DK178539B1

DK178539B1 - Container turning apparatus

Info

Publication number: DK178539B1
Application number: DKPA201500281A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Christian Møhl
Original assignee: C M Finish Aps
Priority date: 2015-05-12
Filing date: 2015-05-12
Publication date: 2016-06-06
Also published as: DK201500281A1

Abstract

The container gripping and turning apparatus disclosed herein provides a firm grip to a container while the container is being lifted and turned through a predefined angle to empty contents of the container. The container gripping and turning apparatus includes a connection member, at least two arms, and at least two flanged members. The connection member is configured for connection with a lever member of the loading device. The arms extend from the connection member to rigidly receive a container. The flanged members extending perpendicularly from opposing arms of the each of the two arms provide a rigid support at a lower section of the container. The rigidly positioned container is therefore lifted and turned through a predefined angle by the loading device to empty contents of the container.

Description

CONTAINER GRIPPING AND TURNING APPARATUS BACKGROUND

[0001] There are numerous methods for lifting load carrying containers in the current scenario. Conventionally, heavy equipment loaders are used for the above purposes, for example, mini loaders are used to lift loads within a predetermined load range in industrial applications. The mini loaders facilitate lifting and repositioning of loads from one location to another location. In the case of an open container, with contents that are scheduled to be emptied at another location, the forks of the mini loader are positioned below the open container and the open container is lifted and moved to the scheduled location.

[0002] There are different prior arts which discuss methods and apparatus’ which enable lifting and rotation of containers. For example, United States patent number 2968411A discloses a loader comprising means to vertically displace a load. The means comprises a mounting frame onto which a container gripping and turning apparatus is mounted. The apparatus comprises two pairs of gripping arms suitable for gripping and clamping a container. The arms are slidably arranged in linear tracks in a plate or disc and can be displaced linearly towards each other by some mechanism. The plate is mounted on a rotatable axle extending from the mounting frame. Thereby, the gripping apparatus can be lifted and rotated enabling an operator to empty the container. Further, United States patent number 2645372A also discloses a similar gripping apparatus mounted on a loader. However, the tilting mechanism of the loader is configured to tilt the gripping apparatus around an axis normal to the tilting axis of the device in US 2968411 A. In both prior arts, the axis of rotation must collide with the rotational axis of the turning device. Further there are no provisions for firmly supporting the container during the lifting and turning process.

[0003] However, French patent number 2533202A1 discloses a device for gripping and tilting, for example, a container so that it is emptied. The device comprises a pair of arms, where each arm comprises a member extending perpendicularly from opposing sides of the arm. Each member comprises a flange at each end for providing rigid support to the top and bottom of the container. But, even though the device provides support to the container, it is positioned substantially in a single position with respect to the support section, and therefore, is restrained to change position. However, US patent number 2647650A discloses a gripping apparatus mounted on a loader where the arms of the gripping apparatus could be displaced linearly towards each other by a hydraulic assembly arranged in a rectangular housing. The arms are slidably arranged on a pair of rods and are displaceable by a pair of hydraulic cylinders which are driven by the engine of the loader. Even though all the above mentioned prior art patents discuss about methods and devices which can be used to lift and rotate a container to empty the contents, none of them discuss a device which facilitates a full 360 degree rotation of the container to empty the contents, and thereby retaining the original erect position of the container without counter rotating the motor of the turning device to return to the original erect position of the container.

[0004] In addition, standalone load turning devices were also used for lifting and emptying loads, for example, a pallet rotator or a pallet inverter, is conventionally used to turn a load through a desired angle to empty the contents of the container. For example, in the scrap industry or the agriculture sector, the machines are predominantly fork trucks, where heavy iron tubs with holders and bottom supports are used. Here, the fork is inserted through the bottom supports and holders to lift and turn the tubs. However, there is no specific spare part that can be attached to a wide range of lifting and turning machines in order to provide a firm grip to lift and turn a wide range of containers or tubs. Further, the conventional fork trucks cannot turn the containers beyond a certain angle if the container is not having holders or bottom supports. Therefore there exists a need for an accessory device which can be attached to a lever arm of a loading device, wherein the accessory device can rigidly hold, lift, and turn a container sideways to unload or empty the contents.

[0005] Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a container gripping and turning apparatus which can be attached to a loading device, for example, the mini loader, as an accessory device. The container gripping and turning apparatus will provide grip to the container when the container is lifted and turned through a predefined angle to empty contents of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The container gripping and turning apparatus disclosed herein addresses the above stated need for providing a grip while a container lifted and turned through a predefined angle to empty contents of the container. The container gripping and turning apparatus is configured to grip a container and the container may be lifted and turned through a predefined angle of 360 degrees, via a loading device. The container gripping and turning apparatus comprises a loading device, a connection member, at least two arms, and at least two flanged members. The connection member is configured for connection with a lever member of the loading device. The arms extend from the connection member to rigidly receive a container. The flanged members extending perpendicularly from one or both opposing sides of each of the two arms provide a rigid support at a lower section of the container, where the hydraulic motor is configured to turn the container through a predefined angle of 360 degrees, to empty contents of the container.

[0007] In an embodiment, the connection member is a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly comprises a rectangular tray operably configured for connection with the lever member of the loading device, and one or more rods fixedly positioned between horizontally opposing edges of the rectangular tray. The arms are slidably engaged on each of the rods. A hydraulic pressing device operably configured for connection with the lever member is configured to displace the two arms proximal to each other to apply a clamping pressure to rigidly receive the container. In an embodiment, each of the flanged members has an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange and the lower flange provide the rigid support at an upper section and the lower section of the container.

[0008] In an embodiment, the connection member is a rotatable configured for connection the lever member of the loading device. The rotatable disc is configured for rotation via an electric motor operably configured for connection with the lever member of the loading device. In an embodiment, the arms are of a generally curved shape and one end of each of the arms is slidably fastened to the rotatable disc via a linear slot positioned on the rotatable disc. The arms are configured to be displaced towards each other through the linear slot, thereby generating a clamping pressure on the container received within the arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the container gripping and turning apparatus.

[0010] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the container gripping and turning apparatus, showing single flanged members and a rotatable disc.

[0011] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a method for lifting and turning a container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the container gripping and turning apparatus 100 which is configured to grip a container while the container may be lifted and turned through a predefined angle to empty the contents of the container. The container gripping and turning apparatus 100 comprises a loading device 109, a connection member 101, a hydraulic motor 109b coupled to the lever member 109a, at least two arms 102 and 103, and at least two flanged members 104 and 105. The connection member 101 is configured for connection with a lever member 109a of the loading device 109. As used herein, the “connection member” disclosed herein refers to any connecting element which is configured for connection with a lifting element to support a load at a distal end of the connecting element, as well as to provide additional support while pivotally rotating the load about the connecting axis so that the load can be rotated through, for example, a full 360 degree rotation. As used herein, the “loading device 109” disclosed herein refers to any loading machine, for example, a forklift vehicle, a mini loader, a forklift truck, etc., which can lift the load and turn the load through a predefined angle via electric or hydraulic motors 109b attached to the loading device, as well as lift and transfer a predetermined load from one location to another. The arms 102 and 103 extend from the connection member 101 to rigidly receive a container. For example, the container gripping and turning apparatus 100 clamps around a 600 liters plastic box at a pressure of about 30 bar.

[0013] The flanged members 104 and 105 extending perpendicularly from one or both opposing sides of each of the two arms 102 and 103 provide a rigid support at a lower section of the container, where the hydraulic motor 109b is configured to turn the container through a predefined angle of 360 degrees, to empty contents of the container, or within 360 degrees angle of rotation, and thereby retaining the original erect position of the container without counter rotating the turning device to return to the original erect position of the container. The clamping assembly 106 is configured for rotation via an electric motor or a hydraulic motor 109b operably configured for connection with the lever member 109a of the loading device 109. The lever member 109a of the loading device 109 is a hydraulic actuated lever arm. When the operator actuates the joystick, the hydraulic actuated lever arm which comprises a bucket cylinder and a piston, lifts the container gripping and turning apparatus 100 and the container rigidly positioned on the container gripping and turning apparatus 100. In an example, the container gripping and turning apparatus 100, in other terms a “box turner” or a “container turner”, is configured as a spare part for a mini loader machine instead of configuring as a fixed part to the mini loader machine.

[0014] In an embodiment, the connection member 101 is a clamping assembly 106.

The clamping assembly 106 comprises a rectangular tray 107 operably configured for connection with the lever member 109a of the loading device 109, and one or more rods 108 fixedly positioned between horizontally opposing edges 107a and 107b of the rectangular tray 107. The arms 102 and 103 are slidably engaged on each of the rods 108 as illustrated in FIG. 1. A hydraulic pressing device operably configured for connection with the lever member 109a is configured to displace the two arms 102 and 103 proximal to each other to apply a clamping pressure to rigidly receive the container. When a user actuates the hydraulic pressing device, the arms 102 and 103 are pushed proximal to each other, therefore the arms 102 and 103 slide proximal to each other along the rods 108, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, each of the flanged members 104 and 105 has an upper flange 104a and 105a, and a lower flange 104b and 105b. The upper flanges 104a and 105a, and the lower flanges 104b and 105b provide the rigid support at an upper section and the lower section of the container.

[0015] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the container gripping and turning apparatus 100, showing single flanged members 104 and 105, and a rotatable disc 110. In an embodiment the connection member 101 is, for example, a rotatable disc 110 configured for connection with the lever member 109a of the loading device 109. The rotatable disc 110 is configured for rotation via an electric motor or a hydraulic motor 109b operably configured for connection with the lever member 109a of the loading device 109. In an example, when the operator actuates a second joystick, the electric motor having a low rotations per minute (RPM) and high torque, is started, which enables the rotatable disc 110 or the clamping assembly 106 fastened to the shaft of the electric motor to be rotated at a low RPM. Therefore the rotation of the rotatable disc 110 or the clamping assembly 106 further facilitates the container rigidly positioned on the container gripping and turning apparatus 100 to be turned in a slow manner to smoothly empty the contents of the container. In another example, a hydraulic motor 109b is operably connected to the rotatable disc 110 or the clamping assembly 106 instead of an electric motor which utilizes the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic circuit of the loading device 109 and facilitate the turning of the container rigidly positioned on the container gripping and turning apparatus 100.

[0016] In an embodiment, the arms 102 and 103 are of a generally curved shape and one end of each of the arms 102 and 103 are slidably fastened to the rotatable disc 110 via a linear slot 111 positioned on the rotatable disc 110. The arms 102 and 103 are configured to be displaced towards each other through the linear slot 111, thereby generating a clamping pressure on the container received within the two arms 102 and 103. In an embodiment, each of the flanged members 104 and 105 has lower flanges 104b and 105b. The lower flanges 104b and 105b provide a rigid support at the lower section of the container.

[0017] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a method for lifting and turning a container. A container gripping and turning apparatus 100 comprising a connection member 101, for example, a rotatable disc 110, at least two arms 102 and 103, and at least two flanged members 104 and 105 are provided 301. The arms 102 and 103 extending from the rotatable disc 110 rigidly receive 302 the container. The flanged members 104 and 105 rigidly support 303 a lower section of the container received within the arms 102 and 103. The loading device 109 lifts 304 the rigidly positioned container to a predefined height. The loading device 109 turns 305 the rigidly positioned container through a predefined angle of 360 degrees, at the predefined height to empty contents of the container.

[0018] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.

Claims

An apparatus 100 gripping and rotating a container, configured to grasp a container and rotating said container at a predefined angle, comprising: a loading unit 109; a rocker arm member 109a coupled to said load unit 109; characterized in that the apparatus 100 which engages and rotates the container further comprises; a hydraulic motor 109b coupled to said rocker arm member 109a; a connecting element 101, rotatably coupled to said hydraulic motor 109b and configured to connect with said rocker arm element 109a on said load unit 109; at least two arms 102 and 103 extending from said connecting member 101 to rigidly receive said container; and at least two flange members 104 and 105 extending perpendicularly from one or both opposite sides of each of said at least two arms 102 and 103 to provide rigid support to the lower portion of said container, wherein said hydraulic motor 109b is configured to rotate said container at a predetermined angle of 360 degrees to empty the contents of said container.

The apparatus 100 gripping and rotating a container of claim 1, wherein said connecting element 101 consists of a clamping structure 106, wherein said clamping construction 106 consists of: a rectangular notch 107, operably connected to said rocker arm element 109a of said load unit 109; and one or more rods 108, secured between horizontally opposite edges of said rectangular tray 107, wherein said two arms 102 and 103 are slidably disposed on each of said one or more rods 108, further comprising a hydraulic pressing device, operatively connected to said rocker arm member 109a configured to displace said at least two arms 102 and 103 proximally to each other, to apply a squeezing pressure, to rigidly receive said container.

The apparatus 100 gripping and rotating a container of claim 1, wherein each of said at least two flange members 104 and 105 has an upper flange 104 and a lower flange 105, wherein said upper flange 104 and said lower flange 105 is configured to provide said rigid support to an upper section and said lower section of said container.

The apparatus 100 gripping and rotating a container of claim 1, wherein said connecting element 101 is a rotatable disk 110 configured for connection with said rocker arm element 109a from said load unit 109, wherein said rotatable disk 110 is configured to being rotated via said hydraulic motor 109b operably connected to said rocker arm member 109a from said load unit 109.

The apparatus 100 gripping and rotating a container of claim 4, wherein said at least two arms 102 and 103 are of generally curved shape and one end from each of said at least two arms 102 and 103 is slidably secured to said rotatable disc 110 via a linear groove 111 which sits on said rotatable disc 110, wherein said at least two arms 102 and 103 are configured to displace one another through said linear groove 111, thereby generating a squeezing pressure on said container received within said at least two arms 102 and 103.

The apparatus 100 gripping and rotating a container of claim 1, wherein each of said at least two flange members 104 and 105 has a lower flange 104, wherein said lower flange 104 is configured to provide said rigid support to the said lower section of said container.

A method of lifting and rotating a container, said method comprising: An apparatus 100 gripping and rotating a container consisting of: a loading unit 109; a rocker arm member 109a coupled to said load unit 109; characterized in that the apparatus 100 which engages and rotates the container further comprises; a hydraulic motor 109b coupled to said rocker arm member 109a; a connecting element 101, rotatably coupled to said hydraulic motor 109b and configured for connection with a rocker arm element 109a on said load unit 109; at least two arms 102 and 103 extending from said connecting element 101; and at least two flange members 104 and 105 extending perpendicularly from one or both opposite sides of each of said at least two arms 102 and 103; receiving the said container rigidly within the at least two arms 102 and 103 extending from said connecting element 101; rigidly supporting a lower section of said container received within said at least two arms 102 and 103 via said at least two flange members 104 and 105; lifting said rigidly positioned container to a predetermined height via said loading unit 109; and rotating said rigidly positioned container through a predetermined angle of 360 degrees via a hydraulic motor 109b operably connected to said rocker arm element 109 from said loading unit 109, and at a predetermined height, to empty the contents of said container via said cargo unit 109.

The method of claim 7, wherein said connecting element 101 consists of a clamping structure 106, wherein said clamping construction 106 consists of: a rectangular tray 107 configured for connection with said rocker arm element 109a from said load unit 109; and one or more rods 108, fixed between horizontally opposite edges of said rectangular tray 107, wherein said two arms 102 and 103 are slidably disposed on each of said one or more rods 108, wherein there is further a hydraulic pressing device which is configured for connection with said rocker arm member 109a which displaces said at least two arms 102 and 103 to each other to apply a squeezing pressure to rigidly receive said container.

The method of claim 7, wherein each of said at least two flange members 104 and 105 has an upper flange 104 and a lower flange 105, wherein said upper flange 104 and said lower flange 105 provide said rigid support for an upper section. and said lower section of said container.