WO2017091081A1 - Appareil et procédé de transfert automatisé d'un lot d'objets oblongs ou allongés dans une boîte - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de transfert automatisé d'un lot d'objets oblongs ou allongés dans une boîte Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017091081A1
WO2017091081A1 PCT/NO2016/050234 NO2016050234W WO2017091081A1 WO 2017091081 A1 WO2017091081 A1 WO 2017091081A1 NO 2016050234 W NO2016050234 W NO 2016050234W WO 2017091081 A1 WO2017091081 A1 WO 2017091081A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
box
objects
belt
unit
oblong
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2016/050234
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ragnar INGOLFSSON
Magne STAURSET
Original Assignee
First Process Holding As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by First Process Holding As filed Critical First Process Holding As
Publication of WO2017091081A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017091081A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/34—Packaging other rod-shaped articles, e.g. sausages, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws, welding electrodes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/001—Packaging other articles presenting special problems of foodstuffs, combined with their conservation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/32—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by gravity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
    • B65B5/068—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles in trays
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
    • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
    • A22C25/00—Processing fish ; Curing of fish; Stunning of fish by electric current; Investigating fish by optical means
    • A22C25/12—Arranging fish, e.g. according to the position of head and tail
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
    • B65B25/061—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of fish
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
    • B65G17/02—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a load-carrying belt attached to or resting on the traction element
    • B65G17/04—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a load-carrying belt attached to or resting on the traction element the belt having loops forming load-receiving pockets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/34—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor 

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to a device for automatically packing a batch of randomly oriented, oblong or elongate objects into a box, the device being provided with side panels distanced apart and a closable bottom arrangement for temporary support of the batch above the box for temporarily preventing the 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.
  • the fish 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 having 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 inexpensive 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”.
  • 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.
  • 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 a 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.
  • elongate objects such as for example fish, preferably, but not necessarily round pelagic fish
  • 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 objects are achieved by means of a device for automatically packing a batch of randomly oriented, oblong or elongate objects into a box, the device being provided with side panels distanced apart and a closable bottom arrangement for temporary support of the batch above the box for temporarily preventing the oblong or elongate objects from entering the void of the box, wherein the side panels are provided with tracks, and that the closable bottom arrangement comprises at least one moveable belt, the ends of which being supported by and following the tracks when moving, the belt forming at least one side wall and a closable bottom, the at least one movable belt aligning the oblong or elongate objects when moving the at least one belt along the tracks (34), and allowing the elongate or oblong objects upon completed aligning to be placed in the box, by moving the at least one belt to a retracted position.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 are moved to cause a temporary closure of the unit, ready for receiving a new batch.
  • the box sizes may also be reduced, contributing to the total economy of the process.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • aligning the fish in the box contribute to reduction of curved or bent fish due to random orientation of the fish when packed.
  • 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.
  • 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 2, where one of the two side panels and other structural elements are removed for clarity;
  • Figure 4a shows schematically a front view of a first embodiment of a side panel, also showing two mirrored shaped tracks
  • Figure 4b shows schematically a front view of a second embodiment of a side panel, the only difference being the configuration of the tracks;
  • Figure 5 shows schematically and in perspective an aligner corresponding to the one shown in Figure 3 and 4 with a side panel removed, showing the aligner unit in a first typical stage of an aligning cycle, ready for receiving fish;
  • Figure 6 shows schematically and in 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;
  • Figure 9 shows seven different typical stages in a cycle for loading fish into a box for further processing.
  • FIG 1 shows schematically a view in perspective of a prior art weighing and packing station 10 for loading fish (not shown) into boxes 1 1 , 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 trough 16 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.
  • the trough 16 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 1 1 arranged below the closable opening of the trough 16.
  • the box 1 1 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 1 1 upwards towards the outlet of the trough 16.
  • the packing station 10 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 1 and below the closable lid of the trough 16.
  • the plastic sheet is held in a outstretched position just above the box 1 1 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 1 1 , bringing the affected parts sheet of plastic material also to drop into the void of the box 1 1 , leaving flips of sheet projecting up from the upper edges of the box 1 1 .
  • the filled box 1 1 is moved along the conveyer 18 where two operators secure that the upwards extending sheet flips are packed around the content of the box 1 1 and the box 1 1 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.
  • the conveyer belt 15 extends inclined upwards from the outlet of the weight unit (not 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.
  • the weight of the fish transported by each of carriers is known and registered.
  • 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.
  • an aligning unit 24 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 1 1 .
  • the aligning unit 24 comprises two side panels 25 spaced apart by means of a number of structural rods (not shown).
  • the aligning unit 24 is provided with a closable opening 30, closable by means of at least one movable modular belt 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the hinge rods 27 extend a certain distance out beyond the width of the belt 26.
  • 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 sides.
  • 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.
  • 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 1 1 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 1 1 as possible during transfer of fish from the aligner unit 24 to the box 1 1 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 1 1 bottom.
  • each side panel 25 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:
  • 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 4a 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).
  • position C first coiled end
  • sprocket wheel 32 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)
  • 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.
  • Figure 4b shows schematically a front view of a second embodiment of a side panel 25, the only major difference being the configuration of the tracks 34.
  • position E the modular belt turn in the same direction when reaching position A. Since the belts when arriving at position A turn the same way, the possibilities of the fish being wedged between the two belts are reduced.
  • the aligning unit 24 and the belts according to Figure 4b will thus function in the same manner as the aligning unit disclosed in 4a, ref. also Figures 5 to 9.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 5 shows schematically and in perspective an aligner unit 24
  • FIG 6 shows schematically and perspective the aligner unit 24 in a next typical stage of an aligning cycle.
  • fish (not shown in the Figure for clarity) is now contained in the voids between the modular belts 26.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the box 1 1 on the lifting table is lifted upwards, ref. the vertical arrow until the box 1 1 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 1 1 in the order of for example 2 to 20 mm.
  • the box 1 1 is in this position the movement of the belts 26 is reversed, ref.
  • the box 1 1 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 fourth typical stage in the next aligning cycle, repeating the start of the cycle disclosed in Figures 5 to 7.
  • 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.
  • the box 1 1 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.
  • 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.
  • a plastic sheet 19 is stretched out on top of and just above the box 1 1 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.
  • the box 1 1 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 1 1 and the plastic sheet 19 are maintained in the same position.
  • FIG. 9 D The next step is shown in Figure 9 D, where the box 1 1 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 1 1 and the plastic sheet 19.
  • the plastic sheet has now been pressed down into the interior of the box 1 1 by the extended parts 33 of the side panels 25, securing a controlled positioning of the sheet 19 within the box 1 1 and leaving laps or tongues 36 projecting up from the box 1 1 .
  • FIG 9E shows schematically the step where the modular belts 26 are in the process of being pulled back. At this stage, the box 1 1 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 1 1 . At this stage the fish is packed in an aligned state inside the box 1 1 .
  • the track 34 may have any suitable shape as long as a temporarily closeable bottom is formed 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.
  • the bottom part of the track may be more or less straight or may have a wave form.
  • 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 1 1 down upon completed aligning process.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif et un procédé d'emballage automatique d'un lot d'objets oblongs ou allongés dans une boîte (11), le vide interne de la boîte (11) étant de préférence recouvert par une feuille mince (19), de préférence en matière plastique, comprenant une position de remplissage et un dispositif agencé au-dessus de la position de remplissage pour transférer les objets oblongs ou allongés de manière automatique dans le vide interne de la boîte (11), la position de remplissage étant pourvue d'un dispositif pour empêcher temporairement des objets oblongs ou allongés d'entrer dans le vide de la boîte (11). Le dispositif (24) pour transférer les objets oblongs ou allongés (24) dans la boîte (11) comprend une unité pour aligner les objets oblongs ou allongés au moyen d'un déplacement relatif avant de permettre que les objets oblongs ou allongés soient placés dans la boîte (11).
PCT/NO2016/050234 2015-11-24 2016-11-23 Appareil et procédé de transfert automatisé d'un lot d'objets oblongs ou allongés dans une boîte WO2017091081A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20151600A NO343996B1 (en) 2015-11-24 2015-11-24 Packing device and method for automatically packing a number of oblong or elongate objects into a box
NO20151600 2015-11-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017091081A1 true WO2017091081A1 (fr) 2017-06-01

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PCT/NO2016/050234 WO2017091081A1 (fr) 2015-11-24 2016-11-23 Appareil et procédé de transfert automatisé d'un lot d'objets oblongs ou allongés dans une boîte

Country Status (2)

Country Link
NO (1) NO343996B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2017091081A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111688977A (zh) * 2020-07-14 2020-09-22 邵珠晓 一种类球体果蔬泡沫网套包装机
JP2022505227A (ja) * 2018-10-19 2022-01-14 プテルリニ，ジャッキー 物品を収集および排出するための装置および方法

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EP0042199A1 (fr) * 1980-06-13 1981-12-23 Henricus Antonius Jacobus Maria Derckx Machine d'emballage
US5123231A (en) * 1990-10-31 1992-06-23 Fallas David M Product grouping and packing apparatus and method
JPH06178646A (ja) * 1992-08-10 1994-06-28 Nikou Denki Kogyo Kk 魚体整列箱詰め装置
DE4404897A1 (de) * 1994-02-16 1995-08-17 Multipond Waegetechnik Gmbh Teilmengenkombinationswaage
JP2002240803A (ja) * 2001-02-13 2002-08-28 Maki Mfg Co Ltd 農産物の計量箱詰装置
DE102004032133A1 (de) * 2004-07-01 2006-01-26 Schreyer Sondermaschinen Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Verpacken von portionierten Produkten
US20070209327A1 (en) * 2006-03-08 2007-09-13 Kent David M Box loader
FR2924688A1 (fr) * 2007-12-10 2009-06-12 Materiel Arboriculture Dispositif de chargement de produits en vrac dans un receptacle
ES2361984A1 (es) * 2008-09-16 2011-06-27 Vicente Lopez Pascual Dispositivo de depósito de soportes flexibles en recipientes rígidos con apertura superior.
US20140083062A1 (en) * 2011-06-02 2014-03-27 Tatsuya ARIMATSU Boxing apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2022505227A (ja) * 2018-10-19 2022-01-14 プテルリニ，ジャッキー 物品を収集および排出するための装置および方法
JP7367012B2 (ja) 2018-10-19 2023-10-23 プテルリニ，ジャッキー 物品を収集および排出するための装置および方法
CN111688977A (zh) * 2020-07-14 2020-09-22 邵珠晓 一种类球体果蔬泡沫网套包装机

Also Published As

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NO20151600A1 (en) 2017-05-25
NO343996B1 (en) 2019-08-12

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