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(11) | EP 4 095 066 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR PRODUCTS TO BE MIXED |
| (57) A container system (1) for products to be mixed, comprising a first container (2)
for containing a first product, a lid (2a) for closing said first container and a
second container (3) which is housed inside the first container; a portion of said
second container extending through the lid and having a reclosable opening (18) on
the outside of the first container. The bottom (14) of the second container can be
opened for releasing the contents of the second container into the product present
inside the first container.
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[0001] The present invention concerns a container and a method for preparing a reactant. In particular, the invention concerns a container and a method for preparing polyurethanes.
[0002] As known, in the manufacturing processes of polymers and in particular of polyurethanes, one of the steps can provide for preparing a mixture of one of the reactants with further components required by the process prior to combining this first mixture with the second reactant, by means of a foaming machine, to obtain the final reaction mixture.
[0003] For example, in a typical process for producing two-component polyurethanes, the polyol reactant generally comprises all of the additives necessary for the successive mixing and reaction with the isocyanate reactant. It may be preferable to mix the additives just before mixing the two parts of the polyurethane system and this can complicate the manufacturing process and lengthen the duration thereof. It is in fact necessary to accurately dose each of the additives to be supplied to the polyol; the additives are, for example, glycols such as monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylenediamine, flame retardants, silicones, crosslinkers and the like.
[0004] A further problem is what occurs when preparing a prepolymer; in fact, also in this case, the isocyanate dosage must be very accurate with respect to the polyol oligomer.
[0005] An object of the invention is to solve the problems mentioned above and to reduce time and costs for mixing the products, in particular when producing polyurethanes.
[0006] This object is achieved by the present invention, which concerns a container according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 9.
[0008] The container system of the present invention comprises a first container for containing a first product (a reactant for example), a lid for closing said first container and is characterized by comprising a second container which is housed inside the first container; a portion of said second container extends, directly or indirectly, through a wall of said first container and has a reclosable opening on the outside of the first container in order for said second container to be in communication with the outside. Obviously, the second container has smaller dimensions than those of the first container.
[0009] In an embodiment, the first container comprises a lid for closing it and the second container is fixed to the inner side of said lid.
[0010] The housing portion of the second container can be opened from the outside of the first container for releasing the products contained therein into said first container. In other words, also with the container closed, for example with the lid fixed on the drum, it is possible to access the second container and to open it to let the contents of the second container fall into the product present in the first container.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the product present in the first container is a reactant for producing polyurethanes, preferably a polyol, the products present in said second container are additives for said polyol, preferably selected from glycols, amines and flame retardant additives, silicones, crosslinkers or mixtures thereof.
[0012] The second container is shaped such as the bottom is tapered or anyhow shaped in such a way as to direct the contents of the second container downward. This way, the outflow of the contents from the second container is ensured once the bottom has been opened. The upper part of the second container is advantageously shaped like the wall to which it is fixed. In the embodiment explained above, where the second container is fixed to the lid, the side of the container facing the lid is substantially flat.
[0013] In an embodiment the housing portion has, typically on the bottom, predetermined breaking lines mechanically fracturable, for example with a pointed rod or other piercing or breaking means, for making an opening for releasing the products contained in the second container. This way, it is possible to open the bottom of the second container when desired, while always keeping the first container in a closed condition.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the first container is a drum or barrel of the type normally used in the chemical field; the drum comprises a lid and the second container is fixed to the inner side of said lid, preferably in a central position, by appropriate fastening means.
[0015] As mentioned above, a portion of the second container, advantageously duct-shaped, extends through the lid and can protrude therefrom on the outer side of the first container. At its end, the duct, possibly protruding, supports an outer cap or other means for closing the duct. In an alternative embodiment, the lid has a duct which engages with the container.
[0016] According to an embodiment, the duct portion extending through the lid is threaded and screwed in a hole (preferably in a central position) on the lid. In a possible embodiment, the threaded duct can extend beyond the lid for being advantageously closed by a closing element, for example a cap screwed at the end of the duct for closing it. Other known closing means may be used instead of the cap.
[0017] The invention further concerns a method for preparing a product in a container system according to what is explained above, wherein said first container is closed and houses a product to be prepared and said second container houses additive products to be mixed with said first product, characterized by comprising the steps of opening said outer portion of said second container, inserting an opening means into said second container for opening it, opening said second container and releasing the contents of said second container into said first container. In other words, the invention comprises, in addition to the steps of preparing the two containers described above, the step of opening the bottom portion of said second container by inserting an opening means and, consequently, releasing the contents of the second container into said first container.
[0018] In an embodiment, the opening means is a rod preferably provided with mixing blades movable between a folded position (in which they are housed inside the rod) and an extended position (in which they protrude from the rod) which is assumed to act as a mixer, i.e. stirrer, for mixing the products present inside the container.
[0019] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of mixing the products in the first container, performed with the piercing rod described above. Advantageously, the steps are carried out by an automated machine.
[0020] A preferred application of the method and a preferred use of the container system are for the production of polyurethanes. In particular, the product present in the first container is a reactant for producing polyurethanes, preferably a polyol, the products present in the second container are additives for the polyol, preferably selected from glycols, amines and flame retardant additives or mixtures thereof. Appropriate products are, for example, monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylenediamine, silicones, crosslinkers and other catalysts.
[0022] The use of the container described above, in particular in its preferred implementation provided with a drum and a second container fixed inside the lid of the drum, allows to obtain an always accurate mixing of the polyol and additive components and in the required proportions.
[0023] In particular, the mixing can be carried out by an automated machine which provides for opening the closing cap of the second container, for opening its bottom and successively mixing the additives with the polyol (or other product) contained in the first container.
[0024] This way, it is possible to prepare the drums and additives required for each drum, to stock the drums also for prolonged periods of time without any problems since the additives are separated from the product present in the drum. When used for production, it will be sufficient to open the bottom of the second container to release the additives into the underlying product and to mix them together prior to using them in production.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention will now be explained by way of example and without limitations with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a sectional schematic view of a possible container according to the invention;
- Figure 2 and fig. 3 show respectively a side view and a perspective view of a component of the container system according to the invention;
- Fig. 4 shows a view of the second container when being opened; and
- Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a piercing and mixing rod for a system according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The container system of fig. 1 comprises a first container 2, for example a drum, provided with a lid 2a placed above it. The first container 2 is configured for housing a product P to be mixed with the contents of the second container 3.
[0027] The second container, as shown in Fig. 2 as example, comprises a housing portion 9 for housing products to be released inside the first container and a portion 10 extending through a wall of said first container, i.e. the lid 2a in the embodiment depicted. The portion 10 is typically duct-shaped and has an end 11 shaped as an opening and provided with a reclosable opening, for example with a cap 13. In the embodiment shown, the portion 10 is made in one piece with the second container but can be obtained from a separate duct fixed to the lid or wall of the first container and thus constrained to the second container.
[0028] As discussed above, the second container is fixed to the inner side of the lid 2a, preferably in central position, in a hole 12 obtained in the lid. In this way, the second container provides a reservoir for the additive products, such reservoir is closed inside the drum 2 and can be opened at the end 11 being outside of the drum 2. In general, the hole 12 is intended for housing the second container; the lid of the drum advantageously has at least one further hole 7 usable for filling the drum and/or drawing out the product after mixing in a way known in the art.
[0029] In an embodiment, the duct portion 10 is provided with a threading 6 such as to be able to be screwed on a corresponding thread present in the hole 12 of the lid 2a. In an embodiment, the closing cap 13 is screwed on a duct portion 10 protruding from the outer surface of the lid 2a, provided with the tread 6, such as to reversibly close the second container.
[0030] The second container 3 is shaped such as the bottom 4 is tapered or anyhow shaped in such a way to direct the contents of the second container downward. This way, the outflow of the contents from the second container is ensured once the bottom has been opened.
[0031] The upper part of the second container, i.e. side 5, is advantageously shaped such as to complement the wall it is fixed to. In the embodiment depicted, wherein the second container 3 is fixed to the lid 2a, the side 5 of the container 3 facing the lid 2a is substantially flat.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the housing portion 9 of the container 3 has, typically on the bottom, mechanically-fracturable predetermined breaking lines 14. Figure 4 shows an example of means for opening the bottom 4 of the second container 3, which are made in this case with a pointed rod 8: other piercing or breaking means can be used to make an opening 15 for releasing the products contained in the second container 3.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the breaking or opening of the bottom does not involve a release of fragments of the container into the drum. Such embodiment provides that the rod or piercing means 8 separates, i.e. breaks, the bottom 4 along the predetermined breaking lines 14; the thickness of the rod 8 ensures that the bottom stays open until the rod 8 is held inserted through the bottom 4, as evident in fig. 4.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment shown in fig. 5, the rod 8 is provided with at least one, preferably two, mixing blades 19. The blade(s) 19 is/are movable between a folded position and an extended position. In the folded position, the blade(s) 19 is/are housed inside the body of the rod 8. In such condition, the rod can pass through the connecting duct 10, enter the second container and pierce/break the bottom 4 of the container 3 to form an opening for the release and outflow of the products contained in the second container 3.
[0035] As mentioned above, the method and the invention are particularly useful when applied to the production of polyurethanes. In such application, the first container is a drum containing a polyol and the second container contains additives for the polyol, such as for example glycols, amines, flame retardant additives, silicones, crosslinkers or mixtures thereof.
[0036] By using such field of application, by way of example only, the method for preparing an additivated polyol with the container system of the invention provides that the first container 2 is in a condition in which it is closed and contains the product P, i.e. a polyol adapted for the production of polyurethane, inside.
[0037] The second container 3 houses additive products to be mixed with the polyol P, such as for example glycols, amines, flame retardant additives, silicones, crosslinkers or mixtures thereof.
[0038] The method comprises the steps of: opening said outer portion of the second container 3, for example by removing the cap 13 from the end 11 of the duct 10; inserting into the second container 3, through the connecting duct 10, an opening means for opening it, for example a pointed rod 8 acting on the breaking lines 14; opening the second container, preferably by breaking or piercing its bottom 5, and releasing the contents of said second container, i.e. the additives, into the polyol present in said first container.
[0039] A successive step of mixing the products, polyol and additives, in the first container is further provided. Such mixing can preferably occur through the rod 8 provided with at least one foldable mixing blade. In such case, the rod is rotated with the blade(s) extended, in a known way, for example by a motor 20. The mixture thus obtained can thus be used for the production in a way known of the art.
[0040] In this embodiment, the rod 8 is lowered towards the bottom of the first container 2 in a position where the blade(s) 19 is/are brought to the extended position, as shown in fig. 1 with the dotted lines. The rod 8 is thus rotated to obtain the desired mixture of the product P and of the contents of the second container 3 released into the first container 2.
1. Container system comprising a first container (2) for containing a first product (P),
a second container (3) which is housed inside the first container (2), characterized in that said second container comprises a housing portion (9) for housing products to be
released inside the first container, a connecting portion (10) extending from said
second container (3) through a wall (2a) of said first container (2) and having a
reclosable opening (11) on the outside of said first container, wherein said housing
portion (9) can be opened for releasing said products inside said first container
(2).
2. Container system according to claim 1, wherein said first container comprises a lid
(2a) for closing said first container (2) and said second container (3) is fixed to
the inner side of said lid, and wherein said connecting portion (10) is configured
to allow the passage of means for opening the second container, preferably of a rod
(8).
3. Container system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said connecting portion (10) is
formed by a part of said second container.
4. Container system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing portion
(9) is preferably rigid and has predetermined breaking lines (14) mechanically-fracturable
by a rod (8) to make an opening (15) for releasing the products contained in said
second container (3).
5. Container system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said first container
(2) is a drum or barrel comprising a lid (2a) and said second container (3) is fixed,
preferably screwed, to the inner side of said lid, preferably in a central position,
said connecting portion (10) of said second container (2) extending duct-shaped through
said lid (2a) such as to provide, outside of said lid, possibly protruding from said
lid, an opening (18) to support an outer closing cap (13) of said second container.
6. System according to claim 5, wherein said duct portion (10) extending through said
lid (2a) is threaded and screwed on said lid and said closing cap (13) is screwed
on said duct portion to close it.
7. Container system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising opening
means (8) for opening said second container (3), said opening means including a piercing
rod (8) provided with blades (19) movable between an extended position, for mixing
the products in the first container, and a position folded inside said rod for the
passage of the rod (8) through the connecting portion (10) of the second container
(3).
8. Container system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said lid has an
opening (7) different from the opening (18) of the second container (2).
9. Method for preparing a product in a container system according to one of the preceding
claims, comprising a first container (2) for containing a first product (P), a second
container (3) which is housed inside the first container (2) for containing products
to be released inside the first container, a connecting portion (10) extending from
said second container (3) through a wall (2a) of said first container (2) and having
a reclosable opening (18) on the outside of said first container to access the inside
of the second container (3), wherein said housing portion (9) can be opened for releasing
said products inside said first container (2), characterized by comprising the steps of opening said opening (18) of the outer portion of said second
container (3), inserting into said second container (3), through said connecting portion
(10), an opening means (8) for opening it, opening the bottom (4, 14) of said second
container for releasing the contents of said second container into said first container.
10. Method according to claim 8, wherein said opening means (8) is a rod, preferably configured
with foldable blades to mix the products in the first container (2) after the products
have been released from the second container (3).
11. Method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a step of mixing the products
in the first container with said rod (8) in a configuration with the blades (19) extended,
following the step of releasing the contents of the second container.
12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the product present in said first
container (2) is a reactant for producing polyurethanes, preferably a polyol, the
products present in said second container (3) being additives for said polyol, preferably
selected from glycols, amines and flame retardant additives, silicones, crosslinkers
or mixtures thereof.