Goods transport equipment and shelving placement equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-stage transport device (7) capable of carrying articles intended to be processed in a radiation or electron beam processing zone, the device (7) comprising: - a unit including two sidewalls facing each other, each sidewall having a plurality of first fixing members (73) at multiple levels; and - a removable shelf (11) arranged to carry containers for products, and including a second fixing member capable of engaging with the first fixing members (73) and a locking member capable of being activated and deactivated by a shelf placement device. The invention also relates to a station (15) for placing the shelf (11) in the transport device (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of overhead load conveying. More specifically, this invention relates to a multi-shelf conveying device capable of transporting items to be processed within a processing area. Existing technology

[0002] In this field, floor conveyors can be used to operate the conveying devices carrying the items to be processed. However, in some cases, this can cause wear on the onboard electronics and electromechanical components exposed to radiation during repeated passage through the processing area. Conveying can also be accomplished via overhead conveyor systems, where the item transport devices are suspended and move in a loop through the processing area. The advantage of overhead conveyors is that only mechanical trolleys with suspended transport devices pass through the processing area. The transport devices used have multiple shelves to accommodate more products to be processed.

[0003] However, such devices have drawbacks. Because the shelves are fixed, gaps exist between products on different shelves, which is problematic because the high-power beam cannot be focused and causes energy loss as it strikes within these gaps. This can also cause other problems, such as cooling of the protective walls that prevent the beam from striking the gaps between items.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a multi-stage transport device capable of carrying articles intended to be treated in a radiation or electron beam processing zone, the device comprising:

[0006] - A unit comprising two sidewalls facing each other, each sidewall having a plurality of first fixing members at multiple levels, and

[0007] - A removable shelf, which is arranged to carry containers for products and includes a second fixing member that can cooperate with the first fixing member and a shelf locking member that can be activated and deactivated by the shelf placement device.

[0008] The device automatically adjusts the height of the shelves to reduce the space between items to be processed, thereby focusing the processing beam on the areas where items are grouped. Reduced spacing also means less energy loss. This also avoids heating the protective walls, thus reducing the risk of having to shut down the system for cooling.

[0009] Advantageously, the sidewalls are designed to occupy as little space as possible in terms of thickness in order to optimize beam energy by allowing the continuous transport devices to be brought closer together. This can be achieved, for example, by making them from two thin sheets.

[0010] Advantageously, the shelf can consist of two side edges that support the second fixing member and a bottom edge connecting the two side edges. Such a shelf can be made of steel, preferably stainless steel.

[0011] Its advantage is that it is hollow in the center, which further reduces wasted space between shelves. This is because items carried by the bottom shelves can be installed flush with the top shelves, and the central recess formed by the shelves is sufficient for the forks of the handling device to pass through to place or pick up the pallets carrying the products.

[0012] Advantageously, the bottom edge can support the locking component.

[0013] Advantageously, the transport device may include a suspension component arranged to hook the transport device onto an overhead conveyor trolley. This enables the transport device to be used in an overhead conveyor system.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a shelf placement device for a transport device according to the above description, the shelf placement device comprising:

[0015] - A pod carrying a shelf clamping system, the shelf clamping system including clamping components and activation / deactivation components configured to cooperate with shelf locking components.

[0016] - Lifting component, which is used to vertically move the clamping system to the shelf placement or clamping level.

[0017] - A component used to move the clamping system toward the shelf placement or clamping position in the transport device.

[0018] Advantageously, the lifting member is configured to raise the shelf from its position to separate the first and second fixing members, and to lower it to a second position to ensure the fixation between the first and second fixing members.

[0019] Such devices enable shelves to automatically position themselves at the correct level, lock and unlock without operator intervention. Therefore, they save time and avoid dangerous human intervention.

[0020] Advantageously, the device also includes a detection element configured to detect the activation of the shelf locking component and / or a detection element arranged to detect the presence of the shelf at the placement level. In this way, locking, shelf movement, and placement operations are performed securely.

[0021] Advantageously, the device also includes a centering component configured to engage with the front of the side wall of the transport device. These components ensure alignment of the placement device with the transport device, thereby making the clamping or placement of the shelf safer.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a shelf placement station, which includes a placement device as described above and a device for securing a transport device for items.

[0023] The present invention also relates to an article handling facility, which includes a conveyor system and a shelf placement station for article transport as described above.

[0024] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for handling articles using the facilities described above. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, given as a non-limiting example, wherein:

[0026] [ Figure 1 A partial view of a facility including an elevated transport system according to the present invention is shown;

[0027] [ Figure 2 This is a view showing a portion of a conveyor system with conveyors and suspended transport devices;

[0028] [ Figure 3 The following image shows a conveying device according to the present invention;

[0029] [ Figure 4 [This is a partial view of a slightly tilted transport device, showing the shelf according to the invention;]

[0030] [ Figure 5 This is an overall view of the station used to place shelves in the transport device.

[0031] [ Figure 6 This is an enlarged view showing the front of the shelf placement device;

[0032] In the remainder of the specification, elements with the same structure or similar function will be indicated by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0033] [ Figure 1 The figure shows a schematic top view of a product processing facility 1, which includes a non-sensitive portion I (shown very partially on the right side of the figure) and a sensitive portion II on the left side.

[0034] In section I, the facility includes commonly known storage and processing components; such components are not the subject of this invention and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0035] In section II, the facility includes a protective wall 2 surrounding an emission zone, which includes a component 3 for generating radiation for treating the product. The component 3 for generating radiation can be any type of radiation (e.g., sterilization radiation) that can be used for product treatment. Such radiation can be, for example, ionizing X-rays, gamma rays, or electron beams.

[0036] In other embodiments not shown, the treatment can be different, such as surface treatment, paint spraying, or any other reactant or finishing agent.

[0037] The beam 4 generated by component 3 reaches the processing zone 5, and the product in the zone receives a dose from the beam upon impact.

[0038] To enable the recycling of the product to be processed by bundle 4, the facility includes an overhead conveyor system 6 that forms a loop extending from section I to section II. The product is loaded upstream of inlet 60 and carried by conveyor 6 to section II, passing through processing zone 5, thereby receiving one or more doses from the beam, for example, by rotation within an inner loop 61. At the end of processing, the product exits via outlet 62 to reach other stations within the facility in section I, for example, to be unloaded and stored.

[0039] Protective walls are known in themselves and may include an outer wall 2 and an inner wall 21 to block the beam when it strikes between two products or between two transport devices 7. Such walls, already well-known for this type of application, need not be discussed in more detail here.

[0040] To move the products to be processed, the conveying system includes a loading device 7, an example of which is shown in [example of loading device]. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, such devices may include multiple shelves into which items to be processed are loaded.

[0041] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the conveyor 6 includes a lower section comprising a rolling track 64 on which each trolley 8 carrying a suspended transport device 7 travels.

[0042] In the example shown, the conveyor is a double-rail conveyor, with its top rail 63 including a rolling component for the drive chain. The drive chain rotates continuously and includes a drive unit. When the drive unit encounters a stationary device in an elevated position, it drives the trolley along a path predefined by the control system.

[0043] In other embodiments not shown, the conveyor may be a monorail or another type used in overhead conveyor systems.

[0044] In facility 1, transport device 7 is conveyed out of processing zone 5 at a specific speed defined by the processing procedure to meet a specific circulation rate, which is relatively high compared to the movement speed within processing zone 5 (typically 10 m / min to 20 m / min). Within the processing zone, in order to ensure that each product receives a defined treatment dose and to ensure uniform treatment of all products, it must move at a much slower speed (from only a few dm / min to a few m / min) than the rest of the loop defined by the transport system.

[0045] [ Figure 3 An example of a transport device 7 according to the invention is shown. It includes two side walls 71 and a bottom wall 72 that is permeable to a beam 4. In this example, the rear wall is in the form of a wire mesh. As the transport device passes continuously in front of the beam 4 on both sides (the open side and the side with the permeable wall), the wall both secures the items and allows the beam to pass through, in order to optimize the treatment dose received by each item to be treated.

[0046] The three walls are connected at the upper end by a set of edges 74, to which a suspension member 75 is attached. The suspension member 75 allows the transport device 7 to be attached to the trolley 8. Walls 71 and 72 are also connected at the lower end 76.

[0047] At the front, the sidewall 71 includes recesses 73 at different heights to accommodate shelves 11 on which pallets 12 carrying items to be processed are placed, typically on transport pallets 13. These items are not shown.

[0048] like[ Figure 4 As shown, shelf 11 has a specific shape to facilitate automatic clamping and reduce space not occupied by items. Shelf 11 has a C-shaped body 110 and a locking member 111 that acts on a safety pin 112 to retract them into locking spaces provided in each wall 71. Shelf may also include hooks 113 that can be attached to recesses 73.

[0049] In order to automatically position and adjust the shelves in the transport device 7, the system includes, for example, […]. Figure 1 Station 15 in zone I, as shown, is used to position shelf 11 within transport device 7. [See section I for details.] Figure 5 As shown, station 15 includes a component 151 for centering the transport device 7 moved by conveyor 6. In this example, component 151 may take the form of a track arranged to receive a centering element disposed in the lower part of the transport device 7. The transport device may also be provided with clamping devices to secure the transport device 7.

[0050] Station 15 also includes a device 150 for positioning the shelf 11. The device 150 includes a pod 152 at the front that supports the shelf clamping system 155. The pod 152 can be raised and lowered via lifting components 153 to adjust the level at which the shelf is picked up or lowered. In this example, these components include a rack and pinion driven motor. Furthermore, to regulate the forward and retraction of the clamping system 155, the device 150 includes a motorizing unit 154 to precisely control the position of the clamping system 155.

[0051] [ Figure 6 The image shows a portion of the interior of the transport device 7, more precisely the lower part where the shelf 11 is located. To move the latter, a clamping system 155 advances via a component 154 in the transport device 7. System 155 includes a carrying component 156 configured to be pushed by a jack to pass under the shelf on both sides while laterally clamping the shelf. It also includes an activation component 157 arranged to engage with a locking element 111 of the shelf. An actuator pulls element 111 to unlock the shelf by retracting the spindle 112. Optionally, the system may include a locking element 159 designed to rest on the shelf and further secure its movement. If necessary, the shelf can be lifted from its front support via the carrier 156.

[0052] The device 150 may also include a centering device 158 that provides a relative reference between the system 155 and the sidewall 71.

[0053] To move the shelf, the system moves slightly backward to disengage it from its support 73, then moves it vertically to the desired level, repositions and locks it, and then removes the clamping system.

[0054] The device may also include one or more sensors to monitor movement.

Claims

1. A multi-stage transport device (7) capable of carrying articles to be processed in a radiation or electron beam processing zone (5), said device (7) comprising: - Unit (70), the unit comprising two sidewalls (71) facing each other, each sidewall having a plurality of first fixing members (73) at multiple levels, and - A removable shelf (11) is arranged to carry a container (12) for a product and includes a second fixing member (113) that can cooperate with the first fixing member (73) and shelf locking members (111, 112) that can be activated and deactivated by the shelf placement device (150).

2. The transport device (7) according to claim 1, wherein the shelf comprises: - Two side edges (110), the two side edges carrying the second fixing member (113), and - Bottom edge (114), the bottom edge connects the two side edges.

3. The transport device (7) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bottom edge (114) carries the locking member (111, 112).

4. The transport device (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, the transport device (7) comprising a suspension member (75) arranged to secure the transport device (7) to an overhead conveyor trolley (8).

5. A means (150) for placing a shelf (11) in a transport device (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, the means (150) comprising: - pod (152), the pod carrying a system (155) for clamping a shelf (11), the system including clamping parts (156, 159) and activation / deactivation parts (157) configured to cooperate with locking parts (111) for the shelf (11). - A lifting component, said lifting component being used to vertically move the clamping system (155) to the shelf (11) for placement or clamping levels, - Components for advancing the clamping system (155) toward the shelf placement or clamping position in the transport device (7) (154).

6. The device (150) for placing a shelf (11) according to the preceding claims, the device (150) further comprising a detection element configured to detect the activation of a locking member (112) of the shelf (11) and / or a detection element arranged to detect the presence of the shelf (11) at the placement level.

7. The device (150) for placing the shelf (11) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, the device (150) further comprising a centering member configured to engage with the front of the sidewall (71) of the transport device (7).

8. A station (15) for placing a shelf (11), the station (15) comprising a placement device (150) according to any one of claims 5 to 7 and components for securing a transport device (7) for articles according to claims 1 to 4.

9. An article handling facility (1) comprising a conveyor system for an article transport device (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a station (15) for placing shelves (11) according to the preceding claims.

10. A method for processing articles, said method using the facility (1) according to the preceding claim.

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