THis _> ijivtsiiLi ii yβπsiαllv wiβtes -to loadi g, un¬ loading and transporting bulk commodities in cargo containers; anςi more particularly, to bulkheads for such containers and to methods , and to lining systems especially well-suited fo use in those methods , to help control the atmospheres in cargo containers.

Bulk cargo, such as grain, may be loaded into large containers and then transported in those containers from one location to another by ship, truck, or railroad, or some combination thereof; and once the containers reach a final destination, various techniques may be employed to unload the cargo from the containers. For instanc , a low pressure, or suction, line may be connected to an opening in the back of a container to draw the cargo out of the container, or the container may be tilted so that gravity forces the cargo through the back .of the cont-a-iner. While these unloading processes generally operate, relatively effectively, it is believed that they may be improved upon in several respects .

For example, with these unloading procedures, the bulk cargo generally is forced backwards, toward the rear of the container, but is not directed in any signifi¬ cant way specifically toward the outlet in the back of the container; and the unloading process would be more efficient if the cargo was specifically directed, as it moves rearward through the container, toward the back outlet thereof. Also, as the cargo is unloaded, an appreciable amount of the cargo may collect in the lower left and lower .right hand corners of the back of the container, and often it is necessary to have a worker make a special effort to remove the portion o£ the cargo that collects in these corners. This is expensive and time consuming, and hence

-2- the unloading process could be improved by reducing the amount of cargo that collects in those back corners of the container.

In addition to the foregoing, many bulk commodities such as coffee and cocoa beans, rice and sugar, are shipped over very large distances from regions of the world where the commodities are grown to regions where they are processed or consumed. Typically the environment in which the commod¬ ities are located while being shipped is not closely con- trolled, and the shipments may be subjected to wide changes in temperature and humidity. Further, the shipments normally are not well ventilated and often gases which are produced by the commodities, will accumulate in the cargo containers, For example, as a cargo container is shipped from a tropical climate to a temperate zone, the temperature of the container may drop over 100 F _r and this may cause moisture to condense in the container _* This moisture, in turn, may be absorbed by the goods in the container and cause fungus and bacteria to grow in those goods. Further, several agricultural products, such as coffee and cocoa beans, ferment as they are transported and produce gases in the cargo container. Normally, the air in which the commodities are stored is not well ventilated, and gases produced by the commodities accumulate in the air in which the goods are held. If this happens, moisture in the gases may condense and be absorbed by the goods, causing fungus and bacteria to grow in those commodities.

SUBST ι.*" ⁸ i" w ¹ '~ t ε*- SH"" ^r τ

1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object £ the piesent invention is to facilitate discharging bulk cargo from a container.

Another object of this invention is to provide 5 a bulkhead for a cargo container with a corner enber to direct bulk cargo in the container toward a discharge opening in the bulkhead, and to inhibit the cargo from collecting in a lower rear corner of the container.

A further object of this invention is to control 10 the atmosphere in which a bulk commodity is transported. Another object of the present invention is to withdraw air from a cargo container liner to develop a space between the liner and the top of a cargo container to inhibit the transfer of moisture from the container 1.'3 top to the cargo in the container.

A further object of this invention is to use a liner having at least a part that is gas permeable to vent gas at a controlled rate from a bulk commodity inside the liner. 0 In accordance ^" with a first aspect of this inven¬ tion, a bulkhead is provided for use with a cargo container, and the bulkhead comprises a wall member and a corner member. The wall member is provided to hold the cargo in the container, and this member includes an outlet opening 5 to discharge the cargo from the container. The corner member is connected to the wall member adjacent a lower corner thereof, and the corner member slants forwardly downwardly and laterally downwardly toward the outlet in the wall member to guide cargo toward that outlet openin .

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3- With a particularly preferred embodiment, the bulkhead is provided with both left and right corner members respectively connected to the wall menber adjacent lower left and righ-i- rnvnars i o-'cof. Eccii ui cnese 2 corner members is pi o-tally connected to the wall member for movement between a closed position, wherein the corner member is closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the wall member, and an open position wherein the corner member slants forwardly downwardly and laterally 1° downwardly toward the outlet opening in the wall member to guide cargo downward toward that outlet. Means may be provided to pull these corner members to their open positions from their closed positions, and the wall member may include openings to provide access to the -^ pulling means from a back side of the wall member. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, methods, and lining systems especially well suited for- use in those methods, are provided to help control the atmospheres in cargo containers. The lining -^ system includes a flexible liner adapted to be inserted into a container, and a bulkhead to hold the liner in place therein. The liner defines an interior to -.cveiv ana noid a bulk cargo, an inlet in communication with the interior to conduct cargo thereinto, and an - ^" -'' outlet also in communication with the liner interior to conduct cargo out of the liner. The bulkhead includes a cargo inlet located adjacent the liner inlet, a d a cargo outlet located adjacent the liner outlet.

One embodiment of the lining system is air 3'k and water tight and may be used either to keep gases and water out of the lining system, or to keep particular gases inside the liner. Another embodiment of the lining system is gas permeable to vent from the lining system gases produced by a. bulk commodity stored therein. " with either embodiment, the liner of the lining system

-o- may bu uuUa sed onto a commodity therein to develop a space between the top of the liner and the top of the cargo container in which the liner is located, and this space may be used to thermally insulate the commodity from the container top.

Further benefits and advantages of the inven¬ tion will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred 10 embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a bulkhead in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of a 1.3 cargo container, with the bulkhead of Figure 1 located in the container and shown in broken lines.

Figure 3 is a front -perspective view of the bulkhead in a closed position.

Figures 4 and 5- are side perspective views- 0 of left and right lower corners, respectively, of the bulkhead.

Figures 6 and 7 are front perspective views of the bulkhead, and showing a retaining panel that may be used therewith, with Figure 6 showing the retaining panel 5 in a closed position and Figure 7 showing the retaining panel in an open position.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lower right portion of the bulkhead.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a preform from which 0 ^' member of the bulkhead may be made.

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the bulkhead, showing a strap that may be used to shake corner members of the bulkhead.

Figure 11 is a back view of the lower left corner of the bulkhead.

SUBSTIT

1 Figure 12 is a back perspective view of a container lining system according to this invention.

Figure 13 is a side, elevational view of the lining system shown in Figure 12. $ Figure 14 is a back perspective view of a liner of the lining system of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a side view of the lining system, located inside a container and with the liner collapsed ^" on a commodity located therein. 0 Figure 16 is a back perspective of an alternate liner that may be used in the lining system illustrated in Figure 12.

Figure 17 is a back perspective view of another liner that may be used in the lining system of Figure 12. Figure 18 is a side, cross-sectional view of a fitting used with the liner of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a side, exploded view, partially in cross-section, of the fitting show ^' in Figure 18. Figures 20 and 21 are top views of lower anu upper flanges, respectively, of the fitting.

Figure 22 is a back perspective view showing the bulkhead of this invention installed in a cargo container.

Figure 23 shows a pair of boards used to reinforce the bulkhead in the container illustrated in Figure 22. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates bulkhead 100 generally comprising wall member 102 and left and right corner members 104 and 106. With reference to Figure 2, bulk- heaα 100 is used to form a moveable, temporary wall in a cargo container 112 to hold a supply of a bulk cargo (not shown) therein, and thus wall member 102 is dimensioned to laterally extend substantially completely across the

-7- 1 interior of the container, in a relatively close fit with the side walls thereof. Also, the height of wail laember

102 is such that, in use, the wai l aeαber extends for a substantial portion of the height of the inside of cargo

5 container 772, although preferably the top of the wall member is kept 12 to 18 inches short of the top of the cargo container.

Vail member 102 includes at least one opening to conduct material into and to discharge material from

^■ '- ⁽ - ^, container, and the wall member nay be provided with a plurality of openings for those purposes. With the embodiment of bulkhead 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, wall member 702 has a lower opening li , which i ε used to discharge cargo from container 112, and a pair of upper openings

-*-- ^? 116, which β.re used when cargo is loaded into the container. In particular, a coaαodity may be fed under pneumatic pressure into container IIZ , through one of the openings lie, while air is vented from insi de the container through the other oσeniπij U^, maintaiπins *h<= ai« p e s e in

20 the container at about atmospheric pressure.

Vall member 702 includes bottom edge ^' 120 and left and right side edges 122 and 124; and the bottom edge and the left edge form a lower left corner 726, and the bottom edge and the right edge form a lower right

25 corner 130. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, discharge opening

11 has a generally rectangular or square shape , is central ly located along bottoa edge 120 of wall member 702 and extends upward therefrom, although the discharge opening may be lacatfir. at. Λ hβi. ajpoae «£ t:h* all lueuBer itflout departing

- from the scope of this invention.

5

-8- _ Left corner πjeπber 104 is connected to wall mecber 102 adjacent lower left corner 1 Z6, end the left corner member slants outwardly downwardly away tr s, the wall meaber and rightwardly downwardly coward cutlet opening

5 114. Similarly, right corner mezber 106 is connecte _d to wall aejaber 102 ijU _/ and this corner membe slants outwardly downwardly and leftwardly o wa dl toward outlet opening 114. In this way, as a bulk cargo moves rearward through cargo container 1 2 Q and toward outlet opening 1 ^* -, corner cecbers 104 and

106 guide the cargo downward and toward that outlet opening. πnnner aβsfaers 10 « 1C0 ^" are preferably connected to wall ceabsr 102 for fflovemeπt between the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, referred to as the open positions, 5 and closed positions, shown in figure 3 , wherein the corner tπeπbers ere closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the wall raeπoer. W n corner members 104 and 106 are in their- closed positions, wall mesher ~102 and the corner mem ers forπ a very coπrpact unit, and this facilitates ° storing and shipping bulkhead 100. referably, left cβruBx- member 104 s connected to wall m mbe 102 for pivotal aoveoent about a left connecting line 13Z, between the open and closed positions of the left corner mem ; and right corner tπesber 106 is connected to wall meaber 102 5 fo pivotal movement about a right connecting line 13 , between the open and closed positions of the right corner meaber.

0

7

_1 each of tne corner meir.i_.ers xu4 anc 106 has a triangular shape, including first, second and

-tlαi-ct-- φ g c- C , ana the £_ __rc fc. csd^o £ e ach corner member 10 •! ana 10ύ is connected to wall member 102 along one of the connecting lines 132 and 134. When left corner member 104 La in the open position, as shown in Figure 1, a second edge o£ the corner mem e exten s—fcrvra-rclly -x_.ownwa.-d.iy from wall member 102, generally coplanar with left side edge 122 of the wall member, and a third edge of- the corner IQ member extends forwardly to the left, generally ccplanar with the bottom edge 120 of the wall member. Analogously, when right corner member 106 is in its open position, a second edge of the corner member extends forwardly down¬ wardly from wall member 102, generally coplanar with right j - siαe edge 124 of- the wall member, and a third edge of the corner member ex ends forwardly to the right, generally coplanar with bottom edge 120 of the wall member.

Bulkhead 100 may further comprise means to move left and right .corner members 104 and 106 from 0 their closed positions into their open positions, and preferably a separate means is connected to each corner member to move the corner member into its open position. Various means may be used to move corner members 104 ana 106 into their open positions, and, for example 5 as Shown in Figures 4 and 5, first and second cords or straps 136 and 138 may be connected to the left and right corner members, respectively, to do this.

Corner members 104 and 106 are connected to a front side of wall member 102 that, in normal _Q use, faces forward in cargo container 112, and preferably bulkhead 100 is also provided with left and right u esa openings 140 and 142 to provide access to cords or straps 136 and 138 from the backside of the wall member. Left access opening 140 is ^"' located between lower left 5

^ corner 126 and left connecting line 132, and righ access opening 142 is located between lower right corner 130 and right connecting line 7j4. ϊ.'iτh access openings 740 and 1 2, it i s very easy for a worker to move corner members 704 and 106 ^' into their open position even after bulkhead 10C i s secured in place inside container 172.

With the arrangement where left and right corner

Be ^j a ers 704 and 100 are pivotally connected to wal l πsober

10 102, there may be a tendency for the comer members to return toward their closed. ositions after being pulled to their open positions. For this reason, it is desirable to provide bulkhead JOO with means to further connect corner members 104 and 106 to wall πember 102 to releasably jc hold the corner members in their open positions. For instance, again with reference to Figures 4 and $ _t these means, may comprise hooks 744 and 746 secured on ends of ccrds 136 and I^S respectivel , and which, in use, are hooked onto edges of access openings 140 and 142, The

2o lengths and elasticity of cords 136 and 3<S are such -chat, when hooks 144 and 746 are hooked onto edges of access openings 140 and 1 2, the cords are held taught between wall member 702 and corner members 104 and 706, holding the corner members securely in their open positions. 5 Wi th reference to Figures 6 and 7, bulkhead-

100 may be provided with retaining means 150 to help hol _d corner members 704 and 10ό in their closed positions. More specifically, retaining means 15 i s connected to wal l member 702 for Eovaraent between a closed position, 0 wherein the retaining means holds left and right corner memebers 104 and 106 in their closed positions, and an open posi tion , wherein the retaining π&ans allows the left and right comer _members to move between their open and closed positions. 5

1 Preferably, retaining means l5ϋ includes a flat panel pivotally connected to bottom edge 120 of wall member 102 for movement between the above-mentioned open and closed positions. In the closed position (shown in Figure 6), re- 5 taining means 150 extends upward from bottom edge 120 of wall member 102 , substantially parallel to the wall member, and the retaining means holds, and substantially covers, left and right corner members 104 and 106 in their closed positions. In its open position (shown in Figure 7) , retaining means 150 10 extends forward from bottom edge 120 of wall member 102 and allows left and right corner members 104 and 106 to move between their open and closed positions. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, retaining panel 150 has a generally rectangular shape, with the length of the retaining panel being substantially 15 equal to the width of wall member 102. One longitudinal edge of retaining panel 150 is connected to bottom edge 120 of wall member 102, and transverse edges of the retaining panel are generally coplanar with -left and right edges 122 and 124 of the wall member. ?0 Wall member 102, corner members ^* 104 and 106, and retaining member 150 may be made of any suitable material such as wood or metal, and preferably these members are made from corrugated cardboard. Also, corner members 104 and 106 and, if used, retaining member 150 may be connected to wall 5 member 102 in any acceptable way; and, for example, staples, adhesive or a combination of both, or strips of cloth or nylon may be used to connect these parts together. To elaborate, as shown in Figure 8, a first strip 152 of material may be connected to wall member 102 along connecting 0 line 134 and to corner member 106 along a first edge thereof to connect those members together for pivotal movement about the right connecting line. A second strip (not shown) may be similarly connected to wall member 102 along connecting line 132, and to corner member 104 along a first edge i; thereof to connect those members together for pivotal movement about the left connecting

- 12-

l ine . A third strip 15 ¹ * may be connected to wail member 102 lons bottom edge 120 and to a portion of retaining member 1 50 along an edge thereof to connect the wall oeaber and the retaining aember together for pivotal moveπGnt about the bottom edge of the wall aeπ&er.

Preferably/ with reference to Figure 9, corner members 104 and 106 are each formed from a different preform 156. ?re-form 156 includes a plurality of fold lines 160 and 162, separating the pre-fσrm into sections 156a/ b and

10 c. Section 156a is folded over Line 160 and then connected to section 156b/ for example/ by staples or an adhesive, to form a corner member having a double, reinforced strength. The corner member is connected to wall member 102 fay positioning section 156c parallel with and against the wall member/ with fold line 162 aligned with connecting line 134 or 136, and lb then directly securing the section 156c to the wall member by, for example/ staples/ adhesives or a combination of both.

If necessary, section 156c may be provided with its own access opening 164 that/ in use, is aligned with access opening

140, 142 so that section 156c does not block the access openings

20 in wall member 102.

A support frame, including bottom strip 156 and lef and right edge strips 170 and 172 may be connected to wall member 102 to help hold the wall member in place in cargo container 112. Preferably,

² 5 edg strips 170 and 172 are pivotally connected to wall member 102 for pivotal movement about left and right edges 122 and 12k of the wall member, and bottom strip 166 is . pivotally connected to the wall member for pivotal movement about the bottom edge 1Z0 of the wall member.

3° Strips 166 _/ 170 and 172 and wall meraήer 102 may be formed from a single cardboard blank that is provided with the appropriate fold lines to allow the bottom and edge strips to be bent into ^* the desired positions.

35

As shown in Figures 1 -3 , outlet opening 1 4 i£ centrally located in wall member 102 , between side edges 122 and 12 . Outlet opening 114 nay be l oca ted in other areas of wall meaber 10Z without departing froo the scope of the present invention; and , indeed, the well member may be provided with a plurality of outlet openings. Of Course, when a cargo is being transported in container 112, outlet opening 114 as well as openings 11ό are normally closed, and outlet 1l4 is opened to discharge the bulk cargo from the container. Depending on the specific location of the cargo discharge opening or openings in wall πemoer 102, corner members 104 and 106 may be larger or smaller than as shown in Figures 1 -3 , Also, the left and right corner msπbers of a particular _. ulkhead may have unequal sizes, unequal slopes, or both unequal sizes and slopes. In addition, the preferred slopes of the corner members may vary depending on the specific cargo with which a bulkhead is used.

It is not necessary to the present invention that bulkhead 100 be provided with two corner memb s, and instead the bulkhead may include a single corner member, either left corner member 104 or right corner member 106. For example, some cargo containers include a discharge opening located on the left or right side of a back wall or door of the container. When the bulkhead of the present invention is used with such a container, it may be preferred, first, to form discharge outlet 114 toward a lateral edge of wall member 102 so that this discharge outlet of the bulk¬ head can be alligned with the off-center outlet of the cargo container, and second, to provide bulkhead 100 with just a single corner member slanting forwardly downwardly and laterally downwardly toward the discharge opening of he bulkhead, to guide the cargo toward tnat discharge outlet as the container is unloaded.

-14-

The._bjul h_≥a ____n_f___± s_i.ϊwεention can be used in- intermodel ocean going containers, trailer trucks or other moveable containers. The bulkhead can also be used with non- moveable containers for the storage of commodities, and the - bulkhead can be used with dry or liquid bulk commodities, handles (not shown) may be connected to bulkhead 100 at any suitable location to help workers handle and move the bulkhead. Plastic or metal threaded or npn-threaded fittings can be installed on bulkhead 100 around openings 114 and 116

2 _Q to connect those openings to closure members or to conduits to conduct cargo through the openings. Such fittings may be especially appropriate if a completely closeable system is desired or if the cargo container is used to carry liquids. When a bulk cargo is discharged through outlet 114

- _j ^ of bulkhead 100 , it is possible that a small portion of the cargo may collect on or adjacent corner members 104 and 106; and bulkhead 10Q may further be provided with means connected to those corner members and extending through wall member 102, to-the backside- hereof , to shake the _Q corner members to further assist the cargo through discharge outlet 114. As ^" shown in Figure 10, this means may comprise first and second strap portions 174 and 176. First strap portion 174 is connected to left corner member 104 and extends therefrom through a first slot ISO in wall member ~ 102; and.second strap portion 176 is connected to the right corner member 106 and extends therefrom through a second slot 182 in the wall member.

Preferably, first and second strap portions 174 and 176 are connected together via a front connecting 0 portionl84 which extends between the corner members 104 and 106, so that the strap portions form a single or continuous strap. V7ith this preferred arrangement, strap portions 174 and 176 are connected to corner members 104 and 106 via slip rings 190 and 192 and, morS specifically, these rings are 5 connected to lower front portions of corner members 104 and 106, respectively, and strap portions 174 and 176 extend through and are supported for sliding movement through the slip rings.

In operation, after a bulk cargo has been substantially discharged through bulkhead 100, strap portions 174 and 176 may be pulled to shake corner members 104 and 106 up and down to help discharge any remaining ϋ cargo that may collect on or adjacent the corner members. Preferably, the ends of strap portions 174 and 176 rearward of wall member 102 are formed into loops to help a. worker pull fchoβ * c -t a-p portions , a-l-t o gh other βvxi-ta- lα handling means may be connected to these strap portion ends for this purpose. Also, it may be desirable to releasably connect strap portions 174 and 176 to corner members 104 and 106, for example by adhesive tape 194, as shown in Figure 10, to hold the strap portions away from discharge outlet 114 and to prevent the strap portions from inter¬ fering with the normal discharge of cargo through the discharge outlet until it is desired to shake the corner members 104 and 106.

To allow corner members 104 and 106 to move up and down as described above, it may be desirable to connect cords 136 and 13S to wall member 102 in the manner shown in Figure 11, instead of as shown in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 11, a slot 196 is formed in the wall member 102, extending outward from access opening 140, and cord 136 is pulled into this slot. Frictional forces between 136 and the surfaces forming slot 196 securely hold the cord in place, and thereby hold the corner member 104 in its open position, during normal use of bulkheadlOO. However, the length and/or elasticity o£ cord 136 allows corner member 104 to move up when strap portion 174 is used to shake that corner member. The back end of cord 136 may be formed into a loop to help pull corner member 104 from its closed position to its open position when this is desired.

Figures 12 and 13 show a lining system 200 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, and generally this lining system comprises a flexible liner 202 and rear bulkhead 204, and the system may also include a front bulkhead

£06. ining system 200 is adapted to be located liai e a carg.o. coΛtain_ec, wi th Iia_s.r 2QZ normally in a relatively- cl ose fit with the walls and floor of the container, and the liner 202 defines an interior to receive and hold a bulk cargo. With respect to Figure 1-4, liner 202 also defines one or more inlet opening's 210 in communica ion with the interior of the liner to conduct cargo thereinto, and an outlet opening 212 also in commun cation with the liner interior to conduct cargo out of the liner. Liner 202 may be made of any suitable material, and for instance th* liner- ms.y be ma e T -wiu «« ctir and water tight fabric.

Preferably, collapsible inlet chute 214 is connected to liner 202 around an inlet 210; and this chute has an open position, shown in Figure 14 wherein the chute forms a passageway in communication with liner inlet 210 to guide cargo thereinto, and a closed position wherein the inlet chute closes the inlet of the liner to prevent cargo from passing .therethrough. Further, collapsible outlet chute 216 is preferably connected to liner ZOZ around outlet 212; and this chute has an open position," shown in Figure 14, wherein the chute forms a passageway in coπauni-catioπ ith outlet 212 of liner 202 to guide cargo therefrom, and a closed position wherein the discharge chute covers the outlet of the liner to prevent the cargo .from passing therethrough. Chutes 214 and 216 may be connected to liner 202 in any acceptable manner, such as by an adhesive, or the chutes and the liner may be heat sealed together.

5ulkhead 204 abuts against the back end of liner 202 to hold the liner in place in a cargo container; and, when used, front bulkhead 206 abuts against the front end of l iner 202 to help hold the liner in a defined shape inside the cargo container _* 1 ^' t is not necessary to connect liner 202 to either of bulkheads 204 or 206; although if this is done, the liner may be connected to the bulkheads in any suitable way, such as by an adhesive. The shapes of

SUB ^S TTUTE SHEET

bulkheads 204 and ZOό norma l ly match the vertical cross- sectional shape of the container which they are used , and typi cal l y the bulkheads have a generally rectangular or square shape. Preferably, bulkheads 20k and 206 are relatively firm and sturdy, and the bulkheads may be made of any suitable materials such as corrugated cardboard. The bulkhead 100 described above in connection with Figures 1-11 may be used in lining system 200, although other suitable bulkheads may also be used in these systems. Rear bulkhead 204 includes inlet openings Z20 and an outlet opening 222. Inlet openings 220 are l ocated adjacent inlets 210 of liner 202 to conduct cargo through the bulkhead and into the inlet of the liner when inlet chute 214 is in its open position, and bulkhead outlet is located adjacent -liner outlet 212 to conduct the cargo through the bulkhead from the outlet of the liner when outlet chutθ 216 is in its open position. Preferably, when inlet chute 21 is in its open position, that ^" chute is pulled through ^' an inlet 220 of bulkhead 2θ4j and similarly, when discharge chute 216 is in its open position, that chute is pulled through outlet 222 orf the rear ^" bulkead. Front bulkhead 20 may also include one or more openings, although these openings are not shown in the drawings. Lining assembly 200 i s instal l ed in a cargo container in any suitable way, For instance, if front bulkhead 206 is not used, liner 202 may be placed inside the cargo container, and a wooden strip (not shown) may be placed inside the liner and nailed over the bottom inside surface of the liner and into the floor of the cargo container. Then, the liner is partial l y infl ated with a high volume, low pressure air to ensure that the liner fits into all the corners of the container. Once liner 202 i s instal led , rear bulkead 204 can be installed and braced, for example,

in a manner discussed below. Unloading chute ϋ lό is pulled through bulkhead discharge opening ZZZ to insure proper alignment of liner 202 and then the outlet chute 2lό is tied closed. The tied outlet chute 216 is rolled within discharge outlet 222 and then that outlet may be covered, for instance, as discussed below.

Once lining system Zϋϋ is properly positioned and secured in the container, a bulk commodity is loaded thereinto, and this may also be done in any suitable way. fo exampl e , wxtrn reference to Figures 12 and 14, a tube may be inserted into inlet chute 214 and connected to this chute or to liner 202 to feed the commodity, under pneumatic pressure, through 214, hu-l hβad—4«l 220 linor i ^" nlet 210 and into the interior of the liner 202. Preferably, liner 202 is kept fully inflated during this loading process. Lining system 200 may be used in several ways. With one embodiment of system 200, liner 202 and chutes 214 and 216 ere made of air and water-tight materials, so that the lining system may be- made e-s≤entia-1-l-y- air and water-tight by tightly closing chutes 214 and 210, and this lining system may be used either to keep gases and water out of the liner, or to keep particular gases inside the liner. Por example, with reference to Figures 12, 14 and 15, after lining system 200 is installed within container 224 and after a commodity has been loaded into liner 202, but before chute 214 is closed, a low pressure line may be connected to liner inlet 210 to draw air out of the liner. Among other things, this reduces the amount or moisture inside l iner ZOZ , and this reduces the rate at which any moisture might condense inside the liner.

Also, as air is drawn out of liner 202, the liner collapses onto the commodity inside the liner, and. a space 226 develops

1 between the top of the liner and the lup υf container 224. This space 226 acts as a vapor barrier and inhibits the movement of moisture, which may condense on the inside surface of the top of cargo container 224, into the liner 5 202. This space 226 also acts as thermal insulation between

Hnor _20_2 and ooπto nu;- fiώ - βncZ t us lie.* <Λ I__IUL_.«J_-_3 L lug iπriueπce on temperature changes inside the liner.

An air and water-tight l ining assembly ZOO is al so useful for transporting moisture sensitive commodities 10 such as plastics, flour and sugar. When the lining assembly is used to carry such commodities, it may be preferred to develop an inert atmosphere inside th© assembly. This m&y be don© by lOoβving ojsygβn, whish πot-mβl ly SCGCIci «_ (,«►_. or exacerabte≤ the affect moisture has on such products, 15 and then injecting an inert gas, such as .nitrogen, into liner 202.

Some bulk commodities produce gases while stored or carried in cargo containers; and an alternate embodiment of system 200 may be constructed and used so that -gases ' 20 produced by a 'commodity inside the lining system pass outward from the lining system- For_ instance,, -chutes 214 and Z 1-6 may be made of a fabric that is gas permeabl e in both directions —that is, gas is able to permeate through the chutes both outward from the interior of the liner, and inward int'o

< ^• " _* _. tha t interior from outside the liner -•* or 'the chutes 214 and 216 may be made from a material that is gas permeable only in the outward direction — that is, gas is able to permeate outward through the chutes from the interior of liner ZOO , but not inward through the chutes from outside 0 the liner.

J ^L

-20- Al ternatively , liner 202 itsel f may be made of a material that is gas permeabl e, either outward only or both inward and outward. For example, plastic fi lms are flo a -fcha-fc will allow gaica to esca e through the microscopic pores in the films , even though the films are waterproof, and liner 202 may be made from one of such films. Another way to allow gas to pass outward from the interior of liner 202 is by loosely closing chutes 214 and Zlό so that gas is able to pass outward through those chutes. With this procedure, the chutes may be made from 'an airtight material , although they mav. of course, be made from other t n&x of material s-

A l ining system 200 that al lows gas to pass outward may be used in a number of different ways. For example, again with reference to Figure 1$, with one procedure prior to being loaded with the commodity, liner ZOZ is inflated with air, nitrogen or another suitable gas ; and, after the desired weight of the commodity is put into the liner, a low pressure, or vacuum, line is connected tσ the l iner inlet and gas is withdrawn from inside the liner. Liner 202 coll apses onto the commodity in the liner, eliminating the space between the top of the commodity and the top of the liner, and either developing or adding space between the top of the liner and the top of cargo container 224. Gas produced by the commodity during transportation or storage passes outward through liner ZOZ and into space 226 between the top of the liner and container ZZ . Typical ly , a cargo container has small cracks or spaces in or between

^■ fch* wal l* _C Li-re " l»«J iiJβ*- w*- Jjβ i. ws<siι L w wal l s cu-iiZ ruu of ^* the containe , and thus gases which pass into space

226 naturally progress outward through the cracks and spaces in the walls and ceil ing of container ZZk. If desired,

cargo cont ainer 224 may he prnv i rifiri wt f- h βpβπ' j openings or vents to di scharge gases that co l lec t inside the container .

It i s not necessary that l iner 202 be provided wi th a plural i ty of openings to achieve the des ired venting of gases p_.odue« by somoDdi-tάαβ i no l άa the liner, aiiJ this venting can be achieved with just one opening in liner ZOZ . Al so , the venting opening or openings in liner 202 may be located in various places in the liner. For instance, with reference to Figure 16, liner 202 may be provided with one opening 2 0 in the back end of the liner, a pair of openings 232 in the top of the liner, and a fourth opening (not shown) in the front end of the liner. Each of these openings may be provided with a separate cover, and the cover for the back opening may also be used to form a chute, analogous to chutes 21 k and 2 16 discussed above , to help load and unload cargo from the liner. The openings in liner 202 may have a variety of siae≤, dimensions and shapes, and the covers for these openings may be made from a variety of materials - - The openings 1 ^' n liner 200 also help to inspect the cargo therein, either to check the condition of..that cargo or to check for contraband or other illegal goods that may be hidden inside the sleeve. Such an inspection may be made by simply inserting a probe through allner opening and into the cargo therein , either to probe for hidden objects or to withdraw a sampl e of the cargo, which αγ t en Lw iua _b svi _* αύ ur LesLwα tu show the condition OΣ the cargo .

The lining systems of the present invention are very well-suited to carry coffee and cocoa beans, however these systems are not limited to being used with such commoditiesj and the lining systems may be used with other

agricultural products as well as other moisture sensitive products such as computer parts, machine parts, other hardware, and paper products. Further, liners 202 may be made of any suitable material or materials, and an individual liner may be comprised o inside and outside layers made of different materials either permanently bonded or loosely held together.

During operation of lining system 200, materials such as gases, liquids and solids may be conducted into and out of the interior of liner £02,* and, this is done by connecting conduit means such as a tube, line or hose to the lne , and then conducting the materials through the conduit means, either into or out' from the liner. As shown in Figure 17 , l iner ZOZ may be provided with one or more fittings 5 to help connect the liner to such conduit means _* Figures 18 and 1? show in greater detail a fitting 250 that is connected to liner 202 around opening 252j and general ly the fitting comprises inside flange 25 , coupling member 256 and outside flange 260. Inside flang 25k is located inside liner 202 and ^" is held against an inside surface thereof. Coupling member 256 extends ^' through opening 25 in liner 202 , and has an inside portion connected to inside flange 2 2 and an outside portion located outside the liner, and th© coupling member defines a conduit 262 extending through the opening in the liner to conduct material into and out of the- interior of the liner. Outside flange 260 is mounted on the outside portion of coupling member 2 6, is held against an oustide surface of liner 202, and tightly clamps the liner between the inside and outside flanges of the fitting, securely holding the entire fitting 250 in place- on the liner.

"

-23- The coupling member 2$6 may be connected to inside and outside flanges 2 k and 260 in any suitable way, although pr f rably those flanges are threaded onto the coupling member. More specifically, coupling member Z56 has a generally tubular shape, including an outside threaded surface, and inside and outside flanges 25 and 260 are threaded onto this outside surface of the coupling membe . The outside portion of coupling membe 6 is adapted to be connected to a hose or line (not shown), and, for example , the hose or line may be threaded onto the outside portion of the coupling member. Many suitable connecting arrangements are very well-known in the art, and it is unnecessary to explain such arrangements in detail herein,

Liner ZOZ is principally intended to line a cargo container, and the walls or ceilings of the container may be provided with ports or openings to provide access to openings 252 in the liner. If this is the case, it is desirable to locate liner ZOZ in the cargo container with fittings 250 located in, immediately below or next to openings in the -cargo, co tainer; and it may be further be preferred to provide fittings 2 0 with means to connect the fittings to the cargo container, to thereby hold the fitting in place therei .

As will be understood by those of ordinary skill * ⁿ t art, numerous specific arrangements may be employed to connect fitting 2 0 to a cargo container; and, as shown in F'igure ZO, this connecting means 27 may include a plurality of chains 272 and hooks 27k. A first end of each chain 2? 2 is connected to outside flange ^' ∑6θ of fitting 250, an a second end of each chain is connected to a hook 7k that is adapted to engage a hook, eyebolt or similar projection

connected to a wall or ceiling of the cargo container. uup ins normal ueo of ±nςrir UQil , a. cop »r sever 26^. , βljv wij in Figure 1 ?, is mounted on fitting 250 to close the top of coupling member 256 and to prevent air, water or cargo from inadvertently passing into or out of the liner via opening 252 . The cap is removed to conduct material through liner opening 252.

With reference to Figure 21, to insure an air and water-tight connection between liner 202 and fitting 2 0 , at least one of the inside and outside flanges 2 4 and 26θ includes a groove 276 that, in use, faces the liner and forms a closed path projecting around liner opening Z52j and a seal 2Sθ is seated in this groove and, in use, is tightly held against the liner, inhibiting, and ideally preventing, air and water from passing into or cut of the interior of the liner through the interfaces between flanges 25k and ZβO and liner 202.

With reference to Figures 12, 22 and 23 , it may be preferred to cover discharge opening 222 of bulkead 204 during the transportation of container 224 to prevent

T τ _τor» 2 θ2 _£ *= __ul ₅ _.ng outwardly through -frfaα fe di aohαrgs opening, and bulkhead 204 itself may braced during transportation of the container to prevent the bulkhead from bulging outwardly • Discharge opening 222 may be covered in any acceptable ^w ay> and, for example, the discharge opening may be formed by cutting out a portion of bulkhead 204, and then placing this cut-out portion 282 back into discharge opening 222 to cover that opening during transportation of container 224. Cover 282 for discharge opening 222 may be held in place in any suitable way. For example, a strip of fabric (not shownj may be glued to cover 282, extending around

and over the periphery thereof, and this fabric may then be glued to bulkhead 204 around discharge opening 222 to hold the cover in pl ace . When it is desired to unload the cargo from container 224, this fabric may be cut around the periphery of cover Σ8Z to separate that cover from bulkhead 204 and to allow the cover to be removed from discharge outlet 222, Cover 282 may be provided with a handle (not shown) to assist placing the cover in and removing it from discharge opening 222 . Also, bulkhead 204 may be braced in a variety of ways} and, for instance, as shown in Figure ZZ , a plurality of boards 286 extend behind and across the bulkhead, and ends of these boards are connected to corner posts on container 224 to hold the boards 286 themselves in place. Spacing blocks 290 are mounted on boards 286 to abut against the rear wall or doors of container 224 during normal transportatio thereof and to prevent outward. bowing of the bracing boards. A pair of boards are used to brace the lower portion of bulkhead 204-and .cover -282, and these boards are relea≤ably connected together, for instance by a plurality of u-shaped pins 2 4 as shown in Figure Z . Wi th, this arrangement , it is very easy to remove boards 292 to provide access to bulkhead discharge opening ZZZ while keeping- boards 286 in place. While it is apparent that the invention disclosed • herein i s wel l calculated to fulfill the objects previously atatwd, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modif cations and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.