EP1831099B1 - Method for conditioning a flexible container holding a viscous product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for conditioning a viscous product contained in storage containers having a capacity >=50 l, preferably >=100 l, in volume units adapted to utilization and having a capacity >=50 l, preferably >=10 l, said viscous product being preferably selected among the group whereof the viscosity is not less than 10 Pa's and, preferably ranging between 10 Pa's and 200 000 Pa's.

Description

The present invention relates to a continuous or batch process for packaging a viscous product contained in storage containers of capacity> 50 l, preferably ≥ 100 l, in volume units adapted to the use and with a capacity of ≤ 50 l, preferably ≤ 10 l. The containers for storing the viscous product are advantageously flexible containers, in particular of the "big bag" type, and the volume conditioning units are, for example, cylindrical cartridges, boxes of all shapes made of metal, glass, plastic, paper or cardboard, aluminized or not.

The invention also relates to a draining kit, including a mobile and autonomous machine for expelling the viscous product out of the flexible containers.

• les silicones, de préférence des huiles silicones, des gommes silicones, des compositions polyorgano-siloxanes (éventuellement sous forme d'émulsions aqueuses) réticulables en élastomères par des réactions de polyaddition, de polycondensation ou de déshydrogéno(poly)-condensation;
• les polymères organiques comprenant des groupes organosiliciques réactifs (appelés MS polymères);
• les compositions chargées, en milieu solvant ou aqueux, comprenant un polymère acrylique et réticulables en élastomères par séchage;
• les produits alimentaires;
• les produits agroalimentaires;
• les peintures;
• les encres.

The viscous products referred to in the context of the invention are more particularly products whose viscosity is at least 10 Pa.s and preferably between 10 Pa.s and 200,000 Pa.s. viscosity being measured in a manner known per se at 25 ° C. and under a shear rate of 0.01 s ^-1 .
Examples of viscous products include:

• silicones, preferably silicone oils, silicone gums, polyorganosiloxane compositions (optionally in the form of aqueous emulsions) crosslinkable into elastomers by polyaddition, polycondensation or dehydrogeno (poly) -condensation reactions;
• organic polymers comprising reactive organosilicon groups (referred to as MS polymers);
• the compositions loaded, in a solvent or aqueous medium, comprising an acrylic polymer and crosslinkable elastomers by drying;
• food products;
• agri-food products;
• the paintings;
• inks.

Such viscous products can be stored in bulk in flexible containers of the "big bag" type, before being packaged in other smaller volume packages.

The high viscosity of these pasty products is naturally an important technical constraint for their handling, particularly with a view to their conditioning.

In a field similar to that of the invention, namely the field of granular / powdery materials with low flow, the patent application DE-A-34 29 167 discloses a method and a device for emptying flexible containers for bulk particulate products. According to this document, the flexible container of "big bag" type is, on the one hand, suspended via the handles of which it is equipped, and on the other hand housed in a hopper, on which shaking is carried out by means of a rotating eccentric foot and two other spring-mounted feet. This vibration-emptying device does not seem suitable for viscous products contained in flexible bags.
In addition, techniques are known for emptying rigid drums of viscous products using a drum press comprising a pressure plate intended to penetrate and move in a drum to pressurize the viscous product contained in a bag under pressure. fine plastic, for example polyethylene.

There are also flanging flushes containing a viscous silicone product using a device formed by a tube for receiving the flange and in which can move a piston for pressurizing the viscous product, thus allowing its expulsion out of the tube.

The remote technological background also includes container emptying systems consisting of a rigid cardboard box containing a thin polyethylene bag loaded with viscous products. The emptying of this type of container is effected by means of a pressure plate capable of expelling the viscous product out of the polyethylene bag, said viscous product then being taken up by pumps provided for this purpose, to be conveyed to downstream elements.

These last three known technologies are outside the scope of invention which concern the emptying of flexible containers of "big bag" type, different from the specialized and expensive containers used in these technologies (drums, tanks, steel containers or special cartons) .

The patent application PCT WO-A-2004/074164 discloses a method of emptying flexible containers for viscous products, easy to implement and economical. This application also describes a necessary emptying kit in the implementation of the method. The viscous products are chosen from the group of viscosity products of between 10 Pa.s and 200,000 Pa.s, ie eg silicone oils or gums.

This emptying process essentially consists of: implementing a flexible container; possibly move the container to empty from its storage site to a drain site; ensuring that at least one outlet opening, preferably disposed in the lower part of the container, allows the flow of the viscous product out of the container; exerting pressure on at least one defined area of the flexible container by means of pressurizing means, preferably constituted by at least one pressing member and / or a pressurizing fluid, so as, on the one hand, keep the container inflated or partially inflated and, on the other hand, hasten the flow; depressurize at the end of emptying.
The emptying device comprises, on the one hand, a pressing member comprising at least one piston and, on the other hand, at least one emptying tank intended to receive the flexible container. In practice, the pressure member is a static hydraulic press very expensive, very bulky and very heavy (4 to 5 tons). Such a hydraulic press is permanently assigned to a single packer of the viscous product in packages of smaller volumes than the "big bags", for example the silicone sealant cartridges. So at least one hydraulic press is required.
It is clear that the size of a hydraulic press is an industrial handicap, as space is limited. The heavy weight of hydraulic presses requires expensive civil engineering works, able to withstand them.
These hydraulic presses also pose other problems. Indeed, such presses are long-term financial assets to be depreciated, and all the more because it is penalizing in terms of productivity to have a single static emptying press by packaging machine. Indeed, such a configuration requires for each change of flexible container of viscous product to interrupt the operation of the packaging machine for the time required to replace the empty container with a full container. This operation is not only a drag on productivity. It is also long and therefore expensive in manpower. Furthermore, it would be totally unrealistic to provide two presses fixed by packaging machine, to perform the replacement of containers in masked time and thus not to affect the rate of conditioning. Two prohibitive obstacles at least prohibit this way, namely the cost and the size of the fixed hydraulic presses.

In this context, one of the essential objectives of the present invention is to improve and / or propose an alternative to the invention described in the application. PCT WO-A-2004/074164 , providing an easy to implement and economical method of packaging a viscous product contained in storage containers of capacity ≥ 501, preferably ≥1001, in volume units suitable for use and of capacity ≤ 501, preferably ≤ 101.

In this context, one of the essential objectives of the present invention is to provide a method of packaging a bulk viscous product in volume units adapted to the use and of low volume (≤ 101), this process being carried out to be flexible and to allow the change in masked time of big bags "feeding a line of conditioning.

Another essential objective of the present invention is to provide a method of packaging a bulk viscous product in volume units suitable for use and of low volume (≤ 10 1), this process being carried out lead to low material losses, for example less than or equal to 1.5% or even 0.8%, and which requires very little or no cleaning of the equipment used.

Another essential objective of the present invention is to provide a packaging kit for a viscous bulk product ("big bag"), in volume units adapted to the use and of low volume (≤ 10 1). which is lightweight, compact, simple, economical and inexpensive, that allows to empty flexible bags with capacity greater than or equal to 250 liters which is easy to use, which generates very little loss of materials (lower or 1.5%) and requires little or no cleaning.

Another essential objective of the invention is to provide a packaging kit for a bulk viscous product ("big bag"), in volume units adapted to the use and of low volume (≤ 10 1). , responding optimally to the industrial requirements of transport and logistics.

These objectives, among others, are achieved by the present invention which relates first of all to a packaging method according to claim 1.

• faible encombrement,
• faible poids,
• faible coût,
• flexibilité,
• possibilité de changement de conteneurs "big bag" en temps masqué pour plusieurs conditionneuses avec une machine mobile et autonome d'expulsion supplémentaire, d'où une amélioration de la productivité 300T/an environ (au lieu de 700 à 1200T/an avec une presse fixe),
• la machine mobile et autonome d'expulsion peut être associée sur une conditionneuse avec une presse hydraulique fixe.

It is to the credit of the inventors to have developed a packaging methodology comprising the expulsion of viscous products out of flexible containers, to feed a packaging machine, in which he plans to use at least one mobile and autonomous machine. expulsion of the viscous product, which provides the following advantages:

• small footprint,
• low weight,
• low cost,
• flexibility,
• possibility of changing "big bag" containers in masked time for several packaging machines with a mobile and autonomous additional expulsion machine, resulting in a productivity improvement of around 300T / year (instead of 700 to 1200T / year with a press fixed),
• the mobile and autonomous expulsion machine can be associated on a packaging machine with a fixed hydraulic press.

One of the essential characteristics of the invention is therefore the implementation of a mobile and autonomous expulsion machine, which can be easily moved from one packaging machine to another and which is autonomous with regard to the emptying by expelling the viscous product out of the flexible container. To do this, it is equipped with expulsion means that are also mobile, lightweight, inexpensive and compact.

The process according to the invention offers a wide range of emptying rates that can be varied depending on the viscosity of the product in question, the outlet diameter or the pressure value exerted.

• g1) on exerce une pression sur au moins une zone délimitée du conteneur souple à l'aide de moyens de mise sous pression appartenant à la machine mobile et, de préférence, constitués par au moins un organe-presseur et/ou par un fluide-presseur, de manière à, d'une part, maintenir le conteneur à l'état gonflé ou partiellement gonflé, et, d'autre part, permettre l'expulsion du produit visqueux;
• g2) et/ou on pompe le produit visqueux;
• g3) et, au besoin, on dépressurise en fin d'expulsion.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, for the expulsion according to step g):

• g1) pressure is exerted on at least one defined zone of the flexible container by means of pressurizing means belonging to the mobile machine and, preferably, constituted by at least one pressing member and / or a fluid presser, so as, firstly, maintain the container in the inflated or partially inflated state, and, secondly, allow the expulsion of the viscous product;
• g2) and / or the viscous product is pumped;
• g3) and, if necessary, depressurises at the end of expulsion.

Advantageously, the mobile machine for expelling the viscous product out of the flexible containers comprises a tank intended to receive a flexible container.
According to the method according to the invention, step e) consists in implementing at least one mobile and autonomous expulsion machine comprising at least one pressing member comprising at least one piston intended to exert a thrust on the flexible container.

More specifically, it is advantageous to implement at least one mobile and autonomous expulsion machine comprising a vessel designed so as to be closed the piston of said machine being able to move under the action of a pressure-fluid , so as to expel the viscous product out of the tank.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a pressure fluid contained in an inflatable cylinder is used, this jack being housed between the piston and a reversible closure lid of the tank or the bottom of the tank. tank and connected to pressurizing fluid supply means equipping the mobile and autonomous expulsion machine, said fluid-pressure supply means for inflation and consequently displacement of the piston, to allow the expulsion of the product viscous out of the tank.
The pressure fluid used may be a gas or a liquid. It can be a liquid having a viscosity less than or equal to 50 Pa.s. Water could be perfectly suitable for this purpose.

According to the method, the mobile and autonomous machine that is preferably selected comprises a viscous product extraction pump and a follower plate intended to rest on the flexible container out of operation of said machine and throughout the emptying of the flexible container. .

• ° les silicones, de préférence des huiles silicones, des gommes silicones, des compositions polyorgano-siloxanes (éventuellement sous forme d'émulsions aqueuses) réticulables en élastomères par des réactions de polyaddition, de polycondensation ou de déshydrogéno(poly)-condensation;
• ° les polymères organiques comprenant des groupes organosiliciques réactifs (appelés MS polymères);
• ° les compositions chargées, en milieu solvant ou aqueux, comprenant un polymère acrylique et réticulables en élastomères par séchage;
• ° les produits alimentaires;
• ° les produits agroalimentaires;
• ° les peintures;
• ° les encres.

A titre d'exemples de produits visqueux concernés par l'invention, on peut citer les produits dont la viscosité est de l'ordre de 3000 Pa.s tels que les mastics silicones.Advantageously, the viscous product is chosen from the group comprising:

• Silicones, preferably silicone oils, silicone gums, polyorganosiloxane compositions (optionally in the form of aqueous emulsions) crosslinkable into elastomers by polyaddition, polycondensation or dehydrogeno (poly) -condensation reactions;
• Organic polymers comprising reactive organosilicon groups (called MS polymers);
• ° the charged compositions, in a solvent or aqueous medium, comprising an acrylic polymer and crosslinkable elastomers by drying;
• ° food products;
• ° agri-food products;
• ° the paintings;
• ° inks.

As examples of viscous products concerned by the invention, mention may be made of products whose viscosity is of the order of 3000 Pa.s, such as silicone mastics.

• par découpe dans la paroi du conteneur,
• et/ou par enlèvement de bouchon(s) ou d'opercules équipant un (des) orifice(s), le(s)dit(s) orifice(s) pouvant être pourvu(s) de goulotte(s) de vidange de la paroi du conteneur,
• et/ou par enlèvement d'un (de) lien(s) fermant d'(ou des) ouverture(s) déjà prévue(s) sur le conteneur.

According to an interesting characteristic of the method according to the invention, the (or) opening (s) of exit of the container is (are) obtained (s):

• by cutting in the wall of the container,
• and / or by removal of plug (s) or operculum equipping an orifice (s), the said orifice (s) can be provided with discharge chute (s) of the wall of the container,
• and / or by removing a closing link (s) from (or) opening (s) already provided on the container.

In practice, it is therefore possible to cut a portion of the wall of the flexible container or any chutes fitted to the latter, or to untie links and / or nodes closing an opening.

According to an interesting variant, the viscous product expelled from the flexible container, or possibly its only bag-lining, feeds storage means and / or mechanical means for setting the viscous product in motion to increase its flow rate, said mechanical means preferably being selected from the group consisting of: pumps, (double) -vis.

Although the process according to the invention is operational without mechanical recovery of the viscous product at the outlet of the container, it is quite possible to envisage the feeding of mechanical elements (for example: pumps, screws, double screws) by the viscous product. expelled, in cases where it would be necessary to transport a great distance or through pipes generating high pressure losses, or even to derive an economic gain.

In the process according to the invention, the viscous product expelled from the flexible container, feeds at least one packaging unit of said product in a suitable packaging, at a suitable flow rate greater than or equal to the consumption of the packaging machine.

If in the case of a simple discharge by expulsion, the flow is advantageously the highest possible, (for example greater than 50 liters per minute for a viscous product of 1000 Pa.s) so as to provide maximum productivity, in the food case of a packaging machine, it is desirable to have high instantaneous flow rates (for example, may be greater than 1 liter per minute). The flow rate naturally depends on all the parameters of the Poiseuille law (viscosity, pressure difference, geometry of the outlet duct) and elements hindering the output of the viscous product: valves, filters, roughness.

By way of illustration, it may be stated that the packaging machine could in particular be a device for putting in a cartridge of viscous products, in particular silicone sealants ("encartoucheuse"), according to a flow rate adapted at least equal to the consumption of the set of packs

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the viscous product expelled from the flexible container feeds mechanical means for setting the viscous product in motion interposed between the mobile and autonomous expulsion machine and making it possible to increase its flow rate, said mechanical means preferably being selected from the group consisting of: pumps, (double) -vis.

Naturally, the method according to the invention is not limited as to the number of mobile and autonomous expulsion machines, fixed expulsion machines, packaging machines, and any storage or mechanical recovery means arranged downstream.

For the expulsion, it takes advantage of the flexibility of the container containing the viscous product, by applying to the wall of this flexible container, a pressure which is almost entirely transmitted to the viscous product, so that the container is maintained in a state to less partially inflated and the viscous product is expelled. This expulsion of the viscous product, continuous or discontinuous is effected by an opening in the flexible container (for example by cutting, unscrewing a plug, by a discharge chute). The inflated state of the flexible container which results from the pressure exerted on only part of its surface makes it possible to maintain a permanent tension of the wall of the container and thus eliminates the risk of an uncontrolled folding likely to result in clogging of the container. opening by which is evacuated the viscous product.

The pressure exerted is, for example, between 1 and 6 bars in the case of direct discharge by expulsion, while it is adjusted so that the output flow rate of the viscous product is greater than or equal to the consumption of the conditioner disposed downstream of the the mobile and autonomous machine of expulsion.

According to another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a kit for carrying out the above-defined method, as defined in claim 11.

The flexible container is, for example, of the "big bag" type. Advantageously, it is a container whose wall to be flexible does not remain less mechanically resistant and has moreover and preferably sealing properties vis-à-vis the viscous product considered.

• par au moins un élément assurant la résistance mécanique et comportant une ou plusieurs nappes de matériaux identiques ou différents entre eux, de préférence en toile;
• et éventuellement par au moins un élément d'étanchéité formé (i) par au moins un film polymère, de préférence sous forme de revêtement et/ou (2i) par au moins un sac-doublure étanche composé d'une ou plusieurs couches de matériaux choisies dans le groupe comprenant : les films polymères synthétiques (en particulier les polyoléfines {et plus préférentiellement encore les polyéthylènes, les polypropylènes}, les polyesters, ou les polyamides), ou les métaux (en particulier l'aluminium) ; le (ou les) sac(s)-doublure(s), étant au moins en partie solidaire(s) de l'élément de paroi assurant la résistance mécanique, et, plus préférentiellement encore au moins en partie collé(s) et /ou cousu(s) sur ledit élément.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, this wall essentially consists of:

• by at least one element providing mechanical strength and comprising one or more plies of materials that are identical or different from each other, preferably made of fabric;
• and optionally by at least one sealing element formed (i) by at least one polymer film, preferably in the form of a coating and / or (2i) by at least one waterproof lining bag composed of one or more layers of materials selected from the group comprising: synthetic polymer films (in particular polyolefins (and more preferably still polyethylenes, polypropylenes), polyesters, or polyamides), or metals (in particular aluminum); the bag (s) -leaf (s), being at least partly integral with the wall element ensuring the mechanical strength, and more preferably still at least partially glued (s) and / or sewn on said element.

This container formed by such a flexible envelope is a sufficient packaging in terms of protection of the viscous product. It is an autonomous packaging that can be transported easily, for example by simply being placed on a pallet and attached, or even included in other containers that are not involved in the emptying process, unlike bags polyethylene, which, in known manner, are housed in rigid containers for both transport and emptying.

The flexible envelope container used in the process according to the invention can be for example a cloth bag (eg polypropylene) lined with a thin bag, for example multilayer (polyethylene / aluminum / polyethylene terephthalate) glued and / or stitched to the canvas, said container being optionally and advantageously provided with handles for suspending and handling with a hoist or forklift.
These flexible containers or "big bag" can have large capacities, for example between 500 and 2000 liters.

Advantageously, the flexible envelope container can be disposable, which is a source of economy, particularly in terms of transport and storage. This avoids complicated "supply chain" rotations of metal containers

More preferably still, the flexible container has a mechanically resistant and watertight wall made from fabric (s) whose uncoated weight is in the range of 100 to 300 g / m ² and the bag-liner has a thickness in the range of 5 to 500 microns.

In practice, it may be polypropylene fabric with a density of 150-300 g / m ² for a 1000 liter container.

The bag-lining is for example glued or sewn inside or outside the mechanically resistant wall. This bag-lining end can have a thickness of between 10 and 250 microns. It should be noted that the fabric thicknesses of the wall and the liner-bag are a function of the desired mechanical strength and physicochemical protection.

Optionally, the flexible container is provided with one or more discharge chutes, identical or different structure to that of the flexible container.
Naturally, each chute possibly provided on the flexible container may be used for emptying or filling said container and may also play the role shutter of an opening for example by means of a plug or a knotted link. This plug could consist of a weld and / or a glue joint.
Each possible chute may furthermore constitute a connection element of the flexible container to a downstream mechanical recovery or conditioning storage means.

According to an advantageous variant, the flexible container comprises at least one large opening or so-called "total" opening facilitating the filling. This large opening may be closed by welding and / or by a knot and / or by an adhesive joint. It is preferable that such a large opening is used only for filling, unlike the openings and / or drain channels as described above.

• au moins un organe-presseur comportant au moins un piston destiné à exercer une poussée sur le conteneur souple et qui est apte à se mouvoir sous l'action d'un fluide-presseur, de manière à expulser le produit visqueux hors de la cuve,
• une cuve:
  • o comprenant au moins une ouverture de sortie du produit visqueux,
  • o équipée d'un couvercle de fermeture réversible,
  • o équipée de moyens de déplacement (de préférence des roulettes),
  • o et de préférence constituée par un cylindre creux destiné à recevoir le conteneur souple et dans lequel la tête du piston est apte à coulisser, cette tête étant de préférence circulaire et de diamètre suffisamment proche du diamètre intérieur de la cuve pour que l'étanchéité vis à vis du produit visqueux puisse être assurée, avantageusement à l'aide d'un joint torique périphérique en appui sur le bord préférablement chanfreiné de la tête du piston et sur la paroi intérieure de la cuve,
• au moins un vérin gonflable destiné à recevoir le fluide presseur logé entre le piston et un couvercle de fermeture de la cuve ou le fond de la cuve,
• des moyens d'alimentation en fluide-presseur du vérin gonflable, lesdits moyens d'alimentation en fluide-presseur permettant le gonflage et par suite le déplacement du piston, pour permettre l'expulsion du produit visqueux hors de la cuve,
• éventuellement au moins une pompe d'extraction du produit visqueux et au moins un plateau suiveur destiné à reposer sur le conteneur souple hors fonctionnement de ladite machine et tout au long du vidage du conteneur souple.

Preferably, the mobile and autonomous expulsion machine comprises:

• at least one pressing member comprising at least one piston intended to exert a thrust on the flexible container and which is able to move under the action of a pressure-fluid, so as to expel the viscous product out of the tank,
• a tank:
  • o comprising at least one outlet opening of the viscous product,
  • o equipped with a reversible closing lid,
  • o equipped with moving means (preferably rollers),
  • and preferably constituted by a hollow cylinder intended to receive the flexible container and in which the piston head is slidable, this head preferably being circular and of sufficiently close diameter to the inside diameter of the tank so that the seal vis-à-vis the viscous product can be provided, preferably with a peripheral O-ring bearing on the preferably chamfered edge of the piston head and on the inner wall of the vessel,
• at least one inflatable cylinder intended to receive the pressure fluid housed between the piston and a lid for closing the tank or the bottom of the tank,
• means for supplying pressure fluid to the inflatable cylinder, said fluid-pressure supply means for inflating and subsequently displacing the piston, to allow the viscous product to be expelled from the vessel,
• optionally at least one viscous product extraction pump and at least one follower plate intended to rest on the flexible container out of operation of said machine and throughout the emptying of the flexible container.

Advantageously, the mobile and autonomous expulsion machine comprises at least one pressure fluid reservoir and a pipe connecting the fluid-pressure reservoir to the inflatable cylinder.

In practice, the fluid-pressure is for example chosen from the group of incompressible fluids, preferably from the subgroup of liquids, eg with a viscosity of less than 50 Pa.s, including water or oil, or in the group of compressible fluids, with air being preferred.
In order for the pressure fluid to exert pressure on the flexible container, it is important that the drain tank is designed as an autoclave provided with at least one opening which can be open or closed and serving to introduce and / or evacuate the pressure fluid. Naturally, this autoclave drain tank also includes at least one drain opening for the viscous product.

The method and the packaging of a viscous product contained in flexible containers of "big bag" type, in volume units adapted to the use and of capacity less than 50 liters, preferably to 10 liters (for example cartridge ) will be better understood in the light of the following description of an advantageous embodiment of one of the essential means of the invention namely the mobile and autonomous machine for expelling the viscous product out of the flexible containers. This description is made with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure shows a block diagram of said mobile and autonomous machine for expelling the viscous product.

The single figure shows a machine 1 mobile and autonomous expulsion of a viscous product 2 included in a flexible container 3.

The latter is disposed inside a tank 4, open at its upper end and generally cylindrical flat bottom. The open upper end of this tank 4, is hermetically closed by a lid 5, reversibly.

This lid 5 comprises an orifice connected to an outlet duct 6 for conveying the viscous product 2 to a packaging machine included in the packaging kit according to the invention but not shown in the drawing.

The tank 4, (for example with a capacity of 1000 liters and for example stainless steel) is equipped with wheels 7 allowing its easy movement, for example the place of storage of the flexible containers 3 to a packaging machine and vice versa.

Alternatively, the wheels 7 could be replaced by other means able to confer mobility to the machine 1. It could for example be a pallet for transporting the machine 1 with the help of lifting and handling equipment.

The flexible container 3 or "big bag" of viscous product 2 rests inside the tank 4 on a pressing member constituted by a movable piston 8. This pressing piston 8 has a maximum outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter. of the tank 4 (for example 0.1 to 2.5% lower) so as to be able to slide easily.

A flexible inflating cylinder 9 is housed in the tank 4 between the pressing piston 8 and the bottom of the tank 4. This flexible inflation cylinder 9 can be for example of the type marketed by the company PRONAL.

The pressure fluid supply of the inflatable flexible cylinder 9 is effected via a pipe 10 passing through the bottom of the tank 4 and connected at its outer end to means 11 for conveying (pump) of the pressing fluid 12 contained in a tank 13. The connection tank 13 - pump 11 is provided by a pipe 14.
Advantageously, the pressure fluid 12 may be an incompressible fluid, for example a liquid such as water or oil, or even a compressible fluid such as air. In the example shown in the drawing, it is an incompressible fluid 12 (or oil) in such a case, it is advantageous to provide, in a variant, a cushion filled with compressible gas, for example This air cushion behaves like a buffer for smoothing the flow of the pressure medium 12 and to limit or even eliminate the latency times for the expulsion or the air flow. flow of the viscous product 2 outside the tank 4 through the outlet duct 6.

The flexible container 3 housed inside the tank 4, has an outlet passage 15 of the viscous product 2. This passage 15 is provided in the upper part of the flexible container 3 during storage of the flexible container viscous product of this passage output 15 is closed. The closure of the outlet passage 15 is achieved by any appropriate means known to those skilled in the art, for example: bonding, thermo welding, sewing, gluing, stapling, etc.
This outlet passage 15 is disposed in the vicinity of the orifice of the cover 5 connected to the outlet duct 6 to the conditioner.
The opening of this outlet passage 15 is made just before the expulsion of the viscous product, that is to say just before the pressurization of the flexible container 3 by the pressure piston 8 actuated by the inflatable cylinder 9.

• soit par un multicouche de parois résistantes mécaniquement (par exemple en toile de polypropylène) / sacs fins en polyéthylène, éventuellement cousus et/ou collés à l'intérieur de la paroi en toile ;
• soit par le sac-doublure seulement après que l'on ait extrait celui-ci de l'intérieur du conteneur souple 3.

Le conteneur souple 3 doit être conçu de manière à assurer une perte de matière minimale, et notamment inférieure à 2 %.
De préférence, le conteneur souple 3 est un conteneur de type "big bag" à fond cylindrique, sans couture verticale, dont le diamètre est légèrement inférieur à celui de la cuve 4, de sorte que le gonflement subi par ce conteneur souple lors de la mise sous pression maintient sous tension la paroi du conteneur souple 3 pendant la vidange. En l'occurrence, cette paroi est constituée par une toile de polypropylène comportant une couche interne collée formée par un sac-doublure en polyéthylène fin collé. Ce type de paroi résistante mécaniquement a un rôle de protection pendant le transport et le stockage, tandis que sa couche interne ("inliner") assure l'étanchéité lors de la vidange, de sorte que le produit visqueux ne s'écoule que par l'ouverture de vidange de l'enveloppe du conteneur souple lorsque celle-ci est mise sous pression.The flexible container 3 has an envelope 16 which can be constituted:

• or by a multilayer of mechanically resistant walls (for example made of polypropylene fabric) / thin polyethylene bags, optionally sewn and / or glued inside the canvas wall;
• either by the bag-liner only after it has been extracted from the inside of the flexible container 3.

The flexible container 3 must be designed to ensure a minimum loss of material, especially less than 2%.
Preferably, the flexible container 3 is a "big bag" container with a cylindrical bottom, without vertical seam, whose diameter is slightly smaller than that of the tank 4, so that the swelling undergone by this flexible container during the pressurization keeps the wall of the flexible container 3 under tension during emptying. In this case, this wall consists of a polypropylene fabric having a glued inner layer formed by a bonded polyethylene bag-lining. This type of mechanically resistant wall has a role of protection during transportation and storage, while its inner layer ("inliner") seals during the emptying, so that the viscous product flows only through the emptying opening of the envelope of the flexible container when it is pressurized.

Alternatively, the seal between the head of the pressing piston 8 and the inner face of the tank 4 can be provided by an O-ring not shown in the drawing, which forms a barrier to the migration of the viscous product 2 in the volume compartment variable of the tank 4 containing the inflatable cylinder 9.

This embodiment with a flexible inflating cylinder 9 is simple to implement and economical. It is also a lightweight, non-bulky pressing member that participates in the advantages of the mobile and autonomous machine 1.
The latter has another advantage of being quickly mountable and removable.

According to an optional feature, the lid 5 of the tank 4 may be equipped with a safety valve allowing the evacuation of air overpressures.

The operation of the mobile and autonomous machine 1 is simply to inflate the flexible cylinder 9 with the aid of the pressure fluid, so as to compress the flexible container 3 and thus expel the viscous product 2 contained in this flexible container 3 to the outside the tank 4 through the outlet duct 6 towards the conditioner not shown in the drawing.

Claims (16)

1. A method for packaging a viscous product contained in storage containers having a capacity ≥ 50 l, preferably ≥ 100 l, into volume units suitable for use and having a capacity ≤ 50 l, preferably ≤ 10 l, said viscous product preferably being chosen from the group of products whose viscosity is at least 10 Pa.s and preferably between 10 Pa.s and 200 000 Pa.s, in which:

   a) flexible containers (3) are used as storage containers having a capacity ≥ 50 l, said flexible containers each comprising at least one, optionally sealed, outlet passage (15);

   b) optionally each flexible container is stored in a rigid box that can be dismantled, preferably made of folding cardboard;

   c) the flexible containers are optionally removed from their storage boxes;

   d) the flexible containers are transferred from their storage site to a packaging site;
   characterized in that:

   e) at least two packagers of the viscous product (2), into the units suitable for use and having a capacity ≤ 50 1 are used, combined with at least two mobile and self-contained machines for discharging the viscous product (2) out of the flexible containers (3) and making it possible to operate concurrently, the mode of implementation being chosen from the group comprising:

   • the mode in which there are two mobile machines for draining flexible containers and one stationary machine for draining rigid containers, per pair of packagers; and

   • the mode in which there are three mobile machines for draining flexible containers, per pair of packagers;

   f) the outlet passage (15) is opened, if it was sealed, thus allowing the discharge of the viscous product (2) out of the container (3);

   g) the viscous product (2) is discharged using the mobile and self-contained discharge machine;

   h) the discharged viscous product (2) is conveyed to the packager; and

   i) the packager is made to fill the units that are suitable for use and having a capacity ≤ 50 1 with the desired dose.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that for the discharge according to step g):

   g1) a pressure is exerted on at least one area defining the flexible container (3) using pressurization means belonging to the mobile machine and, preferably, composed of at least one pressure member (8) and/or a pressure fluid, so as to, on the one hand, maintain the container (3) in the inflated or partially inflated state and, on the other hand, to enable the discharge of the viscous product (2); and/or

   g2) the viscous product is pumped; and

   g3) if necessary, depressurizing at the end of the discharge.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each mobile machine for discharging the viscous product (2) out of the flexible containers (3) comprises a tank (4) intended to receive a flexible container (3).
4. The method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in step e), at least two mobile and self-contained discharge machines are used, comprising at least one pressure member (8) comprising at least one piston (8) intended to exert a pressure on the flexible container (3).
5. The method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least two mobile and self-contained discharge machines are used comprising a tank (4) designed so as to be able to be closed, and in that the piston (8) of said machine is able to move under the action of a pressure fluid, so as to discharge the viscous product (2) out of the tank (4).
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that a pressure fluid contained in an inflatable jack is used, this jack being housed between the piston (8) and a reversible sealing lid of the tank (4) or the bottom of the tank (4) and connected to pressure fluid supply means equipping the mobile and self-contained discharge machine, said pressure fluid supply means enabling the inflation and consequently the movement of the piston (8), to make it possible to discharge the viscous product (2) out of the tank (4).
7. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each mobile and self-contained machine comprises a pump for extracting the viscous product (2) and a follower plate intended to rest on the flexible container when said machine is not operating and throughout the draining of the flexible container.
8. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viscous product (2) is chosen from the group comprising:

   o silicones, preferably silicone oils, silicone gums, polyorganosiloxane compositions (optionally in the form of aqueous emulsions) that can be crosslinked into elastomers by polyaddition, polycondensation or dehydrogenation/(poly)condensation reactions;

   o organic polymers comprising reactive organosilicone groups (known as MS polymers);

   o filled compositions, in a solvent or aqueous medium, comprising an acrylic polymer and that can be crosslinked into elastomers by drying;

   o food products;

   o agri-food products;

   o paints; and

   o inks.
9. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening or openings of the outlet passage or passages (15) of the container (3) is (are) obtained by:

   - cutting into the wall of the container (3); and/or

   - removing lid(s) or sealing caps; and/or

   - removing one or more ties that close the opening or openings already provided in the container (3).
10. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viscous product (2) discharged from the flexible container supplies mechanical means for moving the viscous product interposed between the mobile and self-contained discharge machine and that enable its flow rate to be increased, said mechanical means preferably being chosen from the group comprising: pumps and (twin-)screws.
11. An item of equipment for implementing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising:

    ~ a viscous product (2) chosen from the group of products having a viscosity greater than or equal to 50 Pa.s, preferably between 100 Pa.s and 10 000 Pa.s;

    ~ flexible storage containers (3) having a capacity ≥ 50 1, said flexible containers each comprising at least one, optionally sealed, outlet passage (15);

    characterized in that it comprises:

    ~ at least two packagers of the viscous product (2), into the units suitable for use and having a capacity ≤ 50 1 combined with at least two mobile and self-contained machines for discharging the viscous product (2) out of the flexible containers (3), and the equipment comprising two mobile machines for draining flexible containers and one stationary machine for draining non-flexible containers or three mobile machines for draining flexible containers, per pair of packagers;

    ~ optionally mechanical means for moving the viscous product that enable its flow rate to be increased, said mechanical means preferably being chosen from the group comprising: pumps and (twin-)screws.
12. The equipment as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the flexible container (3) has a wall composed of:

    • at least one component ensuring the mechanical strength and comprising one or more layers of materials that are identical to or different from each other, preferably made of fabric; and/or

    • at least one sealing component formed from (i) at least one polymer film, preferably in the form of a coating and/or (2i) at least one leaktight lining bag composed of one or more layers of materials chosen from the group comprising:

    synthetic polymer films (in particular polyolefines -and even more preferentially polyethylenes or polypropylenes- polyesters or polyamides), or metals (in particular aluminum);

    the lining bag or bags, when they are used, being attached to the wall component ensuring the mechanical strength, this or these bag(s) preferably being at least partly bonded and/or stitched to said component.
13. The equipment as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the flexible container (3) has a mechanically strong and leaktight wall that is made based on fabric(s) whose weight in the uncoated state is in the range of 100 to 300 g/m² and in that the lining bag has a thickness in the range of 5 to 500 microns.
14. The equipment as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the mobile and self-contained discharge machine comprises:

    • at least one pressure member comprising at least one piston (8) intended to exert a pressure on the flexible container (3) and which is able to move under the action of a pressure fluid, so as to discharge the viscous product (2) out of the tank (4);

    • a tank (4):

    o comprising at least one outlet opening for the viscous product (2);

    o equipped with a reversible closure lid;

    o equipped with means of movement (preferably castors (7)); and

    o preferably composed of a hollow cylinder intended to receive the flexible container (3) and in which the head of the piston (8) is able to slide, this head preferably being circular and having a diameter sufficiently close to the inside diameter of the tank (4) so that the sealing with regard to the viscous product (2) may be ensured, advantageously with the help of a peripheral 0-ring pushing against the preferably chamfered edge of the head of the piston (8) and against the inner wall of the tank (4);

    • at least one inflatable jack (9) intended to receive the pressure fluid housed between the piston (8) and a closure lid of the tank (4) or the bottom of the tank (4);

    • pressure fluid supply means for the inflatable jack, said pressure fluid supply means enabling the inflation and consequently the movement of the piston (8), in order to enable the discharge of the viscous product (2) out of the tank (4); and

    • optionally at least one pump for extracting the viscous product (2) and at least one follower plate intended to rest on the flexible container when said machine is not operating and during the draining of the flexible container.
15. The equipment as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the mobile and self-contained discharge machine comprises at least one pressure fluid reservoir (12) and a conduit (10, 14), connecting the pressure fluid reservoir (12) to the inflatable jack (9).
16. The equipment as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the pressure fluid is chosen from the group of incompressible fluids, preferably from the subgroup comprising water or oil or from the group of compressible fluids, air being preferred.

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