MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention relates to material handling apparatus (1) for gravity discharge of flowable particulate material through an outlet of a container (not shown) which outlet is normally obturated by a valve which is raisable into the container for material flow through the outlet, the apparatus (1) comprising a probe (2) for contacting the valve, operatively connected to an actuator (3), and adjustment means (5) to vary the extent of operation of the actuator, the adjustment means being operable via drive means (4) disposed at substantially 90 DEG to the direction of operation.

Description: MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS The invention relates to material handling apparatus, particularly to such apparatus as is used for discharging flowable particulate material such as a powder from a container therefor, such as an IBC. Such material is usually discharged through an (in use) lower outlet aperture of -v the container, which aperture is usually obturated by a valve means which is usually conical or frusto-conical. This valve means obturates the aperture by setting down on a hopper outlet of the container. The valve is raised by means, usually a bellows situated therebelow and internally of the hopper outlet to form an annular outlet through which material flows during discharge. A vibrator ensures that there is no tendency in the material to "bridge" or form "rat holes" which otherwise lead to uneven flow or, in the former case, no flow at all. Sometimes too it is necessary to adjust the lift of the valve means, but this can be difficult as the bellows is either inflated, or deflated, so providing only extreme end positions and no intermediate positions. It is an object of the invention to mitigate problems such as these. According to the invention there is provided material handling apparatus for gravity discharge of flowable particulate material through an outlet of a container which outlet is normally obturated by a valve which is raisable into the container for material flow through the outlet, the apparatus comprising a probe for contacting the valve, operatively connected to an actuator and adjustment means to vary the extent of operation of the actuator, the adjustment means being operable via drive means disposed at substantially 90° to the direction of operation. This configuration results in a reduced overall height for the apparatus which is advantageous because it occupies less space, is easier to work upon and can be operated in confined areas when compared to previous devices. There is also improved access to the drive means for assembly/maintenance. It is preferred that the drive means includes a drive shaft. This is a convenient way of providing a direct drive to the adjustment means. The drive shaft and adjustment means may be operatively connected via a bevel gear arrangement. The drive shaft may be mounted for rotation in a tubular housing. This is a convenient arrangement which prevents any contamination effecting the functioning of the drive shaft. The apparatus may include hopper means to assist in delivery of material and the drive shaft may extend outside of the hopper means. This provides for convenient access to the drive shaft and motor attached thereto. The apparatus may include means to measure the extent of movement of the drive means. This provides a convenient method of assessing the lift height position. The measuring means may comprise a rotary encoder. The adjustment means may be mounted within a housing. This obviates the risk of the adjustment means becoming contaminated with material being delivered. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a material handling system, comprising apparatus as described hereinabove, and a container for particulate material including an outlet normally obturated by a raisable valve. An embodiment of apparatus according to the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of prior art apparatus; and Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of apparatus according to the invention. Referring to Figure 1 prior art apparatus is illustrated which comprises a hopper outlet (i) which defines an opening (ii) through which material from a container such as an intermediate bulk container (vii) can be passed for further handling. An actuator (iii) is provided for raising and lowering a valve (iv) of the container, the actuator comprising a bellows (v). Inflation of the bellows (v) raises a conical probe (vi) mounted thereon. In order to provide for a variable lift of the valve, a piston/cylinder device (viii) mounted centrally below the actuator and probe is provided which can be operated to adjust the height of the cross beam. As described thus far this apparatus is well known in the art. Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated material handling apparatus 1 for gravity discharge of flowable particulate material through an outlet of a container (not shown) which outlet is normally obturated by a valve which is raisable into the container for material flow through the outlet, the apparatus 1 comprising a probe 2 for contacting the valve, operatively connected to an actuator 3, and adjustment means 5 to vary the extent of operation of the actuator, the adjustment means being operable via drive means 4 disposed at substantially 90° to the direction of operation. As can be seen from the drawing, the actuator and probe arrangement are as known and illustrated in the prior art, the actuator comprising a bellows operable to lift the raisable beam and conical probe with respect to a cross beam 6. The adjustment means 5 comprises a rotatable shaft 4 mounted within a cylindrical support housing 7 which passes in substantially horizontally through the wall of the hopper 8. Bearings 9 are provided within the housing upon which the shaft 4 can rotate. At its outer (as viewed) end the shaft 4 is configured for mounting of a means for detecting shaft rotation, such as for example a rotary encoder. The shaft 4 is coupled by any suitable means to the drive means which can be a servomotor or air motor 10. At its inner end the shaft 4 in the cylindrical housing 7 terminates in a housing 17 in which the adjustment means 5 is mounted. The inner end of the shaft 4 is provided with teeth 4a. The teeth 4a form part of a bevel gear arrangement 11, by which the drive means 4 connects to the adjustment means 5. The adjustment means 5 is of a known type and therefore will not be described herein in detail. In brief, a thrust bearing 12 is provided beneath the bevel gear and together the bevel gear and thrust bearing support tube 13 which has splines 14 in its interior circumference. Within tube 14 a threaded tie rod 15 is disposed, which includes a female threaded adjusting bush 16. The support tube 13, bevel gear assembly 11 and thrust bearing 12 are all mounted for rotation within housing 17 on which is positioned the cross beam 6 of the bellows 3. In use, the height adjuster means 5 is used to vary the height of lift of the actuator 3, as is known in the art by adjusting the position of the cross beam 6. Operationally, the apparatus 1 can be operated in continuous or pulse mode, the height adjustment being effected in either, also either during discharge or when switched off. In addition to those advantages already mentioned, apparatus according to the invention benefits over prior art devices from increased torque (through the gearing) and/or reduced air motor size. There is scope to change to alternative motive force, particularly electro-mechanical, scope to provide externally mounted manual height adjustment, and also scope to provide any known means of monitoring lift height position, including simple visual means.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Material handling apparatus for gravity discharge of flowable particulate material through an outlet of a container which is normally obturated by a valve which is raisable into the container for material flow through the outlet, the apparatus comprising a probe for contacting the valve, operatively connected to an actuator, and adjustment means to vary the extent of operation of the actuator, the adjustment means being operable via drive means disposed at substantially 90° top the direction of operation of the actuator. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, the drive means including a drive shaft. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, the drive shaft and adjustment means being operatively connected via a bevel gear arrangement. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, the drive shaft being mounted for rotation in a tubular housing. 5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, including hopper means for delivery of material, the drive shaft extending outside of the hopper means. 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means to measure the extent of movement of the drive means. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, the measuring means comprising a rotary encoder. 8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the adjustment means being mounted within a housing. 9. A material handling system, comprising apparatus as set out in any preceding claim, and a container for particulate material including an outlet normally obturated by a raisable valve. 10. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.

Inventors: PIEPEREIT EDWARD JOHN, PIEPEREIT, EDWARD, JOHN
Applicants: MATCON R & D LTD, PIEPEREIT EDWARD JOHN, MATCON (R & D) LIMITED, PIEPEREIT, EDWARD, JOHN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B65D90
IPC codes: B65D90