GB2187438A

GB2187438A - Handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2187438A
Application number: GB08705291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivan Semenenko
Original assignee: MATERIAL CONTROL ENG Ltd
Current assignee: MATERIAL CONTROL ENG Ltd
Priority date: 1986-03-06
Filing date: 1987-03-06
Publication date: 1987-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2007-03-06
Also published as: GB8705291D0; GB2187438B; GB8605521D0

Abstract

Handling apparatus 1 for holding and transporting a flowable bulk material such as flour, grain, cattle pellets etc. comprises a flexible container or bag 2, made from a material such as polypropylene, which is secured to a relatively rigid base or outlet frame 3. The frame maybe circular or square in plan and may be designed to receive the collapsed bag 2 therein so that a plurality of apparatuses may be stacked. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Handling apparatus The invention relates to handling apparatus, for example apparatus for transporting bulk, flowable, material, usually solids.

Bulk solid materials which are flowable are usually transported in handling apparatus known as Intermediate Bulk Containers, which are transportable. Intermediate Bulk Containers, referred to as l.B.C.'s are usually small containers used for transporting bulk solids to the point of use in process plants. The capacity of l.B.C.'s usuallyfalls with the range of0.5m3to3.0m3.

Transportation of material in smaller batches is usually more economic in bags, while storage of more than 3.0m3 of material in l.B.C.'s creates difficult handling problems forforklifts and/or overhead cranes, thus it is generally easier to use bulk static silos or bins.

Intermediate Bulk Containers are used in process industries and available systems range in complexity and price from the simple large open top sackcontaining maybe 1 Stonnes and costing only a few pounds, to the sophisticated semi-automatic rigid container costing hundreds of pounds. I.B.C.'s, could be said to fall within two main areas: a) Rigid (steel, aluminium, polythene and frames, etc).

b) Flexible and/or collapsible (e.g. big bags, cardboard/wood, etc).

Class b) are cheaper, their main advantage being that return costs of empty bags is low.

Class a) are expensive, and return costs are almost as high as sending full. However, they may be dust-free, automated/semi automated, hygienic and good for cohesive and/or toxic powder.

Class b) are labour intensive, very difficult to make dust-free (when filling and discharging) and not suitable for hygienic, toxic and pharmaceutical applications.

It is an object of the invention to seekto overcome the disadvantages of prior apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided handling apparatus for transporting bulkflowable material, comprising a flexible containerforthe material secured to a relatively rigid base.

The base may be an outlet frame.

Using this arrangement it is possible to provide an l.B.C. system in which the container can collapse into theframewhen empty which reduces space, protects the container and means that the system can be returned empty for refilling and hence re-use.

Costs can thus be reduced.

The frame may be stackable with another, like, frame, so that a series of containers and frames can be transported, empty, together relatively cheaply as they occupy a relatively small floor area.

The container may be removably connected together or mounted to the frame. This provides that a damaged container may readily be replaced, so extending the overall life ofthe I.B.C. system.

The container may have external flanges, projections, ears or the like by which the container may be secured as by releasable means such as a nut and bolt arrangement, to the frame.

The container and frame may be of square section in plan.

The flanges, projections, ears or the like may be at the corners of the container, and the frame may have means at the corners to receive the releasable means to clamp the flanges, projections, ears orthe like.

The container may be made of polypropylene, paper, rubberisedfabricorthelike.

Handling apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an elevational view, partly in longitudinal section, of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure2 shows a side eievational view of a bag of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3shows an enlarged view of part of the bag of Figure 2; Figure 4shows a plan view of the bag of Figures 2 and 3; and Figure 5shows a general arrangement of the bag supported forfilling.

Referring to the drawings, the handling apparatus 1 shown is for holding and transporting a flowable bulkmaterial such as flour, grain, cattle pellets etc., and comprises a flexible container or bag 2, made from a material such as polypropylene, which is secured to a relatively rigid base or outlet frame 3.

The frame or base 3 is made of metal, for example mild steel. The bag 2 is releasably connected thereto by releasable securing means in the form of a nut and bolt clamp arrangement 4 which passes through a flange, projection, ear orthe like 50n the bag 2 intermediate its length and near its bottom or opening 6, and another similar clamp arrangement passing through or clamping the edges of a peripheral flange 7 at the bottom or opening 6.

The bottom or opening 6 is formed on an inclined portion 7 ofthe bag 2 supported by inclined portions 8 of the base 3. The bag 2 and base 3 are square in plan (though they could have other configurations) and there is a flange, projection, ear the like 5 at each corner.

The base 3 has a cone valve 9 and a peripheral seal 10 closing the otherwise open bottomed bag 2, and projections 11 for seating over supports of a discharge station (not shown).

There is also a depending lower, rigid, skirt or flange 12 ofthe base forming a hopper.

The bag 2' shown in Figures 2,3 and 4 is modified over that shown in Figure 1 in that it is substantially rectangular in plan, with cutoff or inclined corners 13, and a protruding peripheral bottom flange 14 which is bent over or returned at its free edge 1 Sfor strength. There are spaced holes 16, typically on 300 mm centres, through the flange 14,whereby the bag 2 is secured to the relatively rigid frame or base 3 via clamping brackets 17 and 18, one of which 17 is of L-shape, and a nut and bolt arrangement 19 at each hole 16,the nut passing through a respective hole (Figure 5).The bag 2' has an integral central filling chute 20, and peripheral upstanding and folded over straps 21 at each corner by which it is supported,for example during filling, from support stands 22 each comprising an upright such as a tube 23 with three angularly displaced through 60 support hooks 24 with struts 25, the two outer hooks 24 having an included angle of 1200. The support stands 22 are fitted into holes 26 at an l.B.C. filling or discharge station 27.

In use, with particular reference to Figure 1, the bag 2 is filled with material to betransported.When it has been transported to the destination, the base 3 is set down so its projections 11 seat in seatings at the discharge station, and a discharge unit such as a MATCON (Registered Trade Mark) raises the cone 9 to discharge the material. The bag 2 collapses into the base 3, so protecting the bag 2 from damage. The apparatus 1 can then be returned, for re-filling. If the bag becomes dirty or damaged, it is easily removed and replaced by undoing the nut and bolt clamping arrangements 4, removing the bag 2, replacing with a new one, and securing the new one by reassembly of the nut and bolt clamping arrangements with the ears 5 and flange 7.

The base 3 is readily stacked with another similar one whetherthere is a bag 2 secured to it or not, so providing for ease oftransport.

The embodiment of Figures 2 and 5 is used in a similar manner to that of Figure 1, the walls 28 ofthe bag 2' collapsing directly onto the base 3 and being supported over desired hooks bythe straps 21 during filling and/or during emptying.

Claims

1. Handling apparatusfortransporting bulk flowable material, comprising a flexible containerfor the material secured to a relatively rigid base.

2. Handling apparatus according to Claim 1,the base comprising an outletframe.

3. Handling apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the container and base being removably connected together.

4. Handling apparatus according to any preceding claim, the container comprising external flanges, projections, ears of the like whereby the container is adapted for securing to the base.

5. Handling apparatus accordingto Claim 4,the flanges, projections, ears or the like being adapted by through holes for such connection.

6. Handling apparatus according to Claim 5, including releasable means for securing the container and bag together.

7. Handling apparatus according to Claim 6, the releasable means including a nut and bolt arrangementforpassing through a hole and for co-operation with brackets associated with the base.

8. Handling apparatus according to Claim 7, one bracket being of substantially L-section.

9. Handling apparatus according to any preceding claim,the base and bag being of substantially square section or plan.

10. Handling apparatus according to any preceding claim, in combination with a plurality of supportstandsforsupporting the bag in an upright position.

11. Handling apparatus, substantially as hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. An l.B.C. system, including a discharge station, and apparatus according to any preceding claim.