AU663115B2 - Removal apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 P/00/0111 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2(2) 6631'15

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT tee,; C a ccc

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et a. t at a at Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: PK 8721 3rd October 1991 REMOVAL APPARATUS Ca a The following statement is a fuldescription of this i nventioni ncl uding the best method of performing it known to us SREMOVAL APPARATUS This invention relates to an apparatus for removing corners on a large amount of board product quickly and efficiently. This invention also relates to a method of removing the corners of board product using that apparatus.

Packaging is used for all commodity products to allow transportation of the small items. Developments in the different ways of packaging these small items are always being made in order to reduce labour and raw material costs.

Cans and bottles have been transported in boxes and the like for many years but more recently, the all-cardboard boxes have been replaced with other forms of 1 0 packaging. Cans and bottles and the like are now stacked on cardboard boards for support and are then encased in a plastic material. This plastic and cardboard board combination provides sufficient support and protection for the smaller cans and bottles during transit. The problems with this type of packaging is'that the corners of the board, can puncture and tear the plastic material, allowing the seal to be broken. This therefore 15 allows the contents of the packaging to be exposed to the environment, a result which is generally undesirable for commodity products, but also may cause the packaging to totally fail.

Previously, in order to remove the corners of the packaging board, the task was performed on each sheet individually, wherein a person with a die cutter cut two corners at a time and then rotated the single board and then cut the other two corners. The problem with this method is that it is time consuming and very costly and thus increases the cost of the board to the customer.

An apparatus has been developed which greatly reduces the time in processing the Sdesired board as well as the actual personal physical involvement required to perform the removal task.

The invention provides an apparatus for removing corners from board products comprising at least one removing means for removing the corners of the board. The apparatus may further comprise a means for holding a number of boards in position for corner removal and/or at least one means for pressing and holding the boards during the removal of the corners.

Advantageously the apparatus of the present invention provides a means of removing the corners on a large volume of board product reducing greatly the labour costs involved in producing the desired product, but also reducing the physical involvement of the person operating tile apparatus.

forms of powering the apparatus can be used. Most of the working features of the invention can be supported on a single frame.

Preferably the means for holding a number of boards in position for corner removal comprises at least one moveable arm, preferably the arm is hydraulically operated. The means for pressing and holding the board during corner removal may be a foot means which presses down onto the boards, thus holding the boards during the removal of the corners. Preferably the foot is hydraulically operated.

The removing means may be any cutting device including a chisel type device.

The removing means may be supported and may be guided by at least one, preferably two parallel posts which allow tile removing means to move up and down, relative to a stack of board product.

The invention is further illustrated by a preferred embodiment illustrated in the rtt following Figures 1 to 4.

t 15 Figure 1- is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

:f Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the same preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view at base level of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

20 Figure 4 is a plan view at the top of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Co I C The apparatus is generally depicted as item 10 in all figures. Preferably the apparatus comprises a frame 11, upon which the corner removal means is supported.

"In order to hold the board in position, apparatus 10, has at least one pallet retaining arm 12. The present embodiment has two such arms 12, one on each side of the frame 11. The arms 12 are preferably hydraulically operated. In operation to hold the pallet of board in position, the apparatus 10 can be provided with a kick out means 17, which is spring loaded to ensure a firm and secure fit.

To assist with aligning the pallet of board, the apparatus 10 can have side adjustments. One side can be provided with a hydraulically operated side locating panel 15. This allows easy movement of the pallet board sideways. Further adjustment is possible on the opposing side wherein an adjustable side plate 16 is provided. The Sadjustable side plate 16 may or may not be hydraulically operated. i The cutting moans 21 comprises a sliding holder 24 with the cutter blade, 23, supported therein. The cutter blade, 23, can take any form, for example, a chisel type edge. The sliding holder 24 slides along guide posts 18, wherein the guide posts 18 3 extend at least the length of the height of a pallet of board. The cutting means 21 can be hydraulically driven but other forms of driving means can be used. In the preferred embodiment the cutter means 21 is operated by a hydraulic ram 20. The apparatus comprises at least one removing means preferably comprising the cutting means 21, guide post 18 and the relevant driving means In the preferred embodiment prior to the corner being cut, the corner is pressed by a pallet compressing ram 19. Ram 19 may be equipped with foot 22 which engages with the board product to hold it securely. A set comprising of the ram 19 and foot 22 is preferably provided for each removing means on the apparatus 1 0 The apparatus 10 may also be equipped with guide means 13 in combination with a turntable 14 which allows easy loading of the pallets of board, but also rotation of the pallets of board so that the opposing corners may be cut.

The entire apparatus 10 can be controlled by a central control board which actions all of the moving features when required.

In operation a pallet of board is loaded on to turntable trolley 14, and is then pushed into the apparatus 10 via the trolley guides 13. Once within the support frame 11 of the apparatus 10, the operator can close the pallet retaining arms 12 so as to position the pallet of board within the apparatus 10. The kickout means 17 ensures a firm fit of the pallet of board against the pallet retaining arms 12. To further align the pallet of board adjustments can be made using the hydraulically operated side locating panel 15 as well as the adjustable side plate 16 on the opposing side. Once positioned, the removal of the corners of the pallet of board may be commenced. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment at least two corners of the pallet of board may be removed simultaneously. The following sequence of events discussed in respect of one corner may be simultaneously occurring in respect of the other. Alternatively, the corner removal may occur consecutively. It should be noted that the centres of each cutting blade 23 can also be adjusted in respect of each other. To remove one corner of the board, the pallet compressing ram 19 and foot 22 act such that the foot 22 is in contact with the pallet of board close to the corner to be removed. Thus, compressing the pallet of board in the localised area and minimising movement of the board in this area.

The hydraulic ram 20 is actioned which initiates the movement of the cutting means 2 1 with cutter blade 23 attached thereto. The cutter blade 23 removes the corners of the pallet of board as it moves from the top to the bottom. In the preferred embodiment once both sets of corners have been removed the pallet retaining arms are opened and the pallet of board is removed from the apparatus 10 along guides 13 and rotated on 4 turntable 14 such that the opposing corners of the pallet of board may be processed in a similar manner. Once the corners are removed the pallet of board can be packaged and sold to the end users.

Thus the apparatus of the present invention advantageously provides a quick and efficient means of removing the corners for a much larger volume of board product than has previously been possible by other conventional methods and apparatus.

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Claims (4)

1. An apparatus used to remove corners from stacks of board product including: at least one corner removing means for removing the corners of the board product; holding means for holding the stack of board product in position for corner removal; and at least one means for-pressing and holding the board product during the removal of the corners, wherein the holding means for holding the stack of board product in position for corner removal includes at least one moveable arm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the holding means for holding the stack of board product in position for corner removal comprises at least two moveable arms wherein the respective moveable arms can push against the board product at substantially right angles to each other either simultaneously or alternately.

3. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the at least one means for pressing and holding the board sheets during the removal of the corners is a foot means.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the removing means comprises a cutting blade. A method of removing the corners from a stack of board product using the apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4. DATED THIS 27TH DAY OF JULY, 1995 AMCOR LIMITED WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA LPS:SH:JC DOC 1 AU2611192.WPC ABSTR A CT The invention relates to an apparatus for removing corners on a large amount of board product and also a method therefor. The apparatus (10) has a means to remove the corners of a stack of board product (21) and also a means for holding the stack of board product in position for corner removal The removal means (21) and holding means (12) may be hydraullically operated. i t C C t r f Cr .4 1: 4 t t fC c C r. i 'i 41 Ct t C1.1:': C SI t .4 f i k e i i I r h c C c- i c t i'-i e |i t. oc- t IS: I~c E l 1 1 I l t