GB2115763A - Storage means for packages - Google Patents

Abstract

The storage means of the invention is connected to a transfer conveyor between two wrapping machines and comprises the combination of: a) an apparatus for the lateral displacement of the packages relative to mobile racks, following a movement thereof which is made up of an ascending movement, until the bars (29), (30) are higher than the bars (21), (22) of the other rack, a movement of longitudinal translation in one direction, a descending movement until the bars (29), (30) are lower than the bars (21), (22) of the other rack, and a movement of longitudinal translation in the other direction, b) at the side of the conveyor, a smooth platen (71), and c) means for detecting the presence of packages. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Storage means for packages The present invention relates to a storage means for packages, such as bottles, boxes, tins or any kind of container whatsoever, which storage means is connected to a transfer conveyor between two wrapping machines and comprises a support means located at the same level as the conveyor, said support means comprising an apparatus for displacing the packages or containers laterally to the conveyor, in both directions.

In systems for wrapping packages or containers, the various machines, such as filling machines, corking machines, labelling machines, packing machines, etc., are connected by conveyors which transport the packages from one working station to the next. Basically, these various machines are intended to have an everincreasing output rate so as to prevent congestion on the processing conveyors which connect the machines. However, operating hitches may occur on any one of the above-mentioned machines at different treatment stations which require stoppage of the machine. This may happen, for example, if there is a fault in the delivery of ingredients (capsules, corks, labels, glue, cases, etc.) or else as a result of a simple technical hitch.

In this case, congestion occurs on the transfer conveyors and it is necessary to stop the whole system, thereby occasioning a loss in production.

It is knawn, in a first stage, for the transfer conveyor to be extended between each machine to permit a certain amount of storage. However, the number of packages stored is limited and a considerable distance is needed between the machines, which is sometimes cost prohibitive or impossible with existing buildings.

Rotating platforms have also been used. Such platforms are noisy and have a low output rate.

They also cause packages to be handled which are subjected to considerable movement, which is unnecessary.

Boards or tables have been used which are disposed as appendages on the side of the transfer conveyor. These boards or tables comprise a conveyor which is capable of displacing the packages laterally relative to the direction of displacement thereof on the transfer conveyor. This table conveyor moves slowly and has a width which can be increased in size if it is desirable to lengthen the table and increase its capacity. Limits are set, however, by the flexibility of the shafts on which the chains of the transverse conveyor are supported, this conveyor being capable of rotating in two directions; one direction for storage and the other direction for the reabsorption of packages stored when the downstream machine operates again. In fact, the shafts sag or deflect under the transmission stresses and under the weight of the packages which may amount to several tons.

In addition, these chains rub constantly against the underneath side of the packages and thereby cause deterioration thereof. Since they require lubrication, they soil the underneath side of the packages, and this is disadvantageous for the commercial presentation thereof. The chains, which comprise plates, runners or pallets, are disadvantageous in that they sometimes jam against the base of the packages. This is the reason why the chains have sometimes been replaced by metallic mesh belts; these do not, however, eliminate the disadvantages which have been mentioned above with regard to the bending of the shafts and the friction upon the packages.

In any event, with lateral conveyors in the form of a moving belt or chain having runners or pallets, it is necessary to provide a dead plate between the chain for transferring the packages and the lateral conveyor to fill the space located therebetween. Because of the present of this dead plate, it becomes more difficult to transfer packages to the loading and unloading side of the storage means and, in any event, there is always one row or several rows of packages remaining on this dead plate (hence its name) which can never be transferred in either direction, except manually at the end of the operation.

The present invention is intended to overcome these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided storage means for packages which, in use, is connected to a transfer conveyor between two wrapping machines and comprises a table located at the same level as the conveyor, said table including an apparatus for displacing the packages laterally to the conveyor, in both directions, and comprising the combination of: a) an apparatus for the lateral displacement of the packages, comprising two parallel racks, at least one of which is mobile in a cyclic manner and is controlled by means which ensures that its bars remain parallel with one another and with the bars of the other rack, said means controlling said mobile rack which follows a movement made up of four strokes, namely:: -an ascending movement until the bars are higher than the bars of the other rack, -a movement of longitudinal translation in one direction, -a descending movement of the same extent as the ascending movement until the bars are lower than the bars of the other rack, -a movement of longitudinal translation in the other direction, of the same extent as the previously mentioned translation movement and bringing the rack back to the starting point, b) a smooth platen located at the side of the conveyor and as close as possible to the conveyor, and comprising slots which just permit the mobile bars to pass therethrough, c) means for detecting the presence of packages to actuate or stop the lateral displacement apparatus;; -at the entrance of the table, to set the apparatus in motion with a view to storage in the event of any congestion or to stop it when it has become empty, -at the base of the table, to stop the apparatus and the transfer conveyor when the table is full, -at the entrance of the table, downstream of the transfer conveyor, to reverse the operation direction of the lateral displacement apparatus when the conveyor discharges the packages normally.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment the racks each comprise a frame with parallel cross-members alternately integral with one frame and the other frame, said cross-members comprising vertical slots, the thickness of which is alternately identical to and greater than that of the bars of the rack which comprise ribs, the width of which is located vertically, the wide slots of one cross-member being opposite a narrow slot of the adjacent cross-member, said slots being designed to accommodate the bars of the racks which are embedded therein in such a manner that the upper edges of the bars of one and the same rack are in the same plane.

Preferably the spars of the mobile rack or racks lie on eccentrics, the movements of which are synchronised so as to induce the rack to execute an alternative, vertical movement which is identical in all its points, the movements of said eccentrics also being synchronised with a rodand-crank system which induces the rack to execute an alternative, horizontal, longitudinal movement.

According to a further embodiment, the eccentrics are disposed on at least two shafts, the movement of which is coordinated by cranks connected by a rod, one of the crank handles receiving another control rod actuated by the end of a pawl which is induced to execute an oscillating movement by a cam, the movement of which is synchronised with the crank for controlling the horizontal movement of the rack.

To facilitate the horizontal oscillating movement, the eccentrics comprise rollers on which the slide members of the frame are supported.

In more precise detail, the eccentrics are clamped to the shafts in such a manner that they are forced into one direction by the kinematic chain which comprises the rods, the pawls and the cam, and into the other direction by the weight of the immobile frame which includes all the elements of said kinematic chain, with the exception of the cam which is driven so as to follow a continuous rotational movement by a motor reducer or a motor changer, the rotational direction of which is capable of being reversed as a result of information received from detecting means downstream of the transfer chain.

It is advantageous to clamp the crank for controlling the horizontal movement of the rack to the same shaft as the cam.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, one single rack is mobile while the other is fixed and supported by vertically adjustable jacks. In this case, the smooth platen is formed by horizontal blades which are parallel to the bars of the racks and the width of which blades is such that they lie on the bars of the fixed rack and permit the bars of the mobile rack to pass therethrough.

The storage means of the invention fulfils the storage operation with very large surfaces since it is possible, almost in an unlimited manner, to increase the length and the width of the table which comprises two rigid frames which overlap one another. The movement of these two frames produces a discontinuous advance of the packages with, as a consequence thereof, a dead time during which the packages may slide slightly relative to one another and become unlocked or unclamped. This results in better reguiarity in storage and in discharge, and consequently in the delivery to the machines located downstream.

The thin support surface of the packages on the bars of the rack is conducive to sliding, as has been seen. This permits the release of the upwardly divergent packages, i.e. those having an upward wall diminution, which, in conventional apparatus, tend to tilt.

It is also necessary to mention the absence of a "dead plate" between the storage means and the transfer conveyor since this increases the capacity of the apparatus and, in any case, totally eliminates the dead rows of packages.

The two racks, of which at least one is induced to execute a movement such as has been mentioned above, rub against the packages to a much lesser degree than the prior art conveyors having pallets, plates or mesh belts. They do not require any lubrication and this therefore eliminates the risk of soiling the underneath side of tha packages. There is also a reduction in wear, not only on the surface of the racks, but also throughout the remaining part of the apparatus which is subjected to very slight movements since the mobile rack has a vertical movement of the order of magnitude of 3 mm and a horizontal movement of the same order or magnitude. All the other members of the apparatus suffer such little fatigue that they do not wear greatly and consume little energy. It has been observed that, for an apparatus which is capable of storing 3.5 tons of bottles with a cam which rotates at the rate of 30 revolutions per minute, a power of 0.7 kW is sufficient.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a partial schematic perspective view of the two racks of the storage means of the invention; Figs. 3 and 4 are two elevational views of the supporting cross-members of the bars of the racks corresponding to two adjacent crossmembers; Figs. 5 and 6 schematise the movements of the mobile rack in both directions; and Fig. 7 is a partial schematic elevational view of a portion of the storage means showing the apparatus for controlling the movement of the mobile rack.

The storage means, referenced generally as 1 (Fig. 1) is connected to a transfer conveyor 2 between two machines (not shown) for wrapping packages. The storage means 1 comprises, substantially, a table 3 consisting of a frame 6 which rests on feet 4 and 5. The upper platform of the table 3 is at the same level as the conveyor 2 which transports the packages in the direction of the arrows 7 and 8 (Fig. 1). The table 3 comprises an apparatus which displaces packages laterally to the conveyor 2, either in the direction of the arrow 9 or in the direction of the arrow 10. In the event of filling the storage means, the packages arriving at 7 are deflected according to the dotted arrow 11 towards the storage means 1. In the event of emptying the storage means, the packages are moved in the direction of the dotted arrow 12.In the case where the storage means is completely emptied and serves no useful purpose (i.e. where there is no operating incident), the packages arriving in the direction of the arrow 7 continue to move in the direction of the dotted arrow 14 and the arrow 8.

In order to laterally displace the packages in the direction of the arrows 9 or 10, an apparatus is provided which is essential to the invention, and which will now be described in detail.

Such apparatus for the lateral displacement of the articles or packages comprises two parallel racks, one of which is fixed and formed by spars 14, 1 5, metallic cross-members 16, 17, 18 and 1 9 on which cross-members made of synthetic material, such as 20 (Fig. 2 and 7) rest, in which the bars, such as 21 and 22 (Fig. 2) are embedded, and the other rack is mobile and comprises spars 23, 24, metallic cross-members 25, 26, 27 on which cross-members made of synthetic material such as 28 (Fig. 2) rest, in which the bars such as 29, 30 (Fig. 2) are embedded. The spars 14, 15 lie on the frame 6 via screw jacks which are vertically adjustable (not shown).

The spars 23, 24 lie on the frame 6 via slide members 31,32 which are supported on eccentrics 33, 34 clamped to shafts 35, 36 which oscillate in bearings 37, 38 and which are in turn fixed to the frame 6.

The oscillation of the shafts 35, 36 according to the arrows 39, 40 is ensured by the cam 41, which rotates about the shaft 42 driven by the wheel 43, the chain 44, the wheel 45 and the motor reducer 46, and by the kinematic chain comprising the roller 47, the pawl 48, the small rod 49 and the rod 50 which connects the two cranks 51 and 52 clamped to the shafts 35,36.

The oscillation movement of the pawl 48 is shown by the arrow 53, and this pawl oscillates about the axle 54 which is integrally connected to the frame 6.

It is understood that the rotation of the motor reducer 46 according to the arrow 54 causes rotation of the shaft 42 and of the cam 41 in the direction of the arrow 55 and determines the oscillation of the pawl 48 according to the arrow 53 and the oscillations of the shafts 35 and 36 according to the arrows 39 and 40. It follows therefrom that the eccentrics 33 and 34 osciliate in the same manner and induce a rise and a fall of the whole of the mobile frame which is raised by the slide members 31, 32 according to the arrows 56 and 57, because the eccentrics 33, 34 are appropriately clamped to their respective shafts 35, 36 to ensure a suitable vertical movement.

The rule for this vertical movement is determined as desired by the profile of the cam 41.

A horizontal movement shown by the arrow 58 (Fig. 2 and 7) is superimposed upon this vertical movement shown by the arrows 56 and 57 and is ensured by the mechanism which will now be described in detail.

Such mechanism comprises a crank which is clamped to the shaft 42 and whose handle has been referenced 59, this crank driving the rod 60 which is articulated at 61 on a support member 62 fixed to the spar 24 via cross-members, if necessary. It is understood that, with the rotation of the shaft 42 which is controlled in the aboveexplained manner, there results therefrom an alternative movement for the whole of the mobile rack in accordance with the arrow 64 which affects the whole of the frame, as referenced at 65 and 66 in Fig. 2.

In fact, the whole of the rack, upon combining the two vertical and horizontal movements, is subjected to a cyclic movement which is shown in Fig. 5 for one rotational direction of the motor reducer 46. When this motor reducer rotates in the other direction, the mobile rack is subjected to a movement which is shown by the arrows in Fig.

6.

The fixed bars 21, 22, supported by the crossmembers 20 which are made of synthetic material, the metallic cross-members 16, 17, 18, 19 and the spars 14, 1 5 are embedded in narrow slots 67 formed in the cross-members such as 20.

These same bars 21,22 are guided in wide slots 68 formed in the synthetic material crossmembers 28 which lie on the metallic crossmembers as such 25, 26, 27 which, in turn, lie on the spars 23, 24, the whole being actuated by the cyclic movement shown either in Fig. 5 or in Fig.

6.

For their part, the mobile bars 29, 30 are embedded in the narrow slots 69, formed in the synthetic material cross-members such as 28, and extend into the wide slots 70 formed in the synthetic material cross-members such as 20.

The fixed bars such as 21 and 22 are in one and the same fixed horizontal plane, whereas the bars 29 and 30 are in one and the same horizontal plane which passes alternately above and below the plane of the bars 21 and 22. In the transverse direction, that is to say, the direction parallel to the cross-members 16 to 20 and 25 to 28, a mobile bar such as 29 or 30 is found alternately with a fixed bar such as 21 or 22.

Parallel bars are therefore found which crisscross one another, the even bars being mobile and the odd bars being fixed, the mobile even bars ensure that the packages are slightly raised and that they are prdpelled in one direction or the other direction, the return movement of the mobile bars being effected beneath the plane of the fixed bars, while the packages are immobile when resting on the fixed bars.

The supporting jacks of the fixed spars 14, 15 permit the assembly to be adjusted and permit the elevational course of the packages to be regulated, the packages being raised by the corresponding bars such as 21,22.

At the entrance of the storage means, along the transfer conveyor 2, a smooth platen 71 is disposed which comprises slots 72 permitting mobile bars to pass therethrough. In fact, the platen 71 is formed by horizontal blades which are parallel to the bars 21, 22, 29, 30 of the racks and have such a width that they lie on the bars of the fixed rack and allow the bars of the mobile rack to pass therethrough. The smooth platen 71 may be designed as a comb, but it will be arranged so that the mobile bars come as close as possible to the transfer conveyor 2. The surface of the platen 71 has an extremely low coefficient of friction to permit the movement of the packages according to the arrows 11 and 12 by lateral or oblique sliding.

Means for detecting the presence of packages 73, 74 are provided at the entrance of the table to set the apparatus in motion in the direction of the arrow 10 at the time of any congestion and to stop the motor reducer 46 when the table of the storage means has become empty. A third detector means 75 is provided at the base of the table to stop the motor reducer 46 and the whole transfer conveyor 2, and, preferably, the upstream machines, when the table is full. A fourth detector means 76 is also provided at the entrance of the table, in the downstream direction and at the side of the transfer conveyor 2, to reverse the operating direction of the motor reducer 46 and the whole of the apparatus of the storage means to feed the transfer conveyor which is cleared after the end of the downstream incident.

Obviously, the top of the table of the storage means is edged with guides 77 which are comparable with those which edge the transfer conveyor 2 to retain the packages which occupy the surface of the storage means.

The apparatus which has just been described may, of course, vary without exceeding the scope of the invention. In particular, a movement may be envisaged for the two racks which would be controlled in a similar manner. Any other control may also be imagined for the movement of the racks, for example, by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic jack. However, it has become apparent that the mechanical apparatus described is one of the most reliable and one of the most simple types.

The spacing between the bars may be varied depending upon the nature and the size of the packages to be handled.

The size of the table may be varied at will in accordance with the amount of storage which is desirable.

Claims (10)

Claims

1. Storage means for packages which, in use, is connected to a transfer conveyor between two wrapping machines and comprises a table located at the same level as the conveyor, said table including an apparatus for displacing the packages laterally to the conveyor, in both directions, and comprising the combination of: a) an apparatus for the lateral displacement of the packages comprising two parallel racks, at least one of which is mobile in a cyclic manner and is controlled by means which ensures that its bars remain parallel with one another and with the bars of the other rack, said means controlling said mobile rack which follows a movement made up of four strokes, namely:: -an ascending movement until the bars higher than the bars of the other rack, -a movement of longitudinal translation in one direction, -a descending movement of the same extent as the ascending movement until the bars are lower than the bars of the other rack, -a movement of longitudinal translation in the other direction, of the same extent as the previously mentioned translation movement and bringing the rack back to the starting point, b) a smooth platen located at the side of the conveyor and as close as possible to the conveyor, and comprising slots which just permit the mobile bars to pass therethrough, c) means for detecting the presence of packages to actuate or stop the lateral displacement apparatus:: -at the entrance of the table, to set the apparatus in motion with a view to storage in the event of any congestion or to stop it when it has become empty, -at the base of the table, to stop the apparatus and the transfer conveyor when the table is full, -at the entrance of the table, downstream of the transfer conveyor, to reverse the operating direction of the lateral displacement apparatus when the conveyor discharges the packages normally.

2. Storage means as claimed in claim 1, in which the racks each comprise a frame with parallel cross-members alternately integral with one frame and the other frame, said crossmembers comprising vertical slots, the thickness of which is alternately identical to and greater than that of the bars of the rack which comprise ribs, the width of which is located vertically, the wide slots of one cross-member being opposite a narrow slot of the adjacent cross-member, said slots being designed to accommodate the bars of the racks which are embedded therein in such a manner that the upper edges of the bars of one and the same rack are in the same plane.

3. Storage means as claimed in claim 2, in which the mobile rack or racks lie on eccentrics, the movements of which are synchronised so as to induce the rack to execute an alternative, vertical movement which is identical in all its points, the movements of said eccentrics also being synchronised with a rod-and-crank system which induces the rack to execute an alternative, horizontal, longitudinal movement.

4. Storage means a claimed in claim 3, in which the eccentrics are disposed on at least two shafts, the movement of which is co-ordinated by cranks connected by a rod, one of the crank handles receiving another control rod actuated by the end of a pawl which is induced to execute an oscillating movement by a cam, the movement of which is synchronized with the crank for controlling the horizontal movement of the rack.

5. Storage means as claimed in claim 4, in which the eccentrics comprise rollers on which slide members of the frame are supported.

6. Storage means as claimed in claim 5, in which the eccentrics are clamped to the shafts in such a manner that they are forced into one direction by the kinematic chain, which comprises the rods, the pawl and the cam, and into the other direction by the weight of the immobile frame which includes all the elements of said kinematic chain, with the exception of the cam which is driven so as to follow a continuous rotational movement by a motor reducer or a motor changer, the rotational direction of which is capable of being reversed as a result of information received from detecting means downstream of the transfer conveyor.

7. Storage means as claimed in claim 6, in which the crank for controlling the horizontal movement of the rack is clamped to the same shaft as the cam.

8. Storage means as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one single rack is mobile while the other is fixed and supported by vertically adjustable jacks.

9. Storage means as claimed in claim 8, in which a smooth platen is formed by horizontal blades which are parallel to the bars of the racks and the width of which blades is such that they lie on the bars of the fixed rack and permit the bars of the mobile rack to pass therethrough.

10. Storage means for packages, substantialiy as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.