JP2001519303A - Device for selectively rotating packaging packs - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: Conveying means (54) for conveying a product (38, 78) along a path, and for changing a direction of the product with respect to the conveying means by engaging with the product (38, 78). Product engaging means (24, 26, 62), wherein the product engaging means selectively causes one product conveyed along the path to be independent of other products conveyed along the path. A product control device is provided that is selectively operable to pivot.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a product control device, and more particularly, to the transfer of a product in a production line system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous proposals have been made for devices for turning products in a line, but in those devices it is often necessary to turn all of the products that are adjacent in a row.

(Summary of the Invention) According to the present invention, the present invention relates to conveying means for conveying a product along a conveying path, and conveying means provided on each side of the conveying path to engage with the product and transfer the product. Product engaging means for changing the direction, wherein the product conveyed along the conveying path is turned independently of other products conveyed along the conveying path. A product control device is provided that can selectively operate the product control device.

[0004] One product engaging means is provided on each side of the transport path as a first product engaging means and a second product engaging means, and the first product engaging means is connected to the transport path. A plurality of protrusions are provided which are movable in parallel passages, the mating protrusions being configured such that each one engages the product to be swiveled. The second product engaging means may include a movable arm. In use, each protrusion engages from one side of an adjacent product toward its corner, while the arm is on the opposite side of the one side and opposite the corner. To be engaged toward the corners of. Each projection of the first product engaging means moves along the endless path, is maintained outside the conveyance path when not in use, and the arm is pivotable freely when not in use, and is outside the conveyance path when not in use. Movable.

[0005] Alternatively, each of the first and second product engaging means may include a plurality of rods movable transversely of the transport path. Each rod may have guide means for selectively engaging one of a plurality of guide tracks that control the movement of the rod across the transport path. The guide means may extend below each rod in use. A plurality of guide tracks associated with the first and second product engaging means include a first track for maintaining each rod in a non-use position and a first track for positioning each rod in use.
Preferably, one of the latter tracks positions each rod to engage the product, including a pair of other tracks. Each rod may be supported in a respective bearing block. The bearing block may be mounted in a state of extending and extending in a parallel state between a pair of parallel drive chains.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a product control device according to the present invention is illustrated and includes a product transport system (not shown) and support frame members 10 and 12. Between the support frame members 10 and 12 are separated in parallel including a pair of product turning devices 16 and 18,
A transverse bar 14 for supporting the product control is extended transversely.

[0007] The product turning devices 16 and 18 are positioned toward the support frame members 10 and 12, respectively, and define a conveyance path for the product therebetween. First flight (flig
ht) 24 and a second flight 26 are each attached to a chain 28 and constrained to move along a substantially elliptical path inside the product swivel 16. The chain 28 has one end mounted on and engaged with a gear 30 driven by a motor 32. Actuation of the motor 32 causes the gear 30 to rotate, causing the chain 28 to move along a substantially elliptical path, thus placing the first flight 24 and the second flight 26 at the edge of the product swivel 16. Move along. Thereby, the first flight 24 and the second flight 26 can move between the position A and the position B shown in FIG.

The product swivel device 18 provides a single flight 34 mounted on a rotatable shaft 35 driven by a motor 36. When the motor 36 is driven, the flight 34 moves between positions A, B, and C shown in FIG. Flight 34 is usually at position B
It is positioned in.

2A to 2E show a situation where the product 38 is turned by 90 degrees using the present apparatus. 2B to 2E only the flight 34 of the product swivel 18 is shown for clarity. The product 38 approaches the product turning devices 16 and 18 in a configuration with its wide edge as the leading edge. This leading edge is detected by a photocell (not shown) and sent to a computer (not shown) as message information indicating the detection.
The computer keeps information about the swivel product in the product sequence,
Each passing product is registered and message information indicating whether each detected product is a swivel product or not is sent out. The spacing between the products is separated by about 100 mm to provide sufficient space for such detection.

2A to 2E illustrate a product 38 to be turned. Therefore, the motor 3
2 is activated and the chain 28 moves around the product swivel 16, the first flight 24 moves from position B to position A in FIG. 1 and the second flight 26 moves from position A to position B. . The first flight 24 engages a front corner 40 of the product 38 shown above and pushes the front corner 40 to the right in the figure to move it. This movement follows an electronic cam profile whose speed is adjusted to ensure smooth turning throughout the movement.

The motor 36 is simultaneously operated to gradually move the flight 34 of the product turning device 18 from the position B to the position A in FIG. Thus, the product swivel device 16 engages the rear corner 42 of the product 38 while the product swivel device 16 pushes and moves the front corner 40 shown in the upper portion of the product 38 in the figure to the right in the figure. Does not simply move to the right in the figure, but rather turns. 2A to 2E show the product 3
The situation in which 8 turns from a position where the wide edge is the leading edge to a position where the narrow edge is the leading edge direction is shown in sequence. When the computer generates a signal indicating that the product is not to be turned, the motor 38 of the product turning device 16 is not activated, and thus the first flight 24
Does not move from position B in FIG. The motor 36 is operated, and the flight 34 of the product turning device 18 is rapidly moved from the position B to the position C, and is out of the product path.

Thus, according to the device according to the above-described embodiment of the invention, selective swiveling of the products is permitted, each product being swiveled or not swiveled on an individual basis. Various modifications of the device may be made. The movement of each flight can be modified provided that each flight still provides the desired turn. Any means for moving each flight between their various positions can be employed.

FIGS. 3 to 7 show another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a product control device is illustrated wherein a transport section 48 has a pair of conveyor carrying chains 50 and 52 spaced apart in parallel. Chains 50 and 52
Extending across the intervening portion is a parallel, spaced apart lateral bar 54 for supporting a pallet or platform 55 on which to place the product, as shown in FIG. The chains 50 and 52 are driven by a main drive motor 57.

A turning mechanism 58 including a pair of an outer chain 59 and an inner chain 60 that are separated in a parallel state is disposed outside each of the transport sections 48. Outer chain 5
Across the space between the 9 and the inner chain 60, a bearing block 61 which is spaced apart in a parallel state is extended. Each bearing block 61 provides a pair of upstanding lugs spaced along the length of the bearing blocks. Each upright lug pair positions the swiveling rod 62 under a movable state. Also, each upright lug pair is spaced at an interval based on product spacing in the transport section 48. The outer chain 59 and the inner chain 60 are indirectly driven by the main drive motor 57 for the left turning mechanism shown in the upper part of FIGS. 3 and 4, while the right turning mechanism shown in the lower part of FIGS. For this purpose, the main drive motor 57 is connected via a phase variator incorporated in the drive line.
Driven indirectly. Thus, the left turning mechanism is always in phase with the main drive motor 57, while the phase of the right turning mechanism can be changed. This allows the turning rod 62 of the right turning mechanism to be positioned at a variable distance behind the turning rod 62 of the left turning mechanism, which allows automatic switching between packaging pack dimensions.

Each pivoting rod 62 has a guide composed of a pin 64 protruding from its bottom. The pin 64 extends through a slot 66 extending to the bottom of the associated bearing block 61 and enters the guide track A, B or C shown in FIGS. Pins 64 guide the swiveling rod along selected paths as the bearing block 61 is conveyed by the chains 59 and 60 at locations along each of these guide tracks. The guide track A receives the unused pivot rods 62 and the guide tracks B and C guide the used pivot rods 62 so that the product can be selectively pivoted as described below. In the guide track A, a pivoting rod 62 that is not required for a particular product should be located. A setup sequence is used to position the correct number of pivoting rods 62 in the guide tracks A and B, as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the guide tracks A and B are positioned along the lower side of the device, and are in a periodic portion where the turning rod returns to the starting position of the turning mechanism. Therefore, the turning rod of FIG. 7 moves from the right side to the left side in the figure. During normal operation, the switching flipper 72 is positioned at the position D. At this position D, the switching flipper 72 does not become an obstacle for the passage of the pin 64 with respect to any of the guide tracks A and B, and all the turning rods are set to the guide tracks located at the end of the preceding turning cycle. A
And B returns to the starting position of the turning mechanism. During the setup sequence, the switching flipper 72 moves to the position C. The pin 64 of the turning rod that moves in the guide track A from the right side in FIG. 7 is guided by the switching flipper and enters the guide track B. Thus, all the pivoting rods 62 are collected in the feeding area 73 of the switching block 74. To ensure that all pivoting rods have assembled, the outer chain 5
The pivot rod carrying the 9 and the inner chain 60 needs to be fully rotated at least once. Next, the switching flipper 72 is returned to the position D so that the turning rod approaching the guide tracks A and B is maintained on the respective guide tracks.

This set-up sequence is not essential for the operation of the device according to the invention, but all unused turning rods 62 go around the outside of the device without any work for determining the guide trajectory. Therefore, the operation amount of the switching block 80 is much reduced. The switching block 74 includes a piston 76, and the movement of the piston 76 controls whether or not there is a passage from the feeding area 73 to the guide track A or the guide track B. Thus, the switching block 74 can switch the pins 64 necessary for turning a specific product to the guide track B, and leave the remaining pins on the guide track A.

After switching the required pins to the guide track B, the product turning sequence can be started. With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, a situation is shown in which the product 78 is approaching a product swivel area carried on the transverse bar 54. A photocell (not shown) detects each leading edge of product 78 approaching the product swirl area and sends a detection signal to the computer. The computer sends a signal indicating whether the product is to be turned or not in a manner similar to that described with respect to the previous embodiment.

If the product 78 is not to be turned, the switching block 80 orients the pin 64 of the turning rod 62 to move along the guide path B. in this case,
The pivoting rod 62 moves in a straight line in parallel with the product 78 and therefore does not pivot the product. If the product 78 is to be turned, the switching block 80 orients the pin 64 of the turning rod 62 along the guide track C. Thereby, the turning rod 62 moves in the product direction. The guide path C of the left turning mechanism shown in the upper part of FIGS. 3 and 5 branches the guide path B before the position where the corresponding guide path of the right turning mechanism shown in the lower part of FIG. This ensures that the turning rod 62 of the left turning mechanism pushes the rear of the product, while the turning rod 62 of the right turning mechanism pushes the front of the same product, thereby turning the product. FIG. 5 shows the product being turned and the product 88 already turned 90 degrees. When the swiveling rod 62 passes through the swivel section, the switching block 7 moves along the lower part of the device shown in FIG.
Returning to 4, where the next decision to follow guide trajectory A or B is made.

FIGS. 6A to 6H show the stages of pivoting of a particular product 90 and clearly show the operating status of the pivoting rod. Thus, according to the invention, it is possible to selectively swivel the product on an individual basis.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a part of a product control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a schematic plan view showing one stage of operation of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 2B is a schematic plan view showing another stage of the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C is a schematic plan view showing another stage of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2D is a schematic plan view showing another stage of the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2E is a schematic plan view showing another stage of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a product control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial side view of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state of the device in FIG. 3 when turning a product.

6A is a schematic illustration showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3; FIG.

FIG. 6B is another schematic illustration showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6C is another schematic exemplary view showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6D is another schematic illustration showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6E is another schematic illustration showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6F is another schematic illustration showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6G is another schematic exemplary view showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6H is another schematic illustration showing a sequence of turning a product using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a switching device suitable for use with the device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 12 support frame member 14, 54 transverse bar 16, 18 product swivel device 24 first flight 26 second flight 28, 50, 52 chain 30 gear 32, 36 motor 34 flight 35 rotatable shaft 38, 78, 88 Product 40 Front corner 42 Back corner 48 Conveying section 55 Platform 57 Main drive motor 59 Outer chain 60 Inner chain 61 Bearing block 62 Rotating rod 64 Pin 66 Long hole 72 Switching flipper 73 Feeding area 74, 80 Switching block 76 piston

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Michael Robert Allen UK 65 EL2 Leicestershire, Ashby de la Rousse, Smithby Road, W. H. Dan and Sun Limited (72) Inventor Timothy Lawrence EL65 65 England U. Leicestershire, Ashby de la Houche, Smithby Road, W. H. Dan and Sun Limited (72) Inventor Adrien Tomes British EL2 65 2 Earl Leicestershire, Ashby de Lazuche, Smithby Road, W. H. Dan and Sun Limited F-term (reference) 3F081 AA01 BE04 BE08 CA43 CC01 CE14 DA02 DA08 DA11 EA09 EA10

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A product control device, comprising: transport means (54) for transporting a product (37, 78) along a path; engaging the product and directing the product with respect to the transport means (54). The product conveyed along the path (37, 7) as a product engaging means (24, 26, 62) for changing
8) a product engaging means selectively operable so that one of the items 8) can be pivoted independently of other products being conveyed along the path. 2. The product control device of claim 1 including two product engagement means, one on each side of the passage. 3. The product control device according to claim 2, wherein one of the product engaging means includes a plurality of protrusions movable along a path parallel to the transport path. 4. The product control device according to claim 3, wherein a pair of protrusions are provided, each one of which is adapted to engage a product to be swiveled. 5. The product control device according to claim 2, wherein the other product engagement means includes a movable arm. 6. Each one of the protrusions is adapted to engage from one side of the product toward a corner of the product, and the movable arm of the other product engaging means is adapted to be connected to the other side of the product. 6. The product control device according to claim 5, wherein the engagement is made toward a corner opposite to the corner. 7. A protruding portion of one of the product engaging means is provided so as to move along the endless path and be kept outside the conveying path when not in use, while the other product engaging means is movable. 7. The product control device according to claim 6, wherein said arm is pivotable outside of the conveying path when not in use. 8. The product control device according to claim 1, wherein the product engaging means includes a plurality of rods movable in a direction transverse to the transport path. 9. The product control device of claim 8, including two product engagement means, each including a plurality of rods. 10. A guide means for controlling the movement of the rod in a transverse direction of the device, each rod having guide means selectively engageable with one of a plurality of guide tracks. 8 or 9 product control devices. 11. The product control device according to claim 10, wherein the guide means extends below the rod when the rod is used. 12. A plurality of guide tracks associated with each product engaging means, wherein the plurality of guide tracks locate the first guide track for maintaining the rod in a non-use position and position the rod in a use position. 12. The product control device according to claim 10, wherein the pair of guide tracks includes a pair of guide tracks for positioning the rod at a position where the rod engages with the product. 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein each rod is supported in a respective bearing block.
12. The product control device according to any one of 12 above. 14. The product control device of claim 13, wherein the bearing block extends and is mounted in a parallel spaced relationship between a pair of parallel drive chains.