EP0930137A2 - Method and apparatus for feeding an article - Google Patents

Abstract

The cheese or a similar flexible item (11) to be cut is transported to the cutting device (13) on a conveyor belt (15) or on rolls which are accelerated or slowed down in speed as needed. To prevent the item (11) from unwanted movement on the transport device (15) it is held in position by a belt moving on rolls (29,30,33,34) from above and pushed by a rectangular pushing plate (26) from the back. Both units (26,29) are controlled by an electrical drive (24) and can be adjusted and operated individually. An Independent claim is included for a device for transporting such items.

Description

The invention relates to a method for transporting a on a support surface lying object in the direction of a processing device, in particular a cutting device and a device to carry out this procedure.

With such a method or such a device, the Object to be transported to the processing device processed there, for example cut into pieces or slices become. The item lies on a conveyor belt during transport or on rolls. Often parts of the item have to be in sequence be edited, which is a gradual acceleration and deceleration of the object in the direction of the processing device.

In known methods or devices, excessive acceleration leads or delaying the item to an unintended one Slipping of the object with respect to the contact surface, which affects the positional accuracy of the object with respect to the contact surface or the processing device worsened. Conversely, one reduces to avoid acceleration or deceleration of this effect is chosen as low the dynamics of machining and thus prevents high performance of transported and processed objects.

In addition, flexible or compressible items in particular change during their processing in the processing device easily their position in terms of the contact surface, which further deteriorates the position accuracy.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus create through which an object lying on a support surface with high dynamics and speed in precise position Direction of a processing device can be transported. Farther the method and the device should enable the object also during its processing in the processing facility maintains its position with respect to the contact surface and not inadvertently changes.

According to a first principle of the invention, this object is achieved by that at least at times a slider on the back of the item arranged and in synchronization with the transport movement of the object is moved, and that also in synchronism with the transport movement of the object and driven in the direction of this transport movement Hold down on the top of the object.

The object is thus in transit between the hold-down device and the support surface is clamped; thereby he is regarding one unintentional movement both in the vertical direction and in Stabilized direction of transport movement. By the to the transport movement of the object synchronous drive of the hold-down takes place this transport movement even at high accelerations or Delays without unintentional, due to the inertia of the object Conditional slipping of the object. This enables a high Dynamics of transportation and subsequent processing. Moreover the driven hold-down has compared to a rigid hold-down the advantage that he during the transport of the object to be held down does not have to be moved up and down.

In addition, at least temporarily a slider is placed on the back of the item created. In this context, that side of the Item referred to as the reverse, which is opposite to the direction of the intended Transport movement of the object points. By concern The slider on the back of the item becomes an undesirable one Movement of the object against the direction of it Transport movement prevents what the position accuracy and accuracy the transport movement further increased.

The slide and the hold-down are used to achieve these stabilizing effects moved in synchronism with the transport movement of the object or driven. The actual drive of the object preferably takes place to its transport movement essentially by a corresponding one Movement of the support surface, especially as a conveyor belt is trained. In this case, the movement of the slide or the drive of the hold-down supports the drive movement the contact surface.

According to a second principle of the invention, the Invention a slide at least temporarily on the back of one arranged on a support surface and synchronous moved to a transport movement of the object, the slider at the earliest at the back of the object, while part of the item is already through the processing device is processed, especially if one or two pieces already have been separated. The object is processed on the opposite side of the item. A part of the object is already considered in this context as processed by the machining device when using a first Processing step has been started.

This process also makes an unintended use of the slider The object slips against the direction of it Transport movement prevented. However, this principle of invention lies Understanding that in many cases prevention is sufficient one by moving or manipulating the item slipping of the object caused by the processing device this only in an advanced stage of processing to stabilize. At the beginning of editing, especially if only one small part of the item separated from the remaining item namely, prevents the object from rubbing against it a sufficient amount of slipping on the contact surface.

According to this second principle of the invention, the slide does not have to be arranged from the outset on the back of the object. Thereby can process the item without delay be started what the possible machining rate in the machining facility advantageously increased.

For this, it is particularly possible, after complete processing of a previous object the slide against the transport direction to move back the item to be processed next, during this object to be processed already to the processing device transported and partially processed.

Especially in the context of this second, even without a driven hold-down working principle of invention is particularly special Advantage of moving the slider to the back of the device at such a time Bring object to which in the direction of the processing device facing side of the object from a processing means, for example a cutting means is supported. This will cause an unintentional Movement caused by moving the slide of the object in the direction of the processing device prevented.

The object of the invention is based on a third principle of the invention solved by a method in which a slide at least at times the back of an object lying on a support surface and is moved synchronously with its transport movement and the slider to guide it away from the back of the item is pivoted out of the movement path of the object such that the pivot point of this pivoting movement is outside, in particular above, the trajectory of the object is located.

By placing the pivot point of the pivoting movement outside the path is within which the object is transported, the Slider also partially a movement as part of the swivel movement parallel to the direction of the object's transport movement.

This makes it possible to achieve a higher transport performance, in particular if the pivot point already coincides with the swivel movement against the transport direction of the object in the direction of it Back is performed (see. Fig. 3a and 3b).

The object of the invention is also achieved by a device with a support surface for receiving one in the direction of a processing device object to be transported, with a slide that at least temporarily led to the back of the item and synchronized can be moved to the transport movement of the object, as well as with a hold-down that fits in with the top of the item Contacted and synchronized with the transport movement of the object and are driven in the direction of this transport movement can, this device in particular for carrying out one of the The method explained above is formed.

The in connection with the method according to the three principles of the invention The advantages explained can thus also be applied to this device transfer.

The invention proves to be particularly effective when it object to be transported and processed around an essentially elongated as well as flexible or compressible object acts, such as a cheese bar.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the subclaims described. In particular, any combination of the three principles of the invention mentioned, such as Combination of the delayed movement of a slide to the rear of the object to be processed with the swiveling movement of the Slide by means of a swivel arm.

Fig. 1a und 1b

eine schematische Seitenansicht bzw. Draufsicht einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß` dem ersten erfindungsgemäßen Prinzip,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß dem zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Prinzip, und

Fig. 3a und 3b

eine schematische Seitenansicht bzw. Draufsicht einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß dem dritten Erfindungsprinzip.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings; in these show:

1a and 1b

1 shows a schematic side view or top view of an apparatus for carrying out a method according to the first principle according to the invention

Fig. 2

is a schematic side view of an apparatus for performing a method according to the second principle of the invention, and

3a and 3b

is a schematic side view or plan view of an apparatus for performing a method according to the third principle of the invention.

Figures 1a and 1b show a schematic side view and plan view a device for transporting an object 11, for example an elongated cheese bar, towards a cutting device 13. The object 11 is on the serving as a support surface Top of an endless conveyor belt 15. This is over three conveyor rollers 16, 17, 18 stretched and with its top in a transport direction A movable. The transport rollers 16, 17, 18 are over waves 20, 21 and 22 with a behind with respect to the representation of FIG. 1a the conveyor belt 15 arranged drive unit 24 connected.

On the back, i.e. on the opposite side of the transport direction A. A flat slide 26 is arranged at the end of the object 11, via a guide bracket 27 also with the drive unit 24 connected is. There is the guide bracket 27 along a closed Loop extending, partially dashed in Fig. 1a Guide rail 28 out.

At the end of the conveyor belt 15 located in the transport direction A. attacks a hold-down device 29 on the top of the object 11. This has an endless hold-down band 30, which by two over waves 31, 32 drive rollers 33 and 34 connected to the drive unit 24 is spanned. The hold-down belt 30 is perpendicular to the transport direction A is lower and in the direction of transport A is essential smaller expansion than the conveyor belt 15.

The drive unit 24 has drive means not shown in the figures on to drive the conveyor belt 15 or its transport rollers 16, 17, 18, the slider 26 and the hold-down band 30 or its Drive rollers 33, 34. These drive means each include one another synchronized servo motors.

The cutting device 13 is the conveyor belt 15 and the hold-down device 29 arranged immediately adjacent in the transport direction A. she has a downward cutting blade 36 which extends from the Drive unit 24 in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the transport direction A extends along the entire width of the conveyor belt 15. On the drive unit 24, the cutting blade 36 is within one Guide rail 37 guided, which extends in the vertical direction from the top of the conveyor belt 15 extends to the level of the hold-down 29.

In the direction of transport A with respect to the cutting device 13 is a conveyor belt 39 for the removal of those cut off from the object 11 Pieces arranged. On the top of the conveyor 39, which is approximately level with the top of the conveyor belt 15, such is by means of the cutting device 13 of the object 11 separated and recognized by 90 ° tilted piece 41. In the figures only the left part of the conveyor belt 39 is shown, where it by a conveyor roller 44 which is connected via a shaft 43 to the drive unit 24 is connected, is stretched.

The conveyor belt 15 serves to bring the object 11 in Direction A of the processing device 13 and there step by step Transport: After each transport step, i.e. after stopping again of the conveyor belt 15, the cutting blade 36 along the Guide rail 37 - as indicated by the vertical arrow B - in led vertically down and up again to a Piece with a width of the object corresponding to the transport step 11 separate and to tilt on the conveyor belt 39. Subsequently the conveyor belt 15 by a further transport step moved on, while at the same time tilted onto the conveyor belt 39 Piece 41 is conveyed away from this in direction A, for example to a packaging facility.

According to the method according to the first principle of the invention Slider 26 at least temporarily during the transportation of the object 11 arranged at the rear. The slider 26 becomes synchronous moved to the transport movement of the object 11. Thereby on the one hand, it supports the transport movement of the object 11 since a slipping of the object 11 against the direction A at too high Acceleration of the object 11 by means of the conveyor belt 15 in Direction A is prevented. On the other hand, the slide 26 prevents one in particular by the width of the cutting blade 36 or by a soft, flexible consistency of the object 11 conditional slipping of the Item 11 during a cutting operation with the machine stationary Conveyor belt 15.

For this purpose, the slider 26 is along the lower part of the guide rail 28 in the horizontal direction until the last cut Guided up to the cutting device 13. After cutting of the last piece, the slider 26 will go back a short distance, i.e. against direction A, and drove past hold-down 29, to along the top of the guide rail 28 to the beginning, i.e. the opposite end of the conveyor belt 15 to be led. Meanwhile, a subsequent one is already in progress Object in continuous motion by means of the conveyor belt 15, i.e. without intermediate braking, past the slider 26 transported in the direction of the cutting device 13.

According to the invention, the hold-down device also supports the slide 26 29 the transport movement of the object 11. By making a exerts light pressure force on the object 11 and in synchronism with it Transport movement is driven, it increases the static friction of the Item 11 with respect to the conveyor belt 15 and caused by its own contact with the item 11 further friction. The hold-down device 29 thereby prevents unintentional slipping of the item 11 with respect to the conveyor belt 15 both during a transport movement or an acceleration required for this or delay, as well as during a by the cutter 13 performed on the stationary object 11 processing operation.

Furthermore, the hold-down device 29 prevents the object from moving upward 11 when starting up the cutting blade 36, and it can be premature Overturning of the last piece cut from item 11 prevent or an intentional overturning of such a piece in Arrange direction of conveyor 39. The hold-down 29 can alternatively to the structure as a hold-down belt 30 also as a driven one Hold-down roller be formed.

Thus, the combination of slide 26 and hold-down 29 for the device shown in Figures 1a and 1b and for the above described method a particularly high dynamic: the subject 11 can for each machining operation in the cutting device 13 fast, i.e. with high acceleration or deceleration, around one Step are transported in the direction of the cutting device 13.

By slipping the object 11 during its transportation or its processing by the slide 26 and the hold-down device 29 is prevented, a high position accuracy and fidelity is achieved. For these functions, the effect of the slide 26 and the of the hold-down 29 each other.

2 shows a further device for transporting an object 11 shown in the direction of a cutting device 13, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1a and 1b each the same or similar Designate parts.

In contrast to the device according to FIGS. 1a and 1b this device does not hold down, and the guide rail 28 of the Slider 26 has a purely annular and against the direction of transport A less extension. It is also on the conveyor belt 15 with respect to the transport direction A behind the object 11 following object 46 shown, the conveyor belt 15 straight is fed.

In the device according to FIG. 2, the object 11 is by the Conveyor belt 15 gradually in direction A to the cutting device 13 transported while in this after completion of each transport step by vertical movement of the cutting blade 36 individual pieces 41 be separated from the object 11. 2 is a time of Transport and cutting process shown, for which the cutting of a previous item has ended, so that this previous item just the last one on the conveyor 39 located piece 41 can be seen.

According to the method according to the second principle of the invention after this time, the object 11 to be cut next transported to the cutting device 13, immediately after the slider 26 along the guide rail 28 in the vertical direction led out of the transport movement path of the object 11 has been. Subsequently, the object is already processed 11 started by the cutter 13 during the Slide 26 still against the transport direction A of the object 11 is moved along the upper part of the guide rail 28.

Only then does the slide 26 move back down into the movement path of item 11 when e.g. already two pieces of the item 11 have been separated and the back of the item 11 the rear section of the guide rail 28 with respect to the direction A happened. Then the slider 26 is on the back of the item 11 created while the conveyor belt 15 and thus the object 11 stands still and the cutting blade 36 assumes a lower position, in which they are the end of the object in the direction of transport A. 11 supports.

The slide 26 also takes over in the device or the method 2 the function, the object 11 compared to an unintentional Slip movement against direction A to support a allow higher acceleration and thus higher dynamics. By moving the slider 26 to the rear only at one point in time of the object 11 is brought up to the opposite of the rear Side of the item 11 is already processed, the for reversing or approaching the back of the object 11 time not required for the actual processing of the object 11 lost; the rate at which the item 11 is processing, for example can be cut, is thus further increased.

Of course, it is also possible to apply this principle of the invention to a To use the device or a method in which additionally a rigid hold-down or a moving hold-down like this one Figures 1a and 1b prevents an upward movement of the object 11.

Figures 3a and 3b show a schematic side view and plan view another device for transporting an object 11 in Direction of a cutting device 13. The same reference numerals are used here same as in the figures described above or similar parts.

In contrast to the devices described above, the Slide 26 along only in the horizontal direction on the drive unit 24 extending guide rail 28 out. It's a along the slide 28 guided slide 48 provided with the the slider 26 via an L-shaped in plan view according to FIG. 3b Swivel arm 50 is connected. The swivel arm 50 has two in vertical Staggered towards each other and parallel arms arranged in parallel 51, 52, each with one end on the carriage 48 and with the the other end on the side of the slide facing the drive unit 24 26 are articulated.

Furthermore, the slider 26 has two circular segment-shaped, in the transport direction A and claws 53 extendable downwards, which are shown in the figures 3a and 3b are shown in dashed lines in a state in which they engage a last piece 54 of a preceding item.

The device shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b is also used for gradual transport and cutting of the item 11. The at the Rear of the object 11 arranged and moved synchronously with this Slider 26 prevents the object 11 from sliding back during its transportation or during its processing. The two Claws 53 prevent the piece 54 from tipping over after the latter the last one has been cut from an object. By driving back the claw 53 can tilt this piece 54 to a desired one Time can be made possible, supported or initiated.

The inventive design of the slide 26 with a Swivel arm 50 enables a particularly simple drive and a easy control of the movement of the slide 26 since the slide 48 to drive the slide 26 parallel to the transport direction A only must be moved in a straight line in the horizontal direction, and there to lead out of the slider 26 from the movement path of the object 11 or simply swivel into this trajectory a simple, pivoting movement decoupled from the horizontal movement must be carried out. For this purpose, the drive unit 24 in the figures 3a and 3b drive means, not shown, through which the Carriage 48 or the pivot point of the swivel arm 50 along the guide rail 28 can be moved, regardless of and thus simultaneously with a pivoting movement of the pivot arm 50.

According to the method according to the third principle of the invention Pivotal point for moving the slider 26 away from the rear of the Item 11 and from the path of movement of the item 11 required Swivel movement above the movement path of the object 11 arranged, namely on the carriage 48. This follows the slide 26 when swiveling around this fulcrum of a circular movement 56 so that it simultaneously becomes a vertical component of motion also experiences a movement component parallel to the transport direction A.

Thus, according to a first alternative, the carriage 48 during the Swinging up the slide 26 at the same time along the guide rail 28 is driven to a backward movement 58, the Slider 26 not only the circular movement 56, but simultaneously also the backward movement 58 through. Through suitable coordination of these two movements 56, 58 it is possible to move the slide 26 to one with respect to the cutting device 13 or the conveyor belt 15 to cause vertical upward movement. Because the carriage 48 here during the upward movement of the slide 26 already in the direction of Back of the object 11 is moved, the slider 26 can thus moved faster to the back of this item 11 and the item 11 subsequently accordingly faster through the slide 26 be stabilized.

According to a second alternative, the pivot point or the carriage 48 during the pivoting movement 56 of the pivot arm 50 in its position are left, so that at the same time to swing up the Slider 26 already the object 11 in the transport direction A to the Cutting device 13 can be transported because the slide 26 with the circular movement 56 also performs a certain movement in the direction A.

With the two aforementioned alternatives, the method according to the third principle of the invention helps to increase the rate at which items 11 can be edited.

By designing the swivel arm 50 with the two parallel arms 51, 52 ensures that the slide 26 during pivoting out from the plane of movement of the object 11 or pivoting in in this maintains its orientation, in particular that its side surface arranged on the back of the object 11 is parallel to this remains. This allows between an object 11 and a short distance is provided for a subsequent object 46 that is only slightly larger than the extension of the slide 26 in transport direction A.

This method thus allows, in particular, in combination with the second principle of the invention, according to which the object 11 has already been processed is while the slider 26 is still moving back and to the Back of the object 11 is brought up, the objects 11, 46 with only small distances from each other and thus in particular feed faster sequence of the cutting device 13 so that this with high and almost continuous performance.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

11

object

13

Cutting device

15

Conveyor belt

16

Transport roller

17th

Transport roller

18th

Transport roller

20th

wave

21

wave

22

wave

24th

Drive unit

26

Slider

27

Guide bracket

28

Guide rail

29

Hold-down

30th

Hold-down strap

31

wave

32

wave

33

Drive roller

34

Drive roller

36

Cutting blade

37

Guide rail

39

Conveyor belt

41

piece

43

wave

44

Conveyor role

46

object

48

carriage

50

Swivel arm

51

Parallel arm

52

Parallel arm

53

claw

54

piece

56

circular motion

58

Backward movement

A

Direction of transport

B

Cutting motion

Claims (12)

Method for transporting an object (11) resting on a support surface (15) in the direction of a processing, in particular cutting device (13),
characterized, that at least at times a slide (26) is arranged on the back of the object (11) and moved in synchronism with the transport movement of the object (11), and that a hold-down device (29), which is also driven synchronously with the transport movement of the object (11) and in the direction of this transport movement, acts on the upper side of the object (11). Method according to claim 1,
characterized, that the transport movement of the object (11) is essentially caused by a corresponding movement of the support surface (15) and / or the synchronous drive of the hold-down device (29) and / or the synchronous movement of the slide (26). Method for transporting an object (11) resting on a support surface (15) in the direction of a processing, in particular cutting device (13),
wherein at least temporarily a slide (26) is arranged on the back of the object (11) and moved in synchronism with a transport movement of the object (11), and
the method being carried out in particular according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized, that the slide (26) is brought to the back of the object (11) at the earliest when part of the object (11) has already been processed by the processing device, in particular one or two pieces have been cut off. Method according to claim 3,
characterized, that an object to be processed (11) is transported in the direction of the processing device and at least a part of the object (11) is processed by the processing device (13), while the slide (26) following the processing of a preceding object against the transport direction of the object (11) to be processed is moved back. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized, that the slide (26) is brought up to the back of the object (11) at a time at which the side of the object (11) opposite the back is essentially carried out by a processing means of the processing device (13), in particular a cutting means (36) is supported. Method for transporting an object (11) resting on a support surface (15) in the direction of a processing, in particular cutting device (13),
wherein at least temporarily a slide (26) is arranged on the back of the object (11) and moved in synchronism with a transport movement of the object (11), and
the method being carried out in particular according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized, that to move the slide (26) from the back of the object (11) the slide (26) is pivoted out of the path of movement of the object (11) such that the pivot point (48) of this pivoting movement is outside, in particular above, the path of movement of the Item (11) is located. Method according to claim 6,
characterized, that during the pivoting out of the slide (26) away from the rear and out of the movement path of the object (11) the pivot point (48) of the pivoting movement of the slide (26) is moved against the transport direction of a subsequent object (46) and / or a subsequent one Object (46) is transported in the direction of the processing device (13). Device for transporting an object (11) in the direction of a processing, in particular cutting device (13), in particular according to a method according to one of the preceding claims,
featured
by a support surface (15) for receiving the object (11) during its transport, by a slide (26) which can be moved at least temporarily to the rear of the object (11) and can be moved synchronously with the transport movement of the object (11), and
by a hold-down device (29) which can be brought into contact with the upper side of the object (11) and can be driven in synchronism with the transport movement of the object (11) and in the direction of this transport movement. Device according to claim 8,
featured
by drive means for driving the support surface (15), the hold-down device (29) and / or the slide (26) in synchronism with the transport movement of the object (11), preferably at least one of the drive means mentioned having a servo or stepper motor. Device according to one of claims 8 to 9,
characterized, that the slide (26) is arranged on a swivel arm (50) through which the slide (26) can be swiveled away from the rear of the object (11), the pivot point (48) of the swivel arm (50) being outside, in particular above , the path of movement of the object (11), and / or that the device has a drive means which is suitable for driving the pivot point (48) of the swivel arm (50), in particular in a straight line (58) and / or at the same time for a swivel movement (56) of the swivel arm (50). Device according to one of claims 8 to 10,
characterized, that the slide (26) has a slide surface, the surface normal of which, in particular during the pivoting of the slide (26) away from the rear of the object (11), points essentially in the transport direction of the object (11), and / or that the slide (26) has at least one particularly extendable claw (53) for holding the object (11) or a part thereof after the slide (26) has been brought up to the rear of the object (11), and / or that the hold-down device (29) has an endless belt (30) or a roller which can be driven synchronously with the transport movement of the object (11). Method or device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized, that the object (11) is an essentially elongated and flexible and / or compressible object, in particular a cheese bar, and / or that the transport of the object (11) takes place step by step at least temporarily.

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