JPS61142102A - Package treater - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to packaging processing equipment. The present invention particularly, but exclusively, relates to an apparatus for packages such as packs of potato chips packaged in cartons having tapered edges and advantageously overlapping edges. Although the device of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with more regularly shaped packages that do not require overlapping, an attractive feature of the device of the present invention is that it
This means that it can be easily adapted for packages that require overlapping.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the invention, there is provided a column receiving station, a device for collating the columns of packages one column at a time at the receiving station, a layer matching table, and a device for collating the columns of packages one column at a time at the receiving station. a column transfer device for transferring the table from the station to the table and positioning it to form a layer of packages; a vertically movable filling head; and a table carrying the column of packages placed in a position below the filling head; a device for traversing, a device on the filling head for holding the layers of the packaged goods, a device for pulling the table out from under the filling head, and a device for lowering the filling head into the carton and stacking the layers thereon;
A packaged product processing device is obtained which stacks the packaged products into cartons.

The receiving station in the row preferably has a conveyor set to be driven synchronously corresponding to the desired spacing of adjacent packages and in response to detection of the arrival of a package at an input location on the conveyor. It is desirable to include an indicating device. The row receiving station may include a sensor that detects the presence of a package at a location on the conveyor spaced from the input location such that the presence of a complete row is indicated, and the transfer is then effected by the sensor. The device can be activated.

The transfer device may include at least one row of suction heads. When two rows of suction heads are installed in parallel, one row of suction heads collects a row of packages, and then directs the transfer device laterally to cause the other row of suction heads to collect a row of packages. can be made possible.

The device on the filling head that holds the layers of packaging may also include an array of suction heads.

Preferably, the transfer device is actuated in response to detection of a complete row of packages at the receiving station, and after collecting the row of packages therefrom, ensures movement over a suitable distance to build up the desired layer pattern. Preferably, the rows are directed laterally to the column by a controlled distance according to a preprogrammed order to do so.

The transfer device can be driven by an electric motor with an encoder that signals the distance over which it has been driven, so that after the desired rotation the control system stops the motor and the movement of the transfer device is controlled.

The fill head can be actuated in response to the arrival of a lookup table beneath it and is then preprogrammed to ensure movement over a suitable distance to place each subsequent layer above its immediately preceding layer. It can be lowered vertically by a controlled distance according to the sequence given.

The filling head can be driven by a motorized crawler equipped with an encoder that signals the distance it has been driven, so that after the desired rotation, the control system stops the motor and the movement of the filling head is controlled.

The individual packages and rows can be collated into rows and layers such that the packages and columns overlap each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a pictorial representation of a complete processing apparatus according to the invention.

The illustrated apparatus is described in published British Patent Application No. 2138
Incorporating a slightly modified version of the device disclosed in No. 150, that portion of the device will only be briefly described. Although the present invention will be described in connection with the treatment of packs of potato chips, it should be understood that it may also be used for packaging other products.

Generally, the apparatus incorporates a conveying and testing section 11, a layer verification section 12, and a carton filling section 13.

Individual packs of chips are filled one at a time.
Each piece reaches the pocket 14 one by one. The rotation transfer mechanism 15 is
It incorporates three sets of suction heads 16 that rotate in synchrony about a horizontal axis 17 in such a way as to pick up individual packs of chips and transfer them to a belt conveyor 18. The belt conveyor 18 passes under three probe stations 19.21.22, at each of which a series of weighted loads are applied, in a manner that partially compresses any significant air leaks in the pack. A probe is applied to the puck. The third probe station 22 incorporates a sensing element 23 that senses the distance that the weighted probe is lowered onto the pack, thereby providing a measure of the tightness of the pack. Further details of the device described here can be found in British Patent Specification No. 2,138,150. Of course, the conveyor 18 is arranged to direct the individual pucks in unison so that the pucks leave the probe station one at a time.

Each individual pack is transferred from conveyor 18 to a short upwardly sloping conveyor 24, which is operated so that the packs rest thereon. The conveyor 24 is then rotated downwards to the weighing platform 25.
A pack is supported thereon and checked to see if it is within predetermined weight limits. Any pack that is deemed insufficient, either due to leakage or incorrect weight, will be ejected laterally from the apparatus by equipment not shown.

In the layer collation section 12, a further conveyor 26 forms the main element of the row receiving station. Each pack leaves the conveyor 24 in its elevated state as shown and is discharged onto the conveyor 26, which is stationary at this stage. When more packs arrive at the weighing station, ie on the conveyor 24, this is signaled by the sensor 27. The required distance between adjacent packs in the above row of packs to be filled into cartons, in combination with the arrival of the pack at the weighing station and checking that it has the correct weight. The control system directs the conveyor 26 over a distance equivalent to . - At exactly the same time, a new inspected pack on conveyor 24 is moved forward onto conveyor 26, immediately after the previous pack.

If overlapping is required, the indicated distance of conveyor 26 should be less than the width of the pack to the extent of the required overlapping distance, so that the new pack is
When released onto the 6, it overlaps the preceding puck. By raising the conveyor 24, a new pack can be placed partially above the preceding pack in the normal manner without pushing it forward; this process is carried out until the required number of packs is built up on the conveyor 26. Continue until a complete row is formed. In this example, four packs are required for each column. Sensor 28 detects when the first bag reaching conveyor 26 indicates three times, thereby indicating that all four packs have been collated to form a complete row on conveyor 26.

The column transfer device 29 incorporates a carriage 31 that can be traversed laterally in parallel guides 32,33. In this example, the carriage incorporates two longitudinal rows of four sets of suction heads 34. Each row of suction heads can be operated independently with its own supply. The carriage 31 is
Through the toothed belt 36, electric 11JI135 grins,
Driven along guides 32,33. The axis of the electric motor 35 measures the rotation of the electric motor to enable the control system of the device to stop the electric VJ machine after a predetermined rotation and thus after a predetermined travel distance of the carriage 31. An encoder (not shown) is provided. The brake of the electric motor ensures that the electric motor is stopped exactly at its desired position. The carriage 31 transports the layer collation table 3 from a position on the conveyor 26 constituting the row receiving station.
7, which will be explained in more detail below.

The column transfer device operates as follows. When the sensor 28 indicates the presence of a complete row of packs on the conveyor 26, the rows of suction heads 34, shown closer to the front of the figure, are activated so that they pick up the row. In response to this actuation, the carriage 31 moves the second row of suction heads onto the conveyor 26.
Directed horizontally to bring it directly above the. Meanwhile, a second row of packs is built up on the conveyor 26.

Upon completion of the second row, the sensor 28 activates the suction head of the second row to pick up the second row. The carriage 31 supports both rows of packs on the suction head 34 and is moved laterally to a position directly above the collection table 37, and when the suction is released, the packs can be placed on the table. The angled guide 38 is.

It serves to define the part of the table on which the ply of the puck is placed and helps to hold the puck in place.

A high degree of flexibility is provided in the number and location of packs within the layer. For example, if three rows are required, suction head 3
The spacing between the two rows of 4 may be such that it defines the two outer rows. Then, during the next traverse feed, only one row of suction heads 34 is used to pick up one row of packs.
is used and the rows of packs are placed between the end layers with the desired degree of overlap depending on the initial spacing selected. Similarly, the entire four layers can also be achieved by two cross-feeds, each with both rows of suction heads 34 filled with packs. Furthermore, it is also possible to have a single row of suction heads 34 and to have two or more rows to build up the desired layer.

The angled guide 38 is, of course, removable or movable depending on the desired pattern of the layers. Similarly, the number of suction heads within each row and their spacing may be adjusted to meet the requirements for packs of different lengths or for different required overlaps within a particular row.
This can be adjusted. The distance dictated by the conveyor 26 upon the arrival of each pack must also be adjusted accordingly. This wide flexibility in pack size and spacing makes the device particularly versatile and flexible.

For example, for electronic control systems, it is possible to use a single semi-permanent memory (PROM) that incorporates all the data needed for a given type of pack. In that case, converting from one semi-permanent memory (PROM) to another is all that is required to change the device from one type of pack to another.

In addition to controlling the movement and actuation of the column transfer device,
This semi-permanent memory 1 (FROM) unit may also be provided with information such as the tolerance range for the weight of the packs passed through the weighing platform 25.

After the sequence of actuation of the column transfer device 29 is completed and a complete layer of packs has been built up on the table 37, the table is moved so that the layer of packs thereon is directly below the filling head 41. towards the location (towards the left in the drawing)
being sent sideways. This filling head includes a series of suction heads 42 in positions as large as possible to support all the packs in the layer on the table 37. Filling head 41
can be moved vertically in relation to the guide support 43.

The electric B1144 vertically moves the filling head 41 up and down through a mechanism such as a rack and small gear (not shown).
to drive. The electric motor 44 is equipped with an encoder and a brake in order to be able to monitor and control the displacement of the filling head 41.

The table 37 is moved to the illustrated position by the cylinder 45.
The layer of pack on top of it is the suction head 4 of the filling head 41
It is possible to cross-feed this between the position immediately below 2 and 2. By actuation of the suction head 42, a complete layer of the pack is supported on the filling head 41. Matching table 37 is then retracted by cylinder 45 to the position shown, ready to receive the next row or rows of packs.

A carton 46 (shown in phantom) is located directly below the filling head 41. The complete layer of packs supported by the filling head 41 is then lowered into the carton 46 almost to the bottom of the carton 46. Then suction head 4
From 2 onwards, suction is discontinued and the complete layer is neatly removed from the bottom of the carton. The filling head 41 is then retracted by the electric motor 44. The second layer built up on the table 37 in the meantime is then transferred to the filling head 41 in the same way as for the first layer, such that it is located directly above the first layer. is lowered into the carton to the depth. This second layer is then released.

The whole process is repeated with successively shorter downward strokes for the filling head 41 until such time that the carton is filled. The same semi-permanent memory (PROM) used to control the column transfer device can also incorporate the variables necessary to control the depth to which the fill head is lowered during each successive operation.

The apparatus also incorporates a carton filling section by which empty cartons are sent to station 51 on a free roller conveyor. The short rollers 52 are retracted when a carton is required, so that the carton falls onto a carton platform 53. Filling head 4
When the carton immediately below one is filled, it is moved laterally by arm 54. After retraction of the arm 54, the empty carton on the platform 53 is driven by the pusher 55 into a position directly below the filling head. A microswitch 56 detects when the carton is in a fixed position,
This device allows the filling head to be lowered again and to begin filling a new carton. The filled cartons are then pushed from the apparatus by equipment, not shown, toward a conveyor or other source for dispensing the completed cartons.

The apparatus thus constitutes a simple and effective package handling device for filling cartons with packages such as packets of potato chips. A high degree of flexibility is achieved as to the size of the packs that can be processed by the device, and the adaptation of the device from one type of product to another of different sizes is extremely simple and quick.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure is an explanatory diagram of the entire package processing apparatus according to the present invention. Explanation of the symbols representing the main parts of the diagram 11: Conveyance and test section 12: Verification section 13: Carton filling section 14: Pocket 15: Rotating transfer structure
16: Suction head 17: Horizontal axis 18: Belt conveyor 19: Probe station 21: Probe station 22: Probe station 23: Detection element 24: Conveyor 25: Weighing platform 26: Conveyor (receiving station) 27: Sensor
28: Sensor 29: Transfer device
31: Carriage table 32 guide 33 Guide 34: Suction head 35: Electric motor 36: Toothed belt 37: Collation table (collection table) 38 Guide 41: Filling head 42:
Suction head 43: Guide support material 44: Electric motor
45 Niji Linda 46: Carton
51 Niste John 52: Roller 53: Carton Platform 54: Arm 55: Pusher 56: Micro Switch

Claims (12)

[Claims] (1) a row receiving station (26) and a device (26) for collating the rows of packages one row at a time at the receiving station;
26), (27), (28) and the layer matching table (3
7) a row transfer device (29) for transferring the row of packages from the receiving station to the table and positioning it to produce a layer of packages; a vertically movable filling head (41); a device (45) for traversing a table carrying a row of packages into a position below the filling head and a device (42) on the filling head for holding the layer of packages;
Device for pulling the table out from under the filling head (45)
and a device (44) for lowering the filling head into the carton (46) and stacking the layers thereon. (2) A package processing apparatus according to claim 1, in which the receiving stations of the rows include a conveyor (26) configured to be driven in synchronization with a desired spacing between adjacent packages. and a device for directing the conveyor in response to detecting the arrival of a package at an input location on the conveyor. (3) A package processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the row receiving station receives the packages at a location on the conveyor spaced from the input location so as to indicate the presence of a complete row. A package processing device including a sensor (28) for detecting the presence of which the transfer device is actuated. (4) The package processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transfer device includes at least one row of suction heads (34). . (5) In the package processing device according to claim 4, two rows of suction heads are provided in parallel, and after one row of suction heads collects the rows of packages, the transfer device is moved laterally. A package processing device configured to allow suction heads in other rows to collect a row of packages when instructed to do so. (6) In the package processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a device on a filling head that holds a layer of packages has a row of suction heads (42). A packaged product processing device comprising: (7) A package processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transfer device is activated in response to detection of a complete row of packages at the receiving station. , after collecting the row of packages therefrom, transversely to the row a distance controlled according to a preprogrammed sequence to ensure movement over a distance suitable to build up the desired layer pattern. A packaging product processing device configured to be directed in a direction. (8) In the package processing device according to claim 7, the transfer device is driven by an electric motor (35) equipped with an encoder that signals the distance the transfer device has been driven, and after a desired rotation, , a package handling device in which the control system stops the electric motor to control movement of the transfer device. (9) In the packaging product processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a filling head (4
1) is actuated in response to the arrival of the lookup table (37) below it and is preprogrammed to ensure movement over a distance suitable to place each subsequent layer above its immediately preceding layer. A package handling device that allows packages to be lowered vertically by a controlled distance in accordance with a given order. (10) In the package processing apparatus according to claim 9, the filling head is driven by an electric motor (44) equipped with an encoder that signals the distance over which the filling head has been driven, and after a desired rotation, , a package handling device in which the control system stops the electric motor and controls the movement of the filling head. (11) In the package processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the individual packages are collected in rows in such a way that the packages overlap each other. packaging processing equipment. (12) In the package processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, each package is processed in such a way that the packages in one row overlap with the packages in another row. A package processing device in which rows are formed in layers.