Cinch Valve Segmented Closure for Bulk Bag Material Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling and discharging of bulk materials from bulk bags pose challenges, especially when material changes are required before the bag is empty, as existing methods are costly and time-consuming, and traditional methods do not allow for efficient closure of partially emptied bags.
Innovation Solution
A cinch valve system comprising an upper plate, a rotatable orbital plate, an actuator, and flexible cables that converge to form a woven closure, allowing for secure sealing of the bulk bag discharge spout, enabling easy tie-off and material changes without discharging the entire contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bulk bag unloading methods are used, then material can be discharged from bulk bags, but material changes require the entire bag to be emptied which is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk bag discharge system is segmented into two independent parts: the bulk bag itself and the discharge spout. The cinch valve allows the discharge spout to be isolated and closed separately from the bulk bag contents, enabling material changes without emptying the entire bag. This segmentation creates operational flexibility where the discharge mechanism can be independently controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The cinch valve acts as an intermediary device between the bulk bag and the discharge spout. It provides a mechanical closure mechanism that can seal the discharge spout independently, serving as a mediator that allows the bulk bag to remain filled while preventing material flow. This intermediary enables material changes by isolating the discharge pathway from the bulk bag contents.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bulk bag is emptied completely for material changes, then material changes can be implemented, but costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the bulk bag into two functional zones: a retained zone containing valuable material that can be kept in the bag, and a discharged zone that can be emptied and replaced. The cinch valve creates a separation point that allows selective discharge, preventing the need to empty the entire bag for material changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cinch valve enables selective discarding of only the material that needs to be changed, while recovering and retaining the material that does not require change. This partial discharge approach minimizes waste by keeping usable material in the bulk bag for future use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a closure mechanism is added to the discharge spout, then material changes become possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cinch valve closure mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-actuating. The cables and orbital plate work together in a self-service manner where the cables converge to form the closure without requiring external actuators or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the convergence of cables to automatically create the woven closure pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism uses flexible cables instead of rigid structural components. These flexible cables can converge and weave together to form a closure, providing the necessary sealing function with minimal structural complexity. The flexibility of the cables allows them to adapt to the discharge spout geometry without requiring precise mechanical fittings.
Data Source
AI summary
A cinch valve includes an upper plate having a first aperture; an orbital plate rotatable relative to the upper plate and having a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture; an actuator coupled to the orbital plate arranged to rotate the orbital plate between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of cables each having a flexible portion and each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is coupled to the upper plate and each second end is coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure in approximately the center of the second aperture.