PALLETIZER FOR STRAW BLOCKS

Description

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of equipment facilitating the handling and packaging of insulating straw blocks.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a straw block palletizer.

[0003] In the field of thermal insulation using straw, the straw is packaged by being compressed and tied, in a form suitable for producing thermal insulation using straw, i.e. in the form of small rectangular parallelepiped straw blocks.

[0004] A palletizer for blocks of straw is known for example from FR 2 696 713 A1, WO 2010 / 007241 A1 or FR 2 601 648 A1.

[0005] To strengthen the relevance of straw as a thermal insulation solution, it is necessary to be able to package the straw blocks on pallets to allow them to be transported by truck in order to reduce the overall cost of implementing thermal insulation using straw.

[0006] For ecological reasons, it is sought to supply building professionals in workshops or on construction sites with straw blocks from local fodder production. These professionals are currently mainly carpenters, but the need is also expressed in the masonry, coating, and plastering trades.

[0007] As a result, straw block production sites tend to be located in small structures, and inexpensive, robust solutions that tend to limit overall operating costs are sought.

[0008] The invention aims in particular to meet this need.

[0009] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a solution for packaging blocks of straw on handling pallets.

[0010] The invention also aims to provide such a solution which is economical to implement, robust, and which makes it possible to limit the overall cost of production and supply of straw blocks for the implementation of thermal insulation using straw.

[0011] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a palletizer for straw blocks according to claim 1, comprising a frame; a cradle comprising a straw block loading platform and a handling pallet support base, the support base extending from one end of the platform perpendicular to the platform, the cradle being mounted at least rotatably on the frame between a lying loading position intended to allow the stacking of straw blocks on the platform against a pallet carried by the support base, and a raised position in which the platform extends vertically, and in which the support base is intended to allow the removal of a pallet supporting straw blocks; means for compressing straw blocks stacked on the platform against a pallet in the lying position of the cradle; means for tying straw blocks to a pallet on which they are compressed in the lying position of the cradle.

[0012] Thanks to the palletizer according to the invention, it is possible to produce a pallet of straw blocks that has a particularly high height while remaining stable. This makes it possible to optimize the volume available in a transport truck by producing pallets of straw blocks that have a height maximized according to the ceiling height available in a transport truck.

[0013] In fact, the palletizer according to the invention causes the straw block pallet to be formed in a position lying on its side, on the cradle tray. A human operator simply has to position the straw blocks on top of each other, against the pallet and then in line with the blocks located against the pallet.

[0014] Human ergonomics are sought after, given that a single operator can palletize up to 4 tons of material per day. The loading platform is therefore designed at human height.

[0015] The compression means then crush all of the straw blocks against the pallet, then the tying means make it possible to maintain cohesion between the compressed straw blocks against the pallet, as well as to keep this set of compressed straw blocks associated with the handling pallet.

[0016] Finally, simply tilt the cradle from its lying position to its raised position to obtain the stable pallet of straw blocks ready to be handled.

[0017] The compression of the straw blocks and their binding tend to stabilize the load of straw blocks on the handling pallet, despite a particularly high potential height of the straw block pallet.

[0018] The palletizer is a particularly suitable solution for packaging straw blocks, economical to implement, robust, and which allows in fineto limit the overall cost of production and supply of straw blocks for the implementation of thermal insulation using straw.

[0019] According to a preferred design, the compression means comprise: a carriage mounted so as to move in translation on the frame; a pressing block secured to the carriage, the pressing block having a pressing surface extending parallel to the support base in the lying position of the cradle.

[0020] The compression means are thus formed in a simple and robust manner, and the compression of the straw blocks on the cradle is produced by the translation of the carriage towards the support base.

[0021] After tying the compressed straw blocks against a handling pallet, the trolley can be moved back to allow the cradle to be lifted.

[0022] According to a preferred solution, the palletizer comprises a motor actuating the compression means and the cradle by means of transmission means.

[0023] The transmission means are thus configured to sequentially order the actuation of the compression means and the tilting of the cradle.

[0024] The palletizer can advantageously include a single motor.

[0025] This streamlines the components of the palletizer.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the transmission means comprise a main transmission chain driven in movement by the motor, the transmission chain describing a loop along which the carriage is secured.

[0027] In this way, the motor always works in traction either to pull the trolley towards the support base in the lying position of the cradle in order to compress the straw blocks, or to pull the trolley in the opposite direction to the support base in the lying position of the cradle after compression and binding to the pallet of the straw blocks.

[0028] Preferably, the transmission means comprise at least one lifting chain secured at one of its ends to the cradle on a lower anchoring point to be towed, the lifting chain being driven by the main transmission chain at least during a phase of lifting the cradle towards its raised position.

[0029] The lifting chain(s) provide traction to the motor to cause the cradle to lift to its raised position.

[0030] Advantageously, the lifting chain is secured at the other of its ends to the trolley.

[0031] The synchronization between the actuation of the compression means and the actuation of the cradle is thus achieved mechanically.

[0032] In fact, once the straw blocks have been compressed and the trolley has moved back sufficiently, it will pull the lifting chain(s) and thus begin lifting the cradle.

[0033] According to an advantageous solution, the transmission means comprise at least one lowering chain secured at one of its ends to the cradle on an upper anchoring point to be towed to cause the cradle to move from its raised position to its lying position, the lowering chain being driven by the main transmission chain at least during a final phase of lifting the cradle to its raised position, and at least during an initial phase of laying the cradle to its lying position.

[0034] In addition to being used to lower the cradle to its lying position, the lowering chain allows the cradle to be held when it is lifted to its raised position, after the center of gravity of the pallet loaded with its straw blocks has passed beyond a vertical plane in which an axis of rotation of the cradle is inscribed relative to the frame, in order to prevent the cradle and the pallet from falling too abruptly to the ground and overturning.

[0035] According to a preferred characteristic, the lowering chain is secured at the other of its ends to the frame by means of elastic tensioning means, and incorporates clutch means located between the two ends of the lowering chain, at a point of switching of traction forces between the lifting chain and the lowering chain.

[0036] These elastic tensioning means and these clutch means facilitate the mechanical coupling of the lowering chain to allow its traction by the motor, and prevent damage to this lowering chain, for example due to slipping of the teeth of a sprocket on the links of this lowering chain.

[0037] Advantageously, the support base has recesses allowing the insertion of arms of a lifting fork of a pallet handling device.

[0038] In this way, the loaded handling pallet can be handled directly using a pallet truck, or a pallet lifting trolley, without intermediate handling.

[0039] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of different preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings among which: there figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a palletizer according to the invention, with a cradle in a lying loading position supporting a pallet with blocks of straw; the figure 2 is a schematic representation in perspective from another angle of view of the palletizer according to the invention shown in the figure 1 ; there figure 3 is a schematic perspective representation of a palletizer according to the invention, with a cradle in the raised position, and with a fork of a lifting device shown inserted into a support base of the cradle; figure 4schematically illustrates the actuation of the cradle and compression means, at a stage where the cradle is in a lying loading position and where the compression means are capable of compressing blocks of straw against a handling pallet; Figure 5 schematically illustrates the actuation of the cradle and compression means, at a stage where the cradle is in its lying loading position and where the compression means are retracted; figure 6 schematically illustrates the actuation of the cradle and compression means, at a stage where the cradle tilts from its lying loading position to its raised position, and where the compression means continue to retract; figure 7 schematically illustrates the actuation of the cradle and compression means, at a stage where the cradle is in its raised position, and where the compression means have reached a terminal retracted position.

[0040] In reference to the figures 1 to 3 , a palletizer 11 according to the invention is shown.

[0041] This palletizer 11 is designed to palletize blocks 10 of straw.

[0042] The 10 straw blocks each take a parallelepiped shape.

[0043] As detailed below, this palletizer 11 is designed to allow the production of pallets of blocks 10 of straw.

[0044] A pallet of 10 straw blocks corresponds to a handling pallet 12 on which 10 straw blocks are arranged and stacked.

[0045] According to the example illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 , the palletizer 11 allows the production of a pallet comprising seven levels stacked on the handling pallet 12, with four blocks 10 of straw per level.

[0046] Using the palletizer 11, the pallet of straw blocks is formed by lying on one of its lateral sides, then is straightened vertically so that it rests on the handling pallet 12.

[0047] For this purpose, the palletizer 11 comprises: a frame 21; a cradle 31 mounted movably on the frame 21 between a lying loading position notably illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 , and a raised position notably illustrated by the figure 3 ; means 41 for compressing blocks 10 of straw stacked on the tray 311 against a pallet 12 in the lying position of the cradle 31; means 51 for tying blocks 10 of straw to a pallet 12 on which they are compressed in the lying position of the cradle 31.

[0048] In reference to the figure 3 , an orthonormal spatial reference is represented.

[0049] This benchmark includes: an X axis defining a longitudinal direction; a Y axis defining a lateral direction; a Z axis defining a transverse direction.

[0050] These three axes extend orthogonally to each other.

[0051] As illustrated by the figures 1 to 3 , frame 21 corresponds to a mechanically welded assembly of profiles, in particular metal profiles.

[0052] The frame 21 comprises a frame 211 extending parallel to a plane defined by the X and Y axes. It is conceivable that this frame 211 is formed using a metal panel or another material such as wood.

[0053] The frame 21 also comprises legs 212 defining a plane for placing the frame on a floor. These legs 212 may be provided with adjustment means in order to ensure the stability of the frame 21, or even to ensure that the frame 211 extends in a horizontal plane.

[0054] In reference to the figures 1 to 7 , cradle 31 is now described.

[0055] This cradle 31 comprises a tray 311 for loading blocks 10 of straw and a support base 312 for a handling pallet 12.

[0056] The tray 311 also corresponds to a mechanically welded assembly of metal profiles. It is also conceivable that this tray 311 is formed using a metal panel or another material such as wood.

[0057] The support base 312 extends from the tray 311.

[0058] More specifically, the support base 312 extends from one end of the plate 311 perpendicular to the plate 311.

[0059] With more specific reference to the figure 3, the support base 312 comprises a main element 3121 extending orthogonally relative to the plate 311, and two secondary elements 3122 extending perpendicular to the main element 3121, in a plane orthogonal to the plate 311.

[0060] The support base 312 further comprises two extensions 3123 extending perpendicularly from the plate 311.

[0061] This 312 support base is designed to be able to carry a 12 pallet.

[0062] For this purpose, the support base 312 defines a support plane for a pallet 12.

[0063] This support plane is defined by the upper faces of the two secondary elements 3122, and the extensions 3123.

[0064] This support base 312 also has recesses allowing the insertion of arms of a lifting fork 13 of a pallet handling device, as illustrated by the figure 3 .

[0065] These recesses are notably formed between the secondary elements 3122, and between the extensions 3123 and the proximal secondary element 3122.

[0066] In reference to the figures 1 to 7 , the cradle 31 is mounted at least rotatably on the frame 21 around a pivot point 310. This pivot point 310 extends parallel to the Y axis.

[0067] According to the present embodiment, the cradle 31 is only mounted so as to be rotatable on the frame 21, however it is conceivable according to other embodiments that the cradle 31 is mounted so as to be rotatable and has at least one other degree of freedom. For example, the pivot could be sliding.

[0068] The cradle 31 is movable between a lying loading position (illustrated by the figures 1, 2 , 4, 5 ) intended to allow the stacking of blocks 10 of straws on the tray 311 against a pallet 12 carried by the support base 312, and a raised position (illustrated by the figures 3 , And 7 ).

[0069] In the lying position of the cradle 31, the support base 312 extends vertically, parallel to a plane defined by the Z and Y axes.

[0070] In the raised position of the cradle, the plate 311 extends vertically, parallel to a plane defined by the Z and Y axes, and the support base 312 is intended to allow the removal of a pallet 12 supporting blocks 10 of straw.

[0071] As detailed below, the cradle 31 is driven by a motor 61.

[0072] In reference to the figures 1 to 7 , the means of compression are now described.

[0073] As a reminder, these compression means 41 are designed to compress blocks 10 of straw stacked on the tray 311 against a pallet 12 in the lying position of the cradle 31.

[0074] The compression action of these support means is carried out along the X axis.

[0075] The compression means 41 comprise: a carriage 411 mounted so as to move in translation on the frame 21; a pressing block 412 secured to the carriage 411.

[0076] The carriage 411 is more precisely mounted movably on the frame along the X axis. This carriage 411 comprises, for example, a mechanically welded frame provided with wheels engaged in longitudinal passages presented by the frame 21 and extending parallel to the X axis.

[0077] The pressing block 412 is formed in this case by an assembly of metal tubes of rectangular section, and more specifically of square section.

[0078] The pressing block 412 has a pressing surface 413 which extends parallel to the support base 312 in the lying position of the cradle 31.

[0079] As detailed below, the compression means 41 are actuated by the motor 61.

[0080] In reference to the figure 1 , the ligation means 51 are now described.

[0081] These ligature means 51 (only shown on the figure 1 ) are designed to bind the blocks 10 of straw to a pallet 12 on which they are compressed in the lying position of the cradle 31.

[0082] In their simplest form, these ligature means 51 can take the form of at least one support for spools 512 of ligature wires 511 which constitute a consumable.

[0083] In this case, the tying means 51 shown comprise three supports supporting three reels 512, but may also comprise four supports with four reels. From these reels are drawn tying wires 511, prior to positioning the straw blocks 10, to a length sufficient for the tying wires 511 to surround the pallet of straw blocks which is intended to be formed.

[0084] Horizontal 511 binding wires are also used to bundle blocks of straw together.

[0085] In reference to the Figure 1 to 3 , the palletizer 11 comprises a motor 61 (illustrated schematically) which actuates the compression means 41 and the cradle 31. The motor 61 is in particular an electric motor.

[0086] This actuation by the motor 61 is carried out by means of transmission means.

[0087] The motor 61 is integrated within a control and actuation assembly 60 provided with motor control means, allowing a human operator to start or stop the motor, to control its direction of rotation, or even to control its speed of rotation.

[0088] In reference to the figures 4 to 7 , the means of transmission are more precisely described below.

[0089] The transmission means comprise, according to the present embodiment: a main transmission chain 711; at least one lifting chain 712, and in this case two lifting chains 712 (only one shown) of the cradle 31; at least one lowering chain 713, and in this case two lowering chains 713 (only one shown) of the cradle 31.

[0090] The main drive chain 711 is driven into motion by the motor 61.

[0091] For this purpose, the palletizer 11 comprises: a motor pinion 91, mounted to rotate on the frame 21, and coupled to the motor 61 to be able to transmit the rotational movement produced by the motor 61; a return shaft 92, mounted to rotate on the frame 21.

[0092] The main transmission chain 711 is meshed with the engine pinion 91 as well as with a pinion carried by the countershaft 92.

[0093] A rotation of the motor pinion 91 thus drives the main transmission chain 711 into motion and also the rotation of the countershaft 92.

[0094] The main transmission chain 711 describes a loop along which the carriage 411 is secured.

[0095] More specifically, the main transmission chain 711 is coupled at its two ends to the carriage 411 to form the loop.

[0096] The upper portion of the drive chain between the drive pinion 91 and the idler shaft 92 extends parallel to the X axis so that the progression of the main drive chain 711 causes a relative movement of the carriage 411 along the X axis.

[0097] The lifting chain 712 is designed to lift the cradle 31 from its lying position to its raised position.

[0098] According to the present embodiment, the lifting chain 712 is secured at one of its ends to the cradle 31 on a lower anchoring point 33 to be towed, and is driven by the main transmission chain 711 at least during a phase of lifting the cradle 31 towards its raised position.

[0099] As illustrated by the figures, the lifting chain 712 is meshed on an intermediate shaft 94 provided with a sprocket adapted to the lifting chain 712, and partially wraps around a free positioning sprocket 93 to direct the tractive force that it exerts to lift the cradle 31.

[0100] Still according to the present embodiment, the lifting chain 712 is secured at the other of its ends to the carriage 411.

[0101] Accordingly, when the carriage moves backwards, passing from its position illustrated by the figure 4 to its position illustrated by the figure 7, the lifting chain 712 is tensioned and then pulled, thus causing the cradle 31 to be lifted.

[0102] The lowering chain 713 is secured at one of its ends to the cradle 31 on an upper anchoring point 34 to be pulled to cause the cradle 31 to move from its raised position to its lying position.

[0103] This lowering chain 713 is driven by the main transmission chain 711 during a final phase of lifting the cradle 31 towards its raised position.

[0104] The lowering chain 713 is also driven by the main transmission chain 711 during an initial phase of lying down the cradle 31 to its lying position.

[0105] For this purpose, the lowering chain 713 is secured at the other of its ends to the frame 21 by means of elastic tensioning means 81, and incorporates clutch means 82 located between the two ends of the lowering chain 713, at a point of switching of traction forces between the lifting chain 712 and the lowering chain 713.

[0106] The elastic tensioning means 81 correspond for example to a strip of elastic material, such as rubber, and is fixed to a fixed attachment point 810 of the frame 21.

[0107] The clutch means 82 are formed by an elongated chain link on which the teeth of a pinion cannot mesh.

[0108] The lowering chain 713 is meshed with the intermediate shaft 94. Accordingly, when the intermediate shaft 94 is rotated by the traction of the lifting chain 712, this intermediate shaft 94 drives the traction of the lowering chain 713.

[0109] The tipping point of tensile forces between the lifting chain 712 and the lowering chain 713 corresponds to a location along the lowering chain 713 which is in contact with the intermediate shaft 94 when the tipping of the cradle 31 from its lying position to its raised position reaches a stage where the estimated or calculated center of gravity is expected to be at the pivot point 310 along the X axis.

[0110] In reference to the figures 1 to 7 , the implementation and operation of the palletizer 11 are now described.

[0111] Firstly, the palletizer 11 is in its configuration illustrated by the Figure 5, that is to say with the cradle 31 in its lying position, and with the carriage 411 slightly moved back from its position adopted on the figure 4 .

[0112] The compression means 41 do not prevent the positioning of blocks 10 of straw on the cradle 31.

[0113] A human operator can then position a handling pallet 12 against the support base 312.

[0114] When positioning this pallet 12, care must be taken to orient the pallet 12 so that it can be gripped by a lifting fork after the cradle 31 has been lifted to its raised position.

[0115] The human operator then uses the tying means 51 by taking sufficient lengths of tying wires 511 to rest them on the loading tray 311, to pass them inside the handling pallet 12, and to have sufficient free lengths as illustrated by the figure 1 .

[0116] The operator can then load the blocks 10 of straw in the manner illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 .

[0117] The operator then operates the motor 61 so that the motor pinion 91, illustrated by the Figures 4 and 5 , or driven in a counterclockwise rotation.

[0118] This causes the trolley 411 to pull and the compression surface 413 to compress the straw blocks against the pallet 12.

[0119] The relative configuration of the elements of the palletizer 11 illustrated by the figure 4 is reached.

[0120] In this situation, the operator proceeds to tie the blocks 10 of straw using the tying wires 511.

[0121] The compression applied during the ligation allows the operator to tie the ligature without forcing.

[0122] If there are 4 blocks of straw per row, before compressing, it is important to place the horizontal ligatures, and to tighten the blocks in bundles of 4, in order to secure the blocks together and avoid gaps in the middle of the bundles. Good horizontal compaction allows for optimized loading. This operation is done by hand, using a slip knot for example. This must be done before mechanical vertical compression to prevent the bundle from opening in the middle when pressing.

[0123] At this point, the operator can operate the motor 61 so that the motor pinion 91 is driven in a clockwise rotation.

[0124] At this point, the straw blocks decompress, the binding tightens, the knots tighten, and the straw blocks help hold the assembly together. With the binding threaded through the pallet frame, a stable assembly is created.

[0125] Gradually, the palletizer 11 will go through its configurations illustrated by the Figure 5 , then by the figure 6 , and finally reach its configuration reached in the figure 7 .

[0126] First, the main transmission chain 711 will pull the trolley 411 and tension the lifting chain 712. At this stage, the compression means 41 no longer limit the lifting of the cradle 31.

[0127] The continuation of the drive generated by the motor 61 will begin the lifting of the cradle 31.

[0128] In fact, the lifting chain 712 exerts traction on the lower anchor point 33 which begins the lifting of the cradle 31.

[0129] The palletizer then reaches the configuration illustrated by the figure 6 .

[0130] At this stage, a point of balance is supposed to be reached by the cradle 31 with respect to the pivot point 310. The progression of the lifting chain 712 has also caused the traction of the lowering chain 713 which has accompanied the lifting of the cradle 31. At the stage illustrated, and at this point of balance, in order to avoid damage to the lowering chain 713, the clutch means 82 prevent the teeth of the intermediate shaft 94 from slipping on the links of the lowering chain 713.

[0131] Once this stage is passed, the lowering chain 713 meshes again with the teeth of the intermediate shaft 94 and the lowering chain 713 then exerts an effort aimed at progressively accompanying the final lifting phase of the cradle 31 in order to prevent the latter from striking the ground in a potentially destructive manner.

[0132] The configuration illustrated by the figure 7 is finally reached, and the operator can use a lifting device to handle the pallet of formed straw blocks.

[0133] The human operator, after removing the pallet of straw blocks, can operate the motor again in the opposite direction in order to return the cradle 31 to its lying position.

[0134] The palletizer described above has a simple, robust and economical design.

Claims

1. A palletiser (11) for blocks (10) of straw, comprising: - a frame (21); - a cradle (31) comprising a plate (311) for loading blocks (10) of straw and a support base (312) for a handling pallet (12), the support base (312) extending from an end of the plate (311) perpendicularly to the plate (311), the cradle (31) being mounted at least movable in rotation on the frame (21) between a loading lying position intended to enable stacking of blocks (10) of straw on the plate (311) against a pallet (12) carried by the support base (312), and a raised position in which the plate (311) extends vertically, and in which the support base (312) is intended to authorise removal of a pallet (12) supporting blocks (10) of straw; - means (41) for compressing blocks (10) of straw stacked on the plate (311) against a pallet (12) in the lying position of the cradle (31); - the palletiser (11) being characterised in that it comprises means (51) for tying blocks (10) of straw to a pallet (12) on which they are compressed in the lying position of the cradle (31).

2. The palletiser (11) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the compression means (41) comprise: - a carriage (411) mounted movable in translation on the frame (21); - a pressing block (412) integral with the carriage (411), the pressing block (412) having a pressing surface (413) extending in parallel to the support base (312) in the lying position of the cradle (31).

3. The palletiser (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a motor (61) actuating the compression means (41) and the cradle (31) by transmission means.

4. The palletiser (11) according to claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the transmission means comprise a main transmission chain (711) movably driven by the motor (61), the main transmission chain (711) describing a loop along which the carriage (411) is secured.

5. The palletiser (11) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the transmission means comprise at least one lifting chain (712) secured at one of its ends to the cradle (31) on a lower anchor point (33) to be pulled to cause passage of the cradle from its lying position into its raised position, the lifting chain (712) being driven by the main transmission chain (711) at least during a lifting phase of the cradle (31) towards its raised position.

6. The palletiser (11) according to claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the lifting chain (712) is secured at the other end thereof to the carriage (411).

7. The palletiser (11) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the transmission means comprise at least one lowering chain (713) secured at one of its ends to the cradle (31) on an upper anchor point (34) to be pulled to cause passage of the cradle (31) from its raised position into its lying position, the lowering chain (713) being driven by the main transmission chain (711) at least during a terminal phase of lifting the cradle (31) towards its raised position, and at least during an initial phase of lying the cradle (31) towards its lying position.

8. The palletiser (11) according to claim 7, and any one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the lowering chain (713) is secured at the other end thereof to the frame (21) by means of elastic tensioning means (81), and integrates clutch means (82) located between the two ends of the lowering chain (713), at a tilt point of pull forces between the lifting chain (712) and the lowering chain (713).

9. The palletiser 11 according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support base 312 has recesses authorising the insertion of arms of a lifting fork 13 of a pallet handling device.