EP1640059A1

EP1640059A1 - Device and machine for the storage and/or transport of a product for making concrete screed

Info

Publication number: EP1640059A1
Application number: EP05018509A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Peron
Original assignee: PERON Srl - Unipersonale
Current assignee: PERON Srl - Unipersonale
Priority date: 2004-09-24
Filing date: 2005-08-25
Publication date: 2006-03-29
Also published as: ITVI20040226A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a device (1,100,101) and a machine for the storage and/or transport of a product (P) for making screeds, advantageously but not exclusively a pre-mixed product, comprising: a container (2) for the product (P); mixing means (4) positioned in the container (2). The mixing means (4) are suited to stir said product (P) in opposite directions (D1,D2) in order to mix said product (P) and/or make it homogeneous.

Description

The invention concerns a device and a machine for the storage and/or transport of a product for making concrete screed.
It is known that to make screeds a special compound of solid and liquid substances, comprising a mixture of sand, water, binders, etc. is used.
The composition of the compound varies according to the characteristics of the screed to be obtained.
The compound is made by the operator on the site where the screed is to be laid, preparing first the suitable quantities of solid elements or mixtures, including sand, binders, etc, and then adding a given percentage of water.
The substantially liquid compound obtained in this way is first amalgamated, then uniformly spread on the surface to be treated and finally properly levelled.
Once it has hardened, the operator proceeds to the laying of tiles or similar coverings to obtain the desired floor.
In order to shorten the time necessary to make the compound, the known technique involves the use of preparations, called pre-mixed products, that are constituted by the solid elements of the compound.
In particular, said products comprise a solid mixture substantially made up of sand and binders, which is prepared in advance and stored in special containers that are then transported to the site where the compound is going to be laid.
To reduce the time necessary to make the screed and, in particular, its drying time, according to the known technique the product also comprises special additives, also called catalyzers, that are activated when placed in contact with water.
In this case the operator, to obtain the compound, must simply add a quantity of water suitable to the characteristics of the product.
A first drawback posed by said containers is constituted by the fact that the product transported to the laying site is not homogeneous. This is due to the fact that the various elements making up the solid mixture naturally tend to separate during both the transport and the storage phase.
Another drawback connected to the previous one is constituted by the fact that the operator, before adding water, must stir the product in order to make the solid mixture homogeneous.
A further inconvenience connected to the previous one is the fact that the compound obtained by adding water does not have the optimal characteristics for making a good screed. More precisely, the compound does not contain the required percentage of each element per unit of weight. This negatively affects both the characteristics of the screed obtained and the drying time of the screed itself.
In order to overcome these drawbacks, the known technique has proposed devices for storing said products that are equipped with mixing means inside the container.
Said mixing means comprise elements or blades that are properly moved inside the container in order to mix the various elements.
A first drawback of these devices is constituted by the fact that they do not maintain the product mixed in an optimal way. This inconvenience occurs specially during the transport of the container, when the preparation is subjected to various stresses that make the heavier elements move towards the bottom of the container.
The aim of the present invention is to overcome all the drawbacks described.
In particular, it is a first aim of the invention to produce a device and a machine for storing and/or transporting a product for making screeds that maintains the product in the optimal conditions for its usage.
Another aim of the invention is to produce a device that can be easily transported near the laying site.
It is a further aim of the invention to make a device that maintains the product in the optimal conditions for its usage even during the transport phases.
It is a further aim to produce a device that is easy to use and does not require the intervention of qualified personnel.
It is another, yet not the least aim of the invention to produce an economic and reliable device, that does not require frequent and costly maintenance operations.
The aims described above have been achieved through the implementation of a device for the storage and/or transport of a product for making screeds, advantageously but not exclusively a pre-mixed product, comprising:

a container for said product;
mixing means positioned in said container,

The aims described are achieved also by a machine constructed according to the contents of claim 18.
The proposed solution advantageously makes it possible to store and transport the product, at the same time keeping it homogeneous and in the optimal conditions for its usage.
The aims and advantages described above will be highlighted in greater detail in the descriptions of some preferred embodiments of the invention, given indicatively as examples without limitation, with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a device for the storage and/or transport of a product for making screeds according to the invention;
Figura 2 shows a longitudinal section of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figura 3 is a side view of a part of an element of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4a is a view of a longitudinal section of a construction variant of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4b is a view of a cross section of a construction variant of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a side view of a construction variant of the element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a side view of another construction variant of the element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a side view of a further construction variant of the element shown in Figure 3;
Figure 8 shows a side view of a machine for the storage and/or transport of a product for making screeds that is also subject of the invention;
Figure 9 shows a partial side view of a longitudinal section of part of the machine shown in Figure 8.

The examples of implementation of the invention described below refer to a device and to a machine particularly suited to store and transport a preparation or pre-mixed product P for making screeds, of the type comprising sand, binders and additives.
It is clear that the solution proposed can be applied also to store and transport equivalent preparations or products used preferably in the building sector, like, for example, clay-based insulating compounds, polystyrene, pearlite, etc.
An embodiment of a device subject of the invention is represented in Figure 1, where it is indicated as a whole by 1.
It comprises a container 2 for the preparation P and mixing means, indicated as a whole by 3, installed inside the container 2 and suited to stir the preparation or product P in order to maintain and guarantee its homogeneity during both storage and transport to the laying site.
In the case in question, the container 2 is provided with an upper opening 2a that allows the product P to be loaded and a discharge mouth 2b that can be seen in Figure 2.
According to the invention, the mixing means 3 are suited to stir the product P in opposite directions D1, D2 to mix the product P and/or make it homogeneous.
In the example shown, the mixing means 3 comprise one or more rotary augers/screws 4 in which it is possible to identify at least two thread-like parts or sections 4a and 4b with opposite thrust directions.
The term auger indicates a mechanical member comprising a substantially cylindrical or conical stem, on which one or more helical grooves are cut or where one or more helical elements/projections wound on the stem itself can be identified.
The augers 4 rotate and generate inside the container flows of product that move in opposite directions and produce vortices that are such as to result in a useful stirring action.
This allows the product P to be stirred in a chaotic way that is optimal to keep it usefully homogeneous.
The same effect can be obtained with two or more augers rotating in the same direction, positioned coaxially to each other and having the thread-like elements with opposite thrust directions.
This effect can also be obtained by means of two coaxial augers rotating in opposite directions and having the thread-like elements with concordant thrust directions.
In the example of embodiment shown, the device 1 comprises two augers 4 positioned near the bottom of the container 2 and facing each other in order to increase their effect.
More precisely, each auger rotates on an axis 40, 41 that, in the case in question, lies on a substantially horizontal plane.
Each auger 4 is set in motion by first drive means 7 and comprises, as shown in detail in Figure 3, a cylindrical stem 5 that supports two helical elements 6a and 6b that are wound on the stem 5 in opposite directions to identify the same number of thread- like sections 4a and 4b with opposite thrust directions.
As regards the first drive means 7, they comprise a gear motor unit 70 associated to each auger 4.
Clearly, in other embodiments the number or rotary augers and their position inside the container 2 may vary.
Always according to the invention, the device 1 also comprises means 8 for transporting the product, suited to take the product P from the container 2 to convey it towards the discharge mouth 2b.
In the case in question, said transport means 8 at least partially face the mixing means 3 and comprise a conveyor auger 80 positioned near the bottom of the container 2.
More precisely, said conveyor auger 80 is positioned in a channel that develops longitudinally for the whole length of the container 2 and is set in motion by second drive means 9 comprising a second gear motor unit 90.
It must also be observed that the walls 2c, 2d of the container 2 are inclined and converge towards the bottom, in correspondence of which they define the above mentioned discharge channel in which the conveyor auger 80 is positioned.
A construction variant of the device subject of the invention, indicated as a whole by 100 in Figure 4a, is differentiated from the previous one due to the fact that in each auger 4 there are four thread-like sections or parts, each with thrust direction opposite to that of the adjacent section.
Another embodiment of a device according to the invention, indicated as a whole by 101 in Figure 4b, is differentiated from the previous one due to the fact that the mixing means 3 comprise only one auger positioned above the transport means 8, with which it cooperates to stir the product P.
A first construction variant of the mixing means 3, represented in detail in Figure 5, is differentiated from the previous one due to the fact that the helical element 6c or blade is provided with openings 10 that allow the passage of the product and thus increase the chaotic stirring motion.
A further construction variant of the auger 4, represented in detail in Figure 6, is differentiated from the previous one due to the fact that the helical element 6d or blade is sustained by radial supports 11 integral with the stem 5. This makes it possible to further reduce the working surface of the helically developing element, thus decreasing the mechanical effort born by the auger and by the drive means 7 that move it. This solution also makes it possible to further increase the chaotic movement of the product P inside the container 2, thus increasing the effectiveness of the device.
A further construction variant of the mixing means 3, represented in Figure 7, is differentiated from the previous ones due to the fact that the helical element 6e is not continuous and is divided in sections or blades 6e that define an helical trend.
A machine for storing and transporting a product for making screeds also subject of the invention is represented in Figure 8, where it is indicated as a whole by 500.
It comprises a motor-driven vehicle 501 on which a device 502 carried out according to the invention is installed, as can be seen in detail in Figure 9.
The machine 500 also comprises mixing means, indicated as a whole by 503, positioned after the discharge mouth of the device 502, cooperating with means for pumping the mixture obtained in this way.
The mixing means 503 comprise a tank equipped with a moving blade, inside which the product P is conveyed and water is added.
As regards the pumping means, they comprise a compressor unit that introduces pressurized air inside the tight tank, thus causing the discharge of the compound through a discharge duct.
According to the operating principle of the device 1 the operator, once filled the container 2 with the preparation or pre-mixed product P, activates the first drive means 7 that set the augers 4 rotating.
Thanks to the action of the augers 4, inside the container 2 flows are produced, which shift the product P in opposite directions, maintaining it in constant movement and mixed to guarantee its homogeneity.
In this regard it should also be observed that the augers 4 are advantageously positioned near the bottom and the inclined walls 2a, 2b of the container 2 and cooperate with the transport means 8 to increase the stirring capacity.
To further advantage, it has been shown that the proposed machine 500 allows the product P to be loaded and transported to the laying site, maintaining its optimal homogeneity characteristics, and also allows the compound to be made and transported to the laying site.
The above description clearly shows that the solution proposed allows the drawbacks described to be eliminated and the set goals to be achieved.
Even though the invention has been described with reference to the enclosed drawings, upon implementation certain modifications may be made, which are all included in the inventive concept expressed in the following claims and are therefore protected by the present patent.

Claims

Device (1,100,101) for the storage and/or transport of a product (P) for making screeds, advantageously but not exclusively a pre-mixed product, comprising:
- a container (2) for said product (P);

- mixing means (3) positioned in said container (2),
characterized in that said mixing means (3) are suited to stir said product (P) in opposite directions (D1, D2) to mix said product and/or make it homogeneous (P).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 1), characterized in that said mixing means (3) comprise at least one rotary auger (4) in which it is possible to identify at least two thread-like parts or sections (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f) with opposite thrust directions.
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 2), characterized in that said at least one auger (4) are two augers faced each other.
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 1) or 2) or 3), characterized in that said mixing means (3) comprise at least two augers (4) rotating in the same direction, coaxial to each other and having the thread-like elements with opposite thrust directions.
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 1) or 2) or 3) or 4), characterized in that said mixing means (3) comprise at least two augers (4) rotating in opposite directions, coaxial to each other and having the thread-like elements with concordant thrust directions.
Device (1, 100, 101) according to any of the previous claims, charachterized in that said mixing means (3) are positioned near the bottom and/or the walls of said container (2).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to any of the claims from 2) to 6), characterized in that said at least one auger (4) rotates on a substantially horizontal axis (40, 41).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to any of the claims from 2) to 7), characterized in that said at least one auger (4) comprises a stem (5) that supports at least one helical element (6a, 6b) that is wound on said stem (5).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to any of the claims from 2), characterized in that said at least one auger (4) comprises a stem (5) that supports at least two helical elements (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) that are wound on said stem (5) in opposite directions in order to define the same number of thread-like sections with opposite thrust directions (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 8) or 9), characterized in that said helical element (6c) is provided with one or more through openings (10) that allow the passage of the product (P).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 8) or 9), characterized in that said helical element (6d) is sustained by radial supports (11) integral with said stem (5).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 8) or 9), characterized in that said helical element (6e) is not continuous.
Device (1, 100, 101) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said device (1) comprises transport means (8) suited to take said product (P) from said container (2) to convey it towards a discharge mouth (2b).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 13), characterized in that said transport means (8) at least partially face said mixing means (3) to stir said product (P) and/or make it homogeneous.
Device (1, 100, 101) according to claim 13) or 14), characterized in that said transport means (8) comprise a conveyor auger (80).
Device according to claim 15), characterized in that said conveyor auger (80) is positioned near the bottom of said container (2).
Device (1, 100, 101) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said container is provided with at least one inclined wall (2c, 2d).
Machine (500) for the storage and transport of a product (P) for making screeds, comprising a motor-driven vehicle (501), characterized in that said motor-driven vehicle (501) is provided with a device (1, 100, 101, 502 ) for the storage of a product (P) for making screeds carried out according to any of the previous claims.
Machine (500) according to claim 18), characterized in that it also comprises mixing means (503) positioned after the discharge mouth of said device (502) and suited to mix said product (P) and a liquid to obtain a mixture.
Machine (500) according to claim 19), characterized in that said mixing means (503) comprise a tank provided with a moving blade.
Machine (500) according to claim 19) or 20), characterized in that it also comprises means for pumping said mixture.
Machine (500) according to claim 21), characterized in that said pumping means comprise a compressor unit.