NL2010775C2

NL2010775C2 - Crate stacker.

Info

Publication number: NL2010775C2
Application number: NL2010775A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Matthieu Verboom
Original assignee: App Nbouw Verboom B V
Priority date: 2013-05-08
Filing date: 2013-05-08
Publication date: 2014-11-13
Also published as: WO2014182168A1

Abstract

A crate stacker (1) comprises a supply line (120) for supplying crates (10) and a stacking arrangement (220) for stacking crates (10). The stacking arrangement (220) is constructed to allow lowering the stack of crates (10) to a position below a supply plane (P) when the supply line (120) is in a lowering position. The supply line (120) has first and second supply line parts (121, 122) that are separately arranged along the supply direction (D), the first and second supply line parts (121, 122) being each constructed and arranged to support crates (10) in a supply position below the stacking arrangement (220) and to allow movement of the first and second supply line parts (121, 122) in a direction substantially transverse to the supply direction (D) and away from one another into the lowering position of the supply line (120).

Description

Crate stacker

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a crate stacker comprising a supply line constructed and arranged for supplying crates along a supply plane and along a supply direction into the crate stacker in a supply position of the supply line; and a stacking arrangement constructed and arranged for providing a stack of crates from crates provided by the supply line so as to provide the stack of crates above the supply plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such crate stacker are known in the field. They are, for instance, used in areas where products, such as chicken eggs, are provided and supplied in individual crates or trays, and such crates (or trays) are to be stacked for further handling, such as storage or transport. The known crate stackers do provide a stack of crates in the crate stacker, and have an additional arrangement to hold and move the stack of crates out of the crate stacker. The additional arrangement provides complexity to the crate stacker, which makes it sensitive to malfunction and breakdown. It further requires enhanced stability for the crate stacker to allow a stack of crates to be moved out and next to the crate stacker. Additionally, the known crate stacker effectively provides a large footprint, whereas one would prefer a small footprint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a crate stacker that has an uncomplicated and straightforward configuration.

It is another or alternative object of the invention to provide a crate stacker that does not require an enhanced stability for moving a stack of crates from the crate stacker.

It is yet another or alternative object of the invention to provide a crate stacker that provides a small footprint, preferably a footprint that is to a great extent similar to the footprint of the stack(s) assembled.

It is yet another or alternative object of the invention to provide a crate stacker that is cost-effective in manufacturing and in use.

At least one of these objects is achieved by a crate stacker comprising - a supply line constructed and arranged for supplying crates over a supply plane and along a supply direction into the crate stacker in a supply position of the supply line; and - a stacking arrangement constructed and arranged for providing a stack of crates from crates provided by the supply line so as to provide the stack of crates above the supply line, wherein the supply line is constructed such as to allow displacement of the supply line from the supply position below the stacking arrangement to a lowering position of the supply line and vice versa, and the stacking arrangement is constructed to allow lowering the stack of crates to a position below the supply plane when the supply line is in the lowering position.

In an advantageous embodiment the supply line comprises first and second supply line parts that are separately arranged along the supply direction, the first and second supply line parts each being constructed and arranged to support crates in the supply position of the supply line and being constructed and arranged to allow movement of the first and second supply line parts in a direction substantially transverse to the supply direction and away from one another into the lowering position of the supply line. In such embodiment a displacement of the supply line to the lowering position is easily and efficiently achieved, especially when during use of the crate stacker.

In a further advantageous and well-working embodiment the first and second supply line parts each are pivotably connected to a frame by distance parts, the distance parts at a first end being mounted by a hinge connection on the frame and at a second end opposite the first end being connected by another hinge connection to the first or second supply line part.

In an embodiment the first and second supply line parts comprise conveyer belts constructed and arranged for supporting and supplying crates over the supply plane and along the supply direction. In a further embodiment a conveyer belt of at least one of the first and second supply line parts is a driven conveyer belt. The conveyer belt may be driven by an electric motor.

In an efficient embodiment the crate stacker comprises at least one actuator arranged for displacing the supply line in between the supply and lowering positions.

In a preferred embodiment the stacking arrangement comprises a gripper arrangement constructed and arranged for gripping and holding a stack of crates; for lowering the stack of crates onto a crate supplied by the supply line so to provide an increased stack of crates; for gripping, holding and lifting the increased stack of crates; for lowering the stack or increased stack of crates downwards below the supply plane; and for releasing the stack or increased stack of crates below the supply plane to allow removing the stack or increased stack of crates from the crate stacker for further handling. Providing a stack of crates is very efficiently achieved in such embodiment.

In yet a further preferred embodiment the gripper arrangement comprises first and second gripper parts that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the supply plane and along the supply direction, the first and second gripper parts allowing movement towards one another into contact with a stack of crates for holding the stack of crates. Such gripper parts allow a secure gripping and holding of a stack of crates.

Preferably, the gripper arrangement comprises at least one actuator arranged for moving the first and second gripper parts for gripping, holding and releasing a stack of crates.

In yet a further preferred embodiment the stacking arrangement comprises at least one actuator arranged for lifting and lowering a stack of crates by the stacking arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment the crate stacker is configured to supply crates along the supply direction from a first end of the supply line, and to allow removing a stack of crates along the supply direction from the crate stacker at a second end of the supply line opposite the first end. Supply and removal of crates is thus at opposite ends of the supply line so that they will not interfere with one another.

Efficiently, the crate stacker is configured for providing two or more stacks of crates next to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent by a description of the invention by way of non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments. Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the skilled person when having read the disclosure in connection with the drawing, all of which are within the scope of the invention and accompanying claims. In the drawings like or same reference symbols denote like, same or corresponding parts, and of which

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a crate stacker according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view on the bottom part of the crate stacker of figure 1 with the supply line in the supply position; and

Figure 3 shows a top view of the bottom part of the crate stacker of figure 1 with the supply line in the lowering position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a crate stacker 1 having a bottom part 100 and a top part 200. The bottom part 100 comprises a frame 110, in which a supply line 120 is mounted, and which is installed on a floor F. Top part 200 comprises a frame 210 that is mounted onto frame 110. Crates or trays 10 are supplied over supply line 120 into the crate stacker. An external supply line 20, that is not a part of the crate stacker 1, provides crates to the supply line 120. The crates are shown empty in the drawings, but will during use be filled with products, such as chicken eggs. Such products will during use have been filled into the crates and subsequently be provided by supply line 20 to the supply line 120 of the crate stacker. The crate stacker 1 then stacks the crates into stacks for further handling, such as storage or transport of the crates 10. The crates are supplied by the supply line 120, and also by external supply line 20, along a supply direction D.

The supply line 120 comprises two supply line parts 121 and 122 that are arranged along the supply direction D. Each supply line part 121, 122 comprises a conveyer belt 123, 124 that is driven by respective electric motors 125, 126. Both conveyer belts are of the endless type and are guided by pulleys (not shown) that have their axes of rotation in a direction parallel to the drawing planes of figures 2 and 3.

The pulleys are provided at both ends of the supply line and one pulley of each supply line is driven by an electric motor. Both motors are synchronized so that the conveyer belts 123, 124 of both supply line parts 121, 122 run at the same velocity.

Crates 10 are provided at a first end 120.1 of supply line 120 along supply direction D by external supply line 20. Movement of external supply line 20 pushes the crates onto supply line 120, after which the conveyer belts 123, 124 of supply line 20 take the crates further into the crate stacker 1. The top sides of the conveyer belts 123, 124 define an imaginary supply plane P along which the crates are moved into the crate stacker.

A top part 200 is provided on the bottom part 100 and comprises a frame 210 and a stacking arrangement 220. Supply line 120 provides crates under the stacking arrangement, after which the crates are stopped to remain under the stacking arrangement. The stacking arrangement 220 comprises a gripper arrangement having two gripper parts 221, 222 that can be moved towards and away from one another by respective actuators 223, 224. The gripper parts 121, 122 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the supply plane and along the supply direction. In the embodiment shown the stacking arrangement provides two stacks of crates at the same time. When two crates have been positioned by supply line 120 under the stacking arrangement 220, the gripper parts 221, 222 of the gripper arrangement are lowered to grip and hold the crates provided on the supply line. Subsequently, the gripper arrangement is lifted by the stacking arrangement 220 and new crates are supplied by supply line 120 under the stacking arrangement. The gripper arrangement is lowered again to position the crates held by the gripper arrangement onto the crates on the supply line. The gripper parts 121, 122 of the gripper arrangement then release the crates that are being held and move somewhat further down and grip the whole stacks of crates now present on the supply line, after which the gripper arrangement is lifted again. New crates are supplied by the supply line to under the stacking arrangement, and the process is repeated again. The stacks of crates held by the gripper arrangement are lowered onto the crates provided on the supply line to provide an increased stack of crates, which will be gripped and held by the gripper arrangement and then lifted. This process is repeated until stacks of a predetermined number of crates are provided.

The gripper arrangement having grippers 121, 122 actuated by actuators 123, 124 is mounted such within the stacking arrangement 220 that it can be moved upwards and downwards. To this end the gripper frame 225 of the gripper arrangement is vertically movable mounted within top frame 210. The gripper frame is suspended from belts that are attached to top frame 210. Up and down movement of the gripper arrangement is achieved by rolling/unrolling the belts around/from a pulley provided on an axle driven by an electromotor controlled by frequency controller. The gripper frame 225 is guided by guiding rollers such that it can move up and down while remaining in a position that is aligned with crates provided on the supply line. The belts and associated pulleys and electromotors, and guiding rollers are not shown in the drawings, but are known as such.

When stacks of a sufficient number of crates are provided, the supply line 120 is dislocated from under the stacking arrangement. Figure 2 shows a supply position of the supply line 120 and figure 3 shows a configuration of the supply line 120 in which it has been dislocated to a lowering position. To achieve such dislocated configuration the supply line parts 121, 122 are mounted by distance parts 130 onto bottom frame 110. At respective first ends the distance parts 130 are mounted by hinge connections 131 on the frame 110. At respective second ends opposite corresponding respective first ends the distance parts 131 are connected to the first or second supply part 121, 122 by another hinge connection 132. The pivot axes of the hinge connections 131, 132 are perpendicular to the supply plane P and the plane of the drawings of figures 2 and 3. The mounting of first and second supply line parts 121, 122 in this fashion onto frame 110 allows to move supply line parts 121, 122 away from one another along the supply plane P and in a direction perpendicular to the supply direction D, although there is a component of displacement along the supply direction D in the embodiments shown. It shows in figure 3 that the first and second supply line parts have moved some distance away from external supply line 20 at the first end 120.1 of supply line 120 in a direction from the first end 120.1 towards the second end 120.2 of supply line 20 so that it is not obstructed by external supply line 20.

Actuators are located within the distance parts 130, and are therefore not visible in the drawings, for moving the first and second supply line parts 121, 122 of supply line 120 in between the supply and lowering positions.

The embodiment shown discloses only one manner of dislocating the supply line from a supply position beneath the stacking arrangement to a (dislocated) lowering position, which allows the gripping arrangement to be lowered beneath the supply plane P. In another embodiment the first and second supply line parts are mounted such to the bottom frame 110 that they are rotatable around an axis that is parallel to the supply direction D. In such embodiment the supply line parts 121, 122 are rotated downwards, or optionally upwards, into a dislocated lowering position. In yet another embodiment the supply line is provided as one part that can be rotated downwards around an axis parallel to the supply direction D.

When in the dislocated position (lowering position), the gripping arrangement of the stacking arrangement can be lowered such that the bottom of the stacks of crates is provided to below the supply plane P to a position near the floor F. A trolley T may generally be provided, as shown in figure 1, for receiving the stacks of crates. The stacks are released by the gripping arrangement when provided onto the trolley, after which the trolley T is moved out and away from the crate stacker 1.

It is shown that the trolley is moved in and out of the crate stacker at the second end 120.2 of supply line 120. At this end of the supply line 120 and crate stacker 1 the external supply line 20 does not obstruct moving the trolley T in and out of the crate stacker. The bottom and top frames 100, 200 are constructed such that they provide an entrance and exit for the trolley T.

The stacker arrangement allows individual crates with products to be stacked and provided as one or multiple stacks of crates or trays on, for instance, a trolley for further handling of the crates, such as storage or transport of the crates or trays.

Claims

A crate step separator (1) comprising - a supply line (120) constructed and arranged for feeding crates (10) over a supply surface (P) and along a supply direction (D) in the crate stacker in a supply position of the supply line; and - a stacking facility (220) constructed and arranged to provide a stack of crates from crates supplied by the feed line to provide the stack of crates above the feed line (120), the feed line (120) being constructed such that displacement of the feed line is possible from the feeding position below the stacking facility (220) to a lowering position of the feeding line and vice versa, and the stacking facility is constructed to allow lowering of the stack of crates to a position below the feeding surface (P) when the feeding line is in the lowering position.

The crate stacker according to claim 1, wherein the feed line (120) comprises first and second feed line parts (121, 122) separately arranged along the feed direction (D), which first and second feed line parts are each constructed and arranged around crates (10) to support in the feeding position of the feeding line and are constructed and arranged to allow displacement of the first and second feeding line parts (121, 122) in a direction substantially transverse to the feeding direction (D) and away from each other in the lowering position of the feeding line (120).

The crate stacker according to claim 2, wherein the first and second supply line parts (121, 122) are each pivotally coupled to a frame (110) by spacer parts (130), which spacer parts are attached to a first end by a hinge connection (131) the frame and at a second end opposite the first end are attached by a hinge connection (132) to the first or second supply line part.

The crate stacker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first and second supply line parts (121, 122) comprise conveyor belts (123, 124) constructed and arranged for supporting and feeding crates (10) over the supply surface (P) and along the feed direction (D).

The crate stacker according to claim 4, wherein a conveyor belt (123, 124) of at least one of the first and second supply line parts (121, 122) is a driven conveyor belt.

The crate stacker according to claim 5, wherein the conveyor belt (123, 124) is driven by an electric motor (125, 126).

The crate stacker according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the crate stacker (1) is provided with at least one actuator arranged for moving the supply line (120) between the supply and lowering positions.

The crate stacker according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the stacking device (220) comprises a gripping device that is constructed and arranged for gripping and holding a stack of crates (10); for lowering the stack of crates onto a crate supplied through the feed line (120) to provide a raised stack of crates; for gripping, holding and lifting the raised stack of crates; for lowering the stack or raised stack of crates below the supply surface (P); and for releasing the stack or raised stack of crates below the feed surface to allow removal of the stack or raised stack of crates from the crate stacker (1) for further treatment.

The crate stacker according to claim 8, wherein the gripper feature comprises first and second gripper portions (221, 222) disposed substantially perpendicular to the feed surface (P) and along the feed direction (D), which first and second gripper portions move in contact with each other with a stack of crates (10) for holding the stack of crates.

The crate stacker according to claim 9, wherein the gripper feature comprises at least one actuator arranged for moving the first and second gripper members for gripping, holding, and releasing a stack of crates.

The crate stacker according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the stacking facility (220) comprises at least one actuator arranged for lifting and lowering a stack of crates by the stacking facility.

The crate stacker according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the crate stacker (1) is configured to feed crates along the feed direction (D) from a first end (120.1) of the feed line, and to allow a stack of crates is removed along the feed direction from the crate stacker at a second end (120.2) of the feed line opposite the first end.

The crate stacker according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the crate stacker (1) is configured to provide two or more stacks of crates next to each other.