EP0654420B1 - Container for fluid masses, method of filling and emptying of such container - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (3), for a pourable mass especially a plastics paste for sealing insulation glass panes, has an upper connection (15) for a crane (16) or other lifter. Also claimed is a technique for delivery of the mass from the container where the opening is connected to a system which generates underpressure, to extract the contents for delivery to the workstation. As the mass is extracted, the upper end of the container is raised progressively. Advantage - The system ensures that the contents of the container are wholly extracted for use.

Description

The invention relates to a container with the features of introductory part of independent claim 1.

Flowable and pasty-viscous masses, especially plastics Thiokol-based, as used to seal insulating glass panes are usually used by the producer in Barrels or barrels to the manufacturer of insulating glass panes transported. To take mass from the barrels so-called barrel pumps used, one inside the barrel recorded, to the surface of the mass contained in the barrel have applied pressure plate and what mass from the barrel remove upwards. Especially when there is only a little more in the barrel Mass is included, the removal is difficult and a larger or smaller remnant remains in the barrel Mass that can no longer be removed. The disadvantage is also that the transport of the empty barrels back to the manufacturer the mass is expensive, since the empty barrels are little Have weight, but take up a lot of space.

From AU-B 538 510 is a container for holding flowable or pasty masses described, the one-ply Bag is made of flexible plastic. The pouch will in a frame-like frame that is designed like a pallet at the bottom is used and with the to be transported and stored mass filled, the upper end of the container, over which it has been filled, on a rigid part of the Frame is attached. For removal is in the bottom of the rack an extraction line attached to an underlying Removal opening of the container is connected. Around To be able to remove the mass as completely as possible, AU-B 538 510 proposed the bottom surface of the frame, in which the container is accommodated to form obliquely, so that Mass flows towards the discharge opening.

A disadvantage of this construction is that in particular In the case of viscous-pasty masses, the mass flows to the removal opening is not sufficient if it is removed more quickly becomes.

The invention has for its object a container to specify the genus mentioned at the beginning, which the described Does not have disadvantages and taken entirely from the mass can be.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the claim 1 mentioned features solved.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention Containers are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 26.

With the container according to the invention, pumpable or flowable Masses, even if they are viscous-pasty, for example Thiokol-based plastics, easily to the consumer transported and from this as needed from the Containers are removed. After the complete removal of the Mass from the container can be used to save space Generators of the mass are transported back.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the line leading to the vacuum device to the ventilation opening via an intermediate vessel with a diameter the vent and the diameter of the Vacuum device leading line enlarged cross section connected.

The fact that the vacuum at the vent of the Bag placed over the tundish exists practically no danger that mass unobserved from the bag in the line leading to the vacuum line arrives. Thereby, that the intermediate vessel has a large cross section has in it the flow rate of through the Vent opening emerging mass small, so sufficient Time is available to take action to prevent that mass gets into the vacuum line.

The invention also relates to a method for removing flowable masses such as pasty-viscous masses, in particular of Thiokol-based plastic as used to seal insulating glass panes used from a container with the Features of the introductory part of claim 27.

This method is characterized by the features of claim 27.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the method the invention are the subject of dependent claims 28 to 34.

The fact that the progressive removal of Mass from the bag, e.g. with the help of a suction pump pressure is reduced compared to the ambient pressure the bag is increasingly compressed. Since the container at Withdrawal of mass, for example, by a lifting device attacks a fitting provided in the area of the removal opening, is gradually lifted up, the bag takes one gradually slimmer, somewhat pear-shaped shape on. In this way, the pouch contained in the bag accumulates Always measure in the area of the lower end in the middle of the Bag provided removal opening so that mass is complete can be removed. Another advantage is that there is no danger is that air is trapped in the withdrawn mass.

The method according to the invention ensures that in the container there are no air pockets or other air-filled rooms or remain behind, which are harmful to the mass can affect removal and the available volume reduce the bag.

Fig. 1 einen leeren Behälter bestehend aus Beutel und Aufnahmegestell für diesen,

Fig. 2 den mit zäh-pastöser Masse gefüllten Behälter,

Fig. 3 den teilweise entleerten Behälter mit zugeordneten Anlagenteilen,

Fig. 4 einen teilweise entleerten Behälter mit zugeordneten Anlagenteilen,

Fig. 5 eine andere Ausführungsform und

Fig. 6 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Zwischengefäßes.

Further details of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments of a container of the invention. It shows:

1 is an empty container consisting of bag and receiving frame for this,

2 the container filled with viscous-pasty mass,

3 the partially emptied container with assigned system parts,

4 shows a partially emptied container with assigned system parts,

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment and

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of an intermediate vessel.

A container 1 according to the invention exists in the embodiment 1 to 3 from a receiving frame 2 and a Bag 3.

The receiving frame 2 consists of a pallet-like design Base plate 4 and one protruding upwards from it, side wall 5 in the embodiment shown of three telescopically extendable and telescopic Wall parts 6, 7 and 8 is composed. The Wall parts 6, 7 and 8 can be rectangular or square Have a floor plan. However, they can also preferably be circular be executed.

An opening 10 is provided in the bottom region 9 of the bag 3, from which a line 11 extends, which leads to the lateral edge the bottom plate 4 is guided and there is a (quick) coupling 12 carries, via which a further line 13 are connected can. The inner end reaching up into the bag 3 the line 11 is through with the bottom region 9 of the bag 3 a screw connection 40 (see FIG. 3) tightly connected. By the line 13 taken from the container 1 mass 17 is from a feed pump 41 through a line 42 to a consumer 43, e.g. to the nozzle 43 of an automatic sealing machine promoted.

Mass 17 is in the bag 3 of the container according to the invention 1 filled via line 11 and opening 10.

In a modification of the embodiment shown, the floor area 9 of the bag 3 also has a filling opening and a removal opening be provided. Accordingly, two are with Couplings 12 provided lines 11 provided to the edge of the receiving frame 2 are guided.

At the upper end of the bag 3 there is a vent opening 14 provided that is equipped with a check valve, that only the escape of gas (air) from inside the Bag 3 allows gas (air) to enter the bag 3 but prevented. In the area of the vent 14 a fitting, e.g. a ring 15 attached to which a hoist 16 (see Fig. 3) can be connected to the bag 3 too to lift.

When the bag 3 of the container 1 is filled with mass 17 mass is from a pump 44 through a line 45 and through line 11 and through opening 10 - that is, from below - Pumped into the interior of the bag 3 so that it gradually after takes the form shown in Fig. 2. The wall 5 takes either by unfolding the bag 3, or supported by lifting devices not shown or by hand, the telescopically extended position according to FIG. 3 a. It is understood that means not shown are provided which are the relative displacement of the wall parts 6, 7 or 7, 8 limit if these are the exploded ones shown in FIG. 2 Have taken a position.

Air contained in the bag 3 flows when the bag 3 is filled through the vent opening 14. This can be done by connecting a vacuum line 46 leading to a suction pump 47 leads to the vent 14 at the top of the bag 3 are supported. Any air in bag 3 flows out or is suctioned off, so that the bag 3rd finally filled to the top with mass 17 and none in it Air is more contained. Pumping air out of the bag 3 can be done before filling it with mass 17. Often but you get air through the vent equipped with the valve Pump out 14 while the bag 3 from below ago is filled with mass 17.

The bag 3 consists for example of diffusion-tight Plastic that can be fabric-reinforced or fiber-reinforced. The diffusion tightness of the plastic from which the bag 3 is produced, for example, by metal vapor deposition (Metallization) preferably on the inside of the Bag 3 can be reached. For many crowds it is important that they do not come into contact with air and / or moisture come because then e.g. begin to harden or their properties change undesirably. It is therefore important for these masses that the diffusion of Air and water vapor in the bag 3 is prevented so the mass 17 does not come into contact with the media mentioned is coming.

In the base plate 4 of the receiving frame 2 for the bag 3 a trough-like depression 20 is provided, at its deepest Place the opening 10 of the bag 3 lies.

The filled container 1 shown in Fig. 2 becomes transported to a consumer. There with the help of Quick coupling 12 a line 13 connected, and the Container 1 is ready to take mass 17.

At the beginning of taking mass, the bag 3 lies, too when it is raised, with its lower area still like in front of the wall 5. Only towards the end of the removal process (Fig. 3) the bag 3 is no longer supported by the wall 5, but held by the hoist 16. He stands with his floor area 9 in the region of the depression 20 on the base plate 4 on.

The fact that in the bag 3 when removing mass 17 from the Bag 3, e.g. with the help of a suction pump, one against the Ambient pressure is reduced, the bag 3 increasingly compressed. When the bag 3 is removed of mass 17 through that in the region of the vent opening 14 attacking hoist 16 is gradually lifted, takes the bag 3 is gradually becoming slimmer, approximately pear-shaped Shape. So collected in the bag 3 Mass 17 always in the area of the lower end in the middle of the Bag 3 provided removal opening 10 so that the mass 17th can be completely removed. It is also advantageous that there is no danger that air will be trapped in the removed mass is. At most in the upper area of the bag 3 accumulating air is over during the removal of mass 17 the vent 14 is suctioned off with the valve.

When the mass 17 has been completely removed from the bag 3 is, this is folded and into the one of the nested Wall parts 6, 7, 8, delimited area, so that he is protected again to the producer of the flowable Mass 17 can be transported back without him much transport volume required. Folding the Bag 3 is easy, because after the complete Removal of mass 17 is completely empty, so also none Contains air that would make folding difficult.

When removing mass 17 from the bag 3 via the to the Quick connector 12 connected line 13 can also do so be proceeded that you only ever so much from the bag 3 Sucks off mass 17, which is a complete filling of at least a memory that is connected via line 13 (and via the in this intended pump 41) is supplied with mass 17, corresponds. After this amount of mass 17 from the bag 3 removed and the memory has been completely filled, the suction of mass 17 from the bag 3 is interrupted and only resumed when the memory is completely or has been emptied to a (certain) extent. An analogous way of working can also be used if several stores and / or at least one dosing pump the container 1 or its bag 3 is loaded with the removed mass 17 will.

It is therefore preferred in the invention that Mass 17 is removed from the bag 3 intermittently (batchwise) becomes.

As described above, the removal of mass 17 supported by the bag 3 of the container 1 in that the Bag 3 above via a connected to the fitting 15 of the bag 3 Hoist 16 is lifted. This raising the Bag 3 is advantageously not made right at the start of the removal process, i.e. when the bag 3 is completely filled (see Fig. 2), but only after a predetermined or preselectable fraction of the mass 17 removed from the bag 3 has been. This can be achieved in a simple manner be that over the hoist 16 on the bag 3 one after directed above, ie the bag 3 in the sense of lifting stressful force is exerted, the size of which is a fraction corresponds to the weight of the fully filled bag 3. By this comparatively simple measure is the bag 3 without special regulation of the tractive force - it is sufficient that this on a certain size is set and kept constant - gradually raised and the removal of mass 17 from the Container 3, as explained above, improved.

As shown in FIG. 4, that at the upper end of the bag 3 provided ventilation opening 14 via a connecting line 52 be connected to an intermediate vessel 51. The intermediate vessel 51 consists, for example, of transparent plastic. A connection piece goes from the upper end of the intermediate vessel 51 53, on which a manometer 54 can be provided, from which line 56 goes out. In the embodiment shown the line 56 at least in the area of its to the tundish 51 connected section 56 'as a screw coil formed around the hoist rope of the hoist 16 is. In order to hold the intermediate vessel 51 securely, one is approximately eight-shaped bracket 55 is provided, the ring around the loops 50 is inserted at the upper end of the bag 3, the intermediate vessel 51 added in the second, open ring of the clamp 55 is.

The arrangement of the intermediate vessel 51 can be visual Observe without further notice whether mass 17 is made the bag 3 through the vent 14 under the action that created by the vacuum device 47 via the line 56 Negative pressure in the interior of the intermediate vessel 51 entry. In this case, measures can be taken before mass 17 enters line 56, 56 '. Thereby, that the interior of the intermediate vessel 51 compared to the cross section the ventilation opening 14 and that of the line 56 Enlarged, enough time remains for measures (e.g. switching off the vacuum device 47) to take before Mass 17 enters line 56 because of the flow rate the mass 17 in the region of the intermediate vessel 51 slowly is.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is an intermediate vessel 60 via a line 52 to the vent 14 of the Bag 3 connected. The space 61 of the intermediate vessel 60, to which the line 52 is connected is resizable and is moved upwards by a in the intermediate vessel 60 slidable piston 63 limited. The vacuum device 47 leading line 56 is at the upper end of the tundish 60 connected and works through a through opening 68 in the piston 63 also in the space 61 of the tundish 60.

If, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, mass 17 is made the bag 3 via the vent opening 14 and the line 52 gets into the space 61 of the intermediate vessel 60 and this so far fills that it reaches the piston 63, this is moved upwards until a switching cam 67 on one Piston rod 64 of a pressure medium motor 65 one of the piston rod 64 assigned switch 66 actuated. As soon as this happens the pressure motor 65 is actuated and pushes the Piston 63 down again. A flap valve 69, that is assigned to the through opening 68 in the piston 63, under the influence of the mass 17 in room 61 pressed its closed position, whereby the flap valve 69 compression spring 70 which is initially kept open is compressed. In this way, the piston 63 is pushed downward under the action of the pressure cylinder 65 prevents Mass 17 enters the upper space 62 of the intermediate vessel 60. As soon as mass 17 from space 61 of the intermediate vessel 60 under the effect of the downward moving piston 63 in the Bag 3 has been pushed back, the piston 63 is also raised with the help of the pressure medium motor 65 and the device is ready for reuse. That in Piston 63 provided flap valve 69 can also by a Drive (not shown) can be opened and closed.

Any other type of shut-off device including e.g. magnet operated Shut-off devices can also be assigned to the piston 63 be.

The intermediate vessel can also be designed as shown in FIG. 6 be. In this embodiment, the space 81 is the Intermediate vessel 80 resizable because it is one-sided from a flexible wall 83 (membrane) is limited. Room 82 in the Intermediate vessel 80 can be pressurized via a connection 84 by using a pressure medium (compressed air, hydraulic fluid) is initiated. If the room 81 with mass 17 out the bag 3 is filled so far that there is a risk that Mass 17 enters line 56, a shut-off device 85 (e.g. a solenoid valve, a flap valve or the like) are closed and pressurized pressure medium into the space 82 via the connection 84, so that the flexible wall 83 from the one shown in FIG. original position in dashed lines in Fig. 6 drawn position moves and thereby contained in space 81 mass 17 is pressed back into the bag 3. As soon as this happens wall 83 is e.g. by applying negative pressure to the Moved room 82 back to its original position.

These steps can be performed by an operator who the room 81 observed or by a sensor 86 which is on the Presence of mass 17 responds (light barrier, or float-like sensor) are triggered.

With the arrangement of the intermediate vessel 51, 60 according to the invention or 80 can be at the vent opening 14 of the bag 3 negative pressure be created, as described above, for the removal process is advantageous because the accumulation of gas or Air in the upper region of the bag 3 is prevented, and that Folding the bag 3 supports in an advantageous manner becomes. There is no risk that mass 17 to in the line 56, which leads to the vacuum device 47, arrives.

In summary, an embodiment of the invention can be like are represented as follows:

A container 1 for pumpable and flowable mass 17 consists of a sack-shaped arranged in a receiving frame 2 Bag 3 made of flexible, diffusion-proof plastic film, the is closed pressure-tight. From the lower area 9 of the bag 3 goes from its removal opening 10, which at the same time also the filling opening can be a line 11 to which one Suction line 13 can be coupled. When removing Mass 17 from bag 3 is lifted by a hoist 16 progressively raised. Because of this and under the effect of im Reduced pressure prevailing inside the bag 3 the bag 3 is an increasingly slim, pear-shaped Shape. As a result, the mass 17 collects in the area of Mouth of the line 11 and the mass 17 can from the bag 3 completely removed without any problems and without air pockets will. To the side of the bag 3 when it is filled support and protect, the receiving frame 2 has a wall 5 on. The bottom 4 of the receiving frame 2 has one in the middle Indentation 20, from the lowest point of which line 11 going out. Via a ventilation opening provided in the bag 3 at the top 14 air can be pumped out of the bag 3 while this is filled with mass 17 and / or during mass 17 is removed. To the one provided in the flexible bag 3 above Vent opening 14 is enlarged via a cross section Intermediate vessel 51 a line 56, 56 'connected, which leads to a vacuum source 47. Because the tundish 51 one with respect to the cross section of the vent opening 14 has an enlarged cross section, the interior fills of the intermediate vessel 51 only slowly with at most by the Vent opening 14 of mass 17 emerging from bag 3. This prevents mass 17 from directly entering line 56, which leads to the vacuum device 47, occurs and there is moreover, sufficient time to take measures that the Prevent mass 17 from entering line 56.

Claims (34)

1. A container (1) for flowable masses (17), with a bag (3) of flexible material, which comprises an opening (10) below as a filling opening and an emptying opening for the flowable mass (17), a retaining framework (2, 30) for the bag (3), with a bottom plate (4, 33) and a wall (5, 6, 7, 8, 31) supporting the filled bag (3) at the sides, and an attachment device (15, 50) for a lifting implement (16), which is provided at the upper end of the bag, characterized in that a vent opening (14) is provided at the upper end of the bag (3) and in that the vent opening (14) is adapted for attachment of a line (46, 56) leading to a suction device (47).
2. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the bag (3) consists of material tight against diffusion of water vapour.
3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bag (3) consists of plastics film reinforced by fibres or fabric.
4. A container according to claim 3, characterized in that the bag (3) is made tight against diffusion by a metal coating on the inside of the plastics film of the bag (3).
5. A container according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a second line (13), which leads to a suction pump (41) feeding mass (17) to a user (43) can be attached to a line (11) running from the opening (10), preferably to the edge region of the bottom plate (4, 33).
6. A container according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a second line (45), which leads to a pump (44) feeding mass (17) into the bag (3) can be attached to the line (11) running from the opening (10).
7. A container according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lines (13, 45) can be attached to the second line (11) with the aid of quick couplings (12).
8. A container according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the line (46, 56) leading to the suction device can be attached to the vent opening (14) with the aid of a quick coupling.
9. A container according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the line (56) leading to the suction device (47) is connected to the vent opening (14) via an intermediate vessel (51, 60, 80) with an enlarged cross-section relative to the diameter of the vent opening (14) and the diameter of the line (56) leading to the suction device (47).
10. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the wall of the intermediate vessel (51, 60, 80) consists at least partially of transparent material.
11. A container according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the intermediate vessel (51, 60, 80) is of elongated shape and is attached at its lower end to the vent opening (14), and in that the line (56) leading to the suction device (47) leads out of the upper end of the intermediate vessel (51, 60).
12. A container according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the intermediate vessel (51, 60, 80) is releasably fixed to the attachment device (50) through which the upper end of the bag (3) can be attached to a lifting implement (16).
13. A container according to claim 12, characterized in that a clamp (55) of resilient material, somewhat in the shape of an eight, is provided for fixing the intermediate vessel (51).
14. A container according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the vent opening (14) has a valve in the form of a check valve and which opens only in the direction from the interior of the bag (3) to the outside.
15. A container according to any of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the space (61, 81) in the intermediate vessel (60, 80) connected to the vent opening (14) of the bag (3) is bounded on one side by an adjustable wall (63, 83) in the intermediate vessel (60).
16. A container according to claim 15, characterized in that the wall is a piston (63) movable in the intermediate vessel.
17. A container according to claim 16, characterized ill that the piston (63) is connected to a pressure medium cylinder (65).
18. A container according to claim 17, characterized in that the piston (63) is connected to the piston rod (64) of the pressure medium cylinder (65) and in that a switch (66) is associated with the piston rod (64) and is actuated by a switch cam (67) fixed on the piston rod (64).
19. A container according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that at least one through opening (68) is provided in the piston (63) and can be closed by a valve (69).
20. A container according to claim 19, characterized in that the valve (69) is a clack valve.
21. A container according to claim 20, characterized in that the valve (69) is biased by a spring (70) into its position allowing free passage through the through opening (68).
22. A container according to any of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that the line (56) leading to the suction device (47) runs from the space (62) in the intermediate vessel (60) which is on the other side of the piston (63) from the space (61) in the intermediate vessel (60) which is connected to the vent opening of the bag (3).
23. A container according to claim 15, characterized in that the adjustable wall (83) is flexible.
24. A container according to claim 23, characterized in that the wall (83) has its edges fixed to the housing of the intermediate vessel (80).
25. A container according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the space (82) in the intermediate vessel (80) lies on the side of the wall (83) which faces away from the space (81) for mass (17) in the intermediate vessel (80) which is connected to the vent opening of the bag (3) can be acted upon by a pressure medium and in that a shut-off member (85) is associated with the line (56).
26. A container according to any of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that a sensor (86) which responds to the presence of mass (17) is arranged in the space (81) of the intermediate vessel (80) which is connected to the vent opening of the bag (3).
27. A method of removing flowable mass, especially stiff, pasty mass, from a container with a bag of flexible material, which has an emptying opening at is end which is lower in the position of use, to which a device creating suction is connected through a line, and which has an attachment device at the top for a lifting implement, through which the bag is fixed to a lifting implement at its upper end, characterized in that the bag is gradually lifted at the upper end of the bag when removing mass, in that a vent opening, which is located in the position of use of the bag in the upper region thereof is connected to a line leading to a device creating suction, through which air which may collect in the upper region of the bag is sucked out through its vent opening.
28. A method according to claim 27, characterized in that the bag is lifted so far that its bottom region assumes a shape falling off to its lower opening.
29. A method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the bag, which is received in a retaining framework with a bottom plate and a sidewall, is lifted so far that it only rests on the bottom plate of the retaining framework with its region surrounding the opening.
30. A method according to any of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that air is sucked out after the bag has been at least partially lifted.
31. A method according to any of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that mass is removed, in particular sucked out, intermittently from the bag.
32. A method according to claim 31, characterized in that that amount of mass is removed from the bag which corresponds to one filling of a reservoir or a metering pump for the mass and in that mass is only taken out of the bag again when the reservoir or the metering pump is at least partially emptied.
33. A method according to any of claims 27 to 32, characterized in that the lifting of the bag is commenced only after it has been emptied in part.
34. A method according to claim 33, a force tending to lift the bag is exerted on the bag, being smaller than the weight of the bag filled completely with mass.

Images