EP3807154A1

EP3807154A1 - Suction device for emptying a container

Info

Publication number: EP3807154A1
Application number: EP19728057.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Schmidt; Kim Bastian KROH; Maik-Sebastian SAFT
Original assignee: Ejot GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Ejot SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-06-13
Filing date: 2019-06-03
Publication date: 2021-04-21
Also published as: BR112020024214A2; MX2020013566A; DE102018209465A1; JP2021526486A; CN112292330A; CN112292330B; KR20210041552A; US20210179369A1; WO2019238450A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction device for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material. The suction device has a plurality of suction ports, at least one distributor, the at least distributor being adjusted to connect the plurality of suction ports to a central suction line, and a holding means, which holds at least one first suction port of the plurality of suction ports at a distance from at least one second suction port of the plurality of suction ports. The invention further relates to a method and to a system for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material.

Description

Suction device for emptying a container

The present invention relates generally to a suction device for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material. In many technical areas, raw materials are processed in technical systems. These raw materials can be in the form of loose material, for example, such as bulk material, granulate or powder, which can all be regarded as granular. Common raw materials are, for example, plastic particles or glass fiber-like particles. The raw materials are typically kept in large containers so that they can be easily used in technical systems.

When processing the raw materials, these are then removed from the containers and fed to the system or the processing machine.

The containers are mostly emptied by sucking the raw material out of the container. During suction, a material is sucked out of the container by means of a suction line. The suction line has two openings at opposite ends. The first opening of the two openings is placed in the container, typically in the vicinity of the raw material to be extracted or directly into the raw material to be extracted. Suppression is created at the second opening. The result of this suppression is suction, that is, a suction force caused by the suppression. This suction is directed to the second opening via the suction line, so that suction is created at the second opening. This suction results in a suction force that is directed towards the first opening and into the suction line. The suction force then acts on the material to be extracted. If the suction force is large enough, the material is sucked to the first opening and finally through the first opening into the suction line. On the one hand, it is important that what is to be extracted Raw material, for example the particle size, has smaller dimensions than the opening, so that the raw material to be extracted can enter the suction line through the opening. On the other hand, the oppression must be so strong that the suction is large enough to overcome the forces that hold the raw material in the container. In most cases, these forces consist approximately only of the weight of the individual particles of the raw material. In special cases, however, forces can also occur that hold the raw material together. For example, adhesive forces can occur between the particles of the raw material. In addition, it is also possible for forces to occur which hold the raw material in the container. For example, adhesive forces can occur between the particles of the raw material and the container or a section of the container.

Examples of containers which are suitable for holding granular material are so-called big bags or so-called octabins. A big bag is a term for a large bag-like container. An octabin is a container consisting of a fixed octagonal peripheral wall, for example made of cardboard, a base and an optional lid. Depending on the material used, an octabin can have a flexible inner container into which the granular material can be filled. For example, in the case of very fine-grained particles of the material, it can be advantageous to use an inner container so that the fine-grained particles of the material do not settle in the kinks of the cardboard from which the octabin can consist. Likewise, the use of an inner container can protect the granular material from environmental influences. If, for example, granular material is transported that is hygroscopic, that is, it binds moisture from the environment, the material in the inner container can be protected from a moist environment. It is also possible to extend the recyclability of an octabin by using an inner container, since the octabin itself does not come into contact with the granular material and is therefore not contaminated. Furthermore, the flexible inner container prevents particles from getting into the environment unintentionally, for example during transport.

The flexible inner container, which is often also referred to as an inlet, can be designed in the form of a sack made from a film. This sack can be placed loosely in the octabin or can be firmly connected to the octabin. Does he have Oktabin a flexible inner container, so the material is filled into the flexible inner container. Otherwise the material is filled directly into the octabin.

Solutions known from the prior art for emptying corresponding containers use a central suction line with a suction opening arranged thereon. The suction opening is placed in the container and a suction is applied to the suction line, so that a suction is created which pulls the granular material through the suction opening into the suction line. Since the suction opening generally does not cover the entire base area of the container, the suction opening is generally not suitable for extracting all of the granular material from the container. With a suction opening, the granular material can therefore only be extracted locally at the position of this suction opening.

In addition, suctioning becomes less and less effective the less granular material is in the container. If there is only a little granular material left in the container, the suction opening is primarily surrounded by the ambient air, so that the suction opening mainly sucks in air and only a few particles. Frequently, the solutions known from the prior art are therefore adapted to move the sucking opening in the container relative to the container, so as to also suck off the granules at the points that the suction opening in its starting position, i.e. without the relative movement , cannot reach. It is possible to move the container relative to the suction opening as well as to move the suction opening relative to the container. Combinations of these movements are also conceivable. Furthermore, this relative movement makes it possible to bring the suction opening into a position in which granular material still to be suctioned is present. This can be done, for example, by moving the suction opening in the container in the direction of the granular material to be sucked in, or by tilting or moving the container against a rigidly mounted suction opening. Combinations of the relative movements of the suction opening and the container are also conceivable. If the container has a flexible inner container, then a relative movement between the flexible inner container and the suction opening is also conceivable. However, the solutions known from the prior art have the disadvantage that they generally use a complicated construction of a holding and moving device, which accomplish such a relative movement, because of the need for a relative movement between the suction opening and the container. Because of this, these devices are expensive to manufacture but also complicated to operate and maintain.

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to simplify and make the construction and use of a suction device more efficient, to make the suction device more durable and to simplify the storage of the suction device when it is not in use becomes.

This object is achieved by a suction device according to the independent claim of the present invention. Preferred and advantageous configurations can be found in the dependent claims.

The suction device according to the invention for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material, has a large number of suction nozzles. An intake manifold can, for example, be a section of a connection, for example a section of a pipe or a hose. This section can have a higher rigidity than the rest of the hose or tube. This stiffness can promote the penetration of the intake manifold into the material. An intake manifold can also be just an opening. Each suction nozzle has at least one opening, in particular a baby opening, through which granular material can be sucked off when a suction is applied to it. A plurality of intake manifolds are defined as two or more intake manifolds.

Due to the large number of suction ports, the suction device according to the invention enables, for example, the simultaneous suction of granular material at several positions within the container, without a relative movement or only a few relative movements between the suction device and the container being necessary. Due to the large number of intake manifolds, these can be positioned at a plurality of spatially spaced positions within the container, so that each of them Positions can be sucked or sucked in granular material via at least one suction nozzle.

In addition to the large number of intake ports, the suction device has at least one distributor. This at least one distributor is adapted to connect the plurality of intake manifolds to a central suction line. A central suction line is a suction line via which a vacuum can be connected to the suction device or a suction can be applied to the suction device. In this way, for example, the negative pressure that is necessary to generate suction on at least one of the intake manifolds of the plurality of intake manifolds can be applied. In a preferred example, the manifold creates suction at each of the plurality of manifolds connected to the manifold that is strong enough to draw granular material through the manifold. In this case, for example, a suction can be generated at the same time on all intake manifolds, or the suction can be generated alternately on different intake manifolds.

Overall, the at least one distributor is therefore adapted to distribute the suction power that is provided by a suction device.

The central suction line itself does not have to be part of the device described. It can be a central suction line of an external device, the device being suitable for generating a negative pressure on the central suction line. For example, the central suction line can be the suction line of an industrial vacuum cleaner. The explicit functioning of such a suction device will not be described in more detail here.

The suction device according to the invention further has at least one holding means which holds at least one first intake port from the plurality of intake ports at a distance from at least one second intake port from the plurality of intake ports.

The at least one holding means permits the positioning of the intake ports relative to one another and relative to the container to be emptied. For example, each intake port can be held by at least one holding means. This allows the intake manifolds to be positioned individually. That is, each holding position of the plurality of intake manifolds can be set individually via the holding means. This setting can be done manually or automatically. This allows a large number of degrees of freedom in the choice of the positioning of the intake manifold.

The at least one holding means can also be designed to carry two or more intake manifolds, possibly even the entire plurality of intake manifolds, in order to provide increased stability of the suction device. However, the holding means can nevertheless be adapted to position the individual intake ports.

So that the suction device according to the invention can be used, the suction device according to the invention must be connected to a central suction line and placed in a container to be sucked out. In contrast to the suction devices known from the prior art, the suction device according to the invention does not require any complex additional devices that bring about a relative movement between the container and the suction opening. This alone makes the suction device according to the invention more compact and simpler. Due to the simpler construction, the suction device according to the invention is also more efficient and less expensive.

In a preferred embodiment, the number and / or the distribution of the intake ports can be adapted to the container to be emptied. For example, the number and / or the distribution of the intake manifolds can be adapted to the shape, size or cross section of the container to be emptied. An embodiment that allows a versatile application, for example in the area of octabins, can have, for example, five intake manifolds. One of four first intake manifolds can each be located in the four corners of a rectangle, the surface of which is aligned essentially parallel to a base surface of the container, and the remaining one of the five intake manifolds can be located inside the surface defined by the rectangle described is formed. This remaining one of the five intake ports can be referred to as a second intake port, for example. In one example, the rectangle, which is formed from the four first intake manifolds in the respective corners of the rectangle, can be any rectangle. Two of the four first intake manifolds can be at a certain distance from an adjacent one of the four first intake manifolds, an adjacent intake manifold being an intake manifold located in an adjacent corner of the rectangle. In this case, the determined distance can correspond to the length of the side of the rectangle connecting the corner of the first intake manifold with the corner of the adjacent intake manifold. In one example, the rectangle formed can be a square. In the case of a square, all four first intake manifolds are at the same distance from their neighboring intake manifolds.

In a further example, the four first intake ports can each have a certain distance from the second intake port. This specific distance from the second intake manifold can be the same or different for each of the four first intake manifolds. If the four first intake manifolds form a square, for example, and if the second intake manifold is located in the middle of the surface of the square, for example at a position where the diagonals of the surface of the square intersect, the distances between the first four intake manifolds and the second intake manifold can be be equal.

An arrangement of a number of first intake ports, for example four first intake ports in the form of a rectangle, and a second intake port, for example in the area of the rectangle, allows the container to be emptied simultaneously at several positions of the container which are distributed relative to the base area of the container are. This enables more effective emptying even without relative movement between the container and the intake manifold, since there are several positions at which material can be extracted from the container. The person skilled in the art is aware that any number of intake ports can be used and this number can be matched to the geometry, for example the cross-sectional area of the container.

If the suction device according to the invention has a configuration of the large number of suction nozzles, which allows the suction of granulate-like material at several distributed positions of a container, it may be that granule-like material remains in the spaces, i.e. the positions where there is no suction nozzle , This can, for example, small Form hills of granular material. Due to the gravitational force that acts on the particles of the granular material, it is possible, however, that the particles slide at least partially to the positions of the intake ports and can thus be sucked off. The number of intake ports can thus be adapted to favor optimal slipping of the granular material, so that no or only very few relative movements of the suction device and the container are necessary.

In a further preferred embodiment, the intake ports of the suction device can each have at least one spacer which is arranged on the respective intake port and partially extends over the at least one sucking opening of the intake port, which is used for suctioning off the granular material. If an intake port of the plurality of intake ports has more than one sucking opening, then each of these intake openings can have a spacer. A spacer can be designed, for example, in the form of an arc, a rectangle or a trapezoid.

The spacer does not close the baby's mouth of the intake port and can ensure that the corresponding baby's opening of the intake port does not come into contact with the interior of the container. This prevents the suction nozzle from being sucked into the interior of the container. This is particularly advantageous if the container to be emptied has a flexible inner container, since these flexible inner containers are generally placed in the container and are therefore easy to move. In addition, such a spacer also prevents larger particles of the granular material to be extracted from clogging the intake port, for example if the granular material is contaminated or if several particles of the granular material have accumulated and form a coherent lump or block.

In a further preferred embodiment, the distributor of the suction device has at least one suction distributor. This suction distributor has a first end area and a second end area. The first end region of the suction distributor has a first opening which is adapted to be connected to the central suction line and the second end region has a multiplicity of second openings, in each case a second opening being adapted to to be connected to at least one intake manifold. A plurality of second openings in this case means two or more second openings. The suction distributor therefore enables the suction or the suction force to be distributed from the first opening to the plurality of intake ports.

So that the suction manifold is adapted to be connected to the central suction line, the suction distributor can have, for example, a connection that can be connected to a suction line. Via this connection, the suction distributor can be adapted, for example, to be connected to a suction line from a large number of different central suction lines. This improves the possible uses of the suction device, since the suction device is independent of the central suction line used. For example, the distributor of the suction device can be designed such that it can be connected to a large number of commercially available suction devices, so that when the suction device according to the invention is purchased, only the suction device has to be purchased and it can then be operated with an already existing suction device. The connection can be a quick-change connection, for example. The connection can also be adapted to be set to several different suction lines. The connection can also have an adapter, for example, so that several different suction lines can be connected to the connection.

The suction distributor can be hollow or consist of lines which are designed such that the first opening of the suction distributor branches and merges into the second openings. Such branching can take place in several stages. For example, in that the first opening branches into a number of intermediate lines, which finally branch into the second openings. Several stages of intermediate lines are also possible. However, it is also possible for the branching to take place directly from the first opening to the number of second openings. The type and form of branching can be designed taking into account flow-physical considerations.

For example, the lines can be at least partially angled to enable the first opening to branch into the second openings. The angulation of the lines can ensure that the lines lie in a spatial relationship to the first opening is advantageous in terms of flow dynamics, and there is no loss of suction power or the suction power losses are only slight. In one example, the lines are each at an angle of 45 ^° to the normal of the first opening.

In a further preferred embodiment, the number of the second openings of the suction distributor can be adapted to the number of intake ports. In this case, it is possible for a second opening to be connected to one intake manifold of the plurality of intake manifolds.

Regardless of whether the number of second openings is matched to the number of intake ports, it is also possible to connect a second opening to more than one intake port. An intake manifold can also be connected to more than one second opening. In certain applications or in certain embodiments of the suction device, both variants can be advantageous in order to distribute the suction force and thus prevent loss of suction force, for example.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first opening of the at least one suction distributor has a first inner cross-sectional area and the second openings of the at least one suction distributor each have a second inner cross-sectional area, the first inner cross-sectional area being smaller than the sum of the second inner cross-sectional areas of the second Openings. It is possible that the second openings all have the same second inner cross-sectional area or the second openings at least partially have different second inner cross-sectional areas.

The first inner cross-sectional areas and the second inner cross-sectional areas can be selected, for example, in such a way that there is no loss of suction force between the first opening of the suction distributor and the second openings of the suction distributor, or that there is only a slight loss of suction force. The inner cross-sectional areas can, for example, be approximately circular and be defined by the corresponding circular diameter. However, elliptical or differently shaped inner cross-sectional areas are also possible. In another example, it may also be possible that the sum of the second inner cross-sectional areas is equal to or greater than the first inner cross-sectional area.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one distributor has at least one decentralized suction line, which connects at least one second opening of the suction distributor to at least one intake port of the plurality of intake ports. The decentralized suction line is referred to as decentral because it leads from the second opening of the suction distributor to one of the intake ports. It thus contributes to the branching of the suction caused by the central suction line. The decentralized suction line has, for example, a smaller inner cross-sectional area than the central suction line.

The at least one decentralized suction line can be, for example, a pipe or a hose. A tube can consist of a metal, for example, steel, stainless steel, or an alloy. Furthermore, a tube can be rigid or at least partially flexible. A hose can, for example, be made of a plastic (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), silicone), a natural rubber (e.g. natural latex, rubber) or a synthetic rubber (e.g. synthetic polymer latex, chloroprene rubber (neoprene) ) consist. Furthermore, a hose generally has greater flexibility than a tube, but a hose can also be designed to be rigid.

In one example, at least one of the intake manifolds of the plurality of intake manifolds can be configured in one piece with the at least one decentralized suction line. For example, the at least one decentralized suction line can merge into the at least one intake port. In one example, the at least one intake port can be an opening of the at least one decentralized suction line.

An advantage of using at least one decentralized suction line is to branch the central suction line into the intake manifolds by means of the distributor in a directional manner. For example, the at least one suction line can be fixed during the manufacture of the suction device or it can be changeable and individually adapted to a suction process be, for example, by changing the position of the suction line or connecting the suction line to another intake port.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one decentralized suction line is at least partially integrated into the at least one holding means or the at least one decentralized suction line forms the at least one holding means.

If the at least one decentralized suction line is integrated into the at least one holding means, this results in increased stability in that the holding means and the at least one decentralized suction line are linked to one another.

However, in an example in which the at least one decentralized suction line forms the at least one holding means, it may also be possible that the flexibility of the alignment or the use of the suction device is increased.

If the at least one decentralized suction line is neither at least partially integrated into the at least one holding means nor does it form the at least one holding means, it is possible that the at least one decentralized suction line is attached to the at least one holding means or is connected to it. This can prevent the suction line from being damaged by, for example, the suction line having an anchor point on the at least one holding means and thus not being set into a fluttering movement which could otherwise be caused by the forces acting when the granular material is being extracted.

In a further preferred embodiment, the suction distributor is connected directly to the at least one holding means. This enables a robust and stable construction. In a further preferred embodiment, the suction distributor is connected indirectly to the at least one holding means via at least one decentralized suction line. This makes it possible, for example, to suppress vibrations if the suction line is designed from a flexible hose / tube and the material of the flexible hose / tube can weaken the vibrations, which leads to less wear on the suction device. In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one holding means is adapted to align at least one suction nozzle relative to the container to be emptied or relative to the at least one second suction nozzle. It can also be said that the holding means is adapted to move at least one intake port or to specify its orientation or to position the intake port. Aligning the at least one intake port relative to the container to be emptied or relative to the at least one second intake port can include a relative movement between the intake port and the container to be emptied and / or the at least one second intake port. The relative movement can be, for example, a translational movement along any spatial direction. In addition, it is also possible for the alignment to consist of a rotational movement of the at least one suction nozzle relative to the container to be emptied or relative to the at least one second suction nozzle. A rotational movement can take place about a rotation axis that is fixed in time and space. However, it is also possible for the axis of rotation to change in time and space during the rotational movement. The axis of rotation can be an axis of rotation running freely in space or be predetermined by the container to be emptied or at least part of the suction device. For example, the axis of rotation can be predetermined by one of the intake ports, the at least one holding means or the at least one decentralized suction line, if present. It is also possible that the alignment includes a combination of relative movement and rotational movement. For example, the at least one holding means can have at least one flexible section, which makes it possible to change the position of this section. However, if the holding means is formed from rigid sections, a similar effect can be made possible, for example, via a hinge or a joint, in particular a ball joint.

In one example, the at least one holding means, which is adapted to align the at least one intake port relative to the container or relative to at least one other intake port, can be manually aligned by a user of the suction device in order to align the at least one intake port. In another example, alignment can be done automatically. In this context, automatic means that the alignment can be done mechanically. This means that the alignment can be machine controlled or computer controlled. For example, a computer can monitor the fill level of the container and align the intake manifolds based on this monitoring. However, it is also possible that the alignment can be controlled by an operator via a means, for example a switch, and carried out by a means of the suction device.

If the at least one holding means is adapted to align at least one suction nozzle, it is possible, for example, to adapt the suction device to an application in a simple manner. For example, at least one of the intake ports, which is held by the holding means, can be aligned and thus, for example, track the granular material to be extracted, for example when the level of the container drops. It can also enable the positioning of the intake manifold to be adapted to the size and shape of a container.

If the at least one holding means is adapted to align the at least one suction nozzle relative to the container or relative to a second suction nozzle, this allows a large number of degrees of freedom in the choice of the positioning of the suction nozzle, for example in the manufacture of the suction device or in the case of movable holding means the manufacture, for example before or during the use of the suction device.

An advantage that results from the mobility of the at least one holding means is the increased flexibility to be applied to different container sizes and container shapes as well as the increased efficiency of the suction process.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one holding means is adapted to be moved at least partially from a working position into a storage position.

For example, the suction device can be folded or unfolded by moving the at least one holding means, the folded shape corresponding to a storage position and the unfolded form corresponds to a working position. The storage position can be distinguished, for example, by the fact that the intake manifolds are closer to one another by a folding movement of the at least one holding means, while the intake manifolds are at a greater distance from one another in the case of the working position.

An advantage that results from this is the small size of the suction device for storage purposes. In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one distributor consists at least partially of either a glass and / or a metal. For example, a partial area consisting of the first end area and / or the second end area can consist of a glass and / or a metal. Additionally or alternatively, however, it is also possible for the at least one decentralized suction line of the suction distributor to consist at least partially of a glass and / or a metal.

The advantage of using a glass and / or a metal compared to other substances, such as plastics, is the possibility of obtaining a very smooth inner surface, for example at the points that can be used to guide the granular material to be extracted. For example, a smooth surface is characterized by a low surface roughness. For metals, mean roughness values of less than 0.2 mm are preferred, for example. For glasses, for example, average roughness values of less than 2 pm are preferred.

Smooth surfaces may be particularly desirable, for example, at bends, diffractions and branches of the lines. For example, when a granular material is sucked out through the pipes, less friction is generated on a smooth surface than on a surface with a high roughness. Since the changes in direction that the granular material undergoes due to the suction force are particularly great at bends, diffractions and branches, the granular material to be extracted rubs particularly strongly against the material from which the line is made with each change of direction. The resulting friction can be reduced if the inner surface of the pipe is smooth. This causes both the granular to be suctioned off Material as well as the conduit are less damaged even in the case of a smooth surface, which in turn means less wear and tear, so that the longevity of the suction device can be increased.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the intake manifolds of the plurality of intake manifolds has a gimbal suspension. A gimbal is a suspension using two pivot bearings that are perpendicular to each other. In the case of a gimbal, the center of gravity of the suspended object, in this case the at least one intake manifold, is below the point of intersection of the axes of rotation, below being relatively related to the action of force against which the gimbal is directed, i.e. in particular the gravitational force.

An advantage of using a gimbal suspension for at least one intake port is that the intake port can always be optimally immersed in the granular material to be sucked in.

The above-mentioned object can also be achieved by a method for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material, the method comprising connecting a suction device to a central suction line, the suction device having a plurality of suction connections, at least one distributor and at least one holding means which holds at least a first intake port of the plurality of intake ports at a distance from at least a second intake port of the plurality of intake ports and wherein the at least one distributor is adapted to connect the plurality of intake ports to the central suction line. The method further comprises arranging the suction device in a container filled with material to be extracted and suctioning the material out of the container by applying a vacuum to the central suction line.

The above-mentioned object can also be achieved by a system for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material, the system comprising a suction device with a central suction line and a suction device having a plurality of suction connections, at least one distributor and one Retaining means, which at least holds a first intake port of the plurality of intake ports at a distance from at least a second intake port of the plurality of intake ports and the at least one distributor is adapted to connect the plurality of intake ports to the central suction line.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the suction device according to the invention by means of an embodiment. Show it:

FIG. 1 isometric representation of an embodiment of the suction device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a sectional drawing of an exemplary embodiment of the suction device according to the invention,

FIG. 4 detailed drawing of a suction distributor of an embodiment of the suction device according to the invention,

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a suction manifold of an embodiment of the suction device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric representation of an embodiment of the suction device 1 according to the invention. The suction device 1 shown here has five suction ports 6a-e. Four first intake manifolds 6a-d of these five intake manifolds 6a-e are each held by a holding means 4a-d, which has the shape of a distributor arm, which additionally has a holding plate 5. The use of a holding plate 5 can increase the stability of the suction device 1 by having a receptacle that is designed to carry at least one of the suction ports 6a-d. As an alternative or in addition, the holding plate 5 can be adapted to increase the weight of the suction device 1, in order in this way to enable better suction of the granular material, for example by the suction device 1, due to its weight, which is increased by the holding plates 5, from the gravitational force into the Container is drawn into it. This allows the intake ports 6a-d to sink better into the granular material or penetrate and so suck off the granular material better. Likewise, the holding plates 5 can be adapted to displace the granular material and thus lead to the suction device 1 resting at least partially on the granular material. This could make it possible for only the intake ports 6a-e to at least partially penetrate the granular material, while the remaining parts of the suction device 1 do not penetrate the granular material. This can, for example, prevent the suction device 1 from being damaged by the granular material. In addition, the holding plate 5 can have a means which enables a movable arrangement of the respective intake connector 6a-d on the holding plate 5.

Furthermore, the intake manifolds 6a-d are each connected to a decentralized suction line 9a-d. The decentralized suction lines 9a-d lead to a suction distributor 2, which connects them to a first opening 2c of the suction distributor 2 with regard to the flow dynamics. The first opening 2c of the suction distributor 2 is adapted to be connected to a central suction line (not shown here). In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the decentralized suction lines 9a-e are shown in the form of a hose. However, it is also possible that the suction lines 9a-e are designed in the form of a tube or are also integrated in one of the holding means 4a-d or form the holding means 4a-d itself.

The second intake port 6e is connected to a suction line 9e, which also serves as a holding means for this intake port 6e.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, each holding means 4a-d holds the respective first intake port 6a-d at a certain distance from at least one other intake port 6a-d of the plurality of intake ports 6a-e, for example the intake port 6e, which are referred to as the second intake port can. The first intake ports 6a-d differ from the second intake port 6e in that they are each arranged on a holding means 4a-d, whereas intake ports 6e are only arranged on one suction line 9e. The holding means 4a-d are connected to one another via a holder 3. The four first intake ports 6a-d are arranged in a rectangle by the holding means 4a-d, a first intake port 6a-d being located in one of the four corners of the rectangle. The second intake port 6e is located within the rectangle which is formed from the four first intake ports 6a-d.

In the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1, the suction distributor 2, the decentralized suction lines 9a, together with the holder 3, form a distributor.

If the suction device 1 is connected with the first opening 2c of the suction distributor 2 to a central suction line (not shown here), a suppressor which is generated on the central suction line is transmitted to the first and second suction ports 6a-e. This creates suction on the first and second intake ports 6a-e. This suction creates a suction force, by means of which granular material can be sucked through the suction ports 6a-e and passed through the first opening 2c of the suction distributor 2 to the central suction line. In this way, granular material can be extracted from a container, not shown here, and the container can be emptied.

If granular material is sucked out of a container via the suction nozzle 6a-e arranged in a rectangle, the granular material is sucked off at the positions at which the suction nozzle 6a-e are located. It may be possible that granular material remains in other places where there is no intake manifold. As a result, piles of granular material can form, from which the granular material can slide to the positions of the intake ports 6a-e due to the gravitational force acting on the individual particles of the granular material. These slipping particles can then be sucked off from the intake ports 6a-e.

This effect of slipping down can become smaller, for example, the smaller the hills are made of granular material. If the hills have become so small that granular material can no longer slide down, it can be advantageous to move the suction device 1 and to rotate it relative to the container, so that the suction nozzles are placed where the remaining granular material is located. In many cases it is sufficient Twist suction device l once and move. For example, if the suction device 1 has five intake manifolds 6a-e and four first intake manifolds 6a-d are arranged in a square, while the remaining intake manifold 6e is arranged in the surface of the square. In this example, a total of four hills made of granular material can form in the spaces between the four corners of the square. It is therefore sufficient to turn the suction device once by 45 °, so that the first four suction nozzles reach the positions of the four hills.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional drawing of an exemplary embodiment of the suction device 1 according to the invention, for example a sectional drawing of the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. The sectional drawing in FIG. 2 shows the suction device 1. The suction device 1 has the suction ports 6a-e, which are connected to the suction lines 9a-e. In the case of intake manifolds 6a-d, intake manifolds 6a-d are also connected to holding means 4a-d, which each have a holding plate 5. In the case of the intake manifold 6e, the suction line serves as a holding means. The intake ports 6a-e have openings 7a-e.

In addition, the suction device 1 of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2 has a suction distributor 2, which in turn has a first end region 2a and a second end region 2b. The first end region 2a of the suction distributor 2 has a first opening 2c which is adapted to be connected to a central suction line (not shown here). The second end region 2b has a plurality of second openings 2d-h. The second openings 2d-h are each connected to one of the suction lines 9a-e.

It can be seen in the sectional drawing in FIG. 2 that the sucking openings 7a, 7c, e of the intake ports 6a, 6c, 6e of the exemplary embodiment shown via the suction lines 9a, 9c, ge and the suction distributor 2 form a coherent fluid dynamic connection, which in the first Opening 2c of the suction distributor 2 ends, which is adapted to be connected to the central suction line (not shown). This coherent fluid dynamic connection is suitable to enable effective extraction of granular material from a container. FIG. 3 shows a detailed drawing of an intake port of an embodiment of the suction device according to the invention, for example a detailed drawing of an intake port of the embodiment shown in FIG.

The intake manifold 6a shown in Figure 3 has a spacer 8. The spacing means 8, which can be designed, for example, in the form of an arc, a rectangle or a trapezoid, is shown in an arc in FIG. 3 and extends at least partially over the infant opening 7a of the intake port 6a.

The spacer 8 ensures that the corresponding sucking opening 7a of the suction nozzle 6a does not come into contact with the container. This prevents the suction nozzle 6a from being sucked firmly onto the container, in particular if the container to be emptied has a flexible inner container. In addition, such a spacer 8 also prevents larger particles of the granular material to be sucked up from clogging one of the sucking openings 7a.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed drawing of a suction distributor of an exemplary embodiment of the suction device according to the invention, for example a detailed drawing of a suction distributor of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

The suction distributor 2 of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2 has a first opening 2c which is adapted to be connected to a central suction line. In addition, the suction manifold 2 has a branch from a plurality of lines which end in a plurality of second openings 2d-h. In the case shown, five of these lines are shown, any number of lines being possible.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the four lines that lead to the openings 2d-g have an angle with respect to the line that ends in the first opening 2c, while the line that leads to the opening 2h has no angle with respect to the first opening 2c , The second opening 2h, in which this latter line ends, is thus parallel to the first opening 2c. The suction distributor 2 enables the suction to be divided from the first opening 2c to the plurality of second openings 2d-h. The angulation of the lines ensures that the line is in a spatial relationship to the first opening 2c, which is advantageous in terms of flow dynamics, and there is no loss of suction power or the suction power losses are only slight. In a preferred example, the lines are at an angle of 45 ° to the normal to the first opening 2c, as shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional drawing of a suction distributor of an exemplary embodiment of the suction device according to the invention, for example a sectional drawing of the suction distributor shown in FIG. 4.

5 has a first end region 2a and a second end region 2b, the first end region 2a having a first opening 2c which is adapted to be connected to a central suction line (not shown) and the second end region 2b having a multiplicity of second openings 2e, 2g, 2h.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first opening 2c has a first diameter and the second openings 2e, 2g, 2h each have a second diameter, in this exemplary embodiment all second openings 2e, 2g, 2h having the same second diameter and the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.

In addition, the first opening 2c of the at least one suction distributor 2 has a first cross-sectional area and the second openings 2e, 2g, 2h of the at least one suction distributor 2 each have a second cross-sectional area, the first cross-sectional area being smaller than the sum of the second cross-sectional areas of the second openings. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the second openings 2e, 2g, 2h all have the same second cross-sectional area.

The above description includes embodiments of one or more embodiments of the invention. Of course, it is not possible to use every conceivable combination of the components and methods according to the invention in to describe the above-mentioned embodiments. Rather, a person skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous other combinations of further embodiments. Accordingly, the described exemplary embodiments are intended to encompass all of these further combinations, modifications, variations and embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims i. Suction device (l) for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material, the suction device (l) comprising:

a plurality of intake manifolds (6a-e);

at least one distributor, the at least one distributor being adapted to connect the plurality of intake ports (6a-f) to a central suction line; and

a holding means (4a-d) which holds at least a first intake port of the plurality of intake ports (6a-f) at a distance from at least a second intake port of the plurality of intake ports (6a-f).

The suction device (l) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one distributor has at least one suction distributor (2) having a first end region (2a) and a second end region (2b), wherein

the first end region (2a) has a first opening (2c), which is adapted to be connected to the central suction line, and the second end region (2b) has a multiplicity of second openings (2d-h), a second opening ( 2d) is adapted to be connected to at least one intake port (6a-f).

The suction device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first opening (2c) of the at least one suction distributor (2) has a first inner cross-sectional area and the second openings (2d-h) of the at least one suction distributor (2) each have a second inner cross-sectional area and wherein the first inner cross-sectional area is smaller than the sum of the second inner cross-sectional areas of the second openings (2d-h).

The suction device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the at least one distributor further comprises at least one decentralized suction line (9a-e) which has at least one second opening (2d-h) connects at least one suction manifold (2) to at least one intake manifold (6a-f) of the plurality of intake manifolds.

5. The suction device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one decentralized suction line (9a-d) is at least partially integrated in the at least one holding means (4a-d) or the at least one decentralized suction line (9e) the at least one Holding means forms.

6. The suction device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one suction distributor (2) directly with the at least one

Holding means (4a-d) is connected.

7. The suction device (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the at least one suction distributor (2) is indirectly connected via the at least one decentralized suction line (9a-e) to the at least one holding means (4a-d).

8. The suction device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one holding means (4a-d) is adapted to align the at least one first suction nozzle relative to the container to be emptied or relative to the at least one second suction nozzle.

9. The suction device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one holding means (4a-d) is adapted to be moved at least partially from a working position into a storage position.

10. The suction device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one distributor (2) at least partially consists of either a glass and / or a metal.