CA1082636A - Apparatus for spacing articles moving in a line - Google Patents
Apparatus for spacing articles moving in a lineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1082636A CA1082636A CA293,055A CA293055A CA1082636A CA 1082636 A CA1082636 A CA 1082636A CA 293055 A CA293055 A CA 293055A CA 1082636 A CA1082636 A CA 1082636A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rail system
- articles
- spacing members
- rail
- section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/26—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
- B65G47/28—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a single conveyor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- B60W2540/00—Input parameters relating to occupants
- B60W2540/10—Accelerator pedal position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- B60W2540/00—Input parameters relating to occupants
- B60W2540/12—Brake pedal position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- B60W2540/00—Input parameters relating to occupants
- B60W2540/16—Ratio selector position
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure The apparatus includes two partially congruent endless rail and trolley systems. The first rail and trolley system guides spacing members so that they approach the movinq ar-ticles and move along their direction for a distance sufficient to space them. The spacing members are interconnected by articulated connecting arms, which pivot at the spacing members and also at an intermediate pivot point. The intermediate pivot points are guided along the second rail system. Adjustment of the path of the second rail and trolley system relative to the first rail and trolley system where the spacing members operate on the articles permits the adjustment of the spacing operation performed by the spacing members.
Description
B~CKGROUND OF THE INVEN'rION
The present invention relates generally to apparatus for producing uniform gaps between mass-produced individual articles conveyed in a line on a conveyor belt or the like to at least one further processing station. It relates particularly, but not exclusively, to separating means o such apparatus which are adjustable parallel to the direction of movement of the articles of the line on the conveyor belt and which engage the articles.
In the manufacture and processing of mass-produced ar-ticles in the consumer goods industry, there is generally used a plurality of processing systems and/or machines in series. The individual articles, such as glasses, bottles, cans, boxes, etc., move from one processing station to the next on conveyor belts. On such conveyor belts, the articles are generally already separated and stand one behind the other, but their spacing is extremely non-uniform. This non-uniform spacing is prejudicial to the requirement that the articles be supplied synchronously to the further processing station, that is to say with an identical spacing, because production sequences or treatment processes in the individual machines are usually accomplished during uniform time cycles which translate into uniform cyclic spacing distances along the moving line. Therefore, the articles must be supplied individually in accordance with the required cyclic spacing, whichjof course, must be greater than the
The present invention relates generally to apparatus for producing uniform gaps between mass-produced individual articles conveyed in a line on a conveyor belt or the like to at least one further processing station. It relates particularly, but not exclusively, to separating means o such apparatus which are adjustable parallel to the direction of movement of the articles of the line on the conveyor belt and which engage the articles.
In the manufacture and processing of mass-produced ar-ticles in the consumer goods industry, there is generally used a plurality of processing systems and/or machines in series. The individual articles, such as glasses, bottles, cans, boxes, etc., move from one processing station to the next on conveyor belts. On such conveyor belts, the articles are generally already separated and stand one behind the other, but their spacing is extremely non-uniform. This non-uniform spacing is prejudicial to the requirement that the articles be supplied synchronously to the further processing station, that is to say with an identical spacing, because production sequences or treatment processes in the individual machines are usually accomplished during uniform time cycles which translate into uniform cyclic spacing distances along the moving line. Therefore, the articles must be supplied individually in accordance with the required cyclic spacing, whichjof course, must be greater than the
- 2 -article diameter along the line. The transfer to and from the conveyor belts or machine mechanisms causes serious problems arising from different article shapes and different processing speeds, which problems make the complete production sequence more fault-prone.
In order to at least partly control these problems, it is common to use an apparatus of hhe above-described type with,as an essential component, a so-called feed screw. The articles are taken up by this feed screw, are separated by the increasing "
spacing course, and then transferred at uniform time intervalls to the production machine. In spite of the fact that this system is used in almost all production processes, it cannot be con-sidered ideal.
As the screw takes up the article and transports it, the point of engagement of the article must be very precisely de-termined, particularly with tall and small diameter articles, so that the article is not overturned. This is particularly the case at high speeds and when articles arrive singly. The reason for this is that *ue to the special characteristics of the screw design~ an article which is supplied in an irregular manner can be struck in such a way by the beginning thread of the screw helix that the article is jerked suddenly which in the case of high, small diameter products generally leads to wobbling, overturning, and consequent interruption of the . . ,. .. - . , -, . , ,. , . - . - . .- .
entire production sequence. In the case of flat, large dia-meter articles, a screw cannot be used , because the large screw diameter required for handling the articles exceeds the article hèlght, so that the screw rotation axis would be located above the product height. A~ticles with complicated confi~-urations can often not be gripped at the ideal contact point by the screw. This can lead to a passing under or knocking down of the article. Furthermore, when a feed screw is dirty or worn, the constant abrasion of the articles by it can lead to scratches or damage to the articles.This applies particularly in the case of labelled or bright objects. In the case of thin or elastic articles which are not supplied in a regular manner, deformation or damage can be caused by the advancing start of the screw. It is also disadvantageous that at high production speeds the advancing first thread of the feed screw momentarily acts as a barrier, so that individually fed-in articles cannot be picked up, and it is only after the build up of a so-called backlog or a dynamic pressure that~the articles can be taken up by the screw. Since, as stated, this problem occurs particularly at high production speeds, each article strikes a stationary column of articles at high speed. This is parti-cularly disadvantageous in glassworks, due to the danger of breakage. Experience in glassworks has shown that all forms of impacts, scratches, etc. occurring just after manufacture reduce the strength of the glasses to a considerable extent.
Finally, it is disadvantageous that different screws have to be fitted for different diameters and heights of the articles handled.
lOB~
It is also known to separate and to synchronously transfer individual articles by means of a so-called feed star. However, even this relatively much-used system has significar,tdis-advantages. For example, the distribution of small-diameter articles overlarge distances is not possible. In addition, at high speed the star ends act as a wall and lead to the over-turning of individually arriving articles, or even to a ~amming of them between the star and facing guide wall.
It has also been proposed to separate articles by means of belts moving at a higher speed than the conveyor belt and which thus move apart the articles. However, this system has the disadvantage that non-uniform spacings of the fed articles still remain non-uniform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor producing identical spacings between mass produced articles moved on a conveyor belt which makes it possible to space a moving line of individual articles of all shapes and types at hitherto unachieved production speeds either towards or away from the dirèction of movement of the conveyor belt and with identical recip~ooal spaclngs as desired for the~working cycle of a further proces~inq =tat1or.
`:
.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for uniformly spacing from each other articles in a moving line of such articles for facilitating processing of the articles at a processin~ station, the apparatus comprising:
a first elongated, endless rail system having a first rail system section adjacent the article line and running along generally parallel to the direction of movement of the line, a plurality o article spacing members guided along the first rail system, articulated connecting arms interconnecting the article spacing members, the connecting arms pivoting at each spacing member and at an intermediate pivot point between the spacing members, a second elongated endless rail system having a second section adjacent the first rail system section and non-parallel to the first rail system section, the first and second rail systems being adjustable relative to one another in their ..
guidance plane, and including turn-around loop sections at their respective ends; pivot guide means for guiding the intermediate pivot points of the articulated connecting arms along the second rail system section, drive means for driving the article, spacing members along the first rail system section and engaging said article spacing members adjacent one turn-around loop`of the first endless rail system, and wherein said second rail system comprises a unitary structural element defining an elongated endless pivot guide means closed by end loops, each end loop having a center point, the diameterof the pivot guide means at the region of the end loops of the elongated endless guide means being different, the center point of one of said end loops being pivotably connected to said unitary structure, and fixed with respect to said first rail system, the cenker point of the other of said end loops being movable and shiftable with respect to said first rail system to permit selective positioning of the second rail system with respect to the ~irst rail system.
As a result of these measures, it is now possible to vary as desired the spacings between the individual spacing members, and conse~uently between the articles operated on by the spacing members between the inlet and the outlet of the apparatus, as a function of the relative course of the first and second rail systems located between these two points. This is naturally a function of the length of the articulated connecting arms. In addition, an increased spacing between the spacing members at the inlet can be obtained if the rail system of this point coincides with the reversal point of the spacing members.
~0 f`~ :
..
,:
-6a- `-., . . . : -, . . . :
Such an arrangement leads to a reduction of problems in feeding-in of the articles.
As a result of these measures, it would be possible, if desired, to slow down the conveying members to zero speed and then accelerate them again with practically any desired acceleration mode.
This permits a simple and rapid changeover of the appar-atus to virtually all possible articles. To this end, it is advantageous for the conveying members to carry interchangeable distributing or driving members.
Tests with such an apparatus have shown that articles, and in particular bottles, can now be processed at a production `~
rate of about 1,000 items per minute and above with virtually no back-log, whereas hitherto only 100 items per minute could be so processed.
~0 : ' -~ 30 , .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is explained hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings. "
Fig. 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to a pre-ferred embodiment of the invention with a conveyor belt.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of fig. 1 in plan view.
Flg. 3 is a cross-section through the apparatus of figs.l `
and 2.
.
Fig. 4 is a partially diagrammatic view of an alternative embodlment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The drawings show an apparatus for producing identiaal ~ ``
spacings between bottles 11 conveyed on a conveyor belt 1.
Conveyor belt 1 rests on a conventional frame 2 and can be driven ln a known and not shown manner. The articles, in this case bottles 11, which can for example be arriving directly from a glass bottle mold, are generally individually placed in a known manner on the conveyor belt 1, which general1y maintains a constant conveying speed.The bottles 11 follow one another in a close row or with widely varying spacings and pass over .' ' - ~ ' a predetermined conveying zone to a further processing station not shown.
Since it is desired that such further processing stations, such as measuring, coding, sealing, labelling and similar stations operate at high speed, the articles, i.e. in this case bottles, must naturally be supplied at a corresponding speed and with a corresponding appropriately matched uniform spacing, i.e. synchronously. This is brought abo~t ~n accordance with the present invention by the apparatus 5 which is associated wlth the conveyor belt 1 at a desired location.
The apparatus 5 comprises a machine frame 3 and a plurality of spacing members 12, each of which serves to instantaneously engage one bottie 11. Spacing members 12 are supported by means of guidance means in the form of rollers 13 (fig. 3) on an end-less rail system lS, whose course can be seen from fig. 2. The individual spacing members 12 from a trolley with inter~
.;:
changeable spacing heads 16 which are advantageously adapted to the shape of the articles 11 conveyed, asshown in detail in fig. 3. The devices 16 co operate with an opposite rail 17 which engages the other side of the bottle ll.
, .
As can be seen particularly from figs.l and 2, the trolleys 12 are here moved from left to right in a direction generally parallel to conveyor belt 1 conveying direction ln .
_ 9 _ ~
a track or a rail system 15. The rail system 15 includes two parallel straight track sections which are interconnected by curved sections. ~he curved sections are located in the inlet and/or outlet of the arrangement. Thus, this first rail system 15 is symmetrical.
It is pointed out that the spacing members 12, which in this case constructed as trolleys,can also be curved slides or slides guided over blocks, in which case the rail system must be constructed accordingly.
The attachment of the rail system to the machine frame 3 can also be effected in any practicable manner and requires no further explana~ion here. It is also clear that it is desireable to firmly fix the apparatus 5 to the selected location on the conveyor belt or its rame 2.
The individual trolleys 12 are interconneated by a rotary articulated member system 20, which can be in -the form of a hollow belt chain. As can be clearly gathered from the drawin~s, the articulated members 21 are alternately connected in artic-ulated manner at point 24 with a trolley 12, and at a point 23 between two adjacent trolleys 12 are connected with ths adjacent articulatëd member. The joints at point 23, 24 are hereby formed by means of suitable pivots 18, as shown in ~ig. 3. At the articulated pivot points 23 between in each case two adjacent trolleys 12, articulated members 21 are also supported ~ - 10 - ~
~ 3 ~
by means of rollers 25 (fig. 3) in a second rail system 30 whose course diverges from the first system.
According to fig. 2, the return track of the second rail system 30 is parallel to the return track section of the first rail system 15, whereas the forward movement track section approaches the forward movement track section of the first rail syste~ 15 at an angle and approaches thelatter in the outlet area. As a result, with a continuous drive, the individual trolleys in the system àssume different-relative speeds and reci-procal spacings, depending on the angular position of the associated articulated members 21.
By suitable measures, a very largè regulating range can be obtalned for the relative speeds and spacings provided by the apparatus.
In principle, it is firstly possible to adjust the first rail system 15 and the second rail system 30 in their guidance planes relative to one another. Advantageously, the second rail system carrying the articulated members 21 is made adjustable in its guidance plane. For example, fig. 2 shows an angular range A by means of which an adjustment can be carried out around the displacement point V which varies the spacing and speed of the incoming trolley. In addition, ,rail system 30 can ., - ,, : , comprise interchanyeable sectlons in order to obtain any desired guidance path. Fig. 4 shows such a path 30', which makes it possible to instantaneously stop trolley 21' on its rail 15', in the general manner explained above.
.~.
In order to at least partly control these problems, it is common to use an apparatus of hhe above-described type with,as an essential component, a so-called feed screw. The articles are taken up by this feed screw, are separated by the increasing "
spacing course, and then transferred at uniform time intervalls to the production machine. In spite of the fact that this system is used in almost all production processes, it cannot be con-sidered ideal.
As the screw takes up the article and transports it, the point of engagement of the article must be very precisely de-termined, particularly with tall and small diameter articles, so that the article is not overturned. This is particularly the case at high speeds and when articles arrive singly. The reason for this is that *ue to the special characteristics of the screw design~ an article which is supplied in an irregular manner can be struck in such a way by the beginning thread of the screw helix that the article is jerked suddenly which in the case of high, small diameter products generally leads to wobbling, overturning, and consequent interruption of the . . ,. .. - . , -, . , ,. , . - . - . .- .
entire production sequence. In the case of flat, large dia-meter articles, a screw cannot be used , because the large screw diameter required for handling the articles exceeds the article hèlght, so that the screw rotation axis would be located above the product height. A~ticles with complicated confi~-urations can often not be gripped at the ideal contact point by the screw. This can lead to a passing under or knocking down of the article. Furthermore, when a feed screw is dirty or worn, the constant abrasion of the articles by it can lead to scratches or damage to the articles.This applies particularly in the case of labelled or bright objects. In the case of thin or elastic articles which are not supplied in a regular manner, deformation or damage can be caused by the advancing start of the screw. It is also disadvantageous that at high production speeds the advancing first thread of the feed screw momentarily acts as a barrier, so that individually fed-in articles cannot be picked up, and it is only after the build up of a so-called backlog or a dynamic pressure that~the articles can be taken up by the screw. Since, as stated, this problem occurs particularly at high production speeds, each article strikes a stationary column of articles at high speed. This is parti-cularly disadvantageous in glassworks, due to the danger of breakage. Experience in glassworks has shown that all forms of impacts, scratches, etc. occurring just after manufacture reduce the strength of the glasses to a considerable extent.
Finally, it is disadvantageous that different screws have to be fitted for different diameters and heights of the articles handled.
lOB~
It is also known to separate and to synchronously transfer individual articles by means of a so-called feed star. However, even this relatively much-used system has significar,tdis-advantages. For example, the distribution of small-diameter articles overlarge distances is not possible. In addition, at high speed the star ends act as a wall and lead to the over-turning of individually arriving articles, or even to a ~amming of them between the star and facing guide wall.
It has also been proposed to separate articles by means of belts moving at a higher speed than the conveyor belt and which thus move apart the articles. However, this system has the disadvantage that non-uniform spacings of the fed articles still remain non-uniform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor producing identical spacings between mass produced articles moved on a conveyor belt which makes it possible to space a moving line of individual articles of all shapes and types at hitherto unachieved production speeds either towards or away from the dirèction of movement of the conveyor belt and with identical recip~ooal spaclngs as desired for the~working cycle of a further proces~inq =tat1or.
`:
.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for uniformly spacing from each other articles in a moving line of such articles for facilitating processing of the articles at a processin~ station, the apparatus comprising:
a first elongated, endless rail system having a first rail system section adjacent the article line and running along generally parallel to the direction of movement of the line, a plurality o article spacing members guided along the first rail system, articulated connecting arms interconnecting the article spacing members, the connecting arms pivoting at each spacing member and at an intermediate pivot point between the spacing members, a second elongated endless rail system having a second section adjacent the first rail system section and non-parallel to the first rail system section, the first and second rail systems being adjustable relative to one another in their ..
guidance plane, and including turn-around loop sections at their respective ends; pivot guide means for guiding the intermediate pivot points of the articulated connecting arms along the second rail system section, drive means for driving the article, spacing members along the first rail system section and engaging said article spacing members adjacent one turn-around loop`of the first endless rail system, and wherein said second rail system comprises a unitary structural element defining an elongated endless pivot guide means closed by end loops, each end loop having a center point, the diameterof the pivot guide means at the region of the end loops of the elongated endless guide means being different, the center point of one of said end loops being pivotably connected to said unitary structure, and fixed with respect to said first rail system, the cenker point of the other of said end loops being movable and shiftable with respect to said first rail system to permit selective positioning of the second rail system with respect to the ~irst rail system.
As a result of these measures, it is now possible to vary as desired the spacings between the individual spacing members, and conse~uently between the articles operated on by the spacing members between the inlet and the outlet of the apparatus, as a function of the relative course of the first and second rail systems located between these two points. This is naturally a function of the length of the articulated connecting arms. In addition, an increased spacing between the spacing members at the inlet can be obtained if the rail system of this point coincides with the reversal point of the spacing members.
~0 f`~ :
..
,:
-6a- `-., . . . : -, . . . :
Such an arrangement leads to a reduction of problems in feeding-in of the articles.
As a result of these measures, it would be possible, if desired, to slow down the conveying members to zero speed and then accelerate them again with practically any desired acceleration mode.
This permits a simple and rapid changeover of the appar-atus to virtually all possible articles. To this end, it is advantageous for the conveying members to carry interchangeable distributing or driving members.
Tests with such an apparatus have shown that articles, and in particular bottles, can now be processed at a production `~
rate of about 1,000 items per minute and above with virtually no back-log, whereas hitherto only 100 items per minute could be so processed.
~0 : ' -~ 30 , .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is explained hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings. "
Fig. 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to a pre-ferred embodiment of the invention with a conveyor belt.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of fig. 1 in plan view.
Flg. 3 is a cross-section through the apparatus of figs.l `
and 2.
.
Fig. 4 is a partially diagrammatic view of an alternative embodlment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The drawings show an apparatus for producing identiaal ~ ``
spacings between bottles 11 conveyed on a conveyor belt 1.
Conveyor belt 1 rests on a conventional frame 2 and can be driven ln a known and not shown manner. The articles, in this case bottles 11, which can for example be arriving directly from a glass bottle mold, are generally individually placed in a known manner on the conveyor belt 1, which general1y maintains a constant conveying speed.The bottles 11 follow one another in a close row or with widely varying spacings and pass over .' ' - ~ ' a predetermined conveying zone to a further processing station not shown.
Since it is desired that such further processing stations, such as measuring, coding, sealing, labelling and similar stations operate at high speed, the articles, i.e. in this case bottles, must naturally be supplied at a corresponding speed and with a corresponding appropriately matched uniform spacing, i.e. synchronously. This is brought abo~t ~n accordance with the present invention by the apparatus 5 which is associated wlth the conveyor belt 1 at a desired location.
The apparatus 5 comprises a machine frame 3 and a plurality of spacing members 12, each of which serves to instantaneously engage one bottie 11. Spacing members 12 are supported by means of guidance means in the form of rollers 13 (fig. 3) on an end-less rail system lS, whose course can be seen from fig. 2. The individual spacing members 12 from a trolley with inter~
.;:
changeable spacing heads 16 which are advantageously adapted to the shape of the articles 11 conveyed, asshown in detail in fig. 3. The devices 16 co operate with an opposite rail 17 which engages the other side of the bottle ll.
, .
As can be seen particularly from figs.l and 2, the trolleys 12 are here moved from left to right in a direction generally parallel to conveyor belt 1 conveying direction ln .
_ 9 _ ~
a track or a rail system 15. The rail system 15 includes two parallel straight track sections which are interconnected by curved sections. ~he curved sections are located in the inlet and/or outlet of the arrangement. Thus, this first rail system 15 is symmetrical.
It is pointed out that the spacing members 12, which in this case constructed as trolleys,can also be curved slides or slides guided over blocks, in which case the rail system must be constructed accordingly.
The attachment of the rail system to the machine frame 3 can also be effected in any practicable manner and requires no further explana~ion here. It is also clear that it is desireable to firmly fix the apparatus 5 to the selected location on the conveyor belt or its rame 2.
The individual trolleys 12 are interconneated by a rotary articulated member system 20, which can be in -the form of a hollow belt chain. As can be clearly gathered from the drawin~s, the articulated members 21 are alternately connected in artic-ulated manner at point 24 with a trolley 12, and at a point 23 between two adjacent trolleys 12 are connected with ths adjacent articulatëd member. The joints at point 23, 24 are hereby formed by means of suitable pivots 18, as shown in ~ig. 3. At the articulated pivot points 23 between in each case two adjacent trolleys 12, articulated members 21 are also supported ~ - 10 - ~
~ 3 ~
by means of rollers 25 (fig. 3) in a second rail system 30 whose course diverges from the first system.
According to fig. 2, the return track of the second rail system 30 is parallel to the return track section of the first rail system 15, whereas the forward movement track section approaches the forward movement track section of the first rail syste~ 15 at an angle and approaches thelatter in the outlet area. As a result, with a continuous drive, the individual trolleys in the system àssume different-relative speeds and reci-procal spacings, depending on the angular position of the associated articulated members 21.
By suitable measures, a very largè regulating range can be obtalned for the relative speeds and spacings provided by the apparatus.
In principle, it is firstly possible to adjust the first rail system 15 and the second rail system 30 in their guidance planes relative to one another. Advantageously, the second rail system carrying the articulated members 21 is made adjustable in its guidance plane. For example, fig. 2 shows an angular range A by means of which an adjustment can be carried out around the displacement point V which varies the spacing and speed of the incoming trolley. In addition, ,rail system 30 can ., - ,, : , comprise interchanyeable sectlons in order to obtain any desired guidance path. Fig. 4 shows such a path 30', which makes it possible to instantaneously stop trolley 21' on its rail 15', in the general manner explained above.
.~.
Claims (12)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Apparatus for uniformly spacing from each other articles in a moving line of such articles for facilitating processing of the articles at a processing station, the apparatus comprising:
a first elongated, endless rail system having a first rail system section adjacent the article line and running along generally parallel to the direction of movement of the line, a plurality of article spacing members guided along the first rail system, articulated connecting arms interconnecting the article spacing members, the connecting arms pivoting at each spacing member and at an intermediate pivot point between the spacing members, a second elongated endless rail system having a second section adjacent the first rail system section and non-parallel to the first rail system section, the first and second rail systems being adjustable relative to one another in their guidance plane, and including turn-around loop sections at their.
respective ends;
pivot guide means for guiding the intermediate pivot points of the articulated connecting arms along the second rail system section, drive means for driving the article spacing members along the first rail system section and engaging said article spacing members adjacent one turn-around loop of the first endless rail system, and wherein said second rail system comprises .
a unitary structural element defining an elongated endless pivot guide means closed by end loops, each end loop having a center point, the diameter of the pivot guide means at the region of the end loops of the elongated endless guide means being different, the center point of one of said end loops being pivotably connected to said unitary structure, and fixed with respect to said first rail system, the center point of the other of said end loops being movable and shiftable with respect to said first rail system to permit selective positioning of the second rail system with respect to the first rail system.
a first elongated, endless rail system having a first rail system section adjacent the article line and running along generally parallel to the direction of movement of the line, a plurality of article spacing members guided along the first rail system, articulated connecting arms interconnecting the article spacing members, the connecting arms pivoting at each spacing member and at an intermediate pivot point between the spacing members, a second elongated endless rail system having a second section adjacent the first rail system section and non-parallel to the first rail system section, the first and second rail systems being adjustable relative to one another in their guidance plane, and including turn-around loop sections at their.
respective ends;
pivot guide means for guiding the intermediate pivot points of the articulated connecting arms along the second rail system section, drive means for driving the article spacing members along the first rail system section and engaging said article spacing members adjacent one turn-around loop of the first endless rail system, and wherein said second rail system comprises .
a unitary structural element defining an elongated endless pivot guide means closed by end loops, each end loop having a center point, the diameter of the pivot guide means at the region of the end loops of the elongated endless guide means being different, the center point of one of said end loops being pivotably connected to said unitary structure, and fixed with respect to said first rail system, the center point of the other of said end loops being movable and shiftable with respect to said first rail system to permit selective positioning of the second rail system with respect to the first rail system.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the orientation of the first rail system is fixed and the orientation of the second rail system section with respect to the first rail system section is adjustable.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the spacing members are guided along the first rail system by rollers.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the intermediate pivot points are provided with rollers engaged in said second rail system.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the articulated connecting arms are connecting members of a hollow-bolt chain system.
6. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the direction of movement of the articles in the line, the first rail system section, and the second rail system section are all substantially in the same plane.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the first rail system section is angled so that it approaches the moving line of articles in the direction of movement of the articles.
8. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the second rail system comprises a unitary replaceable unit.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article spacing members are trolleys.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article spacing members carry interchangeable distributing or driving devices.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second rail system is constructed at least partly in inter-changeable manner to permit modification of its course.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the pivot guide means at the end loops are different, and the movable center point is at the position of the smaller one of said diameters.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH16'311/76 | 1976-12-24 | ||
| CH1631176A CH611575A5 (en) | 1976-12-24 | 1976-12-24 | Device for producing identical spacings between piece goods |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1082636A true CA1082636A (en) | 1980-07-29 |
Family
ID=4416210
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA293,055A Expired CA1082636A (en) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-12-14 | Apparatus for spacing articles moving in a line |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5846414B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | AT355989B (en) |
| AU (1) | AU518502B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1082636A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH611575A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2754918C2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2375119A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1589540A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1114849B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX145899A (en) |
Families Citing this family (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4242033A (en) * | 1979-04-02 | 1980-12-30 | Aidlin Automation, Inc. | Machine and method for vertical transportation of containers |
| JPS61192613A (en) * | 1985-02-20 | 1986-08-27 | Hitachi Ltd | Goods conveyor |
| JPS62197816U (en) * | 1986-06-09 | 1987-12-16 | ||
| AU570376B1 (en) * | 1987-09-03 | 1988-03-10 | Owens-Illinois Glass Container Inc. | Bottle conveyer with brush spacer |
| US5161664A (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1992-11-10 | The Mead Corporation | Infeed grouping mechanism for a packaging machine |
| FR2697819A1 (en) * | 1992-11-06 | 1994-05-13 | Api | Method of separation and batching of articles - includes steps of moving barriers by pneumatically operated programmed push buttons moved into article path |
| DE4325009A1 (en) * | 1993-07-27 | 1995-02-02 | Focke & Co | Process and apparatus for transporting packs or the like |
| DE19510649C2 (en) * | 1994-10-21 | 1996-12-12 | Inmara Ag | Transport device |
| DE19700263A1 (en) * | 1997-01-07 | 1998-07-09 | Alfill Engineering Gmbh & Co K | Device for separating bottles in a guideway |
| US7240784B2 (en) | 2001-12-11 | 2007-07-10 | Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc | Selection system |
| GB0622058D0 (en) | 2006-11-06 | 2006-12-13 | Meadwestvaco Corp | Article metering apparatus |
| DE102010022126B4 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2021-03-25 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Automatic setting of the pitch of a conveyor chain |
| WO2019057304A1 (en) * | 2017-09-25 | 2019-03-28 | Ferrum Ag | Spacing converter - scissor mechanism |
| WO2023110057A1 (en) * | 2021-12-13 | 2023-06-22 | Ferrum Packaging Ag | Container feed system for transporting a container, and processing device and method for transporting a container |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR651533A (en) * | 1927-09-12 | 1929-02-20 | Mobile platform | |
| FR1397739A (en) * | 1964-06-04 | 1965-04-30 | Variable speed load moving device | |
| US3294215A (en) * | 1965-04-14 | 1966-12-27 | Continental Can Co | Article accelerator of variable pitch chain type |
| DE1232068B (en) * | 1965-12-04 | 1967-01-05 | Hesser Ag Maschf | Device for conveying objects |
| CH585658A5 (en) * | 1974-12-19 | 1977-03-15 | Sapal Plieuses Automatiques | |
| JPS5185165A (en) * | 1975-01-23 | 1976-07-26 | Toyo Giken Kogyo Kk | ZAIRYONOSEIRETSU SOCHI |
-
1976
- 1976-12-24 CH CH1631176A patent/CH611575A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1977
- 1977-12-09 DE DE2754918A patent/DE2754918C2/en not_active Expired
- 1977-12-13 AT AT888577A patent/AT355989B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1977-12-14 CA CA293,055A patent/CA1082636A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-12-14 AU AU31516/77A patent/AU518502B2/en not_active Expired
- 1977-12-21 JP JP52155063A patent/JPS5846414B2/en not_active Expired
- 1977-12-22 GB GB53573/77A patent/GB1589540A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-12-23 IT IT31188/77A patent/IT1114849B/en active
- 1977-12-23 FR FR7739009A patent/FR2375119A1/en active Granted
-
1978
- 1978-01-02 MX MX171856A patent/MX145899A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| MX145899A (en) | 1982-04-19 |
| JPS5846414B2 (en) | 1983-10-17 |
| IT1114849B (en) | 1986-01-27 |
| DE2754918A1 (en) | 1978-06-29 |
| CH611575A5 (en) | 1979-06-15 |
| JPS5380675A (en) | 1978-07-17 |
| FR2375119B1 (en) | 1984-08-10 |
| AT355989B (en) | 1980-04-10 |
| ATA888577A (en) | 1979-08-15 |
| GB1589540A (en) | 1981-05-13 |
| AU518502B2 (en) | 1981-10-01 |
| DE2754918C2 (en) | 1985-04-04 |
| FR2375119A1 (en) | 1978-07-21 |
| AU3151677A (en) | 1979-06-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |