EP0991584B1 - Container for fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for fluids having a volume (2a) which can be filled with a fluid, and emptied by pressurizing the fluid by subjecting it to internal gas pressure. The invention is characterized in that the container has a valve device (7a) for filling the volume (2a) with the fluid, while the internal gas pressure is generated by compressing a gas trapped in the container (1a). It is thus not necessary to fill the receptacle with pressure gas separately.

Description

The invention relates to a container for the transport and storage of fluids, with a container interior, which is separated into a first container space section to Receiving a fluid and a second container space portion for receiving a gas. and valve means via which the fluid enters the first container space section is fillable, wherein the first container space section by pressurizing the fluid is emptied with the gas pressure in the second container space section.

Such containers are for fluids which can be conveyed by compressed air, such as e.g. Lubricants or Adhesive components, known, which are designed as large-volume pressure vessel. To Filling these containers with the fluid, a valve is attached and the left of a residual air volume not completely filled container pressurized by means of air. Pressure and residual air volume are such that the container by expansion of the enclosed Air completely drained via a riser pipe connected to an outlet valve is.

A transport and storage container of the type mentioned above is known from DE-A-22 24 796 out. A first, e.g. intended for filling with beer container space section is the rest Container interior separated by a flexible insert, wherein between the flexible insert and the BehälterauBenwand a second container space portion is formed. When filling the insert located in the second container space section air through Escape openings. To empty the container can through these openings compressed air in be admitted to the second container space section to the first container space section to empty.

GB-A-1 270 267 describes a system for storing and distributing liquids, especially drinking water, with a storage tank whose interior is protected by a flexible Use in a first Behältertaumabschnift for receiving the liquid and a second container space portion between the flexible insert and the container outer wall is subdivided for the admission of compressed gas. By pumping liquid into the first Container space portion or flexible use, the air in the second container space section compressed so that the liquid in the first container space section under the for distribution required pressure is.

Another system for storing and distributing drinking water is known from DE-A-23 16 737 known. In a storage container is filled under pressure drinking water while in the Tank space compressed above the liquid level trapped air. The filling is completed when the internal gas pressure has reached the filling pressure. The storage tank can be taken under pressure via a mounted at its lowest point outlet under pressure become.

The present invention is based on the object, a transport and storage container of the type mentioned in such a way that the effort required for emptying is reduced.

The problem solving container according to the invention is characterized in that the second container space section can be shut off as against the first container space section, formed rigid pressure chamber and the valve means for filling the fluid in the first tank space portion to generate the internal gas pressure in the pressure chamber by compressing a gas trapped in the container interior.

By this invention solution, the container after filling without further action Immediately emptied by the built-up with the filling process in the container gas pressure. Separate filling of compressed gas into the container is eliminated.

Advantageously, the emptying of the fluid from the first container space section required internal gas pressure during the storage of the fluid in the container limited to the compared to the total container volume much smaller pressure chamber stay. Thus, the stored fluid itself is not under pressure and the container is not covered by the regulations governing the admission of pressurized fluid containers applicable statutory provisions. By putting the pressure on the small volume of the pressure vessel can be limited with correspondingly low pressure-volume product are for the tank space to meet not so high strength standards as for those from the state known in the art, fully pressurized container. By this lower Requirements for strength can advantageously be reduced container weight.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve means are by a a filling and / or exhaust valve comprehensive, to close the filling and / or exhaust valve under shut-off of the pressure chamber against the first container space section provided Double valve unit formed, wherein the double valve unit preferably a closed position in which the pressure chamber is already shut off against the container space and the Filling and / or outlet valve is still open. Advantageously takes place in such a trained Container after shutting off the pressure chamber automatically a pressure release , the first container space portion before the first container space portion is closed becomes. The desired state that the first container space section is pressure-free, is in achieved a single operation of the double valve unit, in which first the Pressure chamber and then the first container space section is shut off.

Preferably, the double valve unit via a connectable with the filling and / or Ausfassventil Actuate connector, wherein for actuating the double valve unit in particular from the fitting an actuating dome into the opening of the filling and / or outlet valve protrudes into it. The above-mentioned sequential closing operation then results automatically when the e.g. connected to a line hose fitting of the Filling and / or outlet valve is disconnected.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the double valve unit one extending through the pressure chamber, at one end with the reservoir space in fluid connection standing pipe piece, at the other end of the filling and / or Auslossventil is arranged and the tube wall at least one to the pressure chamber out having opening valve opening, which via a in the pipe section by actuation of the Füllund / or Exhaust valve sliding part is shut off. Preferably, the opens at least a valve opening in a conical annular groove of the pipe piece in which a the valve opening against the pressure chamber in the manner of a ball valve final, elastic sealing ring arranged and by a from the valve opening against the sliding part and the Sealing ring projecting actuating part to release the valve opening is stretchable. Preferably is the displaceable part as an inner tube coaxial with the tube piece with one for release the valve opening can be applied against the operating part pipe section and a Pipe section formed with respect to the pipe section reduced outer diameter. The actuating part is preferably formed by a pressure ball, and it is to the circumference of the pipe section distributes a plurality of such pressure balls receiving Valve openings provided, wherein the pressure balls in the valve openings between the Sealing ring and the inner tube are held. In such an embodiment, the valve openings free, as long as the voltage applied to the operating part pipe section of the inner tube ensures that the sealing ring by the internal pressure of the pressure vessel is not in his Closure can be pressed in the annular groove. When closing the container over the filling and / or outlet valve is displaced the inner tube so that the section of the Inner tube with a reduced diameter of the check valve opening opposite and the actuating member with closure of the valve openings in the interior of the pipe section can protrude.

In a preferred embodiment, in which the pressure vessel and the double valve unit are arranged at the top of the container, adjoins the inner tube in the first container space section projecting conveyor or riser.

In another advantageous both in terms of production and handling Embodiment are the container space, the pressure chamber and the double valve unit Coaxially arranged to a container longitudinal axis.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemaßen Fluidbehälter in einem Vertikalschnitt.

Fig. 2

ein in dem Behälter von Fig. 1 verwendetes Doppelventil in einer geschlossenen Stellung, und

Fig. 3

das Doppelventil von Fig. 2 in einer geöffneten Stellung.

The invention will now be explained and described with reference to an embodiment and the accompanying, relating to this embodiment drawings.
Show it:

Fig. 1

a fluid container according to the invention in a vertical section.

Fig. 2

a double valve used in the container of Fig. 1 in a closed position, and

Fig. 3

the double valve of Fig. 2 in an open position.

By the reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1 is a substantially round cylindrical, with rounded Designated end surfaces formed container, in a container space 2, which forms a first portion of the container interior, and a second portion of the Container interior forming pressure chamber 3 is divided. In the embodiment shown the volume of the container space is 25 l and the volume of the pressure chamber 5 l. At both ends of the container 1, the cylinder wall projects beyond the Behälterstimflächen, wherein at the Endrändem each a steel ring 4 and 5 is mounted.

Below the ring 5, the protruding cylinder wall has not shown recesses, by the handle options for handling the container by gripping the steel ring. 5 given are.

By the reference numeral 13 in Fig. 1 denotes a double valve unit, a through the pressure chamber 3 has passed through pipe section 6. In the to the Behölterraum 2 opening out pipe piece 6 is at the end facing away from the container space 2 a Filling / exhaust valve 7 is arranged. The pipe section 6 has further in its tube wall in the pressure chamber 3 in opening valve openings 8 and 9, which with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 still be described in more detail. Within the pipe section 6 is a with the valve 7 via a Pin 10 connected inner tube 11 is arranged, which is displaceable against the pipe section 6. The sections having different diameter diameters inner tube 11 is with connected to a riser 12, which projects into the container space 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, where the double valve unit 13 is more accurate is described. Matching parts are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with the same reference number as designated in Fig. 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filling / discharge valve 7 has a sleeve part 14 which received in a formed in the pipe section 6 by an inner diameter widening seat 15 and is sealed against the pipe section 6 via a ring seal 16. By doing Sleeve part 14 are coaxial with the sleeve longitudinal axis against coil springs 17 and 18 in the direction the longitudinal axis displaceable valve parts 19 and 20 are arranged. In that shown in Fig. 2 closed state is the valve member 20 with a ring nose 21 against the sleeve 14 and is sealed by a ring seal 22 against the sleeve 14. The passage openings having Valve part 19 is in this state with a sealing ring surface 23 against the sleeve part 14 on.

As FIGS. 2 and 3 also show, the coil springs 17 and 18 are with their the valve member 19 and 20 facing away from an end disposed in the sleeve 14 support plate 24 on. The support plate 24 has a central guide opening for the pin 10, which with the valve member 20 and the inner tube 11 is connected.

The reference numeral 26 in Fig. 3 denotes a flexible sealing ring, which in a around the pipe section 6 circumferential conical annular groove 25 is seated and in the manner of a ball valve the opening to the annular groove 25 valve openings 8 and 9 closes. The valve openings 8 and 9 are representative of a plurality of around the circumference of the pipe section 6 around such valve openings shown distributed. In the valve openings are against arranged the sealing ring 26 adjacent and the inner tube 11 projecting pressure balls 27, wherein the pressure balls in the valve opening through the sealing ring 26 and the pipe section eleventh be held.

As can be clearly seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner tube 11 has sections 29 and 30 with different diameters, wherein the portion 29 with the larger Diameter in the pipe section 6 and between the sections a to the tube longitudinal axis obliquely extending transition section 28 is formed. The diameter of the section 30 is reduced relative to the section 29 so far that the rotary balls 27 far into the interior of the pipe section 6 can protrude that the sealing ring 26 in the conical annular groove 25 circumferentially abuts and closes the valve openings.

The reference numerals 31 to 33 2 and 3 are designated in Figs. Sealing rings, with which the double valve unit 13 against connected to the wall of the pressure chamber 3 sleeve parts 34,35 is sealed.

The inner tube 11 is provided with a two-part sealing ring 36, the outer one Band cross-section having part of a plastic-bronze mixture with good sliding properties consists.

The operation of the fluid container described in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described below described.

To fill the container, the sleeve part 14 is provided with e.g. connected to a hose line, attached in the figures, not shown fitting, which with a protruding Dom the valve member 20 against the pressure of the coil spring 18 in the sleeve member 14th pushes it into the position shown in Fig. 3. In this shift comes the ring nose 21st in abutment against the valve member 19, which thereby against the force of the coil spring 17th is also displaced, wherein the sealing ring surface 23 of the wall of the sleeve part 14th is removed with the release of an opening gap. With the displacement of the valve member 20 is via the pin 10 and the inner tube 11 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which the inner tube 11 first with the transition portion 28 and then with the expanded Section 29 comes to rest against the pressure balls 27 and the sealing ring 26th stretches, so that closing the valve openings by acting on the sealing ring 26 Internal pressure of the pressure chamber 3 is prevented.

In this open position of the double-valve unit 13 shown in FIG. 3, the (not 1) at first under low gas pressure (e.g., 0.7 bar) and then via this connector a fluid, e.g. a lubricant or a component an adhesive, filled in the container, the fluid through the sleeve member 14, the pipe section 6, the inner tube 11 and the attached riser 12 into the container. 2 arrives.

As the level of liquid increases, the gas trapped in the container, e.g. can be suitably selected according to the type of fluid, compressed and passes Upper formed between the portion 30 of the inner tube 11 and the pipe section 6 Gap and the valve openings (8 and 9) in the pressure chamber 3, wherein the internal pressure increases with increasing liquid level.

When the container space 2 is filled, i. the liquid level reaches the pressure chamber 3, the filling / discharge valve 7 automatically with the removal of the not shown Connection piece closed by the valve tee 19 and 20 by the springs 17 and 18 in the be moved shown in Fig. 2 position. About the pin 10 is thus also a shift inner tube 11, its smaller diameter portion 30 it now allows the pressure balls 27 far into the interior of the pipe section 6 inside can protrude that under the influence of the internal pressure in the pressure chamber 3, the valve openings (8 and 9) via the sealing ring 26 are closed.

Immediately after closing the valve openings 8 and 9, before the shown in Fig. 2 Closed position is reached, the filling / discharge valve 7 is not yet closed, so that in the container space 2 remaining, pressurized gas through the fill / drain valve to the outside can escape. When the filling / exhaust valve 7 is then fully closed, stands Tank space 2 no longer under pressure. Pressurized is only the much smaller Pressure vessel 3.

The container may now be e.g. are loaded for transport, through the steel ring 4 a safe stand is guaranteed on a loading floor.

To empty the container at a desired location is in the same manner as in Filling a fitting of a hose connected to the fill / drain valve 7, wherein, as described above, in addition to the valve 7, and the valve openings (8 and 9) are opened, so that the gas pressure applied in the pressure chamber 3 on the Valve openings 8 and 9 and the space between the inner tube 11 and the pipe section 6 bears against the liquid level of the liquid stored in the container and the liquid through the riser 12, the inner tube 11, the pipe section 6 and the valve. 7 pushes outward.

The gas pressure generated before filling the container in the container is such that the discharge of the entire stored in the container space 2 liquid from the Container is guaranteed.

Claims (12)

1. Container for the transport and storage of fluids, with a container inner space (1, 2) which is separated into a first container-space portion (2) for receiving a fluid and a second container-space portion (3) for receiving a gas, and with a valve device (13), via which the fluid can be introduced into the first container-space portion (2), the first container-space portion (2) being capable of being emptied by the action of the internal gas pressure in the second container-space portion (3) upon the fluid, characterized in that the second container-space portion is designed as a rigid pressure chamber (3) and is connected to the first container-space portion (2) via the valve device so as to be capable of being selectively shut off, the valve device (13) being designed in such a way that, during the introduction of the fluid into the first container-space portion (2) under pressure, a gas enclosed in the container inner space (1, 2) is compressed and passes into the pressure chamber, thus giving rise to the internal gas pressure in the pressure chamber (3).
2. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the valve device is formed by a double valve unit (13) comprising a filling and/or outlet valve (7) and provided for closing the filling and/or outlet valve, with the pressure chamber (3) being shut off.
3. Container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the double valve unit (13) has a closing position, in which the pressure chamber (3) is already shut off with respect to the first container-space portion (2) and the filling and/or outlet valve (7) is still open.
4. Container according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the double valve unit (13) is to be actuated via a connection piece connectable to the filling and/or outlet valve (7).
5. Container according to Claim 4, characterized in that the double valve unit (13) is to be actuated via a pin projecting from the connection piece and capable of being introduced into the orifice of the filling and/or outlet valve (7).
6. Container according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the double valve unit (13). comprises a tubular piece (6) which extends through the pressure chamber (3) and is connected fluidically at one end to the container space (2) and at the other end of which the filling and/or outlet valve (7) is arranged, and the tube wall of which has at least one valve orifice (8, 9) which opens towards the pressure chamber (3) and which can be shut off via a part (11) displaceable in the tubular piece (6) as a result of the actuation of the filling and/or outlet valve (7).
7. Container according to Claim 6, characterized in that the valve orifice (8, 9) opens into a conical annular groove (25) of the tubular piece (6), in which annular groove an elastic sealing ring (26) closing off the valve orifice (8, 9) with respect to the pressure chamber in the manner of a ball valve is arranged and can be stretched, in order to release the valve orifice (8, 9), by means of an actuating part (27) projecting out of the valve orifice towards the displaceable part (11) and the sealing ring (26).
8. Container according to Claim 7, characterized in that the actuating part is designed as a pressure ball (27) and a multiplicity of valve orifices distributed around the circumference of the tubular piece (6) is provided.
9. Container according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the displaceable part is designed as an inner tube (11) coaxial to the tubular piece (6), with a tube portion (29) capable of being laid against the actuating part (27) in order to release the valve orifices and with a tube portion (30) having an outside diameter reduced with respect to the tube portion (29).
10. Container according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that an intermediate portion (28) inclined to the tube longitudinal axis is provided between the tube portions (29, 30).
11. Container according to Claim 10, characterized in that the inner tube (11) has adjoining it a conveying tube (12) projecting into the first container-space portion (2).
12. Container according to one of Claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the first container-space portion (2), the pressure chamber (3) and the double valve unit (13) are arranged coaxially to a container longitudinal axis.

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