Not applicable.
The invention relates to a container wall according to claim 1.
Containers for the storage and the fermentation of fermenting agents, for example in so-called biogas plants, have sizeable dimensions. Generally they are configured in the manner of a silo and, accordingly, generally have a circular base. The wall is cast, for example, from concrete and the seal at the top is often implemented by means of a roof-shaped film which is retained in a tensioned and raised state by the production of gas or by the introduction of compressed air. In order to secure the film on the edge in an effective manner to the container wall, it is also known to attach a clamping profile in the upper outer region of the wall, into which the film edge is inserted and secured by means of a clamping tube.
It has been disclosed in DE 10 64 869 A to introduce the edge region of a film sealing a container at the top into a peripheral slot which is open at the top and U-shaped in cross section and then to introduce an inflatable tube in order to secure the film edge. It has been disclosed in DE 10 2006 035 227 B3 to secure both a gas storage cover and a cover made of film material in a C-shaped rail attached to the outside of the container, a clamping tube being inserted into the rail to fix the film inside the rail.
Corresponding tensile forces are introduced via the films into the rail depending on the gas pressure prevailing in the container, the supporting air pressure or external influences. Thus, as a result of the deformation of the clamping profile or the lack of clamping force in the clamping tube, there is the risk that the film slips out of the rail.
In practice, this is also able to be counteracted by securely flanging the film(s) to the container. The film is able to be subjected to load until it tears. A disadvantage is the increased effort when opening the cover, for example for maintenance purposes. Moreover, the cover may lose its function when the film is torn, which has to be avoided.
A container wall for a container covered by a film has been disclosed in WO 2010/075981 A2, in which a clamping channel for a plastics film which covers the container on the upper face is provided with a narrow, outwardly open entry slot which is defined by an upper and a lower projection. An insertion profile is inserted into the entry slot, said insertion profile being able to be introduced into the clamping channel in the oblique position, and in a position approximately parallel to the projections is prevented by the projections from moving out of the clamping channel. The clamping channel may be integrally formed in the material of the container wall or may be a separate profiled rail, which is either positioned on the container wall or integrally formed therein. Two undercuts are formed by the projections, which are relatively costly to produce irrespective of whether a separate clamping profile is used or the clamping channel is moulded into the material of the container wall. Additionally, by means of the two projections, the introduction of the insertion profile into the clamping channel is made more difficult and/or only permitted by specific shaping of the clamping channel.
It is also known to form the lower limb of a clamping profile separately and to attach it pivotably or displaceably to the remaining profile. Thus the possibility is provided of enlarging the entry slot for the clamping channel in order to simplify assembly.
The object of the invention is to provide a container wall for a container having a device for securing a film made of plastic sealing the container on the upper face in a roof-shaped manner, which can be produced and assembled even more simply.
This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.
In the container wall according to the invention, the narrow entry slot is only defined by an upper projection, whilst the approximately planar lower wall of the clamping channel merges without projections with the entry slot.
In the invention, it has been recognised that for securing the insertion profile in the clamping channel, it is sufficient if, when tension is applied to the film, the insertion profile bears from the inside against the upper projection and the insertion profile is supported on the lower wall of the clamping channel. There is no risk of the insertion profile slipping out at the lower edge. It may be necessary during assembly, after inserting the insertion profile with the film positioned around said insertion profile, simply to ensure that the lower edge of the insertion profile does not slip out beyond the entry slot, as long as no tension has been applied to the film. However, simple means are available for this.
The production of a clamping channel with only one upper projection is significantly simpler in terms of production technology than that of a clamping channel in which the entry slot is formed by an upper and a lower projection. Moreover, the insertion of the insertion profile with the film placed around said insertion profile into the clamping channel according to the invention is decidedly simpler to implement than with the known clamping profile. Moreover, the shape of the clamping channel may be considerably simplified. The lower wall of the clamping channel does not need to be continuous but may consist of wall portions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the clamping channel.
The container wall according to the invention is preferably produced from concrete and in the upper region the upwardly open clamping channel is provided with the preferably lateral entry slot, the height thereof being smaller than the height of an elongate insertion profile which is insertable into the clamping channel, around which the film is able to be placed. The insertion profile with the film wound around said insertion profile is tilted relative to the entry slot, introduced via said slot in the clamping channel and then, for example, moved into a vertical position, so that when a tensile force is exerted on the film, it is pressed from inside against the upper projection which defines the entry slot. The lower edge of the insertion profile is located on the approximately planar lower wall of the clamping channel. By means of such a construction, high tensile forces may be absorbed without the risk of the film sliding out of the clamping channel.
In order to protect the film from tearing in the event of forces which are too great, according to an embodiment of the invention the insertion profile may have a predetermined breaking point, said insertion profile bending substantially about a horizontal axis when a predetermined maximum force acts on the film. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the insertion profile may be produced from a material which, when a maximum permitted force is reached on the film, loosens or releases the non-positive connection of the film by its own deformation. The insertion profile is preferably produced from continuous casting or planar material which, for example, consists of metal, rubber or plastics. It may be moulded as a flat strip or bent or folded, or be a more or less flat profile strip. The flat strip may have a rectangular, trapezoidal or angled cross section.
Depending on the pressure conditions in the container and the wind force acting on the roof film, considerable tensile forces are exerted on the film edge. Thus, there is the risk that the film edge is pulled out when the tensile forces exceed a specific value. This risk is increased when the angle of the film edge relative to the associated limb of a rail-shaped clamping profile adopts a greater value, so that the limb is subjected to deformation and is bent upwards and the non-positive connection between the film edge and the clamping profile is reduced.
In an embodiment of the invention, it is ensured that, in particular when a greater tensile load is applied to the film, the tensile force acting on the upper limb which faces said film is introduced into the limb substantially as compressive force, and only acts on the limb as a smaller bending moment. Therefore, this does not lead to disadvantageous deformation of the clamping profile, resulting in the film edge being pulled out.
The film edge extends, for example, at an angle of 30° to 45° relative to the horizontal. The limb of the clamping profile facing the film edge preferably extends at the same angle. As a result, in comparison with a horizontal limb, more force may be introduced by the film into the rail, before the rail loosens the non-positive connection by deformation. Thus, even with greater tensile force values, a secure anchoring of the film edge in the clamping profile is ensured by means of the invention.
Such a profiled rail may be fastened to the outside of the container wall. To achieve this, there are different structural possibilities. One option according to an embodiment of the invention is that vertical fastening profiles may be attached at intervals to the outside of the container wall, to which the profiled rail is preferably fastened by welding. The rail, which preferably consists of longitudinal portions which are subsequently connected together, is initially bent and then connected non-positively to the fastening profiles. Said fastening profiles are then connected to the container wall, for example by means of suitable anchors. The container wall in this case may consist of very different materials, for example concrete, steel, plastics or wood and/or consist of a combination of the different materials.
In a further embodiment of the invention, in this connection it is provided that the fastening profile is U-shaped in cross section, the web of the fastening profile being able to be connected to the container wall.
A clamping profile in the form of a profiled rail may be cast into the container wall. Even with this solution, a high tensile force may be achieved when the clamping profile is arranged at a specific distance from the upper edge of the container wall. There is no risk of deformation of the limb of the rail facing the film edge.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper edge or the upper limb of the profiled rail is flush with the upper face of the container wall. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the upper face of the container wall may rise towards the outer face.
If the clamping profile and/or the profiled rail is cast into the container wall at a distance from the upper face of the container wall, according to a further embodiment of the invention the outer upper edge of the wall is rounded. In this manner, the film is not subjected to as much stress.
When integrally forming the profiled rail in the material of the container wall, the thickness of the material of the profiled rail, which is preferably formed from flat material or continuous casting, only needs to be very small as the forces are substantially absorbed by the surrounding material of the container wall.
As a result of the measure according to the invention, after clamping the film the insertion profile is securely supported against the lower wall. The risk of the insertion profile being moved out beyond the entry slot does not exist. This risk is potentially present, however, during assembly shortly after inserting the insertion profile and before tensioning the roof film. There is also the risk that for other reasons the tension on the roof film is reduced or is released. Thus, an embodiment of the invention provides that the lower wall in the vicinity of the entry slot of the clamping channel has raised portions in longitudinal sections, which are arranged to be removable or movable, so that in a first position they form an abutment for the insertion profile located in the clamping channel and in a second position open up the surface of the lower wall facing the clamping channel. Before mounting the insertion profile with the film placed around said insertion profile, the surface of the lower wall facing the clamping channel is completely open, so that the insertion profile together with the film may be inserted without difficulty. According to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a series of abutment elements and/or raised portions is subsequently mounted, which prevent the lower edge of the bearing profile from slipping out of the entry slot.
Various structural options are conceivable in order to implement the disclosed embodiment. According to an embodiment of the invention, abutment elements which may be inserted or screwed into openings of the lower wall are provided. Said abutment elements may, for example, consist of plastic.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, folding mechanisms mounted on the lower wall are provided. The folding mechanisms are configured such that they permit in a folded-down position a free insertion of the insertion profile and in the folded-up position form an abutment and/or an obstruction for moving the insertion profile out of the entry slot. Finally, clamping elements which are also able to be clamped from the front onto the lower wall may be provided in order to form an abutment. However, it should be stressed again that the described abutment and raised portions are not required for the function of securing the film in the clamping profile. They are simply aids for mounting and if there is a risk of the clamping profile slipping out due to insufficient tension in the film.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:
a shows schematically the plan view of a container.
b shows a section through the view according to
a & 9b show a similar embodiment to
While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated.
A container 10 is indicated in
In
As may also be identified, the planar profile 116 has a notched portion 132 which forms a predetermined breaking point. In the case of an accident, the predetermined breaking point as a last resort prevents the film from being torn and is able to ensure emergency pressure relief.
It goes without saying that the clamping channel 112 is also able to be produced, for example, by a separate profiled rail which is described further below. In this case, the profile of the clamping channel and the clamping element in the clamping channel are essential for securing the film.
In
In
The profiled rail consists of individual portions of specific length which is preferably considerably shorter than the peripheral length of the container 10. In this case, a rail portion may be connected to one or more adjacent shuttering elements. The profiled rail 36 and/or the individual portions thereof are provided with anchoring portions which, as shown at 38, protrude obliquely downwards into the wall 14. In
The embodiment according to
In
A profiled rail 200 is attached to the container wall 14 in
On the lower face of the lower wall 202 retaining portions 216 made of sheet steel or the like are attached at intervals, said retaining portions comprising holes through which an anchoring screw 218 may be passed in order to screw said anchoring screw in the concrete wall 14. The profiled rail 200 and/or the longitudinal portions thereof may be formed by edging planar material. However, production by an extrusion moulding method is also conceivable.
Instead of embedding a clamping profile in the form of a profiled rail in the wall, a positive profile made of plastic may be connected to the shuttering which is subsequently removed from the wall, for example by heating or by means of a reagent. Subsequently, a clamping profile remains in the wall with the same function as the clamping rail.
In
Merely for the sake of completeness it should be mentioned that only one shuttering element and/or one profiled shuttering element is discussed. It goes without saying that, viewed in the peripheral direction, a plurality of external shuttering elements 40a are provided and also a plurality of profiled shuttering parts 42a.
In
In
Depending on the width of the planar profile 212 and the width of the lower wall 202, said planar profile has to be inserted in the oblique position into the slot 214, as for example required by
Abutment elements 326 and/or 328 may be inserted into openings of the lower wall 316. They are located in the vicinity of the entry slot and may optionally be removed. The cylindrical abutment element 328 may, for example, be also screwed into a hole of the lower wall 316. The abutment element 326 is planar and has a cuboidal projection which is inserted into a suitable hole. The abutment elements are, for example, made of plastic.
Moreover, in
In
A sheet metal part 412 is welded to the lower wall 406 from below. With one rear edge 414 the sheet metal part is aligned with the rear wall 404. To the front, the sheet metal part 412 has an arcuate edge 416. On the upper edge the sheet metal part 412 has a notch 418 and/or a recess. Through the sheet metal part 412 extends a pin 420, the ends thereof on both sides protruding over the sheet metal part 412. The pin extends through retainers 422 on each side of the sheet metal part 412, the contour thereof being visible in
In
This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102010055527.4 | Dec 2010 | DE | national |
This is a national stage application of PCT/EP2011/006375, Filed on Dec. 16, 2011, which claims priority to DE 10 2010 055 527, filed on Dec. 22, 2010, the entire content of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2011/006375 | 12/16/2011 | WO | 00 | 7/22/2013 |