standard flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) type having a standard cube configuration of with four lifting points (handles 350) located in each corner of the outer bag 320. Within the outer 320 is an inner receptacle 330 that is attached to two sides of the outer bag 320 by diagonal straps 340 so that the inner receptacle 330 is located in the center of the outer bag 320 such that the central vertical axes of the outer bag 320 and inner receptacle 330 are co-axially aligned. An end of each of the diagonal strap 340 is able to be fixed or tied to an internal surface of outer bag 320 adjacent to a respective opposite corners to which a handle 350 is connected to the bag (as shown in figure 19). The other ends of each of the straps 340 are attached to a further strap that encircles the inner receptacle 330. The combination of the straps 340 and further strap retain the inner receptacle in the center of the outer bag 320. Attached to the further strap are support handles 335.

The inner receptacle 330 is designed to hold therein an inner bag 331 that is waterproof and contains the dry cement mixture therein. The inner receptacle 330 can be made of either non- waterproof material or made from waterproof material. The inner receptacle 330 can be made from the same material as the outer bag 320 if made from non-waterproof material.

The outer bag 320 contains the aggregates. The outer bag 320 can have a flat base 323 with no openings or the outer bag 320 can have a flat base 323 with central spout that opens the base 333 of the inner receptacle 330 that contains the dry cement mixture and that opens the outer bag 320 that contains the aggregates.

The outer bag 320 is not waterproof. The outer bag has a lower part 322 and an upper part 321. The outer bag 320 is fabricated from a porous fabric that will retain the fine aggregates but allow the passage of moisture through the fabric both into and out of the outer bag 320. Thus the wet bag 300 is able to used, stored and transported in any environment or climate conditions (wet or dry) even when the aggregate material is wet as the inner receptacle 330 protects the dry cement mixture contained therein from the moisture absorbed by the aggregate material within the outer bag 320.

The upper part 321 is of a standard duffle top. The outer bag 320 is filled with aggregate materials up to and level with the top of the lower part 322. The handles 350 are situated at the corners of the outer bag 320 on the lower part 322 just below and adjacent where the upper and lower parts join. Four support straps 351 are attached vertically to the outer bag 320 where each strap is joined at one end to a handle 350 in order to provide stability and strength when the outer bag 320 is lifted. As shown in figures 20 to 21 the inner bag 331 is situated in the inner receptacle 330 and a portion of the inner bag 331 extends and is situated within the interior of the upper part 321 of the outer bag 320. The upper portion 331 is of a flexible material such that it can be tied closed by a tie in order to enclose and seal the dry cement mixture within inner bag 331.

It is envisaged that the inner receptacle 330 is made of a material able to withstand the contact with the aggregate mixture such that inner bag 331 within the inner receptacle 330 are protected from abrasion and remain dry. To discharge the contents of the wet bag 300 the base of the outer bag 320 is lowered onto a bulk bag cutter where the base 333 of the inner receptacle 330 is punctured first followed by the entire base 323 of the bulk bag 320. The flow of the cement material is encompassed by the flow of moist aggregates around it trapping the fine particles as they enter a concrete mixer.

With this invention the dry cement mixture is stored separately relative to the aggregate mixture. The dry cement mixture is stored in a wateiproof bag centrally within an outer bag and the wateiproof bag is surrounded by the aggregate materials. The fabric of the outer bag allows for absorption of ambient moisture into the aggregate materials, but not into the dry cement mixture. The permeable fabric allows moisture to be purposefully introduced into the stored aggregate mixture so as to pre-dampen them and also to reduce the amount of dust emissions when the contents of the wet bag are evacuated. The wet bag of this invention is able to be used, stored and transported in any environment or climate conditions (wet or dry).

Advantages

a) Safe & Productive: The wet bag can range in size from 500kg to 2 tomie making it extremely productive in handling large volumes of concrete product. When using the standard 1.5 tonne. Each bag contains .75 cubic meters and four bags fill a 3 cubic meter mixer.

b) Green: The traditional method of kiln drying the aggregates prior to blending them with the cement powder requires huge amounts of energy whereas the wet bag storage system requires no drying of product. This reduces the carbon footprint significantly. c) Economical: Pre-mixed concrete in 20 kilogram bags has a current market value of $8.00 AUD. To mix 1 cubic meter of concrete requires approximately 1 10 bags of product at a cost of $8 AUD gives a total of $880 per cubic meter. The current cost of 1 cubic meter of ready mixed concrete from a conventional batching plant is $220. The existing process costs 4 times the market value. By using the wet bag storage system packaging costs are minimized, handling costs are minimized by using FIBC, storage costs are minimized and safe operating procedures are enhanced. This equates to a lower cost than ready mixed concrete.

d) Tong Shelf Life: Keeping the pre-mixed concrete materials dry has been the main obstacle to the long-term storage of pre-mixed concrete materials, particularly in wet and humid environments. By the unique design of separable portions in the wet bag storage system there is no need to keep the bag dry.

e) Health: Dust emissions are lowered through pre-dampening of the aggregates in the wet bag storage system before use.

f) Efficient: Through the unique layering process of the aggregates in the outer bag positive dispensing of the product is achieved eliminating rat holes and reducing hang up in the wet bag storage system.

g) Repeatability and Accuracy: The individual materials are accurately weighed as per the specified mix design that can be infinitely varied to suit the application giving precision repeatability in each batch to AS 3648. Traditionally pre-mixed concrete only comes in a low strength fast setting mix design and a medium strength traditional mix achieving 25mpa.

h) lower cost of bagging the pre-mixed concrete materials;

i) lower cost of handling and storing the pre-mixed concrete materials; and

j) increase productivity in the workplace through using bulk products.

k) able to be used, stored and transported in any environment or climate (wet & dry).

Variations

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.