Drainage device

Abstract

Emptying device (1) for emptying a container containing a product, in particular a drum (F), which has: an isolation device (2) that defines an interior space (23) and allows a user to perform activities in the interior space (23) without risk of contamination of the user; a container connection device (3) for connecting the container to the isolation device (2) in such a way that there is no risk of contamination of the user by the product; and a conveying line arranged in the interior (23), which is attached with a connecting end (51) to a line connection arranged in the interior (23) for conveying the product from the insulation device (2) and can be moved for emptying the container such that, when the container is connected, a conveying end (43) of the conveying line (4) is located in the container; wherein the container connection device (3) includes a ring (30) that surrounds a through-opening (21) leading into the insulation device (2) and to which a foil bag surrounding the product, present in the container, is to be attached. a seal (22) is located on an outside of the insulation device (2) against which the container is pressed during emptying, and a vacuum connection (25) is located between the seal (22) and the ring (30), through which air is drawn out between the foil bag and the inner wall of the container when the container is connected.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an emptying device for emptying a container containing a product, in particular a barrel.

[0002] In the prior art, containers, especially barrels, are emptied using devices in which suction lances are passed through a plate or insulator arranged on the barrel. A pneumatic conveying device is connected to the corresponding suction lance, which sucks out the product present in the barrel.

[0003] The suction lances used here have a certain length depending on the height of the barrels to be emptied and are made of metal, which is why the suction lances can only be moved and handled by a user with considerable effort when emptying the barrel.

[0004] Furthermore, patent publication DE 42 18 331 A1 discloses an emptying device in which a suction pipe can be automatically inserted into a bag to be emptied via a platform. The suction pipe is connected to a pneumatic conveying device via a conveying hose.

[0005] Further prior art is formed by the patent publications DE 601 05 450 T2, DE 10 2004 032 300 A1, US 2009 / 0 257 832 A1, DE 21 52 782 A, US 8 322 951 B2, DE 10 2006 002 582 A1, US 2004 / 0 040 617 A1, US 2009 / 0 149 689 A1,_US 6 036 408 A and US 2007 / 0 029 870 A1.

[0006] Against this background, it is the object of the invention to provide an emptying device for emptying a container containing a product, in particular a barrel, which enables easier or at least alternative emptying of a container containing a product.

[0007] This object is achieved with an emptying device according to claim 1. Further preferred embodiments are the subject of the subclaims. The invention is defined by the claims, with aspects of the invention being set forth below.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the emptying device is used in particular to empty containers containing a powdered and / or granular product which, for example, represents a potential hazard to a user, would potentially contaminate the environment and / or has a degree of purity that must be maintained.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, an emptying device for emptying a container containing a product, in particular a barrel, comprises an insulation device which defines or has an interior space and allows activities of a user in the interior space without risk of contamination of the user.

[0010] Such an isolation device could, for example, be an isolator with glove access points through which the user can perform activities inside the isolator. Because the isolator has access points for the user, they do not come into direct contact with the interior of the isolator and thus with any product present there. This ensures that there is no risk of contamination for the user.

[0011] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the invention, the emptying device comprises a container connection device for connecting the container to the insulation device in such a way that there is no risk of contamination of the user by the product.

[0012] Such a container connection device can, for example, be a ring provided at an opening leading into the insulation device, on which recesses and / or an inflatable seal are formed. The recesses and / or the inflatable seal serve to secure a film bag surrounding the product in the container to be emptied or, if the product is surrounded by several film bags for safety reasons, to secure all of these film bags.

[0013] The container connection device is preferably arranged on an underside of the insulation device, wherein the container or a barrel to be emptied can be brought to the container connection device, for example by lifting it.

[0014] For example, in the case of a drum in which the product is surrounded by two film bags for safety reasons, the outer film bag is attached to the outside of the ring provided at the opening via an O-ring to one of the inner recesses of two cavities in such a way that a film residue, which is attached to an outer one of the two recesses and originates from a previous emptying process, is enclosed. The film residue is then removed from the outer recess through the interior of the isolation device via the isolation device, which allows the user to carry out activities within its interior without risk of contamination. The second inner film bag, which is still closed and surrounds the product in the drum, is accessible via the isolation device after the film residue has been removed and can be opened using the glove inserts.The opened inner film bag can now be placed over a clamping ring, for example, and fastened or fixed to the opening by expanding the inflatable seal.

[0015] The product to be removed from the drum is then accessible through the interior of the isolation device, whereby, as explained, the connection of the container did not lead to any risk of contamination of the user by the product.

[0016] Depending on the type of container to be connected to the insulation device, the container connection device can be designed accordingly. For example, the emptying device can be designed so that the container connection device is interchangeable, particularly for adapting to different drum diameters.

[0017] In particular, the container connection device is designed for the contamination-free connection of a drum having one or two film bags surrounding the product in the drum. For connecting a drum, the container connection device can preferably have a seal provided on an outer side of the insulation device, against which the drum to be emptied or its upper edge can be pressed.

[0018] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the invention, the emptying device comprises a conveying line arranged in the interior space, which is fastened with a connection end to a line connection arranged in the interior space for discharging the product from the insulation device, and which can be moved to empty the container, in particular the barrel, in such a way that when the container is connected, a conveying end of the conveying line is located in the container.

[0019] The line connection can be formed, for example, by a connection element that is welded into a side wall of the insulation device and protrudes from the side wall into the interior. The conveying line is connected to the line connection, for example, by a clamp connection that connects a flange of the line connection to a flange of the conveying line via a clamp. On an outer side of the insulation device, an external connection is provided that is connected to the line connection and to which a pneumatic conveying device is preferably attached. The product can be conveyed out of the insulation device through the line connection and the external connection.

[0020] In particular, since no rigid, potentially very long and heavy suction pipe needs to be guided through an opening provided in the insulation device, but rather, according to one aspect of the invention, the delivery line extends from the fixed (immovable or firmly anchored) line connection arranged in the interior, and the delivery end can be moved into the container to be emptied, the delivery line and thus the emptying of the container are easier to handle. Generally speaking, the moving parts are located in the interior of the insulation device.

[0021] Emptying the container is less strenuous overall.

[0022] Preferably, the conveying line is formed by a flexible conveying hose and / or a telescopic suction pipe.

[0023] In the case that the conveying line consists exclusively of a flexible conveying hose, the user can easily move this or its conveying end into the container for emptying or removing the product.

[0024] In the other case, where the conveying line is formed exclusively from a telescopic suction pipe, the user can extend the telescopic suction pipe so that the conveying end of the telescopic suction pipe reaches the product located in the container to be emptied.

[0025] To ensure that the entire product contained in the container can be removed with the telescopic suction pipe, it is possible, for example, to design the container connection device so that the container to be emptied—when connected—can be moved perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the telescopic suction pipe. This movement can preferably be achieved by rotating the container such that a longitudinal axis of the container / barrel to be emptied rotates around the longitudinal axis of the telescopic suction pipe.

[0026] In addition, the delivery line can be formed from a combination of a flexible delivery hose and a suction pipe / telescopic suction pipe.

[0027] The use of a flexible conveyor hose results in a reduction in the weight of the conveyor line.

[0028] Preferably, the conveying end of the conveying line is formed by a suction pipe or telescopic suction pipe, wherein the suction pipe or telescopic suction pipe is attached to the line connection via a flexible conveying hose.

[0029] This allows the suction tube or telescopic suction tube to be easily inserted into the container containing the product and the product to be removed.

[0030] Preferably, the conveying line is fastened in the interior to a suspension which allows the movement of the conveying end into the container and holds the conveying line during the movement.

[0031] This supports the user who carries out the activity in the interior of the isolation device - namely moving the conveyor line - for example via the glove inserts, which makes emptying the container or removing the product easier.

[0032] Preferably, the suspension comprises a guide rail and a carriage movable on the guide rail, wherein the conveying line is fastened to the carriage in such a way that by moving the carriage the conveying end is moved either into or out of the container.

[0033] In particular, it is preferred that the guide rail be straight, meaning the suspension is a linear guide. Alternatively, the guide rail can have an arcuate profile, such that the conveyor end describes an arcuate movement as the carriage moves.

[0034] Depending on the size of the containers / barrels to be emptied, the conveyor line can be moved / adjusted by a drive unit, such as a motor, to move the conveyor end into / out of the container. The drive unit can, for example, support the user's manual activity or even completely take over the movement of the conveyor line.

[0035] If the suspension is provided in the form of a guide rail and a carriage, a drive unit, for example a motor, can be mounted on the carriage, which can be actuated to move the carriage. The drive unit / motor can be designed, in particular, to have FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EX (explosion protection) approval.

[0036] The drive unit(s) / motor(s) mentioned above may, for example, be pneumatically operated or electrically operated motors.

[0037] Preferably, the conveying end is formed by a suction pipe that is attached to the line connection via a flexible conveying hose. The conveying hose is attached to the line connection with one end corresponding to the connection end and to the carriage with another end, wherein the suction pipe is attached to the carriage and / or the conveying hose via a connecting hose that is more flexible than the conveying hose.

[0038] This allows the conveyor line to be easily moved over the carriage and, at the same time, the suction pipe can be moved over the cross-section of the container / barrel to be emptied thanks to the very flexible connecting hose within the container to be emptied.

[0039] Furthermore, the conveying line can preferably comprise a flexible conveying hose, which is attached to the line connection with an end corresponding to the connection end. The suspension can be a roller mounted by means of a spring bearing, over which the conveying hose runs. The suspension holds the conveying hose during the movement of the conveying end into / out of the container through a combination of a rotation of the roller and a spring action of the spring bearing.

[0040] Alternatively, the suspension can be a pneumatically operated cylinder to which the conveying line is attached and which can be pneumatically retracted / extended to move the conveying end into / out of the container. Preferably, the conveying end is formed by a suction pipe that is attached to the line connection via a flexible conveying hose. In particular, in this case, too, the conveying hose is attached to the line connection with one end corresponding to the connection end and to the pneumatically operated cylinder with another end, wherein the suction pipe is attached to the cylinder and / or the conveying hose via a connecting hose that is more flexible than the conveying hose.

[0041] Alternatively, the suspension can be a spring balancer that holds the conveyor line during the movement of the conveyor end into / out of the container through a spring action of the spring balancer.

[0042] Furthermore, the conveying line preferably comprises a flexible conveying hose, which is attached to the line connection with an end corresponding to the line connection. The suspension is preferably a tilting lever over which the conveying hose runs and which holds the conveying hose by a tilting or pivoting movement during the movement of the conveying end into / out of the container.

[0043] The suspensions described above achieve, in particular, weight compensation, which allows for very easy handling of the conveyor line and thus very easy emptying of the container.

[0044] In particular, the suspension is preferably configured to return the conveyor end to its initial position when no force is exerted on the conveyor line by the user, for example, via the glove inserts. This can be achieved, for example, by dimensioning the spring action of the spring bearing or the spring balancer supporting the roller.

[0045] The conveying end is preferably formed by a telescopic suction pipe that can be extended and / or shortened depending on the fill level of the container. Regardless of whether the telescopic suction pipe forms the entire conveying line, i.e., can be extended starting from the line connection, or forms a partial section of the conveying line, the overall height of the emptying device can be reduced according to one aspect of the invention.

[0046] Preferably, the conveying end is formed by a suction pipe or telescopic suction pipe, wherein the suction pipe or telescopic suction pipe has a gas supply line via which a gas can be guided to an inlet opening at the conveying end, through which the product enters the conveying line as intended.

[0047] Preferably, the gas supply line is formed by a space between an outer tube of the suction pipe and an inner tube of the suction pipe running in the outer tube.

[0048] By supplying the gas, continuous pneumatic conveying can be ensured in the case of pneumatic conveying or suction of the product to be removed from the container.

[0049] Preferably, the emptying device comprises the external connection already explained, which is connected to the line connection and to which a pneumatic conveying device can be connected as intended, and a weighing device for determining the weight of the product, wherein the weighing device is arranged such that when the emptying device is used as intended, the insulation device and the container are located on the weighing device.

[0050] A particular advantage is that the pneumatic conveying device is connected via the fixed (immovable, firmly anchored) external connection. This means that since no suction pipe needs to be routed from the outside through an opening leading into the insulation device and through the interior into the container, no external forces (except for the negligible weight of an external hose running from the external connection to the pneumatic conveying device) are exerted on the weighing device, thus preventing incorrect weight measurements. The weighing device preferably determines the weight of the conveyed or removed product by calculating the difference between the total weight measured initially and the total weight measured after the product has been removed.

[0051] Furthermore, the weighing device is preferably arranged and designed in such a way that when the emptying device is used as intended, the user is also located on the weighing device.

[0052] This further prevents external forces from acting on the weighing device during emptying of the container or removal of the product, which could lead to an incorrect weight determination, because the user is standing on the weighing device and the user's actions do not result in any force being exerted on the weighing device.

[0053] Additionally, the accuracy of weight determination can be increased through the user's own behavior. For example, if the user pulls the conveyor end of the conveyor line out of the product in the container and waits until the product in the conveyor line has been completely sucked or conveyed through the external connection, a very precise weight determination of the removed product quantity can be determined from the total weight measured initially and the total weight measured after pneumatic conveying.

[0054] Preferably, the insulation device comprises a viewing window through which the user can overlook the interior, wherein the container connection device is arranged obliquely such that, when the container / barrel is connected, the user can completely overlook an interior of the container / barrel through the viewing window and the interior.

[0055] This ensures that, on the one hand, the product in the container collects at an edge in the bottom area of ​​the container and, on the other hand, the user can clearly see all the residues in the container.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the emptying device preferably also comprises a vibration unit that generates vibration of the container / barrel. This vibration loosens residues of the product to be removed that are adhering to various locations and, particularly if the container is tilted, collects them at an edge in the bottom region of the container.

[0057] The insulation device is preferably made of metal or plastic. The same applies to the suction pipe of the conveying line, which is generally designed to provide the stability required for pneumatic conveying while maintaining the lowest possible weight.

[0058] The flexible conveyor hose can, for example, be made of a plastic with a spiral reinforcement or of a metal.

[0059] The insulation device is dimensioned in such a way that the user can easily reach all areas of the interior, in particular the conveyor line, the carriage and the suction pipe.

[0060] The emptying device according to one aspect of the invention is used in particular for emptying containers / barrels in which the product is in the form of a powder or granulate.

[0061] Preferred embodiments of the emptying device according to the invention will now be explained with reference to the attached figures. Fig. 1 shows the emptying device according to the invention, wherein a user is located in front of an isolation device having glove openings and a barrel to be emptied is arranged below the isolation device and a container connection device. Fig. 2 shows a section of the emptying device according to the invention from Fig. 1, wherein a conveyor line is in its basic position and a corresponding conveyor end is in its starting position. Fig. 3 shows the Fig. 2 shows the emptying device according to the invention, wherein the conveying line or the corresponding conveying end is in its maximum movable state into the barrel to be emptied. Fig. 4 shows the emptying device according to the invention, wherein two alternative suspensions for the conveying line are shown schematically. Fig. 5 shows a further variant of a conveyor line arranged in the interior of the insulation device. Fig. 6 shows the emptying device according to the invention Fig. 5, where the Fig. The telescopic suction pipe shown in Figure 5 is in its maximum extended state and is moved into the barrel to be emptied. Fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a suction pipe which can be used in the emptying device according to the invention. Fig. 8 shows a preferred embodiment of an insulation device of the emptying device according to the invention, wherein one side of the insulation device, on which the container connection device is located, is inclined in such a way that a user can completely see the interior of the barrel to be emptied. Fig. 9 shows the emptying device according to the invention Fig. 8, in which a further preferred alternative suspension of the conveyor line is shown. Fig. 10 shows the emptying device according to the invention from Fig. 9, in which the entire emptying device according to the invention is located together with the user on a weighing device. Fig. 11 shows a preferred modification of the weighing device, which is connected to the Fig. 9 is identical except that the user is not on the weighing device.

[0062] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an emptying device 1 according to the invention, in front of which a user is positioned and beneath which a barrel F to be emptied is arranged. The barrel F contains, for example, powdered and / or granular substances that, if released, pose a potential hazard to the user and the environment. For this reason, it is necessary that this product be removed from the barrel F without contamination.

[0063] For this purpose, the emptying device 1 according to the invention comprises an insulation device 2 and a container connection device 3 for connecting the barrel F.

[0064] The isolation device 2 is preferably formed from an insulator having two openings 20 with attached glove openings (not shown). User A can insert his arms and hands into the glove openings through the openings 20 and safely perform activities in an interior space 23 of the isolation device 2 or the insulator.

[0065] Preferably, the isolation device 2 has a viewing window 24 so that the user A can observe his activities in the interior.

[0066] The barrel F to be emptied is located in the Fig. 1 shown state below the insulation device 2 so that it can be connected to a container connection device 3 arranged on the underside of the insulation device 2.

[0067] For products that pose a potential hazard, it is preferable to provide one or two foil bags inside the drum F, both of which surround the product and are each sealed separately.

[0068] As will be explained below, the upper ends of these two film bags can be attached to the container connection device 3 in such a way that the user is not endangered by the product.

[0069] The Fig. The X-direction shown in Figure 1 corresponds to the depth direction of the insulation device, the Y-direction shown corresponds to the width direction of the insulation device 2, and the Z-direction corresponds to the height direction of the emptying device 1 according to the invention. The dimensions of the insulation device in the X- and Y-directions are preferably selected such that the user A can easily reach all elements, in particular a conveyor line located in the interior space 23.

[0070] As in Fig. 1, the container connection device 3 is arranged on an underside of the insulation device 2, viewed in the height direction, so that the barrel F to be emptied can be brought close to or onto the container connection device 3 by lifting it.

[0071] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the Fig. 1, wherein the cut was made at approximately half the depth of the insulation device 2 in the Y-direction. Consequently, the section shown in Fig. 2 shown view of the YZ plane and shows the interior 23 from the perspective of user A.

[0072] The aforementioned container connection device 3 is shown on the underside of the insulation device 2. The container connection device 3 is formed from a ring 30 that surrounds a through-opening 21 leading into the insulation device 2. Two recesses 31 that completely surround the ring 30 are provided on an outer side of the ring 30. An inflatable seal 32 is provided on an inner side of the ring 30, via which a clamping ring can be fixed or secured.

[0073] Connecting barrel F is explained below.

[0074] If the barrel F to be emptied is arranged below the insulation device 2, the user first opens a lid of the barrel F and fastens an upper end of a film bag located in the barrel F to the inner recess 31 facing the underside of the insulation device 2, wherein a film remnant (not shown) which is fastened to the outer of the two recesses 31 and originates from a previous emptying process is enclosed. The fastening is preferably carried out by means of an O-ring. The film bag fastened to the inner of the recesses 31 can now be opened by the user from the outside by removing a corresponding closure. If the product located in the barrel F is surrounded by an additional inner film bag located in the film bag, the film bag fastened to the inner of the two recesses 31 can be opened before it is fastened.

[0075] The film residue attached to the outer recess 31 is detached from the container connection device by the user using the glove inserts and disposed of within the insulation device, for example in a waste bag attached to the insulation device 2.

[0076] The foil bag attached to the inner of the recesses 31 is then preferably moved to the outer of the recesses 31.

[0077] In this state, by actuating a lifting device, the barrel F to be emptied is lifted and pressed against a seal 22 located on the underside of the insulation device 2.

[0078] If, as already mentioned, the product in drum F is enclosed in another sealed inner foil bag, the inner foil bag must be opened before emptying. This is done by the user reaching into the glove inserts through the openings 20 provided in the insulation device 2 and using these to open the closure of the second inner foil bag through the opening 21. The upper end of the inner foil bag is placed over the aforementioned clamping ring and secured by an inflatable seal 32 provided on the inside of the ring.

[0079] Between the ring 30 of the container connection device 3 and the seal 22 there is also a vacuum connection 25, through which the air between the outer film bag and the inner wall of the barrel F is sucked out when the barrel F is raised and pressed against the seal 22, so that the film bag / the film bags in the barrel F lie against the inner wall and cannot be sucked in during the pneumatic conveying / suction of the product explained below.

[0080] Barrel F is now in a condition where it can be emptied.

[0081] As in Fig. 2, in the interior 23 of the insulation device 2 there is a conveying line 4 which has a flexible conveying hose 41 and a rigid suction pipe 42.

[0082] A connection element 5 is provided in a side wall 24 of the insulation device 2, which connection element has a line connection 51 arranged in the interior space 23 and an external connection 52 arranged on the outside of the insulation device 2. The connection element is, for example, welded into the side wall 26 of the insulation device 2 in such a way that the line connection 51 is immovably (firmly anchored, stationary) located in the interior space 23 of the insulation device 2 and the external connection 52 is immovably (firmly anchored, stationary) located on the outside of the insulation device 2.

[0083] The connecting element 5 can alternatively be fastened to the side wall 26 of the insulation device 2 in other ways. Examples of this are force-fitting, material-fitting, and form-fitting fastenings, which ensure a tight fastening of the connecting element 5 to the side wall 26.

[0084] The flexible conveying hose 41 of the conveying line 4 is attached to the line connection 51 located in the interior 23 and runs vertically to an upper region of the insulation device 2, where it runs in a curved manner and is attached with its other end to the suction pipe 42. The suction pipe 42 runs in the direction of the opening 21 and ends shortly before the opening 21. At its lower end in the vertical direction, the suction pipe has a conveying end 43 with an inlet opening. The conveying line 4 is located in the Fig. 2 is in its initial position or the conveyor end 43 is in its initial position.

[0085] The conveying line 4 is attached to a carriage 61 of a guide-type suspension 6 at the level of the connection between the flexible conveying hose 41 and the suction pipe 42. The carriage 61 engages with a rail 62 and is movable along the rail 62. The rail 62 extends vertically in a straight line, allowing the suction pipe 42 of the conveying line 4 to be lowered vertically through the opening 21 and the conveying end 43 to be brought into contact with the product contained in the barrel F.

[0086] Due to the flexibility of the conveyor hose 41, the conveyor hose 41 allows this movement or the lowering of the suction pipe 42 and follows the movement, whereby the end of the flexible conveyor hose 41 corresponding to the line connection is immovably and fixedly attached to the line connection 51.

[0087] This means that all moving parts are located in the interior 23 of the insulation device 2.

[0088] To assist the user in handling the conveyor line 41, a motor 7, for example electrically or pneumatically operated, is arranged on the carriage 61. The motor 7 is accessible to the user via the glove inserts in the openings 20 of the insulation device 2. The user can actuate the motor 7 to both lower and raise the conveyor line 4. In other words, the user can use the motor 7 to move the carriage 61 on the rail 62 in both directions (positive z-direction and negative z-direction).

[0089] On the outside of the side wall 26, the aforementioned external connection 52 is provided, to which a pneumatic conveying device (not shown) can be attached, for example, via a hose. The pneumatic conveying device generates a negative pressure in the conveying line 4 through the external connection 52 and the line connection 51, which leads to a gas flow from the interior 23 through the conveying line 4 and the connection element 5 toward the pneumatic conveying device.

[0090] To compensate for a negative pressure forming in the interior space 23, filter elements (not shown) that allow a gas flow into the interior space 23 can be provided on the insulation device 2.

[0091] If, while the pneumatic conveying device is running, the motor 7 is actuated by a user such that the carriage 61 moves in the negative z-direction on the rail 62, the suction pipe 42, with its conveying end 43 facing the barrel F, comes close to or into contact with the product. Due to the negative pressure generated by the pneumatic conveying device, the product located in the barrel F is sucked in and enters the conveying line 4 through the opening provided at the conveying end 43. The product flows through the conveying line 4 to the connecting element 5, where it is guided out of the insulation device 2 through the line connection 51 and the external connection 52 and enters the hose running to the conveying device.

[0092] Depending on the filling level of the drum F and the suction power of the pneumatic conveying device, the user A lowers the suction pipe 42 by actuating the motor 7 until the drum F is emptied. The state in which the suction pipe 42 or the conveying end 43 has reached the bottom of the drum F or the carriage 61 has moved to its maximum on the rail 62 is shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0093] Preferably, the conveyor hose 41 is in the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the variant of the delivery line 4 shown in Figure 3, it is indirectly connected to the suction pipe 42 via a very flexible connecting hose 44. The connecting hose is connected to the carriage 61 on the one hand to the delivery hose 41 and is attached to the suction pipe on the other hand.

[0094] In particular, the flexible connecting hose 44 is made of a material that is more flexible than the conveyor hose 41 guided through the suspension 6. The very flexible connecting hose 44 is located in particular between the suction pipe 42 and the carriage 61. The very flexible connecting hose 44 ensures that the suction pipe 42 can be moved over the entire barrel cross-section (xy plane) with little effort.

[0095] In particular, the motor 7 is only a preferred feature in this variant of the conveyor line or its suspension 6. The carriage 61 could also be moved manually along the rail, or an additional spring device could be provided to assist the manual movement of the carriage 61 along the rail 62.

[0096] Fig. 4 shows two alternative suspensions to the one described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 explained.

[0097] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the delivery hose 41 is again attached at one end to the line connection 51 and at the other end to the suction pipe 42. The connecting hose 41 runs between the line connection 51 and the suction pipe 42 via a roller 61' of a first alternative suspension 6'. The roller 61' is itself attached to an upper side of the insulation device 2 via a spring bearing 62'.

[0098] If the user grasps the conveyor line 4 via the glove inserts in order to move the conveyor end 43 of the suction pipe 42 into the barrel F to be emptied, the roller 61' rotates in Fig. 4 in a clockwise direction, whereby the spring bearing 62' is simultaneously tensioned. If the user releases the delivery line 4 after emptying the barrel F, the restoring force of the spring 62' causes the suction pipe 42 to be pulled out of the barrel F and returned to its original position. In this case, the roller 61' rotates counterclockwise. Fig. 4, the very flexible connecting hose 44 can also be provided at the connection between the suction pipe 42 and the conveying line 41, which enables the user, for example, to hold the conveying line 4 at the connection between the conveying hose 41 and the flexible connecting hose 44 with one hand and to move the suction pipe 42 over the cross section of the barrel F to suck out the product with the other hand.

[0099] Fig. 4 shows a further alternative suspension 6" for holding the conveyor line 4 in the interior space 23. The suspensions 6' and 6" can be present in the interior space 23 either individually or in combination.

[0100] The suspension 6" is a spring balancer having a wire rope 61" attached to the conveyor line 4, which is wound onto or unwound from a winding reel 62". If the user grasps the conveyor line 4 through the glove inserts, for example at the connection between the conveyor hose 41 and the very flexible connecting hose 44, and thereby exerts a force on the conveyor line 4 to lower the conveyor end 43 of the suction pipe 42, the wire rope 61" is unwound from the winding reel 62", with a simultaneous restoring force generated by the winding reel 62". If the user releases the conveyor line 4 after emptying the barrel F, the suction pipe 42 is returned to its original position or the conveyor end 43 is returned to its original position.

[0101] In particular, the Fig. 4 shown suspensions for weight compensation.

[0102] Fig. Figure 5 shows a further variant of a conveying line 4' arranged in the isolation device 2, which again has a flexible conveying hose 41, which is attached at one end to the line connection 51 and at its other end to an extendable telescopic suction pipe. No suspensions are shown in this variant of the conveying line 4, but all of the suspensions explained above can also be used here.

[0103] However, this variant is particularly suitable for purely manual extraction of the product from the connected barrel F.

[0104] Due to its flexible length, the telescopic suction pipe can be easily handled by a user wearing gloves while working inside. Depending on the fill level of the barrel F to be emptied, the user sets a specific length of the telescopic suction pipe 42' and then begins to insert the delivery end 43' of the telescopic suction pipe 42' into the connected barrel F and to suck out the product contained therein. The user extends the telescopic suction pipe 42' as needed with decreasing fill level of the barrel F to be emptied, until finally the telescopic suction pipe 42' reaches a length that allows for complete emptying of the barrel F. The state in which the telescopic suction pipe 42' has the length necessary for complete emptying of the barrel F is shown in Fig. 6. The telescopic suction pipe 42' can preferably have 2, 3 or even more partial pipes to extend the entire telescopic suction pipe 42'.

[0105] A particular advantage of the telescopic suction pipe 42' is that the height of the insulation device 2 in the z-direction is Fig. 1 to 4 shown insulation device 2.

[0106] A preferred variant of a suction pipe 42' to be connected to the flexible conveying hose 41 is shown in Fig. 7. This suction pipe 42' comprises an inner pipe 42'-1 and an outer pipe 42'-2, wherein the inner pipe 42'-1 extends through the outer pipe 42'-2. A space between the outer pipe 42'-2 and the inner pipe 42'-1 functions as a gas supply line, via which a gas can be conducted to the inlet opening at the conveying end 43 of the suction pipe 42'. The gas emerging from the gas supply line at the conveying end 43 is sucked off, together with the product to be conveyed, through the inlet opening located at the conveying end into the inner pipe 42'-1. The supplied gas is particularly advantageous for continuous conveying.

[0107] The Fig. 7 shown suction pipe 42' is used particularly in the Fig. 1 to 4 shown emptying device 1 according to the invention is used.

[0108] Fig. Figure 8 shows the emptying device 1 according to the invention, wherein the insulation device 2 is preferably modified. The underside 27 of the insulation device 2 is not as in the Fig. 1 to 7 shown horizontally, but runs in the direction shown in Fig. 8 such that a user can fully view the barrel F to be emptied through the window 24 provided on the insulation device 2. In other words, the container connection device is arranged such that a barrel F connected to it as intended is tilted toward the window 24 or the glove inserts. This has the particular advantage that the product in the barrel F collects at a lower edge of the base area of ​​the barrel F and can be easily sucked away by the user using the suction pipe 42.

[0109] The conveyor line 4 can be one of the types referred to in Fig. 1 to 7. Only the connecting element 5 is in the Fig. 8, the variant of the conveyor line 4 is designed so that the line connection 51 and the external connection 52 run straight in the vertical direction, and not as in the Fig. 1 to 7 the line connection 51 is bent in the interior.

[0110] Fig. 9 shows the Fig. 8, wherein the conveying line 4 is held by a preferred alternative suspension 6''' in the interior 23 of the isolation device 2. The suspension 6''' comprises a rocker arm 61''', which can be pivoted about a pivot axis 62''', which runs in the Y-direction or width direction, wherein pivoting of the rocker arm 61''' causes a restoring moment about the pivot axis 62'''. In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 9, the user has almost completely emptied the barrel F. If the user A releases the delivery line in this state, the restoring torque causes the delivery line or the delivery end 43 to return or be guided back to its starting position.

[0111] The pivot axis 62''' of the rocker arm 61''' is located at one end of the rocker arm 61''' and, as mentioned, the pivot axis runs in the Y direction. This means that the rocker arm 61''' pivots in the XZ plane. In the first position of the rocker arm 61''', the delivery line 4 and the delivery end 43 are in the corresponding starting position. If the user pulls on the delivery line 4, the rocker arm 61''' moves to the second position. As can be seen, due to the position of the pivot axis, the leverage of the rocker arm 61''' increases up to the second position, which is why the user's effort is the least in this position. If the user moves the suction pipe 42 further into the barrel F to be emptied, the rocker arm 61''' moves to the third position.

[0112] The flexible conveyor hose 41 runs as shown in Fig. 9 via the rocker arm 61''' and is attached on the one hand to the line connection 51 and on the other hand to the suction pipe 42. The delivery line 4 can be arranged as required as shown in Fig. 2 to 8.

[0113] In addition, as can be seen from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 10, a weighing device 8 may be provided, on which the emptying device 1 according to the invention is arranged together with the user. As in the previous embodiments of the insulation device 2, the connecting element 5 is firmly anchored and immovably attached to the insulation device 2.

[0114] An outer hose 10 leading to the pneumatic conveying device is attached to the outer connection 52 of the connecting element 5. It should be noted at this point that the outer hose 10 between the connecting element 5 and the pneumatic conveying device is immobile when the emptying device 1 is used as intended, since the outer connection 52 is immobile and stationary. This means that no forces, except for the negligible weight of the outer hose 10 itself, are transmitted via this hose to the emptying device 1 according to the invention and thus to the weighing device 8. This force effect can be counteracted by calibrating the weighing device 8 after the outer hose 10 is connected and before the initial weight determination.

[0115] Since the user himself is also located on the weighing device 8, no external forces are transmitted by the user himself to the emptying device 1 or weighing device 8 during emptying, which is why good and reliable weight determinations are obtained via the weighing device 8.

[0116] The weight determination can be further improved by the behavior of the user themselves. For example, if the user sucks out a certain portion of the product contained in barrel F and then pulls the conveying end 43 out of the product, the user A waits until the conveying line 4 located in the interior 23 has emptied so that the product in the conveying line 4 does not distort the weight determination. The weight of the product removed from barrel F up to this point can be easily determined by comparing the initial total weight with the current total weight.

[0117] Fig. 11 shows a variant of the Fig. 10 shown weighing device 8. The only difference is that the user is in the Fig. 11, the device is not located on the weighing device 8 but on a platform provided specifically for the user. With this variant, the user should determine the initial weight at a time when their arms are not in the glove inserts. This is to avoid any force exerted on the weighing device 8 by the user.

[0118] After determining the initial weight, the user grasps the conveyor line in the interior via the glove inserts and sucks out a certain amount of the product located in the barrel F. He then moves the conveyor line 4 to its starting position, in which the conveyor end 43 is not located in the barrel F to be emptied, pulls the arms out of the glove inserts, and, after the conveyor line 4 has been completely emptied, determines the current weight of the entire emptying device 1. By comparing this with the original / initial total weight, the weight of the removed amount of product can be determined.

[0119] As in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, for example, a vibration device 9 can be attached to the barrel F itself, which causes the barrel F to vibrate so that the product in the barrel F collects at the lower edge of the barrel F.

Claims

[1] Emptying device (1) for emptying a container containing a product, in particular a barrel (F), which comprises: an isolation device (2) which defines an interior space (23) and allows activities of a user in the interior space (23) without risk of contamination of the user; a container connection device (3) for connecting the container to the insulation device (2) in such a way that there is no risk of contamination of the user by the product; and a conveying line arranged in the interior (23), which is fastened with a connection end (51) to a line connection arranged in the interior (23) for discharging the product from the insulation device (2) and can be moved to empty the container in such a way that, when the container is connected, a conveying end (43) of the conveying line (4) is located in the container; wherein the container connection device (3) includes a ring (30) which surrounds a through opening (21) leading into the insulation device (2) and to which a film bag surrounding the product present in the container is to be attached, a seal (22) is located on an outer side of the insulation device (2), against which the container is pressed during emptying, and there is a vacuum connection (25) between the seal (22) and the ring (30), through which air is sucked out between the film bag and the inner wall of the container when the container is connected. [2] Emptying device (1) according to claim 1, wherein an inflatable seal (32) is provided on an inner side of the ring (30), by means of which a clamping ring can be fixed after a further, inner film bag has been placed over the clamping ring. [3] Emptying device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying end (43) of the conveying line (4) is formed by a suction pipe (42) or telescopic suction pipe which is attached to the line connection via a flexible conveying hose (41). [4] Emptying device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the conveyor line (4) is fastened in the interior space (23) to a suspension which allows the movement of the conveyor end (43) into the container and holds the conveyor line (4) during the movement of the conveyor line (4). [5] Emptying device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the suspension comprises a guide rail and a carriage movable on the guide rail; and the conveyor line (4) is fastened to the carriage in such a way that by moving the carriage the conveyor end (43) is moved either into or out of the container. [6] Emptying device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the guide rail is rectilinear. [7] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conveying line (4) can be moved by a motor. [8] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a motor is provided on the carriage which can be actuated to move the carriage. [9] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the conveying end (43) is formed by a suction pipe (42) which is attached to the line connection via a flexible conveying hose (41); the conveyor hose (41) is attached to the line connection with one end corresponding to the connection end (51) and to the carriage with another end; and The suction pipe is attached to the carriage via a connecting hose which is more flexible than the delivery hose. [10] Emptying device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the conveying line (4) has a flexible conveying hose (41) which is fastened to the line connection with an end corresponding to the connection end (51); and the suspension is a roller mounted by means of a spring bearing, over which the conveying hose (41) runs, wherein the suspension holds the conveying hose (41) during the movement of the conveying end (43) into and out of the container by a combination of a rotation of the roller and a spring action of the spring bearing. [11] Emptying device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the suspension is a spring tension which holds the conveyor line (4) during the movement of the conveyor end into and out of the container by a spring action. [12] Emptying device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the conveying line (4) has a flexible conveying hose (41) which is fastened to the line connection with an end corresponding to the connection end (51); and the suspension is a rocker arm over which the conveying hose (41) runs, wherein the suspension holds the conveying hose (41) by a rocker arm movement during the movement of the conveying end into and out of the container. [13] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the suspension is arranged such that it returns the conveying end (43) to an initial position when no force is exerted on the conveying line (4). [14] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the conveying end (43) is formed by a telescopic suction pipe which can be lengthened or shortened depending on a filling level of the container. [15] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the conveying end (43) is formed by a suction pipe or telescopic suction pipe having a gas supply line via which a gas can be fed to an inlet opening of the conveying end through which the product enters the conveying line (4) as intended. [16] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the conveying end (43) is formed by a suction pipe having a gas supply line via which a gas can be passed to an inlet opening of the conveying end through which the product enters the conveying line (4) as intended, and the gas supply line is formed by an intermediate space between an outer pipe of the suction pipe and an inner pipe of the suction pipe extending in the outer pipe. [17] Emptying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 16, wherein the emptying device (1) has an external connection connected to the line connection, to which a pneumatic conveying device can be connected as intended, and a weighing device for determining the weight of the product, wherein the weighing device is arranged such that when the emptying device (1) is used as intended, the insulation device (2) and the container are located on the weighing device. [18] Emptying device (1) according to claim 17, wherein the weighing device is arranged such that when the emptying device (1) is used as intended, the user is also located on the weighing device. [19] Emptying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 18, wherein the insulation device (2) has a viewing window through which the user can overlook the interior (23) and the container connection device (3) is arranged obliquely such that the user can completely see an interior (23) of the container through the viewing window and the interior (23) when the container is connected. [20] Emptying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the emptying device (1) comprises a vibration unit which generates a vibration of the container.

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