JPH06227650A - Transfer device for spherical or ellipse article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To minimize the opportunities of damaging products by reducing the number of the transferring times of the products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables, and to reliably and simultaneously carry a plurality of products by a simple carrying mechanism. CONSTITUTION: A transfer apparatus 5 designed to transfer products P supplied by a supply conveyor 1 into the product carrier 4 of discharge conveyor 3 comprises a plurality of transfer-conveying means 6 with transfer-product carriers 7, arranged in line with the longitudinal and parallel rows, to enable the transfer apparatus 5 to move in a vertical plane extended in parallel in the longitudinal direction of at least the conveyor 3. In addition, the apparatus 5 is provided with a transfer element 8 designed to pass the carriers 7 in vertical direction and, upon vertical upward movement, to lift the products P from the carriers 7 to place these products P into the carrier 4 of the conveyor 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a delivery device for substantially spherical or oval products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables, which feed products in longitudinal parallel rows extending in the feed direction. And a discharge conveyor equipped with a product carrier adapted to contain a single product, and a transport device adapted to transport the product supplied by the supply conveyor to the product carrier of the discharge conveyor. ing.

[0002]

Such a device, in particular for conveying eggs, is disclosed in European patent 0114488. In the known device, the feed conveyor is configured as a roller conveyor that feeds the eggs in longitudinal parallel rows extending in the feed direction, the transport device transporting the eggs to a discharge conveyor having a product carrier, each associated with a single egg. Configured to match.

[0003]

The above-mentioned prior art conveying device has a number of drawbacks. First, the eggs are transported to the next part too often, which increases the chance of egg destruction. In fact, the eggs are first placed on the guide rails from the roller conveyor (transport 1), then the star wheel (transport 2)
Via the transport blade (transport 3), then via the lifting member (transport 4) to the next transport blade (transport 5) and finally in the product carrier of the discharge conveyor (transport 6). . Such a route, in which each egg is conveyed 6 times, is carried out in parallel for a plurality of eggs which are fed simultaneously in rows by a roller conveyor.

Second, a discharge conveyor having two or more longitudinal parallel rows extending in the direction of discharge for each additional row of product carriers of the discharge conveyor leading to an additional transport onto a second conveying blade. Is almost impossible to provide. Increasing the number of transfers per egg provides an opportunity for egg destruction. The capacity of the discharge conveyor is limited when it comprises up to two longitudinal parallel rows of product carriers.

Thirdly, with respect to the fact that the discharging conveyor is driven continuously, the carrying blade for arranging the eggs in the product carrier of the discharging conveyor increases the chance of breaking the eggs and complicates the moving mechanism of the carrying blade. You have to drive along a complex three-dimensional aisle that adds cost. Furthermore, the movement of the second conveying blade and the discharge conveyor must be very accurately coordinated with each other, since the second conveying blade describes a circular path in the second vertical plane, which results in the opportunity for egg destruction.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a delivery device for substantially spherical or oval products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables with less chance of product damage without the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

[0007]

To this end, according to the invention, in a conveying device for spherical or elliptical products, a plurality of conveying product carriers are arranged in the conveying device in alignment with the longitudinal parallel rows. Transport conveyor means for moving the transport device at least in a vertical plane extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the discharge conveyor, further passing the transport product carrier vertically and during vertical upward movement It is characterized in that it comprises a conveying member for lifting the conveyed product carrier and for arranging the product in the product carrier of the discharge conveyor.

In the transporting apparatus having such a structure, for example, a product such as an egg is supplied only three times, that is, from the supply conveyor to the transported product carrier (transportation 1), from the transported product carrier to the transport member (transportation 2) and transport. It is only transported from the component into the product carrier (transport 3) of the discharge conveyor.

In principle, the length of the transport conveyor means is not limited, and the transport member can transport a large number of products, which are successively fed by the feed conveyor row by row, in one operation to the discharge conveyor product carrier. Therefore, the number of parallel adjacent product carriers in the discharge conveyor is not limited to two and the capacity of the discharge conveyor can be increased considerably.

Since it is only necessary for the transport member to be movable in a vertical plane, the transport member movement mechanism is of simple construction and can be manufactured economically.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the discharge conveyor has a constant speed during operation, while the transport member matches the transport speed of the discharge conveyor when the transport member transports product to the product carrier of the discharge conveyor. It is controllable to run along a horizontal passage at a speed that varies.

With the transport device thus configured, the movements of the transport member and the discharge conveyor are precisely coordinated with each other, as is the case with known devices, because they run along parallel paths for a longer period of time. You don't have to let me.

Further details of the invention are explained further below in connection with the accompanying drawings on the basis of two embodiments.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT All the devices shown in the drawings for delivering a substantially spherical or elliptical product P, such as eggs, fruits or vegetables, supply the product P in longitudinal parallel rows 2 extending in the feed direction. The configured supply conveyor 1,
A discharge conveyor 3 having a product carrier 4 each configured to contain a single product P, and a transport configured to transport the product P supplied by the supply conveyor 1 to the carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor product. And a device 5. According to the invention, the device 5 comprises a plurality of transport conveyor means 6 arranged in alignment with the longitudinal parallel rows 2 and consisting of transport product carriers 7. The transport device 5 is further movable at least in a vertical plane extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the discharge conveyor 3 and vertically transports the transport product carrier 7 and transports the product P during the vertical upward movement. It comprises a conveying member 8 adapted to be lifted from the carrier 7 and to place the product P on the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor.

According to such an apparatus, a large number of products P can be conveyed by a minimum amount of each product, and the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor can be manufactured.
Can be transported in parallel. Due to the minimum number of transports of product P during transport, the chances of product P breakage are minimized.

According to still further details of the invention, the discharge conveyor 3 has a constant speed during operation while the transport member 8 is in operation.
When transporting said product P to the product carrier of the discharge conveyor, it can be controlled to run along a horizontal path at a speed corresponding to the transport speed of the discharge conveyor 3. Such a discharge conveyor 3 driven at constant speed results in vibration-free, quiet machine operation.

In a variant, the discharge conveyor 3 can be driven intermittently, and the conveying member 8 and the discharge conveyor 3 convey the product P arranged on the conveying member 8 to the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor. Sometimes it can be controlled during their operation in such a way that the discharge conveyor (3) is stationary.

In the apparatus having such a structure, the path to be traveled along the conveying member 8 is simplified to a substantially vertical reciprocating motion. Such a simple passage can therefore be realized by inexpensive means.

The transport conveyor means 6 are intermittently driven in order to enable the transport member 8 to lift the product P from the transported product carrier 7 in such a way that the chances of breaking the product P are minimized. It is particularly preferred when the transport member 8 and the transport conveyor means 6 are controllable in such a way that the transport conveyor means 6 is stationary when the transport member 8 lifts the product P from the transport product carrier 7. An additional advantage of the intermittently drivable transport conveyor means 6 is that the transport member 8 should run vertically along the upward path when the product P is being lifted.

In order to prevent the conveying member 8 from traveling along the three-dimensional path, the conveying conveyor means 6 and the conveying member 8 are arranged so that the conveyed product carrier 7 when the product P is lifted from the conveying member 8. A row 4 of product carriers 4 of the discharge conveyor in which
It is particularly advantageous if it is controllable in such a way that it lies in the vertical plane containing a.

Such a two-dimensional passage can be realized by simple and inexpensive means.

A practical embodiment of the device as shown in the drawing is that the conveying conveyor means 6 extend parallel to form a lateral internal space 9, the conveying member 8 having its teeth 8a between the conveying conveyor means 6. Configured as a fork that can be moved through the lateral space 9, and as the fork 8 passes from below through the conveyor conveyor means 6, the product P is lifted from the conveyed product carrier 7 by the forks 8 and the forks 8
It is characterized in that it is carried to the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor during the continuous upward movement of.

The conveying member 8 having such a structure has a stable and simple structure.

According to the invention, a structurally simple embodiment of the conveyor means 6 comprises a plurality of conveyed product carriers 7 each.
Can be formed by a plurality of endless conveyor chains or conveyor belts.

Such an embodiment of the transport conveyor means 6 has the advantage that its length, that is to say the number of transport product carriers 7 which can cooperate with the transport member 8, is in principle not limited. As a result, the discharge conveyor 3 corresponds to the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor in a number of longitudinal parallel rows 4
a, which results in a large capacity of the discharge conveyor 3.

In general, if the products P have an elliptical shape, they are fed by their longitudinal axis oriented in the horizontal plane and in this position the transport device 5
Via the discharge conveyor to the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor.
Normally, the discharge conveyor 3 leads to a sorting and packaging device 10 for sorting and packaging the products P (see Fig. 6). Such a device is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 849712.
No. specification. This sorting and packaging device requires that the elliptical product P, in particular the egg, be supplied in a position in which the longitudinal axis is oriented vertically. In order to carry the product P from the horizontal to the vertical direction, the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor is especially configured as a subordinate gripper configured to tilt the product P from a horizontal position to a vertical position about a horizontal axis 11. It is convenient (Fig. 7).

In order to provide an ejector conveyor 3 with a high capacity, according to a further detail of the invention, the ejection conveyor 3 comprises at least three longitudinal parallel rows 4a of product carriers of the ejection conveyor, said rows being provided. Extend in the transport direction of the discharge conveyor. In the example shown, the discharge conveyor 3 comprises four longitudinal rows (4a) of product carriers 4 of the discharge conveyor.

According to a further detail of the invention, in particular when the discharge conveyor 3 is connected to the sorting and packaging device 10, an intermediate conveyor 12 is arranged between the supply conveyor 1 and the conveying device 5, in between. The conveyor 12 is arranged to guide the product P above the weighing cell 13 and then to place the product P on the conveyed product carrier 7. After the products P have passed through the intermediate conveyor 12, the weight of each product P is known. This information is passed to the sorting and packaging device 10 which uses the information to sort the products P by weight. Such an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows the transport member 8 in the lowermost position, while the product is located in the transport product carrier 7. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the conveying member 8 is vertically moved upward and the product P is lifted. The product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor is adapted to pick up the product.

FIG. 6 is a side view as seen from the line VI-VI in FIG. 5, and clearly shows the moving mechanism 14 of the conveying member. Arrow 1
Reference numeral 5 indicates a movement pattern of the transport member 8. Obviously, in these embodiments, the transport member 8 runs along the horizontal passage 15a as the product P is transported from the transport product carrier 7 to the product carrier 4 of the discharge conveyor.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0032]

Since the present invention has the above-mentioned constitution, an egg,
Products such as fruits or vegetables can be transported less often to minimize the chances of product damage, can transport many products at once, and the product transport mechanism is simple and reliable. Can be transported.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a schematic side view of a portion of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the second embodiment taken along the line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, in which the transport member lifts the product from the transport product carrier.

FIG. 6 is a side view from the line VI-VI of FIG. 5 in which the discharge conveyor directs the product to the sorting and packaging device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the mechanism by which the product in the product carrier of the discharge conveyor is tilted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Supply Conveyor 2 Longitudinal Row 3 Discharge Conveyor 4 Discharge Conveyor Product Carrier 4a Carrier Line 5 Conveyor Device 6 Conveyor Conveyor Means 7 Conveyed Product Carrier 8 Conveyor 8a Teeth 9 Transverse Space 10 Sorting and Packing Device 12 Intermediate Conveyor 13 Weighing Cell 15a Horizontal passage P product

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A supply conveyor adapted to supply product in longitudinal parallel rows extending in the supply direction, each one
A substantially spherical shape such as an egg, fruit or vegetable consisting of a discharge conveyor equipped with a product carrier adapted to accommodate two products and a transport device adapted to convey the product supplied by the supply conveyor to the product carrier of the discharge conveyor. Or in an oval product carrier, the carrier (5) is provided with a plurality of carrier conveyor means (6) arranged in alignment with the longitudinal parallel rows (2) and having a carrier product carrier (7), The transport device (5) is further movable at least in a vertical plane extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the discharge conveyor (3), the transport product carrier (7) passing vertically and during vertical upward movement, A product provided with a transport member (8) adapted to lift the product (P) from the transport product carrier (7) and place the product (P) in the product carrier (4) of the discharge conveyor. Almost conveying device spherical or elliptical products such eggs, wherein, fruits or vegetables. 2. The discharge conveyor (3) has a constant operating speed, which corresponds to the transport speed of the discharge conveyor (3) when the conveying member (8) conveys the product (P) to the product carrier of the discharge conveyor. 2. The transport device for substantially spherical or oval products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport member is controllable so that it travels along a horizontal path (15a) at a speed. 3. The discharge conveyor (3) can be driven intermittently, and when the product (P) placed on the conveying member (8) is conveyed to the product carrier (4) of the discharge conveyor (3). Is capable of controlling the operation of the conveying member (8) and the discharge conveyor (3) in a stationary manner, the spherical shape or the elliptical shape of an egg, fruit or vegetable according to claim 1. Product transport device. 4. The transfer conveyor means (6) can be driven intermittently, and when the transfer member (8) lifts the product (P) from the transfer product carrier (7), the transfer conveyor means (6).
4. The transport member (8) and the transport conveyor means (6) are controllable in such a way that the stand remains stationary, substantially like eggs, fruits or vegetables according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Conveying device for spherical or oval products. 5. Discharge conveyor product carrier (4) in which the product conveyor (7) extends in the longitudinal direction of the discharge conveyor (3) when the product (P) is being lifted from the carrier member (8). 5. The transport conveyor means (6) and the transport member (8) are controllable in such a way that they lie in a vertical plane containing the row (4a) of FIG. An apparatus for transporting substantially spherical or oval products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables described in. 6. Transfer conveyor means (6) are stretched in parallel so as to form a lateral internal space (9), the transfer member (8) having its teeth (8a) laterally between the transfer conveyor means (6). Configured as a fork that can move through the directional space (9), when the fork (8) passes through the conveyor conveyor means (6) from below, the product (P) is removed by the fork (8) from the conveyed product carrier (7). 6. The transport member (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport member (8) is constructed such that it is lifted and, during continuous upward movement of the forks (8), is transported to the product carrier (4) of the discharge conveyor. Item 8. A conveying device for substantially spherical or oval products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables. 7. Transport conveyor means (6) is configured as a plurality of endless conveyor chains or conveyor belts each provided with a plurality of transport product carriers (7). Item 8. A conveying device for substantially spherical or oval products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables. 8. The product carrier (4) of the discharge conveyor is configured as a subordinate gripper in which the product (P) is tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position around a horizontal axis (11). 8. A conveying device for substantially spherical or oval products such as eggs, fruits or vegetables according to any one of items 1 to 7. 9. A longitudinal parallel row (4a) of product carriers for at least three discharge conveyors (3).
9. The row (4a) is stretched in the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor (3) and has a substantially spherical shape, such as eggs, fruits or vegetables, according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Conveyor for elliptical products. 10. An intermediate conveyor (12) is arranged between said supply conveyor (1) and a conveying device (5), the intermediate conveyor (12) being above the weighing cell (13).
And the product (P) is then arranged on the carrier product carrier (7), such as an egg, fruit or vegetable according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Transfer device for almost spherical or oval products.