Mobile filling unit

Abstract

 A mobile filling unit for filling containers (8), such as drums, IBC's and the like, from an external source, comprises a vehicle (1,2) provided with transport means (7) which extend between a feed position (5) and a discharge position (6) of the vehicle. The transport means furthermore defining a filling position with a filling installation (10) for filling at least one container at a time, and containment means (7) at the filling position for collecting spilled material. In a preferred embodiment, a scrubber (14) for removing fumes which are released as a result of the filling process is provided as well. Thereby, any fumes which escape as a result of the process of filling can be fed into the scrubber (14) so as to collect and dispose these.

Description

[0001] The invention is related to the field of filling containers such as drums or IBC's, for instance with a liquid or another substances such as a pasty substance. In particular, the invention is concerned with drums with a capacity of 60-250 liters; the IBC's may have a capacity of 500-1000 liters. Usually, such products are available at a filling plant which is equipped with one or more appropriate filling units. Empty containers are supplied to the filling plant; after filling they are transferred to a specific desired location for storage or for use. Apart from the process of filling drums at the location of a filling plant, it has also been proposed to fill containers in a more flexible way. According to said possibility, a so-called mobile filling unit is employed.

[0002] An example of a mobile drumming unit for filling drums is disclosed in US-A-4.059.134. It consists of a vehicle which is equipped with filling means and with a transport path for presenting drums to the filling means. A liquid is pumped from an external source by means of an onboard pump. The empty drums are supplied to a feed location and are then transferred to the front end of the vehicle. At that location, the operator moves the drums onto the filling location. At that location, two drums at a time can be filled. After the drums have been filled they are discharged towards an outlet end of the vehicle. For that purpose, they are moved again by the operator onto a pair of parallel conveyors.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide an improved mobile filling unit in which the handling of the drums requires less man power. Moreover, it is desirable that the mobile filling unit is able to handle containers of different kinds and sizes. Also, it is desirable that the escape of fumes and spilled liquid is further reduced or avoided. This object is obtained by means of a mobile filling unit for filling containers from an external source, said unit comprising a vehicle provided with transport means which extend between a feed position and a discharge position of the vehicle, said transport means furthermore defining a filling position with a filling installation for filling at least one container, such as a drum or IBC and the like, at a time, and containment means at the filling position for collecting spilled material.

[0004] The containers which are supplied to the mobile filling unit are filled in such a way that any liquid or other material which is spilled during the filling process, will be collected in the containment means. In a preferred embodiment, a scrubber for removing fumes which are released as a result of the filling process is provided as well. Thereby, any fumes which escape as a result of the process of filling can be fed into the scrubber so as to collect and dispose these.

[0005] An efficient filling process is obtained in case the transport means, over the full trajectory thereof ranging from the feed position to the discharge position, have a width which allows transportation of at least two drums positioned next to each other in the transverse direction of the transport means. In particular, these transport means may allow transportation of a pallet accommodating multiple drums, for instance four drums together. Also, the pallets may each carry an IBC.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the feed position of the transport means is at the back of the vehicle. The drums are fed at that location into the vehicle; they may for instance be removed from the vehicle at a longitudinal side of the vehicle. Thereby, the drums will move at first along a straight line form the back of the vehicle along the filling station. At the outlet they are moved transversely in such a way that they may leave the vehicle. Thus, an efficient travel of the drums is obtained which requires no or much less manual handling.

[0007] The vehicle may comprise an essentially closed compartment defining the feed position or inlet and the discharge position or outlet. Such compartment makes it possible to contain any fumes which escape during the filling process, and to subsequently clean them in the scrubber. In this connection, the scrubber may be connected to an extraction fan for exhausting cleaned gases. An electrical generator may be provided onboard the vehicle for powering the filling unit.

[0008] The invention will now be further described with respect to an embodiment of the mobile filling unit as shown in the Figure. Said unit consists of a trailer 1 and a lorry 2, although any type of vehicle which provides sufficient space or the components to be described will do. The trailer has a chassis 3 and a compartment 4. This compartment is closed, apart from a feed position or entry 5 and a discharge position or exit 6. Between this entry 5 and exit 6, a conveyor system 7 extends. By means of this conveyor system, the drums 8 carried by pallets 9 are moved through the trailer 1. In the embodiment shown, four drums 8 in total are carried by a single pallet 9, although other numbers are possible as well. Moreover, it is also possible to transport the drums 8 directly on the conveyor system.

[0009] A filling installation 10 has been arranged along the conveyor system 6. At this filling installation 10, four drums at the same time may be filled with liquid etc. The liquid is fed to the filling installation 10 through a hose system 11 by means of a pump 12 from an external source such as a storage tank (not shown). Through piping 13, any fumes which escape during the filling process are fed to the scrubber 14 for cleaning. Cleaned gases are exhausted through exhaust 15, extracted liquids are collected in vessel 16.

[0010] Beneath the location of the filling station, a containment 17 for collecting any spilled liquid is located. This containment may be carried out as a tray or trough or the like, from which the collected spilled liquids are removed and for instance fed back to the filling installation.

[0011] A generator 18 is provided which powers i.a. the compressor 19 which provides compressed air for driving the filling installation etc.

[0012] In practice, the vehicle according to the invention arrives at a site where the process of filling drums or IBC's etc. should take place. The vehicle is parked in the vicinity of e.g. a product storage tank, where after the hose system 11 is connected to the tank. Then, first of all a testing process is carried out, in combination with a calibration of the several measuring instruments such as weighing instruments, flow meters and the like. Containers to be filled, such as drums, are placed onto the conveyor system by means of for instance a forklift. The drums are filled, transported through the vehicle and are subsequently removed from the conveyor system, for instance also by means of a forklift. If required, the product hose system is pressed empty into the product tank. Finally, the hose system is disconnected from the product storage tank and the vehicle may leave the site.

[0013] List of reference numerals

1.

Trailer

2.

Lorry

3.

Chassis

4.

Compartment

5.

Feed position of compartment

6.

Discharge position of compartment

7.

Conveyor system

8.

Drum

9.

Pallet

10.

Filling installation

11.

Hose system

12.

Pump

13.

Piping

14.

Scrubber

15.

Outlet scrubber

16.

Vessel

17.

Containment spilled liquid

18.

Electrical generator

19.

Compressor

Claims

1. Mobile filling unit for filling containers, such as drums (8), IBC's and the like, from an external source, said unit comprising a vehicle (1, 2) provided with transport means (7) which extend between a feed position (5) and a discharge position (6) of the vehicle, said transport means furthermore defining a filling position with a filling installation (10) for filling at least one container at a time, and containment means (17) at the filling position for collecting spilled material.

2. Mobile filling unit according to claim 1, wherein the transport means (7), over the full trajectory thereof ranging from the feed position (5) to the discharge position (6), have a width which allows transportation of at least two drums (8) positioned next to each other in the transverse direction of the transport means.

3. Mobile filling unit according to claim 1, wherein the transport means (7), over the full trajectory thereof ranging from the feed position (5) to the discharge position (6), allow transportation of a pallet (9) accommodating multiple drums (8) or an IBC.

4. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feed position (5) of the transport means is at the back of the vehicle.

5. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge position (6) of the transport means (7) is at a longitudinal side of the vehicle (1).

6. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a pump (12) is provided which is connected to the filling unit (10) as well as to coupling means which are connectable to the external source.

7. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle (1) comprises an essentially closed compartment (4) defining the feed position (5) and the discharge position (6).

8. Mobile drumming unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transport means comprise a driven conveyor (7) for transporting the containers (8) from the feed position (5) towards the discharge position (6).

9. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a scrubber (14) is provided for removing fumes which are released as a result of the filling process.

10. Mobile filling unit according to claim 9, wherein the scrubber (14) is connected to an extraction fan for exhausting cleaned gases.

11. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an electrical generator (18) is provided for powering the filling unit and/or the scrubber.

12. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transport means (7) comprise a roller conveyor having a series of rollers which are rotatably supported with respect to respective axes which are parallel to echo other and which are transversely oriented with respect to the transport direction.

13. Mobile filling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the containment means (17) comprise a tray or trough or the like beneath the filling position.

Drawing