Method and apparatus for removing bulk material from a container

• US 20020154956A1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthur Peveling
• Original Assignee: Arthur Peveling
• Inventors: Peveling, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 6,623,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 406/153
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/68 using rotating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/72 Fluidising devices

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and a process for the removal of bulk material from a container, in particular, from a box-shaped transport container. In order to be able to suction the bulk material off in a simple and reliable manner out of the transport container, one first of all attaches to an outlet area of container (10) a removal instrument (23) that has a conveyance device. This conveyance device conveys the bulk material in the removal instrument (23) essentially against its direction of outflow out of container (10) into a discharge area of the removal instrument (23) out of which bulk material is sectioned off by means of an off-sectioning device (39) that is connected thereto. To support the off-sectioning of the bulk material, air—by means of an air supply device (17, 19, 20′)—is so piped into the bulk material located in container (10) that the bulk material is fluidized.

Claims

1. System for the removal of bulk material from a container, in particular, a box-shaped transport container with a removal instrument (23) that can be attached to an outlet area of container (10) and that has a conveyance device (30) in order to convey bulk material flowing out of container (10) into removal instrument (23) essentially against its direction of outflow out of container (10) to a discharge area (38) of the removal instrument (23) to which one can connect an off-sectioning device (39), characterized in that there is provided an air supply device (17, 19, 20′

) in order to be able to pipe air into the bulk material in container (10) for purposes of fluidization.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the air supply device (17, 19, 20′

) has at least one pipe (42) with air-permeable wall that can be connected to a pressure source and that can be attached in a container area that is located in front of the outlet area.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that pipe (42) with the air-permeable wall is made of a porous sinter material.

4. System according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that pipe (42) with the air-permeable wall is arranged in an essentially cylindrical support frame (44) made of longitudinal and circumferential bridges (45 or 46) whose longitudinal bridges (45) essentially run around pipe (42) with the air-permeable wall in a spiral manner.

5. System according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that borehole threading (52) is arranged on the end of pipe (42) with the air-permeable wall that is to be arranged in container (10).

6. System according to claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the air supply device has a plurality of pipes (42) with air-permeable walls.

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the several pipes (42) provided in a supporting frame (44) are essentially equally long and can be attached mutually parallel in container (10).

8. System according to claims 2 to 7, characterized in that attached to each pipe (42) in the area of its end that can be connected to the compressed air source (20′

), there is a sleeve (47) by means of which pipe (42) can be fastened in a retaining sleeve (21) that is provided on an adaptor frame (18) that can be attached to container (10).

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that on adaptor frame (18) there is provided a collecting pressure chamber (19) that be connected to the compressed air source (20′

) and to which one can connect each pipe (42) with the air-permeable wall, preferably by means of a pressure line (51).

10. System according to one of the above claims, characterized in that container (10) has a lining (11) consisting of flexible air-impermeable material in which the bulk material is received, in particular, during shipment in a manner protected against environmental factors.

11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that lining (11) has an air supply area (16) that can be cut up or cut out, surrounded by a flexible sealing cuff (15) that is initially tightly closed and that in each case extends outward.

12. System according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that lining (11) has an initially tightly closed outlet area (13) for bulk material that is surrounded by an outwardly extending flexible sealing cuff (14) and that can be cut up or out for opening purposes.

13. System according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the lining in an area remote from the outlet area (13) for bulk material has an air outlet (56) upon which adjoins an outwardly located hose (55) whose free end (57) can be tightly closed.

14. System according to one of the above claims, characterized in that at least two removal instruments (23) are provided which, both regarding the outflow direction of the bulk material and regarding the force of gravity, are attached next to each other upon the outlet area of container (10).

15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that each removal instrument (23) as its own funnel segment (26) in which is arranged the particular conveyance device (30) with its conveyance device placed essentially coaxially with respect to the funnel axis.

16. System according to one of the above claims, characterized in that each removal instrument (230 can be attached to container (10) by means of an adaptor frame (18).

18. Process according to claim 17, characterized in that the air for fluidizing the bulk material is piped into the bulk material in a container area that is remote from the outlet area.

19. Process according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the air for fluidizing the bulk material is injected into the bulk material by means of a pipe (42) that has an air-permeable wall.

20. Process according to claim 19, characterized in that for the purpose of injecting air into the bulk material, one employs several pipes (42) with air-permeable walls.

21. Process according to claim 20, characterized in that the several pipes (42) for the purpose of injecting air into the bulk material are essentially equally long and are arranged parallel to each other.

22. Process according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the several pipes (42) for the purpose of injecting air into the bulk material are supplied with compressed air from a common compressed air source (20′

) via a collecting pressure chamber (19).

25. Process according to claim 24, characterized in that the air, supplied via the secondary air valve (41), is reduced the moment the bulk material in container (10) has been sufficiently fluidized in order to increase the bulk material discharge.

27. Process according to claim 26, characterized in that the air, escaping from container (10), is filtered and is monitored for any bulk material that is carried along.

17. Process for the removal of bulk material from a container, in particular, from a box-shaped transport container where:

a removal instrument (23) is attached to an outlet area of container (10),

bulk material in removal instrument (23) is essentially conveyed contrary to its direction of outflow out of container (10) into a discharge area (38) of removal instrument (23), and

bulk material is suctioned out of the discharge area (38), characterized in that

air is so piped into the bulk material located in container (10) that the bulk material is fluidized.

23. Process according to claims 17 to 22, characterized in that at least two removal instruments (23), both as regards the direction of outflow of the bulk material and as regards the force of gravity, are attached next to each other on the outlet area of container (10).

24. Process according to claims 17 to 23, characterized in that air can be supplied to the discharge area (38) of removal instrument (23) via an adjustable secondary air valve (41) in order to facilitate an independent off-suctioning air current.

26. Process according to claims 17 to 25, characterized in that prior to the actual removal of bulk material from container (10), air is piped into container (10) for the purpose of fluidizing the bulk material, whereas air escapes from that container in an area of container (10) that is remote from the outlet area.