DE2101946C3 - Distribution system for the transport of bulk goods - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a distribution system according to the preamble of claim 1. A distribution system of this The species is known from US Pat. No. 2,868,400. This document discloses several counter rotating Conveyor for tobacco or the like. In obliquely upward leading layer are arranged overlapping each other. A is written under the overlap point Storage container in which the tobacco can be introduced through a space between the two overhead conveyors. For that must the downstream of the two conveyors can be switched to return. In this way the successive containers can first be filled one after the other, and by means of the Limit switches provided for containers can then be used to control the level. The sponsors can do this however, only fill one storage container at a time. So the reservoirs have to either be made relatively large, or there may be an emptying of a storage container while another is being filled. Also this requires System has a complicated control and gear arrangement.

The field of application of the present invention lies in particular with sensitive bulk goods such as Pasta, potato schnitzel, biscuits and the like, i.e. products with a relatively low weight of irregular shape.

Other known distribution systems that have become known from wood processing technology are also unsuitable for handling such sensitive bulk goods. So the distribution system according to aar DE-OS 14 31 614, which deals with the handling of individual billets of large mass and essentially regular shape. In this known distribution system, several circulating conveyors with gaps are connected in series, the gaps representing the inlet points to the processing points and the billets to be processed filling all gaps during operation of the system and also forming a continuous layer over all conveyors. An individual control of conveyors and spaces or passages for the purpose of uniform loading of the successive boxes is obviously not provided here. Sensitive bulk goods in the form of biscuits or the like would experience considerable quality reductions with such a system. In such known systems, in which pieces of bulk material that have not been removed from any consumer point are returned to the beginning, a long-term cycle of individual pieces of bulk material can result, which brings with it undesired aging,

The present invention is based on the object of providing a distribution system of the type mentioned at the beginning Design the genus so that it can be used for the delivery of parts of low mass and irregular shape composite bulk material flows to a number of consumer points of different acceptance is suitable, whereby none of the consumer points remain unsupplied and also the conveyed bulk material should not suffer any deterioration in quality due to aging or physical impairment.

The solution to the problem is set out in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The subclaims relate to advantageous configurations and developments of the invention.

The invention is characterized in that with her sensitive bulk goods such as food quickly and distributed continuously and without loss of quality to consumer points of different purchase can be. This takes place essentially in the order in which they are supplied to the system, with im other undesirable mechanical stresses caused by continuously rubbing conveyors and the like. are avoidable. In the system according to the invention, the bulk material runs continuously to the individual Consumer points. The scanners assigned to each passage control the operation of the upstream preceding conveyor section, thus meeting the demand at each consumer point in the can cover properly. In this way, the movement of the bulk material and thus its wear and tear and deterioration is reduced as much as possible,

21 Ol

while on the other hand the full supply of the individual consumer points is ensured a consumer point does not deliver bulk goods, then the associated passage is completely closed and thus forms part of the conveying route to the following consumer points.

The following is a description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to drawings.

F i g. 1 shows a schematic side view of a Distribution system for bulk goods

F i g. 2 shows diagrammatically several structural units of the distribution system which are interconnected for operation with passages leading to individual consumer points.

3 shows a partial side view of the assembly 15 End of several building units.

F i g. 4 shows a partial, enlarged cross-section of the left end portion of FIG. 3.

F ä g. 5 shows a partial ?! Cross section in the area a closed passage with the associated scanner.

F i g. FIG. 5a shows an enlarged view of the FIG. 5 framed partial section.

Fig.6 is similar to Fig.4 and shows the last unit of the Distribution system.

F i g. Figure 7 is a top plan view of the distribution system of the present invention showing the interconnection of one Unit with neighboring building units.

F i g. 8 is a line along the line in FIG. 7 with a line designated 8-8 taken cross section.

Fig. 9 is a partial elevation of that shown in Fig. 8 at 9-9 designated section.

FIG. 10 is a partial, enlarged, cross-sectional view of the FIG. 8 of the district 10 enclosed area.

Fig. 11 is a partial cross-section along that with 11-11 in FIG. 10 designated line.

Finally, FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of steps in a culvert.

In Fig. 1 and 2, a distribution system for conveying bulk material is too several independent consumer agencies. An example is the packaging of products Selected consumer locations 20, 21, 22 and 23, where packaging machines are set up. The promotion and distribution of products such as potato chips, biscuits, and the like. can act, takes place from the storage container 24 to various points at which the products are packed will. If necessary, the storage container unloads the bulk material into the distribution system, which in turn Bulk goods transported onward according to the demand occurring at the consumer points.

The distribution system according to the invention comprises several structural units 25, 26, 27, 28 with conveyor sections 29,30,31 and passages 32,33,34 for the associated Consumer points 20,21,22, 23 in order to have a continuous Ensure material flow. The conveyor sections of each unit are designed as vibratory conveyors educated. An end unit 28 with an associated passage 35 regulates the supply of material to the last one Consumer point 23. As in FIG. 2 for units 26, 27 and 28, each passage includes an as Feed to the associated packaging machine acting transverse channel 36 with a closure 37, with the the bulk material supply to the consumer point taking place under the action of gravity is interrupted can be. If a shutter 37 as in the case of Fig. 2 Dargeste! Unit 27 is closed, its upper surface forms part of the surface of the associated one used for conveying bulk goods Unit.

Each unit can be independently of all other units by suitable units 25, 26, 27 associated vibrators 38, 39, 40 are made to vibrate. Since the end unit 28 is not a bulk material no vibrator is necessary for them.

Operation of the vibrators 38,39,40 results in bulk material flow through the associated units 25, 26, 27 (from left to right, in the representation selected in FIGS. 1 and 2), if required in the next unit downstream in the flow direction consists. The height of the bulk material in each unit is monitored in the passage by suitable scanners consisting of the photocells 41, 42, 43, 44. These photocells work via connected control devices 45, 46, 4 "i-.uf the vibrators 38, 39, 40 for the units 25, 26, 27. Led? - photocell is connected to the control device and the vibrator of the next unit upstream and controls its operation.

If there is a need in a particular unit, what z. B. is the case when a Durchlali is opened to bulk material under the influence of gravity assigned packaging machine or, if bulk goods, the next, downstream unit located upstream, the next unit located upstream in that will be in coverage put into operation to the extent necessary. Depending on the consumption of the packaging machines some or all of the vibrators 38-40 are put into operation at a certain time, l'ih bulk material to the downstream units.

For example, if the system is initially filled, then port 34 of unit 27 for dispensing Bulk material was operated in the associated packaging machine, the outflow of bulk material at the Packaging machine verified by Photozeüe 43. This makes vibrator 39 the next, upstream located unit 26 is put into operation by its shaking movements of bulk material downstream to be conveyed on to unit 27. Bulk material is removed from the unit 26 until the photocell 42 responds and the first unit 25 trips. If the amount of bulk material initially delivered to passage 34 is proportionate was large, further units are triggered one after the other, i. H. Photo cell 41 responds and triggers the Outflow of bulk material from the storage tank 24. All required units are then in operation.

The interconnection of neighboring units results in storage spaces that become effective temporarily 49 (Fig. 4) at the locations above the passages. There is enough bulk material available Available to the packaging machines when the passages are open. It is a important feature of the distribution system, t! ate that in the Storage rooms 49 located bulk material does not remain and is excluded from further transport is when the corresponding unit is set in motion. Rather, this bulk material is with the other bulk material present in each unit is conveyed further downstream, since the closure parts 37 of the associated passages, sections of the surfaces of the units that convey the bulk material,

21 Ol 946

form. The system therefore transports the bulk goods onwards in the same sequence in which they are supplied became.

The unitary structure is another important feature of the distribution system. Units 25, 26, 27 are of the same kind and units can easily be added or removed to to meet the needs of certain circumstances. The figures show three similar units 25, 26, 27 with an end unit 28 only as an example, and further units can be connected or be removed. In the description, like reference symbols refer to the same in all Healing used parts.

The units 25, 26, 27 are on a frame with two elongated ones located along the units Carriers 50 mounted such that they can vibrate (FIGS. 2, 7 and 8). To cien remaining stationary during operation To stabilize the frame, the carrier 50 can be covered with a weight-increasing material 51, e.g. B. sand, be filled (Fig. 8). Suspension rods 52 extend transversely to the units at certain intervals and are attached at their ends to the tops of the beams. The framework will vary depending on the prevailing Operating conditions placed on the floor or hung on the ceiling.

The individual units are attached to the frame with several flexible arms 54, for example can be made of fiberglass. In the example shown, there are three such arms on each Unit attached, with their upper ends on the suspension rods 52 and with their lower ends on the attachment pins 55 de ;; Frame 56 of the corresponding unit are attached (Fig. 8). About the vibrations To allow for the units, the arms are angled down and in the direction of the bulk material flow bent forward.

The end unit 28 shown in Fig. 2 is also attached to bendable arms 54, but this is not absolutely necessary. With this method of attachment the relatively light unit 28 receives enough vibrational energy from the upstream Unit 27 fed to ensure an even distribution of the bulk material in the end unit.

Each of the units is in the manner indicated with a frame 56 for mounting the associated Troughs of the vibratory conveyor 29, 30, 31 and passages 32, 33, 34 and for connecting the arms 54 with the Unit provided. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the frame 36 comprises two elongated side webs 57 with lower and upper extensions 58, 59, a side connector 60 and cross-connector parts 61. The Troughs 29, 30, 31 are on the upper edges of the webs 57 attached to points 62 in the manner shown in FIG.

The vibrators 38, 39, 40 are connected to the associated units 25, 26, 27 in the FIG. 3, 8 and 9 shown Manner that relate to unit 26 and the associated vibrator 39. Every unit is with a vibrator specially designed for them, but each vibrator is as below Described with reference to vibrator 39 and unit 26, vibrator 39 is mounted below unit in FIG a housing 63 attached to the frame. The known vibrators of suitable construction consist of an electric motor 64 and an eccentric mechanism 65.

Vibrations are generated by the vibrator 39 via a flexible arm 66 attached in the center of the unit transferred to the unit 26. The arm 66 is attached to the lower end of the eccentric mechanism 65 and to the connected upper end of the unit 26, the latter s connection via a cross-connecting part 61 of the Frame 56 attached block 67 is made. The operation of the vibrator 39 produces an oscillating motion the entire unit 26, as a result of which the bulk material located on it is conveyed further downstream

,,, and is transferred to the next unit 27.

F i g. 3, 7 and 8 show the operational connection of the units. The rectangular troughs 29, 30, 31 of the individual units have flat surfaces 68 which, as shown in FIG. 3, are inclined towards the upstream end. The downstream end of each unit is inserted at 69 into the end of the next unit. A transverse wall 70 at the upstream geltrgdiCM end jcucT unit SCnöni CinCn / VüSgiCiCn for the height difference at the junction of adjacent units and its upper edge abuts the underside of the plate 29 of the next upstream unit in order to avoid bulk material losses (FIG. 4 ).

Since the surfaces used for conveying bulk goods

2_s chen 68 are inclined, they result with the transverse walls 70 acting as storage locations depressions 49 at the locations de, passages. This enables an advantageous Accumulation of bulk material 71 at the passages (Fig. 5) and ensures that there is sufficient bulk material at

jo the consumer purjkten is available when locking part 37 is opened. The recesses 49 do not act as a container in which bulk material during the oscillating movements of the units is restrained. The height of the bulk goods is at the recessed points

, 5 higher than at other points of the units (Fig. 5), but the bulk material flows during the vibrations of the Units continuously.

Unit 27 and end unit 28 are connected in the same way as the other units.

A recess 49 is provided in the passage 35 of the end unit which extends from the remaining units the absence of a swing tray and the addition of an end wall 72 at the downstream end of the passage 36 differs (Fig. 6).

The amount of bulk material available in each unit 25, 26, 27, 28 is largely determined by the depressions 49 acting as storage locations above the associated passages 36, and the photocells 41, 42, 43, 44 are therefore on to monitor the height of the bulk material attached to these places.

The photocell units are known per se and consist of a light source mounted on the carrier 50 73 and a light-sensitive device mounted on the carrier 50 on the opposite side of the same unit

borrowed element 74 (Fig. 7). Light falls through the in FIG. 4th shown, covered with a mesh openings 75 in the two side walls of the troughs 29, 30, 31 of the corresponding vibratory conveyor and the side walls of the end unit 28. When the bulk material height in the recess 49 rises above the threshold value (trough 30, FIG. 5), the light beam is interrupted and unc the vibrator 39 of the adjacent, downstream trough 29 is switched off on the other hand, the height of the bulk goods falls below the threshold value

turns on the photocell 42, the vibrator 39 and dei Flow is thus set in motion by suitable mechanical adjustment of the parts Photocell arrangement can set the threshold values in the

21 Ol 946

desired way, with the Precision of the setting essentially by the diameter of the openings 75 attached Mesh material is given.

The passage 36 runs across the full width of the trough (Cig. 2 and 7). The closure lugs 37 are located on the underside of the trough and slide in the longitudinal direction to produce the passage b / w. / u its waterproofing. The opened b / w. closed positions of the closure parts 37 are in I'ig. 4 and 5, each locking part is moved in the longitudinal direction by a hydraulic cylinder 76 attached to the underside of each trough (FIG. 1). An actuating rod 77 extends out of the cylinder and is connected to the closure member by a coupling 78, as best slid out of the guide portions 85 of the U-shaped bent sensing rods 84 which nestle in corresponding recesses on the underside of the guide block 82. The bent F.ndabschnitte 86 of the l'EADERSHIP slangen ι strength through bores 87 in the connecting pieces 60 and are retained by screwed onto the nuts F.nden 88th The guide blocks are expediently pressed onto the connecting pieces with springs. Corresponding compression springs 89 are placed on the Endabsehnille for this purpose and press with their ends against the bushings 90 and the lower ropes of the nuts 88.

The guide rods 84 and the guide blocks 82 provide a guide for the lock and on the one hand on the other hand, connect it to the associated unit. Since the closure on the adjacent parts of the

VOi giüuüi lüii wiii'SiOinii'ig uci

ι g. t he MCMtMCM.

Actuating rod is with a pin on coupling 78 attached, which in turn is screwed into an attached to the underside of the closure part block 79. When the hydraulic cylinder 76 is actuated so that the closure parts are adjusted in the longitudinal direction and the passages open or close.

In order to achieve an undisturbed, uniform shaking movement (by the system, the surfaces 68 of each finhcit must be free of obstacles in the direction of the grip that then the surfaces of the front portion of the closure member 37 and the adjacent, downstream surface 68 of the trough a l- bene form. to / u achieve an interaction between the surface portions and a continuous surface, the edge 80 is chamfered on Verschlußicil and after! approach 81 angled at the bottom is attached to the corresponding edge of the trough (FIGS. 4 and ¹ J).

When locking member 37 has been moved to the closed position (Fig. 5 and 5a), the beveled edge 80 and the angled shoulder 81 to each other and thus lead the movement of the closure part with respect to the trough, so that a coplanar position of these sections results. Adjustment of the parts is made easier by their flexibility. The possibility of the flow being blocked is provided by the curved projection 81 at the point of contact practically switched off with the trough.

Since the system should be usable for processing food, the passages and all other parts coming into direct contact with the food without difficulty in hygienic be kept in perfect condition. The attachment of the closure parts 37 (F i g. 10 to 12) ensures the Maintaining the necessary cleanliness in a simple manner. Everyone is on their outer edges Fastener attached to guide blocks 82 with upstanding outer portions, which on the Connecting pieces 60 represent sliding bearing surfaces 83. The guide blocks are expediently made made of plastic or other suitable material with a low coefficient of friction and are arranged so that the bearing surfaces 83 just slightly above the upper end surfaces of the locking members 37 protrude to allow the connectors 60 to slide easily.

The closure parts 37 can be cleaned on the elongated file through the closure edge 91, if the shutter opens. The same is done with everyone

; o Operation of an automatic surface cleaning by the sliding of the guide blocks on guide rods 84 and side channels 57.

The operation of the system is as follows: When the system is initially empty, but on automatic Operation is set, the conveyor sections 29, 30, 31 are set in vibration and bulk material is Introduced into the system from the storage tank 24 and through the shaking movements over the various Units of the end unit 28 supplied. This conveyance of material continues until the photocell unit 44 scanned bulk material quantity in the end unit 28 exceeds the threshold value, whereupon the Vibrator 40 for the adjacent, upstream unit 27 is switched off. In a similar way

In this way, a vibrator 39 is assigned to the unit 26 switched off when the photocell arrangement 43 exceeds a corresponding bulk material height in the recess the passage of the unit 27 detects. The units are switched off one by one and finally stops

into the bulk material feed from the storage bin to the first Unit too.

When the system is then completely filled, bulk material is available in the wells 49 of all units Available to consumers. The other one

4S operation of each unit depends on the acceptance level Bulk material from the next unit further away from the storage container, or from the pure transfer function this unit to replenish the bulk material quantity contained in the following unit. if

such a certain amount of bulk goods at a consumer point is removed, the next units upstream from that point will start operating taken to restore the system to its populated state.

The flow of bulk material through the system is uniform and only takes place to meet the demand for the consumer points. For example, if bulk goods are to be delivered to consumer point 21, are only the one upstream with respect to point 21

fto unit 25 and the storage chamber 24 are necessary for filling. All bulk goods present in one unit is transported through the unit when it is in operation, apart from the bulk material that passes through the passage going off. This makes the bulk material different

fts consumer points in the sequence in which it enters the system.

For this purpose 4 sheets of drawings

809 617/151

Claims (5)

21 Ol patent claims: 1. Distribution system for the transport of bulk goods from a store to several downstream consumer points arranged one after the other, S mrt a conveyor system of several overlapping and independently operable conveyor sections that convey the bulk goods to each consumer point and each iron power-operated actuating device for the independent drive of the conveyor section for the Have movement of the bulk material downstream, as well as with scanning means for the bulk material and a passage following the downstream end of each conveyor section for passing the bulk material through to each consumer point, characterized in that each conveyor section (20, 30, 31} by means of a scanner (41, 42, 43, 44) is controllable. 'of where its downstream end following passage (32,33,34,35) is arranged so that the passage is supplied to decrease the quantity of bulk material at a predetermined height bulk goods, and in that each conveyor section (29 , 30, 31) is designed at its upstream end located at the passage as a recessed storage location (49) for the temporary storage of bulk material 2. Verteüersystem according to claim 1, characterized in that each passage (36) to one Assembly (2i, 26,27,28) with the upstream The end of the following conveyor section is connected 3. Distribution system according to A claim 1 or 2, - characterized in that each conveyor section (29, 30, 31) is designed as a vibratory conveyor is. 4. Distribution system according to claim 3, characterized in that each vibratory conveyor has an im has a substantially flat surface (68) extending from the upstream end to the downstream end increases, the vertical gap between successive vibratory conveyors is bridged by a transverse wall (70). 5. Distributor system according to claim 3, characterized in that each passage has an adjustable 4s res locking piece (37) has, which in its locking position part of the surface of the Vibratory conveyor forms.