DE29917419U1 - Emptying device for large containers - Google Patents

Description

EW 10275 Gbiti

GEL Verfahrenstechnik mbH, Dahlbrede 2-3, 32758 Detmold

Emptying device for large containers

Description:

The invention relates to an emptying device for large containers with an outlet that can be gripped by a bracket for connection to an emptying nozzle arranged in a funnel, wherein the bracket and the funnel with emptying nozzle and with a pipe section extending the funnel are arranged axially displaceably relative to a relatively fixed pipe for pulling out and tightening the outlet.

Large containers, FIBCs, flexible intermediate bulk containers, often also called BIG-BAGs, are increasingly being used today for transporting and storing bulk goods as cost-effective, environmentally friendly transport containers. They are often also used as storage and removal silos from which the bulk goods are immediately removed for further use or dosed directly for an application.

For this purpose, the bulk containers are regularly suspended above an emptying device, which uses a nozzle to grasp an outlet from the large container, for example a hose- or funnel-shaped outlet. By lowering the nozzle onto a funnel, the outlet is pulled out of the large container.

The lowered glasses regularly close a funnel, within which the outlet is connected to a drain nozzle. For proper emptying of the

In order to discharge the bulk container through the outlet, the latter must be clamped. To do this, the state of the art involves arranging the funnel with the discharge nozzle and the pipe section extending the funnel so that it can be moved axially relative to a fixed pipe through which the bulk material from the bulk container is discharged. To ensure dust-free removal of the bulk material from the bulk container, a seal is provided between the fixed pipe and the movable pipe section using bellows.

In principle, such a seal has proven to be effective, but in practice signs of wear regularly appear on the bellows, which then have to be replaced. In practice, it has also been shown that with frequently changing bulk materials that must be emptied as cleanly as possible, bellows with accumulated dirt cannot be cleaned sufficiently. This can lead to contamination by previous bulk materials, which can cause considerable problems, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. If the bellows are damaged, it cannot be ruled out that the environment will be polluted, for example when contaminated bulk materials are reloaded.

Against this technical background, the invention sets itself the task of developing the emptying device in question in such a way that a large container can be emptied with a high degree of reliability and without dust.

To achieve this object, according to claim 1, in an emptying device of the type mentioned, a coaxial arrangement of the pipe section within the pipe and an annular space closing off the free mouth of the pipe against the pipe section are provided.

Such an arrangement avoids the need for a bellows that is susceptible to failure and mechanical damage. Nevertheless, the free axial mobility of the

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pipe section relative to the pipe for tensioning and pulling out the outlet of the large container. In addition, this measure enables a relatively large path, since the stroke of bellows is regularly limited. 5

The seal between the pipe section and the pipe can be achieved by the coaxial arrangement of the two, if they fit together precisely. However, an annular space is preferred which closes off the free mouth of the pipe against the pipe section, through which the seal is ultimately achieved. In particular, such an annular space offers a variety of sealing options, as shown in advantageous embodiments in the subclaims.

In a preferred embodiment, the annular space is formed by an outer casing, on the front side by two axially spaced sealing means and a section of the pipe section. Such sealing means can initially be largely adapted to the intended use of the emptying device, i.e. the bulk material to be emptied regularly. As a result, such a sealing means does not necessarily have to be airtight, but only dust-tight, for example as a brush, lip-like made of an elastomer or rubber or the like.

Furthermore, the annular space is regularly assigned to the pipe in a fixed location, whereby when the pipe section is lowered in axial extension, different sections of the same form the inner shell of the annular space.

If a largely air- or gas-tight design of sealing means, in particular as sealing lips, is intended, the annular space can be expediently filled with an inert gas, for example a noble gas or simple nitrogen. The finest dust particles, even from reactive bulk materials, can be kept in an inert state within the annular space by the inert gas.

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If the annular space is under excess pressure compared to the environment, i.e. it is pressurized, the probability of dust particles penetrating the annular space remains extremely low.

A preferred design measure for a largely air- or gas-tight front end closure of the annular space provides in particular for a sealing lip held between two flanges that can be detached from one another. As a result, the sealing lip can also be replaced in the event of mechanical wear or chemical changes due to aggressive bulk materials. In particular, however, this measure ensures a very tight, i.e. air- or gas-tight seal when using an appropriate elastic material for a continuous sealing lip, for example.

In a further embodiment, it can be provided that the mouth of the pipe is provided with a flange, that the casing of the ring channel is provided with a flange on a first end face, that the two flanges are connected to one another, in particular detachably, by enclosing a first sealing lip, and that the other end face of the casing is provided with a flange which is connected to another flange, in particular detachably, by enclosing a second sealing lip. This measure extends the pipe, in particular also with the same external diameter, through the flanged annular space while holding the sealing lip. This measure avoids any additional significant space requirement. This also enables simple disassembly of the ring channel or the sealing lips, or their replacement. This also enables intensive cleaning of the ring channel and the sealing lips, for example, although regular cleaning in the assembled state is also easily possible and is therefore preferred.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is expediently provided that the sealing means which seals axially outwards is surrounded by a ring-shaped dust extraction hood. If the ring channel is under pressure, the sealing means, in particular those designed as sealing lips, will rest against the pipe section in an axially outward direction, i.e. away from the ring channel. If the pipe section is axially displaced against the fixed sealing lips, the sealing lip may possibly become detached. The escaping inert gas, for example under pressure, then does not escape into the environment, but into the ring-shaped dust extraction hood. Such an inert gas and any dust particles which have escaped with it can be extracted from the dust extraction hood if necessary, for which purpose the dust extraction hood is preferably subjected to a negative pressure.

It has proven to be useful that one end face of the dust extraction hood is connected to the axially outer flange and/or that the flange forms or co-forms the end face. The dust extraction hood and flange can also form a structural unit or, alternatively, the dust extraction hood can simply be fitted precisely onto the flange(s) connected there.

A further sealing ring can be provided between the second end face of the dust extraction hood and the pipe section. In particular, an annular gap must also be provided here, through which air can enter when the dust extraction hood is subjected to a negative pressure. This reliably prevents dust particles from escaping through the annular gap and ensures air circulation in the simplest way possible.

The sum of the described features, individually or in combination, provides an emptying device that offers a high degree of security that no

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Dust escapes into the environment. This is achieved through design measures that also significantly reduce wear compared to conventional devices.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that guides for the pipe section are provided in the pipe. Although a pipe-pipe section guide can also be provided directly through the coaxial arrangement, this is usually subject to considerable friction. In addition, dust particles that have settled on the inside of the pipe can cause jamming when the pipe section is axially displaced within the pipe. This is largely avoided if separately designed, for example axially extending sliding webs are provided as guides. In addition, tilting of the pipe section within the pipe is largely ruled out.

When the pipe section is sealed against the pipe by means of a bellows, the possibility of axial displacement of the pipe section against the pipe is usually limited by the stroke of the bellows. In the emptying device according to the invention, such displacement is only dependent on the axial length of the pipe section, which has a length of at least 30 cm, in particular 40 cm. This ensures that the outlet of the large container is securely clamped.

The emptying devices in question are usually provided with pneumatic and/or hydraulic displacement devices for vertical displacement of a rim and/or a funnel. In particular with regard to the most precise and uniform sealing possible by the sealing means, but also with regard to the precise displacement of the pipe section against the pipe in general, according to independent claim 14, the rim and/or the funnel are moved in guides without jamming. On the one hand,

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The funnel with the connected pipe section is already held coaxially and guided axially by the guides provided in the pipe. In addition, an external, separately designed guide is also provided. A guide in the form of axial profile rollers in U-profiles has proven to be particularly useful here, which on the one hand offer sufficient guidance accuracy and on the other hand take into account the considerable mechanical loads.

In a further embodiment, it can be provided that a carriage is guided by the axial profile rollers in U-profiles and that the carriage carries at least one, in particular pneumatic and/or hydraulic, lifting device. Such a lifting device can be supported on the one hand on the carriage and on the other hand on the frame, if necessary on the funnel or a fixed point, for example on the frame of the emptying device according to the invention. The carriage, the frame or the funnel are thus moved by the lifting device. In this case, it is particularly intended that the lifting device is supported on a fixed point and that the funnel, connected to the carriage, is moved by the lifting device. The funnel is thus guided not only at one end on the pipe section inside the pipe, but also outside the pipe.

In particular, it is supported in the area of its furthest projection and/or its upper edge, where the torque occurring is greatest.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the carriage has two counter-rotating, in particular pneumatic and/or hydraulic lifting devices, a first of which moves the glasses against the carriage and a second of which moves the carriage with the connected funnel against a fixed point.

5 This measure allows the piston of the first lifting device, if a pneumatic cylinder is provided, to be kept relatively short when the rim is in an uppermost position against the funnel

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is closed. When the funnel is lowered, the glasses do not need to be adjusted separately, but are automatically lowered with the carriage via the lifting device when the carriage with the connected funnel is lowered against the fixed point, e.g. the scaffold, by the second lifting device.

In a further embodiment of the emptying device according to the invention, at least two vertical guides are provided, usually opposite one another. The number of guides will also be determined by the weight and size of the containers to be emptied, which may well weigh 1.5 tons, for example.

In conjunction with the two inventive concepts according to claims 1 and 14, an emptying device is created which is characterized by a force-free connection between the pipe and the pipe section or funnel. The pipe can thus be directly assigned to a weighing device so that precisely portioned quantities can be removed from the large container, with the removal taking place practically dust-free. This is due to the mechanical separation of the funnel with the pipe section and the pipe, which separation means that no weight forces act on the pipe.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which only exemplary embodiments are shown. In the drawing:
30

Figure 1: an emptying device for large containers according to the

Invention in which large containers the glasses

has just been placed at the outlet,

5 Figure 2: the emptying device according to Figure 1 with

extended and tensioned spout,

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Figure 3: in an isometric, partially sectioned view the emptying device according to the invention,

Figure 4: a side view of the emptying device according to the invention within a scaffold,

Figure 5: the emptying device with lifting devices for

Glasses and funnel, 10 Figure 6: a detailed view of the annular space in section,

Figure 7: a side view in particular of two guides, Figure 8: a view according to arrow VIII in Figure 7,

Figure 9: the pipe with flanged annular space and connected dust extraction hood,

Figure 10: a side view of the funnel with attached

flanges,

Figure 11: a plan view of the mouth of the tube according to arrow XI in Figure 9,

Figure 12: a plan view of a flange,

Figure 13: a plan view of the funnel according to arrow XIII in Figure 10,

Figure 14: a section through a pair of glasses,

Figure 15: a plan view of the emptying device according to arrow XV in Figure 8,

Figure 16: a side view of a ring-shaped dust extraction hood and

Figure 17: a plan view of the dust extraction hood according to arrow XVII in Figure 16.

The functioning of the emptying device 1 for large containers 2 is explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The emptying device 1 has a pair of glasses which in Figure 1 has just captured the outlet 4 of the large container. The outlet 4 can, for example, be conical or, as shown in Figure 2, as an outlet hose with a largely uniform, in particular constant, cross-section.

The free end of the outlet 4 is pulled onto a discharge nozzle 5 and is suitably secured there. The discharge nozzle 5 is arranged in a fixed position within a funnel 6, for example by means of spoke-like supports 7, see Fig. 13. A pipe section 8 extending the funnel 6 axially is also connected to the funnel 6. The funnel 6 with the discharge nozzle 5 and the pipe section form a structural unit which can be moved along the axis 9 into the position according to Figure 2.

By lowering the eyelet 3 onto the upper, free edge of the funnel 6 and lowering the funnel 6 with the discharge nozzle 5 and pipe section 8 into the position shown in Figure 2, the outlet 4 of the container 2 is clamped. The bulk material contained in the large container 2 can be removed in this position shown.

With a view to removing bulk material from the large container 2 in a manner that is as dust-tight as possible, a sealing support of the eyelet 3 on the free edge 10 of the funnel 5 is provided. In order to ensure that the large container 2 is emptied as effectively as possible, the inner funnel space thus sealed is evacuated via a nozzle 11, whereby entrained dust particles or the like can also be caught in suitable filters.

The bulk material falls from the large container 2 through the outlet 4 via the discharge nozzle 5 and the funnel 6 and further through the pipe section 8, which pipe section 8 dips into a fixed pipe 12.
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The pipe section 8 is continued coaxially within the pipe 12, for which purpose axially extending sliding webs 28 are formed within the pipe 12, see Fig. 6.

At the mouth of the pipe 12, an annular space 13 and a dust extraction hood 14 are further provided.

To form the annular space 13, the mouth of the pipe 12 is provided with a flange 15, for example by welding, compare also Figures 3 and 6. Enclosed by a first sealing lip 16 as a sealing means, the flange 15 is detachably connected, for example screwed, to a further flange 17. The flange 17 is further firmly connected, for example again welded, to a casing 18 of the annular space 13. The other end face of the annular space 13 also has a flange 19 which is firmly connected to the casing 18. Between the flange 19 and a further flange 20, a second sealing lip 21 is held as a further sealing means detachably by screwing the flanges 19, 20. The annular space 13, with end faces formed by sealing lips 16, 21 and the outer casing 18, is closed by sections 22 of the pipe section 8.

0 The effectiveness of this sealing via the annular space 13 with axially spaced sealing means, in particular sealing lips 16, 21, is increased if the annular space is pressurized via a nozzle. In particular, the annular space 13 can also be filled with an inert gas, for example nitrogen 5 or a noble gas. This measure largely prevents dust particles from the interior 24 of the pipe 12 from entering the annular space 13 and from

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can escape further into the environment and secondly that reactions of the dust can occur.

Should dust particles nevertheless enter the annular space 13, for example due to dust particles settling and later abrasion on the outer wall of the pipe section 8, such particles are captured within a ring-like dust extraction hood 14 which surrounds the axially outer sealing lip 21 designed as a sealant. A lower end face of the dust extraction hood 14 is formed by the flange 20 and the sealing lip 21. The dust extraction hood 14 can be placed on the flange 20 or connected to it in some other way. This is the only fastening option, since there is no connection between the other end face 25 and the pipe section 8; instead, an annular gap 26 is provided there.

Air can enter the interior of the dust extraction hood 14 via this annular gap 26, particularly when it is evacuated via a further nozzle 27. This evacuated air, with any dust particles it may contain, can also be suitably filtered and cleaned.

Typical dimensions of the pipe diameters are 4 around 3 0 cm to match the outlet. In particular, the length of the pipe section is at least 30 cm, in particular 4 0 cm and more, which allows a large axial displacement of the pipe section relative to the pipe and thus a secure 0 clamping of the outlet.

In particular, it is also intended to design the discharge nozzle in such a way, for example by being interchangeable or by having a suitable average diameter, that it is suitable for outlets of different diameters, for example for diameters of 2 00 to 500 mm.

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The emptying device according to the invention is usually arranged within a separate supporting frame 30, see Figure 4. Its outer sections are also provided with a grid 31 for safety reasons. The pipe 12 is fixed in an intermediate floor 3 2 by means of a fastening flange 3 3 or fastening brackets 34, see Figures 5 and 6. The lower flange 33" can also be used for fastening, but it is primarily to this that further lines are regularly connected, through which the bulk material is fed to a specific purpose.

The frame 30 can expediently also serve as a fixed point for guides 35, 36 and drives 37, 38 of a similar design for a tilt-free vertical movement of the glasses 3 and/or the funnel 6.

Figure 5 shows a guide consisting of axial profile rollers 42 caught in U-profiles 41 and running there. In the case of the axial profile rollers 42, the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the base of the U-profile, centrally between the free legs. The axial profile rollers, here two, are rotatably mounted on a carriage 4 3. In the embodiment shown, the carriage 4 3 carries two lifting devices, for example pneumatic and/or hydraulically operated cylinders.

A mechanical spindle drive would also be possible, for example.

The upper lifting devices 37 are connected to the goggle 3 by means of piston rods 44 and serve to lower the goggle 3 from a position according to Figure 5 into a position closing the funnel 6 according to Figure 2.

The lifting devices 39, again pneumatic cylinders, are supported with their piston rods against fixed points, for example against the scaffolding or against the U-profiles 41

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the guides 35, 36. Since the funnel 5 is firmly connected to the carriage 43 via angles 47, it is lowered or raised via the lifting device 39, protected against tilting by the guides 35, 36.

By using the lifting device 37, the glasses 3 do not need to be adjusted separately.

Since the entire weight of the funnel, the pipe section and the directly connected attachments such as the discharge nozzle can be absorbed by the lifting device and guide described, a force-bypass-free connection of these elements to the pipe 12 is possible, so that the latter can be a direct component of a weighing device.

Finally, reference is made to the disclosure content of Figures 7-17 of the drawing.

Claims (20)

1. Emptying device for large containers with an outlet that can be grasped by a gasket for connection to an emptying nozzle arranged in a funnel, wherein the gasket and the funnel with emptying nozzle and a pipe section extending the funnel are arranged axially displaceably relative to a relatively fixed pipe for pulling out and tensioning the outlet, characterized by a coaxial arrangement of the pipe section ( 8 ) within the pipe ( 12 ) and an annular space ( 13 ) closing off the free mouth of the pipe ( 12 ) against the pipe section ( 8 ). 2. Emptying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular space ( 13 ) is formed by an outer casing ( 18 ), on the front side by two axially spaced sealing means ( 16 , 21 ) and a section ( 22 ) of the pipe section ( 8 ). 3. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular space ( 13 ) is filled with an inert gas. 4. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular space ( 13 ) is pressurized. 5. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing lip ( 16 ; 21 ) is held between two mutually detachable flanges ( 15 , 17 ; 19 , 20 ). 6. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mouth of the pipe ( 12 ) is provided with a flange ( 15 ), that the casing ( 18 ) of the annular channel ( 13 ) is provided with a flange ( 17 ) on a first end face, that the two flanges ( 15 , 17 ) are connected to one another, in particular detachably, by enclosing a first sealing lip ( 16 ), and that the other end face of the casing ( 18 ) is provided with a flange ( 19 ) which is connected, in particular detachably, to a further flange ( 20 ) by enclosing a second sealing lip ( 21 ). 7. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axially outwardly sealing lip ( 21 ) is surrounded by an annular dust extraction hood ( 14 ). 8. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an end face of the dust extraction hood ( 14 ) is connected to the axially outer flange ( 20 ) and/or the latter forms or co-forms the end face. 9. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an annular gap ( 26 ) is provided between the second end face ( 25 ) of the dust extraction hood ( 14 ) and the pipe section ( 8 ). 10. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dust extraction hood ( 14 ) is subjected to a negative pressure. 11. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that guides ( 28 ) for the pipe section ( 8 ) are provided in the pipe ( 12 ). 12. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guides are designed as axially extending sliding webs ( 28 ). 13. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe section ( 8 ) has an axial length of at least 30 cm, in particular 40 cm. 14. Emptying device, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, with in particular a pneumatic and/or a hydraulic displacement device for a vertical displacement of a spectacle and/or a funnel, characterized in that the spectacle ( 3 ) and/or the funnel ( 5 ) are moved in guides ( 35 , 36 ) without jamming. 15. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a guide ( 35 ) of axial profile rollers ( 42 ) in U-profiles ( 41 ). 16. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a carriage ( 43 ) is guided by the axial profile rollers ( 42 ) in U-profiles ( 41 ) and that the carriage ( 43 ) carries at least one, in particular pneumatic and/or hydraulic, lifting device ( 37 , 38 ). 17. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the funnel ( 5 ) is connected to the carriage ( 43 ). 18. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage ( 43 ) has two counter-rotating, in particular pneumatic and/or hydraulic lifting devices ( 37 , 38 ), of which a first ( 37 ) moves the glasses ( 3 ) against the carriage ( 43 ) and a second ( 38 ) moves the carriage ( 43 ) with connected funnel ( 5 ). 19. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two vertical guides ( 35 , 36 ) are provided. 20. Emptying device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a force-free connection between the pipe section ( 8 ) and the pipe ( 12 ).