FR2638422A1 - DEVICE FOR TRANSFERRING STACKS OF PRODUCTS TO BE PACKED AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for transferring stacks of products P for packaging comprises a rotating element 5 with a plurality of cells 11 for receiving stacks of products P. The cells rotate on a path which includes a descending portion H, between the opening of outlet 9 of a device 4 for forming stacks of products and a conveying means 3 on which an ordered flow of superimposed stacks of products is to be formed.

Description

Device for transferring stacks of products which must be

  The present invention relates to a device for transferring stacks of products to be packaged, for example, food products such as cookies, dry cookies otherwise called crackers, etc. More specifically, the present invention relates to a transfer device which is designed to operate between: - A stacking device which can form stacks, each comprising a number of products, of a practically continuous product flow, the device d the stack being provided with at least one outlet opening which periodically expels the stacks along a given line, each stack comprising products superimposed along the given line, and - A routing means for advancing the piles supported on the conveying means in a direction perpendicular to the given line, the conveying means being situated generally below the at

  minus an outlet opening of the stacking device.

  Such a stacking and routing means unit is described, for example, in Italian patent 1,186,419 filed in the name of the same applicant and in the

  corresponding U.S. patent 4,755,093.

  In the unit described in these previous documents, the transfer of products from the stack forming device to the conveying means is obtained by means of an oscillating unit which joins the stacks of products barely formed by the device stacking and then performs a backward movement, thereby depositing the stacks of products on the conveying means. The product stacks deposited on the outlet routing means of the unit described in the above patent comprise a plurality of adjacent parts having

  their main dimensions oriented in a vertical plane.

  There is therefore a need to provide a solution which allows the formation on the outlet routing means of a stack of batteries comprising

  each a plurality of products superimposed flat, that is

  that is, with their main dimensions oriented

horizontally.

  A solution which makes it possible to obtain this result is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,675,792 in which it is envisaged that the stacks of products which have just been formed are pushed on the drive blades of intermittently moving conveyor which transfers stacks of product to another conveyor line. The latter also comprises a conveying means with blades which are inserted from above, immediately upstream of the blades of the first conveying means, so as to take care of the stacks of products. These are finally transferred, always by the same blade insertion system, to a final means of transport. In practice, this solution is difficult to achieve due to the considerable mechanical complexity of the entire installation, the difficulty of ensuring the synchronization of the various units of conveyor means with blades in all states (including the start initial and shutdown of the entire installation), the general online configuration of product movement, which can give rise to considerable longitudinal bulk and configuration (installation) difficulties for the packaging line whole, and also because it is practically impossible to operate several streams in parallel. The object of the present invention, therefore, is further to improve the solution described in Italian patent 1,186,419 and US 4,755,093 by taking into account its ability to process or handle vertically superimposed products, while avoiding art problems

above mentioned.

  According to the present invention, this object is obtained by means of a device of the type specified above, characterized in that it comprises: - A rotating element fixed so as to be able to rotate on a respective axis and provided with product receiving cells which rotate on a trajectory comprising a portion which extends downwards, during use, between at least one outlet opening of the stacking device and of the conveying means, so that the cells can receive cyclically the stacks of products expelled from the outlet opening and then transfer them to the conveying means, and - means for guiding the sliding of the stacks of

  products, the guide means being substantially co-

  extensive, during use, with the portion of the trajectory located between the at least one opening of

outlet and route.

  Another aspect of the invention relates to equipment comprising a device having the characteristics indicated above, for forming an ordered flow of stacks of products from a substantially continuous flow of

products.

  The invention will now be described, only by means of an example given without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic vertical section of packaging equipment incorporating the invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view which shows in more detail the structural and installation configurations of some of the parts

shown in Figure 1.

  FIG. 1 represents the equipment, generally designated by 1, for forming, from a practically continuous flow of adjacent products P (such as, for example, cookies or crackers) moving on a conveyor means 2 or chain, with their main dimensions oriented vertically, an ordered flow of stacks of products placed on an outlet routing means 3, usually consisting of a

blade conveyor.

  Referring to the diagram in FIG. 1, the products P move on an input routing means 2 from the left to the right in the drawing plane, while the output routing means 3 moves the stacks of discharged products (consisting of products superimposed flat, which means, with their main dimensions arranged horizontally) in a

  direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet. -

  In addition to the outlet routing means 3, the equipment 1 also comprises two basic operating elements, that is to say: - A device 4 for stacking or forming batteries, and

- A transfer device 5.

  The stacking device, which does not in itself constitute a specific object of the present invention, may, for example, be of the type described above in Italian patent 1,186,419 and in U.S. patent 4. 755.093 correspondent, which has already been referred to in

  the introduction to this description.

  In short, the stacking device comprises a feed chute 6 which receives the products P from the inlet routing means 2, for the transfer

  up to a gear or a rotating star 7.

  The latter rotates on an axis X7 (perpendicular to the plane of the sheet in FIG. 1) clockwise, as indicated by the arrows in the drawing, and cooperates with a set of stops, as well as with a pusher 8, so as to force the periodic expulsion of the batteries containing a predetermined number of products

  superimposed P through an outlet opening 9.

  For a detailed description of the

  operation of the device 4 for forming batteries,

  reference should be made to the description of the Italian patent

  1,186,419 and U.S. Patent 4,755,093.

  To understand the present invention, it suffices to mention that the stacks of products P are expelled in a given plane (which means, the plane of the sheet, as shown in FIG. 1) and along a line of expulsion or an L4 axis which is preferably inclined to

  an angle of about 45 horizontally.

  The expulsion opening 9 is also located slightly above the transport surface of the means

routing 3.

  Naturally, according to a solution also known in the prior art, the structure shown in FIG. 1 can comprise (also taking into account the transfer device 5) several similar elements arranged side by side, so as to be able to act simultaneously on a plurality '(3,4 or more) of flows ("channels") of products arranged in parallel. Thus, in particular, the stacking device 4 can comprise a plurality of feed chutes 6, a plurality of toothed wheels or stars 7, with associated pushers 8, and a plurality of outlet openings 9 aligned with each other. relative to each other in the direction of movement of the products on the outlet conveying means 3. The entire assembly now, for all the openings 9, a position slightly above the means

output routing.

  The function of the transfer device 5 is to take the stacks of products which are expelled from the outlet opening or the openings 9 of the stacking device 4 to transfer them in an orderly manner

  to the transport surface of the conveying means 3.

  For this purpose, the device 5 essentially comprises a rotating element formed by a central shaft 10 fixed on the frame of the equipment 1, so as to rotate (driven by a respective operating unit 10a) around an axis Xlo. The latter extends above the displacement line of the outlet routing means 3, which means perpendicular to the plane (or to the planes when there are several similar units in parallel) in which the stacks of products are expelled from the opening or openings 9. In addition, the axis Xlo practically intersects the line L4 defining the direction in which the stacks are periodically expelled by the pushing element 8. A plurality of cells or pick-up hands 11 (eight in number in the illustrated embodiment) is fixed to the shaft 10 in a carousel arrangement, the cells being constituted by box or cage structures which open towards the outside of the transfer device and can receive the batteries of products discharged from

stacking device 4.

  The positions in which the pick-ups 11, which constitute current cells for receiving the products, are fixed on the shaft 10 are such that, as a consequence of their rotation on an axis Xo10, the cells rotate on a circular trajectory comprising at least one portion or section H which extends downwards from the outlet opening or the openings 9 towards the conveying means 3 so as to constitute a guide means for the batteries as they move downwards from outlet openings 9 to the medium

routing 3.

  The angular spacing between adjacent or successive cells is chosen so as to be the same as the angular spacing between the outlet opening 9 and the conveying means 3. Consequently, when a cell 11 is aligned with the opening 9, the cell being immediately downstream (in the direction of rotation of the

  device 5) is aligned with the conveying means.

  When the equipment is in operation, the transfer device 5 is rotated by the unit 10a, which is constituted by an intermittent mechanism (for example, a mechanism of the type commonly known in the field such as the "Ferguson" mechanism, a Maltese cross mechanism or similar),

  synchronized with the movement of the entire equipment.

  For example, the drive shaft of the intermittent mechanism (the intermittent drive) can be connected to one of the shafts which drive the conveying means 3 or the pusher 8, so as to convert the rotary movement

  continuous shaft movement in an intermittent motion.

  Naturally, an electric motor actuated intermittently according to synchronization signals taken from other parts of the equipment 1 or of the packaging line of which it is a part can also be used.

to drive the device 5.

  The operation of the device 5 provides for a cyclical alternation of the waiting stages and the displacement stages. During the waiting steps, one of the cells 11 is aligned with the outlet opening 9 of the battery forming device 4, while the cell lying immediately downstream (in the direction of rotation of the

  device 5) is aligned with the conveying means 3.

  The cell 11 which is aligned with the outlet opening 9 is therefore ready to receive a stack of products P as soon as it is expelled from the training device 4 under the action of the pusher 8. As soon as the latter has completed its course to expel the stack, the intermittent drive 10A rotates the device by one stage so as to bring the cell 11 which has just received the stack of products into alignment with the conveying means 3, while the cell immediately upstream is in turn aligned with opening 9 and is therefore ready to receive a new battery

of products.

  The transfer of the stacks from the outlet opening 9 to the conveying means 3 is then accomplished by sliding each stack (made up, as we have seen previously, of products which are superimposed flat) on the field generally in the form of an arc or chute 12 under the constant positive control of the cell 11. Consequently, there is no risk that the stacked products may lose their alignment accidentally. The cells 11, the edges of the openings of which must necessarily move a small distance from the surface of the chute 12, are preferably provided with projections ila which extend towards the chute 12 (or even enter the slots 12a provided in the latter) so as to ensure a safe transfer of the products in all cases

  without risk of slipping or snagging.

  Once it has been transferred to the surface of the conveying means 3, the battery located in each cell 11 is removed from the cell 11 due to the forward movement of the conveying means. For this purpose, the cells 11 are open (which means, without any element which could interfere with the movement of the products P and risk: clutching or stopping) in the direction of movement of the conveying means 3 , in a way

  perpendicular to the plane of the sheet ce Figure 1.

  Naturally, if the entire equipment I is constructed so as to be able to operate simultaneously on several product streams (channels) in parallel, the rotational movement of the transfer device 5 (which in this case comprises several arrangements of cells 11 , each designed to cooperate with a respective opening 9) must be coordinated with the movement of the conveying means 3, so that the intermittent drive 10a is actuated to rotate the device 5 by one stage only after the routing means 3 has correctly removed all the stacks of products previously deposited on the latter, due to

  the previous step or rotation.

  Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of the embodiment and the construction details can vary enormously compared to those described and illustrated, without therefore departing from the

scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

  1. A device for transferring stacks of products (P) for packaging, which is designed to operate, during use, between: - A stacking device (4) which can form stacks, each comprising a certain number of products, from a practically continuous product flow (P), the stacking device (4) being provided with at least one outlet opening (9) which periodically expels the stacks along a given line (L4), each stack comprising products (P) superimposed along the given line (L4), - and - A conveying means (3) for advancing the batteries supported on the conveying means (3 ) in a direction perpendicular to the given line, the conveying means (3) being located generally below the at least one outlet opening (9) of the stacking device (4), characterized in that it comprises : - A rotating element (5) fixed to be able to rotate on a respective axis (X10) and provided with cellul es receiving (11) of product which rotate on a trajectory comprising a portion (H) which extends downwards, during use, between the at least one outlet opening (9) of the stacking device. (4) and the conveying means (3), so that the cells (11) can cyclically receive the stacks of products (P) expelled from the outlet opening and then transfer them to the means routing (3), and - means (12) for guiding the sliding of the stacks of products (P), the guiding means being substantially coextensive, during use, with the portion (H) of the path located between at least one   outlet opening (9) and the conveying means (3).   l1 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reception cells (11) are provided, on the rotating element (5), in an arrangement generally in the form of a carousel around the respective axis (X10), with angular spacing between successive cells (11) so that, when one of the cells (11) is aligned with at least one outlet opening (9) to receive a stack of products (P), at least one other cell (11) of the rotation element (5)   is aligned with the conveying means (3).   3. A device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that motor means (10a) for the device are provided and are synchronized (13,14) with the movement of at least one stacking device (4) and the routing means (3).   4. A device according to any one of claims 1 and 3,   claim 3, characterized in that motor means (10Oa) for the device are provided and can force the rotation element (5) to move in stages, each stage corresponding to the movement of one of the cells (11) between an alignment position with at least one outlet opening (9) from the stacking device (4) and a   position of alignment with the conveying means (3).   5. A device according to any one of claims 3 and 4,   characterized in that the motor means comprise an intermittent mechanism (10a), such as what is called the Ferguson mechanism.   6. A device according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the   receiving cells (11) are substantially free of any element which could interfere with the movement of the products in the direction perpendicular to the given line. 7. A device according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the   receiving cells (11) are provided with product drive formations (11la) which extend towards the guide means (12).   8. Equipment (1) for forming an ordered flow of stacks of products (P) from a practically continuous flow (2) of products (P), characterized in that it comprises: - A stacking device ( 4) which can form stacks, each comprising a certain number of products (P), from the practically continuous product flow, the stacking device being provided with at least one outlet opening (9) which expels periodically the stacks along a given line (L4), each stack comprising products (P) superimposed along the given line (L4), A conveying means for advancing the batteries supported on the conveying means ( 3) in an ordered flow in a direction perpendicular to the given line, the conveying means (3) being situated generally below the at least one outlet opening (9) of the stacking device (4), and - A transfer device (5) comprising - A rotating element (5) fixed to be able to rotate s ur a respective axis (X10) and provided with product receiving cells (11) which rotate on a trajectory comprising a portion (H) which extends downwards, between the at least one outlet opening (9) of the device stacking (4) and the conveying means (3), so that the cells (12) can cyclically receive the stacks of products (P) expelled from the outlet opening (9) and the then transfer to the conveying means (3), and - means (12) for guiding the sliding of the stacks of products (P), the guiding means being substantially co-extensive with the portion (H) of the trajectory , between at least one outlet opening (9) and the conveying means (3), 9. Equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that the stacking device (4) comprises a plurality of elements each operating on a respective substantially continuous flow of products (P) and having a respective outlet opening (9), and in that the transfer device (5) comprises a respective plurality of cell arrangements for receiving products (11), each cell receiving arrangement (11) being capable of cooperating with a respective outlet opening (9) of the device stacking (4).   10. Equipment according to any one of claims 8 and 9,   characterized in that the at least one given line (L4)   is oriented at approximately 45 horizontally.   11. Equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that the receiving cells (11) are arranged on the rotating element (5) in an arrangement generally in the form of a carousel around the respective axis (X10), with a spacing angular between successive cells (11) in such a way that, when one of the cells (11) is aligned with at least one outlet opening (9) to receive a stack of products (P), at least one other cell (11) of the rotating element   (5) is aligned with the conveying means (3).   12. Equipment according to any one of claims 8 and 11,   characterized in that motor means (10a) synchronized (13, 14) with the movement of at least one stacking device (4) and the conveying means   (3) are provided for the transfer device (5).   13. Equipment according to any one of   claims 8 and 12, characterized in that the means   motor (10a) are provided for the transfer device (5) and can force the rotation element (5) to move in stages, each stage corresponding to the movement of one of the cells (11), between a position d alignment with at least one outlet opening C9) of the stacking device (4) and a position   alignment with the conveying means (3).   14. A device according to any one of   claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the means   motor include an intermittent mechanism (10a),   such as the so-called Ferguson mechanism.   15. Equipment according to any one of   claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the cells   receiving elements (11) are practically without elements which could stop the movement of the products in the   direction perpendicular to the given line.   16. Equipment according to any one   claims 8 to 15, characterized in that   that the receiving cells (11} are provided with product drive formations (11a) which extend towards the guide means (12).