WO2000071450A1

WO2000071450A1 - An apparatus and a method for collecting, relocating and depositing a layer unit to a pallet-loaded unit

Info

Publication number: WO2000071450A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/000993
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Aldin; Joakim Nordell; Roger SJÖBECK
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa
Priority date: 1999-05-20
Filing date: 2000-05-18
Publication date: 2000-11-30
Also published as: SE514620C2; SE9901836L; SE9901836D0; AU4968200A; AR024044A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an apparatus for collecting, relocating and depositing a layer unit to a pallet-loaded unit (1). The layer unit consists of a number of individual objects (3) placed on an interlay sheet (5). The interlay sheet (5) is of the type which, at each side of the sheet (5), has fold lines (7) and punchings (8) in a continuous pattern. The interlay sheet (5) is folded in the fold lines (7) into a frame (10). The apparatus comprises a pressure plate (16) placed on each side of the frame (10) and disposed to press against the frame (10) and the objects (3) so that the objects (3) are compressed. The apparatus further includes support fingers (18) mechanically interconnected with the pressure plates (16) so that the support fingers (18) are pivoted through 90° when the pressure plates (16) compress the layer unit.

Description

AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR COLLECTING, RELOCATING AND DEPOSITING A LAYER UNIT TO A PALLET- LOADED UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting, relocating and depositing a layer unit to a pallet-loaded unit, the layer unit consisting of a number of individual objects placed on an interlay sheet, the interlay sheet being of the type which, at each side of the sheet, has fold lines and punchings in a continuous pattern. The present invention also relates to a method herefor.

BACKGROUND ART

For selling foods to consumers, large food retail outlets today often elect to convey the goods into the retail outlet direct on the pallet on which the goods were supplied to the retailer. A large quantity of goods is sold in this manner, regularly or in connection with special sales campaigns, including liquid foods such as juice, fruit drinks, water and the like. Such foods are often packed in single-use disposable packages of the type which, for example, may have a parallelepipedic configuration.

In order to achieve the best sales outcome results, the aim is to have a stable pallet unit at the same time as the intention is to expose as much as possible of the product. In order to obtain a stable unit, the individual packages have most generally been packed in corrugated cardboard trays, possibly with a wrapping of corrugated cardboard. In order to achieve a favourable exposure of the packages, any possible wrapping must be torn away, which is a time-consuming operation. Also in recycling in retail outlets, both the tray and the wrapping must be taken care of. Nor are the costs for such corrugated cardboard components negligible. Attempts have also been made to place the packages direct in low corrugated cardboard boxes, corresponding to the surface of the pallet, or use has also been made of interlays which have been friction treated between each layer on the pallet. However, both of these methods result in extremely unstable pallet units and the risk that the packages fall off and be damaged is very great. Loading a pallet with packages in a pallet loader entails that the packages, in a first separate machine, have been marshalled together to units, placed in trays and possibly provided with a wrapping. These units are then placed one-by-one on a pallet in a further machine. However, manual packing of pallets still occurs to a large extent.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to realise an apparatus for being able, in continuity, to collect, relocate and deposit a unit consisting of a number of individual objects, marshalled together on an interlay sheet.

SOLUTION

These and other objects have been attained according to the present invention in that the apparatus of the type disclosed by way of introduction has been given the characterising features that the edges of the sheet are folded in fold lines so that the outer edges of the sheet form a frame at 90° to the sheet, and the frame extending on both sides of the sheet, the apparatus comprising a pressure plate placed on each side of the frame and operative to press against the frame and the objects, so that the objects are compressed to the layer unit, the apparatus further including support fingers mechanically interconnected with the f ressure plates, so that the fingers are pivoted through 90° when the pressure plates compress the layer unit. Preferred embodiments of the present invention have further been given the characterising features as set forth in the appended subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS One preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a pallet-loaded unit of the type which can be loaded employing the method according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an interlay sheet, unfolded; Fig. 3 shows an interlay sheet, folded;

Fig. 4 shows an apparatus according to the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an apparatus according to the present invention.

The Drawings show only those details essential to an understanding of the present invention, and the placing of the apparatus in a complete pallet loader, which is well-known to a person skilled in the art, has been omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for collecting, relocating and depositing a layer unit to a pallet-loaded unit 1, as the pallet-loaded unit 1 is shown in Fig. 1. The pallet-loaded unit 1 comprises a load carrier or a pallet 2, a number of individual objects 3 in a number of layers 4, and also foldable interlay sheets 5 placed between each layer 4 of individual objects 3. The objects 3 may, for example, consist of parallelepipedic packaging containers of single-use disposable type, intended for liquid foods. For example, the pallet 2 may consist of a so- called quarter pallet which has a format making it suitable to be handled in the retail trade. The present invention may also be employed for other types of pallets of other formats. Above the pallet 2, a planar interlay sheet 6 is placed with a view to protecting the packaging containers 3.

Between each layer 4 of packaging containers 3, there is disposed an interlay sheet 5. The interlay sheet 5, which is shown in greater detail in Figs. 2 and 3, may be of the type which is sold under the name Tetra Layer™. The interlay sheet 5, which is shown in the unfolded state in Fig. 2, has a continuous pattern of fold lines 7 and punchings 8. The pattern is placed along each edge of the interlay sheet 5. The interlay sheet 5 is further provided with obliquely cut-off corner portions 9 in all four corners.

The interlay sheet 5 is folded in that the edges are urged upwards and, in such instance, the edges are formed as a frame 10 around a planar surface 11 (Fig. 3). The edges are folded in the fold lines 7 and then form the frame 10, at 90° to the planar surface 11. The frame 10 extends on both sides of the surface 11. By having an extent of the frame 10 on both sides of the surface 11, there will be obtained, as shown in Fig. 1, an interlay sheet 5 with a frame 10 which has one portion 12 which supports the packaging containers 3 in a lower layer 40 and a portion 13 which supports the packaging containers 3 in an upper layer 4". The packaging containers 3 in the upper layer 4" are placed on the planar surface 11.

The packaging containers 3 are advanced in to the pallet loader on some form of conveyor belt, for example an endless, driven belt or chain of conventional type. The packaging containers 3 are marshalled and grouped into a pre-selected packing pattern with the aid of various pushers. The packaging containers 3 marshalled into a packing pattern are thereafter transferred to an interlay sheet 5, 6. The interlay sheet may be of foldable type 5, or alternatively be planar 6. Alternatively, the packaging containers 3 are grouped direct on the interlay sheet 5, 6. During transfer, the packaging containers 3 are supported by guide rails (not shown).

If the interlay sheet 5 is of the foldable type, the sheet 5 is thereafter folded for the formation of the frame 10 in a workstation intended for this purpose. The frame 10 is formed in that a folder frame with blocks shears the edge of the interlay sheet 5 upwards. The frame 10 is held in the folded position by means of support plates which, beneath the sheet 5, are urged against the portion 12 of the frame 10.

Those packaging containers 3 that are now placed on a folded interlay sheet 5 constitute a layer unit together with the interlay sheet 5. A layer unit may also consist of the grouped packaging containers 3 and a planar interlay sheet 6. The guide rails which support the packaging containers 3 during their transfer to the interlay sheet 5, as well as the folder frame, have returned to their original positions and the frame 10 is held in position solely by support plates from beneath. The apparatus according to the present invention consists of a gripper head 14, according to Fig. 4, which may substantially be described as box-shaped with an opening turned to face downwards. The gripper head 14 is secured in a linear unit or similar lifting device (not shown). The linear unit may, for example, be servo controlled, frequency controlled or controlled by means of pneumatics. Within the gripper head 14, there are disposed four pressure plates 16, one at each side. The pressure plates 16 are, for example, each controlled by a piston and cylinder assembly. By means of linkages 17, each respective pressure plate 16 is interconnected to one or more support fingers 18. The gripper head 14 is adjusted by means of an adjustment plate 19 at each side of the gripper head 14. As a result of the adjustment plates 19, a simple and rapid adaptation will be obtained of the gripper head 14 to different packing patterns for the packaging containers 3.

By means of the linear unit, the gripper head 14 may be moved in both the vertical and the horizontal directions. When a layer unit is ready for collection, i.e. the packaging containers 3 are marshalled on the folded interlay sheet 5, the gripper head 14 moves down towards the layer unit. The pressure plates 16 of the gripper head 14 are placed in register with the portion 13 of the upwardly folded frame 10 of the interlay sheet 5. When the pressure plates 16 are urged inwards, in that the piston and cylinder assembly is activated, the portion 13 of the frame 10 is pressed against the packaging containers 3. The pressure plates 16 are urged inwards so far that a compression of the packaging containers 3 will be obtained. At the same time as the pressure plates 16 are urged inwards, the support fingers 18 are pivoted through 90° in towards the centre of the gripper head 14, since the pressure plates 16 and the support fingers 18 are mechanically interconnected by means of the linkages 17. The support fingers 18 are placed such that they are rotated in under the folded interlay sheet 5 in register with the fold lines 7 and as a result will be able to support the interlay sheet 5 from beneath. Fig. 5 shows a number of the support fingers 18' in their starting position, i.e. the position they assume when the gripper head 14 is not lifting a layer unit. A number of the support fingers 18" are shown in the flipped-out position where they can support an interlay sheet 5 from beneath.

Given that the pressure plates 16 hold the packaging containers 3 fast at the same time as they hold the interlay sheet 5, a stable layer unit will be obtained which can be lifted, moved in the vertical direction and finally lowered down to its position on an earlier layer on the pallet unit 1. Alternatively, the packaging containers 3 are held compressed without the folded sheet 5, and the support fingers 18 then hold a planar sheet 6. In this case, the planar sheet 6 and the packaging containers are placed direct on the pallet 2 as the first layer 4 in a new pallet unit 1.

The support fingers 18 have a relatively thin blade which supports the interlay sheet 5, 6 and the packaging containers 3. This feature facilitates lowering of the layer unit on the pallet unit 1, since the packaging containers 3 will only fall a slight distance when the support fingers 18 are pivoted back to their starting positions. The layer unit with its packaging containers 3 is treated more gently. Also because the interlay sheet 5, 6 supports the packaging containers 3 with the aid of the support fingers 18, only a reasonable compression of the packaging containers 3 is needed for them to be able to be moved. This also contributes in a gentler handling of the packaging containers 3, which makes for neat and attractively loaded pallet units 1. Since the packaging containers 3 are compressed together with the frame 10 of the folded interlay sheet 5, the upper portion 13 of the frame 10 is pressed in towards the packaging containers and a slight folding over of the frame 10 will be obtained, which gives a funnel form outwards on the lower portion 12 of the frame. Since the corner portions 9 of the interlay sheet 5 are obliquely cut off, the frame 10 can be urged against the compressed packaging containers 3 without the frame 10 overlapping in the corners. The previously placed layer -• on the pallet unit 1 is compressed at the same time by means of an apparatus for this purpose. As a result of the funnel form of the frame 10, lowering of the new layer unit will be facilitated.

When the pressure plates of the gripper head 14 return to their starting position, the support fingers 18 are also pivoted back and the new layer 4 is placed on the pallet unit 1. The lower layer 4 ceases to be compressed and the frame 10 of the interlay sheet 5 assumes it position at 90° to the surface 11 of the sheet. Two layers 4 in the pallet unit 1 are now locked by means of an interlay sheet 5.

The gripper head 14 lifts away from the pallet unit 1 when it has placed a layer unit, moves horizontally back to the position where the packaging containers 3 are marshalled and is once again ready to collect a layer unit. As will have been apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention realises an apparatus and a method for being able, in a gentle manner, to collect, relocate and deposit a layer unit consisting of a number of individual objects placed on an interlay sheet.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for collecting, relocating and depositing a layer unit to a pallet-loaded unit (1), the layer unit consisting of a number of individual objects (3) placed on an interlay sheet (5), the interlay sheet (5) being of the type which, at each side of the sheet (5), has fold lines (7) and punchings (8) in a continuous pattern, characterised in that the edges of the interlay sheet (5) are folded in the fold lines (7) so that the outer edges of the sheet (5) form a frame (10) at 90° to the sheet (5), and the frame (10) extending on both sides of the sheet (5), the apparatus comprising a pressure plate (16) placed on each side of the frame and operative to press against the frame (10) and the objects (3), so that the objects (3) are compressed to the layer unit, the apparatus further including support fingers (18) mechanically interconnected with the pressure plates (16), so that the fingers (18) are pivoted through 90° when the pressure plates (16) compress the layer unit.

2. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the pressure plates (16) are each adjustable by means of an adjustment plate (19).

3. The apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the support fingers (18) are placed so that, in the outwardly pivoted position, they are placed in register with the fold lines (7) on the interlay sheet (5).

4. A method of collecting, relocating and depositing a layer unit to a pallet-loaded unit (1), the layer unit consisting of a number of individual objects (3) placed on an interlay sheet (5), the interlay sheet (5) being of the type which, at each side of the sheet (5), has fold lines (7) and punchings (8) in a continuous pattern, characterised in that the edges of the interlay sheet (5) are folded in the fold lines (7) so that the outer edges of the sheet (5) form a frame (10) at 90° to the sheet (5), and the frame (10) extending on both sides of the sheet (5), the method comprising the step that a gripper head (14) is lowered over the objects (3), and that, by means of pressure plates (16), the frame (10) and the objects (3) are compressed to said layer unit, at the same time as support fingers (18) are pivoted through 90° so that they come to support the layer unit from beneath.