Device with a pump tube and system comprising such a pump tube and a support foot

Abstract

Known pump tubes for containers, especially barrels, are generally designed to stand upright within the container, allowing the liquid to be pumped until it is completely empty. Often, the containers are then tilted manually to remove the remaining liquid, requiring the bung to be loosened and the pump to be held by hand. The invention therefore proposes to position the container, particularly a barrel, at an angle from the outset and to use a bung that allows the pump tube to be tilted within the container. This simplifies the handling of containers that are still partially full and often heavy.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device comprising a pump tube to which a bung cap for closing a bung hole of a container, in particular a barrel, is assigned, wherein the bung cap has a passage in which the pump tube is received, and a system comprising such a device and a base.

[0002] It is already known to fill and empty various types of containers via a bunged lid with a feedthrough. However, it can happen that with a pump that has just been inserted into the container, residual quantities cannot be pumped out from the bottom. It may then be necessary to tilt the container to remove the remaining contents. Due to the considerable weight of drums, this can add up to a significant load, depending on the remaining fill level, combined with the weight of the pump unit and the connected pump motor. This is all the more difficult to handle because the temporarily tilted container must be held and the pump motor operated simultaneously.

[0003] Against this background, the present invention is based on the objective of creating a device which allows a container to be permanently tilted and makes the handling of a container, in particular a barrel, as simple as possible even in this tilted position.

[0004] This is achieved by a device according to the features of independent claim 1, and by a system according to the features of dependent claim 13. Useful embodiments of such a pumping station and such a system can be found in the respective subsequent dependent claims.

[0005] The invention provides a device comprising a pump pipe to which a bung cap for closing a bung hole of a container, in particular a barrel, is assigned, wherein the bung cap has a through-hole in which the pump pipe is received. According to the invention, such a device is characterized in that the bung cap has a cylindrical or polygonal outer contour with an axis of symmetry, wherein either an axis of symmetry of the through-hole forms an acute angle with the axis of symmetry of the outer contour, or the bung cap is a union nut that presses a collar formed on the pump pipe against an edge of the bung hole that is inclined relative to the vertical.

[0006] This design allows the pump pipe to be held firmly in position, preventing slippage or tipping, while simultaneously enabling a defined tilt of the pump unit within the container. In particular, it makes it possible to advance the pump pipe to an edge of the container, especially a barrel, where its contents collect when the container is tilted. Securing the bung cap in the bung hole also ensures that the container remains protected against accidental leakage of its contents, both during tilting and through evaporation or volatilization. Overall, this allows the pump pipe to be positioned so that it can operate vertically, and thus under optimal conditions, even when the container is tilted.

[0007] In this context, the device can be a pumping station with a pump shaft rotatably mounted in the pump pipe, at the end of which a rotor is attached to convey material upwards in the pump pipe. In such a case, a pump motor is mechanically connected to the pump shaft, which can actuate it. Alternatively, it is also possible that the pump pipe itself merely represents a suction lance to which another type of pump, such as a peristaltic pump or, particularly preferably, a double diaphragm pump, can be connected.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment of this solution, the bung cap can be a union nut that presses a collar molded onto the pump pipe against the edge of the bung hole. This easily ensures a liquid-tight connection between the container and the pump pipe. Particularly when the dimensions of the container, especially a drum, are known, this allows for optimized contact. Furthermore, if the pump pipe is embedded within the container, the connection can be made simply by turning the union nut. Turning the union nut seals the connection to the bung hole.

[0009] Preferably, the bung cap may have a thread for connection with a mating thread in the bung hole. Instead of attaching the bung cap to the bung hole by clamping or like a plug, this also provides mechanical security for the connection.

[0010] In a specific embodiment, the bung cap can comprise a sleeve and a spherical cap, with the spherical cap being pivotably mounted in the sleeve and the feedthrough being arranged in the spherical cap such that the sleeve keeps the feedthrough clear. This allows the pumping unit to adapt to various inclined geometries of the inner wall of a container, particularly a drum, without requiring a different bung cap. Instead, a simple adjustment ensures that the pump stator always engages the edge of the container, regardless of its size. Furthermore, the same bung cap can be used for a large number of containers with different dimensions, provided these containers have the same bung hole size.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the cuff can be provided with an annular opening, whereby the spherical cap can be fixed by means of a clamping screw bridging the annular opening. This allows the spherical cap to be easily and securely mounted and removed, and fixed in various orientations to ensure sufficient stability.

[0012] Preferably, the sleeve can be sealed with a gasket inserted into the ring opening. This creates a liquid-tight contact to prevent liquids from unintentionally escaping from the bung hole of the container if it tips over or if volatile materials are involved.

[0013] Preferably, the bung cap can be integrally molded onto the bung hole. Instead of screwing the bung cap on or tilting the entire pump pipe to a desired angle so that the pump pipe comes into contact with the inner wall of a container, especially a drum, this design allows the pump pipe to be inserted directly at a suitable angle. In this context, it can be particularly advantageous to seal the penetration with a sealant.

[0014] Preferably, a sealant can be used to seal the connection to the pump pipe. Such contact should be avoided, especially when using hazardous substances or chemicals that are sensitive to the environment. Using a sealant provides additional protection against leakage from the container.

[0015] In another embodiment, the bung cap can be integrally molded onto the pump pipe. This allows for a sealing connection between the pump pipe and the tank, although when connecting the pump pipe to the tank, the pump pipe must be rotated to allow for screwing.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a vent valve for venting the container, especially a drum, can be associated with the bung cap. This prevents the formation of a vacuum inside and ensures a constant pumping rate from the container. To create space for the vent valve, the feedthrough can be arranged eccentrically in such a solution. However, it is not absolutely necessary for the vent valve to be located on the bung cap.

[0017] Additionally, the vent valve can be designed to prevent liquid from escaping. This can be achieved with a double check valve or a ball valve, preventing sensitive liquids from leaking from the container, especially a drum, if it becomes tilted.

[0018] Alternatively, instead of a vent valve on the bung cap or at another location on the container, a vent line can be attached to the pump pipe itself. This allows the supply to be controlled, particularly when handling hazardous liquids, and enables the introduction of specific gas mixtures that prevent a reaction. Ultimately, in this case, the gas is introduced through the actual opening of the bung cap.

[0019] In a specific embodiment, the pump tube may feature a terminal stator with a chamfer molded onto one side, which fits into an edge of a drum formed between a side wall and a bottom surface. This allows for extended residual extraction while minimizing the handling of the pump tube. In particular, this design enables access right up to the wall and bottom of the container, allowing suction pressure to be applied in this area. The stator, adapted in this way, can have corresponding suction openings, especially in the areas adjacent to the wall.

[0020] Furthermore, a system is provided comprising a device of the type described above, as well as a stand for tilting a container, in particular a barrel, wherein the stand has a mounting surface inclined relative to a ground surface, and preferably a support edge to prevent slippage. Especially in combination with the pump pipe and its inclined feedthrough, a device is helpful with which the container is held in a defined, inclined position. Preferably, the inclination of the container is selected such that the pump pipe, tilted within the feedthrough, is again vertical in absolute terms.

[0021] In practical terms, it seems sensible for the stand to have at least two wheels and a handle for pushing it. This also allows the stand to be used as a kind of cart or trolley while still being positioned securely on a level surface.

[0022] The invention described above will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] They show Figure 1 shows a barrel with a pump on a stand in a side cross-sectional view; Figure 2 shows a detail of a variant of the Figure 1Figure 3 shows a bung cap with an integrated pump unit inside the barrel in a side cross-sectional view, Figure 4 shows a bung cap formed integrally with the bung hole of the barrel in a side cross-sectional view, Figure 5 shows a pump unit with a collar held between the bung cap in the form of a union nut and an edge of the bung hole in a side cross-sectional view, and Figure 6 shows a pump unit with a bung cap made of a sleeve with a spherical cap in a side cross-sectional view.

[0024] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a barrel 6, which is placed on a stand 23. The stand 23 has a base 24 which is inclined relative to the ground on which the stand 23 rests. This is designed to ensure that the contents of the barrel 6, placed on the stand 23, flow into the lower right corner shown in the figure, from where they can be pumped out of the barrel 6 by a pump 1. A support edge 25 is provided on the lower side of the stand 23 to prevent the barrel 6 from slipping off the base 24. The barrel 6 also has a bung hole 7 through which the pump 1, with its pump pipe 2, is inserted into the interior of the barrel 6. To ensure that the pump 1 is positioned at the correct angle within the barrel 6, so that it rests vertically, the designs in the following sections are relevant. Figures 3 to 6 to refer.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a variant of a detail of Figure 1 The barrel 6 is shown without the base 23; however, the stator is shown with a chamfer 5 on the stator 4, so that it fits directly into the area of ​​the edge 11 of the barrel 6 between the bottom 10 and the side wall 9. This allows the barrel 6 to be emptied completely during operation of the pumping station 1.

[0026] Several options are conceivable regarding the storage of pumping station 1 in the bung hole 7 of barrel 6. For example, the following is shown first: Figure 3A solution in which a bung hole 7 is formed integrally with the bung cap 12, and a feedthrough 15 is aligned such that its axis of symmetry coincides with the axis of symmetry of the outer contour. The pump 1 is aligned at the correct angle directly upon insertion through the feedthrough 15 of the bung cap 12; only the edge of the bung hole is angled. The angle is thus predetermined by the described device. This is not a disadvantage because the bung hole 7 is formed integrally with the bung cap 12 and attached to the drum 6.

[0027] Another design option is the Figure 4before, where a bung cap 12, integrally connected to the pumping unit 1, is provided. To screw the pumping unit 1 into place, the entire pumping unit 1, including the bung cap 12, must be moved. The bung cap 12 engages with the edge 8 of the bung hole 7 via a thread (not shown) to create a seal. Furthermore, the axes of symmetry 14 of the outer contour and 16 of the opening form an acute angle, which positions the pumping unit 1 correctly within the barrel 6, as shown in Figure 2 shown, in the area of ​​edge 11 it steers.

[0028] A vent valve 26, provided in the bung cap 12, allows ambient air to enter the drum 6 when medium is being dispensed, thus preventing the otherwise occurring negative pressure. While the vent valve 26 allows air to flow in during dispensing, it is designed to close automatically when liquid pressure is present or when the drum 6 changes position, particularly if it tips over, so that there is no risk of the medium escaping from the canister.

[0029] Another alternative shows the Figure 5 , in which the passage 15 through the bung hole 7, as already in Figure 3, even when tilted relative to the barrel lid. A union nut 22 is also provided here, which is mounted on the pumping unit 1 and presses a collar 3, formed on the outer circumference of the pump pipe 2, against the edge 8 of the bung hole 7. The axes of symmetry of the feedthrough 15 and an outer contour of the bung lid 12 coincide here and form an angle of 0°.

[0030] Finally, a solution according to Figure 6The proposed design utilizes a bung cap 12, which incorporates a spherical cap 18 that is rotatably and pivotably mounted in a sleeve 17. By moving the spherical cap 18, the angular orientation of the pumping unit 1 can be adjusted, allowing the bung cap 12 to be adapted to different drums 6. Once in the correct position, the sleeve 17 can be secured by tightening a clamping screw 19. The clamping screw 19 bridges an annular opening 20 in the sleeve 17 and contracts the sleeve. A seal 21, located in the annular opening 20, is thereby compressed to create a liquid-tight seal.

[0031] The above description thus describes a device which allows a container to be permanently tilted and makes handling a container, in particular a barrel, as easy as possible even in this tilted position. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0032] 1 Pumping station 2 Pump pipe 3 Collar 4 Stator 5 Chamfer 6 Barrel 7 Bung hole 8 Edge of bung hole 9 Side wall 10 Bottom 11 Edge 12 Bung cap 13 Outer contour 14 Axis of symmetry of the outer contour 15 Feedthrough 16 Axis of symmetry of the feedthrough 17 Sleeve 18 Ball cap 19 Tensioning screw 20 Ring opening 21 Seal 22 Union nut 23 Base 24 Mounting surface 25 Support edge 26 Vent valve

Claims

1. Device comprising a pump pipe (2) to which a bung cap (12) for closing a bung hole (7) of a container, in particular a barrel (6) is assigned, wherein the bung cap (12) has a passage (15) in which the pump pipe (2) is received, characterized by the fact that the bung cover (12) has a cylindrical or polygonal outer contour (13) with an axis of symmetry (14), wherein either an axis of symmetry of the passage (16) forms an acute angle with the axis of symmetry of the outer contour (14), or the bung cover (12) is a union nut (22) that presses a collar (3) formed on the pump pipe (2) against an edge of the bung hole (8) that is inclined relative to the vertical.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the bung cap (12) has a thread for connection with a mating thread of the bung hole (7).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatthe bung cover (12) comprises a sleeve (17) and a spherical cap (18), wherein the spherical cap (18) is pivotably received in the sleeve (17) and the passage (15) is arranged in the spherical cap (18) such that the sleeve (17) keeps the passage (15) clear.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the cuff (17) has a ring opening (20), wherein the spherical cap (18) can be fixed by means of a clamping screw (19) bridging the ring opening (20).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the cuff (17) is sealed with a seal (21) inserted into the ring opening (20).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the bung cover (12) is integrally formed on the bung hole (7).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the implementation (15) sealant is assigned to seal with the pump pipe (2).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the bung cover (12) is integrally formed on the pump pipe (2).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The bung lid (12) is associated with a ventilation valve (26) for venting the container, in particular the barrel (6).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the ventilation valve (26) prevents liquid from escaping.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that A ventilation line is assigned to the pump pipe (2).

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the pump tube (2) has a terminal stator (4) with a chamfer (5) formed on one side, which fits into an edge (11) of a barrel (6) formed between a side wall (9) and a bottom surface (10).

13. System comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims, and a support foot (23) for tilting a container, in particular a barrel (6), wherein the support foot (23) has a mounting surface (24) inclined relative to a floor surface, and preferably a support edge (25) for slip protection.

14. System according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that The base (23) is equipped with at least two wheels and a handle for pushing the base (23).

15. System according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized by the fact that a vent valve (26) is associated with the container, in particular barrel (6).

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