The invention relates to material handling apparatus, particularly to such apparatus as is used for handling, which is to be understood as including transport, transfer and storage, of flowable material such as powders, dust, pellets, particles, granules and the like.

Such apparatus usually includes or incoφorates an intermediate bulk container (IBC) which has an outlet through which the particulate material can flow, the outlet being normally obturated to prevent flow and maintain the material in the IBC by a closure device which is usually in the form of a substantially conical member which in the closed or obturating position "sits down" on a wall, usually of hopper shape, defining the outlet. The closure device is raised from the hopper outlet to define an annular gap through which the material passes to exit the IBC. In order to provide for positive retention of the material in the IBC in the obturated position, there is a seal which is between the closure device and hopper outlet. Such seals are often either sponge profiles clipped around the bottom part of the closure device or bonded in place, or are alternatively moulded solid rubber profiles which are either clipped or bonded onto the seal.

For any hygienic or sensitive application where the user needs to be sure that no product can be retained in any pocket or crevice to cause cross contamination, bacteria, etc. present seals have generally not provided a good solution. When one glues/bonds/vulcanises seals into the closure device, remembering its very large size, it is always possible to peel the seal away by the passage of powders and product and thus create a crevice which cannot be cleaned.

An alternative solution is fully to rubber coat a cone and seal inside and outside

(by a dip moulding process in liquid latex) . This does give a fully smooth non- crevice surface but has three major drawbacks, namely: -

(a) Solid rubbers or elastomers are microscopically porous and will retain very fine products and thus stain and cross contaminate and thus are not suitable for many applications;

(b) The encapsulated sponge or hollow rubber seal will relatively quickly take a 'set' in the compressed position because sponges and rubbers. are porous and thus the entrapped air will be squeezed out over a period of time thus causing the set. It is not possible to re-inject this air as this causes, again, a hazard; and

(c) The coating can be damaged/worn and expose the cone/seal, again causing a hygiene trap.

Also, present seals have other disadvantages, thus they are basically soft seals (they have to be so that they seal around panicles of powder and so on, and they cannot take any pressure which gives serious problems when users need to have pressure-tight bins). Pressure or vacuum resistant IBCs are a common requirement, for example, changes in external temperature will cause increase or decrease of pressure inside the IBC and thus cause air to be drawn in or out with the consequent problems of contamination and loss of containment of the particulate material, serious indeed if the material is a pharmaceutical powder.

Finally, present closure devices and outlets have to be machined accurately to provide a completely circular outlet because any irregularities will lead to distortions in which material can lodge. For the same reason, lifting apparatus for. the closure device must be accurately centred because an off-centre or out

of kilter arrangement again leads to distortion and irregularities in which material can lodge.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus comprising a container having an outlet with a seal means mounted thereat.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for handling flowable material, comprising a container for the material, an outlet for flow of material therefrom, and a device for obturating the outlet and being movable therefrom to provide a flow path, wherein there is means for the device mounted at the outlet of the container.

The seal may comprise a substantially conical seal secured to the free edge of the outlet. This provides a relatively simple yet efficient seal which can accommodate irregularities in manufacture and operation of the device and outlet.

The seal may comprise the substantially conical seal, an extemal support therefor, and securing means securing the conical seal and said extemal support to the container. This provides a relatively simple modular construction.

The substantially conical seal may comprise a rubber moulding. This is relatively simple to make, and yet inexpensive though it will be understood that any kind of elastomeric material may be used, with similar advantages.

The extemal support may comprise a substantially conical metal backing

member, and the securing means may comprise a metal band clamp. These are again relatively simple to make and are relatively inexpensive, particularly when the backing member and band clamp respectively preferably comprise steel.

There may be an air gap between the substantially conical seal and the extemal support. This provides for resistant deflection whilst providing that the air gap is outside the seal, so that no material can enter, again satisfying hygiene requirements.

The securing means may be removable whereby enabling removal of the extemal support and seal. This allows for washing inside and out.

The seal may have a profile which may provide means for retaining the obturating device (when the apparatus includes a container having same) in the outlet in an obturating position. This provides for a positive sealing action.

The retaining means may comprise a shoulder for engaging the device.

This is a relatively simple construction in which the shoulder may be incoφorated integrally with the seal means during manufacture.

The device may comprise a profile complementary to the profile of the seal means. This provides for a seal which has a large surface area, thereby providing a positive sealing action, particularly when the respective profiles may comprise a substantial "C" configuration in cross-section. This provides a "nest" or "cup" seal.

The retaining means may also comprise a metal insert. This provides strength and/or durability, particularly as the metal insert may comprise a steel wire

incoφorated in the lip.

The seal may comprise a mouldable material and the steel wire may be incoφorated therein during moulding. This provides for ease of manufacture.

There may be relatively loose means for maintaining rigidity of the seal in the obturating position of the device.

This provides for support of the seal.

There may also be a removable cover for the obturating device. Such a cover provides for protection of the obturating device against accidental removal or dislodgement during handling.

The obturating device may comprise a substantially conical member with intemal means for obviating removal thereof through the outlet. This arrangement can ensure that the conical member, in effect a valve, stays within the container in use, particularly where the extemal means may comprise a plurality of detents which themselves may be equiangularly arranged round the conical member.

Apparatus for handling flowable material, particularly particulate flowable material, is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows schematically four stages in a mode of operation of apparatus, identified as (a) , (b) , (c) and (d) , for handling particulate material according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of Fig. Ka) ;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of Fig. Kb);

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of Fig. 1 (c);

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of Fig. Kd);

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of detail 'Y' of Fig. 1 (c);

Fig. 7 is a further schematic view of apparatus for handling particulate material according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a part of the apparatus of Fig. 7 in a first position;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a part of the apparatus of Fig. 7 in a second position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the apparatus of Fig. 7 in a third position.

Fig. 11 shows schematically a vertical section view through apparatus comprising an intermediate bulk container (I. B.C.) according to the invention, about to be set down on a discharge station;

Fig. 12 shows the apparatus of Fig. 11 set down on the discharge station prior to raising a closure device of the apparatus;

Fig. 13 shows an enlarged schematic view of part of the apparatus in the Fig. 11 position;

Figs. 14 to 17 show schematically different steps on raising the closure device

from an obturating device (or valve);

Fig. 18 shows a modification of the apparatus in the Fig. 17 position;

Fig. 19 shows an enlarged view of a further modified apparatus according to the invention;

Figs. 20 A to 20D show respectively plan, elevational and part views of an embodiment of obturating device or valve of the apparatus. Fig. 20C being a section on line Y-Y of Fig. 20A and Fig. 20D being a section on line Z-Z of Fig. 20B; and

Figs. 21A to 21F respectively show different seals according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 10 of the drawings, there is shown apparatus for handling flowable material, particularly particulate material comprising a container 2 (an IBC in the embodiment) for the material, an outlet 3 for flow of material therefrom, and a device 4 such as a metal e.g. plain spun stainless steel one piece cone or a plastic cone for obturating the outlet, wherein the apparatus 1 includes seal means 5 for the device 4 mounted at the outlet 3 of the container 1. Stated in another way, the invention relates to a container, such as an IBC, having an 3 outlet with a seal 5 mounted thereat.

The IBC 1 is generally lowered onto a discharge station 6 where there is a probe for cooperating with the cone for raising same to open an annular path at the outlet through which the material can flow.

Figs. Ka) - (d) illustrates this, as do Figs. 2 to 5 to an enlarged scale.

As shown in Fig. 6, the seal means 5 is substantially conical and in the embodiment is made of a rubber moulding. The seal means 5 is supported by an extemal suppoπ or backing member 7 made of steel and is, with the backing member 7, secured to the outlet 3 in the form of a hopper outlet of the IBC, by a metal, suitably steel, band clamp 8 which is removable so that the whole seal, e.g. clamp, rubber seal and support member are removable from a wall 9 of the IBC for washing. The wall 9 includes a shoulder 10 which cooperates with a lip 11 of the support member 7 to provide an anchorage for the band clamp 8. There is a gap 12 defining an air gap between the seal 5 and backing member 7 but this is extemal to the seal 5 so is not open to entry by the material.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is illustrated the IBC 1 lowered in place onto discharge station 6.

The enlarged views of Figs. 8 to 10 show details of the apparatus in position above the discharge station 6 (Fig. 8) , engaged with the discharge station 6 with the cone 4 in the closed position, seated on the seal 5 (Fig. 9) , and engaged with the discharge station 6 with the cone 4 lifted by the probe of the discharge station (probe details omitted for clarity) Fig. 10.

Thus in the apparatus embodying the invention, the cone valve 4 does not have any seal ger se itself, the seal for the cone is solely mounted at the outlet of the IBC. The cone is therefore 100% hygienic and can be readily washed in situ in a wash booth, for example an automatic wash booth.

The seal, secured to the lower conical part of the IBC i.e. at its hopper outlet, provides no enclosed spaces, crevices, air pockets or the like entrapment areas inside the IBC or process area such as the discharge station, thereby providing a novel hvεienic container, or IBC in the embodiment.

This is ensured in that the band clamp 8, albeit being removable, secures the seal positively to the outlet 3, via the shoulder 10 and lip 1 1 with a high pressure, so that the joint between the rubber seal and the IBC cannot open up in use and become full of product.

The outlet 14 of the conical device is a 'parallel cylindrical' section of a larger diameter than the free lower diameter of the rubber cone seal so when it is pulled down through the rubber cone seal it expands it to form a veπ- tight lip seal, in exactly the same way as a lip seal 13 is formed around the outlet of- the IBC itself at present at the discharge station inlet. Additionally, the largest diameter 15 of the cone valve device sits on the rubber cone seal 5 higher up forming a second resilient seal to ensure further full containment of product. The air gap betwen the rubber cone seal and the extemal steel support allows resistant deflection and seal but the air gap is outside the mbber cone seal, and open to atmosphere so there is no chance of 'set' nor of contamination.

When the headload of product in the IBC increases, the conical device or valve 4, will be forced down, further compressing and stretching a rubber skirt of the seal 5 at this position until it physically sits down on the outer steel support member 7 to form a very tight pressure resistant seal.

It will be understood that apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings can be very simply washed inside and out with a guarantee of no crevices or product left inside the container or valve. Moreover, the necessity for dimensionally extremely accurate round valves and outlets is overcome. This reduces manufacturing time and costs and is achieved because within reason any dimensional inaccuracies are automatically accommodated or "smoothed out" when the cone valve engages the seal.

The seal effectively moulds itself to the shape of the valve, hence providing a tight seal around the whole circumference of the outlet. Likewise, any lateral displacement of the cone valve because of inaccuracies at the discharge station, for example an off-centre lifting probe, means that such inaccuracies are overcome, again reducing manufacturing time and costs for the discharge station and its probe device. The arrangement also allows for self-centering of the cone valve and free movement to accommodate to the discharge station if the probe/cone valve engagement is a little offset.

Referring now to Figs. 1 1 to 20D, there is shown apparatus 100 for handling flowable material, such as particulate material for example a powder, comprising a container 102 (IBC in the embodiment) for the material, an outlet 103 for flow of material therefrom, and a device 104, such as a cone valve, for obturating the outlet and being movable therefrom to provide a flow path, wherein there is a seal or seal means 105 of the device mounted at the outlet. Thus, in use, the seal means 105, suitably moulded from rubber or a rubber-like material, has an internally facing surface 106 (inwardly of the apparatus) which is prevented from exposure to atmosphere when the valve 104 is obturating the outlet.

This is because the seal means 105, secured to a lower conical part of the IBC at its (hopper) outlet 103, provides no enclosed spaces, crevices, air pockets or the like entrapment areas inside the IBC or process station.

The seal means is similar to that of Figs. 1 to 10, but in the present embodiment, the seal means 105 includes retaining means in the form of a shoulder 107 for engaging an extemal surface 108 of the valve 104. The seal means or seal 105 is moulded from rubber and has a skirt 109 with a profile, substantially a "C" profile or concave profile, which is complementary to a "C"- profile or convex profile of a free edge or skirt 110 of the valve 104, there being

a lip 111 of the seal which is opposite the shoulder and which covers a lower lip 112 of the valve 104, and extends inwardly therebeyond to provide a seal. There is thus a positive seal over a large surface area between the cone valve 104 and the seal 105.

The seal 105 also has an extemal shoulder 113, which is used to locate a loose locking ring 114 or alternatively a cover 115 for covering and locking the valve in position. The cover thus prevents the valve from shifting during handling, and prevents material from entering the intemal areas of the valve.

It will be understood that when the cone valve 104 is pulled down to its fully valved position, i.e. obturating the opening 103, the seal 105 forms an inward retu edge above the top edge of the cone 104 to retain it in this position so that it cannot slide or fall out into the bin if the bin were accidentally tipped over or inverted. As the seal is a rubber component, it will stretch and allow the cone to be pushed up, with reasonable force, by the probe on the discharge station 116 (Fig. 12).

The loose ring 114 conical lock (Fig. 13) which, when in the lowered position, is adjacent to the outer diameter of the cone valve, physically prevents the rubber skirt 109 of the seal from stretching thus forming a physical solid lock rather than just a "rubber lock" . This ring is novel in that its natural position the lower position as the skirt has a slight taper on the outside, to keep the ring in this position. However when the IBC is placed on the discharge station 116 the top edge 117 of the discharge station 116 hopper outlet 103 forces the ring 114 upwards deforming the skirt 109 as shown. When the ring 114 is in its upper position the cone 104 can be forced through the skirt stretching it into the now open area ^' Z' below the ring 114. This optional and completely automatic secondary ring 114 would be used for total security for road and sea transport

etc.

Another option is shown in Fig. 19 where there is shown the complete, formed, plastic or other material dish type cover or cap 115 which may be pushed up and onto the skirt by hand to form a rigid clamp ring as above and also a complete cover for the underside of the cone for full protection.

The cover 115 may be fitted with the cone valve in the fully valved lower position by simply forcing it past the protmding outside rib on the skirt - altematively this transport cap 115 can be put onto a discharge station, by for example, a robot arm and then the IBC lowered down to click it into place and then taken away with the transport cap in place. The cap is removed either on a separate removal station or on the original discharge station by initially lifting the probe up into the cap, inflating an extemal tyre to clamp the cap, and then pulling down the probe and cap using for example a vacuum lock on the discharge station probe actuator.

The parallel section of the cone slides through the top inner lip stretching it and forming a sliding lip seal, the spherical ("C") section of the skirt below this lip is also stretched out forming a tight seal, the lower section of the seal wraps round, under and inside the lower inner swaged part of the cone valve to form a-compression/tension seal - thus three seals in one are effectively provided.

It is also optionally possible to have moulded into the bottom edge of the skirt a metal, e.g. steel wire 118, to stop this lower edge or lip expending so that the lower compression/tension seal will prevent the cone being forced out of the bin by excessive loads or pressures in heavy duty applications.

Altematively, or additionally, the cone is formed with 'vanes' 119 (Figs. 20A -

20D) which locate in the inner side of the bin outlet to prevent the cone 114 being forced out.

In use, the IBC 102 is positioned above the discharge station and is lowered thereonto by a fork lift truck, pallet truck, overhead lift or other mechanical means or device.

The optional locking ring seated around the skirt which is automatically pushed up by the action of lowering the IBC onto the discharge station - deforming the skirt slightly inwards and thus enabling the skirt to maintain a constant downward force on the ring automatically to push it down to its lower locking position when the IBC is taken off the station.

During discharge of material, Fig. 15 shows the cone valve 104 starting to lift by the action of the discharge station probe actuator expanding and pushing the probe and the cone valve upwards - in this part way position the outer edge of the cone is still tightly held in the inner lip of the skirt and the lower section of the skirt has relaxed inwards to its natural position together with the discharge station lip seal thus maintaining tight dust-tight contact between them.

Fig. 17 shows the cone in the fully lifted position - with the skirt fully relaxed into its natural position excepting only that the optional clamp ring is still slightly deforming the cone in the upper section as shown. The product now flows as shown at "X" .

Fig. 18 shows the same view without the lock ring.

It is optionally possible to stop flow at any time during discharge by either pulling the cone valve down through the skirt into the original fully valved

position by use of the clamp tyre 119 on the outside of the probe to grip the inside of the cone valve and vacuum lock on the probe actuator, or altematively only to bring the cone valve down until it sits on the upper portion of the skirt as shown in Fig. 16. To achieve this the IBC has been slightly raised (or the discharge station lowered) to allow the clamp ring to fall into its lower position - there is still a full seal between the discharge station and IBC skirt but the clamp ring now prevents the skirt being expanded outwards and thus the cone valve stays on the upper surface.

This embodiment will often be required in applications where there is continual ON/OFF operations when metering controlled doses of material to the process - it is very advantageous in that it prevents wear to the inner lip and lower portion of the skirt.

Rather than the optional clamp ring mentioned above, it is possible to use the dish-type cap which will both lock the 'Cone in its lowered valve position and also fully seal all the underside surfaces of the cone and lower part of the skirt. This is a very important function for high sanitary applications where even a small trade of dust around the edge of the cone and skirt is not acceptable during transport away from the process area. This cap may be fitted manually by simply pushing it upwards, squeezing past the outer lip on the skirt and clicking into place above it - thus preventing the inner lip and lower portion of the skirt from expanding and solidly locking the cone in place.

The cap can also be fitted by simply placing it onto a discharge station - commonly by use of a robot arm or other mechanical device to prevent operators having to be in the process area, the IBC is then lowered down to lock on to the cap and then lifted away with the cap in place.

The discharge station can also be used automatically to remove the cap - the IBC with cap in place is lowered on to the discharge station, the probe is lifted, clamp tyre inflated, vacuum lock applied to the actuator to hold the transport cap in place - the IBC is then lifted away leaving the transport cap on top of the discharge station. The robot arm can then remove the transport cap by a suitable lifting device such as forks around the outer periphery below the flared top portion of the transport cap or by use of a suction cup on the inner section or similar.

Referring now to Figs. 21A - F, these respectively show seals, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 and 260. Seal 210 is moulded from rubber or a rubber-like material, seal 220 is a fabricated seal in a steel cone, seal 230 is a moulded seal of "C"- like configuration for a steel cone, seal 240 is a sponge seal, seal 250 is a fabricated seal for an extended done, i.e. one that is in the closed position in contact with the IBC. and seal 260 is a sponge seal.

Thus, in all the embodiments, the cone 104 for example, has a parallel part of section such as 241 in Fig. 21 D which slides through a usual lip seal of the hopper of an IBC, to stretch it and form a sliding lip seal, and a spherical section of the skirt below the lip is also stretched out forming a tight seal, the lower section of the seal according to the invention and as described herein wrapping round, under and inside a lower inner part, which may be swaged, of the cone valve to form a compression/tension seal.

Stated in another way. a seal embodying the invention provides three seals in one.

When the cone valve is pulled down to its fully valved position, the seal 5 forms an inward retum edge above the top edge of the cone to retain it in this position

so that it cannot slide or fall out into the bin if the bin were accidentally tipped over or inverted. As this is a mbber component, it will stretch and allow the cone to be pushed up, with reasonable force, by the probe on the discharge station.