EP3580135A1

EP3580135A1 - Rack to transport containers of liquids

Info

Publication number: EP3580135A1
Application number: EP18702734.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ivone CAPOVILLA
Original assignee: Steelco SpA
Current assignee: Steelco SpA
Priority date: 2017-02-08
Filing date: 2018-02-08
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Also published as: IT201700013690A1; WO2018146175A1

Abstract

Rack to transport containers of liquids, in particular in washer machines, comprising a containing body (12) where the containers (11) can be housed and a lid (13) for closing the containing body (12); the lid (13) is formed by at least two sections (113, 213) connected by articulation means (21), so that they can rotate reciprocally from at least one extraction or insertion position of the lid (13) from or into the containing body (12), in which the lid (13) assumes a folded configuration, and at least a second position in which the lid (13) closes the containing body (12), or vice versa. The rack also comprises a clamping device (25) which can be selectively actuated to keep the lid (13) in the position where it closes the containing body (12).

Description

"RACK TO TRANSPORT CONTAINERS OF LIQUIDS"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a rack to transport containers of liquids, in particular in washer machines, inside which it is possible, through a plurality of steps, to wash, rinse, fill and close the containers in an automated manner, and in any case with the minimum manual intervention of an operator.

The containers in question can be, for example but not exclusively, bottles, feeding bottles, drinking troughs or other containers or receptacles for feeding animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Machines are known, at least partly automated, used for washing containers of liquids, for example, but not exclusively, bottles, feeding bottles, troughs or other, usable for feeding animals such as, for example, guinea pigs, laboratory rodents or others.

It is known that, before washing, the containers arrive closed by suitable covering elements, which are generally shaped with a spout, to allow the animal to take the liquid contained in the container, and which have to be supplied, at the end of the wash, closed again and filled with other feeding liquid.

The containers and their spouts can have different sizes and volumes, to adapt to the different sizes and needs of the animals to be fed.

The rack to transport the containers normally has lateral and bottom walls which define a containing body which has an upper aperture through which the containers are inserted into appropriate housings defined therein.

The containing body can be closed by a lid, to retain the containers inside, useful for example for carrying out the operations of removing the covering elements, for washing, filling and reclosing the washed containers, as well as in the case where the rack is overturned.

Normally both the containing body and the lid are made with a grid structure to facilitate the positioning of the containers, in particular of the spouts which can pass through the lid, as well as to facilitate the dripping of the washing and rinsing liquid. The lid can be coupled, for example in interlocking, snap-in or other manner, with the upper aperture of the containing body and can be removed on each occasion by the operator to allow the rack itself to be loaded.

One disadvantage of these known racks, for example, is that their configuration can complicate and slow down the loading steps, which are normally performed manually by an operator.

This aspect can, in the long term, lead to a large number of downtimes, a decrease in productivity and a slowing down of the corresponding washing cycles.

Moreover, the closing lid is formed by a single rigid element, which must therefore be inserted with precision and skill between two opposite walls of the containing body of the rack, where the support and retention means of the lid are housed. This operation of inserting the lid must therefore be carried out by tilting the lid with respect to the final positioning position, inserting one side of the lid into retaining means of a wall of the containing body of the rack and then subsequent rotation of the lid to allow its definitive positioning and engagement on retaining means provided on the opposite wall of the containing body.

This operation can therefore prove to be very laborious and can even lead to inaccurate positioning of the lid on the containing body.

The positioning of the rigid lid is further complicated by the fact that the containers are already housed in the containing body of the rack, so the operator has a further obstacle in the correct positioning of the lid.

In general, therefore, known racks have a configuration which can make the loading steps inconvenient, and moreover the lid, being rigid, does not allow a fast, effective and precise operation of covering and closing the rack.

Moreover, generally, the known racks or containers in question are not provided with means or devices for clamping the lid, in particular in the closed position of the rack or container, so that the lid is not firmly disposed in the closed position on the containing body.

A known container that has the limits and disadvantages described above is described, for example, in DE-U-20013645.

Other limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will be clear to a person of skill after reading the remaining part of the present description with reference to the drawings and the description of the embodiments that follow, although it is clear that the description of the state of the art connected to the present description must not be considered an admission that what is described here is already known from the state of the prior art.

There is therefore a need to make a rack to transport containers of liquids which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a rack to transport containers of liquids, in particular to transport them in washer machines of said containers, which provides fast, simple and precise closing operations.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a rack to transport containers of liquids which can be released from the containing body of the rack, but which allows operators to perform rapid and precise closing operations, even in the presence of potential interference of the containers, which are already suitably housed in the containing body of the rack.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a rack to transport containers of liquids which is easy to make and allows an effective and prompt disposition of the containers in the containing body.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a rack to transport containers of liquids in which the lid can be kept firmly in the closed position of the rack.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a rack to transport containers of liquids according to the invention, in particular in washer machines, comprises a containing body where the containers can be housed, and a lid for closing the containing body.

According to a characteristic aspect of the invention, the lid is formed by at least two sections connected by articulation means, so that they can rotate reciprocally from at least one extraction or insertion position of the lid from or into the containing body in which the lid assumes a folded configuration, and at least a second position in which the lid closes the containing body, or vice versa. The rack is also provided with a clamping device which can be selectively actuated to keep the lid in the position where it closes the containing body.

According to one aspect of the invention, in the closed position, the sections of the lid are aligned and, therefore, the lid is in a flat position.

The articulation means of the sections can be positioned on opposite sides of the sections of the lid.

The rack can also be provided with one or more end-of-travel elements configured to limit the reciprocal rotation of the sections of the lid.

In some embodiments, the clamping device can comprise at least one rotatable head, configured to assume at least a first position that allows the extraction or insertion of the lid from and into the containing body and at least a second position in which it interferes with the sections of the lid, preventing the extraction thereof.

The head of the clamping device can be disposed in a rotatable manner on a rod by means of at least one elastic element able to allow at least a defined and desired axial travel of the head with respect to the rod.

Preferably, the head has an extension such as to interfere, in the second position where the extraction or insertion of the lid is prevented, with at least the internal and opposite edges delimiting the sections of the lid.

The head can also comprise housing seatings of the edges of the sections of the lid.

The clamping device can also comprise at least one interference element able to limit the rotation of the head.

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and attached claims. The drawings, which are integrated and form part of the present description, show some forms of embodiment of the present invention, and together with the description, are intended to describe the principles of the disclosure.

The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics described in the attached dependent claims, can be the object of divisional applications.

It is understood that any aspect or characteristic that is discovered, during the patenting process, to be already known, shall not be claimed and shall be the object of a disclaimer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a rack to transport containers of liquid provided with a lid in a closed position, that is, in an extended or flat position;

- fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the rack of fig. 1 with the lid in a position of extraction or insertion;

- fig. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a first active position of a clamping device to clamp the lid in a closed position;

- fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping device in an inactive position. To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

A rack 10 to contain containers 1 1 of liquids comprises a containing body 12 of the containers 11 and a removable closing lid 13.

The containers 1 1 of liquids generally comprise a container body 14 closed by a corresponding removable covering element 15.

The containing body 12, as can be seen, is preferably formed by a grid structure which provides a series of bars 16, 16a positioned so as to define a support base for the containers 11 in the containing body 12 and four lateral walls that delimit the containing body 12.

Support means 17 of the lid 13 are positioned on bars 16a situated on opposite sides of the containing body 12.

On each side of the containing body 12, for example, two support means 17 can be provided, situated at the same height.

The support means 17 can comprise brackets 18 suitably protruding toward the inside of the containing body 12 and seatings 19 for inserting the external edges 20a of the lid 13.

The lid 13 is also formed by a series of bars 20, of varying shape and disposition, of which two end bars represent the external edges 20a of the lid 13. The lid 13 is also formed by two sections 113 and 213 which are provided with internal edges 20b, formed in this example by corresponding bars.

The two sections 113 and 213 which form the lid 13 are associated with each other in correspondence with the internal edges 20b by means of articulation means 21, which allow a reciprocal rotation thereof.

The articulation means 21 are disposed on opposite sides of the sections 113 and 213 and can be formed, for example, by a pair of hinges, or other system which allows a reciprocal rotation of the sections 113 and 213.

The reciprocal rotation of the two sections 1 13 and 213 can be limited by at least one end-of-travel element 22 located on at least one side of the lid 13. Preferably, an end-of-travel element 22 will be provided on two opposite sides of the lid 13, for example near the articulation means 21, as shown in the drawings.

The end-of-travel element 22 can comprise a first part 23 attached to one of the two sections, for example section 213, and a second part 24 able to abut against the other section, for example section 1 13, following the rotation of sections 1 13 and 213 around the articulation means 21, for this purpose compare fig. 1 and fig. 2.

The angle of reciprocal rotation of the two sections 1 13 and 213 is preferably such that the external edges 20a of the lid 13, each of which is associated with one of the sections 1 13 and 213, remain always resting on the support means 17, both in the extended closed position, fig. 1, and also in the folded position of extraction or insertion of the lid 13, fig. 2.

According to the sizing parameters of the sections 1 13 and 213, the lid 13 could provide a closed position in which it is not completely extended and therefore in which the sections 1 13 and 213 are not aligned.

The rack 10 is provided with a clamping device 25, which can be selectively driven and has the function of keeping the lid 13 firmly in the closed position of fig. I - As can be understood by observing the attached drawings, the clamping device 25 comprises a head 26 rotatable around an axis A with respect to a fixed rod 27, see, for example, fig. 3 and fig. 4.

The rod 27 can be attached to one of the bars 16 of the containing body 12.

The head 26 is fitted substantially on the fixed rod 27, and is kept raised with respect to said rod 27 by at least one elastic element 28, such as a spring or suchlike, able to allow a certain play and a defined and desired axial travel of the head 26 with respect to the rod 27.

The elastic element 28 cooperates at one end with an annular element 29 made on the rod 27 and, at the other end, with a bushing 30, made at the base of the head 26 and fitted on the rod 27.

The head 26 has an extension E which is greater than the separation distance D between the edges 20b of the two sections 1 13 and 213, so that, in the position of fig. 3, it can interfere with the two sections 1 13 and 213 and therefore, substantially, prevent the extraction of the lid 13.

The head 26 can also be provided with suitable seatings 31 to house the edges

20b of the two sections 113 and 213, which in this case are formed by two bars, for example with a rounded section, or similar.

The head 26 also comprises a slit 32, made for example in an upper zone of the bushing 30. An interference element 33 protrudes from the slit 32, and is able to limit the rotation of the head 26, substantially from the position of fig. 3 to the position of fig. 4, and vice versa.

The interference element 33 is also able to keep the head 26 in position on the elastic element 28 and, therefore, on the rod 27.

In fig. 4, one of the lateral walls of the slit 32 of the head 26 abuts against the interference element 33. In this position, the head 26 does not interfere with the two edges 20b of the sections 113 and 213 of the lid 13, therefore the lid 13 can be extracted, by reciprocal rotation of the sections 1 13 and 213.

The interference element 33 is integral with the rod 27 and, substantially protrudes in a radial direction from the slit 32, thus resting on the upper surface of the bushing 30.

Between the interference element 33 and the upper edge of the slit 32 a certain distance is left, which substantially defines the possible axial travel of the head 26 with respect to the rod 27, regulated by the elastic element 28.

In one example of use, therefore, it can be hypothesized that the rack 10 is filled with containers 1 1 as in fig. 1 and that the lid 13 is correctly positioned on the containing body 12, by resting the external edges 20a on the support means 17.

In the closed configuration or position, the lid 13 can be in a lying position, therefore with the sections 113 and 213 aligned, but, as we said above, also the closed configuration could provide a lid 13 at least slightly folded, therefore with the sections 113 and 213 not aligned.

The bars 20 which form the lid 13 can also rest on the upper parts of the container bodies 14, in particular if it is provided that the lid 13 assumes a fully extended configuration.

Moreover, the clamping device 25 is activated so as to prevent the extraction of the lid 13, in particular the head 26 is rotated so as to interfere with the internal edges 20b of the sections 113 and 213 of the lid 13.

The head 26 can assume, for example, a direction transverse to the direction of development of the edges 20b, as shown in fig. 1.

To release the lid 13 and allow its extraction, it is first necessary to deactivate the clamping device 25, so it is necessary to rotate the head 26 from the position of figs. 1 and 3 to the position of figs. 2 and 4.

If the head 26 includes the seatings 31 in which the edges 20b of the sections 1 13 and 213 of the lid 13 are housed, to rotate the head 26, it is sufficient to exert a slight pressure on the sections 1 13 and 213 so that they rotate slightly around the articulation means 21, so that the edges 20b are lowered with respect to the seatings 31. Or the clamping device 25 can be slightly raised by acting on the head 26.

After the rotation of the head 26, the edges 20b of the sections 113 and 213 of the lid 13 are free, therefore it is possible to rotate the sections 113 and 213 around the articulation means 21 to pass from the configuration of the lid 13 in fig. 1 to the folded configuration of the lid in fig. 2, then remove the lid 13.

As we said, an excessive reciprocal rotation of the sections 113 and 213 of the lid 13 is prevented by the end-of-travel elements 22, so that the lid 13 is not folded excessively.

From the position of fig. 2, the lid 13 can be easily gripped and extracted from the containing body 12 of the rack 10.

To position the lid 13 again on the containing body 12, the operations described above by way of example are performed in reverse order, that is, the lid 13 in the folded configuration of fig. 2 is made to rest with the external edges 20a on the support means 17.

Then the sections 113 and 213 are pressed so that they rotate around the articulation means 21, so that the lid 13 assumes the extended form of fig. 1.

At this point, to ensure a better positioning of the lid 13 and prevent any accidental extraction thereof, the clamping device 25 is driven, with the head 26 being rotated from the position in figs. 2 and 4 to the position in figs. 1 and 3.

The function of the head 26 is therefore substantially to provide an interference element for the internal edges 20b of the sections 1 13 and 213, therefore the head 26 could also be provided with a lower edge without the seatings 31 and substantially smooth, or made in another way.

Moreover, the head 26 could be positioned on the rod 27 in a more raised position with respect to what is shown in the drawings, so that it can rotate even more freely than as shown.

The elastic element 28, moreover, could be replaced by a cylindrical element associated with the rotatable head 26.

Although the clamping device 25 that clamps the position of the lid 13 has been described with reference to the embodiment of figs. 3 and 4, it is clear that it would be possible to provide other forms of clamping device 25, able to ensure in any case that the sections 113 and 213 of the lid 13 are kept in the closed position.

The clamping device 25 could therefore comprise elements different from those shown and suitable to interfere with the sections 113 and 213 of the lid 13 in a releasable manner, with the possible use of elastic means or suchlike, or again, the clamping device 25 could comprise other magnetic, mechanical, or electromagnetic means to hold the sections 113 and 213 of the lid 13 in the closed position.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the rack 10 to transport containers of liquids as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of rack to transport containers of liquids, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Rack to transport containers of liquids, in particular in washer machines, comprising a containing body (12) where the containers (1 1) can be housed and a lid (13) for closing the containing body (12), characterized in that the lid (13) is formed by at least two sections (1 13, 213) connected by articulation means (21), so that they can rotate reciprocally from at least one extraction or insertion position of the lid (13) from or into said containing body (12), in which the lid (13) assumes a folded configuration, and at least a second position in which said lid (13) closes the containing body (12), or vice versa, and in that it comprises a clamping device (25) which can be selectively actuated to keep the lid (13) in the position where it closes the containing body (12).

2. Rack as in claim 1, characterized in that in the closed position, said sections (113, 213) are aligned and said lid (13) is in a flat position.

3. Rack as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said articulation means (21) are positioned on opposite sides of said sections (113, 213) of the lid (13).

4. Rack as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises one or more end-of-travel elements (22) configured to limit the reciprocal rotation of said sections (1 13, 213) of the lid (13).

5. Rack as in any claim hereibefore, characterized in that said clamping device (25) comprises at least one rotatable head (26), configured to assume at least a first position that allows the extraction or insertion of the lid (13) from and into said containing body (12) and at least a second position in which it interferes with the sections (1 13, 213) of the lid (13), preventing the extraction thereof.

6. Rack as in claim 5, characterized in that said head (26) is disposed in a rotatable manner on a rod (27) by means of at least one elastic element (28) able to allow at least a defined and desired axial travel of said head (26) with respect to said rod (27).

7. Rack as in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said head (26) has an extension (E) such as to interfere, in said second position where the extraction or insertion of the lid (13) is prevented, with at least the internal and opposite edges (20b) delimiting said sections (113, 213) of the lid (13).

8. Rack as in claim 7, characterized in that said head (26) comprises housing seatings (31) of the edges (20b) of the sections (113, 213) of the lid (13).

9. Rack as in any of the claims from 5 to 8, characterized in that said clamping device (25) comprises at least one interference element (33) able to limit the rotation of said head (26).