FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970

(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

TITLE

VEHICLE LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING A VEHICLE

APPLICANT

FLSmidth A/S
The company is registered under the laws of Denmark
Vigerslev Allé 77,
DK-2500 Valby,
Denmark.

The following specification particularly describes the nature of

this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

1
 VEHICLE LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING A
VEHICLE

Technical field

The present invention relates to a vehicle loading apparatus and to a method for
5 loading a vehicle suitable for loading sacks of loose materials on transport vehicles, such
as trucks and/or trailers and/or lorries, for transporting them to a destination.

In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle loading apparatus and to a

method for loading transport vehicles with successions of layers of cement sacks.

Background art

10 In implants for manufacturing and packing loose materials, such as in cement plants
where cement and/or lime and/or plaster are manufactured and then packed into sacks,
there is the need to load transport vehicles for transporting the manufactured material to
a storage site or to a site where the material is used.

Typically, the sacks of loose materials are placed on pallets and then the pallets are
15 loaded on a transport vehicle using forklifts.

However, in some situation it is not possible using forklifts for loading the transport
vehicle, as for example when the cargo bed of the vehicle is long and presents fixed
longitudinal sideboards.

Moreover, palletising the sacks for subsequently moving the pallets with forklifts is
20 time consuming and needs skilled labour, so requiring long time and high costs for
loading a transport vehicle.

Document WO 2017/005690 from the same Applicant discloses a system and method
for automatic loading of a vehicle with sacks arranged in layers. The disclosed system
comprises a conveyor system to convey and rotate the sacks and an handling structure
25 designed to receive a succession of lines of sacks to form a layer of sacks arranged in a
predetermined configuration. The handling structure comprises cantilever-mounted
rollers on which the sacks are fed and a plurality of vertically and longitudinally movable
prongs arranged to be insertable between the rollers. The movable prongs are designed
for picking up the layer of sacks arranged on the rollers and for releasing the layer of

2
 sacks on the cargo bed of a truck. The movable prongs are designed for being inserted
between the two sideboards of the cargo bed, so that superposed layers of sacks can be
loaded along the whole extension of the cargo bed.

Summary of the invention

5 The Applicant has observed that a loading system according to document WO

2017/005690 allows to quickly load a truck and does not require (at least potentially)
skilled labour for moving the sacks.

In particular, the Applicant has observed that by selecting a proper number of sacks
for each layer and by properly orienting one or more sacks within a single layer of sacks,
10 it is possible to form a layer of sacks having an overall dimension smaller than the
distance between the two opposed sideboards of the cargo bed, so allowing the loading
system according to document WO 2017/005690 to load trucks having cargo beds of
different dimension.

The Applicant has however observed that, since the sacks of cement and/or lime and/or
15 plaster present predetermined dimensions, the system according to WO 2017/005690
could prevent the cargo bed of the truck from being completely and fully occupied by
sacks.

In fact, the Applicant has noted that a layer of sacks having dimension suitable for
being contained on the cargo bed could however be remarkably smaller than the distance
20 between the two opposed sideboards of the cargo bed, so that remarkable gaps could form
between the superposed layers of sacks and the sideboards.

Moreover, the Applicant has noted that even in case a particular disposition of sacks
perfectly fits the width of the cargo bed of the truck on which the loading system is
operating, it could happen that the next truck presents a cargo bed of different width.

25 The Applicant has further observed that, due to particular needs during the sacks
unload from the truck, some clients require a standardised orientation of the sacks,
typically an orientation wherein the sacks are parallel each other (namely wherein the
sacks are all oriented in the same manner).

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 Loading interlocked pattern of bags as per WO2017/005690 provides stability to the
bag stack for transport, whereas loading parallel rows of bags requires the truck platform
sideboards support to provide load stability. This new request from customer requires to
control layers width so to fit them within the truck bed with minimum sidewall clearance
5 and pressing layers allows to select the correct layer width.

The Applicant has noted that in this case, given a predetermined dimension of the
sacks, the loading system according to WO 2017/005690 can fully load just trucks having
one specific cargo bed width. Cargo beds with different widths would be load only with
gaps, even remarkable, between the sacks and the sideboards.

10 The Applicant has tackled the problem of fully load cargo beds having different width
with sacks of loose materials.

The Applicant has realized that the loose material contained into a sack is prone to be
compressed. The compression of the loose material contained into the sack determines a
change in the sack shape. The Applicant has thus realised that, notwithstanding the sacks
15 present predetermined nominal sizes and dimensions, compressing a sack results in a sack
change of dimension.

The Applicant has thus perceived that by compressing the sacks it would be possible
to insert a row of sacks having a predetermined nominal size into a cargo bed having a
width smaller than such a predetermined nominal size.

20 However, the Applicant has observed that a compressed sack tends to regain its
original shape and dimension in a time depending on various factors, such as the type and
nature of the loose material and the environment conditions.

Moreover, the Applicant has also observed that the sack tendency to regain its original
shape and dimension is also affected by movements to which the sack is subjected, in
25 particular the more the sack is shaken, the faster the tendency to regain the original shape
is.

Consistently, the present invention relates, in a first aspect, to a vehicle loading

apparatus comprising:
a control unit configured for receiving at least one width data representative of a width
30 of a cargo bed;
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 a conditioning device comprising a supporting device configured for receiving and
supporting at least one row of sacks of loose materials;
a pick-up device movable between a taking position, wherein the pick-up device is at the
conditioning device for taking said at least one row of sacks of loose materials, and a
5 release position, wherein the pick-up device is distal from the conditioning device for
depositing said at least one row of sacks of loose materials on a cargo bed of a vehicle,
such as container;
wherein the conditioning device further comprises a pressing device having a first and a
second containment surface opposite each other, positioned at the supporting device and
10 configured for acting on the row of sacks of loose materials, the pressing device being
movable between a rest position and an active position;
wherein in the active position of the pressing device the first and second containment
surface are spaced apart from an operative distance that is determined as a function of the
width data received by the control unit.

15 The pressing device allows to compact the row of sacks immediately before its loading
on the cargo bed, so that the compressed row has a very little time to regain its original
dimension.

Moreover, since the compressed row of sacks is taken at the conditioning device and
transferred to the cargo bed by the pick-up device, the row of compressed sacks is not
20 subjected to significant shake, so preventing the row of sacks to regain its original shape.

This allows to load the row of sacks on the cargo bed substantially in his compressed
form, namely in a form presenting a dimension smaller than the nominal dimension of
the uncompressed row of sacks and smaller than the truck bag width so to fit it inside.
Thus, even in case the row of sacks presents a nominal dimension greater than the width
25 of the cargo bed, the cargo bed can be properly loaded with such rows of sacks.

Moreover, the control unit configured for receiving at least one width data
representative of the width of the cargo bed allows to calculate the extension of the
compression of the row of sacks suitable for properly inserting the row of compressed
sacks between the two opposite sideboards of the cargo bed.

30 The vehicle loading apparatus may be a container loading apparatus.

5
 The present invention relates, in a second aspect, to a method for loading a vehicle,
comprising:
measuring a width of a cargo bed to be loaded;
feeding a row of sacks of loose materials to a supporting device;
5 pressing the row of sacks of loose materials at the supporting device;
picking up the pressed row of sacks of loose materials from the supporting device;
releasing the pressed row of sack of loose materials on the cargo bed;
wherein pressing the row of sacks of loose materials comprises providing a first and a
second containment surface opposite each other acting on the row of sacks of loose
10 material and spacing apart the first and second containment surface from an operative
distance that is determined as a function of the measured width of the cargo bed.

Throughout this description and in the following claims, the expressions “width of the
cargo bed” is used to indicate the distance between two opposite free edge of the cargo
bed. In case the cargo bed comprises two opposite sideboards, the mentioned expression
15 is used to indicate the distance between the two opposite sideboards measured along a
direction perpendicular to the two opposite sideboards.

Throughout this description and in the following claims, the expressions “row of sacks
of loose materials” is used to indicate a succession of sacks of loose materials wherein
each sack is in contact with an adjacent sack.

20 Throughout this description and in the following claims, the expressions

“compressed” or “pressed” sacks of loose materials is used to indicate a row of sacks of
loose materials on which the pressing device has acted.

Throughout this description and in the following claims, the term “sack” is used to
indicate a sack of loose materials.

25 The present invention, in at least one of the above aspects, may have at least one of
the following preferred features; the latter may in particular be combined with each other
as desired to meet specific implementation purposes.

Preferably, the operative distance defined by the first and second containment surfaces
is determined as the width data minus a correction value.

30 The Applicant has found that, depending on the extent of the correction value, it is
6
 possible to obtain various advantages during the sacks loading.

In particular, the Applicant has found that by setting the correction value from about
1% to about 2% of the width of the cargo bed, the resulting dimension of the compressed
row of sacks (namely from 98% to 99% of the cargo bed) is such that the compressed
5 row of sacks does not exceed the width of the cargo bed even after the sacks shape
recovery occurring during the movement of the sacks from the supporting device to the
cargo bed.

As an example, in case of a cargo bed having a width of 2200 millimetres, a correction

value of about 40 millimetres (namely of about 1,8% of the cargo bed width) can ensure
10 that the compressed row of sacks remains within the width of the cargo bed when the row
of sacks is deposited on the cargo bed.

The Applicant has also found that it is preferable providing little gaps between the
compressed row of sacks and the sideboards of the cargo bed.

In fact, the Applicant has noted that during the journey of the truck, the compressed
15 row of sacks tends to expand (namely to regain its original shape) and therefore to exert
a remarkable pressure onto the sideboards. Providing little gaps between the compressed
row of sacks and the sideboards of the cargo bed allows reducing such a pressure onto
the sideboards and prevents the sacks from possible damages.

The Applicant has found that a suitable gap between the compressed row of sacks and
20 each sideboard is comprised between about 20 millimetres and about 70 millimetres,
preferably of about 35 millimetres.

To this end, it is preferably to set the correction value from about 3,5% to about 8%
of the width of the cargo bed, so that the resulting dimension of the compressed row of
sacks compensates for both the sacks shape recovery occurring during the movement of
25 the sacks from the supporting device to the cargo bed and the sacks shape recovery
occurring during the journey of the truck.

As above stated, the row of sacks of loose materials is pressed by providing a first and
a second containment surface opposite each other that act on the row of sacks of loose
material.

30 The first and/or the second containment surface are moved for approaching each other
7
 by an operative distance that allows the row of sacks to be pressed.

Preferably, the operative distance is monitored by suitable encoders that measure

directly or indirectly, the distance between the first and the second containment surface.

The first and/or the second containment surface are stopped once the encoders detect
5 that the operative distance has been reached.

Preferably, the pressing device comprises a first pusher comprising the first
containment surface and a second pusher comprising the second containment surface.
The first and second pusher are configured to press the row of sacks of loose materials
when the pressing device is in the active position.

10 Preferably, the first pusher and the second pusher move toward each other from the
rest position of the pressing device to the active position of the pressing device.

Preferably, the first pusher acts on a surface of a sack that is not in contact with any
other sack of the row of sack. Similarly, the second pusher preferably acts on a surface
of a sack, different from the sack on which acts the first pusher, that is not in contact with
15 any other sack of the row of sack. In other words, the first and second pusher preferably
act on surfaces of the sacks that define the opposite end surfaces of the row of sacks.

With such configurations, when the first and second containment surface are spaced
apart from the operative condition, the sacks are pressed one against the adjacent sack,
so reducing a dimension of the row of sacks.

20 In particular, the reduced dimension of the row of sacks is the dimension aligned with
the direction that, starting from the surface of the sack on which acts the first pusher,
reaches the surface of the sack on which the second pusher acts.

Preferably, the pressing device acts only along one acting direction, namely the
pressing device is configured for pressing the row of sacks just in the acting direction. In
25 particular, the pressing device acts only along an acting direction that coincides with the
direction that, starting from the surface of the sack on which acts the first pusher, reaches
the surface of the opposite sack in the row on which the second pusher acts.

Preferably, a feeding direction of the row of sacks to the supporting device coincides
with the acting direction of the pressing device. In particular, the row of sacks are

8
 preferably fed to the supporting device along a feeding direction coinciding with the
direction along which the first pusher and the second pusher move toward and away each
other.

In order to allow the row of sacks to properly reach the supporting device, the first
5 and/or the second pusher can preferably also move in a feeding position. In the feeding
position, the row of sacks is allowed to move onto the supporting device without being
obstructed by the first or the second pusher.

Structurally, the pressing device preferably comprises a mounting frame onto which
the first and second pusher are hinged. The mounting frame is preferably positioned
10 above the support device in order to allow the first and second pusher to be positioned
close to the row of sacks.

Preferably, the pressing device further comprises a first cylinder hinged between the
mounting frame and the first pusher and a second cylinder hinged between the mounting
frame and the second pusher. The two cylinders allow moving the first and second pusher
15 between the rest position, the active position and, when provided for, the feeding position.

The supporting device preferably comprises a first plurality of motorised rollers and a
second plurality of motorised rollers on which the row of sacks rests.

In order to proper positioning the sacks on the supporting device, the first plurality of
motorised rollers and the second plurality of motorised rollers are preferably operable in
20 a first condition wherein all the rollers rotates in a first angular direction. The rotation of
the first plurality of motorised rollers and of the second plurality of motorised rollers in
the first angular direction drags the sacks on the supporting device.

Preferably, the rotational axes of the first plurality of motorised rollers and of the
second plurality of motorised rollers are parallel each other and are perpendicular to the
25 feeding direction, so that, in the first condition, the motorised rollers are suitable for
positioning the row of sacks between the first and second pusher.

In particular, the succession of sacks forming the row are dragged by the first plurality
of motorised rollers and by the second plurality of motorised rollers rotating in the first
angular direction according to the first operative condition.

30 Preferably, when the first plurality of motorised rollers and the second plurality of
9
 motorised rollers are in the first operative condition, at lest one pusher is in the feeding
position, so allowing the pusher not to interfere with the sacks.

Preferably, the first plurality of motorised rollers and the second plurality of motorised
rollers are operable in a second condition wherein the rollers of the first plurality and of
5 the second plurality of rollers are still. In this condition, the sacks are no longer dragged
by the rollers.

Preferably, the rollers of the first plurality of rollers are all adjacent each other (so
forming a row of rollers) and the rollers of the second plurality of rollers are all adjacent
each other (so forming a row of rollers).

10 Preferably, the first plurality of motorised rollers and the second plurality of motorised
rollers are also operable in a third condition configured for helping the pressing device in
pressing the row of sacks.

In the third condition, the first plurality of motorised rollers rotates in the first angular
direction and the second plurality of motorised rollers rotates in a second angular
15 direction opposite to the first angular direction.

This allows the sacks positioned on the first plurality of rollers to be dragged toward
the sacks positioned on the second plurality of rollers, so that the sacks positioned on the
first plurality of rollers are pushed against the sacks positioned on the second plurality of
rollers and vice versa.

20 To this end, the first and second angular direction are selected so that the sacks are
dragged towards a central position of the supporting device, where the sacks on the first
plurality of rollers are adjacent to the sacks on the second plurality of rollers.

Preferably, the plurality of rollers are in the third operative condition when the
pressing device is in the active position.

25 In this way, the pressing action of the two pushers is increased by the dragging action
performed by the rollers.

In order to uniformly pressing and thus compacting the row of sacks, the conditioning
device preferably comprises a partition wall movable between a rest position wherein the
partition wall is distal from the supporting device and an operative position wherein the

10
 partition wall is positioned perpendicular to the supporting device at a distance from the
supporting device suitable for resting between two adjacent sacks of loose materials.

Preferably, the partition wall, when in the operative position, is placed at the end of
the first plurality of rollers and at the beginning of the second plurality of rollers, so that
5 a sack placed on the first plurality of rollers and a sack placed on the second plurality of
rollers are pressed against the partition wall.

The Applicant has found that the partition wall, when in the operative condition,
allows to better distribute the pressing action of the pressing device along the entire row
of sacks.

10 Preferably, the pressing device is in the active position and more preferably the
plurality of rollers are in the third operative condition when the partition wall is in the
operative position.

When in the rest position, the partition wall is preferably raised from the supporting
device, namely it is distal from the plurality of rollers, so as to allow the sacks to be
15 properly fed to the supporting device.

The partition wall is preferably supported by the mounting frame. A cylinder is

configured for moving the partition wall between the rest position and the operative
position.

Preferably, it is provided a treatment device positioned upstream the conditioning

20 device and configured for squeezing a sack of loose material.

Preferably, the treatment device is positioned along a feed path configured for feeding
the sacks to the supporting device.

The treatment device preferably acts on single sacks, namely on sacks that are not
aligned along a row yet.

25 The treatment device presses each sack along a direction that coincides with the acting
direction on which the pressing device acts on the sacks. In other words, the treatment
device acts on the same sides of the sacks on which the pressing device acts.

Preferably, the treatment device comprises an inlet opening, an outlet opening and two
opposite constriction walls placed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The
11
 sacks are forced to pass between the constriction walls and are squeezed by the latter. To
this end, a distance between the two constriction walls at the inlet opening is greater than
a distance between the two constriction walls at the outlet opening.

Such a configuration of the treatment device realises a tapered channel that squeezes
5 the sacks and that reduces the dimension of the sacks along a direction.

Preferably, the distance between the two constriction walls at the outlet opening is
comprised between about 75% and 90% of the nominal dimension of the sides of the sack
to be squeezed.

The Applicant has observed that during transportation of the sacks from the treatment
10 device to the supporting device, the sacks tend to regain their original dimension. The
provision of the treatment device allows the sacks reaching the supporting device to
present a dimension reduced with respect to the nominal dimension.

The applicant has further observed that the treatment device is particularly suitable for
preparing the sacks to the successive pressing action imparted by the pressing device.

15 In fact, the treatment device allows to shatter possible agglomerations of the loose
material contained into the sacks, so allowing the pressing device to act on sacks that do
not present significantly agglomerations of the loose material. This is particularly
advantageous when the sacks are stored for a relative long time before being loaded on
the truck.

20 As above stated, the cargo bed width is measured and, starting from the measured
cargo bed width, the operative distance between the first and the second containment
surface is set.

Preferably, it is provided a measuring device operatively connected to the control unit

and configured for measuring a cargo bed width and for generating the width signal. This
25 allows to automatically measure the cargo bed width without relying on any human
measurement.

The measuring device is preferably operated at the beginning of each loading process
in order to measure the actual width of the cargo bed to be loaded. The measured width
is sent to the control unit for setting the operative distance.

12
 Preferably, the operative distance between the first and the second containment
surface of the pressing device is set at the beginning of each loading process, namely
before feeding the sacks to the supporting device.

In order to start measuring the cargo bed width, the truck is parked in a loading area
5 preferably placed beneath the supporting device and the pick-up device.

Then the cargo bed width is measured by the measuring device.

Preferably, the measuring device comprises a scanner configured for scanning the
cargo bed. The scanner is preferably a 3D scanner of the type configured for scanning the
whole cargo bed of the truck. Preferably, the 3D scanner is a laser scanner that is operated
10 on the whole cargo bed.

Preferably, the scanner is configured for generating at least one signal chosen from
the group of signal comprising: a signal representative of the orientation of the cargo bed
with respect to a fixed reference, a signal representative of the length of the cargo bed, a
signal representative of the height of sideboards of the cargo bed.

15 To this end, the scanner is preferably operated at measuring areas along the length of
the cargo bed. The measuring areas are preferably spaced each other by a distance
comprised between 1 millimetre and 5 centimetres, more preferably of about 5
millimetres.

The scanner is preferably configured for measuring, and for generating a signal
20 representative of, the width of the cargo bed and the height of the cargo sideboards at
each measuring area.

The scanner is also configured for determining the orientation of the cargo bed with
respect to a fixed reference, as for example the supporting device and/or the pick-up
device.

25 The generated signals representative of the orientation of the cargo bed with respect
to a fixed reference, the length of the cargo bed and the height of sideboards of the cargo
bed are sent to the control unit that provides for setting the operative distance of the
containment surfaces of the pressure device. The control unit further provides moving
the pick-up device from the supporting device to the cargo bed.

13
 In particular, the pick-up device is operated for taking the row of compressed sacks
from the supporting device and for releasing the row of compressed sacks on the cargo
bed.

The pick-up device is preferably operated so that the first row of compressed sacks is
5 deposited on a portion of the cargo bed closer to the truck cabin. The successive rows of
compressed sacks are then placed one above the other at the same position of the cargo
bed until the maximum height is reached.

Then, the pick-up device is moved for positioning the successive row of compressed
sacks adjacent to the first row of compressed sacks already deposited. The successive
10 rows of compressed sacks are then placed one above the other at the same position of the
cargo bed until the maximum height is reached.

What above is reiterated until the cargo bed is fully loaded.

Preferably, when the pick-up device is moved toward the end of the cargo bed, the
supporting device is moved along with the pick-up device.

15 The supporting device and the pick-up device are preferably slidingly mounted on an
overhead frame configured for standing above the cargo bed of the truck.

In the present context a number of terms are used in a manner being ordinary to the skilled
person. Some of these terms are detailed below:

Vehicle is preferably used to mean/denote an object for transporting sacks of loose

20 material according to the present invention. Although the vehicles is disclosed as being a
motorized vehicles in the figures, it shall not be construed as being limited to motorized
vehicles, such as trucks, cars etc. The vehicle may be in the form of a container for
transporting sacks of loose material according to the present invention.

25 Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be now described in more detail hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention
are shown.

Drawings illustrating the embodiments are not necessarily to scale representations.

14
 For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, use of the "a"
or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done
merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description
should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural
5 unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Although the vehicles is disclosed as being a motorized vehicles in the figures, it shall
not be construed as being limited to motorized vehicles, such as trucks, cars etc. The
vehicle may be in the form of a nonmotorized container.

- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle loading apparatus according to the present
10 invention;

- Figure 2 shows a schematic view of some details of the vehicle loading apparatus of
Figure 1 in an operative condition;

- Figure 3 shows schematic view of the details of Figure 2 in a different operative

condition;

15 - Figure 4 shows a schematic view of further details of the vehicle loading apparatus
according of Figure 1;

- Figures 5 and 6 show a schematic view of the details of Figure 4 in two different
operative conditions;

- Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a component of the details of Figure 4;

20 - Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of other details of the vehicle loading
apparatus of Figure 1; and

- Figure 9 is a schematic representation of some operations performed by the vehicle

loading apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed description

25 A vehicle loading apparatus according to the present invention is indicated with the
reference number 10 in Figure 1. Although the vehicles is disclosed as being a motorized
vehicles in the figures, it shall not be construed as being limited to motorized vehicles,
such as trucks, cars etc. The vehicle may be in the form of a nonmotorized container.
Thus the vehicle loading apparatus may be regarded as a container loading apparatus. In
15
 another embodiment of the present invention the invention is related to a container
loading apparatus.

The vehicle loading apparatus 10 comprises a conditioning device 11 and a pick-up

device 12. A plurality of sacks 100 of loose materials are fed to the conditioning device
5 11 through a feed path 13 positioned upstream to the conditioning device 11. The feed
path 13 feeds single sacks 100, outdistanced each other along a row, to the conditioning
device 11.

The conditioning device 11, the pick-up device 12 and the feed path 13 are mounted
on a overhead frame 14 that is designed for allowing a truck 102 to pass and rest under
10 thereof, as illustrated in Figure 1.

The conditioning device 11 comprises a supporting device 15 where two parallel rows
of sacks 100 are fed for being successively compressed in order to reduce their
longitudinal dimension.

In particular, successions of two sacks 100 placed side by side are transferred on the
15 supporting device 15. The two sacks 100 of each succession are placed side by side along
a transversal direction X1 substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction X2. The
sacks 100 are fed to the supporting device 15 along a feeding direction coinciding with
the longitudinal direction X2.

As illustrated in figure 5, first two sacks 100 placed side by side are transferred from
20 a conveyor belt 16 to the supporting device 15 by a pushing arm 17 operating along the
longitudinal direction X2. As soon as the first two sacks 100 are transferred on the
supporting device 15, second two sacks 100 are fed to the conveyor belt 16 and then
transferred to the supporting device 15 by the pushing arm 17. The transfer of two sacks
100 to the supporting device 15 continues until two rows of sacks 100, with a
25 predetermined number of sacks 100 for each row, are formed on the supporting device
15. In the example illustrated on figures 6 and 3, each row of sacks 100 comprises six
sacks 100.

In order to allow the sacks 100 to move on the supporting device 15 along the feeding
direction X2, the supporting device 15 comprises a first plurality of motorised rollers 18
30 and a second plurality of motorised rollers 19 wherein all the rollers are spaced apart from

16
 each other. All the rollers of the first plurality of motorised rollers 18 and of the second
plurality of motorised rollers 19 are parallel each other. In particular, the rotational axes
X3 of all the rollers 18, 19 are transversal to the feeding direction X2, namely they are
parallel to the transversal direction X1.

5 The motorised rollers 18, 19 are operable in a first condition wherein all the rollers
rotate in a first angular direction A1 so that the rollers 18, 19 drag the sacks along the
support device 15. Each couple of sacks 100 is dragged in order to contact the previous
couple of sacks 100, so as to realize two parallel row of sacks 100 having two opposite
free sides 100a, 100b, as illustrated on figures 2,3 and 6.

10 In particular, the motorised rollers 18, 19 are rotated until the sacks 100 reach a
predetermined position on the supporting device 15. At this point, the first plurality of
motorised rollers 18 and a second plurality of motorised rollers 19 are operable in a
second condition wherein all the rollers 18, 19 are still and the sacks 100 are no longer
dragged.

15 Once the rows of sacks 100 are positioned on the supporting device 15, a pressing
device 20 of the conditioning device 11 acts along an acting direction (coinciding with
the longitudinal direction X2) on the row of sacks 100 for reducing its dimension along
the longitudinal direction X2.

To this end, the pressing device 20 comprises a first pusher 21 and a second pusher 22
20 (figures 2 and 3) having respective first and second containment surface 21a, 22a opposite
each other and configured for acting on the opposite free sides 100a, 100b of the rows of
sacks 100.

The first and second pusher 21, 22 are mounted on a mounting frame 23 positioned
above the supporting device 15, as illustrated in figures 2 and 3. The first and second
25 pusher 21, 22 are hinged at respective first and second pivot 24, 25 to the mounting frame
23, so as to rotate with respect to the mounting frame 23.

In particular, the first pusher 21 comprises a connecting rod 26 hinged at the first pivot
24 to the mounting frame and hinged, at a further pivot 27 to a main arm 28 of the first
pusher 21.

30 The second pusher 22 comprises a main arm 29 which is directly hinged to the
17
 mounting frame 23.

The pressing device 20 further comprises a first cylinder 30 hinged between the
mounting frame 23 and the main arm 28 of the first pusher 21 and a second cylinder 31
hinged between the mounting frame 23 and the main arm 29 of the second pusher 22.

5 The pushers 21, 22 of the pressing device 20 are movable between a feeding position,
a rest position 59 and an active position 60.

In the feeding position, the main arm 28 of the first pusher 21 is rotated around
connecting rod by the actuator 42 in the first angular direction A1 and the connecting rod
26 is rotated around the pivot 24 in the first angular direction A1 so that the first
10 containment surface 21a is positioned at a distance from the supporting device 15 suitable
for allowing the sacks 100 to be feed without contacting the first pusher 21.

In the feeding position, the second pusher 22 is rotated around the pivot 24 in the
second angular direction A2 so that the first containment surface 22a does not contact the
sacks 100.

15 In the feeding position, the first containment surface 21a is at an higher level with
respect to the second containment surface 22a.

In the rest position 59, the connecting rod 26 of the first pusher 21 is rotated around
the pivot 24 in the second angular direction A2 so as to position the first containment
surface 21a at the same level of the second containment surface 22a. The latter remains
20 in the same position reached in the feeding position.

In the active position 60, both the first and second pusher 21, 22 are rotated around
the respective pivot 27, 25 (respectively in the second A2 and in the first angular direction
A1) so that the first containment surface 21a and the second containment surface 22a
contact the sacks 100 and press the latter along the active direction X2.

25 In particular, the first 21 and the second pusher 22 are rotated and the first 21a and
second containment surface 22a are spaced apart from an operative distance OD that is
determined as a function of the width of the cargo bed 101 of the truck 102 (as it will be
explained in more details).

In order to help the first and second pusher 21, 22 in pressing the sacks 100, the first

18
 plurality of motorised rollers 18 and a second plurality of motorised rollers 19 are also
operable in a third condition.

In particular, in the third condition the first plurality of motorised rollers 18 rotates in
the first angular direction A1 and the second plurality of motorised rollers 19 rotates in
5 the second angular direction A2. In this operative condition, the first plurality of
motorised rollers 18 drags the sacks 100 laying on the rollers 18 towards the sacks 100
laying on the rollers 19. At the same time, the second plurality of motorised rollers 19
drags the sacks 100 laying on the rollers 19 towards the sacks 100 laying on the rollers
18.

10 To further help in pressing the sacks 100, it is provided a partition wall 32 that, when
the first and second pusher 21, 22 are in the active position, is positioned in an operative
position between two adjacent sacks 100. As illustrated for example in figure 3, the
partition wall 32 is positioned, when in the operative position, between a sack 100 laying
on the first plurality of rollers 18 and an adjacent sack 100 laying on the second plurality
15 of rollers 19. In particular, a first surface of the partition wall 32 is in contact with a sack
100 laying on the first plurality of rollers 18 and a second surface of the partition wall 32,
opposite to the first surface, is in contact with a sack 100 laying on the second plurality
of rollers 19.

The partition wall 32 is mounted on the mounting frame 23 between the first and
20 second pusher 21, 22 and is actuated by a cylinder 33 for enabling the partition wall 32
to move between the operative position and a rest position. When in the rest position, the
partition wall 32 is raised from the supporting device 15 for allowing the sacks 100 to
pass under the partition wall 32 and to reach their predetermined position on the rollers
18, 19.

25 The partition wall 32 is actuated in the operative position after a predetermined

number of sacks 100 has been fed on the supporting device 15. In particular, the partition
wall 32 is actuated in the operative position after all the sacks 100 to be supported by the
second plurality of rollers 19 reach their position and before the sacks 100 to be supported
by the first plurality of rollers 18 reach their position.

30 The partition wall 32 is actuated in the rest position from the operative position after

19
 the sacks 100 have been compressed and before the compressed sacks 100 are removed
from the supporting device 15.

To further help in pressing the sacks 100, it is provided a treatment device 34

positioned upstream the conditioning device 11. The treatment device 34 is positioned
5 along the feed path 13 before the conveyor belt 16, as illustrated in figure 4.

The treatment device 34 comprises two opposite constriction walls 35 (figure 7) that
act on opposite sides of a single sack 100 for squeezing the latter. The sides on which the
constriction walls 35 act, are the same sides of the sacks onto which the pressing device
20 acts.

10 Each constriction wall 35 is formed by an endless belt 36 wound on a first 37 and a

second pulley 38 opposite each other. At least one of the two pulleys 37, 38 is motorised
in order to move the endless 36. The two endless belts 36 are not parallel each other but
they are positioned convergent in the transversal direction X1. The transversal direction
X1 is the direction of movement of the sacks 100 along the feed path 13. In particular,
15 the first pulleys 37 are spaced apart each other along the longitudinal direction X2 by a
distance A greater than a distance B, measured along the longitudinal direction X2,
between the second pulleys 38, as indicated in figure 7. In other words, the inlet opening
39 defined by the first pulleys 37 is greater than the outlet opening 40 defined by the
second pulleys 38, so as to realize a tapered channel for the sacks 100.

20 The distance B between the second pulleys 38 can be adjusted by acting on suitable
regulator 41 provided on the second pulleys 38.

As above stated, the first 21 and the second pusher 22 are rotated and the first 21a and
second containment surface 22a are spaced apart from an operative distance OD that is
determined as a function of the width of the cargo bed 101 of the truck 102.

25 To this end, the cargo bed 101 width is measured and a width data WD representative
of such a measure is sent to a control unit 50 (as schematized in figure 9). The control
unit 50 calculates the operative distance OD that the first 21a and second containment
surface 22a must reach when the pressing device 20 is actuated. The operative distance
OD is calculated from the width data WD and from a dimension data DD (representative
30 of the dimensions of a sack 100), stored in the control unit 50 or sent to the control unit

20
 50. The operative distance OD is also calculated on the basis of a correction value CV,
stored in the control unit 50 or sent to the control unit 50, suitable for compensating for
the sacks 100 shape recovery occurring during the movement of the sacks 100 from the
supporting device 15 to the cargo bed 101.

5 The operative distance OD so calculated is thus used for operating the first and second
pusher 21, 22. In particular, the control unit 50 sends a pushing signal PS to the first and
second pusher 21, 22 for activating the latter.

The operative distance OD is monitored by encoders 51 that continuously measure the

distance between the first 21a and the second containment surface 22a. As soon as the
10 encoders 51 detect that the operative distance OD has been reached, the control unit 50
receives a stop signal SS and the first and second pusher 20, 21 are stopped and then
moved in the rest position.

The cargo bed 101 width is measured by a measuring device 52 operatively connected
to the control unit 50. The measuring device 52 comprises a 3D scanner 53 configured
15 for scanning the whole cargo bed 101 of the truck 100. The 3D scanner is a laser scanner
that is operated on the whole cargo bed 101.

The 3D scanner is suitable for generating the width data WD above cited and for
transmitting it to the control unit 50 (see figure 9).

The 3D scanner is also suitable for generating a signal CO representative of the

20 orientation of the cargo bed 101 with respect to a fixed reference, a signal CL
representative of the length of the cargo bed 101 and a signal SH representative of the
height of sideboards of the cargo bed 101. These signals are send to the control unit 50
and are used for actuating the pick-up device 12.

The pick-up device 12 is operated once the pressing device 20 has pressed the rows of
25 sacks 100 on the supporting device 15.

The pick-up device 12 (shown in figure 8) is positioned at the conditioning device 11

and comprises a lifter 54 movable along a vertical guide 55 and along a horizontal guide
56, the latter being substantially parallel to the transversal direction X1. The lifter 54
comprises a plurality of prongs 57 that can be inserted between the rollers 18, 19. The
30 pick-up device 12 further comprises an abutment 58 movable along the vertical guide 55.
21
 For picking-up the rows of compressed sacks 100, the lifter 54 is raised along the
vertical guide 55 so that the prongs 57 pass through the rollers 18, 19 and lift the rows of
sacks 100. Once the lifter 54 lifts the sacks 100, the lifter 54 is moved in a first direction
along the horizontal guide 55 so as to move away from the supporting device 15. When
5 the prongs 57 carrying the sacks 100 exit the extent of the supporting device 15, the lifter
54 is lowered along the vertical guide 55 toward the cargo bed 101 laying beneath the
pick-up device 12. During the descent of the lifter 54, the latter is moved in a second
direction, opposite to the first direction, along the horizontal guide 56.

When the lifter reaches the cargo bed 101 (namely when the prongs 57 are at the same
10 level of the cargo bed), the abutment 58 is lowered along the vertical guide 55 so as to be
positioned just above the prongs 57 and between the sacks 100 and the vertical guide 55.
The lifter 54 is then moved in the first direction along the horizontal guide 56. During
this movement, the sacks 100 laying on the prongs 57 contact the abutment 58 and are
stopped against the latter. The horizontal movement of the lifter 54 causes the prongs 57
15 to slide under the sacks 100 until the sacks 100 fall down from the prongs 57 on the cargo
bed 101.

The lifter is then moved to pick-up new rows of compressed sacks 100.

The pick-up device 12 is slidingly mounted on the overhead frame 14 so that the pick-
up device 12 can move along the whole extension of the cargo bed 101 for fully loading
20 the same with compressed row of sacks 100.

22
 WE CLAIM:

1. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) comprising:

- a control unit (50) configured for receiving at least one width data (WD) representative
of a width of a cargo bed (101);
5 - a conditioning device (11) comprising a supporting device (15) configured for receiving
and supporting at least one row of sacks (100) of loose materials;
- a pick-up device (12) movable between a taking position, wherein the pick-up device
(12) is at the conditioning device (11) for taking said at least one row of sacks (12) of
loose materials, and a release position, wherein the pick-up device (12) is distal from the
10 conditioning device (11) for depositing said at least one row of sacks (100) of loose
materials on a cargo bed (101) of a vehicle (102), such as a container;
wherein the conditioning device (11) further comprises a pressing device (20) having a
first (21a) and a second containment surface (22a) opposite of each other, positioned at
the supporting device (15) and configured for acting on the row of sacks (100) of loose
15 materials, the pressing device (20) being movable between a rest position (59) and an
active position (60);
wherein in the active position of the pressing device (20) the first (21a) and second
containment surface (22a) are spaced apart from an operative distance (OD) that is
determined as a function of the width data (WD) received by the control unit (50).

20 2. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the operative distance
(OD) defined by the first (21a) and second containment surface (22a) is determined as
the width data (WD) minus a correction value (CV).

3. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing device
(20) comprises a first pusher (21) comprising the first containment surface (21a) and a
25 second pusher (22) comprising the second containment surface (22a); the first and second
pusher (21, 22) being configured to press the row of sacks (100) of loose materials when
the pressing device (20) is in the active position.

4. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to one or more of the previous claims,
wherein the supporting device (15) comprises a first plurality of motorised rollers (18)
30 and a second plurality of motorised rollers (19) operable in a first condition, wherein the
rollers (18, 19) of the first plurality and of the second plurality of motorised rollers rotate
23
 in a first angular direction (A1), and in a second condition wherein the rollers (18, 19) of
the first plurality and of the second plurality of motorised rollers are still.

5. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein the first plurality of
motorised rollers (18) and a second plurality of motorised rollers (19) are operable in a
5 third condition wherein the first plurality of motorised rollers (18) rotate in the first
angular direction (A1) and the second plurality of motorised rollers (19) rotate in a second
angular direction (A2) opposite to the first angular direction (A1).

6. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 5, wherein the first plurality of
motorised rollers (18) and a second plurality of motorised rollers (19) are operated in the
10 third condition when the pressing device (20) is in the active position.

7. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to one or more of the previous claims,
comprising a treatment device (34) positioned upstream the conditioning device (11) and
configured for squeezing a sack (100) of loose material.

8. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 7, wherein the treatment device (34)
15 comprises an inlet opening (39), an outlet opening (40) and two opposite constriction
walls (35) placed between the inlet opening (39) and the outlet opening (40); a distance
(A) between the two constriction wall (35) at the inlet opening (39) being greater than a
distance (B) between the two constriction wall (35) at the outlet opening (40).

9. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according one or more of the previous claims, wherein
20 the conditioning device (11) comprises a partition wall (32) movable between a rest
position wherein the partition wall (32) is distal from the supporting device (15) and an
operative position wherein the partition wall (32) is positioned perpendicular to the
supporting device (15) and at a distance from the supporting device (15) suitable for
resting between two adjacent sacks (100) of loose materials.

25 10. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 9, wherein the partition wall (32)
is in the operative position when the pressing device (20) is in the active position.

11. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 3, wherein the pressing device
(20) comprises a mounting frame (23) onto which the first (21) and second pusher (22)
are hinged; the pressing device (20) further comprising a first cylinder (30) hinged
30 between the mounting frame (23) and the first pusher (21) and a second cylinder (31)
24
 hinged between the mounting frame (23) and the second pusher (22).

12. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to one or more of the previous claims,
comprising a measuring device (52) operatively connected to the control unit (50) and
configured for measuring a cargo bed width and for generating the width data (WD).

5 13. Vehicle loading apparatus (10) according to claim 12, wherein said measuring device
(52) comprises a scanner (53) configured for scanning a cargo bed (101) and for
generating at least one signal chosen from the group of signal comprising: a signal (CO)
representative of the orientation of the cargo bed with respect to a fixed reference, a signal
(CL) representative of the length of the cargo bed, a signal (SH) representative of the
10 height of sideboards of the cargo bed.

14. Method for loading a vehicle, comprising:

measuring a width of a cargo bed (101) to be loaded;
feeding a row of sacks (100) of loose materials to a supporting device (15);
pressing the row of sacks (100) of loose materials at the supporting device (15);
15 picking up the pressed row of sacks (100) of loose materials from the supporting device
(15);
releasing the pressed row of sack (100) of loose materials on the cargo bed (101);
wherein pressing the row of sacks (100) of loose materials comprises providing a first
(21a) and a second containment surface (22a) opposite each other acting on the row of
20 sacks (100) of loose material and spacing apart the first (21a) and second containment
surface (22a) from an operative distance (OD) that is determined as a function of the
measured width of the cargo bed (101).

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein during pressing the row of sacks (100) of
loose materials, the first (21a) and a second containment surface (22a) are spaced apart
25 from an operative distance (OD) that is equal to the width of the cargo bed (101) minus
a correction value (CV).

30
25
 16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the correction value (CV) is comprised
between 3,5% and between 8,0% of the measured width of the cargo bed (101).

5 Dated this 03rd day of May 2019

10 ELIZABETH PUTHRAN
PUTHRAN & ASSOCIATES
ADVOCATE/ AGENT FOR THE APPLICANTS

26
 ABSTRACT

VEHICLE LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING A VEHICLE

A vehicle loading apparatus (10) comprises a control unit (50) for receiving a width data
5 (WD) representative of a width of a cargo bed (101), a conditioning device (11)
comprising a supporting device (15) configured for receiving and supporting rows of
sacks (100) of loose materials, a pick-up device (12) movable between a taking position
for taking the rows of sacks (12) of loose materials, and a release position for depositing
the rows of sacks (100) of loose materials on a cargo bed (101) of a vehicle (100), such
10 as a container. The conditioning device (11) further comprises a pressing device (20)
having a first (21a) and a second containment surface (22a) opposite each other,
positioned at the supporting device (15) and configured for acting on the rows of sacks
(100) of loose materials, the pressing device (20) being movable in an active position
wherein the first (21a) and second containment surface (22a) are spaced apart from an
15 operative distance (OD) that is determined as a function of the width data (WD) received
by the control unit (50).

[Fig 2]

27