Transport Container Buffer for Bitumen Volume Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-volume transport containers, especially those filled with viscous substances like bitumen, face issues with volume reduction upon cooling, leading to unfilled dead volumes and structural instability when stacked, as the tension construction is excessively burdened, potentially causing deformation and damage.
Innovation Solution
A buffer is integrated into the transport container to increase its volume, allowing complete filling with hot bitumen and compensating for the volume reduction upon cooling, ensuring the integrity of the stabilization construction and preventing deformation during stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the transport container is filled to the top with hot bitumen, then the container volume is fully utilized during filling, but after cooling and volume reduction, a cavity forms and the tension construction is excessively burdened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a buffer volume in advance within the container structure. This buffer space is pre-configured to accommodate the expected volume reduction of bitumen during cooling, preventing cavity formation and excessive loading on the tension construction after cooling occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer volume acts as a beforehand cushioning mechanism. By预留 (reserving) this additional space during container design, the system prepares in advance for the volume reduction that will occur during cooling, thereby cushioning against the harmful effects of cavity formation and excessive stress on stabilization elements.
2Productivity
If the transport container is filled to the top with hot bitumen, then the container appears fully filled, but after cooling, the filling level drops below the top edge creating dead volume
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer volume is pre-configured in the container design to anticipate and accommodate the volume reduction that occurs during cooling. This preliminary preparation ensures that the container remains fully utilized even after the bitumen cools and contracts.
3Volume of stationary object
If two transport containers are stacked with the lower container filled to the top, then stacking density is maximized, but the tension construction of the lower container is excessively burdened and may deform
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer volume is pre-designed into the container structure to anticipate the volume reduction during cooling. This preliminary preparation ensures that when containers are stacked, the lower container's tension construction is not excessively burdened, as the bitumen maintains a level that provides adequate support.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer acts as a beforehand cushioning mechanism that prevents excessive stress concentration on the tension construction during stacking. By accommodating the volume reduction in advance, the system cushions against the harmful effects of excessive loading when containers are stacked.
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 buffer allows for complete filling of the container after cooling, distributing weight evenly and preventing deformation of the tension construction, enhancing safety and stability during storage and stacking.
Implementation Method 1
After filling, the viscous bitumen mass cools off and naturally comes to a volume reduction of the filling mass
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport container (1) comprising a jacket (2) which is made in particular of a circular woven fabric and extends between a bottom part (3) and a top part (4) in such a way that a container volume is formed for receiving granulated, liquid, viscous or semi-liquid substances, in particular bitumen, the transport container having at least one opening (5), and that a plurality of, preferably four, stabilizing elements are provided, which extend along the jacket (2) from the area of the bottom part (3) to the area of the top part (4), the ends of the stabilizing elements being connected to one another in a traction- and pressure-resistant manner at least in the area of the bottom part (3) by a bracing structure, wherein a buffer (6) adjoining the opening (5) is provided for increasing the volume of the transport container (1). The invention further relates to a method for filling transport containers with bitumen.