CONVEYING EQUIPMENT FOR HOLDING AND TRANSPORTING A CONTAINER

Abstract

Conveying equipment for holding and transporting a container, including a support base for a container and holding devices movable along respective gripping directions (D1, D2) between a retracted position and an advanced position. Each holding device includes a plurality of restraining bodies placed one above the other, wherein each restraining body of a respective holding device is separated from an underlying restraining body by a separating volume. Each restraining body includes a contact element adapted to be resiliently deformed and configured to conform at least partially to a portion of the outer surface of a container. Restraining bodies of a first holding device are at least partially received, at least in the respective advanced position, in respective separating volumes of a second holding device.

Claims

1. Conveying equipment for holding and transporting a container, comprising: a support base for the container; holding devices movable along respective gripping directions (D1, D2) between a retracted position and an advanced position; wherein each holding device comprises a plurality of restraining bodies placed one above the other, wherein each restraining body of a respective holding device is separated from an underlying restraining body by a separating volume; wherein each restraining body comprises a contact element adapted to be resiliently deformed and configured to conform at least partially to a portion of an outer surface of a container; wherein the restraining bodies of a first holding device of said holding devices are at least partially received, at least in the respective advanced position, in respective separating volumes of a second holding device of said holding devices.

2. The conveying equipment according to claim 1, wherein the restraining bodies of the holding devices are arranged parallel to each other.

3. The conveying equipment according to claim 1, wherein each restraining body comprises a rigid supporting element to which a respective contact element is stably connected.

4. The conveying equipment according to claim 3, wherein the rigid supporting elements of each restraining body are connected to each other by a strut; each strut being constrained to a rear portion of each respective rigid supporting element.

5. The conveying equipment according to claim 1, wherein each contact element of the restraining bodies comprises an elastic strip.

6. The conveying equipment according to claim 3, wherein each rigid supporting element comprises a rear portion and two side portions connected to the rear portion and delimiting a front opening for the rigid supporting element; the contact element being connected to said side portions and extending at the front opening.

7. The conveying equipment according to claim 6, wherein each contact element is wrapped in a closed loop around the rear portion and the side portions of a respective rigid supporting element.

8. The conveying equipment according to claim 1, wherein said holding devices comprise a first pair of holding devices movable along a first gripping direction (D1) and a second pair of holding devices movable along a second gripping direction (D2).

9. The conveying equipment according to claim 8, wherein restraining bodies of the first pair of holding devices are received at least partially, at least in the respective advanced position, in separating volumes of the second pair of holding devices and wherein restraining bodies of the second pair of holding devices are received at least partially, at least in the respective advanced position, in separating volumes of the first pair of holding devices.

10. The conveying equipment according to claim 8, wherein the holding devices of the first pair of holding devices are arranged symmetrically with respect to said support base (22) and wherein the holding devices of the second pair of holding devices are arranged symmetrically with respect to said support base.

11. The conveying equipment according claim 1, wherein each holding device comprises a slide slidingly mounted on a rail for moving along the respective gripping direction (D1, D2).

12. The conveying equipment according to claim 11, wherein for each holding device, the equipment comprises a driving device active on said slide for moving the slide along said rail.

13. The conveying equipment according to claim 12, wherein each driving device comprises a pusher configured to permanently generate a thrust force on said slide directed towards the advanced position of the respective holding device.

14. The conveying equipment according to claim 13, wherein said driving device comprises an actuator comprising a dragging portion connected to the slide to transmit to the slide a dragging force directed towards the retracted position of the holding device, an actuation portion configured to receive an actuation force, and a transmission portion configured to transfer the actuation force to the dragging portion and generate said dragging force.

15. The conveying equipment according to claim 14, wherein said transmission portion of the driving device is connected to said pusher in such a way as to transmit the actuation force to the dragging portion in contrast to the thrust force generated by said pusher.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the appended drawings and provided by way of indicative and non-limiting example, in which:

[0093] - FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveying equipment for holding and transporting a container in accordance with the present invention in a first condition;

[0094] - FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the equipment of FIG. 1 in a second condition and with some parts removed to better highlight others;

[0095] - FIG. 3 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 2;

[0096] - FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the equipment of FIG. 1; and

[0097] - FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a component of a detail of the equipment of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] A conveying equipment for holding and transporting a container in accordance with the present invention has been indicated as a whole with reference numeral 10.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 1, the equipment 10 comprises a supporting frame 11 to which a carriage 12 configured to be inserted in a track of a path of an automated production line is connected. The carriage 12 may move autonomously along the track or may move drivingly to follow the track.

[0100] In the event that the carriage 12 is autonomously movable, the carriage 12 may comprise power supply members (not illustrated) connected to drive wheels (not illustrated) of the carriage 12. Such electrical movement parts may for example comprise an electric motor powered by rechargeable batteries contained in the carriage 12 or powered directly by the track of the path of the automated production line. In the event that the carriage 12 is not autonomously movable, the track may comprise a plurality of housing seats for the carriage 12 that move along the track by driving the carriage 12 into motion.

[0101] Holding devices 13 configured to hold a container (not illustrated) during the movement of the equipment 10 along the track of the path of the automated production line are mounted on the supporting frame 11, on the opposite side with respect to the carriage 12.

[0102] Each holding device 13 comprises a plurality of restraining bodies 14 placed one above the other in a vertical direction. The restraining bodies 14 are vertically superimposed and aligned with each other.

[0103] As better shown in FIG. 5, the restraining bodies 14 of the same holding device 13 are separated from each other in a vertical direction so as to define a separating volume 15 between them. The separating volumes 15 are in number equal to the number of the restraining bodies 14 decreased by one. The separating volumes 15 are sized so as to be able to accommodate a restraining body 14. The distance in the vertical direction separating two overlapped and adjacent restraining bodies 14 is greater than the extent in the vertical direction of a restraining body 14.

[0104] The number of restraining bodies 14 of a holding device 13 is comprised between 2 and 20, preferably comprised between 2 and 10, more preferably comprised between 3 and 8. In the illustrated embodiment, four restraining bodies 14 and three separating volumes 15 are provided for each holding device 13.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 5, each restraining body 14 comprises a rigid supporting element 16 having a rear portion 17, two side portions 18 and a front opening 19. The two side portions 18 are placed at opposite ends of the rear portion 17. The front opening 19 is opposite the rear portion 17 and is developed between the two side portions 18. The two side portions 18 space apart in horizontal direction the rear portion 17 from the front opening 19. Each restraining body 14 has a substantially C shape.

[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the restraining bodies 14 of a holding device 13 have two main development sizes with respect to a third development size. The two main development sizes are defined, respectively, by the extension in horizontal direction of the rear portion 17 and by the extension in horizontal direction of the side portions 18. The third development size is defined by the extension in vertical direction of the rear portion 17 and of the side portions 18. The two main development sizes of each restraining body 14 define a respective horizontal reference plane A.

[0107] The rigid supporting elements 16 are made of plastic material or metal material.

[0108] The rigid supporting elements 16 of each restraining body 14 are connected to each other by a strut 20 to constrain the rigid supporting elements 16 to each other and to keep them vertically separated. The strut 20 has a main development direction directed vertically and substantially perpendicular to the reference planes A.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 5, the strut 20 is connected to the rear portion 17 of the rigid supporting elements 16, such that the rigid supporting elements 16 project in a horizontal direction from the strut 20 forming a plurality of shelves.

[0110] The strut 20 has an extension in a horizontal direction smaller than the extension in the same direction of the rear portion 17 of the rigid supporting elements 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the strut 20 has an extension in the horizontal direction about 6 times less than the extension in the same direction of the rear portion 17 of the rigid supporting elements 16.

[0111] The strut 20 may be one piece with the rigid supporting elements 16 or it may be a distinct element rigidly connected to the rigid supporting elements 16.

[0112] Each restraining body 14 comprises a contact element 21 adapted to be resiliently deformed when pressed against a container to be transported. The contact element 21 can be made of rubber or of an elastomeric material in such a way that it can deform when a force acts on it and recover its original shape when this force is stopped.

[0113] A respective contact element 21 is provided for each restraining body 14. The contact element 21 is positioned at the front opening 19 of the respective rigid supporting element 16, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0114] The extension in vertical direction of each contact element 21 is substantially equal to the extension in vertical direction of the respective rigid supporting element, such that the extension in vertical direction of the restraining bodies 14 is less than the extension in vertical direction of the separating volumes 15.

[0115] The contact element 21 is wrapped in a closed loop on the rigid supporting element 16 so as to contact the rear portion 17, the two side portions 18 and extend between the two side portions 18 at the front opening 19. The contact element 21 comprises, or is defined by, an elastic strip.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 1, the equipment comprises a support base 22 for the container to be transported.

[0117] The front opening 19 of each rigid supporting element 16 of each restraining body 14 of each holding device 13 faces, i.e. turned towards, the support base 22.

[0118] The support base 22 is connected to the supporting frame 11 and extends vertically away from the supporting frame 11. The support base 22 has a support surface 22a that lies in a horizontal plane.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 1, a first pair 13a of holding devices 13 and a second pair 13b of holding devices 13 are provided.

[0120] The holding devices 13 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 are facing each other and separated from the support base 22. The holding devices 13 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 are facing each other and separated from the support base 22.

[0121] Each restraining body 14 of one of the two holding devices 13 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 corresponds to a restraining body 14 of the other holding device 13 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13. Each restraining body 14 of one of the two holding devices 13 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 lies on the same reference plane A of the corresponding restraining body 14 of the other holding device 13 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13.

[0122] Each restraining body 14 of one of the two holding devices 13 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 corresponds to a restraining body 14 of the other holding device 13 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13. Each restraining body 14 of one of the two holding devices 13 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 lies on the same reference plane A of the corresponding restraining body 14 of the other holding device 13 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13.

[0123] The reference planes A on which the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 lie are parallel and offset with respect to the reference planes A on which the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 lie.

[0124] The reference planes A on which the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 lie are alternated with the reference planes A on which the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 lie.

[0125] The reference planes A on which the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 lie are substantially aligned with the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13.

[0126] The reference planes A on which the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 lie are substantially aligned with the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13b of holding devices 13.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 3, proceeding in a vertical direction away from the supporting frame 11, one first encounters the reference plane A on which two corresponding restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 lie, followed by the reference plane A on which two corresponding restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 lie. This alternation goes on for all reference planes A of the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a and of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13.

[0128] The restraining bodies 14 of the first pair of holding devices 13 are movable along a first gripping direction D1 and the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair of holding devices 13 are movable along a second gripping direction D2.

[0129] The first gripping direction D1 is a rectilinear direction, the second gripping direction D2 is a rectilinear direction, and the first gripping direction D1 is substantially orthogonal to the second gripping direction D2. The first gripping direction D1 and the second gripping direction D2 lie on the same horizontal plane.

[0130] Each restraining body 14 is movable along the respective gripping direction between a retracted position and an advanced position.

[0131] In the retracted position, the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 are moved away from each other and in the advanced position the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 are moved towards each other.

[0132] In the advanced position, the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 are moved away from each other and in the advanced position the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 are moved towards each other.

[0133] In the advanced position, the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 are at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 and the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 are at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0134] As illustrated in FIG. 4, each holding device 13 comprises a slide 23 slidingly coupled to a rail 24. The rail 24 is a straight rail arranged parallel to the respective gripping direction D1, D2 of the holding device 13.

[0135] The restraining bodies 14 of the holding device 13 are rigidly connected to the slide 23 through the strut 20. For example, the strut 20 is bolted to the slide 23.

[0136] The slide 23 comprises a first shoulder 25 and a second shoulder 26 spaced apart from each other and projecting vertically.

[0137] A driving device 27 acts on the slide 23 and is configured to move the slide 23 along the rail 24.

[0138] The driving device 27 comprises a pusher 28 and an actuator 29. The pusher 28 and the actuator 29 are mounted on the supporting frame 11.

[0139] The pusher 28 is configured to generate a permanent thrust force on the slide 23 to push it towards the advanced position while the actuator 29 is configured to transfer a temporary dragging force on the slide directed in the opposite direction to the thrust force generated by the pusher 28.

[0140] When the dragging force has an intensity greater than the intensity of the thrust force, the slide 23 slides towards the retracted position until it reaches a position of maximum retraction, while when the dragging force has a lower intensity (or is not generated), the slide 23 slides towards the advanced position until it reaches a position of maximum advancement.

[0141] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the actuator 29 is further configured to transfer to the slide 23 the thrust force exerted by the pusher 28.

[0142] The actuator 29 comprises a dragging portion 30 provided, at a first end, with a slider 31. The slider 31 is placed between the first shoulder 25 and the second shoulder 26 of the slide 23. The slider 31 comprises a rolling bearing or a wheel 32 in contact with both the first shoulder 25 and the second shoulder 26 and rotatable with respect to the dragging portion 30 about a rolling axis X1.

[0143] The actuator 29 comprises an actuation portion 33 on which an external force can be exerted by an operator or by a pushing device external to the equipment 10. The application of this external force generates the cited actuation force. At a first end of the actuation portion 33 there is a rolling bearing or a wheel 34 configured to receive said actuation force.

[0144] The actuator 29 comprises, interposed between the actuation portion 33 and the dragging portion 30, a transmission portion 35. The transmission portion 35 is connected to respective second ends of the actuation portion 33 and of the dragging portion 30. The transmission portion 35 is configured to transfer the actuation force towards the dragging portion 30 allowing the latter to exert the dragging force on the slide 23.

[0145] The transmission portion 35 is hinged around a rotation axis X2 in order to be able to rotate and put the dragging portion 30 in rotation. The first end of the actuation portion 33, at which the external force is applied, is spaced apart from the rotation axis X2, such that the application of the external force causes a rotation in a first angular direction of the actuation portion 33 and of the transmission portion 35 about the rotation axis X2. This rotation of the transmission portion 35 causes a rotation, in the same angular direction, of the dragging portion 30 and a thrust of the slider 31 on the first shoulder 25 of the slide 23. The rotation axis X2 and the rolling axis X1 are parallel and spaced apart.

[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the actuation portion 33, the dragging portion 30 and the one transmission portion 35 of the actuator 29 together define an L-shaped body, with the first end of the actuation portion and the first end of the dragging portion 30 being placed at the free ends of said L-shaped body.

[0147] The pusher 28 is mounted at one end of a rack 36 geared to a gear wheel 37. The rack 36 is parallel to the rail 24 and the gear wheel 37 is rotatable about the rotation axis X2. A translation of the rack 36 causes a rotation of the gear wheel 37 and a rotation of the gear wheel 37 causes a translation of the rack 36. A rotation in the first angular direction of the gear wheel 37 about the rotation axis X2 corresponds to a translation of the rack 36 in the direction of the retracted position of the holding device 13. A rotation in a second angular direction (opposite the first angular direction) of the gear wheel 37 about the rotation axis X2 corresponds to a translation of the rack 36 in the direction of the advanced position of the holding device 13.

[0148] The gear wheel 37 is further rotatably constrained to the transmission portion 35 of the actuator 29, for example the transmission portion 35 is bolted to the gear wheel 37.

[0149] A rotation of the transmission portion 35 causes a translation of the rack 36 and a translation of the rack 36 causes a rotation of the transmission portion 35. A rotation in the first angular direction of the transmission portion 35 about the rotation axis X2 corresponds to a translation of the rack 36 in the direction of the retracted position of the holding device 13 and in opposition to the thrust force exerted by the pusher 28. A translation of the rack 36 in the direction of the advanced position of the holding device 13, actuated by the thrust force of the pusher 28, corresponds to a rotation in a second angular direction (opposite the first angular direction) of the transmission portion 35 about the rotation axis X2. Such rotation in the second angular direction of the transmission portion 35 is only actuatable when no external force is exerted on the actuator 29 or when the thrust force is greater than the external force.

[0150] The thrust force generated by the pusher 28 is thus transferred to the slide 23 through the transmission portion 35 of the actuator 29 which, through the slider 31 pushes against the second shoulder 26 of the slide 23.

[0151] The pusher 28 may be a linear spring or an elastomer placed between the rack 36 and an abutment shoulder 38.

[0152] In order place a container in the equipment 10, the operator picks up an equipment 10 from the track of the path of the automated production line or from a storage unit.

[0153] The equipment 10 is with the holding devices 13 in the advanced position and in particular of maximum advancement due to the thrust force exerted by the respective pushing elements 28 on the respective slides 23. In this condition, the holding devices 13 are arranged with the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 being at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 and with the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 being at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13.

[0154] The operator (or an external pushing device actuated by the operator) exerts the cited external forces on the actuation portions 33 of the actuators 29 in such a way as to generate dragging forces of an intensity greater than the intensity of the thrust force. The slides 23, and along with them the holding devices 13, slide towards the respective retracted positions.

[0155] The external forces are applied in such a way as to move the holding devices 13 away from each other by distances greater than the maximum extent of the container in a horizontal direction, to allow inserting the container to be transported between the holding devices 13 and resting on the support base 22.

[0156] Depending on the sizes of the container, the holding devices 13 may be in one of the following two configurations: [0157] in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, that is, with the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 being at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 and with the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 being at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13; [0158] in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e. with the restraining bodies 14 not inserted in the separating volumes.

[0159] The operator places the container on the support base 22 and removes the external force on the actuation portions 33 of the actuators 29.

[0160] Due to the thrust force exerted by the respective pushers 28 on the respective slides 23, the holding devices 13 advance along the respective gripping directions towards the respective advanced positions.

[0161] During the advancement of the holding devices 13, the contact element 21 of each restraining body 14 presses against the outer surface of the container. The contact elements 21 together with the support base 22 are the only components of the equipment 10 that come into contact with the container. Each contact element 21 is deformed to adapt to the shape of the outer surface portion of the contacted container and, through the corresponding front opening 19 onto which it is placed, is deformed in the direction of the rear portion 17 of the supporting element 16.

[0162] In this way, the container is stably held on the support base 22 and between the holding devices 13. The holding of the container is not absolute, i.e. the container is slightly movable on the support base 22 due to the resilient deformability of the contact elements 21. This allows, for example, to be able to subject the container to operations that require a minimum displacement of the container for them to be carried out correctly, such as the application of a cap or of a screw closure on the neck of the container.

[0163] According to the sizes of the container, the holding devices 13 may be in one of the following two configurations: [0164] in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, that is, with the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13 being at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 and with the restraining bodies 14 of the second pair 13b of holding devices 13 being at least partially received in the separating volumes 15 between the restraining bodies 14 of the first pair 13a of holding devices 13; [0165] in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e. with the restraining bodies 14 not inserted in the separating volumes.

[0166] In any case, whether the container is relatively large-sized or the container is small-sized, the contact elements 21 always contact the outer surface of the container.