CARCASS DISPOSAL CONTAINER WITH AUTOMATIC RETURN

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for handling a squaring bin comprising a spreader beam of substantially U-shaped structure comprising a handling crosspiece connecting, substantially by one of their ends, two gripping arms extending on either side of opposite walls of the squaring bin or of a support structure of at least one squaring bin, and made integral, respectively, with said squaring bin or said support structure by means of articulation means around the same horizontal pivot axis.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of rendering bins and more particularly to that of handling devices for these bins for their use on animal breeding sites, butchery sites, slaughterhouses, etc.

[0003] For example, such rendering tanks are used to dump, after butchering animals, certain parts unfit for consumption: skin, bones, fat, feathers, etc.

[0004] This waste is collected from these breeding sites by transport companies using dedicated equipment to transport it to industrial sites specializing in the treatment of this waste.

[0005] The specific transport vehicles used to collect this rendering waste generally include a skip and an articulated handling arm equipped at its end with a gripper or hook. Using this gripper or hook, an operator can simultaneously pick up whole animal carcasses to place them in the skip and a rendering bin to dump it into the latter.

[0006] For this purpose, these squaring bins are often equipped with a spreader beam, also called a jib, with a U-shaped structure, comprising a handling crosspiece from which extend two gripping arms mounted articulated on opposite sides of a squaring bin.

[0007] In short, it is mounted tilting, around a horizontal pivot axis on this spreader, while suitable locking means are provided to maintain this spreader in a substantially vertical plane above the squaring tank while preventing the latter from overturning during handling phases.

[0008] More specifically, by means of the clamp or hook of the articulated arm of the transport vehicle, the operator grasps the handling crossbar of the spreader to lift the squaring bin and present it above the skip of the transport vehicle. The aforementioned rotation locking means are then released so that they result in the tilting of the squaring bin and the dumping of its contents into the skip.

[0009] This automatic tilting of the squaring tank, once the locking means are released, is the consequence of a pivoting mounting of this squaring tank on the gripping arms under the center of gravity of this squaring tank.

[0010] Generally, such a rendering bin is, in the normal operating position, closed by means of a cover. In certain cases, it is advisable to remove this cover to ensure this emptying operation. This cover can also be mounted, hinged, on the rendering bin and designed to be able to open when the latter is emptied into the container of the transport vehicle.

[0011] The current problem lies in the difficulty of returning the squaring bin from its inverted position to its normal position of use.

[0012] Most frequently, this operation is carried out manually, that is to say when placing the emptied rendering bin back on the ground. Thus, during this maneuver an operator must straighten the rendering bin by rotating it by approximately 180°, as much as possible, before it is completely placed on the ground and released by the handling clamp of the transport vehicle.

[0013] It is not uncommon, moreover, that when releasing the spreader bar, it falls back to the ground and it is necessary, here again, to straighten it manually and activate the rotation locking means to immobilize it in a substantially vertical position above the squaring tank for the next emptying operation.

[0014] Rendering bins mounted to pivot under a lifting beam are also known, capable of automatically righting themselves after tipping and dumping their contents.

[0015] It is essentially a large capacity container, the contents of which are capable of imparting to the latter, during the first phase of turning, a rotational impulse such that the container, by kinematic inertia, continues its pivoting over an additional 180°, until it returns to its initial position. It is then held once again in this latter position by the defined rotational locking means capable of automatically reactivating in this upright position of the container.

[0016] However, this recovery occurs randomly, precisely to the extent that it depends on this impulse communicated to the tank by the contents which are not necessarily constant, without taking into account that certain waste remains stuck to the bottom of the tank and can modify the kinematic inertia of the latter.

[0017] Note that we already know from document FR2.952.623, a device for handling rendering bins in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

[0018] To overcome the drawbacks of this state of the art, the invention relates to a device for handling a rendering bin according to claim 1.

[0019] In short, the operating principle of this handling device consists in that by initially positioning the pivot axis of the squaring bin under its center of gravity, it is encouraged to turn over and tip over, while by subsequently allowing this pivot axis to move relative to this center of gravity, the restoration of the squaring bin is encouraged, that is to say its rotation from this overturned position to its normal position of use.

[0020] Other advantageous aims of the present invention will appear during the description which follows relating to an exemplary embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes.

[0021] Understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which: there figure 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of the handling device in a normal position of use of the squaring bin; figure 2 is an illustration similar to the figure 1 , the handling device extends during the lifting phase of the squaring bin; the figure 3 is a similar illustration, the rotation locking means being released and the squaring bin extending during tilting; the figure 4 illustrates this same rendering bin completely overturned; the figure 5 illustrates the squaring tank in the recovery phase, after command to release the retaining means allowing the movement of the articulation means relative to the gripping arm of the spreader bar figure 6 represents this rendering bin in a fully restored position and before being placed on the ground

[0022] As represented in the figure 1 of the attached drawings, the present invention relates to the field of rendering bins and relates, more particularly, to a handling device 1 for these bins.

[0023] Usually, such a rendering bin 2 comprises a container 3 of substantially parallelepipedal section comprising a bottom 4 from which extend four sides 5, 6, 7, 8 opposite two 5; 7 to two 6; 8.

[0024] In the upper part 9 of this rendering bin has an opening 10 through which the rendering waste is inserted and discharged. This opening 10 can be closed by means of a cover 11 mounted hinged on this upper part 9 of the bin 2.

[0025] It should be noted that while the figures in the attached drawings illustrate a particular model of rendering bin, the present invention is in no way limited thereto, either in terms of shape or volume. In particular, the bin illustrated is of the two-wheeled type, of small volume. The invention applies equally to bins of much larger volume, often equipped in this case with four wheels to facilitate handling on the ground.

[0026] The handling device 1, according to the invention, comprises a spreader 12 of substantially U-shaped structure comprising a handling crosspiece 13 connecting to one 14 of their ends 14; 15 two gripping arms 16, 17.

[0027] In the normal position of use, these two gripping arms 16, 17 extend substantially vertically along opposite sides 5, 7 of the squaring tank 2 and are made integral with the latter, substantially at their end 15 opposite the handling crosspiece 13, by means of articulation means 18 around the same horizontal axis 19.

[0028] It should be noted that, rather than being directly secured by these articulation means 18 to a squaring tank 2, these gripping arms 16, 17 can cooperate with a support structure 20 of at least one squaring tank 2, as is the case in the embodiment illustrated in the figures.

[0029] In this case, this support structure 20 comprises a base 21 on which the squaring tank 2 rests. On this base 21 are vertically attached uprights 22 extending on the opposite sides 5, 7 of the squaring tank 2. Advantageously according to the invention set out below, the articulation means 18 are secured to the uprights 22,

[0030] More particularly, these articulation means 18 on the opposite sides 5, 7 of the squaring tank 2 are made integral with the latter or, as the case may be, with the support structure 20, in particular its uprights 22, in a movable manner along a displacement path C determined relative to the center of gravity 23 of said squaring tank 2, as the case may be, of the latter and of the support structure 20 on which it is mounted.

[0031] Advantageously, this mobility of the articulation means 18 extends between a first position 24 in which the pivot axis 19 is located below this center of gravity 23 when the squaring tank 2 is in the normal position of use, opening 10 oriented upwards, and at least one second position 25 in which this pivot axis 19 is located above this center of gravity 23 at least in this same normal position of use of the squaring tank 2.

[0032] Retaining means 26 ensure that these articulation means 18 are held in their first position 24 when the squaring bin 2 is in the normal position of use.

[0033] Means are also provided for controlling the release of these retaining means 26 when the squaring bin 2 is being dumped and / or in an overturned position, as seen in the figure 4 to release said articulation means 18 from their first position 24 and allow them to move towards their second position 25.

[0034] Advantageously, the articulation means 18 are mounted on slides 28 equipping the opposite sides 5, 7 of the squaring tank 2 or the uprights 22 of the support structure 20.

[0035] Preferably, these slides 28 describe a curvilinear sliding trajectory, substantially in an arc of a circle, which the articulation means 18 take, once the retaining means 26 are released, this thanks to the kinetic energy of rotation stored by the squaring tank 2 under the effect of its tilting into the inverted emptying position.

[0036] By thus taking this curvilinear trajectory printed by the slides 28, the articulation means 18 pass very quickly from their first position 24, under the center of gravity 23 of the squaring tank 2 depending on the case, of the latter and of the support structure 20 on which it is mounted, into a position above this center of gravity 23, which leads to favoring the continuation of the rotation of the squaring tank 2 to return from its inverted position to its upright position visible in the figure 6 .

[0037] As we see in this figure 6 , in this position the squaring bin 2 is essentially suspended under the gripping arms 16, 17 of the lifting beam 12.

[0038] When the squaring bin 2 is placed on the ground and under the weight of this lifting beam 12, the articulation means 18 at the ends of these gripping arms 16, 17 take the reverse path along the slides 28 until they return to their first position 24.

[0039] Advantageously, the retaining means 26 are defined as automatically returning to the active retaining position to immediately immobilize said articulation means 18 in this first position 24 for the next emptying operation.

[0040] It should be noted that the handling device 1 according to the invention also comprises means 29 for locking the spreader bar 12 in rotation in a straightened position relative to the squaring bin 2. These rotation locking means 29 have the particular function of maintaining this spreader bar 12 in this straightened, substantially vertical position, when the squaring bin 2 is in the use phase resting on the ground.

[0041] They are manually released to release the rotation of the squaring bin 2 or of the support structure 20 when the handling device 1 has been brought, for example, above a bin into which the contents of the squaring bin 2 are to be poured.

[0042] Substantially, these rotation locking means 29 are presented, as more particularly visible in the figures, in the form of a lever 30 mounted to tilt around a substantially horizontal axis 31 on the swing bar 12. This lever 30 comprises a hooking arm 32 extending on one side of the pivot axis and extended, on the side opposite this axis 31, by a control arm 33.

[0043] Due to its greater weight compared to the control arm 33, the hooking arm 32 is designed to fall back, naturally, into its locking position, in which it is designed to engage a hooking part 34 on the squaring tank when the latter is in its upright position.

[0044] In the embodiment more particularly illustrated in the figures, the attachment part 34 can equip the upper end of one of the uprights 22 of the support structure 20.

[0045] At its free end, the hooking arm 32 can be beveled, in the manner of a cam, so as to be pushed back from its locking position into a raised position under the passage of the hooking part 34 to then be able to automatically engage in the latter.

[0046] Similarly, starting from the position of tray 2 visible in the figure 6 to reach the one visible in the figure 1, this tray 2 is placed back on the ground and the spreader 12 is lowered, causing the articulation means 18 to return to their 1st position 24 by inversely following the curvilinear trajectory imposed by the slides 28. Precisely, by returning to this 1st position 24, the retaining means 26 are activated as are the rotation locking means 29.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, this activation of the rotation locking means 29 results from the cooperation of the hooking arm 32 with the hooking part 34.

[0048] It is understood that, to ensure the emptying of the tray 2 when it is, for example, raised above a skip, it is sufficient to pull on the control arm 33, which can be done remotely by means of a rope or a pull chain.

[0049] The present invention is however not limited to such an embodiment of these rotation locking means 29. These may, in fact, take other forms of execution within the reach of those skilled in the art. In particular, they may be in the form of a hooking finger acting, for example, horizontally between the spreader 12 and the squaring tank 2, or even the support structure 20. As for the retaining means 26, they may be in the form of a latch holding the articulation means 18 in their first position 24 along the slides 28. The unlocking control means 27, equipping, for example, the squaring tank 2 or the support structure 20, may be defined by a control finger or designed to push back the aforementioned latch and release the middle articulations 18, in order to allow them to reach the second position 25 through their movement along the slides 28.

[0050] In another embodiment, starting from the first position 24 the curvilinear trajectory to which the articulation means 18 are subjected through the slides 28, is preceded by a section of horizontal rectilinear trajectory of short length defining these retaining means 26.

[0051] More precisely, by being engaged in this horizontal rectilinear portion, the articulation means 18 tend to persist in their first position 24. It is only through the tilting of the squaring tank 2 and the rotational inertia imparted to the latter, that the middle articulations 18 travel this section of rectilinear trajectory to take the curvilinear trajectory allowing them to reach the second position 25.

[0052] The advantages arising from the present invention consist of perfect management of the dumping of the contents of rendering bins with a guarantee of automatic restoration allowing these rendering bins to be placed on the ground in their normal position of use, avoiding their manual uprighting.

Claims

1. Rendering bin handling device comprising a spreader bar 12 of a substantially U-shaped structure that comprises a handling crossbar 13 connecting, substantially at one 14 of their ends 14; 15, two gripping arms 16, 17 which extend on either side of opposite walls 5, 7 of the rendering bin 2 or of a support structure 20 for at least one rendering bin 2 and are rigidly connected respectively to said rendering bin 2 or to said support structure 20 by hinge means 18 about the same horizontal pivot axis 19, said hinge means 18 on the opposite sides 5, 7 of the rendering bin 2 or of the support structure 20 are rigidly connected to the bin so as to be movable along a displacement path C determined with respect to the center of gravity 23 of the rendering bin 2 and / or of said support structure 20, said hinge means 18 being movable between a first position 24 defining a horizontal pivot axis 19 of the rendering bin 2 or, as the case may be, of the support structure 20 of this rendering bin 2, located below the center of gravity 23, as the case may be, of this rendering bin 2 and of the support structure 20 on which it is mounted, and at least one second position 25 in which the pivot axis 19 is located above this center of gravity 23, characterized in that it further comprises means 26 for retaining said hinge means 18 in their first position 24, and control means defined as being for releasing these retaining means 26 during tipping of the rendering bin and / or when the bin is in the overturned position.

2. Rendering bin handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge means 18 are mounted on slides 28 fitted to the opposite sides 5, 7 of the rendering bin 2 or to the uprights 22 of the support structure 20.

3. Rendering bin handling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slides 28 describe a curvilinear sliding path, substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle, designed to be followed by the hinge means 18.

4. Rendering bin handling device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the retaining means 26 are defined as having automatic return to the active retaining position.

5. Rendering bin handling device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means 29 for preventing rotation of the spreader bar 12 in an upright position relative to the rendering bin 2.

6. Rendering bin handling device according to claim 5, characterized in that the means 29 for preventing rotation of the spreader bar 12 are designed as having manual release control.