GB2256629A - Package holder or puck device. - Google Patents

Abstract

A package transport puck for use in materials handling comprises a base element 2 containing a number of perpendicular finger like projections 3 for package 5 retention so positioned as to permit said package to be removed by appropriate means from the sides 11 top 10 under the package 14 or ejected through holes in said base 13, equally these points of application may also be used for package examination 17, 18 and 19. Additionally, said base 2 has positive features 5, 6, 7 enabling said puck to be rotated/orientated or recognised by external means in association with other processes. Similarly, said finger like projections may have a ring or parts of a ring formed outside them to a diameter equal to said base in order to permit said puck to roll freely on its long axes. <IMAGE>

Description

TRANSPORTATION FUCK.

This invention relates to a material handling transportation device known as a puck.

It is well known in the material handling industry for goods to be transported from one process stage to another upon conveyor belts or similar internal transport system, as for example, from manufacturing to packeting/bagging to packaging into boxes etc., often with an intermediate stage, as in securing packets of nuts or crisps on to a pre-punched card.

In such systems difficulties are experienced with packet handling and transfer, marshalling, orientation and turning conveyor corners with odd or rectangularly shaped devices as well as with weighing and examination etc.

This invention sets out to overcome many of these difficulties whilst employing known and reliable transport technology, as for example, that which is used in bottle filling.

According to the present invention there is provided a transport puck comprising a substantially circular disc-like base with a multiplicity (usually four) upward facing finger-like pronections spaced apart and positioned to suit the pack/bag or item being transported and having provision in the form of holes, locators, gear teeth or other positive feature to enable said puck to be rotated to orientate it in readiness or further processes, to be so constructed that the weight will be accurately known at all times and thus permit continuous checkweighing of product (bag or package contents).

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in wnich: Fig. 1 shows a plan view of puck.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of puck.

Fig. 3 shows some methods of unloading puck.

Fig. 4 snows view points for checking contents.

Referring to the drawings a transportation puck 1 comprises a circular disc-like base 2, a number (usually 4) of perpendicularly disposed finger-like proUections 3 attached thereto, each of said projections 3 having a rounded tapered outward end 4 in order to facilitate package 5 entry, such projections may be constructed in association with the base so as to allow a variety of projection locations to suit package/item shape and size. Said base 2 may be constructed in such a way, and of such material as to permit integral positive features such as lugs 6, recesses 7 or gear teeth 8 etc. etc. to be formedJnormally upon its periphery to enable, in usg rotation or orientation.Similarly, said puck 1 may provide for easy mechanical/visual recognition either manually or automatically by electronic or other means by use of other built in features or provision for bar coding 9 and the like or simply by colour coding etc. 3ecause said finger like projections 3 may be disposed effectively like corner posts the possibility is provided for removing the package 5 by a variety of means pi by clamping and lifting from the top edge 10, by clamping and lifting from the sides 11, by clamping and lifting the edges 12, by pushing/blowing through the bottom 13 by lifting finger 14 from under the package 15, by inverting or partially inverting the puck 16 or any number of other ways, which in turn provides other benefits, e.g. by clamping the package gently from the side or edges and holding it in this way a discreet length of time the integrity/soundness of the package/bag can be checked. Similarly by scanning across said puck 1 by any number of suitable means from any of the view points 17, 18, or 19 etc. package content integrity can be confirmed or the presence of foreign bodies detected. Both package and contents suitability checking may be advantageously carried out whilst a loaded puck la is caused to travel in circular route upon a carousel (as in a bottle filling machine) for a short time before said puck la recommences its journey to the next packing or transport position. It also follows that with the tapered finger like projections 3 pointing towards the puck filling device 20, simple high speed puck loading can be expected either by the action of gravity 21 or by positive displacement.

Other advantages can be realised if said puck 1 is manufactured in a suitable grade of plastic to allow: easy thorougn cleaning for food grade handling, low noise emission, damping of internal/external vibrations and the possibility of one piece moulding to include the features previously described and the ability to "mould in" shape features at the same time.

A further embodiment of the invention (not illustrated) proposes the use of a ring or parts of a ring positioned close to the outer end of the finger-like projections of such proportions to enable said puck to roll freely and cylindrically on an axis perpendicular to the disc-like base, i.e. approximating to a circular disc at each end of the finger-like projections albeit with the inside surfaces of the top ring-like element being tapered to permit package/item entry.

Claims (5)

1. A package transport puck comprising a substantially circular disc like base with a multiplicity cf (usually 4) upward facing finger like projections perpendicular to said base and spaced apart and positioned to suit the bag/pack cr Item being transported, having in addition provision in the form o holes, locators, gear teeth or other positive feature to enable said puck to be rotated and located to orientate it in readiness for further processes, said puck to be so constructed that its weight will be accurately known at all times in order to permit continuous check weighing of product (bag or package contents.

2. A package transport puck as in Claim 1 (although not illustrated) but having the addition of z ring (or parts of a ring) like element/s positioned close to the open en of said finger like projections in order to form a second disc like structure of the same nominal diameter as said base disc such that when placed upon its side said puck can roll freely for transportation along a track or similar guidance way, said ring like elements should be formed with an internal Inverted cone form in order ; aid package entry.

3. A package transport puck as in Claims 1 and z provided with means for bag/package insertion and removal in the for' slots across said puck and along its longest axis said may also be used for packet integrity checks by any one of a number of means as for e.g. passing a light or sonic beam across a loaded puck from outside to outside via said slots.

4. A package transport puck as in Claims 1-3 but provided with a hole or number of holes through said circular disc like base in a plane perpendicular to its diameter in order that the contents of said loaded puck may e inspected by a light or sonic beam passing through said holes from outside to outside, said holes in the disc like base may additionally be used to eject the contents of a loaded puck by means of ins cr like projections being caused to trove through said holes in a plane perpendicular to said diameter.

5. 4 package transport puck as in Claims 1-4 and as defined in the accompanying drawings and specification.