NO20151600A1

NO20151600A1 - Apparatus and method for packing elongate objects

Info

Publication number: NO20151600A1
Application number: NO20151600A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Ragnar Ingolfsson; Magne Staurset
Original assignee: Mmc First Process As
Priority date: 2015-11-24
Filing date: 2015-11-24
Publication date: 2017-05-25
Also published as: WO2017091081A1; NO343996B1

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to an apparatus packing elongate objects, such as, but not necessarily pelagicfish, into preferably unified boxes.. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for automatically packing a batch of oblong or elongate objects into a box, where the internal void of the box preferably is covered by thin sheet, preferably of a plastic material, comprising a filling position and one above the filling position arranged device for transferring the oblong or elongate objects in an automatic manner into the internal void of the box, the filling position being provided with a device for temporarily preventing oblong or elongate objects from entering the void of the box.

The invention relates also in general to a method for packing elongate objects into boxes. More particularly, the invention also relates to a method for automatically transferring a batch of oblong or elongate objects into a box, where the objects are loaded as a batch into a container for subsequent transfer into box positioned below the container once the required batch size is reached, the container being provided with a closable bottom arrangement.

Background of the Invention.

When fish is delivered in bulk at a quayside from a trawler, the fish should be handled in a fast and expedient way, and as gently as possible to a packing station where the fish is to be automatically packed in standard size boxes, placed in a stack and passing through a freezer station.

Since fish is delivered in large quantities, it is important to establish automatic handling and packing lines that may pack the fish as expedient as possible in standard sized boxes containing as exact weight of fish as possible. During the stage where fish is transferred to the interior as such standard sized box the fish have a tendency to be randomly orientated in the box.

It has been experienced that fish when randomly placed in a box may cause problem during the packing and also during subsequent storage. In addition randomly oriented fish in a box may be a source for reduction of fish quality due to detrimental point loads and pressure on the fish meat. Moreover, such randomly oriented fish may also cause uneven built-up of fish in height in the box causing unintentional bulging of the box lid subsequent to completed packing operation, causing problems when the boxes are to be positioned on a pallet.

It has previously been proposed first to divide the incoming flow of pelagic round fish into smaller portions or batcher by means of a weight and batching unit, prior to packing the batches into a box. The batching means comprises a device mixing the incoming portions to provide batches with a required exact package weight. The batcher associated with such system may be a combination of a weighing device and a mechanical system providing batches for example of exact 10 kg or 20 kg batches.

WO 99/44759 discloses an apparatus for sufficiently portioning by weight a sequential stream of objects with known individual weights, without håving to return a considerable part of rejected part of objects to be processed again. This is achieved by accumulating excessive objects into one or more areas where they will be used as basis for subsequent portions rather than being rejected and reprocessed. This solution makes it possible to use relatively simple and inexpen-sive equipment for sufficiently accurate portioning by weighing the fish and food processing industries, which requires highly complex and expensive equipment using existing technologies. From a weight the weighed objects are transported to a conveyer to a container split in two voids and provided at the top by a selection paddle, controlled by a microprocessor system that will direct the objects into one of the two voids. One of the voids are designated the "current void" and will receive the objects selected to form the desired target weight combination, while the other void is designated as "pending void". Once the designated weight is obtained, a bottom lid is open and the fish content of the "current void" is emptied and dropped into a box below for further packing and/or processing.

There is a need for handling and packing the fish in a manner avoiding detrimental harm to the fish meat, reducing the quality of the fish. Moreover there is a need for packing the fish in a manner where the fish during the packing stage is not subjected to becoming stuck or squeezed during the transfer into the boxed.

Summary of the Invention

The main principle used according the present invention is to align elongate or oblong objects to be packed in boxes in a packing unit by exposing the elongate objects to a relative motion at a loading station, causing the required number of elongate objects to be moved relative to each other in an loading station prior to leaving the elongate objects into a box. It is the relative movement that causes the elongate objects, which at the start may have a random orientation, while upon completed packing process, are aligned in a substantial parallel orientation.

Another main principle used according to the present invention is to secure that the aligned mass of elongate objects are not subjected to any added kinetic energy, or at least minimal kinetic energy, during the phase where the support of the aligned elongate objects are changed from the aligner unit to a box positioned immediately below the aligner at the loading station.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method securing that a batch of elongate objects is automatically aligned in the process of packing when placed in a box.

Another important object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for packing elongate objects such as for example fish, preferably, but not necessarily round pelagic fish, in boxes preventing the fish from being exposed to detrimental loads or squeezing during the packing stage and the subsequent handling stages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully automated and improved method and a device for packing of elongate objects in a box that cause as small impact, if any, on the elongate objects both during packing and subsequent handling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and device for packing is used for packing fish where the risks of blood effusion in the fish meat or cuts in the fish skin are eliminated, or at least substantially reduces.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the elongate objects from becoming partly or completely stuck or causing transport congestion or blockage during the phase where the elongate objects are transferred into a box.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device with a high packing capacity, being able to handle large quantities of elongate objects at as short time as possible, for example with a rate of 10 boxes per minute, i.e. one box each 6 second.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device configured in such way that the possibility for elongate objects to drop out of or partly stick out over the edge of the box as a consequence of the packing procedure is eliminated or at least substantially reduced.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method where the vertical distance between the outlet of the aligner and the bottom of the box during the transfer stage is eliminated or at least substantially reduced.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device securing enhanced and complete filling of the void of the box, eliminating or at least substantially reduce local air voids inside box filled with packed elongate objects.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device enabling complete and adequate covering of the elongate objects by plastic sheets, surrounding and enclosing the elongate objects, also at the top of the boxes during the packing operation without requiring any or at least reducing the number of operators.

The above objects are achieved by a device and a method as further defined by the independent claims, while embodiments, alternatives, options and variants are defined by the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, the device for transferring the oblong or elongate objects to the box comprises a unit for aligning the oblong or elongate objects by means of relative motion prior to allowing the elongate or oblong objects to be placed in the box.

According to one embodiment, the device for transferring the oblong or elongate objects is provided with a device for imposing motion of a more or less rotational character on to the objects to be aligned.

Moreover, the unit for aligning the objects may comprise at least one bendable belt configured to move in a predetermined pattern relative to the oblong or elongate objects, so as to aligning the elongate or oblong objects prior to placing the objects in the box.

According to an embodiment, the aligning unit is in the form of a modular belt, preferably comprising interlinking rods or ribs linking various sections of the modular belt, guided by means of recess(es) arranged in the side panel(s), the recess(es) being configured such that the movement of the belt(s) causes an alignment of the objects.

The belt(s) may be guided by interlinking rods projecting out from the belt and also functioning as hinge rods for elements forming the modular belt, running in slots or recesses in a supporting side panel structure.

Further, the unit for aligning the objects function as a temporary bottom closure for the device for transferring the objects to the box, and that the temporarily closure is preferably formed at the lower end of the device for transferring the objects to the box.

According to one embodiment, a part of lower end of the device for aligning the objects has outer length and depth dimensions corresponding to the interior dimensions of the box, so that the lower part of the aligner unit fits into the box.

According to the present invention the batch of elongate objects is dropped into a unit arranged below the container, where the batch of elongate objects becomes aligned by imposing a relative movement on to the objects by means of at least a movable element arranged within the unit.

The relative movement may be caused by at least one modular belt imposing preferably a rotational motion on to the elongate objects.

According to an embodiment the at least one modular belt may function as a temporary bottom closure of the unit for the period from receiving a batch of elongate objects until the objects are aligned and the batch of aligned objects are to be placed in the box below the unit.

Moreover, a sheet of plastic material may be placed in stretched-out position over the box, whereupon the box and the stretched-out plastic sheet are lifted up to a height where a bottom part of the unit is positioned inside the box, preferably more or less in contact with the inner box bottom surface and the plastic sheet, whereby the plastic sheet is brought in position and locked from movement inside the void of the box by means of the lower part of the unit.

The temporarily bottom of the unit is then retracted, so that the support of the objects is transferred to the box.

Upon completed aligning and packing cycle, the unit may again be temporarily closed at the lower end by means of the modular belts and that once the elongate objects are transferred to the box and the box is lowered, the belts is moved to cause a temporary closure of the unit, ready for receiving a new batch.

According to the present invention it is possible to reduce the number of operators necessary to complete the entire packing operation, since the operation is more or less fully automated without any need for action from an operator. As a consequence the economy of the total line will also be improved.

Since the filling degree of the boxes is enhanced, the box sizes may also be reduced, contributing to the total economy of the process. At the same time, more compact filling of the boxes may have an effect on the required freezing period of the content, since the total volume of air filled voids are reduced.

The mere fact that the elongate objects are better aligned will also secure that possible detrimental local point pressure from one object to another is eliminated, or at least substantially reduced, contributing to enhanced quality of the packed objects.

According to the present invention the risk for the objects dropping out of the box during the stage where the objects are placed in the box is eliminated, since the box during this stage is more or less brought in contact with the lower end of the outlet of the aligner, forming a more or less sideways closed volume.

Since the objects are packed in an aligned configuration the distribution of the objects over the entire volume of the box is obtained, avoiding that the box when lidded bulges in the middle region of the box, enhancing the palletizing of the boxes when in a frozen state.

It should also be appreciated that if the objects are fish, aligning the fish in the box contribute to reduction of curved or bent fish due to random orientation of the fish when packed. Moreover, another essential advantage due to the aligned fish in each box, is that the subsequent processing of the fish at a later stage, such as gutting or decapitating, is enhanced due to the uniform orientation of the fish and since the fish is more or less without bend.

The advantage of higher capacities, are further strengthened by a reduced number of operators required for the operations as well as the possibilities of reducing expensive and critical space at a processing facility.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: Figure 1 shows schematically a view in perspective of a prior art weighing and packing station for loading fish into boxes, seen from the above; Figure 2 shows schematically and in perspective an aligner according to the present invention as part of a weighing and packing unit 10; Figure 3 shows schematically and in perspective the aligner disclosed in Figure 3, where one of the two side panels and other structural elements are removed for clarity; Figure 4 shows schematically a front view of a side panel 25, also showing two mirrored shaped tracks; Figure 5 shows schematically and in perspective an aligner corresponding to the one shown in Figure 3 and 4 with a side panel is removed, showing the aligner unit in a first typical stage of an aligning cycle, ready for receiving fish; Figure 6 shows schematically and perspective the aligner unit in a next typical stage of an aligning cycle; Figure 7 shows schematically and in perspective a next typical stage of an aligning cycle where the aligner unit is in a position for transferring fish to a box below the aligner; Figure 8 shows schematically the first typical stage in the next aligning cycle, repeating the start of the cycle disclosed in Figures 5 to 7; and Figure 9 shows seven different typical stages in a cycle for loading fish into a box for further processing.

Detailed Description of embodiments shown in the Drawings

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or sim ilar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology, method, and structure of a fully automate packing line, preferably, but not exclusively, for packing round fish, preferably of the pelagic type. However, the embodiments to be discussed next are not limited to such type of fishery, but to any type of packing bulk of fish in an aligned manner. In the following, the invention shall be described in respect of packing such type og objects.

Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embody-ment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Figure 1 shows schematically a view in perspective of a prior art weighing and packing station 10 for loading fish (not shown) into boxes 11, seen from the above. The weighing and packing station 10 comprises a receiving tray 12 associated with a conveyor belt 13 feeding received fish to a weight unit 14, where the received fish is weighed and then transferred to a conveyer belt 15, transporting the weighed fish to a trough16 at the end of the belt 15. The belt 15 is divided into pockets (not shown) configured to receive a dedicated fish, the weight of which is known from the weight. The trough 16 is split into two separate voids (not shown), covered at their top by a split lid 17, directing the fish into the one or the other trough half, depending on the previously registered weight, registered by the weight unit 14. The weight unit 14 and the corresponding conveyor 15, which is not part of the present invention, may for example be of a type described in WO 99/44759.

At the lower end of the trough 16 is provided with a bottom plate that is provided with means for opening and locking the trough at its bottom, allowing fish to drop down into a box 11 arranged below the closable opening of the trough 16. The box 11 is resting on a conveyor 18 of any known type, and at the loading position on the conveyor 18, the conveyor 18 may be provided with a lifting table (not shown), lifting the box 11 upwards towards the outlet of the trough16. At the end of the packing station 10, the packing station 10 is provided with a unit 19 for positioning a thin sheet of plastic material (not shown), configured to surround and enclose the fish completely upon completed packing operation. The unit 19 is provided with two parallel arms 20, configured to pull out a thin sheet of plastic material out and over the empty box 1 land below the closable lid of the trough 16. During the filling operation the plastic sheet is held in a outstretched position just above the box 11 by means of clamping means associated with the arms 20, whereupon the bottom plate of the trough 16 is brought to an open position and the fish inside the trough 16 is allowed to drop down onto the sheet, whereupon the sheet and the dropped fish then drop into the void of the box 11, bringing the affected parts sheet of plastic material also to drop into the void of the box 11, leaving flips of sheet projecting up from the upper edges of the box 11. When the fish has been transferred into the void of the box 11, the filled box 11 is moved along the conveyer 18 where two operators secure that the upwards extending sheet flips are packed around the content of the box 11 and the box 11 is closed by a lid or cover (not shown).

Figure 2 shows schematically in perspective a corresponding weighing and packing unit 10, where the structural parts more or less corresponding to the structural parts disclosed in Figure 1 are removed for the sake of clarity. It should be noted that such structural parts are well within the knowledge of the skilled person and do not form a part of the present invention. As shown, the conveyer belt 15 extends inclined upwards from the outlet of the weight unit (not shown). As shown, the conveyer 15 is provided with a number of pairs with carriers 21, each of which in a pair communicates with a corresponding outlet from the weight. As indicated

above, the weight of the fish transported by each of carriers is known and registered. Since the conveyer 15 is rotating in an anticlockwise direction the fish in each pair of carriers 21 is transported upwards towards the end of the conveyer 15 where the fish is configured to drop down into a trough 16 below the upper end of the conveyer 15. As shown in Figure 2, the trough 16 is split in two parallel compartments 22 by a vertical fixed plate 23, extending in a crosswise direction with respect to the movements of the conveyer 14.

Immediately below the outlet of the trough 16, an aligning unit 24 according to the invention is arranged. The aligning unit 24 is preferably suspended from the trough 16, below the trough 16. The aligning unit will be described in further detail below, referring to the Figures 3-8. The lower end of the aligning unit 24 is provided with a closable opening in controlled communication with the void of a box 11. As indicated in Figure 2, the aligning unit 24 comprises two side panels 25 spaced apart by means of a number of structural rods (not shown). At its lower end, the aligning unit 24 is provided with a closable opening 30, closable by means of at least one movable modular belts 26, rigid in lateral direction with respect to the direction of intended motion and bendable or flexible in longitudinal direction. Such belts 26 may be made of plastic modules and assembled in an interlocked pattern with full-length hinged rods 27. According to the present invention the full-length hinge rods 27 may have a length exceeding the width of the modular belt 26, thus extending out from each side of the conveyer belt 26, configured to be arranged inside a track, recess or slot 34 arranged on the inner side of each side panel 25 for guiding the movement of the belts 26. It should be noted that the track or recess 34 on one side panel 25 is mirrored compared with the corresponding track or recess on the opposing inner surface of the adjacent side panel 25.

Figure 3 shows schematically in perspective a front view of the aligner unit 24. The aligner unit 24 comprises two side panels 25. One of the side panels 25 is removed in the Figure in order to more clearly disclose the built-up of the aligner unit 24. The two side panels 25 are interconnected by means of a number of transversely arranged structural rods (not shown), of which only some of the fixing holes 40 are disclosed in the Figure. According to the embodiment disclosed, the aligner unit 24 is provided with two separate modular belts 26, comprising a large number of parallel elements 29, interlinked by means of hinge rods 27. Instead of parallel elements 29, the modular belt 26 may be built up of any configuration or shape, made up of elements known the art, the common feature being the hinge rods 27, extending across the belt 26, interconnecting the various elements. In addition, the hinge rods 27 extend a certain distance out beyond the width of the belt 26. Moreover, two shaft ends 31 extend at the top of each side of the side panels 25 on both side and extending with a shaft element entirely through holes in the side panels 25 on both side. A sprocket wheels 32 driven by a drum motor, is arranged in association with the inner surface of the side panels 25, the sprocket wheels 32 being in rotatable engagement with the inner surface of the modular belt and thereby moving the modular belts in either direction as described in further details below. A gear (not shown) may be arranged in association with a motor, securing sufficient power and rotational speed, causing each of the two shafts 31 to rotate, moving the belts 26.

The middle part of each side panel 25 is provided with a part 33 extending downwards below the remaining parts of the side panels 25, the height and length of such downwards extending part 33 being adapted more or less to the height/depth and width of the box 11 intended to be filled with aligned fish. The significance of this feature is that the bottom of the aligner unit 24 will be as close to the bottom of the box 11 as possible during transfer of fish from the aligner unit 24 to the box 11 below, so that the fish in the aligner unit 24 will not be subjected to a downwards movement at all, or only to an incremental small movement when the fish is transferred from the aligner unit 24 to the box 11 bottom.

On each inner surface of each side panel 25 a track or continuous recess 34, configured to receive and allow the outwards extending parts of the hinge rods 27, allowing the belt(s) to move in a pattern providing the required alignment movement. The track(s) 34 should be configured in such way and given such configuration that the modular belt(s) will cause the fish when introduced into the aligner unit 24, to be aligned in a sufficient manner. The track(s) 34 should be given such shape that the following typical stages in the aligning cycle are provided: - a stage where the belt(s) form a temporary closure at the bottom of the aligner, supporting the fish both at the bottom and along at least part of the vertical wall(s); - a stage where the belt(s) are moved, imposing an aligning movement of the fish inside the aligner, such movement being caused at least by a more or less horizontal or rolling movement along the bottom of the aligner and also vertically, caused by the movement of the belt(s); - a stage where the belt(s) retract to a position where the temporary bottom closure is removed, opening the aligner unit 24 towards the box 11 positioned immediately below the aligner unit 24.

The track(s) 34 should be given a shape and configuration such that the movement of the modular belt(s) 26 should preferably be of a type where a rotational movement is imposed on to the fish. The length of the various movements of the belt through the stages should be chosen such that it may be possible to align ten batches in the course of 60 seconds, i.e. packing ten boxes within one minute. One limiting factor may be the relative speed of the belts. Too high speed of the belts 26 may result in a reduced aligning effect, while a too slow speed may result in a reduced packing and aligning rate.

Figure 4 shows schematically a front view of a side panel 25, also showing two mirrored shaped tracks 34, each starting as a first coiled end (position C) and then running up and over a sprocket wheel 32 and then downwards towards the downwards extending part 33 forming the side wall of the space to receive the fish to be aligned and then through a curved, preferably, but not necessarily half circular bottom (position B) and the vertically upwards again towards the upper side of the side panel 25 (position D) and at the top (Position A) returning back again to the each upper corners of the side panel 25 (position E). It should be noted that the length of each modular belt 26 is chosen so that when driven out to its extreme position the modular belt 26 extends from the upper corner of the side panel 25

(position E) and down through the lower half circular part (position B) and up again over the sprocket wheel 32. Moreover, it should be noted that during operation the modular belt 26 may not necessarily be driven out to its extreme end. It is preferred that the modular belt 26 is driven out till it reach position A, shown in the Figure, or at last partly up towards the position A, thereby forming a vertical temporary wall inside the void of the aligner unit 24 and thereby providing temporary bottom of two parts and four vertical belt surfaces to secure movement to the randomly arranged fish, causing the required alignment.

As further indicated in Figure 4, the ends of the shafts on which the sprocket wheels are fixed, are configured so as to impart rotation on to the shaft rotating the sprocket wheel, thereby driving the modular belts 26 as intended. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the coiled end track at section C functions as a possibility for storage of the modular belt 26 when the belt 26 is in its fully retracted position, opening the temporary bottom closure of the aligning unit 24. Figure 5 shows schematically and in perspective an aligner unit 24 corresponding to the one shown in Figure 3 and 4 with a side panel 25 removed, showing the aligner unit 24 in a first typical stage of an aligning cycle, ready for receiving fish from the trough 16 (not shown in the Figure for clarity). According to the embodiment shown, two separate modular belts 26 are used, running in tracks 34 as described in connection with Figure 4. As shown, the belts 26 are driven partly out to a position where the free end of the belts 25 just has completed the semi/circular curve at positon D and where said free ends meet, thereby creating a temporary bottom in the aligner unit 24. In this position a box 11 is brought into position a distance below the bottom part of the aligner unit 24. The box is resting on a lifting table (not shown in the Figure for clarity) positioned below the aligner unit 24, the lifting table being associated with a conveyor belt (not shown in the Figure for clarity). Figure 6 shows schematically and perspective the aligner unit 24 in a next typical stage of an aligning cycle. At this stage, fish (not shown in the Figure for clarity) is now contained in the voids between the modular belts 26. Once the fish has been loaded into the void of the aligner unit 24 in the position D shown in Figure 5, each of the belts are driven in parallel vertically upwards at least to position A, ref. the direction of the arrow, where the belts is run towards their respective upper corner. During this movement the fish in contact with the belt 26 will be subjected to a movement, in general a rotating movement and the movement will divide the void within the aligner unit 24 into two halves and the fish will thus be in contact with the belts 26 both at the two semi/circular surfaces and the two pairs of side wall parts within each half. Such movement is also transferred to the neighbouring fish, thereby bringing the fish to be aligned due to the relative motion caused. Figure 7 shows schematically and in perspective a next typical stage of an aligning cycle where the aligner unit 24 is in a position for transferring fish to a box below the aligner unit 24. As indicated, during the stage disclosed in Figure 6, or at the end of the stage shown in Figure 6, the box 11 on the lifting table is lifted upwards, ref. the vertical arrow until the box 11 is immediately below the lower end of the aligning unit 24, leaving a very small vertical distance between the lower side of the belts 26 and the top surface of the box 11 in the order of for example 2 to 20 mm. Once the box 11 is in this position the movement of the belts 26 is reversed, ref. the direction of the arrows, whereby the temporary bottom created by the belts 26 is removed due to the retraction of the belts 26, whereby the fish is placed in the box 11. Since the box 11 is brought to a position immediately below the outlet of the aligning unit 24, for example only a distance of only 2 to 20 mm below, the alignment previously caused by the movement of the belts will not to any degree, if any, be affected. In fact also the retracting movement of the belts 26 will in addition contribute to an aligning effect on the fish. Figure 8 shows schematically the forth typical stage in the next aligning cycle, repeating the start of the cycle disclosed in Figures 5 to 7. As shown the modular belts are driven back to a position D where a temporary bottom in the aligner unit 24 again is formed, ready for receiving a new batch of fish. The belts are driven in the direction of the arrows. At the same time the box 11 below the aligner unit 24, which now is filled with fish, is lowered down on to the conveyer belt and transported away for further processing. Figure 9 shows schematically seven different typical stages in a cycle for loading fish into a box for further processing. Figure 9A shows the first stage in a packing cycle where the ends of the modular belts 26 are in position D, i.e. forming a temporary lower closure of the aligning unit 24. As indicated one of the two holding compartments 22 is filled with the accurate weight of fish, the split lid 17 closing the compartment 22 filled with fish. In this position a plastic sheet 19 is stretched out on top of and just above the box 11 and maintained in a stretched and/or tensioned state. The box is supported by the lifting table 18 on the conveyer, just below the aligner unit 24. Figure 9B shows schematically the stage where the bottom plate of the compartment 22 is opened and where fish in a random state have been dropped down into the temporarily closed aligner unit 24. At this stage, the box 11 and the stretched-out plastic sheet 19 are still in a position as shown in Figure 9A. Figure 9C shows schematically the stage explained above, where the modular belts 26 are

driven as described above in order to align the fish contained within the aligner unit 24. Still, the box 11 and the plastic sheet 19 are maintained in the same position. The next step is shown in Figure 9 D, where the box 11 and the stretched out, tensioned plastic sheet is lifted up by a lifting table 18 associated with the conveyor, to a position where the bottom of the aligner unit 24 more or less is in contact with the inner surface of the box 11 and the plastic sheet 19. As shown, the plastic sheet has now been pressed down into the interior of the box 11 by the extended parts 33 of the side panels 25, securing a controlled positioning of the sheet 19 within the box 1 land leaving laps or tongues 36 projecting up from the box 11. It should be noted that the length and width of the plastic sheet 19 is chosen such that there is sufficient length and widths extending up forming the laps or tongues to completely cover the top layer of fish when placed in the box 11, thus more or less covering and sealing the fish and avoiding the fish to dry put in a deep frozen state. Figure 9E shows schematically the step where the modular belts 26 are in the process of being pulled back. At this stage, the box 11 with fish is still kept in the elevated position as shown in Figure 9D. In Figure 9F the modular belts 26 have been completely withdrawn, whereby the fish is now contained within the plastic sheet 19 inside the box 11. At this stage the fish is packed in an aligned state inside the box 11. As indicated in Figure 9G the box 11 with the contained fish is now lowered down on to the conveyer for transport to a next station where the excessive, upwards projecting laps and tongues are folded back over the top of the fish, whereupon the box 11 is lidded.

Even though this detailed description of the drawings refer to fish as the object to be handled and packed, it should be appreciated that the system also may be suitable for packing other types of elongate, oblong objects where it may be desirable to align the object in the box when packed.

Above and in the Figures a solution where the box 11 is lifted up towards the aligner unit 24 is disclosed. It should be appreciated, however, that a solution where the aligner unit 24 is lowered instead towards the box is also feasible. Moreover, it should also be appreciated that any other type ways of supplying the objects to the aligner unit may be used, such as direct delivery by number or weight by means of a conveyer of the like, without thereby deviating from the inventive idea. Dependent on the type of box used, it should also be appreciated that the use of a plastic sheet may be avoided.

The track 34 may have any suitable shape as long as a temporarily closeable bottom is form ed and with at least one side wall is established, imparting relative motion together with the temporarily closed bottom on to the fish to be aligned. Moreover, in stead of the semi-circular bottom(s), the bottom part of the track may be more or less straight or may have a wave form. In stead of two belts 26, one belt may be used,

The track(s) and the dimensions of the part of the aligner unit 24 intended to be filled with fish should preferably be chosen such that no relative motion disturbing the alignment achieved is caused during the lowering of the filled box 11 down upon completed aligning process.

Claims

1. Device for automatically packing a batch of oblong or elongate objects into a box (11), where the internal void of the box (11) preferably is covered by thin sheet (19), preferably of a plastic material, comprising a filling position and one above the filling position arranged device for transferring the oblong or elongate objects in an automatic manner into the internal void of the box (11), the filling position being provided with a device for temporarily preventing oblong or elongate objects from entering the void of the box (11), characterized in thatthe device for transferring the oblong or elongate objects (24) to the box (11) comprises a unit for aligning the oblong or elongate objects by means of relative motion prior to allowing the elongate or oblong objects to be placed in the box (11).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device (24) for transferring the oblong or elongate objects is provided with a device (26) for imposing motion of a more or less rotational character on to the objects to be aligned.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the unit for aligning the objects (24) comprises at least one bendable belt (26) configured to move in a predetermined pattern relative to the oblong or elongate objects, so as to aligning the elongate or oblong objects prior to placing the objects in the box (11).

4. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the aligning unit (24) is in the form of at least one modular belt (26), preferably comprising interlinking rods 27) or ribs linking various sections 29) of the modular belt(s) (26), guided by means of recess(es) 34) arranged in the side panel(s) (25), the recess(es) (34) being configured such that the movement of the belt(s) (26) causes an alignment of the objects.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the belt(s) (26) is guided by interlinking rods (27) projecting out from the belt (26) and also functioning as hinge rods for elements (29) forming the modular belt (26), running in slots or recesses (34) in a supporting side panel structure (25).

6. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the unit (24) for aligning the objects function as a temporary bottom closure for the device for transferring the objects to the box (11), and that the temporarily closure is preferably formed at the lower end of the device for transferring the objects to the box (11).

7. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein a part of lower end (33) of the device (24) for aligning the objects has outer length and depth dimensions corresponding to the interior dimensions of the box (11), so that the lower part (33) fits into the box (11).

8. Method for automatically transferring a batch of oblong or elongate objects into a box (11), where the objects are loaded as a batch into a container (16) for subsequent transfer into a box (11) positioned below the container (16) once the required batch size is reached, the container (16) being provided with a closable bottom arrangement, characterized in thatthe batch of elongate objects is dropped into a unit 24) arranged below the container (16), where the batch of elongate objects becomes aligned by imposing a relative movement on to the object by means of at least a movable element (26) arranged within the unit (24).

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the relative movement is caused by at least one modular belt (26) imposing preferably a rotational motion on to the elongate objects.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one modular belt (26) functions as a temporary bottom closure of the unit (24) for the period from receiving a batch of elongate objects until the objects are aligned and the batch of aligned objects are to be placed in the box (11) below the unit (24).

11. Method according to one of the claims 8 to 10, wherein a sheet (19) of plastic material is placed in stretched-out position over the box (11), whereupon the box (11) and the stretched-out plastic sheet (19) is lifted up to a height where a bottom part (33) of the unit (24) is positioned inside the box (11), more or less in contact with the inner box (11) bottom surface and the plastic sheet (19), whereby the plastic sheet (19) is brought in position inside the void of the box (11) by means of the lower part (33) of the unit (24).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the temporarily bottom of the unit (24) is retracted, so that the support of the objects is transferred to the box (11).

13. Method according to one of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the unit (24) is temporarily closed at the lower end by means of at least one modular belt (26) and that once the elongate objects are transferred to the box (11) and the box (11) is lowered, the at least one belt (26) is moved to cause a temporary closure of the unit (24), ready for receiving a new batch.