EP1375355A2 - Apparatus for opening and transfering collapsible containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine for erecting collapsible crates (3, 4, 5') comprises a conveyor belt (2) which is positioned above a second conveyor (1). The folded crates fall from the first to the second conveyor so that they end up with their top (5a) downwards on the second belt. This feeds them to a vibrating table. The width of the second belt is not more than the difference between the length of the longer sides of the crate and twice its height. An Independent claim is included for a method for erecting collapsible crates using the machine.

Description

The invention relates to a device for unfolding and forwarding of containers with a rectangular container base and foldable Walls that are a pair of first collapsed when collapsed Form walls and a pair of second collapsed walls, and that with a conveyor line for serving the containers, one Vibrating table and at least one conveyor line for further transport the container is equipped. The invention also relates to the invention is a process for unfolding and forwarding containers using said device.

Loading aids are needed for an effective flow of materials and goods required, which is both a rational transport as well enable optimal storage of goods. The most important Loading aids of this type include pallets and stacking containers. A major advantage of these loading aids is that that they are reusable. This property leads however also on a logistical problem of considerable importance, since the empty loading aids are brought back to the place where they were filled Need to become.

With the stacking containers, this problem is reduced by that containers with a rectangular container base and foldable Walls. The empty ones are used for transport Container then folded and stacked on top of one another, whereby the transport volume compared to stacking containers with rigid walls is drastically reduced. The use of Folding container, however, leads to a new problem, the one in it there is that the container before refilling it in one additional work step must be deployed.

According to the prior art, the unfolding of the empty container often done manually. The disadvantage here, however, is that this work is physically demanding on the one hand and on the other are very wage-intensive because of the manual activity.

Devices are also known in the prior art which erect the walls with the help of gripping arms. The folded one The container is usually aligned horizontally, with the top of the container facing up so that the collapsed Lay the walls on top. The positioning of the folded The container must be carried out exactly thus the gripper arms that are subsequently used can work flawlessly. When it unfolds, two judge opposite gripper arms first the top walls, then with 90 ° offset gripper arms in the two remaining walls after a process of the same type unfolded at the top. The erected walls must finish are still snapped into each other at the corners, what is done by a device equipped with rackets becomes.

A major disadvantage of devices of the type mentioned is to see in their limited throughput. The reason for this lies is due to a relatively slow unfolding process, which at Prior art devices of the order of magnitude 5 - 6 seconds per container. This results in a comparative low work cycle with a throughput of maximum 750 containers per hour. Another disadvantage of the above The procedure is to be regarded as that for its implementation complex devices are necessary, such as the device for exact positioning of the folded containers in front of the Unfolding and the device for unfolding by means of gripping arms self.

Against this background, the invention has set itself the task a device for unfolding and forwarding containers with rectangular container bottom and foldable walls to indicate which avoids the disadvantages mentioned, an essential yields higher throughput, comparatively simple Has components and therefore inexpensive to manufacture is. Another object of the invention is an advantageous Specify procedures for unfolding and forwarding containers.

• eine Förderstrecke, vorzugsweise ein Förderband, vorgesehen ist,
  • deren Breite quer zur Transportrichtung kleiner/gleich der Differenz aus der Längskante einer ersteingeklappten Behälterwand und dem doppelten Wert der Höhe der Behälterwände ist
• Mittel zur Zuführung der Behälter vorgesehen sind,
  • welche die Behälter
    • mit eingeklappten Wänden
    • und mit ihrer Oberseite nach unten weisend der Förderstrecke zuführen,
    • wobei die Behälter eine Fallstrecke geringer Höhe durchlaufen,
    • und mit den ersteingeklappten Behälterwänden auf der Förderstrecke zu liegen kommen
      • wobei die Längskante der genannten Behälterwände quer zur Transportrichtung und symmetrisch zur Breite der Förderstrecke ausgerichtet ist,
• und die genannte Förderstrecke die Behälter dem Rütteltisch zuführt.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with respect to the device in that

• a conveyor line, preferably a conveyor belt, is provided,
  • whose width across the direction of transport is less than / equal to the difference between the longitudinal edge of a first folded-in container wall and twice the value of the height of the container walls
• Means for feeding the containers are provided
  • which the containers
    • with walls folded
    • and lead the top of the conveyor section downwards,
    • the containers passing through a low-altitude drop section,
    • and come to rest on the conveyor line with the first folded container walls
      • the longitudinal edge of said container walls being oriented transversely to the direction of transport and symmetrically to the width of the conveying path,
• and said conveyor line feeds the containers to the vibrating table.

The proposed device for unfolding and forwarding of containers has several components, the interlocking Execute work steps. One of the essential components is the mentioned conveyor line, which is used both for transport the container serves as well as a contribution to the unfolding the container walls does. To do the latter job, the conveyor line has a precisely defined width, which less than / equal to the difference from the longitudinal edge of a first folded Container wall and twice the value of the height of the Is container walls. This measure corresponds to the distance at a container with folded walls between the top Edges of the second folded container walls is given.

Another essential component of the present device relates to means for feeding the containers to the conveyor line. According to a feature of the invention it is provided that this Medium the container with the walls folded and with her Pass the conveyor line upside down. The Feeding takes place in such a way that the containers fall less Go through the height and with the first folded container walls come to rest on the conveyor line. Essential here is the orientation of the folding container. According to the present Invention, it is specified so that the longitudinal edge of the above Container walls transverse to the direction of transport and symmetrical to the width of the conveyor line.

As a result of this orientation and the given width of the conveyor line, takes the conveyor belt with each folding container Gap between the top edges of the second folded Container walls, or formulated the other way around, sit Container with the first folded walls on the conveyor belt on, while the second collapsed walls left and right outside of the conveyor belt come to rest.

A key concept of the invention relates to the free falling movement of the Containers when they are handed over to the conveyor line. This movement leads to the containers hitting the conveyor line experience a force shock that unfolds the second folded container walls causes. Here are - an essential Consideration of the invention accordingly - the dimensions of the Conveying path set transversely to the direction of transport so that the hit the second folded walls outside the conveyor belt. You are therefore free to move and can therefore be under unfold the force acting on them.

The containers with the unfolded two unfolded walls from the conveyor line to the downstream vibrating table fed, which in the present invention have two tasks. On the one hand, the partially opened containers experience as a result of Vibrations in turn power shocks, which in this case lead to the opening of the second folded walls. The shaking movements also effect in a manner known per se also loosening of dirt and other impurities from the walls and bottom of the folding containers. Here will the loosened rubbish is transported away via further funding institutions, which, however, are not the subject of the present invention and can be formed arbitrarily.

As follows from the explanations given, they are for unfolding the container used means structurally very simple. The individual work steps are also very simple, which lead to unfolding. For an unfolding process are therefore only comparatively short times required the advantageous consequence that with the device according to the invention a significantly higher throughput is achieved than in known ones Devices with gripping arms the container walls raise. Like test runs with the proposed device throughputs from 1,000 to 1,200 folding boxes easily achievable per hour.

The device according to the present invention also runs all processes for unfolding the container automatically. Compared to those methods according to the prior art, at which unfolding is carried out manually, can be through the use of the proposed device therefore more advantageous Saving wage and time-consuming work processes.

For the unfolding of the folding walls, it is advantageous if on the mentioned conveyor line below the conveyor level in the direction of transport pointing guide elements are attached. Their distance is designed so that it is continuous in the direction of transport increases and ends at a value that is about the twice the wall thickness of the container walls is smaller than the longitudinal edge is the container wall lying transverse to the conveyor line. This constructive measures mean that not complete Unfolded container walls pointing in the direction of transport from the inside run against the guide elements and to the final width be opened. The guide elements thus bring additional Security that the first folded container walls at all containers unfolded at the latest when they reach the vibrating table are.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the Means for feeding the container to said conveyor line Include delivery route and this route above the above Conveyor line is arranged ending. On this track the containers are folded and as in transported in a stack one after the other, wherein the top of the container points in the transport direction. The Transfer from the Andean line to the conveyor line takes place in the way that the individual containers each over the end of the Tilt the Andean route. After going through a free Fall distance, hit it with the top of the container down pointing to the conveyor line and come with the first folded Container walls to lie on the conveyor line.

The required free according to a feature of the invention Falling distance of low height is due to the proposed arrangement implemented in a very simple way. The chosen ones design measures only see the container tipping over from a higher Andean route to the named one Conveyor line in front. Although this means hardly any noteworthy contributions to the manufacturing cost of the device is incurred by the constructive measures mentioned are nevertheless essential Result, the opening of the last collapsed container walls, achieved.

The height of the Andier stretch is important for the invention over the conveyor line mentioned, since it is the impact force the container on the conveyor line is determined and therefore for a perfect opening of the second folded container walls responsible for. On the other hand, the impact force depends also on parameters of the containers, such as their Height and weight. To make the present device optimal To be able to set the respective parameters is the said height adjustable according to a feature of the invention executed.

In a preferred development of the device according to the invention there is a stop at the end of the tender route, against which the containers start and which the containers in releases a predeterminable clock. This bar is usually like this set that the lying on the conveyor line in one plane Bottom of the container a comparatively short distance to each other. The processes necessary for the development allow such a tight arrangement of the containers, it is essential with to shorten the cycle time.

After passing through the vibrating table, the second ones are also folded Container walls unfolded downwards. Before however the container processing machines, for example one Machine for cleaning the containers or one for filling with goods that can be fed, it is necessary to the walls to lock against each other. This process is in the Further transport provided for the conveyor line.

According to a feature of the invention are therefore in the Conveyor section provided with two swivel arms / swivel plates, each parallel to a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport axis aligned to the transport plane are pivotable. The Panning takes place from the horizontal or an inclined against the horizontal direction in the vertical. The movement takes place in opposite directions, so that during this process the swivel arms / swivel plates between one of the unfolded, container walls oriented transversely to the transport direction enclose and align them in the vertical position out. This comes in the area of the vertical edges of the The container walls provided snaps for mutual engagement and put the relevant container walls against each other firmly. Compared to conventional devices in which this process is achieved with thugs or knockers the device according to the present invention is considerable Simplification with itself.

The invention sees a particular aspect of the latter solution preferred variant. This is characterized in that the swivel arms / swivel plates when swiveling between one wall of a container and the wall opposite this wall Enclose the wall of the next container. The The advantage of this solution is accordingly that in one Work process simultaneously lying adjacent to each other Walls of two containers can be locked. This rational way of working benefits high throughput in an advantageous manner.

In the technical implementation of the swivel arms / Swivel plates are preferred in a solution in which both Swivel elements each by means of a cranked connecting element are fixed to one and the same shaft, the surface of the Swivel arms / swivel plates each parallel to one through the Axis of the shaft running plane is aligned. The distance both swivel elements to each other correspond to the thickness the container walls enclosed between them. The proposed one Execution with a shaft is advantageous a solution for the required pivoting with the simplest of means of swivel arms / swivel plates are available.

An interesting development of the latter embodiments results from the fact that the leading away from the vibrating table Conveyor line for further transport of the containers two swivel arms / swivel plates are provided. such Designs are particularly in accordance with devices The present invention recommended for a very high Throughput are designed.

Folding containers are used for packaging and transporting goods different sizes used. Have in practice containers, the bottoms of which are the dimensions, have proven themselves 40 cm x 30 cm and 40 cm x 60 cm. This Device for unfolding containers can be done without intervention in use the central conveyor line for both container sizes, if the container walls with 40 cm edge length each pair of the first folded walls, which is on the above Conveyor line comes to lie transversely to the direction of transport. This As a result, the width of the conveyor line for both Container sizes are the same size and the edge length mentioned minus twice the container height.

In principle, containers can also be used if this is appropriate with any dimensions of edge length the second collapsed container walls in the present device to process.

In the same sense, the device according to the present Invention also containers with different heights of the walls be unfolded, provided they meet the condition that the cross Edge length lying to the conveyor line minus twice the container height is greater than / equal to the conveyor belt width.

The use of the device according to the present ending is in advantageously not to special technical requirements established. According to a feature of the invention, it is without problems in existing plants, for example with existing ones Vibrating table or existing washing machine can be integrated. she can therefore be processed in any operation in the folding container be used with advantage.

• Zuführen der Behälter zur weiteren Förderstrecke der Vorrichtung, wobei
  • die Zuführung mit eingeklappten Behälterwänden
  • und mit der Oberseite zur Förderstrecke weisend erfolgt,
  • während der Zuführung die Behälter eine Fallstrecke geringer Höhe durchlaufen
  • und daran anschließend mit den ersteingeklappten Behälterwänden auf der Förderstrecke zu liegen kommen
    • wobei die Längskante der genannten Behälterwände quer zur Transportrichtung und symmetrisch zur Breite der Förderstrecke ausgerichtet ist,
• Zuführen der Behälter mittels der Förderstrecke zum Weitertransport zum Rütteltisch.

The present invention also encompasses a method of deploying containers with folding walls using the proposed device. The following method steps are provided according to the invention:

• Feeding the container to the further conveyor line of the device, wherein
  • the feeder with the container walls folded in
  • and with the top facing the conveyor line,
  • during the feed the containers pass through a low height drop section
  • and then come to rest on the conveyor line with the first folded-in container walls
    • the longitudinal edge of said container walls being oriented transversely to the direction of transport and symmetrically to the width of the conveying path,
• Feed the containers via the conveyor line for further transport to the vibrating table.

The individual process steps are largely self-explanatory. In addition, they are due to the description of the device for unfolding of containers with folding walls have already been sufficiently explained has been, therefore, to a further description to be dispensed with.

Figur 1:

eine Seitenansicht der wesentlichen Komponenten

Figur 2:

einen Schnitt entlang Linie AB von Figur 1

Further details, features and advantages of the invention can be found in the following part of the description. In this part, an embodiment of the device according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a schematic drawing. Show it:

Figure 1:

a side view of the essential components

Figure 2:

a section along line AB of Figure 1

1 and 2 show the central conveyor line 1 and the Andie line 2, on which, representing a stack of identically oriented containers, two containers 3 and 4 are fed to the conveyor line 1 in the folded state. Reference numerals 5 '- 5 ^IV indicate further representations of the folding container, which, however, are only intended to represent one container in different positions. The containers are transported on the Andien stretch 2 with the container top 3a, 4a each pointing in the transport direction 6. Accordingly, the second collapsed container walls 3b, 4b each look in the transport direction, while the container bottoms 3d, 4d each point in the opposite direction. The first folded-in container walls 3c, 4c are consequently arranged between the container wall 3b and 4b and the container base 3d and 4d, respectively.

The transfer from the Andean section 2 to the conveyor section 1 takes place in such a way that the individual containers 5 'each tip over the end 2' of the Andean section 2. The tilting process is indicated in the present illustration by the arrow 7. The release of the containers is controlled by a stop 8 against which containers 3, 4 run. The release cycle is set so that the containers 5 ″, 5 ^lV lying on the conveyor section 1 are at a comparatively small distance from one another.

After passing through a free falling distance (5 "), the containers hit 5 "'with the top 5a of the container facing downwards Conveyor line 1 and come with the first collapsed container walls 5c to lie on the conveyor line 1 while the second folded container walls 5b one position to the left and on the right outside of conveyor belt 1.

When the containers 5 "'hit the conveyor line 1, they experience a force shock which causes the second folded-in walls 5b to fold out. In Figures 1 and 2, this process is indicated by the dashed walls 5b'. Immediately after the impact on the conveyor line 1 the containers then assume the state indicated by reference number 5 ^IV , in which the second folded-in container walls 5b are unfolded.

An essential prerequisite for the process described is justified in the dimensions of the conveyor section 1. As in Figure 2 take out; corresponds to the width 9 of the conveyor line 1 across Direction of transport 10 the distance with a container folded walls through the space between the second collapsed Container walls 5b is given. Because of these guidelines come the second collapsed walls 5b after the free Fall outside the conveyor track width 9 on the conveyor track 1 to lie. They are therefore free to move and can thus unfold under the force impact on them (5b → 5b ').

As can be seen from the figure, the delivery route is 2 arranged above the conveyor line 1 ending. Significant for the invention is also the height 11 of the delivery route 2 over the conveyor line 1, since it is the impact force of the container 5 "'determined on the conveyor line 1 and thus for a flawless Unfold the second folded container walls 5b responsible is. To optimally match this impact force to the container parameters To be able to adjust is the height 11 of the service route 2 above the conveyor line 1 adjustable.

The containers 5 ^IV with the unfolded second unfolded walls 5 ^b are fed from the conveyor line 1 to a vibrating table, not shown. The partially opened containers are fully unfolded here under the influence of the shaking movements.

Claims (13)

Device for unfolding and forwarding containers (3, 4, 5) with a rectangular container bottom and foldable walls (3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5b, 5c), which in the folded state have a pair of first folded walls (3c or 4c or 5c ) and a pair of second collapsed walls (3b or 4b or 5b), equipped with a conveyor line for serving (2) the containers, a vibrating table and at least one conveyor line for the further transport of the containers characterized in that a further conveyor section (1), preferably a conveyor belt, is provided, whose width (9) transverse to the transport direction (10) is less than / equal to the difference between the longitudinal edge of a first folded-in container wall (3c, 4c, 5c) and twice the value of the height of the container walls, Means (2) for supplying the containers (3, 4, 5) are provided, which the containers with folded walls (3b, 3c or 4b, 4c or 5b, 5c) and with their top (5a) pointing downwards to the conveyor section (1), the containers (5 ") traversing a low height drop section, and come to rest on the conveyor track (1) with the first folded-in container walls (5c) the longitudinal edge of said container walls (5c) being oriented transversely to the direction of transport (10) and symmetrically to the width (9) of the conveyor section (1), and said conveyor section (1) feeds the containers (5) to the vibrating table. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to claims 1, characterized in that guide elements pointing in the direction of transport (10) are attached to said conveyor section (1) below the conveyor level, their distance increases continuously in the direction of transport and ends with a value, which is approximately twice the wall thickness of the container walls smaller than the longitudinal edge of the first folded container wall (5c). Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said means for feeding comprise the delivery route (2), this line (2) is arranged to end above said conveyor line (1), the containers (3, 4, 5) are placed on the delivery route (2) with the walls (3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5b, 5c) folded in, the top of the container (3a, 4a, 5a) each pointing in the transport direction (6) and the transfer to the conveyor line takes place by tipping (7) the containers (3, 4, 5) over the end (2 ') of the delivery line (2). Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the height (11) of the delivery route (2) above said conveyor route (1) is adjustable. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that a stop (8) is provided at the end (2 ') of the delivery route (2), against which the containers (3, 4, 5) run, and which releases the containers in a predeterminable cycle. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that on the conveyor line leading away from the vibrating table for the further transport of the containers, two counter-rotating swivel arms / swivel plates are provided, which can each be pivoted from the horizontal about an axis perpendicular to the direction of transport, aligned parallel to the plane of transport, or in a vertical direction inclined to the horizontal, and enclose at least one container wall between them as a gift. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the swivel arms / swivel plates enclose a wall of a container between them and the wall of the subsequent container opposite this wall. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that both swivel arms / swivel plates are each fixed to a shaft by means of a cranked connecting element, the surface of the swivel arms / swivel plates facing the container walls is aligned parallel to a plane running through the axis of the shaft. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that On the conveying path leading away from the vibrating table, further two swivel arms / swivel plates are provided for the further transport of the containers. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that Containers with different sized container bottoms are used, the edge of the container bottom lying transversely to the transport direction of said conveying path being of the same length in all container bases. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that Containers with different height container walls are used. Device for unfolding and forwarding containers according to one of claims 1-11, characterized in that it can be integrated into existing systems with, for example, an existing vibrating table or washing machine. Method for unfolding containers with a rectangular container base and foldable walls using the device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following method steps: successively feeding the individual containers (3, 4, 5) to the further conveyor section (1) of the device, wherein the feed with the container walls folded in (3b, 3c or 4b, 4c or 5b, 5c) and with the upper side (5a) pointing towards the conveyor section (1), during the feeding, the containers (5 ") pass through a low drop distance and then (5 "') with the first folded-in container walls (5c) come to rest on the conveyor line (1) the longitudinal edge of said container walls (5c) being oriented transversely to the direction of transport (10) and symmetrically to the width (9) of the conveyor section (1), Feed the containers (5) by means of the conveyor line for further transport to the vibrating table.

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