GB2414460A

GB2414460A - Conveyor system

Info

Publication number: GB2414460A
Application number: GB0411662A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Geoffrey Kenneth Rogers; Timothy Derek Smith
Original assignee: Syspal Ltd
Current assignee: Syspal Ltd
Priority date: 2004-05-25
Filing date: 2004-05-25
Publication date: 2005-11-30
Also published as: GB0411662D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveyor system (2) for conveying a plurality of products. The system comprises a first conveyor (14), a feed conveyor (4) and control means (32). The first conveyor (14) is arranged to receive products from the feed conveyor (4) in a receiving zone (34) of the first conveyor (14). The control means (32) is arranged to control the relative velocity between the first conveyor (14) and the feed conveyor (4) such that a product is not received on the first conveyor (14) until a previously received product has been conveyed out of the receiving zone (34).

Description

24 1 4460

CONVEYOR SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a conveyor system for conveying a plurality of products.

Currently such conveyor systems align and turn products being conveyed by mechanical interaction between the product being conveyed and part of the conveyor system. For example, turning pegs are placed in the path of a product being conveyed causing the product to rotate about the peg thus turning it as desired. It is also known to provide funnel shaped walls adjacent a conveyer bell such that a row of products is translated into a column of single products. Such mechanical interaction between the conveyor system and the product can lead to damage of the product. :' . .

..,. 15 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a conveyor system for conveying a plurality of products comprising a first conveyor, a feed conveyor and control means, the first conveyor being . . arranged to receive products from the feed conveyor in a receiving zone .., of the first conveyor, wherein the control means is arranged to control relative velocity between the first conveyor and the feed conveyor such that a product is not received on the first conveyor until a previously received product has been conveyed out of the receiving zone.

Advantageously this system provides a method of conveying a plurality of products which are required to be transferred from one conveyor to another without contact between adjacent products. Accordingly the risk of damage to the products being conveyed is reduced.

Preferably the control means is provided to control the relative velocity such that a product is not received on the first conveyor until a previously received product has been conveyed a predetermined distance from the receiving zone. The products may be generally elongate and are arranged to be conveyed with their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the direction of motion of the feed conveyor and parallel to the direction of motion of the first conveyor. Alternatively, the products may be conveyed with their longitudinal axes parallel to the direction of motion of the feed conveyor and perpendicular to the direction of motion of the first conveyor.

The control means may be arranged to pause movement of the feed conveyor after a product is received on the first conveyor such that a subsequent product is not received on the first conveyor until the previously received product has been conveyed out of the receiving zone.

The first conveyor and the feed conveyor preferably travel in different *, . . : directions. The direction of travel of the first conveyor is preferably substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the feed conveyor.

Advantageously this allows transfer of products being conveyed between two conveyors from a position in which they are initially being conveyed . in a first orientation to a position in which they are eventually being : .. conveyed in a second, perpendicular orientation.

'... 20 Preferably the receiving zone is an area adjacent to a downstream end of the feed conveyor. A length of the receiving zone may be substantially the same as a width of the feed conveyor. Alternatively, the receiving zone may be longer than the width of the feed conveyor, i.e. if a product being conveyed is wider than the feed conveyor.

The feed conveyor may be movable relative to the first conveyor in a direction parallel to the direction of motion of the first conveyor. The height of the surface of the first conveyor and feed conveyor is preferably substantially the same at the junction of the first conveyor and the feed conveyor. The height of the surface of the feed conveyor may be variable relative to the height of the surface of the first conveyor. A handle is preferably provided at or adjacent an upper surface of the feed conveyor to adjust the height thereof. Advantageously a user of the conveyor system may easily adjust the height via the handle without bending down.

The feed conveyor preferably travels at a greater speed than the first conveyor.

Preferably a plurality of rows of products is arranged to be conveyed by the feed conveyor such that a row of products is not received on the first conveyor until a previously received row of products has been conveyed from the receiving zone. The first conveyor and the feed conveyor preferably comprise food grade bells. Preferably a servo drive and : gearbox arrangement is provided to drive the feed conveyor.

ale 15 The conveyor system preferably further comprises a spacing conveyor arranged to receive products from the first conveyor, the spacing conveyor having a speed of travel which is greater than that of the first I:: conveyor such that products are spaced apart by the spacing conveyor.

The speed of the spacing conveyor is preferably about twice the speed of the first conveyor. Advantageously products being conveyed are spaced by at least their length once they pass over the spacing conveyor - this is advantageous for sortie applications as described below.

An upstanding wall is preferably provided on the first conveyor in the region of the receiving zone to ensure that a product being received from the feed conveyor does not leave the bounds of the first conveyor.

Preferably the conveyor system comprises a plurality of feed conveyors.

Each feed conveyor preferably has an associated receiving zone on the first conveyor and the control means is preferably arranged to control the relative velocity of each feed conveyor so that the first conveyor does not receive any product from any of the feed conveyors until all products have been conveyed away f'rorn all of the receiving zones. 'I'he control means may be arranged to control the speed of each feed conveyor such that a product from any particular feed conveyor is not received in its associated receiving zone on the first conveyor unless the receiving zone is clear wherein the contr ol means Us adapted to take into account any product which Us received on the first conveyor upstream of'.said receiving zone relative to the direction of motion of the first conveyor.

A gap its preferably provided between adjacent feed conveyors, cutting means being receivable within the gap for cutting columns of products received from a vacuum-f'<:'rming machine, tray forming machine or a similar rnachinc. Many such existing machines emit blocks of products which are required to be cut before use and this Mature advantageously allows the present invention to be used with such machines.

The products arc preferably received on the feed conveyor from a vacuumI'orming machine, tray forming machine or a similar machine. . .

Ale. 'I'he feed conveyor may be adjustable in height and/or width to accommodate different sizes of vacuum-forming machine/tray forming machine/other similar machines.

The feed conveyor may be moveable, e.g. sideways, relative I:' the vacuum forming machine/tray forming machine/other similar machine to accommodate different types of'such machines. The feed conveyors may be movcable relative to each other to accommodate different types of machine.

The control means is preferably arranged to control the velocity of the feed conveyor to match the rate at which products are supplied by said machine.

The present invention will now be described, by way of' example, only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a schematic plan view of a conveyor.sy.slem according to the invention; and 1() Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of' the conveyor system ol' Figure 1.

: Referring to Figures I and 2, a conveyor system 2 comprises a primary . 15 feed conveyor 4 and a secondary feed conveyor 6. The primary and secondary feed conveyors 4, 6, are identical and Only the primary feed conveyor 4 will be described in detail for conciseness. :

: '': The primary f'eed conveyor 4 comprises a food grade belt 8 in the form of : 20 a standard high grip, food grade belt, which provides a good grip for products being conveyed to allow a good acceleration:'f the belt without skidding or sliding of the products:' n the belt. The belt its an endless belt, and is driven by a servc'drivc and gearbox to ensure that there is no backlash if movement of the belt 8 is suddenly stopped or started. The belt 8 of this embodiment is generally rectangular in plan view and its upper surface has a width of about 14()mm and a length of'about 8.30mm.

The belt 8 is driven in a first direction as denoted by arrow A (Figure 1) such that products to be conveyed travel from a first end 10 to a second end 12 of' the upper surface ol' the belt 8. 3()

First height adjustment means 28 is provided to adjust the height of the first end 10 of the primary feed conveyor 4 and second height adjustment means 30 is provided to adjust the height of the second end 12 of the primary feed conveyor 4. A handle 31 is provided in the vicinity of the feed conveyors 4, 6 to facilitate operation of the height adjustment means 28, 30.

The conveyor system 2 further comprises a first conveyor 14, which, in plan, includes a straight section 16, perpendicular to the feed conveyors 4, 6, having upstream and downstream ends and a curved section 18 extending from the downstream end of the straight section. The direction of movement of the first conveyor 14 is such that products to be conveyed travel from an upstream end 20 along the straight 16 and then the curved . . . : 18 sections to a downstream end 22 of the first conveyor 14 as indicated by arrow B. The first conveyor 14 comprises an S bend belt, which is a standard food grade side-flexing plastic modular belt. The belt of the first conveyor 14 is driven by a drive and gearbox arrangement which is independent of the servo driving gearbox used to drive the primary 4 and : : secondary 6 feed conveyors.

*., 20 The conveyor system 2 further comprises a spacing conveyor 24 also comprising a standard high grip food grade belt. The spacing conveyor 24 is driven in the direction of arrow C by a drive and gear box arrangement which is in communication with the drive and gearbox arrangements for the first conveyor 14 such that the spacing conveyor 24 is driven at about twice the speed of the first conveyor 14. The spacing conveyor 24 extends from the downstream end 22 of the first conveyor 14.

The primary 4 and secondary 6 feed conveyors are arranged parallel to each other with their centres adjustable by means of an operating adjuster (not shown), such that the feed conveyors 4, 6 are moveable relative to each other. An imaginary centre line based between the primary 4 and secondary 6 feed conveyors also extends through the central longitudinal axis of the spacing conveyor 24.

The conveyor system 2 comprises a housing 26 which houses the primary feed conveyor 4, the secondary feed conveyor 6, the first conveyor 14 and the spacing conveyor 24.

The conveyor system 2 further comprises control means 32 which is arranged to communicate with the primary 4 and secondary 6 feed conveyors, the first conveyor 14 and the spacing conveyor 24 to adjust and control the speeds of travel of their respective belts. The control lo': means is in the form of a PLC control device having a touch screen input means.

In use, the second end 12 of the primary feed conveyor 4 and secondary feed conveyor 6 is arranged to receive products to be conveyed from a :''': suitable machine e.g. a vacuum forming machine, a tray forming machine : 20 etc. In this example, the product to be conveyed comprises a generally rectangular product having a wide edge and a narrow edge. The wide edge is wider than each feed conveyor 4, 6 and the products are conveyed with their wide edges leading such that part of the product overhangs the bounds of the feed conveyor 4, 6. In other examples, the products may be conveyed narrow edge leading. In order to accommodate and receive products from different types of machine, the primary feed conveyor 4 and secondary feed conveyor 6 may be adjustable, e.g. by sliding along a guide rail, in a direction perpendicular to their conveying directions (arrow A).

A gap between the primary 4 and secondary 6 feed conveyors is arranged to receive a cutting means which forms part of the machine from which the products originate. The products originate as a single block of products which comprise of columns which need to be cut apart prior to being received on the two feed conveyors 4, 6. The block of products is cut into columns in a conventional manner such that adjacent rows of products are formed on each of the primary 4 and secondary 6 feed conveyors.

User inputs (including the distance from the first end 10 to the second end 12 of the belt is) to the control means 32 ensure that the first of the products on both of the feed conveyers 4, 6 are conveyed from the first end 10 to the second end 12 of each feed conveyor 4, 6. The control means 32 controls movement of the feed conveyor 4, 6 such that the first I 15 product of each series is received on the first conveyor 14. The first . conveyor 14 comprises a primary receiving zone 34 adjacent the second end 12 of the primary feed conveyor 4 and a secondary receiving zone 36 adjacently second end 12 of the secondary feed conveyor 6. As can be : : seen from Figure 1, each receiving zone 34, 36, is wider than its : 20 respective feed conveyor 4, 6 since the products being conveyed are wider than the feed conveyors 4, 6. Since the direction of travel of the feed conveyors 4, 6 (arrow A) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the first conveyor 14 in its straight section 16, the first conveyor 14 transports the received products with their narrow edge leading forwards. This is useful since for some applications where the products are required to be separated e.g. for individual weighing or metal detection.

An upstanding wall 40 extends from the housing 26 in the region of each receiving zone 34, 36 to ensure that a product being received on the first conveyor 14 does not leave its belt (e.g. if it is travelling too quickly when it is received).

Previous user inputs to the control means 32 include the width of the products being conveyed and therefore the control means 32 is able to calculate the amount of time taken for the products which have been received in the receiving zones 34, 36 to be conveyed away from their receiving zones 34, 36.

After the first row of products has been received on the first conveyor 14, the control means 32 sends a signal to the feed conveyors 4, 6 to pause their movement. Once the product which was initially received in the primary receiving zone 34, is clear of the secondary receiving zone 36 as . . . described above, the control means 32 sends a signal to the feed . 15 conveyors 4, 6 to resume their movement. The next row of products is A. then received from the feed conveyors 4, 6 on the respective receiving . zone 34, 36. In this way, products are conveyed in single file and do not bump into each other. Also the products go from being conveyed with : ' ': their wide edges leading to being conveyed with their narrow edges . : 20 leading - this is useful in some applications e.g. for labelling purposes since it is easier to label a rectangular product with its narrow edge leading than with its wide edge leading, where a labelling machine has to be very accurate to hit the product.

In one particular embodiment, a series of products known as a 'stroke' (comprising two columns of four products) can be processed via the present conveyor system at a rate of between 5 and 20 strokes per minute.

Products are thus conveyed in single file along the first conveyor 14. The control means 32 is arranged to drive the spacing conveyor 24 at twice the speed of the first conveyor 14 so that a product being conveyed is spaced from an adjacent product by a distance which is at least its own length - this is useful in applications where products need to be separated e.g. for individual weighing or metal detection.

Various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from its scope. For example, different types of belt may be used (i.e. not necessarily food grade for other industries). More than two, or only a single, feed conveyor may be used depending upon the arrangement of products to be conveyed. Different dimensions of feed conveyor may be used. The first conveyor need not be curved and may be of any general shape. Different shapes of product may be conveyed, e.g. square, round, oval or irregular shaped products.

1 . :'

Claims

I. A conveyor system for conveying a plurality of products comprising a first conveyor, a feed conveyor and control means, the first conveyor being arranged to receive products from the feed conveyor in a receiving zone of the first conveyor, wherein the control means is arranged to control relative velocity between the first conveyor and the feed conveyor such that a product is not received on the first conveyor lO until a previously received product has been conveyed out of the receiving zone.
2. A conveyor according to claim 1 in which the control means is provided to control the relative velocity such that a product is not received on the first conveyor until a previously received product has been conveyed a predetermined distance from the receiving zone. ' :.
3. A conveying system according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the products are generally elongate and arranged to be conveyed wi th their . . 20 longitudinal axes perpendicular to the direction of motion of the feed conveyor and parallel to the direction of motion of the first conveyor.
4. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which the control means is arranged to pause movement of the feed conveyor after a product is received on the first conveyor such that a subsequent product is not received on the first conveyor until the previously received product has been conveyed out of the receiving zone.
5. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which the first conveyor and the feed conveyor travel in different directions.
6. A conveyor system according to claim 5 in which the direction of travel of the first conveyor is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the feed conveyor.
7. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which the receiving zone is an area adjacent to a downstream end of the feed conveyor.
8. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which a length of the receiving zone is substantially the same as a width of the feed conveyor.
9. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which the . i feed conveyor is moveable relative to the first conveyor in a direction . ' 15 parallel to the direction of motion of the first conveyor.

A.
10. A conveyor system according to any of claims 7 to 9 in which the height of a surface of the first conveyor and feed conveyor is substantially the same at the junction of the first conveyor and feed conveyor.

I.: 20
l1. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which the height of the surface of the feed conveyor is variable relative to the height of the surface of the first conveyor.
12. A conveyor system according to claim 11 in which a handle is provided at or adjacent an upper surface of the feed conveyor to adjust the height thereof.
13. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which the feed conveyor travels at a greater speed than the first conveyor.
14. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which a plurality of rows of products is arranged to be conveyed by the feed conveyor such that a row of products is not received on the first conveyor until a previously received row of products has been conveyed from the receiving zone.
15. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which the first conveyor and the feed conveyor comprise food grade belts.
16. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which a servo drive and gearbox arrangement is provided to drive the feed conveyor.

all:
17. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim comprising a I.' 15 spacing conveyor arranged to receive products from the first conveyor, the spacing conveyor having a speed of travel which is greater than that of the first conveyor such that products are spaced apart by the spacing : conveyor.

: 20
18. A conveyor system according to claim 17 in which the speed of the spacing conveyor is about twice the speed of the first conveyor.
19. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which an upstanding wall is provided on the first conveyor in the region of the receiving zone to ensure that a product being received from the feed conveyor does not leave the bounds of the first conveyor.
20. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of feed conveyors.
21. A conveyor system according to claim 20 in which each feed conveyor has an associated receiving zone on the first conveyor and the control means is arranged to control the relative velocity of each feed conveyor such that the first conveyor does not receive any product from any of the feed conveyors until all products have been conveyed away from all of the receiving zones.
22. A conveyor system according to claim 20 or claim 21 in which the control means is arranged to control the speed of each feed conveyor such that a product from any particular feed conveyor is not received in its associated receiving zone on the first conveyor unless the receiving zone is clear wherein the control means is adapted to take into account any product which is received on the first conveyor upstream of said receiving :'' ' zone relative to the direction of motion of the first conveyor.

i.
23. A conveyor system according to any of claims 20 to 22 in which a A, gap is provided between adjacent feed conveyors, cutting means being receivable within the gap for cutting columns of products received from a . . vacuum forming machine, tray forming machine or a similar machine. : 20
24. A conveyor system according to any preceding claim in which products arc received on the feed conveyor from a vacuum forming machine, tray forming machine or other similar machine.
25. A conveyor system according to claim 24 in which the feed conveyor is adjustable in height to accommodate different sizes of vacuum forming machine/tray forming machine/other similar machines.
26. A conveyor system according to claim 24 or claim 25 in which the feed conveyor is moveable sideways relative to said machine.
27. A conveyor system according to any of claims 24 to 26, in which the control means is arranged to control the velocity of the feed conveyor to match the rate at which products are supplied by said machine.
28. A conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. :'. . . :'