The invention pertains to a lubricant collection container with a dimensionally stable enclosure and a collection bag accommodated therein. A lubricant collection device and a folding insert for a lubricant collection container are also described.
In regular lubricant delivery, for example, to lubricating points that are supplied by a central lubrication system, lubricant escapes into the environment or into the immediate surroundings over time. This is undesirable for various reasons, particularly due to desired cleanliness, environmental compatibility, occupational safety, reutilization of the lubricant or the like, such that there is a need to catch and collect the old lubricant escaping from the bearing points and lubricating points, respectively.
Publication EP 2 093 474 A1 by the applicant describes a lubricant collection container consisting of a dimensionally stable enclosure and a collection bag with at least one filler opening accommodated therein. If the lubricant collection container described in the above-mentioned application is subjected to a rotational movement such as, for example, in the rotating hub of a wind power plant, it can be observed that the collection bag is partially destroyed due to abrasion, cracking, or tearing of the connector, and lubricant escapes into the environment or into the immediate surroundings, respectively.
The present invention therefore is based on the objective of eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art and developing an improved lubricant collection container, the collection bag of which is sufficiently protected against destruction. The objective furthermore consists of developing a corresponding lubricant collection device.
This objective is attained with a lubricant collection container of the initially cited type in that the collection bag is fixed in the dimensionally stable enclosure by means of a holding device such that the collection bag is stabilized. In this case, the holding device stabilizes the collection bag in such a way that it cannot move freely during a movement of the lubricant collection container.
The invention takes into account the realization that the collection bag in the lubricant collection container can more or less move freely when it is subjected to a rotational movement such as, for example, in the rotating hub of a wind power plant. The rotational speed of the hub and the distance of the lubricant collection container from the rotational axis result in an insufficient centrifugal force for sufficiently stabilizing the collection bag. This is why it is advantageous to fix the collection bag in the dimensionally stable enclosure by means of a holding device such that it cannot move freely. In this way, abrasion and cracking are avoided and premature destruction of the collection bag is prevented.
The inventive design is more robust in comparison with the prior art and protects more reliably against leakage from the entire lubricant collection container and from the collection bag in particular. In this case, the collection bag preferably is—with the exception of its filler opening—closed all sides. The dimensionally stable enclosure, as well as the inventive holding device, has a simple construction and therefore can also be manufactured cost-effectively.
According to the invention, the holding device comprises a folding insert with a base plate and a membrane that at least partially covers the base plate, wherein the collection bag is essentially arranged between the base plate and the membrane and the membrane preferably covers the collection bag completely when the folding insert is arranged upright.
Due to this inventive arrangement, the collection bag is held on the base plate by the membrane not only in the empty, folded state, but also when it slowly fills with lubricant. In this case, the membrane expands uniformly in accordance with the filling of the collection bag, but continues to hold the collection bag on the base plate due to the clamping forces being generated such that it cannot tumble back and forth. In this way, the collection bag is protected against destruction.
The membrane preferably can be expanded by up to 400% so that the collection bag can accommodate the intended or required volume of lubricant. It is particularly preferred that the membrane completely cover the folding insert such that the entire collection bag is held in position. As the material for the membrane, for example, polyurethane (PU) may be used. Such a membrane of PU preferably has a thickness between 50 μm and 500 μm, particularly between 50 μm and 200 μm. If other materials are used, the thickness of the membrane may lie between a few μm and 500 μm.
In one exemplary embodiment, the base plate features at least one predetermined folding point, preferably four predetermined folding points, particularly six predetermined folding points for folding purposes, wherein the predetermined folding point preferably extends essentially parallel to the outer edge of the base plate. The base plate is folded along the predetermined folding point(s) such that the membrane is tensioned over the collection bag and also reliably holds the collection bag in its intended position in the empty, folded state. Due to the folding of the base plate, the forces generated during the filling of the collection bag are better distributed over the entire folding insert.
In an additional embodiment, the folding insert can be folded in such a way that it forms at least two, preferably three wall-like segments that adjoin at least two, preferably three adjacent walls of the dimensionally stable enclosure. Due to this design of the base plate, the folding insert has a shape that prevents movements of the folding insert and the collection bag held thereon in a simple fashion when the folding insert is inserted into the dimensionally stable enclosure.
It proved practical that the base plate of the folding insert features a recess for the arrangement of a filler opening of the collection bag. In this case, the recess in the base plate can enclose the filler opening of the collection bag so that the filler opening can no longer move freely. This fixing of the collection bag also results in a superior protection against destruction, particularly at the mechanically stressed transition from the flexible bag to the more rigid filler opening.
The filler opening is preferably provided with a connecting element that produces a fluidic connection between the collection bag and, for example, a collecting pipe for the lubricant.
The wall material of the dimensionally stable enclosure and/or the material of the base plate of the folding insert may contain cardboard, paperboard or corrugated board or may consist entirely of at least one of these materials. When this wall material is used, the entire collection container including the folding insert can be manufactured cost-effectively and with a particularly low weight. This design also advantageously allows a simple visual enhancement of the dimensionally stable enclosure and/or the folding insert, for example, in the form of a printing process. If cardboard, paperboard or corrugated board is used, the wall material furthermore can be easily disposed of or recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
The collection bag may also consist of a plastic bag. This plastic bag may be realized, in particular, in the form of a tubular bag that is welded in its interior. The plastic used for the collection bag may consist of a thermoplastic material such as, for example, a LLDPE film. The material is also referred to as PE-LLD or linear low-density polyethylene.
In order to improve the handling of the collection bag and the lubricant collection container, the collection bag may be fixed on the base plate of the folding insert and/or on the dimensionally stable enclosure such that it can be detached repeatedly. This advantageously makes it possible to dispose of the old lubricant by merely disposing of either the filled collection bag only or the folding insert with the filled collection bag and to subsequently insert a new collection bag or a new folding insert with collection bag into the lubricant collection container. Alternatively, the entire lubricant collection container including the dimensionally stable enclosure, the folding insert and the collection bag can be replaced. Since the collection bag is fixed on the base plate of the folding insert and/or on the dimensionally stable enclosure, the filler opening can be aligned simultaneously in a defined fashion. This simplifies, among other things, the arrangement of a connecting element on the filler opening.
Due to the simple and cost-effective construction of the dimensionally stable enclosure and the holding device, various shapes and dimensions of lubricant collection containers can be easily realized.
The above-defined objective is furthermore attained with a lubricant collection device having at least one collection element that can be arranged at a lubricating point and serves for collecting lubricant escaping from the lubricating point. The lubricant collection device is characterized in that the collection element preferably is fluidically connected to at least one above-described inventive lubricant collection container via at least one collecting pipe. This means either that the collection element is connected to the lubricant collection container via at least one collecting pipe or, alternatively, that the lubricant collection container can be connected directly to the collection element.
The lubricant collection container and/or the collection element and/or the collecting pipe are preferably realized such that lubricant can be collected and carried off by means of gravitational force and, if applicable, no other conveying means or the like is required.
The collection element may also consist of a suction element that is assigned to a lubricating point so that leaking lubricant can be collected and conveyed into the lubricant collection container via the collecting pipe, to which other lubricating points may be connected.
In this case, the lubricant collection container may be connected to the collecting pipe such that it can be detached repeatedly. In this way, the lubricant can be conveyed to a lubricant collection container that is preferably arranged in the vicinity of a lubricating pump and therefore can be replaced quickly and easily with an empty container or an empty collection bag on a folding insert.
The objective of the invention is furthermore attained with a folding insert for a lubricant collection container that features a dimensionally stable enclosure and a collection bag. The folding insert represents a simple option for stabilizing the collection bag during movement of the lubricant collection container. In this case, the folding insert comprises a base plate and a membrane that at least partially covers the base plate, wherein the collection bag can essentially be arranged between the base plate and the membrane, and wherein the membrane preferably can be completely tensioned over the collection bag in the folded state of the folding insert.
Due to this inventive design of the folding insert, the collection bag is held on the base plate by the membrane not only in the empty, folded state, but also when it slowly fills with lubricant. In this case, the membrane expands in accordance with the filling of the collection bag, and continues to hold the collection bag on the base plate so that it cannot tumble back and forth and, consequently, it is protected against destruction.
The membrane preferably can be expanded by up to 400% so that the collection bag can accommodate the intended or required volume of lubricant. It is particularly preferred that the membrane completely cover the folding insert. The material used for the membrane may consist of, for example, PU, preferably with the above-indicated thickness.
Due to the design of the inventive folding insert, replacement of either the filled collection bag only or of the folding insert with the collection bag can be easily realized within a very short time. This simple replaceability is particularly advantageous in the regular maintenance of lubricating points.
In an additional development of the folding insert, the base plate features at least one predetermined folding point, preferably four predetermined folding points, particularly six predetermined folding points for folding purposes, wherein the predetermined folding point preferably extends essentially parallel to the outer edge of the base plate. The base plate is folded along the predetermined folding point(s) such that the membrane is tensioned over the collection bag and also reliably holds the collection bag in its intended position in the empty folded state.
The folding insert preferably can be folded in such a way that it forms at least two, preferably three wall-like segments that can adjoin at least two, preferably three adjacent walls of the dimensionally stable enclosure. Due to this design of the base plate, the folding insert has a shape that prevents movement of the folding insert and the collection bag in a simple fashion, particularly when the folding insert is inserted into the dimensionally stable enclosure.
In order to easily connect the collection bag to a collecting pipe by means of a connecting element, the base plate features a recess for the arrangement of a filler opening of the collection bag. The recess may further be designed such that the filler opening is fixed in the base plate and no longer can move freely.
The material of the base plate of the folding insert may contain cardboard, paperboard or corrugated board. If this material is used, the folding insert can be manufactured cost-effectively and with a particularly low weight without impairing its stability. It is furthermore easily possible to realize the folding insert with the correct dimensions with respect to the dimensionally stable enclosure. In this regard, various shapes of the folding insert are conceivable in dependence on differently shaped dimensionally stable enclosures. If cardboard, paperboard or corrugated board is used, the material of the base plate can also be easily disposed of or recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
Other characteristics, advantages and possible applications of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the figures. In this respect, all described and/or graphically illustrated characteristics form the object of the present invention individually or in arbitrary combination, namely, regardless of the composition thereof in the claims or the references thereof to other claims.
In the schematic figures:
The blank 3 for the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 illustrated in
A predetermined folding point 3f connects (once again, in the sequence from top to bottom illustrated in
In the delivery state illustrated in
The predetermined folding points 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3i, 3k consist, in particular, of straight linear notches or grooves in the blank 3, along which the blank 3 can be easily folded.
The predetermined folding points 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f consist, in particular, of straight, linear notches or grooves in the blank 17, along which the blank 17 can easily folded. The term “blank” with the reference symbol 17 refers to the schematic illustration in
The predetermined folding points 17a, 17b, 17c/17e, 17d/17f respectively connect the flaps 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d. In order to arrange the folding insert 1 upright, the flaps 18c, 18d are folded rearward relative to the plane of projection. In this case, the predetermined folding points 17c/17e and 17d/17f lie relatively close to one another so that after the folding process they respectively form a narrow web 18f, 18g between the center part 18e of the base plate 18 and the connected flaps 18c, 18d. The narrow web 18g is clearly visible in
In areas in which predetermined folding points 17a/17c, 17a/17d, 17b/17c, 17b/17d respectively intersect, the blank 17 may be perforated or punched (perforation 19) in order to simplify the folding of the corner areas (see
The inventive folding insert 1 illustrated in
The collection bag 21 between the base plate 18 and the membrane 22 may be inserted in a folded state as illustrated in
The membrane 22 is preferably connected, for example bonded or welded, to the right and left outer edges 17i, 17k of the blank 17 for the base plate 18 on its right and left outer edges 22a, 22b in order to allow adequate positioning. It is particularly advantageous to weld the membrane 22 to the base plate 18 if the folding insert is coated or made of a plastic material.
In the next step, which is illustrated in
The completely folded folding insert 1 is inserted into the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 that was arranged upright in the above-described fashion (
The dimensionally stable enclosure 4 is now closed. For this purpose, the short side flaps 13a, 13b of the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 are initially folded onto the upper wall-like segment 25a of the folding insert 1 (
The present invention is not limited to the cuboid lubricant collection container 26 shown. Due to the simple and variable construction, in particular, of the folding insert 1, its shape can be varied within a broad range. For example, the folding insert 1 can be adapted to different types of dimensionally stable enclosures such as, for example, enclosures with a cylindrical shape.
Consequently, it is possible to easily and cost-efficiently dimension the lubricant collection container 26 and therefore the folding insert 1 accommodated therein such that they fit into retaining plates known from the prior art, for example, retaining plates of the type known from publication EP 2 093 474 A1 by the applicant.
1 Folding Insert
2 Transport Packaging
3 Blank for Dimensionally Stable Enclosure 4
3
a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3i, 3k Predetermined Folding Points in Blank 3
3
h Outer Edge of Side Wall 5d
4 Dimensionally Stable Enclosure
5
a, 5b, 5c, 5d Side Walls of Dimensionally Stable Enclosure 4
6 Connecting Flap
7
a First Bottom Part
7
b Second Bottom Part
8
a, 8b, 8c, 8d Short Side Flaps
9
a, 9b Bottom Flaps
10
a, 10b Holding Tabs
11
a, 11b Recesses
12 Long Cover Flap
12
a, 12b Recesses in Long Cover Flap 12
13
a, 13b Short Cover Flaps
14 Cover
14
a Recess in Cover 14
14
b, 14c Cardboard Flaps in Cover 14
15 Safety Flap
16 Access Opening
17 Blank for Base Plate
17
a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f Predetermined Folding Points in Blank 17
17
g Upper Outer Edge of Blank 17
17
h Lower Outer Edge of Blank 17
17
i Right Outer Edge of Blank 17
17
k Left Outer Edge of Blank 17
18 Base Plate
18
a, 18b, 18c, 18d Flaps of Base Plate 18
18
e Center Part of Base Plate 18
18
f, 18g Narrow Webs of Base Plate 18
19 Perforation
20 Recess
21 Collection Bag
21
a Right Edge of Collection Bag 21
21
b Left Edge of Collection Bag 21
22 Membrane
22
a Right Outer Edge of Membrane 22
22
b Left Outer Edge of Membrane 22
23 Filler Opening
24 Connecting Element
25
a Upper Wall-Like Segment
25
b Central Wall-Like Segment
25
c Lower Wall-Like Segment
26 Lubricant Collection Container
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
202010012758.0 | Sep 2010 | DE | national |
202010013614.8 | Sep 2010 | DE | national |