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US-12617621-B2 - Device for replacing a pallet

US12617621B2US 12617621 B2US12617621 B2US 12617621B2US-12617621-B2

Abstract

A device for replacing a first pallet (P) supporting a load (C) with a second pallet (S) includes a flat faced slide surface element ( 3 ), a flat faced translating support element ( 5 ), a load sliding control element ( 7 ) parallel to the translating support element ( 5 ), a connecting element ( 9 ), where the load sliding control element is connected to the slide surface element ( 3 ) and/or to the connecting element ( 9 ), and a rotation member ( 11 ) connected to the connecting element ( 9 ) to allow the rotation thereof around a rotation axis (R) parallel to the flat face of the translating support element ( 5 ) between an initial condition, in which the slide surface element ( 3 ) and the translating support element ( 5 ) are respectively vertical and horizontal, and a rotated condition in which they ( 3, 5 ) are rotated by more than 90° for replacing the first pallet (P) with the second pallet (S).

Inventors

  • Daniele Piani

Assignees

  • TOPPY S.R.L.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20220329
Priority Date
20210416

Claims (15)

  1. 1 . A device for replacing a pallet (P) supporting a bottom face of a load (C) with a second pallet(S), said device comprising: a slide surface element ( 3 ) having a flat face for static and sliding abutment with a lateral face of the load (C); a translating support element ( 5 ) defining an elongated flat surface or face for abutting with the first pallet (P) aligned side-by-side with the second pallet(S) and provided with pallet gripping elements ( 6 ) where the flat surface or face of the translating support element ( 5 ) is perpendicular to the flat face of the slide surface element ( 3 ); a load sliding control element ( 7 ) having a face parallel to the translating support element ( 5 ) for meeting with a top face of the load (C) opposite the bottom face of the load; a connecting element ( 9 ) that rigidly constrains the slide surface element ( 3 ) and that constrains the translating support element ( 5 ) to translate linearly on a geometric plane of the elongated flat surface along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the translating support element or to translate in a parallel direction to said flat face of the slide surface element ( 3 ), wherein the load sliding control element ( 7 ) is connected to the slide surface element ( 3 ), to the connecting element ( 9 ), or to both the slide surface element ( 3 ) and the connecting element ( 9 ); a rotation member ( 11 ) connected to the connecting element ( 9 ) to allow rotation of the connecting element ( 9 ) around a rotation axis (R), parallel to at least the flat face of the translating support element ( 5 ), between an initial condition, wherein the slide surface element ( 3 ) and the translating support element ( 5 ) are respectively vertical and horizontal, and a pallet replacement condition in which the slide surface element ( 3 ) and the translating support element ( 5 ) are rotated by more than 90° and vice versa; a base structure member ( 13 ), for fixing on a horizontal floor and connected to the connecting element ( 9 ) by means of the rotation member ( 11 ) in a way that the rotation axis (R) is horizontal and at a height with respect to the floor such as to allow that at least in an initial condition (O) the slide surface element ( 3 ) and the translating support element ( 5 ) are respectively vertical and horizontal and to allow free rotation of the connecting element ( 9 ), and of what is fixed or connected to it, at least up to a replacement condition of the pallet and vice versa; wherein said device further comprises a rotation actuator ( 14 ) interposed between the base structure member ( 13 ) and the connecting element ( 9 ) for rotation of the connecting element ( 9 ); and wherein the translating support element ( 5 ) is directly or indirectly connected to the connecting element ( 9 ) by means of a set of slide guides ( 15 ) and at least one linear actuator ( 17 ) or linear damper ( 18 ) wherein said slide guides ( 15 ) and the actuator ( 17 ) or damper ( 18 ) are parallel to each other, to a longitudinal development of the translating support element ( 5 ) and to a translation direction of the translating support element ( 5 ) defined by the slide guides and the at least one linear actuator ( 17 ) or linear damper ( 18 ).
  2. 2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the flat face of the slide surface element ( 3 ) is parallel to the rotation axis (R) and that the translation direction of the translating support element ( 5 ) is parallel to the rotation axis (R) and to the flat face of the slide surface element ( 3 ), and the slide surface element ( 3 ) is adjacent to a longitudinal side of the translating support element ( 5 ).
  3. 3 . The device according to claim 2 , wherein the load sliding control element ( 7 ) consists of a flat body or that defines a surface for abutment with the load (C) and connected perpendicularly to the slide surface element ( 3 ) for translating toward and away from the translating support element ( 5 ) by means of actuation members comprising a set of guides and at least one linear actuator mutually parallel and perpendicular to the translating support element ( 5 ) and to the load sliding control element ( 7 ).
  4. 4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the flat face of the slide surface element ( 3 ) is parallel to the rotation axis (R) and that the translation direction of the translating support element ( 5 ) is perpendicular to the rotation axis (R) and to the flat face of the slide surface element ( 3 ), wherein the slide surface element ( 3 ) is adjacent to a transverse side of the translating support element ( 5 ).
  5. 5 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the slide surface element ( 3 ) is spaced from the translating support element ( 5 ) and from the corresponding gripping element ( 6 ) for the passage of the gripping element ( 6 ) and of the first pallet between the slide surface element ( 3 ) and the translating support element ( 5 ).
  6. 6 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the load sliding control element ( 7 ) consists of a flat body, or defines a surface for abutment with the load (C), and connected to a portion of the connecting element ( 9 ) by means of a set of respective linear guides ( 21 ) and at least one linear actuator ( 23 ) parallel to each other and to the slide surface element ( 3 ) and perpendicular to the rotation axis (R) and to the translating support element ( 5 ) for translating the load sliding control element ( 7 ) toward and away from the translating support element ( 5 ).
  7. 7 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping elements ( 6 ) comprise a set of fins projecting transversely from the flat face of the translating support element ( 5 ) of the fixed type, or longitudinally translating by means of respective linear actuators ( 25 ), or both.
  8. 8 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising control means of a programmable digital type and provided with input ports for signals and output ports for operating commands of controllable parts of the device according to a stored program.
  9. 9 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the translating support element ( 5 ) comprises a roller conveyor defining the elongated flat surface or face for abutting or resting the pallets where the rollers of the conveyor are free rotating or motorized.
  10. 10 . The device according to claim 9 , wherein end portions of said translating support element ( 5 ) comprise respective gripping elements ( 6 ) provided with a respective linear actuators ( 25 ) to translate the gripping elements ( 6 ) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the translating support element ( 5 ), wherein a median portion of the translating support element ( 5 ) comprises a plurality of gripping element ( 6 ); wherein the end and median gripping elements ( 6 ) are provided with respective hiding actuators, each assigned to translate perpendicularly to and from the elongated flat surface or face of the translating support element ( 5 ) the respective gripping element ( 6 ) actuated between a hidden condition and a protruding condition inward to or outward from the surface defined by the translating support element ( 5 ).
  11. 11 . The device according to claim 10 , further comprising a translating member ( 31 ) carrying at least the support element ( 5 ) and the gripping elements ( 6 ) and assigned to translate the support element ( 5 ) perpendicularly, transversely, or both perpendicularly and transversely to the elongated flat surface or face.
  12. 12 . The device according to claim 11 , wherein the translating member ( 31 ) comprises at least a shelf member ( 33 ) connected to the connecting element ( 9 ) by means of a set of first motorized guides ( 35 ) to move the translating support element ( 5 ) perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the translating support element ( 5 ).
  13. 13 . The device according to claim 12 , wherein the translating member ( 31 ) comprises a transversal support ( 37 ) connected to the shelf member ( 33 ) by means of a set of second motorized guides ( 39 ) to move the translating support element ( 5 ) transversally to the longitudinal axis of the translating support element.
  14. 14 . The device according to claim 13 , comprising pallet storage, a pallet magazine, a loader with a motorized entrance and exit conveyor for automatic operation of the device ( 1 ).
  15. 15 . The device according to claim 14 , wherein the translating support element ( 5 ) consists of a conveyor having motorized rollers and at least said conveyor, the gripping elements ( 6 ), the translating member ( 31 ), the pallet storage, the pallet magazine, the loader, the motorized entrance conveyor and exit conveyor are operated and controlled and by a programmable control means.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the technical field concerning logistics and tools for the storage and transport of goods and in particular it refers to a device for replacing a pallet at the base of a load with a replacement pallet. PRIOR ART There are known devices fit for replacing a first pallet which supports a load, for example consisting of packaged goods, with a second and different pallet which is inserted under the load in place of the first pallet. Such known devices, which provide different levels of automation and different fields of application, are generally complex, relatively bulky and expensive. Prior art document NL 1 008 203 C2 discloses a device for replacing a pallet supporting the bottom face of a load with a second pallet replacing the first pallet; a partial disclosure of same is made by prior art document EP 2 508 449 A1. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to propose a relatively simple and economical device for replacing a pallet. Another object is to propose a reliable and inexpensive maintenance device. A further object is to propose a not bulky device. Another object is to propose a device that can be configured according to requirements and needs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The characteristics of the invention are highlighted below with particular reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an axonometric view of the device for replacing a pallet, an object of the present invention, in an operative condition of preparation: FIG. 2 illustrates an axonometric view of the device of FIG. 1 in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others: FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the device of FIG. 1 in an initial operative condition in which a pallet supporting a load and a side-by-side replacement pallet are placed on a horizontally oriented translating support element of the device and one face of the load is facing and adjacent to a vertically oriented slide surface element of the device: FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate side views of the device of FIG. 3 respectively in a condition of inclination and, in a condition of separation of the load from the original pallet reached following a not illustrated condition of sliding of the load: FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the device in the condition of FIG. 5 in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others: FIG. 8 illustrates the device of FIG. 3 from a point of view placed on the geometric plane of the translating support element and with a direction of view perpendicular to the slide surface element and in which the load is not illustrated: FIG. 9 illustrates the device of FIG. 7, in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others, where the translation of the translating support element has removed the original pallet and has brought the replacement pallet in front of the bottom of the load: FIG. 10 illustrates the device of FIG. 9 from the same point of view adopted in FIG. 8: FIG. 11 illustrates the device of FIG. 10 in which a control element of the load sliding of the device, parallel to the translating support element and movable along the slide surface element, places the bottom of the load against the new replacement pallet for the one initially placed to support the load: FIG. 12 illustrates an axonometric view of a variant of the device for replacing a pallet of FIG. 1 in the same operative condition of preparation of said FIG. 1: FIG. 13 illustrates an axonometric view of the device of FIG. 12 in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others: FIG. 14 illustrates a rear axonometric view of the device of FIG. 12: FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of the device of FIG. 12 in the initial operative condition in which a pallet supporting a load and a side-by-side replacement pallet are placed on the horizontally oriented translating support element of the device and one face of the load is faced and adjacent to the vertically oriented slide surface element of the device: FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 illustrate views of the device of FIG. 15 respectively in the inclined condition and in the separation condition of the load from the original pallet: FIG. 18 illustrates the replacement of the original pallet with the replacement pallet carried out following a downward translation of the translating support element together with such pallets: FIG. 19 illustrates the device of FIG. 15 in a condition subsequent to the replacement of the pallet and rotation in the original orientation: FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 illustrate axonometric views and in respective operative conditions of a further variant of the device for replacing a pallet of FIG. 1: FIG. 22 illustrates the device of FIG. 20 equipped with inlet and outlet roller conveyors and a member for supplying and/or storing pallets. BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION With reference to FIGS. 1-11, numeral 1 indicates the devic