EP2055667B1 - Follow-up plate guide frame and follow-up plate pump - Google Patents

Abstract

The guiding frame (1) has a guiding unit (2) e.g. rod, for guiding a follower plate (6), where a base unit (4) is connected with ends (3) of the guiding unit. The guiding frame is immersed into a container (10) and guided at the follower plate when attaching to the container. A cover unit (5) is partially insert-able into the container, where the cover unit is designed in a ring-shape.

Description

The invention relates to a guide frame for a follower plate pump and a follower plate pump.

Such racks and follower plate pumps are used, for example, to pump media with a high viscosity, in particular pasty media, out of a container such as a drum. In this case, a pump nozzle is inserted from above into the barrel and additionally placed a so-called follower plate on a surface of the medium to be pumped to avoid trapped air. This prevents an air space from forming around the extraction nozzle when the highly viscous, pasty medium does not flow. The follower plate is usually guided on a frame, which is arranged consuming outside on or next to the empty to be pumped barrel or container, which makes handling of the pump difficult.

Out DE 10 2006 009 113 A1 is a device for melting fusible elements, in particular adhesive, known in a container. In this device, a pressure plate is provided, are attached to the four guide rods as guide elements. When sinking into the container, these guide rods are guided by a cover arranged outside the container of a frame housing.

Object of the present invention is to improve handling of a guide frame or a follower plate pump and in particular to simplify the structure and function of the guide frame.

This object is achieved by a guide frame for a follower plate pump with the features of claim 1 and a follower plate pump with the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are specified in the respective dependent claims.

In a guide frame according to the invention a follower plate pump, which has at least one guide element for guiding the follower plate, the guide frame is placed in the container when placed on the empty container to be pumped on the follower plate in the container. Preferably, this allows a significant reduction of the center of mass of a guide frame or a follower plate pump assembly. This allows in particular a safer operation. Furthermore, the structure can preferably be made more compact. Next is preferably a reduced footprint, in particular to provide a smaller footprint for a barrel or container with a guide frame and a follower plate pump.

It goes without saying that the follower plate pump is not limited to use for emptying barrels. Rather, any types of containers can be used, which can be covered with a follower plate. A container for the medium to be pumped, for example, a bucket, a trough, a tub or the like. Be. Usually, however, a barrel is used which has at least approximately a cylindrical shape.

For a countersinking or immersion is preferably provided that the guide frame rests on a bottom of the empty container to be pumped. However, it can also be provided to merely hang the guide frame on an upper edge of the empty container to be pumped, so that this is only partially immersed in the container.

The guide element is in particular designed so that the follower plate can fall in a controlled manner or can be actively lowered. For a passive lowering, for example, it is provided that an air pressure acting on the upper side of the follower plate pushes it downwards. The guide element is designed in particular so that there is a self-locking in an air pressure-free state. For an active lowering, for example, a drive, in particular a hydraulic drive, a mechanical drive or the like. used. For example, a rack drive can be provided, which is driven by an electric motor.

According to a development of the guide frame, the guide element comprises at least one rod or rail, preferably two or more rods or rails. When using more than one rod, these are preferably evenly distributed on a circumference of the guide frame. For use of an active drive for lowering the follower plate, at least one of the bars may have a toothing for engagement with a drive element. A use of rods preferably allows easy manufacture of the guide frame.

The use of a guide rail allows, for example, a tongue and groove connection between the guide rail and follower plate. For example, the guide rail has a guide groove, in which engages a spring of the follower plate. Alternatively or additionally, the guide rail may comprise a spring which engages in a groove of the follower plate. In the case of more than one guide rail, these are preferably arranged uniformly on a circumference of the container to be pumped empty, in particular of the drum. Advantageously, the use of a guide rail allows a minimization of tilting tendency of the follower plate.

When using only a single guide element such as a rod or a guide rail this example, between a flanged edge of the empty container to be pumped and a bottom desselbigen be clamped. Preferably, however, it is provided that the guide frame or the rods or the guide rails are merely set or hooked into the empty container to be pumped.

The stability of the guide frame is improved in that the guide frame has at least one connected to the at least one guide element Fußelement. This preferably allows the use of only a single guide element, in particular a single rod or a single guide rail, without having to clamp this. Furthermore, a stability in less than three guide elements, in particular rods or guide rails, preferably improved.

According to the invention it is provided that the foot element is configured annular, in particular at least approximately flush with an inner periphery of the container, in particular barrel. In a container with a flanged edge, it goes without saying that the foot element is only at least approximately flush with an inner circumference of the opening formed by the flanged edge. Preferably, the annular foot element is a simultaneous foot element for more than one guide element, preferably all guide elements. As a result, an improved rigidity of a guide frame is advantageously achieved.

It would be conceivable for the foot element to have at least two legs which are arranged at an angle which is in particular adjustable relative to one another. These are for example mounted at right angles to a lower end of the guide element. Preferably, this allows a simple adaptation to different diameters of the empty ratio to be pumped and a flexible arrangement of the guide element in this container.

Variability may be improved if the foot member is releasably releasably connectable to the at least one guide member, in particular to the guide frame. This allows, for example, depending on the diameter of the empty container to be pumped, a suitable annular foot element to select a size-adjusted follower plate and to use the same guide element or set of guide elements for different sizes of empty-to-pump containers. As a connection, for example, a screw, plug, clamp connection or the like. Provided. For example, the guide element, in particular a rod or a guide rail, at a lower end on a threaded extension, which allows a tightening of a guide element by means of a thread in demselbigen or else by means of a separate nut.

According to a development of the guide frame, this comprises at least one cover element. This preferably allows a rigid connection of more than one guide element, in particular of more than one rod or more than one guide rail. The cover element preferably has at least one opening for a follower plate pump.

A secure state of the guide frame is made possible, in particular, when the cover element is at least partially insertable into the container, in particular at least approximately flush with an inner circumference of the container. It goes without saying that in the case of a container with a flanged edge, the ceiling element is only in particular at least approximately flush with an inner circumference of an opening formed by the flanging. Advantageously, tilting of the guide frame can thereby be reduced or even prevented. The guide frame is preferably on a bottom of the container.

In addition, it can be provided that the cover element can be placed overhanging on an upper edge of the container. This allows, for example, a suspension of a guide frame, without the same must get up on a bottom of the container. Still easier this is preferably an attachment of the guide frame in a container to be pumped empty. A particularly secure connection between the guide frame and empty container to be pumped can preferably be achieved when both the guide frame rests on a bottom of the container and the lid member is cantilevered on an upper edge of the barrel.

According to a variant of the cover element, this is configured in a ring shape. The annular cover element is in particular at least approximately flush with an inner circumference of the container or an inner circumference of an opening formed by a bead of the container. This preferably allows a large free cross-sectional area through which a larger follower plate pump can easily dip. Furthermore, this preferably allows a low weight of a guide frame. Such a guide frame has, for example, a ring-shaped ausgestaltetes cover element and a ring ausgestaltetes foot element, which are connected to one another or more guide elements, in particular one or more rods or guide rails.

A variability of the guide frame is preferably improved when the lid member is repeatably releasably connected to the guide frame, in particular with the guide element, connectable. As a connection, for example, at least one screw, clamp, latching, plug connection or the like. Provided. In a simple embodiment of a guide frame, for example, two or more rods are provided, which are each provided at their ends with a threaded extension, so that the rods can be screwed directly or by means of a nut with an annular cover member and an annular base member. The follower plate is then slidably guided between the two annular elements.

The invention further relates to a follower plate pump with a guide frame according to one of the embodiments described above.

For operation of the guide frame or the follower plate pump is provided that first the follower plate is moved to a lower position of the guide frame, the guide frame is placed with the follower plate on a surface of the medium to be conveyed in the empty container to be pumped that the medium at least substantially airtight is completed, then the guided on the follower plate guide member is pressed down into the container and the follower plate pump is put into operation. As a result of the airtight seal a negative pressure is continuously generated below the follower plate, so that the follower plate is moved by an attacking at its top air pressure down. In this way, the follower plate is lowered continuously with the follower plate pump arranged thereon until the container is emptied down to the bottom of the container.

In the following the invention will be explained schematically by way of example with reference to the drawing. However, the invention is not limited to the feature combinations shown there. Rather, features illustrated in the figures and / or in the description alone or in combination may be essential to the invention.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a view of a guide frame,

FIG. 2

a guide frame when put on a barrel,

FIG. 3

a guide frame in a position at the beginning of a pumping operation, and

FIG. 4

a guide frame in a position after emptying a barrel.

This in FIG. 1 schematically shown guide frame 1 has three provided as a guide element rods 2, which are connected at their ends 3 with an annular base member 4 and an annular cover element 5. As a connection, not shown in detail, each provided a screw. On the rods 2, a follower plate 6 is guided, which carries a follower plate pump 7. The intake opening, not shown, is located on a lower side 8 of the follower plate 6. The follower plate 6 is guided on the rods 2 in such a way that it is a self-locking connection. This means that the follower plate 6 with the follower plate pump 7 located thereon can not fall down by itself as a result of gravity. The self-locking is rather adjusted so that when a negative pressure generated below the follower plate 6 or an attacking on a top 9 of the follower plate 6 air pressure, the follower plate 6 can be moved down.

This in FIG. 2 When placed on a drum 10 guide frame 1 substantially corresponds to the in FIG. 1 shown. There are three provided as a guide element rods 2 with an annular cover member 5 and an annular foot member 4 is connected. On the rods 2, a follower plate 6 is guided, which has been moved to a lower position of the guide frame 1, so that an unillustrated opening of a follower plate pump 7 comes into contact with a pumped medium of the filled drum 10. The follower plate 6 is provided with a sealing lip 12, so that an airtight completion of the barrel 10 is ensured.

Even in the illustrated Aufsetzvorgang is not shown, the center of gravity of the guide frame 1 only slightly above an upper edge 13 of the barrel 10th

Before a pumping operation, the guide frame 1 is pressed down into the barrel 10, wherein the guide frame is guided on the follower plate 6 until the annular cover member 5 finally terminates approximately flush with the upper edge 13 of the barrel. Annular foot element 4 and annular cover element 5 are flush with an inner circumference 14 of the drum 10, so that a high tilting safety of the guide frame 1 is made possible.

After pressing down the guide frame 1, the guide frame takes in FIG. 3 shown position. The rods 2 provided as a guide element are completely immersed in the drum 10. As a result of an incipient curvature 15, the annular foot element 4 sits on a lower edge 16 of the drum 10 at this curvature 15. In an embodiment, not shown, it can also be provided that the annular foot element 4 projects freely into the barrel 10. In this embodiment, in particular, the annular cover element 5 is provided with a Überkragung not shown here.

If the follower plate pump 7 is put into operation in the position shown, the medium to be pumped 11, for example a highly viscous lubricant, is successively pumped out of the drum 10, resulting in a negative pressure as a result of an airtight seal of the drum 10 through the follower plate 6 in the drum 10 whereby the air pressure, which acts on an upper side 9 of the follower plate 6, moves the follower plate 6 together with the follower plate pump 7 downwards. As a result, the follower plate 6 always sits flush on the medium 11 to be pumped.

The pumping process is continued until the in FIG. 4 shown position of the guide frame 1 is reached after emptying of the barrel 10. The follower plate 6 is dropped to the lowest position adjacent to the annular foot member 4. The entire guide frame 1 together with the follower plate pump 7 can now be removed and placed on a new, filled barrel. Further assembly or disassembly is not required.

For an improved Aufsetzverhalten, the annular cover member 5, in contrast to the in the Figures 2 and 3 cover elements shown on an overhang 17, so that the lid member 5 can be placed on the upper side 13 and the upper edge 13.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

guide frame

2

rods

3

end up

4

annular foot element

5

annular cover element

6

follower plate

7

Follower plate pump

8th

Bottom of the follower plate

9

Top of the follower plate

10

Drum (empty container to be pumped)

11

medium to be pumped

12

sealing lip

13

Top edge of the barrel

14

inner circumference

15

curvature

16

lower edge

17

overhang

Claims (8)

1. A guide frame (1) for a follower plate pump (7), said guide frame (1) having at least one guide element (2) for guiding the follower plate (6), in which case, when placed upon the container (10) to be pumped out, the guide frame (1), carried on the follower plate (6), can be lowered into the container (10) and the guide element (2) comprises at least one rod or rail (2), preferably two or more rods (2) or rails (2), characterized in that the guide frame (1) has at least one base element (4) attached to the at least one guide element (2), said base element (4) being annular in shape and in particular being at least approximately flush with an inner circumference (14) of the container (10).
2. A guide frame (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the base element (4) can be attached to the at least one guide element (2) in such a way that it can be detached time after time.
3. A guide frame (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide frame (1) includes at least one cover element (5).
4. A guide frame (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the cover element (5) can be at least partly inserted into the container (10), in particular in such a way as to be at least approximately flush with an inner circumference (14) of the container (10).
5. A guide frame (1) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the cover element (5) can be placed on an upper edge (13) of the container (10) so as to project beyond said edge.
6. A guide frame (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the cover element (5) is annular in shape.
7. A guide frame (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the cover element (5) can be attached to the guide frame (1), in particular to the guide element (2), in such a way that it can be detached time after time.
8. A follower plate pump (7) with a guide frame (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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