DE2925381A1 - DEVICE FOR CONVEYING AND PACKING CONFECT - Google Patents

Description

Glacier Industries, Inc. Austin, Texas, V.St.A.

Device for conveying and packaging confectionery

The invention relates generally to the automatic processing and packaging of food, in particular a device for conveying and high speed packaging of frozen confectionery in containers.

For the processing of various types of frozen confectionery, automatic systems in the form of production lines have been created developed, with frozen confections destined for the consumer market automatically and at a relatively high speed will be produced. Such systems include e.g. B. various types of ice cream injection machines, attaching machines, Cutting machines and freezing tunnels, all arranged so that processing on a production line is possible, with ice cream or other frozen confectionery being injected or molded, frozen and with Chocolate coated and even with one on top

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Sugar coating or other frozen chocolate or the like. Is decorated. Machines of this type are z. B. in U.S. patents 3,857,252; 3,822,623; and 3,761,213. Such production lines work essentially continuously, resulting in an uninterrupted stream of finished confectionery.

One type of frozen confection that has been retailed on a larger scale for some time is a small ice cream confectionery with chocolate coating and decoration on the top; its size is about 25.4 x 12.7 x 12.7 mm. This bite-sized confection is packaged in cardboard boxes for retail purposes. Usually included these boxes have an arrangement of eight or ten pieces of confectionery or a spatial arrangement of three by four Pieces of confectionery in compartments of the container. Typically, a carton is made from extruded and blow molded plastic. The finished confectionery pieces pass through a continuous production line that begins on an injection molding machine, in which the ice cream is injected and cut into small pieces and placed on conveyor support plates, the the soft ice cream in pieces through a freezer tunnel promote, in which it remains during carefully controlled residence times, so that the pieces to a suitable hardness freeze. After leaving this first freezing tunnel, the frozen pieces of ice cream pass through a chocolate coating unit, in which each piece is completely coated with chocolate, and then the pieces are put through a another tunnel freezer, so that the chocolate coating gets hard. In the final stage of the process, the now frozen chocolate-coated pieces are placed under a Promoted decoration exquisite, in which they receive an ornament, z. B. Chocolate serpentine lines or others Decorative lines on the top. In this final stage, the right-angled pieces of confectionery necessarily become like that

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aligned that its long axis is parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor. In a typical configuration There are four columns of confectionery pieces that are at the end of the top tier of the street arrive.

Since this confectionery manufacturing process is essentially continuous it is necessary that all stages of this process, as well as any subsequent stages, include the confectionery pieces can handle at the same production rate. A high output is of course advantageous, and the Bite-sized frozen confectionery output is typically 600 pieces / min emerging from the decoration stage at the end of the conveyor line.

The finished confectionery pieces are arranged in a straight spatial arrangement packed in the aforementioned boxes. Currently this is done in a manual process, whereby At the end of the production line, fifteen or twenty packers pack the 600 pieces of confectionery per minute in cardboard boxes. The one with it The high wage costs incurred make a significant contribution to the total costs of the confectionery.

The object of the invention is to create a device for automatically conveying and packaging frozen confectionery pieces in linear arrangements in a container (e.g., in a carton containing a confectionery tray) for retail sale. The facility is designed to operate at high speed with a minimum of operators. Provision has been made to separate the manufacturing stages of the manufacturing process from the packaging stage, see above that an interruption of the packaging process does not affect the entire production line of the confectionery manufacturing process stops. It is also provided that parts subject to high wear can be easily replaced without extensive dismantling of the facility must take place.

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The invention provides a device for automatically packaging individual frozen confectionery pieces in straight arrangements in containers indicated. Confectionery pieces are made from the exit of a confectionery making machine that continuously receive a number of typically four parallel columns of confectionery pieces with a relatively high Speed ejects. The packaging device according to the invention comprises a parallel one at its entry end A series of high-speed conveyor belts, each running in a conveyor track delimited by rails, whereby the conveyor tracks are substantially aligned with the columns exiting the confectionery machine. The input into the packaging device can either take place directly from the exit of the confectionery production line, or an intermediate conveyor can be provided in order to convey the individual confectionery pieces from the production machine to the packaging device. The latter arrangement is then advantageous if the intermediate conveyor is designed so that it interrupt the flow of confectionery pieces and them to a collection point can divert if the packaging process is interrupted in any way. Such a Intermediate discharge conveyor ensures that there is an interruption of the packaging process does not cover the entire confectionery production process along the entire production line is held up, which is particularly important in the case of a continuous process.

At the packing facility, each becomes the high-speed product conveyor Guided in a conveyor track over a thin, flat surface and ends at a stop point or placement station, the placement station of each conveyor track in relation to the other placement stations is offset in the direction of movement of the conveyor. The individual pieces of confectionery produced by each column of the confectionery making machine exit are conveyed by each high-speed conveyor to the stop point, where they are in

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jam the conveyor track or form a queue and lie close to each other in the direction of travel of the conveyor. The conveyor belt has a low friction top so that when the confectionery pieces reach the end of the conveyor track, the belt slides under them so that the columns of confectionery pieces can jam without damaging their underside will.

A second conveyor, which carries the boxes to be filled with the confectionery, runs at right angles under the packaged goods conveyor tracks to their direction of travel. This second conveyor typically carries four parallel lanes of cardboard boxes that with their inner rows (which in some cases can be formed by compartment dividers) parallel to the direction of travel of the high-speed packaged goods webs are arranged. As well as each individual carton in a position under the edge of one of the high-speed conveyor belts reached, it is momentarily stopped while a mechanical actuator makes a stroke executes to a predetermined number of pieces of confectionery from the To bring the conveyor track end position of this particular conveyor track into a position above the empty compartment of the cardboard box, whereby it moves at right angles to it and is lowered into the box from this position. Then every box is turned around again advanced a certain amount to place another empty space under the confectionery stocking position. The cartons filled with confectionery are then conveyed by the carton conveyor to a point where a stripping unit, which is essentially transverse to the direction of travel of the carton conveyor is working, the filled cartons are scraped off this conveyor into a discharge chute.

As will be explained in detail later, several advantages can be achieved with this device, specifically in relation to to a simplification of the mechanical processes and the timing when the distance between boxes,

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which are moved one behind the other along the box conveyor, equal to an integral multiple of the distances between the centers of the rows of confectionery pieces in the cardboard compartments is self-made. Further advantages can be achieved if the distance between the high-speed conveyor tracks for confectionery is also equal to an integral multiple of this center distance between pieces of confectionery is made in the cardboard boxes. It should be noted that the multiple for the distance between the high speed conveyor tracks and the distance between the cartons moved along the carton conveyor can be different. For example, the multiple can be a factor of one between successive carton positions on the carton conveyor and a different multiple, e.g. B. two, for the distance between the high speed confectionery conveyors be.

The advantage resulting from this carefully observed spacing is that the individual placement heads or -Elements that eject the confectionery from each conveyor line into the box below, from a single operating mechanism can be operated at the same time. By programming optional blocking of individual Fitting elements in such a way that they do not remove the confectionery pieces from the respective conveyor track at a certain stroke transfer, the placement function of the device is switched off when the space between boxes is is in a certain conveyor track end position.

If the distance between the high-speed confectionery conveyors is also an integral multiple of the Center-to-center spacing of the confectionery pieces in the cardboard box ensures that when a compartment is placed in a cardboard box is that it picks up an ejected piece of confectionery from a high speed conveyor belt, cartons onto the further rows of the carton conveyor are positioned so that

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either a box is exactly so that it picks up a piece of confectionery from another conveyor track, or exactly is so that the center of a space between cartons is in the receiving position when the stroke of the placement device is triggered. With such a spacing it is found that the placement devices for all four high-speed conveyor lines are a fixed one Phase relationship to all four columns of the carton conveyor to have.

The invention thus provides an automatic packaging apparatus for high-speed packaging of frozen food Confectionery specified in containers, with the confectionery pieces from a confectionery production facility between packaged goods conveyors and a packaging conveyor that carries empty boxes to be filled with this confectionery mutual cooperation is provided. The confectionery flow from the manufacturing facility to the Packaging device can be interrupted without the production process needing to be interrupted. It is provided that the confectionery pieces in straight rows be placed in cardboard boxes, and also a blocking device is provided, which in the event of failure of certain Furniture parts prevent incorrect loading.

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The invention is explained in more detail, for example, with the aid of the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment

the packaging device according to the invention; Top views of part of the facility according to Fig. 1;

a perspective view of the conveyor belt system used in the device of FIG will;

a cross section 5-5 of the unit of Fig. 6; a vertical cross section through a Placement head unit of the device according to Fig. Ij

a plan view of part of the actuating mechanism of the device of Figure 1; a perspective view of the actuation and control devices for the placement head unit according to Fig. 6;

Top views and flow charts of the cams corresponding to FIGS. 7 and 8; successive work steps of the placement head unit according to Fig. 6; the switching cam training for the device according to FIG. 1;

11 is a top plan view of the arm actuation and locking unit of the apparatus of FIG Fig. 1;

schematic views of circuits used in the device;

Views of a conveyor link included in the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Views of the stepper drive for the conveyor of FIG. 1.

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Fig. 2 and 3 Fig. 4- Fig. 5 Fig. 6th Fig. 7th Fig. 8th Fig. 8A, 8B, 8C Fig. 9a until 9f Fig. 10

Fig. 12th and 13th Fig. 1* until 17th Fig. 18th and 19th

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the packaging device. The device comprises a container conveyor 11 with a Series of parallel rows of container pockets that are conveyed on a chain-driven endless conveyor that from a container loading platform 21 under a confection filling unit 6 through to a container removal unit 14 and from there back to the placement platform 21 is driven. A high speed confectionery conveyor system 12 lies immediately above the level of the containers placed on the container conveyor. The confectionery or Package conveyor system 12 includes a number of high speed conveyor tracks 23, 24, 25 and 26, which are oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement of the container conveyor 11, and each track comprises an endless belt on which individual packaged items from the dispensing end of the confectionery production device are carried to corresponding web end positions 15, 16, 17 and 18 are promoted. The end position 15 is positioned so that three packaged goods in the loading position adjacent to the end position directly above a row of the container conveyor 11 are aligned, and each of the remaining packaged goods conveyor tracks is offset across the container conveyor 11 so that that the end position of each lane is immediately aligned with a series of containers stopped below.

Immediately above the level of the high-speed conveyor floor is a placement head unit 31, which the three packaged goods in the end position of each lane from the packaged goods floor 22 into a position above a compartment of the one below on the container conveyor 11 brings stopped container and then lower the item to be packaged into this compartment. For each web end position, a push arm 30 is provided, which is on its upper end is pivotably arranged and carries a placement head 31 at its lower end. The movement of the Vordrückarms 30 is controlled on a first gear level 35, in the vertical direction between the packaged goods floor at the level of the high-speed conveyor 12 and a

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second gear floor 3A- representing the top of each Advancing arms 30 holds, lies. Oeder placement head 31 includes a retention and ejection mechanism based on the second transmission floor can be controlled.

The individual containers with compartments are placed on the loading platform 21 on the container conveyor 11 and then gradually under the confectionery filling unit 6 promoted. Because the high speed conveyor 12 runs at much higher speeds than the container conveyor 12 is operated, several pieces of confectionery are positioned at each web end position quickly enough so that, during each row of each of the containers is stopped below the pick and place unit, providing them with pieces of confectionery from each the web end positions is filled.

The containers filled with packaged goods are then conveyed on until they reach the container removal unit Ik . This unit comprises a conveyor carrying a number of scrapers 39 which are moved at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of the container conveyor and strip the individual containers from their conveyor pockets to a discharge chute 4-0 from where they can be removed for shipping. A typical production rate of frozen confectionery on a confectionery line is 600 pieces / min, with the 600 pieces arranged in four lanes. In the device described, three pieces of confectionery are simultaneously filled into each container at each of four columns of the container, so that twelve pieces of confectionery are filled in at a time. The sequence of steps of the push arm placement head unit, the movement of the high-speed conveyor, the movement of the container conveyor and the operation of the container removal unit are all synchronized by means of a detection and control system which is not shown separately in this figure. Each of the subunits mentioned here is explained in detail below.

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From FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 it can be seen that the individual pieces of confectionery are in a placement position along the conveying paths of the goods to be packaged 23-26, which start and end in staggered positions along the direction of movement of the packaged goods, so that the track lengths are the same along each track. The packaging conveyor 11 is arranged immediately below the offset end-of-travel positions and is constructed and arranged in such a way that that he has intermittently parallel columns of candy boxes in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the candy conveyor Direction promotes.

As mentioned earlier, the general workflow is that a series of four separate placement heads (the are not shown in Figs. 2 and 3) is actuated simultaneously, in time sequence with the movement of the carton conveyor 11 so that a plurality of confectionery pieces is carried from each of the offset end positions 15-18 to the outside via a stopped cardboard box. unid the pieces of confectionery in corresponding positions in the boxes are lowered the transmission path from the confectionery pieces to the boxes should be kept as short as possible. For this reason, the packaged goods level 22, which forms a plane of the packaged goods conveyor tracks 23-26, is over which the packaged goods conveyors 110-116 run, a very thin sheet of metal, e.g. B. aluminum, with a thickness of z. B. 3.17 mm. Of the Carton conveyor 11 and the cartons conveyed on it are the underside of this sheet metal floor closely spaced, so that the transmission path for the pieces of confectionery from the Limit positions in the cardboard boxes are kept very small.

The conveyor belts 110, 112, 114 and 116 that make up the individual Feed confectionery pieces to each end position or assembly position 15-18, are operated at speeds that a Ensure the accumulation of pieces of confectionery in every assembly position, so that sufficient at all times. Packaged items are available to fill the currently stopped cartons on the carton conveyor 11. As will be explained,

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is a photoelectric sensing device in each placement head built in to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of confectionery items at the picking position is available to have a full row of the assigned cartons on the carton conveyor at any given time to fill. If there is not a full batch of packaging at any assembly position, the operation of the Placement head blocked, so that this particular row of the corresponding carton no pieces of confectionery are fed will. The absence of an entire row of sweets in a box is inevitably noticed by the testers after the filled boxes have left the facility.

The assembly positions 15-18 is a stripping unit downstream for stripping full boxes from the box conveyor 11 and feeding the boxes to a discharge chute, via which they leave the packaging facility. The stripping unit 14 is also a conveyor with a Conveyor chain that holds a number of scrapers 39. The scrapers are at an angle with respect to the carton conveyor driven and have a component of movement in the same direction as the carton conveyor and a component of movement across the box conveyor. The speed component in the direction of the box conveyor is equal to the speed of the box conveyor. The stripping conveyor 14 is related in time to the carton conveyor 11 driven so that each scraper of the scraper conveyor 14 is a single transverse row of boxes of strips off the multi-column carton conveyor and these cartons positioned on the discharge chute 15.

The carton conveyor 11 comprises a series of hinge straps 144 carried on a conveyor chain 145 and each Hinge strap carries four spaced apart pockets or compartments each with a front rib 146 and a rear rib 148 and a base 149 into which a carton 150 is manually inserted

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inserted upstream of the confectionery placement positions will. A guide member 152, which is arranged above the carton conveyor immediately in front of the loading positions pushes the boxes 150 down and back so that each box is precisely on the bottom 14-9 of its compartment and in Attachment to the rear rib 14-8 is set. This precise definition is important in order to have an exact time Control of the ejection of the confectionery items from the assembly positions so that they fall properly into the desired locations in each individual carton 150. Dividers 151 ensure that the boxes are aligned horizontally,

As can be seen from Fig. 2, there is a uniform and between adjacent, cardboard-carrying hinge strips 14Λ exact distance. This distance is preferably chosen so that the distance between the last row of confectionery pieces in a particular carton 150 and the first row of confectionery pieces in the next following carton on the carton conveyor is an integral multiple of the distance between rows within a box. With such a Arrangement, the placement head blocking unit (to be discussed) selectively block the operation of each placement head at appropriate times to prevent ejection of To prevent confectionery pieces if there is no empty box underneath to accommodate the packaged goods. In the Each carton has the illustrated preferred embodiment three rows with a center-to-center distance A, and the distance between hinges 144 is dimensioned so that between the A distance between the middle of the last row of a certain box and the middle of the first row of the next following box of 2A. With this arrangement, therefore, every fourth stroke of each placement head is blocked to the gap between boxes while the filling of boxes with pieces of confectionery takes place.

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232S381

The conveyor chain 145 is driven by a gearbox (cf. 18 and 19) driven by a synchronous motor (not shown), so that a precisely timed movement results. The high speed conveyor 12 is driven by any suitable drive. As explained later various other elements of the device are driven by the same synchronous motor as the box conveyor 11 driven.

The stripping conveyor 14 runs at a regulated speed ratio driven by the drive of the carton conveyor 11, the speed ratio by the Movement angle of the scraper of the conveyor is determined in relation to the direction of travel of the carton conveyor.

The confectionery or packaged goods conveyor 12 of the facility comprises four separate parallel conveyor tracks 23-26, each Web is arranged between packaged goods guide rails 108. Each of the four separate tracks forms one strand of one of the four conveyor belts 110, 112, 114, 116 (see. Fig. 4). As can be seen from FIGS. 1-4, they have the four conveyor belts corresponding tracks are the same length, but end at mutually offset points 15-18. This shifted Arrangement of the packaged goods conveyor tracks leads to a very effective and very fast transfer of the confectionery pieces the packaged goods conveyors in cardboard boxes, those on the cardboard box conveyor are arranged, which runs perpendicular to the direction of travel of the confectionery conveyor.

The packaged goods conveyor tracks 23-26 lie between a number of rollers 118, around which all conveyor belts are guided, and a number of offset rollers 120a-120d. The rest of each conveyor belt track is a return track designed to that a removal and replacement of the bands 110, 112, 114 and 116 can be done without major dismantling of the device. Another necessity on the return path of the conveyor

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belts results from the fact that each conveyor belt 110-116 on its surface in the conveyor track in which the confectionery pieces actually conveyed, has a low-friction coating (e.g. made of polytetrafluoroethylene). The return path must be designed so that this low friction surface of each of the belts 110, 112, 114 and 116 is continuously upward as the tapes pass through web sections 23-26.

After leaving the rollers 120a-120d, the belts run vertically upwards away from the carton conveyor 11. Four groups of rollers 122a-122d, 124-a-124d, 126a-126d and 128a-128d form a track section that can pivot through two 90 ° (clockwise in the running direction of the belts) the belt plane, so that a group of rollers 130a-130d is reached, which are spaced both laterally and vertically from the packaged goods conveyor tracks 23-26. This arrangement frees the space above the conveyor track sections 23-26 for the equipment required to operate the mechanics that actually transfer the packaged goods from the conveyor belts 110, 112, WW and 116 into the cartons. The belt paths between rollers 130a-130d and a spaced roller 132 include a drive drum 134 coated with a high coefficient of friction material and driven by a motor to give the conveyor belts a speed much higher than that of the conveyor belt Storage conveyor or the box conveyor (which will be explained later). Two sets of rollers 136a-136d and 138a-138d are positioned adjacent drive drum 134 to ensure tape contact with the drive drum over at least 180 degrees of the drive drum circumference. The rollers 138a-138d are spring-loaded in the direction of the rollers 136a-136d in order to maintain a suitable mechanical tension in the individual conveyor belts.

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The end portion of the conveyor belt return path from roller 132 to roller 118 is via two sets of rollers 140a-14-0d and 142a-142d. Each pivoting takes place between the roller 132 and the respective rollers 14-0a-14-0d and between the respective rollers 142a-142d and the starting roller 118;
in the direction of travel).

Pivot each conveyor belt 90 (clockwise

As can be seen, the arrangement of the confectionery conveyor results in a conveyor belt return path, the does not interfere with other parts of the packaging equipment (e.g. the box conveyor); in the conveyor track sections 23-26, the low-friction or tack-free surface of the tapes is facing up; vertically across the Track sections 23-26 results in a free space, whereby the accommodation of further devices in this place is facilitated; and finally, conveyor belts 110-116 can be removed and replaced without disassembly Large parts of the packaging equipment (e.g. without dismantling or moving the box conveyor) are possible.

Since it is necessary that the conveyor belts can slide under the confectionery pieces lying on them, when the If packaged goods form queues at the end positions of the conveyor, the belts themselves must not have any disturbances on their surface exhibit. A malfunction such as a seam required to join a band when replacing it, would damage the bottom of the confectionery pieces and they make unacceptable. As a result, these conveyor belts must be endless and therefore require a roller system approximately accordingly Fig. Ή-, so that new endless belts without dismantling can be mounted.

As already mentioned, the general design of the packaging device comprises a lower product floor, a first Drive floor 35 and a second drive floor 34 · as well as an upper end floor 33. The operation of the placement heads 31, the

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Transfer groups of packaged goods from the queue at the assembly station into a box positioned below, is related to the three lower floors 22, 35 and 34. Each of the four packaged goods placement units includes one Push arm 30, which has a placement head at the level of the product floor 31 carries. The push arm 30 is mounted on the floor 34 so that it can be pivoted through a small angle is, and is moved by an actuating device arranged on the first drive floor 35. Since the four push arms 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d are designed identically and function identically, only one push arm is explained .

The pusher arm 30 is on the second gear floor 34 like this pivot bearing that it is in a direction of movement of the Packaged goods conveyor 12 perpendicular and one to the direction of movement of the carton conveyor 11 is movable in the parallel direction. The arranged on the gear stage 35 actuation and The timing device will be explained later. The actual placement head 31 carried by the push arm 30 is the Product floors 22 arranged adjacent to the loading position (cf. best FIGS. 5 and 6).

It can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the fitting head 31 forms an essentially U-shaped channel for receiving several pieces of confectionery 153. The channel is formed by two side members 154 and 156 and an end member 158. The depth of the channel is selected relative to the length of the confectionery pieces 153 so that the number of confectionery pieces that fit into a row of a carton 150 is equal to the number of confectionery pieces that fit into the U-channel of the placement head 31. In a typical carton design, this number is three. The side member 154 is mounted on a vertical tube 30 and the side member 156 is mounted on a second tube section 502. The end element

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is secured to the side elements and forms a stop that allows the confectionery pieces 153 to collect, so that there is a filling of three pieces of confectionery in the placement head 31. Preferably, surface 158A is off a non-stick material to allow the chocolate-coated confectionery pieces 153 to slide relative thereto to facilitate.

Light sources 302 are arranged in the side element 156, and likewise in the side element 154- in Alignment with the light sources 302 light sensor 306 arranged. Openings 166 in the side members 156 and 154 · and in gripping elements 503 and 505 enable light to pass from the light sources 302 to the light sensors 306. The light source / light sensor pairs are positioned so that that a group of properly positioned confectionery pieces 153 interrupt the light rays so that the The output of the light sensor 306 can be used as an indication that the placement head is filled with pieces of confectionery is filled, so that the assembly process can be continued, or vice versa, that the assembly head 31 is not completely filled, so that the blocking device can be operated to prevent a work step of the placement head.

By means of a timing cam and an actuation unit on the first gear stage 35, the pusher arm 30 leads a Stroke, in which it executes a lateral movement of 25.4 mm, when an empty row of cartons is substantially below the edge of the product tier 22. The cam is designed so that a dwell time of the placement head 31 is provided in the extended position so that the Confectionery pieces 153 are ejected from the placement head can. Then the synchronization and actuation unit brings the placement head into the position corresponding to the Fig. 5 and 6 back.

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If at the time at which the triggering of a certain placement head 31 should take place, a light source / light sensor pair 302, 306 detects the absence of a piece of confectionery at the corresponding location, the generated signal used (as will be explained below) to block the stroke of the placement head 31.

The top of the high-speed conveyor belt 110 is coated with a low-friction, non-adhesive material, so that the conveyor belt relative to the stationary pieces of confectionery 153, which are behind the idle stop surface 158a can wait, move. While a group of three pieces of confectionery 153 from the placement head 31 laterally for delivery in If a box is moved, the next piece of confectionery is located on the end surface 168 of the side member 154 ·. When the placement head returns to the position after the 5 and 6, the queue of confectionery pieces 153 is advanced by the conveyor belt 110 until the first Confectionery pieces of the queue rests against the end face 158a, so that again the state according to FIG. 5 prevails.

From Fig. 5 it can also be seen that along the side edges of the conveyor belt 110 upstream of the placement head two guard rails 108 are arranged. One end surface 108a of the guardrail 108 is from the opposite end surface 156a of the side member 156 and spaced from the rear edge 153a of the rear piece of confectionery in the placement head, see above that the rearmost piece of confectionery does not inadvertently touch the guide rail 108 while the packaged goods are in the box is transferred, and so interrupts the assembly process. Furthermore, the end surface 108a has a rounded corner 108b on, so that a sticking piece of confectionery on the Guardrail 108 and the resulting incorrect loading of the box is reliably avoided.

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The details of the elements of the placement head 31 are 5 and 6, while the control and actuation unit for these elements is shown in FIGS is. 9 illustrates the sequence of operations of the fitting head 31 when transferring pieces of confectionery from the high-speed conveyor to empty compartments of the boxes.

According to FIGS. 5 and 6 , each placement head 31 is arranged on a tubular push arm 30 which extends downward from a pivot point on the second gear stage 34. The pusher arm 30 includes a second tubular member 502 which carries movable members, commonly referred to as grippers and scrapers. The function of the grippers is to grasp three pieces of confectionery 153 at the same time at the end of the path and to convey them during the stroke of the push arm 30 from the loading platform 22 to a position above the compartment of the empty container at the end of the path, and then lower the pieces of confection into one position above the bin compartment itself. At this point in the sequence of steps, the scrapers are actuated to strip the confectionery pieces from the grippers and place them in the bin compartments. Then the push arm 30 carries out a return stroke into its starting position, in which it lies above the end point of the path.

Each gripper consists of a substantially rectangular plate 503 which is supported on the lower end of the push arm 30 is and runs in the horizontal direction slightly beyond the length of the three pieces of confectionery, and at the bottom of the a second plate 505 is arranged on the other tubular element 502 and runs essentially parallel to the plate 503, but is divided in the longitudinal direction into three independent sections 505A, 505B and 505C. Any of these Segment plates are acted upon by spring force in the direction of the first plate 503 by individual springs 506A, 506B and 506C. This arrangement allows each individual confectionery

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piece are gripped at the end of the path, and any change in the thickness of the piece of confectionery is thereby balanced.

Since, according to FIG. 9, the grippers not only have to move towards and away from one another, but also move in Need to move vertical direction along the axis of the tubular members 30 and 502 are both the long plate 503 as also the plate consisting of segments 505 is supported on cuffs and 509, which are slidable on the push arm are arranged, and the vertical position of these cuffs and thus the vertical position of the gripping plates is through Adjusting rods 514 and 514a determined by one on the upper or second gear level 34 arranged mechanics are operable.

The force of the individual springs 506 provides a force and movement component for the individual plate segments 505 in the direction of the longer plate 503. The limit of movement of the plate segments 505 in this direction is determined by a Stop with an adjusting screw 524 and a block surface 525, which is designed as an inner section of the cuff 508 is determined. As best seen in Fig. 9, the gripper plates 503 and 505 are in the Bahnendlage or the placement position spread apart that the edge of the product tier 22 against the inner Sections of the segment plates 505 acts, whereby there is sufficient clearance so that the confectionery pieces 153 can pass between the longer plate 503 and each of the segment plates 505A, 505B and 505C.

The scrapers consist of a group of ejector plates 517 and 519, which are arranged adjacent to the grippers. The single ejector plate 517, which extends over the entire length of the three pieces of confectionery runs, is slidably supported above the inner surface of the gripper 503. The ejector plate

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

519, consisting of three segment plates 519A, 519B and 519C, respectively the segments of the gripper plate 505 is arranged over the insides of the segments of the plate 505. The ejector plates 517 and 519 are arranged to move relative to the two fixed pipe members 30 and 502 and the corresponding grippers 503 and 505 can move vertically. The vertical movement of the scrapers is determined by adjusting rods 515 and 515a, which can also be actuated from the second gear level 34.

The sequence of movements of the grippers and scrapers is best can be seen from FIG. 9. Originally, the entire placement head 31 is above the end position of its associated path positioned, the jaws of the gripper by the interaction of the edge of the product floor 22 and the gripper segment plates 505 are held open so that pieces of confectionery 153 are between the opposing faces of the grippers can pass (see. Fig. 9a). As will be explained below, the sequence of steps is timed through a group of cams on the first and second gear tiers, which are in connection with the circuit elements according to Figs. 12 and 13 are operated. When a certain point in the work sequence is reached, the is lifted Advancing arm 30 outwards when the photocell sensor is on Generate output signal that three pieces of confectionery behind the Idle position are aligned at the end of the path. Through this stroke, the confectionery pieces are gripped by the Grippers 503 and 505, since the segment plate 505 is now pressed by the springs against the confectionery pieces because they is no longer held back by the edge of the product shelf 22. The push arm 30 pivots the placement head 31 into a position immediately above the one to be filled Container compartment (see. Fig. 9b). The containers or boxes are moved step by step on the container conveyor 11, see above that the conveyor stops momentarily if a compartment is adjacent and below the edge of the product tier 22 at each End point of the path.

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When the placement head 31 is positioned over the compartment of the container 150, the grippers 503 and 505 as well the scrapers 517 and 519 moved together down to the container 150, so that the confectionery pieces 153 now directly be held over the subject itself (see. Fig. 9c). At this point in the sequence, the scrapers 517 and 519 is moved downward by itself relative to the grippers 503 and 505, so that the confectionery pieces are pushed out of the grippers and ejected into the compartment of the container below (see. Fig. 9d). Then move first the grippers 503 and 505 up the scrapers 517 and 519 to ensure a positive scraping the confectionery pieces takes place (see. Fig. 9e). Then the scrapers are withdrawn to their upper starting position, and the pusher arm 30 is pivoted back to its original position and is ready for the next set of Take up pieces of confectionery (see. Fig. 9f).

The sequence of movements indicated above is controlled by a group of three cams, the cam followers and operate the push rods. The cam 200 controlling the stroke of the pusher arm 30 is on the first gear floor 35, while the cams 610 and 611, which control the scrapers and grippers, are on the upper floor of the gearbox 34 are arranged.

The actuation and blocking of the pusher arm will now be explained. Fig. 7 shows the actuation unit for the stroke of each of the individual push arms 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d. The function of the unit is to make the arms perform a forward stroke in the direction of the carton conveyor movement at the same time, each time the carton conveyor has advanced the cartons by a row width A of cartons. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance through which the placement head 31 must move is 22.22 mm. Since the mounting head 31 is carried at the end of the push arm 30, which is pivotably arranged on the upper side of the second gear stage 3k , and since the actuating unit 220

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is arranged on the first gear stage 35 and is thus approximately half the length of the pusher arm, needs the The working stroke itself is only about 11.1 mm consists of a light, essentially square frame 220 made of two aluminum angle profiles 221 and 222 and two aluminum tubes 226 and 228 containing linear roller bearings 212a, 212b, 214-a and 214b. This frame runs linearly on tempered steel rods 213, which are mounted on the gear level 35 in mounting blocks 251a, 251b, 252a and 252b are stored. The frame 220 is in the direction of movement of the push arms 30 by the force of a Moving tension spring 210, which is attached with its rear end to the frame and with its front end to the gear stage 35 is. The position of the frame 220 is determined by the rotational position of the cam 200, which is connected to a cam scanner 216 cooperates, which is carried on a cross piece 227 which is fastened across the rectangular frame 220. The cam itself is arranged on a shaft 201, which is mounted with one end in a bearing block 256 and at the other end of the Main drive is driven. As will be explained further below, the shaft 201 becomes in such relation to the stepper drive of the carton conveyor is driven so that the cam 200 rotates 360 while the carton conveyor is stopped.

The control curve scanner 216 interacts with the profile of the cam 200 (cf. FIG. 8A) that in the rotary position of the cam of the cam scanner 216 falls off the control surface, so that the spring hits the frame 220 very quickly can push forward in the direction of movement of the carton conveyor ^. In the rotated position of about 35, the scanner 216 is in contact with the cam surface which is shaped so that it holds the frame 220 in the forward position for a sufficiently long stroke dwell time so that the packaged goods from the Placement head 31 can be ejected into the underlying compartment of the box. At the end of this period that after Another approximately 75 ° rotation of the cam 200 occurs, the cam surface is designed so that a movement of the frame

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can begin in the opposite direction, so that it is returned to the starting position after about 185 turns of the starting position; the frame maintains this position while the cam finishes its rotation until the frame is pushed forward again at 0 ° to start the next cycle.

The movement of the rectangular frame 220 is with the individual pushing arms 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d through a series of Push rods 230, 232, 234 and 238 coupled. 3 each push rod is resiliently connected to the frame 220 via relatively stiff compression springs 246 and shoulders 247. Since the Position of each push arm 30 according to the staggered arrangement of the fitting positions 15, 16, 17 and 18 offset each push rod 230, 232, 234 and 238 is a different length. To hold the shortest push rod 238 and interfering with the front portion of the frame 220 and the pusher arm 30d To avoid this, this short push rod 238 is held on a separate carrier 242.

Thus, during each duty cycle of the cam 200, the frame 220 advances very rapidly 11.1 mm, with the Push rods 230, 232, 234 and 238 simultaneously perform a working stroke of the same length. After a short Dwell time in this forward position, the frame 220 is withdrawn into its starting position, in which it was up to the beginning of the next cycle remains. By positioning the cam 200 on the shaft 201, the phase relationship between the forward stroke of the frame 220 and the stopping of the cartons below the loading stations on the product floor and the operation of the grippers and scrapers are determined so that each of the placement stations 15, 16, 17 and 18 ejected pieces of confectionery directly in the middle of the respective row of the box below is placed. A precise phase coordination of this relationship is set in the rest position.

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Fig. 11 is a detail top view of the first floor transmission 35 of the pusher arm 30a, the connection between the pusher arm and the push rod 246 also being shown is. 11 also shows a blocking lock 270.

The push arm 30a carrying the placement head moves with each stroke in an elongated hole 259 in the first gear unit level 35 back and forth. Immediately above the height of the first gear stage 35 is a multi-part on the push arm 30a Block 258 attached. The push rod 246 passes through one Collar 262 attached to a pivot pin 261. The pivot pin 261 extends through a bore 264 which is drilled in the front of the split block 258 perpendicular to the axis of movement of the pusher arm 30a. the Push rod 246 is with the collar 262 by a relative rigid compression spring 266 connected, which rests on the shoulder 267 attached to the push rod. When the push rod 246 performs a forward stroke and the lock 270 is not effective, so that the pusher arm 30a is freely movable is, by the movement of the push rod 246 transmitted through the spring 266, the multi-part block 258 and thus the pusher arm 30a is moved forward, and by pivoting the pivot pin 261, the easy movement takes place Arc movement of the push arm 30a, which is pivotably articulated above on the second gear stage 34. It is note that the mass of the confectionery pieces, the mounting head 31 and the pusher arm 30a is very small, so that they moves with the movement of the push rod 246 unless the movement of the pusher arm 30a is positively blocked.

As already mentioned, each of the pushing arms 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d carrying a mounting head is a blocking lock 270a, 270b, 270c and 27Od assigned. Oede blocking lock can be activated optionally, see above that it blocks the forward stroke of the associated push arm 30 in the actuated position .. If such a

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Blocking takes place, moves the associated push rod, z. B. the push rod 246 in the case of the pusher arm 30a, the compression spring 266 forward without forward movement of the pusher arm 30a and its associated multi-part Blocks 258 occurs.

The function of the blocking lock will now be described in connection with the push arm with reference to the blocking lock 270a explained. The main element of the lock 270a is an electrically operated compressed air valve (ζ. Β. a solenoid-operated, normally closed three-way valve made by Skinner). Such valves perform a cylinder stroke actuated by compressed air based on a received electrical signal. In Fig. 11 is the blocking lock 270a is shown, the locking member 274 of which is shown in the front working position, in FIG which it with the front edge of a hardened steel locking block 275, which is attached to the multi-part Block 258 is attached, is engaged. In this position, there is no forward movement of the push arm 30a. the The adjusting device of this lock comprises a piston head 276, which is triggered by the compressed air valve 271 Hub executes. A quenched and tempered ball 277 at the front end of the piston head 276 becomes in close contact with a wear plate 278 held, which is arranged on a pivot arm 280 which carries the locking member 274. One between the swing arm 280 and the housing of the compressed air valve 271 arranged spring 282 acts on the swivel arm 280 in the direction of the piston head 276. Thus, in the normal, In the inactivated position, the locking member pivot arm 280 is retracted from the engaged position by the force of the spring, and locking member 274 does not contact stop 275 on block 258 so that pusher arm 30a is freely movable. The hardened and tempered stop 285 enables the stroke of the locking member 274 to be set precisely relative to the locking block 275.

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Whenever there is a forward stroke of the frame 220 by the cam 200, the push rods cause a forward stroke their associated pusher arms, if not supplied an electrical blocking signal to the corresponding compressed air valve was, through which the blocking locking member is engaged and a forward movement of the associated Advancing arm prevented. The basis for the optional blocking of the strokes of the push arm and the corresponding Programming is explained below in connection with timing and sequence control.

Fig. 10 shows the control disk assembly with the Circuits according to FIGS. 12 and 13 cooperate for sequential control of the packaging device. According to Fig. 10 two rotating disks 301 and 303 are arranged on a shaft 305. The wave 305 is set in time Relationship to the drive that drives the adjusting cam shaft 201, driven so that the discs 301 and 303 each time complete a full revolution when the cam 200 finishes a full 360 ° revolution. The disc has a larger diameter than the Seheibe 303 and has a cutout 301a. A sensor 326 is arranged so that it detects the passage of the cutout 301a. The sensor includes one located on one side of the disk 301 Light-emitting diode 327 and a phototransistor 328 arranged on the opposite side of the disc 301, so that, when the cutout 301a passes through the sensor 326, light from the diode, which is normally due to the disk 301 den associated phototransistor cannot reach, is let through and a normally switched off relay 347 excited. The function of this control pulse from the timing disk 301 is to activate all pairs of sensors to switch on all assembly stations in order to determine whether the line of goods to be packaged at each assembly station is complete is equipped. As a result, this signal should be immediate

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be generated before the working stroke, which is in the O ° position of the Cam 200 is executed. Thus, the disk 301 is typically adjusted to have its probe signal generated by the sensor 326 in a rotational position of the cam of approx. 345 °.

The second disc 303 has a slightly smaller diameter and has a protrusion 303a extending from its edge sufficiently protrudes far to pass through a second feeler 330, the projection 303a emitting the light beam a light emitting diode 331 interrupts. This light beam is normally transmitted to the associated phototransistor 332. The signal that does not appear as a result of this interruption serves as a reset signal and opens a group of Contacts that de-energize any latching relays in the circuit that were energized during the cycle. This finds somewhat prior to the occurrence of the sensor signal from sensor 326 in the duty cycle, typically with a 330 ° rotary position of the cam 200. It should be noted that each disk 301 and 303 for itself on the shaft 305 is adjustable in its rotational position for an exact phase and time setting.

According to Fig. 10, a third disc 30A- is provided which is driven from the shaft 305 via a reduction gear 307 with a reduction of 4: 1. The third disk 304 again has a cutout 304a, and around the disc are four sensors 310, 314, 318 and 322 arranged. The sensor comprises a light emitting diode and a phototransistor, the light beam normally is interrupted by the disk 304 and a signal is only generated when the cutout 304a the sensor passes through. The function of the disk 304 is to generate a blocking signal to each selected one of the blocking interlocks is feedable. Since this disk 304 executes a full revolution in four work cycles, can

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they block a push arm in each working cycle, so that each one of the push arms one stroke in four Duty cycles can be omitted if the gap between two cardboard boxes are at the product line loading position.

The sequencing and control circuitry is shown in Figs 13 shown. A voltage supply 380 is with alternating voltage, typically 110 V, at a pair of terminals 380a fed and generates a DC output voltage of typically 5 V at two DC voltage outputs 380b DC output voltage is applied to a ladder network applied, all of the light emitting diodes 302 and all of the phototransistors 306 of the product position sensor pairs as well as the with the control disks 301, 303 and 304 cooperating sensor elements contains. Thus, the DC voltage becomes the Light emitting diodes 302a-302c supplied, which are arranged so that they three sensor light beams through packaged goods positions Generate one at the assembly station 15 of the conveyor track. Likewise, diodes 302d-302f generate the light beams for the assembly station 16 on the second track, the light-emitting diodes 302g-302j, the light beams for the assembly station 17 on the third track and finally the light-emitting diodes 302k-302n the light beams for the assembly station 18 on the fourth conveyor track. ,

The phototransistors for the first conveyor track are transistors 306a-c. These three phototransistors are connected in parallel, and the parallel connection of the three phototransistors is with the relay 341 via the DC voltage outputs 380b connected in series. Another transistor is connected in parallel with transistors 306a, 306b and 306c, and light from a light emitting diode 311 is supplied to this transistor. The additional transistor 312 is connected in the sensor 310 of the blocking control disk 304. The circuit is designed so that if one of the four named photo

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transistors receives a beam of light, relay 34-1 is excited. If this occurs when the read relay 347 is energized, the electrically operated air valve will be activated 390 switched on and actuated the blocking lock for the push arm 30a lying above the first web.

The relay 351 is between a point 399, the except during the short reset time an AC voltage of 110 V for the duration of each cycle leads, and over za * ei working contacts 341c and 360 connected to the other side of the 110 V line. Contacts 341c are energized by energizing relay 341 closes, and contacts 360c are closed whenever relay 347 closes once in each cycle the reading disk 301 is energized.

Each of the other conveyor tracks includes appropriate groups of relays, light sources and phototransistors to control the actuation of the blocking interlocks 391-393 for the second to fourth lane. *

The normally switched off read relay 347, which when passing the cutout in the reading disk 301 at the 345 ° rotary position is switched on, even the contacts 347c closes, so that a number of transmission relays 360-363 is excited. These close contacts 360c-363c and apply a voltage to one side of the normally open contacts 341c, 342c, 343c and 344c, respectively. Then if any of the phototransistors receives a beam of light when the read relay 347 is energized, an inrush current is applied to the associated AC relay 351-354. These AC relays 351-354 cause a self-holding by the corresponding group of contacts 351c, 352c, 353c and 354c turn on and hold energized until a reset signal opens contacts 349c, so that all self-holding relays be unlocked. Such an arrangement ensures

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β rt »-, -

that at the time the read signal is generated and any of the web position phototransistors one Light beam is received, the blocking lock is switched on in the path controlled by this pair of sensors and the stroke of the pusher arm 30 is blocked. Likewise, if the blocking disk 304 activates a sensor, the corresponding blocking lock is held engaged until the reset pulse occurs.

The remaining part of the circuit according to FIGS. 12 and 13 is used to manually block either all of the pushing arms 30 or alternatively just one of the same. The reason for actuating the manual blockings is to the same number of confectionery pieces in each conveyor track a queue to achieve. Closing contacts 311 energizes a relay 370 and all of the contacts 370c are operated to turn on each air pressure valve 390-393, so that the strokes of all pushing arms 30 are blocked at the same time. If a certain conveyor track a confectionery queue needs to be set up the corresponding locking button of the manually operated locking buttons 374-376 is actuated and activates the assigned blocking Lock directly, and only for as long as the button is held down. Supply indicator lights 381-384 a visual indicator that shows whether the particular conveyor track or all conveyor tracks are blocked.

The actuation device for the grippers and strippers of the placement heads is located on the second or upper one Transmission floor 34. FIG. 8 shows this device and the manner in which it is connected to the actuating rods 514 and 515 connected is.

Each pusher arm 30 is on the underside of the second gear floor 34 pivotably arranged and carries a swivel plate 600. The adjusting rods 514 and 515 enforce

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ν ^;

'"ti.

through holes in the multi-part block 258 and openings in the Swivel plate 600 and are connected to the second gear floor height with angle levers 601 and 604, which are attached to a mounting block 602 are pivotably mounted. The angle lever 604 controls the vertical movement of the control rod 514 and thus the actuation of the grippers on the placement heads 31. The Angle lever 601 controls the vertical movement of the adjusting rod 515 and thus the actuation of the scrapers in the placement head 31.

The angle lever 601 for the wiper actuation is driven by a pull rod 603, which in turn is driven by a T-piece 607 is pulled. The angle lever 604 for the gripper is driven by a pull rod 605, which with its other The end is connected to a T-piece 608. The movement of the T-piece 607 is controlled by the gripper control cam 611 is controlled and the movement of the T-piece 608 is controlled by the stripper control cam 610. These two cams are arranged on a shaft 620, which is mounted in two bearing blocks 621, which are on the second gear level 34 rest. The shaft 620 becomes synchronous with the shaft 201 of the control cam 200, which is on the first gearbox floor 35 is arranged unif the stroke of the push arms 30 controls, driven.

The apparatus for moving the tees 607 and 608 at the appropriate times includes a cam scanner 613, the orbital movement of the gripper control cam 611 follows, and .ein a corresponding cam follower (not shown) on the circumference of the stripper control cam 610 rolls off. The movement of this cam scanner is converted into a horizontal movement of the connecting rods 616 and 618 implemented, enforce the mounting blocks 615. The connecting rod 616 is connected to the T-piece 607, and one end of the T-piece 607 is supported by a connecting rod, one end of which is pivotable with the T-piece

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607 and is connected at its other end to the block that contains the cam scanner 613 for the gripper control cam 611 carries. Similarly, the connecting rod 618 is connected to the T-piece 608, and one end of the T-piece 608 is supported by a connecting rod 625 which is pivotally connected at one end thereto and with the other end is connected to the block that carries the control cam scanner of the control cam 610.

The revolving movement of the control cams 610 and 611 causes the Sequential control of the horizontal movement of the connecting rods, the angle lever and thus the vertical movement of the adjusting rods 514 · and 515 of the respective grippers and scrapers. FIGS. 8B and 8C show the precise shape of the control cams 610 and 611 and the time sequence of a cycle of these cams.

As mentioned earlier, each push arm has one Blocking device which, in two possible circumstances, prevents the pusher arm from being removed from the associated Path end point transferred. One case occurs when there is no box at the end of the track, but rather instead, there is a space between boxes. The second case always occurs when the photo sensor indicate that the end of the path is not filled with at least three pieces of confectionery. In both cases the Blocking-interlocks a forward stroke of the pusher arm 30 so that the transfer of confectionery pieces from the high speed conveyor line blocked.

If such a blockage occurs, it is also necessary to block the grippers and scrapers. this will reached by a blocking lock on floor 3A-, the actuation of the actuating rods 514 and 515 blocked when the associated push arm 30 does not perform a forward stroke. This lock comprises a crank arm 632, which is between the swivel plate 600 and a stop

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plate 635 is attached. The stop plate 635 is slidably mounted in two holding blocks 645, and if the Vordrückarm 30 assumes its normal position in which he does not Executes stroke, the stop plate 635 is in its uppermost position, in which it touches cuffs 638, the each of the connecting rods 603 and 605 are fixed so that these connecting rods do not make a forward stroke can. The collars 639 determine the limit of movement of these rods in the reverse direction. When a blockage occurs, springs 640 are compressed and take up the movement of rods 607 and 608. The mechanical The tension of the spring 640 is adjusted by cuffs 641.

However, when the pushing arm 30 makes a forward stroke, its movement lowers the swing plate 600 pivoted so that the stop plate 635 is lowered and the connecting rods 603 and 605 are operable, whereby the control rods 514 and 515 can be actuated. Overall, it is provided in the device that the three cams 600, 610 and 611 sequentially control the strokes of the push arms 30 and the grippers and strippers in each placement head 31, so that the sequence of steps shown in FIGS. 9A-F results.

The step drive of the box conveyor 11 is shown in Figs. 18 and 19 explained. 18 is a side view of the drive, while FIG. 19 shows a cross section 19-19 Fig. 18 illustrates. The carton conveyor 11 is with the work cycles the pusher arms 30 and the placement heads synchronized so that an empty compartment in one of the cartons 150 momentarily next to each of the path end points 15, 16, 17 and is stopped at the point in time in which the advancing arms perform a stroke to the transfer of pieces of confectionery from the end of the track to the cardboard boxes. Of the The drive must therefore be designed so that the carton conveyor is advanced by a predetermined distance, which is the same

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is the distance between center lines of the compartments, and then persists for a sufficiently long time interval, so that the confectionery pieces from the track end points in the empty compartment of a cardboard box on the conveyor immediately can be transferred to any end of the path.

The output shaft 550 of a transmission 552 is driven by a synchronous motor (not shown) and is connected to a Eccentric 554 connected, which is arranged in a block 555 Ball bearing 553 carries. A link arm 556 is attached to the block 555 and is pivotable with a latch frame 560 connected. The latch frame 560 includes two parallel plates 558 and 562 that are bolted together 564 are connected. This ratchet frame 560 is rotatable on a head shaft 566 by means of bearings 568 and on the hub a drive chain sprocket 572 supported by bushings 574. A ratchet wheel 576 with square cutouts 578 that are formed spaced on its circumference, is rotatably attached to the latch frame 560 and with a cotter pin 580 on the Drive sprocket hub 570 wedged.

A drive pawl 582 is pivotally attached to the pawl frame 560 and is spring biased toward the ratchet wheel 576. The drive pawl 582 is designed so that its outer end fits into the cutouts 578 of the ratchet 576. A counter holding pawl 585 is pivotally attached to the frame of the conveyor 11 and also inwardly to the ratchet wheel 576 spring loaded. The counter holding pawl 585 is formed with a trimmed outer edge and an inclined inner edge, so that the cutouts 578 of the ratchet wheel 576 can pass the counter holding pawl in a clockwise direction, but every movement of the ratchet wheel in a counterclockwise direction is blocked while the counter holding pawl 585 engages in one of the cutouts of the ratchet wheel 576.

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The output shaft 550 revolves continuously, so that the eccentric 554 revolves and an oscillating movement of the ratchet frame 560 caused during each complete revolution of the output shaft 550. As a result of the swinging movement of the pawl frame 560 drives the drive pawl 582 after having one of the square cutouts on the circumference of the ratchet wheel 576 has come into engagement, this ratchet wheel is carried out clockwise with the clockwise direction Oscillating movement of the pawl frame 560 carrying the pawl. The counter-holding pawl 585 falls almost at the end the clockwise movement of the pawl frame 560 into a different section. When the latch frame oscillates 560 in the counterclockwise direction prevents the engagement of the counter holding pawl 585 in a cutout of the ratchet wheel 576 allows the ratchet wheel to rotate counterclockwise while the shape of the drive pawl allows it to be turned into is pivoted counterclockwise with respect to the ratchet wheel 576 and in the next section in counterclockwise direction falls so that it is ready to turn the ratchet on the next forward stroke of the pawl frame 560 to drift clockwise.

This arrangement results in a stop-start step movement of the ratchet wheel 576 and thus the hub 570 of the drive chain socket and the head shaft 566. The head shaft 566 carries the conveyor main drive sprockets (not shown) that drive the main conveyor chain and move the carton conveyor 11. The stripping conveyor IA- is controlled by the chain sprocket 572 driven.

As already mentioned, there are important reasons why the confectionery production units operate without interruption got to. A typical manufacturing facility (see US Pat. No. RE. 29,477) includes a tunnel freezer having a therein located conveyor made of individual plates, which carry injected and cut ice cream. The freezer

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speed must be carefully controlled so that the ice cream at the time it exits the freezer is sufficiently frozen; however, it must not be so frozen that the "stickiness" that makes the ice cream keeps on the plate, gets lost.

Because of such considerations, it is very desirable not to include the confectionery production part of the overall plant even then to be interrupted if the packaging or cartoning part fails or has to be serviced. As a result, it takes an effective and practical way of interrupting the flow of finished products to the cartoning unit without the operation of the confectionery production unit is impaired. For this reason, according to the invention, a "Discharge conveyor" device provided that is easy to use is operated, enables the restart of the packaging step without affecting production and itself is easy to wait.

The discharge conveyor device is shown in Figures 14-17. It comprises a series of four parallel conveyors 400, 402, 404 and 406, each of which has several (e.g. three) comprises endless, flexible, long thin belts 408 which are wound around a series of rollers 410, 412, 414, 416a-d, 417, 418 and are led. The roller system consisting of rollers 410, 414, 417 and 420 is on a plate 422 in bearings arranged so that each of these rollers has a substantially horizontal axis, and the other ends of these rollers are rotatably mounted in a second plate 423 which is attached to a series of support rods 425 which between plates 422 and 423 run. The roller 412 is in a cutout in a block 424 in such orientation supported so that the mechanical tension of the belts 408 holds the roll in place. The roller 418 is similar attached. Thus, the belt of the conveyor 402 can be easily removed.

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remotely located on the outside of the roller system above the side plate 423, which is separated from the plate 422 is held essentially self-supporting. This structure facilitates removal and replacement of the straps 408.

Each roller 416a-416d is offset in the direction of travel of the conveyor so that the amount of offset is equal to that is the path endpoints of the high speed conveyor 12, so that each path of the discharge conveyor is immediately at The beginning of the corresponding path of the high-speed conveyor ends. The rollers 416 are rotatable on rods 415, which slide in slotted plates 431. The poles

415 are positionable by a series of collars and rods 427 extending from a transverse rod 429, the is in turn carried between slide blocks 426. The outermost positioning rods 411 and 413 are directly from Sliding blocks 426 carried.

In a preferred embodiment, each band is 408 made of a flexible, but essentially non-stretchable, endless rubber loop, often referred to as an O-ring.

In the exemplary embodiment, the roller 410 is a drive roller, and rollers 414 and 416 are of equal height so that they form a path of conveyor belts 408 which are substantially is horizontal and that actually takes the pieces of confectionery from roll 414 (the one in operation of the last roll of the confectionery unit conveyor is adjacent) to each of the rollers 416 (with, in use, the rollers

416 originally lay next to the initial roll of a conveyor track of the cartoning unit).

The positions of rollers 416a-d are slidable relative to fixed brackets 422 and 423 and fixed rollers 410, 414, 417 and 420 by sliding blocks 426 and their cross-links 429. A cross shaft 428 is

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rotatably mounted in plates 422 and 4-23. The ones from the Arms 430 extending across the transverse shaft 428 slide through the connecting blocks 432, which can be pivoted via pins 433 connected to slide blocks 426 on either side. Rotational movement of cross shaft 428 is provided by its link arm 435 controlled as well as by its connected double-acting compressed air cylinder 436.

With this structure, the discharge conveyor conveys in normal operation simply four parallel streams of confectionery pieces along conveyor tracks 400, 402, 404 and 406 (see FIG. 1). The confectionery pieces are applied to the groups of narrow ribbons 408 at the nip between roll 414 and the end roll of the manufacturing part abandoned the facility. After traveling the section of the conveyor between rollers 414 and 414 the confectionery pieces are placed on the high-speed conveyor the cartoner at the gap between rollers 416 and adjacent rollers 116 of conveyor 11 given up. This is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In the event of a failure of the cartoning machine, the air cylinder will 436 actuates and drives the movable supports 426 to the left (see FIGS. 16 and 17) so that the rollers 416 can be removed from their position immediately adjacent the rollers 118 of the cartoner conveyor. As a result, the confectionery pieces that are conveyed along the tracks 400, 402, 404 and 406 are now deflected, where they fall vertically downwards when they reach the roller 416, and a container placed underneath picks them up Pieces of confectionery on. · The amount of left movement of bracket 426 should be sufficient to move between the rollers and leaving the cartoner slack so that the cartoner does not have confectionery items during the repair are fed. The retracted position is preferably such that the rollers 416 are somewhat to the right (in FIG. 16 seen) from the vertical path of belts 408 lie between rollers 410 and 420. This positioning ensures that the pieces of confectionery thrown off the mechanics of the

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Do not clog or otherwise impair the discharge conveyor.

When packing is to be resumed the piston-cylinder unit 436 actuated, in the reverse direction, so that the brackets 426 and their Rolls 4-16 and 418 to the positions shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are driven. While the brackets 426 that support the rod 429 and roller 418 are between their move back and forth between the two positions controlled by the air cylinder, there is essentially no change in the Tape length, and no slippage of the tapes on any reel is required. When comparing the Total tape lengths in the two positions according to FIG. 14 and FIG. 16 it can be seen that the tape length change between the rollers 414 and 416 by a substantially equal and compensating change in length between the rollers 418 and 420 is compensated. The length between rollers 416 and 418, as well as all other tape sections, is subject to no change. During the displacement, the rollers 416 and 418 run off in their end bearings, during the length transfer takes place. When the rollers 416 move from the drop position to the work position, the horizontal conveyor track becomes tape added in front of the not yet discarded products, creating a void in the product flow when the rollers 416 move into the position in which a product is fed to the cartoner. Through this ensures that no piece of confectionery is squeezed in while it tries to fall over the edge when the Sponsors come together. This feature of the discharge conveyor is very desirable as it enables the cartoning process to be resumed immediately and automatically. In absence this feature would be because confectionery pieces are continuous at a typical speed of 600 pieces / min be thrown over the edge of the rollers 416, a return

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bring the rollers 416 adjacent to their associated
Rolls of the cartoning unit have the consequence that pieces of confectionery have been squeezed between the conveyors of the discarding conveyor unit and the cartoning unit, which would result in clogging and soiling of the conveyors.
To better implement this feature, the drive speed when changing the conveyor position from the drop position to the normal position should be very fast with respect to the belt travel speed.

The location of the rollers 4-16 in each of the conveyor lanes 400-406 is offset by the same amount as the end points 15-19 of the high-speed conveyor 12.This ensures that that after a dropping interval the confectionery pieces in cover the same route for each lane and fill the queues at the lane endpoints at the same time.

It can thus be seen that the discharge conveyor not only facilitates a very quick and effective separation of the cartoning device and subsequent resumption of the cartoning process, but also enables simple and effective maintenance of the discharge conveyor itself. The cantilevered arrangement of rollers and the trunnion mounting of rollers 412 and 418 allow all of the belts to slide over the plate quickly and easily
423 the side of the device can be removed without major dismantling work.

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Claims (26)

Expectations 1.! Device for conveying pieces of confectionery from one ^ ~ ü «! Positioning unit and packaging of the confectionery pieces in linear spatial arrangements in containers, marked by a packaged goods conveyor (12), which in a first plane in a first direction parallel columns of individual confectionery pieces (153) promotes along individual conveyor tracks (23-26) to a series of individual conveyor track end points (15-18), wherein each conveyor track end point (15-18) is offset with respect to the others in the first direction, a packaging conveyor (11) carrying a plurality of containers (150) in parallel columns in one direction to the first vertical second direction, the packaging conveyor (11) the container (150) below the plane of the Packaged goods conveyor (12) moves, and Fitting devices (30, 31) that hold the pieces of confectionery Transfer (153) from the conveyor track end points (15-18) into the container (150). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized, that each container (150) is to hold a series of parallel rows of pieces of confectionery (153), that the containers (150) are positioned on the packaging conveyor (11) in such a way that the rows are parallel to the packaged goods conveyor tracks (23-26) 65- (918.376) -Schö 90S883 / 0710 ORIGINAL INSPECTED run that the rows of containers are separated from each other by a distance A, and that the packaged goods conveyor tracks (23-26) are separated from each other by a distance Ν · Α, with N = integer. 3. Device according to claim 2,
characterized, that each of the plurality of containers (150) in each column is spaced from adjacent containers (150) in the column M'A, with M = any integer. 4 ·. Device according to claim 1,
characterized, that the packaged goods conveyor (12) has a number of high-speed conveyor belts (110, 112, 114 ·, 116) that the placement devices (30, 31) at each conveyor track end point (15-18) have a loading and ejecting mechanism (31), which from a rest position essentially above and in alignment with the conveyor track (23-26) in a delivery position offset from the initial position in the first direction is movable, and that the loading and ejecting mechanism (31) is a conveyor track end stop element (158) which is positioned to stop pieces of confectionery (153) moving along the conveyor track (23-26) and their movement stops at the conveyor track end point (15-18). 5. Device according to claim 4,
characterized, that all assembly and Auswerk devices (30, 31) simultaneously in timing with the movement of Containers (150) on the packaging conveyor (11) can be actuated, so that each assembly and ejection mechanism (31) is positioned in the second position only when a row of containers (150) is immediately below. 909883/0710 6. Device according to claim 1,
marked by a container removal device (14 ·) which is located above the packaging conveyor (11) is arranged and offset from the assembly device (30, 31) in the second direction, wherein the container removal device (14) means (39) for removing the loaded containers (150) from the packaging conveyor (11) has for the purpose of feeding to a delivery station. 7. Device according to claim 6,
characterized, that the container removal device has a conveyor (14) a series of scrapers (39) on a web having a container contacting portion having a Movement component in the direction of movement of the packaging conveyor (11) and a component perpendicular thereto. 8. Device according to claim 2,
characterized, that the containers (150) are divided into the series of parallel rows by internal dividing members (151, 152). 9. Device according to claim 1,
characterized, that the packaged goods conveyor has a first and a second conveyor which are aligned in series in the first direction with the first conveyor between one first and a second working position is movable and in the first working position the packaged goods in the first direction on conveyor tracks (23-26) of the second conveyor (12) so that the packaged goods (153) to the conveyor track end points (15-18) is conveyed, and in the second working position of the first conveyor the packaged goods (153) from the second conveyor (12) is distracted. 909883/0710 10. Device according to claim 9,
characterized, that the first conveyor as a conveyor member has at least one endless loop (408), which in one over at least three rollers (410, 414, 416) moving web, wherein at least one of the roles has the same spatial position both in the first and in the second working position of the first conveyor, and that at least two rollers (416, 418) are arranged so that their spatial position changes when the first conveyor is moved from the first to the second working position, a first of which is its position changing rollers (416) is immediately adjacent to the beginning of the second conveyor (12) when the first conveyor assumes the first working position. 11. Device according to claim 10,
characterized, that the endless loop (408) over that of the second conveyor (12) in the first direction adjacent roller (416) runs so that the first conveyor moves from the first to the second Working position changed by moving the first roller (416) from its to the beginning of the second conveyor (12) adjacent layer in a direction substantially opposite to the first direction, and that the first conveyor moves from the second to the first working position by moving the first roller (416) substantially in the first direction in its position adjacent to the beginning of the second conveyor (12), the speed of movement for changing the position of the roller (416) relative to the beginning of the second conveyor (12) to the speed of movement of the endless loop (408) the roller (416) is high. 909883/0710 12. Device according to claim 1,
marked by Sensor units (302, 306) which detect when pieces of confectionery (153) are not properly in each loading position are arranged, and blocking units (301, 390-393) for each equipping device (30, 31), the blocking units respond to the signal from the sensor units and actuate the assembly devices (30, 31) block if pieces of confectionery (153) are not working properly are arranged in each assembly position. 13. Device according to claim 12,
characterized, that the sensor units are photo sensors (302, 306) which transmit a light beam through the confectionery placement position Send and detect the reception of the light beam on a photo sensor as an indication of an improperly positioned Confectionery item (153) in this assembly position. 14 ·. Conveyor system for conveying a plurality of columns of packaged goods along parallel packaged goods conveyor tracks, marked by a plurality of identical flexible endless belts (110, 112, ·, 116), each revolving around a series of fixed Elements is guided to form a plurality of substantially congruent conveyor belt tracks, wherein each of these tracks immediately after the conveyor tracks (23-26) has a vertically upward section, one of the conveyor tracks (23-26) laterally offset section, a first turning section between the vertically upwards extending and the laterally offset section, and a second turning section between the laterally offset Has section and the conveyor tracks (23-26). 909883/0710 15. Conveyor system according to claim 14, characterized in that that the laterally offset conveyor belt section has a belt drive (134). 16. Conveyor system according to claim 15, characterized in that the laterally offset conveyor section also has belt tensioning elements (136, 138). 17. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the individual conveyor tracks (23-26) of the second conveyor (12) begin in positions offset from one another in the first direction by such distances which are equal to the amount of offset of their respective conveyor track end points ( 15-18) are in the first direction. 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that each conveyor track of the first conveyor in the first The working position ends immediately at the beginning of the associated conveyor track (23-26) of the second conveyor (12). 19. Device for conveying pieces of confectionery from a manufacturing unit into containers, marked by a packaged goods conveyor (12), which in a first plane in a first direction parallel columns of individual confectionery pieces (153) promotes along individual conveyor tracks (23-26) to a series of individual conveyor track end points (15-18), wherein the conveyor track end points (15-18) are offset with respect to one another in the first direction, a packaging conveyor (11) carrying a plurality of containers (150) in parallel columns in one direction to the first vertical second direction, whereby the packaging 909883 / 071Ö conveyor (11) moves the container (150) below the level of the packaged goods conveyor (12), Loading devices (30, 31) for transferring the confectionery pieces (153) from the conveyor track end points (15-18) into the containers (150), the loading devices (30, 31) exhibit: Grippers (503, 505) for gripping the pieces of confectionery (153) each conveyor track end point (23-26) and moving the confectionery pieces (153) in the second direction away from the conveyor track end points (15-18) in a second position over one of the containers (150), and Scraper (517, 519) for scraping off the pieces of confectionery (153) of the grippers (503, 505) when they are positioned over the containers (150) so that the confectionery pieces (153) from the Grippers (503, 505) are ejected into the container (150). 20. Device according to claim 19,
marked by a device for returning the assembly device (30, 31) to the first position above the end point of the conveyor track (15-18) and for opening the grippers (503, 505) after the placement device has returned to the first position, and an actuating unit for actuating the scrapers (517, 519) and ejecting the confectionery pieces (153) only when the Confectionery pieces (153) are positioned over the container (150). 21. Device according to claim 19,
marked by an arm unit (30) carrying the grippers (503, 505) and the scrapers (517, 519), which arm unit is operable to be from the conveyor track end point (15-18) from a first position above the conveyor track end point (15-18) in the second direction can be pivoted away into a second position over the containers (150) and then brought back into the first position is. 909883/0710 22. Device according to claim 20,
marked by one of the grippers (503, 505) and the scrapers (517, 519) carrying arm (30) which can be actuated so that it comes from a first position over one of the conveyor track end points (15-18) in the second direction to a second position over the container (150) is movable and then returns from the second to the first position, wherein the gripper (503, 505) is operable to grip the confectionery pieces (153) upon movement of the arm (30) from the first position, and the actuating device for the scrapers (517, 519) for ejecting the confectionery pieces (153) is actuated when the arm (30) assumes the second position and the device for opening the grippers (503, 507) is actuated, when the arm (30) returns to the first position. 23. Device according to claim 19,
characterized, that the gripper has a first gripping element assigned to each conveyor track end point (15-18), consisting of a continuous plate (503), on one side of the conveyor track (23-26) and a second gripping element (505), consisting of a plurality of plate segments extending in the first direction essentially parallel to and opposite the first gripping element (503) (505A-C), and that the plate segments (505A-C) individually in the direction of the first gripping element (503) are movable and pieces of confectionery (153) are different Width grab. 24-. Device according to claim 19,
marked by a gripper operating unit (514) for lowering the gripper (503, 505) with the gripped pieces of confectionery (153) in Direction towards the container (150) before the scrapers (517, 519) eject the pieces of confectionery (153). 9098Ö3 / 071Ö 25. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that that the scrapers (517, 519) down under the lowered position of the gripper (503, 505) for ejecting the Confectionery pieces (153) are extendable. 26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that after the extension of the scrapers (517, 519) downwards first the gripper (503, 505) and then the scrapers (517, 519) can be retracted in the vertical direction. 909883 / 071Ö