WO1995023092A1

WO1995023092A1 - Process and device for slitting sacks

Info

Publication number: WO1995023092A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/000698
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manfred Hermsen; Ewald Marnette; Heinrich KLÖCKNER
Original assignee: Cr3-Kaffeeveredelung M.Hermsen Gmbh & Co.
Priority date: 1994-02-28
Filing date: 1995-02-27
Publication date: 1995-08-31
Also published as: EP0746502A1; DE59500758D1; DE9403363U1; EP0746502B1; AU2131595A

Abstract

A device (10) for slitting sacks by means of rotating blades or disks (12) comprises a housing (14) which accommodates at least one mechanically drivable shaft (16) on which blades or disks are mounted. The housing (14) has an inlet opening (18), through which the filled sacks are fed mechanically or under the action of gravity, and an outlet opening (20), through which the slit sacks and the material released from the sacks can be carried away under the action of gravity.

Description

Device and method for slitting sacks

The invention relates to a device and a method for slitting sacks, in particular coffee sacks by means of rotating knives or discs.

Such devices and methods are known. In these devices and methods, a transport unit of sacks, for example coffee sacks, often the loading of an overseas container, is unloaded onto a chute or slide which tapers conically or in a funnel shape in order to enable the unloaded sacks to be separated. The sacks separated in this way are then fed by means of conveyor belts and the like to a device for slitting the sacks. The device consists of a shaft equipped with knives or discs, which is mechanically driven and slits the bags lengthways. The mixture consisting, for example, of the slotted coffee bags and coffee beans is fed to a separating device which separates the slotted coffee bags in a known manner. These separated coffee bags can then be disposed of or used in the usual way.

This system and thus also this method is very expensive and cannot be operated without operating personnel. So it is essential, for example, that an operator must be posted at the funnel-shaped end of the chute, who must eliminate the inevitable recurring interlocking of several bags with physical strength. It is also possible that such a jam occurs in front of the slitting device that bags wedge into one another or even fall off the conveyor belt. Here too, an operator must use their physical strength to eliminate these disorders. Furthermore, such a device is susceptible to failure due to the large number of movable parts and requires a large amount of maintenance.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a device of the type mentioned at the outset which, with technically simple means, always ensures that the sacks, for example coffee sacks, are slit open, is easy to handle and inexpensive to manufacture.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a device of the type mentioned at the outset in that at least one mechanically drivable shaft is or are arranged in a housing, on which each knife or disk is attached in a rotationally fixed manner and the housing has an inlet opening, through which the filled bags can be fed mechanically or under the influence of gravity, and has an outlet opening through which the slit bags and the material freed from the bags can be removed under the influence of gravity.

If at least two shafts are used, it is possible to split several sacks at the same time, so that there is no need to separate these sacks.

The number of sacks that can be slit open at the same time can be increased by arranging three or four shafts next to one another, preferably with regular but also with any division.

It is advantageous if the knives or disks are attached to each shaft with a regular or arbitrary pitch such that the knives or disks of adjacent shafts are arranged in a gap, it being particularly advantageous if the knives or Disks have a rotation diameter which is greater than the spacing of the shafts from one another. In particular for reasons of space, it can be advantageous to provide the knives or disks with different rotation diameters. Although it is entirely conceivable to arrange this device according to the invention at the lower end of a slide or chute which feeds the unloaded bags to the device under the influence of gravity, it is particularly advantageous to design the device according to the invention in such a way that the housing is attached to one Transport container, which can be a truck with a box attachment or a standard container, can be detachably attached. For this purpose, pins can be provided at the four corners of the inlet opening, which can engage in the locking openings provided at the corners of the loading opening of the truck, the container or standard container and can be locked therein. However, this requires a horizontal movement of the device in the direction of the untipped container or standard container.

The fastening process can be facilitated in that the upper two corners of the inlet opening have hooks which can be hooked into the upper two locking openings of the front side of the container or standard container, and the lower two corners of the inlet opening have pins which engage in the lower two locking openings and can be locked therein.

To carry out the slitting process, these transport containers or standard containers are tilted into an inclined position, for example by means of the tilting device of the truck transporting the standard containers.

In some cases it can happen that the sacks in the transport container have either been loaded incorrectly or have been jumbled by the transport and so-called saddle bridges form during the tipping process of the transport container, which prevent the sacks from sliding further towards the cutting device. In such a case, the inclination of the transport container must be greatly increased so that the sack bridge

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) collapses. As a result, however, the bags can suddenly fall onto the knives or disks and brake them to a standstill. The outflow of goods, for example coffee beans, and the cut bags from the transport container is sometimes so irregular that the subsequent devices for separating bags and goods or for further processing cannot process the intermittent product accumulation.

In such cases, it is particularly advantageous to arrange at least one movable retaining device in the inlet opening of the device for optionally covering or releasing the knives or disks. This makes it possible to feed the sacks to be cut to the knives continuously and in a targeted manner. In the case of a device with several shafts, either a single restraint device for all shafts or a separate restraint device for each shaft can be provided.

This restraint device can either be plate-shaped with longitudinal slots through which the respective knives or disks protrude in the released state, or consist of bars arranged vertically next to one another, the ends of which are each attached to cross members and arranged such that they are in the released state of the restraint device between the knives or discs.

Although all pivot connections are conceivable, the fastening of the restraint device / s via hinges to a crossbar arranged above the single or above the uppermost shaft or in each case via hinges to crossbars arranged above each shaft is preferred.

The, for example, hydraulically actuated restraint device can assume various travel positions for precise metering of the cutting process and can also be regulated within these positions.

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) In order to ensure a particularly good effect with the smallest space requirement of the restraint device, it is advantageous that the length of the bars or plate / s is angled such that when the restraint device is covered, the upper part of the bars or plate / s over the radius of rotation the knife or disk is sufficient and the lower part of the bars or plates is vertical and fully covers the feed opening / s to the knife or disk.

If the transport containers are loaded close to their loading openings, it can happen that, when the transport container is inclined, the first vertical position of the sacks, as seen from the loading opening, tends to form a compact wall, closed to the cutting device, and therefore no individual ones Sacks can get to the knives. It is then advantageous to arrange a horizontal spar in the area of the inlet opening, which can also be located in the middle of the inlet opening or at the level of the lower shaft in order to "break open" the wall consisting of sacks.

This "breaking open" can be improved in that a movable cutting device is arranged at the height of the spar, which, for example hydraulically actuated, cuts open at least one of the bags at the spar height.

So that the bags cannot fall onto the knives or disks from above, it is advantageous to mount a guide plate inclined from the edge of the housing to the shaft in the inlet opening above the single or the uppermost shaft.

The invention is also based on the object of specifying a method for slitting sacks, for example coffee sacks, which ensures simple, always safe, time-saving and inexpensive slitting of the sacks.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) This object is achieved in that a device for slitting sacks is connected to the loading opening of a transport container loaded with sacks and then the sacks are either mechanically or gravity fed to this device.

The mechanical feeding can advantageously be carried out by means of a sliding floor in the transport container, while the desired or necessary gravity effect can be achieved by tilting the transport container, wherein a vehicle carrying the transport container can also be driven onto a ramp or the like. For the reasons already mentioned, holding back the bags by means of a restraint device until the desired or necessary inclination is reached can be advantageous.

In operation, the cutting device provided with a retaining device is attached, for example, to a container or standard container to be emptied. The restraint device is moved with the hydraulics in the direction of the container and thus initially prevents bags from sliding into the cutting knives. Then the container is tilted to the desired or necessary inclination. The bags slide against the retaining device, but not yet into the knives. Now the restraint device is retracted in a controlled manner, for example with the hydraulics. This frees the cutting knives and the sacks can be cut open. The speed of the cutting process and thus the product flow can be regulated by the position of the retaining device. The large inclined position of the container ensures that the bags do not form a bridge and slide completely into the cutting knives. In addition, the cutting process can be interrupted at any time with the retaining device.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) This makes it possible to cut open the filled bags at any unloading location and to feed the batch consisting of cut bags and the goods freed from the bags for further processing.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of an embodiment and the drawings, to which reference is made. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the device for slitting bags seen from the inlet opening;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the device for slitting sacks seen from the outlet opening according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a partially sectioned side view of the device according to FIG. 6;

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the device for slitting sacks seen from the outlet opening according to a third embodiment; and

FIG. 5 shows a partially sectioned side view of the device according to FIG. 8.

FIGS. 6 and 7 each show a side view of a truck carrying a standard container, each with a device for slitting open the bags at one end of the standard container;

ERSÄΓZBLÄΓΓ (RULE 26) Figures 8 and 9 the trucks of Figures 2 and 3, the

Standard containers are each brought into a tilted position.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a device 10, seen from the direction of an inlet opening 18. This device 10 has an essentially rectangular housing 14, the dimensions of which correspond to the front dimensions of a container 22 (FIGS. 6 to 9). The inlet opening 18 shown in FIG. 1 takes up the entire end face of this device 10. The area of the housing 14 opposite the inlet opening 18 is designed to be completely closed except for a corner area at which an outlet opening 20 is present. This outlet opening 20 is designed such that it completely replaces a longitudinal edge of the housing 14.

In the housing 14, four shafts 16 are fixed parallel to one another and one above the other, essentially parallel to the outlet opening 20, their mechanical drive not being shown. Each shaft 16 carries several knives or disks 12, which are also arranged with regular division. The respective division of mutually adjacent shafts 16 is selected such that the respective knives or disks 12 of mutually adjacent shafts are arranged in a gap.

The embodiment of the device 10a for slitting sacks shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 differs from that shown in FIG. 1 essentially in that a grid-shaped retaining device 24 is pivotably arranged in the inlet opening 18 in front of the shaft 16 in this case is.

REPLACEMENT SHEET RULE26) The retaining device 24 is fastened with three hinges 30 above the shaft 16 to a square cross member 24a. The restraint device 24 can be moved forwards and backwards by a hydraulic unit 40. The retention grid 24 in this case consists of vertical bars 26 which are attached to an upper cross member 28a. At the lower end, the vertical bars 26 are fastened to a further cross member 28b for reasons of stability. The vertical rods 26 are angled in length so that in the holding or covering position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, the upper part 26a of the rods 26 extends over the radius of rotation of the knives or disks 12, while the lower part 26b is vertical and fully covers the feed opening to the knives or disks 12.

The restraint device 24 can be moved via two hydraulic cylinders 42, which act approximately on the transition region from the upper part 26a to the lower part 26b of the rods 26. This method or actuation of the restraint device 24 can be carried out in a controlled manner with the aid of a control module (not shown).

In the inlet opening 18, above the shaft 16, there is a guide plate 38 which extends from the upper edge of the housing and which initially runs vertically and is then inclined to the shaft 16. This guide plate 38 prevents bags from hitting the knives or disks 12 vertically.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from that of FIGS. 2 and 3 essentially in that the guide plate 38 is inclined directly from the upper edge of the housing in the direction of the shaft 16. Furthermore, the hydraulic unit 40 assumes a different position compared to the previously described embodiments and is now arranged approximately in the middle of the device 10b. All other Features of this device 10b correspond to the device 10a from FIGS. 2 and 3 and therefore also have the same reference numbers.

Both devices 10a and 10b are designed to be attached to a transport container to be emptied, for example the loading opening of a container, in particular a standard container 22, for carrying out an embodiment of the method for slitting sacks. The restraint device 24 is moved with the hydraulic unit 40 in the direction of the transport container and thus initially prevents the bags from slipping into the knives 12. Then the transport container is tilted to the maximum slope. The bags slide against the restraint device 24, but not yet into the knives 12. The restraint device 24 is then retracted in a controlled manner with the aid of the hydraulic unit 40. This clears the knives 12 and the sacks can be cut open. The speed of the cutting process and thus the product flow can be regulated by the controllable position of the retaining device 24.

FIGS. 6 and 7 each show a side view of trucks which each carry a standard container 22, the standard container 22 ′ shown in FIG. 3 being only twice as long as the standard container 22 shown in FIG. 2 The end 10 of the standard container 22 facing away from the vehicle cabin is provided with the device 10 according to FIG. 1 for slitting open the sacks or coffee sacks, for example flange-mounted, so that this device 10 can be removed again at any time. Of course, the devices 10a and 10b of FIGS. 2 to 5 can also be connected to the standard containers 22.

ERSATZBLAH (REGEL26) FIGS. 8 and 9 show the same side views of the trucks as in FIGS. 2 and 3, but with the tilted position of the standard containers 22, 22 'necessary for the operation of the device 10. This tipping position is necessary to ensure the feeding of the bags to the device 10 under gravity.

When the standard containers 22 and 22 "have assumed the tilting positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shafts 16 and thus also the knives or disks 12 of the device 10 are set in rotation, so that they rest directly on the device 10 Sacks are not only slit open, but are also conveyed to the wall opposite the inlet opening 18. Due to gravity, the mixture of slit open sacks and the goods freed from the sacks, for example slit open coffee sacks and coffee beans, slides in the direction of the outlet opening 20 and leaves the device 10 through this.

This emerging mixture is separated in a known manner, and the slit bags can be disposed of or recycled in the usual manner after the separation process. The goods or coffee beans thus freed from the sacks are also sent for further processing.

This device for slitting sacks not only avoids personnel costs and maintenance costs necessary for operating known slitting systems, but it is also possible due to the simple transportability of this device that it can be used at any desired location.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Device (10) for slitting sacks by means of rotating knives or disks (12), characterized in that at least one mechanically drivable shaft (16) is or are arranged in a housing (14) on or each of which knives or discs (12) are attached in a rotationally fixed manner, and that the housing (14) has an inlet opening (18) through which the filled bags can be fed mechanically or under the action of gravity, and has an outlet opening (20) through which the slit sacks and the material freed from the sacks can be removed under the influence of gravity.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that two, three or four shafts (16) are arranged side by side.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that two, three or four shafts (16) are arranged parallel to one another with regular or any division.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that on each shaft (16) the knives or disks (12) are fastened with a regular or any division such that the knives or disks (12) of adjacent shafts (16) are arranged on gap.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the knives or discs (12) have a rotational diameter which is greater than the distance between the shafts (12) from each other.

6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the knives or disks (12) have the same or different rotational diameters.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the housing (14) on a transport container (22) is detachably attachable.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the inlet opening (18) corresponds to the dimensions of an end face of the transport container (22) and has pins at the corners, which are provided in the locking openings at the corners of the end face of the transport container (22) can be brought into engagement and locked therein.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the outlet opening (20) opposite corners of the inlet opening have hooks which can be hooked into corresponding locking openings on the end face of the transport container (22), and the corners of the outlet opening (20) Have inlet opening (18) which can be brought into engagement with the corresponding locking openings on the end face of the transport container (22) and locked therein.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)

10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the transport container is a truck with a box attachment, a container or a standard container (22).

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the region of the inlet opening (18) at least one movable retaining device (24) is arranged for optionally covering or releasing the knives or disks (12).

12. Device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that a retaining device (24) is arranged in front of each shaft (16).

13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the retaining device (24) is plate-shaped and has longitudinal slots through which the respective knives or discs protrude in the release state.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the retaining device (24) or the retaining devices (24) consists of vertically juxtaposed rods (26) or be¬, the ends of which are each on cross members (28a, 28b ) are attached and arranged such that they are in the release state of the retaining device (24) between the knives or disks (12).

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the one retaining device (24) is attached via hinges (30) to a crossbar (32) arranged above the single or above the uppermost shaft (16) or the retaining devices ( 24) are each fastened via hinges (30) to cross members (32) arranged above each shaft (16).

16. The device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the retaining device (24) or the retaining devices (24) is or can be actuated hydraulically.

17. The device according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that different procedural positions of the retaining devices (24) are adjustable and controllable.

18. Device according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the rods (26) or the plate / s are angled in length in such a way that in the covering state of the retaining device / s (24) the upper part (26a ) of the rods (26) or the plate / s extends over the radius of rotation of the knives or discs (12) and the lower part (26b) of the rods (26) or plate / s is vertical and the feed openings to the Knives or discs (12) fully covered.

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a horizontally extending spar (34) is arranged in the region of the inlet opening (18).

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the spar (34) is arranged approximately in the middle of the inlet opening (18).

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the spar (34) is arranged at the level of the lower shaft (16).

22. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that a movable cutting device (36) is arranged at the height of the spar (34).

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the cutting device (36) is hydraulically actuated.

24. Device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized by a guide plate (38) which is arranged in the inlet opening (18) above the single shaft (16) or the uppermost shaft (16) and from the housing edge to the shaft ( 16) is inclined.

25. A method for slitting sacks by means of rotating knives or disks, characterized in that a device for slitting sacks is connected to the loading opening of a transport container loaded with sacks and the sacks are then fed either mechanically or under the influence of gravity to this device.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the bags are mechanically fed to the device by means of a sliding floor.

ΕRSATZBLAπ (REGEL26)

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the bags are fed by tilting the transport container under the influence of gravity of the device.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the bags are prevented from entering the device by means of a retaining device until the transport container has reached the necessary inclination.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that a wall in front of the device consisting of sacks is brought to collapse by means of a spar located in an inlet opening of the device in front of the separating means.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the collapse of the wall is supported by a movable cutting device located at the height of the spar, which cuts open at least one sack.

31. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that the slitting speed is regulated by means of the restraint device.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)