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
  • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
  • B65B25/005—Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of confectionery
• • 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
  • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
  • B65B35/16—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a transfer device for products, intended for use in wrapping machines for confectionery products and the like.
• Such wrapping machines generally provide means for feeding the products to be wrapped comprising, for example, a conveyor belt on which the products themselves are placed in contact.
• the products to be wrapped are transported in ordered succession to a pickup area where appropriate transfer means operate.
• the transfer means are arranged for transferring the products from the pickup area, together with a wrapping sheet fed usually above the pickup zone, to a wrapping head.
• the wrapping head is driven in rotation around a substantially horizontal axis and carries a plurality of gripping members regularly distributed along its periphery, suitable for gripping respective products to be wrapped and for transporting them to a series of operating stations where the winding and the closing of the wrapping sheet around the product, and finally the unloading of the wrapped product are carried out.
• a need felt in the sector is to appropriately orient the products to be wrapped during the transfer step to the wrapping head, to facilitate the subsequent operational steps.
• the international application WO 2014/076627 illustrates a wrapping machine provided with transfer means comprising a rotary carousel about a horizontal axis, suitable for transporting the products to be wrapped from the supply line to a station wherein the products are gripped by gripping means, brought into rotation by the wrapping carousel.
• the transfer carousel provides a series of pickup members distributed along its outer circumference. Each pickup member comprises a rotating head integral with the transfer carousel and a base body, rotatable associated to the head, suitable to rotate about a first axis of rotation, transverse to the axis of the transfer carousel.
• the base body carries a pair of grippers provided at the free ends of gripping members, rotatable about a second axis which is orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the base body.
• the transfer means of said type are, in practice, structurally and functionally complex. Because of this complexity, it is also complained that they do not allow high operating speeds to be maintained.
• the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, devising a device which allows to operate in an optimal manner the transfer of the confectionery products into the wrapping machines, so as to orient the same products in the appropriate manner.
• a further object of the invention is to provide a transfer device for confectionery products of simple constructional and functional conception, absolutely reliable in functioning, versatile in use and relatively cheap.
• the transfer device for confectionery products comprises an oscillating arm with reciprocating motion on a vertical plane between a lowered position for gripping the products to be transferred and a raised position for releasing said products; an orientating member rotatably mounted on said oscillating arm according to a vertical axis to carry out, in a suitable phase relation with oscillating arm, the axial rotation of said products from a first pickup position to a second release position; a gripping member of single products to be transferred, having substantially the shape of a gripper suitable to be operated between a configuration for gripping said single products to be transferred and a configuration for releasing the same products.
• said second release position of the products to be transferred is rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to said first pickup position.
• said products to be transferred have the longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation of a wrapping head of the wrapping machine.
• First kinematic means are suitable for alternately driving said oscillating arm between said lowered position for gripping the products to be transferred and said raised position for releasing the same products.
• said gripping member is provided with a pair of lever members having respective jaws of said gripper, said lever members being pivoted on said orientation member according to vertical axes of rotation defined by respective hinging pins.
• Second kinematic means are suitable for actuating the angular rotation of said lever members between said configuration for gripping single products to be transferred and said configuration for releasing the same products.
• said hinging pins of said lever members on said orientation member are associated with movement members suitable to be actuated in synchronous angular rotation, with alternating motion, by an actuating member.
• said actuating member comprises a stem inserted vertically sliding inside said orientation member and engagement means with said movement members arranged at the top of said stem, said stem being movable between a first inactive disengagement position and a second active engagement position for engaging said movement members.
• said engagement means comprise a cone suitable for engaging, in said second active engagement position, a roller associated with said movement members and having a substantially horizontal axis.
• Said second kinematic means comprise a control member suitable to rotate in alternate motion on a plane parallel to said vertical oscillating plane of said oscillating arm, in phase relation with the oscillation of the same oscillating arm, said control member being associated with a lower end of said stem.
• Third kinematic means are suitable to actuate the angular rotation of said orientation member to carry out the axial rotation of said products from said first pickup position, in correspondence with a pickup area, to said second release position, in correspondence with a release area.
• said movement members are mechanically connected by toothed sectors in mutual gear so as to transmit the motion from a first movement member to a second movement member.
• said roller is associated with one of said movement members so as to transmit to the same movement member the force applied to said roller in the conical coupling and to actuate the rotation of said lever members around said respective axes of rotation.
• the device comprises resilient means, associated with said orientation member, suitable for exerting on said lever members respective forces which generate respective torques with respect to said axes of rotation so as to maintain said lever members in said closed configuration for gripping said product, in the absence of further applied external forces.
• said resilient means allow to make the grip of the product spring-loaded, thus reducing the risk of stresses which may damage the same product.
• said resilient means comprise respectively a spring associated with a pusher member which is in contact with a respective protruding portion of a relative movement member.
• said lever members are mounted crosswise on said orientation member, so as to reduce the needed angular stroke to carry out the opening and closing of said lever members.
• each lever member in said closure configuration, defines a predetermined angle comprised between a median axis relative to the portion of said lever member proximal to said relative hinging pins and a longitudinal symmetry axis of said gripping member, substantially equal at 50°.
• figure 1 shows a perspective view of the transfer device according to the invention
• figure 2 shows a perspective view from a different angle of the same transfer device
• figure 3 shows a plan view of a detail of the transfer device
• figure 4 shows a plan view of a cross-section of a further detail of the transfer device
• figure 5 shows a front view of a longitudinal section of the same detail of figure 4;
• figures 6a, 6b respectively show front views of a longitudinal section of the detail illustrated in figure 4 in different operational steps;
• figures 7a, 7b show respectively plan views of a cross-section of the detail illustrated in figure 4 in said operational steps;
• FIGS 8a, 8b show respectively plan views of the detail illustrated in figure 3 in said operational steps.
• the reference numeral 1 generally refers to the transfer device intended to be used in wrapping machines for confectionery products 100 and the like.
• the device is suitable to pick up each product to be wrapped from a pickup area of a supply line and to transfer it appropriately oriented to a release zone of the same product, to be then transported to a wrapping head of the wrapping machine, not represented in the figures.
• the transfer device is suitable to orient the products to be wrapped in such a way that their axis disposed longitudinally to the supply line during the pickup step is rotated in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wrapping head.
• the supply line is constituted, for example, in a manner known per se and therefore not shown in the figures, by a conveyor belt which extends along a predetermined advancement direction of the products to be wrapped, on which the products are arranged in ordered succession, resting on a flat base thereof. It is possible to provide that the conveyor belt is provided with means for separating the products so that these products are fed regularly spaced.
• the supply line defines a terminal portion which represents the pickup area of the single products.
• the terminal portion is suitably provided with stopping means for stopping the advancement of each product and allowing the pickup of a single product by the transfer device.
• the transfer device 1 comprises an oscillating arm 2 on a vertical plane about an axis of rotation R.
• the vertical oscillation plane of the oscillating arm 2 intersects the direction along which the supply line extends according to an angle of a predetermined amplitude.
• the supply line is developed on a horizontal plane and is angled with respect to the oscillating plane of the oscillating arm 2 by an angle equal to 30°.
• the oscillating arm 2 is mounted coaxial to a horizontal shaft 3 and is driven in alternating rotary motion by first kinematic means 4 associated with the shaft 3.
• first kinematic means 4 comprise known cam members which receive motion from the shaft 3.
• the cam members control the rotation of the oscillating arm 2 about the axis of rotation R, between a lowered position for gripping the products 100 from the pickup area and a raised position for releasing the products to the release zone, where transport means which transport the products individually to the wrapping head are placed.
• the oscillating arm 2 carries at the top an orientation member 5, rotatable along a vertical axis A.
• the oscillating arm 2 conforms to the free end a support base 200 on which the orientation member 5 is mounted rotatable about the vertical axis A.
• the orientation member 5 comprises a box-shaped body which extends with a portion thereof along a longitudinal direction parallel to the vertical axis A within the support base 200, suitable for housing suitable kinematic means, as specified better below.
• the orientation member 5 carries on the upper part a gripping member 6 of the gripper type suitable to grip each product 100 from the pickup area.
• the gripping member 6 comprises a pair of lever members 7, 8 which are hinged on respective hinging pins 9, 10 which define relative axes of rotation B, C parallel to each other.
• the axes of rotation B, C are substantially vertical and parallel to the axis A of the orientation member 5.
• each lever member 7, 8 is mounted crosswise on the orientation member 5, giving to the gripping member 6 a substantially X-shaped form (figure 3).
• each lever member 7, 8 defines a predetermined angle ⁇ between a median axis M relative to the portion of the lever 7, 8, proximal to the hinging pin 9, 10 and a longitudinal symmetry axis S of the gripping member 6.
• the angle ⁇ is substantially equal to 50°.
• the crossed configuration of the assembly of the lever members 7, 8 allows to reduce the angular stroke needed to perform the opening and closing of the levers 7, 8.
• the hinging pins 9, 10 are associated with respective movement members 1 1 of the levers 7, 8.
• the movement members 1 1 are mechanically connected by toothed sectors 12 in mutual gear. In this way the rotation motion provided to a first movement member 1 1 is transmitted to the second movement member 1 1 .
• the lever members 7, 8 are stressed by respective resilient means 13, associated with the support member 5 (figure 4).
• the resilient means 13 act on the levers 7, 8, with a force of such intensity to generate, with respect to the axes of rotation B, C, respective torques which maintain them in a closed configuration, in the absence of further applied external forces.
• the resilient means 13 act on respective protruding portions 14 shaped by the movement members 1 1 which, in the illustrated embodiment, are trapezoidal tabs.
• the resilient means 13 comprise a spring 15 associated with a pusher member 16 which is in contact with the respective protruding portion 14. Said spring means 13 are housed in relative tubular casing 17 projecting, at least partially, from opposite sides of the orientation member 5.
• the lever members 7, 8 have respective jaws 18, 19 which are mounted interchangeably on the levers 7, 8, according to the dimensional characteristics and to the shape of the product to be transferred.
• the jaws 18, 19 form respective abutment portions suitable to abut the surfaces of the product to be gripped.
• the lever members 7, 8 are actuated in angular rotation around the respective axes of rotation B, C, by means of second kinematic means 20, between a configuration for gripping the single products to be transferred and a configuration for releasing the same products.
• the second kinematic means 20 provide a control member 21 , rotatable on a plane parallel to the vertical oscillation plane of the arm 2.
• the control member 21 is mounted coaxial to the shaft 3 and is able to rotate with alternating motion around the axis of rotation R, in a suitable phase relation with the oscillation of the arm 2.
• the control member 21 is associated, by means of a lever arm 22, to the lower end of a stem 23 inserted sliding along a longitudinal direction parallel to the axis A inside the orientation member 5 (figure 5). More particularly, the stem 23 is slidable in the longitudinal part passing through the support base 200. Preferably the stem 23 moves in linear motion along a guide 24 made in the orientation member 5, between a first inactive disengagement position and a second active engagement position. Between the guide 24 and the stem 23, rolling means 25 suitable for supporting the radial loads are suitably interposed. [51 ] The stem 23 carries at the top a cone 26 suitable to engage a roller 27 associated with the movement member 1 1 of the lever member 8.
• the roller 27 has a substantially horizontal axis and extends along a radial direction with respect to the hinging pins 9, 10.
• the cone 26 has an outer surface with a linear profile; however, it is possible to provide that the cone has a different profile, for example rounded or bell-shaped, to obtain a different speed of operation.
• the roller 27 is fixed to the movement member 1 1 so as to transmit to the same movement member 1 1 the force applied to the roller 27 in the conical coupling and to actuate the rotation of the lever members 7, 8 around the respective axes of rotation B, C.
• the orientation member 5 is associated with third kinematic means 28 suitable to actuate it in angular rotation along the vertical axis A to carry out, in a suitable phase relationship with the alternating motion of the oscillating arm 2, the axial rotation of the products from a first pickup position in the pickup area to a second release position in the release zone.
• the second release position of the products is rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the first position.
• the angle is equal to 60°, if the supply line is angled with respect to the oscillating plane of the arm 2 by an angle equal to 30°.
• the supply line is longitudinal to the oscillating plane of the oscillating arm 2.
• the rotation angle from the pickup position to the release position is 90°.
• the orientation member 5 is mounted integrally on a shaped plate 29.
• the shaped plate 29 defines an elongated portion projecting externally with respect to the orientation member 5, which is connected to the third kinematic means 28.
• the third kinematic means 28 comprise a driving lever 30 pivoted, at one end, to the shaped plate 29.
• the actuation lever 30 is associated with a pin 31 inserted on the protruding portion of the shaped plate 29.
• the actuation lever 31 is connected, at the other end, to a cam member.
• the products 100 to be wrapped are transported along the supply line to the pickup area and are arranged in succession in the pickup area in correspondence with the suitable stopping means.
• the oscillating arm 2 is brought into the lowered position and the lever members 7, 8 mounted on the orientation member 5 are arranged in the open configuration of the jaws 18, 19. More precisely, the stem 23 moves upwards during the opening phase of the jaws 18, 19 so as to act by means of the roller 27 on the lever members [61 ] In order to grip the product 100 to be wrapped, the direction of motion of the stem 23 is reversed, which, by descending, closes the jaws 18, 19 on the product to be picked up (figures 6a, 7a and 8a).
• the descent of the stem 23, in the closing step of the gripper conveniently proceeds for a section after the jaws 18, 19 have been gripped on the product, so as to detach the cone 26 from the roller 27.
• the gripping of the product by the gripper is ensured by the resilient means 13 acting on the levers 7, 8.
• the resilient means 13 allow to make the grip of the product spring-loaded, thus reducing the risk of stresses which may damage the same product.
• the cam members After the gripping of the product, the cam members trigger the oscillation of the arm 2 on the vertical plane so as to carry out the transfer of the product being gripped by the jaws 18, 19 from the pickup station to the release station.
• the third kinematic means 28 determine the rotation of the orientation member 5 about the vertical axis A on a substantially horizontal plane, so as to correctly orient the individual products for the subsequent wrapping steps performed by the wrapping head, arranged downstream of the transport means. More precisely, the products, following the rotation of the orientation member 5, present the longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the wrapping head.
• the lever member 7 is equally driven in rotation around the axis of rotation B and the lever members 7, 8 therefore assume the open configuration with the jaws 18, 19 spaced apart for the release of the product to the transport means, in correspondence of the release station (figures 6b, 7b and 8b).
• the transport means can be an elevator member which transfers the product oriented to the wrapping head of the wrapping machine.
• the transfer device 1 subsequently performs the return motion to perform a new cycle of pickup and transfer cycle a product supplied by the supply line.
• the device according to the present invention achieves the object of operating in an optimal manner the transfer of the confectionery products into the wrapping machines, so as to orient the same products in the appropriate manner.
• An advantageous aspect is the fact that the particular assembly crosswise configuration of the lever members allows to reduce the needed angular stroke for each lever member to pass from the closed configuration to the open configuration and vice versa, contributing to reduce the operating times.
• a further advantage is linked to the presence of resilient means which reduce the stresses of the jaws on the gripped product so as to avoid possible damages to the same product, therefore preserving its integrity.
• the materials used, as well as shape and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)

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Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2017
  • 2017-04-13 IT IT102017000041639A patent/IT201700041639A1/it unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-04-13 CN CN201880018553.6A patent/CN110494366B/zh active Active
  • 2018-04-13 EP EP18723993.4A patent/EP3609790B1/de active Active
  • 2018-04-13 WO PCT/IT2018/050064 patent/WO2018189763A1/en unknown

Patent Citations (6)

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