Combo bin bag catch and method of use

What is this patent about?

’913 is related to the field of bulk shipping containers, specifically cellulose-based bins that utilize internal liners or bags to hold liquid or loose contents. In industries like meat processing, these containers must manage heavy loads while ensuring the plastic liner remains properly positioned during high-speed filling and subsequent dumping.

The underlying idea behind ’913 is to integrate a mechanical fastening feature directly into the structural walls of the box to eliminate the need for external clips or adhesives. By utilizing a specific geometry of cuts, the invention creates a flexible flap that can be pushed inward to create an aperture, allowing the liner material to be threaded through and then wedged into a narrow vertical channel that acts as a friction lock.

The claims of ’913 focus on a container blank featuring a bag catch assembly comprised of a substantially V-shaped cut line and a radius score line that together define a displaceable tab. A critical element of the claim is the retainer slit, which extends vertically from the apex of the V-shaped cut toward the top edge of the side panel to capture and bind the bag material.

In practice, a worker drapes the open end of a liner over the top of the bin and punches a portion of the plastic through the V-shaped opening. By pulling the gathered plastic upward into the retainer slit, the bag is cinched tightly; as the container is filled, the internal pressure of the product presses the tab back toward the wall, further sandwiching the liner to prevent it from slipping.

This design solves the common industrial hazard of liners falling into downstream machinery, such as grinders, during the emptying process. Unlike prior solutions that rely on separate fasteners or simple folds, this integrated geometry ensures the bag remains semi-locked to the chassis of the bin even when the entire assembly is inverted for discharge.