GB2522183A - A method and apparatus for unloading boxes or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

An unloading mechanism for boxes or the like comprises a first support 2 to receive a box 4 or the like and a lift and lower mechanism 3 for said support 2. Variations of the invention include (i) a second support 6 for a box and the lift and lower mechanism 3 being electromechanical to facilitate the raising and lowering of the first support 2 without interfering with the second support 6. (ii) A second support 6 where the second support 6 is biased to or from a lowered position. (iii) A tipping mechanism which facilitates the tipping of the first support. (iv) A lid member 11 for closing a box 4 where an electromechanical means is provided in order to open the lid 11 when a box 4 is in a raised position (Figure 4) and clamped against the lid 11 and (v) an unloading mechanism having one or more of the features above. Also claimed are methods of using the apparatus.

Description

AMEIHQQANQ.APPAEAIU&EQE The invention relates to a method and apparatus for unloading boxes or the like; and particular, but not exdusive(y, for use in the unloading of vegetables, root crops and the like.

nvenir A known method for unloading the contents from boxes and containers includes box Lifting and tipping mechanisms on which a fully laden box can be placed in an initial loading poston, or example by a fork hft truck, whereby the box s raed, damped shut and Upped for unloading and Finally returned to an unloading position for subsequent removal.

Ths operabon s followed by the subsequent loathng of another box nto the ntal loadng position. This prme mechanism is automated and indudes a hydraulic lifting means for Lifting a laden box to a position, whereby the box s located against a closing member to contain the load within the box. A hydraulic rotating means rotates both the box and the lifting platform to a position which enables the unloading of the box. A hydraulic opening means incorporated within the closing member, opens a portion of the closing member to enable the contained load to be emptied from the tilted box, into an awaiting hopper or conveyer system. Once emptied, the empty box and lifting platform ae returned to an upright position whereby the empty box is Located on two supporting panels, which maintain the empty box at an elevated position for subsequent removal via a fork lift truck. The lifting platform is lowered between the supporting panels, which are supporting the empty box, to the initial Loading position and thereby enable the subsequent loading of another full box into the mechanism, before the previous box has been removed, The disadvantages of this known system are: The maintenance of the hydraulic rams and pumps for each of the required hydraulic systems require expensive, regular maintenance servicing.

It is difficult and sometimes not possible to determine the precise positioning of the moving lifting and unloading components incorporated within the mechanism, Eg. it would be difficult to determine the following: It wHi be difficult to determine the positioning of the lifting platform between its lower position and its elevated position, as well as the rate of Lift required.

* The rotational positioning of the loaded box between the initial upright position and the required rotated position for unloading.

The positioning of the portion of the dosing member, which enables the closed box to be emptied.

It s an objectwe of the nvenuon to address t east some of these dtsadwmtages In a first broad independent aspect the invention provides an unloading mechanism for boxes or the like comprising: A first support to receive a box or the like; A lift and Lower mechanism for said support; A second support for a box or the Like Means whereby in use, said first support can move past said second support whiLst raising or Lowering a box thereon; Said means in use, facilitates said first support so that ft can be raised and towered without interfering with said second support; Characteri.sed by Said lift and lower mechanism is an electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facWtate the raking and lowering of said first support to Preferably, said electromechanical means further comprises a connecting element which is attached to said first support and to a rotational drive means arranged on said mechanism.

Preferably, said connecting element is a vertical chain.

is Preferably, said rotational drive means is an electrical motor.

Preferably, one end of sad chani s attached at one end to sad twst sppcrt and at a second end to said mechanism.

Preferably. said connecting element cooperates wfth a drive gear coupled to said rotational drive means, whereby the rotation of said drive gear vertically displaces said connecting element.

In a second broad independent aspect, the invention provides a method of unloading boxes or the like characterised by providing an unloading mechanism according to any of the above features, whereby said lifting and lowering mechanism is an electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the raising and lowering of said first support.

In a third broad independent aspect, the invention provides an unLoading mechanism for boxes or the like comprising: A first support to receive a box or the Like; A lift and Lower mechanism for said support; A second support for a box or the Like * Means whereby in use, said first support can move past said second support whilst raising or lowering a box thereon; Said means in use, facilitates said first support so that it can be raised and towered wfthout interfering with said second support: Characterised by Said second support further comprises a spring loaded means for biasing said second support to or from a lowered position.

PreferaMy, said spring Loaded means is an adjustabLe array of resilient spring elements, in a fourth broad independent aspect, the invention provides a method of unloading boxes or the like characterised by providing an unloading mechanism according to any of the above features, wherein said second support further comprises a spring Loaded means tar biasing said second support to a towered position.

In a fifth broad independent aspect, the invention provides an unloading mechanism for boxes or the like comprising: A first support to receive a box or the Like; A lift and lower mechanism for said support; A tipping mechanism for said first support; Whereby a raised box supported thereon can be emptied; Characterised by Preferably. Said tipping mechanism is an electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the tipping of said first support.

Preferably, said eLectromechanical means further a connecting element which is attached to said tippLig mechanism and to a rotationaL drive means arranged on said mechanism.

Preferably, said connecting eLement Is a chain, Preferably, said rotationat drive means is an electrkal motor.

Preferably, sad connethng element ic arranged about an outer edge of a cam shaped supporting member.

Preferably, said connecting element cooperates with a drive gear coupled to said rotational w drive means, whereby the rotation of said drive gear vertically displaces said connecting element, Preferably, said tipping mechanism is arranged on one side of said mechanism and further comprises a second mechanism on the opposite side of the said mechanism.

In a sixth broad independent aspect, the invention provides a method of unloading boxes or the Like tharacterised by providng an unloading me&arnsm according to any of the above features, whereby said tipping mechanism is an electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the tipping of said first support.

In a seventh broad independent aspect, the invention provides an unloading mechanism for boxes or the Uke comprising A first support to receive a box or the Like; A lift and lower mechanism for said support; A lid member for closing a box; Whereby a raised box is damped against said Lid member, Characterked by Said Lid member further comprising an electromechanical means operably attached to a portion of said Lid to facilitate the opening of said lid when damped to a raised boc Preferably, said electromechanical means further comprises a drive eLement coupled to a rotational drive means arranged on said mechanism and a cooperating receiving element arranged on said lid.

Preferably, said drive element is a drive gear.

Preferably, cooperating receiving element is a vertical chain, Preferably, said rotational drive unit is an electrical motor is Preferably, said drive element cooperates with said cooperating receiving element, whereby the rotation of s&d gear vertically displaces said lid rnembe relative to said mechanism.

Preferably, said eleccrornechanicai further comprises a second drive element coupled said rotationaL drive means and which cooperates with a second cooperating receiving element arranged on said lid, Preferably, sad tppng necharnsm s arranged on sFde of sad mechamsm and further comprises a second tipping mechanism arranged on the opposite side of the said mechanism.

Preferably, said Lid member is formed from a flexible web material arranged across a supporting frame, In an eighth broad independent aspect, the invention provides a method of unloading boxes or the Like characterised by providing an unloading mechanism according to any at the above features, wherein said Lid member further comprising an electromechanical means operably attached to a portion of said lid to facilitate the opening of said lid when damped to a raised box.

In a ninth broad independent aspect, the invention provides an unloading mechanism for boxes or the Jke comprising: A first support to receive a box or the like A lift and Lower mechanism for said support; * A tipping mechanism for said first support; Whereby a raised box supported thereon can be emptied; A second support for a box or the like A Lid member far closing a box; 16 Whereby a raised box is damped against said Lid member; Characterised by one or more of the following: * Said Lift and lower mechanism is a first electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the raising and lowering of said first support; Said second support further comprises a spring Loaded means for biasing said second support to a Lowered position; Said tipping mechanism is a second electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the tipping of said first support; and Said lid member further comprising an a third electromechanical means operably attached to a portion of said Lid to facilitate the opening of said lid when damped to a raised box; n tenth broad independent aspect, the invention provides a method of un'oading boxes or the like characterised by providing an unloading mechanism according to cLaim 18, wherein; Said lift and lower mechanism is a first electromechanical means which is operably attadied to said first support to facilftate the raising and Lowering of said first support; Said second support further comprises a spring loaded means for biasing said second support to a owered position; w Said tipcing mechanism is a second electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to faciAtate the tipping of said first support; and Said Ad member further comprising an a third electromechanical means operably attached to a porUon of sad Ad.o Ian tale the opernng o sad Ac Is when damped to a raised box, Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a box being retrieved from the box unloading mechanism, whereby the apparatus has been previously loaded with another box.

Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of an elevated box within the box unloading mechanism, Fgure 3 shows a perspectwe rear vew of a box whch has been a evated wahn tie unloading mechanism.

Fgure 4 shows a perspectwe rear ve' of the tdted box, whch has been canped agansi a partially open Ad.

fl"ures Figure 1 shows an unloading mechanism kr boxes or the Like, generally indicated by 1, which comprises a first main support or pLatform 2 to receive a first box 4 or the like, A Lift and Lowering mechanism 3 is provided for the main support 2, together with a tipping mechanism 5 whereby a raised box 4 supDorted on support 2 can be emptied as shown ln figure 4.

Both the lift and Lower mechanism 3 and tipping mechanism 5 are electromechanically operated. The control of the Lift and Lower and tipping operations k provided by control apparatus (nonshown) incorporating eiectromechanical/electronic -software based control systems.

A secnnd support 6 for a box 4 or the lke s orowded on the niechancrn 1 anc s provded with a spring4oaded means (not shown) to enable the moveabte first support 2 to move past the second support 6 during the pickup therefrom or to deposit thereon a box 4 or the like. The second support 6 is located in a fixed posmon between the raised and lowered positions of the first support 2.

The sprung1oaded means whereby support 2 can move past support 2 incLudes means for moving the second support 6 out of the way of the volume described by box 4 which is raised and Lowered on the support 2. This can be seen in Figure 2, whereby the box has been raised by the support 2, past the second support 6.

As shown in Figure 2, the moveabLe support 2 is formed into a substantially shaped configuration, and the fixed second support 6 comprises two rectangular portions 7, whkh fit within the open ends or the H shaped configuration of the support 2. A pivot mechanism (not shown) is provided to enable portions 7 to be pivoted up and down, so as to permit a box 4, raised on support 2, to move past them. The sprung4oaded means is biased so that the rectangular portions 7 are putted down to or from a lower position, after the elevated box 4 has passed through them.

The frame 8 of the mechansrn I stands on a base structure 9 The tpprng s effected about a pvot axcs 10 The box 4 s clamped by the moveable support 2 aganst a hd or other closing member 11, which has integrated side fLanges 12 for containing the contents of box 4 as it is unloaded. The frame B comprises a Lower fixed portion 13 and an upper tipping portion 14.

The Lift and lower mechanism 3 comprises a vertical chain member 15, which is attached at one end to the main support 2 and at the opposite end is attached to the frame 8 of the mechanism (nonshown). The chain 15 is located about and vertically driven by the drive gear 16 (see Figure 3). The drive gear 16 is coupled to and rotated by an electricaL motor 17, which is Located on top of the upper tipping portion 14 of the frame 8 of the apparatus 1 (see Figure 3).

A second chani 18 s Lotated about the verflcal supportng nember 19 ncorporatng a cam portion 19. The second chain 18 1; Located about the outer edge of the supporting member 19, and is fixed at one end 20 to the supporting member 19. A drive gear engages the second chain 18 and vertically drives the second chain 18 to rotate the cammed supporting member 19 about the pivot axis 10. The carnmed supporting member 19 is attached to the upper tipping portion 14; therefore the upper tipping portion 14 is also subsequently rotated about the pivot axis 10 to facilitate in the unloading of the tifted box (See Figure 3). The drive gear 21 is shown to be engaged with the second chain 18 as shown in Figure 3. The drive gear 21 is coupLed and rotated by a second electrical motor 22 shown in Figure 2. A third chain 23 is Located about a second carnmed supporting member 24, which is Located on the opposite side of the upper tipping portion 14 of the apparatus 1 (see Figure 3 and driven by a third electrical motor (See Figure 3) to provide an adequate rotational drive for rotating the upper tipping portion 14? aLong with a Loaded box 4 about the pivot axis 10.

A Lid member 11 further incorporates an electromechanicaL drive 30 which comprises two gcai drrves 31 wnch are coupled together va a connectng rod 32, where;y the ronnerung rod rs also connected to a fourth electricaL motor 33 The gear drives 3 are located and arranged to engage with cooperating chains eLements 35 that are Located on opposite sides of the lid 11. The Lid 11 is slidethly mounted across the top of the upper tipping portion 14 of the frame of the apparatus 1, whereby the operation of the fourth electrical motor 33 wiLl cause the drive gears 31 to engage with and vertically drive chains 33. Therefore moving the L!d ii to an open position in relation to the upper tipping portion 14 of the frame 8 arid providing an aperture through which the contents of the

U

box 4 is aftowed to pour out onto into an awaiting hopper or conveyor transportation means The Lid 11 is typically constructed from a flexible web member, which extends across a supportmg frame &ranged on top of the upper appu'g ornon 14 and thereby provdes a Lid for the box to damp ag&nst and therefore enclosing the box, In use, a box 4 k loaded whilst in a fulL condition on to the main support 2 which is then raised and passes between supports 6, and therefore lifts up the box so that it is damped against a Lid 11 as shown in Figures 2 to 3. The tipping mechanism then operates and the box is emptied as shown in figure 4. ft then returns to the upright position and the support 2 is then Lowered. The empty box 4 is then deposited on to the second support 6, whereby a second lull box can be placed on the support 2 as soon as it reaches the bottom position.

This enables the removal of the empty box from the second support 6, which can commence even before support 2 reaches its bottom position. As soon as the full box is positioned on the apparatus, or the empty box is removed, the cycle can re--commence.

The re<ommencing could be automatically inftiated through bad sensor detecting the presence of the box and the absence of en empty box. The incorporation of the electrical motors 4 Lifting and lowering mechanism 3 and tipping mechanisms 5 and the opening mechanism of the lid 11 can be positioned very accurately through the use of electronic control systems. These control systems can at all times determine the position of the Loaded boxes, the rotational position of the tipping mechanism, and the actual positioning of the open portion of the lid. Furthermore, the rate in which the electrical motors drive each of these electromechanicaL systems can be controlled to function faster or slower as required; therefore speeding up or slowing down the unloading operation, or controlling the size of the aperture within the Lid to adjust the flow rate of unloading the contained Load from the tilted box,, Furthermore, having discrete electrical systems enables maintenance to be carried out on the separate components or subsystems incorporated within the mechanism without having to service or maintain the whole mechanism, which so is expensive and time consuming; as coud be the case with aLternative hydraulic systemc.

Furthermore the electromechanical systems, which can be packaged as modular subsystems which provides an overall synergistic effect of providing an overaLl Large system which due to its modular nature is easy to maIntain, install, upgrade and service.

The eLecrromechankaI systems stated wftNn the above invention may also be friterpreted as atb&r attemative electromechanicaL solutions, such as dfrect motor drives which coud be implemented for directly driving the Lifting apparatus, the tRtabte means, and the means for controlling the aperture within the d.

Claims (3)

1. Claims 1, An unLoading mechanism for boxes or the Uke comprising: A first support to receive a box or the Like; A Vt and lower merhanm for sad support, A second support for a box or the like Means whereby in use, said first support can move past said second support whilst raising or lowering a box thereon; Said means in use, facilitates said first support so that it ran be raise.d and Lowered without interfering with said second support; Characterised by Sac hft and Lower mecharusm s an electrornechan;cal means whch s operabt> attached to sad I rst support to fau&ate the asng and lowenng oF sad I rst support.
2. 2 A mecharusm accordng to ckurn 1, wharen sad electromecharncS mears further comprises a connecting element which is attached to said first support and to a rotational drive means arranged on said rnechankrn.
3. 3. A mechanism according to cLaim 2, wherein said connecting element is a vertical chain.

   4 A mechanicm accorduig to c1am 2 whereui ad rotatftonal drwe means is an electrical motor, 5. A mechanism according to claim 3, wherein one of said chain is attached at one end to said first support and at a second end to said mechanism.6. A mechanism according to any of the claims 2 to 5, wherein said connectUig eLement cooperates with a drive gear coupled to said rotational drive means, whereby the rotation of said drive gear vertically displaces said connecting element.7. A method of unloading boxes or the Uke characterised by providing an unloading mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 7, whereby said Lifting and Lowering mechanism is an electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the raising and Lowering of said first support 8. An unoading mechanism for boxes or the like comprising: A first support to receive a box or the like; A Lift and Lower mechanism for said support; A second support for a box or the Like * Means whereby in use, said first support can move past said second support whilst raisng or towering a box thereon; * Said means in use, facilitates said first support so that it can he raised and Lowered wkthoui interfering with said second support; Characterised by * Sad cecond support further compnses a spnng Loaded neans for basng sad second support to or from a lowered position.9. A mechanism according to claim 8, wherein said spring Loaded means is an adjustable array of resilient spring elements, 10. A method of unloading boxes or the Like charactarised by providing an unloading mechanism according to any of the cLaims 8 or 9, wherein said second support further comprises a spring loaded means for biasing said second support to a Lowered position.11. An unloading mechanism for boxes or the Like comprising: so A first support to receive a box or the LLke; A lift and Lower mechanism for said support; A tipping mechanism for said first support; Whereby a raised box supported thereon can be emptied; Characterbed by Said tipping mechanism is an electromechanical me-ens which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the tipping of said first support 12. A mechanism actording to claim 11, wherein said electromechanical means further a connecting element which is attached to said tipping mechanism and to a rotational drive means arranged on said mechanism.13. A mechanism according to cLaim 12, wherein said connecting element is a chain, 14 A rnechancm acrordnigto clam 12, wheren sad rotatonaL dnve means s an eLectrical motor.15, A mechanism according to claim 12, wherein said connecting element is arranged about an outer edge of a cam shaped supporting member, 16. A mechanism according to any of the cLaims 12 to 15, wherein said connecting element cooperates with a drive gear coupLed to said rotational drive means, whereby the rotation of said drive gear vertically displaces said connecting element.17. A mechanism according to any of the thims 11 to 16, wherein said tipping mechanism is arranged on one side of said mechanism and further comprises a second mechanism on the opposite side of the said mechanism.18. A method of unloading boxes or the like characterised by providing an unloading mechanism according to any of the claims 11 to 17, whereby said tipping mechanism is an etectromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the tipping of sd first support.19. An unloathng mechanism for boxes or the like comprising * A first support to receive a box or the like; A Lift and lower mechanism for said support; A lid member for closing a box; Whereby a raised box is damped against said lid member; Characterised by Said lid member further comprising an electromechanical means operably attached to a portion of said lid to facilitate the opening of said lid when damped to a raised box. w20. A mechanism according to cLaim 19, wherein said electromechanical means further comprises a drive element coupled to a rotational drive means arranged on said mechanism and a cooperating receiving element arranged on said lid.21. A mechanism according to claim 20, wherein said drive element is a drive gear.22. A mechanism according to claim 20, wherein cooperating receiving element is a vertical chain, 23. A mechanism according to claim 20, wherein said rotationS drive unit is an electrical motor.24. A mechanism according to any of the cLaims 19 to 23, wherein said drive element cooperates with said cooperating receiving element, whereby the rotation of said gear vertcaUy thsplaces sad lid member relatwe to sad mecharnsm 25. A mechanism according to any of the preceding cLaims 19 to 24, wherein said electromechanical lurther comprises a second drive element coupled said rotational drive means and wluch coooerates wtb a cecond cooperating recewuig element arranged on said Lid.26. A mechanism according to any of the daims 19 to 25, wherein said tipping mechanism is arranged on side of said mechanism and further comprises a second tipping mechanism arranged on the opposite side of the said mechanism.27. A mechanism according to any of the cLaims 19 to 26 wherein said Lid member is is formed from a flexible web material arranged across a supporting frame.28. A method of unloading boxes or the Like characterised by providing an unloading mechanism accordingto any of the cLaims 19 to 26, wherein said Lid member further comprising an electromechanical means operably attached to a portion of said Lid to facilitate the opening of said lid when clamped to a raised box, 29. An unloading mechanism for boxes or the Like comprising: A first support to receive a box or the like; A Lift and Lower mechanism for said support; A tipping mechanism for said first support; Whereby a raised box supported thereon can be emptied; A second support for a box or the Like A lid member for closing a box; Whereby a raised box is clamped against said lid member; characterised by one or more of the following: Said lift and Lower mechanism is a first electromechanical means which s operaNy attached to said first support to facilitate the raising and ewering of said first support; a Said second support further comprises a spring Loaded means for biasing said second support to a towered position; Said tipping mechanism is a second ekctromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the tipping of said first support; and * Said lid member further comprising an a third electromechanical means w operably attached to a portion of said Lid to facilitate the opeffing of said lid when clamped to a raised box.A method of unloadmg boxes or the lke charactensed by provdrng an untoadng mechanism according to claim 18, wherein; Said lift and lower mechanism is a first electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the raising and lowering of said First support; * Said second support further comprises a spring loaded means far biasing said second support to a Lowered position; Said tipping mechanism is a second electromechanical means which is operably attached to said first support to facilitate the tipping of said first support; and * Said Lid member further comprising an a third electromechanical means operably attached to a portion of said lid to facilitate the opening of said lid when clamped to a raised box, 31. An unloading mechanism for boxes or the like as substantially herninbefore described and/or illustrated in the accompanying text and/or Figures.32. A method of imLoadng boxes or the like as substantally herehibefore described and/or!Rustraed in the accompanying text and/or Figures.