GB2068323A - Improvements in or relating to packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

A cheese packaging machine comprises firstly, a combination of conveying mechanism (6) and loading mechanism for loading portions of cheese into trays (12) of the conveying mechanism. The loading mechanism comprises a magazine (16) in which a block of cheese may be placed, and a shuttle mechanism (24) interposed between the magazine (16) and the conveying mechanism (6). The shuttle mechanism comprises two transfer compartments (25, 26) and drive means (28) to reciprocate the shuttle between first and second positions. When the shuttle is in its first position, a first feeding device (30) pushes a portion of cheese from the first compartment (25) into an adjacent tray, whilst a portion of cheese is fed into the second compartment (26) from the magazine. When the shuttle is in its second position, a second feeding device (32) pushes a portion of cheese from the second compartment (26) into a tray, whilst a further portion of cheese is fed into the first compartment. The machine also comprises a transfer mechanism for moving cheese from the conveying mechanism (6) onto a second conveying mechanism (40) in which the cheese is wrapped into individual portions. The transfer mechanism comprises an arm (46) mounted for movement about horizontal and vertical axes, the arm carrying at positions on opposite ends of its mounting, groups of first and second transfer members afforded by suction pouches (51, 53) respectively. Suction means is provided which is operative on movement of the transfer arm to its first and second positions, to alternatively apply suction to the transfer members of one group and to apply air to the transfer members of the other group. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to packaging This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to packaging.

In, for example, the packaging of cheese, in which portions of a desired size are sealed in a plastics film, it is conventional practice to utilise a continuously operating machine comprising a pouch-forming station, at which a number of pouches are formed simultaneously in a continuous web of plastics film (e.g.

polythene); a loading area, at which pre-cut portions of cheese are manually loaded into the pouches; a sealing station, at which an upper web is sealed over the pouches; and a cutting station at which the pouches are severed from one another. A known machine operates in a stepwise manner, in which six pouches are formed at the forming station, and six further pouches containing cheese portions are sealed at a sealing station, in each step, the six pouches typically being in a uniform array of three times two, extending laterally and longitudinally respectively of the machine.

Problems are encountered in severing portions of cheese from a larger block, in a manner which enables them to be automatically loaded onto such a known packaging machine.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided, in combination, conveying mechanism comprising a plurality of successively-arranged trays, and means for conveying the trays around an endless path, and loading mechanism for loading a portion of material into each tray, the loading mechanism comprising a magazine in which a quantity of the material is loaded, and a shuttle mechanism located between the magazine and the conveying mechanism, the shuttle mechanism comprising a first and a second transfer compartment, and being mounted for reciprocal movement between a first position in which the first transfer compartment is in alignment with the magazine and the second transfer compartment is in alignment with a feeding device on one side of the magazine, and a second position in which the second transfer compartment is in alignment with the magazine and the first transfer compartment is in alignment with a second feeding device on the other side of the magazine.

Thus, the conveying mechanism will be driven in step with operation of the shuttle mechanism, in a manner such that, when the shuttle mechansim is in its first position, the second compartment is also in alignment with a tray, and the feeding device may be operated to advance a portion of the material from the transfer compartment into said tray.

Simultaneously, a further portion of the material may be advanced from the magazine into the first compartment of the shuttle mechanism.

When the shuttle mechanism is moved into its second position, the first transfer compartment will be in alignment with another tray of the conveying mechanism, and the second feeding device may be operated to push the portion from the said first transfer compartment into said tray. Simultaneously, a further portion may be advanced into the second transfer compartment, prior to movement thereof into alignment with the first feeding device.

The magazine may be adapted to advance pre-cut portions of material into the compartments of the shuttle mechanism alternately, or may comprise cutting mechanism adapted to sever the material generally in a plane extending at right angles to its direction of advancement.

Thus, a block of solidified fat, such as cheese, may be placed in the magazine, and may be urged in a forward direction towards the shuttle mechanism. Sequential operation of an advancement ram, co-ordinated with operation of the conveying mechanism and the shuttle mechanism, may enable portions of cheese of a desired size to be loaded into the trays of the conveying mechanism.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a transfer mechanism for moving articles from a first conveying mechanism to a second conveying mechanism and comprising an arm mounted for movement between first and second positions, the arm carrying at positions on opposite sides of its mounting, first and second transfer means which is operative on movement of the transfer arm to its first position to apply suction to the first transfer member and to apply air to the second transfer member, and which is operative on movement of the transfer arm to its second position to apply suction to the second transfer member and to apply air to the first transfer member.

Conveniently the first transfer member is one of a group of first transfer members located side by side, and the second transfer member is likewise one of a group of second transfer members located side by side. In this manner, the transfer mechanism may pick up a plurality of articles, for example from the first conveyor mechanism, and simultaneously set down a like plurality of articles, for example on the second conveying mechanism, prior to movement of the transfer arm to its alternate position, whereupon these operations are reciproca3ed.

Conveniently the first conveying mechanism is a conveying mechanism of the kind set out in relation to the first aspect of this invention: conveniently the second conveying mechanism is a packaging machine, adapted to package the portions placed thereon in plastics film.

There will now be given a detailed descrip tion, to be read with reference to the accom panying drawings, of a machine which is a preferred embodiment of this invention and which has been selected to illustrate this in vention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figures la and ib are together afford a schematic side elevation of the machine; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the machine, illustrating transfer mechanism thereof; Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine, again illustrating the transfer mechanism; and Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a conventional-cheese packaging machine.

The machine which is the preferred embodi ment of this invention is specifically designed for packaging cheese portions of a saleable weight in plastics film, the cheese arriving at the machine in the form of a block 5 (Fig.

1b).

The machine comprises a first conveying mechanism 6 comprising a continuous con veyor chain 8 extending around idler sprock ets 10, the chain having secured thereto lugs which support at spaced intervals trays 1 2.

Drive means is provided (not shown) for driv ing the conveyor chain in the direction of the arrows indicated in Fig. 1 b intermittently, by an amount such that, on each operation of the drive means, the position occupied by one tray (e.g. the tray 12a) will be occupied by the next succeeding tray (e.g. the tray 1 2b).

The conveying mechanism 6 comprises a plurality of endless conveyor belts of 3/8" diameter, each of which sits on top of and between two lengths of stainless steel tube of 3/8" diameter, each adjacent pair of stainless steel tubes being supported at the top of 14 diameter bars which traverse the conveyor at intervals of about 6" and which are located under the chain driving the conveyor belt (see particularly Fig. 2).

The magazine 1 6 comprises a slide surface 1 8 on which a block of cheese may be placed, and a ram 20 adapted to press such a block of cheese towards the conveying mechanism through a neck 22, power operated mechanism being provided whereby the neck may clamp the block of cheese in the neck when the block is stationary. The cheese block is conveniently pre-cut longitudinally into elongate, laterally-spaced sections 5a, Sb and Sc (Fig. 3). If desired, the block may also be pre-cut into portions, the lines of cut extending generally at right angles to the plane of the slide surface 18, or the magazine may be provided with severing mechanism (not shown) adapted to sever portions from the block 5, generally in the plane A-A (Fig. 1 b).

Interposed between the magazine 1 6 and the conveying mechanism 6 is shuttle mechanism 24. The shuttle mechanism comprises two transfer compartments 25 and 26, and drive means 28 adapted to move the shuttle 24 reciprocably between a first position (shown in Fig. 1 b) in which the compartment 26 is in alignment with the block 5 of a cheese, and a lower position (not shown) in which the compartment 25 is in such alignment.

The magazine also comprises a first feeding device 30, adapted to push a portion of cheese from the first compartment 25, when the shuttle mechanism is in its upper position, and a second feeding device 32 adapted to push a portion of cheese from the second compartment 26, when the shuttle mechanism is in its lower position. The operation of the drive means 28, and in particular, the stroke of the piston thereof, is related to the operation of the drive means of the conveying mechanism, and the distance of advancement of the conveyor chain 8 in each stroke thereof, in a manner such that when the shuttle mechanism is in its upper position, the compartment 25 will be in alignment with a tray 12 (e.g. the tray 1 2d, Fig. 1 b) and when the shuttle mechanism is lowered, and the conveying mechanism 6 advanced by one step, the compartment 26 will be in alignment with a tray 1 2g.

Thus, subsequent to each movement of the shuttle mechanism, the ram 20 will advance the block 5 of cheese by a distance equal to the thickness of one cheese portion, causing a portion of cheese to be moved into the compartment 25 or 26 in axial alignment with the magazine. Simultaneously, the feeding device 30 or 32 will be operated to clear the other compartment. The severing mechanism will then be operated, to sever the block 5 in the plane A-A, and subsequent to reciprocation of the shuttle mechanism, the cut section will be moved into the other transfer compartment, which is now in axial alignment with the magazine.

In this manner, successive trays 1 2a, b etc. have placed therein a portion of cheese of desired weight, the sequence of filling of the trays from the position shown in Fig. 1 b (with tray 1 2e already containing a portion of cheese) being d, g, f, i, h, k, j, m, I, and so on. It will of course be appreciated that although the shuttle mechanism is shown in Fig. 1 b as comprising only two compartments, in the direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor chain past the magazine, and at -right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ram, the shuttle mechanism comprises four other transfer compartments, each of which having associated therewith a feeding device. In this manner, three portions of cheese are pushed from the three transfer compartments, laterally of the conveyor mechanism, simultaneously into laterally-spaced trays.

The machine which is the preferred embodiment of this invention also comprises second conveying mechanism 40 (Fig. 4) comprising a pouch-forming station 42, in which a forming die 43 deforms a portion of continuous plastics film to provide, in said film, six cheese-receiving pouches (not shown) in each operation of the dies, a loading station 44 in which portions of cheese are placed, one in each pouch; a sealing station 46 in which a second web of plastics film is sealed over the top of the pouches, to enclose the cheese portions therein; and a cutting station 48 at which the pouches are severed from one another.

The machine which is the preferred embodiment of this invention also comprises transfer mechanism for transferring the portions of cheese from the first conveying mechanism and depositing the portions of cheese onto the second conveying mechanism 40, atthe loading station 44 thereof.

The transfer mechanism (Figs. 1 a, 2 and 3) comprises a transfer arm 46, pivotally mounted on an autolift cylinder 48). At one end of the transfer arm 46 there is provided a first group 50 of six vacuum cups 51, and at the opposite end of the transfer arm 46 there is provided a second group 52 of vacuum cups 53.

Mounted on the cylinder 48 are vacuum cylinders 54, connected by pipes (not shown) to the vacuum cups 51 and 53.

Connected to an upper portion of the cylinder 48 is a further piston/cylinder device 56, constituting rotating means of the transfer mechanism.

In the operation of the transfer mechanism, at a position shown in Fig. 1 a, the vacuum cylinders 54 are operated to apply a vacuum to the vacuum cups 51, and simultaneously to apply air to the vacuum cups 53. The operation of the vacuum applied to the cups 51 is to cause the cups to clamp the portions of cheese in the trays 1 2x and 12y.

Subsequently, the auto cylinder 48 is outstroked, lifting the transfer arm 46 vertically, causing the vacuum cups 51 to lift the portions of cheese from the trays 12wand 1 2y (and of course the trays alongside the trays 1 2x and 12y, laterally of the conveyor), the loss of vacuum in the cups 53 allowing the portions previously carried by the cups 53 to remain on the belt of the conveyor mechanism 40.

As the auto cylinder 48 lifts the arm 46, the arm strikes a stop 58, which causes it to pivot, in a clockwise direction (Fig 1 b) so that in a vertical sense, the group 50 replaces the group 51.

The rotating device 56 is then operated, to swing the auto cylinder 48 180 about its longitudinal axis, causing the cups 51 to replace the cups 53, in an angular sense.

The auto cylinder is then instroked, moving the cups 51 towards the conveying mechanism 40, and moving the empty cups 53 towards the groups of trays succeeding the now empty trays 1 2x and 12y.

By repeating the application of vacuum to those cups in association with the first conveying mechanism 6, and to apply air to those cups associated with the second conveying mechanism 40, a relatively simple control device may be utilised, ensuring a satisfactory lifting of the portions of cheese from the trays 1 2 on the first conveying mechanism, and a satisfactory deposition of the portions of cheese in the pouches afforded in the web of film, on the second conveying mechanism.

Thus, as the second conveying mechanism 40 operates, the portions of cheese are conveyed to the sealing station 46 in which the second web is sealed over the top of the pouches, to enclose the cheese portions therein.

Claims (21)

1. In combination, conveying mechanism comprising a plurality of successively-arranged trays, and means for conveying the trays around an endless path, and loading mechanism for loading a portion of material into each tray, the loading mechanism comprising a magazine in which a quantity of the material is loaded, and a shuttle mechanism located between the magazine and the conveying mechanism, the shuttle mechanism comprising first and second transfer compartments, and being mounted for reciprocal movement between a first position in which the first transfer compartment is in alignment with the magazine and the second transfer compartment is an alignment with a feeding device on one side of the magazine, and a second position in which the second transfer compartment is in alignment with the magazine and the first transfer compartment is in alignment with a second feeding device on the other side of the magazine.

2. The combination according to Claim 1 wherein the magazine is adapted to advance portions of the material into the compartments of the shuttle when in alignment therewith.

3. The combination according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the means for conveying the trays around said endless path is operative to advance the trays in a stepwise manner.

4. The combination according to Claim 3 wherein in each stepwise advancement, a tray will move to the position previously occupied by the immediately preceding tray.

5. The combination according to one of Claims 3 and 4 wherein the shuttle mechanism moves between its first and second positions whilst the trays are moving.

6. The combination according to any one of Claims 3 to 5 wherein the feeding devices are operative alternately, one feeding device only operating during each pause between each stepwise advancement of the trays.

7. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the conveying mechanism is driven in step with operation of the shuttle mechanism, in a manner such that, when the shuttle mechanism is in its first position, the second compartment is also in alignment with a tray, and the feeding device may be operated to advance a portion of the material from the transfer compartment into said tray.

8. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shuttle mechanism is mounted for movement between its first and second positions alang a line which is inclined to the vertical.

9. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the endless path of travel of the trays comprises a portion in the vicinity of the magazine which is parallel to the direction of movement of the shuttle mechanism between its first and second positions.

10. The combination according to any one the preceding claims wherein the magazine comprises cutting mechanism adapted to sever the material generally in a plane extending at right angles to its direction of advancement.

11. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a plurality of trays arranged side by side laterally of the path of travel, the shuttle mechanism comprises a like plurality of first transfer compartments and a like plurality of second transfer compartments, and the magazine is adapted to advance portions of the material into all of the first or second transfer compartments, when in alignment therewith.

1 2. A transfer mechanism for moving articles from a first conveying mechanism to a second conveying mechanism and comprising an arm mounted for movement between first and second positions, the arm carrying at positions on opposite sides of its mounting, first and second transfer members, the transfer mechanism comprising suction means which is operative on movement of the transfer arm to its first position to apply suction to the first transfer member and to apply air to the second transfer member, and which is operative on movement of the transfer arm to its second positionto apply suction to the second transfer member and to apply air to the first transfer member.

1 3. A transfer mechanism according to Claim 1 2 wherein said first transfer member is one of a group of first transfer members located side by side, and said second transfer member is one of a group of second transfer members located side by side.

14. A transfer mechanism according to one of Claims 1 2 and 1 wherein movement of the transfer arm between its first and second positions involves movement thereof about a vertical axis.

1 5. A transfer mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 2 to 14 wherein movement of the transfer arm between its first and second positions involves movement thereof about a horizontal axis.

1 6. A transfer mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 5 wherein the transfer members are provided by suction cups.

1 7. A transfer mechanism according to Claim 1 6 wherein the suction cups are mounted for movement relative to the transfer arm about a horizontal axis, and the suction cups are retained in the same disposition relative to the vertical, whether the transfer arm is in its first or second position.

1 8. In combination, conveying mechanism and loading mechanism according to Claim 1, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig.

1 b the accompanying drawings.

1 9. A transfer mechanism according to Claim 1 2 constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 a, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A cheese packaging machine, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel feature or combination of novel features hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.