Liner Bag Roller Discharge for High-Viscosity Fluid Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting high viscosity fluids from liner bags and IBCs are insufficient, as they often require additional motive forces beyond what pumps can provide, and existing devices have operational limitations and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A container arrangement using two rollers to apply a high pressure within the liner bag by gripping the bag at a point furthest from the outlet and moving on an arc towards the outlet, with one roller driven by an air motor and the other driven by friction, assisted by a pneumatic cylinder, to squeeze the fluid out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a pump is used to create suction at the outlet of the liner bag, then the pressure difference creates an additional force on the fluid, but the pressure difference is not sufficient to move high viscosity fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pump-based suction system with a mechanical roller system that directly applies compressive force to the liner bag. The rollers mechanically squeeze the bag from the outside, substituting the insufficient pressure differential method with a direct mechanical compression approach that generates adequate force for high viscosity fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller system introduces an intermediary mechanical structure between the force source and the fluid. Instead of relying on pressure differential alone, the rollers act as intermediaries that transmit and concentrate force directly onto the liner bag material, enabling effective fluid extraction despite the fluid's high viscosity.
2Productivity
If existing devices are used to extract high viscosity fluids, then some additional motive force can be created, but the devices have operational limitations and inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The roller system is designed to automatically follow the contour of the liner bag as it empties, maintaining continuous contact and compression without requiring manual adjustment. The system serves itself by adapting to the changing geometry of the bag, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow the rollers to move and adjust their position automatically during the extraction process. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain optimal contact with the shrinking bag, improving both productivity and ease of operation compared to static systems.
3Reliability
If pressure means are applied to create high pressure within the liner bag, then high viscosity fluids can be effectively extracted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the flexible liner bag itself as part of the pressure application system. The thin film of the bag material works together with the rollers to transmit and distribute the compressive force, eliminating the need for rigid pressure vessels or complex containment structures, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective pressure application.
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
Effectively extracts high viscosity fluids by creating a high pressure within the liner bag, allowing for efficient and automated discharge without the need for excessive manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
One roller is driven by an air motor in a forward direction during decant, and a reverse direction briefly after decanting. The second roller is not driven but is in contact with the first roller and is thus driven to rotate with the driven roller due to friction.
Implementation Method 2
The rollers may be moved apart by hand to allow the liner to be placed between them before decanting and released from their grip after decanting.
Implementation Method 3
pressure means adapted to create a high pressure within the liner bag, by means of a force applied to the liner bag and fluid
Implementation Method 4
Fluids like water will easily drain out the bottom of the liner under the influence of gravity alone
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a container arrangement having an outlet port and a liner bag containing fluid, which includes pressure means adapted to create a high pressure within the liner bag, by means of a force applied to the liner bag and fluid; the force is applied by two rollers which grip the liner bag at a point furthest from the outlet port, then move on an arc towards the outlet port; and the roller squeezes the fluid forward and drive it out of the liner bag; and wherein the pressure means and the rollers are not mutually enabled. The rollers are closed by hand but are squeezed together with pneumatic cylinders. The container arrangement can be a liner bag and/or intermediate bulk container (IBC).