WO2014029855A1

WO2014029855A1 - Conveyor and method for rotating a product

Info

Publication number: WO2014029855A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/067486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giulio Benedetti; Riccardo Palumbo
Original assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
Priority date: 2012-08-22
Filing date: 2013-08-22
Publication date: 2014-02-27
Also published as: EP2888186A1; BR112015003741A2

Abstract

A conveyor (10) comprises: a belt (11); and a rotatable portion (12), for supporting a whole product (20), configured to perform a rotational movement, wherein the rotatable portion (12) is integrated into the belt (11) and is modular, comprising a plurality of subelements (30), each of which forms part of a surface of the rotatable portion (12) for supporting a whole product (20), such that the rotatable portion is bendable.

Description

CONVEYOR AND METHOD FOR ROTATING A PRODUCT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a conveyor and a method for rotating a product.

Background Art

A conveyor may be used to convey a product from one position to another position. For example, in the field of packaging, a conveyor may be used to transport a product to a machine and/or from a machine. In some cases it is desirable to reorient the product in addition to conveying the product from one position to another position.

US 2009/0039592 Al discloses a product orienting apparatus that comprises a table comprising a rotatable device. The table also has an array of substantially identical spherical rollers, each spherical roller being suitable for contacting the product and the table surface. By rotation of the rotatable device, the product is rotated in the opposite direction on the conveyor belt. This is because the rotation of the rotatable device is translated into a rotation of the spherical rollers, which in turn is translated into a rotation of the product.

Meanwhile, GB 2 203 402 A discloses an apparatus for transporting stacks of paper sheets in a production line in which an endless conveyor supports a set of equidistant flexible turntables. Successive turntables accept successive oncoming stacks and turn them through 90° before the turned stacks are stripped off the respective turntables.

US 6,520,314 Bl discloses a patterning apparatus for advancing packaged baked goods such as loaves of bread, and positioning the packages for loading. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a horizontally disposed upper flight and a series of turner assemblies spaced along the conveyor. Each turner assembly receives one or more packages. The turner assemblies are adapted to rotate the received package while also achieving longitudinal conveyance, and lateral movement transversely to the longitudinal direction.

However, such apparatuses have a relatively high possibility of malfunctioning. Other disadvantages are that such apparatuses can be very complex, difficult to be cleaned, unreliable, expensive to manufacture and cumbersome. An aim of the present invention is to provide a conveyor. Another aim is to provide a method for rotating a product.

More particularly an aim of the present invention is to address the problem that in some packaging processes the mouths of the packages need to be correctly oriented in order to be sealed. It is desirable that an operator is not required to rotate any of the packages manually. In particular it is desirable that an operator is not required to rotate any of the packages when two rows of packages are provided, each row requiring a different orientation, for example in order to form two lines of packages to line up with sealing bars of a vacuum sealing machine. Manual handling of the packages has a disadvantage in that it reduces the safety of the operator.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a conveyor comprising: a belt; and a rotatable portion, for supporting a whole product, configured to perform a rotational movement, wherein the rotatable portion is integrated into the belt and is modular, comprising a plurality of sub-elements, each of which forms part of a surface of the rotatable portion for supporting a whole product, such that the rotatable portion is bendable.

Accordingly, a supporting surface of the rotatable portion is made up of a plurality of sub-elements. As a result, the type of material used to produce the rotatable portion is not particularly limited. In particular, the material from which the rotatable portion is formed is not required to be flexible. For example, the sub-elements could be formed of a rigid material that can bend relative to each other. Hence, the manufacturing constraints for the conveyor are relaxed relative to known conveyors. Furthermore the modularity of the rotatable portion allows the rotatable portion to bend with the belt.

By integrating the rotatable portion into the belt, the conveyor has a reduced possibility of malfunctioning compared to conveyors in the prior art. This is because there are fewer components of the conveyor that are separate from, and independent of, each other.

Additionally, by integrating the rotatable portion into the belt, there is a reduced possibility of a product getting stuck in any discontinuity in the conveyor. The conveyor can be run continuously without having to make special allowances for the rotatable portion as it moves with the belt of the conveyor. Hence, the conveyor functions simply, thereby reducing the possibility of malfunction.

Meanwhile, the conveyor is able to both convey the product and rotate the product at the same time.

Optionally, the rotatable portion is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a carrier surface of the belt.

Accordingly, substantially all of the rotational movement of the rotatable portion can be translated into rotation of the product. This provides a particularly efficient way to rotate the product on the conveyor.

Optionally, a carrier surface of the belt and a surface of the rotatable portion are substantially coplanar.

Accordingly, there is a reduced possibility of the conveyance system malfunctioning due to misplacement of a product. For example, even if a product that is intended to be positioned wholly on the rotatable portion is at least partly positioned on the carrier surface of the belt surrounding the rotatable portion, the product can be correctly conveyed by the conveyor.

Additionally the system is more compact at least partly because the winding radius of the belt can be decreased.

Optionally, the belt has an aperture and the rotatable portion is in the aperture.

Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a complete and continuous carrier surface for the belt in addition to the rotatable portion that also has a surface for supporting a whole product. This reduces the amount of material required to produce the conveyor. Meanwhile by providing the rotatable portion in the aperture, the conveyor has a continuous surface for supporting and conveying the product.

Optionally, an inner surface of the aperture has a shape that corresponds to an outer surface of the rotatable portion.

Accordingly, there is no discontinuity between the carrier surface of the belt surrounding the rotatable portion and the surface of the rotatable portion that supports the product. This reduces the possibility of any product getting stuck in, or at least affected by, such a

discontinuity. Furthermore, the conveyor is efficiently manufactured because it is not necessary to double up on having two surfaces in any position, for example having a rotatable portion positioned above an existing surface of the belt.

Optionally, the aperture is substantially circular.

Accordingly, the apparatus has a simple construction in which the rotatable portion can rotate within the belt.

Optionally, the conveyor comprises a roller, wherein the rotatable portion is bendable around the roller.

Accordingly, the conveyor can be run continuously without having to make special allowances for the rotatable portion as it moves with the belt of the conveyor. Hence, the conveyor functions simply, thereby reducing the possibility of malfunction.

Optionally, the rotatable portion comprises a plurality of sub-elements connected to sub- elements of a section of the belt surrounding the rotatable portion.

Accordingly, the supporting surface of the conveyor can be relatively continuous. There is a reduced possibility of disconnection between the supporting surface of the rotatable portion and the carrier surface of the belt surrounding the rotatable portion. This reduces the possibility of malfunction of the conveyor.

Optionally, the rotatable portion extends across at least half of the width of the belt. Accordingly, the rotatable portion is capable of moving the product a significant distance in the transverse (i.e. width-wise) direction of the conveyor, while conveying the product longitudinally (i.e. the conveyance direction). In particular, the rotatable portion is not required to be movable itself in the lateral, or transverse, direction of the conveyor. This simplifies the construction of the conveyor. In turn, this makes it easier to manufacture the conveyor.

Optionally, the conveyor comprises: a rotatable portion configured to perform a second rotational movement that has a different direction of rotation and/or angular magnitude from the rotational movement; and a mechanism configured to determine whether a rotatable portion of the conveyor performs the rotational movement or the second rotational movement.

Accordingly, by providing two different possible rotational movements, it is possible to create a greater variety of patterns with the products. This allows the conveyor to be used to position the product in a particular pattern suitable for a particular packaging machine, for example. Additionally, by providing the mechanism, the way in which each product is rotated can be controlled automatically. This simplifies the orientation and patterning of products that are conveyed by the conveyor.

Optionally, the rotatable portion comprises a substantially flat surface for supporting the whole product.

Accordingly, the product can be supported stably on the conveyor while it is rotated. This reduces the possibility of the product undesirably moving during conveyance, which could otherwise additionally jeopardise the correct rotation and reorientation of the product.

Optionally, the rotatable portion moves with a carrier surface of the belt.

Accordingly, the product can be rotated by the rotatable portion regardless of its longitudinal position on the conveyor. This makes it easier to rotate the product by a sufficient amount within the length of the conveyor.

Optionally, the rotatable portion is rotated by a passive mechanism.

Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide additional, separate, power source to perform the rotation of the product. This provides an energy efficient way of rotating the product. The energy for rotating the rotatable portion is provided by a motor that drives the belt. Hence there is a saving in cost because it is not necessary to provide a separate motor to drive the rotation of the rotatable portion. Furthermore, maintenance of active (e.g. driving) mechanisms of the conveyor is reduced.

Optionally, the conveyor comprises an active mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable portion.

Accordingly, it is possible to control the rotation of the product independently of the longitudinal conveyance of the product. For example the angular speed of rotation can be controlled independently of the speed of longitudinal conveyance. This provides greater flexibility on how the product is rotated and conveyed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for rotating a product, the method comprising the steps of: supporting a whole product on a rotatable portion integrated into a belt, wherein the rotatable portion is modular, comprising a plurality of sub-elements, each of which forms part of a surface of the rotatable portion that supports the whole product, such that the rotatable portion is bendable; and rotating the product using the rotatable portion. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 depicts a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 depicts, in plan view, a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 depicts a part of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 depicts a sub-element of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 depicts schematically a cam mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 depicts, in cross-section, a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 depicts, in plan view, a packaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 depicts, in plan view, a sub-element of a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 depicts, in cross-section, a sub-element of a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 depicts part of a sub-element of a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 depicts part of a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 depicts part of a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 depicts part of a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14 depicts, in plan view, a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 depicts part of a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 16 depicts, in cross-section, part of a belt that is to surround a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 depicts, in cross-section, part of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 depicts a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 19 depicts a packaging system according to the prior art;

Figure 20 depicts, at two points in time during rotation, a rotatable portion of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 21 depicts, a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 22 depicts, a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for the Invention

Figure 19 depicts a known packaging system 71. The arrows represent the progression of the products 20 through the system. Products 20 are transported by conveyors 10. A sealing apparatus requires two opposing rows of products 20, to be sealed by two sealing bars 72. In order to provide two opposing rows of products 20, a user manually rotates the products 20 for one of the rows.

It is desirable that an operator is not required to rotate any of the packages manually. In particular it is desirable that an operator is not required to rotate any of the packages when two rows of packages are provided, each row requiring a different orientation, for example in order to form two lines of packages to line up with sealing bars of a vacuum sealing machine. Manual handling of the packages has a disadvantage in that it reduces the safety of the operator.

Figure 1 depicts a conveyor 10 according to the present invention. The conveyor 10 comprises a belt 11 and a rotatable portion 12. The rotatable portion 12 is for supporting a whole product 20. The rotatable portion 12 is configured to perform a rotational movement. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is modular, comprising a plurality of sub-elements 30 as shown in Figure 3, each of which forms part of a surface of the rotatable portion 12 for supporting a whole product 20.

In Figures 1 and 2, a product 20 is conveyed by the conveyor 10 from left to right. The rotational portion 12 rotates the product 20. In Figure 1 , the product 20 is rotated 90° anti- clockwise, when viewed in plan view. In Figure 2, the product 20 is rotated 90° clockwise, when viewed in plan view.

By providing that the rotatable portion 12 is modular, a supporting surface of the rotatable portion 12 is made up of a plurality of sub-elements 30. As a result, the type of material used to produce the rotatable portion 12 is not particularly limited. In particular, the material from which the rotatable portion 12 is formed is not required to be flexible. For example, the sub-elements 30 could be formed of a rigid material that can bend relative to each other. Hence, the manufacturing constraints for the conveyor are relaxed relative to known conveyors. Furthermore the modularity of the rotatable portion 12 allows the rotatable portion 12 to bend with the belt 11. The modularity of the rotatable portion 12 allows the rotatable portion 12 to be bendable.

In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is integrated into the belt 11. Integration of the rotatable portion 12 into the belt 11 means that the rotatable portion 12 as a whole is fixed relative to the belt 1 1. The rotatable portion 12 can rotate independently of the surface of the belt 1 1 surrounding the rotatable portion 12. However, the rotatable portion 12 is fixed relative to the belt 11 such that the rotatable portion 12 is always surrounded by the same section of the belt 11. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 cannot move laterally or vertically relative to the belt 11.

In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is integrated into the belt 11 such that when the belt 11 is conveyed, the rotatable portion 12 is conveyed with the belt 11. The rotatable portion 12 is integrated into the belt 11 such that a surface of the rotatable portion 12 that supports a whole product 20 is surrounded by a carrier surface 13 of the belt 11. The rotatable portion 12 is not merely positioned on top of the belt 11.

The present invention is a system for conveying and rotating a product 20 simply and effectively. By providing that the rotatable portion 12 is integrated into the belt 11 , the number of independent (i.e. separate) moving components of the conveyor 10 is relatively reduced compared to the systems of the prior art. This reduces the possibility of malfunction of the conveyor 10. By integrating the rotatable portion 12 into the belt 1 1, it is not necessary to separately control or constrain the movement of the rotational portion 12 with respect to the belt 11. Accordingly, the present invention provides a simpler system for conveying and rotating the product 20.

In particular, by integrating the rotatable portion 12 into the belt 1 1, it is not necessary to provide a separate mechanism for attaching the rotatable portion 12 to the belt 11 of the conveyor 10. This integration makes the positioning of the rotatable portion 12 in the belt 11 of the conveyor 10 more reliable compared to the systems in the prior art.

Furthermore, by providing that the rotatable portion 12 is for supporting a whole product

20, it is possible to rotate the product 20 using only a single rotatable portion 12. As such, it is not necessary to coordinate the rotational movements of multiple different components in order to rotate the product 20. Instead, the present invention provides a relatively simple system in which the rotatable portion 12 can rotate the product 20 by itself, i.e. without requiring any further rotators. Furthermore, the product 20 can be stably supported by the rotatable portion 12. This reduces the possibility of an undesirable movement of the product 20 away from the rotatable portion 12 during use of the conveyor 10.

The product 20 that is conveyed and rotated by the conveyor 10 may be a food product. For example, the product 20 may comprise a foodstuff inside a bag. The bag may be a plastic bag. The type of foodstuff may be, for example, meat or cheese. However, the type, form and shape of the product 20 is not particularly limited. The conveyor 10 of the present invention can be used to convey and rotate various types of product 20.

The size of the product 20 is not particularly limited. However, in an embodiment the product has a minimum dimension of at least 5 cm. For example, the product may have a length of about 30 cm, a width of about 20 cm, and a depth of about 15 cm.

In an embodiment, the rotational movement is a rotation of 90°. A 90° rotational movement may be used, for example, when a product 20 is initially positioned longitudinally and is desired to be reoriented sideways on, or vice versa. In a packaging line (i.e. a production line for packaging a product), the product 20 may be required to be oriented differently depending on the requirements and set-up of each piece of apparatus. For example, a horizontal, form fill and seal (HFFS) packaging machine may output a product 20 that comprises a foodstuff within a wrapper. The wrapper may be open at one end such that it is required to be sealed by a sealer downstream in the packaging line. The HFFS machine may output the open end of the wrapper at the front or back of the product 20 in the line of the conveyor. However, a vacuum sealer machine (e.g. a VS95 TS) may require the open end of the wrapper to be oriented facing the side of a conveyor. In this case it is necessary to rotate the product 20 90° so that the open mouth of the wrapper is correctly in line with the sealing bars of the vacuum sealer machine. The sealer machine may seal two rows of wrappers

simultaneously. The open mouths of the wrappers may be required to be oriented in opposite directions depending on the row.

However, the rotational movement performed by the rotatable portion 12 need not be a 90° rotational movement. For example, the rotational movement could be a 180° rotational movement so as to turn round the product 20. The rotational movement could be a 360° rotational movement, which would allow inspection of all sides of the product 20 during conveyance. The rotational movement could be performed in either direction (e.g. clockwise or anticlockwise) when viewed in plan view. As such, the type of rotational movement performed by the rotatable portion is not particularly limited.

There are many ways in which the rotatable portion 12 can be integrated into the belt 11. Possible constructions according to exemplary embodiments will be described in further detail below.

By integrating the rotatable portion 12 into the belt 1 1, the rotatable portion 12 does not act independently of the belt 11. The rotatable portion 12 together with the belt 11 acts as a single component. Within that component, there may be sub-elements that are capable of moving relative to each other, although not independently. This is different from the systems of the prior art in which packages may be rotated by a rotating platform that is not integrated within the belt, but is instead positioned on (i.e. above) the belt. In this case, the surface of the belt is superimposed by the surface of the rotating platform.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the belt 11 has an aperture and the rotatable portion 12 is in the aperture. In this case, the carrier surface 13 of the belt is not overlaid by the surface of the rotatable portion 12 that supports the whole product. As such, there is no need to double up on the surfaces in a particular portion of the conveyor 10. This helps to reduce the amount of material that is used to manufacture the conveyor 10. This reduces the cost of manufacturing the conveyor 10.

The shape of the aperture in the belt 11 is not particularly limited, provided that the aperture allows the rotatable portion 12 to rotate within the aperture. In an embodiment, the aperture is substantially circular. This provides a simple construction in which the rotatable portion 12 can rotate within the belt 1 1.

In an embodiment an inner surface 14 of the aperture has a shape that corresponds to an outer surface 15 of the rotatable portion 12. In an embodiment the inner surface 14 of the aperture of the belt 11 matches the outer surface 15 of the rotatable portion 12. This allows the rotatable portion 12 to rotate within the aperture of the belt 1 1 without there being any gap or other discontinuity between the inner surface 14 of the aperture and the outer surface 15 of the rotatable portion 12. This helps to reduce the possibility of a product 20 or other item becoming lodged or stuck in such a discontinuity. This could otherwise cause a malfunction of the conveyor 20. Hence, the present invention reduces the required maintenance of the conveyor 10 relative to the systems of the prior art.

In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a carrier surface 13 of the belt 11. Figure 2 depicts a conveyor 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 depicts the conveyor 10 in plan view. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, the rotatable portion 12 is configured to rotate about an axis into and out from the paper.

By providing that the rotatable portion 12 is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a carrier surface 13 of the belt, it is possible to maximise the translation of rotation of the rotatable portion 12 into the rotation of the product 20. The product 20 is required to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to a carrier surface 13 of the belt. Therefore, all of the rotational movement performed by the rotatable portion 12 is translated into rotation of the product 20. This is because the rotational portion 12 rotates only around the axis of desired rotation of the product 20, namely the axis perpendicular to a carrier surface 13 of the belt. The rotational portion 12 does not rotate about any other axis. Therefore no rotation of the rotatable portion 12 is wasted. This provides an efficient way for rotating the product 20, requiring a minimal amount of energy. As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, in an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises at least one roller 16. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is bendable around the at least one roller 16. In an embodiment the surface of the rotatable portion 12 that supports a whole product 20 is bendable around the at least one roller 16. As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, in an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises two rollers 16. The conveyor 10 may be an endless conveyor 10. This allows the conveyor 10 to continuously convey and rotate products 20.

By providing that the rotatable portion 12 is bendable around the roller 16, the rotatable portion 12 can be formed as part of an endless conveyor 10 along with the belt 1 1. The shape of the rotatable portion 12 varies as the endless conveyor 10 progresses. For example, when the rotatable portion 12 is at the roller 16, it forms a curved shape along with the endless conveyor 10. When the rotatable portion 12 is at the bottom section of the endless conveyor 10, the rotatable portion 12 facing downwards. Hence the rotatable portion 12 automatically moves around the roller 16 with the endless conveyor 10. In particular the rotatable portion 12 is automatically moved from the downstream end of the upper surface of the belt 11 to the upstream end of the upper surface of the belt 11. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide an alternative mechanism for moving the rotatable portion 12 from the end of the upper surface of the conveyor 10 to the beginning of the upper surface of the conveyor 10 in order to rotate a further product 20.

As depicted in Figures 21 and 22, in an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises at least one pulley 21 1. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is bendable around the at least one pulley 21 1. In an embodiment the surface of the rotatable portion 12 that supports a whole product 20 is bendable around the at least one pulley 211. As depicted in Figure 21 , in an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises two pulleys 21 1.

By providing that the rotatable portion 12 is bendable around the pulley 211 , the rotatable portion 12 can be formed as part of an endless conveyor 10 along with the belt 11. The shape of the rotatable portion 12 varies as the endless conveyor 10 progresses. For example, when the rotatable portion 12 is at the pulley 211, it forms a curved shape along with the endless conveyor 10.

In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 moves with the carrier surface 13 of the belt 10. Accordingly, the rotatable portion 12 can rotate the product 20 regardless of its longitudinal position along the conveyor 10. For example, a product 20 that is positioned at any longitudinal position on the rotatable portion 12 can be rotated by the rotatable portion 12.

This removes a spatial constraint of where the product 20 can be rotated by the rotatable portion 12. Accordingly, the rotational movement can be performed by the rotatable portion 12 over an extended length of the upper surface of the conveyor 10. For a given rotational movement, the rotational movement can therefore be carried out more slowly, and accordingly more stably than otherwise. For example, a 90° rotation can take place gradually as the product 20 is conveyed along the upper surface of the conveyor from the upstream end to the

downstream end. The product 20 can be rotated on the rotatable portion 12 regardless of the where the rotatable portion 12 is on the upper surface of the belt 11 , e.g. at the upstream end or the downstream end or somewhere in between. Accordingly, it is not necessary to confine the whole rotational movement to only a sub-section (e.g. only the upstream end or only the downstream end) of the upper surface of the conveyor 10.

Furthermore, it is possible to perform the full rotational movement during forward conveyance by the conveyor 10. For example, it is not necessary to stop the conveyor 10 from conveying forwardly and longitudinally in order to perform the rotational movement of the rotatable portion 12.

In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 extends across at least half of the width W of the conveyor 10. In Figure 2, the width of the conveyor 10 is denoted by the reference W. The lateral extent D of the rotatable portion 12 is denoted by the reference D. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is substantially circular. In this case, the lateral extent D of the rotatable portion 12 corresponds to the diameter D of the rotatable portion 12. In an embodiment, W > D. In an embodiment, 2D > W. However this need not necessarily be the case. In an embodiment W > 2D.

The absolute sizes of the width W of the conveyor 10 and the lateral extent D of the rotatable portion 12 are not particularly limited. In an embodiment the width W of the conveyor 10 is at least 50 cm and may be in the region of about 90 to 100 cm, for example. In an embodiment the lateral extent D of the rotatable portion is at least 40 cm and may be in the region of about 80 to 85 cm, for example. By providing that the rotatable portion 12 extends across at least half of the width of the conveyor 10, it is possible to move the product 20 a significant distance laterally across the conveyor 10. This can be done without moving the rotatable portion 12 laterally across the conveyor 10.

For example, Figure 1 depicts a conveyor 10 in which the rotatable portion 12 rotates 90° anti-clockwise when viewed in plan view. A product 20 is positioned in the left hand half of the rotatable portion that is shown in the left hand side of the drawing. The left hand half is the upstream half of the rotatable portion 12. When this rotatable portion 12 rotates during conveyance by the conveyor 10, the product 20 is moved laterally to the bottom half of the conveyor 10 when viewed in plan view. The bottom half is the right hand side when viewing in the direction of conveyance. If the rotational movement were 90° clockwise (as in Figure 2), then the product 20 would be moved into the top half of the conveyor 10 when viewed in plan view. The top half is the left hand side when viewing in the direction of conveyance.

Figure 2 depicts a conveyor 10 in which a product 20 is supported on the rotatable portion 12. The length of the product 20 is similar to the lateral extent D of the rotatable portion 12. In this case, the direction of the rotational movement may not significantly affect the lateral position of the product 20. However, it does affect the lateral orientation of the product 20.

As depicted in Figure 1 , then conveyor 10 of the present invention can be used to position the product 20 into separate lines. The conveyor 10 can be used in conjunction with an outfeed belt 19. The conveyor 10 may be configured to produce two lines of products 20 on the outfeed belt 19. As depicted in Figure 2, the conveyor 10 may be used in conjunction with two outfeed belts 19. The conveyor 10 may be configured to output a line of products 20 on each of the outfeed belts 19.

As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the conveyor 10 may be configured to receive products 20 from an infeed belt 18. In an embodiment, the infeed belt 18 at least partially overlaps with the conveyor 10. Similarly, in an embodiment the outfeed belt 19 at least partially overlaps with the conveyor 10 in an embodiment. Here the term overlapping refers to an overlap when the apparatus is viewed in plan view. The overlapping reduces the possibility of the product 20 failing to be transferred between the conveyor 10 and the infeed belt 18 and/or the outfeed belt 19. In an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises a controller 500. The controller 500 is configured to control operations of the conveyor 10. For example, the controller 500 is configured to control the speed at which the conveyor 10 conveys the products 20. In an embodiment the controller 500 is configured to control the speed at which the infeed belt 18 and/or the outfeed belt 19 convey products 20.

In an embodiment the controller 500 is configured to control the conveyor 10 such that each successive product 20 is positioned on successive rotational portions 12 of the conveyor 10. In an embodiment the controller 500 is configured to control the conveyor 10 such that the products 20 are positioned such that they can be rotated in a predetermined manner by the rotatable portions 12. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, in an embodiment the controller 500 is configured to control the conveyor 10 such that each successive product 20 is positioned on the first half of each successive rotatable portion 12. The first half is the upstream half of the rotatable portion 12 in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor 10.

The number of rotational portions 12 of the conveyor 10 is not particularly limited. As depicted in Figure 1 , in an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises four rotational portions. However, the conveyor 10 may comprise one, two, three or at least five rotatable portions 12.

In an embodiment, the rotatable portion 12 comprises a substantially flat surface for supporting the whole product 20. By providing that the surface of the rotatable portion 12 is substantially flat, the product 20 can be stably supported on the rotatable portion 12 during conveyance and rotation of the product 20. This reduces the possibility of undesirable movement of the product 20 during conveyance or rotation. Such undesirable movement could otherwise lead to a malfunction of the conveyor 10.

As mentioned above, in an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is configured to bend around the rollers 16 of the conveyor 10. As the rotatable portion 12 bends around the rollers 16, the rotatable portion 12 takes the form of a curved plane, rather than a two-dimensional plane. However, when the rotatable portion 12 is at the upper surface of the conveyor 10, the rotatable portion 12 takes the form of a two-dimensional fiat surface.

In an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises a rotatable portion 12 configured to perform a second rotational movement that has a different direction of rotation and/or angular magnitude from the rotational movement mentioned above. For example, in an embodiment each rotatable portion 12 of the conveyor 10 can perform either of two rotational movements. In an embodiment each rotational portion 12 can perform more than two different types of rotational movement. The rotational movements are different from each other in direction of rotation and/or angular magnitude.

For example, in an embodiment the rotational movements are in different directions of rotation. For example, one rotational movement may be a 90° clockwise turn, and the second rotational movement may be a 90° anticlockwise turn. However, this need not be the case. For example, the two rotational movements may both be in the same direction. In this case, for example, one rotational movement may be a 90° turn, while the second rotational movement may be a 180° in the same direction.

In an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises a mechanism configured to determine, or control, whether a rotatable portion 12 of the conveyor 10 performs the rotational movement or the second rotational movement. Various types of mechanism are possible, two different types of mechanism in particular are set out in more detail below. For example, the mechanism may comprise a cam mechanism, which is a passive mechanism, or the mechanism may comprise a motor or a pneumatic cylinder (which are active mechanisms) that is separate from the motor that drives the longitudinal conveyance of the conveyor 10.

For example, as depicted in Figure 20, in an embodiment the mechanism comprises an actuator acting on pins 122 of the rotatable portion 12. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 comprises four pins 122. The pins 122 extend from the side of the rotatable portion 12 opposite from the product carrying surface. In an embodiment the pins 122 are evenly spaced around a peripheral part of the rotatable portion 12.

Figure 20 depicts a rotatable portion 12 at two moments in time during a 90° rotation of the rotatable portion 12. The top picture is at a time before the bottom picture. The belt 11 , apart from the rotatable portion 12, does not move during rotation of the rotatable portion 12. Rotation is driven by an actuator (e.g. a motor or a pneumatic cylinder) that acts on two of the pins 122a, 122c as shown in Figure 20. In Figure 20 the thick, hollow arrows indicate the direction of the force acting on the two pins 122a, 122c. The forces acting on the two pins 122a, 122c are unbalanced, resulting in rotation. At the end of the rotation the pattern of the four pins 122 is the same as at the start of the rotation. Rotation in the opposite direction can be achieved by the actuator acting on the other two pins 122b, 122d.

The actuator is required to actuate along a line, rather than being required to provide a rotational force. By having the pins 122 positioned at a peripheral part of the rotatable portion 12, the linear actuation on the pins 122 can be translated into rotational movement of the rotatable portion 12. By controlling which pins 122 are actuated, the direction of rotation can be controlled.

As depicted in Figure 1, the two types of rotational movement may be used to form two opposing lines of products 20. This can be particularly useful in order to form two lines of products 20 to line up with sealing bars of a vacuum sealing machine, for example.

In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is rotated by a passive mechanism. The power, or kinetic energy, for rotating the rotatable portion 12 is not provided by the passive mechanism. However the passive mechanism guides the rotational movement of the rotatable portion 12. The power, or kinetic energy, for rotating the rotatable portion 12 is provided by a separate source such as the drive source for driving the belt 11. The passive mechanism controls the ways in which that power, or kinetic energy, is used to rotate the rotatable portion 12.

In an embodiment the passive mechanism comprises a cam mechanism. Figure 5 schematically depicts a cam mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 depicts a series of cam channels 51. The rectangular shape with the arrow depicted in Figure 5 represents the orientation of the rotatable portion 12. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 comprises a plurality of pins 52, which act as cam followers. The pins 52 move along the cam channels 51 so as to cause the rotatable portion 12 to perform the rotational movement. The pins 52, or "cam followers" are phase-shifted so as not to reach the points at which the cam channels 51 cross at the same time. The lower drawing in Figure 5 depicts the rotatable portion 12 downstream of the position of the rotatable portion 12 in the upper drawing of Figure 5.

The cam mechanism allows rotation in both directions. In an embodiment, the cam mechanism allows a 90° rotation in both rotational directions. The pins 52 or "cam followers" are phase-shifted so as not to reach the crossing points between the cam channels 51

simultaneously. An advantage of providing a passive mechanism such as a cam mechanism is that only a single driving means is required in order to both convey and rotate the product 20. It is not necessary to provide a motor on the mobile part of the conveyor 10, e.g. the rotatable portions 12. This makes it easier to manufacture the conveyor 10. Furthermore the winding radius of the belt 11 is reduced compared to systems in which an additional motor is provided. Transferral of the products 20 onto the belt 1 1 is made easier.

In an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises at least four rotatable portions 12. The number of rotatable portions 12 in the conveyor 10 can be even or odd. If it is even, then in an embodiment each rotatable portion 12 can rotate either clockwise or anti-clockwise. If it is odd, then in an embodiment each rotatable portion 12 can rotate both clockwise and anti-clockwise. It is possible for the rotatable portions 12 to rotate when they are positioned at the lower part of the belt 12, i.e. when the rotatable portions 12 move from the downstream end to the upstream end of the conveyor 10 while facing downwards not supporting any product 20. An advantage of this is that it is useful to reposition the rotatable portions 12 in the desired position before they arrive at the upstream end of the conveyor 10 ready to transport another product 20.

In an embodiment, the conveyor 10 is configured such that successive rotational portions 12 of the conveyor 10 alternately perform the rotational movement and the second rotational movement.

In an embodiment the conveyor 10 comprises an active mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable portion 12. The active mechanism drives the rotation of the rotatable portion 12. In an embodiment the active mechanism drives the rotation of the rotatable portion 12

independently of any other drive mechanism of the conveyor 10. The power, or kinetic energy, for rotating the rotatable portion 12 is provided by the active mechanism. Figure 6 depicts, in cross-section, a conveyor 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The conveyor 10 comprises an active mechanism for rotating the rotatable portion 12.

In an embodiment the active mechanism comprises a motor 61. The motor 61 is separate from the driving means for driving the longitudinal conveyance of the conveyor 10. The active mechanism comprises a pin 62. The pin 62 is configured to engage with the rotatable portion 12. The motor 61 , which may be a gear motor, causes the pin 62 to rotate. As such, the active mechanism causes the rotatable portion 12 to rotate. In an embodiment the controller 500 is configured to control the motor 61 so as to rotate the rotatable portion 12. In an embodiment the pin 62 is configured to move vertically so as to engage and disengage with the rotatable portion 12. In an embodiment the controller 500 is configured to control the vertical movement of the pin 62. The controller 500 can control the movement of and engagement of the pin 62 so as to control the rotational movement of the rotatable portion 12 as it is conveyed longitudinally forwards by the conveyor 10.

In an embodiment the rotation occurs when the belt 11 is steady. The belt 11 is not moving during rotation of the rotatable portion 12. The rotation occurs due to an actuator, e.g. the motor 61 , acting on the pin 62 (or plurality of pins).

An advantage of providing the active mechanism as depicted in Figure 6 is that the active mechanism can be particularly compact. Furthermore, the active mechanism can allow independent speed control of the rotation and the conveyance of the product 20.

Figure 3 depicts a part of a conveyor 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in Figure 3, in an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 comprises a plurality of sub- elements 30. Each of the sub-elements 30 forms part of the surface of the rotatable portion 12 that supports the whole product 20. In an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 is modular, comprising the sub-elements 30. In an embodiment the sub-elements 30 link together to form a surface that supports a whole product 20. In an embodiment the sub-elements 30 interconnect with each other to form a surface that supports a whole product 20. In an embodiment the sub- elements 30 interlock with each other to form a surface that supports a whole product 20.

By forming the rotatable portion 12 of sub-elements, it is possible to allow the rotatable portion 12 to bend around the rollers 16 of the conveyor 10 without requiring the rotatable portion 12 to be made of a flexible material. Hence, the use of sub-elements relaxes the constraints on the choice of material of the rotatable portion 12. This could reduce the cost of manufacturing the conveyor 10.

As depicted in Figure 3, in an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 comprises a plurality of sub-elements 30 that are connected to sub-elements 31 of a section 33 of the belt 1 1 surrounding the rotatable portion 12. This is one way of integrating the rotatable portion 12 into the belt 1 1. However, other forms of integration are equally possible and will be readily considered by the skilled person. As depicted in Figures 3, 15, 16 and 17, in an embodiment the rotatable portion 12 engages with the section 33 of the belt surrounding the rotatable portion 12 by a flange 35 and groove 36 system. Figure 3 depicts an embodiment in which an outer surface 15 of the rotatable portion 12 comprises a flange 35. The flange 35 protrudes radially outwardly from the rotatable portion 12. The section 33 of the belt 11 surrounding the rotatable portion 12 comprises a correspondingly shaped groove 36. The flange 35 fits inside the groove 36 so as to restrict vertical relative movement between the rotatable portion 12 and the belt 11 , while allowing the rotatable portion 12 to rotate within the belt 11. Of course, it is possible for the flange 35 to be provided on the inner surface 14 of the aperture of the belt 1 1. In this case, the correspondingly shaped groove 36 may be provided in the outer surface of the rotatable portion 12. The flange 35 and groove 36 form a joint. The flange 35 protrudes into a recess formed by the groove 36.

Figure 15 depicts a peripheral section of the rotatable portion 12. Figure 15 depicts the flange 35 on the peripheral edge of the rotatable portion 12. The flange 35 is for connecting the rotatable portion 12 to the surrounding part of the belt 11. The flange 35 may be termed a pin. The flange 35 forms a male element in the connection system that connects the rotatable portion 12 to the rest of the belt 1 1.

Figure 16 depicts a cross-sectional view of the peripheral part of the belt 1 1 that immediately surrounds the rotatable portion 12. Figure 16 shows the groove 36. The groove 36 forms the female element of the connection system that connects the rotatable portion 12 to the rest of the belt 1 1 that surrounds the rotatable portion 12. The groove 36 may be termed a rail.

In an embodiment, groove 36 is provided at the peripheral edge of the rotatable portion 12 and the flange 35 is provided at the inner edge of the rest of the belt 11. Hence, the male element of the connection system can be on either of the two components being connected, with the female element on the other component.

Figure 17 depicts the groove 36 and flange 35 connection system when the flange 35 is within the groove 36. The fit of the flange 35 within the groove 36 should be tight enough so as to provide a secure connection between the rotatable portion 12 and the rest of the belt 11. This is to prevent the rotatable portion 12 from being separated from the rest of the belt 1 1 in use of the apparatus. The connection between the groove 36 and the flange 35 allows the flange 35 to move within the groove 36 so as to allow for the rotatable portion 12 to rotate within the belt 1 1. Figure 8 depicts a plan view of a sub-element 30 of a rotatable portion 12. The sub- element 30 comprises a pin 81 and an opening 82, which are configured to connect the sub- element 30 to adjacent sub-elements 30. In an embodiment the sub-element 30 forms a basic square shape. On two of the sides there is a pin 81 that extends longitudinal in the plane of the sub-element 30. The pin 81 extends along a side of the sub-element 30. Along the other two sides of the sub-element 30 there is an opening 82. The opening 82 may be formed by a hook shaped component. The pin 81 of one sub-element 30 fits into the opening 82 of an adjacent sub-element.

Figure 9 depicts the sub-element 30 in cross-section taken along the line A-A shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the section of the sub-element 30 identified as B in Figure 9.

Figure 11 depicts two sub-elements 30a, 30b connected together. The pin 81 of sub- element 30 is fitted inside the openings 82 of sub-element 30b. Once sub-elements 30a, 30b are connected together, a third sub-element 30c can be added. Figure 12 depicts sub-elements 30a, 30b and 30c connected together. Figure 12 also depicts a fourth sub-element 30d. The pin 81 of sub-element 30a fits inside the openings 82 of sub-element 30c. Figure 13 depicts sub-elements 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d connected together. The pin 81 of sub-element 30b fits inside the openings 82 of sub-element 30d. Additionally, the pin 81 of sub-element 30c fits inside the openings 82 of the sub-element 30d.

Figure 14 depicts a complete assembly of sub-elements 30 connected together to form the rotatable portion 12. Some of the sub-elements 30 and the peripheral edge of the rotatable portion 12 have special shape, such that the shape of the complete assembly forming the rotatable portion 12 forms a particular shape, for example circular in Figure 14.

As depicted in Figure 3, the section 33 of the belt that immediately surrounds the rotatable portion 12 may be formed of sub-elements 31 that are different from other sub-elements 32 of the belt 11 that are further from the rotatable portion 12. In particular, in an embodiment sections of the belt 1 1 do not come into contact with the rotatable portion 12 may comprise sub- elements that take the form of chain elements. These chain elements 32 may comprise commercial link chains, e.g. commercially available belt modular components. In an

embodiment the chain elements extend across the width W of the conveyor 10. Figure 18 depicts the rotatable portion 12 within the belt 11. The rotatable portion 12 comprises sub-elements 30. The rest of the belt 11 comprises chain elements 82. The sub- elements 30 of the rotatable portion 12 are different from the chain elements 82 of the rest of the belt 1 1. The chain elements 82 may be commercial parts, which are simple to mount and are economic.

Figure 4 depicts a close-up of a sub-element of the rotatable portion 12. The section 33 of the belt immediately surrounding the rotatable portion 12 may comprise sub-elements 31 that have a similar construction to sub-element 30 of the rotatable portion 12.

As depicted in Figure 4 in an embodiment the sub-element 30 comprises a plurality of loops 41. The loops 41 are configured to interlock with corresponding loops 41 of adjacent sub- elements 30. For example, a rod may extend through one of the loops 41 of the sub-element and also through a loop of an adjacent sub-element. The sub-elements 30 are constructed such that each sub-element 30 may hinge relative to adjacent sub-elements 30. This hinging allows the rotatable portion 12 and other sections 33 of the belt 11 to bend around the rollers 16 of the conveyor 10.

In an embodiment a carrier surface 13 of the belt 11 and a surface of the rotatable portion 12 are substantially coplanar. This is depicted in Figure 3 and Figure 1 , for example. The coplanar relationship between the carrier surface 13 of the belt 11 and the surface of the rotatable portion 12 means that there is little, or no, vertical extension of the rotatable portion 12 from the plane of the carrier surface 13 of the belt 11. The rotatable portion 12 is level with the carrier surface 13 of the belt 11. The rotatable portion 12 does not stand proud, or stand out, from the carrier surface 13 of the belt 11. The carrier surface 13 of the belt 11 and the surface of the rotatable portion 12 form a continuous, planar, surface.

Such a coplanar relationship allows the product 20 to be supported stably on the upper surface of the conveyor 10. This reduces the possibility of a product 20 becoming dislodged or falling from the rotatable portion 12 or otherwise undesirably moved due to a slightly incorrect placement of the product 20 on the rotatable portion 12. Further advantages include increased safety for the operator and reduced intervention required by the operator. Additionally the system is more compact at least partly because the winding radius of the belt 1 1 can be decreased. Such a coplanar relationship is not possible with known conveyors that can rotate products.

However, such a coplanar relationship is not necessary. For example, the rotatable portion 12 may comprise a surface that is proud relative to the immediately surrounding section 33 of the belt 1 1. Alternatively, the rotatable portion 12 may correspond to a depression in the upper surface of the conveyor 10 relative to the section 33 of the belt 11 that surrounds the rotatable portion 12. This reduces the possibility of a product 20 undesirably leaving the rotatable portion 12 during conveyance and/or rotation of the product 20.

The present invention makes it possible to convert a single line of products 20 oriented in a first direction into two lines of products 20 oriented in a second (and optionally third) direction. This may be particularly advantageous when transporting products from an HFFS machine to a vacuum sealer that has two sealing bars for sealing the open ends of a wrapper of a product 20.

As depicted in Figure 7, in an embodiment a packaging system 70 comprises the conveyor 10 as described above, and a sealing apparatus 71 configured to seal a package of a product 20. The sealing apparatus 71 may be a vacuum sealer. In an embodiment the sealing apparatus 70 is configured to seal simultaneously two rows of products. In an embodiment the sealing apparatus comprises one or more sealing bars 72 configured to seal a package. For example the sealing apparatus 71 may comprise two sealing bars 72. The sealing bars 72 may be substantially parallel to each other.

In an embodiment the packaging system 70 comprises a controller 500 is configured to synchronise the movement of the conveyor 10 with the sealing process performed by the sealing apparatus 71. The controller 500 controls the conveyor 10 so as to form two rows 73 of products 20 that are oppositely oriented. The rows 73 of products 20 are sealed by the sealing apparatus 71. In an embodiment the sealing apparatus 71 comprises a sealing apparatus conveyor 74 configured to convey products 20 to the sealing bars 72. The sealing apparatus conveyor 74 receives products 20 from the conveyor 10.

The present invention is particularly advantageous when used in the context of "non- rigid" products, such as meat, which come in various shapes and sizes.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A conveyor comprising:

a belt; and

a rotatable portion, for supporting a whole product, configured to perform a rotational movement, wherein the rotatable portion is integrated into the belt and is modular, comprising a plurality of sub-elements, each of which forms part of a surface of the rotatable portion for supporting a whole product, such that the rotatable portion is bendable.

2. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein a carrier surface of the belt and a surface of the

rotatable portion are substantially coplanar.

3. The conveyor of any preceding claim, wherein the belt has an aperture and the rotatable portion is in the aperture.

4. The conveyor of claim 3, wherein an inner surface of the aperture has a shape that

corresponds to an outer surface of the rotatable portion.

5. The conveyor of claim 3 or 4, wherein the aperture is substantially circular.

6. The conveyor of any preceding claim, comprising a roller, wherein the rotatable portion is bendable around the roller.

7. The conveyor of any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a carrier surface of the belt.

8. The conveyor of any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable portion comprises a plurality of sub-elements connected to sub-elements of a section of the belt surrounding the rotatable portion.

9. The conveyor of any preceding claim, comprising:

a rotatable portion configured to perform a second rotational movement that has a different direction of rotation and/or angular magnitude from said rotational movement; and

a mechanism configured to determine whether a rotatable portion of the conveyor performs said rotational movement or the second rotational movement.

10. The conveyor of any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable portion comprises a

substantially flat surface for supporting a whole product.

1 1. The conveyor of any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable portion moves with a carrier surface of the belt.

12. The conveyor of any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable portion is rotated by a

passive mechanism.

13. The conveyor of any of claims 1 to 11 , comprising an active mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable portion.

14. A packaging system comprising:

the conveyor of any preceding claim;

a sealing apparatus configured to seal simultaneously two rows of products; and a controller configured to synchronise the movement of the conveyor with the sealing process performed by the sealing apparatus.

15. A method for rotating a product, the method comprising the steps of:

supporting a whole product on a rotatable portion integrated into a belt, wherein the rotatable portion is modular, comprising a plurality of sub-elements, each of which forms part of a surface of the rotatable portion that supports the whole product, such that the rotatable portion is bendable; and

rotating the product using the rotatable portion.