Device, method and dividing element for this method and for this device for removing a pumpable medium from a container

Abstract

A device for removing a pumpable medium (6), in particular a liquid or paste, from the container (5) with a follower plate (8) which has at least one ventilating opening (8a) for drawing off gas (7), in particular air, between the pumpable medium (6) and the follower plate (8), and at least one intake opening (14) for sucking in the pumpable medium (6), and with a dividing element (1) which is arranged on the follower plate (8). The dividing element (1) has a gas-permeable main body (2) and an opening (3) for removing the pumpable medium, wherein the main body has a membrane which is semi-permeable for gas. The invention also discloses the corresponding method for removing a pumpable medium and the dividing element which is necessary for this purpose.

Description

[0001] Device, method and separating element for this method and for this device for removing a pumpable medium from a container

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a device and a separating element, in particular in the form of a flexible sheet-like structure, for this device for removing a pumpable medium, in particular a liquid or paste, from a container, in particular a barrel, with a base body which is at least partially gas-permeable for venting before and / or during the removal of the pumpable medium from the container with the device, and with at least one opening for removing the pumpable medium from the container with the device.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] To prevent air pockets before and / or during the removal of a pumpable medium, namely a paste, DE102005049805B4 proposes the use of a separating element in the form of a sieve plate. This sieve plate has a base body with sieve openings, making it partially permeable to gas. Furthermore, this base body is provided with a central opening that completely penetrates the base body. This opening allows the device to remove the pumpable medium from the container.

[0006] The disadvantage, however, is that the sieve plate fills with the pumpable medium relatively quickly – which is particularly problematic when viscous or highly viscous media, such as pastes, must be removed from a container. Such media are known to have a relatively high surface waviness, which leads to the sieve plate filling unevenly across the contact surface with the medium and hinders venting between the medium and the sieve plate. Therefore, a high degree of medium contaminated with gas, namely air, must be expected during removal. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention therefore has the object of improving a separating element of the type described at the outset in such a way that it can ensure reliable venting for the removal of the pumpable medium, regardless of the type of pumpable medium.

[0008] The invention solves the problem by the features of claim 1.

[0009] If the base body has a membrane semi-permeable to gas, especially air, it can be ensured, in contrast to the prior art, that the functionality of the separating element for venting is maintained regardless of the size of the contact surface with the medium. The medium cannot penetrate into the space provided for venting behind the membrane of the separating element and thus disrupt the venting. This makes it possible to vent even containers containing viscous and / or highly viscous media, such as pastes, which are known to have high surface waviness, securely via the separating element. The semi-permeable membrane guarantees controlled venting across the entire contact surface with the medium. This advantageously keeps the amount of gas-contaminated medium low or prevents this contamination entirely if this medium is removed from the container via the opening of the separating element using the device.

[0010] The separating element according to the invention can therefore lead to considerable cost savings when emptying the container.

[0011] This cost savings is particularly achievable when the separating element is designed as a flexible sheet. This allows, for example, flexible adaptation to the surface contour of the pumpable medium during application, reducing the venting effort compared to rigid separating elements. The semipermeable membrane is preferably made of a polymer, allowing it to flexibly follow a wide variety of surface undulations, for example. Furthermore, such a polymer membrane can further reduce the costs of the separating element and, thanks to its flexibility, ensure damage-free operation.

[0012] This is especially true if the semipermeable membrane is a flat membrane. For example, the membrane is a foil.

[0013] For example, the membrane is a polymer film. The polymer film is open-pored. The polymer film can be made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example.

[0014] The semipermeable membrane preferably has pores. For example, the semipermeable membrane has a pore diameter of 100 pm (micrometers) or less. In particular, a pore diameter of 1 pm (micrometer) or less can ensure sufficient separation between air and silicone as a pumpable medium. For silicone as a pumpable medium, for example, a pore diameter of 0.6 pm or less may be sufficient. This allows the semipermeable membrane to retain the silicone due to its open porosity while allowing gas to pass through.

[0015] For example, the semipermeable membrane has a pore diameter in the range of 1 mm (millimeter) to 0.1 pm (micrometer), in particular from 0.6 pm (micrometer) to 0.1 pm (micrometer).

[0016] It is also conceivable - for example in combination with the aforementioned pore diameter - for the semipermeable membrane to have a membrane thickness in the range of 1 to 100 pm (micrometers) in order to be able to meet sufficient mechanical characteristics with comparatively high flexibility. The semipermeable membrane preferably has a membrane thickness in the range of 5 to 25 pm (micrometers). The venting of the separating element can be further improved if the multi-layer base body has an open-pore layer that forms a flat side of the base body. This can, for example, achieve direction-independent transport of the vented gas. This is particularly advantageous if a follower plate is used to press on the separating element and the vented gas is then to be discharged between the separating element and the follower plate.

[0017] The open-pore layer is preferably provided on the semipermeable membrane to allow the gas passing through the membrane to pass through independently of direction and with reduced resistance. The open-pore layer is preferably laminated to the membrane.

[0018] It is conceivable that the open-pore layer is a textile fabric. This textile fabric can have a woven, felt, warp-knitted, or nonwoven structure. A nonwoven structure can be particularly suitable for the transmission of the vented gas with particularly low resistance.

[0019] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the open-pored layer is an open-pored elastic foam in order to facilitate pressing the separating element against the pumpable medium.

[0020] In addition, the open-pored layer can be an open-pored sintered structure, for example made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0021] Alternatively, an open-pore deposition structure is also conceivable.

[0022] The open-pore layer is preferably gas-permeable in the thickness direction and preferably perpendicular to the thickness direction. This further facilitates the direction-independent transport of the vented gas.

[0023] The open-pore layer preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm (millimeters). A layer thickness of 0.4 mm may be sufficient.

[0024] Preferably, the open-pore layer is media-tight on its outer surface, at least in some areas toward the opening, or has a media-tight cover. This prevents the escape of vented gas into the area of ​​the withdrawn pumpable medium, which can further improve venting through the separating element.

[0025] The design of the separating element can be further simplified if the opening is circular.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for handling the separator if the opening is positioned centrally on the base body. This makes the separator particularly suitable for a standardized device with a follower plate for removing a pumpable medium from a drum. Furthermore, a central opening can facilitate handling and storage of the separator.

[0027] For example, the separator can have a circular outer contour to accommodate containers in the shape of drums. This makes it possible, for example, to reduce wrinkling on the separator, which can further improve ventilation.

[0028] Handling can be further simplified if the separator has a visually perceptible marking for alignment, preferably near the edge. This makes centering over the edge of the container to be emptied relatively easy, which can reduce the risk of incorrect venting.

[0029] By providing the marking on the open-pore layer, the correct application and position of the separating element in relation to the medium to be pumped can also be indicated in a user-friendly manner.

[0030] Preferably, the pressure drop across the base body is in the range of 30 Pa (Pascal) to 50,000 Pa (Pascal), measured according to DIN EN ISO 9237:1995-12, to ensure a high degree of venting. For example, the separating element can have a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm to allow for flexible handling.

[0031] The construction can be further simplified if the semipermeable membrane forms the flat side of the base body facing the medium.

[0032] The separating element according to the invention can be particularly useful for a device for withdrawing a pumpable medium from a container with a follower plate. The separating element can be conveniently positioned between the pumpable medium and the follower plate. The pumpable medium can be a liquid or paste, for example, silicone.

[0033] For venting, such a follower plate has at least one vent opening for removing gas, in particular air, between the pumpable medium and the follower plate. This follower plate also has at least one intake opening for sucking in the pumpable medium. The separating element is arranged between the medium and the follower plate such that its base body is connected to the vent opening for removing gas, and its opening is connected to the intake opening for removing the pumpable medium.

[0034] The device can thus remove the pumpable medium from the container in a stable and bubble-free manner - which can further reduce the loss of pumpable medium, for example in newly connected containers.

[0035] The degree of venting can be further increased if the open-pore layer of the separating element faces the follower plate. Furthermore, even if the follower plate is wetted with a pumpable medium, venting can occur via the separating element to the vent opening, further improving the stability of the device for withdrawing pumpable medium—free from contamination with gas, such as air.

[0036] Preferably, the follower plate has an unstructured surface. Additionally or alternatively, the follower plate can have a surface with an average roughness Ra, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4287, in the range of 1.2 pm to 18 pm.

[0037] For example, by ensuring that the diameter of the opening in the base body of the separating element is greater than or equal to the diameter of the follower plate's intake opening, the separating element can be reliably prevented from being sucked into the suction channel to remove the medium. This can also further reduce the risk of contamination of the medium by particles sucked up by the separating element. Furthermore, such a larger opening can allow for greater flexibility in positioning relative to the intake opening, which can further facilitate handling of the separating element and thus the device.

[0038] The outer dimensions of the separating element are preferably larger than the outer dimensions of the follower plate, allowing for easy positioning of the separating element on the container above the medium. For example, the separating element should also be provided with a marking to facilitate its centering on the container. Precise centering ensures, among other things, that no or minimal wetting or contamination of the follower plate with the pumpable medium occurs – which avoids labor-intensive cleaning work on the device.

[0039] In addition, the larger dimensions open up the possibility of clamping the separating element between the container and the follower plate, completely surrounding the follower plate. The follower plate is designed to form a tight seal with the container, clamping the separating element between the follower plate and the container. This allows the separating element to be clamped and applied to the surface of the pumpable medium in a defined manner, ensuring a high degree of deaeration.

[0040] The invention also aims to improve a method for removing a pumpable medium from a container. Preferably, the semipermeable membrane of the separating element faces the medium, thus retaining the medium at the second flat side of the separating element.

[0041] The invention solves the problem by the features of claim 20.

[0042] Since the device according to the invention is used in which a gas, in particular air, located between the pumpable medium and the follower plate is withdrawn via the base body of the separating element for venting, a withdrawal of a pumpable medium with a reduced or no gas content can be ensured.

[0043] Short description of the drawings

[0044] The figures show, for example, the subject matter of the invention in more detail using an exemplary embodiment.

[0045] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a separating element,

[0046] Fig. 2 is a partially sectional view of the separating element shown in Fig. 1,

[0047] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a device with the separating element according to Figs. 1 and 2 and with a container with a pumpable medium and

[0048] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the device according to Fig. 3 during venting of the container.

[0049] Way to implement the invention

[0050] According to Figures 1 and 2, a separating element 1 is shown, which has a gas-permeable base body 2 and an opening 3. This opening 3 completely penetrates the base body 2, as can be seen in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the opening width d of this opening 3 is designed such that a device 4 shown in Fig. 3 can remove a medium 6, namely silicone, which is pumpable at room temperature, from a container 5, namely a barrel, and can suck it in via the suction opening 14 on a follower plate 8. This can be done, for example, by means of a barrel pump of the device 4 (not shown in detail).

[0051] Before or during the removal of the pumpable medium 6, venting takes place to prevent the removed medium 6 from being contaminated with gas 7, namely air. Venting takes place via the gas-permeable base body 2, as shown in Fig. 4. For this purpose, the gas 7 flows out through several vent openings 8a in a follower plate 8 of the device 4.

[0052] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the medium 6 to be extracted exhibits a comparatively high waviness on the surface 6a due to its high viscosity at room temperature. This leads to the separation element 1 not being able to come into full contact with the medium 6 to be extracted, at least initially during venting.

[0053] In order to avoid, according to the invention, contamination of the separating element 1 with the medium 6 on that first flat side 2a of the base body 2 which is opposite the second flat side 2b of the base body 2 facing the medium 6, the base body 2 is specially designed on the flat side 2b facing the medium 6.

[0054] The base body 2 has a semipermeable membrane 9 there, which allows the gas 7 to pass through, but not the pumpable medium 6. For this purpose, the semipermeable membrane 9 has correspondingly designed pores. This keeps the space between the separating element 1 and the follower plate 8 free of the medium 6, ensuring trouble-free venting. According to the invention, the pumpable medium 6 can be removed from the container 5 free of contamination by the gas 7. High flexibility in adapting the separating element 1 to the surface 6a of the medium 6 is achieved by forming the semipermeable membrane 9 from a polymer film.

[0055] In addition, the base body 2 has an open-pore layer 10 on its first flat side 2a. The base body 2 is thus formed in multiple layers, which also results in a flexible and multi-layered separating element 1.

[0056] This open-pore layer 10 represents a gas-permeable textile fabric formed by a gas-permeable nonwoven structure. This nonwoven structure or nonwoven is laminated onto the polymer film or membrane 9.

[0057] The base body 2, consisting of polymer film and nonwoven fabric, is also extremely flexible to handle. Furthermore, the open-pore layer 10 enables direction-independent transport of the gas 7 to be vented from the respective location between the separating element and the pumpable medium 6 to the vent opening 8a. This allows venting even if the follower plate 8 is wetted or contaminated with the medium or another medium.

[0058] The separating element 1 has, as can be seen in Fig. 1, a circular outer contour, which makes it particularly suitable for barrels. Furthermore, the opening 3 is circular and centered on the separating element 1, which further facilitates handling of the separating element 1, particularly in positioning the separating element 1 on the barrel and relative to the follower plate 8, as can be seen in Fig. 3.

[0059] This handling is further facilitated by the separating element 1 having a visual marking 11, preferably in the edge region, for aligning the separating element 1. This marking 11 is provided on the open-pore layer 10, as can be seen in Fig. 2.

[0060] With the help of the marking 11, as can be seen in Fig. 3, it is relatively easy to align the separating element 1 with respect to the edge of the container 5. Furthermore, since the separating element 1 has a section that projects beyond the container 5 on all sides, this handling can be further simplified.

[0061] This also ensures that the separating element 1 is clamped between the follower plate 8 and the container 5. For this purpose, the follower plate 8 is designed with at least one seal 12 that surrounds one end face of the follower plate 8, as can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The separating element 1 is thus clamped all the way around.

[0062] The separating element 1, in the form of a flexible sheet, can thus lie smoothly on the surface of the pumpable medium 5, which facilitates the venting of the container 5. Furthermore, the separating element 1 can be pressed against the container wall, ensuring a tight lateral seal, which keeps the follower plate clean and thus reduces cleaning effort.

[0063] In addition, the separating element 1 has a seal 13 at the central opening 3, which is formed, for example, on the base body 2 when the opening 3 is laser-cut. This prevents vented gas from escaping from the base body 2 toward the intake opening 14 when the pumpable medium 6 is sucked in.

[0064] The separating element 1 shown as an example is designed as a two-layer, flexible sheet with a thickness of 0.4 mm. The semipermeable membrane 9 of the separating element 1 is formed by a polymer film with a membrane thickness of 8 μm and pores with a pore diameter of 0.6 μm. The open-pore polymer film is made of polyethylene (PE).

[0065] The nonwoven fabric (as an open-pore layer 10) forms the second layer of the flexible sheet. The nonwoven fabric is a polymer-based spunbond fabric. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm, specifically 0.4 mm. It is also conceivable, although not shown in more detail, that the separating element has, preferably, wedge-shaped sections in its projecting portion to prevent wrinkling. This can also improve centering.

[0066] In general, it is noted that "in particular" can be translated into English as "more particularly." A feature preceded by "in particular" is to be considered an optional feature that can be omitted and thus does not constitute a limitation, for example, of the claims. The same applies to "vorzugsweise," translated into English as "preferably."

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Separating element, in particular in the form of a flexible sheet-like structure, for a device (4) for removing a pumpable medium (6), in particular a liquid or paste, from a container (5), in particular a barrel, with a base body (2) which is at least partially gas-permeable for venting before and / or during the removal of the pumpable medium (6) from the container (5) using the device (4), and with at least one opening (3) for removing the pumpable medium (6) from the container (5) using the device (4), wherein the opening (3) completely penetrates the base body (2), characterized in that the base body (2) has a membrane (9) which is semi-permeable to gas, in particular air.

2. Separating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the semipermeable membrane (9) consists of a polymer and / or is a flat membrane, in particular a film.

3. Separating element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the semipermeable membrane (9) is a polymer film.

4. Separating element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the semipermeable membrane (9) has a pore diameter of at most 100 pm, in particular of at most 1 pm, for example of at most 0.6 pm, and / or has a membrane thickness in the range from 1 to 100 pm, in particular in the range from 5 to 25 pm.

5. Separating element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the multi-layer base body (2) has an open-pore layer (10) which forms a flat side (2a) of the base body (2) and is provided in particular on the semi-permeable membrane (9).

6. Separating element according to claim 5, characterized in that the open-pored layer (10) is a textile fabric, in particular with a woven, felt, knitted, or nonwoven structure, an open-pored elastic foam, an open-pored sintered structure or an open-pored deposition structure.

7. Separating element according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the open-pored layer (10) is gas-permeable in and / or normal to the thickness direction and / or the open-pored layer (10) has a layer thickness in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm, in particular 0.4 mm.

8. Separating element according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the open-pore layer (10) is media-tight on its outer side at least in regions towards the opening (3) or has a media-tight cover.

9. Separating element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the opening (3) is circular and / or arranged centrally on the base body (2).

10. Separating element according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the separating element (1) has a circular outer contour.

11. Separating element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the separating element (1), preferably in the edge region, has a visually perceptible marking (11) for aligning the separating element (1).

12. Separating element according to claim 5 and 11, characterized in that the marking (11) is provided on the open-pore layer (10).

13. Separating element according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that there is a pressure drop in the range of 30 Pa to 50,000 Pa on the base body (2) and / or that the separating element has a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

14. Separating element according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the semipermeable membrane (9) forms the flat side (2b) of the base body (2) facing the medium (6).

15. Device for removing a pumpable medium (6), in particular a liquid or paste, from a container (5), with a follower plate (8) which has at least one vent opening (8a) for withdrawing gas (7), in particular air, between the pumpable medium (6) and the follower plate (8) and at least one suction opening (14) for sucking in the pumpable medium (6), and with a separating element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, which separating element (1) is arranged on the follower plate (8) and its base body (2) is connected to the vent opening (8a) for withdrawing gas (7) and its opening (3) is connected to the suction opening (14) for sucking in the pumpable medium (6).

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the open-pore layer (10) of the separating element (1) faces the follower plate (8) and / or that the follower plate (8) has an unstructured surface structure and / or a surface with an average roughness in the range of 1.2 to 18 pm.

17. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the opening (3) in the base body (2) of the separating element (1) is greater than or equal to the diameter of the suction opening (14) of the follower plate (8) and / or that the outer dimension of the separating element (1) is greater than the outer dimension of the follower plate (8).

18. Device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the separating element (1) is clamped between the follower plate (8) and the container (5) completely circumferentially around the follower plate (8).

19. Device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the semipermeable membrane (9) of the separating element (1) faces the medium (6).

20. Method for removing a pumpable medium (6), in particular a liquid or paste, from a container (5), with a device (4) according to one of claims 15 to 19, in which a gas (7), in particular air, located between the pumpable medium (6) and the follower plate (8) is withdrawn through the base body (2) of the separating element (1) for venting.

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