MEANS IN CONTAINERS COMPRISING A BOTTOM AND A PERIPHERAL WALL

Abstract: A container (1 and 13) is used for galvanizing, the peripheral wall (1) being perforated to allow the passage of molten zinc. The container (1 and 13) is emptied after the galvanizing process by turning it upside-down. According to the present invention, emptying is simplified by the bottom (13) being designed so that goods placed thereon strive to leave said bottom (13) and by the peripheral wall (1) being axially removable from said bottom (13).

Description: Means ' in containers comprising a bottom and a peripheral wall. The present invention relates to a container having a bottom and a peri¬ pheral wall provided with a number of holes for the flow of medium. Such a container is usually provided with a carrying yoke so that it can be moved from place to place. Such containers are filled with goods and, with the - aid of a lifting means, immersed into a bath in which the medium is permitted to influence the goods. After immersion ±n a bath the container is lifted and generally subjected to rotation in order to remove excess medium through the peripheral wall. After this, the container is turned upside-down so that the contents is emptied out. Containers of the type just mentioned have been found invaluable in galva¬ nizing plants where the container holding the goods is immersed in a zinc bath. When galvanization is complete the container is lifted and subjected to rotation to remove the zinc not required for coating the goods. In this process it is a drawback to have to turn the container upside-down in order to empty it since the coating on the goods may be damaged as they fall. The present invention relates to a container of the type mentioned above. The characteristic feature of the invention is that goods treated in the container by the medium do not fall out when the container is emptied, but leave the container laterally. This is enabled practically by the bottom being shaped so that goods placed thereon strive to leave the bottom. Furthermore, the peripheral wall of the container is axially movable in relation to the bottom. Thus, when the peripheral wall is removed from the bottom said goods will pass out through the gap arising between the bottom and the lower edge of the peripheral wall, due to the design of the bottom. The bottom is provided with a shaft extending from the eentral of its inner surface and arranged concentrically in relation to the surrounding peri¬ pheral wall of the container. The shaft may have arbitrary cross-section and be hollow. The shaft may also be provided with transverse through- OMPI channels or holes. A sliding body is arranged on the shaft, said body being joined to the peripheral wall of the container. The sliding body may be connected to a lifting means. According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding body may be provided with a lifting eye. The sliding body may also consist of a sleeve which is closed at one end. A lifting eye is arranged at said end. The sliding body is provided with, a locking mechanism cooperating with said shaft leading from the bottom of the container in such a way that the sliding body and the shaft are immovably joined together when the peri¬ pheral wall is in contact with the bottom of the container. The peripheral wall is provided at its lower edge with a peripheral flange designed to cover the transition point between peripheral wall and bottom so that goods cannot leave the container when the peripheral wall and bottom are in contact with each other. In order to avoid mediums such as zink from being thrown out in uncon¬ trolled manner through the holes in the peripheral wall of the container, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention a second peri¬ pheral wall is arranged outside the perforated peripheral wall and spaced therefrom, the second wall being unperforated and having a height which may be the same as that of the perforated peripheral wall. Due to the extra peripheral wall the medium thrown out will leave the container in axial direction via the gap formed by the lower edges of the two peripheral walls. According to a further development of the present invention, axially de¬ scending medium is prevented from spreading in uncontrolled manner on the surface below the container by a tubular section having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said second peripheral wall and a height less than that of the peripheral walls. The arrangement of said second peripheral wall reduces cooling of the goods in the container if the medium consists of zink. OMPI .The container is caused to rotate by a motor driven by a gas medium, having an accumulator for gaseous medium. Medium stored in the accumulator is used to drive the motor if the motor is not connected to a drive-medium unit. The accumulator may be arranged close to the drive motor or may be applied on said operating arm. The accumulator may even comprise a part of said operating arm. Motor and accumulator are preferably connected in series. Further features of the present invention are revealed in the following claims. The present invention will be described more fully-with reference to the accompanying seven sheets of drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a container in which the bottom and peripheral wall are in contact with each other, Figure 2 shows a container in which the peripheral wall of the con¬ tainer and its bottom are spaced from each other. Figure 1:1 shows a container with two peripheral walls and protective peripheral wall, in which the bottom and inner peripheral wall are in contact with each other, Figure 2:1 shows a , container in accordance with Figure 1:1 in which the inner peripheral wall of the container and its bottom are spaced from each other, Figure 1:11 shows an arrangement including the invention, Figure 2:11 shows more clearly a picture of the motor and operating arm, and Figure 3:11 shows a wiring diagram for motor and operating arm. OMPI In the figures 1 is a peripheral wall perforated by a number of holes. The peripheral wall is cylindrical but it should be evident that other cross- sections are also feasible. Two legs 2 and 3 extend from the upper edge of the peripheral wall 1 and are joined together with a yoke 4. The yoke is provided at its centre with a sleeve-like part 5, closed at the upper end and provided with an eye 12. The sleeve 5 is passed over a central rod 6 having rectangular cross-section. The surface of the rod 6 is provided with through-holes 7. The rod 6 is also provided with a collar 8 to prevent undesired material from entering the opening in the sleeve 5. The yoke 4 is provided with a locking mechanism 9 which can lock the sleeve 5 to the rod 6. Locking is effected by means of a lever actuating a transversely movable piston which can be caused to enter one of the holes in the central shaft 6. The peripheral wall is provided with a peripheral upset 10 at its lower edge, to abut with a dome-shaped bottom . 13. The peripheral edge of the bottom 13 is tubular. The upset 10 and the bottom 13 are designed to leave free passages when in contact with each other. A flange 11 having L- shaped cross-section is provided at the upset 10. The function of the flange 11 is to prevent any large particles from leaving the container should they succeed in passing between the upset and the bottom. The central shaft 6 terminates on the rear side of the bottom 13. There is thus free passage between the lower side of the bottom and the inside of the shaft 6. In the container shown in Figure 1 the lower peripheral edge of the wall 1 is in contact with the bottom 13- The locking mechanism is also in locking position so that the bottom 13 and wall 1 are immovable in relation to each other. In this position, the container can be filled with the desired quantity of goods and then lowered into a medium which is allowed to act on the goods in the container. The medium may be a zinc bath and the goods may consist of metal particles which are to be galvanized. The medium passes through the perforations in the peripheral wall 1 to reach the goods in the container. If a zinc bath is being used, the surface of the bath may be contaminated by undesired particles. These particles then pass through the shaft 6 and out through the holes 7 into the container.. The particles will then rise to the surface of the bath outside or inside the container where they can be removed. When the goods have been treated as desired with the medium, the container is lifted and subjected to a rotary movement to remove medium which has not been bound, or excess zinc. During rotation OMPI the medium or zinc is removed through the cracks or passages formed between the bottom 13 and the peripheral upset 10 as well as through the perfora¬ tions in the wall. Of course, if the goods consist of nails, these may also pass through said cracks or passages and leave the container. This is not desired and to prevent the goods from leaving the container, a peri¬ pheral flange 11 is arranged having an L-shaped cross-section. The flange covers the passage between the upset 10 and bottom 13 so that goods of small dimensions cannot leave the container. Should the goods be able to pass through the passage form by the upset and the bottom 13, the flange 11 will provide a barrier. When unused medium or zinc has been removed by centrifuging a suitable lifting means is used to lower the container onto a flat floor surface. The locking mechanism 9 is then released. The peripheral wall can now be removed from the bottom 13 of the container by a lifting means connected to the eye 12. While the wall 1 is being lifted the sleeve part 5 will slide along the hollow shaft 6. Since the bottom 13 is domed, goods placed thereon will move outwards from the shaft 6 and land on the floor without having too far to fall. A considerably less strenuous procedure has thus been achieved for emptying the container. It is considerably easier to lift a peripheral wall than to turn a container filled with heavy goods upside-down. A container of the proposed type is particularly suited for use in galva¬ nizing plants. However, it should be evident that it can also be used for various types of goods to be subjected to treatment by a medium. The normal case is for the medium to be liquid, but it is no doubt also possible for the medium to consist of a powdered material. Figures 1:1 and 2:1, 1:1 show a peripheral wall with a number of perfora¬ tions. The wall is cylindrical but it should be evident that other cross- sections are also possible. From the upper edge of the peripheral wall 1:1 protrude two legs 2:1 and 3:1, joined together by a yoke 4:1. At the centre of the yoke is a sleeve-like part 5:1. This sleeve-like part fits over a central rod 6:1 with rectangular cross-section. The rod 6:1 is provided with through-holes 7:1. The rod 6:1 is also provided with a OMPI peripheral flange 8:1 to protect the opening of the sleeve-like part 5:1 from any undesired material which might otherwise enter. The yoke part 4:1 is provided with a locking means 9:1 to lock the sleeve part 5:1 to the rod 6:1. Locking is achieved with the aid of an arm influencing a transversely movable piston which can be brought to enter a hole in the central rod 6:1. The lower, free edge of the peripheral wall is provided with a peripheral upset 10:1 to abut against a dome-shaped bottom 13:1. Towards its peri¬ pheral edge the bottom 13ϊl becomes tubular. The peripheral upset 10:1 and the bottom 13ϊl are designed to allow passages when in abutment with each other. A peripheral flange 11:1 extends from the upset 10:1, said flange having L-shaped cross-section. The function of the peripheral flange 11:1 is to prevent large particles from leaving the container if they have managed to pass between the upset and the bottom. The opening of the central rod 6:1 is on the lower side of the bottom 13sl» thus permitting free passage between the lower side of the bottom and the inside of the rod 6:1. The peripheral wall 1:1 is surrounded externally by a concentrically arranged second peripheral wall 14A:I, without perforations, which sub¬ stantially covers the perforated peripheral wall 1:1. The peripheral wall 14A:I is secured to the peripheral wall 1:1 by means of four flanges 13-16:1. At ground or floor level 1 JI is a tubular part 18:1 with an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 14A:I. The tubular part 18:1 has a height less than that of the two peripheral walls 1:1 and 14A:I. When a container in accordance with Figure 1:1 is to be used, the lower edge of the peripheral wall 1:1 abuts against the bottom 13:1. The locking means is also in locking position so that the bottom 13:1 and peripheral wall 1:1 are immovable in relation to each other. In this position, the container can be filled with the desired quantity of goods and the con¬ tainer thereafter be immersed in a medium which will treat the goods in the container. The medium may consist of a zink bath and the goods may comprise metal particles to be galvanized. The medium passes through the perforations in the wall 1:1 to reach the goods in the container. If the OMPI container is immersed in a zink bath, there may be undesired particles on the surface of the zink. These particles will then pass through the rod 6:1 and out through the holes 7:1 into the container. The particles will then rise to the surface above or in the container, where they can be removed. When the goods have been treated as desired with the medium, the container is lifted and lowered into the tubular part 17:1 and the con¬ tainer is then subjected to rotation to remove medium which has not been bound, or unutilized zink. During the rotation the medium or zink is removed through the cracks or passages formed between the bottom 13:1 and the peripheral upset 10:1 and also through the perforations in the peri¬ pheral wall. After passage through the holes, the medium is forced by the second peripheral wall 1 A:I to flow in axial direction in the tubular part 18:1. Of course, if the goods consist of nails, these can also pass through said cracks or passages and leave the .container. This is not the intention and in order to prevent goods from leaving the container, the peripheral flange 11:1 which has an L-shaped cross-section, is provided. The flange covers the passage between the upset 10:1 and the bottom 13:1 so that goods of small dimension cannot leave the container. Should goods be able to pass through the passage formed by the peripheral upset and the bottom 13:1, the peripheral flange 11:1 will provide a barrier. When unused medium or zink has been removed by centrifuging, the container is lowered by a suitable lifting means onto a flat floor surface. The locking means 9:1 Is thereafter unlocked. The peripheral wall can now be removed from the container bottom 13:1, by means of a lifting means con¬ nected to the lifting eye 12:1. During lifting of the peripheral wall 1:1, the sleeve 5:1 will slide along the hollow rod 6:1. Since the bottom 13:1 is domed, goods placed thereon will move outwards from the rod 6:1 and fall from no great height onto the floor surface on which the container is placed. A considerably less irksome procedure has therefore been achieved to empty the container. It is considerably easier to lift a peripheral wall than to turn a container filled with heavy goods upside down. A container of the type described is particularly suitable for use in galvanizing plants, but it should be obvious that it can be used for various types of goods to be subjected to treatment by a medium. Normally, the medium would probably be liquid, but it should also be possible for the medium to consist of powdered material. In Figures 1:11-3:11, 1:11 is a guide rail arranged in the ceiling of workshop premises, for instance. A carriage 2:11 or other means can move along the rail 1:11. The carriage is provided with a hook on which is suspended an eye 3:11 of a motor housing 4:11. A compressed air motor A with vertical shaft is arranged in the motor housing 4:11. The compressed ajlr motor may be of Atlas Copco LZL type. Two valves 71 and V2 cooperate with the motor. The valve V1 is of Atlas Copco make, VE43-A-S-5 and the valve V2 of Atlas Copco make, VE42-A-S-5. The motor A also cooperates with a valve V3 of Atlas Copco make, designated BAL-1 08. Besides this, the motor A cooperates with an air-treating unit FRD made by Atlas Copco under designation MIDI FRD 15 AEM. It should be clear that these components made by Atlas Copco can be replaced by any other components with the same features. All components are housed in said motor housing 4:11. The driving shaft of the motor A is vertical and provided at its lower end with a hook 5:11. The yoke 6A:II of a container 6:11 for goods is suspended in said hook. The container has a perforated peripheral surface. The con¬ tainer 6:11 is intended for goods which have been coated with a layer which may be in molten or liquid form. Upon rotation of the container, parts of this layer are removed due to centrifugal force, and pass through the perforations. An operating arm 7:11 is arranged on the motor housing 4:11. The operating arm is jointed at the motor housing by two joints 30:11 and 31:11, in the form of a hinge, for instance. The operating arm consists of a thickish pipe provided at the ^op with a nipple or coupling 21:11 and at the bottom with a nipple or coupling 8:11. The pipe itself acts as an accumulator and is provided at its upper end with a transverse arm which is hinged to the motor housing 4:11 by said hinge 30:11 and 31:11. The operating arm is also provided with a transverse arm on which is a manually operated valve V4, make Atlas Copco, designation VED 13-I-S-5. The operating valve is connected to said accumulator via a pipe 10:11 and to a nipple or coupling 14:11 by a pipe 13:11. Said pipe 13:11 is arranged close to the pipe acting as accumulator. The accumulator 12:11 need not, of course, constitute a part of the operating arm, but may be arranged by the operating arm or in the motor housing 4:11. The operating arm is connected via the nipple or coupling 8:11 to the connection pipe 7A:II of a compressed air unit. OMPI_ Considering the wiring diagram in Figure 3:11, an Atlas Copco valve desig¬ nated VB-Q-NQ-5 is arranged afteϊ* the coupling or nipple 8:11. The valve is the connected by the pipes 9:11 and 10:11 to the hand-operated valve V4 and to the accumulator or container 12:11 by pipes 9:11 and 11:11. The accumulator 12:11 is in turn connected via the pipe 20:11 to a nipple or coupling 21:11. The coupling 14:11 is connected via a pipe 15:11 to a coupling or nipple 16:II. Pipes 17:11 and 18:11 lead from the nipple 16:11 to the valve V2 to regulate it. The valve 1 receives regulating medium from pipes 17:11 and 19:11. The coupling or nipple 21:11 is connected via a pipe 22:11 to a coupling or nipple 23:11, which is connected via the pipe 24:11 to the air-treating unit FRD. This in turn communicates with valve V1 via pipe 25:11. Pipe 26:11 joins the motor A to the valve 1 and the latter motor is in communication with the valve V2 by way of pipes 27:11 and 28:11 and with valve V3 by way of pipes 27:11 and 29:11. Valve V3 acts as braking valve. The equipment described above functions as follows: The container 6:11 suspended from the hook 5:11 is brought, with the aid of the operating arm, to where the connecting pipe 7A:II is located. This is joined to the coupling or nipple 8:11. The motor housing is thus connected to the compressed air unit. In this position, the valve V1 assumes a position in which compressed air cannot pass through it. The same is the case with valve V2. Valve V4 also assumes a position where compressed air cannot pass through it. If the valve V4 is actuated manually, compressed air will pass through valve V4 and be supplied to the two valves V1 and V2, where¬ upon they will assume positions allowing compressed to pass through them. Compressed air will therefore be supplied to the motor A through pipes 25:11, 26:11 and valve V1. From the motor A, compressed air will pass through pipes 27:11 and 28:11 and valve V2, out into the open air. The motor A now rotates and molten zink passes through the perforated container 6:11. After centrifuging, manual actuation of the valve V4 ceases, thus cutting the supply of compressed air to the pipe 13:11. The two valves V1 and V2 are brought into closed position. Any air remaining in the pipes 26:11 and 27:11 and the motor A will be supplied to pipe 29:11 and valve V3, so that the valve V3 exerts a braking action on the motor. The accumu¬ lated compressed air collected in accumulator 12:11 will remain there thanks to the non-return valve V5 and valve V1. In this situation the OMPI connecting pipe 7A:II is disconnected by means of the coupling 8:11. The motor housing 4:11 with container 6:11 are moved aside by the operating arm 7:11, the movement being determined by the guide rail 1:11. Once the second position has been reached it is desirable to be able once again to cause the container 6:11 to rotate and this is possible thanks to air accumulated in the accumulator 12:11. If the valve V4 is actuated again, valves V1 and V2 will open, whereupon the motor A rotates as long as the accumulator can supply compressed air. In the above a galvanizing plant is described which utilizes a motor driven by compressed air. This motor can be caused to rotate when connected to a compressed air unit, but it can also be caused tp rotate without this connection, thanks to the existence of an accumulator. It should be clear that the combination of a compressed air-driven motor and an accumulator might well be used in situations other than just for galvanizing. OMPI_

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Means in a container comprising a bottom and a peripheral wall with a number of holes for the flow of medium into and out of the container, said container being intended for goods to be treated by said medium, characterised in that said bottom (13) is designed so that goods placed on the bottom (13) strive to leave the bottom (13), preferably in radial direction, and that the peripheral wall (1) is axially movable in relation to the bottom (13). 2. Means according to claim 1, characterised in that an axial elongate unit (6) extends from the inside of the bottom (13), preferably in the form of a hollow rod with arbitrary cross-section, rectangular for instance, and that a sliding body (5) is arranged outside said unit (6), said body being axially displaceable and joined to said peripheral wall (1). 3. Means according to claim 2, characterised in that the sliding body (5) is provided with a locking mechanism (9) cooperating with said elongate unit (6) when the peripheral wall (1) and the bottom (13) are in contact with each other. 4. Means according to claim 1, characterised in that when said bottom (13) and said peripheral wall (1) are in contact with each other, a passage for said medium is formed between the bottom (13) and the peripheral wall (1). 5. Means according to claim 1 , characterised in that the sliding body (5) is connected to a lifting means via a lifting eye (12), for example. 6. Means according to claim 5, characterised in that the sliding body (5) is in the form of a sleeve, closed at one-end, the lifting eye (12) being preferably arranged at said closed end. 7. Means according to claim 1, characterised in that the peripheral wall (1) is provided at its lower edge with a peripheral lange (11 preventing the goods from leaving the container (1 and 13). 8. Means according to one or more of the preceding claims, charac¬ terised in that outside said first peripheral wall (1:1) is a second peripheral wall (14A:I), substantially covering said first peri¬ pheral wall (1 :I). 9. Means according to claim 8, characterised in that the two peripheral walls (1:1 and 14A:I) cooperate with a peripheral ring (18:1) sepa¬ rated from the container and having an inner "diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second peripheral wall (14A:I) and a height less than the height of the two peripheral walls (1:1 and 14A:II). 10. Means according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the lifting eye cooperates with a motor (A) driven by a gas medium to give the container (6:11) a rotary movement to remove molten zinc, for ins¬ tance, where the motor (A) in one geographic position is connected by a tube connection (7A:II) to a gas-medium source such as a compressed air unit and in another geographic position is separated from said gas-medium source and connected to an accumulator (12:11) for gas medium for driving the motor (A). 11. Means according to claim 10, characterised in that motor (A) and accumulator (12:11) are connected in series. 12. Means according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the motor (A) is connected to a jointed operating arm (7:11) including said accumulator (12:II). 13. Means according to claim 12, characterised in that the accumulator (12:11) forms a part of the actual operating arm (7:11). OMPI

Inventors: FLINK ERNST AKE RAGNAR
Applicants: BAECKMAN NILS AKE, FLINK ERNST AKE RAGNAR
Application year: 1982
Main classification: C23C1
IPC codes: C23C2