Claims:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A method 10 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine P in a manufacturing station S, said method 10 comprising:
providing at least one hopper 102 at least one of adjacent and external to the manufacturing station S;
conveying metal scraps M from at least one metal working machine /Pto the hopper through at least one conveyor 104;
providing a plurality of containers 106 external to the manufacturing station S, where at least one corresponding container 106 is provided under the hopper 102 to receive metal scraps M thereof, and corresponding another container 106 is provided adjacent to corresponding container 106 which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102;
coupling each container 106 with the other through a container coupling arrangement 108;
moving corresponding metal scraps loaded container 106 through a container handling vehicle 112 to move the metal scraps loaded container 106 away from the hopper 102 therein to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper102 when the metal scraps loaded container 106 is at a predefined load position;
decoupling each container106 from the other and loading the metal scraps loaded container 106 onto the container handling vehicle112; and
moving the metal scraps loaded container 106 to a parking station through the container handling vehicle 112and unloading the metal scrap loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle112to the parking station.

2. The method 10 as claimed in claim 1 includes loading an empty container (106) onto the container handling vehicle 112and unloading the empty container (106) from the container handling vehicle 112to position the empty container (106) adjacent to corresponding container (106) which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102.

3. The method 10 as claimed in claim 2 includes coupling the empty container (106) with corresponding container (106) through the container coupling arrangement 108.

4. The method 10 as claimed in claim 3 includes moving the container handling vehicle 112adjacent to corresponding container 106 opposite to the empty container (106) and engaging the container handling vehicle 112with corresponding container (106)which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102.
5. The method 10 as claimed in claim 4 includes moving corresponding metal scraps loaded container (106) through the container handling vehicle 112 to move the metal scraps loaded container (106) away from the hopper 102 therein to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper 102 when the metal scraps loaded container (106) is at a predefined load position.

6. The method 10 as claimed in claim 5 includes decoupling each container (106) from the other by disengaging the container coupling arrangement (108) from corresponding container (106) and loading the metal scraps loaded container (106) onto the container handling vehicle112.

7. The method 10 as claimed in claim 6 includes moving the metal scraps loaded container 106 to the parking station through the container handling vehicle 112 and unloading the metal scrap loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to the parking station.

8. The method 10 as claimed in claim 7 includes providing each container (106) with at least one of a plurality of wheels and a plurality of rolling elements.

9. The method 10 as claimed in claim 8 includes providing a platform 110 with at least one of a plurality of guide portions 110G and a plurality of guide rails (110G) to facilitate movement of each container (106) when each container 106 are being moved by the container handling vehicle 112, where the container handling vehicle 112is at least a hook loader truck.

10. The method 10 as claimed in claim 9 includes providing rubber beading between a door and corresponding container (106) to avoid spillage of metal scraps M during unloading of containers (106) from the container handling vehicle 112.

11. A system 100 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M from at least one metal working machine P in a manufacturing station S, said system 100 comprising:
at least one hopper 102 adapted to be provided at least one of adjacent and external to the manufacturing station S;
at least one conveyor 104 adapted to convey metal scraps M from at least one metal working machine P to said hopper 102;
a plurality of containers106 adapted to be provided external to the manufacturing station S, where corresponding at least one said container 106 is provided under said hopper 102 to receive metal scraps M thereof, and corresponding said another container 106 is provided adjacent to corresponding said container 106 which receives metal scraps M from said hopper 102;
at least one container handling vehicle 108,
wherein
said container handling vehicle 108 is adapted to move the metal scraps loaded container 106 away from said hopper 102 therein to move and position corresponding said empty container 106 under said hopper 102 when the metal scraps loaded container 106 is at a predefined load position; and
said container handling vehicle 108 is adapted to load the metal scraps loaded container 106 thereon and move the metal scraps loaded container 106 to a parking station and unload the metal scrap loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to the parking station.

12. The system 100 as claimed in claim 11, wherein said container handling vehicle 108 is adapted to load an empty container 106 thereon and unload said empty container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to position said empty container 106 adjacent to corresponding said container 106 which receives metal scraps M from said hopper 102.

13. The system 100 as claimed in claim 12 comprises a container coupling arrangement 108 adapted to couple each of said container 106 with the other.

14. The system 100 as claimed in claim 13, wherein said container coupling arrangement 108 includes a plurality of chains 108C adapted to couple each of said container 106 with the other.

15. The system 100 as claimed in claim 14 comprises at least one platform 110 provided with at least one a plurality of guide portions 110G and a plurality of guide rails (110G) to facilitate movement of each of said container (106) when said containers (106) are being moved by said container handling vehicle 112.

16. The system 100 as claimed in claim 15 comprises at least one rubber beading adapted to be provided between a door and corresponding said container (106) to avoid spillage of metal scraps M during unloading of said container (106) from said container handling vehicle 112.

17. The system 100 as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of said container 106is provided with at least one of a plurality of wheels and a plurality of rolling elements.

18. The system 100 as claimed in claim 17, wherein said container handling vehicle 112 is at least a hook loader truck.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a method and a system for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machine in a manufacturing station.

BACKGROUND
[002] Metal working machines in a manufacturing station are used for machining the raw material or the work piece to produce a product. Metal scraps generated from the raw material or the work piece during machining process are required to be collected and disposed away from the working space of the manufacturing station. Conventional metal scrap collection system incorporates a metal scrap collection container provided adjacent to the metal working machine such as punching machine in the manufacturing station for collection of metals scraps generated from the metal working machine during machining or punching process.The metal scrap loaded container has to be moved away from the working space,when the metal scraps loaded container is at a fully loaded condition and empty container should be provided adjacent to the metal working machine to collect the metal scraps from the metal working machine. The disposal of the metal scraps loaded container from the working space and the loading of empty container adjacent to the metal working machine in the manufacturing station is cumbersome, and time consuming process and also the entire process adds on to additional costs including the labor charges, PPE’s and Equipment(s) in collection and discarding of the collected scraps.. Further, the spillage of metal scraps from the metal scraps loaded container to the working space in the manufacturing station is undesirable and may lead to minor or major accidents.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a method and a system for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machinein a manufacturing station, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machine(punching machine)in a manufacturing station.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a system for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machine (punching machine) in a manufacturing station.
[006] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[007] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[008] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic view of a system for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machine(punching machine)in a manufacturing station, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[009] Fig. 2 depicts a photographic view of a portion of the system, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] Fig. 3 depicts a photographic view of a plurality of containers and a container coupling arrangement of the system in coupled position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 4 depicts a photographic view of a platform of the system, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 5a to fig. 5h depict schematic views of a container handling vehicle and containers in various operating positions, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0013] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machine(punching machine)in a manufacturing station, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a method for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machine(punching machine)in a manufacturing station. Further, embodiments herein achieve a system for collection and disposal of metal scraps generated from at least one metal working machine in a manufacturing station. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic view of a system 100 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine (punching machine) Pin a manufacturing station S, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 depicts a photographic view of a portion of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system 100 is used for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine (punching machine)P in the manufacturing station S, where the metal scraps M is also called as metal chips or punching scraps. In an embodiment, the system 100 includes at least one hopper 102, at least one conveyor 104, a plurality of containers 106, a container coupling arrangement 108, at least one platform 110, at least one container handling vehicle 112, at least one rubber beading (not shown) and at least one parking station(not shown).
[0017] In an embodiment, the hopper 102 is used to receive the metal scraps M from at least one metal working machine(punching machine)P through at least one conveyor 104. The hopper 102 is configured to be provided at least one of adjacent and external to the manufacturing station S. The hopper 102 defines at least one inlet (not shown) and at least one outlet (not shown). The inlet (not shown) of the hopper 102 is adapted to facilitate entry of metal scraps M from the conveyor 104 to the hopper 102. The outlet (not shown) of the hopper 102 is adapted to facilitate exit of metal scraps M from the hopper 102 to corresponding container 106 provided on the platform 110 external to the manufacturing station S.
[0018] In an embodiment, the conveyor 104 is used to move the metal scraps M from at least one metal working machine P to at least one hopper 102. The conveyor 104 has at least one inlet 104i (as shown in fig. 1) and at least one outlet 104p (as shown in fig. 1). The inlet 104i of the conveyor 104 is adapted to facilitate entry of metal scraps M from at least one metal working machine P to the conveyor 104. The outlet 104p of the conveyor 104 is adapted to facilitate exit of metal scraps from the conveyor 104 to at least one hopper 102.
[0019] Fig. 3 depicts a photographic view of a plurality of containers 106 and a container coupling arrangement 108 of the system 100 in coupled position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the plurality of containers 106 are provided onto the platform 110 external to the manufacturing station S and under the hopper 102, where at least one corresponding container 106 is provided under the hopper 102 to receive metal scraps M thereof and corresponding another container 106 is provided adjacent to corresponding container 106 which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102. Each container 106 is provided with at least one of a plurality of wheels (not shown) and a plurality of rolling elements (not shown) to facilitate movement of the container 106.
[0020] In an embodiment, the container coupling arrangement 108 is used to couple each container 106 with the other to assist in movement of the containers 106 when the containers 106 are being moved by the container handling vehicle 112. In an embodiment, the container coupling arrangement 108 includes a plurality of chains 108Cadapted to couple each container 106 with the other to assist in movement of the containers 106 when the containers 106 are being moved by the container handling vehicle 112. One end of each chain 108C is engaged with metal scraps receiving container 106 and another end of each chain 108C is disengaged from corresponding metals scraps loaded container 106 to facilitate loading of the metal scraps loaded container 106 onto the container handling vehicle 112. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the container coupling arrangement 108 with ropes or any other coupling means or any other connecting or joining means for coupling each container 106 with the other.
[0021] Fig. 4 depicts a photographic view of a platform 110 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the platform 110 is provided external to the manufacturing station S and under the hopper 102. The platform 110 is provided with at least one a plurality of guide portions 110G and a plurality of guide rails (110G) to facilitate movement of each container (106) when the containers (106) are being moved by the container handling vehicle 112.
[0022] Fig. 5a to fig. 5h depict schematic views of a container handling vehicle 112 and containers 106 in various operating positions, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the container handling vehicle 112 is used to move the containers 106 with respect to the hopper 102 to move the metal scraps loaded container 106 away from the hopper 102 to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper 102 and to load the metal scraps loaded container 106 thereon to move the metals scraps loaded container 106 to the parking station (not shown) and unload the metal scraps loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to the parking station (not shown) and to load an empty container 106 thereon and unload the empty container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 onto the platform 110 to position the empty container 106 adjacent to corresponding container 106 which receives metals scraps M from the hopper 102. In an embodiment, the container handling vehicle 112 is at least a hook loader truck. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other types of vehicles and container handling machines for movement of the containers 106 under the hopper 102, transportation of metal scraps loaded containers 106 from the platform 110 to the parking station (not shown) and loading of empty containers (106) onto the platform 110.
[0023] The rubber beading (not shown) is provided between the door (not shown) and corresponding container (106) to avoid spillage of metal scraps M during unloading of the container (106) from the container handling vehicle 112.
[0024] The parking station (not shown) is used to provide parking space for the metal scraps loaded containers 106 and empty containers. The parking station (not shown) is also called as storage station.
[0025] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method 10 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine P (punching machine) in a manufacturing station S, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method 10 is explained herein below with reference to collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine P such as punching machine in a manufacturing station S. It is also within the scope of the invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method 10 or with omission of at least one step of the method 10 or with any addition of at least one step to the method 10 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least metal working machine such as drilling machines, turning machines, milling machines and any other types of metal working machines installed/ used in a manufacturing station or any other station. In an embodiment, the method 10 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine (punching machine)P/ in the manufacturing station S is as follows, the method 10 comprising, providing at least one hopper 102 at least one of adjacent and external to the manufacturing station S(step 12);conveying metal scraps M from at least one metal working machine P to the hopper 102 through at least one conveyor 104 (step 14); providing a plurality of containers 106 external to the manufacturing station S, where at least one corresponding container 106 is provided under the hopper 102 to receive metal scraps M thereof, and corresponding another container 106 is provided adjacent to corresponding container 106 which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102 (step 16); coupling each container 106 with the other through a container coupling arrangement 108 (step 18); moving corresponding metal scraps loaded container 106 through a container handling vehicle 112 to move the metal scraps loaded container 106 away from the hopper 102 therein to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper 102 when the metal scraps loaded container 106 is at a predefined load position (step 20); decoupling each container 106 from the other by disengaging the container coupling arrangement (108) from corresponding metal scraps loaded container (106) and loading the metal scraps loaded container 106 onto the container handling vehicle 112 (step 22); moving the metal scraps loaded container 106 to a parking station through the container handling vehicle 112 and unloading the metal scrap loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to the parking station (step 24); loading an empty container (106) onto the container handling vehicle 112 and unloading the empty container (106) from the container handling vehicle 112 to position the empty container (106) adjacent to corresponding container (106) which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102 (step 26); coupling the empty container (106) with corresponding metal scraps receiving container (106) through the container coupling arrangement 108 (step 28); moving the container handling vehicle 112 adjacent to the metal scraps receiving container 106 opposite to the empty container (106) and engaging the container handling vehicle 112 with corresponding metal scraps receiving container (106) which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102 (step 30); moving corresponding metal scraps loaded container (106) through the container handling vehicle 112 to move the metal scraps loaded container (106) away from the hopper 102 therein to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper 102 when the metal scraps loaded container (106) is at a predefined load position (step 32); decoupling each container (106) from the other by disengaging the container coupling arrangement (108) from corresponding metal scraps loaded container (106) and loading the metal scraps loaded container (106) onto the container handling vehicle 112 (step 34); and moving the metal scraps loaded container 106 to the parking station through the container handling vehicle 112 and unloading the metal scrap loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to the parking station (step 36). The method 10 includes repeating the method step 26 through step 36. The method 10 includes a step of engaging the container handling vehicle 112 with the metal scraps receiving container 106 prior to the method (step 20) of moving corresponding metal scraps loaded container 106 through a container handling vehicle 112 to move the metal scraps loaded container 106 away from the hopper 102 therein to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper 102 when the metal scraps loaded container 106 is at a predefined load position. The method 10 includes a step of engaging the container handling vehicle 112 with the metal scraps loaded container 106 prior to the method (step 24) of moving the metal scraps loaded container 106 to the parking station through the container handling vehicle 112 and unloading the metal scrap loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to the parking station. The method 10 includes a step of dis-engaging the container handling vehicle 112 from the empty container 106 prior to the method (step 30) of moving the container handling vehicle 112 adjacent to the metal scraps receiving container 106 opposite to the empty container (106) and engaging the container handling vehicle 112 with corresponding metal scraps receiving container (106) which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102. The method 10 includes a step of engaging the container handling vehicle 112 with the metal scraps loaded container 106 prior to the method (step 36) of moving the metal scraps loaded container 106 to the parking station through the container handling vehicle 112 and unloading the metal scrap loaded container 106 from the container handling vehicle 112 to the parking station. The method 10 includes providing each container (106) with at least one of a plurality of wheels (not shown) and a plurality of rolling elements (not shown).The method 10 includes providing a platform 110 with at least one of a plurality of guide portions 110G and a plurality of guide rails (110G) to facilitate movement of each container (106) when the containers (106) are being moved by the container handling vehicle 112, where the container handling vehicle 112 is at least a hook loader truck. The method 10 includes providing rubber beading (not shown) between a door and corresponding container (106) to avoid spillage of metal scraps M during unloading of containers (106) from the container handling vehicle 112.
[0026] The working of the system 100 in conjunction with the method 10 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine P (punching machine) in the manufacturing station S is as follows. During machining or punching process, metal scraps M are generated from the metal working machine punching machine P due to machining or punching of raw material or work piece provided to the metal working machine (punching machine) P. The metal scraps M from the metal working machine /punching machine Pare moved to the hopper 102 through the conveyor 104. Thereafter, the metal scraps M from the hopper 102 is collected by the container 106 provided on the platform 110 external to the manufacturing station S. When the metal scraps receiving container 106 is at a predefined load position, the container handling vehicle 112 engages the metal scraps loaded container 106 to move the metal scraps loaded container 106 away from the hopper 102 therein to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper 102 to enable the empty container 106 to receive the metal scraps M thereof. Thereafter, one end of each chain 108C of the container coupling arrangement 108 is engaged with empty container 102 and another end of each chain 108C of the container coupling arrangement 108 is dis-engaged from the metal scraps loaded container 106. Thereafter, the container handling vehicle 112 loads the metal scraps loaded container 106 thereon and the container handling vehicle 112 moves the metal scrap loaded container 106 to the parking station (not shown) and the container handling vehicle 112 unloads the metal scraps loaded container 106 there from to the parking station (not shown). Thereafter, the container handling vehicle 112 loads an empty container 106 thereon and move the empty container 106 to the platform 110 and the container handling vehicle 112 unloads the empty container 106 there from to the platform 110 to move and position the empty container adjacent to the container 106 which receives the metal scraps M from the hopper 102. Thereafter, the container handling vehicle 112 disengages from the empty container 106. Thereafter, each chain 108C of the container coupling arrangement 108 is engaged with the metal scraps receiving container 106 and the empty container 106. Thereafter, the container handling vehicle 112 is moved adjacent to the metal scraps receiving container 106 opposite to the empty container 106 and the container handling vehicle 112 engages with corresponding container (106) which receives metal scraps M from the hopper 102. When the metal scraps receiving container 106 is at a predefined load position, the container handling vehicle 112 moves the metal scraps loaded container 106 away from the hopper 102 therein to move and position the empty container 106 under the hopper 102 to enable the empty container 106 to receive the metal scraps M thereof. Thereafter, the container handling vehicle 112 loads the metal scraps loaded container 106 thereon and the container handling vehicle 112 moves the metal scrap loaded container 106 to the parking station (not shown) and the container handling vehicle 112 unloads the metal scraps loaded container 106 there from to the parking station (not shown).
[0027] Therefore, a method 10 and a system100 for collection and disposal of metal scraps M generated from at least one metal working machine (punching machine) P in a manufacturing station S is provided.
[0028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.