IE850166L

IE850166L - Stacking bags or boxes

Info

Publication number: IE850166L
Application number: IE850166A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Meac Sa
Priority date: 1984-02-15
Filing date: 1985-01-24
Publication date: 1985-08-15
Also published as: ES539892A0; DK65585A; IE56267B1; ES8700205A1; DE3472092D1; EP0152712A1; DE152712T1; DK162160C; FR2559462B1; DK65585D0; DK162160B; FR2559462A1; ATE35124T1; EP0152712B1

Abstract

1. A process for forming a load by stacking bags or boxes in horizontal layers, during the course of which process the bags are transported from a single bag supplying apparatus to a stacking table (21), the process comprising the following steps : a) at the outlet of the supply apparatus the bags are arranged in two lines (10, 11) along two sides of the stacking table ; b) these two lines are transferred onto the stacking table to form a layer ; c) the stacking table is lowered by a height corresponding to that of the said layer, then a further layer is formed ; and d) when the desired stack has been formed, it is ejected from the stacking table, the process being characterised in that the bags are arranged along two perpendicular sides of the stacking table without changing their orientation, and, a first line (10) being formed along a first side of the stacking table, a second line (11) is formed along the second side of the stacking table at the same time as the first line (10) is being transferred onto the stacking table, then the stacking table is rotated through 90 degrees and a fresh line (10) is formed along the first side of the stacking table at the same time as the second line (11) is being transferred onto the stacking table.

Description

The prt-stmt invention n kites to a process lor loading bags or boxes by stacking ihem in hoii/onlal layers, and to a device lor carrying out such a process.

Processes lor loading bags or boxes by stacking them in successive layers on a pallet are already known. A major difficulty that all these processes must overcome is that of bringing the bags or boxes together on a layer then ot disposing these layers with respect to one another so thai the loads are sufficiently stable to be stacked on themselves and transported without damage.

The most current processes for loading consist in disposing the bags or boxes singly, orienting them by mechanical processes until they occupy their posilions. The bags or boxes are generally oriented by pick-up systems sui li as suction cups, claws, stops, etc..., then arranged in the layer. In order to produce this layer assembly, it is necessary to use eithei a conveyor provided with a system for rotating the bags or boxes, or ii plurality of conveyors allowing variations in orientation. An example of this latter case is a process wherein as many conveyors are employed as there are positions of bags in the layer.

In such a case, if the orientation of a bag is to be changed, this renders the process as well as the device for carrying it out even more complex; moreover, the risks of degradation of the bags due to the pick-up sequences are increased.

Furthermore, ihe devices employed in the known processes must be disposed over a relatively large surface since the numerous sequences are necessarily carried out successively and there must be access to all parts ot these devices for possible repairs or for removal of any damaged ba^s.

Use of the known devices of the prior art thus presents major difficulties due, on the one hand, to the necessity of avoiding deterioration of the bags and, on the other hand, to the complexity of the mechanisms lor orienting and picking up these bags.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a proc ess toi loading bags or boxes by stacking them in horizontal layers as simply as possible and without risk of deteriorating 3 these bags or boxes.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a process which comprises as few steps as possible.

Another object of the invention is a device for carrying out 5 this process, which occupies a small surface and which is simple and re liable.

According to the invention there is provided a process for Terming a load by stacking bags or boxes in horizontal layers, during the course of which process the bags are transported from a single 10 bag supplying apparatus to a stacking table, the process comprising the following steps: a) at the outlet of the supply apparatus, a first line of bags is formed along a first side of the stacking table without changing the orientation of the bags; l>) a second line is similarly formed along a second side of the stacking table, perpendicular (o said first side, at the same time as the. first line is being transferred onto the stacking table; r) Lhe slacking table i;. rotated through 90°; d) a lresh line is forim-d along the first side of the stacking table 2V at the same time as ihe second Line is being transferred onto the stacking table; e) the stacking table is lowered by a height corresponding to that of the said layer, tiien a further layer is formed; and f) when the desired sta During step e), the stacking table may again be rotated through yo° in the same direction as the lirst rotation, before forming a further layer.

The present invention also provides a device for carrying ^ out the above process. This device comprises: • a switching conveyor .situated at the outlet of a single bag supplying apparatus and comprising means for directing each bag issuing from this apparatus toward:; one or the other of two conveyors; Q - two lino, conveyors adjacent to the switching conveyor and perpendicular to each other, each having means for assembling I he bags in a line; - a horizontal stacking table adjacent to the line conveyors and comprising means for its rotational and vertical movement- - moans for transferring each line of bags, formed on each line conveyor, onto the stacking table.; and - moans for ejecting the stack formed on that table.

The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Tig. I shows a device according to the present invention in plan view.

Fig. 2 is a side view of a line conveyor.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a line conveyor, and Figs. 4 to 7 show four successive sequences of the constitution of a stack on a stacking table.

Although in the following description reference will only he made to the stacking of bags, ii is understood that the process and device according to the invention enable stacks of all types ol products to be formed, insofar as said products can be placed in a line and stacked.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. I, a device for constituting a stack of bags according to the present invention comprises a switching conveyor 1 located at the outlet of an apparatus (not shown) for supplying bags 2. It will be assumed in this embodiment that the bags arrive on the switching conveyor in the direction of arrow 3.

This switching conveyor 1 comprises a certain number of motorized parallel rollers 4 perpendicular to the direction of arrival ol llu- 2 which is represented by arrow 3, as well us i liains '> which arc disposed in the spaces made between rollers ■» and parallel to rollers These chains 5 extend between two support pins 6 and 7 of which one, support pin f> in this embodiment, is driven in manner known per se by a motor 8. Each support pin 6, 7 is held individually in fixed bearings (not shown in the Figures).

The switching conveyor I is mounted on a lateral chassis parallel to the direction ol arrival of the bags 2 indicated by arrow 3, so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal pin fast with this lateral chassis 9. In this way, by pivoting the switching conveyor 1 downwardly about this horizontal axis under the action for example of a hydraulic jack such as the one described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. 3, the rollers are retracted so as to render the chains 5 operational.

The device according to the invention also comprises two line conveyors 10, II which are perpendicular to each other and adjacent the switching conveyor 1. In other words, the axis of one ot these line conveyors, the one referenced 10 in the embodiment shown in Fig. I, is in the same direction as the one indicated by arrow 3, whilst the axis of the other, conveyor II, is perpendicular thereto.

Each line conveyor 10, 11 comprises, in manner known per se, a certain number of motorized parallel rollers 12, 13 respectively, disposed perpendicularly to the respective axis of each conveyor and intended to assemble a plurality of bags 2 into a line. In addition, each conveyor comprises at its end most remote from the switching conveyor 1 means lor stopping the bags 2 such as an adjustable stop \t: this is shown in particular in Fig. 2 in the case ot the line conveyor 10.

Each line conveyor 10, II is mounted on a lateral chassis 15, 16 respectively in the same manner as the switching conveyor I. Fig. 3 shows the assembly ol the line conveyor 10, but the other conveyor is mounted in identical manner. It is connected at its ends to the lateral chassis 15 by a support constituted by two girders 17 connected by a spider which are fixed on this lateral chassis so as to pivot about a horizontal axis fast with the chassis. IJetween the lower face l!S 6 i>l tins support chassis and the ground 1^ on which the device rests, there is interposed, in manner known per se, a hydraulic jack 20, or any other equivalent means, for pivoting the line conveyor 10 downwardly about the horizontal axis. Such a jack may also be mounted *> beneath the switching conveyor I.

In the space made between the two line conveyors 10, 11 is # located a stacking table 21 (Fig. 1) which is therefore adjacent thereto.

It also comprises a certain number of motorized rollers 22 parallel to one another. The surface of this stacking table is advantageously « square and its sides parallel to the two line conveyors 10, II.

This stacking table 21 comprises means for pivoting it about its axis through an angle of 90" and for displacing it vertically along this same axis. These means, which are known to the man skilled in the art, will not be described in greater detail. \'> The device according to the present invention also comprises means for transferring each line of bags 2 constituted on each conveyor 10, II, from each conveyor onto the stacking table 21.

Above each conveyor 10, 11 there is disposed a transfer means generally designated by reference 23 (Fig. 3) in the case ol the one 20 corresponding to line conveyor 10. Of course, the one corresponding to line conveyor 11 is identical thereto.

The transfer means 23 comprises in particular a carriage ?M mobile in a horizontal plane, i.e. parallel to that of the stacking table 21. This carriage 24 is equipped with a fork comprising a certain 2*> number of vertical arms 25 extending downwardly with respect to the carriage; and each vertical arm 2*> is provided with a horizontal tooth 26 parallel to the carriage 2U and therebenoath. Each tooth 26 is interposed between two motorized rollers 12 and is located in a plane lower than that determined by these rollers. ^0 This transfer means may move, thanks to known means which have not been shown in the Figures, from a position substantially above tin* line conveyor to a position substantially above the stacking table.

A bag 2 which has been issued from a supply device arrives on the switching conveyor 1 which, in the embodiment presently des-*"> cribed, directs it towards the line conveyor 10: in other words, the 7 bag 2 follows a path in the direction ol arrow 3. The bag 2 is stopped in its movement at the end ol the line conveyor 10 by the stop 14.

It will be assumed that the line conveyor may comprise a line of two bags 2. In this way, the following bag issued by the supply device 5 is directed towards line conveyor 10 where its movement is stopped by the preceding bag (step a). Of course, the transfer means are disposed at the level of the respective line conveyors.

The switching conveyor 1 is then pivoted about its pin fast with the lateral chassis 9, this rendering chains 5 operational, and 10 no longer the rollers 4 as before. Consequently, the bag 2 issuing from the supply device is directed by the switching conveyor I towards the line conveyor 11 where a line of three bags 2 is formed in similar mariner (step a).

When the line ol bags 2 is formed on the conveyor 10, the 15 stacking table 21 being such that its motorized rollers 22 are perpendicular to those of the line conveyor 10, the latter is lowered by pivoting with the aid of jack 20: the bags consequently rest on the teeth 26 of the mobile carriage 24. By a horizontal movement, the carriage 2b transfers the bags 2 from the line conveyor 10 onto the stacking 20 table 21 (Fig. b).

This being done, the stacking table 21 rotates through a quarter turn in anti-clockwise direction (Fig. 5), and, in similar manner, the line ol bags 2 formed on line conveyor 11 is transferred onto the stacking table 21 (Fig. 6). A first horizontal layer of bags is thus formed (step 25 b).

The stacking table is rotated through a quarter turn (90°) again in the same direction as before and it is lowered by a height equal to that of a layer before recommencing a fresh layer (Fig. 7), the switching conveyor having returned to its initial position (step 30 r).

The different sequences are carried out in an order enabling tins stacking ol bags to be ellected in the least details (step d).

When the pile ol bags is formed, it is advantageously ejected Iroin the stacking table 21 (step e).

According to the invention, it is thus unnecessary to manipulate the bags individually to modify their orientation. The use ol two perpen- 8 ditular line- conveyors associated with .1 rotating stacking table makes it possible to change in toto the orientation of all the bags of one-line, without special manipulation of the line itsell.

Particularly in the case of forming a layer of bags by means of two lines only, a rotation of the table between two layers makes it possible to cross the bags of two adjacent layers, in simple manner (Fig. 7).

The successive lines being constituted on separate conveyors, the formation of one line may be effected at the same time as the transfer onto the stacking table of the line previously formed, and this by using one sole bag supply channel.

Another very important advantage of the invention lies in its capacity. This makes it possible to install the device at the end of the chain with return of the finished load in the direction of the inlet, after ejection beneath one of the conveyors.

For a load made on a wooden paliet, it is preferable if the pallet is previously deposited on the table; on the other hand, it is quite possible to position and transfer the load without pallet or to interpose a plastic or cardboard sheet beneath the load at the moment ot ejection thereof.

The lines of bags may also be transferred by moving the transfer means 23 with respect to the respective line conveyors 10, II and not, as described hereinabove, by moving the line conveyor with respect to the transfer means. 9

Claims

1.- A process for forming u load by stacking bags or boxes in horizontal layers, during the course of which process the bags are transported from a single bag supplying apparatus to a stacking table, the process comprising the 5 following steps : a) at the oulet of the supply apparatus, a first line of bags is formed along a first side of the stacking table without c+i3nging the orientation of the bags ; b) a second line is similarly formed along a second side of 10 the stacking table, perpendicular to said first side, at the same time as the first line is being transferred onto the stacking table ; c) the stacking table is rotated through 90° ; d) a fresh line is formed along the first side of the stacking 15 table at the same time as the second line is being transferred onto the stacking table ; e) the stacking table is lowered by a height corresponding to that of the said layer, then a further layer is formed ; and jg f) when the desired stack has been formed, it is ejected from the stacking table.

2. - A process according to claim 1, wherein during step (e), the stacking table is again rotated through 90° in the same direction as the first rotation, before forming 25 a further layer.

3.- A device for carrying out the process according to claim 1, comprising : - a switching conveyor situated at the outlet of a single bag supplying apparatus and comprising means for directing 30 each bag issuing from this apparatus towards one or the other of two line conveyors ; - two line conveyors adjacent to the switching conveyor and perpendicular to each other, each having means for assembling the bags in a line ; a o - a horizontal stacking toble adjacent to the line conveyors and comprising means for its rotational and vertical movement ; - means for transferring each ]ine of bags, formed on each !) line conveyor, onto the stacking tablir ; and - means for ejecting the st.ack formed on that taliLc.

4.- A device according to claim 3, wherein the switching conveyor comprises a plurality of motor-driven parallel rollers and a plurality of motor-driven chains 10 arranged transversely between the rollers, means being provided to cause the rollers and the chains to cooperate in turn with the bags.

5.- A process according to claim 1 for loading bags or boxes, substantially as hereinbefore described with 15 particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6.- A device according to claim 5 for loading bags or boxes, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying ?0 drawings. F. R. KELLY & CO., AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS.