Container comprising a flexible internal part

• US 6,011,223 A
• Filed: 04/08/1998
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MANN & Hummel Protec GmbH
• Original Assignee: MANN & Hummel Protec GmbH
• Inventors: Poller, Stephan, Weigel, Viktor
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US09/056,640
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 222/102, 222/203, 222/58, 222/77, 222/481, 222/504, 222/529, 251/4, 251/9, 177/105, 177/116, 177/122, 177/123, 177/160, 177/263, 141/248, 141/279
• US Class Current: 177/105
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/56 operating by deformation of flexible walls B65D90/58 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a container with a flexible internal part (6), particularly suitable for weighing bulk material, comprising a closure mechanism within the exit area of the internal part (6) as well as at least two partial exits (18, 19) to be charged, located at the internal part (6) for further processing said bulk material. By means of said locking mechanism, it is practicable to press at least one partial area of the flexible internal part (6) laterally from outside against a sword (14) which is located inside within the exit area of the internal part. This way, said sword (14) separates the partial exits (18, 19) from each other, whereby in each case, one of the partial exits (18, 19) is closable.

Claims

1. A container having a flexible internal part with a discharge area, a sword member arranged in said discharge area so as to subdivide said discharge area into at least two outlet portions, and a closure mechanism arranged in said discharge area outside said flexible internal part, said closure mechanism comprising independently movable locking levers, each of said locking levers having a locking roll arranged at an end thereof being operable to press respective portions of said flexible internal part laterally against said sword member to selectively close one or the other of said outlet portions, each locking roll moving on a circular path around a fulcrum of the locking lever on which it is mounted to sealingly close the respective outlet portion when the respective locking lever is pivoted against said sword member.

2. A container according to claim 1, further comprising a support frame supporting said flexible internal part, said flexible internal part having a lower section which is divided by said sword member and the locking mechanism into said two outlet portions, whereby a Y-joint is formed, said closure mechanism comprising two independently movable locking levers each of which closes a respective one of said two outlet portions, and wherein said locking levers are individually movable to selectively block one or the other of said two outlet portions or the entire discharge area.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein said flexible internal part is supported on said support frame through at least one weighing cell.

4. A container according to claim 1, wherein said locking rolls move along circular paths such that one locking roll rests adjacent a point of said sword member and the other locking roll rests against a flank of said sword member.

5. A container according to claim 1, wherein both locking rolls are movable into positions in which they simultaneously press the respective portions of said flexible internal part against said sword, whereby said discharge area is completely closed.

6. A container according to claim 1, wherein said locking levers are moved by respective pneumatic cylinders connected thereto;

said container further comprising a first and second proximity sensors for respectively detecting when each of said locking rolls is moved against said sword member.

7. A container according to claim 6, wherein said proximity sensors are limit switches.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein said flexible internal part comprises an upper portion which extends conically downwardly, an intermediate portion which broadens out again shortly above the closure mechanism, and a lower portion which tapers conically again to a size equal to the diameter of the outlet, whereby virtually no dead space is created when said flexible internal part is pressed against said sword member to close at least one of said outlet portions.