GB1568129A - Apparatus for arranging objects for example bottles in a specific pattern in a container - Google Patents

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR ARRANGING OBJECTS, FOR EXAMPLE BOTTLES, IN A SPECIFIC PATTERN, IN A CONTAINER (71) We, STORK BEPAK N.V., a Netherlands limited liability company of 2, Groeneweg, Utrecht, the Netherlands, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to apparatus for arranging objects, for example bottles, in a specific pattern in a container.

According to this invention apparatus for arranging objects in a specific pattern in a container comprises a number of vertically displaceable jaws arranged according to this pattern for transferring the objects from a support for the objects to a lower discharge line for supporting the container, the support being movable towards and out of the path of movement of the jaws, and a guide frame with suspended guide faces for location inside the container, which frame guides the objects during their vertical movement, the vertical movement of the jaws and of the guide frame being so controlled that after the objects have been arranged on the support, the jaws carry out a downward movement and grip the objects, and the support clears the path of the jaws, and the jaws together with the guide frame move downwards over a distance for causing the guide faces to enter the container, whilst subsequently the jaws are further moved downwards over a distance for placing the objects on the bottom of the container, whereafter these movements are carried out in reverse order.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention comprises a fixed main frame which carries the movable support in which a first frame carrying the guide frame may move up and down. This first frame is coupled to a second frame which carries the jaws, namely through a first driving mechanism operating with a shorter stroke the expansion of which determines a first step of the vertical movement of the second frame, and a second driving mechanism operating with a longer stroke the expansion of which determines a second step of the vertical movement of the second frame, and reversely.

It is advantageous if the first driving mechanism is formed by a shorter cylinder and the second driving mechanism by a longer cylinder.

In this manner, the advantage is obtained that the movement driven by the shorter cylinder is buffered by the longer cylinder during the downward movement of the second frame, while reversely during the upward movement the movement driven by the longer cylinder is buffered by the shorter cylinder. This enables these movements to be carried out at a high initial velocity.

A bottle feed line preferably carries convex guides over part of its length for aligning objects at the end of which partitions are arranged, and the support which also carries guides may be provided with a stop with pressure-sensitive elements standing transversely on the guides.

A simple embodiment is obtained when the stop consists of an oblong hollow element with apertures which may be closed by means of resilient caps directed towards the feed line, this element being connected with a source of compressed air and a pressure-sensitive switch element which may supply a control signal for initiating the movements of the first and second frames.

This principle of signalisation is known as such from German Offenlegungsschrift 2.100.562.

Finally, the support is preferably made of two supporting faces located in a horizontal plane and movable towards or from each other.

One specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of an embodiment according to the invention, constructed for handling bottles: Fig. 2, 3 and 4 show various steps of the movement of the elements of this embodiment; and Fig. 5 and 6 elucidate the manner in which the bottles to be packed are fed.

The embodiment shown perspectively in Fig. 1 consists of a main frame indicated as a whole by reference number 1 constructed of vertical beams 2, 3 mutually connected by a horizontal beam 4: the vertical beams 2, 3 rest on a support with horizontal girders 5, 6 which rest on the floor via feet 7 and are interconnected by a beam 8. A feed table 10 which adjoins a feed line (not illustrated) on which the bottles to be packed are fed, rests on vertical beams 9 born by this frame. The feed table 10 is divided into four feed lines 12 located next to each other by means of a number of adjacent partitions 11 (see Fig. 5 and 6).

Each of these feed lines is closed by a pneumatically or hydraulically controlled shutter or partition in the form of a door 13, the control mechanism of which is not shown. The bottles 36 are fed in the direction of the arrow 14 by the propelling movement of the feed line (not shown).

In front of the main frame 1, transversely to the feed direction of the bottles, there runs a box supply line 15 for feeding boxes 16-see Fig. 1-these boxes being provided with a partitioning 17. The apparatus is destined for arranging each time a number of bottles in a box 16, the bottles being placed exactly into the apertures defined by the partioning 17 in the box.

The mechanism for moving the bottles in vertical direction whereby these are placed into the right place in boxes 16 is carried out as follows: Movable up and down and driven by a hydraulic cylinder (not shown), a first frame is guided into the main frame 1, a second frame being guided into and coupled with this first frame. The first frame consists of two vertical beams 18, 19 interconnected by a horizontal beam 20; the second frame consists of vertical beams 21, 22 interconnected by a horizontal beam 23.The beams 21, 22 are respectively connected with beams 18, 19 of the first frame via short pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 24, 25 and connecting rods 26, 27 the second frame is coupled to the first frame via long pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 28, 29, the cylinders being connected with the horizontal beam 20 of the first frame and the pisfon rods via transverse rods 30, 31 are connected with the vertical beams 21, 22 of the little carriage.

The horizontal beam 23 of the second frame carries a frame 32 from which. via carrying elements 33, pneumatic jaws 34, arranged in the desired pattern, are suspended. They serve to grip the bottles 36 which may rest on a loading platform made up of parts 37a, 37b (see Fig. 5 and 6), this platform being carried by the first frame.

These parts 37a 37b comprise support faces located in a horizontal plane and can move towards or from each other under the influence of a pneumatic or hydraulic driving with driving rods shown schematically in Fig. 5 and 6 consisting of cylinder 38 with a piston rod 39 and coupling rods 40, 41 and 42. As a matter of course, any other form of driving may be applied. On the loading platform there is a stop 43 consisting of a hollow tube which, via line 44, is connected with a source of compressed air 45; in the stop, in the extension of each feed line 12, an aperture 46 is formed which may be closed by a resilient valve body 47. The tube is furthermore connected with a pressure-sensitive switch 48.

When the valves 47 close the apertures 46, the pressure in the tube 43 will rise, as a result of which the pressure-sensitive switch 48 reacts and gives a control signal.

Furthermore, the first frame carries a guide frame 49 with suspended guide faces 49a corresponding to the desired configuration of the bottles and the partitioning in the box.

This guide frame, therefore, moves up and down with the first frame.

For the sake of simplicity, a detailed explanation of the various operation and control elements is left out in this description, it is evident that every expert may devise a control suitable for the consecutive performance of the movements to be described below.

The working of the apparatus is as follows: The bottles 36 fed in rows next to each other via the feed line or supply track in the direction of the arrow 14 contact the doors 13, which are then still closed, with the foremost bottles 36a. By means of the driving mechanism (not shown) the doors are opened and the bottles move on in the direction of the arrow 14 until the foremost bottles contact the valves 47, exercise counter-pressure thereon, closing the apertures 46 thereby. When all apertures are closed, the pressure in the tube 43 rises and the pressure-sensitive device issues a control signal which initiates the further movement and operation of the apparatus.

The doors 13 are closed and pressure medium is admitted to the short cylinders 24, 25 as a result of which the second frame with the jaws 34 suspended from the carriers 33 moves downward to around the neck of the bottles. Fig. 2 shows the situation just before the jaws 34 are lowered around the respective bottle necks. Thereby the bottles 36 are still carried by the platform 37a, 37b.

Now, compressed air is supplied to the jaws 34 as a result of which these grip the bottles. Subsequently, pressure medium is supplied to the cylinder 38 so that the parts 37a, 37b move from each other, after which compressed air is supplied to the control cylinder (not shown) of the first frame: as a result thereof the first frame with the packet of bottles suspended from the jaws is lowered together with guide frame 49.

The guide frame 49 enters the box 16 by means of the guides 49a which box has meanwhile been supplied via the supply track 15. This situation is illustrated in Fig. 3. Meanwhile, also pressure medium is supplied to the cylinder 28, as a result of which the jaw frame 33 with the jaws 34 carried by the second frame also moves downwards, the jaws passing through the guide frame and the bottles being put into the box. Fig. 4 shows the end of this step.

Subsequently, the various movements run in opposite direction: The little carriage is speedily moved upwards which movement is buffered by the cylinders 24, 25 which are still extended: therefore, this movement may take place with a high initial velocity. Then, another box is supplied and the sequence of movements described above is repeated.

The advantage of the application of a small cylinder and a large cylinder in driving the second frame is that upon expansion of the short cylinder with which the first part of the movement of the second frame is carried out, the long cylinder acts as a buffer and that the distance of displacement of the second frame is exactly defined; application of one cylinder only would render the latter difficult. The reverse occurs in the retrogressive movement: the short cylinder then acts as a buffer for the last step of the movement of the second frame. As a result thereof, the movements may be carried out with a high initial velocity resulting in a high capacity of the apparatus.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for arranging objects in a specific pattern in a container, comprising a number of vertically displaceable jaws arranged according to this pattern for transferring the objects from a support for the objects to a lower discharge line for supporting the container, the support being movable towards and out of the path of movement of the jaws, and a guide frame with suspended guide faces for location inside the container, which frame guides the objects during their vertical movement, the vertical movement of the jaws and of the guide frame being so controlled that after the objects have been arranged on the support, the jaws carry out a downward movement and grip the objects and the support clears the path of the jaws, and the jaws together with the guide frame move downwards over a distance for causing the guide faces to enter the container, whilst subsequently the jaws are further moved downwards over a distance for placing the objects on the bottom of the container, whereafter these movements are carried out in reverse order.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a fixed main frame carrying the movable support, in which main frame a first frame carrying the guide frame may move up and down, to which first frame a second frame is coupled carrying the jaws via a first driving mechanism operating with a shorter stroke the expansion of which defines a first step of the vertical movement of the second frame, and a second driving mechanism operating with a longer stroke the expansion of which defines a second step of the vertical movement of the second frame, and reversely.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first driving mechanism is formed by a shorter cylinder and the second driving mechanism by a longer cylinder.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which a feed line for the bottles adjoins the support and carries convex guides over part of its length for arranging the objects into rows, at the end of which shutters or partitions are placed, and the support, which also carries guides, is provided with a stop having pressuresensitive elements transversely on the guides.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the stop comprises a hollow element with apertures directed towards the feed line resilient members for closing said apertures, this element being connectable with a source of compressed air, and a pressure-sensitive switch element for supplying a control signal for initiating the movements of the first and second frames.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the support comprises two

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. carriers 33 moves downward to around the neck of the bottles. Fig. 2 shows the situation just before the jaws 34 are lowered around the respective bottle necks. Thereby the bottles 36 are still carried by the platform 37a, 37b. Now, compressed air is supplied to the jaws 34 as a result of which these grip the bottles. Subsequently, pressure medium is supplied to the cylinder 38 so that the parts 37a, 37b move from each other, after which compressed air is supplied to the control cylinder (not shown) of the first frame: as a result thereof the first frame with the packet of bottles suspended from the jaws is lowered together with guide frame 49. The guide frame 49 enters the box 16 by means of the guides 49a which box has meanwhile been supplied via the supply track 15. This situation is illustrated in Fig. 3. Meanwhile, also pressure medium is supplied to the cylinder 28, as a result of which the jaw frame 33 with the jaws 34 carried by the second frame also moves downwards, the jaws passing through the guide frame and the bottles being put into the box. Fig. 4 shows the end of this step. Subsequently, the various movements run in opposite direction: The little carriage is speedily moved upwards which movement is buffered by the cylinders 24, 25 which are still extended: therefore, this movement may take place with a high initial velocity. Then, another box is supplied and the sequence of movements described above is repeated. The advantage of the application of a small cylinder and a large cylinder in driving the second frame is that upon expansion of the short cylinder with which the first part of the movement of the second frame is carried out, the long cylinder acts as a buffer and that the distance of displacement of the second frame is exactly defined; application of one cylinder only would render the latter difficult. The reverse occurs in the retrogressive movement: the short cylinder then acts as a buffer for the last step of the movement of the second frame. As a result thereof, the movements may be carried out with a high initial velocity resulting in a high capacity of the apparatus. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for arranging objects in a specific pattern in a container, comprising a number of vertically displaceable jaws arranged according to this pattern for transferring the objects from a support for the objects to a lower discharge line for supporting the container, the support being movable towards and out of the path of movement of the jaws, and a guide frame with suspended guide faces for location inside the container, which frame guides the objects during their vertical movement, the vertical movement of the jaws and of the guide frame being so controlled that after the objects have been arranged on the support, the jaws carry out a downward movement and grip the objects and the support clears the path of the jaws, and the jaws together with the guide frame move downwards over a distance for causing the guide faces to enter the container, whilst subsequently the jaws are further moved downwards over a distance for placing the objects on the bottom of the container, whereafter these movements are carried out in reverse order.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a fixed main frame carrying the movable support, in which main frame a first frame carrying the guide frame may move up and down, to which first frame a second frame is coupled carrying the jaws via a first driving mechanism operating with a shorter stroke the expansion of which defines a first step of the vertical movement of the second frame, and a second driving mechanism operating with a longer stroke the expansion of which defines a second step of the vertical movement of the second frame, and reversely.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first driving mechanism is formed by a shorter cylinder and the second driving mechanism by a longer cylinder.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which a feed line for the bottles adjoins the support and carries convex guides over part of its length for arranging the objects into rows, at the end of which shutters or partitions are placed, and the support, which also carries guides, is provided with a stop having pressuresensitive elements transversely on the guides.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the stop comprises a hollow element with apertures directed towards the feed line resilient members for closing said apertures, this element being connectable with a source of compressed air, and a pressure-sensitive switch element for supplying a control signal for initiating the movements of the first and second frames.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the support comprises two

support faces located in a horizontal plane and movable towards and away from each other.

7. Apparatus for arranging objects in a specific pattern in a container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings. - - -