Silo equipped with a rigid frame and a flexible canvas bag for storing bulk material

Abstract

The invention relates to a silo (1) for storing a bulk material, which comprises a frame (2), as well as a flexible fabric storage bag (3) for said material, said frame (2) comprising at least four vertical corner posts (20), as well as a plurality of horizontal crossbars (22) which are fixed to two adjacent posts (20), said bag (3) comprising panels of flexible fabric (33, 34), each shaped to cooperate with said crossbars (22), so as to allow the attachment of said bag (3) to said frame (2), characterized in that said fabric (3) comprises a pair of panels (33, 34) of flexible fabric, the free end of which is shaped into a closed loop which forms a "loop", each panel partially encircling a crossbar (22), the loops of said panels (33, 34) having cutouts 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 (34), and so on, thus retaining said panels (33, 34). Figure for the abbreviation: figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Silo provided with a rigid frame and a flexible canvas pocket for storing bulk material [0001 ] GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention lies in the field of storage of bulk materials.

[0003] It relates more precisely to a silo provided with a rigid frame, in particular metallic, which is also referred to as a metal structure, to which is attached a large capacity bag made of flexible canvas, used for storing bulk material such as flour, sugar, salt, granulated products, lactose, etc. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Silos of the type mentioned above are widely used today in industry and particularly in the food industry.

[0005] In the attached [Fig.l] a silo according to the invention is shown schematically in perspective.

[0006] This silo has a physiognomy very close to that of the silos of the state of the art, a description of which is given below.

[0007] Such a silo 1 is essentially formed of a rigid structure or frame 2 and a flexible canvas pocket 3 for storing a bulk material.

[0008] In the example shown here, the rigid frame 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", that is to say tubes arranged at an angle, which are themselves fixed to a corresponding post 20.

[0009] Furthermore, the rigid frame 2 comprises a set of horizontal crosspieces 22 which are fixed to two neighboring posts 20.

[0010] The pocket 3 is made of flexible canvas. If the material to be stored is used in the food sector, a material that complies with the legislation in force on this subject will of course be chosen.

[0011] As a simple example, a high-strength antistatic polyester fabric, approved for the food industry, can be used.

[0012] As can be seen in [Fig.l], 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 discharging the stored material.

[0013] Of course, the pocket 3 is secured to the frame 2.

[0014] To do this and as shown very schematically in the figure, the pocket 3 is provided with panels 32 of canvas, which are fixed there for example by sewing.

[0015] Each panel 32 has an end closed in a loop 320 which gives it the appearance of a “loop” such as that which a curtain has for the installation of a rod.

[0016] When assembling the silo 1, the majority of the crosspieces 22 are individually engaged in the loop 320 of a panel 32 before being fixed to the posts 20.

[0017] Such an arrangement generally gives satisfaction.

[0018] However, it suffers from certain drawbacks, in particular when the pocket 3 must be dismantled, for example to replace it with a new one.

[0019] Indeed, in such a case, it is necessary to dismantle each crosspiece 22 one by one and extract it from the loop 320 of the associated panel 32, so as to “free” the pocket 3.

[0020] It is easy to understand that such handling increases the risk of sleepers falling, with a possible physical consequence on operators who are near the silo.

[0021] Moreover, it is a tedious job, because the sleepers constitute heavy loads which must be slid into each loop.

[0022] An objective of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks while keeping substantially unchanged the current frame of the silos described above. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] To this end, the invention relates to a silo for storing a bulk material, which comprises a rigid frame, as well as a flexible canvas pocket for storing said bulk material, said rigid frame comprising at least four vertical corner posts, as well as a plurality of horizontal crosspieces which are fixed to two neighboring posts, said pocket comprising, on its outer face, sections of flexible canvas, each shaped to cooperate with at least some of said crosspieces, so as to allow said pocket to be fixed to said rigid frame.

[0024] This silo is characterized by the fact that said canvas comprises, at least for some of said crosspieces, a pair of flexible canvas panels, the free end of which is shaped in the form of a closed loop which forms a "loop", each panel partially surrounding a crosspiece, the loops of said panels having cutouts forming notches arranged alternately in a staggered pattern, a bar being engaged alternately in the loop of one panel and in the loop of the other panel and so on, thus retaining said panels.

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

[0026] In addition, there is a saving of time, both during assembly and disassembly.

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

[0028] According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or according to a technically compatible combination of at least two of them: - said bar comprises, near its opposite ends, members forming stops which prevent the movement of said sides relative to said bar; - said stop-forming members have the form of rings engaged on said bar; - said canvas comprises, at least for some of said crosspieces, a pair of flexible canvas sections whose free end is shaped in the form of a closed loop which forms a "loop", each section partially surrounding a crosspiece, two bars being respectively engaged, one in a first loop and the other in the second loop, at least one restraining member being engaged on said two bars in order to keep their mutual spacing constant; - said first loop and second loop comprise facing cutouts forming notches and that said at least one retaining member is engaged on said bars, at the level of at least one of these notches; - said at least one restraining member is a part 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 the clearance, 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 from a single piece, fixed to said pocket in an intermediate zone located between said loop-shaped ends. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear from the description which will now be given, with reference to the appended drawings, which represent, for informational but non-limiting purposes, a possible embodiment.

[0030] In these drawings:

[0031] [Fig.l] is, as already indicated above, a perspective view of a silo conforming to the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] is, as already indicated above, a diagram intended to illustrate, according to the prior art, how the canvas of a silo is secured to its rigid frame;

[0033] [Fig.3A] is a partial perspective view of the silo of [Fig.l] which shows the first means of fixing the canvas to certain crosspieces of the rigid frame;

[0034] [Fig.3B] is a perspective view of the first means mentioned above;

[0035] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view of the silo of [Fig.l] which shows other means of fixing the canvas to other crosspieces of the rigid frame;

[0036] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the other means mentioned above;

[0037] [Fig.6] is a simplified and perspective view of a section of canvas used for fixing of sleepers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] As specified above, [Fig.l] represents an embodiment of a silo according to the invention.

[0039] What was expressed previously, with regard to the frame 2 and the pocket 3 remains valid here.

[0040] Furthermore, just as in the silo 1 of the prior art, the pocket 3 is provided, on its outer face, with sections of flexible canvas, each shaped to cooperate with at least some of the crosspieces 22 of the frame 2.

[0041] In this case, in the example shown here, these are the crosspieces 22 which surround the upper part 30 of the pocket 3, with the exception of those located around the base of this upper part.

[0042] But it is entirely possible to envisage that all the sleepers could be equipped with such sections.

[0043] These panels are referenced 33 and 34 in Figures 1 and 3A. The material which constitutes them is preferably the same as that of the pocket 3 and they are advantageously sewn to the latter in order to make them integral.

[0044] As visible in the attached figures, each panel 33 and 34 is configured to only partially surround the crosspiece 22 with which they are associated.

[0045] 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.

[0046] In addition, each loop, that is to say each loop 330 and 340 has cutouts 331, respectively 341 which form as many notches. These notches are arranged alternately in a staggered pattern, so that as particularly visible in FIG. 3, the loops can, in a way, fit into one another. In this way, a single loop is reconstituted, in a way.

[0047] Still in accordance with the invention, a bar 4 (see [Fig.3B]) is engaged alter natively 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 as to be able to be inserted into the loops of the two panels 33 and 34 and slightly protrude on either side of them.

[0048] In order to obtain a stable assembly and so that the bar 4 does not slide relative to the sides 33 and 34, it is advantageous to use members forming stops.

[0049] In the example shown here, these are anti-sliding rings 40, in particular made of plastic material, force-fitted onto the opposite ends of the bar 4. These rings are particularly visible in [Fig.3B].

[0050] The bars 4 are advantageously placed in the following manner.

[0051] We start with the highest level of the frame 2. For each of the crosspieces 22 which equip each "face" of the frame, the sides 33 and 34 are grasped, so that one 33 is positioned above the crosspiece 22 and the other 34 below the same crosspiece. A bar 4 is then grasped and engaged in the loop of one side, then in the loop of the other and so on. When this manipulation is finished, the rings 40 are engaged on the ends of the bar 4.

[0052] The operation which has just been described is repeated for each crosspiece of the same level, then each crosspiece of a lower level.

[0053] It is easily understood that when the silo receives bulk material, it is in the intermediate part of the pocket 3, that is to say where the upper 30 and lower 31 parts connect, that the greatest stresses are exerted.

[0054] It may therefore be useful, or even essential, to reinforce the connection between the frame 2 and the pocket 3.

[0055] This can be achieved in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

[0056] As in the embodiment described above, we are also dealing here with a pair of canvas sections 35 and 36, the free end of which is shaped into a closed loop 350, respectively 360 which forms a “loop”, each section partially surrounding a crosspiece 22.

[0057] In addition, each loop, that is to say each loop 350 and 360 has cutouts 351, respectively 361 which form as many notches. Compared to those of the panels 33 and 34, the present notches have a reduced width and are arranged opposite one another. In other words the notches 351 of the panel 35 face the notches 361 of the panel 36.

[0058] In the example shown, there are three pairs of notches, but this number can be significantly higher, especially if the size of the silo 1 is particularly large.

[0059] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each loop 350 and 360 receives respec- tively a tubular bar 5, respectively 6.

[0060] More precisely, their implementation can be carried out in the following manner.

[0061] Firstly, the “pre-assembly” of bars 5 and 6 is carried out by making slide along these a first restraining member 7.

[0062] In this case, it is a flat part, preferably metallic, which is provided with two identical openings 70 of a shape complementary to that of the cross-section of the bars 5 and 6 and whose mutual spacing is, apart from the clearance, equal to that of these bars when the sides 35 and 36 are stretched to the maximum on either side of the crosspiece 22.

[0063] This member is positioned in the immediate vicinity of one end of the bars 5 and 6 (see right-hand part of [Fig.5]) and blocked by the installation of rings 4 of the same type as that described above.

[0064] The pre-assembled pair of bars 5 and 6 is then engaged in the loops 350 and 360, until the free end of the bars, that is to say the one opposite the first member 7, is flush with the level of the opposite notches 351 and 361. The space freed by these notches is used to engage a second retaining member 7 on the bars 5 and 6.

[0065] This operation is repeated at the following notches.

[0066] Finally, when the free end of the bars 5 and 6 protrude from the sides 35 and 36, a final member 7 is put in place, as well as two rings 4.

[0067] In this way, it is impossible for the bars to move away from each other, which reinforces the connection of the pocket 3 to the frame 2.

[0068] As illustrated in [Fig.6], the panels 35 and 6 can be formed from a single piece 8 of canvas, which is fixed to the pocket 3, in particular by sewing. The same can be true for the panels 33 and 34.

[0069] The main advantages that the invention provides are mentioned below:

[0070] - Securing the assembly / disassembly of the pocket;

[0071] - Duration of technical shutdowns halved for maintenance and cleaning;

[0072] - Autonomous industrialists for maintenance operations;

[0073] - Possible modernization of existing silos;

[0074] - Simplicity and speed of assembly allowing more frequent cleaning

[0075] - working conditions of the teams significantly improved thanks to the elimination of heavy load ports and handling of sleepers in cantilevered position.

[0076] - less handling and less stress, during installation and actions maintenance;

[0077] - With intervention time halved, the installation of silos monopolizes less handling and lifting equipment, with energy savings as a result.

Claims

Claims

1. Silo (1) for storing a bulk material, which comprises a rigid frame (2), as well as a pocket (3) made of flexible fabric for storing said bulk material, said rigid frame (2) comprising at least four vertical corner posts (20), as well as a plurality of horizontal crosspieces (22) which are fixed to two neighboring posts (20), said pocket (3) comprising, on its outer face, sections of flexible fabric, each shaped to cooperate with at least some of said crosspieces (22), so as to allow the fixing of said pocket (3) to said rigid frame (2), characterized in that said pocket (3) comprises, at least for some of said crosspieces (22), a pair of sections of flexible fabric (33, 34), the free end of which is shaped in the form of a closed loop (330, 340) which forms a "loop", each section (33, 34) partially surrounding a crosspiece (22), the loops of said panels (33,4) having cutouts (331,341) forming notches arranged alternately in a staggered pattern, a bar (4) being engaged alternately in the loop of one panel (33) and in the loop of the other panel (33,34) and so on, thus retaining said panels (33,34).,

2. 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 sides (33, 34) relative to said bar (4).

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

4. Silo (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pocket (3) comprises, at least for some of said crosspieces (22), a pair of panels (35, 36) of flexible canvas, the free end of which is shaped in the form of a closed loop (350, 360) which forms a "loop", each panel (35, 36) partially surrounding a crosspiece (22), two bars (5, 6) being respectively engaged, one in a first loop and the other in the second loop, at least one restraining member (7) being engaged on said two bars (5, 6) in order to maintain their mutual spacing constant.

5. Silo (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first loop and second loop comprise cutouts (351, 361) opposite each other forming notches and that said at least one member of restraint (7) is engaged on said bars (5, 6), at the level of at least one of these cutouts (351, 361).

6. Silo (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one containment 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), the mutual spacing of which is, apart from the clearance, equal to that of said bars (5, 6), so as to be able to be engaged along the latter by a sliding movement.

7. 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 single piece, fixed to said pocket (3) in an intermediate zone located between said ends (330, 340, 350, 360) in the form of a loop.

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