GB2282135A

GB2282135A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2282135A
Application number: GB9319542A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martyn Ryder
Original assignee: Extract Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Tetra Pak CPS Ltd
Priority date: 1993-09-22
Filing date: 1993-09-22
Publication date: 1995-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-22
Also published as: GB9319542D0; GB2282135B

Abstract

The container (10) comprises an openable end (11) and an opposite end (12) and is divided into a first chamber (13) and a second chamber (14) by apertured divider (15). The container further comprises connection means (18) for connecting the chamber (13) to a vacuum source. The vacuum holds a liner, Figs. 2 and 3, with a neck extendable out of opening (11) in position. The liner is filled with powder e.g. from a hopper, transported then inverted to unload into e.g. an isolation chamber. Preferably the container (10) is an IBC. Preferably an adjustably positioned retainer (20) supports the liner. Unloading can be assisted by a vibrator. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINER This invention relates to a container and particularly, but not exclusively to a so called intermediate bulk container (IBC).

IBC's are used extensively in the pharmaceuticals industry to store pharmaceuticals and other hazardous materials often in the form of a powder. The powdered material is loaded into an IBC from a hopper containing a large amount of the material.

Once the material has been loaded into the IBC it is then transferred from the IBC into, for example, a reactor vessel for further processing. Many of the powdered materials handled in this way are highly toxic, and it is vital that operators handling the IBC's do not become contaminated by the powdered material.

A problem with known IBC's is that even though precautions are taken a certain amount of powder inevitably escapes into the atmosphere, during the process of loading and unloading of the IBC, particularly at the IBC outlet valve.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container having an openable end and an opposite end, and comprising: a first chamber positioned remote from the openable end; and a second chamber; dividing means dividing the first chamber from the second chamber, which dividing means comprises at least one aperture; connection means for connecting the first chamber to a vacuum source.

In use, a liner may be inserted into the second chamber of the container according to the first aspect of the invention with the container in a charge mode. Material may then be transferred into the liner rather than directly into the container. By connecting the first chamber to a vacuum source via the connection means, air may be drawn out of the first chamber. The presence of the at least one aperture produces an airflow out of the first and second chambers towards the connection means. This has the effect of pulling the liner onto the dividing means and holding the liner securely within the container. If the pressure in the first chamber is reduced to a suitable level the liner will be held in place securely against the dividing means. It is then possible to unload the material from the liner by tipping the container, such that material can be poured out of the liner.

Preferably, the liner is shaped to have a neck which extends beyond the openable end of the container. The elongate neck of the liner is particularly suitable for sealing directly to an an inflatable packing head located at a hopper outlet, for example, and also to an inlet of a reactor vessel. Thus the amount of material escaping into the atmosphere is significantly reduced.

Conveniently, the container further comprises liner retaining means positioned within the second chamber. When the container has been tipped into its off load position, the retaining means will serve to support the liner during the off load process.

Conveniently, the position of the retaining means within the second chamber is variable.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a material handling system comprising: a container having an openable end and an opposite end and comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber; dividing means for dividing the first chamber from the second chamber, which dividing means comprises at least one aperture and connection means for connecting the first chamber to a vacuum source; a liner receivable within the second chamber of the container which liner comprises an elongate neck which is extendible beyond the openable end of the container; liner retaining means positioned within the second chamber; and vibrating means for activating powder held inside the liner to aid discharge; According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of handling-material, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a liner into a container, the container having an openable end and an opposite end and comprising: a first chamber positioned remote from the openable end; and a second chamber; dividing means dividing the first chamber from the second chamber, which dividing means comprises at least one aperture; connection means for connecting the first chamber to a vacuum source; loading the liner with material; applying a vacuum to the first chamber thereby securely fixing the liner to the dividing means; tipping the container to an off load position; and off loading material from the liner.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a container according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the container of Figure 1 in a charge mode; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the container of Figure 1 in an off load mode.

Referring to Figure 1 a container according to a first aspect of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The container 10 comprises an openable end 11 and an opposite end 12. The container is divided into a first chamber 13 and a second chamber 14, which chambers are divided by a divider 15. The divider 15 comprises perforation discs 16, each of which discs comprises a plurality of apertures 17.

The dividing means 15 has a substantially hemispherical shape.

The container further comprises connection means 18 for connecting a container 12 to a vacuum source. The connection means 18 also comprises a valve 19 for controlling the connection to the vacuum source. Within the second chamber 14 is a retaining means 20 for holding a liner in position within the second chamber of the container. The position of the retaining means 20 within the second chamber 14 is variable by means of actuator cylinders 21.

Referring to Figure 2, in use, a liner 200 is inserted into the container 10. The liner is typically made from polyethylene or some other suitable polymer. The liner is shaped to have a material receiving portion 210 and an elongate neck portion 220. The elongate neck portion 220 is dimensioned to extend beyond the openable end 11 of the container 10. Once the liner 200 has been positioned within the container 10, a small amount of air may be used to slightly inflate the liner for ease of loading.

The neck 220 of the liner 200 is sealingly attached to an outlet of a hopper containing the material to be loaded into the container 10. A desired amount of material is then loaded into the liner 200. Once an appropriate amount of material has been loaded into the liner 200 the neck of the liner 200 is securely tied.

The connection means 18 is attached to a vacuum, and a pulling force is exerted on the liner such that the liner 200 is securely fixed in place on the hemispherical dividing means 15.

The vacuum may be applied before, during or after loading of the liner 200.

Referring to Figure 3, when it is desired to off load the material from the liner 200 the container 10 is tipped into an off load position. Due to the vacuum created in the first chamber 13 the liner is held securely in position within the container. Additional support is provided for the liner 200 by the presence of retaining means 20 which supports the liner.

The position of the retaining means 20 is variable by means of the actuating cylinders 21. The position of the retaining means may thus be adapted to the size of the liner in use.

Once in the off load mode the extended neck of the liner may be inserted into an access port of an isolation chamber. The neck may thus enter completely into the isolation chamber before being connected to a feed chute. The neck may then be untied and the material discharged. During discharge the liner may be vibrated to ensure all material is off loaded.

Once the liner is empty the vacuum may be released and the liner pulled into the isolation chamber for subsequent disposal.

Thus by means of the present invention little, if any hazardous material is able to escape into the environment.

Claims

1. A container having an openable end and an opposite end, and comprising: a first chamber positioned remote from the openable end; and a second chamber; dividing means dividing the first chamber from the second chamber, which dividing means comprises at least one aperture; connection means for connecting the first chamber to a vacuum source.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the liner is shaped to have a neck which extends beyond the openable end of the container.

3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising liner retaining means positioned within the second chamber.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the position of the retaining means within the second chamber is variable.

5. A material handling system comprising: a container having an openable end and an opposite end and comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber; dividing means for dividing the first chamber from the second chamber, which dividing means comprises at least one aperture and connection means for connecting the first chamber to a vacuum source; a liner receivable within the second chamber of the container which liner comprises an elongate neck which is extendible beyond the openable end of the container; a liner retaining means positioned within the second chamber; and vibrating means for activating powder held inside the liner to a discharge.

6. A method of handling material, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a liner into a container, the container having an openable end and an opposite end and comprising; a first chamber positioned remote from the openable end; and a second chamber; dividing means dividing the first chamber from the second chamber, which dividing means comprises at least one aperture; connection means for connecting the first chamber to a vacuum source; loading the liner with materials; applying a vacuum to the first chamber thereby securely fixing the liner to the dividing means; tipping the container to an off-load position; and off-loading material from the liner.

7. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.