GB1589540A - Apparatus for producing identical gaps between mass produced individual articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for producing identical spacings between piece goods (11) of a series production, which are moved on a transport belt towards at least one further-treatment station, comprises a large number of piece-goods transport bodies (12) which are intended for instantaneous engaging on in each case one piece-goods item (11) and can be guided parallel to the transport path of the piece goods (11). These bodies sre supported via guide means on an endless first rail track (15) which returns the transport bodies (12) in each case to their starting point again, the individual transport bodies (12) being interconnected via a motor-driven revolving articulated-member system (20). The articulated members (21) are in this case supported at their articulation point (23) between in each case two adjacent transport bodies (12) on a second rail track (30) which deviates from the first in its course. As a result, it is possible to vary at will the spacings between the individual transport bodies and consequently also between the piece goods carried along by the transport bodies between the so-called inlet point and the so-called outlet point of the device, corresponding entirely to the relative course of the first and second rail track lying between these two points. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING I DENTICAL GAPS BETWEEN MASS PRODUCED INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES I) I, HANS ULRICH BOGATZKI, a Swiss citizen of Ferdinand-Hodler-Strasse 24, Zurich, Switzerland, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing identical gaps between mass produced individual articles conveyed on a conveyor belt or the like to at least one further processing station.

In the manufacture and processing of mass produced articles in the consumer goods industry generally a plurality of processing systems and/or machines are used in series.

The individual articles such as glasses, bottles, cans, boxes, etc. move between these further processing stations on conveyor belts. On such conveyor belts the articles are generally already separated from one another and stand one behind the other, but their relative spacing is extremely nonuniform. This irregular spacing is prejudicial to the requirement that the articles are supplied synchronously to the further processing station, that is to say with an identical spacing, because production sequences or treatment processes in the individual machines naturally take place synchronously.

Therefore the articles must be supplied individually in accordance with the cyclic spacing, which must be larger than the article diameter or other transverse dimension. This transfer to and from the conveyor belts or machine mechanisms causes serious problems due to the differing shapes of the articles and due to the different processing speeds and makes the complete production sequence more fault-prone.

In order to at least partly control this problem it is standard practice to use an apparatus of the above-indicated type, whose essential component is a so-called feed screw. The articles are taken up by this feed screw and are separated by an increasing spacing and are transferred synchronously to the production machine. In spite of the fact that this system is used in almost all processes it cannot be considered ideal.

As the screw engages the article and transports it the point of engagement must be very precisely chosen particularly with high and small diameter articles so that the article is not toppled over. This is particularly the case at high speeds and when articles arrive singly. The reason for this is that due to the special characteristics of the screw design an article which is supplied in a non-synchronous manner can be struck in such a way by the incoming helix that it is jerked back which, in the case of high, small diameter products, generally leads to wobbling and overturning, consequently interrupting the complete production sequence.

Particularly in the case of flat, large diameter articles a screw cannot be used, because in this case the large screw radius which would be necessary to accommodate the article exceeds the height of the article and consequently the screw rotation axis is located above the top of the article. In addition, articles with complicated configurations can often not be gripper at the ideal contact point by the screw, which can also lead to passing under or knocking down of the article. Furthermore, when the feed screws are dirty or worn the constant abrasion of the articles can lead to scratches or damage, this applying particularly in the case of labelled or bright objects. In the case of thin or resilient articles which are not supplied synchronously deformation or damage can be caused by the advancing thread of the screw.It is also disadvantageous that at high production speeds the advancing first thread of the feed screw acts like a wall, so that individually fed-in articles cannot be picked up and it is only after the build up of a so-called backlog or a dynamic pressure that the articles can be taken up by the screw. Since, as stated, this occurs particularly at high production speeds each article strikes a stationary column of articles at high speed, which is particularly disadvantageous in glassworks due to the danger of breakage. Experience in glass works has shown that all forms of impacts, scratches, etc. occurring just after manufacture reduce the strength of the glasses to a considerable extent. It is finally disadvantageous that different screws have to be fitted for different diameters and heights of the articles.

It is also known to separate and transfer synchronously individual articles by means of a so-called feed star. However, even this relatively well-used system has significant disadvantages. For example the distribution of small-diameter articles over large distances is not possible. In addition, at high speed the star ends act as a wall and lead to the overturning of individually arriving articles or can even jam them between the start and facing guidance wall.

In addition, it has also been proposed to separate the articles by means of belts moving at a higher speed than the conveyor belt which advances the columns of articles.

However, this system has the disadvantage that synchronous running is not possible.

It can be gathered from what has been stated hereinbefore that all these systems have the common disadvantage that they cannot be universely used and operate in a troublefree manner at high speeds and when the articles have irregular shape configurations.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing identical spacings between mass produced articles moved on a conveyor belt which makes it possible to obviate all the disadvantages of the known systems of this type and which makes it possible to adequately "synchronise" individual articles of all shapes and types at hitherto unachieved production speeds, i.e. towards or away from the conveyor belt with identical reciprocal spacings in accordance with the working cycle of a further processing station.

According to the invention we provide an apparatus for controlling the spacing between individual articles conveyed on a conveyor belt or the like, such apparatus comprising a first endless track having a forward track portion extending parallel to the direction of movement of the articles on the conveyor belt, a second endless track having a forward track portion extending along a different path from the forward track portion of the first endless track, first guide members movable along said first track and carrying conveying members movable parallel to the conveying path of the articles, as the guide members move along said forward track portion for the instantaneous engagement of a single article, second guide members movable along said second track and a series of links forming a motor driven chain, said links being articulated at their ends, first alternate articulations being connected to the first guide members and the other alternate articulations being connected to the second guide members, one of the first and second tracks being adjustable in position relative to the other of the tracks in the plane of the tracks for controlling the variation of the spacing between successive ones of the first guide members during progress around the first track.

With such a construction it is possible to vary as desired the spacing between the individual conveying members and consequently between the articles engaged by the conveying members, as a function of the different paths of the forward portions of the first and second endless tracks. This is naturally a function of the length of the articulated links. In addition an increased spacing between the conveying members at the upstream end of the forward path can be obtained if the track of this point coincides with the reversal point of the conveying members, which leads to a completely problem-free feeding-in of the articles.

As a result of these measures it is possible in a critical case to slow down the conveying members to zero speed and then accelerate them again virtually at will.

This permits a simple and rapid changeover of the apparatus to suit various types of article. To this end it is advantageous for the conveying members to carry interchangeable distributing or article engaging members.

Tests with such an apparatus have shown that articles and in particular bottles can now be processed at a production rate of about 1,000 items per minute and above, whereas hitherto only 100 items per minute could be processed with virtually no backlog.

In order that the invention will be more fully understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention, together with a conveyor belt; Figure 2 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-section through the arrangement according to Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a part of a modified form of apparatus according to the invention.

The drawings show an apparatus for producing identical spacings between bottles 11 conveyed on a conveyor belt 1. Conveyor belt 1 is mounted on a conventional frame 2 and can be driven in any suitable manner.

The articles, in this case bottles 11, for example directly from the glass furnace are individually placed in a known manner on conveyor belt 1, which generally maintains a constant conveying speed. The bottles 11 follow one another in compact sequence or with very varying spacings and thus pass over a pre-determined conveying zone to a further processing station (not shown).

As such further processing stations (e.g.

measuring, coding, sealing, labelling and similar stations) are required to operate at high speed the articles must naturally be suplied synchronously at a corresponding speed and with a constant relative spacing.

This is brought about by apparatus 5 according to the invention which is associated with the conveyor belt 1 at any suitable point.

Apparatus 5 comprises a machine frame 3 and a plurality of conveying members 4 which serve to engage instantaneously in each case one bottle 11. Conveying members 12 are supported by guide members in the form of rollers 13 (Figure 3) on a first endless track 15, whose path can be seen in Figure 2. The individual conveying members 12 in this case form a trolley, which preferably has interchangeable distributing elements 16 which are advantageously adapted to the shape of the articles 11 conveyed, as shown in detail in Figure 3. The elements 16 co-operate with a back-up rail 17 engaging on the other side of the bottle 11.

As can in particular be gathered from Figures 1 and 2 the trolleys 12 are moved over a particular zone, here from left to right, on a forward portion of the track parallel to conveyor belt 1 in the conveying direction and are then moved along a further parallel track portion in the return direction, the forward and return parallel track portions of the track 15 being interconnected by curved sections. The curved sections are located in the opposite ends of the track. Thus, this first endless track 15 is symmetrical.

It is pointed out that the conveying members 12 in this case constructed as trolleys can also be curved slides or slides guided over blocks in which case the rail system must be constructed accordingly.

The attachment of the endless tracks to machine frame 3 can also be effected in any convenient manner and requires no further explanation here. The apparatus 5 can be firmly fixed to any selected point on the conveyor belt or its frame 2.

The individual trolleys 12 are interconnected via a rotary articulated member system 20, which can be in the form of an endless link sprocket chain. As can be clearly gathered from the drawings the articulated chain links 21 are alternately connected in articulated manner at point 24 with a trolley 12 and between two adjacent trolleys 12 with the adjacent articulated link. The joints are formed by means of suitable pivots 18, as shown in Figure 3. At the articulation points 23 between in each case two adjacent trolleys 12, articulated links 21 are also supported by means of guide member rollers 25 (Figure 3) in a second endless track 30 the path of which diverges from that of the first track.

As can be seen in Figure 2 the return portion of the track 30 is parallel to the return portion of the first track 15, whereas the forward portion of track 30 approaches the forward portion of track 15 at an angle starting from the inlet and only overlies the latter in the outlet area. As a result with a continuous drive the individual trolleys in the system assume different relative speeds and spacings, depending on the angular position of the associated articulated links 21.

By suitable design a very large regulating range can be obtained for the relative speeds and transverse spacings with such an apparatus.

In principle it is firstly possible to adjust the first track 15 and the track 30 in their guidance planes relative to one another.

Advantageously the second track carrying the articulated links 21 is made adjustable in its guidance plane. For example Figure 2 shows an angle A through which the axis of track 30 can be adjusted about the displacement point V which varies the spacing and speed of the incoming trolley. In addition, track 30 can comprise interchangeable sections in order to obtain any desired path.

Figure 4 shows such a path 301 which makes it possible instantaneously to stop trolley 211 on its rail 151, in the manner explained hereinbefore.

As can be gathered from the statements made hereinbefore a very simple but at the same time very effective and versatile design of apparatus for the synchronous feeding of individual mass produced articles can be provided according to the invention which meets all the necessary requirements.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. An apparatus for controlling the spacing between individual articles conveyed on a conveyor belt or the like, such apparatus comprising a first endless track having a forward track portion extendng parallel to the direction of movement of the articles on the conveyor belt, a second endless track having a forward track portion extending along a different path from the forward track portion of the first endless track, first guide members movable along said first track and carrying conveying members movable parallel to the conveying path of the articles, as the guide members move along said forward track portion for the instantaneous engagement of a single article, second guide

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

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. conveyor belt 1, which generally maintains a constant conveying speed. The bottles 11 follow one another in compact sequence or with very varying spacings and thus pass over a pre-determined conveying zone to a further processing station (not shown). As such further processing stations (e.g. measuring, coding, sealing, labelling and similar stations) are required to operate at high speed the articles must naturally be suplied synchronously at a corresponding speed and with a constant relative spacing. This is brought about by apparatus 5 according to the invention which is associated with the conveyor belt 1 at any suitable point. Apparatus 5 comprises a machine frame 3 and a plurality of conveying members 4 which serve to engage instantaneously in each case one bottle 11. Conveying members 12 are supported by guide members in the form of rollers 13 (Figure 3) on a first endless track 15, whose path can be seen in Figure 2. The individual conveying members 12 in this case form a trolley, which preferably has interchangeable distributing elements 16 which are advantageously adapted to the shape of the articles 11 conveyed, as shown in detail in Figure 3. The elements 16 co-operate with a back-up rail 17 engaging on the other side of the bottle 11. As can in particular be gathered from Figures 1 and 2 the trolleys 12 are moved over a particular zone, here from left to right, on a forward portion of the track parallel to conveyor belt 1 in the conveying direction and are then moved along a further parallel track portion in the return direction, the forward and return parallel track portions of the track 15 being interconnected by curved sections. The curved sections are located in the opposite ends of the track. Thus, this first endless track 15 is symmetrical. It is pointed out that the conveying members 12 in this case constructed as trolleys can also be curved slides or slides guided over blocks in which case the rail system must be constructed accordingly. The attachment of the endless tracks to machine frame 3 can also be effected in any convenient manner and requires no further explanation here. The apparatus 5 can be firmly fixed to any selected point on the conveyor belt or its frame 2. The individual trolleys 12 are interconnected via a rotary articulated member system 20, which can be in the form of an endless link sprocket chain. As can be clearly gathered from the drawings the articulated chain links 21 are alternately connected in articulated manner at point 24 with a trolley 12 and between two adjacent trolleys 12 with the adjacent articulated link. The joints are formed by means of suitable pivots 18, as shown in Figure 3. At the articulation points 23 between in each case two adjacent trolleys 12, articulated links 21 are also supported by means of guide member rollers 25 (Figure 3) in a second endless track 30 the path of which diverges from that of the first track. As can be seen in Figure 2 the return portion of the track 30 is parallel to the return portion of the first track 15, whereas the forward portion of track 30 approaches the forward portion of track 15 at an angle starting from the inlet and only overlies the latter in the outlet area. As a result with a continuous drive the individual trolleys in the system assume different relative speeds and spacings, depending on the angular position of the associated articulated links 21. By suitable design a very large regulating range can be obtained for the relative speeds and transverse spacings with such an apparatus. In principle it is firstly possible to adjust the first track 15 and the track 30 in their guidance planes relative to one another. Advantageously the second track carrying the articulated links 21 is made adjustable in its guidance plane. For example Figure 2 shows an angle A through which the axis of track 30 can be adjusted about the displacement point V which varies the spacing and speed of the incoming trolley. In addition, track 30 can comprise interchangeable sections in order to obtain any desired path. Figure 4 shows such a path 301 which makes it possible instantaneously to stop trolley 211 on its rail 151, in the manner explained hereinbefore. As can be gathered from the statements made hereinbefore a very simple but at the same time very effective and versatile design of apparatus for the synchronous feeding of individual mass produced articles can be provided according to the invention which meets all the necessary requirements. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-

1. An apparatus for controlling the spacing between individual articles conveyed on a conveyor belt or the like, such apparatus comprising a first endless track having a forward track portion extendng parallel to the direction of movement of the articles on the conveyor belt, a second endless track having a forward track portion extending along a different path from the forward track portion of the first endless track, first guide members movable along said first track and carrying conveying members movable parallel to the conveying path of the articles, as the guide members move along said forward track portion for the instantaneous engagement of a single article, second guide

members movable along said second track and a series of links forming a motor driven chain, said links being articulated at their ends, first alternate articulations being connected to the first guide members and the other alternate articulations being connected to the second guide members, one of the first and second tracks being adjustable in position relative to the other of the tracks in the plane of the tracks for controlling the variation of the spacing between successive ones of the first guide members during progress around the first track.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying members are trolleys.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying members carry interchangeable distributing or article engaging devices.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the articulated chain is a sprocket chain.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first track is fixed and the second track is adjustable in its plane relative thereto.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second track is constructed at least partly in an interchangeable manner to permit modification of the path of movement of the second guide members therealong.

7. Apparatus for controlling the spacing between individual articles conveyed on a conveyor belt or the like, such apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.