Patent Application
20180282055
The present invention relates to a container for cored wires, in particular cored wires filled with a hazardous material and/or a filling that is sensitive to air, oxygen, water and/or moisture, for safely transporting and for safely storing said cored wires.
Cored wires are used in particular for injecting additives or aggregates during the production of pig iron, steel and other alloys. These cored wires are essentially composed of an outer jacket or metal sheath, in whose interior space the additive or the aggregate for pig iron, steel or alloy is introduced. In this form, it is possible to introduce the additive or aggregate in a targeted, defined way and under safe conditions into the molten metal. In order to facilitate transport, these cored wires are normally wound into coils, wherein the weight of such a coil may vary, depending on application and filling material, from 500 to 3,000 kg. The cored wires themselves normally have a diameter of 5 to 20 mm and a running length of 1,000 to 20,000 m per coil.
Some of the additives or aggregates are substances sensitive to air, oxygen and/or water, or are to be classified as hazardous materials, which have to be stored and transported under special conditions. Legislators have issued safety directives for the storage and transport of hazardous substances, which safety directives must be complied with.
For storing and transporting cored wires a series of devices has already been developed and described. German utility model DE 87 10 920 U1, for example, describes a device for transporting, storing, stowing and unwinding wire coils, which is formed by a cube or cuboid-shaped cage and consists of solid or hollow rods.
Moreover, German patent applications DE 37 22 975 A1, DE 41 36 268 A1 and DE 41 36 269 A1 describe devices for the horizontal storage and transportation of cored wires, which are wound to form wire coils. These cored wires are wound into coreless wire coils having a multiplicity of windings, wherein the wire coils are stored in a horizontal position, i.e. the axis of the winding is parallel to the storage, lying or stand area of the coil.
Moreover, European patent EP 528 408 B1 describes a container for storing and transporting steel bands, which are wound into rolls, wherein the rolls are stored in a horizontal position in the container, i.e. the axis of the winding is parallel to the storage, lying or stand area of the roll. The container allows easy transport of the steel bands, thus rendering superfluous the use of special wagons.
Moreover, French patent application FR 2 703 334 A1 describes a device for storing and transporting cored wires. The cored wire described is wound into a coil, which has a multiplicity of windings. The coil itself is stored in a standing or horizontal position on a pallet, wherein the coil is stored by means of a two-part wire basket.
International patent application WO 2010/067 033 A1 also describes an improved cage construction for improved extraction of cored wires, wherein non-slip material is positioned on the inner side of the bars of the cage.
Even though in recent times considerable advances and improvements have been achieved in safely storing and transporting cored wires, considerable interest still exists, on the part of the user of cored wires, in integrating the cored wires themselves as well as their storage and transport containers optimally in the intended production processes. The object of the present invention is thus to provide a safe storage and transport container for hazardous materials, in particular for cored wires, which can be manipulated safely and/or fulfils the directives regarding the transport of hazardous materials and/or which may be optimally integrated into the manufacturing process intended for cored wires.
These objects are achieved by a container according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims, which may be selectively combined to each other.
Therefore, according to a first embodiment, the subject matter of the present invention is a storage and transport container, in particular a reusable storage and transport container, comprising the container and a cored wire wound into a coil, wherein the coil has a winding axis and an outer diameter, and wherein the container comprises:
a) a bottom plate having a first side and a second side facing away from the first side,
b) an outer wall connected to the bottom plate,
c) at least one removal opening for the cored wire,
d) at least one lid, which is connected to the outer wall, and which covers and/or closes the removal opening,
wherein the bottom plate, the outer wall and the lid form an interior space, in particular an interior space which is closed and/or liquid-tight with respect to the environment, for safely storing and transporting the cored wire, which is wound to form a coil, and wherein the coil is positioned in the container in such a way that the winding axis of the coil is perpendicular to the bottom plate of the container.
The storage and transport container may also be provided, according to the invention, without the cored wire. The storage and transport container according to the invention is suitable for receiving a cored wire which is wound into a coil. The storage and transport container according to the invention is particularly suitable for storing and transporting a cored wire wound into a coil.
The manufacture of the cored wire is performed according to usual methods and processes for the production of hollow wires and may be described as unproblematic according to the current state of the art. The usually fine-particle to powdery filling material is filled into the metallic sheath of the cored wire. The cored wire is then closed by seaming or welding and is wound on a bobbin into a wire coil. The wire wound under tension may be tied using of Signode bands for keeping the shape. The sheath material is usually unalloyed steel having a thickness between 0.1 and 1 mm. The diameter of the wire is usually between 5 and 20 mm, often between 9 and 16 mm. A coil normally has a length between 1,000 and 20,000 m of wire. Examples of suitable filling materials comprise calcium, calcium carbide, calcium silicide, calcium-iron mixtures, magnesium, magnesium alloys, calcium cyanamide as well as mixtures of the above substances, wherein these filling materials represent in particular the main component. Calcium and calcium carbide as well as mixtures comprising calcium or calcium carbide are particularly preferred.
After removing the bobbin, the coil is a coreless, wound wire coil, which usually also has to be packaged. The state of the art describes a packaging at least consisting of a pallet, a cage and a plastic sheath. This type of packaging is a disposable packaging and is disposed of after use of the cored wire. The individual components of the packaging have to be separated, sorted and subdivided into corresponding fractions to be sent for disposal.
Compared to conventional packaging of cored wires wound into coils (which in the following are also referred to as ‘cored wire coils’), which are packaged using a simple cage or wire basket and a pallet and are transported and stored as a disposable article, the storage and transport container according to the invention provides the advantage that no waste is produced. In the intended use of the container, the steps of separating, sorting and disposing of the different kinds of waste (typically: plastic film, wooden or steel pallet, steel cage) are thus eliminated. By means of the containers according to the invention, a faster, smoother and safer operation for the intended use may thus be achieved.
By means of the arrangement according to the invention of the cored wire wound into a coil in the container, a safer transport and an optimal deployment form of cored wires may also be provided, which deployment form is adapted to processes to be set for the intended usage fields of the coils in the iron and steel production industry. Safety during transport is in particular achieved in that, after removal of slings, such as ropes or round slings, fixing bands or Signode bands, the coil forms, in the horizontal direction, a connection to the outer wall with a force fit or an interlocking fit. Safety during transport is also increased in particular by the fact that the coil is clamped in the vertical direction. The clamping pressure is generated by the coil's own weight, the clamping pressure of the removal device and the preload of the coil during winding. Due to the fact that the coil is arranged in a standing position, i.e. its winding axis is perpendicular to the bottom plate, the coil may be easily introduced from above into the container and the removal of the wire for the intended use may take place in the vertical direction. For horizontal removal, the entire container including the coil may be turned onto its side. This is possible in particular due to the fact that the coil is connected with a force fit to all parts of the outer wall of container, in particular due to the clamping pressure of the coil. Slippage within the container during the tilting procedure is excluded.
The present invention preferably comprises a storage and transport container, in particular a reusable storage and transport container, for cored wires, which is provided as a metal container, and which is also preferably manufactured entirely from metal, in particular iron and/or steel and/or stainless steel, preferably steel.
In contrast to conventional wire baskets or cages, the container according to the invention thus forms an interior space, which is entirely surrounded, in particular during transport, on all sides, by the bottom plate, the outer wall and the lid.
During the processing of molten metals with cored wires, typically only partial quantities of a wire coil are removed. After removing a partial quantity, in particular in case of longer production stops, the lid of the container may be closed. Thus a liquid-tight closure of the container is again formed. In comparison with the state of the art, in particular in case of hazardous materials, which generate explosive gases with water, the safety in the intended use is decidedly improved.
As an alternative or at the same time, the storage and transport container, in particular the reusable storage and transport container, may preferably comprise an outer wall, which may be integral (e.g. in the form of a pipe), or which in turn comprises at least two, preferably three or preferably four outer partial walls, two of which are connected to each other with an interlocking fit, forming an interior angle of 60 to 150°, preferably approximately 90° C. Most preferably, the outer wall may in turn comprise at least three, preferably four outer partial walls of identical edge length, of which two in each case are connected to each other with an interlocking fit, forming an interior angle of 60 to 150°, preferably approximately 90° C.
The outer partial walls may consist of separate parts, which are connected to each other. As an alternative, the outer partial walls consist of one part which, by molding the wall material, forms at least two, preferably three, preferably four outer partial walls, i.e. the outer partial walls may be formed in one piece.
Most preferably, the present invention comprises a storage and transport container, in particular a reusable storage and transport container, for cored wires, which is produced as a metal container entirely from metal, in particular iron and/or steel and/or stainless steel, preferably steel, and which also preferably is in the shape of a cuboid, cube or cylinder.
Moreover, for achieving a space-saving arrangement of the container during storage and/or transport, the storage and transport container according to the invention preferably comprises at least one stacking corner, in particular at least two stacking corners, particularly preferably at least three stacking corners and most preferably at least four stacking corners. These stacking corners are provided in such a way that the inner dimension of the stacking corners is larger than the outer dimension of the base area. The containers may thus be stacked in a space-saving manner during transport and storage. Moreover, the placement area for the containers to be stacked preferably lies deeper at the stacking corners than the total height of container. As a result, the height of two stacked containers is less than the sum of the height of two individual containers, and the container may be precisely positioned during stacking and protected against horizontal slippage. Moreover, it is also preferred that eyelets are machined at the stacking corners, whereby the container may also be manipulated by other lifting tools, for example by crane.
According to a development of the invention, the outer wall of the storage and transport container may in particular be connected, by integral bonding or with an interlocking fit, to the bottom plate and/or the outer wall may form an angle of 85 to 95°, in particular 89 to 91°, most preferably about 90° C., with the bottom plate, and/or the outer wall is essentially connected at right angles to the bottom plate. Thus it is ensured, that the container, on one hand, provides a large volume for receiving the coils and, on the other hand, provides a safe protection against the emission of contained substances, which may possibly pour out of the cored wires, due to damage to the wires themselves. Moreover, in this way, the largest possible attachment surface for connection of the coils to the outer wall with a force fit and/or interlocking fit may be provided. Moreover, it is also possible to provide a safe transport means for a hazardous material or a cored wire comprising a filling material which is sensitive to oxygen, water and/or moisture.
Thus, the subject matter of the present invention is also a storage and transport container, which comprises a cored wire, which is wound into a coil, which cored wire in turn comprises a hazardous material and/or a filling which is sensitive to oxygen, water and/or moisture.
It is also preferred that the coil is a coreless coil and/or that the coil consists of the cored wire. As an alternative or simultaneously, it is also preferred that the coil may be unwound from the inside to the outside. Thus a safe removal of the cored wire may take place, without the coil losing its stability, wherein also the coil is prevented by the outer wall of the container from falling over or toppling.
Preferably, the coil is positioned within the container in such a way that the winding axis of the coil is perpendicular to the bottom plate of the container and that the coil is connected with a force fit and/or an interlocking fit to the outer wall. Thus it is achieved that the shape of the coil of cored wire remains stable during removal and does not collapse into itself. The outer diameter of the coil maintains its defined size inside the container.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the coil is positioned within the container in such a way that the winding axis of the coil is perpendicular to the bottom plate of the container and that the coil is connected, with a force fit and/or interlocking fit, to the integrally formed outer wall (e.g. in the form of a pipe) or to at least two, in particular at least three and most preferably four outer partial walls of the outer wall, which in turn comprises at least two, in particular at least three and most preferably four outer partial walls. Thus it is achieved that the coil of cored wire maintains a stable form during removal, does not collapse onto itself and is stored in a particularly stable way.
According to a further development of the invention, the storage and transport container comprises a bottom plate, the surface area of which is larger than the area enclosed by the outer wall. It may also be provided that the bottom plate protrudes from the outer wall, at least in part. In particular, the bottom plate protrudes beyond the outer wall on all sides. The bottom plate is preferably longer and/or wider than the area enclosed by the outer wall, by at least 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, preferably at least 3 cm, preferably at least 4 cm and also preferably up to 20 cm, also preferably up to 15 cm, and also preferably up to 10 cm. Thus, the available base area of the interior space is smaller than the available base area of the bottom plate. Thus a comprehensive protection against overturning is provided to the container, and a high level of safety is provided for storing and transporting the cored wire.
Moreover, a storage and transport container according to the invention may preferably also comprise a bottom plate, whose first side forms the interior space with the outer wall and the lid, and at the second side of which a substructure is arranged. In particular, this substructure may comprise at least one insertion pocket, in particular at least two insertion pockets and most preferably at least four insertion pockets for a lifting truck, forklift or other load carrying means (with two forks). The insertion pockets may be continuous, so that the container may be engaged from beneath on four sides by conventional forklifts or pallet trucks. In the case of continuous insertion pockets, two openings are provided on each side, i.e. a total of four or eight openings is provided, depending on whether insertion pockets are provided on one side and on the opposite side or on two sides and the respective opposite sides. Thus, a container may be provided, which may be safely moved by simple and/or conventional maneuvering aids.
The storage and transport container, in particular the reusable storage and transport container, also preferably comprises a lid which is provided in two parts, and/or which comprises a sealing. Particularly preferably, the lid comprises a sealing contained within a groove and/or at least one, preferably at least two, four, six, eight or ten lid fasteners.
In this case, the lid or the two-part lid may in particular be connected to the outer wall of the container by means of lid fasteners, wherein the lid fasteners are in particular provided as one-part or multipart hinges, in particular made of metal or plastics material, and also preferably connected to the outer wall of the container by screwing or welding. As an alternative or additionally, the lid fasteners may also be provided as one-part or multipart clamping fasteners, in particular made of metal or plastics material, and also preferably connected to the outer wall of container by screwing or welding means.
As an alternative, the lid or the two-part lid may also be fixed by means of screws like a domed lid of liquid containers.
The two-part embodiment of the lid is particularly advantageous since the height of the container is usually smaller than its side length. The height of the container is preferably at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, preferably at least 30% and also preferably up to 50%, also preferably up to 40% shorter than the side length of the container. Due to the two-part embodiment of the lid, the lid may be completely opened without touching the surrounding ground in the opened state. The two-part embodiment of the lid is also advantageous in that, when using conventional metal construction materials, each individual part of the lid has a weight which may be manipulated by one person alone.
The height of the container is also preferably chosen in such a way that one person may access the centre of the container with their hands after opening the lid, without the aid of further auxiliary means such as ladders, steps or special tools. In particular, it is advantageous if an average-sized person can reach the bottom plate within the container without the use of further auxiliary means.
Moreover, the interior space preferably comprises profiles which allow the removal of slings, such as ropes or round slings, attachment bands or Signode bands. After removing the bands, the preload of the winding-up is removed in part, and the diameter of the wire increases until the size increase is stopped by the contact with the inner side of the outer wall. The interior space also comprises at least one receptacle or securing means, e.g. rods, threaded rods or racks, which allow the installation of a removal device.
To facilitate the removal of the cored wire from the container, the storage and transport container according to the present invention may particularly preferably comprise a removal aid for the cored wire. This removal aid not only allows an easy and safe removal of the cored wire from the container, but also safe transport thereof. The removal device is preferably height-adjustable, and may thus be adapted to different, manufacturing-dependent coil heights.
Thus, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the subject matter of the present invention is also a storage and transport container, in particular a reusable storage and transport container, which comprises the container and a cored wire wound into a coil, wherein the coil has a winding axis and an outer diameter, and wherein the container comprises:
a) a bottom plate having a first side and a second side facing away from the first side,
b) an outer wall connected to the bottom plate,
c) at least one removal opening for the cored wire,
d) at least one lid, which is connected to the outer wall, and which covers and/or closes the removal opening,
e) a removal device for the cored wire,
wherein the bottom plate, the outer wall and the lid form an interior space for safely storing and transporting the cored wire, which is wound into a coil.
Particularly preferably, the coil is positioned within the container in such a way that the winding axis of the coil is perpendicular to the bottom plate of container. Most preferably, the coil is positioned within the container in such a way that the winding axis is perpendicular to the bottom plate of container and that the coil is connected to the outer wall by means of a force fit and/or an interlocking fit.
It is particularly preferred that the removal device is positioned and/or is removably connected to the container in the region of the removal opening of container.
Most preferably, the storage and transport container comprises a removal device, which protrudes at least at one position beyond the outer diameter of the coil. The storage and transport container most preferably comprises a removal device, which in turn comprises an opening for removing the cored wire, which opening protrudes at least at one position beyond the outer diameter of the coil. In this case, the opening of the removal device may be configured in such a way that the area enclosed by the removal device essentially has the shape of a circle, an ellipse or a slot, wherein the shape of the opening deviates at least at one position from the ideal shape of a circle, ellipse or slot, in the form of a recess. This recess protrudes beyond the outer diameter of the coil. Thus, during running operation and use of the cored wire, the outer end of the cored wire of a first container may be connected to the inner end of a second coil of a second container, and both the cored wire of the first container and the cored wire of the second container may be unwound without friction, delay and loss of time.
Particularly preferably, the removal device may be manufactured from a solid or hollow material or a profile, particularly preferably from a pipe, which is also preferably in the shape of a circle, an ellipse or a slot, and which is most preferably made of a light metal, such as aluminium. Such removal aids may be both used and secured within the container and removed from the container very easily by a single person. Moreover, a removal device in the shape of a pipe may be best suited for removing the cored wire without damage from the container.
In this case, the removal device may be dimensioned in such a way that the opening of the removal device has a first longitudinal direction and a second longitudinal direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction, wherein the first longitudinal direction corresponds to the largest extension of the opening, and wherein the opening of the removal device in the first longitudinal direction has a maximum extension in the range of at least 800 mm, preferably at least 900 mm, preferably at least 1000 mm, and more preferably up to at most 1500 mm, preferably up to 1400 mm, preferably up to 1300 mm, and wherein the second longitudinal direction has a maximum extension in the range of at least 400 mm, preferably at least 600 mm, preferably at least 800 mm, preferably at least 900 mm, preferably of at least 1000 mm, and more preferably up to at most 1500 mm, preferably up to 1400 mm, preferably up to 1300 mm, preferably up to 1200 mm, preferably up to 1100 mm, preferably up to 1000 mm, preferably up to 900 mm, preferably up to 800 mm.
The present invention is now explained in more detail by means of drawings and corresponding examples. In the drawings:
The container (10) is designed to meet the requirements for the international transport of solid and pasty hazardous goods of packaging groups I, II and III according to the regulations and directives of the ADR/RID/IMDG code. Said container is comprised of a solid and sealed sheet steel construction with a sheet thickness of 3 mm, not including the lid, which has a sheet thickness of 2.5 mm. To protect the sheet from corrosion, the container may be painted and/or hot-dip galvanised.
The bottom region of the container consists of a container bottom plate (12) and a supporting construction or substructure (11) having insertion pockets (13). Due to the two continuous insertion pockets (13) in the base region, the container may be engaged from the underside on four sides using conventional forklifts or pallet trucks. The insertion pockets (13) are provided on the undersides with a toppling protection (14) in the form of sheet metal plates. The toppling protection (14) provides, besides the container bottom plate (12), a further support when lifting and transporting via forks, such as those of a forklift truck. The base region of the container is thus functionally comparable to a pallet.
To protect the container and its contents from damage, such as that which frequently occurs during transport, the base region protrudes beyond the outer wall (15) of the container (10). Profiles (23) are arranged in the base inside the container, wherein the profiles allow the removal of slings, such as ropes or round slings, after placement of the wire coil. The removal of bands, such as Signode bands, which are used for securing wire coils, is also facilitated.
The base region of the container is fixedly connected to the outer wall (15) of the container. The lid (16) is formed in two parts due to the fact that the height of the container is smaller than its side lengths. Thus the lid (16) may be completely opened, without touching the surrounding ground in the opened state. The opening of the lid (16) may be easily performed by one person without using auxiliary means or tools, due to the separation into two parts and the adapted sheet thickness and corresponding reduced weight. The lid (16) lifts at opening by means of mounted hinges (17) over the stack corners (18). Locking of the lid is possible at 90° and 270°. Due to the option of opening the lid (16) completely, the wire coil can be inserted into the container (10) without difficulty. Also when using the cored wire by extracting the wire directly from the container, the lid (16) does not cause an obstruction. When closing the lid (16), one portion is initially closed. The second portion of the lid (16) then engages the first. Each of the two lid portions is provided with handles (19). The surrounding lid sealing (not shown), which is contained in a groove, as well as the ten lid fasteners (20) ensure a tight closure of the lid (16). A liquid-tight closure of the removal opening is particularly important for the transport and storage of hazardous materials, which develop flammable gases when in contact with water.
Four stacking corners (18) are provided on the upper side of container (10), wherein these corners allow the stacking of one or more further containers (10). The inner dimension of the stacking corners (18) is larger than the outer dimension of the floor region. The containers (10) may thus be stacked during transport and storage in a space-saving way. The support surfaces (21) for the container to be stacked at the stacking corners (18) lie at a deeper level with respect to the total height of container. Thus the height of two stacked containers is less than the sum of the height of both single containers and the container may be precisely positioned during stacking and may also be secured against horizontal slippage. Eyelets (22) are provided by machining in the stacking corners, whereby the container may also be manipulated with other lifting devices, for example by a crane.
Gusset plates (24) are mounted inside the container in each of the four corners, wherein these plates allow the mounting of elements for securing a removal device (cf.
The removal device (cf.
The removal device holds the wire coil axially in position during transport and in particular during unwinding of the wire from the coil. During unwinding, the wire is extracted in general starting from the inner side of the coil, through an opening in the removal device. The central opening (30) of the removal device may be oval (round or ellipsoid) or as in the case described in the form of a slot. The removal device is used for guiding the wire during unwinding. The importance of the wire guide increases as the wire coil becomes smaller. In order to protect the wire during unwinding, the inner side (31) of the central opening is provided with a rounded shape.
The central opening (30) in this embodiment consists of a metal pipe. The tube shape provides increased stiffness against torsions compared to a solid material and also has a lower own weight. Due to the use of aluminium instead of steel as a construction material for the removal device, it is possible to perform the mounting and disassembling of the removal device without the aid of lifting devices. Since the total weight of the removal device is less than 25 kg, it is possible for just one person to mount and dismount said device.
The removal device may be provided with one or more recesses, which protrude beyond the outer radius of the wire coil. It is thus possible to connect the outer end of a wire coil to the inner end of another wire coil. The unwinding of the wire may thus be continued without interruption when one wire coil has been used up. Due to the recess, the guiding of the wire remains unaffected during unwinding.
The production of the cored wire is performed according to conventional methods and processes for the manufacture of hollow wires and may easily be described as per the current state of the art. The usually fine-particle to powdery filling material is filled into the metal sheath of the cored wire. The cored wire is subsequently closed by seaming or welding and then wound on a bobbin into a wire coil. The wire, which is wound under tension, may be tied with Signode bands for keeping the shape. The sheath material is usually unalloyed steel having a thickness between 0.1 and 1 mm. The diameter of the wire is usually between 5 and 20 mm, often between 9 and 16 mm. A wire coil is usually 1,000 to 20,000 m long.
After removing the bobbin, the coil is a coreless, wound wire coil, which usually also has to be packaged. The state of the art describes a packaging at least consisting of a pallet, a cage and a plastic sheath. This type of packaging is a disposable packaging and is discarded after use of the cored wire. The individual components of the packaging have to be separated, sorted and subdivided into the corresponding fractions for disposal. The invention eliminates these work steps since the container already contains all the functionalities of the usual packaging and is reusable. The container is also a safe enclosure for hazardous materials.
After the cored wire (34) has been wound into a wire coil (32) and has been tied using Signode bands (33), the wire coil is subject to a radial tension. The wire coil is placed in the container with the Signode bands (33) (
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2015 012 728.4 | Oct 2015 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2016/073437 | 9/30/2016 | WO | 00 |
