EP1336565A2 - Apparatus and method for placing single articles in containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A picker unit (5) inserts a number of piece goods (3) from a conveyor (1) into a container (4). The remaining number of piece goods required to fill the container is transferred via the picker unit from the conveyor into a transfer unit that in turn transfers these goods to the container. An Independent claim is also included for a process in inserting individual piece goods into containers.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for Inserting individual piece goods in containers according to the generic term of claims 1 and 12 respectively.

State of the art

EP-A-1'078'855 discloses an apparatus by means of which Product groups, especially biscuits, with high reliability can be used in packaging containers. The device has frontal support means, which accordingly can be adapted to the group length. Further the device has first holding rods which are the product group wear before being guided by means of second holding rods moved down and inserted into the container.

Furthermore WO 01/02250 discloses a packaging device in which the piece goods individually on a conveyor belt to a Filling station are brought where they are in vertical Containers are stacked. For this, the container around the Height of a piece goods moved down, so the next one General cargo can fall from the conveyor into the container.

Furthermore, EP-A-1'160'166 discloses an apparatus for Inserting individual piece goods in a container, in which the piece goods individually placed in a container by a conveyor become. For this purpose picker units, preferably delta robots, used, which are provided with gripping means. With this type of container filling, the problem arises that the container can hardly be filled completely, because the gripping means take up too much space during insertion would. This problem is solved in the prior art by that the containers have a special shape, which allow a maximum degree of filling. For example, point the containers have a bulge at one end, into which the gripping means can protrude. An adaptation of the However, container shape is not desirable because of the shape of the packaging should be as flexible as possible to all marketing and To be able to meet market needs. Also impossible Product tolerances and container movements a complete Filling the containers, including those with the adapted ones To form. Furthermore, the piece goods already filled in with the robot or the other insertion devices often squeezed a little to make room for introduction of the last general cargo. However, this leads to a poorly adjusted control system that already in Containing general cargo can be damaged.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention, a device and a Procedure for inserting individual piece goods into containers create which, regardless of the container shape, a complete Allow the container to be filled.

This object is achieved by a device and a method using the Features of claims 1 and 12 respectively.

The device according to the invention has a first conveyor for the supply of individual piece goods and a second conveyor for Feed the containers on. With at least one picker unit x piece goods are individually placed in a container, which could hold a total of N piece goods, with N larger than x is. For filling the container with the last N-x In accordance with the invention, piece goods is a separate conversion unit available, which the corresponding number of piece goods of at least receives a picker unit and the piece goods in the Container.

This allows for the almost complete filling of the The fast and flexibly programmable Pikker units, especially use delta robots. For the The last piece goods per container is the special transfer unit available, which pushes these piece goods into the container or let them fall in and not into the Container must intervene.

The conversion unit according to the invention has a temporary storage unit or an intermediate conveyor unit to which the at least one picker unit transfers the piece goods. Preferably there is also a pushing device, which with the intermediate storage or intermediate conveyor unit interacts and by means of which the piece goods in the narrow, still remaining Remaining space of the container can be introduced.

In one embodiment, the intermediate conveyor unit moves at least approximately in synchronization with the second conveyor, which the already almost completely filled containers are transported.

In another embodiment, both the insertion means as well as the intermediate storage unit is stationary.

Thanks to the device according to the invention, any shaped, in particular rectangular containers, complete to fill. Impact product tolerances and container movements the filling no longer. In addition, there is no pressure necessary when inserting the last piece goods.

Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent ones Claims.

Brief description of the drawing

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung von oben in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäss Figur 1 in einer ersten Arbeitsposition;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäss Figur 1 in einer zweiten Arbeitsposition;

Figur 4

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung von oben in einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 5

eine seitliche Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäss Figur 4 und

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung in einer dritten Ausführungsform.

The subject matter of the invention is explained below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic view of an inventive device from above in a first embodiment;

Figure 2

a perspective view of the device according to Figure 1 in a first working position;

Figure 3

a perspective view of the device according to Figure 1 in a second working position;

Figure 4

a schematic view of an inventive device from above in a second embodiment;

Figure 5

a side view of the device according to Figure 4 and

Figure 6

a perspective view of an inventive device in a third embodiment.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

In Figure 1, the inventive device is in a first Embodiment shown. It has a first sponsor 1, for example a rotating conveyor belt, the upper run runs horizontally. On this first conveyor 1 are individual piece goods 3 in an orderly or unordered Formation promoted to a packing station. In this Packing station is a second conveyor 2, which can also be a rotating conveyor belt. On this second conveyor 2, containers 4 are transported empty and transported away filled. The two conveyors 1, 2 preferably have conveying directions running parallel to one another on. Container 4 and general cargo 3 can, as in the Figure 1 is shown with arrows, run in direct current. However, it is also possible that they are in different Directions, especially in countercurrent. The containers 4 are preferably opposite the horizontal one Level and arranged inclined towards the first conveyor 1 to a Filling the piece goods 3 to facilitate.

The piece goods 3 are in a known manner by means of picker units with gripping means, in particular by means of so-called delta robots, picked up by the first conveyor 1 and into the container 4 laid. Several picker units are usually in Delivery direction arranged one behind the other. These picker units fill the container 4 as far as possible, being in upper area of the container 4 facing away from the first conveyor a still empty space 40 remains. This means, Containers that can actually hold N piece goods only filled with a number x piece goods, where x <N. Containers 3 which are almost completely filled in this way are now by means of of the second conveyor 2 in the area of the invention Implementation unit U brought.

This conversion unit U has a buffer unit or an intermediate conveyor unit and preferably an insertion means on. There is also a last picker unit in its area 5, for example a delta robot with a suction cup, arranged. This picker unit 5 can only be used for Inserting the last piece goods 3 are used. It is however, it is also possible that they are at least partially for the filling of the container 4 with the x piece goods 3 used becomes.

In the example shown here, there is an intermediate unit which is designed as a conveyor belt 6. The investment belt 6 is guided around two deflection rollers 60. It stretches at least one section in the conveying direction of the second Conveyor 2. It has a contact surface 61, which in one Angle, for example of 90 °, with the second conveyor 2 is aligned. The angle advantageously corresponds at least approximately the angle which the piece goods 3 has in its end position in the container 4. The conveyor belt 6 is in a preferred embodiment, movable around the deflection rollers, wherein it is at least approximately in sync with the second Conveyor 2 moves. However, it can also be designed to be stationary his.

As shown in Figure 2, the fetches at least one last Picker unit 5 a piece goods 3 from the first conveyor and sets this to the contact surface 61 of the contact belt 6, as shown in Figure 3 is shown. The general cargo either slips gravity and thanks to a suitable surface finish of the contact surface 61 partially in the empty space 40 of the container into it. However, it can also be done using the picker unit partially push it down into container 4. Depending on the type of piece goods 3 and surface quality of the contact surface 61 it is now possible for it to completely move in by itself the container 4 slips, as is the case after the picker unit 5 Container 4 'is visible.

In the preferred embodiments, however, is an insertion means available, which is arranged downstream. In In this example, it is an insertion bar 70 which over the second conveyor 2 arranged at an acute angle to this is, in the direction of conveyance to the second conveyor 2 and thus tends towards the containers 4. The last filled General cargo 3 are from the container 4 or in the case of rotating conveyor belt 6 of this together with the container 4 promoted towards the sliding bar 70. There they will completely inserted into the container 4, which is now his Final packaging can be supplied. This means that this at least one last picker unit the missing ones Pour N-x piece goods 3 gently into container 4. This embodiment has the advantage that the conversion unit U consists of relatively few parts, so they the entire system is not expensive. It is also for anyone Forming piece goods can be used and must be when changing the piece goods are not adjusted accordingly. A Synchronization between the second conveyor 2 and the transfer unit is not mandatory, which is also the control facilitated.

In Figure 4 is a second embodiment of the invention Device shown. Here is a first one too Conveyor 1 for feeding the individual piece goods 3 and a second conveyor 2 for feeding the containers 4 is present. Here the piece goods 3 and the container 4 in countercurrent transported up, but other directions are also possible are. The containers are in turn preferably in one Angle to the horizontal plane in which the piece goods are conveyed are transported. The conversion unit according to the invention in this embodiment has a third conveyor 6 ' on which in the upper region of the container 4 between the first and second conveyor is arranged. Preferably moved he synchronized and at least in sections in the same Direction of conveyance as the second conveyor 2 or as the container 4 transported thereon and in turn has one Angle at which of the desired end position of the piece goods 3 in container 4 corresponds. The third conveyor 6 'is preferred a rotating belt conveyor. The last picker unit, which is not shown here, now places the last N-x General cargo 3 on the third conveyor 6 '. Preferably be already placed them at a distance on the third conveyor 6 ', which corresponds to the distance between the containers 4. Should be more are introduced as a last piece of goods 3 into a container 4, so are the transport speeds of the second and third conveyor 2, 6 'synchronized accordingly and / or the distance between those placed on the third conveyor 6 ' General cargo adjusted accordingly. However, it is also possible to design the third conveyor 6 'as a dead area, so that the piece goods 3 only slide on the surface and, there already partially into the container through the picker unit inserted and / or due to gravity already partially in these have slipped in, taken away from the containers 4 become.

The piece goods 3 placed on the third conveyor 6 'become again by means of an insertion device into the empty space of the container 4 inserted. The insertion means is in Direction of transport at an acute angle to the second conveyor inclined and is at an angle, preferably 90 °, to Transport surface of the third conveyor 6 'aligned. The Push-in means can in turn be a push-in bar. in the However, the example shown here is the insertion means a fourth conveyor 71, which is also preferably a revolving belt conveyor is in sync with the third conveyor 6 'is moved. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the fourth conveyor 71 with its contact surface, which in one Angle aligned with the support surface of the third conveyor is, the piece goods 3 in the upper empty space of the container 4th on.

A third exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. Here, too, the containers 4 and the individual piece goods 3 transported on a first or second conveyor 1, 2, the container 4 preferably over the at least approximately horizontal transport area of the piece goods 3 are inclined. The conversion unit U here has a pocket conveyor 6 ", which is at least partially in the conveying direction of the second conveyor 2 extends and in turn is preferably moved synchronously with this. He can but also be stationary. The pocket conveyor 6 '' has pockets 62, which are open at the top and preferably at the bottom have a bottom that can be opened. The bags are aligned perpendicular to the container 4 or in the angle at which the piece goods 3 in the containers 4 are arranged. The pockets 62 preferably have one adapted to the general cargo 3, preferably can hold exactly one piece good 3. The at least one last picker unit 5 fetches the N-x last piece goods 2 from first conveyor and puts them from above into the pockets 62 of the 6 '' pocket conveyor. There is a filled bag above of a container 4 which is still to be filled completely the bottom is opened and the piece goods 3 slide into the empty space 40 of the container 4. There is preferably an insertion means for this available. In this example it is a ram 72, which engages in the corresponding pocket 62 from above and the piece goods 3 contained therein down into the container 4 pushes. This embodiment has the advantage that the General cargo 3 can be handled very gently because the pockets 62 protect them. The general cargo 3 in place in the desired directions in the container 4. On Filling the containers with assorted, different General cargo is possible.

These devices according to the invention can be used by everyone Use types of piece goods. Your preferred area of application but is the food industry, especially the Packaging of disc-shaped products such as biscuits or Crisps. Thanks to the device according to the invention, an efficient and yet complete filling of any shape Containers possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first sponsor

2

second sponsor

3

cargo

4

container

4 '

container

40

unfilled residual space

5

Picker unit

U

conversion unit

6

conditioning belt

60

guide rollers

61

contact surface

6 '

third sponsor

6 "

pocket conveyor

62

Bags

70

Einschiebebalken

71

fourth sponsor

72

tappet

Claims (12)

Device for inserting individual piece goods (3) into containers (4) with a first conveyor (1) for feeding the individual piece goods (3), with a second conveyor (2) for feeding the containers (4), with at least one picker unit (5 ), at least one of the at least one picker unit (5) inserting a number x piece goods (3) from the first conveyor (1) into a container (4) and the container (4) holding a number N> x piece goods (3), characterized in that at least one separate conversion unit (U) is provided for converting the last Nx piece goods (3) into the container (4) holding N piece goods (3), at least one of the at least one picker unit (5) the Nx piece goods (3 ) from the first conveyor (1) into the conversion unit (U). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer unit (U) has an insertion means (70, 71, 72) for inserting the Nx piece goods (3) into the container (4). Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second conveyor (2) transports the containers (4) in a plane inclined to the conveyor plane of the first conveyor (1). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conversion unit (U) has an abutment belt (6) which extends at least in sections in the conveying direction of the second conveyor (2) for the abutment of the Nx piece goods (3). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the contact belt (6) is arranged at an angle which corresponds at least approximately to an end position of the Nx piece goods (3) in the container (4) to the second conveyor (2). Device according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the insertion means is an insertion beam (70) aligned at an angle to the second conveyor (2). Device according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the transfer unit (U) has a third conveyor (6 ') which runs at least in sections parallel to the second conveyor (2) and at an angle thereto, which is at least approximately an end position of the Nx corresponds to piece goods (3) in the container (4), and that the insertion means (71) is oriented at an angle to the third conveyor (6 '), wherein it is inclined at an acute angle to the second conveyor (2) in the conveying direction , Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the insertion means is a fourth conveyor (71) with a contact surface which is oriented at an angle to the contact surface of the third conveyor (6 '). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transfer unit (U) has a pocket conveyor (6 ") which extends at least in sections in the conveying direction of the second conveyor (2) and that the pocket conveyor (6") pockets ( 62) for receiving the Nx piece goods (3). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the pockets (62) have a bottom which can be opened. Device according to claims 2 and 10, characterized in that the insertion element is a plunger (72) which can be inserted from above into one of the pockets (62) in order to bring a piece goods (3) therein into the container (4). to come across. Method for inserting individual piece goods (3) into containers (4), individual piece goods (3) being fed on a first conveyor (1) and containers (4) being fed on a second conveyor (2), at least one picker unit (5) being used and a number x of the piece goods (2) from at least one of the at least one picker unit (5) are inserted by the first conveyor (1) into a container (4), the container (4) having a number N> x piece goods (3 ), characterized in that the last Nx piece goods (3) are introduced into the N piece goods (3) holding container (4) by means of a separate conversion unit (U), the Nx piece goods (3) from the first conveyor (1) by means of one of the at least one picker unit (5) can be converted into the conversion unit (U).

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