GB2583004A

GB2583004A - Improved box tipper

Info

Publication number: GB2583004A
Application number: GB1915451.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Tong Edwards; Raymond Milson Neil
Original assignee: TONG ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: TONG ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-24
Filing date: 2019-10-24
Publication date: 2020-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-24
Also published as: GB201915451D0; GB2583004B

Abstract

Box tipper 1 comprises a cradle 30 mounted in support 2, cradle 30 is rotatable in the support about central axis x-x between a first position to receive and a second position to empty the box. The support comprises a lifter 80 to lift the box from the first position in the cradle to a dispense position above the cradle. There is a retaining means 40 mounted to each side of the cradle that is slidably moveable by a first mechanism between a position for retaining the box during rotation, and a retracted position for lifting of the box to the dispense position. The cradle may receive a box in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation through a first opening, the cradle may dispense a box in a direction transverse to said axis and upward 90 degrees to the receiving direction through a second opening, moving through the second opening by the lifter. The retaining means may comprise a continuous belt 41 suspended between rollers, the retracted position may have a stop. A second mechanism may move the retaining means. Electric motors may operate the lifter and mechanisms. A method of tipping a box is disclosed.

Description

IMPROVED BOX TIPPER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to box tippers, particularly box tippers for tipping boxes containing fruit or vegetable produce.

Background to the Invention

After harvesting, root vegetable and fruit produce is most commonly stored in open topped boxes. Such boxes are usually made of wood and when full of produce can weigh between 1 and 2 tonnes. The boxing of the vegetables enables the produce to be stored efficiently and in a way which enables easy transport with forklifts and lorries. Unfortunately, in order to gain access to the produce in the boxes, the boxes require rotating/tipping. Conventional tipping methods require a forklift to lift the box and then insert the box into a device where it is tipped about its axis or pivoted about its corner. The contents then fall out onto a conveyor or such like and when the box returns to the upright po- sition the forklift then takes the empty box away. There are a number of prob-lems associated with this method however which include working with fully laden boxes at height (which is unsafe) and loading and unloading boxes sequentially (which is time consuming). Furthermore, there is little or no control of how the produce is released from the box, and this can lead to bruising or damage to the produce.

The device described in GB2520508 attempts to solve the issue of control. GB2520508 describes a box tipper comprising a cradle adapted to receive a box and retain the box within the cradle in an orientation which is fixed with respect to the cradle. There is also a raised platform, wherein the cradle is adapted to roll from a loading position across a bearing surface of the raised platform to a discharge position, such that in the loading position the box contents are contained within the box and in the discharge position the contents of the box are at least partially discharged.

The displacement of the cradle brought about by the box tipper allows for removal of emptied box contents and reloading of the cradle with a full box. This greatly improves cycle time. The rotation of the cradle combined with the traverse across the surface of the raised platform (rolling) is also energy efficient as -2 -the weight of the box is carried by the cradle. A problem with the device in GB2520508 though is that the raised platform requires considerable space. Furthermore, whilst the device in GB2520508 shows that vertical ejection of the boxes is beneficial it still requires full boxes to be loaded into the device at height, which presents a considerable safety risk to the operator of the forklift loading the boxes.

The problem of control has also been partly addressed in the device shown in GB2388833. GB2388833 shows a box tippler which has a rotatable receiving means having a central axis. A box is moveable into engagement with a receiving means in a direction generally transverse to said axis and the box is removable from the receiving means in a direction generally parallel to said axis. As the box rotates within the receiving means the produce falls onto a curved un-driven conveyor which guides it onto the main transport conveyor in the plant. Unfortunately this still requires the operator to lift the laden boxes to con-siderable height, and also as the produce falls onto the curved conveyor it is forced to tumble which causes it to be bruised.

There has now been devised an improved box tipper which overcomes and/or substantially mitigates the above referenced and/or other disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a box tipper comprising a cradle mounted within a support, the cradle being rotatable within the support about a central axis of the cradle between a first position to receive a box in the cradle and a second posi-tion to empty the box, the support comprising a lifter configured to lift the box when the box is within the cradle in the first position from a position within the cradle to a dispense position above the cradle, the box tipper further comprising a retaining means mounted to each side of the cradle, the retaining means being slidably movable by a first mechanism between a retaining position and a retracted position, the retaining position to -3 -cover and retain the box in place and retain the produce within the box during rotation of the cradle from the first position to the second position and the retracted position to permit lifting of the box to the dispense position by the lifter out of the cradle when the cradle is in the first position.

The box tipper according to the invention is advantageous primarily be-cause it combines the feature of cradle rotatability with the feature of box lifting out of the cradle after the box has been emptied. Thus the only operations required "at height" are with regard to removing empty boxes which are light and do not present a safety risk to the user. That is to say the user is only required to load laden boxes low down (i.e. below the point of removal of the empty box) within the cradle and this significantly reduces the safety risk to the loader. Once the boxes have been emptied they are considerably lighter and this also means that the power and engineering requirements for the lifter do not have to be extensive.

These advantages are facilitated in part by the retaining means, which rotates with the cradle, but has the feature provided by the first mechanism of being able to move from a retaining position to a retracted position which allows the box to be moved upwards by the lifter.

The operation of the retaining means is beneficial as it is quick in opera-tion and does not take up a great deal of vertical space.

The cradle can be any container which is capable of holding a box in use. A box is typically made of wood and is approximately cuboidal in shape. However other shapes and materials such as cardboard are considered and applicable here. The box can be dimensioned to hold up to 2 tonnes of produce, but larger boxes are contemplated herein. As a result the cradle is dimensioned and built to hold boxes carrying up to 2 tonnes of produce or more.

In order to avoid having to lower a laden box down into the cradle from the top of the cradle, preferably the cradle is configured to receive a box in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the cradle through a first opening in the cradle.

The lifter is configured to lift the box. So it will be understood that when the box is lifted in use, it is raised upwards to a position higher than when it -4 -started (i.e. when it was in the cradle and the cradle was in the first position) in order to allow for a further box to be introduced into the cradle below it. Preferably the cradle is configured to dispense a box in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the cradle and upwards 90 degrees to the direction in which the box was received into the cradle through a second opening in the cradle, the second opening being adjacent the first opening.

Preferably the box is moveable by the lifter through the second opening of the cradle.

The retaining means may be manufactured from soft plastics materials to provide cushioning to the produce within the box. The retaining means may comprise a flexible surface for contacting the produce within the box in use. Preferably, the retaining means comprises a continuous belt suspended between two rollers mounted to each side of the cradle. This is particularly beneficial as it has been found to provide the most gentle way of holding the produce within the box.

Preferably the retracted position is defined by a stop. Stop may be a physical abutment. That is to say the retaining means is slidable until it meets an abutment to prevent it sliding any more. The abutment is configured so that when the retaining means hits the abutment the retaining means is in the re-tracted position. The stop may be an electrical switch so that when the retaining means hits the switch, power to the sliding mechanism is cut, and the electrical switch is configured with the retaining means so that power is cut when the retaining means is in the retracted position.

In the retracted position the retaining means must be away from the sec-and opening in the cradle so that the lifter can lift the box out of the cradle. To do this all or substantially all of the retaining means must be outside the cradle. In the retracted position the retaining means may be supported by the first mechanism used to move it to the retracted position. Preferably though, the retaining means is supported in the retracted position by a combination of the first mechanism and on a plurality of rollers mounted to the support which engage underneath the retaining means. This avoids extra pressure on the first mecha- -5 -nism and means that the first mechanism can remain relatively lightweight in structure and therefore have a low power requirement.

In order to allow the user to empty the contents of the box when it is in the cradle and the cradle is in the second position, preferably when the cradle is in the second position, the retaining means is slidably movable by a second mechanism between the retaining position to retain the produce within the box and an emptying position to empty the box. This provides great control to the flow of produce from the box and therefore eliminates any damage to the produce. There are no limits on the underside of the box when it is in the rotated to (second) position, and this mechanism allows the box to be tipped further than any other conventional device. This means the user can fully empty the box even when difficult boxes are used, or boxes having slats across the top, or where the product is matted together.

Preferably the first and/or second mechanism comprises a rack and pin- ion mechanism as this occupies the least space and is the most energy effi-cient. The first and/or the second mechanism may alternatively comprise an air ram or hydraulic ram, or a screw actuator.

Preferably the first and second mechanisms are driven by electric motors. This means that the box tipper does not use hydraulics or pneumatics and is therefore quieter than conventional box tippers. It also removes hydraulic oil from a food production environment which is not desirable.

Preferably the retaining means is mounted so as to be proximal the top of the box in the retaining position. This avoids produce from escaping the box as it is rotated by the cradle.

The cradle may be arranged to rotate in a number of ways. A suitable example includes but are not limited to each side of the cradle having formed thereon axially an axle. Each axle is then engaged with a bearing mounted to either side of the support. Preferably though each side of the cradle comprises a circular bearing surface running parallel to the axis of the cradle, the bearing surface on each side being engaged between a plurality of rollers rotationally mounted to the support. This leaves the central part of each side of the cradle free and this is important for allowing the lift mechanism to engage with the box. -6 -

The cradle may be made to rotate in a number of ways. Suitable examples include but are not limited to a motor which is arranged to drive the cradle axially through the axle, or a pulley and belt drive with at least one side of the cradle being formed into a large pulley wheel, a motor is mounted to the support and drive belt engages the motor and pulley wheel. The motor in these examples may be an electric motor, hydraulic motor, gas motor, petrol motor or diesel motor. Preferably on at least one side of the cradle there is formed or mounted a circular rack which engages with a pinion rotationally mounted to the support. The pinion may be rotated manually or automatically. This arrangement gives the appropriate gearing and consequential leverage in order to tip a fully laden box of produce.

In the preferable situation above when on at least one side of the cradle there is formed or mounted a circular rack which engages with a pinion rotationally mounted to the support, the cradle may be rotatable between the first position and the second position by a motor of the type described above mounted to the support and which drives the pinion. Preferably when on at least one side of the cradle there is formed or mounted a circular rack which engages with a pinion rotationally mounted to the support, the cradle may be rotatable between the first position and the second position by an electric motor mounted to the support and which drives the pinion. This means that the box tipper does not use hydraulics or pneumatics and is therefore quieter than conventional box tippers. It also removes hydraulic oil from a food production environment which is not desirable. Due to the gearing provided by the rack and pinion mechanism, the size of the electric motor is therefore kept low and this reduces the power requirements of the box tipper.

The lifter may be driven by a motor of the type described above. Preferably, the lifter is driven by an electric motor. Again, this means that the box tipper does not use hydraulics or pneumatics and is therefore quieter than conventional box tippers. It also removes hydraulic oil from a food production environ-ment which is not desirable.

The lifter may comprise a chain drive or hydraulic ram comprising one or more hinged arms to engage with the underside of the box to lift the box in use. -7 -

However preferably, the lifter comprises at least one belt rotationally mounted to the support and comprising a hinged arm configured to engage with the underside of the box in use in order to lift the box. This keeps the noise and weight to a minimum.

In use a laden box can be loaded into the cradle below the hinged arms before the empty box previously lifted by the lifter has been collected. This greatly reduces the cycle time for operating the box tipper of the invention compared to conventional devices.

A benefit of the box tipper as described above is that it can rotate farther than any other conventional box tipper. This combined with the fact that the re-taining means has a secondary slide mechanism means that the produce is emptied from the box substantially vertically. This has the benefit that no tumbling of produce is experienced, which would otherwise lead to damage, and the distance to a conveyor or such like below the opening to the box created by the retaining means is very small. This again means that the produce is treated with the upmost care.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of tipping a box, comprising a) providing a box tipper substantially as described above, b) loading a box into the cradle with the cradle in the first position.

c) moving the retaining means by the first mechanism to the retaining position d) rotating the cradle with respect to the support about the axis to the second position e) moving the retaining means by the second mechanism to the emptying position to empty the box, f) moving the retaining means by the second mechanism from the emptying position back to the retaining position.

g) rotating the cradle with respect to the support about the axis back to the first position, h) moving the retaining means by the first mechanism to the removal position, and -8 -i) operating the lifer to lift the box above the cradle.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals represent like parts of the embodiment and in which:

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the box tipper with the cradle in the first position, the retaining means in the retracted position and a box in situ, Figure 2 shows the retaining means in isolation Figure 3 shows part of the first and second mechanisms for moving the retaining means of figure 2, Figure 4 shows part of the first and second mechanisms for moving the retaining means of figure 2 in isolation (i.e. without the retaining means).

Figure 5 shows a cutaway side view of the retaining member and show-ing the retaining means in the retaining position.

Figure 6 shows a cutaway side view of the retaining member and showing the retaining member is the retracted position.

Figure 7 shows the box tipper of Figure 1, but with the retaining member moved to the retaining position.

Figure 8 shows the box tipper of figure 1 from the rear but with the cradle having been rotated to the second position.

Figure 9 shows the box tipper of figure 8 but with the retaining member having moved to the emptying position.

Figure 10 shows the box tipper of figure 9 with the cradle having returned to the first position, the retaining means in the retracted position, and the empty box having been lifted to the dispense position.

Figure 11 shows the box tipper of figure 10, but with a new laden box inserted into the cradle, and the detail of the lift mechanism.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the box tipper generally designated 1.

The tipper 1 comprises a support 2, in which is mounted a cradle 30. The support 2 is a steel framework which has two sides 3, 4 joined by a base 5. The -9 -sides 3, 4 are joined at right angles to the base 5. The sides 3, 4 each have two feet 6 (only one shown), which are used to level the support 2 on uneven ground. The support 2 forms an open structure which is accessible from the front in the direction of arrow A and from the top. In order to further support the two sides 3, 4, there is a bracing bar 7, which extends across the top of the support 2 and joins the two sides 3, 4.

On each side of the support 2 there are mounted three rollers, 10a, 10b, 11 a, 11 b, 12a, 12b (see figure 3 and 4 for more detail). Each roller is held in position by a rotational bearing 13 which is mounted to the support. The rollers on side 3 of the support 2 are mounted opposite the rollers on side 4. The axis of rotation of each roller is parallel one another and is across the support 2 from one side 3, 4 to the other side 3, 4 and at right angles to the sides 3, 4. Rollers 10a, 10b are joined by an axle 14 which spans the support 2. Each roller 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b has a circumferential surface of nylon or plastics mate- rial fashioned into a circular bearing surface. Rollers 10a, 10b are mounted to-wards the front of the support 2 (i.e. the part of the box tipper facing arrow A) at the bottom. Rollers 11a, 11 b are mounted towards the rear of the support 2 at the bottom. Rollers 12a, 12b are mounted towards the rear of the support at the top.

The rollers 10a, 10b, 11a, 11 b, 12a, 12b rotationally support the cradle 30. The cradle 30 comprises a base 31 and two opposite matching sides 32a and 32b which run parallel with sides 3 and 4 of the support and at right angles to the base 31. The cradle 30 has an opening 30a towards the front (direction of Arrow A) and at the top. The sides 32a and 32b of the cradle are each formed with a circular bearing surface 33a, 33b respectively which has a diameter greater than the distance between the edges of rollers 10a and 11a, or 11 a and 12a on one side of the support and 10b and 11b, or 11 b and 12b on the other. In that way the bearing surface of the sides 32a and 32b of the cradle 30 sits on and within the rollers 10a, 10b, 11 a, 11 b, 12a, 12b and means that the cradle 30 is able to rotate there between. The rollers on each side of the support 2 are positioned equidistant away from one another. In this manner the cradle 30 is rotationally mounted about a central axis of the cradle 30. The central axis is shown as line x-x on figure 1. Rotation about a central axis of the cradle 30 is important so that weight is distributed evenly and the box tipper 1 does not topple over in use or the box 100 slip from the cradle 30 in use.

The base 31 and sides 32a, 32b are dimensioned in this example to take a single vegetable produce box measuring approximately 1.83m long x 1.22m wide x 1.1m high. An example of said box 100 is shown in situ in the example. In other examples, the size of the cradle 30 is changed accordingly so as to take larger or smaller boxes.

Shown more closely in Figure 11, side 32b of the cradle 30 also com-prises a circular toothed rack 35 which extends around the circumference of the side 32b just outside the bearing surface 33b of the side 32b. The rack 35 engages with a cog (not shown) which is mounted to the roller 10b. The cog and thereby the rack 35 is driven in use by an electric motor 37 which is mounted to the support 2. In this manner the electric motor 37 is used to rotate the cradle 30.

Referring back to Figure 1, mounted to the top of the cradle 30 is a retaining means 40. The retaining means 40 is a lid to prevent and control the produce from falling out of the box in use. The retaining means 40 also supports the top of the box in use when the cradle is rotated. The retaining means 40 is shown in more detail in isolation in Figure 2 and comprises a rubberised belt 41 which extends tight around two round roller bars 42 and 43. The distance between the roller bars 42, 43 is such that the retaining means 40 spans the top of the cradle 30 and thereby the box 100 in use. Connected to each end of the bar 43 is a pinion 44, 45. The bars 42 and 43 are held apart by a separator 46 (only one shown) on each side of the retaining means 40. Rotationally mounted to each separator 46 are three pulleys 47, 48. The pulleys 47, 48 are able to freely rotate. Rotation of the pinions 44, 45 causes the roller bar 43 to rotate, and because the belt 41 is suspended between the roller bars 42 and 43, roller bar 42 also rotates. In so doing the belt 41 rotates around the two roller bars 42, 43.

Also mounted to each separator 46 near the front of the retaining means 40 is an actuating bar 49 which joins the two separators 46.

The retaining means 40 is mounted to side supports 50 and 51. See Figure 3 and 4 for detail. Each side support 50, 51 comprises a first toothed rack 52, 53 and a second toothed rack 54, 55. The first rack 52, 53 extends along the bottom of the whole length of the respective support 50, 51, whereas the second rack 54, 55 is positioned higher than the first rack and extends only ap-proximately one third of the way along the length of the respective support 50, 51, from the front. At the end of each second toothed rack 54, 55 is a runner 56, 57 (only one shown). The pinions 44, 45 are mounted on the racks 54, 55 respectively. The pulleys 48 are mounted on the runners 56, 57. As the pinions 44, 45 engage with the racks 54, 55, when the retaining means 40 moves back and forth, the belt 41 is caused to rotate around the roller bars 42, 43. The retaining means 40 is prevented from leaving the side supports 50, 51, by a cover 58, 59, one on each side support 50, 51, which surrounds the racks 54, 55 and the runners 56, 57. Each cover 58, 59 extends the whole length of the respec-tive side support 50, 51. Mounted to the rear of each cover 58, 59 is a motor support 60 (see figure 3). The motor support 60 comprises a bar which extends the across the width of the retaining means 40 from one side support 50 to the other side support 51, and joins the two supports 50, 51. In the middle of the motor support 60 is mounted an electric motor 61 which is arranged to drive a screw-drive actuator 62 which is connected to the actuating bar 49. Operation of the electric motor 61 causes the screw-drive actuator 62 to extend or retract causing the retaining means to move backwards and forwards as required and as indicated by Arrow B, on Figure 3. In Figure 3 the retaining means 40 is shown in its emptying position.

As can be seen more closely in Figures 5 and 6, the reverse side of each side support 50 and 51 (i.e. the sides facing outwards of the cradle 30) comprises a channel 64, 65 (only one side shown). Within the channel 64, 65 there are a number of projecting rollers 66, 67 (only one side shown). The rollers 66, 67 slidingly engage with bars 68, 69 (only one side shown) mounted on the re-spective side 32b, 32a of the cradle. In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6 only one side is shown, and therefore only projections 66, and bars 68 (mounted to side 32b of the cradle) are visible. The racks 52, 53 on each side support engage with pinions 70, 71 (only one shown), respectively. The pinions 70, 71 are connected to an electric motor (not shown). Activation of the electric motor causes the pinions 70, 71 to rotate and thereby drive the racks 52, 53 and thereby the retaining means 40 backwards and forwards as required from the position shown in Figure 5 which is the retaining position where the retaining means 40 covers the top of the box 100 to the position shown in Figure 6 which is retracted position where the retaining means 40 is moved away from the top of the box 100. In the retracted position (Figure 6) the retaining means 40 is completely away from the top of the box 100 and the majority of its weight is outside the cradle 30. Therefore rollers 72, 73 (only one shown) are mounted to each side of the support in order to take the rest of the weight of the retaining means 40.

The retracted position of the retaining means 40 is defined by a stop. The stop is an electrical contact switch not shown which engages with the bottom of the side support 50, 51, when the side supports 50, 51 and therefore the retain-ing means 40 reaches the retracted position. Upon engagement the electrical connection to the motor driving the pinion 70 is broken. This stops the retaining means from moving further.

The engagement of the first toothed rack 52, 53 with the pinions 70, 71 provides the means for the retaining means 40 to slide back and forth by a first mechanism. The engagement of the second toothed rack 54, 55 with the pinions 44, 45 provides the means for the retaining means 40 to slide back and forth by a second mechanism.

Mounted to each side 3, 4 of the support is a lifter 80. The lifters 80 are usually covered by a guard 90 (which has been removed for the purposes of explanation with reference to Figure 11, so that the lifter 80 is visible). The purpose of the lifter 80 is to lift the box 100 upwards out of the cradle when required. The lifter 80 comprises two belts 81, 82 extended around pulleys, 83 and 85, and 84 and 86 respectively. Each pulley 83, 84, 85, 86 is rotationally mounted to the support 2. Pulleys 83 and 84 are mounted towards the bottom of the support 2 and pulleys 85 and 86 are mounted towards the top of the support 2. The belts 81, 82 therefore extend the whole height of the cradle 30 and run parallel with each side of the cradle. An electric motor 87 is mounted to the support 2 and arranged to drive the two belts 81, 82, one way and the other. Between the upper most pulleys 85, 86 and the lower most pulleys 83, 84 on one side of both belts 81, 82 there is a paddle 88. Each paddle 88 extends away from the respective lifter 80 inwards towards the middle of the cradle 30.

Each paddle 88 extends through slotted openings 89 in the respective side of the cradle 30 (see Figure 6). Each paddle 88 is hingedly mounted to the respective belt 81, 82, but can only rotate within an arc between a position at right angles to the respective side 32a, 32b and flush parallel with the belt 81, 82 up-wards. Each paddle 88 has a centre of the mass which is inwards of the hinge with the belt 81, 82, and is therefore biased towards a position at right angles to the respective side by gravity. Each paddle 88 has a projection on the underside of each paddle 88 which engages with an abutment (not shown) at the base of the support adjacent the cradle, so that when the paddles 88 are in their lower most position, they are held away from the side of the cradle. This leaves the cradle free to rotate.

In use the box tipper 1 is arranged as shown in Figure 1 with the retaining member 40 in the retracted position. A box 100 laden with produce is then lifted using a forklift onto the base 31 of the cradle 30 through the opening 30a, so that the box 100 is enclosed by the sides 32a and 32b of the cradle 30. An electric motor (not shown) is then actuated to drive the first mechanism of the retaining member 40. That is to say, pinions 70, 71 are rotated in order to slide the toothed rack 52, 53 towards the front of the cradle. In so doing the retaining member 40 is caused to slide towards to the front of the cradle 30 until it com-pletely covers the top of the cradle 30 and therefore the top of the box 100. This position is depicted in Figure 7. The cradle 30 is then rotated by actuating the electric motor 37, which drives the circular toothed rack 35 on side 32b. In the example provided the cradle 30 is rotated backwards in a clockwise direction if viewed from the side 32b. The cradle 30 continues to rotate until it reaches the position shown in Figure 8 (second position). In this position the box 100 is in-verted and its weight and the weight of the produce within the box 100 is supported by the retaining member 40. Electric motor 61 is then actuated to drive the screw actuator 62 so that the bar 49 is brought closer to bar 60. This is the second mechanism as described above. In so doing the retaining member 40 is moved from the retaining position to the emptying position. As the retaining member 40 is moved to the emptying position (Figure 9) the produce within the box falls out of the box on to a conveyor (not shown), or some other secondary device. The belt 41 of the retaining member 40 provides a cushioned surface for the produce to fall against during exit from the box 100. Also, with the cradle 30 rotated as shown the box 100 is presented so that the sides of the box 100 and the retaining member 40 are not vertical but inclined from the vertical. This fur-ther reduces the speed that the produce falls from the box 100 and therefore protects them from bruising or damage. Importantly also, during retraction of the retaining member 40 by the second mechanism from the retaining position to the emptying position the belt 41 of the retaining member 40 is forced to rotate around the rollers 42, 43 by the action of the pinions 44, 45 against the racks 54, 55. In other words, the retaining member 40 doesn't simply slide back and forth, it rolls back and forth in a peeling type motion. This prevents the retaining member 40 and more specifically the belt 41 from skinning the produce within the box 100 as it moves from the retaining position to the emptying position and also means that the retaining member 40 and more specifically the belt 41 does not have to slide against the top surface of the box, it merely peels back from it.

After all the produce is emptied from the box 100, the retaining member 40 is moved from the emptying position back to the retaining position, by the reverse of the operation as described above. The cradle 30 is then rotated back to the position as shown in Figure 7, by the reverse of the operation as described above. The retaining member 40 is then moved back into the retracted position by the reverse of the operation as described above and this leaves an empty box 100 in the position as shown in Figure 1. The lifters 80 are then actuated, which causes the paddles 88 to drop by gravity to the horizontal position away from the abutment on the support and through the slotted openings 89 to en-gage with the underside of the box 100 and lift it upwards to the position shown in Figure 10. At this point the box 100 is empty so there is no heavy lifting at height required. The operator of the forklift can then bring in a second laden box full of produce and deposit it within the cradle 30 as described above below the empty un-laden box (Figure 11). At the same time the operator can then remove the empty box 100 from above the newly introduced laden box. The empty box is light and does not present a topple risk to the operator of the forklift. The lift-ers 80 are then operated in the reverse direction to that described above (i.e. downwards). In so doing the paddles 88 hinge inwards as they contact the top and the sides of the newly introduced box. As soon as the paddles reach the bottom of the box, and there is nothing for them to bear against, they are biased to the horizontal and flip inwards underneath the newly introduced box. This en-ables the newly introduced box to be lifted when required. The whole process as described above then repeats itself. Advantageously, this is all achieved with minimal movements of the operator of the forklift and minimal movements of the box, so therefore the cycle time from loading to unlading and removal is greatly reduced from that of conventional devices.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A box tipper comprising a cradle mounted within a support, the cradle being rotatable within the support about a central axis of the cradle between a first position to receive a box in the cradle and a second posi-tion to empty the box, the support comprising a lifter configured to lift the box when the box is within the cradle in the first position from a position within the cradle to a dispense position above the cradle, the box tipper further comprising a retaining means mounted to each side of the cradle, the retaining means being slidably movable by a first mechanism between a retaining position and a retracted position, the retaining position to cover and retain the box in place and retain the produce within the box during rotation of the cradle from the first position to the second position and the re-tracted position to permit lifting of the box to the dispense position by the lifter out of the cradle when the cradle is in the first position.
2. A box tipper according to claim 1, wherein the cradle is configured to receive a box in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the cradle through a first opening in the cradle.
3. A box tipper according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cradle is configured to dispense a box in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the cradle and upwards 90 degrees to the direction in which the box was received into the cradle through a second opening in the cradle, the second opening being adjacent the first opening.
4. A box according to claim 3, wherein the box is moveable by the lifter through the second opening of the cradle.
5. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the retain-ing means comprises a continuous belt suspended between two rollers mounted to each side of the cradle.
6. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the re-tracted position is defined by a stop.
7. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the retain-ing means is supported in the retracted position by a combination of the first mechanism and on a plurality of rollers mounted to the support which engage underneath the retaining means.
8. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein when the cradle is in the second position, the retaining means is slidably movable by a second mechanism between the retaining position to retain the produce within the box and an emptying position to empty the box.
9. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second mechanism comprises a rack and pinion mechanism.
10. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second mechanisms are driven by electric motors.
11. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the retain-ing means is mounted so as to be proximal the top of the box in the retaining position.
12. A box tipper according any preceding claim, wherein each side of the cradle comprises a circular bearing surface running parallel to the axis of the cradle, the bearing surface on each side being engaged between a plurality of rollers rotational mounted to the support.
13. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein on at least one side of the cradle there is formed or mounted a circular rack which engages with a pinion rotationally mounted to the support.
14. A box tipper according to claim 13, wherein the cradle is rotatable between the first position and the second position by an electric motor mounted to the support and which drives the pinion.
15. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifter is driven by an electric motor.
16. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifter comprises at least one belt rotationally mounted to the support and comprising a hinged arm configured to engage with the underside of the box in use in order to lift the box.
17. A box tipper according to any preceding claim, wherein the produce is emptied from the box substantially vertically.
18. A method of tipping a box, comprising a) providing a box tipper substantially as described in any of claims 1-17, b) loading a box into the cradle with the cradle in the first position.c) moving the retaining means by the first mechanism to the retaining position d) rotating the cradle with respect to the support about the axis to the second position e) moving the retaining means by the second mechanism to the emptying position to empty the box, f) moving the retaining means by the second mechanism from the emptying position back to the retaining position.g) rotating the cradle with respect to the support about the axis back to the first position, h) moving the retaining means by the first mechanism to the removal position, and i) operating the lifer to lift the box above the cradle. 20