HK1027330A - Emtyping device for bulk bags and use thereof - Google Patents

Description

Emptying device for a filling bag and use thereof

The invention relates to a device for emptying bags containing an inner and an outer bag, which is particularly suitable for the dust-free emptying of bags containing moisture-sensitive, toxic or corrosive flowable bulk materials. The invention also relates to a method for emptying a material bag using the emptying device of the invention.

It is known in the market to contain bulk flowable material in large containers in the form of bags, hereinafter referred to as pouches. A filler bag for receiving corrosive, toxic and/or otherwise sensitive, hygroscopic, loose materials usually comprises a sealed inner bag, also called inner liner, and a mechanically stable outer bag. The inner bag is usually made of a sufficiently thick plastic film or a composite film, for example, of aluminum coated on a plastic film. The overpouch is typically made of a natural or synthetic textile material, such as a band fabric. In the upper region of the charging bag with the inner and outer bag, a closable filling opening for ventilation during emptying and a lifting ring for facilitating handling with a lifting tool are provided. The bottom of the bag is provided with outlet necks, which cooperate with each other and are fastened by means of lower and upper bag-fastening lines, which normally fasten both the inner and outer bags.

In addition, the outlet of the inner bag is generally neck-welded by sealing under the lower tether. The tied and/or welded inner bag exit neck can be folded in a suitable manner and placed within the outer bag exit neck.

In order to empty the filling bag, the filling bag can be transferred to the container to be filled by means of a lifting tool and emptied after the bag tie has been opened. In this way dust-free emptying is not possible. Various emptying devices have been developed for dust-free emptying.

EP-a0637552 describes a feed carrier for a bag, below the opening of the bag receiving plate a container open at the top, the side walls of which comprise means for opening and closing the container, the lower part of which is connected to the feed means. After the bag is placed on top of the setter plate with the spout necked down to the container, the tether line may be released from the side door of the container. If the inner bag of the bag is made of a low flexibility material such as an aluminum-lined composite film, damage to the spout is inevitable when bridge-like deformation occurs. This is a great disadvantage in situations where the evacuation device cannot be operated through the side door because of the toxic or corrosive nature of the product.

A similar arrangement is also disclosed in GB-a 2250016: in addition to the receiving tray for receiving the outlet constriction and the lower part of the filling bag and the door in the tray for handling the tether, the emptying device also comprises a pressing device for reducing or completely interrupting the flow of bulk material and for changing the bag. Such a device is also not suitable for the smooth emptying of the filling bag, especially for those low-flexibility inner bags and/or welded inner bags, since it is inevitable during emptying to be affected by a blockage of the outflow opening, while health care considerations do not allow skin contact with the contents of the bag.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for emptying a filling bag having an inner bag and an outer bag, by means of which the filling bag can be emptied smoothly and reliably without any contact with the contents. According to another object, the emptying device is also suitable for emptying bags with an inner bag of a low flexibility material, when the bag is used for containing dangerous goods.

The above object is achieved by the emptying device according to the invention. An emptying device designed for a filling bag having an inner bag and an outer bag therefore comprises: holding means (3) for the bags and container-like means which are open at the top and are arranged essentially concentrically below the holding means, characterized in that the container-like means constitute a double tube device comprising an inner tube (20), an outer tube (7) arranged around the inner tube, which outer tube is provided with an outlet (8) at its lower edge, and a closing ring (9) which can be raised and lowered in order to close the upper end of the annular gap formed by the two tubes.

The dependent claims of the emptying device relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

The device of the invention is suitable for the dust-free and safe emptying of bags containing dangerous goods. The device is based on a double tube device, the funnel-shaped outlet of which can preferably be connected to a container into which the hazardous material is filled via a suitable flexible sleeve. The emptying device comprises a holding device for the filling bag, which holding device expediently forms a mounting plate mounted on the frame, in the center of which a sufficiently wide opening is provided through which the bag outlet of the filling bag can be led out. The double tube device is arranged substantially concentrically below the mounting plate. The preferred apparatus also includes a raising/lowering device acting on the double tube apparatus to increase or decrease the distance between the setting tray and the double tube apparatus. The upper end of the annular gap formed by the double tube can be closed in a sealed manner by means of a lifting closure ring on the double tube device. To empty the charge bag, the charge bag is placed on a resting tray in such a way that the outlet of the bag extends through the opening. After the lower bag binding rope is loosened, bag outlets of the inner bag outlet and the outer bag outlet which are mutually suitable and are necked are led through a sealing ring; after appropriate folding or bending, the outlet constriction of the inner bag is inserted into the inner tube and the outlet constriction of the outer bag is inserted into the annular gap formed by the two tubes. The closure ring is then lowered to ensure that the outer bag is secured and the device is sealed from the outside environment. After the upper tether is released, the bag begins to empty. Furthermore, it is often convenient to lower the double tube device in order to tighten the outlet constriction which fits into each other between the double tube device and the outlet disc.

A preferred embodiment of an emptying device which is particularly suitable for emptying bags filled with a less flexible inner bag, due to the added constriction of the outlet opening of the straightened inner bag, is characterized in that the device comprises at least one gripping device (21) which can be raised and lowered inside the inner tube in order to secure the outlet opening of the inner bag, the gripping device being able to be pulled downwards by means of a pulling device (11) which is operable from outside the double tube device.

The invention and preferred embodiments and their use will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures 1-3.

In the figure:

figure 1 is a schematic side view of a preferred evacuation device of the present invention,

figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of region II shown in figure 1,

figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2 but in a different operative position,

all the figures relate to preferred embodiments, showing clamping and pulling means in addition to the double tube device of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for emptying a package, which itself is in the shape of a big bag-like receptacle, hereinafter referred to as a sachet. The filling bag (1) comprises an inner bag containing the flowable substance, the outer periphery of which is provided with an outer bag (not shown in fig. 1, indicated by 18 and 17 in fig. 2, respectively). A neck (13) of the filling bag comprising inner and outer bag outlet necks fitted to each other is sealed and fixed by a lower tether (14) and an upper tether (15). A portion of the inner bag outlet neck, optionally sealed by heat fusion, is secured in a suitable folded manner at the upper end of the outer bag outlet neck. By means of a pull ring (2) fixed to the bag, the bag can be brought into a position above and substantially centered with the double tube device by means of a lift or fork lift truck which itself already acts as a holding device for the bag. The preferred embodiment of the bag holder shown in fig. 1 is a mounting means mounted on the frame (4), more particularly a centrally provided apertured mounting plate (3) through which the bag outlet neck (13) can be introduced. The double tube device is arranged concentrically below the opening of the placement device, i.e. at a distance which enables the outlet neck of the filling bag to project into the double tube device. The emptying device preferably comprises a lifting/lowering device (5) in order to enable the double tube device fixed thereto to be lifted and lowered by means of the holding part (6). The lifting/lowering device (5) is only schematically shown in fig. 1, and as shown in the figure, acts on a holder (4) or a holding part, respectively, fixed to the mounting plate. According to another embodiment, instead of a double tube device, a bag loading device with a lifting/lowering device can be provided; however, a double tube device provided with a lifting/lowering device is preferred. The raising/lowering means may be constructed in any desired manner and its actuation may be mechanical, pneumatic or electrical. A particularly preferred lifting/lowering device is a device which is formed on the basis of a combination of a spring and a manually activated lifting device and by means of which the double tube device can be lowered by compressing the spring. The double tube device is usually located on two oppositely arranged holding parts on the lifting/lowering device. The double tube device itself is constructed as shown in fig. 1, and comprises an outer tube (7) and a funnel-shaped outlet (8) which is arranged on the lower edge of the outer tube (7), and a sleeve (12) which is arranged on the funnel-shaped outlet and through which the bulk material can be fed directly or by means of a feeding device into the container to be filled. The other components of the double tube device are a closing ring (9) which can be lowered onto the double tube and lifted from it by one or more lifting/lowering devices, shown in figure 1 as closing arms (10), which also comprise one or more gripping devices (21), which are an important feature of the invention, the gripping devices being associated with pulling devices (11). In fig. 1, the evacuation device is located on the rest tray (16).

In the enlarged detail view of fig. 2, the details of the double tube device, the clamping and pulling device, which are particularly convenient for emptying the filling bag with a low-flexibility inner bag, can be clearly seen. The inner tube (20) is concentrically arranged within the outer tube (7). An outlet funnel (8) is provided on the lower edge of the outer tube and an outlet sleeve (12) is mounted on the outlet funnel. -fixing the inner pipe to the outer pipe at the lower part or at the upper part near the outlet by means of one or more fixing means (35); the annular gap formed between the inner and outer tubes should remain substantially empty for receiving the bag outlet end of the outer bag. The holding device (6) acting on the outer tube and connected to the double tube lifting/lowering device (not shown in fig. 2) is only schematically illustrated here. A sealing ring (19) is arranged on the underside of the closing ring (9) shown in the open position. The lifting/lowering device (10) of the closing ring (two devices of this type arranged opposite each other are shown in fig. 2) constitutes in fig. 2 the form of a closed arm: the closing arm 31 acts at one end on an arm provided with a hinge point (33) and at the other end on a closing bracket (32) via the hinge point, the bracket (32) being pivotally secured to a bracket mounting (34) via the hinge point, the bracket mounting (34) being secured to the closure ring. Two closure arms are shown in figures 2 and 3 respectively, but three or four closure arms may be provided, distributed symmetrically around the outer tube. The width of the closure ring is set in such a way that it completely covers the annular gap formed between the inner and outer tubes. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 2, the structure of the clamping device (21) is shown as a clip. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, the pulling device (11) comprises a lower cable (22) acting on the clamping device, an upper cable (23) also acting on the clamping device, guides (26) for turning the lower cable under the lower edge of the inner tube, and guides (27) for guiding the upper cable through the wall of the inner tube, sleeves (24 and 25) for guiding the lower and upper cables through the wall of the outer tube in each case, spacers (28 and 29) for the lower and upper cables in each case, and a handle (30) for each cable. A cable sleeve (24 and 25) is provided in the lower portion of the outer tube so that the upper cable extending in the annular gap does not interfere with the receipt of the neck end of the outer bag.

In the operating position shown in fig. 2, the bag outlet neck with the upper bag tether (15) is placed in the opening of the open closure. While the end of the outlet neck of the inner bag (18) has been secured by the clamping means, the end of the outlet neck of the outer bag is still outside the closure ring for the sake of clarity in the figure.

Fig. 3 shows the "emptying" operating position, with the end of the outer bag outlet neck located in the annular gap and secured by the lower closure plate. The end of the inner bag outlet clamped by the edge clamping device is in a straightening position in the inner tube. The bag is preferably secured in the seam or reinforced area by a clamping device. The outlet neck can be straightened out on the one hand by pulling down the gripping device and on the other hand by lowering the entire double tube device. In fig. 3, the distance between the double tube device and the setting tray can be increased by lowering the double tube device compared to the distance in fig. 2.

The clamping device (21) and the pulling device (11) shown in fig. 2 and 3 and comprising the parts (22-30) constitute an extremely efficient design which, although using extremely simple technical means, works simply and efficiently. Of course, the clamping device and the pulling device can be designed differently, but this will add technical expense and cost to the emptying device, without any significant other advantages being obtained.

The emptying of a charging bag with a low-flexibility inner bag by using the emptying device comprises the following steps:

1. the pocket is secured with a retaining device. In principle, the function of the holding device can be achieved by hanging from a lift or fork lift. More preferably, however, the filling bag is placed on a holding device provided with an opening in the centre, the constriction of the bag leading through the opening.

2. The lower tie rope is untied and the outlet of the inner bag is loosened. The outlet necks of the inner and outer bags, which are mutually matched, are introduced into the closed ring of the opening. And cutting off the welding seams at the welding positions of the inner bag.

3. The gripping means are fixed to the edge of the outlet opening of the inner bag and the neck of the outlet opening is straightened by activating the pulling means. The outlet neck of the outer bag is introduced into the annular gap and secured by lowering the closure ring.

4. The upper tie string is untied, emptying begins and the dual tube device is lowered. If necessary, the pulling device is activated again in order to keep the outlet neck of the inner bag taut.

The device according to the invention and the method using such a device have the characteristics of being extremely simple and safe to handle. The emptying of the bag is performed in a completely dust-free manner and without the operator coming into contact with the contents of the bag. By using the clamping and pulling device, it is possible to reliably straighten the outlet neck with the low-flexibility inner bag and prevent damage during emptying of the filling bag.

Reference numerals

1 bag for charging

2 Pull ring

3 holding device (setting plate)

4 support

5 lifting/lowering device

6 double-tube holding member

7 outer tube

8 Outlet (outlet funnel)

9 closed ring

10 closed brace arm

11 pulling device

12 casing tube

13 bag outlet neck

14 lower part tying rope

15 upper bag tying rope

16 setting plate

17 outer bag

18 inner bag

19 sealing ring

20 inner pipe

21 clamping device (clip)

22 lower cable

23 upper cable

24 lower cable sleeve

25 upper cable sleeve

26 guide for bending lower cable

27 Upper cable bend guide

28 spacer for lower cable bushing

29 spacer for upper cable sleeve

30 handle

31 closing arm

32 closed support

33 Bar with hinged points

34 arm with hinged joint

35 fixing device between inner and outer tubes

Claims (8)

1. Emptying device for bags with inner and outer bags, comprising a bag holding device (3) and a container-like device which is open at the top and is arranged essentially concentrically under the holding device, characterized in that the container-like device constitutes a double tube device comprising an inner tube (20), an outer tube (7) arranged around the inner tube, which outer tube is provided with an outlet (8) at its lower edge, and a closure device (9) which can be raised and lowered in order to close the upper end of an annular gap formed by the two tubes.

2. An emptying device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one gripping device (21) for fixing the outlet of the inner bag, which gripping device can be raised and lowered in the inner tube and can be pulled down by a pulling device (11), which pulling device can be controlled from outside the double tube device.

3. Emptying device as defined in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the holding means of the bag constitutes a seating means (3) mounted on the holder (4), more precisely a seating disc, in the centre of which there is an opening through which the bag outlet neck (13) of the bag can be led out, and that a double tube device is mounted on the seating means or the holder so as to be raised or lowered by the action of one or more raising/lowering means (5).

4. Emptying device according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that the closing ring (9) can be lowered to close the annular gap by means of one or more lever devices, more precisely closing arms, acting on the outer tube and the closing ring.

5. Emptying device according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterized in that the outlet (8) is funnel-shaped and preferably also comprises a suitable outlet sleeve (12).

6. Emptying device according to one or more of claims 2-5, which comprises two to four clamping devices, more precisely clamps, and pulling means (11) connected to the clamping devices, each pulling means comprising an upper and a lower cable (23 and 22) acting on the clamping devices, which cables are led to the outside of the double tube device by means of guide members in such a way that the clamping devices are moved downwards by pulling the lower cable and the clamping devices are moved upwards by pulling the upper cable.

7. Emptying device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upper cable is led through the inner tube wall in the upper part of the inner tube and the lower cable is led through the inner tube wall in the lower part or through the lower edge of the inner tube, both cables being led out of the double tube device in the lower part of the outer tube or at a suitable outlet.

8. Method for emptying a packaging bag having an inner and an outer bag, characterized in that an emptying device according to one of claims 2-7 is used, which emptying method comprises the following steps:

fixing the material bag by using a holding device;

the lower bag tying rope is untied and the outlet of the inner bag is loosened; directing the interfitting outlet necks through the central opening of the closure ring to remove any welded seams that may be present on the inner bag; fixing a clamping device on the edge of the outlet of the inner bag; introducing an outlet neck of the outer bag into an annular gap between the inner and outer tubes and securing the outlet edge of the outer bag by lowering the closure ring; straightening the outlet edge of the inner bag by pulling down the clamping device; unfastening the upper tying rope; the double tube device is lowered to straighten the neck of the outlet of the inner and outer bags.