Container produced from a single-layered, helically bent sheet-metal strip

Abstract

A container is produced from a single-layered, helically bent sheet-metal trip (20). A first, helically running peripheral portion (22) of the sheet-metal strip (20) is bent out in the direction of the outside of the container (10) to form a helically running bent out edge (24). A second, helically extending peripheral portion (26) of the sheet-metal strip (20) overlaps a third portion (28) of the sheet-metal strip (20) on the inside of the container (10). The third portion is adjacent to the bent-out edge (24) and extends in the direction of the second peripheral portion (26) from the bent out edge (24). The second peripheral portion (26) is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the third portion (28) of the sheet-metal strip (20) on the inside of the container (10).

Claims

1. A container, comprising: a single layered, helical sheet-metal strip wound circumferentially about and axially along a longitudinal axis in three dimensions and defining a curve traced on a cylinder by rotation of a point crossing right sections thereof at a constant oblique angle; a helically extending first edge section of said sheet-metal strip bent radially outwardly relative to said longitudinal axis forming a helically extending radially outwardly bent edge of said sheet-metal strip; a helically extending second edge section of said sheet-metal strip overlapping a helically extending third edge section of said sheet-metal strip on an inside of the container adjacent to said radially outwardly bent edge, said third edge section extending from said outwardly bent edge in a direction of said second edge section, said second edge section being connected by a fluid-tight weld to said third edge section on an inside of the container; and a sealant in a helically extending seam on an outside of the container, said seam being formed between said outwardly bent edge of said first edge section and an offset of said second edge section, said sealant including silicone.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said second edge section comprises a helically extending end edge connected fluid-tight to said third edge section of said sheet-metal strip.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein said second edge section comprises helical end edge forming a step on the inside of the container and extending diagonally relative to said longitudinal axis.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein said end edge extends transversely relative to said longitudinal axis.

5. A container according to claim 1 wherein said second and third edge sections are directly connected by said weld.

6. A container according to claim 1 wherein said fluid-tight weld is spaced a distance from said outwardly bent edge that is more than twice a thickness of said sheet-metal strip.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein said distance is more than three times said thickness.

8. A container according to claim 6 wherein said distance is more than five times said thickness.

9. A container according to claim 1 wherein said second edge section is bent into the inside of the container by an offset relative to a fourth section of said sheet-metal strip, said fourth section adjoining said offset in a direction of said first edge section.

10. A container according to claim 9 wherein a displacement of said second edge section relative to said fourth section by said offset is less than 95 percent of a thickness of said sheet-metal strip.

11. A container according to claim 10 wherein said displacement is less than 90 percent of the thickness.

12. A container according to claim 10 wherein said displacement is less than 85 percent of the thickness.

13. A container according to claim 10 wherein said offset is at a level of said outwardly bent edge.

14. A container according to claim 9 wherein said offset is at a level of said outwardly bent edge.

15. A container according to claim 1 wherein said third section of said sheet-metal strip is toward an outside of the container relative to a sixth section of said sheet-metal strip by an offset in the direction of said second edge section adjoining said offset in the direction of said second end section; and said fluid-tight weld is bordered by said outwardly bent section and said offset.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Referring to the drawings that form a part of this disclosure:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a container according to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side view in section through the connection point II of the container of FIG. 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial side view in section through a connection point III of the container of FIG. 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial side view in section through a connection point IV of the container of FIG. 1 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial side view in section through a connection point V of the container of FIG. 1 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outside of the container of FIG. 1 in the area of the connection point of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a view of a container 10 according to the invention, as it may be used for storing agriculture- or forestry-derived bulk material, for example, grain, wood chips or organic waste, as well as for storing water, waste water or sludge, or also for storing gas. The container 10 is essentially cylindrical, in particular, plain or right circular cylindrical, on the outside and the inside, having a vertically oriented longitudinal axis 12.

(9) The container 10 is produced by using a helically bent sheet metal strip 20, preferably directly at the installation site of the container 10. The diameter 14 of the container 10 may be between 4 m and 20 m or more. The height 16 of the container 10 may be between 2 m and 20 m or more. The volume capacity of the container 10 may be, for example, between 15 m.sup.3 and 8,000 m.sup.3. The preferably homogenous thickness 38 (FIG. 2) of the sheet-metal strip 20 is between 2 mm and 8 mm, in the present case, may be, in particular, more than 5 mm, preferably more than 6 mm and less than 12 mm, for example, between 8 mm and 10 mm. The width 18 of the sheet-metal strip 20 may be between 20 cm and 100 cm, in particular, between 30 cm and 80 cm, and, preferably, between 40 cm and 60 cm. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the width 18 of the sheet-metal strip 20 is approximately 50 cm.

(10) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged representation of a section through the connection point II of a first exemplary embodiment of the container 10 of FIG. 1. The first, vertically lower, edge section 22 of the helically extending flat metal sheet 20, is bent outwardly on the outside of the container 10 at a right angle relative to the longitudinal axis 12. An outwardly bent edge 24 also extends helically. The radial projection of the first edge section 22 in the exemplary embodiment is approximately six times the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20, but may, in particular, in the case of containers 10 having diameters of more than 8 m and, in particular, more than 10 m, also be more than eight times or more than ten times the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20.

(11) The second edge section 26 of the sheet-metal strip 20 opposite the first edge section 22 also extends helically and. On the inside of the container 10, second edge section 26 overlaps a third section 28 of the sheet-metal strip 20. Third section 28 extends from the outwardly bent edge 24 in the direction of the second edge section 26 of the sheet-metal strip 20 disposed above the section depicted in FIG. 2. The second edge section 26 is connected in a fluid-tight manner on the inside of the container 10 to the third section 28 of the sheet-metal strip 20.

(12) The connection is made in the exemplary embodiment by a welded connection 34. For this purpose, the front end of the second edge section 26, in particular, the edge end face of the sheet-metal strip 20, forms a step 32, which in the exemplary embodiment extends diagonally and in a direction transverse, i.e., at a right angle, to the longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10. The front end of the second edge section 26 may also be chamfered such that the front end surface of the second edge section 26, together with the third section 28 extending preferably in the form of a casing, may form a sharp angle of less than 90. The welded connection 34 may then be safely applied in this area and, in particular, a dripping of material melted by the welding may be reliably prevented.

(13) Moreover, the distance 36 between the fluid-tight connection, for example, the welded connection 34, and the outwardly bent edge 24, is structurally predefined as a result of the connection at the front end of the second edge section 26. In the exemplary embodiment, this distance is approximately five times, but may also be more than eight times or even more than ten times the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20.

(14) The second edge section 26 is bent into the inside of the container 10 by an offset 40 relative to a fourth section 42 of the sheet-metal strip 20 adjoining the offset 40 in the direction of the first edge section 22 disposed below the section depicted in FIG. 2. For the offset 40, the sheet-metal strip 20 is bent at at least two points such that the unbent portions extend parallel to one another. In the exemplary embodiment, the second edge section 26 and the fourth section 42 of the sheet-metal strip 20 extend parallel to one another. These sections 26, 42, like the other sections of the sheet-metal strip 20, may extend essentially cylindrically and, primarily plain or right circular cylindrically, in relation to the longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10.

(15) The radial displacement 44 of the second edge section 26 relative to the fourth section 42 of the sheet-metal strip 20 caused by the offset 40 may, in principle, be 100% or even more than 100% of the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20. In this case, a gap may form between the second edge section 26 and the third section 28, into which a connecting substance and/or a sealant may be introduced. In one embodiment, however, the radial displacement 44 is less than 100% of the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20, for example, approximately 90%. As a result, the second edge section 26 and/or the third section 28 are resiliently deflected and abut one another with a resilient pre-tensioning. In this case, there is no need to cover a gap between the second edge section 26 and the third section 28 by the connection, for example, the welded connection 34.

(16) The offset 40 of the second edge section 26 is disposed in the area of the outwardly bent edge 24. As a result, the flat metal sheet extending in the area above the offset 40 is supported against the respective flat metal sheet extending below. A sealant 46, for example, a silicone seam, is introduced into the helically extending weld, which is formed on the outside between the outwardly bent edge 24 and the offset 40. This prevents moisture, for example, from entering the area between the second edge section 26 and the third section 28.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a section through the connection point III of a second exemplary embodiment of the container 10 of FIG. 1. The first edge section 122 is folded, forming a fold. The free end is subsequently bent outward at an angle of between 15 and 70, in particular, between 20 and 45, and in the exemplary embodiment, of approximately 30 relative to the longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10. The connection 46 is introduced into the area between the outwardly bent end section of the first edge section 112 and the fourth section 42. This configuration improves the run-off behavior of, for example, rainwater striking the outer surface of the container 10.

(18) FIG. 4 shows a section through the connection point IV of a third exemplary embodiment of the container 10 of FIG. 1. A third or fifth section 48 of the sheet-metal strip 20 adjoining the outwardly bent edge 24 in the direction of the second edge section 26 is bent toward the outside of the container 10 by an additional offset 50 relative to a sixth section 52 of the sheet-metal strip 20 adjoining the additional offset 50 in the direction of the second edge section 26. The second edge section 26 is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the fifth section 48, in the exemplary embodiment, by the welded connection 34.

(19) The angle 54 of the additional offset 50 is less than 45, in particular, less than 30 and, preferably, less than 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the angle 54 is approximately 10. As a result, the structural changes at the outwardly bent points of the sheet-metal strip 20 are reduced. The radial projection of the fifth section 48 relative to the sixth section 52 in the exemplary embodiment is somewhat more than 100% the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20, so that the fifth section 48 loosely abuts the second edge section 26. In an alternative embodiment, the radial projection of the additional offset 50 may also be 100% of the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20, or also less than 95%, in particular, less than 90% and, preferably less than 85%, as described in connection with the offset 40 of the first and second exemplary embodiment. A self-adjusting and/or resiliently clamping contact of the fifth section 48 to the second edge section 26 is then formed.

(20) The second edge section 26 is aligned on the inside of the container 10 with the inner wall of the container 10 formed by the sixth section 52. In the third exemplary embodiment, in particular, bending is not required for the second edge section 26 relative to an adjacent section of the sheet-metal strip 20, for example, relative to the fourth section 42 of the first and second exemplary embodiment. Associated structural changes are reliably avoided as a result.

(21) FIG. 5 shows a section through a connection point V of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the container 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from the outside of a container 10 sectioned in the area of the connection point according to FIG. 5.

(22) A fifth section 48 of the sheet-metal strip 20 adjoining the outwardly bent edge 24 in the direction of the second edge section 26 is bent toward the outside of the container by an additional offset 50 relative to a sixth section 52 of the sheet-metal strip 20 adjoining the additional offset 50 in the direction of the second edge section 26. Aside from the additional offset 50, the fifth section 48 of the third and fourth exemplary embodiments of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 corresponds to the third distance of the first and second exemplary embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The second edge section 26 is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the fifth section 48 on the inside of the container 10, in the exemplary embodiment, by the welded connection 34.

(23) In the exemplary embodiment, the fluid-tight connection in this case is disposed at the level of the offset 50, as a result of which the offset 50 undergoes additional mechanical stabilization.

(24) The angle 54 of the additional offset 50 is larger than in the third exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. In particular, the angle is greater than 30, in particular, greater than 35 and less than 70, and preferably greater than 35 and less than 60. The length 56 of the additional offset 50 is less than 400% of the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20, in particular, less than 400%, and preferably less than 300%. In the exemplary embodiment, the length 56 of the additional offset 50 is more than 150% and less than 250% of the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20.

(25) The distance 36 of the additional offset 50 from the outwardly bent edge 24 in the exemplary embodiment is more than twice and less than ten times, in particular, more than three times and less than eight times, preferably more than four times and less than six times the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20. Moreover, the distance 36 of the additional offset 50 from the outwardly bent edge 24 is more than 50% and/or less than 250%, in particular, more than 70% and/or less than 200%, and preferably, more than 80% and/or less than 150% of the radial extension of the outwardly bent first edge section 22.

(26) The radial projection of the fifth section 48 in the exemplary embodiment relative to the sixth section 52 is somewhat more than 100% of the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20, so that the fifth section 48 loosely abuts the second edge section 26. In an alternative embodiment, the radial projection of the additional offset 50 may also be 100% of the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20 or also, as described in connection with the offset 40 of the first and second exemplary embodiments, less than 95%, in particular, less than 90%, and preferably less than 85%, so that a self-adjusting and/or resiliently clamping contact of the fifth section 48 to the second edge section 26 is formed.

(27) The second edge section 26 is aligned on the inside of the container 10 with the inner wall of the container 10 formed by the sixth section 52. In the fourth exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, in particular, bending not required for the second edge section 26 relative to an adjacent section of the sheet-metal strip 20, in particular, relative to the sixth section 52.

(28) As is apparent from the perspective view of FIG. 6, the connection between the second edge section 26 and the fifth section 48 is stabilized by additional connection points 60. The additional connection points 60 may be produced, for example, by spot welds. The contour 58 of the additional connection points 60 may, for example, be implemented as essentially circular or oblong. The additional connection points 60 may be disposed equidistantly in the circumferential direction about the container 10, for example, at a distance, which is more than five times and/or less than 20 times, in particular, more than eight times and/or less than 30 times, and preferably, more than twelve times and/or less than 25 times the thickness 38 of the sheet-metal strip 20.

(29) While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.