SYSTEM FOR OVERTURNING TANKS OF KNEADING MACHINES

• US 20170059018A1
• Filed: 07/29/2016
• Published: 03/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sancassiano S.P.A.
• Original Assignee: Sancassiano S.P.A.
• Inventors: DROCCO, Davide
• Granted Patent: US 10,458,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7548 using tilting or pivoting means for emptying the mixing receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/23 Devices for tilting and emptying of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/00 Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes mobile or transportable lifts in, or associated with, buildings and specially adapted to be shifted from one part of a building or other structure to another part or to another building or structure B66B9/16; cranes B66C
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 21/44 for conveying or interconverting oscillating or reciprocating motions

Abstract

A system for overturning tanks of kneading machines includes an overturning unit provided with means for fixing a tank to itself. The means for fixing has an elastic actuation member, which is loaded by exploiting the downward movement of the overturning unit.

Claims

1. A system for overturning tanks of kneading machines, said system comprising:

a supporting structure; and

an overturning unit mobile along said structure between a lowered position, in which it receives the tank to be overturned, and a raised position, in which it overturns said tank;

wherein said unit comprises means for fixing to itself the tank to be overturned, which are provided with a body for engaging said tank, which is mobile between an inoperative position and an operative position;

said means for fixing comprise tappet means pre-arranged for co-operating with a fixed surface during displacement of said unit from said raised position to said lowered position in order to activate a condition of said fixing means whereby raising of said unit starting from said lowered position brings about displacement of said engagement body from said inoperative position to said operative position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprise an elastic member, which can be activated into a loaded condition thereof and is connected to said engagement body for driving the latter into said operative position, wherein said tappet means are connected to said elastic member and are pre-arranged for co-operating with said fixed surface during displacement of said unit from said raised position to said lowered position so as to bring said elastic member into said loaded condition.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said elastic member is pre-arranged for moving said engagement body upwards, up to said operative position.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tappet means comprise a rocker member, which carries said engagement body of said tank.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said rocker member comprises a first arm, which carries said engagement body, and a second opposite arm, which is designed to co-operate with said fixed surface, and wherein said elastic member engages said first arm.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said elastic member is articulated, at a first end thereof, to said first arm of said rocker member, and, at a second opposite end, to the structure of said unit.

7. The system according to claim 1, comprising control means configured to control raising of said unit for an initial stroke that is limited but sufficient for said engagement body to be brought into said operative position by said elastic member.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a sensor for verifying whether fixing of the tank to the unit is carried out correctly, and wherein said control means are configured for controlling the further stroke of raising of the unit on the basis of the signal received from said sensor.

11. The system according to claim 2, wherein said tappet means comprise a rocker member, which carries said engagement body of said tank.

12. The system according to claim 3, wherein said tappet means comprise a rocker member, which carries said engagement body of said tank.

13. The system according to claim 2, comprising control means configured to control raising of said unit for an initial stroke that is limited but sufficient for said engagement body to be brought into said operative position by said elastic member.

14. The system according to claim 3, comprising control means configured to control raising of said unit for an initial stroke that is limited but sufficient for said engagement body to be brought into said operative position by said elastic member.

15. The system according to claim 4, comprising control means configured to control raising of said unit for an initial stroke that is limited but sufficient for said engagement body to be brought into said operative position by said elastic member.

16. The system according to claim 5, comprising control means configured to control raising of said unit for an initial stroke that is limited but sufficient for said engagement body to be brought into said operative position by said elastic member.

17. The system according to claim 6, comprising control means configured to control raising of said unit for an initial stroke that is limited but sufficient for said engagement body to be brought into said operative position by said elastic member.

9. A method for fixing a tank to a system for overturning tanks, wherein said system comprises:

a supporting structure; and

an overturning unit mobile along said structure between a lowered position, in which it receives said tank, and a raised position, in which it overturns said tank;

wherein said unit comprises means for fixing to itself the tank to be overturned, which are provided with a body for engaging said tank that is mobile between an inoperative position and an operative position;

wherein said means comprise;

an elastic member, which can be activated in a loaded condition thereof and is connected to said engagement body for driving the latter into said operative position; and

tappet means, which are connected to said elastic member and are pre-arranged for co-operating with a fixed surface during displacement of said unit from said raised position to said lowered position, so as to bring said elastic member into said loaded condition,

said method comprising using control means of said system to control the following steps;

bringing said unit into said lowered position so that said elastic member will be brought by said tappet means into said loaded condition; and

raising said unit so that said engagement body is brought by said elastic member into said operative position.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps:

raising said unit up to a first pre-determined height so that said engagement body is brought by said elastic member into said operative position;

verifying via a sensor whether fixing of said tank to said unit is carried out correctly;

in the case where said fixing has been carried out correctly, raising further said unit up to said raised position;

in the case where said fixing has not been carried out correctly, bringing said unit back into said lowered position.