GB2342908A - A method and apparatus for handling cookies - Google Patents

A method and apparatus for handling cookies Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2342908A
GB2342908A GB9924599A GB9924599A GB2342908A GB 2342908 A GB2342908 A GB 2342908A GB 9924599 A GB9924599 A GB 9924599A GB 9924599 A GB9924599 A GB 9924599A GB 2342908 A GB2342908 A GB 2342908A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cookies
pack
group
grouping
laid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9924599A
Other versions
GB9924599D0 (en
GB2342908B (en
Inventor
Paul Kelly
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB9924599D0 publication Critical patent/GB9924599D0/en
Publication of GB2342908A publication Critical patent/GB2342908A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2342908B publication Critical patent/GB2342908B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G17/00Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
    • B65G17/26Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of co-operating units, e.g. interconnected by pivots
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B23/00Packaging fragile or shock-sensitive articles other than bottles; Unpacking eggs
    • B65B23/10Packaging biscuits
    • B65B23/12Arranging, feeding or orientating the biscuits to be packaged
    • B65B23/14Forming groups of biscuits
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/02Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors
    • B65G47/04Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles
    • B65G47/06Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines
    • B65G47/08Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
    • B65G47/082Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding grouping articles in rows
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/82Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02Articles
    • B65G2201/0202Agricultural and processed food products
    • B65G2201/0205Biscuits

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Abstract

A method and apparatus for handling cookies in which the cookies 4 are laid flat and arranged into single file, then batched together to form groups which are spaced apart to correspond with pockets in a pack 11 before delivering the flat laid cookies into the pockets in the pack. The grouping means may be a grouping chain 30 having a plurality of projections 35 which engage between adjacent cookies. The projections may be grouped together to provide, for example, grouping of flat laid cookies for delivery into three adjacent packs 11 in a flat laid orientation. Two or more separate groups of projections may be provided. The means of delivering the cookies into the pockets may comprise cookie engaging ejector fingers (50, fig.6). The means for arranging the cookies into single file can be lane reducing means. The apparatus can include tray pack delivery means 12 for delivery of a single line of packs.

Description

"A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COOKIES" Introduction The invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling cookies and especially to a method and apparatus for delivering cookies into individual pockets in a cookie pack.
Cookies are generally superior quality biscuits which contain, for example, chocolate chips and the like. They are generally lighter and more delicate than more conventional biscuits. Therefore, to avoid damage in the distribution and delivery of the packs to the consumer they are usually packed into packs with individual pockets for receiving one or more cookies. The pockets are reinforced to prevent damage to the cookies in handling and transit.
It is, however, not practical to package cookies into such trays as such packaging is extremely labour intensive and has large reject rates.
This invention is therefore directed towards the handling and packaging of cookies which will overcome at least some of these problems.
Statements of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a method for handling cookies comprising the steps of :- arranging a plurality of cookies into a single file in which the cookies are laid flat; grouping a number of the flat laid cookies together to form a group of flat laid cookies which are spaced-apart to correspond with pockets in a pack to receive the flat laid cookies; and delivering the group of flat laid cookies into a package, each cookie being delivered into an associated pocket in the pack in which the cookies are laid flat.
In one embodiment of the invention cookies are grouped together to form a group of cookies for pack loading by a grouping means having projections which engage between individual cookies in a file to space the cookies apart a desired distance corresponding to the pockets in a pack. Preferably the grouping means is a grouping chain. The grouping chain preferably has a number of groups of projections corresponding to a pack to be loaded. Ideally, the groups of projections are spaced-apart to deliver the groups of cookies in a controlled manner.
In another aspect a group of cookies are delivered into a pack by a delivery means which is movable from a retracted position to receive a group of cookies to a delivery position in which the group of cookies are delivered into a pack in which the cookies are laid flat. Preferably the delivery means comprises a number of delivery fingers, the operation of which is co-ordinated to deliver the group cookies into individual pockets in a pack.
The invention also provides an apparatus for handling cookies comprising: means for arranging a plurality of cookies into a single file in which the cookies are laid flat; grouping means for grouping a number of the laid flat cookies together to form a group of cookies which are spaced-apart to correspond with pockets in a pack to receive the cookies ; and delivery means for delivering the group of cookies into a pack in which each cookie is delivered into an associated pocket in the pack in which the cookies are laid flat.
In one embodiment of the invention the grouping means has a plurality of projections to engage between individual cookies in a file to space the cookies apart a desired distance corresponding to the pockets in a pack.
In a preferred arrangement the grouping means comprises a chain having a number of projections extending therefrom. Preferably the chain has a number of groups of projections which are spaced-apart along the chain. Ideally, each group of projections corresponds to a desired pack or group of packs.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the projections engage between adjacent cookies on a cookie conveyor.
Preferably the cookie delivery means comprises cookie engaging ejector fingers which are movable from a recessed cookie-receiving position to a cookie delivery position to deliver the groups of cookies into pockets in a pack.
In one embodiment of the invention the means for arranging a plurality of cookies into a single file comprises a lane reducing means to provide a line of cookies in a single file to the cookie grouping means.
Preferably the apparatus includes tray pack delivery means for delivery of a single line of packs to be filled, to the cookie delivery means.
Description of the Drawings The invention shall be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a cookie handling and packaging apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of part of the apparatus; Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a grouping chain part of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of the grouping chain; Figs. 6 and 7 are cross sectional views illustrating the operation of the apparatus; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a typical tray for receiving cookies; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus on an enlarged scale.
Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated method and apparatus for handling and packaging cookies. The apparatus comprises means 1 for arranging a plurality of randomly arranged cookies 2 on a main conveyor 3 into a single file 4 which is delivered along a feed conveyor 5. The apparatus also includes grouping means 6 for grouping a number of the cookies in the single file 4 together on the conveyors to form a group of cookies which are spaced-apart to correspond with pockets 10 in a tray 11 to receive the cookies. A typical tray 11 of this type is illustrated in Fig. 8. Generally a plurality of such empty trays 11 are denested at a denesting station 12 and led along a pack conveyor 15 which runs the trays 11 in a single file to a delivery station 20 at which the group of cookies are loaded into the pockets 10 of the tray 11. On completion of pack loading the packs are wrapped 17, packaged and palletised.
The randomly orientated flat laid cookies are arranged in single files by a plurality of rollers arranged across the line of cookies. The rollers are arranged in different groups. For example, there may be thirty two rollers arranged in eight groups of four. Each roller or group of rollers has an independent drive which is electronically controllable to vary and adjust the speed of rotation of the rollers to provide decaying speed motion in a wave pattern. This speed variation of the rollers allows a single line of flat laid cookies to be moved forward from the mass of randomly arranged cookies.
The cookies grouping means 6 is illustrated particularly in Figs 2 to 5 and comprises grouping chains 30 attached to belts 34 which are trained around pulley wheels 32. Each grouping chain 30 has a number of radially extending projections 35 to form therebetween pockets 36, each for receiving a single flat laid cookie 2. In this case the projections 35 are grouped together to provide, for example, grouping of flat laid cookies for simultaneous delivery into three adjacent packs 11 in a flat laid orientation as illustrated. Two separate groups of projections are shown in for illustration purposes. A gap 40 between the groups allow the chain 30 to be driven substantially continuously, the gap corresponding to the time required to deliver a leading group of cookies into a pack before delivery of a following group into the same or following packs.
A group of flat laid cookies are delivered from the conveyor 5 into the packs 11 by a delivery means 20 comprising a plurality of fingers 50 which are movable from a cookie engaging position illustrated by full lines in Figs 6 and 7 to deliver a cookie 2 into a pocket 10 of a pack 11 in a flat laid orientation. The release position of the fingers 50 is illustrated by interrupted lines and it will be noted that the fingers are moved outwardly and downwardly to quickly clear the delivery station.
Thus, the invention provides a method and apparatus for efficiently handling and packing delicate high value cookies with minimal manual intervention at economic rates of production.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (19)

  1. Claims 1. A method for handling cookies comprising the steps of : arranging a plurality of cookies into a single file in which the cookies are laid flat ; grouping a number of the flat laid cookies together to form a group of flat laid cookies which are spaced-apart to correspond with pockets in a pack to receive the flat laid cookies; and delivering the group of flat laid cookies into a package, each cookie being delivered into an associated pocket in the pack in which the cookies are laid flat.
  2. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein cookies are grouped together to form a group of cookies for pack loading by a grouping means having projections which engage between individual cookies in a file to space the cookies apart a desired distance corresponding to the pockets in a pack.
  3. 3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the grouping means is a grouping chain.
  4. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the grouping chain has a number of groups of projections corresponding to a pack to be loaded.
  5. 5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the groups of projections are spaced-apart to deliver the groups of cookies in a controlled manner.
  6. 6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a group of flat laid cookies are delivered into a pack by a delivery means which is movable from a retracted position to receive a group of cookies to a delivery position in which the group of cookies are delivered into a pack in which the cookies are laid flat.
  7. 7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the delivery means comprises a number of delivery fingers, the operation of which is co-ordinated to deliver the group of cookies into individual pockets in a pack.
  8. 8. A method for handling cookies substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  9. 9. Apparatus for handling cookies comprising: means for arranging a plurality of cookies into a single file in which the cookies are laid flat ; grouping means for grouping a number of the flat laid cookies together to form a group of cookies which are spaced-apart to correspond with pockets in a pack to receive the cookies; and delivery means for delivering the group of cookies into a pack in which each cookie is delivered into an associated pocket in the pack in which the cookies are laid flat.
  10. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the grouping means has a plurality of projections to engage between individual cookies in a file to space the cookies apart a desired distance corresponding to the pockets in a pack.
  11. 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the grouping means comprises a chain having a number of projections extending therefrom.
  12. 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the chain has a number of groups of projections which are spaced-apart along the chain.
  13. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each group of projections corresponds to a desired pack or group of packs.
  14. 14. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the projections engage between adjacent cookies on a cookie conveyor.
  15. 15. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14 wherein the cookie delivery means comprises cookie engaging ejector fingers which are movable from a recessed cookie-receiving position to a cookie delivery position to deliver the groups of cookies into pockets in a pack.
  16. 16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 15 wherein the means for arranging a plurality of cookies into a single file comprises a lane reducing means to provide a line of cookies in a single file to the cookie grouping means.
  17. 17. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 16 including tray pack delivery means for delivery of a single line of packs to be filled to the cookie delivery means.
  18. 18. Apparatus for handling cookies substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  19. 19. Cookies whenever packaged using a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 and/or an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 18.
GB9924599A 1998-10-19 1999-10-18 A method and apparatus for handling cookies Expired - Fee Related GB2342908B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE980868 1998-10-19

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9924599D0 GB9924599D0 (en) 1999-12-22
GB2342908A true GB2342908A (en) 2000-04-26
GB2342908B GB2342908B (en) 2003-02-19

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GB9924599A Expired - Fee Related GB2342908B (en) 1998-10-19 1999-10-18 A method and apparatus for handling cookies

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GB (1) GB2342908B (en)
IE (2) IE990851A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003074362A1 (en) * 2002-03-01 2003-09-12 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Placement apparatus
FR2847242A1 (en) * 2002-11-15 2004-05-21 Cermex Ouest Conditionnement Transferring machine for objects aligned in successive range, has pushing unit on a conveyor that transversely moves with another conveyor to push objects back together in range by moving objects in rectilinear trajectory
CN102009756A (en) * 2010-10-27 2011-04-13 东莞市金富士食品有限公司 Quantitative racking machine of biscuit
WO2012125679A1 (en) * 2011-03-14 2012-09-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus for diverting and handling products
EP2554498A1 (en) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-06 Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A. Method and related apparatus for feeding a packaging machine with groups of thin shaped food products
CN103448932A (en) * 2013-09-05 2013-12-18 刘金勇 Machine for automatically packaging materials in supporting box
EP2799348A1 (en) * 2013-04-30 2014-11-05 Theegarten-Pactec Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for grouping articles in article bars and grouping device and packaging machine comprising same
EP2799349A1 (en) * 2013-04-30 2014-11-05 Theegarten-Pactec Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for grouping articles in article bars and grouping device and packaging machine comprising one such and control device for product holding device
CN106865180A (en) * 2017-04-19 2017-06-20 常德瑞华制造有限公司 Cigarette collating unit

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103723490B (en) * 2013-12-31 2015-09-09 吴江区铜罗新世纪包装厂 A kind of for carrying the conveying mechanism of the steel wire after putting on and handle
CN104477658B (en) * 2014-11-25 2017-04-12 佛山市松川机械设备有限公司 Novel support installing machine
CN105564708B (en) * 2015-12-15 2017-11-03 温岭市永青气纺机械有限公司 One hatching egg shortcake mounted box conveyer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1296728A (en) * 1969-09-01 1972-11-15
EP0082123A2 (en) * 1981-12-11 1983-06-22 Bo Sammens Procedure and arrangement for automatically aligning and inserting in packages products from belt conveyors
EP0644119A1 (en) * 1993-09-08 1995-03-22 Klöckner Hänsel GmbH Method and device for the forming of stacks of individual articles, especially biscuits
US5761883A (en) * 1995-11-28 1998-06-09 Food Machinery Sales, Inc. Cookie tray loading machine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1296728A (en) * 1969-09-01 1972-11-15
EP0082123A2 (en) * 1981-12-11 1983-06-22 Bo Sammens Procedure and arrangement for automatically aligning and inserting in packages products from belt conveyors
EP0644119A1 (en) * 1993-09-08 1995-03-22 Klöckner Hänsel GmbH Method and device for the forming of stacks of individual articles, especially biscuits
US5761883A (en) * 1995-11-28 1998-06-09 Food Machinery Sales, Inc. Cookie tray loading machine

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003074362A1 (en) * 2002-03-01 2003-09-12 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Placement apparatus
FR2847242A1 (en) * 2002-11-15 2004-05-21 Cermex Ouest Conditionnement Transferring machine for objects aligned in successive range, has pushing unit on a conveyor that transversely moves with another conveyor to push objects back together in range by moving objects in rectilinear trajectory
WO2004046000A1 (en) * 2002-11-15 2004-06-03 Cermex Ouest Conditionnement Machine for transferring objects aligned in rows
US7416072B2 (en) 2002-11-15 2008-08-26 Cermex Ouest Conditionnement Machine for transferring objects aligned in rows
CN102009756A (en) * 2010-10-27 2011-04-13 东莞市金富士食品有限公司 Quantitative racking machine of biscuit
CN102009756B (en) * 2010-10-27 2012-07-25 东莞市金富士食品有限公司 Quantitative racking machine of biscuit
WO2012125679A1 (en) * 2011-03-14 2012-09-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus for diverting and handling products
US8448776B2 (en) 2011-03-14 2013-05-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus for diverting products and methods of handling products
EP2554498A1 (en) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-06 Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A. Method and related apparatus for feeding a packaging machine with groups of thin shaped food products
EP2799348A1 (en) * 2013-04-30 2014-11-05 Theegarten-Pactec Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for grouping articles in article bars and grouping device and packaging machine comprising same
EP2799349A1 (en) * 2013-04-30 2014-11-05 Theegarten-Pactec Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for grouping articles in article bars and grouping device and packaging machine comprising one such and control device for product holding device
CN103448932A (en) * 2013-09-05 2013-12-18 刘金勇 Machine for automatically packaging materials in supporting box
CN103448932B (en) * 2013-09-05 2015-10-28 刘金勇 A kind of material automatic tray mounting box machine
CN106865180A (en) * 2017-04-19 2017-06-20 常德瑞华制造有限公司 Cigarette collating unit
CN106865180B (en) * 2017-04-19 2019-10-01 常德瑞华制造有限公司 Cigarette collating unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IE990851A1 (en) 2000-06-28
GB9924599D0 (en) 1999-12-22
IES990852A2 (en) 2000-06-28
GB2342908B (en) 2003-02-19

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20121018