GB2440136A

GB2440136A - Skip filling distribution system

Info

Publication number: GB2440136A
Application number: GB0614151A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ralph Timothy Bywater-Lees
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-17
Filing date: 2006-07-17
Publication date: 2008-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-17
Also published as: GB2440136B; GB0614151D0

Abstract

An automated mechanism for spreading the contents of a skip whilst filling. The mechanism consists of helical screw or helical centreless screw (2) mounted within two concentric cylinders or troughs (3 and 4). Slots are cut within both cylinders/troughs set at different angles. When aligned the slots form a smaller opening that can be moved along the axis of the cylinders. The screw draws material from a hopper (8). This distribution mechanism can be mounted on a retractable arm.

Description

Skip Filling Distribution System This invention relates to the

automatic filling of an open skip or other container and allows for the fill to be distributed across the container rather than at a single point. The invention may be mounted on a movable platform to allow a typical skip lorry to set down or pick up the skip unhindered.

In industries such as the sewage/waste water industry where there is a continuous filling of a skip (of grit or screenings in the case of the wastewater industry) from a fixed discharge point. A fixed discharge point will generally deposits any material in a cone and this will usually require manual raking to spread the content evenly across the skip to maximise the load. There is sometimes a requirement to automate the process so that screenings are more evenly distributed across the skip.

However any distribution system will normal require a large clearance above the skip to allow the skip vehicle lifting mechanism to operate, which can result in a tall building. Such a tall building may be inappropriate for a number of reasons including cost or planning permission.

This invention aims to provide an automated means of allowing a more even distribution across the skip than is achieved by depositing in a single point and subsequently remove or minimise operator intervention. The invention can be mounted upon a movable platform so that the automated distribution mechanism can be retracted to provide clearance for a skip to be placed or removed by a typical skip lorry lifting mechanism.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: FIGURE 1 shows a cross sectional view of the preferred arrangement of the screw assembly in elevation.

FIGURE 2 shows a view of the preferred arrangement of the screw assembly from below, illustrating the arrangement of the cylinder/tough slots.

FIGURE 3 shows the cross sectional view of the preferred arrangement of the screw and inner and outer cylinders in greater detail.

FIGURE 4 shows side elevation of the preferred arrangement of the invention with the screw assembly in the closed position allowing for the skip or other demountable container to be filled.

FIGURE 5 shows an end elevation of the preferred arrangement of the invention with screw assembly in the closed position allowing for the skip or other demountable container to be filled.

FIGURE 6 shows an end elevation of the preferred arrangement of the invention with screw assembly in a partially open position and expected travel of the screw assembly.

At the heart of this invention is a screw assembly' (1) which is formed from a helical screw (2) or helical centreless screw (2). The screw (2) runs within an inner cylinder, tube or trough (3), which rests within a second outer cylinder, tube or trough (4). Both the outer and inner cylinders have slots (5 & 6) that run along the length, or part of, of each cylinder. The slots in the inner and outer cylinder which are not parallel will form a small opening (7) at the point they cross. By rotating the screw (2) within the inner and outer cylinders a screw conveyor is formed. By rotating either or both of the outer and inner cylinders the opening (7), caused by the crossing of the slots, will move along the axis of the screw assembly' (1). By rotating both the screw and the cylinders its sits within, a screw conveyor with a movable discharge is formed.

The preferred arrangement is for the screw (2) to lie in a inner cylinder (3) with the slot (5) set at an angle to the screw axis (in Figure 2 the slot (5) on the inner cylinder is shown but this would not normally be hidden by the outer trough (4)). The screw (2) and inner cylinder (3) sit in the outer trough (4) which has a slot (6) parallel to the screw axis. The screw extends beyond the outer trough (4) and the inner cylinder (3) into a feed hopper (8). Material for placement within the skip is loaded into the hopper (8), by other or associated machinery or manually, and when the screw is rotated the material can be drawn out of the hopper and into the cylinders to the opening (7) formed by the trough and cylinder slots. By rotating the inner cylinder (3) the small opening (7) position can be moved to allow for the desired distribution through out the skip (9).

If the screw assembly' is to be moved, to allow for the skip or other container to be removed, it is envisaged within the preferred arrangement that the hopper (8) part of the invention remains stationary, whilst the remaining part of the screw assembly (I) is retracted. There may be applications where the hopper remains attached to the screw assembly when it is retracted. Where the screw assembly' (1) is detached from the hopper, a device to prevent skip fill material spilling out from the hopper could be fitted. This spill prevention device (10) could be a simple hinged sprung flap or a more sophisticated design (in Figure 6 the hopper (8) is shown but this would not normally be hidden by the spill prevention device (10)). If the hopper is to remain stationary it can be mounted on its own stand (11) or on associated equipment. Where the screw assembly (1) is required to be moved to allow for skip/container replacement the preferred arrangement is for it to be mounted on a cantilevered arm/roof (12).

The screw can be driven by either an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor (13) at the location shown on the drawing or at any other suitable location. The rotating cylinders (3 & 4) of the screw assembly can be rotated by a geared motor or actuator (14) with either an electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or a combination of the afore mentioned power source. As with the screw drive the location of this drive(s) can be as shown on the drawings or at any other suitable location. The cantilevered arm/roof (12) may be extended or retracted by a manual, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive and the travel of the screw is shown by the locus (15).

There may be applications where two or more screw conveyors/ skip distribution mechanism are mounted adjacent to each other to provide for a more even distribution.

Claims

CLAIMS

The claims 1) An overhead mounted mechanism to fill an open skip or other demountable container and whilst filling obtain a more even distribution than can be achieved by discharge at a single point.

2) An arrangement based on claim I where a screw or centre less screw (2) is mounted within a cylinder, tube or trough (3) which is in turn mounted within a second cylinder, tube or trough (4) to form a screw conveyor and where the cylinder and trough have slots (5 & 6) set at angles relative to the screw axis but different to each to other to form a smaller opening (7) when they are aligned.

3) An arrangement based on claims 1 to 2 where either or both of the cylinders or troughs (3 & 4) are rotated to cause the small opening (7) formed by the slots (5 & 6) to rotate about and or move along the axis of the screw conveyor.

4) An arrangement based on claims 1 to 3 where the screw or center less screw extends beyond the cylinders and or troughs into a hopper (8).

5) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 4 where the screw conveyor mechanism is mounted on an arm (12) or platform to allow for its retraction where the hopper is, or is not, detachable and mounted in fixed location.

6) An arrangement as described in claims I to 5 where a spill prevention device (10) covers the opening in the hopper (8) when the screw conveyor mechanism is retracted with the arm(10).

7) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 6 where the screw or centre less screw (2) is rotated by a drive (13) which may be, manual, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or a combination of the a fore mentioned.

8) An arrangement as described in claims I to 7 where the two cylinders are rotated continuously or incrementally by a drive(s) (14) which may be, manual, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or a combination of the a fore mentioned.

9) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 8 where two or more screw conveyor units are mounted adjacent to each other.