WO2010141498A1 - Method and apparatus for debanding a compressible bundle - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for debanding a compressible bundle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2010141498A1 WO2010141498A1 PCT/US2010/036943 US2010036943W WO2010141498A1 WO 2010141498 A1 WO2010141498 A1 WO 2010141498A1 US 2010036943 W US2010036943 W US 2010036943W WO 2010141498 A1 WO2010141498 A1 WO 2010141498A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- bundle
- compressible
- band
- trough
- cutting
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
- B26D1/01—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work
- B26D1/04—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a linearly-movable cutting member
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
- B26D1/0006—Cutting members therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
- B65B69/0025—Removing or cutting binding material, e.g. straps or bands
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
- B65B69/0033—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for by cutting
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
- B26D1/0006—Cutting members therefor
- B26D2001/006—Cutting members therefor the cutting blade having a special shape, e.g. a special outline, serrations
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a packaging band from a compressible bundle, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for cutting and removing the packaging band surrounding a bundle of bags, without damaging any of the bags.
- a packaging supplier may receive bundles of polyethylene bags from an outside manufacturer that are provided in folded or rolled bundles each secured with a band.
- Bundles may be prepared with varying numbers of bags (for example, from 15 to 150 bags per bundle), and in varying widths (for example, from 4 inches to 20 inches wide). The bundles are typically packed in bulk cases for delivery to the packaging supplier.
- the bundles are generally removed by hand from the cases so that the bands may be manually removed.
- Debanded bundles are then placed on a conveyor that conveys each bundle to a position where the bundle can be manually or automatically pushed into a chipboard or other type of paperboard carton or container, and then sealed.
- the debanded bundles may be packed by hand in the paperboard cartons or containers, and then hand-sealed.
- the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for debanding a compressible bundle.
- an apparatus is configured to cut a band that surrounds a compressible bundle of polyethylene bags by driving one or more indenters into an outer surface of the compressible bundle, in a manner that depresses the surface of the compressible bundle to form a trough that crosses underneath a portion of the band.
- the apparatus then moves a cutting knife along a longitudinal direction of the trough to cut the band. As the cutting knife is being moved, it extends at least partially into the trough without contacting the surface of the bundle. As a result, cutting of the band is accomplished without risking damage to the bundle from the cutting operation.
- the apparatus of the preferred embodiment may also preferably include a plurality of holding arms that are movable to contact and hold the compressible bundle in a stationary position to resist an insertion force of the indenters.
- the cutting knife of the preferred embodiment comprises a cutting blade and a shoe. The shoe is positioned along a base portion of the cutting knife, thereby shielding the surface of the trough from exposure to the cutting knife. The shoe is also configured to receive and hold the band in a position suitable for cutting by the cutting blade.
- the cutting knife is preferably actuated by a track actuator configured to move the cutting knife bi-directionally along the longitudinal direction of the trough.
- the cutting blade preferably includes cutting surfaces along each of opposing ends of the cutting knife in order to be capable of cutting the band when the cutting knife moves in either direction.
- the shoe preferably includes opposing ends each extending beyond one of the two cutting surfaces.
- the apparatus of the preferred embodiment is configured to be movable in both horizontal and vertical directions.
- a first conveyor line may be used to sequentially deliver banded bundles to a debanding position where the apparatus operates to deband the bundle.
- the apparatus After debanding the bundle, the apparatus preferably retains the debanded bundle via the holding arms, and is moved vertically and horizontally to a release position which may, for example, be positioned over a second conveyor line.
- the holding arms are then moved to release the debanded bundles onto the second conveyor line, which then delivers the released bags to a finishing area.
- the second conveyor line may optionally include buckets for receiving the bundle of bags.
- the apparatus may in addition preferably include a pusher for assisting in the release of the debanded bundle from the indentors and for depositing the debanded bundle in one of the buckets on the second conveyor line.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 shows a top view of components of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 shows a left view of the components of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of an End of Arm Tooling (EAT) component of the apparatus as depicted in FIG. 3;
- EAT End of Arm Tooling
- FIG. 5 shows a partial front view of several of the components of FIG. 2, in which the EAT component is positioned in a pre-engagement position;
- FIG. 6 shows a partial front view of components of FIG. 2, in which the EAT component is positioned in an engagement position
- FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the components of FIG. 6 in the engagement position, as seen from the right, rear and top sides;
- FIG. 8 A shows a partial front view of the components of FIG. 5, modified according to a second embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 8B show a right side view of the components of FIG. 8 A;
- FIG. 8C shows a partial perspective view of the components of FIGs. 8A, 8B as seen from the fight, rear and top sides, in which the EAT component is in a release position;
- FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a bundle of polyethylene bags having a trough as would be formed by the EAT component
- FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of a control unit suitable for controlling the apparatus of FIG. 1, and its relation to a sequence of process steps for a method of operation according to the present invention
- FIG. 11 shows an alternative cutting knife assembly
- FIG. 12 shows the alternative cutting knife assembly of FIG. 11 in an End of Arm Tooling (EAT) component
- FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the components of FIG. 12 in an engagement position, as seen from the right, rear and top sides.
- the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for debanding a compressible bundle, and in particular, for debanding a compressible bundle of bags (for example, polyethylene bags) which are banded (for example, with paper bands, rubber bands, polyethylene bands, or bands comprising any of a variety of other conventional band materials).
- bags for example, polyethylene bags
- banded for example, with paper bands, rubber bands, polyethylene bands, or bands comprising any of a variety of other conventional band materials.
- bundles of bags are arranged in a single- file grouping along a moving direction of a debanding conveyor line.
- Each bundle of bags is secured by a band that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the bundle.
- the bundles may be manually provided to the conveyor line, or may be provided to the debanding conveyor line by an intake system including a hopper that receives and sorts the bundles of bags before depositing the bundles either onto the debanding conveyor line, or onto accumulator conveyor line that is configured to accumulate and transfer the bundles to the debanding conveyor line.
- the debanding conveyor line moves to progressively position each bundle successively in proximity to one or more End of Arm Tooling (EAT) components of the apparatus, each of which having a plurality of movable holding arms for holding and picking up the bundles.
- EAT End of Arm Tooling
- this component moves vertically downward over the bundle to an engagement position at which the arms can be manipulated to hold the bundle.
- one or more indenters of the EAT component are pressed into an upper surface of the compressible bundle to form a trough in the upper surface.
- the indenters are configured to form the trough such that it crosses underneath the band that secures the bundle.
- the EAT component further includes a cutting knife assembly, which is actuated to slide linearly along a longitudinal direction of the trough.
- a cutting blade portion of the cutting knife assembly extends at least partially into the trough, without contacting the indented surface of the bundle in the trough.
- the cutting knife assembly is actuated to slide linearly to a position at which it contacts and cuts the band.
- the band After the band is cut, it falls to the debanding conveyor line so that it may be advanced by the debanding conveyor line to a removal station.
- the EAT component is moved vertically upward to lift the debanded bundle above the debanding conveyor line, and then horizontally to a release position over a table, bin or outflow conveyor line. Finally, it is either moved vertically downward or kept stationary as the holding arms are actuated to release the debanded bundle to a packaging station or subsequent conveyor line (for example, a bucket conveyor line) for further processing.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a debanding apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the debanding apparatus 100 includes a debanding conveyor line 120 surrounded by a framework 155 comprising cross-rails 157, gantry rails 156, and vertical rails 158.
- the debanding conveyor line 120 is preferably of a conventional design, and conveys banded bundles 110 toward an end of arm tooling (EAT) component 130, which is depicted for example in FIG. 2 at a debanding position 128 above the debanding conveyor line 120.
- the EAT component 130 as depicted comprises holding arms 133, indenters 134 and cutting knife assembly 135.
- the cutting knife assembly 135 includes a cutting blade 132 and a shoe 131.
- the apparatus 100 may optionally be provided with a hopper 101 for receiving and sorting bundles 110 for placement on an accumulator conveyor line 102 that accumulates and transfers the bundles 110 to the debanding conveyor line 120.
- the hopper 101 preferably places the bundles 110 sequentially onto the accumulator conveyor 102 in long edge leading (LEL) orientation.
- FIGs.2 and 3 further depict the debanding conveyor line 120 of the preferred embodiment as having moving belts 121, 122, 123 that move together sequentially.
- the conveyor line 120 may be alternatively configured with any number of moving belts, including one moving belt.
- the bundles 110 are preferably taken up on the debanding conveyor line 120 by dividers 129, which help to position the bundles 110 on the conveyor line 120 at a fixed spacing 124 (for example, at a between- bundle spacing of 9.375 inches).
- slots 125, 126 are arranged between belt pairs 123, 122 and 122, 121, respectively.
- the EAT component 130 In order to grab one of the bundles 110, the EAT component 130 is laterally centered over belt 122 of the conveyor line 120. In this position, as illustrated for example in FIGs. 3 and 6, as the EAT component 130 moves vertically downward towards the debanding conveyor line 120, the holding arms 133 are able to extend into the slots 125, 126 for unencumbered movement.
- FIG. 5 depicts the EAT component 130 of the preferred embodiment positioned vertically above the bundle 110 at the debanding position 128.
- Each indenter 134 is fixedly attached to a frame member 138 of the EAT component 130, and extends vertically downward to terminate at a probe portion 137 defining a lower end of the indenter 134.
- the probe portion 137 is configured to be pressed against an upper surface of the bundle 110 to form a trough 112 in the upper surface of the bundle.
- cutting knife assembly 135 extends downwardly from a track actuator 136, which is fixedly attached to the frame member 138.
- Arm actuating assemblies 139 are also each fixedly attached to the frame member 138, on opposing sides of each indenter 134 along a moving direction of the debanding conveyor line 120.
- the arm actuating assemblies 139 are configured to rotatably manipulate the holding arms 133, which may for example extend downwardly from a lower interior portion of each arm actuating assembly 139.
- the arm actuating assemblies 139 each preferably include a mechanism (not shown) that actuates the arms 133 by moving a pin through a slot to in order to move the holding arms 133 rotatably inwardly or outwardly in the opposite direction.
- the pin is preferably actuated by an air cylinder or hydraulic cylinder.
- the holding arms 133 may be moved rotatably inwardly and outwardly by a motor driven actuator and associated gear mechanism of conventional design.
- a lowest extent of the cutting knife assembly 135 (for example, shoe 131 as illustrated in FIG. 4) is movable through an interior cavity of the probe portion 137. In this configuration, no portion of the cutting knife assembly 135 extends beyond an exterior surface of the probe portion 137.
- the cutting knife assembly 135 can be moved by the track actuator 136 along the trough 112 without contacting any part of the surface of the bundle 110.
- FIGs. 6 and 7 depict the EAT component 130 of FIG. 5 after it has been lowered at the debanding position 128.
- the EAT component 130 is lowered to a predetermined height h (as represented, for example, in FIG. 6 by a distance between a bottom surface of the frame 138 and an upper surface of the conveyor line 120) in order to drive the probe portion 137 to a desired depth into the top surface of the bundle 110 for forming the trough 112 as illustrated in FIG. 7.
- the holding arms 133 are rotated inwardly by arm actuating assemblies 139 to secure the bundle 110 at opposing ends of the bundle 110.
- actuators 153 of a conventional design are positioned to move cross-rails 157 relative to gantry rails 156, and to move vertical rails 158 relative to cross-rails 157. This enables each EAT component 130 to be moved along X, Y, and Z axes.
- all or a portion of the framework 155 can be replaced by conventional industrial robots.
- the actuators 153 each preferably include a gearbox driven by a conventional stepper or servo motor for rotating a pulley that drives a belt which is attached to a carriage on an associated moving rail 157, 158.
- the X axis is parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the gantry rail 156
- the Y axis is parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the cross-rail 157
- Z axis is parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the vertical rail 158.
- FIG. 9 shows the banded bundle 110 alone the probe portion 137 has been driven into the top surface of the bundle 110 to form the trough 112.
- the trough 112 extends underneath (and, in this case, is perpendicular to) the band 111.
- the cutting knife assembly 135 is suspended from the track actuator 136 at a rest position laterally outside and adjacent to the inner cavity of rightmost probe portion 137. From this position, the cutting knife assembly 135 can be actuated by the track actuator 136 to move laterally through the inner cavity of the adjacent probe portion 137 and through the trough 112 toward the band 111.
- the cutting knife assembly 135 is preferably attached to a carriage (not shown) that slides along linear rails enclosed inside of the of the track actuator 136.
- the carriage assembly may be pneumatically driven first in one direction to cut the band, driven on to an opposing rest position beyond the leftmost probe portion 137, held at this rest position until a subsequent debanding cycle is begun, driven pneumatically in the opposite direction to cut another band, and driven back to the initial rest position. In this manner, the cutting knife assembly 135 efficiently operates to cut bands bidirectionally.
- the shoe 131 and the cutting blade 132 are each configured with operating surfaces at each end of the cutting knife assembly 135.
- the cutting knife assembly 135 bidirectionally, the number of movements of the cutting knife assembly that are required in order to process successive bundles 110 is effectively reduced by half.
- carriage of track actuator 136 may preferably be pneumatically driven by a conventional air cylinder of suitable design, the carriage may also be alternatively driven by a conventional electric motor-driven actuator.
- the shoe 131 of the cutting knife assembly 135 slides underneath the band 111 and preferably raises or maintains the band 111 in a current vertical position as is required for severing the band 111 with the cutting blade 132.
- the severed band 111 drops by gravity from the bundle 110 onto the debanding conveyor line 120.
- each band 111 may be carried to a downstream end 127 of the conveyor line 120 (for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2), where a waste bin (not illustrated) may be positioned to collect the severed bands 111 for later disposal.
- the EAT component 130 may be retracted vertically upward, retaining the bundle 110 by means of the holding arms 133, and moved horizontally to a position over an outflow conveyor line 140 as illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 8C.
- the outflow conveyor line 140 may preferably be configured with a plurality of buckets 141.
- the EAT component 130 is horizontally positioned over a selected one of the buckets 141. After reaching this position, the EAT component 130 is lowered vertically to a release position at which end portions of the holding arms 133 are positioned within the selected bucket. The holding arms 133 are then rotated outwardly by the arm actuating assemblies 139 to release the bundle 110 of bags into the selected bucket 141.
- the bucket conveyor line 140 is free to deliver the bucket 141 and its contents to a high speed cartoner (HSC) or other suitable device for repackaging the bags.
- HSC high speed cartoner
- EAT component 130 may further include a pushing component 150 for pushing the bundle 110 into the selected bucket 141, as illustrated in FIGs. 8A - 8C.
- pushing components 150 are provided between and on opposing sides of the indenters 134 along the moving direction of the debanding conveyor line 120.
- Each pushing component 150 includes an actuator 152 which drives a piston 151, and is positioned so that a pushing surface of the piston 151 is positioned near an upwardly facing surface of the bundle 110 adjacent to the trough 112.
- the pushers 150 are activated when the EAT component 130 reaches the release position and the holding arms 133 moved outwardly to release the bundle 110.
- Actuators 152 linearly move the pistons 151 so that the pushing surfaces of the pistons 151 push the bundle 110 into the bucket 141.
- the pushing components are aligned so that the linear movement of the pistons occurs with a plane defined by the X axis and Z axis, and at an acute angle to the Z axis.
- Other alternative mechanisms for pushing the bundle 110 off of the indenters 134 are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
- the bucket conveyor line 140 moves the bucket 141 toward a packaging position for the bundle 110.
- a packaging conveyor (not shown) may be positioned in parallel with the bucket conveyor line 140 so that a packing carton may be pulled down from a supply bin, placed on the packaging conveyor and positioned adjacent the bucket 141.
- the debanded bundle 110 may then be pushed into the adjacent carton, for example, by a conventional push palm device (not shown) operated by a mechanical rod timed by a cam follower bearing positioned in an adjacent trough.
- the carton is then sealed at each end by conventional means, and moved along the packaging conveyor to a position where it may be packed into a carton case and palletized.
- FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic block diagram for a programmable logic controller (PLC) 1000 that is suitable for controlling the operation of the components described above in relation to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- PLC 1000 is of a conventional design, as may be obtained for example from the General Electric Company of Schenectady, New York.
- PLC 1000 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1010 which is operated by a stored program and additional program instructions provided via a programming interface of the PLC 1000 (not shown).
- the stored program and program instructions are stored, for example, in a memory 1011.
- a DC input module 1012 receives external inputs that instruct the CPU 1010 to regulate the PLC 1000.
- the DC input module preferably receives inputs from a machine start switch 1028 to start operation of the debanding apparatus, and from a machine stop switch 1029 to stop operation of the apparatus.
- CPU 1010 directs operation of the apparatus via a 3 -Axis Motion Control Module 1013 and a DC output module 1014.
- 3-Axis Motion Control Module 1013 is configured to instruct conventional servo drives 1023 that operate servo motors 1024 for moving the EAT component in each of the X, Y and Z directions.
- DC output module 1014 is configured to instruct DC drive unit 1021 and AC drive units 1022 to respectively drive DC motor 1025 and AC motors 1027 for operating the hopper 101 and conveyors 102, 120 and 140.
- the PLC 1000, drives 1021, 1022 and 1023, and motors 1024, 1025 and 1027, as well as other electrically-powered components of the debanding apparatus 100, are preferably powered either directly of indirectly by a conventional AC commercial power supply 1026.
- FIG. 10 further illustrates a series of process steps 201 - 211 comprising a process 200 by which the debanding apparatus 100 may be operated by the PLC 1000.
- bundles 110 are received and sorted by engaging the DC motor 1025 to run the hopper 101 for placement on the accumulator conveyor 102.
- the bundles 110 are placed on the accumulator conveyor 102, and a bundle aligner (not shown) of the accumulator conveyor 102 is activated by the DC output module 1014 to sequentially position the bundles 110 on the accumulator conveyor 102 in the long edge leading (LEL) orientation.
- the conveyor 102 is advanced by one of the AC motors 1027, which is activated by one of the AC drives 1022 and DC output module 1014.
- an air cylinder (not shown) of the accumulator conveyor 102 is activated by the DC output module 1014 to hold the bundles 1014 at a downstream end of the conveyor 102.
- the air cylinder is operated to release one or more of the bundles 110 onto the debanding conveyor line 120.
- the debanding conveyor 120 is indexed by another one of the AC motors 1027 activated by another one of the AC drives 1022 and DC output module 1014, in order to deliver one of the bundles 110 to the debanding position 128.
- the 3-axis motion control module 1013 instructs the servo drive 1023 controlling the motor 1024 which causes movement along the Z-axis to lower the EAT component 130 vertically, so that the indenters 134 are driven into an upper surface of the bundle 110 to form the trough 112.
- the indenters 134 are configured to form the trough 112 such that it crosses underneath the band 111.
- the DC output module 1014 instructs the actuating assemblies 139 to rotate the holding arms 133 inwardly to hold and secure the bundle 110.
- the holding arms 133 are configured to hold the bundle 110 in a manner that resists an insertion force generated as the indenters 134 are driven into the upper surface of the bundle 110.
- the DC output module 1014 instructs the track actuator 136 to move the cutting knife assembly 135 from a rest position through the trough 112 toward the band 111.
- the shoe 131 of cutting knife assembly 135 positions and/or holds the band 111 as it is severed by cutting blade 132 of the cutting knife assembly 135.
- the cutting knife assembly is thereafter moved to a corresponding rest position.
- the EAT component 130 is raised as it continues to hold the bundle 110, and is moved horizontally to a position over the second conveyor line 140. This movement is accomplished by the 3 -axis motion control module 1013, which instructs the servo drives 1023 to operate the motors 1024 to move the EAT component upwardly in the Z-direction and in one or more of the X-direction and Y-direction.
- the 3-axis motion control module 1013 instructs the servo drive 1023 controlling the motor 1024 which causes movement along the Z-axis to lower the EAT component 130 to a release position over the second conveyor line 140.
- the DC output module 1014 causes the holding arms 133 to be actuated by the actuating assemblies 139 to rotate outwardly to release and deposit the debanded bundle 110 either directly onto the second conveyor line 120, or into a bucket 141 if the outflow conveyor line 140 is so configured.
- the DC output module 1014 further activates pushing components 150 to assist in releasing the debanded bundle 110, and instructs another AC drive 1022 to operate another motor 1027 to advance the outflow conveyor 140.
- the EAT Component 130 is raised and moved horizontally back to its previous position over the debanding position of the conveyor line 120.
- this movement is accomplished by the 3-axis motion control module, which instructs the servo drives 1023 to operate the motors 1024 to move the EAT component upwardly in the Z-direction and in one or more of the X-direction and Y-directions.
- the process returns to step 204, and another one of the bundles 110 of bags arrives via the conveyor line 120 at the debanding position 128.
- FIG. 11 shows an alternative implementation of a cutting knife assembly 1135 that can be used, for example, in the debanding apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 in place of cutting knife assembly 135.
- Cutting knife assembly 1135 includes a cutting blade 1132 and a shoe 1131.
- the shoe 1131 is contoured to define an angled leading edge that extends in a downward direction and terminates at a lower end 160 of the cutting knife assembly 1135.
- a plow portion 1162 is behind the lower end 160 of the cutting knife assembly 1135.
- a trough 1161 is located between the lower end 1160 of the cutting knife assembly 1135 and the plow portion 1162.
- the trough 1161 follows a bent path that terminates at a knife blade 1132 that is exposed inside the trough 1161 past the bend.
- the knife blade 1132 is configured so that it can cut a band passing through the trough.
- FIG. 12 shows the cutting knife assembly 1135 of FIG. 11 coupled to an EAT component 1130 that is similar to the EAT component 130 shown in FIG. 4.
- the cutting knife assembly 1135 extends downwardly from a track actuator, which is fixedly attached to a frame member.
- a lowest extent of the cutting knife assembly 135 (for example, lower end 1160 as illustrated in FIG. 12) is movable through an interior cavity of a probe portion of each indenter. In this configuration, no portion of the cutting knife assembly 1135 extends beyond an exterior surface of the probe portion.
- the cutting knife assembly 1135 can be moved by the track actuator 1136 along the trough 1112 (see FIG. 13) without contacting any part of the surface of the bundle.
- FIG. 13 depicts the EAT component 1130 of FIG. 12 after it has been lowered at a debanding position.
- the EAT component 1130 is lowered to a predetermined height in order to drive the probe portion to a desired depth into the top surface of the bundle 1110 for forming a trough 1112.
- the holding arms are rotated inwardly by arm actuating assemblies to secure the bundle at opposing ends of the bundle.
- the cutting knife assembly 1135 resting at a home position will slide across, pushing down with the lower end 1131 of the cutting knife assembly 1135 any parts of the bags in the bundle 1110 that extend upward within the trough.
- the cutting knife assembly 1135 only cuts in one direction.
- the cutting knife assembly 1135 could be adapted to cut in two directions. Such implementations could include, for example, means to rotate the cutting knife assembly after it makes a cut in one direction.
- the cutting knife assembly 1135 could be adapted to include a second knife blade inside a second trough that opens in substantially the opposite direction as trough 1161.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CA2764483A CA2764483A1 (en) | 2009-06-02 | 2010-06-01 | Method and apparatus for debanding a compressible bundle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US18324909P | 2009-06-02 | 2009-06-02 | |
US61/183,249 | 2009-06-02 |
Publications (1)
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WO2010141498A1 true WO2010141498A1 (en) | 2010-12-09 |
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ID=43298090
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/US2010/036943 WO2010141498A1 (en) | 2009-06-02 | 2010-06-01 | Method and apparatus for debanding a compressible bundle |
Country Status (3)
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US (1) | US20110000171A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2764483A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010141498A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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SE534264C2 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-06-21 | Core Link Ab | Method and device for unpacking |
IT1404925B1 (en) * | 2010-11-25 | 2013-12-09 | Clevertech Srl | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO REMOVE A PACKAGING FILM FROM A PACKAGE OF OBJECTS |
US10137573B2 (en) | 2016-08-10 | 2018-11-27 | Cp Manufacturing, Inc. | Cleaning robot for recycling equipment |
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US5156516A (en) * | 1988-06-29 | 1992-10-20 | Vega Automation | Device for breaking and removing a tie surrounding a bundle |
US5970834A (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 1999-10-26 | R. A. Pearson Company | Depalletizer and hopper feeder |
US20080022633A1 (en) * | 2003-06-04 | 2008-01-31 | Porter Dan C | De-packaging machine |
US20080142339A1 (en) * | 2005-03-02 | 2008-06-19 | Sidel Participations | Conveyor Device for Containers Such as Preforms |
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2010
- 2010-06-01 WO PCT/US2010/036943 patent/WO2010141498A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-06-01 CA CA2764483A patent/CA2764483A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-06-01 US US12/791,733 patent/US20110000171A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US4838751A (en) * | 1985-07-11 | 1989-06-13 | Tokushu Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Bale unpacking method and system therefor |
US5156516A (en) * | 1988-06-29 | 1992-10-20 | Vega Automation | Device for breaking and removing a tie surrounding a bundle |
US5970834A (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 1999-10-26 | R. A. Pearson Company | Depalletizer and hopper feeder |
US20080022633A1 (en) * | 2003-06-04 | 2008-01-31 | Porter Dan C | De-packaging machine |
US20080142339A1 (en) * | 2005-03-02 | 2008-06-19 | Sidel Participations | Conveyor Device for Containers Such as Preforms |
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US20110000171A1 (en) | 2011-01-06 |
CA2764483A1 (en) | 2010-12-09 |
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