SILO WITH A RIGID FITTING AND A FLEXIBLE BAG FOR STORING BULK GOODS

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention is in the field of bulk material storage.

[0002] It refers more specifically to a silo with a rigid frame, in particular metallic, which is also described as a metallic structure, to which is attached a large capacity bag made of flexible canvas, used for storing a bulk material such as flour, sugar, salt, granulated products, lactose, etc. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Silos of the type mentioned above are widely used today in industry, and particularly in the food industry.

[0004] To the figure 1 The attached diagram schematically represents in perspective a silo conforming to the invention.

[0005] This silo has a very similar appearance to that of state-of-the-art silos, a description of which is given below.

[0006] Such a silo 1 is essentially formed of a rigid structure or frame 2 and a flexible canvas bag 3 for storing bulk material.

[0007] In the example shown here, the rigid framework 2, preferably metallic, comprises four corner posts 20 which delimit a regular quadrilateral, as well as four intermediate pillars 21 which extend halfway between a pair of posts 20. These intermediate pillars are shorter than the posts 20 and at their lower end is fixed a pair of "braces", i.e. tubes arranged at an angle, which are themselves fixed to a corresponding post 20.

[0008] Furthermore, the rigid frame 2 comprises a set of horizontal crossbeams 22 which are fixed to two neighboring posts 20.

[0009] Pocket 3 is made of flexible canvas. If the material to be stored is used in the food sector, a material that complies with current legislation on this matter will of course be chosen.

[0010] As a simple example, one can use a high-strength, antistatic polyester fabric approved for the food industry.

[0011] As can be seen in the figure 1 , the upper part 30 of the pocket 3 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, while its lower part 31 is convergent towards the center of the frame 2, thus forming a chute for the discharge of the stored material.

[0012] Of course, pocket 3 is attached to frame 2.

[0013] To do this and as shown very schematically in the figure, pocket 3 is provided with panels 32 of canvas, which are attached to it for example by sewing.

[0014] Each panel 32 has a closed end in a loop 320 which gives it the appearance of a "loop" such as that which has a curtain for the installation of a rod.

[0015] During the assembly of silo 1, the majority of the crossbeams 22 are individually engaged in the loop 320 of a panel 32 before being fixed to the posts 20.

[0016] Such an arrangement generally gives satisfactory results.

[0017] However, it suffers from certain drawbacks, particularly when pocket 3 needs to be disassembled, for example to replace it with a new one.

[0018] Indeed, in such a case, it is necessary to dismantle each cross member 22 one by one and extract it from the loop 320 of the associated panel 32, so as to "free" the pocket 3.

[0019] It is easy to understand that such manipulations increase the risk of falling sleepers, with a possible physical consequence for operators who are near the silo.

[0020] Moreover, it is a tedious job, as the crossbeams are heavy loads that need to be slid into each loop.

[0021] One objective of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks while keeping substantially unchanged the current structure of the silos described above.

[0022] Documents JP2008222276, DE3720771 and JPS57114692 illustrate a technological background to the invention. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] To this end, the invention relates to a bulk material storage silo comprising a rigid frame and a flexible fabric storage bag for said bulk material. The rigid frame comprises at least four vertical corner posts and a plurality of horizontal crossbeams attached to two adjacent posts. The bag has, on its outer face, panels of flexible fabric, each shaped to cooperate with at least some of said crossbeams, so as to allow the bag to be attached to the rigid frame. The bag also comprises, at least for some of said crossbeams, a pair of flexible fabric panels, each panel partially encircling one of the crossbeams.

[0024] This silo is characterized by the fact that the free end of the sides of each pair of sides is shaped into a closed loop which forms a "pass", the passes of said sides having cutouts forming notches arranged alternately in a staggered pattern, a bar being engaged alternately in the pass of one side and in the pass of the other side and so on, thus retaining said sides.

[0025] Thanks to these features of the invention, the risk of falling crossbeams is eliminated since they remain in place and this results in a significant reduction in the carrying of heavy loads because there are no more crossbeams to slide in the aforementioned loops.

[0026] Furthermore, there is a saving of time, both in assembly and disassembly.

[0027] Furthermore, the change of canvas can be implemented by the employees of the company that is equipped with the silo, without necessarily involving the manufacturer of said silo.

[0028] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the invention, taken alone or in a technically compatible combination of at least two of them: said bar has, near its opposite ends, stop-forming elements which prevent the movement of said panels relative to said bar; said stop-forming elements are in the form of rings engaged on said bar; said pocket has, at least for some of said crossbars, a pair of flexible canvas panels whose free end is shaped into a closed loop which forms a "loop", each panel partially encircling a crossbar, two bars being respectively engaged, one in a first loop and the other in the second loop, at least one retaining element being engaged on said two bars in order to maintain their mutual spacing constant; said first and second loops have opposite cutouts forming notches and said at least one retaining element is engaged on said bars, at the level of at least one of these notches;said at least one restraint device is a piece provided with two openings of a shape complementary to that of the cross-section of said bars, the mutual spacing of which is, apart from play, equal to that of said bars, so as to be able to be engaged along the latter by a sliding movement; said pair of flexible panels is formed of a single piece, fixed to said pouch in an intermediate zone located between said loop-shaped ends. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which will now be given, with reference to the attached drawings, which represent, by way of indication but not limitation, one possible embodiment.

[0030] In these drawings: There figure 1 is, as already indicated above, a perspective view of a silo conforming to the present invention; The figure 2 is, as already indicated above, a diagram intended to illustrate, according to prior art, how the canvas of a silo is attached to its rigid frame; The figure 3A is a partial and perspective view of the silo of the figure 1 which shows early methods of attaching the canvas to certain crossbeams of the rigid frame; The figure 3B is a perspective view of the first means mentioned above; The figure 4 is a partial and perspective view of the silo of the figure 1 which shows other ways of attaching the canvas to other crossbars of the rigid frame; The figure 5 is a perspective view of the other means mentioned above; The figure 6 is a simplified and perspective view of a section of canvas used for attaching crossbars. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] As mentioned above, the figure 1 represents an embodiment of a silo according to the invention.

[0032] What was previously stated regarding frame 2 and pocket 3 remains valid here.

[0033] Moreover, just as in the earlier silo 1, pocket 3 is provided, on its outer face, with panels of flexible canvas, each shaped to cooperate with at least some of the crossbeams 22 of the frame 2.

[0034] In this case, in the example shown here, it refers to the crossbeams 22 which encircle the upper part 30 of the pocket 3, with the exception of those located around the base of this upper part.

[0035] But it is entirely possible to envision all the crossbeams being equipped with such panels.

[0036] These sections are referenced as 33 and 34 on the figures 1 And 3A . The material from which they are made is preferably the same as that of pocket 3 and they are advantageously sewn to the latter in order to make them joined together.

[0037] As can be seen in the attached figures, each panel 33 and 34 is configured to only partially encircle the cross member 22 to which they are associated.

[0038] The free end of each panel 33 and 34 has the shape of a closed loop 330, respectively 340 which gives them the shape of a loop.

[0039] Furthermore, each loop, that is to say each loop 330 and 340, has cutouts 331 and 341 respectively, which form as many notches. These notches are arranged alternately in a staggered pattern, so that, as particularly visible to the figure 3 The passers-by can, in a way, intertwine with one another. In this way, a single passer-by is, in a sense, reconstituted.

[0040] In accordance with the invention, a bar 4 (see figure 3B ) is engaged alternately in the loop of one panel 33 and in the loop of the other panel 34 and so on, so that the pair of panels is held in place and secured by said bar 4. Of course, the dimensions of the latter are chosen so that it can be inserted into the loops of the two panels 33 and 34 and protrude slightly on either side of them.

[0041] In order to obtain a stable assembly and to prevent the bar 4 from sliding relative to the faces 33 and 34, it is advantageous to use stop elements.

[0042] In the example shown here, these are anti-slip rings 40, made of plastic, press-fitted onto the opposite ends of the bar 4. These rings are particularly visible at the figure 3B .

[0043] The installation of bars 4 is advantageously carried out in the following manner.

[0044] We begin at the highest level of the reinforcement 2. For each of the cross members 22 that form each "face" of the reinforcement, we grasp the sections 33 and 34 so that one 33 is positioned above the cross member 22 and the other 34 below the same cross member. We then grasp a bar 4 and insert it into the loop of one section, then into the loop of the other, and so on. When this operation is complete, we engage the rings 40 on the ends of the bar 4.

[0045] The operation just described is repeated for each crossbeam of the same level, then for each crossbeam of a lower level.

[0046] It is easy to understand that when the silo receives bulk material, the strongest stresses are exerted in the intermediate part of the pocket 3, that is to say where the upper part 30 and lower part 31 connect.

[0047] It can therefore be useful, or even essential, to reinforce the connection between the frame 2 and the pocket 3.

[0048] This can be achieved in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 et 5 .

[0049] As in the embodiment described above, we are also dealing here with a pair of canvas panels 35 and 36 whose free end is shaped into a closed loop 350, respectively 360 which forms a "loop", each panel partially encircling a crossbar 22.

[0050] Furthermore, each loop, that is, each loop 350 and 360, has cutouts 351 and 361 respectively, which form notches. Compared to those of panels 33 and 34, these notches are narrower and opposite each other. In other words, the notches 351 of panel 35 face the notches 361 of panel 36.

[0051] In the example shown, there are three pairs of notches, but this number can be significantly higher, especially if the size of silo 1 is particularly large.

[0052] As shown by figures 4 et 5 , each loop 350 and 360 receives respectively a tubular bar 5, respectively 6.

[0053] More specifically, their implementation can be carried out in the following manner.

[0054] Initially, the bars 5 and 6 are "pre-assembled" by sliding a first restraint device 7 along them.

[0055] In this case, it is a flat piece, preferably metallic, which has two identical openings 70 of complementary shape to that of the cross section of bars 5 and 6 and whose mutual spacing is, within play, equal to that of these bars when the panels 35 and 36 are stretched to the maximum on either side of the cross member 22.

[0056] This component is positioned in the immediate vicinity of one end of bars 5 and 6 (see right-hand side of the figure 5 ) and blocked by the installation of rings 4 of the same type as that described above.

[0057] The pre-assembled pair of bars 5 and 6 is then inserted into loops 350 and 360 until the free end of the bars, i.e., the end opposite the first component 7, is flush with the level of the corresponding notches 351 and 361. The space created by these notches is used to insert a second restraint component 7 onto bars 5 and 6.

[0058] This operation is repeated at the level of the following notches.

[0059] Finally, when the free end of bars 5 and 6 protrudes from the sides 35 and 36, a final component 7 is put in place, along with two rings 4.

[0060] In this way, it is impossible for the bars to move apart from each other, which strengthens the connection of pocket 3 to reinforcement 2.

[0061] As illustrated in the figure 6 Panels 35 and 6 can be formed from a single piece 8 of canvas, which is attached to pocket 3, notably by sewing. The same can be true for panels 33 and 34.

[0062] The main advantages conferred by the invention are listed below: Secure assembly / disassembly of the silo; Halved downtime for maintenance and cleaning; Autonomous maintenance operations for industrial teams; Potential for modernization of existing silos; Simple and quick assembly allowing for more frequent cleaning; Significantly improved working conditions for teams thanks to the elimination of heavy lifting and handling of cantilevered crossbeams; Less handling and less stress during installation and maintenance; With intervention time halved, silo installation requires less handling and lifting equipment, resulting in energy savings.

Claims

1. A silo (1) for storing bulk material, comprising a rigid frame (2) and a flexible fabric pouch (3) for storing said bulk material, said rigid frame (2) comprising at least four vertical corner posts (20) and a plurality of horizontal crossbeams (22) which are fixed to two adjacent posts (20), said pouch (3) comprising, on its outer face, flexible fabric panels, each shaped to cooperate with at least some of said crossbeams (22) so as to enable said pocket (3) to be attached to said rigid frame (2), as well as, at least for some of said crossbeams (22), a pair of flexible fabric panels (33, 34), each panel (33, 34) partially encircling a crossbeam (22), characterized by the fact that the free end of the panels of each pair of flexible fabric panels (33, 34) is shaped into a closed loop (330, 340) which forms a "passerby", the loops of said flaps (33, 4) having cutouts (331, 341) forming notches arranged alternately in a staggered pattern, a bar (4) being alternately engaged in the loop of one panel (33) and in the loop of the other panel (33, 34) and so on, thereby retaining said panels (33, 34).

2. The silo (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said bar (4) comprises, near its opposite ends, members (40) forming stops which prevent the movement of said panels (33, 34) relative to said bar (4).

3. The silo (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said members (40) forming stops are in the form of rings engaged on said bar (40).

4. The silo (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pouch (3) comprises, at least for some of said crossbeams (22), a pair of flexible fabric panels (35, 36) whose free end is shaped into a closed loop (350, 360) that forms a "passerby", each panel (35, 36) partially encircling a crossbeam (22), two bars (5, 6) being respectively engaged the one in a first loop and the other in the second loop, at least one retaining member (7) being engaged on said two bars (5, 6) in order to maintain their mutual spacing constant.

5. The silo (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first and second loops comprise opposing cutouts (351, 361) forming notches, and said at least one retaining member (7) is engaged on said bars (5, 6) at the level of at least one of these cutouts (351, 361).

6. The silo (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one retaining member (7) is a part provided with two openings (70) of a shape complementary to that of the cross section of said bars (5, 6), whose mutual spacing is, apart from clearance, equal to that of said bars (5, 6), so that it can be engaged along the latter by a sliding movement.

7. The silo (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pair of flexible panels (33, 34, 35, 36) is formed from a one single piece, fixed to said pouch (3) in an intermediate zone located between said loop-shaped ends (330, 340, 350, 360).