Mixer apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for a lorry-based concrete mixer (12) is described. The apparatus (10) comprises a vessel (14) adapted to be positioned beneath a concrete mixer discharge chute portion (16), the vessel (14) comprising a vessel body (18), the vessel body (18) defining a vessel inlet (20) and a vessel outlet (22), the vessel inlet (20) being adapted to receive debris and fluid exiting the chute discharge portion (16), and the vessel outlet (22) being adapted to permit debris and fluid stored in the vessel body (18) to be discharged from the vessel body (18). There is a direct line of sight (24) for a user (26) through the vessel inlet (20) to the vessel outlet (22).

Claims

1. A lorry-based concrete mixer comprising a mixing drum, a discharge chute and an apparatus mounted on the lorry, wherein the apparatus is operable to receive and retain fluid and debris exiting the discharge chute, wherein the apparatus comprises: a vessel mounted on the lorry based-concrete mixer relative to the drum and beneath an outlet end of the discharge chute; wherein the vessel has a longitudinal axis and comprises a vessel body, wherein the vessel body defines a vessel inlet and a vessel outlet, the vessel inlet being operable to receive the debris and fluid exiting the outlet end of the discharge chute, and the vessel outlet being operable to permit debris and fluid stored in the vessel body to be discharged from the vessel body; and an inlet section is attached to the vessel body, the inlet section defines a secondary inlet, wherein the secondary inlet includes a larger cross-sectional area than the vessel inlet, wherein the inlet section is configured to funnel the fluid or debris to the vessel inlet; wherein the secondary inlet, the vessel inlet and the vessel outlet, are aligned on the longitudinal axis to provide a direct line of sight for a user through the secondary inlet, the vessel inlet and to the vessel outlet such that blockages within the vessel can be more easily identified and cleared, wherein the vessel is mounted rearwards and contained on a chassis of the lorry-based concrete mixer, wherein the vessel is mounted in a position detached from and beneath the outlet end of the discharge chute such that the apparatus collects spillage from the mixing drum during travel between a loading site and a discharge site and collects washdown material following discharge of the mixing drum and contains the washdown material during travel between the discharge site and an unloading site, the unloading site being the location where the apparatus is emptied via the vessel outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for a lorry-based concrete mixer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a section of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side section of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a section of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the baffle and the sieve removed;

(7) FIG. 6 is a section view of an apparatus for a lorry-based concrete mixer according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a section view of an apparatus for a lorry-based concrete mixer according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a section view of an apparatus for a lorry-based concrete mixer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(10) Referring firstly to FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic view of an apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for a lorry-based concrete mixer 12. The apparatus 10 comprises a vessel 14 adapted to be positioned beneath a concrete mixer discharge chute portion 16. The vessel the vessel 14 comprises a vessel body 18, the vessel body 18 defining vessel inlet 20 and the vessel outlet 22. Vessel inlet 20 is adapted to receive debris and fluid exiting the chute discharge portion 16, and vessel outlet 22 is adapted to permit debris and fluid stored in the vessel body 18 to be discharged from the vessel body 18.

(11) As can be seen from FIG. 1, there is a direct line of sight 24 for a user 26 through the vessel inlet 20 to the vessel outlet 22.

(12) Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a section of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is a side section of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, further features of the apparatus 10 will now be described.

(13) The apparatus 10 further comprises an inlet section 30, a sieve 32, a baffle 34 and an outlet member 36.

(14) The inlet section 30 is integral with the vessel body 18 and extends above the inlet 20 to a secondary inlet 38. The secondary inlet 38 has a greater cross sectional area than the inlet 20 and the inlet section 30 acts as a funnel to catch fluid and debris exiting the discharge chute portion 16. Particularly, the inlet section 30 is adapted, and is formed, to catch fluid and debris exiting the discharge chute portion 16 when the discharge chute portion 16 is in a stowed configuration, that is in a configuration in which the discharge chute portion 16 is secured for transit.

(15) The baffle 34 is located adjacent and below the vessel inlet 20 and is provided to stop fluid in the vessel 14 from slopping out during transit.

(16) Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the baffle 34 is arranged such that a baffle end 40 is spaced away from the vessel wall 42 such that the line of sight 26 is maintained.

(17) The sieve 32 is located adjacent and above the vessel inlet 20, between the vessel inlet 20 and the secondary inlet 38. The sieve 32 is provided to prevent large pieces of debris from entering the vessel 14 and potentially accumulating to form a blockage and preventing fluid from being able to access the vessel outlet 22.

(18) The sieve 32 and the baffle 34 are removably located adjacent the vessel inlet 20 such that they can be removed to allow access to the vessel interior 44 for cleaning.

(19) Referring to FIG. 3 and to FIG. 4, an end view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, the outlet member 36 is attached to the vessel 14 by means of a series of bolts 46. The bolts 46 attach an outlet member plate 50 to a vessel body flange 48 which extends from the vessel wall 42 away from the vessel outlet 22.

(20) The outlet member 36 further comprises an exit pipe 54 leading to a secondary outlet 52. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the outlet member plate is frustoconical in shape and funnels fluid in the vessel 14 towards the exit pipe 54.

(21) For most training purposes, the exit pipe 54 is adequate to allow the vessel 14 to drain. However, the provision of a removable outlet member 36 allows the entire vessel outlet 22 to be opened by removal of the bolts 46 allowing for greater access to the vessel interior 44 for cleaning if required.

(22) Sandwiched between the outlet member 36 and the vessel flange 48 is a seal gasket (not shown) preventing leakage around the interface between the outlet member 36 and the vessel 14.

(23) During normal use, a cap (not shown) is provided to threadably attach to the exit pipe 54 and cover the secondary exit 52.

(24) Reference is now made to FIG. 5, a section of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the baffle 34 and the sieve 32 removed. As can be seen from this Figure, with the baffle 34 and the sieve 32 removed, a user 26 can easily hose the vessel interior 44 down using a hose 60. The vessel base 62 is curved to facilitate flow of fluid whether from the discharge chute 16 from a hose 44 towards the vessel outlet 22 and particularly the secondary outlet 52. A scraper (not shown) can be used to push debris towards the secondary exit 52. If the secondary exit 52 is blocked, the outlet member 36 can be removed and debris can then be scraped through the vessel outlet 22.

(25) Reference is now made to FIG. 6, a section view of an apparatus 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The features described in this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment with the additional provision of a cleaning water supply 64. Water 66 is supplied to nozzles 68a, 68b by hoses 70a, 70b supplied by the concrete mixer truck water system (not shown). Each truck has a water system to allow for cleaning of the truck.

(26) Reference is now made to FIG. 7, a section view of an apparatus 210 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The primary difference between this embodiment and the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 is the location of the vessel outlet 222 which is on the same side of the vessel 214 as the vessel inlet 220.

(27) It will be noted, to accommodate this, the baffle free end 240 is positioned opposite of that shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 such that the line of sight 224 is at an obtuse angle to the horizontal.

(28) In addition, a valve 280 is provided to control the flow of water through the hoses 270 to the nozzles 268. This arrangement permits the inspection, washing and opening of the vessel 214 to be conducted from the same side of the apparatus 210.

(29) A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in perspective view in FIG. 8. In this embodiment the vessel 314 is removable from the lorry, the lorry defining power of mounting members 380 adapted to fit in complementary apertures 382 defined by the vessel 314. Once removed from the mounting members 380, a hinged lid 384 can be removed from the vessel 314 permitting access to the vessel interior.

(30) Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the vessel could be made from a resilient material adapted to permit the contents to be disturbed by hitting with a mallet for example was vessel interior could be arranged such that a disturbance medium could be provided like chains or spiked balls which prevented the debris in the vessel from settling and setting.