Device for conveying a viscous material from a container

Abstract

Device (100) for conveying a viscous material (40) from a container (10), comprising a container (10) in which the viscous material (40) is arranged; a conveying device (20) for conveying the viscous material (40) out of the container (10); a follower plate (30) for providing a pressure force on the viscous material (40) in the container (10), wherein the follower plate (30) has a plurality of concentrically arranged segments (31, 32, 33), the concentrically arranged segments (31, 32, 33) being movably coupled to one another; an air supply device (37) configured only for providing air into the container (10), wherein the air supply device (37) and the conveying device (20) extend through the follower plate (30).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for conveying a viscous material from a container. Technical background

[0002] Devices for conveying viscous materials, in particular devices for conveying viscous materials from a container, are used in numerous industrial applications, for example in the industrial storage of viscous materials. Devices for conveying viscous materials serve, for example, to convey or transfer viscous materials from a storage location to an application or processing location.

[0003] A typical device for conveying a viscous material typically includes a pump, especially a scoop pump, which has a high pneumatic drive power. Alternative devices utilize follower plates that are inserted into containers. These follower plates exert a force, particularly a pressure force, on the viscous material, thereby inducing an outflow of the viscous material from the container through an outlet element. However, these devices have the problem that, due to the viscosity of the viscous material, the resulting adhesive forces, and the vacuum within the container, removing the follower plate from the container after it has been emptied is either impossible or only possible with the application of enormous force. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for conveying a viscous material from a container, in which the follower plate can be easily pulled out of the container after the container has been emptied and with little effort.

[0005] At least one of the problems, or further problems, that arise for a person skilled in the art from the present disclosure are solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for conveying a viscous material from a container is described. The device comprises a container in which the viscous material is arranged, a conveying device for conveying the viscous material out of the container, a follower plate for applying a pressure force to the viscous material in the container, and an air supply device configured solely for supplying air to the container. The air supply device and the conveying device extend through the follower plate. The follower plate has a plurality of concentrically arranged segments, wherein the concentrically arranged segments are movably coupled to one another.

[0007] The term "viscous material" here represents any fluid in a liquid or gaseous state. For example, a viscous material can be an adhesive, but is not limited to that.

[0008] The term "container" represents any device in which the viscous material can be arranged. For example, the container is a bucket, a barrel, a tub, or a tank, but is not limited to these. The container can have at least one side wall, a bottom plate, and an opening opposite the bottom plate, with the at least one side wall extending perpendicularly from the bottom plate. The container, and in particular the at least one side wall of the container, can have an outer diameter and an inner diameter, such that the container has a "hollow" internal volume in which the viscous material can be arranged. The container can be made of the same or a different material as the conveying tube.

[0009] The term "conveyor" refers to any device that has a hollow cylindrical shape and is designed and constructed to convey a viscous material from a container. The conveying device may be made of metal or plastic, but is not limited to this. The conveying device has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the inner diameter being smaller than the outer diameter. The conveying device has an outer surface and an inner surface, both of which are surface-like. The conveying device may be inserted into the container through the opening of the container. Alternatively, the conveying device may extend through at least one side wall or bottom plate of the container. A gap may exist between the conveying device and the bottom of the container to allow the viscous material to be drawn from the container into the conveying tube by the movement of the follower plate.A vacuum unit can be arranged on the conveying device, configured to release air contained within the conveying device and to assist the conveying of the viscous material through the vacuum. A further advantage of the vacuum unit is that the viscous material is conveyed to the applicator largely without air, thus ensuring a continuous material flow. An air supply device can be arranged on or within the conveying device, but is not limited to this. For example, the conveying device can be a conveying tube, but is not limited to this. The conveying device can also include a valve, in particular a check valve, configured to reliably prevent air introduced into the container by the air supply device from flowing back into the conveying device.

[0010] The term "air supply device" refers to any device that has a hollow cylindrical shape and is designed and configured to convey or supply air or compressed air in a container. The air supply device may be made of metal or plastic, but is not limited to this material. The air supply device has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the inner diameter being smaller than the outer diameter. The air supply device has an outer surface and an inner surface, both of which have a surface. The air supply device may be inserted into the container through the container's opening. The air supply device may be formed on or within the conveying device, but is not limited to this.For example, the air supply device can be, but is not limited to, an air supply tube. The air supply device can further comprise a valve, in particular a check valve, configured to reliably prevent viscous material from entering the air supply device when the follower plate exerts a pressure force on the viscous material. The supply of air by the air supply device and the lifting / pulling of the follower plate out of the container can be coordinated, but is not limited to.

[0011] The conveying device and / or the air supply device can be designed flush with the follower plate, i.e., the conveying device and / or the air supply device extends completely through the follower plate from a top surface to a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface being in contact with the viscous material in the container, but not extending beyond the bottom surface of the follower plate.

[0012] The term "follower plate" refers to any plate that exerts or provides a pressure force on the viscous material in the container. The follower plate, in particular its underside, may be in direct contact with the viscous material. The follower plate may be made of the same or a different material as the conveying tube. The follower plate has a recess. The recess may extend completely through the follower plate, i.e., from a first side, in particular the top, to a second side opposite the first side, in particular the underside (the side that may be in direct contact with the viscous material). The recess may be cylindrical, but is not limited to this shape. The conveying device and / or the air supply device may be arranged within the recess. The follower plate may have the same shape as the internal volume or a cross-section of the internal volume of the container.The follower plate can have at least one side surface, with the side surface being opposite the recess. The side surface of the follower plate can have a sealing element. The follower plate has or consists of a plurality of segments. The term "segment" represents each concentrically arranged and movably coupled part of a follower plate. The segments can be ring-shaped, but are not limited to this shape. The segments can be nested within each other. The movably coupled segments can extend axially over adjacent segments by 10% to 90% of the total length of the individual segments, but are not limited to this. The segments can be designed such that they result in a flush follower plate, i.e., a follower plate without protrusions on the underside of the conveyor plate.The segments can be coupled to each other by a multitude of pins, but this is not limited to that. Sealing elements can also be arranged between the individual segments, reliably preventing the viscous material from flowing out between the segments. For example, the follower plate can have a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, wherein the first segment is movably coupled axially to a first side wall connected to the air supply device and / or to the conveying device, and to a second side wall connected to the second segment; wherein the second segment is movably coupled axially to a first side wall connected to the first segment and to a second side wall connected to the third segment; and wherein the third segment is movably coupled axially to a first side wall connected to the second segment.

[0013] By providing an air supply device, air, especially compressed air, can be forced or supplied under the follower plate. For example, an air volume of 200 liters can be supplied, but this is not limited. Supplying air under the pressure plate, i.e., between the container bottom and the follower plate, overcomes the adhesive forces. Furthermore, by designing the follower plate with a multitude of segments, its release from the viscous material or the container bottom can be improved, as the follower plate can now be detached step by step / segment by segment. This requires significantly less force compared to the force needed to remove the entire follower plate from the container bottom or the viscous material all at once.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the follower plate has at least three concentrically arranged segments movably coupled to one another.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the follower plate has a first segment, a second segment and a third segment, wherein the first segment is movably coupled in the axial direction to a first side wall with the air supply device and / or with the conveying device and is coupled to the second segment with a second side wall, wherein the second segment is movably coupled in the axial direction to a first side wall with the first segment and is coupled to the third segment with a second side wall, wherein the third segment is movably coupled in the axial direction to a first side wall with the second segment;

[0016] According to another embodiment, the segments have a ring shape.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the air supply device has a check valve.

[0018] By providing a check valve in the air supply device, it can be reliably prevented that viscous material can penetrate or flow into the air supply device when the follower plate applies a pressure force to the viscous material.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the conveying device has a valve.

[0020] By providing a valve in the conveying device, it can be reliably prevented that air, which is introduced into the container by the air supply device, flows into the conveying device.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the air supply device is arranged inside or on the conveying device.

[0022] By arranging the air supply device inside or on the conveying device, a more compact design of the device for conveying a viscous material from a container can be provided.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the follower plate has at least one sealing element.

[0024] The term "sealing element" refers to any seal that is arranged and configured to reliably prevent the escape / flow of viscous material between the follower plate and an inner surface of the container's side wall. The sealing element may include a sealing element retaining device or recess that extends into the body of the follower plate. The sealing element may have a sealing element rubber with a higher elasticity or coefficient of elasticity than the material of the container, the conveying device, and / or the follower plate. Alternatively or additionally, a sealing element may refer to any seal that is arranged and configured to reliably prevent the escape / flow of viscous material between the follower plate and the conveying device. The sealing element may include a sealing element retaining device or recess that extends into the body of the follower plate.The sealing element has a recess that extends into the body of the follower plate. The sealing element may have a sealing element rubber that has a higher elasticity or a higher coefficient of elasticity than the material of the container, the conveying device and / or the follower plate.

[0025] The viscous material, e.g. adhesive, has a very high viscosity, so the subsequent plate has to exert a great force to be pushed downwards into the container.

[0026] The sealing element reliably prevents the viscous material from escaping / flowing past the inner surface of the container's side wall.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the invention, the container is a barrel.

[0028] The term "barrel" here represents a container that has a cylindrical shape with a single side wall and a bottom plate.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the follower plate is smaller than the inner diameter of the container.

[0030] By designing the follower plate so that its diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the container, it can be ensured that the follower plate can be inserted into the inner diameter of the container. Brief description of the characters

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to a figure. Fig. Figure 1 shows a device for conveying a viscous material from a container, in which a follower plate is inserted into a container. Fig. Figure 2 shows a device for conveying a viscous material from a container, in which a follower plate is pulled out of a container. Detailed description

[0032] Fig.Figure 1 shows a device for conveying a viscous material from a container, in which a follower plate is inserted into the container. The device 100 for conveying a viscous material 40 from a container 10 comprises a container 10, a conveying device 20, a follower plate 30, and an air supply device 37. The conveying device 20 is configured to convey the viscous material 40 out of the container 10. The follower plate 30 is configured to apply a pressure force to the viscous material 40 in the container 10. The follower plate 30 has a plurality of concentrically arranged segments 31, 32, 33. The concentrically arranged segments 31, 32, 33 are movably coupled to one another. The segments 31, 32, 33 form a flush follower plate 30. The air supply device 37 is configured solely to supply air to the container 10.The air supply device 37 and the conveying device 20 extend through the follower plate 30. The air supply device 37 and the conveying device 20 are flush with the follower plate 30.

[0033] Optionally, the subsequent plate 30 can have at least three concentrically arranged, movably coupled segments 31, 32, 33.

[0034] Optionally, the follower plate 30 can have a first segment 31, a second segment 32, and a third segment 33, wherein the first segment 31 is movably coupled in the axial direction to a first side wall with the air supply device 37 and / or with the conveying device 20 and is coupled to the second segment 32 with a second side wall, wherein the second segment 32 is movably coupled in the axial direction to a first side wall with the first segment 31 and is coupled to the third segment 33 with a second side wall, and wherein the third segment 33 is movably coupled in the axial direction to a first side wall with the second segment 32.

[0035] Optionally, segments 31, 32, 33 can have a ring shape, in particular a ring shape with a uniform width.

[0036] Optionally, the air supply device 37 can have a check valve.

[0037] Optionally, the conveying device 20 may have a valve, in particular a check valve.

[0038] Optionally, the air supply device 37 can be arranged inside or on the conveying device 20.

[0039] Optionally, the follower plate 30 can have at least one sealing element 35. The sealing element 35 is arranged on at least one side of the follower plate 30. The side of the sealing element 35 is the side that is closest to, or has the smallest distance from, the side wall of the container 50. The sealing element 35 has a sealing element retaining recess and a sealing element rubber arranged in the sealing element retaining recess. The sealing element rubber is in direct contact both with the sealing element retaining recess and with the side wall of the container 50.

[0040] Optionally, container 50 is a barrel with a hollow cylindrical side wall, a base plate and an opening opposite the base plate.

[0041] Optionally, the diameter of the follower plate 20 is smaller than the inner diameter of the container 50.

[0042] With the device according to the invention, it is possible to pump a fluid, in particular a liquid, from a first supply storage device, e.g., a drum, at a first pressure, particularly low pressure, and thus provide the fluid to at least one application system, which may have further pumping devices or pumps to supply the fluid to the product at a different pressure, e.g., high pressure, via an applicator. This allows one supply storage device or reservoir to supply several application systems with the same fluid in parallel. Furthermore, the device according to the invention, occasionally also referred to as a drum pump, can supply several cells, i.e., several application systems. A further advantage of the solution according to the invention is the extended operating time of the drum pump compared to previously known pressure pump systems.

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