A system for unloading loose materials from containers

Abstract: The invention is related to a system (1) for unloading loose materials from containers fitted with a cartridge that defines a containing chamber (23) of a tubular bag (5) gathered in a resting position, which can be connected with one upper end (51) to an outlet (22) presented by a container (2) to be emptied and the lower end (52) which presents a flange or cap (6) that can be connected to connection means arranged downstream; the system (1) also envisages two-way drive means of the flange or cap (6) through a tube (4) arranged between the container (2) and the devices to be connected, designed to pass the bag (5) itself extended in an operating position and to transfer the flange or cap (6) outside the tube (4) so as to allow the connection between the tubular bag (5) and the devices to be connected.

Description: The present invention relates to a system designed for unloading loose and powdery materials from containers. The system disclosed can be used, in particular, in the chemical and/or pharmaceutical industry and in cases in which containers with loose material such as powders, fine-grain material and similar materials must be unloaded. The said containers are emptied at an unloading station. The unloading station envisages moving the material from containers to a collecting tank or a similar vessel connected, for example, to a machine that utilizes the aforementioned loose material for subsequent processing. The collecting tank is arranged at a certain level and a supporting structure is envisaged above it designed to allow the positioning of a container at another level, above the previous one, so that the container itself can be emptied by gravity. To allow the downflow of the material from the upper container to the lower tank, connection means are envisaged between the two levels consisting of a rigid cylindrical tube arranged vertically, inside which there is a tubular bag whose ends are secured to the container unloading outlet and to the loading inlet of the tank or hopper. Patent DE 42 20 014, which represents the closest state of the art, discloses a loading unit which can be coupled air tight to the tank opening by means of a filling channel leading from the silo outlet. This loading unit including the filling channel is air and gas impermeable. An air discharge return pipe connects with the filling channel and leads back to a rear area of the silo. The powder in the container is emptied through the tubular bag which must be connected to the container and to the hopper through a sealed connection, so that the powders cannot escape: in practice, powder scattering in the environment must be limited as much as possible. To close the tubular bag and the container, fastening means are utilized, such as clips or seal rings, coupled with closing means such as butterfly valves and similar components. In spite of the presence of the said fastening and closing means, in currently used systems, a first problem is related to the possibility of powder scattering in the environment. This is a common problem because the said materials can be widely scattered in the air due to their structure (that is to say, the dimensions of the granules of which they are composed) and/or to their low specific weight. Consequently the closing means and the fastening means utilized are often inadequate. The importance of this problem is highlighted by the fact that the said powders can be chemical substances or compounds that are not easily degradable in the environment and, in some cases, potentially hazardous. Another negative aspect of the currently used systems concerns a connection between the container and the collecting tank created as previously described, that is to say made so as to allow the scattering of material, at least on some occasions (such as, for example, the connecting and disconnecting operations of the tubular bag ends at the beginning and at the end of every unloading operation). In fact, since containers containing different substances are emptied at the same unloading station, the substances could contaminate one another. For this reason, different tubular bags should be used for different substances and/or the connection should be thoroughly cleaned when changing over from one substance to another. The aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a system designed for unloading loose materials from containers, in particular of the type presenting an unloading station consisting of a substantially vertical structure, with a first upper level, at which support means are envisaged for a container designed to support and position the container itself so that it is arranged with its outlet turned downwards, and a second lower level, where connection means to a tank, a hopper or in any case to subsequent containing or utilization means are envisaged; and a tubular bag that defines a transit channel for transferring the said material from the said container to the said connection means, a system that is characterized in that it is fitted with a hollow element or tube, mechanically resistant, connecting the said first and second levels and designed to contain said tubular bag; and a cartridge, positioned at the outlet of said container, said cartridge consisting of a chamber for containing the said tubular bag gathered in a resting position, which can be connected at one upper end with the said outlet, while one lower end has a flange or cap which can be connected with the said connection means, there being means, which can be connected to the flange or cap to drive the said flange or cap from the said upper level to the said lower level through the said tube, in both directions and designed to extend the bag itself in an operating position and to transfer the said flange, once it has reached the said lower level, outside the said tube so as to allow the said tubular bag to be connected to the said connection means. The advantages of the present invention include the creation of a connection, between the container to be emptied and the tank (or hopper or similar object), isolated from the surrounding area and hence designed to prevent the undesired scattering of powders in the environment itself. Moreover, the fact that the tubular bag can be coupled with the container eliminates the negative aspects that occur, in the known systems, when the type of transferred material changes, causing the different materials to contaminate each other and creating the need for procedures to limit the contamination. Therefore another advantage derives from the connection between the bag and the container: in practice, each container can be fitted with its own bag (which can also be a disposable type of bag): for this reason, when different powders are used, there is no need to clean the rigid unloading and connection duct. Instead of the bag, it is possible to use a cartridge, which may also be of the disposable type, that can be connected to the container when the latter is being unloaded. In this manner, it is possible to keep using the known standard containers, that is to say, not fitted with their own cartridge. The technical features of the present invention, in accordance with the said aims, are clearly described in the claims herein and the advantages of the invention are more clearly shown in the detailed description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment, and in which: figure 1 is a full front view of an embodiment of the present invention; figures 2 and 3 schematically illustrate parts of the embodiment shown in figure 1, in a front view with some parts in cross section and others cut away; figure 4 is a full front view of another embodiment of the present invention; figures 5 and 6 schematically illustrate parts of the embodiment shown in figure 4, in a front view with some parts in cross section and others cut away; figure 7 schematically illustrates parts of yet another embodiment, in a front view with some parts in cross section and others cut away. With reference to the accompanying drawings, a system created in accordance with the present invention is labelled 1 as a whole, whilst the elements that are not strictly pertinent to the invention are not numbered. The system 1 can be used for unloading loose materials from containers; in particular, a container 2 is shown in the drawings. In the illustrated examples, the system 1 envisages an unloading station 3 consisting of a structure 30 substantially arranged vertically, presenting a first upper level L1 and a second lower level L2. In practice, the said structure 30 simulates a difference in height between two levels; in other words, structure 30 represents all those situations in which there is an unloading station on a raised floor that supports the container and a collecting tank on a lower floor. Support means for container 2 are envisaged at the first level L1. In the example in the drawings, the container 2 consists of a real container or vessel 2' and a structure 20 that supports the container. The support means presented by structure 30 of the unloading station 3 consist of the upper portion of the structure 30 itself that has some seats 31 in which are inserted corresponding lower portions 21 of the support structure 20 of the container 2. The container 2 is supported and positioned, by means of the seats 31, with its own outlet 22 turned downwards. Connection means to a tank, a hopper or in any case to subsequent containing or utilization means, not shown in the drawings, are envisaged on the second lower level L2. The first level L1 and the second level L2 are connected to one another by means of a hollow element or tube 4, mechanically resistant and designed to contain a tubular bag 5 that defines a transit channel for transferring the material from the container to the aforementioned connection means. Advantageously, the system 1 is fitted with a cartridge defining a containing chamber 23 of the tubular bag 5 in a resting position. In particular, with reference to figures 2 and 5, it is the container 2 that is fitted, at the outlet 22, with the containing chamber 23; in practice, the cartridge 23 forms a single block with the container 2 to be emptied. In this embodiment, the tubular bag 5 is connected at one end 51 with the outlet 22 of the container and at the free end 52 it is connected with a flange or cap 6 which can be coupled with the aforementioned connection means. The flange 6 is shaped and/or presents connecting means so that it can be held in the lower end portion of the containing chamber 23, that is to say, where the final outlet of the container 2 (in particular the outlet of vessel 2') is located, since the upper end 51 of the tubular bag 5 is secured on the primary outlet 22. For example, the flange or cap 6 can be held by creating an interference fit. Moreover reversible means 62 are envisaged to fasten the tubular bag 5 to an upper portion of the flange or cap 6, and means 63 are also envisaged to close the bag itself, upstream of the reversible fastening means and operated independently of the latter. As can be better seen in the drawings of figures 2 and 5, a clip 62 can be envisaged on the free end 52 of the tubular bag 5 to secure the latter around the upper portion of the flange 6. Upstream of the clip 62, that is to say between the free end of the tubular bag and the container 2, a sort of closing lace 63 is envisaged for the bag itself. In this manner, the tubular bag 5 can be connected to, and disconnected from, the flange 6 when one of the said closing means is operated, that is to say in a condition in which the said tubular bag is closed by the closing lace 63. Thanks to the closing means 63, even the connecting and disconnecting operations of the flange 6 with parts of the system downstream can be performed when the bag is closed, that is to say, with no scattering in the environment of material present in the container. Two-way means are envisaged for moving the flange or cap 6 from the upper level L1 to the lower level L2 through tube 4. The said two-way drive means which, as will be seen below can be made in different ways, are suitable for switching the bag itself to an operating position and for transferring the flange or cap 6, once it has reached the lower level L2, outside the tube 4 in order to allow the connection between the tubular bag 5 and the aforementioned connection means that are not illustrated. In other words, the flange 6 can be extracted from the tube 4 to be coupled with connection members or with machines downstream of the system 1. Now we will refer to the embodiment shown in figures 1, 2 and 3. In this embodiment, there is a piston 7 that slides inside the tube 4. The piston presents an upper portion 71 substantially shaped like a cup or suction cup. The lower portion of the flange or cap 6 is shaped to match it: in practice at the bottom it is shaped so as to offer a surface that fits a suction cup. Means, labelled 8 as a whole, are designed to generate a negative pressure between piston 7 and flange 6. The said means consist of a series of ducts through which the piston 7 is connected to a negative pressure source, so as to hold them together by pressure. Motor means 9 for piston 7 are envisaged to drive the piston 7 to and from the levels L1 and L2 along the said tube, that is to say, to and from the upper and lower ends of tube 4. The said motor means, in the embodiment of figures 1, 2, 3, consist of a support 91 moved by appropriate motor means in order that it can move two ways on a stem or rod or guide 92. The support 91 is connected to the piston 7, so that the latter is driven up and down between the two ends of the tube 4. The piston can be fitted with at least one wing or pin 73 arranged perpendicularly to the tube 4; likewise, the tube has at least one lengthwise slot in which the wing or pin 73 is inserted. In the drawings there are two wings and they are used for the passage of appropriate connection means between two-way drive means and piston 7. At the lower end of the tube 4, at the lower level L2, second drive means 10 fitted with means 13 to retain the piston 7 are envisaged. These second drive means 10 are designed to position the retaining means between two limit positions: a first position corresponds to a positioning of the piston inside the tube 4, at the lower end of the latter, a second position is outside the tube 4 and is lower than the first position. In particular, referring to the embodiment in figure 3, the second drive means 10 can consist of a pneumatic cylinder 11, acting on a bracket 12 that supports the retaining means 13; the bracket 12 is guided along a path defined by a lowering along an axis Y parallel to the tube 4 and a rotation around the same axis Y. The retaining means 13 can consist of a cylindrical element that can be inserted in a corresponding seat 74 at the lower end of the piston 7; a duct 84 reaches the said cylindrical element 13 which, by applying negative pressure, can hold the piston 7 during the movement performed at the lower level L2 before and after the disconnection of piston 7 from flange 6. In the embodiment shown in figures 4,5,6, the system 1 includes, among the two-way drive means, second means designed to generate a negative pressure acting inside the tube 4, at its ends, so as to pneumatically drive the piston lengthwise in the said tube. The said second means can include a pair of ducts 88,89, connected respectively to the upper and lower ends of the tube 4 and above and below the limit levels that can be reached by the piston 7, and designed to generate negative pressure so as to drive the piston vertically inside the tube 4. The lower duct 89 can be arranged at the bracket 12 which is a part of the second drive means, so that it can also be used during the lower movement performed for the aforementioned disconnecting operations between the flange 6 and the piston 7. Instead of the embodiment shown in figures from 1 to 6, the system, as shown in figure 7, can envisage that the cartridge 23 be separate from the container 2. In this case, the tubular bag 5 is inserted in a cartridge that can be connected to, and disconnected from, the container 2 by means of appropriate fittings 29, once the container has been unloaded. The said fittings 29 can be made in different ways; for example, some clips can be used, or, as in the case illustrated, the lower portion of the outlet 22 can present an outlet 22' that is shaped to match a corresponding seat 23' envisaged at the top of the cartridge 23. Clip elements 29' can be arranged to operate between the outlet 22' and the seat 23', designed to keep the outlet 22' and the seat 23' joined and sealed together, possibly aided by suitable seals, not shown in the drawing. In other words, the system 1, in this case, envisages that the tubular bag 5, which in any case can be of the disposable type, remains steadily arranged at the upper end of the tube 4 and is connected to a container 2 only when the latter is emptied. The present invention, thus designed for the said objects, may be subject to numerous modifications and variations, all encompassed by the original design concept. Moreover, all components may be replaced with technically equivalent parts.

Claims: A system designed for unloading loose materials from containers, in particular of the type presenting an unloading station consisting of a substantially vertical structure, with a first upper level, at which support means are envisaged for a container designed to support and position the container itself so that it is arranged with its outlet turned downwards, and a second lower level, where connection means to a tank, a hopper or in any case to subsequent containing or utilization means are envisaged; and a tubular bag that defines a transit channel for transferring the said material from the said container to the said connection means, a system that is characterized in that it is fitted with a hollow element or tube, mechanically resistant, connecting the said first and second levels and designed to contain said tubular bag; and a cartridge, positioned at the outlet (22) of said container, said cartridge consisting of a chamber (23) for containing the said tubular bag (5) gathered in a resting position, which can be connected at one upper end (51) with the said outlet (22), while one lower end (52) has a flange or cap (6) which can be connected with the said connection means, there being means, which can be connected to the flange or cap (6) to drive the said flange or cap (6) from the said upper level (L1) to the said lower level (L2) through the said tube (4), in both directions and designed to extend the bag (5) itself in an operating position and to transfer the said flange (6), once it has reached the said lower level (L2), outside the said tube (4) so as to allow the said tubular bag (5) to be connected to the said connection means. A system as described in claim 1, characterized in that the said cartridge (23) is contained by the said container (2) in its lower portion, at the said outlet (22). A system as described in claim 1, characterized in that the said cartridge (23) can be connected and disconnected by means of fittings (29), arranged at the top and designed to allow the connection to the said container (2) at the said outlet (22). A system as described in claim 1, characterized in that the said two-way drive means include a piston (7) that slides in the said tube and means designed to generate a negative pressure (8) acting on the said piston (7) and the said flange or cap (6), so as to hold them at command. A system as described in claim 4, characterized in that the said piston (7) presents an upper portion (71) substantially shaped like a cup or suction cup and that the said flange or cap (6) presents a lower portion shaped to match it, so as to define, when the said means designed to generate a negative pressure are enabled, a holding pressure between them. A system as described in claim 4, characterized in that motor means (9) for the said piston (7) are envisaged, arranged and operating at the said tube, designed to drive the piston two-ways along the said tube (4). A system as described in claim 6, characterized in that the said motor means (9) include a stem or rod or guide (92) arranged parallel to the said tube (4) and a support (91) that moves two-ways on the said stem (92) and connected to the said piston (7). A system as described in claim 4, characterized in that it is fitted with second means designed to generate a negative pressure (88, 89) acting inside the said tube (4), at its ends, so as to pneumatically drive the said piston (7) lengthwise in the said tube (4). A system as described in claim 4, characterized in that it includes second drive means (10), arranged at the lower end of the said tube (4), fitted with retaining means for the said piston (7), designed to position the retaining means between the two limit positions of which a first position corresponds to a positioning of the piston inside the tube (4), at the bottom of the latter, and a second position that corresponds to a positioning of the piston (7) outside the tube (4) and lower than the first position. A system as described in claim 9, characterized in that the said second drive means (10) consist of a pneumatic cylinder (11), acting on a bracket (12) that supports the said retaining means, guided along a path defined by a lowering along an axis (Y) parallel to the tube (4) and a rotation around the said axis (Y). A system as described in claim 4, characterized in that the said piston is fitted with at least one wing or pin (73) arranged perpendicularly to the said tube (4), the said tube having at least one lengthwise slot in which the said wing or pin (73) is inserted. A system as described in claim 11, characterized in that the said two-way drive means are fitted with connection means to the said piston arranged to pass in the said at least one slot. A system as described in claim 1, characterized in that reversible means (62) are envisaged to fasten the said tubular bag (5) to an upper portion of the said flange or cap (6), and means (63) are also envisaged to close the bag itself, upstream of the said reversible fastening means (62) and operated independently of the latter, so that the tubular bag (5) can be connected to, and disconnected from, the flange (6) when one of the said closing means (63) is operated, that is to say, in a condition in which the said tubular bag is closed. A system as described in claim 4, characterized in that means (62) are envisaged to fasten the said tubular bag (5) to an upper portion of the said flange or cap (6), and means (63) are also envisaged to close the bag itself, upstream of the said reversible fastening means (62), so as to allow the connection/disconnection of the piston (7) to/from the flange (6) when the said closing means (63) are enabled, that is to say, in a condition in which the said tubular bag is closed.

Inventors: PIERI LUCIANO, PIERI, LUCIANO
Applicants: ZANCHETTA & C SRL, ZANCHETTA & C. S.R.L.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65G69
IPC codes: B65G69