Stacker and / or destacker system for stackable bins and method for implementing the system for stacking and destacking bins

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stacker and / or destacker system for bins, comprising: - two posts defining between them a transverse plane, - a drive mechanism, and - for each post, lateral support arms positioned one above the other on the post, in sliding connection along the post and connected to one another, in pairs, by a flexible link; the drive mechanism respectively synchronously drives an upper lateral support arm of each post in translation, and the translation of the upper lateral support arm in a first direction progressively drives a translation of the other lateral support arms, by tensioning of the respective flexible links, and, in a second direction, opposite the first direction, progressively drives a stack of the lateral support arms on top of one another, by bending of the flexible links.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: STACKABLE AND / OR DESTASKER SYSTEM FOR STACKABLE CONTAINERS AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM FOR STACKABLE AND DESTASKERING CONTAINERS

[0003] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0004] This presentation concerns the field of materials handling. More specifically, it concerns a stacking and / or destacking system for stackable containers and a method for implementing the system to stack and destack containers.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Transporting items or goods of different sizes within a warehouse or between two means of transport may require the use of standardized sized bins.

[0007] The use of stackable bins makes it easier to store and handle items for transport. Furthermore, the bins can be easily stacked on top of each other, whether empty or full, to save space and reduce moving time. In fact, it is then possible to move a stack of bins directly instead of having to move them one by one. The stack can be moved using a rolling dolly, commonly known as a trolley.

[0008] However, stacking or unstacking bins on a dolly typically requires handling each bin individually, which can be time-consuming and physically demanding for an operator. Indeed, each bin can be quite heavy and bulky.

[0009] Furthermore, stacking or unstacking bins requires careful attention to the fragility of the contents. Bins should not be thrown onto one another or come into contact with each other too forcefully.

[0010] It is possible to stack / unstack the bins from the top, in other words, by stacking / unstacking the bin from the top of the stack. However, this requires moving each bin up / down to / from the height of the stack in question.

[0011] It is also possible to stack / unstack the bins from the bottom, in other words, by stacking / unstacking the bin from the underside of the stack. However, this introduces many complications and wastes time. Some robotic structures allow bins to be stacked on top of each other, but they use complex systems and require the implementation of complicated and time-consuming control processes.

[0012] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The aim of this presentation is to solve at least one of the problems mentioned above and to propose a system / process allowing for the rapid and efficient stacking and / or unstacking of a plurality of containers.

[0014] To this end, this presentation proposes a stacking and / or destacking system for bins, the stacking and / or destacking system comprising:

[0015] - two posts extending from a support, parallel to a stacking axis, and defining a transverse plane between them,

[0016] - an engine, and

[0017] - for each post, lateral support arms positioned one above the other on the post, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the transverse plane, the lateral support arms being in sliding connection along the post and connected to each other, two by two, by a flexible link;

[0018] in which the motor drives, respectively, in synchronous translation, an upper lateral support arm of each post, the upper lateral support arm being positioned above the other lateral support arms on the post, and

[0019] in which, for each post, the translation of the upper lateral support arm in a first direction progressively causes a translation of the other lateral support arms, by tensioning the respective flexible links, and, in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, progressively causes the lateral support arms to stack one on top of the other, by bending the flexible links, and

[0020] in which each lateral support arm of each of the posts is configured to carry a tray.

[0021] This stacking and / or destacking system allows for the automatic, easy, and rapid stacking and destacking of containers. The system is simplified by the use of a single motor, which can be as simple as one motor. By stacking / destacking from the bottom, it eliminates the need to manually lift the top container from the stack. It requires only a simplified control program. By supporting each container in the stack with an arm on each post, it allows for the continuous and direct lifting of each new container. Furthermore, because each container in the stack is individually supported during the stacking process, the maximum permissible weight per container can be greater than with a system that only supports the bottom container and thus indirectly all the containers. This also makes the system more compact.

[0022] Advantageously, but optionally, the described process includes at least one of the following features, taken alone or in any combination: - the motorization includes a single motor, a drum and links, the drum transmitting the movement from the motor to the respective upper lateral support arm of each post by means of the links.

[0023] - the motorization includes a motor on each post, the motor of each of the two posts respectively driving in translation the respective upper lateral support arm.

[0024] - the flexible link has an extended length greater than the height of the bins, the flexible link allowing in the absence of tension to position the lateral support arms of each post one on top of the other and under tension to space the lateral support arms of each post two-by-two by a distance greater than the height of a bin.

[0025] - the system includes on one side of the transverse plane, a bin opening for the passage of a bin and, on the other side of the transverse plane, a stacking opening for the passage of a stack of a plurality of bins.

[0026] - the system includes a conveyor configured to move a bin through the bin opening in a direction parallel to the lateral support arms and to deposit or pick up a bin across the transverse plane.

[0027] - the conveyor is mobile in translation parallel to the lateral support arms relative to the bin opening to position itself or not across the transverse plane.

[0028] - the system includes a conveyor supply ramp, the supply ramp being configured to move a bin to / from the conveyor when the conveyor is positioned across the transverse plane, the conveyor being mobile in translation relative to the supply ramp.

[0029] - the system includes a housing for a rolling platform for transporting a stack, the housing being positioned across the transverse plane, below the lateral support arms and is configured to receive a rolling platform and to allow the conveyor to position itself across the transverse plane without coming into contact with the rolling platform.

[0030] - the conveyor includes a retractable tray translator, the conveyor being configured to move the rolling tray positioned in the housing outwards from the system, via the tray translator.

[0031] According to another aspect, a method of stacking containers by a stacking and / or destacking system as previously described is proposed.

[0032] The process includes:

[0033] - the positioning of a conveyor across the transverse plane,

[0034] - the transit of a bin through a bin opening on the conveyor, until it is across the transverse plane, and

[0035] - a drive system using the motorized upper lateral support arm of each post along the respective posts to lift the bin by the respective lateral support arms of the posts, the upper lateral support arm being driven until the bottom of the bin is at a conveyor height greater than the height of a bin; wherein the transport and drive are implemented successively until there are no more bins on the conveyor or until all the lateral support arms are supporting a bin,

[0036] the process then includes:

[0037] - a withdrawal of the conveyor from the transverse plane,

[0038] - a drive by motorization of the respective upper lateral support arm of each post along the posts towards the support to rest the bins on each other and create a stack of bins.

[0039] Advantageously, but optionally:

[0040] - the method further comprises, following the training of the respective upper lateral support arm of each post along the posts towards the support:

[0041] - a positioning of the conveyor across the transverse plane, the positioning ejecting the stack of bins through a stacking opening, and

[0042] - a drive by motorization of the respective upper lateral support arm of each post along the posts towards the support to position the lateral support arms of each post one on top of the other.

[0043] - The process includes: - a drive by motorization of the respective upper lateral support arm of each post along the posts so that all the lateral support arms can support a tray of a stack that would be positioned across the transverse plane,

[0044] - a positioning of the stack across the transverse plane by means of a stacking opening,

[0045] - a drive by motorizing the respective upper lateral support arm of each post along the respective posts to lift each bin from the stack by the respective lateral support arms of the posts, the upper lateral support arm being driven until the bottom of the bin closest to the support allows a conveyor to position itself across the transverse plane,

[0046] - a drive system using the motorized upper lateral support arm of each post along the posts towards the support to rest the container closest to the support on the conveyor, and

[0047] - a transit of the container considered by the conveyor through a container opening outside the transverse plane;

[0048] in which training and transit are carried out successively until there are no more bins on the lateral support arms.

[0049] According to another aspect, a computer program product is proposed comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the previously described process and / or the previously described destacking process by the elements of the previously described stacker and / or destacker system, when this program is executed by a control module.

[0050] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0051] Other features, purposes, and advantages will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not exhaustive, and should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings on which:

[0052] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the stacking and / or destacking system of this presentation.

[0053] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a simplified embodiment of the stacking and / or destacking system of this presentation.

[0054] Figure 3A illustrates another perspective view of a simplified embodiment of the stacking and / or destacking system of this presentation. Figure 3B illustrates another perspective view of another simplified embodiment of the stacking and / or destacking system of this presentation.

[0055] Figure 4 illustrates two side views of one implementation step of the stacking process described in this presentation.

[0056] Figure 5 illustrates two side views of one implementation step of the stacking process described in this presentation.

[0057] Figure 6 illustrates two side views of one implementation step of the stacking process described in this presentation.

[0058] Figure 7 illustrates two side views of one implementation step of the stacking process described in this presentation.

[0059] Figure 8 illustrates two side views of one implementation step of the stacking process described in this presentation.

[0060] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the implementation steps of the stacking process described in this presentation.

[0061] Figure 10 is a flowchart of the implementation steps of the destacking process described in this presentation.

[0062] Figure 11 illustrates a side view of a step in removing a rolling platform according to one implementation method of the stacking process of this presentation.

[0063] Across all figures, similar elements bear identical references.

[0064] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] Figure 1 illustrates a possible embodiment of a stacking and / or destacking system for bins 2. The bin 2 stacking and / or destacking system is configured to allow bins 2 to be stacked on top of each other and to be destashed from a stack of bins 2. In other words, the bin 2 stacking and / or destacking system is configured to receive bins 2 one after the other and stack them on top of each other to produce a stack of bins 3, but also, conversely, to receive a stack of bins 2 stacked on top of each other and destack them to produce the bins 2, initially stacked, one after the other. A bin 2 is understood to be a container, generally made of plastic, of standard sizes and which can be stacked with others. The 2-compartment container is commonly known as the shuttle 2-compartment container, the distribution / transport 2-compartment container, or the stackable 2-compartment container. The 2-compartment container is typically 600 x 400 x 320 mm or 600 x 400 x 400 mm.Bin 2 may or may not have a lid, but in any case, it can be stacked on top of another Bin 2 and itself can be stacked on top of another Bin 2 to form a stack of three. Furthermore, Bin 2s can be configured to store different items. Bin 2s must be strong enough to support loads of several tens of kilograms. In addition, Bin 2s have a rim around their top surface. This rim makes Bin 2s easier to grip and support.

[0066] Bin stacking and / or destacking system

[0067] The stacking and / or unstacking system 1 of bins 2 comprises symmetrically two posts 4 extending from a support 5 for stacking and unstacking bins 2 and a motor 10.

[0068] As illustrated in Figure 2, the posts 4 are parallel to an axis called the stacking axis X. The stacking axis X is orthogonal to the support 5 and therefore preferentially vertical. The two posts 4 thus define between them a plane called the transverse plane 6. The transverse plane 6 is the plane on which a stack will be aligned in the stacking and / or destacking system 1. The posts 4 allow for the stacking and destacking of the bins 2. The two posts 4 can be positioned within a frame or a housing. The stacking and destacking is configured to be carried out between the posts 4 inside the frame, if any.

[0069] Each of the two posts 4 includes a mechanical translation device 7 and lateral support arms 8, or transverse supports, positioned one above the other on the post 4. Hereafter what will be described for one post 4 applies without reservation to both posts 4, the two posts 4 being identical.

[0070] The mechanical translation device 7 for each post 4 can be a rack, a rail, a slide, or any other system allowing controlled translation of the lateral support arms 8 along the post. The motor 10 allows the lateral support arms 8 to be translated along the mechanical translation device 7.

[0071] The lateral support arms 8 on the post 4 are positioned in a sliding joint along the post 4. The lateral support arms 8 on the post 4 are also parallel to each other and perpendicular to the transverse plane 6. Thus, the lateral support arms 8 of each of the two posts 4 are all parallel to each other. The lateral support arms 8 can be rods or profiles and are configured to support a tray 2 by its rim. Each lateral support arm 8 can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the transverse plane 6 to allow for a homogeneous distribution of the weight of the tray 2 on the lateral support arm 8. Hereafter, the term "across the transverse plane 6" will refer to anything that intersects the transverse plane 6 and, in particular, anything within the span of the lateral support arms 8 on either side of the transverse plane 6.

[0072] The lateral support arms 8 on the post 4 are connected to each other in pairs by a flexible link 9. The flexible link 9 can be a strap or a wire. The flexible link 9 is securely attached to a lateral support arm 8 at each of its ends. The flexible link 9 allows the lateral support arms 8 to move in series along the post 4 and also to stack side-by-side on the post 4. Indeed, the translation of the lateral support arms 8 in a first direction gradually puts tension on the respective flexible links 9, while the translation of the lateral support arms 8 in a second direction, opposite to the first, gradually stacks the lateral support arms 8 on top of each other by bending the flexible links 9.

[0073] For each post 4, the lateral support arms 8 of the post 4 include an upper lateral support arm 18. The upper lateral support arm 18 is the lateral support arm 8 positioned above the other lateral support arms 8 on the post 4, in other words, the highest on the post 4 relative to the support 5. The translation of the upper lateral support arm 18 by the motor 10 is configured to progressively drive that of the other lateral support arms 8 of the post 4 via the flexible links 9.Indeed, the translation of the upper lateral support arm 18 in the first direction causes a progressive tensioning of the flexible links 9 between successive lateral support arms 8, and therefore their joint translation along the post 4. Conversely, the translation of the upper lateral support arm 18 in the second direction causes a progressive flexing of the flexible links 9 between successive lateral support arms 8, and therefore their translation along the post 4 in the second direction, followed by their stacking one on top of the other. Thus, only the upper lateral support arm 18 cooperates with the motor 10, and the other lateral support arms 8 are simply connected to the upper lateral support arm 18 by the flexible links 9 and via a sliding connection on the post 4 in order to simplify the stacking and / or destacking system 1. Furthermore, the translations of the upper lateral support arm 18 of the two posts 4 are configured to be synchronized with each other.Each lateral support arm 8 of each post 4 can therefore translate along its post 4 while remaining in the same plane parallel to the support 5 as a lateral support arm 8 of the other post 4. This ensures a coordinated and symmetrical translation of the lateral support arms 8 on both posts 4 and thus allows the flat movement of bins 2 along the stacking axis X, each with a lateral support arm 8 of each post 4. In other words, a bin 2 positioned across the transverse plane 6 is configured so that it can be moved along the stacking axis X by a lateral support arm 8 of each post 4.

[0074] Engine

[0075] The motor 10 is configured to translate the lateral support arms 8, in sliding connection on the mechanical translation device 7, along the column 4 considered, in the first direction and in the second direction to raise or lower the lateral support arms 8. In addition, the motor 10 is further configured to translate synchronously the respective lateral support arms 8 of each column 4.

[0076] The motorization 10 can therefore respectively drive in translation in a synchronous manner the upper lateral support arm 18 of each post 4 to move the respective lateral support arms 8 of each post 4 in translation.

[0077] According to an embodiment illustrated by figure 3A, the motorization 10 comprises a single motor 101, a drum 102 and links 103.

[0078] The motor 101 can be positioned on the stacker and / or destacker system 1, in other words on the top of the posts 4, opposite the support 5. The motor 101 can be configured to drive the rotation of the drum 102.

[0079] The drum 102 can be an axis extending parallel to the transverse plane 6 and perpendicular to the stacking axis X to go from one post 4 to the other post 4.

[0080] The links 103 may be two in number and respectively fixed to the drum parallel to each post 4. The links 103 are also respectively attached to one of the upper lateral support arms 18. The links 103 may be straps or ropes, or any other element allowing for the transmission of force and winding around the drum 102. The rotation of the drum 102 is configured to wind / unwind the links 103 synchronously and symmetrically so that the links descend / ascend along the posts 4. The winding / unwinding of the links 103 around the drum 102 causes the respective synchronous and symmetrical translation of the upper lateral support arms 18 and therefore the translation of the respective lateral support arms 8 attached to each of the upper lateral support arms 18.

[0081] The drum 102 and the links 103 thus allow a simplification of the system and a synchronous transmission of the movement from the single motor 101 to the respective upper lateral support arm 18 of each post 4.

[0082] According to one embodiment, illustrated by Figure 3B, the drive system 10 comprises a motor 100 on each post 4. The motor 100 on each post 4 is configured to drive the upper lateral support arm 18 in translation along the post 4. The motor 100 can be fixed to the upper lateral support arm 18 and cooperate with the translation mechanism 7 to translate the upper lateral support arm 18 on the post 4. The motor 100 can, for example, drive a pinion in rotation that meshes with a rack, which then acts as the translation mechanism 7.

[0083] The synchronization of the movement of the two motors 100 sets can be controlled by a control module 11, illustrated in Figure 1. The control module 11 can be a computer. The computer is configured to execute program code instructions for carrying out the steps of a stacking and / or destacking process described below.

[0084] The flexible link 9 can have an extended length greater than the height of the bins 2. This allows, when untensioned, the lateral support arms 8 of each post 4 to be positioned one on top of the other, and, when tensioned, to be spaced two by two along the post 4 by a distance greater than the height of a bin. The flexible link 9 is therefore sufficiently flexible to bend and thus not impede the movement of the lateral support arms 8 towards each other, but also sufficiently strong and robust to support the weight of one or more bins 2.

[0085] As illustrated in Figure 3A, the stacking and / or destacking system 1 may include a bin opening 12 and a stacking opening 13. The bin opening 12 is configured to allow the passage of a bin 2 and is positioned on one side of the transverse plane 6, and the stacking opening 13 is configured to allow the passage of a stack of a plurality of bins 2 and is positioned on the other side of the transverse plane 6 relative to the bin opening 12. The stacking and / or destacking system 1 may further include, as mentioned previously, a housing 16 for a rolling platform 17. The rolling platform 17 (dolly or diabolo type) is configured to transport a stack, for example, through the stacking opening 13, and thus move a stack into or out of the stacking and / or destacking system 1. The housing 16 is positioned across the plane transverse 6 and below the lateral support arms 8.

[0086] Conveyor

[0087] The bin opening 12 can be equipped with a conveyor 14. The conveyor 14 is configured to transport a bin 2 through the bin opening 12 in a direction orthogonal to the transverse plane 6, in other words, a direction parallel to the lateral support arms 8. Furthermore, the conveyor 14 is configured to pass over the housing 16. In other words, the conveyor 14 is configured to position itself across the transverse plane 6 without coming into contact with the rolling platform 17 positioned in the housing 16.

[0088] The conveyor 14 can be a conveyor belt or any other system that allows a bin 2 to be moved. The conveyor 14 itself can move in translation along the direction perpendicular to the transverse plane 6. Thus, the conveyor 14 can be positioned across the transverse plane 6 or not. This allows the conveyor 14 to move a bin 2 along the transverse plane 6, but also to move away from the transverse plane 6 so as not to obstruct it, for example, allowing a bin 2 to be placed on a rolling platform 17 positioned on the support 5, as explained below. The conveyor 14 is therefore motorized in translation relative to the opening of the bin 12, in addition to being motorized to move a bin 2.

[0089] Furthermore, the conveyor 14 may include a turntable translator 19. The turntable translator 19 is configured to allow the conveyor 14 to move a rolling platform 17 that is positioned, or to be positioned, in the housing 16. In other words, the conveyor 14, while passing over the housing 16, can be controlled to move a rolling platform 17 into the housing 16 by means of the turntable translator 19, which can extend from the conveyor 14 to the rolling platform 17 to be moved. This allows the housing 16 to be freed up without user intervention to allow another rolling platform 17 to be positioned there. It can also allow a rolling platform 17 to be positioned in the housing 16 without user intervention.

[0090] The tray translator 19 can move the rolling tray 17 when the conveyor 16 passes through from the inside to the outside of system 1, to empty the housing 16, or from the outside to the inside of system 1, to position a new rolling tray 17 in the housing 16.

[0091] The platform translator 19 may include an actuator 20 and a gripper 21. The actuator 20 may be a cylinder, a motor, or any other element capable of driving the gripper in motion. The gripper 21 may be a rod, an arm, a claw, or any other retractable element configured to move between a retracted position, in which the gripper 21 does not come into contact with the rolling platform 17 positioned in the housing 16, and an extended position, in which the gripper 21 allows the conveyor 14 to drive the rolling platform 17 positioned in the housing 16 in translation.

[0092] The stacker and / or destacker system 1 may also include a supply ramp 15, as illustrated in Figure 1. The supply ramp 15 can be configured to feed / unload the conveyor 14 with bins 2. The supply ramp 15 is thus configured to move a bin 2 to / from the conveyor 14 when the conveyor 14 is positioned across the transverse plane 6. The conveyor 14 can be movable in translation relative to the supply ramp 15 so that it can be positioned across the transverse plane 6 or not without requiring a movement of the supply ramp 15.

[0093] The system includes position sensors, and other sensors, to enable the correct operation of the stacking and / or destacking system 1. For example, the stacking and / or destacking system 1 may include a sensor to detect the presence or absence of a bin on the conveyor 14 across the transverse plane 6 or the position of each of the lateral support arms 8 along the posts 4, as well as the position of the conveyor 14.

[0094] The stacker and / or destacker system 1 enables the implementation of a simple and rapid stacking and destacking process.

[0095] Stacking method

[0096] To quickly and easily stack two bins on top of each other, steps of the stacking process can be implemented on the stacker and / or destacker system 1. These steps can be implemented by the control module 11, which executes a computer program product comprising program code instructions. The stacking process includes the steps described below and illustrated in Figure 9 and Figures 4 to 8. In Figures 4 to 8, a side view and a front view of the stacker and / or destacker system 1 are shown side-by-side for clarity. At the start of the stacking process, the stacker and / or destacker system 1 may be configured such that all the lateral support arms 8 are stacked on top of each other at the bottom of their respective posts 4.

[0097] The conveyor 14 is translated (step E1) parallel to the lateral support arm 8 to position itself across the transverse plane 6, and therefore under the lateral support arms 8, as illustrated by figure 4.

[0098] In addition, the conveyor 14 can be previously translated parallel to the lateral support arm 8 to position a rolling platform 17 in the housing 16 via the platform translator 19.

[0099] Next, the supply ramp 15 can be started to supply (E2) the conveyor 14 with bins 2. Each bin 2 positioned on the conveyor 14 travels along the conveyor 14 through the bin opening, until it is across the transverse plane 6.

[0100] Once a bin 2 is positioned on the conveyor 14 across the transverse plane 6, the control module 11 can identically and synchronously control a drive (E3) via the motor 10 of the respective upper lateral support arm 18 of each post 4 along the respective posts 4. The drive E3 allows the bin 2 to be lifted by the respective lateral support arms 8 of the posts 4, as illustrated in Figure 5. The drive continues until the bin 2 is lifted by the lateral support arms 8 of the conveyor 14 and until the bottom of the bin 2 is at a height of the conveyor 14 greater than the height of a bin, as illustrated in Figure 6. If the positioned bin 2 is the first bin, the lateral support arms 8 configured to lift it can be the upper lateral support arms 18 of the posts 4.But it is also possible to lift the first bin 2 by lateral support arms 8 other than the upper lateral support arms 18, and then a first drive is commanded before positioning to translate the upper lateral support arms 18 to a height of the conveyor 14 greater than the height of a bin.

[0101] The supply (E2) and drive (E3) are implemented successively until there are no more bins 2 on the conveyor 14 or until all the lateral support arms 8 are supporting a bin 2. Once the bins 2 to be stacked are positioned on the lateral support arms 8 of the stacking and / or destacking system 1, the process includes a withdrawal (E4) of the conveyor 14 from the transverse plane 6, as illustrated in Figure 7. During the withdrawal (E4), the conveyor 14 is translated parallel to the lateral support arms 8 to move away from under the bins 2.

[0102] Once conveyor 14 is removed, control module 11 activates a drive (E5) for the respective upper lateral support arm 18 of each post 4 along the posts 4 towards the support 5. The descent of the lateral support arms 8 places the bin 2 closest to the support 5 onto a rolling platform 17 previously positioned in the housing 16 (for example, by conveyor 14 using the platform translator 19). The descent also places all the bins 2 on top of each other, as they are no longer supported by the lateral support arms 8. The drive of the upper lateral support arms 18 along the posts 4 towards the support 5 thus creates a stack 3 of bins 2.

[0103] Finally, stack 3 can be ejected (E6) from the stacking and / or destacking system 1, as illustrated in Figure 8. To do this, it is possible to command a translation (E1) of the conveyor 14 across the transverse plane 6. The translation (E1) of the conveyor 14 brings the conveyor 14 into contact with the stack 3 and thus ejects the stack 3 from bin 2 through the stacking opening 13.

[0104] Furthermore, and in order to return the drive system to the stacking position, the upper lateral support arms 18 can be driven (E0) along the posts 4 towards the support 5 to position the lateral support arms 8 of each post 4 on top of each other.

[0105] Destacking process

[0106] To quickly and easily unstack bins 2, it is possible to implement steps of the unstacking process on the stacker and / or unstacker system 1. The implementation of these steps can be carried out by the control module 11 which executes a computer program product including program code instructions.

[0107] The destacking process is the reverse of the stacking process.

[0108] The destacking process comprises the steps described below and illustrated in Figure 10. At the beginning of the stacking process, the stacker and / or destacker system 1 may be such that the conveyor 14 is not across the transverse plane 6 and the housing 16 is free. The upper lateral support arms 18 are driven (E7) by the drive 10 along the posts 4 so that the lateral support arm 8 of each post 4, higher than the lateral support arm 8 closest to the support 5, is positioned at a height of the support 5 greater than the height of a bin. Thus, the lateral support arms 8 are positioned so that all the lateral support arms 8 can support a bin 2 from a stack 3 that would be positioned across the transverse plane 6.In other words, the lateral support arms 8 are positioned so that all the lateral support arms 8 are below the respective rim of a bin 2 of the stack 3 which would be positioned across the transverse plane 6.

[0109] Once the lateral support arms 8 are positioned at regular intervals on the posts 4, the stack 3 of bin 2 is positioned (E8) across the transverse plane 6 by crossing the stacking opening 13.

[0110] The positioning (E8) can be achieved by the platform translator 19 of the conveyor 14. For this, the conveyor 14 can translate parallel to the lateral support arm 8 in the direction orthogonal to the transverse plane 6 and the translator can be controlled to grasp the rolling platform 17 supporting the stack 3 of bins 2 then the conveyor can translate parallel to the lateral support arm 8 but in the opposite direction to position the rolling platform 17 across the transverse plane 6.

[0111] Next, the upper lateral support arm 18 of the posts 4 is driven (step E9) by the motor 10 along the posts 4 to lift each bin 2 from the stack 3 by the lateral support arms 8 of the posts 4. The upper lateral support arm 18 is driven until the bottom of the bin 2 closest to the support 5 allows a conveyor 14 to position itself across the transverse plane 6. Once this step is completed, the conveyor 14 can be translated (step E10) across the transverse plane 6 and the destacking process itself can begin.

[0112] The respective upper lateral support arm 18 of each post 4 are driven (step E11) by the motorization 10 along the posts 4 towards the support 5 to rest the bin 2 closest to the support 5 on the conveyor 14.

[0113] Each time a bin 2 rests on conveyor 14, the bin 2 is transported (E12) by conveyor 14 through the bin opening 12 out of the transverse plane 6. Following the transport, the upper lateral support arm 18 is driven downwards again to place a new bin 2 on conveyor 14. The drive (E11) and the transport (E12) are implemented successively until there are no more bins 2 on the lateral support arms 8. In addition, as illustrated in Figure 11, the destacking process may include a step of removing the rolling platform 17 by conveyor 14. For this, conveyor 14 may translate parallel to the lateral support arm 8, through the bin opening 12 and towards the stacking opening 13. Then, the The plate translator 19 is controlled to grasp the rolling plate 17. In other words, the actuator 20 moves the gripper 21 into the extended position to grasp the rolling plate 17.Then the conveyor 14 translates parallel to the lateral support arm 8, in the opposite direction through the bin opening 12 and out of the system 1 to remove the rolling tray 17 from the housing 16. The housing 16 is thus freed from the emptied rolling tray 17 and the rolling tray 17 is positioned under the conveyor 14. A new rolling tray 17 can then be positioned in the housing 16, by the conveyor 14 or by another means.

[0114] Such a step, for example, facilitates the successive unstacking of several stacks of 3 bins. No operator intervention is required between the unstacking of two successive stacks of 3 bins. Indeed, once a stack of 3 bins is unstacking, the compartment 16 is freed and a new stack of 3 bins can be positioned in the system 1. Both the empty rolling platform 17, present in the compartment 16, and the new rolling platform 17, supporting the new stack and not yet present in the compartment 16, can be moved by the platform translator 19 attached to the conveyor 14.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Stacking and / or destacking system for bins (2), the stacking and / or destacking system (1) comprising: - two posts (4) extending from a support (5), parallel to a stacking axis (X), and defining between them a transverse plane (6), - a motor (10), and - for each post (4), lateral support arms (8) positioned one above the other on the post (4), parallel to each other and perpendicular to the transverse plane (6), the lateral support arms (8) being in sliding connection along the post (4) and connected to each other, two by two, by a flexible link (9); in which, the motor (10) respectively drives in translation in a synchronous manner an upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4), the upper lateral support arm (18) being positioned above the other lateral support arms (8) on the post (4), and in which, for each post (4), the translation of the upper lateral support arm (18) in a first direction progressively causes a translation of the other lateral support arms (8), by tensioning the respective flexible links (9), and, in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, progressively causes the lateral support arms (8) to stack one on top of the other, by bending the flexible links (9), and in which each lateral support arm (8) of each of the posts (4) is configured to carry a tray (2).

2. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive (10) comprises a single motor (101), a drum (102) and links (103), the drum (102) transmitting the movement from the motor (101) to the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) by the links (103).

3. Stacking and / or unstacking system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive (10) comprises a motor (100) on each post (4), the motor (100) of each of the two posts (4) respectively driving in translation the respective upper lateral support arm (18).

4. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible link (9) has an extended length greater than the height of the bins (2), the flexible link (9) allowing, in the absence of tension, the lateral support arms (8) of each post (4) to be positioned one on top of the other and, under tension, to be spaced two-by-two the lateral support arms (8) of each post (4) by a distance greater than the height of a bin (2).

5. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising, on one side of the transverse plane (6), a bin opening (12) for the passage of a bin (2) and, on the other side of the transverse plane (6), a stacking opening (13) for the passage of a stack (3) of a plurality of bins (2).

6. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to claim 5, comprising a conveyor (14) configured to carry a bin (2) through the bin opening (12) in a direction parallel to the lateral support arms (8) and to deposit or pick up a bin (2) across the transverse plane (6).

7. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to claim 6, in which the conveyor (14) is mobile in translation parallel to the lateral support arms (8) relative to the bin opening (12) to position itself or not across the transverse plane (6).

8. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, comprising a supply ramp (15) of the conveyor (14), the supply ramp (15) being configured to move a bin (2) to / from the conveyor (14) when the conveyor (14) is positioned across the transverse plane (6), the conveyor (14) being movable in translation relative to the supply ramp (15).

9. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a housing (16) for a rolling platform (17) for transporting a stack, the housing (16) being positioned across the transverse plane (6), below the lateral support arms (8) and is configured to receive a rolling platform (17) and to allow the conveyor (14) to position itself across the transverse plane (6) without coming into contact with the rolling platform (17).

10. Stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the conveyor (14) comprises a retractable tray translator (19), the conveyor (14) being configured to move the rolling tray (17) positioned in the housing (16) outwards from the system (1), by means of the tray translator (19).

11. Method for stacking bins (2) by a stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: - a positioning (E1) of a conveyor (14) across the transverse plane (6), - a transit (E2) of a bin (2) by the conveyor (14) through a bin opening (12), until it is across the transverse plane (6), and - a drive (E3) by the motorization (10) of the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) along the respective posts (4) to lift the bin (2) by the respective lateral support arms (8) of the posts (4), the upper lateral support arm (18) being driven until the bottom of the bin (2) is at a height of the conveyor (14) greater than the height of a bin (2); in which, the transit (E2) and the drive (E3) are implemented successively until there are no more bins (2) on the conveyor (14) or until all the lateral support arms (8) support a bin (2), the process then includes: - a withdrawal (E4) of the conveyor (14) from the transverse plane (6), - a drive (E5) by the motorization (10) of the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) along the posts (4) towards the support (5) to rest the bins (2) on top of each other and create a stack (3) of bins (2).

12. Stacking method according to claim 11, further comprising, following the drive of the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) along the posts (4) towards the support (5): - a positioning of the conveyor (14) across the transverse plane (6), the positioning ejecting (E6) the stack (3) of bin (2) through a stacking opening (13), and - a drive (E0) by the motorization (10) of the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) along the posts (4) towards the support (5) to position the lateral support arms (8) of each post (4) one on top of the other.

13. A method for destacking bins (2) by means of a stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: - a drive (E7) by the motorization (10) of the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) along the posts (4) so ​​that all the lateral support arms (8) can support a tray (2) of a stack (3) which would be positioned across the transverse plane (6), - a positioning (E8) of the stack (3) across the transverse plane (6) by a stacking opening (13), - a drive (E9) by the motorization (10) of the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) along the respective posts (4) to lift each bin (2) of the stack (3) by the respective lateral support arms (8) of the posts (4), the upper lateral support arm (18) being driven until the bottom of the bin (2) closest to the support (5) allows a conveyor (14) to position itself (E10) across the transverse plane (6), - a drive (E11) by the motorization (10) of the respective upper lateral support arm (18) of each post (4) along the posts (4) towards the support (5) to rest the bin (2) closest to the support (5) on the conveyor (14), and - a transit (E12) of the bin (2) considered by the conveyor (14) through a bin opening (12) outside the transverse plane (6); in which the drive (E11) and the transit (E12) are carried out successively until there are no more bins (2) on the lateral support arms (8).

14. Product computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the stacking process according to any one of claims 11 and 12 and / or the destacking process according to claim 13 by the elements of the stacking and / or destacking system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, when this program is executed by a control module (11).

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