Collapsible storage and transportation system
A flexible fluid storage system for holding large volumes of fluid and a process and apparatus for the handling and transportation of the flexible storage system is provided. The flexible storage system includes a main storage bag with an attachment apron with fingers, a ground sheet, a lay flat tube for fluid circulation, a pressure release port, and fill/drain ports. The flexible storage system is configured for attachment to a trailer and reel system such that the flexible storage system can be mechanically rolled onto or off of a reel on a semi-truck trailer bed for easy transportation, deployment, and storage of the flexible storage system.
1. A flexible storage bag comprising:
a bag body having top and bottom surfaces and front and back ends;
an apron attached to the top and bottom surfaces at the front end of the bag body, the apron having a reel attachment end for attachment to a reel;
a plurality of fill/drain ports located on the back end of the bag body for filling or draining the bag body of fluid;
a flexible tube located inside the bag body, the flexible tube attached at one end to a fill/drain port and extending a distance from the fill/drain port towards the front end of the bag body to enable fluid circulation within the bag body when fluid is pumped from one fill/drain port and returned to another fill/drain port; and,
an air pressure release port for the release or equalization of air pressure within the bag body.
2. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 wherein the apron includes a series of fingers on the reel attachment end of the apron and wherein each finger includes a slot for operative engagement with a reel.
3. A flexible storage bag as in claim 2 wherein each fill/drain port includes a sleeve on each fill/drain port on the inside of the bag body, wherein each sleeve includes a plurality of slots in the sleeve for preventing the bag body from being suctioned into the fill/drain port.
4. A flexible storage bag as in claim 3 wherein the bag body includes attachment means for selectively attaching a groundsheet to the bag body.
5. A flexible storage bag as in claim 4 wherein the attachment means are grommets.
6. A flexible storage bag as in claim 5 wherein the air pressure release port is located on the top surface of the bag body.
7. A flexible storage bag as in claim 6 wherein the flexible storage bag is free-standing when full or partially-full.
8. A flexible storage bag as in claim 7 wherein the bag body has an internal volume of 550-587 m 3 .
9. A flexible storage bag as in claim 3 further comprising a groundsheet permanently fixed to the bag body.
10. A flexible storage bag as in claim 5 wherein the fill/drain ports are located midway between the top and bottom surfaces of the bag body in a horizontal row.
11. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 wherein the bag body includes attachment means for selectively attaching a groundsheet to the bag body.
12. A flexible storage bag as in claim 11 wherein the attachment means are grommets.
13. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 wherein each fill/drain port includes a sleeve on each fill/drain port on the inside of the bag body, wherein each sleeve includes a plurality of slots in the sleeve for preventing the bag body from being suctioned into the fill/drain port.
14. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 further comprising a groundsheet permanently fixed to the bag body.
15. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 wherein the flexible storage bag is free-standing when full or partially-full.
16. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 wherein the fill/drain ports are located midway between the top and bottom surfaces of the bag body in a horizontal row.
17. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 wherein the air pressure release port is located on the top surface of the bag body.
18. A flexible storage bag as in claim 1 wherein the bag body has an internal volume of 550-587 m 3 .
19. The flexible storage bag of claim 1 wherein the flexible tube has a plurality of drainholes.
20. The flexible storage bag of claim 1 further comprising at least one tie down strip loosely securing the flexible tube to the bag body.
21. A flexible storage bag comprising:
a bag body having top and bottom surfaces and front and back ends;
an apron attached to the top and bottom surfaces at the front end of the bag body, the apron having a reel attachment end for attachment to a reel and a series of fingers on the reel attachment end of the apron and wherein each finger includes a slot for operative engagement with a reel;
a plurality of fill/drain ports located generally midway between the top and bottom surfaces of the bag body in a horizontal row on the back end of the bag body for filling or draining the bag body of fluid wherein each fill/drain port includes a sleeve on each fill/drain port on the inside of the bag body, and wherein each sleeve includes a plurality of slots in the sleeve for preventing the bag body from being suctioned into the fill/drain port;
a flexible tube located inside the bag body, the flexible tube attached at one end to a fill/drain port and extending a distance from the fill/drain port towards the front end of the bag body to enable fluid circulation within the bag body when fluid is pumped from one fill/drain port and returned to another fill/drain port;
an air pressure release port located on the top surface of the bag body for the release or equalization of air pressure within the bag body; and,
a groundsheet for attachment to the bag body wherein the groundsheet is permanently or temporarily attached to the bag body by attachment means.