Removal device for removing an inner liner from a container

Abstract

Removal device (10), designed for removing an at least partially emptied liner (18) from a container (20), characterized in that the removal device (10) comprises a support frame (12), - on which a winch (14) for a pulling element (16) is arranged, which can be detachably attached to the liner (18) for removal, and - which has a holding area (22) which is adjacent to the outer container (20) during the removal of the inliner (18) and thereby defines a relative position of outer container (20) and support frame (12) to each other, while the pulling element (16) which can be moved by the winch (14) is movable relative to the outer container (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a removal device for removing an at least partially emptied liner (from a container, such as a transport container, with the features of claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Transport containers for liquid or pasty goods are made of liquid-tight plastic bodies, which are usually blow-molded. For transport, such containers are placed upright on a pallet within a cage or sheet metal casing. Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are used in industry and commerce as an extremely economical and cost-effective means of transporting liquids and, for example, pasty goods. They consist of a sturdy cage into which a blow-molded plastic tank, equipped with at least one, and usually several, filling and emptying fittings, is inserted. These transport containers typically have volumes of 500 or 1000 liters up to 1800 liters or even more. However, within the scope of the invention, the term "transport container" also includes other transport containers, such as...Transport containers for use in other tank and transport areas, which may, for example, be made of stainless steel. In principle, a transport container made of other materials can also be used according to the invention.

[0003] IBC transport containers are filled with products such as paints, pastes, acids, alkalis, oils and other products from the chemical, food-producing, medical and / or pharmaceutical industries for transport to the users.

[0004] It is also known to provide a thin-walled, flexible, and, for example, essentially tubular film as an inner liner within such a transport container. Such inner liners are hereinafter referred to as "liners".

[0005] Without an inner liner, it is usually necessary to thoroughly clean such a transport container after it has been emptied. This is done manually with pressure washers and steam jets or with appropriate automatic cleaning systems. Depending on the requirements, this process generates a large quantity of cleaning and washing fluid, which must be treated and disposed of. This cleaning process and the disposal of the washing fluids are very complex and costly and are subject to strict regulations, which are also constantly being tightened.

[0006] Instead of cleaning the transport container, it can be fitted with liners that are flexible and form a tight inner lining. These liners can be removed and recycled after use, or, if sufficiently contaminated, thermally recycled. Due to the high energy content of the plastics, this thermal recycling is recommended.

[0007] From DE 20 2020 102 645 U1, which forms the basis of the preamble of claim 1, an application aid for an liner is known. The liner is designed and suitable for insertion into a transport container and for receiving filling material such as liquid or pasty materials within the transport container. The application aid comprises a suction fixing device for releasably fixing the liner to a container wall or base of the transport container. After the liner has been emptied, the suction fixing device can also be removed from the transport container. After the liquids have been removed, the emptied and thus contaminated liner must be pulled out of the container to replace it with a new one. While it is possible to remove the liner from the container manually, this is very laborious.

[0008] From DE 20 2014 105 594 U1, an inner liner for insertion through an opening of a transport container is known. The liner comprises a filling adapter and a drain adapter, which can be attached to the filling and drain openings of the transport container. The adapters and liner form a prefabricated unit. They are attached to the transport container using connection elements provided on the container, where the adapters are threaded over the corresponding threads and then clamped to the end caps or the drain valve.

[0009] In principle, it would be possible to pull the liner out of the outer container using a lifting device. However, since the liner may become stuck due to its contents, such as residual filling material or insertion aids, alternative solutions are necessary. This is especially true if devices are used to insert the liner into the outer container that ensure it can be opened, as these devices must also be removed from the outer container after emptying, even if they are located inside the liner. Summary of the invention

[0010] Based on this prior art, the present invention aims to provide a removal device for removing an inliner from a container, which ensures safe removal of the inliner and simultaneously facilitates removal.

[0011] This problem is solved by a extraction device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. The features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful way and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and by details from the figures, whereby further embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0012] The removal device is designed to extract a partially or completely emptied liner from a container and transfer it for further use or recycling. The removal device comprises a support frame on which a winch is mounted as an extension mechanism for a pulling element that can be detachably attached to the liner for removal. The support frame also includes a holding area that is adjacent to the container during removal of the liner, thus defining the relative position of the container and support frame, while the pulling element, which is movable by the winch, remains movable relative to the container. This advantageously allows the liner to be pulled out of the container by means of the pulling element while the container remains in place.By ensuring the relative position of the outer container and the support frame, the outer container is held in place when the liner is removed, even if the liner resists removal. This also advantageously ensures safe operation, as it prevents uncontrolled movement of the outer container and / or removal device.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the support frame is supported on the outer container by its holding area. Since the support frame itself is thus supported on the outer container, the latter advantageously remains stable on the ground and is not lifted. This fixes the relative positions of the outer container and the dispensing device, so that the liner can be removed from the outer container easily and safely. This vertical arrangement also advantageously ensures that no residual liquids escape from the liner.

[0014] In another embodiment, the dispensing device can also be mobile, allowing it to be moved to the respective container. It can then be pushed over the container to remove the liner. This allows for advantageously flexible use of the dispensing device.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to design the dispensing device as a stationary unit. In this case, the dispensing device has a receiving area for alternately receiving a multitude of outer containers fitted with a partially emptied liner. The respective outer containers can then be fed to the dispensing device one after the other, advantageously ensuring that, here too, the receiving area, usually located beneath the dispensing device, maintains a relative position between the outer container and the support frame that advantageously guarantees the safe removal of the liner.

[0016] Preferably, the winch can be designed to wind up the pulling element. A strap, chain, or rope is preferably used as the pulling element, which is operated manually or by motor via the winch. This advantageously allows the user to conveniently operate the pulling element in a simple and safe manner to remove the liner from the container.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the pulling element is guided over at least one pair of pull-off rollers arranged on the support frame. When the liner, removed from the outer container, is pulled through, the liner material, i.e., typically the liner film, can be advantageously compressed, thus forcing out any remaining air from the liner. The empty liner is therefore advantageously compacted and can be disposed of or recycled without requiring a large volume.

[0018] Preferably, the support frame can be designed as a steel or aluminum structure, preferably one that can be disassembled, to advantageously allow for mobile transport. This allows the liner to be removed from the outer container immediately after emptying, so that the outer container can be immediately put to another use.

[0019] Further advantages arise from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. Brief description of the characters

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1, Fig. Two three-dimensional views of a removal device supported on a container, taken from an oblique front view and looking towards the extraction mechanism. Fig. 3, Fig. 4 three-dimensional views of the support frame according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 three-dimensional views according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with a rolling support frame and an inliner taken from the outer container, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 three-dimensional views according to Fig. 5, Fig. 6 with a stationary support frame. Description of preferred embodiments

[0021] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the respective components of the device or the respective process steps, as these components and processes can vary. The terms used here are intended solely to describe particular embodiments and are not used restrictively. Furthermore, where the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description or in the claims, this also refers to the plural of these elements, unless the overall context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0022] The Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show a dispensing device 10 designed for removing an at least partially emptied liner 18 from a container 20 serving as a transport container. Such transport containers are generally designed and suitable for holding liquid or pasty goods and are equipped with the liner 18 for this purpose. The transport container can, for example, consist of a stable box formed by a grid 18, into which the blow-molded plastic transport container, equipped with filling and emptying fittings, is inserted. Such transport containers typically have a volume between 200 and 2,000 liters, preferably between 500 and 1,800 liters. The most common volumes are 500 or 1,000 liters. However, according to the invention, such a transport container can also be made of other materials and, for example, of stainless steel or copper.Such transport containers are also known in technical terminology as Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC containers). For the purposes of this application, such transport containers are referred to as outer containers 20.

[0023] These transport containers are filled with products such as paints, pastes, acids, alkalis, oils, and other goods from the chemical, food processing, medical, and pharmaceutical industries for transport to the end users. The liner serves as the inner lining of the transport container, allowing it to be reused multiple times. When necessary, only the liner needs to be disposed of before transporting a different type of goods in the container.

[0024] The inliner 18 is designed and suitable for receiving liquid or pasty transported goods and is inserted into the transport container through an opening 20a of the transport container 20, which may be provided in the container wall or on the top of the transport container.

[0025] For the removal of the liner 18 from the container 20, the removal device 10 has a support frame 12 which is in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is preferably arranged on the outer container 20 and supported there by a holding area 22. A winch 14, preferably in the form of a manually operated or motor-driven winch, is provided on the removal device for a pulling element 16. For example, a belt, a chain, a rope, or another flexible element can be used as the pulling element 16. The pulling element 16 is guided into the support frame 12 via pulleys 30 and has a hook 28 at its end, which can be detachably attached to the liner 18 in a suitable manner for removal.

[0026] The holding area 22 of the support frame 12 is, at least during the removal of the liner 18, fundamentally adjacent to the outer container 20. In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. This is achieved by the holding area 22 resting on or against the outer container 20. Because this holding area 22 is adjacent to the outer container 20, a relative position of the outer container 20 to the support frame 12 is defined, or more precisely, fixed, so that when the liner 18 is removed, the support frame 12 and the outer container 20 can generally move only minimally, if at all, relative to each other. On the other hand, the pulling element 16, which can be moved by the winch 14, can be moved relative to the outer container 20, which means that the liner 18 can be reliably and safely removed from the outer container 20, even if it resists removal.

[0027] As explained, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The support frame 12 is supported on the container in the holding area 22. This is a preferred way of arranging and fixing the support frame 12 to the container 20.

[0028] The Fig. Figures 5 to 8 show two further embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 5 and Fig. The extraction device 10 is designed to be mobile. For this purpose, it extends over the container 20 to the ground and has rollers 32. This allows the extraction device 10 to be moved over the container 20. If the container 20 is on a work surface, the extraction device 10 is moved towards the container 20 and slid over it, so that the relative position of the container 20 and the support frame 12 is restored, allowing the liner 18 to be removed from the opening 20a of the container 20 as described above.

[0029] In the Fig. 7 and Fig. In the further embodiment shown in Figure 8, a different approach is taken. There, the dispensing device 10 is stationary, and the containers 20 to be emptied can be fed to the dispensing device 10. This can be done, for example, by conventional industrial trucks. For this purpose, the support frame 12 of the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 First, a base plate 12a is provided, which allows the support frame 12 to be fixed in place. Furthermore, a receiving area 24 is provided below the holding area 22 or the cross braces 22a provided for this purpose, which is intended for receiving the liner 18 to be emptied. In other words, the receiving area 24 is designed to alternately receive a plurality of containers 20, preferably equipped with a partially emptied liner 18.

[0030] The common feature of the embodiments is that the winch 14 is designed to wind up the tensioning element 16. The tensioning element 16 can be guided either over the deflection pulley 30 or through a pair of discharge rollers 26. As the tensioning element 16 is pulled through the discharge rollers, the liner 18 eventually also passes through the discharge rollers 26. There, the liner 18, i.e., in particular the film of the liner 18, is compressed, and any remaining air can escape from the liner 18. For this purpose, a slit can be made in the liner if necessary. This compacts the empty liner, allowing it to be conveniently disposed of or recycled without taking up much space. Any remaining air can be completely drained from the liner by cutting it open over a suitable container.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the support frame 12 consists of a steel or aluminum structure. This is preferably designed to be demountable for quick and easy assembly and disassembly, so that it can also be transported to the operating area of ​​the outer container 20 if necessary. When the liner 18 is emptied, it can be removed immediately after emptying, allowing a new liner to be inserted and the outer container 20 to be immediately available for further use.

[0032] To remove the liner 18 from the container 20, a hook 28 is attached to the end of the pulling element 16. The filling neck 18a of the liner 18 can be secured to this hook by looping it around the hook. However, other methods exist for securing the liner 18 to the hook 28, such as loops or shackles. By operating the winch 14 and simultaneously pulling on the pulling element, the liner 18 is pulled out of the container 20. After the liner 18 has been removed from the container 20, the loop around the liner is released by loosening the hook 28, and the liner can then be removed from the dispensing device 10 and disposed of further.

[0033] Because the support frame 12 rests on the outer container 20, which in the exemplary embodiment is achieved by the cross braces 22a, the outer container remains stable on the ground and is not lifted when the liner 18 is removed from the outer container 20. Reference symbol list 10 Sampling device 12 support frame 12a Base plate 14 winds 16 Pull element 18 inline skaters 18a Filling neck 20 outer containers 20a Opening 22 Holding area 22a Cross braces 24 recording area 26 pairs of take-off rollers 28 hooks 30 pulley 32 rolls QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2020 102 645 U1

[0007] DE 20 2014 105 594 U1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Dispensing device (10), designed for the removal of an at least partially emptied liner (18) from a container (20), characterized by , that the extraction device (10) includes a support frame (12), - on which a winch (14) for a pulling element (16) is arranged, which can be detachably attached to the liner (18) for removal of the liner, and - which has a holding area (22) which is adjacent to the outer container (20) during the removal of the inliner (18) and thereby defines a relative position of outer container (20) and support frame (12) to each other, while the pulling element (16) which can be moved by the winch (14) is movable relative to the outer container (20). [2] Extraction device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the support frame (12) is supported on the container (20) in the holding area (22). [3] Extraction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the extraction device (10) is designed to be mobile and is equipped for mobile transfer over a container (20). [4] Extraction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the extraction device (10) is stationary and has a receiving area (24) for the alternating receipt of a large number of containers (20) equipped with a partially emptied liner (18). [5] Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the winch (14) is designed to wind up the tension element (16). [6] Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pulling element (16) is guided over at least one pair of take-off rollers (26) arranged on the support frame (12), which can be used to compact the inliner (18). [7] Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the support frame is designed as a preferably demountable steel or aluminium frame.

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