GB2435638A

GB2435638A - Basket loading machine

Info

Publication number: GB2435638A
Application number: GB0604372A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Richard North
Original assignee: AUTARKY MACHINE CO Ltd
Current assignee: AUTARKY MACHINE CO Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-03
Filing date: 2006-03-03
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-03
Also published as: GB0604372D0; GB2435638B

Abstract

This machine relates to a machine for loading baskets, particularly, but not exclusively, loading bread into bread baskets. The basket loading machine (1) is suitable for loading a first and second type of basket, each basket including a plurality of apertures in its base, wherein the configuration of the apertures in the first type of basket differ to that of the second basket. The machine comprises a first set (3) and second set (4) of pins for loading the said baskets, where first set of pins (3) correspond to and are suitable for loading the first type of basket and the second set of pins (4) correspond to and a suitable for loading the second type of basket. The sets are upwardly and downwardly movable relative to one another so that a selected set protrudes above the other for use.

Description

Basket Loading Machine This invention relates to a machine for loading

baskets.

More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a machine for loading bread into bread baskets.

Bread baskets are commonly used in the bread-making industry both as a protective container in which to store the bread while transporting the bread from the bakery to the shops and also as a point of sale display container when in the shops. The bases of the baskets include a plurality of apertures. Most commonly the base consists of a diamond lattice structure. This has the advantage of decreasing the weight of the basket, while retaining the strength and rigidity of the basket. Different manufacturers may use different types of basket. Some of the factors that influence the choice of basket are the transportation requirements and the display requirements of different brands. Different types of basket exist, where the size of the basket varies as does the configuration of apertures in the base of the baskets.

The invention provides a basket loading machine for loading a first and second type of basket, the first and second types of basket each including a plurality of apertures in its base, the configuration of the plurality of apertures in the first type of basket differing to the configuration of the plurality of apertures in the second type of basket, wherein the machine comprises a first and second set of pins for loading the said baskets, the first set of pins corresponding to the first type of basket whereby in use the pins are moveable between an unloaded position in which none of the pins penetrate the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket and a loading position in which the pins penetrate at least some of the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket, the second set of pins corresponding to the second type of basket whereby in use the pins are moveable between an unloaded position in which none of the pins penetrate the plurality of apertures in the basket and a loading position in which the pins penetrate at least some of the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket, and the first and second sets of pins being so arranged that they are movable to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the first set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the second set and to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the second set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the first set.

Advantageously the machine as described above removes the need for a factory to possess separate basket loading machines corresponding to different types of basket being used in the factory and/or the need to change the pin bed of a single machine each time the machine is used to load a different type of basket. This means that one machine can readily load products into at least two types of basket, for example, where different customers require different types of basket to be used. Advantageously the space required by, or the footprint of, the factory processing line is reduced as only one basket loading machine is required. Also the extra cost of having to purchase several types of machine may advantageously be removed. The factory processing line may also be simplified as there is no need to adapt it to process loads in different locations depending on the type of basket being used.

During use, the lower ends of the pins of the first set of pins may be located beneath the lower ends of the pins of the second set. The first set of pins may be movable to a position where they protrude above the second set of pins.

The second set of pins may be associated with a base, the base including apertures through which the first set of pins pass. In use, the loading position of the first set of pins and the second set of pins with respect to their corresponding baskets may be substantially the same.

Advantageously, this simplifies the loading procedure as it is substantially similar as between the two different types of basket. The pins may be so arranged that when both sets of pins are in their rest, or neutral, position (i.e. in the unloaded position and/or not in the loading position), the upper ends of the pins of both sets of pins may be substantially level. Thus, the pins of the first set, if located at least partly beneath the second pins, may be longer than the pins of the second set.

Preferably, the pins that make up the first set of pins are substantially identical to one another. Preferably, the pins that make up the second set of pins are substantially identical to one another.

Preferably the machine includes switching apparatus for controlling whether the first set of pins or second set of pins is used. Advantageously, the switching apparatus for controlling whether the first or second set of pins are used includes a microprocessor. The selection of the set of pins to be used may be by means of a manual input into the basket loading machine. The selection of the set of pins to be used may be by means of a manual input into a central processing unit controlling the basket loading machine. The basket loading machine may be part of a factory processing line. The basket loading machine may be controlled by a central processing unit that controls other parts of the factory processing line. The selection of the set of pins to be used may be controlled by the central processing unit.

The selection of the set of pins to be loaded may be controlled automatically by sensing apparatus that senses the type of basket to be used and selects the pins accordingly.

Preferably, the region occupied by the first set of pins when viewed from above overlaps with the region occupied by the second set of pins when viewed from above. The area of overlap between the two regions when viewed from above may be more than 50% of the smaller region, and is preferably more than 75%. The area of overlap between the two regions may even be more than 90% of the area defined by the smaller region. A greater degree of overlap between the two regions occupied by the sets of pins when viewed from above may facilitate a smaller overall footprint of the machine.

The machine may be so arranged that in use a basket of the first type is caused to be stopped at a first position allowing the pins of the first set to be moved to their loading position and a basket of the second type is caused to be stopped at a second position allowing the pins of the second set to be moved to their loading position. Whilst, the first and second positions are preferably substantially the same, the centre of the first type of basket when viewed from above in the first position may additionally, or alternatively, be offset from the centre of the basket of the second type when viewed from above in the second position. The first and second positions associated with the baskets of the first and second types, respectively, may be defined by means of a stop arranged to stop the end of each basket at substantially the same position relative to the machine.

It will of course be appreciated that the first set of pins and second set of pins may conveniently be mutually exclusive. Advantageously, the first set of pins and the second set of pins are each arranged to be moved independently of the other set. Preferably, the movement of each respective set of pins is such that the pins of the set move together. Alternatively, or additionally, there may be permitted relative movement of at least parts of the pins of a given set. For example, individual pins may be spring-loaded to permit retraction (or extension) of pins in the longitudinal direction of the pin. Preferably, each set is arranged to be moved without relative movement between pins of the same set. The movement of the pins may be driven hydraulically. The movement of the pins may be driven pneumatically. The movement of the pins may be driven by electric motor.

Advantageously the basket loading machine may be adapted such that it is suitable for loading bread into bread baskets. A machine thus adapted would advantageously be able to load bread into different types of bread basket depending on customer requirements. The present invention thus provides a bread basket loading machine for loading loaves of bread into a plurality of different types of baskets.

The invention further provides a method of loading baskets using a basket loading machine, the baskets being of a first and second type both including a plurality of apertures in their base, the configuration of the plurality of apertures differing between the different types of basket. Such a method advantageously comprises the steps of: selecting one out of two different sets of pins included in the basket loading machine depending on the type of basket to be loaded, the first and second sets of pins being so arranged that they are movable to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the first set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the second set and to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the second set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the first set.

inserting the selected set of pins through at least some of the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket to a position in which they protrude from the base of the basket, transferring a load to be loaded into the basket onto the said set of pins, and lowering the said pins from their position protruding from the base of the basket to a position under the base of the basket, the load thereby being placed in the basket. It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to the apparatus of the invention may be incorporated into the method of the invention and vice versa. For example, the basket loading machine used in the method of the invention may be a machine according to any of the aspects of the basket loading machine of the present invention described herein. The method may be in the form of a method of loading loaves of bread into one of a plurality of different types of basket.

The present invention further provides a kit so that an existing basket loading machine can be retrofitted with the kit to enable it to load more than one type of basket in accordance with the other aspects of the present invention described herein. Such a kit may advantageously comprise one and preferably both of a first and second set of pins.

The first set of pins may correspond to the first type of basket. The second set of pins may correspond to the second type of basket. The first set of pins may be suitable for being attached to the basket loading machine in such a way that in use they are capable of being moved from a position below the first type of basket when a basket of the first type is present in the basket loading machine to a position in which the pins protrude through at least some of the plurality of apertures of the first type of basket.

Similarly, the second set of pins may be suitable for being attached to the basket loading machine in such a way that in use they are capable of being moved from a position below the second type of basket when a basket of the second type is present in the basket loading machine to a position in which the pins protrude through at least some of the plurality of apertures in the second type of basket.

The first and second sets of pins may be so arranged that, when installed on a machine, the first set of pins may be movable to a position where their upper ends are above the upper ends of the second set of pins. The first and second sets of pins may be so arranged that, when installed on a machine, the second set of pins may be movable to a position where their upper ends are above the upper ends of the first set of pins. The first and/or second set of pins are advantageously so arranged that when installed on a machine the upper ends of the first set of pins may be located beneath the upper ends of the second set of pins and are movable to a position where the upper ends of the first set of pins protrude above the upper ends of the second set of pins. The first set of pins may form a part of the machine to be converted into a basket loading machine of the present invention. It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to the apparatus or method of the invention may be incorporated into the kit of the invention and vice versa.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a typical basket loading arrangement of

the prior art,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention, a bread basket loading machine in which the upper pin bed is raised, Figure 3 shows a side view of a bread basket loading machine in which the upper pin bed is raised, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a bread basket loading machine in which the lower pin bed is raised, Figure 5 shows a side view of a bread basket loading machine in which the lower pin bed is raised, Figure 6 shows the lower pin bed in isolation, and Figure 7 shows the upper pin bed in isolation.

Figure 1 shows in plan view a typical bread basket loading arrangement known in the prior art. The diagram shows an arrangement for loading bread baskets, which includes a bread basket loading machine 100. The bread basket loading machine includes a plurality of pins, the pins movable between an up position in which they protrude through the apertures in the bread basket present in the machine and a down position in which they sit below the bread basket present in the machine. The bread basket loading machine is supplied with baskets 104, 105, 106 which are supported and driven along two endless chains 107, 108. The diagram includes one basket 105 upstream of the basket loading machine 100, one basket 106 present on the basket loading machine 100 and one basket 104 downstream of the basket loading machine 100, which has been loaded with bread as shown. The arrangement further includes a retractable conveyor belt 109. The retractable conveyor belt 109 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the bread baskets between an extended position in which it is located over the bread basket 106 present in the loading machine 100, and a retracted position in which it is not located over the bread basket 106 present in the loading machine 100. When the pins of the loading machine 100 are in the up position, and the retractable conveyor belt 109 is in the extended position, there is only a small vertical distance between the top of the pins and the upper surface of the retractable conveyor belt 109, in this example around 50mm. Located substantially directly above, though offset just inside, the far long edge 1061 of the bread basket in the loading machine 106 there is a bulkhead 101. Located substantially directly above, though offset just inside, the side edges 1062, 1063 of the basket 106 there are side guides 102, 103. Located substantially directly above, though offset just inside, the near long edge 1063 there is a blocking member 111, movable between an up position above the retractable conveyor belt 109 in which bread may pass under the blocking member 111 and a down position closer to the retractable conveyor belt 109 in which bread may not pass under it.

The loading process is conducted as follows. A bread basket 106 is presented to the bread basket loading machine 100 by the endless chains 107, 108. The pins are moved from the down position in which they sit below the bread basket 106 to the up position in which they protrude through the apertures in the bread basket 106. The retractable conveyor belt 109, including bread 110 present on the retractable conveyor belt 109 is moved into its extended position where it is located over the bread basket 106. The blocking member ill is in the up position so the bread 110 passes under it. The bread 110 is driven by the conveyor belt 109 until it meets and is stopped by the bulkhead 101. The bread 110 is also arranged such that it is delivered flush with the side guards 102 and 103. The bread sitting on the conveyor is now enclosed by three vertical sides. The blocking member 111 then moves into the down position in which bread cannot pass between it and the retractable conveyor belt 109, enclosing the bread 110 on all four sides. The bread 110 is now fixed in position above the bread basket 106. The retractable conveyor belt 109 is moved back to the retracted position in which is it not located over the bread basket 106. The bread 110, still enclosed by the bulkhead 101, side guides 102, 103, and the blocking member 111, does not move back with the retractable conveyor belt 109 but instead drops a short distance onto the pins of the bread basket loading machine 100. The pins are then moved from the up position, in which they protrude from the base of the bread basket 106 to the down position in which they are below the base of the bread basket 106.

The bread is thus transferred from the pins into the bread basket 106. The bread basket 106 is then driven by the endless chains 107, 108, downstream of the bread basket loading machine 100. A further basket 105 is delivered to the bread basket loading machine 100, the blocking member 111 is moved to the up position and the process begins again.

Figures 2 and 3 show one embodiment of the present invention, a bread basket loading machine 1 and basket 2, which is suitable for use in the above described system.

The bread basket loading machine comprises an upper pin bed 3 and a lower pin bed 4. The upper and lower pin beds 3, 4 include a plurality of pins 31, 41 extending perpendicularly from the associated bases 311, 411. The upper pin base 311 also includes a plurality of apertures through which the plurality of pins 41 extending from the lower pin base 411 are slidably located. The apertures are slightly bigger than the pins they accommodate. The upper pin bed 3 also includes a plastic sheet mounted on the bottom of the upper pin base 311 which possesses apertures corresponding apertures in the upper pin base 311 which the pins 41 of the lower pin bed 4 pass through. These apertures are of a slightly smaller size than their associated apertures and act as a bearing surface for the pins of the lower pin bed 4. The upper pin bed 3 is located above the lower pin bed 4, both of them being slidably connected to a guide 8. The upper pin bed 3 is further connected to a hydraulic actuator 6 which is capable of moving the upper pin bed 3 up and down along the guide 8. The lower pin bed 4 is further connected to a hydraulic actuator 7 which is capable of moving the lower pin bed 4 up and down along the guide 8. The basket loading machine 1 is shown in figures 3 and 4 with a first type of basket 2 and with the upper pin bed 3 in a raised position. This first type of basket 2 includes a plurality of apertures in the base of the basket which correspond to the upper pin bed 3. Accordingly, the pins 31 of upper pin bed 3 protrude through the apertures in the base of the basket. During the loading process the load is placed onto the protruding pins 31, as described above and then the hydraulic actuator 6 lowers the upper pin bed 3 until the pins are below the base of the basket, hence lowering the load into the basket.

Figures 4 and 5 show the same arrangement as in figures 2 and 3, except that a second type of basket 5 is being used.

The second type of basket 5 includes a plurality of apertures in the base of the basket which correspond to the lower pin bed 4. The hydraulic actuator 7 has raised the lower pin bed 4 and the hydraulic actuator 6 has lowered the upper pin bed 3, such that the pins 41 of the lower pin bed 4 now extend through the base of the upper pin base 311 and above the pins 31 of the upper pin bed 3 and protrude through the apertures in the second type of basket 5. In a way similar to the loading of the first type of basket, a load is placed on to the protruding pins 41 and the hydraulic actuator 7 lowers the lower pin bed 4 until the pins 41 are below the base of the basket, hence lowering the load into the basket.

Figures 6 and 7 show for clarity, the upper pin bed 3 and lower pin bed 4 in isolation. In particular, figure 7 shows the plurality of apertures in the base 311 of the upper pin bed 3.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. Thus, the skilled person will appreciate that while an embodiment for loading bread into bread baskets is described, the invention could easily be applied to many other items that are loaded into baskets, provided that those baskets include a plurality of apertures in their base. For example, but by no means limiting, other food products may be suitable, such as cakes or biscuits, or non-food products, such as stationary supplies or shoes.

Also, the upper and lower pin beds could be replaced with first and second sets of pins arranged to extend from a single base, the pins being spring-loaded and collapsible (so that their length in the longitudinal direction can be shortened) . When using such an arrangement with baskets of the first type, a blanking template is pushed onto the pin bed that acts to shorten the pins of the second set, against the action of the springs. Thus, when loading a basket of the first type, the base is moved upwards, and the pins of the first set extend through the apertures in the base of the basket, whilst the collapsed pins of the second set remain below the basket by means of the action of the blanking template. If the machine then needs to be used to load baskets of the second type, the blanking template is removed, the second set of pins spring back to their fully extended position relative to the base, and a different blanking template (or the same template, but in a different orientation) is used to collapse the pins of the first set.

Whilst not the preferred method, the base of the basket may alternatively act to allow one set of pins to protrude into the basket whilst blocking the other set (rather than using a blanking template)

Claims

Claims 1) A basket loading machine for loading a first and second type

of basket, the first and second types of basket each including a plurality of apertures in its base, the configuration of the plurality of apertures in the first type of basket differing to the configuration of the plurality of apertures in the second type of basket, wherein the machine comprises a first and second set of pins for loading the said baskets, the first set of pins corresponding to the first type of basket whereby in use the pins are moveable between an unloaded position in which none of the pins penetrate the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket and a loading position in which the pins penetrate at least some of the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket, the second set of pins corresponding to the second type of basket whereby in use the pins are moveable between an unloaded position in which none of the pins penetrate the plurality of apertures in the basket and a loading position in which the pins penetrate at least some of the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket, and the first and second sets of pins being so arranged that they are movable to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the first set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the second set and to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the second set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the first set.

2) A basket loading machine according to claim 1, wherein during use, the lower ends of the pins of the first set of pins are located beneath the lower ends of the pins of the second set.

3) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the first set of pins are movable to a position where they protrude above the second set of pins.

4) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the second set of pins are associated with a base, the base including apertures through which the first set of pins pass.

5) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the loading position of the first set of pins and the second set of pins with respect to their corresponding type of basket is substantially the same.

6) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the pins that make up the first set of pins are substantially identical.

7) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the pins that make up the second set of pins are substantially identical.

8) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the machine includes switching apparatus for controlling whether the first set of pins or the second set of pins are used.

9) A basket loading machine according to claim 8, wherein the switching apparatus for controlling whether the first or second set of pins are used includes a microprocessor.

10) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the region occupied by the first set of pins when viewed from above overlaps with the region occupied by the second set of pins when viewed from above.

11) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the machine is so arranged that in use a basket of the first type is caused to be stopped at a first position allowing the pins of the first set to be moved to their loading position and a basket of the second type is caused to be stopped at a second position allowing the pins of the second set to be moved to their loading position, the centre of the first type of basket when viewed from above in the first position being offset from the centre of the basket of the second type when viewed from above in the second position.

12) A basket loading machine according to claim 11, wherein the first and second positions associated with the baskets of the first and second types, respectively, are defined by means of a stop arranged to stop the end of the baskets at substantially the same position relative to the machine.

13) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the first set of pins and the second set of pins are each arranged to be moved independently of the other set, the movement of each respective set being such that the pins of the set move together.

14) A basket loading machine according to any preceding claim, the machine being adapted for loading bread into different sized bread baskets.

15) A method of loading baskets using a basket loading machine, the baskets being of a first and second type both including a plurality of apertures in their base, the configuration of the plurality of apertures differing between the different types of basket, wherein the method comprises the steps of: selecting one out of two different sets of pins included in the basket loading machine depending on the type of basket to be loaded, the first and second sets of pins being so arranged that they are movable to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the first set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the second set and to a position where the upper ends of the pins of the second set are positioned above the upper ends of the pins of the first set, inserting the selected set of pins through at least some of the plurality of apertures in the base of the basket to a position in which they protrude from the base of the basket, transferring a load to be loaded into the basket onto the said set of pins, and lowering the said pins from their position protruding from the base of the basket to a position under the base of the basket, the load thereby being placed in the basket.

16) A kit for adapting a basket loading machine to load first and second types of baskets, both types of basket including a plurality of apertures in their base, the kit comprising a first and second set of pins, the first and second set of pins corresponding to the first type of basket and second type of basket respectively, the first set of pins being suitable for being attached to the basket loading machine in such a way that in use they are capable of being moved from a position below the first type of basket when a basket of the first type is present in the basket loading machine to a position in which the pins protrude through at least some of the plurality of apertures of the first type of basket, the second set of pins being suitable for being attached to the basket loading machine in such a way that in use they are capable of being moved from a position below the second type of basket when a basket of the second type is present in the basket loading machine to a position in which the pins protrude through at least some of the plurality of apertures in the second type of basket, the first and second sets of pins being arranged such that when installed on a machine the first set of pins may be movable to a position where their upper ends are above the upper ends of the second set of pins and the second set of pins may be movable to a position where their upper ends are above the upper ends of the first set of pins.

17) A factory processing line, the processing line including a basket loading machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14.

18) A basket loading machine substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated by any of figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

19) A kit comprising first and second pin mats substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated by figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

20) A pin mat for loading baskets substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated by figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.