Container

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1), in particular for storing a liquid and / or bulk material, having a sensor unit for sensing a fill level (10) in the container (1), wherein the sensor unit (34, 34A) is arranged in and / or on an element of the container (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] container

[0003] The invention relates to a container, in particular for storing a liquid and / or bulk material.

[0004] A level measurement in a tank is often performed using radar sensors. In IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) tanks, these sensors are mounted on top of the tank and are therefore exposed to the elements. They can be damaged by improper handling or easily stolen. Furthermore, these sensors are expensive.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of improving IBC tank containers.

[0006] The object is achieved by claim 1, i.e. a container, in particular for storing a liquid and / or bulk material, comprising a sensor unit for detecting a fill level in the container, wherein the sensor unit is arranged in and / or on an element of the container.

[0007] The sensor unit can be arranged within the element. The sensor unit can also be arranged partially within the element and partially on the element. The sensor unit can also be arranged on the element.

[0008] The container is preferably an intermediate bulk container.

[0009] An intermediate bulk container is also known as a tank container or water container. They are primarily used for the transport and storage of liquid substances. However, they can also be used for the storage or transport of bulk goods. Such containers can even be used to package hazardous goods. The containers are a practical alternative to means of transport such as barrels or tank trucks.

[0010] The container is preferably made of plastic. However, other materials are also possible, such as metal.

[0011] A plastic container with a metal outer cage is also possible.

[0012] However, the invention is also suitable for a container made of glass.

[0013] The element is preferably a wall of the container, in particular a side wall of the container.

[0014] The sensor unit is advantageously at least partially integrated into a wall of the container.

[0015] For example, the sensor unit is laminated into the wall.

[0016] The sensor unit is preferably firmly and captively integrated into the wall.

[0017] It cannot be replaced advantageously.

[0018] The sensor unit and the wall are preferably inseparably connected to each other.

[0019] This integration protects the sensor unit from mechanical or other damage. It also prevents theft of the sensor unit.

[0020] The sensor unit advantageously comprises a means for detecting the fill level and a means for providing and / or evaluating data detected by the detection means. The means for detecting the fill level is preferably a capacitive sensor.

[0021] An embodiment is advantageous according to which the means for detecting the fill level comprises a capacitive electrode arrangement.

[0022] A capacitive electrode arrangement, as already described in the German patent application with the file number 10 2022 004 866 . 3, is advantageous here. This arrangement is preferably attached to the outer wall of the glass or plastic container along the fill level to be detected. This electrode arrangement, together with connected evaluation electronics, makes it possible to estimate the fill level of a fluid container. It also makes it possible to distinguish between two different, unmixed liquids and to determine their respective fill levels.

[0023] Furthermore, this method is very energy-efficient and can therefore be battery-powered and equipped with a wireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy BLE). This solution can therefore be easily and permanently installed on mobile containers.

[0024] Electrodes are advantageously placed on the outer wall of the container in such a way that two electrodes form a capacitor. These electrodes are preferably placed next to one another so that a line is created along the fill level to be measured. The individual capacitors are preferably activated electronically one after the other, and their current capacitance value is recorded electronically using a CDC (capacitance-to-digital converter). These electrodes can be easily implemented as a conductor structure on a PCB layout or as a printed flexible film.

[0025] Advantageously, the sensor unit has an interface for communication with a, preferably external, readout unit. This is particularly effective using RFID, Bluetooth, and / or inductive coupling.

[0026] The interface to the external reading unit is preferably designed to be wireless for energy and data transmission.

[0027] However, it can also be wired.

[0028] The detection means advantageously has a greater length in relation to its width.

[0029] The detection means is preferably elongated.

[0030] In this way, a fill level can be recorded over the entire height of the container.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the detection means is arranged on an outer wall of the container at least substantially orthogonal to a base of the container. This allows the fill level to be measured particularly effectively.

[0032] The sensor unit may have a battery for power supply.

[0033] However, the battery is not necessarily required for the sensor.

[0034] The sensor can be read from outside (e.g., via RFID). RFID also provides the sensor with power.

[0035] The sensor unit is preferably permanently connected to the container. A particularly good design is one in which the sensor unit is enclosed by the container wall material. This integration protects the sensor from mechanical or other damage. This protects all electrical contacts from damage and corrosion.

[0036] The sensor is preferably read passively from the outside via an RFID system.

[0037] Coupling via RFID (radio-frequency identification) is advantageously achieved by a reader generating alternating magnetic fields within close range of the sensor unit or by high-frequency radio waves. This allows data to be transmitted. The RFID transponder can also be supplied with power.

[0038] To achieve greater ranges, active transponders with their own power supply can be used, although these are associated with higher costs.

[0039] Other systems are also possible, for example using inductive coupling.

[0040] The container can be clearly tracked and located throughout its entire life cycle because the sensor is permanently and non-replaceably integrated into the container wall. The sensor unit is advantageously permanently and captively integrated into the container wall.

[0041] The object is also achieved by a method for producing such a container, wherein a sensor unit having a means for detecting a fill level and a means for providing and / or evaluating data detected by the means for detection is arranged at least partially in a wall of the container.

[0042] The object is also achieved by a sensor unit for a container for detecting a fill level in the container, wherein the sensor unit can be arranged in and / or on an element of the container, wherein the sensor unit has a means for detecting the fill level and a means for providing and / or evaluating data detected by the means for detecting.

[0043] The invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the figures. They show:

[0044] FIG 1 a container,

[0045] FIG 2 a special embodiment, namely an intermediate bulk container,

[0046] FIG 3 shows a method for producing a container.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a container 1. A wall 2 of the container 1 is made of plastic, for example, or comprises plastic. Other materials are also possible.

[0048] The figure shows a sensor unit 34 with a means 3 for detecting a fill level 10 in the container and a means 4 for providing data acquired by the detection means. An RFID tag 15 is particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0049] The sensor data can be read out by a readout unit 11 (preferably with a corresponding RFID reader), indicated by reference numeral 13. This can be achieved, for example, using RFID, as already mentioned, or inductive coupling. Bluetooth and other communication methods are also possible.

[0050] The readout unit can send the data to a higher-level logistics center 14, indicated by reference numeral 12. The logistics center 14 can also advantageously actively request the sensor data.

[0051] CORRECTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP The figure shows an embodiment according to which the sensor unit 34 is arranged within the wall 2, namely between an inner wall section 28 (also: inner wall) and an outer wall section 29 (also: outer wall 29) of the container 1.

[0052] FIG 2 shows a particular embodiment, namely an intermediate bulk container 1A, comprising plastic 30 and a metal cage 31, a sensor unit 34A, a floor 0A and a wall 2A.

[0053] By means of a radio connection 21, a reading device, for example a tablet 20, can read out sensor data.

[0054] This can be achieved using RFID or inductive coupling, for example. Bluetooth and other communication methods are also possible.

[0055] Preferably, the reading is done wirelessly.

[0056] The IBC 1A has a sensor unit 34A, as already explained in FIG 1, with which a fill level of a liquid or bulk material can be measured.

[0057] The detection means, as well as the evaluation electronics, are advantageously integrated into the container wall by a lamination process.

[0058] FIG 3 shows a method for producing a container.

[0059] In a method step S1, a container or a part of the container is provided. Advantageously, an inner container wall and an outer container wall are provided.

[0060] In a method step S2, the sensor unit, preferably comprising a means for detecting a fill level, is arranged. The sensor unit is preferably arranged between the inner and outer walls of the container.

[0061] Advantageously, the sensor unit has a means for providing and / or evaluating data acquired by the means for acquisition, which is arranged in a method step S3.

[0062] In a process step S4, the elements of the sensor unit are laminated.

[0063] This can be achieved, for example, by thermally pressing the inner wall, sensor unit and outer wall together to form an inseparable layered composite.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, an adhesive film can be inserted and the layer composite can be bonded together.

[0065] It is advantageous if the sensor unit is also enclosed at the front sides by the outer and inner walls.

[0066] The battery can optionally be integrated, advantageously together with the sensor unit. This allows, for example, fill level data to be stored with the additional integration of a microcontroller. Later readout, for example, using REID, is possible.

[0067] In one embodiment, the battery can be charged, for example, via inductive coupling.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Container (1), in particular for storing a liquid and / or bulk material, comprising a sensor unit for detecting a fill level (10) in the container (1), wherein the sensor unit (34, 34A) is arranged in and / or on an element of the container (1).

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the element is a wall (2) of the container (1), in particular a side wall of the container (1).

3. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (34) is at least partially integrated into a wall (2) of the container (1).

4. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (34) is laminated into a wall of the container (1).

5. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (34) has a means (3) for detecting the fill level (10) and a means (4) for providing and / or evaluating data detected by the means (3) for detecting.

6. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (34) has an interface (15) for communication with a, preferably external, reading unit, in particular by means of REID, Bluetooth and / or inductive coupling.

7. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3) for detecting the fill level (10) is a capacitive sensor.

8. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (1) is an intermediate bulk container (1A).

9. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (1) comprises plastic.

10. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3) for detection has a greater length in relation to the width.

11. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3) for detecting is arranged on an outer wall of the container (1) at least substantially orthogonal to a bottom (0, 0A) of the container (1).

12. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3) for detecting the fill level comprises a capacitive electrode arrangement.

13. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit comprises a battery.

14. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (34) is non-replaceably connected to the container (1).

15. A method for producing a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a sensor unit (34) comprising a means (3) for detecting a fill level and a means (4) for providing and / or evaluating data detected by the means (3) for detecting is arranged at least partially in a wall (2) of the container (1).

16. Sensor unit for a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14 for detecting a fill level in the container (1), wherein the sensor unit is arranged in and / or on an element of the container, wherein the sensor unit (34) is a Means (3) for detecting the fill level and a means (4) for providing and / or evaluating data collected by the means (3) for collection.

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