Flexible Container Discharge Apparatus with Pivotable Urging Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible bulk containers with particulate materials face difficulties in initial discharge due to compaction, unstable apparatus setup, and cross-contamination issues, especially when using existing discharge apparatuses that require complex sealing and are not portable.
Innovation Solution
A flexible container discharge apparatus featuring a base structure with a movable container support element and equi-angularly pivotable urging elements that form a variable-volume enclosure, allowing the flexible bulk container to be securely seated and promoting material discharge through a hinged design and adjustable discharge duct system, which can accommodate containers with varying tubular outlet dimensions and is portable to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rigid funnel-shaped hopper is used to discharge material from flexible bulk containers, then material discharge is enabled, but the apparatus becomes too large to be portable and requires complex sealing arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge apparatus is divided into separate modular components: a removable discharge hose assembly, a base structure with support legs, and a flexible bulk container. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex permanent sealing arrangements while maintaining discharge functionality, and allows the apparatus to be disassembled for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge hose is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to different container positions and orientations during discharge. This dynamic flexibility replaces the need for complex rigid sealing mechanisms while maintaining effective material discharge.
2Productivity
If the flexible bulk container is placed in a fixed hopper structure, then material discharge can occur, but the apparatus stability is reduced due to higher centre of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the container inside a fixed hopper structure (top-heavy configuration), the invention inverts the arrangement by using a base-supported structure with legs that extend to the ground. The discharge hose connects from the base level, creating a bottom-supported configuration that lowers the centre of gravity and improves stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are used to connect discharge duct to flexible discharge tubes of varying dimensions, then different container types can be accommodated, but connection becomes difficult or impossible when tube length is less than or equal to diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge hose is made from flexible material that can conform to and seal around flexible discharge tubes of various dimensions and lengths. This flexible-to-flexible connection eliminates the need for rigid adapters and sealing mechanisms, making connection simple and effective even when the discharge tube length is less than or equal to its diameter.
4Ease of operation
If the discharge apparatus is located in a non-hygienic environment, then operational accessibility is improved, but cross-contamination occurs between different materials
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge apparatus uses removable and washable components including the discharge hose and base structure that can be easily separated and cleaned between different material discharge operations. This modular segmentation allows for effective hygiene maintenance while maintaining operational accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bulk container itself is disposable and is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to clean the container. Only the discharge apparatus components need to be cleaned and recovered for reuse, simplifying hygiene management while preventing cross-contamination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus ensures stable and efficient discharge of materials by forming a hopper-shaped base, reducing cross-contamination, and accommodating different container types without the need for adapters, thus facilitating easy and complete material extraction while maintaining hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
the weight of the container urges the common support element downwards, thus causing the urging elements to equi-angularly pivot inwards and press on the flexible bulk container
Data Source
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AI summary
Flexible container discharge apparatus (10) for a flexible bulk container (56) as hereinbefore defined, comprises a base structure (12), a movable container support element (14) for supporting the flexible bulk container (56) and hingably connected to the base structure (12) for movement relative thereto, and a plurality of pivotable urging elements (16) which project in a direction away from the support element (14) and which are directly or indirectly connected to the support element (14). With a flexible bulk container (56) positioned on the support element (14), as flowable material within the container is discharged, the urging elements (16) pivot towards each other, pressing the flowable material towards an outlet of the container. A method of discharging material from a flexible bulk container (56) is also provided.