Material off-loading system

Abstract

An apparatus and method for offloading materials to a storage container wherein the apparatus comprises a separator fluidically connected to a material storage operable receive material vacuumed from the material storage and separate the drawn vacuumed material into a predominantly gas output and a predominantly solid output, a conduit extending from the predominantly solid output of the separator, a lid having an solid inlet connectable to the conduit passing therethrough, a base container operable to be secured to the lid so as to contain an interior volume therein and a flexible bag operable to be secured within the base container with an opening oriented towards the solid output. The method comprises drawings the material from the material storage, separating the drawn material into a predominantly gas output and a predominantly solid output with a separator and passing the predominantly solid output into the flexible bag.

Description

[0001] MATERIAL OFF-LOADING SYSTEM

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] 1. Technical Field

[0004] This disclosure relates generally to material handling and in particular to a method and apparatus for collecting materials from a vacuum or pumped source into storage vessels.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] Many types of materials are commonly collected for removal or disposal through the use of a vacuum truck as are commonly known. Such vehicles include a tank or container operable to hold a fluid or particle material and a vacuum pump adapted to draw up a slurry of liquid, particles or mixtures thereof for collection within the tank. Such vacuum trucks are commonly emptied by opening a port within or extending to the tank and draining or dumping the tank contents.

[0007] Although commonly used, such vacuum trucks have been difficult to employ in the case of hazardous or special materials In particular for such materials, such as asbestos or aluminum powders, by way of non-limiting example, the process of emptying the tank or removing parts of the contents thereof may present an unacceptable risk when using conventional dumping or draining methods. In particular the draining or dumping of such materials may make dust or the like from these materials prone to becoming airborne or posing other health hazards.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] According to a first embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus for offloading materials to a storage container comprising a separator fluidically connected to a material storage operable receive material vacuumed from the material storage and separate the drawn vacuumed material into a predominantly gas output and a predominantly solid output, a conduit extending from the predominantly solid output of the separator, a lid having an solid inlet connectable to the conduit passing therethrough, a base container operable to be secured to the lid so as to contain an interior volume therein and a flexible bag operable to be secured within the base container with an opening oriented towards the solid output.

[0010] The separator may comprise a cyclone separator. A top edge of the flexible bag may be securable between the base container and the lid. The flexible bag may be rated to carry hazardous material. The flexible bag may be operable to pass fluid therethrough while retaining solid particles of a predetermined size therein.

[0011] The base container may comprise a box. The base container may include an open top with a closed bottom. The base container may include a fluid output proximate to a lower end thereof. The apparatus may further comprise a suction conduit extending from the fluid output of the base container The suction conduit may extend to the gas output to the separator. The suction conduit may include a valve therein.

[0012] The lid may include a dust conduit passing therethrough in communication with a region above and within the flexible bag. The dust conduit may extend to an input to the separator. The dust conduit may include a valve therein.

[0013] The apparatus may further include at least two lids, base containers each having a flexible bag therein wherein the conduit is divertable between the at least two lids. The conduit may include a diverter valve therein. The conduit may be selectably couplable to one of the at least two lids.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, there is disclosed a method for offloading materials from a material storage comprising drawings a material from the material storage, separating the drawn material into a predominantly gas output and a predominantly solid output with a separator and passing the predominantly solid output into a flexible bag secured between a lid and a storage vessel wherein the predominantly solid output passes through the lid thereinto.

[0015] According to a first embodiment, there is disclosed a method for offloading materials from a material storage in a vehicle to a storage container comprising vacuuming a material from material storage separating the vacuumed material into a gas output and a solid output with a cyclone separator, securing a flexible bag between a lid having the solid outlet from the cyclone separator passing therethrough and passing the solid material through the solid output into the flexible bag.

[0016] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings constitute part of the disclosure. Each drawing illustrates exemplary aspects wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a system for offloading a vac truck according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 .

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 at an open position.

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 at a closed position.

[0023] Figure 5 is a partial cross sectional view of separator of Figure 1 .

[0024] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a system for offloading a vac truck according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic view of the system of Figure 6.

[0026] Figure 8 is a detailed view a diverter for use on the system of Figure 6 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to exemplary apparatuses, methods and systems. Referring to Figure 1 , an exemplary apparatus for removing material as gathered by a vacuum truck according to a first embodiment is shown generally at 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a cyclone separator 12 having an input 14 and a gas and solid output, 16 and 18 respectively. The input 14 fluidically connects the cyclone separator 12 with a pump 8 of a vacuum truck 6. The apparatus further includes a lid body 30 secured to the cyclone separator and passing the solid output 16 therethrough. The lid body 30 is securable to a container body 50 supporting a bag within in a sealed configuration with the lid body 30 so as to receive and contain the solid material ejected from the solid output thereinto. Although the present disclosure describes the apparatus 10 as being connected to a vacuum truck 6, it will be appreciated that any other vacuum or suction source for collecting the material may also be used including stand alone pumps, vacuums or the like.

[0028] Turning now to Figures 2 through 4, the lid body 30 comprises a planar body extending having an inlet passage generally indicated at 32 extending therethrough. The inlet passage 32 corresponds in size and location to the solid outlet 16 of the cyclone separator. A plurality of bolts 34 or other suitable fasteners may be utilized to secure the cyclone separator 12 to the lid body and bracing elements 34 may also be utilized to support the cyclone separator 12 therefrom. The lid body 30 extends to a distal edge 36 and may include a seal 38 extending therearound.

[0029] As illustrated in Figure 3, the lid body 30 may include a plurality of guiding extensions 40 extending in a generally downward orientation therefrom at a positon selected to surround the container body 50 as set out below. The extensions 40 may include a claps 42 or other engaging member adapted to attach to and securely connect the lid body 30 to the top of the container body. The lid body 30 may further include a viewing window 44 extending therethrough to allow a user to determine how full the bag 70 is and an optional water spray 46 for reducing dust therein. The lid body 30 may further include fork lift receivers 48 to permit lifting by forklift or lifting loops as are commonly known.

[0030] The container body 50 may comprise any suitable container vessel adapted to support a bag 70 or other flexible container under the bottom of the lid body 30. In particular, the container body 50 may be formed as a box a top edge 52 with a seal 54 extending therearound and defining an interior cavity 56 therein. The container body 50 may optionally include a venting passage 58 proximate to a bottom edge 60 of the box so as to permit the removal of air from the cavity around a bag 70 located therein. The container body 50 may include a plurality of latching plates 62 around a peripheral edge thereof having a guide passage 64 therethrough. The guide passages 64 receive the extensions 40 therein for ensuring proper alignment with the lid body 30. The latching plates 62 may further include catch 66 adapted to be engaged by the clasps 42 to secure the lid body 30 to the container body 50. The container body may further include fork lift slots 68 thereunder to permit lifting by forklift.

[0031] The bag 70 may comprise any suitably shaped flexible container adapted to contain the material to be removed from the vacuum truck 6. In particular the bag may be any UN or other rated bag designed to securely and sealably store the contents as desired. It will be appreciated that any known bag type or construction may be thus utilized for this purpose and may be selected from the materials including, without limitation canvas and fabrics. It will be appreciated that the bag may be selected to permit air flow therethrough of so as to allow air flow, but not particle flow therethrough so as to assist with filing the bag. Optionally, the bag may be selected to be operable to contain particles by allow liquid, such as, by way of non-limiting example water to flow therethrough such that the apparatus may be useful for collecting debris entrained in water collected and processed by the separator. Examples of such bags can be known as dewatering bags. Cyclone separator 12 may be selected to be of any conventional type adapted to separate particles from a gas or liquid stream. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 5, the cyclone separator 12 may extend between top and bottom ends 80 and 82 formed by a top cylindrical section 84 and a bottom frustoconical section 86. The top cylindrical section includes the inlet 14 extending thereinto to at a tangential angle as is commonly known so as to induce a radial flow of material through the interior of the separator. Furthermore, the fluid output 16 extends from and passes through the top edge 80 of the separator and the solid outlet 18 extends through the bottom edge 82. As illustrated in Figure 5, the cylindrical section, may also include an inner tubular divider 88 extending from around fluid outlet 16 to a position therein and at least one diverting vane 90 between the outer wall of the cylindrical section 84 and the tubular divider 88. The vanes 90 may assist with inducing a helical flow of material from the inlet 14 down through the separator and may be formed as semi-circular plates as illustrated although other shapes may be useful as well. One or more of the surfaces inside the cyclone separator, including the top cylindrical section 84, vanes 90 or the like may include a replicable wear liner to facilitate ease of replacement.

[0032] In operation, a user may connect the input line 14 to the pump 8 8 of a vacuum truck 6. A bag 70 may then be placed within the container with a top edge 72 thereof over the top edge 52 of the container body 50 as illustrated in in exploded view in Figure 3. Thereafter the lid body 30 may be lowered onto the bag 70 and container body 50 so as to compress the top edge 72 of the bag 70 between the lid body and the container body thereby sealing the bag to the lid body. The cyclone separator 12 may then be operated to remove the material as gathered by the pump 8 and separate the solid material out of the mixture, through the solid outlet 18 and into the bag 70. Once the bag is sufficiently full, the cyclone separator may be turned off and the lid removed to remove the bag for sealing through other means and transportation. Turning now to Figure 6, a further embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown in Figure 6, the system 100 includes a cyclone separator 102 supported by a frame 104. As set out above, the cyclone separator includes an input 106 and a gas and solid output, 108 and 110 respectively. It will also be appreciated that the solid output 110 may include a some gas included therein for conveying purposes as is common. The input 106 is fluidically connected to a source for the solid material to be collected, such as, by way of non-limiting example a vac truck or the like. The frame 104 may support the separator 102 above a location adapted to contain one or more containers 120 as illustrated. The containers may be formed as set out above with a lid 122 and a container body containing and holding a bag (not shown in Figure 6) therein between the container body and lid.

[0033] Optionally, the system of Figure 6 may include scales 130 therein adapted to measure a weight of the container located thereon. Such scales may assist with determining when a given container is full. As illustrated, each container 120 may include rollers or wheels 124 to assists with removal from the frame for when a lid is desired to be removed for bag and contents removal.

[0034] As Shown in Figure 6, the system 100 may include two containers 120 although more than two containers may also be utilized. The system 100 includes an outlet conduct 140 extending from the solid output 110 of the separator 102. The outlet conduit 140 may include a diverter 142, such as by way of non-limiting example, a valve, butterfly or diverting flap. Optionally as illustrated in Figure 8, the diverter 142 may comprise a pipe coupler 144 on the end thereof. In such embodiments, the outlet conduit 140 may be flexible and operable to be moved and connected to a corresponding coupler on one of the containers.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the system 100 may include a suction conduit, pipe or hose 150 extending from a bottom of each container 120. The suction conduit 150 extends into the each container at a location proximate to a bottom thereof and outside of the bag contained therein. The suction conduit 150 extends in fluidic communication with the fluid outlet of the separator. In operation the fluid flow out of the separator will also draw fluid, such as air, contained within the bottom of the container and thereby draw the bag to fill the container. Such fluid flow out of the container 120 through the suction conduit 150 may also assist with filling the bag as air or other fluid is drawn through the fluid permeable wall of the bag. Furthermore, the lid 122 may include a dust conduit, pipe, hose or the like 154 extending therefrom to the input 104 of the separator operable to provide fluidic communication between the interior of the bag with the input 104. Accordingly, the dust conduit 154 may be operable to allow the separator to remove dust within the bag.

[0036] For use with multiple containers, it will be appreciated that the suction lines 150 and dust lines 154 may be decouplable to the containers with couplers as are known. Optionally each suction or dust line may include valves 152 and 156, respectively for selecting which container is in operation with the separator at a given time.

[0037] Although the cyclone separator 102 is shown above the containers 120, it will be appreciated that it may also be located at other positions including, without limitation beside or behind the containers 120. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a distance of the separator 102 above the containers 120 may also be adapted to fit a desired location or for transportation needs.

[0038] While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the disclosure as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for offloading materials to a storage container comprising: a separator fluidically connected to a material storage operable receive material vacuumed from the material storage and separate the drawn vacuumed material into a predominantly gas output and a predominantly solid output; a conduit extending from the predominantly solid output of the separator; a lid having an solid inlet connectable to the conduit passing therethrough; a base container operable to be secured to the lid so as to contain an interior volume therein; and a flexible bag operable to be secured within the base container with an opening oriented towards the solid output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the separator comprises a cyclone separator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a top edge of the flexible bag is securable between the base container and the lid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible bag is rated to carry hazardous material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible bag is operable to pass fluid therethrough while retaining solid particles of a predetermined size therein.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base container comprises a box.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base container includes an open top with a closed bottom.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the base container includes a fluid output proximate to a lower end thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a suction conduit extending from the fluid output of the base container10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the suction conduit extends to the gas output to the separator.11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the suction conduit includes a valve therein.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lid includes a dust conduit passing therethrough in communication with a region above and within the flexible bag.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the dust conduit extends to an input to the separator.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the dust conduit includes a valve therein.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further including at least two lids, base containers each having a flexible bag therein wherein the conduit is divertable between the at least two lids.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the conduit includes a diverter valve therein.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the conduit is selectably couplable to one of the at least two lids.

18. A method for offloading materials from a material storage comprising: drawings a material from the material storage; separating the drawn material into a predominantly gas output and a predominantly solid output with a separator; and passing the predominantly solid output into a flexible bag secured between a lid and a storage vessel wherein the predominantly solid output passes through the lid thereinto.

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