TRANSFER DEVICE FOR MOVING A STACK OF TUBS IN CARGOHOLD OF A VESSEL

Abstract

The present invention relates to system for managing cargo tubs in a cargo hold of a vessel, such as a fishing vessel. The functional components of the present invention comprise means such as stacking devices for loading the cargo hold with tubs and forming stacks, rails and wagons and pushing and pulling structures as transport means for transporting the stack of tubs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring cargo tubs 1 in a cargo hold 2 of a vessel 3, the apparatus comprising: two or more cargo lanes 5 for storing and advancing stacks of tubs 6 in a cargo hold 2 along a first direction of the cargo hold 2 from the in-feed end towards the out-feed end, two or more pushing device(s) 8 for pushing one or more stacks of tubs along each cargo lane 5, and a wagon 7 for transporting the stack of tubs 6 along a second direction of the cargo hold 2, characterised in that the apparatus further comprises: two or more stacking devices 4 for forming a stack of tubs 6 in the cargo hold 2 pulling devices 9 for pulling a stack of tubs 6 at the out-feed end of one or more cargo lane 5 into the wagon 7.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each tub in stack of tubs 6 has an open upper surface and the bottom portion comprises structures to fit into the open upper surface for allowing stacking of two or more tubs in a stable stack, and wherein the bottom portion further comprises openings or other structural features for allowing pulling or stacking devices to engage into.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two or more cargo lanes 5 for storing and transporting stacks of tubs 6 comprises a row of rollers 11.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the cargo lanes is arranged with a pushing device 8 for pushing a stack of tubs 6 along the cargo lane 5.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wagon 7 is arranged on a transport lane 12 perpendicular to the direction of the cargo lanes 5 at the out-feed end of the cargo lanes 5.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulling device 9 comprises means for engaging or locking 13 into a bottom structure of the lowest tub in a stack of tubs.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising sensors for determining the position of each stack of tubs 6 in the cargo lanes 5 or transport lanes 12.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising upper locking mechanisms 16 for participating in transferring the the stacks of tubs 6 along a cargo lane from above.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an industrial computer to control the moving part of the apparatus.

10. A system for transferring cargo tubs in a cargo hold of a vessel, the system comprising: two or more cargo lanes 5 for storing and advancing stacks of tubs 6 in a cargo hold 2 along a first direction of the cargo hold 2 from the in-feed end towards the out-feed end during loading of the cargo hold with tubs, two or more pushing device(s) 8 for pushing one or more stacks of tubs along each cargo lane 5, and a wagon 7 for transporting the stack of tubs 6 along a second direction of the cargo hold 2 during emptying of a cargo lane or transfer of stack of tubs between parallel cargo lanes, characterised in that the system further comprises: two or more stacking device 4 for forming a stack of tubs 1 in the cargo hold 2, and pulling devices 9 for pulling a stack of tubs 6 at the out-feed end of one or more cargo lane 5 into the wagon 7.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein actuators are used for moving the stacking devices, the wagon, the pushing devices and the pulling devices, and wherein the movement of the stacking devices 4, the wagon 7, the pushing devices 8 and the pulling devices 9 are synchronized using sensors along the cargo and transport lanes and an industrial computer.

12. A method for transferring cargo tubs in a cargo hold of a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: a) delivering a cargo tub into the cargo hold through an entry opening using a stacking device, said stacking device forming a stack of tubs below the entry opening at the in-feed end of a first cargo lane, b) transporting the stack of tubs along a first direction of the cargo hold on the first cargo lane by means of a pushing device, c) transporting the stack of tubs from the out-feed end of the first cargo lane into a wagon by means of a pulling device, d) transporting the stack of tubs along a second direction of the cargo hold using one or more wagons to feed the stack of tubs to further parallel cargo lanes, e) repeating steps a)-d) while there are tubs and stacks of tubs to be transported from the first cargo lane to further cargo lanes.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pulling device slides under the stack of tubs and pushes lock-members perpendicularly from the transport direction of the cargo lane into openings in the bottom structure of the lowest tub in the stack of tubs.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the wagon receives the stack of tubs at the out-feed end of the cargo lanes and transports the stack of tubs perpendicular to the direction of the cargo lanes from one cargo lane into another transport lane for either feeding empty tubs into the pre-processing deck or for offloading tubs filled with catch from the vessel.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pulling device is a movable lock operating in the first direction of the cargo hold and advances a stack of tubs into the wagon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0075] The present invention will be further described with reference to the drawings using reference numbers in the drawings to identify the individual components of the invention.

[0076] FIG. 1 shows the individual components of the in-feeding device of the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a side view (A) of the grading apparatus and thein-feeding device. A top view (B) of the same equipment.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a perspective drawing of the in-feed device of the present invention.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the in-feed device of the present invention.

[0080] FIG. 5 outlines the transfer of stacks of tubs one by one into a wagon until the transport/storing lane is empty.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0081] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, referring to the figures. These examples are provided to provide further understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus and system of the present invention seen from the side and above. The system has cargo lanes for transport and storing of tubs in stacks and lifts to transport tubs to and from a processing deck or in and out of the cargo hold. The setup shown in FIG. 1 has four transport and storage lanes with lifts where one top one lane is connected to a lift for transporting tubs in and out of the cargo hold and the other three lifts transport tubs to and from a processing deck. In such a set up one lane is used to transport empty tubs through an opening above the lift into the cargo hold, such as the middle lane for example. When a stack of tub is transported from any of the other lanes into the middle lane, a stack is pushed into the wagon and the wagon transports the stack of tubs in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the cargo lanes to the middle lane for advancement towards the lift and the opening into the processing deck. When tubs are loaded into a stack on each of the lifts from the processing deck, the full stack is then transported along the cargo lane. When the tubs are transported out of the cargo hold, pushing means (donkey) for each of the lanes not connected to the lift for transporting tubs in and out of the cargo hold pushes one stack at the time into the wagon and the wagon transports each stack to the lane connected to the lift for transporting tubs in and out of the cargo hold for off-loading. FIG. 1 shows a cargo hold 2 of a vessel 3 four lifts 4 for delivering tubs into the cargo hold 2. Lifts 4a-c are for transporting tubs to and from a processing deck, whereas lift 4d is for transporting tubs in and out of the cargo hold. The figure shows the cargo lanes 5 for storing stacks of tubs in a cargo hold 2 and for transporting stacks of tubs along a first direction of the cargo hold 2 and a wagon 7 for transporting the stack of tubs along a second direction of the cargo hold 2 on a transport line 12 arranged in the second direction in the cargo hold 2. As most of the lifts transport full tubs into the cargo hold the end of the storing and transport lane adjacent to the lifts is referred to as the in-feed end and the end of the storing and transport lane adjacent to the wagon is defined as the out-feed end, although this is in fact opposite for the lane feeding empty tubs up to the processing deck and for the lane feeding tubs out of the cargo hold by lift 4d. A pushing device 8 (donkey) is arranged by each of the lifts for pushing the stacks of tubs along the cargo lane 5. A set of locks are arranged near the outfeed end of each storing and transport lane 5 for managing the transport of the stacks of tubs (one at a time) into the wagon 7 for transport of a stack of tubs into another transport lane 5. The locks are divided into a movable transporting lock or pulling device 9 for pulling the stack of tubs along the one or more cargo lane 5 into the wagon 7 and a fixed lock 10. The system has a plurality of actuators 15 for moving the lifts 4, the wagon 7, the pushing devices 8 and the pulling devices 9 in the cargo hold. The actuators 15 can be motors or jacks, such as hydraulic jacks. The drawing also a set of upper locks 16 at the in-feed end and the outfeed end. The in-feed end upper locks 16 hold the stack of tubs as a new stack of tubs is being lowered by a lift 4 into the cargo hold 2. The outfeed end upper locks 16 hold the second last stack of tubs at the outfeed end as the last stack of tubs at the outfeed end is being loaded into the wagon 7. As shown in the drawing the lifts 4a-d have carrying means such as forks 17 for loading or unloading a stack of tubs into or out of the cargo hold. The drawing also shows a set of rollers 11 forming the advancing portion of the cargo lane 5. The drawing further shows upper and lower longitudinal rails 14 are positioned along each side of the one or more cargo lanes for transporting the stack of tubs along the first direction of the cargo hold.

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a perspective side-view of the in-feed end of a cargo lane 5 for stacks of tubs 6. The drawing shows an opening 18 into the cargo-hold and a lift 4 with a fork 17 for loading a stack of tubs 6 into the cargo-hold. The pushing device 8 is arranged below the opening 18 for pushing the stacks of tubs 6 along the cargo lane 5. The drawing shows two actuators 15 for moving the lift 4 and the pushing device 8. An upper lock 16 at the in-feed end is also shown for holding a stack of tubs in place as the pushing means backs up to fetch a new stack of tubs 6. The upper lock is shown lock is shown locking into the top tub 1, but the drawing shows the inside of the top tub 1 in a stack of tubs 6.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a perspective side-view of the out-feed end of a storing/transport lane 5 for stacks of tubs 6. The drawing shows the wagon 7 for transferring a stack of tubs 6 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the transport direction of the storing/transport lanes 5. A set of locks are arranged on the storing/transport lane 5 for holding one stack of tubs in a fixed position and transporting another stack of tubs into the wagon. A pair of upper locks 16 at the outfeed end also assist with stabilizing and transfer of the stacks of tubs as the last stack of tubs 6 is being transferred into the wagon 7. The drawing shows the movable lock 9 and the fixed lock 10 as well as an actuator 15 for moving the movable lock 9, which in this case is a jack.

[0085] FIG. 4 is a top view of the fixed lock 10 and the movable lock 9 as a stack of tubs is being transferred into the wagon (tubs and wagon not shown). The drawing shows a sequence of the position of the locks and the engagement of the locking means 13 in each position as a stack of tubs is being transferred into the wagon. In the first position (A) the fixed lock 9 and the movable lock 9 are in adjacent positions where the locking means 16 is locked into two adjacent stacks of tubs. In the second position (B) the movable lock 9 is pulling a stack of tubs into the wagon, where the locking means 13 is engaged in both locks. In the third position (C) the movable lock 9 has released the stack of tubs in the wagon and the locking means 13 is not engaged. The movable lock 9 is now ready to be moved back to being adjacent to the fixed lock 10 in the fourth position (D) shown in the drawing. In the fifth position (E) the fixed lock 10 and the movable lock 9 are in adjacent positions where the locking means 13 is not engaged and a stack of tubs can be pushed along the storing/transfer lane to position the next stack of tubs adjacent to the wagon. In the sixth position (F) the fixed lock 10 and the movable lock 9 are still in adjacent positions with the locking means 13 engaged again in two adjacent stacks of tubs.

[0086] FIG. 5 shows how pushing devices and pulling devices are used together to transport stacks of tubs 6 along the transport/storing lanes 5 in the cargo hold. The figure shows how stacks of tubs 6 are transferred one by one into the wagon 7 until the transport/storing lane is empty. The pushing devices 8 and pulling devices 9 are synchronised together with the upper locks 16 to move stacks of tubs 6 into the wagon 7. FIG. 5A shows an empty wagon 7 and two adjacent stacks tubs 6 next to the wagon 7.

[0087] Each tub has two openings on each side in the bottom surface of the tub for the locks to lock into. The movable lock 9 (the pulling device) is locked into the aft opening (further away from the wagon) of the tub next to the wagon and the fixed lock 10 is locked into the front opening of the tub adjacent to the tub next to the wagon. In FIG. 5B the stack of tubs has been pulled into the wagon and two adjacent stacks of tubs are shown waiting in line to be transported into the wagon. The figure also shows that the movable lock 9 is still locked into the bottom portion of the bottom tub showing that the bottom lock can pull a stack of tubs all the way into the wagon. FIGS. 5C-H show how the remaining two stacks of tubs are transported out of the storing/transport lane. The donkey (pushing device) 8 pushes the last two stacks of tubs onwards such that the last stack of tubs is half-way into the wagon (FIG. 5C). The movable lock is locked into the aft opening of the tub half-way into the wagon and pulls this stack of tubs into the wagon 7, whereas the fixed lock is locked into the front opening of the tub adjacent to the tub being transferred into the wagon (FIG. 5D). In FIG. 5E the wagon has been emptied and is ready for the last stack of tubs in the storing/transport lane. The movable lock has returned to pick up the last stack of tubs and the donkey has reached the end position in front of the fixed lock 10. The movable lock 9 locks into the front opening of the bottom tub and pulls the last stack of tubs in a position next/adjacent to the wagon. In FIG. 5F the moveable lock moves to lock into the aft opening of the bottom tub of the last stack of tubs and pulls the stack into the wagon (FIG. 5H)

[0088] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0089] Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components.

[0090] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).

[0091] The term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

[0092] It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within scope of the invention. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0093] Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0094] All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.