Storage facility with a support structure and a material supply held on it

Abstract

Storage device (1) with a support device (2) and at least one material layer (3) of a material supply (4), characterized in that the support device (2) has at least one porous metallic support unit (5) on which the material layer (3) is provided, wherein the material supply (4) is permanently and releasably connected to the support device (2) for later use.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device comprising a support device and at least one material supply. The material supply is present in at least one layer and is held by the support device.

[0002] Various storage devices for materials are known in the prior art. The material supply can be intended for later use and, for example, stored in a container. A disadvantage of such storage devices is that the container must be opened and the material removed manually for use. In many applications, it is advantageous for a storage device with a support structure to provide direct access to the material supply. Conventionally closed containers must be opened separately to remove the stored material or must contain complex mechanisms for automatic material removal.

[0003] DE 600 24 485 T2 describes the production of a reinforced fabric, in particular one with a high strength-to-weight ratio. For this purpose, a thermoplastic material is used as a filler element, which, after the application of heat and / or pressure to the fabric, fills the spaces between the metal cords forming the fabric.

[0004] In light of the aforementioned prior art, the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a storage device with a carrier device and a material supply, wherein the material is more easily accessible for later use.

[0005] This problem is solved by a storage device with the features of claim 1. Preferred features and embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the invention are given in the exemplary embodiments.

[0006] The storage device according to the invention comprises at least one support structure and at least one layer of material for a material supply. The support structure comprises at least one porous metallic support unit on which at least one of the at least one material layer is provided. The material supply is permanently and releasably connected to the support structure for later use.

[0007] The invention has many advantages, particularly since the storage device according to the invention, due to its porous metallic support unit, keeps the material supply readily accessible. Opening and subsequently closing a storage container is not necessary to use or access the material supply. At the same time, the secure connection between the porous metallic support unit and the material layer of the material supply creates a reliable bond, making the storage device portable without the risk of losing the material supply during transport.

[0008] In particular, the material stock is intended for later removal from the support structure. Preferably, the material stock is used separately.

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the metallic porous support unit comprises at least one metallic textile structure. Particularly preferably, the metallic textile structure consists at least partially of wire mesh and includes at least partially metallic weft wires and at least partially metallic warp wires. However, it is also possible for the metallic textile structure to comprise other fabrics, wire meshes, nets, nonwovens, expanded metals, and porous film-like structures.

[0010] In particular, a porous metallic support unit designed as, or comprising, a wire mesh is especially advantageous. Wire meshes are particularly well-suited for use in critical environments because they are heat-resistant, highly chemically resistant, and largely dimensionally stable. At the same time, wire meshes are gas-permeable and, depending on their design, can be permeable to liquids or even solids such as grains and other small particles.

[0011] It is also possible, in particular, to design a wire mesh that is gas-permeable but liquid-impermeable. This is achieved by weaving a particularly fine wire mesh, which, for example, is tightly woven as a braided fabric and has only very small openings in the individual meshes. It is also possible for the supporting unit to consist of several layers of wire mesh, either stacked on top of each other or connected together, with different wire diameters and / or different mesh sizes.

[0012] Depending on the material from which the wire mesh or other porous metallic support unit is made, a high degree of chemical resistance can be achieved. For example, such a wire mesh can be made of a special steel, such as stainless steel, which can also be resistant to acids and alkalis.

[0013] A wire mesh as a metallic textile structure also offers the significant advantage that the metallic textile structure can be manufactured very homogeneously and reproducibly and at the same time has a high free passage area, while at the same time the opening diameter of individual openings is relatively small, so that a high retention capacity of the carrier unit can be achieved.

[0014] It is also possible and preferred that the wire mesh consists of metallic and non-metallic wires, such that, for example, only every second, third or fourth warp and / or weft wire consists of a metallic material, while some or all of the other wires consist of a different synthetic or natural material.

[0015] For example, if a material is used for the non-metallic wires that melts at relatively low temperatures, the material stored in the carrier unit can simply be released when the melting point of the non-metallic wires is exceeded.

[0016] In this way, for example, a sprinkler system can be easily constructed as a fire protection device, since part of the wire mesh and / or a layer encasing the wire mesh and / or a layer lying against the inside of the wire mesh dissolves under the influence of heat. After the layer dissolves, the extinguishing agent or similar substance contained within can then escape.

[0017] It is also possible, however, to inoculate a technical material in this way with vaccines stored in the reservoir. By using suitable thermal conditions or by adjusting the porosity of the metallic carrier unit, a targeted and defined release of the material stored as vaccine can be ensured.

[0018] Preferably, at least one layer of material is designed as a strip of material, which can be rectangular, round or oval in shape, for example.

[0019] Preferably, at least one layer of material is bonded to the support unit by at least one pressing operation. For example, a strip of material can be placed as a layer onto a flat, porous metallic support unit and then bonded to the support unit under appropriate pressure. The material strip deforms locally in such a way that the layer forms a firm connection with the warp and / or weft wires of a support unit, which may be designed, for example, as a wire mesh. Such a connection creates a positive fit, ensuring that the storage device remains securely held together even under vibration or other shocks.

[0020] The material layer is preferably bonded to the carrier unit by rolling and, in particular, calendering. Such a manufacturing process can be carried out continuously and enables cost-effective production, since it is not necessary to place each individual carrier unit separately in a press or similar device to produce a storage unit. In such a configuration, for example, a wire mesh can be continuously coated with a layer of the material to be received and continuously passed through a calender. Only after the bond has been created can the storage unit be produced, for example, by punching, cutting, or similar processes.

[0021] In all embodiments, it is possible and preferred that at least one layer of material is folded around at least one support unit to securely hold the material layer against the support unit. It is also possible and preferred that at least one support unit is folded around at least one layer of material to securely hold the material layer against the support unit. Optionally, an additional pressing operation is possible to compress the material layer to the support unit.

[0022] In all embodiments, it is possible and preferred that an absorbed material can be released by the application of heat.

[0023] It is also possible and preferred that the incorporated material is dissolved from or into the carrier unit by a liquid, for example, due to the porosity of the carrier unit. This is particularly preferred for liquid-soluble materials. For example, the material can be water-soluble. It is also possible that the material dissolves in an oil, alcohol, or other fluid for use as needed. Preferably, the melting point of the incorporated material is lower than the melting point of the carrier unit. The melting point of the incorporated material is preferably below 200°C and particularly below 100°C.

[0024] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0025] The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic top view of a storage facility; Fig. 2 another storage facility; Fig. 3. Another storage facility; Fig. 4 a cross-section through another storage facility; Fig. 5 the calendering process of a storage facility; Fig. 6. an enlarged cross-section through a storage facility; and Fig. 7. Another cross-section through a storage facility.

[0026] The in Fig. The storage facility 1 shown in Figure 1 has a support structure 2. The support structure 2 consists of a support unit 5, which is designed as a wire mesh 8. It is also possible for a support structure 2 to have several support units 5, with each support unit 5 also consisting of several wire meshes 8.

[0027] The wire mesh 8 consists of weft wires 9 and warp wires 10, which in the illustrated embodiment are all made of metal. However, it is also possible that individual warp wires 9 and / or weft wires 10 are made of a different material, such as a synthetic or natural material.

[0028] The wire mesh 8 is a metallic textile structure 6 on which the material supply 4 is arranged as a material layer 3. The material layer 3 is firmly connected to the support structure 2. The material supply 4 is arranged over a surface on the support unit 5 or support units 5. The material supply 4 is provided here on a mesh 7 as a material strip 11.

[0029] The thickness 22 and 23 of the wire diameters of the weft wires 9 and the warp wires 10 are the same here and amount to approximately half or one-third of the mesh size. Other dimensions are also possible, for example, a tightly woven braid fabric, which may be waterproof. The storage device 1 provides a simple supply of material 4 on a carrier device 2, which is easily accessible for later use on the storage device 1.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a storage facility 1 in which a mesh 12 made of metallic wires is used as a support structure 2.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows a storage device 1 in which expanded metal 13 is used as a support device 2. Such expanded metal consists of a generally thin metallic sheet, which is typically regularly perforated and which is subsequently drawn out to a large area in order to increase the proportion of the free passage area.

[0032] Although in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. If the support structure 2 has larger dimensions than the material layer 3, an inverse size ratio is also possible. In particular, it is also possible for the material supply to be distributed at specific points. For example, a supply can be applied only to the reaction or active surfaces required in the later process. Waste can also be taken into account.

[0033] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section through a storage device 1 in which the material layer 3 is folded around a support unit 5 of a support device 2. In this embodiment, the material supply 4 of the material layer 3 is located on the outside around the support device 2. After the material layer 3 is folded around the support unit 5, both can be pressed together to improve the retention of the material supply 4 on the support device 2. Fig. Figure 4 shows a bonding layer 19, which may be present but is not mandatory. The bonding layer 19 is intended in particular to improve the adhesion of the material layer and can also be used in particular with unfolded flat support units 5.

[0034] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a calendering device 18 for carrying out the calendering process. In this process, a material is placed between the rollers 16 and 17 of the calendering device 18 in the orientation shown. Fig. 5 from the right, a carrier device 2 provided with a material layer 3 is inserted. The original thickness or thickness 20 before calendering is significantly greater than the final thickness 21 of the carrier device 2 connected with the material layer 3 upon exiting the calendering device 18. The considerable reduction in thickness of the carrier device 2, designed as wire mesh 8, and the material layer 3 arranged on it enables a firm and positive connection of the material supply 4 to the supply device 1.

[0035] Fig. Figure 6 shows a wire mesh 8, which is provided with a material layer 3, after passing through the calendering device 18. The flattening 15 of the weft wires 9 and the corresponding flattening 14 on the material layer 3 are visible where the weft wires 9 and the material layer 3 came into contact with the rollers 16 and 17.

[0036] Fig.Figure 7 shows another cross-section of a storage device 1, where the material supply 4 is located at the material layer 3 inside the storage device 1. For this purpose, the support unit 5 or the support device 2 is folded around the material layer 3 containing the material supply 4, so that the wire mesh 8, as the support unit 5, surrounds the material layer 3. By means of a corresponding pressing process, the material layer 3 and the support unit 5 can be positively connected to each other.

[0037] The material stock 4 and the carrier device 2 can also be connected to each other via an adhesive and / or bonding layer and / or bonding layer. Likewise, the carrier device can be chemically, electrically, or magnetically prepared to facilitate or enable the adhesion or retention of the material stock 4 to the carrier device 2.

[0038] Overall, the invention provides a storage device in which a supply of material is stored on the carrier device and can be dispensed flexibly without requiring any mechanical opening of the storage device. The cohesion of the structure can be based on positive locking or force locking, and on cohesion or adhesion. The structure or the state of the applied material changes with or after a defined use of the product or the storage device.

[0039] In principle, any material is possible; however, the preferred materials are adhesives, medications, chemical or medical vaccines, or even food.

[0040] A wire mesh support structure can have a wide variety of wire diameters and weave patterns. Different materials are also possible for the warp and weft wires, as well as different materials for individual warp or weft wires.

[0041] Further processing can be carried out thermally. Coating the wires is also possible. The individual storage units can be produced, for example, by stamping them out of a flat semi-finished product.

[0042] It is also possible and preferred to apply the material supply 4 by immersion in a solution containing the material to be received. Reference symbol list: 1 Storage facility 2 Supporting institution 3. Material layer 4 Material stock 5 carrier unit 6 textile structures 7 tissues 8 wire mesh 9 shot wire 10 warp wire 11 strips of material 12 braids 13 Expanded metal 14 Flattening of the material layer 15 Flattening of the firing wires 16 rollers 17 rollers 18 Calender 19 Compound layer 20 thicknesses before calendering 21 Final thickness 22 thickness 23 Thickness

Claims

Storage device (1) with a support device (2) and at least one material layer (3) of a material supply (4), characterized in that the support device (2) has at least one porous metallic support unit (5) on which the material layer (3) is provided, wherein the material supply (4) is permanently and releasably connected to the support device (2) for later use. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the porous metallic support unit (5) comprises at least one metallic textile structure (6), which is preferably taken from a group of metallic textile structures (6) comprising woven fabrics (7), wire meshes, nets, nonwovens, expanded metals and porous foil-like structures. Storage device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the metallic textile structure (6) is designed as a wire mesh (8) and comprises metallic weft and warp wires (9, 10). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one material layer (3) is designed as a material strip (11). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material layer (3) is connected to the carrier unit (5) by at least one pressing operation. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material layer (3) is connected to the carrier unit (5) by rolling or calendering. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material supply (4) is applied by a dipping process or by spraying. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material layer (3) is folded around the carrier unit (5) or wherein the carrier unit (5) is folded around the material layer (3). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material layer (3) is not provided over the entire surface of the support device (2), but is in particular arranged in a point-by-point or area-by-area distribution. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbed material (4) can be released by the application of heat. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material layer (3) consists at least partially of a liquid-soluble material (4). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a melting point of the received material (4) is lower than a melting point of the carrier unit (5). Storage facility (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the incorporated material (4) comprises at least one vaccine for technical products. Storage facility (1) wherein at least one connecting layer (19) is provided between the material layer (3) and the support unit (5).

Images