NL1013830C2 - Assembly device for reusable plastic containers with collapsible side walls, includes grab device for gripping container base and displacement means for turning it upside down - Google Patents

Abstract

A grab device is used to grip the base of a folded container in the packing position (4) and the displacement means for moving the grab device is used to the turn the container upside down so that the base forms the top side and at least one pair of side walls drop down under their own weight. The containers have two opposing pairs of collapsible side walls joined by hinges to an essentially rectangular base, and when the container is in the folded state these two pairs of walls lie on top of each other on top of the base. A locking mechanism is provided for fixing the side walls in the upright position. The assembly device includes a pivot mechanism for swinging a second pair of side walls into the upright position, where they keep the first pair of side walls upright. An Independent claim is also included for an installation provided with one of these assembly devices and an inspection device (14) for the assembled containers.

Description

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Short designation: Device for erecting a holder with folding side walls.

The present invention relates to a device for mechanically erecting reusable plastic containers with fold-down side walls.

Such containers are used, inter alia, for the transport of loose goods on an industrial scale, for instance in the transport of fruit and vegetables between the producer and the retailer. The containers are suitable for many uses and are usually returned empty to the producer of the goods in question. In order to be able to transport the empty containers economically, the side walls of the containers can be folded down.

In view of the enormous number of containers used in such a distribution system, it is impractical and expensive to perform the erection of the containers by hand. For example, when transporting fruit and vegetables, it is necessary to pass the containers through a washing device after each transport. To this end, the containers must be erected, with a capacity of more than a thousand containers per hour being desirable to fully utilize the washing equipment.

JP 8058736, published March 5, 1996, discloses an apparatus for mechanically erecting containers with collapsible side walls.

This known device is specially intended for erecting a particular type of holder with foldable side walls, which is clearly shown in JP 8058736. This type of container has a rectangular bottom and two pairs of side walls, with a pair of first side walls arranged opposite each other with a pair of second side walls positioned between them. Each first side wall here has a bottom part and a top part, which are hinged to each other via a middle pivot axis, which runs parallel to the bottom, the bottom part further pivoting about a bottom pivot axis located along the side edge of the bottom. from the bottom. These holders further comprise a rectangular 1018830 β 2 molding, the top portion of each first side wall pivotally coupled to that molding about an upper pivot axis, which is parallel to the lower and middle pivot axes. Furthermore, every second side wall is pivotally coupled to the frame via a pivot axis.

When this holder is folded down, the first side walls lie on the bottom, the top part of a first side wall lying on the bottom part of that first side wall. Furthermore, the second side walls lie on the first side walls.

In the erected state, the second side walls are located between the first side walls. The container is further provided with locking means for maintaining the erected condition.

In the erecting device known from JP 8058736, the holders are brought in a folded-down position at a pick-up position, the bottom of each holder being at the bottom. The device comprises a movable gripper device adapted to grip the frame of a folded-down container. The frame is then moved upwards, leaving the bottom behind, so that in particular the first side walls unfold in the direction of their flat state. In a subsequent phase, a pivot device for pivoting the second side walls comes into contact with those second side walls and folds those second side walls into their upright position. In that movement, the second side walls press the first side walls into their flat and upright position. When the second side walls are in their upright position and locked therein, for example by a simple clamping lip, the pivot device is moved out of the container and the gripper device is disengaged from the container, so that the upright container can be discharged. The known device comprises four assemblies of a gripper device and a pivoting device, so that four holders can be erected simultaneously.

Although the known erecting device has a considerable capacity to erect containers of this specific type, a number of problems have not yet been solved.

In practice, large-scale use T013830 3 is also made of another type of folding plastic container for multiple use. This other type can be described as a plastic container with a rectangular bottom and two pairs of side walls, wherein a pair of first side walls are arranged opposite each other, between which a pair of second side walls are positioned. Both the first side walls and the second side walls are each pivotable about a hinge axis placed along the adjacent side edge of the bottom between an upright and a folded-down position. Locking means are also provided with these holders, which lock a second side wall in the upright position. An example of a container of this other type is described in EP 0 786 412 from Berolina.

For the latter type of container, no device is known for mechanically erecting those containers. It is noted here that the device known from JP 8058736 is not capable of this and is only suitable for the former type of holder.

The present invention aims, firstly, to provide a device with which a container according to the latter type can be mechanically erected.

In practice, however, it also happens that both types of containers described above are used in the distribution of goods. The second object of the present invention is therefore to provide a universal device with which, in principle, holders of both types described above can be erected.

It is noted that in practice both types of holders are provided with handles, in particular handle openings in the side walls, in order to be able to carry the holders in hand. Furthermore, embodiments are known in which the holder is provided with a lid, in particular with two lid parts, which are each hingedly arranged.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for erecting flip-down containers as defined in claim 1.

The present invention, according to a second aspect thereof, relates to an installation as described in 1013830 claim 15. This installation comprises a device for erecting containers with folding containers, for instance an device as known from JP 8058736 or an device according to the first aspect of the invention, and further the installation comprises an inspection device for inspecting the erected containers. As long as the side walls of a container are folded down, it is particularly difficult to detect whether the container has a defect. Also, due to a defect of the holder or of the erecting device, erecting cannot be completely completed. By an automatic inspection of the erected containers, a defective container can be removed and, for example, a defective container can be prevented from being supplied to a washing device.

Further advantageous embodiments of the device 15 according to the invention are described in the claims and will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a top view of an installation in which an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention is included for erecting collapsible plastic containers, Fig. 2 shows a side view of the installation over the line II-II in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 - 12 in view along the line A - A in figure 1 successive stages of erecting collapsible holders 25 with the erecting device according to figures 1,2.

In the following description, in particular, it is assumed that containers of the type as shown in EP 0 786 412 are erected. Incidentally, the design of such a container is generally known. However, the device will also be suitable, possibly with a slight modification which is easily feasible for the skilled person, for erecting the holders of the type as shown in JP 8058736. Optionally, an automatic modification of the device depending on the type can be provided. the type of holder to be established.

In general, the device 1018830 5 to be described is suitable for erecting collapsible containers with the following description, which description complies with at least both types of containers specifically mentioned. The description reads: 5 "A reusable plastic container comprising a substantially rectangular bottom and two pairs of sidewalls, wherein: a pair of first sidewalls are arranged opposite each other with a pair of second sidewalls positioned between them, 10 - the first and second sidewalls each pivotable about an associated pivot axis, such that the holder in the folded-down position is such that the first side walls and the second side walls lie one above the other on the bottom of the holder, and wherein in the erected position the second side walls are situated between the first side walls , and wherein further locking means are provided for maintaining the erected state. "

The installation comprises a magazine 1 for a stack of holders 2 folded down, as well as a dispenser 3 associated with the magazine 1, which in each case dispenses a container 2 from the magazine 1 and places it in a pick-up position 4. The bottom of a holder 2 present at the pick-up position 4 is located on the underside of the holder 2. The bottom of the holder 2 is here denoted by reference numeral 7.

An erecting device 10, 10 'is located on either side of the pick-up position 4. These erecting devices 10 and 10 'are of substantially identical design, so that only the construction and operation of device 10 will be explained below.

The devices 10 and 10 'are capable of erecting a container 2, ie erecting and possibly locking the side walls from the folded-down position, and then placing the erected container 2 back into the picking position 4.

The installation further comprises a discharge system for raised containers 2 with a roller conveyor 12 here.

After a container 2 has been erected, the container 2 is subjected to an inspection to be further described at T018830 6 inspection station 14. If a container 2 has been rejected for some reason, ejection of the rejected container is provided by an ejection mechanism 15. The rejected container then leaves the roller conveyor 12 and ends up on a discharge facility 16 for rejected containers.

The inspection station 14 comprises a frame 18 which fits on the top of an erected container 2. The inspection station 14 comprises means, not shown here, for placing the frame 18 on a holder 2.

A laser distance measuring device is provided on the frame 18, with which the contour of the inside of the erected holder 2 can be detected in a contactless manner. This is done, for example, by measuring the distance to predetermined points of the holder 2. On the one hand, this measurement provides insight into the fact that the container has been fully erected, for example whether the second side walls have been fully pressed in their erected position, but it also provides, for example, an image of the integrity of the walls and the bottom of the container. For example, it can be determined whether there is damage in the bottom or the side walls.

It is also possible to determine whether one or more of the side walls of the container are not bent to an undesirable degree, which sometimes occurs in practice with such containers and is particularly disadvantageous for the stackability of the containers.

As mentioned before, the erected holders 2 are returned with their bottom 7 to the pick-up position 4. However, it may be desirable to remove the holder 2 from the installation with its bottom at the top, as the right-hand holder 2 in figure 2 shows. . For this purpose, a reversing device for already erected holders 2 can be provided, which reversing device is indicated very schematically in the circle shown in dashed lines in Figure 2. This reversal may be desirable, for example, if the washer installation for washing containers is arranged.

The construction of the device 10 (and therefore also of the device 10 '), as well as its operation, will now be explained with reference to Figures 3-12.

1013830 7

The device 10 comprises a stationary frame 20 with a horizontal pivot axis 21. An arm 22 is pivotable about the pivot axis 21. The arm 22 carries a gripper device 23 adapted for gripping the bottom 7 of holder 2, which is shown in FIG. 3 is in the pick-up position.

The gripper device 23 here comprises a U-shaped carrier 24 with an opening slightly larger than the circumferential dimensions of the holder 2. On opposite sides of the carrier 24, gripper bars 25, 26 are arranged, which are adapted to engage 10 on a side edge of the bottom 7 of the holder 2. At least one of the gripper beams 25, 26 is operable such that the gripper beams 25, 26 can clamp the bottom 7 between them.

The device 10 comprises rotation means, not shown here, for example in the form of an electric stepper motor, for pivoting the arm 22 about the axis 21.

The device 10 further comprises a pivoting device 30, which is adapted to pivot the second side walls 32 (see Fig. 8) of the container 2 to the upright position.

The pivoting device 30 comprises two pivoting members 33, 34, each of which can be pivoted about an associated axis 35, 36 by means of rotation means (not shown). The pivot members 33, 34 are pivotable such that they can enter an inverted and already partially erected container 2 and then push the second side walls 32 even further into their fully erected position.

In figure 4 it can be recognized that the gripper device 23 is in its pick-up position, in which the gripper beams 25, 26 can clamp the bottom 7 between them. In this case, the bottom 7 is located on the underside of the folded-down holder 2. Furthermore, it can be seen in figure 4 that the device 10 'with its gripper device 23' is in the inverted position.

In Figure 5, the arm 22 pivots in the reverse position, so that the holder 2 leaves the pick-up position 4. The holder 2 is hereby held on its bottom 7.

In figure 6 the holder 2 is in a position in which the bottom 7 is almost vertical.

By further pivoting the arm 22, the holder 2 passes through this vertical position and gradually comes into its inverted position. Under the influence of their weight, the side walls of the container 2 begin to pivot away from the bottom 7 in the direction of their erected position. This condition is shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 further shows that the gripper device 23 'moves in the direction of the pick-up position 4, where a next holder 2 is already located.

In Figure 8, the container 2 held by the gripper device 23 is in its inverted position with the bottom 7 at the top. Preferably, the pivoting movement of the arm 22 is greatly slowed just before reaching the inverted position. Due to the mass inertia of the side walls 32, 38 of the container 2, these will fully and almost completely pivot in the direction of their erected position.

In order to ensure that the side walls 32, 38 certainly come into their fully upright position and to activate the locking means of the holder, provision is made for the pivot members 33, 34 to enter the holder 2 from below and then to pivot so that the second side walls 32 are pushed out. The container 2 is then fully erected and the side walls are locked in their erected position. Meanwhile, the gripper device 23 grabs the other container 2 at the pick-up position.

Figure 9 shows that the erected holder 2 is pivoted back by the arm 22 to the pick-up position, as shown in Figure 10. In the meantime, another holder 2 is erected by the device 10.

In Figure 11, the erected container 2 has been removed at the pick-up position 4 and a new container can be supplied, which can be seen in Figure 12. The previously described cycle can then be run again.

Not shown in Figures 3-12 is a collection facility at the pivot 30 for collecting debris and the like falling from the inverted container 2.

The use of two devices 10 and 10 'ensures that in the event of a failure of one of the devices 10 and 10', the other one can always be used. Furthermore, the devices 10 and 10 'shown are insensitive to malfunctions caused by heavily damaged containers, in which for example a side wall is only attached at one end to the bottom and thus hangs crookedly.

With the devices 10 and 10 'shown, a capacity of more than 1000 erected and inspected containers per hour can be achieved.

In a variant, for example, provision can be made for the erected holders to be placed back in the pick-up position, but in a different position. This can for instance be achieved by also making the arm 22 pivotable about a vertical axis.

In an advantageous embodiment it is further effected that the side walls of the holder are bent slightly outwardly during erecting in order to eliminate any undesired curvature in the side walls. This can be done, for example, with the aid of the pivoting devices 30, which optionally are also provided with pivoting members which engage on the long side walls of the container.

1013830

Claims (21)

Device (10, 10 ') for erecting reusable plastic containers (2) with foldable side walls, which containers comprise a substantially rectangular bottom (7) and two pairs of side walls (32, 38), wherein: 5. a a pair of first side walls (38) are arranged opposite each other, between which a pair of second side walls (32) are positioned, the first and second side walls each being pivotable about an associated pivot axis such that the container is folded down in such a manner that the first side walls and the second side walls lie one above the other on the bottom of the container, and wherein in the erected state the second side walls (32) are situated between the first side walls (38), and furthermore locking means are provided for maintaining the erected state, the device comprising a movable gripper device (23) and associated displacement means (22) for providing the movement of the gripper device, which grip The jetter device is arranged to grip a part (7) of a holder (2) located at a pick-up position (4) and then to execute such movement that the holder (2) is at least partly erected from the folded-down position, the device further comprising a pivot device (30) for pivoting the second side walls (32) into their erected state, the second side walls pressing the first side walls into their erected position, characterized in that the gripper device (23) is adapted to grip the bottom (7) of a holder (2) which is in the folded-down position at the pick-up position (4), and that the displacement means (22) are adapted to provide reversal of the holder (2) such that the container is in an Inverted position and the bottom (7) of the container is at the top and such that at least the first side walls (38) under the influence of their mass in the direction 1013830 move in their upright position. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivot device (30) is adapted to enter the container in its inverted position from below and pivot the second side walls (32) to their upright position. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gripper device (23) is adapted to retain the bottom of the container 10 while pivoting the second side walls with the pivot device (30). Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the displacing means (22) are arranged to invert the container (7) again after the container has been erected, so that the erected container with the bottom at the bottom can be offered to a drainage system (12). Device according to claim 4, wherein the displacement means (22) are arranged to place the erected container back at the pick-up position (4). Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper device (23) is pivotable about an associated substantially horizontal pivot axis (21). Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the displacing means comprise rotation means for rotating the gripper device about the pivot axis (21). 30 Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the device comprises a stationary frame (20) and the pivot axis (21) is arranged stationary in the frame. Device as claimed in one or more of the claims 6-8, wherein the displacing means comprise an arm (22) pivotable about the pivot axis (21), the gripper device (23) 1013830 being arranged on the arm and the arm being able to perform a pivoting movement between a pick-up position, in which the gripper device can grip a holder (2) with its bottom (7) at the bottom, and an inverted position, in which the gripper device holds the holder (7) upside-down with the bottom at the top. 10. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the device comprises a collection facility, which is arranged such that it is located under an inverted container for collecting any residues, waste and the like present in the container. 11. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the displacement means are adapted to provide a considerable delay of the movement of the gripper device near the inverted position of the holder, such that the mass inertia moves towards the erected position. promotes at least the first side walls. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper device (23) is adapted to grip the bottom of the container in a position in which pivot axes of the second sides of the container are parallel to the pivot axis of the arm. 25 Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper device comprises two gripping members (25, 26), which are arranged to engage on two opposite sides of the bottom (7) of a container and the bottom (7) sandwiching between them. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which a device for erecting containers is arranged on either side of the pick-up position (4), such that the one device grips a container at the pick-up position during the erecting or replacing operation performed by the other establishment. 1013830 15. Installation comprising a device for erecting reusable plastic containers (2) with foldable side walls, which containers comprise a substantially rectangular bottom and two pairs of side walls, wherein: a pair of first side walls are arranged opposite each other, between which a pair of second side walls are positioned, wherein the first and second side walls are each pivotable about an associated pivot axis, such that in the folded-down position the container is such that the first side walls and the second side walls are superimposed on the bottom of the container, and in erected the second side walls are situated between the first side walls, and wherein further locking means are provided for maintaining the erected state, for instance a device according to the preamble of claim 1 or one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the installation further comprises an inspection device (14) for inspecting honoring erected containers (2). 20 The installation of claim 15, wherein the inspection device (14) includes non-contact sensing means for sensing at least the contour of the erected container. 25 Installation according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the detection means are arranged for detecting the integrity of the container, in particular of the side walls. Installation according to one or more of claims 15-17, wherein the detection means comprise positioning means (18) for positioning the erected container relative to the observation means. 35 The installation of any of claims 15-18, wherein the sensing means is adapted to sense the distance between predetermined points of the container and the sensing means 1013830. 20. Installation according to claim 18, wherein the positioning means comprise a frame (18) which fits precisely on the top of the holder. Installation according to one or more of claims 15-20, wherein the detection means comprise a laser distance measuring device 10. T013S30