WO2005102843A1

WO2005102843A1 - Apparatus and method for supplying wrappers

Info

Publication number: WO2005102843A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arie Leendert Koppert
Original assignee: Koppert Machines B.V.
Priority date: 2004-04-21
Filing date: 2005-04-21
Publication date: 2005-11-03
Also published as: WO2005102843A8; EP1740464A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting wrappers (69), comprising a frame (57) which is provided with supply means (67) arranged on the frame (57) for a cassette (68) for wrappers (69), and with discharge means (66) for the cassette (68). The invention is characterized in that an engaging means (83) is arranged on the frame (57) for holding the cassette (68) at a first location, wherein support means (112, 113, 114) are connected to the frame for supporting wrappers (69), wherein the support means (112, 113, 114) form a support surface such that the engaging means (83) lies substantially in the same plane. The invention also relates to a method for transporting wrappers (69), wherein a stack of wrappers (68) are engaged by a cassette (68) and the cassette (68) is carried to a first location, wherein the engaged wrappers (69) are moved in a direction away from the first location and are supported.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING WRAPPERS

The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting wrappers and a method, wherein the wrappers can for instance be used for a further method, wherein wrappers are filled with a bouquet. A method and apparatus for arranging bouquets in wrappers is for instance known from the non-prepublished Netherlands patent 1 023 262. Disclosed here is an apparatus wherein an uppermost wrapper of a stack of wrappers is used for the method wherein a bouquet is arranged in this uppermost wrapper. A problem of the known art is that the shown method operates in batchwise manner with stacks of wrappers. As a result the machine must be repeatedly stopped. The object of the invention is to provide a method wherein the machine is used in more efficient manner. This object is achieved according to the invention with an apparatus for transporting wrappers comprising a frame which is provided with supply means arranged on the frame for a cassette for wrappers, and with discharge means for the cassette, wherein an engaging means is arranged on the frame for holding the cassette at a first location, wherein support means are connected to the frame for supporting wrappers, wherein the support means form a support surface such that the engaging means lies substantially in the same plane.

Stacks of wrappers can hereby be supplied and supported ready for use on the surface. Once the wrappers are filled, they are discharged. In the position of use, i.e. when the cassette is being held by the engaging means and the wrappers are supported by the support surface, the wrappers, and in particular the uppermost wrapper of the stack, will be used for arranging of a bouquet in this wrapper. The bouquet can be placed in the wrapper because the cassette and the support surface lie substantially in one plane. According to a further embodiment, the frame is provided with moving means for moving wrappers received in the cassette away from the engaging means. The frame is hereby provided with means adapted to move the wrappers or stack of wrappers away from the engaging means. The wrapper is hereby straightened. They are hereby aligned, whereby positioning of the wrappers on the support surface is ensured such that the uppermost wrapper can be used for the prior art method. The moving means preferably comprise friction means which engage on the wrappers, wherein the wrappers are moved away from the engaging means by means of friction. The moving components engage on the wrappers. In a preferred embodiment, the support means form the moving means. The wrappers that are supported will hereby be moved such that they are moved away from the engaging means, thereby being placed ready for use. The support means preferably comprise a conveyor belt. A conveyor belt can be used on the one hand as support surface for the wrappers and on the other to engage the wrappers, whereby these latter are aligned, in particular aligned in a position wherein they are placed ready for use in a further method. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor belt is provided with rods extending transversely of the direction of transport. During movement in a transporting direction the conveyor belt will hereby co- displace wrappers which protrude between the successive rods. Particular use is made hereof according to the invention in that the wrappers protrude with the free outer end hanging in a part of the conveyor belt, wherein this free end comes to lie between the rods. When the conveyor belt moves, this end will be carried along by the following rod. By moving further in the direction of transport, wherein the conveyor belt is guided in a path away from the engaging means, the wrapper end is co-displaced away from the engaging means, and the wrapper is straightened in working direction on the support surface formed by these rods of the conveyor belt. In a preferred embodiment the supply means likewise comprise conveyor belts which can engage on the sides of the cassettes such that the wrappers in the cassettes hang down between the supply means due to the force of gravity. The cassettes and wrappers are hereby aligned in a first position. The wrappers hang downward in freely suspended manner. It is hereby possible for instance to engage the free-hanging ends with the rods of the conveyor belt of the support means. This takes place by guiding the support means under the free- hanging wrappers which are held by the supply means. The conveyor belts are preferably endless belts, where the belt is tensioned between two wheels mounted on the frame. The conveyor belt can thus be guided from a first to a second position. This is for instance the case for the conveyor belt of the supply means, but also for the conveyor belt of the support means. In a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cylinder arranged on the frame, wherein the cylinder is provided with a holder for transporting a cassette from the supply means to the engaging means . A supplied cassette is hereby carried to the engaging means which will hold the cassette during the filling of the wrappers engaged by the cassette. A vertical distance can be spanned with such a cylinder and holder. The engaging means is preferably a carrousel mounted rotatably on the frame. An apparatus is hereby obtained wherein the supplied cassette is fed along a first side for positioning ready for use in the first position, and is discharged along a second side. According to a further embodiment, the apparatus has a number of fillable cassettes for wrappers, wherein the cassettes comprise at least one engaging means for engaging an outer end of a stack of wrappers. Using one cassette a stack of wrappers can be carried into the machine for positioning in the position of use. A stack of wrappers can be easily engaged with such a cassette. Through the use of the cassette the stack of wrappers can be placed in accurate manner in the machine. The accurate placing is ensured by the engaging means. Once the wrappers engaged by the cassette have been used up, the cassette which is empty or in which only remnants of the wrappers are present is discharged. The invention also relates to a method for transporting wrappers. The method according to the invention comprises of providing a stack of wrappers which are engaged by a cassette, carrying the cassette to a first location, wherein the engaged wrappers are moved in a direction away from the first location and are supported. A method is hereby provided whereby a number of wrappers are brought in guaranteed manner into a position of use. A method is particularly provided which can be used with that described in Netherlands patent 1 023 262. The content of said Netherlands patent is known to applicant and the content thereof can be incorporated in this application. The method preferably further comprises of engaging the wrappers with a conveyor belt and supporting the wrappers with this conveyor belt. The method can hereby be performed in simple manner. According to the method the cassettes are further discharged. A more continuous method is hereby possible than according to the prior art. A description of the prior art will first be given with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bouquet wrapping apparatus according to the prior art, Figure 2 shows a detail as according to II of the prior art bouquet wrapping apparatus of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a first operating position of the ^' prior art bouquet wrapping apparatus of figure 1; Figure 4 shows a detail along IV in figure 3; Figure 5 shows a second operating position of the prior art bouquet wrapping apparatus of figure 1. The invention will be further discussed on the basis of the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; Figures 7a-c show details in a cross section of the embodiment of figure 6. Figure 1 shows a prior art bouquet wrapping apparatus 1, comprising a frame 2, which has a horizontal bearing surface 3 on which is placed a detachable carrier 4 for a stack of wrappers 5. Carrier 4 is quickly replaceable, so that when the stack of wrappers 5 is used up, it can easily be replaced by a new carrier with a fresh supply of wrappers. Arranged on frame 2 are the opening means 6 which comprises two pins 7, 8 which are attached to the frame and along which the transverse connecting piece 10 can be moved in vertical direction as according to arrow 9. Transverse connecting piece 10 is connected to a drive 17 ^' arranged under bearing surface 3, as can be seen in figure 5. Transverse rod 10 is provided with two suction means 11, 12 which can engage onto one side of the topmost wrapper 37 of stack 5. A vacuum source (not shown) provides a suction force sufficient to engage the topmost wrapper 37 of stack 5. Each of the wrappers in stack 5 are connected to each other via a tear edge 13. The upward movement according to arrow 9 tears loose the upper side of wrapper 37 along the edge 13. A bouquet 20 of for example hyacinths, roses, chrysanthemums or lilies, with a length of more than 70 cm, is bound around the stems with an elastic band 21. Bouquet 20 is supplied on a first conveyor belt 22 to bouquet wrapping apparatus 1 in the direction of arrow 23. The conveyor belt comprises a belt placed round a bearing-mounted shaft. By advancing the bouquet 20 in the direction of arrow 23 the bouquet arrives at the second conveyor belt 25 arranged on frame 24, which forms the shooting means according to the invention. Conveyor belt 25 will also support and move bouquet 20 in the direction of arrow 26. The speed at which the conveyor belt moves is however great, causing the bouquet to be as it were shot into the mouth 27, which is formed as a funnel and which debouches close to opening means 6. A blowing means 28 is arranged in mouth 27 and causes an airflow in the direction of arrow 29 to the end close to opening means 6. Not shown is the control device that controls the various components of the bouquet wrapping apparatus according to the invention. The control device (not shown) is connected to for example the sensor 19, which detects placing of a bouquet 20 on the conveyor belt. The control device will hereby begin opening a wrapper 37 by engaging this wrapper with the suction means 11, 12. Similarly, a detecting means can be arranged which detects whether a wrapper has been filled with a bouquet 20, which causes a cycle to begin for the discharge of the wrapped bouquet. An engaging means can be controlled for this purpose which engages on the wrapped bouquet. Arranged close to the narrow end of funnel-shaped wrapper 37 is a partition 18 which prevents a bouquet 20 shot into a wrapper 37 from moving any further. This prevents damage to the wrapper. Partition 18 is a means for stopping the stems of bouquet 20. Close to the end of the funnel shape 27 are placed two arms 34, 35 which are arranged around shafts 32, 33 as according to arrows 30, 31. Arms 34, 35 can move in the direction of arrows 30, 31, wherein driving is provided by motor 36 (see figure 5) . Figure 3 shows the bouquet 20 which is shot by the second conveyor belt 25 into the funnel-shaped mouth 27 as according to arrow 26. Due to the high speed of bouquet 20, the bouquet shoots into the held-open wrapper 37 which is engaged on one side by suction means 11, 12, while transverse rod 10 is moved upward from its initial position as shown in figure 1. Arms 34, 35 are simultaneously inserted into the wrapper, whereby the mouth of the wrapper becomes accessible and is held open. This prevents disruptions caused by the high speed of the bouquet 20 while it enters the mouth of wrapper 37. Wrapper 37 engaged by suction means 11, 12 still lies with the non-engaged underside on stack 5, and this underside is still partially connected to the stack of wrappers 5 along the tear edge 13. Only the side engaged by suction means 11, 12 is free. In figure 4 it can be seen that tear edge 13 is still held at least partially in position. The conveyor belt 25, the lower side of mouth 27 and the plane in which the topmost wrapper 37 of the stack of wrappers 5 lies are preferably situated in the same plane, and preferably in a horizontal plane. Bouquet 20 slides over the lower side of mouth 27 and through the inside of the wrapper 37. Use is made here of a polyethylene wrapper. This wrapper is smooth, also on the inside. In the opened position of wrapper 37 as according to figure 3, blower 28 blows air as according to arrow 29 in the direction of the mouth of wrapper 37. The airflow further opens the funnel-shaped wrapper 37, which becomes inflated as shown in figure 3. The end of the wrapper opposite the side engaged by the opening means 6 is likewise opened by the airflow. Figure 5 shows wrapper 37 filled with bouquet 20 which is held together with elastic band 21. The wrapper fits closely round bouquet 20. The wrapper can further be discharged, for example by a gripper that grips the stems of bouquet 20. The foregoing is a description of the prior art. Said description is intended as general information for the present invention. The invention is further described with reference to figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows an apparatus 50 with which bunched flowers 51 supplied as according to arrow 52 on a conveyor belt 53 can be wrapped. The wrapped flowers 54 are discharged on a second conveyor belt 55 as according to arrow 56. The apparatus comprises in one embodiment a frame 57. Arranged hereon is a conveyor belt 58 which is tensioned around shafts 59, 60 and which is driven with a motor (not shown) . Bunched bouquets 51 are placed as according to arrow 61 in the space between two walls 62, 63 between which runs belt 58, and conveyor belt 58 carries the bunched bouquets as according to arrow 64 between the upright walls 62 and 63 in the direction of mouth 65. Sensors are optionally arranged here and there which monitor receiving of a bouquet 51 between walls 62 and 63 on belt 58 as according to arrow 61. The detection can be fed back to a control device (not shown) which controls the steps of the method. The apparatus will be self-evident to the skilled person. The conveyor belt and the channel for the bunched bouquets 51 are situated on frame 57. Situated under conveyor belt 58 are two transport units for cassettes 68 which are formed by clamping means between which a stack of wrappers 69 can be clamped. A cassette, being cassette 70 as shown in cross- section in Figure 7a, clamps round an outer end of a stack of wrappers. A stack of wrappers 69 comprises wrappers which are connected on a top side along a detachable/tear-off serrated edge. This top part is clamped between two parts of cassette 68, 70. An individual wrapper can thus be torn off the stack of wrappers 69 received in cassette 68, 70. A cassette 68 in which a stack of wrappers 69 is clampingly received is placed on two guides 70, 71 in a position as shown on the right in Figure 6. Wrapper 69 hangs under cassette 68 which rests with two protrusions 72, 73 on guides 70, 71. The user of apparatus 50 places the stack of wrappers 69 in cassette 68. After placing of cassette 68 on guides 70, 71, the cassette can be moved as according to arrow 75 and will come to lie on the first conveyor belt 67. The first conveyor belt 67 comprises two endless belts 76, 77 tensioned between two shafts 78, 79 connected by means of bearings to frame 57. Present between the two endless belts 76, 77 is an open space, in which the wrapper 69 can hang freely downward. Frame 57 is formed such that the wrapper can be moved in free- hanging position from left to right. Protrusions 72 and 73 herein lie on belts 76, 77. The friction is sufficient to transfer movement of the belt to the cassette. Belt 76 and belt 77 are driven by a motor (not shown) . The cassette with wrapper 68, 69 is .transported in the direction of shaft 79. The cassette will here be received, as shown in Figure 7a, in a holder 80. Cassette 70 moves as according to arrow 81 over belt 76, 77 and is received in the round recess of holder 80, in which the protrusions 72, 73 of cassette 70 are received. Holder 80 is connected to a cylinder 82 which can be driven to transport the holder as according to arrow 93, and to thus transport cassette 70 in the direction of carrousel 83. Carrousel 83 is connected to frame 57 for rotation around shaft 84. Two holders 85, 86 provided with a cavity 87, which are formed in a manner corresponding to holder 80, are arranged on the carrousel. A protrusion 72, 73 of a cassette 70 can be received in cavity 87. A cassette 88 is shown with protrusion 89 engaged by means of holder 85. From the position shown in Figure 7a, the carrousel can rotate 180° and come to lie point- symmetrically in the shown position, wherein the cassette 70 held in holder 80 is engaged in cavity 87 and displaced to the position shown by means of cassette 88. This is further elaborated in Figures 7b and 7c. Rotation of carrousel 83 as according to arrow 90 results in the cassette 91, in which a stack of wrappers 92 is received, being engaged in the corresponding cavity and, upon further rotation as according to arrow 90, being further rotated out of the cavity of holder 80, which is moved upward as according to arrow 93, to the position shown in Figure 7c. Simultaneously with the rotation as according to arrow 90 an empty cassette 94 will be rotated by the carrousel and arrive at a position wherein this cassette will fall downward over guide 95 as according to arrow 96 and will come to lie on belt 97 of the second conveyor belt 66. Belt 97 is tensioned around bearing- mounted shafts 98 and 99. The cassette will come to lie with its protrusions 100 on the second conveyor belt 68 and be carried by means of belts 97 back to the position shown in the right-hand part of Figure 6. Here the cassette runs against a protrusion 101 by which the cassette will be guided. A user of the apparatus will be able to open the cassette and clamp a fresh stack of wrappers therein. This is then fed in again via guides 71, 72. Figure 7c shows cassette 91 in a position wherein the carrousel 83 is rotated 180°. Wrapper 92 is partially co-displaced. In Figure 7b the wrapper 92 hangs through a conveyor belt 102, which is shown in Figure 6. Conveyor belt 102 consists of two endless belts 103, 104 which are carried around a number of shafts. Belt,s 103, 104 are connected to the respective rods 109-114 which lie therebetween. Wrappers 92 hang vertically, parallel to part 105 of belt 103/104. This part 105 is guided around wheels 106 and 107 and can be moved as according to arrow 108. In the position shown in Figure 7b, the outer end of the stack of wrappers 92 hangs between rods 109, 110. When belt 108 moves, the position as according to Figure 7c will be taken up, wherein the outer end of the wrapper is deflected by rod 110. Further movement of the belts with intermediate rods has the result that the stack of wrappers will arrive in a position as shown in Figure 7a, wherein the free end is far-removed from mouth 65 and/or carrousel 83. The wrappers come to lie on the rods 112-114 shown in Figure 7a in a horizontal plane. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 6, a bouquet 51 is moved between upright side walls 62, 63 in the direction of mouth 65. Mouth 65 is also shown in longitudinal section in Figure 7a. A bouquet 120 is situated between side walls 62, 63. The bouquet lies on belt 58 which is movable around shaft 60 as according to arrow 121. Mouth 65 is formed by a cover 122 which is arranged around walls 62, 63 and into which the bouquet 120 can be transported as according to arrow 64. At the other end of mouth 65 there is situated a flap 123 which can swing as according to arrow 124, moved herein by cylinder 125 engaging on the end of flap 123. Flap 123 is connected by means of a hinge to cover 122. Side walls 126, 127 are arranged on either side of flap 123. A rod 128 can be moved with cylinder 125 as according to arrow 129. A suction means 130 is arranged on the outer end of rod 128. A number of suction cups are preferably arranged which, in the longitudinal direction shown in Figure 7a, extend adjacently of each other / lie one behind the other. Figures 7b and 7c show the position of rods 128 moved into their lowest possible position. The hinged connection between rod 128 and the 123 is embodied in usual manner. In the position wherein rod 128 is moved downward, suction means 130 engages onto the topmost wrapper of a stack of wrappers. Figure 7a shows wrapper 131 which is engaged by means of suction means 130, wherein rod 128 is moved upward as according to arrow 129, wherein the wrapper is opened. Situated under the wrapper is a stack of wrappers 132 which are still closed and which are supported by rods 112, 113, 114. The suction means engages onto the topmost wrapper 131 of the stack of wrappers at a location such that the serrated edge, with which the wrappers are connected to the part of the stack of wrappers that is engaged by cassette 88, comes to lie just to the right of suction means 130 and to the left of cassette 88. When the suction means 130 engaging on the topmost wrapper 131 moves upward, the wrapper will be opened in a manner comparable to that shown in previous embodiments. A portion of the serra,ted edge will herein be torn. After opening of the wrapper has been detected, for instance by a sensor which blows air, a bouquet 120 can be introduced via conveyor belt 58. The wrapper 151, open at the end remote from mouth 65, can be opened further by blower 141, which blows air inward through the opened side of wrapper 131. 'By accelerating a bunched bouquet 51 from the infeed position close to 61 in the direction of mouth 65, the bouquet will be shot into wrapper 131. Mouth 65 has a funnel shape at the end directed toward wrapper 131. The end of the funnel is smaller than the entry of wrapper 131. The bouquet cannot therefore catch on parts of the wrapper when it is fed in. The funnel through which bouquet 120 is guided is smaller than the opening of the wrapper and the bouquet is thus guided into the wrapper. The bouquet is shot into the wrapper at high speed. The high speed produces a great impulse, whereby wrapper 131 will tear further along the serrated edge, which is already partially torn, and the wrapper -will become detached from the stack of wrappers and the respective cassette. Wrapper 135 shown in Figure 6 will become detached at the moment that the bouquet is shot into the opened wrapper as according to arrow 136, and the outer end of the bouquet will herein run up against the stop 137 arranged for this purpose. The wrapped bouquet 135 is engaged with a robot arm 138, on an outer end of which is arranged a gripper 139. The robot arm will rotate as according to arrow 140 and will discharge a bouquet in transport direction 56 via a conveyor belt 55. The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the invention can be changed, thus departing from the shown embodiment. Combinations can in particular be made with known elements of the prior art, as described for instance with reference to figures 1-5. The above description must be read in the light of the claims, wherein the scope of the invention is formed by the independent claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transporting wrappers, comprising a frame which is provided with supply means arranged on the frame for a cassette for wrappers, and with discharge means for the cassette, wherein an engaging means is arranged on the frame for holding the cassette at a first location, wherein support means are connected to the frame for supporting wrappers, wherein the support means form a support surface such that the engaging means lies substantially in the same plane.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the frame is provided with moving means for moving the wrappers received in the cassette away from the engaging means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that support means form the moving means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the support means comprise a conveyor belt.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the conveyor belt is provided with rods extending transversely of the direction of transport.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the supply means comprise a conveyor belt which can engage on the cassette such that wrappers in the cassette hang downward due to the force of gravity.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the conveyor belts are endless belts, wherein the belt is tensioned between at least two wheels mounted on the frame.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a cylinder is arranged on the frame and provided with a holder for transporting a cassette from the supply means to the engaging means.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the engaging means comprises a carrousel mounted rotatably on the frame.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the carrousel has at least a first position wherein a cassette can be supplied and engaged, a second position wherein the cassette is held substantially in a plane with the support surface, and a third position wherein the cassette can be discharged to the discharge means .

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a number of tillable cassettes for wrappers which comprise at least one engaging means for engaging an outer end of a stack of wrappers .

12. Method for transporting wrappers wherein a stack of wrappers are engaged by a cassette, the cassette is carried to a first location, wherein the engaged wrappers are moved in a direction away from the first location and are supported.

13. Method as claimed in claim 12, characterized by engaging the wrappers with a conveyor belt and supporting the wrappers with this conveyor belt.

14. Method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the method further comprises of discharging the cassettes.