GB2578161A

GB2578161A - Handling of flexible intermediate bulk containers

Info

Publication number: GB2578161A
Application number: GB1817071.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hamilton Jardine Mark
Original assignee: Ec Mix Ltd
Current assignee: Ec Mix Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-19
Filing date: 2018-10-19
Publication date: 2020-04-22
Also published as: GB201817071D0

Abstract

A device having a chute 122 with a free end 128 and a grating 106 spaced from the free end. The chute can engage a flexible intermediate bulk container 180 (FIBC) when the grating is above it and the entire device can be rotated to invert the FIBC and place it on top of the grating. There can be loops 146 spaced apart on a strut 142 to attach 190 to handles 182 of the FIBC. The chute can be curved and extend both sides of the grating. There can be a foot 138 to engage the base of the FIBC. The grating can be mounted on the chute and the chute can be mounted to a frame 120, 124, 126 with fixings 108 to attach to the arm of an excavator. Preferably the user would first engage the FIBC handles 182 with the loops 146, then lift and invert the combination to allow the contents to flow through the FIBC opening and through the grating.

Description

HANDLING OF FLEXIBLE INTERMEDIATE BULK CONTAINERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for handling flexible intermediate bulk containers. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a handling device for engaging with, lifting and inverting a flexible intermediate bulk container to empty its contents.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), known also as bulk bags, big bags and builder's bags, are widely used in the construction and agriculture industries for the storage, transportation and delivery of granular bulk materials such as aggregates and fertilisers. FIBCs are of flexible fabric construction, and may be made from polyethylene, polypropylene or similar materials. A typical FIBC is square in plan, has an open top, and includes a lifting loop at each top corner.

FIBCs are lightweight and collapsible, so that they occupy little space when empty. When filled, they can be lifted using the loops by a fork truck, telescopic handler or crane, and can be stacked together efficiently for storage and for transportation by road or rail.

FIBCs are available in various sizes. One common size, often referred to as a "tonne bag", has dimensions of around 900 x 900 x 900 mm and a capacity of around one metric tonne of gravel or sand.

Once delivered to a construction site or other location, the contents of FIBCs are usually emptied manually by shovelling, which may be assisted by slitting the side of the bag. This process can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, particularly if the material must be transferred to another location by wheelbarrow. Due to their weight filled FIBCs cannot usually be moved around a site by hand, and if a fork truck, telescopic handler, crane or other suitable plant is not available, there may be no alternative but to empty the FIBCs at their delivery location. -2 -

If available, a fork truck, telescopic handler or crane can be used to lift and move the FIBC, and the base of the FIBC can be slit while the FIBC is in the air to release the contents. However, this method raises the risk of injury due to falling material, and can be performed only when suitable plant is available on site.

Against that background, it would be desirable to provide a more convenient and safer solution for moving and emptying FIBCs on a construction site or similar location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a handling device for handling a flexible intermediate bulk container, the device being moveable between a first orientation in which the device is engageable with the container and a second orientation in which the container is lifted and inverted. The device comprises a lifting structure arranged to engage with a side of the container and having a free end facing generally downwards when the device is in the first orientation and generally upwards when the device is in the second orientation, and a support structure extending laterally with respect to the lifting structure and spaced from the free end such that the support structure is disposed above the container when the device is in the first orientation and the lifting structure is engaged with the side of the container. The lifting structure is arranged to lift and invert the container when the device is moved to the second orientation, and the support structure is arranged to support the inverted container and to allow material to pass out of the container when the device is in the second orientation.

The device of the invention can therefore be used to lift, move and empty FIBCs quickly and safely with minimal manual handling.

Preferably, the device comprises at least one attachment point for attachment to a lifting loop of the container. The or each attachment point may be disposed on an opposite side of the support structure to the lifting structure. A pair of attachment -3 -points may be provided, and the attachment points may be spaced apart laterally on a cross-member.

The lifting structure may comprise a curved plate for engaging the side of the container. The curved plate may in part extend beyond the support structure on the opposite side to the free end of the lifting structure to form a chute for guiding material out of the device when the device is in the second orientation.

Preferably, the lifting structure comprises a lifting foot for engaging a base of the container. In this way, the FIBC is further supported during lifting and handling.

The support structure may comprise a framework defining apertures through which the material can pass as it leaves the container.

The device may comprise a chassis part to which the lifting structure is mounted.

The support structure may be mounted to the lifting structure.

Conveniently, the device may include attachment means for attachment to an excavator arm, so that the device can be manoeuvred by an excavator, which are commonplace on construction sites.

The invention extends, in a second aspect, to an excavator comprising an excavator arm, and a device according to the first aspect of the invention attached to the excavator arm by way of the attachment means.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for lifting and inverting a flexible intermediate bulk container using a handling device. The method comprises engaging a lifting structure with a side of the flexible intermediate bulk container, manoeuvring the device to lift and invert the container using the lifting structure, thereby to move the container onto a support structure that extends laterally with respect to the lifting structure. -4 -

The method may include pre-filling the container with the components of a concrete mix, and transferring the components into a mixing drum when the container is inverted.

The method may comprise connecting at least one lifting loop of the container to the device before manoeuvring the device to lift and invert the container, and/or, after inverting the container, allowing a contents of the container to transfer out of the container through the support structure.

Preferably, the device is manoeuvred using an excavator arm.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect of the invention may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects of the invention also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used for like features, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handling device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the handling device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the handling device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the handling device of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the handling device of Figure 1 in cross-section, mounted on an excavator arm; Figure 6 is a side view of the handling device of Figure 1 together with a flexible intermediate bulk container, showing a first stage in a method of using the handling -5 -device; and Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are cross-sectional views of the handling device of Figure 1 together with the flexible intermediate bulk container, showing a second stage and third stages in the method of using the handling device, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a handling device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a chassis part 102, a lifting structure 104 mounted to the chassis part 102 and a support structure 106 mounted to the lifting structure 104.

The device is shown in a first orientation in Figures 1 to 4.

The chassis part 102 includes an adaptor 108 at one end to allow the device 100 to be mounted to an excavator arm (not shown in Figures 1 to 4). The adaptor 108, which in this example comprises a pair of parallel adaptor plates, is attached to an end face 120 of the chassis part 102.

The lifting structure 104 comprises a curved lifting plate 122 having a semi-cylindrical shape. The lifting plate 122 is held in place by a pair of arms 124 that extend from a first cross-member 126 that is, in turn, mounted to the end of the chassis part 102 opposite the adaptor 108 (see Figures 1 to 3). The lifting plate 122 extends between a first or free end 128 that is lowermost when the device 100 is oriented in the first orientation as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, and a second end 130 which is closest to the chassis part 102. In the first orientation, the lifting plate 122 depends generally downwardly from the chassis part 102.

The support structure 106 comprises a metalwork frame that spans between the sides of the lifting plate 122, between the arms 124, and that extends laterally with respect to the lifting plate 122. The support structure 106 is therefore mounted substantially perpendicularly with respect to the plate 122, to adopt a generally horizontal orientation when the lifting plate 122 is oriented vertically. As shown in Figure 1, the support structure 106 includes a plurality of openings 132. The support -6 -structure 106 is joined to the lifting plate 122 approximately half-way along the length of the lifting plate 122.

The lifting plate 122 includes a lifting portion 134 that extends from the support structure 106 to the first end 128 of the lifting plate 122 and a chute portion 136 that extends from the support structure 106 to the second end 130.

A lifting foot 138, visible in Figures 1, 3 and 4, is provided adjacent to the first end 128 of the lifting plate 122. The lifting foot 138 extends radially inwards from the plate 122, and the surface 140 of the foot 138 that faces towards the first end 128 of the lifting plate 122 is tapered (as can be seen most clearly in Figures 1 and 4).

A second cross-member 142 is mounted on a lower face 144 of the chassis part 102, adjacent to the end face 120 of the chassis part 102. Two lifting eyes 146 are fixed to the second cross-member 142 and are spaced laterally apart, with each lifting eye 146 disposed adjacent to a corresponding end of the second cross-member 142 on the side of the second cross-member 142 that faces away from the chassis part 102.

Figure 5 shows the handling device 100 mounted on an excavator arm 160. As is known in the art, the excavator arm 160 comprises a boom 162 coupled at a first end to the excavator house (not shown). An associated hydraulic boom cylinder 164 is provided to pivot the boom 162 with respect to the house. The other, second end of the boom 162 is coupled to a first end of a stick or dipper arm 166, and an associated hydraulic stick cylinder 168 is provided to pivot the stick 166 with respect to the boom 162. The other, second end of the stick 166 is arranged to attach to the adaptor 108 of the chassis part 102 of the device 100, and a hydraulic attachment cylinder 170 is provided to pivot the chassis part 102, and hence the handling device 100, with respect to the stick 166.

In Figure 5, the excavator arm 160 is configured to hold the device 100 in the first orientation, with the first end 128 of the lifting plate 122 lowermost. -7 -

Figure 6 shows the device 100 positioned next to a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) 180. The FIBC 180 is of a type generally known in the art, and is of fabric construction. The FIBC 180 is square in plan, has an open top, and includes a lifting loop 182 at each top corner (only two of the lifting loops are shown in Figure 6). The FIBC contains a quantity of granular material such as aggregate and/or cement.

During operation of the device 100, the excavator arm 160 (not shown in Figures 6 and 7) is used to manoeuver the device 100 first to lift the FIBC 180 from the ground and then to empty the contents of the FIBC 180 by tipping or inverting the FIBC 180, allowing the contents to flow out under gravity.

First, referring to Figure 6, the device 100 is positioned in the first orientation next to the FIBC 180, with the concave surface of the lifting plate 122 facing towards the FIBC 180. The top edge 186 of the FIBC 180 closest to the device 100 is folded over, leaving the opposite top edge 188, furthest from the device 100, unfolded.

The device 100 is then manoeuvred laterally to bring the lifting portion 134 of the lifting plate 122 into contact with the side of the FIBC 180. In this position, the support structure 106 is positioned above the FIBC 180, and the lifting foot 138 slides under the base of the FIBC 180. The two lifting loops 182 on the unfolded edge 188 of the FIBC are then attached to the lifting eyes 146 on the chassis part 102 using suitable webbing straps 190 (see Figure 7(a)). The straps 190 are tensioned, for example by a ratchet mechanism (not shown) so that the lifting loops 182 and the unfolded edge 188 of the FIBC 180 are pulled upwards towards the support structure 106.

Next, the excavator arm 160 is operated to tilt the device 100 in such a way that the unfolded edge 188 of the FIBC 180 is raised up with respect to the folded edge 186, as shown in Figure 7(a). In the example of Figure 7(a), the tilting of the device 100 results in an anticlockwise rotation. At the same time, before or afterwards, the arm -8 -is operated to lift the device 100 and the FIBC 180 clear of the ground. The lifting foot 138 and the lifting portion 134 of the lifting plate 122 act in combination to support one side of the FIBC 180 during lifting, while the lifting eyes 146, straps 190 and lifting loops 182 support the opposite side.

With the FIBC 180 clear of the ground, tilting of the device 100 continues in the same direction until the device 100 reaches a second, inverted orientation as shown in Figure 7(b). During this manoeuvre, the FIBC 180 is lifted above the support structure 106 and is tilted or inverted to bring the open end of the FIBC 180 below the base. In this way, the contents (not shown) of the FIBC 180 can flow under gravity into the chute portion 136 of the lifting plate 122, through the apertures 132 in the support structure 106. The contents of the FIBC 180 can then flow along the chute portion 136 and out of the device 100. The device 100 can be positioned so that the chute portion 136 directs the flow of material from the FIBC 180 to a desired location. The support structure 106 stops the FIBC 180 itself from dropping past the support structure 106.

The device 100 can be shaken or jerked using the excavator arm 160 if necessary to ensure that substantially all of the contents of the FIBC 180 are emptied. Once 20 the contents of the FIBC 180 have been extracted, the empty FIBC 180 can be removed from the device 100.

It will be appreciated that, in the second orientation of the handling device 100, the lifting plate 122 need not be oriented vertically, nor need there be a 180 degree rotation of the device 100 to switch between the first and second orientations.

Similarly, in the first orientation, the lifting plate 122 again need not be oriented vertically. Instead, in the first orientation, the first end 128 of the lifting plate 122 faces generally downwards and the lifting portion 134 of the lifting plate 122 extends generally downwards from the support structure 106 while, in the second orientation, the first end 128 of the lifting plate 122 faces generally upwards and the lifting portion 134 extends generally upwards form the support structure 106. -9 -

The dimensions of the device are preferably selected so that the device can be used with a particular size of FIBC and with a particular size of excavator. For example, the device may be dimensioned to handle a "one tonne" FIBC bag, with typical dimensions of 900 x 900 x 900 mm. In such a case, the device would be most conveniently used with a 5-tonne compact excavator. In another example, the device may be dimensioned to operate with a "half tonne" FIBC bag, with typical dimensions of 800 x 800 x 800 mm. In this example, the device would be most conveniently used with a 2.5-tonne compact excavator.

The handling device may differ from that illustrated in several respects.

For instance, the lifting structure may be of any suitable design. The lifting foot may be omitted, or multiple lifting feet could be provided. The lifting portion of the lifting structure could conceivably be formed as an open framework or struts or the like, instead of as a plate, while the chute portion of the lifting structure could be formed as a separate component or eliminated entirely.

Similarly, the support structure could be of any suitable design. For example, instead of the framework in the illustrated embodiment, the support structure could be a 20 mesh panel or a perforated panel.

The device may include any suitable attachment points to which the lifting loops of the FIBC can be attached, by straps or otherwise. For instance, instead of lifting eyes, the attachment points could be in the form of hooks or slots. The second cross member itself could provide attachment points where the straps are terminated with loops that can be slid over the cross member. The straps could be fixedly attached to the chassis part, and could for example be provided on a retractable spool. Fewer or more than two attachment points could be provided, for example for use with FIBCs with fewer or more lifting loops on each side.

The device may include additional strengthening and bracing to prevent relative movement of the parts. For example, the end of the support structure closest to the end face of the chassis part may be connected to the chassis part, optionally by way of the second cross member, by suitable bracing members. Similarly, the lifting plate and/or its supporting arms may be connected to the chassis part or the second cross member.

The device could be used to empty the contents of the FIBC onto the ground or a worksite, or into another container or device. Optionally, the other container or device could be mounted on the chassis part so that the contents of the FIBC are transferred to a different part of the handling device for further processing.

The device could be used to empty components from the FIBC into a mixer. In one application, the FIBC is pre-filled with the components required to form a concrete mix, and the device is used to empty the components into a mixing drum. The mixing drum may be mounted on the chassis part or otherwise on the device, or may be part of a separate piece of equipment.

The illustrated handling device is arranged to be fitted to an excavator arm, but it is conceivable that the device could instead be adapted to fit to other plant, such as a telescopic handler or a crane. If necessary, the device could incorporate one or more pivoting boom sections so that one or more of the manoeuvres required during operation of the device can be performed by the device rather than by the plant. It is also possible that the device could be provided as a dedicated, stand-alone machine having its own cab and arm.

Further modifications and variations not explicitly described above are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A handling device for handling a flexible intermediate bulk container, the device being moveable between a first orientation in which the device is engageable with the container and a second orientation in which the container is lifted and inverted; the device comprising: a lifting structure arranged to engage with a side of the container and having a free end facing generally downwards when the device is in the first orientation and generally upwards when the device is in the second orientation; and a support structure extending laterally with respect to the lifting structure and spaced from the free end such that the support structure is disposed above the container when the device is in the first orientation and the lifting structure is engaged with the side of the container; wherein the lifting structure is arranged to lift and invert the container when the device is moved to the second orientation; and wherein the support structure is arranged to support the inverted container and to allow material to pass out of the container when the device is in the second orientation.
2. A device according to Claim 1, comprising at least one attachment point for attachment to a lifting loop of the container.
3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the or each attachment point is disposed on an opposite side of the support structure to the lifting structure.
4. A device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, comprising a pair of attachment points spaced apart laterally on a cross-member.
A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifting structure comprises a curved plate for engaging the side of the container.
6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the curved plate in part extends beyond the support structure on the opposite side to the free end of the lifting structure to form a chute for guiding material out of the device when the device is in the second orientation.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifting structure comprises a lifting foot for engaging a base of the container.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises a framework defining apertures through which the material can pass as it leaves the container.
9. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a chassis part to which the lifting structure is mounted.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure is mounted to the lifting structure.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising attachment means for attachment to an excavator arm.
12. In combination, an excavator comprising an excavator arm, and a device according to Claim 11 attached to the excavator arm by way of the attachment means.
13. A method for lifting and inverting a flexible intermediate bulk container using a handling device, comprising: engaging a lifting structure of the device with a side of the flexible intermediate bulk container; manoeuvring the device to lift and invert the container using the lifting structure, thereby to move the container onto a support structure that extends laterally with respect to the lifting structure.
14. The method of Claim 13, comprising connecting at least one lifting loop of the container to the device before manoeuvring the device to lift and invert the container.
15. The method of Claim 13 or Claim 14, comprising, after inverting the container, allowing a contents of the container to transfer out of the container through the support structure.
16. The method of any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the device is manoeuvred using an excavator arm.