GB2150538A

GB2150538A - Discharging bulk containers

Info

Publication number: GB2150538A
Application number: GB08429011A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barrie A Poulton
Original assignee: Flomat Ltd
Current assignee: Flomat Ltd
Priority date: 1983-12-01
Filing date: 1984-11-16
Publication date: 1985-07-03
Also published as: GB2150538B; GB8332059D0; GB8429011D0

Abstract

Equipment for emptying "multi-trip big bags" comprises a hopper 20 and a frame 14 connectible with the upper end of a big bag 10 when displaced from the hopper. The frame 14 is supported on four platforms mounted for movement up and down columns 23 fixed to the hopper, each platform having a spring-loaded support plate for immediate support of the frame member 12 or 13. The hopper is provided with a central outlet, a vibrator 22 and an access door in one side to allow of opening of the bag. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Materials handling equipment This invention concerns equipment for handling powdered, granulated or other particulate solid materials and more especially equipment of the kind (hereinafter termed "of the kind referred to") used to assist the discharge of such materials from intermediate bulk containers adapted to be used repeatedly and popularly referred to within the industry as "multi-trip big bags".

Intermediate bulk containers in the form of a large bag which may have an inner lining are becoming increasingly commonly used for the storage and dispensing of bulk particulate solids.

Those adapted for repeated use have a tubular spout on their underside which must be untied and released to permit discharge.

Various kinds of equipment to facilitate discharge of the material are known and such usually comprises a shallow hopper, which is preferably equipped with means enabling it to be vibrated, adapted to receive the lower end of the bag and means for supporting the upper end of the bag, by attachment with loops provided on the upper end of the bag for this purpose, at an elevated position over the hopper to prevent collapse of the bag and arrest of materials flow during discharge.

The bags are normally carried to such equipment by fork-lift truck or the like and positioned on the hopper prior to an operator engaging the supporting means with such loops - a process known as rigging.

The present invention is based on an appreciation of the possibility of eliminating this rigging operation at least at the site of the discharge equipment.

According to the present invention, there is provided equipment of the kind referred to comprising a hopper adapted to locate the lower end of the bag and support means located above the hopper for frame members adapted for connection to the upper end of the bag whilst at a position displaced from the hopper to enable the bag to be supported over the hopper.

Preferably said frame members carry clamp means adapted to be engaged with the bag to secure any lining provided therein to the outer casing.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several Figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, one form of equipment of the kind referred to embodying the invention and bags prepared for use therewith.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a bag prepared for use with the equipment; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the bag of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the equipment; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the equipment of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a detail of the equipment of Figures 3 and 4 on an enlarged scale; and Figure 6 shows a view similar to that of Figure 3 but with a bag in position thereon.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that intermediate bulk carriers in the form of bags 10 are prepared for use, for example in the warehouse, with the equipment, by having their upper ends secured to a frame arrangement generally indicated at 11.

The frame arrangement 11 comprises spaced parallel rails 12 and 13 interconnected by spaced transverse bars 14 and 15.

The bars 14 and 15 carry outwardly projecting lugs 16 with which loops secured to the upper four corners of the bag 10 are respectively engaged.

In a preferred arrangement the frame arrangement 11 carries a number of clamps 17 connected thereto by cords 18, which clamps can be engaged with the bag 10 to secure any separate internal lining to the outer case.

The lifting members of a fork-lift truck can be slid under the frame arrangement 11 as indicated by the arrows X to lift the bag 10 and carry it to the discharge equipment.

As best seen from Figures 3 and 4 the discharge equipment comprises a shallow hopper 20 of square shape adapted to receive the lower end of the bag 10 and having a door 21 through which access may be had by an operator to untie and release the discharge spout of the bag 10 and also equipped with motor driven eccentric weight vibration means 22.

Four posts 23 extend upwardly from the corners of the hopper 20 respectively and each carries a resilient support platform 24 whose height on the post 23 may be adjusted by a bolt operated clamp device 25.

Each platform 24 comprises a plate 26 urged upwardly by a resilient spring 27 or similar device such as an airbag.

The four platforms 24 are adapted to be engaged by the four ends of the rails 12 and 13 as a bag 10 is lowered onto the equipment. Guides 28 are provided to assist proper location.

It will be understood that the equipment eliminates any need for inconvenience and time-consuming rigging of the bags and the discharge station. Such can be performed at leisure using the frame arrangements 11 in the warehouse or indeed at the point of filling.

The height of the platforms 24 can be adjusted to accommodate bags of different size.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention of the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilied in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Thus, for example, the support platforms for the corners of the frame members need not be connected with the posts by resilient means.

Claims

1. Equipment of the kind referred to comprising a hopper adapted to locate the lower end of the bag and support means located above the hopper for frame members adapted for connection to the upper end of the bag whilst at a position displaced from the hopper to enable the bag to be supported over the hopper.

2. Equipment according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of said frame members for each hopper and support means.

3. Equipment according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the or each said frame member comprises a pair of spaced parallel rails interconnected by spaced transverse bars having outwardly directed lugs adapted to be engaged by loops secured to the upper four corners of the bag.

4. Equipment according to any preceding claim wherein the or each said frame member carries clamp means engageable with a bag to enable any inner lining to be secured to the outer case.

5. Equipment according to any preceding claim wherein said support means is comprised by four posts extending upwardly from the corners of the hopper, each post carrying a support platform for a corner of the frame member.

6. Equipment according to claim 5 wherein the height of each support platform can be adjusted on its respective post.

7. Equipment according to either claim 5 or claim 6 wherein each support platform is located on resilient means urging it upwardly.

8. Equipment according to claim 7 wherein said resilient means is comprised by a compression spring.

9. Equipment according to any preceding claim wherein said hopper is equipped with vibrator means.

10. Equipment of the kind referred to substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the Figures of the accompanying drawings.