Method and means for forming and lifting parcels or packages comprising at least two stacks or units of goods, and an apparatus for forming such parcels

Abstract

Methods and means for forming and lifting parcels comprising at least two stacks of units of goods (A, B) comprising a lifting sling or a load carrying band ( 1 ) that is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner where it follows the outer contour of the stacks and where a loop of the band is arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between the stacks to form an intermediate section ( 3 ) that can be served by a lifting device ( 2 ). The intermediate section ( 3 ) is arranged at a vertical level below the top of the stacks and further above the centre of gravity (G) of the parcel. The invention also relates to an apparatus for forming said parcel.

1 . A method for forming and lifting parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A, B) where a lifting sling or a load carrying band ( 1 ) is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner to follow the outer contour of the stacks thus forming a parcel (P), and where a loop of the band is further arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between said stacks, the loop thus forming an intermediate section ( 3 ) that can be served by a lifting device for lifting the parcel (P),  
       characterised in that 
 the intermediate section ( 3 ) is arranged in such a manner that when the parcel is lifted the lifting device will be applied at vertical level below the top of the parcel (P) and further above its centre of gravity (G).  
 
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the intermediate section is reinforced by the introduction of a reinforcing element ( 20 ).  
 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with claim  1 - 2 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the parcel is lifted by introducing a bar, rod or the like ( 2 ) into the intermediate section ( 3 ).  
 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with claim  1 - 2 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the parcel is lifted by introducing a bar or the like into each end of the intermediate section ( 3 ).  
 
     
     
         5 . Means for forming and lifting parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A, B) comprising a lifting sling or a load carrying band that is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner where it follows the outer contour of the stacks and where a loop of the band is arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between the stacks to form an intermediate section ( 3 ) that can be served by a lifting device,  
       characterised in that 
 the intermediate section ( 3 ) is arranged at a vertical level below the top of the stacks and further above the centre of gravity (G) of the parcel.  
 
     
     
         6 . Means in accordance with  claim 5 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the intermediate section ( 3 ) is reinforced by a tubular reinforcing element ( 20 ).  
 
     
     
         7 . Means in accordance with  claim 6 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the tubular reinforcing element ( 20 ) is made out of cardboard paper, polypropylene, polyethylene or other appropriate material.  
 
     
     
         8 . Means in accordance with  claim 5 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the band is made out of a suitable material and is wider than the width of the stacks, where it covers partly the sides of the stacks.  
 
     
     
         9 . Means in accordance with  claim 5 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the band is of a material where the parcel will be stable after its application, because of frictional forces between the band and the stacks of goods and mutual parts of the band itself ( 10 ,  11 ).  
 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for forming parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A, B) where a lifting sling or a load carrying band ( 1 ) is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner to follow the outer contour of the stacks thus forming a parcel (P), and where a loop of the band is further arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between said stacks, the loop thus forming an intermediate section ( 3 ) that can be served by a lifting device for lifting the parcel (P), the apparatus comprises four elements or rollers ( 35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 ) to make the band surrounding the two stacks as a whole, two stretching elements or rollers ( 40 ,  41 ) positioned in the vicinity of two mutually facing corners of the two units of goods (A, B), and a device for entering and forming the loop between said units (A, B) and said two stretching elements ( 40 ,  41 ),  
       characterised in that 
 the device for forming the loop is constituted by a mandrel or roller ( 42 ) intended to push the band inwards between the two stretching elements and into the space between the units of goods where the intermediate section ( 3 ) will be arranged in such a manner that when the parcel is lifted the attacking vertical level of the lifting device will be at a level below the top of the parcel (P) and further above its centre of gravity (G).  
 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 ,  
       characterised in that 
 the elements ( 35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 ), the two stretching elements ( 40 ,  41 ) and the mandrel ( 42 ) are arranged with their length axis in the vertical direction.  
 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for forming parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A′, B′) where a lifting sling or a load carrying band ( 234 ) is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner to follow the outer contour of the stacks thus forming a parcel (P′), and where a loop ( 261 ) of the band is further arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between said stacks, the loop thus forming an intermediate section ( 262 ) that can be served by a lifting device for lifting the parcel (P′), the apparatus comprises two elements or rollers ( 258 ,  259 ) positioned in the vicinity of two mutually facing corners of the two units of goods (A′, B′), and a device ( 256 ) for entering and forming the loop between said units (A′, B′) and said two elements ( 258 ,  259 ),  
       characterised in that 
 the device for forming the loop is constituted by a support structure arranged in an upwards manner ( 256 ) that is lower than the height of the goods to be handled, and that preferably supports a tubular element  257  onto which the band is arranged, the intermediate section ( 262 ) will be arranged in such a manner that when the parcel is lifted the attacking vertical level of the lifting device will be at a level below the top of the parcel (P′) and further above its centre of gravity (G), the apparatus further comprises means ( 260 ) for joining the two ends of the load carrying band ( 234 ).  
 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 ,  
       characterised in that 
 it comprises one station ( 300 ) for entering load.( 310 ,  311 ,  312 ,  313 ) into a load carrying band ( 314 ) for pre-forming a parcel, where the apparatus further comprises at least one band stretching/band end joining station ( 301 ,  302 ) for finishing the forming of the parcel (P″, P′″.)