GB2223733A - Device for tipping containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A tipper device to assist the removal of the contents of a heavy container for the purpose of selection, examination, display, transport or similar handling comprises a fixed freestanding base frame (5) and a tipping frame (12). The tipping frame is pivoted to the base frame for pivotal movement between two limiting angular positions relative to the base frame and is adapted to support a container in the two limiting angular positions and in all intermediate positions. Hydraulic means, e.g. two rams (14), are provided for moving the tipping frame from a lower limiting angular position to a higher angular position. Tipping frame (12) has lateral guides for the container, and retaining hooks (30) (Fig. 2, not shown), and a tray 20 is provided on uprights (10) to receive container contents. <IMAGE>

Description

Tipper Device The present invention is a tipper device, whereby the contents may be tipped fran a container for the purpose of selection, examunation, display, transport or similar handling.

In many industrial situations, it is necessary to deal individually with a large number of similar or different small items which are contained together in a substantial container.

Fbr example, fish contained in a large bin or hamper or similar container may need to be sorted by size or type or may require individual packing. In an engineering context, a large ntber of fine castings from a heavy bin may need to be sorted or inspected. Th both such examples, the container may weigh over a tonne, for example 3 tonnes, that is far more than can readily be lifted by one or two operatives, and it is therefore usual for the items to be removed from the container individually by hand. However, such individual removal is a slaw and sartiirs arduous procedure and may prove to be an excessively inefficient use of an operative's tine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device whereby the contents of a substantial container may be tipped therefrom in a single simple operation, without the expenditure of significant effort on the part of the user of the device.

The tipper device according to the present invention comprises a fixed freestanding base frame, a tipping frame, pivoted to said base frame for pivotal movement between two limiting angular positions relative to said base frame and adapted to support a container in said two limiting angular positions and in all intermediate positions, and hydraulic means for moving said tipping frame from a lower said limiting angular position to a higher said angular position.

The e freestanding base frame of the device must, of course, be of sufficiently robust construction to support the container and its contents to be tipped but need not itself be of a weight which compares with that load. Thus, by way of example, a tipper device capable safely of tipping a load in excess of 1 tonne may itself weigh as little as 100 kg. The base frame may conveniently be construed of angle section or box section iron or steel or of a similar tubular material. Alternatively, solid sectic iron or steel or other suitable material may be used.

In one preferred form of the invention, the base frame may aamprise a flat open base of generally rectangular outline in plan, with support arms extending upwardly fran opposite points on the sides thereof.

The tipping frame is adapted to support the container to be tipped and to continue to support it over a range of angular positions of the frame. Such support may be afforded by means of a tipping frame which engages the container on only the bottom and one of its upright faces, that is the tipping frame may be broadly L-shaped in profile, although a more extensive tipping frame may be provided if desired.The tipping frame may advantageously include one or store guides to aid locating of the container on the frame, and/or may include one or nore retainers to keep the container in position during angular mDvement of the tipping frame, especially where the container is tipped through an angle of greater than 90 degrees.

The pivotting of the tipping frame to the fixed base frame is preferably at a point within the regions of the upper edges of the respective frames, to permit the contents of the container to be discharged at a convenient irking height without the necessity of lifting the container higher than necessary. Thus the pivot point may advantageously be located at a height above ground level within the range from 800 to 1300 turn.

The angular distance between the two limiting positions of the tipping frame may be selected to meet the reguirements of the specific use to which the tipper device is intended to be put but may advantageously lie within the range from 80 to 120 degrees, especially from 90 to 110 degree. Angular distances lying below the lower end of this wider range, while still affording significant assistance to the user, may insufficiently reduce the need for manual individual removal of the contents of the container. Angular distances lying above the upper end of the range are in general unnecessarily great and are itrore difficult to achieve hydraulically.

Operation of the tipper device according to the present invention is carried out by hydraulic means which, at its most simple, may comprise a single hydraulic ram operating between the fixed base frame and the tipping frame. By pivotally mounting the ram at its two ends upon the respective frames, it it possible to effect an angular movement of the tipping frame in excess of 90 degrees by simple linear extension of the ram. In a particularly preferred form of the tipper device, the hydraulic means comprises two rams operating in parallel.

The hydraulic means operates to lift the tipping frame fram its lower to its higher position but return of the frame to its lower position may be effected by gravity. Thus the ram or rams may be single-acting rams. Lowering of the tipping frame may then be achieved by opening a control valve, by means of which the hydraulic pressure sustaining the tipping frame in its upper position may be released. Operation of the valve may be manual or electrical, for example by remote control of an operating solenoid.

The hydraulic means måy also be manually or electrically operated, for example by a hand pump or an electricallydriven Exnnp respectively.

The tipping device according to the invention may comprise a table or tray on to which the contents of the container may be tipped for sorting, inspection or other individual handling.

In one alternative form of the invention, the device is adapted to discharge the contents of the container on to a conveyor, whereby they are transported to another operating station.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, one preferred embodiment of the tipper device according to the invention and wherein : Fig. 1 illustrates the device in perspective view; Fig. 2 illustrates the device in side elevation, with the tipper frame in its lower position and supporting a container; Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, with the tipper frame in its higher position; and Fig. 4 illustrates the hydraulic circuit of the device.

The illustrated device comprises a generally rectangular base frame consisting of steel section side members 5, 6, a box section end neXber 7 and cross-members 8 and 9.

Support arms 10, 11 extend upwardly from the side members 5 and 6 respectively.

A tipping frame 12, also forned frcm steel box section or steel section and having an L-shaped structure when viewed from the side, is pitted about aligned horizontal pivots 13 situated in the regions of the upper ends of the support arms 10, 11. By nEans of a pair of parallel single-acting hydraulic rams 14, 15 extending from pivots 16, 17 respectively on the end member 7 to pivots 18 on a cross-member (not visible) on the rear of the tipping frame 12, the tipping frame may be swung through an angle of approxitnately 105 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3.In this way, the contents may be tipped from an open-topped container 19 on to an open tray 20, for examination or some other form of handling.

Control of the tipping is manual, via a hydraulic valve 21 operated by a hand lever 22. Alternatively, the valve 21 may be solenoid operated.

locating of a container 19 upon the tipping frame 12 is aided by ireans of a transverse guide 29. When the tipping frame is tipped towards its uppermost position, the container 19 is retained in position by means of retaining hooks 30.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the hydraulic rams 14, 15 are linked in parallel to receive hydraulic fluid pumped by a pump 23 via the control valve 21. When the valve 21 is operated to direct fluid to the rams, the latter extend to raise the tipping frame into the position illustrated in Fig. 3.

The hydraulic fluid is supplied from an oil tank 24 which feeds the purrp 23 via a suction-type oil filter 25. The pump 23 is driven by an electric motor 26. The oil pressure is monitored by a pressure gauge 27 and is controlled by an adjustable pressure relief valve 28.

The control valve 21 is a spring-centred valve having three operating positions, in the first of which the tipping frame is raised and in the second of which (the "neutral" position) the frame is held stationary. In the third position, hydraulic pressure in the rams is allowed to fall at a controlled rate and the tipping frame is lowered under gravity to its lowermDst position (Fig. 2).

The illustrated tipping device is formed in mild stainless steel, galvanised for protection against corrosion, and is designed for emptying fish containers. In experiments, a device weighing approximately 100 kg has safely and successfully been used for tipping loaded fish containers weighing in excess of 1 tonne.

Claims (12)

1. A tipper device for assisting the discharging of the contents from a container, which device comprises a fixed freestanding base frame, a tipping frame, pivoted to said base frame for pivotal movement between twD limiting angular positions relative to said base frame and adapted to support a container in said two limiting angular positions and in all intermediate positions, and hydraulic means for moving said tipping frame from a lower said limiting angular position to a higher said angular position.

2. A tipper device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame is constructed from angle section, box section or solid section iron or steel.

3. A tipper device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said base frame comprises a flat open base of generally rectangular outline in plan, with support anrs extending upwardly from opposite points on the sides thereof.

4. A tipper device as clairred in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tipping frame is adapted to engage a said container on at least the bottam and an upright face thereof.

5. A tipper device as claimed in claim 4, therein the tinting ftarre is broadly L-shaped in profile.

6. A tipper device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tipping frame includes one or more guides to aid locating of a said container thereon and/or one or more retainers to keep said container in position during angular movement of the tipping frame.

7. A tipper device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said base frame and tipping frame are pivoted together at a point within the regions of the upper edges of the respective frames.

8. A tipper device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pivot point is located at a height above ground level within the range from 800 to 1300 mm.

9. A tipper device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the angular distance between the two limiting positions of the tipping frame lies within the range from 80 to 120 degrees.

10. A tipper device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic means comprises at least one hydraulic ram operating between said base frame and said tipping frame.

11. A tipper device as claimed in claim 10, wherein return of said tipping frame from a higher angular position to a Icxtar angular position is achieved by opening a control valve whereby hydraulic pressure in said at least one hydraulic ran is released.

12. A tipper device for assisting the discharging of the contents from a container, which device is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.