Title of Invention

MATERIAL FEED CONTAINER FOR A THICK-MATTER PUMP

Abstract

The invention relates to a material feed receptacle (20) for a thick matter pump (18) comprising: a receptacle lower part (38) and a receptacle top (40) that is detachably connected to the receptacle lower part (38); a two-part front wall (22); a rear wall (28); two two-part lateral walls (42); an upwardly pointing material feed opening (64) delimited by a peripheral edge (66, 68), and; a pipe junction (34), which is situated inside the receptacle, can, on the entry side, swivel in an alternating manner in front of the delivery cylinder openings (24) and which, on the output side, leads to a pressure pipe (30). The invention provides that the receptacle top (40) has an upper lateral wall part (44) and upper lateral wall parts (46), which have free ends (48) and which extend away from said front wall part. The invention also provides that the peripheral edge (66, 68) has a first edge part (66), which forms an upper edge of the receptacle top (40), and has a second edge part (68) on the receptacle lower part (38), which is situated on the rear wall and is joined to the first edge part (66).

Full Text

WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/O14412 1 Material feed container for a thick-matter pump Specification The invention relates to a material feed container for a thick-matter pump, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, or in accordance with the preamble of claim 20, or in accordance with the preamble of claim 30, respectively. A material feed container for thick-matter pumps is known from EP 1 076 596 Bl, which has a lower container part that is open towards the top, and a container top releasably. connected with the former by way of a flange connection. The circumferential upper edge of the container top delimits the material feed opening. A stirrer mechanism is mounted in the lower container part; its mountings are situated in a recess of the lower container part open at the edge, so that the stirrer mechanism can be easily interchanged after the container top has been removed. The container top forms, a filling funnel for thick matter, such as concrete. Filling-in of the concrete generally takes place in that a mixer truck drives up to the material feed container and fills the concrete into the material feed container by way of a chute. In order to avoid damage to the .container top due to a collision with the mixer truck that drives up, the container top must consist of stable sheet metal. CThis requires WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 2 a great weight, so that the container top cannot simply be removed by hand. Material feed containers according to EP 1 076 596' Bl have intermediate rings as wear parts in the feed cylinder openin-gs, which rings protect the inner surface of the feed cylinder opening, which is part of the container face wall, against wear due to concrete flowing through. Because of wear, these intermediate rings must be replaced regularly. Since the intermediate rings are inserted into the feed cylinder opening from the feed cylinder side, the feed cylinder must first be removed from the container face wall, for assembly and disassembly. CThis is complicated. It is the task of the invention to further develop a material feed container of the type stated initially, in such a manner that it is easier to maintain and that wear parts can be replaced more simply. This task is accomplished by means of a material feed container having the characteristics of claim 1, alternatively having the characteristics of claim 20, or alternatively having the characteristics Cof Cclaim C30, C respectively. C C Advantageous WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/-014412 3 embodiments of the invention are . the object of the dependent claims. The invention faccording to clalim 1 lis based on the idea of making the interior l| of the material S'feed container more easily accessible to (maintenance personnel, in that it has a container tojp that can '(easily be detached a'nd removed, on the face wall si|de. However, the container topi does not extend to the rear walll, which faces the mixer truck that drives up. Thus, the cilrcumferentiall edge that delimits 'the material feed opening has an) edge part |that belongs to the 'lower container part, on the rear wall side. The container top is thereby protected against damage caused by the mixer truck. It therefore does not have to bel structured 'to be as stable as the lower container part, and can have a relatively low weight. It' is advantageous if the first edge part situated on the container top 'aligns with the' second edge part that belongs to the lower container part. The1 material feed opening can then be covered, in simple manner, by means of a hinged lid that is articulated onto the container) top,, at the upper face wall part. The hinged lid is preferably imade of plastic, so that concrete residue adheres less well to it than to a metal lid. The hinged lid is therefore easier to clean. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 4 It is practical if the lower container part has a rear wall, a floor, a lower face wall part, and lower side wall parts that drop towards the lower face wall part. It is advantageous if the upper face wall part and the upper side wall parts of the container top bear a first Cflange on their lower edge, which flange is releasably connected with a complementary second flange on the lower face wall part 'and on the lower side wall parts of the lower container part. It is practical if a sealin-g means is disposed between the first flange and the second flange. This results in a good sealing effect at the parting line between lower container part and container top. It is" practical if the lower' face wall part, the rear wall, the lower side wall parts of the lower container part and/or the floor consist of sheet metal preferably of stable steel sheet. An advantageous alternative consists in having the lower face wall part, the rear wall, the lower side wall parts and/or the 1 floor Cconsist Cat Cleast Cpartially Cof Ca Clight_ construction material. C The light construction material can have a carbon- fiber-reinforced plastic and/pr a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. It is also possible that the light construction material is silicon Ccarbide Cor Ca Cmetal Cfoam, Cpreferably Cwith Ctitanium components. C It is practical if the light construction material WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 5 carries C a C friction-wear-resistant C and/or C hard C coating, particularly from the material group of chrome, silicon carbide, or ceramic. The feed cylinder openings are preferably disposed in the lower face wall part. Furthermore, a support device for the tube switch is preferably mounted in the lower container part. CFurthermore, it is practical if the lower container part has pivot bearings for a stirrer mechanism. In this way, the forces transferred by the feed cylinders, the tube switch, and the stirrer mechanism during pump operation, which can be considerable, Care absorbed by the lower container part. C The container top, which merely has to absorb the forces that result from filling-in of the thick matter, can therefore be configured to be significantly less stable and therefore lighter. The upper face wall part and the upper side wall parts of the container top can also consist of sheet metal, preferably of steel sheet. CIn this connection, lower wall thickness values are possible than Cin the case of the sheet metal of the lower container part. C However, it is preferred that the upper face wal1 part and the upper side wall parts consist of plastic. CIt is advantageous if the container top is produced in one piece, as an injection-molded part. CIt is practical if a contact bead for a lattice grid is molded onto this injection-molded part, facing the container interior. C Likewise, reinforcement strips can be WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 6 molded onto the upper face wall part and/or the upper side wall parts, which strips impart greater stability to the container top. Alternatively Cor Csupplementally, Cthe Ccontainer Ctop, Cin Cthis connection particularly the- face wall part and/or the upper side wall parts, can consist at least partially of a light construction material. In practical manner, the light construction material used for this purpose can have a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and/or a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. It is also possible that the1! light construction material is i silicon carbide or a metal foam, which preferably has titanium components. CIt is practical if the light construction material bears a friction-wear-resistant land/or hard coating, particularly 1 from the material group of chrome, silicon carbide, or ceramic. Alternatively Cor Cadditionally Cto Cthe Ccontact Cbead Con Cthe container top, the lower container part can have contact elements for a lattice grid that project beyond the lower face wall part. This is particularly advantageous if the lattice grid is very heavy and its weight cannot be borne by the container top. It is practical if the second, rear wall side edge part of the material feed opening is formed by a rubber apron affixed to the lower PCT/EP2004/014412 container part. CThe latter follows the rear wall and segments of the side walls that proceed from the rear wall. It is preferred that the lower container part and the container top are connected with one another by means of screws. C This results in a simple, stable, and nevertheless easily releasable connection. The solution according to the invention according to claim 29 is based on the idea that a hinged lid, which covers the material feed opening, is articulated onto a container wall, and is made of plastic or a light construction material, is easier to clean than a conventional hinged lid made of sheet metal. Thick matter, particularly concrete, adheres to plastic significantly more poorly than to sheet metal It is practical if the hinged lid is configured as a hollow plastic body having a first plastic shell that faces the material feed opening, and a second plastic shell, preferably connected in one piece with the former, forming an upper lid part. CA hollow plastic body is relatively stable, while having low weight. C This is particularly advantageous if the hinged lid is articulated onto the container top and must be removed together with the container top for maintenance work in the container interior. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2O04/O14412 8 In order to facilitate cleaning, the first plastic shell can have a smooth surface that faces the material feed opening. C In i contrast, it is preferred Cthat the second plastic shell has reinforcement beads. This Cimparts increased stability to the hinged lid. It is advantageous if the hinged lid is produced in one piece, using a rotation casting method. If the hinged lid consists at least partially of a light construction material, it is practical if the lid has a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and/;or a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The light construction material can also be silicon carbide, or a 1! metal Cfoam that preferably has titanium components. C It is practical if the light construction material bears a friction- wear-resistant Cand/or Chard Ccoating, Cparticularly Cfrom Cthe material group of chrome, silicon carbide, or ceramic. It Cis Cpractical Cif Cthe Chinged lid has Chandles, Cwhich Care preferably molded on in one piece. CFurthermore, it is practical if it has hooks into -which Cclosure elements attached to a container wall can be hooked. Also, it is preferable if the hooks are molded onto the hinged lid in one piece. The hinged lid is preferably connected with the container face wall by means of at least one hinge and at least one gas spring. The gas spring Cfacilitates Copening of Cthe Clid. C CClose Cto Cits Cside WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP20O4/014412 9 connected with the- container face wall, it is practical if the hinged lid has attachment means for a rubber apron on the first plastic shell. CThis apron hangs down from the hinged lid into the material feed opening and prevents thick matter from flowing i into the gap between the hinged lid and the container face wall. The solution according to the invention according to claim 4 4 is based on the idea that it requires less effort to mount and detach the intermediate rings by way of the container interior than by way of the container exterior. C In this way, Cit is avoided that the feed cylinders have to be uncoupled from the 1 material Cfeed Ccontainer Cin Cthe case Cof Creplacement Cof Cthe intermediate rings. C An intermediate ring is inserted into the feed cylinder opening by way of the container. interior, in that the toe is pushed into the bayonet opening on its outer mantle surface, and the intermediate ring is subsequently rotated about its longitudinal axis, so that,, the toe is introduced into the inner groove. C Mounting of an intermediate ring by way of the container interior is particularly advantageous if the material feed container is configured in two parts, as described above. The container interior is easily accessible by removing the relatively light container top. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2OO4/014412 10 The inner groove can be configured to be circumferential in the feed cylinder opening. CPreferably, the intermediate ring has at least two, preferably three toes, disposed at an equal angle distance from one another, on its outer mantle surface. The feed cylinder opening then has a Cnumber of bayonet openings that corresponds to the number of toes, which are also disposed at the same angle distance from one another. C Since the intermediate ring is fixed in place, in the axial direction, by means of the engagement of the toes in the inner groove, this fixation is all the more stable, the more toes are disposed on the outer mantle surface. It is practical if a connector plate for connecting feed cylinders is affixed to the container outside on the container face wall, through which plate the feed cylinder openings extend. Furthermore, it is practical Cif a spectacle plate having two spectacle plate openings is attached to the inner surface of the container face wall. The spectacle plate openings communicate with the feed cylinder openings., and their delimitation surfaces align with the delimitation surfaces of the flow-through-channels in the intermediate rings. CThe spectacle plate therefore covers part of the feed cylinder openings and additionally fixes the intermediate Crings Cin Cplace Cin Cthe Cdirection Ctowards Cthe WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 11 container interior. The spectacle plate is removed for replacement of the intermediate rings. It is practical if the intermediate ring and/or the spectacle plate consist at least partially of a friction-wear-resistant light construction material. The light construction material can have a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and/or a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. It is Calso possible that the light construction material is silicontcarbide or a metal foam, whereby the latter preferably has titanium components. It is practical if the delimitation surfaces of the flow-through-channels and/or the spectacle pate openings are coated with a friction-wear-resistant layer. (The latter preferably consists of a hard metal or of a material from the material group of chrome, silicon carbide, or "ceramic. The spectacle plate and the intermediate rings, which are wear parts, in each instance, are protected against friction wear by the friction-wear-resistant layer, and therefore need to be replaced less frequently. It can be provided that the diameter of the flow-through-channel harrows towards the container interior or towards the feed cylinder. In this way, feed cylinders having different inside diameters can be connected with the material feed container, in WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2O04/014412 12 that different intermediate rings are inserted into the feed cylinder openings. It is practical if the flbw-through-channels are dimensioned in such a manner that their delimitation surfaces align with the inner surfaces of the feed cylinders. It is advantageous if the intermediate ring has at least one circumferential groove, offset axially relative to the toes, in its mantle surface, with a sealing ring for contact against the container face wall and/or the, connector plate. Preferably, it has two circumferential grooves, one- of which accommodates a sealing ring that lies against the container face wall, the other of which accommodates a sealing ring that lies against the connector plate. The intermediate ring can have another circumferential groove on a face facing the spectacle plate, having a sealing ring that lies against the spectacle plate. By means of these measures, one achieves a good seal of the material feed container in the region of the feed cylinder openings. To facilitate assembly and disassembly, the intermediate ring can have recesses for the insertion of holder mandrels on a face that faces the spectacle plate. Furthermore, a circumferential cavity can be disposed between the intermediate ring and the container face wall,- which cavity can be tilled with lubricant by way of a feed opening, and increases in size when the intermediate ring is WO ,2005/095797 PCT/EP2O04/014412 13 pulled Cout Cof Cthe Cfeed Ccylinder opening. C CTo Cremove Cthe intermediate ring, an assembly ring with holder mandrels that i engage into the recesses of the intermediate ring is then used. With the help of the assembly ring, Cthe intermediate ring is turned Cto Crelease Cthe Cbayonet Cclosure. C CSubsequently, Ca lubricant, such as grease, is pressed into the cavity, so that the intermediate ring is pressed out of the feed cylinder opening, whereby the toes are moved through the bayonet openings. In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail using exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. CThis shows Fig. 1 C Ca side view of a movable concrete pump having a rear material feed containers Fig. 2 C Ca perspective view of the material feed container, with the container top lifted off; Fig. 3 C Ca perspective view of the container top, without hinged lid; Fig. 4 C Ca section through the container wall in the region of a feed cylinder opening; WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 14 Fig. 5 C Ca perspective view of an intermediate ring pulled out of the feed cylinder opening; Fig. 6a and 6b perspective views of a hinged lid according to a second exemplary embodiment, at a slant from "above and a slant from- below! Fig. 7 C Ca section through the hinged lid according to Fig. 6a and 6b along the line A-A; Fig. 8a and 8b detail views of the hinged lid according to Fig. 6a and 6b in section. The automotive concrete pump sihown in Fig. 1 in the driven state has a chassis 10, a front side driver's cabin 12, a concrete ' 1 distributor mast 16 mounted on a rotary bearing block 14 of the chassis 10, and a two cylinder jthick-matter pump 18 disposed on the chassis 10. The material feed container 20 disposed in the rear part of the chassis 10 has feed cylinder openings 24 in its face wall 22, by way of which openings the two feed cylinders 26 of the thick-matter pump 18 are (connected. COn the rear wall 28 1 of the material feed container 20, lying opposite the face -wall 22, there is a pressure joint 30, to which a feed line 32 is WO 2O05/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 15 connected. In the container Cinterior, there is a tube switch 34 configured here as an S-pipe, which is connected with the pressure joint 30 with its one end and the other end of which can be pivoted alternately about the axis of a pivot shaft, not shown here, in front of the two feed cylinder openings 24, using hydraulic means. The material feed container 20 , (Fig. -2) is divided into a lower container parti 38 and a container top 40. The face wall 22 as well as the side walls 42 that [connect the face wall 22 with the rear wall 28 are divided in two into an upper and a lower part, in each instance. C In this connection, the container top 40 has an upper face wall part 44 as well as upper side wa"ll parts 46 that extend away from the former, with free ends 48 C(Fig. 3) . The upper face wall part 44 and the upper side wall parts 46 bear a first flange 50 for attachment of the container top 40 to the lower container part 38 on their lower edge. CThe container top 40 is produced in one piece, from plastic, as an injection-molded part, Cin the exemplary embodiiment shown here. C Reinforcement strips 52 are molded onto it for reinforcement. The lower container part 38 has not only a floor 54 and the rear wall! 28 but also a lower face wall part 56 as well as lower side wall1 parts 58. CThe lower side wall parts 58 drop down at a slant WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 16 to the lower face wall part 5 is complementary to the first can be connected in simple rubber seal can be disposed be part 38 and container top 4 material feed container 20, in and bear a second flange 60 that flange 50. CThe two flanges 50, 60 manner toy means of screws 62. C A tween them, so that lower container 0 Ccan be joined together to form simple manner. The material feed container 20' has a material feed opening 64 that faces upwards, which is 66, C68. CThe circumferential 66,. 68. CThe first edge part delimited by a circumferential edge dge is divided into two edge parts is Cformed by the upper edge of the upper face wall part 44 and the upper side wall parts 46. CIt- is followed by the Csecond edge i edge of a rubber apron 70. rt 68, which is formed by the upper he latter is attached to the lower container part C38 Cand projects beyond the rear wall 28 and i segments of the lower side wall parts 58 that extend away from the rear wall 28. The two epge parts 66, , 68 align with one another. serve to accommodate bearings of a fall opening 73 is disposed in the the tube switch 34 can be connected In the lower face wall part 56, In the lower container part 38, (bearing openings 72 are disposed in the side walls 42, which stirrer mechanilsm. C A rear v rear wall 28, by way of which with the pressure joint 30. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 17 there are the feed cylinder openings 24 for connecting the feed cylinders 26. Thus, all of the components that move during pump operation are mounted in the,| lower container part 38, Cwhich absorbs Cthe [ forces that C(proceed Cfrom Cthese Ccomponents. Accordingly, the lower container part 38 is produced from stable steel sheet having a thick wall. C-Only forces that proceed from the concrete filled into the material feed opening 64 act on the container top 40. C Therefore, significantly lower requirements are set for its stability. The lower container part 38 has pipe shaped contact elements 74 1 for a lattice grid that project beyond the lower face wall part 56 C CAlternatively, the lattice grid can also be laid onto a contact bead that faces the container interior, which is molded onto the container top 40. C The material feed container 20 is C C C C attached to the; chassis 10 by way of suspension devices 76. On the container outside, a connector plate 80 for connecting the ' feed cylinders 26 is affixed to the face wall 22. COn the inside of the face wall 22, a spectacle plate 82 is releasably attached (Fig. 4), the spectacle plate openings 84 of which communicate with the feed cylinder openings 24. C The spectacle plate 82 II i projects beyond the feed cylinder openings 24 and thus forms a stop for an intermediate ring 86 in the direction towards the WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2O04/014412 container interior. The intermediate ring 86 extends, in the axial direction, beyond the feed cylinder opening 24 that extends through,the face wall 22 and the connector plate 80. Its inner surface (delimits a flow-tihrough-channel 88 for the thick matter. The outer mantle surfacfe 90 of the intermediate rinq 86 bears three toes 92 disposed at an angle distance of 120°. CThese can be introduced into an inner groove 94 that runs circumferentially in the feed cylinder opening 24, by way of bayonet openings 95, and Cthus, form Ca Cbayonet Cclosure Cby Cmeans Cof Cwhich Cthe intermediate ring 86 can be fixed in place in the feed cylinder opening 24, in the axial direction towards the feed cylinder 26. The delimitation surface of the flow-through-channel 88 aligns with the delimitation surface of the spectacle plate openings 84 as well as with the inner surfaces of the feed cylinders 26. CAs a result, there are no exposed edges in the feed cylinder opening 24, which vtauld be exposed Cto increased friction wear due to thick matter flowing by. C For a further reduction in friction wear, both the spectacle plate 82 and the delimitation surface of the flow-through-channel 88 Thave a friction-wear-resistant layer 1 * 89 of hard metal. C To seal the feed cylinder opening 24, the intermediate 'ring 86 has two circumferential grooves 96 in its mantle surface 90, offset relative to the toes 92, Cinto which sealing rings)98 are placed for contact against the face wall 22 arid the connector plate 80. CAnother circumferential groove 96 is Wp 2005/095797 FCT/EP2O04/O14412 19 situated in the face surface of the intermediate ring 86 that faces the spectacle plate 82. The sealing ring 98 contained in it lies against the spectacle plate 82. To replace the' intermediate ring 86, first the spectacle plate 82 is unscrewed. Subsequently, the intermediate ring 86 is rotated abbut its longitudinal axis until the toes 92 can be pulled out of the bayonet openings 95. CFor this purpose, the intermediate ring has recesbes 100 on its face surface, for inserting holder mandrels. CBetween the intermediate ring 86 and the face wall 22., ' a circumferential cavity 102 is furthermore disposed, which can i be filled with grease by way off a feed opening 104. CThe cavity i 102 increases in size as the intermediate ring 86 is pulled out of i the, feed cylinder opening 24 in the direction towards the container interior. CThereby, pressing in grease through the feed i opening 104 facilitates removal of the intermediate ring 86. CThe grelase Cfurthermore Cacts Cas || a Clubricant, Cwhich Cfacilitates rotation C of C the C intermediate C ring C 86. C C CAs C a C rule, C Cthe C wear Cparts | spectacle Cplate C82 Cand Cintermediate Cring C86 Care Creplaced together; On the material feed container20 according to Fig. 2, a hinged lid 108 is articulated onto the upper face wall part 44 by way of hinges- 106, Cwhich Clid covers the. material Cfeed opening C64. WO| 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 20 Instead of this hinged lid 106 made of metal, a hinged lid 110 made of' plastic can be used, (according to a second exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b. CThe hinged lid 110 is configured as a hollow plastic body, Cas is evident from the 'I sectional view in Fig. 7. CIt [has a first plastic shell 112 that faces the material feed opening 64, and a second plastic shell 114 that is connected with the former in one piece and forms a lid surface. CThe hinged lid l 10 is produced in one piece, using a rotation casting method. C The first plastic shell 112 has a smooth surface that faces the, material feed opening 64, Cfrom which contamination with thick matter, particularly concrete, can be easily Cremoved. The second Cplastic Cshell C114 Chas reinforcement C beads C 116 C that C increase C its C stability. Furthermore, hooks 118 are molded onto the hinged lid 110 on the side (Fig. 8a), into which closure elements for forming a tension closure can be hooked to firmly close the material feed opening 64 on the material feed container 20. COn the side of the hinged lid 110, handles 120 are furthermore molded on (Fig. 8b). Between the hinged lid 110 and the material feed container 20, gas springs can furthermore be disposed, which facilitate opening of. the 'hinged, lid 110. On the first plastic shell 112, the hiiged lid 110 has bores 122, 124. CA first group of bores 122 serves for affixing handles and locking elements that hold the hihged lid 110 in its open position! CA second group of bores 124 WO 2005/O95797 PCT/EP2004/014412 21 serves to affix a rubber apron that covers the gap between the hinged lid 110 and the material feed container 20, and prevents thick matter from flowing through this gap. In summary, the following should be stated: The invention relates to a material feed container 20 for a thick-matter pump 18, having a lower container part 38 and a container top 40 releasablys ('Connected with the lower container part 38, haying a two-part face wall 22, a rear wall 28, and two two-part side walls 42, in each instance, having a material feed opening 64 that points upward, delimited by a circumferential edge 66, 68, having two feed cylinder openings 24 disposed in the face wall 22, Cand having a tube switch 34 disposed in the container interior, which can be pivoted alternately in front of the feed cylinder openings 24 on the input side, and opens into a pressure pipte 30 on the outppt side. CAccording to the invention, it is provided that the container top 40 has an upper face wall part 44 as well as upper side wall parts 46 that extend away from the former, with free ends 48, and that the circumferential edge 66, C68 has a first edge part 66 forming an upper edge of the container top 40, and a second edge part 68 following the first edae C part C 66|, C Con C the C lower C container Cpart C38. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 22 Claims Material feed container for a thick-matter pump (18), having a Clower container par C(38) Cand a Ccontainer Ctop C(40) releasaoly connected with the lower container part t38), having a two-part face wall (22), a rear wall (28)-, and two two-part Cside Cwalls C(42), Cin Ceach Cinstance, Chaving Ca material feed opening {64) that points upward, delimited by a circumferential edge (66, 68), having two feed cylinder openings (24) disposed in the face wall (22,), and having a ill ¦ tube switch (34) disposed in the container interior, which can be pivoted alternately in front of the feed cylinder openings (24) on the input side, and opens into a pressure pipe C(30) Con the output side, Ccharacterized in that the container top (40) has an upper face wall part (44) as well as upper side wall parts (4,6) that extend away from the former, with free ends (48), and that the circumferential edge (66, 68) has a first edge part (66) forming an upper edge of the container top, (40), and a second edge part (68) following the. first edge part (66), on the lower container part (38). WQ 2005/095797 PCT/EP2OO4/014412 23 2. C Material feed container according to claim 1,, characterized in that the first edge part; (66) aligns with the second edge part (68). 3. C Material feed container according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the lower container part (38) has the rear wall (28), a floor (54) , a lower face wall part (56), and lower side wall parts face wall part (56). (158) Cthat drop towards the lower 4. C Material feed container according to claim 3,, characterized in that the upper face wall part {44) and the upper side wall parts C(46) Cbear a first flange C(50) Con their lower edge, Cwhich is releasably; [connected with a complementary second flange (60) on the lower face wall part (56) and the lower side wall parts (58) of the lower container part (38). 5. C Material feed container according to claim 4, characterized in that a stealing means is disposed between the first flange (50) and the second flange 6O) . 6. C Material feed container according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the lower face wall part C(56) , Cthe WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 24 rear wall (28), the lower side wall parts 58) and/or the floor (54) Cconsist of [ sheet metal, Cpreferably of steel sheet. 7. (Material feed container, according to one of claims 3 to. 6, characterized in that the lower face wall part (56) , the rear wall (28), the lower side wall parts (58) and/or the floor (54) consist at least partially of a light construction material. Material feed container || according to claim 7, characterized in that the light construction material has a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and/05 a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Material feed container according to claim 7, characterized in that the light construction material is silicon carbide. 310. CMaterial feed container I according to claim 7, characterized in that the light construction material is a metal foam, preferably with titanium components. 11. CMaterial feed container according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized Cin Cthat , (the Clight Cconstruction Cmaterial WO 2005/09579|7 PCT/EP2O04/014412 25 carries Ca Cfriction-wear-resistant Cand/or Chard Ccoating, particularly from the (material group of chrome, Csilicon carbide, or ceramic. 12. CMaterial feed container ,according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the feed cylinder openings (24) are disposed in the lower face wall part (56). i3. CMaterial feed container, [according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support device for the tube switch 34) is mounted in the lower container part (38). 14. CMaterial feed container;) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower container part (38) has pivot bearings for a stirrer mechanism. i5. CMaterial feed container according to one of the preceding II claims, characterized in; that the upper face wall part (44 and the upper side wall, parts (46) consist of sheet metal, preferably of steel sheet!. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 26 16. CMaterial feed container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the upper face wall part (44) and the it upper side wall parts (46) consist of plastic. 17. CMaterial feed container according to claim 16, characterized that the container top (40) is produced in one piece, as an injection-molded parlt,. 18. CMaterial feed container,according to claim 17, characterized in that the container stop C(40) Chas a contact bead for a lattice grid, facing the, container interior 19. CMaterial Cfeed Ccontainer, according Cto Cclaim C17 Cor C18, 11 C ' characterized Cin C that Cthe Ccontainer Ctop C (4 0) C has . reinforcement strips (52)' on the upper face wall part (44)-and/or on the upper side wall parts (46). 2b. CMaterial feed container Cacco|rding to one of the preceding claims, characterized Cin Cthat Cthe Ccontainer Ctop C(40), particularly the upper face wall part (44) and/or the upper side wall parts (46), consist at least partially of a light construction material. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 21 21. Material feed container according to claim 20, characterized in that the Clight construction material has a carbon fiber- re:nforcc-c plastic and/or a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. 22. Material feed container according to claim 20, characterized in that the light construction material is silicon carbide. 23. Material feed container according to claim 20, characterized in that the light construction material, is a metal foam, preferably with titanium components. 24. Material feed container according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized Cin Cthat Cthe Clight Cconstruction Cmaterial carries Ca Cfriction-wear-resistant Cand/or Chard Ccoating, particularly from the mait.erial group of chrome, Csilicon carbide, or ceramic. 25. Material feed container according to one of claims 3 to 24, characterized in that the Clower container part C(38) Chas contact- elements (7/,) for a Clattice grid, projecting beyond the lower face wall part (5.(50) WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 28 26. Material feed container, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower container part (38) has a rubber apron {70) forming the second edge part (68), which apron follows the rear' wall (28) and segments of the side walls C(42) that proceed from the rear wall (28) . 27. Material feed container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that; the lower container part (38) and the container top (40) are connected with one another by means of screws (62). 28i. Material feed container according to one of. the preceding claims, characterized in that a hinged lid (108, 110) for covering the material feed opening (64) is articulated onto the container top (40), on the upper face wall part (44). 29. Material fieed container according to claim 28, characterized in that the hinged lid (ll0) is produced from plastic and/or from a light construction material. 30. Material feed container for a thick-matter pump (18), having a material feed opening (64) that points upward, having two feed cylinder openings C(24) Cdisposed in a container face WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 29 wall (22), and having $ tube switch (34) disposed in the container interior, Cwhich can be pivoted alternately in front of the feed cylinder openings (24) on the input side, and opens into a pressure pipe (30) on the output side, characterized by a hinged lid (110) made of plastic and/or of a light construction material, for covering the material feed Copening C(64), Carticulated Conto Ca Ccontainer wall, preferably the container face wall (22). 31. Material ifeed container according to claim 30, characterized in that the hinged lid C{110) Cis configured as a hollow plastic body having a fir,st plastic shell (112) that faces the material feed openinq (64) and a second plastic shell (114), preferably connected in one piece with the former, forming an upper lid part. 32. Material feed container according to claim 31, characterized in that the first plastic she 111 (112) has a smooth surface that faces the material feed opening (64). 33 Material feed container according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the second plastic shell (114) has reinforcement beads (116). WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/O14412 30 34. Material feed container according to one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that the hinged lid (110) is produced in one piece, using a rotation casting method. 35. Material feed container according to claim 29 or ,30, characterized in that the light construction material has a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and/or a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. 36. Material Cfeed Ccontainer1 according Cto Cclaim C29 Cor C30, characterized in that the light construction material is silicon darbide. 37. Material Cfeed Ccontainer Caccording Cto Cclaim C29 Cor C30, characterized in that the light construction material is a metal foam, preferably with titanium components. 38. Material feed container according to one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the light construction material bears a friction-wear-resistant and or hard coating, particularly from the material Cgroup of chrome, Csilicon carbide, Cor ceramic. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2O04/014412 31 39. Material feed container (according to one of claims 28 to 38, characterized in that the hinged lid (110) has handles (120) that are' molded on, preferably in one piece. 410. Material feed container according to one of claims 28 to 39, characterized in that the] hinged lid (110) has hooks (118), preferably molded on in 'one piece, for hooking in closure elements Cattached on a container wall. 4 1. Material feed container according to one of claims 28 to 40, characterized in that the hinged lid (108, 110) is connected with the container face wall (22) toy means of at least one hinge (106) and at least one gas spring. 42. Material feed container according to claim 41, characterized in that the hinged lid 108, 110) has attachment means (124) for a rubber apron close to its side connected with the container face wall (22). 43. Material feed container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate ring (86) is disposed Cin Cthe Cfeed Ccylinder Copenings C(24), Cin Ceach WO C2005J/095797 PCT/EP2OO4/O14412 32 instance1, the inner surface of which delimits a flow-thrtough-channel (88) for the thick matter, and the outer mantle surface (90) of which bears at least one toe (92), whereby the container face wall (22) has at least one partially circumferential inner groove (94) in the feed cylinder opening (24), as well as at least one bayonet opening (95) running from an inner surface facing the container interior to the Cinner groove (94), for accommodating the toe (92), forming a bayonet closure. 44. Material feed container for a thick-matter pump (18), having a material( feed opening (64) that points upward, having two feed Cylinder openings (24) that extend through a container face Wall (22),, and having a tube switch (34) disposed in the container interior, which can be pivoted alternately in front of the feed cylinder openings {24) on the input side, and opens into a pressure pipe (130). on the output side, whereby an intermediate ring (86) is disposed in the feed cylinder openings (24), in each instance, the inner surface of which delimits a flow-through-cfoannel (88) for the thick matter, characterized in that the muter mantle surface (90) of the intermediate ring (86) bears at least one toe (92), and that the container face wall (22) has at least one partially circumferential inner groove C(94) Cin every feed WO 2005/05797 PCT/EP2004/014412 33 cylinder opening (24), as well as at least one bayonet opening (95) running from an inner surface facing the container interior to the inner groove {94), for accommodating the toe j([92) ,; forming a bayonet closure. 45. Material feed contained:- according to one of claims 43 or 44, characterized in that a connector plate (80) for connecting feed cylinders (26) is affixed to the container outside on the container face waill ,(22), and that the feed cylinder openings (24) extend through the connector plate (80). 46. Material feed container acc6rding to one of claims 43 to 45, characterized in that the intermediate ring C(86) has at least two, preferably three toes (92), disposed at an equal angle distance from one another, on its outer mantle surface (90), and that the feed cylinder opening (24) has a number of bayqnet openings (95) that corresponds to the number of toes C(92), Cwhich Care Calso Cdisposed Cat Cthe Csame Cangle distance from one another. 47. Material feed container according to one of claims 43 to 46, characterized in that the inner groove C(94) Cin the feed cylinder opening (24) is configured to be circumferential. WO 2005/095797 PCT/EP2004/014412 34 /.8. CMaterial Iced container (according to one of claims 43 to 47, 'il characterized in that'|ja Cspectacle plate C(82) Chaving two spectacle plate openings (84) is Creleasably attached to the inner surface of the container face wall (22), whereby the spectacle plate openings C(84) Ccommunicate with the feed cylinder Copenings C(24), Cand Cwhereby Cthe Cdelimitation surfaces of the spectacle plate openings (84) align with the delimitation surfaces of the flow-through-channels (88). 49. CMaterial feed container (according to one of claims 43 to 48, characterized in that the intermediate ring (86) and/or the spectacle Cplate C(82) Cconsist Cat Cleast Cpartially Cof Ca riction-wear-resistant light construction material. 50. CMaterial feed container according to claim 49, characterized in that the liqht construction material of the intermediate 'II ring C(86) Cand/or the spectacle plate C(82) Chas a carbon- fiber-reinforced Cplastic and/or Ca Cfiberglass-reinforced plastic. 51 . CMaterial feed container according to claim 49, characterized in that the liqht construction material of the intermediate WO 2005/09579f7 PCT/EP2004/014412 35 ring C(86) Cand/or Cthe Cspectacle Cplate C82) Cis Csilicon carbide. 52. CMaterial feed container according to claim 4 9, characterized in that the light construction material of the intermediate ring (86) and/or the spectacle plate (82) is a metal foam, preferabljy with titanium components. 53. Material feed container according to one of claims 43 to 52, characterized in that the delimitation surfaces of the flow-through-channels (88) and/or the spectacle plate openings (84) are coated with a faiction-wear-resistant layer (89), preferably of a hard metal or of a material from the material group of chrome, silicon carbide, or ceramic. 54. Material feed container according to one of claims 43 to 53, characterized in that the diameter of the flow-through-channel /88) narrows towards the container interior or towards the feed cylinder (26) 55. Material Seed container according to one of claims 43 to 54, characterized in that the delimitation surfaces of the flow- ¦36 through-channels {88) align with the inner surfaces of the feed cylinders (26). 56. Material feed container according to one of claims 43 to 55, characterized in that the intermediate ring C(86) Chas at least Cone Ccircumferential Cgroove C(96), Coffset Caxially relative to the toes (92), in its mantle surface (90), with a sealing ring (98) for contact against the container face wall (22) and/or the connector plate (80). 57 Material feed container according to one of claims 43 to 56, characterized in Cthat the Cintermediate Cring C(86) Chas a circumferential Cgroove C(96) Con Ca Cface Cthat Cfaces Cthe spectacle plate (82), with1, a sealing ring (98.) that lies against the spectacle plate (82). 58. Material feed container according to one of claims 43 to 57, characterized Cin Cthat Cthe Cintermediate Cring C(86) Chas recesses .(190) Cfor the insertion of holder mandrels on a face that faces the spectacle plate (82) . 59. Material feed container according to one of claims 43 to 58, characterised in Cthat a Ccircumferential Ccavity C(102) Cis WC 2005/095797 PCT/EP2O04/014412 37 disposed, between the intermediate ring (86) and the container face wall (22), which cavity can be filled with lubricant by way of a feed, opening (104), and increases in size when the intermediate ring (86) is pulled out of the feed cylinder opening (24)„

Documents:

02438-kolnp-2006-abstract.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-claims.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-correspondence others-1.1.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-correspondence others.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-correspondence-1.2.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-correspondence-1.3.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-description(complete).pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-drawings.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-form-1.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-form-2.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-form-26.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-form-3.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-form-5.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-international publication.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-international search authority report-1.1.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-international search authority report.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-pct others.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-priority document-1.1.pdf

02438-kolnp-2006-priority document.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(02-04-2013)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-ABSTRACT.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-AMANDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-DRAWINGS.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-FORM-1.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-FORM-2.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-FORM-3.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(12-07-2012)-OTHERS.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(25-09-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-(25-09-2012)-FORM-3.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-FORM 13.pdf

2438-kolnp-2006-form 18.pdf

2438-KOLNP-2006-FORM 6.pdf

abstract-02438-kolnp-2006.jpg