Removable ventilation and drying device for skips, especially agricultural skips

Abstract

Removable Ventilation and Drying Device for a Dumpster, Particularly an Agricultural Dumpster. The invention relates to a ventilation and drying device (1) intended to be positioned, in a removable manner, within a storage container (10) for a bulk agricultural product, such as cereal grains, wood chips, or other materials, said container (10) having a horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall (11) surmounted along its entire perimeter by at least one side wall. Said ventilation and drying device (1) is characterized in that it comprises at least a plurality of perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) parallel to one another, and intended to extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom wall (11) of said container (10), each of said perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) being connected at one of its ends (20a, 21a, 22a) to a duct (3) extending transversely with respect to to the said perforated tubular elements (20, 21,22), said duct (3) being connected to suction and / or blowing means (4). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Removable ventilation and drying device for a skip, in particular an agricultural skip

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of agriculture.

[0002] The present invention relates more specifically to a device for cooling and drying, by ventilation, harvested products, in particular cereal grains, for example wheat, corn, sunflower, rapeseed, etc., or even wood chips, tea, or any other bulk product, intended to be stored in a container, for example of the skip or trailer type or equivalent.

[0003] Thus, the present invention relates more particularly to a ventilation device intended to be positioned in a bin used in the field of agriculture, for drying and cooling grains in particular, after harvesting the latter, once they are stored in the container of the bin, trailer, or equivalent type.

[0004] Generally, at harvest time, cereal grains are temporarily transferred into a bin or trailer for transport from the field to a warehouse on a farm or agricultural cooperative where they can be stored for a more or less long period, in a storage location, before being transported to their final place of use.

[0005] It is necessary to ensure the drying of cereal grains at the time of their storage, so as to avoid, on the one hand, germination of the grains, but also, on the other hand, infestation of the batch by mold, bacteria, or other insect pests.

[0006] In the state of the art, in order to allow the drying of batches of grain, perforated floor systems are already known which are intended to be installed over the entire bottom of the bin.

[0007] Such a system consists more specifically of a double-bottomed floor which should be placed at the bottom of the dump body or agricultural trailer, the double-bottomed floor being topped with grids or perforated sheets, said floor also being provided with an air sleeve which must be connected to a ventilation system.

[0008] The system is presented in the form of a kit containing a plurality of double-bottom floor elements which must be joined together in the bin to cover the entire surface of the bottom thereof, in order to allow drying of the cereals which are harvested and then transferred into the bin.

[0009] Thus, this system has the disadvantage of requiring the manufacture of custom-made double-bottom floor elements in order to cover the entire surface of the container.

[0010] Furthermore, the ventilation system must allow air to be transferred for drying the grains through the bottom of the bin or trailer, so that one of the walls thereof, generally the rear wall which is intended to allow access to the interior of said bin, must be provided with a mouth or an opening intended to allow the passage of a duct or an air sleeve for conveying this air from the ventilation system between the two walls of the double-bottom floor.

[0011] The design of such a system is, therefore, complicated, and also expensive.

[0012] Drying of cereals can also be carried out by means of drying cells to which hot air is supplied.

[0013] We thus know a drying cell device, in the form of a silo, for grasses, cereals, or other products such as wood chips, which is the subject of French patent FR 2 930 630.

[0014] In this patent, the drying cell in question comprises two chambers, the upper chamber being provided with at least one circulation screw whose rotation is capable of generating a local upward flow of the product to be dried, cereals or others.

[0015] The two chambers are separated from each other by means of a perforated wall of conical or truncated shape.

[0016] Furthermore, leveling screws complete the drying cell device, the longitudinal axis of which extends radially relative to the vertical axis of the upper chamber and parallel to the bottom wall, said screws being associated with support means capable of allowing the screws to rotate around the vertical axis of the upper chamber on the one hand, and around their own longitudinal axes, so as to ensure radial movement of the cereals from the vertical axis of the upper chamber towards its periphery.

[0017] A flow of hot air comes from the lower chamber for drying the products located in the upper chamber, said flow being generated by a fan, associated with heating means, to reach a temperature between 40 and 60°C.

[0018] The system, here including a plurality of screws, some for circulation, others for leveling, is of particularly complex design, requiring motorized means adapted for their operation, as well as means for maneuvering the screws inside the chamber.

[0019] A mobile ventilation system is also known comprising a fan intended to be placed on a perforated column, or a perforated tube. The perforated column is screwed onto the pile of product to be ventilated, stored in a bin, to obtain cooling of said product by vertical circulation of air, from the top to the bottom of the perforated column.

[0020] That being said, such a device is not sufficient to allow cooling of all of the product contained in the volume of the container, particularly in the bottom and corners of the container.

[0021] The present invention aims to remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks of the devices of the state of the art by proposing a ventilation system capable of allowing the drying and cooling of an agricultural product, such as grains or the like, which is of simple and inexpensive design, while allowing optimal treatment of the product, preferably immediately after harvesting it, in the skip or trailer which allows the transport of said product from the field to its storage location (silo, hangar, etc.).

[0022] To this end, the invention relates more particularly to a ventilation and drying device intended to be positioned, in a removable manner, in a container for storing a bulk agricultural product, such as cereal grains, wood chips, or others, said container comprising a horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall surmounted over its entire perimeter by at least one side wall.

[0023] Said ventilation and drying device of the invention is characterized in that it comprises, at least, a plurality of perforated tubular elements parallel to each other, and intended to extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom wall of said container, each of said perforated tubular elements being connected by one of its ends, to a sheath extending transversely with respect to said perforated tubular elements, said sheath being connected to suction and / or blowing means.

[0024] According to preferred embodiments:

[0025] - in a first variant embodiment, said sheath is provided with a tapping for its connection to the suction and / or blowing means via a connecting pipe

[0026] - in a second variant embodiment, said sheath forms an elbow for its connection to suction and / or blowing means;

[0027] - the ventilation and drying device comprises at least three elements perforated bulbs;

[0028] - each of the perforated tubular elements has a diameter of between 80 and 120 mm, preferably a diameter of 100 mm, and perforations, over its entire surface, with a diameter of between 1.4 and 1.8 mm, preferably a diameter of 1.6 mm;

[0029] - said sheath extending transversely relative to said tubular elements perforated has a round section and a diameter between 150 and 200 mm.

[0030] Most preferably, the ventilation and drying device of the invention is intended to be positioned, in a removable manner, in a storage container whose horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall is of generally rectangular, said bottom wall being surmounted over its entire perimeter by four side walls, said ventilation and drying device then being characterized in that said plurality of perforated tubular elements parallel to each other extend along the length of the bottom wall of the storage container, while said sheath to which each of the perforated tubular elements is connected extends across the width of said bottom wall of the storage container.

[0031] In another possible configuration, said plurality of perforated tubular elements parallel to each other extend along the width of the bottom wall of the storage container, while said sheath to which each of the perforated tubular elements is connected extends along the length of said bottom wall of the storage container.

[0032] Advantageously, said suction and / or blowing means are associated with means for heating and / or cooling the air.

[0033] The invention also relates to a container, of the skip or trailer type, comprising a horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall, of rectangular or square shape, surmounted over its entire perimeter by four side walls, said container being equipped with a ventilation and drying device as described previously.

[0034] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows relating to embodiments which are given only as indicative and non-limiting examples.

[0035] Understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which:

[0036] [Fig-1] represents a schematic and top view of a preferred embodiment of a ventilation and drying device according to the invention, said device being intended to be positioned, in a removable manner, in a storage container, in this case at the bottom of a skip or a trailer, also visible in the figure, said skip receiving, after harvest, an agricultural product, said device comprising a plurality of perforated tubular elements at the bottom of said container, the perforated tubes being connected by one of their ends, to a common sheath extending transversely with respect to the tubes.

[0037] [Fig.2] represents a schematic and top view of a first embodiment of the ventilation and drying device according to the invention, in which the perforated tubular elements extend along the length of the bottom wall of the container, while said common sheath to which they are connected extends across the width of the bottom wall of the container.

[0038] [Fig.3] represents a schematic and top view of a second embodiment of the ventilation and drying device according to the invention, in which the perforated tubular elements extend along the width of the bottom wall of the bucket, while the said sheath to which they are connected extends along the length of the bottom wall of the bucket.

[0039] [Fig.4] corresponds to a side view of the ventilation and drying device of the [Fig.l].

[0040] With reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the attached drawings, the present invention then relates to a ventilation and drying device 1 intended to be used more particularly in the field of agriculture, in particular at the time of harvesting cereal grains, or even for drying wood chips, or any other bulk product, which would require a reduction in its humidity level, before said product is stored for a longer period of storage.

[0041] For this purpose, said ventilation device is intended to be positioned, in a removable manner, in a container 10 for the storage of such a bulk product, in particular an agricultural product, such as cereal grains, wood chips, or others.

[0042] The ventilation and drying device 1 of the invention can thus be put in place, or removed, according to the needs of the user, in said storage container 10, the latter being able in particular to consist of a skip or a trailer, the latter being able to be transported to a field in which the product is to be harvested.

[0043] Thus, it is understood that the device 1 of the present invention is intended to allow drying of the bulk product when it is placed temporarily in the skip or trailer 10, for its transport between the moment when it is harvested in the field, until the moment when it is stored in a suitable storage location (silo, barn, shed, etc.).

[0044] Said temporary storage container 10, of the trailer type or other, comprises, in a traditional manner, a horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall 11, knowing that this can be tilted temporarily, by means of a suitable lifting mechanism, to allow unloading of the bulk product contained in said container 10.

[0045] Said bottom wall 10 is surmounted, over its entire external perimeter, by at least one side wall.

[0046] Generally, the storage containers 10 used in the field of agriculture for harvesting and transporting products from the field to the storage location have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, so that the bottom wall 11 of such a container is rectangular in shape and is surmounted by four side walls.

[0047] One of these side walls may be provided with any opening means (not shown in the figures) allowing access to the interior of the bucket 10, and also facilitating the unloading of the bulk product contained inside the bucket. 10.

[0048] Returning now to the ventilation and drying device 1 of the invention, intended to be positioned in the bottom of the storage container 10, the latter is particular in that it comprises, at least, a variable number of perforated tubular elements, greater than or equal to two, preferably at least three perforated tubular elements.

[0049] Whatever the number of perforated tubular elements with which the device 1 of the invention is equipped, these are, on the one hand, arranged parallel to each other, and, on the other hand, intended to extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom wall 11 of said container 10.

[0050] The number of perforated tubular elements that the present ventilation and drying device 1 comprises can easily be adapted, by a person skilled in the art, according, in particular, to the dimensions of the container 10, and in particular those of the bottom wall 11 of said container 10, but also by considering the orientation in which said tubular elements are arranged at the bottom 11 of said storage container 10.

[0051] It should also be noted that the number of tubular elements can also depend on their own diameter.

[0052] Thus, in Figures 1 and 2 of the attached drawings is shown a first, particularly preferred embodiment of the ventilation and drying device 1, in accordance with the invention, the latter comprising here three perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, which extend along the length of the bottom wall 11 of the storage container 10.

[0053] [Fig. 3] illustrates, for its part, a second embodiment, just as interesting, for the ventilation and drying device 1 of the invention, in which the latter is equipped with eight perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 which then extend across the width of the bottom wall 11 of said storage container 10.

[0054] The perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, regardless of their number, are preferably positioned equidistant from each other.

[0055] Regardless of the number of perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and their relative orientation with respect to the length or width of the storage container 10, each of these perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, may consist of a plurality of tubes butted together by means of suitable fixing elements.

[0056] Such a configuration is illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0057] Still independently of the number of tubular elements constituting the ventilation and drying device of the invention, each of these perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 is connected, by one of its ends 20a, 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a, 26a, 27a, to a sheath 3, or conduit, which will extend transversely relative to said perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.

[0058] Said sheath 3, which is preferably a rigid sheath, is connected to suction and / or blowing means 4, for example a fan operating in suction (represented by the arrows going downwards in [Fig.4]) or in blowing (represented by the arrows going upwards in [Fig.4]), which are intended to be positioned, preferably, outside the temporary storage container 10.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the ventilation and drying device 1 of the invention, said rigid sheath 3 is provided with a connection for its connection to the suction and / or blowing means 4, by means, for example, of a connection pipe 5 above which the fan 4 is positioned, preferably by means of a plug 51.

[0060] In another exemplary embodiment, just as advantageous, said sheath 3 comprises a first tubular part arranged in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the bottom of the storage container 10, connected to the plurality of perforated tubular elements, before forming an elbow extending vertically for its connection to the suction and / or blowing means 4 which are preferably external to said container 10.

[0061] As regards the dimensions of the perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, these preferably each have a diameter of between 80 and 120 mm, preferably a diameter of 100 mm.

[0062] Furthermore, advantageously, the entire perimeter of each of the tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 is perforated, and these perforations most preferably have a diameter of between 1.4 and 1.8 mm, preferably a diameter of 1.6 mm.

[0063] Such dimensions promote optimal ventilation and efficient drying of the entire bulk product placed in the storage container 10, while preventing cereal seeds from obstructing or passing through the perforations to clog the tubes of the ventilation and drying device 1 of the invention.

[0064] As regards now said sheath 3 extending transversely with respect to said perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, this has, most preferably, a round section and a diameter between 150 and 200 mm.

[0065] The present invention also relates to a storage container 10, of the skip or trailer type 10, comprising a horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall 11, of rectangular or square shape, surmounted over its entire perimeter by four side walls, said storage container 10 being equipped with a ventilation and drying device 1 mounted in the bottom of said skip 10 in a removable manner.

[0066] Most preferably, the removable ventilation and drying device 1 is associated with fixing means 6, 61, of the U-shaped element type welded to the bottom wall 11 of the storage container 10, so that said fixing means 6, 61 make it possible to raise, by approximately a few centimeters relative to the bottom wall 11 of the container 10, said perforated tubular elements 20, 21, 22, as well as said rigid sheath 3, so as not to hinder the emptying of the cereal grains by tipping.

[0067] The ventilation and drying device 1 of the invention is particularly advantageous. On the one hand, such a device 1 makes it possible to treat small batches of products, in particular cereal grains, directly in the bin or trailer in which they are transferred, and this immediately after their harvest. The risks of contamination of the bulk product by pathogenic microorganisms or even by insect pests are thus substantially reduced.

[0068] On the other hand, said ventilation and drying device 1 being removable, it is easily dismantled to be able to use the bucket or trailer for a purpose other than the harvesting and transport of cereal grains, which is common on a farm.

[0069] Furthermore, the use of a blower or suction fan allows adaptation of the use according to the type of seeds which must be harvested and transported, and the possible addition of heating or means of cooling the air (for example heat exchanger) are possible.

Claims

Claims

1. Ventilation and drying device (1) intended to be positioned, in a removable manner, in a storage container (10) for a bulk agricultural product, such as cereal grains, wood chips, or the like, said container (10) comprising a horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall (11) surmounted over its entire perimeter by at least one side wall, said ventilation and drying device (1) being characterized in that it comprises, at least, a plurality of perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) parallel to each other, and intended to extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom wall (11) of said container (10), each of said perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) being connected by one of its ends (20a, 21a, 22a), to a non-perforated sheath (3) extending transversely relative to said tubular elements perforated (20, 21, 22),said non-perforated sheath (3) being connected to suction and / or blowing means (4) included in said device (1), all the perforated tubular elements extending in the same direction from said non-perforated sheath (3), each of the perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) having a diameter of between 80 and 120 mm, preferably a diameter of 100 mm, and perforations, over its entire surface, of a diameter of between 1.4 and 1.8 mm, preferably a diameter of 1.6 mm, said non-perforated sheath (3) extending transversely relative to said perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) having a round section and a constant diameter of between 150 and 200 mm.,

2. Ventilation and drying device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said non-perforated sheath (3) is provided with a connection for its connection to the suction and / or blowing means (4) via a connection pipe (5).

3. Ventilation and drying device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said non-perforated sheath (3) forms an elbow for its connection to the suction and / or blowing means (4).

4. Ventilation and drying device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that it comprises at least three perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22).

5. A ventilation and drying device (1) according to any preceding claim, intended to be positioned, so as to removable, in a storage container (10) whose horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall (11) is of generally rectangular shape, said bottom wall (11) being surmounted over its entire perimeter by four side walls, said ventilation and drying device (1) being characterized in that said plurality of perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) parallel to each other extend along the length of the bottom wall (11) of the storage container (10), while said non-perforated sheath (3) to which each of the perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22) is connected extends across the width of said bottom wall (11) of the storage container (10).

6. Ventilation and drying device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, intended to be positioned, in a removable manner, in a storage container (10) whose horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall (11) is of generally rectangular shape, said bottom wall being surmounted over its entire perimeter by four side walls, said ventilation and drying device (1) being characterized in that said plurality of perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) parallel to each other extend along the width of the bottom wall (11) of the storage container (10), while said non-perforated sheath (3) to which each of the perforated tubular elements (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) is connected extends along the length of said bottom wall (11) of the storage container (10).

7. Ventilation and drying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said suction and / or blowing means (4) are associated with means for heating and / or cooling the air.

8. Container (10), of the skip or trailer type (10), comprising a horizontal or substantially horizontal bottom wall (11), of rectangular or square shape, surmounted over its entire perimeter by four side walls, characterized in that it is equipped with a ventilation and drying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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