GB2049061A

GB2049061A - Piston apparatus for discharging containers

Info

Publication number: GB2049061A
Application number: GB7944264A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Vosschemie GmbH
Current assignee: Vosschemie GmbH
Priority date: 1979-05-17
Filing date: 1979-12-21
Publication date: 1980-12-17
Also published as: EP0019029B2; GR73817B; BR8002511A; NO150792C; NO150792B; PT70660A; AR220605A1; DK151715B; FI794038A; NO794297L; DK20680A; AU5771580A; DE3060782D1; CA1139706A; EP0019029A1; NZ192664A; EP0019029B1; DK151715C; GB2049061B

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for emptying the content of tin canlike containers filled with viscous stock substances, particularly fillers or cement and/or hardener pastes The invention relates to an apparatus for emptying the content of tin can-like containers filled with viscous stock substances, particularly fillers or cement and/or hardener pastes with a centrally or eccentrically formed discharge opening and with or without a supporting member fitted to the container wall. It is often considered disadvantageous that in particular those containers able to receive a number of kilograms and used for viscous substances, particularly fillers and cements can only be emptied completely in rare cases and even then only by means of considerable effort and additional devices, such as spatulas, trowels or the like, otherwise residue to the container content is left in the containers which are then thrown away. In addition, it is difficult to handle the container content, due to the highly viscious consistency of the substance. It is also considered disadvantageous that the application of the stock substances and hardener pastes to a spatula always takes place in such a way that there must subsequently be a mixing of the two substances. As the discharge openings of the containers for the filler and for the hardener pastes are in most cases at a considerable distance apart, some of the substances to be mixed can flow past the relatively small spatula. Furthermore, when removing the content of the container by introducing a spatula into the inner area thereof the substance in the container is contaminated by hardened substance portions adhering to the spatula and becoming detached therefrom. The problem of the present invention is therefore to provide and apparatus permitting a metered removal of viscous substances, i.e. stock substance and hardener pastes from containers, particularly by means of integrated removal openings and which permits the complete emptying of the said containers. According to the invention, this problem is solved by an apparatus, wherein it comprises a frame-shaped or bow-shaped supporting structure with two spaced, facing webs, whereof one web carries a working cylinder operated by means of compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulically, electromotively or manually and which has a piston rod and with a piston plate fixed to the end thereof, whilst the other web has a stand or base plate located in the feed path of the piston plate of the working cylinder having a centering device for the container which receives the stock substance and which is sealable by means of a cover,with or without a pressure cover freely displaceable in its inner area in the longitudinal direction of the container and having an external diameter corresponding to the internal diameter and crosssectional shape of the container and with a discharge opening closable by means of a closure, such as a stopper or the like and a partial emptying device connectable with the discharge opening of the container. Whereas in the case of an apparatus constructed in this way it only receives the container for the stock substance and the hardener paste is supplied separately, according to an embodiment of the invention an apparatus is provided in which the containers for the stock substance and the hardener paste are integrated. An apparatus constructed in this way comprises a bow-shaped or frame-shaped supporting structure with two shaped, facing webs, whereof one web carries a working cylinder operated by means of compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulically, electromotively or manually having a piston rod with a piston plate fixed to thend thereof, whilst the other web has a base or stand plate located in the feed path of the piston plate of the working cylinder having a centering device for the container receiving the stock substance and which is closable by means of a cover with or without a pressure cover freely displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the container in the inner area thereof with an external diameter corresponding to theinternal diameter and crosssectional shape of the container and with a discharge opening closable by means of a closure, such as a stopper or the like,a mounting support for a further tin can-shaped or cartridge-shaped container for receiving the hardener paste with or without a pressure cover displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the container in the inner area thereof by means of a driven piston and with a discharge opening and a partial emptying device connectable with the discharge openings of the two containers, the piston for the container receiving the hardener paste being driven by means of the working cylinder for the piston plate or by means of a further working cylinder, the two working cylinders being controllable in the necessary ratio to one another by means of a common control mechanism for the discharge of stock substance and hardener paste. If the apparatus according to the invention is constructed for receiving two containers, the discharge openings of the two containers are connected with pipe connections having check valves and whose discharge ends are very close to one another, so that the stock substance and the hardener paste can be applied to a spatula or the like very close to one another. The apparatus can be provided with a centering device for the container carrying the stock substance. A corresponding centering device can be provided for the second container receiving the hardener paste. According to another embodiment of the invention the two outlet pipes connectable with the containers are combined in a partial emptying head , the discharge openings of the two containers corresponding to the inlet openings of the partial emptying head, whereby it is possible to provide correspondingly constructed pipe connections between the discharge openings and the inlet openings of the partial emptying head. By means of an apparatus constructed in this way and the appropriate containers for the stock substance and hardener paste, the possibility is provided to completely empty the said containers. The container is secured between the two webs of the retaining clips of the apparatus and is centered by means of the base plate, so that the working cylinder can directly act on the pressure cover in the inner area of the container. On actuating the working cylinder, the pressure cover is pressed into the inner area of the container in the direction of the discharge opening area thereof and passes out of the opening of the pipe connection provided on the bottom of the apparatus or is directly pressed into the partial emptying head provided on the bottom, the particular quantity to be discharged being adjustable by corresponding operation of the check valve or valves. Due to the fact that the stock substance container has in its base area a centering device with, for example, an outwardly directed bend, it is possible to move the pressure cover in the inner area of the container up to the base portion of the latter by means of the working cylinder, so that the entire container content can be forced out of it. The base plate which centres the container in the apparatus is so constructed in the area of its through-bore facing the discharge opening of the container at the bend on the outside of the container base portion can be introduced into the bore orifice, so that the bottom of the container rests flat on the base plate.The rim round the container, which must at least have a height corresponding to the height of the outward bend in the vicinity of the discharge opening laterally engages over the base plate, so that a firm seat of the container in the apparatus is ensured, which is particularly advantageous if there is only a little stock substance in the container. However, the container can also be provided with a flat bottom or with a differently shaped, e.g. inwardly directed bend. The base plate is then correspondingly constructed, so that the centering of the container on said plate is always ensured. The apparatus constructed according to the invention is reusable. If a can-shaped container has been emptied, it is merely necessary to introduce a new full container into the apparatus and the in each case desired amount of the container content can be discharged by means of the working cylinder. Due to the fact that the container is attached to the construction of the apparatus, it is only possible to use for the latter the container specifically constructed for it. By means of the apparatus, it is also possible to simultaneously force out of two containers stock substance and hardener paste in metered quantities, the diameters of the two containers receiving the substances being matched to one another in such a way that a parallel metering, i.e. discharge of the substances is possible. In addition, it is able to squeeze out the hardener paste container in a very simple manner by means of the control clip connected to the working cylinder. The can-shaped container for the hardener paste can be constructed in the same way as the stock substance container. The mounting support for the hardener paste container can in the same way be provided with a centering device; as is the case with stock substance container. The discharge of the hardener paste can be forcibly controlled by the working cylinder for the stock substance container.However, it is also possible to drive the plungers for the two containers separately by means of working cylinders, in which the two cylinders are combined in a control mechanism by means of which a control of the feed speed of the two plunges takes place in such a way that stock substance and hardener paste in each case discharged in the desired mixing ratio. Further developments of the invention can be gathered from the subclaims. The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative to non-limitative embodiments and the attached drawings, wherein show: Fig. 1 an apparatus for emptying the content of a can-shaped container for stock substance in front view. Fig. 2 an apparatus according to Fig. 1 in side view. Fig. 3 a further embodiment of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2, but with a differently arranged working cylinder for squeezing out the stock substance from the container in side view. Fig. 4 an apparatus for the simultaneous, metered emptying of the content of two containers for stock substance and hardener paste with containers placed in the apparatus, the plunger of the hardener paste container is forcibly controlled by the working cylinder for the stock substance container, partly in side view and partly in vertical section. Fig. 5 an apparatus for the simultaneous metered emptying of the content of two containers with two separately functioning working cylinders controllably by means of a control device in side view.Fig. 6 a can-like container especially shaped for the emptying device, partly in side view and partly in vertical section. Fig. 7 two containers arranged in a supporting structure with the discharge connections issuing into a common partial emptying head in front view. Fig. 8 a side view of the partial emptying head.: Fig. 9 a plan view of the partial emptying head of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 a side view of the partial emptying head of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 a plan view of the locking member for the partial emptying head. Fig. 12 a side view of the locking member of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 another embodiment of an emptying device for two containers in front view. Fig. 14 a partial emptying device with a container and an adaptor.Fig. 1 5 an emptying device according to a further embodiment with a cartridge containing a highly viscous substance located therein and with a partial emptying device in side view. Fig. 16 the device of Fig. 15 in a plan view. Fig. 17 a device according to Fig. 15 in a front view. Fig. 18 a further embodiment of the device with two juxtaposed cartridges in side view. Fig. 19 the device according to Fig. 18 in a plan view. Fig. 20 the device according to Fig. 18 in a front view. Fig. 21 a strand cutting-off device, comprising a comb-like slide plate in front view. The apparatus for emptying the content of tin can-like container according to the invention comprises according to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 5 a supporting structure 5, constructed in bow-shaped or frame-shaped manner and which serves to receive a single container '100 or two containers 100 and 200. Container 100 is used for receiving a stock substance, such as filler or cement, whilst container 200 receives the hardener paste. The supporting structure 5 has two spaced weebs 11,12, interconnected by means of vertical web 13. However, it is also possible to interconnect the two webs 11 and 12 by means of a connecting plate. One of the two webs serves to receive a working cylinder 20, whilst the other web 12 serves as a base plate 30 for the container 100 and/or 200 to be emptied. Working cylinder 20 operated by means of compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulically, electromotively or manually is arranged on the upper web 11 of supporting structure 5 in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, working cylinder 20 is arranged below the upper web 11, so that cylinder 20 is positioned between the two webs 11 and 12. The lower web 12 of supporting structure 5 is constructed as a base plate 30 for container 100 or 200 and carries a partial emptying device 400 (Figs. 1 to 4) connectable with container 100 or 200, but which according to the embodiment of Fig. 13 ('an be arranged on the upper web 11 of supporting structure 5. Base plate 30 is provided with a centering device, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, so that after placing the container in the apparatus the discharge opening provided centrally or eccentrically on container 100 or 200 corresponds with the partial emptying pipe connection or inlet openings of a partial emptying head 410. The two containers 100 and 200 are constructed in tin can-shaped manner, but it is also possible for the hardener paste container 200 to be constructed in cartridge-like manner. The bottoms of the two containers 100 and 200 are provided with discharge openings 106, 206, which can be arranged centrally or eccentrically in the base plate of the containers. The two openings 106, 206 can be sealed by means of closures, such as stoppers, screw caps or the like 108. The closure is removed when the container is put into use. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the supporting structure 5 comprises a retaining clip 10 with an upper web 11 and a lower web 12 The two webs 11,12 are interconnected by means of webs 13. The retaining clip 10 is arranged in such a way that webs 11,12 are positioned horizontally, whilst web 13 which connects webs 11 and 12 is positioned vertically. The upper web 11 carries working cylinder 20 which is constructed in per se known manner and which contains a drivable piston, not shown in the drawing, whose piston rod 21 is passed through a through-bore 14 in the upper web 11 of retaining clip 10. The piston rod end located in the space between the two webs 11,12 carries a plate-like piston 22. If container 100 is provided with a pressure cover displaceable in the inner area thereof, the piston 22 need only be dimensioned in such a way that there is an adequate action on the pressure cover. However, if container 100 does not have a pressure cover displaceable in its inner area, piston 22 has a cross-sectional shape which corresponds to the cross-section of container 100. At.25 in Fig. 4, a starting/stopping switch for working cylinder 20 or similar suitable drive means is provided. In the feed path of piston 22 of working cylinder 20 lower web 12 carries a base plate facing the upper web 11 and which can have a circular, square or rectangular cross-section. The cross-section of plate 30 is dependent on the cross-section of the container 100 to be placed in the apparatus. Base plate 30 is used for the centering of container 100 and is provided with a centering device 90, which cooperates with container 100 and a description thereof will be given hereinafter. Base plate 30 contains a through-bore 31, which is aligned with a through-bore 15 in lower web 12. A pipe connection 16, provided with a check valve 17 and which forms the partial emptying device 400 is connected to bore 15 in lower web 12. As shown in Fig. 4, pipe connection 16 can also be bent at an angle in order to permit an easier removal of the stock substance from container 100 on actuating the apparatus. However, it is also possible, whilst omitting the pipe connection 16, to connect the partial emptying device 400 directly to the discharge opening of container 100. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, bore 31 in base plate 30 has an opening 31 which widens at the top and more details of this will be given hereinafter in connection with the description of container 100. As shown in Fig. 4, supporting structure 5 is constructed for receiving a further hardener paste container 200, together with container 100. To this end, the supporting structure 5 has a mounting support 150 integrated into structure 5. Mounting support 150 is constructed in such a way that the container 200 is secured vertically in the apparatus. Container 200 can also be provided with a pressure cover 230 displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the inner area of the container. It is also possible to use container 200, which does not have a pressure cover. Container 200 is provided with a discharge opening 206 at the bottom. The lower area of mounting supports150 can be constructed in accordance with base plate 30 and serves to centre container 200 in the same way as for container 100. However, plate 30 can also be constructed in such a way that it has centering devices 90 for containers 100 and 200. According to Fig. 4, a pipe connection 216 with an incorporated check valve 217 is connected to base plate 150a of mounting support 150 for container 200 in such a way that connection 216 is aligned with the discharge opening 206 of container 200. However, it is also possible in this embodiment to connect the discharge opening 206 of container 200 directly with the check valve 217 or the parcel emptying device 400. Advantageously, when using a pipe connection 216 the discharge ends of the cwo connections 16 and 216 are arranged in juxtaposed manner, so that the stock substance and hardener paste can be applied to a spatula for mixing purposes. Container 200 is emptied by means of a control frame 300, which is U-shaped in the embodiment of Fig. 4. The two frame members 302, 303 of control frame 300 are interconnected by means of a frame web 301. Of members 302, 303 member 302 which faces and is parallel to working cylinder 20 is passed through a bore 305 in the upper member 11 of retaining clip 10 of supporting structure 5. The free end 302a of frame member 302 of control frame 300 is fixed to piston 22 of working cylinder 20. The frame member 302 has a length which at least corresponds to the height of container 100, so that then in the lowermost position of piston 22 of working cylinder 20, frame web 301 of control frame 300 is positioned above the all-round rim of container 100 (Fig. 4). The other frame member 303 of control frame 300 has a length corresponding to frame member 302 and carries at its free end 303a a plate-like piston 322 which is passed into the inner area of the can-shaped container and when container 200 is provided with a pressure cover 230 acts on the latter. Piston 322 of control frame 300 moves in the same way as piston 22 of working cylinder 20, so that simultaneously with the forcing out of stock substance from container 100, hardener paste is forced out of container 200. The diameters of the two containers 100, 200 are matched to one another in such a way that on squeezing out stock substance hardener paste is squeezed out of container 200 in the in each case necessary ratio. However, it is also possible to construct control frame 200 in such a way that hardener paste and stock substance are always metered in the necessary ratio. In addition to a forced control of piston 322 of control frame 300 for container 200 by working cylinder 20, according to Fig. 5 it is also possible to provide a further working cylinder 20a for container 200 beside working cylinder 20 for container 100. Piston 322 which is operated by means of working cylinder 20a is then displaceable in the inner area of container 200. The two working cylinders 20 and 20a are then interconnected by means of a control device 190, which controls the operation of the two cylinders in such a way that stock substance and hardener paste are forced out of the two containers 100 and 200 in the in each case necessary ratio (Fig. 5). Container 100 for the stock substance which can be placed in the retaining clip 10 of the apparatus is, according to Fig. 6, constructed in tin can-like manner and has a circular, square or ' rectangular cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of container 100 coincides with the crosssectional shape of base plate 30 of retaining clip 10. Container 100 has a vertical container wall 100 and is sealed for transportation by means of a cover 102 after the filling of the filler. The base of container 100 is 103 and its inner area is 104. Inner area 104 of container 100 contains a pressure cover 130 freely displaceable in the longitudinal direction of said container and comprises a plate-like blank with a laterally upwardly bent rim and having a cross-sectional shape and a diameter corresponding to the crosssectional shape and diameter of container 100. The displacement of pressure cover 130 in inner area 104 of container 100 is brought about by means of piston 22 when working cylinder 20 is appropriately actuated. The cross-sectional shape and diameter of container 100 correspond to the cross-sectional shape and diameter of base plate 30, so that a container 100 placed on plate 30 covers the latter with its base portion 103. The bottom of container 100 is also provided with an all-round rim 105, the construction of the rim with respect to the construction of the container base portion 103 being such that if a container 100 is placed on base plate 30, the rim 105 of container 100 zonally overlaps the lateral rim of base plate 30, so that the latter serves to centre container 100 in the emptying device. The discharge opening 106 is provided in base portion 103 of container 100 and is reinforced by an outward bend 107, so that opening 106 can be sealed by means of a stopper 108 made from plastics materials or the like. The height of bend 107 formed on the outside of the container base portion 103 and bounding the discharge opening 106 is less than the height of the rim 105 of container 100 extended over base portion 103 (Figs. 4 and 6). For the content of container 100 to be forced out of the discharge opening 106 thereof, on operating the pressure cover 130 via piston 22 of working cylinder 20, opening 106 in container base portion 103 and opening 31 b of bore 31 in base plate 30 are aligned with one another, so that the stock substance forced out of discharge opening 106 can pass through bore 31 in base plate 30 and the linked bore 15 in lower web 13 in pipe connections 16 and can consequently be discharged. If the dischargeopening 106 in container base portion 103 is arranged eccentrically, then opening 31 a of bore 31 in base plate 30 is also eccentric. It is important that when container 100 is placed on base plate 30 its discharge opening 106 coincides with the opening 31 a of bore 31 in base plate 30. No pipe connection need be connected to bore 31 in base plate 30. It is possible to directly connect the discharge opening 106 of container 100 with the partial emptying device 400. The opening of bore 31 in base plate 30 is constructed in such a way that when container 100 is placed on base plate 30 the outward bend 107 in the vicinity of discharge opening 106 on container base portion 103 comes to rest in said opening 31 a, so that container 100 by its base 103 is flat on the top of base plate 30, whilst avoiding any gap. This specific construction of opening 31 a of through-bore 31 in base plate 20 also serves to centre the container 100 and in particular when the discharge opening 106 in container base portion 103 and bore 31 in base plate 30 are arranged eccentrically with respect to the centre of the container. The special construction of base 103 of container 100 and that of base plate 30 supplement one another to form the centering device 90. The base portion 103 of container 100 need not, however, have the bend 107 described hereinbefore and said bend can also be directed inwards. It is also possible for the container base to be flat and to be ,provided with an outflow port into which an appropriately shaped insert can be introduced and which then serves to centre container 100 with base plate 30. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, container 100 has a height corresponding to the spacing between the two webs 11, 12 of retaining clip 10 of supporting structure 5. Piston 22 of working cylinder 20 can also be constructed in plate-like manner and have a shape and a diameter corresponding to the shape and diameter of the pressure cover 130 in inner space 104 of container 100.When using a plate-like piston 22, it is ensured that the pressure cover 130 is subject to uniform pressure action during an actuation of working cylinder 20. container 100 is then inserted in retaining clip 10 by lateral tilting and mounting the base portion 103 of the container on base plate 30 and subsequently bring the container into the vertical position, so that base 103 rests on base plate 30, whilst the container rim 105 laterally overlaps the same and is therefore held in centered manner in retaining clip. Container 100 need not have a rim 105 if a differently constructed centering device 90 is used. For an addition securing of container 100 in retaining clip 10, it is also possible to provide retaining devices, for example in the form of tension springs 120, 121 whose bottom ends 120a, 121 a are laterally fixed to the base plate 30, whilst their upper free ends 121 a, 121 b are provided with engagement hooks 125, 125a which engage in the upper all-round rim of the container when the latter is mounted on the base plate 30 and consequently give container 100 an additional hold in the retaining clip 10. A random number of tension springs can be used, this depending on the size of the container employed. The bottom-side attachment of the tension springs 120, 121 to base plate 30 is such that rim 105 of container '100 in no way prevents a lateral overlapping of the base plate 30.However, it is also possible to fix the bottom ends of tension springs 120, 121 to the lower web 12 of supporting structure 5 (Fig. 4). It is also possible to provide differently constructed mounting supports for container 100 on base plate 30. If container 100 is provided with a bow-shaped frame 110 fixed by means of connecting devices 111, 111 a to the container wall 101 it is possible for fixing tension springs 120, 121 for the engagement hooks 125, 125a thereof to engage in connecting devices 111, 111 a. The height of the container 100 used is dependent on the spacing of the two webs 11,12 of retaining clip 10. Advantageously, the emptying apparatus is set up in such a way that it can receive a five kilogram stock substance container, but it is also possible to use larger or smaller containers, if the apparatus is correspondingly dimensioned. Container 200 can be constructed in the same way as container 100, but need not be held in supporting structure 5 by means of mounting supports. However, it is also possible to fix container 200 in free-standing manner on the base plate associated therewith. In order to be able to use containers of different size with the same emptying apparatus, webs 11, 12 are constructed so that their spacing can be varied. In order to be able to vary the spacing between the two webs 11, 12, web 13 which interconnects webs 11, 12 is constructed in telescopable manner, so that webs 11,12 can be moved towards or away from one another. In this connection, a corresponding dimensioning of the working cylinder is important, so that its piston rod has a corresponding length if containers 100 with a lesser height are used. If containers 100 of different heights are used, it is important that all these containers are designed in such a way that the rim 105 thereof can be placed on the base plate 30 and that the discharge ports 106 thereof come to rest in the vicinity of bore 31 of base plate 30. Retaining clip 10 can be fixed to a wall or the like. As Fig. 7 shows in simplified form, the discharge openings of the two containers 100, 200 are combined by means of pipe connections 405, 406 to form a common partial emptying head 410. Partial emptying head 410, which represents the partial emptying device 400, is provided with a locking member 411 and is constructed as a generally prismatic body having a circular segment-shaped, spherical end face 415 (Figs 8 to 10). Two inlet openings 421, 424 are provided on the top 443 of partial emptying head 410, said openings being associated with outlet pipes 405, 406 or directly with the discharge openings of the two containers 100, 200. Discharge opening 423 associated with the inlet opening 421 for supplying the hardener paste is connected to inlet opening 421 by means of a duct, advantageously constructed as an inclined bore 422. As a result, discharge opening 423 facing inlet opening 421 is moved closer to the discharge opening 426 for supplying the filler. A slot 429 is formed on the faces on either side of discharge opening 423.The end portions 439, 440 of the end face 415 and the lateral faces 416, 417 are constructed as chamfers 427, 428. However, slot 429 can also have a sealing member which is inserted therein Recesses 48 are provided on lateral faces 416, 417 and into said recesses can be inserted pivot pins about which can be pivoted the locking member 41 1. The pivoting range of locking member 411 is limited by an upper stop 419 and a lower stop 420. Both stops 419, 420 are arranged on lateral faces 416 and can be for example formed by pins projecting over the plane of lateral face 416. Locking member 411 has a U-shaped crosssection and comprises a longitudinal web 431, on each of whose ends is provided a transverse web 424, 425. Transverse webs 434, 435 have openings 436, 437 into which can be inserted the pivot pins placed in recessed 418. Transverse web 434 also contains a connecting member 438 for a handle 412. Closure connections 413, 414 associated with the discharge openings 423, 426 are provided on the face of longitudinal webs 423 remote from the partial emptying head 410. each of the connections 413, 414 has a recess 433, 432 open towards the discharge openings 423, 426. On either side of the longitudinal web 443 and associated with the closure connections 413, 414 can be provided sealing ledges 441, 442 (Fig. 10), extending between the chamfer 439 and slot 429 or between slots 429 and slots 430. These sealing ledges 441, 442 are preferably constructed in such a way that they permit a shearing of substances discharged from discharge openings 423, 426, without there being any substance residue at the end of the metering process. With partial emptying head 410 closed, slot 429 serves to prevent mixing of hardener paste discharged from opening 423 with stock substance discharged from opening 426. Slot 430 in end face 415 also serves to receive the hardener paste discharged from opening 423. Partial emptying head 410 permits a joint partial emptying of stock substances and hardener pastes in separate containers 100, 200. By means of the directly juxtaposed discharge openings 423, 426 it is possible to apply the hardener paste and stock substance to small spatulas without there being any loss of material. However, locking member 411 can also be constructed differently. Thus, it is possible to provide the locking member with sealing member inserts by means of which the discharge openings can be sealed. If containers 100, 200 of different sizes are used in the apparatus according to the invention, the frame members 302, 303 of control frame 300 are constructed so that their lengths can be varied, thereby ensuring a completely satisfactory discharge of the contents of the two containers 100, 200 This adjustability of length of the frame members 302, 303 can be brought about by a telescopic construction of each of said members. As shown in Fig. 13, it is not necessary for the pistons.of working cylinders 20, 20a to discharge the substance at the bottom of containers 100, 200 through correspondingly provided discharge openings. In the embodiment of Fig. 13 the partial emptying device 400, which can be constructed as a partial emptying head 410, is arranged above the two containers 100, 200. The substances are forced out of said containers by means of working cylinders 20, 20a or jointly by means of a single working cylinder in the manner described hereinbefore. Due to the downward movement of the piston driven by the working cylinders, the substance in the inner area of containers 100, 200 is supplied by means of connecting lines 16a, 216a to the partial emptying head 410, by means of which the filler and hardener pastes are discharged.As container 200 is constructed in cartridge-like manner and has a smaller diameter than container 100, it is advantage if the piston rod carrying the piston is constructed as a hollow tube, so that on lowering piston through the working cylinder, the substance is forced out of the hollow tube-like piston rod and is supplied to the partial emptying head 410. Devices, not shown in the drawing, make it possible to completely satisfactorily operate the piston in container 200, whilst simultaneously transferring the container content to the partial emptying head. Advantageously, pistons 20 and 322 taper conically downwards (Fig. 14).In the area of the laterally tapered piston faces 22a 322a a gasket 29, 329 is provided which in the case of a downward movement of the piston through the pressure of substance in the direction of arrow Y is, pressed against the container wall 101 and conical faces 22a of the piston and consequently an adequate seal is obtained. This construction of pistons connected to working cylinder is always used if there is no separately displaceable pressure cover in containers 100, 200. Figs. 15 to 17 show a further embodiment of a partial emptying device 400 in an apparatus for emptying the content of a container or cartridge filled with a highly viscous substance, such as filler or cement. Supporting structure 5 has a mounting support for a cartridge 100. Cartridge 100 is positioned horizontally in structure 5 and has a base, displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge and not shown in the drawing, which is subject to the action of a piston plate of a piston rod 21 movable in the direction of arrow Y by means of a working cylinder indicated at 20. This working cylinder can be driven hydraulically or electromotively. However, it is also possible to provide a mechanical mechanism when piston 103 is moved in the direction of arrow Y by means of levers which are in working connection with one another.The front of the cartridge 100 has an emptying connection 501, whose outlet opening is indicated at 502. At the front of supporting structure 5 is a plate 515 having an opening in the vicinity of the emptying connection 501 of cartridge 100, so that the discharge opening 502 of connection 501 of cartridge 100 is in the plane formed by front plate 515. However, it is also possible to provide front platee 515 of supporting structure 5 with an emptying connection with which can be connected the emptying opening in cartridge 100. In the cartridge, supporting structure 5 also has a strand cutting-off device 500 comprising a vertically displaceable plate-like slide 521 held and guided on the front plate 515 of structure 5. The front plate is provided with lateral guides 511, 512 for guiding slide 521 (Fig. 17). A working cylinder 525, which can be operated hydraulically, electromotively or by compressed air is provided on supporting structure 5 for vertically moving the plate-like slide 521 of the device 500 in the direction of arrow X. A purely mechanical coupling of the slide movement with the movement of piston 521 for the emptying or squeezing out of the cartridge content can also be provided. The base-side edge of the plate-like slide 521 of strand cutting-off device 500 is knife-like and constructed as a cutting edge 521 a. The arrangement of the plate-like slide 521 of device 500 with respect to the discharge opening 502 of emptying connection 501 in the supporting structure 5 is such that in the closed state of opening 502 of connection 501, the discharge opening is sealed in air-tight manner. A sealing sleeve can be provided in the vicinity of the rim of slide 521 on the front plate 515 of supporting structure 5, so that any small space formed between the slide 521 and front plate 515 of structure 5 is sealed in an air-tight manner when the slide has taken up its closed position. Due to the construction of slide 521 with a baseside cutting edge 521 a, it is ensured that to terminate a removal process the strand of material is cut through swiftly and completely satisfactorily by a corresponding actuation of slide 521. The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 5 to 17 is provided for receiving a single cartridge filled with a highly viscous substance, such as a filler or cement. According to a further embodiment represented in Figs. 18 to 20, the supporting structure 5 of the overall apparatus are constructed in such a way that two containers or cartridges 100 and 200 are juxtaposed therein. Of the two cartridges 100, 200 the larger cartridge 100 receives the filler or cement, whilst the other cartridge 200, for example receives a hardener substance, which is necessary for the rapid hardening of the filler or cement. The two cartridges 100, 200 are provided with emptying connections 501, 501 a, whose openings are 502 and 502a (Fig. 19). The content of the two cartridges 100, 200 is squeezed out by means of pistons 21 and 21 a in the manner described hereinbefore, said pistons being operated by means of working cylinders 20, 20a. It is also possible to provide only a single working cylinder, which then operates the two pistons 21, 21 a jointly. The proportion of hardener substance to be admixed with the filler is regulated by the corresponding dimensioning of the discharge opening of the emptying connection of the cartridge containing the hardener. The apparatus shown in Figs. 18 to 20 is also provided with a strand cutting-off device 500, which is constituted by a plate-like slide 521 a, having a U-shaped profile with members 522 and 523 interconnected by a web 524, to which is connected the working cylinder 525 for the vertical displacement of slide 520. The spacing between the two members 522, 523 of slide 521 a corresponds to the spacing of discharge openings 502, 502a of the two emptying connections 501, 501 a of cartridges 100, 200. The width of each member 522, 523 is such that in the lowered state of slide 521 a, each of the two discharge openings 502, 502a is completely sealed in an air-tight manner. The base-side edges of members 522, 523 of plate-like slide 521 a are also constructed in knifelike manner as cutting edges 522a, 523a, so that with a stand cutting-off device constructed in this way a completely satisfactory cutting of the material strand is ensured at the end of the discharge process. To permit for example the emptying into smaller containers or the like of fillers from a large number of cartridges, according to a development of the apparatus according to the invention the supporting structure 5 is constructed in such a way that it can take a plurality of cartridges, a piston with a working cylinder for forcing out the cartridge content being associated with each cartridge. The working cylinders are then combined in a feed mechanism, so that small quantities can be simultaneously forced out of the individual cartridges. However, it is also possible to use only a single working cylinder by means of which it is then possible to actuate the pistons associated with the individual cartridges. The front plate 515 of supporting structure 5 is then provided with a corresponding number of openings or emptying connections. The strand cutting-off device 500 in this embodiment comprises a comb-like slide plate 621 with a number of plate-like prongs 622, 623, 624 corresponding to the number of discharge openings (Fig. 21 ). The number of said plate-like prongs 622 to 624 is a function of the number of cartridges placed in supporting structure 5. Each prong 622 to 624 is constructed and dimensioned in such a way that the corresponding discharge openings are closed in air-tight manner when slide 621 is lowered.The lower edges of the comb-like slides 621 are also constructed in knife-like manner as cutting edges 622a, 623a and 624a, so that it is possible to simultaneously break off the discharge process for all the cartridges in structure 5, once again ensuring a completely satisfactory cutting-off of the strands of material In the case of an apparatus constructed according to Figs. 15 to 21, it is ensured that, independently of the degree of viscosity of the container contents, there is a swift cutting off of the strand of material at the end of the partial emptying process, without any portion of the material strand hanging out of the emptying connection and hardening due to air exposure. As a result, there is no need to have to remove hardened material from the emptying connections when the container content is used again.With the apparatus according to the invention, this cleaning process is not necessary, because simultaneously after the separation of the material strand the removal opening is sealed in air-tight manner, so that when the container content is used again the original consistency of the substance is available and there is no need to remove any hardened plug-like strand portion. Through the construction of the strand cuttingoff device with a comb-like slide, it is possible to simultaneously and completely satisfactorily seal the discharge openings of a plurality of emptying connections, if the apparatus is constructed in such a way that it is necessary to provide a number of containers or cartridges filled with highly viscous substances, whose contents are simultaneously emptied for example, for mixing purposes or when it is desired to increase the emptying speed. In order to be able to use containers 100 or 200 with discharge openings 106 having different dimensions, according to Fig. 21 an adaptor 700 is arranged on the supporting structure 5 and has a through-bore 701, which can be positioned centrally or eccentrically in accordance with the arrangement of the discharge opening 106. This bore 701 connects the discharge opening 106 of container 100 or 200 with the inlet opening of partial emptying device 400, to which end the upper openings 702 of bore 701 is adapted to the size of the discharge opening 106 of container 100 or 200, whilst the lower opening 703 of bore 701 is adapted to the side of the inlet opening of partial emptying device 400. If containers with different discharge opening dimensions are used, the particular adaptor 700 matched to the discharge openings is employed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for emptying the content of tin can-like containers filled with viscous stock substances, particularly fillers or cement and/or hardener pastes with a centrally or eccentrically formed discharge opening and with or without a supporting member fitted to the container wall, wherein it comprises a frame-shaped or bowshaped supporting structure with two spaced, facing webs, whereof one web carries a working cylinder operated by means of compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulically, electromotively or manually and which has a piston rod with a piston plate fixed to the end thereof, whilst the other web has a strand or base plate located in the feed path of the piston plate of the working cylinder having a centering device for the container which receives the stock substance and which is sealable by means of a cover, with or without a pressure cover freely displaceable in its inner area in the longitudinal direction of the container and having an external diameter corresponding to the internal diameter and cross-sectional shape of the container and with a discharge opening closable by means of a closure, such as a stopper or the like and a partial emptying device connectable with the discharge opening of the container.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a bow-shaped or frame-shaped supporting structure with two shaped, facing webs whereof one web carries a working cylinder operated by means of compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulically, electromotively or manually having a piston rod and with a piston plate fixed to the end thereof, whilst the other web has a base or stand plate located in the feed path of the piston plate of the working cylinder having a centering device for the container receiving the stock substance and which is closable by means of a cover with or without a pressure cover freely displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the container in the inner area thereof with an external diameter corresponding to the internal diameter and cross-sectional shape of the container and with a discharge opening closable by means of a closure, such as a stopper or the like, a mounting support for a further tin can-shaped or cartridgeshaped container for receiving the hardener paste with or without a pressure cover displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the container in the inner area thereof by means of a driven piston and with a discharge opening and a partial emptying device connectable with the discharge openings of the two containers, the piston for the container receiving the hardener paste being driven by means of the working cylinder for the piston plate or by means of a further working cylinder, the two' working cylinders being controllable in the necessary ratio to one another by means of a common control mechanism for the discharge of stock substance and hardener paste.

3. An apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the support structure is constructed as a closed frame.

4. An apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the support structure is constructed as a U-shaped retaining clip with horizontally superimposed webs.

5. An apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the working cylinder for the first container and/or the working cylinder for the second container are arranged on the upper web of the support structure.

6. An apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the working cylinder for the first container and/or the working cylinder for the second container are positioned below the upper web of the support structure.

7. An apparatus according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the support structure comprises a Ushaped retaining clip with horizontally superimposed webs, whereof the upper web carries a working cylinder with a piston rod which passes through the said web and with a piston arranged between the two webs, whilst the lower web has a base plate with a centering device for centering the first container arranged in the feed path of the piston of the working cylinder, the base plate being provided with a through-bore extending through the lower web and to which can be connected a check valve with or without a connecting pipe and wherein a first tin can-shaped container sealable by means of a cover is provided, whereby said container has a pressure cover freely displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the inner area thereof and having a. shape and external diameter corresponding the internal diameter and cross-sectional shape of said container and whose base portion is provided with a discharge opening aligned with the bore in the base plate and sealable with a closure and which is bounded by a bend formed by the bottom of the base portion of the container and which can be inserted in the opening of the bore in the base plate, having a cross-sectional shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the base plate, as well as an all-round rim which laterally overlaps the base plate and whose height at least corresponds to the bend.

8. An apparatus according to claims 1 to 6, wherein there is provided: a) a supporting structure constructed as a Ushaped retaining clip with horizontally superimposed webs, whereof the upper web carries a working cylinder with a piston rod passed through the said web and with a plate-like piston located between the two webs, whilst the lower web has a base plate located in the feed path of the piston of the working cylinder having a centering device for the centering of the container receiving the stock substance, provided with a passage extending through the lower web and to which is connected to a check valve with or without a connecting pipe; b) a mounting support shaped on the vertical web of the retaining clip for receiving a tin can-like container containing the hardener paste with or without a pressure cover displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the inner area of the container and with a base-side discharge opening, the mounting support being provided in the vicinity of the container outlet opening with a pipe connection connected to said opening and having a check valve; c) a U-shaped control frame with two frame members interconnected by means of a frame web, whereof the frame member facing the working cylinder and positioned parallel thereto is passed through a through-bore in the upper web of the retaining clip of the support structure and is fixed by its free end to the piston of the working cylinder, whilst at least having a length corresponding to the height of the first container, whilst the other frame member of the control frame at least has a length corresponding to that of the other frame member and at its free end carries a plate-piston guided in the inner space of the tin can-shaped second container; d) a first container sealable by means of a cover with a length preferably corresponding to the length of the spacing between the two webs of the retaining clip and having in its inner area a pressure cover freely displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof with an external diameter and shape corresponding to the internal diameter and cross-sectional shape of the said container and whose base portion is provided with a discharge opening aligned with the bore in the base plate and closable by means of a closure, said opening being bounded by a bend formed on the bottom of the base portion of the container and which can be introduced into the opening of the bore in the base plate and having a crosssectional shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the base plate, as well as an all-round rim which laterally overlaps the base plate, whose height at least corresponds to the bend.

9. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the base portion of the first container is provided with a bend which juts out or is drawn into the inner space of the container or with a flat bottom with or without an all-round lateral rim.

10. An apparatus according to one of the claims i to 9, wherein the bore in the base plate and the discharge opening in the container base portion aligned with the opening of the bore are arranged centrally with respect to the container.

11. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the bore in the base plate and the discharge opening in the container base portion aligned with the opening of the bore are arranged eccentrically with respect to the centre of the container.

12. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein to permit a change of the spacing of the two webs of the retaining clip the web which interconnects said two webs is constructed in a telescopic manner and is provided with a fixing device.

13. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the discharge openings of the two pipe connections provided with check valves are juxtaposed.

14. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the discharge openings of the two containers are provided with discharge pipes arranged on the supporting structure and which are combined in a partial emptying head with inlet openings and discharge openings arranged on the support structure.

15. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the discharge openings of the two containers are combined in a partial emptying head having inlet openings and discharge openings provided on the support structure.

16. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 15, wherein the partial emptying head has combined inlet openings and discharge openings, whereof at least one discharge opening facing the associated inlet opening is connected to the latter by means of a bore, particularly an inclined bore in the form of a duct and is staggered with respect to the other discharge opening and wherein the partial emptying head is provided with a locking member pivotable in front of the end face of the partial emptying head to free or seal the discharge opening.

17. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 16, wherein on the face of the longitudinal web of the locking member remote from the partial emptying head the closure connections associated with the discharge openings have in each case a recess open towards said openings.

18. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 17, wherein the locking member is pivotable in front of the end face of the partial emptying head in a pivoting range defined by an upper stop and a lower stop.

19. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 18, wherein a connecting member for a handle is provided on one transverse web.

20. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 19, wherein a slot or a sealing member placed in the slot is provided between the discharge openings of the end face of the partial emptying head.

21. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 20, wherein slots are formed vertically in the end face on either side of the discharge opening for the hardener paste.

22. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 21, wherin chamfers are formed on the corner portions of the end face and the lateral face.

23. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 22, wherein the mounting support for the tin can-like first container has a base plate corresponding to the first-mentioned base plate on the bottom portion and wherein the second container is constructed in the same way as the first container.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the two base plates are combined to form a single base plate.

25. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 24, wherein the two frame members of the control frame have variable lengths.

26. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 25, wherein the partial emptying device is arranged in the upper area of the support structure and wherein the first container or both containers are connected by connecting lines with the inlet openings of the partial emptying device.

27. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 26, wherein the container sealable by means of a cover portion has a pressure cover freely displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the inner area of said container having an external diameter and shape corresponding to the internal diameter and cross-sectional shape of the container and a base portion with a discharge opening arranged centrally or eccentrically to the centre of the container and sealable by means of a closure and provided with a centering bend engaging in the base plate.

28. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 15, wherein the partial emptying device comprises a strand cutting-off device connecting the outlet opening of the emptying connection, said device comprising a plate-like slide which seals the emptying connection outlet arranged in the area of the latter in the support structure so as to be displaceable by a working cylinder and whose lower edge is constructed in knife-like manner as a cutting edge.

29. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 15, wherein the discharge openings of the juxtaposed emptying connections are in working connection with a strand cutting-off device, comprising a plate-like slide which seals the emptying connection outlets, said slide being arranged in the support structure in the vicinity of the emptying connection outlets so as to be displaceable by means of a working cylinder and whose lower edge is constructed in knife-like manner as a cutting edge.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the strand cutting-off device comprises a U-shaped slide plate, whose members are constructed in knife-like manner as cutting edges in the vicinity of their lower edges and in whose movement path are arranged the outlet of the emptying connections of the containers.

31. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the strand cutting-off device comprises a comb-like slide plate having a number of plate-like prongs corresponding to the number of emptying connection outlets, the lower edges of said prongs being constructed in knife-like manner as cutting edges and in whose movement path are arranged the outlets of the emptying connections of the containers.

32. An apparatus according to one of the claims 29 to 31, wherein the support structure is provided with vertical guides for receiving the slide plate.

33. An apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 32, wherein between the discharge opening of the container and the inlet opening of the partial emptying device in the supporting structure is provided an adaptor having a central or eccentric through-bore interconnecting the outlet opening of the container with the inlet opening of the partial emptying device, one end of the bore having the size and dimensions of the discharge opening of the container, whilst the other opening has the size and dimensions of the inlet opening of the partial emptying device.

34. An apparatus substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the drawings.