Cutting – Processes – Cutting wall of hollow work
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-13
2001-03-13
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Processes
Cutting wall of hollow work
C083S056000, C083S943000, C083S946000, C083S090000, C083S157000, C029S426300, C029S822000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199466
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices for processing palletized containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for shearing containers from pallets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Palletized containers are commonly employed to store and transport a wide variety of products. A palletized container generally consists of a container removably fastened at its bottom face to a pallet. The container can be made from a variety of different materials. However, the most popular type of container is a cardboard box because it is lightweight and inexpensive. Unfortunately, cardboard containers alone tend to be too weak for some applications. To solve this problem, industry has developed the practice of securing the cardboard container to a pallet. The pallet increases the strength and facilitates the handling of the palletized container with a fork lift truck. Thus, such palletized containers are often used for products which are heavy, such as bottles of liquids, and for products which are bulky, such as automobile components.
Palletized containers have several shortcomings. A first problem is that palletized containers are bulky and cumbersome. When the contents are removed, the palletized containers occupy an inordinate amount of space, making them difficult to store or transport. Another problem is that the palletized containers are difficult to re-use or recycle. The different materials of the pallet and the container have different useful lifetimes and recycling characteristics. Wooden pallets can generally be re-used after the container is removed. Cardboard containers, on the other hand, may not be capable of re-use after they have been manipulated in the shipping process. It is ecologically and often economically beneficial to recycle the cardboard boxes, but the cardboard must first be separated from other materials. It is most often useful to compact the used cardboard for storage, shipment, and processing of the containers.
A further problem is that machines in the prior art are not well suited to processing palletized containers. There are several crushers or balers which are suited to either wood pallets or cardboard boxes, but not both. Also, there are crushers or balers which are capable of pulverizing and compacting the entire palletized container, but they are generally large, complex, and expensive. Further, the pallet cannot then be re-used nor can the wood and cardboard be separated for efficient recycling if the entire palletized container is compacted.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a machine to separate the pallets from the containers and compact the container portion of the palletized container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for processing a palletized container. The apparatus includes a receptacle arranged and configured for receiving the palletized container. A shearing mechanism is incorporated within the receptacle. The shearing mechanism is constructed and arranged for generating relative movement between the container and the pallet such that the container is sheared from the pallet. In a preferred configuration, the shearing mechanism includes support structure for supporting the palletized container within the receptacle by engaging the pallet of the palletized container. The shearing mechanism also includes a shearing member having an edge spaced a predetermined distance from the support structure. The predetermined distance is slightly greater than a thickness of the pallet such that the edge of the shearing member is adapted to align substantially with the interface between the pallet and the container.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the support structure comprises a stationary bed of the receptacle, and the shearing member is moveably mounted within the receptacle.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support structure comprises a pivot plate pivotally mounted within the receptacle. The pivot plate is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the pivot plate is adapted to support the pallet, and a second position in which the pivot plate is adapted to discharge the pallet from the receptacle.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the support structure comprises a slide plate moveable mounted within the receptacle. The slide plate is constructed and arranged to move the pallet with respect to the shearing member such that the container is sheared from the pallet.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for processing a palletized container. The method includes the step of placing the palletized container in a receptacle having a pallet discharge opening, a container discharge opening, and a shearing mechanism including a shearing member. Once the palletized container is within the receptacle, an edge of the shearing member is aligned with an interface between the pallet and the container of the palletized container. Next, relative movement is generated between the pallet and the container such that the shearing member engages the container and shears the container from the pallet. The sheared container is then discharged through the container discharge opening while the pallet is discharged through pallet discharge opening.
A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
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Crawford John R.
Nelson Michael L.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Rachuba M.
Solid Waste Management Systems, Inc.
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