U.S. patent application number 14/914480 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for improved apparatus for automatically opening crates of different dimensions.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNITEC S.P.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is UNITEC S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Luca BENEDETTI.
Application Number | 20160200469 14/914480 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49447699 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160200469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BENEDETTI; Luca |
July 14, 2016 |
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING CRATES OF DIFFERENT
DIMENSIONS
Abstract
Apparatus for opening in an automatic mode and in a continuous
sequence the closed side walls of a plurality of crates, preferably
for horticultural products, and preferably lying vertically one on
another so as to form a relative first stack, suitable for carrying
out the operations for carrying a first stack to a first arrival
and loading station, lifting vertically said two pairs of opposite
walls, transferring said open crates to a second stack, and
subsequently carrying said stack outside the apparatus; the
apparatus includes command and control means suitable to store the
parameters that correspond to a plurality of types of crates having
different dimensions, enter into said command and control means a
coded instruction representative of a particular type of crate, and
automatically make it so that said command and control means
process and transmit to the controls, structures, operating bodies,
devices, actuators present in the apparatus appropriate signals
that are suitable to determine therein the correct operation
corresponding to the type of selected crate.
Inventors: |
BENEDETTI; Luca; (Savarna,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNITEC S.P.A. |
Lugo |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
UNITEC S.P.A.
Lugo, RA
IT
|
Family ID: |
49447699 |
Appl. No.: |
14/914480 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
September 3, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2014/064213 |
371 Date: |
February 25, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/381.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 43/265 20130101;
B65B 43/345 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 43/26 20060101
B65B043/26; B65B 43/34 20060101 B65B043/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 12, 2013 |
IT |
PN2013A000053 |
Claims
1. An apparatus to fully automatically open the side and reclined
walls of a plurality of crates preferably for agricultural
products, provided with a bottom plane and with two pairs of
opposed walls, each of them hinged on said bottom plane, which are
arranged in the same and ordered way, and vertically laid one on
the other so as to form a respective first stack, and able of
performing the following operations: a) carrying said first stack
into a first loading station, b) vertically raising two opposed
walls of the upper crate by respective rotation with respect to
said bottom plane, c) vertically rising of the other two opposed
walls of the upper crate by respective rotation with respect to
said bottom plane, d) blocking of at least one of said side walls
to an adjacent side wall, e) horizontally transferring said open
crate into a position outside the vertical projection of said first
stack, wherein after said operation in a), and before said
operation in b), said first stack is lifted to a level such as the
crate in the upper position and with the reclined side walls,
reaches a pre-determined level into said first working station, f)
lowering of said crate until a support level of the respective
bottom plane on a second working station able of forming a train of
opencrates, wherein said blocking d) and transferring e) operations
are carried out through the use of a centre operating body able: of
being initially lowered until it is introduced into an opened
crate, being acted so as to increase one horizontal size and to
contact the side edges of two opposed walls, and to engage by
pushing said two edges to corresponding edges of the other two
walls, to keep on engaged by pushing said crate and to be
horizontally transferred, possibly after a lifting motion, so as to
automatically transfer said crate, wherein said centre operating
body is able to be lowered for strokes, which can be selectively
differentiated, with respect to a common initial level.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operating body
is connected to horizontal means for the motion transmission whose
horizontal size is selectively controllable through respective
distancing members, the opposed ends of which are joined to
respective command boxes, each of them being provided with at least
a respective blocking means horizontally oriented, said distancing
members being able of selectively increasing a corresponding size
so that said couple of supports do engage with two opposed walls of
the upper crate so that said crate is lifted and successively
transferred on an horizontal plane.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first station
is able of lifting, one by one, a train of stacks of closed crates,
and comprising: two supporting frames which are parallel and
horizontally extended, each provided with a couple of respective
lifting mountings able of supporting a respective stack of closed
crates, working devices able of impressing to said supporting
frames a shifting train which includes: increasing of the
reciprocal horizontal distance from a first distance to a second
distance, synchronous lowering of said supporting frames,
re-approaching of said supporting frames to the starting distance,
incidental final lifting of same said supporting frames for a
predefined amount.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said supporting
frames comprise means able of changing, in a selectively controlled
way, the distance between the mountings of each respective mounting
couple.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second station
is able of building-up and lowering, one by one, a train of stacks
of open crates, and comprising: two supporting frames two
supporting frames which are parallel and horizontally extended,
each provided with a couple of respective lowering mountings able
of supporting a respective stack of open crates, working devices
able of impressing to said supporting frames a shifting train which
includes: increasing of the reciprocal horizontal distance from a
first distance to a second distance, synchronous lifting of said
supporting frames, re-approaching of said supporting frames to the
starting distance.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said supporting
frames comprise means able of changing, in a selectively controlled
way, the distance between the mountings of a respective couple of
mountings.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it comprises: a
first frame formed as a right parallelepiped with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, a second
frame remarkably similar to the first frame with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, wherein
said vertical planes, are parallel to each other and also parallel
to the common direction of alignment of the stacks of closed
crates, wherein said two frames form two side, vertical and
symmetrical portions and means able of modifying the transverse
distance between said side portions in the way orthogonal to said
common direction through devices able of selectively adjusting said
distance, preferably a couple of trimming set screws which are
aligned to each other and parallel to said transverse distance
engaged to a respective side to a gearing box, and to the opposed
side to a respective of said structures, wherein said same gearing
box is joined to a command axis able of being activated into
rotation.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vertical axis
and relevant central body and said operating body, and said couples
of lifting mountings re symmetrical with respect to a vertical
plane passing on the centre of said vertical axis and orthogonal of
said common direction.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it comprises control
and command means able of: storing the parameters/data
corresponding to a plurality of crates types showing different
sizes, introducing into said control and command means a coded
instruction representing a specific type of crate and automatically
obtaining that said control and command means do elaborate and send
to said operating devices, members, devices actuators, suitable
signal able of determine in them the correct operations
corresponding to the selected type of crate.
10. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first station
is able of lifting, one by one, a train of stacks of closed crates,
and comprising: two supporting frames which are parallel and
horizontally extended, each provided with a couple of respective
lifting mountings able of supporting a respective stack of closed
crates, working devices able of impressing to said supporting
frames a shifting train which includes: increasing of the
reciprocal horizontal distance from a first distance to a second
distance, synchronous lowering of said supporting frames,
re-approaching of said supporting frames to the starting distance,
incidental final lifting of same said supporting frames for a
predefined amount.
11. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it comprises: a
first frame formed as a right parallelepiped with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, a second
frame remarkably similar to the first frame with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, wherein
said vertical planes, are parallel to each other and also parallel
to the common direction of alignment of the stacks of closed
crates, wherein said two frames form two side, vertical and
symmetrical portions and means able of modifying the transverse
distance between said side portions in the way orthogonal to said
common direction through devices able of selectively adjusting said
distance, preferably a couple of trimming set screws which are
aligned to each other and parallel to said transverse distance
engaged to a respective side to a gearing box, and to the opposed
side to a respective of said structures, wherein said same gearing
box is joined to a command axis able of being activated into
rotation.
12. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it comprises: a
first frame formed as a right parallelepiped with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, a second
frame remarkably similar to the first frame with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, wherein
said vertical planes, are parallel to each other and also parallel
to the common direction of alignment of the stacks of closed
crates, wherein said two frames form two side, vertical and
symmetrical portions and means able of modifying the transverse
distance between said side portions in the way orthogonal to said
common direction through devices able of selectively adjusting said
distance, preferably a couple of trimming set screws which are
aligned to each other and parallel to said transverse distance
engaged to a respective side to a gearing box, and to the opposed
side to a respective of said structures, wherein said same gearing
box is joined to a command axis able of being activated into
rotation.
13. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it comprises: a
first frame formed as a right parallelepiped with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, a second
frame remarkably similar to the first frame with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, wherein
said vertical planes, are parallel to each other and also parallel
to the common direction of alignment of the stacks of closed
crates, wherein said two frames form two side, vertical and
symmetrical portions and means able of modifying the transverse
distance between said side portions in the way orthogonal to said
common direction through devices able of selectively adjusting said
distance, preferably a couple of trimming set screws which are
aligned to each other and parallel to said transverse distance
engaged to a respective side to a gearing box, and to the opposed
side to a respective of said structures, wherein said same gearing
box is joined to a command axis able of being activated into
rotation.
14. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it comprises: a
first frame formed as a right parallelepiped with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, a second
frame remarkably similar to the first frame with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, wherein
said vertical planes, are parallel to each other and also parallel
to the common direction of alignment of the stacks of closed
crates, wherein said two frames form two side, vertical and
symmetrical portions and means able of modifying the transverse
distance between said side portions in the way orthogonal to said
common direction through devices able of selectively adjusting said
distance, preferably a couple of trimming set screws which are
aligned to each other and parallel to said transverse distance
engaged to a respective side to a gearing box, and to the opposed
side to a respective of said structures, wherein said same gearing
box is joined to a command axis able of being activated into
rotation.
15. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein it comprises: a
first frame formed as a right parallelepiped with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, a second
frame remarkably similar to the first frame with at least two
vertical columns arranged on a same vertical plane, joined on the
bottom and on the top by two respective horizontal bars, wherein
said first frame is able of lodging said first station, wherein
said vertical planes, are parallel to each other and also parallel
to the common direction of alignment of the stacks of closed
crates, wherein said two frames form two side, vertical and
symmetrical portions and means able of modifying the transverse
distance between said side portions in the way orthogonal to said
common direction through devices able of selectively adjusting said
distance, preferably a couple of trimming set screws which are
aligned to each other and parallel to said transverse distance
engaged to a respective side to a gearing box, and to the opposed
side to a respective of said structures, wherein said same gearing
box is joined to a command axis able of being activated into
rotation.
16. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said vertical axis
and relevant central body and said operating body, and said couples
of lifting mountings re symmetrical with respect to a vertical
plane passing on the centre of said vertical axis and orthogonal of
said common direction.
17. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said vertical axis
and relevant central body and said operating body, and said couples
of lifting mountings re symmetrical with respect to a vertical
plane passing on the centre of said vertical axis and orthogonal of
said common direction.
18. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said vertical axis
and relevant central body and said operating body, and said couples
of lifting mountings re symmetrical with respect to a vertical
plane passing on the centre of said vertical axis and orthogonal of
said common direction.
19. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said vertical axis
and relevant central body and said operating body, and said couples
of lifting mountings re symmetrical with respect to a vertical
plane passing on the centre of said vertical axis and orthogonal of
said common direction.
20. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said vertical axis
and relevant central body and said operating body, and said couples
of lifting mountings re symmetrical with respect to a vertical
plane passing on the centre of said vertical axis and orthogonal of
said common direction.
Description
[0001] The present invention refers to an improved apparatus for
opening the crates that are normally used to contain horticultural
products; after being used and emptied, said crates are closed
again by collapsing their vertical walls inward.
[0002] These crates can be of different sizes, both due to the type
of contents and mostly for their different uses and the
requirements of the market.
[0003] The purpose of this operation is to decisively reduce the
overall volume of said crates, because after being used they must
be rearranged so they can be returned to the collection and filling
centres.
[0004] This requirement has been clearly explained in patent WO
2012/156375 filed by the present patent holder, and which is
referred to here for the sake of brevity and thus will not be
discussed further.
[0005] The same patent also introduces a relative method for
opening in a fully automatic mode the folded side walls of a
plurality of crates, preferably for horticultural products,
provided with a bottom plane and with two pairs of opposite walls,
individually hinged on said bottom plane, that are arranged in an
identical and ordered manner, and lie vertically one on top of the
other so as to form a relative first stack, in which said method
comprises the following operations: [0006] a) transportation of
said first stack to a first arrival and loading station; [0007] b)
vertical lifting of two opposite front walls of the upper crate by
their respective rotation with respect to said bottom plane; [0008]
c) vertical lifting of the other two front walls of said upper
crate through their respective rotation with respect to said bottom
plane; [0009] d) blocking at least one of said side walls with an
adjacent side wall; [0010] e) transfer of said open crate
horizontally to a position external to the vertical projection of
said first stack; [0011] f) in which, preferably between the
previous operations a) and b), said first stack is lifted up to a
level where the upper crate, with the walls reclined, reaches a
predetermined level (L) in a first working station; [0012] g) and
after said lifting to said level, said upper crate is blocked with
respect to said first working station through means that operate
laterally on said first bottom plane of the upper crate.
[0013] Said procedure and the relative apparatus have proven to be
fully effective and adequate in all the working environments where
they are used to solve the problem as defined above.
[0014] However, it was also frequently found that, in actual
operation, said apparatus poses working limits that are
increasingly evident as its application is extended and optimized,
both in relation to the type of horticultural products carried and,
in particular, in relation to the fact that the marketing and
distribution chain downstream of the phase of opening and filling
the crates is extremely fragmented and diversified, in the sense
that it is necessary to load crates having very different
dimensions and capacity, including also the height of the crate
walls.
[0015] To meet this requirement, it would obviously be sufficient
to provide, install and use a single machine for every crate type
and size; however, this would not really be an acceptable solution
on the economic and operating plane, also because of the waste of
spaces that could be used in other ways, as can be immediately
appreciated by an expert in the field.
[0016] The optimal solution would consist in fact of providing a
single apparatus for opening the crates and their subsequent
stacking that is capable of operating with crates of very different
sizes, including their relative height.
[0017] It would thus be desirable, and it is the main objective of
the present invention, to realize an apparatus that is suitable to
carry out, according to known methods, the completely automatic
opening and blocking of a plurality of closed crates, specifically
for use as containers of horticultural products, supplied in
succession and associated as respective individual stacks, and,
after their opening, to supply said open crates still associated as
respective stacks; according to the invention, this apparatus must
be provided with devices suitable to be adapted to the size of
crates having different dimensions, including the relative heights,
in which said devices, and the actuators of the same, can be
operated and adjusted so as to "process" crates of different
dimensions, in a simple, immediate, safe and economic manner.
[0018] This objective is achieved with an apparatus made according
to the enclosed claims.
[0019] Characteristics and advantages of the invention will be
evident from the description which follows, given by way of
non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings,
wherein:
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a vertical plan view of a first
sub-assembly of the inventive apparatus in two distinct operating
modes.
[0021] FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate two views from above of the
sub-assembly of the previous figures, in two different and
respective states of operation.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view on a vertical plane and symbolic of
the movement of the crates and of the relative support mountings,
in their extreme positions, in the first stack of closed
crates.
[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates a simplified perspective view of the
crates in the two extreme positions of FIG. 4.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view from above of another
sub-assembly of the inventive apparatus.
[0025] FIG. 5A shows a simplified perspective view of the
sub-assembly of FIG. 5, relative to the stacks of closed
crates.
[0026] FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate respective views, similar to FIG.
5, of the same sub-assembly in two distinct states of
operation.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view on a vertical and symbolic
plane of the movement of the crates and of the relative support
mountings, in the relative extreme positions, in the final stack of
open crates.
[0028] FIG. 6A is a simplified and perspective view of the crates
in the two extreme positions of FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a plan view from above of another sub-assembly
of the inventive apparatus, relative to the stacks of open
crates.
[0030] FIG. 7A shows a simplified perspective view of the
sub-assembly of FIG. 7.
[0031] FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate respective views, similar to FIG.
7, of the same sub-assembly in two different states of
operation.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a concise, plane, vertical and side view of the
inventive apparatus.
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates a diagonal perspective view from above of
the apparatus of FIG. 8.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a plan view from above of the apparatus of FIGS.
8 and 9.
[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a particular constructive mode of the
apparatus, viewed as in FIG. 8.
[0036] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate respective perspective views of
the apparatus shown generally in FIG. 9, but separated into its two
component work stations.
[0037] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate two perspective views of the
inventive apparatus seen from two viewing points almost diagonally
opposite to each other.
[0038] Although the present invention refers specifically to an
apparatus and a process that theoretically could be disposed in
different attitudes and orientations, it will still be evident that
it can be in its best and typical embodiment in an apparatus
supported on a horizontal plane and with the crates piled
vertically, both when closed and when open; therefore, the
description should be read with particular reference to the
drawings, and thus the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower",
etc. that could be used refer logically to this normal arrangement
of the apparatus.
[0039] Since an apparatus according to the invention is very
complex and articulated in construction due to the quantity of
components and devices, and of the support and connecting means
etc. in general that must be assembled, the following description
will refer to schematic and symbolical drawings and/or figures that
are very different, in their representation, from the corresponding
means and devices used in the actual apparatus of the invention;
the purpose of such a choice of the type of representation is aimed
exclusively at facilitating the understanding of the invention for
the reader, focusing the reader's attention only on the elements
that are being described.
[0040] On the other hand, if the aptness of said representations is
to be checked with an actual apparatus according to the invention,
the enclosed FIGS. 14 and 15 provide an expert in the field with
the necessary and sufficient information to distinguish in said
figures the main assemblies or functional groups that are
represented in the detailed but symbolic figures, and described one
by one.
[0041] In the description which follows, the numerical indications
between parentheses refer to the already cited patent WO
2012/156375; moreover, here it is explicitly explained that the
present invention consists of a markedly improved evolution of the
apparatus described in the cited patent.
[0042] Herein will be described in detail only the parts, devices
and operating procedures that are individually and specifically
comprised in the various aspects of the present invention; thus it
remains understood that the parts, sub-assemblies functional
devices and operating procedures not expressly described herein are
the same as those extensively described in the cited patent WO
2012/156375, and therefore for the sake of concision and simplicity
they are omitted in the present patent.
[0043] And, as in the cited patent, the apparatus of the present
invention is made up--from the functional, but not constructive
point of view--of two distinct working stations, that is, a first
station S-1, where the succession of stacks of closed crates
arrives and that is provided with devices and mechanisms to open
the individual crates one at a time, and to carry them to a second
station S-2, where the same succession of crates, which now however
are open, are stacked again and finally carried outside the whole
apparatus.
[0044] From the cited patent WO 2012/156375 is known an apparatus
suitable to open in a fully automatic mode the reclined side walls
of a plurality of crates (1), preferably for agricultural products,
provided with a bottom plane (2) and with two pairs of opposed
walls (3, 3A,-4, 4A), each of them hinged on said bottom plane,
arranged in an identical and ordered manner, and lying vertically
upon each other so as to form a first relative stack (11).
[0045] Such apparatus is designed to carry out the following
operations: [0046] a) carrying said first stack (11) to a first
arrival and loading station (S-1), [0047] b) vertical lifting of
two opposed front walls (3, 3A) of the upper crate by rotating them
with respect to said bottom plane (2); [0048] c) vertical lifting
of the other two opposed front walls (4, 4A) of said upper crate by
their respective rotation with respect to said bottom plane (2);
[0049] d) locking in place at least one (4A) of said side walls
with at adjacent side wall (3A); [0050] e) transferring said open
crate (1) horizontally to a position outside the vertical
projection of said first stack (11).
[0051] For what concerns this last phase "e", that is, the transfer
of said open crate (1) horizontally to a position outside the
vertical projection of said first crate (11), the same cited patent
teaches that said transferring operation e) is carried out through
the use of a blocking and transferring device that can: [0052] be
initially lowered until it is inserted inside the open crate;
[0053] be operated so as to increase one of its horizontal
dimensions so as to contact the side edges (4S, 4S1) of two
opposite walls, and to engage by pushing said two edges (4S, 4S1)
with corresponding edges (3C, 3C-A) of the other two walls; [0054]
remain engaged by pressure with said crate and be transferred on a
horizontal plane, possibly also after a lifting operation, so as to
also automatically transfer said crate.
[0055] Said blocking and transferring device comprises an operating
body (202) on which are applied, from opposite sides, two
respective horizontal rods, (203, 203A) that support respective
command boxes (204, 204A), each of which is provided with at least
one respective blocking means (205, 205A) that can move selectively
and controllably inward, that is, toward said operating body 202,
or in the opposite direction, that is, outward.
[0056] Said operating body (202) is supported and moved by a
vertical rod (201) that can be telescopically and controllably
extended and retracted and that is in turn supported by a central
body (200), that can be controllably lifted and lowered vertically,
and that can be translated on a horizontal plane.
[0057] What is described above is prior art disclosed in the cited
patent WO 2012/156375.
[0058] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to a first aspect
of the present invention, said central body 200 and said underlying
vertical rod are moved vertically not only for a downward stroke,
and subsequent upward stroke, with a travel of preset length for
each type of crate included in the underlying stack of closed
crates, so as to push against a pair of opposed vertical walls of
the newly-opened underlying crate, but the length of the downward
and upward stroke of said travel of preset length is made dependent
on the height of the same crate, that is, in practice, on the
height of the respective vertical walls.
[0059] In FIG. 1 is symbolically illustrated the case in which at a
first stack of crates "M", the top crate has a height h1, while in
FIG. 2 is symbolically illustrated the case in which at a second
stack of crates "N", the top crate has a height of h2>h1.
[0060] Thus, when changing from one type of crate to another type
having different heights of the respective vertical walls, the two
respective overall downward travels C1, C2 of said vertical rod 201
and thus of said operating body 202, and therefore of the
respective sub-assemblies comprising the operating body 202 and the
relative horizontal operating rods (203, 203A), relative to the two
different types of crates, must be differentiated by an extent
.DELTA.R=C1-C2.
[0061] This characteristic, that is, the capacity of regulating the
extent of the lowering/lifting travel and therefore the position of
the central body 200 and of the operating body 202 is not only
defined by predefined standardized parameters, such as principally
the position of the crate to be opened located on the top of the
relative stack, but according to this first aspect of the invention
said lowering/lifting travel extent is obtained through command and
control means, in themselves known and not further illustrated,
that regulate said lowering/lifting travel based on specific
commands and instructions sent to said command and control means
and that naturally include the information, possibly coded,
representative of the height of the vertical walls of the type of
crate being processed.
[0062] More generally, the summary information concerning the type
of crate being processed is entered, which information includes not
only the information regarding the height of the vertical walls,
but also the information on the plan dimensions of the crate.
[0063] The fundamental aspect of said command and control means
actuated according to the type of crate will be dealt with later,
as this is an essential factor for the present invention.
[0064] A second aspect of the invention regards the manners in
which said horizontal rods engage and push against the vertical
walls 4 and 4A (see FIG. 3) of the open crate on top of the stack,
which must be held and lifted.
[0065] For this purpose, to adjust to the various possible widths
of the crate being processed, said horizontal rods 203 and 203A are
provided with respective distancing members 203B and 203A-B, each
capable of extending and selectively shortening the length of the
respective rod 203 and 203A.
[0066] Said distancing members are in turn controlled by suitable
command and control devices, known in the field and which will be
described in detail later.
[0067] The two FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate schematically but clearly
the case of two distinct crates that are already opened but
provided with different widths "L1" and "L2".
[0068] Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, said horizontal rods
203 and 203A support respective command boxes (204, 204A), each of
which is equipped with at least one respective blocking means (205,
205A), which can be moved selectively and controllably toward the
inside, that is, toward said operating body 202, or in the opposite
direction, that is, toward the outside.
[0069] In this manner, by suitably operating on said respective
distancing members 203B and 203A-B, said horizontal rods 203 and
203A can be selectively dimensioned in their horizontal extension
so that the respective blocking means (205, 205A) can come into
contact with, and controllably push against, the opposite walls 4,
4A of the respective crate (for the sake of simplicity, the same
numerals 4 and 4A are used to indicate the two opposite walls of
crates, even when the crates have different widths L1 and L2).
[0070] The difference with respect to the previous situation, when
said distancing members 203B and 203A-B are moved to increase and
selectively shorten the length of the respective rod 203 and 203A,
lies in the fact that, in the case of the prior art apparatus, the
stroke to reciprocally increase and shorten the length of the
respective rod 203 and 203A is a predefined stroke, that is, a
fixed extent, while in the present case the extent of said stroke
is varied in a selectively controllable manner, through command and
control means that will be better specified later, naturally on the
basis of the width L1, L2, etc., of the type of crate being
processed.
[0071] The manners and the means with which the successive stacks
of closed crates are carried inside the first lifting and opening
station S-1 to be opened will now be considered.
[0072] As is known from the aforementioned WO 2012/156375, the
individual stacks of closed crates are carried progressively by
transportation means, particularly conveyors, and stacked in said
first station S-1.
[0073] Here are arranged two distinct lowering structures and
relative blocking means, which are used as means to support the
individual and successive stacks of closed crates.
[0074] The means and manners for lifting one by one the successive
stacks of closed crates are known from the above-mentioned patent,
and consist of lifting at specific moments said lifting structures
by an extent equal to the height of the closed crate, so that each
closed crate is carried to the desired position for the subsequent
opening operation, and then for the subsequent transportation to
the next station S-2.
[0075] This operation is repeated for all the crates of the stack
present in the first station S-1, until the stack is emptied.
[0076] At this point, naturally the support structures used to lift
the stack are in the uppermost position of their movement and, to
allow the cycle for the next stack to be repeated, said support
structures must be lowered again to where they reach the lower
position so as to make it possible to load on them a new stack of
closed crates.
[0077] The composition and the operation of said blocking means and
of the relative lifting structures will now be explained in
detail.
[0078] With reference to FIGS. 4, 4A, the lifting means for the
successive stacks of closed crates consist of pairs of lifting
mountings 47, 47A-48, 48A that are initially applied below the
stack of closed crates to be lifted, and that are then lifted, with
known means, so as to lift the stack lying on it for an upward
travel that is equal to the total thickness, or vertical dimension,
of each closed crate.
[0079] With reference to figures from 4 to 7C, herein we will use
the indicator numeral 47 to identify a first pair of lifting
mountings that are aligned in a direction parallel to the feeding
direction "X" of the crates and that are located, suitably
separated horizontally from each other, substantially below a
corresponding edge of the crates, and similarly we will use the
indicator numeral 48 to indicate a second pair of lifting mountings
that act on the other edges of the respective crates and that are
substantially symmetrical to the first pair of lifting mountings 47
with respect to a plane of symmetry: [0080] vertical and parallel
to said direction "X"; [0081] and that intersects vertically the
entire apparatus and passes typically through the centre line of
the means (conveyors, roller tables, etc.) feeding the stacks of
crates into and out of the apparatus.
[0082] In fact, as indicated in WO 2012/156375, the top crate on
the stack is opened, lifted and removed from the stack; this frees
the space occupied by the newly opened and removed top crate, and
then each stack of closed crates is progressively lifted in a
stepwise sequence or at subsequent moments, so that this space
accommodates the subsequent underlying crate.
[0083] After all the crates in a stack have been lifted in
succession and then opened and carried away, the space of the newly
"processed" stack is taken by a new stack of closed crates to be
opened.
[0084] However, it is clear that the same lifting mountings of the
subsequent stacks of crates, after the last crate on top of the
stack has been opened and carried elsewhere, must move back down to
return to the initial position, which is where the same lifting
mountings engage from below a newly arrived stack of closed
crates.
[0085] It will however be evident that the movement downward of
said lifting mountings cannot occur directly and with only a
vertical displacement, because otherwise said lifting mountings
would interfere, in their downward movement, with the new stack of
empty crates, which in the meantime has been carried to the same
crate opening station.
[0086] On the other hand, even if technically feasible, it is not
absolutely useful to have a new stack of closed crates moving to
the first station S-1 only after the supports/mountings are
lowered, since this procedure would require the various operations
to be carried out in series (instead of in "masked time" as in the
solution described here), which as is well known would "use up" a
considerable amount of time, and as a final undesirable consequence
would correspondingly lower the general productivity of the whole
apparatus.
[0087] In order to return said lifting mountings downward, and with
reference to FIGS. 4 and 4A, the following characteristics and
operating procedures are implemented:
[0088] Said lifting mountings are lifted according to the following
sequence: [0089] a) widening of the distance between the lifting
mountings, from the first, initial distance N1 to a second distance
N2, in order to allow the insertion with a horizontal movement of a
new stack between the two pairs of lifting mountings 47, 47A-48,
48A; [0090] b) synchronized lowering of the two pairs of lifting
mountings 47, 47A-48, 48A for an equal travel "S" so as to bring
them again below the lower starting position; [0091] c)
re-approaching the same lifting mountings 47, 47A-48, 48A to each
other to bring them to the initial distance "N1"; this makes it
possible to adjust the two pairs of lifting mountings according to
a first plan dimension of the crates; [0092] d) lifting of the same
lifting mountings for a vertical travel "L" so that they intercept
from below a new stack of crates and allow the subsequent stepwise
lifting of the same, which determines the start of a new processing
cycle.
[0093] For the sake of simplicity, in FIGS. 4 and 4A the stack of
crates is shown by illustrating only the top crate 1; it is assumed
that this simplification will not complicate the understanding of
the explanation, considering also FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the top
crate in the stack of closed crates is identified by number 1.
[0094] Thus it will be evident that such movements of the two pairs
of lifting mountings make it possible to easily and quickly return
them to the initial position, with the new stack already arrived in
the first station S-1, which makes it possible to eliminate
unnecessary wastes of time by making the various operating
mechanisms and devices operate in "masked time", that is, by
carrying out different operations in the same time interval.
[0095] It is pointed out that the main objective of the invention
is to open crates that could be even significantly different in
their dimensions on the horizontal plane, that is, in their
relative width and length.
[0096] To take this fact into account, and thus to make it possible
to lift the stacks of closed crates having different plan
dimensions, it is necessary to be able to suitably and sequentially
adjust the pairs or support and lifting mountings--which engage
from below the lower crate of the stack and progressively lift
them, so as to lift all the stack until the whole stack is
depleted--both in the sense of adjusting the distance between the
blocking means of different pairs, that is, in effect, to take into
account the WIDTH of the crates, and in the sense of adjusting the
distance between blocking means belonging to the same pair, that
is, in practice, to take into account the LENGTH of the crates.
[0097] For what concerns the WIDTH, this has been already
considered in the previous description; in fact, the spreading of
the lifting mountings to the new distance (in width) N2 will
necessarily have to take into account the width of the crates, so
as not to interfere with the lowering movement of the lifting
mountings.
[0098] It goes without saying, as being too obvious to require
further explanation, that if a stack is fed having crates that are,
for example, very narrow compared to the previous ones, then said
second distance N2 will have to take this into account, that is, it
must change, since the previous distance N1 relative to wider
crates may be completely insufficient to correctly engage the base
of these latter, much narrower crates.
[0099] For what concerns the second dimension on the horizontal
plane, that is the LENGTH of the crates, in order to adjust the
distance "Z" between the blocking means of each pair of lifting
mountings 47, 47A and 48, 48A, said lifting mountings are applied
to respective support frames 470 and 480 (see FIGS. 5, 5A), which
perform the double function of: [0100] effectively transmitting the
lifting/lowering movement to the relative ones of said lifting
mountings, and [0101] adjusting the distance "Z" between the
blocking means of each pair of lifting mountings 47, 47A and 48,
48A.
[0102] In essence, each lifting mounting 47, 47A and 48, 48A
belonging to one and the same pair of lifting mountings must be
able to be distanced from/approached to the other lifting mounting
in the same pair in order to make it possible to adjust, as
explained above, the second horizontal dimension, that is, the
length, of the support base as a function of the effective length
of the bottom crate in the overlying stack of closed crates.
[0103] For this purpose, the position of said two pairs of lifting
mountings 47, 47A and 48, 48A is made selectively controllable, on
the horizontal plane, so that the reciprocal distance from 47 to
47A, and from 48 to 48A can be modified, naturally on the basis of
the "length" of the crates being processed, and with a direction
substantially parallel to said plane of vertical symmetry and
parallel to said direction "X".
[0104] This result is obtained by engaging in a mobile and
translatable manner each of said lifting mountings 47, 47A and 48,
48A with respect to the corresponding support frame 470, 480, so
that, for example, and with reference to figures from 5 to 5C, the
two pairs of lifting mountings, that is, the two lifting mountings
of the pair 47, 47A, and the two lifting mountings of the pair 48,
48A can be reciprocally positioned at a distance that varies from
the minimum value "Zmin" to the maximum value "Zmax".
[0105] For what concerns the requirement of also adjusting the
support base relative to the stack of the already opened crates,
this can be achieved with operating procedures, devices and manners
in every way similar, although different in their implementation,
to those just described above to adapt the support base of the
stack of closed crates.
[0106] For this purpose, and with reference to FIGS. 6 and 6A, the
following characteristics are implemented: in the case of the
upward/downward movement, that is, in practice, the controlled and
progressive lowering of the stack of open crates, which are
contained in the second station S-2, two pairs of suitable and
respective pairs of lifting mountings 57, 57A and 58, 58A are
arranged.
[0107] A first pair of lifting mountings 57, 57A is applied to a
respective support and lowering frame 570, and likewise a second
pair of lifting mountings 58, 58A is applied to a respective
lowering frame 580.
[0108] As shown in the figures, said two lowering frames, and the
relative lifting mountings, are used as a means of support of the
open crates that are progressively carried there and stacked by
said blocking and transferring device comprising the operating body
202 with respective horizontal rods 203, 203A and command boxes
204, 204A.
[0109] The means and manners for lowering the successive stacks of
open crates are suitably completely similar to what is applied and
explained for lifting the stacks of closed crates, but obviously
the procedures for the vertical movements are reversed, because in
the present case said second station S-2 is realized for lowering
the stacks of crates (and not for lifting them, as in the station
S-1).
[0110] After having formed a stack of open crates through
progressive piling of successive open crates, and thus
corresponding lowerings of the relative stack being formed, the
stack is completely lowered.
[0111] At this point, as is known, the stack is removed from the
station S-2 with known means, and the pairs of the respective
lifting mountings must be lifted again to receive a new open crate
and thus to form a successive stack.
[0112] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 6A, this re-lifting operation
consists essentially of the following individual and sequential
phases:
a1) widening of the distance between the lifting mountings of a
first pair 57, 57A and the lifting mountings of the second pair 58,
58A, in other words from a first distance K1 to a second distance
K2, in order to allow the extraction with a horizontal movement of
the newly formed stack made up of open crates between the two pairs
of lifting mountings, in a horizontal direction "Y" orthogonal to
the direction "X" seen before; b1) synchronized lifting of the two
pairs of lifting mountings 57, 57A and 58, 58A for an equal travel
"R" so as to return them to the level "V" of the starting upper
position; c1) re-approaching (again in the direction "Y") of the
same lifting mountings to each other so as to return them to the
initial distance "K1", this makes it possible to adjust the two
pairs of lifting mountings according to a first plan dimension of
the crates, and that is in this case based on the width of the
same.
[0113] It will be fully evident, on the basis of the description
supplied before for what concerns the support frames of the lifting
mountings in the first station S-1, that said vertical and downward
movement of the two pairs of lifting mountings 57, 57A and 58, 58A
is obtained by applying the corresponding vertical movement to the
respective ones of said support frames 570, 580.
[0114] In the present case, it is not necessary to also apply a
final vertical travel to definitively level the position of the two
pairs of lifting modules 57, 57A and 58, 58A, since the vertical
lifting travel "R" of the same can already be stopped in the most
appropriate position.
[0115] For what concerns the second horizontal dimension, that is,
to also adjust the length of the support base formed by the two
pairs of lifting mountings 57, 57A and 58, 58A, it becomes
necessary to adjust consequentially the distance "T" between the
lifting mountings of each pair of lifting mountings 57, 57A and 58,
58A; for this purpose, and in a manner completely similar to the
previous case in the first station S-1, the effective
lifting/lowering movement is first applied to said support frames
570 and 580 (see FIGS. 7 and 7C), which transmit it to said two
respective pairs 57, 57A and 58, 58A.
[0116] Each lifting mounting belonging to a same pair must thus be
able to be separated from/approached to the lifting mounting of the
same pair so as to be able to adjust, as mentioned above, the
second dimension on the horizontal plane, that is the length, of
the support frame which must support the bottom crate of the stack
of open crates, that are to be carried outside the apparatus of the
invention.
[0117] For this purpose, the position of said two pairs of lifting
modules 57, 57A and 58, 58A is made selectively controllable, on
the horizontal plane, that is, in length, and with a direction
parallel to said direction "X" (obviously, the same as the
direction "X" seen previously) orthogonal to the
spreading/narrowing direction K1, K2 defined above.
[0118] This result is obtained by engaging in a mobile and
translatable manner each of said lifting modules 57, 57A and 58,
58A with respect to the corresponding support frame 570 and 580, so
that, for example and with reference to FIGS. 7B and 7C, the four
lifting modules, in other words the two of the pair 57 and 57A, and
the two of the pair 58, 58A, can be reciprocally positioned at a
distance that varies from the minimum value "Tmin" to the maximum
value "Tmax".
[0119] With reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15,
said apparatus can be advantageously formed by the joining of two
component frames, as follows: [0120] a first frame 400 (see FIG.
12) is formed as a straight parallelepiped with a rectangular cross
section and includes at least four vertical columns 100, 101, 102,
103 arranged at the corners of the parallelepiped, in which its
four faces are, two by two, parallel to each other or orthogonal to
each other; these columns are joined at the top and at the bottom
by four respective horizontal bars 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D;
obviously, two horizontal bars are arranged on a first vertical
plane "VL1", while the other two horizontal bars are arranged on a
second vertical plane "VL2", obviously parallel to said first plane
"VL1"; said planes are represented by the respective straight lines
"VL1" and "VL2" (see FIGS. 12 and 13) that simply indicate the
corresponding intersecting straight lines of the same planes with a
horizontal plane passing through the opposite bottom horizontal
bars 100B and 100D.
[0121] It is essential that said first frame 400 has been described
individually because it contains within it said first station S-1,
which contains some of the devices described above, and contains in
particular the four lifting modules relative to the stacks of
closed crates, that is, the two of the pair 57 and 57A, and the two
of the pair 58, 58A.
[0122] As will be better explained hereafter, these lifting modules
will have to have a precise positioning with respect to said first
frame 400.
[0123] Likewise, the second frame 401 (see FIG. 13) substantially
similar to the first frame 400, comprises at least four vertical
columns 200, 201, 202, 203 arranged at the corners of the
parallelepiped, in which its four faces are, two by two, parallel
to each other or orthogonal to each other at a same vertical plane
"VL2"; these columns are joined at the top and at the bottom by
four respective horizontal bars 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D; in this
case, too, two horizontal bars are arranged on the first vertical
plane "VL1", while the other two horizontal bars are arranged on
the second vertical plane "VL2", obviously parallel to said first
plane "VL1".
[0124] Said two frames 400, 401 are thus joined and integrated with
further horizontal bars, not specifically indicated, in the sense
that they are made to slide along said first vertical planes "VL1"
and "VL2" so as to join and form a solid structure 1000, like two
vertical, parallel and side-by-side walls.
[0125] Moreover, as can be seen and shown symbolically in FIG. 9,
said parallel vertical planes "VL1" and "VL2" are also parallel to
the common direction "X" of alignment of the stacks of closed
crates that feed the apparatus, and of alignment of the stacks of
open crates that are carried outside the same apparatus.
[0126] Essentially, the basic structure of the apparatus comprises
a support frame shown symbolically in the figures from 8 to 11.
[0127] In particular, and with reference to FIG. 10, the various
functions of the apparatus provided to adapt it to the different
widths of the crates (where the term "width" means the transversal
dimension "Y" exemplified by the dimensions L1 or L2, see FIGS. 3,
4, and that is orthogonal to said direction "X") can be easily
obtained by simply moving apart or approaching selectively to each
other by a preselectable distance the parts of said frame that are
substantially included in the vertical and mutually parallel planes
"VL1" and "VL2" of said two frames 400, 401 by means of a pair of
worm screws 420, 421, aligned with each other and parallel to said
transversal distance "Y", said screws 420, 421 being applied, on a
respective side, to a gearing box 330, and on the other side to a
respective lateral and reciprocally symmetrical portion 500, 600,
as shown schematically in FIG. 10 (each of which being included in
a respective one of said parallel planes "VL1" and "VL2"), of said
frames 400, 401; in fact, these frames, once joined to one another,
can also be separated into two side portions 500, 600, symmetrical
with respect to the middle and parallel vertical plane of said
direction "X".
[0128] Said gearing box 330 is in turn connected, in a known
manner, to a drive shaft 340 suitable to be rotated so that its
rotation determines, through said gearing box 330, the moving apart
or the moving toward each other of the parts of said side portions
500, 600 of two frames 400, 401.
[0129] Said action of adjusting the distance between said two
frames makes it possible to control in a stable and synchronized
manner the distance, according to said direction "Y", of all the
operating bodies in accordance with the different and variable
widths of the stacks of crates that can follow each other in
feeding the apparatus.
[0130] In particular, among other things, the adjustment of the
distance between said two side portions 500, 600 makes it possible
to widen or approach said frames 470, 480 to each other (for the
stacks of closed crates) and similarly, and in a synchronized
manner, also the frames 570, 580 for the stacks of open crates.
[0131] Thus it will be evident that all the eight lifting mountings
included in the four pairs of lifting mountings, two pairs 47, 47A
and 48, 48A in the loading station S-1 and two pairs 57, 57A and
58, 58A in the lowering station S-2, are spread apart or approached
in a completely equivalent manner.
[0132] Finally, with reference to FIG. 11, it is advantageous that
the overall crate opening station, comprising in particular said
vertical axis 201, and the relative central body 200 and operating
body 202, and naturally said pairs of lifting mountings 47, 47A and
48, 48A and the relative working devices, is symmetrical with
respect to a vertical plane "PV" passing through the centre of said
vertical axis 201 and orthogonal to said common direction "X".
[0133] For greater clarity, in FIGS. 5, 5B and 5C is symbolically
shown with the straight line "PV" the line intersecting said plane
of symmetry and a general horizontal plane.
[0134] This circumstance makes it possible in fact to maintain the
position of said vertical axis 201 completely stable and invariable
even if there are changes in the width and especially in the length
(direction "X") of different crates of various stacks, since it is
sufficient that: [0135] said crates be "centred" on said plane "PV"
and thus on said vertical axis 201; [0136] and that said
differences in the dimensions between one type of crates and
another type are automatically transmitted to said command and
control means, that recognize and adapt to the different dimensions
of the crates simply by adjusting correspondingly said distances
"Zmin and Zmax" between the lifting mountings 47 and 47A, and
between the lifting mountings 48, 48A of the respective pairs of
lifting mountings.
[0137] In addition, the positioning of the successive stacks of
closed crates is done automatically by adjusting the feeding of the
respective stack in said first station "S-1" up to the point in
which the distance in length (axis "X") of the respective stacks is
centred exactly on said vertical plane "PV".
[0138] Summing up, the operating bodies and devices described to
adapt the apparatus to crates having different dimensions,
including their height, are the following: [0139] 1) means for
lowering the central operating body 202 by adjustable strokes C1,
C2, [0140] 2) means for distancing and shortening 203B and 203A-B
the respective horizontal bars; [0141] 3) means for widening,
lowering (S), narrowing and possible limited lifting (T) of the two
pairs of lifting mountings 47, 47A and 48, 48A through the
displacement of the respective support frames 470, 480 to which
said pairs are respectively applied; [0142] 4) adjustment of the
distance (Z) between the lifting mountings of each pair of lifting
mountings in the first station S-1, [0143] 5) means for widening,
lifting (R) and reciprocally approaching the two pairs of lifting
mountings 57, 57a and 58, 58A through the displacement of the
respective support frames 570, 580 to which said pairs are
respectively applied; 6) adjustment of the distance (T) between the
lifting mountings of each pair of lifting mountings in the second
station S-2; [0144] 7) adjustment of the distance between said two
symmetrical portions 500, 600 of said two similar and opposite
frames 401, 402 through said gearing box 330 and relative drive
shaft 340.
[0145] According to an improved embodiment of the invention, all
said operating bodies, various actuators, lifting, lowering and
rotation means, drive means, approaching and/or distancing means,
etc., are connected to a command and control unit--not shown--in
which are previously stored all the controls to actuate with a
prearranged sequence and particularly by a predefined extent all
said bodies, devices, means, etc., on the basis of the complete
dimensions of each type of crate to be opened.
[0146] In this manner, it is immediately possible to enter a single
instruction into said command and control unit so that said bodies,
devices, actuators, etc., are positioned or are activated
automatically on respective positions suitable to process a crate
of predefined dimensions already converted into respective
corresponding parameters stored in said command and control
unit.
[0147] Moreover, the same unit is also made suitable to store in an
ordered and appropriately combined manner the parameters
corresponding to a plurality of types of crates having different
dimensions, so that, as a person skilled in the field will have
already understood, it is immediately possible to enter into said
command and control means a simple coded instruction representative
of a particular type of crate and to automatically have said
command and control means process and transmit to said bodies,
devices, actuators, etc., the appropriate signals suitable to
determine their correct positioning or in general the operating
mode corresponding to the type of crate selected.
[0148] The implementation of said command and control unit, and the
programming of the relative memories and instructions, is however
an activity that can be fully carried out by the expert in the
field, and therefore it will not be explained further.
[0149] In addition, said controls, structures, operating bodies,
devices, actuators generally described above and providing
displacements, distances, rotations, operating sequences of control
bodies, etc., can be implemented and operated through known means
and modes, that can be realized ideally without any difficulty, on
the basis of the existing requirements, by an expert in the field,
and therefore they will not be expressly illustrated.
* * * * *