EP0233165A2 - A method of packing yielding objects and a means for performing the method - Google Patents
A method of packing yielding objects and a means for performing the method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0233165A2 EP0233165A2 EP87850034A EP87850034A EP0233165A2 EP 0233165 A2 EP0233165 A2 EP 0233165A2 EP 87850034 A EP87850034 A EP 87850034A EP 87850034 A EP87850034 A EP 87850034A EP 0233165 A2 EP0233165 A2 EP 0233165A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- objects
- container
- members
- directed force
- packing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/16—Packaging bread or like bakery products, e.g. unsliced loaves
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method of automatically and continuously packing an optional number of yielding objects in a container.
- the invention also relates to a means for performing the method of packing said objects.
- the object of the present invention is to solve said problem of automized packing comprising feeding objects to be packed to a container, packing the objects in the container and removing the full container. This is achieved in that the objects are subjected to a downwardly directed force around all or a part of their periphery, and to an upwardly directed force against their lower sides to guide them into the container, the upwardly directed force being subsequently discontinued and the objects in their entirety being pressed down in the container by the continuing downwardly directed force.
- the object of the present invention is also to provide a means for performing the packing method described above.
- the feeder 10 comprises a continuous conveyor 11 running around two horizontal rollers 12 and 13, one of the rollers being electrically driven, for instance.
- Guide plates 14 and 15 are provided along the sides of the conveyor to guide the loaves 1-6.
- a vertically movable pusher is also provided, which is movable in the feeding direction along the entire length of the conveyor.
- the pusher 19 extends substantially transversely across the full width of the conveyor.
- a bottom plate 27 is arranged in the packing unit 20, on which the tray 7 rests during packing.
- An arbitary number of through-holes 280-285 are provided along the mid-line of the bottom plate 27 and on both sides of this in the direction of feed.
- the holes 280-285 are arranged in three rows. The rows shown here extend not quite to the edges of the bottom plate 27 perpendicular to the direction of feed. The reason for this will be explained later on.
- Vertically movable members 40-45 can be passed through the holes 280-285.
- the vertically movable members consist here of compressed-air cylinders. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the cylinders protrude through the holes when raised and are withdrawn below the horizontal plane of the bottom plate 27 when lowered.
- the compressed-air cylinders are operated by a compressed-air source and are in communication with each other so that the pressure is distributed uniformly between the cylinders. This is particularly valuable if the cylinders are subjected to uneven load, since pressure- equalization is then obtained.
- the cylinders may be permanently joined together.
- the bottom plate 27 is also provided with ventilation apertures 290-295 which facilitate the removal of air during packing.
- the tray 7 is located on the bottom plate 27 during packing, and arranged so that cylinders 40-45 can be passed up through the holes in the bottom of the tray.
- the packer is also provided with two horizontal plates 21 and 22 which can be moved towards or away from each other, e.g. with the aid of compressed air, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of feed.
- Figure 2 shows the plates 21 and 22 pushed together, while Figure 3 shows them pushed apart.
- the horizontal plane of these plates coincides substantially with the feeding plane of the conveyor 11.
- Two elongate members 30 and 31 are arranged above the horizontal plane of the plates, with their longitudinal axes parallel to each other and to the direction of feed.
- the longitudinal members 30 and 31 are substantially the same length as the length of the tray in direction of feed.
- the members, which are vertically movable, are arranged each in a vertical plane just inside the side edges of the tray, parallel with the direction of feed.
- the elongate members 30 and 31 are fitted on arms 32 and 33, respectively, which transmit force from a compressed-air source to the members.
- the members are in this example operated as a unit, but could equally well be arranged for individual operation.
- the loaves and the tray are aligned by means of plates 23, 24 and 25 before the loaves are packed into the tray. Plates 23 and 25 are stationary, whereas plate 24 is movable perpendicularly to the
- a driver (not shown) is arranged below the plate 22 to assist in feeding an empty tray from unit 50. Since the plate 22 moves perpendicularly to the direction of feed of the bread, the direction of feed of the trays will also be perpendicular to that of the bread.
- the means according to the invention functions automatically and continuously and is set and controlled by computer.
- the loaves 1-6 are placed in arbitrary manner one after the other on the conveyor 11, with their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the direction of feed. The number of loaves, in this case six, is counted by a photocell.
- the plates 21 and 22 are pushed together to receive the bread being fed along by the conveyor 11 and pusher 19.
- the loaves are aligned and packed tightly together on plates 21 and 22 by the stationary alignment plates 23, 25 and the movable plate 24 and pusher 19. At the same time as the plates 21 and 22 are pushed together, a tray 7 is carried in below the plates 21 and 22 and will therefore be located immediately below the loaves.
- the compressed-air cylinders 40-45 are now raised through the holes in the bottom plate 27 and through holes in the tray 7 and will rest against the lower side of the plates 21 and 22.
- the plates 21 and 22 are now moved apart so that the loaves at or close to their mid-points will rest on one or more cylinders.
- the length of the loaves somewhat exceeds the distance between the sides of the tray opposite each other and parallel to the direction of feed.
- the elongate members 30 and 31 are lowered towards the short sides of the loaves.
- the loaves will now be subjected to a downwardly directed force at the outer ends while the cylinders exert an upwardly directed force near to the middle of the lower side of the loaves.
- the loaves will thus be slightly curved, enabling the ends to be inserted into the tray.
- the cylinders 40-45 are lowered and the loaves are then guided fully down into the tray by the pressure from the elongate members 30 and 31.
- the holes 280-285 do not extend quite to the side edges of the bottom plate 27 perpendicular to the direction of feed.
- the outermost loaves 1 and 6 are thus not subjected to upwardly directed force at or near to their outwardly facing long sides. These sides will therefore be more easily guided into the tray, by the downwardly directed force from the elongate members 30 and 31.
- the tray is full it is removed by the unit 50 in the direction of feed.
- six new loaves can be supplied to the feeding unit 10 before packing of the preceding six loaves is complete.
- the speed of the cycle and the duration of the various stages is set by computer.
- the method and means for packing according to the invention are not limited to packing bread but are generally applicable.
- the invention allows yielding objects to be combined to a unit which is subjected to an upwardly directed force against the lower side of the objects and to a downwardly directed force at or near the periphery of the units on the upper side.
- the lower side of the unit in the horizontal plane will therefore have smaller area than its upper side in the horizontal plane.
- the unit is therefore wedge-shaped and can easily be inserted into the container.
- Holes 280-285 and cylinders 40-45 may be optionally arranged over the whole or parts of the bottom plate 27. All, or an optional number of cylinders may be activated by a computer 60. This enables objects of different sizes and different location in the container can be packed. Other parts of the upper side of the objects than said periphery may also be influenced by a downwardly directed force by an alternative design of the members 30 and 31.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a method of automatically and continuously packing an optional number of yielding objects in a container. The invention also relates to a means for performing the method of packing said objects.
- Known methods of packing yielding objects are based on manual packing into containers or automized packing where the full space available in the container is not utilized. Ways have been sought in the food industry and bakeries to enable better and more economic use to be made of existing space in a standard packing tray or crate.
- The object of the present invention is to solve said problem of automized packing comprising feeding objects to be packed to a container, packing the objects in the container and removing the full container. This is achieved in that the objects are subjected to a downwardly directed force around all or a part of their periphery, and to an upwardly directed force against their lower sides to guide them into the container, the upwardly directed force being subsequently discontinued and the objects in their entirety being pressed down in the container by the continuing downwardly directed force.
- The object of the present invention is also to provide a means for performing the packing method described above.
- Additional embodiments and features of the present invention are revealed in the accompanying claims.
- One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Figure 1 shows the packing means according to the invention,
- Figures 2-4 show the packing unit and
- Figures 5-7 show a packing cycle.
- The
feeder 10 comprises acontinuous conveyor 11 running around twohorizontal rollers Guide plates pusher 19 extends substantially transversely across the full width of the conveyor. - A
bottom plate 27 is arranged in thepacking unit 20, on which thetray 7 rests during packing. An arbitary number of through-holes 280-285 are provided along the mid-line of thebottom plate 27 and on both sides of this in the direction of feed. In the example shown, the holes 280-285 are arranged in three rows. The rows shown here extend not quite to the edges of thebottom plate 27 perpendicular to the direction of feed. The reason for this will be explained later on. Vertically movable members 40-45 can be passed through the holes 280-285. The vertically movable members consist here of compressed-air cylinders. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the cylinders protrude through the holes when raised and are withdrawn below the horizontal plane of thebottom plate 27 when lowered. The compressed-air cylinders are operated by a compressed-air source and are in communication with each other so that the pressure is distributed uniformly between the cylinders. This is particularly valuable if the cylinders are subjected to uneven load, since pressure- equalization is then obtained. Alternatively, the cylinders may be permanently joined together. Thebottom plate 27 is also provided with ventilation apertures 290-295 which facilitate the removal of air during packing. Thetray 7 is located on thebottom plate 27 during packing, and arranged so that cylinders 40-45 can be passed up through the holes in the bottom of the tray. The packer is also provided with twohorizontal plates plates conveyor 11. Twoelongate members longitudinal members elongate members arms plates Plates plate 24 is movable perpendicularly to the direction of feed. - A driver (not shown) is arranged below the
plate 22 to assist in feeding an empty tray fromunit 50. Since theplate 22 moves perpendicularly to the direction of feed of the bread, the direction of feed of the trays will also be perpendicular to that of the bread. The means according to the invention functions automatically and continuously and is set and controlled by computer. The loaves 1-6 are placed in arbitrary manner one after the other on theconveyor 11, with their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the direction of feed. The number of loaves, in this case six, is counted by a photocell. Theplates conveyor 11 andpusher 19. The loaves are aligned and packed tightly together onplates stationary alignment plates movable plate 24 andpusher 19. At the same time as theplates tray 7 is carried in below theplates bottom plate 27 and through holes in thetray 7 and will rest against the lower side of theplates plates elongate members elongate members bottom plate 27 perpendicular to the direction of feed. Theoutermost loaves elongate members unit 50 in the direction of feed. In the cycle described above six new loaves can be supplied to thefeeding unit 10 before packing of the preceding six loaves is complete. The speed of the cycle and the duration of the various stages is set by computer. - The method and means for packing according to the invention are not limited to packing bread but are generally applicable. The invention allows yielding objects to be combined to a unit which is subjected to an upwardly directed force against the lower side of the objects and to a downwardly directed force at or near the periphery of the units on the upper side. The lower side of the unit in the horizontal plane will therefore have smaller area than its upper side in the horizontal plane. The unit is therefore wedge-shaped and can easily be inserted into the container.
- Holes 280-285 and cylinders 40-45 may be optionally arranged over the whole or parts of the
bottom plate 27. All, or an optional number of cylinders may be activated by a computer 60. This enables objects of different sizes and different location in the container can be packed. Other parts of the upper side of the objects than said periphery may also be influenced by a downwardly directed force by an alternative design of themembers
Claims (8)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE8600450A SE457632B (en) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-02-03 | PROVIDED TO PACKAGE SUBJECT OBJECTIVES AND A DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SET |
SE8600450 | 1986-02-03 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0233165A2 true EP0233165A2 (en) | 1987-08-19 |
EP0233165A3 EP0233165A3 (en) | 1988-08-31 |
Family
ID=20363318
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP87850034A Withdrawn EP0233165A3 (en) | 1986-02-03 | 1987-02-02 | A method of packing yielding objects and a means for performing the method |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0233165A3 (en) |
SE (1) | SE457632B (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE954139C (en) * | 1953-11-06 | 1956-12-13 | Natronzellstoff Und Papierfabr | Device for inserting packages into an envelope, e.g. Bag, box, box or the like. |
FR1511520A (en) * | 1966-02-16 | 1968-01-26 | Robinson E S & A Ltd | Cardboard box forming and filling machine |
US3645069A (en) * | 1970-07-09 | 1972-02-29 | Fred L Waite | Packing device for baked goods |
GB2009702A (en) * | 1977-11-29 | 1979-06-20 | Smedley Hp Foods Ltd | Loading articles into open- topped containers |
-
1986
- 1986-02-03 SE SE8600450A patent/SE457632B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1987
- 1987-02-02 EP EP87850034A patent/EP0233165A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE954139C (en) * | 1953-11-06 | 1956-12-13 | Natronzellstoff Und Papierfabr | Device for inserting packages into an envelope, e.g. Bag, box, box or the like. |
FR1511520A (en) * | 1966-02-16 | 1968-01-26 | Robinson E S & A Ltd | Cardboard box forming and filling machine |
US3645069A (en) * | 1970-07-09 | 1972-02-29 | Fred L Waite | Packing device for baked goods |
GB2009702A (en) * | 1977-11-29 | 1979-06-20 | Smedley Hp Foods Ltd | Loading articles into open- topped containers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
SE8600450L (en) | 1987-08-04 |
SE8600450D0 (en) | 1986-02-03 |
EP0233165A3 (en) | 1988-08-31 |
SE457632B (en) | 1989-01-16 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19900516 |
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RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: SOHLBERG, OERJAN Inventor name: BROSTROEM, ULF |