GB2222994A

GB2222994A - Separating unsatisfactory articles from satisfactory articles on a conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2222994A
Application number: GB8821647A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tadeusz Monkiewicz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-09-15
Filing date: 1988-09-15
Publication date: 1990-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-15
Also published as: GB8821647D0; GB2222994B

Abstract

An apparatus for conveying material, particularly foodstuffs, comprises conveying means (11) having one or more apertures or openings (12, 12') provided therein, and means (13) for preventing passage of unsatisfactory or unsuitable material along the length of the conveying means (11) and for causing such unsatisfactory or unsuitable material to fall into an aperture or opening (12, 12'). Satisfactory material 16 passes between projections 15, 15' spaced across the conveyor, but unsatisfactory material e.g. articles stuck together, cannot pass between the projections and is held back to fall through the opening 12. The projections 15, 15' may be vibrated to perform an aligning function on the articles 16. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONVEYING APPARATUS The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to conveying apparatus. More particularly the present invention is concerned with apparatus for conveying material, particularly foodstuffs, said conveying apparatus comprising conveying means and including additional means for preventing unsatisfactory material from passing along the length of the conveying means.

At the present time, various conveying apparatus are known for conveying material, particularly foodstuffs.

Such conveying apparatus suffer from from the disadvantage that it is necessary to remove unsatisfactory material from the conveying means by hand. This can prove an extremely time consuming procedure and, in certain instances, unsatisfactory material is not removed.

A particular point at issue is in connection with the conveying of chocolate biscuits which are chocolate coated, particularly the product known as chocolate fingers. After coating the biscuit finger with chocolate, same is passed onto a packing station. In certain instances, when coating the biscuits, certain of the biscuits may stick together and such are unsatisfactory for passing on to the packing station. At the present time, there is no satisfactory means, other than the use of a human operator, for removing such unsatisfactorily coated biscuits from the conveying means.

An apparatus has now been designed which is believed will at least minimise the disadvantages referred to above and prevent undesired material from passing along the length of a conveying means.

According to the present invention there is provided a conveying apparatus, said apparatus comprising conveying means having one or more apertures or openings provided therein, the apparatus additionally including means for preventing passage of unsatisfactory material along the length of the conveying means and for causing such unsatisfactory material to fall into an aperture or opening.

The present invention will hereinafter be described in connection with the conveying of chocolate fingers, although it is to be understood that the conveying apparatus of the invention may also be utilised with other material, particularly foodstuffs.

The conveying means of the present invention is preferably in the form of a conveyor belt or belting, suitably formed of plastics material, said belt or belting having a plurality of spaced apart apertures provided therein.

The conveying apparatus preferably aG ~onally includes a plurality of downwardly extending, elongate, retaining members which are spaced apart from one another by a distance corresponding to slightly greater than the width of a chocolate finger, said downwardly extending members being located above the conveying means and extending across substantially the width of the conveyor belting, the width of each aperture corresponding substantially thereto.

Said retaining members suitably each comprise an elongate projection, said projections being fixed at one end to an elongate bar member which extends across the width of the conveyor belt or belting, said projections extending downwardly therefrom and being spaced apart from one another.

Said retaining members can also be caused to vibrate upwards, downwards and/or sideways which, in effect, causes alignment of the material passing between adjacent projections.

A secondary conveyor is located beneath and at right angles to the top surface of the conveyor belt or belting in a position whereby unsatisfactory material falling through an aperture lands on said secondary conveyor. Such unsatisfactory material can then be conveyed to a separate work place.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of a conveying apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 but indicating transfer of unsatisfactory material to the secondary conveyor; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above and the rear of the conveying apparatus of Fig. 1.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a conveying apparatus is generally referenced 10. Such apparatus comprises conveying means in the form of an endless conveyor belt or belting 11 having apertures or openings 12, 12' provided therein, such apertures being spaced from one another and having a width corresponding substantially to that of the width of the conveyor belt or belting 11. The belting 11 is preferably constructed to permit aeration of the material being transported to be effected.

The conveying apparatus 10 also includes retention means 13 comprising an elongate bar member 14 having a plurality of projections 15, 15' .... provided therealong and downwardly extending therefrom. Such projections 15, 15' ... suitably formed of metal or plastics material are spaced apart from one another by a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the chocolate finger biscuits which will pass along the conveying apparatus 10.

The projections 15, 15' ...; extend substantially across the width of the conveyor belting 11 and corresponding substantially to the width of each aperture 12, 12' It is clear that the width of the apertures 12, 12' and the number of projections 15, 15' ... can be selected as desired.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, chocolate finger biscuits 16, 16' pass along in groups down the conveyor belting 11.

As such fingers 16, 16' ... approach the projections 15, 15' ... those fingers which are not stuck together will pass therethrough. Assistance in causing such passing through of the biscuits 16, 16' ... can be effected by suitable vibration of the projections 15, 15' Those finger biscuits which are stuck together andtherefore unsatisfactory, cannot pass between the members 15, 15' and are retained thereby. As the conveyor belting 11 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the single individual finger biscuits continue to pass in such direction whilst the unsatisfactory biscuits are retained by members 15, 15'. When an aperture passes underneath said unsuitable biscuits same drop on to secondary conveyor 17.

Those biscuits indicated by reference numerals 18, 18' ...

which are suitable for packing then pass on to a roller conveyor 19, leading to a packing station. The rollers of the conveyor 19, can operate at a speed so as to accelerate the speed of the biscuits to the packing station.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2 corresponds substantially with that indicated in Fig. 1 with the difference that the aperture 12 is now located directly beneath any unsatisfactory material retained by the members 15, 15' ... Such Ixatisfactory arterial drops into said aperture onto said secondary conveyor 17 and travels in the direction indicated by the srrow 9 to a separate work station. The satisfactory biscuits 16, 16' pass on down the conveyor belting 11 and will eventually pass onto roller conveyor 19.

The view illustrated in Fig. 3 showy chocolate fingers 31, 31' passing on to the belting 11 from a chocolate coating station.

Members 32, 32t, 32" ... have alresdy passed down the belting 11. Unsuitable biscuits 32' end 32 which are stuck together are prevented from passing further down the conveyor belting by means of members 15, 15' ... As the belting 11 continues to move in the direction shown by the arrow A, finger 32 is cable to pass through adjacent projections 15, 15 ... but fingers 32' end 32gut which are stuck together cannot pass through end are held by such projections. As the belting continues to nnve the aperture 12 moues underneath biscuits 32 and 32'' which then droop therethrough on to secondary conveyor 17.

It will thus be seen in accordance with the present invention that an apparatus has been provided which permits conveying of material, suitably foodstuffs, from one work station to another, whilst at the same time preventing passage of unsatisfactory material. The invention has particular application to the conveying of chocolate finger biscuits and it is believed that substantial advantages will be obtained utilising the conveying apparatus in accordance with the invention.

It is to be understood that various modifications can be effected in relation to the various integers of the conveying apparatus as may be proved necessary. For instance, the length and number of projections can be altered as desired as can the nature of the conveying means.

Claims

CLAIM

1. An apparatus for conveying material, particularly foodstuffs, comprising conveying means having one or more apertures or openings provided therein, and means for preventing passage of unsatisfactory or unsuitable material along the length of the conveying means and for causing such unsatisfactory or unsuitable material to fall into an aperture or opening.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the conveying means is in the form of a conveyor belt or belting, said belt or belting having a plurality of spaced apart apertures or openings therein.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1. or 2, in which the means for preventing passage of unsatisfactory or unsuitable material includes a plurality of downwardly extending, elongate, retaining members which are spaced apart from one another by a distance corresponding to slightly greater than the width of the material being conveyed, said downwardly extending members being located above the conveying means and extending across substantially the width of the conveying means, the width of each aperture or opening corresponding substantially thereto.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which each retaining member comprises an elongate projection, each projection being fixed at one end to an elongate bar member which extends across the width of the conveying means, said projections extending downwardly therefrom and being spaced apart from one another.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which said retaining members include means for causing vibration thereof upwardly, downwardly and/or sideways for causing alignment of material passing between adjacent retaining members.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a secondary conveyor is located beneath and substantially at right angles to the top surface of the conveying means in a position whereby unsatisfactory or unsuitable material falling through an aperture or opening lands on said secondary conveyor.

An at apparatus for conveying material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.