Inner container made of plastic and transport and storage container for liquids comprising such an inner container

Abstract

An inner plastic liquid container (25) includes a filling neck (41) in an upper wall (33) for filling the inner container and a front side outlet neck (40) for an outlet armature. A lower wall (28) interconnecting two side walls (30, 31), a rear wall (32) and a front wall (29) supports the container on a transport pallet (21) pallet base (26), which has an outer mantle (24) for receiving the container. The outlet neck is at a hopper bottom (39) of an outlet hopper (34) in the lower bottom wall. The outlet hopper has a front hopper wall (35) and inclined lateral hopper walls (36, 37) that are arranged at a hopper angle and each extend from a keel-shaped hopper base (38) to a lower edge (46, 47) of a side wall. A keel line (63) rises at another hopper angle from an outlet neck toward the rear wall.

Claims

1. An inner container made of plastic for transporting and storing liquids, said container comprising: an upper wall with a filling neck for filling the inner container; a front wall; a rear wall; two side walls; a lower bottom wall interconnecting the two side walls, the rear wall and the front wall for supporting the inner container on a pallet base of a transport pallet which is provided with an outer mantle for receiving the inner container; an outlet hopper; an outlet neck for connecting an outlet armature at a front side of the inner container, the outlet neck being arranged at a hopper bottom of the outlet hopper, the outlet hopper being formed in the lower bottom wall, the outlet hopper having a front hopper wall comprising the outlet neck and two lateral hopper walls which are inclined relative to each other in a V-shape, are arranged at a first hopper angle in relation to horizontal and each of the lateral hopper walls extend from a keel-shaped hopper base to a lower edge of an associated one of the side walls, a keel line of the keel-shaped hopper base rising at a second hopper angle in relation to the horizontal from the outlet neck, arranged below the front wall, toward the rear wall, wherein the keel-shaped hopper base is formed in the shape of a bowl having a concave cross-section and rising in the shape of a wedge starting from the hopper bottom toward the rear wall, the keel-shaped hopper base forming a groove-shaped drain channel comprising a widening groove-shaped drain channel directly extending from the outlet neck toward the rear wall, wherein the widening groove-shaped drain channel continuously widens along a longitudinal axis of the inner container from the outlet neck until reaching the rear wall.

2. The inner container according to claim 1, wherein the first hopper angle is between 25 and 50, the groove-shaped drain channel being in fluid communication with an interior space of the keel-shaped hopper base.

3. The inner container according to claim 1, wherein the second hopper angle is between 5 and 15.

4. The inner container according to claim 1, wherein the front hopper wall is inclined from a lower edge of the front wall toward the hopper bottom, at least the upper wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the two side walls, the outlet hopper and the lower bottom wall defining an inner container structure, the inner container structure comprising a keel-shaped lower part, the keel-shaped hopper base defining at least a portion of the keel-shaped lower part, the groove-shaped drain channel being in fluid communication with an interior space of the inner container structure.

5. The inner container according to claim 1, wherein the front hopper wall is formed by a triangular extension of the front wall which extends in the plane of the front wall.

6. The inner container according to claim 1, wherein the hopper bottom is cup-shaped and has a connecting surface for the outlet neck, said connecting surface being formed on the front hopper wall and being parallel to the front wall of the inner container.

7. The inner container according to claim 1, further comprising a stirring mechanism with a stirrer head that reaches into a stirring space formed in the bottom wall.

8. An inner container made of plastic for transporting and storing liquids, the container comprising: an upper wall with a filling neck for filling the inner container; a front wall; a rear wall; two side walls; a lower bottom wall interconnecting the two side walls, the rear wall and the front wall for supporting the inner container on a pallet base of a transport pallet which is provided with an outer mantle for receiving the inner container; an outlet hopper; an outlet neck for connecting an outlet armature at a front side of the inner container, the outlet neck being arranged at a hopper bottom of the outlet hopper, the outlet hopper being formed in the lower bottom wall, the outlet hopper having a front hopper wall comprising the outlet neck and two lateral hopper walls which are inclined relative to each other in a V-shape, are arranged at a first hopper angle in relation to horizontal and each of the lateral hopper walls extend from a keel-shaped hopper base to a lower edge of an associated one of the side walls, a keel line of the keel-shaped hopper base rising at a second hopper angle in relation to the horizontal from the outlet neck, arranged below the front wall, toward the rear wall, wherein the keel-shaped hopper base is formed in the shape of a bowl having a concave cross-section and rising in the shape of a wedge starting from the hopper bottom toward the rear wall, the keel-shaped hopper base forming a groove-shaped drain channel comprising a widening groove-shaped drain channel directly extending from the outlet neck toward the rear wall, wherein the widening groove-shaped drain channel continuously widens from the outlet neck toward the rear wall, wherein the keel-shaped hopper base has an end portion in the direction of the rear wall, comprising a transitional wall portion that extends horizontally toward the rear wall and has a horizontal contour in a cross-section of the inner container and ends with a curved contour in the rear wall in a longitudinal section of the inner container.

9. The inner container according to claim 8, wherein the curved contour has a constant radius, at least the upper wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the two side walls, the outlet hopper and the lower bottom wall defining an inner container structure, the inner container structure comprising a keel-shaped lower part, the keel-shaped hopper base defining at least a portion of the keel-shaped lower part, the groove-shaped drain channel being in fluid communication with an interior of the inner container structure.

10. A transport and storage container for liquids comprising: an inner container made of plastic, the inner container comprising: an upper wall with a filling neck for filling the inner container; a front wall; a rear wall; two side walls; a lower bottom wall interconnecting the two side walls, the rear wall and the front wall; an outlet hopper; an outlet neck for connecting an outlet armature at a front side of the inner container, the outlet neck being arranged at a hopper bottom of the outlet hopper, the outlet hopper being formed in the lower bottom wall, the outlet hopper having a front hopper wall comprising the outlet neck and two lateral hopper walls which are inclined relative to each other in a V-shape, are arranged at a first hopper angle in relation to horizontal and each of the lateral hopper walls extend from a keel-shaped hopper base to a lower edge of an associated one of the side walls, a keel line of the keel-shaped hopper base rising at a second hopper angle in relation to the horizontal from the outlet neck, arranged below the front wall, toward the rear wall, wherein the keel-shaped hopper base is formed in the shape of a bowl having a concave cross-section and rising in the shape of a wedge starting from the hopper bottom toward the rear wall, the keel-shaped hopper base forming a groove-shaped drain channel comprising a widening groove-shaped drain channel, which extends directly from the outlet neck toward the rear wall, wherein a width of the widening groove-shaped drain channel continuously increases along a longitudinal axis of the inner container directly from the outlet neck toward the rear wall; and a transport pallet, wherein, for support, the inner container is arranged with the lower bottom wall on a pallet base of the transport pallet provided with an outer mantle for receiving the inner container and a support means is arranged between the lower bottom wall of the inner container and the pallet base, said support means having a support surface that is adapted to the bottom wall.

11. The transport and storage container according to claim 10, wherein for forming the support surface for the lower bottom wall, the support means has a support frame comprising a recess for receiving the outlet hopper and with another recess for passage of an outlet armature arranged on the outlet neck, the inner container comprising a keel-shaped lower part, at least the keel-shaped hopper base defining the keel-shaped lower part, the groove-shaped drain channel being in fluid communication with an interior space of the inner container.

12. The transport and storage container according to claim 11, wherein for supporting the inner container, the support frame has a support brace which bridges the another recess for passage of the outlet armature arranged on the outlet neck.

13. The transport and storage container according to claim 11, wherein the support means has a support depression for forming the support surface for the lower bottom wall.

14. The transport and storage container according to claim 10, wherein the support means is formed contiguously in one piece with the pallet base.

15. The transport and storage container according to claim 10, wherein the support means is formed as a blow-molded part.

16. The transport and storage container according to claim 10, wherein the support means is formed as an injection-molded part.

17. The transport and storage container according to claim 10, wherein the support means is formed as a bearing structure with a plurality of bearing ribs which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the inner container and are inter-connected via horizontal connecting elements.

18. The transport and storage container according to claim 10, wherein the support means is formed as a bar structure comprising a plurality of interconnected bars.

19. The transport and storage container according to claim 18, wherein the bars are formed as pipes.

20. The transport and storage container according to claim 18, wherein the bar structure is formed at least in part by the bars of the outer mantle.

21. The transport and storage container according to claim 18, wherein the bar structure is provided with bearing surfaces for forming support surfaces.

22. The transport and storage container according to claim 21, wherein the bearing surfaces are formed from at least one sheet metal cutting.

23. An inner container made of plastic for transporting and storing liquids, said container comprising: an upper wall with a filling neck for filling the inner container; a front wall; a rear wall; two side walls; a lower bottom wall interconnecting the two side walls, the rear wall and the front wall for supporting the inner container on a pallet base of a transport pallet which is provided with an outer mantle for receiving the inner container; an outlet hopper; an outlet neck for connecting an outlet armature at a front side of the inner container, the outlet neck being arranged at a hopper bottom of the outlet hopper, the outlet hopper being formed in the lower bottom wall, the outlet hopper having a front hopper wall comprising the outlet neck and two lateral hopper walls which are inclined relative to each other in a V-shape, are arranged at a first hopper angle in relation to horizontal and each of the lateral hopper walls extend from a keel-shaped hopper base to a lower edge of an associated one of the side walls, a keel line of the keel-shaped hopper base rising at a second hopper angle in relation to the horizontal from the outlet neck, arranged below the front wall, toward the rear wall, the keel-shaped hopper base comprising a base portion extending from the outlet neck toward the rear wall, wherein a distance between the base portion and horizontal increases in a direction of the rear wall, the base portion comprising a linear base portion and an arcuate base portion, the linear base portion being connected to the rear wall via the arcuate base portion, at least a portion of the arcuate base portion being located adjacent to the rear wall, wherein the linear base portion extends continuously from a position adjacent to the outlet neck to a position adjacent to the arcuate base portion, the keel-shaped hopper base comprising a concave inner surface defining a groove-shaped drain channel extending directly from the outlet neck to the rear wall, wherein a width of the groove-shaped drain channel along a longitudinal axis of the inner container continuously increases from the outlet neck to the rear wall.

24. The inner container according to claim 23, wherein the keel-shaped hopper base is formed in the shape of a bowl having a concave cross-section and rising in a shape of a wedge starting from the hopper bottom toward the rear wall, wherein a width of the concave cross-section continuously increases from the outlet neck to the rear wall; at least a portion of the base portion defining the groove-shaped drain channel, wherein a width of the portion of the base portion continuously increases from the outlet neck to the rear wall, wherein an incline of the keel-shaped hopper base continuously increases from a position adjacent to the outlet neck to a position adjacent to the rear wall, the keel-shaped hopper base defining at least a portion of a lower part of the inner container, the groove-shaped drain channel being in fluid communication with an interior space of the inner container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a transport and storage container with an inner container arranged on a support means;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the support means arranged on a transport pallet of the transport and storage container illustrated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view showing the inner container illustrated in FIG. 1 in an isometric illustration, laterally from the front;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of the inner container illustrated in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the inner container illustrated in FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration of the inner container, laterally from the rear;

(8) FIG. 7 is an isometric illustration of the inner container illustrated in FIG. 3, laterally from below;

(9) FIG. 8 is a longitudinal-sectional illustration of the lower portion of the inner container illustrated in FIG. 3 according to section line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3 with a stirrer head arranged in the container interior;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cross-section illustration of the lower portion of the inner container illustrated in FIG. 3 with the stirrer head arranged in the container interior;

(11) FIG. 10 is an isometric illustration showing a support means;

(12) FIG. 11 is a sectional illustration showing another embodiment of a support means;

(13) FIG. 12 is an isometric illustration showing the support means illustrated in FIG. 11; and

(14) FIG. 13 is an isometric illustration showing another embodiment of a support means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(15) FIG. 1 shows a transport and storage container 20 which receives an inner container 25 made of plastic on a transport pallet 21 in an outer mantle 24 formed here as a cage mantle with vertical bars 22 and horizontal bars 23. A support means 27 is arranged between the inner container 25 and a pallet base 26 of the transport pallet 21, the inner container 25 being supported on said support means 27 with a lower bottom wall 28 of the inner container 25 illustrated in FIG. 3.

(16) As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, adjacent to the lower bottom wall 28, the inner container 25 has a front wall 29, two opposing side walls 30, 31, a rear wall 32 and an upper bottom wall 33 opposite of the lower bottom wall 28.

(17) In the lower bottom wall 28, an outlet hopper 34 is formed, including a front hopper wall 35 and two lateral hopper walls 36, 37 which are inclined to each other in a V-shape and which are connected to each other in a keel-shaped hopper base 38. The inner container 25 has an outlet neck 40 on a front hopper wall 35 connected to a lower edge of the front wall 29 adjacent to a hopper bottom 39, which forms the area of the outlet hopper 34 lying deepest, said outlet neck 40 serving to connect an outlet armature (not illustrated) which allows tapping a filling material from the inner container 25 which has been previously filled into the inner container 25 through a filling opening 41 in the upper bottom wall 33.

(18) The transport pallet 21 of the transport and storage container 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is implemented as a skid-type pallet with a center skid 42 and two outer skids 43, 44, on which support legs 45 are arranged that support the pallet base 26 on which the support means 27 and the outer mantle 24 are arranged.

(19) Departing from the transport pallet 21 embodied as a skid-type pallet illustrated in FIG. 1, the transport pallet can also be embodied as a frame pallet with a circumferentially closed base frame instead of the center skid 42 and the two outer skids 43, 44. Departing from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the pallet base 26 is formed as a shaped sheet metal part and the support means 27 consists of a blow-molded part made of plastic, for example, the pallet base can also be a plastic component, wherein in particular an contiguous one-piece formation of the support means and of the pallet base from plastic or sheet metal material or another suitable material that allows a formation of the pallet base in one piece with a support means integrally formed thereto is possible as well.

(20) As can be taken in particular from a combined view of FIGS. 4 and 5, the lateral hopper walls 36, 37 are arranged at a hopper angle in relation to the horizontal and each extend from a lower edge 46, 47 of the lateral walls 30, 31 to the keel-shaped hopper base 38. The hopper base 38 has a concave cross-section 48 indicated in FIG. 7 and has a wedge-shaped form starting from the hopper bottom 39 toward the rear wall 32 of the inner container 25, so that the lateral hopper walls 36, 37, which are adjacent to the hopper base 38, become narrower in the direction of the rear wall 32, i.e. the preferably horizontally extending lower edges 46, 47 of the side walls 30, 31 and the lower edges 49, 50 of the lateral hopper walls 36, 37 come closer to each other in the direction of the rear wall 32 of the inner container 25.

(21) In the inner container 25 illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, the outlet hopper 34 is formed such that the lateral hopper walls 36, 37 (FIG. 4) have a hopper angle =30 and a hopper angle =10 formed between a keel line 63 (FIG. 5) of the keel-shaped hopper base 38 and the horizontal.

(22) Irrespective of the illustrated embodiment examples, it is a general fact that the hopper walls as well as the keel line are preferably formed in a substantially even or straight manner, yet may also have a slight curvature of the surface or of the line at least in areas. In this case, the angles and refer to the tangents drawn to the surfaces and to the keel line.

(23) As can further be taken in particular from FIGS. 6 and 7, the keel-shaped hopper base 38 has an end portion 52 in the direction of the rear wall, including a transitional wall portion 53 which extends horizontally toward the rear wall 32 and transversely to a longitudinal axis 64 and which is substantially formed as a triangular cylinder shell segment and here has a horizontal contour 65 in a cross-section of the inner container 25 and ends with a curved contour 66 in the rear wall 32 in a longitudinal section of the inner container 25.

(24) In FIGS. 8 and 9, for illustrating the advantageous design of the lower bottom wall 28 of the inner container 25, a stirrer head 54 of a stirring mechanism introduced into a container interior 55 through the filling opening 41 (FIG. 3) is shown. In the configuration of the stirrer head 54 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, stirrer blades 56, which are swung against a stirrer axis 57 in order to be introduced through the filling opening 41, are illustrated in their swung-out operating configuration. When the stirrer head 54 rotates, the stirrer blades 56 operate in a stirring space 67 indicated by the hatching in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(25) To make possible a minimized stirrable residual amount of a liquid accumulated in the area of the outlet hopper 34, it is substantial that a maximum portion of the lumen of the outlet hopper adjacent to the outlet neck 40 and with minimal distance to the wall of the outlet hopper 34 is covered by the stirring space 67. On the other hand, the design of the outlet hopper 34 in the lower bottom wall 28 should restrict the holding capacity of the inner container 25 as little as possible, both these afore-mentioned requirements having to be considered in an optimal design of an outlet hopper 34 formed in the lower bottom wall 28.

(26) The partial-section illustrations of the inner container 25 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 make clear that the above is achieved in the illustrated embodiment example in that a hopper angle of 30 is formed between the lateral hopper walls 36, 37 and the horizontal and a hopper angle between the keel line 63 of the concave hopper base 38 and the horizontal is 10.

(27) FIG. 10 shows the support means 27, which in the present case is formed as a one-piece blow-molded part and has a support frame 58 with a recess 59 for receiving an outlet armature arranged on the outlet neck 40 of the inner container 25 illustrated in FIG. 3, for example. The support means 27 has a support depression 60 whose surface forms a support surface 61. As can be taken from FIG. 10, the support surface 61 is designed such that partial surfaces are formed whose relative arrangement and contour correspond to the lateral hopper walls 36, 37 and to the hopper base 38 as well as to the transitional part 53 in the end portion of the hopper base 38 of the inner container 25.

(28) Departing from the support means 27 illustrated in FIG. 10, which can be produced as a blow-molded part or injection-molded part, FIGS. 11 to 13 show examples of other possible designs.

(29) For example, FIGS. 11 and 12 show a support means 77 that is formed as a bar structure with a closed frame 78 and with bars 79, 80 that are bent in a U-shape and connected to the frame 78 and which consist of differently shaped pipe pieces.

(30) As is shown in particular in FIG. 11, support bars 81, 82 are provided on the bars 80, which form bar bridges for supporting the lower bottom wall 28 of the inner container 25 and are designed to have different heights corresponding to the surface contour of the lower bottom wall 28.

(31) FIG. 13 shows, as another possible embodiment, a support device 83 that is formed as a bearing structure with a plurality of bearing ribs 84 to 89 which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis 64 of the inner container 25 and are interconnected and secured in their relative arrangement by horizontal connecting elements 90, 91. The respective height or shape of the bearing ribs 84 to 89 is selected such that an adaptation to the lower bottom wall 28 of the inner container 25 is possible (FIG. 11).

(32) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.