FR2620689A1 - Method for forming groups of products and for accompanying them towards a transfer line and device for implementing this method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method provides for the use of at least two elements with clamps 6, 7 which are movable, in phase, and provided with alternating movements which are opposite to one another, or, alternatively, which follow one another in a continuous cycle, along the channel or line 2 where the products P, backing onto one another, are displaced or displace themselves towards a line 3 for transfer of groups GP of the same products P in work or subsequent removal stations; the said elements with clamps 6, 7 act in the direction of gripping, via each group, the first P' of the products P of desired groups in succession and they displace themselves, in the conveying direction of the products P, towards the said transfer line 3, substantially at the same speed of advance as the latter, until they are brought, one after the other, to bear against an accompanying element 11 which, at a higher speed than that of advance of the products P which are located upstream, accompanies them on the said transfer line 3.

Description

 The present invention relates to a method for the formation of groups of products, such as for example rusks, and for accompanying these groups to a line intended for transferring them to subsequent work stations or to pick-up stations. , and to the device for implementing this method.

 In the field of machines and installations for the production and packaging of food products, such as for example cookies, wafers and rusks, one of the most important problems to be solved is that relating to the packaging of the products which come out from the baking oven practically according to a "continuous stream". It is indeed necessary to carry out the dosage or the formation of groups of products without damaging them, taking into account the fact that normally they are provided with low mechanical resistance characteristics and can be very brittle.

Referring to the specific field of rusk production, the most common system which is currently used to convey the products out of the baking oven to subsequent packaging lines, provides for manual heaping of the rusks in a manner form one or more rows
Independent ie along transport channels, the bottom of which is formed by a continuously movable conveyor belt and provided with unidirectional movement towards a product outlet station. Near this station there is a removal device intended to carry out the formation of groups of products. This device operates in phase with the movement of a second transport line on which the products are transferred by this device, divided into groups formed according to a desired packaging, or so as to constitute the unity of a package
comprising several product groups. The second
transmission line is normally of the type provided with
step by step movement with compartments
to receive one of these product groups; the transfer
product groups from first to second
line takes place during downtime of the second
transport line.
friction of products piled up along
supply channels upstream of the apparatus
of removal, on the conveyor belt that is. stake
running in a continuous movement and that, like
index, constitutes the bottom of said channels.

When it comes to very crumbly products this
friction can cause their damage in a manner
quite obvious or even cut them to pieces.

This drawback is even more evident in
case of installations where the supply channels of
products are tilted up and down, on the portion
initial, in the direction of the
products, in order to avoid their tumbling back.

In this case, in fact, not only the products
suffer from friction on the bottom of said channels,
but, when passing from the inclined position to that
horizontal, are subjected to friction resulting from
reciprocal contact with their facing surfaces, which
helps cause the specified disadvantages more
high.

In addition, the
the formation of product groups must be entrusted to pushing elements which take care of
transfer the groups to the transmission line, this
which causes the shock of products against elements of
stop which, due to the speeds of
high operating, may cause crumbling
some products.

 The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks illustrated above.

 The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem of forming groups of products intended to be conveyed to a transfer line by means of a device where gripper elements acting one after the other other along the product feed channel or channels, actively moving at a feed rate equal to that of said channels, make it possible to define the product groups seizing the first product of each group and bringing it to the support against an accompanying element which acts at the outlet of said channel (s), which, being started at a higher speed than that in advance of the products which are being fed upstream, transfers the groups trained, one after the other, on the second transport line in phase with the latter's movement and stop times.

 One of the advantages of the present invention essentially consists in that the products which are advancing towards the outlet of the feed channel (s) do not undergo any stopping and therefore are not subjected to friction actions on the bottom of said channel or said channels, which on the contrary occurs when adopting the solutions of the known art.

 In addition, thanks to the present invention, it is advantageously possible to directly connect the product feed channel (s), in this case rusks, to the outlet of the baking ovens, since there is the possibility of piling up a quantity remarkable products along said channel / aesitées channels precisely in consideration of the fact that there is no friction between the products and the means of transport; this direct connection avoids the manual loading operations which are currently necessary.

 Another advantage offered by the present invention is represented by the extreme simplicity of construction and operation of the device of the invention; thanks to these characteristics, the device is economical to use and easy to apply.

 The invention is described in more detail below using the accompanying drawings which represent a non-limiting embodiment, given by way of example.

 FIGURE 1 Illustrates the device of the InventIon in a chain mail view.

 Figure 2 is a front view of the device of the invention, considered from the side of the transfer line of product groups and provided with two product supply channels.

 Figure 3 shows a possible diagram of the work axis steps of the device.

 Rn with particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is indicated in 1 the conveyor belt / output bands of the products P from a production line (not shown).

 The conveyor 1 is provided with a unidirectional movement in advance in the direction of the arrow F1 and is supported so that it has its outlet end inclined forward, which allows its connection with the channels 2 of the device in question, which feed products P to a transfer line 3, where these products are brought divided into groups GP. In FIGS. 1 and 2, only the bottom of the channels 2 can be seen, which comprises a plate for supporting the products P. The side walls of the channels 2 can be formed of bars, according to known techniques, or even simple compression elements. bilateral of P. products

 The transfer line 3 may comprise a conveyor 15, provided with drawers or compartments 16, extending in an orthogonal direction relative to the channels 2 and set in motion intermittently, step by step, by means of a motor unit 17, of known type, controlled by a geared motor 18 from which originate the main movements of the elements forming the device in question.

 Channels 2 are inclined from top to bottom and towards the transfer line 3 and two gripper elements et and 7 act in correspondence with each of these channels.

 In the case shown the elements 6 and 7 of the two channels 2 provided are associated with respective supports 19 and 20 sliding along bars 4, 5 parallel to the extension director of channels 2 and -supported in a known manner by the frame of the device.

 The supports 19 and 20 are connected to operating levers, respectively 9, 9 'and 10, 10', fitted on shafts 28, 29 and in engagement, through rollers ", 10", with the track two cams, respectively 8 and 21, fitted onto a shaft 22 supported by the frame of the device and kinematically connected to the output shaft of the gearmotor 18, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1.

 As a result of this connection, the supports 19 and 20, and therefore the clamp elements 6 and 7, are subjected to an alternating movement along the bars 4 and 5: the tracks of the cams 8 and 21 are arranged one with respect to the other so that at each active forward stroke (towards the transfer line 3) the gripper element 6 corresponds to a stroke back from the gripper element 7.

 In addition, these tracks are calculated so that at least during the active forward stroke (towards the transport line 3) the advance speed V3 of the gripping elements a and 7 is equal to the speed V1 of the conveyor 1 for supplying products P.

 The gripper elements 6 and 7 can be of the pneumatically controlled type where the two jaws 6 ′, 7 ′ are connected to small opening and closing pistons 23, 24 (FIG. 2), the operating phase of which will be described by after.

 The outlets of the channels 2 reach the station S where these outlets are close to the transfer line 3, in correspondence of which is disposed and acts an accompanying element 11 intended to receive the products P coming from the channels 2.

 The accompanying element 11 is associated with a support 11 'provided with reciprocating movement and sliding on bars 12 supported by the device's b & i. The accompanying element 11 receives its movement from a system of levers 13, t3 fitted onto a shaft 25, supported by the frame of the device and in engagement with the track of a cam 26 in turn fitted onto a shaft 27 kinematically connected to the geared motor 18.

 The accompanying element 11 is set in motion in phase relation to the movement and stop times of the conveyor 15 so that it performs a forward stroke, towards the channels 2, and back at each stop said carrier. In addition the track of the cam 26 is calculated so that at least during the return stroke the speed V of the accompanying element 11 is greater than the speed V1 of the conveyor 1, and therefore at the speed of advance of P products along the channels 2.

 After having described the device of the invention in its essential parts, we will now describe its operation, assuming a hypothetical starting situation and emphasizing that in reality the device works continuously and practically without any downtime as regards the gripper elements 6 and 7. With regard to each channel 2, the following situation is taken into account, illustrated in FIG. 1 - the first gripper element 6 is in the end position forwards and its respective jaws 6 ′ are in condition for taking the first product P ′ yes is found at station S in correspondence with the outlet of the channels 2; - the second gripper element 7 is in the end position of the rear travel and its respective jaws 7 ′ are in the condition of taking the first product P ′ from a group of products GP to be defined and subsequent to that defined between the first and second plug elements 6-7 ;; - the accompanying element 11 is in the end of travel position forward (dotted position in Figure 1); - The conveyor 15 is in the stop position and two compartments are arranged in alignment with the channels 2; - the conveyor 1 is in motion.

 At the start of the work cycle that will be described, the jaws 6 ′ of the gripper gripping elements 6 are open and therefore the products P which are located downstream of the gripping elements 7 and which form, by each channel 2, a group of GP products, are left to rest against the accompanying element 11.

While the first gripping elements 6 begin their return stroke to the rear position, the accompanying element 11 is rapidly moved back so as to transfer the groups of products
GP on transporter 15; at the same time the gripping elements 7 begin their advance travel towards the transport line 3 at the speed V3 which is substantially equal to the speed V1 of the transporter 1.

In this way the products P which are upstream of said gripping elements are not subject to any friction action relative to the transport surface of said conveyor
When the gripping elements 7 reach the end position forwards, so that they occupy the position previously occupied by the gripping elements 6, the same gripping elements reach the position completely backwards Cpral that occupied at the start by the plug elements 79 ;; at the same time, with one step ahead of the transport line 3 - corresponding to the forward movement of two consecutive compartments l - the accompanying element 11 returns to its position completely forward so that it is provided that a new group of GP products is supported.

 At this point, while the jaws 7 ′ of the gripping elements 7 open, those of the gripping elements 5 close to retain the first product P from the rows of products which are located upstream thereof. along the channels 2.

In this way a new product group
GP defined by each channel, between the first and second elements 6-7 remains free, pressing against the accompanying element 11 which, while moving back, transfers it to the transport line 3.

 The cycle is repeated with a new stroke behind the gripping elements 7 and in front of the gripping elements 6.

 From the above it is clear that by means of a very simple solution, it was possible to avoid the products P from being subjected to mechanical stresses capable of damaging them, by eliminating any problem resulting from the friction or the shock of the products with respect to the respective means of transport.

 The definition of the GP groups of products in the case shown depends on the working distance of the gripping elements 6, 7 when they are in opposite positions at the end of the travel and this distance can be varied here by replacing the cams 8, 21.

 The phase diagram represented in FIG. 3 shows the movement and stop times of the main elements of the device in question during a complete revolution of the shaft of the geared motor 18 and does not start from the hypothetical conditions for the start of the written work cycle above.

 Of course all the elements of the device can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones.

 Thus, for example, the gripping elements 6 and 7 could be associated with other handling means, such as continuous conveyors. In this case, a number of elements will have to be provided on each conveyor 6 and 7 equidistant and spaced one from the other by a distance calculated according to the thickness of the products P and the number of products which will have to form a desired GP group.

 According to this solution, the cams 8, 21 and the levers 9, g ', 10, 1û' would be replaced by simple kinematic mechanisms drawing their movement, for example, from the output shaft of the geared motor 18.

 In addition, the channel or channels 2 along which the products P are conveyed to the transfer line 3 could be formed in a manner different from that illustrated: for example the bottom of said channels could be formed by belt or belt conveyors movable in a direction consistent with that in advance of the P products.

 According to another possible alternative form, the channel or channels 2 could be arranged vertically; in this case, the transporter 15 would also be arranged vertically and the groups of products GP would be supported on a horizontal wall of each compartment 16.

The channel or channels 2 could also be arranged horizontally or sensitively horizontal and in this case the use of a second accompanying element 111 could be useful; it would be arranged in correspondence of the work station
S where it would act, in phase relation with the accompanying element 11. The second accompanying element 111 could move in unison with the accompanying element 11 and be able to move normally to the product support plane P, so as to be able to reach two positions: one of no obstacle to the free passage of the product groups GP of the channel or channels 2 on the condition of bearing against the accompanying element 11, the other of support of the last of the P products forming a GP group being transferred to the transport line 3.

 The device in question comprises, at the outlet of each channel 2, means for re-phasing, indicated at 30 in FIG. 1 and capable of moving between a rest position and an operating position in which they do not intercept and respectively intercept the row of products P in alignment with the position taken at the end of the forward travel of the accompanying element 11.

 In the embodiment shown, the resetting means 30 comprise a face 32 of a body 35, orthogonal to the bottom plane 33 of the respective channel 2.

 The body 35 has another face, indicated at 36 and orthogonal to the previous one, which is aligned and coplanar with the bottom plane 33 of the respective channel 2 when the body 35 is in its rest position.

The body 35 is integral with the free end of the rod of an oleohydraulic cylinder 34 with double effect
This cylinder is controlled by control means indicated at 31, to which the small opening and closing pistons 23 and 24 of the elements 6 and 7 are also controlled.

 The small pistons 23 and 24 are also slaved, in parallel, to other control means, not shown, having the task of operating the machine and the device of the invention correctly while they are operating at speed.

 Suppose that for some reason the device was stopped while the gripper elements O or 7 were guiding a respective group of products GP towards the accompanying element 11; during the new activation of the device, the means i actuate the hydraulic-hydraulic cylinder 34 in the direction of pushing the body 35 beyond the bottom 33 of the channel 2 so that its wall 32 can intercept the row of products P (see the body 35 shown in broken lines) .At the same time, the means 31 act on the small pistons 23 and 24 in the direction of bringing the elements 6 and 7 into the open position, in which the row of products P can slide freely towards the accompanying element ll until when it is intercepted by the face 32 of the body 34.

The elements 6 and 7 and the accompanying element 11 complete their operating cycle and return to their extreme positions at the start of the cycle when the accompanying element is ready to receive a new group of GP products.

 At this point the accompanying element 11 and the face 32 are coplanar with each other and the means 31 act on the oleohydraulic cylinder 34 in the direction of moving the body 35 until when its face 36 and the bottom plane 33 of the respective channel 2 are coplanar. The means 31 again activate the small pistons 23 and 24 so that the elements 6 and 7 start to function regularly in the case shown in the appended figure the clamp element 6 will remain open, while the clamp element 7 will closed in order to prevent the first product P of the group following that previously defined by the body 35 from sliding with the accompanying element 11.

 For what has not been described here, consult the attached drawings.

 During its practical implementation, the device described is susceptible to numerous modifications, and variants yes, all fall within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined in the claims which follow.

Claims (10)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S  1. Method for the formation of groups of products and for their accompaniment towards a transfer line, comprising a phase of storage of the products leaning against each other along one or more supply channels of the transfer line, supported by means of conveyors actuated by a motor and provided with continuous movement towards said line, characterized by the fact of providing for the use, along each channel and near the outlet thereof, of at least two gripping means acting cyclically one after the other and in line, and actuated so that they can retain at least the first product of a desired group of products, defined between said gripping means function ae the operating dIstance between a first gripping means which has reached the exit of said channel and a second gripping means arrived in the area, upstream of said outlet, or begins the phase of sounding of the first product of a next group with respect to c him during training; to move said at least two gripping means by mutual agreement according to the direction of extension of the channel and in the active race, in the direction of its exit, at a speed equal or substantially equal to that of supply some products; and to provide that each gripping means, when it has reached the outlet of the channel, ceases the retention action of said first product, leaving it to rest against an accompanying element which, moving at a higher speed than that of product supply along the canal, accompanies a group formed towards or on the transfer line, away from said outlet.  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said channel or said channels forming the supply line of the products are provided inclined up and down in the direction of said transfer line, so that each defined group of products can be received by the accompanying element when there is the cessation of the retention action exersXed on the first of the products which compose it by the gripping means which reaches the outlet of the channel or of each channel.  3. Device for forming groups of products and for accompanying them to a transfer line, according to the method of claim 1, which can be applied to, or is part of a supply line for products comprising one or more channels where the products, by each channel, are at the dregs, leaned with the others and with the support, on all the channel, on only one portion of this one, or even upstream of this one , on a conveyor actuated by a motor and provided with continuous movement in the direction of said transfer line, characterized in that it comprises, by each channel (2D, at least two gripper elements (6, 7) arranged so as to Intervene laterally on the products (P) and mobile along the said channel, in phase with each other and provided with reciprocating movements opposite to each other, at a speed, in the active race towards from the outlet of the channel (2), equal to that of advance of the products along the same channel (2); means (23, 24) for controlling said gripper elements (6, 7), intended to bring them into condition for taking the first (P ') of the products of a desired group (GP), immediately before the start of said active stroke, and in condition of release of said first product (P ') when it reaches the outlet of the channel (2); at least one accompanying element (11) arranged in correspondence with said outlet from the channel (2) and movable alternately from a first position in which it receives said first product (P ') in support to a second position in which it deposits the group (GP) of products of which said first product (P ') is a part, on the transfer line (3); said accompanying element (11), at least in the active stroke, being mobile, in phase with the movement and stop times of the transfer line (3), at a higher speed than that of advance products (P) ie along said channel (2).  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the channel or channels (2) forming the product supply line (P) are inclined up and down in the direction of their exit.  5. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the channel or channels (2) forming the product supply line (P) are arranged vertically.  6. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the channel or channels (2) forming the product supply line (P) are arranged horizontally or substantially horizontal.  7. Device according to claims S or, characterized in that it comprises a second accompanying element (111) movable in unison with the accompanying element (11) and also movable, in the direction normal to the channel ( 2), so as to be brought into two positions: one external to the channel (2) and not interfering with the free passage of the products (P) at the outlet of the same channel (2); the other of support against the last of the products (P) forming a group (GP) being transferred from said channel (2) to the transport line (3).  8. Device for training groups of products and for accompanying them to a transfer line, which can be applied or forms part of a supply line for products comprising one or more channels or the products, by each channel, found in line, leaned against each other and supported, over the entire channel, on a single portion thereof, or even upstream thereof, on a conveyor driven by a motor and provided of continuous movement towards said transfer line, characterized in that it comprises, by each channel (2), at least two gripper elements (6, 7) arranged so as to act laterally on the products (P) and movable along said channel in phase with each other and in reciprocating movements opposite to each other, at a speed, in the active race towards the exit of the channel (2v, equal to that of advance of the products along said channel (2) ;; means (23, 24) for controlling said e gripper elements (6, 7) intended to bring them in condition for taking the first (P ') of the products of a desired group (GP), immediately before the start of said active race, and in release condition of said first product (P ') when the latter reaches the outlet of the channel (2); at least one accompanying element (11) disposed at said outlet from the channel (2) and movable alternately from a first position in which it receives said first product (P ') in support has a second position in which it deposits the group (GP) of products, of which said first product (P ') forms part, on the transfer line (3); said accompanying element (11), at least in the active stroke, being movable, in phase with the movement and stop times of the transfer line (3), at a higher speed than that of advance of the products (P) along said channel (2); re-phasing means (30) being provided at said outlet from each channel (2) and being movable between a rest position, in which they are outside the path of the products (P) along the respective channel (2) and an operating position in which they intercept the first product (P ') of the product row (P) and are aligned with said accompanying element (11) which has reached its said first position; said resetting means (30) being slaved to control means (31) intended to bring them to their operating position, in phase with the movements of said gripper elements (6, 7> and also intended to deactivate the latter in their movement of taking a product (P ') during the entire period of time in which said reshaping means (30) are in their operating position.  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said means for reshaping (3C, comprise a wall (32) orthogonal to the bottom plane (33) of said channel or said channels (2) and set in motion longitudinally by respective handling means (34).  10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said wall (32) is a face of a body (35) fixed to one of the ends of an oleohyaraulic cylinder (34); said body (32) having another face (36) orthogonal to said wall C32) and coplanar with the bottom plane (33) of said channel or said channels (2) when the wall (32> is in its rest position.