EP1348644A1 - Device for transferring flowable materials - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a container (3) for the material with an outlet opening (6) opened and closed with the aid of a closure element (7) with a conical surface reciprocally movable by an actuator (8). An end positioning device (25-38) securely transfers the closure element into its closed position. The end positioning device can be provided on the actuator for forced transfer of the closure element to its open position.

Description

The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

In such devices, the flowable material, usually a powdery or granular bulk material, from the container through the normally by the closure member emptied closed outlet. Is only a part of the material removed and the actuator again in its position according to the closed position transferred, so in general ensures the pressure of the flowable material on the closure member for sure that this takes its closed position. It is only rare cases in which, for example, the pressure of the material is not uniform on the occluder acts, in which the closure member then not properly in his seals sitting, which are mounted around the outlet.

However, a problem may arise when the container is completely or almost is completely emptied, so that no closing pressure acts on the closure member. If then even the container to be transported in a horizontal position, so is at badly in the seals seated lid not excluded that this loose is still flowing and residual material from the container on the transport routes. Often, however Such containers are designed for delicate or dangerous goods that are not with the air to be brought into or out of contact with the environment, that even with harmless goods - e.g. with color pigments - trickling on the way is quite undesirable.

The invention is therefore based on the problem, the closure member to it prevent them from leaking, especially during transport. This task will solved by the characterizing features of claim 1. Once the end positioning device the closure member safely into the end position - and thus in contact with the Seals that hold it then frictionally - has brought this position automatically secured.

When doing the end positioning on the actuator itself is provided, so it requires no additional equipment, the first brought under the container must be and causes space and investment costs problems. In such a Case, however, the end positioning device can be designed in any way For example, the closure member mechanically, magnetically, pneumatically or otherwise to capture.

Conveniently, the configuration of the end positioning device, when in the Meaning of the feature b) of claim 1 is formed. Because in such a case eliminates mechanical, not easy to clean parts. It is advantageous if the Characteristics of claim 2 are realized because this structurally easier to implement is.

The formation of the seal should be advantageous in the sense of claim 3, preferred in the sense of claim 4 and most preferably in the sense of claim 5 done.

Since the end positioning now by detecting the closure member of this inevitably down or pulls in the outlet, is an embodiment according to Claim 8, as known per se from EP-A-1 041 013, is of particular importance. To avoid verbosity, the content of this EP-A is hereby incorporated by reference to be revealed.

The invention, and especially the embodiment b), also allows a simple Securing the sequence during operation by the features of claim 9.

Fig. 1

einen Behälter auf einer Entleerstation, welche in erfindungsgemässer Weise ausgestattet ist, und

Fig. 2

eine vergrösserte Darstellung des Verschluss- und des Stossorgans, wie es bei einer Anordnung nach Fig. 1 erfindungsgemäss verwendet wird, in einem Axialschnitt einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform, und

Fig. 3

eine alternative Ausgestaltung des Verschluss- und des Stossorgans.

Further details of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a container on a discharge station, which is equipped in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of the closure and the impact member, as used in an arrangement according to FIG. 1 according to the invention, in an axial section of a preferred embodiment, and

Fig. 3

an alternative embodiment of the closure and the impact member.

On a discharge station 1 with a frame 2 is shown in FIG. 1, a container 3 for Flowable material, for example for powdery or loose bulk material, with feet 4 put to be emptied. The container 3 has an outlet funnel 5 with a Outlet opening 6 on. This outlet opening 6 is normally, especially during Transport, closed by a conical closure member 7. The closing organ 7 is from the illustrated closed position by means of a on the frame 2 of Emptying 1 mounted actuator 8 with a in the open conical surface the closure member 7 engaging shock member 9 along a central actuating axis B (Fig. 2) from the closed position shown in solid lines in a dash-dotted lines shown open position movable. The emptying station has one Funnel 11, which passes through a cross member 12 horizontally. The cross member 12 carries a Mounting plate 13, on which the actuator 8 is seated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 7 has a tip 10, for example, at startup in the open position may be located above Bridges of the bulk material break up and the bulk material also better on the upper To direct the surface of the cone of the obturator. However, the invention is based on this arrangement not limited, but the closure member 7 could even be frustoconical be configured, but this is not preferred. The actuator can also be different types, be it just a cylinder, a bellows or such Cylinder as described in EP-B-0 915 032. It should also be noted the discharge hopper 4 is shown roughly schematically in FIG. 1 and is preferred given those geometrical relationships, which emerge from Fig. 2 and later to be discribed.

In itself so now is the thrust member 9 with the actuator 8 only for moving the closure member 7 between the two layers shown in Fig. 1 intended. The downward movement of the closure member is generally on the one hand under its own weight, on the other hand under the pressure of it in the container 3 flowable material carried out. But this resulted in the prior art under the actual conditions, as they emerge from Fig. 2, not always for desired result.

In Fig. 1, the closure member 7 and the shock member 9 is shown, wherein seen is that the closure member 7 at its bottom one around the edge his cone extending seal 14, which is in the closed position an edge region 4 'of the outlet funnel 4 applies (right in Fig. 2), while the lower Edge of the closure member 7 also at this edge region 4 'is present. The details this seal can be found, for example, in EP-B-0 801 015, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The immediately above located edge portion of the closure member serves the firm boundary against Deformations of the seal 14. For this purpose are beyond the scope of the conical Closure member 7 at regular intervals, e.g. three, stop lugs 7 'to the plant provided on the funnel 4. Optionally, can be in the radially outwardly facing Insert openings in a gap-free rubber material.

If the seal in the manner shown frictionally on the edge region 4 ' is applied, then the end position of the closed position of the closure member 7 is reached and essentially secured by the friction. The following will be described be like such a final position despite possibly unequal forces across the cross section the container 3 in its interior without tilting or tilting of the closure member 7 can be achieved.

The impact member 9 is connected to the actuator 8 in a manner as has become known from EP-A-1 041 013, but here in the later described Way gives a special advantage. With regard to the structural design this, a horizontal compensating movement of the thrust member 9 relative to the actuating axis B (for the purpose of automatic centering in the outlet opening 6) permitting Displacement device, which is essentially a support plate 15 with a pin guide 16 in openings 17 of a sliding plate 18, be said on the EP-A- referenced.

As can be seen, the thrust member 9 is frusto-conical and has its top a flat surface 19. In itself, this surface 19 serves only to together with the cone of the closure member 7 to a larger space 20 too limit, i. the shape of the surface 19 is irrelevant and could also be convex, concave or be shaped in any way. In any case, this space is 20 with a Cone ring gap (not visible in Fig. 2 because of its narrowness) in conjunction, which is extends down to a seal 21. The outer surface of this as an O-ring in one Groove 22 of the thrust member 9 formed seal 21 is located on one, for example, smooth, Counter-sealing surface 23, i. on the inner surface of the cone of the closure member. 7 and thus closes the free space 20 together with the adjoining (and not visible) cone ring gap hermetically. Both sealing surfaces 21, 23 extend in each case approximately annular along the respective conical surface. The use of an O-ring 21 is simple and inexpensive and therefore preferred.

The free space 20 is above a channel system 24 with a tube formed as Suction line 25 in communication, which extends downwards and through a hole 26 is guided in a sealing skirt 27 to the outside. The other connections are 1 removed. Accordingly, the suction line 25 via a directional control valve 28 to a vacuum source, such as a suction pump 29, which in the illustrated position of Valves 28 air from the free space 20 sucks and so the two parts 7, 9 pressed against each other. It is understood that a pump 29 is just one possible example of a Vacuum source is. Preferably, an injector pump is used.

The suction pump 29 is driven by a motor 30, which transfers its energy receives a drive stage 31. The stage 31 in turn is from a program or a microprocessor 32 is controlled, which is put into operation as soon as an operator a switch S closes. The microprocessor 32 is a program memory 33 assigned, in which the desired operation is stored. This Expiration is the following.

If you want to empty flowable material from the container 3, so you close the switch S. This is the processor 32 - corresponding to the program memory 33 stored sequence program - a command to a Ansteuerstufe 34, the one pneumatic valve block 35 controls. The valve block 35 connects per se known type a compressed air source 38, e.g. in the form of a pump, with the actuator 8 via a line 36 so that it the shock element 9 as far against the Verschliesskonus Press 7 until it rests against it and continue it in the dash-dotted open position emotional.

If enough material has been emptied from the container 3, the switch opens S either automatically or by manual operation. Then the supply of Compressed air to the actuator 8 via the valve block 35 and the line 36 is interrupted and at the same time directional control valve 28 is brought into the position shown, in which the line 25 is connected to the suction pump 29. Now air is getting out of the free space 20 pumped so that the sealing surfaces 21, 23 (Fig. 2) press firmly against each other. In order to a firm connection between the thrust member 9 and the closure member 7 is made, so that from now on the impact member 9 can act as a pulling member.

Immediately thereafter, the valve block 35 gives the connection between the compressed air pump 38 and a line 37 free. Namely, as an actuating device 8 a used double-acting cylinder, so can by supplying compressed air to the The upper side of these pistons are actively pushed downwards (which is a quick and controlled Movement of the closure member 7 is favorable), which now as tension member acting thrust member 9 through the suction the closing cone as far down pulls until it inevitably takes its lower end position. As already mentioned, the cone 7 is then frictionally secured in the outlet opening, although it is in Frame of the invention is quite conceivable to provide a positive connection, as provided, for example, in EP-B-0 801 015. Here again be pointed to the important role of the sliding plate 18 (Fig. 2), which in the Pulling the locking cone 7 into the end position ensures that the cone is centric enters the outlet opening 6.

It should also be mentioned that although the above-mentioned operation is preferred, but not the only one possible. If one renounces a double-acting one Cylinder or piston as actuator 8 (the line 37 is thus omitted), so you can proceed as follows:

After emptying, the switch S is opened. This in turn becomes the connection between the compressed air source 38 and the line 36 through the valve block 35th interrupted. Thereupon the closing cone 7 sinks under its weight load the dash-dotted open position down and reaches a lower position, which either already closes the outlet opening 6 in the manner shown, or he occupies a position near the lowest position, for example due to uneven Stress is pushed sideways by the flowable material and therefore its seal 14 is somewhat obliquely in the edge region 4 '(Fig. 2). In this case, the Danger given that over a part of the edge of the sealing cone 7 even less Gap to the interior of the container 3 remains free and so its contents flow out can.

Therefore, in order to ensure in the latter case that the sealing cone 7 in his reaches fully closed position, the microprocessor 32 is after a predetermined, for example, by means of a knob 39 adjustable, time (in which the cone 7 sure the lower layer has reached) bring the directional control valve 28 in the position shown in order to the suction pump 29 to generate a vacuum in the free space 20. This vacuum is strong enough that in turn acting as a pulling organ shock member 9 attracts the cone 7 and in the right position, whereby it is given by the given of the sliding plate 18 Mobility is still supported.

Even so, the possibilities of programming are not yet exhausted. It would be conceivable to assign at least one position sensor to the closure cone 7, so that this triggers one of the programs described above only if the locking cone is not in the desired end position. For example could be a, e.g. inductive or capacitive, position sensor (better its several round around the circumference of the closing cone 7) are arranged so that it on the Seal 14 holding plate 14 'responds as soon as it is fully lowered. Are several such position sensors distributed over the circumference of the closure member 7, it is sufficient the display also only one of these sensors that the program to pull down in the end position is triggered.

Preferred is a program design in which the locking of the two Konen 7, 9, in particular by the vacuum in the free space 20, as early as possible Time is activated, in particular immediately after the installation of the container. 3 on the frame 2. This ensures a firm connection while still in the nominal end position located closure member 7, i. the end position is (also by the concern of the Sealing and counter sealing surfaces) precisely defined. In addition, that is conventional the inflatable seal 40 has been transferred a similar barrier effect, but these because of their elasticity and deformability the exact location does not secure so well. One was then forced to put this seal 40 under very high pressure, which is their Life unfavorably influenced. The invention is therefore in itself surprising Way also the life of the seal 40 prolongs especially since they are of blocking functions is released and can be operated at a lower pressure.

Regardless of which of the two programs is used, is the last Program step after pulling the cone into the end position provided that the Directional valve 28 is rotated by 90 °, so that the line 25 via a line section 28 'of the directional valve 28 is connected to the environment. The negative pressure can thus be compensated again. Furthermore, it is understood that the two described above Combine operating modes in such a way that when using a double-acting piston, the suction of the closing cone 7 (as in the second Operating mode) takes place only at the end of the movement, after the cone 7 already in a the Outlet at least largely overlapping situation has come.

The compensation of the negative pressure to the ambient pressure can also be between the sealing ring 21 and arranged underneath, known per se inflatable Gasket may be required if this is to serve a firm connection between the inflatable seal 40 having shock member 9 and with the Seal 14 provided seal cone. For this purpose it may be cheap be provided at least one pressure equalization opening 41. Of course, too the free space 20 via a valve and a pressure equalization opening directly with the environment, but in general this will not be necessary.

It is understood that the above described with reference to FIG. 1 process only one Example is and the invention is not limited thereto. Because it would be possible, for example, the suction pump 29 at its lower (relative to FIG. 1) pressure side (for example in the case of a piston pump) to feed air into an air reservoir or accumulator, wherein the so accumulated air pressure then used to operate the actuator 8 becomes. The compressed air pump 38 is then unnecessary, and the accumulator provides the compressed air source Conversely, the compressed air pump 38 could be used to on her Working together with an accumulator on the suction side.

It is preferred if the sealing ring 21 is provided on the impact element 9, although it would be possible, the inside of the closure cone 7 with a seal to provide. But to the possibilities of modifications in the context of the invention More clearly, reference will be made below to FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the thrust member 9a is directly from a Plate formed, for example, carries a seal 21a at its top. The sealing cone 7a has in its interior a ring edge 42 with a downward, against the plate 9 a directed surface 43, which has a counter-sealing surface to the sealing surface of the Sealing ring 21a forms. At this counter-sealing surface 43 so the seal can 21a create when the space 20 is placed under vacuum. This can be the top the closure cone 7a may be connected to a vacuum pipe 25a, for example within the container and is guided therethrough.

Comparing the above description of Fig. 2 with that of Fig. 3 (which in The scope of the invention is also conceivable), so the expert sees why, for example it is preferred to form the thrust member 9 frusto-conical. Because while the annular gap between the sealing surfaces 21 and 23 (by squeezing the Ring 21) disappears quickly, the free space 20 ensures a very effective vacuum. Femer is also apparent that by forming the two sealing surfaces 21, 23 at each a conical surface the applied vacuum is a coalescing of the two cones, similar causes the function of a cone clutch.

Another advantage is that for the final positioning of the closure member 7 no separate device is required, but the anyway required emptying station 1 can be used with the actuator 8 to it. Under These aspects, however, the end positioning by vacuum, although a favorable Embodiment, but could an emptying station with a mechanical or magnetic end positioning provided. Conversely, an end positioning device could the kind described with a vacuum connection, if necessary Also be provided on a separate from the emptying station 1 device.

Also can be seen in the comparison of Figs. 2 and 3, that the vacuum supply line or Suction line 25 to the thrust member 9 is cheaper than the (in itself also possible) connection the closure cone 7a to a vacuum source via the through the container to leading pipe 25a.

Claims (9)

Device for transferring flowable material, comprising a container (3) for the flowable material, which is provided with an outlet opening (6) which can be opened or closed with the aid of a closure member (7; Actuating device (8) with an engaging in the open conical surface impact member (9; 9a) along an actuating axis (B) from an open position to a closed position and vice versa, characterized in that an end positioning means (25-38) for safe transfer the closure member (7, 7a) is provided in its closed position, the a) is provided on the actuating device (8) itself for forcibly transferring the closure member (7, 7a) in its open position
and or b) the thrust member (9) and the closure member (7; 7a) each have attachable sealing and counter-sealing surfaces (21, 23, 21a, 43), and that a vacuum supply line (25; 25a) to the so between the two organs (9, 7, 7a) sealed space (20) is provided for mutual suction. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that in case b) the vacuum supply line (25) is connected to the thrust member (9). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in case b) also the thrust member (9) and the closure member (7) each have one, at least partially, conical surface and the sealing and counter-sealing surfaces (21, 23) of these organs (7, 9) each extend approximately annularly along the respective conical surface. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that in case b) at least one of the conical surfaces at least one along the sealing or counter-sealing surface (21, 23) extending sealing ring, in particular an O-ring (21). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the conical surface of the shock element (9) with the sealing ring or O-ring (21) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in case b), the impact element (9) delimits an upper, enlarged space (20) on its upper side facing the closing element (7; 7a), in particular the impact element (9). opposite the conical closure member (7) is frusto-conical. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in case b) at least one pressure equalization opening (41) is provided which leads into a space, in particular a gap-shaped space between closure member (7) and impact member (9), preferably in between two seals (21, 40) located room. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact element (9) is provided with a displacement device (15-18) which allows a displacement of the actuating end transverse to a central actuating axis (B) of the actuating device (8), preferably the at least partially conical thrust member (9) serves as a centering surface. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end positioning means comprises a control device (28-38), by which during or after moving the actuating device (8) from the open position into the closed position, the closure member (7) positionable in this Preferably, the control device comprises a program unit (32, 33) for controlling an automatic sequence of said movement steps, in particular a microprocessor (32), expediently the end positioning device with the closure member at least in the open position of the latter, preferably before Open, firmly connectable.

Images