GB2483284A - Packing system for delicate goods - Google Patents

Abstract

A packing system for collecting together multiple articles and delivering them to a receptacle 50 such as a box, comprises a packing system (10) comprising a product accumulation station (12) and a filling point (14) having a lowering system (16, figure 5), wherein said lowering system comprises a hinged lowering plate (16a) pivotally connected at a hinge (18) to said filling point (14) and being connected to an actuator (20) for actuation of said plate (16) between a first product receiving position (A) and a second product delivering position (B). The receptacle (50) may be positioned using a receptacle conveying mechanism which comprises a lateral conveyor (52) and a vertical conveyor (54) configured to raise the receptacle towards the filling point (14). The packing system may be used in the food packing industry where such damage is extremely undesirable but also lends itself to use in the packing of other products.

Description

A PACKING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a packing system and relates particularly but not exclusively to a system for allowing food produce to be collected together and then delivered to a container for subsequent distribution.

Packing systems are well known and many forms thereof are used in many industries and they are particularly well known for use in food distribution, parts distribution, consumable goods distribution to name but three areas of use. The reader will appreciate from the below description that the present invention is of particular interest to the food packing and distribution industry because of the very gentle manner in which it handles what can be very delicate food products but the invention may be applied across the packing requirements of many industries.

In general, packing systems are used to collect together multiple individual articles, such as items of fruit, or groups of pre-packaged vegetables such as to form a larger group that can then be delivered to a packing container such as a box or tray which is then used to allow for easy handling and protection of multiple articles that may well be relatively easily damaged if handled individually. At present there is a problem associated with the final stage of the packing process in which the individual articles or groups of articles are placed into their final transportation container as this must either be done manually which is expensive or by some form of forced pusher system where the articles are physically dropped into their containers which can be very damaging of delicate food articles in particular. Alternative systems include the use of a robotic pick and place system which, whilst being faster can be expensive and do not necessarily lend themselves to use on all articles and generally requires the article being handled to include a smooth surface upon which the vacuum system associated therewith can work.

The present invention is aimed at providing a new approach to packing systems in which the articles to be packaged are first collected together and then gently lowered into the associated container.

Accordingly, the present invention provides; a packing system comprising a product accumulation station and a filling point having a lowering system, wherein said lowering system comprises a hinged lowering plate pivotally connected at a hinge to said filling point and being connected to an actuator for actuation of said plate between a first product receiving position and a second product delivering position.

Preferably, the system includes a longitudinal conveying axis X and said hinge includes a longitudinal pivot axis extending substantially parallel to said conveying axis X. Further, said lowering system may comprises a pair of lowering plates each of which includes a longitudinal pivot axis extending substantially parallel to said conveying axis X. The system may also include a pair of actuators for moving said first and second lowering plates between said first and second positions.

The lowering plates may each be hinged along a central portion of said filling point and have otherwise free ends outward thereof or may be hinged at an outer portion and have otherwise free ends inwardly thereof.

Preferably, the surface of said plate or plates extend(s) substantially horizontally when said plate) is in said first position such as to receive product from said accumulation station and extends generally downwardly relative to said horizontal plane when in said delivering position.

Advantageously, said accumulation station includes a stopper plate and a pusher system for advancing accumulated product from said accumulation station to said filling point.

Preferably, said pusher system includes a plurality of mobile fingers collectively forming a wall for engagement with product to be delivered and further including an actuation mechanism for advancing said fingers from a first retracted position to a second advanced position and any collected product towards said filling point.

Advantageously, the accumulation station further includes a plurality of fixed fingers positioned between said mobile fingers when said mobile fingers are in said retracted position and which in combination with said mobile fingers collectively form a sidewall.

Conveniently, said accumulation station includes a separate driven conveyor belt.

In one arrangement, the system further includes a product delivery mechanism for delivering product to said accumulation station. When provided, such a delivery mechanism may comprise a conveyor system of a production machine.

In one arrangement the system further includes a receptacle conveying mechanism for delivering and removing a receptacle to said filling point as and when required. When provided1 said conveying mechanism includes a lateral conveyor and a vertical conveyor and wherein said mechanism is on an underside of said filling point and wherein said filling point is configured to lower product into a receptacle when so required. Advantageously, said lateral conveyer may comprise a conveyor belt and drive system. Advantageously, said vertical conveyer comprises a displaceable support platform and an actuation mechanism for displacing said receptacle substantially vertically between a first lower position in which it is engaged with said lateral conveyor and distal said filling point and a second higher position in which it is proximal said filling point and distal said lateral conveyer. The vertical conveyor may further include a connection rod and a rotatable crank mounted for rotation on an actuator shaft of an actuator and being operable to lift and lower said Platform upon rotation of said actuator.

Advantageously, the packing system further includes a control system operably connected to one or more actuators to operate said system. The system may further including sensors for determining the presence or otherwise of one or more of: a receptacle and on or more product.

The present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general view of a packing system in accordance with aspects of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows G-G in figure 1 showing the lowering plates in a horizontal position; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows G-G of figure 1 showing the lowering plates in a downward position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of figure 1 and shows some hidden detail associated with a system for raising and lowering a container up towards and down from a position in which it is to be filled by the articles in question; and Figure 5 is a more detailed perspective view of the plates and actuation mechanism shown in figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in general but particularly to figure 1, a packing system 10 comprises a product accumulation station 12 and a filling point 14 having a lowering system 16 associated therewith. The lowering system comprises a hinged lowering plate 16a pivotally connected at a hinge 18 to said filling point 14 and being connected to an actuator 20 for actuation of said plate 16 between a first product receiving position A and a second product delivering position B. As shown, the arrangement includes a pair of lowering plates 16a, 16b but it will be appreciated that they may be provided and used either individually or in multiples thereof. The system includes a longitudinal conveying axis X and the one or more plates 16a, 16b, include a hinge or other such arrangement 18 which extends generally along said axis X or substantially parallel thereto such as to provide a pivot axis 22. One or more actuators 20a, 20b may be provided to cause the one or more plates 16a, 16b to be moved between said first and second positions A, B respectively and each may be directly or indirectly connected to an associated plate 16 by actuation rods 24. The actuators may be electro-activated systems, pneumatic actuated systems or geared actuation systems to name but three possible options but all such systems must be able to reproduce a periodic and controlled moving of plates 16 between positions A and B and should preferably be able to facilitate that movement in a smooth and gentle manner lithe system is to be used on more delicate or easily damaged articles.

Whilst the plates themselves can be arranged in a number of alternative positions, it is preferable that when two such plates 16 are provided that they be hinged along a central portion 26 of said filling point 14 such as to provide otherwise free ends 28, 30 of said plates outwardly thereof 0 on outer portions of the filling point 14, for reasons that will become apparent later herein. As shown, the surfaces 16s of the plates 16 extend generally horizontally H when said plate or plates are in said first position A and generally downwardly D relative to the horizontal plane H when in said delivering position B. In addition to the above, the accumulation station 12 includes an optional stopper plate or portion 32 and a pusher system 34 for advancing accumulated articles or produce towards the filling point 14 and plates 16 as and when desired. Whilst it will be appreciated that a number of different designs of accumulation system may be employed, it has been found that an arrangement of inter-leaved fingers, such as shown generally at 36 and 40 may be used to great advantage. In more detail, the fingers include mobile fingers 36 which, collectively, form a wall for engagement with articles or produce to be packaged and further includes an actuation mechanism 38 shown as, for example, pneumatic cylinders and rods in figures 1 to 3 which move the fingers 36 between a first retracted position RP to a second advanced position AP and then back again as and when desired. Other forms of actuation mechanisms such as electro-mechanical systems, stepper motors and the like may used as alternatives so long as they are able to perform the function described in detail later herein.

Interposed between said mobile fingers 36 are a plurality of fixed 40 which, in combination with said mobile fingers when in said retracted position RP collectively act to define or form a sidewall 42, the function of which will be described later herein. Associated with the accumulation station is one or more separate driven conveyors in the form of conveyor belt(s) 44 and associated drive mechanism and an optional further product delivery mechanism 46 (not shown) which may be a conveyor belt, chute or other such device and may comprise a portion of an upstream conveying system not part of the present arrangement but provided for supplying produce to said accumulation system itself.

A receptacle conveying mechanism, shown generally at 48 below the filling point 14 is provided for delivering and removing one or more receptacles 50 to said filling point 14 as and when required.

Whilst a number of such conveying mechanisms may be used, a particularly advantageous arrangement comprises a lateral conveyor 52 and a vertical conveyor 54 provided on and underside US of said filling station 14 wherein said filling point is configured to lower produce into a receptacle as and when one is suitably positioned. In more detail, the lateral conveyer 52 may compromise a conveyor belt 56 and a drive system 58. The vertical conveyor 54 may comprise a displaceable support platform 60 and an actuation mechanism for displacing said receptacle 50 substantially vertically between a first lower position L in which it is engaged with said lateral conveyor 52 and distal said filling point 14 and a second, higher, position H in which it is proximal said filling point 14 and distal said conveyor 52. In the particular example shown, the vertical conveyor 54 comprises a connection rod 62 and a rotatable crank 64 mounted for rotation on an actuator shaft 66 of an actuator 68 and being operable to lift and lower said platform 60.

In addition to the above, the present system includes a control system shown schematically at 70 for causing operation of one or more of the actuateable components in accordance with a desired routine such as to cause produce to be packaged as required and a plurality of sensors (not shown) positioned to detect the presence or absence of produce at appropriate portions of the system itself such as to allow the control system to initiate control of the system 10 and the packing process.

Operation of the above-described system will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings attached hereto.

Assuming that the present system 10 is provided in conjunction with the end of an associated packing line (not shown) it is highly likely that the packaged articles provided thereby will be supplies at irregular intervals and must then be collected together before being packaged in bulk. The accumulation station 12 is used to accumulate multiple articles supplied thereto as the conveyor 56 acts to receive said produce / articles individually and the stopper plate 32 acts to prevent them passing past the belt itself. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the upper surface of the conveyor comprises a smooth and slippery surface such that the conveyor may continue to rotate whilst any collected produce / articles remain thereon whilst being collected. Once a desired number of articles have been supplied to the accumulation station 12 a sensor (not shown) detects the presence of sufficient articles stationary within the station 12 then actuator mechanism 38 is activated such as to deploy the pusher system 34 and advance the mobile fingers 36 such that they engage with and then slide the articles in the direction of arrows R and towards and into the lowering system portion 16 such that the articles in question are on top of the lowering plate or plates 16. Once the articles are in this position the fingers 36 may be retracted back to their previous position and made ready for subsequent use. Once the articles are placed above plates 16 they are ready to be lowered into a packing receptacle 50 as and when desired. Before the articles can be lowered one must ensure that a suitable container has been placed under the plates 16 and this is achieved by actuating the horizontal conveyer 52 such as to ensure a receptacle 50 is in position and then raising said receptacle by activating the vertical conveyor 54 such as to place a receptacle immediately below plates 16. Once the receptacle is sensed as being in position the plate(s) 16 may be opened by activating actuators 20 and at this point any articles or produce on the plates is then gently lowered into the receptacle rather than dropped therein such as to reduce the level of impact that the articles experience. This reduction in impact is particularly important with fragile or easily damaged articles such as fruit, vegetables, glass articles and the like. Once the articles are conveniently placed within the receptacle 50 it is then lowered back down onto the conveyers 52 for subsequent passage in the direction of arrows Z to be distributed to the wholesaler or customer as a packaged article.

The above process may be repeated as and when necessary such as to ensure the continuous supply of packaged produce / articles to be despatched from the packing company.

It will be appreciated that modifications and amendments to the above-described system and method may be made without materially departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, it will be appreciated that one or more plates 16 may be provided. Further, it will be appreciated that the one or more plates 16 may be hinged at a point on the outer side of the filling point rather than an inner portion thereof such that the otherwise free ends 28, 30 are on an inner portion of the filling point 14 or simply confronting each other.

Still further it will be appreciated that the system can be used to pack product into trays and boxes or any other holding media and the above description should be interpreted accordingly. I addition, it will be appreciated that the media to be filled may be raised and lowered by a programmable device that can stop at any given position and that the apparatus includes a top mechanism for achieving this desire. The packs may be lowered into the tray / box, the tray/box may then lowered and a second layer is placed on top. This may be repeated for as many layers as required. Finally, it will also be appreciated that the trap doors can also be pivoted from the outside edges should that prove desirable, as discussed above..