DE2458394A1 - DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING A PRE-DETERMINED NUMBER OF ITEMS AND USING SUCH DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

DJpL-Jng._H._BERK £ NFELD, Pat «ntcmwfllte, _K5fn Attachment file number

to input · of the name d. Note

8 Kulick Road Fairfield, New Jersey, United States

Device for transporting a predetermined number Objects and use of such a device

The invention relates to a product filling machine, in particular on machines and methods for pulling an intermediate container with a predetermined amount of product for transport to a final container.

U.S. Patent Nos. 3,517,708, 3,621,891, and 3,696,581 Rotary drum machines for filling intermediate containers with predetermined quantities of materials for transport final containers. Reference is expressly made here to the disclosure of the patent specifications mentioned.

These previous machines have extended fork rakes at a distance from each other around the circumference of a horizontal or inclined drum which is designed to rotate around theirs Axis is mounted, each fork rake a number naoh inwardly projecting prongs for receiving portions of material such as food products in the bottom of the drum the drum rotates, and around the portions at a predetermined To carry the drop point near the top of the drum for emptying on a sliding or shaking floor for delivery in a series of intermediate containers, which extend through the drum. The containers are attached to an endless conveyor, which means for shaking the container during filling, in order to eliminate gaps and to ensure a uniform packing density in each container, corresponding to a predetermined amount of packaging. After filling, the intermediate containers through the conveyor to a separate station

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tion aijßfr'.aaXb of the drum, where its contents are transported to a Row of final containers transferred to el'iem second conveyor which is synchronized with the movement of the container conveyor. · ■ ·

The one method that is used in these patents (3,517,708) for Transporting products from the intermediate bins to the final containers is disclosed in the articulation each container on an arm for rotation 180 ° outwardly about the line of the conveyor to one edgewise division above the Container to which the product is to be transported. A tightly fitted cylindrical envelope that sits on top of the arch the container rotation, prevents the loss of material until each container is completely upright and becomes one Position directly above · the container.

Another method, which is described in the US patents 3 621 891 and 3 696 581 for product transport is described, includes the use of automatically controlled gates, which are installed directly under a container with an open bottom, the gates synchronously moving from a horizontal position, where they close the bottom of the container, to a vertical position can be rotated above the row of containers, where they funnel the product into the containers below.

The product delivery methods described above require relative complex mechanical arrangements for synchronizing the container rotation or gate opening mechanisms, as well as a large one Number, of parts, what the cost and the difficulty of cleaning of these previous machines increases. In addition, the intermediate containers used in these machines comprise a single, precisely measured open volume for accommodating a predetermined weight of uniformly packed products. For packing thread-like or matted products can have various cutting elements and rollers for edging excess material be provided, which hangs over the edges of the container, as well as for compressing the materials into a single

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uniform packing density at a height that corresponds to the upper edges the vessels "is flat.

If there are many fillings, it is up to one instead of filling predetermined weight. or a packed volume of the material Desires to fill a predetermined number of objects in a container, the objects one relative have a uniform size. In the case of food packaging, examples include such items as shark meatballs chen, "crab cakes", "croquettes", "egg rolls", pancakes, fruits of selected sizes and the like difficult to accurately and repeat a single open container with the exact number of items as they are in each The final container is desirable to fill because a single item is only a small percentage of the total May occupy container volume and the shape of the container volume does not conform to the shape of the objects, so that added objects can be squeezed into the corners of the container. It may also be desired when packing be to arrange objects in desired relative positions to each other in a container, for example apples, peaches or oranges in columns or rows on a flat floor or in a partitioned box. Such a predetermined one Arrangement cannot be reliably achieved by merely filling a single volume shipping container with the desired one Number of items to be packed in each container.

According to the invention, a method and a device for filling containers with a predetermined number of objects are now intended be created. Furthermore, according to the invention, a predetermined number of objects should be placed in an intermediate container are measured from a source of such items at a first filling point, with subsequent transport of the items to a container at a second station, i.e. relocation from the first station. Furthermore, according to the invention subdivided intermediate containers for a transport filling

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Machine can be created, the partitions forming compartments which are designed so that they are adapted to the objects and each compartment is sized to accommodate only a predetermined small number of items. In addition, according to the invention, easily replaceable intermediate containers are to be created for a transport filling machine in order to achieve the To allow filling of different numbers, dimensions and shapes of objects by means of different intermediate containers. According to the invention, a blooming pinan structure is also intended for interchangeable containers of a transport filling machine to allow easy replacement of the container without the need of tools to allow. According to the invention, an arrangement of intermediate containers and an associated conveyor device is also intended be created for a transport filling machine of simplified construction, the costs of which are low and which is easy to maintain and clean.

These and other objectives are achieved by means of a machine with an endless conveyor for transporting intermediate containers from a first location for filling the containers from a source of objects with a predetermined number of the objects, to a second location for transferring the predetermined number of items from each container to a corresponding container.

Each container is divided into bottomless pockets which are designed and dimensioned to accommodate the Articles are fitted, the depth of each pocket being sufficient to accommodate a predetermined small number of the articles to record exactly. The number of pockets in each container is chosen so that each container receives the entire predetermined number of articles which are in the corresponding one Containers are to be packed.

The container conveyor is preferably a link chain conveyor, the links being drawn around badders, which around vertical ones Axes run around, with the limb line in an im

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essential horizontal plane wanders.

Under the containers there is a base plate, which is extends from the filling point to just short of the transfer point. The containers have flat bases, which rest on the base plate and slide over the base plate on a path between the filling point and the transfer point, wherein the base plate serves to hold the lower parts of the container pockets complete between the filling point and the transfer point.

The source of the items for filling the containers at the filling point, preferably has an open-ended drum which rotates either about a horizontal or an inclined axis is rotatably mounted around. The objects are preferably to the lower part of the drum by means of a channel through a the open drum ends and shelf-like devices at a distance from each other around the circumference of the inside the drum, carry items from the bottom of the drum to an emptying point near the top of the Drum when it turns.

At the emptying point, the objects are thrown off preferably on a channel or shaking floor from which they have been delivered to the containers.

Preferably, means for shaking the container are provided at the filling point to the introduction of the predetermined To facilitate number of items in proper position in each pocket and to remove excess items from the tops Shake off the container, the excess items then falling to the bottom of the drum for return.

The containers preferably have a base part and an extension part on. The base has a number of pockets of sufficient depth to hold the entire predetermined number of articles for the smallest dimensioned, to be filled

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tainer un ^4. ^ to spend. The extension part has thin-walled cylindrical inserts for a tightly sliding fit within each pocket of the base part, the height of the insertion

Sets above the base plate is adjustable to accommodate additional items to pull a full range of container sizes accommodate. For easy cleaning when used for food packaging, the extension parts can be made from stainless steel and the base part made of nylon, which also has a low friction and non-wearing surface brings into contact with the base plate.

For a quick changeover from one dimension or container arrangement On the other hand, the invention provides a container attachment system with a quick connection solution, preferably in the form of two spaced apart, upright pins, one pin with one conveyor chain link each serves to mate with two holes near one edge of each container base. The containers are simply replaced by simply lifting one container from the pins and swapping it out for another. Preferably, one of the pins has a pusher-actuated detent for locking the container to its Space against machine vibrations.

While working, everyone attached to the transfer conveyor slides Intermediate container over the base plate and in turn passes under a product delivery device such as the aforementioned rotating drum and the gutter or shaking floor. The objects fall one after the other from the Channel over the top of the container into its individual pockets, which are used to aid in filling and orienting the Objects in the pockets are shaken at the same time. The shaking is continued for a short distance after which the container leaving the filling point, continued to add to the upper part of the container to displace remaining objects.

The conveyor then transports the container, which is still along the base plate to a transfer point outside the Troza-

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mel slides in such a way that no objects get out of the open Lower part of the container get lost. The transfer agent lies directly above the open container on a second conveyor, which moves with the movement of the transfer conveyor is synchronized. The base plate ends at this transfer point and as the container passes over the end of the base, the open bottom pockets are progressively exposed which allows the items to fall into the container below.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings illustrated preferred embodiments. .

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred arrangement of transfer conveyor and intermediate bins onto the exit end of a drum type machine for filling the container;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of an intermediate container having a base part and extension part and a corresponding conveying member which supports the upright pins shows;

Figure 3 is a cutaway view of a ratchet detent assembly for one of the mounting pins shown in Figure 2 with the container locked in place;

Fig. 4 is a cutaway view of the ratchet lock assembly of Fig. 3 where the lock is unlocked and that Removal of the container allowed;

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the filling station, which schematically shows the combination of a tundish base and -extension part shows in an arrangement to a precisely-predetermined Number of items to be received in each pocket;

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Pig · 5B is a perspective view of a filling station which so schematically shows a container base arranged to receive exactly one item in each pocket;

Fig. 50 is a side view of another arrangement of the container Fig. 5B;

5D is a perspective view of the fill point, which schematically a multi-pocket container for receiving exactly one object in each pocket in a predetermined spatial relationship shows;

Figure 5E is a perspective view of the transfer site. the multi-pocket container of FIG. 5D, which shows the synchronized transfer of the articles into a multi-pocket container; and

6 is a side view of the transfer station showing the spatial relationship between the transfer conveyor and the shows the second conveyor carrying the containers to be filled.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of filled according to the invention Intermediate containers -10 leaving the exit end of a drum type filling machine 11, this type of filling machine is described in detail in the aforementioned United States patents.

Each intermediate container has a base part 12, which is preferably molded of white nylon, and an optional extension member 13, which is preferably made of stainless steel sheet is made. The base part 12 is with a number Pockets 14 provided with vertical walls, the pockets extending through the base part from the upper part to the lower part and each pocket is sized and designed to accommodate the particular items to be transferred. In In the illustrative example, the cross-sections of the pockets are circular in shape and are suitable for essentially

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chen spherical objects such as apples, dredges or meatballs, .and also for flat objects, for example either for roughly round pancakes or for roughly rectangular ravioli. For elongated objects such as croquettes or beer rolls However, it is advantageous to use elongated or sohlitz-like bags of the right dimensions so that not a large amount there is extra space to put more items in a bag than is desired.

The basic container parts are detachably mounted on links 15 of an endless conveyor around which a sprocket 16 runs, which revolves around a vertical axis in the vicinity of the exit end the filling drum rotates, and furthermore the conveyor rotates around one running around a similar wheel (not shown) located in the vicinity of the entrance end of the drum. The limbs In the foreground of Fig. 1 are removed to show the construction of the sprocket 16.

Adjacent links 15 are connected by intermediate links 17 which are hingedly mounted at each end on respective upper and lower pins 18, 19 on the adjacent ends of respective links 15

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the container base parts 12 have a flange-like extension 20,. in which a couple Mounting holes 21 are provided. The mounting holes 21 are sized and are located at such a distance that they are in the upright mounting pins 22 and 23, which on projecting lugs 24 of each conveyor link 15 are slidably fitted, thereby removing the containers from the mounting pins 22, 23 be carried freely with the lugs 24 and a breakpoint in Connection to the lower surface of the extension 20 on the container base is established. · ■

2 also shows the construction of the extension part 13 the container, which has a number of sheet metal cylinders 25, the number of which is the same as the number of pockets 14 in the base part,

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the cylinder 25 with a sheet metal upper part 26 in the correct spatial relationship are connected to match the spacing of the pockets 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG di.e cylinder 25 have a circular cross-section and their outer diameter are chosen so that they have a tight Slidably fit within the pockets of the base so that the extension portion follows with respect to the base Can be nested at the top or bottom to accommodate a range of whole numbers of items in each pocket, depending on the total number of items to be transferred through each intermediate container.

But there can also be various extension parts with cylindrical Parts of graduated length, inserted into the base part according to the whole number increase in objects per pocket ' are with a height, which corresponds to one object per .bag, to create any desired total number of items in multiples of the number of pockets per base. Further integers between these multiples can easily be obtained by placing one or more pockets with a (not shown) removable lid covered.

As for the container mounting structure, the pin 22 is a simple cylindrical rod, but the pin 23 is provided with devices for locking the base part 12 on the conveying member 15 fitted. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting pin 23 has a hollow cylindrical inner part 27 'in which there is a loosely fitted, grooved piston, which by means of a spiral spring 29 in the lower part of the Cylinder 27 in an upper position against the upper end of the cylinder 27 is biased. In this upper position, the full diameter of the piston 28 is opposite a hole 30, which goes through the side wall of the pin 23.

A stainless steel ball 31 is loosely fitted into the hole 30, the outer edge of which is caulked to prevent the ball from falling out, whereas the ball protrudes sufficiently

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can to have a detent-locking effect with a mating Fencing 32 in the side wall of the corresponding mounting hole 21 evoke.

[To release the lock, a downward force must be exerted on the top of a pressure plug 33, which from the upper part of the piston 28 upwards through a hole with a reduced diameter in the upper part of the pin 23 extends until a groove 34 in the piston 28 is in alignment with the hole 30, causing the ball 31 to spring back and with the Can cut off the surface of the pin 23, as shown in FIG. So the locking device allows the preferred Embodiment easy and quick assembly and removal the intermediate bin on the transfer conveyor without the need for tools. .

As mentioned above, when the bases of the container slide on the mounting pins 22, the upper surface of lugs 24 acts as a stop against further downward movement of the container by contacting the lower surfaces of the flange-like extensions 20. The height of the Approaches 24 above a fixed base plate or blanking plate 35, which extends under the containers on a path from a filling point inside the drum 11 to .zu a transfer point outside the drum, is set so that it is equal to the vertical distance is between the bottom of each container base 12 and the lower surface of its flange-like extension 20 so that when the containers are locked in place on the mounting pins, they will contact the blind plate 35 as they travel between the flush point and the transfer point.

FIGS. 5A to 5E schematically show various intermediate container arrangements for receiving and transmitting predetermined, precise numbers of objects. In Fig. 5A. has an intermediate container with two pockets a base part 12a (simplicity half shown as two separate cylinders), which is a pass-

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capacity for two items in each pocket. A Extension part with two cylindrical shells 25a and a top plate 26a fits tightly into the pockets of the base and is raised to provide an expanded fit for to create exactly four items in each pocket as shown.

The items are loaded onto an inclined chute 36 by the shelf-like devices of a rotating drum (not shown) emptied, which delivers the objects to the intermediate containers. The incline of the channel is set so that the objects fall just have enough momentum to cross the top plate 26a of the extension member if it is not in one of the Bags run and fall into the bottom of the drum for return. The rate of delivery of the items from the rotary drum must at least be sufficient to fully pull each bag of each container, but at the same time excessive delivery rates should be avoided in order to damage the objects to be kept to a minimum by returning too much.

In Pig. 5B, flat, patty-shaped objects are inclined from the Channel 36 to intermediate container base parts 12b with a Pocket depth supplied, which is not greater than the thickness of an object. Because the flat platter, instead of rolling the one in Pig. 5A shown, more spherical objects, sliding nuts, the slope of the gutter should be larger to the larger To counteract frictional resistance. It may also be desirable to have devices for lateral shaking of the intermediate containers when these pass the kill point, to help the objects into the pockets and to remove excess Shake objects from the top of the container. Such Shakers are in column 5, lines 34 through 45 of the above U.S. Patent 3,621,891 referenced and shown in Figs.

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But it can also, or it can in addition to the shaking directions, the blind plate 35 at an angle at the filling point be tilted, as shown in Fig. 5C, and the links of the conveyor (not shown) can be rotated accordingly so that the top of the container serves as an extension of the slope at the end of the channel 36, eliminating excess items slide across the container and fall back into the lower part of the drum. '

The Pig. 5D and 5E illustrate the use of the invention Intermediate container for transferring a precise number of objects in a predetermined spatial relationship to one another for pulling a divided container. In Figure 5D For example, an intermediate container 12d with an open lower part is divided into a number of pockets which are arranged in rows and columns with each pocket just deep enough to accommodate one of the ones shown To hold objects. The intermediate container is filled with the predetermined exact number of items, in this case one Dozen, filled at the filling point shown in Fig. 5D, and is then in sliding contact with the blanking plate '35 to the transfer point shown in Figure 5E.

The dummy plate ends at the transfer point, whereby each Column of objects again through the open lower parts the container pockets in corresponding. Departments of a container 37 can fall, which by means of a second (not shown) conveyor synchronously with the movement of the intermediate container 12d is moved. . '

The transfer point is shown in more detail in FIG. Filled intermediate containers, which via the blind plate 35 according to ' the filling point within the drum 11, then out of the exit end of the drum and conveyed around the sprocket 16 (Fig. 1) migrate back (to the left) along the outside the drum. The transfer point is at the end 38 of the Base plate 35. Just below this end point there is a second row of containers 37 'on a conveyor belt 39' which

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in its movement with the movement of the conveyor for the intermediate containers is synchronized, so that container 39 simultaneously and synchronously with the arrival of the intermediate container 12 at the Transfer agency arrive.

When the intermediate containers go over the end 38 of the blind plate 35, the cover of the open lower parts of the pockets becomes canceled, so that the objects are in the ones below Containers can fall, which then from the conveyor 39 to a chute 40 and a third conveyor 41 to a (not shown) Closing and sealing station is moved.

From the preceding description it can be seen that the inventive improved transfer device accurately numbering a variety of shapes and dimensions of containers by means of easily and quickly exchangeable intermediate containers, so that a rotary drum filling machine is designed for this purpose can be an almost infinite variety of Containers with a wide range of dimensionally graded To fill products under counting.

In addition, allow the 'described as an inventive feature Pin locking devices for container assembly the use of the transport filling machine for weight or volumetric filling of the intermediate containers in a manner as shown in the above-mentioned United States patents. At the same time, the simple blind plate arrangement described here reduces the construction and maintenance costs of the Filling machine and greatly simplifies the task of cleaning which is so important in food handling machines.

-Patent claims-

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Claims (13)

Patent claims ι 1J device for transporting a predetermined number Articles of essentially uniform size from one filling station to a number of containers each at one delivery station, characterized by the following features a number of intermediate containers (10) for the reception objects to be carried, each container having at least one pocket (14) with an open bottom and vertical Has sides and the cross-sectional dimensions and depth of each pocket are chosen so that the pockets are accurate accommodates a small number of items, which is equal to a mutually pre-selected integer faction the predetermined number of items to be transferred to each container (10); an endless conveyor for transport in a continuous Circuit from the filling station to the delivery station; Means for attaching the number of containers to the Conveyors for transport on a line along the continuous circuit; Means for delivering a number of the items across the line of the intermediate containers when they pass the filling station, with the delivery rate of objects is sufficient to ensure complete filling of each pocket; a fixed blanking plate for sliding contact with dividing the container over the entire part of the conveyor circuit from the beginning of the filling station to the S 108/2 - 50 9 824/0721 Dispensing station, the dummy plate (35) ending at the dispensing station and the objects being transferred through the drops open bottoms of the container pockets; and Devices which are synchronized with the movement of the container (10) behind the dispensing station, for Positioning each one of a number of containers (37 ') for receiving the entire predetermined number Objects which are emptied from a number of pockets in these containers (10) and this number of the preselected whole number is equal. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each transfer container (10) is subdivided into a number of congruent pockets (14), this number being equal to the predetermined integer, and the means for placing the container (37 ^f ) are synchronized to move the containers in a line which runs directly below the line of containers (10) at the end of the blind plate (35). 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that each the number of containers (10) includes at least two pockets (H), which are in a predetermined spatial relationship to one another, wherein the arrangement of the pockets (14) the insertion the items evokes and the bags at the delivery station a container with the same predetermined spatial relationship. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by Einrich-. lines for shaking the container (10), at least during the last part of their hike past the filling station to see the exact small number of items being brought into to support each pocket and to shake excess objects off the tops of the containers. 108/2 -BO 9 824 / 0-721 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for delivering the objects to the intermediate containers at the filling station have an inclined channel which has a lower edge running alongside the Way of the container, at the filling station in the neighborhood, the Pockets in the containers and that means are provided for delivering the objects to the inclined Trough and the trough for moving items down and over the lower end in a substantially uniform manner Row along the length of this edge, the rate of delivery of the articles to the chute being sufficient to. filling the To ensure pockets of the containers in their conveyance through the filling station. 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for supplying the objects to the inclined Channel have the following characteristics:. _ ■ an open-ended drum that surrounds the filling station. where the axis of the drum is generally in Direction of the path of movement of the containers behind the filling station extends; Means for supporting the drum for rotation about its axis; . Means for supplying a reserve supply of the articles to the bottom of the drum; Facilities spaced around the inner circumference of the. Drum for lifting portions of the objects in the lower part of the drum and delivering them to the chute ¹ with the rotation of the drum; and - Means for rotating the drum at a speed sufficient to deliver objects to the chute at a rate that the filling of the pockets of the Guarantee containers as they pass through the filling station S 108/2 50 982 A / 0721 is performing. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that Means for tilting the container are provided at the end of the filling station and up to an angle which sufficient to cause an excessive number of the objects to slide off the tops of the containers, without losing any items from your pockets. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the Means for attaching the number of containers to the conveyor for transport along the continuous circuit are as follows Features include: a number of upright pins (22, 23) spaced from one another along the length of the endless conveyor; at least one pen for each container; the container on the 'pins matching holes for mounting each Container on at least one corresponding pin 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that . one of the pins (25) for attaching each container (10) has a locking mechanism operated by a pressure plug (33) to releasably lock each container on the conveyor, 10 marked in use of the apparatus according to claim 1 to 9 for transporting a predetermined number of objects of substantially uniform size from a filling station to a respective number of containers at a discharge station by _x is characterized in that: conveyed a row of intermediate containers after the filling station to the delivery station, each container at least has a pocket, the cross-sectional dimensions and depth of which exactly a small number of the objects which is equal to a mutually preselected integer fraction of the predetermined number on objects that are transferred to each container ^{s 108/2} 509824/0721 should be carried; that the objects by gravity along a "wide, sloping path, across the line of the container at the filling point, -with the objects distributed approximately evenly over the width of the path and the items are delivered at a rate sufficient to fill all pockets to guarantee the container as it passes through the filling station; that excess objects over the predetermined number of objects are removed from the upper parts of the containers, which are required to fill the pockets, removed; that the filled intermediate containers are conveyed to the delivery station; that one has a number of open containers in synchronism with the movement of the intermediate containers to a location at the delivery station conveys in relation to the intermediate bins to receive the items; and that the predetermined number of objects from a number of intermediate containers, which is equal to the preselected integer, in each of the number of .containers, gives away. 11. Use according to claim 10, wherein at least one pocket in spring container has an open bottom, in addition to this characterized that one: covers the bottom parts of the container pockets when the containers are conveyed past the filling station and to the delivery station to withhold the items to be transferred therein; and ^{s 108/2} 50982 A / 0721 the bottom parts of the container at the delivery station reveals in order to deliver the objects into the containers. 12. Use after. Claim. 11, characterized in that one when covering the bottom portions of the container pockets the bottom of each container is in sliding contact with a stationary one Brings blind plate, which extends from the beginning of the filling station along the path of the container and at the Dispensing station ends, and that when covering the bottom parts of the container pockets at the dispensing station, each container moved in succession past the end of the dummy plate. 13. Use according to claim 12, wherein removing objects of the tops of the containers in excess of the predetermined number of objects which are to be filled the bags is required, is that one of the containers as they are transported behind the filling station to the delivery station shakes. S 108/2 50982A / 0721 Blank page