Device for handling a packaging load

Abstract

A device for handling a packaging load comprises at least one frame (3) provided with at least one support element (5) defining at least one support plane and assigned to at least support or contact with a load (C). The device (1) also comprises at least a lateral pressure member (7) assigned to contact at least one side of the load (C) placed on the support element (5). The lateral pressure member (7) is connected to the frame (3) at least via a linear translating element (9) whose translation direction is parallel to the support plane and which translates the lateral pressure member (7) between a protruding condition (L) in which the latter (7) is adjacent to the support element (5), to contact with, and / or to clamp, the load (C), and a retracted condition (R) in which the lateral pressure member (7) is moved away by a predetermined distance from the support element (5) and allows the load (C) to be freely positioned on the support element (5).

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR HANDLING A PACKAGING LOAD

[0002] DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field concerning logistics and equipment for the storage and transportation of goods, and specifically relates to a device for handling a packaging load, assigned, for example, to tilt the load, stack it on a pallet, or replace a pallet at the base of the load with a replacement pallet.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Load-handling devices are known employing a lateral pressure member example, provided with one or two flat members perpendicular to the support surface that move toward and away from each other, assigned to contact one side or to compress and clamp the sides of the load, whether supported or not by a pallet, placed on a support element, for example, to stop or position the load or to stabilize it during handling.

[0006] Specifically, devices are known that can replace a first pallet supporting a load, such as packaged goods, with a second, different pallet that is inserted under the load in place of the first pallet. These known replacement devices, also assigned for delicate, fragile, and / or irregularly packaged or collapsible loads, can be provided with lateral pressure members that abut and grip the sides of the load, stabilizing it during dynamic operations.

[0007] These known devices, which provide many levels of automation and different areas of application, can be highly complex, relatively bulky, and expensive.

[0008] A disadvantage of these known pressure member devices is that the respective contact surfaces of the load sides occupy part of the space adjacent to the area of the device assigned for pallet loading, requiring precise frontal positioning of the pallet to be replaced and its load, and preventing any possibility of lateral loading of the device.This, in addition to requiring precise and delicate loading operations performed almost exclusively under human supervision, prevents the device from being inserted into a manual or automatic pallet and load handling system.

[0009] Prior documents No. US 11 299 348, No. US 2006 / 104803 Al, No. WO2014125767A1, and No. W02010 / 057898 Al refer to: “container depalletizing systems and methods”, “method and device for exchanging transport elements”, “stack straightening device and methods” and “device for separating a pallet from the respective load.”

[0010] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One object of the present invention is to provide a device whose loading and pallet area is completely clear when loading and unloading pallets and their respective loads. According to the object of the invention, this device is capable of automatically and quickly changing pallets to allow the loading and the unloading, also in a side direction, of loads and pallets, and to allow the device to be embedded into a line or system, also of the automatic kind, for transporting and / or manipulating loads.

[0012] Another object is to propose a device that can be fed with a load supported by a pallet to be replaced by means of a feed conveyor, such as a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor, and capable of exiting the load supported by a replacement pallet by means of an exit conveyor, without the need to move loads and pallets with pallet trucks or forklifts, thus increasing the speed and safety of operations.

[0013] Another object is to propose a device that allows the feeding and exit of unloaded pallets, even semi-automatically or automatically, at a height equal to that of transport and feeding the load onto the pallet, for faster and safer operation for bystanders.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to propose a device for replacing a pallet supporting a load with another of the same kind and / or with a different replacement pallet while preserving the overall integrity of any load and packaging.Another object is to propose a device suitable for pallets to be replaced or replacement pallets, even those of very different types and of virtually any type.

[0015] Another object is to propose a device virtually suitable for any type of load.

[0016] Another object is to propose a device where pallets and loads can be fed via operator-driven conveyors, either frontally and / or laterally, or fully automated and inserted into automatic or semi-automatic conveyor, processing, and / or pallet and load management lines.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWNINGS

[0018] The characteristics of the invention are highlighted below with particular reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0019] figures 1 and 2 show front isometric views of the device for handling a load of packaging, object of the present invention, where a lateral pressure member for the sides of a load is in the clamped and respectively retracted and protruding position above a support element for the pallets and the load;

[0020] figure 3 shows an isometric and rear view of the device of figure 1 associated with a pallet and a respective load of packaging consisting of cardboard boxes, with some parts removed to better highlight others;

[0021] figures 4-6 show front views of the device of figure 1, associated with a pallet to be replaced supporting its respective load of packaging, represented by a single parallelepiped-shaped element positioned on the right side of the support element, and a replacement pallet, shown on the left side of the support element, in their respective conditions in which the pallets and the load have just been fed, in which the pallet to be replaced with its respective load has been centered in the gripping position by the lateral pressure member, which is retracted and spread, and in which the support element is slightly raised to raise the lower layer of the load to a height corresponding to the lower portion of the lateral pressure member;

[0022] figures 7 and 8 show side views of the device of figure 6, in which the support element, the pallets, and the load are at a distance from the rear of the device that is,respectively, the same as that existing when the pallets and the load were fed and less than this distance, so as to move the pallet and load backwards, bringing them closer to the lateral pressure member in its retracted position;

[0023] figure 9 shows a side view of the device in which the pallets and load are in the position shown in figure 8 and the lateral pressure member has moved from its retracted and spread position shown in figure 8 to its protruding and clamped position against the sides of the load, and a lateral pressure element has moved from its raised position shown in figure 8 to its lowered position against the upper face of the load, where gripping elements on the support element clamp and lock the pallets; figures 10 and 11 show side views of the device, with a frame with semicircular guides rotated approximately 135° by a support and rotation cradle of the device in conditions corresponding respectively to that shown in figure 9 and with the pallets being raised away from the load;

[0024] figure 12 shows a rear view of the device, in which a lateral translation and lowering of the support element has removed the pallet to be replaced and positioned the replacement pallet against the load;

[0025] figure 13 shows a front view of the device following a counter-rotation of approximately 135°, with the load supported by the replacement pallet;

[0026] figure 14 shows a front view of the device with the lateral pressure member in the retracted and spread position, and with the gripping elements having released the pallets and translated within the contour of the support element, allowing the latter or other elements external to the machine to translate and evacuate the load supported by the replacement pallet and the replaced pallet;

[0027] figures 15, 16, and 17 show top views, a view sectioned along a plane XVI-XVI of figure 15, and a rear axonometric view of the lateral pressure member, respectively.

[0028] BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0029] With reference to figures 1-17, numeral 1 indicates the device for handling a packaging load, object of the present invention, comprising at least one frame 3, at least one support element 5, and at least one lateral pressure member 7.The support element 5 is connected to the frame 3 and defines at least one upper support surface assigned to support at least a load C and / or pallets.

[0030] The load C may consist of packages, parcels, or boxes arranged in overlapping layers, or of bags, objects, or goods. The load is preferably placed on a pallet supporting it.

[0031] The lateral pressure member 7 is also connected to the frame 3 and is assigned to contact at least one side of the load C, or preferably two opposite sides of the load C, placed on the support element 5.

[0032] The feeding and unloading, or evacuation, of the pallets and / or load occurs at the front of the device, consisting of the support element 5, and can be performed by operator-controlled means, such as a forklift, or preferably by side conveyors, such as roller conveyors or belt conveyor of a known type (not illustrated) and aligned to the support element 5, for feeding a load supported by a pallet to be replaced and for unloading the load supported by a replacement pallet from a system in which the device 1 is inserted.

[0033] Also to facilitate the feeding operations performed by an operator and primarily to enable a flow of pallets and loads fed and removed from the system in which the device 1 is inserted, the lateral pressure member 7 is connected to the frame 3 at least via a linear translating element 9 whose translation direction is parallel to the support surface of the support element 5. The translating element 9 translates the lateral pressure member 7 between a protruding condition L, in which the latter 7 is adjacent to the support element 5, to engage and / or clamp the load C, and a retracted condition R, in which the lateral pressure member 7 is moved at a predetermined distance from the support element 5 and allows the load C to be freely positioned on the support element 5 from a side.

[0034] In particular, the translation direction is also perpendicular to the direction of flow of loads and pallets through the support element 5, fed by other parts of the system such as conveyor belts, roller conveyors, and the like. Referring to figure 1, said direction of flow is determined by the rollers of the support element 5.

[0035] The translating element 9 comprises a set of respective retraction guides 17 parallel to thesupport surface and to the anteroposterior direction (front-to-back) and perpendicular to the flow of loads on the rollers of the support element 5. Such retraction guides allow at least one carriage 19 of the lateral pressure member 7 to slide in the anteroposterior direction; Such carriage 19 is driven by a respective actuator 21, for example a motorized pinion and rack type actuator, as shown in the figures, or another type such as chains or belts and pulleys, screw and nut, or the like.

[0036] In this simple configuration, the system can feed the device when the lateral pressure member 7 is in the retracted condition R by placing a load, with or without pallets, on the support surface, for example consisting of a sliding plate or, preferably, a roller conveyor, or the like, of the support element 5. In this way, the support surface is not obstructed by the lateral pressure member 7 and, being completely free, allows the load to be positioned. If the operations to be performed on the load or if the nature of the load itself so requires, the device is controlled to move the lateral pressure member 7 to the protruding condition L where it can contact the load and / or clamp it. Once the manipulations or operations performed on the load have been completed, the lateral pressure member 7 can be returned to the retracted condition R for the evacuation of the load and possible pallet thereof.

[0037] To secure or consolidate the load C by clamping two of its opposing sides, the lateral pressure member 7 may be provided with two movable flat members 11, perpendicular to the support surface and to the direction of load supply. These movable flat members 11 are mutually parallel and facing each other and are actuated by a clamping member 15, comprising a set of guides parallel to the support surface and perpendicular to the flat members 11 themselves. These guides allow the flat members 11 to slide along the latter guides, operated by one or more actuators, moving them toward and away from each other to perform said clamping and release the load C.

[0038] Each flat member 11 comprises a set of elongated prismatic elements, for example consisting of rectangular-section steel tubular elements, and coplanar whose faces assigned to come into contact with the load can be provided with a sort of buffer made of resilient material and / or with a high friction coefficient.Frame 3 comprises a wall 23, for example consisting of a solid or honeycomb metal plate, provided with a window for each elongated prismatic element of the flat members 11. Each window is sized to allow the passage in the anteroposterior direction and the lateral translation of the respective elongated prismatic element of one of the flat members 11. In the retracted condition R, for example illustrated in figure 1, the flat members 11 and the respective sets of elongated prismatic elements are behind the wall 23, and in the protruding condition L, the elongated prismatic elements of the flat members 11 protrude from the wall 23 and, as illustrated for example in figure 2, overhang a portion of the support element 5.

[0039] The support element 5 is provided with a roller conveyor, or a motorized roller conveyor 25 defining said support surface.

[0040] The rollers are parallel not only to the support surface but also to the elongated prismatic elements of the flat members 11 and are perpendicular to the surface of the wall 23; in this way, they allow the loads and pallets to be moved in a right-to-left and left-to-right direction, perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the device to allow the support element 5 to be inserted into a conveyor line of the system into which the device can be embedded, thus allowing the flow of loads and pallets along that line; nevertheless, pallets and loads can be fed laterally and even frontally using forklifts or other means.

[0041] As will be illustrated below, the support element 5 can move longitudinally, that is, in the direction of the load flow, and the conveyor line of the possible system may be provided with telescopic, extendable, or translating elements adjacent to the support element 5.

[0042] The support element 5 is provided with one or preferably and as illustrated in the figures, with two pairs of gripping elements 27, each assigned to contact one side of a pallet, for example one pallet to be replaced and one replacement pallet, to stop its translation on the motorized roller conveyor 25 and / or to clamp a pallet by reversibly blocking it to the support element 5. To perform the clamping and to allow the translation of the pallets on the motorized roller conveyor 25, the gripping elements 27 are provided with two degrees of freedom and can translate perpendicularly to the support surface or, in other word andreferring to the condition of figure 1, vertically, and the gripping elements 27 can further translate in a direction from right to left and vice versa or, in other words, in a horizontal and parallel direction to the wall 23. The gripping elements of each pair are translated vertically, in the condition of figure 1, by respective retractable actuators for their translation perpendicular to the support surface between an operating condition, in which they protrude from this surface, and a retracted condition in which they re-enter the shape of the support element 5 for the free movement of pallets and / or loads on the motorized roller conveyor 25. These gripping elements of each pair are also actuated by corresponding clamping actuators in mutual approach and separation, that is, in a right-to-left direction or, in other words, parallel to the direction of transport of the roller conveyor, to clamp and release, in the operating condition, the pallets placed on the support element 5, securing and releasing them from the latter.

[0043] The gripping elements 27 preferably consist of metal plates movable in the spaces between two adjacent rollers of the motorized roller conveyor 25. The face of each gripping element 27 assigned to contact with a load or pallet may be provided with a coating or mat of one or more layers of resilient and / or high-friction material, solid and / or perforated.

[0044] The invention alternatively provides for the roller conveyor to be partially idle and partially motorized, or to be completely idle, with the gripping elements 27 replaced or flanked by transverse pushers or pushers mobile in the direction of the roller conveyor's transport.

[0045] The coordinated operation of the motorized roller conveyor 25 and of the gripping elements 27 allows pallets and loads C to be positioned in predefined areas of the support element, for example, precisely in the position between the two flat members 11 of the lateral pressure member 7.

[0046] The support element 5 is connected to the frame 3 via a translation element 31 of the type with two mutually orthogonal axes parallel to said support surface or, preferably and as illustrated in the figures, of the type with three axes, two of which are parallel to saidsupport surface and the third is perpendicular to them or, in other word, vertical in the condition shown in figure 1.

[0047] The device 1 comprises a base 33, for example of a type comprising a sheet metal body whose lower surface, possibly provided with feet, rests on or is fixed to a floor or other fixed structure.

[0048] The frame 3 is connected to the base 33 in a rotatable manner. This connection can be carried out by means of a horizontal pin-and-bushing coupling or, preferably, as illustrated in the figures, by means of rotation actuators of the base 33 engaged with rotation elements of the frame 3.

[0049] The rotation actuators of the base 33 comprise a support and rotation cradle 35 provided with two lateral sets of rollers 37, at least one of which is motorized, and the rotation elements of the frame 3 comprise a circular or, as illustrated in the figures, semicircular rotation guide 39 for each set of rollers 37, where each rotation guide 39 abuts a respective set of rollers 37.

[0050] The set of rollers corresponding to a rotation guide can comprise two or three pairs, or preferably sets of three, of aligned rollers 37, where such sets of three are arranged to abut the rotation guide, which is provided with a protruding median crest or flange assigned to fit between two adjacent rollers of each set of three. The bottom right of figure 7 illustrates, by way of example, a motor that drives at least one set of three rollers 37, which transmit the rotational motion to the respective rotation guide 39, which rotates the frame 3 attached to it.

[0051] Device 1 also comprises a longitudinal pusher element 41 having a flat face parallel to the support surface and assigned to contact at least one end face of the load, where this face of the longitudinal pusher element 41 is driven towards and away from the support element 5 by a respective translator 43 whose body is fixed to the frame 3. This translator 43 comprises at least one linear actuator, for example a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder type, an electric chain or belt actuator type, a screw and nut, or the like, and comprisesguides perpendicular to the support surface, to clamp and release a load placed on the support element 5.

[0052] The longitudinal pusher element 41 protrudes from the front of the wall 23 and is fixed to the respective translator 43 by one or more arms sliding in respective slots carried out in the wall 23. The maximum distance of the longitudinal pusher element 41 from the support element 5 is greater than the maximum height of the load C.

[0053] Device 1 includes or is connected to a digital control element.

[0054] The digital control element is programmable and is provided with memories, at least one microprocessor, interfaces, and various type of connections.

[0055] The digital control element is connected to sensors, probes, and / or detectors associated with each active and / or moving element of the device itself and connected to each actuator and active part of the device for their programmed and coordinated activation and for possible coupling and synchronization with pallet and load feeding and collection devices.

[0056] A possible operation of the device 1 to replace a pallet supporting a load with a replacement pallet involves the following steps described in accordance with figures 4-14, starting from a condition illustrated in figure 4 in which the support element 5 is horizontal and at the left end of its lateral travel, the lateral pressure member 7 is in the retracted condition R, and the longitudinal pusher element 41 is at its maximum distance from the support element 5 and in which a conveyor line of a system connected to the device or operator-controlled means, such as a forklift, have feed the device, delivering, to the right of figure 4, a pallet carrying a load C to be replaced and, to the left, a replacement pallet which, in the example in question, is higher than the pallet being replaced.

[0057] The coordinated operation of the motorized roller conveyor 25 and of the gripping elements 27 allows the correct positioning of the pallets, with the load placed under thelongitudinal pusher element 41, as illustrated in figure 5.

[0058] The actuation of the anteroposterior translation actuator of the translation element 31 translates the support element 5 backward until the rear face of the load touches, or almost touches, the wall 23, as illustrated in the transition from figure 7 to figure 8.

[0059] If necessary or appropriate, the translation element 31, in particular its actuator along the axis perpendicular to the support element 5, raises the latter as necessary to bring the lower layer of the load, such as boxes or packages, to the level of the lower portion of the two flat members 11 of the lateral pressure member 7, as schematically illustrated in figure 6.

[0060] The execution sequence of the phases in figures 7, 8, and 6 can be reversed or these phases can be simultaneous.

[0061] Actuation of the translating element 9 places the lateral pressure member 7 in the protruding condition L, and actuation of the clamping member 15 brings the two flat members 11 closer together until the load C is clamped between them and therefore blocked with respect to the lateral pressure member 7 and with respect to the wall 23, as illustrated in figure 9.

[0062] Actuation of the rotation actuators of the base 33 causes the rotation of approximately 135° of the frame 3, of everything connected to it, of the pallets and of the load around a horizontal geometric axis, reaching the condition shown in figure 10.

[0063] Actuation of the actuator along the axis perpendicular to the support element 5 of the translation element 31, moves the support element 5 and the pallet to be replaced away from the longitudinal pusher element 41 and therefore from the load, reaching the condition shown in figure 11.

[0064] Actuation of the actuator along the lateral axis of the translation element 31 translates and moves the pallet to be replaced away from the load and faces the replacement pallet tothe base face of the load C as shown in figure 12.

[0065] The sequential actuation of the translation element 31 and of the rotation actuators of the base 33 causes the replacement pallet to abut with the base face of the load and the frame 3 to counter-rotate, returning the support element 5 to the horizontal position as shown in figure 13.

[0066] The lifting of the longitudinal pusher element 41 and the opening of the lateral pressure member 7 make the load on the replacement pallet and the replaced pallet available for evacuation, or for their removal from the device 1, which becomes available for a new cycle.

[0067] It is important to note that the device for handling a packaging load, object of the present invention, and having the characteristics already described and summarized below: a frame 3 having a support element 5 that forms a support surface for pallets and loads;

[0068] a lateral pressure member 7 placed on the support element 5 to accommodate one side of the load or to clamp the load and connected to the frame 3 via a linear translating element 9 parallel to the support surface to translate the lateral pressure member 7 between a protruding condition L and a retracted condition R with respect to the support element 5;

[0069] - where the frame 3 is connected to a base 33 in a rotatable manner and the base 33 is rotated by actuators for the rotation of the frame 3 while the support element 5 is provided with a motorized roller conveyor 25;

[0070] - where this motorized roller conveyor 25 has one or two pairs of gripping elements 27 translated vertically and clamped by respective actuators to allow the transit or to clamp the pallets;

[0071] it can be advantageously inserted into a line for the supply and evacuation of loads supported by pallets to be replaced and replacement pallets, respectively, safely, quickly, and in line. For example, this device allows the path of pallets and loads moving on the motorized roller conveyor to be cleared by retracting the lateral pressure members and gripping elements. This allows the motorized roller conveyor to be inserted into a largerhandling line, such as a plant.

[0072] It should also be noted that the device can receive, from a transport vehicle or preferably from the infeed conveyor, a load without a pallet and can provide this load with a support pallet.

[0073] Must be further noted that the three axes translation element (31) supporting and moving the element (5) in respect to the frame (3) allows the use of pallets to be replaced and of replacing pallet with different height while keeping firmly and safely the load and its lower portion.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Device for handling a packaging load comprising at least one frame (3) provided with at least one support element (5) defining at least one support plane and assigned to at least support or contact with a load (C) or with a pallet having a respective load (C), said device (1) also comprises at least a lateral pressure member (7) assigned to contact at least one side of the load (C) placed on the support element (5); said lateral pressure member (7) is connected to the frame (3) at least via a linear translating element (9) whose translation direction is parallel to the support plane and which translates the lateral pressure member (7) between a protruding condition (L) in which the latter (7) is adjacent to the support element (5), to contact with, and / or to clamp, the load (C), and a retracted condition (R) in which the lateral pressure member (7) is moved away by a predetermined distance from the support element (5) and allows the load (C) to be freely positioned on the support element (5); said device (1) is characterized in that the frame (3) is connected to a base (33) of the device (1) in a rotatable manner and that the base (33) is provided with at least actuators for rotating the frame (3) and in that the support element (5) is provided with a motorized roller conveyor (25) defining said support plane and is provided with one or two pairs of gripping elements (27), wherein the gripping elements of each pair are translated vertically by respective translation actuators perpendicular to the support plane between an operating condition, in which they protrude from said plane, and a disappearing condition in which they re-enter the shape of the support element (5) for the free transit of the pallets and / or load on the motorized roller conveyor (25), and where such gripping elements of each pair are operated by corresponding actuators in mutual approach and distance to be able to clamp and release, in the operating condition, the pallets placed on the support element (5) constraining and freeing them from the latter.2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the lateral pressure member (7) is provided with two flat members (11) perpendicular to the support plane, movable and operated by a clamping member (15) in mutual distance and approach to clamp andrelease the load (C), and the translating element (9) comprises a set of respective retraction guides (17) parallel to the support plane and parallel to the flat members (11) for the front and rear sliding of at least one carriage (19) of the lateral pressure member (7) operated by a respective actuator (21).3) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that each flat member (11) comprises a set of elongated and coplanar prismatic elements and that the frame (3) comprises a wall (23) provided with a window for the passage and translation of each elongated prismatic element of the flat members (11), where in the retracted condition (R) the flat members (11) and the respective sets of elongated prismatic elements are behind the wall (23), and where in the protruding condition (L) the elongated prismatic elements of the flat members (11) protrude from the wall (23).4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the support element (5) is connected to the frame (3) by means of a translation element (31) of the type with two axes parallel to said support plane or of the type with three axes of which two parallel to said support plane and the third perpendicular to them.5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the base (33) is provided with at least one support and rotation cradle provided with two sets of rollers (37) of which at least one is motorized, and that the frame (3) is provided with a circular or semicircular rotation guide (39) for each set of rollers (37), wherein each rotation guide (39) contacts a respective set of rollers (37).6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a longitudinal pusher element (41) having a flat face parallel to the support plane and assigned to contact at least one end face of the load, wherein such face of the longitudinal pusher element (41) is operated towards and away from the support element (5) by a respective translator (43) fixed to the frame (3) to clamp and release a load placed on the support element (5).7) Device according to claims 3 and 6 characterized in that the longitudinal pusherelement (41) protrudes ahead of the wall (23) and it (41) is fixed to the respective translator (43) by means of one or more arms sliding in respective slots of the wall (23).8) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises, or is connected to, a digital and programmable control element connected to sensors, probes and / or detectors associated with each active and / or mobile element of the device itself and connected to each actuator and active part of the device for their programmed and coordinated actuation and for the possible coupling and synchronization with means for feeding and picking up the pallets and loads.

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