Silo, docking station therefor and system therewith

Abstract

A silo (100) for mounting on a docking station (200). The silo comprises a funnel shaped container (110) and a supporting structure (120). When positioned in the upright position, an area of the funnel shaped container (110) decreases with decreasing height towards an outlet, and an upper region (122) of the supporting structure (120) is providing support for the funnel shaped container (110). A lower region of the supporting structure has sloped inner walls (121) at opposite sides of the outlet wherein a distance between the sloped inner walls increases with decreasing height such that the inner walls (121) of the lower region can slide over the docking station (200) which has an upper region comprising primary walls with a sloped outside surface (251) which matches with the sloped inner walls (121) of the lower region of the supporting structure (120) and which are orthogonal to a predefined plane.

Description

[0001] Silo system

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to the field of silo systems. More specifically it relates to a silo system for use at a construction site.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] At construction sites nowadays typically a plurality of bags comprising cement and sand are locally mixed in a mixer with water for creating a mortar product. Depending on the required product mixtures of different materials may be made.

[0006] Other applications may require the preparation of a plaster mixture. The plaster may for example also be provided in different bags.

[0007] The bags comprising the different dry powders, gypsum, cement, sand, stones, may for example be provided on pallets. It is understood that carrying these have bags in order to prepare the mixture poses a heavy load on the construction workers. There is therefore a need for improving the ergonomics for the construction workers.

[0008] US5339996A proposes a portable mini silo system for delivering dry mortar blends to batch mixers. This mini silo system comprises leg elements which support the silo at the construction site and which are telescopic to create free height. Such a silo, however, requires manual alignment and coupling with a batch mixer.

[0009] US10562702B2 discloses a portable silo system which is stackable. It can be transported using a forklift. Such a silo, however, requires manual alignment and coupling with a batch mixer. This alignment may be tedious for the construction worker and pose ergonomic issues.

[0010] There is, therefore, a need for good alternative solutions for a silo system to be used at a construction site.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a good silo system to be used at a construction site. The above objective is accomplished by a method and device according to the present invention.

[0013] In a first aspect embodiments of the present invention relate to a silo. The silo comprises a funnel shaped container and a supporting structure. When positioned in the upright position, an area of a horizontal cross-section of the funnel shaped container decreases with decreasing height towards an outlet. An upper region of the supporting structure is providing support for the funnel shaped container. A lower region of the supporting structure has sloped inner walls. The sloped inner walls are at opposite sides of the outlet of the funnel shaped container when the funnel shaped container is positioned in the supporting structure. A distance between the sloped inner walls at opposite sides of the outlet of the funnel shaped container increases with decreasing height and the sloped inner walls are planar and are orthogonal to a predefined plane such that the inner walls of the lower region can slide in a direction orthogonal to the predefined plane over a docking station which has an upper platform comprising primary walls with sloped outside surfaces, which are planar and orthogonal to the predefined plane, and which match with the sloped inner walls of the lower region of the supporting structure. In embodiments of the present invention the predefined plane is a virtual plane to define the relative orientation of the sloped inner walls of the supporting structure with respect to each other. They should both be orthogonal to the predefined plane. In embodiments of the present invention the predefined plane is orthogonal to a bottom surface when the silo is positioned in the upright position on the bottom surface. This is, however, not strictly necessary. The predefined surface may also be inclined with respect to the bottom surface. Blocking elements may be provided on the pedestal to prevent sliding of the silo from the pedestal and to assure accurate positioning of the silo on the pedestal. This is particularly useful when the predefined surface is inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the docking station.

[0014] It is an advantage of a silo according to embodiments of the present invention that it can be mounted on a docking station with primary walls with a sloped outside surface which matches with the sloped surface of the inner side of a lower region of the supporting structure of the silo and that thus, when mounted, the silo and the docking station are, in at least a first direction, self-aligned. It is, moreover, advantageous that the silo can slide in a direction orthogonal to a predefined plane over the docking station. This is achieved by providing a silo of which the supporting structure has sloped inner walls at opposite sides of the outlet of the funnel shaped container wherein the sloped inner walls are planar and are orthogonal to the predefined plane.

[0015] It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the funnel shaped container and the supporting structure are separate elements as this makes them more easy to manufacture.

[0016] In embodiments of the present invention recesses are provided in the supporting structure wherein forks of a forklift can be inserted for lifting the silo.

[0017] It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the silo can easily be lifted with a forklift and placed on a docking station. This is enabled by the recesses in the silo. Due to the shape of the silo, self-alignment between the silo and the docking station is possible in at least a first direction.

[0018] In embodiments of the present invention the silo comprises a butterfly valve at the outlet, for opening and closing the funnel shaped container.

[0019] In embodiments of the present invention the silo comprises a flange at the outlet for connecting the outlet with a coupling system of the docking station.

[0020] In embodiments of the present invention sloped ridges are provided at a top of the funnel shaped container which match with the sloped inner walls of the lower region of the supporting structure. It is thereby an advantage that silos according to embodiments of the present invention can be stacked.

[0021] In embodiments of the present invention the funnel shaped container and the supporting structure are made of synthetic material.

[0022] In a second aspect embodiments of the present invention relate to a docking station for mounting a silo according to embodiments of the present invention. The docking station comprises a coupling system for connecting with the outlet of the funnel shaped container and a pedestal with at a top of the pedestal an upper platform comprising primary walls with a sloped outside surface. The sloped outside surface of the primary walls is orthogonal to the predefined plane when the silo is mounted on the docking station. The sloped outside surface is such that sloped inner walls of the lower region of the silo match with the sloped outside surface of the primary walls of the upper platform of the pedestal. Thus, the sloped inner walls of the lower region of the silo can slide over these sloped outside surfaces of the primary walls. When positioned on top of each other, sloped inner walls of the lower region of the silo align with sloped outside surface of the primary walls of the upper region of the pedestal. It is an advantage of a docking station according to embodiments of the present invention that when mounting a silo with matching walls, the silo outlet is at least in a first direction self-aligned with the coupling system.

[0023] A docking station, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, may comprise secondary walls with a sloped inner surface such that gutters are formed between the primary walls and secondary walls.

[0024] In embodiments of the present invention an upper part of the coupling system is configured to be connected with the outlet of the funnel shaped container and a lower part of the coupling system is configured to be connected with an accessory. The accessory may for example be a mixer or a discharge tube. A butterfly valve may be present at the output of the funnel shaped container. The butterfly valve may be connected with the coupling system.

[0025] In embodiments of the present invention the coupling system comprises a double walled flexible tube.

[0026] In embodiments of the present invention the coupling system is cast into the upper platform.

[0027] In embodiments of the present invention lifting eyes are provided on a top side of the upper platform of the pedestal.

[0028] In embodiments of the present invention the pedestal is made of concrete. It is an advantage of a docking station according to embodiments of the present invention that the weight of the docking station gives the docking station stability even when a silo is placed on top of the docking station. A lightweight silo (e.g. made of synthetic material) may for example be combined with a heavy weight docking station (e.g. made of concrete).

[0029] In embodiments of the present invention a height of the docking station is between 2 and 4 meters. It is an advantage of a docking station in accordance with embodiments of the present invention that it is high enough such that an accessory, such as a mixer, can be connected to the lower side of the coupling system.

[0030] In a third aspect embodiments of the present invention relate to a silo system. The silo system comprises a silo and a docking station, both in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The sloped inner walls of the lower region of the supporting structure of the silo match with the sloped outside surface of the primary walls of the upper platform of the pedestal. It is an advantage of a silo system according to embodiments of the present invention that when a silo of the silo system is placed on top of a docking station of the silo system, the silo will, at least in a first direction, be self-aligned with the docking station. This facilitates a good connection between the outlet of the funnel shaped container and the upper part of the coupling system of the docking system.

[0031] Particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

[0032] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

[0033] Brief description of the drawings

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section and a side view of a silo system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a coupling system of a docking station, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows side views of a silo system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows 3D-drawings of a silo, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a 3D-drawing of a docking station in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a 3D-drawing of a sectioned silo and docking station, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a 3D-drawing which illustrates the coupling between a coupling system and an accessory, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 shows a 3D-drawing of a silo, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, comprising recesses for the forks of a pallet truck.

[0041] Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. In the different drawings, the same reference signs refer to the same or analogous elements.

[0042] Detailed description of illustrative embodiments

[0043] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0044] The terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0045] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0046] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0047] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0048] In a first aspect embodiments of the present invention relate to a silo 100, in a second aspect embodiments of the present invention relate to a docking station 200, and in a third aspect embodiments of the present invention relate to a silo system 300 comprising a silo 100 and a docking station 200 according to embodiments of the present invention. An exemplary silo, docking station, and silo system are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. In the following description it is assumed that the silo and the supporting structure are positioned in the upright position, which is applied during normal operation of the device.

[0049] In embodiments of the present invention the silo 100 comprises a funnel shaped container 110 and a supporting structure 120 for supporting the funnel shaped container 110.

[0050] When positioned in the upright position, an area of the funnel shaped container 110 decreases with decreasing height. At the bottom of the funnel shaped container an outlet is present which can be connected to a coupling system 230.

[0051] The supporting structure 120 comprises an upper region and a lower region. The upper region 122 is providing support for the funnel shaped container 110.

[0052] The lower region of the supporting structure has sloped inner walls 121 at opposite sides of the outlet of the funnel shaped container 110 when the funnel shaped container 110 is positioned in the supporting structure 120. A distance between the sloped inner walls at opposite sides of the outlet of the funnel shaped container 110 increases with decreasing height and the sloped inner walls 121 are planar and are orthogonal to a predefined plane, such that the inner walls 121 of the lower region can slide in a direction orthogonal to the predefined plane over primary walls of a docking station 200. The primary walls are present on an upper region of the docking station. They have a sloped outside surface 251 which is planar and orthogonal to the predefined plane and which matches with the sloped inner walls 121 of the lower region of the supporting structure 120. Thus, when putting the silo 100 on the docking station 200 the sloped inner walls of the supporting structure slide over the sloped outside surface of the primary walls in a direction orthogonal to the predefined plane. As a result thereof the silo is aligned by the sloped walls of the silo and the docking station when putting the silo on the docking station and hence the relative position between the silo and the docking station is, in at least a first direction which is the direction orthogonal to the direction of the primary walls, unambiguously determined. The virtual plane may be orthogonal to a bottom surface of the docking station or it may be inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the docking station. The angle between both may for example range between 70° and 90°. When positioned in the upright position, the bottom surface of the docking station is horizontal.

[0053] The funnel shaped container 110 may have a horizontal cross-section which is circular. The invention is, however, not limited thereto. For example also rectangular or square cross-sections are possible. These may have rounded corners. The volume of the funnel shaped container may for example range between 0.5 and 2m3. The volume of the funnel shaped container may for example be 0.7 m3.

[0054] The silo may for example be used for delivering cement, gypsum, sand, or other materials.

[0055] A docking station 200 according to embodiments of the present invention is configured such that a silo according to embodiments of the present invention can be stacked on top of it. An example of such a docking station is shown in the drawings of FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and in more detail in FIG. 5. In embodiments of the present invention the docking station 200 comprises a pedestal 210. At a top of the pedestal 210 an upper region is present. This upper region is an upper platform on which the silo 100 can be placed. The upper platform is supported by pillars or walls such that the platform is kept at a certain height. The pillars or walls may be supported by a base platform which may increase the stability of the pedestal.

[0056] The height of the platform may for example be between 2 and 4 meter, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 meter, for example 3 meter. In FIG. 1 and 3 measures (expressed in mm) are present for heights and widths of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. These measures are only exemplary and the invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] Primary walls with a sloped outside surface 251 are present on the upper platform 220. The outside surfaces of two opposing, parallel, primary walls are thereby the outer surfaces of the parallel walls (the inner surfaces are the neighboring surfaces of the opposing walls). These walls are arranged at opposite sides around an opening in the upper platform. The sloped outside surfaces 251 of the primary walls are planar and orthogonal to the predefined plane when the silo is mounted on the docking station. They match with the sloped inner walls 121 of the lower region of the silo 100 such that silo can slide in a direction orthogonal to the predefined plane over these sloped outside surfaces 251 of the primary walls.

[0058] The docking station, moreover, comprises a coupling system 230 mounted in the opening in the upper platform. In embodiments of the present invention the coupling system may be cast into the upper platform. A detailed drawing of a coupling system 230 integrated in the upper platform 220 is shown in FIG. 2. This coupling system can on the upper side be connected with the outlet of the funnel shaped container 110 and on the lower side with an accessory such as a discharge tube 240 (see for example FIG. 3). For connecting the outlet of the funnel shaped container it is important that the outlet and the coupling system are well aligned. Therefore the coupling system is positioned such that, when the silo 100 is placed on the docking station 200 by sliding the sloped inner walls 121 of the lower region of the silo 100 over the sloped outside surface 251 of the primary walls of the upper region of the pedestal, the outlet of the funnel shaped container 110 is, in at least a first direction, aligned with the coupling system 230. The first direction is a direction orthogonal to the direction of the primary walls of the docking station.

[0059] A silo system 300 according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a silo 100 and a pedestal 200 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. An example of such a silo system in which a silo 100 is mounted on a pedestal 200 is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen in this figure the position of the silo with respect to the pedestal is, in at least a first direction, determined by the sloping surfaces of the primary walls which are planar and orthogonal to a predefined plane and of the sloped inner walls of the lower regions of the supporting structure which are also planar and also orthogonal to the same predefined plane. This significantly improves the positioning of the silo with respect to the pedestal. Additionally the primary walls may block the movement of the silo in a second direction different from the first direction. Thus, an adequate alignment in two directions can be achieved. This is particularly useful when the predefined surface is inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the docking station.

[0060] In embodiments of the present invention recesses 123 are provided in the supporting structure 120 for carrying the silo using a forklift.

[0061] In embodiments of the present invention the silo comprises a butterfly valve 112 at the outlet. This is for example illustrated in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6. Using a handle, the butterfly valve 112 can be opened and closed. The butterfly valve can be connected with the coupling system of the docking station.

[0062] In embodiments of the present invention the silo comprises a flange at the outlet for connecting the outlet with the coupling system of the docking station. The outlet may comprise a butterfly valve which may for example be connected with the funnel shaped container using a flange. In that case the butterfly valve can be connected with the coupling system. This is for example illustrated in FIG. 6. The coupling system may comprise a double walled flexible tube 231. Thus a better sealing between the outlet and the remainder of the coupling system can be obtained.

[0063] In the example of FIG. 6 the double walled flexible tube 231 is at the top connected to a flange that connects to the lower flange of a butterfly valve at the outlet of the funnel shaped container.

[0064] The double walled flexible tube 231 is at the bottom connected to the remainder of a tube 233 of the coupling system that is cast in the pedestal and protrudes through the top side of the pedestal. This tube 233 may for example be a steel tube.

[0065] It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a better sealing between an outlet of the double walled flexible tube and the remainder of the tube 233 of the coupling system can be obtained. The inner wall may for example be connected at the inside of the tube 233 of the coupling system, and the outer wall at the outside of the tube 233 of the coupling system (see FIG. 6).

[0066] The coupling system 230 can on the lower side be connected with an accessory. This is illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein a flange 232 of the coupling system 230 is clamped against a flange 271 of the accessory 270.

[0067] In embodiments of the present invention sloped ridges 130 are provided at a top of the funnel shaped container which match with the sloped inner walls 121 of the lower region of the supporting structure 120. This allows to stack the silos on top of each other and thus to reduce the area required on the construction site for storing the silos with different materials. Blocking protrusions 131 may be present on the ridges 130 which block the movement of the silo in the second direction. The ridges and blocking protrusions 131 are shown in FIG. 4.

[0068] In embodiments of the present invention the funnel shaped container 110 and the supporting structure 120 are made of synthetic material. They may for example be made of polyethylene. In embodiments of the present invention secondary walls 260 are present on the upper platform 220 which, together with the primary walls form gutters in which the supporting structure of the silo can be positioned.

[0069] In embodiments of the present invention the docking station is obtained by mould casting. Where in embodiments of the present invention the upper region 220 of the pedestal is obtained by mould casting, a smooth surface of the sloped surfaces of the primary walls can be obtained and also smooth surfaces of the secondary walls and / or of the horizontal part between the sloped surface of the primary wall and the sloped surface of the secondary wall may be obtained. This is particularly advantageous for sliding the silo on the docking station.

[0070] In embodiments of the present invention lifting eyes 252 are provided on a top side of the upper platform. An example thereof is also illustrated in FIG. 5. It is thereby an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the docking station can be lifted using a crane.

[0071] In embodiments of the present invention the docking station is made of concrete. Thus, a heavy weight docking station can be obtained which can be solidly positioned at the construction area.

[0072] In embodiments of the present invention recesses may be provided at the bottom side of the supporting structure 120. These recesses 125 provide space for the forks of a pallet truck. This allows to easily move a silo, for example in a stockroom. An example of a silo with recesses 125 provided at the bottom side of the supporting structure 120 is illustrated in FIG. 8.

Claims

Claims1.- A silo (100) the silo comprising a funnel shaped container (110) and a supporting structure (120), wherein, when positioned in the upright position, an area of the funnel shaped container (110) decreases with decreasing height towards an outlet and an upper region (122) of the supporting structure (120) is providing support for the funnel shaped container (110), and a lower region of the supporting structure has sloped inner walls (121) at opposite sides of the outlet of the funnel shaped container (110) when the funnel shaped container (110) is positioned in the supporting structure (120), wherein a distance between the sloped inner walls at opposite sides of the outlet of the funnel shaped container (110) increases with decreasing height and wherein the sloped inner walls (121) are planar and are orthogonal to a predefined plane such that the inner walls (121) of the lower region can slide in a direction orthogonal to the predefined plane over a docking station (200) which has an upper platform comprising primary walls with sloped outside surfaces (251), which are planar and orthogonal to the predefined plane, and which match with the sloped inner walls (121) of the lower region of the supporting structure (120).2.- A silo (100) according to claim 1, wherein recesses (123) are provided in the supporting structure wherein forks of a forklift can be inserted for lifting the silo.3.- A silo (100) according to any of the previous claims, the silo comprising a butterfly valve (112) at the outlet, for opening and closing the funnel shaped container (110).4.- A silo (100) according to any of the previous claims, the silo comprising a flange (114) at the outlet for connecting the outlet with a coupling system (230) of the docking station (200).5.- A silo (100) according to any of the previous claims wherein sloped ridges (130) are provided at a top of the funnel shaped container which match with the sloped inner walls (121) of the lower region of the supporting structure (120).6.- A silo (100) according to any of the previous claims wherein the funnel shaped container (110) and the supporting structure (120) are made of synthetic material.7.- A docking station (200) for mounting a silo (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 6, the docking station (200) comprising a coupling system (230) for connecting withthe outlet of the funnel shaped container and comprising a pedestal (210) with at a top of the pedestal (210) an upper platform (220) comprising primary walls with a sloped outside surface (251), which are planar and orthogonal to the predefined plane when the silo is mounted on the docking station, such that the sloped inner walls (121) of the lower region of the silo (100) which match with the sloped outside surface (251) of the primary walls of the upper platform of the pedestal, can slide in a direction orthogonal to the predefined plane over these sloped outside surfaces (251) of the primary walls.8.- A docking station (200) according to claim 7, comprising secondary walls (260) with a sloped inner surface such that gutters are formed between the primary walls and secondary walls.9.- A docking station (200) according to any of the claims 7 or 8 wherein an upper part of the coupling system (230) is configured to be connected with the outlet of the funnel shaped container (110) and a lower part of the coupling system (230) is configured to be connected with an accessory.10.- A docking station (200) according to any of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the coupling system (230) comprises a double walled flexible tube (231).11.- A docking station (200) according to any of the claims 7 to 10 wherein the coupling system is cast into the upper platform (220).12.- A docking station (200) according to any of the claims 7 to 11, wherein lifting eyes are provided on a top side of the upper platform of the pedestal (210).13.- A docking station (200) according to any of the claims 7 to 12 wherein the pedestal is made of concrete.14.- A docking station (200) according to any of the claims 7 to 13 wherein a height of the docking station is between 2 and 4 meters.15.- A silo system (300), the silo system comprising a silo (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 6 and a docking station (200) according to any of the claims 7 to 13 wherein the sloped inner walls (121) of the lower region of the supporting structure (120) of the silo (100) match with the sloped outside surface (251) of the primary walls of the upper platform of the pedestal (210).

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