Flexible tank with ring portion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible tank (10) for transporting liquids or liquid-based materials in a vehicle chassis or container (60). The flexible tank (10) has a body (20) defining a closed volume and at least one ring portion (30) narrowing the cross section of the body (20) and forming at least one first compartment (21) and at least one second compartment (22). The flexible tank (10) further has at least one filling inlet (23). Thus, the improvement is that the flexible tank (10) of the present invention comprises at least one folding area (50) defined on both sides of the ring portion (30) between each of the folding lines (40) provided at a first distance, which folds over or under at least one of the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22) after these folding lines (40) approach each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible tank provided for transporting liquids or liquid-based materials stored in the flexible tank on a vehicle chassis or container. [Background technology]

[0002] Flexible tanks are used to transport liquids or liquid-based materials. Vehicles that transport liquid-filled flexible tanks, primarily point-to-point, are typically truck-type land vehicles. Fluctuations of the liquid occur inside the liquid-filled flexible tank due to road conditions, such as road inclination or deterioration, or driver-initiated reasons, such as vehicle acceleration. While the vehicle is moving, as the liquid flows forward, it begins to rise. The potential energy gained after this rise exponentially increases during the return movement, creating a hydrodynamic force. This hydrodynamic force can damage the seam areas of the components that form the flexible tank. These seam areas may be subjected to intense stress, causing the flexible tank to split through the seam areas, resulting in a loss of liquid. Even if the flexible tank does not tear, operational safety may be compromised due to the generation of yaw with high intensity. As a solution to this problem, several embodiments of wave-proof flexible tanks have been proposed.

[0003] To transport liquid or liquid-based materials, the flexible tank is horizontally installed on the chassis of a vehicle or a container and connected to the chassis and the container at various locations. The force created by the weight of the liquid-based material acts on the base, and the material flow continues mainly on the base side. For this reason, an unbalanced material flow occurs. Although the connecting elements form baffles that provide the appearance of compartments, they cannot completely prevent turbulence.

[0004] In Turkish Utility Model No. 2008 / 08670 (TR2008 / 08670), a flexible tank that prevents wave formation is described for transporting liquids and liquid-based materials. The flexible tank consists of two or more compartments that are connected to each other in a manner that includes a curved shape. Openings are present that allow the passage of liquid between the compartments. In Turkish Utility Model No. 2007 / 00090 (TR2007 / 00090), a flexible tank that can store liquids is described.

[0005] The flexible tank has multiple compartments and is configured to allow the passage of liquid between at least two of these compartments. The passage between the compartments in the flexible tank is realized by welding the compartments and forming a gap between the welded surfaces. The compartments are separate elements in the flexible tank and are connected to each other. The joining and welding process results in heavy work and creates danger to the product and the product. In these applications, the flexible tank results in significant labor loss.

[0006] Turkish Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 11603 (TR2016 / 11603) proposes an embodiment of a flexible tank to solve the above-mentioned problems and the problem of wave formation through simple application. In this embodiment, there are joint areas where the cross section of the flexible tank narrows, and ring sections that surround these joint areas and narrow the cross section are present. The problem present in this application is shape deterioration, which can occur due to the location of the ring sections and the splitting of the ring sections due to insufficient resistance of the ring sections to the internal pressure that forms. In other words, as can be seen in FIG. 12, the vertical component of the internal pressure that occurs in the area where the cross section of the flexible tank slightly increases near the ring sections creates a force that pushes the ring sections outward. This can lead to the splitting of the ring sections. It is recognized that if the ring sections do not split, the narrowing of the cross section increases the flow velocity in the narrowed cross section, reducing the intended baffle effect.

[0007] As a result, the above-mentioned problems require improvements in the related art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Turkish Utility Model No. 2008 / 08670 [Patent Document 2] Turkish Utility Model No. 2007 / 00090 [Patent Document 3] Turkish Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 11603 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention relates to a flexible tank to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to bring new advantages to the related technical field.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tank that prevents damage occurring at the ring portion and increases the baffle effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives and those inferred from the following detailed description, the present invention provides a flexible tank for transporting liquids or liquid-based materials in a vehicle chassis or container. The flexible tank includes a body defining a closed volume and at least one ring portion narrowing the cross section of the body to form at least one first compartment and at least one second compartment. The flexible tank further includes at least one filling inlet. The flexible tank of the present invention thus includes at least one folding region defined between folding lines provided at a first distance on both sides of the ring portion, and folds over or under at least one of the first and second compartments after the folding lines approach each other. After filling, the remaining section between the ring portion and the folding line remains substantially perpendicular to the floor, thereby increasing the baffle effect and simultaneously reducing the internal pressure on the ring portion, thereby preventing the ring portion from breaking.

[0012] In a possible embodiment of the invention, at least one fastening element provides fastening of a fold-in area folded above or below at least one of the first and second compartments, in this way the flexible tank can be transported folded before filling and can wait in a shape ready to be filled.

[0013] The present invention further provides a method of filling a flexible tank for transporting a liquid or liquid-based material, the liquid or liquid-based material being stored in the flexible tank in a vehicle chassis or container. The flexible tank has a body defining a closed volume and at least one ring portion narrowing the cross section of the body to form at least one first compartment and at least one second compartment. The filling method therefore comprises: before filling the flexible tank, engaging at least one ring portion with a body of the flexible tank to define at least one first compartment and at least one second compartment on two sides of the ring portion; approaching fold lines defined at a first distance relative to the ring portion on opposite sides of the ring portion; folding at least one fold area remaining between the fold lines above or below at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment; and filling the material to be conveyed into the body through the filling inlet. In this way, after filling, the section remaining between the ring portion and the folding line remains substantially perpendicular to the floor, thereby increasing the baffle effect and simultaneously reducing the internal pressure acting on the ring portion, thereby preventing damage to the ring portion.

[0014] In a possible embodiment of the invention, a step is provided in which at least one fold area remaining between the fold lines is folded over or under at least one of the first and second compartments and then fixed by at least one fixing element, so that the flexible tank can be transported folded before filling and can wait in a shape suitable for filling.

[0015] In a possible embodiment of the invention, there is provided a step of folding the fold-in area over or under the first compartment or the second compartment whichever is further from the filling entrance.

[0016] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, a step is provided in which the fold area is folded through a second fold line defined between the ring portion and the fold line, and folded above or below both the first compartment and the second compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a flexible tank of the present invention within a container. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a possible embodiment of the flexible tank of the present invention within a container. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a top view showing the flexible tank of the present invention within a container. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the ring portion is fixed to the main body before filling the flexible tank of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the formation of a fold-in area by folding the flexible tank of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the folding and fixing of the folding area of ​​the flexible tank of the present invention to the main body. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing the folding and fastening of the flexible tank of the present invention through the second folding line in the folding area. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the folding and fastening of the flexible tank of the present invention through the second folding line in the folding area. FIG. [Figure 9] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating the shape change of a flexible tank of the present invention during filling. [Figure 10] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating the shape change of a flexible tank of the present invention during filling. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of a multi-layer version of the flexible tank of the present invention after filling. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a side view of a flexible tank used in the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In this "Description of the Preferred Embodiments" the flexible tank 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to examples which do not form any limiting effect, solely for the purpose of better understanding the present invention.

[0019] 1-3, the flexible tank (10) of the present invention has a body (20) that defines an enclosed volume for containing and transporting a liquid or liquid-based material. The body (20) has at least one filling inlet (23).

[0020] There is at least one ring portion 30 surrounding the body 20 and narrowing the cross section of the body 20. The ring portion 30 forms the body 20 such that there is a first compartment 21 and a second compartment 22 on either side. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the number of ring portions 30 can be increased, and accordingly the number of compartments can be increased.

[0021] As can be seen in FIG. 4, in the flexible tank (10) of the present invention, the ring portion (30) is engaged with the main body (20) while the main body (20) is empty. On two sides of the ring portion (30), each fold line (40) is defined at a first distance relative to the ring portion (30). The portion remaining between the fold lines (40) is defined as the fold region (50). The ring portion (30) is then lifted upward from the floor by an amount substantially equal to the first distance (h), and the fold lines (40) approach each other (FIG. 5). In this way, the portions of the fold region (50) remaining between the ring portion (30) and the fold lines (40) on the two sides of the ring portion (30) are aligned. In other words, the fold region (50) reaches a shape extending upward from the floor. Subsequently, as can be seen in Figure 6, the fold-in area (50) is laid down on at least one of the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the fold-in area (50) is laid down on the one of the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22) that is farther from the filling inlet (23). As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, in another possible embodiment of the present invention, each second fold-in line (41) is defined between the ring portion (30) and the fold-in line (40), and the section remaining between the ring portion (30) and the fold-in line (40) is again folded through the second fold-in line (41), and the fold-in area (50) is simultaneously laid down on the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22).

[0022] In a possible embodiment of the invention, at least one fastening element (51) is provided to keep the fold-over area (50) in a laid-over shape above the first compartment (21) and / or above the second compartment (22). The fastening element (51) is essentially a band. Thanks to the fastening element (51), the fold-over area remains in an unfolded shape during transport of the flexible tank (10) before filling. At the same time, the fastening element (51) prevents the fold-over area from unfolding during filling, at least partially preventing the migration of fluid material to the adjacent compartment.

[0023] 9 and 10, thanks to the embodiment of the flexible tank (10) of the present invention, during filling, the fluid material is first filled into the first compartment (21), to which the filling inlet (23) is associated. Thanks to the remaining fold area (50) between the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22) and due to the realized folding process, the fluid material is at least partially prevented from moving into the second compartment (22). As a result, the first compartment (21) is initially substantially filled, and the portion between the ring portion (30) and the fold line (40) remains in a shape substantially perpendicular to the floor. As the filling process continues, the fluid material begins to fill into the second compartment (22), which acquires a shape similar to that of the first compartment (21) due to the fold realized at the fold line (40) on the side of the ring portion (30) facing the second compartment (22).

[0024] Thanks to this embodiment, the remaining portions between the ring portions 30 and the folding lines 40 extend substantially perpendicular to the floor, so the vertical component of the fluid pressure formed in these portions is reduced compared to the prior art. As a result, the fluid pressure that pushes the ring portions 30 outward approaches zero or is substantially reduced. In this way, only a force equal to the fluid pressure present in the portion where the ring portions 30 contact the main body 20 is applied to the ring portions 30. This means that the pressure applied to the ring portions 30 is reduced, preventing damage to the ring portions 30.

[0025] On the other hand, the baffle effect in the sections between the ring portion 30 and the folding line 40 is increased because these sections extend substantially perpendicular to the floor. Furthermore, the fluid velocity in these sections is reduced compared to the prior art because it becomes difficult for the fluid to enter the narrowed sections created by the ring portion 30.

[0026] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first distance (h) defined between the ring portion (30) and the folding line (40) is provided to be essentially equal to one-third of the height of the flexible tank (10) after filling. On the other hand, in a possible embodiment of the present invention, the circumference of the ring portion (30) is provided to be approximately half the circumference of the flexible tank (10). Thanks to this ratio, an optimal baffle effect is provided, and at the same time, the flexible tank (10) can be filled and used without the ring portion (30) being split.

[0027] As can be seen in Figure 11, the body (20) is made up of multiple layers.

[0028] The protective scope of the present invention is set forth in the appended claims and is not limited to the above exemplary disclosure in the Detailed Description, because a person skilled in the relevant art can clearly create similar embodiments based on the foregoing disclosure without departing from the main spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 10 Flexible Tank 20 Main Unit 21 First Section 22 Second Section 23 Filling inlet 30 Ring part 40 Folding line 41 Second fold line 50 fold-out area 51 Fixed Elements 60 containers h first distance

Claims

1. A flexible tank (10) for transporting liquids or liquid-based materials in a vehicle chassis or container (60), the flexible tank (10) having a body (20) defining a closed volume and at least one ring portion (30) narrowing the cross section of the body (20) to form at least one first compartment (21) and at least one second compartment (22), the flexible tank (10) further having at least one filling inlet (23), and the flexible tank (10) having at least one folding region (50) defined between folding lines (40) provided at a first distance on both sides of the ring portion (30), and which folds over or under at least one of the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22) after the folding lines (40) are brought close to each other.

2. 2. The flexible tank (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one fastening element (51) provides fastening of a fold-in area (50) that is fold-in over or under at least one of the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22).

3. 1. A method of filling a flexible tank (10) for transporting a liquid or liquid-based material stored in said flexible tank in a vehicle chassis or container (60), said flexible tank having a body (20) defining an enclosed volume and at least one ring portion (30) narrowing the cross section of said body (20) and forming at least one first compartment (21) and at least one second compartment (22), said method comprising: before filling the flexible tank (10), engaging at least one ring portion (30) with the body (20) of the flexible tank (10) to define at least one first compartment (21) and at least one second compartment (22) on either side of the ring portion (30); Bringing together fold lines (40) defined at a first distance (h) relative to the ring portion (30) on both sides of the ring portion (30); folding at least one fold area (50) remaining between the fold lines (40) above or below at least one of the first section (21) and the second section (22); Filling the material to be conveyed into said body (20) through a filling inlet (23); A method for filling said flexible tank (10), comprising:

4. 4. The method for filling the flexible tank (10) according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: folding at least one fold region (50) remaining between the fold lines (40) above or below at least one of the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22) and then fixing the fold region (50) with at least one fixing element (51).

5. 4. The method for filling the flexible tank (10) according to claim 3, further comprising the step of folding the fold-in area (50) over or under one of the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22), whichever is further from the filling inlet (23).

6. 4. The method for filling the flexible tank (10) according to claim 3, further comprising the step of folding the fold region (50) through a second fold line (41) defined between the ring portion (30) and the fold line (40), and folding the fold region (50) over or under both the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22).

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