EP1773695A1 - Device and method for manual feeding a packaging machine - Google Patents

Device and method for manual feeding a packaging machine

Info

Publication number
EP1773695A1
EP1773695A1 EP05763396A EP05763396A EP1773695A1 EP 1773695 A1 EP1773695 A1 EP 1773695A1 EP 05763396 A EP05763396 A EP 05763396A EP 05763396 A EP05763396 A EP 05763396A EP 1773695 A1 EP1773695 A1 EP 1773695A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conveyer belt
products
transfer
belt means
stop
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Withdrawn
Application number
EP05763396A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Flavio Giovannini
Franco Covezzi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sacmi Packaging SpA
Original Assignee
Sacmi Packaging SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sacmi Packaging SpA filed Critical Sacmi Packaging SpA
Publication of EP1773695A1 publication Critical patent/EP1773695A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G7/00—Other apparatus or process specially adapted for the chocolate or confectionery industry
    • A23G7/0012—Apparatus for measuring, weighing or wrapping of chocolate or candies
    • 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
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/44—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
    • B65G47/681—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor from distinct, separate conveyor lanes
    • 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
    • B65B2210/00—Specific aspects of the packaging machine
    • B65B2210/02—Plurality of alternative input or output lines or plurality of alternative packaging units on the same packaging line for improving machine flexibility
    • 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
    • B65B25/005—Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of confectionery
    • 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
    • B65B67/00—Apparatus or devices facilitating manual packaging operations; Sack holders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns the technical field of automatic packaging machines and in particular the invention refers to a manual device for feeding chocolate and similar products for a wrapping or packaging machine downstream located.
  • feeding devices fit to carry out an automatic orientation of products coming from the manufacturing by means of manipulation means, for example robotics arms associated to artificial vision systems, able to detect the initial and final position and placing of such products.
  • the feeding is carried out by means of the manual feeding, made by a single operator, by rows or ranks, of the products previously orients from feeding trays or plates to a conveyor belt of the machine.
  • a drawback of such feeding system consists in that the productivity is quite low around about 100 - 120 units per minute and therefore it is not enough for feeding a medium performances wrapping machine that can pack at least 200 - 300 units per minute.
  • An object of the present invention is to propose a device and a method for manual feeding of products allowing to employ a plurality of different operators at the same time and in a co-ordinate way for feeding a downstream positioned packaging machine with orientated products.
  • Another object is to propose a device and a method that allow a high productivity with regular reliable and safe operation.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic plaint view of the manual feeding device of the present invention associated to two operators
  • - figures 2 and 3 illustrate respective enlarged partial plaint views of the device of figure 1 ;
  • - figure 4 illustrates a lateral view of the device of figure 1 , in which some parts have been removed in order better evidence of others;
  • figure 5 illustrates a section view according to line V - V of figure 4;
  • figure 6 illustrates a section view according to lines Vl - Vl of figure 4.
  • numeral 1 indicates a device for manual feeding for chocolates and similar products 100 for a downstream positioned wrapping machine 60 and comprises, in the preferred embodiment, first conveyer belt means 2, first support means 4 and second support means 5, second belt means 6 and a stop mean 7.
  • the first conveyer belt means 2 are provided with a separation means 3 consisting of, for example, a flat and elongate shaped wall, longitudinally arranged that realizes, in cooperation with lateral longitudinal guide means, first 12 and second 13, transversally adjustable two separated first tracks or channels 2a, 2b to support and to transfer products 100, on said first conveyer belt means 2 along all their length.
  • a separation means 3 consisting of, for example, a flat and elongate shaped wall, longitudinally arranged that realizes, in cooperation with lateral longitudinal guide means, first 12 and second 13, transversally adjustable two separated first tracks or channels 2a, 2b to support and to transfer products 100, on said first conveyer belt means 2 along all their length.
  • the second conveyer belt means 6 are aligned, adjacent and immediately downstream of the first conveyer belt means 2, they support and move the products 100 coming from these latter.
  • the separation means 3 and lateral guiding means 12, 13 realize on the second conveyer belt means 6 two separated second transfer tracks 6a, 6b having a length ranging between one and three times of the longitudinal dimension of the product 100 and, preferably, of one and a half.
  • the two tracks 6a, 6b are directed in only one exit track 6c through opportune directing means 8, constituted, for example, by convergent lateral sides, so as to arrange products 100 in a single row.
  • the stop means 7 is inserted between the directing means 8 and the separation means 3 in order to selectively stop the products 100 on one of the two second tracks 6a, 6b.
  • the conveyer belt means 2, 6 consist of, for example, respective timing belts or flat belts wrapped around correspondent driving pulleys 16, 17 and tensioned by known type tensioning means 18.
  • the first conveyer belt means 2 are operated by first actuator means 10 with a discontinuous forward motion, that provides, during the normal operation of device 1 , a feed time and an arrest time.
  • the second conveyer belt means 6 are operated by respective second actuator means 11 with a constant and continuous forward motion.
  • the averaged forward speed of the first conveyer belt means 2 is less then the speed of the second conveyer belt means 6. This allows to space the products 100 that are in mutual contact on the first transfer tracks 2a, 2b and on the second track 6a, 6b blocked by stop means 7.
  • the sliding plain of second conveyer belt means 6 is lower than that of the first conveyer belt means 2 at a rang between 0,5 and 2 mm and preferably equal to 1 mm.
  • This arrangement prevents that a product 100 can rest at the same time on both sliding plains, in a position of unstable equilibrium in which, for example, such product 100 remains fixed, for a not predictable time, on the stopped first conveyer belt means 2, and then suddenly to be "hooked" by the second conveyer belt means 6 in motion and therefore to move downstream in a not previewed moment, with the risk to block the device 1 itself.
  • Actuator means 10, 11 consist of respective electrical geared motors driven separately.
  • the support means, first 4 and second 5, mutually longitudinally spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of first conveyer belt means 2, are fit to support a plurality of products 100, preventively and opportunely oriented.
  • each support means first 4 and second 5
  • there is an operator respectively first 40 and second 50, for the manual transfer, by means of the an opportune rectilinear tool 19, typically a stick or list, of a predefined number of products 100 in the unit of time, from the corresponding support means 4, 5 to an adjacent first transfer track 2a, 2b of the first conveyer belt means 2.
  • Each support means 4, 5 preferably comprises a flat tray 4a, 5a, on which the products 100 are positioned and that is aligned to a sliding plain 14 of the upper branch of the first conveyer belt means 2.
  • the stop means 7, movable between two stop positions first A and second B, is fit to stop the translation of products 100 alternatively in one of the two second transfer tracks alternatively 6a, 6b, while at the same time, it allows the passage in remaining track 6b, 6a.
  • stop means 7 between the two block positions A, B during the operating phase of the device 1 occurs after a predefined time of evacuation starting from arrest time of the first conveyer belt means 2; such time of evacuation allows the transit of remaining products 100 in the second correspondent transfer track 6b, 6a freely towards the exit track 6c.
  • the translation of stop means 7 between the two positions A, B happens in a predefined time of commutation.
  • the stop means 7 during the operation remains in the block position A, B for a total period of time equal to the feeding time of the first conveyer belt means 2 plus the evacuation time of the products 100 in the second transfer track 6b, 6a.
  • the time of arrest of the first conveyer belt means 2 is at least equal to the sum of the evacuation time of the products in the second transfer track 6b, 6a and of the commutation time of the stop means 7.
  • the stop means 7 is substantially constituted by a block element 7a, driven, in almost transversal direction in respect of the second conveyer belt means 6, between the two block positions A, B by a third actuators means 7b, preferably consisting in a pneumatic or electrical type linear actuator.
  • the shape of the block element 7a allows itself to be inserted easily between one product and the other, in virtue of the operation described above, in such a manner that the operation of the stop means 7 does not crush or damage the products 100 during the commutation.
  • the device can comprise sensor means, first 20 and second 21 such as of optical or inductive type, fit to detect the presence of the products 100 respectively corresponding to the end of the second conveyor means 6 adjacent to the first conveyer belt means 2 and before of the stop means 7.
  • Third sensor means 22 can be positioned corresponding to the second conveyer belt means 6, for example at the end opposite to the first conveyer belt means 2, to detect the presence of the products 100 accumulating on the exit track 6c for an eventual consequent arrest of the device 1.
  • the feeding device is fully slaved to calculating and control electronic means fit for controlling the relation of phase between the conveyer belt means first 2, second 6, the stop means 7 and the sensor means 20, 21 , 22.
  • the device for manual feeding object of the present invention, allows the feeding in a continuous and uniform manner a downstream wrapping machine 60, employing two or more operators that manually transfer predefined quantity of products in the unit of time, in discontinuous manner.
  • the first conveyer belt means 2 comprise three or four transfer tracks defined by two or three separated and respective separation means 3.
  • the variants comprise a plurality of stop means 7 in order to opportunely subdivide the products 100 to be directed in a single exit track 6c of the second conveyer belt means 6.
  • the stop means 7 will be two; while in the case of four transfer tracks, they will be three.
  • the method for manual feeding of chocolates and similar products 100 for a wrapping machine 60 by means of the above-described feeding device comprises the following steps:
  • the method provides the transfer made by each operator 40, 50 with a single manual action by using an appropriate rectilinear tool 19, typically a stick or list, of a predefined number of oriented and aligned products 100 and the performing of a predefined number of manual transfer actions in the unit of time.
  • an appropriate rectilinear tool 19 typically a stick or list
  • the number of products transferred with a single action is comprised between 1 and 20, preferably 10, and the number per minute of manual actions of the operator 40, 50 is comprised between 1 and 25, preferably 15.
  • first conveyer belt means 2 is lower than the speed of the second conveyer belt means 6 in order to allow to space apart the products 100 that are at mutual contact on the transfer tracks first 2a, 2b and on the second one track 6a, 6b blocked from stop means 7.
  • the time of arrest of the first conveyer belt means 2 is equal at least to the sum of the evacuation time of the products 100 present on one of the second tracks 6a, 6b and of the commutation time of the stop means 7.
  • the speed of conveyer belt means 2, 6 and the forward motion and evacuation time allow the passage to the exit track 6c of the second conveyer belt means 6, at each feeding cycle, a quantity of products 100 at leas equal to the quantity transferred from the operator 40, 50 with a manual action.
  • An advantage of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for manual feeding of products that allow to employ a plurality of different operators at the same time and in a co-ordinate way to feed a downstream located packaging machine at a high productive speed with oriented products.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)

Abstract

Device for manually feeding a wrapping machine (60) comprising: - first conveyer (2) provided with at least two first transfer tracks (2a, 2b) for the products (100); - support means (4, 5), longitudinally spaced apart and positioned at opposite sides of the first conveyer (2) for supporting products (100) and allowing operators (40, 50) to transfer products (100) from said support means (4, 5) to an adjacent first transfer track (2a, 2b); - second conveyer (6) aligned with and positioned downstream of the first conveyer (2), sequentially provided with at least two second transfer tracks (6a, 6b), adjacent to the respective first transfer track (2a,2b), and of one exit track (6c); - stop means (7), adjacent and downstream in respect of the second transfer tracks (6a, 6b) and mobile at least between two stop positions in order to selectively stop translation of products (100) on the respective second transfer track (6a, 6b); the first conveyer (2) carrying products (100), manually transferred from support means (4, 5), and the stop means (7) allowing the transfer of products (100) from at least each single second transfer track (6a, 6b) to the exit track (6c) of the second conveyer (6), for feeding in a continuous way the wrapping machine (60).

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUAL FEEDING A PACKAGING MACHINE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention concerns the technical field of automatic packaging machines and in particular the invention refers to a manual device for feeding chocolate and similar products for a wrapping or packaging machine downstream located.
BACKGROUND ART
In the field of the packaging of alimentary and confectionery products, for example chocolates or similar products, it is known the needs to position with a correct and predetermined orientation fit for feeding a successive wrapping machine, the products coming from the manufacturing with an random orientation.
Such requirement can rise from the fact that the wrapping or covering paper presents figures, images, designs that must correctly be associated to the form or shape of the product. Typical examples are the chocolates shaped as automobile, airplane, animal, Santa Clause etc. that, after the wrapping, must associate the shape to the design and the images.
There are known feeding devices, fit to carry out an automatic orientation of products coming from the manufacturing by means of manipulation means, for example robotics arms associated to artificial vision systems, able to detect the initial and final position and placing of such products.
Such devices present the drawback that they are very expensive and much sophisticated and they require skilled operators for programming, setting and for operation. In case that low cost labour is available, it is possible to use manual devices or apparatuses that provide the employment of an operator who manually orientates and subsequently transfers the products in the feeding portion of the wrapping machine.
Typically the feeding is carried out by means of the manual feeding, made by a single operator, by rows or ranks, of the products previously orients from feeding trays or plates to a conveyor belt of the machine.
A drawback of such feeding system consists in that the productivity is quite low around about 100 - 120 units per minute and therefore it is not enough for feeding a medium performances wrapping machine that can pack at least 200 - 300 units per minute.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to propose a device and a method for manual feeding of products allowing to employ a plurality of different operators at the same time and in a co-ordinate way for feeding a downstream positioned packaging machine with orientated products.
Other object is to propose a device and a method that allow a high productivity with regular reliable and safe operation.
Further object is to propose a compact manual feeding device, not bulky, easy and economic to be made and to be assembled.
The above mentioned objects are obtained in accordance with the content of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The characteristics of the present invention are underlined in the following with particular reference to the attached drawings, in which:
- figure 1 illustrates a schematic plaint view of the manual feeding device of the present invention associated to two operators;
- figures 2 and 3 illustrate respective enlarged partial plaint views of the device of figure 1 ; - figure 4 illustrates a lateral view of the device of figure 1 , in which some parts have been removed in order better evidence of others;
- figure 5 illustrates a section view according to line V - V of figure 4;
- figure 6 illustrates a section view according to lines Vl - Vl of figure 4.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
With reference to the figures from 1 to 6, numeral 1 indicates a device for manual feeding for chocolates and similar products 100 for a downstream positioned wrapping machine 60 and comprises, in the preferred embodiment, first conveyer belt means 2, first support means 4 and second support means 5, second belt means 6 and a stop mean 7.
The first conveyer belt means 2 are provided with a separation means 3 consisting of, for example, a flat and elongate shaped wall, longitudinally arranged that realizes, in cooperation with lateral longitudinal guide means, first 12 and second 13, transversally adjustable two separated first tracks or channels 2a, 2b to support and to transfer products 100, on said first conveyer belt means 2 along all their length.
The second conveyer belt means 6 are aligned, adjacent and immediately downstream of the first conveyer belt means 2, they support and move the products 100 coming from these latter. The separation means 3 and lateral guiding means 12, 13 realize on the second conveyer belt means 6 two separated second transfer tracks 6a, 6b having a length ranging between one and three times of the longitudinal dimension of the product 100 and, preferably, of one and a half. The two tracks 6a, 6b are directed in only one exit track 6c through opportune directing means 8, constituted, for example, by convergent lateral sides, so as to arrange products 100 in a single row. The stop means 7 is inserted between the directing means 8 and the separation means 3 in order to selectively stop the products 100 on one of the two second tracks 6a, 6b.
The conveyer belt means 2, 6 consist of, for example, respective timing belts or flat belts wrapped around correspondent driving pulleys 16, 17 and tensioned by known type tensioning means 18.
The first conveyer belt means 2 are operated by first actuator means 10 with a discontinuous forward motion, that provides, during the normal operation of device 1 , a feed time and an arrest time.
The second conveyer belt means 6 are operated by respective second actuator means 11 with a constant and continuous forward motion. The averaged forward speed of the first conveyer belt means 2 is less then the speed of the second conveyer belt means 6. This allows to space the products 100 that are in mutual contact on the first transfer tracks 2a, 2b and on the second track 6a, 6b blocked by stop means 7.
The sliding plain of second conveyer belt means 6 is lower than that of the first conveyer belt means 2 at a rang between 0,5 and 2 mm and preferably equal to 1 mm. This arrangement prevents that a product 100 can rest at the same time on both sliding plains, in a position of unstable equilibrium in which, for example, such product 100 remains fixed, for a not predictable time, on the stopped first conveyer belt means 2, and then suddenly to be "hooked" by the second conveyer belt means 6 in motion and therefore to move downstream in a not previewed moment, with the risk to block the device 1 itself.
Actuator means 10, 11 consist of respective electrical geared motors driven separately.
The support means, first 4 and second 5, mutually longitudinally spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of first conveyer belt means 2, are fit to support a plurality of products 100, preventively and opportunely oriented.
In correspondence of each support means, first 4 and second 5, there is an operator, respectively first 40 and second 50, for the manual transfer, by means of the an opportune rectilinear tool 19, typically a stick or list, of a predefined number of products 100 in the unit of time, from the corresponding support means 4, 5 to an adjacent first transfer track 2a, 2b of the first conveyer belt means 2.
Each support means 4, 5 preferably comprises a flat tray 4a, 5a, on which the products 100 are positioned and that is aligned to a sliding plain 14 of the upper branch of the first conveyer belt means 2.
In the preferred embodiment, the stop means 7, movable between two stop positions first A and second B, is fit to stop the translation of products 100 alternatively in one of the two second transfer tracks alternatively 6a, 6b, while at the same time, it allows the passage in remaining track 6b, 6a.
The commutation of stop means 7 between the two block positions A, B during the operating phase of the device 1 occurs after a predefined time of evacuation starting from arrest time of the first conveyer belt means 2; such time of evacuation allows the transit of remaining products 100 in the second correspondent transfer track 6b, 6a freely towards the exit track 6c. The translation of stop means 7 between the two positions A, B happens in a predefined time of commutation. The stop means 7 during the operation remains in the block position A, B for a total period of time equal to the feeding time of the first conveyer belt means 2 plus the evacuation time of the products 100 in the second transfer track 6b, 6a.
The time of arrest of the first conveyer belt means 2 is at least equal to the sum of the evacuation time of the products in the second transfer track 6b, 6a and of the commutation time of the stop means 7.
The stop means 7 is substantially constituted by a block element 7a, driven, in almost transversal direction in respect of the second conveyer belt means 6, between the two block positions A, B by a third actuators means 7b, preferably consisting in a pneumatic or electrical type linear actuator. The shape of the block element 7a allows itself to be inserted easily between one product and the other, in virtue of the operation described above, in such a manner that the operation of the stop means 7 does not crush or damage the products 100 during the commutation.
It is provided that the device can comprise sensor means, first 20 and second 21 such as of optical or inductive type, fit to detect the presence of the products 100 respectively corresponding to the end of the second conveyor means 6 adjacent to the first conveyer belt means 2 and before of the stop means 7.
Third sensor means 22, also of optical or inductive type, can be positioned corresponding to the second conveyer belt means 6, for example at the end opposite to the first conveyer belt means 2, to detect the presence of the products 100 accumulating on the exit track 6c for an eventual consequent arrest of the device 1. The feeding device is fully slaved to calculating and control electronic means fit for controlling the relation of phase between the conveyer belt means first 2, second 6, the stop means 7 and the sensor means 20, 21 , 22.
It is opportune to emphasize that the device for manual feeding, object of the present invention, allows the feeding in a continuous and uniform manner a downstream wrapping machine 60, employing two or more operators that manually transfer predefined quantity of products in the unit of time, in discontinuous manner.
There are variants of device 1 , but now shown, in which the first conveyer belt means 2 comprise three or four transfer tracks defined by two or three separated and respective separation means 3.
The variants comprise a plurality of stop means 7 in order to opportunely subdivide the products 100 to be directed in a single exit track 6c of the second conveyer belt means 6. In particular, in case of three transfer tracks, the stop means 7 will be two; while in the case of four transfer tracks, they will be three.
The method for manual feeding of chocolates and similar products 100 for a wrapping machine 60 by means of the above-described feeding device comprises the following steps:
- the transfer, made by a set of operators 40, 50, of products 100 from correspondents support means 4, 5 to adjacent first transfer tracks 2a, 2b of the first conveyer belt means 2;
- the transfer of the products 100 positioned on the first conveyer belt means 2 toward second transfer tracks 6a, 6b of second conveyer belt means 6, these latter being movable with continuous forward motion; - the arrest of the forward motion of the first conveyer belt means 2 after a predefined time of forward motion for a predetermined arrest time;
- the passage of the products 100 from a respective second transfer track 6a, 6b, not blocked by the stop means 7 located in one of the block positions B,
A, to an exit track 6c of the second conveyer belt means 6;
- the movement of the stop means 7 in the remaining block position A, B after a predefined time of evacuation of the products 100 present in the correspondent second track 6a, 6b starting from the arrest time of the first conveyer belt means 2;
- the activation of the forward motion of the first conveyer belt means 2 after a time interval equal to the evacuation time plus the commutation time of the stop means 7 between the two block positions A, B, in order to allow the transfer of the products 100 present in the remaining second transfer track 6b, 6a, concluding a first cycle of feeding.
The method provides the transfer made by each operator 40, 50 with a single manual action by using an appropriate rectilinear tool 19, typically a stick or list, of a predefined number of oriented and aligned products 100 and the performing of a predefined number of manual transfer actions in the unit of time.
The number of products transferred with a single action is comprised between 1 and 20, preferably 10, and the number per minute of manual actions of the operator 40, 50 is comprised between 1 and 25, preferably 15.
It is provided that the forwarding motion speed of first conveyer belt means 2 is lower than the speed of the second conveyer belt means 6 in order to allow to space apart the products 100 that are at mutual contact on the transfer tracks first 2a, 2b and on the second one track 6a, 6b blocked from stop means 7. The time of arrest of the first conveyer belt means 2 is equal at least to the sum of the evacuation time of the products 100 present on one of the second tracks 6a, 6b and of the commutation time of the stop means 7.
The speed of conveyer belt means 2, 6 and the forward motion and evacuation time allow the passage to the exit track 6c of the second conveyer belt means 6, at each feeding cycle, a quantity of products 100 at leas equal to the quantity transferred from the operator 40, 50 with a manual action.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for manual feeding of products that allow to employ a plurality of different operators at the same time and in a co-ordinate way to feed a downstream located packaging machine at a high productive speed with oriented products.
Other advantage is to provide a device and a method that allow an elevated productive speed with regular, reliable and safe operation.
Further advantage is to provide a manual feeding device that is compact and not bulky, easy and economic to be made and assembled.

Claims

1) Device for manual feeding of chocolate and similar products (100) for a wrapping machine (60) characterized in that it comprises at least:
- first conveyer belt means (2) provided with at least two first transfer tracks (2a, 2b) for the products (100);
- support means, at least first (4) and second (5), longitudinally spaced apart and positioned at opposite sides of the first conveyer belt means
(2), fit to support the products (100) and to allow operators (40, 50) to transfer the products (100), from a correspondent support means (4, 5) to an adjacent first transfer track (2a, 2b);
- second conveyer belt means (6) aligned and downstream positioned in respect of the first conveyer belt means (2), sequentially provided of at least two second transfer tracks (6a, 6b), adjacent to respective the first transfer tracks (2a, 2b), and of one exit track (6c);
- at least a stop means (7), adjacent and downstream in respect of the second transfer tracks (6a, 6b) and mobile at least between two stop positions, first (A) and second (B), in order to selectively stop the translation of the products (100) on at least one of the second transfer tracks (6a, 6b);
in an operating condition of the device (1), the first conveyer belt means (2) carry the products (100), manually transferred from support means (4, 5), and the at least one stop means (7) allows the transfer of the products (100) from at least each single second transfer track (6a, 6b) to the exit track (6c) of the second conveyer belt means (6), for feeding in a continuous way the wrapping machine (60). 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that to comprise at least a longitudinal separation means (3), fit to realize on the conveyer belt means, first (2) and second (6), the respective transfer tracks first (2a, 2b) and second (6a, 6b).
3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the first conveyer belt means (2) are operated with discontinuous forwarding motion by first actuator means (10).
4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the second conveyer belt means (6) are operated with continuous forwarding motion by second actuator means (11).
5) Device according to claim 3 and 4 characterized in that the average forward speed of the first conveyer belt means (2) is lower then the speed of second conveyer belt means (6).
6) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises directing means (8) positioned adjacent and downstream of the stop means (7) for directing the products (100), coming from the second transfer tracks (6a, 6b), in the exit track (6c) aligned on a single row.
7) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the second transfer tracks (6a, 6b) have length ranging between 1 and 3 times the longitudinal dimension of product (100).
8) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the sliding plain of the second conveyer belt means (6) is lower than that of the first conveyer belt means (2) of an range between 0,5 and 2 mm. 9) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that at least a stop means (7) comprises a block element (7a) operated by third actuators means (7b) in almost transversal direction in comparison with the second conveyer belt means (6), between at least the two block positions first (A) and second (B).
10) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises lateral longitudinal guide means at least first (12) and second (13), transversally adjustable, fit for realizing on the conveyer belt means, first (2) and second (6), in cooperation with at least a separation means (3), the transfer tracks respectively first (2a, 2b) and second (6a, 6b).
11) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that each support means (4, 5) comprises at least a flat tray almost aligned to a sliding plain (14) of an upper branch of the first conveyer belt means (2).
12) Device according to claim 9 characterized in that the third actuators means (7b) consist in a pneumatic or electrical type linear actuator (13).
13) Device according to claims 3 and 4 characterized in that actuator means (10, 11) consist of respective geared motors.
14) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least sensors means first (20), second (21) and third (22), of optical or inductive type, fit for detecting at least the presence of products (100) respectively in correspondence of the end of the second conveyor belt means (6) adjacent to the first conveyer belt means (2), in correspondence of the stop means (7) and in correspondence of the end of the second conveyor belt means (6) opposed to the first conveyer belt means (2). 15) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises calculation and control electronic means fit for controlling the phase relation at least between conveyer belt means first (2), second (6), stop means (7) and the sensors means first (20), second (21) and third (22).
16) Method for manual feeding of chocolates and similar products (100) for a wrapping machine (60) by means of the device of any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- the transfer of products (100) made by a set of operators (40, 50) from corresponding support means (4, 5) to adjacent transfer tracks (2a, 2b) of first conveyer belt means (2);
- the transfer of products (100) present on the first conveyer belt means
(2) toward the second transfer tracks (6a, 6b) of the second conveyer belt means (6), these latter being mobile with forward continuous motion;
- the arrest of the forward motion of the first conveyer belt means (2), after a predefined time of forward motion, for a predefined arrest time;
- the passage of products (100) from a respective second transfer track (6a, 6b) not blocked by a stop means (7) positioned in one of the block positions (B, A), toward an exit track (6c) of second conveyer belt means (6);
- the movement of the stop means (7) in the remaining block position (A, B) after a predefined time of evacuation of the products (100) present in the corresponding second track (6a, 6b) starting from the arrest time of the first conveyer belt means (2); - the activation of the forward motion of the first conveyer belt means (2) after a time interval equal to the evacuation time plus the commutation time of the stop means (7) between the two block positions (A, B), in order to allow the transfer of the products (100) present at least in the remaining second transfer track (6b, 6a) concluding a first feeding cycle.
17) Method according to claim 16 characterized in that it provides the transfer made by each operator (40, 50) with a single manual action of a predefined quantity of products (100).
18) Method according to claim 17 characterized in that it provides a predefined number of manual transfer actions made by each operator (40, 50) in the unit of time.
19) Method according to claim 16 characterized in that the arrest time of the first conveyer belt means (2) is at least equal to the sum of the evacuation time of the products (100) present on one of the second tracks (6a, 6b) and of the commutation time of the stop means (7).
20) Method according to claim 16 characterized in that the forward average speed of the first conveyer belt means (2) is less then the speed of the second conveyer belt means (6).
21) Method according to claim 16 characterized in that the average speed of first conveyer belt means (2) and the time of forward motion and of evacuation are in a manner to allow the passage to exit track (6c) of a number of THE products (100) at least equal to that number transferred by the operator (40, 50) with a single manual action. 22) Method according to claims 17 and 18 characterized in that the number of transferred products in a single action by each operator (40, 50) is ranging between 1 and 20 and the number of transfers carried out by the operator (40, 50) is ranging between 1 and 25 per minute.
EP05763396A 2004-07-05 2005-07-05 Device and method for manual feeding a packaging machine Withdrawn EP1773695A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO20040416 ITBO20040416A1 (en) 2004-07-05 2004-07-05 MANUAL FEEDING DEVICE AND METHOD
PCT/IB2005/001903 WO2006006045A1 (en) 2004-07-05 2005-07-05 Device and method for manual feeding a packaging machine

Publications (1)

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EP1773695A1 true EP1773695A1 (en) 2007-04-18

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EP05763396A Withdrawn EP1773695A1 (en) 2004-07-05 2005-07-05 Device and method for manual feeding a packaging machine

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EP (1) EP1773695A1 (en)
IT (1) ITBO20040416A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006006045A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007038928B4 (en) 2007-08-17 2010-06-10 Felo-Werkzeugfabrik Holland-Letz Gmbh Tool

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2678124A (en) * 1950-04-13 1954-05-11 Christian N Bergmann Container conveyer combiner system
FR1046152A (en) * 1951-12-05 1953-12-03 Anciens Etablissements Rene Go Mechanical handling device intended to group together on a stack, packages from two carriers
US2931487A (en) * 1958-12-09 1960-04-05 Buren Machine Corp Van Article feeding mechanism
CH500117A (en) * 1968-11-21 1970-12-15 Sig Schweiz Industrieges Collection point in a transport system with endless conveying elements
IT1269139B (en) * 1994-08-19 1997-03-21 Ricciarelli Garibaldo Srl DEVICE AND RELATED METHOD FOR GROUPING RANDOM FLOWS OF PRODUCTS IN ONE WAY ACCORDING TO A PRESTABLE AND ADJUSTABLE DROP

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO2006006045A1 *

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WO2006006045A1 (en) 2006-01-19

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