DE102010050035A1 - Transport section for influencing disordered mass flow of separate articles i.e. beverage containers, has guide elements projecting into article flow and moved in conveyor direction of articles against force in direction of sides of plane - Google Patents

Abstract

The section (10) has guide elements (18) pivotably movable around vertical or slightly-inclined axes and arranged at defined distance from each other. The guide elements project into an article flow (24), and are moved in conveyor direction of articles (12) against resetting force in direction of longitudinal sides of a supporting and transport plane (14). The guide elements are formed by pivotably-movable rods, flaps (22) or plates, where the resetting force of the guide elements is adjustable in a defined or variable manner. A separate drive is attached to the guide elements. An independent claim is also included for a method for influencing disordered mass flow of separate articles.

Description

The invention relates to a transport path for a disordered mass flow of a plurality of separate articles with the features of claim 1 and a method for influencing a mass flow with the features of method claim 11.

In the promotion of items such as. Beverage containers between successive machine parts these items or containers are transported from one machine to subsequent machines usually in a mass flow on carriers with rigid side rails and guided. At the beginning of the transport route, the articles leave the upstream machine, for example a labeling machine, as a single article or individual container and are then uncontrolled brought together and bundled to a mass flow. This unordered mass flow must be brought back into ordered structures at the next station or machine, which may be formed, for example, by a packing station, so that the containers or articles can be further processed in the desired manner. It has been found that the individually transported articles can easily fall over depending on their shape on the conveyor. This concerns in particular beverage containers such as bottles or cans with their relatively small footprint. If the containers or articles lack a defined backpressure, they tend to tilt or fall over. Only after a first filling, when a sufficient number of containers are transported, which are supported laterally, in the transport direction and each other, the articles start to stand stably. With filled conveyors or conveyor belts builds up a back pressure, which can be difficult to control, which can lead to the fact that due to this back pressure repeatedly articles or containers in the inlet of baffle guides can jam, which ultimately leads to machine malfunction.

The DE 694 04 193 T2 discloses a transport device for articles having successively arranged means for transporting a plurality of articles carried on a plurality of parallel tracks. By means of guide devices, the articles can be guided to selected tracks. Portions of the tracks are laterally movable to redirect the articles from one or more of the tracks to one or more other of these tracks.

The DE 10 2008 019 081 A1 further describes an arrangement for the transport and synchronous distribution of containers, which are continuously provided on a transport device and divided into two further transport devices. For this purpose, the containers are centered on the first transport device by means of two flaps, which are mechanically coupled, for example by means of a shear arrangement. The provision of synchronously and in opposite directions movable flaps in a rest position of the shear arms can be done by spring force.

A primary object of the invention is to propose an improved steering and influencing of article streams and to provide a corresponding device capable of influencing streams of disordered and / or stand-alone articles, such as beverage containers, in a manner This reduces the risk of malfunctions such as, for example, tilting of individual articles or stowage of articles at certain points of a delivery flow.

This object of the invention is achieved with the subject matter of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

To achieve the stated object, the invention proposes a transport path for a disordered mass flow of a plurality of separate articles, which includes a moving in a linear direction bearing and transport plane on which the articles are disordered. Furthermore, on both sides of the moving support and transport plane fixed brackets in the form of side walls or baffles o. The like. Provided in each of which pivotable guide elements are anchored at defined intervals, which are each pivotable about vertical or slightly inclined axes. These pivotable flaps each protrude into the flow of articles and are deflectable in a conveying direction of the article against a restoring force in the direction of the longitudinal sides of the support and transport plane. Basically, it is irrelevant to the function of the guide elements according to the invention, at which point they are each anchored pivotably. The anchoring points can be formed, for example, by solid walls, by web-like guide devices or by other anchoring or support points. The guide elements provided for the steering and influencing of the article flow or mass flow can be formed, for example, by rods, flaps or plates mounted in a pivoting manner, which are arranged in an approximately equidistant arrangement and in pairs opposite one another on the side walls or side edges of the transport path. The guide elements do not necessarily have to be arranged in pairs opposite one another, but can alternatively be arranged offset to one another in the direction of movement of the support and transport plane. Also, successive sections of each different configuration are conceivable.

The preferably each spring-mounted vanes are arranged according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a relaxed position obliquely in the direction and transport direction and aligned, leaving an approximately central lane free. The tips or free ends of the guide elements do not necessarily touch, but may be spaced apart from each other. This distance may, for example, be slightly smaller or larger than a typical diameter of the transported on the transport route items or containers.

A further embodiment of the transport path according to the invention provides that the guide elements can be acted upon in each case with a defined restoring force or with variably adjustable restoring forces. In this way, a variable adaptation of the steering and supporting effect of the guide elements to different widths of article streams, to different sized and different heavy items are possible. For example, relatively light plastic containers require a significantly lower restoring force than relatively heavy food cans made of metal in order to be supported and possibly deflected in the desired manner.

In addition, it may be advantageous in the transport path according to the invention, when the restoring forces of the spring-mounted guide elements of a longitudinal side of the moving support and transport plane are each approximately at the same level and the restoring forces of the guide elements of the two longitudinal sides are each differently adjustable. If differently strong biases are used on both sides of the valves, the direction and flow behavior of the volume flow of articles can be influenced in a targeted manner.

According to an alternative embodiment of the transport route, it is not absolutely necessary that the guide elements are only resiliently mounted. Thus, at least some of the guide elements, in particular all guide elements can each be assigned a separate drive for controlling the pivoting movements. In this way, the pivoting movements of the guide elements can be actively controlled and / or regulated in order to be able to influence the article flow in a targeted manner in this way. Not all flaps or vanes need to be motorized in this way. It may also be sufficient if individual flaps are actively controllable, while the majority of the flaps have the mentioned return springs. Optionally, the flaps individually, in pairs, z. B. in pairs opposite, in groups or even one-sided controlled and / or regulated. For this purpose, for example, electric servomotors, stepper motors, pneumatic actuators, electromagnetic actuators, etc. Also useful may be actuators whose torque is detectable in order to gain feedback on the deflection and / or the forces on the flap in this way act through the article stream. Possibly. can be supplied by suitable actuators angle signals, which can serve to detect the deflection and thus the volume flow of transported articles. The signals supplied by the actuators acting as angle sensors can be used as controlled variables for varying a transport speed of an upstream transport device or an upstream conveyor belt. It can thus be influenced by a volume flow of the upstream transport device. Optionally, the transport speed of a downstream transport element or the processing speed of a downstream packing machine o. The like. Be regulated so.

The guiding elements of the transport paths, which also function as guardrails, are designed in a useful embodiment of the invention as rotatably mounted and sprung plates, which in the closed state can be combined with the ends in the center of the conveyor and can be forced apart by a sufficient number of containers. By varying degrees of springs or by an adjustable bias of the springs, the back pressure can be controlled defined on the tracks. Depending on the degree of filling with a smaller or larger number of containers, the plates are pushed further or less far apart. As a result, a uniform mass flow can be generated with a defined dynamic pressure. Excessive pressure is prevented by deflecting the plates outwards. In addition, if necessary, the drive speed can be adjusted. Due to the inclination of the plates to the direction of the webs of the container flow is also directed to the center of the web, from where it can be easily distributed to the baffles in the inlet of successors (eg packaging machines) as a mass flow, the one-sided on Build railing. Since the back pressure is lower than in conventional guide devices, congestion effects or snagging of the articles or containers in the inlet of the baffles are avoided. In addition, a tilting of the container or individual bottles in the transport direction or against the transport direction is reliably prevented by the fact that the individual bottles or containers can be supported on the plates, especially in situations where no sufficient mass flow has formed yet.

A further advantageous embodiment of the transport path according to the invention provides at least one, possibly also on several or all vanes angle sensors, which serve to detect the deflection and thus the volume flow of transported articles. These Angle sensors may optionally be formed in the manner described above by actuators which are able to control not only the flap angle, but also to generate a torque signal and / or an angle signal. The signal delivered by such angle sensors can be advantageously used as a controlled variable for varying a transport speed of a preceding transport device or of an upstream conveyor belt and can thus serve to influence a volume flow of the upstream transport device. Optionally, the transport speed of a downstream transport element or the processing speed of a downstream packing machine o. The like. Be regulated so. If, for example, suitable sensors are attached to the pivot points of the pivotable guide elements, a reliable inference can be drawn as to the degree of filling of the conveyor and the transport path drives can thus be controlled in an optimized manner in order to avoid excessive backpressures.

It should be noted that the inventive variants of pivotable guide devices are also used in transporters and transport routes for containers, since this similar problems may occur, especially for relatively small container sizes and / or containers with respect to the height of relatively small footprint, the increased risk of tipping exhibit.

In addition to the transport path described in various embodiments, the present invention also includes a method for influencing a disordered mass flow with a plurality of separate items that are transported disorderly standing in a linear direction support and transport plane standing, with both sides of the moving support and Transport level fixed side walls and / or or guiding devices are provided. At these sides of the transport path located walls or baffles are each pivoting at defined intervals about vertical or slightly inclined axes anchors, each projecting into the article flow and are deflected in a conveying direction of the article against a restoring force in the direction of the longitudinal sides of the support and transport plane , In addition, if differently high bias voltages are used on both sides of the flaps, the direction and flow behavior of the volume flow of articles can be purposefully influenced, if so intended. Also, the pivotal movements of at least some of the flaps or vanes in the manner described above can be actively controlled and / or regulated by means of suitable actuators. Optionally, these actuators can also provide angle and / or torque signals to affect the flow of articles targeted.

Furthermore, the method can provide that at least the deflection of a pivotable guide element, preferably the deflections of a plurality of guide elements is detected by sensors and used to form a controlled variable for influencing and / or varying a transport speed of an upstream and / or downstream transport device. With the help of this method according to the invention, the dynamic pressure on the tracks of the transport route can be controlled. Depending on the admission of the transport path with a smaller or larger number of containers, the guide elements or plates are more or less forced apart, so that a mass flow with uniform and defined dynamic pressure can be generated. Higher dam pressures are effectively reduced by deflecting the plates outwards. In addition, if necessary, the drive speed of an upstream and / or downstream transport device can be adjusted. Due to the inclination of the plates to the direction of the webs of the container flow is also directed to the center of the web, from where it can be easily distributed to the baffles in the inlet of successors (eg packaging machines) as a mass flow, the one-sided on Build railing. Since the dynamic pressure is lower overall than in previously used or known baffles, congestion effects and / or snagging of the articles or containers are avoided in the inlet of the baffles. In addition, tilting of the container or individual bottles in or against the transport direction is thereby largely prevented that the articles or containers can be supported on the plates, especially in situations in which no sufficient mass flow has yet formed.

The procedures for transporting articles on the transport route according to the invention will be described below. First, the transport route is empty, after which first containers are taken over and transported. The transport route is gradually charged with containers; These are initially held back until a defined back pressure builds up. The falling over of the individual containers is prevented by the flaps. The containers run against the yielding force of the springs compliant flaps and are supported by this. The tracks of the transport route are continuously filled; If there are sufficient containers, the flaps are pressed open by the dynamic pressure. The containers in the front rows are prevented from falling over by the flaps. This creates a volume flow with a defined dynamic pressure without building up too much pressure. Fluctuations in the dynamic pressure are avoided. The containers are centered on the Carriers run and do not run along the sides. As a result, the filling of subsequent lanes of the subsequent machine is facilitated because the containers need not be distributed from one side to the entire width, but only from the center to the outside. As soon as the transport route is largely completely filled, the flaps open completely to prevent excessive back pressure.

If the dynamic pressure increases even further, the volume flow can be further regulated by switching off or changing the speed of the upstream transport paths. If the volume flow stops, the flaps close again and the process starts again.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiment is intended to explain the invention in more detail, but should not be understood as limiting.

1 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a transport path according to the invention for conveying articles or containers.

2 shows a schematic plan view of the transport path according to 1 in a first phase of promotion of individual articles.

3 shows a second phase of promotion of individual articles.

4 shows a third phase of promotion of articles.

5 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of a part of the transport path according to the invention.

Same parts in the 1 to 5 are each denoted by the same reference numerals, so that is dispensed with a multiple explanation in the rule. The 1 to 5 each show a schematic plan view of a transport route 10 that is a largely disordered mass flow of articles 12 serves. Typically, on the transport route 10 a variety of separate articles 12 transported in the linear transport direction TR. The articles 12 are in disorder on a moving in the linear transport direction TR support and transport plane 14 , On both sides of the moving support and transport plane 14 are fixed supports in the form of side walls 16 or guide devices o. The like. Provided at which in each case at defined intervals pivoting guide elements 18 anchored, each about vertical or slightly inclined axes 20 are pivotable. These pivotable vanes 18 especially as flaps 22 can be formed, each protrude into the article stream 24 and are in the conveying direction TR of the article 12 against a restoring force in the direction of the longitudinal sides of the support and transport plane 14 ie in the direction of their side walls 16 deflectable. In the illustrated embodiment, the for steering and influencing the flow of articles 24 provided guide elements 18 by pivotally mounted flaps 22 or plates formed in approximately equidistant arrangement and in pairs opposite to the side walls 16 the transport route 10 are arranged.

The spring-mounted guide elements 18 are in a relaxed position (cf. 1 . 2 ) obliquely in the running direction or transport direction TR of the article flow 24 arranged and aligned while leaving an approximately central lane 26 free. The tips or free ends of the guide elements 18 do not touch each other. Preferably, the guide elements 18 or flaps 22 each acted upon by a defined restoring force or with variably adjustable restoring forces, whereby a variable adjustment of the steering and supporting action of the guide elements 18 to different widths article flows 24 , on differently dimensioned as well as on differently heavy articles 12 is possible. For example, relatively light plastic containers require a significantly lower restoring force than relatively heavy food cans made of metal in order to be supported and possibly deflected in the desired manner.

The also acting as a railing guiding elements 18 the transport route 10 can be optionally provided with different strong springs. In this way or by an adjustable bias of the springs, the back pressure can be controlled defined on the tracks. Depending on the degree of filling with a smaller or larger number of containers 32 or articles 12 become the plates 22 further or less widely pushed apart. This allows a uniform mass flow 24 be generated with a defined back pressure. Excessive pressure is caused by dodging the plates 22 prevented from the outside (cf. 3 . 4 ). In addition, if necessary, the drive speed of the support and transport plane 14 be adjusted. Due to the inclination of the plates 22 to the running direction TR of the webs is the container flow 24 also steered into the middle of the track, from where it easier on the baffles in the inlet of a successor machine 28 (eg packaging machines) can be distributed as a mass flow 24 , which builds on one side of the railing. Since the dynamic pressure is effectively reducible, stowage effects or snagging of the articles may occur 12 or container 32 be avoided in the inlet of the baffles. In addition, a tipping of the container 32 or individual bottles in the transport direction TR or against the transport direction TR reliably prevented by the fact that the individual bottles or containers 32 on the plates 22 can support, especially in situations where there is still no sufficient mass flow 24 has formed.

Furthermore, one or more or all of the guide elements 18 or hinged flaps 22 according to 5 each angle sensors 34 be assigned, which is the deflection of the guide elements 18 and thus the volume flow of transported articles 12 to capture. That from the angle sensors 34 supplied signal can be used as a controlled variable for varying a transport speed of an upstream transport device in an advantageous manner 30 or an upstream conveyor belt (cf. 1 ) can be used and can thus influence a volume flow of the upstream transport device 30 serve. Alternatively, the transport speed of the successor machine 28 or the downstream transport element or the processing speed of a downstream packing machine o. The like. Be regulated so. Be on the pivot axes 20 the guiding elements 18 such sensors 34 attached, a reliable inference can be drawn on the degree of filling of the conveyor and so the transport path drives are controlled in an optimized manner in order to avoid excessive back pressures.

It is based on the detail view of 5 explains that it is not essential that the vanes 18 sprung in the pivot axis 20 are stored. Thus, at least some of the guide elements 18 or hinged flaps 22 a separate drive 36 for controlling the pivoting movements of the flaps 22 be assigned, whereby the pivoting movements of the guide elements 18 can be actively controlled and / or regulated. With the help of the drives 36 can be influenced specifically the article flow. It does not have all the flaps 22 or guide elements 18 be pivotable by motor in this way. It may also be enough if individual flaps 22 are actively controllable while the majority of the flaps 22 have the mentioned return springs. Optionally, the flaps 22 individually, in pairs, z. B. in pairs opposite, in groups or even one-sided controlled and / or regulated. For this purpose, for example, electric servomotors, stepper motors, pneumatic actuators, electromagnetic actuators etc. are suitable.

In the presentation of the 5 is found as a variant of a linear motor 38 who has a gesture 40 the pivotal movement of the flap 22 around the pivot axis 20 can generate. Instead of the shown linear motor 38 Of course, electric stepper motors or rotary drives can also be used, which are connected via traction means, gear transmission or in direct coupling for the desired pivotal movement of the flaps 22 can provide. In addition, it may be useful to use actuators whose torque can be detected in order to obtain feedback on the deflection and / or the forces acting on the flap 22 through the article stream 24 the item 12 or container 32 act. Optionally, angle signals can be generated by suitable actuators, which detects the deflection and thus the volume flow of transported articles 12 can serve. The ones of the so-called angle sensors 34 Actuators supplied signals can be used as controlled variables for varying a transport speed of an upstream transport device 30 or an upstream conveyor belt are used. It can thus be a volume flow of the upstream transport device 30 to be influenced.

Optionally, the transport speed of a downstream transport element 28 or the processing speed of a downstream packing machine o. The like. Be regulated so.

The following are the procedures for the transport of articles 12 on the transport route according to the invention 10 based on 1 to 5 be clarified. First, the transport route 10 empty, after which first article 12 or container 32 be taken over and transported (cf. 1 and 2 ). The transport route 10 will gradually with containers 32 applied; These are initially held back until a defined back pressure builds up. The falling over of the individual containers 32 gets through the flaps 22 prevented. The containers 32 Run against the yielding against the restoring force of the springs flaps 22 and are supported by them (cf. 3 ). Optionally, the tanks are running 32 to the against the restoring force of the drive 36 yielding flaps 22 and are supported by them (cf. 5 ). Possibly. is the article flow by operating the linear motors 38 suitably modulated and influenced.

The tracks of the transport route 10 are being continuously replenished. Once a sufficiently large number of containers 32 is present, the flaps 22 impressed by the dynamic pressure (cf. 3 . 4 ). The containers 32 in the front rows are through the flaps 22 prevented from falling over. This creates a volume flow with a defined dynamic pressure without building up too much pressure. Fluctuations in the dynamic pressure are avoided. The containers 32 be centered on the transporters 14 run and do not run along the sides. This will fill from subsequent lanes of the following machine 28 relieved because the containers 32 must not be distributed from one side to the entire width, but only from the center to the outside. Once the transport route 10 is completely filled, open the flaps completely, thereby preventing excessive back pressure (see. 4 ). If the back pressure increases even further, it can be switched off or the speed changes of the upstream transport lanes 30 the volume flow can be further regulated. If the volume flow breaks down, close the flaps 22 again and the process starts again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

transport distance

12

items

14

Pad / transport plane

16

Sidewall, long side

18

vane

20

swivel axis

22

flap

24

Article flow, mass flow

26

alley

28

successor machine

30

upstream transport facility

32

container

34

angle sensor

36

drive

38

linear motor

40

linkage

TR

Direction of movement, conveying direction, transport direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 69404193 T2 [0003]
• DE 102008019081 A1 [0004]

Claims (13)

Transport route ( 10 ) for a disordered mass flow ( 24 ) a plurality of separate articles ( 12 ), with a linearly moving support and transport plane ( 14 ) on which the articles ( 12 ) are disordered, and with both sides of the moving support and transport plane ( 14 ) are arranged at defined distances from each other and each about vertical or slightly inclined axes ( 20 ) pivotable guide elements ( 18 ), each in the article stream ( 24 ) and in a conveying direction (TR) of the articles ( 12 ) against a restoring force in the direction of the longitudinal sides ( 16 ) the support and transport level ( 14 ) are deflectable. Transport route according to claim 1, wherein the guide elements ( 18 ) in each case by pivotally mounted rods, flaps ( 22 ) or plates o. The like. Are formed. Transport route according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the guide elements ( 18 ) on both sides in approximately equidistant arrangement and in pairs opposite or in the direction of movement of the support and transport plane ( 14 ) are offset from one another. Transport route according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least some of the guide elements ( 18 ), in particular all the guide elements ( 18 ) are each spring-mounted. Transport route according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the guide elements ( 18 ) in a relaxed position obliquely in the direction of movement (TR) of the support and transport plane ( 14 ) are arranged, wherein the free ends of horizontally arranged guide elements ( 18 ) forming a central lane ( 26 ) are spaced from each other. Transport route according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a restoring force of the spring-mounted guide elements ( 18 ) is defined or variably adjustable. Transport route according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the restoring forces of the spring-mounted guide elements ( 18 ) a longitudinal side of the moving support and transport plane ( 14 ) each approximately at the same level and the restoring forces of the guide elements ( 18 ) of the two longitudinal sides are each differently adjustable. Transport route according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least some of the guide elements ( 18 ), in particular all the guiding elements ( 18 ) each have a separate drive ( 36 ) is assigned to control the pivoting movements. Transport route according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least one, in particular a plurality of guide elements ( 18 ) Angle sensors ( 34 ) are assigned to detect the deflection and to form an angle-dependent output signal. Transport route according to Claim 9, in which the output signal of the at least one angle sensor ( 34 ) a controlled variable for varying a transport speed of an upstream ( 30 ) and / or downstream transport device ( 28 ). Method for influencing a disordered mass flow ( 24 ) with a large number of separate articles ( 12 ) which are arranged in a disorderly manner in a support and transport plane moving in a linear direction ( 14 ) are transported standing, with both sides of the moving support and transport plane ( 14 ) fixed side walls ( 16 ) or guide devices, at each of which at defined intervals about vertical or slightly inclined axes ( 20 ) pivotable guide elements ( 18 ), which in each case in the article stream ( 24 ) and in a conveying direction (TR) of the articles ( 12 ) against a restoring force in the direction of the longitudinal sides ( 16 ) the support and transport level ( 14 ) are deflected. The method of claim 11, wherein the restoring forces of the spring-mounted and / or motor pivotable guide elements ( 18 ) a longitudinal side of the moving support and transport plane ( 14 ) each approximately at the same level and the restoring forces of the guide elements ( 18 ) of the two longitudinal sides are each set differently. Method according to Claim 11 or 12, in which at least the deflection of a pivotable guide element ( 18 ), preferably the deflections of a plurality of guide elements ( 18 ) sensory and to form a controlled variable for influencing and / or varying a transport speed of an upstream ( 30 ) and / or downstream transport device ( 28 ) is used.

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