METHOD FOR DEPALLETIZING STACKABLE UNIT CONTAINERS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for depalletizing stackable containers. The aforementioned stackable containers can be single-use containers in the form of, for example, cardboard boxes, or reusable containers made of plastic or cardboard, or even collapsible boxes, i.e., containers with foldable side walls. The containers can, in principle, contain any type of article intended for everyday use or consumption.

[0002] The aforementioned variety of packaging is often found in the fruit and vegetable sector, i.e., individual items that, due to their perishability, must be handled quickly yet gently in the distribution center.

[0003] The handling of individual packages filled with fruit, vegetables, or salads often takes place in pallet warehouses. There, the aforementioned products arrive in their packages on standardized pallets and must be removed from the pallets for further handling. For this purpose, the packages are manually removed from the pallets in these pallet warehouses or distribution centers for fruit and vegetables, and then placed on another pallet.

[0004] It has also been shown that the fruit and vegetable products are delivered to the distribution centers in containers that are standardized in terms of dimensions, usually having a base area of ​​600 by 400 mm with different heights or a base area of ​​300 by 400 mm with also different heights.

[0005] Disposable containers often have centering tabs or stacking lugs located in the area of ​​the sides or transverse edges, which are positioned in the corner area of ​​the upper edges of the disposable containers, which are often made of cardboard material.

[0006] Reusable containers and folding boxes often have recessed handles or grips in the side walls or cross walls, which allow these reusable containers and folding boxes to be lifted manually.

[0007] An additional problem with the aforementioned fruit and vegetable products is their often high moisture content. This means that cardboard containers must be supported from below during depalletizing to prevent damage. Other items contained in these individual packages, which may have dimensions deviating from the standard specifications, such as chocolate, meat, fish, sausages, other food products, or even drugstore items, must also be handled with care to avoid damaging the contents. This also necessitates preventing damage to the package itself.

[0008] German patent DE 199 59 285 B4 discloses a vacuum gripping system for grasping an object and a handling device for handling the object. In the known vacuum gripping system described here, a suction head with multiple suction elements is mounted on the arm of a manipulator in the form of an industrial robot. This suction head is attached to a side wall of the object to be manipulated and can fix the object by means of a holding force generated by the creation of a vacuum. For further stabilization and fixation of the object to be manipulated, this known vacuum gripping system has a second suction head arranged at a right angle to the first suction head. This second suction head can be brought into contact with the top or surface of the object to be manipulated in order to exert a lifting force by generating a vacuum in the area of ​​the second suction head.

[0009] The object raised in this way can then be stabilized by inserting a mechanical gripper into the space between the raised object and the object below it.

[0010] This well-known vacuum gripping system is not suitable for depalletizing containers of fruit and vegetable products, because the containers in which the fruit and vegetable products are delivered on pallets to the distribution centers do not have tops on which the second suction head could be positioned, but rather the containers holding the fruit and vegetable products are regularly open at the top.

[0011] Based on EP 2 874 925 B1, a gripper head for transporting packaged goods is known which has a suction bar that can be brought into contact with a side wall of the package to be manipulated in order to exert a lifting force on the package by generating a vacuum, in order to create a gap between the package and the package below, into which a support plate can be inserted from below to support the package to be manipulated.

[0012] Attempts have already been made to depalletize individual packages using a known gripper system with an industrial robot equipped with a boom and laterally adjustable pressure plates. However, this known gripper system is unsuitable for depalletizing packages containing fruit and vegetables because the pressure plates exert a clamping force on the side walls of the package. This is because the pressure plates would crush the disposable packages, causing pressure marks and damage to the fruit and vegetables.

[0013] US Patent 2015 / 251319 A1 discloses a device and method for carrying containers, which is arranged on a robot arm. A first part of a clamping device engages in a lateral recess on the outer side of a container wall, and a second part of the clamping device grips the inner side of the wall over the top edge, thus clamping the wall. The container is then completely lifted, and a support device is slid underneath it.

[0014] General cargo of the aforementioned type is often stored or temporarily stored in high-bay warehouses, which have shelves or rows of shelves on both sides of a storage aisle required for the operation of a manipulator in the form of a robot, with the manipulator serving both rows of shelves from the storage aisle.

[0015] Based on this, the present invention aims to provide a method for depalletizing stackable packages of general cargo which may contain fruit and vegetable products or other articles.

[0016] The invention, in order to solve this problem, comprises the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the method are described in the further claims.

[0017] For the sake of clarification only, but not in accordance with the invention, a depalletizing arrangement is described here with a manipulator having a support structure and a device for depalletizing stackable packages that is movable on the support structure relative to the manipulator. The device has a holding device with suction means arranged thereon and designed for releasable suction engagement with a side wall of the package, and a support plate movable relative to the holding device for supporting the package. The device has a receptacle with at least one support on which the holding device is arranged. The device has an engagement device designed for releasable engagement with a recess in a side wall of the package, and the device is arranged on a rotary mount rotatably arranged relative to the support structure.

[0018] The depalletizing arrangement thus created has a supporting structure in the form of, for example, a rack, a fixture or a superstructure or a frame or a portal or a lattice structure or another load-bearing structure, which may be part of a manipulator in the form of a robot, a gantry robot or another controllable unit, which can be operated in a storage aisle of a storage arrangement.

[0019] The supporting structure is therefore generally intended to accommodate a device for depalletizing stackable packages, which will be described in more detail below, and can be part, unit, or component of a manipulator, as described above.

[0020] By arranging the device for depalletizing stackable units on a receptacle, which can be a rotary receptacle or a rotary head, in such a way that the device is rotatable relative to the supporting structure, it is achieved that the device for depalletizing stackable units can reach product rows with the units arranged, stored, or temporarily stored on both sides of the storage aisle. In this way, the depalletizing arrangement does not require a separate device or devices for depalletizing the stackable units on both sides of the supporting structure, but rather a single unit or assembly comprising the device or devices for depalletizing the units.The storage rows with individual goods containers on both sides of the storage aisle can be reached, accessed, or serviced by one unit or assembly.

[0021] In order to ensure that the device or devices for depalletizing the individual packages can reach the individual packages from the access side, the device or devices for depalletizing the individual packages provided on the rotary mount can be rotated towards the individual packages by means of the rotary mount.

[0022] Therefore, if the first individual packages are depalletized on one side of the storage aisle and the rotary attachment with the device for depalletizing the individual packages is aligned towards this first side of the storage aisle, the rotary attachment can be rotated 180 degrees towards a second side of the storage aisle in order to align the device for depalletizing the individual packages towards the second side of the storage aisle, so that second individual packages on the second side of the storage aisle can then be reached and depalletized with the device for depalletizing the individual packages.

[0023] It is also provided that the supporting structure has a beam movable in the vertical axis direction of the supporting structure, on which a support arm movable in the longitudinal direction of the beam is arranged and the rotary mount with the device is rotatably arranged relative to the support arm.

[0024] A package of goods picked up by the device for depalletizing the package of goods can be moved in the vertical direction of the support structure of the manipulator via the carrier which can be moved in the vertical direction, in order to be placed on a conveyor device after depalletizing, for example, in order to be transported by this conveyor device to another handling location.

[0025] The rotary device or devices can be moved from the storage aisle towards the first or second storage rows containing the packaged goods by means of the support arm, which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the carrier, so that the device or devices can reach the packaged goods on both sides of the storage aisle in order to remove them from the pallets and, for example, feed them to the aforementioned conveyor system.

[0026] It is also intended that the rotary mounting with the device or devices is designed to be movable relative to the supporting structure in the longitudinal direction of the supporting structure.

[0027] This ensures that the rotary device with the packaged goods arranged on the device(s) can be moved from the storage rows arranged on both sides of the storage aisle, from which the packaged goods have just been removed (i.e., depalletized), for example, to the center of the storage aisle, relative to the support arm and also relative to the beam, so that then, via a vertical movement of the beam with the support arm and the rotary device with the device(s) and the depalletized packaged goods, the packaged goods can be transferred from the device(s) to the aforementioned conveying device in order to be moved further to the other handling location also mentioned.

[0028] For this purpose, it is advantageous that the rotary mount with the device is designed to be movable relative to the support arm in the longitudinal direction of the support arm. This allows the rotary mount with the device(s) to be moved independently of the longitudinal movement of the support arm relative to the support structure, thus enabling relative movement of the rotary mount relative to both the support structure and the support arm.

[0029] It is also provided that the supporting structure has at least two devices arranged adjacent to each other, which are designed to be operable together or separately.

[0030] Two or more devices for depalletizing individual packages can be arranged adjacent to each other on the support structure, including on the rotary mounting. These devices can be operated together or separately for depalletizing the packages. This allows, for example, for two adjacent depalletizing devices to be operated simultaneously to depalletize two packages or several adjacent packages. Alternatively, it allows for the selective activation of only one of the two or more adjacent depalletizing devices, thus enabling targeted selection of the specific depalletizing devices.

[0031] It is also intended that the manipulator be movable relative to a mounting that supports it. This allows the manipulator, which can be moved along a storage aisle, for example, along the storage row(s) in this aisle (which is equipped with a hall floor as a mounting point), in order to depalletize individual packages with different contents or items, thanks to the rotating mounting point on both sides of the storage aisle.

[0032] It is also designed that the support arm and the rotary mount are independently movable along the longitudinal direction of the carrier. This allows for targeted control of the rotary mount with the depalletizing device(s) for the individual packages, independent of the longitudinal movement of the support arm on the carrier of the manipulator's support structure.

[0033] The suction means provided on the depalletizing device can, for example, but not according to the invention, be used to create a suction contact with a side wall of a container by bringing the suction means close to the side wall, which can be a longitudinal or transverse wall of the container, so that the suction means come into contact with the side wall and a holding force is built up between the side wall and the suction means by applying a vacuum to the suction means, which is sufficiently dimensioned so that, by displacing the suction means in the vertical axis direction of the side wall, the container is lifted on one side to such an extent that a gap is formed between the lifted container and the container arranged below it.

[0034] By lifting the container, which may be, for example, a disposable container in the form of an open-topped cardboard box containing individual pieces of fruit or vegetables, a gap is created that is sufficiently dimensioned to allow the support plate to be moved relative to the lifted container until it covers at least part of the bottom surface of the container and thus supports the container from below.

[0035] A translational movement of the support plate with the container arranged on it ensures that the container is separated from the stacked arrangement of the remaining containers and can, for example, be placed on a conveyor system for further transport.

[0036] As mentioned above, the distribution center may also contain individual items in the form of reusable containers or collapsible boxes, which can also be automatically depalletized using the depalletizing arrangement according to the invention.

[0037] For this purpose, the device has an engagement mechanism designed for releasable engagement with a recess in a side wall of the container.

[0038] The recess may be a depression in a side wall of the container, which is usually intended for manual handling of the container, since the container is usually handled by hand when being filled on site with fruit or vegetable products or salads, for example in the field or in the greenhouse, and thus such containers have recesses in the form of handle recesses on both the long sides and the short sides.

[0039] The filled containers are delivered to the distribution center as stacked general cargo containers, arranged on a standard pallet so that the pallet can be transported, for example, with a forklift.

[0040] The individual packages arranged in this stacked configuration can also be automatically depalletized using the device provided here. For this purpose, the engagement device can create a releasable engagement with a recess in a side wall.

[0041] The engagement device can, for example, be arranged on the receiver and be designed to be movable relative to the support plate in the vertical axis direction, so that, while maintaining the releasable engagement with the recess of the container, the engagement device ensures with a predetermined movement in the vertical axis direction that the container can be lifted on one side by a distance corresponding to the predetermined movement from the container arranged below it, and in this way a gap is formed between the underside of the lifted container and the top side of the container located below it.

[0042] In a manner similar to that described above, a support plate can then be moved into the space so that the lifted container comes to rest on the support plate, or the support plate supports the lifted container from below, thus creating a separation between the lifted container and the container previously located below it.

[0043] Following further training, the intervention device is designed to be movable in at least one plane direction, extending largely at right angles to the support. This allows the intervention device to be moved relative to the side wall of the container to engage with the recess. The intervention device is also designed to be movable in the vertical axis direction, enabling it to engage recesses in containers of varying heights. The respective recess can be detected by a sensor.

[0044] The recess can be a handle recess with a through-hole extending completely through the side wall, allowing the handling device to pass through the handle recess. A vertical displacement movement of the handling device, for example, lifts the container to be depalletized that is engaged with the handling device. This lifting of the container creates the previously described gap between the underside of the lifted container and the top of the container below, into which the support plate can be inserted.

[0045] Following further training, it is stipulated that the intervention device shall include an intervention element designed for releasable engagement with a handle recess in the side wall of the container. The intervention element could, for example, be a gripping finger that can be inserted into the handle recess, so that lifting the gripping finger results in the container being lifted on one side, thus creating a triangular gap (in a side view) into which the support plate can be inserted.

[0046] In contrast to the previously described known device with laterally movable pressure plates relative to the container, this device exerts no lateral force on the container. Therefore, no pressure can be applied to the fruit and vegetable products inside, and these delicate goods will not develop pressure marks. This is particularly important for collapsible boxes, as otherwise there is a risk of the side walls of these containers unintentionally collapsing, resulting in damage to the contents.

[0047] The depalletized container, supported from below by the support plate, can be transported to and transferred onto a conveyor belt. Even during the transfer of the container to the conveyor belt, or after it has been positioned above the belt, the handling device can be released from its releasable engagement with the recess in the side wall of the container, and the depalletized container can then be placed onto the conveyor belt.

[0048] The device is thus designed for the automatic depalletizing of both single-use and reusable containers, as well as for the automatic depalletizing of folding boxes, which also have recesses for manual handling with which the engagement device can engage in a releasable manner. Folding boxes can therefore also be automatically depalletized with the device according to the invention in the same way as has already been explained in detail above with regard to reusable containers.

[0049] In this way, the device can automatically depalletize all known types of containers used for transporting fruit and vegetable products and for distribution in distribution centers and onward transport to the sales branch.

[0050] According to the invention, the device includes a holding element designed for detachable attachment to an upper edge region of the container. This holding element allows the container, for example in the form of a reusable container or a collapsible box, to be fixed between the gripping finger penetrating the handle recess and the upper edge region of the container, for transport from the pallet to the conveyor belt.For this purpose, the gripping finger exerts a slight lifting force on the lower edge of the handle recess, and the holding element exerts a slight holding force on the edge of the container located above the handle recess, so that the container is clamped in the edge area similar to a pair of pliers and cannot slip on the support plate during transport to the conveyor belt, thus securing the container in position relative to the support plate or undercarriage plate.

[0051] Following further training, it is stipulated that the holding element has a strip-shaped or rib-shaped configuration and is provided with an elastically designed support element in an area designed for contact with the upper edge area of ​​the container.

[0052] The edge area of ​​the container, for example in the form of a reusable box, a folding box, or another reusable container, above the handle recesses, regularly has a strip-shaped or rib-shaped configuration, and the holding element therefore also has a strip-shaped or rib-shaped configuration in order to be able to engage in a clamping or holding engagement with the edge area of ​​the container.

[0053] The elastically designed support element on the holding device therefore grips the edge area of ​​the container from above and, due to its elastically flexible configuration, ensures that even with a small difference between the target position and the actual position of the holding device relative to the upper edge area, a secure clamping of the edge area of ​​the container is achieved between the engagement device in the form of, for example, the aforementioned gripping finger and the holding device.

[0054] Following further training, it is also provided that the holding device is arranged on a crossbeam which is designed to be movable on the receiving area, particularly in the vertical axis direction, and can be actuated by means of an actuator for detachable arrangement on the strip-shaped or strip-shaped edge area of ​​the container.

[0055] By arranging the holding device on the crossbeam, which is designed to be movable in the vertical direction of the holder, it is possible to accommodate different container heights. This is achieved by detecting the height of the respective container, for example, using a sensor device, or by positioning the crossbeam accordingly based on a predetermined height of the container known to a control computer. The holding device is then positioned relative to the height of the side wall, and the container is securely clamped between the gripping finger, which penetrates the handle recess, and the holding device, which is equipped with the elastically designed support element, by lowering the holding device to the upper edge area of ​​the container.

[0056] Following further training, it is provided that the holding device is arranged along a pivot axis largely transverse to the receiving area and can be pivotally actuated by means of an actuator for detachable arrangement on the strip-shaped or strip-shaped edge area of ​​the container on the pivot axis.

[0057] Similar to what has just been explained, in this way the swivel-operated holding device can also be used to securely clamp the upper edge of the container between the engagement element, for example a gripping finger arranged in the recess of the container, and the strip-shaped or rib-shaped holding device, so that the container is securely held during movement on the undercarriage plate or support plate to the conveyor belt.

[0058] The actuator may be, for example, an electric motor, a pneumatic cylinder or another actuating device designed to lower the holding device to the upper edge of the container and to raise the holding device from the edge.

[0059] Following further development, it is provided that the holding device has a receiving plate extending away from the receiving area, on which the support element is arranged. By lowering the receiving plate via a vertical movement or a pivoting movement relative to the device's support structure, the support element can be lowered to the upper edge of the container. A lifting or pivoting movement then allows the support element to be lifted from the edge when the separated or depalletized container is released for further transport on the conveyor belt.

[0060] As an advantageous embodiment of the actuator, for example, a pneumatically actuated piston-cylinder unit can be provided, by means of which the holding element can be detachably brought into contact with the strip-shaped or rib-shaped edge area of ​​the container. This results in the edge area being clamped between the engagement element and the holding element, without subjecting the container to a pressure force in the area of ​​the side wall that could lead to pressure marks on the fruit or vegetables contained in the container.

[0061] The invention provides a method for depalletizing stackable packaged goods, in which a package having a lower support area is lifted from a base by means of a holding device along a partial area of ​​the support area, and a support plate is moved under the lifted partial area, and physical contact of the partial area with the support plate is brought about to support the package resting on the support plate with the partial area, in which a releasable engagement of the holding device with a recess in a side wall of the package is brought about, comprising the following steps: Lifting the container by means of the holding device to separate the support area of ​​the container from the base along only the partial area of ​​the support area to create a gap between the support area and the base. Creating a releasable contact of a holding element with an upper edge area of ​​the container. Inserting the support plate into the gap.

[0062] The base can be, for example, another container below the one to be depalletized, or another base in the form of, for example, a pallet or simply a support surface.

[0063] By creating a releasable engagement of the holding device with a recess in a side wall of the container, it is achieved that a subsequent lifting of the container by means of the holding device leads to the separation of the support area of ​​the container from the base along a partial area, thereby creating a gap between the support area and the base, so that a support plate or undercarriage plate can then be moved in this gap, and the container to be depalletized then rests on the support plate or undercarriage plate.

[0064] According to a further development of the inventive method, it is provided that the holding device is inserted into the recess, at least partially penetrating it, such that the container can be lifted from the base by means of the holding device at least along the partial area.

[0065] By lifting the container along this section, a sufficient gap is created between the underside of the container to be depalletized and the top of another container or base positioned below it, allowing the insertion of the support plate or undercarriage plate.

[0066] According to the inventive method, a holding element is brought into releasable contact with an upper edge region of the container. This allows the upper edge region of the container, and thus the container to be depalletized, to be clamped between the holding device, which may be an engagement device with a gripping finger or the like, and the holding element, thereby securing the container in position. This position is advantageously maintained during movement of the container towards a transport device, for example, a belt conveyor.

[0067] The aforementioned gripping finger can therefore be inserted into a recess provided on the container, for example in the form of a handle recess, and then the holding device can be lowered from above onto the upper edge of the container, thereby clamping the upper edge of the container between the gripping finger and the holding device without coming into contact with the fruit or vegetables in the container and also without applying any pressure to the fruit or vegetables.

[0068] The clamped container can be separated from the base by lifting the holding device, for example, the aforementioned gripping finger, together with the holding element positioned at the edge. The base plate or support plate can then be inserted into the resulting gap. Alternatively, the base plate or support plate can be inserted into the gap created by raising the holding device between the lifted container and the container or base below. Only in a subsequent step can the holding element be lowered onto the upper edge of the container.

[0069] The container resting on the support plate or the undercarriage plate is then separated from the base and can be transported further in a subsequent step while resting on the support plate or the undercarriage plate.

[0070] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, which shows: Fig. 1 four views of different containers which are commonly used to hold fruit and vegetable products and which can be automatically depalletized using the depalletizing arrangement and method according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the depalletizing arrangement according to the invention, designed as a portal robot, in a distribution center with respective storage locations containing different containers, as shown in Fig. 1 depicted in the drawing; Fig. 2A a more detailed representation of the depalletizing arrangement according to Fig. 2 in a shelf aisle with storage rows of individual items arranged on both sides of the shelf aisle; Fig. 2B an enlarged view of a section of the depalletizing arrangement according to Fig. 2A ; Fig. 2C a perspective view of the depalletizing arrangement when depalletizing individual items that are arranged in a rear row of a pallet stack containing individual items; Fig. 2D a representation similar to that shown after Fig. 2C , in which the depalletizing device with the rotary mount moves from the cantilevered position to Fig. 2C has already been withdrawn; Fig. 2E a representation similar to that shown after Fig. 2D , in which the carrier with the rotary attachment for placing the depalletized unit loads was lowered onto a conveyor system; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a schematically illustrated embodiment of a device for depalletizing according to the present invention; Fig. 4 a sequence of eight schematic representations 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8, which show the device when depalletizing disposable containers with stacking lugs in the respective corner area of ​​the containers; Fig. 5 a sequence of eight schematic representations 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 and 5.8, which show the device when depalletizing reusable containers with handle recesses on the longitudinal walls and on the transverse walls; Fig. 6 a schematic and perspective representation of a folding box with the device according to the invention and a gripping finger engaging with the handle recess of the folding box, as well as with holding means resting on the upper edge region of the folding box; and Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a reusable container with the engagement element already engaged with the handle recess in a position before the holding element lowers to the upper edge area.

[0071] Containers of fruit and vegetable products arriving at the distribution center are delivered on pallets containing containers filled with the same item, such as fruits, vegetables, or salads.

[0072] Due to the perishability of the goods, these containers must be removed quickly and without damaging the goods from the pallets, which may be standardized pallets, in order to be transferred individually to an intermediate storage area via a conveyor belt or similar device.

[0073] Until now, containers of fruit and vegetables were manually depalletized in distribution centers because a device for automatically depalletizing stackable containers was lacking. This invention now remedies this problem.

[0074] Fig. 1 The drawing shows in four views a variety of container types that are delivered to the distribution center grouped together into a respective item pallet and must be depalletized.

[0075] The illustration 1.1 of the Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a standardized pallet 1 with reusable containers 2 arranged on it, each having a handle recess 5 on both the respective longitudinal side wall 3 and the respective transverse side wall 4, because the containers are filled at the producer of the fruit and vegetable products and arranged in stacking order on the pallets 1, and this is done manually.

[0076] While illustration 1.1 shows containers with a base area of, for example, 600 by 400 mm, which can be of different heights depending on which products are contained in the containers, illustration 1.2 shows a pallet 1 with containers 2 with a base area of ​​300 by 400 mm each, and in a height of the respective container 2 that differs from the containers 2 according to illustration 1.1.

[0077] Figure 1.3 of the Fig. 1 Figure 1.4 shows a pallet 1 with disposable containers 6, each with stacking lugs 7 on its respective transverse side, and a base area of ​​600 by 400 mm. Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a pallet 1 with disposable containers 1, each with a base area of ​​300 by 400 mm and a lower height than the disposable containers 6 according to Figure 1.3, and stacking lugs 7 in the respective corner area of ​​the containers 6.

[0078] Fig. 6 Finally, the drawing shows a reusable container in the form of a folding box 8, so that it is evident that different types of containers with fruit and vegetable products are delivered to the distribution center and there is a considerable need for a device that is designed for the automated handling of the depalletizing of all the container types shown.

[0079] Fig. 2 The drawing shows an embodiment of a depalletizing arrangement 38 with a depalletizing device 9, which is integrated into a gantry robot system 10, which is located in a Fig. 2A The distribution center can be arranged with storage rows with pallet stacks on both sides, and can be moved along the storage aisle in the vertical direction Y, in the transverse direction Z, and in the orthogonal direction X to access the pallets temporarily stored there with the information relating to the Fig. 1 explained different types of containers.

[0080] The portal robot system 10 after Fig. 2 is further explained by Fig. 2A shown such that the portal robot system 10 comprises the depalletizing arrangement 38, which has a support structure in the form of a portal 39, wherein the portal robot system 10 is generally referred to as a controllable robot as a manipulator 40, which accordingly comprises the depalletizing arrangement 38.

[0081] As demonstrated by Fig. 2A As can be seen in the drawing, it is explained in more detail by means of Fig. 3 The device 9 shown in the drawing for depalletizing the unit containers 2, 6, 8 is arranged on a rotary mount 41, so that, via the rotary actuation of the rotary mount 41, with two devices 9 arranged on the rotary mount 41 for depalletizing the unit containers, both rows of shelves 42, 43 with pallet stacks 44 with the unit containers, which extend along the storage aisle 45, can be reached.

[0082] Fig. 2B shows an enlarged view of a section from Fig. 2A with the rotary mounting 41 with the two devices 9 arranged on it for depalletizing the packaged goods.

[0083] As is readily apparent, a beam 46, movable in the vertical axis Y of the supporting structure 39, is provided on the supporting structure 39 in the form of the portal. This beam extends transversely to the supporting structure 39 and a support arm 47 is provided on it. This support arm is movable in the Z-direction relative to the beam 46 and thus relative to the supporting structure 39. As can be seen, for example, from Fig. 2A As can be seen in the drawing, the rotary head 41 can be extended so that the rotary mount 41, and thus the two devices 9 for depalletizing the individual packages, can reach the packages on both sides of the storage aisle 45. This is achieved in such a way that the packages arranged in the first row 48 of the rack row 42 and also the packages arranged in the second row 49 of the rack row 42 can be reached, and the packages in the two rows 48 and 49 of the second rack row 43 can also be reached by the rotary mount 41 with the two devices 9 for depalletizing the individual packages. The rotary head 41 is rotatable about a vertical axis on the support arm 47 by means of an electric motor arranged on the rotary head and a toothed belt driven by it, as indicated by arrow R in the drawing. Fig. 2B shown.

[0084] Via an axial movement of the support arm 47 relative to the carrier 46, i.e. a movement of the support arm 47 with the rotary head 41 arranged thereon with the devices 9 in the Z-direction towards Fig. 2 According to the drawing, the devices 9 of the depalletizing arrangement 38 can reach all the unit containers of the shelf rows 42, 43 and, by means of a rotary actuation of the rotary head 41 by 180 degrees relative to the support arm 47 or to the support 46, the devices 9 for depalletizing the unit containers can be aligned relative to the unit containers.

[0085] As demonstrated by Fig. 2B As can be seen in the drawing, the direction of travel of the support arm 47 in the Z-direction is designated Z1 in both directions. A drive with a rack and pinion is provided for moving the support arm 47 in both directions.

[0086] The rotary head 41 with the two devices 9 can also be moved relative to the support arm 47 in the Z-direction, and indeed in both directions, which in Fig. 2B The direction of travel of the rotary head 41 in the Z2 direction can therefore be superimposed as a relative movement of the guide movement of the support arm 47 in the Z1 direction, and the movement of the rotary head 41 is also possible independently of the movement of the support arm in the Z1 direction. A toothed belt drive with an electric motor and toothed belt is provided for the movement of the rotary head in the Z2 direction.

[0087] Fig. 2C The drawing shows that the support arm 47, which is movable in the Z-direction on the support 46, was extended towards the rack row 42, and accordingly, the rotary head 41 with the two devices 9 for depalletizing the individual packages was also extended. The individual packages placed in the first row 48 of the rack row 42 have already been depalletized and Fig. 2C The drawing shows the devices 9 during the depalletizing of the packaged goods arranged in the second row 49 of the shelf row 42.

[0088] Fig. 2D The drawing shows that the rotary head 41 with the two devices 9 and the depalletized general cargo containers has been moved relative to the support arm 47, and also the support arm 47 itself, in the direction of the shelf aisle 45, and that the support 46 has moved in the Y-direction in height according to Fig. 2C is located.

[0089] In a next step, the carrier 46 with the support arm 47, the rotary head 41, and the devices 9 is lowered in the Y direction so that the depalletized unit loads can be lowered onto the conveyor belts 23 and transferred to them, as shown by Fig. 2E The drawing shows that the conveyor belts 23 are in Fig. 2 and Fig. 2A as shown in the drawing.

[0090] Fig. 3 The drawing shows a schematic perspective representation of the device 9 with the already in Fig. 2 explained coordinate system.

[0091] The device 1 has a holding device 11 on which a suction device 12 in the form of suction means 13 arranged at a distance from each other are provided, which can be brought towards a side wall of a disposable container 6, can be brought into contact there and can exert a suction force on the side wall of the disposable container 6 by means of a suction pump not shown in detail, which is sufficient to allow the disposable container to be lifted in a predetermined manner while maintaining the suction force in order to create a gap between the lifted disposable container and the disposable container or a base arranged below it, so that the support plate or base plate 14 can be moved into the gap.

[0092] Furthermore, the device 1 also has a receptacle 15 on which two supports 16 extending at an angle away from the support plate 14 are arranged, on which a crossbeam 17 is arranged to be displaceable in the vertical axis direction Y.

[0093] An engagement device 18 is also arranged at the inlet 15, which is designed to bring about a releasable engagement position with a handle recess of a container, as will be explained below.

[0094] Furthermore, the device 9 also has a holding means 19, which is designed and intended for detachable arrangement or placement on an upper edge area of ​​a respective container, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0095] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows in several illustrations the device 9 during the depalletizing of disposable containers 6 with respective stacking lugs 7 in the corner area of ​​the disposable containers 6.

[0096] As can be seen in Figure 4.1, the device 9 is brought close to a side wall 20 of the disposable container 6 such that the suction elements 13 come into contact with the side wall 20. A vacuum can be created between the suction elements 13 and the side wall 20 by means of a pump (not shown in detail), so that the side wall 20, and thus the disposable container 6, can be subjected to a holding force that is sufficiently large to create a gap 21 between the disposable container 6 to be depalletized and the other disposable container 6 arranged below it, by lifting the holding device 11 with the suction device 12 formed thereon and the suction elements 13.

[0097] As can be seen from Figure 4.3, the front stacking lugs 7 facing the device are thereby disengaged and the undercarriage plate or support plate 14 can be moved into the space 21 until the disposable container 6 to be depalletized rests against the undercarriage plate or support plate 14, as shown in Figure 4.4. Fig. 4 The plate 14 is pushed under the underside or lower surface 22 of the disposable container 6 until the center of gravity of the disposable container 6 with the fruit or vegetable products contained therein comes to rest on the plate 14, thereby also disengaging the rear stacking lugs 7.

[0098] As can be seen from Figure 4.3, the suction device 12 assumes an inclined configuration with respect to the side wall 20 of the disposable container 6, i.e., the suction device 12 can move together with the angled configuration of the side wall 20 resulting from the lifting of the disposable container 6, thus changing its angle relative to the vertical axis of the supports 16, so that despite the change in angle of the side wall 20 relative to the vertical axis of the supports 16, a slight negative pressure is sufficient to hold the side wall 20.

[0099] Once the container 6 is positioned on the support plate 14, the device 9 can be moved in the Z-direction so that the disposable container 6 comes to rest above a conveyor belt 23, which is shown schematically with reference numeral 23 in Figure 4.6. The support plate 14 can then be pulled away from under the disposable container 6, again in the Z-direction, and the vacuum applied to the suction device 12 can be released. The depalletized disposable container 6 is then removed, as shown in Figure 4.7. Fig. 4 As can be seen, it is transported away in the X direction and the device 9 is, as can be seen in Figure 4.8, ready for the next depalletizing process and can be moved with the suction device 12 in the direction of the side wall of another container 6 adjacent to the container 6 that has just been depalletized and the process of depalletizing this next container 6 can be carried out.

[0100] Fig. 5 The drawing shows in several illustrations the process of depalletizing reusable containers 2, each of which has transverse side walls 4 with handle recesses 5. As can be seen from the illustrations of the Fig. 5 As can be seen, the reusable containers 2 also have corresponding handle recesses 5 on the longitudinal side walls 3, so that with the device 9 according to the invention it is also possible to depalletize the reusable containers 2 from the longitudinal side walls 3.

[0101] As can be seen from Figure 5.1, the device 9 is moved towards the transverse side wall 4 of the container 3 in the upper container position, and the position of the handle recess 5 is detected by a sensor device. The engagement device 18 with the gripping finger 24 is then positioned at such a height in the Y-direction that the gripping finger 24 can be moved into the handle recess 5 by a translational movement in the Z-direction until the gripping finger 24 penetrates the handle recess 5, as shown in Figure 5.2. Fig. 5 as is evident.

[0102] In the next step, as shown in Figure 5.3 of the Fig. 5 It can be seen that the retaining device 19 was lowered onto the upper edge 25 of the transverse side wall 4 until, based on Fig. 7 The elastically designed support means 26, as shown in the drawing, rests on the upper edge 25 in the form of a rubber lip 27.

[0103] The rubber lip 27 can exert a holding force on the edge 25 from above, whereby any existing deformations of the edge area of ​​the edge 25 can be compensated for by the elasticity of the rubber lip 27.

[0104] As demonstrated by Fig. 7 As can be seen further in the drawing, the holding means 19 provided with the rubber lip 27 in the form of a swivel holder 28 is lowered in a swiveling movement on the swivel axis 31 onto the edge 25 of the reusable container 2 via an actuator 29 in the form of a pneumatic cylinder 30, as can be seen from the double arrow 32.

[0105] The holding element 19 of the in Fig. 7 The illustrated device 9 has a receiving plate 34 in the form of a cantilever 33, on which the rubber lip 27 is arranged at the front edge area and a schematically illustrated spring device 35 is provided on a lower side 35 of the cantilever 33, which acts as a stop damper and can gently contact the gripping finger 24 located in the handle recess 5 from above, so that the edge 25 can be clamped between the container 2, which can be moved in the Y direction to lift the container 2, as can be seen from the double arrow 36, and the rubber lip 27, without exerting a pressure force on the transverse side wall 4, and thus no damage can occur to the fruit and vegetable products located in the container 2.

[0106] Figure 5.3 shows that by lifting container 2 relative to the container 2 arranged below it, a gap 21 is formed into which the support plate or undercarriage plate 14 can be moved until it assumes the position relative to the underside 22 of the container shown in Figure 5.4 and the container is thus completely lifted from the other container located below it.

[0107] In a next step, the container located on the support plate 14 can be separated from the stack of containers by a displacement movement of the device 9 supporting the container, as shown in Figure 5.5 of the Fig. 5 as can be seen, and then the support plate 14 is pulled away to the left from the underside 22 of the container 2 by a corresponding displacement movement as shown in Figure 5.6, so that the container 2 comes to rest on the conveyor belt 23 and is transported by it for further handling, as shown in Figure 5.7. Fig. 5 as can be seen in the drawing.

[0108] The illustration 5.8 of the Fig. 5 Finally, this shows that a further depalletizing can now take place with regard to the container 2 adjacent to the container 2 that has just been depalletized, for which purpose the device uses the space 37 freed up by the depalletizing of the container 2 that has just been depalletized and can be moved in the Z direction until the handle recess 5 of the adjacent container 2 is detected.

[0109] Fig. 6The drawing shows a schematic representation of a collapsible box 8 containing fruit and vegetable products and a device 9 according to the present invention, which is in a clamping position with its upper edge 25 and the handle recess 5. Since the transverse side walls 4 of the collapsible box 8 are designed to be foldable, it is essential that these transverse side walls 4 are not subjected to a compressive force, as is the case with the known device described above, so that the collapsible box type cannot be handled by the known device. In contrast, the collapsible box commonly used for transporting fruit and vegetable products can also be depalletized with the device according to the inventive method.

[0110] The invention is characterized in that all known container types can be automatically depalletized with the device according to the invention and according to the method according to the invention, which are used for the transport of fruit and vegetable products in distribution centers and for further transport to the customer for sale of the fruit and vegetable products.

[0111] Since these containers, depending on the product they are filled with, can have a weight of up to 20 kg, the device and method according to the invention provide a significant simplification in the depalletizing of the containers and in rapid handling and very short dwell times in the distribution centers.

[0112] Because the inventive device prevents the side walls of the containers from being subjected to a clamping or lateral force directed towards the interior of the container, the risk of damage to the delicate fruit and vegetable products during depalletizing is eliminated. Likewise, the risk of the container's side walls tearing or being dented is also eliminated. The precise position of the container's handle recesses can be detected by a sensor device, allowing the gripping finger to be positioned exactly within the handle recess.

[0113] By lifting the gripping finger with the holding element resting on the upper edge of the container, the container can be clamped without exerting lateral force on the container walls and is supported from below by the base plate. Similarly, disposable containers are supported from below by the base plate, preventing damage to any centering tabs or corners on the containers. These disposable containers are lifted by the suction force applied by the suction device. The suction device, along with the container, can be lifted on one side until the support plate or base plate is inserted into the gap, thus placing the container on the support plate or base plate.By releasing the suction and moving out the support plate or undercarriage plate, the container can then be placed on the conveyor belt and a short blow pulse can remove any contaminants from the suction device.

[0114] The containers depalletized in this way, whether disposable or reusable, or even folding boxes containing fruit and vegetable products, are moved to a conveyor belt and placed on it in order to be transported to the distribution center for further distribution.

[0115] Using the suction device or gripper finger, the respective containers only need to be lifted by approximately 25 mm in the Y direction. The resulting gap is sufficient to insert the support plate or carrier plate into the space to support the container being depalletized from below. The support plate is moved beyond the container's center of gravity in the Z direction, thus supporting the container from below and preventing it from unintentionally detaching from the support plate during transport to the conveyor belt.

[0116] Although the above refers to individual packages filled with perishable goods, such as fruit and vegetable products in particular, this should not be interpreted as a limitation, since the device and method according to the invention can also be used to depalletize empty individual packages, as well as individual packages filled with other goods, such as drugstore items or personal care products or goods of any other kind.

Claims

1. Method for depalletizing stackable general cargo containers (2, 6), in which a carrier (2, 6) having a lower support area (22) is lifted from a support surface by means of a holding device (18) along a partial area of the bearing area (22) and a carrying plate (14) is moved under the lifted partial area, and physical contact of the partial area with the carrying plate (14) is prevented in order to support the container resting on the partial area (2, 6) resting on the support plate (14) with the support plate (14) is brought about, wherein a releasable engagement of the holding device (18) with a recess (5) of a side wall (3, 4) of the container (2, 6) is brought about, comprising the following steps: - Lifting the container (2, 6) by means of the holding device (18) to separate the bearing area (22) of the container (2, 6) along only the partial area of the bearing area (22) from the base to create an intermediate space (21) between the partial area of the bearing area (22) and the base - Creating a releasable contact between a holding means (19, 26, 27) and an upper edge area (25) of the container (2, 6) - Inserting the support plate (14) into the space (21).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device (18) is inserted into the recess (5) thereof, at least partially passing through it, in such a way that the container (2, 6) can be lifted by means of the holding device (18) at least along the partial region from the base.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (2, 6) is separated from the base by lifting the holding device (18) together with the holding means (19, 26, 27) in contact with the edge area.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support plate (14) is inserted into the space (21) created by lifting the holding device (18) between the lifted container (2, 6) and a container (2, 6) located below or the base and only in a subsequent step is the holding means (19, 26, 27) is lowered onto the upper edge area of the container (2, 6).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (2, 6) resting on the support plate (14) is separated from the base and, in a further step, is transported further in a manner resting on the support plate.