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 element (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 vibration device (31) configured to provide a vibration of 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, in particular a scoop pump, which has a high pneumatic drive power. Such pumps must have high pneumatic drive power to be able to pump viscous materials at all. In addition, viscous materials tend to form material bridges or stubborn deposits on the container walls due to their viscosity, which further reduces the flowability of the viscous material. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide devices for conveying a viscous material from a container which, through a simplified design and lower pneumatic drive power, have reduced maintenance requirements and susceptibility to malfunctions. In addition, a device is provided which reliably prevents the formation of material bridges or stuck deposits on the container walls, thereby further improving the flowability of the viscous material.

[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 element for conveying the viscous material out of the container, and a follower plate for providing a pressure force on the viscous material in the container, wherein the follower plate has a vibration device which is configured to provide vibration of the follower plate.

[0007] The term "viscous material" here represents any fluids in a liquid or gaseous state.

[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 element" 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 element may be made of metal or plastic, but is not limited to this. The conveying element has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the inner diameter being smaller than the outer diameter. The conveying element has an outer and an inner surface, both of which are surface areas. The conveying element may be inserted into the container through the opening. The conveying element may extend through the follower plate. The conveying element may be flush with the follower plate, meaning it does not protrude beyond the follower plate, particularly its underside. Additionally, the conveying element may extend through the follower plate.Alternatively, the conveying element can extend through at least one side wall or bottom plate of the container. A gap can be present between the conveying element and the bottom of the container to allow the viscous material to be fed from the container into the conveying element by the movement of the follower plate. A vacuum unit can be attached to the conveying element, configured to release any air present within the conveying element and to assist the conveying of the viscous material through the vacuum. An additional advantage of the vacuum unit is that the viscous material is conveyed to the applicator with minimal air exposure, thus ensuring a continuous material flow. The conveying element can be a conveying tube, but is not limited to this.

[0010] 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 can be in direct contact with the viscous material. The follower plate can be made of the same or a different material as the conveying element. The follower plate can have a first recess that extends completely or at least partially into the follower plate. The vibrating device can be arranged within the first recess. The first recess can be completely or at least partially surrounded by the follower plate. The first recess can have the same shape, i.e., spatial dimensions, as the vibrating device. The follower plate can have a second recess through which the conveying element extends. The second recess can extend completely through the follower plate.The recess extends from a first side, in particular the top, to a second side opposite the first side, in particular the bottom (the side that can be in direct contact with the viscous material). The recess can have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this. The subsequent plate can have the same shape as the internal volume or a cross-section of the internal volume of the container. The subsequent plate can have at least one side surface, the side surface being opposite the recess. The side surface of the subsequent plate can have a sealing element.

[0011] The term "vibration device" represents any device configured to vibrate the follower plate and the viscous material in contact with it, or to provide vibration of the follower plate and the viscous material in contact with it. The vibration device may be located within, for example in, the first recess, or on the top surface of the follower plate, but is not limited to this. The vibration device may be, but is not limited to, a vibratory motor, an unbalanced motor, a vibrator (e.g., a concrete vibrator), or a compactor (e.g., a concrete compactor).

[0012] Using a vibration device on or in the follower plate can further facilitate the immersion of the follower plate into the container itself and into the surface of the viscous material. Additionally, the vibration can also more easily overcome adhesive forces when extending or withdrawing the follower plate from the container.

[0013] Additionally, the follower plate can have one or a plurality, i.e., at least two, through-holes, with a valve located within each through-hole. The valves are configured to operate in a pressure mode, i.e., when the follower plate is screwed into the container and exerts a pressure force on the viscous material, and in a non-pressure mode, i.e., when the follower plate is screwed out of the container and exerts no pressure force on the viscous material. In the pressure mode, the valves are configured to allow air trapped between the follower plate and the viscous material in the container to escape. In the non-pressure mode, the valves are configured to allow air from the outside to flow in between the follower plate and the bottom of the container, thus equalizing any negative pressure and allowing the follower plate to be screwed out again.Alternatively or additionally, a semipermeable film can be used that allows air to pass through but not material. The valve can be positioned in a through-hole extending through the subsequent plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vibration device is a vibration motor, an unbalanced motor, a vibrator or a compressor.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the vibration device is arranged inside the follower plate or on a top side of the follower plate.

[0016] By arranging the vibration device inside or on the top side, i.e., the side opposite the side in contact with the viscous material, the durability of the vibration device can be increased.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the conveying element is a conveying tube which extends through a wall of the container, or which extends through the follower plate and into the container, in particular into the viscous material in the container.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the follower plate has at least one sealing element.

[0019] 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 element, 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 element. 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 element and / or the follower plate.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The sealing element reliably prevents the viscous material from escaping / flowing past the inner surface of the container's side wall.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the container is a barrel.

[0023] The term "barrel" here represents a container that has a cylindrical shape with a single side wall and a bottom plate.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the follower plate is smaller than the inner diameter of the container.

[0025] 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

[0026] 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. Detailed description

[0027] Fig.Figure 1 shows a device for conveying a viscous material from a container. The device 100 for conveying a viscous material 40 from a container 10 comprises a container 10 in which the viscous material 40 is arranged, a conveying element 20 for conveying the viscous material 40 out of the container 10, and a follower plate 30 for applying a pressure force to the viscous material 40 in the container 10. The follower plate 30 has a vibrating device 31. The vibrating device 31 is configured to provide vibration to the follower plate 30. The vibrating device 31 is arranged on the top of the follower plate 30. The conveying element 20 is a conveying tube that extends through the follower plate 30. A valve, in particular a check valve, may be arranged within the conveying element.

[0028] Alternatively, the vibration device 31 is arranged within the follower plate 30.

[0029] Alternatively, the conveying element 20 is a conveying tube which extends through the follower plate 30 and into the container 10, in particular into the viscous material 40 in the container 10.

[0030] Optionally, the subsequent plate 30 has at least one sealing element 32.

[0031] Optionally, container 10 is a barrel with a hollow cylindrical side wall, a base plate and an opening opposite the base plate.

[0032] Optionally, the diameter of the follower plate 30 is smaller than the inner diameter of the container 10.

[0033] Optionally, the follower plate 30 has, in particular, a through-hole 34 arranged in the follower plate 30. The through-hole 34 extends from a top surface of the follower plate to a bottom surface opposite the top surface. A valve 35 is arranged inside the through-hole, which is configured to allow air trapped between the follower plate and the viscous material in the container to escape in a pressure mode, i.e., when the follower plate is inserted or screwed into the container and exerts a pressure force on the viscous material; and in a non-pressure mode, i.e., when the follower plate is screwed out of the container and no pressure force is exerted on the viscous material, to allow air from the outside to flow in between the follower plate and the bottom of the container so that any negative pressure is equalized and the follower plate can be screwed out again.

[0034] 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.

Claims

[1] Device (100) for conveying a viscous material (40) from a container (10), comprising: a container (10) in which the viscous material (40) is present; a conveying element (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 vibration device (31) configured to provide vibration of the follower plate (30). [2] Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device (31) is a vibration motor, an unbalanced motor, a vibrator or a compressor. [3] Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibration device (31) is arranged within the follower plate (30) or on a top side of the follower plate, and / or wherein the conveying element (20) has a conveying tube extending through a wall of the container (10), or extending through the follower plate (30) and into the container (10), in particular into the viscous material (40) in the container (10); and / or wherein the follower plate (30) has at least one sealing element (32), and / or wherein the container (10) is a barrel, and / or where the diameter of the follower plate (30) is smaller than the inner diameter of the container (10).

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