WO2008066387A1

WO2008066387A1 - Device for disintegrating and removing hazardous particles from bales of compressed filings, straw or the like.

Info

Publication number: WO2008066387A1
Application number: PCT/NO2007/000294
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eirik Hovstein
Original assignee: Eirik Hovstein
Priority date: 2006-11-28
Filing date: 2007-08-22
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Also published as: NO324998B1; NO20065461A

Abstract

Device for disintegrating and removing of hazardous particles from bales produced by compressed filings, straw or the like, which device includes an upper shaft (10) and a lower fall shaft (30), and provided with means (20) for disintegration of bales of compressed filings, straw or the like. The upper shaft (10) is provided with means (20) for disintegration of compressed filings, straw or the like, and the lower fall shaft (30) is provided with channels (34) for the removal of hazardous particles by means of a suction device.

Description

Device for disintegrating and removing hazardous particles from bales of compressed filings, straw or the like.

The invention relates to a device for disintegrating bales of compressed filings, straw or the like, which device by means of a cleaning process removes hazardous dust particles from the disintegrated material, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background

A bale of filings is waste from the wood products industry (sawdust) which is compressed by a few tonnes pressure to, for example, squared "bales" with the size of a hay bale. These are used especially often in agriculture to absorb droppings and other dirt in barns and stables, and are also used in industry as absorption means for oil, cooling liquid etc. Bales of filings are unhandy and provide a lot of dust to the environment.

The problem with bales of filings is that they include together with the filings an amount of fine dust which there is no need to keep. The fine dust becomes present in the air as the filings are thrown out. Following this the dust becomes present in the lungs as animals or humans stay in the room in which the filings have been used. This can again result in asthma and allergy problems. Another problem is that lumps are often formed in the bale of filings due to the large pressure which is used to compress them. This reduces the absorptiveness of the filings.

Present technology requires manual cut up of bale and the use of a dust mask to prevent the fine dust being inhaled into the airways. Bales of filings are as mentioned heavy to lift and cut up. Dust mask are rarely used because they are uncomfortable to use. They besides cannot be used to protect animals which stay in the building almost the entire time. Today, entire bales of filings are cut up and stored in their own hoppers which require a large space, and humidity can easily be taken up by the filings as the entire bale of filings is not used at once.

US 20060116920 relates to a device for the transport and dust cleaning of sawdust which is to be used in a process where dust has an unfortunate effect. Here sawdust, mixed with dust, is dropped in a fall shaft where air is provided which removes the dust through a side opening in the shaft. The cleaned heavier filings fall out at the lower opening of the shaft.

DE 4 029 432 A1 relates to a device where straw/bedding material infested with dust is guided into a chamber, where dust and small particles are removed by the air stream through an opening with a filter, while the heaviest components fall down and are stored in the chamber. DK patent application 0453/90 A relates to a dust separator for the removal of dust from bedding produced by straw or paper. The bedding infested with dust is guided through a vertical screw conveyor, which is surrounded by a fine perforated tube surrounded by a cape housing, from where air is sucked out, pulling the dust from the straw particles. US 2 792 183 relates to an apparatus for cutting up bales of hay/straw for the production of bedding.

US 4 437 615 relates to production of bedding from newspaper under suction of dust.

None of the publications above describe or propose a mechanical device for disintegrating "bales" produced of compressed filings, straw or the like, which device is provided with means for performing a cleaning process which removes hazardous dust particles from the disintegrated bale of compressed filings, straw or the like.

Object

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for mechanical disintegration of the bale of filings. It is also an object of the invention to provide a device with a cleaning process which removes hazardous dust particles from the disintegrated mass which arises as the bale of filings is disintegrated. It is also an object that the device should be space- saving at installation in, for example, a works building. Finally it is an object that the device should be able to portion out filings as the user requires, and prevent moisture from entering the filings.

The invention

A device according to the invention is described in claim 1. Further details are described in the claims 2-16.

The device according to the invention should disintegrate "bales" of compressed filings, straw or the like, such that lumps are avoided, and at the same time removing the hazardous fine dust from the filings which is created at the disintegration of the bale of filings. The device according to the invention includes an upper shaft, in which a bale of filings or the like is to be placed. The upper shaft is open at the end which is facing upwards, and arranged in the other end are rollers provided with grooves to disintegrate the bale of filings. It also preferably includes a hinged wall, which wall forms the front side of the device, to ease the insertion of a bale of filings into the device. The rollers are rotatably and vertically supported in two of the walls of the upper shaft, close to the lower end of the shaft. Driving means are arranged for the rollers, outside of one of the sides of the shaft, for example, in the form of toothed wheels. The toothed wheels are preferably connected to an electric motor provided with similar toothed wheels for operation of the toothed wheels.

To the lower end of the upper shaft a vertically underlying fall shaft is arranged, with channels arranged in the shaft walls for suction for the removal of the hazardous fine dust particles.

The vertically underlying fall shaft narrows preferably such that it ends in a smaller opening, such that the filings can be collected in a smaller container for further transportation to a place where the filings are to be distributed.

To the channels for suction, for example, a suction device is connected, which with a defined vacuum sucks the dust out through the channels in the sides of the shaft. The dust then is provided to an external container which can be emptied when it is full.

The upper shaft is in addition preferably provided with a cover or a door at the top, which can be closed after a bale of filings is placed into the device, and thus provides an environment for minimal moisture' influence. In addition it will be an advantage to have a hinged wall or door in the front for easy insertion of a bale of filings.

The use of the device takes place by placing a bale of compressed filings, straw or the like, in the upper shaft of the device. Next, a motor is started, operating the rollers with grooves to rotate to disintegrate the bale of filings. The filings then fall a distance for the fine dust particles to let go of the filings. Subsequently the hazardous dust particles are sucked through the channels in the side of the vertically underlying shaft. The filings next fall down into a container below, while the hazardous dust particles end up in a separate container. In this way the user is provided with filings free from hazardous dust particles which can be distributed in the building without the air being filled with hazardous dust particles. The device is preferably installed in buildings where bales of filings are used, such that the users of the bales of filings can run the bale of filings through the device and remove the hazardous dust particles, and at the same time disintegrating the bale of filings. In this way, in buildings where bales of filings are used, the air quality is improved and the danger for asthma and allergy problems for users and other staying in the building is reduced. The device is preferably connected to a control system which provides the possibilities for both manual and automatic control of the device.

Further details of the invention will appear from the following exemplary description.

Example The invention will in the following be described in detail with references to the Figures, where: Figure 1a shows the device according to the invention, seen inclined from the left, Figure 1b shows the device in Figure 1 , seen inclined from the right, Figure 1c shows the invention in Figure 1 , seen inclined from below.

The Figures 1a, 1 b and 1c show a device 1 according to the invention, seen inclined from the left, right and inclined from below, respectively. The device 1 includes an upper shaft 10, which preferably has a rectangular shape, adapted to the shape of the bales of fillings. In the Figures, one of the walls is removed to show details of the device. This wall is preferably hinged, such that the insertion of a bale of filings into the device is facilitated. The device 1 in addition preferably includes a cover or a door (not shown), arranged at the top of the upper shaft 10, which can be closed after a bale of filings is inserted, such that a moisture free environment can be created. At the lower end of the shaft 10, at two opposite sides, holes 1 1 for the arrangement of rollers 20 provided with grooves are arranged, further described below. The device 1 further includes an underlying vertical shaft 30, mainly rectangular-shaped, which includes an upper 31 and a lower part 32. The upper part 31 has at its upper end a circumference which corresponds to the upper shaft 10. The lower section of the upper part 31 narrows somewhat before it ends out in a projecting flange 33, which flange 33 inclines somewhat outwardly from the upper part 31. Below the flange 33, channels 34 for suction of hazardous particles are formed. The lower part 32 is fixed to the upper part 31 by means of a fixed connection (not shown) to the upper part 31 in the corners. The lower part 32 has preferably a somewhat smaller circumference at the side which is arranged against the lower part 31 than the circumference of the flange 33. The lower part 32 has preferably a mainly rectangular shape, but inclines somewhat inwards to a smaller circumference at the other end, which forms a funnel at the lower part of the device 1. In Figure 1 a the device 1 is shown from the left, where the holes 11 for the arrangement of the rollers 20 provided with grooves are shown. The rollers 20 are arranged freely rotatable in the holes 11. In the example, four rollers 20 are shown, which are evenly distributed over the entire area of the upper shaft 10. The rollers 20 are arranged such that they are perpendicular in relation to the walls of the upper shaft 10. The circumference of the rollers 20, the distance between the rollers 20 and the number on rollers 20 depends of the size of the device and how disintegrated the bale of filings is intended to be.

In Figure 1 b the device 1 is shown from the opposite side of Figure 1a, where driving means 22, preferably in the form of toothed wheels, for the rollers 20 are arranged at the outside of the holes 11. On the driving means 22, toothed wheels 23 are arranged, which preferably have a larger diameter than the driving means 22. Each toothed wheel 23 preferably engages the toothed wheel of the adjacent roller 20, such that every second roller 20 rotates the opposite way in relation to the adjacent roller. An electric motor (not shown), provided with a toothed wheel on the drive shaft, is operatively connected to one of the toothed wheels 23 and in this way operates all the rollers 20. It is preferable that every second roller 20 rotates the opposite way to disintegrate the bale of fillings. The weight of the bale of filings will contribute to the bale of filings feeding itself into the rollers 20 for disintegration.

In Figure 1 c the device 1 is shown inclined from below, which shows details of the lower shaft 32. The lower shaft 32 narrows to collect the end product, such that it can be collected in a container which is narrower than the bale of filings itself.

To the channels 34 a suction device (not shown) is connected for the removal and collection of the hazardous fine dust particles. The force of the suction device is such that it collects the fine and light hazardous dust particles, while the somewhat heavier filings material falls down and out through the lower opening of the device 1 . This can, for example, be done by the suction device sucking the dust particles out through the channels in the sides of the lower shaft with a predetermined vacuum. The device 1 is preferably provided with a rack (not shown) for mounting on a wall or to a floor. The rack can either be fixed or movable, such that the device, for example, can be moved up and down depending on the distribution means into which the filings should fall, for example, a hoop, bag or other means for distributing the filings away from the device 1.

The grooves of the rollers 20 can vary from a more square shape to a more knife edged shape, depending of the object of use, e.g. with regards to cut up straw or cut up filings.

In the described example it is preferably only the force of gravity which guides the bale of filings down against the rotating rollers 20, subsequently the rollers 20 will, under operation, pull the bale of filings down.

In use, a compressed bale of filings is lifted into the upper shaft 10 of the device. As filings are to be used, the electric motor which is used to operate the rollers 20 provided with grooves is started, and at the same time the suction device is started. This results in that the bale of filings being disintegrated. The filings then fall down under the rollers 20, through the underlying vertical fall shaft 30 and past the channels 34. As the filings with the hazardous particles fall past the channels 34, the hazardous particles are sucked up by the suction device and filings free of hazardous particles fall down and out through the lower part of the fall shaft 30. The hazardous particles are preferably collected in a container or bag (not shown) connected to the suction device, which later can be destructed in a suitable way.

Preferably there is arranged a bag or transportation means, as described above, under the device 1 , which makes it easy to distribute the filings where they. are needed.

The device 1 is preferably connected to a control system (not shown) with an operating panel, which control system provides opportunities for both automatic and manual control. For example, the two following control alternatives can be contemplated:

• The suction device starts somewhat before the rollers, such that a stationary suction is obtained before disintegration of a bale of filings starts.

• The rollers run a certain number of seconds - the rollers stop - suction is started and runs a certain number of seconds — suction stops - rollers start again, etc.

Modifications

The device can be used to disintegrate other types of material than bales of filings, such as bales of compressed hay, paper or the like. The size of the device can vary, such that it is adapted to the actual object and the size of the bales to be disintegrated.

The number of rollers, the distance between the rollers, the size of the rollers and the shape of the grooves can vary, depending on the size of the device and the type of material to be disintegrated. The driving means for the rollers can be arranged with toothed wheels which do not engage with the toothed wheel of the adjacent roller, but all the rollers can instead be operated in the same rotation direction by means of a chain which is connected to a motor.

One modification which will be possible will be to provide the device with the capability to change the distance between the rollers, such that the distance can be changed according to the size of the bedding that is desired. This will vary, for example, from a bale of filings to a bale of straw. Accordingly, to the type of product to be cut up. With opportunities to adjust the rollers a more universal device can be provided, but a more expensive device.

Different control system can be used, which provides opportunities for both manual and automatic control of the device.

Different suction devices can be used which preferably suck with a predetermined vacuum.

The device can be provided with means to counteract the gravity of the bale of filings or the like, alternatively it can be provided with means working together with the force of gravity of the bale of filings or the like, to increase the contact area between the rollers and the bale of filings or the like.

Claims

1. Device for disintegrating and removing of hazardous particles from bales produced of compressed filings, straw or the like, which device includes an upper shaft (10) and a lower fall shaft (30), and provided with means (20) for disintegration of bales of compressed filings, straw or the like, characterized in that:

- the upper shaft (10) is provided with means (20) for disintegration of compressed filings, straw or the like,

- the lower fall shaft (30) is provided with channels (34) for the removal of hazardous particles by means of a suction device.

2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that means for disintegration of compressed filings, straw or the like, are rollers (20) provided with grooves, arranged perpendicular in relation to the upper shaft (10), close to the lower end of the shaft (10) and preferably evenly distributed over the inner area of the upper shaft (10), by means of holes (11) arranged in two opposite walls of the shaft (10).

3. Device according to claim 1-2, characterized in that the rollers (20) are provided with driving means (22).

4. Device according to claim 1-3, characterized in that to the driving means (22) toothed wheels (23) are engaged.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the toothed wheels (23) engage the toothed wheel (23) of the adjacent roller (20).

6. Device according to claim 1-5, characterized in that a motor, preferably an electric motor, which motor is provided with a toothed wheel on the drive shaft and which motor preferably is arranged near the toothed wheels (23), preferably at the outside of the device (1).

7. Device according to claim 1-6, characterized in that the toothed wheel of the drive shaft is arranged to engage one of the toothed wheels (23) of the rollers (20) to operate the rollers (20).

8. Device according to claim 1-4 and 6, characterized in that a chain is arranged between the toothed wheel of the drive shaft of the motor and the toothed wheels (23) for operation of the rollers (20).

9. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lower fall shaft (30) has a mainly rectangular cone-shape, with a flange (33) projecting out from the fall shaft, above the channels (34).

10. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that a separate container for the collection of hazardous particles is connected to the suction device.

11. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the upper shaft (10) preferably is rectangular.

12. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the device (1) is connected to a control system which provides opportunities for both manual and automatic control of the device (1).

13. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that a cover or a door is arranged on the upper shaft (10) to create a moisture free environment.

14. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the wall which forms the front side of the upper shaft (10) is hinged such that it can be opened and closed to facilitate the insertion of a bale of filings, straw or the like.

15. Device according to claim 1-14, characterized in that a rack is provided for the mounting of the device (1) to a wall or a floor.

16. Device according to claim 1-15, characterized in that a control system with an operating panel is connected to the device (1), which control system provides opportunities for automatic and manual control.