US3695459A - Handling device - Google Patents

Handling device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3695459A
US3695459A US46990A US3695459DA US3695459A US 3695459 A US3695459 A US 3695459A US 46990 A US46990 A US 46990A US 3695459D A US3695459D A US 3695459DA US 3695459 A US3695459 A US 3695459A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
article
fluid
supporting surface
box
sheet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US46990A
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English (en)
Inventor
Andre Raes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AGC Glass Europe SA
Original Assignee
Glaverbel Belgium SA
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Publication date
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G49/00—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for
    • B65G49/05—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles
    • B65G49/06—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles for fragile sheets, e.g. glass
    • B65G49/067—Sheet handling, means, e.g. manipulators, devices for turning or tilting sheet glass
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G49/00—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for
    • B65G49/05—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles
    • B65G49/06—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles for fragile sheets, e.g. glass
    • B65G49/063—Transporting devices for sheet glass
    • B65G49/064—Transporting devices for sheet glass in a horizontal position
    • B65G49/065—Transporting devices for sheet glass in a horizontal position supported partially or completely on fluid cushions, e.g. a gas cushion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G49/00—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for
    • B65G49/05—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles
    • B65G49/06—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles for fragile sheets, e.g. glass
    • B65G49/068—Stacking or destacking devices; Means for preventing damage to stacked sheets, e.g. spaces
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
    • C03B33/02—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor
    • C03B33/023—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor the sheet or ribbon being in a horizontal position
    • C03B33/03—Glass cutting tables; Apparatus for transporting or handling sheet glass during the cutting or breaking operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2249/00—Aspects relating to conveying systems for the manufacture of fragile sheets
    • B65G2249/04—Arrangements of vacuum systems or suction cups
    • B65G2249/045—Details of suction cups suction cups

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Us Cl 214/1 Q 214/8 5 D 214/1 BE
  • An article supporting surface such as for handling /26 305/31 R 302/12 sheets of glass provides an air cushion for supporting 51] Int Cl ..B65g 7/00 the sheets and sum) for Oldimg Sheets against [58] Field Dist-aid. ..214/1 8, 1 BE, 8.5 D, 8.5 E, Surface The Surface i articulated and tilts and is 214/1 Q; 302/29, 31; 271/26 R, 26 E mounted on tracks so that the sheets may be handled and moved.
  • PATENTEDUCU m2 SHEET 5 BF 5 :JIJL
  • the present invention relates to a device for handling articles, wherein an article is supported by one or more supporting surfaces for at least a part of the handling time, completely or partly on a supporting fluid in contact with the supporting surface.
  • Handling devices are known in which articles are handled while they are carried by a supporting fluid, a gas or a liquid. These devices are advantageous for handling articles in which the supporting surface is horizontal or substantially so.
  • fluid supports as a rule have disadvantages due to the absence of friction and the articles can not be readily immobilized.
  • a further object is to provide such a device in which the article can be immobilized.
  • Yet another object is to provide a device of the type described which is particularly useful in handling sheets of glass and for quickly and efficiently positioning the sheets to prevent them from moving during cutting or the detection of possible faults.
  • a device which utilizes a fluid support but which is much more versatile than the known devices.
  • a device comprises at least one article supporting member and means for forming at least one fluid cushion capable of supporting at least partly an article for being handled.
  • At least one means capable of applying a pressure lower than the ambient pressure is placed under at least a part of the position provided for the article such that the article can be attracted towards the article supporting member.
  • the article continues to be supported by the fluid during the application of lower pressure. In this way the operation of disconnecting the fluid support is obviated from the succession of operations to be preformed.
  • the article supporting member forms part of the means for applying the lower pressure i.e., the article supporting member not only acts as a stop for the movement of the article under the effect of lower pressure, but it also acts as an integral part of the device for applying lower pressure to the article.
  • the means for applying lower pressure are means for sucking the fluid under the place destined for the article to be handled.
  • these means can be pumps, fans, or other analogous devices for sucking in the fluid.
  • This embodiment is advantageous because it permits utilizing the same fluid support as well as for applying lower pressure and, on. the other hand, it eliminates the inoperative periods which otherwise would be needed to evacuate the supporting fluid before applying the lower pressure.
  • the means for forming at least one fluid support are formed by means for circulating a pressurized fluid and means for emitting fluid in the direction of the article to be handled. These means enable articles of very different dimensions to be supported.
  • the means for circulating a pressurized fluid and the means for applying lower pressure are incorporated in a common fluid circuit so that the means of the second type feed the means of the first type. This reduces further the time needed for displacing the articles to be handled from a position. where they are supported by a fluid support to a position where they are applied against the article supporting members.
  • the means for emitting fluid are connected both to means for producing the lower pressure and to means for circulating the supporting fluid, via connecting; and disconnecting means for each of these two connections separately.
  • the means for emitting fluid are also used as means for applying lower pressure, so that there is no further need to provide the two means for applying pressure and lower pressure than the ambient pressure under the position foreseen for the article.
  • the means for emitting the fluid are formed by at least one box provided with apertures which extend at least over substantially the whole extent of the articles to be handled, which permits the application on the surface of the article, a fluid support for the article as well as a lower pressure than the ambient pressure both substantially uniformly distributed.
  • This is more particularly advantageous for the handling of large very thin fragile sheets which may be broken if seized by suckers located at a few places. Since the box is normally flat, handling without breakage is particularly easy.
  • the fluid supporting means and the means for applying lower pressure are distributed in distinct zones along the position foreseen for the pieces to be handled. Consequently, a fluid support can be maintained under a part of the pieces to be handled during the use of lower pressure.
  • the device comprises means for emitting fluid which globally have a component of predetermined direction, to exert a thrust for the displacement of the article.
  • it comprises driving members and means for positioning the driving members towards the position foreseen for an article to be handled.
  • the positioning means can displace the entraining members from a working position allowing the entraining of the an article placed above and in the vicinity of the article supporting member, to a position of rest different of that occupied by the article when the latter is supported above the article sup porting member by at least on supporting fluid.
  • This allows the entraining members to be moved out of sheet engaging position for applying the article against the article supporting members. It allows also applying different members provided for entraining in different directions, successively against an inferior surface of the pieces to be handled, i.e., that the article can be entrained selectively in these different directions.
  • the positioning means depend on the means which allow the formation of at least one fluid support.
  • these positioning means can utilize the fluid pressure needed for the formation of the fluid support, for bringing the entraining means in contact with the articles to be handled.
  • a suitable positioning of the entraining members can be realized with the article to be handled, whose position on the fluid support varies in relation to its weight.
  • the contact pressure of the entraining members can be kept sufficiently constant in spite of this variation in position of the articles.
  • lifting jacks driven by the pressurized fluid used for the formation of the fluid support can be employed for displacing the belts and their entraining pulleys towards and/or against the article to be handled.
  • the entraining members are formed by at least two belts of concurrent directions and independent positioning means are provided for the belts of different directions to 'enable only the belt to be brought into contact with only the article whose direction coincides with the direction selected for the displacement of the article.
  • At least one belt can be associated with means for emitting supporting fluid beneath the run adapted to entrain the article, so as to apply the run at pressure to the article.
  • articulating and tilting means are provided for the article supporting members and such means advantageously enable the article supporting members to be substantially completely turned over.
  • This embodiment is advantageous to produce symmetrical pairs of sheets of glass for instance, the upper surfaces of the two sheets on the horizontal conveyor both coming into position on the outside or inside of the pair, as desired. This operation is needed especially for the manufacture of some double glazings.
  • a horizontal pile of sheets can also be formed, for instance, in a case, without the upper surface of the sheet being impeded when it leaves the horizontal conveyor to be added to the stack.
  • At least one lower structure which can be displaced on a track is connected to the article supporting member by means of articulation.
  • This arrangement is particularly advantageous when sheets have to be taken off and then added or conversely to the stacks, the stillages or other similar apparatus, at a distance from each other.
  • the track of the lower structure can, according to one feature of the invention, be part of a body which can be displaced on a second track substantially perpendicular with the first track.
  • the invention comprises means for moving away at least a marginal zone of the contact surface of the member in the direction thereof; preferably, these means are means for deforming the member.
  • the means for moving away at least a marginal zone of the surface of the member are apparatus such as pneumatic or hydraulic jacks, allowing deforming automatically a marginal zone of the contact surface of the member when this is pressed against the stack of sheets.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane defined by reference line IIII in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, through a different embodiment of the device.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of a particular embodiment of the device.
  • FIG. 5 is a partial diagrammatic view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 6 is a partial diagrammatic view of a hinge which can be unlocked, such as it is used in the embodiment shown on FIG. 4.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic cross sections relating to details of an alternative embodiment of the box shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention comprising a lower frame 1, an upper frame 2, an apron 3 and a box 4.
  • Lower frame 1 (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1) can be moved over a track 8' by means of wheels 8 and can be made, for instance, of rolled iron bars welded to one another and moved by a hydraulic or electric motor 8".
  • the upper frame 2 (also shown diagrammatically) is mounted on parallel rails attached to the lower frame 1 over which the upper frame 2 can move by means of wheels 10 perpendicularly to the movement of the lower frame 1.
  • the upper frame 2 can, for instance, take the form of a rigid frame moved by a pneumatic cylinder 9.
  • the apron 3 can tilt around a pivot forming part of a hinge 12 attached to the upper frame 2. To this end the apron is actuated by a telescopic jack 15 mounted on swivel joints 16, 17.
  • the apron 3 occupies an intermediate position between the end positions i.e., the horizontal position and a position forming an angle slightly greater than therewith.
  • the apron 3 is formed by two U-sections -21 rigidly interconnected by struts 22a-22d also formed by U-sections.
  • the box 4 is formed by two panels 25, 26 connected by wooden struts 27. The upper panel is formed with apertures 28 and lined with a felt cover 29 formed with apertures 30.
  • the box 4 is connected to the apron 3 by four screwthreaded rods 33 extending through the panel 26 via holes 34. Two of the rods extend through the strut 22d via holes 35, 36 with which its flanges are formed, while the two other rods extend in a similar manner through the strut 22a.
  • the rod 33 terminates at one end in a head 38 which is wedged to the panel 26 by a nut 39.
  • a gasket 40 is disposed between the head 38 and the nut 39.
  • a spring 44 disposed around the rod 33 between the nut 39 and the apron 3 retains the box in a position away from the apron 3.
  • This spring also acts as a shock absorber for any shock or pressure exerted on the box 4.
  • shock absorbing members could be used, such as pneumatic or oil shock absorbers.
  • a stop 48 is disposed between button box 4 and the apron 3 and attached to the latter via a nut 49 and a screwthreaded rod 50 unitary with the stop.
  • the rod 50 extends through the flanges of the strut 22d via holes 51, 52.
  • a switch 59 whose control member slightly extends beyond the upper plane of the stop 48 is rigidly attached thereon via an attachment 46.
  • the electric connection 592 of the switch 59 forms part of the circuits of a control.
  • the same comprise various devices such as 59, their connections such as 592, one block 595 fastened on the upper frame 2 and a stationary panel 590, these two latter ones being connected by means of connections 597. They are constituted of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic circuits or of some of those types only.
  • the different connections between the various members of the device are performed by means of cables and soft conduits.
  • the panel 590 bears push-buttons 591 for controlling the various operations of the device and comprising preferably sequential control devices permitting one push on a single bottom or switch to carry out several successive elementary operations.
  • Two pairs of endless belts 57, 57' and 61, 61' form the sides of a rectangle around the panel 25 and extend over four corresponding pairs of pulleys 56, 56 and 60,
  • the cross-beams 571 and 572 bearing the shafts of these pulleys are mounted in such a way so as to be dis placed in relation to the apron along the guides 573connected to block 595 by means of connection 596.
  • the jacks 25 enable the pulley shafts to be raised and lowered so that in the raised position the upper run of the belts is in plane somewhat higher than that of the panel 25, and in the bottom position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper run of the belts is in a plane lower than that of the panel 25.
  • Each of the belts is driven by a motor such as an electric motor 574 having two rotation senses, connected by cable 575 to panel 590.
  • the pair of corresponding belts is set in motion in the corresponding sense and simultaneously the corresponding; jacks 25 are actuated for raising the said belts.
  • Two fans 75, 75a driven by a motor 76, 76a, connected to block 595 by connection 761, 761a respectively, are in communication with the box 4 via a conduit 77, 77a, respectively.
  • the object of the fan 75 is to induce excess pressure in the box 4, while the fan 75a induces a lower pressure than the ambient pressure therein.
  • the circuits prevent the two fans from being put in operation simultaneously. In the following description this lower pressure than the ambient pressure shall be referred to as depression.
  • the conduits 77, 77a each have a flap 771, 771a. As soon as a fan comes into operation, its corresponding flap opens automatically, while the flap corresponding to the other fan closes automatically.
  • These automatic openings and closings are controlled, for instance, by an electromagnet connected in parallel with the motor 76, 76a, the purpose of which is to open the flap, the closing being carried out by means of a return spring not shown.
  • Two jacks 65, 65' connected to block 595 by connections 651, 651' and each composed of a cylinder 66, 66' a piston 67, 67' and a rod 68, 68' are mounted on hinges 69, and 69', 70' unitary, respectively, with the apron 3 and the box 4.
  • These jacks 65, 65 when actuated, slightly attract the two upper corresponding corners of the box 4 in the direction of the apron 3 while the middle part of the upper edge of the box 4 is coming in abutment against stop 48.
  • the actuated jacks 65, 65' cause the upper part of the loose end of the sucked sheet of glass to be curved; in such a way the upper corners of the sheet are detached from the subjacent sheet in the stack before the remainder of the sheet, thus enabling atmospheric air to be introduced between the two sheets so that they can disengage from one another satisfactorily.
  • more than two jacks such as 65 and 65 and provided for attracting a marginal part of the box 4 extending over the entire width of the box 4 towards the apron 3.
  • one or more jacks are disposed depending on the width of the box, so as to attract, in the best possible uniformity, a marginal part of the box 4 towards the apron 3.
  • several stops similar to stop 48, but not shown, are disposed at the level of fan 76a, while the upper stop 48 is not provided.
  • the apron 3 and the box 4 are in a horizontal position and one side of the box is close to and parallel with the terminal edge of a sheet conveyor.
  • the motor 76 is rotated so that the fan induces excess pressure in the box 4.
  • the air under excess pressure in the box escapes through the holes 28 in the panel 25.
  • the pair of belts perpendicular to the terminal edge of the conveyor is brought into the top position.
  • the sheet arrives at the box 4 floating on a cushion of air set up by the excess pressure in the box, while being guided and entrained by the belts of the particular pair concerned.
  • the sheet actuates a switch 251 connected to block 595 by connection 252, its action is slightly delayed by an adjustable system such as a minute motionwork.
  • the switch controls the stoppage and descent of the pair of belts and also controls the stoppage of the motor 76 and the starting of the motor 76a, thus setting up a depression in the box 4 so that the sheet of glass is attracted and retained in contact with the panel 25 of the box covered with the felt cover 29.
  • the switch also controls the rising of the apron 3 into the position exceeding the vertical, by rotation under the action of the jack 15 around the hinge 12 whose axis is parallel with the terminal edge of the conveyor.
  • the lower frame 1 is displaced in a suitable manner over its track and so if necessary is the upper frame 2 in a direction perpendicular to the displacement of the lower frame 1.
  • the jack 15 can be actuated by a variable flow pump so that the tilting speed can be kept substantially constant in spite of the graduation of the diameters of the stages of the jack, but also allows acceleration at the start, high speed lifting, and deceleration on arrival.
  • the apron 3 is thus brought into a plane extending by a number of degrees, for instance beyond the vertical so that the box is parallel with that surface of the stillage on which the sheet is to be laid.
  • the upper frame 2 is displaced either relatively to the frame 1 or together therewith in relation to the ground, in dependence on the orientation of the stillage.
  • the sheet thus encounters that surface of the stillage onto which it is to be unloaded or if necessary the surface of the stack of sheets already loaded on the stillage.
  • the movement of the frame 2 continues, however, so as to produce satisfactory'contact between the sheet and the stillage, even if at first contact the sheet is not strictly parallel with such surface.
  • the apron 3 then comes close to the box 4 and the springs 44 are compressed.
  • the lower panel 26 of the box 4 then contacts the control member 47 of the switch 59 which then stops the frame 2.
  • the motor 760 is then stopped and the sheet, which is no longer sucked by the box under depression, remains deposited on the stillage when the device is brought into the initial position for the start of a fresh identical operation.
  • the necessary elementary operations are performed by appropriate circuits of known types of the control device.
  • the sheet can also be placed in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane, for instance on a stack of horizontal sheets, in which case the apron 3 is allowed to tilt through 180.
  • the apron 3 can be controlled by two jacks acting in series, as shown in FIG. 5 where the corresponding members have the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the jack is replaced by two jacks 251, 252 of the same type, articulated together on the shaft 253 and, respectively, by the shaft 16 on the upper frame 2 and by the shaft 17 on the apron 3.
  • the shaft 253 is connected to the shaft of the hinge 12 by a connecting rod 254.
  • the apron 3 is shown in continuous line in its final position after a rotation of l8(), i.e. after a complete turn; the starting position of the apron 3 before turning is shown in dotted lines.
  • Each jack is provided for executing a rotation of about they may be operated either simultaneously or successively.
  • the sheet can also be placed on another horizontal conveyor without tilting in which case only the frames 1 or 2 or 1 and 2 move horizontally and the apron 3 is not tilted. If the second conveyor is perpendicular to the first, after the sheet has been admitted onto the box, and if necessary after the horizontal displacements of the frames 1, 2, the pair of guiding belts perpendicular to the terminal edge of the second conveyor is brought into the top position and starts rotating at the same time as the excess pressure is set up in the box at produce a cushion of air which will support the sheet during its displacement towards the second conveyor.
  • the device also allows the unstacking, sheet by sheet, of a stack of sheets disposed on a stillage or, when the apron 3 is tilted horizontally by two jacks, in a sacking case, for instance.
  • the apron 3 is tilted until the plane of the box is parallel with the plane of the sheet to be unstacked, and the box is then directed towards the storage stillage by the movement of the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2.
  • the upper frame continues to move. Consequently, the upper panel 25 of the box 4 perfectly fits over the surface of the sheet to be unstacked.
  • the upper frame brings the box 4 and the apron 3 close together.
  • the latter movement, and also the impact caused by the contact between the box 4 and the sheet are absorbed by springs 44.
  • the box 4 then contacts the switch 47 which, after actuating the right push-buttons on the control panel, puts the box under depression and actuates the jacks 65,65 which attract the two upper corners of the box 4 towards the apron 3.
  • the whole surface of the sheet to be unstacked sticks to the upper panel 25 of the box, and the upper corners of the sheet follow the upper corners of the box in their movements towards the apron. Consequently, the upper corners of the sheet to be unstacked are disengaged from the subjacent sheet and ambient air can be readily introduced between the sheet being handled and the subjacent sheet.
  • the upper frame 2 is then moved away from the stillage and the ambient air is then readily introduced over the whole boundary surface between the sheet being handled and the subjacent sheet. This avoids the disadvantage of two sheets or more being simultaneously sucked by the box 4.
  • the sheet the sheet can then be deposited on another stillage, a horizontal stack or a conveyor, in the same way as that described hereinbefore.
  • FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view analogous to FIG. 2, showing another embodiment of the device according to the invention.
  • a U-section 80 belongs to the frame forming the apron 3. Its struts 81,81 (also U-sections) are attached perpendicularly to the sections 80.
  • the box 4 is replaced by depression members 84 and excess pressure members 85.
  • the depression member 84 is' formed by a chamber 86 attached to the apron and formed by an end wall 87, side walls 88,88 and a top wall 89 formed with apertures 90.
  • a suction conduit 91 connects the chamber 86 to member 91' which sets up a depression, such as a fan.
  • An excess pressure member 85 is formed by a hollow shaft 100 formed with apertures 101 and rotated by a reversible motor 102.
  • the hollow shaft 100 is retained in reach by axle stubs 102 supported by bearings attached to the apron.
  • a conduit 105 connects the inside of the hollow shaft 100 in sealing-tight relationship with a member producing an excess pressure, such as a fan 100.
  • Flat irons 106 attached to the apron are covered with a felt cover 107 to protect the lower surface of a sheet 110 against any rough contact contact with rigid members.
  • the sheet moves from the conveyor over the box under the action of the air under excess pressure distributed by holes 101 in the rotated hollow cylinder 100.
  • These jets of air which create the air cushion supporting the sheet, have a horizontal component which acts on the sheet and displaces it horizontally.
  • the hollow cylinder 100 is rotated in different directions.
  • the chambers 86 are put under depression.
  • the sheet is therefore subjected to this depression by the holes 90 in tlie top wall 89 and is retained against the cover 107.
  • the depres sion member 84 and the excess pressure member 85 can take up the whole width of the box and succeed one another. Alternatively, they can occupy only a portion of the box, in which case the depression and excess pressure members are disposed in checkerboard fashion, the members succeeding one another not only in the length of the box but also in its width.
  • This embodiment is advantageous, for instance, to inspect faults in sheets in a continuous line.
  • Each sheet can be supported and advanced by the excess pressure members of the device and retained by the depression members.
  • the stoppage of the sheet for inspection and detection or faults can therefore very readily be performed without having to stop the excess pressure members.
  • the depression members retain the sheet in a fixed position enabling it to be inspected and faults to be located. When these operations are completed, the depression members are put out of operation and the sheet is immediately evacuated.
  • the checkerboard arrangement of the depression and excess pressure members can be used as the network giving the coordinates for fault location.
  • excess pressure members 85 can be disposed in two directions perpendicular to one another, thus enabling the sheet to advance in two directions and four senses. This latter embodiment is particularly advantageous for the handling of sheets of non-standardized sizes and small sizes.
  • the sheet When the transported sheet occupies its final position on the box, the sheet can actuate one or more switches such as switch 251 (FIG. 1) which stop the excess pressure members and the tilting of the apron, but in some cases it is preferred to keep up the excess pressure permanently, with a view to simplifying the control apparatus.
  • switches such as switch 251 (FIG. 1) which stop the excess pressure members and the tilting of the apron, but in some cases it is preferred to keep up the excess pressure permanently, with a view to simplifying the control apparatus.
  • the other unloading operations are similar to those set forthwith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • immobile excess pressure members can be used, such as, for instance, members similar to the members 84, but setting up an excess pressure. In this case the same member can successively set up depression and then excess pressure.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of a device according to the invention.
  • the upper panel of the box is formed with multiple holes 151.
  • the apron has four pairs of hinges, shown diagrammatically as 152, 152' and 153, 153' and 154, 154' and 155, 155 which can be unlocked. Under the action of a telescopic jack 157 attached by swivel joints to the apron and the box, the apron can tilt around any of the pairs of hinges, on condition that the three other pairs. are unlocked.
  • the hinges 152, 152' 155, 155' are constructed to be of the type as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the upper frame analogous with the upper frame 2 (FIGS.
  • Two pairs of endless guide belts 160, 161 and 162, 163 rotate around wheels attached to the apron and can occupy an upper level and a lower level.
  • the lower frame can move over track 165 and the upper frame can move over the lower frame in a direction perpendicular to the movement thereof.
  • the box 150 can receive, for instance, sheets from a horizontal conveyor 170, deposit the sheets horizontally on a stack of sheets 172 or in a plane close to the vertical on stillages 173, 174, just as the box can eject broken or faulty sheets into a cullet hopper 175, which is used more particularly when the sheets handled are made of glass.
  • FIG. 7 shows a modification of the feeding means of box 4 in FIGS. 1 and 2 in excess pressure and depression utilizing one only fan 190.
  • This fan is equipped with a motor 191 fed via the connection 192, with a suction duct 193, and with an exit pipe 194, both connected to the box 4.
  • These two circuits are equipped each with a flap 195, 196 at two positions, one closing the connection orifice of the duct to the box and the other one closing the connection orifice of the duct to the open air.
  • the flaps 195, 196 are controlled by the jacks 197, 198 in such a way that one duct is coupled to the box and the other one to the open air.
  • the same fan 190 can thus, following the position of the flaps, attract the manipulated article with air circulation following arrow 199 or reject and carry this article with circulation following arrow 200.
  • the rotation of the fan can be permanent or interrupted when neither aspiration nor exhaust are used.
  • one belt only or a couple of parallel belts are provided.
  • the belt can be lifted by the air cushion which carries the sheet.
  • a box is provided, the upper wall of which is perforated 201, having a perforated recess 202, forming accommodation for the belt 203.
  • the sheet 204 is carried on the air cushion 205, the latter is alsopresent in recess 202, underneath the belt; this belt is thus pressed against the lower surface of the sheet and the sheet is carried away when the belt is moved.
  • a The device according to the invention enables any sheet material to be handled, such as glass, wood, metal, plastics materials.
  • the power of the means for setting up depression and excess pressure must be adapted to the weight of the sheets and to the orientations given thereto during handling.
  • perforations of 3 mm and 100 mm apart from one another in the two perpendicular directions are suitable for transmitting the pressure and depression from the box to the surface of the sheet.
  • Sheets having for example 200 to 4,000 mm in width and length can be manipulated without great difficulties. Much smaller sheets than the box 4 or the equivalent apparatus can be manipulated.
  • the handling time can be used to cool a relatively hot sheet of glass by a cooling fluid.
  • the invention is compatible with the use of special fluids conferring particular physical or chemical properties on sheets handled thereby.
  • the invention can be used so that the device and inter alia the box may have means for processing the sheet handled, more particularly the face thereof not in contact with the fluid.
  • the box can have scoring and cutting means. This work can even be carried out during the various traversing and rotary movements of the device.
  • the invention also covers the handling of articles which are not in the shape of sheets, on condition that the articles have a flat or curved surface to which the depression and/or the excess pressure can be applied, nor need such surface necessarily be the lowest portion of the article.
  • a depression and an excess pressure can be set up successively in the same box or simultaneously in separate parts of a box. The same surface, therefore,
  • An article handling device comprising, in combination:
  • a device as defined in claim 2 wherein the pressure applying means are means for sucking fluid disposed under the position provided for the article to be handled.
  • a device as defined in claim 3 wherein the fluid cushion forming means include means for circulating a pressurized fluid and means for emitting fluid in the direction of the position provided for the article to be handled.
  • a device as defined in claim 4 further comprising separate connecting and disconnecting means for connecting and disconnecting the means for emitting fluid both to said pressure applying means and to said means for circulating a fluid.
  • a device as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for emitting a fluid include at least one box formed with apertures which extends at least over substantially the whole extent of the position for articles to be handled.
  • a device as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for emitting fluid which have a component of predetermined direction tangential to the surface of the article.
  • a device as defined in claim 1 further comprising articulating means and tilting means for the article supporting surface.
  • a device as defined in claim 14 further comprising at least one substructure mounted for displacement on a track associated with the article supporting surface via said articulating means.
  • a device as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for moving at least a marginal zone of the article supporting surface in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
US46990A 1969-06-17 1970-06-17 Handling device Expired - Lifetime US3695459A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LU58894 1969-06-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3695459A true US3695459A (en) 1972-10-03

Family

ID=19726073

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US46990A Expired - Lifetime US3695459A (en) 1969-06-17 1970-06-17 Handling device

Country Status (21)

Country Link
US (1) US3695459A (fr)
JP (1) JPS492067B1 (fr)
AR (1) AR196972A1 (fr)
AT (1) AT313791B (fr)
BE (1) BE751438A (fr)
BR (1) BR7019715D0 (fr)
CA (1) CA956275A (fr)
CH (1) CH528953A (fr)
DE (1) DE2029810A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES380777A1 (fr)
FI (1) FI53690C (fr)
FR (1) FR2049963A5 (fr)
GB (1) GB1314544A (fr)
IE (1) IE34554B1 (fr)
IL (1) IL34710A (fr)
LU (1) LU58894A1 (fr)
NL (1) NL7008677A (fr)
NO (1) NO139598C (fr)
SE (1) SE351622B (fr)
TR (1) TR16750A (fr)
ZA (1) ZA704034B (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4476797A (en) * 1980-06-04 1984-10-16 Ivanov Jury P Apparatus for assembling a ship hull module
US5169275A (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-12-08 International Mill Service, Inc. Automatic slab turner
CN103693347A (zh) * 2013-12-11 2014-04-02 芜湖欣荣管业科技有限公司 一种带有气缸的组合式玻璃转运支架
CN111645740A (zh) * 2020-06-16 2020-09-11 马鞍山观点信息科技有限公司 一种用于墙体装饰的板材搬运设备
CN112173610A (zh) * 2020-10-10 2021-01-05 北京特种机械研究所 气浮平台快捷通用全向运输系统
CN114538095A (zh) * 2020-11-19 2022-05-27 洛阳兰迪玻璃机器股份有限公司 玻璃下片系统、钢化玻璃生产线及下片方法

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4988027A (en) * 1987-06-05 1991-01-29 Bremner Glass Equipment Pty. Ltd. Apparatus for cutting glass
CN115123831A (zh) * 2022-05-30 2022-09-30 山西光兴光电科技有限公司 载板玻璃搬运装置、载板玻璃抽检装置及系统

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2538972A (en) * 1940-12-24 1951-01-23 Magnani Alessandro Method and apparatus for production of fibrous cement articles
US2678237A (en) * 1948-09-13 1954-05-11 Svenska Flaektfabriken Ab Device for supporting and conveying materials
US3477558A (en) * 1966-10-27 1969-11-11 Fred J Fleischauer Air lift and vacuum conveyors and foraminous belt means therefor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2538972A (en) * 1940-12-24 1951-01-23 Magnani Alessandro Method and apparatus for production of fibrous cement articles
US2678237A (en) * 1948-09-13 1954-05-11 Svenska Flaektfabriken Ab Device for supporting and conveying materials
US3477558A (en) * 1966-10-27 1969-11-11 Fred J Fleischauer Air lift and vacuum conveyors and foraminous belt means therefor

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4476797A (en) * 1980-06-04 1984-10-16 Ivanov Jury P Apparatus for assembling a ship hull module
US5169275A (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-12-08 International Mill Service, Inc. Automatic slab turner
CN103693347A (zh) * 2013-12-11 2014-04-02 芜湖欣荣管业科技有限公司 一种带有气缸的组合式玻璃转运支架
CN111645740A (zh) * 2020-06-16 2020-09-11 马鞍山观点信息科技有限公司 一种用于墙体装饰的板材搬运设备
CN111645740B (zh) * 2020-06-16 2021-06-29 马鞍山观点信息科技有限公司 一种用于墙体装饰的板材搬运设备
CN112173610A (zh) * 2020-10-10 2021-01-05 北京特种机械研究所 气浮平台快捷通用全向运输系统
CN114538095A (zh) * 2020-11-19 2022-05-27 洛阳兰迪玻璃机器股份有限公司 玻璃下片系统、钢化玻璃生产线及下片方法
CN114538095B (zh) * 2020-11-19 2024-01-26 洛阳兰迪玻璃机器股份有限公司 玻璃下片系统、钢化玻璃生产线及下片方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO139598B (no) 1979-01-02
FI53690C (fi) 1978-07-10
IL34710A0 (en) 1970-08-19
ZA704034B (en) 1971-02-24
AR196972A1 (es) 1974-03-08
IL34710A (en) 1973-06-29
IE34554B1 (en) 1975-06-11
DE2029810A1 (de) 1971-04-29
CH528953A (fr) 1972-10-15
JPS492067B1 (fr) 1974-01-18
CA956275A (en) 1974-10-15
BR7019715D0 (pt) 1973-01-02
NL7008677A (fr) 1970-12-21
FI53690B (fr) 1978-03-31
IE34554L (en) 1970-12-17
BE751438A (fr) 1970-12-04
LU58894A1 (fr) 1969-07-06
AT313791B (de) 1974-03-11
NO139598C (no) 1979-04-11
GB1314544A (en) 1973-04-26
SE351622B (fr) 1972-12-04
FR2049963A5 (fr) 1971-03-26
TR16750A (tr) 1973-05-01
ES380777A1 (es) 1972-09-16

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