RU2774202C2 - Material unloading device and bag emptying machine containing such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transportation.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a device for unloading material packed in bags mounted on a cargo pallet. The invention also relates to a bag emptying machine containing such an unloading device. Material unloading device (10) contains hooking device (15) mounted on frame (15) for hooking material with hooks. Hooking device (15) contains a set of rows of curved hooks (16), wherein each row of hooks rotates around corresponding rotary axis (X) between a non-working position, in which hooks are removed, and a working position, in which hooks are extended to hook material. All rows of hooks (16) rotate from the non-working position to the working position along a path of hooking with hooks, rotating in one direction around corresponding rotary axes. Hooking device (15) additionally contains support element (30) mounted outside rows of hooks, essentially perpendicular to the path of hooking with hooks.

EFFECT: ensuring the possibility of hooks to penetrate into material with a strong hooking due to the fact that in the hooking phase, where material is moved by hooks in the direction specified by a hooking path, it is blocked by a support element.

14 cl, 9 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for unloading material, preferably material packed in bags placed on a pallet. The invention furthermore relates to a bag-emptying machine comprising such an unloading device.

State of the art

The invention may find application particularly and preferably in industrial plastics processing processes where the material to be processed is supplied in the form of granules suitably packed in bags, which in turn are stacked in the right order on a cargo base, usually a cargo pallet, to facilitate their storage and transportation.

The bags of material are then unloaded from the pallet and emptied into bins that feed the plastic to the processing machines.

To automate these operations, machines are produced, generally known as bag emptying machines; these machines comprise an unloading unit comprising a device for hooking a plurality of bags on a cargo pallet, followed by an emptying unit for cutting the bags carried by the unloading device so that the material contained therein is collected in a hopper.

A known example of a bag-emptying machine is described in EP 1838582, where the unloader comprises a gripping device made up of two groups of pairs of hooks swinging against each other to engage bags placed on top of a cargo pallet.

Further examples of bag emptying machines are described in GB 2537407, US 8197174 and DE 3643076.

The Applicant has found it necessary to develop an unloading device and a bag emptying machine that are easier to manufacture.

The essence of the invention

The problem solved by the present invention is to provide a material unloading device and a bag emptying machine that are structurally and functionally capable of eliminating, at least in part, one or more of the disadvantages identified in the above references to existing technology.

In the present invention, the problem is solved by the unloading device and bag emptying machine produced according to the claims below.

In a first aspect of the invention, a material unloading device is provided.

Preferably, the unloader comprises a frame.

Preferably, a hook is mounted on the frame for hooking the material to be unloaded and removing it from the loading platform.

The hooking device is preferably mounted above the material to be unloaded vertically opposite the loading platform on which the material is placed so that the material can be engaged from above.

Preferably, the engaging device comprises a plurality of rows of curved hooks, each row of hooks being rotatable about a respective pivot axis between a rest position in which the hooks are retracted and an operating position in which the hooks are extended to engage the material to be unloaded. The movement of the hooks from the non-working position to the working position forms the engagement path.

Preferably, all rows of hooks of the engaging device can be rotated from a non-working position to a working position, rotating in the same direction about the respective rotary axes.

Preferably, the engaging device comprises a support element which is mounted outside the rows of hooks.

Preferably, the support element is substantially perpendicular to the hook engagement path.

Due to these features, the unloader of the invention can be designed and manufactured in a simple configuration and with a reduced number of components, while still being effective in unloading material.

As a consequence, in the engagement phase, where the material is moved by the hooks in the direction given by the engagement, the material is preferably blocked by the support element, which facilitates the penetration of the hooks into the material with a strong engagement.

In the above aspect, the present invention may have one or more of the following preferred characteristics.

Preferably, the frame is fixedly fixed and the material to be unloaded, for example a set of bags placed on a cargo pallet, is placed near it.

Preferably, the material consists of plastic pellets packed in bags placed on a pallet, destined for example to be processed in an injection molding or extrusion process.

However, the unloader of the present invention can be used in ways other than the preferred option mentioned above. In fact, the device is not strictly tied to the type of material to be unloaded, as well as to the material packed in bags. For example, the device of the present invention can be used to unload bales of paper or plastic packages, whether or not wrapped.

Likewise, the unloading device of the invention is not strictly tied to the type of loading platform from which the material is to be unloaded, although it is configured in particular to unload palletized material.

In a preferred embodiment, the hooks are moved by a single hydraulic actuator which, through a mechanical transmission with articulated arms, controls all rows of hooks, turning them simultaneously and in synchrony.

The hook is simple to manufacture, requiring one type of movement for the hooks, which may therefore be identical, and may be moved by a reduced number of simple mechanical components.

In a preferred embodiment, when the hooks are deflected to the non-working position, they are mounted above the working surface formed on the engaging device, and when the hooks are deflected to the working position, they are mounted below the working surface.

Preferably, the working surface is formed by a plate, which is preferably perforated to allow passage of the hooks between the rest position and the working position.

This makes it easier to tear off any bag fragments when the hooks are deflected to the non-working position. In fact, during this movement, the hooks are retracted above the perforated plate, and the plate abuts against the bag fragments that remain below the plate, and detaches from the hooks.

Preferably, the work surface is mounted on a frame to allow the surface to oscillate relative to a horizontal plane, albeit to a limited extent, to fit on a plane formed by the material to be unloaded, and also to accommodate an orientation that is not strictly horizontal.

In the preferred form, the working surface is fixedly attached to the vertical axis cylinders, which are guided to slide in the corresponding slots made on the supporting structure of the engaging device. The sockets preferably have a diameter slightly larger than that of the vertical cylinders in order to allow the latter to oscillate to a limited extent about the axis of the sockets.

The working surface makes it possible to place the material to be hooked, resting on the latter before moving the hooks to the working position; the surface also interacts with the hooks in holding the material.

In alternative embodiments, the work surface may be formed by a plurality of adjacent beams or bars or a grid rather than a plate.

In a preferred version, the unloader comprises a lifting element which raises a loading platform, such as a pallet, towards the engaging device.

Preferably, sensors are attached to the frame, said sensors detect the presence of material at a predetermined distance from the engaging device, and the lifting element is stopped and the engaging device is lowered to rest on the material to be unloaded.

Preferably, the hook is movable in the discharge direction, in which the material engaged by the hooks of the hook moves away from the loading platform.

The direction of discharge is preferably horizontal.

The material is preferably released from the engaging device in the unloading position.

In a preferred embodiment, the rows of hooks are mounted on the engaging device so that their pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of unloading.

Preferably, the hooks are deflected from the idle position to the working position along the hook engagement path, somewhat in agreement with the unloading direction.

As a consequence, moving the material in the discharge direction causes the hooks to engage the material more deeply, increasing the holding strength of the material.

Therefore, in this method, the support member is mounted on the front side of the engaging device as it moves in the discharge direction and preferably ensures that any residue from previous processing, such as empty bag residues, is removed from the path of the engaging device.

Preferably, the support element is movable between a rest position and a working position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the unloading direction.

Preferably, in the non-working position, the support element rises to a height greater than or equal to the height of the working surface.

Thus, when the engaging device returns to the unloading block, the support element can move to the non-working position, preventing bag fragments from being dragged behind it.

Preferably, the support element is rotatable about a pivot axis parallel to the rotation axes of the rows of hooks.

Preferably, the support member is in the form of a ridge and comprises a plurality of teeth extending from the support shaft to a respective free end that are substantially parallel and equally spaced apart.

In one embodiment, the engaging device further comprises a plurality of teeth that are directed towards the base of the frame and can move translationally between a non-working position in which they are removed from the base, and a working position in which they move towards it.

These teeth preferably ensure that the material is locked in position when engaged by the hooks.

Preferably, the teeth are arranged in rows corresponding to and parallel to the rows of hooks.

Preferably, each barb is positioned proximate a respective hook, and more preferably, each barb is offset from the engagement path of the respective hook.

Preferably, the teeth move between the non-working position and the working position substantially in synchronism with the hooks.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a material unloading device comprising a frame and a frame-mounted hook for hooking the material to be unloaded, wherein:

the hooking device contains a plurality of rows of curved hooks, each row of hooks rotates around the corresponding rotary axis between the non-working position in which the hooks are retracted and the working position in which the hooks are extended to engage the material,

all rows of hooks of the hitching device rotate from the idle position to the working position along the hook engagement path, turning in the same direction around the respective rotary axes, and

the engaging device additionally contains a plurality of teeth that are directed towards the base of the frame and can move translationally between a non-working position in which they are removed from the base, and a working position in which they move towards the base.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a machine for emptying bags containing bulk material.

Preferably, this machine includes a unit for unloading bags from a loading platform, such as a pallet.

Preferably, this machine includes an emptying unit for receiving bags from the unloader, cutting them and emptying them of the material they contain.

Preferably, the unloader is manufactured according to the first or second aspect of the invention, possibly containing one or more of the preferred elements that are options mentioned above.

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated informatively and without limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

In FIG. 1 schematically shows a machine for emptying bags of bulk material, containing a discharge device made according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2 shows a top isometric view of the unloader component of FIG. one.

In FIG. 3 shows an isometric bottom view of the component of FIG. 2 in idle position.

In FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the component of FIG. 2 in working position.

In FIG. 5 and 6 are side views of the component of FIG. 2 in the idle position and in the working position corresponding to FIG. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 7, similar to FIG. 6 shows an unloader engaging several bags of bulk material.

In FIG. 8, similar to FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of an unloader made according to the present invention.

In FIG. 9, similar to FIG. 6 shows the unloader of FIG. eight.

In FIG. 10 shows a section through a detail of the unloader of FIG. one.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

In FIG. 1-7 and 10, reference numeral 1 generally denotes a machine for emptying bags 2 containing plastic granules properly stacked on a cargo pallet 3.

The machine 1 can be attached to a plant for processing plastic pellets, such as, for example, an injection molding plant or an extrusion plant.

As indicated above, however, the material to be unloaded, its packaging, as well as the supporting base from which the material is to be unloaded and its purpose may differ from those described here in an illustrative example.

The machine 1 generally comprises an unloading unit comprising an unloading device 10 for unloading bags 2 from a cargo pallet 3 and an emptying unit 50 adjacent to the unloading unit for cutting and emptying the bags 2 coming from the unloading unit.

The unloading device 10 includes a frame 11 fixed to the ground, generally in the form of a parallelepiped, formed by four posts 12 extending vertically upwards from the base 13.

On the side opposite to the base 13, the unloading device 10 additionally contains a hooking device 15, mounted on the upper part of the frame 11, for hooking the bags 2 with hooks and moving them to the emptying block 50.

The hook 15 includes a carrier structure 15a which is mounted on the frame 11 but can slide on it.

In particular, the carrier structure 15a is mounted and slides on guides 11a extending substantially horizontally in the discharge direction Y, connecting the discharge block to the emptying block 50.

In order to enable the engaging device 15 to move along the guides 11a, the supporting structure 15a includes wheels 15b engaged in the guides 11a and a motor 15c controlling the rotation of one or more wheels 15b.

The hook 15 includes a plurality of curved hooks 16 arranged in a plurality of parallel rows 17.

Each row of hooks 16 is fixedly fixed to a respective shaft 18 pivotally supported by a pair of bearings 19 which are provided at opposite ends of each shaft 18.

Each shaft 18 can therefore rotate at least partially about its longitudinal axis X to move each row of hooks 16 pivoting about the rotational axis X of the shaft 18 on which they are mounted between a rest position and an operating position, described in more detail below.

Each hook 16 comprises a first substantially straight portion 16a extending from the shaft 18 and a second curved portion 16b extending as a continuation of the first portion 16a and ending in a point 16c.

The second part 16b preferably forms a circular arc.

All hooks 16 are essentially identical to each other and are mounted in a substantially identical manner on their respective shafts 18.

All shafts 18 are connected by corresponding articulated levers 20 with a control rod 21 mounted across the X axis of rotation, said rod is attached to the hydraulic actuator 22.

Thus constructed, the system for moving the hooks 16 ensures that all shafts 18 simultaneously turn in the same direction and at the same angle, using a simple movement of the hydraulic actuator 22.

The engaging device 15 further comprises a plate 25 fixed under the supporting structure 15a on the side facing the base 13, on which the hooks 16 and the corresponding operating mechanism are mounted. In particular, shafts 18, bearings 19, articulated arms 20, control rod 21 and hydraulic actuator 22 are mounted above plate 25, opposite base 13.

The plate 25 forms a working surface for the hook 15 with the functionality of locating the bags 2 before they are engaged by the hooks 16.

The plate 25 is preferably provided with openings 26 which provide the hooks 16, or at least the corresponding points 16c and the corresponding second parts 16b, with a through passage when the hooks 16 swing about the pivot axis X between the rest position and the working position.

In particular, when deflected to the non-working position, the hooks 16 are retracted above the plate 25 (Fig. 3), and when deflected to the operating position, at least the tip 16c and the second, curved part 16c of the hooks 16 protrude below the plate 25 (Fig. 4) .

The swinging of the hooks 16 between the non-working position and the working position forms the engagement path.

The plate 25 is connected to the carrier structure 15a of the engaging device 15 to make it oscillate relative to the horizontal plane, albeit to a limited extent.

In particular, the supporting structure 15a supports the plate 25 by means of cylinders 27 (for example four) fixed with their lower ends on the plate 25 and extending vertically to the supporting structure 15a where they are placed in respective vertical axis sockets 27a, which have a diameter of several centimeters. larger than the diameter of the cylinders 27. As a result of this, the cylinders can slide vertically in the seats 27a but also tilt slightly about the vertical axis (better seen in Fig. 10).

In this way, the plate 25 can lie on a plane formed by the material to be unloaded and can also adapt to an orientation that is not strictly horizontal.

A small plate 27b, larger in diameter than the seats 27a, is fixedly attached to the end of each cylinder 27 opposite the plate 25 to prevent the cylinder 27 from leaving the seats 27a and thus the plate 25 falling out of the supporting structure 15a.

Also provided on the frame 11 are sensors 28 which are mounted at a predetermined distance below the hook and are capable of detecting the presence of material to be unloaded at a predetermined height, for example approximately 10-20 cm below the plate 25.

Also below the frame 11 is provided a lifting element 29, which serves to carry the cargo pallet 3 to be unloaded. The lifting element 29 can be raised from the base 13 to move the material to be unloaded to the hook 15.

The hook 15 is movable along the frame 11 in a substantially horizontal unloading direction Y, in which the bags 2 engaged by the hooks of the hook 15 move from the pallet 3 to the emptying block 50.

The unloading direction Y is substantially perpendicular to the direction given by the rotary axes X, and the hooks 16 are mounted on the shafts 18 in such a configuration that their deviation from the idle position to the working position along the engagement path of the hooks is consistent with the unloading direction Y. In particular, when deflected into the working position, the tips 16c of the hooks 16 face in the direction of unloading.

The unloading direction Y also defines the front side 15d of the unloading device 15, on which there is a support element 30 mounted outside the rows 17 of the hooks 16.

The support member 30 comprises a carrier shaft 31 mounted on the front side 15d of the carrier structure 15a, which is given the ability to swing on an axis parallel to the rotary axes X between a rest position in which it is essentially parallel to the plate 25 and an operating position in which it descends under the plate 25 substantially perpendicular to the unloading direction Y.

The support member 30 is in the form of a comb, with a plurality of teeth 32 extending from the bearing shaft 31, parallel to each other and spaced at equal distances from each other. Preferably, a plate 33 is provided in the part closest to the carrier shaft 31.

The unloader 10 operates as follows.

The material to be unloaded, for example, bags 2, stacked on a cargo pallet 3, is taken onto the unloader 10 and placed on a lifting element 29, which rises up along the racks 4 to the unloader 15.

When the sensors 28 detect the presence of the bags 2 at a predetermined distance from the hook 15, they command the lifting element 29 to lift by a predetermined amount substantially equal to the distance between the sensors and the plate 25.

In this way, the bags 2 are lifted up to a stop in the plate 25, which, due to its ability to swing relative to the horizontal plane, rests on the upper surface of the set of bags 2, adapting to the orientation of such a surface.

In this phase, the hooks 16 are held in a non-working position, above the plate 25.

As soon as the plate 25 is placed on the bags 2, the support member 30 is lowered into the working position and the hooks 16 are deflected into the working position by turning around the pivot axes X. During this movement, after passing through the plate 25, the points 16c of the hooks 16 pierce the bags 2, engaging them.

The required number and sizes of rows are provided 17 hooks 16; they distance themselves from each other so that with one rocking movement all the bags 2 constituting the top layer of the stack can be hooked.

If necessary, the support member 30 prevents the bags 2 from being moved by the hooks 16 during the rocking movement of the latter, unless the points quickly pierce the bags.

The hook 15 then moves in the Y discharge direction to the emptying block 50 where the bags 2 engaged by the hook 15 are cut and emptied. Thus, the emptying block 50 sets the position for unloading the bags 2.

On the way to the emptying block 50, the teeth 32 of the support member 30 remove from the path any remnants of bags cut in previous discharge and emptying cycles.

The teeth 32 are also preferably shaped to pass between a plurality of blades provided on the emptying block 50 to cut the bags 2 when they are hooked on the hook 15.

The anvil 30 is preferably configured to allow the teeth 32 to pass between the blades of the emptying block 50 without obstruction.

Likewise, positioning the hooks 16, parallel to the Y discharge direction and at a suitable distance apart, also ensures that the hooks 16 firmly engage the bags 2 as they pass between the blades of the emptying block as the blades cut the bags to empty the material contained therein.

When the bags 2 are empty, the hooks 16 are deflected to the non-working position and are removed through the through holes 26 from the plate 25, facilitating the separation of any bag fragments from the hooks 16.

Likewise, support member 30 is also moved to the rest position so that when it returns to the unloading unit, it does not drag any bag fragments along with it.

The hook 15 is then moved back to its initial position over the set of bags 2 to be unloaded and the procedure described above is repeated until the cargo pallet 3 is completely unloaded.

In FIG. 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of an unloading device made according to the invention, the device as a whole is shown at 100.

The unloader 100 differs from the unloader 10 described above in that the hook 15 includes a plurality of teeth 101 in addition to the hooks 16.

Each tooth 101 is aimed at the base 13 of the frame 11 and can move translationally between the non-working position, which is removed over the plate 25 from the base 13, and the working position, in which it moves to the base 13 so that one of its ends protrudes from the bottom of the plate 25.

The teeth 101 are arranged in rows corresponding to the rows 17 of the hooks 16 and parallel to them, but at a distance from them so that one hook 16 corresponds to each tooth 101.

It is also provided to install each tooth 101 near the corresponding hook 16 and offset from the engagement path of the corresponding hook 16.

The tines 101 are moved between the idle position and the operative position by a movable system 102, which is different from, but simultaneously activated with, the movement of the hooks 101 to synchronize the movement of the tines 101 with the movement of the hooks 16.

The operation of the unloader 100 is similar to the operation of the unloader 10, except that when the hooks 16 are deflected to the working position to engage the bags 2, the teeth 101 also simultaneously descend and pierce the bags 2, holding the bags more firmly in position to promote the hooking action. hooks 16.

The present invention thus achieves the objects mentioned above.

Claims (14)

1. A device for unloading material, containing a frame (11) and a hook (15) mounted on the specified frame, for engaging material with hooks, and the hook contains a plurality of rows (17) of curved hooks (16), with each row of hooks being made with the possibility of rotation around the corresponding rotary axis (X) between the non-working position, in which the hooks (16) are removed, and the working position, in which the hooks (16) are extended to engage the material, moreover, all rows (17) of the hooks (16) of the engaging device are made with the possibility of swinging from a non-working position to a working position along the path of engagement with hooks, while the rows of hooks rotate in the same direction of rotation around the respective rotary axes (X), characterized in that the engaging device (15) contains a supporting element (30), mounted outside of the rows of hooks, substantially perpendicular to the path of the hooks to block material from being moved by the hooks (16) and soda prevent the hooks (16) from penetrating the material. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the non-working position the hooks (16) are placed above the working surface formed on the engaging device, and in the working position the hooks are placed below the working surface. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the working surface is formed by a plate (25) of the engagement device (15). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the plate (25) is perforated to allow the hooks (16) to pass through the plate when the hooks are swinging between the idle position and the working position. 5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engaging device (15) is movable along the frame in the unloading direction (Y), along which the material engaged by the hooks of the engaging device moves to the unloading position, and the rotary axes (X ) are substantially perpendicular to the direction (Y) of the discharge. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the hooks (16) swing from the idle position to the working position along the hook engagement path in a mode consistent with the unloading direction. 7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the support element (30) is movable between a non-working position and a working position in which it is perpendicular to the unloading direction (Y). 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (30) is rotatable about a pivot axis parallel to the rotation axes (X) of the rows (17) of the hooks (16). 9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (30) has the form of a comb and contains a plurality of teeth (32) extending from the support shaft (31) to the corresponding free end, being essentially parallel and spaced equally distances. 10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engaging device (15) contains a plurality of teeth (101) directed towards the base (13) of the frame (11), and is made with the possibility of translational movement between the non-working position in which the teeth are removed from the base, and the working position in which the teeth move towards the base. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that each tooth (101) is located near the corresponding hook (16). 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that each tooth (101) is displaced relative to the engagement path of the respective hook. 13. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 10-12, characterized in that the teeth (101) are movable between the non-working position and the working position essentially synchronously with the hooks (16). 14. Machine (1) for emptying bags (2) with bulk material, containing a block for unloading bags from the loading platform (3) and an emptying block (50) for receiving bags from the unloading block, cutting them and emptying them from the material contained in them , characterized in that the unloading unit contains a device for unloading the material according to any one of the preceding paragraphs.

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