EP1727751B1 - Emptying device for a bulk-goods container, bulk goods container and assembly kit - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (10) for removing a pourable granular material from a container (50) comprising a connector unit (24) provided with a gas outlet (28) for delivery of a gas into the container for purposes of loosening the material in it, is new. Independent claims are also included for: (a) a container with the proposed removal device for pourable materials; and (b) a closure unit for a container for pourable materials.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to an emptying device for emptying bulk material from a bulk material container as well as a bulk material container and a closure for a bulk material container.

State of the art

For emptying or discharging bulk materials from bulk containers, the bulk materials are discharged through through openings formed in the container walls. For this purpose, the bulk material containers are typically connected to an emptying device (also referred to as an outlet or docking device or outlet or docking station) which is provided with an inlet opening which opens into a passageway through which the bulk material flows (also referred to as outflow). can.

In a first type of emptying devices, after the bulk material container has been connected, the bulk material is essentially emptied by blowing compressed air into the bulk material container, which then entrains the bulk material and, together with the bulk material, out of the bulk material container through the inlet opening and through the inlet opening flows into the emptying device. Draining devices of this type are eg in the documents US 5,474,111 (Degussa ) DE 1 257 682 (Schröder ) and U.S. 4,790,708 (by Bennigsen-Mackiewicz ). For metering or throttling of the bulk material flow, this first type of emptying device is typically provided with a metering device comprising a backflow flap and / or gate valve, which is arranged in the passageway of the emptying device. This has the consequence that after stopping the flow of bulk material by means of the metering device, the bulk material remains lying upstream of the metering device in the emptying device. This bulk material must later be often disposed of as waste and may also be problematic in the case of toxic bulk with regard to safety during operation of the emptying device.

A second type of emptying devices is designed for emptying bulk goods containers which have a closure provided with a connection flange in which the outlet opening is formed, and with a closure member for closing and optionally opening the outlet opening or the closure. This second type of evacuation devices is provided with a closure actuation device for Operation of the closure of the bulk goods container equipped. After connecting the bulk material container to the emptying device, the emptying of the bulk material is effected by opening the closure of the bulk material container by means of the closure actuating device, whereupon the bulk material can flow out of the bulk material container through the outlet opening. By already the bulk material container itself is provided with a closure for the bulk material, can often be dispensed with a further closure or metering device in the emptying device. Emptying devices of this second type are eg from the documents EP 0 915 032 (AT Anlagetechnik AG), WO 98/43902 (Matcon) and FR 2 587 780 (Rhone Poulenc). The emptying devices described in the two last-mentioned publications are each further provided with a compressed air cleaning device, which makes it possible to clean the emptying device and / or the bulk material container in the connection area by means of compressed air.

Although emptying devices of the second type allow a comparatively economical and safe handling of the bulk material. On the other hand, problems may arise in emptying bulk materials that tend to clump together, because the clumps in the bulk material container hinder the emptying process or even completely block it.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an emptying device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset and a bulk goods container which permit reliable operation and reliable emptying and removal of bulk goods from the bulk goods container.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of the independent claims. According to the invention, an emptying device for emptying bulk material from a bulk goods container has a base structure and a connection part provided with an inlet opening and a passageway into which the Inlet opens. The bulk material container has a closure with a connection flange and a closure member. The connecting flange is provided with an outlet opening for bulk goods received in the bulk material container through which the bulk material can flow out when the outlet opening is open. The closure member is designed and arranged for closing and selectively opening the outlet opening. The connection flange of the bulk goods container can be connected so tightly to the connection part of the emptying device that - when the connection flange is connected to the connection part, ie in a state connected to the emptying device of the bulk material container or its connecting flange - with the closure open, bulk material passes out of the outlet through the outlet opening Bulk container out, through the inlet opening into the passageway into and then through the passage channel through flow (also referred to as flow) can. The emptying device further has a closure actuating device mounted on the base structure or on the connection part and designed for actuating the closure (in particular the closure member) of the bulk goods container. The shutter actuating device is provided with a shutter actuating element and an adjusting device. The adjusting device is designed and arranged such that, in a state of the closure connected to the connection part, the closure actuating element can be displaced by means of the adjusting device optionally between a closed position and at least one open position with respect to the connecting part.

The connection section is further provided with a pneumatic gas outlet, which is separated from the inlet opening. The connecting flange of the bulk goods container is further provided with a pneumatic gas inlet corresponding to the pneumatic gas outlet, which is separated from the outlet opening. Preferably, the pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk material container is arranged on an outer side of the connection flange of the bulk material container (which is to be understood here with respect to the bulk material container and wherein the outside of the connection flange forms part of the outside of the bulk material container). The pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk material container or its connecting flange can be connected to the pneumatic gas outlet of the connection part of the emptying device in such a way, in that pneumatic gas can flow from the emptying device through the pneumatic gas outlet of the connecting section and the pneumatic gas inlet of the connecting flange into the bulk material container in order to effect a loosening of the bulk material received in the bulk material container and thereby to assist the outflow of the bulk material.

Under a pneumatic gas is any suitable for pneumatic applications gaseous fluid (gas medium) understood. Pneumatic gas can z. B. air, in particular air, which has a relation to the air pressure of the ambient air increased pressure (commonly referred to as compressed air). However, pneumatic gas may also be nitrogen, inert gas or any other gas or gas mixture suitable for pneumatic applications.

In the context of the present description and the claims, a connecting flange of the bulk goods container which can be connected to the connection part of the emptying device means that the connecting flange and the connecting part are designed in such a way that they can be connected or connected to one another in a bulk material-conducting function. In this case, the bulk goods container can be moved or displaced and the emptying station can be stationary in order to allow the connection. However, it is also possible for the bulk goods container to be stationary and for the emptying station to be movable or displaceable, or both the bulk material container and the emptying station can be moved or displaced in order to enable the connection. Analogously, a pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk goods container (or its connecting flange) which can be connected to the pneumatic gas outlet of the emptying device means that the pneumatic gas inlet and the pneumatic gas outlet can be connected to one another in a pneumatic gas-conducting function, wherein in turn the bulk goods container and / or or the emptying device can be moved or displaced to allow the connection.

The base structure may be formed as a frame or as a housing of the emptying device. The connection part may be formed as an integral part of the base structure. The passageway may also serve as an integral part of Base structure to be formed. However, it can also be formed in an independent component, which is arranged on the base structure of the emptying device.

The bulk material container may have single or merhlagige flexible container walls and z. B. as a sack or as a large container (also called "big bag" or "bulk bag") may be formed. The bulk material container may also have solid and / or combined container walls and z. B. be designed as a barrel or container.

Under an open or open outlet opening, the outlet opening with open resp. understood open closure. The closure is then in an open position.

The closure actuating device can be mounted directly on the connection part of the emptying device. However, the closure actuating device can also be mounted on the base structure of the emptying device.

The closure member may be a solid body (i.e., a closure body), and the closure actuator may be configured to selectively open and re-close the closure to permit metered discharge of bulk material from the bulk material container. For this purpose, the obturator may e.g. selectively moved away from the outlet opening and back to the outlet opening by means of the shutter actuating element, which entrains the closing member, wherein the shutter actuating element in turn is driven and adjusted by the adjusting device of the shutter actuating device. The closure body made of a solid material (eg metal or plastic) may in particular be cone-shaped, which has proven to be particularly advantageous for metered emptying of bulk material.

However, the closure member may also be merely a perforable portion of the container wall, a perforatable film or another perforable closure element. A closure provided with such a closure element can be opened by perforating the closure element by means of the closure actuating element driven by the adjustment device. In In this case, the closure is intended for a single opening, ie, it is a one-way closure.

The closure member may, in particular in the case of a closure member designed as a solid body, be arranged substantially in an interior of the bulk goods container intended to receive the bulk material, it being able to form a portion of the container wall of the bulk goods container, in particular in its closed position.

According to the invention, in the case of a second type emptying device (i.e., an emptying device with a shutter actuating device for actuating the closure of the bulk material container), pneumatic gas supply is provided through the pneumatic gas outlet of the emptying device and the pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk material container. For connecting the pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk material container to the pneumatic gas outlet of the emptying device, known pneumatic gas couplings can be used, whereby manually and / or automatically operable couplings are possible. The operable by means of the shutter actuating device of the emptying device closure of the bulk material container ensures on the one hand a safe and economical operation when emptying bulk material from the bulk material container. On the other hand, the supply of pneumatic gas through the pneumatic gas outlet of the emptying device and the pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk material container makes it possible to collect any clumped bulk material in the bulk material container or bulk goods bridges, which is e.g. during storage or transport have formed in the bulk material, aufzulockern by means of pneumatic blasting. Such a loosening process is also referred to as fluidization of the bulk material. Due to the possibility of fluidizing the bulk material by means of pneumatic gas nozzles, the risk of blockage of the emptying process can be substantially reduced, and thus the reliability of the emptying process can be improved, in particular in the case of bulk goods which tend to form lumps or bridges.

By the pneumatic gas supply takes place via a separate, separated from the flow of bulk material flow path (namely, by the from the inlet opening of the Emptying device separate pneumatic gas outlet and from the outlet opening of the bulk material container separated pneumatic gas inlet through) is avoided that the outflow of the bulk material and / or the operation of the closure of the bulk material container is hindered by the shutter actuating device of the emptying device. The pneumatic gas outlet and the inlet opening of the emptying device can be arranged at a distance from one another (ie, distanced from one another), in which case the pneumatic gas inlet and the outlet opening of the bulk material container are also arranged at a distance from one another. The distance between the pneumatic gas outlet and the inlet opening of the emptying device (and correspondingly the distance between the pneumatic gas inlet and the outlet opening of the connecting flange) may be comparatively small, so that the pneumatic gas outlet and the emptying station are separated from each other, for example, only by an intermediate wall. A small distance allows a space-saving design of the connection section and the connection flange.

In addition, a complete, substantially residue-free emptying of the bulk material container can be achieved by the injection of pneumatic gas, which was usually not possible with previously known emptying devices of the second type, especially when using bulk containers with flexible container walls (for example, sacks).

The emptying device may further comprise a control unit for controlling the pneumatic gas supply to the pneumatic gas outlet, so that the pneumatic gas can be controlled by means of this control unit injected into the bulk material container. The control unit may be designed to control the pneumatic gas supply as a function of the bulk material, the fill level in the bulk material container and / or the evacuation capacity of an evacuation device connected to the passage channel.

By providing the bulk goods container with a connection flange which specifically corresponds to the connection part of the emptying device, a tight connection of the bulk goods container to the emptying device is ensured. This prevents bulk material from flowing past the passageway past the outlet opening and being lost.

An arrangement of the pneumatic gas inlet on an outer side of the bulk material container or its connecting flange proves to be moreover advantageous because thereby contamination of the pneumatic gas outlet of the emptying device and the entire connection section of the emptying device can be largely avoided by the bulk material. This advantage is particularly important in the case of bulk goods, for which increased requirements with regard to purity (for example in the case of pharmaceuticals) or safety (in the case of toxic bulk goods) must be adhered to.

The pneumatic gas outlet at the connection part of the emptying device can also be advantageously used for additional cleaning of the connection part of the emptying device and / or the closure of the bulk goods container. After the end of the emptying process and in particular even after a detachment of the connecting flange of the connection section can namely be blown again pneumatic gas through the pneumatic gas outlet to blow away by means of the pneumatic gas flow possibly still on the connection part and / or on the flange existing bulk material. If an evacuation device is connected to the passage, the blown-off bulk material can be sucked out by means of the evacuation device through the inlet opening and the passage channel.

For the purpose of cleaning the connection section, the connection flange and / or a lower end face of the closure member, the closure actuating element and / or the adjusting device of the closure actuating device may be provided with pneumatic gas outlets or inlets as an alternative or supplement to the pneumatic gas outlet of the connection section. Through this, pneumatic gas (in particular air) can then be blown out or sucked in to blow away or suck off bulk material and / or other contaminants from the connection part, from the connection flange and / or from the lower stringer surface of the closure member.

In the case of a bulk goods container with flexible container walls (eg a bulk goods container in the form of a bag), a further advantage can be achieved by means of the closure actuating device. The blanket of the bulk material container can then be supported, at least in a late phase of the emptying process, by the closure actuator displaced upwards (eg into an open position) by the adjustment device in order to prevent - when the bulk material container is nearly empty - the flexible bulk material container cover from reaching the Bulk container bottom and / or comes to rest on the outlet opening, thereby hindering a complete emptying of the bulk material container. In the case of a closure member which is a closure body made of a solid material, the closure operation member may support this closure body. The ceiling of the nearly empty bulk goods container can then rest on and be supported by the closure body, which in turn is supported by the closure actuating element, so that the ceiling is in turn indirectly supported by the closure actuating element. In the case of a closure member which consists only of a single-use film, the bulk material container cover can also be supported directly by means of the closure actuator. By directly or indirectly supporting the bulk material container cover by means of the closure actuating element, complete, residue-free emptying of the bulk material container can be achieved even in the case of a bulk goods container provided with flexible container walls, which is nowhere suspended during the emptying process.

According to a preferred alternative to a connection part designed as an integral part of the basic structure, the connecting part provided with a pneumatic gas outlet is formed as part of a kit which can be attached or attached to the basic structure of the emptying device. In an operational state of the emptying device of this kit is firmly attached to the base structure or connected thereto. By means of such a kit, the possibility is created to retrofit an existing emptying device, which is not provided with a pneumatic gas outlet, in a simple and cost-effective manner with a pneumatic gas outlet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting part provided with the inlet opening and the pneumatic gas outlet is the first, evacuation-side construction unit of a common coupling device for selectively releasable connection (ie selectively releasable coupling) of both the connection flange to the connection part and the pneumatic gas inlet to the Pneumatic gas outlet formed. The coupling device comprises a second, bulk container-side construction unit, which is formed by the connection flange. The first and second construction units can be coupled together or connected to one another in a single coupling operation in order to connect or couple the connection flange of the bulk goods container to the connection part of the emptying device and the pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk goods container to the pneumatic gas outlet of the emptying device.

Preferably, the coupling device is designed such that it is automatically actuated. In this case, the coupling device can be mechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically actuated to perform the coupling operation. This creates the possibility of automatically carrying out the connection of the bulk goods container to the emptying station, without an operator having to carry out any manipulations by hand in the area of the bulk goods container. This is particularly advantageous in the case of toxic bulk materials.

The coupling device is preferably designed for selectively releasable connection or coupling of the two construction units to each other, wherein the coupling device z. B. may be formed as a so-called bayonet coupling. By means of this common coupling device on the one hand an emptying or outlet path for emptying (also referred to as omission) of the bulk material from the bulk material container and on the other hand a pneumatic gas line for supplying the bulk material container can be created with pneumatic gas. The same construction unit thus serves both for coupling the pneumatic gas inlet of the bulk material container to the pneumatic gas outlet of the emptying device and for coupling the connecting flange of the bulk material container to the connection part of the emptying device such that bulk material flows through the outlet opening out of the bulk material container and into the passageway of the emptying device through the inlet opening.

However, as an alternative to a common clutch, separate couplings may be provided for the creation of a bulk material discharge path from the bulk material container to the emptying device and the creation of a pneumatic gas line from the emptying device to the bulk material container.

Preferably, in the case of a common clutch, both the inlet opening and the pneumatic gas outlet in one and the same outside of the connection part each have an orifice with a flat edge, wherein the edge of the mouth of the inlet opening and the edge of the mouth of the pneumatic gas outlet are arranged coplanar with each other. Accordingly, in this case, the outlet opening and the pneumatic gas inlet in one and the same outside of the connection flange each have an orifice with a flat edge, wherein the edge of the mouth of the outlet opening and the edge of the mouth of the pneumatic gas inlet are again arranged coplanar with each other. This allows a particularly simple coupling process for coupling the connection flange to the connection part.

Advantageously, the pneumatic gas outlet is formed in an outer side of the connection part of the emptying device as an outwardly at least partially open channel, which has at least one channel wall, which is also formed as a channel wall of the passage channel. Thereby, a particularly simple construction of the pneumatic gas outlet and the passage channel can be achieved. The channel wall which is common to the pneumatic gas outlet and the passage channel can delimit the channel-shaped pneumatic gas outlet on one wall side and the passage channel or its inlet opening on the other wall side. Preferably, the pneumatic gas outlet and the bulk material inlet opening are designed and arranged such that the pneumatic gas outlet channel formed in the outer side of the connection section partially or even completely surrounds the bulk material inlet opening in this outer side. The inlet opening can be circular and the pneumatic gas outlet be designed as an annular channel (ie, as an annular channel), wherein the two are arranged concentrically with each other in the outer side of the connection part.

However, other variants of the invention are also possible in which the pneumatic gas outlet and the inlet opening are configured differently in the passage channel and / or are arranged at points of the connection part of the emptying device that are further apart from one another.

Preferably, the pneumatic gas inlet of a bulk material container according to the invention is closed toward the interior of the bulk goods container by a check valve which allows fluid flow through the pneumatic gas inlet in the direction of the bulk material container interior, but prevents fluid flow in the reverse direction from the bulk goods container interior through the pneumatic gas inlet. Through the check valve, a discharge of bulk material from the bulk material container through the pneumatic gas inlet is prevented.

As an alternative to a check valve, a filter and / or a small cross-section of the pneumatic gas inlet and / or a porous membrane may be provided to allow the influx of pneumatic gas through the pneumatic gas inlet into the bulk material container into the outflow of bulk material in the reverse direction However, to prevent. In these variants of the invention, the pneumatic gas may in principle flow in both directions through the pneumatic gas inlet. A corresponding closure is thus not only usable for emptying the bulk goods container, but it can also be used to fill the bulk goods container. For filling, the bulk material together with pneumatic gas can flow into the bulk material container through the bulk material outlet opening formed in the connection flange of the closure. The pneumatic gas can then flow from the bulk material container through the pneumatic gas inlet again out of the bulk material container, while the bulk material remains in the bulk material container.

In the case of a pneumatic gas inlet closed by a check valve, the check valve may be made of an elastic material Have valve shut-off, which also acts as a closing spring of the check valve. If the pneumatic gas inlet comprises a plurality of pneumatic gas inlet openings opening into the interior of the bulk material container, which are closed by a number of non-return valves corresponding to the number of pneumatic gas inlet openings, a single common valve shut-off body made of elastic material can be provided which acts both as a shut-off member and as a closing spring for all these non-return valves , This allows a particularly simple and inexpensive construction of the bulk goods container.

The valve shut-off element which simultaneously acts as a closing spring is preferably designed and at least partially arranged in the interior of the bulk goods container so that it can be caused to oscillate by pneumatic gas flowing through the pneumatic gas inlet into the interior of the bulk goods container. The vibrations are then transferred to the bulk material received in the interior and cause a further loosening of the bulk material. Such a valve shut-off body may in particular be designed as a flat or tapered lip, which is attached to the connection flange or an integral part of the connection flange and completely spans an opening into the bulk material container interior passage of the pneumatic gas inlet. When no pneumatic gas flows through the passage, the lip (also referred to as kickback sealing lip) is biased against the mouth by an elastic biasing force caused by the elastic material of the lip, so that it is sealed by the lip. However, if pressurized pneumatic gas is introduced into the passage of the pneumatic gas inlet, then the pneumatic gas, due to its overpressure, can lift the non-return sealing lip against the lip's biasing force, allowing pneumatic gas to flow through the passageway into the bulk material container interior , The kickback sealing lip is stimulated to vibrate (also called fluttering). The vibrations are transmitted to bulk material received in the container interior, which bears against the sealing lip. The vibrations loosen the bulk material, which leads to a further improvement of the emptying process.

A bulk material container according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a predominant portion of the container wall is made of a flexible material, so that the bulk material container is essentially a bag or a so-called "big bag". However, the connection flange of the closure of this sack-like bulk goods container is made of a solid material (e.g., metal or plastic). In this connection flange, at least a first passage for bulk material is formed, which serves as an outlet opening or as part of the outlet opening for the bulk material received in the bulk material container. The bulk material outlet opening may also have a plurality of passageways formed in the connection flange. In addition, at least one further passage for pneumatic gas is formed in the connection flange, which serves as a pneumatic gas inlet or as part of the pneumatic gas inlet. The pneumatic gas inlet may also have a plurality of passageways formed in the connection flange. The connection flange made of a solid material allows a simple and tight connection of the bulk material container to the emptying device even in the case of a bulk material container designed as a bag.

To connect the flexible container wall to the connecting flange, the single-walled or multi-layered container wall can be clamped between two parts of the connecting flange and fastened to the connecting flange only by means of the force caused by the clamping. This creates the possibility for reuse of the connection flange by simply removing the connection flange from a used and unusable container wall (eg in the form of a bag) and inserting a new container into the container wall. Such a two- or multi-part closure can in particular as. Exchange unit be designed for multiple use for different bulk containers that are identical or different. It is clear that a closure designed as a replacement unit can also be used advantageously in connection with bulk goods containers of the type mentioned at the outset, irrespective of whether or not it additionally has a separate pneumatic gas inlet in addition to an outlet opening for the bulk material.

As an alternative and / or in addition to clamping the container wall can also be glued by means of an adhesive on the connection flange, in particular in the case of a container made of paper or cardboard container. However, the container wall can also be connected to the connecting flange by welding, in the case of a container wall made of a plastic film, in particular also by ultrasonic welding.

According to a further preferred variant of the invention, the single or multilayer flexible portion of the container wall is provided with a hole which forms a common passage for bulk material and pneumatic gas. The edge of this hole forms a closed perimeter and may in particular be e.g. be formed circular. The container wall is connected to the hole edge along with the connection flange in for pneumatic gas and bulk dense type. The outlet opening formed in the connection flange is arranged in the region of the hole. In addition, a leading from the pneumatic gas inlet into the container interior channel in the connection flange is designed such that it leads from the pneumatic gas inlet through the hole at the edge of the hole in the interior of the bulk material container into it. This creates the possibility of using a flexible container wall having only a single hole in the region of the connection flange, the bulk material container or its connection flange nevertheless having at least one pneumatic gas inlet and one outlet opening, which are separated from one another.

The emptying device advantageously comprises a piston-cylinder arrangement with a piston mounted on the base structure or on the connection part and at least one cylinder, in which the piston is received such that the cylinder with respect to the piston (and thus with respect to the base structure or the connecting part, at which Plunger is mounted) in the direction of the cylinder axis is displaceable. The at least one cylinder is coupled to the closure actuating element so that it can be driven by means of the piston-cylinder arrangement in order to displace it substantially rectilinearly with respect to the connection part. The closure actuating element in turn can be coupled in a connected to the connection part of the discharge device state of the bulk goods container with the closure member such that the closure member by means of the piston-cylinder arrangement can be driven. Overall, in a coupled to the closure member state of the closure actuating element actuation of the closure member is effected by the drive of the closure actuating element by means of the piston-cylinder assembly. This aspect of the invention proves to be advantageous even without the provision of a pneumatic gas supply for fluidization of the bulk material in the bulk material container.

Unlike the one from the EP 0 915 032 known emptying device is according to the invention, the piston stationary mounted on the emptying device, while the cylinder is slidably coupled with respect to the base structure with the closure member of the bulk material container closure. When flowing out of the bulk material container, therefore, the bulk material flows in the direction of the cylinder to the piston on the piston-cylinder assembly over, not in the direction of the piston to the cylinder as in the EP 0 915 032 known emptying device. This inventive arrangement leads to less contamination of the piston-cylinder assembly in the region of the point where the piston protrudes from the cylinder. This creates the possibility to completely dispense with an additional shielding of the piston-cylinder arrangement, even if the piston-cylinder arrangement is arranged completely in the passageway of the emptying device.

The closure actuating device of the emptying device according to this aspect of the invention is designed for selectively opening the closure in a state of the bulk goods container connected to the emptying device. The closure actuating device or its piston can be mounted directly on the connecting part provided with the inlet opening. However, it can also be mounted on the housing part or frame part designed as the base structure of the emptying device.

Preferably, the piston-cylinder arrangement is pneumatically actuated. The risk of contamination of the bulk material during emptying is smaller in the case of a pneumatically actuated piston-cylinder arrangement than in the case of a hydraulically actuated piston-cylinder arrangement. In principle, for certain applications in which not particularly high requirements are to be observed with regard to the purity of the bulk material, but also a hydraulic actuation of the inventive piston-cylinder arrangement possible.

The piston-cylinder arrangement according to the invention can only have a single cylinder displaceable relative to the piston. As an alternative, however, the piston-cylinder arrangement may also have a plurality of telescopically displaceable cylinder parts. This allows longer displacement paths. Such piston-cylinder arrangements with a piston and a plurality of telescopically displaceable cylinder parts are z. B. for lifting devices for dumping dump containers of construction machinery known.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a predominant portion of the container wall of the bulk material container is made of a flexible material, so that the bulk material container is essentially a bag or a so-called "big bag". However, the connection flange of the closure of this bag-like bulk goods container is made of a solid material (eg metal or plastic). In this connection flange at least one passage for bulk material is formed, which serves as an outlet opening or as part of the outlet opening for the bulk material received in the bulk material container. The closure of the emptying device according to this embodiment further comprises a covering member which is arranged in a not connected to the emptying device state of the bulk material container on the connection flange that it covers the outlet opening on the outside of the bulk material container, wherein the covering member as an integral part of the made flexible material manufactured portion of the container wall may be formed.

The connection part of the emptying device is further provided with a blade unit, which is designed and arranged on the connection part, that it can cut away the cover member from the connection flange when the connection flange is connected to the connection part or is.

Overall, this provides the possibility of using a flexible container wall which is completely intact (i.e., without any bulk permeable perforations) prior to connecting the bulk material container to the emptying device in the region of the connection flange and is completely sealed for bulk material. This proves to be particularly advantageous in the case of bulk materials, for which increased requirements with regard to purity (for example in the case of pharmaceuticals) or safety (in the case of toxic bulk goods) must be observed. The connecting flange is in this case preferably composed of at least two parts, wherein a flange part, in which the outlet opening is formed, are arranged on the inside of the container wall and another flange part on the outside of the container wall. The container wall is then clamped between these at least two flange parts and thereby connected to the connecting flange. Before connecting the bulk goods container to the emptying device, the outlet opening on the outside is covered by the flexible part of the container wall that runs through and is continuous throughout the area of the connecting flange and its surroundings. In the course of connecting the bulk goods container to the emptying device or after this connection, the cover formed by the flexible portion of the container wall can then be cut away from the outlet opening by means of the blade unit, whereupon the closure of the bulk material container can be opened by means of the closure actuating device of the emptying device.

Preferably, the blade unit is formed and arranged on the connection part, that it is fully automatically actuated to the cover of Cut off connection flange. This creates the possibility for a completely automatic connection of the bulk goods container to the emptying device, which is advantageous in particular in the case of toxic bulk goods.

The blade unit may e.g. be pneumatically actuated and contain a circular blade, which - if the bulk material container is arranged in a resting with its flange on the connection part - - is pneumatically driven against the connection flange moves and there cut out a circular blade corresponding round surface of the flexible portion of the container wall or punched out to remove the cover formed by the flexible portion of the container wall from the outlet opening.

Furthermore, the closure actuating device is preferably provided with a closure actuating element and an adjusting device, wherein the adjusting device is designed and arranged such that in a state of the closure connected to the connecting part, the closure actuating element can be selectively adjusted by means of the adjusting device between a closed position, a cut-open position and at least one open position with respect to Connecting party is displaced.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the emptying device is designed such that in a connected to the connection part state of the closure, the closure actuating element in turn is coupled to the closure member such that the closure member via the closure actuating element by means of the closure actuating device is actuated.

The closure actuating element is further provided with a driver unit whose outer circumference is optionally variable or adjustable, and the closure member is provided with a driver stop, which is designed and arranged on the closure member that in a connected to the connection part of the discharge device state of the bulk material container, the driver unit depending on the extent of either the driver stop along with the closure member entrains or does not take along when the shutter actuating element is displaced by means of the adjusting device. Overall, the possibility of selectively releasably coupling the closure actuating element to the closure member is created by the driver unit on the closure actuating element and the driver stop on the closure member.

Preferably, the driver unit is designed and arranged on the connection part, that its outer circumference is automatically changed or adjustable. As a result, the possibility for an automatic coupling of the closure actuating element with the closure member, an automatic connection of the bulk material container is provided to the emptying device, which is particularly advantageous in the case of toxic bulk goods.

The driver unit may e.g. be designed as a ring or a circular disc whose circumference is selectively variable. The driver unit may in particular be made as a three-dimensional structure of a flexible material whose outer circumference is variable by the structure is compressed or stretched transversely to the circumferential plane as needed. The structure can also be filled with air and sealed airtight. As a result, when the structure is compressed in the direction transverse to the circumferential plane, the outer circumference of the structure is increased because, on the one hand, the air pressure in the structure increases and, on the other hand, the jacket of the structure is arched outward transversely to the compression direction. Preferably, the circumferential change is caused by compression or expansion of the driver unit by a pneumatic actuation of at least one press, which presses on the driver unit, wherein the press can be provided with a press plate.

The driver stop may be formed as a groove in an inner wall of a hollow closure member. The entrainment unit of the closure actuating element can then be arranged in this inner space such that it engages in this groove with an enlarged outer circumference, while it does not engage in this groove when the outer circumference is reduced. In the case of a cam-shaped driver stop which completely surrounds the driver unit along the circumferential line, the driver unit can simultaneously also serve as a selectively releasable clamping seal, which seals the intermediate space between the closure member and the closure actuating element or the driver unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the emptying device a connection part, which is further provided with at least one locking element which is connected in a tensile strength with the connection part. Further, the connection flange is provided with at least one locking receptacle, which is connected in a tension-proof manner to the connection flange. The locking element and the locking receptacle are formed and arranged on the connection part or on the connection flange, that - if the bulk material container is arranged with respect to the emptying device such that the connection flange in one direction (hereinafter referred to as shock direction) pushes against the connection part - the locking element such can be received in the locking receptacle that a counter to the shock direction tensile strength acting, positive connection between the connection part and the connection flange is created. Overall, by the locking element on the connection part and the locking receptacle on the connection flange, the possibility for selectively releasable, against the impact direction positively acting connection between the connection part and the adjoining this arranged connecting flange created.

The locking element may be formed as a T or L-shaped bolt, which projects outwardly from an outer side of the connecting part and can engage in a correspondingly formed recess or groove in the connecting flange. In this case, the bolt can optionally be rotated back and forth about a pin axis in order to be able to engage or release with the bolt head optionally a retaining edge or a retaining shoulder of the locking receptacle so as to provide an optionally releasable form-locking connection between the connecting part and the connecting flange , The locking device formed from the locking element and the locking receptacle is preferably automatically actuated. It can also be designed in particular in the manner of a bayonet closure.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the emptying device has a closure body, which is arranged substantially in an interior of the bulk goods container intended for receiving the bulk material, wherein it can form a portion of the container wall of the bulk goods container, in particular in its closed position.

The shutter actuating device is additionally provided with a rotary drive which can be coupled to the closure body in such a way that the closure body can be rotated by means of the rotary drive about an axis of rotation stationary relative to the connection part of the emptying device (hereinafter referred to as first axis of rotation). The closure body is designed and arranged such that it can be coupled to the rotary drive. In addition, the closure body is rotatable with respect to the connection flange about an axis of rotation which is stationary relative to the connection flange (hereinafter referred to as second rotation axis). In a coupled state (ie, when the rotary drive is coupled to the closure body), the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation coincide, so that then the closure body with respect to the connection part of the emptying device and with respect to the connecting flange of the closure of the bulk material container rotatable about a single common axis of rotation is.

By the closure body with respect to the connection flange (and thus with respect to the bulk material container) is rotated, an additional loosening of the bulk material can be achieved. By means of this additional bulk material loosening the reliability of the emptying process can be further improved.

For coupling the closure body with the rotary drive separate coupling means may be provided, which may be mechanically and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically actuated. However, it is also the closure body and the rotary drive itself may be formed such that they are coupled together so that the rotary drive drives the closure body for rotation about the first and the second axis of rotation.

During the emptying process, the bulk material container with the connection flange of its closure is connected to the connection part of the emptying device. The bulk material container is then substantially stationary with respect to the emptying device. In the case of a shutter actuating device, which is further designed for displacing the closure body, the closure body is displaceable by means of the closure actuating device both with respect to the container and with respect to the emptying device and rotatable about a stationary axis of rotation.

The rotary drive can be designed for a continuous, uniform rotation of the closure body about the first and the second axis of rotation around. As an alternative and / or in addition thereto, however, the rotary drive can also be designed such that it causes pulsating rotational movements or alternating rotational or pivoting movements in opposite directions of rotation of the closure body.

The shutter actuator provided with the rotary actuator may further comprise a shutter actuating member coupleable to the shutter body, and an elongated drive shaft fixedly connected to the shutter actuator and arranged coaxially with the first rotation shaft. That is, that the drive shaft has a longitudinal axis and is arranged such that its longitudinal axis coincides with the first axis of rotation, around which the closure body with respect to the Connecting part of the emptying device is rotatable. Further, the shutter actuating device may be provided with an adjusting device which is designed and arranged such that by means of the adjusting device, the drive shaft, together with the shutter actuator selectively between a closed position and at least one open position substantially parallel (and thus rectilinear) to the first axis of rotation. In this case, the rotary drive is coupled to the drive shaft such that the drive shaft is rotatable about the first axis of rotation by means of the rotary drive with respect to the connecting section. The shutter actuating element is then displaceable and rotatable with respect to the connection part. Furthermore, the closure actuating element can be coupled to the closure body in such a way that it effects the displacement and rotation of the closure body. In the case of an emptying device provided with a vibrator, furthermore, the vibrator is furthermore advantageously arranged or attached to this shutter actuating element.

Preferably, one or more comminuting elements (e.g., knives, blades, tines, spiral arms, vanes, or the like) are rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and project radially from the drive shaft. The comminution elements can be arranged in the passage channel and can cover substantially the entire cross section of the passage channel. When the drive shaft is driven for rotation about the first axis of rotation, these blades or blades provide for mechanical comminution of any lumps or bridges in the bulk material. As a result, a further loosening of the bulk material is achieved, which has a further improvement of the emptying process result.

In addition to and / or as an alternative to the one or more comminution elements, one or more bulk material conveying elements can be attached in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft in such a way that, upon rotation of the drive shaft about the first axis of rotation, bulk material along the drive shaft in the manner of a screw conveyor or convey in the manner of a turbine, wherein the conveyance of the bulk material takes place in the direction through the inlet opening and the passage channel. In the case of a drive shaft provided with comminution elements, these comminuting elements can additionally be designed and arranged as conveying elements. There may be provided a plurality of conveying elements which are similar to Turbine blades or propeller blades are formed and arranged to effect a bulk material delivery in the manner of a turbine. However, one or more threads of a screw thread can be provided as conveying elements in order to effect a bulk material conveying in the manner of a screw conveyor.

Furthermore, one or more loosening elements (for example, blades, knives, tines, spiral arms, lamellae, or the like) are preferably non-rotatably mounted on the closure body and project at least partially into the interior of the bulk goods container intended for receiving the bulk material. When the closure body is driven to rotate about the axis of rotation, these loosening elements in the vicinity of the closure body provide for a mechanical comminution and loosening of any lumps or bridges in the bulk material, which in turn results in an improvement of the emptying process.

In addition to and / or as an alternative to the one or more loosening elements, one or more bulk material conveying elements can be attached to the closure body in such a way that it rotates around the second axis of rotation in the manner of a screw conveyor or in the manner of a screw conveyor Promote the turbine in the direction from the interior of the bulk goods container to the outlet opening. In the case of a closure body provided with loosening elements, these loosening-up elements can additionally be designed and arranged as conveying elements. There may be provided a plurality of conveying elements, which are similar to turbine blades or propeller blades and arranged to effect a bulk material delivery in the manner of a turbine. However, one or more threads of a screw thread can be provided as conveying elements in order to effect a bulk material conveying in the manner of a screw conveyor.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the emptying device further comprises an emptying device contact portion, which is at least partially made of an electrically conductive material and grounded.

The bulk material container has a closure with a connection flange and a closure member. The 'connection flange is provided with an outlet opening for bulk goods received in the bulk material container through which the bulk material can flow out when the outlet opening is open. The closure member is designed and arranged for closing and selectively opening the outlet opening. The bulk material container further has a bulk material container contact section which is at least partially made of an electrically conductive material.

The connection flange of the bulk goods container can be connected so tightly to the connection part of the emptying device that - in a state connected to the emptying device of the bulk material container or its connecting flange - with the closure open, bulk material passes out of the bulk material container through the outlet opening, into the passage channel through the inlet opening into and then through the passageway can flow through. In this connected to the connection part state, the bulk container contact section is in contact with the emptying device contact portion and the bulk material contact portion is electrically conductively connected to the emptying device contact section by the electrically conductive material of the bulk material container contact section in direct, electrically conductive contact with the electrically conductive material of the emptying device contact section is.

An electrically conductive material may, for. B. be metallic material. But it may also be a composite material or a composite material, which is composed of both electrically conductive material and electrically insulating material. In this sense, in the present context, an electrostatically dissipative plastic or a plastic with an electrostatically dissipative coating is understood as an electrically conductive material. Furthermore, in the present context, a grounding, as is generally customary, is to be understood as an electrically conductive connection to a ground or ground.

The bulk material container may in particular have flexible container walls and z. B. as a sack or as a large container (also called "big bag" or "bulk bag") may be formed. During the discharge process, the bulk goods container contact section is electrically conductive with the grounded discharge device contact section is connected, an electrostatic charge of the bulk material container contact section and the associated bulk material container during the bulk material discharge is prevented without having to be grounded for this purpose, the bulk material container during the emptying process by means of additional electrical conductors. In previously known emptying devices and bulk containers with flexible container walls, the bulk material containers always had to be grounded during the emptying process by means of additional electrical conductors in order to prevent electrostatic charging of the container.

Preferably, the connection part of the emptying device are at the same time designed as emptying device contact section and the connecting flange of the bulk goods container at the same time as a bulk material container contact section. In this case, the connection part is at least partially made of an electrically conductive material and grounded, and the connection flange is also at least partially made of an electrically conductive material. The electrostatic discharge of the bulk material container can then take place via the connecting flange of the bulk goods container and the connection part of the emptying device.

In addition to or as an alternative to a connecting section designed as a discharge device contact section, the emptying device can furthermore have a base structure and one on the base structure or on the connecting section mounted shutter actuating device, which is provided with a shutter actuating element and with an adjusting device such that by means of the adjusting the shutter actuating element is selectively displaceable between a closed position and at least one open position, wherein the shutter actuating element is designed as emptying device contact portion. That is, the shutter actuating element is at least partially made of an electrically conductive material and grounded. Furthermore, according to this variant of the invention, in addition to or as an alternative to a connecting flange of the bulk material container closure designed as a bulk material container contact section, the closure body of this closure is designed as a bulk material container contact section, ie the closure body is made at least partially of an electrically conductive material. In a state of the connection flange connected to the connection part, the closure body is then in contact with the (electrically conductive and earthed) closure actuating element, and the closure body is then connected in an electrically conductive manner to the closure actuating element. The electrostatic discharge of the bulk material container can then take place via the closure body of the bulk material container and the closure actuating element of the emptying device.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bulk material container has a closure body, which is arranged substantially in an interior of the bulk goods container intended for receiving the bulk material, wherein it can form a portion of the container wall of the bulk goods container, in particular in its closed position. In addition, the closure body has a cavity open towards the outlet opening.

The closure further has a covering member. In a state of the bulk goods container which is not connected to the emptying device, the latter can be attached to the connecting flange in such a way that it covers the outlet opening on the outside of the bulk goods container and thus protects it. If the connection flange has an outside provided with a pneumatic gas inlet, the covering element can additionally cover and protect this outside as well. The covering member is designed in such a way and projecting at least partially through the outlet opening into the cavity of the closure body such that it in turn has an outwardly open cavity, which is arranged substantially inside the cavity of the closure body. The cavity of the cover member is designed and dimensioned such that a further closure body is partially receivable in it, which is part of a further closure of another bulk material container, wherein the further bulk material container is formed together with its closure and closure body identical to the first bulk material container together with its closure and closure body ,

By the cavity of the covering member is arranged substantially in the cavity of the closure body and a further identical closure body of another identical closure is partially accommodated in the cavity of the Abdeckorgans, it is ensured that a plurality of mutually identical closures can be stacked together with their Abdeckorganen space-saving.

The capping member is either perforated or removed from the connection flange prior to emptying the bulk material container by means of an emptying device to which the bulk material container is connected, in order to allow bulk material to flow out through the outlet opening of the bulk material container. The cover member may be a solid body (i.e., a cover body) and may be formed for selective attachment and removal on or from the connection flange to allow multiple use of the cover member. The cover body made of a solid material (for example, metal or plastic) may be formed in particular in a cone shape corresponding to a cone-shaped closure body. But the covering can also be only a rupturable, tear-off or perforable film o. Ä. In this case, the covering member is merely intended for a one-time covering of the closure.

The cover member is preferably further formed such that it mechanically secures the closure body in its mounted on the connection flange state and prevents the closure body is accidentally moved into the bulk material container and thereby the closure is opened unintentionally. For this purpose, the covering z. B. be provided with a screw thread and be connected by means of this screw thread and a corresponding screw thread which is formed on the closure body, with the closure body via an optionally releasable screw connection.

The bulk containers with closures provided with a capping member may further comprise flexible container walls (eg, container walls made of paper, plastic film, textile fabric, or similar foldable materials), and the cavities of the capping members may be further formed and sized be that the closure body together with the them covering parts of the container walls in the cavities of the Abdeckorgane be partially absorbable. This ensures that a plurality of identical to each other trained bulk containers together with their closures can be stacked to save space in an empty and not connected to the emptying device state of bulk containers.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the bulk material container has a connection flange, in which at least one surface section is designed and arranged such that it forms a part of its bottom in the interior of the bulk material container and drops in the direction of the outlet opening, in order to allow the bulk material to flow out support. Overall, the inclined surface portion of the connecting flange forms a slide on which the bulk material can slide towards the outlet opening.

The angle of inclination between the inclined surface portion and a horizontal is preferably in a range between about 15 ° and about 60 °. For common bulk materials, an inclination angle of about 30 ° has been found suitable. In this case, the inclined surface may be funnel-shaped overall in order to guide the bulk material in the direction of the outlet opening. It is clear that the closures of the bulk material containers according to various variants of the invention can be used not only for emptying the bulk goods containers but also for filling the bulk goods containers with bulk material. For this purpose, a corresponding empty bulk material container is initially positioned such that the closure is arranged at the top of the bulk material container, whereupon bulk material by the in the closure bez. in the connecting flange formed bulk material passage is filled into the bulk material container inside.

Next, the closures and emptying devices according to various variants of the invention are also well suited for the use of so-called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) components for the automatic identification of both the bulk material containers and their contents. For this purpose, an RFID read and / or write module can be installed on or in a shutter actuation element made of plastic, while so-called RFID tags (ie RFID identification elements) can be incorporated on or in the closure bodies made of plastic. Such a system then offers the possibility, during or after the connection of the provided with appropriate closures bulk containers to read out the data provided with corresponding closure actuation elements emptying data from the RFID tags and / or write to this. On this way, the entire cycle of the bulk goods container and its contents can be completely logged. Due to the integration of the RFID components in the closures or the emptying devices, which is no longer accessible from the outside, a highly reliable and largely forgery-proof identification can be achieved in the context of so-called supply chain management.

In order to be able to absorb the considerable forces acting on the closures in the case of comparatively large bulk goods containers, closures according to various variants of the invention may additionally be reinforced. Thus, e.g. a made of plastic flange of such a closure (in the case of a two-part flange in particular the outer flange) with a made of metal and / or fiber material (in particular glass or carbon fibers) made reinforcing strip, which is arranged along the outer circumference of the flange along.

From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention result.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine Entleerungsvorrichtung und einen Schüttgutbehälter gemäss einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsart der Erfindung in einer vereinfachten, teilweise vertikal geschnittenen Teildarstellung;

Fig. 2

eine Entleerungsvorrichtung und einen Schüttgutbehälter gemäss einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsart der Erfindung in einer vereinfachten, teilweise vertikal geschnittenen Teildarstellung;

Fig. 3

eine Entleerungsvorrichtung und einen Schüttgutbehälter gemäss einer dritten bevorzugten Ausführungsart der Erfindung in einer vereinfachten, teilweise vertikal geschnittenen Teildarstellung;

Fig. 4

den Schüttgutbehälter aus Fig.3 in einer vereinfachten, vertikal geschnittenen Darstellung;

Fig. 5

den Schüttgutbehälter aus Fig. 3 sowie einen weiteren Schüttgutbehälter in einer vereinfachten, vertikal geschnittenen Teildarstellung;

Fig. 6

den Schüttgutbehälter aus Fig. 1 sowie eine Entleerungsvorrichtung gemäss einer vierten bevorzugten Ausführungsart der Erfindung in einer vereinfachten, vertikal geschnittenen Teildarstellung;

Fig. 7

eine Entleerungsvorrichtung und einen Schüttgutbehälter gemäss einer fünften bevorzugten Ausführungsart der Erfindung in einer vereinfachten, vertikal geschnittenen Teildarstellung;

Fig. 8

einen Schüttgutbehälter gemäss einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsart der Erfindung in einer vereinfachten, vertikal geschnitte- nen Teildarstellung, mit einer abgedeckten Austrittsöffnung;

Fig. 9

den Schüttgutbehälter aus Fig. 8 in einer vereinfachten, vertikal geschnittenen Teildarstellung, mit von der Austrittsöffnung entfernter Abdeckung.

The drawings used to explain the embodiments show:

Fig. 1

an emptying device and a bulk material container according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified, partially vertically sectioned partial representation;

Fig. 2

an emptying device and a bulk material container according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified, partially vertically sectioned partial representation;

Fig. 3

an emptying device and a bulk material container according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified, partially vertically sectioned partial representation;

Fig. 4

the bulk material container Figure 3 in a simplified, vertically cut representation;

Fig. 5

the bulk material container Fig. 3 and another bulk goods container in a simplified, vertically sectioned partial representation;

Fig. 6

the bulk material container Fig. 1 and an emptying device according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified, vertically sectioned partial representation;

Fig. 7

an emptying device and a bulk material container according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified, vertically sectioned partial representation;

Fig. 8

a bulk material container according to another preferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified, vertically cut partial representation, with a covered outlet opening;

Fig. 9

the bulk material container Fig. 8 in a simplified, vertically sectioned partial view, with the cover removed from the outlet opening.

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. Corresponding parts of the same function are provided with reference numerals in different embodiments of the invention, which differ by an integer multiple of one hundred.

Ways to carry out the invention

Fig. 1 shows an emptying device 10, to which a bulk material container 50 is connected. The representation in Fig. 1 is divided vertically in the middle, on the left side of the emptying device 10 and the bulk goods container 50 are shown in a closed position, while on the right side of the Emptying device 10 and the bulk goods container 50 are shown in an open position.

The emptying device 10 comprises a housing 20, in which a passage channel 22 is formed with a circular cross-section. The housing 20 has substantially the shape of a rectangularly curved pipe section, wherein the passage channel 22 is formed through the interior of this pipe section. The housing 20 has a substantially flat, horizontally arranged circular upper side, in which a circular opening 26 is formed, which serves as an inlet opening 26 for incoming bulk material into the passage 22 (not shown). The inlet opening 26 occupies most of the surface of the housing upper side and opens into a first (upper) end of the passage channel 22.

The uppermost part of the housing 20, which also includes the housing top provided with the inlet opening 26, is formed as a connection part 24 of the emptying device 10. The connection part 24 is made of an electrically conductive material and grounded. At the uppermost outer edge of the connecting section 24 (which at the same time also forms the uppermost outer edge of the housing 20) an annular collar 25 is formed, which projects radially outwards in a horizontal plane from the inside and the below housing part and for coupling the bulk goods container 50 to the Emptying device 10 is used.

In the connecting portion 24 formed as the upper part of the passage channel 22 extends in the vertical direction. Below this, the passage 22 has a curved portion, which is formed by a bent lower portion of the tubular housing 20 at right angles. After the right-angled bend or bend, the passage channel 22 opens into an outlet opening 23, which is formed in a vertical outer side of the housing 20. Overall, the passageway 22 extends from the formed in the housing top inlet 26 to the formed in a vertical outer side of the housing 20 outlet opening 23, wherein it initially runs vertically downwards in the region of the inlet opening 26, and at right angles in the lower region of the housing 20 and in the region of the outlet opening 23 extends approximately horizontally.

To the outlet opening 23 is a bulk material suction (not shown) connected, which is connected to an evacuation device (not shown) to the outflow of bulk material from the bulk material container 50 out and through the passageway 22 therethrough by generating a vacuum in the bulk material suction and in the passageway 22 to support.

In the top of the connecting section 24 is an upwardly open annular channel 28 (also referred to as annular channel 28) is formed, which serves as a compressed air outlet 28 of the emptying device 10. The annular channel 28 extends substantially in a horizontal plane (i.e., parallel to the top of the connecting portion 24) along the outer periphery of the inlet opening 26 and surrounds them completely. The annular channel 28 is bounded below and on two sides by channel walls which are formed as parts of walls of the housing 20. In this case, the radially inwardly disposed side wall 29 of the annular channel 28 is also formed as a channel wall 29 of the passage channel 22, which limits this in its uppermost region to the outside. D. h., The channel inner wall 29 of the annular channel 28 is simultaneously formed as an outer wall 29 of the passage channel 22. The radially outer side wall of the annular channel 28 simultaneously forms an outer wall of the housing 20 and its connecting portion 24th

The annular channel 28 is further provided with a compressed-air connection 30, which comprises a passage opening obliquely from below into the annular channel 28, through which compressed air can be supplied into the annular channel 28. To the compressed air connection 30 a Druckluftzuführleitung (not shown) can be connected, which is connected to a compressed air source (not shown) to supply the annular channel 28 with compressed air. The thin arrows 80 in Fig. 1 indicate the compressed air flow 80 or its flow direction.

The emptying device 10 is further provided with a shutter actuating device for selectively opening and closing a shutter of the bulk goods container 50. The shutter actuating device comprises an elongate drive shaft 32, a shutter actuating element 34 and an adjusting device 36.

The drive shaft 32 has a circular cylindrical shape and a shaft axis defined by the axis of the circular cylinder. The drive shaft 32 is received in a passage of a guide bush 38 and slidably guided by the guide bush 38 in the direction of the shaft axis and rotatable about the shaft axis. The passage of the guide bush 38 leads from below through a wall of the housing 20 into the passageway 22, which wall forms part of the boundary wall of the passageway 22 in its lower arcuate portion. The guide bush 38 is fixedly attached to this wall. The drive shaft 32 is arranged in passing through the passage of the guide bushing 38 arrangement such that the shaft axis or its extension in the vertical direction through the center of the inlet opening 26 passes, wherein an upper portion of the drive shaft 32 is disposed in the passage 22, while a lower portion of the drive shaft 32 is disposed below and outside the passageway 22.

At the top of the drive shaft 32, the shutter actuator 34 is attached. This is essentially a conical body made of a solid material, which is mounted with its base surface at the uppermost end of the drive shaft 32, that the axis of the cone-shaped shutter actuator 34 is arranged coaxially with the axis of the drive shaft 32, wherein the tip of the cone of the top Part and the circular base of the cone form the bottom part of the shutter actuating element 34. The shutter actuator 34 is made of an electrically conductive material and grounded.

In the region of the base surface, a driver ring 45 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the closure actuating element 34. The driving ring 45 is made of an elastic material having a comparatively large adhesion coefficient. It serves to create a frictional connection between the shutter actuating element 34 and a closing body 60 resting on the shutter actuating element 34 and to take it along by means of frictional force when the shutter actuating element 34 is rotated about its axis (ie the axis of its cone) or displaced along this axis becomes. At the bottom, the drive shaft 32 is coupled to the adjusting device 36 in such a way that it can be displaced or adjusted vertically upwards and downwards by means of the adjusting device 36 selectively in the direction of the shaft axis with respect to the housing 20. The position with maximum downward shifted drive shaft 32 is used as a closed position (in Fig. 1 shown on the left side) and the position with maximum shifted up drive shaft 32 as fully open position (in Fig. 1 on the right side) of the emptying device 10 or its drive shaft 32. If the drive shaft 32 is arranged between its closed position and its fully open position, this is referred to as a partially open position of the emptying device 10 or its drive shaft 32.

The adjusting device 36 is further formed simultaneously as a rotary drive 36, by means of which the drive shaft 32 with respect to the housing 20 either about the shaft axis around 360 degrees back and forth is pivotally or rotatable. The adjusting device 36 is mounted on the housing 20 and completely outside the passageway 22 and disposed below it.

On the drive shaft 32, a plurality of blades 31, 33, 35, 37 are rotatably mounted below the shutter actuating element projecting in the radial direction of the drive shaft 32 away. In the closed position of the emptying device 10, the blades 31, 33, 35, 37 are arranged completely within the passage channel 22. In the partially or fully opened positions of the emptying device 10, the blades are arranged in the passageway 22 or directly above the inlet opening 26 above the passageway 22. If the drive shaft 32 is pivoted back and forth about the shaft axis during the emptying process, the blades 31, 33, 35, 37 serve as comminution elements 31, 33, 35, 37 for comminuting any lumps present in the outflowing bulk material.

The in Fig. 1 shown bulk goods container 50 is a bag 50 with a flexible container wall 53 and bag wall 53, which is made of paper and has the shape of a shell which is closed on all sides except for the closure described below. In the bottom, the bottom of the bag 50 forming area of the Sack wall 53 is inserted a closure. The closure has a connection flange 51, 52 a closure body 60 and a shut-off body 65 designed as a non-return sealing lip.

The connecting flange is composed of an inner flange 51 and an outer flange 52, both of which are annular in shape and in the illustration of Fig. 1 are arranged such that their ring axes coincide and extend substantially vertically. The two flange parts 51, 52 are made of an electrically conductive material. The inner flange portion 51 has a circular cylindrical shell-shaped portion 59, which identifies the shape of a pipe section and a substantially vertically extending circular cylindrical passage 54 laterally limited, which serves as an outlet opening 54 for in the bag 50 received bulk material (not shown). At the upper end of the inner flange 51 a radially (ie horizontally) outwardly projecting portion 55 is formed, which has the shape of a flat annular disc and is arranged at right angles to the cylinder jacket-shaped portion 59 of the inner flange 51. The outer flange 52 has the shape of a thick annular disc with a central passage whose diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylinder jacket 59 of the inner flange 51 so that this cylinder jacket-shaped portion 59 with a press fit into the central passage in the annular outer flange 52 into pluggable is. In the presentation of Fig. 1 is the cylinder jacket-shaped portion 59 of the inner flange 51 inserted from above into the central passage in the outer flange 52, so that the two flange 51, 52 are firmly connected by press fitting. The outer diameter of the outer flange part 52 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the annular disk-shaped uppermost part 55 of the inner flange part 51.

At the lowermost outer edge of the outer flange portion 52 (which also forms the lowermost outer edge of the entire connection flange), an annular collar 56 is formed, which projects radially outward in a horizontal plane from the inside and above the adjacent portion of the outer flange portion 52 and for coupling the flange part 52 or the bag 50 to the connection part 24 of the emptying device 10 is used. The bottom of the flange 51, 52 integrally formed collar 56 has the same outer circumference as the upper part of the connecting part 24 of the emptying device 10 molded collar 25th

Furthermore, a plurality of circular compressed air passages 57, 58 are formed in the outer flange part 52, which each have a diameter which corresponds to the maximum channel width of the annular channel 28 formed in the upper side of the connecting part 24. The compressed air passages 57, 58 pass through the outer flange part 52 in the vertical direction. They are arranged along the circumference of the annular outer flange portion 52 on a circular line with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the annular channel 28 (ie off center with respect to the annular outer flange portion 52) and serve as compressed air inlet 57, 58, through which compressed air in the Sack 50 can flow into it.

The shut-off body 65 is made of a flexible, elastic plastic material and has the shape of a flat, annular disk with a central passage whose diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylinder jacket-shaped portion 59 of the inner flange 51. The outer diameter of the shut-off body 65 is substantially larger than the outer diameter of the annular disc-shaped portion 55 of the inner flange 51 and the outer diameter of the outer flange 52nd

The envelope-like bag wall 53 has in its lowermost region (also referred to as the bottom of the bag 50) a circular opening whose diameter also corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylinder jacket-shaped portion 59 of the inner flange 51. The shut-off body 65 and the bottom of the bag 50 are arranged with superimposed passages or openings such that the cylinder jacket-shaped portion 59 of the inner flange 51 successively from top to bottom through the passage in the Absperrkörper 65, the opening in the bottom of the bag and through the central passage in the outer flange 52 are inserted. The bag wall 53 is glued in the region of the bag opening at the top of the outer flange 52. Further, the bag wall 53 in the region of the blind opening and the shut-off body 65 in the region of its central passage between the underside of the annular disc-shaped portion 55 of the inner flange portion 51 and the top of the outer flange portion 52 clamped and thereby held on the flange or connected thereto, wherein in the vicinity of the outlet opening 54, the bag wall 53 between the outer flange 52 and the Absperrkörper 65 is arranged and the latter between the bag wall 53 and the annular disc-shaped Part 55 of the inner flange 51 is arranged. In other words, this means that the connecting flange composed of the inner flange part 51 and the outer flange part 52 and the shut-off body 65 in the vicinity of the outlet opening 54 (ie in the vicinity of the bag opening) are clamped to the bag wall 53 and partially glued to it.

In those parts of the bag wall 53, which are arranged directly above the formed in the outer flange 52 compressed air passages 57, 58, compressed air passages are formed in the bag wall. Although these compressed air passages are covered by the immediately above shut-off body 65 and - if there is no overpressure or only a slight overpressure in the compressed air passages 57, 58 - sealed. If, however, in the compressed air passages 57, 58, a greater overpressure prevails, made of a flexible material shut-off body 65 is slightly deformed by the compressed air, so that compressed air from the upper end of the compressed air passages 57, 58 from sideways between the shut-off body 65 and the bag wall 53rd through into the interior of the bag 50 can flow. The compressed air flow 80 or its flow direction is in Fig. 1 represented by the thin arrows 80.

Overall, the shut-off body 65 serves at the same time as shut-off and closing spring of check valves, which close the compressed air passages 57, 58 to the interior of the bag 50 and allow a compressed air flow 80 into the bag 50 in a compressed air and / or bulk flow in the reverse direction from the Prevent Sack, however.

The radially outer region of the annular disk-shaped shut-off body 65 projects beyond the outer edges of the inner flange part 51 and the outer flange part 52 and protrudes into the interior of the bag 50. When compressed air flows between the bag wall 53 and the shut-off body 65 into the bag 50, this protruding portion of the shut-off body 65 is caused to vibrate (also called flapping). The vibrations are then transferred to the bulk material received in the interior of the bag 50 and cause a loosening of the bulk material.

The closure body 60 is designed and arranged for selectively closing and opening the outlet opening 54. It is made of a solid, electrostatically dissipative plastic and formed as a hollow, thin-walled cone, wherein the cone shape of the likewise conical interior of the closure body 60 substantially corresponds to the outer shape of the cone-shaped closure actuating element of the emptying device 10. In the in Fig. 1 the closure body 60 is arranged such that the axis of symmetry of the cone-shaped closure body is vertical and is arranged coaxially to the axis of the drive shaft, wherein the tip of the cone, the uppermost part and the circular, downwardly open base of the cone, the lowest lot of the closure body 60th form. The maximum diameter of the cone 60 in the region of its base surface is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet opening 54 formed in the inner flange part 51, so that the lowermost region of the closure body 60 can be arranged with a clearance fit in the outlet opening 54 in order to close it tightly, such as this in Fig. 1 is shown on the left side.

The closing body 60 is displaceable downwards and upwards in relation to the connecting flange 51, 52 and can be lifted upwards from the connecting flange in order to close or release the outlet opening 54 and thereby open the closure, as shown in FIG Fig. 1 is shown on the right. The position with the closure body 60 displaced maximally downwards is referred to as the closed position of the closure body 60 or of the closure. In this in Fig. 1 On the left side shown position, the base of the closure body 60 is disposed within the outlet opening 54 and closes them tight. The position with the closure body 60 displaced maximally upward is referred to as the fully open position of the closure or of the closure body 60. Is this in Fig. 1 On the right side shown position, the entire closure body 60 is arranged above the outlet opening 54. Next is the closure body 60 with respect to the connecting flange 51, 52 freely rotatable about the vertical axis of symmetry of the cone.

On the upper side of the connecting section 24, three sealing rings 41, 42, 43 made of an elastic sealing material are further arranged such that they are in an unloaded state (ie, if no bulk goods container is coupled to the emptying device 10) at least partially from the surface plane of the upper side project upwards. If - as in the presentation of Fig. 1 the connecting flange 51, 52 of the bulk goods container 50 is coupled to the connection part 24 of the emptying device 10, the sealing rings 41, 42, 43 are pressed together between the abutting surfaces of the connecting flange 51, 52 and the connecting part 24 and then seal passages which pass through passing these surfaces through and through which bulk material and / or air from the bulk goods container 50 into the emptying device 10 and compressed air can flow from the emptying device 10 into the bulk goods container 50. A first sealing ring 41 is arranged along the outer circumference of the annular channel 28 and seals the annular channel 28 to the outside. A second sealing ring 42 is disposed along the inner circumference of the annular channel 28 and seals the annular channel 28 inwardly from. A third sealing ring 43 is arranged along the outer circumference of the inlet opening 26 and seals off the inlet opening or passage 22 in the upper side of the connecting section 24.

To use the in Fig. 1 Draining device 10 shown bulk material from the in Fig. 1 First, a cover member 51, 52 of the bag 50, which is arranged on the bag 50, is removed from the connecting flange 51, 52. The closure of the bag 50 and the closure actuator of the emptying device 10 are in their closed positions. Thereafter, the bag 50 is transported together with the connecting flange 51, 52 via the housing 20 of the emptying device 10. Subsequently, the coupling process for coupling the bag 50 is introduced to the emptying device 10 by the bag 50 is lowered to the housing 20 out. During lowering of the bag 50, the closure body 60, which is open at the bottom, is moved over the upper side over the upper side of the connecting section 24 of the Housing 20 protruding shutter actuating element 34 is slipped, whereby the connecting flange 51, 52 together with the bag 50 with respect to the connecting part 24 and the housing 20 centered and aligned exactly on this. The bag 50 is lowered until the connecting flange 51, 52 rests with its underside on the upper side of the housing 20 or its connecting part 24. The collar 56, which is integrally formed on the connecting flange 51, 52, is now located directly on the collar 25, which is formed on top of the connection part 24. Next, the connection flange 51, 52 is clamped by means of an annular retaining clip 47 to the connection part 24 of the emptying device 10. Thus, the coupling process is completed, and the bag 50 is now in the in Fig. 1 shown, coupled to the emptying device 10 state.

Overall, provided with the collar 25 connecting portion 24 forms a first, emptying device-side construction unit and provided with the collar 56 connecting flange 51, 52 a second, sack-side construction unit of a coupling device for selectively releasably connect the connecting flange 51, 52 to the connection part 24th is trained. The first and second construction units can be coupled together or connected to one another in a single coupling operation, around the connecting flange 51, 52 of the bag 50 provided with the outlet opening 54 and the compressed air inlet 57, 58 to the connecting section 24 provided with the inlet opening 26 and the compressed air outlet 28 the discharge device 10 connect or couple.

In the in Fig. 1 illustrated coupled state of the connecting flange 51, 52 and the connecting portion 24 are held together by means of the annular retaining clip 47, which along the entire outer circumference of the connecting flange 51, 52 and the connecting portion 24 on the flange 51, 52 integrally formed collar 56 outside and above and at the connection part 24 integrally formed collar 25 outside and below surrounds. Next are in the in Fig. 1 illustrated coupled state formed in the outer flange portion 52 passages 57, 58 disposed directly above the upwardly open annular channel 28 so that compressed air from the annular channel 28 through the passages 57, 58 can flow into the bag 50 into it. In addition, in the in Fig. 1 shown coupled state, the outlet opening 54 of the bag immediately above the inlet opening 26 of the Emptying device 10 is arranged so that bulk material and air can flow through the outlet opening 54 out of the bag 50 out and through the inlet opening 26 into the passageway 22 into it.

To initiate the emptying process, the drive shaft 32 is next shifted by means of the adjusting device 36 upwards. As a result, the closure actuation element 34 mounted on top of the drive shaft 32, which is already arranged in the interior of the closure body 60, is pressed against the closure body 60 from below and raises the latter in order to lift the closure body 60 away from the outlet opening 54 and thereby out of the connection flange 51, 52 and the closure body 60 formed closure of the bag 50 to open. In this case, the driving ring 45 is pressed together between the closure actuating element 34 and the closure body 60 and thereby provides a non-rotatable connection between the closure actuating element 34 and the closure body 60. The closure body 60 is adjusted to one of the desired dosages by means of the closure actuating device 32, 34, 36 lifted the bulk material flow corresponding height. On the right side of Fig. 1 the closure body 60 is shown in its maximum height above the outlet opening. This open position of the closure results in a maximum flow of bulk material out of the sack 50.

As soon as the closure body 60 is lifted off the outlet opening 54, bulk material begins to flow out of the bag 50 substantially vertically downwards through the outlet opening. The thick arrow 82 in Fig. 1 indicates the flow of bulk material 82 or its flow direction when the closure is open.

In order to support the outflow of bulk material from the bag 50, the drive shaft is pivoted about the shaft axis back and forth by means of the rotary drive of the adjusting device 36. As a result, the closure actuating element 34 and the closing body 60 entrained by the catch ring 45 are also pivoted back and forth, which leads to a loosening of the bulk material resting on the closure body 60. In addition, the attached to the drive shaft 32 blades 31, 33, 35, 37 are pivoted back and forth, whereby any bulk lumps are reduced in the pivoting range of the knife.

Further, compressed air is blown into the bag 50 through the compressed air port 30, the compressed air outlet 28, the compressed air inlet 57, 58 and between the bag wall 53 and the shut-off body 65, and at the same time a vacuum in the passageway by means of the evacuation device connected to the discharge port 23 via the bulk material suction line 22 generated. As a result, on the one hand the shut-off body 65 is stimulated to flutter, which leads to a loosening of the bulk material located on the shut-off. On the other hand, the air flow indicated by the arrows 80 is generated in the sack 50, which leads to a further loosening of the bulk material received in the sack 50 and, moreover, the bulk material passes out of the sack 50 through the outlet opening 54, the inlet opening 26 into the passageway 22 entrains into and through the passageway 22 therethrough.

To end the emptying process, first the rotary drive of the adjusting device 36 is stopped and then the drive shaft 32 is lowered by means of the adjusting device 36 until again in Fig. 1 Closed position shown on the left side is reached. Thereafter, the retaining clip 47 is removed from the collar 25, 56 and thereby the connecting flange 51, 52 disconnected from the connecting portion 24. Now, the bag 50 together with the connecting flange 51, 52 is lifted a little bit from the connection part 24 and again produces a strong compressed air flow out of the compressed air connection. This compressed air flow blows any still on the connection part 24 and / or on the flange 51, 52 existing bulk away, whereupon the blown bulk material is sucked through the evacuation device through the inlet opening and the passage channel. As a result, a cleaning of parts of the emptying device 10 and the bag 50 is achieved. Subsequently, the compressed air flow through the compressed air port 30 and the compressed air outlet 28 through and the suction flow in the passage 22 are interrupted. If desired, the connection flange 51, 52 can be covered again with a cover member and then the at least partially emptied bag 50 can be transported away from the emptying device 10.

Fig. 2 shows an emptying device 110, to which a bulk material container 150 is connected. The representation in Fig. 2 is divided vertically in the middle, on the left side of the emptying device 110 and the bulk material container 150 in a closed position are shown, while on the right side of the emptying device 110 and the bulk material container 150 are shown in an open position.

The in Fig. 2 shown bulk goods container 150 or bag 150 differs from the in Fig. 1 shown bulk goods container 50 or bag 50 substantially only with respect to the formation of the closure member 160 for closing the outlet opening 154. Otherwise, the in Fig. 2 shown bag 150 is substantially the same design as in Fig. 1 illustrated bag 50th The in Fig. 2 shown bag 150 in turn has a flexible bag wall 153 and a closure which is provided with a two-part connection flange 151, 152, a closure body 160 and a shut-off 165. The two flange parts 151, 152 are made of an electrically conductive material.

This in Fig. 2 Closure member 160 shown for closing the outlet opening 154 is a made of a flexible sheet material perforable film 160 which is welded in the closed state at the inner flange 151 of the connecting flange 151, 152 such that it completely closes the outlet opening 154 formed in the inner flange 151. The closure formed by the film 160 and the connecting flange 151, 152 is provided only for a single opening of the closure, ie, it is a one-way closure.

In the Fig. 2 shown drainage device 110 differs from the in Fig. 1 The emptying device 10 shown essentially merely with respect to the configuration of the closure actuating device 132, 134, 136 for closing and optionally opening the closure of the bag 150. Otherwise, the in Fig. 2 shown emptying device 110 substantially the same design as in Fig. 1 illustrated emptying device 10. The in Fig. 2 Draining device 110 shown again has a housing 120 provided with a passage 122, the uppermost portion of which is designed as a connecting section 124 and provided with an inlet opening 126 opening into the passage channel 122 and a compressed air outlet 128. The connection part 124 is made of an electrically conductive material and grounded.

In the Fig. 2 Shutter actuator 132, 134, 136 shown again comprises an elongated drive shaft 132, a shutter actuator 134, and an adjuster 136 for adjusting drive shaft 132 in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The shutter actuator 134 is mounted uppermost on the drive shaft 132 and again formed as a cone-shaped body with the tip of the cone forming the uppermost portion and the circular base of the cone forming the lowermost portion of the shutter actuator 134. Unlike the in Fig. 1 Shutter actuating element 34 shown is the cone-shaped outer surface of in Fig. 2 The shutter actuating element 134 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a plurality of sharp cutting edges 131, 133, 135, 137 which serve to perforate and intersect the film 160 of the closure of the bag 150.

To use the in Fig. 2 Draining device 110 shown bulk material from the in Fig. 2 Sack 150 to be emptied is first coupled in a coupling operation of the bag 150 to the emptying device 110, wherein this coupling operation, with the exception of the centering is the same as the coupling process for coupling the in Fig. 1 illustrated sacks 50 to the in Fig. 1 illustrated emptying device 10th

After coupling the bag 150 to the emptying device 110, the drive shaft 132 together with the closure actuating element 134 attached thereto is displaced upward by means of the adjusting device 136. The cutting edges 131, 133, 135, 137 on the outside of the shutter actuating element 134 are pressed against the film 160 from below in such a way that they perforate and cut them. As a result, the closure of the bag 150 formed from the connection flange 151, 152 and the film-shaped closure member 160 is opened.

Subsequently, the bulk material is completely emptied from the bag 150 in an emptying process, which is similar to the previously described emptying process. A re-closing of the bag 150 by means of the film 160 is no longer possible, however, the bag 150, if necessary, by means of a covering body, as in connection with the FIGS. 4 and 5 is described further back, sealed again and without contamination.

Fig. 3 shows an emptying device 210, to which a bulk material container 250 is connected. The representation in Fig. 3 is divided vertically in the middle, on the left side of the emptying device 210 and the bulk material container 250 are shown in a closed position, while on the right side of the emptying device 210 and the bulk material container 250 are shown in an open position.

The in Fig. 3 illustrated bulk containers 250 is a bag-shaped bulk container 250 (also referred to as "big bag" or "bulk bag"). In Fig. 4 this large container 250 is shown in isolation. Fig. 5 shows the large container 250 together with another, identical to this large container 350 in a stacked arrangement. The in the Figures 3-5 illustrated large container 250 differs from the in Fig. 1 shown bag 50 in terms of its dimensions and with respect to a plurality of suspension tabs 285, 286, which are mounted on top of the flexible container wall 253 and allow hanging the large container 250 on a suspension (eg a crane). Otherwise, the in the Figures 3-5 illustrated large container 250 substantially the same design as in Fig. 1 shown bag 50. The large container 250 in turn has a flexible container wall 253 and a closure which is identical to the closure of in Fig. 1 Sacks 50 shown and with a two-part connection flange 251, 252, a conical closure body 260 and a shut-off body 265 is provided from a flexible material. The two flange parts 251, 252 are made of an electrically conductive material. The closure body 260 is made of a solid, electrostatically dissipative plastic.

In the Fig. 3 Emptying device 210 shown comprises a funnel-shaped housing 220, in which a passage channel 222 is formed with a circular cross-section. The housing 220 has a substantially flat, horizontally arranged circular upper side, in which a circular opening 226 is formed, which serves as an inlet opening 226 for incoming bulk material into the passage 222 (not shown). The inlet opening 226 occupies most of the surface of the housing top and opens into the upper end of the passage channel 222. From the inlet opening 226, the passage channel 222 extends in the vertical direction down to an outlet opening 223, wherein the diameter of the passage channel 222 due to the funnel shape of the housing 220 decreases towards the bottom smaller.

The uppermost part of the housing 220, which also includes the housing top provided with the inlet opening 226, is designed as a connection part 224 of the emptying device 210. The connection part 224 is made of an electrically conductive material and grounded. At the uppermost outer edge of the connecting section 224 (which at the same time also forms the uppermost outer edge of the housing 220), an annular collar 225 is formed, which protrudes radially outwards and serves for coupling the bulk goods container 250 to the emptying device 210.

In the upper side of the connection part 224, an upwardly open annular channel 228 is formed, which serves as compressed air outlet 228 of the emptying device 210. The annular channel 228 is provided with a compressed air connection 230 to which a Druckluftzuführleitung (not shown) is connected, which is connected to a compressed air source (not shown) to supply the annular channel 228 with compressed air. The thin arrows 280 in Fig. 3 indicate the compressed air flow 280 or their flow direction.

The emptying device 210 is further provided with a shutter actuating device for selectively opening and closing a shutter of the bulk goods container 250. The shutter actuating device comprises a shutter actuating element 234 and an adjusting device 236, which is provided with a piston-cylinder arrangement 270, 277, 278, a guide rod 267 and a rotary drive 237.

The piston-cylinder arrangement 270, 277, 278 comprises a piston 270 with a circular cylindrical outer shape, which is connected by means of connecting struts 268, 269 fixed to the housing 220 and mounted thereon stationary. The piston 270 is received in a circular cylindrical cavity of a first downwardly open hollow cylinder 277 such that the first hollow cylinder 277 in vertical Direction with respect to the piston 270 is displaceable. The outer shape of the piston 270 corresponds substantially to the shape of the cavity of the first hollow cylinder 277. A first sealing ring 271 is arranged on the circular cylindrical outer surface of the piston 270 along the upper edge thereof and seals the gap formed between the piston 270 and the first hollow cylinder 277 airtight against the outside. A second seal ring 272 and a first scraper ring 273 are disposed on the inner surface of the first hollow cylinder 277 along the lower edge thereof. They additionally seal the intermediate space formed between the piston 270 and the first hollow cylinder 277 below the first sealing ring 271 and prevent the ingress of bulk material or other dirt particles into this intermediate space.

The first hollow cylinder 277 in turn has a kresizylindrische outer shape and is received in a circular cylindrical cavity of a second downwardly open hollow cylinder 278 such that the second hollow cylinder 278 in the vertical direction with respect to the first hollow cylinder 277 is displaceable. A third sealing ring 274 is arranged on the circular cylinder jacket-shaped outer surface of the first hollow cylinder 277 along the upper edge thereof and seals the intermediate space formed between the first hollow cylinder 277 and the second hollow cylinder 278 in an airtight manner against the outside. A fourth seal ring 275 and a second scraper ring 276 are disposed on the inner surface of the second hollow cylinder 278 along the lower edge thereof. They additionally seal the intermediate space formed between the first hollow cylinder 277 and the second hollow cylinder 278 below the third sealing ring 274 and prevent the ingress of bulk material or other dirt particles into this intermediate space.

At the top of the second hollow cylinder 278, the shutter actuator 234 is mounted, which is similar to that in FIG Fig. 1 Shutter actuator 34 shown is made of an electrically conductive material and grounded.

A compressed air line (not shown) supplied with compressed air from an external compressed air source (not shown) passes through the piston 270 into the space between the piston 270 and the first hollow cylinder 277. From This space leads a compressed air passage to the space between the first hollow cylinder 277 and the second hollow cylinder 278. Overall, by the piston 270, the first hollow cylinder 277 and the second hollow cylinder 278 a piston-cylinder arrangement with a housing 220 mounted on the piston 270 and two with respect to the piston 270 and telescopically slidable hollow cylinders 277, 278 created, wherein the piston-cylinder assembly 270, 277, 278 is pneumatically actuated by means of the compressed air source to the second hollow cylinder 278 and attached thereto closure actuator 234 in the vertical direction with respect to To move housing 220 and the piston 270.

In order to guide the movement of the second hollow cylinder 278 exactly, a linear guide unit with an elongate guide rod 267 is provided, which is fixedly attached to the second hollow cylinder 278. The guide rod 267 has a circular cylindrical shape and a rod axis defined by the axis of the circular cylinder, which extends in the vertical direction. The guide rod 267 is displaceable vertically in a guide bush 266 fixedly attached to the housing 220 and rotatably guided about the rod axis, the guide rod 267 being slidably guided further vertically through passages formed in the piston 270 and the first hollow cylinder 277 are. The linear guide unit 266, 267 ensures that the sealing or scraper rings 271-276 between the hollow cylinders 277, 278 and between the first hollow cylinder 277 and the piston 270 need not exert any guiding forces and are therefore not excessively stressed.

A rotary drive 237 is also mounted in the piston 270, by means of which the guide rod 267 and the second hollow cylinder 278 connected thereto can be pivoted back and forth about the rod axis by 360 degrees with respect to the piston 270 or the housing 220. The guide rod 267 is thus simultaneously formed as a drive shaft 267, by means of which the shutter actuating element 234 can be driven for rotation about the rod axis.

The entire adjusting device 236 formed from the piston-cylinder arrangement 270, 277, 278, the guide rod 267 and the rotary drive 237 is within the Passage channel 222 arranged. Due to the only downwardly open hollow cylinder 277, 278 are still no additional shielding such as those in the document EP 0 915 032 Rolling membrane required to protect the piston-cylinder assembly from contamination by the flowing through the passageway 222 bulk material.

That in the Figures 3 - 5 shown closure actuating element 234 is a made of a solid material conical hollow body, which is mounted with its base at the top on the second hollow cylinder 278 of the adjusting device 236 and by means of the adjusting device 236 in the vertical direction and slidable about the axis of the guide rod 267 around back and forth ,

In the hollow interior of the shutter actuating element 234, a pneumatically actuated vibrator 239 is additionally arranged, which can stimulate the shutter actuating element 234 to vibrate or vibrate. In the open position of the emptying device 210 and the closure of the large container 250 (in Figure 3 on the right side), the closure body 260 sits directly on the closure actuating element 234. The vibrations generated by the vibrator are then transmitted from the closure actuating element 234 to the closure body 260 and from there to the bulk material surrounding it, whereby an additional loosening of the bulk material is effected.

The entire in Fig. 3 shown emptying device 210 together with the connected thereto connecting flange 251, 252 of the large container 250 is in the vertical direction with respect to a suspension device (not shown) to which the large container 250 is suspended, movable. This provides the ability to continuously stretch the large container 250 during the evacuation process to always keep the entire flexible bottom of the large container 250 inclined toward the exit opening 254. As an alternative, for the same purpose, the suspension device with respect to the emptying device 210 can be moved in the vertical direction.

Fig. 4 shows the large container 250 Fig. 3 in isolation. The representation in Fig. 4 is divided vertically in the middle. On the left side of the connecting flange 251, 252 of the closure of the large container 250 is covered with a cover member 281 according to a first variant of the invention. On the right side of the connecting flange 251, 252 of the closure of the large container 250 is covered with a covering member 282 according to a second variant of the invention.

This in Fig. 4 Cover member 281 shown on the left side is a cone-shaped hollow body 281 made of a solid material with a bottom surface open at the bottom. The cone shape of the cover body 281 substantially corresponds to the cone shape of the closure body 260. At the bottom, a ring disk 263 projecting radially outward from the base surface of the cone shape is integrally formed on the cover body 281, whose outer circumference substantially corresponds to the outer circumference of the outer flange portion 252 of the connection flange 251, 252. The annular disc has in the region of its outer circumference an identical outer shape as the collar 225 of the connecting portion 224 of FIG Fig. 3 As a result, the possibility is created, the cover body 281 by means of the same annular retaining clip 247 (or identical to this retaining clip) selectively releasably clamped to the connection flange 251, 252, which also for clamping the connecting flange 251, 252 on the connecting part 224 of in Fig. 3 shown emptying device 210, as shown in the FIGS. 4 and 5 each on the left side is shown.

In the state clamped to the connecting flange 251, 252, the covering body 281 is partially projecting from below through the outlet opening 254 into the cavity of the closure body 260, wherein the downwardly open cavity of the covering body 281 is arranged substantially inside the cavity of the closure body 260 , In this state, the cover body 281 covers the entire connection flange 251, 252 on its underside. In addition, in this state, the cover member 281 is selectively releasably connected to the closure body 260 so as to mechanically secure the closure body 260 and prevent the closure body 260 from being inadvertently moved into the large container 250, thereby inadvertently opening the closure.

This in Fig. 4 Cover member 281 shown on the right side is a cover sheet 282 made of a flexible sheet material. It is attached to the outer circumference of the connection flange along the underside of outer flange portion 252 and covers the entire connection flange 251, 252 on the underside thereof. In the region inside the inner flange part 251, the cover film protrudes from below through the outlet opening 254 into the cavity of the closure body 260 and in turn forms a downwardly open cavity, which is arranged substantially inside the cavity of the closure body 260.

Fig. 5 shows the large container 250 from the Figures 3 and 4 together with another identical bulk container 350 in a stacked arrangement, the closures of the two bulk containers 250, 350 each having identical covering members 281, 282; 381, 382 are covered. The representation in Fig. 5 is divided vertically in the middle. On the left side are the connecting flanges 251, 252; 351, 352 of the closures of the large containers 250; 350 with cover bodies 281, 381 according to the illustrations on the left side of Fig. 4 covered. On the right side are the connecting flanges 251, 252; 351, 352 of the closures of the large containers 250; 350 with cover sheets 282, 382 as shown on the right side of Fig. 4 covered.

As shown on the left side of Fig. 5 the closure body 360 of the closure of the further large container 350 is partially received in the cavity of the cover body 281 of the large container 250, wherein the ceiling portion of the flexible container wall 353 of the further large container 350 on its closure body 360 lying between this closure body 360 and the cover body 281 of the other large container 250 is arranged is.

Similarly, as shown on the right side of FIG Fig. 5 the closure body 360 of the closure of the further large container 350 is partially received in the cavity formed by the cover film 282 of the large container 250, wherein the ceiling part of the flexible container wall of the further large container 350 resting on its closure body 360 between this closure body 360 and the cover 282 of the other large container 250th is arranged.

Fig. 6 shows an emptying device 310, to which the already in the Fig. 1 illustrated bulk container 50 from Fig. 1 connected. In the presentation of Fig. 6 the emptying device 310 and the bulk material container 50 or the bag 50 are shown in a closed position.

In the Fig. 6 illustrated emptying device 310 differs from the in Fig. 1 shown emptying device 10 substantially only with respect to the formation of the connection part to which the connection flange 51, 52 of the bag 50 can be connected or connected. Otherwise, the in Fig. 6 illustrated emptying device 310 substantially the same design as in Fig. 1 illustrated emptying device 10th

In the Fig. 6 Draining device 310, in turn, has a housing 320 provided with a passage channel. In contrast to the one shown in FIG Fig. 1 shown emptying device 10 but is the connecting part of in Fig. 6 Emptying device 310 shown not formed as the uppermost part of the housing 320. Rather, the connection part is formed as part of a substantially annular member 321, whose inner diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the passage channel at the top of the housing 320. The annular component 321 is part of a kit which can be attached to or attached to the housing 320. The annular member 321 is fastened by means of screws (not shown) at the top of the housing 320 or attached to this housing 320.

In the upper side of the annular component 321, an inlet opening into the passageway and an annular compressed air outlet 328 are formed, which essentially correspond in their shapes and dimensions to the corresponding inlet opening 26 and the corresponding compressed air outlet 28 of FIG Fig. 1 Corresponding emptying device 10 correspond. Furthermore, the annular component 321 is provided with a compressed air connection 330, which comprises a passage opening obliquely from below into the compressed air outlet 328, through which compressed air can be supplied into the compressed air outlet 328.

In the in Fig. 6 the connection flange 51, 52 of the bag 50 is clamped by means of an annular retaining clip 347 to the connecting part or the component 321 or the emptying device 10. In this state, between the contacting surfaces of the connecting flange 51, 52 and the member 321 three sealing rings 341, 342, 343 arranged to seal the compressed air outlet 328 and the passageway in the transition region between the connecting flange 51, 52 and the annular member 321.

In the Fig. 6 Draining device 310 shown again comprises a closure actuating device provided with a cone-shaped closure actuating element 334. On the outside of the shutter actuating element 334, a driving ring 345 is mounted which serves to create a frictional connection between the shutter actuating element 334 and the closure body 60 resting on the shutter actuating element 334 and to entrain the latter by means of frictional force.

Fig. 7 shows an emptying device 410, to which a bulk material container 450 is connected. The emptying device 410 comprises a housing 420 in which a passage 422 is formed. The housing 420 has a substantially flat, horizontally arranged circular upper side, in which a circular opening 426 is formed, which serves as an inlet opening 426 for in the passage 422 incoming bulk material (not shown). The inlet opening 426 opens into a first (upper) end of the passage channel 422.

The bulk material container 450 is a bag 450 with a flexible container wall 453 or bag wall 453, which has the form of a casing, which is closed on all sides except for the closure described below. In the lowest, the bottom of the bag 450 forming portion of the bag wall 453, a closure is used. The closure has a connection flange 451, 452 has a closure body 460 and a shut-off body 465 designed as a non-return seal lip.

The uppermost portion of the housing 420 is formed as a connection part 424 of the emptying device 410. In the top of the connecting section 424, an upwardly open passages 428 are formed, which as compressed air outlet 428 the emptying device 410 serve. The passages 428 extend substantially in a horizontal plane along the outer circumference of the inlet opening 426 and surround them completely. The passages 428 are further provided with a compressed air port (not shown) through which compressed air can be supplied into the passages 428. The arrows 480 in Fig. 7 indicate the compressed air flow 480.

The emptying device 410 is further provided with a shutter actuating device for selectively opening and closing a shutter of the bulk goods container 450. The shutter actuating device comprises a shutter actuating element 434 and an adjusting device (not shown) mounted on the housing 420, by means of which the shutter actuating element 434 can optionally be displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the housing 420 and the connecting portion 424. The adjusting device is designed similarly to the adjusting device 236 of FIG Figure 3 shown emptying device 210. In contrast to the adjusting device 236 of in Fig. 3 shown emptying device 210 but the adjustment of the in Fig. 7 illustrated emptying device 410 designed such that it allows a larger stroke for moving the shutter actuating element 434. By means of adjusting the in Fig. 7 In particular, the closure actuating element 434 can also be displaced into a position in which the entire closure actuating element 434 is arranged completely below the flat upper side of the housing 420 which is designed as a connection part 424. For this purpose, the piston-cylinder arrangement of the adjustment of the in Fig. 7 illustrated emptying device 410 in comparison to the piston-cylinder arrangement 270, 277, 278 of the adjusting device 236 of in Fig. 7 Draining device 210 shown have one or more additional hollow cylinder.

The shutter actuating element 434 comprises a substantially conical body made of a solid material with a base plate 461. Attached to this base plate 461 is a driver unit 445. The driver unit 445 is formed as a three-dimensional, hermetically sealed and filled with air hollow body 445, which has substantially the shape of a comparatively flat circular cylinder and made of a flexible, airtight material is made. In the region of the ceiling surface, the cylindrical driver unit 445 is fixedly connected to the base plate 461 of the conical body of the closure actuating element 434. In the area of the base or bottom surface, the driver unit 445 is fixedly connected to a pressure plate 464, which is selectively adjustable by means of a pneumatic drive (not shown) with respect to the base plate 461 in the vertical direction. By an adjustment of the pressure plate 464 with respect to the base plate 461 thus the driver unit 445 can be selectively compressed or stretched in the vertical direction. As a result, the outer circumference of the driver unit 445 can optionally be enlarged or reduced. Due to the flexible material from which the driver unit 445 is made, when the driver unit 445 is compressed in a vertical direction, its circumference is increased in a horizontal plane because, on the one hand, the air pressure in the driver unit 445 increases and, on the other hand, the jacket of the essentially cylindrical driver unit 445 increases is arched outwards transversely to the compression direction. Conversely, when the driver unit 445 expands in the vertical direction, its circumference is reduced in the horizontal direction.

The closure body 460 is designed and arranged for selectively closing and opening the outlet opening 454. It is made of a solid plastic and designed as a hollow body, which has a circular cylinder shell-shaped lower part and a cone-shaped upper part. The conical shape of the interior of the closure body 460 substantially corresponds to the outer shape of the cone-shaped body of the closure actuating element 434.

In the inside of the circular cylinder jacket-shaped lower part of the closure body 460, a circumferential groove 462 is formed in a horizontal plane. This serves as a driver stop 462, which cooperates with the driver unit 445. In the presentation of Fig. 7 the bulk goods container 450 is connected to the connection part 424 of the emptying device 410. The driver unit 445 of the shutter actuating element is arranged in the interior of the circular cylinder jacket-shaped lower portion of the closure body 460 such that it is at an enlarged outer circumference as in Fig. 7 shown engaged in the groove 462. In this state, when the shutter operating member 434 is displaced by means of the adjusting device, the shutter body becomes 460 due to the engaging in the groove 462 driver unit 445 taken from the shutter actuator 434. At the same time, the driver unit also serves as a selectively releasable clamping seal, which seals the gap between the body 460 and the closure actuating element 434.

If the distance in the vertical direction between the base plate 461 and the pressing plate 464 is increased, the driver unit 445 is stretched and its circumference reduced so that it no longer engages in the groove 462 (not shown). In the case of a vertical displacement of the closure actuating element 434 downwards, the latter then no longer takes the closure body 460 along with it.

The connection flange 451, 452 is composed of an inner flange part 451 and an outer flange part 452, both of which are of annular design and are arranged concentrically with one another. The two flange parts 451, 452 are made of a solid plastic material. The inner flange portion 451 has a circular cylindrical shell-shaped portion, which identifies the shape of a pipe section and laterally defines a substantially vertically extending circular cylindrical passage, which serves as an outlet opening 454 for bulk material received in the bag 450. The outer flange portion 452 is in the form of a thick annular disc having a central passage. In the presentation of Fig. 7 the cylinder jacket-shaped portion of the inner flange 451 is inserted from above into the central passage in the outer flange 452, so that the two flange 451, 452 are firmly connected by press fitting. Between the inner flange 451 and the outer flange 452, the bag wall 453 is clamped such that it is only connected to the connecting flange 451, 452 due to the clamping force.

Along the outer circumference of the outer flange part 452, a groove with a T-shaped cross section 418 is formed in the underside of the outer flange part 452, which in FIG Fig. 7 is shown in cross section. This T-groove 418 serves as a lock receptacle 418, which cooperates with T-shaped locking pins 417, which are arranged along the outer circumference of the connecting portion 424 in the upper side thereof so as to project upwardly therefrom. In Fig. 7 a locking bolt 417 is shown in cross section.

The T-shaped locking bolt 417 is connected to the connecting section 424 in a tension-proof manner and can be pivoted back and forth about the pin axis by means of a pneumatic drive. In the presentation of Fig. 7 the bulk material container 450 is connected to the emptying device 410. In this state, the outer flange portion 452 is disposed abutting against the terminal portion 424 in the vertical direction. The locking pin 417 is received in the T-slot 418 and rotated around the pin axis such that it engages laterally with the bolt head two retaining edges of the T-slot 418. As a result, a form-fitting connection between the connection part 424 and the outer flange part 452 is created in the vertical direction.

In order to be able to release the bulk material container 450 from the emptying station 410, the locking bolt 417 is rotated about its pin axis by means of the pneumatic drive in such a way that it no longer engages behind the retaining edges of the T-slot 418 with its bolt head. Subsequently, the connection flange 451, 452 can be lifted upwards from the connection part 424.

In the underside of the inner flange 451 a plurality of circular openings 458 is formed, which open into channels 448, which are also completely formed in the inner flange 451 and initially outwardly and then outwardly in the radial direction. In Fig. 7 For example, an opening 458 and a channel 448 are shown in cross-section. The opening 458 serves as a compressed air inlet 458. In the in Fig. 7 illustrated state, in which the bulk goods container 450 is connected to the emptying station 410, the compressed air inlet 458 cooperates with the compressed air outlet passage 428 such that compressed air from the compressed air outlet 428 through the compressed air inlet 458 and the channel 448, through a passage in the shut-off 465th through and at the bottom along in the bag 450 can flow into it. The compressed air flow 480 or its flow direction is in Fig. 7 represented by the arrows 480.

In the in Fig. 7 state shown is cut out of the bag wall 453 by means of the circular blade 415 described later a circular hole. Within the area framed by this hole, the outlet opening 454 and the compressed air inlet 458 of the connection flange 451, 452 are arranged. The compressed air thus flows from the compressed air inlet 458 through the hole past the edge of the hole into the interior of the bulk goods container.

The connecting section 424 of the emptying device 410 is further provided with a blade unit, which is arranged substantially in an annular channel. The blade unit comprises an annular base part 411, which is arranged displaceably in the annular channel in the vertical direction and carries an upwardly projecting circular blade 415. The base part is provided with laterally protruding from the annular channel piston parts, which are pneumatically fed in the vertical direction by means of compressed air which is fed through a formed in the connection section 424 pressure chute 414, and thus form a pneumatic drive for adjusting the blade unit in the vertical direction.

Before the in Fig. 7 shown bulk goods container is connected to the emptying device 410, the bottom of the inner flange 451 is completely covered by the bag wall 453. In this state (not shown), the bag wall 453 is completely intact in the region of the connection flange 451, 452 and in its surroundings and has no perforation or passage there. In the lot of the bag wall 453, which covers the inner flange 451, forms in this state thus the outlet opening 454 covering cover member which is formed as an integral part of the bag wall 453.

If the bulk goods container 450 with its connection flange 451, 452 is now connected to the connection part 424 of the emptying device 410, the closure actuating element 434 is first displaced downwards by means of the adjusting device such that the entire closure actuating element 434 (thus also its tip) is below the flat upper side the connection section 424 is located. Then, the connection flange 451, 452 is arranged on the upper side of the connection part 424 and is automatically locked by means of the locking bolts 417 to the connection part 424. Next, the blade unit 415 is moved upward with the circular blade 415 such that the circular blade 415 cuts away that portion of the bag wall 453 which covers the inner flange portion 451 at the bottom. The circular blade 415 is then left in a position substantially flush with the upper side of the connecting section 424, with two laterally at the top the circular blade unit arranged annular seals 412, 413 seal the annular channel 428 against and the compressed air inlet 458 against the outside. Subsequently, the shutter actuating element 434 is displaced upward and coupled to the closure body 460. In this case, the cut out of the bag wall 453 lot is taken from the top of the shutter actuator 434, so that this batch is located during the emptying process between the shutter actuator 434 and the closure body 460, where it does not interfere with the emptying process.

On the underside of the driver unit 445, an annular disk-shaped sealing element 479 is further arranged. On the one hand, this sealing element 479 ensures a seal between the closure actuating element 434 and the inner flange part 451 when the sealing element 479 is arranged in the region of the connecting flange 451, 452. The seal member 479 further serves as a wiper seal which cleans the inner flange portion 451 or the passageway 422 of bulk material when the seal member 479 is displaced through the inner flange portion 451 and the passageway 422, respectively. In addition, the sealing member 479 serves to seal the inlet opening 426 when it is disposed within the same. It can then be dispensed with an additional cover member for covering the inlet opening 426, even if the bulk material container 450 is removed from the emptying device 410.

Fig. 8 shows a bulk material 550 formed as a bag 550, with a flexible bag wall 553, which has the form of a shell which is closed on all sides except for the closure described below. In the bottom, the bottom of the bag 550 forming portion of the bag wall 553, a closure is used. The closure has a connection flange 551, 552, a closure body 560 and a shut-off body 565 designed as a non-return sealing lip Fig. 8 shown bag 550 is formed similar to the in Fig. 7 shown bag 450 and differs from the latter essentially only with respect to the formation of the connecting flange 551, 552 and the shut-off 565th

The connection flange 551, 552 is composed of an inner flange part 551 and an outer flange part 552. The top 519 of the inner Flange portion is disposed in the interior of the bulk goods container 550 and forms a part of the bottom thereof. This top surface 519 drops toward the exit port 554 to assist in the outflow of the bulk material. The inclination angle of the upper side 519 with respect to the horizontal is about 30 °. Overall, the inclined top side 519 of the inner flange part 551 forms a substantially funnel-shaped slide on which the bulk material can slide in the direction of the outlet opening 554. The shapes of the compressed air inlets 557, 558 and the compressed air channels 548, 549 formed in the inner flange part 551 and the cross-sectional shape of the shut-off body 565 are adapted to the changed shape of the inner flange part 551.

Fig. 8 shows the bag 550 before connecting a corresponding emptying device (not shown). In this state, the entire underside of the inner flange 551 is covered by a Abdeckorgan formed as an integral part of the bag wall 553. In Fig. 9 the bag 550 is shown in a state after the bag wall 553 covering the inner flange 551 at the bottom has been cut away by means of a circular knife analogous to the circular blade 415 of FIG Fig. 7 illustrated emptying device 410 is formed.

In summary, it should be noted that the invention provides a bulk material emptying device and a bulk goods container, which enable safe operation and reliable emptying of bulk goods from the bulk goods container.

Claims (37)

1. Emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) for emptying bulk goods out of a bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) which has a basis structure (20, 120, 220, 320, 420), a connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) that is provided with an inlet opening (26, 126, 226, 426), a flow-through duct (22, 122, 222, 422) into which the inlet opening (26, 126, 226, 426) merges, wherein the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) is embodied for impermeable connection of a connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) of a closure of the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) that is provided with an outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554), and borne on the basis structure (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) or on the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) a closure-actuating device (32, 34, 36, 132, 134, 136, 234, 236, 334, 434) for actuation of the closure of the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550), wherein the closure-actuating device (32, 34, 36, 132, 134, 136, 234, 236, 334, 434) is provided with a closure-actuating element (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) and with a setting device (36, 136, 236) in such manner that by means of the setting device (36, 136, 236) the closure-actuating element (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) is optionally movable between a closed position and at least one open position, characterised in that the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) is provided with a pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428) that is separated from the inlet opening (26, 126, 226, 426) and which, for the purpose of connecting a corresponding pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) of the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) to the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428) is embodied in such manner that for the purpose of effecting a disaggregation of the bulk goods that are accommodated in the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) pneumatic gas can flow from the emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) through the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428) and the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) into the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550).
2. Emptying device (310) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the connecting part that is provided with the pneumatic-gas outlet (328) is embodied as a component of an assembly kit (321) that can be, or is, mounted on the basis structure (320).
3. Emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 224) is embodied as first construction unit of a common coupling device for connection both of the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) to the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) and of the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) to the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428), wherein the first construction unit can be coupled to a second construction unit of the coupling device that is formed by the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552).
4. Emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to Claim 3, characterized in that in an external side of the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) the entry opening (26, 126, 226, 426) has a mouth with a flat edge and in the same external side of the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428) has a mouth with a flat edge, wherein the edge of the mouth of the inlet opening (26, 126, 226, 426) and the edge of the mouth of the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428) are arranged mutually coplanar.
5. Emptying device (10, 110, 210) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228) is embodied in an external side of the connecting part (24, 124, 224) as a duct (28, 128, 228) which is at least partly open towards the outside and which has at least one duct wall (29) which is simultaneously embodied also as duct wall (29) of the flow-though duct (22, 122, 222).
6. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) with a closure which has an outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554) which has a connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 552) which is provided with an outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554) for bulk goods that are accommodated in the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) and a closure component (60, 160, 260, 460, 560) for closing and optionally opening the outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554), wherein the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452) is embodied for impermeable connection to a connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) of an emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) is provided with a pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) which is separated from the outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554) and which for connection to a corresponding pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428) of the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) is embodied in such manner that pneumatic gas can flow from the emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) through the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428) and the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) into the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) to effect a disaggregation of the bulk goods.
7. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250) according to Claim 6, characterised in that the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) is embodied as second construction unit of a common coupling device for connecting both the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) to the connecting part (24, 124, 224, 424) and the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) to the pneumatic-gas outlet (28, 128, 228, 328, 428), wherein the second construction unit can be coupled with a first construction unit of the coupling device that is formed by the connection part (24, 124, 224, 424).
8. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) according to Claim 7, characterised in that in an external side of the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) the outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554) has a mouth with a flat edge and in the same external side of the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) has a mouth with a flat edge, wherein the edge of the mouth of the outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554) and the edge of the mouth of the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) are arranged mutually coplanar.
9. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that towards the interior space of the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) is closed by a non-return valve which allows a fluid-flow through the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) in the direction towards the interior space of the bulk-goods container, but that a fluid-flow in the opposite direction out of the interior space of the bulk-goods container through the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558) is prevented.
10. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) according to Claim 9, characterised in that the non-return valve has a closure body (65, 165, 265, 465, 565) which is made from an elastic material and which simultaneously also acts as closing spring (65, 165, 265, 465, 565) of the non-return valve.
11. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250) according to Claim 10, characterised in that the closure body (65, 165, 265) is embodied, and at least partly arranged in the interior of the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250), in such manner that by means of pneumatic gas which flows into the interior of the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250) through the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58) it can be excited to vibrate for the purpose of effecting a further disaggregation of the bulk goods.
12. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250, 450, 550) according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterised in that a greater part of the container wall (53, 153, 253, 453, 553) is made of a flexible material, while the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) is made of a stiff material, wherein embodied in the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 451, 452, 551, 552) are at least one first port of the outlet opening (54, 154, 254, 454, 554) and at least one further port of the pneumatic-gas inlet (57, 58, 458, 557, 558).
13. Bulk-goods container (450, 550) according to Claim 12, characterised in that the flexible part of the container wall (453, 553) is provided with an aperture whose edge forms a closed circumferential line, wherein along the edge of the aperture the container wall (453, 553) is connected with the connecting flange (451, 452, 551, 552) and the outlet opening (454, 554) that is embodied in the connecting flange (451, 452, 551, 552) is arranged in the area of the aperture, and wherein a duct (448, 449, 549) that leads from the pneumatic-gas inlet (458, 557, 558) into the interior space of the container is embodied in such manner the it leads from the pneumatic-gas inlet (458, 557, 558) through the aperture and past the aperture edge into the internal space of the bulk-goods container (450, 550).
14. Assembly kit (321) for mounting onto a basis structure (320) of an emptying device (310) according to Claim 2 comprising a connecting part which is provided with a pneumatic outlet (328).
15. Emptying device (210) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the setting device (236) comprises a piston-cylinder arrangement with a piston (270) that is borne on the basis structure (220) or on the connecting part (224) and at least one cylinder (277) in which the piston (270) is accommodated in such manner that relative to the piston (270) the cylinder (277) is movable in the direction of the cylinder axis, wherein the cylinder (270) is coupled with the closure-actuating element (234) and the latter, in a state wherein the bulk-goods container (250) is connected to the connecting part (224) of the emptying device (210), is coupled with a closure component (260) of the closure in order to effect an actuation of the closure component (260) that is driven by the piston-cylinder arrangement.
16. Emptying device (410) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 15, characterized in that the connecting part (424) is further provided with a blade unit (411) which is embodied to cut away a covering element (553) which, in a state wherein the bulk-goods container (450, 550) is not connected to the emptying device (410), is arranged on the connecting flange (451, 452, 551, 552) in such manner that it covers the outlet opening (454, 554) on the external side of the bulk-goods container (450, 550).
17. Bulk-goods container (450, 550) according to one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the connecting flange (451, 452, 551, 552) is embodied for impermeable connection to a connecting part (424) of an emptying device (410) according to Claim 16, characterised in that a major part of the container wall (453, 553) is made of a single- or multi-layered flexible material while the connecting flange (451, 452, 551, 552) is made of a stiff material, wherein embodied in the connecting flange (451, 452, 551, 552) is at least one first passage of the outlet opening (454, 554) and wherein the closure further has a closure component which, in a state wherein the bulk-goods container (450, 550) is not connected to the emptying device, is arranged on the connecting flange (451, 452, 551, 552) in such manner that it covers the outlet opening (454, 554) on the external side of the bulk-goods container (450, 550), wherein the covering element is embodied as integral part of the part of the container wall (453, 553) that is made of the flexible material.
18. Emptying device (410) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 15 to 16 wherein, in a state wherein the bulk-goods container (450) is connected to the connecting part (424) of the emptying device (410), the closure-actuating element (434) is coupled with a closure component (460) of the closure for the purpose of effecting by means of the closure-actuating device an actuation of the closure component (460), characterised in that for optionally subsequently releasable coupling of the closure-actuating element (434) with the closure component (460) the closure-actuating element (434) is provided with a coupler unit (445) whose external circumference is optionally variable.
19. Bulk-goods container (450) according to one of claims 6 to 13 or 17, wherein the connecting flange (451, 452) is embodied for impermeable connection to a connecting part (424) of an emptying device (410) according to Claim 18, characterised in that the closure component (460) is provided with a coupler-unit stop (462) which is embodied and arranged on the closure component (460) in such manner that, in a state wherein the bulk-goods container (450) is connected to the connecting part (424) of the emptying device (410), when the closure-actuating element (434) is moved by means of the setting device, the coupler unit (445) depending on its circumference either does or does not carry the coupler-unit stop (462) and closure component (460) along with it.
20. Emptying device (410) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 15 to 16 or 18, characterised in that the connecting part (424) is provided with at least one latching element (417) which is pull-resistantly connected with the connecting part (424) and embodied in such manner that - when relative to the emptying device (410) the bulk-goods container (450) is arranged in such manner that the connecting flange (451, 452) in one striking direction strikes against the connecting part (424) - the latching element (417) is receivable into a latching receptacle (418) which is connected pull-resistantly with the connecting flange (451, 452) in such manner that a mechanically interlocking connection between the connecting part (424) and the connecting flange (451, 452) is created which pull-resistantly acts against the striking direction.
21. Bulk-goods container (450) according to one of claims 6 to 13 or 17 or 19, wherein the connecting flange (451, 452) is embodied for impermeable connection to a connecting part (424) of an emptying device (410) according to Claim 20, characterised in that the connecting flange (451, 452) is provided with at least one latching receptacle (418) which is connected pull-resistantly with the connecting flange (451, 452) and embodied in such manner that - when the bulk goods container (450) is arranged relative to the emptying device (410) in such manner that the connecting flange (451, 452) strikes in one striking direction against the connecting part (424) - the latching element (417) is receivable into the latching receptacle in such manner that a mechanically interlocking connection between the connecting part (424) and the connecting flange (451, 452) is created which pull-resistantly acts against the striking direction.
22. Emptying device (10, 210, 310) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 15 to 16 or 18 or 20, characterised in that the closure activation device (32, 34, 334, 36, 234, 236, 237, 267) has a rotating drive (36, 237) which can be coupled with a connecting body (60, 260) of the closure in such manner that in coupled-on state by means of the rotating drive (36, 237) the closure body (60, 260) can be rotated about a first axis of rotation that is stationary relative to the connecting part (24, 224).
23. Emptying device (10) according to Claim 22, characterised in that the closure-actuating device (32, 34, 36, 234, 236, 237, 267, 334) further has a closure-actuating element (34, 234) that is couplable with the closure body (60, 260), a longitudinal drive shaft (32, 267) which is rigidly connected with the closure-actuating element (34, 234, 334) and which is arranged coaxial to the first axis of rotation, and a setting device (36, 236, 237) which is embodied and arranged in such manner that by means of the setting device (36, 236, 237) the drive shaft (32, 267) along with the closure-actuating element (34, 234, 334) is optionally movable essentially parallel to the first axis of rotation between a closed position and at least one open position, wherein the rotating drive (36, 237) is coupled with the drive shaft (32, 267) in such manner that by means of the rotating drive (36, 237) the drive shaft (32, 267) is rotatable about the first axis of rotation relative to the connecting part (24, 224).
24. Emptying device (10) according to Claim 23, characterised in that mounted co-rotationally on the drive shaft (32) is at least one crushing element (31, 33, 35, 37) that projects in radial direction from the drive shaft.
25. Emptying device according to Claim 23 or 24, characterised in that on the drive shaft one or more bulk-goods conveyor elements are mounted in such co-rotationally manner that on rotation of the drive shaft about the first axis of rotation they convey bulk goods along the drive shaft in the manner of a worm conveyor or in the manner of a turbine.
26. Bulk-goods container (50, 250) according to one of claims 6 to 13 or 17 or 19 or 21 with a closure which has a closure body (60, 260) to close and optionally open the outlet opening (54, 254), wherein the connecting flange (51, 52, 251, 252) is embodied for impermeable connection to a connecting part (24, 224) of an emptying device (10, 210, 310) according to one of claims 22 to 25 and wherein the closure body (60, 260) is essentially arranged in an internal space of the bulk-goods container (50, 250) that is provided to accommodate the bulk goods, characterised in that the closure body (60, 260) relative to the connecting flange (51, 52, 251, 252) is rotatable about a second axis of rotation and that by means of a rotating drive (36, 237) that is borne on a base structure (20, 220) or on the connecting part (24, 224) of the emptying device (10, 210) the closure body (60, 260) can be coupled in such manner that in the coupled-on state the closure body (60, 260) is rotatable about the second axis of rotation by means of the rotating drive (36, 237).
27. Bulk-goods container according to Claim 26, characterised in that mounted on the closure body in co-rotationally manner is at least one disaggregation element that projects at least partly into the interior space of the bulk-goods container.
28. Bulk-goods container according to Claim 26 or 27, characterised in that one or more bulk-goods conveyor elements are mounted co-rotationally on the closure body in such manner that on rotation of the closure body about the second axis of rotation they convey bulk goods in the manner of a worm conveyor or in the manner of a turbine in the direction of the outlet opening.
29. Emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 15 to 16 or 18 or 20 or 22 to 25, wherein the connecting part (24, 124, 224) is embodied for impermeable connection of a connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252) of a closure of the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250) that is provided with an outlet opening (54, 154, 254), characterised in that the emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310) has at least one emptying-device contact part (24, 34, 124, 134, 224, 234, 334) which, in a state wherein the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252) is connected to the connecting part (24, 124, 224), is in contact with a bulk-goods container contact part (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 60, 260) of the bulk goods container (50, 150, 250) wherein the emptying-device contact part (24, 34, 124, 134, 224, 234, 334) is made at least partly of an electrically conductive material and is earthed.
30. Emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to Claim 29, characterised in that the connecting part (24, 124, 224) is embodied simultaneously as emptying-device contact part (24, 34, 124, 134, 224, 234, 334).
31. Emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to Claim 29 or 30, characterised in that it further has a basis structure (20, 120, 220, 320) and borne on the basis structure (20, 120, 220) or on the connecting part (24, 124, 224) a closure-actuating device (32, 34, 36, 132, 134, 136, 234, 236, 334) for actuation of the closure of the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250), wherein the closure-actuating device (32, 34, 36, 132, 134, 136, 234, 236, 334) is provided with a closure-actuating element (34, 134, 234, 334) and with a setting device (36, 136, 236) in such manner that by means of the setting device (36, 136, 236) the closure-actuating element (34, 134, 234, 334) is optionally movable between a closed position and at least one open position, wherein the closure-actuating element (34, 134, 234, 334) is simultaneously embodied as emptying-device contact element (24, 34, 124, 134, 224, 234, 339).
32. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250) according to one of claims 6 to 13 or 17 or 19 or 21 or 26 to 28, wherein for impermeable connection to a connecting part (24, 124, 224) of an emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310) the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252) is embodied according to one of claims 29 to 31, characterised in that the bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250) has at least one bulk-goods container contact element (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 60, 260) which is made at least partly of an electrically conductive material and which, in a state wherein the connecting flange (51, 52, 151, 251, 252) is connected to the connecting part (24, 124, 224), is in contact with an emptying-device contact element (24, 34, 124, 134, 224, 234, 334) of the emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310) and connected in electrically conductive manner with the emptying-device contact element (24, 34, 124, 134, 224, 234, 334).
33. Bulk-goods container (50, 150, 250) according to Claim 32, characterised in that the closure flange (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252) is simultaneously embodied as bulk-goods container contact element (51, 52, 151, 152, 251, 252, 60, 260).
34. Bulk gods container (50, 250) according to Claim 32 or 33, characterised in that the closure component (60, 260) is simultaneously embodied as bulk-goods container contact element (24, 34, 124, 134, 224, 234, 334).
35. Bulk-goods container (250) according to one of claims 6 to 13 or 17 or 19 or 21 or 26 to 28 or 32 to 34 with a closure, which has a closure body (260) for closing and optionally opening the outlet opening (254), wherein for impermeable connection to a connecting part (254) of an emptying device (210) the closure flange (251, 252) is embodied according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 15 to 16 or 18 or 20 or 22 to 25 or 29 to 31 and wherein the closure body (260) is essentially arranged in an internal space of the bulk-goods container that is provided to accommodate the bulk goods and has a hollow space that is open towards the outlet opening (254), characterised in that the closure further has a closure component (281, 282) which, in a state wherein the bulk-goods container (250) is not connected to the emptying device (210), is mountable on the connecting flange (251, 252) in such manner that it covers the outlet opening (254) on the external side of the bulk-goods container (250), wherein the covering element (281, 282) is embodied, and arranged to project at least partly through the outlet opening (254) into the hollow space of the closure body (260), in such manner that it itself has a hollow space that is open towards the outside and in which a closure body (360) of an identical bulk-goods container (350) can be partly accommodated.
36. Bulk-goods container (250) according to Claim 35, characterised in that the covering element (281), in a state wherein it is mounted on the connecting flange (251, 252), is connected in optionally releasable manner with the closure body (260).
37. Bulk-goods container (550) according to one of claims 6 to 13 or 17 or 19 or 21 or 26 to 28 or 32 to 36, with a closure that has a closure body (560) to close and optionally open the outlet opening (554), wherein for impermeable connection to a connecting part (554) of an emptying device (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) the connecting flange (551, 552) is embodied according to one of claims 1 to 5 or 15 to 16 or 18 or 20 or 22 to 25 or 29 to 31, characterised in that at least one surface part (519) of the connecting flange (551, 552) is embodied and arranged in such manner that inside the interior space of the bulk-goods container (550) it forms part of the floor of the latter and slopes downwards in the direction of the outlet opening (554) to support the outflow of the bulk goods.

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