US 10,518,988 B1Granted

Safety mechanism for use with a drum unloader

AssigneeIntegrated Dispense Solutions

InventorAndy Hryckowian

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Abstract

An apparatus for forcing a viscous material to flow from a storage container. This apparatus having a follower plate configured to be inserted into an open-end of the storage container; a sealing element located around the outer periphery of the follower plate; a pump assembly that includes a pump, an air motor, and a pipe in fluid communication with the follower plate; a support stand comprising a base, a crossbar; and two or more cylinders and rods; one or more control systems; and a safety mechanism configured to reversibly allow or prevent the air pressure from being supplied to the air motor depending upon the position of the follower plate either outside or inside the storage container. The sealing element is configured to provide a leak-proof seal with the storage container when the follower plate is located inside the storage container.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for forcing a viscous material to flow from a storage container, the apparatus comprising:

a follower plate configured to be inserted into an open-end of the storage container;
the follower plate being located in a position that is either outside or inside the storage container;
a sealing element located around the outer periphery of the follower plate, the sealing element configured to provide a leak-proof seal with the storage container when the follower plate is located inside the storage container;
a pump assembly that includes a pump, an air motor, and a pipe or tube that is in fluid communication with the follower plate;
the air motor being supplied with a source of air pressure;
a support stand comprising a base, a crossbar;
and two or more cylinders with rods inserted therein;
the cylinders and rods configured to move the follower plate up or down based on air pressure supplied thereto;
one or more control systems;
and
a safety mechanism configured to reversibly allow or prevent the air pressure from being supplied to the air motor depending upon the position of the follower plate;
wherein the safety mechanism comprises:
a first valve configured to reversibly switch between on and off in order to allow or prevent air pressure from flowing from the source to the air motor;
at least one device configured to measure the position of the follower plate relative to the storage container;
and
a second valve that is in communication with the first valve and the device;
the second valve configured to instruct the first valve to prevent air pressure from being supplied to the air motor when the follower plate is outside of the storage container.

14 more elements

A method of removing a viscous material from a storage container, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a source of air pressure;
b) providing an apparatus configured to force the viscous material to flow from the storage container;
the apparatus comprising an air motor-driven pump assembly, a follower plate, a sealing element, a stand, at least one controller, and a safety mechanism, wherein the safety mechanism reversibly allows or prevents air pressure from being supplied from the source to the air motor-driven pump assembly depending upon the position of the follower plate, the safety mechanism comprising:
a first valve configured to reversibly switch between on and off in order to allow or prevent air pressure from flowing from the source to the air motor;
at least one device configured to measure the position of the follower plate relative to the storage container;
and
a second valve that is in communication with the first valve and the device;
the second valve configured to instruct the first valve to prevent air pressure from being supplied to the air motor when the follower plate is outside of the storage container;
c) providing the storage container of the viscous material;
d) positioning the follower plate inside the open-end of the storage container;
e) allowing air pressure to flow from the source to the air motor-driven pump assembly;
and
f) causing a pump to evacuate viscous material from the storage container by flowing through the pump assembly.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.