Abstract:
An apparatus and system for transporting a container containing viscous liquids to an appropriate dispensing apparatus. The invention comprises a transition plate that fits over a floor plate of a pump elevator, and particularly over an air tube that joins adjacent vertical air cylinders of the pump elevator. A rollable cart is provided with specific clearances to accommodate the transition plate, and, when supporting a drum, allow for proper clearance between the top of the drum and the ram assembly.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 60/159,556, filed Oct. 15, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus and system for transporting a container containing viscous liquids to an appropriate dispensing apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Viscous liquids such as adhesives or sealants, are typically carried in cylindrical containers or drums. These drums often weigh between 400-600 pounds, and can hold up to 45 imperial gallons. Typically, these drums are positioned within a suitable dispensing apparatus, commonly known as a pump elevator. Pump elevators generally comprise a ram assembly that is forced down into the drum, and a pump that is attached to an opening in the ram assembly for evacuating the liquid from the drum. The drums are positioned or loaded within the pump elevator in such a manner that a ram plate of the ram assembly can accurately enter the drum. This positioning is often difficult given the weight of the drums. 
     Typically, a forklift truck carries a drum to the vicinity of the pump elevator. Operators of the pump elevator then lever the drum onto a drum cart. The cart rolls the drum adjacent the pump elevator, whereupon the drum is manually rotated and lowered in a controlled manner onto the edge of the pump elevator floor plate. The cart is removed and the drum is manually manoeuvred into place under the ram assembly. Once the drum is emptied it is manually pulled out of the pump elevator, removed, and the process is repeated with a new full drum. 
     Manual manipulation of heavy drums can cause numerous injuries to personnel. Further, if a drum is not properly placed within a pump elevator damage to the ram plate or associated seat of the ram assembly can occur. For example, if a drum is not properly aligned beneath the ram plate of the ram assembly, the ram plate can impact the top leading edge of the drum, causing damage. 
     It is known in some installations to provide a roller frame which extends into the pump elevator. The cart rolls the drum onto the roller frame which then retracts into the pump elevator. The cart is then removed and the drum is manually pushed into proper alignment under the ram assembly. This solution presents a tripping hazard on the floor adjacent the pump elevator, however, and is not often used for that reason. 
     It is also known to hoist a drum into the vicinity of a pump elevator. However, since a hoist and associated lifting apparatus cannot manoeuvre a drum under the ram assembly, and particularly the ram plate, an operator usually has to have the drum lowered to the floor, and then manually push the drum into proper alignment under the ram assembly. 
     It is also known for an operator to roll a cart holding a drum over the pump elevator floor plate and into position under the ram assembly. When the drum is empty the cart is withdrawn and the drum removed. There is, however, a sharp jolt to the cart and operator when the front castors of the cart hit the leading edge of the pump elevator floor plate. This impact can jolt the drum out of alignment with the ram assembly. This, in turn, can lead to damage to the seal of the ram assembly during operation of the pump elevator. Further, if the cart is moved at a high enough velocity to overcome the edge of the pump elevator floor plate, misalignment of the cart could occur causing a corner of the cart to hit one or two of the vertical air cylinders of the pump assembly, causing damage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention allows for handling of containers or drums of viscous fluids so that they can be properly aligned with a ram assembly of a pump elevator, minimizing manipulation of the heavy containers by personnel, and thereby minimizing damage to the various components of the pump elevator, and particularly to the ram assembly and vertical air cylinders of the pump elevator, or to the drums themselves. 
     The invention comprises a transition plate that fits over a floor plate of a pump elevator, and particularly over an air tube that joins adjacent vertical air cylinders of the pump elevator. A rollable cart is then provided with specific clearances to accommodate the transition plate therebelow, and, when supporting a drum, allow for proper clearance between the top of the drum and the ram assembly. 
     In particular, this invention provides a system for transporting a container to a dispensing apparatus for emptying the container, wherein the dispensing apparatus has a floor plate, at least a pair of spaced apart vertical air cylinders, a ram assembly, and a pump. The system comprises a transition plate sized to fit between the air cylinders of the dispensing apparatus and over the floor plate of the dispensing apparatus. The transition plate has engagement means for engaging the dispensing apparatus to minimize to-and-fro movement of the transition plate over the floor plate, particularly as an object is rolled over the transition plate. The system also comprises a cart for supporting the container that is rolled over the transition plate to position the container in the dispensing apparatus with the container supported by the cart. In particular, the transition plate and the cart are dimensioned to position the container in the dispensing apparatus so that the top of the container is positioned beneath the ram assembly of the dispensing apparatus. 
     In particular the transition plate is configured to appropriately straddle the floor plate of the pump elevator and presents from at least one side thereof an inclined portion that provides a ramp enabling the cart to easily roll up and over the transition plate and be positioned over the floor plate of a pump assembly in alignment with the ram assembly. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it would be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings that show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pump elevator with a container or drum aligned with a ram assembly of the pump elevator using the system of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transition plate of this invention overlying a floor plate of the pump elevator of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side sectional view taken along the lines  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 a perspective view of an alterative embodiment of the transition plate of this invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Viscous liquids, such as adhesives or sealants, are typically carried in cylindrical containers or drums  10 . These drums often weigh between 400-600 pounds, and can hold up to 45 imperial gallons. A dispensing apparatus is utilized to empty the contents of drum  10 . The most common dispensing apparatus used is a pump elevator  12 , best illustrated in FIG.  1 . These are made by a variety of manufacturers, such as Johnstone Pump Company or Graco Inc., but all feature a floor plate  14 , vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18 , an air tube  20  running across the floor plate  14  connecting vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18  at their base, and a ram assembly  22  featuring a ram plate  24 , a seal  26 , and a pump  28  attached to an opening  30  within the ram plate  24 . Floor plate  14  can also include in some models supports  32 ,  34 , and  36  that present upper edges  38 ,  40 , and  42 , respectively, above air tube  20 . 
     In operation, a drum  10  is positioned on floor plate  14  of pump elevator  12 . For the pump elevator illustrated in FIG. 1, the drum would be supported over air tube  20  by upper edges  38 ,  40 , and  42 , of supports  32 ,  34 , and  36 , respectively. Drum  10  is positioned between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18 , and with its top  44  placed under and in alignment with ram plate  24  of ram assembly  22 . Ram plate  24  is then forced down into drum  10 , and pump  28  evacuates the liquid from the container through opening  30 . Seal  28  of ram assembly  22  prevents liquid from escaping between the edge of ram plate  24  and the inner wall of drum  10  as ram plate  24  is forced down into drum  10 . 
     This invention is directed to a system for transporting a drum  10  to pump elevator  12  so that the drum is properly positioned between the vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18  and aligned under ram plate  24  of ram assembly  22 . In particular, a cart  46  is provided comprising a base  48  for supporting drum  10 , a forward housing  50  to retain castors  52 ,  54 , a rearward housing  56  to retain castors  58 ,  60 , and a handle  62 , attached to rearward housing  56  to allow a person to push cart  46  so that it rolls over a surface on its respective castors. A side wall  84  extends upwardly from base  48  along one side and between forward housing  50  and rearward housing  56  to form an enclosure  66  to hold drum  10 . The side between forward housing  50  and rearward housing  56  opposite side wall  64  is open as at  68  allowing easy loading and off loading of drum  10 . The enclosure is typically 25″ in length (from forward housing  50  to rearward housing  56 ) and generally 24-25″ in width. This allows cart  46  to support a typical drum  10 , yet fit between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18 . It can be appreciated, however, that different carts can have different dimensions to accommodate different sized drums and pump elevators. 
     Cart  46  is designed to receive within enclosure  66  a full drum  10  from, for example, a forklift (not illustrated). The drum is inserted through open side  68  so that it is supported upon base  48 . Moreover, base  48  carries drum  10  so that top  44  of drum  10  has adequate clearance to fit beneath ram plate  24  of ram assembly  22  when ram plate  24  is at its uppermost extent. 
     Cart  46  also features a foot brake  70  to engage, for example, a surface, such as a floor, to prevent the cart from rolling. Other braking mechanisms are contemplated, however, such as, for example, frictional engagement of one or more of castors  52  or  54 , or  58  or  60 . 
     Cart  46  is designed to bring drum  10  over floor plate  14  of pump elevator  12  so that drum  10  is positioned between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18  and in alignment with ram plate  24  of ram assembly  22 . Floor plate  14  includes a number of obstacles that cart  46  must roll over to achieve the desired positioning of drum  10 . For the pump elevator illustrated in FIG. 1, the obstacles can include air tube  20 , supports  32 ,  34 , and  36 , and an edge  72  that can extend around floor plate  14  between such plate and the surface that pump elevator  12  rests upon. To allow cart  46  to roll over floor plate  14  of pump elevator  12  with minimal impact to both the cart (and the carried drum) and the pump elevator, a plate  74  is provided to cover floor plate  14  and provide a smooth transition for cart  46  as it rolls from the surface upon which pump elevator  12  rests and over floor plate  14 . 
     Transition plate  74  fits between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18  of pump elevator  12  and over floor plate  14  including over air tube  20  and any other potential obstacles, such as supports  32 ,  34 , and  36 . Transition plate  74  features an inclined portion  76  that extends from one side thereof downwardly to the surface upon which pump elevator rests. In a preferred embodiment the opposing side of transition plate  74  features a similarly inclined portion  78 . As seen in FIG. 1, when transition plate  74  extends over floor plate  14  of pump elevator its inclined portions  76  and  78  extend over edge  72  of floor plate  14  to the surface upon which pump elevator  12  rests: transition plate  74  straddles floor pate  14 . Transition plate  74  is dimensioned so that its width fits between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18  of pump elevator  12  (typically 29-30″) and its length is sufficient to span the front to rear extent of floor plate  14  of pump elevator  12  (typically 28-32″). Different transition plates can have different dimensions, however, to accommodate different constructions of pump elevators, and particularly the associated floor plate. Moreover, transition plate  74  need not be rectangular in construction (as illustrated in FIG.  1 ). Further, inclined portions  76  and  78  should raise transition plate  74  above the surface upon which pump elevator  12  rests a sufficient height to clear floor plate  14  including air tube  20  and supports  32 ,  34 , and  36 . Optionally, transition plate  74  could receive some support from contacting upper edges  38 ,  40 , and  42  of supports  32 ,  34 , and  36 , respectively—particularly when cart  46  is rolled over transition plate  74 . It should be noted, however, that transition  74  plate should not be so high as to prevent cart  46  from rolling over floor plate  14  when placing a drum  10  in pump assembly  12 , ie. top  44  of drum  10  must have adequate clearance to fit beneath ram plate  24  of ram assembly  22  when ram plate  24  is at its uppermost extent. 
     When cart  46  contacts transition plate  14  at the boundary between the surface supporting pump elevator  12  and one of the inclined portions  76  or  78 , a forward or rearward motion can be imparted to transition plate  74 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  1  and best seen in FIG. 3, transition plate  74  includes on its underside thereof depending lugs  80 ,  82 , and  84 ,  86  that are spaced on either side of air tube  20  over its extent between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18 . Depending lugs  80 ,  82 , and  84 ,  86  assist in placing transition plate  74  over floor plate  14  between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18 , and in minimizing or preventing to-and-fro motion of transition plate  74  over plate  14 , particularly under impact of cart  46  on inclined portions  76  or  78 . 
     In operation cart  46  supporting a full drum  10  is rolled over the surface supporting pump elevator  12 , up inclined portion  76  and over transition plate  74  until drum  10  is appropriately positioned between vertical air cylinders  16 ,  18  and aligned under ram plate  24  of ram assembly  22 . Brake  70  can then be applied to secure cart  46  in place, particularly against to-and-fro motion. If the distance between front castors  52 ,  54  and rear castors  58 ,  60  is sufficient, then cart  46  will straddle transition plate  74 , as best illustrated in FIG.  3 . Moreover, appropriate dimensioning of the wheel base between front castors  52 ,  54  and rear castors  58 ,  60  with inclined portions  76  and  78 , respectively, of transition plate  74 , can further aid in preventing to-and-fro motion of cart  46  over floor plate  14  (see FIG.  3 ). 
     An alternative embodiment of transition plate  74   a  is provided in FIG.  4 . Certain pump elevators feature air tube  20   a  running across floor plate  14   a  between vertical air cylinders  16   a ,  18   a  toward the rear of the floor plate  14   a . In this instance transition plate  74   a  features lugs  80   a ,  82   a , and  84   a ,  86   a  depending from inclined portions  76   a ,  78   a , respectively. Lugs  80   a ,  82   a , engage edge  72   a  at the front of floor plate  14   a  while lugs  84   a ,  86   a  engage edge  72   a  towards the rear of floor plate  14   a —preventing to-and-fro motion of transition plate  74   a  over floor plate  14   a.    
     Where the floor plate of the pump elevator does not feature any support plates (such as  32 ,  34 , and  36  for floor plate  14  in FIG.  1 ), then it is possible to design the transition plate with appropriate supports. For example, in FIG. 4, transition plate  74   a  features additional supports  88 ,  90  which can rest upon floor plate  14   a.    
     It can be appreciated that variations to this invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and this invention is intended to include those alternatives.