WO2023149856A1

WO2023149856A1 - A product removal trolley for sanitaryware casting machines

Info

Publication number: WO2023149856A1
Application number: PCT/TR2023/050053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alper AKSU
Original assignee: Unimak Makina Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2022-02-03
Filing date: 2023-01-23
Publication date: 2023-08-10
Also published as: TR2022001389A2

Abstract

The invention is a product removal trolley (1) for use in removing at least one mold (40) from sanitaryware casting machines (50) and for removing the sanitaryware product in the said mold (40). Its distinctive characteristic is that it comprises at least one internal space (12) on at least one chassis (10) through which it is transferred from the sanitaryware casting machine (50) into the mold (40), at least one first hanger assembly (21) and at least one second hanger assembly (22) positioned on opposite sides of the said inner space (12) so that the mold (40) is held at a predetermined height and at least one of them can be moved towards and away from the other in order to move the parts of the mold (40) away from each other, and at least one first tray (14) for separating the parts of the mold (40) and transferring the sanitaryware product therein.

Description

A PRODUCT REMOVAL TROLLEY FOR SANITARYWARE CASTING MACHINES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a product removal trolley for use in removing at least one mold from sanitaryware casting machines and for removing the sanitaryware product in the said mold.

BACKGROUND

Molding machines are used in the production of ceramic sanitaryware products such as sinks and toilet bowls. Fluid ceramic-based material is poured into the molds formed according to the shape of the product, where the material solidifies and takes the shape of the mold.

In cassette-type casting benches, more than one mold is arranged side by side. Here, the molds are located in the mold cassettes. After the casting process is done, the molds are opened from the mold cassettes, and the product is taken out. In the current technique, one or more operators perform this product removal procedure. The operator opens each mold one by one from the workbench, then takes the product. The operator is also responsible for placing the mold back on the workbench. In this method, the labor load is high and there is a possibility that the product may be damaged while being taken from the mold.

Application No. JP2002103314A, which is in the literature, relates to a product removal manipulator. Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a manipulator for removing a product from the workbench without damaging the product.

As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it necessary to make an innovation in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a product removal trolley for eliminating the above- mentioned disadvantages and bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

One object of the invention is to provide a product removal trolley for removing the sanitaryware product in the mold. In order to achieve all the above-mentioned objects and the ones that will emerge from the following detailed description, the present invention is a product removal trolley for use in removing at least one mold from sanitaryware casting machines and for removing sanitaryware product within the said mold. Accordingly, the innovation of the invention lies in that it comprises at least one internal space on at least one chassis through which it is transferred from the sanitaryware casting machine into the mold, at least one first hanger assembly, and at least one second hanger assembly positioned on opposite sides of the said internal space to hold the mold at a predetermined height and to move the parts of the mold away from each other, and at least one first tray for separating the parts of the mold from each other and transferring the sanitaryware product therein. Thus, a product removal trolley is provided to remove the product in the mold from the sanitaryware casting machine.

A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one locking unit for fixing the mold on at least one of the said first hanger assembly and the said second hanger assembly. Thus, the parts of the mold can be moved away from each other or brought closer to each other by fixing them to the hanger unit.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one abutment on the said locking unit for fixing the mold against the mold and at least one locking drive element for moving the said abutment. Thus, the parts of the mold can be connected to the first hanger assembly or the second hanger assembly.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one hanger profile and at least one hanger roller positioned on at least one of the first hanger assembly and the second hanger assembly for holding the mold at a predetermined height and moving it in the direction of extension of the internal space. Thus, the mold can be positioned in the internal space.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said hanger profile and the said hanger rollers positioned thereon are configured to move in the direction of at least one Z axis. Thus, molds of different heights can be taken on the product removal trolley.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the hanger profile and the hanger rollers positioned thereon are configured to move in the direction of at least one Y axis. This provides a drive for moving the parts of the mold away from each other. This also provides a drive to bring the parts of the mold closer to each other.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one second tray positioned adjacent to the said first tray. Thus, the product can be easily transferred from the product removal trolley to another transfer station or conveyor.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one intermediate product conveying roller for conveying the mold while it is being passed from the first tray to the said second tray. Thus, a smooth transition is provided for the product between the first tray and the second tray. Thus, a seamless transition is provided for the product between the first tray and the second tray.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one hanger bearing on at least one of the first hanger assembly and the second hanger assembly and at least one hanger slide on the chassis, for linear movement of the first hanger assembly and the second hanger assembly relative to each other. Thus, the first hanger assembly and the second hanger assembly can move towards and away from each other. Thus, the parts of the mold can be brought closer to each other or moved away from each other.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one wheel for use in positioning. Thus, the product removal trolley can be positioned in different sanitaryware casting machines. Thus, the product removal trolley can move between the molds in sanitaryware casting machines containing more than one mold side by side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a representative perspective view of the product removal trolley of the invention with the sanitaryware casting machine.

Figure 2 shows a representative side view of the product removal trolley of the invention with the sanitaryware casting machine.

Figure 3 shows a representative perspective view of the product removal trolley of the invention. Figure 4 shows another representative perspective view of the product removal trolley of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a representative rear view of the product removal trolley of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a representative top view of the product removal trolley of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter of the invention is explained only by means of examples that will not have any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject matter.

Figure 1 shows a representative perspective view of the product removal trolley (1) of the invention with a sanitaryware casting machine (50). Accordingly, the said product removal trolley (1) is a manipulator for use in sanitaryware casting machines (50). The product removal trolley (1) is used in sanitaryware casting machines (50) to remove the product from at least one mold (40). The said mold (40) may consist of at least two parts. Between the parts of the mold (40), there is a space in the form of the manufactured product. The material poured between the parts of the closed mold (40) solidifies by taking the form of the mold (40). Thus, a solid product is obtained. Figure 2 shows a representative side view of the product removal trolley (1) of the invention with a sanitaryware casting machine (50). Accordingly, in a possible embodiment of the invention, the product removal trolley (1) can be located in the vicinity of at least one transfer station (60). The said transfer station (60) is the structure where the product taken from the mold (40) is taken from the product removal trolley (1). The transfer station (60) may be a conveyor.

Figure 3 shows a representative perspective view of the product removal trolley (1) of the invention. Accordingly, the product removal trolley (1) has at least one chassis (10). The said chassis (10) is the body of the product removal trolley (1). The chassis (10) comprises at least one strut (11). The said strut (11 ) is an extension of the chassis (10) in at least one Z axis (Z) direction. Thus, the strut (11 ) provides support for the chassis (10) in the said Z axis (Z) direction.

The chassis (10) is in contact with at least one wheel (13). The said wheel (13) provides the connection of the product removal trolley (1 ) with the ground. The wheel (13) can rotate around itself. However, the wheel (13) ensures that the product removal trolley (1) can move on the ground. Thus, the product removal trolley (1 ) can be positioned at the level of each mold (40) in sanitaryware casting machines (50) with multiple molds (40) arranged side by side. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the product removal trolley (1) is moved manually. The product removal trolley (1) is brought to the level of the mold (40) from which the operator will take the product.

Figure 4 shows another representative perspective view of the product removal trolley (1) of the invention. Accordingly, the product removal trolley (1 ) comprises at least one hanger unit (20). The said hanger unit (20) is the section that enables the mold (40) to be taken into at least one internal space (12). The said internal space (12) is the volume where the mold (40) is placed in the product removal trolley (1). The product removal trolley (1) comprises at least one first hanger assembly (21 ). The product removal trolley (1) comprises at least one second hanger assembly (22). Accordingly, the internal space (12) is the volume between the said first hanger assembly (21) and the said second hanger assembly (22). Accordingly, the first hanger assembly (21) connects the product removal trolley (1 ) with one of the parts of the mold (40). The second hanger assembly (22) connects the product removal trolley (1 ) with one of the parts of the mold (40).

The product removal trolley (1) comprises at least one first tray (14). The said first tray (14) enables the product in the mold (40) to be carried thereon. The first tray (14) is associated with at least one first tray drive element (15). The said first tray drive element (15) can move the first tray (14) in the direction of Z axis (Z). The aid first tray drive element (15) can move the first tray (14) in the direction of Z axis (Z). Thus, the first tray (14) can be raised until it contacts the mold (40) in order to take the product thereon. At least one switching element (not shown in the figures) is included on the first tray (14). The said switching element serves to detect that the first tray (14) contacts the mold (40). The switching element is associated with the first tray drive element (15). Thus, the switching element can transmit the information that the first tray (14) has contacted the mold (40) to the first tray drive element (15). Thus, when the first tray (14) contacts the mold (40), the first tray drive element (15) stops driving the first tray (14).

The product removal trolley (1) includes at least one second tray (16). The said second tray (16) is located adjacent to the first tray (14). The second tray (16) acts as a platform that can take the product to separate the product from the first tray (14). The first tray (14) has at least one rolling element (17). The second tray (16) has the said rolling element (17). The rolling element (17) has the ability to rotate about at least one Y axis (Y) direction. Thereby, the rolling element (17) rotates around the said Y axis (Y) direction while the mold (40) positioned thereon is moved in at least one X axis (X) direction. The Y axis (Y) is essentially in the direction of extension of the sanitaryware casting machine (50). The X axis (X) is essentially in the direction of extension of the internal space (12). Thus, the rolling element

(17) serves to facilitate the movement of the product in the X axis (X) direction on the first tray (14) or the second tray (16). Thus, the product can be easily taken from the product removal trolley (1). There is at least one intermediate product conveying roller (18) between the first tray (14) and the second tray (16). The said intermediate product conveying roller

(18) is positioned between the first tray (14) and the second tray (16) when the product passes from the first tray (14) to the second tray (16). Thus, the intermediate product conveying roller (18) acts as a bridge in the transition of the product from the first tray (14) to the second tray (16).

Figure 5 shows a representative rear view of the product removal trolley (1 ) of the invention. Figure 6 shows a representative top view of the product removal trolley (1) of the invention. Accordingly, the hanger unit (20) has at least one hanger body (23). The said hanger body (23) constitutes the skeleton of the first hanger assembly (21). The hanger body (23) forms the skeleton of the second hanger assembly (22). The hanger body (23) is connected to at least one hanger profile (27). The said hanger profile (27) extends in the X axis (X) direction. The hanger profile (27) is the part where the mold (40) is connected to the hanger unit (20). The hanger profile (27) ensures that the mold (40) is kept at a predetermined height. The hanger profile (27) is connected by at least one hanger roller (28). The mold (40) is mounted on the said hanger roller (28). The hanger roller (28) enables the mold (40) to be moved in the direction of extension of the internal space (12). However, the hanger roller (28) has the ability to rotate around the Y axis (Y) direction. Thus, the hanger roller (28) serves to facilitate the movement of the mold (40) in the X axis (X) direction.

The hanger profile (27) is connected to at least one hanger drive element (26). The said hanger drive element (26) is able to drive at least one of the first hanger assembly (21) and second hanger assembly (22) in the Y axis (Y) direction. Thus, at least one of the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) can be moved in the Y axis (Y) direction. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the hanger drive element (26) can move the hanger profile (27) in the direction of Z axis (Z). Thus, the hanger profile (27) can come in line with the mold (40) at different heights. Thus, it is possible to take the molds (40) of different heights into the product removal trolley (1). Thus, it is possible to take the top of the rim and the top of the foot molds (40) into the product removal trolley (1). The hanger body (23) is connected to at least one hanger bearing (25). The said hanger bearing (25) is connected to at least one hanger slide (24). The said hanger slide (24) extends in the Y axis (Y) direction. The hanger bearing (25) can make a sliding motion on the hanger slide (24) with the drive it receives from the hanger drive element (26). In this way, at least one of the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) has the ability to move in the direction of Y axis (Y) on the hanger slide (24). Thus, at least one of the first hanger assembly (21 ) and the second hanger assembly (22) can move towards and away from the other. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) are connected by two hanger slides (24). Thus, both the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) have the ability to move in the direction of Y axis (Y).

The product removal trolley (1) includes at least one locking unit (30). The said locking unit (30) ensures that the mold (40) parts are fixed to the hanger unit (20). The locking unit (30) includes at least one abutment (31 ). The said abutment (31) is the element that provides fixation by being associated with the surface of the mold (40). The said abutment (31 ) is connected with at least one locking drive element (32). The said locking drive element (32) is able to actuate the stop (31) in the Z axis (Z) direction. Thus, when the mold (40) is positioned on the hanger profile (27), the locking drive element (32) presses the stop (31 ) towards the mold (40) and ensures that the mold (40) is fixed on the hanger unit (20).

According to all these descriptions, the internal space (12) of the product removal trolley (1) is brought to the level of the mold (40) from which the product will be taken, by the operator, during product removal from the sanitaryware casting machine (50). The hanger drive element (26) positions the hanger profile (27) on the Z axis (Z) according to a predetermined position based on the height of the mold (40). Then the operator pulls the mold (40) from the sanitaryware casting machine (50) towards the internal space (12). The mold (40) in the closed position overlaps the hanger roller (28). After that, the locking drive element (32) drives the stop (31) and presses the stop (31) against the mold (40). Thus, the mold (40) is prevented from moving in the hanger unit (20) in the direction of the X axis (X) and the Y axis (Y).

Then, the first tray (14) rises in the direction of Z axis (Z) with the drive it receives from the first tray drive element (15). When the first tray (14) contacts the mold (40), the switching element causes the first tray drive element (15) to stop. Thus, the weight of the mold (40) is supported by the first tray (14). Then the operator opens the clamp holding the mold (40) parts together. Thus, the parts of the mold (40) are able to move away from each other in the Y axis (Y).

The hanger drive element (26) transmits the drive to the hanger body (23) so that the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) move away from each other in the direction of Y axis (Y). As a result, the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) move the parts of the mold (40) in which they are connected with the abutment (31) away from each other. With the separation and breaking away of the parts of the mold (40) from each other, the product in the mold (40) remains on the first tray (14).

The operator pushes the product on the first tray (14) towards the second tray (16). Thus, the product passes through the intermediate product conveying roller (18) and settles on the second tray (16). In a possible embodiment of the invention, the product can be transferred to the transfer station (60) located next to the second tray (16). By taking the product directly onto the first tray (14), it is prevented from being damaged by being hit while being taken from the mold (40).

In order to place the mold (40) parts in the sanitaryware casting machine (50), the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) are brought closer to each other in the direction of Y axis (Y) on the hanger slide (24) by the hanger drive element (26). After the parts of the mold (40) come together, the operator closes the clamp on the mold (40). Thus, the mold (40) comes to the closed position. Then, the first tray (14) is moved downwards by the first tray drive element (15). Next, the operator pushes the mold (40) on the hanger roller (28) towards the sanitaryware casting machine (50). The operator can then move the product removal trolley (1) to position it to receive product from another mold (40).

As explained above, the product removal trolley (1 ) of the invention can prevent the product from being damaged by being impacted during the transfer of the product from the mold (40) to the transfer station (60). However, it is ensured that the mold (40) can be separated without the use of operator power. In this way, it is ensured that accidents that may occur during the opening and transferring of the mold (40) are prevented.

The protection scope of the invention is given in the attached claims and cannot be limited to what has been described in this detailed description for illustration. It is clear that those skilled in the art can put forth similar embodiments in the light of the foregoing without departing from the main theme of the invention. REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES

1 Product Removal Trolley

10 Chassis

11 Strut

12 Internal Space

13 Wheel

14 First Tray

15 First Tray Drive Element

16 Second Tray

17 Rolling Element

18 Intermediate Product Conveying Roller

20 Hanger Unit

21 First Hanger Assembly

22 Second Hanger Assembly

23 Hanger Body

24 Hanger Slide

25 Hanger Bearing

26 Hanger Drive Element

27 Hanger Profile

28 Hanger Roller

30 Locking Unit

31 Abutment

32 Locking Drive Element

40 Mold

50 Sanitaryware Casting Machine

60 Transfer Station

(X) X Axis

(Y) Y Axis

(Z) Z Axis

Claims

1. Product removal trolley (1) for use in removing at least one mold (40) from sanitaryware casting machines (50) and for removing the sanitaryware product in the said mold (40), characterized in that it comprises;

At least one internal space (12) on at least one chassis (10) through which it is transferred from the sanitaryware casting machine (50) into the mold (40),

At least one first hanger assembly (21) and at least one second hanger assembly (22) positioned on opposite sides of the said inner space (12) so that the mold (40) is held at a predetermined height and at least one of them can be moved towards and away from the other in order to move the parts of the mold (40) away from each other; and

At least one first tray (14) for separating the parts of the mold (40) from each other and transferring the sanitaryware product therein.

2. A product removal trolley (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one locking unit (30) for fixing the mold (40) on at least one of the said first hanger assembly (21) and the said second hanger assembly (22).

3. A product removal trolley (1 ) according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one abutment (31) leaning against the mold (40) to fix the mold (40) on the said locking unit (30) and at least one locking drive element (32) for moving the said abutment (31 ).

4. A product removal trolley (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one hanger profile (27) and at least one hanger roller (28) positioned on at least one of the first hanger assembly (21 ) and the second hanger assembly (22) for holding the mold (40) at a predetermined height and moving the internal space (12) in the extending direction.

5. A product removal trolley (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said hanger profile (27) and said hanger roller (28) positioned thereon are configured to move in the direction of at least one Z axis (Z).

6. A product removal trolley (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the hanger profile (27) and the hanger roller (28) positioned thereon are configured to move in at least one Y axis (Y) direction.

7. A product removal trolley (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one second tray (16) positioned adjacent to the said first tray (14).

8. A product removal trolley (1 ) according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one intermediate product conveying roller (18) for conveying the mold (40) from the first tray (14) to said second tray (16).

9. A product removal trolley (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one hanger bearing (25) on at least one of the first hanger assembly (21 ) and second hanger assembly (22) and at least one hanger slide (24) on the chassis (10) for linear movement of the first hanger assembly (21) and the second hanger assembly (22) relative to each other.

10. A product removal trolley (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one wheel (13) for use in positioning.