Material or article handling – Self-loading or unloading vehicles – Conveyor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-07-17
Bratlie, Steven A. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Self-loading or unloading vehicles
Conveyor
C198S750600, C414S325000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261049
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a withdrawal device for materials stored on sliding bases, in particular bulk materials such as materials to be composted.
2. Description of the Related Art
In known systems for storing bulk materials such as materials to be composted, it is known practice to store them, i.e. perform the composting process, on sliding bases arranged in tunnels, for example, and then to withdraw the composted material after composting, i.e. remove it from the tunnel.
It was known practice to store the material to be composted on a net-like base and, given an appropriate withdrawal, to roll up the entire net by means of a driving device to be arranged in front of the tunnel. That is to pull it out of the tunnel and hence also the compost material in the tunnel, and then to remove this material by means of conveyor belts.
It was also known practice to provide a driving unit being arranged in front of the individual tunnels such that it could likewise be moved and be capable of being coupled with the sliding bases.
A known driving device of this kind has sliding-base boards arranged in the movable part. These, boards are capable of being coupled to the sliding-base boards in the tunnel and each has their own drive arranged in the driving unit.
With such a device, there is the risk that material to be withdrawn will fall between the arranged boards and driven in the driving unit. The result is that this material will collect in the base area and will permanently impair the mobility of the driving unit and thereby increase the outlay on maintenance and cleaning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object on which the invention is based to provide a withdrawal device for materials stored on sliding bases, particulary bulk materials such as materials to be composted: the device is, on the one hand, distinguished by a construction of simple design while, at the same time, being highly reliable in operation and which, furthermore, can be used with a very wide variety of sliding bases.
This and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention, wherein the driving unit has at least one driving device, which can be coupled to and decoupled from the sliding-base boards in at least one coupling position. The sliding-base boards are arranged in such a way that they can be moved at least partially into and out of the driving unit, at least with their end that faces the driving unit. The ends of the sliding-base boards which project into the driving unit after their insertion are arranged in such a way that, during a backward and forward motion of the sliding-base boards in the longitudinal direction, they do not leave the driving unit. This ensures, on the one hand, that various tunnels provided, for example, with sliding bases can be coupled into one and the same driving unit for the purpose of withdrawing the bulk material located in the tunnel or materials located on the sliding base, i.e. the individual sliding bases do not need a separate driving unit. It is also ensured that the material to be withdrawn is fed directly to the driving unit and hence to the conveyor belts provided. The speed of withdrawal and quantity withdrawn requiring appropriate control. It is furthermore ensured that the bulk material to be withdrawn does not get into the area of the path of the driving unit, i.e. does not impair the mobility of the driving unit. It is furthermore ensured that the door area of the individual tunnels remains unobstructed by the driving and/or coupling unit when not coupled, i.e. can, for example, be closed completely.
If a driving device which can be coupled to the sliding-base board is provided for each of the latter, this ensures that withdrawal can be performed in an optimum manner.
If the sliding-base board and the driving device are designed in such a way that they can be coupled at at least two coupling points arranged at a distance from one another, it is possible for that end of the sliding-base boards which faces the driving unit to be moved into the driving unit, thus ensuring that there is no gap between the driving unit and the end of the sliding base. A gap which would otherwise have to be bridged by auxiliary means; on the contrary, the driving unit and the sliding base form a unit.
If the sliding-base board has coupling devices which are used for coupling, this ensures direct coupling between the sliding-base board and the driving device and hence the driving unit without the need here for a manual operation such as the insertion of a pin, such pin creates a noncontinuous connection between the sliding-base board and the driving unit or withdrawal unit.
If the coupling device is a prismatic socket, this ensures that the coupling facility provided is not prone to faults and is thus reliable.
If the end of the sliding-base board is formed by a coupling piece and the coupling points are situated in the region of the coupling piece, this also allows retrofitting of existing sliding-base systems and replacement when wear occurs without the need to replace entire sliding-base boards.
If the driving device is a hydraulic cylinder which is designed to be controllable and has a piston rod designed as a push/pull rod, and if the piston rod is provided with a prism which is used for coupling, this ensures individual control of the individual sliding-base boards while maintaining a maximum of reliability and minimum susceptibility to faults.
If the driving unit has a surface for receiving and supporting the bulk material, and if a device for removing the bulk material from the driving unit is provided, this ensures that bulk material which passes into the driving unit can only leave it on the predetermined path (i.e. there is no risk that the bulk material will fall through available gaps into the area underneath the driving unit, even in small quantities).
If the device for removing the bulk material comprises two spade shafts, these having spades, and a screw shaft, this ensures that the compost which passes into the driving unit is loosened and homogenized before it is transferred to the conveyor belt.
If upon assuming a position within the driving unit, the end of each sliding-base board is arranged above the support, this ensures that the bulk material always reaches the support in the desired manner.
If at least two sliding bases, each arranged in a tunnel, are provided and at least one driving unit, which can be coupled optionally to at least some of the sliding bases present, is provided, this ensures that the driving unit is always optimally utilized and is hence utilized economically.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5544739 (1996-08-01), Christiaens et al.
patent: 93 08 069 U (1993-09-01), None
patent: 0710636 A1 (1993-05-01), None
patent: WO 93/17986 (1993-09-01), None
patent: WO 94/26638 (1994-11-01), None
Büschenfeld Siegfried
Schürmann Wilfried
Bratlie Steven A.
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Horstman GmbH & Co. KG
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