Abstract
A system for filling of big bags of various heights with material and a method for adjusting thereof, wherein a big bag is to be placed with its filling spout around an outer pipe and the bottom of the big bag rests on and underlying surface. The outer pipe is telescopically engaged to a feed pipe. The feed pipe is in sections extendible. The feed pipe is designed to fill a determined quantity of material in a vertical stream from an overlying dosage unit via the outer pipe and down into the big bag. The feed pipe at its upper connection includes at least one radial continous interface surface design to attach to another feed pipe's downward facing rim or to the underside of the dosage unit.
Claims
1. A system for filling of one or more big bags with material, the system comprising: a feed pipe having a bottom rim; an outer pipe, wherein the outer pipe is telescopically attached to the feed pipe, and wherein the outer pipe is movable to a position corresponding to the height of the big bag; an underlying surface configured to support the bottom of the big bag; an overlying dosage unit coupled to the feed pipe and configured for storage of the material; wherein a connection of the feed pipe to the overlying dosage unit has a radial continuous interface surface that is attached to a bracket on the overlying dosage unit; wherein the feed pipe coupled to the overlying dosage unit is configured to add a measured amount of the material in a vertical stream from the overlying dosage unit via the outer pipe and into the big bag; wherein the system is configured for retaining a neck of the big bag in an airtight seal around the feed pipe having the telescopically attached outer pipe; and wherein the system is configured to adjust the distance between the bottom rim of the feed pipe and the overlying dosage unit when changing from a big bag having a first height between the underlying surface and the neck of the big bag to a different height big bag having a second height between the underlying surface and the neck of the big bag.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the feed pipe having a bottom rim is a plurality of feed pipes each having a bottom rim and each configured to attach to the outer pipe; wherein the plurality of feed pipes comprises at least a first feed pipe of a first length and a second feed pipe of a second length, wherein the first feed pipe is attached to the bracket on the overlying dosage unit, and the first feed pipe is exchangeable with the second feed pipe; wherein the first feed pipe and the second feed pipe are exchangeably attached to the bracket on the overlying dosage unit; and wherein the system is configured to adjust the distance between the bottom rim of the feed pipe attached to the bracket on the overlying dosage unit and the overlying dosage unit when changing from a big bag having a first height between the underlying surface and the neck of the big bag to a different height big bag having a second height between the underlying surface and the neck of the big bag by removing the first feed pipe from the bracket on the overlying dosage unit and attaching the second feed pipe to the bracket on the overlying dosage.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the feed pipe coupled to the overlying dosage unit is removably attached to the bracket on the overlying dosage unit, and on the bracket there is at least a movable part for securing of the feed pipe coupled to the overlying dosage unit to the bracket.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of feed pipes includes a bottom section of a predetermined length along with none, one or several continuous inserted sections between the bottom section and the overlying dosage unit.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the feed pipe having a bottom rim comprises several sections, where the length of the feed pipe can be changed by changing the number of intermediate pipe sections between the overlying dosage unit and a bottom section of the feed pipe; wherein the system is configured to adjust the distance between the bottom rim of the feed pipe and the overlying dosage unit when changing from a big bag having a first height between the underlying surface and the neck of the big bag to a different height big bag having a second height between the underlying surface and the neck of the big bag by removing or adding one or more of the intermediate pipe sections to the feed pipe.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the feed pipe is removably attached to the bracket on the overlying dosage unit, and on the bracket there is at least a movable part for securing of the feed pipe to the bracket.
7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the bottom section of the feed pipe has a predetermined length along with one or more continuous intermediate sections between the bottom section and the overlying dosage unit.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein movement up and down of the outer pipe during a filling cycle is facilitated by an elevator placed along the feed pipe coupled to the overlying dosage unit, and wherein the elevator runs up to the bracket on the underside of the overlying dosage unit.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will be explained hereafter with references to drawings, as follows:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a side image of a filling system according to the invention along with an adjacent robot unit,
[0021] FIG. 2 shows the filling system in FIG. 1 in a 3D version below the robot,
[0022] FIG. 3 is the filling system in FIGS. 1 and 2 viewed from above, but without the dosage unit,
[0023] FIG. 4 is a 3D representation of the elevator part and the outer pipe shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,
[0024] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged section from FIG. 4 with a 3-D representation of the elevator part in its uppermost position,
[0025] FIG. 6 shows a detailed section with three clamps,
[0026] FIG. 7 is a dimension feed pipe,
[0027] FIG. 8 shows the attachment either without the pipe, or with a bottom lower feed pipe, or with a bottom feed pipe and extra section, or with the bottom feed pipe and two extra sections,
[0028] FIG. 9. shows a carousel magazine to feed pipe viewed from the side,
[0029] FIG. 10. shows the carousel magazine in FIG. 8 viewed from above,
[0030] FIG. 11. shows the interface between the bottom feed pipe and the elevator and the interface between the signal pin on the feed pipe and the signal sender on the outer pipe,
[0031] FIG. 12. shows a section of a feed pipe and the lower section of a feed pipe in three positions relative to one another,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In FIG. 1, a system 1 is shown for filling of big bags 4 with more or less free-flowing material. Examples of materials can be powders such as flour, milk powder, cocoa powder, cement, chalk powder or fuel ash, but also other various types of animal feedstuffs, stone, ballast, sand or gravel or substances such as fully or partially dried sludge or filter mass can be relevant. The system 1 encompasses a feed pipe 5 and an associated telescopically attached outer pipe 6. Big bag 4 has a neck at the top, herein called beck 3, which is designed with an opening diameter such that it is just possible to feed the outer pipe 6 down into big bag 4 through the neck of the bag. Big bag 4 is attached and retained around the outer pipe 6 while at the same time the bottom of the big bag 2 rests on the surface 7. The outer pipe's 6 telescopic movement upwards and downwards brings the mouth of the outer pipe 6 up and free of big bag 4 neck 3, and when the outer pipe 6 is down in bag 4 prescribed amount of material is fed through feed pipe 5 in a vertical stream from an overlying dosage unit 8 through the outer pipe 6 and down into big bag 4. After dosage of material into big bag 4 the neck 3 is released from the outer pipe 6, and the outer pipe 6 is lifted upwards and the neck 3 of the of big bag 4 is closed or sealed by welding and big bag 4 is now ready for further transport to for example a warehouse, for labelling or for delivery. In the example shown the underlying surface 7 is a pallet, which in turn is standing on a roller belt conveyor, so that the transport of the pallet 7 with the filled big bag 4 is made easy and uncomplicated by activating the roller belt conveyor. Pallet 7 will in many situations be replaced by a conveyor belt or rollers, on which the big bag can stand during filling, and allow the filled big bag to be moved easily to a suitable destination. The ongoing transport system, and for example pallet automation are not shown here, but may be a part of surrounding functions in relation to the system. If this type of system is manually controlled, the movement of the outer pipe 6 upwards and downwards can be replaced by manual removable of big bag 4 after filling is completed. As shown in FIG. 7, the feed pipe 5, at its top connection has a radially continuous interface surface 5.3. The interface surface 5.3 can be made to attach to another feed pipe's downward facing rim 5.6 as shown in FIG. 12, and/or made to attach to the underside of the dosage unit 11 as shown in FIG. 11.
[0033] In FIG. 6, the dosage unit 8 is shown with a funnel formed pipe 8.1, which at the lower end is connected on its underside to a radial flange 8.2 and the feed pipe is attached (yet removeable) to the flange 8.2. The flange 8.2 is therefore an attachment for feed pipe 5. On the underside 11 of the dosage unit 8 is attached a movable clamp 15, which is moved by an actuator 16, these are shown a number of times along the flange 8.2. The actuator 16 is set to move the clamp 15, so that it either pushes the feed pipe's radial continual interface surface 5.3 into the flange 8.2, or releases the feed pipe 5. Normally, 3 clamps will be fitted with associated actuators; however more or fewer can be fitted, and there may be a common actuator or an actuator associated with each clamp, as shown here.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a feed pipe 5 to a relatively large big bag corresponding to 1000 kg of material, and the pipe is then correspondingly short, namely 665 mm. The outer diameter of the pipe itself is 168.3 mm and the total diameter of the flange 5.3 is 300 mm. The flange 5.3 incorporates a conical piece, which connects the radially continue as part of the flange 5.3 with the appropriate section of pipe, such that there will be more space for the clamps. A corresponding pipe for use in a system for filling bags of smaller height, e.g. bags designed for 500 kg of material will have the same dimensions, but will just be longer, such that this type of pipe's total length will be 2064 mm.
[0035] In FIG. 8, a feed pipe 5 is shown comprised of several sections, where a bottom pipe 5.5 is always concluded with a simple downward facing rim 5.4 and where any sections between the bottom section 5.5 and the attachment 10 have a lower flange 5.6 at the bottom (see FIG. 12), which fits to an upper radially continuous interface surface 5.3, which all of the pipe sections have. Thus, the length of the feed pipe can be changed by changing the number of intermediate pipe sections between the underside 11 of the dosage unit and a lower section 5.5. The interface surface 5.3 is here shown as a flange; however, this could also be arranged as a threaded section or another type of coupling, However, it must be noted that the interface surface on the flange 5.3 must not be within the pipe's inner diameter as this may interfere with the stream of gas passing up along the inside of the pipe at the same time that material is moving down into the bag in a central stream in the centre of the feed pipe 5. As the automated filling cycle for big bags dictates, that the outer pipe 6 is moved upwards and downwards along the feed pipe, the bottom section 5.5 has the shortest length possible in order for the system to function. The introduced extension sections can however be of a random length.
[0036] The feed pipe must be very stable and is constructed from metal and has quite a weight, so that it is not easy to manoeuvre. Therefore, for replacement and/or extension of the pipe, several solutions are proposed.
[0037] The first solution includes as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a carousel magazine 12 for a feed pipe connected to the underside 11 of the dosage unit, such that a feed pipe 5 can fit to a space in the carousel magazine 12, which can also be turned around a vertical axis 12.2, such that another pipe can be allocated from another space in the magazine 12 and attached to the bracket 10. The magazine may be constructed of any size with any number of spaces; however, in the illustrations in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, 4 spaces are allotted. Each pipe is attached to a slider 12.3, that can be moved radially and horizontally in relation to the carousel's turn axis 12.2. When a pipe is to be replaced, the carousel turns so that an empty slider is brought to the underside 11 of the dosage unit, and the slider 12.3 is moved forward such that a U-shaped clamp 12.4 is placed underneath the feed pipe's radial interface surface 5.3, thereafter the clamps 15 are released and the pipe is clamped on the outer flange 5.3 by the U-shaped clamp 12.4. The pipe 5 can now be transported with the slider 12.3 away from its position below the dosage unit 11. Thereafter, carousel 12 can be turned and a pipe of another length can be installed. The four feed pipes as shown in FIG. 8 will ideally each have a different length and will thereby correspond to a big bag each with a specific height.
[0038] In another solution shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 5, the system incorporates an elevator 13, that is designed to carry out two different tasks, where the first task is to remove the outer pipe 6 up and down the feed pipe 5 during an automated filling cycle, and the second task is to lift the feed pipe 5 down from its location below the dosage unit 8 and to bring another feed pipe up to the attachment 10. In order to perform these two tasks, the elevator 13 is attached along the feed pipe 5 and runs all the way up to the attachment 10 on the underside of the dosage unit 11. The elevator 13 can be fitted in many different ways, as is the case for elevators, and in the example shown this includes an elevator carriage 13.1 with wheels 13.2 that is designed to run along vertical rails 13.3 as the elevator carriage's weight is supported by a cable or a chain with an associated drive motor 13.4. The chain is not shown in illustrations, but it is a fully conventional chain forming a closed ring around the indicated chain puller and around cog 13.5 below (best shown on FIG. 4) and attached to the elevator carriage 13.1 in the conventional manner.
[0039] Via a fixture 13.6, best shown in FIG. 5, the elevator carriage 13.1 is permanently attached to the outer pipe 6 and as shown in FIG. 2 the outer pipe can be moved up and down on the outside of the inner pipe 5 to a position shown in FIG. 5. Here the upper rim 6.2 of the outer pipe 6 goes to the underside of the outward facing coned part of the feed pipe 5. In this position, the clamps 15 can release the feed pipe so that it is no longer attached to bracket 10. When the elevator carriage is then moved downwards, the feed pipe will follow. The elevator 13 can be driven all the way down to floor level, and so the feed pipe 5 can be manually removed and another feed pipe attached, normally of a different length. Alternatively, intermediate sections can be attached and removed as illustrated in FIG. 8
[0040] Thereafter the elevator is driven up to bracket 10 and the clamps 15 activated so that the new pipe is attached to the bracket—the elevator can now simply be driven down and operations continued in accordance with the outer pipe's different work positions during filling as previously explained.
[0041] FIG. 12 shows that the outward facing upper flange 5.3 on the bottom feed pipe 5.5 and the intermediate sections 5.2 has cutouts 5.7. Corresponding to each cutout, there is a pin 5.8 attached to the underside of the bottom flange 5.6, on the intermediate sections 5.2. On the pin 5.8 and locking arm 5.9 is attached on the upper side of the flange 5.6. The locking arm 5.9 allows the pin 5.8 to move downwards so that this can be fed into a cutout 5.7 and then attached and locked in one position where the pin 5.8 pulls the upper flange 5.3 into the underside of the lower flange 5.6. The locking arm 5.9 is shown with a handle for adjustment between the release/locking of the pin 5.8. When two pipe sections are to be attached, the lower flange 5.6 is attached to the upper flange 5.3 on another pipe, in that each of the three pins 5.8 is placed outside of their own cutouts 5.7 as can be seen in the middle illustration in FIG. 12, thereafter the two pipes are turned in relation to each other such that the pin is pushed into the bottom of the cutout 5.7 as shown in the illustration on the right in FIG. 12. In this position the locking arm 5.9 is brought down so that there is permanent tension between the pin 5.8 and the locking and 5.9 and the two pipe sections are firmly locked to one another.
[0042] From the underside of the bottom feed pipe 5.5 up a flange 5.3 is signal pin 19 is fitted which can also be seen in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Here the function is shown, as the pin connection to a signal sender 20 fitted to the upper rim of the upper pipe 6. Only if the signal sender 20 is activated by the signal pin 19 is the actuator 16 permitted to release the clamps 15 to release the collective feed pipe from the bracket 10 on the underside of the dosage unit 8. The activation of signal sender 20 can also be used to stop further movement upwards of the elevator 13, so that this does not move further up than the interface between the outer pipe 6 upper rim 6.2 and the conical part on the bottom feed pipe.
[0043] To keep the different parts together and to bear the weight of the dosage unit, the system is supported by a regular machine frame 17. The elevator 13 is attached to the machine frame 17, and even on older systems the elevator 13 can be attached up to bracket 10 without major alterations to machine frame 17. The advantage here is that with the invention it is possible to rebuild older systems without replacing the machine frame and the dosage unit. With the invention's easy method for changing the feed pipe length it is thereby possible to use big bags of varying heights, without compromising space requirements for e.g. robot assisted handling of big bags. This means that on newer or older systems, a robot unit 14 can easily be fitted as shown in FIG. 1, and this will be able to be used for both shorter and taller big bags and the alterations required to the system to move from one sought to the other are easy to carry out, as personnel are able to do this task without having to lift or manoeuvre heavy feed pipes at a height.
[0044] Shown in several of the figures are the retaining arms 18, that are used to retain the big bag's neck 3 on the outer pipe during filling. It is generally known how to synchronise robot movements, to pick up empty big bags from the magazine and to place them on the outer pipe to be held by the retaining arms 18 and other parts of the filling system, so that a fully automatic system is achieved, leading to significant savings compared to slower filling systems, where big bags are presently placed manually.
[0045] Naturally, there are alternative methods of adapting systems to different heights of big bag: It is possible to raise or lower the underlying surface 7 of the dosage unit in order to achieve the optimal distance between the underlying surface and the bottom rim of the feed pipe; however, these types of solution are expensive in relation to the solution provided by the invention, where practically all parts of older systems remain unaffected, and at the same time a significant increase in flexibility and productivity is achieved.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0046] 1 System for filling of big bags
[0047] 2 Bottom
[0048] 3 Neck
[0049] 4 Big bag
[0050] 5 Feed pipe [0051] 5.1 Feed pipe of a different length [0052] 5.2 Section of feed pipe [0053] 5.3 Outward facing upper flange [0054] 5.4 Downward facing rim [0055] 5.5 Bottom section [0056] 5.6 Bottom flange [0057] 5.7 Cutouts [0058] 5.8 Pin [0059] 5.9 Locking arm
[0060] 6 Outer pipe [0061] 6.1 Mouth of outer pipe [0062] 6.2 Upper rim of outer pipe
[0063] 7 Underlying surface
[0064] 8Dosage unit [0065] 8.1 Funnel shaped pipe section [0066] 8.2 Radial flange
[0067] 9 Bottom rim of feed pipe
[0068] 10 Bracket
[0069] 11 Underside of dosage unit
[0070] 12 Carousel magazine [0071] 12.1 Space in carousel magazine [0072] 12.2 Vertical axis [0073] 12.3 Slider [0074] 12.4 U-shaped clamp
[0075] 13 Elevator [0076] 13.1 Elevator carriage [0077] 13.2 Wheels [0078] 13.3 Vertical rails [0079] 13.4 Drive motor
[0080] 14 Robot unit
[0081] 15 Clamps
[0082] 16 Actuator
[0083] 17 Machine frame
[0084] 18 Retaining arm
[0085] 19 Signal pin
[0086] 20 Signal sender
