Pumping apparatus

Abstract

 A pump apparatus is provided for removing viscous material from containers (1). The apparatus comprises a pump assembly (3,4) adapted to fit sealingly within the container to extract material from the container beneath a seal of the assembly. A rigid mounting means (4) for the assembly is movable in use upwardly and downwardly on second mounting means (5). The second mounting means (5) are movable in a transla­tional direction along elongate support means (6) to bring the assembly into position for pumping one or more other containers. The apparatus enables successive containers to be pumped in quick succession but without any loss in the rigidity of the pumping apparatus.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pumping apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to an apparatus for pumping viscous material from containers.

[0002] Although other uses may be envisaged, the present invention has been developed for use in removing printing ink from containers. Such ink is in general pseudo plastic and difficult to pump. The established method is to lower into a topless container a pump assembly comprising a seal adapted to fit the container and a pump to withdraw material from the beneath the seal. In general, the pump assembly will descend within the container under its own weight but means need to be provided to withdraw the assembly when the container has been pumped dry.

[0003] Such pump systems are known from U.S. Patents 4630760 and 4632281. In these patents, a pump assembly is held within a support structure, under which a container is placed. The assembly is held loosely to enable it to accommodate slightly misaligned containers, but otherwise cannot move transversely. Thus, in the case of a misaligned container, the pump assembly may become progressively more misaligned as the container is emptied. This may cause problems.

[0004] Furthermore difficulties arise during change­over of containers.

[0005] In the above patents and commonly, the pump assembly is supported by means of a pair of vertical stands so that it may move upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto. This can give a rigid structure but means that the pump assembly can only be used in one vertical disposition. Thus, in order to change containers, the old container must first be removed and a fresh container be moved into its place. This requires a certain amount of down time which is not always convenient.

[0006] Another method used hitherto has been to suspend the pump assembly from a pillar about which it is rotatable. This enables at least two containers to be used concurrently but suffers from a disadvantage that the pump assembly cannot be mounted rigidly, i.e. on two members. This lack of rigidity may cause problems when the pump assembly is attempting to descend through the pseudo plastic material being pumped.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the above dis­advantages and enables containers to be pumped in quick succession but without any loss in the rigidity of the pumping apparatus.

[0008] The present invention is concerned with a pump apparatus for removing viscous material from containers thereof, the apparatus comprising a pump assembly adapted to fit sealingly within a container to extract material from the container beneath a seal of the assembly.

[0009] The invention is characterised in that it comprises a rigid mounting means for the assembly which is movable in use upwardly and downwardly on second mounting means, said second mounting means being movable in a translational direction along elongate support means to bring said assembly into position for pumping one or more other containers.

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the present invention.

[0011] Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a container 1 of material being pumped and a spare container 2 of material which will be pumped at some time when needed in the future. Additional spare containers may be provided.

[0012] The material is pumped by means of a pump assembly comprising a pump 3 which is adapted to drop within the container 1 under its own weight and is fitted with a seal (not shown) to force the material within the container to the pump inlet. The pump 3 is mounted to an assembly 4 which is adapted to slide on rails 5, optionally by means of rollers, and, at least in an upward direction, is powerable by means of a motor (not shown) or hydraulic means.

[0013] The vertical rails 5 are adapted to slide along elongate horizontal supports 6 which can be made as long as desired. There are four points of contact between vertical rails 5 and horizontal supports 6 such that the vertical rails 5 are always held rigidly. Either of the vertical rails 5 or the horizontal supports 6 may be provided with rollers to allow easy movement. Locking means may be provided for use when the assembly is correctly located for use.

[0014] In order to use the apparatus, the vertical rails 5 and pump assembly 3,4 carried thereby are aligned with the container 1. The pump 3 is then actuated and descends under its own weight and by reason of the vacuum created by removal of material beneath it. Meanwhile, one or more other containers 2 may be placed against a check rail (not shown) so that they are in position to be acted upon by the pump assembly. When the container 1 is empty, the pump assembly is lifted therefrom by means of the motor or hydraulic means until the seal (not shown) is clear of the container.

[0015] The entire assembly, including the pump support 4 and vertical rails 5 is then moved along the elongate support 6 until it is in position to cooperate with a full container 2. As can be seen, this procedure may be repeated as many times as needed, doubtless by which time the empty containers have been replaced by further full ones. Every time the pump assembly comes into operation, it is held rigidly and thus will not deviate from a straight downward path. However, it can easily be moved to act on an adjacent container.

[0016] The apparatus may be used in such applications as pumping printing inks or for, e.g., mastic for car spraying. Particularly in the case of printing inks, it is often desired to provide containers of several different colours. In such a case, it is possible to provide elongate supports 6 which carry two or more sets of vertical rails 5 each of which bears a respective assembly for a different colour printing ink.

Claims

1. A pump apparatus for removing viscous material from containers (1) thereof, the apparatus comprising a pump assembly (3,4) adapted to fit sealingly within a container to extract material from the container beneath a seal of the assembly, characterised in that it comprises a rigid mounting means (4) for the assembly which is movable in use upwardly and downwardly on second mounting means (5), said second mounting means (5) being movable in a translational direction along elongate support means (6) to bring said assembly (3,4) into position for pumping one or more other containers (2).

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said second mounting means (5) comprises a pair of substantially vertical rails along which the assembly (4) can move or be moved.

3. An apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that said elongate support means (6) comprises a pair of substantially horizontal rails along which said second mounting means (5) can be moved.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rigid mounting means (4) is adapted to rest on the upper rim of the container (1) at at least some point in the pumping operation.

Drawing