Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the handling of bulk materials,
such as ore,
coal, grain etc., for shipping purposes. More particularly, the present
invention relates to an
improved system to handle containers where side access is limited.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
For many years, bulk materials have been loaded into the holds of ships by the
use of
conveyors and grapples that cannot load containers effectively or have
restricted loading
mechanisms which cannot deliver material to a desired location. This is
expensive, requires
set-up time and is slow and complex to handle. For that reason, it is
preferred to use standard
cargo containers of the type that are hoisted and located by the use of a
gantry cantilevered
crane. This provides many advantages, including the ability to load and off-
load cargo
containers from various transport means, including flat-bed trucks and rail
cars. Another
benefit is that the bulk material within the containers is protected from the
environment and, in
turn, the environment is protected from the bulk material (possible
pollutants).
A further advantage is that containerisation permits much more precise
positioning of
the material within the hold compared to conveying bulk material in loose
form. Even if the bulk
material is to be tipped into the hold, the use of containers allows much more
precise loading
of the material.
US Patent No. 4,496,275 discloses a tipping adapter that permits a cargo
container,
which is suspended from a hoisting device (such as a gantry cantilever crane),
to be
selectively tipped about an axis extending longitudinally through the
container so that bulk
material, such as coal, grain etc., may be tipped from the container into a
ship's hold or other
receiving space. The adapter includes a drive support frame which connects to
the crane or a
crane-supported container spreader at the connection points normally used in
connecting the
container to the spreader. A pivotal frame connects to a container in the same
manner in which
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the spreader connects to the container. The drive support and pivotal frames
are pivotally
engaged so that one or more drive motors, mounted on the drive support frame,
can be used
to selectively pivot the pivotal frame and thereby tip the container. Controls
are placed at the
crane control panel to permit selective container engagement and tipping, and
interlocks are
provided to prevent tipping of the container before it is properly engaged.
A difficulty with the above-mentioned tipping adapter is that at least some of
the drive
mechanisms and the frame need to extend on each side of the container. When
the containers
are packed tightly in a horizontal plane (for example, when they are delivered
by train), the
apparatus cannot engage a container because there is insufficient room to
accommodate the
tipping adapter. This relates to picking up a container either from the hold
of a ship to be tipped
out or hoisted from the flat bed of a rail car and tipped out into the hold of
a ship.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus for delivering bulk material from a
cargo
container to a designated area by tipping the cargo container.
In a broad aspect, the invention relates to apparatus for engaging and
handling a cargo
container, said apparatus having a frame assembly
including:
a longitudinal support member;
two spaced apart sub-frames depending from the longitudinal support member;
each sub-frame having a container support arm pivotally mounted by means of a
rotating assembly on the inner face of the sub-frame, said rotating assembly
connecting the
sub-frame to its respective container support arm; and
a drive means to rotationally drive the rotating assembly connecting the sub-
frame to its
container support arm;
wherein the container support arms have support surfaces, being a
substantially planar
region on the surface of each container support arm, which support surfaces
are capable of
abutting and supporting the end walls of a cargo container when held partially
or wholly in the
space between the two sub-frames of the apparatus;
the cargo container being rotatable by the apparatus to discharge its
contents.
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The drive means for rotationally driving the rotating assembly may include one
or more
hydraulic or electric motor and gear means, hydraulically or electrically
driven slew ring or
chain drive, which may conveniently be incorporated in or supported by at
least one of the sub-
frames.
Preferably, the container support arms are rotatable through (and even beyond)
3600
.
That is, they can rotate continuously full circle (and beyond). Once they have
rotated full circle,
rotation can still continue in the same direction ¨ although possible, it is
unnecessary for the
direction of rotation to be reversed at that (or any other) point. However, as
with conventional
cargo-handling apparatus, rotation may be stopped at any point, and rotation
then reversed,
such that the container support arms are only operating/rotating through 180 .
A locking means may be provided, that allows the container support arms to be
locked
in a preferred position.
Mechanical or electrical stops may also be provided, to ensure that the
container
support arms do not rotate beyond a pre-determined position.
The apparatus may, for example, be suspended from or mounted on a hoisting
device,
such as a crane, forklift or reach stacker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of
this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the
description, serve
to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a front view of container handling apparatus according to a first
embodiment
of the present invention, which enables a container to be pivoted around its
longitudinal axis to
tip out the contents therefrom, with the container shown in a raised position
such that the
tipping system is located to either side of the container;
Figure 2 is a front view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 1, with
the
container shown in a lowered position such that the tipping system is located
above the sides
of the container;
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Figure 3 is a front view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 1,
where the
tipping system has rotated the container through 45 degrees;
Figure 4 is a front view of the container handling apparatus as in Figure 3,
but where
the tipping system has rotated the container through 90 degrees;
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of the container
handling
apparatus of Figure 1, with various components of the frame removed so as to
more clearly
illustrate how the container (shown here in a raised position) is held by the
engaging member
of a container support arm of the container handling apparatus; and
Figure 6 is another schematic diagram illustrating a a side view of the
container
handling apparatus of Figure 1, cut away to show how the container is held.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying
drawings.
Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are
possible,
and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from
the spirit and
scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be
used
throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and
like parts.
Dimensions of certain of the parts shown in the drawings may have been
modified and/or
exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.
Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 depicts container handling apparatus 10
as per
the present invention, which is adapted to handle a container 12 of bulk
material 14. In this
embodiment, the container handling apparatus is suspended from a crane 16,
which enables
the container handling apparatus (and the container being held by that
apparatus) to be re-
positioned as required. The crane 16 is operable by cables 18 and has one or
more twist-lock
adapter 20 for engaging the longitudinal support member 22 of the apparatus
10. It is to be
understood that there would be various other structural elements that are part
of the assembly.
However, these are well-known in the art and, for that reason, it is not
proposed to recite them
individually in this specification.
As shown in Figure 2 (in particular), when the container 12 is perfectly
centred between
the container support arms 34, there may be a small gap between the support
surface 35 (on
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the inner surface of the container support arm 34) and the container 12 being
handled. This
small gap reduces friction and allows the container to be picked up by the
container handling
apparatus. The support surfaces are however capable of abutting and supporting
the end walls
of the container in that, during handling of a container, they minimise any
side-to-side
movement of the container and minimise bulging (with potential risk of
collapse) of the
container end walls under the stress of a heavy load of (for example) ore.
The support member 22 extends longitudinally and supports two sub-frames 24,
which
are spaced apart from each other, and may conveniently be located at (or
proximal to) either
end of support member 22. Preferably, the drive system whereby a container is
rotated will
comprise at least one motor 26 and gearbox 28, making up a rotating coupling
30, or an
electrically or hydraulically driven slew ring or chain drive system, which
may be located within
(or associated with) at least one of the sub-frames 24. The motor and the
gearbox drive a shaft
32, the shaft being linked by means of a boss 33 to a container support arm 34
having an end-
piece 36 that engages the container 12 through the well-known twist-lock
system 38.
Depending on the engineering configuration, a motor 26 and gearbox 28 may be
located in
each of the sub-frames 24, or in one sub-frame only. The drive system may, for
example, be
off-drive or bevel-drive gearbox(es), which are electronically controlled.
The motor and the gearbox rotate the shaft 32 and, given that the container is
connected to the shaft via the container support arm 34, cause the container
to rotate (see
Figures 3 and 4), thereby emptying the contents of the container.
Preferably, the rotating coupling 30 will allow the container support arms to
be rotated
through and beyond 360 . That is, they will be able to rotate continuously
full circle and
beyond, or rotation can be stopped and then reversed at any point. The full
360 rotation can
be accomplished by incorporating electrical slip rings in the coupling (in
place of wiring, which
would restrict rotation). Alternatively, a slew ring, ball bearing race, chain-
and-sprocket system
or other means may be utilised to enable this continuous rotation.
This continuous 360 rotation is a major advantage of the present system. In
most prior
art systems, a rotation of 170 at most is all that can be achieved.
The rotating coupling 30 can, for example, be hydraulic or electrical.
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In an hydraulic coupling, 360 continuous rotation is achieved by using an
hydraulic
rotating coupling to allow oil to pass through the central rotating shaft 32
and to the twist-lock
boxes 38 to facilitate operation of the twist-lock system.
In an electrical coupling, 360 continuous rotation is achieved by using an
electrical
rotating coupling to allow electric current to pass through the central
rotating shaft 32 and for
an electrical signal to operate the twist-lock boxes 38.
One or more safety brake can be provided. For example, one or more brake
assembly
(preferably, two "off - fail to safety" brake assemblies) may be incorporated
to provide positive
braking to either side of the container in the event of any type of failure,
whether electrical,
hydraulic or another type of failure. The safety braking system may, for
example, form part of
the gearbox(es).
Electronic proximity sensors may be used to keep track of the rotation of the
container
support arms 34 and/or the container 12 being handled by the apparatus.
The sub-frames 24, located on either side of the container handling apparatus
10,
occupy an appreciable amount of lateral space, and this could be a problem
when the
apparatus is picking up a container from (for example) a group of containers
that are packed
tightly in a horizontal plane. Such a configuration is therefore not
appropriate when a container
is to be picked up from a group or line of containers which are arranged very
close side-by-
side. This problem may, for example, be at least partially alleviated by
locating the pivotal
attachment point (e.g. shaft 32) of the container support arms 34 at or
proximal to the lower
ends of their respective sub-frames 24.
To further alleviate this problem, the container handling apparatus 10 may
include
movable components (e.g. extendible members 40 which form sub-arms of the
container
support arms 34), to which the end-pieces 36 are attached. The extendible
members 40 are,
for example, slidingly attached to the container support arms 34 so that they
can be moved
from a first position within the perimeter of those arms to a second position
where they extend
beyond the perimeter of those arms. There may, for example, be two extendible
members per
container support arm, and these extendible members are preferably metal rods.
The sliding
attachment can be provided by means of a roller or ball mechanism on a track
or slide system,
on support surfaces 35 of the container support arms, along which the
extendible members
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can slide. In that way, and as shown best in Figure 2, they enable the end-
pieces 36 of the
container handling apparatus to be extended beyond the sub-frames 24 and
readily engage
the container by means of a twist-lock system 38.
This allows the extendible members 40 to be lowered downwards below the lowest
point of the sub-frames so that they can engage (by means of the twist-lock
system 38) with
the container 12, even when that container forms part of a close-packed group
or line of
containers. The extendible members 40 of the container support arms 34 are
then moved
upwards to raise the container.
Thus, where a container that is effectively enclosed by other containers needs
to be
engaged, the crane operator simply adjusts the whole container-handling
assembly until the
sub-frames 24 are above the upper level of the container, whilst ensuring that
the twist-locks
38 are still able to engage the container.
The twist-locks 38 of the end-pieces 36 of the container handling apparatus
engage the
top rails of the container. By increasing the strength of those top rails, the
container effectively
forms a "chassis" and adds to the strength of the container handling
apparatus. This allows for
the container handling apparatus to be lighter in construction without
compromising strength or
load carrying capacity, and removes the need for longitudinal connecting
members, to add
strength, between the individual support arms 34.
When engagement has occurred, the container handling apparatus is operated to
cause
the container to be lifted vertically to a predetermined height or point and,
when there is
sufficient room, operates so that the extendible members 40 move to position
the container at
least partially within the space between the sub-frames 24. With the container
thus held
between the sub-frames 24, the end walls of the containers receive at least
some degree of
support from a support surface 35 of each of the container support arms 34.
These support
surfaces 35 are, for example, substantially planar regions on the surface of
each of the
container support arms, which support surfaces will abut and support the end
walls of the
container when held in this raised position, with the container being located
at least partially
between the sub-frames 24, ready for rotating to discharge its contents. The
support provided
to the end walls of the container by the support surfaces 35 of the container
support arms will
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normally mean that other forms of support (such as the supporting pistons of
many prior art
systems) will not be needed.
When an operable position has been reached ¨ that is, one where the container
is at an
appropriate level to be rotated, and is positioned appropriately (e.g. above a
ship's hold, into
which the contents of the container are to be discharged), the apparatus is
locked in position
enabling the operator to pivot the container and empty its contents. This is
illustrated in
Figures 3 and 4 (where the tipping system has rotated the container through 45
degrees and
90 degrees respectively).
The way in which a container is engaged by the container handling apparatus of
the
present invention is further illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.
Fail-safe measures, such as safety brakes and shaft locking systems, are
preferably
included in the system to provide positive braking to the rotation of the
container 12 in the
event of any type of failure. Also, devices such as proximity sensors or
encoders may be
incorporated, to keep track of the rotation of the container support arms 34
and/or the
container 12 that is being handled.
For example, an encoder is preferably included in the system to keep track of
the
rotation of each of the container support arms 34 and ensure synchronisation
of rotation of the
container support arms at either end of the container being handled. The
encoder may be
capable of sub-dividing the 360 rotation cycle into up to 3000 sections (or
even more), and
track rotation through each of these sections.
Throughout this specification, except where the context requires otherwise due
to
express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" (or variants
such as
"comprise" or "comprises") is used in the sense of "including"; Le. the
features specified may
be associated with further features (whether or not specifically mentioned) in
various
embodiments of the invention.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be
clear that
variations of the details of the constructions which have been specifically
illustrated and
described may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the
invention.
For example, while Figures 1 to 6 illustrate the apparatus being suspended
from a
crane, and with the sub-frames 24 depending downwardly from the support frame
22, in other
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embodiments (e.g. when mounted on a forklift) the apparatus may, for example,
be rotated
through 90 degrees so as to be effectively lying on its side (when compared to
the embodiment
of Figures 1 to 6), and references to raising and lowering of the container or
of various
components of the apparatus should in such instances be re-interpreted to
include the
equivalent movement in a different plane (e.g. horizontal, rather than
vertical, movement).
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