Apparatus and method for handling and opening a frangible container

Abstract

An apparatus and method for handling and opening frangible containers containing substantially solid contents is described. The apparatus includes a cutter configured to sever an upper portion of a container from a lower portion the container. The apparatus further includes a holder for holding the lower portion of the container, and a gripping device for gripping the upper portion of the container as the container is severed by the cutter. The gripping device lifts the upper portion from the lower portion of the bottle such that any portion of the solid contents within the upper portion is discharged to the lower portion of container. The apparatus also can include a positioner for presenting the bottle to the cutter for cutting.

1 . An apparatus for opening frangible bottles containing substantially solid contents, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a cutter operable to sever a first portion of a bottle from a second portion of the bottle;   (b) a bottle holder operable to hold the second portion of the bottle as the first portion is severed from the second portion; and   (c) a gripper operable to releasably grip the first portion, and to substantially maintain the position of the first portion relative to the second portion as the first portion is severed from the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cutter comprises a blade configured to slice the first portion from the second portion. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cutter is operable to sever the bottle substantially coincident with a fill line that substantially corresponds to a margin of the solid contents. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripper includes a first jaw and an opposed second jaw, and wherein the first and second jaws are movable between a gripping position and a release position. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a positioner operable to selectively position the bottle holder and the second portion of the bottle held therein relative to the cutter. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the positioner comprises a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the cutter is operable to sever a plurality of first portions from a plurality of respective second portions of a plurality of bottles;   (b) the bottle holder is operable to hold the second portions of the plurality of bottles as the first portions are severed from the second portions; and   (c) the gripper is operable to releasably grip the first portions, and to substantially maintain the positions of the first portions relative to the respective second portions as the first portions are severed from the second portions.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripper is operable to separate the first portion from the second portion of the bottle after the first portion is severed from the second portion, such that any portion of the substantially frozen contents within the first portion is discharged from the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripper comprises at least one pair of cooperating movable jaws. 
     
     
         10 . A apparatus for separating substantially solid contents from a frangible container, the device comprising:
 (a) means for severing an upper portion of the container from a lower portion of the container;   (b) means for holding the lower portion of the container as the upper portion is severed from the lower portion; and   (c) means for releasably gripping the upper portion such that the position of the upper portion relative to the lower portion is substantially maintained as the upper portion is severed from the lower portion.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  and further comprising means for selectively positioning the holding means relative to the cutting means. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  and further comprising means for separating the upper portion from the lower portion of the container after the upper portion is severed from the lower portion, the means for separating being operable to cause substantially any contents within the upper portion to be discharged to the lower portion as the portions are separated. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the means for severing comprises a blade operable to be passed between the first and second portions of the container. 
     
     
         14 . A method of emptying substantially solid contents from a frangible container, the method comprising:
 (a) positioning the container for severing a first portion of the container from a second portion of the container;   (b) holding the first portion relative to the second portion, and severing the first portion from the second portion, such that the position of the first portion relative to the second portion is substantially unchanged during severing; and   (c) discharging at least a portion of the contents from a portion of the container.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  and further comprising removing the first portion from the second portion of the container after severing, and causing any portion of the contents within the first portion to be discharged onto or into the second portion. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein severing the first portion from the second portion comprises passing a blade through the container between the first and second portions. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein holding the first portion relative to the second portion substantially prevents any portion of the substantially solid contents from being removed from the container as the blade is passed between the first and second portions. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the contents comprises a frozen liquid, and the method further comprises at least partially thawing the frozen liquid before severing the first portion from the second portion of the bottle. 
     
     
         19 . A method of opening a frangible container containing substantially frozen contents, the method comprising:
 (a) holding an upper portion and holding a lower portion of the container;   (b) severing the upper portion from the lower portion as the upper and lower portions are held;   (c) lifting the upper portion from the lower portion such that any contents within the upper portion are discharged into or onto the lower portion.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for opening a frangible container having a lower portion and an upper portion, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a cutting blade;   (b) a holder that holds the lower portion of the container and positions the container proximate to the cutting blade; and   (c) a gripping device comprising:
 (i) a first jaw; 
 (ii) a second jaw, the second jaw being moveable relative to the first jaw such that the second jaw and the first jaw are operable between an open position and a closed position; 
 (iii) a pivot that permits the first and second jaws to pivot between a lowered position and a raised position; 
 (iv) a first actuator that moves the first and second jaws between the lowered position and the raised position; and 
 (v) a second actuator that moves the first and second jaws between the open position and the second position; 
   wherein the gripping device is capable of selectively gripping the upper portion of the container as the container is severed between the upper and lower portions by the cutting blade, and is capable of lifting the upper portion from the lower portion after severing.   
     
     
         21 . A container handling apparatus comprising:
 (a) a first plate including a plurality of spaced first jaw members;   (b) a second plate including a plurality of spaced second jaw members, the second plate being slidably disposed on the first plate;   (c) at least one support member pivotally connecting the first plate to a frame, and operable to permit the first plate to selectively move between a raised position and a lowered position;   (d) a first actuator operable to selectively move the first plate between the raised position and the lowered position;   (e) a second actuator operable to selectively move the second plate relative to the first plate between a clamping position and a release position;   (f) wherein each of the first jaw members cooperates with one of the second jaw members to selectively grip a portion of a container when the first and second plates are in the clamping position, and to selectively release a portion of the container when the first and second plates are in the release position.   
     
     
         22 . A container handling apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein each of the first jaw members includes a first recess therein, each of the second jaw members includes a second recess therein, and wherein the first and second recesses cooperate to form a plurality of container receiving openings when the first and second plates are in the clamping position. 
     
     
         23 . A container handling apparatus according to  claim 21  and further comprising a conveyor operable to selectively position a plurality of containers proximate to the first and second jaw members.