WO2007032045A1

WO2007032045A1 - System for unstacking of horticultural containers from stacks description

Info

Publication number: WO2007032045A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000660
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aldo Maggion; Paolo Gasparini
Original assignee: WONDER CONTROL Srl
Current assignee: WONDER CONTROL Srl
Priority date: 2005-09-15
Filing date: 2006-09-15
Publication date: 2007-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-15
Also published as: ITTV20050136A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and relative realization of the same concerning the picking-up of horticultural containers particularly difficult to unstack because of their specific edge, shape, dimension, weight, constructive material or other, in order to separate the containers from the stack in which they are stacked. The system is characterized by the fact to comprise a station 1) of blocking of the stack from which the container must be detached, a station 2) for the extraction/picking-up of the container from the stack, a station 3) for the rotation of the container, a station 4) for the releasing of the same one; equipment as sensors, pneumatic, electronic, mechanical devices realize, in the complex, the object of the invention.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

SYSTEM FOR UNSTACKING OF HORTICULTURAL CONTAINERS FROM STACKS

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a method and relative realization of the same concerning the picking-up of horticultural containers particularly difficult to unstack because of their specific edge, shape, dimension, weight, constructive material or other, in order to separate the containers from the stack in which they are stacked.

At the present days in the horticultural field there are machines for the automatic unstacking of the containers that exploit the presence of the external ridge of the tray edge like point of picking-up of the same one. This tipology of machines is not always effective with containers of difficult unstacking because of their specific edge, shape, dimension, weight, constructive material, as they use different systems (pliers, slats, or other) only on the sides of the container ^'that has to be separated. In the market exist containers without edges or with irregular external edges . That renders difficult the action of picking up on the extremities of the containers. The manufacturers of containers for horticulture, moreover, trend, for reasons of production cost reduction, to realize them in more and more light materials, fact that renders still more difficult the operation of ^• hooking/separation on external edges. As the edges are less and less defined and such to bend a lot, the pliers, slats or other mechanical mechanism pertaining to the unstackers in commerce, can't to hook or detach effectively the container.

Moreover, also in the case the action of picking-up on the container sides has success, the operation of separation is difficult with alveolar trays, from the moment that, because of their particular conformation, tend to attack themselves in their central parts (alveolus of a tray attached to the alveolus of an other tray) . In these cases the unstacker, acting with a vertical force towards the bottom, separates the container only long the external perimeter, but not in the central part of the same one (that it remains attached to the stack) , causing a bending of the container and the necessity of the intervention of the operator in order to facilitate manually the separation. To render difficult the separation of the container from the stack contribute also the specific characteristics of the container like the particular shape of the same one (conical, cylindrical, cubical or other) , the particular shape of the alveoulus* (conical, cylindrical, cubical, or other), the dimensions, the weight, the constructive material (rough, sticky, irregular or other) . To render difficult the unstacking, moreover, contributes also the fact that, for reasons of transport cost reduction, the trays are compressed in such way to reduce the overall dimensions occuped.

The compression of the containers increases the difficulties of separation of the same ones. It is known that, moreover, the machines that use systems of hooking with suckers or other are not effective because activate these systems through an only circuit (es.an only vacuum generator) . In case of not proper functioning of this device or in case of damage of a single sucker, the hooking system of the container comes compromise. It is known that, moreover, the machines present iϊj. the market that try to unstack automatically do not solve in resolutive way the difficulties generated from the specificities of the container to separate, rendering the equipments not working or only usable in presence of operator ready to intervent in order to resolve the machine downtimes. The manual separation of the containers of difficult unstacking, is in these days the only system that guarantees the separation of the containers one from the other one. The manual manipulation of the containers can also cause a deformation and damaging of the container because of the force used for detaching them from the stack. The same effects are caused by the machines present in the market, as they work concentrating a remarkable force (towards the bottom and vertical with regard to the container) on a surface very small, that is on some points of the external edge of the container used like points of picking-up. This principle of operation determines, in the greater part of the cases, a damaging of the container edge in correspondence of the points of picking-up on which comes exercised the totality of the force for detaching a container from the other one. Aim of the present invention is to obviate to the aforesaid disadvantages and to realize a system for an automatic hooking/detaching from the stack of the container of difficult picking-up/unstacking because of their particular edge, shape, dimension, weight, constructive material or other, avoiding the machine downtimes, eliminating the necessity of the human intervention and the damages to the containers caused from the human or mechanical manipulation. Last consequent aim is to realize a system with materials easy to find in the market and with limited dimensions, in way to reduce considerably the costs of purchase, maintenance and production. The first task and consequent others are reached with a system characterized from the fact to comprise a station 1) of blocking of the stack from which the container must be detached, a station 2) for the extraction/picking-up of the container from the stack, a station 3) for the rotation of the container and a station 4) for the releasing of the same one.

Further characteristics- and advantages will become clearer from the detailed description of the shape of execution given like example indicative^' in the attached tables in which:

The tab.l) represents front view refered to the system of picking- up of the container through taper dowel pins with flutes or knurlings .

The tab.2) represents a frontal view refered to the system of picking-up of the container through suckers connected to a vacuum generator.

The tab.3) represents a frontal view refered to the system of picking-up of the container through mechanical pliers .

The tab.4) represents a complete view of the machine object of the invention (all stations) .

Referring to the previous figures we proceed of continuation to the explanation of the constituent parts of the machine in object and to the description of the functionalities of the same one.

First station 1) (tab.4) is constructed with linear actuators

(point E, tab.4) on the extremities of which are positioned support guides (point D, tab.4) with function of retaining and blocking of the stack (point A, tab.4), excluded the container that must be separated (point B, tab.4) . The stack is realized by the containers to unstack with the bottom positioned in the opposite direction regarding the point of picking-up. The stack of containers weighs on all the surface of the container that must be detached, guaranteeing one greater facility of picking-up by the system. The system of retention of the stack ⁴of containers acts in pressure on the side of the stack. In this way the system takes advantage from the greater rigidity of the external edge due to the presence of more containers stacked. Second station 2) (tab.4) is constituted by one or more linear actuators (mechanic, electrical, pneumatic or other) (point C, tab.4) on the extremities of which is fixed an interchangeable plate (point F, tab.4) over which it is possible to install various typologies of mechanisms of picking-up/extraction, on the base of the specificities of the container to separate. The first system (tab.l) is referred to a variable number of taper dowel pins with flutes or knurlings (point A, tab.l) lodged on the plate (point D, tab.l) . The presence of the linear actuators (point C, tab.l) determines the movement of the taper dowel pins, before inside of mechanical particular opened in the extremities (point B, tab.l) and after inside of the cavity of the container. This system allows to the taper dowel pins the penetration inside the holes present in the container (and on the base of which the mask comes realized with the spaces between the various taper dowel pins corresponding) . The conicity and the presence of knurlings in the taper dowel pins cause therefore, the penetration of the same ones inside the holes present in the container and the picking- up/extraction of the same one from the stack. The presence of the mechanical particulars opened in the extremities (point B, tab.l) guarantees, in the phase of releasing of the container, the detaching of the same one, as it remains fixed, while the taper dowel pin comes made re-enter by the linear actuator. The fact that every taper dowel pin is connected, to a single actuator renders the system effective also in case of malfunctioning of a single device, as the principle of working of the system does not come compromised. The second extraction system (tab\ 2) is referred to a mechanism of picking-up of the container (A, tab.2) with suckers. Every sucker is connected to a vacuum generator independent from the others, characteristic that renders the system effective also in the case of malfunctioning of a single device. The suckers (B, tab.2) enter in contact with the container in some points plans . The drive of the vacuum generator (c, tab.2) creates a strong depression inside of the same sucker and because of the vacuum the hooking of the container is realized. The third picking-up system (tab. 3) is referred to a mechanism of hooking of the container (D, tab. 3) with mechanical pliers (C, tab. 3) . The mechanical pliers, constituted by 2 or more jaws, come set in action by the actuator (A, tab. 3) pneumatic or other. The closing of the jaws, opportunely moulded, generates a strong picking-up in strategic points of the container, in order to detach it from the stack. Every mechanical plier is controlled by a single linear actuator independent from the others, characteristic that renders the system effective also in case of malfunctioning of a single device. The possibility of hooking of the container on the totality of the area of the same one (through the taken on a variety of points) renders linear the movement of detaching of the container from the stack and in this way are avoided jammings during the phase of detaching. Third station 3) (tab.4) refers to the rotation of the container. It is constituted by a cam (G, tab.4) with figure purposely designed, or by other device, and allows the rotation of 180 degrees of the container in order to prepare it for the release with the bottom towards the bottom on a plan of support or tape conveyor. The fourth station 4) refers to the release of the container over a plan of support or tape conveyor (H, tab. 4) . Once executed the rotation starts the phase of detaching of the container. If on the plate is installed the system with taper dowel pins (tab. 1) , the detaching is realized through the retraction of the same ones from the mechanical particulars opened in the extremities (point B, tab.l). The retraction of every taper dowel pin is drived by the linear actuator that commands it. The mechanical particular (point B, tab.l) promotes the separation of the container, so as to avoid that during the phase of extraction of the taper dowel pin from the hole (present in the container) takes place a dragging of part of the container in the movement of detaching. If on the plate is installed the system with suckers (tab. 2) connected to the vacuum generator, the container detaching happens through the release of the vacuum generator. The depression generated inside of the sucker is attenuated to a such level that it can't more keep attached the tray to the system. In order to facilitate the separation and the fall of the container, you can install a pipe from which goes out a breath of compressed air. If on the plate is installed the system with mechanical pliers (tab.3) the release is caused by the movement in opposite direction of the actuator of plier drive, which determines the opening of jaws and therefore the release of the container. These operations, as all the others are controlled by the pic (controller of programmable logic) or by other electronic or electrical system.

As it can be observed from the attached tables the totality of phases of working happens only in one sequence, and with the maximum synchronization of the times of working of the product. They have been reached, therefore, with this machine, all the purposes, first of all that one to have realized a method concerning the picking-up of horticultural containers particularly difficult to unstack because of their specific edge, shape, dimension, weight, constructive material or other, in order to separate the containers from the stack in which they are stacked. It ^'has been reached, moreover, the scope to realize the separation of the containers without causing damages to the same ones. Last, it has been reached also the purpose of realizing a method employing materials of commerce in order to reduce remarkably the production costs . In the realization and putting in production of the machine, could be thought necessary modifications in the use of the materials, in the dimensions, shapes or how much other, such, however, to re-enter in the innovative concept of the machine.

Claims

1) Method and relative realization of the same concerning the picking-up of horticultural containers particularly difficult to unstack because of their specific edge, shape, dimension, weight, constructive material or other, in order to separate the containers from the stack in which th.ey_r are stacked. The system is characterized by the fact to comprise a station 1) of blocking of the stack from which the container must be detached, a station 2) for the extraction/picking-up of the container from the stack, a station 3) for the rotation of the container, a station 4) for the releasing of the same one. The stack is constituted by the containers to unstack with the bottom positioned in the opposite direction regarding the point of picking-up. The stack of containers weighs on all the surface, of the container that must be detached, guaranteeing one greater facility of picking-up by the system. The system of retention of the stack of containers acts in pressure on the side of the stack. In this way the system takes advantage from the greater rigidity of the external edge due to the presence of more containers stacked. In the second station 2) (tab.4) there is an interchangeable plate (point F, tab.4) over which it is possible to install various typologies of mechanisms of picking-up/extraction, on the base of the specificities of the container to separate. The possibility of hooking of the container on the totality of the area of the same one (through the taken on a variety of points of the container) renders linear the movement of detaching of the container from the stack avoiding in⁴ this way a jamming during the phase of detaching.

2) Method and relative realization according to preceding claim, characterized in that the first station 1) (tab.4) is constructed with linear actuators (point E, tab.4) on the extremities of which are positioned support guides (point D, tab.4) with function of retaining and blocking of the stack (point A, tab.4) , excluded the container that must be separated (point B, tab.4) .

3) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that the second station 2) (tab.4) is constituted by one or more linear actuators (mechanic, electrical, pneumatic or other) (point C, tab.4) on the extremities of which is fixed an interchangeable plate (point F, tab.4) over which it is possible to install various typologies of mechanisms of picking-up/extraction, on the base of the specificities of the container to separate.

4) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that one of systems of picking-up

(tab. 1) is referred to a variable number of taper dowel pins with flutes or knurlings (point a, tab.l) lodged on the plate (point D, tab.l). The presence of the linear actuators

(point C, tab.l) determines the movement of the taper dowel pins, before inside of mechanical particular opened in the extremities (point B, tab.l) and after inside of the cavity of the container. This system allows to the taper dowel pins the penetration inside the holes present in the container (and on the base of which the mask comes realized with the spaces between the various taper dowel pins corresponding) . The conicity and the presence of knurlings in the taper dowel pins cause then, the penetration of the same ones inside of the holes present in the container and the picking- up/extraction of the same one from the stack.

5) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that the presence of the mechanical particulars opened in the extremities (point B, tab.l) guarantees, in the phase of releasing of the container, the detaching of the same one, as it remains fixed, while the taper dowel pin comes made re-enter by the linear actuator. The fact that every taper dowel pin is connected to a single actuator renders the system effective also in the case of malfunctioning of a single device, as the principle of working of the system does not come compromised. 6) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that one of systems of picking-up (tab. 2) is referred to a i mechanism of picking-up of the container (A, tab.2) with suckers. Every sucker is connected to a vacuum generator independent from the others , characteristic that renders the system effective also in the case of malfunctioning of a single device. The suckers (B, tab.2) enter in contact with the container in some points plans. The drive of the vacuum generator (c, tab.2) creates a strong depression inside of the same sucker and because of the vacuum the hooking of the container is realized.

7) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that the third picking-up system (tab. 3) is referred to a mechanism of hooking of the container (D, tab. 3) with mechanical pliers (C, tab. 3) . The mechanical pliers, constituted by 2 or more jaws, come set in action by the actuator (A, tab. 3) pneumatic or other. The closing of the jaws, opportunely moulded, generate a strong picking-up in strategic points of the container, in order to detach it from the stack. Every mechanical plier is controlled by a single linear actuator independent from the others, characteristic that renders the system effective also in case of malfunctioning of a single device.

8) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that the possibility of hooking of the container on the totality of the area of the same one (through the taken on a variety of points) renders linear the movement of detaching of the container from the stack being avoiding in this way a jamming during the phase of detaching.

9) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that the third station 3) (tab.4) refers to the rotation of the container. It is constituted by a cam (G, tab.4) with figure purposely designed, or by other device, and allows the rotation of 180 degrees of the container in order to prepare it for the release with the bottom towards the bottom on a plan of support or tape conveyor.

10) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that the fourth station 4) refers to the release of the container over a plan of support or tape conveyor (H, tab. 4) . Once executed the rotation starts the phase of detaching of the container.

11) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that if on the plate is installed the system with taper dowel pins (tab. 1) , the detaching is realized through the retraction of the same ones from the mechanical particulars opened in the extremities (point B, tab.l) . The retraction of every taper dowel pin is drived by the linear actuator that commands it. The mechanical particular (point B, tab.l) promotes the separation of the container, so as to avoid that during the phase of extraction of the taper dowel pin from the hole (present in the container) takes place a dragging of part of the container in the movement of detaching. If on the plate is installed the system with suckers (tab. 2) connected to the vacuum generator, the container detaching happens through the release of the vacuum generator. The depression generated inside of the sucker is attenuated to a such level that it can't more keep attached the⁴ tray to the system. In order to facilitate the separation and the fall of the container, you can install a pipe from which goes out a breath of compressed air. If on the plate is installed the system with mechanical pliers (tab. 3) the release is caused by the movement in opposite direction of the actuator of plier drive, which determines the opening of jaws and therefore the release of the container.