EP1359099A2 - Method and apparatus for transferring of unit products into containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The workpieces (P) are placed in two magazines (1,1') in an end-to-end alignment and they are fed onto first and second conveyers (2,2') where they are collected in groups (G). The workpieces in the groups stand side-by-side. Turning devices (4) may rotate the groups through 90 degrees. They move to first and second storage members (3,3') and a picker (5) moves them into packing boxes (B).

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a method and a device for the implementation of general cargo-like products in containers according to The preamble of claim 1 and 6 respectively.

State of the art

Packaging systems for general cargo-like products often have to do the job of getting products from a manufacturing facility in a continuous but not imperative regular electricity is delivered, in groups in containers bottling. A device has proven itself here in which the products on a feed conveyor of a conveyor and grouping unit are fed individually, there grouped during further transport and then transported by a picker as a group on a conveyor Containers are implemented. A sufficient performance to get in the implementation generally two or more funding and grouping units alternately operated by the picker. The implementation performance, however limited by the performance of the picker. The use of several pickers, or one picker per conveyor and implementation unit, often comes from cost reasons and / or Space reasons out of the question.

EP-A-0'496'046, however, discloses a transfer device for general cargo products with a single conveyor and Grouping. This unit has a rotating conveyor belt with several trays to hold individual products on. The shells are between two holding means held and grouped. If the group is complete, so be the products are ejected as a group using a slide, picked up by a robot arm and in put the container down. The performance of this facility is through the use of a single conveyor and grouping unit not too high.

WO 97/11014 also discloses a transfer device for General cargo-like products with a single, similar structure Conveying and grouping unit. Here are the grouped Products also ejected using a slide, whereby they go directly into a packaging unit.

WO 96/41760 shows a further embodiment of a conveyor and grouping unit, which two rotating conveyor chains with carriers that can be plugged onto it in a selectable division and has counterholders.

DE-A-3'842'556 shows a picker which grouped Products from a first product conveyor to one second product conveyor or on a container conveyor implements. If a container conveyor is available, the second product conveyor as storage for surplus groups used.

DE-A-4'404'744 describes an insertion station with a feed conveyor and a container conveyor running perpendicular to it. At an angle thus formed is one Clipboard available. The products are from the feed conveyor pushed onto this clipboard, regrouped there and inserted into the container by a transfer agent. The regrouping takes time and limits Performance of the device.

Furthermore, a device is known from EP-A-0'526'403, in which individually delivered products by individual Grippers picked up and in an orderly row on one Wing are stored. There they are from one Slide the slider into the container provided.

Although the most diverse solutions for implementation of grouped products from a single conveyor and Grouping unit in containers are known, but is not cost-effective, space-saving, yet efficient implementation known with several funding and grouping units.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention, a method and a Device with at least two conveyor and transfer units to create, which has the above advantages.

This problem is solved by a method and a device the features of claims 1 and 6 respectively.

According to the invention, at least one, preferably for each Conveyor and transfer unit has its own clipboard, whereby the products are always grouped by the and grouping unit implemented on the clipboard and placed in a container by a picker become. The picker alternately operates the Clipboards of the various funding and grouping units. The implementation of the individual groups by the funding and grouping units on the clipboard is faster than putting the group from the clipboard into the containers, that is, the transfer agent works faster than the picker or the path to be covered is shorter. This allows the picker to be used optimize and thus the performance of the entire device increase.

In a preferred variant of the method, the grouped products on the clipboard. Other Implementing agents, such as a picker, are, however also possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveying directions run of the individual funding and grouping units as well of a container conveyor parallel to each other. Other arrangements are also possible.

Thanks to the method according to the invention, the downtime is the funding and grouping units minimized. Thereby the product can be fed continuously and buffer storage between the feed conveyor and grouping unit yourself.

Further advantageous variants of the method and advantageous ones Embodiments go from the dependent claims out.

Brief description of the drawing

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figuren 2a bis 2g

schematische Darstellungen der Vorrichtung gemäss Figur 1 in acht Bearbeitungsschritten;

Figuren 3a bis 3f

graphische Darstellungen verschiedener Arbeitsweisen der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung und

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung in einer zweiten 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 representation of an inventive device in a first embodiment;

Figures 2a to 2g

schematic representations of the device according to Figure 1 in eight processing steps;

Figures 3a to 3f

graphic representations of various modes of operation of the device according to the invention and

Figure 4

a schematic representation of the device according to the invention in a second embodiment.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

In Figure 1 is a first embodiment of the invention Transfer device shown. It shows a first and a second feed conveyor 1, 1 ', which of General cargo-like products coming from a production plant P feed into the device. The products P can for example Biscuits that are not or already prepacked, chocolate bars or dough rolls. The feed conveyors 1, 1 ' are promoters of a known type, for example chain or Belt conveyors. The products P are individually and in one continuous current supplied. The distances between the Products or their orientation on the feed conveyors 1, 1 ', however, does not have to be regular be constant.

Each feed conveyor 1, 1 'borders with its unloading station to a conveyor and grouping unit 2, 2 '. The funding directions of the individual sponsors and units are in the Figures shown with arrows. In the example shown here the conveying direction of the feed conveyors 1, 1 'runs in the same plane as the conveying direction of the associated one Conveying and grouping unit 2, 2 ', but perpendicular to this. Other arrangements are possible. For example the product transfer laterally or in the axial direction of both Sponsors take place. The products can be handed over in a different direction.

It is also possible for a single feed conveyor 1, 1 ' supplies two or more conveyor and grouping units 2, 2 '. The conveying speeds of the individual feed conveyors 1, 1 'are preferably independent of one another. In In one embodiment, typically up to 350 products transported per minute and per feed conveyor.

The products are in the conveyor and grouping units 2, 2 ' P combined into predefined groups G. such Conveying and grouping units 2, 2 'are known. Examples of which were already in the introduction to the description mentioned. They are therefore not described in detail here. They are usually used as circulating conveyors, for example designed as a belt or chain conveyor. ever according to the type of products P, they are with receptacles, carriers or other grouping means. Preferably the direction of funding of the funding and grouping units 2, 2 'parallel and in the same direction to each other.

In the conveying direction of the conveying and grouping units 2, 2 ' a transfer station is located downstream at the lower end with a transfer agent 4, 4 '. Preferably everyone is Conveying and grouping units 2, 2 'have their own means of implementation 4, 4 'assigned. Adjacent to this transfer agent 4, 4 ' there is a clipboard 3, 3 '. Preferably each conveyor and grouping unit 2, 2 'also has its own Clipboard 3, 3 'assigned.

Each clipboard 3, 3 'is preferably designed as a plate, whose surface with the conveying surface of the associated Conveying and grouping unit 2, 2 'is aligned. Leave it but also rakes or other suitable storage elements use as clipboards 3, 3 '. Preferably located the clipboards 3, 3 'on a common Line, which in this example is perpendicular to the conveying direction the conveyor and grouping units 2, 2 'runs.

The transfer means 4, 4 'is preferably designed as a slide. However, other types, such as pickers, are also suitable. The conversion means 4, 4 'is preferably pneumatically operated. It becomes a very quick means of implementation 4, 4 'and / or the one to be covered by him Path is kept extremely short.

The device further comprises at least one container conveyor 6, which container B to fill in the area the clipboards 3, 3 'promotes. Preferably runs also the conveying direction of the container conveyor 6 in parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying and grouping units 2, 2 '. He can go in the same or opposite direction, that means run in cocurrent or in countercurrent. in the The example shown here is the container conveyor 6 between the two conveying and grouping units 2, 2 '.

Furthermore, there is a picker 5, which also is arranged in this area. Using this picker 5 the groups G are taken individually from the clipboards 3, 3 ' and placed in the appropriate container B. The picker 5 alternately serves the different Clipboards 3, 3 ', where "alternately" also means that a certain clipboard (3, 3 ') two or can be operated several times in a row before the other clipboard (3, 3 ') is operated again. Preferably a two-axis top loader is known as Picker 5 Kind used. However, robotic arms can also be used or use other suitable transfer agents. The picker 5 works preferably clocked, so that it is up to possible waiting times in a constant Rhythm moves. This simplifies control in particular and thus keeps the cost of the device to a minimum.

In Figures 2a to 2g, the device is in individual, successive working positions during operation shown. In Figure 2a are on both feed conveyors 1, 1 'products delivered and grouping into the conveyor and grouping units 2, 2 'begins. In figure 2b is one in the first conveying and grouping unit 2 Group G compiled. In Figure 2c, this group G with the first slide 4 onto the first clipboard 3 pushed, with new products P still in this unit 2 are delivered. The picker 5 detects in FIG. 2d group G on the first clipboard 3 and places it in Figure 2e in the container B. In Figure 2f the picker takes 5 the meanwhile in the second funding and Grouping unit 2 'formed and on the second clipboard 3 'pushed second group G' and sets or then pushes them into the container B in FIG. 2f he can use the first clipboard 3 again.

The implementation of groups G, G 'on the clipboards 3, 3 'is carried out by a different transfer means than that subsequent implementation in the container. The first implementation can be done faster. One reason for this is that when you first implemented it, you covered shorter distances Need to become. The cycle of the reactant is preferred 4, 4 ', that means the conversion time until the next one Willingness 1.5 to 4 times shorter or smaller than that of the picker 5.

It can be seen from FIGS. 3a to 3f that the timing the picker 5 is not adapted to the timing of the transfer means 4, 4 ' must be, or that a relatively large Tolerance range exists. The transfer means 4, 4 'pushes the Groups G, G 'preferably then onto one of the clipboards 3, 3 'when a group G, G' is fully formed is. The picker 5 works in the same cycle, preferably each in a middle position M waits until the controller reports that on the clipboard a new group for implementation within a reasonable time will be ready.

In FIGS. 3a to 3f, the vertical direction represents one Time axis. The given numerical values serve only for better understanding, but are not binding. The filled in Rectangles show the length of stay of a group G, G 'on a clipboard 3, 3'. With x is the position the picker 5 shown.

In Figure 3a, the individual groups G, G 'are timely provided. The picker 5 runs between the two clipboards 3, 3 'back and forth and serves them alternately.

In Figure 3b, the second group G 'is slightly delayed. The However, picker 5 does not have to take a break in the intermediate position M. Insert. In Figures 3c and 3d the delay is second group G ', however, so large that a break is necessary is. In Figure 3e the delay is the second Group G 'so large that the picker 5 can operate the skips the second clipboard 3 'once and immediately goes back to the first clipboard 3.

3f shows the situation in which the group G 'is assembled too early. Works here too the procedure successful.

In Figure 4 is a second embodiment of the invention Device shown. In contrast to Figure 1 is the container conveyor 6 not between the two conveyor and grouping units 2, 2 ', but on one side arranged. However, the embodiment according to FIG. 1 is optimized with regard to the achievable conversion performance, in particular because of the symmetry of the arrangement and the short Ways.

In the exemplary embodiment described, two funding and grouping units 2, 2 'used. However, it can can also be used more. It has been shown that at Using exactly two units the achievable conversion performance optimized and the integrated waiting time of the compiled Groups minimized in the grouping units is. It is also possible to have several in the direction of flow Arrange picker 5 and several clipboards one behind the other, which each have different clipboards Operate grouping units alternately.

The device according to the invention enables a reduction the downtime of the groups in the grouping units and thus an increase in sales performance.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

First feed conveyor

1'

Second feed conveyor

2

First funding and grouping unit

2 '

Second funding and grouping unit

3

First clipboard

3 '

Second clipboard

4

First transfer agent

4 '

Second transfer agent

5

Picker

6

container conveyor

B

container

P

Products

G

Group of products

G'

Group of products

M

intermediate position

Claims (12)

Method for converting piece goods (P) into containers (B), a first part of the products (P) of a first conveyor and grouping unit (2) and at least a second part of the products (P) of at least a second conveyor and grouping unit ( 2 ') are supplied, the products (P) in the conveying and grouping units (2, 2') being grouped into groups (G, G '), the individual groups (G, G') using a picker (5th ) are converted into the containers (B) and the picker (5) alternately a group (G) from the first conveying and grouping unit (2) and a group (G ') from the second conveying and grouping unit (2') in the container (B),
characterized in that
the groups (G, G ') of the conveying and grouping units (2, 2') are placed in at least one clipboard (3, 3 ') and that the picker (5) the individual groups (G, G') of the at least one Removed clipboard (3, 3 '). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a conversion cycle for the conversion of the individual groups (G, G ') from the conveyor and grouping units (2, 2') into the at least one clipboard (3, 3 ') is shorter than one Implementation cycle for the implementation of the individual groups (G, G ') by the picker (5) in the container (B). A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio of the two conversion cycles has a value between 1.5 and 4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the groups (G, G ') are pushed into the at least one clipboard (3, 3'). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the products (P) are fed continuously and individually to the conveying and grouping units (2, 2 '). Device for converting piece goods (P) into containers (B),
with at least a first and a second conveying and grouping unit (2, 2 ') for grouping a part of each of the products (P) into groups (G, G'),
with at least one picker (5) for converting the individual groups (G, G ') into the containers (B), the at least one picker (5) alternately forming a group (G) from the first conveying and grouping unit (2) and fills a group (G ') from the second conveying and grouping unit (2') into the containers (B),
characterized in that the device has at least one clipboard (3, 3 '),
that at least one conversion means (4, 4 ') is present for converting the groups (G, G') from the conveyor and grouping units (2, 2 ') into the at least one clipboard (3, 3') and
that the at least one picker (5) removes the groups (G, G ') from the at least one clipboard (3, 3'). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that each conveyor and grouping unit (2, 2 ') is assigned its own clipboard (3, 3'), that each clipboard (3, 3 ') has at least one separate transfer means (4, 4') ) and that the at least one picker (5) takes the groups (G, G ') from at least two clipboards (3, 3') from different conveying and grouping units (2, 2 '). Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the at least one picker (5) has a longer conversion cycle for converting the groups (G, G ') than the at least one conversion means (4, 4'). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the ratio of the two conversion cycles has a value between 1.5 and 4. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the at least one transfer means (4, 4 ') is a slide. Device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that two conveying and grouping units (2, 2 ') are present,
that they have conveying directions running parallel to one another and
that at least one container conveyor (6) is present, the conveying direction of which runs parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying and grouping units (2, 2 '). Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the container conveyor (6) is arranged between the two conveyor and grouping units (2, 2 ').

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