Method and apparatus for unloading fragile products
AssigneeZanchetta & C. S.r.l.
InventorCarlo Papera
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Abstract
In a method and apparatus for unloading fragile products from a storage container, comprising a step of transferring the products by gravity from a container to an unloading station below along a given, straight unloading path, a product interception device, with a given linear movement along the unloading path, intercepts the products and accompanies them at a first given speed to the unloading station, until a continuous column of products is formed, substantially extending between the container and the unloading station; then, during product unloading, the column is gradually shortened by raising the unloading station at a second given speed.
Claims25
a method for unloading fragile products by transferring the products along a given unloading path, from a storage container to an unloading station located below the storage container;
- the method comprising at least an initial transfer step, during which the products are intercepted along the path and accompanied with a given law of motion and at a given first speed towards the unloading station until a continuous column of products is formed, substantially extending between the storage container and the unloading station.
The method according to any of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein the column of products is held and shortened during product unloading;
- said column being shortened by lifting the unloading station with a given second law of motion and at a given second speed.
The method according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 5, wherein the first and second laws of motion and the first and second speeds are determined according to the quantity of products stored in the storage container.
An apparatus for unloading fragile products, being equipped with a storage container which holds the products, a station for unloading the products which is located below the container, and conveyor means for feeding the products from the container to the unloading station along a given unloading path;
- wherein the conveyor means comprise means for intercepting the products and means which drive the intercepting means, for imparting to the intercepting means at least a first movement along the unloading path away from the storage container, said first movement being performed in accordance with a given first law of motion and at a given first speed.
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 11 to 13, wherein the intercepting means comprise a valve element with at least one shutter, having a valve element opening configuration and a valve element closing configuration.
The apparatus according to any of the claims from 11 to 17, wherein the conveyor means comprise a tubular bag, whose first end may be positioned in such a way that it communicates with an outfeed opening in the container and whose second end may be connected to the intercepting means;
- the tubular bag extending longitudinally along the unloading path from a gathered position to an extended position.
The apparatus according to any of the claims from 18 to 20, wherein the drive means comprise a linear actuator and a plurality of drive rods;
- the rods being positioned longitudinally inside the tubular bag and connected to the actuator and the intercepting means in such a way that they impart the given first movement along the unloading path to the intercepting means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.