摘要 |
<p>The apparatus (500) is used to remove a generally rectangular container (28) from an unloading device (10) that places the container in a predetermined position. The container (28) has a bottom surface (32), upstanding sidewalls (34) and forward (36) and rear (38) endwalls. The apparatus includes a base portion (504) for supporting the apparatus and a container removing arm (510) pivotally attached to the base portion (504) configured to releasably engage the container and remove the container from the unloading device. Also included are container engaging clamps (544, 546) operatively connected to the container removing arm arranged to contact and releasably engage at least one of the bottom surface, the upstanding sidewalls, the forward endwall, and the rear endwall of the container. A powered means (520) pivotally displaces the container removing arm when the clamps releasably engage the container. A controller (532) is operatively coupled to the power means to selectively control forward and backward pivoting of the arm. The controller (532) is also operatively coupled to the container engaging clamps to selectively control engagement of the clamps such that backward pivoting of the arm while the clamps engage the container facilitates removal of the container from the unloading device (10) when the arm is pivoted in a backward direction.</p> |